Painful Thorns

 What a difference 50 years makes in one's life! 

What was held in disgust years ago, people do it so willingly today. Was seeing a teaching on what the swimsuits looked like in the twenties and thirties of the 20th century. Everyone had on clothes, but was meant for swimming. Each dressed, the man in his slacks and the woman in a two piece suit covering from the neck to passed the knees. Today it is anything goes. You have a display of nudity in all forms on the beaches today. Sad to say, many have fallen into the culture theme of being free in sin. I remember the Rockettes of yesteryear. Those dancers in NYC were in the Macy's parade over Thanksgiving. What appeared were very thin women. What once looked like healthy dancers, with an amount of muscle on the legs and arms, today they are skin and bone ....Was wondering if it had to do with people losing weight just to be thin. What would Jesus think today?

Jesus was the “meek” man. He humbled Himself before the Father to walk in His steps regarding His image and the foundation of the work to be set forever in His word.

In God's perspective, people who humble themselves, are these people who are strong, while from a human perspective, it depends on whom they want to impress. You can see that in the story of those who impressed David’s son instead of staying alongside David as the King! ( of Ahithophel’s advice to the King seen in 2 Samuel 16, 17, and what occurs in 18) Ahithophel commits suicide out of bitterness in 2 Samuel 17:23.

At the point of Grace, we choose whom we will serve. We are told over and over to forgive those who have done something against us. Yes, and that can occur daily in this world we live in today!

But Humility is so important that God gave Paul some help to make sure that he would stay humble: 2 Corinthians 12:6-10 NKJV 6 For though I might desire to boast, I will not be a fool; for I will speak the truth. But I refrain, lest anyone should think of me above what he sees me to or hears from me. 7 And lest I should be exalted above measure by the abundance of the revelations, a thorn in the flesh was given to me, a messenger of Satan to buffet me, lest I be exalted above measure. 8 Concerning this thing I pleaded with the Lord three times that it might depart from me. 9 And He said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore most gladly I will rather boast in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me. 10 Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in needs, in persecutions, in distresses, for Christ’s sake. For when I am weak, then I am strong.

Yet, this “thorn” in the flesh is a person. We know this because we see it in the Old Testament: Ezekiel 28:22- 24 NKJV “Behold, I am against you, O Sidon; I will be glorified in your midst; and they shall know that I am the LORD, when I executed judgments in her and am hallowed in her. For I will send pestilence upon her and blood in her streets; the wounded shall be judge in her midst by the sword against her on every side; then they shall know that I am the LORD. 24 “And there shall not longer be a pricking brier or a “painful thorn for the house of Israel from among all who around them, who despise them. Then they shall know that I am the LORD GOD.”

From this verse 24, we see that insults of the nations are compared to prickly briers and painful thorns. Numbers 33:55 ‘But if you do not drive out the inhabitants of the land from before you, then it shall be that those whom you let remain shall be irritants in your eyes and thorns in your sides, and they shall harass you in the land where you dwell. 56 Moreover it shall be that I will do to you as I thought to do to them.’”

 In this year, we certainly have the irritants of painful thorns. You expect truth and get that which relates to honoring the evil and to destroy the good!

From the time of Jesus, His walk was about the persistent heart giving the kingdom of God that had come: the Gospel! Jesus was effective in that He laid down His life and could take it up again because He spoke it into being. Paul saw the power of Jesus’ walk and proved to be an effective servant of God.

So humility has a dominant thrust in it where appears a willingness to submit to God, to what is His truth and remain in it to give to others. These two willingly submit to giving their whole life into God’s glory. So what would be the level of our humble hearts? Ephesians 4:3 …endeavoring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.

Unity with each begins in the unity each of us has with God. And it is within that unity with God you can keep unity with others.

So in returning to Ahithophel we find a most fascinating character. In 2 Samuel 15: 12 Ahithophel was a trusted counselor to King David. He was also a member of his cabinet. The King relied on Ahithophel’s advise as if he spoke from God himself seen 2 Samuel 16:23.

Ah yes, but things changed for the “bad”. It was David’s son Absalom that led a rebellion against him. and in this rebellion Ahithophel betrayed David by joining with rebellious Abasalom. AND we can know the king’s heart on this matter when David recounts those painful laments of heart when a trusted Ahithophel betrayed him in Psalm 41:8-9 and Psalm 55:12-15.

Psalm 55:12-16 NKJV For it is not an enemy who reproaches me; then I could bear it. Nor is it one who hates me who has exalted himself against me; then I could hide from him. 13 but it was you, a man my equal, My companion and my acquaintance. 14 We took sweet counsel together and walked to the house of God in the throng. 15 Let death seize them; let them do down alive into hell, for wickedness is in their dwellings and among them. 16 As for me, I will call upon God, and the LORD shall save me.

AHITHOPHEL: whose name means “foolishness” certainly proved to be the foolish man and it was indicated in his first meeting with Absalom in 2 Samuel 15:12. Yes the rebellion was on! And some parts of historical record give a light on what occurred to make Ahithophel do what he did to the king! In historic background, Ahithophel was the father Eliam found in 1 Chronicles 3:5. And then the grandfather of Bathsheba, so this was a personal ordeal for the man who knew the king and had worked side by side with him. Yes, David as the king with loose morals at this time defiled another man’s wife. Instead of being on the front lines in battle with his men, David stayed in the palace and then had his eye on the lovely Bathsheba bathing.  So in this corrupted action on David’s part, Ahithophel’s sense of wrong crowded his thinking.

Yes, David was king but was to be the honorable and here he slipped terribly in the acts of murder of Bathsheba's husband Uriah the Hittite. What Ahithophel proposed in his pursuit of David is given in 2 Samuel 17:1…… Ahithophel gives Absalom advice: “Now let me choose twelve thousand men and I will arise and pursue David tonight. 2 I will come upon him while he is weary and weak and make him afraid. And all the people who are with him will flee and I will strike the king.

It was a personal hostility that Ahithophel held for David. 1 Corinthians 1:20 Where is the wise? Where is the scribe? Where is the disputer of this age? Has not God made foolish the wisdom of this world. 21 For since, in the wisdom of God, the world through wisdom did not know God, it pleased God through the foolishness of the message preached to save those who believe. 22 For Jews request a sign, and Greeks seek after wisdom; 23 but we preach Christ crucified, to the Jews a stumbling block and to the Greeks foolishness, 24 but to those who are called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God.

Through the Gospel, revelation of truth is power. And in the operation of God’s power through this gospel is victory over sin and death. But to the Jews, this very message of Christ crucified signaled weakness and proved Jesus the false Messiah. The Jews looked for signs instead of in Messiah’s power ( Isaiah 35; 61)  The Jews stumbled in this truth. And of course to the Gentile mind-set, they held no messianic expectations. No, they held only what a deity should be like, so the message of Christ crucified was foolishness to them.

Yes, David did try to hide his corrupted acts. He treated this young woman terribly and her husband even worse. He wanted her to sleep with her own husband to hide his dilemma her creating a child within her womb. But the honorable Uriah would not do that while the men he fought with would not have the same thing available to them. David proceeds with another act of betrayal to place Uriah on the front line of the battle. Yes, death would occur to this young man.

Ahithophel most likely burned in his thinking that became a hate with a force behind it! So Absalom set to take David’s throne, and he, Ahithophel, must have thought some kind of good must have turned towards him in favor, but David prayed in 2 Samuel 15:31 “O LORD I pray, turn the counsel of Ahithophel into foolishness!”  Remember David had already prayed in Psalm 55!

In Ahithophel’s  counsel to Absalom to immediately attack David before he can regroup, a change occurs in a dramatic way.  A loyal friend to David, Hushai pretends to have turned to Absalom’s side and urges him to delay an attack. It was God causing Absalom to heed Husahi’s advice and Ahithophel realizes a fatal mistake. In bitterness, he knows that God will not punish David now. No, because David repented and prayed for God’s hand on the outcome of his own stupid behavior.

In despair it was Ahithophel who would die:  “He put his house in order and then hanged himself (2 Sam 17:23). In prayer, David displayed anguish. He wrote of betrayal in Psalm 55:13-14.  A seemingly spiritual companion betrayed David in verse 13: “ but it was you, a man my equal, my companion and my acquaintance”.

2 Samuel 15:31 Then someone told David, saying, Ahithophel is among the conspirators with Absalom. And David said, “O LORD I pray, turn the counsel of Ahithophel into foolishness.

Humility goes hand in hand with meekness. Jesus the meek had a restraint being held in the “kind, the gentle, and the sensitive to others’ needs. This is done in truth, with no lying and stealing. They are those who will agree with that which is God’s word. They will not argue God’s word, neither will they insist on their own way in it. People could approach Jesus! They could speak with Him and He would return that which was life to them. He was and is the meek but He is not the “weak”! Like Jesus we are to be the firm and the uncompromising regarding following truth. And what is revealed to us is that Jesus did not overwhelm others who were aligned against Him.

God’s grace has been poured out to us! People who know their Lord and God are the blessed and it shows! We too can enjoy this abundance of grace. We should let people go and give them over to God.

Matthew 6:14-15 “For if you forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you.” 15 “But if you do not forgive me their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses.”

Jesus hung on a Cross at Calvary and forgave the one who hung there with Him. Jesus told the man that he would be with Him in Paradise. The other went his way into hell. It was one who held onto Jesus the Son of God, the Savior of the world. Painful thorns indeed appear in our walk. But we keep our eyes on Jesus! You can see insanity in the world, but peace is found in the Lord alone!

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Changing Seasons: Embrace the Transition

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

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

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

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

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


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

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

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

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

Joshua 6:15-21

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

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

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

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

Jeremiah 42:5-6

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

THE FALLEN

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

NKJV

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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