ON Death Row

On Death Row without Jesus

Have you ever thought that without Jesus, man is on death row? My husband and I were listening to a teaching over the weekend and the word was given about the importance of people in prisons was to hear the Gospel to have the opportunity to be born-again! What I thought was: "Did they not hear the Gospel as children?"
According to the person speaking, many of the men and women in prison have really had no kind of family life. Few numbered found to have some kind of family institution: father, mother, and siblings, yet most had no father, sometimes a mother but was absent from the scene at odd times, so the man or woman seen in prison had absentee parents!

Now parents are to have prepared a place for their newborn baby, bring them up in admonition of the Lord and speak life over them everyday of their life. My parents were not the 'perfect' ones but they certainly worked hard to present to us an example of a wonderful home life where the father worked to provide for his family, the mother provided clean clothes, good food and a warm bed at night (with clean sheets and a comfy pillow for the head). Still, we saw and knew we had to work to create those things as well for the children we would have one day. My sister and I certainly had good examples of good parents. We went to church and learned Bible verses as children. As an adult, we still look into the perfect law of liberty that came through Jesus Christ.

In thinking of that teaching the other day, I go back to the thought that value for life has somehow been lost in these many decades since my youth. And the value for God is lost in most cases as well. Within that thought all  those who would not know God live on 'death row'! Whether they live in the Penthouse of the tallest building in a great city, or in a multi-million dollar mansion in Beverly Hills California, still they are on death row if they know not the Lord.

In John 14:1 Jesus told us this: Do not let your hearts be troubled (distressed, agitated), You believe in  and adhere to and trust in and rely on God, believe in and rely also on Me.
Now this 'Me' is Jesus Himself! Verse 2 continues: In My Father's house there are many dwelling places (homes). If it were not so, I would have told you; for I am going away to prepare a place for you. 3 And when (if) I go and make ready a place for you, I will come back again and will take you to myself, that where I am you may be also. 4 And [to the place] where  I am going, you know the way. 5 Thomas said to Him, Lord we do not know where You are going, so how can we know the way? 6 Jesus said to him, I am the Way and the Truth and the Life; no one comes to the Father except by (through) Me. 7 If you had known Me [had learned to recognize Me] you would also have known My Father. From now on, you know Him and have seen Him.
8 Philip said to Him, Lord, show us the Father [cause us to see the Father----that is all we ask]; then we shall be satisfied. 9 Jesus replied, "Have I been with all of you for long a time and do you not recognize and know Me yet Philip? Anyone who has seen Me has seen the Father. How can you say then, Show us the Father?"

Is not 'relationship' important?  Relationship is given in Ecclesiastes 6:10-12.  NKJV  10 Whatever one is, he has been named already,  For it is known that he is man; And he cannot contend with Him who is mightier than he. 11 Since there are many things that increase vanity,  How is man the better? 12  For who knows what is good for man in life, all the days of his vain life which he passes like a shadow? Who can tell a man what will happen after him under the sun?

We had looked at this previously and anything under the sun is living life without God included in it. From this verse 10, God is sovereign and there are some things that He has established cannot be changed. In naming a thing, is knowing it is set in place. We can see other important points of this in John 4:34 and of Psalm 16:11..........for to be converted, to be born-again is important to value of life, but also is of value in God and also of valuing others!

Jesus spoke this in John 4:34.. Amplified Bible..My food (nourishment) is to do the will (pleasure) of Him Who sent Me and to accomplish and completely finish His work. 
Psalm 16:11 You will show me the path of life; in Your presence is fullness of joy, at Your right hand there are pleasures forevermore.
Acts 2:25-28 For David says in regard to Him, I saw the Lord constantly before me, for He is at my right hand that I may not be shaken or overthrown or cast down [from my secure and happy state]. 26 Therefore my heart rejoiced and my tongue exulted exceedingly; moreover, my flesh also will dwell in hope [will encamp, pitch its tent, and dwell in hope in anticipation of the resurrection]. 27 For You will not abandon my soul, leaving it helpless in Hades ( the state of departed spirits), nor let Your Holy One know decay or see destruction [ of the body after death]. 28 You have made known to me the ways of life; You will enrapture [diffusing my soul with joy] with and in Your Presence.

For God's purpose, man was created. Being in His presence is the paramount solution! From the above statements we see both Jesus and David gave assuring contentment that is deliberate life in His presence. It is one who properly knows or had the knowledge of God, His plan for salvation, His kingdom that has come and deliberately we take it spiritually by faith....that trust in Him!

It was yesterday evening I saw this commercial. It was images of all these people, all colors, shapes, sizes and ages. The song being sung was Spread the Love....Spread the Love...and in the speaking was referencing God's children. It goes on through the commercial and then gives a name. com to visit.
In truth God's children are those who obey His instruction. Certainly God created man and woman, and He gave them their assignment to multiply. They were to create more children and those would be children who would know God and abide in Him always receiving His instruction and correction!
Proverbs 15:11 Hell and Destruction are before the LORD; so how much more the hearts of the sons of men.
God is aware of men's thoughts and He knows those who are His!

 1 John 3: 2 Beloved, now we are children of God and it has not yet been revealed what we shall be, but we know that when He is revealed, we shall be like Him, for we shall see Him as He is. 3 And everyone who has this hope in Him purifies himself, just as He is pure. 4 Whoever commits sin also commits lawlessness, and sin is lawlessness. 5 And you know that He as manifested to take away our sins, and in Him there is no sin. 6 Whoever abides in Him does not sin. Whoever sins has neither seen Him nor known Him. 7 Little children, let no one deceive you. He who practices righteousness is righteous. 8 He who sins is of the devil, for the devil has sinned from the beginning. For this purpose the Son of God was manifest, that He might destroy the works of the devil. 9 Whoever has been born of God does not sin, for His seed remains in him; and he cannot sin, because he has been born of God.

Yes, there remains a Death Row for many. There is a day coming soon when people will have to give an account of their life before Him. Nothing is hidden from God, and what is within man will be made known indeed!
People must hear the Gospel. They must know of Jesus and the blood shed for them. For His perfect sacrifice, yes the appeasing force....that propitiation speaks plainly of the requirements of obedience to God.


One can certainly put on a 'happy song' and dance a little step or jig and call everyone the children of God but truly only those who are obedient to Him, who have received Jesus as Lord are the children of God. Remember Jesus' sacrifice was to assist you and me in perfecting holiness and that each of us would be the proven witness of God working in our lives....Matthew 5:16 Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven.

For those who are truly children of God, is not another fancy song with smiling faces of many people of many colors, but the children of God reflect kingdom citizens that influence for good when moving through this life to the next. They are all colors of man under the one true color the blood of Jesus Christ. For you and me, our lives will either have a positive or negative effect. Certainly let us live responsibly by our faith in God, bringing glory to His great name, that speaks truth with great joy and peace in our hearts!

New teaching at: Voice of Prayer  

Authority Is a Gift NOT Personal Rivalry

https://youtu.be/hvuTnkBXTz4

Also visit my You Tube channel Voice of Prayer for more teaching 

 http://bit.ly/1tNyBhV

New teaching at: Life Giving Wells

Trees Walking

https://youtu.be/MXJBOtDCH-k

Also visit Life Giving Wells You Tube Channel for more teaching

 http://bit.ly/2wgu1kw

Serving Up Mac & Cheese or Meat

Voice of Prayer

Heard a interesting teaching today and was reminded of those folks whose kids love Mac & Cheese! Now for those who live in the U.S. that mac and cheese is a "comfort food" for many. I am not sure why so many young kids love it, but our grand-daughter has loved it for years and she is not that old in age! From her very beginnings at the table, she was always leaning toward the the bowl with the Macaroni and Cheese.
She has become a connoisseur when it comes to ordering that special cuisine at the local restaurants! And no all restaurants do not make it the same.
But she has made mention she really loved it at the Gorge Hotel Restaurant. I did see it, and it did look wonderful with all that cheese.

Back to this teaching today, the pastor out of New York was stating that a gentleman was not staying for the teaching that day. (a Sunday service)........that to him, his desire was for Mac & Cheese and he was not getting it. So he left the service.
I liked the wisdom this pastor spoke for I have seen him for many years on this Ask the pastor from a certain Christian channel here in the U.S.
He remarked it is possible that when wisdom for correction comes, some will want just Mac and Cheese. They just want to be comforted and just want to be reminded that the pastor and the congregation was there to help them to make it through. 
But that is the mistake many make. Each person is to add to the body of believer's and represent God in the capacity God has equipped for service among believer's, not to come and sit on the sidelines, and be a spectator! Jesus was not a spectator, He was and is a PARTICIPATOR!


Taking the journey through life will surely require us to have knowledge and a lot of wisdom of and from God!
As for us, we even speak over the highways when we are headed out to a local food store, or family's home! We SPEAK IN JESUS' NAME, that the highway we travel will have those people who adhere to the wisdom of God. There will be people of sense without cell phones and without anger as they drive out through this scenic gorge area! All others who are incapacitated in any way will not venture on any of those roads we must travel on to our destination.

So in requiring God and His wisdom, mac and cheese will not be on the menu and will not be at every meal.
Our hearts are to be full of God, His word, and be word-minded that covers all of who God is and why He created us. If we stay with Mac & Cheese, we could very well stay deficient in needed nutrients for our body to sustain life. We could stay deficient when we really need to be bulking up for the days ahead.
Meat has to be in our diet. Just like a baby requires milk at first, meat will be introduced and then watch out! For those meat eaters will love their meat. And in receiving the meat of God's word we are seeing Him from the vantage point of the one who is born-again and seeking to know Him to the fullest.
Serving up Mac & Cheese with meat would certainly help some of those pastors who baby their members. But that is not God's plan!
Should we as the member of the congregation only desire the mac and cheese, we would be better suited to finding the mac & cheese church.

No let's be those who are mindful of God, and to be witness of Him! Let's fill up with scriptures that gives us a glowing report of His goodness, love, and peace. He brings light in the part of life we really need light so that there is no darkness, no deception, so light in us will reveal darkness where it appears on our pathway. And with life and death in the power of the tongue, we are not to be those deceived, we must know the difference for certain victory to life!

Seriously, in a mac & cheese ministry, where would the influence be except to the very young. If we truly want to influence a nation, we are to minister the word of God that is power of the church to be proclaimed. Romans 1:16 reminds us .....for I am not ashamed of the Gospel a righteousness which God ascribes is revealed, both springing from faith and leading to faith [disclosed through the way of faith that arouses to more faith]. As it is written, the man who through faith is just and upright shall live and shall live by faith.

When those trials and tribulations come, mac & cheese church will not cut it! For we all must grow up, we must become those men and women who God called and purposed for this time. We are to be those with God-mindedness, thriving on the Holy Spirit power to have the speech that is revealing knowledge of the Holy One!
Give me meat, please, for I truly want to receive that which strengthens, brings victories and walks forward into eternity with God who is more than enough.
Hebrews 5:12 For though by this time you ought to be teachers, you need someone to teach you again the first principles of the oracles of God; and you have come to need milk and not solid food. 13 For everyone who partakes only of milk is unskilled in the word of righteousness, for he is a babe. 14 But solid food belongs to those who are of full age, that , those who by reason of use have their senses exercised to discern both good and evil.

Serving in a church meeting, a Bible study or other, our focus and process should be toward maturing for us and those we are to teach. Ask our grand-daughter, she loves her Mac & Cheese, but she loves God, has Jesus in her heart and preaches the word of God...........yes, we know her as the Backyard Swing Preacher. She loves her meat!


Notice: 

The Voice of Prayer  has a new teaching:

Spiritually Speaking

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xD0dgEhOnKs

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

TOMORROW'S CIRCUMSTANCES

Many years ago, now probably two decades ago, I had this dream. I knew it was of the Lord. I went up into this tower, although not terribly high in the sky. But it was high above the city we lived and was next to the Sound. And as I had walked into this almost round like room at the top, I saw this area that was circular right in the middle. It was a workstation. On it was all the drawings and important information regarding all my tomorrow's. I was led to look out the window and watch the water that makes up the Sound and from time to time to watch the sun move from early morning into the late evening. As I looked toward the circular table again, I saw three beings working: Father, Son and Holy Spirit!
Yes, I knew I was in great hands.
All of our tomorrow's will come. Those circumstances will certainly appear, but how we handle them determines all other tomorrow's.
Since my dream, I have understood it to mean, that all that is secret in the Sound, God knows, and that we can dive deep in that understanding of He Who is and what He desires when we dwell in His Word. And all that the sun shines on, God knows that too! He created it all. With His hand on it all, I know that He can watch over me. And He has the Drawing Room to do it in as I have been there to see it myself!

Philippians 4:8-9
8 Finally, brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy--meditate on these things. 9 The things which you learned and received and heard and saw in me, these do, and the God of peace will be with you.
NKJV

What happens in our mind will certainly happen in time! We are to keep watch on what we think about for too long. Surely the Word should be the most important thing. But as individuals, we have a spouse, maybe a child or two, maybe a job, or even ministry. Yet in all these, we are as those individuals to keep watch on what we think on.

MEDITATE ON THESE THINGS:

things that are true....like God's Word, remembering God's righteousness,eternal truth. as God speaks and delivers to us His thoughts and plans

being people of justice and integrity ( will have nothing do with lying)

things that are noble.....being noble in character, giving their word that they will do it, 

things that are just....knowing God is justice and righteousness and every one of His commands is right

things that are pure......anything we act out in our body should be in the pure state and nothing to defile it. That means even the mouth is to have a guard on it!

things that are lovely........speaking wisdom of God to others, that which is useful. Holding ourselves in a respectful way and being considerate of others in conduct or conversation

things that are of a good report.....cheerful, leading others to the goodness of God and all that He has is good. Reminding others of is faithfulness toward us, His giving of Jesus for our sins. We should be telling it everywhere we go!

there be any virtue......being strong, a person of valor, courageous from the inside out, like the worker bee. I think of the virtuous woman from the Bible.

 Taken from an earlier blog I wrote on Humility and Honor Equals Courage in Your Heart, September 10, 2014.............I love the scriptures of the virtuous wife. It tells she girds herself with strength and strengthens her arms. She looks to keep fit and looks out for her household, but she also extends her hands to the poor. She is not afraid of any kind of weather, she is on the go and so is her family. They keep their pace for the kingdom of God. Her husband is known in the city gates. He works with his hands  and is known as the business leader. As he sits among the doers in the community, it tells that she gains strength and honor. For as she honors her husband and takes care of her family, people will know who she is as she speaks wisdom and her tongue with kindness. She is never idle for she keeps watch over the food supplies, the clothes that need to be washed, the dry cleaning taken to the cleaners, and the job that has to be done. It says her lamp does not go out, and I think of how busy she is, but also think she is aware of the IMPORTANCE OF Prayer and word that must be spoken over her husband, her family and the new day coming! But in all this, we are told as she watches over her household, her children and her husband bless her, they praise her for what she does for them. In the end, she has done well, a woman who fears the LORD, is praised! And it is God who will give her the fruit of her hands and her own works will praise her in the gates. 

A person who carries this courage and strength that is seen will cause praise to come. It will come to me and to you when we follow hard after seeing to others needs. Love that will never murmur but does something. It fulfills a job to be done. It will be done without being told to do it and the work will be done quickly and possibly in secret most of the time when no one is looking. It is this kind of serving others in the excellence as Jesus did and that which is given in an amount that is noticeable, it is by words of kindness and sometimes by correction and always by action!  

Lastly, think on these things...........give attention to, set them into practice everyday. And do them being determined, faithful, persistent, adventurous, being cheerful, happy, and sincere.

When we practice these things, the peace of God will be with us. Do we not need His peace everyday?

Matthew 6:30-34

O you of little faith? 31 Therefore do not worry, saying, 'What shall we eat?' or 'What shall we drink?' or 'What shall we wear?' 32 "For after all these things the Gentiles seek. For your heavenly Father knows that you need all these things. 33 But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you. 34 Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about its own things. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble. NKJV

We are not to worry about tomorrow and in all circumstances, you know all those speed bumps that seem to slow us down, but when we rely on God, meditate on all His good, we remain in peace, that peace of God that passes all understanding. We stand strong, whether man, woman or child, being led by God is the greatest plan of redemption and a life of adventure. I want to be in His plan, how about you?

Our Father in heaven,

Hallowed be Your name.

Your kingdom come.

Your will be done 

On earth as it is in heaven. 

3 Give us day by day our daily bread. 

4 And forgive us our sins,

For we also forgive everyone who is indebted to us.

And do not lead us into temptation,

But deliver us from the evil one."   (Luke 11:2-4)

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

Responsibilities: Salt and Light

What are we responsible for? What responsibilities do we have right now? Growing up in a family who believed everyone pulled their own weight, we each had responsibilities. We each had a bed to make, dishes to put in the sink and wash. We had to make sure that special outfit was on it's way to the washer, if we desired to wear it in a couple of days. What we wore on any day, was our responsibility if we wanted to wear it again without the dirt, grime, or sweat. I only list grime as my sister and I played baseball in the summer months, so dirt, sweat and grime were a part of the outfit at the end of the day! I played with the neighborhood "kids" and she played on a team!
Responsibilities!
1 John 2:29...................29 If you know that He is righteous, you know that everyone who practices righteousness is born of Him. .NKJV

1 John 3:3....3 And everyone who has this hope in Him purifies himself, just as He is pure.  NKJV

1 John 3:21-23.................... 21 Beloved, if our heart does not condemn us, we have confidence toward God. 22 And whatever we ask we receive from Him, because we keep His commandments and do those things that are pleasing in His sight. 23 And this is His commandment: that we should believe on the name of His Son Jesus Christ and love one another, as He gave us commandment.   NKJV

John 17:11-19…. 11 Now I am no longer in the world, but these are in the world, and I come to You. Holy Father, keep through Your name those whom You have given Me, that they may be one as We are. 12 While I was with them in the world, I kept them in Your name. Those whom You gave Me I have kept; and none of them is lost except the son of perdition, that the Scripture might be fulfilled. 13 But now I come to You, and these things I speak in the world, that they may have My joy fulfilled in themselves. 14 I have given them Your word; and the world has hated them because they are not of the world, just as I am not of the world. 15 I do not pray that You should take them out of the world, but that You should keep them from the evil one. 16 They are not of the world, just as I am not of the world. 17 Sanctify them by Your truth. Your word is truth. 18 As You sent Me into the world, I also have sent them into the world. 19 And for their sakes I sanctify Myself, that they also may be sanctified by the truth.   NKJV

We are to be:

1.    Free of worldly influence…SANCTIFIED BY THE WORD (verse 17)

2.  Very much in the unsaved world, but participants in the government and social processes..............like voting!

3. No longing living in the sinful nature but living according to righteousness

4. Sanctified, having the word of God in our lives..SO...we look and act differently!

 1 Timothy 4:6-7.................6 If you instruct the brethren in these things, you will be a good minister of Jesus Christ, nourished in the words of faith and of the good doctrine which you have carefully followed. 7 But reject profane and old wives' fables, and exercise yourself toward godliness. NKJV

Exercise: Timothy is told to exercise himself toward godliness. He was instructed to give that which he was nourished in and it is those words of faith and of the good doctrine Timothy was commended on........to continue to follow carefully. 

Proverbs 15:26.......26 The thoughts of the wicked are an abomination to the LORD,    But the words of the pure are pleasant. NKJV

Those who follow after righteousness, those in right standing with God have pure words that are pleasant! They are a joy to be around! They encourage you, love God and always have a testimony of faith on the goodness of God in their lives!
How interesting today, we see so many speaking out about what was sent to another either in email, text, or twit, and was in regard to hate, bullying, and meanness for others to see. So sad that people want to openly regard hate for another. Was asked to watch this concert by my friend was asked to have this concernt up north. He has a band and has had such favor with God, that this concert was going to have livestreaming. How awesome was that? 

So my husband and I tuned in and waited for concert to begin. On the side of the window box, it stated you could leave a tweet message. It also stated to write something kind! WOW! People have to be REMINDED TO WRITE SOMETHING KIND!  So I wrote out the message and sent it.BUT MY THOUGHT PROCESS TOOK ME TO THE SPOT, how did our world get so out of balance AND GET SO UGLY?

If there are anger issues, one needs to find out why they are so angry. Blaming others, does not release us out of a prison of anger, anymore than a bath or shower will remove pain from one's heart. Those issues are to be addressed through the Word of God. Talking with others generally will not help you, but may make things worse.  We really need the Word of God to wash those areas of hurt and pain. Unless, someone just wants others on their side, so they can sin all they want, so they can curse others all they want, and continue to walk in anger, resentment, and the "the world owes me" mentality, then "that being kind" will not be seen BY anyone. Nope, being kind will not exist!

Learning our responsibilities, is much like learning our way through life. Do this and don't do that. Eat this, and don't eat that. Watch this and don't watch that! All those do's and don't's can have one questioning everything they encounter.

It is choosing good over evil. It would be like Eve tasting the fruit of the tree of knowledge just to find out what happens. Instruction and correction are for our benefit. If we choose not to be instructed or corrected then we walk down a path with many problems, sink holes, and disasters. I desire to avoid those!

Proverbs 12:1...........Whoever loves instruction loves knowledge,
But he who hates correction is stupid.  NKJV

Proverbs 13:18..........18 Poverty and shame will come to him who disdains correction,
But he who regards a rebuke will be honored.  NKJV

"BUT HE WHO REGARDS A REBUKE WILL BE HONORED."
 If we have the instruction to not "touch" then why do so many want to touch what they should NOT HAVE OR INVITED INTO THEIR LIVES?

YOU eat too much chocolate cake every day, you gain a weighty problem. Our walking with God is seeing Him in the Words He placed for us to see, hear and adhere to for our walk through this life.
Timothy is told in 1 Timothy 4:7 to exercise toward godliness! Yes that godliness has a look about it! Take a look at all those who go to gyms and exercise daily. They are not doing it to remain the same size they are. No, about half of those attending a gym for exercise are wanting that next look they saw in Vogue. They want that model's size, even though the model is 5' 7 inches tall. They desire to be pounds smaller and to do that in most cases, is remove those "bones from your body". Am I right about this? Now there are some who go, like firefighters who want to remain in strength when they fight fires. There are those who do that endurance training and who are part of the "wilderness rescue" group. You know those men and women who will backpack into the farthest reaches where there is "NO CELL SERVICE" to reach someone who has either gotten lost, fell from a glacier climb to the top of a mountain peak or one who suddenly died.

Seriously, I have worked in a gym and seen how many want that "skinny" look to wear those "skinny" jeans. Just had seen a warning on the news (KATU) in the past 10 days about some lady wearing those "skinny" jeans. She was not a twenty something, but older. She had worn the said jeans to help a friend move. Well, it seems that all that up and down bending with boxes caused her some leg pain and much swelling from the knees down to feet. She had to go to the hospital and they found this nerve damage being created by the "skinny" jeans. With the intense tight fit, nerves were being pinched dramatically. She was warned about wearing them and that it was possible for her to lose her legs if that kind of problem continued. Yes, they mentioned to this lady that there could be amputation if she continued to wear them.  To me that is dangerous. It was clear to see that this woman was in major pain and the swelling caused her grief. Instruction came and will she follow it?

But let's think about exercising! What ways are we "exercising" our responsibilities? Are we committed to be sanctified and look different to the world? Are we as those church goers sanctified and ready to recognize someone in pain, someone who hides, someone who may be defiant, but feels so lost and abandoned.
Exercising comes from the day to day routines that involve others and not just family members. 
Each of us though, either good or not so good have made a commitment to exercise in the things of God. Our commitment to God is known by others. Anyone can know in the first 5 minutes of conversation where our heart resides.

In writing this, I thought of my brother-in-law. He rises early and gets things done. He grabs that "special" cap, and off he goes to do errands and minister. He wears that cap with some writing on it. And many people know exactly what it means and gives him a thumbs up!
I think of my sister and brother-in-law and how they daily fill up on the Word of God. They pray together and minister life to others.  They are always looking out to hand someone a new Bible, a word of encouragement or give them a new book to read about something on Jesus and His coming again soon.


Matthew 5:13-16.........13 "You are the salt of the earth; but if the salt loses its flavor, how shall it be seasoned? It is then good for nothing but to be thrown out and trampled underfoot by men. 14 You are the light of the world. A city that is set on a hill cannot be hidden. 15 Nor do they light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a lamp stand, and it gives light to all who are in the house. 16 Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven. NKJV


In the pass couple of weeks, it was been a hard place for me in remembering my step-dad and how good he was to my mother, especially in these last years of life. I am in the peace of God, knowing that I cannot travel, yet with all that has transpired in the last two weeks, still God is with me and my family back East. With the blood testing continuing with blood draws for me on a monthly basis right now, I have had to turn my attention to praying for my family as they see many things multiplied as in caring for two properties. They have increased meal preparation and trips to the Dr. for check-ups.

With the passing of my step-dad very recently, and mother in the hospital for almost a weeks, I think of all the opportunities for my sister and brother-in-law to minister to other people. They took on the daily caring of our mother in the hospital but also ministered life to others about Jesus.

How many of us would have coiled up in a ball or like a babe and just became silent? How many of us would refuse to continue to live when someone close to us dies? How many choose to give up when there are so many still living out in the world and may be on their way to someplace that is away from God entirely and for an eternity? Would anger show up or some other bad emotion? Are we giving our best to those around us or do we want our way "when others are hurting from loss"?

On their way out of hospital and the city the other day, my brother-in-law had to stop for some meds for our mother. It was one of those hot days in the south. He wanted to leave the car running with the air condition on high with my sister and mother in the car while he picked up the meds. He was not going to leave them in a "hot car".  He of course had stopped at Costco!

YES, it was a Friday and was probably very busy there. I was imagining this "long, very long" line he got in to purchase the meds. In the course of the line and conversation, and seeing my brother-in- laws' cap, the pharmacist mentioned she was having trouble with a son in that he would not talk with her anymore. In the length of the line and that conversation, my brother-n-law encouraged her in the Lord and prayed right there in line, for the return of the son to his mother!

Responsibilities!

From Matthew 5.......we are to be the salt that preserves life, just like verse 13 states..........if that salt loses its flavor, then how shall it be seasoned? In early years of this country, many used the salt on meat that they stored in meathouses. It was suppose to cure and help the meat to last for periods of time.( in reading on this, I found there was a preservation method and is reported throughout the history keeping of this country)

My brother-in-law last week at Costco, was salt to a woman languishing in such pain that her son will not talk with her. He was a son who had rejected her! But I believe that all has changed dramatically.  Salt was given to this woman, to give hope and help her continue forward. My brother-in-law was and is that light that gives light to all who are in the house and at Costco!  Halllelujah for those who are salt and light!

John 12:36...........36 Put your trust in the light while you have it, so that you may become sons of light." NIV

Be responsible today and wash in that Word that sanctifies. Get that head up, and shoulders squared, and walk firmly with faith in your heart knowing it is not over. Whatever may be on the horizon, you have the salt to be light to someone who may be in pain, who may have a loss as well, but God has the answer!

I believe my brother-in-law and sister were light to many. And if all knew the entire story, many would know that we too had a loss, but it did not show. They kept going forward and spread the love of God to others. Can we here do as much?
God met them at every juncture, every decision, every moment, and He caused strength to rise up in them and keep them going through out an emotional week.

My prayer today is for all those who are battling illness, sickness caused by disease, those who have to deal with a loss.
Father, thank YOU for Jesus, the Son of YOUR Love.(Col 1:12-14.... 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. NKJV)

 As we have been delivered from the power of darkness and moved into the kingdom of YOUR dear Son, the son of YOUR love, we are thankful. We give praise that we can operate in the Light of YOU and see what is before us. Help us to be the responsible ones who will move in the power of God and not judge others because they are having some issue with anger at the moment. We all have experienced some anger due to loss or illness or even a brokenheart! Those who are of God know when we are not to sin in anger at anyone or anything. 

Our desire is to reach and touch lives for the kingdom of God that has come through Jesus our Lord and Savior. We choose to be those who will be salt to those in pain and anguish. We choose to be those who will abide in truth and be committed to be responsible when others cross our paths who may have a loss or dealing with a disease that refuses to die. We need to understand that anger that comes when death changes everything, but does not have to defeat us!
Father, YOUR word is true, and we confess and profess that YOU are for us. YOU will never leave us or forsake us. We ask today to be those who will encourage those who have trials or tribulations that are weighing them down. Today we come boldly to the throne of Grace that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in this time of need. (Heb. 4:16) Strengthen hearts for the battle ahead and give patience as we wait on You. We pray to be those who rejoice in hope, patient in tribulation, continuing steadfast in prayer.(Romans 12:12)
As we live this journey, help us to reach out to others with encouraging words that give life. Help us to be "kind" when we are wanting to choose bedtime for our daytime. Help us to make the right decisions and give some time to others, even if it is just making that phone call, sending a card, or giving a needed hug to someone who is hurting. Help us to create new habits that will exercise our faith in going and doing all the while relying on YOUR grace and goodness to us!
Help us to "kick the habit" of wearing black clothes every day. Help us to be colorful in our dress, in our prayer life, and in our walk with others.

Father, the Word states in Psalm 138:7-8 that though we walk in the midst of trouble, YOU preserve our lives. You stretch out Your hand against the anger of our foes, with YOUR right hand You save us. YOU, Lord, will fulfill Your purpose for us. Your love , O Lord endures forever----do not abandon the works of Your hands. Amen.

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

THIS HEART IS NOT FOR SALE!

Heard this song by Michael Combs, "Not for Sale". What a song, what an anointing, and how it so ministered to me that I cried! I highly recommend this to all. Take a moment to listen and see if this does not minister to your whole being. As I listened, I thought on the words he sang, and how each area of the church was listed. What happened to that preacher who could preach so strongly about the Lord? What happened to the those who sang as of a heavenly choir? What happened to that one singer, well they went country!
He even sings about someone calling from California to give him a proposition for making lots of money and he told them, "NO"! Not for sale!
I thought how easy it is for some to "sale out" for the something of the world. My sister and brother-in-law told me to view this song on Youtube. And I am truly thankful this morning to have heard this beautiful singer singing praise to magnify God.

How do we know if we have sold out for the world? Good question and one that we can look at in the word of God!

Acts 8:4-25...............4 Therefore those who were scattered went everywhere preaching the word. 5 Then Philip went down to the city of Samaria and preached Christ to them. 6 And the multitudes with one accord heeded the things spoken by Philip, hearing and seeing the miracles which he did. 7 For unclean spirits, crying with a loud voice, came out of many who were possessed; and many who were paralyzed and lame were healed. 8 And there was great joy in that city.

9 But there was a certain man called Simon, who previously practiced sorcery in the city and astonished the people of Samaria, claiming that he was someone great, 10 to whom they all gave heed, from the least to the greatest, saying, "This man is the great power of God." 11 And they heeded him because he had astonished them with his sorceries for a long time. 12 But when they believed Philip as he preached the things concerning the kingdom of God and the name of Jesus Christ, both men and women were baptized. 13 Then Simon himself also believed; and when he was baptized he continued with Philip, and was amazed, seeing the miracles and signs which were done.

14 Now when the apostles who were at Jerusalem heard that Samaria had received the word of God, they sent Peter and John to them, 15 who, when they had come down, prayed for them that they might receive the Holy Spirit. 16 For as yet He had fallen upon none of them. They had only been baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus. 17 Then they laid hands on them, and they received the Holy Spirit. 18 And when Simon saw that through the laying on of the apostles' hands the Holy Spirit was given, he offered them money, 19 saying, "Give me this power also, that anyone on whom I lay hands may receive the Holy Spirit." 20 But Peter said to him, "Your money perish with you, because you thought that the gift of God could be purchased with money! 21 You have neither part nor portion in this matter, for your heart is not right in the sight of God. 22 Repent therefore of this your wickedness, and pray God if perhaps the thought of your heart may be forgiven you. 23 For I see that you are poisoned by bitterness and bound by iniquity." 24 Then Simon answered and said, "Pray to the Lord for me, that none of the things which you have spoken may come upon me." 25 So when they had testified and preached the word of the Lord, they returned to Jerusalem, preaching the gospel in many villages of the Samaritans. NKJV

Even Simon walked with Philip and saw those amazing things, those miracles and signs yet he thought that he could buy his way. Have we not seen that in "the church" as well? Have we seen someone desire to buy his way through, and get the thing he wants? Simon was told by Philip to repent for wickedness and pray. But even in verse 24, Simon wanted Philip to pray for him.
Simon liked being regarded as someone sent by God, yet he only used sorceries. He had hoodwinked a lot of people, from the least to the greatest in that place of Samaria.
It is what the heart desires, and what does our heart desire the most?
It takes more than a conversion, it takes a walk with God on a daily basis to learn of HIM and of His ways and truth!


1 Kings 8:56-61.....56 "Blessed be the LORD, who has given rest to His people Israel, according to all that He promised. There has not failed one word of all His good promise, which He promised through His servant Moses. 57 May the LORD our God be with us, as He was with our fathers. May He not leave us nor forsake us, 58 that He may incline our hearts to Himself, to walk in all His ways, and to keep His commandments and His statutes and His judgments, which He commanded our fathers. 59 And may these words of mine, with which I have made supplication before the LORD, be near the LORD our God day and night, that He may maintain the cause of His servant and the cause of His people Israel, as each day may require, 60 that all the peoples of the earth may know that the LORD is God; there is no other. 61 Let your heart therefore be loyal to the LORD our God, to walk in His statutes and keep His commandments, as at this day." NKJV

When Solomon blessed Israel, he prayed the blessing, a confession that their hearts would be loyal to the LORD our God. To walk in His statutes, and keep His commandments.

Luke 4:1-13.......4:1 Then Jesus, being filled with the Holy Spirit, returned from the Jordan and was led by the Spirit into the wilderness, 2 being tempted for forty days by the devil. And in those days He ate nothing, and afterward, when they had ended, He was hungry. 3 And the devil said to Him, "If You are the Son of God, command this stone to become bread." 4 But Jesus answered him, saying, "It is written, 'Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word of God.' " 5 Then the devil, taking Him up on a high mountain, showed Him all the kingdoms of the world in a moment of time. 6 And the devil said to Him, "All this authority I will give You, and their glory; for this has been delivered to me, and I give it to whomever I wish. 7 Therefore, if You will worship before me, all will be Yours." 8 And Jesus answered and said to him, "Get behind Me, Satan! For it is written, 'You shall worship the LORD your God, and Him only you shall serve.' " 9 Then he brought Him to Jerusalem, set Him on the pinnacle of the temple, and said to Him, "If You are the Son of God, throw Yourself down from here. 10 For it is written:

'He shall give His angels charge over You,
To keep You,'

11 "and,

'In their hands they shall bear you up,
Lest you dash your foot against a stone.' "

12 And Jesus answered and said to him, "It has been said, 'You shall not tempt the LORD your God.' " 13 Now when the devil had ended every temptation, he departed from Him until an opportune time.
NKJV

No opportune time came as Jesus never sold out to the devil!

I think of Jesus and all the He gave of His life to hang on that rugged Cross. He was tortured and brutalized by man in the most horrific manner and He went to the cross, knowing the price that had to be paid to be the LAMB OF GOD for me and for you.

Now that was loyalty to His Father God. Now that is what a heart after God looks like.

What have we sacrificed today? What have we given up to serve the Father more effectively in our own lives?

We are to be like Jesus in every way! Is my life lining up in that manner today or do I need to make some corrections  here? As for me, I have some corrections to make today. My heart is not for sale at any price. Today my focus is to give love to my God and worship Him in spirit and in truth!


Father, today we seek to have our hearts as one with YOU! In Jesus' name we pray to take hold and not let go of Your truth. We see the total work of Jesus on the Cross. We may not understand everything He did there, but we know our future with You depends on a willing and faithful heart forever. For change to take place in us, we know we must be willing to let go of the world and anything that has a place in our hearts.
Father we know that You lead with love and purpose in mind. Today we pray for help in how to let go of stuff. We pray to be those who will receive correction and move forward in total commitment to YOU and YOUR plan for our lives.

Thank YOU for Jesus, and for showing us the path to walk. Today we desire to be those whose hearts that are "not for sale" ever. Thank YOU for hearing and we believe we receive YOUR help today. Amen.

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