Don't Live Like a Refugee

Voice of Prayer: Storms come, but do not be defined by them.

Was thinking of this title for about two weeks. I then remembered the lyrics of an "old" Tom Petty song that was done some decades ago, and asked the Lord what I should write about.

Now from that song, he mentions being burned by other lovers and in respect, the world can provide many lover's, but to whom will we trust our hearts to?
Being held for a ransom, literally tied up into something of the world is a "really bad place" to be. Yet there are many who are not saved today. They have not turned to hear His voice, the Lord of glory, but have continued to walk and hold onto abandonment, brokenness and pain.

Refugee: one who flees for safety, either from war, forced out by hurricanes and tornadoes.
The Collins Dictionary gives this meaning: REFUGEES are people who have been forced to leave their homes or their country, either because there is war, because of political or religious beliefs or because of natural disasters.

Bad things can occur. We live an world with an evil ruler (satan), yet our hearts are to be set on Jesus Christ the Lord of glory. Understanding that He is to leads us, yet I wonder how many are still placed in harm's way. More bad can come upon the world when sin is prevailing. 

Scripture tells us in Matthew 5:44-45..."love your enemies, bless those who curse you, do good to those who hate you, and pray for those who spitefully use you and persecute you. 45 "that you may be sons of your Father in heaven; for He makes the sun rise on the evil and o the good; and sends rain on the just and on the unjust.

We may not want to think about that sin thing! But when a nation turns from the things God they move into harm's way.  I remember this family who moved out of harm's way in the Texas area. They moved many miles due north of them to be doing "what the Lord asked them to do". 
So today they are high and yes dry. They have their home and safety as well.

But even if you are in the as we say "bad zone", the Lord has a way out. Being Christian should not be one who just functions within a "church building". They should not to consider that they are cutting edge when they remain closed up like Jericho behind closed doors. (The difference, the world is going to get them, instead the Lord has come  live within us and show us to take the land for His own glory.) If God is truly in us and with us we should be taking the land for His glory.

Recently I had written on standing like Esther. We should stand in the face of any real situation that can kill, yet when we know God is with us, we stand victoriously just like Esther and she did it through prayer. In Scripture we find others as well who took the "hard " road if you will allow it. They took what is known as a non-antagonistic stance toward the world. In Daniel and Joseph, we saw relationship precedes any ministry.
You cannot lead anyone you cannot influence. If we are cut-outs that just fit within the building...then we will be of no value where it counts. It is a real service to speak prophetically to your congregation but what about speaking that in the marketplace?

There has been many violent storms come through the coast lands as well as many fires inland of this great country. Yet are we speaking of God 's goodness and are we going into all the world or is is just about "that" Saturday night service or Sunday morning service.

In Dr. Bernard's Greek translations he introduced three such words for "world".
One is found in Matthew 13:22. Within this speaking of Jesus, "the cares of this world (aion) refers us to the period of time, to a generation that is in human history.

A second one is found Matthew 24:14. Again in Jesus' speaking, it is, "This gospel of the kingdom will be preached in all the world (oikuomene) as a witness to all the nations." Oikuomene means land, territories and geographical nations.

Then Dr. Bernard gave alos a third meaning for world that is found in Mark 16:15. Again within Jesus' speaking,  "Go into all the world (kosmos) and preach the gospel to every creature." This use of kosmos by Christ is very interesting indeed.  Within this meaning we find it means to penetrate every social order, arrangement or culture—the way human society is organized. Yes, we are to penetrate the culture with God's word.

Have had many a talk with my husband and son-on-law as well about how to penetrate the culture as it is. If you have been in church for any length of time you will find it is divided into what is known as the the society in seven pillars.

They are : (1) religion, (2) family, (3) business, (4) education, (5) government, (6) arts, and (7) media. The latter five of business, education, government, arts and media make up what is called the "marketplace."

In understanding we are given the command to "go", then we also understand that Jesus gave us that to "preach" but also to engage.

(In a recent teaching from Life Giving Wells, the Lord gave me the teaching for "God Devised Glorification". Within that teaching we are to engage, not remain within "four walls".

Whether you have been abused by a hurricane, hit by a fast moving tornado or seen raging fires within your community, state or country, still the mandate still holds. We are to engage and in that point to engage that social order within any territory and yes the marketplace we must prove to be the relevant.

I have seen people in the last ten years to stop their teachings and pull up couches to just "chat it up" about some distant memory of God from their youth or early years of ministry but mention nothing of His majesty and glory that prevails when we come on a bent knee to pray in Jesus' name and to live like He purposed: not as a refugee from the area of 'hard knocks', volatile situations but to live for His glory in His peace and His victory. AND that is for today, to live for Him, and expect Him to prevail for us.

There are many people misplaced, and some without anything much to return to but ashes. Do not allow the devil to tell you are finished! Do not allow him to lie to you! It is not over! Get up, dust off and heed God!


And for those who have been through it already, what about our taking part in prayer for those affected, and what about some support from our check-book for those affected, and what about food from our own pantry to support another,  and from the prayer room of our house? 
No we cannot be in all places like God, but when we pray, we live outside of the box. When we pray we seek the face of God and see things change for the glory of God and for the safety of His people things happen, the environment is changed and life appears again.

Living out the Pharisaical route should not be considered among us. 

I remember reading once of Pastor Kong Hee wrote and preached that people of the church were not to live like they are carving out a Christian ghetto for themselves. He wrote they who do live that way, live in legalism and continue to make man-made rules. He said in that environment, members of the Christian faith would be taught to see no evil, hear no evil and speak no evil. 

Yes, each one of them within that congregation would remain unexposed to the world around them and remain also very innocent to those things as he related.

Ours is to live a life unhindered. If we truly live within Jesus's teachings, adhere to that truth only and do as He does we would be outside of the walls more often. God truly wants to keep us safe and if we obey Him, then we should be found with Him in truth, love, peace, holding onto faith that we are purposed to live for Him. Whatever the occurrence in your life, yet God is alive and He hears us when we really seek Him in prayer.

We are not to live as "refugees". We are to live for God to see His glory come and fill this earth, not just within four-walls of a church building. Today, I pray that you would know when God is speaking. And it will not be from the lazy boy recliner of life. We must be immersed in Him, His word, and be those who will pray those truths out. May the Father of Light reveal to you what is on your pathway, and may you heed those detours and obey to move ahead when the going is clear, yet remember He said I will never leave you nor will I ever forsake you. Where ever you may be at this moment and whatever condition, obey the Lord's leading and go in His peace. Live life to the full, and fear not. Remember, " seek first the kingdom of God and all these things shall be added to you. Do not fear, little flock, for it is your Father's good pleasure to give you the kingdom."  ( Luke 12:31-32) Amen.

New teaching at: Voice of Prayer  

Greater

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ciSWjqC6fWQ

You can also visit my You Tube channel Voice of Prayer 

for more teaching at:  http://bit.ly/1tNyBhV

New teaching at: Life Giving Wells

God Devised Glorification

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uw-ubNvAOdY&t=2s

Also visit Life Giving Wells You Tube Channel for more teaching:

http://bit.ly/2wgu1kw

Who Has the LAST WORD in My Life?

In any given situation, who has the last word in my life? In the blog title: HIGH RISK! you can certainly see how quickly things change, and how if we should respond when we do have the Word of God in us!
What determines how we will react to the "bad report" or even a really BAD REPORT?
I believe most people think that "bad things" happen to other people! I believe most go through life thinking that the bad will not touch them, because they have Jesus. But in truth, rain falls on the just as well as the unjust. (verse 45)


Matthew 5:43-48
43 "You have heard that it was said, 'You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy.'  44 But I say to you, love your enemies, bless those who curse you, do good to those who hate you, and pray for those who spitefully use you and persecute you, 45 that you may be sons of your Father in heaven; for He makes His sun rise on the evil and on the good, and sends rain on the just and on the unjust. 46 For if you love those who love you, what reward have you? Do not even the tax collectors do the same? 47 And if you greet your brethren only, what do you do more than others? Do not even the tax collectors do so? 48 Therefore you shall be perfect, just as your Father in heaven is perfect.    NKJV

Was thinking about this very thing in the last week. I thought of the infusions I have had and hopefully done with them, and how getting back to exercise is foremost in my thinking. I have always loved working out, either by skating long hours, running,  or going on those 6 mile walks. And of the latest report from the Dr. was that she was glad to see my weight coming to normal and exercising to keep my immune system in proper working order. 

In thinking about this, I got to thinking how I had already had implemented a program of exercise many years ago into my life. You can certainly ask our daughter or even my husband. I always sought strength in my body and that included being able to get the heart to work like it should and keep my body healthy.

Implementing a change of eating right foods starts before we have that "illness" that brings you either to your knees or to the bed. Eating right foods, exercising, and drinking those 6-8 glasses of water begin when we desire change for health and not for sickness. Years ago, after the birth of our first grand-child, our daughter and son-in-law gave us this wonderful Image.....treadmill. It is for that 10,000 steps program. I use it now everyday. But did not use it regularly at the beginning, as I could not figure out why some days I had strength, and other days I had fatigue. Of course, today we know why, but then I was puzzled about it, because I surely liked getting the amount of exercise I needed everyday to stay in optimum  health.

It was a choice!

I then thought of those who say "they will give a million dollars into some ministry" when they win the lottery! Well, if you do not give now into any ministry, how will that change when you get that million dollars?  Because if you choose to hear what happens to those who gain those "millions" you will find that most of them are: either dead today because of someone gaining their trust to get at those millions or said winner could not balance a check-book at the beginning of said win of millions, so they could not keep up with what they had .............AND SPENT IT ALL! (and one could go through all those millions when they have someone helping them to spend it on "nothing" that brings life........but death!)

And then too, you find all those "relatives" who show up that you did not know you even had at the time of said win.

Yes, it is a choice!

In that place within walking distance of the hospital in the city, there is a place many people go to get their infusions. Many though are there for that chemo thing.  Those going through the hour to several hours of infusions take time for those sick with something they cannot see. I was there, but not for any chemo anything. But I saw them, talked to some, and especially the nurses. It is a place I believe many people did not plan on visiting ever in their lives. They are different ethnicity, certainly speak a different language, and some need interpreters. They are of many different age groups!   Some were just quiet, some were very vocal, and some......well, they had a joy that comes only from the Lord. One, we saw, was a man taking calls from his church and was about the bulletin for the church that had to be ready for a service. This man was probably seventy, acted like he was thirty..........and had this chemo therapy..........got on his way to do what needed to be done. I really believe he was the "pastor". He had joy in his heart, was always kind with every word he spoke and with every movement of his body...........he glowed with life. I expect him to have a long life filled with the presence of God in everything he does for His kingdom that has come.

We should certainly hate sickness and know that God did not bring cancer on anyone. We should also know that God is aware of our every circumstance. He is also aware how we will act in and through a really BAD CIRCUMSTANCE. Yes, rain will fall on the just (the righteous) and the unjust (the wicked).........but we choose how we will stand, fall or just give in to being sick.  We choose today how we will act tomorrow. I want to be found with those who have faith to put trust in life everlasting........in Jesus who came to give to us abundantly above what we can ask or think.

From the blog: High Risk!

In receiving Jesus, we are regenerated into life and out of death. As we put on the "New Man" and being renewed in our minds to God's Word and His ways and thoughts, we come out of the grave of death, and defeat and move into the realm of Victory and are people who live by faith with trust in our God!
It is taking God's Word on healing, and raise the standard of our health. When we have sought out His word on healing as for salvation, our condition changes. WE reach forward by faith to receive what we are expecting!
It is a daily walk and receiving that Word that will build us up to receive that which we are expecting.

David said of the Lord; “My times are in Your hand;” (Psalm 31: 15). “Times” here means in the Hebrew; event, experiences, fortunes, occurrences, occasions, permanency, continuing future, ancient (used of past time), forever (used of future time; used of continuous existence)..forever (used of God's existence)

We are a mist, a moment in time, and all of our times are in His hand. All of my future and all of your future conditions, any occurrences are known to Him. It is so vital to stay close to the Creator, the one true God!


Who has the last Word in my life? Well, the Father Who created me and I have what Jesus died to give me on the Cross. And with the Holy Spirit I rise out of the tomb to live the life Jesus died for. I am regenerated into life. They get the LAST WORD IN MY LIFE!  and not me..........

If we will heed His instructions and follow His plan for our lives, we cannot miss the mark. We can be the victorious, and see our lives healthier and whole. Making those needed changes can add years to our lives and help us live in His glory! PLEASE ............stand with me today and believe for the best in your life, and in your body. Those changes are important and they can be done to ensure you finish that race He has for you to run. Amen!


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

TOMORROW'S CIRCUMSTANCES

Many years ago, now probably two decades ago, I had this dream. I knew it was of the Lord. I went up into this tower, although not terribly high in the sky. But it was high above the city we lived and was next to the Sound. And as I had walked into this almost round like room at the top, I saw this area that was circular right in the middle. It was a workstation. On it was all the drawings and important information regarding all my tomorrow's. I was led to look out the window and watch the water that makes up the Sound and from time to time to watch the sun move from early morning into the late evening. As I looked toward the circular table again, I saw three beings working: Father, Son and Holy Spirit!
Yes, I knew I was in great hands.
All of our tomorrow's will come. Those circumstances will certainly appear, but how we handle them determines all other tomorrow's.
Since my dream, I have understood it to mean, that all that is secret in the Sound, God knows, and that we can dive deep in that understanding of He Who is and what He desires when we dwell in His Word. And all that the sun shines on, God knows that too! He created it all. With His hand on it all, I know that He can watch over me. And He has the Drawing Room to do it in as I have been there to see it myself!

Philippians 4:8-9
8 Finally, brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy--meditate on these things. 9 The things which you learned and received and heard and saw in me, these do, and the God of peace will be with you.
NKJV

What happens in our mind will certainly happen in time! We are to keep watch on what we think about for too long. Surely the Word should be the most important thing. But as individuals, we have a spouse, maybe a child or two, maybe a job, or even ministry. Yet in all these, we are as those individuals to keep watch on what we think on.

MEDITATE ON THESE THINGS:

things that are true....like God's Word, remembering God's righteousness,eternal truth. as God speaks and delivers to us His thoughts and plans

being people of justice and integrity ( will have nothing do with lying)

things that are noble.....being noble in character, giving their word that they will do it, 

things that are just....knowing God is justice and righteousness and every one of His commands is right

things that are pure......anything we act out in our body should be in the pure state and nothing to defile it. That means even the mouth is to have a guard on it!

things that are lovely........speaking wisdom of God to others, that which is useful. Holding ourselves in a respectful way and being considerate of others in conduct or conversation

things that are of a good report.....cheerful, leading others to the goodness of God and all that He has is good. Reminding others of is faithfulness toward us, His giving of Jesus for our sins. We should be telling it everywhere we go!

there be any virtue......being strong, a person of valor, courageous from the inside out, like the worker bee. I think of the virtuous woman from the Bible.

 Taken from an earlier blog I wrote on Humility and Honor Equals Courage in Your Heart, September 10, 2014.............I love the scriptures of the virtuous wife. It tells she girds herself with strength and strengthens her arms. She looks to keep fit and looks out for her household, but she also extends her hands to the poor. She is not afraid of any kind of weather, she is on the go and so is her family. They keep their pace for the kingdom of God. Her husband is known in the city gates. He works with his hands  and is known as the business leader. As he sits among the doers in the community, it tells that she gains strength and honor. For as she honors her husband and takes care of her family, people will know who she is as she speaks wisdom and her tongue with kindness. She is never idle for she keeps watch over the food supplies, the clothes that need to be washed, the dry cleaning taken to the cleaners, and the job that has to be done. It says her lamp does not go out, and I think of how busy she is, but also think she is aware of the IMPORTANCE OF Prayer and word that must be spoken over her husband, her family and the new day coming! But in all this, we are told as she watches over her household, her children and her husband bless her, they praise her for what she does for them. In the end, she has done well, a woman who fears the LORD, is praised! And it is God who will give her the fruit of her hands and her own works will praise her in the gates. 

A person who carries this courage and strength that is seen will cause praise to come. It will come to me and to you when we follow hard after seeing to others needs. Love that will never murmur but does something. It fulfills a job to be done. It will be done without being told to do it and the work will be done quickly and possibly in secret most of the time when no one is looking. It is this kind of serving others in the excellence as Jesus did and that which is given in an amount that is noticeable, it is by words of kindness and sometimes by correction and always by action!  

Lastly, think on these things...........give attention to, set them into practice everyday. And do them being determined, faithful, persistent, adventurous, being cheerful, happy, and sincere.

When we practice these things, the peace of God will be with us. Do we not need His peace everyday?

Matthew 6:30-34

O you of little faith? 31 Therefore do not worry, saying, 'What shall we eat?' or 'What shall we drink?' or 'What shall we wear?' 32 "For after all these things the Gentiles seek. For your heavenly Father knows that you need all these things. 33 But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you. 34 Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about its own things. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble. NKJV

We are not to worry about tomorrow and in all circumstances, you know all those speed bumps that seem to slow us down, but when we rely on God, meditate on all His good, we remain in peace, that peace of God that passes all understanding. We stand strong, whether man, woman or child, being led by God is the greatest plan of redemption and a life of adventure. I want to be in His plan, how about you?

Our Father in heaven,

Hallowed be Your name.

Your kingdom come.

Your will be done 

On earth as it is in heaven. 

3 Give us day by day our daily bread. 

4 And forgive us our sins,

For we also forgive everyone who is indebted to us.

And do not lead us into temptation,

But deliver us from the evil one."   (Luke 11:2-4)

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