MUDDY BOOTS??

Mark 1:35-39
35 In the early morning, while it was still dark, Jesus got up, left the house, and went away to a secluded place, and was praying there.

36 Simon and his companions searched for Him;

37 they found Him, and said to Him, "Everyone is looking for You."

38 He said to them, "Let us go somewhere else to the towns nearby, so that I may preach there also; for that is what I came for."

39 And He went into their synagogues throughout all Galilee, preaching and casting out the demons.
NASU


In the early morning hours, while still dark outside, Jesus got up........left the warm bed and maybe that comfortable chair...... to go to a secluded place AND PRAY!

WE ARE TOLD, Simon and companions searched for Him. And yes, they found Him........and told Him how others were looking for Him. But Jesus said, "Let us go somewhere else to the towns nearby, so that I may preach there also; for that is what I came for."

And He went. He went into synagogues all throughout Galilee. He was preaching and casting out demons.

Jesus was the devoted! He was devoted to His Father and to the call!

Devotion: being faithful and loyal......surrender to being taught, and find trust in .......as in maturing in the things of God, being the consistent, and expecting to grow in faith

Colossians 2:6-8

6 Therefore as you have received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk in Him, 

7 having been firmly rooted and now being built up in Him and established in your faith, just as you were instructed, and overflowing with gratitude. 

8 See to it that no one takes you captive through philosophy and empty deception, according to the tradition of men, according to the elementary principles of the world, rather than according to Christ.   NASU

Yes, that tradition of men is Muddy Water and can bring on our walk in Muddy Boots!
"See to it that no one takes you captive through philosophy and empty deception, according to the tradition of men, according to the elementary principles of the world ......rather than according to Christ.

Prayer was certainly foremost in Jesus' day to day life. We can find Him coming down the mountain or going up to the quiet place to pray. Sometimes we saw Him go in the evening and still pray in the morning. He was devoted to speaking with His Father. He needed to know some things as well as we need to know some things concerning the day and hour we live in.

Jesus took the opportunities to correct when correction was needed. He no doubt asked questions as the Scribes and Pharisees asked Him questions. As we see in scripture below; we see Jesus talk with the disciples about "not one stone here will be left on another. every one will be thrown down."

 In all that, Jesus warned of a coming day where the future for Israel would be far from bright and rosy. All their security would be gone. He gave them a time-line of a span of some forty years......and what the outcome would be.

Mark 13:1-8
13:1 As he was leaving the temple, one of his disciples said to him, "Look, Teacher! What massive stones! What magnificent buildings!"

2 "Do you see all these great buildings?" replied Jesus. "Not one stone here will be left on another; every one will be thrown down."

3 As Jesus was sitting on the Mount of Olives opposite the temple, Peter, James, John and Andrew asked him privately, 4 "Tell us, when will these things happen? And what will be the sign that they are all about to be fulfilled?"

5 Jesus said to them: "Watch out that no one deceives you. 6 Many will come in my name, claiming, 'I am he,' and will deceive many. 7 When you hear of wars and rumors of wars, do not be alarmed. Such things must happen, but the end is still to come. 8 Nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. There will be earthquakes in various places, and famines. These are the beginning of birth pains.    NIV

The prophet was speaking, and He was speaking what the Father had shown Him by the Holy Spirit. Those that feel that they are.......... the separated, those greater than any other, whether in nations or even in those churches, will and can see what can happen when faith is put into man and nation and not into God and His Word.

We may be able to feed the nations, but where is our true devotion? Where is our heart really? Is it found in God and with God or is in "how great we are" and see I fed another nation this week.   Just because this nation was found on biblical truths, does not mean we are the secure. This nation has surely moved away from God and from His plan. But even a few could pray and keep seeking........a few could ........keep burning that midnight oil and see God come through for a nation who have come to the point of forgetting about Him.

Revelation 3:7-13

These things says He who is holy, He who is true, "He who has the key of David, He who opens and no one shuts, and shuts and no one opens": 8 "I know your works. See, I have set before you an open door, and no one can shut it; for you have a little strength, have kept My word, and have not denied My name. 9 Indeed I will make those of the synagogue of Satan, who say they are Jews and are not, but lie--indeed I will make them come and worship before your feet, and to know that I have loved you. 10 Because you have kept My command to persevere, I also will keep you from the hour of trial which shall come upon the whole world, to test those who dwell on the earth. 11 Behold, I am coming quickly! Hold fast what you have, that no one may take your crown. 12 He who overcomes, I will make him a pillar in the temple of My God, and he shall go out no more. And I will write on him the name of My God and the name of the city of My God, the New Jerusalem, which comes down out of heaven from My God. And I will write on him My new name. 13 He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches." '      NKJV

Do we know without a doubt, He is with us, walking with us, or have we muddied our marching boots into man's religion and attending services that only serve man? Surely church is boring if we just do the same "ole thing" and expect to be entertained all the time.

In praying the last few weeks over the situations going on in this nation, I always think of the "Emperor's New Clothes". And I thought how everyone was in agreement about the Emperor and the deception which had taken place, yet no one wanted to speak up, but only the child.

I remember my mother reading the book to me: "The Emperor's New Clothes". It was a short story written by Hans Christian Andersen. Of course, it was the tale of an emperor needing a new suit of clothes. Well, the two weavers had promised that this kind was invisible to those who were the unfit for their position. Remember those weavers worked with nothing on their looms.  The "old minister" was sent to check how the weavers were doing. But alas, he saw nothing. Of course, he thought himself as either the stupid or one who was unfit for the position he held. And of course, all the folks agreed with the deceitful weavers that the new clothes were of beautiful pattern and colors. Although this Emperor paraded before the subjects naked, no one says a thing. It was the young child who cries out......."But he isn't wearing anything at all!" And of course, the Emperor paraded on, even though there was really no train to carry from behind the naked man!

How is God seeing us? Are we the clothed, with the breastplate of righteous of God?
Or are we those in His eyes which are the miserable, blind and naked".........yikes!

God desires the relationship ........it is in His love and by His grace. Jesus was not the relaxed in the short while He was here on earth.  He certainly went where He needed to go and He went there in prayer. He went having the relationship to see truth, and speak against any deceptions in the land at the time. If we are the body of Christ, now is not the time to relax............let down our hair and party like there is no tomorrow.  Certainly the Jew's of Jesus' day felt secure. They kept eating and drinking and having merriment. But within some forty years Rome had reduced Jerusalem to that pile of rubble where Jesus said that not one stone would remain on another. Jesus witnessed to His disciples the importance of  spending time with God. He spoke with love, peace and words that were to correct a nation that was quickly moving away from God. So too, our relationship should be one where we truly know the will of God and that comes from a close, daily fellowship. We too, can know the mind and will of God when we place our faith and trust in the one who came to set us free from the bondage of slavery. Truly God is for us, and He delights to give us those righteous desires. They come when we truly trust, truly believe and doubt not, that Jesus is the Son of God. Amen.

2 Timothy 3:13-17
13 But evil men and impostors will grow worse and worse, deceiving and being deceived. 14 But you must continue in the things which you have learned and been assured of, knowing from whom you have learned them, 15 and that from childhood you have known the Holy Scriptures, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus. 16 All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, 17 that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work.  NKJV


Hebrews 11:32-39
32 And what more shall I say? I do not have time to tell about Gideon, Barak, Samson, Jephthah, David, Samuel and the prophets, 33 who through faith conquered kingdoms, administered justice, and gained what was promised; who shut the mouths of lions, 34 quenched the fury of the flames, and escaped the edge of the sword; whose weakness was turned to strength; and who became powerful in battle and routed foreign armies. 35 Women received back their dead, raised to life again. Others were tortured and refused to be released, so that they might gain a better resurrection. 36 Some faced jeers and flogging, while still others were chained and put in prison. 37 They were stoned; they were sawed in two; they were put to death by the sword. They went about in sheepskins and goatskins, destitute, persecuted and mistreated- 38 the world was not worthy of them. They wandered in deserts and mountains, and in caves and holes in the ground. 

39 These were all commended for their faith, yet none of them received what had been promised. 40 God had planned something better for us so that only together with us would they be made perfect.     NIV

May our names too, be found in the halls of Faith! May we leave traditions of men behind, and be the devoted like Jesus, find our place and believe by faith that we will take hold of the future God has purposed for us..........."something better for us so that only together with us would they be made perfect." Amen.

Now faith is the assurance ( the confirmation, the title deed) of the things [we] hope for, being the proof of things [we] do not see and the conviction of their reality [faith perceiving as real fact what is not revealed to the senses].
For by [faith----trust and holy fervor born of faith] the men of old had divine testimony borne to them and obtained a good report.

Father, thank You .....because You had us in mind and had something better and greater in view for us, so that they [those heroes and heroines of faith] should not come to perfection apart from us [before we join them]. Thank You for Jesus who is the greatest example of the faithful to stand against tradition....those things created by man..........and boldly speak Your Words of spirit and truth. We pray to be those willingly submitted to time of prayer........in devotion time with You to hear those truths we need to face all of our tomorrows. May we be found doing that faithful walk, a communing with You daily and hear You speak what we really need to know before Christ's return to earth. We know time is so short!  We pray for those around the world to pick that devotion time with God.........to find peace in the shelter of the Almighty and please YOU our Father as we do the work of the ministry. O merciful Father (God), help us not exchange the truth of God for a lie, and worship and serve the created things rather than You, our Creator.......who is forever praised. (Romans 1:25) It is in Jesus' name we pray and believe, and trust. Amen.

Continue our Faith Series: Earthly Good and Heaven Bound, Too!


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

Splash and Dash

Spring comes in bringing change. It is evident with leaves appearing on trees, flowers displaying their beauty and lawns turning a lush dark green that winter packed its ice chest and left. Add to that the "spring showers" and one sees more of the splash and dash over the colorful bouquets that are sprinkled around the lawn of green. Those festive colors just shout for us to join in to partake of a special yard party to be held in our honor!
 I like being outside this time of year. I love the colors, the feel of green grass under the feet as one walks the length of it and I love to feel the soft rain on the face.
In experiencing this "splash and dash" about two weeks to less than ten days ago, however, the showers seem to be short, few sprinkles and lots of wind. Anyone living in this region knows we need some adequate rain to get through the coming summer months.
We were praying for some slow rains that will spend the whole day here and not continue the "splash and dash" thing! Today our prayers were answered for the rain has come and stayed to saturate the ground. Praise the Lord for His goodness to us!

Was considering this while praying for the writing today. As living beings we need the water to live.
Psalm 36:7-9......7 How precious is Your lovingkindness, O God!
Therefore the children of men put their trust under the shadow of Your wings. 
8 They are abundantly satisfied with the fullness of Your house,
And You give them drink from the river of Your pleasures. 
9 For with You is the fountain of life;
In Your light we see light.  NKJV

abundantly satisfied=filled, satiated, 
with fatness or fullness of Your house= abundance in the temple
drink (shaqah (shaw-kaw'); drink, drown, moisten as in water
from the river=as from a filled and overflowing river or stream at winter's end
life= revelation knowledge
the river of God's delight and pleasure to give


When considering there is no rain or water for the lawn and plants for a length of days or weeks, the ground will be dry and hard. Even if one were to run the hose full open on that "dry ground", any moisture will not adequately water the roots of the grass or plants. The optimum word here is to penetrate the soil. That moisture would need to penetrate to the root area and be repeated for some days to get the needed affect for plants and grass to grow and thrive.

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

anyone= whosoever will come

with thirst= of uncertain affinity....for a relationship, a correspondence, or associate with

Let him come=erchomai (er'khom-ahee) ...appear, grow, enter

It reminds of this saying my mother had when referring to her cleaning the house when I was a young child. She would say, "I will give it a lick and a promise." She would always add, "I promise to get the whole house done tomorrow." She wanted a clean house always, but with two girls and her PTA meetings and such, her time was used up quickly. All her meals she prepared for dinner was not out of a box but all made from scratch.  So she cleaned those areas that one could see upon entering our home. Yes, that was a quick clean and then move on to do what she needed on her to-do list for that day!

 And on the very next day though, she would tackle that job of cleaning with a vengeance. She would clean anything and everything in her way.

The American Heritage Dictionary puts it like this: to perform said task with a lick and a promise is to the absolute minimum required and far less than that. With the lick and a promise, you are not really tackling the task , but only half-heartedly pretending to chase it.

In respect to my mother and her house cleaning projects, she regarded a clean house above all else. That meant if we, my sister and I were at home from school ( or summer vacation), were called to duty immediately. That duty included any detail our mother would broadcast to us. She would give us her plan, and then we would do the job or project she gave us to do.

2 Corinthians 13:14.............14 May the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with you all. NIV

Seems simple does it not? We are to have the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ. We are to have the ability(grace) Jesus had as He walked here on earth with favor and beauty. We are to have the love of God! But we are to have fellowship of the Holy Spirit, too!

1 John 4:9-11........9 In this the love of God was manifested toward us, that God has sent His only begotten Son into the world, that we might live through Him. 10 In this is love, not that we loved God, but that He loved us and sent His Son to be the propitiation for our sins. 11 Beloved, if God so loved us, we also ought to love one another. NKJV

Philippians 2:1-4.......2:1 Therefore if there is any consolation in Christ, if any comfort of love, if any fellowship of the Spirit, if any affection and mercy, 2 fulfill my joy by being like-minded, having the same love, being of one accord, of one mind. 3 Let nothing be done through selfish ambition or conceit, but in lowliness of mind let each esteem others better than himself. 4 Let each of you look out not only for his own interests, but also for the interests of others.     NKJV

It takes that communion of the Holy Spirit to retain any semblance of a love walk with other Christians, or believer's in Jesus Christ. In knowing God and His love, we are to know that, we too, are loved. It is not in a pretending, "well, I love Jesus, I guess I can love you." No, it is so much more than that. We must know that we are loved by God. 

Jesus sent the Comforter to us! Our lives are to be influenced by the Holy Spirit. He is a gentleman. He does not act vulgar in any way, form or fashion! When He is around, we speak the wisdom of God. When He is around, people know us by His love through us. When He is around, we look good!

The Holy Spirit has been poured out! 

The leadership of the Spirit has always had its foundation on the Word of God. The Holy Spirit will never leads us from it. 

1 John 5:7-13............7 For there are three that bear witness in heaven: the Father, the Word, and the Holy Spirit; and these three are one. 8 And there are three that bear witness on earth: the Spirit, the water, and the blood; and these three agree as one. 9 If we receive the witness of men, the witness of God is greater; for this is the witness of God which He has testified of His Son. 10 He who believes in the Son of God has the witness in himself; he who does not believe God has made Him a liar, because he has not believed the testimony that God has given of His Son. 11 And this is the testimony: that God has given us eternal life, and this life is in His Son. 12 He who has the Son has life; he who does not have the Son of God does not have life. 13 These things I have written to you who believe in the name of the Son of God, that you may know that you have eternal life, and that you may continue to believe in the name of the Son of God. NKJV

Do you know any "splash and dash" people?  What about the "lick and promise" folks? Know any of them by their promising to do better tomorrow? For cleaning still comes by the Word of God, and it gives us promises of a great future! I have learned that there is no such thing as "dry cleaning" when it comes to the word of God.  We truly need the water of the Word to be clean as seen in John 15:3-4.... 3 You are already clean because of the word which I have spoken to you. 4 Abide in Me, and I in you.  NKJV

A crisis, problem or trouble can come any time. We know not what our path holds, but God does. Should He be speaking for us to continue to come, continue to enter His Presence, and to come so that we will water the seed of fellowship of the Holy Spirit, what would our reply be to Him? 
I promise tomorrow God that I will pray, I will pray in tongues, and I will confess the promises You have for me.

Reading the Word of God is paramount as is prayer!  There is also fasting, and worship that we are know and consider!

For worship does play a major role when we know to whom we are worshiping and why we are to worship.

The Holy Spirit can and will  bring us the vocabulary that God speaks through His Holy Spirit. He helps our infirmities in not knowing how or what to pray, and He also establishes in us the Word of God that speaks, when we spend the time to read and put it in our hearts. For me, I desire to not be a splash and  dash person.

In this day and time, it is not good to be half-hearted towards God and His wisdom. Surely God is for us and wants to keep us in that land that oozes with every resource we need.

Let's not be the splash and dash people, but those who spend time with the Holy Spirit by praying in tongues, worshiping, and confessing the Word.

Father, thank You for the Holy Spirit! Thank You Jesus for sending the Comforter to us!

Holy Spirit, I truly love to behold and gaze upon the beauty YOU have imagined. Thank YOU for all that we view from our back door. We see the magnitude of the greatness of our God. Thank YOU for allowing me to be here and enjoy YOUR world. How may I bring pleasure to YOU?  I ask YOU to speak to me and guide me into the specific assignment YOU have for me to do. I am alive because of YOU and I know YOU have a plan. Holy Spirit, YOU are a treasure to me. I give thanks to my God, my Creator for allowing me to participate in the Great Commission. Holy Spirit lead me and I will testify of Jesus and the goodness of God in the land of the living. Holy Spirit it is You Who reveals to me the difference between those essential and nonessential issues that we can see on our journey through this life. Mentor me my treasured Friend. Please clutter my life of distractions, so that I may hear Your voice clearly today. Come, You are welcome here! We give freedom for You to rule here. Show us the plan for this day!  In Jesus' name, I pray and believe the Holy Spirit will have His way in every situation or thing that appears on my pathway. Amen. You can also visit my Youtube channel The Voice of Prayer for more teaching at http://bit.ly/1tNyBhV