That Character or Lack Of

 

Whose character traits do we want to carry through to the grave? Matthew 5:48, "Therefore you shall be perfect as your Father in heaven is perfect." Colossians 1:28 Him we preach, warning every man and teaching every man in all wisdom that we may present every man perfect in Christ Jesus. 

Character is based on knowing God. Jesus defines eternal life as "to know God". This "know" suggests a very close intimacy, just as a husband and wife are intimate in marriage. (Genesis 4:1) The word for "eternal" is the word Aionis translated as to not only duration but more importantly that quality of life. Living endlessly is not necessarily good. True eternal life is the life of God. It is possessing that has the meaning of experiencing some splendor, that lives in the glorious fruits here on earth. Martin Luther King is still talked about today, although they want to change his speaking. 

An example of this is found in Psalm 9:10 "And those who know Your name will put their trust in You; for You, Lord, have not forsaken those who seek You. Those living by faith do not trust in what He is called, for that would be mere superstition. Their faith is in what He is, His character and nature, which they have experienced by seeking to live His way. ( David spoke to Israel and the giant Goliath, that he spoke: "1 Samuel 17:45 " You come to me with a sword, with a speak and with a javelin, But I come to you in the name of the LORD of hosts, the God of the armies of Israel, whom you have defied." 46 "This day the LORD will deliver you into my hand, and I will take your head from you." "And this day I will give the carcasses of the camp of the Philistines to the birds of the air and the wild beasts of the earth, that all the earth may know that there is a God in Israel."

Passing through the barrier is to have focus interest and ambition heavenward. It is casting away specific vises and cultivation of certain virtues. Those pertaining to the sensual indulgence, attitude, speech and prejudice of the mind must die.

I am truly amazed every year, when Martin Luther King day arrives, people are wanting to change his vision to suit their agenda. When he spoke of his dream it was that his children would have character to exist in this life now. It would not be by the color of their skin. Yet, today, we have people who choose to put fleshly things on the altar of their own religion.1 John 1:3 that which we have seen and heard we declare to you, that you also may have fellowship with us; and truly our fellowship is with the Father and with His Son Jesus Christ, 4 and these things we write to your that your joy may be full. 5 This is the message which we have heard from Him and declare to you, that God is light and in Him is no darkness at all. 6 If we say that we have fellowship with Him, and walk in darkness, we lie and do not practice the truth. 7 But if we walk in the light as He is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanses us from all sin.

WHAT is DEMONSTRATED and seen here is our response to people based on the kind of character they have demonstrated. Fools will be dealt with differently than with those who are the wise!

Matthew 16:1-4 Then the Pharisees and Sadducees came, and testing Him asked that he would show them a sign from heaven. 2 He answered and said to them, “When it is evening you say, ‘It will be foul weather today, for the sky is red and threatening.’ ‘Hypocrites!’ You know how to discern the face of the sky, but you cannot discern the signs of the times. 4 “A wicked and adulterous generation seeks after a sign, and no sign shall be given to it except the sign of the prophet Jonah. And He left them and departed.

1.   From verse 4: Jesus’ description of Israel’s religious leaders is reminiscent of Deut. 32:5 where Moses rebuked Israel for rejecting Yahweh.

2.   Deuteronomy 32:5-6 NKJV They have corrupted themselves; they are not His children, because of their blemish: a perverse and crooked generation. 6 Do you thus deal(repay  )with the LORD, O foolish and unwise people? Is He not your Father, who bought you? Has He not made you and established you?

3.   The relationship with the LORD is ruined when His children no longer act like His children.

4.   They had become a grotesque mockery of what God created them to be.

Matthew 12: 39-40 NKJV  39  But He answered and said to them, “An evil and adulterous generation seeks after a sign, and no sign will be given to it except the sign of the prophet Jonah. 40 For as Jonah was three days and three nights in the belly of the great fish, so will the Son of Man be three days and three nights in the heart of the earth.

An attitude that demands the miraculous sign as that condition for belief does not and will not please God. Jesus told Thomas: John 20:29 “blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed. Seeing always follows believing!

A spiritual adulterous exhibition was presented by the scribe’s and Pharisees because of their rejection of Jesus. These were both blind and in opposition to His authority : He the wise, they the fools!

We see this today in the present hour. You have the few wise and many fools! You have those trying to stop I.C.E. agents from doing their jobs. This present age is choosing Barabbas over Jesus!

 Proverbs 27:20 Hell and Destruction are never full; so the eyes of man are never satisfied.                                                                                                      

People’s eyes have that capacity for lust,  envy & greed. The Rich Man in Luke 16 had wealth but had no wisdom: Proverbs 17:16 Why is there a price in the hand of a fool to buy wisdom, When he has no sense [literally, “heart”]? (17:16). The rich man had no heart for the man who begged for crumbs at the rich man’s gate.  Have we asked God for His heart concerning the lost?

Proverbs 18:2 A fool has no delight in understanding, But only in expressing ( or revealing) his own heart . Here the wealthy man is capture in the flame and cannot pass to Abraham, yet he wants Abraham to send Lazarus to quench his thirst in that flame. He wants the same to be done for him in hell as it was in his palace or notable estate he owned. He wants word to be given to his five brothers to not come to this place hell but repent.

But the rich man is told “if they do not hear Moses and the prophets, neither will they be persuaded though one rose from the dead.”

 Proverbs 18:2 A fool has no delight in understanding, But only in expressing ( or revealing) his own heart . God gave us His wisdom to have knowledge and  understanding. He is not about destruction but restoring WHEN REPENTANCE APPEARS! He is about repentance His plan for each man, woman and child. God is not willing that any person should suffer the judgment coming but for all to repent and turn to Him.  ( seen in Luke 13:3-5; 2 Peter 3:9)

We can see a glimpse of those creatures from hell. We can see where the door to the bottomless pit is opened and smoke rises as the smoke of a great furnace.

Revelation 9:2-11 NKJV And he opened the bottomless pit, & smoke arose out of the pit like the smoke of a great furnace. So the sun and the air were darkened because of the smoke of the pit. 3 Then out of the smoke locusts came upon the earth. And to them was given power, as the scorpions of the earth have power. 4 They were commanded not to harm the grass of the earth, or any green thing or any tree, but only those men who do not have the seal of God on their foreheads. 5 & they were not given authority to kill them, but to torment them for 5 months. Their torment was like the torment of a scorpion when it strikes a man. 6 In those days men will seek death and will not find it; they will desire to die & death will flee from them. 7 The shape of the locusts was like horses prepared for battle. On their heads were crowns of something like gold, & their faces were like the faces of men. 8 They had hair like women’s hair and their teeth were like lion’s teeth. 9 & they had breastplates like breastplates of iron & the sound of their wings was like the sound of chariots with many horses running into battle. 10 They had tails like scorpions and there were stings in their tails. Their power was to hurt men 5 months. 11 And they had as king over them the angel of the bottomless pit, whose name in Hebrew is Abaddon, but in Greek he has the name of Apollyon.

1.   Locusts or (grasshoppers) thick as smoke come up out of the abyss

2.   Not regular locusts like the insect that eats plants/destroys trees; These are locusts that are demonic that torment people; target those who do not have God’s seal on them; from v. 7 they have faces like those of men, they have intelligence ;Their wings make a great sound, noisy, terrifying ; These creatures have a leader: Abaddon in Hebrew & in Greek Apollyon…meaning destruction/destroyer ; They will be tormented by what they worshiped on earth; God will not allow these men to die, but just be tormented/These will attack for 5 months. They, being demonic are grotesque, with lion-like teeth & human like faces & breastplates of scales.

3. Reminds us of those designed by the movie makers, where robotics have the face of men, have some intelligence, but also have awesome and terrifying sounds in wings.  Philippians 1: 27-30 .. 27 Only let your conduct be worthy of the gospel of Christ, so that whether I come & see you or am absent, I may hear of your affairs, that you stand fast in one spirit, with one mind, striving together for the faith of the gospel, 28 & not in any way terrified by your adversaries, which is to them a proof of perdition, but to you of salvation, & that from God. 29 For to you it has been granted on behalf of Christ, 

Those who encountered Jesus demanded more and more signs. In Matt. 16:1-4 and in this occurrence to perform one from heaven. Demanding a sign, even though a sign was given by John the Baptist of the Messiah present with them. In their dullness they saw no history being made within their generation. The Son of God stood before them and they knew Him not!  Ephesians 5:6 Let no one deceive you with empty words for because of these things the wrath of God comes upon the sons of disobedience. 7 Therefore do not be partakers with them. Hell is a real & those who are bound to that place have a fierce & hostile character toward those who have the image of God. Those held in justice, that righteousness of a holy God find faith their lifeline & the character points to Jesus, wisdom of great light leading us who believe & choose to be wise in Him!

People on what is considered the  "left" want you to love what they love, but is wrong in every way. They want you to kneel to their likes and plans. Yet, God is moving and He is always working. He reveals Himself daily and are we seeing Him in this hour? Warning going out about tsunamis and great earthquakes are on the horizon here on the west coast, and who is awake for such an event? There is a ring of fire in the Pacific Ocean ramping up for something big, there is a multitude raising voices about people recruited for "rapid response" teams all designed to swarm I.C.E. and  there are more grocery stores who are having less on their shelves. Ready or not, your character will be seen and heard! What a "poor woman" on commercial spoke: " she spent all one hundred dollars on her groceries  for family. Well, I can tell you here in this area, a couple can spend almost $500. Not sure what planet she is on but she is not being truthful.

That character you have or have lack of is about to be revealed!

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THAT Forgiveness!

 

Forgiveness: that which is wrapped up in God's love!

Jesus hung on the Cross! He was forgiving others all the while giving them the Father’s kingdom. Was thinking on this the past several days and meditating verses like reproofs of instruction are the way of life found in Proverbs 6:22-23!

God in His wisdom brought reproofs to us through His word of truth. And that instruction in that reproof is the way of life. That word of God is a commandment. It is a lamp to light the way for us.

Again, in view of Jesus hanging from the cross, we are reminded of those He still could and would communicate with while encountering such hate of hostile people. And can we or will we continue to communicate the Father’s word of truth to those who vitally need it right now?

One specific passage I think about is when the religious leaders called Jesus names. John 8 :37 ( Jesus speaking here) I know that you are Abraham’s descendants, but you seek to kill Me, because My word has no place in you. 38 “I speak what I have seen with My Father, and you do what you have seen with your father.” 39 They answered and said to Him, Abraham is our father.” Jesus said to them, “If you were Abraham’s children, you would do the works of Abraham. 40 “But you seek to kill Me, a Man who has told you the truth which I heard from God. Abraham did not do this. 41 “You do the deeds of your father. “Then they said to Him, “we were not born of fornication; we have one Father----God.” 42 Jesus said to them. “ If God were your Father, you would love Me, for I proceeded forth and came from God; nor have I come of Myself, but he sent Me. 43”Why do you not understand My speech? Because you are not able to listen to My word. 44 “You are of your father the devil and the desires of your father you want to do. He was a murderer from the beginning, and does not stand in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he speaks a lie, he speaks from his own resources, for he is a liar and the father of it.” 45 “But because I tell the truth, you do not believe Me. 46 “Which of you convicts Me of sin? And if I tell the truth, why do you not believe Me? 47 “He who is of God hears God’s words; therefore you do not hear, because you are not of God.” 

John 8:48 Then the Jews answered and said to Him, “Do we not say rightly that You are a Samaritan and have a demon?” 49 Jesus answered, “I do not have a demon,; but I honor my Father, and you dishonor Me. 50 “And I do not seek My own glory; there is One who seeks and judges. 51 Most assuredly, I say to you, if anyone keeps My word he shall never see death.” 52 Then the Jews said to Him, “Now we know that You have a demon! Abraham is dead, and the prophets; and You say, ‘If anyone keeps My word he shall never taste death.’ 

John 8:53 Are You greater than our father Abraham who is dead? And the prophets are dead. “Who do You make Yourself out to be?” 54 Jesus answered, “If I honor Myself, My honor is nothing. It is My Father who honors Me, of whom you say that He is your God. 55 “Yet you have not known Him, but I know Him. And if I say, ‘I do not know Him,”, I shall be a liar like you; but I do know Him and keep His word. 56 “Your father Abraham rejoiced to see My day, and he saw it and was glad.” 57 Then the Jews said to Him, “you are not yet fifty years old, and have You seen Abraham?” 58 Jesus said to them, “Most assuredly, I say to you, before Abraham was, I AM.” 59 Then they took up stones to throw at Him; but Jesus hid Himself and went out of the temple, going through the midst of them and so passed by.

Jesus continued to give truth to those who had hardened hearts! His claim to be eternal: “I AM” was also seen to these as His speaking of His being divine. Jesus spoke the truth. But hardened hearts will not listen and these religious people would not hear. From His beginning of hearing God’s word from the prophets of Isaiah, Jeremiah who lived in tumultuous times, that of the Law of Moses in the first books: Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers and Deuteronomy, it was Jesus Who would know what David wrote as the worshiper of God, what Ezekiel saw in visions, what Daniel prayed, and what was given in visions for that which be sealed up for another time to be the revealed and Jesus would know what was given in Malachi and yes, is so needed today. And it is that which Malachi is quoted of speaking given in the passage found in Luke 1:16-17 And he will turn many of the children of Israel to the Lord their God. 17 He will also go before Him in the spirit and power of Elijah, ‘to turn the hearts of the fathers to the children’, and the disobedient to the wisdom of the just, to make ready a people prepared for the Lord.” This is of course speaking of John the Baptist who prepared the way for Jesus. He herald the arrival of the Messiah, the gift of God’s grace.

 

Forgiveness was something Jesus spoke about: Matthew 6:14-15 “For if you forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you.” 15 “But if you do not forgive men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses.” Adopting forgiveness of others into our prayer life is a daily discipline that Jesus emphasized. What we are disciplined in prayer and for others as in forgiveness, one grows, and becomes a character that has qualities that will sustain relationships with others.

Forgiveness is that which is wrapped up in God's love and that kind of love makes one strong! At the Foot of the Cross we gained salvation. We are the forgiven. In not forgiving, we forfeit a life in HIM! If we do not forgive, our Father in heaven will not forgive us!

Mark 11:20-26  Amp.    20 In the morning, when they were passing along, they noticed that the fig tree was withered [completely] away to its roots. 21 & Peter remembered and said to Him, Master, look! The fig tree which You doomed has withered away! 22 And Jesus replying, said to them, have faith in God [constantly]. 23 Truly I tell you, whoever says to this mountain, be lifted up & thrown into the sea! And does not doubt at all in his heart but believes that what he says will take place, it will be done for him. 24 For this reason I am telling you, whatever you ask for in prayer, believe (trust and be confident) that it is granted to you and you will [ get it].  25 And whenever you stand praying, if you have anything against anyone, forgive him &  let it drop ( leave it, let it go), in order that your Father Who is in heaven may also forgive you your [own] failings & shortcomings & let them drop. 26 But if do not forgive, neither will your Father in heaven forgive your failings and shortcomings.

 

The teaching here is that the tree represented men in that generation. They were not producers of anything but gave their lives to being hypocritical of others. The men of that priesthood exploited others for their own profit of gain. The priesthood of that time which was at one time confirmed by the miracle of a dry rod, the budded, & blossomed branch that had brought almonds ( Nu.17:8) is now showing evidence of fruitlessness.  This rod had revealed Aaron’s authority who served with Moses.…The priesthood of Jesus’ day had moved away from God. They now were drunk in their own glory! AND they had produced  their priesthood according to their own plans & imaginations. They had rejected Jesus and would soon be rejected by Him.    

True spiritual health is indeed found in forgiving others! At the Cross, Jesus spoke: "Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they do." Luke 23:34

He came to earth, to live as a man, and died between two criminals. Hanging by the strength of nails, he sees the soldiers who mocked and scourged Him. He recalls the blows that tortured Him and while that is visible in His mind, what runs vividly is that Caiaphas & the high priests of the Sanhedrin…have sentenced Him to die. With blood running over his eyes, He sees John with His mother Mary. His apostles and friends that He knew well had deserted Him. Peter denied Him 3 times…….& only the fickle remain, yes that crowd who just praised Him on His entrance into that city of Jerusalem has now demanded His crucifixion some hours later!

Forgiveness was and is His focus! And it is His love that prevails! In those final hours on earth, He has forgiven those who trespassed against Him, including Peter. Jesus had told Peter in Matthew 18:21-22 to seventy times seven to forgive another. He forgave the paralytic at Capernaum: Mark 3:3-12. He forgives the sinful woman who anointed Him in the home of Simon the Pharisee: Luke 7:37-48! The adulteress caught in the act and was to be stone: John 8:1-11

 

Whether it was throwing out the money changers in John 2:14 or Matthew 21:12-17, these Jews were having a business within what was God’s House of Prayer. They were far from God and Jesus caused the conversation and His teaching to remind them of what was given as truth. They had their own belief and in their hardness they were the persistent and the obstinate in wrong thinking and no longer covenant people of God. It was because of their unbelief that opened a door for the Gentiles to have opportunity to receive Christ.

Jesus gave the example of the forgiving heart! And He had a return ticket to His Father! John 16:28  "I came from the Father and have come into the world; again, I am leaving the world and going to the Father"

 Jesus fulfills His own mission and that of His Father on the Cross! He directs His final word, “Father, into Your hands I commend My spirit. Luke 23:46

  

Jesus accomplished the plan of God! Jesus the majesty, and the power. “Behold your King!” John 19:14….Jesus is presented as He who is majestic & dignified….He went bearing His own Cross John 19:17.  Jesus of Nazareth, the King of the Jews.” John 19:19 ;The innocent Lamb slain for the sins of man, yes yours and mine that we be the forgiven. Now completed, He is the obedient to the Father, He is love defined for the world to see, and He redeemed us with that death on the Cross!

"Certainly this was a righteous Man" (Luke 23:47).

The righteous forgive, but they also continue like Jesus did. And that is to get up…and give the word of life to others even when they refuse, bully or even try to stone you with words that are nothing but lies. YOU know who their father is! We get up and continue to give life. We continue to forgive but speak truth. We forgive and move forward and with appreciation. We make our boast from our hearts that God is love, and He is with us. We continue daily forgiving, giving thanks to be alive in the kingdom of God, and forgetting the past. Appreciation is giving thanks for that which we have come to the table where blessings abound, reproofs are instruction in the way of life. And when we hide His word in our hearts, it is so that we not sin again. For in His word we are the warned, we are kept in His truth and with it is a great reward. (Psalm 19:11)

Forever His word is settled in heaven. (Psalm 119:89) In our intimacy with Him, His word gives us wise and discerning behavior. Jesus carried it and displayed it always. It is a path of heritage and of joy. It is guidance of the Lord’s instruction that enables the believer to negotiate right and wrong: Proverbs 6:23 For the commandment is a lamp and the law a light; reproofs of instruction are the way of life.

 Our lifestyles should be dictating what instruction that we should be getting. If our message is watered-down, then what will contribute to growth in the believer who ministers to those on the outside. We should people of strength, life and influence, but those who receive only water-down messages or give water-down testimonies will only people with no strength, no life and definitely no influence. But they would reveal they have tolerances for those things God hates. YOU know them: like the haughty look, like the lying tongue, like the hands that murder, like the heart which devises wicked schemes, like feet that run swiftly to evil and yes, the false witness and he who sows discord among the brethren. (Proverbs 6:16-19) 

And if you and I bow to these things, what does that speak of our character? For we must stand against the lying tongue by giving truth. We must stand against murder, for that of God is for life and not death!

 We must stand against wickedness that tries to murder the fatherless and the widow, to him Who tries to murder the babe in the womb. For these speak of men who have fallen to the depths of hell. We must be those who have reproof in God's instruction to live. Let us not fail in forgiving others, but let's remember to always stand in truth, speak it with boldness of heart and expect God to be with us and nor forsake us in Jesus' name. For ours is the kingdom of God.....Amen.

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Pedal To the Metal

In those good 'ole days back in the mid 20th century, the vehicles were made out of metal. There was no thought of having a head-on crash with anyone, for one had some real metal guarding that 409.......yes, those were the days!
The best thing that could be said at that time, was you could put the pedal to the metal.........that was pressing down on that gas pedal and leave some rubber from those tires on the roadway. Not smart at all, yet was fun at least to do once or twice. Yes, that gas pedal could be pushed down and it would meet the metal in that floorboard of pick-up or car.
Then the era came for the test dummies and those fastened in seat belts. What seat belts? It was never really implemented as to the importance of said seat-belt, even though they could be found in some cars, trucks and pick-ups but not on school buses. Then vehicles were starting to be made out of I guess generic stuff and not that which would hold resistance to another vehicle. Today, you can see what happens to a vehicle made out of fiberglass hit by a semi-truck. Not good at all especially if you are the one riding in the fiberglass, sports job type vehicle.
I remember of the one year living in the city of Northglenn, Colorado made me want to be in the country....for good. There was a song by John Denver......and it went.......something like this, "take me home, country road". It is one our daughter's favorite songs, yes that country road with no sight of car or bus for many, many miles. A young, newly married,woman was on her way home from work on a weekday. She had got off the exit for Northglenn and was stopped at the light to turn onto the main road for the city there. But the semi coming up behind her could not brake........yes, the brakes failed and that "big" semi went through that intersection with no way to stop. She was driving in one of those MG sport cars with the top off. All they found was her wedding ring.
I cried for days. I saw the pictures on T.V. and prayed. And every April I revisit that scene in my thoughts. All though these many decades have passed, I wonder if she was saved (if she really knew Jesus)

Yes, that pedal to the metal........sounds awesome........and to get the speed up to go faster. Even the term, like "throttle Up" can excite those who want to go into space. Yeah all that rocket fuel bursting forth into energy just behind your rear parts to propel you into space and to view what? Yes, that would be exciting and scary!

But so many things can occur at once when we start moving quickly, like making decisions that probably need some prayer time over before speaking or signing anything that might be costly to us or to our children.

In the new year that is upon us, I pray that we ponder the amazing works of the Lord in our lives. I pray that we would consider all the avenues that He has opened for us to journey through watching all the while that He is with us. I also pray that we would continually be open to seeing His paths before us.

Proverbs 3:5-7
Lean on, trust in, and be confident in the Lord with all your heart and mind and do not rely on your own insight or understanding. 6 In all your ways know, recognize and acknowledge Him and He will direct and make straight and plain your paths. 7 Be not wise in your own eyes; reverently fear and worship the Lord and turn [entirely] away from evil. Amplified

Proverbs 8:13-14
The reverent fear and worshipful awe of the Lord [includes] the hatred of evil; pride arrogance, the evil way, and perverted and twisted speech I hate. 14 I have counsel and sound knowledge, I have understanding, I have might and power.

Proverbs 6:20-23
My son, keep your father's [God -given] commandments and forsake not the law of [God] your mother [taught] you. 21 Bind them continually upon your heart and tie them about your neck [Proverbs 3:3; Proverbs 7:3]
22 When you go, they [the words of your parent's God] shall lead you; when you sleep, they shall keep you; and when you awaken, they shall talk with you. 23 For the commandment is a lamp, and the whole teaching [of the law] is light, and reproofs of discipline are the way of life. [Psalm 19:8] [Psalm 119:105]

That reproof, that discipline is life and it is from the Lord. When it is time for our lives to make a difference in this world, it is when we lean not to that which was taught by man and his wisdom, but by God alone. Our parents, if they attended to hearing God's Word is to teach us in the way of wisdom. In all our ways we are to recognize, yes recognize the Lord's leading..............ACKNOWLEDGE HIS LEADING...so we see the plan before us. For in recognizing Him, we are then receiving His counsel that is wise and sound. It is not loud, boisterous, hasty or against His Word.  It is that which gives us power and might of His Spirit to move through this journey, not just by giving people the 'message' in less than 25 minutes, but that the 'message' is not bound up in agenda's like making sure the offering message is given and that the music is going to move those "young folks, like those teens". It is not by any agenda's..........!!!
No, those who know God can move through making a difference to the young as well as to the elderly. They speak in peace and justice. They do not demand their own agendas or their own rights, they speak that which brings glory back to God..........and that place is a place of peace and justice.
In our lives, that putting the pedal to the metal, is knowing God is with us, in us and leading us. Amen.  It is His Word that causes us to lie down in green pastures. It is a place we rest at night, not concerned about 75 mile an hour winds, but that God has sent His ministering spirits to minister to us who are His children, His beloved.
God's word awakens us day by day.......to hear and to obey. Still in our choosing, but oh life is so much sweeter and more peace added with justice that delights our God and looks like us possessing the land He desires us to have. It is getting in that vehicle made with whatever man devised, but knowing God has set His angels around us, to guard us, and to keep us.
In being disciplined by His Word, we obey, we are the protected, out of harm's way and living life abundantly to tell others what God has done for us...........from healings, to restored marriages, restored families, and the birth of new ministries and new businesses!
Truly God is good..........and He is love!
In that place, there is no evil, no twisted speech, no hatred, but love. Loving God is hating that which is of the evil, the pride and the arrogance.


In writing this today, I reflect on some of the games(football) played over the weekend and how they seem to be played everyday of the week nowadays. I saw the Cincinnati team being talked about.........seeing and hearing them called only "Cinci"..........wow, nicknames for a team...........!
But one thing caught my eye, and it was this. A young man runs with football into end zone. At some point the football is either thrown down or given to the official who is nearby...........the player then....because of the "touchdown"....does this gesture............of taking his "maybe the pointer fingers"  and middle fingers of both hands ...bringing together and....kissing them...... then pointing upward to the sky..........!
Of course, my thought process was........"what"........was he thanking God ....for the touchdown...!
Not sure.

And only God can tell you the truth on that one. For most of us are not of this young man's team or one of his family members.......but I am certain they could say....something about it...........but in truth God will know if the young man is a true worshiper of God or not.

In the blog: High Risk! I wrote about having that one-to-one with God and how in a very difficult life or death situation who and what we believe will determine our end!
But on writing this today, I also was made to  think on my own life. 
I think of the place I was in that eventful night of March 17.........and with low hemoglobin and no matching blood because of warm antibodies, well it was not one I had planned for other than.........in all my days with the Lord, I was believing and declaring His Word over my life. In that eventful night and time, I was till told HIGH RISK! and the Admitting Dr. thought I should change my mind on whole matter. But in that 3 am hour, with lights turned off and I alone with God and my thoughts of what had just transpired..........I confessed His Word again...........that I would face the unknown of what was before knowing God had me and that was it. In the intimacy of that faithful moment, I reconciled myself to God and His plan and not to man or any kind of sickness or disease any devil could bring. I came to the place that God was more important to me than my life..........and was willing to go on to be with Him, but I believed I had much more to give to others, to encourage others and show others the way to God and His heart!
And in reflecting on what I had seen in that "end zone"........I was saddened for my alone times with God are so important to me, I will not share them with another ever!
And I did ask myself, if there is somewhere in my life am I acting in some manner that would not be of a reverential awe of God? Am I doing something that will not bring glory to God?

In the previous blog: HEARD IT THROUGH THE GRAPEVINE, are we just gossiping about what we have heard others say about God? And how about what we do or say, when other people's names are mentioned?
In speaking about God: are we really the ones with the close relationship to Him or we just exhibiting that we might know Him.........or are we just another who passes His name around but does not really know anything about Him? Are we the name-dropper?
ARE we those who are found with God and filled by His Spirit? Are we, those who operate in HIS power and might? Are we participating in life?  Are we those disciplined to recognize God in our lives, but also recognize Him in the lives of others? Is the total amount that is given to God..equal to all the texting and Facebook that I do? Or is there more time given to posting those pics and seeing what was texted back to me?
Do we give that comforting word that God is here, in this moment that satisfies and heals the broken? 

In that Pedal to the Metal.....it is action time.........but it comes by knowing Him!
 Of which family do we belong? Are we those who are the fortified to go......are the other....?

In closing: think on a moment when you saw a beautiful serene picture. Think of the tranquility of that scene. I think on this picture taken by a photographer over the holidays. It was of this place close to Mt. Hood and the snow was falling. And in it ........he captured..........the sound of "silence" of that snow..........of that scene. How beautiful.............how awe inspiring!
Today, think on your life in that beautiful serene picture. Think of you basking in all that beauty and all the peace. For that is what Your Father in heaven sees for you and for me. It is in that beauty of Him we behold His glory and His great love! And in that love, we find ourselves......yes, we each find our inner self, the unfading beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is of a great worth in God's sight.(1 Peter 3:4)



Father, we are told in Psalm 9:9..."The Lord also will be a refuge and a high tower for the oppressed, a refuge and "stronghold" in times of trouble (high cost, destitution and desperation)" Father we understand that it is about relationship .......and that is with Jesus as our Savior. We are thankful for Jesus, the Lord and King, our Deliverer, Who is our "stronghold".
In all our getting of Your wisdom, we pray and believe that we know seeking to obey Your instructions is paramount for us to live life fully in the good You planned for us. Today, we give worship in praise with our lips that God is an awesome God.
In reading even further in Psalm 9:10 Father, we find this: And they who know YOUR name [who have experience and acquaintance with Your mercy] will lean on and confidently put their trust in You, for You Lord, have not forsaken those who seek (inquire of and for ) You [on the authority of God's Word and the right of their necessity]. Amplified
Our desire heavenly Father is to experience You daily. to intimately know and recognize You when You speak, when You act, when You are pleased with us. For we know that honoring YOU and putting YOU first, in our lives, our enemies are turned back from causing us harm. It is YOU Who delivers us..........and we give thanks.
I cannot speak for all who pray this today, but for me........and my house......we will serve the Lord.
Jesus predicted the time of the end. It is where we find we live and exist. And Jesus said, "but as the days of Noah were, so also will the coming of the Son of Man be. "(Matthew 24:37)
Despite all the serious things going on today, people are still going about those "normal routines". Without considering what is on the horizon coming toward them, they take not a moment to think or ponder on major events and those which will affect them on a personal basis. We pray to not be those easily distracted by noise, by hype, by something given on Facebook, but actually know Your words and thoughts concerning these days and how short time is right now. For we know technology is awesome. To have an outreach like Facebook certainly reaches many lives and may those who do it for life prosper in life to see that which benefits another. Today Holy Spirit help us that as we read the Holy Word, pray for those around us.......to pray for those worldwide who are our brothers and sisters in the Lord. Help us join as that "spiritual" team that will pray and see the best days for those WHO BELIEVE IN JESUS, THE LORD, MESSIAH AND OUR COMING KING! Amen.



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