Mirror Mirror on the Wall

I remember this from decades ago. It was in a movie. But I wonder if people do that today: you know stare at themselves in the mirror. Oh no!
But I am thinking of the mirror of God's Word.

Romans 1:16
16 For I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes, to the Jew first and also to the Greek. 
NASU

James 1:19-27
19 This you know, my beloved brethren. But everyone must be quick to hear, slow to speak and slow to anger; 

20 for the anger of man does not achieve the righteousness of God. 

21 Therefore, putting aside all filthiness and all that remains of wickedness, in humility receive the word implanted, which is able to save your souls.

In humility we are to receive the word implanted, which is able to save our souls......that is receive His word that will cut off anything that is not of Him: like foolishness, gossip, profanity, covetousness, the blame game, anger, hostility, lust, pride, etc. !


22 But prove yourselves doers of the word, and not merely hearers who delude themselves. 

For His Word will propel us to do for Him and it is due to His power! Amen



23 For if anyone is a hearer of the word and not a doer, he is like a man who looks at his natural face in a mirror; 

24 for once he has looked at himself and gone away, he has immediately forgotten what kind of person he was.

25 But one who looks intently at the perfect law, the law of liberty, and abides by it, not having become a forgetful hearer but an effectual doer, this man will be blessed in what he does.

26 If anyone thinks himself to be religious, and yet does not bridle his tongue but deceives his own heart, this man's religion is worthless.

27 Pure and undefiled religion in the sight of our God and Father is this: to visit orphans and widows in their distress, and to keep oneself unstained by the world.
NASU

Yes, that natural man looking into the mirror, is the same as one who looks into God's Word but walks away from it. Never finding out what or who he really is would be a hard and terrible thing.

But we are to ever be reminding ourselves that we must hear the Word of God for it is life to us.

In looking at the written word in James 1 and verses 19-27.....the fruit of His Word is that which is good; it looks good and produces life. But there is another that can be produced in nature that is of a sour kind of fruit.

Ever went to the store just for some really purple grapes? You find them, take them home and then after washing, you take the biggest one in the bowl, bring it into your mouth and then to your surprise it is sour! You scowl .....and try to get the taste out of your mouth. Once again, you take another grape only to find they are all sour grapes, indeed!
I know that we all like fruit, but what fruit are we producing? That which speaks of God and His ways is worthy to be given, it is the untainted. That which God produces is for the good to all. Yet, there are many people seeing and receiving that sour fruit in some ministry. Why is that?

One thing for sure, the one leading must of the humble spirit, adhering to God and being submissive to all He gives as commanded to do. We also have to look at any faults. People can make mistakes. And people are to be the patient ones, but alas in a microwave society, it is "I want it now".
One pastor I knew for many years, always said upon rising in the morning, he would check himself in every area of his life. He said he would ask the Holy Spirit to show him in area he was missing the mark with God. He yielded to God!

So yielding every day, will keep us in His sights, in His plan, and His gospel will be paramount to us.
Man is natural, and does natural things to him.
It is just like our little dog. She finds a place to lay down, but because of many hundreds of years of her forefathers likeness according to that which was handed down through the ages, she still has to scratch at the rug like it is grass. Like the wild dog who flattens down an area to lie down on, she does this too! She has never had to lay in grass, be out at night as to sleep on it, or spend any time with it. Yet, every routine she does before laying down in that just right place, she must scratch it to point of moving the blanket around to her desire. Even the door mat within the house will get an occasional scratch to make her leisure position more comfortable to her way of thinking.

If while driving, I am looking away from the highway and stop paying attention to what is in front of me while driving, what happens?  Well, if it is any indication of what I saw yesterday while in the city, I would say the person was either texting or talking to the passenger in the vehicle with her! When I get behind the steering wheel of a car, do I throw all the information of the rules of the road out the window or do I run them through my mind while driving? In driving, we are to be mind-full of our driving. Phones, in my opinion should never be used while driving. In my own experience, I have always pulled off the road to take a call.

The fruit of the Holy Spirit is: love, joy, peace, patience, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. (Gal. 5:22-26) Those who belong to Jesus have crucified the sinful nature and desires. We keep in step with the Spirit of God. But...........verse 26 of Galatians 5 says this: let us not become conceited, provoking and envying each other.

The amplified states this: 26 Let us not become vainglorious, and  self-conceited, competitive, and challenging, and provoking and irritating to one another, envying and being jealous of one another.

When we start moving forward with God, are we ever challenged? Yes!
And it seems at the oddest time. Like the proof is in the pudding........that is..........the proof of the pudding is in the eating! And when outreach is being done by a handful people and are touching others with God's love...........someone always comes to make light of it or that it is of no effect at all.
Yes, people have faults, they fail sometimes, they come up short, but with God we can look good, and sound good. He gives us His Word to live out a life that is far from the natural man. But repentance is vital to keeping step with the Spirit of God.

If we are the envying, then what or who do we envy? Or are we the conceited?
To me, it reminds me of times when some school mate comes to your house. They show you the latest "new thing"...they had acquired.......and making the statement, "it is mine and you do not have one"! Ever been there or in that place?

Yes, and this very thing carries over into the church today! See what I have....and you do not have this! And you came from nowhere. YIKES!

In the regeneration, we are trained in the Gospel for godliness.
We are to reject profane and old wive's fables, and exercise toward godliness. (1 Timothy 4:7)
We are to imitate God according to Ephesians 5:1-3.......and to walk in love as Christ loved us. He was that offering and sacrifice to God for a a sweet-smelling aroma.
Does our life give off any aroma of the sweet? Or does that which we produce tend only toward sour grapes and worms? Yikes!

If our walk is serving in the church, then what about outreach to the community? Our going to church is a good thing, But remember most people do not go to church, and they remain outside the walls of one. If we keep the concept of church foremost in our thinking, then we remain as it were the "ones taking baby steps with the Lord" and remain as it were in the basement and the beginning of things with God. 
It is really time for the church to move outdoors and reach others for Jesus.

And if we think we see some R-rated flick with some kind of filthy language and it will not affect us in any way, then we are the deceived! One might have some prayer time in with the Lord, and even some scripture base that he has placed in his heart, but now said person is seeking R-rated stuff, that is evil, brings darkness and can have a person produce sour grapes..........a fruit no one can be refreshed by. It could consequently be fruit with many worms, is that which is of lust for something, any selfishness........and yes, greed. 
And have we not read of it about the Hebrew nation coming out of Egypt?
As we had seen in the Israelite's hoarding manna, the consequences were to decomposition. They hoarded the manna and they came up with worms!
What they saw as something to take extra amounts of.......became their source of corruption.
In trusting God, our faith is for today..........tomorrow will take care of itself, right?
Matt 6:33-7:1
33 But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. 34 Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.    NIV

I heard Joyce Meyer this morning mention how many times she felt she went to hell in maintaining no pride in her ministry. It was of God and it was in His power and in His doing. She was along for what He desired. She said the "flesh has to die"..........that resurrection is all important, but the "flesh has to die". 

She gave this example with a cookie cutter, and placed on some dough. As she pressed the dough into the cookie cutter that looked like a little person, she named what had to be removed.....like gossip, and covetousness...............and everyday we have to keep those things away from us.

Looking into the perfect law of liberty, we do not change His Words, His Words change us. There is no picking up the Mirror and speak some kind of chant. God's Word is not of frozen princesses, pumpkin carriages, or tin men. It is not how fast you can sing, or fast you can dance, but how fast you and I obey God.  It is not how many face lifts you have had in the last ten years, because you will certainly need another after the first one. Some folks you see as spokespersons do not even look like what I remember them looking like from years past. Praise the Lord, I am sure He does since He created them. But the society today looks only for that which is the of the youthful person  who is the beautiful and if not: discard! To do anything against what God created seems fake and very phoney to me.
God looks on the heart, and not on the looks of the individual. We certainly saw that with David, the shepherd boy!

But God has chosen us a race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for his own possession, that we may proclaim the excellencies of him who called us out of darkness into his marvelous light. We live in a world of darkness, but we are not part of that darkness. We are not of the world because we are in Christ. We have light. Our light is to shine that others might know Him and be saved. (1 Peter 2:9) We are seated with Him and in His righteousness. We are not to envy, covet or have any pride that exalts themselves. Those taking baby steps have remained in the building of the church.


Matthew 5:13-16…..13 "You are the salt of the earth; but if the salt loses its flavor, how shall it be seasoned? It is then good for nothing but to be thrown out and trampled underfoot by men. 14 You are the light of the world. A city that is set on a hill cannot be hidden. 15 Nor do they light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a lamp stand, and it gives light to all who are in the house. 16 Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven. NKJV

His Ways and Thoughts are higher than ours, are they not? 
Isaiah 55:9
9 "As the heavens are higher than the earth,
so are my ways higher than your ways 
and my thoughts than your thoughts. NIV

We can leave the scratching of the ground behind, that digging in the dirt, or talking into mirrors to find out the fairest in the land.
For there is One True God. He is not found in mirrors. I think about that Hall of Mirrors. It is found usually in some amusement park. The different mirrors give a distorted view of you and what is going on in that moment.

With God, there is no distortion, no smokin' mirrors, no magic tricks, and no silly chants. His Word is alive and it is power. And those who love His Word will be quick to hear, slow to speak and slow to anger.

Remember that it is in humility that we should receive the word implanted, which is able to save our souls......that is receive His word that will cut off anything that is not of Him: like foolishness, gossip, profanity, covetousness, the blame game, anger, hostility, lust, pride, etc. !
When we truly look with intent in our heart, we see the liberty of who we are, and become the person who is effective in their work for his kingdom. And those who follow Him in His kingdom are blessed.

We look not to those funny mirrors, but into God and what fruit we are producing. Is it good for another?  OR is it of a "sour quality"?  For that which is good is not too salty...........it is not fruit filled with worms, but is good and healthy for another. It is the humble, willing to conform to God's thinking and keep from the profane. To speak life into another person, and see them come up higher in the things of God. It looks like this: It is to visit orphans and widows in their distress, and to keep oneself unstained by the world. 

Go find those orphans who are wandering.....(there are many of many ages, height and weight).....lead them to Jesus.........and be blessed by God! And forget the mirror. Just think what you will look like in heaven! We can all be 29 years of age and weigh 115 pounds when we get to heaven right?

Of course men will want a trimmer middle and may desire to have a more muscle-looking physique, yet we will walk with God to see His best for us all! It is not what you or I look like in the mirror, but that the mirror is His Word to have a clarity of who we are, and where we are going in this journey we call life. Amen.

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

GONE WILD

Proverbs 12:17
7 He who speaks truth declares righteousness,
But a false witness, deceit.
NKJV

Proverbs 14:5

5 A trustworthy witness will not lie, 

But a false witness utters lies. 

NASU

Rumor is a terrible thing! It is a dangerous path to talk about something we might have seen with our own eyes without the right knowledge. Our own perception without that right knowledge is that of the "false".  And to utter such.......is the false witness!

Proverbs 30:7-9

7 Two things I request of You 

(Deprive me not before I die): 

8 Remove falsehood and lies far from me;

Give me neither poverty nor riches--

Feed me with the food allotted to me; 

9 Lest I be full and deny You,

And say, "Who is the LORD?"

Or lest I be poor and steal,

And profane the name of my God. 

NKJV

Remove falsehood and lies far from me.

We know that God does not lead us into temptation. We can do that part really well! (remember: the sin nature)  But we are to stand fast against that which is the false..........!

2 Chronicles 18:1-34

18:1 Jehoshaphat had riches and honor in abundance; and by marriage he allied himself with Ahab. 2 After some years he went down to visit Ahab in Samaria; and Ahab killed sheep and oxen in abundance for him and the people who were with him, and persuaded him to go up with him to Ramoth Gilead. 3 So Ahab king of Israel said to Jehoshaphat king of Judah, "Will you go with me against Ramoth Gilead?" And he answered him, "I am as you are, and my people as your people; we will be with you in the war." 

4 And Jehoshaphat said to the king of Israel, "Please inquire for the word of the LORD today." 5 Then the king of Israel gathered the prophets together, four hundred men, and said to them, "Shall we go to war against Ramoth Gilead, or shall I refrain?" And they said, "Go up, for God will deliver it into the king's hand." 

Yes, this king had many prophets. They were some four hundred in number.

6 But Jehoshaphat said, "Is there not still a prophet of the LORD here, that we may inquire of Him?" 7 So the king of Israel said to Jehoshaphat, "There is still one man by whom we may inquire of the LORD; but I hate him, because he never prophesies good concerning me, but always evil. He is Micaiah the son of Imla." 

And Jehoshaphat said, "Let not the king say such things!" 8 Then the king of Israel called one of his officers and said, "Bring Micaiah the son of Imla quickly!" 9 The king of Israel and Jehoshaphat king of Judah, clothed in their robes, sat each on his throne; and they sat at a threshing floor at the entrance of the gate of Samaria; and all the prophets prophesied before them. 10 Now Zedekiah the son of Chenaanah had made horns of iron for himself; and he said, "Thus says the LORD: 'With these you shall gore the Syrians until they are destroyed.' " 11 And all the prophets prophesied so, saying, "Go up to Ramoth Gilead and prosper, for the LORD will deliver it into the king's hand." 

This messenger called Micaiah........and told him saying this: "now listen, the words of the prophets with one accord encourage the king. Therefore please let your word be like the word of one of them and speak encouragement."  Yikes! This messenger wanted Micaiah to lie! See below:

12 Then the messenger who had gone to call Micaiah spoke to him, saying, "Now listen, the words of the prophets with one accord encourage the king. Therefore please let your word be like the word of one of them, and speak encouragement." 13 And Micaiah said, "As the LORD lives, whatever my God says, that I will speak." 14 Then he came to the king; and the king said to him, "Micaiah, shall we go to war against Ramoth Gilead, or shall I refrain?" And he said, "Go and prosper, and they shall be delivered into your hand!" 15 So the king said to him, "How many times shall I make you swear that you tell me nothing but the truth in the name of the LORD?" 16 Then he said, "I saw all Israel scattered on the mountains, as sheep that have no shepherd. And the LORD said, 'These have no master. Let each return to his house in peace.' " 17 And the king of Israel said to Jehoshaphat, "Did I not tell you he would not prophesy good concerning me, but evil?" 

Wow......what a predicament when one sees evil as good, and good as evil!


In verse 14...."shall we go to war against Ramoth Gilead, or shall I refrain?
Imagine letting someone choose for you about going to war! Yet, Micaiah was called out to bring the Word of the Lord........that whisper from God.

In verse 16 Micaiah spoke truth from the LORD..........He said......."I saw all Israel scattered on the mountains, as sheep that have no shepherd. And the LORD said, 'These have no master. Let each return to his house in peace.' Then the king of Israel said to Jehoshaphat........"Did I not tell you he would not prophesy good concerning me, but evil?"

18 Then Micaiah said, "Therefore hear the word of the LORD: I saw the LORD sitting on His throne, and all the host of heaven standing on His right hand and His left. 19 And the LORD said, 'Who will persuade Ahab king of Israel to go up, that he may fall at Ramoth Gilead?' So one spoke in this manner, and another spoke in that manner. 20 Then a spirit came forward and stood before the LORD, and said, 'I will persuade him.' The LORD said to him, 'In what way?' 21 "So he said, 'I will go out and be a lying spirit in the mouth of all his prophets.' And the LORD said, 'You shall persuade him and also prevail; go out and do so.' 22 "Therefore look! The LORD has put a lying spirit in the mouth of these prophets of yours, and the LORD has declared disaster against you." 

That lying to say good things always.......to stroke the "kitty kat" fur is not a good thing to do ever. For we see from the above passage, that because of their lying to please the king, the LORD sent them that which they desired: TO LIE! "Therefore look!" "The LORD has put a lying spirit in the mouth of these prophets of yours and the LORD has declared disaster against you."

23 Then Zedekiah the son of Chenaanah went near and struck Micaiah on the cheek, and said, "Which way did the spirit from the LORD go from me to speak to you?" 24 And Micaiah said, "Indeed you shall see on that day when you go into an inner chamber to hide!" 25 Then the king of Israel said, "Take Micaiah, and return him to Amon the governor of the city and to Joash the king's son; 26 and say, 'Thus says the king: "Put this fellow in prison, and feed him with bread of affliction and water of affliction until I return in peace." ' " 27 Then Micaiah said, "If you ever return in peace, the LORD has not spoken by me." And he said, "Take heed, all you people!" 

Micaiah was then struck because of what he spoke in truth. Zedekiah asked him"Which way did the spirit from the LORD go from me to speak to you?" James 3:17-18

17 But the wisdom that comes from heaven is first of all pure; then peace-loving, considerate, submissive, full of mercy and good fruit, impartial and sincere. 18 Peacemakers who sow in peace raise a harvest of righteousness. NIV

And Micaiah went on to say......"Indeed you shall see on that day when you go into an inner chamber to hide!"  So..............'thus speaks the king: "Put this fellow in prison, and feed him with bread of affliction and water of affliction until I return in peace." And Micaiah responds by saying, "If you ever return in peace, the  LORD HAS NOT SPOKEN BY ME.". "TAKE HEED ALL YOU PEOPLE."

28 So the king of Israel and Jehoshaphat the king of Judah went up to Ramoth Gilead. 29 And the king of Israel said to Jehoshaphat, "I will disguise myself and go into battle; but you put on your robes." So the king of Israel disguised himself, and they went into battle. 30 Now the king of Syria had commanded the captains of the chariots who were with him, saying, "Fight with no one small or great, but only with the king of Israel." 31 So it was, when the captains of the chariots saw Jehoshaphat, that they said, "It is the king of Israel!" Therefore they surrounded him to attack; but Jehoshaphat cried out, and the LORD helped him, and God diverted them from him. 32 For so it was, when the captains of the chariots saw that it was not the king of Israel, that they turned back from pursuing him. 33 Now a certain man drew a bow at random, and struck the king of Israel between the joints of his armor. So he said to the driver of his chariot, "Turn around and take me out of the battle, for I am wounded." 34 The battle increased that day, and the king of Israel propped himself up in his chariot facing the Syrians until evening; and about the time of sunset he died.  NKJV

Verse 29, if this king really valued "his prophets" why did he need to hide his appearance? BECAUSE, he knew they really prophesied to keep a good fellowship so to speak with him. They desired more about pleasing him than really finding the right truth in God.

(I always think of David and Goliath when I read this portion of scripture, and King Saul had tried to dress David in his armor which did not fit. David went as he did in the wilderness, and he went equipped with that which he had trained in with God's help.)

So the king of Israel disguised himself and went into battle. The king of Syria......... had told those he commanded to "fight with no one small or great, but only with the king of Israel." Yet he , the king of Israel  was in disguise..............so they, the king of Syria and his military men would see and think that king Jehoshaphat was the king of Israel and they rushed him. But he cried out and the LORD helped him, and God diverted them from him. So it was, when the captains of the chariots saw that it was not the king of Israel............they turned back from pursuing him.

Amazing how people can think lies will protect them. In this we saw one king die........being shot by a bow that was shot at random. And yet it found its mark in that which was of deceit and lies.

Making any decision without God is signing on the line with the devil. Our God is to be our light and with His knowledge and wisdom we are led in a place with no confusion and without terror. 

Gone Wild is that "false" evidence avenue.  It is where we are the driver for our own pathway. We are to turn from false sources. Staying in God and His knowledge teaches us His wisdom and will keep us out of any "fear factor". People can speak a lot of different things, but truth is of the Lord.

Staying close to our Father will keep falsehood and lies far from us. And those who speak out against us..........may the Word prevail..........that which speaks...........

Psalm 63:11

11 But the king will rejoice in God;

all who swear by God's name will praise him,

while the mouths of liars will be silenced. NIV

AMEN!

When a leader has GONE WILD.......they are choosing their own pathway and to find the one person who will agree with them in doing the wrong thing at the wrong time. In this we saw the king of Israel had 400 false prophets and 1-truth speaking prophet. In Micaiah's being questioned of the word of the Lord, he stood for truth and bringing praise to God. In his righteousness, he was dealt the bread and water of affliction. Even though he sought the Lord, he found persecution. He was the imprisoned. But even more than that, he knew the king of Israel would die. It was a grievous time for the prophet.
In James 4, we read in verses 1-4 ........as being a friend of the world.
It goes like this from the Amplified Bible:
1 What leads to strife (discord and feuds) and  how do conflicts (quarrels and fightings)  originate among you? Do they not arise from your sensual desires that are ever warring in your bodily members? 2 You are jealous and covet [what others have] and your desires go unfulfilled; [so] you become murderers. [To hate is to murder as far as your hearts are concerned.] You burn with envy and  anger and are not able to obtain [the gratification, the contentment, and the happiness that you seek], so you fight and war. You do not have, because you do not ask. [ 1 John 5:15]  3 [Or] you do ask [God for them] and yet fail to receive, because you ask with wrong purpose and evil, selfish motives. Your intention is [when you get what you desire] to spend it in sensual pleasures.  4 You [are like] unfaithful wives [having illicit love affairs with the world and breaking your marriage vow to God]!  Do you not know that being the world's friend is being God's enemy? So whoever chooses to be a friend of the world takes his stand as an enemy of God.

See: CONCLUSION OF THIS IN: Worshiping the " THE LUCKY RITUAL"


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

One Voice, One Loud, One Quiet and which Will We Hear?

John 12:27-31
Now My soul is troubled and distressed, and what shall I say? Father, save Me from this hour [of trial and agony]? But it was this very purpose that I have come to this hour [that I might undergo it]. 28 [Rather, I will say,] glorify (honor and extol)Your [own] name! Then there came a voice out of heaven saying, I have already glorified it, and I will glorify it again. 29 The crowd of bystanders heard the sound and said that it had thundered; others said, An angel has spoken to HIM! 30 This voice has not come for My sake, but for your sake. 31 Now the judgment (crisis) of this world is coming on [sentence is now being passed on this world]. Now the ruler (evil genius, prince) of this world shall be of this world shall be cast out (expelled).

This voice has not come for My sake, but for your sake!
This spoken word is spoken right now, because it was proof by the "Father" that Jesus was the sent one, the "Messiah".
When a voice speaks words that are a comfort to those around us.........and not just to confirm us, because God has sent us to speak to the broken, the sick, the lame and see change come.
Glorify Your name God......extol YOUR name, so those who hear will know that God is glorified in this "thing" that has occurred. It is not because of any greatness in any one man, but because of the glory of God!
It is the true witness. It is that which testifies of the holy and against the profane.
And they which heard, heard a sound.
Jesus prayed a prayer!
Some heard, just like in Acts 9:7.....and Acts 22:9...  .

Exodus 19:16-25
16 Then it came to pass on the third day, in the morning, that there were thunderings and lightnings, and a thick cloud on the mountain; and the sound of the trumpet was very loud, so that all the people who were in the camp trembled. 17 And Moses brought the people out of the camp to meet with God, and they stood at the foot of the mountain. 18 Now Mount Sinai was completely in smoke, because the LORD descended upon it in fire. Its smoke ascended like the smoke of a furnace, and the whole mountain quaked greatly. 19 And when the blast of the trumpet sounded long and became louder and louder, Moses spoke, and God answered him by voice. 20 Then the LORD came down upon Mount Sinai, on the top of the mountain. And the LORD called Moses to the top of the mountain, and Moses went up. 21 And the LORD said to Moses, "Go down and warn the people, lest they break through to gaze at the LORD, and many of them perish. 22 Also let the priests who come near the LORD consecrate themselves, lest the LORD break out against them." 23 But Moses said to the LORD, "The people cannot come up to Mount Sinai; for You warned us, saying, 'Set bounds around the mountain and consecrate it.' " 24 Then the LORD said to him, "Away! Get down and then come up, you and Aaron with you. But do not let the priests and the people break through to come up to the LORD, lest He break out against them." 25 So Moses went down to the people and spoke to them.   NKJV

That blast of the trumpet was the VOICE OF GOD. And it came to warn. When there is a unison of many speaking the same words at the same time, can sound like a "loud trumpet" or even "many waters".

Ezekiel  1:22-28
22 The likeness of the firmament above the heads of the living creatures was like the color of an awesome crystal, stretched out over their heads. 23 And under the firmament their wings spread out straight, one toward another. Each one had two which covered one side, and each one had two which covered the other side of the body. 24 When they went, I heard the noise of their wings, like the noise of many waters, like the voice of the Almighty, a tumult like the noise of an army; and when they stood still, they let down their wings. 25 A voice came from above the firmament that was over their heads; whenever they stood, they let down their wings. 

26 And above the firmament over their heads was the likeness of a throne, in appearance like a sapphire stone; on the likeness of the throne was a likeness with the appearance of a man high above it. 27 Also from the appearance of His waist and upward I saw, as it were, the color of amber with the appearance of fire all around within it; and from the appearance of His waist and downward I saw, as it were, the appearance of fire with brightness all around. 28 Like the appearance of a rainbow in a cloud on a rainy day, so was the appearance of the brightness all around it. This was the appearance of the likeness of the glory of the LORD.

So when I saw it, I fell on my face, and I heard a voice of One speaking. NKJV

For many, even today, it is by some unusual way they hear about Jesus for "the first time". In the passage from John 12, we have already visited the passages where Lazarus is raised from the dead. And in all those "miracles" that transpired proved Him (Jesus) to be God's Will and Word. They were to provide proof that He was to see believer's as in John 2:23; John 4:48, and in John 11:42.

In demonstration of God's power:John 5:30;John 6:38, and Hebrews 10:7.
In was to also confirm His Son-ship.......in John 5:17-19, and John 5:30-36. See also in Acts 2:32.
It was also proving that the kingdom of God was 'present" in that moment........1 Corinthians 4:20.
We were also to see the work of the Holy Spirit and His power active and operating.... Luke 4:18; John 3:34; Acts 1:4-8


So when the Jews rejected Jesus and His Son-ship, they rejected God....AND......the Salvation came to the Gentile. And in that we find that those in that region, Philip and Andrew came from, was a region where many of the Greek heritage were receptive to Jesus' teachings and they became those who would follow Jesus and help take the word of the Gospel to others. These who stood by heard the "voice" from heaven and why? 

Because they knew Jesus and recognized it to be God speaking. From the Cross the world was judged and the enemy, the evil one, prince of this world was cast out. When the Lord shows up: 1. you will know Him by what He speaks ( out of the pastor, prophet, teacher who gives the word of God) 2. the voice will be of God and not man, 3 will glorify God and not man 4 will be given and ......without doubt others will see and know of that God has entered the situation, the room and He is excited to let everyone know! His Presence will be tangible in every way possible. And 5, when we leave, everyone in the room is "the comforted, " they are the supported", " they are the joyful", they are the fired up ones for God, and they move into their evening and week with a great outlook on their life that God is with them!


We can see at times when God spoke like to Elijah in the still small voice, and to others He gave the direct warning as the trumpet blast to others as we read in Exodus 19:16-25.
We can people be comforted by what we speak, what we give when reading that Holy Word.
Yes, when we think about the Triune God-head do we consider that 1/3 of that God-head resides on our hearts? Do we consider that the same God who raised Jesus from the dead, is the same who comforts us in our day, in our week, helps us make godly decisions each day?



 How do we obtain that relationship?
Well, I think of Kathryn Kuhlman, who was a mighty woman for God. She had an exceptional relationship with the 3rd head of the God -Head. His name is the Holy Spirit.
We should be able to hear the "Voice", the "trumpet" giving warning," the quiet voice when maybe just tired, but we should hear them all.

In reading over her life I am so overwhelmed that one can be so taken over by the Spirit of God. Her love for God was so beautiful, was such a crucial part of who she became, and what a life of grace. The miraculous occurred because she sought the miracle worker! She honored Him and He honored her! If you have opportunity to read on one of the early Generals I would certainly read up on Kathryn Kuhlman.

So is it relationship or is is an acquaintance? 
And what constitutes knowing someone personally or on that intimacy level where only the "secrets" between two are the "known"?

In getting to know our baby, when she was born, was about knowing so much about her. She was the quiet. She slept all the through the night on her second night home. She was up at 6 am every morning. I will not share her favorite foods, but by the teenage years it was cold pizza and I will not mention when she wanted to eat it. We were more than her acquaintance, we were her parents. We knew her everyday of the week and weekend. She had some friends and closest ones would call her Candy, but that was not her name. In years after she left home and went to college, some found calling her Candance as the "thing" to do!  And in meeting some of them, I am not sure why they thought they deserved the familiarity of being a friend when they only talked a couple times a week and no one had cell phones. YIKES! NO CELLS PHONES!
Yes, on a more personal level, with one having a relaxed attitude toward another person, are they satisfied because "they want others to think they know her really well" or are they doing it and happy that they do not have to know anything else about her? And if we find out something about her, is it because her mother told you from first hand experience..........or is it "heard through the grapevine, kind of thing?"Today there is that Facebook society. They will give you all kinds of info on them, but how much is really truth? If you knew each one and spent time with them will they look like that Facebook page or seem more like a stranger?
With all the new technology people are still not meeting one another. With the advantage or disadvantage of the texting idea, many can text one another from the same house, and from the same room. What?
But we cannot text God or send emails!

My grand-parents can say they went to church but that did not make them a real believer in Jesus Christ. My mother took us to church every Sunday and saw to it that we had Sunday School for the youth bible studies, but that did not make us believer's either!
Purging ourselves of that which is not needed may leave us as the ones who only know Joe and know nothing about him, like where he lives, what his occupation is or where his family lives. YOU may not can recognize "Joe" on the street. Why? Well they only text one another!!!!
I guess the best thing I have heard at "church" was this: "well, everyone is jumping in, for the Spirit is here"....and people of the congregation have no idea what the pastor is even mentioning. And in truth most attending right now have not opened a Bible in how many decades? YIKES again!

When God enters the room, we should certainly know His presence. When God is speaking.........well no one else will need to say anything for God will give all we need. Eye has not seen, nor ear heard, nor have entered into the heart of man, the things which God has prepared for those who love Him. (1 Corinthians 2:9-16) But God has revealed to us through His Spirit. For it is His Spirit that searches all things, the deep things of God...........to know the things freely given to us by God. And in speaking (verse 13) by the Holy Spirit speak the wisdom of God of the spiritual things.

If I will only read and pray the word, find God and speak as the child with the Father, then I recognize what the Father is saying, whether to correct me or to encourage me. In our approach to God that is not based on any religion, but it is a "personal " relationship with the Lord.........by finding out what pleases Him and what makes Him cry.......what makes HIM laugh and want to dance.


I think of two scriptures I leave with you today:

2 Corinthians 3:17-18     17 Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom. 18 And we, who with unveiled faces all reflect the Lord's glory, are being transformed into his likeness with ever-increasing glory, which comes from the Lord, who is the Spirit. NIV

2 Corinthians 13:14    14 May the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with you all. NIV

Relationship is more than just one person talking all the time. God has much to say and when we spend time in His Word we will see how we measure up or fall really short of the mark of His Word. In the men and women of past centuries we reflect how victorious they lived life, not without mistakes BUT IN SPITE OF THEM, went on to do great things for God.  May the fruit of the Spirit that is humility be that which others will see and begin to know in us. For where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom. We who with unveiled faces all reflect the Lord's glory and are being transformed into his likeness with ever-increasing glory which comes from the Lord, who is the Spirit. And May the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with you and with me.

May we, like children, humble ourselves and expect to hear from our Father as the Father to His son and the son to the Father. Amen.

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

SHOULDN'T JESUS COME OUT OF THE CLOSET, EVERYTHING ELSE IS!

WE AS INDIVIDUALS should be willing to bring Jesus out to the world. We have seen churches come and go. We have seen men and women come and go who once had fire for God, but are no more. Where do we stand in the scheme of things in the world? Do we stand with God.........the kingdom has come, or do we stand against God as a "silent majority"?

1 Thessalonians 2:4-6.............4 On the contrary, we speak as men approved by God to be entrusted with the gospel. We are not trying to please men but God, who tests our hearts. 5 You know we never used flattery, nor did we put on a mask to cover up greed-God is our witness. 6 We were not looking for praise from men, not from you or anyone else.     NIV

ANYONE delivering the gospel, anyone entrusted with it, will never use flattery and will not look for praise from men. Anyone entrusted with it will look to how it pleases God!

Are we entrusted with the gospel? Yes, especially when not pleasing man BUT GOD! Is God being blessed by it? Does God tell you how important it is? Does He reveal more Word to you bringing revelation to those things He desires for you to give to others?

Mark 1:1................1:1 The beginning of the gospel about Jesus Christ, the Son of God.  

NIV

Are we ready to give a word of God to those wandering with no hope?

Jesus came and with Him was an influence. He had the word of God and the trust in the word that would heal and make whole. It was knowing what that Word spoke and how a person's life would be changed by it.

He was never flaunting, but always reflecting that light, AND revelation knowledge of the scriptures laid down by Him. May the Lord find us fulfilling Matthew 24:46....May we be that wise servant fullfilling our role in what was established for us from the foundation of the world.

Matthew 24:45-46..............45 "Who then is a faithful and wise servant, whom his master made ruler over his household, to give them food in due season? 46 Blessed is that servant whom his master, when he comes, will find so doing.       NKJV

Giving food in due season ....giving food of the Word of God.......serving that with which we have been served. Do we spend time to get into the Word and allow it to speak to us? And then, will we deliver it to others, to those in need?  Will we not do that? Will we do it or wait for others who might come with that A word, but not THE WORD to deliver others out of a bondage that brings ultimate death?



Jude 5-11............5 But I want to remind you, though you once knew this, that the Lord, having saved the people out of the land of Egypt, afterward destroyed those who did not believe. 6 And the angels who did not keep their proper domain, but left their own abode, He has reserved in everlasting chains under darkness for the judgment of the great day; 7 as Sodom and Gomorrah, and the cities around them in a similar manner to these, having given themselves over to sexual immorality and gone after strange flesh, are set forth as an example, suffering the vengeance of eternal fire. 8 Likewise also these dreamers defile the flesh, reject authority, and speak evil of dignitaries. 9 Yet Michael the archangel, in contending with the devil, when he disputed about the body of Moses, dared not bring against him a reviling accusation, but said, "The Lord rebuke you!" 10 But these speak evil of whatever they do not know; and whatever they know naturally, like brute beasts, in these things they corrupt themselves. 11 Woe to them! For they have gone in the way of Cain, have run greedily in the error of Balaam for profit, and perished in the rebellion of Korah.   NKJV


They have gone in the way of Cain, have run greedily in the error of Balaam for profit and perished in the rebellion of Korah!

GONE THE WAY OF CAIN:

Genesis 4:5-12............5 but on Cain and his offering he did not look with favor. So Cain was very angry, and his face was downcast. 

6 Then the LORD said to Cain, "Why are you angry? Why is your face downcast? 7 If you do what is right, will you not be accepted? But if you do not do what is right, sin is crouching at your door; it desires to have you, but you must master it." 

8 Now Cain said to his brother Abel, "Let's go out to the field." And while they were in the field, Cain attacked his brother Abel and killed him. 

9 Then the LORD said to Cain, "Where is your brother Abel?"

"I don't know," he replied. "Am I my brother's keeper?" 

10 The LORD said, "What have you done? Listen! Your brother's blood cries out to me from the ground. 11 Now you are under a curse and driven from the ground, which opened its mouth to receive your brother's blood from your hand. 12 When you work the ground, it will no longer yield its crops for you. You will be a restless wanderer on the earth."     NIV

In Cain we see sin and rebellion.  Cain was upset that God did not like his offering. He became angry for he toiled and worked the ground, yet God desired that offering that pleased Him. He desired the sheep without spot. That sacrifice to God was to be one of shed blood. It was not a crop from the ground!  God's direction and guidance to Cain did not impact him in anyway. In the field, where the crop was planted that Cain desired to give God, he, Cain killed his brother Abel. Yes, Cain became very defiant toward God. He shed his own brother's blood.

In finding Cain in the field, God asks about his brother Abel. And Cain spits venom toward God. Then God tells him that he was under a curse driven from the ground. YIKES!

And he is told that it will no longer yield its crops for Cain.......a restless wanderer on the earth...Cain would become. DO WE SEE THAT TODAY?
Think of never seeing anything you plant grow! We love tomatoes. And every year we buy two plants, and they are blessed by God the moment we get them. We have one right now about seven feet tall and it is producing awesome tomatoes we have shared with family. They are so good and taste like an actual tomato, where the ones from the grocery store sometimes have no taste at all!  Interesting! I think it is sad to think that whatever you tried to plant would never grow, but just die!

So, is there any area in our lives where we are touching something, trying to change to suit us, that should never be done? What will we take to make our lives what we desire it to be? Will we seek out the God who created us and find that plan, that special love He has for us in following His guidance and intruction?

In touching something that is not to be touched, we see those take on diseases that are rampant since the 1980's.

Revelation 2:12-17...............These are the words of him who has the sharp, double-edged sword. 13 I know where you live-where Satan has his throne. Yet you remain true to my name. You did not renounce your faith in me, even in the days of Antipas, my faithful witness, who was put to death in your city-where Satan lives.
14 Nevertheless, I have a few things against you: You have people there who hold to the teaching of Balaam, who taught Balak to entice the Israelites to sin by eating food sacrificed to idols and by committing sexual immorality. 15 Likewise you also have those who hold to the teaching of the Nicolaitans. 16 Repent therefore! Otherwise, I will soon come to you and will fight against them with the sword of my mouth. 
17 He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. To him who overcomes, I will give some of the hidden manna. I will also give him a white stone with a new name written on it, known only to him who receives it.   NIV

The Nicolaitans were a sect. They were steeped in paganism. Paul gave a warning on them in 1 Corinthians 8..........against evil practices, ........and speaking of them as weaker brethren.
The leader was Nicolas.........and is possibly the deacon we find in Acts 6:5. The sect held teachings equal to Balaam ......teaching Israel to eat things sacrificed to idols and to commit sexual immorality. Their error was a moral one! It was a teaching that would lead to death for the one who followed that teaching!

Genesis 4:15-16.............Then the LORD put a mark on Cain so that no one who found him would kill him. 16 So Cain went out from the LORD's presence and lived in the land of Nod, east of Eden.      NIV

Genesis 4:25-26.................25 Adam lay with his wife again, and she gave birth to a son and named him Seth, saying, "God has granted me another child in place of Abel, since Cain killed him." 26 Seth also had a son, and he named him Enosh.

At that time men began to call on the name of the LORD.                NIV

At that time, we take note that it never says that Cain came back to the Presence of the Lord. We find that when Eve gave birth to a son Seth and when Seth had a son Enosh, then men began to CALL ON THE NAME OF THE LORD!

1 John 3:11-15.....................11 For this is the message that you heard from the beginning, that we should love one another, 12 not as Cain who was of the wicked one and murdered his brother. And why did he murder him? Because his works were evil and his brother's righteous. 13 Do not marvel, my brethren, if the world hates you. 14 We know that we have passed from death to life, because we love the brethren. He who does not love his brother abides in death. 15 Whoever hates his brother is a murderer, and you know that no murderer has eternal life abiding in him.     NKJV

Remember God does not hate the man or woman committing acts against their bodies, but HE DOES HATE THE SIN THAT IS COMMITTED!

BALAAM: Was not a prophet, but was given direction by God. But Balaam was given over to divination. All that he did was detestable to the Lord God. (Deut. 18:9-13)

We find in 1 Samuel 15:10 that divination is compared to "rebellion".

2 Kings 17:17 tells us that "divination" was the reason for Israel's exile. Divination is far from God's truth. It is a flat out lie!
2 Kings 17:17-18......................17 And they caused their sons and daughters to pass through the fire, practiced witchcraft and soothsaying, and sold themselves to do evil in the sight of the LORD, to provoke Him to anger. 18 Therefore the LORD was very angry with Israel, and removed them from His sight; there was none left but the tribe of Judah alone.               NKJV

In Numbers 22, we find Balaam not following the instructions given to him by God. Balaam was now wanting financial gain as we keep reading about him. God's unchangeable. To the pure He will show Himself pure. Psalm 18:26-27.................
26 With the pure You will show Yourself pure;
And with the devious You will show Yourself shrewd.
27 For You will save the humble people,
But will bring down haughty looks.
NKJV

Balaam showed himself to be the son of carnality according to 2 Peter 2:15.
 2 Peter 2:15-16..................15 They have left the straight way and wandered off to follow the way of Balaam son of Beor, who loved the wages of wickedness. 16 But he was rebuked for his wrongdoing by a donkey-a beast without speech-who spoke with a man's voice and restrained the prophet's madness.  NIV

It was amazing, a donkey who could not speak, was speaking to Balaam,
Balaam would not listen to godly counsel, and in the end, the Lord sent a donkey to speak to him. How loving God is to correct us, and how rude, how offensive one can get when they want to do "their thing".

Numbers 22:21-23:41..........21 Balaam got up in the morning, saddled his donkey and went with the princes of Moab. 22 But God was very angry when he went, and the angel of the LORD stood in the road to oppose him. Balaam was riding on his donkey, and his two servants were with him. 23 When the donkey saw the angel of the LORD standing in the road with a drawn sword in his hand, she turned off the road into a field. Balaam beat her to get her back on the road. 

24 Then the angel of the LORD stood in a narrow path between two vineyards, with walls on both sides. 25 When the donkey saw the angel of the LORD, she pressed close to the wall, crushing Balaam's foot against it. So he beat her again. 

26 Then the angel of the LORD moved on ahead and stood in a narrow place where there was no room to turn, either to the right or to the left. 27 When the donkey saw the angel of the LORD, she lay down under Balaam, and he was angry and beat her with his staff. 28 Then the LORD opened the donkey's mouth, and she said to Balaam, "What have I done to you to make you beat me these three times?" 

29 Balaam answered the donkey, "You have made a fool of me! If I had a sword in my hand, I would kill you right now." 

30 The donkey said to Balaam, "Am I not your own donkey, which you have always ridden, to this day? Have I been in the habit of doing this to you?"

"No," he said. 

31 Then the LORD opened Balaam's eyes, and he saw the angel of the LORD standing in the road with his sword drawn. So he bowed low and fell facedown. 

32 The angel of the LORD asked him, "Why have you beaten your donkey these three times? I have come here to oppose you because your path is a reckless one before me.   33 The donkey saw me and turned away from me these three times. If she had not turned away, I would certainly have killed you by now, but I would have spared her." 

34 Balaam said to the angel of the LORD, "I have sinned. I did not realize you were standing in the road to oppose me. Now if you are displeased, I will go back." 

35 The angel of the LORD said to Balaam, "Go with the men, but speak only what I tell you." So Balaam went with the princes of Balak. 

36 When Balak heard that Balaam was coming, he went out to meet him at the Moabite town on the Arnon border, at the edge of his territory. 37 Balak said to Balaam, "Did I not send you an urgent summons? Why didn't you come to me? Am I really not able to reward you?" 

38 "Well, I have come to you now," Balaam replied. "But can I say just anything? I must speak only what God puts in my mouth." 

39 Then Balaam went with Balak to Kiriath Huzoth. 40 Balak sacrificed cattle and sheep, and gave some to Balaam and the princes who were with him. 41 The next morning Balak took Balaam up to Bamoth Baal, and from there he saw part of the people.  NIV

Yes, the called man of God, steep in his madness, could not see with spiritual eye, the Angel of the Lord stopping his own way to terrible harm. He was certainly a fool who followed his own lusts for financial gain. He did not even want to wait on God for His leading in verse 22....Balaam was off and running into mischief, into carnality, into terrible sin with consequences.

 Numbers 31:7-8.................7 They fought against Midian, as the LORD commanded Moses, and killed every man. 8 Among their victims were Evi, Rekem, Zur, Hur and Reba--the five kings of Midian. They also killed Balaam son of Beor with the sword. NIV

In Chapter 31 of Numbers we find the death of Balaam, the son of Beor.

In earlier Blogs, I wrote on the characteristics of a leader. In "LEADERSHIP, A CHALLENGE TO GROW", we looked at some characteristics of a leader.
In Balaam, we see a man who  much like Judas Iscariot. One who could surrender to God and His kingdom, yet follow a continuous walk into of covetousness and even some wickedness. It is like the Jekylll and Hyde character.
He was the type of unrighteousness. What we have read from 2 Peter 2:15, we see the example of Balaam as the type of insincere Christian teacher. We can not and will not advance the kingdom of God by allowing the unholy union, a blasphemous joining or association with those of the world following profane ways and living them out to their own end of destruction.
WE ARE NOT TO COMPROMISE OUR MORALS TO ACCOMMODATE THE WORLD!

KORAH: We find Korah in Numbers 16:1-49.....he led a revolt against Moses and Aaron. We do know that he was a son Izhar and related as a 1st cousin to Aaron. It is in jealous that he rose up against the leaders Moses and Aaron.

A group, the Reubenites wanted to lead Israel and thought it best for their tribe to do so. Enters 4 in charge of the plot to stop Moses and Aaron. These had 250 leaders to bring charges before the public meeting. They were wanting their EQUAL TIME WITH GOD OR ACCESS TO HIM!

In giving instructions, Moses told them they would put the matter into the Lord's hands and direct Korah and the rest to bring some containers of an incense as offering to the Lord. As directed Korah went and with those who followed him gathered at the door of the tabernacle. The Lord appeared. .......Numbers 16:21.
In prayer, Moses and Aaron did intercede in saving Israel......the decision was for Moses favor..........the ground opened it's mouth.........and swallowed ALL THE MEN OF KORAH........Numbers 16:32

God has those which will be leaders and they lead by influence. It is that influence that  is seen and experienced. In God, a leader leads with His wisdom and His life!

 Leadership is a problem solved and not by what you or I look like.  For me, I am more influenced by what problem you have solved than what you have accomplished to lead others.  There are some leaders who just add more problems and do not solve any!  Any idea what camp they might be from?

Leaders are faithful to what they are given. They follow those directions and keep them on course.
Leaders are those who walk in integrity. Jesus always spoke and did what He saw His Father speak and do.
Lastly, the communication thing, is a very important way to connect with others. (If we are leading, then we need to connect with all men or women involved in that event or happening, to see that all ARE welcome, AND NOT LEAVE THE COMMUNICATING TO SOMEONE ELSE. That word to communicate might not get out at all!) IT works when the lead pastor is planning a time to minister to others as in a women's event. But leaving the communication to be given possibly expecting another family member to give it out, does not and will not work! The same goes with anyone outside of church, we do not read people's minds, and if there is a complaint or situation then it must be voiced for the problem to be solved!
Back to COMMUNICATION, IT IS Not just ABOUT trying to connect because it is a job or even ministry, but because communicating with others, helps us to see the skills, the talents and to ask questions about those we seek out. Leaders will keep deadlines, know their opponent and will try to avoid conflict. But when needing to address a situation, it should not be like Korah did. We are to always look for the potential in another. We are to look at what God has placed within them?
We should not be those who are seeking those who think like us, but gather with those who think like God does. He is real, and He is more real to me than those who walk down the street with their cell phones in hand!

In speaking with those who are saved and with those who are wandering and lost can represent some challenges. But one thing is certain and God will direct those of His to the Word of God ...........and He will always correct a son........!

Proverbs 3:11-12.......11 My son, do not despise the LORD's discipline 

and do not resent his rebuke, 

12 because the LORD disciplines those he loves,

as a father the son he delights in.   NIV

If we find a loved one following the way of the world into homosexuality, into drugs, or into shameful lusts as alcohol and things that occur during those drunken moments, we can find and speak scripture over them if the Lord is directing us in that direction. We can speak to them in love and direct them to life in God's Word, but we also pray.......and leave them to God.

Romans 1:26-27.................26 Because of this, God gave them over to shameful lusts. Even their women exchanged natural relations for unnatural ones. 27 In the same way the men also abandoned natural relations with women and were inflamed with lust for one another. Men committed indecent acts with other men, and received in themselves the due penalty for their perversion.     NIV

1 Corinthians 7:1-3.................  2 But since there is so much immorality, each man should have his own wife, and each woman her own husband. 3 The husband should fulfill his marital duty to his wife, and likewise the wife to her husband.      NIV

Leviticus 18:22..........22 You shall not lie with a male as with a woman. It is an abomination. NKJV The Bible does not disclose that talking will wake up those who are evil and follow the lusts of the world. But one thing is evident, and it is they are headed for very painful consequences. We still love those who fall to such depths of painful consequences. We desire what God desires for them. He desires them to live out that which He predestined for them from the foundation of the world. He made them all unique, just like it did those who follow Jesus. And it is our prayer that they will awaken to the things of God!

As followers of Jesus, even we have to be awakened to arise and shine. We are to be awakened by worshiping God and giving praise to Him. 

Psalm 57:7-8........7 My heart is steadfast, O God,

my heart is steadfast;

I will sing and make music. 

8 Awake, my soul!

Awake, harp and lyre!

I will awaken the dawn.  NIV

As those leaders, who pray for other leaders and families, we are to awaken our hearts to hear God in those quiet moments. When faced with someone who is thinking toward a gender change. or a gender reassignment, remember God created each of us with a plan that is uniquely ours. Why would I want to change what God, the creator of the heavens and earth created...........and say, He made a mistake? I think not! He is the all-knowing, ever present, and powerful God! He is not some old man sitting in a rocker, with a shawl draped around His shoulders, no He is God Almighty!

PRAY FOR THE AWAKENING TO COME TO ALL, NOT ONLY THE RIGHTEOUS BUT THOSE WHO HAVE FALLEN DEEP INTO SOMETHING THAT WILL BRING ONLY DEATH AND DESTRUCTION TO THEM. IF YOU HAVE A LOVED ONE WHO HAS GONE THAT WAY OF KORAH, BALAAM, OR CAIN, PRAY FOR THEIR HEART TO BE TURNED TO THE LORD. PRAY THAT WE AS INTERCESSORS WILL CARRY OUT THE PLAN OF PRAYER FOR BROTHERS AND SISTERS WHO HAVE THAT CALL OF GOD ON THEIR LIVES. PRAY FOR LIFE TO COME, FOR EYES TO BE OPENED, HEARTS SOFTENED AND TO SEE THAT GOD IS ALIVE.

Father, thank You for the gift of Your Son Jesus to us. You are holy, worthy and mighty. It is You who destined us to be a part of Your family. We pray today for families to be strengthened in and through You. We ask protection over our families, those touched by things of the world. Help us to pray in the way we must to keep the devil out of our children's lives, out of a brother or sister's life today who has made them think that You God made a mistake. We pray for their eyes to be opened and their hearts receptive that God is the Creator and He makes no mistakes. He does not lie! (Numbers 23:19)( 1 Samuel 15:29)  Father today we pray to have the wisdom of God that begins with a holy life characterized by getting along with others. Help us to be instruments that will develop a community that lives right with YOU. Help us Lord to grow in the prayer room. We choose to align ourselves with YOUR Word that speaks and directs us to the Kingdom of God.
Father, make us strong and courageous. Help us not to be afraid of anyone else, for You, the Lord our God, go with us; You will never leave us or forsake us. (Deuteronomy 31:6) For those we seek to pray for, those who have wandered from truth and given themselves over to a lie, help us to pray for those who are who have the mistaken identities of the world. there is no need for a gender reassignment. For those we pray for, Lord may they know truth. As You go before, make the rough places smooth; shatter the doors of bronze and cut through their iron bars. Give to them the treasures of darkness and hidden wealth (riches) of secret places, in order that they may know that it is YOU , the Lord, the God of Israel who calls them by name. (Isaiah 42:2-3) Father lead those we pray for today. Lead them from the blinded ways they have gone the way of, and guide them into Your glorious Presence so that they might hear Your voice. Just as You who have called us is holy, so we are to be holy in all we do, for it is written, "Be holy, because I am holy.." (1 Peter 1 16)
 We thank You for the peace that You have left to us. We will not let our hearts be troubled, neither will we let it be afraid.
 Now thanks be to YOU, Father Who always causes us to triumph in Christ Jesus. It is in His holy name we pray. Amen and Amen!


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

Heart Issues

Matthew 9:9-13........................9 As Jesus passed on from there, He saw a man named Matthew sitting at the tax office. And He said to him, "Follow Me." So he arose and followed Him. 10 Now it happened, as Jesus sat at the table in the house, that behold, many tax collectors and sinners came and sat down with Him and His disciples. 11 And when the Pharisees saw it, they said to His disciples, "Why does your Teacher eat with tax collectors and sinners?" 12 When Jesus heard that, He said to them, "Those who are well have no need of a physician, but those who are sick. 13 But go and learn what this means: 'I desire mercy and not sacrifice.' For I did not come to call the righteous, but sinners, to repentance."   NKJV

Wow! Heart issue going on within the Pharisees! Mercy and not sacrifice was the statement Jesus made when hearing what the Pharisees had spoken to the disciples. He goes on to say, "For I did not come to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance."

Matthew 12:1-8..................12:1 At that time Jesus went through the grain fields on the Sabbath. And His disciples were hungry, and began to pluck heads of grain and to eat. 2 And when the Pharisees saw it, they said to Him, "Look, Your disciples are doing what is not lawful to do on the Sabbath!" 3 But He said to them, "Have you not read what David did when he was hungry, he and those who were with him: 4 how he entered the house of God and ate the showbread which was not lawful for him to eat, nor for those who were with him, but only for the priests? 5 Or have you not read in the law that on the Sabbath the priests in the temple profane the Sabbath, and are blameless? 6 Yet I say to you that in this place there is One greater than the temple. 7 But if you had known what this means, 'I desire mercy and not sacrifice,' you would not have condemned the guiltless. 8 For the Son of Man is Lord even of the Sabbath."  NKJV

YOU would not have condemned the guiltless.....

Thinking of the Pharisees and their watchful eye on Jesus, have you ever wondered if they had schedules to follow Jesus around in a 24-hour period? You know like Mike and Joe at 6 am to 9 am and then Frank and Fred take 9 am to noon. Just a thought, for they seemed to have those spying out what that "man" was doing at the moment.

Now it states from the above scripture passage that Jesus went through the grain fields on the Sabbath. The disciples were hungry and began to eat. Now if you have never gone through a grain field and picked the heads of grain, you have missed out. For it is surely a good treat for anyone needing food in a moment of time.

The Pharisees were quick to point out "something" and it was that being in the grain field was unlawful. They were picking in the field on the Sabbath.

But Jesus reminds them of David and how he got the shewbread for his men to eat as they were without food at the time.

1 Samuel 21:1-6.....................21:1 Now David came to Nob, to Ahimelech the priest. And Ahimelech was afraid when he met David, and said to him, "Why are you alone, and no one is with you?" 2 So David said to Ahimelech the priest, "The king has ordered me on some business, and said to me, 'Do not let anyone know anything about the business on which I send you, or what I have commanded you.' And I have directed my young men to such and such a place. 3 Now therefore, what have you on hand? Give me five loaves of bread in my hand, or whatever can be found." 4 And the priest answered David and said, "There is no common bread on hand; but there is holy bread, if the young men have at least kept themselves from women." 5 Then David answered the priest, and said to him, "Truly, women have been kept from us about three days since I came out. And the vessels of the young men are holy, and the bread is in effect common, even though it was sanctified in the vessel this day." 6 So the priest gave him holy bread; for there was no bread there but the showbread which had been taken from before the LORD, in order to put hot bread in its place on the day when it was taken away.   NKJV

Though a Law prevented the shewbread to be used by anyone else other than the priests, in this emergency of human need, compassion prevailed over the restriction.

In another arena of this complaint, the priests had to work.   

Matthew 12:5....Or have you not read in the law that on the Sabbath the priests in the temple profane the Sabbath, and are blameless?

Can you imagine the thoughts and overwhelming pride these Pharisees held in regard to what they knew the Law to be for they always referred back to the Lawgiver, Moses!

These priest were guiltless of performing their temple worship.

So in regards to the disciples plucking and eating the grain, as they followed Jesus who was leading them. They were doing what was expected and done in a manner of knowing Jesus was the master of the Sabbath.

It is like in this country, we have laws for the highway use. There are restricted areas like neighborhoods that only allow a 25 mph maximum because the amount of children who live and play in that area. Other areas like Interstate Highways have a designation of 60 mph or 70 mph, but other areas that have construction going on, and that speed is cut dramatically in accord with what is being done to roadway. Some areas of construction may have only a 40 mph reduced to a 20 mph in less than 1/4 mile. Again that is for the safety of those workers in that area and for the safety of those driving on the roadway that is under repair or for a whole new restructuring.

Sunday night, a week ago, in Portland, there was a traffic problem with a "Fast and Furious" moment when a group of street racers took over a bridge on Interstate 405. There were several drivers involved and they performed "donuts" and some "burnouts". Yes, it had traffic snarled, blocked and stopped on the Fremont Bridge. Not sure of the amount of time, but I was thinking how many motorists needed to cross that bridge that had an emergency at home or elsewhere they had to get to, but because of a few drivers, many motorists had to stop while those "stunt drivers" performed their stunts. Yikes!

Not a common rule in this country. Am certain those who exhibited their expertise in "donuts" will see some kind of fine or jail time.

Jesus always moved through the crowd. He stopped when He needed to stop but always kept moving to the next person and the next person.

Jesus said, "I desire mercy and not sacrifice"..........I desire all to have a merciful heart......!

 About ministering to others. It is always the heart issue. The heart issue is not only for those who come for prayer, but also for those who minister "to others" in prayer. It always takes the Holy Spirit to lead us through to pray for someone. But like Jesus, we should just speak a word and it is done.

In ministering to others, it is the "heart that leads". It takes those who love others through prayer and giving a needed encouragement to another.

You can certainly see those who have a "heart" for others. Not just on the street in respect to saying hello,but stopping to pray with them there as well! That is a strong heart that loves over all circumstances and situations.

I like what the New American Standard-Updated Edition had of the verse..........Matthew 9:13...................13 "But go and learn what this means: "I DESIRE COMPASSION, AND NOT SACRIFICE,' for I did not come to call the righteous, but sinners."   NASU

COMPASSION.......JESUS DESIRES FOR US TO HAVE COMPASSION!

Matthew 5: 7...Blessed are the merciful, for they shall obtain mercy. NIV

Matthew 23:23-24...Woe to you, scribes, and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you pay tithe of mint and anise and cummin, and have neglected the weightier matters of the law; justice and mercy and faith. These you ought to have done, without leaving the others undone. NKJV

James 3:16-18...For where envy and self-seeking exist, confusion and every evil thing are there. 17 But the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, willing to yield, full of mercy and good fruits; without partiality and without hypocrisy. 18 Now the fruit of righteousness is sown in peace by those who make peace. NKJV

In the verse above, that merciful and mercy are the love, that God compassion for others. It is one love, one great compassion that has good fruits without partiality and without hypocrisy!
I think of Jesus knowing Judas would betray Him. He knew what was in Judas' heart and yet Jesus never murmured about it to anyone. YOU never READ of anything being mentioned about Judas other than Jesus telling him to do quickly what he was about to do in betraying HIM!

In the blog, "What Language Do You Speak?", I had written our individuality is ours alone but our identity should be in God alone! I knew as I was writing it that it was Holy Ghost inspired and believe that today, that God created us as those individuals with choices, to live for him and to be that part of His family. We can be loud, we can be red, yellow, black or white, we can be short or tall, we can heavy or thin, but our hearts should belong to God. I love to pray, and you may love to run, but we still love God. I love to write about Jesus and you may write songs about Jesus and then sing them to crowds.
We should not want to act like the Pharisees and send out scouts to check on the "man of God" and see if he is following the strict law. Talk about religiosity! no, Jesus came to set captives free.  Someone new shows up at church or the Bible study, they love to pray, but are we allowing them access to us and the other believer's or are we shunning them, and cutting off access to them "not to pray" or "encourage" others?


Mark 9:38-44....................38 Now John answered Him, saying, "Teacher, we saw someone who does not follow us casting out demons in Your name, and we forbade him because he does not follow us." 39 But Jesus said, "Do not forbid him, for no one who works a miracle in My name can soon afterward speak evil of Me. 40 For he who is not against us is on our side. 41 For whoever gives you a cup of water to drink in My name, because you belong to Christ, assuredly, I say to you, he will by no means lose his reward. 

42 "But whoever causes one of these little ones who believe in Me to stumble, it would be better for him if a millstone were hung around his neck, and he were thrown into the sea. 43 If your hand causes you to sin, cut it off. It is better for you to enter into life maimed, rather than having two hands, to go to hell, into the fire that shall never be quenched-- 44 where 

'Their worm does not die,
And the fire is not quenched.'  NKJV

Should we not want to look like the "free" son  of God and be imitators of that which is good and not that which is of evil intent?
It should not make a difference what church one attends or if it is on Saturday or Thursday. When God is in it, others will know!     Acts 5:39........39 but if it is of God, you cannot overthrow it--lest you even be found to fight against God."  NKJV
(Read all of Acts 5) When God is with us, others will know it and have the wisdom to not fight against it. BUT ALAS, you can at times find some who try to stop what God is doing, but to no avail.

 We are not to be the judge, jury and sentence giver of said "crime". We will know others by their fruit. Are they producing fruit that is of righteousness that produces peace or they causing strife? Is the new person praying for others and seeking the other's good?

So what if she prays loud that every person in the next county can hear her pray? So she prays so quiet that only a mouse can hear her speak or give a squeak! So what if "he" only shows up when the service begins with the "sticks" to the drums and leaves when an "Amen" is spoken.  Again God is the JUDGE.
Jesus is the "I AM" in our midst. If I talk about Joe Blow and his " what I think is bad" driving on I-5, that makes me a what? We are to bless and not curse our fellow man! Could not tell you how many times I had to repent living in the Seattle area. Yikes! All that confessing sin, .............but God........."they did this" and "God, did YOU see that"..and they....did and did and did................! That is tiring guys. 
It is best to give it to God. I keep the responsibility of driving safely on the roadway, but I cast the care of it on God! I believe He will perform His Word over my trips to and from said place I need to be. 

Yes, a heart issue.  It is the Holy Spirit that brings to us that which is wrong. If HE SHOWS US SOMETHING FOR SOMEONE ELSE, WE ARE TO PRAY AND NOT BRING LIGHT TO IT UNLESS THE HOLY SPIRIT LEADS US IN THAT DIRECTION. AGAIN, GOD'S WORD WILL CORRECT US. IT IS UP TO US TO FOLLOW THAT INSTRUCTION!
In following Jesus, we follow that which He has placed for us to do. Not complain about Jennie June or Missy Ann or John, but walk with them, have good thoughts about them, and pray. For God desires us to have compassion for others. Do we have good fruits that are without partiality and without hypocrisy? Do I have a problem with a woman because she is of color or because she is loud? Some of my best friends have been those of color and who were "very" loud. And praise God, they loved Jesus! It starts with us and should end with those knowing we have been with the Lord!

We are not to have a religion here but a lifestyle that exhibits love the way Jesus did and one that still flows through that of His followers!

Father, thank You for Jesus. He is our example of a 360 degree love. He came to set the captives free who followed after the world's set rules implemented to enforce a rule that no man can keep. Father, today we live in a day and time when people want to rule, have their own way because they think they look good. But from Your Word we find that love is the best example to give and to show. In 1 Samuel 16:7...we are told...... for man looks at the outward appearance, but the LORD looks at the heart." NKJV

Scripture tells us in Proverbs 14:33....that
33 Wisdom rests in the heart of him who has understanding,
But what is in the heart of fools is made known. NKJV
We pray for understanding!

It is our desire as we pray today that courage and strength would be seen in our lives. It is our desire to have that which will give love at the most inopportune times. For we know love never murmurs, but does something. That God-kind of love speaks and fulfills a job to be done. YOUR kind of love does something without being told to do it. Does it quickly and in most cases is never seen by others. It is this kind of serving others that we saw in Jesus. It is this most excellent way in serving that we desire for it truly is given in an amount that is noticeable and it is given by words of kindness and sometimes by correction for another's good.

Father, we know not what our complete roles are in serving You and our fellow man, but we hold fast to YOUR Word and believe that as we walk into eternity with YOU, we are those who are the merciful extending a compassionate heart whether in praying or giving of time or even finances into another person's life. We understand that we all were created in Your image and we expect to have a part in this end time harvest of having opportunities and many open doors to see Your kingdom come into the lives of many men, women and children. We give You praise for all that You do in our hearts today. Holy Spirit come and have Your way in us. It is in Jesus' holy name, we pray. Amen.

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