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A TABLE IN THE PRESENCE OF OUR ENEMIES


I am hearing more and more lately about the Table that the Lord sets before us and I have been meditating on that scripture from Psalm 23.

This is the Word He gave me today: See, He lays a table before us in the presense of our enemies. He gives us the choice things to show our enemies His great love, but shall we not also receive the bitter herbs from His hand and rejoice in the face of our mockers, even so He gives us sorrow to confound our foe, and shall not we lift up to Him our cup of woe to receive His blessing in return?

As I was talking to God about this word, He spoke to me about the many times I have been exposed in my grief to my enemies. He said that none of my troubles come as any surprise to Him, but that He and my unsaved onlookers are looking to see just how much of Jesus I have in me to combat my affliction. He said that too many times I have held these things close to heart like a sore hand and not offered it up to Him to heal and care for. His word says to cast all our cares on Him, that we are not to bear them ourselves, He says we are to let go of our lives and allow Him to guide us through.

Lord, how often have I held back from you my suffering when you longed to take it from me? Help me Lord to give to you all my concerns to allow you to do your deep work in my life so that I will impact others for Good. Thank you Lord, In Jesus' Name, Amen


GOD IS JUST


(Deut. 11:1-32) describes what God expects from 'His' people and what happens when they obey or disobey. Inthis passage He gives the people a choice of blessing or curses.

(Rev. 16:5)"... You are Just in these judgments,,," sing the angels as the earth feels the wrath of God; rivers and sea die from the bowls of wrath poured out on land and sea.

The altar responds, (Rev. 16:7)"... yes, Lord God Almighty, true and Just are your judgments."

We have just seen (Rev. 14) the harvest of the earth- God's wrath is trampling the 'grapes' of the earth with blood flowing out "rising as high as the horses' bridles" for a distance of 1,600 stadia(football fields). That's a lot of blood!

Wait a minute, where is God's love? Where is is 'goodness' of God? Where is the kindness of God?

" Oh land, land, land," cries the prophet, Hear the word of the Lord".(Jer. 22:28) Then he goes on to say that the wrath of the Lord will follow the evildoer, even though the evildoer is one of God's chosen. The prophet is warning the people to repent or go into Babylonian captivity. Also, Isaiah preached often to them the folly of following their own ways and ignoring God. He told them that there would be consequences. If we look at history we see that the Jews, as a people, have been hunted and hounded, stricken with one hardship after another, throughout.

(1 Pet. 4:17) "For it is time for judgment to begin with the family of God; and if it begins with us, what will the outcome be for those who do not obey the Gospel of God?"

Part of the Seder or Passover feast traditionally is a serving of horseradish sauce and one of an apple/nut dish. The former represents the bitterness associated with correction(or Justice) of God's people and the latter is reminiscent of the sweetness of God. The sweet dish is eaten up but often the bitter one is only tasted. We speak of God's goodness, but we don't really understand what' good' is. Ecc.7:1-5 says that the day of death is better than the day of birth, sorrow better than laughter, and so on. This is not the ravings of a meloncholy or depressed person. It is truth. When we die, we go to heaven, what better place is there to be? When we are born we are beginning a life that will be filled with hardship and despair, not just happiness, sunshine and birthday parties. Ps. 34:19: " A righteous man may have many troubles, but the Lord delivers him from them all". This is sweetness. Job 5:16: "Blessed is the man whom God corrects; so do not despise the discipline of the Lord. ( This is also sweetness.) For He wounds, but He also binds up; He injures, but His hands also heal."

Ah, but you say this is Old Testament, Now all God wants to do is bless and bless, we're under the blood, He wants us to be prosperous and healthy, to have an abundant life. But Jesus said, (Jn16:33) "In this world you will have trouble, but take heart I have overcome the world."(Rom. 2"9) "There will be trouble and distress for every human being who does evil: first for the Jew, then for the Gentile" (Jn. 15:2) "He cuts off every branch in me that bears no fruit, while every branch that does bear fruit He prunes, so that it will be even more fruitful". This means if we don't obey we will have trouble, and if we do obey we will be pruned. This too is sweetness. But pruning isn't fun, although it is necessary for growth. So God cuts away at the parts of us that don't look like Jesus. We shall be made blameless for the day of His coming, because God is Just He is removing the impurities from His people!

Lord, I want to be like Jesus, help me to stop complaining when you do a work in me that hurts or seems unpleasant, Show me how to be obedient so that I will please you. In Jesus' name. Amen


PRAISE


Hallelujah, for the Lord our God the Almighty reigns!

Sing His praise in the multitudes of your assemblies, for He is our God and He reigns, Hallelujah,

O Lord our Lord, How Majestic is your name in all the Earth!

I will praise you, O Lord with all my heart. The Lord reigns forever!

The Heavens declare the Glory of the Lord. The skies proclaim the works of His hands.

The Lord lives! Praise be to my rock! Exalted be God , My Savior, I will exalt you, O Lord.

Great is the Lord and greatly to be praised
How Awesome is the Lord, My God. He is greatly Exalted.

God, the blessed, and only ruler, the King of kings, the Lord of lords, who alone is immortal and lives in unapproachable light, whom no one has seen or can see, be Honor and Glory forever!

You are mighty, O Lord and your faithfulness surrounds you.

I will praise you, O Lord, with all my heart!!!!!


AND WORSHIP


My soul yearns, even faints for the courts of the Lord.

My heart and flesh cry out for the living God.

O God, you are my God, earnestly I seek you; my soul thirsts for you, my body longs for you, in a dry and weary land, where there is no water.

My soul finds rest in God alone.

Deep calls to deep in the roar of your waterfalls.

As the deer pants for the water, so my soul longs for you, O God, my soul thirsts for God, the living God.

My soul is consumed with longing for your laws at all times.

How I worship you, mighty and exalted Lord, you alone are worthy, hallelujah, Great and mighty are you who reigns on high, may your glory be ever made known on earth, may your praise ever be on my lips, El Shaddai, the Almighty and all-sufficient one, I thank you for your great goodness and mercy Hallelujah.

Because you are Lord, I exalt you, Because you are Savior, I praise you, because you are God, I worship you, because you are mine, I love you so. I worship you magnificent God.


THEME OF MY PRAISE


Psalm 16: 8-9;" I have set the Lord always before me, because He is at my right hand, I will not be shaken. Therefore my heart is glad and my tongue rejoices; my body also will rest secure."

(PSALM 66)"Shout with joy, to God, all the Earth! sing the Glory of His name. Say to God, "How awesome are your deeds! So great is your power that your enemies cringe before you. All the earth bows down to you; they sing praise to you, they sing praise to your name" Come and see what God has done. How awesome His works in man's behalf. He turned the sea into dry land, they passed through the waters on foot-come let us rejoice in Him. He rules forever by His power, His eyes watch the nations-let not the rebellious rise up against Him. Praise our God O peoples, let the sound of His praise be heard. He has preserved our lives and kept our feet from slipping. For you, O God, tested us; you refined us like silver. You brought us into prison and laid burdens on our backs. You let men ride over our heads; we went through fire and water, but you brought us to a place of abundance. I will come to your temple with burnt offerings and fulfill my vows to you; vows my lips promised and my mouth spoke when I was in trouble. I will sacrifice fat animals to you and an offering of rams; I will offer bulls and goats. Come and listen, all you who fear God; let me tell you what He has done for me. I cried out to Him with my mouth; His praise was on my tongue. If I had cherished sin in my heart, the Lord would not have listened; But God has surely listened and heard my voice in prayer.

PRAISE BE TO GOD, WHO HAS NOT REJECTED MY PRAYER, OR WITHHELD HIS LOVE FROM ME!

Hello, out there in cyber-land. I actually go through what I write, so today I am building myself up in the Lord, so you get to hear my praises.

I will praise you O Lord among the nations, I will sing of you among the people, for great is your love, higher than the heavens, your faithfulness reaches to the skies. Be exalted O God above the heavens, let your Glory be over all the earth!! For from you comes the Theme of my praises.


FEEDING THE RIGHT SPIRIT


Many people will be glad to give you a big list of do's and don't's when you ask how a Christian should act. A Partial list includes, card-playing, dancing, listening to secular music, seeing secular movies, and on and on. And while those thngs are not, specifically prohibited in the Bible, they are not particularily edifying either.

We, as Christians have a very powerful enemy, he desires for us nothing but bad. He is referred to in the Bible as the thief who comes to kill, steal and destroy. He plants temptations in our path and minds, he does everything he can to mess us up. And when we go along with him, we do mess up, then he accuses us and tells us how worthless and stupid we are. One very good way to stay out of satan's clutches is to stay away from his territory.

We all have our weaknesses, the very prevalent sins from our past life of sin. While dancing in itself is not sinful, perhaps the closeness to another person, of the opposite sex, brings our mind to thoughts that are not pure, and it feeds the spirit of lust.. The same with much of secular music, often the lyrics even if subliminal will feed a spirit of lust and/or violence.

Card-playing may not be sinful but gambling on cards may feed a spirit of gambling and cause a person who is weak in that area to feed that addiction. I personally am not against any of these things, but I am quite careful to keep myserlf from feeding a spirit that will cause me to stumble. I know that some movies cause me, by their content to engage is unholy thoughts and also fear, so I do not feed that spirit.

Some music also is too reminiscent of my past to listen to. So often I hear of people who talk about how satan is just tearing their lives up, temptations to great to bear, problems too great to endure and I am curious. Are they exercising self-control are they feeding a spirit?

There is good spirit feeding also. By our Praise and worship and prayer we are feeding our portion of the in-dwelling Holy Spirit. That spirit feeding results in a closeness to God and a harmony with His purposes, and a kind of peace that is not reliant, or based on our circumstances.

Lists of do's and don't's are legalism but self-control is a fruit of the (Holy) Spirit.

So, when satan has beaten you up and you are lying on the floor defeated, ask yourself which spirit have you beeen feeding.

Lord, Help me to be transformed by the renewing of my mind, Help me to know how to feed the Holy Spirit so that he is the strongest in me at any given time. I know that whichever spirit I feed will be the prevalent one in my attitudes and thoughts. God, draw me closer and enable me to stay hidden in your shadow! In Jesus' Name, Amen


YEA THOUGH I WALK THROUGH,


The valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil..."(Ps. 23: 4a) How often have I recited this verse, first as a child, now as an adult. I hurry on by this one to get to the good stuff. Do you?

There's a lot in that phrase. The truth is that none of us lives in the heights. We all spend some time in the valley. We all have problems, worries, concerns, adverse circumstances, whatever you may wish to call them. It's part of being a human being, the way we, as Christians deal with these things is what is meant by, "I will fear no evil, for thou art with me."

Psalm 23 is and has always been my favorite Psalm, and I never tire of it. I've heard it analyzed, dissected, interpreted, and in several versions, but it speaks to me anew.

Those of you who know me, know that I teach about what God is dealing with me in my own life, so you get what the Lord is telling me.

As I read the Prophets in the Bible I tend to 'recognize' some of our own future in it. With the Stock market fluctuations and the monetary woes in many countries at once, there is a possibility of great economic trouble. If one were to paint a picture of such a disaster, we might see rioting, long lines to buy food at stores that are empty, looting of homes to find the basic necessities. Burning businesses when the demands of the public are not met. Our Government would then rush in to "protect" us by controlling us with the Armed forces. That's martial law. It is not a benevolent thing. Argentina had martial law and 10,000 people, mostly children are still missing, presumed dead. That's the bad news, now for the GOOD NEWS.

The next part of the verse is,"For thou art with me." Jesus said He would not leave us as orphans(Jn 14:18), and that God would never leave us or forsake us.(Heb. 13:5). So, when we are tempted to be afraid, to fear what the world can do to us, we can remember this verse. "Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for thou art with me." This is why it is so imperative that our relationship with our Savior is ongoing and fresh, so that we will be able to rest in the Knowledge that He will never leave us or forsake us, that we need fear NO evil. If our relationship is stale or lukewarm, how will we ever be able to see victory in the midst of chaos? Yea, though I walk through valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for Thou art with me."


DOUBTS


Most Christians have doubts, they are not sin.

Most of the time our doubts are from just not knowing the difference between our own inner voice and the' voice' of the enemy who can masquerade even as US. Sometimes, though our circumstances speak so loudly that we can't hear anything but. It's one thing to walk away from church thinking did I really 'get saved'? or was I just faking it? Did God really do that miracle or was it because I started to take those vitamins? Did that car really swerve out of my way, when it was headed right for me, or did it just did it just happen as a coincidence? Is it God or coincidence?

I struggle with this a lot. I'm struggling right now. The Israelites struggled with it too. God parted the Red Sea and allowed them to pass on dry ground, not wet sandy mush, the Bible says dry ground, See Ps. 106:9. Perhaps the Israelites thought to themselves, well, maybe the desert air just dried it up. Then they saw water flow from a rock, not your everyday occurrence, then the Manna, probably not their favorite flavors so they whined about it and didn't consider it miraculous. The things that stuck out most in their minds however, was that they didn't have meat! But they did. They had flocks, or where did the Pass-over lamb come from and all the goat hair they later contributed for the tabernacle curtains. So, to review, they had a miraculous escape from slavery, without going into all the plagues that bought their freedom, God parted the Red Sea, and they walked on dry ground to escape their persuers. They got water, after they grumbled, from a rock, and their food was provided by miraculous means just lying on the ground every morning. But they still didn't trust God to provide. And I don't either. I wonder if I would be more trustful if I were to have had all those miraculous things happen to me? They didn't And I, like they attribute it to chance, coincidence, luck?

I see my circumstances very like the Israelites in the desert saw theirs, the hardships of today speak more loudly than the miracles of yesterday. Yesterday's miracles start to look like just a happy set of coincidences. God is not coincidence.

But doubts are self-perpetuating. They become like a snowball accumulating more false evidence as they roll along. When it gets to the point, and this is not the medium to develop that slow spiral descent into Godlessness, where we begin to see a futility in even serving God, we MUST start to rebuke our own thoughts and put our minds, my mind, on those things that God says are true. Don't wait for Him to do it for you.Ps.77:7-12: "Will the Lord reject forever? Will He never show His favor again? Has His unfailing love vanished forever? Has His promise failed for all time? Has God forgotten to be merciful? Has He in anger, withheld His compassion?" Then I thought, " To this will I appeal: the years of the right hand of the Most High ." I will remember the deeds of the Lord; yes, I will remember your miracles of long ago. I will meditate on your works. and I will consider your mighty deeds."

II Cor.10:5,"We demolish arguments and every pretention that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ." This is an action that is foreign to our very nature. We prefer to cook our grievances over a low heat until thickened and then pour it over a savory dish of bitterness, relishing every bite and sopping up the remains with a roll of self-justification. Ah, how I've been wronged! Please note everyone, even God has abandoned me. He promised me such-and-so and here I am: an orphan! I sing this to choruses of "Pity Me! OH Pity Me!" When I should be taking captive every argument, I'M DOING THE ARGUING.

Lord, I know you are slow to anger and your compassions never end, I ask you to forgive me for my lack of faith, my lack of trust, for my lack...I know your faithfulness surrounds you and reaches even to the skies. I thank you that having come home, the prodigal is welcome. In JESUS' name, amen.


RESTING IN THE CONFIDENCE OF GRACE


As I was reading in Acts, something just leaped off the page and begged to be investigated. Acts 12:6 ,"The night before Herod was to bring him to trial, Peter was sleeping between two soldiers, bound with chains, and sentries stood guard at the entrance." Okay, here is the scene, Herod has just put James, brother of John to death, Peter is now in prison awaiting the same threat and he is chained to two guards, probably lying on a stone floor, maybe there are mice running around and there are most certainly bugs, and Peter is sleeping! Now I find that fact amazing. I sometimes find it difficult to sleep with a perfect room temperature, clean sheets and pillows plumped to my special liking, especially if I have anything on my mind. Now my problems are usually pretty prosaic compared to Peter's. He is facing death, is in miserable conditions and still he sleeps. I searched in Acts for the reason he may have had to have such peace.

I looked in Peter's own letters and yes he speaks of perseverance, it is one of the steps towards making our call and election sure, and being productive in our knowledge of Christ, and he talks in his second letter of leading a Godly life in the face of adversity. Maybe Peter had the same faith that the writer of Hebrews had when he wrote Heb 4:16, "Let us then approach the throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need." Perhaps Peter knew what John wrote in 1 Jn 5:14,: "This is the confidence we have in approaching God: that if we ask anything according to His will He hears us, and if we know that He hears us- whatever we ask- we know that we have what we asked of Him." Or maybe he understood as Paul did when in Philippians 4: 6-7 Paul wrote: " Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with Thanksgiving present your requests to God. And the Peace of God will guard your heart and mind in Christ Jesus."

Then I remembered Psalms, in Ps 37:3 "If you delight yourself in the Lord, He will give you the desires of your heart." I have always read that to mean that if we are delighting ourselves in God, that is aligning ourselves, heart, mind and spirit to God and learning God's ways, then we will be infused with His desires and they will be also our desires, and we will be confident that we are in His will in our prayers and The Peace He gives will overcome our anxieties and we, like Peter will be able to rest in that confidence of God's grace.

Lord, see me in my frailties and remember I am dust, be merciful to me, Lord and grant me your peace in the face of adversity, so that I may confidently do your will. Help me to remember that if you are for me no one can prevail over me ultimately. In Jesus' name, Amen


ROBE OF RIGHTEOUSNESS


ISAIAH 61:10 says “I delight greatly in the Lord; my soul rejoices in my God. For He has clothed me with garments of Salvation, and arrayed me in a robe of righteousness, as a bridegroom adorns his head like a priest, and as a bride adorns herself with jewels."

By Jesus atoning work on the cross, we are covered with a robe of righteousness. We have attained a state of sinlessness, due to God's grace, and the sacrifice of the sinless Lamb of God = Jesus, our sins are stamped PAID IN FULL, past, present, and future, not for anything we have done but because we are robed in Jesus righteousness.

I'm reminded here of the parable of the kingdom of heaven, Jesus described as a wedding banquet. (Mt.22:2-14)

Jesus told about a banquet where those who were not invited didn't want to come, so the servants were sent out to find 'guests'. many came and everyone was enjoying the festivities when the King noticed there was a man there without wedding clothes. He was naked! And, he was tossed out.

Then, let's go to Rev.6:9-11, "When he opened the fifth seal. I saw under the altar the souls of those who had been slain because of the word of God and the testimony they had maintained. They called out in a loud voice, "How long, Sovereign Lord, holy and true until you judge the inhabitants of the earth and avenge our blood?" Then each one was given a white robe, and they were told to wait a little longer, until the number of their fellow servants and brothers who were to be killed as they had been was completed." In Rev. 7:13 we see these same white robed saints and hear that these have" washed their robes and made them white as snow in the blood of the Lamb.". I know that these saints didn't just stand around looking saintly wearing their perfect robes, and just incidently happened to be martyred for the cause of Christ.

The robe wearing is just not the end of it, it’s the beginning. We have to tuck our robes up into our belts and race ahead of Ahab(satan) riding in a chariot, back to the city of Jezreel. We actually have to live a committed life and serve Him with our whole life, for anyone who would "save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for me will find it".(Mt 16:25)

Lord, I praise you and ask your help to continue to serve you. Light the lamp of my first love so that I am ever mindful to stay steadfast in the race you have set before me, to run with zeal and all my might to achieve the goal of the prize calling me ever heavenward. Give me the robe of salvation not to flaunt but to clothe me in your service. In Jesus’ name, Amen

EXPECT THE UNEXPECTED

We may see ourselves as plodding along like we're knee deep in cold molasses, but since we are the Temple of the Holy Spirit, we have God inside of us who is always working (John 5:16). He is the God who parted the Red sea, gave sight to some who were born blind, gave strength of limb to the lame, and enabled the mute to speak.

When I plan my life, writing out all my little goals, which I haven't inquired of God about, I am trying to direct my own steps. "For I know, O Lord that a man's life is not his own, it is not for him to direct his steps. Correct me, Lord, but only with Justice not your anger lest you reduce me to nothing." (Jer. 10:22) Jeremiah is acknowledging God's hand in directing his course and asking for course correction to keep him on track.

God does ask us to do things WE cannot do. Yes, He does. That is to say, He wants us to follow His lead and to go where we in our own natural strength cannot go. His strength is made perfect in our weakness. So, guess who is glorified when He accomplishes something through us that we CANNOT do?

Yes, God gives us certain talents and giftings to ordinarily go about our way in our Christian walk. But sometimes He draws outside of our lines and asks of us the impossible.

Let's see if I'm off base here. How about Gideon? Read his story in Judges 6-7. He saw himself as extremely insignificant anyway, then God had him go up against the Midianites (people who were so fierce that the Israelites hid in caves from them) with only 300 men. Of course God won the day. Then there was Moses, as an example, also. and many others, throughout scripture.

If we only are called upon to do things that we can do we would naturally see ourselves as having done wonderful things, by ourselves. Then guess who is glorified? God says "I am the Lord, that is my name I will not give my glory to another or my praise to idols." (Is 42:8) In acts 4:13 Peter and John had just appeared before the Sanhedrin because they were lifting up the name of Jesus and had been involved in God's healing of a man born lame. "When they (Sanhedrin) 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." See who got the glory? The healing of the lame man was credited to Jesus and He got the glory.

(Jer. 9:23-24)..."Let not the wise man boast of his wisdom, or the strong man boast of his strength or the rich man boast of his riches. But let him who boasts boast about this; that he understands and knows me, That I am the Lord..." For the wisdom, the strength, and riches are all from God who accomplishes mighty things through those the scripture calls vapor and dust and whose life isn't even his own. (Jer.10:23)

So, if our steps are directed by God, and corrected by His guidance- we can expect the unexpected. And God will be glorified in our lives.

Lord, show me today where it is you want me to go, to whom you want me to speak, and as I open my mouth give me utterance, so that my words will be those aptly spoken: apples of gold in settings of silver, and my deeds will be heroic and point only to you. In Jesus' name, Amen

IT IS REALLY VERY SIMPLE

Homiletics, Hermeneutics, Apologetics, Eschatacology, Propitiation, Sanctification, Justification, Symbolism, Types and Shadows, Liturgy, Benediction, and on and on.

So much to learn. Do, Do, Do and read, read, read all this involved in being a Christian? How on Earth will I be able to witness to another person so that they may be saved?

I used to look at the mountain of learning I had in front of and behind me all the sermons, all the teachings.

I know how very complicated it is to know, love and serve God, oh how busy I’ve become trying to be the best little Christian for Jesus.

A tiny little voice spoke to me as I listened to J. Vernon Magee today, it said, “Whoa, its not all that complicated, it is in fact so easy a child can understand.

In Isaiah 53:6 says it well, “We all, like sheep, have gone astray, Each of us has turned to his own way; and the LORD has laid on Him the iniquity of us all.”

Romans 6:23 says, “For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord. We sin and earn death, but Jesus died to pay the price for our sin, Eternal Life is the free gift we receive, because Jesus paid for us.

We can’t earn a free gift, but we can certainly earn death. And we are all sinners, saved by Grace.

One more thing, what does it mean, in practical terms for me? In Song of songs I found the most appropriate verse 2:6, “ SS 2:16 my lover is mine and I am His;

Lord, I thank you that you have made it all so very easy for me, at such great cost to yourself, you have given me the opportunity to spend eternity with you and avoiding the punishment I so richly deserve: death and separation from You.In Jesus' name, Amen

SEEING WITH A DAMAGED EYE

A friend asked me, if I had seen fruit in someone’s ministry. I told her that I hadn’t but perhaps I was seeing them a damaged eye.

It got me to wondering about all the times we (I) have seen others through a damaged eye. Honoring one another above ourselves (Rom. 12:10) means to give mercy and forgiveness, as we have been given by God. Mercy is not being given what our deeds deserve.

Having been the victim of some cruel and unloving attacks by some Christians, (as I look back, they were mostly just ignorant of what they did), I was seeing certain people in the light of my mind’s remembrance of similar circumstances. I had developed a damaged eye by not releasing forgiveness to one and was transferring it to someone else.

The Bible says it like this:

HEB 12:14 Make every effort to live in peace with all men and to be holy; without holiness no one will see the Lord. 15 See to it that no one misses the grace of God and that no bitter root grows up to cause trouble and defile many.

Here’s an example: Betty says something very hurtful to Alice; so Alice forgives Betty (mercy) but if there were no forgiveness Alice would be holding this offense against Betty. She would see Betty as a bad person and be suspicious of all her actions, this is seeing with a damaged eye. It would begin to color how she felt about Betty and then other people. Perhaps Cora does something that reminds Alice of something about Betty, she would dislike Cora. Is this too complicated? Alice (who is purely fictional) is now seeing others with this damaged eye all due to her unforgiveness. Poor Alice, she is really in trouble now, she is angry with many people. It is difficult to not be offended when one is walking in offended ness.

This is why it is so important to be forgiving, and why the Word says “do not let the sun go down on your anger”(Eph 4:26). The longer one is unforgiving the harder it is to forgive and let it go.

I had a foster daughter who had a consuming hatred against many people. She’d been mistreated so she was determined never to forgive Anyone. She carried around a poison that she poured out on everyone she knew. It finally caused her death. Did she have a good reason to be angry? Yes, she did, but it was her reaction to the hurt that caused her to hate others. She was a well of acid springing up to anyone in her way.

God calls us to be a well of Living water springing up and bubbling out to all around us, to extend the mercy and grace to all. We are to be salt and light to a flavorless world groping in the darkness. We can offer forgiveness, hope and mercy where it has never been seen before, but only if we are not seeing with a damaged eye.

Lord, help me to see beyond the opportunities for being offended and be merciful to others as you are to me, In Jesus’ Name, Amen

THERE’S POWER IN FORGIVENESS

Jesus healed at least two people by forgiving them, one in John 5:2 and one in Luke 5:17, This tells us that sickness can be caused by our sin. He said if we don’t forgive, we won’t be forgiven Mt 6:15. Jesus also told a powerful story of a servant who was forgiven what would today be a multi-million dollar debt, but the servant would not forgive a much smaller debt from a fellow servant. That wicked one was then turned over to be tortured, Mt 18:21-35.

Jesus was habitually forgiving and He was also walking in much miracle-working power. These miracles brought many people to repentance, Mt 11:21.

The King James Version of the Bible says that if we withhold good from others we are shutting our bowels of compassion, 1 John 3:17, imagine how That could damage us! If we have forgiveness flowing in and not flowing out we are like a dammed river and with no outlet it could become stagnant. Picture that: pond scum, fish dying, and smell!

In Acts 2: 43-44; we see that when all the believers were together and held everything in common, there was much power around them because the Apostles were doing many signs and wonders. If they were all together there must have been a lot of friction, but there also must have been a lot of forgiveness, because they were holding All things (their belongings, money, etc) in common.

If Jesus’ Blood was shed so that we could be forgiven and there is power in the blood, there is power in forgiveness. The more we work at being like Jesus, THE MORE POWER WE WILL WALK IN for the Father’s Glory, to bring people to the same salvation we are looking forward to. How do we know this? Because Jesus said we would do greater things that He did when He was on earth, John 14:12.

GOOD VS. EVIL

Most people think that Good and Evil as forces are equal, or that even Evil is a bit stronger. One reason for that is that the media in the last 40 years or so, have portrayed Evil as stronger and more often victorious than is Good. A reason for this might be that Good has been so diluted and looking very similar to Evil. A thought has pervaded our lives of ‘situational ethics’, the end justifying the means.

It looks like this: If my enemy is really mean and uses unethical tactics, well then so can I. Who is the ‘Good guy’ in that situation?

If I resort to underhanded means to achieve victory, what have I won? I am now no better than ‘the bad guy’.

I think our problem here is not measuring victory correctly. If my immediate problem is ‘solved’ is that a victory, or am I masking symptoms? Most of the time, we as people don’t even know what the real problem is.

I’ll give you an example, maybe two. My enemy is poverty, is any means to rectify that, ok? Robbing a bank? Mugging old ladies? But maybe my problem isn’t poverty but….me, maybe I need to get more skills to earn a good living. OK, now a living enemy, Suppose Bill tells people I’m a ______, and it causes me to be angry, and maybe other people believe him.. Ok, the enemy is Bill, he is the ‘bad guy’, so what can I do? The Bible says : PR 16:7 When a man's ways are pleasing to the LORD, He makes even his enemies live at peace with him.

I had a Pastor once who said to come back at someone who is evil, with the opposite spirit. So if someone is cruel to me I can be kind and nice in return: Rom 12:20 If your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him something to drink. In doing this, you will heap burning coals on his head."

Now to my original statement, are GOOD and EVIL equal?

RO 8:31 What, then, shall we say in response to this? If God is for us, who can be against us? 32 He who did not spare his own Son, but gave him up for us all--how will he not also, along with him, graciously give us all things? 33 Who will bring any charge against those whom God has chosen? It is God who justifies. And, Rom 15: 3 For even Christ did not please himself but, as it is written: "The insults of those who insult you have fallen on me."

And is God stronger than evil, or the Evil doer? JER 32:26 Then the word of the LORD came to Jeremiah: 27 "I am the LORD, the God of all mankind. Is anything too hard for me? And, MT 19:26 Jesus looked at them and said, "With man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible."

So, what is our response to Evil? RO 12:17 Do not repay anyone evil for evil. Be careful to do what is right in the eyes of everybody. 18 If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone. 19 Do not take revenge, my friends, but leave room for God's wrath, for it is written: "It is mine to avenge; I will repay," says the Lord.

ISA 54:17 no weapon forged against you will prevail, and you will refute every tongue that accuses you. This is the heritage of the servants of the LORD, and this is their vindication from me," declares the LORD.

Lord, so often I’ve had lies told about me, even my brothers and sisters have hurt me and used me terribly, it has made me so angry, help me to understand that the Battle is Yours, not mine. I don’t have to straighten things out or ‘fix’ the problem, but you have seen this insult and are even now vindicating me. I thank you that I need not concern myself with the evil-doer but to keep short accounts with you. In Jesus’ name, Amen



THROW-AWAY PEOPLE



Sometimes, in a church, there will come a person, who is really not up to our standards, in regards to how they look or act, what they say, or how they dress. Maybe they were really terrible 'sinners' before coming to God. Maybe they have tatoos or rings in odd places, or maybe they cry a lot or are depressed, or even angry. Maybe they are so hurt before they come to God that they are physically disfigured.



Well, we just can't have them cluttering up our churches and making the rest look bad by being visible to everyone. The best thing to do with these 'high-maintenance Christians' is to just get rid of them, Afterall, we can't risk having them bother our nicely-dressed clean-cut, well-behaved, people.



Does this sound outlandish? is it Scriptural? Is it even Humane? Should we treat a dog like this? No!?? But we do regularly treat our brothers and sisters like it. We run people out of churches for being chronically depressed, we shun people who are struggling with addictions, We shoot our wounded!



I used to hear a pastor say this every week at a church I attended (I was struggling with a depression so deep that I cried through every service), "Hurting people hurt people". From my point of view the truth was that hurting people are hurt by other people. Under that weekly indictment, I was only driven further and further into despair, because I really love people and never want to hurt anyone.



Are there really throw-away people? God says this in 2 Peter 3:9, "He is patient with you, not wanting any to perish, but everyone to come to repentance". Are we patient with our brothers and sisters? Do we throw stones or do we pray? Do we, like the barracuda swim in take a bite and dart away like what we did isn't any big deal? Are we part of the problem or part of the solution?



"The words of a gossip are a choice morsel, they go down to a man's inmost part" Pv.18:8, So that juicy bit of gossip gets chewed and chewed until it goes down into our spirit (our inmost part, the King James version refers to the bowels as the place where the spirit resides). Do we throw-away people because they are just too much trouble to bother with? Do we play favorites? Are some people in the church more important than others? I can't reach inside anyone's heart and answer any of these questions.



Lord, help me to see the people as you see them, help me to love the unlovely, the unlovable, those who aren't cute or smart, or who are hurting and angry, or addicted, or scarred. In Jesus' name,Amen



THE ANNOINTING IN HIS PRESENCE



A friend and I were discussing the annointing as is often experienced in the congregation of believers, especially during Praise and Worship. I had mentioned that I have been (repenting for though) an annointing snob, and that I would not participate if the Worship leader was showing off, in an obvious attempt to gain glory for him/herself, or if a song was being sung that I did not consider to be a true, praise and worship song. My friend said that either the annointing is there or it is not. She said that WE NEED HIS PRESENCE, WE DON'T NEED A MESSAGE, OR TO BE ENTERTAINED, OR TO VISIT..WE NEED HIM ALL THOSE OTHER THINGS ARE WHAT BEING PART OF THE BODY IS ALL ABOUT.. BUT IN....HIS PRESENCE..EVERYTHING FADES AWAY.. AND WE ARE CHANGED. AND HEALED..AND CLEANSED..AND..AND. She also said I WOULD THINK PEOPLE WOULD FALL ON THEIR FACES AND WEEP FROM GRIEF AT THE LACK. BUT THEY AREN'T EVEN AWARE. (I put her words in caps rather that quotes because they are so very important.)



In Revelation, 3:15-18, Jesus says in the letter to the Laodicean Church: "I know your deeds, that you are neither cold nor hot. So, because you are lukewarm-neither hot nor cold-I am about to spit you out of my mouth. You say, "I am rich; I have acquired wealth and do not need a thing.' But you do not realize that you are wretched , pitiful, and poor, blind and naked. I counsel you to buy from me gold refined in the fire , so you can become rich; and fine white clothes to wear so you can cover your shameful nakedness; and salve to put on your eyes so you can see."also see Matthew chapter 25 beginning with verse one about the ten wise and ten foolish virgins, the oil in this parable, the gold in the letter, they represent the annointing. Refreshment in His presence, though that's not all the annointing is. Without a daily laying down of our lives, agenda, desires, and daily picking up of our cross: that which God has asked of us, we are not IN the annointing.



Without the annointing, we are pitiful, wretched, and wanting, But we are changed in His presence and renewed, Praise His name. I am learning to work up a lather of praise and worship (it's called a sacrifice of Praise) and blocking out the externals to achieve a spot in His glory in the Throne room of Grace. It is not so much what is going on around me but who I am seeking that makes the difference.



Because there's ANNOINTING IN HIS PRESENCE.



Lord, Help me to remember to offer up a continuous sacrifice of Praise to you. Teach me to glory in the Fear of the Lord and to seek you in all my hours. To find my delight in you and to learn your ways. In = Jesus' name, amen



DO NOT FEAR



The Lord says: You call me Lord and you say you love me but you are in great fear, there's no fear in Love. I have held my hands out to you and asked for the heavy burdens you carry, burdens your shoulders were never designed to carry. Yet you hold these worries, cares and fears close to your heart and do not give them to me. I have made provision for your need.



The Lord gave me a dream of a large house with many rooms. Each room was different and suited the needs of the inhabitants. Some rooms were empty, and unadorned, except with the essentials,. Others were full of people and quite merry.



I asked the Lord to interpret this for me and He required me to meditate on the Scripture John 14:1-2," Do not let your hearts be troubled. Trust in God; trust also in me. In my Father's house are many rooms, if it were not so I would not have told you." Just that and no more. But why Lord did you say the part, "if it were not so I would not have told you? " What did you mean by that saying? I believe He is asking me to remind all of us, who know the perilous times we face to quit being afraid for He has provided for us individually. He has each of our needs already provided for, He knows where each of us has need, and has already sent our answer!



These are the verses He gave me to reinforce this: Isa. 30:15, "In repentance and rest is your Salvation. In quietness and trust is your strength." and verse 31, "Whether you turn to the right or the left; your ears will hear a voice behind you saying, This is the way walk in it."



By these verses I believe He is saying, Yes,there are some lean times coming but I have always provided for my servants, see the story of Joseph in Genesis (41), and Elijah who was fed by God during famine,(1 Kings 17), The Israelites in the wilderness all through the book of Exodus.



The Lord is changeless, He is the same today, He will care for His people, are you one of His, are you fully in His protection by a humble and contrite heart? The Lord is near the humble, but the proud (those who think they can work their own salvation=saving) He sees from afar is the thought in Psalm 138:6, and the very next verse says, "Though I walk in the midst of trouble, you preserve my life...." So instead of running around like Chicken little screaming," the sky is falling, The sky is falling". Listen to the voice behind you saying," this is the way, walk in it"



For surely The Lord is your Rock and your High tower, your ever-present help in time of danger and He will provide. He may already be providing, He is with me, Tho' I have at times, been destitute I have had a pantry stocked providentially by God.

Lord, I repent of my fear and the great wickedness of holding of my cares and making them a stronghold against your loving provision. Help me Lord, to trust in your kindness and to give my cares and burdens to you. In Jesus' Name, Katy

TRUSTING IN THE LORD

My Pastor says that we are often to afraid of God to trust Him. It works like this: I want something either to happen or not to happen. I ask God for my will to be done, then live in fear that His Will will be different from mine. For example, if I am sick, I'd pray for healing. I know that it Is His Will to heal, but His timing, is, after all not my timing. If I am in pain then my prayers will take on a renewed urgency.



If I do not trust in the unswerving, unchange-able goodness of God, I may be afraid that He won't take my pain away. This is not trusting in God. In Romans 8:28 we are reminded that God works all things to the good of those who love Him and are called according to His purpose. So, maybe I pray with a little nagging worry that maybe He'll just not be listening to me and the unthinkable happens, the pain is still there tomorrow! But if I trust in Him, I will pray knowing that whatever happens it will be for my good, then I am trusting.



> Often, we will continue to pray for things we have been told that we are not to have, or that God has already told us what to do and we appeal to Him to change His mind.



I can well imagine Abraham's prayers to God as he walked up Mt. Moriah to sacrifice his beloved son, Isaac. "But God", he may have said,"this is just not like you to require me to sacrifice the promised son and heir." Or,"God, please, no Anything else, but not This!." Nevertheless, Abraham trusted and believed God and it was credited to him as righteousness. Rom 4:3.



In I Samuel 1:1-2:6, Hannah desired a son above all else, so she wept, fasted and prayed for a son and when she got up from her prayer she washed her face and ate, confident that God not only that had heard her prayer but was answering her. She let go of her problem after giving it to God and waited for His answer. To trust God means that we give our lives completely into His capable hands and to fully commit our ways to Him. We can trust that every small detail will be attended on by Him who has counted the hairs on our head.

> > Lord, search my heart and know it, test me and see my anxious thoughts. Purge me from unbelief so that I may serve you unhindered. In Jesus' Name, Amen.



WHAT IS HOLINESS?

A great King once fought and defeated his enemies. He then saved many sheep and cattle to sacrifice them to God to celebrate the victory. So, God then commended the King for his generosity and thoughts of God, right? WRONG! The king had been told to destroy everything, and disobeyed. Did he get rewarded? No, he was told that obedience is better than sacrifice. The road to holiness goes through obedience. The book of Ecclesiates concludes with : "Now that all has been heard: here is the conclusion of the matter. Fear God and keeep His commandments. For this is the whole duty of man. For God will bring every deed into judgement, including every hidden thing, whether it is good or evil." Ecc. 12: 13-14.

Micah says this: "He has showed you, O man, what is good. And what does the Lord require of you? To act justly and to love mercy, and to walk humbly with your God."

A prophecy elsewhere in these devotions spoke of trimming your wicks to prepare for Jesus' return. What that means, is to walk towards holiness. This is how it works. A lamp was a very simple devise to give light. It consisted of a container, filled with oil, a combustable liquid, a wick stuck in the oil was lit to produce a flame. The wick as it burned was blackened by the impurities in the oil as it came in contact with the air and flame.



The wick would produce a darker, and more murky light as it got blacker. A trimmed wick gave a brighter light. We are called to be a light in this world to unbelievers, that is, we are called to be holy in a crowd of unholy people. The brightness and clarity of our light can only be achieved if our wicks are trimmed frequently. The blackness, (carbon) here is representative of the sin in our lives, that is our disobedience to God. As we confess our sin and walk in purity we give a brighter, clearer light to those around us. That is holiness. Rereading the Quotations I gave earlier. "He will bring to judgement everything, even hidden things, and both the good and bad will be judged." A holy person has no need to fear the judgement. He has clothed himself in righteousness, through confession, repentance and forgiveness.

THAT IS HOLINESS Lord, please show me what it is to seek you with my whole heart, mind, soul, and strength. Show me my heart, test me and know my anxious thoughts, give me your insight on my thinking and how it differs from yours. Draw me to you and give me a strong hunger and thirst for your righteousness. In Jesus' name, Amen

WHAT’S LOVE GOT TO DO WITH IT?
1CO 13:1 If I speak in the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I am only a resounding gong or a clanging cymbal. 2 If I have the gift of prophecy and can fathom all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have a faith that can move mountains, but have not love, I am nothing. 3 If I give all I possess to the poor and surrender my body to the flames, but have not love, I gain nothing.
1CO 13:4 Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. 5 It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. 6 Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. 7 It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.
1CO 13:8 Love never fails.

Two little boys were found fighting, flailing away at each other fists flying, The mothers separated them and one asked why they were fighting, neither boy could remember but both said they just didn’t much like each other. The mothers conferred for a minute and then sat the boys down explaining how Jesus died for them and they were to love each other. One boy said, ”Yeah, ok I know all that but Love ain’t easy, is it?”

And it’s not easy. Some say you have to love yourself before you can love others but after years of failures, mistakes and heartbreaks Love ain’t easy there either.

God wants us to love each other no matter what. What does it look like?

>Love is helping others, not just friends but people who are unpleasant. It’s taking dinner to a sandpaper neighbor who has called the police on you several times for no good reason, just because you know their power was shut off that day.

>Love is giving a $20.00 to a down-and-out stranger who asked you for a dollar so she can buy gas to get home.

>Love is giving without any thought of return, If I give a nice gift to someone I’m hoping for a favor from, it’s not love it’s mercenary, If I give to someone who Cannot give back to me or ever hope to repay that’s much better, but If I give and no one knows…That’s God’s love I give to others. And I can’t hope to pretend to be in that neighborhood yet.

My former Pastor called it being “otherly”; to concern myself with the needs of others, being mindful of the needs and filling them.

One thing Love is Not; and that is being a doormat or cash cow to some who wants to cast me in the role of provider/source. That’s God’s job, not mine.

“And Love never fails”. What does that mean? Simply that when I fail, God is always there to pick up the pieces. Another thing my former Pastor used to say, “Keep short accounts with God.” If I fall short I’m to stop, ask for forgiveness and go on; I can’t change the past and harboring this stuff just keeps me from loving myself. It’s not forgiving me, so I won’t be loving myself.

Lord, I fall and trip and make so many boo-boos it’s hard to see myself sometimes as worthy of your forgiveness. My forgiveness of myself is sometimes hard to achieve, not to mention it makes me bitter and angry towards others, Help me Lord to Love myself as well as Love others to give to myself and to others, to keep my life in balance and continue your Love in this unloving world. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

FRUIT OF THE SPIRIT/JOY

GAL 5:22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law. 24 Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the sinful nature with its passions and desires. 25 Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit.

Since I concentrated on Love for a few weeks I want to go on to JOY. What is meant my Joy in this context? In reading over the epistles I see that St. Paul uses Joy in the sense of happiness, an emotion of uplifted excitement.

I had wanted to show you a picture of joy, and I haven’t found one that really suits; so imagine, if you will, a small child whose face reflects both a surprise and delight. His mouth is open, his eyes are wide; excitement is just beginning to dawn in them, He is the very picture of Joy.

God plants seeds of joy in us when we are first awakened in our spirit to Him. We can then either water and fertilize these seeds or we can bundle them up and hide them in our hearts keeping this magnificent gift for ourselves.

What do I mean? I mean if I go to Church get fed by the words and uplifted by the praise and Worship and then go home and grump at everyone around me, treating my co-workers like the worst of black hearted sinners, I’m hiding my joy. If I go to work happy and do my job to the utmost of my ability, being kind to folks who don’t share my belief and probably keeping my mouth shut when people mention the sinful lives they live; winning them over by my good and cheerful demeanor rather than snide comments and pursed lips, then I’m watering the joy and sharing it.

NE 8:10 Nehemiah said, "Go and enjoy choice food and sweet drinks, and send some to those who have nothing prepared. This day is sacred to our Lord. Do not grieve, for the joy of the LORD is your strength."

Enjoying our lives and treating others, even if we don’t agree with them with kindness and respect is displaying the Joy of the Lord. People can get all the disapproval and finger pointing from their own families and authority figures and unless God calls me to say something it’s not my business to disapprove by my actions or words.

Now I have to admit while my natural inclination is to have that Joy; I can fall into grumperness due to pain, illness or just distractions. We have an expression in my house, don’t throw rocks at the bear. If I’m already feeling irritable try not to make it worse. I think the whole world is being irritable and it behooves me to try not to make it worse, Being Joyful I can keep from throwing any rocks in the bear’s area.

Lord, I know you would have me show my love and your Love to others by being joyful, but sometimes cares and woes cause me to forget and I end up making things worse, Help me to remember, make a conscious effort to remain joyful even in the face of adversary. I know I fail miserably in this regard, so forgive me Lord and help me spread your Joy. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

FRUIT OF THE SPIRIT/PEACE

I wrote last week about Joy and the next fruit is peace. What is real peace?

We certainly know what peace isn’t. Our lives can be so packed with concerns and lists of prioritized stuff to do it’s really hard to find any peace anywhere.

We all know those times when our lives are like an Indiana Jones movie, we just find out they are laying off a bunch of people at work, we wonder how we’ll be able to pay our bills, then the car sputters and dies, the water heater goes out and the next week one of our family member is diagnosed with a terrible problem. We are reeling from one problem and sure enough something else rears its ugly head. We get so caught up with cares and problems we can’t find any peace.

The Greeks spoke of Harpies, those monsters that harry and harass those they get a bead on and I certainly relate. The Harpies represent cares and, oh yes, conscience. All the times I’ve messed up or done something wrong, those things pursue me, accusing and causing me to feel bad and failed.

Jesus said: Jn 14:27 Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.

That’s real peace isn’t it; to be able to receive the Peace we get from Jesus, not the false hope we get from the world, but the peace of knowing that not only will He fix our problems but has forgiven us. Take that you Harpy!

1SA 1:3-15 tells of Hannah a devout woman of God who had a loving husband but no child, This childlessness was very upsetting to her and when they went up to Shiloh to worship and feast, she was so unhappy she went to the temple to pray and make her bargain with God. She wept and prayed so much the priest accused her of being drunk, but she said no, she was just pouring her heart out to God. Then she washed her face and went out to be with her family.

Do you see what happened, she lifted up her cup of sorrow to God and He gave her peace. Jesus said, do not let your heart be troubled, He will give us Peace.

Lord, I get so wrapped up with my own problems and concerns I forget you are there waiting for me to take a few toddling steps where you will run to catch me before I fall. Thank you for being my friend, my rock, and my God. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

FRUIT OF THE SPIRIT/KINDNESS

My husband, during a recent dispute we had threw at me that I had no business writing any devotional because for one, I have no patience. Kind? No, but it is true, I’m seriously flawed and worthless when it comes to setting myself up to judge others. And I hope I am never perceived as judging anyone.

The dictionary defines Kindness as; the state of being kind; which is “Of a friendly, generous, or warm-hearted nature. Showing sympathy or understanding: charitable: a kind word. Humane, considerate: kind to animals, Forbearing, tolerant: Our neighbor was very kind about the window we broke, Generous, liberal: kind words of praise, Agreeable, beneficial.”

Jesus embodies Kindness that we can only emulate. He gave himself for us so we need not sacrifice the blood of animals for the propitiation of our sins. The father, who is too Holy to even look

upon sin, not covered by blood, gave us in His great kindness His only son (in whom now resides the completeness of the Godhead as a result of his obedience) to live in our world and see our stresses and pressures first hand and die using His own blood to cover our sin. It was no pleasant death, but a violent painful one, as an example of how much we harm others and ourselves by our sin and recklessness.

This world is so unkind that we are hard-pressed to recognize it when we see it so I’ll take a few examples from the Bible:

Lot appealed to the Lord’s kindness to the messenger angels when Sodom was destroyed and he wanted to escape from there to the mountains: GE 19:18 But Lot said to them, "No, my lords, please! 19 Your servant has found favor in your eyes, and you have shown great kindness to me in sparing my life. But I can't flee to the mountains; this disaster will overtake me, and I'll die.

In Ruth Naomi showed kindness to her daughter’s-in-law (widows all) by releasing them to marry other men, and invoked the Lord’s kindness by blessing them. RU 1:8 Then Naomi said to her two daughters-in-law, "Go back, each of you, to your mother's home. May the LORD show kindness to you, as you have shown to your dead and to me. 9 May the LORD grant that each of you will find rest in the home of another husband."

In 2Sam. David thanked the men of Jabesh Gilead, for burying his enemy Saul, who repeatedly tried to have David, killed. Yet David showed kindness to Saul’s memory by seeing to the funeral. 2SA 2:4-5 When David was told that it was the men of Jabesh Gilead who had buried Saul, 5 he sent messengers to the men of Jabesh Gilead to say to them, "The LORD bless you for showing this kindness to Saul your master by burying him. 6 May the LORD now show you kindness and faithfulness, and I too will show you the same favor because you have done this. 7 Now then, be strong and brave, for Saul your master is dead, and the house of Judah has anointed me king over them."

David continued to show kindness to the heirs of his former enemy by taking them into his household and caring for them. This is a great example of true kindness; showing mercy to someone who wished him dead, no revenge, no blood feuds against the family, just kindnesses piled one atop the other.

While pleading with God to restore him, Job thanks the Lord for his many kindnesses in JOB 10:9 Remember that you molded me like clay. Will you now turn me to dust again? Did you not pour me out like milk and curdle me like cheese, clothe me with skin and flesh And knit me together with bones and sinews? You gave me life and showed me kindness, And in your providence watched over my spirit.

Then the Lord Himself invites us to approach Him, to come to His throne of Grace to make our petition: HEB 4:14 Therefore, since we have a great high priest who has gone through the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold firmly to the faith we profess. 15 For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are--yet was without sin. 16 Let us then approach the throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need.

And the final, for the purposes of this discussion we come to the Lord’s great kindness of using such flawed and imperfect, seemingly worthless people such as myself to bring a tiny ray of enlightenment, or help, or whatever to other’s lives.

Thank you Lord that you see in me not what the World sees, but a powerful and effective warrior to combat the darkness of this world, someone who with your Grace and mighty power can effect change and improve the lives of others, even though in myself I’m less than nothing. I ask that You continue to use me in your service to bring a tiny ray of light instead of hiding under a bushel and cursing the darkness! Thank you for your great kindness to me that even as a sinner you took my hand and led me into your LIFE! In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

FRUIT OF THE SPIRIT/GOODNESS

Well I want you to know this was a tough one. How do I characterize goodness? It’s such a catchall word, made banal and insipid by overuse. What is goodness?

Then I heard a scripture to music song about Psalm 37:23 “The steps of a good man are ordered by the Lord and He delighteth in his way.”

So a good man’s path is laid out by God, because God is pleased with him. So we will be able to walk an easy path if we are good? Not quite, There is rain for the Just and Unjust.

The NIV renders the verse: PS 37:23 If the LORD delights in a man's way, He makes his steps firm; though he stumble, he will not fall, for the LORD upholds him with his hand.

So a good man delights himself in the Lord, then everything else will fall into place, a good man is mindful of others and is careful to obey God. God will be guiding this good man and keeping him in the way he should go. A good man will have troubles just like a bad man will but for the good man God is watching to see how he will handle adversity. All of us have trials and temptations, we are tested and refined; sometimes it seems like it’s too hard to bear, but then we need adversity to bring out the best in our characters.

Sometimes during times of testing and refinement we stumble, but the Lord will uphold us with His hand.

I remember one time I was tested to my very limits, I had become ill and was homeless, I lived in a homeless shelter under terrible conditions. The goodness of the Lord was shown to me (He was upholding me with His hand). He gave me a song to help me remember that it was my good He was looking out for.

The song went: I will keep you as the apple of my eye I will love you and will be right by your side, If you always worship me, I will always be with thee. So, just take my hand, I’ll take you to the Land. Sing Hallelujah….

It may not seem to others that this was a good thing, but it helped me to stay focused.

We might even fall to the point of sinning in some way, Ok, so there’s always next time. A Pastor I had once used to say “Keep short accounts with God.” Ask for forgiveness and go on, and here is More goodness of the Lord, He accepts our apology and gives us another chance.

Lord, Help me to learn about your goodness so I will be able to copy and follow you more closely. Teach me your ways, Oh Lord and I will walk in your truth. Give me an undivided heart and I will fear your name, And I will praise you Oh Lord my God with All my heart and I will glorify your name forever. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

FRUIT OF THE SPIRIT/FAITHFULNESS

God next calls us to have the fruit of faithfulness. I admit it’s a really hard thing to achieve. When I was down and out, I had so little faith; I didn’t feel beaten so much as just tired of the fight. Faith is sometimes hard to come by when we are allowing ourselves to be exhausted by our lives.

I was chatting with a friend about the following verses:

Jesus said to his disciples: ….Lk 17:3 “So watch yourselves.

"If your brother sins, rebuke him, and if he repents, forgive him. 4 If he sins against you seven times in a day, and seven times comes back to you and says, `I repent,' forgive him."

LK 17:5 the apostles said to the Lord, "Increase our faith!"

LK 17:6 He replied, "If you have faith as small as a mustard seed, you can say to this mulberry tree, `Be uprooted and planted in the sea,' and it will obey you.

I only included the first part so I wasn’t whipping out verses in a vacuum; it’s only the verses 5-6 I’m concerning myself here. My friend said she always thought the part about the mustard seed was hard to understand, I replied that I thought in God’s economy He only needed a tiny amount of faith to uproot trees, but for us it was a huge amount of faith. But I really think I was wrong there, first I believe that as in a seed grows so can our faith by, yes, exercising it, and one more thing, that God can take the tiniest flicker of faith on our part and magnify it like the tiny mustard seed grows into a large plant.

First let’s examine growing our faith.

We know that without faith it’s impossible to please God. But as we see in the verses above the apostles realized that faith is hard and they needed God’s help to even understand forgiveness.

In Romans10: 9 we see that 9 That if you confess with your mouth, "Jesus is Lord," and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. 10 For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you confess and are saved.

So we had some faith when we got saved, we had to, to believe He is Lord!

I was once so upset by my problems I walked out of my apartment into the late night and found a little storefront church that just happened to be open. I went in and asked the Pastor why my life was such a mess, [I was very beleaguered by satan in those days]. The pastor took a deep breath and said, “Do you remember the verse: ‘All things work together for good for them who love the Lord’? I think we have troubles sometimes so that God can help us miraculously and we will no longer just believe that verse we will know it is true. Faith is grown by our prayers being answered.

God is Good!

God increases our faith:

Another verse I want to go into is Romans 10:17- “ Consequently, faith comes from hearing the message, and the message is heard through the word of Christ.”

When we read His word it fills us with faith to read about how others in the Bible were tested and kept the faith, especially in the Faith chapter Hebrews 11. So many people went before us and found out that God is Good. He is faithful and now he calls us to echo that faithfulness in our lives.

Lord, I have so many times stood in prayer and doubted that you could perform this miracle or that, yet even so you answered and I was relieved, I was refreshed and I was uplifted. I ask now that you “increase my faith.” In Jesus’ Name. Amen.

FRUIT OF THE SPIRIT/GENTLENESS

Phil 4:4-7- Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! 5 Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. 6 Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. 7 And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

When I think of gentleness I think of a tiny baby’s hand in the huge meaty paw of his father’s. The possibility of roughness and manly strength is tempered by love.

God is immense, Almighty and powerful yet He loves us and doesn’t punish us for every slip we make, He has made provision for our limitations and frailties and forgives us. That to me is the epitomé of gentleness. God is gentle with us, can we do less with our fellows?

What do I mean? Well the first time we see another Christian in trouble how do we handle it? If I talk about it to my church people, oh we’re not gossiping, oh no, we need to know how to deal with brother J.’s roving eye, sister J.’s fudging on the promises she makes or the dishes she takes home from the last church dinner.

What if we knew about this stuff but never mentioned it to anyone but took it to God in prayer? What if we kept a juicy story to ourselves and asked God to tell sister J. to keep her promises, or to return our dishes. What if we asked God to remind brother J. that he has a wonderful loving wife he has maybe neglected, or maybe we could ask that we not even see another’s imperfections but for Him to change our hearts instead? What if we caught the gentleness bug and just loved imperfect people and pray that they prosper and increase?

I knew a lady once who told me she loaded up her car with a large crock-pot of soup to take to a supper. All the way there she carefully drove so it wouldn’t slosh. Now, whenever she sees another driver driving very slowly and taking care to take the corners very carefully she thinks to herself, “Maybe they have soup.”

What would happen if we began to cast off our pessimism and expect our church –mates to live purer and purer lives? What if we just quit seeing problems and only see possibilities? I think that’s gentleness. I guess your definition would be different, but this is mine…

Lord, I have such a hard time not seeing the faults in others while excusing my own due to extenuating circumstances. Help me to say, “Maybe they have soup.” To all those who seem to be deliberately annoying me. Help me Lord to forgive as you forgive me, I can do nothing without your gentleness, help me to be gentle. I want my mind guarded in Jesus, give me your love for other’s so I can be your instrument of gentleness here on earth. In Jesus’ Name, Amen

FRUIT OF THE SPIRIT-SELF CONTROL

And the best is last, but probably the hardest one. The verse I’m going with here is: 2 Cor4: 16 Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day. 17 For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. 18 So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen. For what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.

How does that apply you say? As well you should because this is going to be tricky.

First of all, being controlled begins in our minds. That’s because getting control begins there. And guess what God has provided for that too.

2Cor 10:4-6 The weapons we fight with are not the weapons of the world. On the contrary, they have divine power to demolish strongholds. 5 We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ. 6 And we will be ready to punish every act of disobedience, once your obedience is complete.

So God gives us a way and indeed a command to take captive all those thoughts that lead to actions that are not of God. And how are we to accomplish that? Well as we are just allowing our mind to take flights of fancy and we see, hey, God wouldn’t like this, we stop ourselves and think about something else, like meditating on His word, or praying.

In Psalm 119 the Psalmist says: PS 119:14 I rejoice in following your statutes, as one rejoices in great riches. PS 119:15 I meditate on your precepts and consider your ways.

Then see what he says in times of trouble PS 119:23 Though rulers sit together and slander me, your servant will meditate on your decrees. PS 119:24 Your statutes are my delight; they are my counselors.

So you can imagine a person could have reason to have mental sin in his thoughts when being slandered by rulers. Yet instead of entertaining thoughts of anger, and revenge this person takes captive his thoughts and meditates on God’s goodness.

When our body craves what it cannot have we can to take captive those thoughts and replace them with reminders on how God has always come through for us, to pray that He leads us out of temptation, and deliver us from evil.

Because we needn’t lose heart, we can be outwardly be wasting away, but our place in heaven where these ‘light and momentary troubles’ will no longer hold sway is assured!

Lord, I cannot always remember this when those light and momentary things seem momentous and monumental, Please deliver me from evil and lead me away from temptation. Help me to take captive my internal conversation to make it obedient to Christ. I know you will take care of my problems. I ask that you hide me under your feathers to keep me from the eyes of the evil one that seeks to destroy; and hold me close so I don’t desire to stray from your word. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.



CLOSER TO JESUS

Moses said to the LORD, "You have been telling me, `Lead these people,' but you have not let me know whom you will send with me. You have said, `I know you by name and you have found favor with me.' If you are pleased with me, teach me your ways so I may know you and continue to find favor with you. Remember that this nation is your people." EXODUS 33:12-13

Teach me your way, O LORD, and I will walk in your truth; give me an undivided heart, that I may fear your name. I will praise you, O Lord my God, with all my heart; I will glorify your name forever. PSALMS 86:11-12 *****

The other day I was praying and I thought of all the things people write about serving God, yes like this one, and I thought, But Lord, none of what other people write helps me get closer to You, and I want to be closer….I lamented; Teach me your ways…

Actually, for me this is nothing new; with God’s help I wrote a song to help keep me going through the dark nights of the soul. It goes like this:

Teach me you ways, O Lord, and I will walk in your truth. Give me an undivided heart and I will fear your name, And I will praise you O Lord my God with all heart; with all my heart. And I will Glorify your Name forever.

Because you are Lord I exalt you because you are Savior I praise you because you are God I worship you, because you mine, because you are mine, I love you so Blessed is He whose strength is in the Lord Blessed is he whose heart is set on pilgrimage Blessed is he whose eye is On the Lord teach me to love, teach me to praise, Lord, teach me your ways. Teach me you ways, O Lord, and I will walk in your truth. Give me an undivided heart and I will fear your name, And I will praise you O Lord my God with all heart; with all my heart. And I will Glorify your Name forever. *****

I take no credit for it; I know everything wrong in my life will be solved if I can just get closer get Him. I figure praying about it can’t hurt. We’ll see if in the next few weeks I’ve achieved anything in this area.

God says to taste and see if He is good [PSALMS 34:8] . He says to seek him where He may be found [PSALMS 8:17 & JEREMIAH 29:13]. Where he is found is in His Word and on my knees.

When my life gets awful I know God is drawing me closer. In HOSEA [5:15] it says: "Come, let us return to the LORD. He has torn us to pieces but he will heal us; he has injured us but he will bind up our wounds.”

I believe the writer of this is saying we think that God has caused the misery we are experiencing, but I believe He has merely allowed it, and God wants to use the problems we have to draw us closer, but so often we believe God has caused these problems and we don’t want to get any closer to a ‘mean god who hurts us’.

Just as a child who is learning to walk, tries to totter towards his parent who backs away to teach the child to walk better, we feel like God is moving from us when troubles beset our lives, then in our limited understanding we see God as a big meanie who doesn’t care, when all he is doing is helping us learn how to walk stronger and better.

Moses was approved by God to lead His people, but still he wanted to be closer to his Lord to know Him better. I have trouble describing this but it is much like wanting God so much nothing else will compensate, no food, no more possessions, nothing we usually find that is satisfying for us usually; as getting to Know God more, to be closer to understand who He is.

I have to tell you this has been one of the hardest ones to write, usually the words just flow, but this has been really hard for some reason.

No fear, only faith; no guilt, only grace; no pride, only praise; no claim,only Christ

Lord, Help me to understand who you are, to learn your ways to know you and know what it is to please you. I want to sit in your lap and feel you breathe on me and to hear your heartbeat. Help me Lord to follow your ways and to seek you only. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

THINKING MORE HIGHLY OF YOURSELF

For by the grace given me I say to every one of you: Do not think of yourself more highly than you ought, but rather think of yourself with sober judgment, in accordance with the measure of faith God has given you. Just as each of us has one body with many members, and these members do not all have the same function, so in Christ we who are many form one body, and each member belongs to all the others. ROMANS 12:3-5

“A group of alumni, all highly established in their respective careers, got together for a visit with their old university professor. The conversation soon turned to complaints about the endless stress of work and life in general...

Offering his guests coffee, the professor went into the kitchen and soon returned with a large pot of coffee and an eclectic assortment of cups: porcelain, plastic, glass, crystal - some plain, some expensive, some quite exquisite. He told them to help themselves to some fresh coffee.

When each of his former students had a cup of coffee in hand, the old professor cleared his throat and began to patiently address the small gathering... ''You may have noticed that all of the nicer looking cups were taken up first, leaving behind the plainer and cheaper ones. While it is only natural for you to want only the best for yourselves, that is actually the source of much of your stress-related problems! "

He continued.. ''Be assured that the cup itself adds no quality to the coffee. In fact, the cup merely disguises or dresses up what we drink. What each of you really wanted was coffee, not a cup, but you instinctively went for the best cups... Then you began eyeing each other's cups....''

''Now consider this: Life is coffee. Jobs, money, and position in society are merely cups. They are just tools to shape and contain Life, and the type of cup we have does not truly define nor change the quality of the Life we live. Often, by concentrating only on the cup, we fail to enjoy the coffee. Enjoy your coffee!''

To many times I’ve found myself keeping my hand closed on the best stuff and giving the chaff to others.

“The happiest people don't have the best of everything - they just make the best of everything they have... So please remember: Live simply. Love generously. Care Deeply. Speak Kindly. And remember - the richest person is not the one who has the most, but the one who needs the least.”

I know, I didn’t write most of this, but the message I got from an email said it so much better than Anything I could write.

Lord, Help me to think of others first, to help make their lives better, to care more about their hurts than my own. To listen, to pray for them and give them whatever aid I can. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

GROW A THICKER SKIN

Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place, and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace. In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the saints. EPHESIANS 6:14-18.

"A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this all men will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another." JOHN 13:34-35

Sometimes we find ourselves around people who are wholly or even part-time hard to like. But we need to love them too right? I tend to have a very thin skin, I get upset when people hurt my feelings, and I get that a lot. One day when a certain person who knows how to push my buttons started in on me, being hyper-critical, impugning my character and just generally making me miserable, I started my normal whinning to God about it, but stopped short. What do I pray for? First I thought maybe I should pray for my tormentor and remembered I do that every day, what do I pray for specifically in this circumstance?

That one took some thought until I remembered that what ever happens in the temporal arena [here on earth] is reflected from what is happening in the Spiritual realm.

“Ok, so God, what are you trying to teach me?” I came up with, “Don’t be so thin-skinned, and cut the rest of the people some slack.” Not just because they might be having a bad day, but also because in their background, something somewhere made them easily prone to being critical, or angry or just plain mean, just like my background made me thin-skinned. Neither state is balanced. Neither reflects the image of Jesus over our own.

Each time I am tempted to feel sorry for myself I need to think about what is going on in the spiritual realm, not just regarding myself but why is this particular turmoil happening. It might just be that I happened to be in the wrong place at the wrong time, so instead of internalizing all the woes on earth; it might be best to pray for God’s army to deal with this situation in my life and the lives of others. Unseen spiritual forces are manipulating the people involved.

We see this clearly as Paul says, in Ephesians 6, where he speaks of the full armor of God; verse 12: "For we struggle not against flesh and blood, but against the kingdoms, against the powers, against the world leaders of this darkness, against spiritual wickedness in the high places".

Fiorello La Guardia, former mayor of New York City said: "The Devil is easy to identify. He appears when you're terribly tired and makes a very reasonable request which you know you shouldn't grant." And it’s just as true that satan also tempts us when we are on our last nerve to react with less than Godly aplomb because are not fitted with our breastplate of thick-skinned righteousness.

Lord, I get so hurt so easily and I know if I just kept myself outfitted with your armour I would have the weapons and protection at hand to counteract what’s going on in the spiritual realm that I’m seeing the tip-of-the-iceberg of in my earthly location. Please help me Lord to routinely strap on your righteousness, and preparedness. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

THE STRENGTH

My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever. Psalms 73:26

Sometimes it feels like as we get older all of our favor is all used up. It feels like maybe God too is done with us and death is the only thing we have to look forward to. Dare we ask for healing when our time is done? It even seems like churches reinforce that by the policy of kids first [read: kids only].

Who, we say, can use a washed up old fool such as I? And yet this was not always so. All the great Godly people of old were old. In the Old Testament we see Noah building an ark that takes him 150 years to complete. We know all the ancient patriarchs were quite old in Genesis 5 it says Adam was 930 years old when he died, Enosh was 815 years old, Enoch who “walked with God” and was ‘taken up” by God achieved 365 years.

Now it is more like: The length of our days is seventy years-- or eighty, if we have the strength; Psalms 90:10.

We are His to honor Him to do works for His glory. Even if it doesn’t seem like we are capable of anything much any more, He can use us because His strength is made perfect in our weakness.

St. Paul wrote, “To keep me from becoming conceited because of these surpassingly great revelations, there was given me a thorn in my flesh, a messenger of Satan, to torment me. Three times I pleaded with the Lord to take it away from me. But he said to me, "My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness." 2CORINTHIANS 12:7-9

No matter how worthless I see myself, now matter how old or weak I am, I keep going back to God’s Strength, because mine is so little. No matter how many blows life hands me I have to remember that: And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose. ROMANS 8: 28

If anyone speaks, he should do it as one speaking the very words of God. If anyone serves, he should do it with the strength God provides… 1PETER 4:11

So, as I get older I find myself with flagging strength, the might in my muscles is leaving me, already I can’t lift nearly the weight I used to be able to throw around easily. Yet God is still here in my life using me in His strength to perform feats for his Glory. Offhand, I can think of no feats, but if He says He is doing it, Ok, I’ll just have to accept it.

Just because I don’t see anything resulting from what I do that He asks me to do, doesn’t mean something isn’t going on in someone’s mind as a result of God’s love.

Lord, Help me to keep on in the face of opposition, trials and thorns, help my faith to keep going, trusting in your strength instead of my own. Show me your truths in my life, and use me to bless others for your Glory. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

HEAL OUR LAND FOR YOUR GLORY

Let your ear be attentive and your eyes open to hear the prayer your servant is praying before you day and night for your servants, the people of Israel. I confess the sins we Israelites, including myself and my father's house, have committed against you. We have acted very wickedly toward you. We have not obeyed the commands, decrees and laws you gave your servant Moses. NEHEMIAH 1:6-7

"O my God, I am too ashamed and disgraced to lift up my face to you, my God, because our sins are higher than our heads and our guilt has reached to the heavens. 7 From the days of our forefathers until now, our guilt has been great. Because of our sins, we and our kings and our priests have been subjected to the sword and captivity, to pillage and humiliation at the hand of foreign kings, as it is today. EZRA 9:6-7 Blessed is the nation whose God is the LORD, the people he chose for his inheritance. PSALMS 33:12 If my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then will I hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and will heal their land. 2 CHRONICLES 7:14 Just as Ezekiel reported that the Glory of the Lord slowly departed from the Temple, where once it was so thick the priests couldn minister, God doesn want to leave His people, but as we have departed from Him, he is departing from us.

Actually this madness began in 1962. Just as Ezekiel mentioned that the Glory of the Lord receded slowly from the Temple after it was defiled by Jereboam declaring a golden calf be set up to worship when the Ark of the covenant was stolen. God leaves His people slowly.

When prayer in school was declared illegal, we began to decline, we started having school shootings, Ugly and destructive weather changes have been getting worse and worse in this country; that before enjoyed favor and protection. Not that there weren't the occasional earthquakes and tornadoes/hurricanes but it has gotten geometrically worse since 1962.

Never before that time had we seen shootings in schools, now, children are killing each other, STD are killing people, no one seems to care about anyone else. Big corporations steal old people pensions, Drugs that kill people are OK by government agencies just so the pharmaceutical companies can make more money.

Terror and terrorists reign supreme; the worst weather and earthquakes that we never seen the like of here are now hitting the US. The Glory of the Lord [Ichabod] is departing my friends and we can can make a difference, Just as Nehemiah and Ezra, humbled themselves and prayed for forgiveness of their sins and those of their nation, we can also ask God to redeem us from our own wickedness and ask for restoration of His Glory to our land, for healing and Grace to be our guiding Pillar of Fire by night and a pillar of cloud by day. For Neither the pillar of cloud by day nor the pillar of fire by night left its place in front of the people.

Lord, help me to pray for our nation, to be a mighty warrior for you and to keep your Glory in mind always. Help me to humble myself and to be more concerned about the needs of others than of my own. O Divine Master, grant that I may not so much seek to be consoled as to console; to be understood as to understand; to be loved as to love. For it is in giving that we receive; it is in pardoning that we are pardoned; and it is in dying that we are born to eternal life. In Jesus Name, Amen.

PROUD FLESH

Hubris (hybrs) also hy·bris (h-)n. Overbearing pride or presumption; arrogance: [Greek, excessive pride, wanton violence; see ud- in Indo-European roots.] hubris - overbearing pride or presumption; Synonyms-arrogance, haughtiness, hauteur, high-handedness, lordliness - overbearing pride evidenced by a superior manner toward inferiors

Though his pride reaches to the heavens and his head touches the clouds, he will perish forever, like his own dung;

those who have seen him will say, `Where is he?' JOB 20:6 -7

In his pride the wicked does not seek him; in all his thoughts there is no room for God. PSALMS 10:4

When pride comes, then comes disgrace, but with humility comes wisdom. PROVERBS 11:2

AND:

Pride goes before destruction, a haughty spirit before a fall. PROVERBS 16:18

In the old morality plays the ancients would show the price of Pride with stories that the seeds of the person's destruction were in their pride and in the places where Pride rose above and declared itself better, higher and more important, a person became humbled by his own hubris.

While thinking about proud flesh I came upon this website on horses.

TREATMENTS FOR PROUD FLESH Proud flesh is normal tissue that has become overactive. In an attempt to heal wounds rapidly, the surrounding tissue reproduces so

quickly it accumulates more tissue than is needed. The process moves at such a rapid rate it has trouble stopping. The resulting mound of tissue will protrude beyond skin level. This is unsightly and may actually interfere with movement. A bandage applies counter pressure to the wound, reducing the tissue growth. Each time the bandage is removed, the wound will be smaller.

Do you see the connection? Proud flesh grows way out of proportion than is needed, to where it becomes a problem. A determined pressure must be maintained on it to keep it in bounds and to heal it properly. Just as our own Pride or Hubris grows way out of proportion to who we really are, it becomes a danger to us. It makes us feel we are something we are not. I know for myself I can begin to feel better than other people, to believe my contributions are my own and are more important than others' work. It takes a lot of pressure on my pride to keep it to where I'm content with who I am, without comparing myself to others either favorably or unfavorably.

*** St. Paul went all over the known world of his time, looking for willing hearts, starting churches and teaching them year after year, giving them the information and encouragement they all needed. And we all know we are people with inquiring minds, we want to know why this is the way it is and why that doctrine is taught the way it is. The temptation is of course to take our accumulated knowledge and see ourselves as smarter or better-equipped or just maybe more favored by God? St. Paul, who ended up writing more of the New Testament than any one else, he, more than anyone else had reason to be proud of his accomplishments yet he said "2 For I resolved to know nothing while I was with you except Jesus Christ and him crucified. 3 I came to you in weakness and fear, and with much trembling. 4 My message and my preaching were not with wise and persuasive words, but with a demonstration of the Spirit's power, 5 so that your faith might not rest on men's wisdom, but on God's power."2 CORINTHIANS 2:2-5.

God gave me this little song last week. It is very simple and the concept is very simple.

Jesus, My brother and The Lover of my soul; Jesus, The Mighty King and Lord of all, we know Jesus, I need you more, I love you more each day; Jesus, You are my own and this is all that I can say, Jesus, My brother and The Lover of my soul.

Lord, when I begin to see the things you do for others using my hands and my flesh becomes proud and arrogant, I ask that you remind me that it is you who are the Author and perfecter of our faith and our being. Apply your pressure on my pride to make it recede and heal from its too prominent place to where it should be. Help me to keep perspective and to resolve to know nothing but Christ and Him crucified. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

CHARACTER

Someone said that Character is what we are when no one is looking. I’d like to add that our character isn’t hidden from people close to us. They see it all.

Romans 5:5-5 we also rejoice in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope. 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.

Well, we know no one wants to hear about suffering, much less rejoice in it, but unless we go thru’ the DARK NIGHT OF THE SOUL, that St. John of the Cross tells us of and St. Paul speaks of when he said in 2 Corinthinians 4:8-10 "We are hard pressed on every side, but not crushed; perplexed, but not in despair; 9 persecuted, but not abandoned; struck down, but not destroyed. 10 We always carry around in our body the death of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus may also be revealed in our body." we can't develop the Character God wants to see in us.

I don’t know about anyone else but I’m not perfect, far from it, In fact the only person who was ever perfect was Jesus, and I hope he will continue His work in me, no matter what it takes. I try to submit early so my trials won’t be so prolonged, but if it takes hardship to complete my character then I will just have to go through it.

We always like to rebuke satan when we have troubles, but there are lots of ways the World can heap on us, It could be pruning, or reaping our own actins or it might just be that God is working something in us. When Jesus was asked by His disciples why a certain man was born blind, was it from sin? Jesus said, “He was born blind so the power of God could be seen in him.” (John 9:2-3 NLT).

When problems make your life seem like an Indiana Jones movie it just might be a great Character building opportunity. I want to take that opportunity to be refined in His fire and come out as pure Gold.

“…though now for a little while you may have had to suffer grief in all kinds of trials. 7 These have come so that your faith--of greater worth than gold, which perishes even though refined by fire--may be proved genuine and may result in praise, glory and honor when Jesus Christ is revealed.” (I PETER 1:7-8)

And of course our Faith is a big part of our Character it’s spoken of as perseverance above as in “suffering produces perseverance”

In Daniel God spoke of this process "Go your way, Daniel, because the words are closed up and sealed until the time of the end. Many will be purified, made spotless and refined, but the wicked will continue to be wicked. (DANIEL 12:9-10)

So you see, when we are getting our Character built we are part of God’s plan of perfection. If we aren’t being refined then we are among the wicked.

In Ezekiel 11:19 we see: "I will give them an undivided heart and put a new spirit in them; I will remove from them their heart of stone and give them a heart of flesh."

I'm reminded of one of my favorite songs we sing in church.

Change my heart oh God,Make it ever true , Change my heart oh God, May I be like You

Change my heart oh God, Make it ever true, Change my heart oh God, May I be like You

You are the potter, I am the clay, Mold me and make me, This is what I pray

Change my heart oh God, Make it ever true, Change my heart oh God, May I be like You

Lord, you know how I whine and beg when you are baking me in your oven of refining, but I welcome your fire of cleansing and purification. Help me to be submissive to your will and your wisdom, you know just how much I can take and how much I need to build your character in me. In Jesus’ Name. Amen

EQUANIMITY

Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable--if anything is excellent or praiseworthy--think about such things. Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me--put it into practice. And the God of peace will be with you. . Philippians 4:6-9

All I hear these days is doom and gloom: Big businesses are bilking millions of people out of their life-savings, many people are losing their houses, the US dollar is down, and the deficit is higher, There is a terrible hurricane here, a devastating earthquake there. I was having a conversation with someone once where the word chaos was used and a kid insinuated himself into the conversation about problems at a worksite and he eagerly asked, “I can tell you about CHAOS.”

Um, no thanks. I can get all the bad news I want to hear on the weather report. I could go on and on, but I refuse to get all upset. We've seen the History channel shows that tell us that the world just ends on the winter solstice in 2012, that our Economy will collapse here in the US on such and such date.

However my God says no man knows the day or hour, and I am still cradled in His arms and kept until the time when I might be allowed to graduate to Heaven.

Someone [a non-believer] told me that the signature line I use in my email : 'When you get to where there is nothing left but God in your life, you then realize he was all you ever really needed.' Seemed to him to be very gloomy and negative, but I said no, that it is the only hope we have.

‘Being anxious for nothing’ has to be learned; by God’s taking us successfully through the trials and tempests we have in our lives. Over and over he builds our trust in Him by his mysterious ways. Something really horrible happens, we appeal to Him, making our ‘prayers and petitions, with Thanksgiving’ and he gives us Peace. No, our prayers are not answered immediately but the Peace, if we allow it, by giving up our cup of sorrow to Him, will be there waiting for us to lay hold of.

I’m sure we all have dozens of instances we can point to where God has delivered us and brought us through al our troubles, even enriching our lives in the bargain. Now is no time to go around thinking about whatever is bad, or scary or unhappy, or tragic. Life is tragic enough without borrowing some from the future.

If God has told you to prepare for a dire future then, by all means do so. Many felt that way before Y2K and are now prepared for future eventualities. Without some prior knowledge I can make myself a fine emergency pack in a new garbage can out back, a generator, extra food, water, clothing etc. but If God doesn’t tell me where to put it a tornado could stop by pick it up and give it to someone else.

I know of people who are hoarding precious metals but we know our God provided for His people when they left Egypt by causing their neighbors to give them treasures. If God tells you to buy silver and gold and lay it up, do so. But ask Him where He wants you to keep it.

Lord, I am so tempted to fear, to run amuck screaming that the sky is falling, but you have kept me in times past and made my feet like the feet of a deer; enabling me to stand on the heights. You have always been faithful and I no longer just believe that You make all things go together for good for those who love you, I now KNOW it to be true and I trust in your unfailing love. You guard my heart and Mind and keep it from flights of terrifying fancy. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

ANGELS?

Are not all angels ministering spirits sent to serve those who will inherit salvation? HEBREWS 1:14

The whole Old Testament is filled with the visitations of angels coming to people carrying messages and protecting them, Angels in the Bible are NOT beautiful women with flowing hair and long dresses, they are not former human beings sitting on clouds munching on cream cheese bagels and strumming on harps, they are not children or babies, they are definitely male in appearance and are fierce warriors who were created to populate heaven and give God praise, when they are not fighting the forces of evil in the Spiritual Realm. As in:

Daniel said speaking of the Archangel Michael the one who looked like a man touched me and gave me strength. 19 "Do not be afraid, O man highly esteemed," he said. "Peace! Be strong now; be strong." When he spoke to me, I was strengthened and said, "Speak, my lord, since you have given me strength."

"Do you know why I have come to you? Soon I will return to fight against the prince of Persia, and when I go, the prince of Greece will come; 21 but first I will tell you what is written in the Book of Truth. (No one supports me against them except Michael, your prince.) DANIEL 10:18-21

St. Paul was admonishing the Colossians about some of their practices, like eating rituals and undue reverence for angels. Some people felt that if they told elaborate stories of angel visitations it gave them status.

Therefore do not let anyone judge you by what you eat or drink, or with regard to a religious festival, a New Moon celebration or a Sabbath day. 17 These are a shadow of the things that were to come; the reality, however, is found in Christ. 18 Do not let anyone who delights in false humility and the worship of angels disqualify you for the prize. Such a person goes into great detail about what he has seen, and his unspiritual mind puffs him up with idle notions. 19 He has lost connection with the Head, from whom the whole body, supported and held together by its ligaments and sinews, grows as God causes it to grow. COLOSSIANS 2:16

For the most part this is another instance of people running from place to place following after signs and wonders.

And yet The Word says: And these signs will accompany those who believe: In my name they will drive out demons; they will speak in new tongues; 18 they will pick up snakes with their hands; and when they drink deadly poison, it will not hurt them at all; they will place their hands on sick people, and they will get well." MARK 16:17

The real way to see God miracles is to serve Him and give Him glory, we are to see the signs following, not follow signs and wonders, not to give glory to God messengers but to praise the One and Only Majestic creator of the Universe.

There is nothing magical or Godly about a tiny angel representation worn on the shoulder or a wooden statue in my garden, because real angels are ministering spirits sent to those who will inherit salvation, and by the way every time an angel appeared to someone they fell on their faces terrified, a ministering spirit with God majesty and his terrifying pure light no mere human being can stand before.

Lord, Please help me to worship You in Your Mighty power and awesome Majesty and not the things of your creation. I know you command your angels concerning me, to guard me in all my ways. Thank you for being mindful of my needs and keep me steadfast and stayed in your service.In Jesus Name, Amen

DUCK TAPE PRAYERS

Then Jesus told his disciples a parable to show them that they should always pray and not give up. He said: "In a certain town there was a judge who neither feared God nor cared about men. And there was a widow in that town who kept coming to him with the plea, `Grant me justice against my adversary.' "For some time he refused. But finally he said to himself, `Even though I don't fear God or care about men, yet because this widow keeps bothering me, I will see that she gets justice, so that she won't eventually wear me out with her coming!' "And the Lord said, "Listen to what the unjust judge says. And will not God bring about justice for his chosen ones, who cry out to him day and night? Will he keep putting them off? I tell you, he will see that they get justice, and quickly. LUKE 18:1-8.

Any single woman knows if something can’t be fixed with duck tape or superglue then it can’t be fixed. The original tape was made of duck fabric and made super sticky so it holds just about anything. If I pray once for something, I’m not really committed to receiving it, faith aside, praying over and over is much more efficacious. Jesus said God will see that [I] get justice, and quickly. So if I keep coming back over and over praying those duck tape prayers, God will hear and answer. Jesus also says this about prayer:

Jesus replied, "I tell you the truth, if you have faith and do not doubt, not only can you do what was done to the fig tree, but also you can say to this mountain, `Go, throw yourself into the sea,' and it will be done. If you believe, you will receive whatever you ask for in prayer." MATTHEW 21:21-22

AND:

Therefore I tell you, whatever you ask for in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours. And when you stand praying, if you hold anything against anyone, forgive him, so that your Father in heaven may forgive you your sins. " MATTHEW 11:24-25

AND

"And when you pray, do not be like the hypocrites, for they love to pray standing in the synagogues and on the street corners to be seen by men. I tell you the truth, they have received their reward in full. But when you pray, go into your room, close the door and pray to your Father, who is unseen. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you. And when you pray, do not keep on babbling like pagans, for they think they will be heard because of their many words. Do not be like them, for your Father knows what you need before you ask him. Matthew 6:5-8

And then he gave us a model for prayer:

" `Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name, your kingdom come, your will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Give us today our daily bread. Forgive us our debts,

as we also have forgiven our debtors. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one. ' MATTHEW 6:9-13.

Thus armed we can pray those Duck tape prayers, the ones that hold us to God and Him to us.

Lord, help me to keep coming back and bringing my prayers and petitions before you, sticking to my convictions that my prayer is one I really want answered. Help me to stay stuck to my prayers and my faith like they are held by duck tape. And thank you Lord for answering my "prayers without ceasing" for this home we just closed on yesterday. In Jesus’ Name, Amen

DEPRESSION

We are taught by our families that feelings are bad, “Don’t cry.” they say, “You shouldn’t feel like that…” “Just shake it off.” “It’s not that bad, quit whinning.” We should not even acknowledge our feelings because feelings are bad, “We don’t go by feelings, blah, blah, blah…” But among the many things God has given us is our emotions, we love, we feel sad, happy; compassion, and we feel desire, wanting or needing something, And the Stronger ones; Hate, Anger and fear, and all of those stemming from them.

Men, especially are taught from early childhood not to show emotions. Often they subjugate emotions, pushing them down deep where they are never dealt with. Sometimes the women who are associated with the men who are the most successful at this denial of feelings, are treated poorly because women who have always, traditionally been allowed to live out their feelings, are seen as weak and worthy of only contempt. Many women are tricked, by parents or contemporaries into stuffing their feelings. A stuffed feeling does not go away. It turns into something else. Stuffed emotions become out-of-control emotions, and if they are the strong emotions of hate, anger and fear they turn inwards and become depression. This is by no means the only cause but it certainly is one cause. Emotions are the true reactions to the events of our lives, Happiness, love, excitement, and also fear of danger, anger at injustice, hatred of evil, if one tries to pretend they don’t exist the result is an emotional block that will come out somehow.

Women are thought of as victims of depression more than men, but I suspect many men are suffering terribly but in silence. How truly sad. 1CO 2:16 But we have the mind of Christ. 7 For God has not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind...' (2 Tim.1.7)

This is all well and good if you’ve already mastered demolishing arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and taking captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ. 2 Corinthians 10:5. But what if you are just now trying to get a hold of a runaway depression, what if you’ve been slogging though that molasses feeling for so long you don’t remember which direction is up?

From my experience prayer and lots of it is the best way, See if you can get many people to pray for you, lots of friends and folks who you know around your church.

While it’s not always easy to admit you are struggling with depression, it’s worse when you break down in front of everyone when the overload gets so bad it can no longer be controlled in private. We all need someone we can be accountable to. Find a friend you can trust to listen and help you get through.

We do have a chance to ‘pull ourselves up by our bootstraps’…but there is a trick to it. I went through so many years so sunk in depression I was always miserable, finally, I just quit thinking about those things that bring me down and start humming Praise songs. The trick? Doing it before I’ve sunk into depression, recognizing that stinkin’ thinkin’ and forcing myself to sing songs that get my mind involved in Jesus and not my own misery.

Lord, I’m so easily drawn into self pity and unhappiness, I need you to hold me up and help me to remember to keep my mind on you and the many wonderful things you do for me all the time. I have the sound mind of Christ and I can be an overcomer. Especially with you in my corner. In Jesus’ Name, Amen

DESTINATION MINDED

The LORD has established his throne in heaven, and his kingdom rules over all. PSALMS 103:19 Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

"Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of me. Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you. MATTHEW 5:11-12 "Do not let your hearts be troubled. Trust in God; trust also in me. 2 In my Father's house are many rooms; if it were not so, I would have told you. I am going there to prepare a place for you. 3 And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am. 4 You know the way to the place where I am going." JOHN 14:1-4

I recently read that all of life is a lobby and we move inexorably to a door to the other side, but which door do we go through?

All of our life here on earth is a preparation for our real life in our real home. Nothing that happens here, to us, matters in the least compared to the eternal ramifications.

So what should our response be? If this really is the shadow land why should we concern ourselves with the trials and troubles that occur like dreams or vapors in this Why lay up treasures for our comfort and viewing? What of empty pleasures, what of vanity? What do we need of reputation or accolades, applause, or position?

When I hear of people striving for self-esteem, or self-actualization I think here is someone who may not be heading towards the same door I am; or maybe they don realize the implications involved in Eternal life compared to the pale imitation we have now.

I think that it might be more important how I live than where I live, what I do for others rather than what is done to or for me. St. Paul knew what his destination was he said in Philipians 2:17-18

But even if I am being poured out like a drink offering on the sacrifice and service coming from your faith, I am glad and rejoice with all of you. So you too should be glad and rejoice with me.

I know, though I do tend to forget, that God strength is made perfect in my weakness, somehow God likes to take broken people and use them to show his power more fully. So what does it matter who I am or how others view me? Why should I care if someone looks at me, snorts inwardly and sneers, God would never use this person.

To really exhibit this knowledge of my destination is to make every day count in Service to my Lord; To stop whining about my troubles and trials and to help others to become more aware of their destination, also.

Lord, help me to see You in all the facets of this place in time. Help me to so focus on You that I can ignore my thorns and refuse to cater to my innate greediness. In Jesus Name, Amen.

SECRETS

Meanwhile, when a crowd of many thousands had gathered, so that they were trampling on one another, Jesus began to speak first to his disciples, saying: "Be on your guard against the yeast of the Pharisees, which is hypocrisy. There is nothing concealed that will not be disclosed, or hidden that will not be made known. What you have said in the dark will be heard in the daylight, and what you have whispered in the ear in the inner rooms will be proclaimed from the roofs. LUKE 12:1-4 Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us. Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. Consider him who endured such opposition from sinful men, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart. HEBREWS 12:1-3

I usually write early in the week so I not rushed but this one came all unbidden right after I sent the other, so there are two today.

Nothing I ever done or will do, nothing I thought or dreamed of, no item I ever coveted and certainly nothing I am capable of hasn already been observed. This is so, even if I looked around and seen no one was watching.

Conversely all the things others I know that have done, thought etc. to me are also known in their entirety. So, I guess I can now let go of all the horrible little humiliations brought about by someone words or deeds that I can no longer refute or get even for, or even rail against, because that person is no longer in my life, AND DAG NABBIT THEY GOT AWAY WITH THAT AWFUL THING THEY DID!

Even in death they cannot hide from the fruits of their deeds. Because if there is a reckoning, and I know I in for it too, God has told them, as He will me of the hurtful things they done.

And I make this about and them but it something we all gone through. There are no secrets, we are watched and I not taking about our government, I saying God and His angels are looking down and every shameful thing, every sinful thought, every everything is noted.

Now I have an Advocate, Jesus; who is even now interceding on my behalf, it behooves me to keep short accounts with God. Each time I slip with my mouth, each time I accidentally hurt someone, each catty remark or thoughtless deed needs to be forgiven, right now!

The entirety of Psalms reminds us that God is always watching, ever mindful of us and in Luke right after the selected text above Jesus says: "I tell you, my friends, do not be afraid of those who kill the body and after that can do no more. But I will show you whom you should fear: Fear him who, after the killing of the body, has power to throw you into hell. Yes, I tell you, fear him. Are not five sparrows sold for two pennies? Yet not one of them is forgotten by God. Indeed, the very hairs of your head are all numbered. Don't be afraid; you are worth more than many sparrows. Luke 12:4-7

So, not only our deeds are noted and recorded but all deeds And we are so very important to God that He even records our very hairs. So it is incumbent on us to live as though there is no tomorrow yet occupy ourselves fully as we await the time when all the secrets will be revealed.

Lord, Please keep reminding me that despite all my cries of and also all the hurtful things I do will be recounted at your throne of Judgment , just because no one is watching doesn give me leave to do or say as I please, and you will square all accounts, I do not have to. Remind me, Lord when the crowd is trampling me, you are there and you know. In Jesus Name, Amen

HEARING FROM GOD

Consider the blameless, observe the upright; there is a future for the man of peace. But all sinners will be destroyed; the future of the wicked will be cut off. The salvation of the righteous comes from the LORD; he is their stronghold in time of trouble. The LORD helps them and delivers them; he delivers them from the wicked and saves them, because they take refuge in him. PSALMS 37:37-40

It all comes down to who am I trusting in? Who is my source. Am I preparing to control my own future or am I believing that He who holds the future is maintaining a future for me to prosper and not for harm?

Do I go off all willy-nilly selecting from this worldly portent or that prognostication from a 'trusted' news source? Do I worry and scurry about my future or do I wait for God to guide me? I guess we all know the answer to this but I know I need a refresher once in a while, because due to pressures in life, satanic attacks, and to forecasting in the form of the doom-and-gloom-sayers and wet-blanket draggers; it's really hard to maintain a high degree of faith unless I'm in communion constantly with my Lord who does know the future and has the best plans for me.

We can't really believe that the future is so grave that God won't be making provision for us? Can we?

St. Paul made a remarkable statement once when He admonished us to, "pray without ceasing." 1 Thessalonians, 5:17 Actually in context he said also: Be joyful always; pray continually; give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus. Do not put out the Spirit's fire; do not treat prophecies with contempt. Test everything. Hold on to the good.verses 16-21 I bolded that statement about prophesies because it is one way God speaks to us.

He also speaks to our hearts if we have a quiet enough spirit to hear He sometimes uses dreams or visions, or even something we see in our travels, He'll show us something and quicken our spirits to a truth he wants to teach us. He has also been known to use Angels or an Audible voice, but I'd test that spirit because therein lieth demons and madness.

Many people hear the same things from God, we call that a movement, that is if those who hear actually get up and saddle their horses.

Lord, I am drawn astray and called off-side by so many trials and rocks in my road, I ask that you help me to be still and know that you are God, to be able to hear from you and to actually saddle my horse in preparation to make whatever journey, physical or spiritual you may have for me. I know that if we all just do our own part we will be prepared for the future and will be ready for the next part of our journey.In Jesus Name, Amen.

NATIONAL DAY OF PRAYER

MATTHEW 11:22 If you believe, you will receive whatever you ask for in prayer." Therefore I tell you, whatever you ask for in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours."

PHILIPPIANS 4:6Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

EPHESIANS 6:18 And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the saints.

Some have said that prayer is the nerve that moves God's arm to bring about His will in our lives. So even if it's His will to do something we need to pray about it to get it done.

Jesus said if we pray asking anything in His name it will be done as we have asked, He also said "If you believe, you will receive whatever you ask for in prayer."

He also told us by parable that prayer is so powerful that it can move mountains, but He warned us never to give up. He told the widow to keep going to the Judge to give her Justice.

I knew a Lady once who was married to a man [I realy knew these people, this is not an internet fabrication or 'story'] who was a Minister but he really wasn't a Christian, She prayed for him for 11 years and he finally did "get saved" and is now serving God with his whole heart. But her prayer took 11 long years to happen.

I used to belong to a very on-fire group that held meetings where things really happened, but it was strange, one person would pray for the blindness of another and his own vision instantly became perfect. People prayed and prayed and prayed and miracles happened all the time, People got saved, people were healed, the captives were set free.

Often I've heard the phrase, "well I prayed about that and I had no answer"....., but.... maybe we did get an answer, Maybe our answer is to "wait" or maybe, God is wanting to see how committed we are to whatever it is we are asking for. Never believe God does not want to do good for you and me and the world. All the time God is good. Your prayers are being answered even if it doesn't look like it today.

2TH 1:11 With this in mind, I constantly pray for you, that our God may count you worthy of his calling, and that by his power he may fulfill every good purpose of yours and every act prompted by your faith. I pray this so that the name of our Lord Jesus may be glorified in you, and you in him, according to the grace of our God and the Lord Jesus Christ.

Lord, I lift up my Nation and ask that you turn us back to You, I ask that you forgive me for my many and greivous sins and for those of my Nation, I ask that you heal our land and return us to sanity, That you reign again as Our God, That we again become one Nation Under God, and that our is in You alone. Please be our Leader that we can follow in all confidence, knowing that you are Good all the time. In Jesus Name. Amen.

DEPRESSION

We are taught by our families that feelings are bad, “Don’t cry.” they say, “You shouldn’t feel like that…” “Just shake it off.” “It’s not that bad, quit whinning.” We should not even acknowledge our feelings because feelings are bad, “We don’t go by feelings, blah, blah, blah…” But among the many things God has given us is our emotions, we love, we feel sad, happy; compassion, and we feel desire, wanting or needing something, And the Stronger ones; Hate, Anger and fear, and all of those stemming from them.

Men, especially are taught from early childhood not to show emotions. Often they subjugate emotions, pushing them down deep where they are never dealt with.

Sometimes the women who are associated with the men who are the most successful at this denial of feelings, are treated poorly because women who have always, traditionally been allowed to live out their feelings, are seen as weak and worthy of only contempt. Many women are tricked, by parents or contemporaries into stuffing their feelings. A stuffed feeling does not go away. It turns into something else. Stuffed emotions become out-of-control emotions, and if they are the strong emotions of hate, anger and fear they turn inwards and become depression. This is by no means the only cause but it certainly is one cause.

Emotions are the true reactions to the events of our lives, Happiness, love, excitement, and also fear of danger, anger at injustice, hatred of evil, if one tries to pretend they don’t exist the result is an emotional block that will come out somehow.

Women are thought of as victims of depression more than men, but I suspect many men are suffering terribly but in silence. How truly sad.

1CO 2:16 But we have the mind of Christ. 7 For God has not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind...' (2 Tim.1.7)

This is all well and good if you’ve already mastered demolishing arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and taking captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ. 2 Corinthians 10:5. But what if you are just now trying to get a hold of a runaway depression, what if you’ve been slogging though that molasses feeling for so long you don’t remember which direction is up?

From my experience prayer and lots of it is the best way, See if you can get many people to pray for you, lots of friends and folks who you know around your church.

While it’s not always easy to admit you are struggling with depression, it’s worse when you break down in front of everyone when the overload gets so bad it can no longer be controlled in private. We all need someone we can be accountable to. Find a friend you can trust to listen and help you get through.

We do have a chance to ‘pull ourselves up by our bootstraps’…but there is a trick to it. I went through so many years so sunk in depression I was always miserable, finally, I just quit thinking about those things that bring me down and start humming Praise songs. The trick? Doing it before I’ve sunk into depression, recognizing that stinkin’ thinkin’ and forcing myself to sing songs that get my mind involved in Jesus and not my own misery.

I don't want to sound like this is simple, it isn't, it's something that takes years of work and diligence to get to where we can keep our minds focused not on ourselves but on Jesus. The enemy is a roaring lion,SEEKING TO DISTROY US, the battlefield is the mind, don't give up.

Lord, I’m so easily drawn into self pity and unhappiness, I need you to hold me up and help me to remember to keep my mind on you and the many wonderful things you do for me all the time. I have the sound mind of Christ and I can be an overcomer. Especially with you in my corner. In Jesus’ Name, Amen

WE CONSTANTLY PRAY FOR YOU

MATTHEW 11:22 If you believe, you will receive whatever you ask for in prayer." Therefore I tell you, whatever you ask for in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours. And when you stand praying, if you hold anything against anyone, forgive him, so that your Father in heaven may forgive you your sins. "

PHILIPPIANS 4:6 Share with God's people who are in need. Practice hospitality.Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

EPHESIANS 6:18 And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the saints.

Some have said that prayer is the nerve that moves God's arm to bring about His will in our lives. So even if it's His will to do something we need to pray about it to get it done. Jesus said if we pray asking anything in His name it will be done as we have asked, He also said "If you believe, you will receive whatever you ask for in prayer." He also told us by parable that prayer is so powerful that it can move mountains, but He warned us never to give up.

I knew a Lady once who was married to a man who was a Minister but he really wasn't a Christian, She prayed for him for 11 years and he finally did "get saved" and is now serving God with his whole heart. But her prayer took 11 long years to happen. I used to belong to a very on-fire group that held meetings where things really happened, but it was strange, one person would pray for the blindness of another and is own vision instantly became perfect. People prayed and prayed and prayed and miracles happened all the time, People got saved, people were healed, the captives were set free.

Often I've heard the phrase, "well I prayed about that and I had no answer"....., but.... maybe we did get an answer, Maybe our answer is to "wait" or maybe, God is wanting to see how committed we are to whatever it is we are asking for. Never believe God does not want to do good for you and me and the world. All the time God is good. Your prayers are being answered even if it doesn't look like it today.

2TH 1:11 With this in mind,I constantly pray for you, that our God may count you worthy of his calling, and that by his power he may fulfill every good purpose of yours and every act prompted by your faith. I pray this so that the name of our Lord Jesus may be glorified in you, and you in him, according to the grace of our God and the Lord Jesus Christ.

Lord. Sometimes it feels like I pray and pray and nothing changes, then in a flash I see how you have moved in my behalf. I weary in well-doing when I forget to tremind myself thast so often tyou've brought me from Glory to Glory, faith to faith, that the wretched state you've found me in is not where I am now no matter how it feels. I thank you that we can come boldly before your throne of Grace and can seek Your Justice, your relief, In Jesus' Name, Amen

I hear from a lot of people that a Good God [implying that God is not Good] wouldn't allow our lives be hard, I disagree. I believe first we are purified in the fire and second that we are hardened like a chunk of metal in the furnace then on the anvil into a warrior's sword for the Lord's work.

SEEDS FOR HIS GLORY

I had some well-meaning friends question my choice in just toughing out the thorns in my life and not seeking relief by pleading with God to take them away. Like St. John of the Cross, I will endure the Dark night of the soul, and be stronger and a better tool in the hands of the Lord!

I recently met some people who are so pampered and coddled that their worst problems are, oh dear which shoes should I wear...[out of a collection of over 200 pairs!] women who are afraid to use a ladies room when the lights are out.

I used to be upset that God allowed my life to be so difficult-homeless several times, never being gainfully employed due to having a massive stroke -AT AGE 20! Struggling with my physical weaknesses, being in pain most of my life.... But I'm able to use a dark bathroom-during a power outage- and get around even in the woods in the dark. And when hard times come I can grow, cook, catch, and butcher my food. I can make my own clothing even without electricity, I can fix my car, a truck, plumbing, electrical and pretty much any appliance, I can find the right natural medicines to cure my own ills. I may not dress in couture or live in a perfect, fancy house but I'll bet I can survive just about any disaster that might happen in my world. I'm tougher than I seem and I know God made this happen for me so that when hard times hit I might be able to help someone else survive. Still I wish life could be just a little easier.

Jeremiah said this about the time that is coming in our world... JER 12:3 Yet you know me, O LORD; you see me and test my thoughts about you. Drag them off like sheep to be butchered! Set them apart for the day of slaughter!

JER 12:4 How long will the land lie parched and the grass in every field be withered? Because those who live in it are wicked, the animals and birds have perished. Moreover, the people are saying, "He will not see what happens to us."

JER 12:5 "If you have raced with men on foot and they have worn you out, how can you compete with horses? If you stumble in safe country, how will you manage in the thickets by the Jordan?

So much in our world is so perilous, we have too many problems, I can't see one more law or a few more dollars will cure the ills of this wicked world.

God's plan for us: In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches of God's grace that he lavished on us with all wisdom and understanding. And he made known to us the mystery of his will according to his good pleasure, which he purposed in Christ, to be put into effect when the times will have reached their fulfillment--to bring all things in heaven and on earth together under one head, even Christ.

In him we were also chosen, having been predestined according to the plan of him who works out everything in conformity with the purpose of his will, 12 in order that we, who were the first to hope in Christ, might be for the praise of his glory. Ephesians 1:9-12

In this sense He is perfecting us to reflect his glory when the time comes for Him to take His rightful place as Our true and glorious King and Lord of All; Acknowledged by ALL! We are with this perfecting and purifying process becoming seeds for His Glory.

Lord. I sigh and whimper when I hurt and my life becomes just a bit harder, but I am becoming harder, I’m tempered and taken from brittle and weak by the blows against the anvil, my life and spirit have been purified by the fire of cleansing. I thank you for the work you’ve done in my life, for you alone are God eternal throughout Earth and heaven above!In Jesus’ Name. Amen.

HE WILL AVENGE, HE WILL REPAY

No weapon forged against you will prevail, and you will refute every tongue that accuses you. This is the heritage of the servants of the LORD, and this is their vindication from me," declares the LORD. ISAIAH 54:17

For we know him who said, "it is mine to avenge; I will repay," and again, "the Lord will judge his people." it is a dreadful thing to fall into the hands of the living God. HEBREWS 10:30-31

Do not repay anyone evil for evil. Be careful to do what is right in the eyes of everybody. If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone. Do not take revenge, my friends, but leave room for God's wrath, for it is written: "It is mine to avenge; I will repay," says the Lord. On the contrary: "If your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him something to drink. In doing this, you will heap burning coals on his head." Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good. ROMANS 12:17-21

Recently I had an incident in my life that just plain made me mad, It hurt and I felt bad. Someone spoke to me in a way that I felt was abusive and rude. But I remembered Elisha. He was out for a stroll one day, a gang of neighborhood kids called him an insulting name on a bad day.

God says: "Do not touch my anointed ones; do my prophets no harm." 1 CHRONICLES 16:22

Elisha called on God and bears came out of the woods and did in those mean kids. It is a dreadful thing to fall into the hands of the living God. Jesus’ Name, Amen.

So, now if I’m abused or hurt or otherwise accused or slandered, I can rest in the knowledge that I need not, “set the record straight”, defend myself or even be angry, for the Lord will take up my case. Besides I’m not in my home anyway, I’m on a journey to my home, in heaven.

I need not care what people here think of me, I need not defend my reputation, for it is God’s opinion of me that’s important. Instead of getting angry I can pray for those who spitefully use me, I can ask God to go easy on them, and I can smile and just assume that person is having a bad day. I can empathize with them and offer them Mercy. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

Lord, You know how easily I can get hurt by smart words or hateful language, I ask that You remind me to react with compassion instead of anger. My flesh and my heart may fail, But You, O Lord are the strength of my heart and my portion forever. No wonder some people are so cranky, They don’t Know You and therefore have no hope. Draw them close to You O, Lord and help them to begin their journey home. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

DAYS OF THUNDER

Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. PHILIPPIANS 4:6-7

Seek the LORD while he may be found; call on him while he is near. ISAIAH 55:6

Isaiah spoke of our time when he wrote: Woe to those who call evil good and good evil, who put darkness for light and light for darkness, who put bitter for sweet and sweet for bitter. Woe to those who are wise in their own eyes and clever in their own sight. Woe to those who are heroes at drinking wine and champions at mixing drinks, who acquit the guilty for a bribe, but deny justice to the innocent. ISAIAH 5:20-23

(1)“The Holy Spirit jolted the American church more than four decades ago and brought waves of renewal. Today we celebrate those days of visitation… Since the days of the 1906 Azusa Street Revival (which, coincidentally, also erupted in Southern California), seekers in this country had been receiving the baptism in the Holy Spirit with the evidence of speaking in tongues in increasing measure. But for decades this experience was generally restricted to Pentecostal groups who remained outside mainline denominations.”

These are the days of Thunder, the waning days of the Prince of the Power of the air. Even non-religious folks, those who know nothing about God or the Bible are saying that we as a planet are about to enter a new phase, they call it the end, we call it the beginning. Satan has, like a snake someone has stepped on; begun to writhe and lash out at all of God’s children, BUT God has stepped up his availability, He has been answering even the smallest prayers in people’s lives. People are changing, and receiving more of God’s power.

There are more who operate in the gifts of the Spirit in this age than ever before, more Apostles [church planters], Prophets [keepers of truth], preachers [those who exhort people and extol God’s virtues], teachers [those who bring up the young in the way they should go, and Evangelists [those who bring the Good news to those who are perishing] than ever before.

People’s lives are changing and improving at rapid rates, Neighbors of hose who are Christians are seeing God’s blessings settle down on His people and saying, “I want that!” Yes, Christians are having a lot of troubles but they are experiencing more miraculous answers to prayer. I believe God is building our faith for the coming hard times when there will be a famine of God’s Word.

"The days are coming," declares the Sovereign LORD, "when I will send a famine through the land--not a famine of food or a thirst for water, but a famine of hearing the words of the LORD. Men will stagger from sea to sea and wander from north to east, searching for the word of the LORD, but they will not find it. "In that day "the lovely young women and strong young men will faint because of thirst. AMOS 8:11-13

So These days of Thunder are here now and I will take all my requests to God. I will ask Him to help me pay my debts, to raise up those who have asked me to pray for them and to request that He bless and hold them safe.

In fact what I pray for people in addition to the special personal requests is for The Lord to - rebuke the devourer for their sakes - give them a hunger and thirst after righteousness - provide - protect - keep safe - always count them worthy of their calling - bless them to overflowing so they can bless others - hide them under God’s hand to protect them from the eyes of the enemy - restore the years the Locust has eaten - heal them physically, emotionally, Spiritually and Financially.

So when someone says your prayer isn’t good enough or your requests are frivolous tell then we are to bring everything before Him, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

He likes us to make the sacrifice of spending our time praying for others and I try to remember this, Prayer of St Francis of Assisi: Lord, make me an instrument of Thy peace; where there is hatred, let me sow love; where there is injury, pardon; where there is doubt, faith; where there is despair, hope; where there is darkness, light; and where there is sadness, joy. O Divine Master, grant that I may not so much seek to be consoled as to console; to be understood, as to understand; to be loved, as to love; for it is in giving that we receive, it is in pardoning that we are pardoned, and it is in dying that we are born to Eternal Life. Amen.

Lord, Help me by reminding me that I need to bring all of my prayers, all my hopes, dreams and sorrows to you, For you alone are my strength and my light and you alone direct my paths in these days of Thunder. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

TRUST IN GOD-FORGIVENESS

Then Jesus told them, "You are going to have the light just a little while longer. Walk while you have the light, before darkness overtakes you. The man who walks in the dark does not know where he is going. Put your trust in the light while you have it, so that you may become sons of light." When he had finished speaking, Jesus left and hid himself from them. John 12:35-36

"Do not let your hearts be troubled. Trust in God; trust also in me. In my Father's house are many rooms; if it were not so, I would have told you. I am going there to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am. You know the way to the place where I am going." John 14:1-4

Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. Philippians 4:6-7

Forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one. '

For if you forgive men when they sin against you, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. But if you do not forgive men their sins, your Father will not forgive your sins. Matthew 6:12-13

God calls us to be His people, and he wants us to rely totally on Him; but it goes way beyond that. He wants us to give all of our problems to Him and even trust that when someone hurts us that we can forgive and it’ll be ok, not just for us but for the relationship we have with the one we forgive. We needn’t fear the consequences of forgiving, even if our friend does let us down again, and yes, we cannot rely on people not even the love of our life, But we can rely on God, He is constant, he never changes or alters His position in any way. He wants us to live in harmony, but humans; being who we are, always fail and when we perceive we have been failed, our feelings get hurt, we are angry- we need to forgive. The thing is we fail too so who are we to hold a grudge? Jesus said that “For if you forgive men when they sin against you, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. But if you do not forgive men their sins, your Father will not forgive your sins” Right after He said we are to ask God to “Forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors.” He says “ And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one. ' I always wondered why he would instruct us to say Lead us not into temptation, but I believe it’s the placement here that’s important. Of course God doesn’t lead us into temptation, we are asking that He will help us to go to Him to avoid the temptation of staying angry with those who disappoint us. Because He can make a way to resolve our differences, the closer we are to Him the easier our relationships with others will be, I can’t really explain this, but as we become more like Him -mature- the easier it is be calm and full of grace and to forgive.

We all live in a state of sin because the world around us is run by satan. But it will not always be that way, and we don’t have to live as though we have no hope. God loves each of us equally, He has a mansion in His heaven just for us.

Lord, help me to see that I’m not the only one in this foul soup run by satan, help me to keep my eye on Heaven; show me your love for others so I can bathe in the light of that forgiveness He gives me and give it to all others as well.In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

UNCOMMON BLESSINGS

-Finally, all of you, live in harmony with one another; be sympathetic, love as brothers, be compassionate and humble. Do not repay evil with evil or insult with insult, but with blessing, because to this you were called so that you may inherit a blessing. For, "Whoever would love life and see good days must keep his tongue from evil and his lips from deceitful speech. I PETER 3:8-10

-"Honor your father and your mother, so that you may live long in the land the LORD your God is giving you. EXODUS 20:12

- Pray for the peace of Jerusalem: "May those who love you be secure. May there be peace within your walls and security within your citadels." PSALMS 122:6-7

-The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge, but fools despise wisdom and discipline. Listen, my son, to your father's instruction and do not forsake your mother's teaching. They will be a garland to grace your head and a chain to adorn your neck. PROVERBS1:7-9

-Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a workman who does not need to be ashamed and who correctly handles the word of truth. Avoid godless chatter, because those who indulge in it will become more and more ungodly. Their teaching will spread like gangrene. Among them are Hymenaeus and Philetus, who have wandered away from the truth. They say that the resurrection has already taken place, and they destroy the faith of some. 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." II TIMOTHY2:15-19

-and since we have a great priest over the house of God, let us draw near to God with a sincere heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled to cleanse us from a guilty conscience and having our bodies washed with pure water. Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for he who promised is faithful And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds. Let us not give up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but let us encourage one another--and all the more as you see the Day approaching. HEBREWS 10:25-32

While the last verse is not, strictly speaking, an admonition with a blessing codicil attached as the others are, I hear it a lot as a command, and as we can see it not a command, but a very good idea for our sake and as such is a passive blessing. As we get closer to the day of The Lord visitation we want to make sure that we are ever closer to not Just each other but to God. We want our lamps filled to the brim and not only those but the reservoirs of extra oil to carry us through.

The first verses teach us that if we are not reading and studying to show ourselves approved we are not receiving the blessings we keep asking God for every time we pray. So, if we are unaware, for instance that we need to keep ourselves from gossiping and backbiting, we will not see those Good Days we are promised, if we have a tendency to talk about our neighbors.

While it is difficult to keep All of the commandments, honoring our parents if we feel they failed us somehow is one of the hardest. We do not have to actually agree with what they done, or not done, We still need to honor them as our parents, to be respectful and forgiving.

We see that praying for peace will bring us peace, that is nice right? Praying for Jerusalem, also not a commandment, but has perks.

Now, getting to the crux of the whole dissertation for today-uncommon blessings for staying close to God Word the Fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom and fools despise wisdom, then being well-acquainted with the Word is the very first step to show ourselves approved as a Godly workman.

Lord, help me to hunger and thirst for your Word to show myself approved as your obedient child, I ask that you bless me with a long life and good days, Help me to live in the fullness of your protection as the days grow colder and more dangerous. Help me to have the oil to keep me going as we await your coming. In Jesus Name, Amen.

WEEDSTOCK

When he left the crowd and went into the house. His disciples came to him and said, "Explain to us the parable of the weeds in the field."

He answered, "The one who sowed the good seed is the Son of Man. The field is the world, and the good seed stands for the sons of the kingdom. The weeds are the sons of the evil one, and the enemy who sows them is the devil. The harvest is the end of the age, and the harvesters "As the weeds are pulled up and burned in the fire, so it will be at the end of the age. The Son of Man will send out his angels, and they will weed out of his kingdom everything that causes sin and all who do evil. They will throw them into the fiery furnace, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth. Then the righteous will shine like the sun in the kingdom of their Father. He, who has ears, let him hear. MATTHEW 13:36-43

So, in reading this I have to come to the conclusion that there are weeds in my, MY church and they were put there by MY enemy, the roaring Lion who seeks to kill, steal and destroy.

But which ones are they?

How can I pick them out of the crowd who is praising God and talking like a Christian after the service? So, Which one of them is a weed. First I want to say I am pretty sure this is talking about unregenerate people, ones who have rejected God. However, we can all be, and are, used, by satan at times to harass our fellow churchies. A thoughtless moment, a word not carefully chosen, a quick departure and a shove to the wrong person who might already be hurting from some other pressure and there we are- a WEED, at least to the one we have offended. Quite frankly I know that God sees the heart and it is not possible for me to know who is unregenerate, But I can certainly know when someone has done or said something to hurt MY feelings. Unfortunately, I am not always so discerning when it comes to the little [or big] offences I might give to other people.

I can do absolutely nothing to alleviate the pain others give me-except; I can be less sensitive, knowing that none of us is perfect, I can attribute rudenesses to accident, just as I hope my little inadvertent rudenesses are not intentional. I can watch people when we are conversing because often little hurts show up in their eyes and I can quickly apologize or at least change the subject, and I usually drop lots of silly jokes in my conversations to help lessen any touchy subjects from being Too touchy. I have no real handle on this, I make lots of mistakes and I have hurt lots of people, eaten lots of humble pie and had many people just decide never to speak to me again. I grieve over these, but unless an apology works I can do nothing about it.

Satan loves it when we permanently offend each other. He claps his hands with glee and hops for joy. So, It is a good idea if I try really hard NOT to be a weed.

Are there ways I can help myself from being a weed?

As a dream comes when there are many cares, so the speech of a fool when there are many words. ECCLESIASTES 5:3

If people are harried and worried using lots of words around them [talking a lot] can make things worse. It is always a good idea to listen more. I know how hard that is I have a great impulse to chat, and chat, and chat, I have to stop and force myself to listen.

When words are many, sin is not absent, but he who holds his tongue is wise.

The tongue of the righteous is choice silver, but the heart of the wicked is of little value.

The lips of the righteous nourish many, but fools die for lack of judgment. PROVERBS 10:19

I know there are many ways of being a weed in the church, but I believe our mouths are the worst offenders.

Lord, Shut my mouth, help me to keep from hurting other people with my words. Help me to speak only words of Life from you. If my words are yours let them go straight to the hearts of my friends, but if they are mine let them fall to the floor unheard. Lord, cause me to be a blessing to those I come in contact with, for Your Glory. In Jesus Name, Amen.

BEING PART OF GOD'S PLAN

How can I be a part of God’s plan? Well first I can try to get as close to Him as possible, how to do that? Hmmm well David was a “man after God’s own heart", How was He close to God?

David was famous for praising, he wrote praises like: PSALMS 66:1-4

Shout with joy to God, all the earth! Sing the glory of his name make his praise glorious! Say to God, "How awesome are your deeds! So great is your power

that your enemies cringe before you. All the earth bows down to you; they sing praise to you, they sing praise to your name."

David praised God for his attributes

AND

David relied on God for everything: PSALMS 121:1-3

I lift up my eyes to the hills--where does my help come from? My help comes from the LORD, the Maker of heaven and earth. He will not let your foot slip--he who watches over you will not slumber;

David was humble and he knew that God was watching him and protecting him at all times PSALMS 139:1-19

O LORD, you have searched me and you know me. You know when I sit and when I rise; you perceive my thoughts from afar. You discern my going out and my lying down; you are familiar with all my ways. Before a word is on my tongue you know it completely, O LORD. You hem me in--behind and before-you have laid your hand upon me. Such knowledge is too wonderful for me, too lofty for me to attain. Where can I go from your Spirit? Where can I flee from your presence? If I go up to the heavens, you are there; if I make my bed in the depths, you are there. If I rise on the wings of the dawn, if I settle on the far side of the sea, even there your hand will guide me, your right hand will hold me fast If I say, "Surely the darkness will hide me and the light become night around me," even the darkness will not be dark to you; the night will shine like the day, for darkness is as light to you. For you created my inmost being you knit me together in my mother's womb. I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well My frame was not hidden from you when I was made in the secret place. When I was woven together in the depths of the earth, your eyes saw my unformed body. All the days ordained for me were written in your book before one of them came to be How precious to me are your thoughts, O God! How vast is the sum of them! Were I to count them, they would outnumber the grains of sand

David acknowledges God’s authority and aligns himself with Him. PSALMS 139 :19-24 When I awake, I am still with you. If only you would slay the wicked, O God! Away from me, you bloodthirsty men!0 They speak of you with evil intent; your adversaries misuse your name. Do I not hate those who hate you, O LORD, and abhor those who rise up against you?

I have nothing but hatred for them; I count them my enemies. Search me, O God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts. See if there is any offensive way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting

Also, as we read about David we see that David kept in communication with God and when God pronounced judgment on David he admitted his GUILT Psalms 66:18-19

If I had cherished sin in my heart, the Lord would not have listened; but God has surely listened and heard my voice in prayer.

So, if I want to be in God’s plan and be His agent for blessing in this world I would do well to follow David’s example.

Lord, When I think about Living a Godly life I think about how I can be the best for your greatest Glory, I ask you to help me to praise you, to rely totally on you, to acknowledge you in all my ways, to admit my sins, and ask for forgiveness, to pray and oh one more thing- To live Justly, love Mercy and walk humbly with you.In Jesus' Name, Amen

WONDERFUL THINGS

MT 7:9 "Which of you, if his son asks for bread, will give him a stone? 10 Or if he asks for a fish, will give him a snake? 11 If you, then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give good gifts to those who ask him! 12 So in everything, do to others what you would have them do to you, for this sums up the Law and the Prophets .MATTHEW 7:9-12

JAS 1:16 Don't be deceived, my dear brothers. 17 Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows. 18 He chose to give us birth through the word of truth, that we might be a kind of firstfruits of all he created. JAMES 1:16-18

Every day God gives each one of us something special, something just for us to notice and be grateful for. It remains for us to notice them and thank God for His wonderful gifts. I have a friend who was grumping around and complaining that life was dull and not very much fun.

I asked him if he saw some of the wonderful things God gave him today. He said no, there was nothing, so I asked if he noticed the sunrise, The way his clothes looked on him, that he Had clothes he likes. Did he eat breakfast? Was the air he was breathing sweet and healthy for his lungs? Then he got in the spirit of it and exclaimed that yes, he did have many blessings. I asked at the nursing home where I visit if either of the nice ladies I was chatting with had noticed any of God’s wonderful things and yes, she loved God’s gifts like sunrises and sunsets, the stars and all of the little sweet things that happen every day but surprise ;she was grateful just to be alive. In fact these ladies taught me a few things about being grateful for the wonderful things. They mentioned such things like being served their favorite breakfast, the sounds of the birds in the cages around their common room, the beautiful sunny day, the songs the visiting children sang, and on and on, then it was a lovely journey down Memory Lane…

These ladies who had nearly nothing to look forward to were enjoying the very second they were living in. Many of them were in a lot of pain, yet they were thanking God for the many blessings they saw in each and every facet of their lives. How wonderful, Now That is a WONDERFUL THING. To see someone being thankful for all the wonderful things.

Lord, You give me a new morning each day, Your faithfulness is forever and You bring me all my needs when I need them, You have made a beautiful world that is just jam packed with wonderful things

FIRST LOVE

REV 2:1 "To the angel of the church in Ephesus write: These are the words of him who holds the seven stars in his right hand and walks among the seven golden lamp stands: 2 I know your deeds, your hard work and your perseverance. I know that you cannot tolerate wicked men, that you have tested those who claim to be apostles but are not, and have found them false. 3 You have persevered and have endured hardships for my name, and have not grown weary. REV 2:4 Yet I hold this against you: You have forsaken your first love. 5 Remember the height from which you have fallen! Repent and do the things you did at first. If you do not repent, I will come to you and remove your lamp stand from its place.

1 John 1:9 If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.

I’m sure I’m not the only one who has done this; I got complacent, I quit serving God, I quit going to church, got busy with my life and expected my previous fervor to carry me through my days on this earth. Well Surprise! it was totally off, I lost my way, I got so cold, I became angry, unfriendly, mean and I lost God completely. Oh God never moved but I certainly was way off course. But there’s one really nice thing, God is faithful to forgive if we confess our sins, If we ask Him He will draw us back to Him and receive us if we humble ourselves and pray seeking to renew our first Love.

I moved from a place and a church I really loved to get married to my husband of now 8 years. I couldn’t find a good church here in my new home so I just quit going. I also allowed my prayer life to slip and my bible reading to lapse. It wasn’t long before my mantra-internal dialogue- became, God come back, please.

It’s been a long road but I’m getting back to where I was before I fell prey to massive pride and serving myself.

I want to share a song I like that pretty much tells the whole story.

DRAW ME CLOSE Draw me close to You Never let me go I lay it all down again To hear You say that I'm Your friend

You are my desire No one else will do 'Cause nothing else could take Your place To feel the warmth of Your embrace Help me find the way Bring me back to You

You're all I want You're all I've ever needed You're all I want Help me know You are near

First it is Asking God to once again take his place as my Lord. I tell

Him that I lay down all the things I thought I cared about, if He’d just allow me back to our former relationship.

Then I must acknowledge That He is the one on the Throne of my heart, and that I need him more than anything else,

Lord, Please show me how I can regain that first glow I had when You first accepted me as your own. When I first saw that You had actually given yourself up tyo death for MY sake and that no matter what else had ever happened in my life You really love me and always have. Thank you Lord and draw me close. In Jesus' Name, Amen

PLUNDERING EGYPT

PR 13:20 He who walks with the wise grows wise, but a companion of fools suffers Misfortune pursues the sinner, but prosperity is the reward of the righteous.A good man leaves an inheritance for his children's children, but a sinner's wealth is stored up for the righteous.A poor man's field may produce abundant food, but injustice sweeps it away.

EX 12:33 The Egyptians urged the people to hurry and leave the country. "For otherwise," they said, "we will all die!" 34 So the people took their dough before the yeast was added, and carried it on their shoulders in kneading troughs wrapped in clothing. 35 The Israelites did as Moses instructed and asked the Egyptians for articles of silver and gold and for clothing. 36 The LORD had made the Egyptians favorably disposed toward the people, and they gave them what they asked for; so they plundered the Egyptians.AM 8:4 Hear this, you who trample the needy and do away with the poor of the land,

AM 8:5 saying, "When will the New Moon be over that we may sell grain, and the Sabbath be ended that we may market wheat?"-- skimping the measure, boosting the price and cheating with dishonest scales, AM 8:6 buying the poor with silver and the needy for a pair of sandals, selling even the sweepings with the wheat.

I pondered these verses and so I said, OK God if the wealth of the wicked is truly laid up for the righteous, when does it actually happen? I know your Word is true, I know you have said the truth yet the poor or should I say those of us who are not part of satan’s ruling elite are bought and sold, we are cheated with false measurements we are given bad food and sold a bill of goods regarding our healthcare, Doctors kill babies and sell their patients on taking drugs [they get a kick back on or are paid by the pharmaceutical companies to prescribe] that they know cause more harm than good.

There are Governmental lies we are all forced to march to regarding safety of products we get from other countries, Big companies who take their businesses overseas and hire people outside this country to avoid taxes yet demand government help when their fraudulent practices cause their businesses to begin failing, banks, who control all of the money and ultimately all the Commerce; by their own illegal banking practices cause them to fail and are helped out at the expense of the people. Still it goes on, and it’s often the people who are the most obedient to the law who are hurt the worst.

I intend to continue to petition Heaven that this particular aspect of the Word is enforced now when it is so needed by so many. It has come to pass that now, when so many Christians want to be ready to meet the Lord in the last days will not be able to prepare for survival in the coming hard times. It is not always that those of us who have nothing were ever in a position to have enough to actually begin preparing even earlier when there was more time. I’ve known of this time for 52 years but my own circumstances have kept me from ever having the means to gather supplies etc or the space needed to be able to start a sustainable lifestyle. I’m sure I’m not the only one having this trouble. I'm praying that truly the wealth of the wicked is given over to the righteous.

Lord, you see what’s happening, I ask that your Word becomes manifest now, that Now the wealth of the wicked is given over to those of us who are your children, who walk in your ways and seek your face. Enable us to Plunder Egypt and have the means to get ready for the bad times. In Jesus' Name, Amen



ENOUGH OIL

The eyes of the LORD are everywhere, keeping watch on the wicked and the good. PROVERBS 15:3

But among you there must not be even a hint of sexual immorality, or of any kind of impurity, or of greed, because these are improper for God's holy people. Nor should there be obscenity, foolish talk or coarse joking, which are out of place, but rather thanksgiving. For of this you can be sure: No immoral, impure or greedy person--such a man is an idolater--has any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and of God. Let no one deceive you with empty words, for because of such things God's wrath comes on those who are disobedient. Therefore do not be partners with them EPHESIANS 5:3-7

At that time I will search Jerusalem with lamps and punish those who are complacent, who are like wine left on its dregs, who think, `The LORD will do nothing, either good or bad.' ZEPHANIAH 1:12

Search me, O God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts. See if there is any offensive way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting. PSALMS 139:23-24

Yet a time is coming and has now come when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth, for they are the kind of worshipers the Father seeks. God is spirit, and his worshipers must worship in spirit and in truth." JOHN 4:23

Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled. MATTHEW 5:6

"Then will I purify the lips of the peoples, that all of them may call on the name of the LORD and serve him shoulder to shoulder. From beyond the rivers of Cush my worshipers, my scattered people, will bring me offerings. On that day you will not be put to shame for all the wrongs you have done to me, because I will remove from this city those who rejoice in their pride. Never again will you be haughty on my holy hill. But I will leave within you the meek and humble, who trust in the name of the LORD The remnant of Israel will do no wrong; they will speak no lies, nor will deceit be found in their mouths. They will eat and lie down and no one will make them afraid." ZEPHANIAH 3:9-12

"At that time the kingdom of heaven will be like ten virgins who took their lamps and went out to meet the bridegroom. 2 Five of them were foolish and five were wise. 3 The foolish ones took their lamps but did not take any oil with them. 4 The wise, however, took oil in jars along with their lamps. 5 The bridegroom was a long time in coming, and they all became drowsy and fell asleep."At midnight the cry rang out: `Here's the bridegroom! Come out to meet him!' "Then all the virgins woke up and trimmed their lamps. 8 The foolish ones said to the wise, `Give us some of your oil; our lamps are going out.' " `No,' they replied, `there may not be enough for both us and you. Instead, go to those who sell oil and buy some for yourselves.' "But while they were on their way to buy the oil, the bridegroom arrived. The virgins who were ready went in with him to the wedding banquet. And the door was shut. "Later the others also came. `Sir! Sir!' they said. `Open the door for us!' "But he replied, `I tell you the truth, I don't know you.' MATTHEW 25:1-12

In that last quote in Matthew, Jesus is warning us to get our spiritual houses in order because when the time of the end comes; the implication is obvious, If we are not in the very midst of fervid service to the Lord [remember what He said to the Laodiceans, if we are lukewarm He’ll spit us out]*, we have no part in His coming back, no part in the Marriage supper of the Lamb.

So what do we do?

We can follow the instructions given to the church at Laodicea: These are the words of the Amen, the faithful and true witness, the ruler of God's creation. I know your deeds, that you are neither cold nor hot. I wish you were either one or the other! So, because you are lukewarm--neither hot nor cold--I am about to spit you out of my mouth. You say, `I am rich; I have acquired wealth and do not need a thing.' But you do not realize that you are wretched, pitiful, poor, blind and naked. I counsel you to buy from me gold refined in the fire, so you can become rich; and white clothes to wear, so you can cover your shameful nakedness; and salve to put on your eyes, so you can see. REVELATION 3:14-18

A great start is true worship; acknowledging God is who he says he is. A sacrifice of praise is also expected as acceptable service- Through Jesus, therefore, let us continually offer to God a sacrifice of praise--the fruit of lips that confess his name. 16 And do not forget to do good and to share with others, for with such sacrifices God is pleased. HEBREWS 13:15-Trusting In Him and praying for everything is also the way to God’s heart, and He will meet you halfway. Abandonment of our pride and dignity to His service is true fervency.

And one more thing: Can two walk together, except they be agreed? AMOS 3:3 It’s good to be in God’s good graces [to have asked for forgiveness for all of our daily slips off the path] Atonement, can also be said At-one-ment. To be at one with God, to be agreed in my walk with Him.

Lord, Help me to regain my first Love, the zeal with which I served you before the world and it’s distractions came between us. Search me and show mw my wicked ways so I can once again be right, be one with You. I ask that you remind me to pray and worship at every opportunity to desire you above all things and to seek you in all my life with all my heart, in all my troubles and triumphs, to hunger and thirst for righteousness. I ask that You come to me as I stumble towards You.

TRUSTING IN JESUS

Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. PHILIPEANS 4:4-7

I will say of the LORD, "He is my refuge and my fortress,my God, in whom I trust." PSALMS 91:2

Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight. PROVERBS 3:5-6

He has showed you, O man, what is good. And what does the LORD require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God.MICAH 6:8

The old expression for being a Christian or getting saved was Trusting in Jesus. The old folks would say “That man has begun to trust in Jesus.” Or “She has really blossomed since she started Trusting in Jesus.” Trusting in the Lord is the most important aspect of our being a Christian. Believing He is who He says He is and accepting His will for our lives in every facet of our lives is vital. He can be trusted for instance; in the choosing of your mate, in the choosing of your profession, in the friends and place you live. He can be relied upon to make your life the very best and to elevate you to the happiest, most fulfilled person you could possibly be.

Our problem, [and I am the worst in this] is that we fight so hard to get our own way that when we get it we’ve often destroyed so much along the way that we feel a sense of loss in the getting.

If I were to pray first before going after something, I might just get an answer I don’t necessarily like but if acted on it will be the best path for me as the verse says, Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight.

When I am looking for provision or protection or addition in my life and I trust in [go to] God for the answer, I can be assured that he will be ready to help, because He wants us to go to Him for everything. When the wolf is at the door again I go to God for the answer. When my heart is breaking or so full of happiness it feels like it is in danger, I again go to Him in prayer for the former; to ask for comfort and the latter for gratitude.

As it says in Micah He has showed you, O man, what is good. And what does the LORD require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God. I need to walk humbly with my God, that is not be my own solution master but ask Him to be my all. I found a song I just love that beautifully illustrates this

LORD, REIGN IN ME Over all the earth You reign on high Every mountain stream Every sunset sky But my one request Lord my only aim Is that you reign in me again

Lord reign in me Reign in your power Over all my dreams In my darkest hour You are the Lord of all I am So won't you reign in me again

Over every thought Over every word May my life reflect The beauty of my Lord You mean more to me Than any earthly thing So won't you reign in me again

Lord, help me to take my hands of the wheel and allow You to do the work in my life, Help me to trust in You so much that I never even consider my own ideas just look to you in everything. Help me to walk in the humility of knowing I do not know it all.

Simcha

NE 8:10 Nehemiah said, "Go and enjoy choice food and sweet drinks, and send some to those who have nothing prepared. This day is sacred to our Lord. Do not grieve, for the joy of the LORD is your strength."

Ok we’ve had Our Happy New Year, [Jewish calendar style], then the somber day of atonement when we get right with God, now we celebrate all the wonderful things He is doing for us all the time.

Simcha means Joy, and God wants us to be happy and grateful. Sukkot which was this last week is also called the feast of tabernacles or booths. The Jews were to make tents and stay in them while celebrating the harvest, God’s bounty given to them for a year’s sustenance.

We bring our gifts to His Temple with Joy and thanksgiving for All He has done for us. We respond with Joy and happiness because he is our God and he is a good God. No matter what else is going on, we can rejoice, we can be joyful because God is our own God, the one we can always turn to for help, comfort, provision, protection, blessings, and healing. How can we not call ourselves Simcha?

How can we not offer up to him all of our hopes, dreams, fears and sorrows and know he will give us everything we need? How can we endure day after day and not go to the one who knows all of our thoughts? How can we not offer up a sacrifice of praise even when our hearts are breaking?

We see all the tiny details of our lives as human beings taken care of so long ago as echoes in the feasts, so we have to know He is in control he already knew all of the needs we’d have and provided them for us., that kind of knowledge gives us Joy, and the Joy gives us strength, strength to give Him the praise and worship he asks of us.

Lord, I can’t seem to remember from valley to valley that you are always looking out for me, Help me to live in the Joy of the knowledge of how awesome you are, help me to respond in Joy.

CHRISTIANITY IS NOT FOR WIMPS

John 16:33 33"I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world."

1 PETER 5:8 Be clear-minded and alert. Your opponent, the devil, is prowling around like a roaring lion, looking for someoneto devour.

Being a Christian is not for the feint of heart, Many people will tell you that as soon as you accept jesus as your Savior all tour troubles will magically fade away, but it's not quite true.

First we have an ancient enemy who hates us-Satan or the Devil, he hates you if you are a Christian or not, he will do all he can against you. but get saved and he gets worse. he will work very hard to get you to turn from God he will say to you "look, no one likes you now that you are a Christian" he'll say Oh yeah God loves us all but not you. You aren't really saved, you poor fool" I actually had him say that to me, but I got to thinking, why would he say that if it's true? Why would he bother he never said it before I got saved, so if I'm not saved why would satan say I'm not now, unless I am? So, Then I knew for a fact then that all of God's promises are true. And this is the time to go to God and seek His wisdom…

Phillipians 4:4 says Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! 5 Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. 6 Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. 7 And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

But that's not the only way we are besieged when we accept Jesus. Our friends and family will tell us we are crazy, they will push us to walk away from God. The world around us will push in on us creating situations where we are forced to learn patience, obedience or humility, or any one of the fruits of the spirit, Love, Joy peace, patience, Kindness, Goodness, Faithfulness, and self-control. [God does allow troubles to refine us like Silver you know]. Some of us are born with one or two good traits but not all of them. God wants us to have them al.

God will bring people in our lives to try our patience, people who are so unloveable we will beg for Mercy.

Oh and one more thing, we have overcome satan's scheme's, and the troubles of this world and and all those awful people; now we've settled into a ministry, and it's going pretty good, and Bang, guess what? God prunes us. Just as a tree cannot be allowed to go nutty making branches in every direction, So God, our Master Gardener will re direct our growth and start cutting… But cutting hurts! We say Oh God stop, you are hurting us or even “satan I rebuke you”, yes, it's a Godly thing but often we mistake it for a problem originating from the enemy. Obedience to God in any trouble will be the fastest way out of any trouble, Bowing our will to His will …

Here is a song God gave me to sing when satan attacks: Teach me your ways Oh Lord and I will walk in your truth Give me an undivided heart and I will seek your face And I will praise you oh Lord my God with All my heart And I will glorify your name forever

Because you are Lord, I exalt you Because you are Savior I praise you, Because You are God I worship You Because you are mine, Because you are mine, I love you so…

Blessed is he whose strength is in the Lord, Blessed is he whose heart is set on Pilgramage Blessed is he whose eye is on the Lord Teach me to Love Teach me to Praise Lord teach me your ways.

LORD, I ask, for all your children, that we learn to bend to your will like the reed in the Jordan river bends to the current. Help us, almighty God to know your will for our lives and lean into it with a yieldedness that you can use, in your service. Enable us to flow with your love rather than break in contrariness. And LORD work in me to will to love those who misuse me or are just downright unlovable. And LORD help me to keep from giving offense, to be lovable, not unlovable. Thank you, JESUS, Amen.

WISE VIRGINS/GOOD STEWARDS

MT 24:45 "Who then is the faithful and wise servant, whom the master has put in charge of the servants in his household to give them their food at the proper time? 46 It will be good for that servant whose master finds him doing so when he returns. 47 I tell you the truth, he will put him in charge of all his possessions. 48 But suppose that servant is wicked and says to himself, `My master is staying away a long time,' 49 and he then begins to beat his fellow servants and to eat and drink with drunkards. 50 The master of that servant will come on a day when he does not expect him and at an hour he is not aware of. 51 He will cut him to pieces and assign him a place with the hypocrites, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.

MT 25:1 "At that time the kingdom of heaven will be like ten virgins who took their lamps and went out to meet the bridegroom. 2 Five of them were foolish and five were wise. 3 The foolish ones took their lamps but did not take any oil with them. 4 The wise, however, took oil in jars along with their lamps. 5 The bridegroom was a long time in coming, and they all became drowsy and fell asleep. MT 25:6 "At midnight the cry rang out: `Here's the bridegroom! Come out to meet him!' MT 25:7 "Then all the virgins woke up and trimmed their lamps. 8 The foolish ones said to the wise, `Give us some of your oil; our lamps are going out.' MT 25:9 " `No,' they replied, `there may not be enough for both us and you. Instead, go to those who sell oil and buy some for yourselves.' MT 25:10 "But while they were on their way to buy the oil, the bridegroom arrived. The virgins who were ready went in with him to the wedding banquet. And the door was shut. MT 25:11 "Later the others also came. `Sir! Sir!' they said. `Open the door for us!' MT 25:12 "But he replied, `I tell you the truth, I don't know you.' MT 25:13 "Therefore keep watch, because you do not know the day or the hour. "Behold, I send you out as sheep in the midst of wolves; so be shrewd as serpents and innocent as doves.

Keeping watch, being wise as Serpents and gentle [or innocent] as Doves does not include holding our eyes shut and not preparing ourselves for a different life than any of us has ever known. It means to be ready, to watch for the signs in the world and trim our lamps and fill our oil reservoirs with plenty to last until The Lord returns for His people.

I’m not saying panic, I’m not saying worry, I’m not saying get frantic. I’m saying In as much as you can prepare, prepare, get ready, store items you can find and buy to tide you over.

MT 6:25 "Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more important than food, and the body more important than clothes? 26 Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they? 27 Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to his life? PHP 4:4 Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! 5 Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. 6 Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. 7 And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

So, worry and fretting is out, Trusting in Jesus is in. But also we are expected to be smart, if we know winter is close it might be good to have a coat to protect us when we go outside. Just so; it’s important to prepare for contingencies should the banking system fail, and times get hard like it was during the depression.

We know that it was difficult for goods to get to market during the depression, so stores had little to sell; food was hard to come by, so was money, trading for essential services is a good idea.

Getting ourselves prepared is a matter of prayer. I should ask God exactly what to get and where to put it. For instance it would be stupid to fill a large container of supplies in a place where a tornado might move it to my neighbor’s. If I ask God, He can give me the best location to put whatever He thinks I need to stash away.

He will also give me information as to what I need to prepare for: AM 3:7 surely the sovereign lord does nothing without revealing his plan to his servants the prophets.

While we are not all prophets He does give them to His church to help us, so we should be able to get this kind of information at church.

OR

Jas 1:5 If any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to him.

Lord, I have many fears and I worry a lot, But I know you have the answer, forgive me and help me to rely on you for protection and provision. Be with my family in the coming hard times and help us to just stay in the comfort your hand gives us. Help us to say as the captives in Babylon said when they were about to be tossed in the firey furnace: If we are thrown into the blazing furnace, the God we serve is able to save us from it, and he will rescue us from your hand, O king. 18 But even if he does not, we want you to know, O king, that we will not serve your gods or worship the image of gold you have set up." We won’t fall prey to the gods of worry and fear. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

SPOTLESS BRIDE

MARK 7:22 He went on: "What comes out of a man is what makes him `unclean.' 21 For from within, out of men's hearts, come evil thoughts, sexual immorality, theft, murder, adultery, 22 greed, malice, deceit, lewdness, envy, slander, arrogance and folly. 23 All these evils come from inside and make a man `unclean.' "

EPHESIANS 5:27 Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her 26 to make her holy, cleansing her by the washing with water through the word, 27 and to present her to himself as a radiant church, without stain or wrinkle or any other blemish, but holy and blameless.

PROVERBS 17:3 The crucible for silver and the furnace for gold, but the LORD tests the heart.

ZECHARIAH 13:8 In the whole land," declares the LORD, "two-thirds will be struck down and perish; yet one-third will be left in it. This third I will bring into the fire;I will refine them like silver and test them like gold. They will call on my name and I will answer them; I will say, `They are my people,' and they will say, `The LORD is our God.' "

1 PETER 4:17 For it is time for judgment to begin with the family of God; and if it begins with us, what will the outcome be for those who do not obey the gospel of God?

AMOS 2:6-8 "For three sins of Israel, even for four, I will not turn back my wrath. They sell the righteous for silver, and the needy for a pair of sandals. They trample on the heads of the poor as upon the dust of the ground and deny justice to the oppressed. Father and son use the same girl and so profane my holy name. They lie down beside every altar on garments taken in pledge. In the house of their god they drink wine taken as fines.

Amos 5:17-28 Woe to you who long for the day of the LORD! Why do you long for the day of the LORD? That day will be darkness, not light. It will be as though a man fled from a lion only to meet a bear, as though he entered his house and rested his hand on the wall only to have a snake bite him. Will not the day of the LORD be darkness, not light-pitch-dark, without a ray of brightness? "I hate, I despise your religious feasts; I cannot stand your assemblies. Even though you bring me burnt offerings and grain offerings, I will not accept them. Though you bring choice fellowship offerings, I will have no regard for them. Away with the noise of your songs! I will not listen to the music of your harps. But let justice roll on like a river, righteousness like a never-failing stream! Did you bring me sacrifices and offerings forty years in the desert, O house of Israel? You have lifted up the shrine of your king, the pedestal of your idols, the star of your god--which you made for yourselves. Therefore I will send you into exile beyond Damascus," says the LORD, whose name is God Almighty. Woe to you who are complacent in Zion, and to you who feel secure on Mount Samaria,

REVELATION 3:16 So, because you are lukewarm--neither hot nor cold--I am about to spit you out of my mouth.

MALACHI 3:3 He will sit as a refiner and purifier of silver; he will purify the Levites and refine them like gold and silver.

PSALMS 23:4 Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me.

EZEKIAL 22:30 "I looked for a man among them who would build up the wall and stand before me in the gap on behalf of the land so I would not have to destroy it, but I found none.

We know Jesus is coming back for His spotless Bride. Peter tells us that Judgment begins in the house of the Lord. What? How can we be unblemished and unwrinkled if we have gone through the fire? How can a loving God use His people so hard?

It is that very heat that brings all of our impurities up to the surface so that the silver worker or Goldsmith can skim the dross off and the finished product will become pure and spotless.

Often as we are being purified; we holler out, “Stop Lord, it’s very, very hot, Stop it. Quit making my life so difficult” OR. “I rebuke you Satan. Leave me alone,”

1 THESSALONIANS 5:16-19, "Rejoice always; pray without ceasing; in everything give thanks; for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus."

Do you see that in everything? I maintain that it is good to go through various trials and persecutions, it burns out the dross, purifies our characters and helps us to be stronger more ready to withstand the tribulations we are about to go through..

Yet we are being chastened or purified; and due to our many appeals to God for surcease, the process is never finished. In Psalm 23 David says “Your rod and staff are my comfort.” A Shepherd used the rod to ward off animals that harass the flock or he will give a straying sheep a sharp whack to teach them not to do something. The staff was for gentle leading, an extension of his arm to help guide a fast moving flock of sheep to travel in the right direction. Still David says that God’s chastening and correction are a comfort, Apparently this man after God’s own heart was teachable and ready to be purified and made holy and acceptable to his master accepting the using of the rod of punishment and staff of correction as a comfort.

The day of the Lord will be hard, especially for those in the house of God. And most especially for those who are in the most sin and have not allowed God to purify them.

As it says in Zechariah 13 only 1/3 of the people will ne called His people, they will be purified then will be His people.

In Matthew when Jesus is asked about the time of the end He says at that time we will be persecuted, hated, put to death and then the Love of MOST WILL GROW COLD. How do you suppose that will happen? Will it be because we are just not ready to be persecuted, hated and killed?

Maybe like the Laodiceans who God says are Lukewarm, some will just not be ready? Or as Jeremiah said 12:5- "If you have raced with men on foot and they have worn you out, how can you compete with horses? If you stumble in safe country, how will you manage in the thickets by the Jordan?

How indeed? How can Christians who are untested and un-chastened, and uncorrected remain faithful and on fire and loving towards God if they find the ‘easy’ times to be too difficult?

I know how bad it’s going to be, I had visions of the “time of the end”, it will be a hard, hard time. Jesus told me I’d be alive at that time. I think of the hymn ALL IS WELL WITH MY SOUL when those visions try to overwhelm me.

Make no mistake it is sin that God is going to punish and in His house it must be irradicated FIRST. Do not fear that which will kill the body, but rather that which will destroy the soul.

Lord, Help me to stand in the gap, to pray for mercy and correction for us as your people, Help us to seek after the comfort of knowing we are being chastened and corrected by you. Purify us Lord, prepare us to compete with horses, even in the thickets. Help us to be able to persevere in the face of persecution, help us to look to you for our salvation. And as Martin Luther wrote in the hymn A MIGHTY FORTRESS IS OUR GOD, ‘The body they may kill: God’s truth abideth still, His kingdom is forever.’ Guide us Lord, to be your Bride without spot or wrinkle presented to our Bridegroom to be seated at your banquet table. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

Troubling the waters

"After this there was a feast of the Jews; and Jesus went up to Jerusalem. Now there is at Jerusalem by the sheep market a pool, which is called in the Hebrew tongue Bethesda, having five porches. In these lay a great multitude of impotent folk, of blind, halt, withered, waiting for the moving of the water. For an angel went down at a certain season into the pool, and troubled the water: whosoever then first after the troubling of the water stepped in was made whole of whatsoever disease he had. And a certain man was there, which had an infirmity thirty and eight years. When Jesus saw him lie, and knew that he had been now a long time in that case, he saith unto him, Wilt thou be made whole? The impotent man answered him, Sir, I have no man, when the water is troubled, to put me into the pool: but while I am coming, another steppeth down before me. Jesus saith unto him, Rise, take up thy bed, and walk. And immediately the man was made whole, and took up his bed, and walked" - John 5:1-9

Life can be incredibly complicated and at times very uncomfortable. We can be in a lot of pain, or have many unhappy experiences. We can struggle and try our beast but ther are times when we have just NO one to help us when the waters are troubled. And as unbelievable as this may seem, Just about everyone has this same situation; no help in times of hardship.

Brothers, if someone is caught in a sin, you who are spiritual should restore him gently. But watch yourself, or you also may be tempted. 2 Carry each other's burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ. 3 If anyone thinks he is something when he is nothing, he deceives himself. 4 Each one should test his own actions. Then he can take pride in himself, without comparing himself to somebody else, 5 for each one should carry his own load. GALATIANS 6:2

You may ask how we can carry one another’s burdens. Well, we can start by praying and helping others.

what good is it, my brothers, if a man claims to have faith but has no deeds? Can such faith save him? 15 Suppose a brother or sister is without clothes and daily food. 16 If one of you says to him, "Go, I wish you well; keep warm and well fed," but does nothing about his physical needs, what good is it?JAMES 2:14

Times are hard right now, and we have lots of neighbors, and fellow church members who are suffering. Out of work, illness, loss, hunger. We can make a difference we can do our part; We can take what we can of the trouble in this world by hauling our own little bucketful ; getting rid of just a little bit.

Maybe our part is very small, giving a blanket to keep someone warm, a plate of food for someone who is hungry, a set of clothing taken from our closets to clothe someone,. Maybe we can visit someone in the hospital or in Jail. We can do a little and each little bit helps.

Lord, I have very little, I’m pretty inconsequential, I don’t know much, but Lord, use my hands to bless others, help me to be that bridge over troubled waters for someone, Help me to see the need and fill it for your Glory in this sorry world

JUDGMENT

YES, THERE WILL BE A JUDGMENT AND WE ARE RUSHING HEADLONG INTO THAT TIME. JUDE 1:5 Though you already know all this, I want to remind you that the Lord delivered his people out of Egypt, but later destroyed those who did not believe. 6 And the angels who did not keep their positions of authority but abandoned their own home--these he has kept in darkness, bound with everlasting chains for judgment on the great Day. 7 In a similar way, Sodom and Gomorrah and the surrounding towns gave themselves up to sexual immorality and perversion. They serve as an example of those who suffer the punishment of eternal fire.

PLEASE NOTE THERE WILL BE SCOFFERS CONCERNING GOD’S JUDGMENT, THEY ACT LIKE EVERYTHING IS OK, AND DENY THEIR GUILT BY RETENDING THERE IS NO DAY OF JUDGMENT. 2PE 3:3 First of all, you must understand that in the last days scoffers will come, scoffing and following their own evil desires. 4 They will say, "Where is this `coming' he promised? Ever since our fathers died, everything goes on as it has since the beginning of creation." 5 But they deliberately forget that long ago by God's word the heavens existed and the earth was formed out of water and by water. 6 By these waters also the world of that time was deluged and destroyed. 7 By the same word the present heavens and earth are reserved for fire, being kept for the day of judgment and destruction of ungodly men.

IT IS COMING SOON. REV 14:6 Then I saw another angel flying in midair, and he had the eternal gospel to proclaim to those who live on the earth--to every nation, tribe, language and people. 7 He said in a loud voice, "Fear God and give him glory, because the hour of his judgment has come. Worship him who made the heavens, the earth, the sea and the springs of water."

WE ARE HIS, HE HAS EVERY RIGHT TO EXPECT RIGHTEOUSNESS FROM US. IF WE LIVE WITH THE KNOWLEDGE OF GOD IN OUR LIVES REPENT AND LOVE MERCY WE WILL BE ABLE TO BE FEARLESS IN THE FACE OF JUDGMENT 1JN 4:13 We know that we live in him and he in us, because he has given us of his Spirit. And we have seen and testify that the Father has sent his Son to be the Savior of the world. If anyone acknowledges that Jesus is the Son of God, God lives in him and he in God. And so we know and rely on the love God has for us. God is love. Whoever lives in love lives in God, and God in him. In this way, love is made complete among us so that we will have confidence on the day of judgment, because in this world we are like him. There is no fear in love. But perfect love drives out fear, because fear has to do with punishment. The one who fears is not made perfect in love.

ANGELS ARE NOT EXEMPT FROM JUDGMENT WHY WOULD WE BE? IT IS ONLY IF WE REPENT AND YURN BACK TO HIM DO WE HAVE A CHANCE TO ESCAPE. 2PE 2:4 For if God did not spare angels when they sinned, but sent them to hell, putting them into gloomy dungeons to be held for judgment; if he did not spare the ancient world when he brought the flood on its ungodly people, but protected Noah, a preacher of righteousness, and seven others; if he condemned the cities of Sodom and Gomorrah by burning them to ashes, and made them an example of what is going to happen to the ungodly; and if he rescued Lot, a righteous man, who was distressed by the filthy lives of lawless men (for that righteous man, living among them day after day, was tormented in his righteous soul by the lawless deeds he saw and heard)-- if this is so, then the Lord knows how to rescue godly men from trials and to hold the unrighteous for the day of judgment, while continuing their punishment. This is especially true of those who follow the corrupt desire of the sinful nature and despise authority.Bold and arrogant, these men are not afraid to slander celestial beings; yet even angels, although they are stronger and more powerful, do not bring slanderous accusations against such beings in the presence of the Lord. But these men blaspheme in matters they do not understand. They are like brute beasts, creatures of instinct, born only to be caught and destroyed, and like beasts they too will perish.

GOD TELLS US WHY HE IS JUDGING HIS PEOPLE 2PE 2:13 They will be paid back with harm for the harm they have done. Their idea of pleasure is to carouse in broad daylight. They are blots and blemishes, reveling in their pleasures while they feast with you. With eyes full of adultery, they never stop sinning; they seduce the unstable; they are experts in greed--an accursed brood! They have left the straight way and wandered off to follow the way of Balaam son of Beor, who loved the wages of wickedness. But he was rebuked for his wrongdoing by a donkey--a beast without speech--who spoke with a man's voice and restrained the prophet's madness.

WE SEE HERE THAT GOD’S JUDGMENT WILL START IN HIS OWN PEOPLE, BUT AS IT SAYS, IF HE’S HARD ON US, HOW MUCH WORSE WIL IT BE FOR THE UNBELIEVERS. 1PE 4:12 Dear friends, do not be surprised at the painful trial you are suffering, as though something strange were happening to you. 13 But rejoice that you participate in the sufferings of Christ, so that you may be overjoyed when his glory is revealed. 14 If you are insulted because of the name of Christ, you are blessed, for the Spirit of glory and of God rests on you. 15 If you suffer, it should not be as a murderer or thief or any other kind of criminal, or even as a meddler. 16 However, if you suffer as a Christian, do not be ashamed, but praise God that you bear that name. 17 For it is time for judgment to begin with the family of God; and if it begins with us, what will the outcome be for those who do not obey the gospel of God?

HERE IS A SHORT LIST OF THE THINGS GOD WILL BRING ABOUT JUDGMENT FOR AND IT GOES RIGHT INTO WHAT HE WILL DO: ISA 65:2-9 All day long I have held out my hands to an obstinate people, who walk in ways not good, pursuing their own imaginations--a people who continually provoke me to my very face, offering sacrifices in gardens and burning incense on altars of brick; who sit among the graves and spend their nights keeping secret vigil; who eat the flesh of pigs, and whose pots hold broth of unclean meat; who say, `Keep away; don't come near me, for I am too sacred for you!' Such people are smoke in my nostrils, a fire that keeps burning all day. "See, it stands written before me: I will not keep silent but will pay back in full; I will pay it back into their laps-- both your sins and the sins of your fathers," says the LORD. "Because they burned sacrifices on the mountains and defied me on the hills, I will measure into their laps the full payment for their former deeds.”

IT ALL BOILS DOWN TO OPEN REBELLION AGAINST GOD IS WHAT HE WILL PUNISH. AM 5:3 This is what the Sovereign LORD says: “The city that marches out a thousand strong for Israel will have only a hundred left; the town that marches out a hundred strong will have only ten left." This is what the LORD says to the house of Israel: “Seek me and live; do not seek Bethel, do not go to Gilgal, do not journey to Beersheba. For Gilgal will surely go into exile, and Bethel will be reduced to nothing. " Seek the LORD and live, or he will sweep through the house of Joseph like a fire; it will devour, and Bethel will have no one to quench it. You who turn justice into bitterness and cast righteousness to the ground (he who made the Pleiades and Orion, who turns blackness into dawn and darkens day into night, who calls for the waters of the sea and pours them out over the face of the land- the LORD is his name—

MORE ON WHAT GOD HATES ABOUT HOW WE LIVE, HOW TREAT EACH OTHER AND WHAT WE NEED TO CHANGE ABOUT OURSELVES AM 5:10 you hate the one who reproves in court and despise him who tells the truth. You trample on the poor and force him to give you grain. Therefore, though you have built stone mansions, you will not live in them; though you have planted lush vineyards, you will not drink their wine. For I know how many are your offenses and how great your sins. You oppress the righteous and take bribes and you deprive the poor of justice in the courts. Therefore the prudent man keeps quiet in such times, for the times are evil. Seek good, not evil, that you may live. Then the LORD God Almighty will be with you, just as you say he is. Hate evil, love good; maintain justice in the courts. Perhaps the LORD God Almighty will have mercy on the remnant of Joseph.

THE LORD TELLS US WHAT HE WILL DO AND HOW WE MAY ESCAPE HIS WRATH JOEL 2:1 Blow the trumpet in Zion; sound the alarm on my holy hill. Let all who live in the land tremble, for the day of the LORD is coming. It is close at hand--a day of darkness and gloom, a day of clouds and blackness. Like dawn spreading across the mountains a large and mighty army comes, such as never was of old nor ever will be in ages to come. Before them fire devours, behind them a flame blazes. Before them the land is like the garden of Eden, behind them, a desert waste--nothing escapes them. They have the appearance of horses; they gallop along like cavalry. With a noise like that of chariots they leap over the mountaintops ,like a crackling fire consuming stubble, like a mighty army drawn up for battle. At the sight of them, nations are in anguish; Every face turns pale. They charge like warriors; they scale walls like soldiers. They all march in line, not swerving from their course. They do not jostle each other; each marches straight ahead. They plunge through defenses without breaking ranks. They rush upon the city;

They run along the wall. They climb into the houses; like thieves they enter through the windows. Before them the earth shakes, the sky trembles, the sun and moon are darkened, And the stars no longer shine. The LORD thunders at the head of his army; his forces are beyond number, and mighty are those who obey his command. The day of the LORD is great; it is dreadful. Who can endure it? "Even now," declares the LORD, "return to me with all your heart, with fasting and weeping and mourning." Rend your heart and not your garments. Return to the LORD your God, for he is gracious and compassionate, slow to anger and abounding in love, and he relents from sending calamity. Who knows? He may turn and have pity and leave behind a blessing--grain offerings and drink offerings for the LORD your God.

JUDGMENT? ARE YOU READY?

Lord, I ask that you see how small and frail I am, I am sorry I’ve allowed my walk with you to deteriorate. Please accept me back into your service, help me to be truly repentant, And Lord please come back to my life like it was before. Forgive me please!In Jesus' Name, Amen

PROVISION

ZEP 3:17 The LORD your God is with you, he is mighty to save. He will take great delight in you, he will quiet you with his love, he will rejoice over you with singing."

And I will bring the blind by a way that they knew not; I will lead them in paths that they have not known: I will make darkness light before them, and crooked things straight. These things will I do unto them, and not forsake them. ISAIAH 42:16

IN BIBLE TIMES THE BLIND WERE NOT SENT TO SPECIAL SCHOOLS TO LEARN HOW TO GET AROUND BEING BLIND; THEY WERE GENERALLY LED BY THE HAND. --- MT 12:22 Then they brought him a demon-possessed man who was blind and mute, and Jesus healed him, so that he could both talk and see. [23] All the people were astonished and said, "Could this be the Son of David?"---

MT 15:13 He replied, "Every plant that my heavenly Father has not planted will be pulled up by the roots. [14] Leave them; they are blind guides. If a blind man leads a blind man, both will fall into a pit."

THE IMAGE HERE IS OF A KIND, LOVING GOD WHO TAKES THE TIME TO LEAD US WHEN WE ARE IN A STRANGE PLACE AND HAVE ‘NO EYES TO SEE’ WHERE WE ARE TO GO.

IN SPEAKING OF THE OFFICIALS WHO DISAPPROVE OF GOD’S PEOPLE JESUS SAID: MT 10:26 "So do not be afraid of them. There is nothing concealed that will not be disclosed, or hidden that will not be made known. 27 What I tell you in the dark, speak in the daylight; what is whispered in your ear, proclaim from the roofs. 28 Do not be afraid of those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. Rather, be afraid of the One who can destroy both soul and body in hell. 29 Are not two sparrows sold for a penny? Yet not one of them will fall to the ground apart from the will of your Father. 30 And even the very hairs of your head are all numbered. 31 So don't be afraid; you are worth more than many sparrows.

We face a time that seems to be increasingly obvious that our rulers are pushing us as regular everyday people into a place where they can make our lives very scary. Our financial woes; unemployment coupled with big business looting the national ‘treasure’, the stock market bottoming out, and our threatened food supply-[high prices for food, much of our food made into auto fuel, crops failing, so many contaminated foods, etc] make our futures look very bleak. In addition there seems to be a conscious attack on our freedoms; both regular and religious ones. It is easy for Christians to worry that we’ll be targets soon and find ourselves unable to make a living and provide for our families. Take heart God provided for the Widow of Zarephath read the story in 1Kings 17:9-24 how the prophet Elijah was provided for in a time of famine and helped the widow as well when they were both faithful to what God asked them to do.

THEN SEE HOW THE PROPHET ELIJAH WAS ‘KEPT’ BY GOD DURING A TERRIBLE FAMINE AND DROUGHT: 1KI 17:2 Then the word of the LORD came to Elijah: 3 "Leave here, turn eastward and hide in the Kerith Ravine, east of the Jordan. 4 You will drink from the brook, and I have ordered the ravens to feed you there." So he did what the LORD had told him. He went to the Kerith Ravine, east of the Jordan, and stayed there. 6 The ravens brought him bread and meat in the morning and bread and meat in the evening, and he drank from the brook

GOD PROVIDES FOR THOSE HE CALLS HIS OWN. MT 7:7 "Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. 8 For everyone who asks receives; he who seeks finds; and to him who knocks, the door will be opened. "Which of you, if his son asks for bread, will give him a stone? 10 Or if he asks for a fish, will give him a snake? 11 If you, then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give good gifts to those who ask him! 12 So in everything, do to others what you would have them do to you, for this sums up the Law and the Prophets.

GOD IS MINDFUL OF OUR NEEDS HE KNOWS WHAT WE HAVE TO HAVE FOR LIFE: MT 6:25 "Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more important than food, and the body more important than clothes? 26 Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they? 27 Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to his life? "And why do you worry about clothes? See how the lilies of the field grow. They do not labor or spin. 29 Yet I tell you that not even Solomon in all his splendor was dressed like one of these. 30 If that is how God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today and tomorrow is thrown into the fire, will he not much more clothe you, O you of little faith? 31 So do not worry, saying, `What shall we eat?' or `What shall we drink?' or `What shall we wear?' 32 For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them. 33 But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. 34 Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.

Lord, I know there are times I tend to worry about the scary things the future might hold, I ask that you keep reminding me about the Lilies and the sparrows, the widows and the prophets. thank You for showing me in advance that I might have these fears and that you know and assure me You will take care of them for me. In Jesus' Name, Amen

PHARMAKEIA

see the sources I used at the bottom GAL 5:19-20 The acts of the sinful nature are obvious: sexual immorality, impurity and debauchery; idolatry and witchcraft; hatred, discord, jealousy, fits of rage, selfish ambition, dissensions, factions 21 and envy; drunkenness, orgies, and the like. I warn you, as I did before, that those who live like this will not inherit the kingdom of God.

The Greek word used here is "pharmakeia" and it means... to dispense medication or poison, sorcery, witchcraft...

Already we can see our modern word for drugs- phamacopia, [see also pharmacy- the place where drugs are distributed to people to mask symptoms rather than cure or heal.....]has its beginnings in a place none of us wants to think about.

(1) It should be noted that prescription drugs do not heal, and in most cases simply mask the problem prolonging agony, never approaching the root cause of the disease. The sad fact is, most doctors today do not attempt to heal their patients, instead they prescribe drugs for pain management, keeping patients on a never ending drug merry-go-round. Toxic drug ingredients build up within the body and eventually cause damage to vital organs which leads to death. Basically, taking drugs = shorter lifespan.

(2) A little background on "Pharmakeia" which is also a feminine noun that can be used collectively, it references the herbalist of the time who were almost always female. It was one of the few businesses available to single women, herbalism was complex so there was an aura of secrecy to it. They also were fond of saying incantations or using symbolic items etc to increase the "mystery" around their practice. It gave them both power and prestige, it would have also increased their incomes and perhaps the more mystical it appeared the greater price people were willing to pay for their "potions". These women challenged the authority structure of both Paul's church and the society of the time in general. The ability to heal, poison, abort fetuses, etc. gave them an incredible amount of power and would have created a diversion from God and Christianity. So, you have that aspect of that term used here. Later, there are frequent references in church writings (not scripture) referring to abortionist using the term "pharmakeia". Outside of the church Plutarch uses the term pharmakeia in reference to contraception and abortion. Clement of Alexandria identifies pharmakeia as an abortifacent. An early church council in the capital of Galatia referenced adulterous woman who who avail themselves to pharmakeia for abortion.

Vine's Expository Dictionary of New Testament Words an adjective signifying "devoted to magical arts," is used as a noun, "a sorcerer," especially one who uses drugs, potions, spells, enchantments, Rev. 21:8, in the best texts (some have pharmakeus), and Rev. 22:15.

Plato writes of Pharmakeia the Naias Nymphe of a poisonous spring near Athens, Orithyia is swept away by Boreas while she was playing with Pharmacia. Later Socrates compares the written texts Phaedrus has brought along to pharmakon, he describes it as both a cure and poison.

(3) In 1976, doctors in Los Angeles went on strike because of the rising cost of malpractice insurance. All elective and non-emergency surgery and medical attention were canceled. During that time, 18 percent fewer people died than usual.

(4) While stopping short of concluding the antidepressants definitely cause suicide,the FDA warned that they might do so in a small percentage of children and adults. Inthe debate over drug-induced suicide, little attention has been given to the FDA’sadditional warning that certain behaviors are “known to be associated with these drugs,”including “anxiety, agitation, panic attacks, insomnia, irritability, hostility, impulsivity,akathisia (severe restlessness), hypomania, and mania.”From agitation and hostility to impulsivity and mania, the FDA’s litany ofantidepressant-induced behaviors is identical to that of PCP, methamphetamine andcocaine—drugs known to cause aggression and violence. These older stimulants andmost of the newer antidepressants cause similar effects as a result of their impact on aneurotransmitter in the brain called serotonin.

A few case histories of violent behavior of children taking anti-depressants

(5) As a psychiatrist and as a medical expert, I have examined dozens of cases of individuals who have committed suicide or violent crimes while under the influence of the newer antidepressants such as Prozac, Zoloft, Paxil, Luvox and Celexa. In June in South Carolina, Christopher Pittman will go on trial for shooting his grandparents to death while they slept. Chris was twelve when his family doctor started him on Zoloft. Three weeks later the doctor doubled his dose and one week later Chris committed the violent acts. In other cases, a fourteen-year-old girl on Prozac fired a pistol pointblank at a friend but the gun failed to go off, and a teenage boy on Zoloft beat to death an elderly woman who complained to him about his loud music.

Oh I just had to add this:

(6) Just One Example of How Prescription Drugs Destroy Lives and a Safe Alternative Take this pill and you may become addicted to gambling, sex, or even paint your home a dozen times. What pill does that, you ask? Mirapex! That is the accusation made by hundreds of lawsuits, which have been brought against Boehringer Ingelheim Pharmaceuticals (BIP), the drug company that manufactures Mirapex. Originally conceived for treatment of Parkinson’s disease back in the 90’s, BIP scientists recently discovered another market for Mirapex: People who have something termed Restless Leg Syndrome (RLS). With this expanded market for RLS now in view and coupled with aggressive TV ads, BIP has increased annual Mirapex sales to $235 million in 2004 (up 63% from one year earlier). Consequences: We reap what we sow. People taking Mirapex are finding themselves feeling powerful urges to gamble, shop, have sex and eat compulsively. Many have stated that they find these urges uncontrollable, resulting often in broken marriages, bankruptcy, and host of psychological problems including depression and suicide. Many encounter legal problems in addition to everything else as a result of these compulsions. There are even cases where the complainants have painted their homes ten to fifteen times in the course of two months, and other idiosyncratic behaviors. In virtually every alleged case, the person involved had no prior history of obsessive or compulsive behaviors. Documented Mirapex clinical study side effects include, enlarged abdomen, suicide, peripheral vascular disease, heart failure, atrial fibrillation, arrhythmia, convulsions, cataract, glaucoma, and prostate disorders. Under the American Medical Association’s (AMA) guidelines, Mirapex falls under what the AMA calls “acceptable risk.”

But then with all these other problems your restless legs are a minor problem!

As a Christian I'm to trust that God will heal me. I can most certainly help this process by; as Hippocrates said "make my food my medicine". AND...

(7) The Bible teaches Christians to be sound of mind. "Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour" (I Peter 5:8). The Greek word translated as "sober" is nepho, which literally means "drink no wine." From this it derived a broader meaning being self-controlled, free of confusion, clear headed, sound of mind, or keeping your head. Because of this, Christians are to avoid intoxicants that cloud clear thinking. For example, alcohol is a depressant which can lower a person's inhibitions. Hosea links the use of alcohol with fornication. "Their drink is rebellion, they commit harlotry continually. Her rulers dearly love dishonor" (Hosea 4:18). Habakkuk warns, "Woe to you who make your neighbors drink, who mix in your venom even to make them drunk so as to look on their nakedness!" (Habakkuk 2:15). The reference to "mix in your venom" is the ancient practice of adding herbs (or drugs) to wine to make its intoxicating effects more potent. Christians have a hard enough time battling temptations with making Satan's job easier by taking drugs that alter one's judgment and self-control. Drug abuse was also closely associated with witchcraft and sorcery. The Greek word pharmakeia literally means "to administer drugs." As with our English word "drugs," the context must be considered to determine the meaning. If I say, "He is using drugs to control his cancer" we understand that it is for medicinal purposes. However, if I say, "He is using drugs at parties" we understand that it is recreational usage, or drug abuse that is being considered. According to Vine, pharmakeia "primarily signified 'the use of medicine, drugs, spells'; then 'poisoning'; then, 'sorcery.' In other words, pharmakeia has a range of meanings depending on the context. Strong indicates the same thing: "medication, by extension magic, literally or figuratively, sorcery, witchcraft."

If you reject this idea, celebrate satan and/or believe witchcraft is enlightenment, just go ahead and disreguard this entry. You may have my share of all the psychotropic drugs and indeed all other drugs as well!

Lord, I repent of the spirits I've allowed to rule me, I know I can't serve you and Mammon, I ask that you help me to recover from and get rid of this and all other wrong spirits I've allowed to rule my life. Fill me again with your Blessed Holy Spirit and allow it to rule in my life. In Jesus' Name, Amen

SOURCES http://www.steveholder.com/witchword.html (1)http://www.ghost-stop.com/Pharmakeia_aka_Witches.html (2)http://home.netcom.com/~horse/sorcery.html (3)http://members.aol.com/oddwonder/medicine.htm (4)http://64.233.167.104/search?q=cache:7DAZtlXL5HAJ:www.breggin.com/Newspaper%2520column--shortened.pdf+antidepressants+dangers&hl=en&ct=clnk&cd=1&gl=us (5)IBID (6)http://miracle-of-healing.blogspot.com/ (7)http://www.lavistachurchofchrist.org/LVanswers/2005/10-21.htm

IMAGES OF JESUS

It is Christmas time now and the vision we have of Jesus is of a mild, sweet, quiet baby. [Oh yes, he has to be quiet because-- crying is a sin?] Here we see a Jesus as an ineffectual baby, all of his basic needs being met by his parents? Do you see this scene when you think of Jesus

We next see Jesus as a pre-teen teaching the old men in the Temple. A callow youth giving the old scholars a run for their money. Is this what you see when you think about Him? Is he a brilliant child? Is he not quite grown, but still able to outstrip Adults?

Later He taught His disciples and was called a Shepherd for the people. He was known to gently lead His flock and care, protect, heal, feed, and guide them Do you see Jesus like this in your mind’s eye? Is he a teacher and a miracle worker but not exactly God?

After Jesus’ Ministry was finished here on Earth He was captured, tortured and killed in an horrific way. Is this your usual way to see Him? Is he a defeated broken, dying or dead man who goes the usual way of flesh, he dies and rots in the grave? Let's not forget he's not much good to anyone nailed up there, bleeding on the cross.

Or perhaps the Revelation Jesus coming back to defeat the enemy and gather His people is your favorite vision? Do you dream about this Jesus; the one who rides with a triumphant Army, and will come with a vengeance to punish those who have killed His saints; and will gather His people unto Him? GIVE ME JESUS song

Lord. You are the Mighty God who shelters me, I can hide under Your wing as You do battle for me in this perilous world, I trust in Your goodness and faithfulness, knowing Your ideas are best. I Thank You for being the rock I can run to, I praise You for being my Savior, I love You for being the one who died in my stead, and I worship You for being my God, and I see you as Triumphant, riding out to deliver Your people... In Jesus' Name, Amen

YEA THOUGH I WALK THROUGH,

The valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil..."(Ps. 23: 4a) How often have I recited this verse, first as a child, now as an adult. I hurry on by this one to get to the good stuff. Do you?

There's a lot in that phrase. The truth is that none of us lives in the heights. We all spend some time in the valley. We all have problems, worries, concerns, adverse circumstances, whatever you may wish to call them. It's part of being a human being, the way we, as Christians deal with these things is what is meant by, "I will fear no evil, for thou art with me."

Psalm 23 is and has always been my favorite Psalm, and I never tire of it. I've heard it analyzed, dissected, interpreted, and in several versions, but it speaks to me anew.

Those of you who know me, know that I teach about what God is dealing with me in my own life, so you get what the Lord is telling me.

As I read the Prophets in the Bible I tend to 'recognize' some of our own future in it. With the Stock market fluctuations and the monetary woes in many countries at once, there is a possibility of great economic trouble. If one were to paint a picture of such a disaster, we might see rioting, long lines to buy food at stores that are empty, looting of homes to find the basic necessities. Burning businesses when the demands of the public are not met. Our Government would then rush in to "protect" us by controlling us with the Armed forces. That's martial law. It is not a benevolent thing. Argentina had martial law and 10,000 people, mostly children are still missing, presumed dead. That's the bad news, now for the GOOD NEWS.

The next part of the verse is,"For thou art with me." Jesus said He would not leave us as orphans(Jn 14:18), and that God would never leave us or forsake us.(Heb. 13:5). So, when we are tempted to be afraid, to fear what the world can do to us, we can remember this verse. "Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for thou art with me." This is why it is so imperative that our relationship with our Savior is ongoing and fresh, so that we will be able to rest in the Knowledge that He will never leave us or forsake us, that we need fear NO evil. If our relationship is stale or lukewarm, how will we ever be able to see victory in the midst of chaos? Yea, though I walk through valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for Thou art with me."

Lord, Here I am again, Help me to be prepared for the times when you seem so much farther away, Help me to allow your purifying work to go on in my life so that I will not just believe but KNOW that your faithfulness reaches the skies, and that All things work together for Good for those who love you. In Jesus' Name, Amen

ESCAPIST CHRISTIANS VS. THE SPOTLESS BRIDE

MATTHEW 24:6-13 You will hear of wars and rumors of wars, but see to it that you are not alarmed. Such things must happen, but the end is still to come. Nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. There will be famines and earthquakes in various places. All these are the beginning of birth pains. "Then you will be handed over to be persecuted and put to death, and you will be hated by all nations because of me. AT THAT TIME MANY WILL TURN AWAY FROM THE FAITH AND WILL BETRAY AND HATE EACH OTHER, [11] and many false prophets will appear and deceive many people. Because of the increase of wickedness, the love of most will grow cold, BUT HE WHO STANDS FIRM TO THE END WILL BE SAVED.

MATTHEW 25:1-13 Then shall the kingdom of heaven be likened unto ten virgins, which took their lamps, and went forth to meet the bridegroom. And five of them were wise, and five were foolish They that were foolish took their lamps, and took no oil with them: But the wise took oil in their vessels with their lamps. While the bridegroom tarried, they all slumbered and slept.And at midnight there was a cry made, Behold, the bridegroom cometh; go ye out to meet him. Then all those virgins arose, and trimmed their lamps. And the foolish said unto the wise, Give us of your oil; for our lamps are gone out. But the wise answered, saying, Not so; lest there be not enough for us and you: but go ye rather to them that sell, and buy for yourselves. And while they went to buy, the bridegroom came; and they that were ready went in with him to the marriage: and the door was shut. Afterward came also the other virgins, saying, Lord, Lord, open to us. But he answered and said, Verily I say unto you, I know you not. Watch therefore, for ye know neither the day nor the hour wherein the Son of man cometh.

Here we see what happens to those who are not until the end as Jesus admonishes in Matthew 24-13. They never become the Bride of Christ.

I don know what that means in terms of our Salvation, Many insist we cannot lose it, and indeed it says no one can take us from His hand, yet, Jesus says [just after He tells us of the Virgins-he talks of the man who squanders His in verse 30: throw that worthless servant outside, into the darkness, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.' So, it doesn sound like heaven to me. Maybe we are free to walk away from God, and can thereby not make it into the heaven we expect to go to.

On another note, we as Christians experience many trials and hardships, We know that God will be perfecting us, but do not seem to make the connection that these troubles are part of His plan and we need to participate in them as a work done in our hearts. What do we do whenever some problem presents itself?

Ah, yes, we start rebuking satan and demanding that God relieves us of all the suffering. But what if instead of always escaping that purifying fire, we asked God to tell us what it is we are to learn from this trouble? What if we endured and asked for perseverance rather than relief?

I hear all the time, so tired of hearing about how bad it is going to be, I KNOW MY GOD IS GOOD AND HE WILL TAKE CARE OF ME And everyone cheers and crows. But have any of these cheerers ever really gone through any terrible suffering that their money, or drugs or some other modern panacea has not protected them from? Have they ever stayed firm in God while the furnace rages around them? Are they wise or foolish virgins?

Elijah was fed by a crow, would we accept that as a form of God providence? Could we survive on grain and a little oil as a daily ration? What if it was all we had? Would we still think God is a good God? Would we fall away? Would we accept the Mark of the Beast if we absolutely could not make any money any other way? Ok, now, Who is my God? Is it Money or The Lord?

What would I do if I were imprisoned as it says in MATTHEW 24:9, AND God didn open the jail and let me out? Would I, as did Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego, tell the Authorities, we are thrown into the blazing furnace, the God we serve is able to save us from it, and he will rescue us from your hand, O king. BUT EVEN IF HE DOES NOT, WE WANT YOU TO KNOW, O KING, THAT WE WILL NOT SERVE YOUR GODS OR WORSHIP THE IMAGE OF GOLD YOU HAVE SET UP." DANIEL 3:16-18

REVELATION 3:4-6 Yet you have a few people in Sardis who have not soiled their clothes. They will walk with me, dressed in white, for they are worthy. He who overcomes will, like them, be dressed in white. I will never blot out his name from the book of life, but will acknowledge his name before my Father and his angels. He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches.

A Wise virgin Listens to what the Lord wants him/her to do, they allow God to do His purifying work in them and patiently awaits the answer God has for them. And if you believe that God will help you in the hard times, that's great, but will He? HEBREWS 11: 6 And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him. WILL I ACTUALLY HAVE THAT FAITH IF I HAVEN'T BEEN DILIGENTLY, EARNESTLY SEEKING HIM BEFORE HARD TIMES HIT? I think this is the Whole crux of purification, Am I ready- because in times past when bad things happened, have I accepted God's decision to wait in the furnace? Have I accepted that bad things do happen but God will, eventually, make those bad things into Good? Or have I focused on the bad things that are still happening and been disappointed in God?

Lord, Help me, for my flesh is so weak and I want to just get rid of all the biting fleas this world has to hurt and annoy me. Help me to endure the Chastening, and patiently undergo the purifying fire that makes me scream to be freed. Make me to be a Mighty Warrior for the end times and part of your Purified Bride. In Jesus' Name, Amen

BEING CHRISTLIKE

EPHESIANS 5:1 Be imitators of God, therefore, as dearly loved children [2] and live a life of love, just as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us as a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God.

EPHESIANS 5:8 For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Live as children of light [9] (for the fruit of the light consists in all goodness, righteousness and truth) [10] and find out what pleases the Lord. [11] Have nothing to do with the fruitless deeds of darkness, but rather expose them. [12] For it is shameful even to mention what the disobedient do in secret. [13] But everything exposed by the light becomes visible, [14] for it is light that makes everything visible. This is why it is said: "Wake up, O sleeper, rise from the dead, and Christ will shine on you."

PSALM 57:6 They have prepared a net for my steps; my soul is bowed down: they have digged a pit before me, into the midst whereof they are fallen themselves

Psalm 35:7 For without cause they hid their net for me; Without cause they dug a pit for my soul.

Psalm 140:5 The proud have hidden a trap for me, and cords; They have spread a net by the wayside; They have set snares for me

Psalm 145:14 The LORD sustains all who fall And raises up all who are bowed down.

Proverbs 26:27 He who digs a pit will fall into it, And he who rolls a stone, it will come back on him.

This is a two-part devotional, First that we show that we are different from the World and that the World who is so set against God AND US!, will be finally Judged by a Just and faithful God.

REVELATION 16:3-6 The second angel poured out his bowl on the sea, and it turned into blood like that of a dead man, and every living thing in the sea died. The third angel poured out his bowl on the rivers and springs of water, and they became blood. Then I heard the angel in charge of the waters say: "You are just in these judgments, you who are and who were, the Holy One, because you have so judged;

REV 6:9-11 When he opened the fifth seal, I saw under the altar the souls of those who had been slain because of the word of God and the testimony they had maintained. They called out in a loud voice, "How long, Sovereign Lord, holy and true, until you judge the inhabitants of the earth and avenge our blood?" Then each of them was given a white robe, and they were told to wait a little longer, until the number of their fellow servants and brothers who were to be killed as they had been was completed.

There is no more time to be pew-warmers. No more room in our lives to waste in frittering and living in our so-called [by us] petty sin. It time to trim the fat of excess in our lives; to live as Christians lived way back when the Church first began. It time to learn how to be Christ-like to be ready for the Judgment God is bringing on this earth. If you really believe you are going to be out of the troubles the time is already past my friend. Trouble is here, it been here for most of the rest of the World. Like the dinosaur with the tiny brain, death has begun and we just do not know it yet.

Love is the capstone of being Christ-like. Loving our fellow Church members has always been hard, but we must love our neighbors, enemies and even lost

For God so loved the World He gave His only begotten son that whosoever believes in Him will be saved. What is our response to this? Do we also love that grouchy man with the messy yard down the street? Do we love the stumbling drunk who passes through our neighborhood enough to tell him about God plan for Salvation? Do we go into the hedgerows and alleyways to seek and save those who are perishing without Jesus? Do we speak to avowed anti-God people? Do we tell Witches and New Agers how they can obtain the Hope of Glory in Christ? If someone rejects the message do we shake our heads and walk away? Do we pray before we go out to tell of the Good News so God will give us the words to say to each person? Are we working in our strength or Gods?

Looking like Christ is to for our fellow man; even that fellow man who digs a pit for us to fall into?

Lord, I know you will be coming for your Church when the time is right, when the preordained number of your people have been killed by our enemy. Help me not just endure but to thrive in this perilous time by using it to garner more souls to occupy heaven when you ride in victoriously to destroy the works of Evil and restore your Kingdom here on earth. Be with me Lord and guide my tongue and my actions when I near those you have designated to speak with about your love for them. Show my spirit that their fate in the Judgment is so abhorrent it overcomes my natural reticence in telling them the truth. I want to be Christ-like. Jesus' Name, Amen

THE MAN OF LAWLESSNESS

2TH 2:1 Concerning the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ and our being gathered to him, we ask you, brothers, [2] not to become easily unsettled or alarmed by some prophecy, report or letter supposed to have come from us, saying that the day of the Lord has already come. [3] Don't let anyone deceive you in any way, for that day will not come until the rebellion occurs and the man of lawlessness is revealed, the man doomed to destruction. [4] He will oppose and will exalt himself over everything that is called God or is worshiped, so that he sets himself up in God's temple, proclaiming himself to be God.

2TH 2:5 Don't you remember that when I was with you I used to tell you these things? [6] And now you know what is holding him back, so that he may be revealed at the proper time. [7] For the secret power of lawlessness is already at work; but the one who now holds it back will continue to do so till he is taken out of the way. [8] And then the lawless one will be revealed, whom the Lord Jesus will overthrow with the breath of his mouth and destroy by the splendor of his coming. [9] The coming of the lawless one will be in accordance with the work of Satan displayed in all kinds of counterfeit miracles, signs and wonders, [10] and in every sort of evil that deceives those who are perishing. They perish because they refused to love the truth and so be saved. [11] For this reason God sends them a powerful delusion so that they will believe the lie [12] and so that all will be condemned who have not believed the truth but have delighted in wickedness.

Let no one deceive you in any way; for it will not come unless the apostasy (falling away) comes first, and the man of lawlessness is revealed, the son of destruction,

The NIV version calls it rebellion, the King James calls it falling away or apostasy. Both words can be viewed in the same light here. Both refer to the same thing Isaiah is talking about here:

ISA 5:20 Woe to those who call evil good and good evil, who put darkness for light and light for darkness, who put bitter for sweet and sweet for bitter. AND

ISA 3:9 The look on their faces testifies against them; they parade their sin like Sodom; they do not hide it. Woe to them! They have brought disaster upon themselves. AND

ISA 5:8 Woe to you who add house to house and join field to field till no space is left and you live alone in the land. AND

ISA 5:11 Woe to those who rise early in the morning to run after their drinks, who stay up late at night till they are inflamed with wine. AND

ISA 5:21 Woe to those who are wise in their own eyes and clever in their own sight. Woe to those who are heroes at drinking wine and champions at mixing drinks, who acquit the guilty for a bribe, but deny justice to the innocent.

Allowing for a few cultural differences, like a current preference for beer and hard liquor, instead of wine it pretty much sounds like today doesn’t it? This country [the USA, Korea, and most of the other English speaking countries] used to be predominately Christian, but not any more. Does this sound like we’ve fallen away? Are not most even Christian Marriages now preformed just prior to a birth or at least post fornication… Aren’t certain groups who advocate what the Bible calls abomination not parading proudly in the streets? Do we not kill our unborn children, and lets please see what the Bible says about that.

EZE 20:30 –31 "Therefore say to the house of Israel: `This is what the Sovereign LORD says: Will you defile yourselves the way your fathers did and lust after their vile images? [31] When you offer your gifts--the sacrifice of your sons in the fire— EZE 16:20 " `And you took your sons and daughters whom you bore to me and sacrificed them as food to the idols. Was your prostitution not enough? [21] You slaughtered my children and sacrificed them to the idols. [22] In all your detestable practices and your prostitution you did not remember the days of your youth, when you were naked and bare, kicking about in your blood.

Jeremiah 16:12 But you have behaved more wickedly than your fathers. See how each of you is following the stubbornness of his evil heart instead of obeying me. [13] So I will throw you out of this land into a land neither you nor your fathers have known, and there you will serve other gods day and night, for I will show you no favor.'

Remember sacrificing children to gods is the same in God’s eyes as killing them for convenience sake. What ever is our prime motivation is our god. This explains it nicely: PS 106:37-39 They sacrificed their sons and their daughters to demons. They shed innocent blood, the blood of their sons and daughters, whom they sacrificed to the idols of Canaan, and the land was desecrated by their blood. They defiled themselves by what they did; by their deeds they prostituted themselves.

EZE 16:23 " `Woe! Woe to you, declares the Sovereign LORD. In addition to all your other wickedness, [24] you built a mound for yourself and made a lofty shrine in every public square. [25] At the head of every street you built your lofty shrines and degraded your beauty, offering your body with increasing promiscuity to anyone who passed by. [26] You engaged in prostitution with the Egyptians, your lustful neighbors, and provoked me to anger with your increasing promiscuity. [27] So I stretched out my hand against you and reduced your territory; I gave you over to the greed of your enemies, the daughters of the Philistines, who were shocked by your lewd conduct. [28] You engaged in prostitution with the Assyrians too, because you were insatiable; and even after that, you still were not satisfied. [29] Then you increased your promiscuity to include Babylonia, a land of merchants, but even with this you were not satisfied.

But God will rain down justice on those both of the family of God and unbelievers

Jeremiah 16:33 Then the carcasses of this people will become food for the birds of the air and the beasts of the earth, and there will be no one to frighten them away. [34] I will bring an end to the sounds of joy and gladness and to the voices of bride and bridegroom in the towns of Judah and the streets of Jerusalem, for the land will become desolate. Eze.20:45 There you will remember your conduct and all the actions by which you have defiled yourselves, and you will loathe yourselves for all the evil you have done.

By these verses we are all Lawless, but there is coming a certain man of lawlessness if we can take this literally: “The coming of the lawless one will be in accordance with the work of Satan displayed in all kinds of counterfeit miracles, signs and wonders, [10] and in every sort of evil that deceives those who are perishing. They perish because they refused to love the truth and so be saved” “the man of lawlessness is[will be] revealed, the son of destruction, Who opposes and exalts himself above everything that is called God or worshipped, so that he takes his seat in the temple of God, displaying himself as being God.” The Anti-Christ. But before we worry about who this might be, we might be more concerned with our own lawlessness in this time of rebellion or falling away. Remember Judgment begins in the House of God, we need to revive ourselves to become the pure and spotless church.

1 Peter 4:12-18 Dear friends, do not be surprised at the painful trial you are suffering, as though something strange were happening to you. But rejoice that you participate in the sufferings of Christ, so that you may be overjoyed when his glory is revealed. If you are insulted because of the name of Christ, you are blessed, for the Spirit of glory and of God rests on you. If you suffer, it should not be as a murderer or thief or any other kind of criminal, or even as a meddler. [However, if you suffer as a Christian, do not be ashamed, but praise God that you bear that name. For it is time for judgment to begin with the family of God; and if it begins with us, what will the outcome be for those who do not obey the gospel of God? And,
"If it is hard for the righteous to be saved, what will become of the ungodly and the sinner?"

Lord, Help me to clean up my act so that I need not be ashamed when I suffer for your sake [that I contributed to my judgment by my own lawlessness.] No matter who the Anti-Christ is I know You set this table and You alone are in control... Help me to stay very close to you and to be that arrow in Your bow that You send forth to accomplish Your will in this troubled land. It doesn really matter what the future holds for me because You hold it in your hand, and I here hiding out in your shadow. In Jesus Name, Amen

FOOLISH THINGS

1 Corinthians 1:26-31 Brothers, think of what you were when you were called. Not many of you were wise by human standards; not many were influential; not many were of noble birth. But God chose the foolish things of the world to shame the wise; God chose the weak things of the world to shame the strong. He chose the lowly things of this world and the despised things--and the things that are not--to nullify the things that are, so that no one may boast before him. It is because of him that you are in Christ Jesus, who has become for us wisdom from God--that is, our righteousness, holiness and redemption. Therefore, as it is written: "Let him who boasts boast in the Lord."

PSALMS 8:3-5 When I consider your heavens, the work of your fingers, the moon and the stars, which you have set in place, what is man that you are mindful of him, the son of man that you care for him? You made him a little lower than the heavenly beings and crowned him with glory and honor.

My husband likes to remind me often of my many faults. And they are many. More than I can count, believe me when I say I’m a completely worthless human being. All those statements above that are underlined define me to a Tee. I’m just an old crippled woman with nothing to say for myself, so Why God would want me is completely beyond me. Often I have to ask why He does bother with me, I’m not success, even my parents had no use for me, and I had two sets.

Years after I had to split up with a girlfriend whom I had always thought was a best friend, [my only friend] I learned she had never ever been my friend. If I’m this worthless to other people how could God ever have any purpose for my life? Yes; lowly, despised, weak, and foolish are good describers for me. Yet God did call me and He does find small niches to put me in to benefit others. At least I hope I’m of some use to others.

Many of us have moments of despair and wonder if and why God wants us. We see only our faults and cry, “Who am I that You would look on me?”

HOW GREAT THOU ART

O Lord my God, When I in awesome wonder, Consider all the worlds Thy Hands have made; I see the stars, I hear the rolling thunder, Thy power throughout the universe displayed.

Then sings my soul, My Saviour God, to Thee, How great Thou art, How great Thou art. Then sings my soul, My Saviour God, to Thee, How great Thou art, How great Thou art!

When through the woods, and forest glades I wander, And hear the birds sing sweetly in the trees. When I look down, from lofty mountain grandeur And see the brook, and feel the gentle breeze.

Then sings my soul, My Saviour God, to Thee, How great Thou art, How great Thou art. Then sings my soul, My Saviour God, to Thee, How great Thou art, How great Thou art!

And when I think, that God, His Son not sparing; Sent Him to die, I scarce can take it in; That on the Cross, my burden gladly bearing, He bled and died to take away my sin.

Then sings my soul, My Saviour God, to Thee, How great Thou art, How great Thou art. Then sings my soul, My Saviour God, to Thee, How great Thou art, How great Thou art!

When Christ shall come, with shout of acclamation, And take me home, what joy shall fill my heart. Then I shall bow, in humble adoration, And then proclaim: "My God, how great Thou art!"

Then sings my soul, My Saviour God, to Thee, How great Thou art, How great Thou art. Then sings my soul, My Saviour God, to Thee, How great Thou art, How great Thou art!

Oh Lord, I know you are an awesome God and I’m not. I know my duty is to act justly, love Mercy and live Humbly with you. Beyond that; is the gravy. Any notice You take of me, any small job You may have for me is the topper on the cake, it is nearly more than I can bare that You take any notice of me at all. In Jesus' Name, Amen

WEEDS REVISITED

MATTHEW 25:41-43 "Then he will say to those on his left, `Depart from me, you who are cursed, into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels. For I was hungry and you gave me nothing to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me nothing to drink, I was a stranger and you did not invite me in, I needed clothes and you did not clothe me, I was sick and in prison and you did not look after me.'

MATTHEW 7:21-23 "Not everyone who says to me, `Lord, Lord,' will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only he who does the will of my Father who is in heaven. Many will say to me on that day, `Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, and in your name drive out demons and perform many miracles?' Then I will tell them plainly, `I never knew you. Away from me, you evildoers!'

MATTHEW 13:24-30 Jesus told them another parable: "The kingdom of heaven is like a man who sowed good seed in his field. But while everyone was sleeping, his enemy came and sowed weeds among the wheat, and went away. When the wheat sprouted and formed heads, then the weeds also appeared. "The owner's servants came to him and said, `Sir, didn't you sow good seed in your field? Where then did the weeds come from?' " `An enemy did this,' he replied. "The servants asked him, `Do you want us to go and pull them up?' " `No,' he answered, `because while you are pulling the weeds, you may root up the wheat with them. Let both grow together until the harvest. At that time I will tell the harvesters: First collect the weeds and tie them in bundles to be burned; then gather the wheat and bring it into my barn.' "

MATTHEW 15:1-9 Then some Pharisees and teachers of the law came to Jesus from Jerusalem and asked, "Why do your disciples break the tradition of the elders? They don't wash their hands before they eat!" Jesus replied, "And why do you break the command of God for the sake of your tradition? For God said, `Honor your father and mother' and `Anyone who curses his father or mother must be put to death.' But you say that if a man says to his father or mother, `Whatever help you might otherwise have received from me is a gift devoted to God,' he is not to `honor his father' with it. Thus you nullify the word of God for the sake of your tradition. You hypocrites! Isaiah was right when he prophesied about you: " `These people honor me with their lips, but their hearts are far from me. They worship me in vain; their teachings are but rules taught by men.' "

JOHN 15:5-8 "I am the vine; you are the branches. If a man remains in me and I in him, he will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing. If anyone does not remain in me, he is like a branch that is thrown away and withers; such branches are picked up, thrown into the fire and burned. If you remain in me and my words remain in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be given you. This is to my Father's glory, that you bear much fruit, showing yourselves to be my disciples.

ROMANS 11:17-21 If some of the branches have been broken off, and you, though a wild olive shoot, have been grafted in among the others and now share in the nourishing sap from the olive root, do not boast over those branches. If you do, consider this: You do not support the root, but the root supports you. You will say then, "Branches were broken off so that I could be grafted in." Granted. But they were broken off because of unbelief, and you stand by faith. Do not be arrogant, but be afraid. For if God did not spare the natural branches, he will not spare you either.

I think this is already pretty self-evident. I’m sure we all know those who “are saved” but live like “the devil”, apparently, God is not fooled by Church attendance, nor will He be mocked by those who say, “Hahah, I’ve got fire insurance because once; years ago, I said a prayer.”

GALATIANS 5:19-21 The acts of the sinful nature are obvious: sexual immorality, impurity and debauchery; idolatry and witchcraft; hatred, discord, jealousy, fits of rage, selfish ambition, dissensions, factions and envy; drunkenness, orgies, and the like. I warn you, as I did before, that those who live like this will not inherit the kingdom of God.

1 JOHN 3:7-10 Dear children, do not let anyone lead you astray. He who does what is right is righteous, just as he is righteous. He who does what is sinful is of the devil, because the devil has been sinning from the beginning. The reason the Son of God appeared was to destroy the devil's work. No one who is born of God will continue to sin, because God's seed remains in him; he cannot go on sinning, because he has been born of God. This is how we know who the children of God are and who the children of the devil are: Anyone who does not do what is right is not a child of God; nor is anyone who does not love his brother.

1 SAMUEL 2:30 those who honor me I will honor, and those who despise me shall be lightly esteemed.' "

JOHN 14:15 "If you love me, you will obey what I command.

JOHN 10-27-29 My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me. I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; no one can snatch them out of my hand. My Father, who has given them to me, is greater than all; no one can snatch them out of my Father's hand.

This last statement is cited for the doctrine of ETERNAL SECURITY [a teaching of man- see Matthew15:9]. And it is quite true that no governmental or Papal decree can remove you from the rolls in the Book of Life, but I can most certainly walk away of my own freewill. I can destroy my entrance into Heaven by refusing to live a decent life, by hurting people and by not being [see above verses see esp. Galatians 5] a Christian in truth. I can be Wheat or weeds.

Lord, there are so many things to learn about how to be a Christian, people will point out so many ideas, codes and commands in Your Word, I despair of getting it right. Yet You say it is so simple even a child can understand. Help me to see You from a Child’s point of view so that I can be a mighty warrior for these end times. Help me to be the person who is kind and generous to others, help me to know You better so that I’m not the Galatians 5:19 person. Forgive my sins, and help me to stop sinning. I DO NOT want to be a weed, Help me Lord. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

WHAT IF TROUBLE COMES; WHAT IS MY RESPONSE?

PSALMS 103:1-3 Bless the LORD, O my soul, And all that is within me, bless His holy name. Bless the LORD, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits: -who forgives all your sins and heals all your diseases, who redeems your life from the pit and crowns you with love and compassion,

All good things come from God, He never changes- He is all we need He loves us; showers us with blessings, and we are not to forget those blessings, we can be thankful and proclaim them to the world. He even tells us if we do have a need or a want to ask Him and He will bless us even more. He asks us to reach higher and stretch our spiritual muscles to do His work here on earth. He asks us to do things we cannot do but need to be done so He aids us in those impossible tasks. The great thing about all of this is that He lifts us up to be the best we can be Without joining the US Army.

This reminds me of the song You raise me up When I am down and, oh my soul, so weary; When troubles come and my heart burdened be; Then, I am still and wait here in the silence, Until you come and sit awhile with me.

You raise me up, so I can stand on mountains; You raise me up, to walk on stormy seas; I am strong, when I am on your shoulders; You raise me up: To more than I can be.

[There is no life - no life without its hunger; Each restless heart beats so imperfectly; But when you come and I am filled with wonder, Sometimes, I think I glimpse eternity]

You raise me up, so I can stand on mountains; You raise me up, to walk on stormy seas; I am strong, when I am on your shoulders; You raise me up: To more than I can be.

MATTHEW 7:24-27 "Therefore everyone who hears these words of mine and puts them into practice is like a wise man who built his house on the rock. [25] The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house; yet it did not fall, because it had its foundation on the rock. [26] But everyone who hears these words of mine and does not put them into practice is like a foolish man who built his house on sand. [27] The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house, and it fell with a great crash."

Jesus tells us He is our rock, if The Rock is our foundation, then we will stand, if not we will blow away like a shack on the sand in a Hurricane.

So, if all is lost, I have no job, no income no food, who will I turn to? If the Doctor tells me, “There is no hope.” Who is my rock?

How do I face the coming storms? I stand on the Rock, my feet firmly rooted.

Lord, I tend to get so fearful when the waves of the storm threaten to engulf me, I am so weak and small. Then I remember, I have a friend who is sticking much more closely than even a brother would, I have the rock whose very shadow offers me protection, whose faithfulness is a shield and a mighty fortress against calamity. I have my Jesus to whom I can pour out my troubles, even if I am not in need of a rescue. In Jesus Name, Amen

OBEDIENCE IS BETTER THAN SACRIFICE-1 Samuel 15:22 "To obey is better than sacrifice"

1SAIAH 15:22-23 But Samuel replied: "Does the LORD delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices as much as in obeying the voice of the LORD? To obey is better than sacrifice, and to heed is better than the fat of rams. For rebellion is like the sin of divination, and arrogance like the evil of idolatry.

JEREMIAH 17:7-8 "But blessed is the man who trusts in the LORD, Whose confidence is in him. He will be like a tree planted by the water that sends out its roots by the stream. It does not fear when heat comes; its leaves are always green. It has no worries in a year of drought and never fails to bear fruit."

The Christian who is prosperous in Hard times is the one who has given up On the counsel of the ungodly, and who Has cast himself on the Word of God As his only guide.-David Wilkerson

Saul; the King the Israelites wanted to have over them, was commanded to utterly destroy the Amelekites [who had attacked them on their way out of Egypt]. Saul was told to kill off all the people and everything they owned. Saul killed everyone except for the King of those people and the best of their flocks, then Samuel came out to see what was going on, and Saul tried to backwater on his disobedience to say they planned to sacrifice those fine animals to God, Samuel called it plunder [spoils taken from conquering] and said: Does the LORD delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices as much as in obeying the voice of the LORD? To obey is better than sacrifice, and to heed is better than the fat of rams. For rebellion is like the sin of divination, and arrogance like the evil of idolatry. Thereby completely ruining Saul’s excuses.

Samuel was telling him that God doesn’t need our second-guessing, He doesn’t want us to obey partly but completely.

Witchcraft is considered a really terrible wickedness because it is trying to do an end run around God’s will for your life by trying to manipulate the natural order.

God wants us to rely on Him, not luck, not spells, not divination, nor on our own understanding. In fact He tells us in PROVERBS 3:5-6 Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight.

He even wants us to enquire of Him to know where we should go and what to do when we get there.

How does this relate to today? Well life is getting harder all the time and if we believe Revelation and Daniel it’s going to be much worse.

AMOS 5:18-19 …the day of the LORD? That day will be darkness, not light. It will be as though a man fled from a lion only to meet a bear, as though he entered his house and rested his hand on the wall only to have a snake bite him.

In a scenario like this it just might be a good idea to have the kind of relationship with God where He can direct your path.

People go on and on on how to prepare for the coming hard times, but consider this. The common wisdom is to prepare an emergency kit in a barrel. So you have your watertight barrel filled to the lid with first aid things, bandages, food, water even a generator and extra clothing and other supplies and your first emergency is a tornado that takes your barrel away and deposits it in the yard of an old Lady who is praying that the Lord will take care of her needs.

Lord, I know so little of my even immediate future yet You know exactly where I should place my foot to keep me from needless dangers. Help me Lord, to lean on your strong arm and wonderful counsel to keep me safe. In Jesus’ Name, Amen

CHERISHING SIN

PSALMS 66:16-19 Come and listen, all you who fear God; let me tell you what he has done for me. I cried out to him with my mouth; his praise was on my tongue. If I had cherished sin in my heart, the Lord would not have listened; But God has surely listened and heard my voice in prayer.

John 17:7 If you abide in Me, and My words abide in you, you will ask what you desire, and it shall be done for you

Romans 8:1 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.

Matthew 6:33 But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you.

HEBREWS 11:6 And without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is and that He is a rewarder of those who seek Him.

People often site that God doesn’t exist due to the evidence that He hasn’t done anything for them, or some disaster. But then Why should He if this person hasn’t submitted to Him in the first place, He is a gentleman who doesn’t interfere with people who refuse Him.

Even so- often there are those of us who claim we have submitted to Him and are suffering yet we do not “abide” in Him, we do not “seek” Him, we do not repent. We are busily cherishing our sins in our hearts, we do not acknowledge them before God and ask for forgiveness. We hang on to our hatreds we hang onto our anger and feelings of retribution, or require at least an acknowledgement that someone has wronged us and needs punishment.

A dictionary definition: Repentance is a change of thought and action to correct a wrong and gain forgiveness from a person who is wronged. In religious contexts it usually refers to confession to God, ceasing sin against God, and resolving to live according to religious law. It typically includes an admission of guilt, a promise or resolve not to repeat the offense; an attempt to make restitution for the wrong, or in some way to reverse the harmful effects of the wrong where possible.

2 CHRONICALS 30:6b-9 "People of Israel, return to the LORD, the God of Abraham, Isaac and Israel, that he may return to you who are left, who have escaped from the hand of the kings of Assyria. Do not be like your fathers and brothers, who were unfaithful to the LORD, the God of their fathers, so that he made them an object of horror, as you see. Do not be stiff-necked, as your fathers were; submit to the LORD. Come to the sanctuary, which he has consecrated forever. Serve the LORD your God, so that his fierce anger will turn away from you. If you return to the LORD, then your brothers and your children will be shown compassion by their captors and will come back to this land, for the LORD your God is gracious and compassionate. He will not turn his face from you if you return to him."

LUKE 13:1 Now there were some present at that time who told Jesus about the Galileans whose blood Pilate had mixed with their sacrifices. Jesus answered, "Do you think that these Galileans were worse sinners than all the other Galileans because they suffered this way? I tell you, no! But unless you repent, you too will all perish. Or those eighteen who died when the tower in Siloam fell on them--do you think they were more guilty than all the others living in Jerusalem? I tell you, no! But unless you repent, you too will all perish."

PROVERBS 14:12 There is a way that seems right to a man, but in the end it leads to death.

God is telling me that no matter how I shake it or justify myself if I’m in sin, If I haven’t asked for forgiveness, then He just can’t help me. Death is the only thing left for me. So if I refuse His free gift of salvation, I will earn death, God will turn His face from me and I’ll be left out when others are marching off to heaven, but it’s even more immediate than that. When I expect deliverance from troubles in this life God is not predisposed to help in now either.

Lord, I’ve seen how my sin affects others and how it affects me, I am so sorry for all of the wickedness and iniquity in my life. I have sinned against you and I am heartily ashamed and sorry, I ask that you forgiveness and know that you are true to your word and are even now, restoring me to the righteousness that Jesus placed on me, as your child, on the cross. In Jesus Name, Amen

A LIVING WATER DEVOTIONAL

Katy Brezger webriter@verizon.net subscribe in the subject line, send ME AN EMAIL

Email: webriter@verizon.net