An ORANGE CRUSH, Please!

I remember the orange crush drink. Yes, a soda with a zest of the very sweetened orange to fill a sweet tooth completely and with cold ice included is or was something I did not mind in my youth. I certainly added the "Please" to make sure I was courteous about receiving such a grand prize of delicious goodness to my mouth.
As the child, I could dance around in merriment because I had gotten this delicious drink: JUST BECAUSE!

Proverbs 17:22
A merry heart does good, like medicine,
But a broken spirit dries the bones. NKJV

But it is more than a sweet drink that one needs to have the "merry" heart. This "merry" is the gleeful type of heart to have. It also sounds like one who can go in and cheer up a room full of people. Or at least that is what it appears to me to be. This also sounds like being really joyful with a dance.

When thinking on this "merry" today, I think of my sister. Now as a young child she could enter a room and have people laughing in minutes. When she got to be a teenager, she still could bring a laugh or two, but by that time she was more skilled in delivering that "funny" word, or "funny" look as she spoke about something she liked.  She certainly could deliver a more funny and cleaner joke than what was on T.V. at the time.
She was never lost for word when she was delivering what she thought had to be the best "joke" in town. And I always thought she should have been a comedian on T.V. or even worldwide.


Proverbs 15:13
3 A merry heart makes a cheerful countenance,
But by sorrow of the heart the spirit is broken.  NKJV

Now for me, it was hard enough growing up, and trying to keep up with her and her better than average person's A's............I had study a lot to get and maintain the B grade. Although C was normal for Physical Education,  I believe I held that grade for most of that grade was about climbing those ropes all the way to the ceiling I had trouble with. Not sure why we needed to touch the ceiling of our gym but it was the "expected" to move up those ropes. Yeah, right, and I needed it today to do what?

 As the years have gone by, my sister and I have lived for most of our lives separated by thousands of miles. In keeping touch by phone we find time to reflect on our day, what the Lord is doing and laugh about the dog we have or the pet rabbit of our niece. But in all the short of amount of time, my sister is like that "orange crush, please!" She has been through a lot of late. Both she and my brother-in-law have weathered and marched out the storms with a laugh still found on their lips and down in their hearts. Seeing our mother pass recently, sis and Shorty maintained their stature of holding themselves in God and believing the best for anything and anyone who crossed their paths in all decisions to be made concerning our mother's last moments.

Delicious goodness: Yes, they delivered not only to her, but to us as well the importance of keeping the right spirit and referring always to God's goodness. I know they ministered to me in many ways. Yes, I have been ministered to by my sister in many ways. In her youth, her laughter made me feel alive. In her effortless work of maintaining A's, I worked harder to stay with the flow. In the absence of our mother today, my sister still walks with a joy in her heart, and I pray strength in her body. I pray today that God is still with her, and will strengthen her to finish the course He purposed for her and Shorty's as well. For to her and to Shorty, their look is to HIM in fulfilling that which He said He would do for them!

I spoke with them today and yes felt like I had received my orange crush. What a blessing families are to us and what an opportunity as we all speak with one voice to give God glory for all that He has done for us and all that He will do for us.

Psalm 32
32:1 What happiness for those whose guilt has been forgiven! What joys when sins are covered over! What relief for those who have confessed their sins and God has cleared their record.

3 There was a time when I wouldn't admit what a sinner I was. But my dishonesty made me miserable and filled my days with frustration. 4 All day and all night your hand was heavy on me. My strength evaporated like water on a sunny day 5 until I finally admitted all my sins to you and stopped trying to hide them. I said to myself, "I will confess them to the Lord." And you forgave me! All my guilt is gone.

6 Now I say that each believer should confess his sins to God when he is aware of them, while there is time to be forgiven. Judgment will not touch him if he does.

7 You are my hiding place from every storm of life; you even keep me from getting into trouble! You surround me with songs of victory. 8 I will instruct you (says the Lord) and guide you along the best pathway for your life; I will advise you and watch your progress. 9 Don't be like a senseless horse or mule that has to have a bit in its mouth to keep it in line!

10 Many sorrows come to the wicked, but abiding love surrounds those who trust in the Lord. 11 So rejoice in him, all those who are his, and shout for joy, all those who try to obey him.  TLB


Those who abide in God's love are those who have placed their trust in Him. My sister and brother-in-law rejoice in Him, and all those who are His should shout for joy..............all those who obey Him.
For truly God is for us. He is not against us. We find that as believer's together, we pray and worship the same God who sent us the Savior, Jesus Christ. He is the only way to the Father.(John 14:6)

Psalm 62:5-8
5 My soul, wait silently for God alone,
For my expectation is from Him.
6 He only is my rock and my salvation;
He is my defense;
I shall not be moved.
7 In God is my salvation and my glory;
The rock of my strength,
And my refuge, is in God.

8 Trust in Him at all times, you people;
Pour out your heart before Him;
God is a refuge for us. NKJV

In thinking about my sister who is like more than a sister to me. I pray for her and all sisters like her everywhere that when we allow our souls to wait silently for God (without any complaint) and our expectation is from Him, our rock and salvation. I know that like my sister every other sister can know Jesus as their Rock and not be moved by adverse things attacking to the body. For in our salvation we have the Healer on hand. He is here. And with the Rock as our strength, we can move through anything and come out the victor on the other side. Yes, some wind may blow, the water may appear to flood the boat, but God is with us. He is our Strength and Refuge in the day of trouble. May all who read this know that there are good days ahead. Yes, we lose family members, and yes, we grow older each day. I mean, think on that baby, and they are already heading out to be the aged, right? Today they need a bottle, tomorrow they need a car, and the next they are looking at retirement.

As we pour out our hearts may God hear from heaven. May He look on hearts today and tonight and know that we love Him and want to finish the course. In this knowing, we expect His strength to carry us forward where we can use our legs to walk and run, reach out with helping hands, give a hug of support and look up intently for His return.

Like that "orange crush" my sister added zest to my life today. She is forever thinking of others and not herself. She is forever being blessed by God. How do I know? For what flows from her mouth is nothing but praise for our God. 

May God honor her, and many like her today who give God the first........and whose desire is for Him only! Amen.

Today I honor those who have stood their ground,  they walked with those who came to death, and in that became the tired and weary. I pray they rise today, to see the New Day in God, to live in health and vigor all the days of their lives. May they reach millions with the Gospel of peace, and may they shine brighter and brighter to the full light of day....(Proverbs 4:18)..................for God is with them!

Notice:
The Voice of Prayer  has a new teaching published: 
Prompted By Faith-Contenting Our Faith must Speak
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fD90sBKMLlM

You can also visit my Youtube channel The Voice of Prayer for more teaching at http://bit.ly/1tNyBhV

Delight and Pleasant Brings Life!

In earlier blogs I have written about the beauty of grace. Today I add another writing on the importance grace is to our lives.
Acts 4:32-37......
32 Now the multitude of those who believed were of one heart and one soul; neither did anyone say that any of the things he possessed was his own, but they had all things in common. 33 And with great power the apostles gave witness to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus. And great grace was upon them all. 34 Nor was there anyone among them who lacked; for all who were possessors of lands or houses sold them, and brought the proceeds of the things that were sold, 35 and laid them at the apostles' feet; and they distributed to each as anyone had need. 36 And Joses, who was also named Barnabas by the apostles (which is translated Son of Encouragement), a Levite of the country of Cyprus, 37 having land, sold it, and brought the money and laid it at the apostles' feet.

NKJV

2 Peter 1:2-4..........  2 Grace and peace be multiplied to you in the knowledge of God and of Jesus our Lord, 3 as His divine power has given to us all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of Him who called us by glory and virtue, 4 by which have been given to us exceedingly great and precious promises, that through these you may be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust.   NKJV

Escaping the world is a good thing AND according to this it looks like we are to partake of the divine nature through all the precious promises given to us by God Himself.

If we sound like the world, does that bring any real change for good to anyone? If I just spend time telling you of my day and how I am doing my day, how does that help you or anyone? 

But what if I am filled with the Holy Spirit, speak as I am directed by the Holy Spirit, to declare what God has done for me, and give you hope for your outcome of good in whatever situation or problem you face or see on the horizon, then you have been given that which is of a delight, pleasant, and brings life to you as it did to those who followed, not only David, BUT JESUS AS WELL! TESTIMONIES ARE GOD'S IDEA!

1 Thessalonians 5:5-24.................11 Therefore encourage one another and build each other up, just as in fact you are doing. 

12 Now we ask you, brothers, to respect those who work hard among you, who are over you in the Lord and who admonish you. 13 Hold them in the highest regard in love because of their work. Live in peace with each other. 14 And we urge you, brothers, warn those who are idle, encourage the timid, help the weak, be patient with everyone. 15 Make sure that nobody pays back wrong for wrong, but always try to be kind to each other and to everyone else. 

16 Be joyful always; 17 pray continually; 18 give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus. 

19 Do not put out the Spirit's fire; 20 do not treat prophecies with contempt. 21 Test everything. Hold on to the good. 22 Avoid every kind of evil. 

23 May God himself, the God of peace, sanctify you through and through. May your whole spirit, soul and body be kept blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. 24 The one who calls you is faithful and he will do it. NIV

So how are we looking in regard to the scripture above? Do we look good and sound good? Does everything go back to God and to His glory or is it about how good I am and how good I am doing?

In praying for others, do we operate in the love that was displayed at the cross at Calvary? Do we exemplify the truth of love that was displayed? 

Verse 12..........live in peace with others.......that means husbands, and with our children as well.

Verse 13..........holding them who are over us, those in ministry, the work place, or again the husband. Do we highly esteem our husband?  Do our words keep us in the peace of God, or we doing something other like King Saul did and cause tyranny in every direction?

Verse 16..........be joyful always. It says joyful ...........even when we have something we do not like to do, it is best to keep a cheerful heart. For when we smile, we can brighten other people's faces as well!

Verse 17..........pray continually. Are WE praying continually for people, those God has caused to surround us on every side? IT IS IN HIM, WE LIVE AND MOVE AND HAVE OUR BEING.

Verse 18..........give thanks in all circumstances. It says to give thanks in all circumstances NOT FOR ALL CIRCUMSTANCES. So many times, people are giving thanks for the disease they have in their body. We do not lie about the disease and say it is not there if it does exist, BUT WE DO DENY IT'S RIGHT TO EXIST ANYWHERE IN OUR BODIES!

Verse 19.........pray to Not put out the Holy Spirit's fire ever and never treat prophecies with contempt.

The Holy Spirit enlightens us to the ways AND THOUGHTS OF GOD ......TO God's workings in His kingdom. He gives us details on what is on our pathway and it would not be good to douse the fire out with any carnal lusts.

Any teachings and preaching of the word is that which we are given as to prophecies. We are to not despise those teachings, but value the Word of God. It is His Word that is given by the Holy Spirit to increase our knowledge and grace.

Verse 21............hold on to good. Hold onto the good Word of God and let loose that which binds you to the world!

Verse 22.. ........avoid every kind of evil.........We have to remember people are watching us. We do not want to lead weak people back into the world if they just came out. What testimony could you give about how God has kept you from the world?

 Verse 23..........May God himself, the God of peace, sanctify you through and through. May your whole spirit, soul and body be kept blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. 24 The one who calls you is faithful and he will do it. 

Sanctified to do God's will for our lives. 1 Thessalonians 4:3-8...............3 It is God's will that you should be sanctified: that you should avoid sexual immorality; 4 that each of you should learn to control his own body in a way that is holy and honorable, 5 not in passionate lust like the heathen, who do not know God; 6 and that in this matter no one should wrong his brother or take advantage of him. The Lord will punish men for all such sins, as we have already told you and warned you. 7 For God did not call us to be impure, but to live a holy life. 8 Therefore, he who rejects this instruction does not reject man but God, who gives you his Holy Spirit. NIV

God is faithful and He will do it!

It takes God's Grace to attract others to Him through us! How are we doing in this one thing? Are we giving a testimony of life or are we just whining how unfair life is to us? What do we expect from God as He has given us everything pertaining to life and godliness?

Father, thank You for grace. for we certainly see the advantage grace has for our lives. We give thanks for this attractiveness to others and that we can draw others to YOU always through this divine favor. We also understand that is by having a holy life before YOU. In Jesus' name, we pray to be those who will humble ourselves to be holy as YOU are holy. We seek to have the manifestation of the grace of God in our lives. For any Lord who have the favor to minister to others either through the pulpit, within homes, or on the street, we thank YOU for the light of YOUR graciousness toward us. We pray to not be those who would blow off an opportunity to give a testimony of YOUR goodness to us in the land of the living. We pray together for a unity with YOU and for truth of Your love that when we speak, people will see what is in our hearts. May people see YOUR word that is unfailing, dependable, and absolute. We pray that every testimony given will be with fire of the Holy Spirit, the Spirit of Grace. We pray also to be those who bring glory to YOU Lord. We are set apart for Your purpose and plan. We are to be different than that of the world. It is our desire today to live, act and think according to how YOUR Word directs us to live, act and think. May our love be that people will know as God's love that is merciful and always forgiving. May we keep our eyes on YOU, and not enter the path of the wicked and in the way of evil. FOR we do not want to eat the bread of wickedness and drink of the wine of violence. We believe our path of the just is like the shining of the sun that shines brighter and brighter unto the perfect day. We give thanks for the Spirit of Grace, our comforter, our friend, and we loose Him now into our lives and every area we step into today. Have YOUR way Holy Spirit and we will speak boldly the things God has done for us as our testimony of faith. Amen.

You can also visit my Youtube channel The Voice of Prayer for more teaching at http://bit.ly/1tNyBhV