Wrong Paths Lead to Empty Thinking

 

Heard that the generation known as Millennial have no retention of the subjects they were taught in school. Being seated with all the new technology, many only had Chat-GPT, or AI to help them in their school work. What many of us learned in our years of learning, we kept hold of all that English, Math, and Reading. We studied and memorized passages of history, geography and yes math. We learned to spell the English language. Their teachers evidently do not speak English, so they are taught crafts instead.  In our early years, we actually read books that we could make a book report on. The written book report was written in the language we speak, English.  It was with words we use in our daily life. I remember it is almost a year ago, that my husband picked up a few things from a grocery story in Washougal. The two teenagers had their list and they had money. But she the oldest, likely sixteen, handed the whole amount cash to the cashier to count it out. This teen could not do mathematics in her head!

With that thought in mind, what about all those of the Millennial time holding no knowledge of their studies, the same will now go after those degrees for like medicine, or engineering. They will someday as a doctor operate on you! Does that scare you? It should unless you speak over your life daily that you are healthy and whole.

After three days they found him in the temple courts, sitting among the teachers, listening to them and asking them questions. Luke 2:46  (NIV)

Mary and Joseph found Jesus asking questions in the temple. Where do you find your children still at home? Are they studying their school books or playing some game?

Living with passion and purpose to minister to the body of Christ means we aggressively take advantage using each day to help others like Christ did!  We are to study and show ourselves approved……..rightly dividing the Word of truth.

Sending forward:  3 John 6-8…. To send them forward on their journey in a manner worthy of God, you will do well, 7 because they went forth for His name's sake, taking nothing from the Gentiles. NKJV

Are our youth sent forth to minister actual life with a passion and purpose for that life? Heard that those who decided to let marijuana have its place in society, have submitted themselves to using that product at least 5 days a week.  They are finding these same individuals have brain damage with a weekly or monthly psychosis event. Also they have a greater chance of getting disease than regular smokers.

·         Our time here is brief: James 4:14…..14 whereas you do not know what will happen tomorrow. For what is your life? It is even a vapor that appears for a little time and then vanishes away. KJV  WE are to make it count:  Romans 13:11-14….. 11 And do this, knowing the time, that now it is high time to awake out of sleep; for now our salvation is nearer than when we first believed. 12 The night is far spent, the day is at hand. Therefore let us cast off the works of darkness, and let us put on the armor of light. 13 Let us walk properly, as in the day, not in revelry and drunkenness, not in lewdness and lust, not in strife and envy. 14 But put on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make no provision for the flesh, to fulfill its lusts. NKJV

Filled and controlled by the Spirit of God: Rom 8:14-16……14 For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, these are sons of God. 15 For you did not receive the spirit of bondage again to fear, but you received the Spirit of adoption by whom we cry out, "Abba, Father." NKJV

·        Ask HIM to be your source for contentment, excitement and comfort: Isaiah 61:1-3…."The Spirit of the Lord GOD is upon Me, Because the LORD has anointed Me To preach good tidings to the poor; He has sent Me to heal the brokenhearted, To proclaim liberty to the captives,

And the opening of the prison to those who are bound; 2 To proclaim the acceptable year of the LORD, And the day of vengeance of our God; To comfort all who mourn, 3 To console those who mourn in Zion, To give them beauty for ashes, The oil of joy for mourning, The garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness; That they may be called trees of righteousness,

We are to be guided every day by His Spirit:  Proverbs 4:10-13……..10 Hear, my son, and receive my sayings, And the years of your life will be many. 11 I have taught you in the way of wisdom; I have led you in right paths.  12 When you walk, your steps will not be hindered, And when you run, you will not stumble. 13 Take firm hold of instruction, do not let go; Keep her, for she is your life. NKJV

WE are to be having the Ultimate Goal in life: 1.   God's authority should rule over our thoughts and 2.   IN the  ultimate goal in this life we are reminded of the 10^th  commandment  that  shows the depth of God's concern about the state of our inner character as well as our apparent character. If our thoughts are right, our actions will be too. Changing our thinking strikes right at the heart of character, emphasizing why spending time with God, in studying His Word and in prayer, is so important. These young people will have  their lives emphasizing nothing. They will have to read a manual on appendectomy while they cut on your abdomen.

Action is required. It was for Christ Jesus and for us as well. What if He had gotten to the Garden of Gethsemane and chose a different path?  No' He prayed intently, shed drops of blood from His body. He sought the Father's plan.  We should seek the Father's plan. We are to be about His business through us and does He have that? I doubt it does for thousands upon thousands who have chosen to cheat through life and use worldly sources to be their guides in life. No we must have the Word of God and Holy Spirit to lead us through this life. It is for an eternity!

Remember we find this in Galatians 6:7-8 NKJV Do not be deceived, God is not mocked; for whatever a man sows, that he will also reap. 8 For he who sows to his flesh will of the flesh reap corruption, but he who sows to the Spirit will of the Spirit reap everlasting life.   Those misdeeds, injustice, moral wrongs, unjust acts are seen in the flesh. You can see many schools across this nation close for the day or two for their youth to go riot in the streets against ICE. They think they are unjust because that was what they are told.   In the teachings of Jesus, those are accepted because we see His life filled with the Father's grace and will. Our will must align with the Lord's purpose and Word or it will be wrong paths leading to empty thinking!

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The Chaos of a Nation

 Unity is not about unity of many people in one church gathered. Unity is about the unity of believers in Jesus Christ in one place. You may gather with many males and females, but not all are believers in Christ, the anointed of God. Gathering for the sake of just gathering does not make you one with God. It just means you are gathered with a group of people. And who are we gathered to? Are you gathered to being a "Sanctuary" state for certain individuals who choose to break the law by killing and maiming others?

Was reading in a book my husband got me for Christmas. In this I am reading of the Greek for words used in the Bible. It is so interesting to learn the meanings of these words God saw fit to use through those who would believe in Jesus. In the years before Jesus' appearing on earth, produced by Greek theater, people would gather in a circle around the specific play as such. In those centuries, it was discovered that in ancient synagogues that have been uncovered by archaeologists, that a platform called a "bimah" was found in the center of these main auditorium. It was the "center" where the word of God was given. In this message only truth is given. The teachings were kept in what is called "know before Whom you Stand". The scrolls kept in this area were concealed in a cabinet. It was written for all to see that each of us should know before whom we stand. 

Today, many have their own doctrine. They have the kingdom of music, the kingdom of body parts, the kingdom of foul mouths and the kingdom of lazy, do-nothing doctrine,

My question today: Is there worship for Destructive Doctrine?   1 Peter 2:1-2  NKJV  Therefore, laying aside all malice, all deceit, hypocrisy, envy, and all evil speaking, 2 as newborn babes, desire the pure milk of the word, that you may grow thereby, 3 if indeed you have tasted that the Lord is gracious.

Following I Peter 2:1, in which he admonishes us to rid ourselves of the fruits of spiritual junk food, Peter lists evidence of a mind afflicted with a poor spiritual diet:

1.    Malice is ill will, the desire to inflict pain. ( woman used her vehicle to inflict pain on an I.C.E agent. He had internal injuries when hit on roadway in Minneapolis)

2.   Deceit is lying or crafty, seductive, and slanderous activity. ( changing the news to fit a narrative is wrong in so many ways)

3.   Hypocrisy is pretending to be what one is not.

4.    Envy is the strong desire to possess what belongs to another. ( people want free stuff and debit cards with 10,000. dollars on them monthly.)

5.   Evil speaking is using the tongue to gossip, deceive others, or destroy reputations.  The pure milk of the word helps us to grow! (leaders not secure in their positions are using cursed words to show their courage or strength....I think not)

Peter proceeds to encourage us to crave God's Word just as a baby craves milk. He is not encouraging us to desire elementary spiritual food but emphasizing the energy we should exert to get good spiritual food. Babies demand milk as if their very life hangs in the balance at each feeding.

1.   Exertion to reach for  the Lord’s ways. Reach to hear Him, stretch out to take hold of each of verse the Lord gives us. Reach for His goodness!

2.   Kings search out  a matter:  Proverbs 25: 2 It is the glory of God to conceal a matter, but the glory of kings is to search out a matter.

3.   Romans 11:33 Oh, the depth of the riches both of the unsearchable are His judgments and  His ways past finding out!

4.   God’s glory is displayed in His sustaining power. He continues to give and it comes out of a plan from the beginning of time!

The apostle Peter gives God's Word as pure, meaning uncontaminated. It is unpolluted by fraud or deceit. God's Word is truth (John 17:17 NKJV Sanctify them by Your truth. Your word is truth.

Yet, today in some church sermons, you will find that which points to only one race of people. You find many teaching and some most unusual things are spoken about that Jesus brought to us! We are to crave God's word to abide in His truth. And know His truth, not some made up fantasy! We are not to abide in the word of this culture we see today. Justice has been turned upside down. And that which is truth we are to stay bound to!  Isaiah 59:14 Justice is turned back, and righteousness stands afar off; for truth is fallen in the street, and equity cannot enter. 15 So truth fails, and he who departs from evil makes himself a prey.

(This nation is submerged in injustice, oppression and falsehood. People have created their own problems. And today they blame their neighbor.) Does this sound familiar to this day and hour? Pray!

 With all the chaos in the nation, the only answer for this nation is found in God’s Word the Bible! The blame game prevails and tragically lives are lost by the selfishness of men or women who are angry with life, with themselves and others. Hate appears in words and violence.  Graffiti spells out hate in the form of that which is against the Jewish nation and most likely our neighbor and often times points out to one race. But God made us all with one blood and the color is still red. Whatever your outside package, you will still bleed out red! Fear not man but fear Him who can cast into hell!

Prayer is needed!  And may we all know the falsehood and stop it before going to the streets! Most certainly we have seen women forget to the count the cost of changing their identity for another. They are choosing to police the police and agents of this government themselves. They give their babies and children to strangers to go stand in the street and fight with cursed words and clubs!

Our country was built on the foundation of God’s words and through time we have seen a broken fellowship with Him. If we truly expect to be God’s children and not just His creation, we must know God and love Him as He loves us.  In this the 21^st century, we have abandoned His truths  & sought out to make our truths the right way.    

Matthew 12:18-21    NIV  18 "Here is my servant whom I have chosen, the one I love, in whom I delight; I will put my Spirit on him, and he will proclaim justice to the nations. 19 He will not quarrel or cry out; no one will hear his voice in the streets. 20 A bruised reed he will not break, & a smoldering wick he will not snuff out, till he leads justice to victory. 21 In his name the nations will put their hope."

So it is the willing and the obedient who eat the good of the land. And it was Jesus WHO  was the Servant to whom God had chosen and HE was going to proclaim justice to the nations. He did it by the Holy Spirit.

Having our identity in Jesus, then we

1.       Make an impact in our neighborhoods, in our communities and the world.

2.      Turn from the old man and his old ways, we follow Jesus with every spoken word of God.

3.      In that is justice of God revealed. It is God who desires us to deal what is right and just in every situation, in every conversation, in dealing with people day to day….we are expected to be the honorable person!

Does mercy live in our hearts?  For mercy speaks in kindness and does not manipulate or seek cruelty to others! For tenderness to appear, we must find ourselves in that love of God. For us to love others it will only come through knowing Him who loved us first. This nation was built on the Constitution & the Bill of Rights.  Documents that godly men wrote were to establish this nation. And now men are trying to change those very things that prospered this nation for over two hundred years.

A quote from an unread portion of George Washington’s inaugural speech of 1789 …: “ America would endure until the people of America shall have lost all virtue; until they shall have become totally insensible to the difference between freedom and slavery; until they shall have been reduced to such poverty of spirit as to be willing to sell that pre-eminent blessing, the birthright of the freeman, for a mess of pottage. In short, until they have been found incapable of governing themselves & ripe for a master.”

Today, we have many people, and every color bowing to flesh creature. It is not the character of people we see, it is the madman who is strung up by his own flesh creature. They expose their body parts to parade falsehood in the streets. They show their brain is empty of any wisdom of God!

Will Penn spoke this: “Those who will not be governed by God will be ruled by tyrants.

May Malice, Deceit, Hypocrisy, Envy, and  Evil speaking be removed from us. These are of a kingdom not of God. We should know that it is "  The pure milk of the word helps us to grow"!

We are finding that the garbage dump fire is burning day and night around this old world. Seen in Mark 9:43-48, the worm did not die there. Yes, maggots went through their life-cycles, as all were feeding on the trash there. Through these many centuries, that place known as the Valley of Hinnom is a fitting picture of resurrection of condemnation. (John 5:29)

 Let God arise today and let His enemies be scattered!

   Teaching at: Voice of Prayer 

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Where is that Ball?

Where is that ball?

My husband and I had some errands to run yesterday about noon. We had left a little before noon and not finding what we went after, we had to venture further down and to the east to find a store that sold this Kombucha drink. Now this drink has some health benefits, and it is wise to get that which was just created to drink. After the drive over the river, we returned down the interstate.
On arriving, put our newly purchased items in the refrigerator, I walked to the patio door to put the dog outside. There is no need to coax her for at this time, she needs to go, and just after her instant on the spot to check our the visitor to the back of the yard  she took care of her 'business'.

I watched someone in a "golf cart" drive ever so slowly by from the south to the east and he must have spotted some ball in the yard. Watching me and my reaction to his moving around the cart and into the yard, he waved and of course I just waved back. Still watching him, he leaned down to pick up this ball laying in full view. He said laughingly like: "the wild playing and swinging caused his ball to go wild and out of control"!

He  appeared anxious to leave, and I started to mention the other ball to him that I saw closer to the big tree in the yard, but like a flash he was gone. I saw him go around the hill and back onto the golf course and again he appeared to examine the ball. I am thinking the ball he really wanted was the one next to the 'willow' tree but he dare not come close or attempt to check out the other ball in the yard. I figured he was thinking about the dog and the woman who would not leave the back door so about two minutes later the man drove off in his golf cart and our dog came indoors. About 2 hours later, I see him appear, again driving slowly, like looking for "his" ball, and then he headed back towards the club house. Am thinking he was really wanting his ball and not someone else's to play with!

Our habit is to check our yard for any balls and bring them to be washed. We find people who like playing golf and will put them into egg cartons to give them balls for their use for their time out on the golf course.

We were on a walk about this morning and took the leisure time to searched among the tree seedlings and "yes, some weeds" but did not find any except for the one that the  "golf" courses lawn groomer ran over with blades and caused it to split open. It is those tiny balls that people will practice with for that specific game. Today, I am still in awe of those who play and have the expertise to get that tiny ball down a fairway to "a hole in one". I always tell my husband that golfers on this course close by to this house, do not know the amount of hole in ones they get when hitting it toward our yard. For surely you have to look hard sometimes when the grass is needing a real good cut job! And when searching, it is there that we find the little ball as a "hole in one"  shot within the tall grass!

While walking in the brisk air, and sustained wind of about thirty miles an hour this morning, I was reminded of the walk with the Lord. Surely we would like our days to hold many "hole in one shots ", to hold many rainbows with  no rain, to have many windless days to enjoy the peace and quiet! Yes, we desire to hold have many days of receiving a mystery gift from a close friend or family member who lives far away, yet our days should hold the significance that God paid a big price for each of us.

Some people will denote their day the "moment they saw their baby smile" for the first time. Some will delight to tell of their seeing their child walk or graduate college. Still others will mark the day when they married or when their children marry.

In my life, I have seen and heard the stories of many relatives and friends of my parents who served their country. My uncle, as a young man flew as a pilot in World War II. He would land on those ships with a landing runway and a short one at that.  My brother-in-law served in the military for more than one term. He also went to help those in Guatemala when they were ravaged by earthquakes. And in my life, I see someone like my husband who goes the length to see people treated fairly, not because of entitlement, but because they love God, love this nation and choose to work for this nation. And as a people to see the glory of God to fill this world with His glory.

We have to choose life in Jesus and through Him see many others come to Him for salvation. But even more we can look to life eternally with Him, where the atmosphere is filled with life and joy, where He lights our days forever with His beauty and His glory.
Those certainly without Him and remain that way will be that way forever. They will forever be in darkness, forever be in torment of "what if", forever in the atmosphere where there is no refreshing breeze or water to enjoy but only darkness and sulfur filled darkness. What is sad is we each have "the choice" to choose to make a difference like Jesus did.

We have the choice to worship Him now, we have the choice to view His likeness in the Word of the truth now and we can participate in His love, His life and His joy that is found in the peace of God now!

For many it is see how big a house can one buy now, how fancy can that new car be, how fancy can our vacation be this 'summer' (now). For me, I have joy all around me. I have the joy of seeing my husband while he is checking out a a new recipe to prepare for a meal. I have joy of seeing our grand-daughter pretend she is surfing, and yes with surfing music on..( I think is was by the Ventures) and of having joy when our dog brings us her stuff toy to us the first thing in the morning.

I have joy, not for what I have lost but for what I have gained through Jesus for it is in Him that we live and move and have our being. One scripture that stands out today is John 15:4 Abide in Me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in Me.

Our energy for a life of devotion to Jesus comes by the Holy Spirit. In this we draw our lives from His life, from this we have energized prayer, energized worship, the partaking of the Lord's supper and see healing come to every part of our being.

Our focus is to be on Jesus, not to one man or one woman, for each of us is learning, growing and becoming what God planned. It will take all of us not just a few of us to participate in His kingdom that has come. Do the works of Jesus while there is still time while it is still day. Go through your day and tell others of those parables Jesus taught from, and pray. Ask the Lord to direct you into His perfect plan He destined for you to live.

Sometimes when we lose something, it is likely it was not needed, but that which is for life we need every moment of everyday of our lives. The Word of God is life to us,  and from that Word Jesus appeared and was crucified. In that we should no longer fear man or death. Don't be hard-headed but be willing to let go of your life to gain His. For truly God is good and His truth is everlasting. Unity is allowing Christ to be the head of our lives. Unity is not a building, a pastor, or a religious doctrine, but is Christ, the anointed One Who is head of the believer's and King of the Jews. There is one God and His Gospel that came through as GRACE in Jesus.
Ask God what He has placed in your hand for His good and then ask Him how to walk in it. For then truly joy is heard, rainbows are seen, peace resides when truth is coveted from the word of God.
Remember you can always buy more "golf balls" but will never buy your way out of hell for we all need a Savior. Amen!

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The TOKEN

The meaning of ......token (ˈtəʊkən)  

1. an indication related to as to a warning, or sign of something

2. a symbol or visible representation of something; indication as to an authority, a proof, or of an authenticity

For Rahab the harlot, the sign in the window represented that she or her family would not be touched when the Hebrew nation came through Jericho. A scarlet thread represented protection. It was a symbol indicating others not to touch Rahab.

Joshua 2:1-24

2:1 Then Joshua son of Nun secretly sent two spies from Shittim. "Go, look over the land," he said, "especially Jericho." So they went and entered the house of a prostitute named Rahab and stayed there. 

2 The king of Jericho was told, "Look! Some of the Israelites have come here tonight to spy out the land." 3 So the king of Jericho sent this message to Rahab: "Bring out the men who came to you and entered your house, because they have come to spy out the whole land." 

4 But the woman had taken the two men and hidden them. She said, "Yes, the men came to me, but I did not know where they had come from. 5 At dusk, when it was time to close the city gate, the men left. I don't know which way they went. Go after them quickly. You may catch up with them." 6(But she had taken them up to the roof and hidden them under the stalks of flax she had laid out on the roof.) 7 So the men set out in pursuit of the spies on the road that leads to the fords of the Jordan, and as soon as the pursuers had gone out, the gate was shut. 

8 Before the spies lay down for the night, she went up on the roof 9 and said to them, "I know that the LORD has given this land to you and that a great fear of you has fallen on us, so that all who live in this country are melting in fear because of you. 10 We have heard how the LORD dried up the water of the Red Sea for you when you came out of Egypt, and what you did to Sihon and Og, the two kings of the Amorites east of the Jordan, whom you completely destroyed.  11 When we heard of it, our hearts melted and everyone's courage failed because of you, for the LORD your God is God in heaven above and on the earth below. 12 Now then, please swear to me by the LORD that you will show kindness to my family, because I have shown kindness to you. Give me a sure sign 13 that you will spare the lives of my father and mother, my brothers and sisters, and all who belong to them, and that you will save us from death." 

14 "Our lives for your lives!" the men assured her. "If you don't tell what we are doing, we will treat you kindly and faithfully when the LORD gives us the land." 

15 So she let them down by a rope through the window, for the house she lived in was part of the city wall. 16 Now she had said to them, "Go to the hills so the pursuers will not find you. Hide yourselves there three days until they return, and then go on your way." 

17 The men said to her, "This oath you made us swear will not be binding on us 18 unless, when we enter the land, you have tied this scarlet cord in the window through which you let us down, and unless you have brought your father and mother, your brothers and all your family into your house. 19 If anyone goes outside your house into the street, his blood will be on his own head; we will not be responsible. As for anyone who is in the house with you, his blood will be on our head if a hand is laid on him. 20 But if you tell what we are doing, we will be released from the oath you made us swear." 

21 "Agreed," she replied. "Let it be as you say." So she sent them away and they departed. And she tied the scarlet cord in the window. 

22 When they left, they went into the hills and stayed there three days, until the pursuers had searched all along the road and returned without finding them. 23 Then the two men started back. They went down out of the hills, forded the river and came to Joshua son of Nun and told him everything that had happened to them. 24 They said to Joshua, "The LORD has surely given the whole land into our hands; all the people are melting in fear because of us."  NIV

This agreement guaranteed her safety and her families as we read in verses 17-21. Those who heard they were coming melted "with fear"!

The scarlet thread in the window was a "sign" of kindness to others. What Rahab had done for the spies who came as she hid them in safety from the men of the city would prove to be a good thing for her and her family. Now hidden, but men who would give voice to safety for her and the family by implication of the tying of the scarlet thread in the window, she gave action to her belief. Her home was located as part of the city wall, and the spies who came left by climbing down strategically and went to tell Joshua all that had occurred!

What would have been her prayer when the men left her with the instructions? What life did she have in the city now closed up, and quaking from fear of the God of the Israelites?
This woman knew that God had given them the land of where she lived. She wanted to be found of that which was of life and not over to death.
Her "harlotry" was not sin among the pagan. But encountering God and His people will cause you or I to see people who have a love and trust in God. She renounced her life of harlotry by giving hospitality to the spies. Receiving these men in "peace" she secured her pathway in peace.
Paul wrote about Rahab. And he mentions her faith that was working by love. She believed. Her peers did not believe. In the force that was coming to conquer, she had believed with her whole heart. She asked for a sign that her parents or family would not be destroyed.
As Jesus' blood was represented by the scarlet thread, the harlot had faith in action to represent life and a peace that all was going to be good for her and her family, even though the city would be destroyed.
It was written that one of the young men who she kept in safety while they spied out Jericho married her later. An attitude of gratitude marked for a relationship where her former shame was erased forever. Tying that "token" in the widow became a reward in that she later became the mother of Boaz. See in Ruth 4:21. She is also named in Matthews genealogy seen in Matthew 1:5.

Lives were forever changed!
By "the token", the sign was given to others.

Psalm 73:22-28  The Message Bible:  I was totally ignorant; a dumb ox in your very presence.

I’m still in your presence, but you’ve taken my hand. You wisely and tenderly lead me, and then you bless me.

You’re all I want in heaven! You’re all I want on earth!

 When my skin sags and my bones get brittle, God is rock-firm and faithful.

Look! Those who left you are falling apart!  Deserters, they’ll never be heard from again.

But I’m in the very presence of God------oh, how refreshing it is!

 I’ve made Lord God my home, God I’m telling the world what you do!

WILL WE be deserters, and never be heard from again? Or will we make known what God has done for us?

It is impossible to please God apart from faith. Why? Because anyone who wants to approach God must believe both that He exists and that he cares enough to respond to those who seek Him.

You never hear anymore about those people of Jericho. But you hear of those who "believed".

In our daily lives, we are to seek God and it can be hard sometimes, especially in poor health or having to work two jobs, or raise other people's children besides your own. But God is always here. He is always present and praying will keep us close and connected.

If you heard "terror" was on its way to your house, would you not pray? We should always delight to meet with God and allow Him to speak to us in poor health, or working two jobs or just being overwhelmed with many "kids".

If we will just pay "attention" to everything in our daily lives, we might see the "token" He Himself has sent to say, "I've heard your prayer, and I will answer!"

This week I had been going over some things my husband and I had prayed. One day I felt I needed a long nap and took the opportunity to lay down to rest. And upon rising, I addressed the same heartfelt desire for some of the prayer requests to be answered. But you cannot force God. You cannot make Him do anything. He is God! But one thing I have learned, is that if I watch for that "token" to appear, I will know what I am to do next. Well, the token came in the mail. We were not expecting anything from any ministry resources that we had given into recently. Two items were of proclamations of which we had done at church during the summer and the other two were journals. Yes, I was to keep writing and to continue to make "declarations" over our lives and our children's lives.

We declare that we are in agreement with God's promises to pour out His Spirit on our descendants and declare that we will see them grow fast, strong and to soar with eagles.

"For I will pour water on the thirsty land, and streams on the dry ground; I will pour out My Spirit on your offspring, and My blessing on your descendants. They will spring up like grass in a meadow, like poplar trees by flowing streams. Some will say, 'I belong to the LORD; others will call themselves by the name of Jacob; still; others will call themselves by the name of Jacob; still others will write on their hand, 'The LORD's,'and will take the name Israel." Isaiah 44:3–5 NIV

We declare to have new opportunities for us to see who needs that deeper touch by Jesus. Help us to bring healing to people who have been the wounded, the rejected and the broken.

"Go out quickly into the streets and alleys of the town and bring in the poor, the crippled, the blind and the lame." Luke 14:21 NIV

We declare that we will live our lives this year above all the negativity around us. We look for doors of opportunity and ask for eyes to see all that God our Father is doing!

"After this I looked, and there before me was a door standing open in Heaven. And the voice I had first heard speaking to me like a trumpet said, 'Come up here, and I will show you what must take place after this.'" Revelation 4:1 NIV

 Our prayer is that people who read this will be open to the new that God is doing. We pray they see the tokens He has sent their way to say " He has never left them or forsaken them." We pray for people to be aware that God is loving them everyday and in every way as they keep their pathway in which He ordained their walk with Him. Father may we together be those who walk by faith in action and see the glory of the Lord fill this land. Amen.

Notice: 

The Voice of Prayer  has a new teaching published:

The Glory of the Latter Rain

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=44w_A_1IBgg



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

What Do We Tell Our Children

In mainstream America, the day after the election, I heard this word of "what do we tell our children".
Knowing in elections, there is a winner and there is a loser and that is a foremost demonstration of a voting nation, only one will be victorious.
Hopefully we tell our children, and possibly their children is that we voted biblical principles. Hopefully we demonstrate by holding our tongues and finding out what issues the candidate holds true. It is what fills their heart and what they seek in their purpose for running a certain position.  The word over the news today, the day after the election was this:"that a miracle" had occurred. 
I agree wholeheartedly that a miracle occurred. I believe God has shown that the great "I AM" is still looking over America and that the nation will be all that HE planned for her to become. People prayed!


What do we tell our children? Well if we know Jesus, God has a plan for our good and not for evil to give us a hope in our final outcome.

1 Timothy 2:1-7
2:1 Therefore I exhort first of all that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks be made for all men, 2 for kings and all who are in authority, that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and reverence. 3 For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Savior, 4 who desires all men to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth. 5 For there is one God and one Mediator between God and men, the Man Christ Jesus, 6 who gave Himself a ransom for all, to be testified in due time, 7 for which I was appointed a preacher and an apostle--I am speaking the truth in Christ and not lying--a teacher of the Gentiles in faith and truth.  NKJV


1 Thessalonians 4:1-8
4:1 Finally then, brethren, we urge and exhort in the Lord Jesus that you should abound more and more, just as you received from us how you ought to walk and to please God; 2 for you know what commandments we gave you through the Lord Jesus. 3 For this is the will of God, your sanctification: that you should abstain from sexual immorality; 4 that each of you should know how to possess his own vessel in sanctification and honor, 5 not in passion of lust, like the Gentiles who do not know God; 6 that no one should take advantage of and defraud his brother in this matter, because the Lord is the avenger of all such, as we also forewarned you and testified. 7 For God did not call us to uncleanness, but in holiness. 8 Therefore he who rejects this does not reject man, but God, who has also given us His Holy Spirit.   NKJV

In this example of truth, we pray! Prayer should be ongoing for this nation we call America. It is not about a gender thing, a color thing but it is about the biblical principles God established and for which this nation was born. If we truly believe the word of God and actually live by it, then God's principles are vital and on the forefront. We were told in 1 Timothy 2 to pray. That in supplications, prayers, intercessions and giving thanks be made for all men. It is for all men! That in our walk with God, we are to please God. And it is by our faith in God that we please Him. That when we pray and believe the "the miraculous" happens! AMEN!
Hopefully you know Jesus as your Lord and Savior. And within that we are held by truth of God, held by His wisdom and to pray. We are to possess this vessel in sanctification and honor. Not in passion of lust to hurt others, not defraud or even lie about others. Not to complain, but pray.
We have a new president, as one in authority, we pray for him that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and reverence. God desires us all to know truth. It is God who planned that we would exist in this day and time, to be saved, adhere to His principles and line up with Him.

Before we speak to our children, my hope would be that we go to God and thank Him for someone who truly put down the plan he purposed as a candidate for the major "office "which was from God. That this man is sent into chaos. If we really stand together, then we pray. If we really stand together, we seek to know God's plans for the days and months ahead. Those with God will not be surprised, for they will know by prayer and His Word that He is very present in the "new administration" for this country.
No one is perfect, I notice that everyday as I peer in the mirror. But I know God and I know His Word works when we apply it to our lives and pray.

As for God, His way is perfect! The Word of the Lord is tested and tried; he is a shield to all those who take refuge and put their trust in Him! Our words from our mouths and the mediation of our hearts should be acceptable in His sight, Who is our firm impenetrable and rock our redeemer. If we really know Him, then we know it is His word that has revived us and given us this day to be thankful in. As His word is forever settled in heaven, may we hold that light to our feet and walk the path set before us. It is walking holy before Him.
It is His righteous decrees that endures forever. and as we hold Him up in praise and worship, we are to ask Him to guard our mouths. In that of watching our mouths, that guard is given to hold us in His truth and wisdom so that we can and should exhort another to see Jesus,

It is God who saw us in our mother's womb. He knew her and knew our father. He knew what life we would have. And within that He presented His Son as Savior to redeem us and to deliver us to lead lives, not as captives to a color thing, a gender thing, but to hold tight to the God thing, God's will which is His word! It is God Who gives us the ability to survive and to walk in good times and in bad times. He lifts our heads when we fall. He hears our prayers and He causes us to rest in Him that is of a sweet slumber.

Psalm 3:3-8

3 But You, O LORD, are a shield for me,

My glory and the One who lifts up my head. 

4 I cried to the LORD with my voice,

And He heard me from His holy hill.

Selah 

5 I lay down and slept;

I awoke, for the LORD sustained me. 

6 I will not be afraid of ten thousands of people 

Who have set themselves against me all around. 

7 Arise, O LORD;

Save me, O my God!

For You have struck all my enemies on the cheekbone;

You have broken the teeth of the ungodly. 

8 Salvation belongs to the LORD.

Your blessing is upon Your people. NKJV

CHANGE is needed and is a good thing! We are to hear God and obey Him. We are to pray for all citizens of this country, no matter their color or gender. In all things we are to glorify God and exclaim His goodness to others.

Today, let's ask God to help us draw thanksgiving forth from our inner resources to give thanks to Him and give thanks for this nation. Let's seek Him in prayer, affirm that He is Lord over our lives and our childrens, and speak that our trust is in Him. Let' s remember today as we pray that His goodness and His mercy is everlasting. Despite any bruising of egos, despite any hurts, God is for us. Run to the SHELTER of your soul. Cry out if you are distressed, and as you come near to God, He will come near to you. 

Find peace in Him and then tell your children, God is here. Immanuel is with us. And that He bequeathed  to us His peace. He is our refuge in time of trouble, upheaval and yes in change.

Then speak to your children, and speak His goodness. Tell them it is good to live in this nation where people can vote. Tell them we were established on God's principles and they are to be active in their hearts and by their faith. And as you speak, may life spring forth for the good for your children and your grand-children. Tell them that you believe you live in peaceable habitation, safe dwellings and in quiet resting places. In graciousness, give them the Word of God that will bring stability to them. Help them to be strengthened ---every day! Help them to stay focused on their studies at school and at church. Help them to concentrate on the family life within the home. And pray together.

Father God, we know that we are to be responsible leaders within our homes and our communities. We know that You have thoughts and plans for us, those plans for good and not evil to give us a hope. Help us to overcome weariness of the day and hour of which we live. We desire Father to be reinforced in YOU. Help us to speak words that heal and not wound. Father, help us to speak good and to not fear man. You are our light and our salvation.  We desire to conform to Your will and order. We shall be far from the thought of oppression or destruction. In this day and in this hour, we pray and confess that we shall see those who have never heard of Jesus. In this day and in this hour, we stand strong in You and we will speak that eyes be opened to see life in Jesus and that we would be bold to speak in His name. We pray the upright shall in our government. YOUR Word declares that blessed is the nation whose God is the Lord. (Psalm 33:12)

We declare with our mouths that Your people dwell safely in this land, and that they prosper abundantly. We confess to be more than conquerors. The heart of the king (our new president) is in the hand of the Lord and You God turn it whichever way You desire. We believe our leader of this nation is in Your hand and that his decisions are divinely directed of the Lord. The gospel of the Good news is published in our land. Thank Your Lord for this land and the leaders You have given to us . May we pray regularly and not lose heart in Jesus' name. Amen

Notice: 

The Voice of Prayer  has a new teaching published:

Waiting On The Master: The Reward of Service

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FaNOEL3e88Q

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

MUDDY BOOTS??

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

36 Simon and his companions searched for Him;

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

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

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


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

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

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

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

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

Colossians 2:6-8

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Revelation 3:7-13

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

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

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

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

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

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

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


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

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

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

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

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

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


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