WHEN GOD PREACHED HIS NAME!

Matthew 5:8-10
8 Blessed are the pure in heart,
For they shall see God.
9 Blessed are the peacemakers,
For they shall be called sons of God.
10 Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness' sake,
For theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
NKJV

Was meditating early this morning on what the Word will do for us. I was reflecting on the early days of our hiking experiences in being long on walking and sight-seeing in the forest and short on remembering to bring enough water or that snack for the child. It is always looking over the next horizon to get another look of maybe a place no man has walked or even cared about viewing. So many hike just to exercise today. But there was a day when people just wanted to explore and view nature in the moment of life and existence. 

The hallmark for some today is just to walk downtown Seattle and leave some gum on a wall. Saw recently that they had to hot pressure wash the wall for days to get all the decades of gum off, and yet they will allow more people to place their gum on that wall. What is the reason for that? If you know, please leave a comment. I truly welcome knowing why they do that. 

But back to the hiking in the Rocky Mountains, I remember finding water in a nearby stream. Had no objection in thought of taking a sip or two from it. I mean this place was some 50-75 miles out in the Rockies. It was called the long scenic hike. I thought what if we took but a small sip. We were thirsty, you know! But today, no thanks!

Oh my, you read all that is exploded into the atmosphere, and then droughts in some areas of the country, all I can only see is that wildlife huddling up along a dense thicket near a cool, running stream of water. I am sure they keep watch if it is drying up and considering moving on to another watering hole.   Of course, my thoughts I consider today is what is going on in and around the wildlife and what said wildlife might be depositing in the water. And I drank from that back to nature stream so many years ago! Yuck! In the 1980's they talked of the Giardia in that water. And today there are other things as well, like if you are visiting Hawaii, do not drink from their streams either. They have parasites!

 What do we consider safe? What do we look at that we are content with or satisfied with to stay with and continue doing? 

From Matthew 5 and verse 8 we find that the pure in heart, shall see God! I was brought back to the scripture of Moses fleeing into the wilderness when he jumped the gun so to speak, killed an Egyptian and fled for his life to live alone. Being raised an Egyptian, he was raised by all their standards of life and culture. In Exodus 2:11 we see Moses grown up and he goes out to see how his brethren are doing. 

Exodus 2:11-15

11 Now it came to pass in those days, when Moses was grown, that he went out to his brethren and looked at their burdens. And he saw an Egyptian beating a Hebrew, one of his brethren. 12 So he looked this way and that way, and when he saw no one, he killed the Egyptian and hid him in the sand. 13 And when he went out the second day, behold, two Hebrew men were fighting, and he said to the one who did the wrong, "Why are you striking your companion?" 14 Then he said, "Who made you a prince and a judge over us? Do you intend to kill me as you killed the Egyptian?" So Moses feared and said, "Surely this thing is known!" 15 When Pharaoh heard of this matter, he sought to kill Moses. But Moses fled from the face of Pharaoh and dwelt in the land of Midian; and he sat down by a well. 

NKJV

Yes, an unexpected hike out to the wilderness, but he found a well! Good deal, right? He has now moved from his biological family and from the adoptive family as well. He has moved from almost being destroyed as a child, to being hunted as a fugitive for doing what he thought was right in his own eyes, to living now among a new people. But that which God had placed in him was all the while still in effect and work in Moses. Read below.

Exodus 2:16-22

16 Now the priest of Midian had seven daughters. And they came and drew water, and they filled the troughs to water their father's flock. 17 Then the shepherds came and drove them away; but Moses stood up and helped them, and watered their flock. 18 When they came to Reuel their father, he said, "How is it that you have come so soon today?" 19 And they said, "An Egyptian delivered us from the hand of the shepherds, and he also drew enough water for us and watered the flock." 20 So he said to his daughters, "And where is he? Why is it that you have left the man? Call him, that he may eat bread." 21 Then Moses was content to live with the man, and he gave Zipporah his daughter to Moses. 22 And she bore him a son, and he called his name Gershom; for he said, "I have been a stranger in a foreign land." 

NKJV

Then Moses was content to live with the man. In retrospect, was Moses already running from God? He could not live as the prince in Egypt.  We are told in Exodus 2 and verses 11-12 that he had gone to see the Hebrews of which that was his birthright. He looked on their burdens that they were in bondage to at the time. Yet, what was in his heart was not the way he actually dressed. Moses did not look like a Hebrew. Moses was dressed in that which looked like an Egyptian.  Verse 19 states................" the Egyptian delivered us from the hand of shepherds" and he drew water for them and for their flock. Moses had come to the rescue.

At this time, it was thought that there was little justice as those who delved into idolatry reveled in getting their own way. So too, at the well, those shepherds or those watering cattle probably came and anyone who might have been ahead of them OR first in line, were certainly driven away. The men or women who so produced the labor to get water into the troughs were used by those stronger and more able to use force. Yes, Moses now had another thought to contemplate. He had now had power over those who terrorized at the well! Though this stranger had come, shown up at a time when these daughters of Reuel certainly needed help, they tell their father everything when he questions them. It is then the father then asks his daughters where he the stranger was at? At the father's request Moses is welcomed to come and eat bread!

Exodus 3:1-12

3:1 Now Moses was tending the flock of Jethro his father-in-law, the priest of Midian. And he led the flock to the back of the desert, and came to Horeb, the mountain of God. 2 And the Angel of the LORD appeared to him in a flame of fire from the midst of a bush. So he looked, and behold, the bush was burning with fire, but the bush was not consumed. 3 Then Moses said, "I will now turn aside and see this great sight, why the bush does not burn." 4 So when the LORD saw that he turned aside to look, God called to him from the midst of the bush and said, "Moses, Moses!" And he said, "Here I am." 5 Then He said, "Do not draw near this place. Take your sandals off your feet, for the place where you stand is holy ground." 6 Moreover He said, "I am the God of your father--the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob." And Moses hid his face, for he was afraid to look upon God. 

7 And the LORD said: "I have surely seen the oppression of My people who are in Egypt, and have heard their cry because of their taskmasters, for I know their sorrows. 8 So I have come down to deliver them out of the hand of the Egyptians, and to bring them up from that land to a good and large land, to a land flowing with milk and honey, to the place of the Canaanites and the Hittites and the Amorites and the Perizzites and the Hivites and the Jebusites. 9 Now therefore, behold, the cry of the children of Israel has come to Me, and I have also seen the oppression with which the Egyptians oppress them. 10 Come now, therefore, and I will send you to Pharaoh that you may bring My people, the children of Israel, out of Egypt." 11 But Moses said to God, "Who am I that I should go to Pharaoh, and that I should bring the children of Israel out of Egypt?" 12 So He said, "I will certainly be with you. And this shall be a sign to you that I have sent you: When you have brought the people out of Egypt, you shall serve God on this mountain." 

NKJV

Yes, a lot going on here. Moses has left the good life or what looked probably like the good life to some with servants, killed a man, ran to the wilderness, and now is tending sheep for his father-in-law, the priest of Midian. My thought here is when if ever, did they know Moses to be a Hebrew? It is certain God commanded him to go to Pharaoh, to bring the children of Israel out of Egypt. I wonder when did Moses change his clothing, his make-up and the hair-style. For the daughters of  Reuel (Jethro the Midianite), surely saw an EGYPTIAN.
The time in that wilderness area, probably caused him to change his clothes and hair, and become what God planned from the beginning.

We must remember that Moses was brought up to lead, and knew all the ins and outs of that government at the time. He had to face Pharaoh. He had " a mountain" before him.

Moses met destiny in the wilderness. He was called to lead a people who did not want to be led. They loved their meat, hated the wilderness and complained a lot!

Can you imagine leading someone who does not want to go? Can you imagine a million people all wanting to have their voice heard, and do not want to follow any one leader, but that which suits their own fancy?

Imagine now, a moment when you have followed God, obeyed His instructions and set to stay close to Him and hear like in verse 17 below: "Yes, I will do what you have asked, for you have certainly found favor with me, and you are my friend."

The turning point for Moses, is that moment when he saw God.

Exodus 33:12-23

12 Moses talked there with the Lord and said to him, "You have been telling me, 'Take these people to the Promised Land,' but you haven't told me whom you will send with me. You say you are my friend, and that I have found favor before you; 13 please, if this is really so, guide me clearly along the way you want me to travel so that I will understand you and walk acceptably before you. For don't forget that this nation is your people." 

14 And the Lord replied, "I myself will go with you and give you success." 

15 For Moses had said, "If you aren't going with us, don't let us move a step from this place. 16 If you don't go with us, who will ever know that I and my people have found favor with you, and that we are different from any other people upon the face of the earth?" 

17 And the Lord had replied to Moses, "Yes, I will do what you have asked, for you have certainly found favor with me, and you are my friend."  

18 Then Moses asked to see God's glory. 

19 The Lord replied, "I will make my goodness pass before you, and I will announce to you the meaning of my name Jehovah, the Lord. I show kindness and mercy to anyone I want to. 20 But you may not see the glory of my face, for man may not see me and live. 21 However, stand here on this rock beside me. 22 And when my glory goes by, I will put you in the cleft of the rock and cover you with my hand until I have passed. 23 Then I will remove my hand, and you shall see my back but not my face." 

TLB

Exodus 34:1-9

34:1 The LORD said to Moses, "Chisel out two stone tablets like the first ones, and I will write on them the words that were on the first tablets, which you broke. 2 Be ready in the morning, and then come up on Mount Sinai. Present yourself to me there on top of the mountain. 3 No one is to come with you or be seen anywhere on the mountain; not even the flocks and herds may graze in front of the mountain." 

4 So Moses chiseled out two stone tablets like the first ones and went up Mount Sinai early in the morning, as the LORD had commanded him; and he carried the two stone tablets in his hands. 5 Then the LORD came down in the cloud and stood there with him and proclaimed his name, the LORD. 6 And he passed in front of Moses, proclaiming, "The LORD, the LORD, the compassionate and gracious God, slow to anger, abounding in love and faithfulness, 7 maintaining love to thousands, and forgiving wickedness, rebellion and sin. Yet he does not leave the guilty unpunished; he punishes the children and their children for the sin of the fathers to the third and fourth generation." 

8 Moses bowed to the ground at once and worshiped. 9 "O Lord, if I have found favor in your eyes," he said, "then let the Lord go with us. Although this is a stiff-necked people, forgive our wickedness and our sin, and take us as your inheritance." 

NIV

In Exodus 33 and verse 17: God calls Moses His friend!

In Exodus 33 and verse 19, Moses saw the glory. He was held back in the cleft of the rock and he saw God move before him. God preached to Moses that day and in that moment. God gave Moses a teaching on His name Jehovah. The Lord who showed kindness and mercy was giving Moses a download of the meaning of His name. It was the Great "I Am". In Exodus 34, we see where Moses obeyed God and chiseled out the two stone tablets. In obeying, he Moses, was to present himself to God the next morning. Moses carried the two stone tablets. The LORD God came down in the cloud and stood there with Moses. And He God passed before Moses proclaiming the LORD, the LORD, the compassionate and gracious God, slow to anger, abounding in love and faithfulness, maintaining love to thousands, and forgiving wickedness, rebellion and sin. God also proclaimed that He does not leave the guilty unpunished; He punishes the children and their children for their sin of the fathers to the third and fourth generation. Moses at once, bowed and worshiped. He had a teaching on God the LORD. And he replies with: "O Lord, if I have found favor in your eyes, then let the Lord go with us. Although this is a stiff-necked people, forgive our wickedness and our sin, and take us as YOUR inheritance."

Moses found in all this that God was whatever Moses needed for himself and the people. Moses found that when God called him, He had provided the avenue that was the richness of God in mercy, truth and love.  For whatever streams we finding drinking from today, we surely need to find that which flows from the Love of God that is rich in His love and is compassionate. We may truly fall, but we are the forgiven. We may truly slip today in something, but God is abounding in faithfulness to His Word.

Matthew 5:8-10

8 Blessed are the pure in heart,
For they shall see God.
9 Blessed are the peacemakers,
For they shall be called sons of God.
10 Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness' sake,
For theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
NKJV

As the pure we are those sanctified in the Word of God. And we hold it in our hearts. They will see God. Not those who spent money to view pornography for 2 1/2 hours, but those who cover their eyes of that which is depravity. Those who see God are those who listen and obey His directions. Those pure in heart, hold that Word and grow by it. When Moses saw the burning bush and it was not consumed, he turned to get a better look. And God spoke to Moses speaking, "Moses, Moses, take your sandals off, for the place where you stand is holy ground. I am the God of your father---the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob." 

We then see Moses hide his face for fear of looking upon God. What expressive, and alive power Moses must have started to view and he became frightened. He became aware of himself and probably felt insignificant, yet God called him HIS friend!

Moses now humbled before God, the once Prince in the land of Egypt, now the sheepherder, was being called to lead a multitude. He was being called back to the front. Taking off his shoes, he was removing all that had gone before, all that defiled, and became the reverent when God spoke to him. Humility truly is a gift given from God Himself. For we certainly have nothing good that dwells within us. (Romans 7:18) In letting his past go, and humbling himself to obey, he was ready to receive straight from the Father of Lights, Whom from every good gift flows. The lower, or more humble Moses went, the more powerful the flow of God's presence through Moses and all that he did for God. One surely knew that God was with him.

The pure become the peacemakers before man. They can snuff out that which conflicts with God and truth every time they see it appear on the scene. They are qualified to stop any conflict or contention with dead, never to rear its ugly head again. For those persecuted like Moses from the very beginning of his birth, was going to see God face to face. He was going to behold His glory, and learn more from God than he ever could have learned in Pharaoh's court in several life times.

Moses lived most of his life in the wilderness. From birth, it looked like the devil was trying to kill him! Taken from his family to live in a palace and learn the ways of the Egyptians was a "big cost" to the family who cherished him. As it was, in Pharaoh's court, Moses was taught early by his mother who would nurse him and speak to him about God. Moses was the protected and served God's purposes!

What is your purpose? Where does your destiny with God reside? It will start in your heart where His peace resides, where you hear God preach about His name!

Father, You are the mysterious, the mighty, the Great "I am"! Lord God, it is in Jesus' name, I pray for us to have the ability to move in revelation and understanding of Your ways and purposes. I pray that none of us would be "satisfied with just our peeps, those things on T.V. or at the movies. I pray that we would be those who cry out for the Spirit of Truth. Lord, I pray that we be those who desire to communicate, who seek to touch hearts and lives with Your Word. May we be those who continually go to the Word and stir the fire in us, to pray for others, tells others of our Savior Jesus Christ and commit to make the difference. I not only pray for myself, but any who read this, that the spirit of blindness to be broken off our lives.  Help us to see what we need to see. Open YOUR Word to us continually Lord and may we experience that power everyday of our lives.

Help us to see when YOU are moving through a new pathway and that we will be receptive and quick to move to do "that thing YOU ask us to do!"  Lord, today we repent of doing things our way. We seek the path unhindered and unencumbered. We seek to hear YOU as YOU direct through those You send on our pathway.
Help us not to get in the pit of confusion, that according to Psalm 40:2 that is a place of "noise, uproar, tumult" as of waters, as of men and of war!
That Lord is the place of the dead who reside in graves and the place of destruction. No Lord, we pray to be out of pits and that of miry clay. We are those who have our feet upon the Rock of A firm standing.

Lord, we believe us to be those who walk on solid ground and directed by YOU to the place YOU have prepared for us. As we walk with YOU, our steps are ordered. We stand firm in our trust regarding our safety. You our Redeemer have ended our sorrows and moved of us out of the "danger zone". We pass on today expecting to take firm hold of instruction and to not let go.

According to .....Proverbs 4:13-19.........that we will not choose the path of wicked and will not walk the way of evil.
We avoid it and will not travel on it. Our path is like the shining sun that shines ever brighter to full light of the perfect day. We move to Your light and expect Your peace as we move forward to be  the communicators and the peacemakers for the Kingdom of God that has come. Amen.


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

OUR STEPS WILL EITHER POSSESS OR DISPOSSESS THE LAND

Proverbs 4:10-13
10 Listen, my son, accept what I say,
and the years of your life will be many.
11 I guide you in the way of wisdom
and lead you along straight paths.
12 When you walk, your steps will not be hampered;
when you run, you will not stumble.
13 Hold on to instruction, do not let it go;
guard it well, for it is your life.
NIV

Was meditating on "our steps" we take everyday. It was something I thought of in hearing of all the chaos in France right now. And then for some reason, I thought on the OCCUPY that was part of the news back five + years ago.

In Proverbs 4, we are told that God's wisdom will guide us along straight paths, and when we walk, our steps will not be hampered ( hindered ). We are also told that when we run, we will not stumble for when we hold on to instruction, and do not let go, that instruction, that Wisdom from God will guard our life when we guard the instruction.

GOD has a place for us. I know I write on this a lot, but I have gotten some more insight on it in the last few days. Thinking of our grand-daughter and her activities, her parents saw the steps she took to possess where she lived. If you remember, her father, showed her as a baby and then a toddler what was hers as her parents provided a healthy home for them all. She already owned it, it was hers, and it is where she lived as a small child. Then as she started walking and talking, she went into soccer and swimming lessons. That is a  place that she now possesses! Every place she has marked out with her foot is hers and no one can take that from her. She was instructed in soccer and in swimming and she can do both. Is she the expert? No, not yet, but she has the opportunity to grow in a greater skill in these if she continues in them. They are both good and health to her body in the form of exercise!

We too, can gain greater skill in taking instruction from our Father in heaven. We too, can possess that place where our steps take us. But will they be for the fruitful, life-giving instruction of God or will it be of the devil kind of instruction, who desires to kill, steal and destroy?

Acts 5:25-42

"Look, the men whom you put in prison are standing in the temple and teaching the people!" 26 Then the captain went with the officers and brought them without violence, for they feared the people, lest they should be stoned. 27 And when they had brought them, they set them before the council. And the high priest asked them, 28 saying, "Did we not strictly command you not to teach in this name? And look, you have filled Jerusalem with your doctrine, and intend to bring this Man's blood on us!" 29 But Peter and the other apostles answered and said: "We ought to obey God rather than men. 30 The God of our fathers raised up Jesus whom you murdered by hanging on a tree. 31 Him God has exalted to His right hand to be Prince and Savior, to give repentance to Israel and forgiveness of sins. 32 And we are His witnesses to these things, and so also is the Holy Spirit whom God has given to those who obey Him." 

33 When they heard this, they were furious and plotted to kill them. 34 Then one in the council stood up, a Pharisee named Gamaliel, a teacher of the law held in respect by all the people, and commanded them to put the apostles outside for a little while. 35 And he said to them: "Men of Israel, take heed to yourselves what you intend to do regarding these men. 36 For some time ago Theudas rose up, claiming to be somebody. A number of men, about four hundred, joined him. He was slain, and all who obeyed him were scattered and came to nothing. 37 After this man, Judas of Galilee rose up in the days of the census, and drew away many people after him. He also perished, and all who obeyed him were dispersed. 38 And now I say to you, keep away from these men and let them alone; for if this plan or this work is of men, it will come to nothing; 39 but if it is of God, you cannot overthrow it--lest you even be found to fight against God." 40 And they agreed with him, and when they had called for the apostles and beaten them, they commanded that they should not speak in the name of Jesus, and let them go. 41 So they departed from the presence of the council, rejoicing that they were counted worthy to suffer shame for His name. 42 And daily in the temple, and in every house, they did not cease teaching and preaching Jesus as the Christ. 

NKJV

In obeying God and His instructions we walk in a place that may mean much adversity like we see for Peter and the other apostles in chapter 5 of the book of Acts. Please read it for yourself, especially to see how God cares for His own. It was noted by Gamaliel who was a teacher of the law, that "if what ( Peter and the others ) were doing was of God, you cannot overthrow it......lest you be found fighting against God."

 What is of God will continue! It may mean much adversity and much intentional harm, but God is greater. And if He really lives in us........then He should be ruling this body by His Word of truth.

Where do we occupy today? Can it be the safe place or is that which we are determined to stay just because we like the notoriety? Is where we occupying bringing glory to God or to ourselves? Of late, you see some men or even women lose their jobs, and in the light of their dismissal you find them so lost, for their identity was in that job. Sad but true, and many truly lose sight of what is truth and right  by ending up in despair and such depression they can no longer make right decisions for their god was the job!
I remember my husband had the desire to learn as much as he could as in a trade occupation. He had opportunities open to him to not only weld but also operate many machines, like cranes, and see how the cold weather as well as the hot temps might hinder production in coal mines. He had many opportunities to take extra classes and he seized all that he could back in those early days to manage a dam site today. He took steps to possess a place. Was not sure where he was headed with it, but he knew was to master them!

Proverbs 16:9

9 A man's heart plans his way,

But the LORD directs his steps. 

NKJV

God is bound by His Word. He cannot lie, and He will not go against what He has already placed for us to come to. That place we are to possess is by His Word. In His plan, it has nothing to do with wickedness, but in grace, truth, and love. But wanting our own way, and doing our own thing causes us much harm, and even death.

People like the avenues of communicating today. Yet in all those I see, there is much danger. There is not the formal eye to eye and face to face communication of decades ago. Today, it is just a text or a quick "tweet". In giving this much thought, I am surprised how some handle their employees' Work Evaluation. Of course, this writing context is in regard to those teachers, bosses, those in any management positions and even in regard to business owners, that one to one contact would be important.
 In regard to meeting eye to eye, we can express our heartfelt questions and answers in regard to either our work or even work within school as in the Parent/Teacher Conferences. In reality though, if we only send a text to "Well Done" and the person needs some work in some areas, are we not adding to their defeat in life? Some folks just do not like communication at all. They are content with the five minute e-mail explanation, the 30 second tweet or such else to communicate.

In posting a comment in regards to something important as a job or a student's work record, would not a more formal of meet and greet over this thing so important to maybe the life of the job, or maintaining school attendance.
There is so much that probably should be said but is left undone because we "decided to text" or "tweet" someone about how they are doing. I think of the applying for a job today and online. I am not sure if that is just a way to weed them (the applicant's) out that may not fit the job. I know that I liked going for those interviews and meeting with people face to face. In meeting one on one, you find their real heart on the job they are trying to fill. You find the real heart of those teaching your children at school. You find the real heart of those you might attend church with.

Going back to our grand-daughter, I think of how different her life would be if her parents just texted, " well done " with a HAPPY FACE on it! If there was correction by just texting.........the sad, grumpy face would not work!

In doing that they would be shortening their commitment time, that being in her face, and showing her what the life in God is really about. They must show her daily how her steps will possess that land God has planned for her! In society today, we surely see those who have not had the face to face with parents and those who really care. We have seen the effects of a 30 second text sent at the wrong time as in many young and middle aged getting into terrible car wrecks. Please understand that this is my opinion. I think Jesus liked getting out among them and looking into their eyes and watching their body movements as He spoke truth. I think He liked getting involved and letting them know He really cared for them.

In this age of this kind of communication we can surely see that people can maintain a low - key commitment and almost no responsibility to anyone. It is like the elusive unicorn. In sending a text once or twice to someone does not mean that anyone will really know us? It is not commitment and it is not possessing a place in society. Commitment is time and money.

I believe that those who post their page are posting the "fake" person. The real you or me is the one who lives and breathes and acts out at home where no one sees. In that posting of our thoughts from a heart not guarding the instruction of God can surely lead us down to a place thinking we really have a voice when we really do not have one.  We can write it out and expand on it, and then at one point, one day comes when we grab that megaphone (horn) and gather those who think as we think. But is it of truth? Is it something that will last? For truly God desires to keep His own safe! So are our hearts one with HIM? Do we delight in Him or we salivating for our fifteen minutes of fame!

Communication is awesome! It is truly needed in the amount of people who cover this earth. But my thoughts are, if God desires this technology, will we see where sin might abound more and see our own glory and not God's glory?

Our pastor likes us sitting down together to meet and talk. It is his desire that we know one another. It is his desire that "like Jesus" we too communicate face to face. We did it during the summer at the park during an actual service time. We circled our chairs and faced each other. We also have come to eat together after a service time of Word and worship. We get to know the neighbor. We get to know how to pray for them and see them succeed, not by voicing loudly over a "megaphone", but actually speaking what is in their heart that comes from God. It may be in bits and pieces..........but God can restore those who are broken. God can cause restoration to come, when we start out slow, possessing our steps as the individual and then as the child of the Most High God. Our boundaries should be those that God placed at the foundation of this world.
We too, should look back at the Ten Commandments and realize God has it all in hand when we choose to follow and guard His instruction and know that He has given us the land..............that no man can take from us. Amen!

Deuteronomy 6:6-9
6 These commandments that I give you today are to be upon your hearts. 7 Impress them on your children. Talk about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up. 8 Tie them as symbols on your hands and bind them on your foreheads. 9 Write them on the door frames of your houses and on your gates.
NIV ( list found in Exodus  20 )

In closing: I think about Adam when he was formed by God. God brought him into the garden and to work there with his hands. He called Adam to name the animals. Adam was not created to just sit and let others work for him, but he was created to have the relationship with God and live life to the full! It was the place already prepared for him, much like the place prepared for our grand-daughter and even our own. It was the place prepared to start enjoying life with a family and with others.

Ah, but sin came into the garden. Adam did not guard the instruction given him!  Our grand-child did not come to sit and observe, she came to participate in life. She did not come to sit on her laurels and not work for she certainly has her chores to do within the home. And in the right time, she will go to college, she will work at a job.  She came to learn and possess land.
We must guard that instruction given to us. In seeing our grand-child grow in God, I expect her to be taking those steps to continue having a healthy body, learning an instrument that will bring praise to God, see her teach the parables of Jesus and see her become all that God has destined her to be. She is possessing the land. May God be glorified!

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

Desert and Devils

Luke 4:1-13
4:1 Then Jesus, being filled with the Holy Spirit, returned from the Jordan and was led by the Spirit into the wilderness, 2 being tempted for forty days by the devil. And in those days He ate nothing, and afterward, when they had ended, He was hungry. 3 And the devil said to Him, "If You are the Son of God, command this stone to become bread." 4 But Jesus answered him, saying, "It is written, 'Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word of God.' " 5 Then the devil, taking Him up on a high mountain, showed Him all the kingdoms of the world in a moment of time. 6 And the devil said to Him, "All this authority I will give You, and their glory; for this has been delivered to me, and I give it to whomever I wish. 7 Therefore, if You will worship before me, all will be Yours." 8 And Jesus answered and said to him, "Get behind Me, Satan! For it is written, 'You shall worship the LORD your God, and Him only you shall serve.' " 9 Then he brought Him to Jerusalem, set Him on the pinnacle of the temple, and said to Him, "If You are the Son of God, throw Yourself down from here. 10 For it is written:

'He shall give His angels charge over You,
To keep You,'

11 "and,

'In their hands they shall bear you up,
Lest you dash your foot against a stone.' "

12 And Jesus answered and said to him, "It has been said, 'You shall not tempt the LORD your God.' " 13 Now when the devil had ended every temptation, he departed from Him until an opportune time.
NKJV

In the Blog: That YOU MIGHT have PEACE through THE STORM, we looked at how Jesus remained in peace. He was sweating blood in those last hours He prayed for that which was a storm. He was facing death, He was facing the enemy...........and nothing was found wanting in Him. He was the spotless sacrifice. He did not refuse to go to the Cross!
How many of us today, want to fight at the first hint of someone speaking dislike against us, our opinions or our character?

In the passage above, we see Jesus come into the desert from being baptized and with others like John the Baptist, to coming to that which is desolate. In today's society people can feel desolate, so isolated even though there could be hundreds around them. Why?
For one thing, man was never meant to be an island to himself. Man was to be a part of a family. In referring back to the passage, satan was addressing first to the needs of the man. He was pointing to Jesus the need for food. Are we not that way today? What's for dinner and we just finished lunch! But Jesus charged him with truth that man was not to live eating only bread but also by every word that comes from God. But how many today get charged up over some "rally" that speaks of no life to anyone, including those giving the rally? If tempers are flaring up, then why? Jesus does not appear to be hot-tempered, but He does appear focused and armed for anything the devil would bring in questioning Him.
He was questioned "If you are the Son of God"..........Jesus again pointed it back to God and His commands.
 Jesus answered and said to him, "It has been said, 'You shall not tempt the LORD your God.'
From the book of Deuteronomy we find in chapter 6:16-17 "You shall not tempt and try the Lord your God as you tempted and tried Him in Massah. You shall diligently keep the commandments of the Lord your God and His exhortations and His statutes which He commanded you.
When we look at the passage about Massah in Exodus 17:7, we find this. "And he called the name of the place Massah, and Meribah, because of the chiding of the children of Israel, and because they tempted the LORD, saying, Is the LORD among us, or not?"

The Amplified has this: " He called the place Massah [proof] and Meribah [contention] because of the faultfinding of the Israelites and because they tempted and tried the patience of the Lord, saying, "Is the Lord among us or not?"

Yes, Jesus had to have known of this scripture.........from readings of the first five books of the Pentatuech or the Law of Moses. (also known as the Torah). Jesus was not going to go against anything God the Lord was doing. He kept His peace and pointed the devil back to God! Do you think the devil was mad? Of course he was and would find those who he could use to fan the flame of hostility, dislike and much contention toward Jesus.
Yes, the desert was a place of confrontation. It came in the form of Jesus standing against having to prove anything of His own, but was always giving proof that God was to be served and always first in everything.

The desert is a place of sand, scorpions, many snakes and loneliness. It is comprised of those creatures that are willing to live with wind driven sand, scorpions and yes snakes and no doubt loneliness.
I remember a trip long ago to Disneyland. In our quest to go west and visit the playland of America, I was a teen. I remember the excitement and all the hoopla surrounding the trip there and back. In the time back, and stopping in a desert place for a picnic, I thought of the noise, all those people in lines and the loud voices. But in this place, I heard the quiet. I heard the sound of much sand being driven along by a soft breeze. As the sun started it's decent into the western sky, I looked toward the east and saw the light fading quickly, and wondered about the loneliness that would consume that place so soon. I thought of how when we would take our leave, gathering our trash up, those cans of pop, and take the last sack to the trash bin and taking our appointed seats in the car to leave this tranquil scene. How fast would our footprints would be covered over by the sand that continued its dance around those platforms of concrete that held those picnic tables on a level plain.

Back to the passage above, Jesus had to have been disciplined in the Word of God as He was Jewish. He had the heritage and was seen at age 12 asking questions at Jerusalem. See below:
Luke 2:43-50
43 When they had finished the days, as they returned, the Boy Jesus lingered behind in Jerusalem. And Joseph and His mother did not know it; 44 but supposing Him to have been in the company, they went a day's journey, and sought Him among their relatives and acquaintances. 45 So when they did not find Him, they returned to Jerusalem, seeking Him. 46 Now so it was that after three days they found Him in the temple, sitting in the midst of the teachers, both listening to them and asking them questions. 47 And all who heard Him were astonished at His understanding and answers. 48 So when they saw Him, they were amazed; and His mother said to Him, "Son, why have You done this to us? Look, Your father and I have sought You anxiously." 49 And He said to them, "Why did you seek Me? Did you not know that I must be about My Father's business?" 50 But they did not understand the statement which He spoke to them.
NKJV

 And so it was, Jesus was found in the midst of the teachers, both listening to them and asking them questions, and all who heard Him were astonished at His understanding and answers. It even states in verse 48........that His parents were amazed at Him! Did they not know this about their son? How could they not see it? Jesus knew He needed the time with those scholars. Jesus knew He needed that teaching to the place He was destined.

Yet, we find they were amazed at seeing Him doing this! We hope our grand-child is seated in the midst of teachers like Jesus was and to see her asking questions and that she too, will astonish people at her understanding and answers concerning the SCRIPTURES.

In the broken society of today, so many young adults have no foundation of family. They have no one to turn to in the event of sickness or death of a single parent. Many youth and young adults are found living on the streets of every large city in this country! Why?

In all this, these can be bombarded by those who seek to destroy them, and how they gain their trust is to start testing them in that "wilderness" area and find what they really want. And like most who live and die, many want to have some authority. They want their name known in the work place, should they have a job. Many of course, want authority in the home or in that place where a few may gather to call it a home life. And again, if there is no foundation of home life with both parents, some youth fall into the hands of those who live outside the community to lead those into bonds of more bondage to that of "gangs" who would have the "new" member believe that they are now family!

Like Jesus being tested in the wilderness, Jesus had the discipline of knowing Father God and where He put His trust.

In the above scriptures we find the Israelites needing proof that God was among them. Yet they had seen the miracles and did not continue to believe, but the brutal elements of the wilderness, that desert area, brought reality to them, they could die out there. They had no trust in anyone but themselves. Even as the group, we had seen them trying to make bricks without straw....in the events leading them out of Egypt. It was each man gathering for straw which could not be found and making something that would not last.

In this tight net group of people, they still held on that which they knew by their own strength and power. Is that not what we see today? People want respect, honor, authority, and the only leadership with that comes from God Himself. You will even hear people speak, "Well he is a self-made man!" And there are those who can come to the top of some thing, but in reality is a house of cards, a castle made of sand that will not stand in any long term of time.
Jesus held to truth in whatever group of people He was facing. It all started in the desert with one devil and ended up by the end by meeting with many devils. 

Jesus did not remain isolated, with His own views, He took those of the Father to the world. He faced the Pharisees and the Sadducees. And we should be willing to do the same. "Well, Shelley, not everyone believes as we do!"   And you would be right. Ours is to pray for those in our community who can have their eyes open to the oppression they are in. Although some may venture to say they are not the oppressed.


Jesus heard those questioning who His Father was...........""Whose your daddy?"

Matthew 13:53-58
53 Now it came to pass, when Jesus had finished these parables, that He departed from there. 54 And when He had come to His own country, He taught them in their synagogue, so that they were astonished and said, "Where did this Man get this wisdom and these mighty works? 55 Is this not the carpenter's son? Is not His mother called Mary? And His brothers James, Joses, Simon, and Judas? 56 And His sisters, are they not all with us? Where then did this Man get all these things?" 57 So they were offended at Him. But Jesus said to them, "A prophet is not without honor except in his own country and in his own house." 58 Now He did not do many mighty works there because of their unbelief.
NKJV

Mark 6:1-6
6:1 Then He went out from there and came to His own country, and His disciples followed Him. 2 And when the Sabbath had come, He began to teach in the synagogue. And many hearing Him were astonished, saying, "Where did this Man get these things? And what wisdom is this which is given to Him, that such mighty works are performed by His hands! 3 Is this not the carpenter, the Son of Mary, and brother of James, Joses, Judas, and Simon? And are not His sisters here with us?" And they were offended at Him. 4 But Jesus said to them, "A prophet is not without honor except in his own country, among his own relatives, and in his own house." 5 Now He could do no mighty work there, except that He laid His hands on a few sick people and healed them. 6 And He marveled because of their unbelief. Then He went about the villages in a circuit, teaching.
NKJV

Men in those high positions probably looked down on those who did the trade labor as the carpenters. Yet, Jesus was the Son of God and managed to keep the profile of the humble, the man who worked with his hands to make a living.
I think of those I have come in contact with over the last 18-20 years who have the most awesome of testimonies. I think of those who have been changed so dramatically by the hand of God. We had met a group of young people on their way to Missouri back in 1995. They had broke down on the side of the road of the Interstate outside Billings, Montana. My husband just happened to be there on that day.......Billings, and was driving home along Interstate 90  about 3:30 pm. He saw this  group standing along side this hill top and drove by, but slowed all the while looking into his rear mirror, and  being prompted by the Spirit of God to give " them help". Well, he moved to the side of road and backed up to help them!  He looked it over, told them what he thought it needed, then helped get their vehicle to the next town, getting water for the overheated radiator......and calling me to let me know we had "guests" coming for dinner. Well, they came in by 5:30 pm.  They had the story to tell, and how God had my husband show up to "help". They were on their way to school, to get their pastorals. Each had a fire of God on them. They ate dinner and talked non-stop about the plan God had for them. Yes, we got them off on their way. And we saw them the next time ( several months later) they came through. Yes, at dinnertime we heard the dramatic reports of all that God was doing in and through them.
Who was their daddy? How could such young ones speak with the wisdom of God? Because they knew the FATHER and had that relationship with Him they esteemed very highly. We saw this with Jesus.
What we saw in like our young friend Isaiah and all his friends, we saw in Jesus, and they were all kept by the Spirit of the Living God to do what needed to be done for God's plan. They stayed in peace.


In addressing that which the devil spoke in Psalm 91............he said.....10 For it is written:

'He shall give His angels charge over You,
To keep You,'

11 "and,   'In their hands they shall bear you up,
Lest you dash your foot against a stone.' "

But in the actual text in Psalm 91.........it states "For He shall give His angels charge over you , to keep you in all your ways. They shall bear you up in their hands, lest you dash your foot against a stone."

What the devil left out that we can see here by visiting this scripture.................."in all your ways."

" Well, in what ways," ................ skipping down to verse 14-16.......gives us the answer................" Because he ( Shelley, Shelley's husband, Shelley's grandchild...) have set their love upon God therefore it is God WHO WILL DELIVER ( Shelley, her husband, grand-daughter) for God will set us on high because we have KNOWN HIS NAME. (GOD'S NAME)
We call upon God, and He will answer each of us, God will be with us in trouble; God will deliver us, honor us............give us long satisfying life and His salvation for us. Amen.

Psalm 91:14-16

14 "Because he has set his love upon Me, therefore I will deliver him;

I will set him on high, because he has known My name. 

15 He shall call upon Me, and I will answer him;

I will be with him in trouble;

I will deliver him and honor him. 

16 With long life I will satisfy him,

And show him My salvation." 

NKJV

In light of the Lord and His ways, our peace is not of this world. Our peace comes from another "kingdom". It comes from that which Jesus came to bring to us. First to the Jews, and then second to the Gentiles.
Acts 16:6-10
6 Paul and his companions traveled throughout the region of Phrygia and Galatia, having been kept by the Holy Spirit from preaching the word in the province of Asia. 7 When they came to the border of Mysia, they tried to enter Bithynia, but the Spirit of Jesus would not allow them to. 8 So they passed by Mysia and went down to Troas. 9 During the night Paul had a vision of a man of Macedonia standing and begging him, "Come over to Macedonia and help us." 10 After Paul had seen the vision, we got ready at once to leave for Macedonia, concluding that God had called us to preach the gospel to them.  (them: gentiles)
NIV

So thankful that the Gospel was sent to the gentiles. So thankful to be added to the family of God. So thankful for the opportunity to give a testimony of the goodness of God. For whatever our days allotted to us, may we sound out His goodness, not by the temporary, that which is passing away, but by the eternal way. Like Paul, and like Jesus, the great sacrifice, our peace comes by abiding in Him. That peace is violent, takes peace by force, not as the world, but that which remains abiding in the Father Who spoke into chaos and brought life out of it in the beginning.

May that light shine in that which seems dark today in our understanding. The only time we are to be spectators is when are in that place in God that holds us by His Word. That Word brings peace to every circumstance we may face.  I know, I have seen that Word work in my life. Making the Lord our refuge, our place of safety, no evil befalls you or me. No tornadoes or seismic activity should reach our home. But if a tremor is felt, understand what you believe in will rule. If our trust is truly in God and trouble ( any danger ) is coming, then we must obey Him. Stay out of harms way, and believe Him to do the impossible for you. For He will give His angels charge over us to accompany and defend us and cause us to persevere in ALL OUR WAYS OF OBEDIENCE TO HIM AND HIS WAYS. AMEN!

FOR Jesus, it looking like total destruction, but He walks today. He looks over those who have trouble. As with Stephen, the righteous man, who was stoned to death.

Acts 7:55-58

 55 But he, being full of the Holy Spirit, gazed into heaven and saw the glory of God, and Jesus standing at the right hand of God, 56 and said, "Look! I see the heavens opened and the Son of Man standing at the right hand of God!" 57 Then they cried out with a loud voice, stopped their ears, and ran at him with one accord; 58 and they cast him out of the city and stoned him. 

NKJV

Father, thank You for the peace that passeth our understanding. That peace is a force, and it is more that is detrimental to the devil. Speaking opinions is one thing, but boasting about one's own success is giving the importance to one man or to the one woman. But the peace we really need, not that in our doing of things, but in obeying You and acting on that truth. Father, may all our ways of obedience to You be seen in our lives. May we look into that perfect law of liberty that gives a glimpse of life everlasting with no harm, no plagues, no goofiness from the enemy. Help us to be the diligent to look over that Word and get it into our hearts so we are not deceived by the devil. Jesus was the equipped and knew he (the devil)  was trying to put something over Jesus. But Jesus was the learned. He was discipled by God! (Isaiah 50:4-6) I pray that we would have that tongue of the learned and know how to speak a word in season to him who is weary. Father, thank You for the Holy Spirit Who will awaken us morning by morning to hear with our ears. For it is YOU Who has opened our ears to hear Your voice. I pray that any who really desire Your peace will not be the rebellious and not away from truth, but face YOU and receive all that YOU would speak into our hearing ears. Today, we pray to be those who will support others who may have trials or tribulations weighing them down. Strengthen our hearts for the battle ahead and give patience as we wait on You. We pray to be those who rejoice in hope, patient in tribulation and continuing steadfast in prayer. (Romans 12:12) as we live this journey, help us to reach others with encouraging words that give life. Help us to be the "kind" when we are needing to make decisions that involve other people's lives. We are not the "island", we are people who need people around us. Not those who will prop us because we whine or need that shoulder everyday, but because we are here to encourage those who need encouraging and those who might need a correction by love in walking the right pathway. Though we walk in the mist of trouble, You preserve our lives. Stretch out YOUR hand against the anger of our foes, with YOUR right hand You save us. Lord fulfill YOUR purpose for us. YOUR Love, O Lord endures forever---do not abandon the works of YOUR hands. Amen.

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

That YOU MIGHT Have PEACE Through THE STORM

Isaiah 53:4-6
4 Surely He has borne our griefs
And carried our sorrows;
Yet we esteemed Him stricken,
Smitten by God, and afflicted.
5 But He was wounded for our transgressions,
He was bruised for our iniquities;
The chastisement for our peace was upon Him,
And by His stripes we are healed.
6 All we like sheep have gone astray;
We have turned, every one, to his own way;
And the LORD has laid on Him the iniquity of us all.
NKJV

Jesus paid a high price for us having died for our sins (iniquities) and such bruising that brought to us His peace.

The New Living Bible states this:

Isaiah 53:4-6

4 Yet it was our grief he bore, our sorrows that weighed him down. And we thought his troubles were a punishment from God, for his own sins! 5 But he was wounded and bruised for our sins. He was beaten that we might have peace; he was lashed-and we were healed! 6 We-every one of us-have strayed away like sheep! We, who left God's paths to follow our own. Yet God laid on him the guilt and sins of every one of us! 

TLB

Mark 14:34
34 Then He said to them, "My soul is exceedingly sorrowful, even to death. Stay here and watch."
NKJV

In Jesus' last hours before crucifixion, He intimated with His heart how His soul was exceedingly sorrowful, even to death. Thinking on His life, He carried much love, but got hatred, hardness of heart and much unbelief. He had sorrows that brought Him to prayer in those last hours of life. Yes sin brought sorrow to Him. He was impacted to such a degree that He was sweating drops of blood. Seeing those that He came to, reject Him, and experience such pain in knowing, those He came to save would reject Him even to His death.

Sorrows that weighed Him down, yes beaten for our sake's, that we would have peace. It is those who believe, who receive Him as Savior that will have this "kind of peace". "But how, Shelley? How could He have peace?"

John 14:25-31
25 "These things I have spoken to you while being present with you. 26 But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in My name, He will teach you all things, and bring to your remembrance all things that I said to you. 27 Peace I leave with you, My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid. 28 You have heard Me say to you, 'I am going away and coming back to you.' If you loved Me, you would rejoice because I said, 'I am going to the Father,' for My Father is greater than I. 29 And now I have told you before it comes, that when it does come to pass, you may believe. 30 I will no longer talk much with you, for the ruler of this world is coming, and he has nothing in Me. 31 But that the world may know that I love the Father, and as the Father gave Me commandment, so I do. Arise, let us go from here.
NKJV


Jesus had peace that only the Father could give Him. He speaks of peace that He would leave to us, not as the world gives, for that is chaos, but as the Lord gives us courage in our hearts. Then immediately we go into John 15 and He talks about abiding in the Father and in Him. He talks of the Holy Spirit. See below:

John 15:20-27

 20 Remember the word that I said to you, 'A servant is not greater than his master.' If they persecuted Me, they will also persecute you. If they kept My word, they will keep yours also. 21 But all these things they will do to you for My name's sake, because they do not know Him who sent Me. 22 If I had not come and spoken to them, they would have no sin, but now they have no excuse for their sin. 23 He who hates Me hates My Father also. 24 If I had not done among them the works which no one else did, they would have no sin; but now they have seen and also hated both Me and My Father. 25 But this happened that the word might be fulfilled which is written in their law, 'They hated Me without a cause.'  

26 "But when the Helper comes, whom I shall send to you from the Father, the Spirit of truth who proceeds from the Father, He will testify of Me. 27 And you also will bear witness, because you have been with Me from the beginning. 

NKJV

Jesus had the Spirit of Truth, the Holy Spirit for He came upon Him when Jesus was baptized in the Jordan River. Jesus had experienced the hate of those who were reviling Him because He spoke of their sin. As Jesus is, was and is to come ........He bearing witness of truth from the beginning, we too, must bear truth. We are to abide in Him and the Father and hear the leading of the Holy Spirit in our lives when saved.

Isaiah 52:13-14

13 See, my Servant shall prosper; he shall be highly exalted. 14 Yet many shall be amazed when they see him-yes, even far-off foreign nations and their kings; they shall stand dumbfounded, speechless in his presence. For they shall see and understand what they had not been told before. They shall see my Servant beaten and bloodied, so disfigured one would scarcely know it was a person standing there. So shall he cleanse many nations. 

TLB

In looking back to chapter 52, we find that the Savior, Jesus was beaten and bloodied, and so disfigured one would scarcely know Him as a person. No, you could not hang that picture of the crucified Savior on your dining room wall.

No, man had no peace till Jesus came. Now Israel could have experienced that peace many times, as they either collectively joined together in giving praise and honor to God, and obeying His commands. But on the whole, as for the man who lives on this earth, peace was left in the Garden of Eden. That relationship with the Father and His guidance was changed when Adam followed the LEADING OF HIS WIFE EVE! We must keep to the order God has planned for His children.
Where there is no order, then chaos ensues!

That peace was something that comes from God. And it was sent through His Son Jesus. We the wounded and the polluted by our sinful nature, were made "whole" complete with nothing missing, nothing broken in our lives when confessing Jesus as Lord of our lives!

He was the bruised, the oppressed, the One who was beaten beyond any recognition showed us how corrupt the flesh nature really was according to God and His standards. Every wound of my heart or yours was taken by Jesus. Every hurtful word or hateful abuse was first taken by the Lord. In all that battered, bloodied and disfigured body He carried the hurt that occurred in my heart and yours first.

That peace Jesus obtained was by violence. It was that violence that takes the life. Looking back to Noah and the flood, we see the rain becoming a flood that would take a violent force against any who remained within those flood-driven areas of the land. It was those who were in the Ark who remained dry within that Ark which rode upon the water of the flood, who would ultimately live to start again.

How could He, Jesus remain so faithful to God to do the thing needed for man-kind? He remained in God Himself. "Yeah, Shelley, but Jesus was God. Yes, but Jesus did not call down those legions of angels to assist Him, did He?"
He is the true Christian. And the way we should walk today is in those steps He took while He walked this earth. When we remain, abide in His teachings and His ways, we find that peace, which fights against any chaos in our lives, and keeps us secure in the shadow of the Almighty God!

Psalm 91:1-2

He who dwells in the secret place of the Most High 

Shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty. 

2 I will say of the LORD, "He is my refuge and my fortress;

My God, in Him I will trust." 

NKJV

Abiding in Jesus, we find the same peace He held. He walked, not cutting Himself off from the synagogue or from those leaders who were there at that time, like the Pharisees and Sadducees. Jesus could face them, and walk away victorious because of His strengthening relationship with His Father God. The more time He spent in prayer and the Word, the more He gained the authority to speak peace into His situation. Jesus remained faithful to God and kept no sin in His heart. He was the ultimate sacrifice!

1 John 3:8

 8 He who sins is of the devil, for the devil has sinned from the beginning. For this purpose the Son of God was manifested, that He might destroy the works of the devil.

NKJV

The more we learn how Jesus walked each time, the further into more peace and into that strength we move, and that peace can only come from God. It was not by separating Himself from that which He had to do.
Likewise we must not refuse to do that which seems hard, or anything the Lord would speak to us to do!  We must continue to walk with those God has placed around us, and speak to those we must speak to and with, we find, when a "storm" does come, it is one that we call that peace of God, to see the chaos removed. Jesus addressed each question and presented them with questions that ultimately pointed back to God the Father.

What authority do we carry when walking through this journey of life? What amount of authority can be seen when facing an enemy we have never met before? The only authority that counts is that which is from God, and remaining in Him, and staying away from sin will mark the path we walk, abiding in Him, and seeing those waves grow calm. It is staying away from sin, for any that darkens the doorway of our lives must be repented of and move on in God's Word and plan. In reflecting on God's plan, and the Redemption through His Son on the Cross, we each are brought back to this "one thing".  Do we really want more of the Jesus Who was the crucified for us or are we happy with the one who man depicts from the painting of the Cross on our living room wall? For many years, when our daughter was still young, we too, had the picture of the crucified Christ, the one with eyes looking to heaven and with the halo around his head. One could see this man's face, the wound on his side and the nails through hands and feet. But it was not till the 1990's that we actually heard how Jesus was crucified. I learned a lot about the weapons used in that day and yes of the cat o' nine tails. You know those leather strips held broken glass and metal pieces in their length and you had nine of them.  When I understood those passages, that though a man, no one could see His visage. NO one would know what He really looked like because of the massive damage done to His body and face. Yes, what Jesus did that day was to die for us, and in His resurrection from the Dead, we gained full legal rights that were PAID IN FULL! TODAY, we have rights to healing, to being whole in our bodies, to being whole in our minds and our emotions and to live in peace all of our days.

In the light of God's Word, is our decision today going to be one in the tradition of men or is it in an expectation of learning about what was gained for us at the Cross? Will we sincerely go by the Word of God and remind ourselves of the day at the Cross, the day at Calvary when everything became dark at noonday?
Many years ago, I went with my parents to Carlsbad Caverns. It was a length of hours to make this tour deep into those caverns made by all that rivers of water so many years ago. At one point, I believe it was the one cavern room called the Garden of the Gods that we gathered or huddled together, that the guide said the lights would be shut off. Our small group of about 35 people, experienced a depth of blackness that day I have never forgotten. The lights were off for only some twenty seconds, but that blackness certainly felt like it enveloped us all in one instant. No one moved from the place where they stood, and the coolness of that depth, deep in those caverns, certainly made one "feel so small and insignificant". I wondered if those who watched Jesus die on the Cross felt that darkness at midday. (or noonday) I wonder if they were enveloped in such darkness that their emotions took them to depths of such despair that all they had done to Him, all that they spoke to Him, and now standing so close and could not touch or speak a word!

Luke 23:44-46
44 Now it was about the sixth hour, and there was darkness over all the earth until the ninth hour. 45 Then the sun was darkened, and the veil of the temple was torn in two. 46 And when Jesus had cried out with a loud voice, He said, "Father, 'into Your hands I commit My spirit.' "
NKJV

Will we seek that which brings life or just continue to seek man and his mental knowledge. For the image of the man on the Cross in most cases, is one seen as from man's own mental image. But the image our Father wants us to recall is the one that depicts His Son WHO went to the Cross for a dying world! Our taking up the Cross daily is reminding ourselves that we too, must die to the things of the world and to have a walk that is in the image of Jesus Christ the victorious ONE!

Taking selfishness to the Cross, we are choosing to seek to find our place, and that peace in Him. Those fancy homes and cars and high-paying jobs certainly look good, and sound good but in the long run are like that which is built on the sand. In the end, all was just a fancy castle built out of sand and nothing more.

 Our identity is in Him and in Him alone! For it is truly how we are to live, move and have our being. (Acts 17:28)  Apart from Him, we can do nothing. (John 15:5) We are not to be those distracted, for surely in this world people will have tribulations and trials, but be of good cheer [take courage; be confident, certain, undaunted]! For Jesus overcame the world. He deprived it of power to harm us. (John 16:33)

 Luke 1:76-79
76 "And you, child, will be called the prophet of the Highest;
For you will go before the face of the Lord to prepare His ways, 
77 To give knowledge of salvation to His people 
By the remission of their sins, 
78 Through the tender mercy of our God,
With which the Dayspring from on high has visited us; 
79 To give light to those who sit in darkness and the shadow of death,
To guide our feet into the way of peace."  
NKJV

Father God, we are not of the world according to John 17:11,14............we have come to the Kingdom of God, so we do not operate in this world's system. We neither talk or act like the world.
We know we can have tribulations but Jesus overcame the world. Today, we receive His strength, His peace and that power of the Holy Ghost to walk through with our heads held high. We will not be the cowering and wondering what we will do next, but our choice today is finding our place in YOU.  Today Holy Spirit guide us out of any stress related problems and into Your peace and joy. Help us to see the process and the time it will take us to gain that authority for we know we have it all now, but getting that past from our minds will take some work and much time. Your grace is sufficient.
We understand that an "excellent" life begins with that excellent thought life and attitudes. As all fruit has a root,  the root of our actions is our thoughts, words from thought, our emotions (moods) and those which can take root. Help us to get excited about taking part in dealing with that thought life, and to pay attention to that which comes out of our hearts. You our Father desire truth in the inward parts (Psalm 51:6). Help us to see that which is of benefit to us in this life walk.
Today, we pray to be those who will pay attention to that thought life, to our words, those moods and attitudes that are rooted in it. Holy Spirit we loose You into this situation of our thought life. Help us to have and keep that purposeful heart that maintains a godly attitude. Help us to speak only those godly words for life. "Blessed are the pure in heart; for they shall see God." (Matthew 5:8) Father YOU seek the pure in heart, and YOU are surely the expert in removing the worthless things while making sure the process is retaining the things of value. Our commitment is to face YOUR truth and allow change to come to us in Jesus' name. Amen.


Please join me in part 2: Deserts and Devils



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

WHEN GOD ASKS A QUESTION

When God asks us a question, how do we respond?

Matthew 16:13-18
13 When Jesus came into the region of Caesarea Philippi, He asked His disciples, saying, "Who do men say that I, the Son of Man, am?" 14 So they said, "Some say John the Baptist, some Elijah, and others Jeremiah or one of the prophets." 15 He said to them, "But who do you say that I am?" 16 Simon Peter answered and said, "You are the Christ, the Son of the living God." 17 Jesus answered and said to him, "Blessed are you, Simon Bar-Jonah, for flesh and blood has not revealed this to you, but My Father who is in heaven.
NKJV

WHY was Jesus asking this question? Well, lets look at the passage before His asking the question.

Matthew 16:5-12

5 Now when His disciples had come to the other side, they had forgotten to take bread. 6 Then Jesus said to them, "Take heed and beware of the leaven of the Pharisees and the Sadducees." 7 And they reasoned among themselves, saying, "It is because we have taken no bread." 8 But Jesus, being aware of it, said to them, "O you of little faith, why do you reason among yourselves because you have brought no bread? 9 Do you not yet understand, or remember the five loaves of the five thousand and how many baskets you took up? 10 Nor the seven loaves of the four thousand and how many large baskets you took up? 11 How is it you do not understand that I did not speak to you concerning bread?--but to beware of the leaven of the Pharisees and Sadducees." 12 Then they understood that He did not tell them to beware of the leaven of bread, but of the doctrine of the Pharisees and Sadducees. 

NKJV

When Jesus asked them a question, it was concerning how they come to their answers, their thinking about what He was saying compared to that doctrine of the Pharisees and Sadducees. When Jesus asked, He was finding out where they really stood relating to the Word of Truth that He was directing them to.
So if the Lord asks us a question: be certain to know that He is really asking if our going forward is based on His truth or of the doctrine of the world. It is not to be about that we just know it for that should already be a part of the foundation and it should not be about how we are feeling in regard to it, but are we without any doubt. Are we those certain ones that we are backed by the Word of God in stepping into that which God has for us to do? We can not do it just assuming it. We can not do it just because some pastor some years ago mentioned it, that we are the "called" to it and so just do it. NO!  We must certainly have a foundation built beneath us and that Cornerstone is Jesus Himself.

Ephesians 2:19-22
19 Consequently, you are no longer foreigners and aliens, but fellow citizens with God's people and members of God's household, 20 built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, with Christ Jesus himself as the chief cornerstone. 21 In him the whole building is joined together and rises to become a holy temple in the Lord. 22 And in him you too are being built together to become a dwelling in which God lives by his Spirit.
NIV

As fellow citizens with God's people and members of His household, we are those who are built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets with Christ Jesus Himself as the Chief Cornerstone!

The anointing Jesus gives us by the Word of truth, is that which determines when the "bad report" or that "surprise report" comes to us. Then when a question comes, are we wrapped up ..........surrounded, fortified with His love and Word  OR are we, by the circumstance ready to throw in the towel like in a boxing match?  We certainly are to be trained and ready because the Word is alive in us, powered by the Holy Spirit to make those quick decisions and keep going forward from Step 1 Step 2 to Step 3 of God's plan.

Mark 2:23-28
23 Now it happened that He went through the grainfields on the Sabbath; and as they went His disciples began to pluck the heads of grain. 24 And the Pharisees said to Him, "Look, why do they do what is not lawful on the Sabbath?" 25 But He said to them, "Have you never read what David did when he was in need and hungry, he and those with him: 26 how he went into the house of God in the days of Abiathar the high priest, and ate the showbread, which is not lawful to eat, except for the priests, and also gave some to those who were with him?" 27 And He said to them, "The Sabbath was made for man, and not man for the Sabbath. 28 Therefore the Son of Man is also Lord of the Sabbath."
NKJV

Take note that Jesus asked the Pharisees a question when He was presented with one as well?
Jesus was pointing to David who was avoiding King Saul, but kept his men fed, he looked for a place of security for them, and when Saul was breathing out his cruelties. Truly the Sabbath was created for man to.........relax from a week's long work, to remember all that God had done for them, and to rest with family and enjoy them!

 In reading this passage it is separated by Chapter 3 heading, but they started this one with And He entered..........so this is continued from that of Mark chapter 2!

Mark 3:1-6
3:1 And He entered the synagogue again, and a man was there who had a withered hand. 2 So they watched Him closely, whether He would heal him on the Sabbath, so that they might accuse Him. 3 And He said to the man who had the withered hand, "Step forward." 4 Then He said to them, "Is it lawful on the Sabbath to do good or to do evil, to save life or to kill?" But they kept silent. 5 And when He had looked around at them with anger, being grieved by the hardness of their hearts, He said to the man, "Stretch out your hand." And he stretched it out, and his hand was restored as whole as the other. 6 Then the Pharisees went out and immediately plotted with the Herodians against Him, how they might destroy Him.
NKJV

Yes, a whole group of people were asked this question. They were that group of religious folk. 

"Is it lawful on the Sabbath to do good or to do evil, to save life or to kill?"

It tells us that everyone remained silent.

Jesus spoke to the man with the withered hand...........and said, "Stretch out your hand." And as he did, his hand was restored as whole as the other.

From what we see in Chapter 2 of Mark, is that Jesus was pointing to that day of the Sabbath as the day which was made for man. In truth, the Sabbath was created after man was created. Man was made for God.

Luke 13:10-21
10 Now He was teaching in one of the synagogues on the Sabbath. 11 And behold, there was a woman who had a spirit of infirmity eighteen years, and was bent over and could in no way raise herself up. 12 But when Jesus saw her, He called her to Him and said to her, "Woman, you are loosed from your infirmity." 13 And He laid His hands on her, and immediately she was made straight, and glorified God. 14 But the ruler of the synagogue answered with indignation, because Jesus had healed on the Sabbath; and he said to the crowd, "There are six days on which men ought to work; therefore come and be healed on them, and not on the Sabbath day." 15 The Lord then answered him and said, "Hypocrite! Does not each one of you on the Sabbath loose his ox or donkey from the stall, and lead it away to water it? 16 So ought not this woman, being a daughter of Abraham, whom Satan has bound--think of it--for eighteen years, be loosed from this bond on the Sabbath?" 17 And when He said these things, all His adversaries were put to shame; and all the multitude rejoiced for all the glorious things that were done by Him.

18 Then He said, "What is the kingdom of God like? And to what shall I compare it? 19 It is like a mustard seed, which a man took and put in his garden; and it grew and became a large tree, and the birds of the air nested in its branches."

20 And again He said, "To what shall I liken the kingdom of God? 21 It is like leaven, which a woman took and hid in three measures of meal till it was all leavened."
NKJV

Notice in verse 12, when Jesus called the woman out, "Woman, you are loosed from your infirmity"......and then laid hands on her and immediately she was made straight and glorified God. God can do miracles on any day. Does not have to be always in church or within that moment of an immediate miracle, but can be done by giving people truth. Jesus was giving truth on the Sabbath and the woman was healed. But at verse 14, we find the ruler of the synagogue indignant. He was mad at Jesus for healing on the Sabbath and even told Jesus the LAW. But Jesus asked "does not each one of you on the Sabbath loose his ox or donkey from  the stall, lead it away to water it"? "SO ought not this woman be loosed from this bond on the Sabbath?"

The people rejoiced, and then Jesus went on to ask another question! "To what shall I liken the kingdom of God?"  'It is like leaven, which a woman took and hid in three measures of meal till it was all leavened."

And verse 18:

18 Then He said, "What is the kingdom of God like? And to what shall I compare it? 19 It is like a mustard seed, which a man took and put in his garden; and it grew and became a large tree, and the birds of the air nested in its branches."

When God asks us a question, it is not our answering by feelings, or how body feels today. It is not how our spouse is acting or not acting, but it is by being steadfast in the Word of God. It is as Jesus represented to the disciples and to us. Our lives are to be that continually flowing fountain of water springing up that brings to those around that water of life, that Word of God, and that people are being satisfied. Yes, those who have been held in bondage much too long, to a broken body, a broken heart, held by drugs and depression need a long cool drink of the living fountain of Water of the Word of God that gives life and peace! When asked a question today, hopefully our reply is found from that living water...........as we find in John 7, of that which comes from the Holy Spirit.

John 7:37-39
37 On the last and greatest day of the Feast, Jesus stood and said in a loud voice, "If anyone is thirsty, let him come to me and drink. 38 Whoever believes in me, as the Scripture has said, streams of living water will flow from within him." 39 By this he meant the Spirit, whom those who believed in him were later to receive. Up to that time the Spirit had not been given, since Jesus had not yet been glorified.
NIV

When God asks us a question, do our words and worship exalt the Lord God or something else altogether? When we have the Holy Spirit residing in us, our words, yes our replies to any question will be words that worship as a witness of who we are following, who we listen to, what we read or keep our focus on, and who we will ultimately confess! Amen.

We are to reply to the One true God, and then follow Him, obedient to all He asks us!

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

How Truly Wonderful that Love Really Is!

What about that love we give to another? How do we express that God-kind of love to someone we do not know? People are always concerned about that first impression they make to others they are meeting for the first time. On the first meeting, many are at a loss of words to speak.
Was thinking about this over the weekend. We had some time with our grand-daughter one evening and wanted to encourage her that when God speaks through her to another, is to raise her chin high, look right into those people's eyes and keep a voice that is not child-like but one that is bold and confident in what they speak. And the last thing the Lord had me say was: " of all this, tell about how they are loved by God". "Tell them that God loves them!" Amen.

1 John 4:15-17
15 Anyone who believes and says that Jesus is the Son of God has God living in him, and he is living with God.

16 We know how much God loves us because we have felt his love and because we believe him when he tells us that he loves us dearly. God is love, and anyone who lives in love is living with God and God is living in him. 17 And as we live with Christ, our love grows more perfect and complete; so we will not be ashamed and embarrassed at the day of judgment, but can face him with confidence and joy because he loves us and we love him too.
TLB

Our living with Christ causes our love to grow more perfectly and complete. We are not to be the ashamed and embarrassed...........not today or at the day of judgment!

Reflecting on our grand-daughter and her response was at first almost like she was wanting to cry.....then it was apparent that she acted like she was being scolded, but in giving her truth about relaying God's Word and love to others, it is of importance of giving that timely word from God to others at the moment it is needed, and she certainly lightened, and gave a smile at :" tell them that God loves them!"

She sat up in her chair. Not slouching down, but became upright, turn to place her feet on the floor and the preaching began!

Why? because she knows the love she has for her parents and they for her. She knows what that daily walk is like with them. She is told daily how they love her and how God loves her, too!  She knows it is a give and take relationship, not just a taking relationship. She is reflecting what her life is composed of right now. She emanates love for others.

Mark 12:28-34

28 One of the teachers of religion who was standing there listening to the discussion realized that Jesus had answered well. So he asked, "Of all the commandments, which is the most important?" 

29 Jesus replied, "The one that says, 'Hear, O Israel! The Lord our God is the one and only God. 30 And you must love him with all your heart and soul and mind and strength.' 

31 "The second is: 'You must love others as much as yourself.' No other commandments are greater than these." 

32 The teacher of religion replied, "Sir, you have spoken a true word in saying that there is only one God and no other. 33 And I know it is far more important to love him with all my heart and understanding and strength, and to love others as myself, than to offer all kinds of sacrifices on the altar of the Temple." 

34 Realizing this man's understanding, Jesus said to him, "You are not far from the Kingdom of God." And after that, no one dared ask him any more questions. 

TLB

No, we are not far from the kingdom when one understands the love of God and to carry that same love to the world. Jesus did indeed carry it and so much of God, who can fathom it all?

Proverbs 21:21

21 He who pursues righteousness and love 

finds life, prosperity and honor. 

NIV

The man, woman or child who pursues God and His righteousness will find His love a part of the package. When we truly know that God loved us first and gave His best for us.........then we will start that walk into a love that never fails, is always kind, is always forgiving. Love will always rejoice in truth as our grand-daughter did that evening. That love will always protect her, always help her to trust in God alone, and will cause her to persevere into the thing God has planned for her.

1 Corinthians 13:4-7

4 Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. 5 It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. 6 Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. 7 It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. 

NIV

She might have thought she was being scolded, rebuked, or even criticized, but when she allowed herself to hear every word...........she bumped into God and His love that enveloped her for she recognized His safety and protection.

No, this would certainly be a better place to be in this day and time, if people knew that God loved them more than their own biological parents do or did. Truly if people could be introduced into God's love, they would never want to leave His presence ever. They would not be out trying to get that 15-minutes of fame, but actually be giving God's love to others each and every day.

Lamentations 3:22-24

22 Because of the LORD's great love we are not consumed, 

for his compassion 's never fail. 

23 They are new every morning; 

great is your faithfulness. 

24 I say to myself, "The LORD is my portion; 

therefore I will wait for him." 

NIV

In closing:

1 Corinthians 13:1-3

13:1 If I speak in the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I am only a resounding gong or a clanging cymbal. 2 If I have the gift of prophecy and can fathom all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have a faith that can move mountains, but have not love, I am nothing. 3 If I give all I possess to the poor and surrender my body to the flames, but have not love, I gain nothing. 

NIV

What if any us could speak with God's love, not as a clanging cymbal, but true love that emanates from the Father? Yes, that evening I saw our grand-daughter emanate His love in such a precise manner that only her face could have shone. It was one full of light, full of love and full of joy. Let us continue to join in that walk with God our Father. May His will be done in our lives as it is in heaven. And may we have the Manna from heaven that will come to expand our knowledge of how truly wonderful that love really is. Amen!

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

ON YOUR MARK, SET, GO!

Exodus14:5-14
5 Now it was told the king of Egypt that the people had fled, and the heart of Pharaoh and his servants was turned against the people; and they said, "Why have we done this, that we have let Israel go from serving us?" 6 So he made ready his chariot and took his people with him. 7 Also, he took six hundred choice chariots, and all the chariots of Egypt with captains over every one of them. 8 And the LORD hardened the heart of Pharaoh king of Egypt, and he pursued the children of Israel; and the children of Israel went out with boldness. 9 So the Egyptians pursued them, all the horses and chariots of Pharaoh, his horsemen and his army, and overtook them camping by the sea beside Pi Hahiroth, before Baal Zephon.

10 And when Pharaoh drew near, the children of Israel lifted their eyes, and behold, the Egyptians marched after them. So they were very afraid, and the children of Israel cried out to the LORD. 11 Then they said to Moses, "Because there were no graves in Egypt, have you taken us away to die in the wilderness? Why have you so dealt with us, to bring us up out of Egypt? 12 Is this not the word that we told you in Egypt, saying, 'Let us alone that we may serve the Egyptians?' For it would have been better for us to serve the Egyptians than that we should die in the wilderness." 13 And Moses said to the people, "Do not be afraid. Stand still, and see the salvation of the LORD, which He will accomplish for you today. For the Egyptians whom you see today, you shall see again no more forever. 14 The LORD will fight for you, and you shall hold your peace."    NKJV


Now we know that the people were not really fleeing. We know them to being quick in obeying what they were told to do when leaving Pharaoh and Egypt. (God knew Pharaoh would change his mind)
And of course, those serving Pharaoh were probably really upset in that whatever duties those Hebrew people held while in captivity were going to go to those who remained who served Pharaoh.  Yes, trouble on the horizon!

Ever seen that today............? You know down-sizing in companies and those people remaining get NO increase in pay, but do twice or three times the work in a regular work day!
THEN  we see in verse 6 that Pharaoh is making haste to get his chariot to "go"! He has those six hundred choice chariots and the rest that are mediocre type chariots. You know we have the grand made ones..........extra parts, extra quality put into them, and then those lesser quality made chariots....those probably made with a cheaper grade of wood, made with parts that were left off or out of the whole concept because they were " cheap". HE PURSUED THEM HOPING TO OVERTAKE THEM! Yes, he changed his mind.
Now, let's think about those fine Arabian horses that pulled those fine chariots. We know the Arabian to be fast although not as fast as an American quarter horse. Those Arabians are accustomed to the heat. They were used for many centuries and for great distances. So you have a well-bred animal for the desert.
Then of all things........yes,......the Lord had them go by the way of the wilderness instead of going by the shortcut through the land of the Philistines.
Sometimes it requires some amount of days, weeks and months to get the past out of our daily thinking. Sometimes we need to meditate on "those miracles" and give testimony of the truth that God is for us. But sometimes, the present is so embedded into our thinking, we need some time and exercise in knowing Him as the God Who performs miracles, and displays them in His power among His redeemed.

Psalm 77:13-15
13 Your ways, O God, are holy.
What god is so great as our God?
14 You are the God who performs miracles;
you display your power among the peoples.
15 With your mighty arm you redeemed your people,
the descendants of Jacob and Joseph.
NIV

Read below about the long way around in the wilderness:

Exodus 13:17-22
17 Then it came to pass, when Pharaoh had let the people go, that God did not lead them by the way of the land of the Philistines, although that was near; for God said, "Lest perhaps the people change their minds when they see war, and return to Egypt." 18 So God led the people around by way of the wilderness of the Red Sea. And the children of Israel went up in orderly ranks out of the land of Egypt. 19 And Moses took the bones of Joseph with him, for he had placed the children of Israel under solemn oath, saying, "God will surely visit you, and you shall carry up my bones from here with you." 20 So they took their journey from Succoth and camped in Etham at the edge of the wilderness. 21 And the LORD went before them by day in a pillar of cloud to lead the way, and by night in a pillar of fire to give them light, so as to go by day and night. 22 He did not take away the pillar of cloud by day or the pillar of fire by night from before the people.   NKJV

So back to Pharaoh, fine chariots, and fine Arabians horses all on their way to bring you back to the brick making party with no straw.........and more work added..........that you have to look for your own straw! WOW!

Exodus 5:10-23

10 Then the slave drivers and the foremen went out and said to the people, "This is what Pharaoh says: 'I will not give you any more straw. 11 Go and get your own straw wherever you can find it, but your work will not be reduced at all.'" 12 So the people scattered all over Egypt to gather stubble to use for straw. 13 The slave drivers kept pressing them, saying, "Complete the work required of you for each day, just as when you had straw." 14 The Israelite foremen appointed by Pharaoh's slave drivers were beaten and were asked, "Why didn't you meet your quota of bricks yesterday or today, as before?" 

15 Then the Israelite foremen went and appealed to Pharaoh: "Why have you treated your servants this way? 16 Your servants are given no straw, yet we are told, 'Make bricks!' Your servants are being beaten, but the fault is with your own people." 

17 Pharaoh said, "Lazy, that's what you are--lazy! That is why you keep saying, 'Let us go and sacrifice to the LORD.' 18 Now get to work. You will not be given any straw, yet you must produce your full quota of bricks." 

19 The Israelite foremen realized they were in trouble when they were told, "You are not to reduce the number of bricks required of you for each day." 20 When they left Pharaoh, they found Moses and Aaron waiting to meet them, 21 and they said, "May the LORD look upon you and judge you! You have made us a stench to Pharaoh and his officials and have put a sword in their hand to kill us." 

22 Moses returned to the LORD and said, "O Lord, why have you brought trouble upon this people? Is this why you sent me? 23 Ever since I went to Pharaoh to speak in your name, he has brought trouble upon this people, and you have not rescued your people at all." NIV

Yes, there was some trouble on the horizon! It was a day of maybe terror would you say to those who would not trust in God? The people were telling Moses, "why have you so dealt with us, to bring us up out of Egypt?' "Let us alone that we may serve the Egyptians, for it would have been better for us to serve the Egyptians than that we should die in the wilderness." (Exodus 14:11-14) Even though they saw the miracles.........they did not lean on God. They just thought of what they left behind.

Exodus 14:13-14
13 And Moses said to the people, "Do not be afraid. Stand still, and see the salvation of the LORD, which He will accomplish for you today. For the Egyptians whom you see today, you shall see again no more forever. 14 The LORD will fight for you, and you shall hold your peace."
NKJV

Holding our peace can be hard..........that loose lips and speaking against what God has said, but that world can have a hold on our thought life. But God is telling them to hold their peace, that God the LORD would fight for them.

Yes, when it is time to leave Egypt, that same thinking has to go as well. This Hebrew nation was reflecting on the years they had been held in captivity.........and they relived it in those moments that they saw those fine chariots and horses headed towards them. Those chariots would be on them quickly, indeed!
What frightens us from our past? What have we not let go, to revisit in the recesses of our minds?

Psalm 46:10-11
10 Be still, and know that I am God;
I will be exalted among the nations,
I will be exalted in the earth!

11 The LORD of hosts is with us;
The God of Jacob is our refuge. NKJV

In this day and time, it is in the Lord that we will find our answers. It is getting still before Him, and quieting all those voices that say anything different than what God has said about you or me. Silence those emotions that may speak loudly, why lament, God is on the scene. Are you saved or you just the wandering one? Those who know their God will do exploits!
They will walk when they must walk and they will run when they must run.

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 this world and the things of straw or lack is only in this world. But the things of God are spiritual, the lasting for an eternity, where we saw Jesus turn water into wine. Allowing God into our circumstances, allows us to stop looking back at Egypt and lack and look to the resources of God Who is enough for us. It is the place where the healed come back to give praise, the lame jump for joy, the blind see again to follow Jesus ......the Way, the Truth and Life!
Be still and become acquainted with God and allow revelation of His word overtake your life, and you will see the enemy defeated time and again for the Lord came to set the captives free. AMEN!


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