In This I will Be Confident

Psalm  27:1-3.........The LORD is my light and my salvation;
Whom shall I fear?
The LORD is the strength of my life;
Of whom shall I be afraid?
2 When the wicked came against me
To eat up my flesh,
My enemies and foes,
They stumbled and fell.
3 Though an army may encamp against me,
My heart shall not fear;
Though war should rise against me,
In this I will be confident.    NKJV

In salvation, we have moved from the desolate to the blessed. We become those who come to the good in the Lord. We come to a place of blessings that God planned for His family. In this Psalm and Psalm 91, we see the particular safety, a great protection, when we abide in the Lord. When we abide in His word it will deliver.
From the above scripture passage, it says, "in this I will be confident", confident in what? He is confident because he has known the light and salvation. He leads us out of trouble, out of that which brings chaos. So there should be "no fear". The Lord becomes our strength, when we abide in those scriptures that lead us to strength.

Like in Psalm 119:28.....My soul melts from heaviness; strengthen me according to YOUR word.

This strength is for the our soul..........our mind, our will and emotions. It is about the "breathing part" of me. That which is born as a person. And that heaviness of soul......is.....the closed off heart.......that which is inward.......and concerned for what is interrupting our life. But God delights to clothe us in a garment of praise for that heaviness of soul. He wants to bring us out of that secrets of heaviness we hold for ourselves and wants us to express the joy of heart .........gladness to being alive......and.....not governed by the five senses.
Five Senses: are feel, what I can touch, what I see with my eye, taste in my mouth, sound, and smell.

These make for bad "masters" for us to be ruled by, ever!
Have you ever made a decision on the "spur" of the moment? Did you afterward feel like your body was an earthquake all by itself? Not a good place to be! Basing any decisions on our senses is folly, indeed! Without that true knowledge, we fall as a victim to those five senses. Making any decision on that fear factor, we move to a place of confusion. Father God is to be our light with His knowledge leading us by His wisdom, but do we choose to blanket ourselves in that confusion where a "terror" grips our souls? When we will not rely on God's word, we become "the driver" of any situation. When we shift the gears to go forward, we are acting on fear based emotions that have taken the command and lead. This place is called "FALSE" EVIDENCE AVENUE!   Our trust is to be in God. We are to have knowledge of the Holy One.
When we seek that gladness, and put on praise......we can see differently. We can actually see with new eyes, that life includes God. Not reflecting on how bad the economy, or what the government leaders are speaking!  Some lead by what was done yesterday or last year. We are to turn from wrong sources for our answers and success. God has not given us a spirit of fear, but He has given power, love and a sound mind. (2 Timothy 1:7)  Staying in God and His knowledge, teaches us His wisdom and will keep us out of the "fear factor" camp! It is imperative to have light of God's truth shining in on the "thing" or the "man" who has set out to harm us! We certainly saw this in the 2007-2008 Global Crisis when so many lost in the stock exchange fiasco and many lost because they believed the bankers who wanted to lend money on homes that people could not afford. I remember seeing a documentary not soon after all that about Las Vegas and all the brand new homes that stood empty. There was no one living there because all those who had bought could not afford that "new home".

I do not want to be that driver, who will forcefully drive further into darkness and confusion to make a decision. We can be confident that God will preserve you and me and deliver us from the way of evil, from the man who speaks perverse things.
When the enemy appears, we can have courage in our hearts to defeat him with light and truth that is found in God and in Him alone!

Psalm 46:1...God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble. Well, trouble comes to hassle you, It comes bringing inconvenience, much worry and concern. Yes, trouble is  ANXIETY! In it, one finds if their trust is in God, or in themselves. When trouble comes to trouble us, then we have the "force " of praise to fight against that which would want to dominate our thought life!

Isaiah 40:31...But those who wait on the LORD shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles, they shall run and not be weary, they shall walk and not faint. NKJV

But they who will look to the LORD, look upon HIM, shall renew their strength.  This strength is "koach" meaning of firm, with vigor......a force.....that will produce fruit.......a substance. even wealth.

Like eagles, those who look upon the LORD move to another vantage point in looking. They gain their strength by looking into that perfect law of liberty. Keeping our focus on God the Lord, brings a substance........something tangible. We experience that "good" that adds and multiplies us and does not take away from us.

People with strength of the Lord will be noticed by others. When adversity strikes, those people will lead others out of the "problem". That walking is not only a leading others out, but it is a "marching"......a confident trust in the Lord. They can say with confidence, "This is mine, the Lord has given it to me..........and no devil can take it from me.".........type of attitude! This person is one who will be running to the "situation" and taking care of it with the wisdom of God and not running from it. They have kept their eyes on Him and not on things, people, or the world. They keep their focus always!

Psalm 27:1........the Lord is the strength of my life.....of whom shall I be afraid?

I have run to the "Rock" of my salvation. 

Isaiah 26:4............4 Trust in the LORD forever, for the LORD, the LORD, is the Rock eternal. 

NIV

Psalm 27:2..............2 When the wicked came against me 

To eat up my flesh,
My enemies and foes,
They stumbled and fell.
3 Though an army may encamp against me,
My heart shall not fear;
Though war should rise against me

The wicked, the mischief maker, the person who sows discord, those wicked that try to devour the righteous, those who are out for financial gain by speaking lies, those enemies and foes stumble and fall. Though an army encamps against you, the heart shall not fear and even  in war.......but the LORD IS OUR CONFIDENCE!

We are the confident that the Lord will direct us through and lead us on to victory.

.....though war should rise against me...........IN THIS I WILL BE CONFIDENT!

Father, in Jesus' name we pray today for this confidence......that strength, which is of vigor, it is substantial and it is wealth to us.

May we stand today in readiness to receive Your word of truth, that Light and Salvation to us. I pray that each who read this will seek You daily, seeking that strength that brings us to another vantage point. That in worship, that praise of our lips brings us to a joy of heart. I pray that we would be those who would not want to remain in that "secretness" of our own wishes and closing ourselves off to do our own thing, but seek to be part of the secret place in You from Psalm 91:1-2. Dwelling in that secret place with YOU........abiding in Your Word and plan...........and by making YOU the Most High our dwelling, no harm will befall us. No kind of disaster will come near our homes. Lord thank YOU for commanding Your angels concerning us to guard us in all our ways, and that You rescue us. (verse 14) Thank You that YOU protect us, because we acknowledge Your name. And that when we do call on YOU, YOU will answer. We believe to be those who have a long satisfied life. Be glorified and magnified for YOU are good to us Lord. You are our Light and our Salvation. Amen and Amen!

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

NIV

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

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

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

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

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



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


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

GONE THE WAY OF CAIN:

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

"No," he said. 

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

and do not resent his rebuke, 

12 because the LORD disciplines those he loves,

as a father the son he delights in.   NIV

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

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

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

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

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

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

my heart is steadfast;

I will sing and make music. 

8 Awake, my soul!

Awake, harp and lyre!

I will awaken the dawn.  NIV

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

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

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


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

ENDLESS, BLESSED, AND ACTIVE

In recent days, we had been with our grand-daughter, and one word, she kept speaking about in praying for others was "instruments" of God! That word is one that I relish. It means we are instrumental in accomplishing something, to be a part of, and see completion in that "something". Back in June, I had written a prayer for a blog called, "WHAT GREAT LENGTHS", and in it was the words for the kingdom of God that was to be endless, blessed and active.
Our lives certainly should depict that which is of the endless in eternal life with God, thoroughly blessed like Psalm 23 mentions.

Psalm 23:5-6......You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies;
You anoint my head with oil;
My cup runs over.
6 Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me
All the days of my life;
And I will dwell in the house of the LORD
Forever         NKJV

Has God ever blessed you so much, that everywhere you go, that goodness of God, that mercy is being seen by those who you just passed by, who just saw good from God overflow into their lives when you came into their life? For the verse above states, "that goodness and mercy shall follow me".....you.....us ......when we follow God and His ways. People will see our lives blessed and we are so blessed that we are distributing the overflow of good to others!

Exciting, right?

Philemon 6..............6 I pray that you may be active in sharing your faith, so that you will have a full understanding of every good thing we have in Christ.  NIV

Being active for the kingdom of God, knowing that it has come, and we have a part in the end time of seeing the harvest of souls. We have our part as the instrument God will use!

That being blessed is receiving that Word of faith and having a trust that God will do what He has said He will do.

Ezekiel  36:33-36..... 33'Thus says the Lord GOD: "On the day that I cleanse you from all your iniquities, I will also enable you to dwell in the cities, and the ruins shall be rebuilt. 34 The desolate land shall be tilled instead of lying desolate in the sight of all who pass by. 35 So they will say, 'This land that was desolate has become like the garden of Eden; and the wasted, desolate, and ruined cities are now fortified and inhabited.' 36 "Then the nations which are left all around you shall know that I, the LORD, have rebuilt the ruined places and planted what was desolate. I, the LORD, have spoken it, and I will do it."                    NKJV

Receiving Jesus as Lord brought us up out of a pit and into marvelous Light of His love. In receiving Him, we receive all that He died on the Cross to give us. We moved from being the desolate land to being something of beauty. In a sense like from above, the garden of Eden. What was wasted and ruined in our lives was changed, and became fortified with the Word of God. The crooked places became straight. 

Luke 3:4-6..............."A voice of one calling in the desert, 

'Prepare the way for the Lord, 

make straight paths for him. 

5 Every valley shall be filled in, 

every mountain and hill made low. 

The crooked roads shall become straight, 

the rough ways smooth. 

6 And all mankind will see God's salvation.'"       NIV

Yes, it was in receiving salvation from God that the desolate became alive, living to be fruitful and see change, not only for ourselves but for others as well.

 In verse 36 of Ezekiel 36.....we see that others, nations (peoples) will see that it is the Lord who has rebuilt the ruined places and planted what was desolate.  "I the LORD, have spoken it, and I will do it."

Walking with the Lord, hearing His commands and obeying them brings a blessed life.

Psalm 103:1-5.....Bless the LORD, O my soul;

And all that is within me, bless His holy name! 

2 Bless the LORD, O my soul,

And forget not all His benefits: 

3 Who forgives all your iniquities,

Who heals all your diseases, 

4 Who redeems your life from destruction,

Who crowns you with lovingkindness and tender mercies, 

5 Who satisfies your mouth with good things,

So that your youth is renewed like the eagle's. 

NKJV

You and I  have received if we believe. It is His benefits that we have bodies healed, and we are the redeemed from destruction. We have eternity with God that is living in His Presence and not in hell, where there is weeping and gnashing of teeth.

Our lives have been crowned...........with His lovingkindness and tender mercies.....so every time we are blessed with more than enough, we can distribute.

 We are the satisfied with youth being restored to us daily when we read that Holy Word. Keeping it before our eyes and walking in those statues that are of righteousness, holiness, justice, and peace.

INSTRUMENTS!
When we think of an instrument, we think of sound. It is what we hear when a violin is being played or when someone strikes keys on the piano. But what happens when God touches our hearts? What sound do we make? When someone crosses our path are we the ACTIVE in sharing our faith in every good thing we have in Christ Jesus?
For what we do here on earth for the kingdom of God will be done for an eternity. We may not know the place, but we certainly know if we are those who pray..........who teach, who exhort, who sing, who give without holding back!
God has government and it is established on Jesus' shoulders. We may not see it right now, but it is still there in the spirit, it is in our hearts who adhere to His teaching, and it EXISTS! AND WHEN JESUS RETURNS, IT WILL COME INTO FULL VIEW!
As an instrument of Jesus, we can speak the word of God and believe that truth will prevail in our lives.  It may take a week, a month or even a few years for something we believe in to occur, but it will happen and will be on God's timing and not ours. He is never late, but always on time!


2 Timothy 2:20-21..........20 In a large house there are articles not only of gold and silver, but also of wood and clay; some are for noble purposes and some for ignoble. 21 If a man cleanses himself from the latter, he will be an instrument for noble purposes, made holy, useful to the Master and prepared to do any good work.       NIV

In closing: Our desire should be that which is of gold or silver, tried in the fire and used for glory of God. If we are the man cleansed from the ignoble things........cleansed from ....that which is unworthy, shameful, despicable....and become that instrument for noble purposes....we are the instruments for.......that which is righteous, virtuous, honorable,  the regal, the striking, the man or woman made in the image of God to live a purposed life. One that is instrumental in God's plan is one who will pray. They are those who submit to wisdom that is from above and begins with a holy life characterized by love. As those instruments, we live right with God and gather as families to communicate God's love to others. In being in the Word of God, we are reminded to put others first daily. Our priorities become those God has for us. AND IT IS DIRECTED TO THE KINGDOM OF GOD THAT IS ENDLESS, BLESSED AND ACTIVE.

NOW THANKS BE TO GOD THE FATHER, WHO ALWAYS CAUSES US TO TRIUMPH IN CHRIST JESUS. AMEN.

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

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Preventative Vaccine

A true spiritual health is hearing and receiving the gospel of truth!


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

Proverbs 6:12-15.........12 A worthless person, a wicked man,

Walks with a perverse mouth; 

13 He winks with his eyes,

He shuffles his feet,

He points with his fingers; 

14 Perversity is in his heart,

He devises evil continually,

He sows discord. 

15 Therefore his calamity shall come suddenly;

Suddenly he shall be broken without remedy. 

NKJV

Yes, we come back to the "heart" again. For everything we do begins in the heart!
Our character is seen when we respond to something out of our control. In the mischievous man, it is one of destruction.
In my character are those traits with which I was raised. If I was taught to be truthful, then I am one who will deal in fairness giving an accurate report to truthful facts in a situation. But if I was raised to lie to people, then I would be one of a deceptive character. In that above, we find the dangerous man, the person who is quick to doing the wicked thing. He has a mouth of lying and of perverseness. We can see this "man" as one to deal craftily, with his entire body he expresses that hostile meanness. The man depicted here is one set, not to enhance himself but is purely intent on devising mischief to the extent of performing harm and destruction on others.

We are told that his doom in verse 15 is a calamity. A calamity of disastrous proportions. A tragedy or tribulation that never ends.

Suddenly, he will be broken. Without any warning, ......no whistle blowing, no loud trumpet call............a without warning destruction will befall such "man" who seeks another's doom.

Daniel 11:45...........yet he shall come to his end, and no one will help him.  NKJV

What character do we possess? Are we the character of truth, of tolerance, of the loyal, of the kind, of the loving, of the patient and the determined? Or are we the grumpy, the greedy, the disrespectful, the cruel, the malicious, the loud braggart, who is caustic, wicked and angry?

Our spiritual health is hinged on hearing the good news which brings health to us! If I spend time with the angry, the hateful, the greedy, and the malicious, then I become some what like those traits state. But if I remain with the loyal, those who speak truth, are tolerant of others, have a loving nature and have the traits of the patient and the determined, then I am one who can stay fixed on the course devised by God to follow. I become one who can have the Preventative Vaccine of His Word to dispel darkness out of my life.
Like any preventative vaccine, one may still have some effects of an illness it is trying to prevent. But we must remember in our walk with God and at the very beginning, we may have some things that took seed as weeds in our lives that can cause problems later in life. So too, if I take the Word of God and use it, then those things I sowed to that did not bring life, will die and the things of God will spring up and have fruit for good for me and for others.

For every Word of God I hear, I am responsible for it. Will I guard it, or will I forget it? And for every Word of God I hear and give to another, I am responsible to give it in truth. I am to give it as the Word is written. Anyone who speaks against this Word of God is the false witness, the one who speaks lies and sows discord among many people or brethren of the faith.

Matthew 7:13-20...........................13 "Enter by the narrow gate; for wide is the gate and broad is the way that leads to destruction, and there are many who go in by it. 14 Because narrow is the gate and difficult is the way which leads to life, and there are few who find it. 

15 "Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly they are ravenous wolves. 16 You will know them by their fruits. Do men gather grapes from thornbushes or figs from thistles? 17 Even so, every good tree bears good fruit, but a bad tree bears bad fruit. 18 A good tree cannot bear bad fruit, nor can a bad tree bear good fruit. 19 Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. 20 Therefore by their fruits you will know them.     NKJV

How do we know someone is speaking false teachings from the Bible? Well, one for sure is by reading it ourselves. We need to know what the written word of God says.

Paul tell us in Titus 1 and reading from verses 10-16.......what the deceiver looks and sounds like.

Titus 1:10-16.........................10 For there are many insubordinate, both idle talkers and deceivers, especially those of the circumcision, 11 whose mouths must be stopped, who subvert whole households, teaching things which they ought not, for the sake of dishonest gain. 12 One of them, a prophet of their own, said, "Cretans are always liars, evil beasts, lazy gluttons." 13 This testimony is true. Therefore rebuke them sharply, that they may be sound in the faith, 14 not giving heed to Jewish fables and commandments of men who turn from the truth. 15 To the pure all things are pure, but to those who are defiled and unbelieving nothing is pure; but even their mind and conscience are defiled. 16 They profess to know God, but in works they deny Him, being abominable, disobedient, and disqualified for every good work.   NKJV

Paul was stating that false teaching is dangerous and requires a disciplinary action. That correction will come and should be a strong correction, understanding that the false teaching would not produce any fruit of good. There are those who will teach, may have memorized paragraphs of  certain books and still not have that relationship of actually knowing God. THE teacher that is qualified to teach is the one who has been "tested" by God Himself. 

Their character will be one of virtue and adhering to God the Savior. They are those who hold fast to the faithful word of God. He follows the commands given in that Word. When they speak, they speak and will teach that same Word. They give the sound doctrine. They exhort others.

The character of the "bad teacher" is one that is obstinate, unyielding.  To be obstinate, to be so stubborn and refuse to change course, is the "bad teacher".  They do not like authority. They are those who will not be corrected themselves. Those who speak as such, will have no power. They subvert and produce many errors through either speech or of giving the Word of God. 

Matthew 7:18-20............18 A good tree cannot bear bad fruit, nor can a bad tree bear good fruit. 19 Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. 20 Therefore by their fruits you will know them.    NKJV

Therefore you and I will know the "bad teacher" for they produce fruit but not for good.

Titus 1:4-13................Grace, mercy, and peace from God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ our Savior. 

5 For this reason I left you in Crete, that you should set in order the things that are lacking, and appoint elders in every city as I commanded you-- 6 if a man is blameless, the husband of one wife, having faithful children not accused of dissipation or insubordination. 7 For a bishop must be blameless, as a steward of God, not self-willed, not quick-tempered, not given to wine, not violent, not greedy for money, 8 but hospitable, a lover of what is good, sober-minded, just, holy, self-controlled, 9 holding fast the faithful word as he has been taught, that he may be able, by sound doctrine, both to exhort and convict those who contradict. 

10 For there are many insubordinate, both idle talkers and deceivers, especially those of the circumcision, 11 whose mouths must be stopped, who subvert whole households, teaching things which they ought not, for the sake of dishonest gain. 12 One of them, a prophet of their own, said, "Cretans are always liars, evil beasts, lazy gluttons." 13 This testimony is true. 

Therefore rebuke them sharply, that they may be sound in the faith, 14 not giving heed to Jewish fables and commandments of men who turn from the truth. 15 To the pure all things are pure, but to those who are defiled and unbelieving nothing is pure; but even their mind and conscience are defiled. 16 They profess to know God, but in works they deny Him, being abominable, disobedient, and disqualified for every good work.     NKJV

  

Paul tells Titus, mouths must be stopped who subvert whole households, teaching things which they ought not, for the sake of dishonest gain. Paul goes on to mention that a prophet had said that some from Crete........look like this........."Cretans are always liars, evil beasts, lazy gluttons." 13...This testimony is true.

From verse 13 ....rebuke sharply....(correct)..........not to give ourselves over to fables, but to be sound in the faith.

A " bad teacher" is..............obnoxious, hateful! They are the disobedient.......troublesome, rebellious. You might have seen some in "church". They cause problems wherever they go. They want their own way, they speak like they have arrived in the "things of God" but alas no one has.  WE ARE ALL LEARNING AND GOING FORWARD TO REACH FOR THAT PRIZE, THAT CALLING IN CHRIST JESUS............we are each going at the pace we are to run, and we are learning of the life that is everlasting!
We are not going to spend our days floating on clouds. God has things for us to do and they start when we first believe in His Son Jesus!

Philippians 3:12-21.........................12 Not that I have already attained, or am already perfected; but I press on, that I may lay hold of that for which Christ Jesus has also laid hold of me. 13 Brethren, I do not count myself to have apprehended; but one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind and reaching forward to those things which are ahead, 14 I press toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus. 15 Therefore let us, as many as are mature, have this mind; and if in anything you think otherwise, God will reveal even this to you. 16 Nevertheless, to the degree that we have already attained, let us walk by the same rule, let us be of the same mind. 

17 Brethren, join in following my example, and note those who so walk, as you have us for a pattern. 18 For many walk, of whom I have told you often, and now tell you even weeping, that they are the enemies of the cross of Christ: 19 whose end is destruction, whose god is their belly, and whose glory is in their shame--who set their mind on earthly things. 20 For our citizenship is in heaven, from which we also eagerly wait for the Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ, 21 who will transform our lowly body that it may be conformed to His glorious body, according to the working by which He is able even to subdue all things to Himself.   NKJV

Therefore let us, as many as are mature.............maturing, growing in Christ Jesus.............allowing God to reveal to us those things He desires to reveal through His Son and Holy Spirit. We are to be of the same mind as God. We, as believer's are to be those with the same thoughts God has...........from His Word, the Bible........so we will recognize those who are the enemy of the Cross of Jesus. (verse 18)

Those whose god is their belly, and whose glory is in their shame are set on the earthly things. 

In the Living Bible, it reads like this: .............19 Their future is eternal loss, for their god is their appetite: they are proud of what they should be ashamed of; and all they think about is this life here on earth.

And in the Message Bible, it reads like this:   But easy street is a dead-end street. Those who live there make their bellies their gods, their belches are their praise, and all they think of is their appetites.

That preventative vaccine is designed by God to stimulate our inner man. His Word is to be administered to our spirit, soul and body. That Word of faith is to inactivate that which is coming against us either in our soul or body and is of the world. It could be something we were taught as children, but God wants us to have TRUTH!  That holy Word teaches us to target that which must be corrected as in keeping that which must be identified that blocks our progress in God or hinders our life from operating in His plan for us. We must know what the Word teaches so as not to be deceived but overcome the world. We are not to run in unbelief but hold onto faith in those life giving words God has for us.

We want to be aware of any deceptive, well woven lie that can cause us grief. In His Word we can find those divine weapons to demolish strongholds we may not even know exist in our lives.

God's WORD is that vaccine. It is that medicine we take everyday, and get it inside our hearts to point to that which must not be in our lives. It will point to that which must be revealed and then speak to it with the Word till it is gone from our lives.

If we have problems with idols, pride, despair, unforgiveness, depression, overcoming the devil, in our lives, there are scriptures for those.

In Isaiah 43:10-12..........

10 "You are My witnesses," says the LORD,

"And My servant whom I have chosen,

That you may know and believe Me,

And understand that I am He.

Before Me there was no God formed,

Nor shall there be after Me. 

11 I, even I, am the LORD,

And besides Me there is no savior. 

12 I have declared and saved,

I have proclaimed,

And there was no foreign god among you;

Therefore you are My witnesses,"

Says the LORD, "that I am God. NKJV

"YOU are MY witnesses". We are to be His witnesses. We are to know Him and believe Him. We are to tell others that He is God. That sums it up, right?

There is only ONE TRUE GOD! Jehovah!

In closing: when I am looking for a teacher, and generally I do not have to look too far, for God always brings just what I need when I need it. That one teacher, will be one who will give the Word and have the power of God to heal and speak liberty to those who are the broken, those who are sick and the afflicted, those who are blind. When God's Word is given, it will be a beauty for ashes, a joy instead of mourning, and praise instead of heaviness.........TLB... for God has planted them like strong and graceful oaks for His own glory!

That teacher will present the Word to what must be addressed and corrected. SETTING CAPTIVES FREE! AMEN!

I will take a look at the teacher and then look at his family, his character. He may give the Word in power of the Holy Ghost for God will always honor His Word, but we must always look how the man lives and how he lives with his family and children. Are they children growing up in admonition of the Lord? Does the teacher (that man or woman) represent God every time they speak? Do they live the Word daily? Do they lift up Jesus or themselves? Yes, take a look at those who think they must be heard and see if they truly have a relationship with God, know Jesus as Lord and Savior faithfully and allow the Holy Spirit full reign in their lives!

God will surely direct our steps............and He talks of those who are the righteous, those in right standing with HIM. 

Psalm 37:23................23 The steps of a good man are ordered by the LORD,

And He delights in his way. NKJV

Proverbs 4:26.............26 Watch your step. Stick to the path and be safe. 27 Don't sidetrack; pull back your foot from danger.  TLB

Father, today we pray in Jesus' name, not making the request because we are righteous, BUT BECAUSE OF YOUR GREAT MERCY.  We desire to not be passive in receiving all that YOU have spoken from the foundation of the world. We truly desire to be active, reaching out to receive that preventative vaccine, that is of doing something......it is that searching as the Bereans did in the book of Acts. Today our trust is in YOU, and in YOUR Word spoken to set captives free. Help us to discern that which harms, stops us dead in our tracks, that which brings death and destruction. We desire to fight the good fight of faith.............(1 Timothy 6:12)

Today we take hold of the eternal life to which we were called. May we be those who will keep the Word, receive and act on every command without spot or wrinkle. I pray for each who read this that we would be those who CONTINUE TO PURSUE RIGHTEOUSNESS, GODLINESS, FAITH AND LOVE.........ENDURANCE AND GENTLENESS.

Father, may we be those who are the trees of righteousness for the healing of the nations. And not like those from Jude 12-13 .............clouds without rain, blown along by the wind; autumn trees, without fruit and uprooted-twice dead. They are wild waves of the sea, foaming up their shame; wandering stars, for whom blackest darkness has been reserved forever.

May we be Your Witnesses forever. May we abide and declare the true Word that brings faith and see that captives are set free to run the race for that prize....to grow and mature in the Word that delivers. May we live our lives in reverent fear of You our God, obeying truth, believing God who raised Jesus from the dead and glorified Him, so that our faith and hope are in God.(1 Peter 1:21) The word of the Lord stands forever........and this is that which was preached to us. Amen.

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

MARVELOUS LIGHT AND THE WONDERFUL!

1 Peter 2:7-10...........7 Therefore, to you who believe, He is precious; but to those who are disobedient,

"The stone which the builders rejected, Has become the chief cornerstone,"

8 and ..........."A stone of stumbling
And a rock of offense."

They stumble, being disobedient to the word, to which they also were appointed.

9 But you are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, His own special people, that you may proclaim the praises of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light; 10 who once were not a people but are now the people of God, who had not obtained mercy but now have obtained mercy. NKJV

CALLED out of darkness into His marvelous light....what a glorious Word to us who believe. To us, He is the precious, but to those who reject Him, Him is the chief cornerstone. To those who reject Him, they stumble and are offended because of Jesus!

Psalm 119:17-20............17 Bless me with life so that I can continue to obey you. 18 Open my eyes to see wonderful things in your Word. 19 I am but a pilgrim here on earth: how I need a map-and your commands are my chart and guide. 20 I long for your instructions more than I can tell.  TLB

Open our eyes to see the wonderful things in Your Word. Verse 19....."I am but a pilgrim here on earth; how I need a map..................YOUR commands to guide..........for I long for Your instructions more than I can tell."

Being open to God the Lord is being open to see His glory and majesty..........that He is wonderful and He created us!

Psalm 139:13-16...........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.  NKJV

The Great God created each of us. He formed our inward parts!

Well, I know that Shelley! I have heard it over and over again.  

Today, though, let us look at the Creator.......Who..........in the beginning formed the heavens and the earth!

Genesis 1:1-5.................1:1 In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth. 2 The earth was without form, and void; and darkness was on the face of the deep. And the Spirit of God was hovering over the face of the waters. 3 Then God said, "Let there be light"; and there was light. 4 And God saw the light, that it was good; and God divided the light from the darkness. 5 God called the light Day, and the darkness He called Night. So the evening and the morning were the first day. 

NKJV

Hallelujah! God CREATED! HE created the heavens and the earth!

Yes,........ the first verse of the entire Bible, God created...........and He created with you in mind. He would need a place for His family to live. And He created that place in beauty, majesty and wonder!

The God of WONDERFUL DID WONDERFUL WORKS.....FOR US!

Psalm 107:31-32........31 Oh, that men would give thanks to the LORD for His goodness,

And for His wonderful works to the children of men! 

32 Let them exalt Him also in the assembly of the people,

And praise Him in the company of the elders.   NKJV

Oh that we would give thanks to HIM for His goodness and His wonderful works to the children of men............and He did it all in His wisdom, counsel and strength.

Isaiah 9:6-7...............6 For unto us a Child is born,

Unto us a Son is given;

And the government will be upon His shoulder.

And His name will be called 

Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God,

Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. 

7 Of the increase of His government and peace 

There will be no end,

Upon the throne of David and over His kingdom,

To order it and establish it with judgment and justice 

From that time forward, even forever.

The zeal of the LORD of hosts will perform this.  NKJV

For unto us a Child was born............and Isaiah prophesied His wonderful coming. He told that His government............that government of heaven would be on His shoulder...........and HIS NAME WILL BE CALLED WONDERFUL, COUNSELOR, MIGHTY GOD, EVERLASTING FATHER, PRINCE OF PEACE .................AND THERE WILL BE NO END.

Jesus came to set up His government...........that of Heaven and............a government established with judgment and justice.............from that time and forever.

The zeal of the LORD of hosts will perform this!

Colossians 1:13-20...........13 He has delivered us from the power of darkness and conveyed us into the kingdom of the Son of His love, 14 in whom we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins. 15 He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation. 16 For by Him all things were created that are in heaven and that are on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or principalities or powers. All things were created through Him and for Him. 17 And He is before all things, and in Him all things consist. 18 And He is the head of the body, the church, who is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, that in all things He may have the preeminence. 

19 For it pleased the Father that in Him all the fullness should dwell,      NKJV

Colossians 2:2-4.........2 that their hearts may be encouraged, being knit together in love, and attaining to all riches of the full assurance of understanding, to the knowledge of the mystery of God, both of the Father and of Christ, 3 in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge. 

NKJV

In the beautiful face of Jesus...........a government came. In His wisdom, love, and power He came to assert.......to declare, proclaim, yes announce with wisdom and love that the kingdom had come. His faith in God.......even though He was, is and is come.............it was a faith of boldness in the face of adversity, AND every devil that came against what God had planned for His children. He came in power of the Holy Ghost with a behavior of one who was established in heart to speak confidently............to stand and speak truth in the face of  a religion, 

Matthew 12:18-21.....................18 "Behold, My Servant whom I have chosen,

My Beloved in whom My soul is well pleased!

I will put My Spirit upon Him,

And He will declare justice to the Gentiles. 

19 He will not quarrel nor cry out,

Nor will anyone hear His voice in the streets. 

20 A bruised reed He will not break,

And smoking flax He will not quench,

Till He sends forth justice to victory; 

21 And in His name Gentiles will trust."    NKJV

HIS dying on the cross brought forth justice to victory! Justice for man was what God was desiring for His children ...........and in that moment of anguish, and pain, of blood and of beatings, rose justice to the children. They had within Jesus, a Savior, and they had been REDEEMED WITH THE GREATEST PRICE. WONDERFUL, COUNSELOR, MIGHTY GOD, PRINCE OF PEACE!

WILL NOT QUARREL WITH ANYONE.........NEVER ARGUE THE BIBLE....JESUS GAVE THE WORD OF GOD .......THAT OF SPIRIT AND TRUTH.......WE ARE TO..GIVE THE SCRIPTURE OR PASSAGE AND THEN GO ON TO ANOTHER WHO WILL HEAR AND RECEIVE!

The wisdom of God is peaceable............as we see in...........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

Wisdom speaks......is beautiful.........to the point..............no boasting about me, myself and I, but a boasting on the Lord.................not self-seeking but speaking with a wisdom that is peaceable, gentle, willing to yield..............not yielding to the perverse thing, but yielding to hear someone and then give them a reply in the wisdom of God. It is one that is full of mercy and of good fruits. It is righteousness!

Luke 4:16-22..........16 So He came to Nazareth, where He had been brought up. And as His custom was, He went into the synagogue on the Sabbath day, and stood up to read. 17 And He was handed the book of the prophet Isaiah. And when He had opened the book, He found the place where it was written: 

18 "The Spirit of the LORD is upon Me,

Because He has anointed Me 

To preach the gospel to the poor;

He has sent Me to heal the brokenhearted,

To proclaim liberty to the captives 

And recovery of sight to the blind,

To set at liberty those who are oppressed;  

19 To proclaim the acceptable year of the LORD."  

20 Then He closed the book, and gave it back to the attendant and sat down. And the eyes of all who were in the synagogue were fixed on Him. 21 And He began to say to them, "Today this Scripture is fulfilled in your hearing." 22 So all bore witness to Him, and marveled at the gracious words which proceeded out of His mouth.  NKJV

YES, HE SPOKE INTO RELIGION, AND MAN'S WAYS, AND declared that the Spirit of the LORD was upon HIM. He declared that he was to preach the gospel to the poor, heal the brokenhearted, proclaim liberty to those that were blind, set a liberty those who were and are oppressed and to proclaim the acceptable year of the LORD! AMEN, AND AMEN!

And He came to show us, those created in the beauty of God, those destined as His sons, those destined to be God's family...............this is what it looks like and how it sounds. Yes, God always makes sounds........AND WHEN WE SEE THAT WE ARE CALLED OUT OF DARKNESS AND MOVE INTO THAT MARVELOUS LIGHT.............WE become a beauty..........an orchestra, harmonizing together with God.........making a sound that is much like the most beautiful symphony you have ever heard played.

We are that chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation..............grafted into the branch to become one nation in God..........one nation, who recognizes the Lordship of Jesus Christ, and see His ruling over His anointed and appointed people!

Well, Shelley, no one has laid hands on me and told me that I am to preach or bring liberty to those who are oppressed. Maybe not, but we are all called to His family and do we not, as a brother or sister, pray for our siblings, our families and even our neighbors? We may not know someone personally but God calls us into marvelous light and to see those still in darkness.............those still struggling, those still in bondage and reach them in beauty, in love, in wisdom, and knowledge of God.

Throw off the garment of grave clothes and be dressed in your royal robes of purple. Take up the Word and see yourself in it today. Let that Light Shine brightly and show you the way of salvation. (Acts 15:18)  18 Known unto God are all his works from the beginning of the world. KJV

Ephesians 1:4-10............. 4 For he chose us in him before the creation of the world to be holy and blameless in his sight. In love 5 he predestined us to be adopted as his sons through Jesus Christ, in accordance with his pleasure and will- 6 to the praise of his glorious grace, which he has freely given us in the One he loves. 7 In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches of God's grace 8 that he lavished on us with all wisdom and understanding. 9 And he made known to us the mystery of his will according to his good pleasure, which he purposed in Christ, 10 to be put into effect when the times will have reached their fulfillment-to bring all things in heaven and on earth together under one head, even Christ. 

NIV

Today, may we all walk in that created world in love. being adopted as His sons through Jesus Christ in accordance to His pleasure and will! We know that it was planned from the foundation of the world, and that ...."the times will have reached their fulfillment..............yes, to bring all things in heaven and on earth together under one head, even Christ." 

Glory to His HOLY Name!

Father, thank You for Jesus............and His name is called Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of PEACE  and of the increase of His government and peace there will be no end.

Today we pray to have the same "The zeal of the LORD of hosts WHO will perform this"!

Father, we pray in His Holy name to be those who act and speak in the wisdom of God, in the justice of God and in the peace of God..........that Wisdom from God is our righteousness, our holiness, and our redemption. (1 Corinthians 1:30)

May we represent the kingdom of God the way Jesus did. May our boast be in the Lord always. May we be found to be those who posses a confidence.....in our hearts........before God and receive from Him anything we ask, because we obey His commands and to what pleases Him. That command is to believe in the name of His Son Jesus Christ and to love one another as He commanded us. We know that when we obey, we live in Him and He in us. And we know this because of the Spirit He gave us. (1 John 3:21-24)

We come to YOUR marvelous Light and see the wonder YOU have placed in us. To YOU be all the glory! Amen and Amen.

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

UNPRETENTIOUS

1 Samuel 17:31-37...............31 Now when the words which David spoke were heard, they reported them to Saul; and he sent for him. 32 Then David said to Saul, "Let no man's heart fail because of him; your servant will go and fight with this Philistine." 33 And Saul said to David, "You are not able to go against this Philistine to fight with him; for you are a youth, and he a man of war from his youth." 34 But David said to Saul, "Your servant used to keep his father's sheep, and when a lion or a bear came and took a lamb out of the flock, 35 I went out after it and struck it, and delivered the lamb from its mouth; and when it arose against me, I caught it by its beard, and struck and killed it. 36 Your servant has killed both lion and bear; and this uncircumcised Philistine will be like one of them, seeing he has defied the armies of the living God." 37 Moreover David said, "The LORD, who delivered me from the paw of the lion and from the paw of the bear, He will deliver me from the hand of this Philistine." And Saul said to David, "Go, and the LORD be with you!"
1 Samuel 17:38-39
38 So Saul clothed David with his armor, and he put a bronze helmet on his head; he also clothed him with a coat of mail. 39 David fastened his sword to his armor, and he tried to walk, for he had not tested them. And David said to Saul, "I cannot walk with these, for I have not tested them." So David took them off.  NKJV

I have not tested this sword. I have not tested this armor.
"I have not tested them,"......So David took them off!

In the blog I wrote on..."A Zealous Warrior at Dawn, or in the Dark of Night"....inspired by the Holy Spirit to write on that test in wilderness and of the heart!  Like David, out with the sheep,  we can see everything tested in the "wilderness" . I, too, think our hearts are measured in that place like David's was tested. God always comes to check our motives, our devotion, our faith, our relationship with Him and with others. David's skill came from what he used in the "wilderness" of what he had on or in his hand. He had to lean on God alone.

David wrote Psalm 139, and many believe it was written while David was still just a shepherd herding sheep. They believe he wrote it about the.....scene in which he wrote and sang it to God.
For a moment, let's think on the darkness of night and the lights that shine are displayed on the black velvet sky. Let's think on what David probably viewed in the midnight hour, in the solitude, where even the quiet seems loud. For in that moment we can feel that darkness wrap its cover over us. It is in those moments when we note God's omniscience, His omnipresence, and of course of His omnipotence!

Omniscience: 1 Samuel 2:3.............3 "Talk no more so very proudly;
Let no arrogance come from your mouth,..For the LORD is the God of knowledge;
And by Him actions are weighed. .NKJV

Isaiah 46:9-10..........9 Remember the former things of old,   For I am God, and there is no other; I am God, and there is none like Me, 

10 Declaring the end from the beginning,  NKJV

Psalm 139:4.............4 For there is not a word on my tongue,..But behold, O LORD, You know it altogether. NKJV

Omnipresence:  Jeremiah 23:23-24.......23 "Am I a God near at hand," says the LORD,

"And not a God afar off? 

24 Can anyone hide himself in secret places,  So I shall not see him?" says the LORD;

"Do I not fill heaven and earth?" says the LORD.   NKJV

Proverbs 15:3.....3 The eyes of the LORD are in every place,  Keeping watch on the evil and the good.  NKJV

Psalm 139:5.............You have hedged me behind and before, And laid Your hand upon me. NKJV

Omnipotent: Luke 1:37........ 37 For with God nothing will be impossible."  NKJV

Jeremiah 10:12........12 He has made the earth by His power, He has established the world by His wisdom, And has stretched out the heavens at His discretion.  NKJV

Isaiah 43:13.....13 Indeed before the day was, I am He; And there is no one who can deliver out of My hand; I work, and who will reverse it?"  NKJV

Colossians 1:16-17.............16 For by Him all things were created that are in heaven & that are on earth, visible & invisible, whether thrones or dominions or principalities or powers. All things were created through Him & for Him. 17 And He is before all things, & in Him all things consist. NKJV

What has been tested when no one sees, when it is just you and God, that is the "thing" God will bring forward in your life?  But Shelley, I have tested nothing. I have not worked on anything and brought it to God!
Do you read the Word of God diligently? Do you ask God about certain scriptures or passages, for He will certainly answer you on them!
"How do you act at the workplace?" Are you giving or taking? (are you taking care of your job and seeing you do your best at it?)   "How do you act around your family"? Is your family surprised when they take you out to church or to a party for a friend? Do you act different when others you do not know are around? "How do you treat your husband or children?" Are they treated the same in a social setting as visiting in someone's home, out to the theater for a movie, etc.?  Is God surprised when you show up for church? How about if God is surprised when you speak in a gentle voice?  As we read in the scriptures above, God created, nothing is impossible with Him, His eyes keep watch on you and me, He knows the evil and the good, and everything I do or you do is weighed by HIM!
David said in Psalm 139...23-24...search me, O God, and know my heart; try me, and know my anxieties; and see if there is any wicked in me, and lead me in the way everlasting.

Psalm 139:23-24............23 Search me, O God, and know my heart;
Try me, and know my anxieties;  24 And see if there is any wicked way in me,
And lead me in the way everlasting.  NKJV

To test something or....To prove it...

David was going against a giant, Goliath, who spoke defiantly against God! (see in  1 Samuel 22-27, 31-54) 

What skills do we hold in the "wilderness" area? Will we search the Word to find what God has already done in the lives of so many? Or would we rather find that remote control and just hibernate and allow another to voice something to us of the world. I like movies too, but there is a fine line we can cross if we are not cautious about what we put before our eye gates!
I found that like a student from 1st grade to graduating the 12th, I loved to study. I liked having plenty of paper, pens and pencils with good erasers. I loved looking in encyclopedias and searching in many informational books I needed for some classes. So, when I started praying in Tongues, (that Baptism in the Holy Spirit) I began to look into the Word of God that perfect law of liberty and find my place. As I did, I kept praying, and found myself leading in places I didn't know I could do!

1 Samuel 17:39-54...........And David said to Saul, "I cannot walk with these, for I have not tested them." So David took them off. 

40 Then he took his staff in his hand; and he chose for himself five smooth stones from the brook, and put them in a shepherd's bag, in a pouch which he had, and his sling was in his hand. And he drew near to the Philistine. 41 So the Philistine came, and began drawing near to David, and the man who bore the shield went before him. 42 And when the Philistine looked about and saw David, he disdained him; for he was only a youth, ruddy and good-looking. 43 So the Philistine said to David, "Am I a dog, that you come to me with sticks?" And the Philistine cursed David by his gods. 44 And the Philistine said to David, "Come to me, and I will give your flesh to the birds of the air and the beasts of the field!" 45 Then David said to the Philistine, "You come to me with a sword, with a spear, and with a javelin. But I come to you in the name of the LORD of hosts, the God of the armies of Israel, whom you have defied. 46 This day the LORD will deliver you into my hand, and I will strike you and take your head from you. And this day I will give the carcasses of the camp of the Philistines to the birds of the air and the wild beasts of the earth, that all the earth may know that there is a God in Israel. 47 Then all this assembly shall know that the LORD does not save with sword and spear; for the battle is the LORD's, and He will give you into our hands." 

48 So it was, when the Philistine arose and came and drew near to meet David, that David hastened and ran toward the army to meet the Philistine. 49 Then David put his hand in his bag and took out a stone; and he slung it and struck the Philistine in his forehead, so that the stone sank into his forehead, and he fell on his face to the earth. 50 So David prevailed over the Philistine with a sling and a stone, and struck the Philistine and killed him. But there was no sword in the hand of David. 51 Therefore David ran and stood over the Philistine, took his sword and drew it out of its sheath and killed him, and cut off his head with it. And when the Philistines saw that their champion was dead, they fled. 52 Now the men of Israel and Judah arose and shouted, and pursued the Philistines as far as the entrance of the valley and to the gates of Ekron. And the wounded of the Philistines fell along the road to Shaaraim, even as far as Gath and Ekron. 53 Then the children of Israel returned from chasing the Philistines, and they plundered their tents. 54 And David took the head of the Philistine and brought it to Jerusalem, but he put his armor in his tent. NKJV

1 Corinthians 1:31... Therefore, as it is written: "Let him who boasts boast in the Lord."  NIV

Amen and Amen! Making our boast in the Lord, like David, he made his boast, used his sling shot and stone, and in the end, carried the giant's head to Jerusalem and the armor he put into his tent. David had drawn the sword from the sheath of Goliath and used Goliath's own sword against him!

UNPRETENTIOUS: Modest, Without Ego, Not Proud, No "flash in the pan", Sincere, HONEST, and BOLD!

David's confidence that he stood with God. He said ," I come to you in the name of the LORD of hosts, the God of the armies of Israel, whom you have defied." "This day the LORD will deliver you into my hand, and I will strike you and take your head from you. And this day I will give the carcasses of the camp of the Philistines to the birds of the air and wild beasts of the earth, that ALL THE EARTH MAY KNOW THAT THERE IS A GOD IN ISRAEL. THEN ALL THE ASSEMBLY SHALL KNOW THAT LORD DOES NOT SAVE WITH SWORD OR SPEAR; FOR THE BATTLE IS THE LORD'S AND HE WILL GIVE YOU INTO OUR HANDS."

David took care of what he did in the "wilderness" and he got a training in trusting God. He kept his life attached to the God of life, the God of more than enough, the God who does the impossible, and weighs our actions.

Can we like David run to the place where there is a battle going on? Do we not see them everywhere today? Is there something that I have been trained to do in the "wilderness" that qualifies me to take up that which I can use against the enemy of the devil and speak, "NO MORE devil!" Can I move through the crowd and NOT throw my weight around so to speak, but move through like Stealth and take the place that is being bombarded by the devil.? Can we move through our day and speak life over individuals who may never walk into a church setting, but will listen when you speak, because you deal in truth and honesty. They will listen because you speak in love and not to bash someone! In truth I am ready to pray for someone, unless there are more leaders who are over me or who I do not know, say in a church setting and must wait for directions from the pulpit, but if I am out for the day with my husband, we pray for those opportunities that we may seize them and pray for someone in need of encouragement!

All is  not for my glory, but for God's glory.

In closing I mention David's brother, Eliab. In 1 Samuel 17:28-29....when David has first arrived and all the shouting has begun........(1 Sam 17:24-25...........24 And all the men of Israel, when they saw the man, fled from him and were dreadfully afraid. 25 So the men of Israel said, "Have you seen this man who has come up? Surely he has come up to defy Israel; and it shall be that the man who kills him the king will enrich with great riches, will give him his daughter, and give his father's house exemption from taxes in Israel." NKJV).....................................we find, that all the men of Israel had fled from him (the giant). (yes, those military men) And it was told what the man would get who would go against the giant Goliath!

In the verses 28-29, we see Eliab aroused to anger against David. ...........he said, "why did you come down here? And with whom have you left those few sheep in the wilderness? I know your pride and the insolence of your heart, for you have come down to see the battle."

My question: Why would a military man be envious of David at this point? Was it because David saw it and was ready to take action against it? Was he addressing what needed to be said and done in the power of God? Was Eliab still angered because David had been anointed with a horn of oil by the prophet in 1 Samuel 16:13?
For the Lord certainly refused Eliab........in verses 7-8 of 1 Samuel 16..........But the LORD said to Samuel, "Do not look at his appearance or at the height of his stature, because I have refused him. For the LORD does not see as man sees; for man looks at the outward appearance, but the LORD looks at the heart."

No, God was looking on the heart, and David's was found with God.

God was leading David, and no man got a say, even a military man with some expertise under "his belt" so to speak.  And speaking that David had pride and insolence in his heart was so out of line with what God was showing and doing in Israel through David, the shepherd! Eliab was saying, "David, you are prideful and you are arrogant!" But David was none of those things. David was making his boast in the Lord. There is a lot of difference when standing for truth and justice for all.
It is not being haughty but having a boldness in heart to have courage to stand against the enemy!

God was directing David, because David loved God, had a heart after God and would not settle for less!
David showed up at the right place, at the right time, and would operate in the power of God. David was skilled with the sling and had his five stones. (one for every brother of Goliath, and Goliath himself). We read where David ran to Goliath!
David was the instrument of justice and was ready to face the injustice against Israel. Will we do as much? David was moving into plain view, for people to see and witness God. David had no pretense. They have this undaunted courage from the times they spend with God and hearing Him. They are not discouraged but they keep moving forward. THEY ARE ARMED WITH THE PRESENCE OF GOD!

David wrote in Psalm 34:2....I will make my boast in the Lord, let the afflicted hear and rejoice...and in Jeremiah  9:23-24.....................23 This is what the LORD says:

"Let not the wise man boast of his wisdom
or the strong man boast of his strength
or the rich man boast of his riches,
24 but let him who boasts boast about this:
that he understands and knows me,
that I am the LORD, who exercises kindness,
justice and righteousness on earth,
for in these I delight,"
 declares the LORD.  NIV


Father, we pray in  Jesus' name to not be wise man who boasts in his wisdom or the strong man who boasts of his strength or of the rich man boasting of all his riches. But we desire to boast in the Lord. It is YOU who exercises kindness, justice and righteousness on earth and in these do you delight. We pray to be diligent to seek You and hear You. We pray to strong and determined to find YOUR thoughts and ways for our lives. For we truly desire to walk in truth and to have a boldness as David did in confronting Goliath. Lord lead us by Your Holy Spirit and help us to see that which must be addressed by us. We pray to be those who are skilled in that which we are about to walk in, faithful to keep our walk with you, considerate of others, and ready to pray for others when the need arises. May we shut out all other voices that do not pertain to where we are going and what You have planned for us. Right now, we give You all the praise and thanks for allowing us to be apart of this great end time move in the harvest for souls. Amen.


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