Ordering Strawberry Lemonade and Tea Comes Instead

Was out with our grand-daughter last Friday to spend time outside our home while she visited with us! We decided to make reservations and take her to a place not far from here, have some late lunch or early dinner...yet, enjoy the scenery that is laid out perfectly around the Gorge Hotel. We arrived somewhat early, and waited for our table. Being seated our grand-daughter asked for a strawberry lemonade for her drink. Great idea I thought as warm as it was outside, the cool drink would certainly be refreshing on such a hot day!
Well, the drink was not available, so we asked for lemonade instead and in a few minutes a glass of unsweetened tea arrived at the table. The young man seemed very pleased that he was bringing tea to the table and all I could think was "that does not look like lemonade"!
I certainly tasted the beverage and was hoping that it was not a glass of      "very dirty lemonade" and it was just tea. Yes the tea that arrived at our table was just brewed as well, but we asked for lemonade!

Was reading in the Psalms today and came across Psalm 100! It is one of my favorites that my mother help me learn as a small child.
Psalm 100  (NKJV)
Make a joyful shout to the LORD all you lands! 2 Serve the LORD with gladness ; Come before His presence with singing. 3 Know that the LORD, He is God; It is He who has made us, and not we ourselves; We are His people and the sheep of His pasture. 4 Enter into His gates with thanksgiving, and into His courts with praise, be thankful to Him and bless His name. 6 For the LORD is good; His mercy is everlasting, and His truth endures to all generations.

That word "serve" is 'ahad. In the Strong's has the numbering of 5647 and has the meaning of to work for, serve, do labor for someone; to be a servant, to worship.

In serving God, and know it is our faith that pleases Him, do we do things within our day that will worship God and bring delight to Him?

In the "hall of faith" found in Hebrews 11, verse 6 reminds us that "without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him.

As the born-again believer, we know that He is God! As in any relationship with another person, we spend time with them. We find out things of their nature, their abilities, their likes and dislikes and the best is that which brings a smile to their face! God is not a man. HE IS not a man who lies, but God, the Creator of heaven and earth! We are to know Him, the ONE, the HOLY God who gave His best for us.

Nowhere is God and His omnipotence seen more clearly than in creation. When God said, "let there be light,"......and it was so. ( found in Genesis 1:3,6, 9, etc.) It is revealed in God's power preservation comes. For all life on earth would have perished if were not for His continual provision of everything we need. For man it is food, clothing, and shelter. For beast, the rain brings fruit on trees as to leaves that are edible. The tree provides other fruit and some as nuts, and much shade during a hot summer blast of heat. We also know from the word of God that "the seas were assigned their limit" in Proverbs 8:29 When He assigned to the sea its limit, so that the waters would not transgress His command, when he marked out the foundations of the earth.

As man, we certainly need tools for carving out a roadway. We must have materials to create, but the Almighty God spoke and by the power of His Word everything was created from nothing!

Job 38: 4-11 NKJV  4 "Where were you when I laid the foundations of the earth?" Tell Me, if you have understanding. 5 Who determined its measurements?" "Surely you know! Or who stretched the line upon it? 6 To what were its foundations fastened? or who laid its cornerstone, 7 When the morning stars sang together, and all the sons of God shouted for joy? 8 Or who shut in the sea with doors, when it burst forth and issued from the womb; 9 When I made the clouds its garment, and thick darkness its swaddling band; 10 When I fixed MY limit for it, and set bars and doors; 11 When I said, 'This far you may come, but no farther, and here your proud waves must stop!"

Yes, it is revealed in the Bible, that which was written of God and those things He stated of His promises, His love and goodness to all. But the born-again believer, if really walking with Him reveals that each step throughout their day, all things should glorify God. They are things that will please Him, and help us see that God looks out for our good. Although we choose, yet it is His word that should lead us. So from Psalm 100 and the verse "to serve the LORD with gladness, should be that which is glorifying Him. It should be our faith speaking through out the day just like He did, He does speak now, and He will always speak.

In understanding and knowing Him, we bask in His presence because of Him and not just ask for "stuff"! Acknowledging first thing of the morning light, we are faith in action that God YOU are 1st in my life today and every day.
Opening His word, allows our inner man (our heart) to be flooded with that Light of His Word feeding our souls and helping us to grow up. AS our faith grows, that shield of protection is working, moving mountains out of our lives, knowing His goodness, and leaning back into His peace and His promise that "He will never leave us, nor will He ever forsake us."
Living in His presence, we receive vision for the future. For it is of good and not of evil, it is given in all wisdom and spiritual understanding that is walked out, influencing others, and being fruitful.
Yes, increasing in that knowledge of a loving God, we surely live from the Holy Spirit, walk without doubt, maturing daily, and receiving our dreams and desires that were God-ordained.

How shall I serve the LORD today? HOW should you and I serve HIM who has given so much? But we must receive HIM, know WHO He is and what He has done. In that service for all the days of our lives, may we keep God close, always sensing His love and peace wrapped about us, standing steadfast and speaking with loud voices, "for the LORD is good, HIS mercy is everlasting and HIS truth endures to all generations! Amen!

Notice: 

The Voice of Prayer  has a new teaching:

Soaring with Eagles

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z6FAIWPkUig

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

Tackle the Dummy

If you have ever been on a football field while practice is going on, you inevitable know which is the dummy and what it looks like. Although mostly white looking fabric, it is padded and shaped to look like a person. In those practice times, the dummy surely gets the brunt of all guided attempts to stop him.
He is tossed around, tackled, and then most likely stepped on. The "dummy" is jerked around, is hassled, brought down again and again and when practice is over, probably put with all the other supplies, equipment, pads and such to be used for another day.
What would the "dummy" represent to us we walk through life, sometimes feeling like we too are the tossed around, the stepped on, and the tackled!

In writing on this today, I went on-line and looked or surveyed the Dummy page. I saw the Crash-dummies, and saw some for other uses as well. I saw cheap ones and some really expensive ones. But my thought:"why do they need so many and dressed as well as they are dressed?"

As I write I come back to our daughter who is a "pastor". She is the one who likes the "team huddles". She as the pastor likes to bring all together, exhort them, get them into the game of life and send them off with a "good job there faithful servant"!
She demonstrates faith. She loves people and is always drawn to the expressive ones. She will continue to gather them adding them to her prayer journal. She will think on their last visit together and hold them up before the Lord, holding fast in the Word that if God be for them, then who can be against them.
Huddling together as gathering to meet and actually talk, pray together and maybe sample some food might be on the list of things to do, but foremost it is not tossing "one " around, not tackling them to the ground and give them reasons they failed again or try to jerk them back to normal life, when they have no life. No, those things do not work. Those who love God and are called and know the purpose, it is found in and through the life of Jesus and revealed through the Holy Spirit.

Days of dumbing down to act like the "fun" church", the "will do anything for a laugh church", or that "will out perform their band one more time church" should be gone, done away with forever.

That sound today is the tone of love, it is not forgetting the standard God has in place for righteousness and it is ever mindful of those heading for hell. Jesus did not come to accommodate our culture, He came to set up His kingdom of heaven.

John 18:36
36 Jesus said, "My kingdom is not of this world. If it were, my servants would fight to prevent my arrest by the Jews. But now my kingdom is from another place."
NIV

To us a Child was born and to us a Son was given. He died that we might live unto life eternal with Him. Do we rage on like there is no tomorrow? Do we think we can run our mouths, throw people up against a wall with mouths that shriek horror and expect God to bless our futile efforts? Do we stomp "the future leaders" of tomorrow and expect God to hear our rambling and raving words with no respect at all?
Today, start a habit of speaking positive about others. Today speak one positive thing about yourself. Look at the habits which make you productive and fruitful in your life at home and at work and or church. Persist in seeking out the good. Look for that in others, no matter their race, color or creed.
If  you are busy expect to finish every project. If you are creative, expect to create new things for your home, work or ministry. If you minister, expect to minister life,  not only to your leaders within the church, but the coming leaders within your home. 

When we look at Jesus, He was the Finisher. He finished what He started.
Paul the Apostle was a finisher....2 Timothy 4:7.
Solomon, the wisest man who lived was a finisher. 1 Kings 6:14.
Jesus of course, the Prince of Peace and Cornerstone. Man could approach God without any fear, but could come in peace once and for all. Amen.

God is good and He searches for those who have hearts for HIM. God will hear and will answer prayers of those righteous before Him. But He will not answer that which profanes His very Word. Do not be deceived ........God is not mocked. 

Galatians 6:6-10

6 Let him who is taught the word share in all good things with him who teaches. 7 Do not be deceived, God is not mocked; for whatever a man sows, that he will also reap. 8 For he who sows to his flesh will of the flesh reap corruption, but he who sows to the Spirit will of the Spirit reap everlasting life. 9 And let us not grow weary while doing good, for in due season we shall reap if we do not lose heart. 10 Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all, especially to those who are of the household of faith.  NKJV

What will you add to someone today? How will you leave others after you greet them with "a hello"? Is that all? Should they be more to us than someone we tackled to the floor with a loud and vexing scream that we are the unhappy, and our children are out of order, too?
What if we just told someone thank-you? Thank you Candace for what you do to huddle those people together and to tell them about Communion. Thanks Ron for all you do to gather the forces and clean some gutters, mow the lawn and still buy those groceries. How about that young man who pumps the gas for you when you stop at that gas station in Oregon?

We must sow to the Spirit of God to reap everlasting life. Those who do, will in due season reap if they do not lose heart. God is always on time. There is opportunity today to do good to all and especially those of the household of faith. Let's sow to life. Let's sow to giving our best so that we can expect something good ...........not because we want something back from anyone person, no, but because we desire to please our Father Who is watching.

Let's huddle, not slam the Dummy or tackle him till he is in pieces. No seriously, let's think of the other person around us, or within the group but seems to have a hard time to blend in with the talk and activity. When we pray in the Holy Ghost and live to abide in Jesus, we have the joy marked with a boldness that will gather every man, every woman, every race and every nation to God and declare Him to be God alone. Today, let's make the move to bring others into God's household of faith and may our lights shine brightly to the full light of day in Jesus' name. Amen.

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: 

Offenses, Disipline and Apostles

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y5bySdU2fMc

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

AN EGG ON A HOT SIDEWALK

How awesome is the time to connect with family members who live so far away! You can find some things like the weather to laugh about. Although I know some traveling by plane have found the going slow with delayed or cancelled flights this Christmas holiday season. Yet, just making a phone call, you are there and connect with one hello!
In the time of reaching out to others on the east coast, I was reminded how much different the weather has been back there. Of connecting that day after Christmas, my sister reminded me that they had once again been in the 80's............not the 1980's but in the temperatures we think of as in the summertime around here. She told me how they had to run their air conditioning once again. And here we were seeing ice and sleet fall like ribbons on Christmas Day evening on our way back from a "country" Christmas. No, there was no John Denver tunes, but I should ask my daughter about that one. But we did hear Rockin' around the Christmas Tree by Brenda Lee. Yes, we were in the country hearing country type music and was certain joy to my heart.
But back to the east coast and the high heat warnings, that was something I was surprised to hear about that day after Christmas. Also, THEY ARE KNEE DEEP in water that will not evaporate...........it just stands there, and it rains another 5 inches to add to the existing rain already beginning to stagnate on the ground. No, not a good thing at this point, and my sister was concerned if more rain came in before this extra moisture was gone.

Evaporation! I thought in all this time, that all you needed was some heat to evaporate the extra water on the ground, but she said they need the sunshine (like direct sun shining), and they only get really cloudy skies each day.

So I think about this scripture:

Exodus 16:13-21

13 So it was that quails came up at evening and covered the camp, and in the morning the dew lay all around the camp. 14 And when the layer of dew lifted, there, on the surface of the wilderness, was a small round substance, as fine as frost on the ground. 15 So when the children of Israel saw it, they said to one another, "What is it?" For they did not know what it was. And Moses said to them, "This is the bread which the LORD has given you to eat. 16 This is the thing which the LORD has commanded: 'Let every man gather it according to each one's need, one omer for each person, according to the number of persons; let every man take for those who are in his tent.' " 17 And the children of Israel did so and gathered, some more, some less. 18 So when they measured it by omers, he who gathered much had nothing over, and he who gathered little had no lack. Every man had gathered according to each one's need. 19 And Moses said, "Let no one leave any of it till morning." 20 Notwithstanding they did not heed Moses. But some of them left part of it until morning, and it bred worms and stank. And Moses was angry with them. 21 So they gathered it every morning, every man according to his need. And when the sun became hot, it melted. 

NKJV

This is one of my favorites in that God fed them from that dew that fell overnight. Like a frost on the ground, the small round substance was something to eat. It was like bread.......and one was to gather to those living in each household but no more. They gathered according to their need. They had to eat it when it was available to eat and if not eaten........every bite........then any part of it was rotten......spoiled.........not good to eat and then it would breed worms.

Yes, evaporation........!

Let's look at the word condensation........

a process whereby a gas or a vapor becomes a liquid. Condensation is that which appears on the inside of the window in the winter time.........like when boiling a liquid on the stove and the condensation appears. Like today, I can see water droplets or those beads of water appear on the glass window. It has occurred because of the humid air reaching the cold surface of the window.

But what about too much water...........that accumulates..........standing water with no place to go or how about water that dries up and remains dry.......to produce the results of a"drought"?

In our walk with the Lord, we too, can suffer from evaporation. When we begin to think our walk is A-okay! When we miss some services because it is the "holiday" time and you know I read that scripture or studied that before! Or, I do not need to go, as I am really busy and I have ministry tomorrow.........and wow, that is a lot to ask of me right now!

Evaporation!

As my sister spoke of the accumulation of rain water from the last few weeks, it was evident that it was not draining well. And I had always thought they might have an under ground spring running rather parallel to their property in the country. So the whole 5+ acres has water. She laughingly referred to the "sinking" and I told her to watch for those bubbles coming up to the surface. Yes, she laughed but I have continued to think on that for it can affect people who walk with the Lord.

If we become to lax in our daily lives, and can blow a dozen or so services every six months, then what does they say about us?

When we think about any "selfishness" and we are talking about the one who just chooses to skip the service, skip that time together for all leaders. In that act of being selfish is the basis of all immorality.  In thinking of our salvation and all that came through  Jesus was by no selfish act. He was bent on that outgoing love.

When we see that big puddle of water on the roadway, and see it become smaller everyday, it is either because there are many vehicles driving through it or there is a bright sun shining overhead. In that direct heat of light, that water evaporates. As the breeze starts to blow over that puddle, that which was wet is now becoming something else entirely.

Back in the late 1960's we took a trip to Disneyland. In all that work and effort to make an amusement park, we had a really good workable schedule of planning where and when we would have our meals. Of course, our one morning was in the midst of Phoenix, Arizona and on that early morning light, we drove to the nearby Denny's for breakfast. In our delight, we saw the one cook outside, breaking eggs onto that hot sidewalk, and we watched them cook those eggs. No was not interested in eating them from the sidewalk, but I had seen what the temp over 110 degrees plus a hot sidewalk with asphalt all around caused a high heat of nearly 126 degrees in that morning light could do to an egg on a hot sidewalk. Yes, it was fry city!

If we do not replenish in that liquid and refuel with the word of God that brings wisdom to us, then how can we make it to the end of this "run"? 

Job 14:1-13

14:1 "How frail is man, how few his days, how full of trouble! 2 He blossoms for a moment like a flower-and withers; as the shadow of a passing cloud, he quickly disappears. 3 Must you be so harsh with frail men and demand an accounting from them? 4 How can you demand purity in one born impure? 5 You have set mankind so brief a span of life-months is all you give him! Not one bit longer may he live. 6 So give him a little rest, won't you? Turn away your angry gaze and let him have a few moments of relief before he dies. 

7 "For there is hope for a tree-if it's cut down, it sprouts again and grows tender, new branches. 8 Though its roots have grown old in the earth, and its stump decays, it may sprout and bud again at the touch of water, like a new seedling. 10 But when a man dies and is buried, where does his spirit go? 11 As water evaporates from a lake, as a river disappears in drought, so a man lies down for the last time and does not rise again until the heavens are no more; he shall not awaken, nor be roused from his sleep. 13 Oh, that you would hide me with the dead and forget me there until your anger ends; but mark your calendar to think of me again! 

TLB

When we die, then we die. There is no last minute fitting several decades of life into a few minutes. Even in my age, I think of who can do several things and still keep going, yet it is to be in God's plan and not my own plan. As I read over what is given here in Job, I think of that water evaporating from a lake and how the river disappears in drought. That when man lies down to rise no more, he will mingle with that which is of the ground, that which is of no life.

Our time is now. It is a moment in which we can as individuals and as team members make a difference for the kingdom of God. It is not in the "sweet by and by" ....it is in the "here and NOW"!

With evaporation, we see.........dehydration! Without the supply of water, we see a firm ground, but may be in drought. It could have the appearance of cracks, and disappearance of what may be around the land area that is dry in drought. There may be no plants, no trees, no life of any kind sustained for any amount of time. With the disappearance of water, one will see the exodus of wildlife from that region. Yes, all life from before would just fade away!

In my recent health issues, one thing kept popping up.........and the questions by the doctors was this: "are you staying hydrated?"

Yes, drinking 6-8 big glasses of water a day.........but on the flip of that......is " are your cells absorbing the water that is available to them?" 

So two things: yes I had water but the opposite was the cells were not doing their thing in the right way for health for me.

In that state, one can become depressed, run a fever, and all for lack of NOT absorbing the needed water given through the mouth and to be used all the way down to the cellular level. We can be flushed, irritable, tired and fatigued, well,...........you get the idea here.

We should watch over our bodies and drink plenty of water daily, but we also must put the water of God's Word into our bodies. We must fill up and fill up and then spend time in corporate worship with those who are like minded in the things of God. 

John 15:13-17

 14 You are My friends if you do whatever I command you. 15 No longer do I call you servants, for a servant does not know what his master is doing; but I have called you friends, for all things that I heard from My Father I have made known to you. 16 You did not choose Me, but I chose you and appointed you that you should go and bear fruit, and that your fruit should remain, that whatever you ask the Father in My name He may give you. 17 These things I command you, that you love one another.

NKJV

John 16:12-15

 13 However, when He, the Spirit of truth, has come, He will guide you into all truth; for He will not speak on His own authority, but whatever He hears He will speak; and He will tell you things to come. 14 He will glorify Me, for He will take of what is Mine and declare it to you. 15 All things that the Father has are Mine. Therefore I said that He will take of Mine and declare it to you. 

NKJV

Father, thank You for Jesus. We are no longer foreigners and aliens but fellow citizens with God's people and members of God's household. We are built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, with Christ Jesus Himself as the chief cornerstone. In Him the whole building is joined together and rises to become the holy temple in the Lord. (Ephesians 2:19-22)

Father, we have been appointed to go and bear fruit and that our fruit should remain, that whatever we ask You in Jesus' name may be given us. And we are commanded to love one another.

Thank You for the Holy Spirit Who is active and operating in our lives today. We give thanks that we can hear Him speak and declare to us the things that are ours. And we are thankful we hear today and are lead in that pathway that is even ...without .......pits.

We understand that from Proverbs 28:9 ...that he who turns away his ear from hearing the law [ of God and man], even his prayer is an abomination, hateful and revolting [to God]. If we regard iniquity in our heart, the Lord will not hear us. For we understand that according to Proverbs 15:9-10...that the way of the wicked is an abomination, extremely disgusting and shamefully vile to the Lord, but he loves him who pursues righteousness (moral and spiritual rectitude in every area and relation.) And that there is severe discipline for him who forsakes God's way; and he who hates reproof will die [physically, morally, and spiritually].

Father, we desire not to end up in that "hot spot" like an egg on an overheated sidewalk........fry out all the liquid in seconds and be done for good.........when just filling up with Your life and wisdom will take us where we need to go in Your safety, peace, and love. Our desire is to please You and walk in the way that will bring glory to Your name. We pray to be those who will not stop because it is a "holiday", but keep going in the way of righteousness that is life and health. Father, in Jesus' name we desire to not be wise in our own eyes; we fear the LORD and depart from evil. It is health to our flesh and strength to our bones. (Proverbs 3:7-8)

Asking that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the glorious Father may give to us the Spirit of wisdom and revelation so that we may know HIM better. That our eyes of our heart be enlightened in order to know the hope to which He has called us. Amen.

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

WHEN GOD ASKS A QUESTION

When God asks us a question, how do we respond?

Matthew 16:13-18
13 When Jesus came into the region of Caesarea Philippi, He asked His disciples, saying, "Who do men say that I, the Son of Man, am?" 14 So they said, "Some say John the Baptist, some Elijah, and others Jeremiah or one of the prophets." 15 He said to them, "But who do you say that I am?" 16 Simon Peter answered and said, "You are the Christ, the Son of the living God." 17 Jesus answered and said to him, "Blessed are you, Simon Bar-Jonah, for flesh and blood has not revealed this to you, but My Father who is in heaven.
NKJV

WHY was Jesus asking this question? Well, lets look at the passage before His asking the question.

Matthew 16:5-12

5 Now when His disciples had come to the other side, they had forgotten to take bread. 6 Then Jesus said to them, "Take heed and beware of the leaven of the Pharisees and the Sadducees." 7 And they reasoned among themselves, saying, "It is because we have taken no bread." 8 But Jesus, being aware of it, said to them, "O you of little faith, why do you reason among yourselves because you have brought no bread? 9 Do you not yet understand, or remember the five loaves of the five thousand and how many baskets you took up? 10 Nor the seven loaves of the four thousand and how many large baskets you took up? 11 How is it you do not understand that I did not speak to you concerning bread?--but to beware of the leaven of the Pharisees and Sadducees." 12 Then they understood that He did not tell them to beware of the leaven of bread, but of the doctrine of the Pharisees and Sadducees. 

NKJV

When Jesus asked them a question, it was concerning how they come to their answers, their thinking about what He was saying compared to that doctrine of the Pharisees and Sadducees. When Jesus asked, He was finding out where they really stood relating to the Word of Truth that He was directing them to.
So if the Lord asks us a question: be certain to know that He is really asking if our going forward is based on His truth or of the doctrine of the world. It is not to be about that we just know it for that should already be a part of the foundation and it should not be about how we are feeling in regard to it, but are we without any doubt. Are we those certain ones that we are backed by the Word of God in stepping into that which God has for us to do? We can not do it just assuming it. We can not do it just because some pastor some years ago mentioned it, that we are the "called" to it and so just do it. NO!  We must certainly have a foundation built beneath us and that Cornerstone is Jesus Himself.

Ephesians 2:19-22
19 Consequently, you are no longer foreigners and aliens, but fellow citizens with God's people and members of God's household, 20 built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, with Christ Jesus himself as the chief cornerstone. 21 In him the whole building is joined together and rises to become a holy temple in the Lord. 22 And in him you too are being built together to become a dwelling in which God lives by his Spirit.
NIV

As fellow citizens with God's people and members of His household, we are those who are built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets with Christ Jesus Himself as the Chief Cornerstone!

The anointing Jesus gives us by the Word of truth, is that which determines when the "bad report" or that "surprise report" comes to us. Then when a question comes, are we wrapped up ..........surrounded, fortified with His love and Word  OR are we, by the circumstance ready to throw in the towel like in a boxing match?  We certainly are to be trained and ready because the Word is alive in us, powered by the Holy Spirit to make those quick decisions and keep going forward from Step 1 Step 2 to Step 3 of God's plan.

Mark 2:23-28
23 Now it happened that He went through the grainfields on the Sabbath; and as they went His disciples began to pluck the heads of grain. 24 And the Pharisees said to Him, "Look, why do they do what is not lawful on the Sabbath?" 25 But He said to them, "Have you never read what David did when he was in need and hungry, he and those with him: 26 how he went into the house of God in the days of Abiathar the high priest, and ate the showbread, which is not lawful to eat, except for the priests, and also gave some to those who were with him?" 27 And He said to them, "The Sabbath was made for man, and not man for the Sabbath. 28 Therefore the Son of Man is also Lord of the Sabbath."
NKJV

Take note that Jesus asked the Pharisees a question when He was presented with one as well?
Jesus was pointing to David who was avoiding King Saul, but kept his men fed, he looked for a place of security for them, and when Saul was breathing out his cruelties. Truly the Sabbath was created for man to.........relax from a week's long work, to remember all that God had done for them, and to rest with family and enjoy them!

 In reading this passage it is separated by Chapter 3 heading, but they started this one with And He entered..........so this is continued from that of Mark chapter 2!

Mark 3:1-6
3:1 And He entered the synagogue again, and a man was there who had a withered hand. 2 So they watched Him closely, whether He would heal him on the Sabbath, so that they might accuse Him. 3 And He said to the man who had the withered hand, "Step forward." 4 Then He said to them, "Is it lawful on the Sabbath to do good or to do evil, to save life or to kill?" But they kept silent. 5 And when He had looked around at them with anger, being grieved by the hardness of their hearts, He said to the man, "Stretch out your hand." And he stretched it out, and his hand was restored as whole as the other. 6 Then the Pharisees went out and immediately plotted with the Herodians against Him, how they might destroy Him.
NKJV

Yes, a whole group of people were asked this question. They were that group of religious folk. 

"Is it lawful on the Sabbath to do good or to do evil, to save life or to kill?"

It tells us that everyone remained silent.

Jesus spoke to the man with the withered hand...........and said, "Stretch out your hand." And as he did, his hand was restored as whole as the other.

From what we see in Chapter 2 of Mark, is that Jesus was pointing to that day of the Sabbath as the day which was made for man. In truth, the Sabbath was created after man was created. Man was made for God.

Luke 13:10-21
10 Now He was teaching in one of the synagogues on the Sabbath. 11 And behold, there was a woman who had a spirit of infirmity eighteen years, and was bent over and could in no way raise herself up. 12 But when Jesus saw her, He called her to Him and said to her, "Woman, you are loosed from your infirmity." 13 And He laid His hands on her, and immediately she was made straight, and glorified God. 14 But the ruler of the synagogue answered with indignation, because Jesus had healed on the Sabbath; and he said to the crowd, "There are six days on which men ought to work; therefore come and be healed on them, and not on the Sabbath day." 15 The Lord then answered him and said, "Hypocrite! Does not each one of you on the Sabbath loose his ox or donkey from the stall, and lead it away to water it? 16 So ought not this woman, being a daughter of Abraham, whom Satan has bound--think of it--for eighteen years, be loosed from this bond on the Sabbath?" 17 And when He said these things, all His adversaries were put to shame; and all the multitude rejoiced for all the glorious things that were done by Him.

18 Then He said, "What is the kingdom of God like? And to what shall I compare it? 19 It is like a mustard seed, which a man took and put in his garden; and it grew and became a large tree, and the birds of the air nested in its branches."

20 And again He said, "To what shall I liken the kingdom of God? 21 It is like leaven, which a woman took and hid in three measures of meal till it was all leavened."
NKJV

Notice in verse 12, when Jesus called the woman out, "Woman, you are loosed from your infirmity"......and then laid hands on her and immediately she was made straight and glorified God. God can do miracles on any day. Does not have to be always in church or within that moment of an immediate miracle, but can be done by giving people truth. Jesus was giving truth on the Sabbath and the woman was healed. But at verse 14, we find the ruler of the synagogue indignant. He was mad at Jesus for healing on the Sabbath and even told Jesus the LAW. But Jesus asked "does not each one of you on the Sabbath loose his ox or donkey from  the stall, lead it away to water it"? "SO ought not this woman be loosed from this bond on the Sabbath?"

The people rejoiced, and then Jesus went on to ask another question! "To what shall I liken the kingdom of God?"  'It is like leaven, which a woman took and hid in three measures of meal till it was all leavened."

And verse 18:

18 Then He said, "What is the kingdom of God like? And to what shall I compare it? 19 It is like a mustard seed, which a man took and put in his garden; and it grew and became a large tree, and the birds of the air nested in its branches."

When God asks us a question, it is not our answering by feelings, or how body feels today. It is not how our spouse is acting or not acting, but it is by being steadfast in the Word of God. It is as Jesus represented to the disciples and to us. Our lives are to be that continually flowing fountain of water springing up that brings to those around that water of life, that Word of God, and that people are being satisfied. Yes, those who have been held in bondage much too long, to a broken body, a broken heart, held by drugs and depression need a long cool drink of the living fountain of Water of the Word of God that gives life and peace! When asked a question today, hopefully our reply is found from that living water...........as we find in John 7, of that which comes from the Holy Spirit.

John 7:37-39
37 On the last and greatest day of the Feast, Jesus stood and said in a loud voice, "If anyone is thirsty, let him come to me and drink. 38 Whoever believes in me, as the Scripture has said, streams of living water will flow from within him." 39 By this he meant the Spirit, whom those who believed in him were later to receive. Up to that time the Spirit had not been given, since Jesus had not yet been glorified.
NIV

When God asks us a question, do our words and worship exalt the Lord God or something else altogether? When we have the Holy Spirit residing in us, our words, yes our replies to any question will be words that worship as a witness of who we are following, who we listen to, what we read or keep our focus on, and who we will ultimately confess! Amen.

We are to reply to the One true God, and then follow Him, obedient to all He asks us!

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

MARVELOUS LIGHT AND THE WONDERFUL!

1 Peter 2:7-10...........7 Therefore, to you who believe, He is precious; but to those who are disobedient,

"The stone which the builders rejected, Has become the chief cornerstone,"

8 and ..........."A stone of stumbling
And a rock of offense."

They stumble, being disobedient to the word, to which they also were appointed.

9 But you are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, His own special people, that you may proclaim the praises of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light; 10 who once were not a people but are now the people of God, who had not obtained mercy but now have obtained mercy. NKJV

CALLED out of darkness into His marvelous light....what a glorious Word to us who believe. To us, He is the precious, but to those who reject Him, Him is the chief cornerstone. To those who reject Him, they stumble and are offended because of Jesus!

Psalm 119:17-20............17 Bless me with life so that I can continue to obey you. 18 Open my eyes to see wonderful things in your Word. 19 I am but a pilgrim here on earth: how I need a map-and your commands are my chart and guide. 20 I long for your instructions more than I can tell.  TLB

Open our eyes to see the wonderful things in Your Word. Verse 19....."I am but a pilgrim here on earth; how I need a map..................YOUR commands to guide..........for I long for Your instructions more than I can tell."

Being open to God the Lord is being open to see His glory and majesty..........that He is wonderful and He created us!

Psalm 139:13-16...........13 For You formed my inward parts;

You covered me in my mother's womb. 

14 I will praise You, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made;

Marvelous are Your works,

And that my soul knows very well. 

15 My frame was not hidden from You,

When I was made in secret,

And skillfully wrought in the lowest parts of the earth. 

16 Your eyes saw my substance, being yet unformed.

And in Your book they all were written,

The days fashioned for me,

When as yet there were none of them.  NKJV

The Great God created each of us. He formed our inward parts!

Well, I know that Shelley! I have heard it over and over again.  

Today, though, let us look at the Creator.......Who..........in the beginning formed the heavens and the earth!

Genesis 1:1-5.................1:1 In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth. 2 The earth was without form, and void; and darkness was on the face of the deep. And the Spirit of God was hovering over the face of the waters. 3 Then God said, "Let there be light"; and there was light. 4 And God saw the light, that it was good; and God divided the light from the darkness. 5 God called the light Day, and the darkness He called Night. So the evening and the morning were the first day. 

NKJV

Hallelujah! God CREATED! HE created the heavens and the earth!

Yes,........ the first verse of the entire Bible, God created...........and He created with you in mind. He would need a place for His family to live. And He created that place in beauty, majesty and wonder!

The God of WONDERFUL DID WONDERFUL WORKS.....FOR US!

Psalm 107:31-32........31 Oh, that men would give thanks to the LORD for His goodness,

And for His wonderful works to the children of men! 

32 Let them exalt Him also in the assembly of the people,

And praise Him in the company of the elders.   NKJV

Oh that we would give thanks to HIM for His goodness and His wonderful works to the children of men............and He did it all in His wisdom, counsel and strength.

Isaiah 9:6-7...............6 For unto us a Child is born,

Unto us a Son is given;

And the government will be upon His shoulder.

And His name will be called 

Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God,

Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. 

7 Of the increase of His government and peace 

There will be no end,

Upon the throne of David and over His kingdom,

To order it and establish it with judgment and justice 

From that time forward, even forever.

The zeal of the LORD of hosts will perform this.  NKJV

For unto us a Child was born............and Isaiah prophesied His wonderful coming. He told that His government............that government of heaven would be on His shoulder...........and HIS NAME WILL BE CALLED WONDERFUL, COUNSELOR, MIGHTY GOD, EVERLASTING FATHER, PRINCE OF PEACE .................AND THERE WILL BE NO END.

Jesus came to set up His government...........that of Heaven and............a government established with judgment and justice.............from that time and forever.

The zeal of the LORD of hosts will perform this!

Colossians 1:13-20...........13 He has delivered us from the power of darkness and conveyed us into the kingdom of the Son of His love, 14 in whom we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins. 15 He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation. 16 For by Him all things were created that are in heaven and that are on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or principalities or powers. All things were created through Him and for Him. 17 And He is before all things, and in Him all things consist. 18 And He is the head of the body, the church, who is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, that in all things He may have the preeminence. 

19 For it pleased the Father that in Him all the fullness should dwell,      NKJV

Colossians 2:2-4.........2 that their hearts may be encouraged, being knit together in love, and attaining to all riches of the full assurance of understanding, to the knowledge of the mystery of God, both of the Father and of Christ, 3 in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge. 

NKJV

In the beautiful face of Jesus...........a government came. In His wisdom, love, and power He came to assert.......to declare, proclaim, yes announce with wisdom and love that the kingdom had come. His faith in God.......even though He was, is and is come.............it was a faith of boldness in the face of adversity, AND every devil that came against what God had planned for His children. He came in power of the Holy Ghost with a behavior of one who was established in heart to speak confidently............to stand and speak truth in the face of  a religion, 

Matthew 12:18-21.....................18 "Behold, My Servant whom I have chosen,

My Beloved in whom My soul is well pleased!

I will put My Spirit upon Him,

And He will declare justice to the Gentiles. 

19 He will not quarrel nor cry out,

Nor will anyone hear His voice in the streets. 

20 A bruised reed He will not break,

And smoking flax He will not quench,

Till He sends forth justice to victory; 

21 And in His name Gentiles will trust."    NKJV

HIS dying on the cross brought forth justice to victory! Justice for man was what God was desiring for His children ...........and in that moment of anguish, and pain, of blood and of beatings, rose justice to the children. They had within Jesus, a Savior, and they had been REDEEMED WITH THE GREATEST PRICE. WONDERFUL, COUNSELOR, MIGHTY GOD, PRINCE OF PEACE!

WILL NOT QUARREL WITH ANYONE.........NEVER ARGUE THE BIBLE....JESUS GAVE THE WORD OF GOD .......THAT OF SPIRIT AND TRUTH.......WE ARE TO..GIVE THE SCRIPTURE OR PASSAGE AND THEN GO ON TO ANOTHER WHO WILL HEAR AND RECEIVE!

The wisdom of God is peaceable............as we see in...........James 3:13-18.........13 Who is wise and understanding among you? Let him show by good conduct that his works are done in the meekness of wisdom. 14 But if you have bitter envy and self-seeking in your hearts, do not boast and lie against the truth. 15 This wisdom does not descend from above, but is earthly, sensual, demonic. 16 For where envy and self-seeking exist, confusion and every evil thing are there. 17 But the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, willing to yield, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality and without hypocrisy. 18 Now the fruit of righteousness is sown in peace by those who make peace.  NKJV

Wisdom speaks......is beautiful.........to the point..............no boasting about me, myself and I, but a boasting on the Lord.................not self-seeking but speaking with a wisdom that is peaceable, gentle, willing to yield..............not yielding to the perverse thing, but yielding to hear someone and then give them a reply in the wisdom of God. It is one that is full of mercy and of good fruits. It is righteousness!

Luke 4:16-22..........16 So He came to Nazareth, where He had been brought up. And as His custom was, He went into the synagogue on the Sabbath day, and stood up to read. 17 And He was handed the book of the prophet Isaiah. And when He had opened the book, He found the place where it was written: 

18 "The Spirit of the LORD is upon Me,

Because He has anointed Me 

To preach the gospel to the poor;

He has sent Me to heal the brokenhearted,

To proclaim liberty to the captives 

And recovery of sight to the blind,

To set at liberty those who are oppressed;  

19 To proclaim the acceptable year of the LORD."  

20 Then He closed the book, and gave it back to the attendant and sat down. And the eyes of all who were in the synagogue were fixed on Him. 21 And He began to say to them, "Today this Scripture is fulfilled in your hearing." 22 So all bore witness to Him, and marveled at the gracious words which proceeded out of His mouth.  NKJV

YES, HE SPOKE INTO RELIGION, AND MAN'S WAYS, AND declared that the Spirit of the LORD was upon HIM. He declared that he was to preach the gospel to the poor, heal the brokenhearted, proclaim liberty to those that were blind, set a liberty those who were and are oppressed and to proclaim the acceptable year of the LORD! AMEN, AND AMEN!

And He came to show us, those created in the beauty of God, those destined as His sons, those destined to be God's family...............this is what it looks like and how it sounds. Yes, God always makes sounds........AND WHEN WE SEE THAT WE ARE CALLED OUT OF DARKNESS AND MOVE INTO THAT MARVELOUS LIGHT.............WE become a beauty..........an orchestra, harmonizing together with God.........making a sound that is much like the most beautiful symphony you have ever heard played.

We are that chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation..............grafted into the branch to become one nation in God..........one nation, who recognizes the Lordship of Jesus Christ, and see His ruling over His anointed and appointed people!

Well, Shelley, no one has laid hands on me and told me that I am to preach or bring liberty to those who are oppressed. Maybe not, but we are all called to His family and do we not, as a brother or sister, pray for our siblings, our families and even our neighbors? We may not know someone personally but God calls us into marvelous light and to see those still in darkness.............those still struggling, those still in bondage and reach them in beauty, in love, in wisdom, and knowledge of God.

Throw off the garment of grave clothes and be dressed in your royal robes of purple. Take up the Word and see yourself in it today. Let that Light Shine brightly and show you the way of salvation. (Acts 15:18)  18 Known unto God are all his works from the beginning of the world. KJV

Ephesians 1:4-10............. 4 For he chose us in him before the creation of the world to be holy and blameless in his sight. In love 5 he predestined us to be adopted as his sons through Jesus Christ, in accordance with his pleasure and will- 6 to the praise of his glorious grace, which he has freely given us in the One he loves. 7 In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches of God's grace 8 that he lavished on us with all wisdom and understanding. 9 And he made known to us the mystery of his will according to his good pleasure, which he purposed in Christ, 10 to be put into effect when the times will have reached their fulfillment-to bring all things in heaven and on earth together under one head, even Christ. 

NIV

Today, may we all walk in that created world in love. being adopted as His sons through Jesus Christ in accordance to His pleasure and will! We know that it was planned from the foundation of the world, and that ...."the times will have reached their fulfillment..............yes, to bring all things in heaven and on earth together under one head, even Christ." 

Glory to His HOLY Name!

Father, thank You for Jesus............and His name is called Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of PEACE  and of the increase of His government and peace there will be no end.

Today we pray to have the same "The zeal of the LORD of hosts WHO will perform this"!

Father, we pray in His Holy name to be those who act and speak in the wisdom of God, in the justice of God and in the peace of God..........that Wisdom from God is our righteousness, our holiness, and our redemption. (1 Corinthians 1:30)

May we represent the kingdom of God the way Jesus did. May our boast be in the Lord always. May we be found to be those who posses a confidence.....in our hearts........before God and receive from Him anything we ask, because we obey His commands and to what pleases Him. That command is to believe in the name of His Son Jesus Christ and to love one another as He commanded us. We know that when we obey, we live in Him and He in us. And we know this because of the Spirit He gave us. (1 John 3:21-24)

We come to YOUR marvelous Light and see the wonder YOU have placed in us. To YOU be all the glory! Amen and Amen.

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

To Bind, Govern, AND HEAL?

Isaiah 3:6-9.............6 When a man takes hold of his brother 

In the house of his father, saying,

"You have clothing;

You be our ruler,

And let these ruins be under your power," 

7 In that day he will protest, saying,

"I cannot cure your ills,

For in my house is neither food nor clothing;

Do not make me a ruler of the people." 

8 For Jerusalem stumbled,

And Judah is fallen,

Because their tongue and their doings 

Are against the LORD,

To provoke the eyes of His glory. 

9 The look on their countenance witnesses against them,

And they declare their sin as Sodom;

They do not hide it.

Woe to their soul!

For they have brought evil upon themselves.   NKJV

Came across this reading......and was intrigued by the verse 7 stating......."I cannot cure your ills, for in my house is neither food nor clothing. Do not make me a ruler of the people."

Now how many times have we seen people who love to "rule" over other people? Now at searching out the word from the concordance, we find it to mean to..........bind, gird about, govern, healer, .....

The other thing I noticed as I was reading about what was transpiring in the chapter (2) before, brought the prophet to caution all........that we should not put our confidence in any man. The prophet goes on to mention what those things will be as he was given them by God. He talks of their of government being judged. It is a total decay of the kingdom and of their church. He told of their looking to man for answers, when it was in actuality man who brought on "all those problems" to the land.

There were judgments against their military. If it was despicable, then man must remember that word...."

Isaiah 25:3-5...........3 Therefore the strong people will glorify You;

The city of the terrible nations will fear You. 

4 For You have been a strength to the poor,

A strength to the needy in his distress,

A refuge from the storm,

A shade from the heat;

For the blast of the terrible ones is as a storm against the wall. 

5 You will reduce the noise of aliens,

As heat in a dry place;

As heat in the shadow of a cloud,

The song of the terrible ones will be diminished. NKJV

In regard to what the prophet talks of in those days, these people saw their wealth in getting what they desired or truly needed. So what if the bread and the water are taken away? What if rain is withheld from our community and this land?

But we see the Lord being glorified in Isaiah 25. He is the strength to to the poor. He is strength to the needy in his distress. He is a refuge from the storm.........ever been in a storm with high winds, 116 strikes of lightning an hour and the land is dry? But what about the blast from those who are against you? It can be as a storm that seems to never end!

Verse 5 says that HE REDUCES THE NOISE OF THE ALIENS, THOSE WHO SPEAK DIFFERENT THAN US, ACT DIFFERENT THAN US, WHO FOLLOW THEIR OWN gods!

I think of Jesus talking to Martha in Luke 10. Jesus was telling her that Mary had chosen that good part which will not be taken away from her.

Luke 10:42.................... 42 But one thing is needed, and Mary has chosen that good part, which will not be taken away from her." NKJV

Well, what part? Being in awe of the love of God! Being captivated by the spiritual side of all this. Martha's serving would die with her. All that natural part of her would die. She would leave this earth without her body. Then all her gift in hospitality, all her great recipes and her personality would leave the earth one day. But Mary's good part, knowing Jesus spiritually would be eternal!

In following Jesus as Mary did, we find the good part. We find in Him, the way, the truth and the Life!

"You have clothing, be our ruler"!

Never mind the person has no previous leadership ability.........you have clothing, be our ruler! You have the right colored jacket, be our leader! You have a black jacket with a white patch on it, be our leader. You have fancy clothes to wear, be our leader. YOU drive a new Lexus, be our leader. (not that I have anything against a Lexus) Wow! 
Ever been in a church where the pastor desires those who have the expensive vehicles to lead others? I have!
When people see things becoming so broken, torn down, and not usable any longer, and when there is no rain and the bread runs out........then what? When it seems the government is falling down, apart and to ruin, and the news reports sound more like a horror movie,  but there is one who sticks closer than a brother. His name is Jesus!

But back to that ruler, the one to rule over people, yes that one, is to be a healer as well! Remember when you look it up, that leader is to be one who will lead and bind, govern and heal.

Being leader takes a quality only God can give to you. It is born out of a love for the fellowman.

Leaders like people, enjoy being around them and like to help them. They walk in integrity toward them.  Those who truly desire another's success will always deal in truth.

Leaders like to communicate. They reach out to others by communicating, "hey I am here."

Leaders will know their opponent. They will know when to avoid conflict and when to address a certain situation. In any conflict, those flaws are revealed, but in dealing with others, the leader who heals will call out the weakness and always look out for the person's potential he is leading.

"I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd gives His life for the sheep."  NKJV If we have the heart problem, it looks like this! ...........Mark 7:20-23........................20 "What comes out of a man, that defiles a man. 21 For from within, out of the heart of men, proceed evil thoughts, adulteries, fornications, murders, 22 thefts, covetousness, wickedness, deceit, lewdness, an evil eye, blasphemy, pride, foolishness. 23 All these evil things come from within and defile a man."    NKJV If things are breaking down, the water running out and there is no bread for one to eat, then we must consider we are in a sickly place. From Isaiah 3, we saw men who were looking for someone who had clothes to wear, not just one garment but many. They wanted to have that which was decaying, rebuilt and continue to do their own thing! BUT the only one who can bring life is Jesus.! He is the only One who leads others to safety, who looks out for their good and expects to have fellowship with them. Are we coming from a place of idolatry or bitterness? Are we coming from a place of pride and I want my own way or are we coming from a place of love? These people spoken about in Isaiah 3, were those who were doing their own thing and speaking evil against God.   Let's pray for a nation that will follow God since our founding Fathers did over 200 years ago. This is the greatest nation in the world. It must be each of us directing ourselves to the the leader, God has called us to be. We must take our places and lead by His Word. Amen.  Jesus was and is the "Healer".

In verse 9, we see these folks declaring their sin. They are proud sinners! Wow! And they are compared with Sodom. Is it possible for this to be true?

Is it possible that men and women around the world are being deceived by an enemy?  Yes!  In 1 Peter 5:8.........we are told to...........8 Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour. NKJV

So what about those who do not know the word of God......? Do we pray for them or do we seek God in His goodness, to show us how to pray in these days? 

Any of us can see many people with sick hearts. They are sick and need the "HEALER". THEY NEED THE GREAT LEADER, THE GOOD SHEPHERD....THE DELIVERER, THE GREAT "I AM", GREAT HIGH PRIEST, FIRST BEGOTTEN, CORNERSTONE, BREAD OF LIFE, AND FAITHFUL WITNESS! They need a Savior!


Luke 4:23-27........23 Then he said, "Probably you will quote me that proverb, 'Physician, heal yourself----meaning, 'Why don't you do miracles here in your hometown like those you did in Capernaum?" 24 But I solemnly declare to you that no prophet is accepted in his own hometown!  25 For example, remember how Elijah the prophet used a miracle to help the widow of Zarephath-a foreigner from the land of Sidon. There were many Jewish widows needing help in those days of famine, for there had been no rain for three and a half years, and hunger stalked the land; yet Elijah was not sent to them. 27 Or think of the prophet Elisha, who healed Naaman, a Syrian, rather than the many Jewish lepers needing help."   TLB

THAT GOOD PART, IS FOUND IN JESUS....it is remembering He died to give us life. He gave it to us whether there are storms, or floods, whether there are tornadoes or typhoons, whether there are earthquakes or tsunamis, or famine stalking the land. He is the "I AM" in our midst. Amen.


John 10:14-16..............14 "I am the Good Shepherd and know my own sheep, and they know me, 15 just as my Father knows me and I know the Father; and I lay down my life for the sheep. 16 I have other sheep, too, in another fold. I must bring them also, and they will heed my voice; and there will be one flock with one Shepherd. TLB

Luke 5:17-18................17 Now it happened on a certain day, as He was teaching, that there were Pharisees and teachers of the law sitting by, who had come out of every town of Galilee, Judea, and Jerusalem. And the power of the Lord was present to heal them. 
NKJV

Jesus had opportunity to teach Pharisees and teachers of the law who had come from every town of Galilee, Judea, and Jerusalem. The power of the Lord was present to heal them.
Even those who were against Jesus were present when the power to heal came. He followed His Father and did the same things He saw the Father do. In the midst of even unbeliever's the power of God can come to heal all those gathering together. The goodness of God is seen and some people change by it and other's do not!   

 So what if the bread and the water are taken away? What if rain is withheld from our community and this land?  Will we remind ourselves that God has the answers, and that He will be our guide?

2 Timothy 2:19-20.............19 Nevertheless the solid foundation of God stands, having this seal: "The Lord knows those who are His," and, "Let everyone who names the name of Christ depart from iniquity."   NKJV

Luke 5:31-32.......31 Jesus answered and said to them, "Those who are well have no need of a physician, but those who are sick. 32 I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners, to repentance."     NKJV

Father, in Jesus' name we pray, that we need only the Savior. We have the Great Shepherd. We desire to humble ourselves under Your mighty hand and resist the devil,he will flee from us. We desire to come near to YOU. For we know that all that comes to a land is that which is the product of a sick heart. When we truly desire to purify our hearts, and to grieve over that which we have done, and truly repent, it is YOU who will lift us up.(James 4:7-12)

Father, it is not our desire to slander another, or speak against a brother or judge him for we understand the only Lawgiver and Judge is he who is able to save and to destroy.

What we do ask, is that we would continue to have the walk of faith to trust no matter what is going on in the world. The Word stands that the "Lord knows those who are His."

We know the land has leaders and we pray for them all, that they would have the wisdom of God and dwell in His presence. Make they make the decisions that will benefit all based on the Word of God.

We, who are the temple of the living God, understand that we are to mediate the blessing of God to the kingdoms of this world.

Please give us the boldness to speak when we need to speak and to be mute, when we must be mute. Help us by Your Holy Spirit be the men and women who are called of God and are Christ's ambassadors displaying the righteousness of God to those around us. We look to You for the answers we need today and how to pray for our nation and those around us. YOU are gracious when we cry for help! We pray to hear Your voice saying, "this is the way; walk in it."  It is our desire to abide in YOU.......as the branch cannot bear fruit of itself. Today we have sought out the Lord and to abide under the shadow of the Almighty....we believe that which we desire is done for us. Be glorified Father God and may we bear fruit showing that we are the disciples of the Lord. Amen.

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