What Will We Do with Jesus?

Matthew 27:15-26
15 Now at the feast the governor was accustomed to releasing to the multitude one prisoner whom they wished. 16 And at that time they had a notorious prisoner called Barabbas. 17 Therefore, when they had gathered together, Pilate said to them, "Whom do you want me to release to you? Barabbas, or Jesus who is called Christ?" 18 For he knew that they had handed Him over because of envy. 19 While he was sitting on the judgment seat, his wife sent to him, saying, "Have nothing to do with that just Man, for I have suffered many things today in a dream because of Him." 20 But the chief priests and elders persuaded the multitudes that they should ask for Barabbas and destroy Jesus. 21 The governor answered and said to them, "Which of the two do you want me to release to you?" They said, "Barabbas!" 22 Pilate said to them, "What then shall I do with Jesus who is called Christ?" They all said to him, "Let Him be crucified!" 23 Then the governor said, "Why, what evil has He done?" But they cried out all the more, saying, "Let Him be crucified!" 24 When Pilate saw that he could not prevail at all, but rather that a tumult was rising, he took water and washed his hands before the multitude, saying, "I am innocent of the blood of this just Person. You see to it." 25 And all the people answered and said, "His blood be on us and on our children." 26 Then he released Barabbas to them; and when he had scourged Jesus, he delivered Him to be crucified.  NKJV

The feast had begun. The governor was to release "one prisoner" at that time. On deck was the notorious prisoner called Barabbas. (famous for being bad)
And Pilate asked the people who had gathered around, "Whom do you want me to release to you?" "Barabbas or Jesus, who is called Christ?"
And while the preparation of the Feast was underway, the governor's wife told him she had a dream about Jesus. It was a dream that caused her much anxiety

It is noted here in verse 18 that he the governor Pilate knew they the people who gathered envied Jesus. Envy is a poisonous thing. We are told this in Proverbs 14.

Proverbs 14:30

30 A sound heart is life to the body,

But envy is rottenness to the bones. NKJV

Yeah, have you smelled something rotting? Have you been around someone so sick, their body seemed to be rotting away under the affect of that which diseased the body part?

These people envied Jesus, and it was rottenness that was found in them to their very bones. 

James 3:13-18

13 Who is wise and understanding among you? Let him show by good conduct that his works are done in the meekness of wisdom. 14 But if you have bitter envy and self-seeking in your hearts, do not boast and lie against the truth. 15 This wisdom does not descend from above, but is earthly, sensual, demonic. 16 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

These people hated Jesus. They despised the truth He brought to them.

The governor asked, "why, what evil has He done?" But they cried out and it must have been a real riotous time. The people wanted Jesus crucified!

Pilate said he washed his hands of the matter and would release the "one known for his famous bad deeds"!

Justice? Not likely.

But everyday, people should to love Jesus. They find that strength in Him that is true joy to rise and do for His glory.

Likely, you too, will be in a crowd and probably will look like some believer's and some who just want their way. Those self-seeking will look to have their way. They will do little to help you, or they will ignore you entirely. They will either be for truth or they will love the way things are a comfort to them even though they are the naked, the blind and far from God. Some just delight in having their way that is the way of destruction.

And these people were the adamant about it. They said this: " His blood be on us and on our children." (see below)

Yikes!

Matthew 27:24-26

24 When Pilate saw that he could not prevail at all, but rather that a tumult was rising, he took water and washed his hands before the multitude, saying, "I am innocent of the blood of this just Person. You see to it." 25 And all the people answered and said, "His blood be on us and on our children." 26 Then he released Barabbas to them; and when he had scourged Jesus, he delivered Him to be crucified.  NKJV

In choosing Barabbas, they sought their way, and they gained "the bad of Barabbas". They even spoke it to be done to their children as well.

In choosing to reject Jesus and truth, people invite the evil, that which acquainted with envy for another, in what they believe, what they look like, envy what they have, envy their social position in life, envy their confidence in God and in doing that lose their very soul.

Saw somewhat a controversial topic on CNN and it was on the 80's and the music that was on the scene at that time. They had notables talking to the stage of the country leaders to voice their objection to the violent music, the kind they believed that would permeate into violence and they spoke on the objectionable music videos. And to me, in some respects they were right. But where were they, the notables, when one atheistic woman wanted prayer done away with in the schools in 1964? That is my question. Where were those who had ministry and ministered at the time? What happened that day has brought a great darkness over this country. And one can see what can happen when one wants their way just by watching the evening news most every night.

Yes, there are those who live to give encouragement to others, but they seem few.

Where was the rallying at that time of the early 60's? One woman took center stage and demanded. What did they do with Jesus at that time? What will we do with Him today? 

I heard there was tent revivals going on from the 40's and 50's..............what happened?

We have opportunity after opportunity to minister the life that comes through Jesus alone. We must pray, we must know Him and trust completely that He has not abandoned us.

He surely watched as the High Priest when young Stephen was being stoned. He, Jesus, surely took His place to watch over him...........why........because Stephen prayed while he was being stoned.

And today people cower instead of standing face to face in the devil's face and tell him that his time is up. They cower in fear. They have become "the paralyzed".

Stephen prayed and asked in those last moments of life and Jesus stood as the High Priest........the Great Intercessor and quickly Stephen was received up into heaven.

Who are you rallying with? Do we even have a faith cry? Do we speak Jesus or find another like Barabbas? Are we like those who desire to put away Jesus from our lives? Are we seeking our "own thing"?

Like Jesus, we should speak as well: ”THAT He who is of GOD hears GOD’S WORDS………”   “That of myself I can do nothing; BUT AS MY FATHER TAUGHT ME, I SPEAK THESE THINGS.” “He who has sent me gave me a command, what I should say, and what I should speak. Therefore, whatever  I speak, just as the Father has told Me, so I speak.  (scripture references below:)Jesus said:  John 8:47……47 He who is of God hears God's words; therefore you do not hear, because you are not of God." …NKJV    John 8:28….28 Then Jesus said to them, "When you lift up the Son of Man, then you will know that I am He, and that I do nothing of Myself;  but as My Father taught Me, I speak these things. NKJV   John 12:49-13:1………49 For I have not spoken on My own authority; but the Father who sent Me gave Me a command, what I should say and what I should speak. 50 And I know that His command is everlasting life. Therefore, whatever I speak, just as the Father has told Me, so I speak."   NKJV

For what is written today, He commanded. I do not speak of myself, but what He has given me. It is "He who is of God who hears God's words; therefore you do not hear, because you are not of God."

May we speak and not be silently, but ever mindful of why Jesus was crucified for us. Let us not take for granted one moment that we should our lives like the devil and hope to be in heaven one day. It does not work that way and never will.

What will you do with Jesus?

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Notice:

The Voice of Prayer  has a new teaching published: 

Holy Spirit's Coming Attraction: Sneak Previews

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oLvNux8C-0g

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

Trees, Figs and Whirlwinds

DO we understand the importance of speaking truthful words and avoiding those that bring curses on our family members like husband, wife, child, or grand-children, even our pets?

Like talking with the dog: "ready to eat", " oh you poor ole' thing.......you can barely make it to the dish".  Yes, that it a curse. It is cursing your valued friend.

Was speaking about this to my son-in-law recently. For words that come through any video games, movies created for teens, youths or even small ones can bring those words that can harm them as they hear them.

Matthew 21:18-22faith, 
18 Now in the morning, as He returned to the city, He was hungry. 19 And seeing a fig tree by the road, He came to it and found nothing on it but leaves, and said to it, "Let no fruit grow on you ever again." And immediately the fig tree withered away.
( all He said was, "Let no fruit grow on you ever again.")
Even one word from Jesus, stopped this tree from even producing leaves, it withered away.
So how many people speak as of the world, and speak something that will wither life in the child to produce a dancing protege'? So they never fulfill that purpose.

Then Jesus points to something very specific here:

20 And when the disciples saw it, they marveled, saying, "How did the fig tree wither away so soon?" 21 So Jesus answered and said to them, "Assuredly, I say to you, if you have faith and do not doubt, you will not only do what was done to the fig tree, but also if you say to this mountain, 'Be removed and be cast into the sea,' it will be done. 22 And whatever things you ask in prayer, believing, you will receive."     NKJV


Our believing in "something" has effect on what life we live out, how and what way we treat our loved ones, pray for them, and exhort them in the things God purposed for them. In Romans 15:13....the Amplified Bible says this: May the God of your hope so fill you with all joy and peace in believing [ through the experience of your faith] that by the power of the Holy Spirit you may abound (bubbling over) with hope.
Our speech, those words of life are from the Lord and represent life. Then we on purpose speak them with the hope in our heart........that is seen as joy and peace.......in believing Him. And through our faith, our believing, we are empowered even more into life by the Holy Spirit.

 As we look into the passage below, Peter makes a comment, and probably stood and gazed at the withered tree.

Mark 11:20-26
20 Now in the morning, as they passed by, they saw the fig tree dried up from the roots. 21 And Peter, remembering, said to Him, "Rabbi, look! The fig tree which You cursed has withered away." 22 So Jesus answered and said to them, "Have faith in God. 23 For assuredly, I say to you, whoever says to this mountain, 'Be removed and be cast into the sea,' and does not doubt in his heart, but believes that those things he says will come to pass, he will have whatever he says. 24 Therefore I say to you, whatever things you ask when you pray, believe that you receive them, and you will have them.

25 "And whenever you stand praying, if you have anything against anyone, forgive him, that your Father in heaven may also forgive you your trespasses. 26 But if you do not forgive, neither will your Father in heaven forgive your trespasses."    NKJV


Now imagine, Peter pointing to the tree.........and saying with much excitement sprinkled with questioning anxiousness, Rabbi, look! The fig tree which You cursed has withered away."
And then while Peter (Shelley) would be waiting for some well instructed, one-on-one conversation about the withering.........Peter (Shelley) would be moved again by the remark spoken by Jesus..........."HAVE FAITH IN GOD." "For assuredly, I say to you, whoever says to this mountain, 'Be removed and be cast into the sea." and does not doubt in his heart, but believes that those things he says will come to pass, he will have whatever he says.'
Then Jesus goes on to talk about praying. That by believing you receive what you ask for...........and to FORGIVE him.

The importance of our words was given in this above. The fig tree covered with leaves looked appealing, and in all its beauty, it revealed no fruit but only leaves. This passing by the vineyard showed only a tree completely leaved out but with no real fruit gives one the air of "being pretentious", and of being deceptive.
"Something" may look good but if it produces no life to another, then it is not good for anything. In this case it was a "fig tree". Something may look awesome on the outside, but when you look further it may be just empty inside. "Someone" may be able to spit out the Word of God and give some kind of a "message" without any point leaves one wondering, "What just happened here"?
Faith in God is our leading of the whole of our spirit and soul in His hands. That we are not to be ruled by the eye gate, but to use the eye gate to focus on the word of God and to get it in our hearts where change will take place.
Prayer may represent something like an informal plea for "help". Have you seen some prayer just spoke off the cuff? Now God can answer prayers of that kind for He is always looking at the heart.  And something from the heart will turn God toward them.

Luke 13:6-9

6 He also spoke this parable: "A certain man had a fig tree planted in his vineyard, and he came seeking fruit on it and found none. 7 Then he said to the keeper of his vineyard, 'Look, for three years I have come seeking fruit on this fig tree and find none. Cut it down; why does it use up the ground?' 8 But he answered and said to him, 'Sir, let it alone this year also, until I dig around it and fertilize it. 9 And if it bears fruit, well. But if not, after that you can cut it down.' "   NKJV



Now this implication was toward Israel and their refusing to produce spiritual fruit. Jesus' amount of time in ministry to them was three years. But this nation at the time of Jesus was empty. It was void of a love to God and for God.  Their love was seen in their buildings, their extended length of tassels and the Temple as well. But they were in dire need of a relationship with God.
Jesus had told them to repent. (Luke 13:5)
Jesus is the only door. And it is by our repenting and by FAITH that doors are open!  For one truly embraced by Jesus encounters the "life giving" force He spoke of that came from the Father.

EACH of us has the opportunity to teach others of what the Lord has taught us. Each of us the ability by the Holy Spirit to direct other's into God's love. For to those who have received a faith of the same kind as ours, by the righteousness of our God and Savior, Jesus Christ, is there the peace that can be multiplied to us in the knowledge of God and of Jesus our Lord. (2 Peter 1:2)

Luke 6:43-45

43 "For a good tree does not bear bad fruit, nor does a bad tree bear good fruit. 44 For every tree is known by its own fruit. For men do not gather figs from thorns, nor do they gather grapes from a bramble bush. 45 A good man out of the good treasure of his heart brings forth good; and an evil man out of the evil treasure of his heart brings forth evil. For out of the abundance of the heart his mouth speaks. NKJV

If we look at our own lives and see where our time is spent, we find what areas might need some help to move back away from that which might be cursing our children or grand-children. And what I mean by that looks like this. If our children are learning to "war with guns"...in video games or learning some form of violence that they might decide to "share" at school. Or they may decide to take to dancing, and dance really well but do it in a way that is casting away of all restraint! If the only examples they see are rated R, then the child or children will think it is okay to do that. Mom said, or Dad said, "it is okay for me to see!"  What if an area looks....very ...much...like..reaching for something to ease the pain of loss in relationships by a move to another city or state, or it may look like a lost marriage or even a job? Where our heart resides determines our actual victory or defeat for those young ones in our families. Our children are our children all of their lives. But we have the greatest force to speak while they are young and within our boundaries placed by His Word.
If we remain, if we abide in Jesus, and bear fruit to that account, it will be for life for us and others. It will produce fruit in the talent they have, but have the boundaries that will bring them to honor and not to dishonor. They may have a voice to sing, but will be one to bring them to honor not to dishonor.

Is there anything we are rewarding our children or grand-children with that might bring a hard punch back to us in the future?
Are we allowing others to dictate a story line to our children or grand-children that will direct them far from God and into destruction?

What commercials do we allow our "kids" to see on TV that may not be good for their formative years?

"Can a blind man guide a blind man?" Wouldn't they both end up in the ditch? An apprentice does not lecture the master. The point is to be careful who you follow as your teacher. Message Bible (Luke 6:39-40)

Proverbs 19:27
27 Cease listening to instruction, my son,
And you will stray from the words of knowledge. NKJV


When we choose to stop listening to instruction, we move away from the words of knowledge. Choosing to blanket ourselves and those of  our children in darkness is no benefit and will bring no life. It only adds the fuel to more confusion. Are we living wisely, adhering to God and His instruction for our daily lives or do we just allow the world at large to dictate what we will see, what will entertain our children, what we eat, drive, and take home to wear?

We surely need God's wise counsel. Filling our hearts with knowledge and wisdom of the Holy One will direct us into peace, love and a boundary line of protection for those we love. Like Jesus we can curse those things that may not be a benefit to us. As we make no provision for the flesh, we will walk properly as we see the day approaching of the Lord's return.

Withering is caused by severe dryness. And the text of Matthew 21, we find the withered means scorched. (xeros).....(no water)
"And whatever things you ask in prayer, believing, you will receive."
For if one remains in a dry place, the only answer they may get is from a dried up stream, dust blowing in the face and look like reaping a whirlwind.

Proverbs 1:23-27
23 If you had responded to my rebuke,
I would have poured out my heart to you
and made my thoughts known to you.
24 But since you rejected me when I called
and no one gave heed when I stretched out my hand,
25 since you ignored all my advice
and would not accept my rebuke,
26 I in turn will laugh at your disaster;
I will mock when calamity overtakes you--
27 when calamity overtakes you like a storm,
when disaster sweeps over you like a whirlwind,
when distress and trouble overwhelm you. NIV

Yikes!

If we pay no attention to what goes into our child's ( or children's) eyes, that deposit is in their little hearts. If they watch violence of video type games, they carry it with them. If they watch it or play it even 15 minutes a day, can you imagine the impact it will make on their lives? Will we gamble their lives? Will we pretend it is not serious? Are you ready for what they may look and act like in 20 years if you have not planted within them the support of God's Word to direct them to "life" and all that God purposed for them?


Just because you do not watch CNN or another news program, does not mean the violence will go away or not come to your neighborhood? You and I must put up the Word of God as our boundary and make the "loud" speaking that those things will not come near us. They may be on the rise in some places, but we declare they exist no more in our communities and our state. We believe the Word of the Lord to be the final answer of any violence against another.
As the time of Jesus' return comes closer to us, we might do well to remember to look at those times He was on the water with His disciples and remember those attacks at those junctures was demonic attacks. We would also do well to remember that we are to speak to storms like Jesus did. People must make a demand on any violent storms to split, yes, part like the Red Sea and move in two different directions.
His knowledge is vital for us today. May we rise up and take our place to be those who will put up the hedge............and expect God to hear our prayers for our loved ones and those who live in our communities and neighborhoods! May our prayers be with the force of the Holy Spirit in them. May our prayers for our loved ones and for those who love God have justice roll on like a river, righteousness like a never-failing stream!  (Amos 5:23-24) Amen.

Notice:
The Voice of Prayer  has a new teaching published: 
Prompted By Faith-Contenting Our Faith must Speak
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fD90sBKMLlM

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

In the Heart of a Nation

What have we seen in the nation like Israel? Have we searched the pages of the Bible to read it and find what the "heritage" looked like for those who walked generation after generation with God and what it probably looked like for those who did not walk the paths of peace with God?  No, many went their own way into idolatry and lusts of every kind and ended up dead well before their years were spent!
Today, is our heart set to God's heart in the plan for America? I often see pictures, artworks in galleries and many on display in the nearest photo gallery of that which captures one's heart. I see that which people seem to long for, have lived and left for another country, or else were uprooted deliberately to be brought to a nation they knew nothing of or even cared about.
In all my years, I always remember having the opportunities in school to have history lessons on our forefathers of this great nation. I remember how it was begun so many hundreds of years ago. And in all my learning of this country, I am in awe of the founding fathers persistence to keep pursuing forward for God. There is a program on the Christian Channel "Faith in History" given by William Federer. I find it on channel 377 TCT.....3:30 p. m. weekdays. In this program, he relates historic truths and the cost many of those paid in the early days of this country. Of late, I have even seen some presidents spoken of in the "light of God and His Word".
I believe that "light" is shining on us today. In this hour will we be found those who will pray for our country, pray that "it's " best days are ahead and not behind?

I grew up in a state where people sought out justice and for the vastness of it in the early days, they deputized men who would as a team work together to see that those breaking the law would be brought back alive for justice to be served. I remember reading and hearing stories that my great grand-parents passed along. They spoke of how the civilized world in those early states of this country were anything, but civilized.

My heart has always been that which God had placed in me. I would take in all that knowledge and then spend time out of doors to see the vastness of God and His beauty that is all around. People today spend hours writing with paint cans all types of graffiti on say train cars and buildings. Although those belong to others, still people are writing on that which does not belong to them. They try to get over the truth that they long for another country. They let others know they feel the lesser and less fortunate in this vital country where people can work, people can dream, and people can make a difference. But it is like anything we try to do with others, it takes "team" work.

My heart seeks the Father's heart for our country. I seek His direction and how to pray for this place of beauty and how it was forged by men who had hearts after God! In His plan all lives matter and it was as such for this country and yet, in all that was still not slavery seen in those first colonies of this nation?  But such stories are being revealed today of those who came from Africa made a difference in this nation. They came from England, France, Italy, and other European countries. Some came with the German sounding names, yet they came to live a life free to worship, to live to have family together and live to see another day flourishing AND  not by trying to JUST survive.
In seeing this program and especially about the founding fathers and their vital signatures on a document that in the long run cost them, not only sometimes their very lives, but also their families, their homes and livelihood as well, they would not have a changed a thing they did to be in America. They left religious bondage in some cases and others just left who had no rights to who they could or would worship!
Today, we have many streaming into this nation who do not want to be known. They desire others to not know their agenda's. In the early years of this country, many entered through Ellis Island and gave their information. In this vast melting pot of so many nations, would it not still be vital to give the information of what your name is, what you intend and if you will work with a dream of just live off the government??
THERE WAS A CHRISTIAN MAN WHO HAD A DREAM! And like him, we too, continue to dream that our nation will be like it was strong in the Lord and in the power of His might. We have a dream that millions will know Jesus as Lord and Savior. Yes we too have a dream, that many will come to peace in His name and under His leadership as Lord.

Jesus said this thousands of years ago and it still hold so true today:
John 8:30-36
30 As He spoke these words, many believed in Him. 31 Then Jesus said to those Jews who believed Him, "If you abide in My word, you are My disciples indeed. 32 And you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free." 33 They answered Him, "We are Abraham's descendants, and have never been in bondage to anyone. How can you say, 'You will be made free'?" 34 Jesus answered them, "Most assuredly, I say to you, whoever commits sin is a slave of sin. 35 And a slave does not abide in the house forever, but a son abides forever. 36 Therefore if the Son makes you free, you shall be free indeed. NKJV

I believe if people come with the knowledge of leaving that bondage behind, they will move through and gain a freedom. Jesus said those who abide in Him are His disciples indeed. But He said if you abide in MY WORD! And the people He spoke too were those in bondage as to sin...........He spoke of them as "slaves". But the son who abides in the Words of God, that which Jesus gave us will be the son who abides forever.

The knowledge we truly need comes through Jesus and that abiding.

Where do our "hearts" reside? Are we in the past? I believe people who came from other countries hundreds of years ago were torn away from families and from their homes they knew. Many knew much hardship and pain, but those who kept seeking the "better" life kept their hearts to living as the free. Churches were built and people knew God. In the hardships of the twentieth century many became aware of the evil of men's hearts in the great holocaust of such magnitude. And yet it is occurring today and great magnitudes of Christian families are being decimated in magnitudes that whole cities are non-existent. Very few people remain in a once thriving city there in the Eastern country of Syria and city of Aleepo. I viewed recently on CNN a woman journalist who moved through quickly to document the holocaust. She went through there not staying long in any one area of the country. For it was for her safety and the teams, that they would move and cover the news of the holocaust. In one viewing we saw  the very few who gather each day at the remaining well of water in Aleepo, and they range in age of about 70 years of age to about 20 years of age. The handful who remain of children were being moved out of "danger". Yes many Christians in those eastern middle nations are being destroyed. Their once thriving cities are rubble heaps today with no car traffic and no visible business anywhere. There is no lights on and no grocery stores to shop at for food.
There are no medics found!


In years gone by, many came to this country.........and they came with few belongings in hand. They came from religious bondage, from slavery to slavery, from more than enough to down right lacking in food, medicines and the such. This country was founded on the principle that all men could be free. It was the land of the free and the home of the brave!

We must keep our eyes open to what God would be speaking and giving us in this hour for this vital nation. Let's remember that to be a son, we must act like the son and not like the alien, the slave. We must have our sights on God and His Word just like our forefather's of this nation.

No, I was not related to them by blood, but I hold in my heart what they held in theirs and that all men can be free. It is in the relationship with God and holding His Words to our heart that we will go forth in freedom that is truly of God and not of man or men.

To be the brave, we must have courage and in truth to abide in Him, and hold our faith up as that shield that if God be for us, then who can possibly be against us? His word must have a place in our hearts.

Will we write the "vision" on our hearts today and pray for "the brave" to rise out of hiding? Will we seek God and His plan like the forefathers did so many hundreds of years ago?

Today I encourage  you to not fear! Be willing to proclaim, to publish a vision that God is for us. Be willing to open those flood gates of praise to Him and let others know you believe this to be a great nation that is one nation wholly under God! Set your foreheads like flint, and speak with confidence that God will do what He planned for America. Pray that He will show you where you stand in this defining hour of strength and courage in God who is more than enough to accomplish what we put into His hands to do. Let's set our faith in Him and His Word. Let's have the fear of God that is written about in Proverbs 8:13.

Proverbs 8:13...The fear of the LORD is to hate evil, pride, arrogance, and the evil way. The knowledge we must know is that which is from God. We desire His wisdom to live the moral life which is toward being holy.

If one desires to go back to their "own" country, then they should be able to do so without fear. What we hold in our hearts will certainly be seen. And in that inward attitude, our conduct is seen on the outside. Ours is to be that which departs from evil. And in every circumstance of life we are to choose God and His way. Our choosing God is loving His way, is doing right and having a life that is living in the fear of the Lord!

It will cost you something! But can you hide forever? No, it is time to rise and shine! For you will look like "love" to others. Choosing God is choosing to be "the brave". Put on that shield of faith and the breastplate of righteousness. Set your sights on God to hear Him speak and then be "ready for the adventure of your life". I am, are you?

Set the spiritual authority you walk in and know through God and remind God of this one passage given to us:

Amos 5:21-24..............21 "I hate, I despise your religious feasts; 

I cannot stand your assemblies.
22 Even though you bring me burnt offerings and grain offerings,
I will not accept them.
Though you bring choice fellowship offerings,
I will have no regard for them.
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
Our traditions mean nothing to God. What we esteem as our heritage brings no life. The only life that can be found is in Jesus Christ, the Lord of glory!
WE have nothing to bring the Father but our hearts. He will not listen to the music and have no regard for that with which we bring to worship Him. He truly desires our hearts, FIRST AND FOREMOST. He will not regard my latest new outfit, or your new car. He will not regard how we speak and teach AND give Him no glory.  He looks on the "heart"!

Jeremiah 17:9-10.....................9 "The heart is deceitful above all things,
And desperately wicked; Who can know it?
10 I, the LORD, search the heart,
I test the mind,
Even to give every man according to his ways,
According to the fruit of his doings.   NKJV

I love this verse: Proverbs 16:1..........To man belong the plans of the heart, but from the LORD comes the reply of the tongue. NIV

We may make many plans in our heart but God answers what comes from what we speak. If we hold evil against another, evil will visit the house of the evil speaking person. What we hold in our hearts will be seen and it will be heard!

Father, let justice roll on like a river and righteousness like a never-failing stream. We pray in Jesus' name, that we know the heart is a deceitful thing, desperately wicked and that You search the heart and test the mind. YOU test giving to every man according to his ways. According to the fruit of his doings. Lord we pray that Your justice roll on like a mighty river. What was established in the beginning for this country, may it be seen in the land again. We know there to be many prayer warriors set like flint to pray out Your will for this nation. May it be truly one nation under God. May those who have set themselves to rule with evil and a heavy hand be sent backwards. May their devices come on their own heads, on their own children. For we seek that which is life everlasting, and life that is of goodness and peace in Jesus Christ. We can certainly pray for others, but the Word speaks in John 15:7-8............. 7 If you abide in Me, and My words abide in you, you will ask what you desire, and it shall be done for you. 8 By this My Father is glorified, that you bear much fruit; so you will be My disciples. NKJV

Father, we understand by this that spiritual authority is by abiding in You and the words You have given us. And when we do abide there, we ask what we desire and it is done! It is completed, the finished!
By this You our Father is glorified. Yes we expect to bear much fruit so we will be Your disciples forever.
We stand in the place of "Faith" and we speak with boldness, that we will not turn to the left but we keep like the one with the discerning heart that acquires knowledge and to have the ears of the wise seeking it out. (Proverbs 18:15)

We pray out of our hearts for this nation under one God.........Who is the Almighty, the Everlasting Father, the Great I am in our midst. We pray for the Wonderful Counselor and King of Glory to take  His rightful place in people's hearts and His place to rule forever. We know He is coming soon and many are in the valley of decision. Father we set our hearts to compel others by the Holy Spirit in us that unto Jesus is life and unto any other is to death. We desire God's family to be united in One Heart in God who is above all. It is in Him that we live and move and have our being. Amen.

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SEE ME LORD!

Have you ever prayed the prayer, "Lord, I will go where You want me to go, I will do what You ask me to do and I will speak what You what me to speak"?

I have many times! "Nevertheless, not my will be done, but Your's be done God in my life!"

Matthew 26:39
39 Going a little farther, he fell with his face to the ground and prayed, "My Father, if it is possible, may this cup be taken from me. Yet not as I will, but as you will."  NIV

Jesus was headed to the "Cross". He was taking the sin of man!

Luke 22:42-44

42 "Father, if you are willing, take this cup from me; yet not my will, but yours be done." 43 An angel from heaven appeared to him and strengthened him. 44 And being in anguish, he prayed more earnestly, and his sweat was like drops of blood falling to the ground.  

NIV

I like this in Luke 22:42..........Jesus is asking if the Father is willing.......take this cup from me, yet not my will, BUT YOURS BE DONE. AND THEN in verse 43..........an angel from heaven appeared to him and strengthened Him. And being in anguish, he prayed more earnestly and His sweat became as drops of blood falling to the ground.

Yes our lives are a journey through this world and into eternity with God. If we do not "know" Him then we will be somewhere in eternity away from God, away from His love and away from anything good!

God is accessible and we, too, are to be accessible to others as well. Although it has become the "difficult" when so many use only one source of communicating. That is: if one only texts or if one only uses like Facebook for instance!
It is important that we use our language and speak out with real words........for ourselves to hear and for others to hear as well. Our language makes the difference in communicating with others.

Staying with God means that we talk with His words............and looking to Him for answers to any questions we may have in prayer. I wrote something about this for our grand-child recently. And in it I reminded her of the importance of speaking words.

 That talking to your-self takes perseverance. In it, we speak God’s Word into our lives.   We are told in  Philippians 4:6-9................6 Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. 7 And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. 

8 Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable-if anything is excellent or praiseworthy-think about such things. 9 Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me-put it into practice. And the God of peace will be with you. NIV

Paul wrote: "whatever you have learned or received or heard from me (Paul), or seen in me....put it into practice. And the God of peace will be with you."

AND Colossians 3.....speaks this:Colossians 3:3-4

3 For you died, and your life is now hidden with Christ in God. 4 When Christ, who is your life, appears, then you also will appear with him in glory.  NIV

We are the hidden with Christ in God. Christ Who is our life is to lead us.

I told our grand-child how we can wrestle with some things. And when any friction from another person or just something within ourselves occurs, we must point to our body, to our own selves, and SPEAK!  The words we speak will encourage us, strengthen us, and help us to raise our eyes above the circumstance. 
Encountering say persecution because of the way you act in church or how you may dress or something someone else sees in you that bothers them, can bring some painful words to you, but we do not expect to take those painful things to our hurt. We fill our heart today with God’s Words that help us to rise above any persecution, any sickness or any pain.

We desire that “doubt” will not enter our hearts. We desire to keep our stance, that place we walk with God, and keep to His plan with our hand in His and converse as always.

Internal struggles can come, but we look to God and what He tells us to overcome in those situations.  

We are to remember that God, so loved the world that He gave. He gave us His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life. 17 For God You did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world through Him might be saved. 18 I am the he who believes in Him and I am not condemned; but he who does not believe is condemned already, because he has not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God. (John 3:16-18) NKJV

That "he" who believes, will continue living, to continue the "journey" and to find us (each) in His love, His peace and His glory. Whatever cup that you drink from, is to do His will regarding the cup. It may be something you did yourself, but He will send "HELP". HIS WORD IS WEALTH TO US AND IT IS HIS PEACE!  The more we access Him and His glory, the more we move deeper into Him and His peace.

Our asking to go for Him, is willing to go, "no matter their looks", "no matter their verbal abuse" and "no matter whether they hear " you speak. We are not God, and He certainly can take care of things Himself. But we are to be His witness on and in the earth. 

Today, I give this prophetic Word. 

It keeps playing out.........and here I write it..........the vision!

The scripture base of it is below:

Luke 7:11-17

11 Soon afterward, Jesus went to a town called Nain, and his disciples and a large crowd went along with him. 12 As he approached the town gate, a dead person was being carried out-the only son of his mother, and she was a widow. And a large crowd from the town was with her. 13 When the Lord saw her, his heart went out to her and he said, "Don't cry." 

14 Then he went up and touched the coffin, and those carrying it stood still. He said, "Young man, I say to you, get up!" 15 The dead man sat up and began to talk, and Jesus gave him back to his mother. 

16 They were all filled with awe and praised God. "A great prophet has appeared among us," they said. "God has come to help his people." 17 This news about Jesus spread throughout Judea and the surrounding country.  NIV

Someone has been told that which they loved has died. It can be a ministry, a "special job", a dream they held for decades, but God is speaking, and the Father declares this day by His Son and that shed Blood, that which held many to their faith, believing God is for them and with them,  prevails this day.  For the Lord has seen your tears and the "silent tears" no one saw, but God did. And He declares this day, that whatever church group is carrying your vision out in a coffin to be buried, that which is a dream come true is being put in a coffin and taken out for burial or that ministry that is built on the foundation of the Cornerstone of Jesus is going to be raised.

The "mourners" have come to close the lid of that which God destined for you to walk out, take HEED!....IT IS NOT OVER, BUT GOD! 

With a prevailing winds of the Holy Spirit, holding onto promise, you will see that 'dream', "that ministry", that "special job" God created just for you is coming to pass.

HOLD ON! DON'T LOSE FAITH, UNDERSTAND GOD IS ON YOUR SCENE, AND RESURRECTION POWER IS PREVAILING.

AHH, LISTEN, THE WIND BEGINS.......THE LORD IS PERFORMING HIS WORD. He is watching over His Word to perform It! Jeremiah 1:12.

For you who have helped another, when they were either the "abandoned" or needed help cleaning up a "mess" someone else caused, God saw your generous act, and He is reminding you today, that you killed the giant like David, but was done for others..........like that giant was King Saul's problem. David just showed up and helped! In that merciful way, God is helping you.

See Me Lord!

Jeremiah 12:1-3

You are always righteous, O LORD,

when I bring a case before you.

Yet I would speak with you about your justice:

Why does the way of the wicked prosper?

Why do all the faithless live at ease? 

2 You have planted them, and they have taken root;

they grow and bear fruit.

You are always on their lips 

but far from their hearts. 

3 Yet you know me, O LORD;

you see me and test my thoughts about you.  NIV

 Yes, He sees you. He knows your thoughts for Him ........you have been tested..........and found TRUE!

Father, let your justice run down now for those who value You and Your word. Let justice run down through the offices of which they stand or work. Let justice run down like water, and righteousness like a mighty stream. Let it run!
Amos 5:24
24 But let justice roll on like a river,
righteousness like a never-failing stream! NIV

Ministry rise to God's plan, live....dream........speak loudly the things of God.......bring forth life in my dreams Lord, that which is ordained by YOU my God alone. Stand and live.....in that position....that which God ordained specifically for you. Rise out of the coffin, rise out of that which spoke of "defeat" and "death" for God is performing that which others will see. It will speak and give glory to God. Others will see and know that God has done this: for it was for this very hour, that God raises that which is to glorify the life in Him that will bring many to salvation.
Stand in awe, for the great Lord has come, and God has helped his people.
Father, may the news about Jesus continue to spread throughout our land and the surround country.

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Pollution!

James 1:19-27
19 My dear brothers, take note of this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry, 20 for man's anger does not bring about the righteous life that God desires. 21 Therefore, get rid of all moral filth and the evil that is so prevalent and humbly accept the word planted in you, which can save you. 

22 Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says. 23 Anyone who listens to the word but does not do what it says is like a man who looks at his face in a mirror 24 and, after looking at himself, goes away and immediately forgets what he looks like. 25 But the man who looks intently into the perfect law that gives freedom, and continues to do this, not forgetting what he has heard, but doing it-he will be blessed in what he does. 

26 If anyone considers himself religious and yet does not keep a tight rein on his tongue, he deceives himself and his religion is worthless. 27 Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress and to keep oneself from being polluted by the world. NIV

Interesting James wrote this to those who have the Word of God. (verse 21)

When our daughter was young as well as our grand-child, the two had something very common to most "kids". They both liked mud puddles to jump in. They both loved that one "special" one and where to find it as soon as the rain slowed enough to get outside. For our grandchild, it was only a few forty steps probably from their front door. Although a paved road, there was a radical dip in the road, and it held water every time it rained. We could get our rain jackets on, and the dog's leash for a walk in the rain. What a delight, and what laughter a child could exude in those first moments out the front door. Oh yes, the child was gracious to allow the dog that walk out to their perfect "potty" place, and we could certainly walk the block around, but that puddle was going to be dealt a blow, a stomp, and maybe both feet before heading back to that front door of the house. It hopefully would prove that a lot of stomping could rid that puddle of its rain, leaving the grit and debris behind.

In writing this today, I think of what we could get into that would pollute us.

Romans 12:2

 2 Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is-his good, pleasing and perfect will.     NIV

Yes, it is God's will that we seek. Not our own way, but His which is one of wisdom. 1 Corinthians 1:30
Weymouth New Testament: But you---and it is all God's doing---are in Christ Jesus: He has become for us a wisdom which is from God, consisting of righteousness and sanctification and deliverance.

Again we have James below: as we saw from the James 1 and this in James 4, we can see what sin can do and where it comes from. In this day of super-grace, my thoughts are what do those super-grace teachers do with the book of James. He surely spent much time writing on sin and that which pollutes man!
In verse 9 we are told to mourn and grieve because of sin. But when we humble ourselves before God, repent of pointing that finger to "Joe" on the I-5 corridor, we can move closer to God. I do not know about you, but I desire to be close to God and hear Him when He speaks to me!
James starts out in James 4 talking to those "adulterous" people. Yikes, adulterous people!

James 4:4-10

4 You adulterous people, don't you know that friendship with the world is hatred toward God? Anyone who chooses to be a friend of the world becomes an enemy of God. 5 Or do you think Scripture says without reason that the spirit he caused to live in us envies intensely?  6 But he gives us more grace. That is why Scripture says: 

"God opposes the proud 

but gives grace to the humble."  

7 Submit yourselves, then, to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. 8 Come near to God and he will come near to you. Wash your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded. 9 Grieve, mourn and wail. Change your laughter to mourning and your joy to gloom. 10 Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will lift you up.                 NIV

Any idea what the proud look like? It says that God opposes the proud, but will give grace to the humble. Well anything that comes from self-righteousness is being proud of our own accomplishments. It is a self-worship! It speaks " I did this with no help from anyone!" " I got this big house and fancy car without help." " I play this guitar with no help from anyone!" "I made my millions by "my own hand."
Yes, that pride thing is a really bad thing..............and then to have evil behavior and a perverse speech with it, too!

  Proverbs 8:13 tells us.....13 To fear the LORD is to hate evil;

I hate pride and arrogance,  evil behavior and perverse speech.    NIV

The Living Bible states this: Proverbs 8:13

 13 If anyone respects and fears God, he will hate evil. For wisdom hates pride, arrogance, corruption, and deceit of every kind.    TLB

WISDOM hates pride, arrogance, corruption and deceit of every kind! So wisdom will not dwell with those things. Every decision where those things reside, will cause us to make very bad mistakes concerning our lives, our children's lives, those in the workplace and out on the roadway!

Psalm 4 teaches this from the Living Bible:    4 These wicked men, so proud and haughty, seem to think that God is dead. They wouldn't think of looking for him! 5 Yet there is success in everything they do, and their enemies fall before them. They do not see your punishment awaiting them. 6 They boast that neither God nor man can ever keep them down-somehow they'll find a way! 

7 Their mouths are full of profanity and lies and fraud. They are always boasting of their evil plans. 8 They lurk in dark alleys of the city and murder passersby. 9 Like lions they crouch silently, waiting to pounce upon the poor. Like hunters they catch their victims in their traps. 10 The unfortunate are overwhelmed by their superior strength and fall beneath their blows. 11 "God isn't watching," they say to themselves; "he'll never know!"   TLB

BUT God does know and He keeps watch on the evil and the good: Proverbs 15:3:    3 The eyes of the LORD are in every place,   Keeping watch on the evil and the good.     NKJV

1 John 2:15-17

15 Do not love the world or anything in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. 16 For everything in the world-the cravings of sinful man, the lust of his eyes and the boasting of what he has and does-comes not from the Father but from the world. 17 The world and its desires pass away, but the man who does the will of God lives forever.                NIV

NO CONTAMINATION

Being without spot might seem hard! But in reading on in 1 John 2 we find some things to keep in mind. I have heard some say that they believe once saved, always saved. I do not believe this is true. I have seen people in the church, who loved the Lord and when that windfall come in, they traded His glory of that new home and new car...........to never return to worship Him in the corporate worship. I have seen those who just refused to do the word of God...........who started out strong or so it appeared and move farther away from Him. I believe we are to guard our eye gate, ear gate, and especially that mouth gate. For James even mentions the importance of guarding the tongue too!
James 3:5-6
 5 Likewise the tongue is a small part of the body, but it makes great boasts. Consider what a great forest is set on fire by a small spark. 6 The tongue also is a fire, a world of evil among the parts of the body. It corrupts the whole person, sets the whole course of his life on fire, and is itself set on fire by hell.                  NIV

Remember, James wrote that it was the last hour. If it was the last hour when he lived, how much closer are we to THE coming of Jesus Christ now? Those that remain, who receive that implanted word that saves our souls is done for His glory and brings blessings to us. Those who remain the committed to God and His Word are knowing that Christ is near to His coming, indeed!

John said that the anointing from the Holy One causes us to reside in truth. It is in that "special" place, we recognize that which is the lie. Because no lie comes from the truth. We are to reside in truth.

Anyone today who denies that Jesus is the Christ, is the one who denies the Father and the Son. (John 2:20-25)

Eternal life is for those who have the Father and the Son. We are to guard that which remains in us.

There are too many today stepping aside and not giving the scripture about truth concerning those things that seem to plague the news. There are those who try to find a group of people who will agree with them about men with men and women with women. Yet I have not found that in the Bible. Those who participated in that were talked about as in Sodom and Gomorrah. Hailstones and fire rained down on those from what we find in the Old Testament..........Genesis 19:23-28

23 By the time Lot reached Zoar, the sun had risen over the land. 24 Then the LORD rained down burning sulfur on Sodom and Gomorrah--from the LORD out of the heavens. 25 Thus he overthrew those cities and the entire plain, including all those living in the cities--and also the vegetation in the land. 26 But Lot's wife looked back, and she became a pillar of salt. 

27 Early the next morning Abraham got up and returned to the place where he had stood before the LORD. 28 He looked down toward Sodom and Gomorrah, toward all the land of the plain, and he saw dense smoke rising from the land, like smoke from a furnace.              NIV

Now remember that God loves people. They are created in His image, but the sin He certainly hates. Read on: Proverbs 6:16-19
16 These six things the LORD hates,
Yes, seven are an abomination to Him:
17 A proud look,
A lying tongue,
Hands that shed innocent blood,
18 A heart that devises wicked plans,
Feet that are swift in running to evil,
19 A false witness who speaks lies,
And one who sows discord among brethren.   NKJV

The Living Bible states this:  Proverbs 6:16

16 For there are six things the Lord hates-no, seven: haughtiness, lying, murdering, plotting evil, eagerness to do wrong, a false witness, sowing discord among brothers. TLB

haughtiness: self-importance, pride
lying: being untruthful about someone or something, giving false statements
murdering: without excuse or without justification
plotting evil: planning to hurt someone, devising something wicked against another
eagerness to do wrong: passionate for the wrong thing, intent of going against rules
false witness: a perjurer, a liar, a false testimony
sowing discord:planting those seeds of strife, disagreements, feuds

1 John 2:29.....

In the writing John has here, is that which is of God is the truth, He also states that when Jesus returns for His own, that we would not be ashamed at His coming. Our confidence is to be in God ......that He is righteous, and then we do right...........we have been born of Him. (verse 29)
Will any of us be ashamed at His return? Does He not see and know what we are doing?

I surely love what John wrote in 1 John 3. He speaks of the great love the Father has lavished on us to that we should be called the children of God. Amen.

The world does not know God, so the world will not know us. In His appearing for us, His own, we shall see Him as He is. And everyone of us.............who has this hope of His return, purifies ourselves, just as He is pure. But anyone who lives according to the world, and lives not according to His Word sins against God. For John goes on in 1 John 3:4.....of the lawlessness which is sin. For anyone who lives in Christ Jesus will not keep on sinning. No one who continues to sin has either seen Him or known Him.

THEN John adds: do not let anyone lead you astray. He who does what is right is righteous, just as He is righteous. He who does what is sinful is of the devil, because the devil has been sinning from the beginning. The reason the Son of God appeared was to destroy the devil's work. No one born of God will continue to sin. This clearly shows that which is a child of God and that which is the child of the devil. For anyone who does not do what is right is not a child of God; nor is anyone who does not love his brother.

 Yes, it all comes back to love others. It is about loving everyone above ourselves. It is loving our neighbors, any person of any age and any color. We are to love our family members even we do not understand them. In truth, our lives should mirror that of God's Word. If it does not, then we must find out why it does not do that!

We are not to conform to the pattern of this world. Not sure anyone would remember paper dolls and their clothes. But they were precisely cut out........and you could dress the doll in whatever clothes you had at the time. They were printed out or stamped with cutters to give the outline of an outfit, a coat, a hat or even mittens, and boots or shoes. But there was no other lines. There could be no movement in arms, in the legs or even with the head. That is what  I think of as anything that pertains to the world. It will do anything for you, not take you anywhere except further into more sin. And that sin will hold you there! It will dress you, and keep you there. It will try to help you remember all the party times but not the tragic moments of those party times when making a wrong decision.

Transformation is key! Transformation applies to any job, any thing we work at, any thing that can be transformed as to.....our own lives, our families, our marriage, our job, a new God idea for creating something new as to the workplace, even a new God thing applying to ministry and prayer! It is finding out how God does things..........and............Transformation is.......a change, a conversion, revolutionary move, a turn around that moves us from mediocrity and the mundane to the living an adventurous life with God.  We are not to be conformed to the way the world does things, but become those empowered by God to bring and revolutionize in a dramatic and far-reaching way of touching people with God's love. Our minds are to be renewed to change and most people hate change. But we can see the rotation of the earth that brings on the 4 seasons. That spin on things brings changes like it or not.

There are certainly a lot of folks jumping in those mud puddles today, they are jumping into things that God hated, but He sent His son of Love to bring love to a dying people. We are to find that Love by looking into the perfect law of liberty. We are to submit to God, resist the devil and come near to God. For when we seek God with our whole hearts, He comes near to speak with us. We are to purify ourselves of the things of the world. Not be double-minded............walking both in the world and with God.....that does not and will not work.
Walking on that fence between the world and God is dangerous. A book still out that has lasted several years is a good one to read. It is " 23 Minutes in HELL" by Bill Wiese....It is one man's story about what he saw, heard and felt in that place of torment.
This being October and seeing how those "horror" flicks flood the viewing audience, especially on a few channels, I wonder what their thoughts, those who truly love the "horror" flick would think about hell knowing that hell is real and that it is forever. After reading through this book again, I am thankful for Jesus and that He wanted me and you to be with Him for an eternity..........in heaven and not in hell!

Our desire should be to leave the world behind. For everything in the world----the cravings of sinful man, the lust of the eyes, and the the boasting of what he has and does----comes not from the Father but of the world. THE MAN WHO DOES THE WILL OF GOD LIVES FOREVER. AMEN.

We are not to change His Word, but follow it. We are to adhere to truth and leave the false. We are to abide in Him, and as we do.........we are transformed into the man and woman He planned for us to be!

People must know truth to not only survive but thrive in this world today! Our expectation, yes our hope, is in the One True God who made heaven and earth. Who gave us His Son, the Son of His love for us to have a life with HIM forever. I hope to see you there!..........in eternity with Him! Shelley

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

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EAT WHAT I GIVE YOU!

Acts 18:9-11
9 One night the Lord spoke to Paul in a vision and told him, "Don't be afraid! Speak out! Don't quit! 10 For I am with you and no one can harm you. Many people here in this city belong to me." 11 So Paul stayed there the next year and a half, teaching the truths of God.   TLB

Acts 18:9-11

9 Now the Lord spoke to Paul in the night by a vision, "Do not be afraid, but speak, & do not keep silent; 10 for I am with you, and no one will attack you to hurt you; for I have many people in this city." 11 And he continued there a year and six months, teaching the word of God among them.  NKJV

IN the above passage we find, the Lord telling Paul in a vision to not be afraid. "Speak out!" "Don't Quit"!

There was no synagogue open for him to minister and preach the Word, so God saw to it that a house would be opened for the Word to be taught.

How interesting is that?

And this house was located next door to the synagogue. It was opportunity for Paul's speaking to continue and that those who went to the synagogue could come hear the gospel preached.

For what lay ahead for Paul in those coming against him, would rear its ugly head and reveal all those who were against Paul and that which he taught. In that year and a half, Paul did just what the Lord asked him to do.

Acts 18:12-26

12 While Gallio was proconsul of Achaia, the Jews made a united attack on Paul and brought him into court. 13 "This man," they charged, "is persuading the people to worship God in ways contrary to the law." 

14 Just as Paul was about to speak, Gallio said to the Jews, "If you Jews were making a complaint about some misdemeanor or serious crime, it would be reasonable for me to listen to you. 15 But since it involves questions about words and names and your own law-settle the matter yourselves. I will not be a judge of such things." 16 So he had them ejected from the court. 17 Then they all turned on Sosthenes the synagogue ruler and beat him in front of the court. But Gallio showed no concern whatever. 

18 Paul stayed on in Corinth for some time. Then he left the brothers and sailed for Syria, accompanied by Priscilla and Aquila. Before he sailed, he had his hair cut off at Cenchrea because of a vow he had taken. 19 They arrived at Ephesus, where Paul left Priscilla and Aquila. He himself went into the synagogue and reasoned with the Jews. 20 When they asked him to spend more time with them, he declined. 21 But as he left, he promised, "I will come back if it is God's will." Then he set sail from Ephesus. 22 When he landed at Caesarea, he went up and greeted the church and then went down to Antioch. 

23 After spending some time in Antioch, Paul set out from there and traveled from place to place throughout the region of Galatia and Phrygia, strengthening all the disciples. 

24 Meanwhile a Jew named Apollos, a native of Alexandria, came to Ephesus. He was a learned man, with a thorough knowledge of the Scriptures. 25 He had been instructed in the way of the Lord, and he spoke with great fervor and taught about Jesus accurately, though he knew only the baptism of John. 26 He began to speak boldly in the synagogue. When Priscilla and Aquila heard him, they invited him to their home and explained to him the way of God more adequately.  NIV

Here we see a group decidedly making accusations against Paul.(verse 14)  They brought Paul in to complain. These Jews said that Paul was teaching something contrary to what they knew and that he Paul was starting a new religion. At that time, Judaism was recognized as a religion in Roman law and anything outside of that was breaking the law.

But Gallio found no false teaching in all that Paul spoke. Gallio refused to give judgment against Paul in this matter. The Jews then were so mad at this decision that they turned on Sosthenes and beat him.

It is evident that these Jews had malice in their heart toward Paul. It is also evident that Gallio was not going to be apart of this group of haters toward Paul.

In some commentaries it says that Gallio was not interested in those things and would not elaborate or give much time for these things the Jews complained about. Other commentaries said Gallio was just a mild mannered man who would rule in peace.

Whatever the complaint, Paul was still told to not quit and keep on speaking that which the Lord gave him to do!

I love this scripture passage below!

Ezekiel 2:6-8

6 "And you, son of man, do not be afraid of them nor be afraid of their words, though briers and thorns are with you and you dwell among scorpions; do not be afraid of their words or dismayed by their looks, though they are a rebellious house. 7 You shall speak My words to them, whether they hear or whether they refuse, for they are rebellious. 8 But you, son of man, hear what I say to you. Do not be rebellious like that rebellious house; open your mouth and eat what I give you."   NKJV

And this one!

Ezekiel 3:4-15

4 And He said to me: "Son of man, go to the house of Israel and speak with My words to them. 5 For you are not sent to a people of unfamiliar speech and of hard language, but to the house of Israel, 6 not to many people of unfamiliar speech and of hard language, whose words you cannot understand. Surely, had I sent you to them, they would have listened to you. 7 But the house of Israel will not listen to you, because they will not listen to Me; for all the house of Israel are impudent and hard-hearted. 8 Behold, I have made your face strong against their faces, and your forehead strong against their foreheads. 9 Like adamant stone, harder than flint, I have made your forehead; do not be afraid of them, nor be dismayed at their looks, though they are a rebellious house." 10 Moreover He said to me: "Son of man, receive into your heart all My words that I speak to you, and hear with your ears. 11 And go, get to the captives, to the children of your people, and speak to them and tell them, 'Thus says the Lord GOD,' whether they hear, or whether they refuse." 

12 Then the Spirit lifted me up, and I heard behind me a great thunderous voice: "Blessed is the glory of the LORD from His place!" 13 I also heard the noise of the wings of the living creatures that touched one another, and the noise of the wheels beside them, and a great thunderous noise. 14 So the Spirit lifted me up and took me away, and I went in bitterness, in the heat of my spirit; but the hand of the LORD was strong upon me. 15 Then I came to the captives at Tel Abib, who dwelt by the River Chebar; and I sat where they sat, and remained there astonished among them seven days. 

NKJV

Wherever God sends us to give the message, He always has a plan. I remember the first time He gave this to me, while ministering within the jail. God will make our faces strong, so whoever stands toe to toe against you, you can and will stand to see His Word go forth. I like that adamant stone.......harder than flint...........He has made Ezekiel's forehead and will do that for us when we must give the Word of life to a rebellious people. Now, not all people are rebellious, but some can certainly be hard of hearing that Word. Like I have written before, I saw many come to the Lord in the Jail and many of those who came, would come to the Chapel with a song on their lips and love in their hearts for God! It was grand to see what the Lord was doing in that place! I think fondly of those times and how some of those ladies loved God and surely expressed it in going to a service. I rarely see that with a regular service at church.

Do you know what happens when you strike a flint rock..........? It will produce some sparks to light a fire!

Receive into your heart all MY WORDS THAT I SPEAK TO YOU, speak to them, and tell them,............"whether they hear or whether they refuse..........blessed is the glory of the LORD from His place!"

Ezekiel heard the noise of the wings of the living creatures. He heard activity going on.  Activity was begun........and those ministering spirits are there to minister to us ...........and go as we command from the Word of God........and do we send them out?

If we are commanding that which be in heaven will be here on earth for us, then will we not see the glory of the Lord from His place? Will we witness like he did in Ezekiel 1:10, the very faces of the man, the lion, the ox and of the eagle?

Ezekiel 1:10-14

10 Their faces looked like this: Each of the four had the face of a man, and on the right side each had the face of a lion, and on the left the face of an ox; each also had the face of an eagle. 11 Such were their faces. Their wings were spread out upward; each had two wings, one touching the wing of another creature on either side, and two wings covering its body. 12 Each one went straight ahead. Wherever the spirit would go, they would go, without turning as they went. 13 The appearance of the living creatures was like burning coals of fire or like torches. Fire moved back and forth among the creatures; it was bright, and lightning flashed out of it. 14 The creatures sped back and forth like flashes of lightning.

NIV

This would be the leadership, the counsel of the Lord as we see in Matthew, Mark, Luke and John.

In  the Gospel of Matthew, we see the lineage of that which led to Jesus. In the book of Matthew we find the visit of "Wise Men"....Matthew 2:1-15, we find the exit of Joseph and Mary with baby Jesus in Matthew 2:19-22, and we find their return to Nazareth in Matthew 2:23.
Protection for the coming King was seen. (although each gospel gives an account of the role Jesus would play in king of Israel and rule the earth) only Matthew puts an emphasis of His role, the KING.

Matthew was of "the king, the lion of Judah". Matthew 16:16.............16 Simon Peter answered, "You are the Christ, the Son of the living God."     NIV

THE End of Matthew, we see the King appointing his disciples to go. All authority had been given the King...........then commanded those to go and make disciples of all nations. He is with us!
Matt 28:16-20
16 Then the eleven disciples went away into Galilee, to the mountain which Jesus had appointed for them. 17 When they saw Him, they worshiped Him; but some doubted. 18 And Jesus came and spoke to them, saying, "All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth. 19 Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age." Amen.   NKJV

  .............as king.....Jeremiah 23:5-6....5 "The days are coming," declares the LORD,
"when I will raise up to David a righteous Branch,
a King who will reign wisely
and do what is just and right in the land.    NIV

Revelation 5:5............. 5 But one of the elders said to me, "Do not weep. Behold, the Lion of the tribe of Judah, the Root of David, has prevailed to open the scroll and to loose its seven seals.
NKJV

The Gospel of Mark was about "the ox, the servanthood". He was the sacrificial "lamb" and the long-suffering servant.  Mark 10:45.........45 For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life a ransom for many."               NKJV

Mark 1:7-8.............7 And he preached, saying, "There comes One after me who is mightier than I, whose sandal strap I am not worthy to stoop down and loose. 8 I indeed baptized you with water, but He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit."     NKJV

THE close of Mark shows Jesus ascending to heaven. Now seated at the right hand of God.
Mark 16:19-20
19 So then, after the Lord had spoken to them, He was received up into heaven, and sat down at the right hand of God. 20 And they went out and preached everywhere, the Lord working with them and confirming the word through the accompanying signs. Amen.           NKJV

as servant Zechariah 3:8........8'Hear, O Joshua, the high priest,
You and your companions who sit before you,
For they are a wondrous sign;

For behold, I am bringing forth My Servant the BRANCH.       NKJV

In the Gospel of Luke, we see the humanity of Jesus. He carried to the cross, the sins of the world and REDEEM MANKIND.

Luke was about "the man, Son of Man".Luke 19:10....... 10 for the Son of Man has come to seek and to save that which was lost." NKJV


IN the Close of Luke we find.......in Luke 24:36-53....the Jesus in His humanity point out the scars in His hands and feet. He ate before them and spoke of that which had to be fulfilled in Him. Thus it was necessary for Him to die and rise from the dead the third day. He spoke of them of "being His witnesses" (verse 48) He departed into heaven and THEY WORSHIPED HIM and returned to Jerusalem with great joy. They were written as those who were in the temple praising and blessing God. (verse 53)


as man Zechariah 6:12......12 Then speak to him, saying, 'Thus says the LORD of hosts, saying:

"Behold, the Man whose name is the BRANCH!
From His place He shall branch out,
And He shall build the temple of the LORD;  NKJV

The Gospel of John was about "the eagle, the Son of God". Jesus was the "Angel of the Lord." 

John 7:42
42 Has not the Scripture said that the Christ comes from the seed of David and from the town of Bethlehem, where David was?"   NKJV

Micah 5:2

2 "But you, Bethlehem Ephrathah, 

though you are small among the clans of Judah, 

out of you will come for me 

one who will be ruler over Israel, 

whose origins are from of old, 

from ancient times."  NIV

John 12:15

5 "Fear not, daughter of Zion;

Behold, your King is coming,

Sitting on a donkey's colt."  NKJV

Zechariah 9:9

"Rejoice greatly, O daughter of Zion!

Shout, O daughter of Jerusalem!

Behold, your King is coming to you;

He is just and having salvation,

Lowly and riding on a donkey,

A colt, the foal of a donkey.   NKJV

John 19:36-37

 36 For these things were done that the Scripture should be fulfilled, "Not one of His bones shall be broken."  37 And again another Scripture says, "They shall look on Him whom they pierced."    NKJV

Psalm 34:20

20 He guards all his bones;

Not one of them is broken.   NKJV

Zechariah 12:10

10 "And I will pour on the house of David and on the inhabitants of Jerusalem the Spirit of grace and supplication; then they will look on Me whom they have pierced; they will mourn for Him as one mourns for his only son, and grieve for Him as one grieves for a firstborn.    NKJV

John 20:31.............31 but these are written that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that believing you may have life in His name.            NKJV


IN the Close of the Gospel of John, we find the relationship.........restoring Simon Peter............we find relationship in Jesus preparing them something to eat...........(John 21:15). Jesus spoke "Follow Me"!  Jesus, God in the flesh, had many miracles. And John noted that many other things that Jesus did, which if they were written one by one...........he supposed that even the world itself could not contain the books that would be written about Him. Amen. (verse 24-25)



Hosea 6:2.........2 After two days He will revive us;
On the third day He will raise us up,..That we may live in His sight. ...NKJV

Isaiah 40:31.......They shall mount up with wings like eagles,
They shall run and not be weary,
They shall walk and not faint.    NKJV

Oh yes, we see Jesus as the Messiah,.....we had seen through His crucifixion a resurrection. In Matthew, he came as the suffering, but He is returning as the conquering..........the KING of Kings and LORD of Lords. In Mark He was the suffering servant who gave His life for ours. As in Luke, we see HIM who came to seek and to save the lost. And in JOHN we see the incarnate, the Son of God.........who was and is and is to come,.............the Light of the world.

We died to gain His life, the good news, to everyone who believes in Him to be saved. And He came to bring us the Comforter, the Holy Spirit..........to operate just as the early church operated. Trusting Him causes us to soar as eagles, to rise higher and higher and to gain the same perspective God has for our lives. It is in what we eat, that which God gives us will give to us strength to soar on high, to not be weary, but be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might. Amen!

Now is not the time to be afraid, to not speak, but this is the very hour, to "not quit" and to continue to speak the things the Lord gives us in our hearts. He will guide us through unhindered to see that His Word will prevail! Speak where the Lord guides you to and through, and see the miraculous power of God in your life!

IF THAT PROTECTED KING IS LORD OF OUR HEARTS, WE HAVE THE LION......THE BOLDNESS TO GO FORWARD. WITH THE OX OF SERVANT-HOOD, WE LOOK TO SACRIFICING OUR LIVES DAILY TO SERVING THE LORD WITH GLADNESS. IN LUKE, THE HUMANITY OF JESUS......WE SEEK TO GAIN A CHARACTER THAT IS WORTHY........THAT IS THE FAITHFUL, THE ONE WHO PERSEVERES, WHO IS IN PEACE, SEEKING ANOTHER'S WELL-BEING, READY TO GIVE A WORD OF THE FAITH THAT IS IN US...........

If we are the followers of what is good, even if we suffer for righteousness' sake, we are the blessed. (1 Peter 3:13-14)
We are not to be afraid of their threats or be troubled (verse 14) and sanctify the Lord God in our hearts, ready to give a defense to everyone who asks us the reason of hope that is in us. May we know those who try to defame us, or revile us of our good conduct in Christ will be the ashamed. In the will of God, it is better to suffer for doing good than for doing evil. (verses 16-17)NKJV

Then we ultimately soar..as the Eagle.....we soar into the.....higher and higher in the thoughts and plans God has for us. Jeremiah 29:11-14.

Jeremiah 29:11-14
 11 For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, says the LORD, thoughts of peace and not of evil, to give you a future and a hope. 12 Then you will call upon Me and go and pray to Me, and I will listen to you. 13 And you will seek Me and find Me, when you search for Me with all your heart. 14 I will be found by you, says the LORD, and I will bring you back from your captivity; I will gather you from all the nations and from all the places where I have driven you, says the LORD, and I will bring you to the place from which I cause you to be carried away captive.     NKJV

That is relationship and it is us being gathered out of captivity, from sin, and to the place the Lord has for us. It is the place of future and of hope. It is in the place of peace that we once again, rejoice, we smile and we dance giving glory to God for us in the land of the living.

Father, thank You for the message You have for us to deliver those who come across our path today and every day. Today we desire to receive into our hearts all that You speak to us through Your holy Word. It is that Word of truth that declares Your goodness to others. Blessed is the glory of the LORD from His place!
In Jesus' name, we pray to be those who will not "quit:" but will speak all that You desire for us to speak to others. We know that the beginning of this is that place of quiet to hear You speak. May we be diligent to follow You, seeking You in Your Word that sets captives free. We pray to be those who will seek more on knowing Your Kingship Jesus, knowing the sacrifice You gave for us, that we would know Your character as the man who did what His Father told HIM to do and then soar like we find in John, Because in John we find a closer relationship with the Lord of glory. In John we find the spiritual life. God is spirit and His worshipers must worship in spirit and in truth.(John 4:24) The Spirit gives life; the flesh counts as nothing.(John 6:63) Flesh gives birth to flesh, but the spirit gives birth to spirit.(John 3:6) Father, we know for the one whom You have sent speaks the Words of God, for God gives the Spirit without limit. (John 3:34)
We embrace Your Word and those You send our way today. We deliver to others with a joy in our hearts. ( For ) A Truthful witness saves lives. (Prov.14:25) Blessed is the glory of the Lord from His place. Amen and Amen.

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