SEE ME LORD!

Have you ever prayed the prayer, "Lord, I will go where You want me to go, I will do what You ask me to do and I will speak what You what me to speak"?

I have many times! "Nevertheless, not my will be done, but Your's be done God in my life!"

Matthew 26:39
39 Going a little farther, he fell with his face to the ground and prayed, "My Father, if it is possible, may this cup be taken from me. Yet not as I will, but as you will."  NIV

Jesus was headed to the "Cross". He was taking the sin of man!

Luke 22:42-44

42 "Father, if you are willing, take this cup from me; yet not my will, but yours be done." 43 An angel from heaven appeared to him and strengthened him. 44 And being in anguish, he prayed more earnestly, and his sweat was like drops of blood falling to the ground.  

NIV

I like this in Luke 22:42..........Jesus is asking if the Father is willing.......take this cup from me, yet not my will, BUT YOURS BE DONE. AND THEN in verse 43..........an angel from heaven appeared to him and strengthened Him. And being in anguish, he prayed more earnestly and His sweat became as drops of blood falling to the ground.

Yes our lives are a journey through this world and into eternity with God. If we do not "know" Him then we will be somewhere in eternity away from God, away from His love and away from anything good!

God is accessible and we, too, are to be accessible to others as well. Although it has become the "difficult" when so many use only one source of communicating. That is: if one only texts or if one only uses like Facebook for instance!
It is important that we use our language and speak out with real words........for ourselves to hear and for others to hear as well. Our language makes the difference in communicating with others.

Staying with God means that we talk with His words............and looking to Him for answers to any questions we may have in prayer. I wrote something about this for our grand-child recently. And in it I reminded her of the importance of speaking words.

 That talking to your-self takes perseverance. In it, we speak God’s Word into our lives.   We are told in  Philippians 4:6-9................6 Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. 7 And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. 

8 Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable-if anything is excellent or praiseworthy-think about such things. 9 Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me-put it into practice. And the God of peace will be with you. NIV

Paul wrote: "whatever you have learned or received or heard from me (Paul), or seen in me....put it into practice. And the God of peace will be with you."

AND Colossians 3.....speaks this:Colossians 3:3-4

3 For you died, and your life is now hidden with Christ in God. 4 When Christ, who is your life, appears, then you also will appear with him in glory.  NIV

We are the hidden with Christ in God. Christ Who is our life is to lead us.

I told our grand-child how we can wrestle with some things. And when any friction from another person or just something within ourselves occurs, we must point to our body, to our own selves, and SPEAK!  The words we speak will encourage us, strengthen us, and help us to raise our eyes above the circumstance. 
Encountering say persecution because of the way you act in church or how you may dress or something someone else sees in you that bothers them, can bring some painful words to you, but we do not expect to take those painful things to our hurt. We fill our heart today with God’s Words that help us to rise above any persecution, any sickness or any pain.

We desire that “doubt” will not enter our hearts. We desire to keep our stance, that place we walk with God, and keep to His plan with our hand in His and converse as always.

Internal struggles can come, but we look to God and what He tells us to overcome in those situations.  

We are to remember that God, so loved the world that He gave. He gave us His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life. 17 For God You did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world through Him might be saved. 18 I am the he who believes in Him and I am not condemned; but he who does not believe is condemned already, because he has not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God. (John 3:16-18) NKJV

That "he" who believes, will continue living, to continue the "journey" and to find us (each) in His love, His peace and His glory. Whatever cup that you drink from, is to do His will regarding the cup. It may be something you did yourself, but He will send "HELP". HIS WORD IS WEALTH TO US AND IT IS HIS PEACE!  The more we access Him and His glory, the more we move deeper into Him and His peace.

Our asking to go for Him, is willing to go, "no matter their looks", "no matter their verbal abuse" and "no matter whether they hear " you speak. We are not God, and He certainly can take care of things Himself. But we are to be His witness on and in the earth. 

Today, I give this prophetic Word. 

It keeps playing out.........and here I write it..........the vision!

The scripture base of it is below:

Luke 7:11-17

11 Soon afterward, Jesus went to a town called Nain, and his disciples and a large crowd went along with him. 12 As he approached the town gate, a dead person was being carried out-the only son of his mother, and she was a widow. And a large crowd from the town was with her. 13 When the Lord saw her, his heart went out to her and he said, "Don't cry." 

14 Then he went up and touched the coffin, and those carrying it stood still. He said, "Young man, I say to you, get up!" 15 The dead man sat up and began to talk, and Jesus gave him back to his mother. 

16 They were all filled with awe and praised God. "A great prophet has appeared among us," they said. "God has come to help his people." 17 This news about Jesus spread throughout Judea and the surrounding country.  NIV

Someone has been told that which they loved has died. It can be a ministry, a "special job", a dream they held for decades, but God is speaking, and the Father declares this day by His Son and that shed Blood, that which held many to their faith, believing God is for them and with them,  prevails this day.  For the Lord has seen your tears and the "silent tears" no one saw, but God did. And He declares this day, that whatever church group is carrying your vision out in a coffin to be buried, that which is a dream come true is being put in a coffin and taken out for burial or that ministry that is built on the foundation of the Cornerstone of Jesus is going to be raised.

The "mourners" have come to close the lid of that which God destined for you to walk out, take HEED!....IT IS NOT OVER, BUT GOD! 

With a prevailing winds of the Holy Spirit, holding onto promise, you will see that 'dream', "that ministry", that "special job" God created just for you is coming to pass.

HOLD ON! DON'T LOSE FAITH, UNDERSTAND GOD IS ON YOUR SCENE, AND RESURRECTION POWER IS PREVAILING.

AHH, LISTEN, THE WIND BEGINS.......THE LORD IS PERFORMING HIS WORD. He is watching over His Word to perform It! Jeremiah 1:12.

For you who have helped another, when they were either the "abandoned" or needed help cleaning up a "mess" someone else caused, God saw your generous act, and He is reminding you today, that you killed the giant like David, but was done for others..........like that giant was King Saul's problem. David just showed up and helped! In that merciful way, God is helping you.

See Me Lord!

Jeremiah 12:1-3

You are always righteous, O LORD,

when I bring a case before you.

Yet I would speak with you about your justice:

Why does the way of the wicked prosper?

Why do all the faithless live at ease? 

2 You have planted them, and they have taken root;

they grow and bear fruit.

You are always on their lips 

but far from their hearts. 

3 Yet you know me, O LORD;

you see me and test my thoughts about you.  NIV

 Yes, He sees you. He knows your thoughts for Him ........you have been tested..........and found TRUE!

Father, let your justice run down now for those who value You and Your word. Let justice run down through the offices of which they stand or work. Let justice run down like water, and righteousness like a mighty stream. Let it run!
Amos 5:24
24 But let justice roll on like a river,
righteousness like a never-failing stream! NIV

Ministry rise to God's plan, live....dream........speak loudly the things of God.......bring forth life in my dreams Lord, that which is ordained by YOU my God alone. Stand and live.....in that position....that which God ordained specifically for you. Rise out of the coffin, rise out of that which spoke of "defeat" and "death" for God is performing that which others will see. It will speak and give glory to God. Others will see and know that God has done this: for it was for this very hour, that God raises that which is to glorify the life in Him that will bring many to salvation.
Stand in awe, for the great Lord has come, and God has helped his people.
Father, may the news about Jesus continue to spread throughout our land and the surround country.

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Distressed or JUST Upset!

1 Kings 17:8-24
8 Then the word of the LORD came to him, saying, 9 "Arise, go to Zarephath, which belongs to Sidon, and dwell there. See, I have commanded a widow there to provide for you." 10 So he arose and went to Zarephath. And when he came to the gate of the city, indeed a widow was there gathering sticks. And he called to her and said, "Please bring me a little water in a cup, that I may drink." 11 And as she was going to get it, he called to her and said, "Please bring me a morsel of bread in your hand." 12 So she said, "As the LORD your God lives, I do not have bread, only a handful of flour in a bin, and a little oil in a jar; and see, I am gathering a couple of sticks that I may go in and prepare it for myself and my son, that we may eat it, and die." 13 And Elijah said to her, "Do not fear; go and do as you have said, but make me a small cake from it first, and bring it to me; and afterward make some for yourself and your son. 14 For thus says the LORD God of Israel: 'The bin of flour shall not be used up, nor shall the jar of oil run dry, until the day the LORD sends rain on the earth.' " 15 So she went away and did according to the word of Elijah; and she and he and her household ate for many days. 16 The bin of flour was not used up, nor did the jar of oil run dry, according to the word of the LORD which He spoke by Elijah.

17 Now it happened after these things that the son of the woman who owned the house became sick. And his sickness was so serious that there was no breath left in him. 18 So she said to Elijah, "What have I to do with you, O man of God? Have you come to me to bring my sin to remembrance, and to kill my son?" 19 And he said to her, "Give me your son." So he took him out of her arms and carried him to the upper room where he was staying, and laid him on his own bed. 20 Then he cried out to the LORD and said, "O LORD my God, have You also brought tragedy on the widow with whom I lodge, by killing her son?" 21 And he stretched himself out on the child three times, and cried out to the LORD and said, "O LORD my God, I pray, let this child's soul come back to him." 22 Then the LORD heard the voice of Elijah; and the soul of the child came back to him, and he revived. 23 And Elijah took the child and brought him down from the upper room into the house, and gave him to his mother. And Elijah said, "See, your son lives!" 24 Then the woman said to Elijah, "Now by this I know that you are a man of God, and that the word of the LORD in your mouth is the truth." 



How many opportunities to we get to help another person out during a day, week or even a month? In reading the above, seeing a woman give that of which she had so little of, became much in the hands of the prophet! When Elijah came to her, she was gathering what little she had and adding the needed sticks for the fire to bake her meager portion of bread. The prophet told her to prepare without fear, a portion and bring to him first. Yikes, what little only to give to someone else. What was this prophet thinking? Yet, she obeyed him, and prepared the small cake from it first and brought it to him, and then she and her son ate. And it was as the prophet spoke. "The bin of flour shall not be used up, not shall the jar of oil run dry, until the day the LORD sends rain on the earth."

Every year about this time, I always recall a lady who had three daughters. While working at the gym, I encountered her and learned she was far from family and friends. It was late in November of 2003, and her husband had been sent to the northwest to work for this well known company. He was good at his work and was considered valuable there. In this relocation of coming across an entire country, brings one to those thoughts of loneliness and distress or despair. Although they had two healthy daughters ranging in ages of 3-6 years of age, the baby had been born with severe allergy to most foods and formulas for a baby to have. Whatever went into that little tummy, would have a bad outcome to her causing much abdominal pain and gas. She would cry out in her distress and pain. The mother was alone at times to care for the children, as the husband had to fly overseas and her only time away from home was the gym. 

She would appear at the door of the establishment. Although very tired and pale looking, she would present the baby to whoever was at the desk, make her apologies of the baby's pain and tears, and make her way toward the locker room to change. She always told whoever was at the desk that they could come and get her if it "was just too much crying for them to handle." "She said she understood the crying was non-stop and very loud and painful to hear for long periods. " 

The supervisor would tell the Mom to be at peace, exercise and rest while she could, and just come back when she was ready. The limit of time for any child or baby was two hours, and the Mom always appeared right on time to get the child. Off she would go, with much thanks rolling from her like a torrent of water that runs along a gorge. In two days, she would be back looking tired and haggard again.

After about two months of seeing the baby and hearing her terrifying cries, the Dr. was trying out some new rice formulas but alas, they did not work. Again, one could hear those cries all over the gym. About a year after the baby's birth, the specialists were finding things the child could have with much less pain and agony. She began to grow somewhat more quiet with her new schedules of feedings and much more activity of playing and not just being held anymore. Another year went by, and now the child had a sweet smile on her face. She had a laugh that was beautiful to hear. And her mother, well, she could come to the gym and enjoy some time to herself, and work out without any fear of someone coming to get her because of the crying baby!

One day while in a supermarket picking up a few things to add for an evening meal, I heard this cry. I recognized it as the small child we would see at the gym. But this cry was more like just being upset! Yes, I like many others had grown accustomed to her "cry" of distress. But now this cry represented a small one who was just upset at something within the boundary of the store. As I checked out with the cashier, and walked out those sliding doors, I could still hear that cry!

Years passed, and one day the Mom came to say they were moving back to the East Coast. What her husband had come to do had been accomplished. They would be leaving and before they did, they would be coming in to give a farewell to those within the gym and the childcare department. It was a difficult moment. She came in with all three girls. They wanted to thank everyone there, but particularly two who would hold that baby for hour each while she exercised, gained her composure to fight another battle with stomach cramps and pains of a tiny baby. She shed tears of thankfulness and great love for those who gave of what they had within them. She was gracious indeed and I will never forget her or those three fine young ladies.

Today, I reflect on that which this mother had in feeding her son. I wonder at the pain they both might have experienced and looking at what remained to keep them alive was so little and somewhat bleak. The prophet said, "please bring me a little water in a cup". Yes, she was off to get the water, but then a demand came for a morsel of bread.

What we hold in our hands can certainly help another person! What we regard as lack or even in famine still has value that can be given for one in need. Sometimes people just need to know that they are not alone. As with this mother and her son, it would prove to her advantage when her son would fall dead some time later.

What we see happen for another, God will see to it that it will be done for us, for our family. What I experienced was a baby who could not be comforted, but she knew we would not leave her alone in all that pain. For the mother, she came to know that she too was not alone, and that someone would be there to help. Sometimes people just need a moment of our time, not a lecture, not some great advice, but just be there. Just show up for that job, and see who needs that hug, maybe a card to encourage, maybe a joke or two to lighten the day for them, and then remind them that they are not alone in this moment of anguish, distress..........in a day of more of the same, when we, as the children of God, can bring light, bring hope, bring laughter to a somewhat turn down day for some.

If I could just in this moment help you see that what you have right now will help another. What you can give right now, is greater and of more value to one who has lack in some area of life.
What we can share, speak or even pray can help another see that God is with us. In that moment of time, when all is set and done, and it is time to leave, will we hear,  "Now by this I know that you are a man (or woman) of God, and that the word of the LORD in your mouth is the truth."

There may be an "Amanda" or maybe an Adam in your life. He or she may need some extra love and care today. Find that someone who needs that hug, a hand-up, and lift them in a way that will help them see God in you. You will touch their heart, change their life, and bring you to a place that You CAN SEE GOD!

Our character is seen when we respond to something out of control. In spiritual health, one is hinged on hearing the good news which brings health to us. It is of utmost importance that we remain the loyal, those who speak truth, tolerant of others, have that loving nature, and traits of one who is the patient and determined.

Father, we desire to be Your Witnesses forever. Help us to see where we should declare without hesitation that True Word that brings faith and hope. We desire our lives to be that which is the reverent before You Lord, obeying truth always, and to glorify Jesus, so that our faith and hope are in God. (1 Peter 1:21) Help us to target that which must be corrected that hinders us from being a "help" to others. May we be those who are the trees of righteousness, for the healing of the nations. It is in Jesus' name and to His praise and glory. Amen!

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TRADING GLORY FOR SORROWS

Judges 16:1-5.............16:1 Then Samson went to Gaza and saw a harlot there, and went in to her. 2 When the Gazites were told, "Samson has come here!" they surrounded the place and lay in wait for him all night at the gate of the city. They were quiet all night, saying, "In the morning, when it is daylight, we will kill him." 3 And Samson lay low till midnight; then he arose at midnight, took hold of the doors of the gate of the city and the two gateposts, pulled them up, bar and all, put them on his shoulders, and carried them to the top of the hill that faces Hebron.

4 Afterward it happened that he loved a woman in the Valley of Sorek, whose name was Delilah. 5 And the lords of the Philistines came up to her and said to her, "Entice him, and find out where his great strength lies, and by what means we may overpower him, that we may bind him to afflict him; and every one of us will give you eleven hundred pieces of silver." NKJV

When Samson took hold of that gate of the city, he pulled up the entire gate with the lintels and we are told this gate had a plating of metal throughout. (the gates were done that way so as not to burn completely away when being attacked by foreigners). It was usually a double door and was locked at night by a wooden bar across the middle. We are told that he pulled it up and put in on his shoulders and carried them (the two wooden doors of the gate that was woven throughout with metal) to the top of the hill that faces Hebron! Wow!
Please realize that this carrying of the gate is up a hill all the way and with added weight on the shoulders.

Saw this young woman on the path behind our home. (Thursday noon) as I worked on this passage of scripture. She looks like she was in training for she was jogging with a metal cylinder on her back. I think of all those firefighters who have to get to a terrain where a fire is raging and their work requires an uphill climb, not far from a roadway and yet far enough to require some foot work! And you can at times see some men or women training with those heavy backpacks on their backs.......loaded down with the essentials to rescue someone who is need of help!


Let's think and meditate on this: Samson spent the night with a prostitute. He rises at midnight, to go remove a gate from its foundation, and possibly a locked gate with the cross-bar attached to them. He gathers all this on his shoulders. And he walked or ran it up-hill for about nine miles. ( Hebron was about nine geographical miles. Some think it was to a hill called el Montar, which is 45 minutes from Gaza). Either way this was some feat! Oh, and did I mention the road was made of sand? Gaza was by the sea and Hebron was in the hills.

So if one is deep into sin like he performed with this woman, was he desiring to leave in "the dark" so no one could see him? The scripture plainly points out that those of the Gazites were watching for him and knew when he was in the city with the prostitute. It says they surrounded the place where he had gone into the prostitute.
And what about that gate.....and did he really need to pull it up .........and take it?
Again think about him not destroying the gate, but actually pulling it up together, one piece and carrying it forward away from Gaza and going up to Hebron. What was he thinking?
The city of Gaza was no longer secure. The gate into the city was now gone.

Gaza was a long way from Samson's home. Was he hoping to not be seen by those who knew him or knew of him? Yet, the watchmen knew he was in the city for they set up to ambush him when he came out of the prostitutes place.  Samson was in Gaza for no honorable reason. We read that he took the gate at midnight, so where was the "watchmen"? Was no one watching the city gates? Is it possible that those watching and waiting for Samson saw him lift the entire gate? With their weapons drawn, were they afraid to do anything to him?  
If someone did that today, no doubt, that person would be arrested! So many places today have the cameras that they record 24-hour day periods and pull them up when a death or accident or some other incident occurs.
But in that day, people believed in that Divine Power of God! So many places today have the cameras situated outside businesses to capture traffic on roadway and on the sidewalk. They record 24-hour day periods and pull them up when a death or accident or some other incident occurs. They surely keep an accurate record when placed in right area and right position in front of business or parking lot!

As the Judge over Israel and against the princes of the Philistines, this man had a lot of things going on. Was his counsel now of no effect? Those of that counsel sat at the city gates to exercise government rule.
In meditating this, I thought of how that justice is done today in America. I thought of a "county seat". Growing up in the south, I knew something of the county seat. It was in the main city or town of that county where government order as in justice prevailed. If there arose any complaints through the county area, the complaint was sent to the administrative person in charge. The papers filed were handed to the judge. He would rule either in favor of the complaint or rule against it as the law states in that county or state.
Counties, as like the one in which I lived, would carry out or administer state laws at the local level.
As in our town, the "Court House" was where the government was administered at the township or city level.

When we think of Samson heading for Hebron but never reaching it, was he moving further AWAY from God? Yet, we find in looking at the word Hebron, we see it is as a "community seat of association". Did Samson like being away from the things of God and was he choosing to stay in the polluted world of sin. He could have easily stayed connected with God the Holy Spirit, and give up the fleshly ways of the world to keep a walk of faith and prudence.

HEBRON in Hebrew is (inter alia) and comes from the word for "Friend" (haver). But because of sin, was Samson still bound to the gate he managed to remove from the earth that held it. Even in the size and weight of this major gate with two doorways included, it was still in one piece. Was he still bound to those who he became a friend or an acquaintance of?

Was he angry when finding a gate closed? And was he so proud that "no gate could hold him"?

When we go on to read of Samson, he is entangled with Delilah! He, Samson, went from bad to worse. For in this passage we probably find a woman who had no sinful life, but she was promised the 1100 pieces of silver from each of the princes of the Philistines. And she did it! That made her become a prostitute by being paid a wage for it........to bring Samson down!
I wonder how many get entangled in some little something and think it harmless, when like Samson, they can remove the gate but it still be intact.......and in reality never let anyone through it.
Like this gate, and similar to where he would minister justice, but had justice gone out the way side of things? Again, would he have no power to administer justice in Israel after this?
As a Judge, Samson was to rule righteously. The Judges were to be faithful to Jehovah's righteousness. In Samson, we saw him getting deeper into sin.
Even though the book of Judges is small and lists only a few, there are those who shine like Deborah. (blog: Appointed by God, Deborah the Prophetess) But Samson is remembered as the one who gave in to sin, led by his own fleshly desires and to die while being held captive by those who hated him, the Philistines.
Are we possibly doing something like Samson and not know it? Are we holding up something we like to do, and look good doing it and want others to know how "great" we are doing this thing? It could range from the workplace to church. It could be in music, in sports, in computer work, or even in singing. It could be coming from making 20 cents a day to 2 million dollars in days!

In closing:

Acts 8:9-24.....................9 Now for some time a man named Simon had practiced sorcery in the city and amazed all the people of Samaria. He boasted that he was someone great, 10 and all the people, both high and low, gave him their attention and exclaimed, "This man is the divine power known as the Great Power." 11 They followed him because he had amazed them for a long time with his magic. 12 But when they believed Philip as he preached the good news of the kingdom of God and the name of Jesus Christ, they were baptized, both men and women. 13 Simon himself believed and was baptized. And he followed Philip everywhere, astonished by the great signs and miracles he saw.

14 When the apostles in Jerusalem heard that Samaria had accepted the word of God, they sent Peter and John to them. 15 When they arrived, they prayed for them that they might receive the Holy Spirit, 16 because the Holy Spirit had not yet come upon any of them; they had simply been baptized into the name of the Lord Jesus. 17 Then Peter and John placed their hands on them, and they received the Holy Spirit.

18 When Simon saw that the Spirit was given at the laying on of the apostles' hands, he offered them money 19 and said, "Give me also this ability so that everyone on whom I lay my hands may receive the Holy Spirit."

20 Peter answered: "May your money perish with you, because you thought you could buy the gift of God with money! 21 You have no part or share in this ministry, because your heart is not right before God. 22 Repent of this wickedness and pray to the Lord. Perhaps he will forgive you for having such a thought in your heart. 23 For I see that you are full of bitterness and captive to sin."

24 Then Simon answered, "Pray to the Lord for me so that nothing you have said may happen to me." NIV

WOW! It says that Peter told Simon, you are full of bitterness and captive to sin. In the blog "HAPPY ARE THE PEOPLE", the people who know God are those who are not bitter, not after their own thing, but after the glory of God. It is in His glory that we have those radiant faces and the joyful heart that look at doing what God the Lord planned for us to do.

As we look at Simon from Acts 8 and verse 24, we find he asked for Simon to pray..........but Peter told him to repent of the  wickedness and pray to the Lord.....perhaps He will forgive you for having such a thought in your heart!

It does not say that Simon repented of his act toward the holy things of God and thinking he could buy the Holy Spirit. He asked Peter to pray for him. 
Was not this like Saul?  Have we not read time and again of the pride that Saul got into as he thought he could do without the Lord's leading. He was even giving sacrifice without the priest being present. That which was duly performed was given by God, but it also meant that that sacrificing was as worship and was of the inward heart. Yes, it was a heart issue!  It was not just an outward show to perform something. Obedience with a faithful trusting heart is what pleases God. 

1 Thessalonians 2:4....................4 On the contrary, we speak as men approved by God to be entrusted with the gospel. We are not trying to please men but God, who tests our hearts. NIV
Romans 14:17-20...................17 for the kingdom of God is not eating and drinking, but righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit. 18 For he who serves Christ in these things is acceptable to God and approved by men. 19 Therefore let us pursue the things which make for peace and the things by which one may edify another.  NKJV

I remember this gentleman who was in the church we were attending. He loved to work out. And he did some training in the field of body builders. He had done it for awhile and after an amount of time the Lord told him to stop doing it.
He shared with the body of believer's that his doing it was for his benefit and not God's. He had come to a place where that "thing" was so important that it had become " a god" to him. So he stopped doing it. He obeyed God. We must be those who willing choose to put down that which only glorifies us and pick up that which glorifies the Father. What could possibly be in our lives, that we must put down and move away from to glorify our Father in Heaven? 

Samson did repent at the end. It cost him his life! And it was recorded............for us to read and hear! He traded glory for sorrows!

Father, we are told in Romans 8:8 that those who are in the flesh cannot please God. It is Your Holy Spirit that has come to dwell in our hearts by faith. Today we are alive because the Spirit which is life is in us. Living by YOUR Holy Spirit we put to death the deeds of the body. We have received the spirit of adoption by whom we cry out, " Abba, Father."
The Spirit Himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God, and if children, then heirs--heirs of God and joint heirs with Christ, if indeed we suffer with Him, that we may also be glorified together. 
Father show us where we might have something that could become a "god" to us. Help us to check our hearts daily and listen to Your rebuke.
We desire not to trade Your glory for sorrows, but we desire to bring praise to YOUR name and shout praise forever!

We pray to be those who will repent when we know we must to stay in Your Presence and YOUR glory. We desire to hear every command and obey them.

We know that You have given us Your Holy Spirit and according to John 3:34,35, "for since he Whom God has sent speaks the words of God [proclaims God's own message], God does not give Him His Spirit sparingly or by measure, but boundless is the gift God makes of His Spirit!

We desire today to bask in the beauty of Who You are. We are expectant to have a life filled with adventure, but also with wisdom, truth and righteousness that keeps us in the shelter of the Almighty God in Jesus' name. Amen and Amen.

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

A TESTING OF FAITH!

Matthew 15:21-28..................21 Then Jesus went out from there and departed to the region of Tyre and Sidon. 22 And behold, a woman of Canaan came from that region and cried out to Him, saying, "Have mercy on me, O Lord, Son of David! My daughter is severely demon-possessed." 23 But He answered her not a word. And His disciples came and urged Him, saying, "Send her away, for she cries out after us." 24 But He answered and said, "I was not sent except to the lost sheep of the house of Israel." 25 Then she came and worshiped Him, saying, "Lord, help me!" 26 But He answered and said, "It is not good to take the children's bread and throw it to the little dogs." 27 And she said, "Yes, Lord, yet even the little dogs eat the crumbs which fall from their masters' table." 28 Then Jesus answered and said to her, "O woman, great is your faith! Let it be to you as you desire." And her daughter was healed from that very hour.     NKJV

Ever cry out to God, but He does not answer you? This woman came to Him and cried out telling Him that her daughter is severely demon-possessed. 

Do we cry out and hear nothing? It could be God is testing our faith! What do you believe and where does your "trust" lie?

She heard HIM speak to His disciples........" I was not sent except to the lost sheep of the house of Israel."

She then spoke, "Lord, help me!"

Lord help me, the one who is crying out for an answer to the situation! LORD! HELP!

John 1:11-13...........11 He came to His own, and His own did not receive Him. 12 But as many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God, to those who believe in His name: 13 who were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God. NKJV

And His disciples came and urged Him, saying, "Send her away, for she cries out after us." 24 But He answered and said, "I was not sent except to the lost sheep of the house of Israel."
Ever been dismissed by someone, when you tried to get an answer?  I remember needing some help with a computer once on the job. I could not find anyone who seemed available that could take a moment to help me. It was about 8:10 am, and I needed to check-in. That meant I had to get the computer going since it had the database on it which I needed. Without it on, we could make "no sales" and I could not check-in. Then I saw a man who was over the "supervisors" and he was talking with the owner of company. I walked over, but not to intrude, I waited to ask a question. I can wait a long time!  As soon as they saw me, the man over the supervisor's listened and dismissed me. Yes, it was pretty fast and he moved on with his conversation. I thought surely one of them might come to see why the computer was not coming on. (Yes, I had checked all the cords, and all the plug-ins, and it was time to check-in for work.) I opted to go to main computer by the front door and check-in for work.
I left the computer guessing to another person who would be in about 9 am. And I went and did my job. I blessed those I came in contact with and moved on, AND with a thankful heart.

Let's think about this Gentile woman and the moment she had come on the scene. She asked for help!

A MIRACLE ON THE HORIZON APPEARS! Or does it?
Do we stand fast to see that of which we ask to occur in our lives? Think about what had just transpired in Jesus' life. Was He deterred in anyway to stop what He was doing? He just kept going to those who would receive! Read below:

Matthew 15:1-20..............15:1 Then the scribes and Pharisees who were from Jerusalem came to Jesus, saying, 2 "Why do Your disciples transgress the tradition of the elders? For they do not wash their hands when they eat bread." 3 He answered and said to them, "Why do you also transgress the commandment of God because of your tradition? 4 For God commanded, saying, 'Honor your father and your mother'; and, 'He who curses father or mother, let him be put to death.'  5 But you say, 'Whoever says to his father or mother, "Whatever profit you might have received from me is a gift to God"-- 6 then he need not honor his father or mother.' Thus you have made the commandment of God of no effect by your tradition. 7 Hypocrites! Well did Isaiah prophesy about you, saying: 

8'These people draw near to Me with their mouth,

And honor Me with their lips,

But their heart is far from Me. 

9 And in vain they worship Me,

Teaching as doctrines the commandments of men.' " 

10 When He had called the multitude to Himself, He said to them, "Hear and understand: 11 Not what goes into the mouth defiles a man; but what comes out of the mouth, this defiles a man." 12 Then His disciples came and said to Him, "Do You know that the Pharisees were offended when they heard this saying?" 13 But He answered and said, "Every plant which My heavenly Father has not planted will be uprooted. 14 Let them alone. They are blind leaders of the blind. And if the blind leads the blind, both will fall into a ditch." 15 Then Peter answered and said to Him, "Explain this parable to us." 16 So Jesus said, "Are you also still without understanding? 17 Do you not yet understand that whatever enters the mouth goes into the stomach and is eliminated? 18 But those things which proceed out of the mouth come from the heart, and they defile a man. 19 For out of the heart proceed evil thoughts, murders, adulteries, fornications, thefts, false witness, blasphemies. 20 These are the things which defile a man, but to eat with unwashed hands does not defile a man."     NKJV

Yes, this is where Jesus just came from. He had an encounter with the scribes and Pharisees. And He saw the Pharisees offended by His sayings. Jesus told them, "Every plant which My heavenly Father has not planted will be uprooted. Let them alone. They are blind leaders of the blind. And if the blind leads the blind, both will fall into a ditch."  Jesus went on to tell the disciples of the evil which proceeds from the heart and named them. Wash your hands as much as you like, but that is not what defiles a man!

Then He has this woman coming to Him who is so ripe to receive, so ready to give Him an answer for anything He asks or speaks.

STEPPING FORWARD!
Do we as parents readily push forward, stepping out to help our children? When they cry, do we not come to their aide? Was there a dividing line coming?
The woman spoke, "Yes, Lord, yet even the little dogs eat the crumbs which fall from their masters' table."
She knows the children's bread was that of the Jews and to eat at the Master's table. Although she knew Him to be sent for Israel, still she heard and saw the mercy and kindness He expressed to those He came in contact with on His walk through Canaan. She was saying, " I know I am not a Jew and of YOUR house, but I believe, and trust YOU can do something for my daughter."
She had an unwavering faith that Jesus could do that for which she asked. She called Him Lord, and worshiped Him. She expressed a like precious faith. Even in the discouragements of not being a Jew and of the house of Israel, yet she did not relent. She did not give up!
Then Jesus answered and said to her, "O woman, great is your faith! Let it be to you as you desire." And her daughter was healed from that very hour.  

Will we continue to step forward and believe? Will our hearts betray us, let us down? This woman sought something for her daughter. She did not care if she was compared to the "dogs". She sought out Jesus, the Lord, and His goodness. She sought a miracle for her daughter. For whatever remained, even that of crumbs under the table, was enough for this woman. What He had hoped to see in the scribes and Pharisees, and did not find, He certainly found it in this woman, a Gentile.
Can we move beyond having hurtful feelings and do what the Lord asked? Can we move beyond and see other's healed or come to Jesus? Can we show we have a real desire for that which Jesus died to give us?

Father, Jesus said in Matthew 15:13...that "every plant which My heavenly Father has not planted will be uprooted. He was talking about the blind leading the blind. We desire to not be those who are blind. We desire that Christ dwells in our hearts through faith and that we are rooted and grounded in love. (Eph.3:17) We come to the Master's table, to receive that good thing.
We seek to make YOU Lord over our hearts. We truly desire to stay in the light of God and His knowledge. 
Father, we see from the Canaanite woman, a woman who did not buckle down to fear. She did not fall into the fear factor and rely on her five senses. We do not know what she was thinking other than what she spoke. But ONE thing was evident, and that was she wanted her daughter delivered from evil. She chose to pursue Jesus and in making that "right decision" she was brought to healing.
Today, we desire to be men and women who will have that same courage to pray and keep praying.......keep asking, and speak YOUR truth. And as we do, we expect that light to shine and bring us into YOUR glorious presence. We desire to willing submit to Your authority and rule. 
Put a longing in our hearts to talk with YOU and to hear YOUR voice. Your Word says, the just shall live by faith...Romans 1:17. We pray to have faith-filled lives. May we live each day with a leading by the Holy Spirit. We desire to not walk in doubt and fear of what may happen, but we choose to seek YOUR voice and plan for us.

Quiet those voices from the outside that represent the world and five senses. We receive today that we are the accepted in Jesus, and we are free! Holy Spirit we loose You now into our lives and our homes. Have Your way today in us........in Jesus' name. Amen.

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