A Spiritual Success!

Proverbs 2:1-9...........My son, if you receive my words,
And treasure my commands within you,
2 So that you incline your ear to wisdom,
And apply your heart to understanding;
3 Yes, if you cry out for discernment,
And lift up your voice for understanding,
4 If you seek her as silver,
And search for her as for hidden treasures;
5 Then you will understand the fear of the LORD,
And find the knowledge of God.
6 For the LORD gives wisdom;
From His mouth come knowledge and understanding;
7 He stores up sound wisdom for the upright;
He is a shield to those who walk uprightly;
8 He guards the paths of justice,
And preserves the way of His saints.
9 Then you will understand righteousness and justice,
Equity and every good path.   NKJV


You can find all kinds of T.V. shows and movies hinging on the supernatural. It is something that some people want to run to and experience. In today's society, you can still see mediums being guests on talk shows!
You can find shows depicting movements pertaining to ghosts, or unidentified flying objects.

  In king Saul's time, we see him going to talk to the dead. He desires to summon Samuel the prophet who has passed....( he seeks a medium).. .............1 Samuel 28:7-19......

7 Then Saul said to his servants, "Find me a woman who is a medium, that I may go to her and inquire of her." And his servants said to him, "In fact, there is a woman who is a medium at En Dor." 8 So Saul disguised himself and put on other clothes, and he went, and two men with him; and they came to the woman by night. And he said, "Please conduct a seance for me, and bring up for me the one I shall name to you." 9 Then the woman said to him, "Look, you know what Saul has done, how he has cut off the mediums and the spiritists from the land. Why then do you lay a snare for my life, to cause me to die?" 10 And Saul swore to her by the LORD, saying, "As the LORD lives, no punishment shall come upon you for this thing." 11 Then the woman said, "Whom shall I bring up for you?" And he said, "Bring up Samuel for me." 12 When the woman saw Samuel, she cried out with a loud voice. And the woman spoke to Saul, saying, "Why have you deceived me? For you are Saul!" 13 And the king said to her, "Do not be afraid. What did you see?" And the woman said to Saul, "I saw a spirit ascending out of the earth." 14 So he said to her, "What is his form?" And she said, "An old man is coming up, and he is covered with a mantle." And Saul perceived that it was Samuel, and he stooped with his face to the ground and bowed down. 

15 Now Samuel said to Saul, "Why have you disturbed me by bringing me up?" And Saul answered, "I am deeply distressed; for the Philistines make war against me, and God has departed from me and does not answer me anymore, neither by prophets nor by dreams. Therefore I have called you, that you may reveal to me what I should do." 16 Then Samuel said: "Why then do you ask me, seeing the LORD has departed from you and has become your enemy? 17 And the LORD has done for Himself as He spoke by me. For the LORD has torn the kingdom out of your hand and given it to your neighbor, David. 18 Because you did not obey the voice of the LORD nor execute His fierce wrath upon Amalek, therefore the LORD has done this thing to you this day. 19 Moreover the LORD will also deliver Israel with you into the hand of the Philistines. And tomorrow you and your sons will be with me. The LORD will also deliver the army of Israel into the hand of the Philistines."   NKJV

Yes, people desire answers and they want them now! And remember Saul was told by the prophet Samuel, that in 1 Samuel 15 and verses 27-29....that kingdom was torn from Saul and that it was given to a neighbor, " one better than you". Samuel went on to say, "He who is the Glory of Israel down not lie or change his mind; for he is not a man, that he should change his mind."
And by verse 34, we are told Samuel went to see Saul no more! The whole kingdom torn from his disobedience. He was much like a two year old, not liking what he heard, so he goes to another to hear what he wants to hear. ( he wants what his heart wants) (he liked the kingship and all the fanfare with it.......looking good to the world but not obeying God's commands.)

 It is interesting that there is no one book on sale today that can help us the way the Bible can. For we know that "all scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness......that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work."(2 Timothy 3:16-17)

The supernatural from that of Proverbs 2:1-9 only takes a crying out to God. Every time we pick up the Bible and find a scripture verse or passage, we should be crying out to God for His wisdom, strength and guidance on any and every situation we are facing. Each time we read a verse or passage, we should seek His voice on it!

I just posted a blog on the rejoicing heart......"Just Be You".....and one of the scripture verses was found in Proverbs 23:15-16. (it is important to always be rejoicing in the Lord)

Proverbs 23:15-16   .........15 My son, if your heart is wise,
My heart will rejoice--indeed, I myself;
16 Yes, my inmost being will rejoice
When your lips speak right things.    NKJV

IN THIS verse the person, Solomon is speaking to his son. And Solomon tells him that, "his heart will rejoice"----indeed, Solomon, himself, Yes, his inmost being will rejoice when the son speaks right things.
Speaking right things, rejoices our heart. Then should not our hearts be rejoicing daily, and if they are not doing that, then why not? Are we not speaking the same that God speaks?
But we can find those who say,"well, I am not happy".....or " I am not satisfied".

There are times we are tired and will just turn on the T.V. to distract, but the truth is that any and everything being broadcast on the T.V. is going into your eargate. Everything we watch will go into our eyegate. We are to guard and keep that which God has placed in us. We are to BE people who guard that we keep Jesus seated on the throne of our hearts.

Remember about the leaven......?  .....Luke 12:1-3................12:1 In the meantime, when an innumerable multitude of people had gathered together, so that they trampled one another, He began to say to His disciples first of all, "Beware of the leaven of the Pharisees, which is hypocrisy. 2 For there is nothing covered that will not be revealed, nor hidden that will not be known. 3 Therefore whatever you have spoken in the dark will be heard in the light, and what you have spoken in the ear in inner rooms will be proclaimed on the housetops.  NKJV

hypocrisy: a claim to moral standards and or a belief which is not confirmed by one' behavior
.........empty talk, pretense, cant, deceit, falseness, dishonesty
cant: to talk, a whining when begging for something.....yikes!

If we get the things of the world mixed in with God's words then we have a problem. Jesus said the leaven of the Pharisees was hypocrisy. How many see that today in the world? They are right and you are wrong! The talk today is empty, dishonest, and above all deceitful! Lies. Lies. Lies.

We saw this with king Saul. He was raised up to a kingly rule because man wanted a king. So God had Samuel the prophet anoint him king. God had to change his heart to rule!

1 Samuel 10:9-11...........9 As Saul turned to leave Samuel, God changed Saul's heart, and all these signs were fulfilled that day. 10 When they arrived at Gibeah, a procession of prophets met him; the Spirit of God came upon him in power, and he joined in their prophesying. 11 When all those who had formerly known him saw him prophesying with the prophets, they asked each other, "What is this that has happened to the son of Kish? Is Saul also among the prophets?" .NIV

And when God changes your heart..........others will take notice! In verse 11 of 1 Samuel 10, we see that all those who had formerly known him, (Saul) saw him prophesying with the prophets, and they asked each other, "what is this that has happened to the son of Kish? Is Saul also among the prophets?"

Others noticed that Saul had changed. He was now spending time with the prophets!

But we know that Saul got into so much stuff and always seemed to be out of order and not wanting to be patient about any matter he was facing. Sounds a lot like people today. They think they know better than anyone and they need the "fix" right now! They want the solution or answer even though it took years to get to today.......and so we must consider that it make take more than 3 minutes to get this "matter" solved. If it is illness or weakness in the body, it will take more that a 5-minute fix to solve the problem!

If you eat the wrong food for many years, like hamburgers and fries, and other fried foods for too long......one can suffer serious problems that may require surgery or may be so bad to require a whole new heart. If someone spends more money than they bring in, then they will surely be in a fix before too long. And they will need MORE money to pay for that which they borrowed like on credit cards. People develop a certain lifestyle and want to retain it even in harsh economical times!

It was like the lady who lost her savings in the 2007-2008 Global Economic Crisis. The September 29, 2008 financial crisis touched America! She still wanted to spend money for just stuff, and she used her credit card for groceries. After six months of doing this, she owed more on her card than what her house was worth. Sad but true............BUT GOD HAS THE ANSWER! 

Our spiritual success comes when we pay attention and adhere to the wisdom of God. It is found in the Word He inspired. When we treasure his commands within us.........hold onto them and speak them, and incline our ears to HEAR His wisdom........to make an application of our hearts to understand........to perceive, to recognize, to appreciate.............AND CRY OUT FOR DISCERNMENT........LIFTING UP OUR VOICE .........GETTING LOUD ABOUT THE THINGS OF GOD..........LORD, HELP ME, seeking Him daily, and God shows up in our lives in a big way! I want to know wisdom and operate in YOUR wisdom God!

If we seek His word as we would for silver and search.......for that hidden treasure, we find that which will bring much ease and peace to our lives!
Have you ever gone on a treasure hunt? They can be lots of fun with the excitement and taking each message or clue and search for the next clue, right ?  Our son-in-law has done some planning on treasure hunts for the youth and in truth did one back in 2012 for those who went to the beach on the coast of Oregon for a Youth Retreat from church. (it was for the teens) He has worked on some for the very young like ages 3-5 years of age and has even done some for the children at church this summer.   He plans on what to write in the verse for the person to read, so they will find the direction or course they need to go and seek to find that "treasure". Then he plans each point (or address) for each point to arrive at and read the next instruction to know the next direction.
He always create those that will teach the things of God!
 It can take some time, but is fun AND in the end for you come back with the prize. Much like that treasure hunt, we too, can find the course set before us........we gain the wisdom of God and have His knowledge concerning anything you or I may face. YOU will find you walk uprightly, not seeking your own justice your way, BUT RECEIVING GOD'S JUSTICE......AS HE PRESERVES YOUR WALK WITH HIM,  He becomes our shield and guards the path of justice for us! AND WE GAIN THE PRIZE OF LOOKING AND SOUNDING SO GOOD! Those who go after God's wisdom are those who speak and act different than the world.

That justice goes above and beyond the law courts of everyday life.

Psalm 82:1-8......82:1 God stands up to open heaven's court. He pronounces judgment on the judges.
2 How long will you judges refuse to listen to the evidence? How long will you shower special favors on the wicked? 3 Give fair judgment to the poor man, the afflicted, the fatherless, the destitute. 4 Rescue the poor and helpless from the grasp of evil men. 5 But you are so foolish and so ignorant! Because you are in darkness, all the foundations of society are shaken to the core. 6 I have called you all "gods" and "sons of the Most High." 7 But in death you are mere men. You will fall as any prince-for all must die.
8 Stand up  O God, and judge the earth. For all of it belongs to you. All nations are in your hands.   TLB

Proverbs 21:15.............15 It is a joy for the just to do justice,   But destruction will come to the workers of iniquity.   NKJV

Proverbs 29:26........26 Many seek the ruler's favor,  But justice for man comes from the LORD. 

NKJV

Being that spiritual success, is going after the "treasure". It is recognizing Jesus and truth!

Yes, people need answers and they can be found in the wisdom of God.
Our crying out should be for the word that brings truth into our lives. We should be crying out for that wisdom, strength and guidance we need. For when we truly have His word in us, we have rejoicing hearts. Jesus can be found there. And we are noted to being those with a wise heart!
Let us turn away from that of the Pharisees and Saul. Let us turn from being self-absorbed. God will change our hearts and soften them to love others as we love ourselves.

When we continue to search for that treasure, we find the word comes to our door.......of our heart. "Therefore whatever you have spoken in the dark will be heard in the light, and what you have spoken in the ear in inner rooms will be proclaimed on the housetops."

Walking in the way of justice brings joy into our hearts and lives. And it is the Lord's justice that we desire.  Now is the time to say no more to the work of the devil and those who would follow him.

John 8:43-47............. 44 You belong to your father, the devil, and you want to carry out your father's desire. He was a murderer from the beginning, not holding to the truth, for there is no truth in him. When he lies, he speaks his native language, for he is a liar and the father of lies. 45 Yet because I tell the truth, you do not believe me! 46 Can any of you prove me guilty of sin? If I am telling the truth, why don't you believe me? 47 He who belongs to God hears what God says. The reason you do not hear is that you do not belong to God."     NIV

We certainly do not want our native language to be that of the devil. But before the rebirth, we certainly were in that place of doing and speaking, were we not? IN TRUTH, before our rebirth, we sounded a whole lot like the world.

Our crying out should be about the goodness of God and for His wisdom. We should not be crying out because of some "bad report"........for they do come. But how will the Lord find us when He comes for us.........will He find us diligently seeking His treasure that He has for us or will we be like a king Saul looking for a medium? Will we look like a Pharisee and not recognize that Jesus is coming? Will the answers come to us who knows God and spends time with Him, or will we reject the godly person and seek someone with ESP or psychic abilities?

Will we choose to be rejoicing in the heart like Proverbs 23:16 states........to speak right things always?

For when we do, we find justice on the pathway we walk. We walk in the spiritual realm and abide in God who is Spirit. We should be those who keep Jesus seated on our hearts.

And always remember that what you speak in the dark will be heard in the light, and what you have spoken in the ear in inner rooms will be proclaimed on the housetops!( Luke 12:3 )

Father, you know the oppression in the land today.  We desire to not be taken out, but how we might pray and speak as YOU would direct us into the treasure of Your wisdom and strength. Father, whoever would contend with us, You say that YOU will contend with them. You give safety to all who are seeking You and Your wisdom for the tomorrows we face. You desire us to be a spiritual success. You desire us to abide in You and Jesus. For those who do not know You today, we pray for their hearts to be turned to Jesus. We command all negative talking against God's people and this nation be stopped now! 

For any who speak as false prophets, or those masquerading as those of Christ, may they be found out for what they truly are. For satan himself masquerades as an angel of light. (2 Cor.11: 14) For any of those who speak as the devil speaks, we pray to recognize them for their acts against the righteous.

Father, we desire to be those who stay close and hear Your direction and plan. Help us to take the needed steps forward knowing You are with us. Lord, the Word has taught us that when justice is done, it brings joy to the righteous, but terror to evildoers. (Prov. 21:15)  We desire to have a rejoicing heart speaking right things, and those are found in Your Word. It is wisdom that leads us. Our changed life has come through repentance. And that meaning is to us a "a changed mind"! We seek to grow, so we can see more fruit and change in our lives. We desire truth in the inward part as You do for it is stated: "surely you desire truth in the inner parts; you teach me wisdom in the inmost place. (Psalm 51:6)

Hallelujah for change! May we exhibit the fruit in a changed life with a genuine repentance for we know it comes by looking at Jesus, the Author and Finisher of our Faith! Oh, it is in His holy name we pray. Amen.

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

To Bind, Govern, AND HEAL?

Isaiah 3:6-9.............6 When a man takes hold of his brother 

In the house of his father, saying,

"You have clothing;

You be our ruler,

And let these ruins be under your power," 

7 In that day he will protest, saying,

"I cannot cure your ills,

For in my house is neither food nor clothing;

Do not make me a ruler of the people." 

8 For Jerusalem stumbled,

And Judah is fallen,

Because their tongue and their doings 

Are against the LORD,

To provoke the eyes of His glory. 

9 The look on their countenance witnesses against them,

And they declare their sin as Sodom;

They do not hide it.

Woe to their soul!

For they have brought evil upon themselves.   NKJV

Came across this reading......and was intrigued by the verse 7 stating......."I cannot cure your ills, for in my house is neither food nor clothing. Do not make me a ruler of the people."

Now how many times have we seen people who love to "rule" over other people? Now at searching out the word from the concordance, we find it to mean to..........bind, gird about, govern, healer, .....

The other thing I noticed as I was reading about what was transpiring in the chapter (2) before, brought the prophet to caution all........that we should not put our confidence in any man. The prophet goes on to mention what those things will be as he was given them by God. He talks of their of government being judged. It is a total decay of the kingdom and of their church. He told of their looking to man for answers, when it was in actuality man who brought on "all those problems" to the land.

There were judgments against their military. If it was despicable, then man must remember that word...."

Isaiah 25:3-5...........3 Therefore the strong people will glorify You;

The city of the terrible nations will fear You. 

4 For You have been a strength to the poor,

A strength to the needy in his distress,

A refuge from the storm,

A shade from the heat;

For the blast of the terrible ones is as a storm against the wall. 

5 You will reduce the noise of aliens,

As heat in a dry place;

As heat in the shadow of a cloud,

The song of the terrible ones will be diminished. NKJV

In regard to what the prophet talks of in those days, these people saw their wealth in getting what they desired or truly needed. So what if the bread and the water are taken away? What if rain is withheld from our community and this land?

But we see the Lord being glorified in Isaiah 25. He is the strength to to the poor. He is strength to the needy in his distress. He is a refuge from the storm.........ever been in a storm with high winds, 116 strikes of lightning an hour and the land is dry? But what about the blast from those who are against you? It can be as a storm that seems to never end!

Verse 5 says that HE REDUCES THE NOISE OF THE ALIENS, THOSE WHO SPEAK DIFFERENT THAN US, ACT DIFFERENT THAN US, WHO FOLLOW THEIR OWN gods!

I think of Jesus talking to Martha in Luke 10. Jesus was telling her that Mary had chosen that good part which will not be taken away from her.

Luke 10:42.................... 42 But one thing is needed, and Mary has chosen that good part, which will not be taken away from her." NKJV

Well, what part? Being in awe of the love of God! Being captivated by the spiritual side of all this. Martha's serving would die with her. All that natural part of her would die. She would leave this earth without her body. Then all her gift in hospitality, all her great recipes and her personality would leave the earth one day. But Mary's good part, knowing Jesus spiritually would be eternal!

In following Jesus as Mary did, we find the good part. We find in Him, the way, the truth and the Life!

"You have clothing, be our ruler"!

Never mind the person has no previous leadership ability.........you have clothing, be our ruler! You have the right colored jacket, be our leader! You have a black jacket with a white patch on it, be our leader. You have fancy clothes to wear, be our leader. YOU drive a new Lexus, be our leader. (not that I have anything against a Lexus) Wow! 
Ever been in a church where the pastor desires those who have the expensive vehicles to lead others? I have!
When people see things becoming so broken, torn down, and not usable any longer, and when there is no rain and the bread runs out........then what? When it seems the government is falling down, apart and to ruin, and the news reports sound more like a horror movie,  but there is one who sticks closer than a brother. His name is Jesus!

But back to that ruler, the one to rule over people, yes that one, is to be a healer as well! Remember when you look it up, that leader is to be one who will lead and bind, govern and heal.

Being leader takes a quality only God can give to you. It is born out of a love for the fellowman.

Leaders like people, enjoy being around them and like to help them. They walk in integrity toward them.  Those who truly desire another's success will always deal in truth.

Leaders like to communicate. They reach out to others by communicating, "hey I am here."

Leaders will know their opponent. They will know when to avoid conflict and when to address a certain situation. In any conflict, those flaws are revealed, but in dealing with others, the leader who heals will call out the weakness and always look out for the person's potential he is leading.

"I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd gives His life for the sheep."  NKJV If we have the heart problem, it looks like this! ...........Mark 7:20-23........................20 "What comes out of a man, that defiles a man. 21 For from within, out of the heart of men, proceed evil thoughts, adulteries, fornications, murders, 22 thefts, covetousness, wickedness, deceit, lewdness, an evil eye, blasphemy, pride, foolishness. 23 All these evil things come from within and defile a man."    NKJV If things are breaking down, the water running out and there is no bread for one to eat, then we must consider we are in a sickly place. From Isaiah 3, we saw men who were looking for someone who had clothes to wear, not just one garment but many. They wanted to have that which was decaying, rebuilt and continue to do their own thing! BUT the only one who can bring life is Jesus.! He is the only One who leads others to safety, who looks out for their good and expects to have fellowship with them. Are we coming from a place of idolatry or bitterness? Are we coming from a place of pride and I want my own way or are we coming from a place of love? These people spoken about in Isaiah 3, were those who were doing their own thing and speaking evil against God.   Let's pray for a nation that will follow God since our founding Fathers did over 200 years ago. This is the greatest nation in the world. It must be each of us directing ourselves to the the leader, God has called us to be. We must take our places and lead by His Word. Amen.  Jesus was and is the "Healer".

In verse 9, we see these folks declaring their sin. They are proud sinners! Wow! And they are compared with Sodom. Is it possible for this to be true?

Is it possible that men and women around the world are being deceived by an enemy?  Yes!  In 1 Peter 5:8.........we are told to...........8 Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour. NKJV

So what about those who do not know the word of God......? Do we pray for them or do we seek God in His goodness, to show us how to pray in these days? 

Any of us can see many people with sick hearts. They are sick and need the "HEALER". THEY NEED THE GREAT LEADER, THE GOOD SHEPHERD....THE DELIVERER, THE GREAT "I AM", GREAT HIGH PRIEST, FIRST BEGOTTEN, CORNERSTONE, BREAD OF LIFE, AND FAITHFUL WITNESS! They need a Savior!


Luke 4:23-27........23 Then he said, "Probably you will quote me that proverb, 'Physician, heal yourself----meaning, 'Why don't you do miracles here in your hometown like those you did in Capernaum?" 24 But I solemnly declare to you that no prophet is accepted in his own hometown!  25 For example, remember how Elijah the prophet used a miracle to help the widow of Zarephath-a foreigner from the land of Sidon. There were many Jewish widows needing help in those days of famine, for there had been no rain for three and a half years, and hunger stalked the land; yet Elijah was not sent to them. 27 Or think of the prophet Elisha, who healed Naaman, a Syrian, rather than the many Jewish lepers needing help."   TLB

THAT GOOD PART, IS FOUND IN JESUS....it is remembering He died to give us life. He gave it to us whether there are storms, or floods, whether there are tornadoes or typhoons, whether there are earthquakes or tsunamis, or famine stalking the land. He is the "I AM" in our midst. Amen.


John 10:14-16..............14 "I am the Good Shepherd and know my own sheep, and they know me, 15 just as my Father knows me and I know the Father; and I lay down my life for the sheep. 16 I have other sheep, too, in another fold. I must bring them also, and they will heed my voice; and there will be one flock with one Shepherd. TLB

Luke 5:17-18................17 Now it happened on a certain day, as He was teaching, that there were Pharisees and teachers of the law sitting by, who had come out of every town of Galilee, Judea, and Jerusalem. And the power of the Lord was present to heal them. 
NKJV

Jesus had opportunity to teach Pharisees and teachers of the law who had come from every town of Galilee, Judea, and Jerusalem. The power of the Lord was present to heal them.
Even those who were against Jesus were present when the power to heal came. He followed His Father and did the same things He saw the Father do. In the midst of even unbeliever's the power of God can come to heal all those gathering together. The goodness of God is seen and some people change by it and other's do not!   

 So what if the bread and the water are taken away? What if rain is withheld from our community and this land?  Will we remind ourselves that God has the answers, and that He will be our guide?

2 Timothy 2:19-20.............19 Nevertheless the solid foundation of God stands, having this seal: "The Lord knows those who are His," and, "Let everyone who names the name of Christ depart from iniquity."   NKJV

Luke 5:31-32.......31 Jesus answered and said to them, "Those who are well have no need of a physician, but those who are sick. 32 I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners, to repentance."     NKJV

Father, in Jesus' name we pray, that we need only the Savior. We have the Great Shepherd. We desire to humble ourselves under Your mighty hand and resist the devil,he will flee from us. We desire to come near to YOU. For we know that all that comes to a land is that which is the product of a sick heart. When we truly desire to purify our hearts, and to grieve over that which we have done, and truly repent, it is YOU who will lift us up.(James 4:7-12)

Father, it is not our desire to slander another, or speak against a brother or judge him for we understand the only Lawgiver and Judge is he who is able to save and to destroy.

What we do ask, is that we would continue to have the walk of faith to trust no matter what is going on in the world. The Word stands that the "Lord knows those who are His."

We know the land has leaders and we pray for them all, that they would have the wisdom of God and dwell in His presence. Make they make the decisions that will benefit all based on the Word of God.

We, who are the temple of the living God, understand that we are to mediate the blessing of God to the kingdoms of this world.

Please give us the boldness to speak when we need to speak and to be mute, when we must be mute. Help us by Your Holy Spirit be the men and women who are called of God and are Christ's ambassadors displaying the righteousness of God to those around us. We look to You for the answers we need today and how to pray for our nation and those around us. YOU are gracious when we cry for help! We pray to hear Your voice saying, "this is the way; walk in it."  It is our desire to abide in YOU.......as the branch cannot bear fruit of itself. Today we have sought out the Lord and to abide under the shadow of the Almighty....we believe that which we desire is done for us. Be glorified Father God and may we bear fruit showing that we are the disciples of the Lord. Amen.

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

GREAT POSSESSIONS BUT YOU LACK ONE THING

Matthew 19:16-22..........16 Now behold, one came and said to Him, "Good Teacher, what good thing shall I do that I may have eternal life?" 17 So He said to him, "Why do you call Me good? No one is good but One, that is, God. But if you want to enter into life, keep the commandments." 18 He said to Him, "Which ones?" Jesus said, " 'You shall not murder,' 'You shall not commit adultery,' 'You shall not steal,' 'You shall not bear false witness,'  19'Honor your father and your mother,' and, 'You shall love your neighbor as yourself.' " 20 The young man said to Him, "All these things I have kept from my youth. What do I still lack?" 21 Jesus said to him, "If you want to be perfect, go, sell what you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, follow Me." 22 But when the young man heard that saying, he went away sorrowful, for he had great possessions.   NKJV


Okay, did you ever go up to your school teacher and say, "Good teacher,.........?" I do not remember telling that to any of my teachers. If you did, that usually meant you had a motive for speaking it..........and most likely when you wanted something or you desired greatly to get out of doing something!
In verse 20, the young man is still asking, "what do I still lack?"

Interesting that Jesus told the young man, "if you want to be perfect, go sell what you have........give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven."
This "perfect" is the same perfect found in Matthew 5:48.....48 Therefore you shall be perfect, just as your Father in heaven is perfect.  NKJV      This is perfect is found also  in 1 John 4:18......18 There is no fear in love. But perfect love drives out fear, because fear has to do with punishment. The one who fears is not made perfect in love.  NIV     That perfection is in the perfect love that we find in looking into 1 John 4:18. The more we look into that perfect law of liberty, we grow more in Christ Jesus........we become those with the unrelenting pursuit as we saw in Jesus and what He accomplished on the Cross. We certainly do not have to go the way Jesus did in most respects, for He gave His life for us. But we do have to take up our Cross and carry it, remembering why we should have grateful hearts because of His love and of the Father's great love to us that we should not perish but have everlasting life!



"Good Teacher, what good thing shall I do that I may have eternal life?"
With this young man's wealth and probable talents, he was certainly anxious about his future for an eternal life.  I thought on this today...........and I have had no one come up to me and ask about eternal life. I have certainly taught on it and given Bible studies on this subject, but have not had one person come and ask me about eternal life. I have taught on the importance of the Salvation message and how Jesus died on the cross for us all!  Could I or would I have done this 25 years ago. NO! But the Lord certainly works on our hearts and the more we hear His words and obey them, we find a zeal to move out on what He speaks and teaches us about!
In Luke 18:18....it was noted that he was a ruler and a person of eminence and value!

Mark 10:17-22..............17 Now as He was going out on the road, one came running, knelt before Him, and asked Him, "Good Teacher, what shall I do that I may inherit eternal life?" 18 So Jesus said to him, "Why do you call Me good? No one is good but One, that is, God. 19 You know the commandments: 'Do not commit adultery,' 'Do not murder,' 'Do not steal,' 'Do not bear false witness,' 'Do not defraud,' 'Honor your father and your mother.' " 20 And he answered and said to Him, "Teacher, all these I have observed from my youth." 21 Then Jesus, looking at him, loved him, and said to him, "One thing you lack: Go your way, sell whatever you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, take up the cross, and follow Me." 22 But he was sad at this word, and went away sorrowful, for he had great possessions.   NKJV

In the book of Mark and chapter 10 we read on the same story. But here it states that the man came running, knelt before Him and asked the question.  So this man came with some intent to find out something he evidently was thinking about and really desired an answer. 

This zeal for AN answer to eternal life was not a zeal for KNOWING Jesus. He might have been running but it was going to turn quickly to disappointment. We are told in verse 21 of Mark 10 that Jesus, looking at him, loved him and said to him......"YOU LACK ONE THING"................Yikes!

Jesus told him, you lack one thing........this man of probable wealth......was given these commandments........"Do not commit adultery," "Do not murder," "Do not steal." "Do not bear false witness", "Do not defraud", "Honor your father and your mother.".........and then MENTIONED...... "ONE THING YOU LACK........go your way, sell whatever you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven.; and COME TAKE UP THE CROSS AND FOLLOW ME."

And the other thing that has interested me in this passage, is the truth that Jesus did not give the commandments of the order we see them when given from God to Moses to man.
It was interesting that adultery was listed first. Then murder......1 John 3:11-12......11 This is the message you heard from the beginning: We should love one another. 12 Do not be like Cain, who belonged to the evil one and murdered his brother. And why did he murder him? Because his own actions were evil and his brother's were righteous.  NIV   Murder listed second, made me think of this scripture on Cain who murdered his brother because his own actions were evil and the brother's were righteous!
Could the businessman, the ruler have had some dealings where he had some kind of evil action towards others?
Next, was do not steal, do not defraud, or bear false witness...........Romans 13:6-10
6 This is also why you pay taxes, for the authorities are God's servants, who give their full time to governing. 7 Give everyone what you owe him: If you owe taxes, pay taxes; if revenue, then revenue; if respect, then respect; if honor, then honor. 

8 Let no debt remain outstanding, except the continuing debt to love one another, for he who loves his fellowman has fulfilled the law. 9 The commandments, "Do not commit adultery," "Do not murder," "Do not steal," "Do not covet," and whatever other commandment there may be, are summed up in this one rule: "Love your neighbor as yourself."  10 Love does no harm to its neighbor. Therefore love is the fulfillment of the law.  NIV

Jesus saw potential for the young man. He already had treasures on the earth, but what of those of the spiritual in Jesus. The young ruler went away sorrowful. He said he had kept the commandments, but yet he still lacked one thing. Again we see a heart issue with the young man. He had wealth and he had position. But he evidently lacked love for his fellow human being!

He evidently liked having the glory of that of the rich and of being young! But what happens when the wealth is gone and the youth is spent of that which does not bring life?

Leviticus 19:18............18 You shall not take vengeance, nor bear any grudge against the children of your people, but you shall love your neighbor as yourself: I am the LORD. 

NKJV

Yes, the young ruler would have had this before his eyes, if he were telling truth that he confessed and professed them. And we certainly, know many people had to have been present when he ran and kneeling at Jesus' feet. Some of those he was leader over were probably present at this moment and heard all that he had spoken about following the Commandments!

What must we part with to gain eternal life? Remember the young man had the 10 Commandments and professed to have followed them.

John 3:35-36.......... 35 The Father loves the Son, and has given all things into His hand. 36 He who believes in the Son has everlasting life; and he who does not believe the Son shall not see life, but the wrath of God abides on him."    NKJV

John 17:2-5......... 3 And this is eternal life, that they may know You, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom You have sent. 4 I have glorified You on the earth. I have finished the work which You have given Me to do. 5 And now, O Father, glorify Me together with Yourself, with the glory which I had with You before the world was.     NKJV

John 4:13-14.........."Whoever drinks of this water will thirst again, 14 but whoever drinks of the water that I shall give him will never thirst. But the water that I shall give him will become in him a fountain of water springing up into everlasting life."  NKJV

Romans 6:23................ 23 For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.   NKJV

Eternal life, is a total surrender to God.  We are deny self and leave the carnal behind. This young man thought it important enough to come ask, "Good Teacher." Are we going to the Teacher daily and losing our life to gain His life? Have we surrendered all to live for Jesus and to the plan God set for us to live? But consider this! Have we gone the step further and discovered what else it takes for that walk for an eternity..........?


Matthew 5:38-48...............38 "You have heard that it was said, 'An eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth.'  39 But I tell you not to resist an evil person. But whoever slaps you on your right cheek, turn the other to him also. 40 If anyone wants to sue you and take away your tunic, let him have your cloak also. 41 And whoever compels you to go one mile, go with him two. 42 Give to him who asks you, and from him who wants to borrow from you do not turn away. 

43 "You have heard that it was said, 'You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy.'  44 But I say to you, love your enemies, bless those who curse you, do good to those who hate you, and pray for those who spitefully use you and persecute you, 45 that you may be sons of your Father in heaven; for He makes His sun rise on the evil and on the good, and sends rain on the just and on the unjust. 46 For if you love those who love you, what reward have you? Do not even the tax collectors do the same? 47 And if you greet your brethren only, what do you do more than others? Do not even the tax collectors do so? 48 Therefore you shall be perfect, just as your Father in heaven is perfect.    NKJV

Yes, that one thing he lacked was love...........we are to go love our enemies, bless those who curse us and do good to those who hate us......Yikes! really?.............We are to pray for those who spitefully use us or persecute us. Love is perfected in doing good to those who hate or revile us. 
Well, THAT WOULD BE A LOVE WALK, WOULD IT NOT?

It is all too common that someone dies suddenly.........and I wonder, were they saved or lost forever? If our life can go in an instant, are we prepared to meet eternity with God? I have no fear of death. I have been close.........but God has always prevailed on my behalf.

This young man had observed the 10 Commandments..........The world itself cannot add anything to us. It can only bring death! But Jesus came to bring us life.......and that in abundance! LOVE WAS EXPRESSED ON THE CROSS!

Our lives are those which have been touched by God Himself. Our lives are those who have Christ seated on the thrones of our hearts. Our lives are those that will reach into eternity with a God Who is Faithful and True.

1 John 5:12........12 He who has the Son has life; he who does not have the Son of God does not have life.  NKJV

IS HE THE "GOOD TEACHER" OR IS HE THE GOOD TEACHER WHO IS FIRST AND LAST (Rev.1:17), BREAD OF LIFE (John 6:32), CHIEF SHEPHERD (1 Peter 5:4), DAYSPRING (LUKE 1:78), HOLY ONE OF GOD, "I AM" (John 8:58), MESSIAH (John 1:41), REDEEMER (Job 19:25), RESURRECTION AND LIFE (John 11:25),ROOT OF DAVID (Revelation 22:16), TRUE VINE (John 15:1), WITNESS (Isaiah 55:4),  LIGHT OF THE WORLD (John 8:12), SAVIOR (Luke 2:11), and the WORD (John 1:1)

When we have Jesus, we have all we need! He is our Healer, our Provider, ..................."Unto us a Son is given; and the government will be upon His shoulder. And His name will be called Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace, and of the increase of His government and peace there will be no end, upon the throne of David and over His kingdom, to order it and establish it with judgment and justice ........From that time forward, even forever.

Amen!

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

A TESTING OF FAITH!

Matthew 15:21-28..................21 Then Jesus went out from there and departed to the region of Tyre and Sidon. 22 And behold, a woman of Canaan came from that region and cried out to Him, saying, "Have mercy on me, O Lord, Son of David! My daughter is severely demon-possessed." 23 But He answered her not a word. And His disciples came and urged Him, saying, "Send her away, for she cries out after us." 24 But He answered and said, "I was not sent except to the lost sheep of the house of Israel." 25 Then she came and worshiped Him, saying, "Lord, help me!" 26 But He answered and said, "It is not good to take the children's bread and throw it to the little dogs." 27 And she said, "Yes, Lord, yet even the little dogs eat the crumbs which fall from their masters' table." 28 Then Jesus answered and said to her, "O woman, great is your faith! Let it be to you as you desire." And her daughter was healed from that very hour.     NKJV

Ever cry out to God, but He does not answer you? This woman came to Him and cried out telling Him that her daughter is severely demon-possessed. 

Do we cry out and hear nothing? It could be God is testing our faith! What do you believe and where does your "trust" lie?

She heard HIM speak to His disciples........" I was not sent except to the lost sheep of the house of Israel."

She then spoke, "Lord, help me!"

Lord help me, the one who is crying out for an answer to the situation! LORD! HELP!

John 1:11-13...........11 He came to His own, and His own did not receive Him. 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: 13 who were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God. NKJV

And His disciples came and urged Him, saying, "Send her away, for she cries out after us." 24 But He answered and said, "I was not sent except to the lost sheep of the house of Israel."
Ever been dismissed by someone, when you tried to get an answer?  I remember needing some help with a computer once on the job. I could not find anyone who seemed available that could take a moment to help me. It was about 8:10 am, and I needed to check-in. That meant I had to get the computer going since it had the database on it which I needed. Without it on, we could make "no sales" and I could not check-in. Then I saw a man who was over the "supervisors" and he was talking with the owner of company. I walked over, but not to intrude, I waited to ask a question. I can wait a long time!  As soon as they saw me, the man over the supervisor's listened and dismissed me. Yes, it was pretty fast and he moved on with his conversation. I thought surely one of them might come to see why the computer was not coming on. (Yes, I had checked all the cords, and all the plug-ins, and it was time to check-in for work.) I opted to go to main computer by the front door and check-in for work.
I left the computer guessing to another person who would be in about 9 am. And I went and did my job. I blessed those I came in contact with and moved on, AND with a thankful heart.

Let's think about this Gentile woman and the moment she had come on the scene. She asked for help!

A MIRACLE ON THE HORIZON APPEARS! Or does it?
Do we stand fast to see that of which we ask to occur in our lives? Think about what had just transpired in Jesus' life. Was He deterred in anyway to stop what He was doing? He just kept going to those who would receive! Read below:

Matthew 15:1-20..............15:1 Then the scribes and Pharisees who were from Jerusalem came to Jesus, saying, 2 "Why do Your disciples transgress the tradition of the elders? For they do not wash their hands when they eat bread." 3 He answered and said to them, "Why do you also transgress the commandment of God because of your tradition? 4 For God commanded, saying, 'Honor your father and your mother'; and, 'He who curses father or mother, let him be put to death.'  5 But you say, 'Whoever says to his father or mother, "Whatever profit you might have received from me is a gift to God"-- 6 then he need not honor his father or mother.' Thus you have made the commandment of God of no effect by your tradition. 7 Hypocrites! Well did Isaiah prophesy about you, saying: 

8'These people draw near to Me with their mouth,

And honor Me with their lips,

But their heart is far from Me. 

9 And in vain they worship Me,

Teaching as doctrines the commandments of men.' " 

10 When He had called the multitude to Himself, He said to them, "Hear and understand: 11 Not what goes into the mouth defiles a man; but what comes out of the mouth, this defiles a man." 12 Then His disciples came and said to Him, "Do You know that the Pharisees were offended when they heard this saying?" 13 But He answered and said, "Every plant which My heavenly Father has not planted will be uprooted. 14 Let them alone. They are blind leaders of the blind. And if the blind leads the blind, both will fall into a ditch." 15 Then Peter answered and said to Him, "Explain this parable to us." 16 So Jesus said, "Are you also still without understanding? 17 Do you not yet understand that whatever enters the mouth goes into the stomach and is eliminated? 18 But those things which proceed out of the mouth come from the heart, and they defile a man. 19 For out of the heart proceed evil thoughts, murders, adulteries, fornications, thefts, false witness, blasphemies. 20 These are the things which defile a man, but to eat with unwashed hands does not defile a man."     NKJV

Yes, this is where Jesus just came from. He had an encounter with the scribes and Pharisees. And He saw the Pharisees offended by His sayings. Jesus told them, "Every plant which My heavenly Father has not planted will be uprooted. Let them alone. They are blind leaders of the blind. And if the blind leads the blind, both will fall into a ditch."  Jesus went on to tell the disciples of the evil which proceeds from the heart and named them. Wash your hands as much as you like, but that is not what defiles a man!

Then He has this woman coming to Him who is so ripe to receive, so ready to give Him an answer for anything He asks or speaks.

STEPPING FORWARD!
Do we as parents readily push forward, stepping out to help our children? When they cry, do we not come to their aide? Was there a dividing line coming?
The woman spoke, "Yes, Lord, yet even the little dogs eat the crumbs which fall from their masters' table."
She knows the children's bread was that of the Jews and to eat at the Master's table. Although she knew Him to be sent for Israel, still she heard and saw the mercy and kindness He expressed to those He came in contact with on His walk through Canaan. She was saying, " I know I am not a Jew and of YOUR house, but I believe, and trust YOU can do something for my daughter."
She had an unwavering faith that Jesus could do that for which she asked. She called Him Lord, and worshiped Him. She expressed a like precious faith. Even in the discouragements of not being a Jew and of the house of Israel, yet she did not relent. She did not give up!
Then Jesus answered and said to her, "O woman, great is your faith! Let it be to you as you desire." And her daughter was healed from that very hour.  

Will we continue to step forward and believe? Will our hearts betray us, let us down? This woman sought something for her daughter. She did not care if she was compared to the "dogs". She sought out Jesus, the Lord, and His goodness. She sought a miracle for her daughter. For whatever remained, even that of crumbs under the table, was enough for this woman. What He had hoped to see in the scribes and Pharisees, and did not find, He certainly found it in this woman, a Gentile.
Can we move beyond having hurtful feelings and do what the Lord asked? Can we move beyond and see other's healed or come to Jesus? Can we show we have a real desire for that which Jesus died to give us?

Father, Jesus said in Matthew 15:13...that "every plant which My heavenly Father has not planted will be uprooted. He was talking about the blind leading the blind. We desire to not be those who are blind. We desire that Christ dwells in our hearts through faith and that we are rooted and grounded in love. (Eph.3:17) We come to the Master's table, to receive that good thing.
We seek to make YOU Lord over our hearts. We truly desire to stay in the light of God and His knowledge. 
Father, we see from the Canaanite woman, a woman who did not buckle down to fear. She did not fall into the fear factor and rely on her five senses. We do not know what she was thinking other than what she spoke. But ONE thing was evident, and that was she wanted her daughter delivered from evil. She chose to pursue Jesus and in making that "right decision" she was brought to healing.
Today, we desire to be men and women who will have that same courage to pray and keep praying.......keep asking, and speak YOUR truth. And as we do, we expect that light to shine and bring us into YOUR glorious presence. We desire to willing submit to Your authority and rule. 
Put a longing in our hearts to talk with YOU and to hear YOUR voice. Your Word says, the just shall live by faith...Romans 1:17. We pray to have faith-filled lives. May we live each day with a leading by the Holy Spirit. We desire to not walk in doubt and fear of what may happen, but we choose to seek YOUR voice and plan for us.

Quiet those voices from the outside that represent the world and five senses. We receive today that we are the accepted in Jesus, and we are free! Holy Spirit we loose You now into our lives and our homes. Have Your way today in us........in Jesus' name. Amen.

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

Just Be YOU!

When I was in Jr. High, I remember my homeroom teacher telling us this story. She had a lot of wisdom. She had raised a family and owned a farm plus was a school teacher for many years. She was kind and gentle. She never raised her voice, but she certainly could speak from soft to firm in seconds. You knew when she meant to be serious about something!

She told us about this young lady who was asked to dinner at the family home of the young man she was seeing. This was early on in the 1940's. She said the young woman doted over what she would wear and how to fix her long hair for the evening. She wanted to look good and wanted to impress the young man's family. 
After arriving and being seated for the meal, the food was served. The young woman was so self-conscious that she picked the food up in very small pieces. She placed the peas on her fork and ate each piece one at a time. 
Our teacher stood up and gave a long look around our classroom.  She said, " the young woman did not impress anyone. She was trying to be someone she was not." She went on to say, "The young woman did not win the young man's heart. Although she cared very much for him, she never saw him again."
Well, I thought a long time on that story and how that young woman could think she could impress anyone with just fixing or adorning one's hair and by wearing a certain outfit or dress! But the other thing I think about was that she picked at her food. That would give the hostess the idea that she, the young guest did not like what was served!


I have continued to think on that story in the past few years. I remember my teacher and the day she shared that story. I think on how so many are swayed by those commercials that they have to be a size 4, or have blonde hair, or weigh one hundred pounds and look like a model. I think of the young men who are swayed into believing they have must drive a certain vehicle to look good to young women. I think how many must believe that they must drink a certain beverage to be an adult.

But maturing is more than clothes and food. Maturing in God is knowing Him and what He desires for each of us. Maturing is acting on the Word and have truth stored up in our hearts that He is always with us and He never fails!
God gave us His Word to know who we are and what we have. He gave it to us so we could be with Him for an eternity. Jesus said, “if you have known Me, you would have known My Father also; and from now on you know Him and have seen Him.” 

We are to know the truth. We are far more valuable than just people who exist. We are heirs of the Most High God. It is God Who wants to have one heart with us. He shares with us in detail what His thoughts and plans are. He does not keep any secrets. He gives us His wisdom to instruct us and to guide us. Jesus was a lover of God’s Word. He knew it and He spoke it. He lived it and so should we. Jesus was continually after the Father and His business. He made the Word His priority and so should we. 


WE are to know God! We are to truthfully know that He created us!

Psalm 139:13-16.............13 For you created my inmost being;
you knit me together in my mother's womb. 
14 I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made;
your works are wonderful,
I know that full well. 
15 My frame was not hidden from you 
when I was made in the secret place.
When I was woven together in the depths of the earth, 
16 your eyes saw my unformed body.
All the days ordained for me 
were written in your book 
before one of them came to be. NIV

Psalm 103:1-5......1 Praise the LORD, O my soul;
all my inmost being, praise his holy name. 
2 Praise the LORD, O my soul,
and forget not all his benefits-- 
3 who forgives all your sins 
and heals all your diseases, 
4 who redeems your life from the pit 
and crowns you with love and compassion, 
5 who satisfies your desires with good things 
so that your youth is renewed like the eagle's. NIV

Proverbs 23:15-16......15 My son, if your heart is wise,

then my heart will be glad; 

16 my inmost being will rejoice 

when your lips speak what is right.   NIV

Have we seen Him? Have we seen what He has written in the book about us? Have we forgotten how He got us, to this place, right now? It was by His grace and merciful love I am here today! How about you? Can you think of some benefit He has showered you with? Being knitted together, God created our innermost being. In Psalm 103, we are told that we are to praise the LORD with all of our souls. OUR innermost being is to praise His holy name. WE must find who God created each of us to be. We have a right to learn that which is truth. Jesus paid a big price for us. 

So am I speaking right things that will cause my innermost being to rejoice? (Prov. 23) Ask yourself, is your innermost being rejoicing? If right things are being spoken, that is truth of God's word brings rejoicing, then we should be rejoicing, right?
I do not know about you, but I desire my heart to rejoice all the time. I desire this temple of the living God to be strong. I want it to built through the wisdom of God. It is by understanding the word that establishes my temple. I become the wise woman who is strong. I increase in strength. It is by wise counsel that we will wage war. I do not want to be the fool, the one in "error", I desire to be found with God.

If I am radiating the glory of God, I am in the right place at the right time. I do not have to guess about it. I just know I am where God desires me to be. 
So, are we radiating with the glory of God? Do our faces shine in the dark? Is there a glow about us that is life to others? Psalm 90:17..........17 And let the beauty of the LORD our God be upon us,  And establish the work of our hands for us;  Yes, establish the work of our hands.  NKJV

Paul Manwaring wrote in his book “WHAT ON EARTH IS GLORY?”  from Chapter 16 and pages 201-202, “Instead of being made to fit to a certain mold, we are made to freely discover who He made us to be through the exchange or relationship with Him, by which He awakens our hearts and stirs our desires for the things He made us to do. And when our assignments flow out of this partnership and passion, they do  not feel like duties or heavy burdens. There is nothing that will give us satisfaction, pleasure, and energy like being and doing what God dreamed us up to be and do.”

We must be those who have the heart of the prudent that acquires His knowledge. Each of us have the ability to give life or death. It is in the power of that little tongue and those that love it, will eat its fruit.

We are to be what God had on His mind for you and for me. Let us not pretend to be someone or something we are not. Let us not try to live up to another person's expectation. Let us glory in Him, and find our pathway growing brighter and brighter to the full light of day. Let us find that narrow path that causes us to have a one to one relationship with HIM!     

John 14:6-7..............6 Jesus answered, "I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me. 7 If you really knew me, you would know my Father as well. From now on, you do know him and have seen him."  NIV


Let us always be seekers of God and find Him, for He is always close by. May we speak like Jesus did, "you know him and have seen Him."

Father, in Jesus name, we make a commitment to know YOU. We make a commitment to seek those things which are above. YOUR thoughts and plans reveal to us what YOU created for us. They are not found in the things to groom our hair, or in the clothes we wear but what character we reveal in our heart. Today, we "know the real thing". We can expect life that is above and beyond our dreams or expectations. YOU sent Jesus that we can have life abundantly now in this lifetime. We say with our mouths that we have our beginning in YOU God. Today, we have in You our lives and we are light to men. Today, with the Word of God, we are that light that shines bringing glory and honor to YOU our God. Father, we desire to be those who pray. And that when we pray, it is YOU who listens from heaven. We seek to find YOU for we search for YOU Lord with all our hearts. We carry the same authority as Jesus did. And as we do we create the momentum that will carry us forward into the life filled with the blessings of God. We give You much thanks for giving us the ability to enjoy our share of the inheritance of the saints in light. It is YOU Father who is at work within us willing and working Your own good pleasure. It is You Who furnishes us with Your courage and strength to move ahead to receive ( James 1:17) every good gift and every perfect gift from above, and comes down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shadow of turning. Now may the Lord Jesus Christ Himself, and our God and Father, who has loved us and given us everlasting consolation and good hope by grace comfort our hearts and establish us in every good work. (2 Thessalonians 2:16-17) We pray that the Word of the Lord may run swiftly and be glorified. (2 Thess. 3:1,3,5) The Lord is faithful who will establish us and guard us from the evil one. Thank You Lord for Your goodness to us. Amen.

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

Passing the Mantle!

1 Kings 19:13-21..................Suddenly a voice came to him, and said, "What are you doing here, Elijah?" 14 And he said, "I have been very zealous for the LORD God of hosts; because the children of Israel have forsaken Your covenant, torn down Your altars, and killed Your prophets with the sword. I alone am left; and they seek to take my life." 15 Then the LORD said to him: "Go, return on your way to the Wilderness of Damascus; and when you arrive, anoint Hazael as king over Syria. 16 Also you shall anoint Jehu the son of Nimshi as king over Israel. And Elisha the son of Shaphat of Abel Meholah you shall anoint as prophet in your place. 17 It shall be that whoever escapes the sword of Hazael, Jehu will kill; and whoever escapes from the sword of Jehu, Elisha will kill. 18 Yet I have reserved seven thousand in Israel, all whose knees have not bowed to Baal, and every mouth that has not kissed him." 

19 So he departed from there, and found Elisha the son of Shaphat, who was plowing with twelve yoke of oxen before him, and he was with the twelfth. Then Elijah passed by him and threw his mantle on him. 20 And he left the oxen and ran after Elijah, and said, "Please let me kiss my father and my mother, and then I will follow you." And he said to him, "Go back again, for what have I done to you?" 21 So Elisha turned back from him, and took a yoke of oxen and slaughtered them and boiled their flesh, using the oxen's equipment, and gave it to the people, and they ate. Then he arose and followed Elijah, and became his servant.    NKJV

Passing the mantle.......Elijah was told what to do. The elderly prophet was told to go by way of the Wilderness of Damascus. He was told that when he arrived to anoint Hazael as king over Syria. He was to anoint Jehu as king over Israel. And he was to anoint Elisha, the son of Shaphat of Abel Meholah, as a prophet in Elijah's place. God was directing Elijah to those who had not worshiped the world. They had not kissed Baal.

When passing the mantle, like leaving one position to take another, you are always looking for one that is qualified. Praise the Lord for His goodness, and His Holy Spirit that can direct us to those whose hearts are for the Lord God and for His glory! Amen.

Elijah certainly was directed to seek out Elisha and see him anointed. It also states that Elisha followed Elijah. That means he did what Elijah did, and spoke as Elijah spoke. Elisha was going to live like Elijah lived in the wilderness and know those caves.

Many miracles were seen in the life of Elijah. He showed a character of godliness and a stand which was the example of being zealous for the Lord! 

Elijah's life exemplified a life led by the Spirit of God. Truly the Lord knows those who are His! 

2 Timothy 2:19....................19 Nevertheless, God's solid foundation stands firm, sealed with this inscription: "The Lord knows those who are his," and, "Everyone who confesses the name of the Lord must turn away from wickedness."   NIV

In the listing of Jehu, Hazael, and Elisha, we know these three would be instrumental in seeing destruction of idolaters at this time in history. 

When Elijah finds Elisha, we see him ploughing a field in the Jordan valley.

Yes, certainly hidden from view of the world. It was so much like David in the field with the sheep. It was the coming of a leader that could be found, not in public view but in the solitary place.  In this, the prophet takes his mantel and throws it to Elisha as he passed by. This was indicating the call to the prophetic office.

Yes, Elisha was found, not in the public places, but in the remote, out of sight of the general public. He was found ploughing a field. What mercy, dignity or humility did he express to others? He had to have a love for people, and for his family to be helping out in the fields. 
I think on the farms back home, where the farmer always had his sons and daughters to help plow a field, bale hay, and clean up the fields for new plantings. A farmer will use all those related to him to get the job done.

We are told that Elisha took the oxen that were working the field, and sacrificed them. He boiled the flesh and gave a wave of good- to all that were in the area. This probably included family, acquaintances, and friends. He took his leave from a life he knew, to find a new life!

Change had come to Elisha!

Can you imagine any excitement and the questions? I can!

What  glorious power of God could Elisha have experienced that day?  Can you imagine that connection that probably moved between the two men that day! Think of Elijah, the Tishbite. He was a man with no family and he liked being in caves. Seriously! Elijah truly left all to follow God and now Elisha was doing it willingly and probably most cheerfully as he worked the sacrifice and waved good-bye to all. Yes, "look Pop, I am sacrificing your best oxen and I am going with the Tishbite"!
How many of us would have "questioned" the Tisbite? How many of us would have said, "ELIJAH, your timing is off!"

In the "moment" of a tossed mantle to a young man ploughing a field, a life was forever changed.
Was Elisha caught off guard? Was he aware this mantle was coming to him?

Even in the case of Joseph and the coat of many colors, do we remind ourselves that as it happened to Joseph, we too, can experience an anointing that would be seen by many. For I am certain, people took note that the prophet had gone out the way to the Wilderness of Damascus.  The Holy Spirit had touched the heart of Elisha. Submission came quickly to Elisha. ( Some commentaries mention that Elisha was probably raised in the school of the prophets.) One thing is certain, Elisha said yes and he followed Elijah.


Elisha was going to spend time with a true prophet. He was going to know all he needed to know. What great advantage to spend some time under the direction of someone who loves God and is led by God! What an awesome adventure to know in the matter of minutes, you could know and experience a relationship with a powerful God.

If anything a person could teach a youth or those under thirty years of age, it could and should be the wisdom of God.  What is the cost of serving? Ask someone who does it regularly and not just on weekends. What is the cost of receiving God's wisdom and finding life for a journey we did not plan for or expected. Was Elisha expecting this new "change", this new way of life?

When Elisha was passed the mantle, it was something seen. It was a mantle that was something that represented a passing from one generation to the next. It was a life of "miracles". Elisha was one chosen by God Himself and Elijah saw to it that the mantle had been passed.

Do we have a mantle to pass on to the next generation? Yes! 
We have those called to prayer, to worship, to giving the Word, to giving salvation messages in the work place, or down at the coffee shop. Even those who exhort others, have a mantle to pass on to another generation.  We each have something we can pass to another, especially one that which is passed from a grand-parent to a grand-child, from a Father to a daughter, from a great-grandmother to a great niece or nephew. Or like in the case of Lester Sumrall to Rod Parsley. As a young man, Rod Parsley followed the teachings given by Sumrall. Today, we see a lifetime of a man who followed closely and learned the wisdom of God. Lester Sumrall once said, "champions trust God while others ask for answers. They step forward while everyone else prays for volunteers." 



It is trusting God and moving forward when He says move.
Each of us are a prophet over our family and community. We can speak life to our family, over our family or we can speak death. Each of us must at some point think on our family lineage. We must take notice of the certain gifts and abilities others in our family may hold. In the life of Elijah, we saw a man willing to pray and to live alone. He gave his all to God! He spent hours in the presence of God. He was one who could lead, communicate and prepare the people. HOW could he do that? He spent time in prayer, that communication device by using our words or praying in Tongues.  When instructing the people of " a rain" coming, how many probably thought about how dry and how dead everything was in that region? Yet, the instruction came, " go up, eat and drink!

1 Kings 18:41-46.......................41 Then Elijah said to Ahab, "Go up, eat and drink; for there is the sound of abundance of rain." 42 So Ahab went up to eat and drink. And Elijah went up to the top of Carmel; then he bowed down on the ground, and put his face between his knees, 43 and said to his servant, "Go up now, look toward the sea." So he went up and looked, and said, "There is nothing." And seven times he said, "Go again." 44 Then it came to pass the seventh time, that he said, "There is a cloud, as small as a man's hand, rising out of the sea!" So he said, "Go up, say to Ahab, 'Prepare your chariot, and go down before the rain stops you.' " 45 Now it happened in the meantime that the sky became black with clouds and wind, and there was a heavy rain. So Ahab rode away and went to Jezreel. 46 Then the hand of the LORD came upon Elijah; and he girded up his loins and ran ahead of Ahab to the entrance of Jezreel. NKJV

But let's take a quick look back at Elijah in the previous chapters and specifically 1 Kings 18. Elijah took on the whole government of Queen Jezebel. Ahab had heard from Elijah and had the prophets, all 450 false prophets assembled on Mount Carmel against Elijah.(ever wonder how many of them, were at one time, followers of God before becoming one who follows the world and self?)  It was to be a showdown, you might say.  Elijah even gave those 450 prophets the advantage of going first, to build an altar and worship Baal. Well, you know how that went, right? I kings 18: 25-29. "If the Lord is God follow Him, if Baal is God follow him! (verse 21)
No one responded when the false prophets cried out, and no one responded when they cut themselves with the blades. So Elijah builds his altar and prepares the meat, but he also has water put on the altar newly built AND PRAYS!( verses 36-37 of 1 Kings 18) Then fire falls from heaven. Yes, that sacrifice was received by God. Those false prophets were going to be executed. Elijah came against a government who seek to satisfy self. I am certain the word got out quickly by those looking on. 
GOD JUST NEEDED A MAN TO SAY YES AND DO IT!

Elijah gave instructions. King Ahab followed that instructions and Elijah continued to pray. Would you not have followed those instructions seeing fire fall from heaven? The mantle brought responsibility. It was for those close by and for those far away.
A shift is here. It is in motion right now! That major shift in anointings is in prayer, in healing, in salvation messages that will move to those of the youth. They will be seen in major ways that will speak volumes to the lost. Youth will speak with the boldness as of a lion.
I have already seen it in our grand-daughter. When the Holy Spirit moves on one, and the room seems so silent, and one, as a child starts to speak..........one who really knows the Lord's voice will be looking for the pen and paper. I have such a "WORD" given me in October of last year. I keep it on my laptop. When God speaks, we must heed and receive to be active in seeing His plan fulfilled in our lives. I may not look like what I am suppose to be doing. But like Elisha, I am ploughing that ground, and am keeping my self clean before God ! I am looking into His Word....I am..... looking into humility, being merciful to others, and one of dignity. It is a work in progress. 

Mark 7:14-17..........14 When He had called all the multitude to Himself, He said to them, "Hear Me, everyone, and understand: 15 There is nothing that enters a man from outside which can defile him; but the things which come out of him, those are the things that defile a man. 16 If anyone has ears to hear, let him hear!" 
Mark 7:20-23............ 21 For from within, out of the heart of men, proceed evil thoughts, adulteries, fornications, murders, 22 thefts, covetousness, wickedness, deceit, lewdness, an evil eye, blasphemy, pride, foolishness. 23 All these evil things come from within and defile a man." NKJV 
We are to be watchful....."yes. but I am pastoring a church," even more so......we must be watchful of that which can defile one. Out of the heart proceeds evil thoughts, adulteries, murders, deceit, lewdness, an evil eye, blasphemy, pride, thefts, foolishness,...etc...........!
1 John 2:15-17.............15 Do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. 16 For all that is in the world--the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life--is not of the Father but is of the world. 17 And the world is passing away, and the lust of it; but he who does the will of God abides forever. NKJV

We each have a responsibility to leave a legacy to the youth who are our future. We are to be those who leave a legacy of prayer, a legacy of the Word of God, a legacy of following Jesus, and being positioned to hear Him. We should be those with the wisdom of God to speak and encourage our youth into becoming what God planned.
For the one who is positioned in God, who looks for truth and led by it, is the one who looks out for the good for others and does not think so highly of himself. God is Spirit and those who communicate with HIM will do it in spirit and truth. 

John 4:22-24.............. 23 But the hour is coming, and now is, when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth; for the Father is seeking such to worship Him. 24 God is Spirit, and those who worship Him must worship in spirit and truth."    NKJV

We are to be acquainted with the spiritual things of God.

In seeking to stay in the "spirit" we hear the Father's voice. We hear and obey instructions. Staying in His Word and praying, lights our way into the place we are to abide always. In hearing, we see with spiritual eyes those destined to lead the "next generation". We, as the older generation, should be those who give out the wisdom of God. We should be those who always lead anyone back to Jesus and the goodness of God. Our leading is to be that of a tree growing and producing fruit after it's kind. WE are Not be jealous or envious of the youth or those who get that mantle to move forward and claim more for the kingdom of God. Ours is to see that many come to Jesus through love and mercy. As we contact the Author and the Finisher of our faith, we are those who put that Word of God into motion. That Word will not return void. We find that even after Elisha was dead and buried, that very mantle of "miracles" was still occurring. Read below!

2 Kings 13:20-21...........20 Elisha died and was buried. 

Now Moabite raiders used to enter the country every spring. 21 Once while some Israelites were burying a man, suddenly they saw a band of raiders; so they threw the man's body into Elisha's tomb. When the body touched Elisha's bones, the man came to life and stood up on his feet.  NIV

Even when Elisha had passed. His bones still had the life of God in them to cause a man to live and stand on his feet! Even in death, he was still in motion for God!

Are we passing a mantle that others can experience in their own lives?

Are we giving others the wisdom we have acquired to teach the young how to move forward in God?

We cannot do this if we are stuck in stuff!

Yes, God knows those who are His! He knows those who thirst........

Psalm 63:1-4 says, "O God, You are my God; early will I seek You; My soul thirsts for You; My flesh longs for You in a dry and thirsty land where there is no water. So I have looked for You in the sanctuary, to see Your power and Your glory." 

In our spiritual growth, we are measured much like we read in Ezekiel 47. Can we leave the stagnant behind? Those spiritual waters are pretty deep!

In verse 3....to the ankles..........wow, that is a start. I think of it as the beginning of our walk with God the Holy Spirit.

In verse 4...from waist to the knees....another wow! There is movement. Yes, it is a moving water to my knees. Am I ready for this Lord? Looks like I am growing in the Word of God and in prayer.

In verse 5.........IT IS A RIVER! I CANNOT CROSS BY WALKING! Those waters are deep and powerful. Do we give over to that movement?

YES, IT is full time swimming now! Being I am not much over 5 feet tall, I am in the "faith" walk with God.

 Is the water dirty or is it clear? Is it moving quickly or ever so slightly? Where is the depth I desire to be with the Lord?  The water of the Word should be moving through our lives daily. Is the river flowing or is it dried up?

 I am joyous when I hear young ones in the Lord recognizing the river and how deep or shallow it is to them. Many for the first time are recognizing that river is their walk with the Lord. It is where they stand spiritually.

 It takes time to grow. YOU can see it in planting a garden or in the growth of a young child. YOU feed them the right nutrients and they will surely spout up!

Are we willing to commit to grow in the Lord. Where are we in that level of water.........?

Are we willing to be taught, be given wisdom for life, and the power to see the miraculous? I am!

God knows those who are truly His!

Father, we pray to be those who continually hold the thoughts and purposes of our God for we have the mind of Christ. May we be those who live with the leading of the Holy Spirit. We desire to mature and grow in You daily, submitting all our dreams and desires to YOU. We pray to be those who flourish and bear fruit in old age. Make YOUR name glorious through us Lord, and we will continue to have the walk of faith.

Father, thank You for Jesus. Thank You for the gift of the Holy Spirit in our lives.  According to Romans 15:13...we pray the God of hope fill us with all joy and peace as we trust in Him, so that we may overflow with hope by power of the Holy Spirit. We pray to be those who are taught by the Spirit of the living God, expressing spiritual truths in spiritual words. We say that we are (2 Cor. 9:15) the spiritual man who makes judgments about all things, but he himself is not subject to any man's judgment.
Help us Father to be resilient and ready to change ........our focus is to be kept on YOU! 
In Psalm 33:10, we are told.....10 The LORD brings the counsel of the nations to nothing. He makes the plans of the peoples of no effect. Father, train us in diligent listening, hearing YOUR plans and purposes and then helps us to walk in radical obedience and desperate dependence upon YOUR leading just like Elisha did! Amen.

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