Trampled On or Trampling On 83

"You are the salt of the earth. But if the salt loses its saltiness, how can it be made salty again? It is no longer good for anything, except to be thrown out and trampled by men."
Matthew 5:13

"You will tread upon the lion and the cobra; you will trample the great lion and the serpent."
Psalm 91:13

"I have given you authority to trample on snakes and scorpions and to overcome all the power of the enemy; nothing will harm you."
Luke 10:19

"How the outlook changes when Jesus comes!"
Smith Wigglesworth

No longer good for anything...Peter must've felt this way after denying the Lord. Perhaps you, like me, at some point in life, had compromised our Walk, "losing its saltiness". And for what, to what end? When our witness is "salt-less", weakened and polluted, when we have doubts, instead of having the faith,belief, and knowledge that our heavenly Father is more than able to do everything, then it's basically over except to be trampled on... and deep down inside, those who are in that awful place know it, and whether we admit it or not, it is painful. There is that longing to be restored, renewed, and walking with our Bridegroom/Lord/Master/Father, and the good news is that when we surrender, and have a broken and contrite heart, we can get our "saltiness" back!
God is limitless, boundless; He is an all consuming fire! There is nothing, absolutely nothing, that is too hard for Him! We were created for be vessels for His glory, to be filled with the Holy Spirit, to be obsessed with Him and overtaken by His love and affection. We will have trouble, trials will come, but we are the victors, as disciples we are the tramplers, who triumph over our adversaries and challenges- not the trampled- as we keep on reaching, keep on moving- our eyes fixed on Him.

153 84

1 Afterward Jesus appeared again to his disciples, by the Sea of Galilee.[a] It happened this way: 2 Simon Peter, Thomas (also known as Didymus[b]), Nathanael from Cana in Galilee, the sons of Zebedee, and two other disciples were together. 3 “I’m going out to fish,” Simon Peter told them, and they said, “We’ll go with you.” So they went out and got into the boat, but that night they caught nothing.
 4 Early in the morning, Jesus stood on the shore, but the disciples did not realize that it was Jesus.
5 He called out to them, “Friends, haven’t you any fish?”
“No,” they answered.
6 He said, “Throw your net on the right side of the boat and you will find some.” When they did, they were unable to haul the net in because of the large number of fish.
7 Then the disciple whom Jesus loved said to Peter, “It is the Lord!” As soon as Simon Peter heard him say, “It is the Lord,” he wrapped his outer garment around him (for he had taken it off) and jumped into the water. 8 The other disciples followed in the boat, towing the net full of fish, for they were not far from shore, about a hundred yards.[c] 9 When they landed, they saw a fire of burning coals there with fish on it, and some bread.
10 Jesus said to them, “Bring some of the fish you have just caught.” 11 So Simon Peter climbed back into the boat and dragged the net ashore. It was full of large fish, 153, but even with so many the net was not torn.

Peter and the some of the disciples, who had so strongly declared that they would stand by their Master, but had scattered and fled after Jesus was arrested, had not just gone fishing...they had gone back to being fishermen as a profession, their days as disciples behind them, or so they thought. All that night they sat in that boat; they should've been tending their nets, concentrating on their work, but their hearts were just not in it. These men were heart broken, their hopes dashed, their futures uncertain. Muttering under his breath, Peter was about to tell the men to wrap it up, and call it day, when he heard someone calling, asking him a question, then urging them to cast their net to the opposite direction, the net immediately surging and filling with a huge catch, as the disciples struggled to grasp the net teeming with fish, the realization that their Master was with them, how abundantly He was blessing them, even though they knew that by all rights they didn't deserve anything from Him.
This is just like Jesus- doing the unexpected for the underserving...it was just what Peter and company needed for revival.
How many times has the Lord blessed you with the "153", even at times we feel unworthy or undeserving? His love is so extravagant and over the top, how He loves us!
Today dwell on, and rejoice in, His goodness and lovingkindness that endures forever.

Another Revelation (Staring into The Eyes of God)

And when the centurion, who stood there in front of Jesus, heard his cry and saw how he died, he said, "Surely this man was the Son of God!"
Mark 15:39

"When the centurion and those with him who were guarding Jesus saw the earthquake and all that had happened, they were terrified, and exclaimed, "Surely he was the Son of God!""
Matthew 27:54

Today I had an opportunity to see the Lord Jesus, through the eyes of another, one who was both witness and party to the crucifixion of the Lord: the Roman centurion.

It was another day, the centurion was carrying out his orders, another execution. Almost mechanically, his men, hardened by war, and exposure to brutality and death, hammered the nails into their human subjects, and amid the screams and smells of sweat, blood, and human excrement, they raised the crucifixes. The thieves to the left and right, were suffering and were dying like most, but the one in the middle, this man, Yeshua, the one who Pilate had resisted condemning, the one who was claimed to be King of the Jews, and the Son of God, was highly unusual. He didn't scream, complain, curse his attackers, or beg for mercy, no... his countenance was extraordinary, even as he was dying. As the hours went by and the cross exacted its toll, the centurion found himself standing at the foot of Jesus's cross, staring up at this King, and at that moment, Jesus looked at him, with eyes ablaze with love, and something else that the Roman soldier could not describe ... In that moment, as the ground shook violently and the skies darkened, he knew. Falling to his knees, partly because of the earthquake, and mostly because of what he suddenly realized, that Jesus is the Son of God, he was overcome by the waves of revelation- the agony, horror, and remorse he felt at being the instrument of crucifixtion, but mostly because of the sheer majesty and love he saw in the blazing eyes of the One who was now his Messiah. And for this centurion and many who witnessed this event- it changed everything.

Plans

"For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. Then you will call on me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you. You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart.” - Jeremiah 29:11-13

In this, one of my all time favorite Scriptures, our heavenly Father/Master/Bridegroom/King DECLARES His GREAT PLANS for us! Great plans... A hope, a future, and a prosperity that is much more than monetary... Richness in the spirit, in our relationship with Him, and those with our brothers and sisters, and much more.
There is a lynchpin, a catalyst, to all of this though; The Bridegroom is waiting for His Bride to call to Him, to seek after and find Him with all of our heart, to chase after Him, not half heartedly, but with all that we are. He is not a casual Lover, no!- He is fiercely devoted, He is totally committed to His Bride and He will accept nothing less than us loving Him with all that we are, with every fibre of our being. He has already given us His most precious possession, His only begotten Son, JESUS, so how will He not also give us what He promises. God is not a man, that He should lie, His Word is true, His ways although not always easy to understand, are Perfect. Regardless of your current affliction or trial- don't stop seeking after Him, His ways and thoughts are higher than ours, your situation is not hidden from him. Call on Him today, prayer is the privilege, not the chore, we are blessed to have, and He promises To listen, His ear inclined towards us.
What a great reason to rejoice- His Love is better than wine.

Fear

Men's hearts failing them for fear, and for looking after those things which are coming on the earth: for the powers of heaven shall be shaken."
Luke 21:26


"The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom"
Psalm 111:10, Proverbs 9:10

"Perfect Love casts out all fear."
1John 4:18

He is my defense; I will not be afraid"

"The Lord is my Light and my Salvation; of whom shall I fear?"
Psalm 27:1-2

"Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power."
Eph.6:10


As we survey the world we live in today we can see the beginnings of the "birth pains" that our Lord Jesus foretold to us. Upheaval across the world, tumultuous events, wars, financial disaster, strange weather and natural disasters of unprecedented magnitude, shaking and breaking, people mocking God, Christians being persecuted, the exclusion of God from public places and events (at least until something like 9/11 happens)... It is easy to see why and how those who are immersed in the worldly system are trevailing and fearful as man made system collapse, and as things prophesied in GOD'S Holy Word are being fulfilled.

But beloved, we are not to be afraid! The Word tells us DO NOT FEAR, that the righteous are to be bold as lions, to run and not grow weary! Every single event that takes place, is another piece of the puzzle being dropped in place, it is time to look up - His return- and our redemption are coming, even perhaps in this generation. Remember that the scriptures tell us -He is not slow in coming, but only delaying, so in giving those who are asleep, and those who are dead in the sins an opportunity to come back to the Father, while there is time.
We should live our lives in supernatural boldness, walking out our destinies without shrinking back, our ultimate futures and victory-assured.
Fear not.

Only the Davids

 41 Meanwhile, the Philistine, with his shield bearer in front of him, kept coming closer to David. 42 He looked David over and saw that he was little more than a boy, glowing with health and handsome, and he despised him. 43 He said to David, “Am I a dog, that you come at me with sticks?” And the Philistine cursed David by his gods. 44 “Come here,” he said, “and I’ll give your flesh to the birds and the wild animals!”
45 David said to the Philistine, “You come against me with sword and spear and javelin, but I come against you in the name of the LORD Almighty, the God of the armies of Israel, whom you have defied. 46 This day the LORD will deliver you into my hands, and I’ll strike you down and cut off your head. This very day I will give the carcasses of the Philistine army to the birds and the wild animals, and the whole world will know that there is a God in Israel. 47 All those gathered here will know that it is not by sword or spear that the LORD saves; for the battle is the LORD’s, and he will give all of you into our hands.”
48 As the Philistine moved closer to attack him, David ran quickly toward the battle line to meet him. 49 Reaching into his bag and taking out a stone, he slung it and struck the Philistine on the forehead. The stone sank into his forehead, and he fell facedown on the ground.
50 So David triumphed over the Philistine with a sling and a stone; without a sword in his hand he struck down the Philistine and killed him.
51 David ran and stood over him. He took hold of the Philistine’s sword and drew it from the sheath. After he killed him, he cut off his head with the sword.
When the Philistines saw that their hero was dead, they turned and ran. 52 Then the men of Israel and Judah surged forward with a shout and pursued the Philistines to the entrance of Gath[f] and to the gates of Ekron. Their dead were strewn along the Shaaraim road to Gath and Ekron. 53 When the Israelites returned from chasing the Philistines, they plundered their camp.
54 David took the Philistine’s head and brought it to Jerusalem; he put the Philistine’s weapons in his own tent.

In the face of a huge adversary that was approaching, David ran towards his enemy! He didn't try to sneak up on Goliath, or run away from him, or hide from him... Knowing that He had the Lord with Him, there was nothing too difficult...with boldness and supernatural confidence, he faced and conquered what those around him considered unconquerable.
Beloved, David's unshakeable faith and knowledge in what the Lord could do, and his courage is a word for the Church today. Remember just who He is that we serve... We serve the Most High, the Maker of Heaven and Earth, even in our own weaknesses He shows His strength. Whatever the situation, whatever the challenge, take heart, have total confidence-the time for shrinking back is past, the Holy Spirit empowers and emboldens us as we run towards our adversaries and challenges.
In His strength we are more than conquerors.
"I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me" Phil.4:13
"Is anything too difficult for the Lord?" Gen.18:14
"Nothing is impossible with God." Luke 1:37
"Yet those who wait for the LORD Will gain new strength; They will mount up with wings like eagles, They will run and not get tired, They will walk and not become weary." Is. 40:31

A Conversation with Jesus

33 So Pilate went back into the governor’s residence, summoned Jesus, and asked him, “Are you the king of the Jews?” 34 Jesus replied, “Are you saying this on your own initiative, or have others said it to you about me?” 35 Pilate answered, “I am not a Jew, am I? Your own people and your chief priests handed you over to me. What have you done?” 36 Jesus replied, “My kingdom is not from this world. If my kingdom were from this world, my servants would fight to prevent me being handed over to the Jewish authorities. But now my kingdom is not from here.” 37 Then Pilate said, “So you are a king!” Jesus replied, “You say that I am a king. I have been born and have come into the world for this reason—to testify to the truth. Everyone who belongs to the truth listens to my voice.” 38 Pilate asked, “What is truth?”
John 18:33-38

Jesus answered, "You would have no power over me if it were not given to you from above. Therefore the one who handed me over to you is guilty of a greater sin."
John 19:11


Pontius Pilate's conversation with Jesus was profound. We are not really told much about the rest of the life of Pilate, but I am convinced in my Spirit that the conversation that took place in Pilate's residence with Jesus, and the events that immediately followed, changed him forever. His wife, Claudia, had just sent him a message not to harm Jesus in any way, as she had a dream that tormented her...but Pilate gave the leaders of the Sanhedrin what they demanded- Jesus' crucifixion - but neither he nor the others knew that they were all just players in a story that Jesus and His Father had already written, that Jesus had to die to take away the sins of the world. Pontius Pilate had sat face to face with the Lord and Jesus' words would resonate within his spirit for the rest of his days.
Smith Wigglesworth said, "How the outlook changes when Jesus comes!"
In our own lives many of us have had the life altering conversation, that spirit-to-spirit talk when the heart of God matches up exactly with our broken and empty hearts, and in that instant we knew what Truth is, and we are never be the same again. Deep calls to deep, the voice of the Good Shepherd never stops calling to us, counseling, reassuring, bringing peace, joy in the midst of trials, teaching us what real love and intimacy is all about. The amazing thing is that Jesus is not a historical figure to his disciples. He is alive, and we have access to Him today- He is the same, yesterday, today, and forever. Spend time with Him, don't miss your appointment with Him today. It is the most important thing you can do.

Doing the Inconceivable

 28 “Lord, if it’s you,” Peter replied, “tell me to come to you on the water.”
29 “Come,” he said.
 Then Peter got down out of the boat, walked on the water and came toward Jesus. 30 But when he saw the wind, he was afraid and, beginning to sink, cried out, “Lord, save me!”
 31 Immediately Jesus reached out his hand and caught him. “You of little faith,” he said, “why did you doubt?”
Matthew 14:28-31

In this well known passage, Peter hears Jesus and responds in faith, and steps out onto the water successfully. But while walking towards the Lord, Peter starts looking about, and observing the wind whipping up the seas, his natural mind takes over, his faith cracks and down he starts to go! Reaching out, Jesus seeks out and rescues Peter from probable drowning.
This is just what can happen to believers ... When we take our eyes off of the Lord's promises("NOTHING IS IMPOSSIBLE WITH GOD"), and are overtaken by our circumstances, and get caught up in our natural lives, and with no time for devotions and quiet time with the Lord, we start to "sink"...the Word says "without faith it is impossible to please God" (Heb.11:6)- (Faith comes from hearing, and hearing from the Word of God, Rom. 10:17).
Just as Jesus reached out his hand catching Peter, who was also reaching out for Him, we also need to constantly seek Him, reaching out and focusing on Him. Jesus tells us to "take heart because He has overcome the world". Beloved, this is not theory, but reality. Victorious living meaning staying in relationship with our Lord and Master, so seek Him and grab hold today.

The Lesson of the Widow

8 Then the word of the LORD came to him: 9 “Go at once to Zarephath in the region of Sidon and stay there. I have directed a widow there to supply you with food.” 10 So he went to Zarephath. When he came to the town gate, a widow was there gathering sticks. He called to her and asked, “Would you bring me a little water in a jar so I may have a drink?” 11 As she was going to get it, he called, “And bring me, please, a piece of bread.”
 12 “As surely as the LORD your God lives,” she replied, “I don’t have any bread—only a handful of flour in a jar and a little olive oil in a jug. I am gathering a few sticks to take home and make a meal for myself and my son, that we may eat it—and die.”
13 Elijah said to her, “Don’t be afraid. Go home and do as you have said. But first make a small loaf of bread for me from what you have and bring it to me, and then make something for yourself and your son. 14 For this is what the LORD, the God of Israel, says: ‘The jar of flour will not be used up and the jug of oil will not run dry until the day the LORD sends rain on the land.’”
15 She went away and did as Elijah had told her. So there was food every day for Elijah and for the woman and her family. 16 For the jar of flour was not used up and the jug of oil did not run dry, in keeping with the word of the LORD spoken by Elijah.
1Kings17:7-15

At this time a severe drought had hit the land, the widow had all but depleted her resources when Elijah shows up - and he asks her to make him a loaf of bread with the little that was left before taking care of the needs of her family. She was at the end of her rope, and I don't know honestly whether she believed Elijah out of desperation or real faith but she did what he asked her, and just as he promised, the flour and oil supply never failed.
In lean times how do we respond in giving? Do we give out of abundance or our real need? This is yet another example of heavenly principles being inverted compared to worldly thinking. In Luke 21:1-4, Jesus observes the widow giving the 2 mites (cents) . It was all she had to live on, but out of devotion and faith she gave it all. the abundant life comes out of a place of need - and surrender.
We actually cheat ourselves when we withold giving, whether it be tithing to our church, or giving to others in need. By clinging what we think we "own", a selfish heart is revealed, and devotion to another master...beloved, God doesn't need our money, but he requires us to have pure hearts, free of idols, sold out to Him, and how we regard money is usually at the very top of the idol pyramid.
Jesus said " whoever seeks to save his life will lose it, whoever loses his life for my sake will find it". It's just like this with resources as well.
Make the Lord first, keep Him first, give freely of all that you have and are-this is abundant life.

Availability

1 In the year that King Uzziah died, I saw the Lord, high and exalted, seated on a throne; and the train of his robe filled the temple. 2 Above him were seraphim, each with six wings: With two wings they covered their faces, with two they covered their feet, and with two they were flying. 3 And they were calling to one another:
“Holy, holy, holy is the LORD Almighty;
the whole earth is full of his glory.”
4 At the sound of their voices the doorposts and thresholds shook and the temple was filled with smoke.
5 “Woe to me!” I cried. “I am ruined! For I am a man of unclean lips, and I live among a people of unclean lips, and my eyes have seen the King, the LORD Almighty.”
6 Then one of the seraphim flew to me with a live coal in his hand, which he had taken with tongs from the altar. 7 With it he touched my mouth and said, “See, this has touched your lips; your guilt is taken away and your sin atoned for.”
8 Then I heard the voice of the Lord saying, “Whom shall I send? And who will go for us?”
And I said, “Here am I. Send me!”

"Here I am" ... This statement is not being made by Isaiah because he thought God couldn't see him or find him, not a "Yoohoo, hey God, I'm over here!". God knew where Isaiah was, and not just his physical proximity. This was a moment of decision, where Isaiah is confronted by the awesome holiness of The Most High, and in response to the Lord's question, "Who will go for us?", he makes himself available..."Here I am".
Available. Are you? God is calling, He never stops calling - many are called- few are chosen, but why? Availability is a heart decision, and our General wants only those who desire to answer, to step into their spiritual destiny. I know. I avoided mine for decades, even though I heard the Call, I would not answer because of fear, inconvenience, selfishness, idol worship, laziness. I lost out on so much...so many years wasted, opportunities lost. But God is a God of second chances, and He can make up for lost time.
Be available today.

Whose Report Will You Believe? 92

"If God is for us who can be against us?"
Romans 8:31b

"Whose report will you believe? We shall believe the report of the LORD"

"For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all." 2Cor.4:17

"You will keep in perfect peace him whose mind is steadfast, because he trusts in you."
Isaiah 26:3

Life presents difficulties and hardships, trials and tribulations.
Jesus told us that we will have trouble in this world...but he also tells us to TAKE HEART because HE HAS OVERCOME THE WORLD.
Beloved, God is faithful. He will never leave us or forsake us.
As challenges arise, whether they be the gravest of illnesses, financial struggles, as the world goes crazy and chaos seemingly increases remember that it is God, Maker of Heaven and Earth, who is in control. He loves us, having sent His only begotten Son to rescue and deliver us...
it is He who heals us, who is our Strong Tower!
He is our defense, so who should we be afraid of?
So, this is where JOY comes from...when the Word says'
"Consider it pure JOY when we endure trials of many kinds..."
The joy that produces perseverance & endurance, is for US... because our All Consuming Fire loves us!
Let us rejoice, and never forget for a moment, even when things seem dim and difficult,
That victory is assured.
God said so!

Revolution

"Jesus entered the temple area and drove out all who were buying and selling there. He overturned the tables of the money changers and the benches of those selling doves.""It is written," he said to them, "'My house will be called a house of prayer,' but you are making it a 'den of robbers.'"
Matt.21:12-13

Jesus overturned the tables in the physical Temple, disrupting corruption in a holy place. Men had taken advantage of conditions there, and with the High Priest's permission, established businesses inside of this holy place, perverting it from a place of worship to a place of dishonest commerce. This is the only place I can think of where the Lord expresses such great anger that He physically attacks an adversary.
In our own temples - our bodies, mind, heart, and spirit - Jesus desires to overturn unholiness also. The same zeal that He had for His Father's house is at work today,(He who began a good work in you, will be faithful to complete it, Phil.1:6) so great is his desire for us to move in holiness - to revolutionize our existence - this is where abundant life is. It's not really a revolution at all though, this is what we were actually made for...that perfectly God-shaped vacuum inside of us that He comes in and fills when we hear Him knocking at the door of our heart and we don't just look through the peep hole, but answer and swing it wide open for Him.
Today my prayer is for ongoing revolution as the Lord continues His good work, rearranging our "temples".

Greater

" He must increase, but I must decrease"
John 3:30

"I tell you the truth, anyone who has faith in me will do what I have been doing. He will do even greater things than these, because I am going to the Father."
John 14:12

As I was reading John, the Spirit highlighted to me these verses, seemingly juxtapositioned...but are they?
I believe that once we realize that "we must decrease" -that it's not about us, it's about HIM - the act of surrendering unconditionally to the will and purposes of our Gentle Conqueror, become reality, and once accomplished, we realize just what the will and purposes of Jesus are: TO DO GREATER THINGS THAN THOSE HE DID. That's right! He said it...do you believe it? Read John 14:12 again...If you believe it, so should no longer find yourself in the pews on (just) Sunday. We are in the Army, the soldiers, we are living stones...proclaiming and living out our own "ministries" in love - the Kingdom of God is near ( who doesn't believe that we are in the Last Days?), He is coming soon. The fields are white with the harvest! We should be imitating and exceeding Jesus' earthly deeds, and why ? Because He said we could - and would! So today, beloved, get off the fence, out of your comfort zones, ask yourself:"what can I do for the Lord today?", and He will show you.

What Does Love Look Like/Valentines

"We can love because He first loved us.
1John 4:19
"Love never fails."
1Cor.13:8a
Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud.
1 Cor.13:4
"Greater love have no man than to lay down his life for his friends"
John 15:13

"Valentine's Day (shortened from Saint Valentine's Day) is a day that has generally come to be known as a holiday for those intimately involved, a romantic holiday. But most people would be surprised to discover the origins of the holiday actually commemorated the martyrdoms of two early Christian St. Valentines - St. Valentine of Rome and st. Vanlentine of Terni.
Martyred for their faith...killed for being Christians...laying down theirs lives...as many are around the world right now (and the numbers are growing)... let that sink in...consider...what does it take, what kind of impact does the Lord Jesus make on a person, that they will not back down, not loving their earthly lives even unto death?
The real message of Valentine's Day is one of love, but perhaps much different than what the world portrays or imagines- not romantic love, sensual passion, or Eros, but the kind of Love that never fails, that is stronger than death, the kind of love that caused Jesus to bear so much scorn and suffer the payment for our sins on that cross, to die - and be resurrected, conquering death for us...for us...for His love for us.
So as imitators of the Lord Jesus, we follow his example, His way of Love ...extravagant, enduring and bearing all things, covering multitudes of sins, greater than hope and faith, protecting, trusting, persevering, rejoicing in truth, and so much more.
Love today.

Words/Prophesies

"Follow the way of love and eagerly desire gifts of the Spirit, especially prophecy."
1 Cor.14:1
"But the one who prophesies speaks to people for their strengthening, encouraging and comfort."
1 Cor. 14:3
"I thank God that I speak in tongues more than all of you.But in the church I would rather speak five intelligible words to instruct others than ten thousand words in a tongue."
1 Cor 14:18-19
"Tongues, then, are a sign, not for believers but for unbelievers; prophecy, however, is not for unbelievers but for believers.So if the whole church comes together and everyone speaks in tongues, and inquirers or unbelievers come in, will they not say that you are out of your mind?But if an unbeliever or an inquirer comes in while everyone is prophesying, they are convicted of sin and are brought under judgment by all,as the secrets of their hearts are laid bare. So they will fall down and worship God, exclaiming, "God is really among you!" "
1 Cor.14:22-25
"Therefore, my brothers and sisters, be eager to prophesy, and do not forbid speaking in tongues."But everything should be done in a fitting and orderly way."
1 Cor. 14:39-40

I write this, treading on a controversial topic that has been hotly debated for centuries. But this is not about the gift of tongues, it's about using the gift of prophesy, and listening to the "still small voice" . When we are surrendered to the Lord, and we have the mind of Christ, the Spirit will use us as holy vessels, pouring a word of edification, encouragement, or knowledge into us, not to keep it cooped up inside us. We are meant to be just a conduit...it is dropped into us, for the benefit of the whole body or maybe a particular brother or sister, and when you feel that sense of prompting ... Ask the Lord to reveal to you who the recipient is.
We are all connected, all members of one Body, all made to love and for love, not warring against each other, but made to nurture and build one another up. So keep alert, keep your prophesy antenna tuned in...you might be carrying a word that desperately needs to be delivered today.

I Will Follow

 "16 As Jesus walked beside the Sea of Galilee, he saw Simon and his brother Andrew casting a net into the lake, for they were fishermen. 17 “Come, follow me,” Jesus said, “and I will send you out to fish for people.” 18 At once they left their nets and followed him.
 19 When he had gone a little farther, he saw James son of Zebedee and his brother John in a boat, preparing their nets. 20 Without delay he called them, and they left their father Zebedee in the boat with the hired men and followed him."
Mark 1:16-20

"without delay He called them ...and they left their father...and followed Him. ...Jesus called James and John without delay, and they responded to His call. They didn't say, "hang on a sec, I'm too busy with my job, my hectic life," or "that God stuff is boring, I want to have fun, you cramp my style" ...they were looking for the Messiah, they understood their need, and responded, dropping everything, to follow Him. He is the same, yesterday, today, and forever...And He is calling us to follow Him, moment by moment, choice by choice, day by day. Your friends are going to that new movie, but the only problem is it's rated R, do you listen to your friends, and say, "Sorry Jesus" or follow Him? The coworkers are telling dirty jokes, or going out for drinks and clubbing after work... will you follow them, or Him?
COME, FOLLOW ME...His beckoning and example is the Light that guides us down the narrow path. To follow Him means not to turn to the left or right, which is fraught with pitfalls, snares, and disaster. To follow Him to to successfully navigate the minefields of life, as He whispers, "This is my way, walk in it", and by imitating Him - obeying the First and Second commandments - we cause others to do the same, who are provoked to jealousy as they see biblical Christianity- pure and real love, actions shouting louder than words.
Follow Him today.

A Different Drummer

 6 We do, however, speak a message of wisdom among the mature, but not the wisdom of this age or of the rulers of this age, who are coming to nothing. 7 No, we declare God’s wisdom, a mystery that has been hidden and that God destined for our glory before time began. 8 None of the rulers of this age understood it, for if they had, they would not have crucified the Lord of glory. 9 However, as it is written:
“What no eye has seen,
what no ear has heard,
and what no human mind has conceived”[b]—
the things God has prepared for those who love him—
10 these are the things God has revealed to us by his Spirit.
The Spirit searches all things, even the deep things of God. 11 For who knows a person’s thoughts except their own spirit within them? In the same way no one knows the thoughts of God except the Spirit of God. 12 What we have received is not the spirit of the world, but the Spirit who is from God, so that we may understand what God has freely given us. 13 This is what we speak, not in words taught us by human wisdom but in words taught by the Spirit, explaining spiritual realities with Spirit-taught words.[c] 14 The person without the Spirit does not accept the things that come from the Spirit of God but considers them foolishness, and cannot understand them because they are discerned only through the Spirit. 15 The person with the Spirit makes judgments about all things, but such a person is not subject to merely human judgments, 16 for,
“Who has known the mind of the Lord
So as to instruct him?”[d]
But we have the mind of Christ."
1 Cor. 2:6-16

Smith Wigglesworth, a powerful man of God said, “How the outlook changes when Jesus comes!!”
As I read the passage here, the connection was crystal clear: the outlook changes from that of a natural man with only worldly thoughts, to those of the spiritual man, governed by thoughts directed by the mind of Christ. We are considered fools by those who are not Spirit-led because they cannot see or hear the things that God enables those who surrender themselves, and the stuff the world values, which in truth is worthless. We have access to, and are filled with, the Spirit, who opens the doors of amazing revelation to God's deep things and mysteries, while the world hasn't got the slightest clue. What privileges He gives to those who choose to become His children!
Today as you sojourn, an alien in this world, do not forget who you are, beloved. Filter everything through the eyes, ears, heart, and mind of Christ...you are a holy vessel, created and equipped for walking in His steps.
Walk on.

Foolishness

"For I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is the power of God that brings salvation to everyone who believes: first to the Jew, then to the Gentile."
For in the gospel the righteousness of God is revealed—a righteousness that is by faith from first to last, just as it is written: "The righteous will live by faith."
Romans 1:16-17

"For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God. For it is written: "I will destroy the wisdom of the wise; the intelligence of the intelligent I will frustrate."
1Cor.1:18-19
"For the foolishness of God is wiser than human wisdom, and the weakness of God is stronger than human strength." v.25

Tonight I heard a message from years ago by Art Katz, a Jewish brother who has gone on to be with the Lord. He spoke of these things, and more...the power of the Good News ( Great News, really!), that God's presence, up close on personal, has been made available to us- if we want it. The fact is that many, whether in churches or synagogues, say they want Him, but really they don't want Him, but they want to use the name of God, engaging in religious activities in religious atmospheres, but all the while keeping God an impersonal conceptual "God" at an arm's length and not inviting Him in to be the Father/ Bridegroom/Lord/Master that he is, not wanting Him to come in and wreck their comfortable, idol- filled worlds and cause any inconveniences. But beloved, God did not call us into comfortable, convenient self-absorbed lives. I will take, with pleasure, the label of a "fool" for Jesus, or any other name that might be slung at me. The time may come when we will bear the marks of Jesus in our own bodies in the days ahead; are we to be fearful, or walk in courage and boldness? I used to be one of those name calling Christian bashers, assailing Christians with name calling like "hypocrites, Bible thumpers, cultists, "fundamentalists", and much worse... But then He used a courageous and obedient friend to share the power of the Gospel with me... How the outlook changes though when Jesus comes !!! So beloved, be not ashamed ... My prayer is that the Lord will empower us with His "foolishness" and His "weakness" until He returns.

Light (Or haOlam) and Life

"In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. 2He was with God in the beginning.
3Through him all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made. 4In him was life, and that life was the light of men. 5The light shines in the darkness, but the darkness has not understood it."
John 1:1-5

April 21, 1987, is my birthday. No, not my physical birthday, but the one that really counts- my spiritual birthday, when I received the Lord Jesus as my Savior, and passed from death and the certainty of eternal torment and separation from God, into life, then, now and for eternity. That day I received my first Bible, which I had previously scoffed at, but never read even one page,(I was an atheist, liberal, Darwinist) and at the suggestion of the friend who witnessed to me, I went home that evening, went straight into my room, sat down at my desk, opening almost naturally to the Gospel of John, chapter 1...and when I did, and began reading: IN THE BEGINNING WAS THE WORD AND THE WORD WAS WITH GOD AND THE WORD WAS GOD...There was supernatural, breath taking Light streaming from my Bible, my eyes and ears were opened, and that very night I was delivered from drug abuse, drinking, smoking, a promiscuous party lifestyle, a depraved and hard heart, and as I fed upon His Word, I began to walk in the Light only Jesus can give. In His Light is real life... not church and Sunday part-time Christian holiness charades, but allday, everyday holiness, where we don't have to ask ourselves the question, "What would Jesus do?", because our lives are hidden in Him, and acting and thinking like Him is who and what we are...and it is no longer we who live but Jesus in us - allday, everyday disciples...brothers and sisters, burning, loving, sanctified Jesus freaks. For the most part, the "world" doesn't get it, doesn't get me...but I am fine with that. I was one of them, part of the world ...but when confronted with His love - His Light- it changed everything.

Tattoos 2

"See, I have engraved you on the palms of my hands;
your walls are ever before me..
Isaiah 49:16

"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. "
John 10:27-29

So valuable are we to the Father - our Abba daddy - that he has engraved us on the palms of His hands! The scripture doesn't actually say whether it is our name, or images, or both that are engraved or tattooed there. But it is defining and specific to each of us, our individual faces and lives are before Him constantly, we are always on His mind, and His desire is for relationship with us, now and forever. He loves us! With human minds we cannot begin to understand this - His ways and thoughts are higher than ours, but as His children we can take Him at His word and trust Him. All that we are, and ultimately our eternal futures, are wrapped up in Him, if we hear His voice and follow Him, we cannot be snatched from His Hand, come what may, as the storms and trials of life swirl around us, and even as we are shaken, He still has hold of us.
Today, take comfort and confidence in these things, beloved, not because they feel good, but because they are true.

A Heart like a Child

"and said, "Truly I say to you, unless you are converted and become like children, you will not enter the kingdom of heaven."
Matthew 18:3

"I tell you the truth, anyone who will not receive the kingdom of God like a little child will never enter it."
Luke 18:17

During His earthly ministry Jesus had a special affection for children, for a number of reasons. Little children have an innocence and purity of heart that is an example of what God requires of us when we come to Him. These little ones also have pure faith and believe totally without wavering (when you ask, you must believe and not doubt, because the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea, blown and tossed by the wind.James 1:6).
Children also are relentless when they want something, looking into the eyes of their parents and perserserving, asking over and over again until their requests are granted. In like manner we should be like little children in our prayer lives - and our Abba wants us to be like this, as He delights in this aspect of our relationship with Him- sitting in His lap, gazing into His eyes with pure hearts and total faith while we relentlessly ask, seek, and knock.

Temperature

14 “To the angel of the church in Laodicea write:
These are the words of the Amen, the faithful and true witness, the ruler of God’s creation. 15 I know your deeds, that you are neither cold nor hot. I wish you were either one or the other! 16 So, because you are lukewarm—neither hot nor cold—I am about to spit you out of my mouth. 17 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. 18 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.
19 Those whom I love I rebuke and discipline. So be earnest and repent. 20 Here I am! I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in and eat with that person, and they with me.
21 To the one who is victorious, I will give the right to sit with me on my throne, just as I was victorious and sat down with my Father on his throne.

Taking one's temperature is an indicator of the health, or illness, of the patient. When I was reading through God's message to this wealthy church at Laodicea, the spiritual impression to me is that this is the condition of many - way too many - churches ( and people, churches are made up of people) in this great nation. How far the fall! Concerned with, and subconciuosly worshipping, created things instead of the Creator, busy chasing the things of this world, climbing that corporate ladder, instead of being zealous for the things of the Lord, and being in relationship with Him ... many do not realize the days we live in, and although they have acquired wealth, they have become poor and wretched,and desperately ill in their hearts...they have stopped thanking and worshipping God, except to treat Him like a good luck charm or a genie in a bottle...
In these days we are bombarded with commercials about buying gold as an investment. But the Lord here tells us to invest in a different gold, gold that will last, the "gold" that is refined by fire. Our Father rebukes and disciplines those He loves, this is the "refining" process. The time for searching our hearts, coming to true repentance, is right now, because He is standing at the door of our hearts, and knocking, desiring for us to answer His call, he wants to come in and eat with us, ...the question is - Do we hear Him, or is the volume too loud on everything else?
Today, turn down the volume...answer the knock at your heart's door - invite Him in and walk in victory.

Captivated not Captive 272

"My goal is that they may be encouraged in heart and united in love, so that they may have the full riches of complete understanding, in order that they may know the mystery of God, namely, Christ,  in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge.  I tell you this so that no one may deceive you by fine-sounding arguments.
So then, just as you received Christ Jesus as Lord, continue to live your lives in him,  rooted and built up in him, strengthened in the faith as you were taught, and overflowing with thankfulness. See to it that no one takes you captive through hollow and deceptive philosophy, which depends on human tradition and the elemental spiritual forces[a] of this world rather than on Christ. For in Christ all the fullness of the Deity lives in bodily form"
Col.2:2-9a

Paul understood the challenges that believers have to contend with. Having received Jesus as Lord, and captivated by all that He is, it is necessary to become mature - rooted and grounded so we become like a tree that can weather storms, as vain and empty philosophies are thrown at us. This is often what college students have to deal with...many sons and daughters head off to universities and places of so called "higher learning", only to come home spiritually bankrupted. The key is a heart that is stamped with the ownership of Jesus, with His seal on it, captivated for Him alone. When our hearts are devoted to Him, the Lord pours into us the "full riches of complete understanding", there is no room for counterfeits, and we see the empty philosophies of this world for what they are- empty.
Armed and strengthened we can navigate successfully through the minefields and snares the enemy of our souls has tried to set.
Be captivated by Him today.

Pressing On 273

 "But whatever were gains to me I now consider loss for the sake of Christ.  What is more, I consider everything a loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whose sake I have lost all things. I consider them garbage, that I may gain Christ  and be found in him, not having a righteousness of my own that comes from the law, but that which is through faith in Christ—the righteousness that comes from God on the basis of faith.  I want to know Christ—yes, to know the power of his resurrection and participation in his sufferings, becoming like him in his death,  and so, somehow, attaining to the resurrection from the dead.
  Not that I have already obtained all this, or have already arrived at my goal, but I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me.  Brothers and sisters, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead,  I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus."
Philippians 3:7-14

"I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me..." He took hold of me, and every thing has changed. Imagine a balance scale with everything the world values on one side and all that Jesus is on the other... The things of this world cannot compare, or even come close to all that we can have in Jesus. This 12 months has been the most monumental of my life...it wasn't the most prosperous, I didn't get promoted at my job, and in fact, I earned less money and we had to do without many of the material trappings we had grown accomstomed to, however, the year has been the richest, sweetest, and fullest ever. This was the lesson of a lifetime; that real life is not about items, entertainment, jobs, money... Life is found in relationship with the Uncreated Creator, the Lover of our souls. When the debris we cling to and chase after is swept away there He is. Patient, loving, full of grace and compassion, and yet- He is a raging, all consuming fire, jealous Jealousy... Taking hold of us, sometimes embracing, sometimes shaking us like as ragdoll in a puppy's jaws.
We can't change what happened yesterday, but in front of us looms the prize: our rightful inheritance as co-heirs with Jesus.
Beloved, claim your inheritance today.

Forks in the Road

L[19] "There was a rich man who was dressed in purple and fine linen and lived in luxury every day. [20] At his gate was laid a beggar named Lazarus, covered with sores [21] and longing to eat what fell from the rich man's table. Even the dogs came and licked his sores.
[22] "The time came when the beggar died and the angels carried him to Abraham's side. The rich man also died and was buried. [23] In hell, where he was in torment, he looked up and saw Abraham far away, with Lazarus by his side. [24] So he called to him, 'Father Abraham, have pity on me and send Lazarus to dip the tip of his finger in water and cool my tongue, because I am in agony in this fire.'
[25] "But Abraham replied, 'Son, remember that in your lifetime you received your good things, while Lazarus received bad things, but now he is comforted here and you are in agony. [26] And besides all this, between us and you a great chasm has been fixed, so that those who want to go from here to you cannot, nor can anyone cross over from there to us.'
[27] "He answered, 'Then I beg you, father, send Lazarus to my father's house, [28] for I have five brothers. Let him warn them, so that they will not also come to this place of torment.'
[29] "Abraham replied, 'They have Moses and the Prophets; let them listen to them.'
[30] " 'No, father Abraham,' he said, 'but if someone from the dead goes to them, they will repent.'
[31] "He said to him, 'If they do not listen to Moses and the Prophets, they will not be convinced even if someone rises from the dead.' "
Luke 16:19-31

"Whoever seeks to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for My sake will find it."
Matthew 10:39

34Then he called the crowd to him along with his disciples and said: “If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross and follow me. 35For whoever wants to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for me and for the gospel will save it. 36What good is it for a man to gain the whole world, yet forfeit his soul? 37Or what can a man give in exchange for his soul? 38If anyone is ashamed of me and my words in this adulterous and sinful generation, the Son of Man will be ashamed of him when he comes in his Father’s glory with the holy angels.”
Mark 8:34-38

I used to be afraid of dying. I wondered how I would die, what would be the cause of my death? I have been involved in discussions about the times we live in, where more Christians are being matyred today than in previous centuries, and the question arises as to whether or not we would be able to stand in that defining moment where we might be given the choice : Renounce and deny Jesus and live, or stand firm and die. But the reality is that the exact opposite is true! I am reminded of Cassie Bernal, who was martyred at Columbine High School...this teenager who stood steadfast in that valley of decision... although she was killed, is spending eternity with Jesus. She did not back down.
Everyday each of us is presented with choices...moments where there are "forks in the road" where we have to decide how to respond- to be imitators of Jesus, walking in love, truth, purity of heart -laying our lives down, in a sense, & picking up our own cross, or deny Him, out of fear of retribution, being unpopular, uncool, politically incorrect ...
Build what will last for eternity, lay up treasure in heaven, let that still small voice direct you when you stand at the fork, take the narrow path... Most of the things that we expend our time and energy on here will be gone in a short time. When we persevere we win the Race, and stand before the Lord on that Day, and the books are opened and the records are reviewed, we will hear those words: "Well done, good and faithful servant."

Sown

A farmer went out to sow his seed. 4 As he was scattering the seed, some fell along the path, and the birds came and ate it up. 5 Some fell on rocky places, where it did not have much soil. It sprang up quickly, because the soil was shallow. 6 But when the sun came up, the plants were scorched, and they withered because they had no root. 7 Other seed fell among thorns, which grew up and choked the plants. 8 Still other seed fell on good soil, where it produced a crop—a hundred, sixty or thirty times what was sown. 9 Whoever has ears, let them hear.”
Matthew 13:3b-9

18 “Listen then to what the parable of the sower means: 19 When anyone hears the message about the kingdom and does not understand it, the evil one comes and snatches away what was sown in their heart. This is the seed sown along the path. 20 The seed falling on rocky ground refers to someone who hears the word and at once receives it with joy. 21 But since they have no root, they last only a short time. When trouble or persecution comes because of the word, they quickly fall away. 22 The seed falling among the thorns refers to someone who hears the word, but the worries of this life and the deceitfulness of wealth choke the word, making it unfruitful. 23 But the seed falling on good soil refers to someone who hears the word and understands it. This is the one who produces a crop, yielding a hundred, sixty or thirty times what was sown.”
Matthew 13:18-23

The Parable of the Sower so accurately describes the summary of the human spiritual plight.
Many come to my mind, and maybe to yours, who received GOD'S Word, got born again, but because of distractions, not being in the Word, lack of revelation of knowledge of God, trials and problems of life, cares of this world, etc., they were choked off, and they stopped growing and withered away.
When the seed - the Word- is planted, we have to tend it, water and feed it ...this is why Jesus said, "blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness". The crop, (the outcome) is the fullness, and fruitfulness of life that results from relationship with the Lord - the answer to that existential question of why we are here that only comes from locking gazes with the Lover of our souls.
Jesus said that we will have trouble in this roller coaster of a life...but He has also told us to TAKE HEART BECAUSE HE HAS OVERCOME THE WORLD. Let's keep our eyes fixed on Him, answering His call for our lives as we weather the storm, and not look to the left or right. He will keep us on the narrow path, as storms swirl around us...the destination is that heavenly mansion which he has prepared for us.

Secrets 10

The disciples came to him and asked, "Why do you speak to the people in parables?"
He replied, "Because the knowledge of the secrets of the kingdom of heaven has been given to you, but not to them. Whoever has will be given more, and they will have an abundance. Whoever does not have, even what they have will be taken from them.  This is why I speak to them in parables:
"Though seeing, they do not see;
though hearing, they do not hear or understand.
In them is fulfilled the prophecy of Isaiah:
"'You will be ever hearing but never understanding;
you will be ever seeing but never perceiving.
For this people's heart has become calloused;
they hardly hear with their ears,
and they have closed their eyes.
Otherwise they might see with their eyes,
hear with their ears,
understand with their hearts
and turn, and I would heal them.'
But blessed are your eyes because they see, and your ears because they hear. For truly I tell you, many prophets and righteous people longed to see what you see but did not see it, and to hear what you hear but did not hear it."
Matthew 13-10-17

Oh, the difference between a calloused and an awakened heart! Callouses develop in the natural as our flesh responds to harsh irritations, building up thick and hard layers to protect the body. The human heart can do the same, responding to trials of life, without the presence of the majestic, awesome Lord. He is our Defense, Strong Tower, we are meant to dwell in His Shadow, to cast all our cares on Him.
Having gone from a tender heart to a calloused one, and back again (PRAISE THE LORD), in reading the Word here I realized that in my previously backslidden condition and hardened heart that I had lost the ability to hear the Kol Dodi, the voice of my Bridegroom, and in fact, I could not even understand the Scriptures. If I did take a second to look in my bible it just didn't sink in... The Word of Life had become just words... The knowledge of the secrets of the kingdom had been taken away.
My total capitulation and surrender back to my First Love, and the shattering of my hardened heart was the thing that enabled me to "see and hear", gave me back that "hunger and thirst for the things of God, and ultimately bring about my healing. God "leads the captives and gives good gifts" to us- He desires to say to us often, "Come up here, I have something to show you", as He reveals tiny, but breathtaking glimpses of His Glory. We then have the privilege of personal relationship of our Abba/Bridegroom/Master/Lord that even Prophets and the righteous longed for...
It's all about the heart, it's always about the heart...examine yours today.