The Public Display

The Public Display

Matthew 15:2-3 Why do Your disciples transgress and violate the rules handed down by the elders of the past? For they do not practice [ceremonially] washing their hands before they eat. 3 He replied to them, And why do you transgress and violate the commandment of God for the sake of the rules handed down to you by your forefathers (the elders)?
Thayers Lexicon:3845 (parabaino) to overstep, to neglect, to violate...to transgress...

Jesus was reminding them it was of more importance to obey the commandments of God than to obey those ceremonially rules set down by men!
2 John 9 Amplified Bible 9 anyone who runs on ahead [of God] and does not abide in the doctrine of Christ [who is not content with what He taught] does not have God; but he who continues to live in the doctrine (teaching) of Christ [does have God], he has both the Father and the Son.

Willing to transgress what God has given is foolish indeed!

willful: with set purpose; self-determined; without yielding to reason; obstinate; stubborn
From 3845 parabaino :to transgress in a defiant will; someone who knows the right way but chooses to go their own way in contrariness
Psalm 101:2 I will behave myself wisely and give heed to the blameless way---O when will You come to me? I will walk within my house in integrity and with a blameless heart.

Yeah the heart has a lot to do with our following God. Staying in His protection, knowing Him is to give heed to His way of righteousness! That if we are in Him, we are to remain within that righteous walk that is holiness!  He is perfection, He is the mighty God, our Counsel.
Filling our heart with His kind of peace and wisdom, then we will truly know Him and follow a good path!

If you read on in Psalm 101 you become aware that following God is really about having nothing to do with evil and the evil person or thing close to us. Being aware of what God has given those who follow Him are those who will not slander his neighbor and will not tolerate the haughty look. For truly our eyes should be on those who walk faithfully with God and always looking out for the neighbor.

Was thinking of all the headlines today and those marching for some cause! Then I remembered the one anchor person of a news program mentioned a 'peaceful protest'. Now how did they come up with that?
Let's see: protest has the meaning of complaint, objection, or display of unwillingness usually to an idea or to course of action . Will publicly display their approval....by an organized demonstration of their disapproval.
Then peaceful has the meaning: a peaceful place; not involving war, violence; without worry and excitement.
The Longman Dictionary of Contemporary English: peaceful people do not like violence and do not behave in a violent manner.

God is not only supreme in power and authority, but He is also supreme in judgment. In the greatness of God,  His very mind pierces through all of the justifications we make to excuse our bad attitudes and conduct as measured against His righteous standard.

Oh yeah, God has a righteous standard!

If we are truly followers and find our trust wholly in Him, then we would have faith to recognize and know His justice and be willing to operate in it.

We are not be followers of the world, but followers of Jesus Christ. And just like Jesus, we can come under persecution. But we are to remain faithful to God and know He loves us greatly to send His Son to die for us. So being reminded of God and His sense of justice, we must consider carefully what it is we are focused on and is it for His glory or for me to make a stand for me?
Again, it comes back to the attitude of our heart.

So in planning to go out for a 'march' we must consider is this a small thing. Could this be something of an event that will make no impact if it is done in being peaceful? Do we ask Him if it is good for us to do this? Or is this just a whim? Certainly there are many causes in the world today, but what we think of as the little matter may turn out for bad thing, the bad road and destruction to us.

Facing serious consequences will truly be known when we go outside the boundary of God. He is firm about us being obedient to His word. We are reminded in Romans 1: 18-21 Amplified Bible this: 18 For God's  [holy] wrath and indignation are revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who in their wickedness repress and hinder the truth and make it inoperative. 19 For that which is known about God is evident to them and made plain in their consciousness, because God [Himself] has shown it to them. 20 For ever since the creation of the world His invisible nature and attributes , that is, His eternal power and divinity have been made intelligible and clearly discernible in and through the thing that have been made (His handiworks). So [men] are without excuse (altogether with any defense or justification. 21 Because when they knew and recognized Him as God, they did not honor and glorify Him as God or give Him thanks. But instead they became futile and godless in their thinking [with vain imaginings, foolish reasoning, and stupid speculations] and their senseless minds were darkened.

Yikes! Without God who is Light, then man's mind is darkened. The man operating out of  "the darkened mind" is given over to speculation. In their speculating, they will act out as the fool for they are given no firm evidence. They operate out of wrong beliefs, that false evidence and move in places void of peace, or life! Without the truth of God, they move into the arena of their own opinion, explore by taking a hunch and end up in jeopardy. Destruction!

To whom much is given, of him shall be much required. ….What of Jesus are we giving to people? Are we being easy & trying to make our Lord and Savior more digestible to others? Are we Dressing HIM up or changing His character to suit their character & ours? 

Do we go out to march and say it is for the Lord? Or do we just go out for the 'march' just for the sake of people seeing us "march"?

 Is our culture so steeped in convenience…that we neglect the spiritual of Jesus & follow a culture that is bankrupt because we left God out.  When we try bringing entertainment, we can totally reduce our involvement and our expectations in reaching others for Him.  If we really look at what is going on today, we would focus on that if Jesus is not the center of any family, then chaos can ensue. You can see that from guns in schools to people taking a motor vehicle to run someone else down. If we don't have our salvation, have our hearts set with Jesus allowing the Holy Spirit to speak to us and live by the commands given, then most likely we resemble the world!

We are reminded of this: Proverbs 24:1-4 Amplified Bible BE not envious of evil men, nor desire to be with them; 2 for their minds plot oppression and devise violence and their lips talk of causing trouble and vexation. 3 Through skillful and godly Wisdom is a house ( a life, a home, a family) built, and by understanding it is established [on a sound and good foundation], 4 And by knowledge shall its chambers [of every area]be filled with all precious and pleasant riches.

If we are going out in our name, then this is easily viewed as one in immoral conduct. Understand that people who know not God pay little attention. And they have no responsibilities to Him or for Him. He is disregarded.....again yikes! Remember He can cast one into Hell! And He certainly deserves our praise for all that His love has given to us especially for that displayed on the Cross! If one would take a moment to look into the face of a newborn baby, see the beauty of magnificent colors at sunset, and realize this was not a 'big bang' thing! 
If making a difference is important find out where you play the part in the plan God has in motion. Ask Him if that is where you belong! So if God is not vital to this and within this very cause to march about, then we find no cause to be obedient to His will being done on earth in us as it is in heaven. Being willful is having the face of attitude that which is considered serious indeed.  Bad attitude is always bad, causes problems, and will defy life for the good. Knowing that God is committed to us, then we should also remember He is serious. AND He is very serious about fulfilling His purposes on earth.

In receiving salvation, our walk was and is as the "disciple". Disciples are followers of Jesus. Our focus priority is Jesus as He was, is and will always BE the LIFE! Taking the territory for Jesus is that we are not on the sidelines cheering others on. We are to be the church without walls! It looks like the committed with an undivided and a dedicated life humbled to seeing His kingdom come.
So  if you are going out for that "march" consider talking to the Father about it. Tell Him your concerns and what troubles you about what is going on in the 'streets'. Ask Him if you will be safe and wise to go! And if He is for you going out, then ask what you will speak by the Holy Spirit to others that will bring them to God.

 Pray and ask Him what your step might be in this "coming march". For our greatest value to God our Father is in the here and now of this moment on earth. It certainly should be for His glory if we dare go out. And when going out in His name, then certainly is the glory due to His holy name.

Certainly engage culture but understand it is not for the fainthearted. If you go out in your name and being willful not to obey God then you go it alone!

That is not a safe place to be, outside the will of God. Another question to ask, especially to you is will you influence by  the speaking of peace, the good in God or you just going to be influenced by the world.

Each of us has role to participate for God and His glory and the world is opposed and contrary to God. But ours is not to make the gospel acceptable to man but just to make it available to those who does not know God!

Proverbs 26:27 whoever digs a pit [for another man's feet] shall fall into himself and he who rolls a stone [up a height to do mischief]; it will return upon him.

Proverbs 28:10 whoever leads the upright astray into an evil way, be will himself fall into his own pit, but the blameless will have a goodly inheritance.

Rest tonight, pray and tomorrow rise to live the life Jesus came to give us. Rise to be the blameless. Shine in His glory, prosper in His word, and deliver His truth to your community.And then do it because He said it was a "good thing to do".

New teaching at: Voice of Prayer  

The Wonder of God & His Instruction

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New teaching at: Life Giving Wells

In Order With God: Being Established

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Also visit Life Giving Wells You Tube Channel for more teaching:

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EAT WHAT I GIVE YOU!

Acts 18:9-11
9 One night the Lord spoke to Paul in a vision and told him, "Don't be afraid! Speak out! Don't quit! 10 For I am with you and no one can harm you. Many people here in this city belong to me." 11 So Paul stayed there the next year and a half, teaching the truths of God.   TLB

Acts 18:9-11

9 Now the Lord spoke to Paul in the night by a vision, "Do not be afraid, but speak, & do not keep silent; 10 for I am with you, and no one will attack you to hurt you; for I have many people in this city." 11 And he continued there a year and six months, teaching the word of God among them.  NKJV

IN the above passage we find, the Lord telling Paul in a vision to not be afraid. "Speak out!" "Don't Quit"!

There was no synagogue open for him to minister and preach the Word, so God saw to it that a house would be opened for the Word to be taught.

How interesting is that?

And this house was located next door to the synagogue. It was opportunity for Paul's speaking to continue and that those who went to the synagogue could come hear the gospel preached.

For what lay ahead for Paul in those coming against him, would rear its ugly head and reveal all those who were against Paul and that which he taught. In that year and a half, Paul did just what the Lord asked him to do.

Acts 18:12-26

12 While Gallio was proconsul of Achaia, the Jews made a united attack on Paul and brought him into court. 13 "This man," they charged, "is persuading the people to worship God in ways contrary to the law." 

14 Just as Paul was about to speak, Gallio said to the Jews, "If you Jews were making a complaint about some misdemeanor or serious crime, it would be reasonable for me to listen to you. 15 But since it involves questions about words and names and your own law-settle the matter yourselves. I will not be a judge of such things." 16 So he had them ejected from the court. 17 Then they all turned on Sosthenes the synagogue ruler and beat him in front of the court. But Gallio showed no concern whatever. 

18 Paul stayed on in Corinth for some time. Then he left the brothers and sailed for Syria, accompanied by Priscilla and Aquila. Before he sailed, he had his hair cut off at Cenchrea because of a vow he had taken. 19 They arrived at Ephesus, where Paul left Priscilla and Aquila. He himself went into the synagogue and reasoned with the Jews. 20 When they asked him to spend more time with them, he declined. 21 But as he left, he promised, "I will come back if it is God's will." Then he set sail from Ephesus. 22 When he landed at Caesarea, he went up and greeted the church and then went down to Antioch. 

23 After spending some time in Antioch, Paul set out from there and traveled from place to place throughout the region of Galatia and Phrygia, strengthening all the disciples. 

24 Meanwhile a Jew named Apollos, a native of Alexandria, came to Ephesus. He was a learned man, with a thorough knowledge of the Scriptures. 25 He had been instructed in the way of the Lord, and he spoke with great fervor and taught about Jesus accurately, though he knew only the baptism of John. 26 He began to speak boldly in the synagogue. When Priscilla and Aquila heard him, they invited him to their home and explained to him the way of God more adequately.  NIV

Here we see a group decidedly making accusations against Paul.(verse 14)  They brought Paul in to complain. These Jews said that Paul was teaching something contrary to what they knew and that he Paul was starting a new religion. At that time, Judaism was recognized as a religion in Roman law and anything outside of that was breaking the law.

But Gallio found no false teaching in all that Paul spoke. Gallio refused to give judgment against Paul in this matter. The Jews then were so mad at this decision that they turned on Sosthenes and beat him.

It is evident that these Jews had malice in their heart toward Paul. It is also evident that Gallio was not going to be apart of this group of haters toward Paul.

In some commentaries it says that Gallio was not interested in those things and would not elaborate or give much time for these things the Jews complained about. Other commentaries said Gallio was just a mild mannered man who would rule in peace.

Whatever the complaint, Paul was still told to not quit and keep on speaking that which the Lord gave him to do!

I love this scripture passage below!

Ezekiel 2:6-8

6 "And you, son of man, do not be afraid of them nor be afraid of their words, though briers and thorns are with you and you dwell among scorpions; do not be afraid of their words or dismayed by their looks, though they are a rebellious house. 7 You shall speak My words to them, whether they hear or whether they refuse, for they are rebellious. 8 But you, son of man, hear what I say to you. Do not be rebellious like that rebellious house; open your mouth and eat what I give you."   NKJV

And this one!

Ezekiel 3:4-15

4 And He said to me: "Son of man, go to the house of Israel and speak with My words to them. 5 For you are not sent to a people of unfamiliar speech and of hard language, but to the house of Israel, 6 not to many people of unfamiliar speech and of hard language, whose words you cannot understand. Surely, had I sent you to them, they would have listened to you. 7 But the house of Israel will not listen to you, because they will not listen to Me; for all the house of Israel are impudent and hard-hearted. 8 Behold, I have made your face strong against their faces, and your forehead strong against their foreheads. 9 Like adamant stone, harder than flint, I have made your forehead; do not be afraid of them, nor be dismayed at their looks, though they are a rebellious house." 10 Moreover He said to me: "Son of man, receive into your heart all My words that I speak to you, and hear with your ears. 11 And go, get to the captives, to the children of your people, and speak to them and tell them, 'Thus says the Lord GOD,' whether they hear, or whether they refuse." 

12 Then the Spirit lifted me up, and I heard behind me a great thunderous voice: "Blessed is the glory of the LORD from His place!" 13 I also heard the noise of the wings of the living creatures that touched one another, and the noise of the wheels beside them, and a great thunderous noise. 14 So the Spirit lifted me up and took me away, and I went in bitterness, in the heat of my spirit; but the hand of the LORD was strong upon me. 15 Then I came to the captives at Tel Abib, who dwelt by the River Chebar; and I sat where they sat, and remained there astonished among them seven days. 

NKJV

Wherever God sends us to give the message, He always has a plan. I remember the first time He gave this to me, while ministering within the jail. God will make our faces strong, so whoever stands toe to toe against you, you can and will stand to see His Word go forth. I like that adamant stone.......harder than flint...........He has made Ezekiel's forehead and will do that for us when we must give the Word of life to a rebellious people. Now, not all people are rebellious, but some can certainly be hard of hearing that Word. Like I have written before, I saw many come to the Lord in the Jail and many of those who came, would come to the Chapel with a song on their lips and love in their hearts for God! It was grand to see what the Lord was doing in that place! I think fondly of those times and how some of those ladies loved God and surely expressed it in going to a service. I rarely see that with a regular service at church.

Do you know what happens when you strike a flint rock..........? It will produce some sparks to light a fire!

Receive into your heart all MY WORDS THAT I SPEAK TO YOU, speak to them, and tell them,............"whether they hear or whether they refuse..........blessed is the glory of the LORD from His place!"

Ezekiel heard the noise of the wings of the living creatures. He heard activity going on.  Activity was begun........and those ministering spirits are there to minister to us ...........and go as we command from the Word of God........and do we send them out?

If we are commanding that which be in heaven will be here on earth for us, then will we not see the glory of the Lord from His place? Will we witness like he did in Ezekiel 1:10, the very faces of the man, the lion, the ox and of the eagle?

Ezekiel 1:10-14

10 Their faces looked like this: Each of the four had the face of a man, and on the right side each had the face of a lion, and on the left the face of an ox; each also had the face of an eagle. 11 Such were their faces. Their wings were spread out upward; each had two wings, one touching the wing of another creature on either side, and two wings covering its body. 12 Each one went straight ahead. Wherever the spirit would go, they would go, without turning as they went. 13 The appearance of the living creatures was like burning coals of fire or like torches. Fire moved back and forth among the creatures; it was bright, and lightning flashed out of it. 14 The creatures sped back and forth like flashes of lightning.

NIV

This would be the leadership, the counsel of the Lord as we see in Matthew, Mark, Luke and John.

In  the Gospel of Matthew, we see the lineage of that which led to Jesus. In the book of Matthew we find the visit of "Wise Men"....Matthew 2:1-15, we find the exit of Joseph and Mary with baby Jesus in Matthew 2:19-22, and we find their return to Nazareth in Matthew 2:23.
Protection for the coming King was seen. (although each gospel gives an account of the role Jesus would play in king of Israel and rule the earth) only Matthew puts an emphasis of His role, the KING.

Matthew was of "the king, the lion of Judah". Matthew 16:16.............16 Simon Peter answered, "You are the Christ, the Son of the living God."     NIV

THE End of Matthew, we see the King appointing his disciples to go. All authority had been given the King...........then commanded those to go and make disciples of all nations. He is with us!
Matt 28:16-20
16 Then the eleven disciples went away into Galilee, to the mountain which Jesus had appointed for them. 17 When they saw Him, they worshiped Him; but some doubted. 18 And Jesus came and spoke to them, saying, "All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth. 19 Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age." Amen.   NKJV

  .............as king.....Jeremiah 23:5-6....5 "The days are coming," declares the LORD,
"when I will raise up to David a righteous Branch,
a King who will reign wisely
and do what is just and right in the land.    NIV

Revelation 5:5............. 5 But one of the elders said to me, "Do not weep. Behold, the Lion of the tribe of Judah, the Root of David, has prevailed to open the scroll and to loose its seven seals.
NKJV

The Gospel of Mark was about "the ox, the servanthood". He was the sacrificial "lamb" and the long-suffering servant.  Mark 10:45.........45 For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life a ransom for many."               NKJV

Mark 1:7-8.............7 And he preached, saying, "There comes One after me who is mightier than I, whose sandal strap I am not worthy to stoop down and loose. 8 I indeed baptized you with water, but He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit."     NKJV

THE close of Mark shows Jesus ascending to heaven. Now seated at the right hand of God.
Mark 16:19-20
19 So then, after the Lord had spoken to them, He was received up into heaven, and sat down at the right hand of God. 20 And they went out and preached everywhere, the Lord working with them and confirming the word through the accompanying signs. Amen.           NKJV

as servant Zechariah 3:8........8'Hear, O Joshua, the high priest,
You and your companions who sit before you,
For they are a wondrous sign;

For behold, I am bringing forth My Servant the BRANCH.       NKJV

In the Gospel of Luke, we see the humanity of Jesus. He carried to the cross, the sins of the world and REDEEM MANKIND.

Luke was about "the man, Son of Man".Luke 19:10....... 10 for the Son of Man has come to seek and to save that which was lost." NKJV


IN the Close of Luke we find.......in Luke 24:36-53....the Jesus in His humanity point out the scars in His hands and feet. He ate before them and spoke of that which had to be fulfilled in Him. Thus it was necessary for Him to die and rise from the dead the third day. He spoke of them of "being His witnesses" (verse 48) He departed into heaven and THEY WORSHIPED HIM and returned to Jerusalem with great joy. They were written as those who were in the temple praising and blessing God. (verse 53)


as man Zechariah 6:12......12 Then speak to him, saying, 'Thus says the LORD of hosts, saying:

"Behold, the Man whose name is the BRANCH!
From His place He shall branch out,
And He shall build the temple of the LORD;  NKJV

The Gospel of John was about "the eagle, the Son of God". Jesus was the "Angel of the Lord." 

John 7:42
42 Has not the Scripture said that the Christ comes from the seed of David and from the town of Bethlehem, where David was?"   NKJV

Micah 5:2

2 "But you, Bethlehem Ephrathah, 

though you are small among the clans of Judah, 

out of you will come for me 

one who will be ruler over Israel, 

whose origins are from of old, 

from ancient times."  NIV

John 12:15

5 "Fear not, daughter of Zion;

Behold, your King is coming,

Sitting on a donkey's colt."  NKJV

Zechariah 9:9

"Rejoice greatly, O daughter of Zion!

Shout, O daughter of Jerusalem!

Behold, your King is coming to you;

He is just and having salvation,

Lowly and riding on a donkey,

A colt, the foal of a donkey.   NKJV

John 19:36-37

 36 For these things were done that the Scripture should be fulfilled, "Not one of His bones shall be broken."  37 And again another Scripture says, "They shall look on Him whom they pierced."    NKJV

Psalm 34:20

20 He guards all his bones;

Not one of them is broken.   NKJV

Zechariah 12:10

10 "And I will pour on the house of David and on the inhabitants of Jerusalem the Spirit of grace and supplication; then they will look on Me whom they have pierced; they will mourn for Him as one mourns for his only son, and grieve for Him as one grieves for a firstborn.    NKJV

John 20:31.............31 but these are written that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that believing you may have life in His name.            NKJV


IN the Close of the Gospel of John, we find the relationship.........restoring Simon Peter............we find relationship in Jesus preparing them something to eat...........(John 21:15). Jesus spoke "Follow Me"!  Jesus, God in the flesh, had many miracles. And John noted that many other things that Jesus did, which if they were written one by one...........he supposed that even the world itself could not contain the books that would be written about Him. Amen. (verse 24-25)



Hosea 6:2.........2 After two days He will revive us;
On the third day He will raise us up,..That we may live in His sight. ...NKJV

Isaiah 40:31.......They shall mount up with wings like eagles,
They shall run and not be weary,
They shall walk and not faint.    NKJV

Oh yes, we see Jesus as the Messiah,.....we had seen through His crucifixion a resurrection. In Matthew, he came as the suffering, but He is returning as the conquering..........the KING of Kings and LORD of Lords. In Mark He was the suffering servant who gave His life for ours. As in Luke, we see HIM who came to seek and to save the lost. And in JOHN we see the incarnate, the Son of God.........who was and is and is to come,.............the Light of the world.

We died to gain His life, the good news, to everyone who believes in Him to be saved. And He came to bring us the Comforter, the Holy Spirit..........to operate just as the early church operated. Trusting Him causes us to soar as eagles, to rise higher and higher and to gain the same perspective God has for our lives. It is in what we eat, that which God gives us will give to us strength to soar on high, to not be weary, but be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might. Amen!

Now is not the time to be afraid, to not speak, but this is the very hour, to "not quit" and to continue to speak the things the Lord gives us in our hearts. He will guide us through unhindered to see that His Word will prevail! Speak where the Lord guides you to and through, and see the miraculous power of God in your life!

IF THAT PROTECTED KING IS LORD OF OUR HEARTS, WE HAVE THE LION......THE BOLDNESS TO GO FORWARD. WITH THE OX OF SERVANT-HOOD, WE LOOK TO SACRIFICING OUR LIVES DAILY TO SERVING THE LORD WITH GLADNESS. IN LUKE, THE HUMANITY OF JESUS......WE SEEK TO GAIN A CHARACTER THAT IS WORTHY........THAT IS THE FAITHFUL, THE ONE WHO PERSEVERES, WHO IS IN PEACE, SEEKING ANOTHER'S WELL-BEING, READY TO GIVE A WORD OF THE FAITH THAT IS IN US...........

If we are the followers of what is good, even if we suffer for righteousness' sake, we are the blessed. (1 Peter 3:13-14)
We are not to be afraid of their threats or be troubled (verse 14) and sanctify the Lord God in our hearts, ready to give a defense to everyone who asks us the reason of hope that is in us. May we know those who try to defame us, or revile us of our good conduct in Christ will be the ashamed. In the will of God, it is better to suffer for doing good than for doing evil. (verses 16-17)NKJV

Then we ultimately soar..as the Eagle.....we soar into the.....higher and higher in the thoughts and plans God has for us. Jeremiah 29:11-14.

Jeremiah 29:11-14
 11 For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, says the LORD, thoughts of peace and not of evil, to give you a future and a hope. 12 Then you will call upon Me and go and pray to Me, and I will listen to you. 13 And you will seek Me and find Me, when you search for Me with all your heart. 14 I will be found by you, says the LORD, and I will bring you back from your captivity; I will gather you from all the nations and from all the places where I have driven you, says the LORD, and I will bring you to the place from which I cause you to be carried away captive.     NKJV

That is relationship and it is us being gathered out of captivity, from sin, and to the place the Lord has for us. It is the place of future and of hope. It is in the place of peace that we once again, rejoice, we smile and we dance giving glory to God for us in the land of the living.

Father, thank You for the message You have for us to deliver those who come across our path today and every day. Today we desire to receive into our hearts all that You speak to us through Your holy Word. It is that Word of truth that declares Your goodness to others. Blessed is the glory of the LORD from His place!
In Jesus' name, we pray to be those who will not "quit:" but will speak all that You desire for us to speak to others. We know that the beginning of this is that place of quiet to hear You speak. May we be diligent to follow You, seeking You in Your Word that sets captives free. We pray to be those who will seek more on knowing Your Kingship Jesus, knowing the sacrifice You gave for us, that we would know Your character as the man who did what His Father told HIM to do and then soar like we find in John, Because in John we find a closer relationship with the Lord of glory. In John we find the spiritual life. God is spirit and His worshipers must worship in spirit and in truth.(John 4:24) The Spirit gives life; the flesh counts as nothing.(John 6:63) Flesh gives birth to flesh, but the spirit gives birth to spirit.(John 3:6) Father, we know for the one whom You have sent speaks the Words of God, for God gives the Spirit without limit. (John 3:34)
We embrace Your Word and those You send our way today. We deliver to others with a joy in our hearts. ( For ) A Truthful witness saves lives. (Prov.14:25) Blessed is the glory of the Lord from His place. Amen and Amen.

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

THE FALLEN

Acts 26 :1-18...........26:1 Then Agrippa said to Paul, "You are permitted to speak for yourself." So Paul stretched out his hand and answered for himself: 2 I think myself happy, King Agrippa, because today I shall answer for myself before you concerning all the things of which I am accused by the Jews, 3 especially because you are expert in all customs and questions which have to do with the Jews. Therefore I beg you to hear me patiently. 4 My manner of life from my youth, which was spent from the beginning among my own nation at Jerusalem, all the Jews know. 5 They knew me from the first, if they were willing to testify, that according to the strictest sect of our religion I lived a Pharisee. 6 And now I stand and am judged for the hope of the promise made by God to our fathers. 7 To this promise our twelve tribes, earnestly serving God night and day, hope to attain. For this hope's sake, King Agrippa, I am accused by the Jews. 8 Why should it be thought incredible by you that God raises the dead? 9 Indeed, I myself thought I must do many things contrary to the name of Jesus of Nazareth. 10 This I also did in Jerusalem, and many of the saints I shut up in prison, having received authority from the chief priests; and when they were put to death, I cast my vote against them. 11 And I punished them often in every synagogue and compelled them to blaspheme; and being exceedingly enraged against them, I persecuted them even to foreign cities. 

12 "While thus occupied, as I journeyed to Damascus with authority and commission from the chief priests, 13 at midday, O king, along the road I saw a light from heaven, brighter than the sun, shining around me and those who journeyed with me. 14 And when we all had fallen to the ground, I heard a voice speaking to me and saying in the Hebrew language, 'Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting Me? It is hard for you to kick against the goads.' 15 "So I said, 'Who are You, Lord?' And He said, 'I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting. 16 But rise and stand on your feet; for I have appeared to you for this purpose, to make you a minister and a witness both of the things which you have seen and of the things which I will yet reveal to you. 17 I will deliver you from the Jewish people, as well as from the Gentiles, to whom I now send you, 18 to open their eyes, in order to turn them from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan to God, that they may receive forgiveness of sins and an inheritance among those who are sanctified by faith in Me.'    NKJV

In the above we see Paul telling his story to King Agrippa. He tells the testimony he, Paul had against those who followed Jesus of Nazareth. As Paul put it, "INDEED I THOUGHT, I must do many things CONTRARY to the name of Jesus of Nazareth."

He goes on to admit what he did in Jerusalem. He even had saints put into prison and with authority had some put to death. He was so engrossed with believing his way was the right way and all others were wrong and should die, if need be!

Wow! Now that is a bad place to be and have any of us been in that place? That place looks like I am right and you are wrong...........in a belief system that is and was contrary to things of Jesus of Nazareth.

Contrariness......going in opposite direction of being favorable, an order of evil against another that presents conflict, is one of disobedience and contempt

And Paul had written letters from chief priests to fulfill his commission against saints, those followers of Jesus.  As Paul continues, he tells of that eventful day and hour, that at midday, a light from heaven, brighter than the sun and shining all around...........it was shining all around those who were with Paul and they all fell to the ground.

No doubt that something was going on and it happened at midday. Paul heard a voice speaking in the Hebrew language. Is it not interesting that God can speak to us in the language we speak and can understand as individuals?

In Acts 9:4, we read there that Paul fell to the ground, but here we note, that as Paul gives the testimony that all that were with him had fallen to the ground. Paul was in a hurry. He and those he led were on their way to pick up more of those "following" Jesus. That sudden light frightened the animals which they rode. But only Paul heard the word spoken to him. He was the only one we read about that considered the change that was before him.

As Saul, the follower of his ways and the law......to be strict in every sense, was he not the one being led away from his brutal ways of the faithful of God. In reality he, Paul, was now seeing the blindness he had toward Jesus and those who followed the Lord. Those considered His saints, would at last be free from Saul the persecutor, who was persecuting Jesus Himself. Again, not a good place to be and especially not to have ought against your neighbor!

Looks like Saul was touched, not only in his hearing, but in his seeing as well. The Lord came knocking on his heart, and Saul heard. Saul was being made aware that the old was gone and new was here. Will we receive it?

And the Lord spoke his name twice, "Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting Me?"

The Lord was directing something to Saul. He was speaking to him in a warning, ......you Saul are on the edge of dangerous place with Me. He was getting his attention by saying loud "Saul, Saul". Think about the times you have called one of your children to stop doing something. Of course, if you were raised in the South or had parents from the South, you always called the child by their first and middle name.............loudly, making a point to stop now!

This man who studied under Gamaliel, who was in memorization of the law some probable eight hours a day, was now being confronted by the Lord Himself. The zealous Pharisee of his day was being touched by God Himself. (Philippians 3:5) One breathing out cruelties against the disciples of the Lord would prove to be Saul's undoing.

But what Saul had done zealously for the persecution of those who followed Jesus in the Way, proved to be an advantage when he began to serve the Lord.

Saul had been given a message and in it he would.......see that the Lord came to convert him to following Him. It was to beckon Saul to stop kicking, to stop refusing that which the Lord was directing others to......and that was to life and peace. It was having One Lord, who is Lord over All.

Our hearts must be touched by God! In that touching, in that transforming power, He molds us to that image that is becoming and one that speaks of Him always.

Does our heart reveal God and His power that released us from sin and the mundane things to become that which reveals the Lord Who is more than Enough?

Is He that treasure or does something else have our hearts? Our lives should certainly shine in the Light of Jesus and all that we have as a family of God!

Well, Shelley, the Lord has not said my name twice? If He has spoken your name, then is it possible that it is to stop you from moving forward in your plans? Or maybe He has called your name as He desires you to get moving in that which He has placed in you to do for His glory.

I have heard God say my name several times, in an audible voice. That voice was one wanting time with me, it was the voice that desired my attention, and it was a voice of love!
I remember this one time at church, and I was helping others prepare for a service on Sunday morning. I was taking mints out of the closet in the sanctuary and I heard Him speak my name. I responded, "Yes Sir!"

What do I do in those moments? Will I disregard what He is wanting to tell me or will I get caught up in that He mentioned my name?

Others fell with Saul that day! The Word teaches us that, but only Paul was the directed to move to a place and keep going toward the life God intended for Paul. Yes, a name change was coming to Saul and as Paul, he would have a powerful ministry that glorified God every step of the way!

And God desires that for us! Many soldiers fell that day they came in the Garden of Gethesmane to arrest Jesus. Judas gave that kiss of betrayal and Jesus told them "I Am".

They did not hear anything else. They took Jesus bound to the authorities and then to the Cross. Were any of their lives changed, I do not KNOW! BUT ONE THING IS EVIDENT, THAT WHEN WE HEED AND OBEY, WE LIVE TO SEE THE BEST GOD HAS FOR US TO DO IN HIS NAME!

John 18:3-11...................3 Then Judas, having received a detachment of troops, and officers from the chief priests and Pharisees, came there with lanterns, torches, and weapons. 4 Jesus therefore, knowing all things that would come upon Him, went forward and said to them, "Whom are you seeking?" 5 They answered Him, "Jesus of Nazareth." Jesus said to them, "I am ......He." And Judas, who betrayed Him, also stood with them. 6 Then--when He said to them, "I am......... He,"--they drew back and fell to the ground. 7 Then He asked them again, "Whom are you seeking?" And they said, "Jesus of Nazareth." 8 Jesus answered, "I have told you that I am .........He. Therefore, if you seek Me, let these go their way," 9 that the saying might be fulfilled which He spoke, "Of those whom You gave Me I have lost none." 10 Then Simon Peter, having a sword, drew it and struck the high priest's servant, and cut off his right ear. The servant's name was Malchus. 11 Then Jesus said to Peter, "Put your sword into the sheath. Shall I not drink the cup which My Father has given Me?" NKJV

(the italicized words not in the original translation) He....and they

John 8:12..............12 Then Jesus spoke to them again, saying, "I am the light of the world. He who follows Me shall not walk in darkness, but have the light of life."  NKJV

The great "I AM" brought light to Saul who would become Paul. He, Jesus brought to us light, so that anyone who would follow Him would have the light of life! Following Jesus brings us to the "new"........it is that life that is "awakened" to the spiritual and to that eternal life guaranteed to every believer who speak His name as Lord!

John 8:48-58.........48 Then the Jews answered and said to Him, "Do we not say rightly that You are a Samaritan and have a demon?" 49 Jesus answered, "I do not have a demon; but I honor My Father, and you dishonor Me. 50 And I do not seek My own glory; there is One who seeks and judges. 51 Most assuredly, I say to you, if anyone keeps My word he shall never see death." 52 Then the Jews said to Him, "Now we know that You have a demon! Abraham is dead, and the prophets; and You say, 'If anyone keeps My word he shall never taste death.' 53 "Are You greater than our father Abraham, who is dead? And the prophets are dead. Whom do You make Yourself out to be?" 54 Jesus answered, "If I honor Myself, My honor is nothing. It is My Father who honors Me, of whom you say that He is your God. 55 Yet you have not known Him, but I know Him. And if I say, 'I do not know Him,' I shall be a liar like you; but I do know Him and keep His word. 56 Your father Abraham rejoiced to see My day, and he saw it and was glad." 57 Then the Jews said to Him, "You are not yet fifty years old, and have You seen Abraham?" 58 Jesus said to them, "Most assuredly, I say to you, before Abraham was, I AM." 59 Then they took up stones to throw at Him; but Jesus hid Himself and went out of the temple, going through the midst of them, and so passed by. NKJV

Abraham was the created.........and Jesus the Creator.......before Abraham I AM! 

Hebrews 13:8........

8 Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever. 

NKJV

John 20:30-31.................

30 And truly Jesus did many other signs in the presence of His disciples, which are not written in this book; 31 but these are written that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that believing you may have life in His name.    NKJV

As in the case of Jesus being surrounded by His disciples, many signs were done. Truly Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that (in) believing you and I may have life in His name. We saw the same for Paul. Surrounded by many, but went from the fall to the ground, to blindness, to waiting in prayer to hear from a saint of God (remember Ananias the disciple) who came to witness to him?  He came to bear witness that Saul was to be a chosen vessel of Jesus Christ of Nazareth and to go and bear His name before the Gentiles.

Acts 9:10-19........................10 Now there was a certain disciple at Damascus named Ananias; and to him the Lord said in a vision, "Ananias." And he said, "Here I am, Lord." 11 So the Lord said to him, "Arise and go to the street called Straight, and inquire at the house of Judas for one called Saul of Tarsus, for behold, he is praying. 12 And in a vision he has seen a man named Ananias coming in and putting his hand on him, so that he might receive his sight." 13 Then Ananias answered, "Lord, I have heard from many about this man, how much harm he has done to Your saints in Jerusalem. 14 And here he has authority from the chief priests to bind all who call on Your name." 15 But the Lord said to him, "Go, for he is a chosen vessel of Mine to bear My name before Gentiles, kings, and the children of Israel. 16 For I will show him how many things he must suffer for My name's sake." 17 And Ananias went his way and entered the house; and laying his hands on him he said, "Brother Saul, the Lord Jesus, who appeared to you on the road as you came, has sent me that you may receive your sight and be filled with the Holy Spirit." 18 Immediately there fell from his eyes something like scales, and he received his sight at once; and he arose and was baptized. 19 So when he had received food, he was strengthened. Then Saul spent some days with the disciples at Damascus.    NKJV

Truly, God has a plan. Many had fallen, not only those in the regiment that came for Jesus, but also those who "rode" with Saul. But it those who will hear with their ears and see with their eyes, and have their hearts touched by God that CHANGE WILL COME.

If we run from church to church and trying to destroy those called by the Lord for the purpose of bringing the Kingdom of God to others, we too become like a "Saul". Are we complaining of the teaching or preaching from the pulpit? Are we trying to bring shame on one who is called by God to deliver the message of salvation to the world?

Philippians 2:9-11.............9 Therefore God also has highly exalted Him and given Him the name which is above every name, 10 that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of those in heaven, and of those on earth, and of those under the earth, 11 and that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.  NKJV

Yes, the same apostle Paul wrote this.....God highly exalted him and gave Him the name which is above every name, so that at the name of Jesus, EVERY KNEE SHOULD BOW, of those in heaven and on earth and under the earth and that every tongue will confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.

Jesus is God. There are NO OTHER GODS BEFORE HIM. HE IS THE ONE AND ONLY. 

1 Corinthians 8:4...............4 Therefore concerning the eating of things offered to idols, we know that an idol is nothing in the world, and that there is no other God but one. NKJV

1 Timothy 2:5-7.............5 For there is one God and one Mediator between God and men, the Man Christ Jesus, 6 who gave Himself a ransom for all, to be testified in due time, 7 for which I was appointed a preacher and an apostle--I am speaking the truth in Christ and not lying--a teacher of the Gentiles in faith and truth.        NKJV

Many will fall, but those who come to Jesus will stand on His truth. Rejecting truth will always bring us to a place that "must be addressed with correction". The continual correction on this point may lead us to a place of destruction. We should truly want to hear Him and make the changes to keep our course straight in His plan.  Will we submit and obey? Or will we be like that "old dragon" satan who at the end coming soon will have to......... heed,  and kneel before our Great God?

There was a friend of our daughter's who had this license plate on his vehicle. It was this.............."U will bow". He no longer lives in this area, but moved away some years ago. He had that license plate for as long as he was in this state of which we live.

I think of that often. Because everyday, we either choose now to bow, or wait till it is too late and will bow.......but at the end when Jesus returns here will we spend eternity in a hell repeating the most horrific things or be on bent knee worshiping the Lord?   God has appointed us once to death.........Hebrews 9:27.....and in asmuch as it is appointed for men to die once and after this comes judgment, so Christ (28) also, having been offered once to bear the sins of many, will appear a second time for salvation without sin, to those who eagerly await Him. Even the adversary, the devil, will bow when Jesus returns and we should know what that will look like, right?

God has called those to fulfill His plan for these last days............He has the teachers, the pastors, and the prophets in place to minister! Will we be like Saul and breathe out cruelties against those called to minister the Word, or will we truly seek to worship God and find out what He expects us to do when we find ourselves criticizing His anointed man or woman of God?

Father, in Jesus' name, we are but for a moment, You are the God before time. You are the eternal God, the everlasting Father, we are but vapor. It is our true desire to worship you in song and word. It is our whole-hearted desire to sing of Your love forever.............that we would bow before and bless YOU! Today, our trust is in You...........and with all our heart, we lean not to our own understanding, but in all our ways to life and living with husband, children, and those we work with and do ministry with, we ask YOU to direct our paths concerning each we may have listed from the above. We no not desire our wisdom, but the wisdom that is from above, that which is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, reasonable, full of mercy and good fruits, unwavering, without hypocrisy. And the seed whose fruit is righteousness sown in peace by those who make peace. (James 3:17)

May we be the discerning where wisdom is found on our lips. (Prov. 10:13) May we be the prudent who with Your wisdom give thought to our ways today concerning that which we must make decisions concerning those things pertaining to our home, children, job, or ministry. We desire to make our decisions based on prayer in Your Word, with sound wisdom, and trusting You God . We understand there is no wisdom, no insight, no plan that can succeed against the LORD. (Prov. 21:30) Help us to make the needed adjustments, please!

We have seen this in Your Word concerning Saul who would become Paul and serve YOUR purposes for the Kingdom of God! Our desire Lord, may we be those who speak with wisdom and have faithful instruction on our tongues.

Our desire is to bless You on bent knee and declare Your goodness to others. May we bless You this day and bring honor to Your Holy NAME. AMEN.

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