No Victim Mentality

Voice of Prayer

That overcoming faith prevails when it is born within God!
1 John 5:4 For whatever is born of God overcomes the world. And this is the victory that has overcome the world----our faith. 5 Who is he who overcomes the world, but he who believes that Jesus is the Son of God?

Birth is evident in the newest little squirrels that find adventure in chasing little birds in the backyard of this place we call home. Still have about nine squirrels that seem to stay close by, but the newest ones of whichever bunch, they are of course the smallest of the group and they appear rather skittish. Every new sound makes them stand up to expose their tiny white bellies. New baby birds in nests can be heard especially in the early morning if one is up around 4:45 am or so. And yes the trees are giving out new leaves to proclaim spring has come. Though the temperature on the Weather Channel reveals a rather cold start on the day, still sun is in the forecast with no rain!

Of recent days I was looking for this black cat that roams the neighborhood. Was concerned he did not fair well in the ice storm of January 17, 2017. Alas, I saw him today, and he has grown.....no doubt he has some kind of cat food that help him grow quite well. He showed off this morning that he could scale the willow tree in seconds. But he did not stay...............no birds were there!


Psalm 36:6 in the NKJV reminds us that the Lord is the preserver of man and of beast.
6 Your righteousness is like the great mountains; Your judgments are a great deep; O LORD, You preserve man and beast.

Clearly,it is God's omnipotence that is seen in creation. God said, “Let there be…” and it was so (Genesis 1:3, 6, 9, etc.).    In creating anything, you and I must have tools and some kind of material. BUT God simply spoke, and by the power of His word, everything was created from nothing.

I remember creating cakes from actual cake flour and all the specialty items for 7-minute icing and such. I can also recall taking sewing classes in my high school years. And I could create using all kinds of fabrics and styles to suit the desire I had. But those are things which must be replaced.

But again God just spoke a word............and what He spoke came into being!

Psalm 33:6 …. “By the word of the LORD were the heavens made, their starry host by the breath of his mouth”

God’s power is also seen in the preservation of His creation. All life on earth would perish were it not for God’s continual provision of everything we need for food, clothing and shelter, all from renewable resources sustained by His power. 

Psalm 147:7-11  NKJV     7 Sing to the LORD with thanksgiving; sing praises on the harp to our God, 8 Who covers the heavens with clouds, who prepares rain for the earth. Who makes grass to grow on the mountains. 9 He gives to the beast its food, and to the young ravens that cry. 10 He does not delight in the strength of the horse; He takes no pleasure in the legs of a man 11 The LORD takes pleasure in those who fear Him, in those who hope in His mercy.

THE horse was to serve man. AND mans legs can take him places when effort is enforced, yet it is only God who can bring out of us WHAT He placed in us at our beginning .......when we were CONCEIVED in our mother's womb.

Psalm 139: 13-16 NKJV 13 For You formed my inward parts; You covered me in my mother's womb. 14 I will praise You, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made; Marvelous are Your works, and that my soul knows very well. 15 My frame was not hidden from You, when I was made in secret, and skillfully wrought in the lowest parts of the earth, 16 Your eyes saw my substance, being yet unformed, and in Your book they all were written, the days fashioned for me. When as yet there were none of them.

So precise is God, so strategic, He knew how to plan for all those beasts of the fields, those crying ravens and you and me! He planned out a victory that we would know within Him and within His gates of love, peace and life! It is fashioned by God Himself and it cannot look like anyone else's life.

Psalm 138:7-8 NKJV 7 Though I walk in the midst of trouble, You will revive me; You will stretch out Your hand against the wrath of my enemies, and Your right hand will save me. 8 The LORD will perfect that which concerns me; Your mercy, O LORD, endures forever, Do not forsake the works of Your hands.

With all that is written for our benefit, that love story God has for us is one of victory born within Him, and IT is a preservation of His creation. It is He Who gives the capacity for a rich, full life.

It is by faith that we put our hope in God and His word. It is He Who comforts us and reminds us of the thoughts He has for us. Spend time today, tomorrow and every moment available to read of His love, abide in His peace, and know the victory of life that is a walk in His righteousness and knowing His pleasure is in those who fear Him.

Cross the FINISH LINE.....be happy, for to know Him, is to KNOW Your Helper.....AND......you will not regret one moment of adventure in Him!


Notice: 

The Voice of Prayer  has a new teaching:

Prayer is Relational: The Results Appear as SIGHS AND WONDERS

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3mJJmF_d9DA

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

Perfume, Oil Scents and Trouble?

Pic by Voice of Prayer

Favor is given as a purpose.

Esther 2 :8-17   NKJV   8 So it was, when the king’s command and decree were heard, and when many young women were gathered at Shushan the citadel, under the custody of Hegai, that Esther also was taken to the king’s place, into the care of Hegai the custodian of the women. 9 Now the young woman pleased him, and she obtained his favor; so he readily gave beauty preparations to her, besides her allowance. Then seven choice maidservants were provided for her from the king’s palace, and he moved her and her maidservants to the best place in the house of the women. 10 Esther had not revealed her people or family, for Mordecai had charged her not to reveal it. 11 And every day Mordecai paced in front on the court of the women’s quarters, to learn of Esther’s welfare and what was happening to her. 12 Each young woman’s turn came to go in to King Ahasuerus after she had completed twelve months’ preparation, according to the regulations for the women, for thus were the days of their preparations apportioned; six months with oil of myrrh, and six months with perfumes and preparations for beautifying women. 13 Thus prepared, each young woman went to the king, and she was given whatever she desired to take with her from the women’s quarters to the king’s palace. 14 In the evening she went, and in the morning she returned to the second house of the women, to the custody of Shaashgaz, the king’s eunuch who kept the concubines. She would not go in to the king again unless the king delighted in her and called for her by name. 15 Now when the turn came for Esther the daughter of Abihail the uncle of Mordecai, who had taken her as his daughter, to go in to the king, she requested nothing but what Hegai the king’s eunuch, the custodian of the women advised. And Esther obtained favor in the sight of all who saw her. 16 So Esther was taken to King Ahasuerus, into his royal palace, in the tenth month, which is the month of Tebeth, in the seventh year of his reign. 17 The king loved Esther more than all the other women, and she obtained grace and favor in his sight more than all the virgins; so he set the royal crown upon her head and made her queen instead of Vashti.

Any one and anything outside of our environment and community are those who still have some authority to make the rules, the laws, or something else that can be or appear as negative to us. Esther found this out in a big way!

Moving in God’s favor, Esther found herself outside of the environment she knew. Even though out of his sight, Mordecai continued to seek her welfare for good. We find him pacing back and forth and asking questions for her welfare within the walls of the king’s dominion.

Esther had to complete the 12-month process of the oils and perfumes just to go in and see the king. In this process, any serious skin problems would be dealt with. The woman was not to be blemished in any manner. Of the products used at the time, myrrh, honey and cassia topped the list. Myrrh was a healing agent, an oil resin native of Africa, the oil was as perfume, a perfume ingredient and for wound dressing. It was sought out for the use on ring worm type disease. The cassia was noted for what we would call PMS problems.

Sudden removal from one place to another is a great burden to many people. For many people it looks and sounds like big trouble!  Like children as an example, any trip outside of the 24/7 at our home, my little sister would require her pillow and blanket. She made it known that she had to be home before dark and she was two when she told our mother that. Moving to take another position far from what we know as the “known and the comfortable” can make some people down-right unhappy. In truth, some people can get downright ugly about the whole situation.  But evidently Esther has some up-bringing that took her from the unknown place of just a face in the crowd to the known face of a queen. She had to have to recognize the rules and to honor the leadership over her when she arrived as another face in the crowd.

Favor surely came to her, but she had to follow instructions, and obey every command whether she liked it or not. Sometimes people think they know better maybe by their age or even their schooling. But it must have been Esther’s upbringing in the Lord God that brought her to the place she was meant to stand. We only looked at the first part of the walk Esther took toward being Queen. Her greatest obstacle still lay before her, yet she had made it through the first hallmark of being favored by God.

Was thinking on Esther today, I had remarked to my husband of the people I have had opportunity to mentor how many really took it to heart to make the notes of wisdom the Lord had me give them for the walk with God. Some made notes as I would speak with them. Some just would come and nod and smile a lot but really asked no questions.

My husband has opportunity in the position he holds to do the same. He has done this for many years. In the recent, he spoke of all the ones who have heeded what he told them, and they had moved forward and gone farther in less time than those who took no attention to the wisdom he gave. I too,  think on one who I had given attention to and gave wisdom of God and it seemed to be rejected every step of the way. Ah, but rejection can be good, and paying attention to the speaker of why they chose another direction, certain does not limit God in their life, but it puts a roadblock by said person that they know better than God. Many probably just tell Him, bye, bye for now.........."I know better"....yet, theirs lives give a hint a trouble when you see them and hear them speak.

One thing is for certain, Esther heeded that which was before her and she was reminded of what her uncle Mordecai told her when she came to live with him after her parent’s death. Oh, yes, in Esther there is much, much more of detail, but the preparation came first. And in that process there is the waiting to do the next thing.

I thought of this month as Valentine’s Day approaches, and how many roses will be bought and given. I thought of how many boxes of chocolate and perfumes would find their way into the hands of a woman created by God. And in those scents and fragrances, I thought of this passage:

2 Corinthians 2:12-17     NKJV

12 Furthermore, when I came to Troas to preach Christ's gospel, and a door was opened to me by the Lord, 13 I had no rest in my spirit, because I did not find Titus my brother; but taking my leave of them, I departed for Macedonia. 14 Now thanks be to God who always leads us in triumph in Christ, and through us diffuses the fragrance of His knowledge in every place. 15 For we are to God the fragrance of Christ among those who are being saved and among those who are perishing. 16 To the one we are the aroma of death leading to death, and to the other the aroma of life leading to life. And who is sufficient for these things? 17 For we are not, as so many, peddling the word of God; but as of sincerity, but as from God, we speak in the sight of God in Christ. 

And I thought of this passage:

Song 4:9-12      NKJV

9 You have ravished my heart,  My sister, my spouse;  You have ravished my heart  With one look of your eyes,  With one link of your necklace.

10 How fair is your love,  My sister, my spouse!  How much better than wine is your love,  And the scent of your perfumes Than all spices!

11 Your lips, O my spouse,  Drip as the honeycomb;  Honey and milk are under your tongue;  And the fragrance of your garments  Is like the fragrance of Lebanon.

12 A garden enclosed is my sister, my spouse, a spring shut up, a fountain sealed. 13 Your plants are an orchard of pomegranates with pleasant fruits. Fragrant henna with spikenard, 14 Spikenard and saffron, calamus and cinnamon, with all trees of frankincense, myrrh and aloes, with all the chief spices----15 a fountain of gardens, a well of living waters, and steams from Lebanon.

Experiencing authentic love happens when both the man and woman of God know who they are in Christ. As with the union between two people designed by God, we look even deeper to this in the sense of the body of believer’s in Christ Jesus. We should refuse and abstain from any kind of involvement that would cause unwarranted situations to arise. Abstaining from the unneeded keeps us clean and away from that which might destroy.

In preparation, we are to seek God first. We are to seek to have godly counsel and not just any counsel! And we are to ask God to show us where we stand and with whom we stand. For God has someone for each who looks to marry. And for those believer’s in Christ, we look to keep ourselves holy toward Him knowing that He is our 1^st priority to even living this life.

Learn to speak the language of love. Spend time in 1 John, 2 John and 3 John. Be wise and look forward to knowing someone as your husband or as your wife, and know God as Your Husband who comes for His bride without spot or wrinkle. As we learn to speak with the Lord, then we can speak with others and those we are destined to know and walk with through life.

Protect your garden with the Lord and protect that which is with the husband or wife you have.

Celebrate the walk you have with Jesus. Celebrate truth that you will really know who He I
has destined you to be in Him. And then celebrate life it is just beginning.

AND then last but not the least of these:

Psalm 45:8-9     NKJV

8 All Your garments are scented with myrrh and aloes and cassia, Out of the ivory palaces, by which they have made You glad. 9 Kings' daughters are among Your honorable women;  At Your right hand stands the queen in gold from Ophir. 

As we spend time to seek His face, and know Him and remain within His presence, we become aware of those scents of myrrh, aloes and cassia. We become aware when that beautiful scent presents itself in our smelling, and enjoying the beautiful scent of the Savior, and our HUSBAND, THE LORD!

All that Esther was taught, the testing came in a big way when she had to fully depend on God Himself. Each of us will face that moment. It will not matter who else is around you, but what strength you hold that is of God that will carry you into your future. In His speaking, we hear His love, peace and wisdom. And it is that Word of God manifested in you that will hold you when all chaos is breaking out either towards you or your community. Stand firm, give heed to the adversary but speak all, write all and share of all God has done for you.

What symbolic language will you learn of His speaking? What will you discover in Him that will not be like any other relationship you have ever known? The ideal relationship, the ideal marriage, the authentic is only found in God. Enjoy His timeless truth in speaking love to you! Amen!

Notice: 

The Voice of Prayer  has a new teaching:

The Truthful Witness: Not Based on Lies, False Ideas or Fantasies
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Yapgc3QC344



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

Eggshells

Thinking on all those colored eggs the past few days, I wonder how much was spent on "real" eggs, chocolate candy, and that pretty green grass! Or are "real eggs" just passe'? (you know: out of date, passed their prime)
What is it about an Easter Egg Hunt, that gets everyone in a frenzy? Is it the overprotective mom watching over her two year old child running with ten year old children? And why did she allow a 2 year old to run with 10 year old experienced children on an "egg hunt"? My husband suggests football pads and a helmet for the two year old going out for the hunt with the ten year old's.  Is it the looking for anything that is "colored" in those pastels that makes one think of Spring time and new life or is it because the cold and rainy season has departed? Or could it be that "the prize" for this specific hunt is a chocolate, marshmallow filled bunny waiting somewhere for "me" to find? Can you not just feel the perspiration on your brow at this moment?  Yes, I remember looking for that marshmallow filled bunny and by the time we got to the END of the hunt, that bunny was anything but delicious looking. Yes, the heat of that specific day brought about much weakness to chocolate, and marshmallow bunnies everywhere within that area that experienced  85 degrees that spring day! Yes, even now I experience that sweat in that moment in time on a spring time day........and not finding the bunny just when "it needed the most help" from me!


Ahh, yes, those eggshells and their many uses can have one trying to find what else you might use them for in regards to having an extra amount of those 'ole shells around your home!
Well, we know the one about coffee and eggshells, right? But what about eggshells in the garden, calcium for your teeth, in your potting soil and oh, yes, those birds you feed.
They say about a trillion eggs are broken each year. In respect of that figure, is that before Easter counts of broken eggs or is it an all inclusive number to include that holiday?
But seriously, those pastel plastic egg-shaped containers sure made a lot of parent's happy that they no longer have to boil and color an egg. So are there more plastic eggs called to duty today than the regular egg?

They say that time does not change anything, but that people are the ones who change!
Of late, we (my husband and I) have reached back to some historical truths on the age of all accounts of healing and tent revivals of the 40's and 50's. In respect to that time when men and women alike chased after God, and their commitment was made and seen by many others. In truth, many thought Jesus' return was evident at that time and many flocked to those tent revivals like Oral Roberts, and T.L. Lowery. But God is still God and is still powerful. He never makes mistakes and never fails. And today people are still awaiting Christ's return. And these men who followed God obeyed His commands to preach and teach the Word of God. They prayed! They kept their focus on God, His Son Jesus, for salvation and for all that God wanted to do in those tent revivals. Of late, we have returned to more prayer time with the Lord and seeking to remain in hearing Him speak, not only to us about us, but about the times in which we live.


Acts 1:7-14   7 He said to them, It is not for you to become acquainted with and know what time brings [the things and events of time and their definite periods] or fixed years and season (their critical niche in time), which the Father has appointed ( fixed and reserved ) by His own choice  and authority and personal power. 8 But you shall receive power (ability, efficiency, and might) when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you shall be My witnesses in Jerusalem and all Judea and Samaria and to the ends (the very bounds) of the earth. 9 And when He had said this, even as they were looking [at Him], He was caught up, and a cloud received and carried Him away out of their sight. 10 And while they were gazing intently into heaven as He went, behold, two men [dressed] in white robes suddenly stood beside them. 11 Who said, men of Galilee, why do you stand gazing into heaven? This same Jesus, Who was caught away and lifted up from among you into heaven, will return in [just] the same way in which you saw him go into heaven. 12 Then [ the disciples] went back to Jerusalem from the hill called Olivet, which is near Jerusalem. [only] a Sabbath day's journey (three-quarters of a mile ) away. 13 And when they had entered [the city], they mounted [the stairs] to the upper room where they were [indefinitely] staying----Peter and John and James and Andrew; Philip and Thomas, Bartholomew and Matthew; James son of Alpheus and Simon the Zealot and Judas [son] of James, 14 and all of these with their minds in full agreement devoted themselves steadfastly to prayer, [waiting together] with the women and Mary the mother of Jesus, and with His brothers.

That appointed time was that we would be His witnesses. For them it was in Jerusalem, all Judea and Samaria and to the ends ( the very bounds ) of the earth.


In the time of this great move shortly after Jesus' resurrection, and many people being saved, yet those salvations went to the Gentiles. And much persecution came to those who spoke out in His name. The disciples with many others came together to wait in prayer together, to communicate with God and allow Him to communicate with them. They had the way in "through Jesus" who died for us, to give us that "hope" in and through Him.

Hebrews 7:25 Amplified       25 Therefore He is able also to save to the uttermost (completely, perfectly, finally and for all time and eternity) those who come to God through Him since He is always living to make petitions to God and intercede with Him and intervene for them.


Acts 4:13-20
13 When they saw the courage of Peter and John and realized that they were unschooled, ordinary men, they were astonished and they took note that these men had been with Jesus. 14 But since they could see the man who had been healed standing there with them, there was nothing they could say. 15 So they ordered them to withdraw from the Sanhedrin and then conferred together. 16 "What are we going to do with these men?" they asked. "Everybody living in Jerusalem knows they have done an outstanding miracle, and we cannot deny it. 17 But to stop this thing from spreading any further among the people, we must warn these men to speak no longer to anyone in this name."

18 Then they called them in again and commanded them not to speak or teach at all in the name of Jesus. 19 But Peter and John replied, "Judge for yourselves whether it is right in God's sight to obey you rather than God. 20 For we cannot help speaking about what we have seen and heard."  NIV

Some seventy years after Jesus' departure into heaven, great destruction came to Jerusalem. In this time shortly after Jesus' crucifixion and before the tragedy to Israel, men spoke out in His name. But those of the Sanhedrin wanted the "talk" to stop. And one thing "noted" was these men, Peter and John had been with Jesus. These men spoke out with courage. They were the unschooled, ordinary men and they lived for God. In unison, Peter and John replied to those questioning their exploit for God, "Judge for yourselves whether it is right in God's sight to obey you rather than God. For we cannot help speaking about what we have seen and heard."

So we have two groups that were speaking. In one group you have the Sanhedrin who wanted the Law, and did their own "policing" and did not receive Jesus. They wanted Him dead and did it with the help of Rome. And in group 2 you have those who recognized Jesus as the suffering Messiah. These we know to be the "witnesses".  Those who knew Him and why He came witnessed of Him.  And those who follow today are those who seek after that which is life to them. And they exhibit a love that only comes from God. And no,it is not found in any eggs, colored or not for those things bring no life to anyone. (unless it is one real egg you can fry up in a pan) To me, the traditions of men is just a bunch of eggshells. It is really knowing what is good or is it just the fun thing to do that has nothing to do with really loving another person.
I had a call today, not from one person but from two and in them each so different, yet they were coming across with the same message. They voiced a value for another person.

One call came in the morning and brought me to silence as they expressed honor and the one this afternoon voiced "family" and much love. Ah yes, tears have a healing affect on the mind, soul and body. In all my years I have not been so moved by two people of such valor and love!

When we really care more about the person, than an actual egg hunt, we are putting people first. If we truly care about another and their family, will we truly put Jesus in the midst of them, for it is really not whether they receive Him, but that we present Him to them. For the Holy Spirit can do what He does best. But we surely must bring Him to them!  Did that happen where you attended or was it just about someone in a big bunny suit and a bunch of colored eggs that aren't real in any way, shape or form?  I have not been touched by pastel colored eggs, or chocolate bunnies. I have not been touched by the pretty baskets or multi-colored possibilities of grass color that shines, but about how people can love and touch a heart when it is done in His name.

For I saw this in John and Peter. I saw in Jesus and all that He represented of His Father. And I have experienced it today in my life. When people are really tuned into G-O-D, they sound like a symphony and they harmonize in a beauty that only God sends out through His l-o-v-e!

Jesus spoke of this in the book of Mark about traditions of men!

Mark 7:5-16 

-5 And the Pharisees and scribes kept asking [Jesus], why do Your disciples not order their way of living according to the tradition handed down by the forefathers [to be observed], but eat with hands unwashed and ceremonially not purified? 6 But He said to the, Excellently and truly [so that there will be no room for blame] did  Isaiah prophesy of you; the pretenders and the hypocrites, as it stands written: These people [constantly] honor Me with their lips, but their hearts are far from Me. 7 In vain (fruitlessly and without profit) do they worship Me, ordering and teaching [to be obeyed] as doctrines the commandments and precepts of men. Isaiah 29:13

8 You disregard and give up and ask to depart from you the commandment of God and cling to the tradition of men [keeping it carefully and faithfully.]

9 And He said to them, You have a fine way of rejecting [thus thwarting and nullifying and doing away with] the commandment of God in order to keep your tradition (your own human regulations)! 10 For Moses said, Honor (revere with tenderness of feeling and deference )your father and your mother and He who curses or reviles or speaks evil of or abuses or treats improperly his father or mother, let him surely die. Exodus 20:12, Exodus 21:17

11 But [as for you] you say, a man is exempt if he tells [his] father or [his] mother, What you would otherwise have gained  from me [everything I have that would have been use to you] is Corban, that is, is a gift [already given as an offering to God]. 12 Then you no longer are permitting him to do anything of [his] father or [his] mother [ but are letting him off from helping them]. 13 Thus you are nullifying and making void and of no effect [ the authority of ] the Word of God through your tradition, which you [ in turn ] hand on. And many things of this kind you are doing.14 And He called the people to [Him] again and said to them, Listen to Me, all of you and understand [what I say]. 15 There is not [even] one thing outside a man which by going into him can pollute and defile him and make him unhallowed and unclean.16 If any man has ears to hear, let him be listening [and let him perceive and comprehend by hearing.] 

Our delight today should be in that of giving love to others. And in the time of Spring, would we not want to reach out to those who may be in need of rest from the "world"? Are there those who need cold water to be poured upon wandering feet? Could we not bring to those a love, His love that would ring true in hearts, that He is in our midst. As He ever makes intercession for us, and sees after our lives, would it not be to His glory that music would be heard in calling others into salvation and into the Love of God? If people are being cut to shreds by impurity, evil on every corner, and violence in strange places, would not a call to reinforce His love be the "required" of the witness who really gives witness to His love and to that glory.
In closing: may we know that which really brings life into our hearts. May we know that love that keeps giving and supports us when we need it most. And may those who have brought such to me today be those who are fortified in faith to go the distance for which they are the called! 


Isaiah 52:7
7 How beautiful upon the mountains 
Are the feet of him who brings good news,
Who proclaims peace,
Who brings glad tidings of good things,
Who proclaims salvation,
Who says to Zion,
"Your God reigns!" 

May we be the witnesses we are called to be and bring salvation, the tidings of good things to those who really need it!

Attention:
The Voice of Prayer  has a new teaching published: Come Away and Rest a While. 



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