Heaven's Crown

There is so much about what to follow. Enjoy this, entertain your consciousness.
I am interested in the creatures that live at the bottom of the ocean where is pitch black, but I do not want to entertain anything of me at that depth of blackness.


In looking up the word "following"......I saw this:
"a happening, a coming next, following someone in the direction they are going. It was also noted that following was giving favor to the one they are following.
So, if Jesus is not number 1 on our list, what is number 1?

In "following" another, the words speak this way:
tracking, shadowing, tailing, stalking, and movement.
Now movement sounds like a powerful word. In a movement to "follow" or "like" something someone posted, are we gearing up for the movement to towards that "alcohol" announcement at the local brewery? How about shopping all weekend?
But that word stalking is dangerous. And the word tracking sounds like tracking wolves or coyotes.

If we are enthusiasts, what are we enthused about? Is it being connected  with something like a new beer ad over a new brewery thing or technique.
Was it someone else's like and sent it to you to like as well..........and in that, was I enthused someone saw my name listed made a few clicks with the cursor.......and boom in the "likes" that makes me want to live another day?
In working on this today, I was made aware of yesterday when our team was going to connect, yes, by phone. Time: noon. Everyone is a "go" and answering cell phone, I hear two broken words, and the sound of metal vibrating somewhere. Oh yeah, it is the sound no one likes.
In every other sentence spoken, I hear only very broken English. In truth, I ask, "can you hear me now?"
I wonder what Jesus would have done with my cell phone yesterday. After the struggle to hear not only on the phone, but switching cell phones with their comrades, still broken English, and loud metal sound culminating in 'CALL LOST'. AND then this same cell phone had the audacity to state we were leaving cell service area. I was in my kitchen, standing by my cabinet watching eggs boil in a pan. How could I possibly be leaving cell service area, I ask you?

If Jesus had had internet, would He use it like we try to use it?
Even with the most notable fast action tools used today.........and with the most noted circulating news team without paper relaying over thousands of miles in just seconds He would say, "I told you this would happen." Remember He is God!
So a tool like internet with a force that will direct people into their future by either being " liked" or "disliked" about a certain new swag, a new way to communicate, whether we voted for the newest baby bottle, or sent  in our own pictures of the meteor shower, seeking to share with others what we have seen, or been taught. Jesus shared His heart. He spoke face to face.

What happened to speaking face to face? I remember my grandparents and father speaking with people at the city gate. They ( my grandparents) had a feed store and they could meet with people, find their need and meet it and still have some communication time with customers.

In those long ago days, I remember people reflecting on their day, their week possibly and finding something to laugh about in the hard life of any farmer or rancher in the south. They either dealt with drought, floods, partial rains but coming too late, and all their pain and sacrifice, they spoke a passion of their heart and spoke with others about it face to face.
 I remember their faces, and I remember the smile when they were greeted by their name and given a well remembered conversation with another on being in the trenches of life, with some suffering and a  zeal to continue. Crops came in or they failed, still communication was a need for those who hungered to have success in what they did with the soil, for what they brought to their family and to the community.

Is an instant "like" enough to carry people into something good or is it placing one in a needy position to always have someone like them, even if they do not know them.

The people who came to the feed store needed help with their plants, possibly a stronger seed to plant and all that was planted was seen to support the family who planted it all. In their zeal to be farmers, they spoke with other farmers, they met together and sometimes for just minutes to fill their order for the week, or a month. Voices were heard communicating about the fields of crops and what might be on the horizon in the weeks and months to come.


In the family unit, and being part of a community, standing next to you, I will listen and pray with you. If you post something that I did, I will ask what teaching encouraged you the most, but walk a mile with me in the a. m. hour and then I would be sensitive to know you really want to know me.

Yes, I still think on those days I got a few minutes down at the "store". It surely smelled like chemical fertilizers to me, but I also remember those who reflected life to others.  They spoke of victory over those sandy fields. They gave voice to their hearts desire, and in those values, they honored others and let them know so by talking with them face to face. They gave from minutes to hours to see and speak face to face.
In Jesus we have the wisdom of God that created the heavens and the earth. In Jesus, we see the genuine, the Proven and that worth keeping.

What people "liked" last week may be the antique today. What they loved may be outdated now or tomorrow. Beliefs and those modes of thinking over a network of connecting might be good in a quick and timely event, but the closeness of the truly caring heart may be missing.

Correspondence is necessary and should never be discarded.
Jesus was sent to us out of love. That next "like" you receive, will it be laced with same kind of love? Or is it just superficial and allows no responsibility on either's part to participate in each other's lives?
We are in the world but not of it.

Communicating with Jesus is also following Him. And the communication with the Spirit was the secret to Christ's ministry.
You might tell me how you swam off the shores of an Hawaiian island and saw some special creatures around a coral reef. You might even have pictures and I would be happy you got to do that. It would and should be enjoyable to him/her who loves the sea and its creatures and gets to snorkel and discover those things under the sea. We can make room for doing those things. Good job and working hard can contribute to a substantial check to pay for those things that bring a smile.


 But we must remember too that the more room we make for Jesus in our lives, the more we have His power in us. Without the constant awareness of God  and of His nature, we inevitably reduce our vision to what is accomplished on the internet and other aspects of it. We too can become shallow and no have no commitment to anything or anyone.
There are things that you like, and I like and it shows in what we talk about, what we wear and what we love to do.
But staying closer to God, keeps us aware of He who invades the impossible when the perspectives of those around us are only focused on the temporary and physical of circumstances.
Following what you love, will take you forward or hold you at the door. Jesus desires leaders. He desires us to know the battle's been won. With whole hearts on fire, not just with a "like" but loving Him with a passion will speak with more fire and more glory to His name.

I wait to hear from you. Let me know what you are following. Will it have life and breath for you?

Jesus makes us brave. In Him, the weak find strength. The enemy has to leave. ALL CONDEMNED FEEL NO SHAME.

IN following, may there light where you walk. It is the place where the lost are saved! And it is finding a way into the glorious life you and I were always meant to live. IT is following the One Who has received heaven's crown. 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:

Prayer Brings an Atmosphere of Awe and Amazement

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vm12vHs1FcE&spfreload=10

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

THAT PLACE CALLED FAITH!

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

1 John 5:1-5

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

NKJV

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

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

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


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

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

Ephesians 5:8-11

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

1 Thessalonians 5:5-11

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

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

2 Timothy 1:13-14

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

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

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

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

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

Acts 10:25-48

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

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

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

NKJV

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

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

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

PREPARATIONS

Recently saw the young woman who is out-swimming the males. She is coming up for the Olympics and she is phenomenal. They showed her in her practice swims, and though at ease, she broke her own time. And yes, she was swimming with males in practice. Her coach wanted her to train with them and try to keep pace with them, for he believed she had a quality and that it would come as she trained.
He was so right!
As individuals we certainly need to train ourselves. We must learn some cooking skills, paying bills, cleaning the area of earth the Lord has given us to take dominion over. I am amazed today how many men and women cannot cook up a meal. I remember my mother always telling me to stand by her side as she prepared a meal and consistently watch everything she did so I could take it and run one day with it as well. That worked for us when my mother went back to work when we were in high school. She did not have to worry about the evening meal being started. And she would finish it up when she arrived home.
It is all about preparations and if we do any kind of preparation for where we are headed. I have seen couples that we have known lose their loved one, and feel inadequate as they could not even boil water. Still others, I have seen take the role seriously, and continued to prepare meals for themselves when that loved one left this earth for glory!
I have seen our children teach their child to bake banana bread. They bring out all the ingredients, get her situated on the step, and hand her the measuring cups, and she is running with it! And she bakes up some really great banana bread with chocolate chips! Preparations!

So where are we headed? Where do we plan to be in a year or so? Tomorrow will surely come and how prepared for it are we at this moment?

Proverbs 14:8
8 The wisdom of the prudent is to understand His way,
But the folly of fools is deceit.
NKJV

How true that the prudent will understand their way, but the fool will put off all that for another time and place. In deceit, they make up excuses about tomorrow and put off what really should be done today. Like growing older and making plans for leaving this earth certainly makes one stop and think about life and how short it is, but in truth we must make plans so whoever is left behind will have some satisfaction knowing everything was dealt with before leaving this earth. 

A lot of people do not want to make the needed goals, but rather set them aside and maybe ignore them for awhile longer.

Like Jesus, we too, must make goals, and see them made plain that we follow through to their completion. His of course was the purpose and the mission.

Luke 19:9

9 And Jesus said to him, "Today salvation has come to this house, because he also is a son of Abraham; 10 for the Son of Man has come to seek and to save that which was lost." 

NKJV

When we take time to "talk" with our Father Who is in heaven and relate to Him what we are experiencing, He will show us how to walk on through. It is allowing Him to show us the perfect plan and then how we are to implement it in our life. Surely when one faces some hard things in life, like finding the needed blood one might need in an emergency, and none matches your own, you certainly give heed to the direction of the Lord and how to proceed to make the needed changes that would help your spouse should anything occur all too quickly. But by faith we walk, with eyes on the God who can deliver. Walking by faith, is keeping that faith walk alive by speaking and preparing. It is not about leaving all to God, for He already did everything He was going to do. It is up to us to obey and do now what He has spoken for us to do.

James 4:13-17

13 Now listen, you who say, "Today or tomorrow we will go to this or that city, spend a year there, carry on business and make money." 14 Why, you do not even know what will happen tomorrow. What is your life? You are a mist that appears for a little while and then vanishes. 15 Instead, you ought to say, "If it is the Lord's will, we will live and do this or that." 16 As it is, you boast and brag. All such boasting is evil. 17 Anyone, then, who knows the good he ought to do and doesn't do it, sins. NIV

Yes, we can certainly make our plans, and in the long run most never come to fruition. Some I have noted of late is of people who make a plan, went on vacation when they should have stayed home, and then died on the vacation trip. So the spouse had to deal with bringing them home. Now I am sure this does not happen all the time, but of late I hear it happening a lot of the time. 

We should always ask the Lord's plan or will for the specific thing we are planning and if we are to move then God would have His seal of approval on it. And I know by experience it took us two years many decades ago, to really move from where we were at. But God kept speaking to us about moving from where we were at to get TO WHERE WE NEEDED TO BE!

YES, not obeying is sin! 

So do we have anything today that is disabling us from being the individual who can cope with great change? Are we willing to learn to wash clothes, clean a house, cook a meal or even care for a spouse who might need it? These are just questions, but they need to be addressed.

Will we come out on the other side of a loss with hope in our hearts that we can continue to live on with a cheerful attitude or will we be the grumpy and the unforgiving sort.

Consciously we should seek to be educated on what we lack knowledge on and then to be informed of what changes must take place.

I know when my grandfather had passed many years ago, he had left my grandmother well cared for. She had money in the bank and a new home to live in. Yes she lived alone but had many guests frequently dropping by for a glass of sweet tea or just to chat. She had a life to continue with and lived many decades after his death. She never remarried but remained faithful to the marriage she was devoted to. And when she passed, she left an inheritance to her children's children.

God is for us. He has the best for us, but we must get moving on learning all that we must learn and deal with hard questions and those things that may seem terrible right now, but will bring peace and satisfaction to those we leave behind.

We must want to practice victory everyday. It starts by getting out of bed in the morning and dressing for the day. We are to walk in triumph for all things have been given to us. 

Yes, the enemy may come with circumstances and even thoughts, but we are to walk in the steps of the Lord that is righteousness. Sing out in triumph and know it is not over till God gives you the nod that it is time to go HOME! Today we must rejoice for we boiled that egg and it appeared cooked in the middle. And hey, I did not burn the toast, although the cornbread I did bake fell apart while taking it out of the pan, I could still put a little butter on it. I like to bake and try new recipes but they do not always turn out for me. But for my husband, well, he loves to cook up new recipes and we always have fun in the kitchen together!

Isaiah 57:19-21

19 "I create the fruit of the lips:

Peace, peace to him who is far off and to him who is near,"

Says the LORD,

"And I will heal him." 

20 But the wicked are like the troubled sea,

When it cannot rest,

Whose waters cast up mire and dirt. 

21 "There is no peace,"

Says my God, "for the wicked."     NKJV

The fruit on our lips must be for peace, for ourselves and for our loved ones. As we take the opportunity to give praise to God, we are healed of any sorrow or pain, and we gain our victory for each day that we praise. Whatever the trial or tribulation, we must be the prepared to continue to walk in that peace of God.  May our confidence be in God and hold onto to His truths as we make our way into eternity.

Father, You cause us to triumph in Christ Jesus. We are thankful for Jesus and all that He did for us on the Cross. We pray to be the diligent who will make preparations as individuals and for the welfare of our loved ones, so that whatever may occur we will be the prepared and not the fool! Help us in dealing with any change. Show us Your plan and purpose for us as we make our way through this life and how to enter eternity with Your thoughts for us.  Jesus said that we must deny ourselves and take up His cross to follow Him (Matthew 16:24) Following Jesus requires us, Father,  to change our plans, although  sounding really good, those plans may not be the best for us. Help us to know when we are tying to make deals with You and know that we must not INSIST ON OUR OWN WAY THROUGH DAILY LIVING BUT A CONTINUAL SURRENDERING  our life to Jesus.
We desire to have no struggle over this area of decision making as we make those lasting decisions to help our loved ones. Our desire is to make life easier and to bring peace when all is set and done. We know we are promised long lives and we truly seek that long life following Your voice as You lead us down that path of righteousness. Thank You today for Your plan that is one of ease for our lives. Today we will choose to fill our minds with Your words and focus on Your thoughts for us that are for our good and not for evil to give us hope in our final outcome. It is in Jesus' s holy name we pray. Amen.

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

Only One Returned

Luke 17:17-19
17 So Jesus answered and said, "Were there not ten cleansed? But where are the nine? 18 Were there not any found who returned to give glory to God except this foreigner?" 19 And He said to him, "Arise, go your way. Your faith has made you well."    NKJV

Amazing word given...........ten came..........ten were cleansed.........yet only ONE CAME TO GIVE GLORY TO GOD!

Did only one have the "grateful heart"?

Luke 17:11-19

11 Now it happened as He went to Jerusalem that He passed through the midst of Samaria and Galilee. 12 Then as He entered a certain village, there met Him ten men who were lepers, who stood afar off. 13 And they lifted up their voices and said, "Jesus, Master, have mercy on us!" 14 So when He saw them, He said to them, "Go, show yourselves to the priests." And so it was that as they went, they were cleansed. 15 And one of them, when he saw that he was healed, returned, and with a loud voice glorified God, 16 and fell down on his face at His feet, giving Him thanks. And he was a Samaritan. 17 So Jesus answered and said, "Were there not ten cleansed? But where are the nine? 18 Were there not any found who returned to give glory to God except this foreigner?" 19 And He said to him, "Arise, go your way. Your faith has made you well."    NKJV

Having a faith in God.........being made well......made whole, delivered, the healed, the saved.

WE can see Jesus had gone to Jerusalem and was passing in the midst of Samaria and Galilee. When entering this village, it must have been in Samaria.........because by the time we get to verse 16, it states the healed one was a Samaritan. Only the foreigner would give glory to God! 

All had spoken together, "Jesus, Master, have mercy on us, yet as they went and all healed, only one returned.

Have we not seen that before........the least likely to return,........was one who gave thanks. It  is the one so touched by God returns again and again to give thanks. They return to church to be with other believer's. Aah yes, there are many who come, and may speak like you can speak, but what is in their heart regarding the goodness of God?

Instead of this Samaritan obeying the letter of the law........he came to give thanks to God! Instead of the ritual and religion, he came to give thanks to Him who created him.

Mark 10:46-52

46 Now they came to Jericho. As He went out of Jericho with His disciples and a great multitude, blind Bartimaeus, the son of Timaeus, sat by the road begging. 47 And when he heard that it was Jesus of Nazareth, he began to cry out and say, "Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!" 48 Then many warned him to be quiet; but he cried out all the more, "Son of David, have mercy on me!" 49 So Jesus stood still and commanded him to be called. Then they called the blind man, saying to him, "Be of good cheer. Rise, He is calling you." 50 And throwing aside his garment, he rose and came to Jesus. 51 So Jesus answered and said to him, "What do you want Me to do for you?" The blind man said to Him, "Rabboni, that I may receive my sight." 52 Then Jesus said to him, "Go your way; your faith has made you well." And immediately he received his sight and followed Jesus on the road. 

NKJV

In the above scripture passage, we see pretty much the same thing. We see the group going with Jesus and His disciples as they left Jericho. We find the blind man Bartimaeus, the son of Timaeus, by the road begging.

He can know it is Jesus because of what he hears the crowd speak. Because he heard, he was able to speak out, " Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!"

Instantly there were those, you know who they are, probably seen them in church. They are the ones........who say.............."ssshhhh"..........or "be quiet". or they give a look, when you are yelling and giving praise to God...............giving a yell,........AND  those next to you, rolling those whites in their eyes, letting you know that you are offending them, by being OH SO "LOUD ABOUT JESUS".

COME ON NOW, I KNOW YOU HAVE SEEN THEM, RIGHT?

Then, after those try to quiet Bartimaeus above the "roar" of the "crowd", then Bartimaeus again speaks, "Son of David, have mercy on me!"

Yep, he did it again. THEN JESUS STOOD STILL. HE COMMANDED Bartimaeus to be called.

THEN, the blind man threw aside his garment...........while those with Jesus told him to come. He threw off that which stated, "he was the BLIND MAN", HE WAS THE SON OF A BLIND MAN. He threw off that which denoted a beggar in despair.

AND Jesus spoke to him..........."What do you want Me to do for you?"

And Bartimaeus answered..........."Rabboni, that I may receive my sight." Jesus told him, "Go your way; your faith has made you well." AND IMMEDIATELY HE RECEIVED HIS SIGHT AND FOLLOWED JESUS ON THE ROAD.!

IN  a crowd of people there will always be a low roar, but even more so when there are people walking down the road together. Ever been to the Spaghetti Factory in Seattle......????......well, that is "a roar of people speaking like all at the same time." It can get pretty "loud" in there. I remember eating in there a couple of times, and each time I could not hear the people seated across from me or next to me while we all gathered to eat.

Matthew 23:5-12

5 "Everything they do is done for men to see: They make their phylacteries wide and the tassels on their garments long; 6 they love the place of honor at banquets and the most important seats in the synagogues; 7 they love to be greeted in the marketplaces and to have men call them 'Rabbi.' 

8 "But you are not to be called 'Rabbi,' for you have only one Master and you are all brothers. 9 And do not call anyone on earth 'father,' for you have one Father, and he is in heaven. 10 Nor are you to be called 'teacher,' for you have one Teacher, the Christ.  11 The greatest among you will be your servant. 12 For whoever exalts himself will be humbled, and whoever humbles himself will be exalted.    NIV

Jesus taught us that those who were called Rabbi, surely like the title. They liked being greeted in the marketplaces and for those there to call them "Rabbi". But Jesus said His disciples were not to be called "Rabbi", but the one who was the Master, the Father in heaven, was the Teacher of all in Christ.

When Bartimaeus mentioned "Rabboni", he was calling him "Lord". He was speaking, 

"Jesus, "Son of a King" have compassion, mercy on me!"

Bartimaeus cried, he SCREAMED OUT LOUDLY.........SON OF A KING HAVE MERCY ON ME!

What a glorious picture of that which was broken was now made whole! What was of the poor, the blind was now restored to run and jump AND YES SEE. He was restored to follow Jesus and not be led by anyone. May we all have that same type of life, to be the healed and restored to follow Jesus willingly and not be led!  May we all follow having an active part in seeing the glory of the Lord daily in our lives.
Will we return to give thanks or just be "one of the nine".......who were healed but not made whole like the "one"!

Father, we pray in Jesus' name to be men and women who will have the same courage to speak loudly in returning in giving thanks to You. As we do, we expect that light of Your Word to continue to bring us to Your glorious presence which is of the King, the rightful ruler of our hearts. We desire to submit willingly to Your authority and rule. Put that longing in our hearts to talk with You and hear Your voice. May we always be willing to step away from the "crowd" and give a  yell for Your goodness to us. We have seen restoration and life brought to us through believing. We pray to continue to have faith -filled lives. May we live each day with a leading by Your Holy Spirit.

Lord, please quiet those voices from the outside that represent to us the world and our five senses. Today we are the accepted in Jesus and we are free. We pray to follow You all the days of our lives and live in Your House forever and ever. You are the King of glory.Amen.

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

An Empty Tomb

Matthew 28:1-10.............28:1 Now after the Sabbath, as the first day of the week began to dawn, Mary Magdalene and the other Mary came to see the tomb. 2 And behold, there was a great earthquake; for an angel of the Lord descended from heaven, and came and rolled back the stone from the door, and sat on it. 3 His countenance was like lightning, and his clothing as white as snow. 4 And the guards shook for fear of him, and became like dead men. 5 But the angel answered and said to the women, "Do not be afraid, for I know that you seek Jesus who was crucified. 6 He is not here; for He is risen, as He said. Come, see the place where the Lord lay. 7 And go quickly and tell His disciples that He is risen from the dead, and indeed He is going before you into Galilee; there you will see Him. Behold, I have told you." 8 So they went out quickly from the tomb with fear and great joy, and ran to bring His disciples word.

9 And as they went to tell His disciples, behold, Jesus met them, saying, "Rejoice!" So they came and held Him by the feet and worshiped Him. 10 Then Jesus said to them, "Do not be afraid. Go and tell My brethren to go to Galilee, and there they will see Me." NKJV


Jesus accomplished what He came to do for us!
"Do not be afraid.Go and tell My brethren to go to Galilee and there they will see Me."

Do not be afraid little flock for it is your Father's good pleasure to give you the kingdom.

Luke 12:32-34.............32 Do not fear, little flock, for it is your Father's good pleasure to give you the kingdom. 33 Sell what you have and give alms; provide yourselves money bags which do not grow old, a treasure in the heavens that does not fail, where no thief approaches nor moth destroys. 34 For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.  NKJV

Do not fear, but hold on. Do not look back, but run forward with expectation. Do not act on the world's report, but hold the Word before you and experience the kingdom of God first hand.
Our participation is that of the relationship that comes by following and speaking as Jesus did with the Father. Today this scripture is fulfilled in your hearing. Luke 4:21
What are we hearing? Is it the Word of God?

There is an EMPTY TOMB, and IT was heaving with life being given to Jesus to walk out what He believed and spoke. AND WHEN HE WALKED OUT, He was not wrapped in grave clothes!

All that He had given in all of His teachings to the disciples and the people proclaimed what He believed to be true! 

See, He has arisen. Has He arisen in our lives or ARE we still doing the same 'ole stuff? Has He arisen.........and the enemies be scattered.  Psalm 68:1-3.....Let God arise,

Let His enemies be scattered;

Let those also who hate Him flee before Him. 

2 As smoke is driven away,

So drive them away;

As wax melts before the fire,

So let the wicked perish at the presence of God. 

3 But let the righteous be glad;

Let them rejoice before God;

Yes, let them rejoice exceedingly. NKJV

Verse 4 of Matthew 28 tells us the guards became as dead men. They fell in fright, and fainted in the presence of God. But the righteous were glad. They were rejoicing. They were exceedingly glad of the events they saw manifested before their eyes! Those who knew not God fainted in the day of adversity.

Proverbs 24:10....10 If you faint in the day of adversity,  Your strength is small.  NKJV

adversity: trouble, distress

They fainted to see the glowing angel from heaven move a boulder out of the way! Not something someone would see everyday, but when God shows up, look out! They were not trained in the Word of God and they were not expecting anything as tremendous as this thing they saw!

Then those who were looking on, those expectant, those disciples ran to the city to tell others what had transpired. They had the "good report". Our expectation must not be bound in what we think it might look when it all comes together. When we are expecting something, we should look with God's eyes and not ours. We should look with the faith He has given us to stand with and know it is going to be "good". Never limit God with what you saw Him do for you last year or even last month. Because He is God, He can do more than we could ever actually think or ask. Seriously He did not need my help to create the universe. He did a great job without my help. so I know He can help do things for my family that I could not fathom, but I surely want to get that face mask on and dive deeper into the water of His Word and see His  glory revealed! I desire to participate in prayer and study to show myself approved to God, rightly dividing the word of truth. 

2 Timothy 2:14-18....14 Remind them of these things, charging them before the Lord not to strive about words to no profit, to the ruin of the hearers. 15 Be diligent to present yourself approved to God, a worker who does not need to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth. 16 But shun profane and idle babblings, for they will increase to more ungodliness. 17 And their message will spread like cancer. Hymenaeus and Philetus are of this sort, 18 who have strayed concerning the truth, saying that the resurrection is already past; and they overthrow the faith of some. NKJV

Christ Jesus gave a promise: “Most assuredly, I say to you, he who believes in Me, the works that I do he will do also, and greater works than these he will do, because I go to my Father”…(John 14:22) He was saying “ I am going back to the Father, but you will become the voice of God.” Christ is the Word of the Father, but we were to be that voice. Just as we saw Him speak to the devil (Matthew 4) by giving the Word of God, we are to speak, to voice what God has already said.

What happened in that empty tomb, was all that Word that Jesus spoke brought Him to and through the most horrifying thing as the Cross. The Holy Spirit brought Him out of the place of death and dying to the place of living, of life and of God! All that Word was wrapped up in power released to do the impossible!

So what do we need wrapped up in power today?

What are we expecting or seeking from the Lord? Have we wrapped up in the Word of God and loosed the Holy Spirit to have His way and see the miraculous for us, for our family, or how about for our neighbor?

Is there a tomb heaving at your house that is about to bring life out of deathbed situation? Is there life about to spring from a bad report of sickness, or job loss? Is there life about to spring forth in the new thing God has planned for you to do? Is all brought to the tomb to be buried ONLY to come alive NOW with the life of God and propel you into the greatest move of God for this time, for you and your family and never be the same in Jesus' name?

Jesus accomplished what He came to do for us!
"Do not be afraid.Go and tell My brethren to go to Galilee and there they will see Me." 

Father, help us in Jesus' name to leave the tomb with the new thing You have for us to do! Help us to know that the best is on its way today much like giving birth to a new baby. For we know much comes from carrying a baby for nine months or even for ten months, but we come expecting that the best is yet to be for our family. In the time of those three days that tomb held His body dead with our sins,  locked behind a great boulder, most probably felt defeated. But You sent help from heaven for that to move. Your kingdom is in us today because of that one event. We stand with the Holy Spirit and loose HIM now to move that which has to move and may YOUR holy Word, come to pass for that which we are believing and standing for our loved one(s).......................(name or names here) .

Father, we are told to not be afraid but go and tell others that Jesus has arisen. He has arisen in our hearts and our lives. Today we ask that YOU guide us into the deeper move of YOU, into the fathom of the great love YOU gave in giving us YOUR Son Jesus. Help us to know that the more Word we speak, the more Word will we see the moving of GOD in our lives to YOUR glory and power on earth as it is in Heaven. We are thankful for the daily bread, that which sustains life. For we know YOU take care of our wants, but we give thanks for the Word of God and prayer as Jesus showed us as the example of a relationship devoted to YOU. May we express the beauty of YOU and speak as Jesus spoke over situations and people. We want to be people of power who know God and are active in the role of the parent who is active confessing and praying for children and other family members.

Today, it is Your reign we seek here for this prayer. It is Your power to accomplish what we believe YOU can do and which is that know only God can accomplish when we believe! And we give YOU  honor and much thanks for YOUR kingdom that has come. We celebrate the truth of YOU our God and know that YOU are our sufficiency.

We loose the Holy Spirit to take us deeper into YOUR Word Father and may He have His way to lead us to participate no matter the day or the hour. And may we hold on to that expectancy that God is never late, but is always on time. Amen.

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