Iodine or Those $99 Antibiotics

Was reading this article sent to me by my family who lives back east. I got a great laugh about the antibiotics and their use today. A trip with a real need, can look like 99 dollars for antibiotic and more for the visit to the Emergency Room, and possibly hospital time, of course.
When we were children, a scrap to knee or elbow, iodine would stain the skin and clothes, but Mercurochrome worked better to me and the scent was nice. Who cared it turned the skin slightly reddish pink? Of course, there was possibly the need for a shot if a wound appeared really deep. Tetanus shot, anyone?
But I have now heard that Mercurochrome is no longer available. This highly used product was used for years was "deemed" not safe!

Today, I hear a lot on the cost of things. I take note of the going price to get a baby from conception to the arm holding stage. Yes with the ride outside of the womb and into the EXIT, a baby comes into the  waiting "family"is up to several thousand dollars in a lot of cases. And those with the "marked for a C-Section" the price can go even higher. YIKES!
Our visit with Dr. for pregnancy, the room, the Dr.' care + delivery was a total $400. Yeah, those were the days, and life seemed easier and not so pricey.
Yes, times have changed and it sure added a cost to a vast assortment of different categories that affect a young married couple. In looking at owning that home, and a car or two as well, the price shoots up drastically. When adding a baby to boot, then you are talking millions of dollars.

Going to the grocery store too, can take a bite out of the paycheck or savings account. In years past I heard of people getting into lots of trouble using their credit card to purchase groceries. That works when you pay the bill at the end of each month, but to keep stacking more charges against yourself is not wise at all!

Was really taken aback by the article I was sent and laughed at the things pertaining to swimming in the river or lakes with no regard to any kind of yuck getting on you. And I certainly do not remember any people getting sick from going into the cloudy river. I was more concerned for the water moccasin who lived there. (you know snakes)

 The going to the nurse in the school pharmacy was to us an actual nurse with a certain uniform on. Although it was not the typical white outfit, still you knew which one was "the nurse".  I am not sure what they would have today. But in those days, the only reason you went to see her, was to get out of class. (very seldom would one need an actual aspirin or wound tended too!)

I liked the part of the article which mentioned the cell phone. And it could have or would have been  true at that time and period, if one would have mentioned a cell phone, a person in jail would think a phone from within their cell was available for their use. And yes, what was mentioned also was the use of that cutting board. The care on that alone would cause some to tremble. But I think today of those germs they show on keyboards, light switches, elevator buttons, and those really out of the way water fountains! Have you seen those new scanning systems to check for those pesky germs just waiting to get on aboard your hands and go home with you?

Yes, prices have gone up, people's pay stayed the same, and in the mix, something will have to give. It will have to either stand together or fall together.

In counting the cost for anyone's future, we must figure that we are going to finish.
Luke 14:28-30 Message Bible...
"Is there anyone here who, planning to build a new house, doesn't first sit down and figure the cost so you'll know if you can complete it? If you only get the foundation laid and then run out of money, you're going to look pretty foolish. Everyone passing by will poke fun at you:'He started something he couldn't finish.'"
"Or could you imagine a king going into battle against another king without first deciding whether it is possible with his ten thousand troops to face the twenty thousand troops of the other? And if he decides he can't, won't he send an emissary and work out a truce?"
"Simply put, if you're not willing to take what is dearest to you whether plans or people, and kiss them good-bye, you can't be my disciple." "Salt is excellent. But if salt goes flat, it's useless, good for nothing. Are you Listening to this?Really listening?"

Jesus is the same yesterday, today and tomorrow.
Whether in life as an individual or as a couple, one must count the cost. Jesus was showing that which was to be considered when starting anything.
In being a disciple for the Lord, we learn to walk the way He did. He showed us how to consider things and bring them under the council of God.
Anyone viewing the evening news can see some horrific things due to weather related catastrophes. Some people are willing to start over. Many are people in their 60's and 70's who came out of the storm unscathed, their property destroyed, but they continue to live and look forward to another day.

 Things can come, and with them can come some major changes to our lives, but when keeping God first in our lives, we remain in His peace to walk through any trial at the time.
But that kissing some things good-bye could be a good thing. Like one should skip the casino with the boys to spend more time with the mother-to-be before the actual arrival date of the baby!  Kissing some of those old habits like the nightly workout might be scheduled for a more flexible time of the three times a week instead.
Changes have to be made when accommodating the new in our lives.
Ours did not seem to change a lot. We were accustomed to being home and doing things around the house and property. Our child slept through the night on her second night home. She would arise at 6 AM. and so did I. Although she liked her formula and those early foods for a tiny baby.........yet I held onto my bacon. That did not change then or now, but I still remember those days.


In the decision making, and that which comes after a major change, like storms, change in jobs or even the arrival of a baby to the family, one should their focus on God Who gave.

In that process, we can be salt to others. In choosing to continue and not quit, we look to God and that which He says we can have and do in His name. Yes, salt is good and is season to those around us.
We can continue to communicate Jesus Christ to the world when anything changes even to the degree of loss. It is in our walk through, we show others that we are not dominated by the world or things of the world. Our influence must be that which is in peace and that of the over-comer.
Whether in our walk with the community or with Christians alike, our savor must be that which brings life to others. He who has ears to hear, let him hear.

In attending to Christ and His Word, we are reminded that He, God, gave His best for us. In all that happened to the apostles in their ministry, should we not also remember that others paid the price for us to hear? Jesus gave His life for us. Through His obedience and sacrifice, we have full access to the Father.
 For the Gospel went out, and in that, the word came forth to today. It is knowing we have the choice to choose a good life. It is one marked by the Cross of Christ. It has it's hard places. It has it's ups and downs, but our focus whether by tragedy of death of a close family member, a loss of a home to tornado or even hurricane, God still rules from heaven. He sent His son for us. And in that we should be the consumed to mark out our paths with the way of truth that only comes from God.

People are watching us daily. They see how we react to even the most subtle of changes. How will they see us? Will we be salt and light? Even in the storms of life, can God count on us to direct others to Him and His love?

Psalm 62 Message Bible

God, the one and only--
I'll wait as long as he says,
Everything I hope for comes from Him, so why not?
He's solid rock under my feet, breathing room for my soul,
And impregnable castle; I'm set for life.
My help and glory are in God----granite strength and safe-harbor God--
So trust him absolutely, people;
lay your lives on the line for Him.
God is a safe place to be.

Man as such is smoke, woman as such, a mirage.
Put them together, they're nothing; two times nothing is nothing.
And windfall, if it comes---don't make too much of it.
God said this once and for all;
how many times have I heard it repeated?
"Strength comes Straight from God."
Love to you, Lord God!
You  pay a fair wage for a good day's work!

Man can only do in his own strength. And the woman, his helpmate, can assist him, but it is only in God and through Him that we move in His power, wisdom and peace.
God is for us. He desires us to proclaim His Name far and wide.
No smokin' mirrors with Him, you will always get the truth.
He is standing by and as we reflect on Him, and grateful in the reflection, we know our lives remain dear to Him. Oh God, to see You and to bless You daily. We commit to sing. As we communicate our love to YOU, may others hear and be glad.
You are more beautiful to us than all the jewelry in the world. YOU shine bright and show us where to walk safely. Your love never runs out on us. You set us free, and we are here to tell the world.
"Be still and know that he is God."
He is gracious, and has showered us with blessings. Our soul, yes, He rescued from death. We praise YOU our faithful God. Your love never quits! 

Remember:
He will never give up on you!
Keep prayer foremost for your decision making before starting anything, including marriage and the birth of a child. Count the cost! Make it plain.
From previous Blog: Paying it Forward (Wisdom) February 2.8.16
Forsake foolishness and live! Go in the way of Understanding............In respect to writing it down, I like the word prescribe, given as a meaning. We surely know what it is when some Doctor prescribes some medicine and the importance of taking it when you need it. I think that word fits so appropriately for taking this prescribed word of God and taking it like a pill every day will change things if we take it as directed. Right?
Make it plain so that others might know what you are believing. 

In writing it out for your future: seek the Lord's will and that it is a life pleasing to God that is with fruitfulness, endurance, patience and joy. (Colossians 1:9-12)
Thank You Lord for leading us into a cleared and level land.
The clouds may darken and fill the skies. And thunders may boom through the night, but we are not the fearful! We are the prepared to give others a "helping hand" if destruction strikes their land. We are excited to start this day with You. We take the first steps out with a song on our lips.

In closing:
Building your life as an individual, or as a couple will take a lot of time, a lot of prayer and many questions to God about tomorrow. Laboring for something good is seen in that which we choose God and His way and ultimately follow that plan of His. Anything worthwhile will take some time, money, sacrifice and being committed to what waits up ahead for us.

Father, may Your glory fill this place! In Jesus' name, we pray for the glory....Your beauty, Your holiness.......to be seen where we stand and trust in YOU. May others see and know that You are with us. It is to Your praise and to Your eternal honor, we truly lift Your name on high. Amen.

Notice:

The Voice of Prayer  has a new teaching published: 

Faith Without Borders: The Experience of Our Faith

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

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

Casting Our What?

Yeah, you remember the scripture casting our cares on Him for He cares for you?
1 Peter 5:6-11
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. 9 Resist him, steadfast in the faith, knowing that the same sufferings are experienced by your brotherhood in the world. 10 But may the God of all grace, who called us to His eternal glory by Christ Jesus, after you have suffered a while, perfect, establish, strengthen, and settle you. 11 To Him be the glory and the dominion forever and ever. Amen. NKJV

What about Paul and Silas in the prison? Read Acts 16!

Acts 16:16-34
16 Now it happened, as we went to prayer, that a certain slave girl possessed with a spirit of divination met us, who brought her masters much profit by fortune-telling. 17 This girl followed Paul and us, and cried out, saying, "These men are the servants of the Most High God, who proclaim to us the way of salvation." 18 And this she did for many days. But Paul, greatly annoyed, turned and said to the spirit, "I command you in the name of Jesus Christ to come out of her." And he came out that very hour. 19 But when her masters saw that their hope of profit was gone, they seized Paul and Silas and dragged them into the marketplace to the authorities. 20 And they brought them to the magistrates, and said, "These men, being Jews, exceedingly trouble our city; 21 and they teach customs which are not lawful for us, being Romans, to receive or observe." 22 Then the multitude rose up together against them; and the magistrates tore off their clothes and commanded them to be beaten with rods. 23 And when they had laid many stripes on them, they threw them into prison, commanding the jailer to keep them securely. 24 Having received such a charge, he put them into the inner prison and fastened their feet in the stocks.

25 But at midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God, and the prisoners were listening to them. 26 Suddenly there was a great earthquake, so that the foundations of the prison were shaken; and immediately all the doors were opened and everyone's chains were loosed. 27 And the keeper of the prison, awaking from sleep and seeing the prison doors open, supposing the prisoners had fled, drew his sword and was about to kill himself. 28 But Paul called with a loud voice, saying, "Do yourself no harm, for we are all here." 29 Then he called for a light, ran in, and fell down trembling before Paul and Silas. 30 And he brought them out and said, "Sirs, what must I do to be saved?" 31 So they said, "Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and you will be saved, you and your household." 32 Then they spoke the word of the Lord to him and to all who were in his house. 33 And he took them the same hour of the night and washed their stripes. And immediately he and all his family were baptized. 34 Now when he had brought them into his house, he set food before them; and he rejoiced, having believed in God with all his household. NKJV


Where we stand with God will certainly show our "true colors". For Paul and Silas, we see two men following close to God and in that come in conflict with those who were masters of a young slave girl who possessed a spirit of divination. In that, Paul commanded the spirit to come out in Jesus Name.
Well, the long story shorten here, is that they went to jail.
They were the accused of having made trouble to the "the city"! They were also dragged into the marketplace to the authorities. Then beaten with rods, Silas and Paul are found probably in the most lower level of the jail. With their feet in stocks, and most likely people's waste falling on their heads from the prisoners above them, these guys sang. Yes they sang!
At the midnight hour Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God and the prisoners were listening. They could hear them praising God!

In those deplorable conditions the men, Paul and Silas continued to worship God. Though experiencing the stench of waste and the putrid smell of sweat and such, these men released God into the situation.

They applauded God in words of praise that lifted them out of the filth and into an atmosphere that brought God on the scene.

For their faithfulness to follow God, they brought the Gospel, the Good News to those who needed salvation. They brought Jesus to the jailer and his family. In unison Paul and Silas gave the call to "believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and you will be saved, you and your household."

The jailer's family was saved, and Paul and Silas were cleaned with their stripes being washed.

That place shook with a vibration of heaven. That jail opened its doors to allow the Great "I AM" in the house.

Will we allow Him in? Will we cast our cares on Him, sing His praise and expect Him to have His way in our situations?

It is those moments with God, when all else does not matter, that our worship and praise comes up loud and strong. Not to show others we can sing, play the drums, or even toot the horn, right? But it is about our lives touching someone else's when everything seems wrong and out of sorts.

May we have longing our hearts.........that will thirst for Him. Psalm 42:2....."my soul thirsts for God"

May we have faith that pleases God..."without faith, it is impossible to please God...Hebrews 11:6

And may we quickly invite the Holy Spirit to come.

"Come Holy Spirit, come, YOU are invited here, in this place, right now!

Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness,....Matthew 5:6.

Valuing prayer and God's presence, these men saw the miraculous happen for a family needing God. For it is truly wonderful to see those touched by His Presence when we see that one fall out under His power or the one who dances wildly or even the one who lies prostrate for hours in His very Presence.

But there is nothing, no nothing, that can compare with being with Him in prayer and  encountering Him, with questions a child asks the Father.

The Holy Spirit is not wind but we can certainly experience His freshness in a room. He is not fire, but He surely can bring a fire to our bones to live for Him. And He is not the white dove. He is a Person.

Find time to cast that care on God! Find that place to seek His face, His quiet place of peace and truth and He will reveal to you magnitudes of His goodness for you. It is never too late to start that relationship with Him. Take the time today and speak with Him about your future.

Romans 5: Message Bible….We find ourselves standing where we always hoped we might stand---out in the wide open spaces of God’s grace and glory, standing tall and shouting our praises. “There’s more to COME.” “There’s More To COME!”   We continue to shout our praise even when we’re hemmed in with troubles, because we know how troubles can develop passionate patience in us and how that patience in turn forges the tempered steel of virtue, keeping us alert for whatever God will do next.

Our prayer for this generation who look for His return must be ever alert to keep watch……….to pray…….and seek to praise Him and remind Him of what words of life He has spoken for us to live by. It is in our experience of faith we find His peace and joy. In the Holy Spirit we find power to live out what we seek for tomorrow. If God was concerned for THE FUTURE, HE IS CONCERNED FOR OURS. “THERE IS MORE TO COME FOR YOU AND FOR ME!”

Father thank You for Jesus. Thank You for Your goodness to us. We look forward to our future with You and standing in those open spaces of Your grace and glory. May we always shout...........sing praise and not forget.........."There's more to come"............and develop within us that passionate patience forging in us a virtue, and to keep our watch of what You will do next in our lives. IN Jesus Name, we believe we receive all that You intend for us. Amen.

Notice:
The Voice of Prayer  has a new teaching published: 
Praise Report of Faith: Jesus Speaking of John The Baptist
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q0I5xPxONv0

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

In A New Light to Stay out of Ruts

Light makes a difference, especially if you are looking for something in a dark, closet, dark room or in the darkest of night.
As a child, we never had "a night light". Never heard of one till I was almost grown. Not sure if they just were not available till then or if no one in our household needed one.
We make sure we have one in a couple of places for our grand-child when she comes to visit. Not readily acquainted with every wall and door, one might bump into them at a quick pace for the bathroom. We desire our loved one not to be bruised by running into a wall in the middle of the night.  But many people today walk in darkness. They walk during the day but have no "light" that will lead them in safety.  Safety is important, whether it is noonday or the midnight hour, right?

A friend of mine gave me painting about 10 years ago. It is a painting of a lighthouse on the rocks. Located next to the dangerous rocks on a hill, the Lighthouse looks like a beacon to welcome one in, yet it is there to "warn" there is danger ahead. In this painting, the "light keeper" lives in the house next door to the great light.

John 8:12
 12 Then Jesus spoke to them again, saying, "I am the light of the world. He who follows Me shall not walk in darkness, but have the light of life."   NKJV

Ephesians 5:8-14

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. 12) For it is shameful even to speak of those things which are done by them in secret. 13) But all things that are exposed are made manifest by the light, for whatever makes manifest is light. 14) Therefore He says: 

"Awake, you who sleep,

Arise from the dead,

And Christ will give you light."   NKJV

In John we see the light in the Lord. And in walking as His child of light we have the fruit of the Spirit that is in all goodness, righteousness, and truth. We are also told not to have fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness. But we are to expose them.

Awakening into His Light is to our benefit. As our grand-child has the help of a needed night light to give her surroundings light, so too, God's word will light our way.

It will give us the foundation of walking in truth and pulling the mask off anything that tries to pretend to be truth but is error.  The world teaches one thing, God teaches another. We should always keep watch on going astray. That going astray is staying away from any doctrine that teaches against God's Word. And that going astray can that of being led away with what is considered immoral. 

I went on a trip once into Puget Sound and out toward the San Juan Islands. We stayed at the Rosario Hotel and was going out to the see the "whales". Well, you know those whales were there "just yesterday" and of course, last week, "no one could count the multitude of whales along those islands." Still we took a whaling boat and tour to seek them out. And I got more of a download on those "lighthouses" along those islands. Each somehow appeared so lonely to me, and yet, I saw their importance. Still to this day, I think of those I saw and how they keep boaters and those in bigger vessels off the rocks of tragedy.

When we follow Jesus, we stay off the rocks of tragedy in our lives. Oh yes, a storm can appear, or even some kind of sickness may be reported, but our faith must be based on the foundation of Light in Jesus Christ the Word that directs us into God's love, God's power, and live by a faith that God has given us to live by.

In this group of believer's....they received the Salvation Message.......they believed in Jesus, confessed it and walked out in faith. Read below:

1 Thessalonians 1:4-10….NIV…4 For we know, brothers loved by God, that he has chosen you, 5 because our gospel came to you not simply with words, but also with power, with the Holy Spirit & with deep conviction. You know how we lived among you for your sake. 6 You became imitators of us and of the Lord; in spite of severe suffering, you welcomed the message with the joy given by the Holy Spirit.

 7 And so you became a model to all the believers in Macedonia and Achaia. 8 The Lord's message rang out from you not only in Macedonia and Achaia-your faith in God has become known everywhere.

(8) Therefore we do not need to say anything about it, 9 for they themselves report what kind of reception you gave us. They tell how you turned to God from idols to serve the living & true God, 10 & to wait for his Son from heaven, whom he raised from the dead-Jesus, who rescues us from the coming wrath. 

1.      They saw the power of the Holy Spirit and recognized a deep conviction of where they needed a Savior

2.      They “welcomed the message”….accepted THAT Truth

3.      They became disciples to say who would be their LORD

4.      They became a model to all “believer’s” everywhere

5.      Their faith was known .… They spoke……..they gave Voice…PEOPLE OF FAITH GIVE TESTIMONY…..as the maturing believer. A transformation was evident.

I heard a teaching today very similar in the importance of giving our testimony. And in doing that we stay in the producing season. We do not venture into winter. For those who remain "silent" about Jesus become the rut bound person. When one remains silent about the goodness of God, those become the dust-covered, passed by, but giving praise and glory to God brings us to the life and light of God. It is in Him we are to live, move and have our being. It is not to remain silent, in a deep rut on the side of the roadway. We are to be the "unstoppable" ever moving with the strength of the fastest freight train with our focus on God who is ever leading by His Light into all that He purposed.

As those who believe, we stay off the rocks of adversity with others, we learn to stay in His council and heeding His wisdom for our decisions made daily. We become the active, not the complacent. We become the learned in Him, and not of the teachings of the world. We learn to recognize His truth, and remain in that which strengthens, keeps us peaceful and with a joy the world cannot duplicate or take from us.

John 14:27 Amplified Bible speaks this way:  27 Peace I leave with you; My [own] peace I now give and bequeath to you. Not as the world gives do I give to you. Do not let your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid. [Stop allowing yourselves to be fearful and intimidated and cowardly and unsettled].

Closing with this thought for today: Too many times, and too many of our days are spent by our speaking......."well if the kids would settle down, I would have my peace." " Well, if my boss would let me have a  longer lunch break, I could do better work in the afternoon hours." "Well, if my husband made more money, I would feel more secure with our finances." "Well if my kids, made better grades, I would never be concerned about their high school years and college." "Well, if I could lose that 5 pounds, I could focus better on my relationship with others." "Well, if I had a college degree in__________________, I would be moving forward in life."

Blaming others, only sets us up, to stumble over those things tomorrow, and the next day and the next day. It is like bagging up a big trash bag with back pain and instead of throwing it out you throw it out in front of yourself for tomorrow. It is like bagging up a big trash bag with all the complaints of why you cannot lose that last 5 pounds of weight and throwing in front of you to face again tomorrow. Or how about bagging up some noise kids for tomorrow after your trip to the dentist for that root canal? Yikes!
What we say today and believe will come to pass tomorrow!

Jesus said...........that "our hearts are not to be troubled" that means in anything. AND He said that we are to NOT BE FEARFUL, INTIMATED AND COWARDLY, UNSETTLED.

WHEN we make Jesus our Lord, the Lord of our lives, and He is that Light before us and in us, we see what needs to be changed. And it starts with us. It is not changing others, but having our heart changed to THE things of God.

Jesus bequeathed to us His PEACE. He made the transfer to our account. It is our "inheritance". He gave to us that which He operated in. Passed it on to us. It is time to "ditch" those voices of the world. Leave them in the rut for which they were intended.

Stay off the rocks that others are "speaking" for they know not your life or even you. But God knows you and has a plan for you, just like the expectant parents wait for the arrival of the baby of the their love and union as one voice. Let your life today become that which God spoke out of His love and out of the union with Jesus becomes that which keeps you in His peace, and well-able to walk on smooth paths, staying off the rocks of other's words that only bring defeat and despair. Keep in the light and stay where He places you and you will see victory after victory come to you and yours as you allow the Holy Spirit to give you the details the Father speaks of your life. In Jesus' Name, we expect His Words to go forth and be planted in hearts around the world and see His kingdom come where we walk in faith and not by sight. We believe we give the testimony of that others will hear and know that we have been with HIM! Amen.

Notice:
The Voice of Prayer  has a new teaching published: 
Praise Report of Faith: Jesus Speaking of John The Baptist
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q0I5xPxONv0

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

An ORANGE CRUSH, Please!

I remember the orange crush drink. Yes, a soda with a zest of the very sweetened orange to fill a sweet tooth completely and with cold ice included is or was something I did not mind in my youth. I certainly added the "Please" to make sure I was courteous about receiving such a grand prize of delicious goodness to my mouth.
As the child, I could dance around in merriment because I had gotten this delicious drink: JUST BECAUSE!

Proverbs 17:22
A merry heart does good, like medicine,
But a broken spirit dries the bones. NKJV

But it is more than a sweet drink that one needs to have the "merry" heart. This "merry" is the gleeful type of heart to have. It also sounds like one who can go in and cheer up a room full of people. Or at least that is what it appears to me to be. This also sounds like being really joyful with a dance.

When thinking on this "merry" today, I think of my sister. Now as a young child she could enter a room and have people laughing in minutes. When she got to be a teenager, she still could bring a laugh or two, but by that time she was more skilled in delivering that "funny" word, or "funny" look as she spoke about something she liked.  She certainly could deliver a more funny and cleaner joke than what was on T.V. at the time.
She was never lost for word when she was delivering what she thought had to be the best "joke" in town. And I always thought she should have been a comedian on T.V. or even worldwide.


Proverbs 15:13
3 A merry heart makes a cheerful countenance,
But by sorrow of the heart the spirit is broken.  NKJV

Now for me, it was hard enough growing up, and trying to keep up with her and her better than average person's A's............I had study a lot to get and maintain the B grade. Although C was normal for Physical Education,  I believe I held that grade for most of that grade was about climbing those ropes all the way to the ceiling I had trouble with. Not sure why we needed to touch the ceiling of our gym but it was the "expected" to move up those ropes. Yeah, right, and I needed it today to do what?

 As the years have gone by, my sister and I have lived for most of our lives separated by thousands of miles. In keeping touch by phone we find time to reflect on our day, what the Lord is doing and laugh about the dog we have or the pet rabbit of our niece. But in all the short of amount of time, my sister is like that "orange crush, please!" She has been through a lot of late. Both she and my brother-in-law have weathered and marched out the storms with a laugh still found on their lips and down in their hearts. Seeing our mother pass recently, sis and Shorty maintained their stature of holding themselves in God and believing the best for anything and anyone who crossed their paths in all decisions to be made concerning our mother's last moments.

Delicious goodness: Yes, they delivered not only to her, but to us as well the importance of keeping the right spirit and referring always to God's goodness. I know they ministered to me in many ways. Yes, I have been ministered to by my sister in many ways. In her youth, her laughter made me feel alive. In her effortless work of maintaining A's, I worked harder to stay with the flow. In the absence of our mother today, my sister still walks with a joy in her heart, and I pray strength in her body. I pray today that God is still with her, and will strengthen her to finish the course He purposed for her and Shorty's as well. For to her and to Shorty, their look is to HIM in fulfilling that which He said He would do for them!

I spoke with them today and yes felt like I had received my orange crush. What a blessing families are to us and what an opportunity as we all speak with one voice to give God glory for all that He has done for us and all that He will do for us.

Psalm 32
32:1 What happiness for those whose guilt has been forgiven! What joys when sins are covered over! What relief for those who have confessed their sins and God has cleared their record.

3 There was a time when I wouldn't admit what a sinner I was. But my dishonesty made me miserable and filled my days with frustration. 4 All day and all night your hand was heavy on me. My strength evaporated like water on a sunny day 5 until I finally admitted all my sins to you and stopped trying to hide them. I said to myself, "I will confess them to the Lord." And you forgave me! All my guilt is gone.

6 Now I say that each believer should confess his sins to God when he is aware of them, while there is time to be forgiven. Judgment will not touch him if he does.

7 You are my hiding place from every storm of life; you even keep me from getting into trouble! You surround me with songs of victory. 8 I will instruct you (says the Lord) and guide you along the best pathway for your life; I will advise you and watch your progress. 9 Don't be like a senseless horse or mule that has to have a bit in its mouth to keep it in line!

10 Many sorrows come to the wicked, but abiding love surrounds those who trust in the Lord. 11 So rejoice in him, all those who are his, and shout for joy, all those who try to obey him.  TLB


Those who abide in God's love are those who have placed their trust in Him. My sister and brother-in-law rejoice in Him, and all those who are His should shout for joy..............all those who obey Him.
For truly God is for us. He is not against us. We find that as believer's together, we pray and worship the same God who sent us the Savior, Jesus Christ. He is the only way to the Father.(John 14:6)

Psalm 62:5-8
5 My soul, wait silently for God alone,
For my expectation is from Him.
6 He only is my rock and my salvation;
He is my defense;
I shall not be moved.
7 In God is my salvation and my glory;
The rock of my strength,
And my refuge, is in God.

8 Trust in Him at all times, you people;
Pour out your heart before Him;
God is a refuge for us. NKJV

In thinking about my sister who is like more than a sister to me. I pray for her and all sisters like her everywhere that when we allow our souls to wait silently for God (without any complaint) and our expectation is from Him, our rock and salvation. I know that like my sister every other sister can know Jesus as their Rock and not be moved by adverse things attacking to the body. For in our salvation we have the Healer on hand. He is here. And with the Rock as our strength, we can move through anything and come out the victor on the other side. Yes, some wind may blow, the water may appear to flood the boat, but God is with us. He is our Strength and Refuge in the day of trouble. May all who read this know that there are good days ahead. Yes, we lose family members, and yes, we grow older each day. I mean, think on that baby, and they are already heading out to be the aged, right? Today they need a bottle, tomorrow they need a car, and the next they are looking at retirement.

As we pour out our hearts may God hear from heaven. May He look on hearts today and tonight and know that we love Him and want to finish the course. In this knowing, we expect His strength to carry us forward where we can use our legs to walk and run, reach out with helping hands, give a hug of support and look up intently for His return.

Like that "orange crush" my sister added zest to my life today. She is forever thinking of others and not herself. She is forever being blessed by God. How do I know? For what flows from her mouth is nothing but praise for our God. 

May God honor her, and many like her today who give God the first........and whose desire is for Him only! Amen.

Today I honor those who have stood their ground,  they walked with those who came to death, and in that became the tired and weary. I pray they rise today, to see the New Day in God, to live in health and vigor all the days of their lives. May they reach millions with the Gospel of peace, and may they shine brighter and brighter to the full light of day....(Proverbs 4:18)..................for God is with them!

Notice:
The Voice of Prayer  has a new teaching published: 
Prompted By Faith-Contenting Our Faith must Speak
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fD90sBKMLlM

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

Trees, Figs and Whirlwinds

DO we understand the importance of speaking truthful words and avoiding those that bring curses on our family members like husband, wife, child, or grand-children, even our pets?

Like talking with the dog: "ready to eat", " oh you poor ole' thing.......you can barely make it to the dish".  Yes, that it a curse. It is cursing your valued friend.

Was speaking about this to my son-in-law recently. For words that come through any video games, movies created for teens, youths or even small ones can bring those words that can harm them as they hear them.

Matthew 21:18-22faith, 
18 Now in the morning, as He returned to the city, He was hungry. 19 And seeing a fig tree by the road, He came to it and found nothing on it but leaves, and said to it, "Let no fruit grow on you ever again." And immediately the fig tree withered away.
( all He said was, "Let no fruit grow on you ever again.")
Even one word from Jesus, stopped this tree from even producing leaves, it withered away.
So how many people speak as of the world, and speak something that will wither life in the child to produce a dancing protege'? So they never fulfill that purpose.

Then Jesus points to something very specific here:

20 And when the disciples saw it, they marveled, saying, "How did the fig tree wither away so soon?" 21 So Jesus answered and said to them, "Assuredly, I say to you, if you have faith and do not doubt, you will not only do what was done to the fig tree, but also if you say to this mountain, 'Be removed and be cast into the sea,' it will be done. 22 And whatever things you ask in prayer, believing, you will receive."     NKJV


Our believing in "something" has effect on what life we live out, how and what way we treat our loved ones, pray for them, and exhort them in the things God purposed for them. In Romans 15:13....the Amplified Bible says this: May the God of your hope so fill you with all joy and peace in believing [ through the experience of your faith] that by the power of the Holy Spirit you may abound (bubbling over) with hope.
Our speech, those words of life are from the Lord and represent life. Then we on purpose speak them with the hope in our heart........that is seen as joy and peace.......in believing Him. And through our faith, our believing, we are empowered even more into life by the Holy Spirit.

 As we look into the passage below, Peter makes a comment, and probably stood and gazed at the withered tree.

Mark 11:20-26
20 Now in the morning, as they passed by, they saw the fig tree dried up from the roots. 21 And Peter, remembering, said to Him, "Rabbi, look! The fig tree which You cursed has withered away." 22 So Jesus answered and said to them, "Have faith in God. 23 For assuredly, I say to you, whoever says to this mountain, 'Be removed and be cast into the sea,' and does not doubt in his heart, but believes that those things he says will come to pass, he will have whatever he says. 24 Therefore I say to you, whatever things you ask when you pray, believe that you receive them, and you will have them.

25 "And whenever you stand praying, if you have anything against anyone, forgive him, that your Father in heaven may also forgive you your trespasses. 26 But if you do not forgive, neither will your Father in heaven forgive your trespasses."    NKJV


Now imagine, Peter pointing to the tree.........and saying with much excitement sprinkled with questioning anxiousness, Rabbi, look! The fig tree which You cursed has withered away."
And then while Peter (Shelley) would be waiting for some well instructed, one-on-one conversation about the withering.........Peter (Shelley) would be moved again by the remark spoken by Jesus..........."HAVE FAITH IN GOD." "For assuredly, I say to you, whoever says to this mountain, 'Be removed and be cast into the sea." and does not doubt in his heart, but believes that those things he says will come to pass, he will have whatever he says.'
Then Jesus goes on to talk about praying. That by believing you receive what you ask for...........and to FORGIVE him.

The importance of our words was given in this above. The fig tree covered with leaves looked appealing, and in all its beauty, it revealed no fruit but only leaves. This passing by the vineyard showed only a tree completely leaved out but with no real fruit gives one the air of "being pretentious", and of being deceptive.
"Something" may look good but if it produces no life to another, then it is not good for anything. In this case it was a "fig tree". Something may look awesome on the outside, but when you look further it may be just empty inside. "Someone" may be able to spit out the Word of God and give some kind of a "message" without any point leaves one wondering, "What just happened here"?
Faith in God is our leading of the whole of our spirit and soul in His hands. That we are not to be ruled by the eye gate, but to use the eye gate to focus on the word of God and to get it in our hearts where change will take place.
Prayer may represent something like an informal plea for "help". Have you seen some prayer just spoke off the cuff? Now God can answer prayers of that kind for He is always looking at the heart.  And something from the heart will turn God toward them.

Luke 13:6-9

6 He also spoke this parable: "A certain man had a fig tree planted in his vineyard, and he came seeking fruit on it and found none. 7 Then he said to the keeper of his vineyard, 'Look, for three years I have come seeking fruit on this fig tree and find none. Cut it down; why does it use up the ground?' 8 But he answered and said to him, 'Sir, let it alone this year also, until I dig around it and fertilize it. 9 And if it bears fruit, well. But if not, after that you can cut it down.' "   NKJV



Now this implication was toward Israel and their refusing to produce spiritual fruit. Jesus' amount of time in ministry to them was three years. But this nation at the time of Jesus was empty. It was void of a love to God and for God.  Their love was seen in their buildings, their extended length of tassels and the Temple as well. But they were in dire need of a relationship with God.
Jesus had told them to repent. (Luke 13:5)
Jesus is the only door. And it is by our repenting and by FAITH that doors are open!  For one truly embraced by Jesus encounters the "life giving" force He spoke of that came from the Father.

EACH of us has the opportunity to teach others of what the Lord has taught us. Each of us the ability by the Holy Spirit to direct other's into God's love. For to those who have received a faith of the same kind as ours, by the righteousness of our God and Savior, Jesus Christ, is there the peace that can be multiplied to us in the knowledge of God and of Jesus our Lord. (2 Peter 1:2)

Luke 6:43-45

43 "For a good tree does not bear bad fruit, nor does a bad tree bear good fruit. 44 For every tree is known by its own fruit. For men do not gather figs from thorns, nor do they gather grapes from a bramble bush. 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

If we look at our own lives and see where our time is spent, we find what areas might need some help to move back away from that which might be cursing our children or grand-children. And what I mean by that looks like this. If our children are learning to "war with guns"...in video games or learning some form of violence that they might decide to "share" at school. Or they may decide to take to dancing, and dance really well but do it in a way that is casting away of all restraint! If the only examples they see are rated R, then the child or children will think it is okay to do that. Mom said, or Dad said, "it is okay for me to see!"  What if an area looks....very ...much...like..reaching for something to ease the pain of loss in relationships by a move to another city or state, or it may look like a lost marriage or even a job? Where our heart resides determines our actual victory or defeat for those young ones in our families. Our children are our children all of their lives. But we have the greatest force to speak while they are young and within our boundaries placed by His Word.
If we remain, if we abide in Jesus, and bear fruit to that account, it will be for life for us and others. It will produce fruit in the talent they have, but have the boundaries that will bring them to honor and not to dishonor. They may have a voice to sing, but will be one to bring them to honor not to dishonor.

Is there anything we are rewarding our children or grand-children with that might bring a hard punch back to us in the future?
Are we allowing others to dictate a story line to our children or grand-children that will direct them far from God and into destruction?

What commercials do we allow our "kids" to see on TV that may not be good for their formative years?

"Can a blind man guide a blind man?" Wouldn't they both end up in the ditch? An apprentice does not lecture the master. The point is to be careful who you follow as your teacher. Message Bible (Luke 6:39-40)

Proverbs 19:27
27 Cease listening to instruction, my son,
And you will stray from the words of knowledge. NKJV


When we choose to stop listening to instruction, we move away from the words of knowledge. Choosing to blanket ourselves and those of  our children in darkness is no benefit and will bring no life. It only adds the fuel to more confusion. Are we living wisely, adhering to God and His instruction for our daily lives or do we just allow the world at large to dictate what we will see, what will entertain our children, what we eat, drive, and take home to wear?

We surely need God's wise counsel. Filling our hearts with knowledge and wisdom of the Holy One will direct us into peace, love and a boundary line of protection for those we love. Like Jesus we can curse those things that may not be a benefit to us. As we make no provision for the flesh, we will walk properly as we see the day approaching of the Lord's return.

Withering is caused by severe dryness. And the text of Matthew 21, we find the withered means scorched. (xeros).....(no water)
"And whatever things you ask in prayer, believing, you will receive."
For if one remains in a dry place, the only answer they may get is from a dried up stream, dust blowing in the face and look like reaping a whirlwind.

Proverbs 1:23-27
23 If you had responded to my rebuke,
I would have poured out my heart to you
and made my thoughts known to you.
24 But since you rejected me when I called
and no one gave heed when I stretched out my hand,
25 since you ignored all my advice
and would not accept my rebuke,
26 I in turn will laugh at your disaster;
I will mock when calamity overtakes you--
27 when calamity overtakes you like a storm,
when disaster sweeps over you like a whirlwind,
when distress and trouble overwhelm you. NIV

Yikes!

If we pay no attention to what goes into our child's ( or children's) eyes, that deposit is in their little hearts. If they watch violence of video type games, they carry it with them. If they watch it or play it even 15 minutes a day, can you imagine the impact it will make on their lives? Will we gamble their lives? Will we pretend it is not serious? Are you ready for what they may look and act like in 20 years if you have not planted within them the support of God's Word to direct them to "life" and all that God purposed for them?


Just because you do not watch CNN or another news program, does not mean the violence will go away or not come to your neighborhood? You and I must put up the Word of God as our boundary and make the "loud" speaking that those things will not come near us. They may be on the rise in some places, but we declare they exist no more in our communities and our state. We believe the Word of the Lord to be the final answer of any violence against another.
As the time of Jesus' return comes closer to us, we might do well to remember to look at those times He was on the water with His disciples and remember those attacks at those junctures was demonic attacks. We would also do well to remember that we are to speak to storms like Jesus did. People must make a demand on any violent storms to split, yes, part like the Red Sea and move in two different directions.
His knowledge is vital for us today. May we rise up and take our place to be those who will put up the hedge............and expect God to hear our prayers for our loved ones and those who live in our communities and neighborhoods! May our prayers be with the force of the Holy Spirit in them. May our prayers for our loved ones and for those who love God have justice roll on like a river, righteousness like a never-failing stream!  (Amos 5:23-24) Amen.

Notice:
The Voice of Prayer  has a new teaching published: 
Prompted By Faith-Contenting Our Faith must Speak
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fD90sBKMLlM

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

Seal of Approval and No Delays

John 6:27-33
27 Do not work for food that spoils, but for food that endures to eternal life, which the Son of Man will give you. On him God the Father has placed his seal of approval."

28 Then they asked him, "What must we do to do the works God requires?"

29 Jesus answered, "The work of God is this: to believe in the one he has sent."

30 So they asked him, "What miraculous sign then will you give that we may see it and believe you? What will you do? 31 Our forefathers ate the manna in the desert; as it is written: 'He gave them bread from heaven to eat.'"

32 Jesus said to them, "I tell you the truth, it is not Moses who has given you the bread from heaven, but it is my Father who gives you the true bread from heaven. 33 For the bread of God is he who comes down from heaven and gives life to the world."    NIV

For the work of God is this: to believe in the one He has sent.

The Bread of God is He who comes down from heaven and gives life to the world.

Romans 1:17     For in the Gospel a righteousness which God ascribes is revealed, both springing from faith and leading to faith [disclosed through the way of faith that arouses to more faith]. As it is written, The man who through faith is just and upright shall live and shall live by faith. Amplified Bible

Luke 16:16-17

16 Until John the Baptist began to preach, the laws of Moses and the messages of the prophets were your guides. But John introduced the Good News that the Kingdom of God would come soon. And now eager multitudes are pressing in. 17 But that doesn't mean that the Law has lost its force in even the smallest point. It is as strong and unshakable as heaven and earth.    TLB

Hebrew 12:7-13

7 Let God train you, for he is doing what any loving father does for his children. Whoever heard of a son who was never corrected? 8 If God doesn't punish you when you need it, as other fathers punish their sons, then it means that you aren't really God's son at all-that you don't really belong in his family. 9 Since we respect our fathers here on earth, though they punish us, should we not all the more cheerfully submit to God's training so that we can begin really to live? 

10 Our earthly fathers trained us for a few brief years, doing the best for us that they knew how, but God's correction is always right and for our best good, that we may share his holiness. 11 Being punished isn't enjoyable while it is happening-it hurts! But afterwards we can see the result, a quiet growth in grace and character. 

12 So take a new grip with your tired hands, stand firm on your shaky legs, 13 and mark out a straight, smooth path for your feet so that those who follow you, though weak and lame, will not fall and hurt themselves but become strong.  TLB

2 Timothy 1:13-14

13 Hold tightly to the pattern of truth I taught you, especially concerning the faith and love Christ Jesus offers you.  

14 Guard well the splendid, God-given ability you received as a gift from the Holy Spirit who lives within you.    TLB

Mark 14:38

38 Watch and pray so that you will not fall into temptation. The spirit is willing, but the body is weak." NIV

Hebrews 10:35-39

35 So do not throw away your confidence; it will be richly rewarded. 36 You need to persevere so that when you have done the will of God, you will receive what he has promised. 37 For in just a very little while, 

"He who is coming will come and will not delay. 

38 But my righteous one will live by faith. 

And if he shrinks back, 

I will not be pleased with him."  

39 But we are not of those who shrink back and are destroyed, but of those who believe and are saved.    NIV

Revelation 22:17-21

17 The Spirit and the bride say, "Come!" And let him who hears say, "Come!" Whoever is thirsty, let him come; and whoever wishes, let him take the free gift of the water of life. 

18 I warn everyone who hears the words of the prophecy of this book: If anyone adds anything to them, God will add to him the plagues described in this book. 19 And if anyone takes words away from this book of prophecy, God will take away from him his share in the tree of life and in the holy city, which are described in this book. 

20 He who testifies to these things says, "Yes, I am coming soon." 

Amen. Come, Lord Jesus. 

21 The grace of the Lord Jesus be with God's people. Amen.                  NIV

Father, thank You for Jesus. You have placed honor on Him who deserves it. YOUR Son, is righteous and true, faithful to the Cross, guaranteed a place for us in Your kingdom. We give thanks and give much honor to the King of Kings and the Lord of Lords. Truly He shines in the dark places and reveals in the hearts those set to be with You forever eternally. We keep watch for He is returning soon. The Bright Morning Star.........will make His appearance. We do well to pay attention to it. As to a light shining in a dark place. Yes that morning star has risen in our hearts.( 2 Peter 1:19-21) May we continue to be carried along by the Holy Spirit. Oh it is in His Holy Name we pray......yes Jesus, Lord of All. Come Lord Jesus Come.

Our thoughts turn toward His return. He is Coming Soon........and our praise should be going out. May we lift our voices.........and be in Unity for the body of believer's should stand as one in HIM!

Notice:
The Voice of Prayer  has a new teaching published: 
Prompted By Faith-Contenting Our Faith must Speak
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fD90sBKMLlM

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

FAITH SPEAKS!

In 2010 I gave a Bible study on a "rallying faith cry". It was in March of that year, and I still hold a copy of it.
The question asked at that time was this" "If someone came by to visit you, what testimony could they take back to their church or home about your faith and love toward others?"
Believer's in God are to exercise their faith. That is, they act toward Him, who is Spirit. To see Him, is to see Him as Jesus spoke about Him.  And others wrote about God and His kingdom.

Romans 14:17-18
17 For the kingdom of God is not a matter of eating and drinking, but of righteousness, peace and joy in the Holy Spirit, 18 because anyone who serves Christ in this way is pleasing to God and approved by men.   NIV
1 Corinthians 14:33

33 For God is not a God of disorder but of peace.   NIV

1 John 4:8-12

8 Whoever does not love does not know God, because God is love. 9 This is how God showed his love among us: He sent his one and only Son into the world that we might live through him. 10 This is love: not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as an atoning sacrifice for our sins. 11 Dear friends, since God so loved us, we also ought to love one another. 12 No one has ever seen God; but if we love one another, God lives in us and his love is made complete in us.   NIV

We have read of the Thessalonians, have we not, and what a wonderful example they set for believer's everywhere!

1 Thessalonians 1:7-10
7 Then you yourselves became an example to all the other Christians in Greece. 8 And now the Word of the Lord has spread out from you to others everywhere, far beyond your boundaries, for wherever we go we find people telling us about your remarkable faith in God. We don't need to tell them about it, 9 for they keep telling us about the wonderful welcome you gave us, and how you turned away from your idols to God so that now the living and true God only is your Master. 10 And they speak of how you are looking forward to the return of God's Son from heaven-Jesus, whom God brought back to life-and he is our only Savior from God's terrible anger against sin.   TLB

1 Thessalonians 1:4-10

4 For we know, brothers loved by God, that he has chosen you, 5 because our gospel came to you not simply with words, but also with power, with the Holy Spirit and with deep conviction. You know how we lived among you for your sake. 6 You became imitators of us and of the Lord; in spite of severe suffering, you welcomed the message with the joy given by the Holy Spirit. 7 And so you became a model to all the believers in Macedonia and Achaia. 8 The Lord's message rang out from you not only in Macedonia and Achaia-your faith in God has become known everywhere. Therefore we do not need to say anything about it, 9 for they themselves report what kind of reception you gave us. They tell how you turned to God from idols to serve the living and true God, 10 and to wait for his Son from heaven, whom he raised from the dead-Jesus, who rescues us from the coming wrath. 

NIV

Yes, our faith speaks and what do we have faith in? Is our trust in God and Him alone or is it in ourselves?

Do we allow God to do somethings for us, but others we hold to do in our strength?

Is our "heart" set towards God and His love or is our heart set towards those things with no life? You cannot have it both ways. There is no fence straddling here.

Being obedient to that Word of Faith is speaking it out. It is a boldness in the face of any bad report, any tribulation, any sudden catastrophe, any unexplained and unknown reason for conflicts that are put upon you. It is a knowing that God is with you no matter what the circumstance may be or what it may hold against you.

Faith is Now and it is substance. It is that which we hope, having trust in God. Holding firm in His purpose that comes by and through His Word. There is no other way. It is by receiving Jesus as Lord that we have access to the Father. There is NO OTHER ACCESS TO THE FATHER!

Romans 5:1-11

5:1 Therefore, since we have been justified through faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, 2 through whom we have gained access by faith into this grace in which we now stand. And we rejoice in the hope of the glory of God. 3 Not only so, but we also rejoice in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; 4 perseverance, character; and character, hope. 5 And hope does not disappoint us, because God has poured out his love into our hearts by the Holy Spirit, whom he has given us. 

6 You see, at just the right time, when we were still powerless, Christ died for the ungodly. 7 Very rarely will anyone die for a righteous man, though for a good man someone might possibly dare to die. 8 But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us. 

9 Since we have now been justified by his blood, how much more shall we be saved from God's wrath through him! 10 For if, when we were God's enemies, we were reconciled to him through the death of his Son, how much more, having been reconciled, shall we be saved through his life! 11 Not only is this so, but we also rejoice in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have now received reconciliation.  NIV

We have reconciliation through our Lord Jesus Christ. And through Him we are reconciled through His death on the Cross. There is no other way to the Father (God). We are saved by grace. We rejoice in the hope of the glory of God. And in this hope, we experience God in that his love was poured into our hearts by the Holy Spirit. If we never spend time with God and acknowledge the Holy Spirit, we never experience His refreshing. Every time I raise my voice to speak His word aloud, I am affirming my trust in Him and I pray out that verse, that passage of truth. It is in Him that we are to live by faith, move by His power by the Holy Spirit and live out the purpose of His Word into our very being to be people who live and are justified by faith in HIM.

If anyone tells you there is another way to God, forget it. In this reading I expect everyone to encounter God. I expect people to know that He is real and that He desires relationship for that is why His Son died for us.

Things can happen and the things can be bad thing happening to good people. But "good" people are not going to heaven if they have not made Jesus Lord of their lives.

Appropriating the power of faith we speak like this:

2 Corinthians 9:12-15
12 This service that you perform is not only supplying the needs of God's people but is also overflowing in many expressions of thanks to God. 13 Because of the service by which you have proved yourselves, men will praise God for the obedience that accompanies your confession of the gospel of Christ, and for your generosity in sharing with them and with everyone else. 14 And in their prayers for you their hearts will go out to you, because of the surpassing grace God has given you. 15 Thanks be to God for his indescribable gift! NIV

 How can one describe what God did for us?
In our obedience to God and His Word through Jesus, our confession of Christ, is shared. In it we state much like Simon Peter....."You are the Christ, the Son of the living God."

Matthew 16:13-16

13 When Jesus came to the region of Caesarea Philippi, he asked his disciples, "Who do people say the Son of Man is?" 

14 They replied, "Some say John the Baptist; others say Elijah; and still others, Jeremiah or one of the prophets." 

15 "But what about you?" he asked. "Who do you say I am?" 

16 Simon Peter answered, "You are the Christ, the Son of the living God."  NIV

I remember days long ago when I would tell God that I was not satisfied. And it seemed the more I tried to do for Him and with Him seemed more like work and not really trusting Him. But what I have learned is that I could not apply what the "pastor" was wanting me to do along with what God was wanting me to do. As sometimes they seemed to be in direct conflict with each other. And we know that God is not in conflict with Himself, so the one relating to us at that time had to have had some heart issue.
Yet when I followed God, peace would ensue, the power of His Holy Spirit would cause me to mount up in a trust I had never known before. And as I went to the Living Water of Jesus and turned my trust over to Him --the Bread of Life---I came to be the 'satisfied'. I came to be satisfied in Him. I had made my boast in the Lord.

Ephesians 2:8................For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that one may boast.

I do not turn to my "ways " of doing things, I seek out how Jesus did it and what He spoke. He would abide in the Father of love and seek His purpose for His life.

1 Peter 3:17-22

 18 For Christ died for sins once for all, the righteous for the unrighteous, to bring you to God. He was put to death in the body but made alive by the Spirit,   NIV

We get to God through Jesus. Our faith is expanded when we abide in the Word of truth. Romans 10:17....so faith comes from hearing and hearing through the word of Christ.

The Amplified Bible reads this way: Romans 10:17...So faith comes by hearing [what is told], and what is heard comes by the preaching [of the message that came from the lips] of Christ (the Messiah Himself).

See, it is not only those " who preach and teach the word" that the Word goes out, but it is also heard by those who believe in their heart, trust God and make Him known to others. In that which came through Jesus Christ, we have salvation. The Message given was for life through the only begotten Son of God. 

John 1:18

18 No one has seen God at any time. The only begotten Son, who is in the bosom of the Father, He has declared Him.  NKJV

John 3:16-21

16 For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life. 17 For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world through Him might be saved. 18 He who believes in Him is not condemned; but he who does not believe is condemned already, because he has not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God. 19 And this is the condemnation, that the light has come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil. 20 For everyone practicing evil hates the light and does not come to the light, lest his deeds should be exposed. 21 But he who does the truth comes to the light, that his deeds may be clearly seen, that they have been done in God." 

NKJV

We who abide in the Light are they who magnify Him .......our faith speaks! We declare Him to the world. That people may believe and be saved is God's priority through His Son on the Cross. We declare in our rallying faith cry that God is for us.............and has given us His Word that we may abide and become all that He purposed from the foundation of the world.

We abide in the Light,,,,,,,,,staying in His truth that our deeds are clearly seen and that they have been don in God! Amen.

Interested in reading more on Faith...see blog....That Place Called Faith that was published Wednesday October 7, 2015
 http://godsgoodnessandlove.blogspot.com/2015/10/that-place-called-faith.html

And blog called: Responding in Faith that was published March 31, 2015
http://godsgoodnessandlove.blogspot.com/2015/03/responding-in-faith.html

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

FOREVER STANDING IN THE FACE OF GOD

HOW LONG IS FOREVER? FOREVER!

Psalm 33:11-12
11 The counsel of the LORD stands forever,
The plans of His heart to all generations.
12 Blessed is the nation whose God is the LORD,
The people He has chosen as His own inheritance. NKJV

Psalm 41:11-12

1 By this I know that You are well pleased with me,

Because my enemy does not triumph over me. 

12 As for me, You uphold me in my integrity,

And set me before Your face forever.  NKJV

Psalm 17:15
15 As for me, I will see Your face in righteousness;
I shall be satisfied when I awake in Your likeness.
NKJV

Seeing God's face is being in His righteousness. Jesus said this in His prayer:

John 17:24-26

24 Father, I desire that they also whom You gave Me may be with Me where I am, that they may behold My glory which You have given Me; for You loved Me before the foundation of the world. 25 O righteous Father! The world has not known You, but I have known You; and these have known that You sent Me. 26 And I have declared to them Your name, and will declare it, that the love with which You loved Me may be in them, and I in them."    NKJV

What a wonderful example of the "love" that was spoken about by Jesus to the Father.

"O righteous Father, the world has not known You, but I have known You; and these have known that You sent Me." ".........that the love with which You loved Me may be in them, and I in them."
That is truly a "personal" relationship.

When the Holy Spirit invades our lives, not by being pushy but by extending the love of the Father through Jesus, that open invitation to "Come" is announced. And those who worship the Father in spirit and truth recognize it's sound.

By receiving Jesus into our hearts; we receive even more of Jesus and the love of the Father. We are told in 1 John 4:7-8....Dear friends, let us practice loving each other; for love comes from God and those who are loving and kind show that they are the children of God, and that they are getting to know Him better; 8 But if a person isn't loving and kind, it shows that he doesn't know God----for God is love. TLB

Choosing God everyday is choosing to stay in the face of God. We come boldly to His throne of grace given to us by His Son Jesus. In choosing Him, we find our destiny. In choosing Him we reside in His peace and comfort. In choosing Him, we stay away from apostasy and any who desire to take Jesus out of the equation. The only way to the Father is through Jesus.

 "I, Jesus, have sent my angel to give you this testimony for the churches. I am the Root and the Offspring of David, and the bright Morning Star." 

 The Spirit and the bride say, "Come!" And let him who hears say, "Come!" Whoever is thirsty, let him come; and whoever wishes, let him take the free gift of the water of life. 

 I warn everyone who hears the words of the prophecy of this book: If anyone adds anything to them, God will add to him the plagues described in this book. 19 And if anyone takes words away from this book of prophecy, God will take away from him his share in the tree of life and in the holy city, which are described in this book. 

 He who testifies to these things says, "Yes, I am coming soon." 

Amen. Come, Lord Jesus. 

 The grace of the Lord Jesus be with God's people. Amen. (Revelation 22:16-21)

Our prayer right now, at this moment, should be:

Father, thank You for Jesus, the Root and the Offspring of David, the bright and Morning Star. To stand in the face of God by the blood of Jesus and declare our trust in Him alone. And together as the Bride of Christ, may we all stand together in the Unity of Jesus as one with the Father.

The Spirit and the bride ( we the believer's in Jesus) say, "Come!" And let him who hears say, "Come!" Whoever is thirsty, let him come, and whoever wishes, let him take the free gift of the water of life. I warn everyone who hears the words of the prophecy in this book. And if anyone takes words away from this book of prophecy, God will take away from him his share in the tree of life and in the holy city, which are described in this book.

"Yes, I am coming soon."

Amen, Come, Lord Jesus.

The grace of of the Lord Jesus be with God's people. Amen.

Being a family member of God our Father is looking out for the brother's and sister's not yet in the family, but surely asking a blessing for them who have not come as of this writing. For God truly knows those who are His. 

2 Timothy 2:19

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

In our joy within His presence, we desire to illuminate His goodness to others. As those who are of His household, we point others out to God who may be far from Him, yet He has purposefully placed them on our hearts to ask Him for their salvation. For whatever influence we may hold, still the One who holds heaven and earth, and cast into hell, is the One we lift in praise of our lips that others will know that there is a God of Israel and He is in our hearts.

Our confidence is knowing He is real, He is foremost the Creator and the lover of our souls. May we all thirst for Him who refreshes the weary, strengthens the feeble and restores our paths that are the straight. We shall be the well watered garden and like a spring of water whose waters fail not. (Isaiah 58:11)….May the ancient ruins be rebuilt and  may the age-old foundations of [buildings that have laid waste for ]for many generations; that we shall be called Repairer of Broken Walls,  Restorer of Streets with Dwellings.

It is to His pleasure that we give praise. For He is honorable, the Faithful, the One Who receives our words that were spoken by Him long ago.

It is in righteousness that we stand before Him. It is by submission to stay before Him and it is adoration that we lift His Name on high.

For He surely came into my life and made me whole again. He came and brought light to see the path of the narrow which leads to a closer walk with Him. He came to set me free from that which amounted to nothing but emotions out of control and brought me HOME to dwell forever in His presence.

Come, Lord Jesus. The grace of the Lord Jesus be with God's people. Amen.

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