Living in Oppression Does Not Bring Freedom

Was hearing this teaching this morning and it was a good one! This pastor is one out of California and we listen to him weekly. He taught to those  in attendance that they all required truth! I agree! And the truth is found in God's word and not in news articles or made up things from men's worldly thoughts and ways! 

He continued to tell them that early people in the Bible and of course, he gave the years before Christ and then during His time and how the color of those living at that time were darker. He compared his skin color and continued to tell them that even Pharaoh even had dark skin. He went on to explain Noah and the sons he had and what areas they had settled after the flood. So after he had given this teaching I kept thinking of how people are living oppressed without freedom when they are held by the very color of their skin!

Jesus was not held by oppression but came to set captives free from every stinking thing that would hold a person down.

Here I give you some detail:

Genesis 9:18-28 NKJV Now the sons of Noah who went out of the ark were Shem, Ham, and Japheth. And Ham was the father of Canaan. 19 These three were the sons of Noah, and from these the whole earth was populated. 20 And Noah began to be a farmer, and he planted a vineyard. 21 Then he drank of the wine and was drunk, and became uncovered in his tent. 22 And Ham, the father of Canaan, saw the nakedness of his father, and told his two brothers outside. 23 But Shem and Japheth took a garment, laid it on both their shoulders, and went backward and covered the nakedness of their father. Their faces were turned away, and they did not see their father’s nakedness. 24 So Noah awoke from his wine, and knew what his younger son had done to him. 25 The he said: “Cursed be Canaan; a servant of servants He shall be to his brethren.” 26 And he said: “Blessed be the LORD, the God of Shem, and may Canaan be his servant. 27 May God enlarge Japheth; and may he dwell in the tens of Shem; and may Canaan be his servant.”

Genesis 10:1-10 NKJV Now this is the genealogy of the sons of Noah: Shem, Ham, and Japheth. And sons were born of Japheth were Gomer, Magog, Madai, Javan, Tubal, Meshech, and Tiras. 3 The sons of Gomer, wer Ashkenaz,, Riphath, and Togarmah. 4 The sons of Javan were Elishah, Tarshish, Kittim and Dodanim. 5 From these the coastland peoples of the Gentiles were separated into their lands, everyone according to his language, according to their families, into their nations. 6 The sons of Ham were Cush, Mizraim, Put and Canaan. 7 The sons of Cush were Seba, Havilah, Sabtah, Raaman, and Sabtechah; and the sons of Raaman were Sheba and Dedan. 8 Cush begot Nimrod; he began to be a mighty one on the earth. 9 He was a mighty hunter before the LORD; therefore it is said, “Like Nimrod the mighty hunter before the LORD.” 10 and the beginning of his kingdom was Babel, Erech, Accad, and Calneh, in the land of Shinar.

Genesis 10:25 To Eber was born two sons: the name of one was Peleg, for in his days the earth was divided; and his brother’s name was Joktan.

So it was Ham who saw his father’s nakedness. And Ham’s sons were Cush, Mizraim, Put and Canaan. The Holman Illustrated Bible Commentary records that Ham’s descendants were associated with the regions of Africa and Arabia. Also Nimrod, from same family was a successful but aggressive empire builder.

It was this Nimrod that organized what would be the first secular government in what would be the city of Babel seen in Genesis 10:8-10. 

It is what is known today as socialism in that only a few leaders at the top would actually profit from the labor of the majority beneath them. It was revealed that this Nimrod organized others in a short time to connect with other men in the areas they wanted to have in their empire and among those many cities each was ruled by that “self-willed” king! You can see that today in those who have a greed + pride that marks their competition style that enslaves others by economic manipulation.

Genesis.11:1-4  Now the whole earth was of one language,& of one speech. (lip).  2 & it came to pass, as they journeyed from the east, that they found a plain in the land of Shinar; & they dwelt there.  3 Then they said one to another, “ Come,  let us make bricks for stone & bake them thoroughly.” They had brick for stone, & they had asphalt for mortar. 4 & they said, Come, let us build ourselves a city & a tower, whose top may reach in to the heavens; let us make us a name, lest we be scattered abroad upon the face of the whole earth.” 

They did not want to be scattered for safety reasons. The increase of animals is increased when sin increases! The news of bears staying close to people’s neighborhoods and yes who built their new home in the backyard of bears seems common today as well as cougars running close to neighborhood’s  and schools, again due to building in the area that is country and home to the such. Have you lately checked the skies over the area of which you live? Take a walk outside or drive to the outskirt of your community and you will see turkey buzzards and the such. They are circling, waiting for the morsel to show up on their plate! We have noticed them where we live, and also by driving either west or east of here, and yes, the small communities have them as much as the bigger towns and cities do!

Genesis 11:5-9 NKJV BUT the Lord came down to see the city & the tower, which the sons of men had built.  6 And the Lord said, “Indeed, the people are one, & they have all one language; & this is what they begin to do: now nothing that they propose to do will be withheld from them.   7 Come, let US go down & there confuse their language, that they may not understand one another’s speech.” 8 So the LORD scattered them abroad from there over the face of all the earth, & they ceased building the city. 9 Therefore is the name of it called Babel; because the LORD confused the language of all the earth: & from there the LORD scattered them abroad upon over the face of all the earth.

In looking at the map of the nations of Genesis 10 we find the countries of Greece, Syria, Lebanon, Assyria, Persia, Jordan, Israel and Egypt. And the skin coloring was darker than say of those in what would be the European region.    

            

In 1 Chronicles 1:19 to Eber were born two son: the name of one was Peleg, for in his days the earth was divided; and his brother’s name was Joktan.

At the time Peleg was born and of his life, God caused the land mass to separate into continents. It would be five generations when Abram would appear. He and his family were told to leave Ur of the Chaldeans and go to Canaan. Ur would be located in northern Mesopotamia and is identified with the city in southern Iraq. These were people with darker skin coloring. It is important to remember that when Noah got off that ark, only his family got off. It was eight people: Noah and his wife, and their sons with their wives. And the sons were to be fruitful and multiply. So if Adam was taken from the ground and we know he was by the scripture seen in Genesis 2:7, God breathed into his nostrils the breath of life; and man became a living being. So this group seen after the flood would be the beginning of the lineage of man across the earth.

Today many people desire to know their lineage. They desire to know if they came over on the Mayflower, but still all have come from Adam and resembles the color of the earth. So there are those with conflicting opinions concerning people and their ethnicity.

After what occurred to the Tower of Babel, the Japhetic race went to the east of Europe and north of Asia to multiply the race!

Japheth is usually thought of as the “Father of the Europeans”. He is known to be the ancestor of all Indo-European nations. The majority of his descendants are situated in north western regions like Anatolia and Aegean.

He was given the word to enlarge in Genesis 9:27. His people would settle areas and enlarge to take the parts considered as Asia and the Americas. But Scriptures reminds us that a fraction would be separated until the conquest of the Shemite tribes would occur to drive them to the northern regions where they would occupy the South of Europe.

All these were descendants of color more or less, are still the same family, so what is the “problem”?

Certainly all came through what was of Noah and his sons. Men of color, including the Pharaohs, wise men, prophets, teachers, scholars, judges, and seamen, and even Jesus! 

Even my own mother told me when we saw the movie of Cleopatra, that she, Cleopatra,  was really not considered the “white” but would have been a woman of color…..like all were people there! She continued to tell me that as more people traveled and settled in colder regions, the less sun they saw and more indoor time they experienced and endured the less tan their skin would appear. The colder the climates, the more likely a coat would cover to keep the sun's rays off the skin of a person!

Wow, does that not seem like what we are doing today…that time to endure "sheltered" in rooms with no sunshine but the light from a lamp or the light from the television set? I wonder if we should check our color chart guide or do we have one to see if we are much too pale?

No seriously, we all have the same blood, and just because you may be lighter in skin than me or darker does not change the truth that living in oppression does not bring freedom. We must come to the place and realize God knows best and He knows what He is doing. We are here by His choice and for His pleasure. And we should learn to get along with each other because He said so and not because of any man or woman thing, but because God is Father who cares and desires us to be one family: HIS!

Whether a family comes from the south China seas makes no difference from the family who comes from Norway, or even the Hawaiian Islands. God created, and God is love! He has desires for us as His own and as His, those sons of God, we are to abide in His Son, live by the power of the Holy Spirit and express His love to others. May the rest of 2020 be for His glory and to His love that prevails in us all that none of us will live in oppression or by oppressive rules of man but by the love and guidance of a holy Father in heaven. Amen.

New teaching at: Voice of Prayer  

Kept From the Hour of Trial

https://youtu.be/CKQm6bUe7ME

Visit my You Tube channel Voice of Prayer for more teaching 

http://bit.ly/1tNyBhV

New teaching at: Life Giving Wells

WHAT is that To YOU

https://youtu.be/U9r7m0UC2og

Visit Life Giving Wells You Tube Channel for more teaching

http://bit.ly/2wgu1kw

Going Out to See

Are we going out to see, because we have to run errands? Are we going out to see, because we heard something going on? Or are we going out to see just because we can!
Luke 7:24-35
24 After John's messengers left, Jesus began to speak to the crowd about John: "What did you go out into the desert to see? A reed swayed by the wind? 25 If not, what did you go out to see? A man dressed in fine clothes? No, those who wear expensive clothes and indulge in luxury are in palaces. 26 But what did you go out to see? A prophet? Yes, I tell you, and more than a prophet. 27 This is the one about whom it is written:

"'I will send my messenger ahead of you,
who will prepare your way before you.'

28 I tell you, among those born of women there is no one greater than John; yet the one who is least in the kingdom of God is greater than he."

29(All the people, even the tax collectors, when they heard Jesus' words, acknowledged that God's way was right, because they had been baptized by John. 30 But the Pharisees and experts in the law rejected God's purpose for themselves, because they had not been baptized by John.)

31 "To what, then, can I compare the people of this generation? What are they like? 32 They are like children sitting in the marketplace and calling out to each other:

"'We played the flute for you,
and you did not dance;
we sang a dirge,
and you did not cry.'

33 For John The Baptist came neither eating bread nor drinking wine, and you say, 'He has a demon.' 34 The Son of Man came eating and drinking, and you say, 'Here is a glutton and a drunkard, a friend of tax collectors and "sinners." ' 35 But wisdom is proved right by all her children."
NIV


Going out to see! Taking a real look in the here and now of protests, marches, and many gatherings with many speakers, it is quite an endeavor for those participating. But what did you go out to see?
You can hear all kinds of stories for going out to see! And sometimes those who want to go "see" find themselves in the middle of "harm's way"!

In the time of John the Baptist, people came to hear him speak. He spoke of the kingdom that had come. He talked of the one who was right behind him, and whose sandals he could not lace up.
John had a real relationship with God. He recognized Jesus when He came, and he proved to walk with faith much like Jesus. Severe indeed is the walk John had with the Lord. It cost him his head.
There is a day coming if you read the Bible and it's description of latter day happenings is detailed, but those who love God are the secure.
Those (people) who come in later after the tribulation has started, well, they will have a greater and straighter walk in salvation to walk, and yes, by reading that walk will cost greatly!
Yes, many speakers speak today. They call up marches, and more protests. And if they find no one listening, they keep moving till they find someone who will hear them. Peace will always look like peace done in peaceful ways. But chaos still presents more chaos and sometimes harm and great violence to some or to many people!

I came from a large family and that most of the siblings related to my dad all lived fairly close to one another. They lived in the same town for many years. For us, our family appeared as the 'black sheep" of that family. Not sure why that happened. They are awesome people. They worked hard just like we did. Well, we came to live there when the elder family leader was in poor health.  In that short time of high school period, we came to reside in the same town only to leave again. Our lives surely changed. And in the case of divorces, and of "grown" family,.......you would say "grown", proved our family did not exist in the way it had previous decades to 1970. And in that divorce, the family I knew was sent into 4 different directions.

In our married life, my husband and I encountered many moves. In our first years away from the "home" after our high school years, we encountered a couple of the big cities. And in that encounter we also encountered what would be: long lines of vehicles to get gas for a gas shortage that was on-going in the mid seventies. Then the meat cutters went on strike. And then around the meat cutter's "thing", the dairy folks followed suit. Yes, 4 a.m. it was to "be there" in line to put gas in car, only to leave there and get to the grocery store where crossing lines seemed endless just get to get that gallon of milk that was possibly delivered by "scabs"! NO, we did not call them that. And we certainly prayed for their safety, those men who kept working to deliver all milk products to the grocery stores of that great city. Yes there were those who continued to work, and deliver milk through all obstacles of picket lines, barriers, loud voices, mega phones and the such. Our daughter was barely two and we were making sure she had some meat and some milk. Of course, today giving anyone milk is hazardous. Many people have come to find that they have some kind of lactose intolerance. Well, we still have half and half served here. And it is good in hot cereal!

Going out to see is really living life! In any part of this great country, you can and will come in contact with the most fascinating people. But going out just to see what is going on can prove down right bad for some.  And in some cases, some may just get caught up in what is going on in that which goes viral on the Internet or on T.V.  Being sucked in by so many emotions flaring at once can prove so detrimental to many people.

Crossing those lines can mean life and death to some. Still in the time of Jesus, they faced many opportunities that was hazardous to the health of a person.  Taking sides is important in that we stay with Him Who created and planned. Holding firm to His hand and finding our place is vital. And in it we discover what is important and what is just passing. People can be so funny at times and then be so painfully hurt and so needy the next.
In writing this today, I think of those who hid out when Jesus had been resurrected and took His place in heaven. He appeared and was alive. He had to go into locked houses and rooms to get to the people who knew Him probably the best.
Men hid out when Jesus was put in the tomb. But a woman, Mary by name, came to push a big stone out of the way. Yet, when she arrived the stone was moved. Amazing how God helps you even in the midst of trials. Women were coming to wrap Jesus up, and His body was not found. Amazement! Yes. Problems.....for the military, yes.
Our finding peace in a chaotic world is only found in Jesus. Jesus came to get involved. He did not come to accommodate our culture. He did come to set up His kingdom.

In the time of John the Baptist you find a man on fire to preach about His coming. In that same mode, you find many coming to receive and ready tell others of the "same coming One".
Jesus and John knew the same kingdom. John recognized Jesus as the Coming One! And the religious community showed up to make a comment about it.
It was in the wilderness, it was rugged, and dusty. A river flowed through it and many a man, woman and child stepped into that icy water to "repent" for their sins.

When was the last "call" for repentance at your church? Does anyone talk about it anymore? Is it not a part of the service any more?
In raising families in this century, it will be done in detail that will bring praise to God and His name. Yes lines will be crossed. What barriers are across in your thoroughfare?
Lines must be crossed in those areas that present work at home and work outside. People must provide meals for their loved ones and cross lines that present maybe danger. And the woman, the mother will cross any barriers to keep children out of harm. And she will not deliberately send her child out to the mouth's of lions. A woman will do what it takes to protect the children.
In our way, we see it in prayer. We can reach so many with His Word. We can touch hearts in prayer today by just pleading the Blood of Jesus over our sisters and brother's in Christ. Going to look to find "danger", to find "the chaotic" is just wrong. Society involves a whole group of individuals with different backgrounds and different lives!

 Whether it was stormy on the day you were born or just a sunny day should not matter what affects your life today. Many things can and will occur in our lifetimes. The oil glut hit the U.S. many times. But the 70's ring more of get in line at 4 am, please, than say the 80's ever did. Yet, I meet people from time to time that can tell me how they and theirs was impacted by something such as an oil glut in the eighties! At some point some lines were crossed.
But going out to take care of your own, is not about taking from anyone else. And in the case of Jesus and His body, well the gang showed up to wrap His body for burial. BUT IT WAS NOT NEEDED!

Jesus moved throughout the community and region to tell of His father's love and how people had to believe Him to be the One sent. Salvation was present!

John met the "travelers", he met the poor and possibly those inferior to the palace life IN THE CITY. In this "kingdom" Jesus considered those in the background, those considered as Mary Wallpaper, the hidden, the unwanted. The clearest evidence we have is that the religious men of that day refused the baptism John performed in the Jordan River. They were not giving up their positions to Jesus or John or anyone like them! YIKES!
ALL THEY NEEDED TO DO WAS CROSS A LINE FOR SALVATION AND LIVE FOREVER WITH JESUS!


Jesus concluded with this:
Luke 7:31-35
31 "To what, then, can I compare the people of this generation? What are they like? 32 They are like children sitting in the marketplace and calling out to each other:

"'We played the flute for you,
and you did not dance;
we sang a dirge,
and you did not cry.'

33 For John the Baptist came neither eating bread nor drinking wine, and you say, 'He has a demon.' 34 The Son of Man came eating and drinking, and you say, 'Here is a glutton and a drunkard, a friend of tax collectors and "sinners." ' 35 But wisdom is proved right by all her children." NIV

For one group they desired the wedding party. They desired to party! For the other group, well, they came to mourn and be sorrowful, in (life) it is a funeral to them. For John the Baptist came neither eating bread nor drinking wine and they considered him demonic.

The amplified Bible has it this way: The son of Man came eating and drinking, and you say, Behold, a Man Who is a glutton and a wine drinker, a friend of tax collectors and notorious sinners. Yet wisdom is vindicated (show to be true and divine) by all her children [their life, character, and deeds].

Joining with others to worship God is commanded in the Word. To join in bringing information is wonderful, but joining to bring chaos and death is not right, is not the given, and is not of God. God is peace and in His Light we will see light. And His light dispels darkness that may be covering our eyes.

I close with this. Had this dream: went into a church building. Was asked,"what can I do you for?"
And saw the young man had something like a rainbow color of match sticks in his hand.
I asked him, "what are you talking about?"
He responds raising up his match sticks...........and he was proud of those sticks.
Well, he said,  holding up a green stick. ""This is green for doing nothing.." "So with this color you should go and be seated in service."
He holds up the blue match stick. "With this, he said, "you have the 20 minute Message". "follow your way that way to the blue stick".
He then held the yellow........"this is for the Sunday School .....30 minutes now," "and you have worship, sprinkled with Word and song/giving.
"But I have only a few of the yellow sticks left. ' "I have three green sticks left and only one of the brown.........."that is for security".

"LOTS of the men like to grab the brown for security and walk the parking lot for an hour or two."
I replied, "really?"
Then he holds up another color. "ORANGE, yeah man, this is Worship". We have very few of those sticks left as well."
Then he holds the purple colored stick. "This is for prayer....before service and after service." We have lots of prayer sticks in purple!"

THEN HE URGES ME TO PICK A SPOT AND MOVE TO THAT PLACE!
Our going to church should not be exactly like going to war. It should NOT be like finding our niche' in just getting through a church service. CROSSING LINES is moving into areas the devil will not go. Crossing lines is about obeying God and doing it no matter how it sounds. AND IT WILL ALWAYS BE OF ORDER AND WITHOUT SWEAT AND WORRY.
IF you worry, then you must find more time to turn to God and fine tune your hearing. It is not about finding where the latest craze has hit the internet, but what you can do to pray for our community, our state and our nation to continue to become all that God intended and it is not to find the orange match stick of worship. Every step we take with God, every decision of our heart should be to influence others to partake in seeing and hearing God: not in rituals or with the "buds" but because we go to honor God where He desires us to be.

Wisdom is vindicated (show to be true and divine) by all her children [their life, character, and deeds]. To worship Him, is to be in spirit and in truth. Our life, our character, and our deeds will certainly shine out for we are on the Lord's side!
Are you on the Lord's side?

I HAVE A NEW WEB SITE AVAILABLE NOW WITH OTHER CURRENT BLOGS AND YOUTUBE TEACHINGS. I INVITE YOU TOO CHECK IT OUT.  THERE IS A PRAYER REQUEST SECTION ON THE SITE.

www.godsgoodnessandlove.com

Notice: 

The Voice of Prayer  has a new teaching published:

AUTHORITY: HIS WISDOM

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UpvmfoKg98s

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

THAT PLACE CALLED FAITH!

John 15:4-8
4 Abide in Me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in Me. 5 I am the vine, you are the branches. He who abides in Me, and I in him, bears much fruit; for without Me you can do nothing. 6 If anyone does not abide in Me, he is cast out as a branch and is withered; and they gather them and throw them into the fire, and they are burned. 7 If you abide in Me, and My words abide in you, you will ask what you desire, and it shall be done for you. 8 By this My Father is glorified, that you bear much fruit; so you will be My disciples.   NKJV

1 John 5:1-5

5:1 Whoever believes that Jesus is the Christ is born of God, and everyone who loves Him who begot also loves him who is begotten of Him. 2 By this we know that we love the children of God, when we love God and keep His commandments. 3 For this is the love of God, that we keep His commandments. And His commandments are not burdensome. 4 For whatever is born of God overcomes the world. And this is the victory that has overcome the world--our faith. 5 Who is he who overcomes the world, but he who believes that Jesus is the Son of God? 

NKJV

Seems easy, does it not, that when we abide in Jesus, and all the words He gave us.........that when we ask with that righteous desire, we will see what we have asked for according to that Word?  (John 15:7-8) And when we keep His Words, those commandments are not burdensome. That is the place that looks like faith, and overcomes anything the adversary may throw up at you or me! 

TO me, it is like following a recipe. In following say something for a beef stew, we look at all the ingredients. We look at the amount needed to make a stew that will, of course, have meat, a potato, and some veggies in it as well. Now I am not one for that tomato type broth in my stew, but one that is meaty and full of flavor with onions and beef. Yes, it must be brown in color!  I like the meat tender and fully browned on both sides of the meat and the broth should not be runny and soup like but richly thick.....but not where a spoon put IN WOULD JUST stand straight up in it. No, it must be thickened just enough to create a flow when stirring. Now that is a just "right" stew.

Well, the Lord desires us to have that continual flow of faith. Whatever may come into our day or week, we are to have that continual flowing of faith, and not only for ourselves, and families, but for others as well as when we pray and believe. And that believing is based on truth that Jesus is the Son of God.
If I spend all day writing and not spending time with the Lord, my faith is not established. Just like that stew.......if, I leave out the meat, then it is just vegetable soup.


John 7:37-39
37 On the last day, that great day of the feast, Jesus stood and cried out, saying, "If anyone thirsts, let him come to Me and drink. 38 He who believes in Me, as the Scripture has said, out of his heart will flow rivers of living water." 39 But this He spoke concerning the Spirit, whom those believing in Him would receive; for the Holy Spirit was not yet given, because Jesus was not yet glorified.
NKJV

Faith is like a flowing river.........of living water..........when we believe. In believing, we speak out what we believe for, not just for us, but for others, too!

Ephesians 5:8-11

8 For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Walk as children of light 9(for the fruit of the Spirit is in all goodness, righteousness, and truth), 10 finding out what is acceptable to the Lord. 11 And have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather expose them.     NKJV

Finding out is half the fun.........it is finding Who the Father is, What Jesus did for us...........and what is pleasing..........that which is acceptable to the Lord.

Romans 12:1-20
12:1 I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service. 2 And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God. 

3 For I say, through the grace given to me, to everyone who is among you, not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think, but to think soberly, as God has dealt to each one a measure of faith. 4 For as we have many members in one body, but all the members do not have the same function, 5 so we, being many, are one body in Christ, and individually members of one another. 6 Having then gifts differing according to the grace that is given to us, let us use them: if prophecy, let us prophesy in proportion to our faith; 7 or ministry, let us use it in our ministering; he who teaches, in teaching; 8 he who exhorts, in exhortation; he who gives, with liberality; he who leads, with diligence; he who shows mercy, with cheerfulness. 

9 Let love be without hypocrisy. Abhor what is evil. Cling to what is good. 10 Be kindly affectionate to one another with brotherly love, in honor giving preference to one another; 11 not lagging in diligence, fervent in spirit, serving the Lord; 12 rejoicing in hope, patient in tribulation, continuing steadfastly in prayer; 13 distributing to the needs of the saints, given to hospitality. 14 Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse. 15 Rejoice with those who rejoice, and weep with those who weep. 16 Be of the same mind toward one another. Do not set your mind on high things, but associate with the humble. Do not be wise in your own opinion. 17 Repay no one evil for evil. Have regard for good things in the sight of all men. 18 If it is possible, as much as depends on you, live peaceably with all men. 19 Beloved, do not avenge yourselves, but rather give place to wrath; for it is written, "Vengeance is Mine, I will repay," says the Lord. 20 Therefore

"If your enemy is hungry, feed him; If he is thirsty, give him a drink;
For in so doing you will heap coals of fire on his head."  NKJV

That faith is a measure given by God. But it is expanded the more we put His Light on it. That faith is spiritual. It moves mountains, and cast things into the deepest oceans never to be seen again. When God said, " Let there be light" and there was light. (Genesis 1:3) It was good. And that Light was divided by God..........from darkness! When we allow His word into our lives, we are allowing, Light to separate us out of the darkness........out of ignorance and into glorious Light! That faith gives us the edge to prophesy.....in proportion to our belief in Jesus, the Son of God. Ministry was given for ministering to others in a measure of faith, just as the he who teaches, he who exhorts or even for the giver...........who gives liberally without another thought of "all that money" for the kingdom. No, it is about our faith in believing HIS Blood was shed for us............it was given in Love and by Love..........it is knowing we can lead others when we set our faith in motion to hear God speak to us about the next thing we are to do............not because of "just doing" because of our belief in the One Who GAVE IT ALL FOR US!

1 Thessalonians 5:5-11

5 You are all sons of the light and sons of the day. We do not belong to the night or to the darkness. 6 So then, let us not be like others, who are asleep, but let us be alert and self-controlled. 7 For those who sleep, sleep at night, and those who get drunk, get drunk at night. 8 But since we belong to the day, let us be self-controlled, putting on faith and love as a breastplate, and the hope of salvation as a helmet. 9 For God did not appoint us to suffer wrath but to receive salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ. 10 He died for us so that, whether we are awake or asleep, we may live together with him. 11 Therefore encourage one another and build each other up, just as in fact you are doing.   NIV

Putting on faith and love as a breastplate, and hope of salvation as a helmet............we live together with Him. 

2 Timothy 1:13-14

13 Hold fast the pattern of sound words which you have heard from me, in faith and love which are in Christ Jesus. 14 That good thing which was committed to you, keep by the Holy Spirit who dwells in us.  NKJV

Paul told Timothy to hold to the pattern of sound words which Timothy had heard from Paul. In faith and love in Christ Jesus.............a good thing that is kept by the Holy Spirit WHO DWELLS IN US!

Yes, I like easy. I like an easy Stew Recipe.........It has to look a certain way, taste like beef and stir like a "SMOOTH RIVER" of thickness. SO too, keeping that good thing God has in us when we first believed is by the Holy Spirit. The Comforter, our Teacher and Guide. He will bring to our remembrance all that Jesus said.............what was spoken to bring to our remembrance what is about to happen for our good.

The Holy Spirit teaches us God's will........grants us the fear of the Lord. (Isaiah 11:2-5), gives us a new heart, not of stone, but of pliable tissue to obey the Written Word of God. Like David, we too, can see the Holy Spirit developed into our lives. We are to depend on HIM and hear Him speak the Father's thoughts toward us.

Jesus told those in the synagogue that "The Spirit of the Lord is upon me"...........He was saying the Lord God was overseeing His ministry and guiding the whole thing in a process! And in the time of Peter and his fasting and prayers, he being sent to Cornelius, gave the word that the Spirit was being given to others......to.......those who would believe in Him and be saved.

Acts 10:25-48

25 As Peter was coming in, Cornelius met him and fell down at his feet and worshiped him. 26 But Peter lifted him up, saying, "Stand up; I myself am also a man." 27 And as he talked with him, he went in and found many who had come together. 28 Then he said to them, "You know how unlawful it is for a Jewish man to keep company with or go to one of another nation. But God has shown me that I should not call any man common or unclean. 29 Therefore I came without objection as soon as I was sent for. I ask, then, for what reason have you sent for me?" 30 So Cornelius said, "Four days ago I was fasting until this hour; and at the ninth hour I prayed in my house, and behold, a man stood before me in bright clothing, 31 and said, 'Cornelius, your prayer has been heard, and your alms are remembered in the sight of God. 32 Send therefore to Joppa and call Simon here, whose surname is Peter. He is lodging in the house of Simon, a tanner, by the sea. When he comes, he will speak to you.' 33 "So I sent to you immediately, and you have done well to come. Now therefore, we are all present before God, to hear all the things commanded you by God." 

34 Then Peter opened his mouth and said: "In truth I perceive that God shows no partiality. 35 But in every nation whoever fears Him and works righteousness is accepted by Him. 36 The word which God sent to the children of Israel, preaching peace through Jesus Christ--He is Lord of all-- 37 that word you know, which was proclaimed throughout all Judea, and began from Galilee after the baptism which John preached: 38 how God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and with power, who went about doing good and healing all who were oppressed by the devil, for God was with Him. 39 And we are witnesses of all things which He did both in the land of the Jews and in Jerusalem, whom they killed by hanging on a tree. 40 Him God raised up on the third day, and showed Him openly, 41 not to all the people, but to witnesses chosen before by God, even to us who ate and drank with Him after He arose from the dead. 42 And He commanded us to preach to the people, and to testify that it is He who was ordained by God to be Judge of the living and the dead. 43 To Him all the prophets witness that, through His name, whoever believes in Him will receive remission of sins." 

44 While Peter was still speaking these words, the Holy Spirit fell upon all those who heard the word. 45 And those of the circumcision who believed were astonished, as many as came with Peter, because the gift of the Holy Spirit had been poured out on the Gentiles also. 46 For they heard them speak with tongues and magnify God. Then Peter answered, 47 Can anyone forbid water, that these should not be baptized who have received the Holy Spirit just as we have?" 48 And he commanded them to be baptized in the name of the Lord. Then they asked him to stay a few days. 

NKJV

Filled with power.........to that which pleases the Father........abiding in Jesus, Who was and is and is to come the WORD OF GOD .....sent to accomplish His plan on earth and in our lives. May we glorify God today as we speak in faith that Jesus is Lord over our lives! AMEN!

Continue now IN PART 2 as we look into that faith walk............in MUDDY BOOTS??......

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

Changing Seasons: Embrace the Transition

Don't you love the changing seasons? My favorite is Fall. I am always delighted with the leaves of color falling to the ground as they leave the season of warmth in glorious color and display marking the time for mankind to make time for rest during the cold, wet season that follows so briskly behind.
Those leaves of color surely are majestic on the mountainside or along a roadway that leads out of town and into the country where there is an explosion of color on both sides of the road, in every driveway marking a pathway to someone's home and even around those lakes and along the depths of ditches. I can look out my backdoor and see the golds, yellows, cranberry reds and blazing orange that adds color on a golf course of velvet green. Yes, those leaves are falling and man attempts to clean them up, sweep them away from that velvet green, but I like the gentle fall of those leaves and how they cover the ground so quickly when the wind announces it is in town to stay!
As those men try to sweep away the past, do we reflect on that which God brought us through, what God did when we needed Him the most, and if we touched lives in His name?
Our yard has been decorated with some unwanted broken limbs from the swaying of the willow trees. Yes that wind has announced loudly that winter will be here much too soon.  But seriously, Fall is the best time of year to me.
Fall is transition time!

Fall is the time to reflect on the months gone by for 2015. It is the time to settle once and for all that God is with us. We are to know that without doubt He is our safety and security. But we must also take account of what lies before, in the cold of winter, the wind of change in the air, and time to either relax or remain in what we have seen year after year or acclaim loudly, that we are the awakened and ready to be partnered with God for the end time harvest.

When we look for that "change" to appear on the horizon, we either embrace it or run from it. We will find those who choose to stay behind while the few, those chosen will move even in the cold of winter to find God's plan for them. They will look to make plans and see about outreaches to their community. They look for any doors that will be opened to them. They look for any class time, Bible study time, and lots of prayer time with those who will assist them in moving forward for AND WITH God and in those valued things God has prepared for those who love Him and are the called.

I think of Moses, and how he must have wrestled with God through those lies that came to taunt Moses at every turn as the time grew closer for God's people to be led out of captivity.
In Hosea 2:14-15 we find about some "trouble" that becomes a door of hope!
Hosea 2:14-15
14 "Therefore, behold, I will allure her,
Will bring her into the wilderness,
And speak comfort to her.
15 I will give her her vineyards from there,
And the Valley of Achor as a door of hope;
She shall sing there,
As in the days of her youth,
As in the day when she came up from the land of Egypt.   NKJV

If you have come through "trouble" understand you are not alone in this. Others have come the same way and probably in a different manner. As God comforts His family, they find a place to sing and rejoice in what He is doing. I have seen it this year, have you?


Isaiah 65:8-10
"As when juice is still found in a cluster of grapes
and men say, 'Don't destroy it,
there is yet some good in it,'
so will I do in behalf of my servants;
I will not destroy them all.
9 I will bring forth descendants from Jacob,
and from Judah those who will possess my mountains;
my chosen people will inherit them,
and there will my servants live.
10 Sharon will become a pasture for flocks,
and the Valley of Achor a resting place for herds,
for my people who seek me.              NIV

Yes, for God's people who really seek Him will find that resting place. Even when the cold winds blow reminding us that winter is not too far off, yet, we keep our eyes on the horizon and our future which God knows so well.

Now in the case of this "trouble" Achan was a son of Carmi of the tribe of Judah. His sin was that in his covetousness, he took a chance  of taking a mantle from Shinar which is Babylon and he also took for himself two hundred shekels of silver and a gold bar about fifty shekels' in weight. (all the metals were to be given in consecration to God)

They were told "NOT TO TAKE ANYTHING" FROM the fallen city of Jericho. A ban was in effect to not remove anything from the city but that all that could be burned would be burned. As of the metals, they were to be consecrated to God. Read in Joshua 6:15-21.....

Joshua 6:15-21

15 But it came to pass on the seventh day that they rose early, about the dawning of the day, and marched around the city seven times in the same manner. On that day only they marched around the city seven times. 16 And the seventh time it happened, when the priests blew the trumpets, that Joshua said to the people: "Shout, for the LORD has given you the city! 17 Now the city shall be doomed by the LORD to destruction, it and all who are in it. Only Rahab the harlot shall live, she and all who are with her in the house, because she hid the messengers that we sent. 18 And you, by all means abstain from the accursed things, lest you become accursed when you take of the accursed things, and make the camp of Israel a curse, and trouble it. 19 But all the silver and gold, and vessels of bronze and iron, are consecrated to the LORD; they shall come into the treasury of the LORD." 20 So the people shouted when the priests blew the trumpets. And it happened when the people heard the sound of the trumpet, and the people shouted with a great shout, that the wall fell down flat. Then the people went up into the city, every man straight before him, and they took the city. 21 And they utterly destroyed all that was in the city, both man and woman, young and old, ox and sheep and donkey, with the edge of the sword.    NKJV

Really strong punishment for not obeying God. Achan and his crew of family, and all property was brought to the area to be stoned and then burned with fire. See Joshua 7:25. High price to pay for not being loyal to God!

Our lives are certainly touched by many other lives. But we choose whom we will serve. Do we want to serve ourselves, and get our way all the time OR will we serve God faithfully and expect His good for us? ARE WE COVETOUS ABOUT SOMETHING WE SHOULD LEAVE BEHIND?

In agreeing with someone, is it right in the eyes of God? Like Achan, his sons and daughters were at some degree responsible as he was. As their leader of the household, he should have been bent toward following the instructions given to all by God. And as that leader, leading his family to do the same. But alas, it was not to be for Achan and his own!
It is to our advantage to be disciplined in the Word of God and in His wisdom.  Achan certainly chose his covetousness above God. He had to be stopped because any further venture in that direction by any others as Achan, would change the end of what Canaan was representing to Israel. And what was promised was this land of 'promise'. It was to be inhabited by the Jewish people and to be divided among the 12 tribes of Israel. It was a future and a hope that God desired for His people!

Jeremiah 42:5-6

 5 So they said to Jeremiah, "Let the LORD be a true and faithful witness between us, if we do not do according to everything which the LORD your God sends us by you. 6 Whether it is pleasing or displeasing, we will obey the voice of the LORD our God to whom we send you, that it may be well with us when we obey the voice of the LORD our God."   NKJV

Whatever "trouble" we may have passed through in 2015, let it be known this day that "what the Lord speaks, pleasing or displeasing, we will obey the voice of the LORD our God.

"Church" as we know it as been done in most cases as a religious thing. Of course we know "church " to be the body of Christ. It is to have no walls around it. What is on the horizon, is that which is ministry to those outside the walls of a building. Ministry will be done in new ways, new plans, and through much prayer time with God. What is on the horizon looks like dramatic change. Those who have spent time with God know this is happening. They are the excited, they have "boots on the ground" ready for action.  This transition is happening. We move into our future today. We use those cold, wet days to pray, seek God in ways we never have before and lean not to our own understanding but in all our ways trust Him and know His way is the "right way" and we will move into Spring with victory for those who are faithful to the call!

That which is God belongs to God and that which is of the world should be left behind. You choose!

Let's make a faithful commitment to serve God with all our hearts, move out of the building with walls and touch people's hearts with the love of God!

An except from my blog: A Zealous Warrior at Dawn or In the Dark of Night:
It takes more than the prowess of a strengthened body and muscles twice the size of a weight lifter to prove the worth in battle. But ultimately, we face an enemy who works in the spirit world. We have to be trained in the Word that is "spirit and truth". David said, "I caught it by its beard and struck and killed it." NOW THAT IS A WARRIOR IN ACTION THAT IS UP CLOSE AND PERSONAL!

Ephesians 6:12-19......12 For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places. 13 Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand. 14 Stand therefore, having girded your waist with truth, having put on the breastplate of righteousness, 15 and having shod your feet with the preparation of the gospel of peace; 16 above all, taking the shield of faith with which you will be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked one. 17 And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God;  18 praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, being watchful to this end with all perseverance and supplication for all the saints------19 and for me, that utterance may be given to me, that I may open my mouth boldly to make known the mystery of the gospel, 20 for which I am an ambassador in chains, that in it I may speak boldly, as I ought to speak.

Our strength to walk everyday is in knowing God and His ways and thoughts. We are to be clothed with that which looks like "the Christian soldier". We are to contend with faith that our trust is in God and His plan. We look expectantly to victory for He is our courage, and all the promises He has for us, are in Him and Him alone! As we know, the devil does not show up in a red suit and tail to dance around us, but he certainly works in darkness and to practice the ambush he wants to set to destroy man. He came to Jesus in the "wilderness" after the water baptism, and he too, can come and tempt with the eye gate and ear gate. He always comes to people, not in a repulsive form but with some enticing temptation to allure to his way of sin and deceit. He comes with an invitation to entice one to the pleasures of the world. Any darkness can represent sin and ignorance. We are to be those Christian solderers, who as warriors, wage the war on the enemy. We are to light the way with God's Word and declare what he has done through His Son Jesus. We are those to stand against pride, ambition and of course, against any revenge against another person. Jesus taught what His Kingdom was and we are to operate within that kingdom. We are to stand against anything that speaks crosswise to the Word of God.

Reading the Word of God is paramount and when we put on our righteousness, we are standing ready with the Word for battle. We are the warriors, who have put on truth in our hearts, and being sincere to speak knowing it is what our Father God speaks as well.

Change is here, like it or not! Being ready is important..........to move when God says "MOVE"...........not out of town, or hide in a cave, but be ready to move to the frontline to face and speak to the enemy with truth. Surely we need to rest, but it is in His peace we are to reside. And if you do not know that peace or are far from it...........then find out why you are not at peace! God has the answer.  Truly God is for us..........AND HE IS IN US! Rise and take your place. Find that door........God is our hope for all our tomorrow's............It is not over yet!  Embrace the transition and be loyal to God! Amen!

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