Is that SMOKE?

Voice of Prayer: September 6, 2017

I really have no liking for the smell of smoke. And I care less for that which causes smoke. In the last 14+ days we have seen smoke in this region of the northwest. Much had been from fires in the region of Oregon, both in the mid-section of that state and also further south on their state line border with California. The air quality at times is questionable, that it has been ranging to good air quality to really bad quality. I understand that if it is of the 400 it is essentially going to kill! Now that of course is warning to those who keep their oxygen at close hand, who have a physician on call and has the needed meds to get through such a horrendous time or ordeal. Yet, we have continued to see people work outside in such conditions. We saw a man working on building his home in the White Salmon area that first week of September.

When it is still considered summer and the days really warm, it is hard to stay inside. There is the thought of wanting to go sit outside, maybe walk a mile or two or just take a tour around the yard at the back of the house just to enjoy the day!
Of recent days, we had to leave our home due to mischief of those desiring to use fireworks in the area of a dry forest. While being let go with fire, these fireworks started with a loud sound like waters roaring..a sound of rushing rampantly.....and the consuming started. Although this occurred on the Oregon side, still the Washington side got a front row in the viewing.

We must be so totally consumed with God that no other consuming force should take His place; not to our homes, and not to our community and to that which God is doing in our lives. We must be willing to pray for our neighbors, both near and far! And yes, we should pray for them to seek the wisdom of God to make decisions.

While staying with our daughter and family while the evacuation had occurred, we continued to pray and lift up those fighting the forest fires, those maintaining those lines and for those who rescued the animals of those being evacuated from several areas of this region.
We saw horses, yes, and goats, too plus a few pigs being sent out of harms way.

All we do within our own sphere will ultimately affect another in our daily walk. Whether here within the house, within the grocery market, out on the highway or even playing in the river, someone else can be affected by what mischief or other thing devised against another.

Prayer is so important to open the door to God our Father and allow Him to show each of us how He truly cares for us. Prayer involves our humbling ourselves that we cannot do with out Him. It is always a good thing to be thankful for the good we see in our lives

From labor day of September 4 and left our home in the hands of the Mighty God, we returned about 12:30 pm Thursday the 7th to find it all snug and safe just like He had shown me early Monday morning when I had risen from a long nights rest! Yes, the fire had begun on that Saturday around 4 pm and we happen to be on I-84 when we saw the vehicle pulled over by the police. We had been about 35 miles west of that sight and saw this spiraling smoke going towards the sky.
Yes, something was going on!

Later we saw on the news and started to hear who started it! At this point it had affected many people, caused damage across the National Forest and proved to be a bad thing for this teen and his family. Yes, someone will pay for it.

I am thankful we have a Savior who died for our sins. I am so thankful to be a child of God and to have His continual protection over my family, our home and over our neighbors as well. For my husband and I desire others not to suffer. We desire for all to come to know the goodness of God and His abiding protection when we reside in His presence always.

Yes, someone will create some mischief and cause problems for maybe you or someone you know but we are to continue to give thanks to God, not for the mischief but because we have a loving God who looks over us and to keep us safe.  Our eyes must be open to see the ploys of the enemy and be alert to apply God's word over our lives, our neighbors and of those who live in other states and other countries.

We are all connected in some way or fashion. We all affect others, but ours, those who know their God will pray for the safety of mankind, pray for their souls to be saved and that people will know His love always.
It is easy to judge another, but that is not what the Lord desires for us. Ours is to forgive and move forward. Ours is to be about the Father's business, just like Jesus spoke of.
Will you be about your Father's business? Will you move forward when smoke appears, fire lights up the hillside? Will you continue to move and make a difference for His kingdom?

We pray for all who read these blogs. My husband and I pray all who read them will be motivated in their walk with the Lord, to see their family come to Jesus and know the good of God for their lives. Today we pray for the Holy Spirit to reveal Himself to you in the comfort of God's love. May you know your life is not over and know the best is on its way when we make the Lord our priority. Please know that God can and will work through your life to others and that He is true, He lives and He is for them!

Grace and peace be multiplied to you in the knowledge of God and Jesus our Lord, as His divine power has given to us all things that pertain to life and godliness through the knowledge of Him who called us by glory and virtue, by which (you and I) have been given to us exceedingly great and precious promises, that through these you may be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust. (2 Peter 1:2-4)
Amen!

(also available is a Youtube teaching found at this address of the fire at Eagle Creek, Oregon) Abiding in His Presence


Notice: 

New teaching at: Voice of Prayer  

Be Righteous Still

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c7sEj5LaNt0

You can also visit my You Tube channel Voice of Prayer 

for more teaching at:  http://bit.ly/1tNyBhV

New teaching at: Life Giving Wells

Abiding IN HIS Presence

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=80WB2Xxa7F4

Also visit Life Giving Wells You Tube Channel for more teaching:

http://bit.ly/2wgu1kw

Seasons

Voice of Prayer

1 Thessalonians 5:1-6  BUT concerning the times and the seasons brethren, you have no need that I should write to you. 2 For you yourselves know perfectly that the day of the Lord so comes as a thief in the night. 3 For when they say, "Peace and safety!" then sudden destruction comes upon them, as labor pains upon a pregnant woman. And they shall not escape. 4 But, brethren, are not in darkness, so that this Day should overtake you as a thief. 5 You are all sons of light and sons of the day. We are not of the night nor of darkness. 6 Therefore let us no sleep, as others do, but let us watch and be sober.

Seasons come and go. We watch with anticipation for the flowers first bloom, even when the temps are barely able to climb into the fifties. Then we watch for the rays to cast longer shadows for the lengthening days and by the fourth of July we expect to see the days grow shorter and the warmth to turn to a shiver that travels from the face and down our spine. It is most certainly the right time to reach for that jacket or even a hooded jacket to keep the moist off the glasses to see clearly while taking that "short" walk around the yard or the neighborhood!

In 1 Thessalonians 5, we are reminded to keep watch as the one who believes the Gospel, the one who belongs to Christ Jesus and not to give way to a careless attitude where one is unconcerned about the seasons. Keeping in mind to keep God's word and foremost for that instruction leads us through God's grace and to the light and truth.  Our security is to be in the Lord and not in money or things or even in other people! It is not be centered in what we do but that the Lord is in what we do!
Was thinking about people who prepared for their children to go back to school. For in this new year, the parent or parents make certain the child or children have new clothes that fit, new shoes to start the year off right and to have a good outlook on their school learning. Had seen these teenagers interviewed this morning on their way back to school within the Portland, Oregon school district today and one teen said he thought he should be back at school for he was bored at home!

A friend we have known only a few years has a little one going to kindergarten, and we do not see them really anymore for they live in another community some miles away. BUT she had posted the child's look for school and her smile on Facebook and the little one's face spoke volumes about her starting school. Am thinking that the child will do well in her new surroundings indeed!

Preparation is always important. The Lord will come as we see in verse 3. There will be people who will be destroyed. Now no one likes that talk, right? Yet the Bible is firm on it. For we are told those who put their trust into things will not have opportunity to repent. For truly today is the day of salvation, to repent and turn toward the Lord God. If we keep putting off God, then why should we expect Him to answer when the "destruction" comes?


The Lord will come and many will see His coming manifested. He will come when they are not expecting Him to appear.
In the flood, Noah spent some hundred years to build and then the drops fell from the sky. Rain came down of which no one had seen before ever. And people did not repent! They did not stop what they were doing to heed God and the warning!

Jesus will return. And the warning is given to us that we make the changes needed to heed His plan and not ours.
Suddenly, yes destruction is suddenly, and will happen.  As a pregnant woman, that woman in travail (those labor pains) will grown consistently till the child appears. So too, the Lord Jesus has spoken of His coming.  And for any event, large or small people like to prepare. As for going back to school, preparation is key to having order and provide the needed supplies your child may need to be instructed in that which will aid them as adults.
For the Christian, the believer, we too must be equipped and watchful.
To be sober-minded, we keep awake and alert to the devices of the enemy. There was an event of a hurricane that was forecasted to hit the Texas coast last week and people were gathering their plywood on Friday and the storm hit Saturday. (seriously if you can trust the news on TV anymore) I wondered why many took it so lightly and not get out while the getting out would have been good to do! We should maintain vigilance to watch and understand what the Lord would speak to us for safety and keeping close to His heart when alarms are being sounded!

I know not how people live on the coastlines like they do. And many certainly continue to build in the pathways of destructive storms. If you look at the maps of all the former hurricanes they surely made their marks to be read about decades later. Still people will build in that same pathway!
If I am the Christian, and am told to live in that expectancy, am I doing that?

As the parent prepared for the child or children to return to school, should not we hold that place of action and be active in character to keep the Lord our priority? Do we leave church, and go somewhere to indulge in a meal? Do we leave a prayer service and go indulge in something hidden with the dark of night?  (Well, I took care of God's thing, now I am doing my thing?)

Seasons most certainly appear. They come and they go. And being ready should be important to each of us. Observation to keep watch, is the action in full view of others, that Jesus is our Lord. He is Lord, morning, noon and night. He is Lord when we eat at a restaurant. He is Lord when we buy groceries or when we drop by to get those special cinnamon rolls our kids like to eat. Jesus is Lord when we retire at night.  The seasons, well they last some three months....and with that we experience the height and depth of a cold and icy season, the extreme of a hot dog day summer or the extreme of a wind of 75 miles an hour in the dark of night.
Whatever our lives, they should reflect the life which when looked upon could be seen in a 24-hour period in the full blaze of a well-lighted day!

Just like knowing preparation is important for your children to return to school in good form, so too, we should be well prepared with an expectancy that the Lord is coming for His church, the believer's. What we do in any 24 -hour period should be for full display that we belong to Christ Jesus, with no if's, and's or but's about it. Belonging to the Lord is speaking His language, knowing His heart always and being prepared when He says "move"!
And then do it!

I pray today for those living in Texas and the children going back to school. I pray people would know in Jesus' name that power of destruction and that we should know God who keeps us in safety when we chase after Him, seeking Him while He may found and knowing there is a day coming when the Lord will come suddenly. Will people be prepared to know His coming? Today Lord is the day of salvation and may people heed the call to repentance. We pray today for children returning to school and may they be in safety and protection. May they be far from gun violence and far from the angry man. May people come to know the Lord Jesus and move in the places He has purpose for them. May they truly know His love and be bound to His plan of good. Lord we are thankful for those who are the lines in Texas in search, in rescue, in clean-up and and restoration. We pray today for hearts to be encouraged and show us who we might help and send money that would be the most useful. WE BELIEVE FOR THE GOOD TO COME TO TEXAS AND MAY THEY RISE OUT OF THE DESTRUCTION WATERS KNOWING BETTER IS AHEAD! LORD THANK YOU FOR LOVE AND SAFETY IN THE LAND OF THE LIVING. AMEN!

Notice: 

New teaching at: Voice of Prayer  

Anxious Thoughts or Offensive Ways: Swearing By God's Authority

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FnhWXUACel4

New teaching at: Life Giving Wells

Behold the Beauty of The Lord : Psalm 27 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tH-2RpzYReg

You can also visit my You Tube channel Voice of Prayer 

for more teaching at:  http://bit.ly/1tNyBhV

Also visit Life Giving Wells You Tube Channel for more teaching:

http://bit.ly/2wgu1kw

Would YOU Like Me If.....

Would you like Me?

Would you like me if I weighed less? Would you like me if I weighed more or if I were younger or how about being older? Would you like me if I were a certain color or had less gray in my hair? Would you like me if I were taller or spoke like you? Would you like me if I was more  like you?

1 Samuel 1:1-12 This man went from his city year by year to worship and sacrifice to the Lord of hosts at Shiloh, where Hophni and Phinehas, the two sons of Eli, were the Lord's priests. 4 When the day came that Elkanah sacrifice, he would give to Peninnah his wife and all her sons and daughters portions [of the sacrificial meat]. 5 But to Hannah he gave a double portion, for he loved Hannah, but the Lord had given her no children. 6[ This embarrassed and grieved Hanna] & her rival provoked her greatly to vex her, because the Lord had left her childless. 7 So it was year after year; whenever Hannah went up to the Lord's house, Peninnnah provoked her, so she wept and did not eat.  8 Then Elkanah her husband said to her, "Hannah, why do you cry? And why do you not eat? And why are you grieving? am I not more to you than ten sons?" 9 So Hannah rose after they had eaten and drunk in Shiloh. Now Eli the priest was sitting on his seat beside a post of the temple [tent] of the Lord. 10 And [Hannah] was in distress of soul, praying to the Lord and weeping bitterly. 11 She vowed, saying O Lord of hosts, of hosts, if You will indeed look on the affliction of Your handmaid and [earnestly ] remember, and not forget Your handmaid but will give me a son, I will give him to the Lord all his life; no razor shall touch his head. 12 And she continued praying before the Lord.....


For Hannah, she lived within a household that held two women! Then factor in she Hannah was favored by her husband Elkanah yet, she Hannah had no children with him. And Peninnah chose to grieve Hannah about it. In verse 7 we find that Peninnah provoked Hannah that she wept and she did not eat.
Now that is serious ....!


In all that is reported to this in scripture, Hannah did not carry a negative thought. Her desire she made mention of it to the Lord and on a regular basis she pursued the Lord for an answer of a son for her and Elkanah.

In all that is reported in scripture on  Hannah, there was nothing found in a negative way about her. Today's culture is really different from what was allowed at that time. Although you do hear from time to time of men having more than one wife. I believe some Muslims have more than one wife at a time. Yet, that would be hard for any woman, and then to have no children with your husband would make life difficult indeed!

Yes, Hannah prayed for years. She had painful experiences and Peninnah chose to aggravate the circumstances within Hannah's life. But Hannah chose prayer. She knew her answer could come and she chose to keep that prayer of supplication going out to the Lord who answers.

Hannah came to a monumental moment when speaking: "I will give him to the Lord all his life."

She chose not to be paralyzed by the fear the other woman imposed upon her. Hannah chose to pray!

   

Yes the culture dictates something different. People write things to be liked. People will do anything to have a following and yet we find in this woman of so many years ago took the road of prayer.'

In this day and time, God still answers with I sent My Son for you. In this hour, He reminds us that it does not matter the skin color, the weight issue or even how tall or short we might be.

For Hannah prayed out of a heart breaking for "a son" and God even knew then the Son He would be giving for the world to be saved.

It should not matter if someone likes us or not. It should matter when we have committed our all to God!

At some point we must be sane about life. At some point we must choose life and the life giving words that come from God alone.

In the strength of prayer time, our communication with Him, we reject the world's chatter and the world's abuse. In choosing the Lord we are under His protection...........and our expectancy is the answer from Him that will bring much light, much love, and deliver us into a restored life we were meant to have from the start!

SAD but true, cruelty appears to be on the rise today. And it appears even among those who lead others. Today as you and I take inventory of our lives, will we see the familiar anguish and pain or has our hope been set in the Lord?

We too, can be like Hannah who received a son. Within the love of God and for His glory, Hannah had a son and he became a prophet, Samuel who ministered unto the LORD!

It is more important to be found with God. Hannah's identity was found in Him, and she secured a son. Her security did not depend on any man. She kept her voice vocal about the goodness of God and prayed. Within that prayer time, she became free to become what God had planned for her.

May we choose to take our identity within God! Set your course with those who will see potential in you. Pursue people who will see where you are going and not from where you came from.

Are there any associations we must eliminate from our lives?

Find those who will encourage you in the Word of God. They will be those who will always send you fed with His life in you. 

Today, leave the dead behind and seek the land of the living. Seeks those who live for God and will encourage you to do the same!

Notice: 

New teaching at: Voice of Prayer  

Take Heed No One Deceives You: Growing Cold

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZReVJymmyLo

New teaching at: Life Giving Wells

Holy Spirit: Was Given......and Reveals

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tYcLj0xy8-c&t=663s

You can also visit my You Tube channel Voice of Prayer 

for more teaching at:  http://bit.ly/1tNyBhV

Also visit Life Giving Wells You Tube Channel for more teaching:

http://bit.ly/2wgu1kw

That Communication Thing?!

Voice of Prayer

When you have to have something done outside the home, I am always amazed of the amount of time to actually get out of the house, drive to the designated place and then talk with whom ever one there is to see, greet and talk about for the "something" outside of the home. I always check to make sure that we have all the information needed before going to any destination.
But like anyplace and anyone you talk today, we find there is always at the designated meeting place,  more added sheets of questions to answer like your health. And that applies to having eyes checked, teeth cleaned, etc.  If you think of a Dr. office, you have the appointment and the blood test. But of late, I am noticing how the connection even with what is given you over the internet to receive at home from their office is somehow falling through the cracks at the office.
Communication is vital where ever you go. Especially in knowing say the English language to read road signs to drive there, not using the cell phone and to speak coherently to the person you are to encounter. But again, if you do have that language mastered still somehow people restate the same question to you some extra times, and should they do that, they will still get from me at least the same answer I gave them the first time.
I had told my sister of my trip to get blood checked. Just a thing they do to keep watch on it since the low hemoglobin a couple of years ago. I can understand they know not what they are dealing with, but I know God and I also know I am the healed made whole in Jesus' name.
She is seeing it as a test from God. I believe that, not for health reasons at all but seeing how our love walk is going with others. Finding time with some really helpful people the other day still I am in awe I stayed in that love walk. It is interesting that my veins lie so deep within my arms, that these folks must use ultrasound. Yes, you heard right.
Long story shortened here is that they did regard our request to use it right off. Still the event took some two hours to take some blood. But the people were awesome and they tried to make "light" the difficulty they were having, and yet I knew God was with me, they would get what they needed and I would get to go home and rest. These dear ones had to stay and take care of those who are really ill and who have life threatening situations.
When almost done, the lady next to was having chemotherapy done. She was in awe of my patience and oh she must have watched us. But hey, who could miss it.........we were those talking in the corner of that great room, and probably heard by those seated close by.

Had opportunity to ministry God's word and life to them. Had the opportunity to speak to one mother of her daughters and that they would continue to walk with God for His glory. It might have took two hours, but I believe people experienced the goodness of a great God and His love for them and their children. We had been asking for more opportunities to minister life of God to others but I think I will be more definite on where I would like to do that ministry moments!


Yes communication is vital! And what do we communicate daily, is it helpful to others or just another complaint? I know that our God is for us. He is not against us and does not desire us to be afraid! We have much to do here and it is by obeying the laws like not driving with cell phone in hand, stop at the RED stop signs ( I mean you really must come to a complete stop and then proceed) and we must tell others of the love of God. We should answer the phone but not while driving down the road with a cheeseburger in hand. We should look forward to ministering to others and telling them of the love God has for us and why He sent Jesus.

Yes, my husband called me yesterday and the Dr has scheduled another appointment in four months for the blood again. Not sure of the exact date but it will arrive by email here at the house and we will drive in..........once more of having opportunities to minister life.
Yes, I still pray for those times, but I have asked for a different location and not the hospital!
Communication:is the two way process of reaching a mutual understanding. It is in which the participants not only exchange information, news, ideas and feelings but also will created and share meaning. Communication is the means of connecting with people or places. In business, communication is the key function of management----an organization cannot operate without communication between levels, departments and employees.  (www.businessdictionary.com)

So happy God has no problems with communicating with us. The only problem is do we hear when He is speaking!

Proverbs 23:9 tells us :"do not speak in the hearing of a fool, for he will despise the wisdom of your words.
In God's wisdom, we would know that to keep your job, you are to obey the boss and the written "things" of order for each patient coming in for a visit. To do anything outside of that would seem to cause one to lose their job by not obeying the command from the top. 
No we still love, but we also continue to pray for good communication between Dr. and their employees and that all work is completed before Dr. sees their patients in that scheduled day and time. For peace is good to stay in and when you can sing for joy, you have made God your place of refuge. Yes, I will go back for that draw in about four months..........whatever that day may be, unless the Dr cancels, but I wait on God and know if there is ministry to be had there, I will go with the aide of my husband and we will see lives changed for His ultimate glory. Amen.

Notice: 

New teaching at: Voice of Prayer  

Take Heed No One Deceives You: Growing Cold

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZReVJymmyLo

New teaching at: Life Giving Wells

To be Immersed in The Holy Spirit

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d7eZ40jeVNE&t=4s

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


Also visit Life Giving Wells You Tube Channel for more teaching:

http://bit.ly/2wgu1kw

Retiring Swings, Balls, Bats & Life

Voice of Prayer

Psalm 75: 1  We give thanks to You, O God, we give thanks! For Your wondrous works declare that Your name is near.

Was sitting today viewing the backyard. Within that view I saw that trimmed birch tree with a swing hung up on a very short branch and seeing the affects of the wind blasting through the area. Have not seen such terrific wind for awhile and for this length of time. Yet here is that boisterous wind again, paying its call as it travels through this gorge.
 Was observing the swing our grand-daughter uses while here visiting and it hangs on protruding small branch that will hold it securely while not in use. For it surely that swing can be in the way when my husband makes his way pushing the mower all around the lawn  to shorten the grass so it looks more manicured. Yikes, I used the word manicured....wonder what that means!

Seriously, was remembering my days of those quiet swing "times" in the backyard and the trips my mother took my sister and I to the park that was not as quiet a time.  It was a captivating drive into that park, Mill Pond Park, and it had this water fall to the right of the roadway just past the swimming pool area.
My mother made her way into the parking area for cars, and we would get out, heading towards that noisy area! If it was laughter you were after, this was far from it!   Yeah, all that bickering for five swings was too much and the threats of knocking someone over was just too much. You know the one wanting the swing made the demand by walking closer & closer to high rising swing, and feet were prepared outward to strike or give a quick hit to that someone or at least push them backward. I did not want to observe some person, young or small, being knocked across the gravel into the merry-go-around. What fun would be in that?  Yeah, I moved over to the merry-go-round, only to find me pushing it for about ten other kids.

But was remembering those days of swings, baseball bats, hard balls, and  the life of those early days. Some called them "the lazy days of summer". I called them much too long for I liked being in school. Still, I liked baseball but not as much as my sister did. But you have probably read up on the writings I have had on her before this writing today. Continuing my thought process, I remember the last days of playing baseball with our daughter and niece.
They were probably about nine years old.  I remember we had a picnic somewhere and we had tennis rackets with us as well.  The area we were headed had tennis courts and a baseball field for any to use. But I only remember having the bat in hand and I could hit it a good distance. We would play for short time and allow the girls their time at bat. Was a good time, but even then, I thought that those days might be numbered.
Then the girls grew up. They married! And life continued but not with the bat and ball in hand nor of the trumpet or violin. To how much we desire to keep in our lives on this journey we truly must find that which pleases our Father God and within that relationship, love is needed. Oh no not for things, but for other people. Yes our girls respectively grew up and their lives changed dramatically. They serve the Lord. With gladness they speak of God's goodness and love.

Within our lives, we too, see change has come. Our grand-daughter loves the swing, but I sense it will be retired someday. Maybe she will trade her swing for that double one like her grandmother uses in the backyard. It is a swing made for two people.
Oh don't get me wrong here, she surely uses her swing right now for two: with dad and with mom when they are here! Yet one day she will take her place, that position that God planned for her to stand.
People should never retire from life! As productive human beings, being transformed into the image of Christ Jesus we should act and do as He did and still does. Life still gives, it always encourages and moves. In Christ we live and move and have our being.
Our confession has been to have a long life, that we grow up in years and not out of them. We pray and confess to see our grand-daughter married and with children of her own. We pray to be on this journey, my husband and I, together for a long time. It is about doing that for which our steps have been ordered by God to do here and now! It is not about putting off life till someone retires, but that we actively pursue life and knowing others doing life in God who desire us to really live.

We still purchase those bats and balls but not for us, but for others. We still put out that swing we remember from an earlier time, but hold on dearly to the joy and laughter that comes when one sits on that wooden seat and pushes off with one foot and then raising eyes to the sky!

No, we desire not to retire not at this time, at least not from life. We believe our bodies to be whole and strong, not sick or diseased for certainly these things do not exist in heaven. And heaven has come, the kingdom  Jesus set up here on earth! There stands two trees, both birch, in the backyard, and they had to be trimmed back due to the severe winter and ice that took many trees down.  In noticing the leaf growth on the two trees, one seems well behind the other. It has not put out as many numerous growths as the other birch!
The one with the swing, well it looks vibrant and has new growth sprouting every place it can. That tree has heard the words: beautiful tree, beautiful worship songs to God and heard life spoken over it. The other birch tree, well, it has no swing, it does not look quite as good as the other. It does not have as many new leaves as the other birch has. It has not heard the sounds of that sweet voice singing praise to God, giving thanks for all the good that has come to this house and to our grand-daughter. NO.....the other tree has not heard the beautiful life spoken to it.

As long as we have breath, we should be living, really living and giving our best in strength and courage. For where we give voice to life, and take the youth by the hand, we enjoy laughter, joy and  many moments from that swing that allows us to touch heaven and change our earth!


Notice: 

New teaching at: Voice of Prayer  

Trickery ONLY Leads to Surviving and NOT Thriving

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Zdk_wBfH4QU

New teaching at: Life Giving Wells

To be Immersed in The Holy Spirit

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d7eZ40jeVNE&t=4s

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

Would You LAUGH?

Laughter came to our family! No longer a baby but still brings us joy!

Would you laugh if God told you something was about to occur in your life? Well one lady did laugh!


Genesis 18:2-15  NKJV  2 So he lifted his eyes and looked and behold, three men were standing by him; and when he saw them, he ran from the tent door to meet them, and bowed himself to the ground, 3 and said, "My Lord, if I have now found favor in Your sight, do not pass on by Your servant.

4 "Please let a little water be brought and wash your feet, and rest yourselves under the tree. 5 and I will bring a morsel of bread, that you may refresh your hearts. After that you may pass by, inasmuch as you have come to your servant." They said, "Do as you have said."
6 So Abraham hurried into the tent to Sarah and said, "Quickly, make ready three measures of fine meal; knead it and make cakes."
7 And Abraham ran to the herd, took a tender and good calf, gave it to a young man, and he hastened to prepare it. 8 So he took butter and milk and the calf which he had prepared and set it before them under the tree as they ate. 9 Then they said to him, "Where is Sarah your wife?" So he said, "Here in the tent." 10 And He said, "I will certainly return to you according to the time of life, and behold, Sarah your wife shall have a son." (Sarah was listening in the tent door which was behind him.) 11 Now Abraham and Sarah were old, well advance in age; and Sarah had passed the age of childbearing. 12 Therefore Sarah laughed within herself, saying, "After I have grown old, shall I have pleasure,my lord being old also?" 13 And the Lord said to Abraham, "Why did Sarah laugh saying, 'Shall I surely bear a child, since I am old?"14 Is anything too hard for the LORD? At the appointed time I will return to you, according to the time of life, and Sarah shall have a son." 15 But Sarah denied it, saying, "I did not laugh", for she was afraid. And He said, "No but you did laugh!"

Genesis 21:1-7   NKJV And the LORD visited Sarah as He had said, and the LORD did for Sarah as He had spoken. 2 For Sarah conceived and bore  Abraham a son in his old age, at the set time of which God had spoken to him. 3 And Abraham called the name of his son who was born to him---whom Sarah bore to him----Isaac. 4 Then Abraham circumcised his son Isaac when he was eight days old, as God had commanded him. 5 Now Abraham was one hundred years old when his son Isaac was born to him. 6 And Sarah said, "God has made me laugh and all who hear will laugh with me." 7 She also said, "Who would have said to Abraham that Sarah would nurse children? For I have borne him a son in his old age."

Well beyond their years to have a "child", God came! Well beyond their thoughts of having family, laughter and enjoyment, God speaks a word!
Are we willing to receive when God speaks to us? For He can and will speak to us when we give Him our time.

Luke 1:37 "For with God nothing will be impossible."
Jeremiah 32:17 "Ah, Lord God! Behold, You have made the heavens and the earth by Your great power and outstretched arm. There is nothing too hard for you.

For whatever our age, and our walk with the Lord, surely He can bring to pass that which He purposed for us. We must mind our speaking and make sure we speak His truth and not the lies of the enemy. Like Sarah, women may think they are too old to have a "child" at a later date in life, but God is the God where nothing will be impossible!

When that "word" comes from God, we must receive it in belief (trusting) that He will do just what He has spoken.


Being reminded of a word given to Israel in chapter 36 of Ezekiel.
Ezekiel 36:34-36  NKJV  "The desolate land shall be tilled instead of lying desolate in the sight of all who pass by. 35 "So they will say, 'This land that was desolate has become like the garden of Eden; and the wasted, desolate and ruined cities are now fortified and inhabited.' 36  Then the nations which are left all around you shall know that I, the LORD have spoken it and I will do it."


The whole of chapter 35 of Ezekiel is about redemption and restoration. When we truly hear and obey God, receive His words deep into our heart, those living waters swell up to remove what cannot stay in our lives. Blessings, so wonderful, come to those who revere Him and hear Him speak.


Believe God! Like Abraham and Sarah prepared to receive the LORD by preparation of a meal that would refresh His heart.
Refresh His heart today. Give into Him, with thanksgiving, with love and joy of what He has done for you.
Are you still breathing today? Give thanks! Are you still walking without any needed help, give thanks! Do you see well, rise every morning to meet the day to do the work needed so you can be a blessing to others? Then give much thanks to Him who created and planned for you!
Ask that righteous desire, and believe it to come to pass, just like Sarah was told to do, not with a laugh of doubt but of a belief to say: " Yes, Lord, I believe I receive that word today."

No matter your age, if your place be desolate, no matter all have abandoned you, it is God's Word to you that will bring that refreshing rain, that refreshing that God said that is going to change things, turn it around for your good. Today ask for a fresh infilling of His Spirit, invite His Spirit to touch every desperate area in your life. Receive His powers to come, to transform, rejuvenate and restore life completely where death had once been.
Receive His word, that seed of change and believe.........for His comfort is there ........you must reach out to take it and receive deep it into your heart.
WE believe you to receive healing and abundant fruitfulness today in Jesus' name. Amen!


Notice: 

The Voice of Prayer  has a new teaching:

Bitter for Sweet: Wild Grapes

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DnBhtdXsO_k

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

Serving Up Mac & Cheese or Meat

Voice of Prayer

Heard a interesting teaching today and was reminded of those folks whose kids love Mac & Cheese! Now for those who live in the U.S. that mac and cheese is a "comfort food" for many. I am not sure why so many young kids love it, but our grand-daughter has loved it for years and she is not that old in age! From her very beginnings at the table, she was always leaning toward the the bowl with the Macaroni and Cheese.
She has become a connoisseur when it comes to ordering that special cuisine at the local restaurants! And no all restaurants do not make it the same.
But she has made mention she really loved it at the Gorge Hotel Restaurant. I did see it, and it did look wonderful with all that cheese.

Back to this teaching today, the pastor out of New York was stating that a gentleman was not staying for the teaching that day. (a Sunday service)........that to him, his desire was for Mac & Cheese and he was not getting it. So he left the service.
I liked the wisdom this pastor spoke for I have seen him for many years on this Ask the pastor from a certain Christian channel here in the U.S.
He remarked it is possible that when wisdom for correction comes, some will want just Mac and Cheese. They just want to be comforted and just want to be reminded that the pastor and the congregation was there to help them to make it through. 
But that is the mistake many make. Each person is to add to the body of believer's and represent God in the capacity God has equipped for service among believer's, not to come and sit on the sidelines, and be a spectator! Jesus was not a spectator, He was and is a PARTICIPATOR!


Taking the journey through life will surely require us to have knowledge and a lot of wisdom of and from God!
As for us, we even speak over the highways when we are headed out to a local food store, or family's home! We SPEAK IN JESUS' NAME, that the highway we travel will have those people who adhere to the wisdom of God. There will be people of sense without cell phones and without anger as they drive out through this scenic gorge area! All others who are incapacitated in any way will not venture on any of those roads we must travel on to our destination.

So in requiring God and His wisdom, mac and cheese will not be on the menu and will not be at every meal.
Our hearts are to be full of God, His word, and be word-minded that covers all of who God is and why He created us. If we stay with Mac & Cheese, we could very well stay deficient in needed nutrients for our body to sustain life. We could stay deficient when we really need to be bulking up for the days ahead.
Meat has to be in our diet. Just like a baby requires milk at first, meat will be introduced and then watch out! For those meat eaters will love their meat. And in receiving the meat of God's word we are seeing Him from the vantage point of the one who is born-again and seeking to know Him to the fullest.
Serving up Mac & Cheese with meat would certainly help some of those pastors who baby their members. But that is not God's plan!
Should we as the member of the congregation only desire the mac and cheese, we would be better suited to finding the mac & cheese church.

No let's be those who are mindful of God, and to be witness of Him! Let's fill up with scriptures that gives us a glowing report of His goodness, love, and peace. He brings light in the part of life we really need light so that there is no darkness, no deception, so light in us will reveal darkness where it appears on our pathway. And with life and death in the power of the tongue, we are not to be those deceived, we must know the difference for certain victory to life!

Seriously, in a mac & cheese ministry, where would the influence be except to the very young. If we truly want to influence a nation, we are to minister the word of God that is power of the church to be proclaimed. Romans 1:16 reminds us .....for I am not ashamed of the Gospel a righteousness which God ascribes is revealed, both springing from faith and leading to faith [disclosed through the way of faith that arouses to more faith]. As it is written, the man who through faith is just and upright shall live and shall live by faith.

When those trials and tribulations come, mac & cheese church will not cut it! For we all must grow up, we must become those men and women who God called and purposed for this time. We are to be those with God-mindedness, thriving on the Holy Spirit power to have the speech that is revealing knowledge of the Holy One!
Give me meat, please, for I truly want to receive that which strengthens, brings victories and walks forward into eternity with God who is more than enough.
Hebrews 5:12 For though by this time you ought to be teachers, you need someone to teach you again the first principles of the oracles of God; and you have come to need milk and not solid food. 13 For everyone who partakes only of milk is unskilled in the word of righteousness, for he is a babe. 14 But solid food belongs to those who are of full age, that , those who by reason of use have their senses exercised to discern both good and evil.

Serving in a church meeting, a Bible study or other, our focus and process should be toward maturing for us and those we are to teach. Ask our grand-daughter, she loves her Mac & Cheese, but she loves God, has Jesus in her heart and preaches the word of God...........yes, we know her as the Backyard Swing Preacher. She loves her meat!


Notice: 

The Voice of Prayer  has a new teaching:

Spiritually Speaking

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xD0dgEhOnKs

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

Ordering Strawberry Lemonade and Tea Comes Instead

Was out with our grand-daughter last Friday to spend time outside our home while she visited with us! We decided to make reservations and take her to a place not far from here, have some late lunch or early dinner...yet, enjoy the scenery that is laid out perfectly around the Gorge Hotel. We arrived somewhat early, and waited for our table. Being seated our grand-daughter asked for a strawberry lemonade for her drink. Great idea I thought as warm as it was outside, the cool drink would certainly be refreshing on such a hot day!
Well, the drink was not available, so we asked for lemonade instead and in a few minutes a glass of unsweetened tea arrived at the table. The young man seemed very pleased that he was bringing tea to the table and all I could think was "that does not look like lemonade"!
I certainly tasted the beverage and was hoping that it was not a glass of      "very dirty lemonade" and it was just tea. Yes the tea that arrived at our table was just brewed as well, but we asked for lemonade!

Was reading in the Psalms today and came across Psalm 100! It is one of my favorites that my mother help me learn as a small child.
Psalm 100  (NKJV)
Make a joyful shout to the LORD all you lands! 2 Serve the LORD with gladness ; Come before His presence with singing. 3 Know that the LORD, He is God; It is He who has made us, and not we ourselves; We are His people and the sheep of His pasture. 4 Enter into His gates with thanksgiving, and into His courts with praise, be thankful to Him and bless His name. 6 For the LORD is good; His mercy is everlasting, and His truth endures to all generations.

That word "serve" is 'ahad. In the Strong's has the numbering of 5647 and has the meaning of to work for, serve, do labor for someone; to be a servant, to worship.

In serving God, and know it is our faith that pleases Him, do we do things within our day that will worship God and bring delight to Him?

In the "hall of faith" found in Hebrews 11, verse 6 reminds us that "without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him.

As the born-again believer, we know that He is God! As in any relationship with another person, we spend time with them. We find out things of their nature, their abilities, their likes and dislikes and the best is that which brings a smile to their face! God is not a man. HE IS not a man who lies, but God, the Creator of heaven and earth! We are to know Him, the ONE, the HOLY God who gave His best for us.

Nowhere is God and His omnipotence seen more clearly than in creation. When God said, "let there be light,"......and it was so. ( found in Genesis 1:3,6, 9, etc.) It is revealed in God's power preservation comes. For all life on earth would have perished if were not for His continual provision of everything we need. For man it is food, clothing, and shelter. For beast, the rain brings fruit on trees as to leaves that are edible. The tree provides other fruit and some as nuts, and much shade during a hot summer blast of heat. We also know from the word of God that "the seas were assigned their limit" in Proverbs 8:29 When He assigned to the sea its limit, so that the waters would not transgress His command, when he marked out the foundations of the earth.

As man, we certainly need tools for carving out a roadway. We must have materials to create, but the Almighty God spoke and by the power of His Word everything was created from nothing!

Job 38: 4-11 NKJV  4 "Where were you when I laid the foundations of the earth?" Tell Me, if you have understanding. 5 Who determined its measurements?" "Surely you know! Or who stretched the line upon it? 6 To what were its foundations fastened? or who laid its cornerstone, 7 When the morning stars sang together, and all the sons of God shouted for joy? 8 Or who shut in the sea with doors, when it burst forth and issued from the womb; 9 When I made the clouds its garment, and thick darkness its swaddling band; 10 When I fixed MY limit for it, and set bars and doors; 11 When I said, 'This far you may come, but no farther, and here your proud waves must stop!"

Yes, it is revealed in the Bible, that which was written of God and those things He stated of His promises, His love and goodness to all. But the born-again believer, if really walking with Him reveals that each step throughout their day, all things should glorify God. They are things that will please Him, and help us see that God looks out for our good. Although we choose, yet it is His word that should lead us. So from Psalm 100 and the verse "to serve the LORD with gladness, should be that which is glorifying Him. It should be our faith speaking through out the day just like He did, He does speak now, and He will always speak.

In understanding and knowing Him, we bask in His presence because of Him and not just ask for "stuff"! Acknowledging first thing of the morning light, we are faith in action that God YOU are 1st in my life today and every day.
Opening His word, allows our inner man (our heart) to be flooded with that Light of His Word feeding our souls and helping us to grow up. AS our faith grows, that shield of protection is working, moving mountains out of our lives, knowing His goodness, and leaning back into His peace and His promise that "He will never leave us, nor will He ever forsake us."
Living in His presence, we receive vision for the future. For it is of good and not of evil, it is given in all wisdom and spiritual understanding that is walked out, influencing others, and being fruitful.
Yes, increasing in that knowledge of a loving God, we surely live from the Holy Spirit, walk without doubt, maturing daily, and receiving our dreams and desires that were God-ordained.

How shall I serve the LORD today? HOW should you and I serve HIM who has given so much? But we must receive HIM, know WHO He is and what He has done. In that service for all the days of our lives, may we keep God close, always sensing His love and peace wrapped about us, standing steadfast and speaking with loud voices, "for the LORD is good, HIS mercy is everlasting and HIS truth endures to all generations! Amen!

Notice: 

The Voice of Prayer  has a new teaching:

Soaring with Eagles

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z6FAIWPkUig

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

Thank God Salvation Does NOT Depend on the Food Delivery Truck

Voice of Prayer

Growing up in the south, I remember those days my mother set out for grocery store. With her list in hand, and her two girls in the backseat, she set her face toward the grocery store and the best buys of the day! Now that was in the twentieth century and not that long ago, but I so remember mom and her "lists".  She had her list for the meals she would prepare and on what day. She had a list for the cleaning supplies, the laundry supplies, and then what she would require when making those yeast rolls from scratch! I wonder if people do that anymore?
I so remember the times though when she required something and it was a popular item that probably every household had within those closed cabinet doors, yet she would be told, "well, truck has not made it in this week."
With a disappointed look, she received their answer, finished her shopping and we loaded the trunk of the car and headed home.
By the time I got  into high school, I still remember my mom with her lists: the grocery shopping, the list from the local market, and the list from the "super market" ten miles away, and the list for what she desired to prepare for meals. I remember going with her, especially in the summer months and when she was not working, and we would make our jaunt a short ten mile trip, load the grocery cart, and still hear, "well, the truck has not made their delivery this week!"

She would make a quick run to the little market about three blocks from where we lived to check if they had the item or items she required. Yes, you guessed: "well, the truck has not made in this week."

Of a different note: my husband has even noticed in getting some salads already packaged, that the bin for them is bare on his arrival two days later. Then two more days after that again, the bin is still empty and the reply the same: "well, the delivery truck has not made their delivery this week!"

"So what day does your delivery truck make their delivery on?"

My question: "where is this 'delivery truck' coming from....China! I mean seriously, do we not grow lettuce anymore in this country? One can order something on line, but I believe it is the same truck that delivers to the grocery store is making the rounds for those big companies as well.
I was wondering about the great technology, why can't delivery systems work the same for getting the produce to market? Just a question from me on that specific thing, but seriously is it always a "truck delivery" issue or the people running the truck delivery thing?

But thanks be to God we did not have to depend of the food delivery truck for salvation! For those running that truck service could not have held up to the pressure Jesus the Redeemer did. He was well acquainted with His father in heaven and by faith depended on Him to raise Him from the dead! In the seriousness of what was at stake, Jesus grew in His knowledge of His father so others could see His walk with Him.

In thinking of that "delivery" truck, do they seriously work at getting the truck to the market or is it a miscommunication somewhere else? Still, am thankful there is a delivery truck and trains for delivering the items we required for living. I remember a day when people grew their own food and canned their vegetables and fruit for use during the fall and winter seasons. And in all that, they only require going to their basement or such to reach for the desired article of food they wanted to serve.

With the vast numbers in population and starvation going on in the famine burdened countries where scarcity is the rule, death is eminent, and politics seems to play some part in some regions of the world, yet Jesus came to set captives free and give life to those who were in need of a Savior.
He did not depend on a truck to make "his delivery". He kept to the purpose His father set for Him and in that walked out the death and resurrection to the glory of the Father who desires for man to be saved.
No, it was love that carried the Message far and wide and people still must hear the Gospel at least once.........and then Jesus will return for His church without spot and without wrinkle.  For the vast population of this world, and the famines seen in other third world nations, is it possible that   "famine " could reach other parts of the world to affect many more people?

Knowing Jesus as Lord, He is the provider for all the Father has for his "sons and daughters". Our trust must be in Him and ask then believing to receive that of which thing we ask for. In all this, it is God's love that is evident. He wants to provide for the children He so dearly loves and you do not have not wait on the "delivery truck" to receive.

We are not to be earth bound in our outlook when receiving Jesus as Lord. We must view everything as it appears in the natural but in reference to God and to eternity. In our now resurrected stated with Jesus we have disconnected from this world and man's wisdom of this world.
As being chose by God for resurrection we have come to His kingdom that Jesus came to set up. As the saved by grace we spoke and believed:
To receive salvation: we Admit our need: for all have sinned and fallen short  of the glory of God:Romans 3:23

Believe Jesus died for you: John 1:12 But as many as received Him to them, He gave the right to become children of God, to those who believe in His name.

And then we:  Confess Jesus as Lord: Romans 10:9-10 that if you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved!

Yes, thank God salvation and it did not depend on that delivery truck, for we have it today in His name and by faith in that Name: Jesus!

Remember the next time you are at the local grocery market, and an item on your list may not be available because of some truck issue, but remember our Lord and your place in Him, and that you are never without His goodness for you and for your family. Truly your place is in a place of abundance where you lack nothing: Psalm 23: 1-3....nkjv  ..The Lord is my Shepherd, I shall not want, He makes me to lie down in green pastures, he leads me besides still waters, He restores my soul, He leads me in paths of righteousness for His name's sake.

For the Lord is good and when He becomes our Shepherd, truly we come to a place where we lack no good thing. He leads us into quiet places where there are no riots, but His peace restores our mind, our will and emotions to His plan. For our minds must be tuned into His ways and thoughts and obey His every rule......to love God Himself foremost and to love our neighbors as ourselves.
Yes, it is a wonderful life in knowing Him.
It is a day that He has made for us, "let's rejoice and be glad it in it." I look forward to sharing that life eternally with you! Amen.

Notice: 

The Voice of Prayer  has a new teaching:

Ways of the Lord
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Mj2gdzF0hjc

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