THAT REVOLVING DOOR!

Ever been to the city..........seen one of those really big revolving doors where at least five people can slide in as it revolves to the inside..........of building....open up and people step "out quickly" as the door revolves around to the outside of building again?
Yes, modern times, modern machinery..............all those moving parts........to move a glass compartment round and round to accommodate thousands of people a day.
Was thinking of our lives the last few days with Thanksgiving Day well over and Christmas Day in view now..........seeing all those commercials of yes, really low, low prices.........get that furniture today and pay no sales interest till 2020. That furniture would be wore out in that time if the family has more than two people in it, right? But thinking on the time that has passed and people who have either touched our lives or influenced them to a great degree. In some cases I have seen our family as those in that revolving door and people stepping in for a time to meet us and then move on or out as the case might be. I remember the young people we took to church, and one young man who was touched by God and how he touched our hearts. Although he is not with us today, I pray we see him again one day. For couples who separated and went their separate ways, we certainly shared in their heartache and in their new lives as well. For the wife, was a difficult road to finding work again after so many years of raising children. For the husband, well, he went on with his work and hopefully with his singing for the Lord. In others, we saw young adults go into ministry, come out of ministry and some go on to make a life with a spouse, raising children and becoming hopefully what God planned for them. Some have kept in touch, many have not, but in all that, I can still visit them in my heart where I hold those so dear, and  in those thoughts, the man or woman or child who touched our hearts in ways no one could have done.
I think of those that were of the divine nature and how God brought just the ones we needed in our lives at the time. My thoughts pour over those who had come almost a thousand miles to end up in a church we attend today. My thoughts go to those who fought overseas and returned to fight internal battles of the mind in seeing so many die needlessly in countries so needing God and real family lives! I think of those who have families close by, like less than five hours, but do not see them much. I think on those I came in contact with in the summer time in the park and who were on the verge losing their home, and/or losing their jobs and had no place to go.
But God has a plan! He has one that is of love and life forever!
Finding that pathway is for those who see, and many today are blind. They are like those I think about from that movie, "Wreck-It Ralph"...........the flying insects flying toward that great light close to the end of movie. They become mesmerized like the "bad guy" in the movie, who at this point is a part himself and a part flying insect.......although is the violent, harmful insect of great size, right?
But being mesmerized by something is not good, whether in a cartoon movie or in real life.  What do we attach or dreams or visions to? Is it to life or......?

Jesus presented the "real", that which adds to us, and helps us to continue to being the children of God! As we have read through the Gospels, we discover all the ups and downs of the lives of disciples who followed Jesus. Jesus talked of their "little faith" by rebuking them in Matthew 8:26.
And He said to them, "Why are you timid and afraid, O you of little faith?" Then He got up and rebuked the winds and the sea, and there was a great and wonderful calm ( a perfect peaceable-ness) 27 And the men were stunned with bewildered wonder and marveled saying, What kind of Man is this, that even the winds and the sea obey Him! (Amp)

Just like the disciples, He comes to question us. He asks, "Who do people say the Son of Man is?" (Matthew 16:13)
He asks them:" Who do you say that I am?"(Mark 8:27)

Jesus knew the Spirit of God had shown Peter who He was.......and desired they not speak to others about it........(Mark 8:30)

As we saw in Peter, we too, can have knowledge of the Holy One. We can know why He was sent. In the case of Peter though, we also know that he not only attached his hopes and dreams to Jesus, but am thoroughly convinced that Peter also had some great visions of conquering the Roman occupation in Jerusalem at the time.

Again we find Jesus addressing Peter in that of Matthew 16:21 and onward to verse 25..........21 From that time forth Jesus began [clearly] to show His disciples that He must go to Jerusalem and suffer many things at the hands of the elders and the high priests and scribes, and be killed, and on the third day be raised from death. 22 Then Peter took Him aside to speak to Him privately and began to reprove and charge Him sharply, saying, God forbid, Lord! This must never happen to You! 23 But Jesus turned away from Peter, and said to him, Get behind Me, Satan! You are in My way [ an offense and a hindrance and a snare to Me] ; for you are minding what partakes not of the nature and quality of God, but of men. 24 Then Jesus said to His disciples, If anyone desires to be My disciples; let him deny himself [disregard, lose sight of, and forget himself and his own interests] and take up his cross and follow Me [cleave steadfastly to Me, conform wholly to My example in living and, if need be, in dying, also].  25 For whoever is bent on saving his [ temporal ] life [his comfort and security here] shall lose it [eternal life ]; and whoever loses his life [his comfort and security here] for My sake shall find it [ life everlasting].

Yes, Peter spoke sharply about his plan for the Lord Jesus, and in return Jesus spoke God's plan........"for you Peter are minding what partakes not of the nature and quality of God, but of men."

Change comes, people come and yes they sometimes leave. Although I would liked to have kept them friends by my side or at least close to me and mine for a long time. Alas, it turned not that way.......no that revolving door keeps us together in God's presence and allowing those to come that we might meet for five minutes, one hour, two months or maybe some 18 years. But sooner or later we meet the "new", the incoming, those just starting out in marriage, those having that first child or maybe the third, we meet those who have lost a spouse and a close friend of ours, but that revolving door keeps turning, life is going forward, and the sun will surely rise in the East tomorrow.

Peter certainly faced some challenges, like we all do. And Peter turned his back on Jesus when others asked of his involvement in Jesus' life.

Luke 22:55-62
55 Now when they had kindled a fire in the midst of the courtyard and sat down together, Peter sat among them. 56 And a certain servant girl, seeing him as he sat by the fire, looked intently at him and said, "This man was also with Him." 57 But he denied Him, saying, "Woman, I do not know Him." 58 And after a little while another saw him and said, "You also are of them." But Peter said, "Man, I am not!" 59 Then after about an hour had passed, another confidently affirmed, saying, "Surely this fellow also was with Him, for he is a Galilean." 60 But Peter said, "Man, I do not know what you are saying!" Immediately, while he was still speaking, the rooster crowed. 61 And the Lord turned and looked at Peter. And Peter remembered the word of the Lord, how He had said to him, "Before the rooster crows, you will deny Me three times." 62 So Peter went out and wept bitterly.
NKJV

It all came down to "loyalty". For we find Peter in Acts. And he spoke " we must obey God rather than men."

See below the passage:

Acts 5:23-32
 24 Now when the high priest, the captain of the temple, and the chief priests heard these things, they wondered what the outcome would be. 25 So one came and told them, saying, "Look, the men whom you put in prison are standing in the temple and teaching the people!" 26 Then the captain went with the officers and brought them without violence, for they feared the people, lest they should be stoned. 27 And when they had brought them, they set them before the council. And the high priest asked them, 28 saying, "Did we not strictly command you not to teach in this name? And look, you have filled Jerusalem with your doctrine, and intend to bring this Man's blood on us!" 29 But Peter and the other apostles answered and said: "We ought to obey God rather than men. 30 The God of our fathers raised up Jesus whom you murdered by hanging on a tree. 31 Him God has exalted to His right hand to be Prince and Savior, to give repentance to Israel and forgiveness of sins. 32 And we are His witnesses to these things, and so also is the Holy Spirit whom God has given to those who obey Him."
NKJV

That loyalty came by heeding and continuing to follow after truth. As Peter was His witness to these things of what they wrote about to give to us, we also know that we abide as Peter and the other Apostles. We have the Holy Spirit to guide us, comfort us, and lead us into life everlasting. Whether we see ourselves in Peter or maybe John the Beloved, we each have that place and for my husband and myself it has appeared much like a big revolving door. We have people come to us, visit for awhile and then move on. But I am looking forward to eternity and catching up with those who have gone on to glory, to visiting with those who will not have to leave us again, but we will all be together to worship, to glorify and bring praise to God, the God of Love, Who is Love and will always set us on those pathways where we experience more love, greater peace and much joy........yes, how much He has given to us..............and will keep on giving to us for an eternity. Amen.

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

Who Then Is The Faithful and Wise Servant?

The Faithful and the Wise:

Matthew 24:45-51......45 "Who then is a faithful and wise servant, whom his master made ruler over his household, to give them food in due season? 46 Blessed is that servant whom his master, when he comes, will find so doing. 47 Assuredly, I say to you that he will make him ruler over all his goods. 48 But if that evil servant says in his heart, 'My master is delaying his coming,' 49 "and begins to beat his fellow servants, and to eat and drink with the drunkards, 50 the master of that servant will come on a day when he is not looking for him and at an hour that he is not aware of, 51 and will cut him in two and appoint him his portion with the hypocrites. There shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth.  NKJV

Each of us has a role in the kingdom of God! Each have been given the choice being faithful to God, to teach God's words to others, and to serve God always! Yes, but Shelley I am no teacher. Each of us have had children or even nieces or nephews that we could teach the Word of God to in time. In being faithful to God and serving Him, we are submitting to His authority, and the example of influence to those in our family or the family of God.
Even those who have no children today, but are planning a family in the next few years, now is a good time to start finding those faith building books on the Bible. Now is a good time to ask the Lord how to lead your family into God's plan. Invite the Holy Spirit to speak about your future children to come to you!
Each of us should have the fire to want to spend time with God and hear His plans for the day.


Joshua 24:14-15......14 "Now therefore, fear the LORD, serve Him in sincerity and in truth, and put away the gods which your fathers served on the other side of the River and in Egypt. Serve the LORD! 15 And if it seems evil to you to serve the LORD, choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve, whether the gods which your fathers served that were on the other side of the River, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land you dwell. But as for me and my house, we will serve the LORD."    NKJV

In the body of Christ, some are called to be Apostles, some to be Prophets, Teachers, Evangelists ( those who evangelize a community or those who travel overseas), Pastors, and the ministry gifts. There is the Miracles and Gifts of healings ( one may flow in healing of headaches and another may flow in the healing for aching back) as regarded as a distinct ministry. (1 Corinthians 12:28) There is the Helps ( which envelops the praise and worship) it also includes those who give financially into the kingdom, Governments ( as pastors of administrating), and Diversity of Tongues. (1 Corinthian 12: 28, 30). Each of us as a place to stand in, and we all have a role in teaching our children and their children how to be a faithful servant. That is, doing what the Lord told us to do and then continue to do it. Like teaching, that is all you want to do is teach. One who loves the Word of God and desires to spend time looking up the different scriptures finding you spent all morning or a portion of a day on "one thing" and enjoying it!

Some are not called to hold a specific office in the Body of Christ, but all are called to teach and tell others of Jesus  and the love of God! Each of us has a role in His kingdom!

Are we THE wise?

Foolish…from the Greek word moros which is dull or stupid.

James 3:17-18...17 But the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, willing to yield, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality and without hypocrisy. 18 Now the fruit of righteousness is sown in peace by those who make peace. NKJV

Always asking God for “the wisdom that comes from heaven [ which ] is first of all pure, peaceable (peace-loving), considerate, submissive, full of mercy and good fruit, impartial and sincere”

Matthew 5:14-16………..14 You are the light of the world. A city that is set on a hill cannot be hidden. 15 Nor do they light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a lampstand, and it gives light to all who are in the house. 16 Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven. NKJV

Light, that revelation knowledge of who Jesus is and what He did for us is to grow continually. That light will grow brighter and brighter lighting the path we are to travel on this journey. It is one that takes some time reading and praying. It is not looking up what someone else wrote or said, but it is looking into the "the perfect law of liberty" and finding what speaks to us that specific day.  Never just take my word or anyone else's for that matter but look into the Bible and find what speaks to you. I can teach, but I also remind everyone everywhere to search the scriptures yourself. Look up that which you are believing to come to pass in your life. GOD'S PRESENCE WILL BE EVIDENT WHEN YOU LOOK INTO a teaching ......if the one you are reading seems like a vacant land with no life, then look elsewhere. Any teaching should always reflect Jesus and not about man.

If it is more peace you need, then search peace, If it is more wisdom, ask like James 1:4 says.
James 1:4-7.......... 5 If any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to him. 6 But when he asks, he must believe and not doubt, because he who doubts is like a wave of the sea, blown and tossed by the wind. 7 That man should not think he will receive anything from the Lord; 8 he is a double-minded man, unstable in all he does.  NIV

Attribute of wise man: controls his emotions, is not led by them
Proverbs 29:11.....11 A fool vents all his feelings,
But a wise man holds them back.   NKJV

Attribute of the wise: he heeds counsel

Proverbs 12:15…..15 The way of a fool is right in his own eyes,

But he who heeds counsel is wise. NKJV

Attribute of a fool: despises authority and will not follow

Proverbs 15:5…..5 A fool despises his father's instruction,

But he who receives correction is prudent. NKJV

Attribute of a wise man: is a peacemaker

Proverbs 20:3….3 It is honorable for a man to stop striving,

Since any fool can start a quarrel.  NKJV

Attribute of wise men: turn away wrath, seeking good for all

Proverbs 29:8......8 Scoffers set a city aflame,
But wise men turn away wrath.   NKJV

Whatever God has placed within us, we are to see that it grows.

Matthew 25:19-30......19 After a long time the lord of those servants came and settled accounts with them. 20 So he who had received five talents came and brought five other talents, saying, 'Lord, you delivered to me five talents; look, I have gained five more talents besides them.' 21 "His lord said to him, 'Well done, good and faithful servant; you were faithful over a few things, I will make you ruler over many things. Enter into the joy of your lord.' 22 "He also who had received two talents came and said, 'Lord, you delivered to me two talents; look, I have gained two more talents besides them.' 23 "His lord said to him, 'Well done, good and faithful servant; you have been faithful over a few things, I will make you ruler over many things. Enter into the joy of your lord.' 24 "Then he who had received the one talent came and said, 'Lord, I knew you to be a hard man, reaping where you have not sown, and gathering where you have not scattered seed. 25 And I was afraid, and went and hid your talent in the ground. Look, there you have what is yours.' 26 "But his lord answered and said to him, 'You wicked and lazy servant, you knew that I reap where I have not sown, and gather where I have not scattered seed. 27 So you ought to have deposited my money with the bankers, and at my coming I would have received back my own with interest. 28 Therefore take the talent from him, and give it to him who has ten talents. 29 For to everyone who has, more will be given, and he will have abundance; but from him who does not have, even what he has will be taken away. 30 And cast the unprofitable servant into the outer darkness. There will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.'   NKJV

I like what my husband always speaks, "we each need to know our roles in how to lead others. If any of us is over a group of people to lead them, then we must know what is available to us to lead them." "If we do not know to teach and that which will encourage and cause them to grow (either in the workplace or home) we do not equip anyone to follow in doing the same that should have been instructed." 

I think of those who minister in music. Some I have known are exhorters as well. They encourage and can do it through song.

I think of this one lady and I will call her Jody.   She has children but two were diagnosed with autism. Although they were diagnosed, it does not have them. She works with them to see they have the normal life like everyone else. She sees to it that they are in church, having their class in the Word of God. She encourages them and others as well. She always gives her time to working within the workplace (as in conferences, etc) to see others know about autism and how it does not defeat people. She is a teacher! She teaches what she has been equipped to do! She is doing an awesome work in the power of God to see change for many others and not just for her own. She is the faithful and wise servant!

Influence is important, and knowing our role is important. It is not flaunting, but always reflecting that light, revelation knowledge of the scriptures laid down by Jesus. May the Lord find us fulfilling Matthew 24:46. May we be that wise servant fulfilling our role in what was established for us from the foundation of the world.

Father, we pray in Jesus' name, that in this ministry to our family  and those who watch us like at work or even driving on the highway, we know we are influencing others. We also know that we have received mercy and we desire to not lose heart. For we who follow YOU have renounced the hidden things of shame, not walking in craftiness nor handling of the word of God deceitfully. We do not try to trick anyone into believing, and we are not interested in fooling anyone. Today I stand to teach others what You have shown me and as standing in Your presence, I speak to tell the truth to all who know me will agree. (2 Corinthians 4:1-6) Living Bible

Father, we know that we never try to teach what the Bible does not say, but what is revealed to our hearts through Your Holy Spirit.

We know from the Word of God (verse 3) that the word hidden is to the one who is on the road to eternal death. Our eyes have been opened to see the glorious light of the Gospel. That word is shining upon us to know the amazing message about the glory of Christ, who is God. 

We pray that any and all who come across our paths, will see light in the darkness. We pray for eyes to open that have been blind to the good news the Gospel. We say together, "let there be light in the darkness..........that is the glory that is seen in the face of  Jesus Christ", our Lord and Master.(verse 6, Living Bible)

We desire to be diligent in being the wise servant doing what YOU asked us to do. Help those see who know not what their call is, to find the place and do what burns in their bellies to do. AND MAY THEY STAND FAITHFUL TO DO THAT CALL YOU HAVE GIVEN THEM. We ask to be the influence that radiates the light of Jesus to the dark world and find favor from YOU Father to fulfill the plan You set forth for each of us. May it be to Your glory and praise. Amen.

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