Seriously Flawed

Now I have done much writing on one's character. And everyone has some kind of character. And generally the worst of one's character is generally on the forefront of another's remembrance of that "bad" character.
In my youth, I remember people being remembered for their "bad" character. Those who would see the "bad" character walking down the sidewalk, would not even give said person a nod toward their direction if they ("bad") had left their wife for another woman, or who had abandoned their children with no one to care for them, or even worse, they just did not hold a job! And today, people are still regarded for their character: good or bad! I remember those who could not hold a job. In fact I probably had their names memorized by the time I was ten years old. For "bad" character would be spoke about and I would file their name away for use at later date! YIKES!
Yet when we look at the New Testament and Jesus with His disciples, character did not seem so paramount to Him.
Looking at say the chapters of 9 and 10 in the book of Luke, we find Jesus releasing power and authority over them, the disciples as well as some 70 others.

Luke 9:1-5
9:1 Then He called His twelve disciples together and gave them power and authority over all demons, and to cure diseases. 2 He sent them to preach the kingdom of God and to heal the sick. 3 And He said to them, "Take nothing for the journey, neither staffs nor bag nor bread nor money; and do not have two tunics apiece. 4 Whatever house you enter, stay there, and from there depart. 5 And whoever will not receive you, when you go out of that city, shake off the very dust from your feet as a testimony against them." 6 So they departed and went through the towns, preaching the gospel and healing everywhere.    NKJV

Luke 10:17-20

17 Then the seventy returned with joy, saying, "Lord, even the demons are subject to us in Your name." 18 And He said to them, "I saw Satan fall like lightning from heaven. 19 Behold, I give you the authority to trample on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy, and nothing shall by any means hurt you. 20 Nevertheless do not rejoice in this, that the spirits are subject to you, but rather rejoice because your names are written in heaven."   NKJV

Yes, seventy had returned. They returned with joy. But Jesus told them not to rejoice in the having authority and power over the enemy but rather rejoice because your names are written in heaven.

Yes, with growth........that growing up into the mature will take some character and the amount of trust in God for the power and authority He has given us.

Many people today have trust in their own power. And they wield it however they desire the outcome to be. We saw this with the 12 disciples. They were overwhelmed with power when they came back from teaching and preaching in their own towns and cities. And we later saw one as the devil himself, and one we saw deny Jesus, and the other two mentioned, wanted to bring fire down from heaven. Yes indeed, James and John wanted to kill an entire city of the Samaritans.

In looking at Ephesians 4:30, we are told to not grieve the Holy Spirit of God. In regard to Ephesians 4 and reading we find a lot about corrupt words.

Ephesians 4:29-32

29 Let no corrupt word proceed out of your mouth, but what is good for necessary edification, that it may impart grace to the hearers. 30 And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, by whom you were sealed for the day of redemption. 31 Let all bitterness, wrath, anger, clamor, and evil speaking be put away from you, with all malice. 32 And be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, just as God in Christ forgave you.  NKJV

So, would James and John on speaking about the Samaritans, brought about the necessary edification? NO!

So in evil speaking of another, the Holy Spirit of God is grieved. Then a list of things that grieve: like bitterness, wrath, anger, clamor, and evil speaking.

Anyone have a problem with anger? You know you go along for awhile, possibly years and then one day, that "anger" button is pushed and we have to find what triggered that release of anger!

John 15:9-12

9 "As the Father loved Me, I also have loved you; abide in My love. 10 If you keep My commandments, you will abide in My love, just as I have kept My Father's commandments and abide in His love. 11 These things I have spoken to you, that My joy may remain in you, and that your joy may be full. NKJV

John 16:7-15

7 Nevertheless I tell you the truth. It is to your advantage that I go away; for if I do not go away, the Helper (the Holy Spirit of God)  will not come to you; but if I depart, I will send Him to you. 8 And when He has come, He will convict the world of sin, and of righteousness, and of judgment: 9 of sin, because they do not believe in Me; 10 of righteousness, because I go to My Father and you see Me no more; 11 of judgment, because the ruler of this world is judged. 12 I still have many things to say to you, but you cannot bear them now. 13 However, when He, the Spirit of truth, has come, He will guide you into all truth; for He will not speak on His own authority, but whatever He hears He will speak; and He will tell you things to come. 14 He will glorify Me, for He will take of what is Mine and declare it to you. 15 All things that the Father has are Mine. Therefore I said that He will take of Mine and declare it to you.  NKJV

1 Thessalonians 5:15-22

15 See that no one renders evil for evil to anyone, but always pursue what is good both for yourselves and for all. 16 Rejoice always, 17 pray without ceasing, 18 in everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you. 19 Do not quench the Spirit. 20 Do not despise prophecies. 21 Test all things; hold fast what is good. 22 Abstain from every form of evil.  NKJV

We desire for the Holy Spirit to remain with us, as He did with Jesus. And from the above scripture we find, we are not to render evil for evil to any. We are to pursue what is good both for ourselves and for all. Rejoicing always, to pray without ceasing, giving thanks that is the will of God in Christ Jesus for us and we are not to quench the Spirit of God. We are not to despise the prophetic word given, holding fast to the "good" and to abstain from every form of evil. 

Although ministering to others is important. It is not as important as our "relationship" with the Spirit of God. Jesus always referred back to the Father. And Jesus was yielded to the Father's instruction. 

In my belief of His Word and my time of abiding in His love, I am always brought to His regal beauty. In regard to that beauty I always think how wonderful it would be if people all over the world would think on God and what He created. Spend time reading of the beauty of heaven and that He has prepared a place for us who believe. 

Revelatiion 22:1-5................22:1 And he showed me a pure river of water of life, clear as crystal, proceeding from the throne of God and of the Lamb. 2 In the middle of its street, and on either side of the river, was the tree of life, which bore twelve fruits, each tree yielding its fruit every month. The leaves of the tree were for the healing of the nations. 3 And there shall be no more curse, but the throne of God and of the Lamb shall be in it, and His servants shall serve Him. 4 They shall see His face, and His name shall be on their foreheads. 5 There shall be no night there: They need no lamp nor light of the sun, for the Lord God gives them light. And they shall reign forever and ever. NKJV)

Revelations 21:2-8

2 Then I, John, saw the holy city, New Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband. 3 And I heard a loud voice from heaven saying, "Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, and He will dwell with them, and they shall be His people. God Himself will be with them and be their God. 4 And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes; there shall be no more death, nor sorrow, nor crying. There shall be no more pain, for the former things have passed away." 5 Then He who sat on the throne said, "Behold, I make all things new." And He said to me, "Write, for these words are true and faithful." 6 And He said to me, "It is done! I am the Alpha and the Omega, the Beginning and the End. I will give of the fountain of the water of life freely to him who thirsts. 7 He who overcomes shall inherit all things, and I will be his God and he shall be My son. 8 But the cowardly, unbelieving, abominable, murderers, sexually immoral, sorcerers, idolaters, and all liars shall have their part in the lake which burns with fire and brimstone, which is the second death."   NKJV

For to us who believe, for them who abide, this city exists and it is seen today with spiritual eyes. For our God is Spirit. And the Word He gave us is Spirit and True. For He is also the Faithful. He is Alpha and Omega, the Beginning and the End. He has freely given the fountain of the water of life to him who thirsts. In overcoming we will inherit all things.

To overcome, we will not tolerate sin. We will not try to get along with less anger, or be those who can not and will not take instruction.

Galatians 5:13-26

13 For you, brethren, have been called to liberty; only do not use liberty as an opportunity for the flesh, but through love serve one another. 14 For all the law is fulfilled in one word, even in this: "You shall love your neighbor as yourself."  15 But if you bite and devour one another, beware lest you be consumed by one another! 

16 I say then: Walk in the Spirit, and you shall not fulfill the lust of the flesh. 17 For the flesh lusts against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh; and these are contrary to one another, so that you do not do the things that you wish. 18 But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the law. 19 Now the works of the flesh are evident, which are: adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lewdness, 20 idolatry, sorcery, hatred, contentions, jealousies, outbursts of wrath, selfish ambitions, dissensions, heresies, 21 envy, murders, drunkenness, revelries, and the like; of which I tell you beforehand, just as I also told you in time past, that those who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God. 22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness, self-control. Against such there is no law. 24 And those who are Christ's have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. 25 If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit. 26 Let us not become conceited, provoking one another, envying one another.  NKJV

If we grieve the Holy Spirit, then we have no power, and whether our character is the good or the bad will not matter anyway, or will it?
Not grieving Him will look like kindness to others, goodness, faithfulness, self-control, joy and yes, peace! It is not provoking others or envying others.

To have the Spirit of God, is to have the same as Jesus had. Our conduct is how our character will react in situations or problems. Our power is to be in that same power that raised Jesus from the dead. And the completion of this is knowing the Father. Abiding as the "family" and knowing truth is vital to moving out of the seriously flawed  and into His plan. We truly can make mistakes, but when we first talk with our Father through His Son Jesus, we make the request of how we can move through this life and speak or make our boast in HIM!

The only way today to discern good or evil is not by watching the news at night. The best way is found in Hebrews 5:14........ 14 But solid food belongs to those who are of full age, that is, those who by reason of use have their senses exercised to discern both good and evil.  NKJV

Those trained by God's instruction are those who will discern the false, the counterfeit. But if we have no time to give to our Father, how can He tell us the things that are to come to us?

Yes, the decision is yours. I made mine and I will continue to abide. Instruction is good. And His power along with my willing to "not grieve the Holy Spirit" of God will prove to be to my advantage. I choose not to be taken in by the devil when the greatest days are ahead in the culmination of God's harvest. Come on and go with me, and let's make His Name great.

Malachi 1:11
1 For from the rising of the sun, even to its going down,
My name shall be great among the Gentiles;
In every place incense shall be offered to My name,
And a pure offering;
For My name shall be great among the nations,"
Says the LORD of hosts.   NKJV

Amen!


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

What About That Manicured Lawn?

Every week we pass by this cemetery on our way to church. And every week I always think how many in that place never fulfilled what God had for them to do in their lifetime. Each week, I view the well manicured lawn of green. Each week, I notice whether new flowers are laid upon those places that holds a name well bound into the engraving on stone. As I view, I think how well the person or persons do their job in maintaining that manicured lawn. No one who is buried there would probably care, but those who have a loved one placed there certainly care about the looks of the place. Yes, we drive by slowly because of the minimum speed at that place in the road, and in almost a slow-motion view, speed picks up after the curve and we are off. Quickly I return to the thoughts of the service at church. My husband and I then pray.

Are our lives depicted about the manicured, the well-dressed, the clean and washed? Certainly hygiene is important. And people will notice if you have or have not showered in the last 24 hours if they happen to be around you for a short period time. Seriously though, are our lives in anyway making a difference to others? Are we an influence or are we so well-kept, no one really knows who we are, that we are the saved ones who follow Jesus? In hearing others speak and especially in restaurants and the such, I find how rare people want to make a statement out loud that they know Jesus.

I remember two friends I had when living further north of here. In that time we spent together, I remember us going out for dinner together. And we always found someone to talk to about Jesus.  We always found at least one couple, usually older than us, who was willing to strike up a conversation with the three unusual ladies. The joy of the Lord always seemed to fill that place once we started the conversation about Jesus.

Luke 12:23
 23 Life is more than food, and the body is more than clothing. NKJV

What could we share with someone this week, even at church, that would encourage them? What smile could we give to someone older than ourselves? What word could we share that would bring some ray of light that someone cares to speak?

I saw this man give a salvation message: was quick and to the point! He asked, "what if this was your last time to hear and receive Jesus as your Savior? " And a man gave testimony of when this Rabbi gave the message to have life everlasting. And he said he knew he must go to the altar. He had to run and receive Jesus...........that his time was short in hearing the message. And the man's face beamed with such light. Yes, today I think of those who have laid down back to the dust. Their shell is there in the ground, but their spirit is somewhere. It does not matter about where your shell lies or how well the lawn is fertilized and kept in that beautiful green color. It makes no matter how many fragrant flowers are placed next to that cold stone bearing that name you carried. It might say something about you and it might not. But somewhere your spirit will reside forever. And what will it matter then?

Today we have a voice. Today we are the alive and are to be the "light" to those perishing. Look and see for the harvest is ripe.

John 4:35-38

35 Do you not say, 'There are still four months and then comes the harvest'? Behold, I say to you, lift up your eyes and look at the fields, for they are already white for harvest! 36 And he who reaps receives wages, and gathers fruit for eternal life, that both he who sows and he who reaps may rejoice together. 37 For in this the saying is true: 'One sows and another reaps.' 38 "I sent you to reap that for which you have not labored; others have labored, and you have entered into their labors." 

NKJV

There was a song out probably some 18 years ago. It was how people would know us by our love. The love we have and give is the love that is from God and how He gave first.

1 John 4:10-13

10 In this is love, not that we loved God, but that He loved us and sent His Son to be the propitiation for our sins. 11 Beloved, if God so loved us, we also ought to love one another. 

12 No one has seen God at any time. If we love one another, God abides in us, and His love has been perfected in us. 13 By this we know that we abide in Him, and He in us, because He has given us of His Spirit.  NKJV

Now that is really living. It is having His love as we abide in Him for we have His Spirit. Today we are not to harden our hearts. Today we are to hear salvation and then give it to others, the message of Jesus, the Atoning Sacrifice.

Isaiah 55:6-7 Seek, inquire for, and require the Lord while He may be found [claiming Him by necessity and by right]; call upon Him while He is near. 7 Let the wicked forsake his way and the unrighteous man his thoughts; and let him return to the Lord, and He will have love, pity, and mercy for him, and to our God, for He will multiply to him His abundance pardon.

Receiving Jesus, we are reconciled back to God.

Ephesians 2:14-18
14 For He Himself is our peace, who has made both one, and has broken down the middle wall of separation, 15 having abolished in His flesh the enmity, that is, the law of commandments contained in ordinances, so as to create in Himself one new man from the two, thus making peace, 16 and that He might reconcile them both to God in one body through the cross, thereby putting to death the enmity. 17 And He came and preached peace to you who were afar off and to those who were near. 18 For through Him we both have access by one Spirit to the Father.   NKJV

RELATIONSHIP....RELATIONSHIP.....RELATIONSHIP

Isaiah 57:19   Peace, peace, to him who is far off [both Jew and Gentile] and to him who is near! says the Lord; I create the fruit of the lips, and I will heal him [make his lips blossom anew with speech in thankful praise.
20 But the wicked are like the troubled sea, for it cannot rest, and its waters cast up mire and dirt. 21 There is no peace, says my God, for the wicked.

Yes, Isaiah spoke; "MY God says there is no peace for the wicked."

Wow!
While He is close, while we live we have opportunity to receive the Lord of Glory! While we live, we can receive and give praise to His name. And we receive His peace. WITHOUT Him we have no peace.
Yes, we will spend eternity somewhere, and what covers that grave is really of no importance other than those who are left behind, who grieve for awhile. For missing that loved one is so much a part of living. But our celebrating comes when the one they have loved so dearly is with them in Paradise. When the 'loved one' chooses life in Jesus. Then life really begins. It is not about what we wear, what we drive and what school our children attend. It is not about how many may attend your church. But it is about having a Lord and Savior. It is about Jesus!

Notice:
The Voice of Prayer  has a new teaching published: Rebuilding The Temple of Praise-Prayer

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

The Content of the Fool or The Capable Freind

"I have a dream that my four little children will one day live in a nation where they will not be judged by the color of their skin but by the content of their character." quote: Martin Luther King Jr.

I remember the day this gentleman spoke those words. Being a young teen, I could not understand why people could not get along with one another. I knew this man to be a 'pastor' and one who spoke a lot differently than any pastors I had ever known. Yes, this man spoke about life and he spoke about a nation of people living in unity with one another.

The major thing I took from his speech was the above and I thought about it this morning. There have been many church channels carrying it. And in giving it to the "viewer" the importance is stated we must live in unity.
We had church last night and what a time with the Lord and having the opportunity to stop the teaching and pray for a lady officer and the young man with her. And they came in after our "service" had started. Yes, would you stop your "service" to minister to those who walked in off the street? We surely must pray for the Police Officers who police our communities and in that serving, we as the residents can sleep at night!

Yes, there was all ages and a beauty of color and how God worked it all together for those who love God............to those who are the called according to His purpose. (not the plans of man, intentions of those around you or me, not according to circumstances of your vehicle, job, kids or other family, not according to man, but ...according to God's purpose!)

Romans 8:28
28 And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose. NKJV

Martin Luther King, Jr. spoke "out of his heart" that his children would not be judged by the color of their skin but by the content of their character. 

And that is the way our Father in heaven expects. And that judgment takes place according to the character of your heart and my heart!

What do we hold there in that place we think is hidden from the world?

I see 'protests' today and many speaking loudly of this great man of the 20th century. A man who spoke with the wisdom of God and..........spoke always from his heart. It was his heartfelt words of love, peace and unity that carries to this day. Yet, it was something that cost him his life, just like that of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.

It is all about the content of our "character".

Oh yes, what we harbor in our hearts is seen and heard throughout the year. What we desire, those hurts and even tragedies can be seen and heard decades after the occurrence. Yet we can all bring it to God...........casting it upon Him.

1 Peter 5:6-9
6 Therefore humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you in due time, 7 casting all your care upon Him, for He cares for you. 8 Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour.   NKJV

Casting something out, away from us can be hard to do. And the main thing from the above scripture is the humbling of ourselves under His mighty Hand. We are to be discreet. That is: to be soft and gentle, to be restrained in walking circumspectly in our speech and in our actions! We remain in His power when we remain in Him and speak as Jesus would speak.


Our pleasing God is making the right choice to do right and receive His praise. The knowledge of God, which is instilled as a gift, compels or constrains one to depart from evil. In other words, it leads one to keep the commandments of God.
Martin Luther King, Jr saw this for his children and for his entire family. He spoke out of the abundance of his heart that was of God and of God alone. His course was set in truth and died because of it. Yet, people still remember of what he spoke of and believed. When God rules our hearts, it shows!

When our hearts are set to obey Him, it will show on the outside of us. That is: what is in your heart will be seen by others see on the outside. It is seen in our conduct.

Departing from evil is paramount for our lives to remain in the peace of God. Being humble before. God is taken into account as we live our life for God in every circumstance, in every aspect, and in every situation, and by choosing His way, we learn to hate evil and to love to do what is right, good, and pleasing to God! Godly living is the fear of the Lord!

If the fear of God is to hate evil, then the fear of God is also to love a godly way of life. The fear of the Lord is filled with moral content. It is a good life where people live in unity and not by playing the "blame game".

Those who abide in God will be the faithful. They are the honest, the happy, the loving, patient, kind, persistent, and satisfied. They seek to honor another. They seek that for others no matter their color or creed. And of course the other side looks like this: they are the selfish, the rude, the grumpy, the dishonest, the wicked, the mean, the unforgiving. And in children one can see if they are the rowdy, the rude, the playful, the fidgety, the funny, the adventurous, the stubborn or the non submissive.

Our belief is to be in God and humbled before Him. When we stay in His kingdom of rule, we abide in His truth, see His justice prevail in our lives, and seek it for others. When we know how much we are loved by Him, we cannot help but please Him.

I believe we pleased Him greatly on Thursday night. We stopped our service to do His bidding for this police officer. Our duty is toward God and His plan, not only for our lives but for those around us who may be: the broken, the abandoned, the weary and the fearful. Can we move into that place to put God first and let Him have His way in everything we do, even in a church setting?

I also believe that people we did not know were touched by God. And His touch means everything. Martin Luther King, Jr. spoke a truth and it still rings out today. 

In closing:

Life's most persistent and urgent question, is "What are you doing for others"?

Our lives begin to end the day we become silent about things that matter. 

We must learn to live together as brothers or perish together as fools.

Love is the only force capable of transforming an enemy into friend.

quotes by Martin Luther King, Jr.

Notice:
The Voice of Prayer  has a new teaching published: Rebuilding The Temple of Praise-Prayer

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

A Good Thing Gone Wrong

What kind of production do we put on and expect God to bless it?
What thing do we really push out with the latest technology: like flashing lights and great colors to boot and leave God out of the event? When someone shouts: lights, camera, action, it this what God sees in a church service........when it is suppose to be about HIM!

And those who are trying to lead, or they doing it according to what is expected when serving God or.................?
Those of strength will lead and have "fellow friendly" person next to him, but they leave God behind on a cart driven by an oxen.
Well, read below what happened when the order of which God purposed is not followed. You have a Uzzah (strength) and Ahio (friendly) lead the way which was not order set by God Himself. And then of all things............they set the Ark of God..........on........(are you ready for this????) a new cart!!!!!

Yes that is what happened on the day David wanted to move the ark of God to the "City of David".

2 Samuel 6:1-11
6:1 Again David gathered all the choice men of Israel, thirty thousand. 2 And David arose and went with all the people who were with him from Baale Judah to bring up from there the ark of God, whose name is called by the Name, the LORD of Hosts, who dwells between the cherubim. 3 So they set the ark of God on a new cart, and brought it out of the house of Abinadab, which was on the hill; and Uzzah and Ahio, the sons of Abinadab, drove the new cart. 4 And they brought it out of the house of Abinadab, which was on the hill, accompanying the ark of God; and Ahio went before the ark. 5 Then David and all the house of Israel played music before the LORD on all kinds of instruments of fir wood, on harps, on stringed instruments, on tambourines, on sistrums (castanets), and on cymbals.

6 And when they came to Nachon's threshing floor, Uzzah put out his hand to the ark of God and took hold of it, for the oxen stumbled. 7 Then the anger of the LORD was aroused against Uzzah, and God struck him there for his error; and he died there by the ark of God. 8 And David became angry because of the LORD's outbreak against Uzzah; and he called the name of the place Perez Uzzah to this day. 9 David was afraid of the LORD that day; and he said, "How can the ark of the LORD come to me?" 10 So David would not move the ark of the LORD with him into the City of David; but David took it aside into the house of Obed-Edom the Gittite. 11 The ark of the LORD remained in the house of Obed-Edom the Gittite three months. And the LORD blessed Obed-Edom and all his household.   NKJV

Now remember God has rules about moving His Ark of God.  And this fellow Uzzah must have thought he knew much about having this ark since it had BEEN there in his father's house for a long time. For we read it in verse 3, it was brought out of the house.

Numbers 3:27-32

27 From Kohath came the family of the Amramites, the family of the Izharites, the family of the Hebronites, and the family of the Uzzielites; these were the families of the Kohathites. 28 According to the number of all the males, from a month old and above, there were eight thousand six hundred keeping charge of the sanctuary. 29 The families of the children of Kohath were to camp on the south side of the tabernacle. 30 And the leader of the fathers' house of the families of the Kohathites was Elizaphan the son of Uzziel. 31 Their duty included the ark, the table, the lampstand, the altars, the utensils of the sanctuary with which they ministered, the screen, and all the work relating to them. 32 And Eleazar the son of Aaron the priest was to be chief over the leaders of the Levites, with oversight of those who kept charge of the sanctuary. NKJV

From the above authority in the care of the ark was given to a certain family. And it was this family that was to continue the care.

Exodus 25:10-17

10 "And they shall make an ark of acacia wood; two and a half cubits shall be its length, a cubit and a half its width, and a cubit and a half its height. 11 And you shall overlay it with pure gold, inside and out you shall overlay it, and shall make on it a molding of gold all around. 12 You shall cast four rings of gold for it, and put them in its four corners; two rings shall be on one side, and two rings on the other side. 13 And you shall make poles of acacia wood, and overlay them with gold. 14 You shall put the poles into the rings on the sides of the ark, that the ark may be carried by them. 15 The poles shall be in the rings of the ark; they shall not be taken from it. 16 And you shall put into the ark the Testimony which I will give you.  NKJV

We must have a heart for the things of God and understand that He is holy. He desires them to be done in a manner worthy of honoring Him.

For it is with the mouth our heart speaks.......

Luke 6:45

A good man out of the good treasure of his heart brings forth good; and an evil man out of the evil treasure of his heart brings forth evil. For out of the abundance of the heart his mouth speaks. 

NKJV

Was Uzzah doing things he regarded as right in his own eyes? Must have, for we find him dying before the Ark of God. In just a short distance from where they started from, his decision to reach out and touch the ark has a detrimental effect on him.

So again, I ask, "is what we do for God, is it done out of the goodness of our heart for God"? Are we really pushing out with the latest technology: like flashing lights and great colors to boot and leave God out of the event?

Are we leading with the person regarded in strength to lead and have "fellow friendly" person next to him, but they leave God behind on a cart driven by an oxen?

In verse 8 of 2 Samuel 6, we understand David to be angry. He was angry because he knew great steps were missed  in moving the Ark of God to the City of David. He realized Uzzah had no honor for God. David knew the Presence of God and he decided to stop everything and move the Ark to Obed-Edom's house. David wanted to please God and to do that would take more time, and do it right that honored God.

Sometimes it is best to make sure before stepping out that what is being done is in the manner of worship to God.

Colossians 3:23-25
23 And whatever you do, do it heartily, as to the Lord and not to men, 24 knowing that from the Lord you will receive the reward of the inheritance; for you serve the Lord Christ. 25 But he who does wrong will be repaid for what he has done, and there is no partiality.   NKJV

David waited. He heard the glad report that Obed-Edom had been blessed. Yes, he and all his house were the blessed. And people saw it as they passed by their property!
So David came and did the proper way of moving the Ark. He worshiped with burnt offerings and peace offerings. He danced before the Lord. The whole of those 30 thousand played an instrument and worshiped the Lord all the way to the City of David. The blew the trumpet!  And when David got there, we find he blessed the people in the name of the LORD of hosts. He fed an entire nation that day! Read down in verse 19.

2 Samuel 6:16-19

16 Now as the ark of the LORD came into the City of David, Michal, Saul's daughter, looked through a window and saw King David leaping and whirling before the LORD; and she despised him in her heart. 17 So they brought the ark of the LORD, and set it in its place in the midst of the tabernacle that David had erected for it. Then David offered burnt offerings and peace offerings before the LORD. 18 And when David had finished offering burnt offerings and peace offerings, he blessed the people in the name of the LORD of hosts. 19 Then he distributed among all the people, among the whole multitude of Israel, both the women and the men, to everyone a loaf of bread, a piece of meat, and a cake of raisins. So all the people departed, everyone to his house. NKJV

Worshiping God in the right manner, is honoring God for Who He is. He is holy and when He does something, it is in His power and not by anything man can use. May we make our boast in the Lord like David. May we host God's presence, and may other's see that He is with us and we are the blessed. Amen.

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

Defiance is Beheaded

Psalm 14:1....The fool has said in his heart, "There is no God."
They are corrupt,  They have done abominable works,
There is none who does good.    NKJV

Psalm 14:1 Amplified: The [empty-headed] fool has said in his heart, There is no God.
They are corrupt, they have done abominable deeds; there is none that does good or right.

Romans 3:10-13 Amplified................10 As it is written, None is righteous, just and truthful and
upright and conscientious, no, not one. 11 No one understands [no one intelligently discerns or comprehends]; no one seeks out God .12 All have turned aside; together they have gone
wrong, and have become unprofitable and worthless; no one does right,  not even one! 13 Their throat is a yawing grave; they use their tongues to deceive ( to mislead and to deal treacherously). The venom of asps is beneath their lips.

Psalm 5:9-10............9 For there is no faithfulness in their mouth;

Their inward part is destruction; Their throat is an open tomb;

They flatter with their tongue. 

10 Pronounce them guilty, O God!

Let them fall by their own counsels; Cast them out in the multitude of their transgressions,

For they have rebelled against You.   NKJV

Defiance is seen vividly in these accounts. They do not seek God, they go wrong in every decision they make.  They are the unprofitable and when they speak, they speak with venomous words that kill another. 

In the time of David, we saw him come against Goliath. Now when thinking back to that time, we remember David minding his own business of shepherding sheep. In his 24 hour daily routine of keeping the sheep in hand, he was asked by his father Jesse to go to the front lines and take food to his brothers who were in the military and others who were in the stand off with the Philistines. David held a place in regard to God and His power, for he saw God do mighty things for him while tending those sheep in the wilderness.

We know one hulk of a man stood against the whole might of Israel and his name was Goliath. He was DEFIANCE!

1 Samuel 17:4-19

4 And a champion went out from the camp of the Philistines, named Goliath, from Gath, whose height was six cubits and a span. 5 He had a bronze helmet on his head, and he was armed with a coat of mail, and the weight of the coat was five thousand shekels of bronze. 6 And he had bronze greaves on his legs and a bronze javelin between his shoulders. 7 Now the staff of his spear was like a weaver's beam, and his iron spearhead weighed six hundred shekels; and a shield-bearer went before him. 8 Then he stood and cried out to the armies of Israel, and said to them, "Why have you come out to line up for battle? Am I not a Philistine, and you the servants of Saul? Choose a man for yourselves, and let him come down to me. 9 If he is able to fight with me and kill me, then we will be your servants. But if I prevail against him and kill him, then you shall be our servants and serve us." 10 And the Philistine said, "I defy the armies of Israel this day; give me a man, that we may fight together." 11 When Saul and all Israel heard these words of the Philistine, they were dismayed and greatly afraid. 

(In verse 8, we understand that the giant was after Saul. For he made the remarks that they who stood at the front line were the servants of Saul.)

12 Now David was the son of that Ephrathite of Bethlehem Judah, whose name was Jesse, and who had eight sons. And the man was old, advanced in years, in the days of Saul. 13 The three oldest sons of Jesse had gone to follow Saul to the battle. The names of his three sons who went to the battle were Eliab the firstborn, next to him Abinadab, and the third Shammah. 14 David was the youngest. And the three oldest followed Saul. 15 But David occasionally went and returned from Saul to feed his father's sheep at Bethlehem. 16 And the Philistine drew near and presented himself forty days, morning and evening. 17 Then Jesse said to his son David, "Take now for your brothers an ephah of this dried grain and these ten loaves, and run to your brothers at the camp. 18 And carry these ten cheeses to the captain of their thousand, and see how your brothers fare, and bring back news of them." 19 Now Saul and they and all the men of Israel were in the Valley of Elah, fighting with the Philistines.   NKJV

Yes, David had become the messenger of what was transpiring with Goliath. (verse 18)....Carry back news of them...!

1 Samuel 17:21-27

21 For Israel and the Philistines had drawn up in battle array, army against army. 22 And David left his supplies in the hand of the supply keeper, ran to the army, and came and greeted his brothers. 23 Then as he talked with them, there was the champion, the Philistine of Gath, Goliath by name, coming up from the armies of the Philistines; and he spoke according to the same words. So David heard them. 24 And all the men of Israel, when they saw the man, fled from him and were dreadfully afraid. 25 So the men of Israel said, "Have you seen this man who has come up? Surely he has come up to defy Israel; and it shall be that the man who kills him the king will enrich with great riches, will give him his daughter, and give his father's house exemption from taxes in Israel." 26 Then David spoke to the men who stood by him, saying, "What shall be done for the man who kills this Philistine and takes away the reproach from Israel? For who is this uncircumcised Philistine, that he should defy the armies of the living God?" 27 And the people answered him in this manner, saying, "So shall it be done for the man who kills him."   NKJV

David asks: "What shall be done for the man who kills this Philistine and takes away the reproach from Israel?" "For who is this uncircumcised Philistine, that he should defy the armies of the living God?"

1 Samuel 17:40-52

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

48 So it was, when the Philistine arose and came and drew near to meet David, that David hastened and ran toward the army to meet the Philistine. 49 Then David put his hand in his bag and took out a stone; and he slung it and struck the Philistine in his forehead, so that the stone sank into his forehead, and he fell on his face to the earth. 50 So David prevailed over the Philistine with a sling and a stone, and struck the Philistine and killed him. But there was no sword in the hand of David. 51 Therefore David ran and stood over the Philistine, took his sword and drew it out of its sheath and killed him, and cut off his head with it. And when the Philistines saw that their champion was dead, they fled.   NKJV

In David's story, we find he was faithful to do what he was asked to do when asked by Jesse, his father, to take food to the brothers.  In the case of Goliath, we find hostility for others. Goliath was openly challenging Israel. He was the prideful in his own stature and muscular development. He saw Israel as weak and insignificant. Goliath was faithful to  himself. And he took that great pride and spoke. He displayed his mockery toward Israel and their God. Yes, his throat was the open tomb.

 The abominable works: the hateful and the loathing leading to destruction was evident every time he spoke.   Meaning: Philistine: pelishtiy...OT:6428....one who rolls in the dust

David was probably seen as one who came to publicly ridicule the mighty men who were to fight "Goliath"....the one who rolls around in the dust. Yet, this man was a GIANT. AND he presented a problem to King Saul and his mighty men. But David did not ridicule anyone. He took his stand with God and ran quickly to complete God's plan for him to do. And when the stone sunk into Goliath's forehead, David again ran quickly and took Goliath's own sword from the sheath that was fastened to his body, raised the sword...........and removed his head permanently.

Have you seen those who like to roll in the "dust"?  Kick up some dirt, throw stones at another person, protest loudly and still have no "good" results? Have you seen those that boast in themselves?

Our counsel is to be with the Lord. We are to find His will in His word for us. In that counsel, we find that He is the faithful and true. In that Word, we find hope, love, safety and wisdom!

Defiance is on every corner. It is raising its ugly head. And wherever it might be seen, remember what David spoke. "I come to you in the name of the LORD of hosts, the God of the armies of Israel, whom you have defied. This day the LORD will deliver you into my hand, and I will strike you and take your head from you. AND I will give the carcasses of the camp of the Philistines to the birds of the air and the wild beasts of the earth, that all the earth may know that there is a God in Israel. Then all this assembly shall know that the LORD does not save with sword and spear; for the battle is the LORD'S and He will give you into our hands."

Going out in God's name is that He is 1st in our lives. We speak that His name is above every other name. We declare Him to be the One TRUE God! Consider for a moment the defiance we may project on our own. It could be the putting of our trust in our abilities or even in knowledge. Gaining knowledge that is wisdom from the world can be detrimental when not putting God 1st. That knowledge of the world is problematic. But God's Word delivers us to safety and moves us out of harm's way.

From Ephesians 6:17, we find that the sword of the Spirit is the Word of God. Leaving His Word and guidance can bring us into many mistakes and failure. David used the smooth stone. It was the tested in the wilderness. It was the proven and in it we see Christ our Cornerstone. As David confessed God before the infidel, he was the ready and the prepared. And the sword was used against Goliath when he was knocked out cold by the small, smooth stone. Ah, yes God will confound the wise of this world indeed!

For the "giant" was only knocked out with the smooth stone to the forehead. But it took the power of God in David to run alongside the fallen giant and take his sword from its sheath and take off his head. Yes it took the power of God and David had to have a trust in God.

1 Samuel 17:37........ 37 Moreover David said, "The LORD, who delivered me from the paw of the lion and from the paw of the bear, He will deliver me from the hand of this Philistine." And Saul said to David, "Go, and the LORD be with you!"  NKJV

We cannot rely on our own experiences from trials or tribulations of the past. For David saw deliverance from the paw of the lion, to that of the bear and yet these were different animals that acted much differently in battle. Each animal attacks knowing their own skill. 
So too, we must think on where our walk is with the Lord. Do we sing praises like David did in the wilderness? In every act we do each day, is it done unto the Lord and to His praise?

And I close with this:

1 Samuel 21:1-6, 8-9........................21:1 David went to Nob, to Ahimelech the priest. Ahimelech trembled when he met him, and asked, "Why are you alone? Why is no one with you?" 

2 David answered Ahimelech the priest, "The king charged me with a certain matter and said to me, 'No one is to know anything about your mission and your instructions.' As for my men, I have told them to meet me at a certain place. 3 Now then, what do you have on hand? Give me five loaves of bread, or whatever you can find." 

4 But the priest answered David, "I don't have any ordinary bread on hand; however, there is some consecrated bread here-provided the men have kept themselves from women." 

5 David replied, "Indeed women have been kept from us, as usual whenever I set out. The men's things are holy even on missions that are not holy. How much more so today!" 6 So the priest gave him the consecrated bread, since there was no bread there except the bread of the Presence that had been removed from before the LORD and replaced by hot bread on the day it was taken away. 

8 David asked Ahimelech, "Don't you have a spear or a sword here? I haven't brought my sword or any other weapon, because the king's business was urgent." 

9 The priest replied, "The sword of Goliath the Philistine, whom you killed in the Valley of Elah, is here; it is wrapped in a cloth behind the ephod. If you want it, take it; there is no sword here but that one."   David said, "There is none like it; give it to me."    NIV

Pressure had come to David. Saul was breathing out lies and cruelty about David. And Saul wanted David gone for good. David fled into the Philistines territory. Looking into Psalm 34, we find a man so in tune with God that worship was forever on his mind. In reading the pages of his life and his fight against Goliath, the moment of real trusting in God came when brought before Achish the king. And appearing as a madman before the king proved success to David.  He found concealment within his own country. Yes, he found the cave of Adullam that was in the wilderness of Judah. David still sought to make "his boast in the Lord".

What the enemy has chosen to use against you, know that it will certainly come back upon himself. As with David, and asking for the bread, he gained 5 loaves..........5 meaning grace. The sword kept under the ephod was used again by one with authority as of a "priest".  We have a High Priest who intercedes for us. In our daily affairs of life, battles will show up on the scene, but where we stand, makes the difference of who fights for us. Is it in ourselves and our abilities, or is it in our allowing God the Holy Spirit to guide us through?

"Lord behold we have here two swords"........and He said, "It is enough".
 Luke 22:38.

enough...hikanos...2240........enough for the....coming season is the meaning.

And they certainly saw great war before the nation of Israel.

God's word is powerful and it is the weapon to wield upon the enemy. David used praise. Interesting the giant had a weaver's beam that if thrown into the direction of David would have went through him and planted him in the ground, yet the giant did not use it. He had the sword and did not use it. And  he even carried the javelin,  yet it was not used either.

Rely on God...........and He will show you what you have in hand that is from Him that will be used. What the enemy has in his hand will be used against himself. Understand, you have the victory in Jesus' name. Amen.

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

Is it Life You Seek?

John 1:35-42
35 Again, the next day, John stood with two of his disciples. 36 And looking at Jesus as He walked, he said, "Behold the Lamb of God!" 37 The two disciples heard him speak, and they followed Jesus. 38 Then Jesus turned, and seeing them following, said to them, "What do you seek?" They said to Him, "Rabbi" (which is to say, when translated, Teacher), "where are You staying?" 39 He said to them, "Come and see." They came and saw where He was staying, and remained with Him that day (now it was about the tenth hour). 40 One of the two who heard John speak, and followed Him, was Andrew, Simon Peter's brother. 41 He first found his own brother Simon, and said to him, "We have found the Messiah" (which is translated, the Christ). 42 And he brought him to Jesus. Now when Jesus looked at him, He said, "You are Simon the son of Jonah. You shall be called Cephas" (which is translated, A Stone).
NKJV

Seek: zeteo....2212.........in Hebraism........to worship God.........in the bad sense......to plot against

Interesting meaning of seek: as to worship or to plot against...........

Jesus was asking them, "What do you seek?" And they responded, "where are You staying?"

Jesus told them to ...."Come and see."

Are we seeking life? Are we coming to see what He will say to us?  For real life is only found in Jesus! You will not find it anywhere else!
What culture dictates is not the truth of what God has given us.

Are we really looking for His peace or our way into our peace.........that is: which is comfortable for us in this day and time? What boundary lines do we have in place? Are we keeping God's Word out and letting everything else in to our hearts?

What amount of time do we give Him? And when we do spend time with Him, are we plotting against what He is speaking to us? Wow, that is a bad place to be!

In asking this, I go back and look at Jesus and his conversation toward Peter. "You are Simon the son of Jonah and You shall be called Cephas (which is translated, A Stone.

Now Simon Peter has just met Jesus. And Jesus is calling him the hollow stone. Yes, I know the teachings on Peter the Rock, but Peter was not the Rock yet and had some way to go in his walk with the Lord!

In looking this up I have read it and it is literally the stumbling stone. 4074......petros....but that takes you to.....2786...that takes you to............OT 3721....hollow.....
So "hello, hollow stone"...............!

Now let's consider the walk Peter had with Jesus. He spent time with Him everyday after that first initial meeting. And Peter had to be drawn to the life in Jesus.

Was watching one of the movies over the holiday weekend and of how Jesus was portrayed by the one actor, Bruce Marchiano...."The Gospel According to Matthew", but the movie we saw was the one, "Emmaus".  And all the while, I thought how I believed Jesus is just like what the man Marchiano portrays Him to be. In that I considered the joyful expression on this man's face that would be the face of Jesus and the joy that radiated from His heart. He seemed to effervesce with life giving water.
That joy had to be in Jesus, and ever effervescing into life speech for others. Day after day, Peter had to see some form of light.
In truth, the man heard the Word given By THE WORD OF GOD! AND yet we saw him fail. Ah, yes, failure.
In taking the Word of God, we take our place as the righteous man and through Jesus we have that name. His Name places us in His kingdom that has come. It is always our fearless confession before the world. It is through grace that we are saved and not of ourselves; it is the gift of God. It is not of works, lest anyone should boast. For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we (each of us who walk this earth ...ST) should walk in them. (Ephesians 2:7-10)

Again, seeing Peter waffle in some areas and who does not do that? It is not a good thing to do and some can fall into " a big pit" when the Word of God is not their focus.  Peter's was knee deep into his own thinking and believing how Jesus would not die. Peter spoke this in Mark 14.....verse...31  But Peter insisted emphatically, "Even if I have to die with you, I will never disown you." And all the others said the same. NIV

Mark 14:17-31

17 In the evening He came with the twelve. 18 Now as they sat and ate, Jesus said, "Assuredly, I say to you, one of you who eats with Me will betray Me." 19 And they began to be sorrowful, and to say to Him one by one, "Is it I?" And another said, "Is it I?" 20 He answered and said to them, "It is one of the twelve, who dips with Me in the dish. 21 The Son of Man indeed goes just as it is written of Him, but woe to that man by whom the Son of Man is betrayed! It would have been good for that man if he had never been born." 

22 And as they were eating, Jesus took bread, blessed and broke it, and gave it to them and said, "Take, eat; this is My body." 23 Then He took the cup, and when He had given thanks He gave it to them, and they all drank from it. 24 And He said to them, "This is My blood of the new covenant, which is shed for many. 25 Assuredly, I say to you, I will no longer drink of the fruit of the vine until that day when I drink it new in the kingdom of God." 26 And when they had sung a hymn, they went out to the Mount of Olives. 

27 Then Jesus said to them, "All of you will be made to stumble because of Me this night, for it is written: 

'I will strike the Shepherd, And the sheep will be scattered.'  

28 "But after I have been raised, I will go before you to Galilee." 29 Peter said to Him, "Even if all are made to stumble, yet I will not be." 30 Jesus said to him, "Assuredly, I say to you that today, even this night, before the rooster crows twice, you will deny Me three times." 31 But he spoke more vehemently, "If I have to die with You, I will not deny You!" And they all said likewise. NKJV

Even in all this of Jesus' speaking to Peter, the man Peter was still disputing what He, Jesus had told him. And Peter had the rest agreeing with him in this matter. Jesus told them that His sheep were going to be scattered. And Peter remarks, :"Even if all are made to stumble, yet I will not be."(Mark 14:29)

Yeah Peter............you stumbled! And what will make us stumble if we do not adhere to The Word of God? What will cause us to make some really bad decisions?

Today, many are taking the stance that some things are okay. They mention word to co-exist!  In the body of Christ, many are speaking and writing that it is okay to endorse a gay and lesbian lifestyle. Yet we know from Scripture and it is made clear that kind of perverted life style brings one to death. And any who endorse it will face judgement. It is like they are inviting that judgment into their lives by promoting it publicly. And judgment will come to them and their house.

There is a very sad story given us in the book of Judges. In chapter 19 we are told of a man traveling with his daughter and a concubine. They are heading back to Jerusalem, but evening was drawing to a close, and it began to be dark outside, so the man looked for a place for the night, But nothing was available. An elderly man came by and told them not to stay outdoors, but get inside. So the old man gave them sanctuary. 

Judges 19:22 As they were enjoying themselves, suddenly certain men of the city, perverted (literally, sons of Belial) surrounded the house and beat on the door. They spoke to the master of the house, the old man, saying, "Bring out the man who came to your house, that we may know him carnally!"

The concubine is given to the perverted men so the man would not be touched or defiled by such debauchery. What was seen was violence with the sign of being of the aggressive (angry) nature. It was "not the natural" of what God had created and planned. The perverted men wanted the man.  The Levite gave them his concubine so that they would not sin against God. And they attacked. For when you read on in chapter 19, the concubine is beaten and left for dead on the threshold of the door of the old man's house.

Pressure can come with many different looks and sounds!
In both of these examples we are the reminded of the "pressure" that is placed on others in situations that are of chaos. They represent anything but the order that God set forth for those He created to live and be. In those instances, where is their trust residing?

Pressure showed itself in the Garden of Gethsemane and Peter bowed to it. He took the stance of protecting himself. And how many will continue to do that today and this hour? People need prayer and even the body of Christ needs prayer, that there is no co-exist in the Bible. It is not found anywhere in the Bible.  God disdains the perverted lifestyle! He created Adam and Eve. Simple! It was man with woman, to have children and raise them with father, mother and have siblings.

No, no hate here just a reminder of the love that God sent forth by His Son Jesus and that through Him we will have life eternally with Him. Away from Him and apart from His plan, His Word, people perish!

 Peter had to turn away from the " me, myself and I mentality" and truly embrace the Lord Jesus. He had to let go of tradition and titles and other people's perspectives. Peter had to learn to have a place at Jesus' feet and really see and hear Him speak. Peter had to learn that the voice speaking loudly to us, should be the Lord's voice and not the world's. For in giving regard to other men who walk not in truth of God's Word will only bring one back into slavery and into a place of cowardice, of craven and cringing and fawning fear, but [He has given us a spirit] of power and of love and of a calm and well balanced mind and discipline and self-control. (2 Timothy 1:7)Amplified Bible

We are to abide in Jesus, and the word He gave us. In that self-discipline toward really capturing all He told them and tells us as we make our way through the pages of the Gospels, we find we gain self-control and His love in us that will protect us from that "spirit of fear".

In closing: Jesus is asking: "What do you seek?"

And what will we tell Him today..........? Is it unto life everlasting with Him................or the perverted that will perish? 

What will be our answer?
Will we be found seated at His feet heeding His teachings and warnings or will we cast it away?

2 Corinthians 5:10
10 For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, that each one may receive what is due him for the things done while in the body, whether good or bad.  NIV

Amen!




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

Sleeping in Ruins?

1 Thessalonians 4:16-18
16 For the Lord Himself will descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of an archangel, and with the trumpet of God. And the dead in Christ will rise first. 17 Then we who are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And thus we shall always be with the Lord. 18 Therefore comfort one another with these words.


1 Thessalonians 5:1-11

5:1 But concerning the times and the seasons, brethren, you have no need that I should write to you. 2 For you yourselves know perfectly that the day of the Lord so comes as a thief in the night. 3 For when they say, "Peace and safety!" then sudden destruction comes upon them, as labor pains upon a pregnant woman. And they shall not escape. 4 But you, brethren, are not in darkness, so that this Day should overtake you as a thief. 5 You are all sons of light and sons of the day. We are not of the night nor of darkness. 6 Therefore let us not sleep, as others do, but let us watch and be sober. 7 For those who sleep, sleep at night, and those who get drunk are drunk at night. 8 But let us who are of the day be sober, putting on the breastplate of faith and love, and as a helmet the hope of salvation. 9 For God did not appoint us to wrath, but to obtain salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ, 10 who died for us, that whether we wake or sleep, we should live together with Him. 11 Therefore comfort each other and edify one another, just as you also are doing. NKJV

Let us watch: greygoreuo....1127......is to awake...NT 1453 is to waken (from sleep) from inactivity, as in sleeping in ruins and from nonexistence.

Now that is a little scary if you ask me. That we are told to not sleep as others do, but let us watch and be sober. 

That sleep is that which people do without knowing it. They are those who have no discernment of the time and the season.  We are to take a stand.

Putting on our breastplate of "belief" in the feast of love! For God has not appointed us to wrath, but to obtain salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ.

Drawn into that word of watch.......1127..........and that people are to awaken from inactivity. Well what inactivity, and what is that sleeping in ruins? Do people have an actual place of which they operate as the non-existent one?

Isaiah 41:11-13

11 "Behold, all those who were incensed against you 

Shall be ashamed and disgraced;

They shall be as nothing,

And those who strive with you shall perish. 

12 You shall seek them and not find them--

Those who contended with you.

Those who war against you 

Shall be as nothing,

As a nonexistent thing. 

13 For I, the LORD your God, will hold your right hand,

Saying to you, 'Fear not, I will help you.'   NKJV

Now I really love the book of Isaiah and sometimes really have to have a quiet place to read it. And during my days of working outside the home, the Lord gave me this passage of scripture.  Those incensed against you shall be ashamed and disgraced. They shall be as nothing and those who would choose to strive with me would perish. YIKES! 

Then I was told: YOU shall seek them and not find them----those who contended with you...those who war against you shall be as nothing, as a nonexistent thing. FOR THE LORD YOUR GOD WILL HOLD YOUR RIGHT HAND....SAYING, 'FEAR NOT, I WILL HELP YOU.'

ON rising this morning, I thought on this area of discernment. My husband and I spent much time reading on it last night. And the scriptures we were given on it, especially for prayer surely made a lot of sense. And it was like we were being awakened to something new.  For in this teaching, we saw the prayer warrior given a message from the Holy Spirit to pray for a brother overseas who was fighting in the Vietnam War in the 1960's. AND the specific prayer given to prayer person was so surprised what the Lord had given him in this vision/dream who then mailed it to brother in Vietnam. He wrote to brother: This is how it will happen and you must be on your guard!

It was mailed and received.  And the "message" given came to pass some 4 weeks later on an actual battle field. The brother survived the attack and did what the prayer warrior had sent him to do by the Spirit of God. Hallelujah!

As this prayer warrior grew more in that awareness of God and His speaking, this prayer person continued to give another example of how the Lord showed him how his brother was to die this one day around the 3 p.m. hour and He, God desired prayer person to pray. Well quickly, he, the prayer warrior called one other person and together they prayed from their different locations. They asked for God to intervene on the older brother's behalf and reminded God of the brother's commitment in his early teen years to God. They also spoke how they knew he had walked away from God, but that still believed and had faith that said brother in harm's way would be delivered from the harm.  They prayed the Word and the prayed in Tongues. The brother( in harm's way) just knew he needed to pull off the road and talk with a man within this business, but when he stopped and went inside he could not remember what he needed to ask the business owner. Well, in that four minutes.........another vehicle had went on by and that vehicle crashed into the vehicle coming from opposite direction and in that head-on crash, the couple inside died exactly what had been given for prayer warrior's brother to be killed. BUT someone prayed and  not only prayed but kept praying for another full two hours after the event was to take place. The thing taken from this was..........was anyone praying for the couple who died that day?

And then I was astounded to know what people could be given about circumstances. 

The prayer warrior had many examples of God's love for those who love Him. And I thought of those that are or become the nonexistent thing.

While meditating on what we had read, we awakened to another important part of why we are to pray. We also came away with what God cannot do when NO ONE PRAYS for someone. For surely lives were saved on that eventful afternoon at 3 pm. and others were lost.

We know how to pray for a loved one who has not received Jesus, right? That is to remind God of how they might have gone to church as a child, how they took others to church and how regularly they tuned in Kathryn Kulman to see God move through people in the attitude of complete quiet. We can remind Him of how a parent might have taken us week after week to church, yet in their last days on earth, they choose to lie in bed in a death state that is one of sleeping in ruins and being the nonexistent thing. But God in His love has shown us how we are to put on that love and walk by faith, not only for ourselves but for others as well.

We got this message to pray for loved ones last night.  With a conditioner in my hair and a mixture of water and creme running into my eyes, I got this vision. I saw a driver out of control on state route 14 headed from the Stevenson area to Vancouver.  I was telling my husband we must text our family and tell them to stop where they are at and not go any further. And we continued to pray. Again, I saw the out of control person, and it appeared as a woman trying to reach for a ringing cell phone drives into the opposite lane on a sharp curve. So we prayed more thoroughly. They had stopped and waited a full hour and instruction came. So they went the long way around to get home. Was there something that would have cost a life? Not sure yet, but we will know. We confess we will always know every form of information God desires for us to know that will bring glory to Him. We will have that piece of information to make decisions that involve our lives and others and in that we require and put God's wisdom on it, in it and through it in how ever many hours of prayer it takes.

When the call came in they had arrived home in safety, then we rested in God and His love.

1 Thessalonians 5:9-11

9 For God did not appoint us to wrath, but to obtain salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ, 10 who died for us, that whether we wake or sleep, we should live together with Him. 11 Therefore comfort each other and edify one another, just as you also are doing.

For God has not appointed us to wrath. In our salvation through Jesus Christ, we live unto Him. And we know many others have gone who now sleep in Him. But those who sleep today, who sleep in ruins and the decay, those who sleep as the nonexistent thing are those who are far from God.

The Amplified Bible states this: for verse 9 For God has not appointed us to [incur His] wrath. [He did not select us to condemn us], but [that we might] obtain [His] salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ (the Messiah). 10 Who died for us so that whether we are still alive or are dead [at Christ's appearing], we might live together with Him and share His life. 11 Therefore encourage (admonish, exhort) one another and edify (strengthen and build up) one another, just as you are doing.

For the Lord is returning for His people. And we are not the "condemned" but the saved.

There is therefore now no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus, who do not walk according to the flesh, but according to the Spirit. (Rom. 8:1) 

 It is the Spirit who gives life; the flesh profits nothing. The words that I speak to you are spirit, and they are life. 64 But there are some of you who do not believe." For Jesus knew from the beginning who they were who did not believe, and who would betray Him. (John 6:63-65)

There are those appointed to wrath, but we are not those. Our world is to be framed by the Word of God.  It is in that trust that where we live and reside is not in the that place of the "ruins" but in the safe place of His boundary, and it is in His Word. Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.  For by it the elders obtained a good testimony.  By faith we understand that the worlds were framed by the word of God, so that the things which are seen were not made of things which are visible. (Hebrews 11:1-3)

Our praying, not only for our loved ones, but also those who come across our path, are those who now have a boundary, a fence if you will, around their lives. The Word of God spoken and prayed over them will keep them in the safe place.

As an example I have put a prayer here that is that boundary of God's Word around our grandchild. It is prayed and placed as a "hedge" of protection around her. And when or if something arises........we remind the Lord that she was placed in His hands the moment we heard of her conception.

Father, in the name of Jesus we pray for our granddaughter. May she obey her parents in all things, for this is well pleasing to the Lord. WE pray that she would not be provoked by her father so that she not become discouraged according to Colossians 3:21.

 We pray that she will honor her father and her mother. She will be a wise son who hears her father’s instructions,  she will not consent to going with sinners. We pray she not walk on the path with them but she keep her feet from their path for their feet run to evil and they make haste to shed blood.

 According to James 1:19-23, our grandchild will be "the" swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath; knowing that the wrath of man does not produce the righteousness of God. We pray she will continually lay aside all filthiness and overflow of wickedness, and receive with  meekness,  the implanted word, which is able to save her soul. We say that she will be a doer of the word and not a hearer only, deceiving herself.

It is According to Prov. 22:24-25 that she will make no friendships with angry men and she will not go with the furious.  She will refuse them and their ways.  We pray that she will know that God loved us so much, that He gave His only begotten Son Jesus , so that we would have everlasting life by believing on HIM. We pray that she confesses with her mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in her heart that God has raised HIM from the dead, and be saved. We believe her to walk all her days of life with Him.  Her heart, we pray, will believe unto righteousness, and her mouth brings her to salvation of her soul.We pray that the LORD is her Shepherd and she shall not be in want of any good thing.  The Lord restores her soul so that she walks the paths of righteousness for His names sake. She will have no fear of evil for she will know that God is with her to protect her. His rod and His staff will comfort our grand-daughter . She will be anointed with fresh oil till her cup is running over. We will see the goodness and mercy of God follow her all the days of her life and she will dwell in the house of the LORD FOREVER. AMEN AND AMEN

Truly we can make a difference in praying and speaking God's Word over another person. Truly He is on our side when we choose Him 1st. May we awaken from that sleep that leads or tends toward poverty of the soul. May we make the decision to not only attend church..........but attend to that which God has placed in our hands. The Lord is returning for His church "His body of believers" and will He find faith on the earth?(Luke 18:8)

In closing:

Proverbs 24:30-34

30 I went past the field of the sluggard,

past the vineyard of the man who lacks judgment; 

31 thorns had come up everywhere,

the ground was covered with weeds,

and the stone wall was in ruins. 

32 I applied my heart to what I observed 

and learned a lesson from what I saw: 

33 A little sleep, a little slumber,

a little folding of the hands to rest-- 

34 and poverty will come on you like a bandit 

and scarcity like an armed man.   NIV

When we consider everyplace we have traveled, everyplace we have walked and seen, how many places can you remember that seemed to be that which was the overgrown, the overwhelmed with weeds and briars?  How many places do you remember seeing that was the broken down, needing paint and the wall or fence around was in "ruins"? Well that is one's heart. And when we apply God's Word it changes. For if we continue to neglect to speak His Word and pray for others that God has given us, then a little sleep, a little slumber, ah yes the folding of hands to rest.........and you will find yourself in poverty. In those moments before the disaster, before the earthquake, before the report of a grave illness, what wall will keep the enemy away or will it come in like a flood?

Arm yourself with His Word and declare His truths. 

Forever who would love life and see good days, must keep his tongue from evil and his lips from deceitful speech. He must turn from evil and do good. He must seek peace and pursue it. For the eyes of the Lord are on the righteous and His ears are attentive to their prayer. But His face is against those who do evil. (1 Peter 3:10-12)

Amen.

Attention:
The Voice of Prayer  has a new teaching published: Come Away and Rest a While. 

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

Eggshells

Thinking on all those colored eggs the past few days, I wonder how much was spent on "real" eggs, chocolate candy, and that pretty green grass! Or are "real eggs" just passe'? (you know: out of date, passed their prime)
What is it about an Easter Egg Hunt, that gets everyone in a frenzy? Is it the overprotective mom watching over her two year old child running with ten year old children? And why did she allow a 2 year old to run with 10 year old experienced children on an "egg hunt"? My husband suggests football pads and a helmet for the two year old going out for the hunt with the ten year old's.  Is it the looking for anything that is "colored" in those pastels that makes one think of Spring time and new life or is it because the cold and rainy season has departed? Or could it be that "the prize" for this specific hunt is a chocolate, marshmallow filled bunny waiting somewhere for "me" to find? Can you not just feel the perspiration on your brow at this moment?  Yes, I remember looking for that marshmallow filled bunny and by the time we got to the END of the hunt, that bunny was anything but delicious looking. Yes, the heat of that specific day brought about much weakness to chocolate, and marshmallow bunnies everywhere within that area that experienced  85 degrees that spring day! Yes, even now I experience that sweat in that moment in time on a spring time day........and not finding the bunny just when "it needed the most help" from me!


Ahh, yes, those eggshells and their many uses can have one trying to find what else you might use them for in regards to having an extra amount of those 'ole shells around your home!
Well, we know the one about coffee and eggshells, right? But what about eggshells in the garden, calcium for your teeth, in your potting soil and oh, yes, those birds you feed.
They say about a trillion eggs are broken each year. In respect of that figure, is that before Easter counts of broken eggs or is it an all inclusive number to include that holiday?
But seriously, those pastel plastic egg-shaped containers sure made a lot of parent's happy that they no longer have to boil and color an egg. So are there more plastic eggs called to duty today than the regular egg?

They say that time does not change anything, but that people are the ones who change!
Of late, we (my husband and I) have reached back to some historical truths on the age of all accounts of healing and tent revivals of the 40's and 50's. In respect to that time when men and women alike chased after God, and their commitment was made and seen by many others. In truth, many thought Jesus' return was evident at that time and many flocked to those tent revivals like Oral Roberts, and T.L. Lowery. But God is still God and is still powerful. He never makes mistakes and never fails. And today people are still awaiting Christ's return. And these men who followed God obeyed His commands to preach and teach the Word of God. They prayed! They kept their focus on God, His Son Jesus, for salvation and for all that God wanted to do in those tent revivals. Of late, we have returned to more prayer time with the Lord and seeking to remain in hearing Him speak, not only to us about us, but about the times in which we live.


Acts 1:7-14   7 He said to them, It is not for you to become acquainted with and know what time brings [the things and events of time and their definite periods] or fixed years and season (their critical niche in time), which the Father has appointed ( fixed and reserved ) by His own choice  and authority and personal power. 8 But you shall receive power (ability, efficiency, and might) when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you shall be My witnesses in Jerusalem and all Judea and Samaria and to the ends (the very bounds) of the earth. 9 And when He had said this, even as they were looking [at Him], He was caught up, and a cloud received and carried Him away out of their sight. 10 And while they were gazing intently into heaven as He went, behold, two men [dressed] in white robes suddenly stood beside them. 11 Who said, men of Galilee, why do you stand gazing into heaven? This same Jesus, Who was caught away and lifted up from among you into heaven, will return in [just] the same way in which you saw him go into heaven. 12 Then [ the disciples] went back to Jerusalem from the hill called Olivet, which is near Jerusalem. [only] a Sabbath day's journey (three-quarters of a mile ) away. 13 And when they had entered [the city], they mounted [the stairs] to the upper room where they were [indefinitely] staying----Peter and John and James and Andrew; Philip and Thomas, Bartholomew and Matthew; James son of Alpheus and Simon the Zealot and Judas [son] of James, 14 and all of these with their minds in full agreement devoted themselves steadfastly to prayer, [waiting together] with the women and Mary the mother of Jesus, and with His brothers.

That appointed time was that we would be His witnesses. For them it was in Jerusalem, all Judea and Samaria and to the ends ( the very bounds ) of the earth.


In the time of this great move shortly after Jesus' resurrection, and many people being saved, yet those salvations went to the Gentiles. And much persecution came to those who spoke out in His name. The disciples with many others came together to wait in prayer together, to communicate with God and allow Him to communicate with them. They had the way in "through Jesus" who died for us, to give us that "hope" in and through Him.

Hebrews 7:25 Amplified       25 Therefore He is able also to save to the uttermost (completely, perfectly, finally and for all time and eternity) those who come to God through Him since He is always living to make petitions to God and intercede with Him and intervene for them.


Acts 4:13-20
13 When they saw the courage of Peter and John and realized that they were unschooled, ordinary men, they were astonished and they took note that these men had been with Jesus. 14 But since they could see the man who had been healed standing there with them, there was nothing they could say. 15 So they ordered them to withdraw from the Sanhedrin and then conferred together. 16 "What are we going to do with these men?" they asked. "Everybody living in Jerusalem knows they have done an outstanding miracle, and we cannot deny it. 17 But to stop this thing from spreading any further among the people, we must warn these men to speak no longer to anyone in this name."

18 Then they called them in again and commanded them not to speak or teach at all in the name of Jesus. 19 But Peter and John replied, "Judge for yourselves whether it is right in God's sight to obey you rather than God. 20 For we cannot help speaking about what we have seen and heard."  NIV

Some seventy years after Jesus' departure into heaven, great destruction came to Jerusalem. In this time shortly after Jesus' crucifixion and before the tragedy to Israel, men spoke out in His name. But those of the Sanhedrin wanted the "talk" to stop. And one thing "noted" was these men, Peter and John had been with Jesus. These men spoke out with courage. They were the unschooled, ordinary men and they lived for God. In unison, Peter and John replied to those questioning their exploit for God, "Judge for yourselves whether it is right in God's sight to obey you rather than God. For we cannot help speaking about what we have seen and heard."

So we have two groups that were speaking. In one group you have the Sanhedrin who wanted the Law, and did their own "policing" and did not receive Jesus. They wanted Him dead and did it with the help of Rome. And in group 2 you have those who recognized Jesus as the suffering Messiah. These we know to be the "witnesses".  Those who knew Him and why He came witnessed of Him.  And those who follow today are those who seek after that which is life to them. And they exhibit a love that only comes from God. And no,it is not found in any eggs, colored or not for those things bring no life to anyone. (unless it is one real egg you can fry up in a pan) To me, the traditions of men is just a bunch of eggshells. It is really knowing what is good or is it just the fun thing to do that has nothing to do with really loving another person.
I had a call today, not from one person but from two and in them each so different, yet they were coming across with the same message. They voiced a value for another person.

One call came in the morning and brought me to silence as they expressed honor and the one this afternoon voiced "family" and much love. Ah yes, tears have a healing affect on the mind, soul and body. In all my years I have not been so moved by two people of such valor and love!

When we really care more about the person, than an actual egg hunt, we are putting people first. If we truly care about another and their family, will we truly put Jesus in the midst of them, for it is really not whether they receive Him, but that we present Him to them. For the Holy Spirit can do what He does best. But we surely must bring Him to them!  Did that happen where you attended or was it just about someone in a big bunny suit and a bunch of colored eggs that aren't real in any way, shape or form?  I have not been touched by pastel colored eggs, or chocolate bunnies. I have not been touched by the pretty baskets or multi-colored possibilities of grass color that shines, but about how people can love and touch a heart when it is done in His name.

For I saw this in John and Peter. I saw in Jesus and all that He represented of His Father. And I have experienced it today in my life. When people are really tuned into G-O-D, they sound like a symphony and they harmonize in a beauty that only God sends out through His l-o-v-e!

Jesus spoke of this in the book of Mark about traditions of men!

Mark 7:5-16 

-5 And the Pharisees and scribes kept asking [Jesus], why do Your disciples not order their way of living according to the tradition handed down by the forefathers [to be observed], but eat with hands unwashed and ceremonially not purified? 6 But He said to the, Excellently and truly [so that there will be no room for blame] did  Isaiah prophesy of you; the pretenders and the hypocrites, as it stands written: These people [constantly] honor Me with their lips, but their hearts are far from Me. 7 In vain (fruitlessly and without profit) do they worship Me, ordering and teaching [to be obeyed] as doctrines the commandments and precepts of men. Isaiah 29:13

8 You disregard and give up and ask to depart from you the commandment of God and cling to the tradition of men [keeping it carefully and faithfully.]

9 And He said to them, You have a fine way of rejecting [thus thwarting and nullifying and doing away with] the commandment of God in order to keep your tradition (your own human regulations)! 10 For Moses said, Honor (revere with tenderness of feeling and deference )your father and your mother and He who curses or reviles or speaks evil of or abuses or treats improperly his father or mother, let him surely die. Exodus 20:12, Exodus 21:17

11 But [as for you] you say, a man is exempt if he tells [his] father or [his] mother, What you would otherwise have gained  from me [everything I have that would have been use to you] is Corban, that is, is a gift [already given as an offering to God]. 12 Then you no longer are permitting him to do anything of [his] father or [his] mother [ but are letting him off from helping them]. 13 Thus you are nullifying and making void and of no effect [ the authority of ] the Word of God through your tradition, which you [ in turn ] hand on. And many things of this kind you are doing.14 And He called the people to [Him] again and said to them, Listen to Me, all of you and understand [what I say]. 15 There is not [even] one thing outside a man which by going into him can pollute and defile him and make him unhallowed and unclean.16 If any man has ears to hear, let him be listening [and let him perceive and comprehend by hearing.] 

Our delight today should be in that of giving love to others. And in the time of Spring, would we not want to reach out to those who may be in need of rest from the "world"? Are there those who need cold water to be poured upon wandering feet? Could we not bring to those a love, His love that would ring true in hearts, that He is in our midst. As He ever makes intercession for us, and sees after our lives, would it not be to His glory that music would be heard in calling others into salvation and into the Love of God? If people are being cut to shreds by impurity, evil on every corner, and violence in strange places, would not a call to reinforce His love be the "required" of the witness who really gives witness to His love and to that glory.
In closing: may we know that which really brings life into our hearts. May we know that love that keeps giving and supports us when we need it most. And may those who have brought such to me today be those who are fortified in faith to go the distance for which they are the called! 


Isaiah 52:7
7 How beautiful upon the mountains 
Are the feet of him who brings good news,
Who proclaims peace,
Who brings glad tidings of good things,
Who proclaims salvation,
Who says to Zion,
"Your God reigns!" 

May we be the witnesses we are called to be and bring salvation, the tidings of good things to those who really need it!

Attention:
The Voice of Prayer  has a new teaching published: Come Away and Rest a While. 



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