Who Has the LAST WORD in My Life?

In any given situation, who has the last word in my life? In the blog title: HIGH RISK! you can certainly see how quickly things change, and how if we should respond when we do have the Word of God in us!
What determines how we will react to the "bad report" or even a really BAD REPORT?
I believe most people think that "bad things" happen to other people! I believe most go through life thinking that the bad will not touch them, because they have Jesus. But in truth, rain falls on the just as well as the unjust. (verse 45)


Matthew 5:43-48
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

Was thinking about this very thing in the last week. I thought of the infusions I have had and hopefully done with them, and how getting back to exercise is foremost in my thinking. I have always loved working out, either by skating long hours, running,  or going on those 6 mile walks. And of the latest report from the Dr. was that she was glad to see my weight coming to normal and exercising to keep my immune system in proper working order. 

In thinking about this, I got to thinking how I had already had implemented a program of exercise many years ago into my life. You can certainly ask our daughter or even my husband. I always sought strength in my body and that included being able to get the heart to work like it should and keep my body healthy.

Implementing a change of eating right foods starts before we have that "illness" that brings you either to your knees or to the bed. Eating right foods, exercising, and drinking those 6-8 glasses of water begin when we desire change for health and not for sickness. Years ago, after the birth of our first grand-child, our daughter and son-in-law gave us this wonderful Image.....treadmill. It is for that 10,000 steps program. I use it now everyday. But did not use it regularly at the beginning, as I could not figure out why some days I had strength, and other days I had fatigue. Of course, today we know why, but then I was puzzled about it, because I surely liked getting the amount of exercise I needed everyday to stay in optimum  health.

It was a choice!

I then thought of those who say "they will give a million dollars into some ministry" when they win the lottery! Well, if you do not give now into any ministry, how will that change when you get that million dollars?  Because if you choose to hear what happens to those who gain those "millions" you will find that most of them are: either dead today because of someone gaining their trust to get at those millions or said winner could not balance a check-book at the beginning of said win of millions, so they could not keep up with what they had .............AND SPENT IT ALL! (and one could go through all those millions when they have someone helping them to spend it on "nothing" that brings life........but death!)

And then too, you find all those "relatives" who show up that you did not know you even had at the time of said win.

Yes, it is a choice!

In that place within walking distance of the hospital in the city, there is a place many people go to get their infusions. Many though are there for that chemo thing.  Those going through the hour to several hours of infusions take time for those sick with something they cannot see. I was there, but not for any chemo anything. But I saw them, talked to some, and especially the nurses. It is a place I believe many people did not plan on visiting ever in their lives. They are different ethnicity, certainly speak a different language, and some need interpreters. They are of many different age groups!   Some were just quiet, some were very vocal, and some......well, they had a joy that comes only from the Lord. One, we saw, was a man taking calls from his church and was about the bulletin for the church that had to be ready for a service. This man was probably seventy, acted like he was thirty..........and had this chemo therapy..........got on his way to do what needed to be done. I really believe he was the "pastor". He had joy in his heart, was always kind with every word he spoke and with every movement of his body...........he glowed with life. I expect him to have a long life filled with the presence of God in everything he does for His kingdom that has come.

We should certainly hate sickness and know that God did not bring cancer on anyone. We should also know that God is aware of our every circumstance. He is also aware how we will act in and through a really BAD CIRCUMSTANCE. Yes, rain will fall on the just (the righteous) and the unjust (the wicked).........but we choose how we will stand, fall or just give in to being sick.  We choose today how we will act tomorrow. I want to be found with those who have faith to put trust in life everlasting........in Jesus who came to give to us abundantly above what we can ask or think.

From the blog: High Risk!

In receiving Jesus, we are regenerated into life and out of death. As we put on the "New Man" and being renewed in our minds to God's Word and His ways and thoughts, we come out of the grave of death, and defeat and move into the realm of Victory and are people who live by faith with trust in our God!
It is taking God's Word on healing, and raise the standard of our health. When we have sought out His word on healing as for salvation, our condition changes. WE reach forward by faith to receive what we are expecting!
It is a daily walk and receiving that Word that will build us up to receive that which we are expecting.

David said of the Lord; “My times are in Your hand;” (Psalm 31: 15). “Times” here means in the Hebrew; event, experiences, fortunes, occurrences, occasions, permanency, continuing future, ancient (used of past time), forever (used of future time; used of continuous existence)..forever (used of God's existence)

We are a mist, a moment in time, and all of our times are in His hand. All of my future and all of your future conditions, any occurrences are known to Him. It is so vital to stay close to the Creator, the one true God!


Who has the last Word in my life? Well, the Father Who created me and I have what Jesus died to give me on the Cross. And with the Holy Spirit I rise out of the tomb to live the life Jesus died for. I am regenerated into life. They get the LAST WORD IN MY LIFE!  and not me..........

If we will heed His instructions and follow His plan for our lives, we cannot miss the mark. We can be the victorious, and see our lives healthier and whole. Making those needed changes can add years to our lives and help us live in His glory! PLEASE ............stand with me today and believe for the best in your life, and in your body. Those changes are important and they can be done to ensure you finish that race He has for you to run. Amen!


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

THAT PROPHETIC WORD!

WHAT captures our attention? When God speaks, especially in that prophetic Word, it is one that may delight us, may cause us to remember that the "natural" has to line up with the supernatural of God's Word, can warn us, and sometimes bring shock.

They say there are a lot of prophecies the last several months concerning disasters, some economic downturns, but our focus is on what the Lord is speaking. Especially in this the Jewish Year of 5774. I heard a lot about those whose objective is seeing this whole world running towards Armageddon and how the world was coming to an end. Oh my, where did they get all that. Recently I wrote on the orphan and that mentality.

Excerpt from the .....blog......: Orphan: That One Who Can Finish Strong!

Many people today are voicing loudly their life of the desolate. Many have not seen the example of a "figure" to lead them with wisdom. Many today have been led by maybe a sibling or friend and most have been taken far from the place of being nurtured in love, but brought up in neglect, or left as in abandonment, and in deprivation of anything to sustain them to life. Love never enters the arena where they reside. These are they who are usually used in some way for another's gain.

These are the "orphans"!

This has come on my heart to write in the last few days. I was never left an orphan, but I met many who had been left to their own devices. I met many who had to fend for themselves, and I saw the mistakes they made by trying to be "grown up" when there was still so much of a child inside. One young lady who had failed a couple of years in school, desired to quit school and marry. I remember watching this game being played at our school one afternoon. It was a basketball practice being held outside and I remember sitting next to this young teen. Although she was some three years older than me, I liked her gentle spirit. She loved to talk and so did I.  I was in Jr. High and liked being that age and being in school.I loved "homework"!  But this one talked how she wanted to be married and take care of a home. I wondered, "does someone really like cleaning house and cooking food"? Remember I was in Jr. High. 

I believe too many are afraid to face the future. I hear those "words" going out ..........and I always think of Chicken Little.......you know......" the sky is falling" mentality. I know what the Lord has shown me and it is not to fear the future. Our Father has a future for us..............those who believe............for there is no lack in God's kingdom.
Again, thinking on the young lady...........I wonder who steered her towards marrying at such a young age. I wonder who told her how great it was to "clean house". I knew for myself, that my parents desired me to get an education. They were not seeking to having me to be married off at sixteen. 


There is a harvest coming...of many souls for the kingdom............and there must be finances to bring that harvest in............not by hiding out in bunkers or those buildings put up for family only............hording dried food, and water, but giving now.........reaching out to others now..........for IF everyone got in their bunkers, hid out............and kept as much for themselves, then who would want to hear about Jesus? Who would want to come to a kingdom where Chicken Little rules? I would not want a place like that. 

I know what I have been taught, and I know what the Father speaks............I know without a doubt that there is a real coming time to have supplies on hand for those sudden emergencies not expected, and we are to be obedient to ready ourselves to do that as the Lord has shown or directed us to do. WE certainly have supplies on hand for the Cascadia Event! (anyone living in the area of the Cascadia Subduction zone should know what preparation they should undertake for a sudden impact to this region) The warning for that has been going on now for almost two years!

We have also watched those informational news programs given by those who study these kind of earthquakes and how far they will reach inland. Have you? Also, we have learned what the area west of I-5 will look like after a cataclysmic Cascadia Subduction Zone quake will look like or where it will be located after the event!
But also being prepared is knowing that we are not left to our own devices. We surely need His wisdom on this, do we not?  God has given us His Word to direct us to a future that hope resides.  I know there are many today say they spend time in the Word and researching and the such.......but I see them more like those groping in darkness for any hint of light. The world can certainly bring the most unexpected things on the scene, but we do not have to receive them. We are suppose to be those who are just passing through to our home in heaven. We are to be those who take the truth of God and believe it. His powerful words are to be set up in our hearts where victory comes from. If we stay in the doom and gloom, then why get up in the morning, and why try to clothe yourself?
But God has bestowed on us the family name. He has given us the righteous garments. And we are the empowered: 

Daniel 11:32
32 Those who do wickedly against the covenant he shall corrupt with flattery; but the people who know their God shall be strong, and carry out great exploits.  NKJV

Those who know their God will be the strong and carry out great exploits. 
Doing those exploits is cultivating that relationship with Him.
Getting to know someone new, we take time to meet with them........speaking to them and they to us!
We know Him by observing how He does things. We notice when He is quiet and when He has a lot to say to us!
We become the strong when we become confident in what He is showing us by His Word and what He speaks.
We become those like our daughter who could take a group of teens to the Panamanian Jungle in 2000. 
In the scripture below we find a prophet who spoke about a great famine throughout the world.
Acts 11:28
28 Then one of them, named Agabus, stood up and showed by the Spirit that there was going to be a great famine throughout all the world, which also happened in the days of Claudius Caesar.  NKJV

We can see famine coming.......we see the months with little or no rain. But our hope is for the Northwest to be rainy all nine months! Those who live in the Northwest are the expectant that Fall, Winter and Spring will be rainy, wet-filled days, little wind, and see no famine ever. 
Prophetic words can come. They come in the form of warnings, in the form of knowledge concerning people, places or things or come as what is in the mind and will of God. 
In looking at Acts 11, we also see Agabus giving a personal prophecy to Paul. He did not tell Paul to go to Jerusalem, but he simply showed Paul what would happen to him there.

Those prophetic words need to be kept where we can see them and remind ourselves God gave us His heart on them. When they are from Him, they will come to pass when we expect them, when we keep watching, keep seeking, although some can be delayed at times, but we check ourselves to see why they are being delayed. And that prophetic word will confirm what God is saying to your own spirit man.

Always remember to put God's Word first and foremost. Being confident in what God is saying at this moment is something to be treasured, and is important as a family member of God. What God is speaking to us is important for others to know. That Word will build us up and not tear down. Any tearing down is done by the Holy Spirit and He will do it in a gentle way. But we also must ask Him to be here to guide us and to direct us into and through circumstances we do not expect.

As we saw in Jesus' ministry, we know that the modern day prophets prepare a people for the Lord by pointing to that intimate relationship with HIM! Please see John 3:29. Jesus pointed  out in His ministry that those who spoke by lies were of their father the devil,

John 8:42-47
42 Jesus said to them, "If God were your Father, you would love me, for I came from God and now am here. I have not come on my own; but he sent me. 43 Why is my language not clear to you? Because you are unable to hear what I say. 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

Jesus told us in John 8....that those of God would love Jesus. He also spoke of the language He spoke and asked them why was it not clear to them!  For Jesus nailed it when He said, "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."

He even asked if they could find HIM guilty of sin. Then the most astounding thing He spoke: "He who belongs to God hears what God says. The reason you do not hear is that you do not belong to God."

So Jesus was equipping those to discern God's voice.

Like we have talked about and seen...........those of the cursed tree will ultimately wither and die. That of the living tree will produce fruit. Pay attention, watch the signs, and do not fly off like Chicken Little, but keep your composure as your peace will be in God and NOT in this world's economy. May God bless the works of your hands for His kingdom.

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

Who is PLOTTING TO KILL JESUS? or I WAS AFRAID!

Who is plotting to kill Jesus?
Anyone who wants their own way, who wants to live as much in sin as they can today, and who will not receive that He is the Son of God.....the sent One!

Luke 22:66-71
66 As soon as it was day, the elders of the people, both chief priests and scribes, came together and led Him into their council, saying, 67 "If You are the Christ, tell us." But He said to them, "If I tell you, you will by no means believe. 68 And if I also ask you, you will by no means answer Me or let Me go. 69 Hereafter the Son of Man will sit on the right hand of the power of God." 70 Then they all said, "Are You then the Son of God?" So He said to them, "You rightly say that I am." 71 And they said, "What further testimony do we need? For we have heard it ourselves from His own mouth."
NKJV

Recognizing truth should be simple. But today we see many wanting to compromise their faith. I like what I heard yesterday of a pastor down in San Diego, California. He said too many believer's are stepping aside in those things which contradict God's Word. Too many, are not speaking out when they should be saying something against that which contradicts.
I never read of Jesus stepping aside.......when anyone was contradicting..........!
Truth was before the chief priests and scribes as they held "their council" and yet none believed. But the scripture would be fulfilled..........

Luke 9:20-22
20 "But what about you?" he asked. "Who do you say I am?"

Peter answered, "The Christ of God."

21 Jesus strictly warned them not to tell this to anyone. 22 And he said, "The Son of Man must suffer many things and be rejected by the elders, chief priests and teachers of the law, and he must be killed and on the third day be raised to life."               NIV

Matthew 12:9-21

9 Now when He had departed from there, He went into their synagogue. 10 And behold, there was a man who had a withered hand. And they asked Him, saying, "Is it lawful to heal on the Sabbath?"--that they might accuse Him. 11 Then He said to them, "What man is there among you who has one sheep, and if it falls into a pit on the Sabbath, will not lay hold of it and lift it out? 12 Of how much more value then is a man than a sheep? Therefore it is lawful to do good on the Sabbath." 13 Then He said to the man, "Stretch out your hand." And he stretched it out, and it was restored as whole as the other. 14 Then the Pharisees went out and plotted against Him, how they might destroy Him. 

15 But when Jesus knew it, He withdrew from there. And great multitudes followed Him, and He healed them all. 16 Yet He warned them not to make Him known, 17 that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by Isaiah the prophet, saying: 

18 "Behold, My Servant whom I have chosen,

My Beloved in whom My soul is well pleased!

I will put My Spirit upon Him,

And He will declare justice to the Gentiles. 

19 He will not quarrel nor cry out,

Nor will anyone hear His voice in the streets. 

20 A bruised reed He will not break,

And smoking flax He will not quench,

Till He sends forth justice to victory; 

21 And in His name Gentiles will trust."          NKJV

Even the prophet Isaiah spoke that Jesus would declare justice to the Gentiles and they would put their trust in Him. Yet, Israel would not relent. They did not want the carpenter's son.  They were plotting to kill Him......or destroy Him.......verse 14!

John 11:45-57

45 Then many of the Jews who had come to Mary, and had seen the things Jesus did, believed in Him. 46 But some of them went away to the Pharisees and told them the things Jesus did. 47 Then the chief priests and the Pharisees gathered a council and said, "What shall we do? For this Man works many signs. 48 If we let Him alone like this, everyone will believe in Him, and the Romans will come and take away both our place and nation." 49 And one of them, Caiaphas, being high priest that year, said to them, "You know nothing at all, 50 nor do you consider that it is expedient for us that one man should die for the people, and not that the whole nation should perish." 51 Now this he did not say on his own authority; but being high priest that year he prophesied that Jesus would die for the nation, 52 and not for that nation only, but also that He would gather together in one the children of God who were scattered abroad. 53 Then, from that day on, they plotted to put Him to death. 54 Therefore Jesus no longer walked openly among the Jews, but went from there into the country near the wilderness, to a city called Ephraim, and there remained with His disciples. 55 And the Passover of the Jews was near, and many went from the country up to Jerusalem before the Passover, to purify themselves. 56 Then they sought Jesus, and spoke among themselves as they stood in the temple, "What do you think--that He will not come to the feast?" 57 Now both the chief priests and the Pharisees had given a command, that if anyone knew where He was, he should report it, that they might seize Him.   NKJV

Yes, even in Jesus' time we see those of the "me" society. They wanted to keep their preeminence with their long robes, and their loud open prayers in public for all to see, so that they might remain somewhat "important" to their thinking. But God sent His Son to bring love to a dying nation. And they would not receive it.  Even those as the crowd who saw many wonderful signs and wonders had remarks as the one below.

Luke 19:1-10

19:1 Jesus entered Jericho and was passing through. 2 A man was there by the name of Zacchaeus; he was a chief tax collector and was wealthy. 3 He wanted to see who Jesus was, but being a short man he could not, because of the crowd. 4 So he ran ahead and climbed a sycamore-fig tree to see him, since Jesus was coming that way. 

5 When Jesus reached the spot, he looked up and said to him, "Zacchaeus, come down immediately. I must stay at your house today." 6 So he came down at once and welcomed him gladly. 

7 All the people saw this and began to mutter, "He has gone to be the guest of a 'sinner.'" 

8 But Zacchaeus stood up and said to the Lord, "Look, Lord! Here and now I give half of my possessions to the poor, and if I have cheated anybody out of anything, I will pay back four times the amount." 

9 Jesus said to him, "Today salvation has come to this house, because this man, too, is a son of Abraham. 10 For the Son of Man came to seek and to save what was lost."   NIV

Yikes! These who saw gave up to mutter things about Zacchaeus.........the sinner and how Jesus was going to the house of the "sinner".

Now we can see from the Gospels of those plotting against Jesus, but I would like you to walk back into Genesis with me and read what Adam told God.


Genesis 3:6-10
 6 So when the woman saw that the tree was good for food, that it was pleasant to the eyes, and a tree desirable to make one wise, she took of its fruit and ate. She also gave to her husband with her, and he ate. 7 Then the eyes of both of them were opened, and they knew that they were naked; and they sewed fig leaves together and made themselves coverings. 8 And they heard the sound of the LORD God walking in the garden in the cool of the day, and Adam and his wife hid themselves from the presence of the LORD God among the trees of the garden.

9 Then the LORD God called to Adam and said to him, "Where are you?" 10 So he said, "I heard Your voice in the garden, and I was afraid because I was naked; and I hid myself."   NKJV

Now what did Adam say after he and his wife Eve ate the apple?

Let's see: their eyes were opened. They now knew "sin". They were trying to cover themselves so as not to be seen as those who did something wrong. Then...........they heard the sound of the LORD........God walking in the garden. Adam and Eve hid in their sin. They were no longer considering themselves among God's family.

Then God asks: "Where are you?" And Adam responds" I heard Your voice in the garden, and I was afraid because I was naked; and I hid myself."  Adam does not mention Eve at all in this, as he is so consumed with the sinning against God. And he was afraid when he heard God's voice in the garden.

Can you imagine that these were probably the saddest words that God would hear? That Adam spoke of being afraid when he heard God's voice in the garden. 

Adam had heard His voice............knew God spoke always in truth..........and now was experiencing what sin meant to someone who had lived in the presence of God! He felt separated, apart from God and left in knowing its affect on him.

How many times have we gone into a service and did not like what the pastor or another was speaking from either the pulpit or just in front of a group of people? How many know that when we are afraid and blame the person who spoke God's Word is not the bad guy, and is not the bad "messenger" who is sent by God. The person who is playing the blame game is the one who is afraid of the Word of God being spoken to them. They try to put up that "wall" that facade (fe' sad) that is just a covering, a mask, an act to cover what is really going on in their life.

These scribes and pharisees sought out Jesus. They plot to do away with Him. They were afraid of truth! Yet, God used all this to fulfill those prophecies of Jesus. He came and they did not see Him, did not receive Him and therefore sought to do away with the Prince of peace.

Luke 20:17-19
17 Jesus looked directly at them and asked, "Then what is the meaning of that which is written:

"'The stone the builders rejected 
has become the capstone'? 

18 Everyone who falls on that stone will be broken to pieces, but he on whom it falls will be crushed."

19 The teachers of the law and the chief priests looked for a way to arrest him immediately, because they knew he had spoken this parable against them. But they were afraid of the people.  NIV

In closing: consider this, that Peter and John too faced the same things that Jesus faced when He walked in Jerusalem............

Acts 4:1-21
4:1 Now as they spoke to the people, the priests, the captain of the temple, and the Sadducees came upon them, 2 being greatly disturbed that they taught the people and preached in Jesus the resurrection from the dead. 3 And they laid hands on them, and put them in custody until the next day, for it was already evening. 4 However, many of those who heard the word believed; and the number of the men came to be about five thousand.

5 And it came to pass, on the next day, that their rulers, elders, and scribes, 6 as well as Annas the high priest, Caiaphas, John, and Alexander, and as many as were of the family of the high priest, were gathered together at Jerusalem. 7 And when they had set them in the midst, they asked, "By what power or by what name have you done this?" 8 Then Peter, filled with the Holy Spirit, said to them, "Rulers of the people and elders of Israel: 9 If we this day are judged for a good deed done to a helpless man, by what means he has been made well, 10 let it be known to you all, and to all the people of Israel, that by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom you crucified, whom God raised from the dead, by Him this man stands here before you whole. 11 This is the 'stone which was rejected by you builders, which has become the chief cornerstone.'  12 Nor is there salvation in any other, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved."

13 Now when they saw the boldness of Peter and John, and perceived that they were uneducated and untrained men, they marveled. And they realized that they had been with Jesus. 14 And seeing the man who had been healed standing with them, they could say nothing against it. 15 But when they had commanded them to go aside out of the council, they conferred among themselves, 16 saying, "What shall we do to these men? For, indeed, that a notable miracle has been done through them is evident to all who dwell in Jerusalem, and we cannot deny it. 17 But so that it spreads no further among the people, let us severely threaten them, that from now on they speak to no man in this name." 18 And they called them and commanded them not to speak at all nor teach in the name of Jesus. 19 But Peter and John answered and said to them, "Whether it is right in the sight of God to listen to you more than to God, you judge. 20 For we cannot but speak the things which we have seen and heard." 21 So when they had further threatened them, they let them go, finding no way of punishing them, because of the people, since they all glorified God for what had been done.  NKJV

Now is not the time to step aside, and let those who think they are right because they believe a "lie". Eyes certainly need to be opened to truth. That truth is found in the Bible. Paul had warned of a time......and that the "time will come when [believers] will not endure sound doctrine, but according to their own desires, because they have itching ears, they will heap up for themselves teachers; and they will turn their ears away from the truth, and be turned aside to fables." ( 2 Timothy 4:3-4)  As the body of believer's we must keep close intimacy with the Lord, and keep that Word before our eyes that keeps us on that straight and narrow path of life.

I like what Steve Hill, Evangelist wrote in " The 7 Great Lies in the Church Today"........"Don't just go through the Word: let the Word go through you. Why are we so afraid in the godless generation to confront fallacies?"

Jesus stood for truth. He was sent to bring restoration to the fallen man. He came to set captives free and to see that the Father desired His family: the sons of God! We come to that place when we believe. Being renewed in our hearts and mind to truth. We are not to live like in our past.........."in the good 'ole days" but by putting on the new man, created in His likeness that is true righteousness and holiness. Live in Christ's love. Our lives should certainly be the fragrant aroma of worship to the Lord and not to ourselves or the "me" society.
I like what my pastor said the other day..........and it is so true. " A cursed tree cannot produce anything but death." 
God's way will always produce in us that of life and holiness.......that speaks wisdom and declares glory to God! Amen.



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

Earthly Good and Heaven Bound Too!

Luke 12:27-40
27 "Consider how the lilies grow. They do not labor or spin. Yet I tell you, not even Solomon in all his splendor was dressed like one of these. 28 If that is how God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today, and tomorrow is thrown into the fire, how much more will he clothe you, O you of little faith! 29 And do not set your heart on what you will eat or drink; do not worry about it. 30 For the pagan world runs after all such things, and your Father knows that you need them. 31 But seek his kingdom, and these things will be given to you as well. 

32 "Do not be afraid, little flock, for your Father has been pleased to give you the kingdom. 33 Sell your possessions and give to the poor. Provide purses for yourselves that will not wear out, a treasure in heaven that will not be exhausted, where no thief comes near and no moth destroys. 34 For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also. 

35 "Be dressed ready for service and keep your lamps burning, 36 like men waiting for their master to return from a wedding banquet, so that when he comes and knocks they can immediately open the door for him. 37 It will be good for those servants whose master finds them watching when he comes. I tell you the truth, he will dress himself to serve, will have them recline at the table and will come and wait on them. 38 It will be good for those servants whose master finds them ready, even if he comes in the second or third watch of the night. 39 But understand this: If the owner of the house had known at what hour the thief was coming, he would not have let his house be broken into. 40 You also must be ready, because the Son of Man will come at an hour when you do not expect him."  NIV

Seek His kingdom and these things will be given to you..........not like the pagan who runs after the world and the things of the world, but we seek those things that bring life to us.

What God provides for us is that which always gives us life! It is that which will multiply us and not subtract from us. It is having a faith in the life God meant for us to have. It is place where there is an abundance of treasure that never runs out. It is a place where nothing wears out..............including you and me! Amen. Like Moses, we too, can be 120 years of age and our eyes are not dim, our vigor is not diminished and our youth is restored to us.

Deuteronomy 34:7-8
7 Moses was 120 years old when he died, yet his eyesight was perfect and he was as strong as a young man. 8 The people of Israel mourned for him for thirty days on the plains of Moab.  TLB

Now this man was as strong as a young man, his eyesight was perfect...........ah yes, he attained his youth in his body. How? By submitting to Him, and having faith that God would do what He said He would do for Moses himself and for Israel!

Psalm 138:2-3

2 I will worship toward Your holy temple,

And praise Your name 

For Your lovingkindness and Your truth;

For You have magnified Your word above all Your name. 

3 In the day when I cried out, You answered me,

And made me bold with strength in my soul.    NKJV

As the psalmist wrote, You have magnified Your word above all Your name. In the day when I cried out, You answered me and made me bold with strength in my soul. 

God's Word strengthens us in our mind, will and emotions. And we certainly need His power in our lives bringing health and strength when facing that bad report or trying to get past some PTSD.........that post traumatic stress syndrome or any other traumatic hurt or injury.

Because, like any abuse to another, we must forgive them, move on, and live for God.
Well, that certainly sounds simple.............Shelley, but in truth, when one is hurt so bad, many feel hurt long after those who afflicted the pain are dead and gone for good.
 But that is why it is important that we have knowledge of the Holy One that helps us in that self-control issue. Many who are hurt will try to put up those walls to keep them safe! In reality though, that living with a lack of control in our daily lives causes us to fall short!  It is only God Who can give us peace and control in dealing with traumatic issues in our lives. Our trying to handle it our way can and will cause more injury to us, and hurt us worse than that caused by another person in time of war, abuse within families, or just being abandoned by a parent or a spouse!

Peter told us in 2 Peter 1:1-11.........that those who have received a faith of the same kind as ours, by the righteousness of our God and Savior Jesus Christ: Grace and peace be multiplied to you and me in the knowledge of God and Jesus our Lord.........! 

We are to have knowledge of Him, spend time so our faith grows.  We....who..have been given divine promises...those precious promise are for the righteous.....(verse 4) who have become partakers with God and no longer operate in the world or its ways. So in that gaining knowledge of God, we should be the 1. diligent.....in everything we do as the individual, as the spouse, as the parent, in our jobs or in ministry. WE are to be the DILIGENT! AND IN OUR FAITH, we are to put on that moral excellence. 2. Those morals should be a behavior and belief........in that which is acceptable to God. And that code is found in His Word! He speaks of those values, especially in the book of Proverbs. 3. Then self-control is put on or applied to our lives. That control is dependent on us being disciplined in the Word. It is that ability to control with God's Word any one emotion or any desires that may be harmful to us. We can usually find the "real us" in a difficult situation. Especially if we have built a safe place with just certain "peeps" and hear only what Word of God makes us feel good. Again that is Picking and Choosing what comforts us instead of allowing God to heal what is broken in us.

From there we put on.........add to our faith........that perseverance (5).......that we never stop doing what we know we are to do. Spend time with God........Know His (6) godliness............have brotherly kindness (7) and add love to our faith. (8)

For when we have these.........and this is Peter speaking in verse 8 of same chapter 1.......Yes, having these qualities and are increasing in us...........we will never be the blind or short-sighted........still the one dealing with sin..........not letting go of old situations and difficult situations as well. Because verse 11 says that when we PRACTICE THESE THINGS........WE WILL NEVER STUMBLE........AND (11) AND ENTRANCE IS SHOWN TO US..........a way into the eternal kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ who will abundantly supply us. Amen.

Jesus said that we were to keep our lamps burning like men waiting for their master to return from a wedding banquet.  So that when He comes and knocks, they (you and I) can open the door immediately. He who is expecting the Lord is the one who dresses himself to serve. He is the one ready for action. And ready for His return. 

Luke 12:32-40

32 "So don't be afraid, little flock. For it gives your Father great happiness to give you the Kingdom. 33 Sell what you have and give to those in need. This will fatten your purses in heaven! And the purses of heaven have no rips or holes in them. Your treasures there will never disappear; no thief can steal them; no moth can destroy them. 34 Wherever your treasure is, there your heart and thoughts will also be. 

35 "Be prepared-all dressed and ready- 36 for your Lord's return from the wedding feast. Then you will be ready to open the door and let him in the moment he arrives and knocks. 37 There will be great joy for those who are ready and waiting for his return. He himself will seat them and put on a waiter's uniform and serve them as they sit and eat! 38 He may come at nine o'clock at night-or even at midnight. But whenever he comes, there will be joy for his servants who are ready! 

39 "Everyone would be ready for him if they knew the exact hour of his return-just as they would be ready for a thief if they knew when he was coming. 40 So be ready all the time. For I, the Messiah, will come when least expected."    TLB

So be ready........be the equipped, ............the armed and dangerous with God's Word...and with....the breastplate of righteousness. Our moving forward is always an action move..........it is a move against the enemy, the devil.  Putting on truth around our waist...........to gird up..........shod with the gospel of peace...........wearing the helmet of salvation and carrying the sword of the Spirit that Word of God in our hearts and speaking it loudly as we move continually forward to meeting Christ at His return! We are to be the fearless. We are to speak of all those mysteries of the gospel and give people the Word of the hope in our hearts.

We are to be the alert and always praying for all saints. (Ephesians 6:18)

Below: we see that being self-controlled...........not throwing temper tantrums, but ready for action, holding on to hope on the grace given to you and me when Jesus is revealed.

1 Peter 1:13-25

13 Therefore, prepare your minds for action; be self-controlled; set your hope fully on the grace to be given you when Jesus Christ is revealed. 14 As obedient children, do not conform to the evil desires you had when you lived in ignorance. 15 But just as he who called you is holy, so be holy in all you do; 16 for it is written: "Be holy, because I am holy."  

17 Since you call on a Father who judges each man's work impartially, live your lives as strangers here in reverent fear. 18 For you know that it was not with perishable things such as silver or gold that you were redeemed from the empty way of life handed down to you from your forefathers, 19 but with the precious blood of Christ, a lamb without blemish or defect. 20 He was chosen before the creation of the world, but was revealed in these last times for your sake. 21 Through him you believe in God, who raised him from the dead and glorified him, and so your faith and hope are in God. 

22 Now that you have purified yourselves by obeying the truth so that you have sincere love for your brothers, love one another deeply, from the heart.  23 For you have been born again, not of perishable seed, but of imperishable, through the living and enduring word of God. 24 For, 

"All men are like grass, 

and all their glory is like the flowers of the field; 

the grass withers and the flowers fall, 

25 but the word of the Lord stands forever." 

And this is the word that was preached to you. NIV

Obeying truth, is purifying ourselves from the world. We are to live as strangers here in a reverential fear toward God. We were purchased with the precious Blood of Christ, that lamb without blemish or defect. Our faith and our hope are to be in God, not in the things of this world. We are to be ready for action, setting our minds on the things of God, to be self-controlled.

So we know " all men are like grass, and all their glory is like the flowers of the field". "The grass withers and the flowers fall, but the word of the Lord stands forever." So knowing all this, we should not desire to move off the word of the Lord that stands forever, right? It is through Him that we believe in God, who raised him (Jesus) from the dead and glorified him, and so our faith and hope are in God. TRUTH!

Our faith is to be in the One True God! Our faith should be established and growing. It should be in that which is in imperishable............the living and enduring of God...........His Word! Our abiding is in that which brings life to what God desires for us. It is not in "old wive's tales".

1 John 2:24-29

24 Therefore let that abide in you which you heard from the beginning. If what you heard from the beginning abides in you, you also will abide in the Son and in the Father. 25 And this is the promise that He has promised us--eternal life. 26 These things I have written to you concerning those who try to deceive you. 27 But the anointing which you have received from Him abides in you, and you do not need that anyone teach you; but as the same anointing teaches you concerning all things, and is true, and is not a lie, and just as it has taught you, you will abide in Him. 

28 And now, little children, abide in Him, that when He appears, we may have confidence and not be ashamed before Him at His coming. 29 If you know that He is righteous, you know that everyone who practices righteousness is born of Him.    NKJV

That anointing is truth.........it is not a lie.

Our abiding.........means that we believe.........with no doubting and we put His Word first in everything we do and everything we speak.  For those who truly have faith abide in Him and will abide alive eternally. Those who do not abide in Him, abide in death.....with no life!

If we know the Holy Spirit is in us.......then would we be so lax to mention His name or think about to  mention how glad we are that He is with us?  That anointing came through Jesus. And He sent the Comforter to reside with us. That anointing is powerful and it is within us. That new and living way is into the Kingdom of God through the salvation we received when we first believed.

If we would only realize, our faith can grow and when it does, we can see what we read in the Old Testament.

Isaiah 54:2-5

2 "Enlarge the place of your tent,

stretch your tent curtains wide,

do not hold back;

lengthen your cords,

strengthen your stakes. 

3 For you will spread out to the right and to the left;

your descendants will dispossess nations 

and settle in their desolate cities. 

4 "Do not be afraid; you will not suffer shame.

Do not fear disgrace; you will not be humiliated.

You will forget the shame of your youth 

and remember no more the reproach of your widowhood. 

5 For your Maker is your husband--

the LORD Almighty is his name--

the Holy One of Israel is your Redeemer;

he is called the God of all the earth.    NIV

The place we stand when we receive Jesus is the place we grow up in. We leave the baby side of things and grow with the "meat" of the Word. When we choose to use our faith, we can see the place we stand enlarge............like a tent if you will! Stretch it out...........your growing up...........stretching........changing, becoming who God planned us to be. Now do not hold back.........lengthen those cords..........strengthen those stakes.........for you and I will surely spread out to the right and to the left.................our descendants will dispossess nations.............and settle those desolate cities..............Do NOT be afraid...........YOU will suffer no shame.............YOU will not be humiliated...........YOU will forget the shame of Your youth and remember no more reproach.........for the Maker is our husband...........the LORD Almighty is his name.........the Redeemer..............is called the God of all the earth. Amen.

 We are built up as living stones (1 Peter 2:5) As the spiritual temple..........we sound like Jesus, act like Jesus, and have momentum. We are moving to the place of those who are taught by God.........(Isaiah 54:13)

John 6:45

45 It is written in the Prophets: 'They will all be taught by God.' Everyone who listens to the Father and learns from him comes to me. NIV

May we not forget from where we came from. May we never forget the Cross and the Blood shed for us on that eventful day.............when man was saved  who would believe............forever.........who would receive the Son of God, the Savior of the world. 

Ephesians 2:8-10

 8 For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, 9 not of works, lest anyone should boast. 10 For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them.   NKJV

For it is truly by faith that we gained a gift..........life eternal with the God of love, with the Son of His love........empowered by the Holy Spirit.............to stand, face the enemy..............and be victorious..........as He our Lord Jesus was victorious on that day that forever changed our destiny. Ah yes, that we are His workmanship.............created in Christ Jesus for good works...............which God prepared beforehand that you and I should walk in them. 

Come on, let's go together now..............forgetting what lies behind and reach for that call in Jesus Christ...............Philippians 3:13-14

Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, 14 I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus. 

As Jesus was led by the Spirit in Matthew 4:1 and Luke 4:1.....may we be led by the Spirit of the Living God.........Romans 8:13-15
 13 For if you live according to the sinful nature, you will die; but if by the Spirit you put to death the misdeeds of the body, you will live, 14 because those who are led by the Spirit of God are sons of God. 15 For you did not receive a spirit that makes you a slave again to fear, but you received the Spirit of sonship.

Come Kingdom of God, be done will of God in our lives, in our families, our children, our jobs and in ministry. May we have full knowledge of the Holy One who shows us how to have self-control in the most difficult situations. We have not been given a spirit to fear, to lash out to others when someone is giving us God's word that corrects us, but we have been given the Spirit of son-ship. We are to act like YOUR sons Father God. Truly we have gained a gift of eternal life with You the God of love with the Son of YOUR love.  We are...the.....empowered! We are led by Your Holy Spirit today.Father we, desire to be producers in the fruit that is life in God and bring a good to those dwelling on this earth. Help us to be bold to talk about YOUR kingdom, and how faith is to operate in our lives. For we are to agree with sound instruction and  godly teaching ( 1 Timothy 6:3) We are not to heed anything false.   For we brought nothing into the world and we can take nothing out of it.
Our treasure is what is laid up in our hearts and where our heart is found, Jesus will be in the midst to us for life eternally. We now give You all the praise for what You are doing in this place right now and give YOU all our thanks for Jesus and the opportunity to have a life of faith...............and may we too, be found with those in the Hall of Faith in Jesus' name we pray. Amen!

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

MUDDY BOOTS??

Mark 1:35-39
35 In the early morning, while it was still dark, Jesus got up, left the house, and went away to a secluded place, and was praying there.

36 Simon and his companions searched for Him;

37 they found Him, and said to Him, "Everyone is looking for You."

38 He said to them, "Let us go somewhere else to the towns nearby, so that I may preach there also; for that is what I came for."

39 And He went into their synagogues throughout all Galilee, preaching and casting out the demons.
NASU


In the early morning hours, while still dark outside, Jesus got up........left the warm bed and maybe that comfortable chair...... to go to a secluded place AND PRAY!

WE ARE TOLD, Simon and companions searched for Him. And yes, they found Him........and told Him how others were looking for Him. But Jesus said, "Let us go somewhere else to the towns nearby, so that I may preach there also; for that is what I came for."

And He went. He went into synagogues all throughout Galilee. He was preaching and casting out demons.

Jesus was the devoted! He was devoted to His Father and to the call!

Devotion: being faithful and loyal......surrender to being taught, and find trust in .......as in maturing in the things of God, being the consistent, and expecting to grow in faith

Colossians 2:6-8

6 Therefore as you have received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk in Him, 

7 having been firmly rooted and now being built up in Him and established in your faith, just as you were instructed, and overflowing with gratitude. 

8 See to it that no one takes you captive through philosophy and empty deception, according to the tradition of men, according to the elementary principles of the world, rather than according to Christ.   NASU

Yes, that tradition of men is Muddy Water and can bring on our walk in Muddy Boots!
"See to it that no one takes you captive through philosophy and empty deception, according to the tradition of men, according to the elementary principles of the world ......rather than according to Christ.

Prayer was certainly foremost in Jesus' day to day life. We can find Him coming down the mountain or going up to the quiet place to pray. Sometimes we saw Him go in the evening and still pray in the morning. He was devoted to speaking with His Father. He needed to know some things as well as we need to know some things concerning the day and hour we live in.

Jesus took the opportunities to correct when correction was needed. He no doubt asked questions as the Scribes and Pharisees asked Him questions. As we see in scripture below; we see Jesus talk with the disciples about "not one stone here will be left on another. every one will be thrown down."

 In all that, Jesus warned of a coming day where the future for Israel would be far from bright and rosy. All their security would be gone. He gave them a time-line of a span of some forty years......and what the outcome would be.

Mark 13:1-8
13:1 As he was leaving the temple, one of his disciples said to him, "Look, Teacher! What massive stones! What magnificent buildings!"

2 "Do you see all these great buildings?" replied Jesus. "Not one stone here will be left on another; every one will be thrown down."

3 As Jesus was sitting on the Mount of Olives opposite the temple, Peter, James, John and Andrew asked him privately, 4 "Tell us, when will these things happen? And what will be the sign that they are all about to be fulfilled?"

5 Jesus said to them: "Watch out that no one deceives you. 6 Many will come in my name, claiming, 'I am he,' and will deceive many. 7 When you hear of wars and rumors of wars, do not be alarmed. Such things must happen, but the end is still to come. 8 Nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. There will be earthquakes in various places, and famines. These are the beginning of birth pains.    NIV

The prophet was speaking, and He was speaking what the Father had shown Him by the Holy Spirit. Those that feel that they are.......... the separated, those greater than any other, whether in nations or even in those churches, will and can see what can happen when faith is put into man and nation and not into God and His Word.

We may be able to feed the nations, but where is our true devotion? Where is our heart really? Is it found in God and with God or is in "how great we are" and see I fed another nation this week.   Just because this nation was found on biblical truths, does not mean we are the secure. This nation has surely moved away from God and from His plan. But even a few could pray and keep seeking........a few could ........keep burning that midnight oil and see God come through for a nation who have come to the point of forgetting about Him.

Revelation 3:7-13

These things says He who is holy, He who is true, "He who has the key of David, He who opens and no one shuts, and shuts and no one opens": 8 "I know your works. See, I have set before you an open door, and no one can shut it; for you have a little strength, have kept My word, and have not denied My name. 9 Indeed I will make those of the synagogue of Satan, who say they are Jews and are not, but lie--indeed I will make them come and worship before your feet, and to know that I have loved you. 10 Because you have kept My command to persevere, I also will keep you from the hour of trial which shall come upon the whole world, to test those who dwell on the earth. 11 Behold, I am coming quickly! Hold fast what you have, that no one may take your crown. 12 He who overcomes, I will make him a pillar in the temple of My God, and he shall go out no more. And I will write on him the name of My God and the name of the city of My God, the New Jerusalem, which comes down out of heaven from My God. And I will write on him My new name. 13 He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches." '      NKJV

Do we know without a doubt, He is with us, walking with us, or have we muddied our marching boots into man's religion and attending services that only serve man? Surely church is boring if we just do the same "ole thing" and expect to be entertained all the time.

In praying the last few weeks over the situations going on in this nation, I always think of the "Emperor's New Clothes". And I thought how everyone was in agreement about the Emperor and the deception which had taken place, yet no one wanted to speak up, but only the child.

I remember my mother reading the book to me: "The Emperor's New Clothes". It was a short story written by Hans Christian Andersen. Of course, it was the tale of an emperor needing a new suit of clothes. Well, the two weavers had promised that this kind was invisible to those who were the unfit for their position. Remember those weavers worked with nothing on their looms.  The "old minister" was sent to check how the weavers were doing. But alas, he saw nothing. Of course, he thought himself as either the stupid or one who was unfit for the position he held. And of course, all the folks agreed with the deceitful weavers that the new clothes were of beautiful pattern and colors. Although this Emperor paraded before the subjects naked, no one says a thing. It was the young child who cries out......."But he isn't wearing anything at all!" And of course, the Emperor paraded on, even though there was really no train to carry from behind the naked man!

How is God seeing us? Are we the clothed, with the breastplate of righteous of God?
Or are we those in His eyes which are the miserable, blind and naked".........yikes!

God desires the relationship ........it is in His love and by His grace. Jesus was not the relaxed in the short while He was here on earth.  He certainly went where He needed to go and He went there in prayer. He went having the relationship to see truth, and speak against any deceptions in the land at the time. If we are the body of Christ, now is not the time to relax............let down our hair and party like there is no tomorrow.  Certainly the Jew's of Jesus' day felt secure. They kept eating and drinking and having merriment. But within some forty years Rome had reduced Jerusalem to that pile of rubble where Jesus said that not one stone would remain on another. Jesus witnessed to His disciples the importance of  spending time with God. He spoke with love, peace and words that were to correct a nation that was quickly moving away from God. So too, our relationship should be one where we truly know the will of God and that comes from a close, daily fellowship. We too, can know the mind and will of God when we place our faith and trust in the one who came to set us free from the bondage of slavery. Truly God is for us, and He delights to give us those righteous desires. They come when we truly trust, truly believe and doubt not, that Jesus is the Son of God. Amen.

2 Timothy 3:13-17
13 But evil men and impostors will grow worse and worse, deceiving and being deceived. 14 But you must continue in the things which you have learned and been assured of, knowing from whom you have learned them, 15 and that from childhood you have known the Holy Scriptures, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus. 16 All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, 17 that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work.  NKJV


Hebrews 11:32-39
32 And what more shall I say? I do not have time to tell about Gideon, Barak, Samson, Jephthah, David, Samuel and the prophets, 33 who through faith conquered kingdoms, administered justice, and gained what was promised; who shut the mouths of lions, 34 quenched the fury of the flames, and escaped the edge of the sword; whose weakness was turned to strength; and who became powerful in battle and routed foreign armies. 35 Women received back their dead, raised to life again. Others were tortured and refused to be released, so that they might gain a better resurrection. 36 Some faced jeers and flogging, while still others were chained and put in prison. 37 They were stoned; they were sawed in two; they were put to death by the sword. They went about in sheepskins and goatskins, destitute, persecuted and mistreated- 38 the world was not worthy of them. They wandered in deserts and mountains, and in caves and holes in the ground. 

39 These were all commended for their faith, yet none of them received what had been promised. 40 God had planned something better for us so that only together with us would they be made perfect.     NIV

May our names too, be found in the halls of Faith! May we leave traditions of men behind, and be the devoted like Jesus, find our place and believe by faith that we will take hold of the future God has purposed for us..........."something better for us so that only together with us would they be made perfect." Amen.

Now faith is the assurance ( the confirmation, the title deed) of the things [we] hope for, being the proof of things [we] do not see and the conviction of their reality [faith perceiving as real fact what is not revealed to the senses].
For by [faith----trust and holy fervor born of faith] the men of old had divine testimony borne to them and obtained a good report.

Father, thank You .....because You had us in mind and had something better and greater in view for us, so that they [those heroes and heroines of faith] should not come to perfection apart from us [before we join them]. Thank You for Jesus who is the greatest example of the faithful to stand against tradition....those things created by man..........and boldly speak Your Words of spirit and truth. We pray to be those willingly submitted to time of prayer........in devotion time with You to hear those truths we need to face all of our tomorrows. May we be found doing that faithful walk, a communing with You daily and hear You speak what we really need to know before Christ's return to earth. We know time is so short!  We pray for those around the world to pick that devotion time with God.........to find peace in the shelter of the Almighty and please YOU our Father as we do the work of the ministry. O merciful Father (God), help us not exchange the truth of God for a lie, and worship and serve the created things rather than You, our Creator.......who is forever praised. (Romans 1:25) It is in Jesus' name we pray and believe, and trust. Amen.

Continue our Faith Series: Earthly Good and Heaven Bound, Too!


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

THAT PLACE CALLED FAITH!

John 15:4-8
4 Abide in Me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in Me. 5 I am the vine, you are the branches. He who abides in Me, and I in him, bears much fruit; for without Me you can do nothing. 6 If anyone does not abide in Me, he is cast out as a branch and is withered; and they gather them and throw them into the fire, and they are burned. 7 If you abide in Me, and My words abide in you, you will ask what you desire, and it shall be done for you. 8 By this My Father is glorified, that you bear much fruit; so you will be My disciples.   NKJV

1 John 5:1-5

5:1 Whoever believes that Jesus is the Christ is born of God, and everyone who loves Him who begot also loves him who is begotten of Him. 2 By this we know that we love the children of God, when we love God and keep His commandments. 3 For this is the love of God, that we keep His commandments. And His commandments are not burdensome. 4 For whatever is born of God overcomes the world. And this is the victory that has overcome the world--our faith. 5 Who is he who overcomes the world, but he who believes that Jesus is the Son of God? 

NKJV

Seems easy, does it not, that when we abide in Jesus, and all the words He gave us.........that when we ask with that righteous desire, we will see what we have asked for according to that Word?  (John 15:7-8) And when we keep His Words, those commandments are not burdensome. That is the place that looks like faith, and overcomes anything the adversary may throw up at you or me! 

TO me, it is like following a recipe. In following say something for a beef stew, we look at all the ingredients. We look at the amount needed to make a stew that will, of course, have meat, a potato, and some veggies in it as well. Now I am not one for that tomato type broth in my stew, but one that is meaty and full of flavor with onions and beef. Yes, it must be brown in color!  I like the meat tender and fully browned on both sides of the meat and the broth should not be runny and soup like but richly thick.....but not where a spoon put IN WOULD JUST stand straight up in it. No, it must be thickened just enough to create a flow when stirring. Now that is a just "right" stew.

Well, the Lord desires us to have that continual flow of faith. Whatever may come into our day or week, we are to have that continual flowing of faith, and not only for ourselves, and families, but for others as well as when we pray and believe. And that believing is based on truth that Jesus is the Son of God.
If I spend all day writing and not spending time with the Lord, my faith is not established. Just like that stew.......if, I leave out the meat, then it is just vegetable soup.


John 7:37-39
37 On the last day, that great day of the feast, Jesus stood and cried out, saying, "If anyone thirsts, let him come to Me and drink. 38 He who believes in Me, as the Scripture has said, out of his heart will flow rivers of living water." 39 But this He spoke concerning the Spirit, whom those believing in Him would receive; for the Holy Spirit was not yet given, because Jesus was not yet glorified.
NKJV

Faith is like a flowing river.........of living water..........when we believe. In believing, we speak out what we believe for, not just for us, but for others, too!

Ephesians 5:8-11

8 For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Walk as children of light 9(for the fruit of the Spirit is in all goodness, righteousness, and truth), 10 finding out what is acceptable to the Lord. 11 And have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather expose them.     NKJV

Finding out is half the fun.........it is finding Who the Father is, What Jesus did for us...........and what is pleasing..........that which is acceptable to the Lord.

Romans 12:1-20
12:1 I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service. 2 And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God. 

3 For I say, through the grace given to me, to everyone who is among you, not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think, but to think soberly, as God has dealt to each one a measure of faith. 4 For as we have many members in one body, but all the members do not have the same function, 5 so we, being many, are one body in Christ, and individually members of one another. 6 Having then gifts differing according to the grace that is given to us, let us use them: if prophecy, let us prophesy in proportion to our faith; 7 or ministry, let us use it in our ministering; he who teaches, in teaching; 8 he who exhorts, in exhortation; he who gives, with liberality; he who leads, with diligence; he who shows mercy, with cheerfulness. 

9 Let love be without hypocrisy. Abhor what is evil. Cling to what is good. 10 Be kindly affectionate to one another with brotherly love, in honor giving preference to one another; 11 not lagging in diligence, fervent in spirit, serving the Lord; 12 rejoicing in hope, patient in tribulation, continuing steadfastly in prayer; 13 distributing to the needs of the saints, given to hospitality. 14 Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse. 15 Rejoice with those who rejoice, and weep with those who weep. 16 Be of the same mind toward one another. Do not set your mind on high things, but associate with the humble. Do not be wise in your own opinion. 17 Repay no one evil for evil. Have regard for good things in the sight of all men. 18 If it is possible, as much as depends on you, live peaceably with all men. 19 Beloved, do not avenge yourselves, but rather give place to wrath; for it is written, "Vengeance is Mine, I will repay," says the Lord. 20 Therefore

"If your enemy is hungry, feed him; If he is thirsty, give him a drink;
For in so doing you will heap coals of fire on his head."  NKJV

That faith is a measure given by God. But it is expanded the more we put His Light on it. That faith is spiritual. It moves mountains, and cast things into the deepest oceans never to be seen again. When God said, " Let there be light" and there was light. (Genesis 1:3) It was good. And that Light was divided by God..........from darkness! When we allow His word into our lives, we are allowing, Light to separate us out of the darkness........out of ignorance and into glorious Light! That faith gives us the edge to prophesy.....in proportion to our belief in Jesus, the Son of God. Ministry was given for ministering to others in a measure of faith, just as the he who teaches, he who exhorts or even for the giver...........who gives liberally without another thought of "all that money" for the kingdom. No, it is about our faith in believing HIS Blood was shed for us............it was given in Love and by Love..........it is knowing we can lead others when we set our faith in motion to hear God speak to us about the next thing we are to do............not because of "just doing" because of our belief in the One Who GAVE IT ALL FOR US!

1 Thessalonians 5:5-11

5 You are all sons of the light and sons of the day. We do not belong to the night or to the darkness. 6 So then, let us not be like others, who are asleep, but let us be alert and self-controlled. 7 For those who sleep, sleep at night, and those who get drunk, get drunk at night. 8 But since we belong to the day, let us be self-controlled, putting on faith and love as a breastplate, and the hope of salvation as a helmet. 9 For God did not appoint us to suffer wrath but to receive salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ. 10 He died for us so that, whether we are awake or asleep, we may live together with him. 11 Therefore encourage one another and build each other up, just as in fact you are doing.   NIV

Putting on faith and love as a breastplate, and hope of salvation as a helmet............we live together with Him. 

2 Timothy 1:13-14

13 Hold fast the pattern of sound words which you have heard from me, in faith and love which are in Christ Jesus. 14 That good thing which was committed to you, keep by the Holy Spirit who dwells in us.  NKJV

Paul told Timothy to hold to the pattern of sound words which Timothy had heard from Paul. In faith and love in Christ Jesus.............a good thing that is kept by the Holy Spirit WHO DWELLS IN US!

Yes, I like easy. I like an easy Stew Recipe.........It has to look a certain way, taste like beef and stir like a "SMOOTH RIVER" of thickness. SO too, keeping that good thing God has in us when we first believed is by the Holy Spirit. The Comforter, our Teacher and Guide. He will bring to our remembrance all that Jesus said.............what was spoken to bring to our remembrance what is about to happen for our good.

The Holy Spirit teaches us God's will........grants us the fear of the Lord. (Isaiah 11:2-5), gives us a new heart, not of stone, but of pliable tissue to obey the Written Word of God. Like David, we too, can see the Holy Spirit developed into our lives. We are to depend on HIM and hear Him speak the Father's thoughts toward us.

Jesus told those in the synagogue that "The Spirit of the Lord is upon me"...........He was saying the Lord God was overseeing His ministry and guiding the whole thing in a process! And in the time of Peter and his fasting and prayers, he being sent to Cornelius, gave the word that the Spirit was being given to others......to.......those who would believe in Him and be saved.

Acts 10:25-48

25 As Peter was coming in, Cornelius met him and fell down at his feet and worshiped him. 26 But Peter lifted him up, saying, "Stand up; I myself am also a man." 27 And as he talked with him, he went in and found many who had come together. 28 Then he said to them, "You know how unlawful it is for a Jewish man to keep company with or go to one of another nation. But God has shown me that I should not call any man common or unclean. 29 Therefore I came without objection as soon as I was sent for. I ask, then, for what reason have you sent for me?" 30 So Cornelius said, "Four days ago I was fasting until this hour; and at the ninth hour I prayed in my house, and behold, a man stood before me in bright clothing, 31 and said, 'Cornelius, your prayer has been heard, and your alms are remembered in the sight of God. 32 Send therefore to Joppa and call Simon here, whose surname is Peter. He is lodging in the house of Simon, a tanner, by the sea. When he comes, he will speak to you.' 33 "So I sent to you immediately, and you have done well to come. Now therefore, we are all present before God, to hear all the things commanded you by God." 

34 Then Peter opened his mouth and said: "In truth I perceive that God shows no partiality. 35 But in every nation whoever fears Him and works righteousness is accepted by Him. 36 The word which God sent to the children of Israel, preaching peace through Jesus Christ--He is Lord of all-- 37 that word you know, which was proclaimed throughout all Judea, and began from Galilee after the baptism which John preached: 38 how God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and with power, who went about doing good and healing all who were oppressed by the devil, for God was with Him. 39 And we are witnesses of all things which He did both in the land of the Jews and in Jerusalem, whom they killed by hanging on a tree. 40 Him God raised up on the third day, and showed Him openly, 41 not to all the people, but to witnesses chosen before by God, even to us who ate and drank with Him after He arose from the dead. 42 And He commanded us to preach to the people, and to testify that it is He who was ordained by God to be Judge of the living and the dead. 43 To Him all the prophets witness that, through His name, whoever believes in Him will receive remission of sins." 

44 While Peter was still speaking these words, the Holy Spirit fell upon all those who heard the word. 45 And those of the circumcision who believed were astonished, as many as came with Peter, because the gift of the Holy Spirit had been poured out on the Gentiles also. 46 For they heard them speak with tongues and magnify God. Then Peter answered, 47 Can anyone forbid water, that these should not be baptized who have received the Holy Spirit just as we have?" 48 And he commanded them to be baptized in the name of the Lord. Then they asked him to stay a few days. 

NKJV

Filled with power.........to that which pleases the Father........abiding in Jesus, Who was and is and is to come the WORD OF GOD .....sent to accomplish His plan on earth and in our lives. May we glorify God today as we speak in faith that Jesus is Lord over our lives! AMEN!

Continue now IN PART 2 as we look into that faith walk............in MUDDY BOOTS??......

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

NOT by Rules BUT BY LOVE or A Fork in the Road!

HAVE you ever been given some directions to something so remote in the country, knowing you should be almost to the place you desired, only to find the road has a fork in it, either to your left or to your right..........and IT WAS NEVER MENTIONED IN THE DIRECTIONS? Well, we were given that once.........."yeah, just follow this road for about 5 miles, turns in to dirt about two miles out..........and go pass Johnson's red barn, and then the Frederick's chicken farm, and you are there!"
Yes, that old red barn was there for sure...........and the noise of that chicken farm was showing the way clearly, but there is the fork in the road.........which way, now? Oh, and did I mention it was getting dark, and we had not been on the road before?

Those Directions as in rules and instructions are so important to us! Those directions are used daily, in living, going to school, carrying a child for nine months, taking driver's license test, even going for that CT scan. We must heed directions when staying safe, following the course set in motion by rules, regulations, speed limit signs, dosages for small children when giving them an aspirin, or medicine, dosages in vitamins, minerals and the sort, and even when trying to stay a certain size. Yes, so much applies to our daily living.

Was going over some scripture our pastor had given us some weeks ago. And was in Galatians 5:1 when I thought on the two roadways. In that chapter we had been given some things to think on about that "walk in the Spirit". We are given those examples of the fruit of the Spirit: love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. (Galatians 5:22)

But in this chapter as a whole, Paul is giving us some things which are are evident in the walk of the flesh creature, yes, man of the flesh can be seen in that of adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lewdness, idolatry, sorcery, hatred, contentions, jealousies, outbursts of wrath, selfish ambitions, dissensions, heresies, envy, murders, drunkenness, revelries, and the like.
Of these, we are told that anyone who practices these will NOT inherit the kingdom of God. (Galatians 5:21)
As we make our way through this short but enlightening chapter, we find in verse 24 that those who are Christ's have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires.


Galatians 5:1-6
5:1 Stand fast therefore in the liberty by which Christ has made us free, and do not be entangled again with a yoke of bondage. 2 Indeed I, Paul, say to you that if you become circumcised, Christ will profit you nothing. 3 And I testify again to every man who becomes circumcised that he is a debtor to keep the whole law. 4 You have become estranged from Christ, you who attempt to be justified by law; you have fallen from grace. 5 For we through the Spirit eagerly wait for the hope of righteousness by faith. 6 For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision nor uncircumcision avails anything, but faith working through love.  NKJV

Yes, we have two roadways here, that which is of the free in Christ, and that of bondage under the Law.

But Paul was saying in Galatians 5:1 in (NSAB) "It was for freedom that Christ set us free; therefore keep standing firm and do not be subject again to a yoke of slavery". Yes, two choices here, guys! It was like Peter trying to get Gentiles believer's to obey those rules of the Old Covenant.

Galatians 2:14-21

14 But when I saw that they were not straightforward about the truth of the gospel, I said to Peter before them all, "If you, being a Jew, live in the manner of Gentiles and not as the Jews, why do you compel Gentiles to live as Jews? 15 We who are Jews by nature, and not sinners of the Gentiles, 16 knowing that a man is not justified by the works of the law but by faith in Jesus Christ, even we have believed in Christ Jesus, that we might be justified by faith in Christ and not by the works of the law; for by the works of the law no flesh shall be justified. 17 But if, while we seek to be justified by Christ, we ourselves also are found sinners, is Christ therefore a minister of sin? Certainly not! 18 For if I build again those things which I destroyed, I make myself a transgressor. 19 For I through the law died to the law that I might live to God. 20 I have been crucified with Christ; it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me. 21 I do not set aside the grace of God; for if righteousness comes through the law, then Christ died in vain."   NKJV

In all this, it is being pointed out by Paul that when we even begin to obey the rules of that Old Covenant, we are moving into the place of those for whom that covenant was first given...........and that was for sinners. If we are that sinner, still in the place of the Old Covenant, we are to be judged and certainly punished for being a "sinner".

Choosing the covenant Jesus placed for us through His death and burial.........we are dead to sin but alive to righteousness. We had become the sons and daughters of the Father through Jesus's shed blood on the Cross. To stay in the Old Covenant, is saying Jesus's death was for nothing and no effect to us. When there are rules like in the Old Covenant, and someone lives by them, then all rules have to be obeyed, every breathing moment night and day! Paul said in verse 20....that we no longer live but Christ in us continues to live..........and that life.........which we now live in the flesh is by faith in the Son of God, WHO LOVED US AND GAVE HIMSELF FOR US. THERE IS NO RIGHTEOUSNESS THROUGH THE LAW!

Just like following those rules of the roadway, God's Law is good. In that Old Covenant, we saw the need for redemption. But it was only through Jesus' death we could gain life eternally with Him. In anything else, we were lost forever in those rules and regulations. That was of a man keeping a mindset by the law was with all of  the aroma of sin and death. But our relationship was to be set by having a one to one relationship with the Lord, not by rules, but by obeying those things of God that protect a relationship with Him.

We saw the same when He addressed Peter in John 21:15-18

John 21:15-18
15 When they had finished eating, Jesus said to Simon Peter, "Simon son of John, do you truly love me more than these?" 

"Yes, Lord," he said, "you know that I love you."

Jesus said, "Feed my lambs." 

16 Again Jesus said, "Simon son of John, do you truly love me?" 

He answered, "Yes, Lord, you know that I love you."

Jesus said, "Take care of my sheep." 

17 The third time he said to him, "Simon son of John, do you love me?" 

Peter was hurt because Jesus asked him the third time, "Do you love me?" He said, "Lord, you know all things; you know that I love you."

Jesus said, "Feed my sheep.  NIV

Jesus was asking Peter if he loved and to protect that relationship. Protecting that relationship, helps us see others who would benefit in knowing what we know about Jesus and that love that covers a multitude of sins. Sheep certainly do not need rules and regulations. But giving, through caring and feeding we see the little ones grow up. We can know His love, experience His love and give it to others. That starts the moment we receive Jesus and goes all the way to the end, when we are the grown ups but still the children of God!
Take care of the sheep of the Lord =LOVE
Feeding the lambs of the Lord =LOVE
DO we love Jesus more than all that is going on, all that is involved including people, love Him more than anything or anybody + that Love in and from HIM will fill us and overflow to those around us. It is a love that KNOWS NO BOUNDS!!

John 14:15-18

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

NKJV

Jesus had said in verse 15 to keep His commandments. He said, "I will pray to the Father, and He will give you another Helper, that He may abide with you forever.".............Is that not awesome.........that the Holy Spirit is not just with us now, but for always and forever? "He, the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it neither sees Him nor knows Him, but you know Him, for He dwells with you and will be in you. I will not leave you orphans; I will come to you."

He was telling them, that He was not leaving them ever, and the Holy Spirit would be their comfort. He would like Jesus remind them of what they might do when veering from those Commands He left in place, but the Holy Spirit was to guide us not by the rules BUT BY LOVE!

In dealing with relationships, and if we spend time with others, adds strength not doubt more than if we never spend time with others. Our pastor has been desiring us to spend time together and have a meal together that strengthens us not only as a team member but in the relationship with God Himself. I believe him to speak truth in this. And we are finding fun, fellowship and food in relationships with others as Jesus did with those around Him. When we truly operate in His love.........that is a BRIDGE BETWEEN TWO HEARTS.......THAT IS BOTH APPEALING AND NOTHING LIKE THE WORLD!

As that scripture says in Galatians 5...........that "walk in the Spirit" looks a lot like those examples of the fruit of the Spirit: love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. (Galatians 5:22)

I believe that is why so many churches cannot grow, why so  many churches keep losing attendees, and close after years of trying to implement the rules.............that Law! Service at this time. Two songs and two only............thirty minute message..............prayer two minutes............CLEAN UP! YIKES, how could any one wrap their head around that one? NOT ME!

WELL, Shelley, rules are important! Yes, particularly if you are driving 100 miles per hour in a 25 mile per hour zone! Cars are a lot like guns..........they can kill people, too! But it is love that saves people, not keeping a hundred rules................certainly one must keep to a schedule, to stay within some time limits enforced, but the hard-fast rule here is to allow the Holy Spirit to have His way in every service, every time of ministry and every day in our homes, our lives and our children's lives.

In those moments to heed the Holy Spirit.........and pray ....and encourage others.............or clean, which will we choose........?
 For whether on Thursday night,  we have clean-up at 8 pm or 9 pm could be the difference in allowing someone to see the love of God! 

God is not a tyrant, and He is not dealing out destruction. He surely can give us a vision or a dream........but we can see that fulfilled in our lifetime, and not in the next thirty minutes. It is a "WALK OF THE SPIRIT"........NOT A HURRY UP AND DO MINISTRY! God wants us first...........in relationship with Him, with our spouse....if you have a spouse......(see blog: LET NOT MAN SEPARATE),..........relationship with our children...(see blog:How Often Do We Tell Our Children We are Well Pleased With Them?) and how we deal with others!

Many years ago, our daughter had gotten her license. She had taken driver's education and she got her license taking the test once. We were proud of her. She followed the rules of the road. There were two things we did go over the first probably 100 times she left in the car, and that was that she wear the seatbelt and do not use cruise control. Why?
Well, when she was first learning to drive, with licensed driver's with her, we allowed her to drive us into the next state over. But in doing so, she used cruise control, and ultimately those long straight lines of a divided highway can makes some people drowsy, she is one of them, and she started to drift off the road. My husband was next to her and grabbed the wheel. He never misses anything. Then cruise-control came off and she was not allowed to use it..............ever!
One time, she was going out to a friends house to grab something and asked if I wanted a ride out to the country with her. Well of course, I thought, this would be fun. I liked the rides out to the country and especially in the spring or the fall seasons. So I got in on the passenger side of truck and off we go. She gets into downtown traffic and makes it through in great time to other side of town, but I had noticed as she talked with such enthusiasm ......was that she had made the last three lights on yellow. I asked her to pause a second on her conversation and asked" "do you have your license?" Oh yes, of course Mom, I have my license."  "Okay, just making sure in case you need it..........." And we continued to make our way out of the city and into the country with the vast green fields, rolling hills and grazing cattle.
I did not speak out in "fear" to her...........and demand she turn around and go home "this instant". No, I just checked for her license, and spoke about those three yellow lights and ................! I did not operate in fear to demand my way, but just reminded her of the rules of the road.
She certainly continued her talking........and our conversing continued with much laughter involved as well..............we enjoyed the trip and each other's company.

Are we in a panic to fulfill ministry or get that job that pays a million a year? Are we in a panic should our child bring home an F on the report card? Are we in a panic when the night is falling, the sun has departed from the horizon and there is still school lunches to prepare and dishes to wash? Jesus did not come to accommodate a culture, He came to set up His kingdom without rules..........HE CAME TO ESTABLISH LOVE!
That love was in cultivating relationships with others. It was expressed through Jesus' everyday life. He taught them and ate with them. He did not send them home empty of anything!

Our pastor mentions that word "cultivate" a lot. And cultivating is like that garden.......cultivating.....is to develop.....as in a crop of whatever seed you sow........or....to gain as a skill as in "relationships". I have had a testimony I spoke of years in the Jail Ministry and at the Women's shelter......and it is that of being  THE "CONTROL TOWER"........AND yes I tried doing that for years........well, decades and it brought me sickness in body and such a weakness to not be able to get out of bed in the mornings. I was that woman who was up at or before 6 am........preparing breakfast and getting child off to school. I cleaned and kept a clean home. You could do the "white glove test" on it and find no dust or lint anywhere. The carpet was shampooed some 4-5 five times a year. We had a small dog at the time, so cleanliness to me was next to godliness. Yes, I thought that. Exercise between 8 am and 9 am unless it is the six mile walk today. Start laundry, by noon............start dinner by 3:30 pm...........clean dishes and kitchen by 5:30 pm. Have talk with husband.........and help child with homework...........go for walk with husband and child by 7 pm........unless raining out. Child ready for bath at 8 pm and bed by 8:15 pm. Prepare lunch for husband to take for next day and get ready for bed. Ahh...........rest...........nope, because I spent the next two to three hours thinking of what I needed to get done the next day. Yes, CONTROL TOWER" had some issues...........and it should have been about how much can I love you today in what I should do and how much should I forget about doing.

We have a lifetime to complete what God has for us to do. It is not a test to see when it gets done, but how much we involve Him into each situation, every decision and if we are involved in knowing others and spending time with them.
How can we love God and not our neighbor when He made them in His image? There should be no blaming games among families or those in the body of Christ. We should not be blaming someone if they might not be where we are in our walk, but certainly those priorities that apply will always include the relationship we have first with God. Second it applies to our relationship with our wife/or husband, and third will always include our children and grand-children. Our walk is one that is led by the Holy Spirit of power. He is well able to see that what has been committed is in the safe hands of God and will come to pass. We just need to be patient to see the way before us, a holiness highway ....that respects and reveres God first, respects and honors our wife or husband, gives life and much love to our children and other people's children..........AND  not with a lot of rules but WITH a lot of guidance with the wisdom in the love of God and to always love our neighbor as we love ourselves.

A fork in the road indeed, but one is clearly displayed in that pathway that is love, kind, gentle, faithful and self-control without panic or fear of God's Word when spoken.

Thank You Lord today for showing us the better life, the better way........in loving others first, putting them first and in all that, we see God our Father's hand arranging that in our lives that is for good and not evil to give us a hope in our final outcome. To God be all the glory.............Amen!


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