Tackle the Dummy

If you have ever been on a football field while practice is going on, you inevitable know which is the dummy and what it looks like. Although mostly white looking fabric, it is padded and shaped to look like a person. In those practice times, the dummy surely gets the brunt of all guided attempts to stop him.
He is tossed around, tackled, and then most likely stepped on. The "dummy" is jerked around, is hassled, brought down again and again and when practice is over, probably put with all the other supplies, equipment, pads and such to be used for another day.
What would the "dummy" represent to us we walk through life, sometimes feeling like we too are the tossed around, the stepped on, and the tackled!

In writing on this today, I went on-line and looked or surveyed the Dummy page. I saw the Crash-dummies, and saw some for other uses as well. I saw cheap ones and some really expensive ones. But my thought:"why do they need so many and dressed as well as they are dressed?"

As I write I come back to our daughter who is a "pastor". She is the one who likes the "team huddles". She as the pastor likes to bring all together, exhort them, get them into the game of life and send them off with a "good job there faithful servant"!
She demonstrates faith. She loves people and is always drawn to the expressive ones. She will continue to gather them adding them to her prayer journal. She will think on their last visit together and hold them up before the Lord, holding fast in the Word that if God be for them, then who can be against them.
Huddling together as gathering to meet and actually talk, pray together and maybe sample some food might be on the list of things to do, but foremost it is not tossing "one " around, not tackling them to the ground and give them reasons they failed again or try to jerk them back to normal life, when they have no life. No, those things do not work. Those who love God and are called and know the purpose, it is found in and through the life of Jesus and revealed through the Holy Spirit.

Days of dumbing down to act like the "fun" church", the "will do anything for a laugh church", or that "will out perform their band one more time church" should be gone, done away with forever.

That sound today is the tone of love, it is not forgetting the standard God has in place for righteousness and it is ever mindful of those heading for hell. Jesus did not come to accommodate our culture, He came to set up His kingdom of heaven.

John 18:36
36 Jesus said, "My kingdom is not of this world. If it were, my servants would fight to prevent my arrest by the Jews. But now my kingdom is from another place."
NIV

To us a Child was born and to us a Son was given. He died that we might live unto life eternal with Him. Do we rage on like there is no tomorrow? Do we think we can run our mouths, throw people up against a wall with mouths that shriek horror and expect God to bless our futile efforts? Do we stomp "the future leaders" of tomorrow and expect God to hear our rambling and raving words with no respect at all?
Today, start a habit of speaking positive about others. Today speak one positive thing about yourself. Look at the habits which make you productive and fruitful in your life at home and at work and or church. Persist in seeking out the good. Look for that in others, no matter their race, color or creed.
If  you are busy expect to finish every project. If you are creative, expect to create new things for your home, work or ministry. If you minister, expect to minister life,  not only to your leaders within the church, but the coming leaders within your home. 

When we look at Jesus, He was the Finisher. He finished what He started.
Paul the Apostle was a finisher....2 Timothy 4:7.
Solomon, the wisest man who lived was a finisher. 1 Kings 6:14.
Jesus of course, the Prince of Peace and Cornerstone. Man could approach God without any fear, but could come in peace once and for all. Amen.

God is good and He searches for those who have hearts for HIM. God will hear and will answer prayers of those righteous before Him. But He will not answer that which profanes His very Word. Do not be deceived ........God is not mocked. 

Galatians 6:6-10

6 Let him who is taught the word share in all good things with him who teaches. 7 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. 9 And let us not grow weary while doing good, for in due season we shall reap if we do not lose heart. 10 Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all, especially to those who are of the household of faith.  NKJV

What will you add to someone today? How will you leave others after you greet them with "a hello"? Is that all? Should they be more to us than someone we tackled to the floor with a loud and vexing scream that we are the unhappy, and our children are out of order, too?
What if we just told someone thank-you? Thank you Candace for what you do to huddle those people together and to tell them about Communion. Thanks Ron for all you do to gather the forces and clean some gutters, mow the lawn and still buy those groceries. How about that young man who pumps the gas for you when you stop at that gas station in Oregon?

We must sow to the Spirit of God to reap everlasting life. Those who do, will in due season reap if they do not lose heart. God is always on time. There is opportunity today to do good to all and especially those of the household of faith. Let's sow to life. Let's sow to giving our best so that we can expect something good ...........not because we want something back from anyone person, no, but because we desire to please our Father Who is watching.

Let's huddle, not slam the Dummy or tackle him till he is in pieces. No seriously, let's think of the other person around us, or within the group but seems to have a hard time to blend in with the talk and activity. When we pray in the Holy Ghost and live to abide in Jesus, we have the joy marked with a boldness that will gather every man, every woman, every race and every nation to God and declare Him to be God alone. Today, let's make the move to bring others into God's household of faith and may our lights shine brightly to the full light of day in Jesus' name. Amen.

I HAVE A NEW WEB SITE AVAILABLE NOW WITH OTHER CURRENT BLOGS AND YOUTUBE TEACHINGS. I INVITE YOU TOO CHECK IT OUT.  THERE IS A PRAYER REQUEST SECTION ON THE SITE.

www.godsgoodnessandlove.com

Notice:

The Voice of Prayer  has a new teaching published: 

Offenses, Disipline and Apostles

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y5bySdU2fMc

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

Standing in Line:Order, Order, Order

Do you ever overhear what people talk about while standing in line? If they are right in front of you, you cannot but help hear what is on their mind. Hurry, hurry, hurry!

They are speaking of where they need to be. They speak of the long line and still speak of their new wares they are taking home for their own desires. Now in a store, like a grocery market, food is generally the theme. YOU hear the "I want", with the response, "That is not a vegetable"......and then the conversation ends with a "snort" or something close to it.

Yes, people in lines can be excited about going on the next ride, like at Disneyland, Magic Mountain or what about those lines at the movies? I remember seeing a line clear around the movie theater in a small town in Wyoming when Saturday Night Fever came out. (yes, that was the 70's) And I am not sure why there was such a line. I did not think there was that many young people in the city, ourselves included, but the size of that line made me think, "not all of them are getting in to see the flick"!
Then I remember the times I wanted the 405 ramp and was in the extreme "left land" of the highway. Of course, could I not see the super LONG LINE to my right that started about a mile back? No! Let's see now, if I drive another two miles and exit off, I can cross over and drive back about 5 miles to get back on the highway, but be far enough back to stay in right hand LANE  to exit onto ramp for 405. Okay, no hurry that way or taking the SUPER LONG WAY AROUND! What was I thinking when leaving work?

But there is another line, I am thinking about. It is composed of women of any age who have been mistreated, abused, the beaten, the betrayed, the abandoned and the left for dead. I see a line of women who should be honored for their gift of having a child. I see women who had homes, but have been left to fend for themselves in a world that seeks to lust after youthful things. I think today of women who need a loving hug in friendship, not in how much they can give the other. I see women who are left to their own devices of not having a job, not having a real education but raised a family only to be abused by the spouse and left to live what life they have remaining in loneliness, and despair. What a broken spirit she must have!
Yes there is a line of women who know not their true identity in Christ. Their world is nothing of order, but is seen as sickness, sadness and loss.
They are weighted down with ugliness others have placed on them. But there was "no shame" in the garden.


Genesis 2:24-25
24 Therefore a man shall leave his father and mother and be joined to his wife, and they shall become one flesh. 25 And they were both naked, the man and his wife, and were not ashamed.  NKJV

There was no shame in the garden of Eden. It was not known, for God did not give them shame to know. It was when satan entered the garden that shame appeared.


Genesis 3:9-12
9 Then the LORD God called to Adam and said to him, "Where are you?" 10 So he said, "I heard Your voice in the garden, and I was afraid because I was naked; and I hid myself." 11 And He said, "Who told you that you were naked? Have you eaten from the tree of which I commanded you that you should not eat?" 12 Then the man said, "The woman whom You gave to be with me, she gave me of the tree, and I ate."  NKJV

Proverbs 3:35

35 The wise shall inherit glory,

But shame shall be the legacy of fools.  NKJV

Fools attack others. They come with "their own desires" and take from those who are considered the lesser,yes, the weaker, those with little or no self esteem!  Those who have done this to women will leave a legacy that only fools can leave. For God truly wants those who have been the wounded, the abused, and the abandoned to know He is watching. And He will have His day! HIS JUSTICE WILL ROLL ON LIKE A RIVER!
Amos 5:23-24
23 Away with the noise of your songs!
I will not listen to the music of your harps.
24 But let justice roll on like a river,
righteousness like a never-failing stream!
NIV

We must lift women up to Him, and pray for their security to come in Him. Let's lift those who have no one to walk with them to their final day and their final breath.

Psalm 44:15-16

15 My dishonor is continually before me,

And the shame of my face has covered me, 

16 Because of the voice of him who reproaches and reviles,

Because of the enemy and the avenger. NKJV

For women who have this outlook see themselves like the verses speak above. They are the covered in shame. But it is the adversary, the devil who continues to voice the hurt, the pain, the loneliness and tears speaking that no one cares! 

Women are more than just a body, Women have minds, and they have the ability to bring forth a child when conceived in their wombs. Women are of value. They nurture babies. They bring them forth in love and never leave them to fend for themselves. For most women, they endured to have their child or children AND bring them into a home with much love and care. In that Father, I would ask You to keep them in the bosom of Your love.  Thank You for protecting that woman in her day of deliverance of child and answering her prayers for the baby of her love.

Women of all ages today stand in a line, waiting their turn to be released from that which seems endless. Their plight was begun in the garden of Eden, but it does not mean they have to remain in it. For we truly have a Savior who died for those who would believe in Him. Romans 4:24-25
for us who believe in him who raised Jesus our Lord from the dead. 25 He was delivered over to death for our sins and was raised to life for our justification.

Deuteronomy 32:28-35
28 "For they are a nation void of counsel,
Nor is there any understanding in them.
29 Oh, that they were wise, that they understood this,
That they would consider their latter end!
30 How could one chase a thousand,
And two put ten thousand to flight,
Unless their Rock had sold them,
And the LORD had surrendered them?
31 For their rock is not like our Rock,
Even our enemies themselves being judges.
32 For their vine is of the vine of Sodom
And of the fields of Gomorrah;
Their grapes are grapes of gall,
Their clusters are bitter.
33 Their wine is the poison of serpents,
And the cruel venom of cobras.

34'Is this not laid up in store with Me,
Sealed up among My treasures?
35 Vengeance is Mine, and recompense;
Their foot shall slip in due time;
For the day of their calamity is at hand,
And the things to come hasten upon them.'   NKJV

There is a group......a nation...if you will.....of a people (men)..who are the void of counsel. They have no understanding. They see not nor understand truth and the importance of Godly wisdom. Those planted into the world's system and the culture, are established on a rock of "me, myself and I". Their intent is to take and take....speaking much like Proverbs  30:15.........15 "The leech has two daughters.
'Give! Give!' they cry.
Somehow  society dictates women are to be submissive, but they ARE NOT TO BE SUBMISSIVE TO HARANGUE OR ANY KIND OF ABUSIVE SITUATION. The one who bullies another is the individual who are gall as they deal out pain, their demand for their own way, and they inflict with words of venom toward the woman they violently harass. They are the bitter and the cruel in their demeanor. They are hostile and seek evil against women.
But God is the "women's " Advocate, and He will deliver. For those mistreating a woman in any way will find that calamity will come hard upon them.

Many of these are women are those who just want to please. They think if they over extend themselves into some unusual behavior some guy will think more about them and truly care with love for the. But you cannot please the devil. He came to steal, kill and destroy.

Today, I reach out with others who will read this and take it to heart that we must pray for those who are our sisters in the Lord. God is merciful and is much more merciful than human beings.

Today we pray for those in the abusive lifestyle, those who think they need to remove their clothes to be loved, and for those who are left, those in their 50's and 60's after many years of sacrifice, love and service to family members, are now counted among those without hope or any love. We seek to pray for those coming out of the situations to let go of any resentment toward others. May they know the grace of God that sets them free to experience God's love and trust. May they see clearly the abusive behavior, the hatred, strife and rage and any decisive harangue speaking as to any sexual, physical and verbal content.

God has much more for His ladies. For those who love HIM, He never leaves or forsakes. To any of the women found in this kind of human torture, should be looked after by THE children who were given life in early years. Grown children who ignore the abused "mother" look a lot like those who would rather forget their mother than to honor them!   Judgement will come to them, the grown children, if they continue to ignore the environment of bodily harm their mother may be experiencing. And choosing to give no help is not good.  For we are to honor our parents all the days of our lives.

Matthew 15:3-9

3 Jesus replied, "And why do you break the command of God for the sake of your tradition? 4 For God said, 'Honor your father and mother' and 'Anyone who curses his father or mother must be put to death.'  5 But you say that if a man says to his father or mother, 'Whatever help you might otherwise have received from me is a gift devoted to God,' 6 he is not to 'honor his father' with it. Thus you nullify the word of God for the sake of your tradition. 7 You hypocrites! Isaiah was right when he prophesied about you: 

8 "'These people honor me with their lips, 

but their hearts are far from me. 

9 They worship me in vain; 

their teachings are but rules taught by men.'" NIV

 For women everywhere, may the God of mercy speak to each in their situation. Lamentations 3:22-24............22 Through the LORD's mercies we are not consumed,   Because His compassions fail not.
23 They are new every morning;
Great is Your faithfulness.
24 "The LORD is my portion," says my soul,
"Therefore I hope in Him!"  NKJV

 For those who were married, let those men come to their senses. May they know that God brought them, he and his wife together in a faithful union. As the wife of his youth, he the husband is to keep covenant. That is, he is to hate divorce. For our God hates divorce and cruel men. May these men control their passions and never divorce their wives for any reason.

Any women who walk in generational curses of this nature are over-comers by the Blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony.
Women who are in dire straits must look for truth in God.  Any uncontrollable anger or rage is a curse and should be dealt with as such.


Order, Order, Order come to these who desire to leave the abuse behind. Father be their Gardener. May any vile thing, any cancerous evil be thrown into the garbage never to return to any of their lives.

Father God, in Jesus' name, we pray for women who are the abused and considered less than equals to man. Jesus was sent to bind up the broken-heart and to heal pain. Father You sent Your Word and healed them and delivered them from their destruction. Help them know it is not over. They still have lives to live and bring praise to You God for delivering them. Father, You love unconditionally.  For those growing weary in their day to day existence, may they find joy, peace and love in YOU. May they see truth and light in that which comes from the Father of Lights of whom there is no changing. YOU NEVER CHANGE YOUR MIND! (James 1:17)
Father, we pray that these women who desire the way out of this kind of bondage, would know that any anxiety and fear will neutralize their faith. May these women speak and affirm their faith is in You. May they make definite requests for their needs and cast all care on You for YOU care for them.

Father, Your best for them is found in Your Word. It is to encourage them, build their faith, and regard You as their God. Help them not to be passive about change. Help them to see where change must occur to come out of hurtful bondage.

Lord help them to be always forgiving and show any who may not be doing that. Expose the recesses of souls so they will not be locked up by any unforgiveness. Enable them to love their enemies as You Father have commanded in Your Word.
Today I also pray they would desire to choose You and walk free from the death that unforgiveness brings. Enable them to walk in light and be cleansed from all sin. Thank You for the plans and purposes You hold for their lives. Today You are their Healer, Deliverer, Provider and Redeemer. Comfort them in this day. Show them the way of true worship. Give them words of praise to sing out of their mouths and may a joyful step come back in their walk.

 I thank You that Yo have heard our prayers from heaven and are even now are answering… amen and praise to Your Name HOLY  Lord..........

I HAVE A NEW WEB SITE AVAILABLE NOW WITH OTHER CURRENT BLOGS AND YOUTUBE TEACHINGS. I INVITE YOU TOO CHECK IT OUT.  THERE IS A PRAYER REQUEST SECTION ON THE SITE.
www.godsgoodnessandlove.com

Notice:

The Voice of Prayer  has a new teaching published: 

Faith Without Borders: The Experience of Our Faith

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

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

Were You Left at "Jericho"?

Mark 10:46-52
46 Now they came to Jericho. As He went out of Jericho with His disciples and a great multitude, blind Bartimaeus, the son of Timaeus, sat by the road begging. 47 And when he heard that it was Jesus of Nazareth, he began to cry out and say, "Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!" 48 Then many warned him to be quiet; but he cried out all the more, "Son of David, have mercy on me!" 49 So Jesus stood still and commanded him to be called. Then they called the blind man, saying to him, "Be of good cheer. Rise, He is calling you." 50 And throwing aside his garment, he rose and came to Jesus. 51 So Jesus answered and said to him, "What do you want Me to do for you?" The blind man said to Him, "Rabboni, that I may receive my sight." 52 Then Jesus said to him, "Go your way; your faith has made you well." And immediately he received his sight and followed Jesus on the road.
NKJV

In this passage we are reminded of Bartimaeus, the son of Timaeus.

You remember the man standing by the roadway, begging as one being blind would do. It appears he is in the right place. Someone most likely placed him there to beg to those who passed by like those going to King Herod's summer time palace in Jericho.

But on this day, Jesus of Nazareth was passing. And am certain this blind man heard the crowd. And all the noise of those who were following Jesus at the most opportune moment, prompted the blind man to take courage. He was blind and wanted to be heard by the one who had caused the blind to see and the lame to walk.

In the natural aspect of this, I wonder how many plant themselves by the side of a roadway hoping to be heard. They are those who really do not see and are the lame in that they cannot do for themselves. They are the fallen, those who have been abused and even left behind by the loved one. They have come from broken places to reside in broken places. They come from other ruling entities as to overbearing parents, leaders or spouses. They can come from a regular looking home and still fall short in some area of their mind, will or emotions.

How many even today are waiting to hear of "HEALING" in the house, or "RESTORATION" to a broken heart? How many are in a church setting, but with no way to relate a brokenness in their heart? They are silenced by the all-important agenda of a pastoral committee!
In scenes of most churches on a Saturday or Sunday, all are having you to be believe in being happy, teaching happiness, and that there is no brokenness. They desire to let you know "that you have come to happy land" and "there is no trial, no tribulations. They want you to know that you will be protected in the "happy land". This blind man was brought to a place to help him exist but not to flourish.
In the case of Bartimaeus, we see two things going on. He was placed to receive from man and maybe the rich and famous. We also see him placed by Jericho, the summer retreat home for the king and see him ministered by Jesus. He was not ministered to "in the church" but by the side of the road.
It was during a walk Jesus had in going to minister to others. Jesus was on His Way somewhere to reach someone.
Did a family member drop him there to beg, to fill a gap they the family member, or friend could not give him?

Blind Bartimaeus spoke loudly to Jesus, crying out "Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!" Certainly when that happens, there will be those around to say "shut-up"! Or they might tell you to leave the man alone. Either way, this blind man was going to heard. And he continued to cry out, now, not only over the roar of the regular crowd, but also those who would desire to quiet Bartimaeus.

Most certainly God is order! But His order comes in the form of humility. In that of Jesus, He was, is and will always be the Prophet. He was humble before His Father and remain steadfast to pleasing the Father. There is a boldness that rises out of one who is the broken when they see one of courage WHO STANDS IN BOLDNESS TO DO THAT WHICH IS RESISTANT TO THE legalistic views of those who capitalize on religion and not on what was intended from the beginning of time for all of us. The blind saw Jesus spiritually and reached for His divinity and truth with boldness.
It was boldness reaching for boldness. It was the infirm reaching for the healing he desired from Jesus. He was reaching out to "authority" and he saw Jesus holding everything he needed.

So Jesus stood still and commanded him to be called. Then they called the blind man, saying to him, "Be of good cheer. Rise, He is calling you." 50 And throwing aside his garment, he rose and came to Jesus. 51 So Jesus answered and said to him, "What do you want Me to do for you?" The blind man said to Him, "Rabboni, that I may receive my sight." 52 Then Jesus said to him, "Go your way; your faith has made you well." And immediately he received his sight and followed Jesus.

When I think of Jesus passing by, and He stopped upon hearing the blind man speak. Then Jesus command him to come to Him. Upon writing this, I was thinking of the Garden of Eden and the walk Adam had with God in the "beginning". 

We saw where God quieted the world in Chapter 1............"In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth. (2) The earth was without form and void; and darkness was on the face of the deep. And the Spirit of God was hovering over the face of the waters." (3) Then God said, "Let there be light"; and there was light.

There was chaos in Bartimaeus' life and it included much darkness. For whatever background he had, people had placed him near a place where the rich would frequent. He was placed where the hand-outs would come quickly and most likely they were of the very nature of the generous donation to the blind man, indeed!

But what he, Bartimaeus needed was light brought to him and it came when Jesus entered his darkness. And the very spark of life in His voice spoke to the death in his life. Bartimaeus quickly threw off that garment that spoke loudly of "BLIND MAN". He threw off what he did not need to gain what he could from Jesus. He was the expectant.

"What do you want Me to do for you?"  Then Bartimaeus spoke........ "Rabboni, that I may receive my sight."   Bartimaeus, called Him Master. This blind man was wanting to recover what was rightfully his. Others born had their sight. He was saying you are the Master, my sufficiency.

 He was experiencing the Holy Spirit on Jesus and that power made him come to the life that was truth and the way for his life.

A truth to remember: the blind had to move toward Jesus.........He is movement and is always going forward. We cannot expect to set up a tent and live in a place, expecting Jesus to show up every day or every other day to meet us at our lowest. If we have met Him and acted on His Word, then we have received something from Him, and we act. We do not revert to the "tent" or place we have set up to stay. His faith made him well. He acted and walked. He went with Jesus, where Jesus was going. He did not stay beside the road at Jericho.

Being reminded of the garden and the creation of man we think of that relationship Adam had with God.

From the garden we saw beauty, and we saw failure. Oh, not for God in God or from God, but in man!  Sad but true!

Yes, Adam fell from his place. From that stance of walking with God, he did not keep that watch to keep it going. And in that I recall that both he and his wife heard God walking in the garden in the cool of the day. Ah, distractions will cost you something!

Genesis 3:8-9

8 Then the man and his wife heard the sound of the LORD God as he was walking in the garden in the cool of the day, and they hid from the LORD God among the trees of the garden. 9 But the LORD God called to the man, "Where are you?" NIV

It is interesting that they heard Him walking in the garden. Can you really hear someone walking on grass in a garden of lush vegetation? Interesting! But we find what the "walking" meant!

That walking in the garden..........walking is Strong's 1980.....halak and is................"behave"

in the garden......is Strong's 1588 .....is Greek........fenced garden......defended and protected.

When we truly seek the Lord and hold to His position as the Lord over our hearts, we are in that garden again, but this time in the new Adam which is Jesus Christ. In Him we have life eternally. We are to behave in that garden that is the defended and the protected.

Bartimaeus quickly followed Jesus when he received his sight. He threw away which the world had placed on him either by their own decisive plans or that which they did not understand at all , but in their own thinking merely placed a name tag on him as "the blind". The Lord Jesus will surely open our blind eyes, that which is physical and mental as well.  He will cause us to walk and in that which looks like one who is truly behaving in His garden that is rich with which is ours by believing, adhering to truth and abiding in Him. It is having trust in Him.

For the rich and famous, our wealth is found in Jesus. It is not found in marble palaces or in ornate rings and jewels that sparkly brightly. The wealth of this world is surely fading away, but His Word and truth will remain.

Hebrews 1:10-12

"You, LORD, in the beginning laid the foundation of the earth,

And the heavens are the work of Your hands.  

11 They will perish, but You remain;

And they will all grow old like a garment;  

12 Like a cloak You will fold them up,

And they will be changed.

But You are the same,

And Your years will not fail."  

NKJV

We see something in Paul's preaching. He gave truth to those who came. But there were those who would not believe. They left.

Acts 28:24-27
24 Some were convinced by what he said, but others would not believe. 25 They disagreed among themselves and began to leave after Paul had made this final statement: "The Holy Spirit spoke the truth to your forefathers when he said through Isaiah the prophet: 

26 "'Go to this people and say, 
"You will be ever hearing but never understanding; 
you will be ever seeing but never perceiving." 
27 For this people's heart has become calloused; 
they hardly hear with their ears, 
and they have closed their eyes. 
Otherwise they might see with their eyes, 
hear with their ears, 
understand with their hearts 
and turn, and I would heal them.'  NIV

In the King James Version, it reads this way.
Acts 28:27
27 For the heart of this people is waxed gross, and their ears are dull of hearing, and their eyes have they closed; lest they should see with their eyes, and hear with their ears, and understand with their heart, and should be converted, and I should heal them. KJV

And that waxed gross has the meaning of rendering callous or to stupefy. It is 3975 Strong's....pachuno.
The NT is 4078,,,,pegnumi.......,,meaning to set up tent.

They are not moving anywhere. They are the stationary. They cannot see, they cannot hear, and they have no understanding. They choose not "to hear".

For those like Bartimaeus, he wanted to see with his eyes, hear with his ears, and understand with his heart and received that good part. He desired to receive that of which Jesus represented in His kingdom ..........that is of humility with one God, is of love and of mercy. For those who will not turn at His humility..........that merciful love.........they will not be the healed.

Psalm 101:1-6
I will sing of mercy and loving-kindness and justice, to You, O Lord, will I sing. 2 I will behave myself wisely and give heed to the blameless way-----O when will You come to me? I will walk within my house in integrity and with a blameless heart.
3 I will set no base or wicked thing before my eyes. I hate the work of them who turn aside [from the right path]; it shall not grasp hold of me. 4 A perverse heart shall depart from me; I will know no evil person or thing. 5 Who so privily slanders his neighbor, him will I cut off [from me]; he who has a haughty look and a proud and arrogant heart I cannot and I will not tolerate. 6 My eyes shall [look with favor] upon the faithful of the land, that they may dwell with me; he who walks blamelessly, he shall minister to me.

Walking within our house is walking 1st and foremost with God. When we check in with Him, first we check ourselves for anything which should not be there. To be in the blameless way..........the perfect heart is a full heart committed to God.  It is the heart instructed in the things of God. It means having Christs thoughts and purposes in our heart.
Verse 4.....anyone who has a perverse heart, that indulges into their own glory, their own agendas, and has nothing of real growth potential from God's word for another will certainly come to nothing. One who truly recognizes truthful in another will be at peace with them. Those who carry chaos within their hearts, will only bring forth muddy waters that will just muddy up another person. When we are the behaved, we walk wisely. Our counsel is from God and Him alone. He then sends trusted people who counsel with Him as well. A person who feeds on God's faithfulness will recognize another as well!

Romans 2:6-11

6 God "will give to each person according to what he has done."  7 To those who by persistence in doing good seek glory, honor and immortality, he will give eternal life. 8 But for those who are self-seeking and who reject the truth and follow evil, there will be wrath and anger. 9 There will be trouble and distress for every human being who does evil: first for the Jew, then for the Gentile; 10 but glory, honor and peace for everyone who does good: first for the Jew, then for the Gentile. 11 For God does not show favoritism. NIV


Romans 2:6-11 in the Amplified reads like this: 6. For He will render to every man according to his works [justly, as his deeds deserve]. [Psalm 62:12]  7 To those who by patient persistence in well-doing [springing from piety] seek [unseen but sure] glory and honor and [the eternal blessed of] immorality He will will give eternal life. 8 But for those who are self-seeking and self-willed and disobedient to the Truth but responsive to wickedness, there will indignation and wrath. 9 [And] there will be tribulation and anguish and calamity and constraint for every soul of man who [habitually] does evil, the Jew first, and also the Geek (Gentile). 10 But glory and honor and [heart] peace shall be awarded to everyone who [habitually] does good, the Jew first and also the Greek (Gentile). 11 For God shows no partiality [undue favor or unfairness; with Him one man is not different from another] Deut. 10:17; 2 Chronicles 19:7

Those like Bartimaeus, who choose life will find the goodness of God. They will delight themselves in His goodness and dwell in peaceable habitations. They will reside in peace and quiet resting places. (Isaiah 32:18) One will certainly recognize peace, truth and mercy when the love one carries is God's kind of love. Bartimaeus recognized it and heeded His power.

Father thank You for Jesus. He is Life everlasting to us. We receive the Holy Spirit that is poured into us. We are thankful for fruitful fields that becomes the valued forest.(Is.32:15)May we be like Jesus who was not stationary. He did not reside outside the high priests gate or king's palaces, but was outside doing outreach to those in need of life everlasting. Truly we are the happy and the fortunate who seek the Lord, who dwell in Him always abiding on truth that is wisdom and light to us. May we be  those who will speak out in daily communication with the Lord and tell Him what we would like Him to do for us in regard to being able to see that which we cannot see at this moment. Lord, it is our desire to keep reaching and grow louder in reaching you although we know that you are not far from anyone of us, yet we desire like children to get excited and shout sometimes. May we always be the humble before You. May we always come and pray and seek You while we may. For we desire to please You our Father. In Your light we see light. It is in You we live, move and have our being.

"What can we do for You today our Father?" May it be to YOUR GLORY AND IN YOUR PRAISE. AMEN.

Please view a newly posted teaching on Youtube channel.
" Mount of The Lord = The Table of The Lord".


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

GREAT POSSESSIONS BUT YOU LACK ONE THING

Matthew 19:16-22..........16 Now behold, one came and said to Him, "Good Teacher, what good thing shall I do that I may have eternal life?" 17 So He said to him, "Why do you call Me good? No one is good but One, that is, God. But if you want to enter into life, keep the commandments." 18 He said to Him, "Which ones?" Jesus said, " 'You shall not murder,' 'You shall not commit adultery,' 'You shall not steal,' 'You shall not bear false witness,'  19'Honor your father and your mother,' and, 'You shall love your neighbor as yourself.' " 20 The young man said to Him, "All these things I have kept from my youth. What do I still lack?" 21 Jesus said to him, "If you want to be perfect, go, sell what you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, follow Me." 22 But when the young man heard that saying, he went away sorrowful, for he had great possessions.   NKJV


Okay, did you ever go up to your school teacher and say, "Good teacher,.........?" I do not remember telling that to any of my teachers. If you did, that usually meant you had a motive for speaking it..........and most likely when you wanted something or you desired greatly to get out of doing something!
In verse 20, the young man is still asking, "what do I still lack?"

Interesting that Jesus told the young man, "if you want to be perfect, go sell what you have........give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven."
This "perfect" is the same perfect found in Matthew 5:48.....48 Therefore you shall be perfect, just as your Father in heaven is perfect.  NKJV      This is perfect is found also  in 1 John 4:18......18 There is no fear in love. But perfect love drives out fear, because fear has to do with punishment. The one who fears is not made perfect in love.  NIV     That perfection is in the perfect love that we find in looking into 1 John 4:18. The more we look into that perfect law of liberty, we grow more in Christ Jesus........we become those with the unrelenting pursuit as we saw in Jesus and what He accomplished on the Cross. We certainly do not have to go the way Jesus did in most respects, for He gave His life for us. But we do have to take up our Cross and carry it, remembering why we should have grateful hearts because of His love and of the Father's great love to us that we should not perish but have everlasting life!



"Good Teacher, what good thing shall I do that I may have eternal life?"
With this young man's wealth and probable talents, he was certainly anxious about his future for an eternal life.  I thought on this today...........and I have had no one come up to me and ask about eternal life. I have certainly taught on it and given Bible studies on this subject, but have not had one person come and ask me about eternal life. I have taught on the importance of the Salvation message and how Jesus died on the cross for us all!  Could I or would I have done this 25 years ago. NO! But the Lord certainly works on our hearts and the more we hear His words and obey them, we find a zeal to move out on what He speaks and teaches us about!
In Luke 18:18....it was noted that he was a ruler and a person of eminence and value!

Mark 10:17-22..............17 Now as He was going out on the road, one came running, knelt before Him, and asked Him, "Good Teacher, what shall I do that I may inherit eternal life?" 18 So Jesus said to him, "Why do you call Me good? No one is good but One, that is, God. 19 You know the commandments: 'Do not commit adultery,' 'Do not murder,' 'Do not steal,' 'Do not bear false witness,' 'Do not defraud,' 'Honor your father and your mother.' " 20 And he answered and said to Him, "Teacher, all these I have observed from my youth." 21 Then Jesus, looking at him, loved him, and said to him, "One thing you lack: Go your way, sell whatever you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, take up the cross, and follow Me." 22 But he was sad at this word, and went away sorrowful, for he had great possessions.   NKJV

In the book of Mark and chapter 10 we read on the same story. But here it states that the man came running, knelt before Him and asked the question.  So this man came with some intent to find out something he evidently was thinking about and really desired an answer. 

This zeal for AN answer to eternal life was not a zeal for KNOWING Jesus. He might have been running but it was going to turn quickly to disappointment. We are told in verse 21 of Mark 10 that Jesus, looking at him, loved him and said to him......"YOU LACK ONE THING"................Yikes!

Jesus told him, you lack one thing........this man of probable wealth......was given these commandments........"Do not commit adultery," "Do not murder," "Do not steal." "Do not bear false witness", "Do not defraud", "Honor your father and your mother.".........and then MENTIONED...... "ONE THING YOU LACK........go your way, sell whatever you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven.; and COME TAKE UP THE CROSS AND FOLLOW ME."

And the other thing that has interested me in this passage, is the truth that Jesus did not give the commandments of the order we see them when given from God to Moses to man.
It was interesting that adultery was listed first. Then murder......1 John 3:11-12......11 This is the message you heard from the beginning: We should love one another. 12 Do not be like Cain, who belonged to the evil one and murdered his brother. And why did he murder him? Because his own actions were evil and his brother's were righteous.  NIV   Murder listed second, made me think of this scripture on Cain who murdered his brother because his own actions were evil and the brother's were righteous!
Could the businessman, the ruler have had some dealings where he had some kind of evil action towards others?
Next, was do not steal, do not defraud, or bear false witness...........Romans 13:6-10
6 This is also why you pay taxes, for the authorities are God's servants, who give their full time to governing. 7 Give everyone what you owe him: If you owe taxes, pay taxes; if revenue, then revenue; if respect, then respect; if honor, then honor. 

8 Let no debt remain outstanding, except the continuing debt to love one another, for he who loves his fellowman has fulfilled the law. 9 The commandments, "Do not commit adultery," "Do not murder," "Do not steal," "Do not covet," and whatever other commandment there may be, are summed up in this one rule: "Love your neighbor as yourself."  10 Love does no harm to its neighbor. Therefore love is the fulfillment of the law.  NIV

Jesus saw potential for the young man. He already had treasures on the earth, but what of those of the spiritual in Jesus. The young ruler went away sorrowful. He said he had kept the commandments, but yet he still lacked one thing. Again we see a heart issue with the young man. He had wealth and he had position. But he evidently lacked love for his fellow human being!

He evidently liked having the glory of that of the rich and of being young! But what happens when the wealth is gone and the youth is spent of that which does not bring life?

Leviticus 19:18............18 You shall not take vengeance, nor bear any grudge against the children of your people, but you shall love your neighbor as yourself: I am the LORD. 

NKJV

Yes, the young ruler would have had this before his eyes, if he were telling truth that he confessed and professed them. And we certainly, know many people had to have been present when he ran and kneeling at Jesus' feet. Some of those he was leader over were probably present at this moment and heard all that he had spoken about following the Commandments!

What must we part with to gain eternal life? Remember the young man had the 10 Commandments and professed to have followed them.

John 3:35-36.......... 35 The Father loves the Son, and has given all things into His hand. 36 He who believes in the Son has everlasting life; and he who does not believe the Son shall not see life, but the wrath of God abides on him."    NKJV

John 17:2-5......... 3 And this is eternal life, that they may know You, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom You have sent. 4 I have glorified You on the earth. I have finished the work which You have given Me to do. 5 And now, O Father, glorify Me together with Yourself, with the glory which I had with You before the world was.     NKJV

John 4:13-14.........."Whoever drinks of this water will thirst again, 14 but whoever drinks of the water that I shall give him will never thirst. But the water that I shall give him will become in him a fountain of water springing up into everlasting life."  NKJV

Romans 6:23................ 23 For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.   NKJV

Eternal life, is a total surrender to God.  We are deny self and leave the carnal behind. This young man thought it important enough to come ask, "Good Teacher." Are we going to the Teacher daily and losing our life to gain His life? Have we surrendered all to live for Jesus and to the plan God set for us to live? But consider this! Have we gone the step further and discovered what else it takes for that walk for an eternity..........?


Matthew 5:38-48...............38 "You have heard that it was said, 'An eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth.'  39 But I tell you not to resist an evil person. But whoever slaps you on your right cheek, turn the other to him also. 40 If anyone wants to sue you and take away your tunic, let him have your cloak also. 41 And whoever compels you to go one mile, go with him two. 42 Give to him who asks you, and from him who wants to borrow from you do not turn away. 

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

Yes, that one thing he lacked was love...........we are to go love our enemies, bless those who curse us and do good to those who hate us......Yikes! really?.............We are to pray for those who spitefully use us or persecute us. Love is perfected in doing good to those who hate or revile us. 
Well, THAT WOULD BE A LOVE WALK, WOULD IT NOT?

It is all too common that someone dies suddenly.........and I wonder, were they saved or lost forever? If our life can go in an instant, are we prepared to meet eternity with God? I have no fear of death. I have been close.........but God has always prevailed on my behalf.

This young man had observed the 10 Commandments..........The world itself cannot add anything to us. It can only bring death! But Jesus came to bring us life.......and that in abundance! LOVE WAS EXPRESSED ON THE CROSS!

Our lives are those which have been touched by God Himself. Our lives are those who have Christ seated on the thrones of our hearts. Our lives are those that will reach into eternity with a God Who is Faithful and True.

1 John 5:12........12 He who has the Son has life; he who does not have the Son of God does not have life.  NKJV

IS HE THE "GOOD TEACHER" OR IS HE THE GOOD TEACHER WHO IS FIRST AND LAST (Rev.1:17), BREAD OF LIFE (John 6:32), CHIEF SHEPHERD (1 Peter 5:4), DAYSPRING (LUKE 1:78), HOLY ONE OF GOD, "I AM" (John 8:58), MESSIAH (John 1:41), REDEEMER (Job 19:25), RESURRECTION AND LIFE (John 11:25),ROOT OF DAVID (Revelation 22:16), TRUE VINE (John 15:1), WITNESS (Isaiah 55:4),  LIGHT OF THE WORLD (John 8:12), SAVIOR (Luke 2:11), and the WORD (John 1:1)

When we have Jesus, we have all we need! He is our Healer, our Provider, ..................."Unto us a Son is given; and the government will be upon His shoulder. And His name will be called Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace, and of the increase of His government and peace there will be no end, upon the throne of David and over His kingdom, to order it and establish it with judgment and justice ........From that time forward, even forever.

Amen!

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