Home Is Where the Heart Resides

John 14:1-4
DO NOT let your hearts be troubled (distressed, agitated). You believe in and adhere to and trust in and rely on God; believe in and adhere to and trust in and rely also on Me. 2 In My Father's house there are many dwelling places (homes). If it were not so, I would have told you; for I am going away to prepare a place for you. 3 And when (if) I go and make ready a place for you, I will come back again and will take you to Myself; that where I am you may be also. 4 And [to the place] where I am going, you know the way. Amplified

In John 14:6 Jesus said, " I am the Way and the Truth and the Life, no one comes to the Father except by (through) Me."
verse 7 "If you had known Me [had learned to recognize Me], you would also have known My Father. From now on, you know Him and have seen Him." Amplified
Jesus said when He would go was to make a place for you. Did we make that choice to be with Him?

HOME!

Would it not be a value to us to know the way home? But how you get there is by what you hold in your heart. What if we hold that which is not the lasting, not the benefit to us for life?

Jesus told us to NOT let our hearts be troubled. We are NOT to be the distressed, the agitated. Jesus was speaking to a generation who were to believe in God and obey His commands. Yet, they desired to serve themselves. But verse 1 of John 14 points us to add to our trusting God..........to believe in, adhere to and trust ........that leads to relying on Jesus as well. He speaks on about the dwelling places that are in His Father's house, a place I see as this grand area.

It is interesting that Philip responds with this:

John 14:8-11
8 Philip said, "Sir, show us the Father and we will be satisfied."

9 Jesus replied, "Don't you even yet know who I am, Philip, even after all this time I have been with you? Anyone who has seen me has seen the Father! So why are you asking to see him? 10 Don't you believe that I am in the Father and the Father is in me? The words I say are not my own but are from my Father who lives in me. And he does his work through me. 11 Just believe it-that I am in the Father and the Father is in me. Or else believe it because of the mighty miracles you have seen me do.   TLB


Show us the Father? And we will be satisfied.
Jesus spoke: "Don't you even yet know who I am Philip, even after all this time I have been with you? Anyone who has seen me has seen the Father!"
"Don't you believe that I am in the Father and the Father is in me? The words I say (speak) are not my own but are from the Father and the Father who lives in me. AND HE DOES HIS WORK THROUGH ME." "JUST BELIEVE IT.....THAT I AM IN THE FATHER AND FATHER IN ME. Or else believe it because of the mighty miracles you have seen me do."

We receive when we trust by faith that God speaks and Jesus speaks. Adhering is that to which we listen to the Voice that leads us in the Way, that which is True and Life to us!
He was directing them to the way He spoke was like the Father and had authority that was given to Him by the Father.

John 14:12-18
12 "Most assuredly, I say to you, he who believes in Me, the works that I do he will do also; and greater works than these he will do, because I go to My Father. 13 And whatever you ask in My name, that I will do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son. 14 If you ask anything in My name, I will do it.

15 "If you love Me, keep My commandments. 16 And I will pray the Father, and He will give you another Helper, that He may abide with you forever-- 17 the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it neither sees Him nor knows Him; but you know Him, for He dwells with you and will be in you. 18 I will not leave you orphans; I will come to you.
NKJV

Jesus goes on with : "he who believes in Me, the works that I do, he will do also; and greater works than these he will do, because I go to My Father. And whatever you ask in My name, that I will do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son. 

Then that "if" appears!

"If you ask anything in My name, I will do it."

That asking is in prayer, yes that relationship.

If you love Jesus, keep His commandments.

John 15:9-11
9 "As the Father loved Me, I also have loved you; abide in My love. 10 If you keep My commandments, you will abide in My love, just as I have kept My Father's commandments and abide in His love. 11 These things I have spoken to you, that My joy may remain in you, and that your joy may be full. NKJV

There is that "if" again. If you keep My commandments, you will abide in My love, just as I have kept My Father's commandments and abide in His love. That is being humble as Jesus was humble, He was the meek but carried authority when He spoke.

1 John 5:3-5

3 This is love for God: to obey his commands. And his commands are not burdensome, 4 for everyone born of God overcomes the world. This is the victory that has overcome the world, even our faith. 5 Who is it that overcomes the world? Only he who believes that Jesus is the Son of God. NIV

Overcoming: By faith in believing Jesus is the SON OF GOD!

And Jesus intercedes for us! "I will pray the Father and He will give you another Helper, that He may abide with You forever--------will not be taken away from us!

John 14:21......21 He who has My commandments and keeps them, it is he who loves Me. And he who loves Me will be loved by My Father, and I will love him and manifest Myself to him."
NKJV

Our heart is to that which is always looking into that which Jesus did and spoke. It was praying in authority and praying in union with the Father. And it will bring God's glory.
AND we are headed into Glory!


John 15:9-11............9 "As the Father loved Me, I also have loved you; abide in My love. 10 If you keep My commandments, you will abide in My love, just as I have kept My Father's commandments and abide in His love. 11 These things I have spoken to you, that My joy may remain in you, and that your joy may be full.
NKJV

Father has a home for us. We are not be the distressed! For "if" we love Jesus, and keep His Word, the Father loves us. And when we do love and keep that Word of God, THEY come to us to make a home. Jesus said, "he who does not love HIM (Jesus) does not keep His words, and the word which we hear is not HIS but the Father's who sent HIM.  Oh no!

See scripture verses below:

John 14:23-24

23 Jesus answered and said to him, "If anyone loves Me, he will keep My word; and My Father will love him, and We will come to him and make Our home with him. 24 He who does not love Me does not keep My words; and the word which you hear is not Mine but the Father's who sent Me. 

NKJV

In the present day world, we see many homeless people. Some got there by losing their jobs, in sickness, and some by just being in debt to someone. It is like becoming the "orphan" with no place but only to wander.
Amos 8:11-12
11 "The days are coming," declares the Sovereign LORD,
"when I will send a famine through the land-
not a famine of food or a thirst for water,
but a famine of hearing the words of the LORD.
12 Men will stagger from sea to sea
and wander from north to east, 
searching for the word of the LORD, 
but they will not find it.  NIV
There are "men" wandering today. They have this hollow place in their heart and no not how to fill that place of "void". They stagger. They are the weak, and the sickly.

When there is no Word given, that is to the Way, the Truth and Life...then....men lean toward that which yells out in cruelty, anger, and hate. They seek to fill that hollow, void place with drugs, alcohol, pornography and the such. They try to make up generic drugs from really bad drugs.  The streets are the muddy, they are noisy, and filled with threats and lies.  For a lack of the Word, they lose their "home" God had planned for them. They begin to wander! The Word of God was moved out of the schools and out of government, even though this nation was built on it. It has moved out.......! And it is the very thing we need to live, to fully flourish as God intended!

 Those equipped today with the Word must pray urgently for those who wander. We must pray! We must believe and trust in Jesus the Great Intercessor and pray like never before. We are to keep our hearts in that which God has spoken and Jesus has spoken. We are to pray with a fervency! Consequently, we are no longer foreigners and aliens, but fellow citizens with God's people and members of God's household. We are built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets with Christ Jesus himself as the chief cornerstone. It is in Him, that the whole building is joined together and rises to become a holy temple in the Lord. And in Him, you too are being built together to become a dwelling in which God lives by His Spirit. ( Ephesians 2:19-22 NIV)

Father, we pray in Jesus' name, that we would be the prepared in our minds for action; be the self-controlled; setting our hope fully on the grace to given us when Jesus Christ is revealed. (1 Peter 13) Father, our hope is in Jesus in the salvation .............As obedient children, we desire to not conform to the evil desires we had when we lived in ignorance. But just as he who called us is holy, so we are the holy. (verses 14-15)
 Father, we also understand that we are to live here as strangers in reverent fear. For we have been taught through the Written Word of God that: "it was not with perishable things such as silver or gold that we were the redeemed from the empty way of life handed down to us from our forefathers, but with the precious blood of Christ, a lamb without blemish or defect. And it is through Him we believe in God, who raised Him from the dead and glorified Him, and so our faith and our hope are in YOU our Father God.

Our home is with You. It is that which we ask to show us in prayer time. Reveal to our hearts so that we might give it more clearly by YOUR Word so that it is given in that which is a sincere love for our brothers, not only those who are of the faith, but those who wander.

We are the born again, the Redeemed, not of perishable seed but of imperishable, through the living and enduring word of God. For "all men are like grass, and all their glory is like the flowers of the filed; the grass withers and the flowers fall, but the WORD OF THE LORD STANDS FOREVER." (verse 23-24)
Father, we confess this Word  for we hold it in our hearts, "that word that was preached to us".
We believe we recognize the Father. We are the loved. YOU are the father to the fatherless and a defender of widows.... is God in His holy dwelling. It is You Who has set the lonely into families and You have lead forth the prisoners with singing. (Psalm 68:5-6)

Father, we pray for the wandering, that they hear You speak. May the Word of Lord go forth and be spoken like never before. Help them hear the word that prevails and shows the Way in truth to life everlasting.
Whatever may blind people, the wandering, may their eyes be opened to truth, may they be guided into Your glorious Presence so that they hear YOUR voice. Turn the darkness into light before them and make the rough places smooth. You will not forsake. (Isaiah 42:16) Father YOU are the determined to do it.
As we the Redeemed have received You as Father, may the wandering know You. Thank You today for the Holy Spirit Who will teach us all things and bring to our remembrance all things that has been said to us in truth, in discipline, and guidance in Your holy Word. We thank You for peace in the streets today of the place we live. We thank You for streets to be quiet, may justice be on the pathways we walk, for we desire truth to rule and reign in our land.
We cry out today for if we do not, then the very stones will cry out. Blessed is He who comes in the Name of the Lord.  May Your glory fill the earth. Now Lord consider their threats and enable us ....to speak Your Word with boldness. Stretch out Your hand to heal and perform miraculous signs (Acts 2:29-30) and wonders through the name of Your holy Servant Jesus. Amen.



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

What then is the Bleating of Sheep in My Ears?

What instructions do we hear and respond to act on in accord with what God speaks to us? Do we initiate (to begin) and complete the said instruction to our hearts or do we find ourselves like King Saul? Did Saul turn toward man and those he led? Did he consider pleasing them more than pleasing God?



1 Samuel 15:1-23...................15:1 Samuel said to Saul, "I am the one the LORD sent to anoint you king over his people Israel; so listen now to the message from the LORD. 2 This is what the LORD Almighty says: 'I will punish the Amalekites for what they did to Israel when they waylaid them as they came up from Egypt. 3 Now go, attack the Amalekites and totally destroy everything that belongs to them. Do not spare them; put to death men and women, children and infants, cattle and sheep, camels and donkeys.'" 
4 So Saul summoned the men and mustered them at Telaim-two hundred thousand foot soldiers and ten thousand men from Judah. 5 Saul went to the city of Amalek and set an ambush in the ravine. 6 Then he said to the Kenites, "Go away, leave the Amalekites so that I do not destroy you along with them; for you showed kindness to all the Israelites when they came up out of Egypt." So the Kenites moved away from the Amalekites. 
7 Then Saul attacked the Amalekites all the way from Havilah to Shur, to the east of Egypt. 8 He took Agag king of the Amalekites alive, and all his people he totally destroyed with the sword. 9 But Saul and the army spared Agag and the best of the sheep and cattle, the fat calves and lambs-everything that was good. These they were unwilling to destroy completely, but everything that was despised and weak they totally destroyed. 
10 Then the word of the LORD came to Samuel: 11 "I am grieved that I have made Saul king, because he has turned away from me and has not carried out my instructions." Samuel was troubled, and he cried out to the LORD all that night. 
12 Early in the morning Samuel got up and went to meet Saul, but he was told, "Saul has gone to Carmel. There he has set up a monument in his own honor and has turned and gone on down to Gilgal." 
13 When Samuel reached him, Saul said, "The LORD bless you! I have carried out the LORD's instructions." 
14 But Samuel said, "What then is this bleating of sheep in my ears? What is this lowing of cattle that I hear?" 
15 Saul answered, "The soldiers brought them from the Amalekites; they spared the best of the sheep and cattle to sacrifice to the LORD your God, but we totally destroyed the rest." 
16 "Stop!" Samuel said to Saul. "Let me tell you what the LORD said to me last night." 
"Tell me," Saul replied. 
17 Samuel said, "Although you were once small in your own eyes, did you not become the head of the tribes of Israel? The LORD anointed you king over Israel. 18 And he sent you on a mission, saying, 'Go and completely destroy those wicked people, the Amalekites; make war on them until you have wiped them out.' 19 Why did you not obey the LORD? Why did you pounce on the plunder and do evil in the eyes of the LORD?" 
20 "But I did obey the LORD," Saul said. "I went on the mission the LORD assigned me. I completely destroyed the Amalekites and brought back Agag their king. 21 The soldiers took sheep and cattle from the plunder, the best of what was devoted to God, in order to sacrifice them to the LORD your God at Gilgal." 
22 But Samuel replied: 
"Does the LORD delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices as much as in obeying the voice of the LORD? To obey is better than sacrifice, and to heed is better than the fat of rams. 23 For rebellion is like the sin of divination, and arrogance like the evil of idolatry. Because you have rejected the word of the LORD, he has rejected you as king."   NIV

Every time we visit the pages of scripture passages, we are given instructions of which the Father wants for His children. Each time we dwell in verses either for healing, strength and courage, or for loss, we seek to find that which strengthens us in the area we need it at the time. Just like trees and plants need water, so to, we need that which brings life to our spirit, soul and body.
The prophet Samuel asks, "what then is this bleating of sheep in my ears? What is this lowing of cattle that I hear?"

Verse 9 says they were unwilling to destroy completely........!

In speaking about his obedience, it was the king's flesh that spoke a stink to heaven. It was that indulgence to please other men that proved a witness against Saul himself. What looked good to Saul and the other men? 

Nothing was to be spared of the Amalekites. The relationship between King Saul and his allowing Agag, the king of the Amalekites to live and to not only live, but live in Israel brings the same issues to the time of Esther and her relative Mordechai. 

Both of these were of the same lineage of King Saul, the tribe of Benjamin, and of Saul who was going to let the Amalekites live. But Samuel made sure the king Agag would die. In a later time, we see Haman who shows up bringing much hardship and pain as he came breathing out cruelties to the time of the Book of Esther. (he was some relative of the king Agag)

I have known when the Lord wants to correct something I am taking way too far in giving my time or even extra focus to. We can demonstrate obedience or we can demonstrate disobedience. The noise within King Saul's camp was the a noise of sheep and cattle that were to be destroyed and not used for any kind of sacrifice. God did not want anything those Amalekites had. It was King Saul's character we see showing it's true colors to pleasing man and not God! He was bringing problems to Israel. As Samuel spoke in verse 23 to Saul, that Saul's rebellion was that as the sin of divination, and his arrogance was sin so evil as idolatry!



Wow! that is really strong! So what is the sin of divination? Any obtainable knowledge of a present or future tense is that of paganism (of the profane) and is opposite of that which we know in "church" when a prophecy is given by inspiration of the Holy Spirit. Divination is the speaking spirit that is demonic, is not from God, and the knowledge or information is counterfeit and is of the profane. It is opposite of the truth of the godly heritage. You can see in the story of one such instance in the Book of Acts.

Acts 16:16-24..........16 Now it happened, as we went to prayer, that a certain slave girl possessed with a spirit of divination met us, who brought her masters much profit by fortune-telling. 17 This girl followed Paul and us, and cried out, saying, "These men are the servants of the Most High God, who proclaim to us the way of salvation." 18 And this she did for many days. But Paul, greatly annoyed, turned and said to the spirit, "I command you in the name of Jesus Christ to come out of her." And he came out that very hour. 19 But when her masters saw that their hope of profit was gone, they seized Paul and Silas and dragged them into the marketplace to the authorities. 20 And they brought them to the magistrates, and said, "These men, being Jews, exceedingly trouble our city; 21 and they teach customs which are not lawful for us, being Romans, to receive or observe." 22 Then the multitude rose up together against them; and the magistrates tore off their clothes and commanded them to be beaten with rods. 23 And when they had laid many stripes on them, they threw them into prison, commanding the jailer to keep them securely. 24 Having received such a charge, he put them into the inner prison and fastened their feet in the stocks.  NKJV

This divination was practiced by the slave girl. She knew enough by the demon spirit that Paul and Silas were men or servants of the Most High God. This was done to show to those of the community "who watched" that she followed those godly men. But in truth when these servants would have left the area, the slave girl's talent would have a step up to a greater degree of use for the enemy instead. She would have continued to make money for those her masters. But any prophecy later would be of the divination given by the devil himself either for individuals or for groups of people!

All would be under the guise of "good" but of evil intent in any knowledge to any people after Silas and Paul were gone. But the teaching tells us that Paul cast that spirit of divination out of the slave girl!

In reality, Saul had future information, and it was that which God chose to do away with the Amalekites once and for all. He knew this group of people to be the epitome of evil and of the blackest hearts.

Saul's arrogance was so evil as the sin of idolatry. He was serving himself. He had those around him, that he listened to more than he listened to God for instructions. God had the idea of how He wanted any sacrifice given, and Saul and these men were going to do it their way and call it "good". But they erred in their thinking that a good God would go along with this.......for how can you want what this group or tribe of people had accumulated according to the sin that filled lives they led?  How could Saul think that God would want any part in the use of the Amalekites resources of cattle, sheep, camels and donkeys for a source for good? 

Yes, Saul was overtaken in his arrogance. He felt superior to others, and held a conceit that showed in his actions. In verse 12, we find Saul going to Carmel to build a monument to himself. Not to glorify God, but himself. In receiving God's commands to do something where is the "heart issue" on the matter? Do we really want to serve God and do His command or do we do something and finish up with what we think is best?  When Samuel charged Saul of his disobedience, Saul charged back in his own hypocritical nature. For what was displayed was that which was a witness against him. He proved he wanted the glory and to be "the BIG MAN" on the scene. But his arrogance got the kingdom torn away from him! Bad move on the part of Saul, yet, this was always in him to do!

What was it that T. S. Eliot wrote? "Most of the evil in this world is done by people with good intentions."

Yes, good intentions was what Saul was demonstrating. He thought that keeping the livestock would benefit them all and bring a good meal. Barbecued steak anyone? 

Aahh....intentions......you know that one of the meanings is "purpose"......something that is purposed. God has things He has purposed for our lives!
Seeking the purpose, not just living, but why we are set here for this time, just before the Lord's return!
But the purpose God intends for each of us is by truth in His Word, by the Blood of Jesus and by power of the Holy Spirit to see the instruction completed.

What do we allow to keep our focus and allow to live that needs to be put away from us? Could we doing something today, that could bring us harm or even death in a few days, a few months, or even in a few years? Even in the account of all that transpires in the book of Esther, there is no mention of any of Haman's nieces or nephews or aunts or uncles being taken to the gallows. It only mentions Haman and his ten sons! So many of them were allowed to live and have problems with Israel that have continued through the centuries even to this day and time!

When following God's instructions, are we following it to the letter as He speaks it?

If I buy all the ingredients to make a chocolate cake, but do not follow the instructions, then what do I have at the end? Probably the finished product will be anything but an actual cake.  I remember making this one recipe many years ago, but it did not turn out. It was suppose to be an airy type cake texture, but in reality it was FLAT as a pancake and thinner than a pancake! It was a recipe given to me by another person. I told them about it and guess what? They had left out ONE of the most vital ingredients I needed to make that recipe. It was the buttermilk! It was one of the those Texas Sheet Cakes! They are very good if you have never made one! But you need all the ingredients to see a "good" finished product.

I have this green chile recipe that was given to me by my mother and her mother many years ago. I have certainly made it a lot and am showing my husband how to make it as well since he wants to eat it more often with our meals. But in making it, you make sure you have the right Anaheim peppers and garlic cloves for the recipe. If you veer off that ever so slightly, as our daughter says, "it tastes bland". And she is right! 

Following instructions and heeding what it tells us to do will keep us out of harm's way. I am in no means a chef, or the cook like my sister is, but I do try new things to prepare. My husband looks for recipes for soups and has found some we like to eat.

Proverbs 1:2-6.............2 To know wisdom and instruction,
To perceive the words of understanding, 
3 To receive the instruction of wisdom,
Justice, judgment, and equity; 
4 To give prudence to the simple,
To the young man knowledge and discretion-- 
5 A wise man will hear and increase learning,
And a man of understanding will attain wise counsel, 
6 To understand a proverb and an enigma,
The words of the wise and their riddles.    NKJV

I have learned over the years, that knowing wisdom and instruction looks much like correction. Whatever may have been taught us from our mother's knee, must always have the Word of God to have the complete picture of what God desires for us and those who follow after us!

In realizing a recipe could be FLAT like what I had experienced, I think how our lives could become flat without life or any zest to them. We could look pretty much like the world looks, with no difference at all.

 We were meant to look different and sound different! People should see us as being different than the world. We are to be those who follow instruction in applying God's wisdom, justice, judgment and equity to every aspect of our lives. In the book of Amos and the fifth chapter, the prophet tell us in verse 24 to "let justice run down like water, and righteousness like a mighty stream. We are not to be those out for justice, but those who know God seek the other's good by doing justice.
God knew the Amalekites as those who were destructive in their hearts. These people of any age, held a most evil heart against other living human beings. God Himself wanted an end to them because of the vile hatred they held toward those who came around them. But Saul disregarded the instructions and Samuel the prophet had to end Agag's life. 
Still today we see all the hatred toward Israel and those which want them gone for good. But God is making sure His chosen will stand in even the harshest moments of hatred, hostility, and abominations against the Lord and His people.

Will what we choose to do today in regard to God's instruction to us be honorable or of the profane? I really do not want to hear something like Saul heard from Samuel............
16 "Stop!" Samuel said to Saul. "Let me tell you what the LORD said to me last night." 
"Tell me," Saul replied. 

22 But Samuel replied: 
"Does the LORD delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices as much as in obeying the voice of the LORD? To obey is better than sacrifice, and to heed is better than the fat of rams. 23 For rebellion is like the sin of divination, and arrogance like the evil of idolatry. Because you have rejected the word of the LORD, he has rejected you as king."   


Would surely not want the Lord to reject me in something He has purposed for my life, would you?

Father, in Jesus' name, we pray to be those who heed and obey YOUR instructions regarding our lives and the lives of others. We desire to be disciplined in the Word of God and be renewed daily in our minds to see transformation come. Today we desire to be those who would be quick to say yes to YOUR commands, and follow them closely.
Help us today to see if we are on the wrong schedule for life. We know serving is a choice and does not start when the kids are back in school or when a New Year comes on January 1. We know it is a "heart issue".

Help us to see the right time is right now! That in choosing to follow YOUR instructions we are choosing the things of YOUR way and doing that which will bring us to honor.

We desire to be a catalyst that will spark the importance of following Jesus and imitate HIM. In doing that, the world will see us as different and living different kind of lives than that of the world.

We know some can always find excuse and blame another, as Saul chose to put some of the blame back on those men who followed him.(verse 21) But we are not those speaking of there always being a lion in the street or the Jordan is always overflowing its banks! No, today we are those who speak......and believe......that Your Word is true. Whatever You instruct us to do, we know we have the ability to see it completed for Your glory. No matter the odds, no matter the intensity of war, no matter the level or any correction God is our Father and He is for us!

WE understand that Chaos is our enemy. We determine to be men and women who will triumph in YOU. Today we fight with the fight of faith and arise to take our place.

We have discernment and have the wisdom of God to make the decisions to keep to the course set before us. Whatever we have allowed into our camp, show us what needs to be killed or moved out entirely never to be returned to our home and family again. We give praise and glory to YOUR name! Amen.

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