No Storm He Can't Calm 266

"That day when evening came, he said to his disciples, “Let us go over to the other side.”  Leaving the crowd behind, they took him along, just as he was, in the boat. There were also other boats with him.  A furious squall came up, and the waves broke over the boat, so that it was nearly swamped.  Jesus was in the stern, sleeping on a cushion. The disciples woke him and said to him, “Teacher, don’t you care if we drown?”
He got up, rebuked the wind and said to the waves, “Quiet! Be still!” Then the wind died down and it was completely calm.
He said to his disciples, “Why are you so afraid? Do you still have no faith?”
They were terrified and asked each other, “Who is this? Even the wind and the waves obey him!” "
Mark 4:35-41

The disciples were among the very first to follow Jesus, but prior to this they had not yet believed or grasped fully that He had power and dominion over everything! Most of these men were fisherman, accustomed to storms, but the severity of this one had them really frightened! Jesus is more than able to quell every storm... There is no unrest, no disturbance, no upheaval, no uproar in our own lives, that The King of Kings cannot overcome.
He is the Prince of Peace!
The Lord asks the questions;" Why are you so afraid? Do you still have no faith?".
Beloved, He is the anchor that will hold us, even as everything else crumbles, and we can trust Him! We must trust Him- "without faith it is impossible to please God", and "because the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea, blown and tossed by the wind."
James 1:6
Jesus brings peace in the midst of every storm- weather borne, financial, emotional, health/sickness, and all others. As the storms of life pop up cling to Jesus; there is no other name under Heaven by which we can be saved...and no other name by which we need to!

In Him Alone

Psalm 16

 1 Keep me safe, my God,
   for in you I take refuge.
2 I say to the LORD, “You are my Lord;
   apart from you I have no good thing.”
3 I say of the holy people who are in the land,
   “They are the noble ones in whom is all my delight.”
4 Those who run after other gods will suffer more and more.
   I will not pour out libations of blood to such gods
   or take up their names on my lips.
 5 LORD, you alone are my portion and my cup;
   you make my lot secure.
6 The boundary lines have fallen for me in pleasant places;
   surely I have a delightful inheritance.
7 I will praise the LORD, who counsels me;
   even at night my heart instructs me.
8 I keep my eyes always on the LORD.
   With him at my right hand, I will not be shaken.
9 Therefore my heart is glad and my tongue rejoices;
   my body also will rest secure,
10 because you will not abandon me to the realm of the dead,
   nor will you let your faithful[b] one see decay.
11 You make known to me the path of life;
   you will fill me with joy in your presence,
   with eternal pleasures at your right hand.

David's words in this psalm re-enforce what our hearts know: that God alone is our Lord, God alone, there is no other that we will worship or adore. Apart from Him I have no good thing, and no good thing will He withhold from those who walk uprightly. To take up idols or serve other gods, knowingly or unwittingly, will increase sorrow! I will keep my eyes focused on Him alone- my Abba is at my right right, always with me, I will not be shaken. Gladness and joy comes from relationship with Him alone. Right counsel always comes from the Lord, and in His presence is fullness of joy! Cast your cares on Him, and draw near to Him... All of the longings of our hearts are fulfilled in our Father/ Bridegroom/ Master/ Lord alone.

An Amazing Morning

 1 After the Sabbath, at dawn on the first day of the week, Mary Magdalene and the other Mary went to look at the tomb.
 2 There was a violent earthquake, for an angel of the Lord came down from heaven and, going to the tomb, rolled back the stone and sat on it. 3 His appearance was like lightning, and his clothes were white as snow. 4 The guards were so afraid of him that they shook and became like dead men.

 5 The angel said to the women, “Do not be afraid, for I know that you are looking for Jesus, who was crucified. 6 He is not here; he has risen, just as he said. Come and see the place where he lay. 7 Then go quickly and tell his disciples: ‘He has risen from the dead and is going ahead of you into Galilee. There you will see him.’ Now I have told you.”

 8 So the women hurried away from the tomb, afraid yet filled with joy, and ran to tell his disciples. 9 Suddenly Jesus met them. “Greetings,” he said. They came to him, clasped his feet and worshiped him. 10 Then Jesus said to them, “Do not be afraid. Go and tell my brothers to go to Galilee; there they will see me.”

HE IS RISEN!!!!

Jesus = Abundant Life

"I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in me will live, even though he dies"
John 11:25

"In him was life, and that life was the light of men."
John 1:4

Jesus answered, "I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me."
John 14:6

You shall also say to this people, 'Thus says the LORD, "Behold, I set before you the way of life and the way of death.
Jer.21:8

"I came that they may have life, and have it abundantly."
John 10:10b

I tell you the truth, anyone who will not receive the kingdom of God like a little child will never enter it."
Mark 10:15, Luke 18:17

The purpose of Jesus' mission here in the flesh is to give life abundantly! As the scriptures read: in Him was/is life. There is no "real life" apart from Him. Only indescribable longings that cannot be filled or satisfied! Without Him there is simply no way to the Father. But because his thoughts and ways are higher than our thoughts and ways, we can over analyze the simplicity of receiving salvation... We must come to him as little children, having released vain and empty philosophies, doubting mindsets, and just take Him at His Word. God is not a man that He should lie, He is trustworthy and true. Today is about abundant life, receive Jesus and all that He is.

This Blood's for You

 45 From noon until three in the afternoon darkness came over all the land. 46 About three in the afternoon Jesus cried out in a loud voice, “Eli, Eli,[c] lama asavtani?” (which means “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?”).[d]
 47 When some of those standing there heard this, they said, “He’s calling Elijah.”
 48 Immediately one of them ran and got a sponge. He filled it with wine vinegar, put it on a staff, and offered it to Jesus to drink. 49 The rest said, “Now leave him alone. Let’s see if Elijah comes to save him.”
50 And when Jesus had cried out again in a loud voice, he gave up his spirit.
51 At that moment the curtain of the temple was torn in two from top to bottom. The earth shook, the rocks split 52 and the tombs broke open. The bodies of many holy people who had died were raised to life. 53 They came out of the tombs after Jesus’ resurrection and[e] went into the holy city and appeared to many people.
54 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!”
Matt.27:45-54

For the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. 3 Consider him who endured such opposition from sinners, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart.
Heb.12:2b-3

"Deep calls unto deep at the noise of Your waterfalls; All Your waves and billows have gone over me. The LORD will command His loving kindness in the daytime, and in the night His song shall be with me--a prayer to the God of my life." Psalms 42:7,8


Today is Good Friday, a day of reflection for me. A day of pain, anguish, torment, and death by crucifixion for Jesus. The Word says, though, "for the joy set before Him endured the cross"- the joy is our salvation- yours, mine, all who receive Him- that we are on His mind, that He would've endured this awful day for the sake of one soul. That He paid the full price for me ...He is our Saviour, Redeemer, Deliverer, Messiah. I want to really dwell on these words today, on some of the titles we use for the One we also call Immanuel (God with us). We hear them frequently as believers, Christians, but today I want to slow down, meditate, chewing on these amazing facts: MY SAVIOUR, MY REDEEMER, MY DELIVERER, MY MESSIAH. I find myself at the foot of the cross looking up at Him, and see Him looking down at me...although he is battered and splattered with blood, his eyes are peaceful, reassuring, joyful, loving. His love sweeps over me like billows...
I was a condemned man, awaiting execution, stretched out on the cross, as the nails were about to be driven into my hands and feet, when Jesus took my place, releasing me...He is always on my mind, and it is no longer I who live, but Jesus in me...
One of my prayers today is that I would not do the things that put Jesus on the cross, that He redeemed me from, there is no cheap grace. I desire to walk in a manner worthy of His calling, to keep the Commandments and His commands, that others would see a reflection of my Master in me.
Make every day a Good Friday, dwell on Him today- and everyday.


 

Disturbing News

 1 When Jesus had finished saying all these things, he said to his disciples, 2 “As you know, the Passover is two days away—and the Son of Man will be handed over to be crucified.”
Matthew 26:1

 31 Then Jesus told them, “This very night you will all fall away on account of me, for it is written:
   “‘I will strike the shepherd,
   and the sheep of the flock will be scattered.’[c]
32 But after I have risen, I will go ahead of you into Galilee.”
33 Peter replied, “Even if all fall away on account of you, I never will.”
34 “Truly I tell you,” Jesus answered, “this very night, before the rooster crows, you will disown me three times.”
35 But Peter declared, “Even if I have to die with you, I will never disown you.” And all the other disciples said the same.
Matthew26:31-35

"For I know the plans I have for you, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans for your hope and a future"
Jer.29:11


In the midst of Jesus' last week before being crucified, as He poured into His disciples, He shared some disturbing news: not only would He be handed over to be crucified, betrayed by one close to Him, but the disciples would all flee in the moment of adversity, despite their own grand proclamations. This must've really thrown the men for a loop, and in fact Peter and the rest stated that they would never disown the Lord... Their proclamations would be blown apart that very night. At the moment of truth, in the face of adversity and evil, they caved in and ran away...how their hearts must've been broken, I'm sure that Peter was not the only one who wept bitterly at their failures.
But after Jesus' death, these broken men remembered Jesus' promise to be ahead of them in Galilee. He told them because although it went right over their heads at the moment they remembered later on... They understood that the Lord had plans for them, even scheduling a meeting in advance!
Beloved, even after setbacks, when situations arise when our love and resolve may be weak, when we are struck down and stumble, when we are broken and weep bitterly because of our failures, Jesus promises to go ahead of us, and meet us right we are at! He will never leave us or forsake us. His lovingkindness endures forever, broken and contrite hearts He will not despise,

Cram Week

 1 “I am the true vine, and my Father is the gardener. 2 He cuts off every branch in me that bears no fruit, while every branch that does bear fruit he prunes[a] so that it will be even more fruitful. 3 You are already clean because of the word I have spoken to you. 4 Remain in me, as I also remain in you. No branch can bear fruit by itself; it must remain in the vine. Neither can you bear fruit unless you remain in me.
   5 “I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing. 6 If you do not remain in me, you are like a branch that is thrown away and withers; such branches are picked up, thrown into the fire and burned. 7 If you remain in me and my words remain in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you. 8 This is to my Father’s glory, that you bear much fruit, showing yourselves to be my disciples.

   9 “As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you. Now remain in my love. 10 If you keep my commands, you will remain in my love, just as I have kept my Father’s commands and remain in his love. 11 I have told you this so that my joy may be in you and that your joy may be complete. 12 My command is this: Love each other as I have loved you. 13 Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one’s life for one’s friends. 14 You are my friends if you do what I command. 15 I no longer call you servants, because a servant does not know his master’s business. Instead, I have called you friends, for everything that I learned from my Father I have made known to you. 16 You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you so that you might go and bear fruit—fruit that will last—and so that whatever you ask in my name the Father will give you. 17 This is my command: Love each other.
John 15:1-17

Since Passover, I have been reading from John 12-17, as the Lord Jesus, in the last week before His suffering,death, and resurrection, poured into his disciples preparing them for their "final exams". Everything that they had observed and experienced with Him during His ministry was being summed up by Him, as he told them the secrets to the kingdom life using the various parables. I am amazed at how dull (daft, as the English would say) the disciples were at this time, prior to the baptism of the Holy Spirit(like I was any different!).
But in reading these words of life, the Vine and the Branches leapt out at me! The essence of my Christian life- to abide in Him so I can bear much fruit, that my prayers will be heard- and answered, that Jesus CHOSE me (I didn't choose Him), that Jesus knows me and calls me FRIEND...that He shows me extravagant love and teaches me to love extravagantly...not just a love for God, but for my brothers and sisters, and a burden for the lost/ /wandering hearts. Remain in His love, keep His commands, watch and experience the refreshing of the Lord's unspeakable joy made complete.
He is our shelter and dwelling place, in this life and the life to come...abide in Him.

Dining at Passover

"With a mighty hand and an outstretched arm..."
At the Passover Seder, there is usually a frenzy of activity in the vast majority of Jewish households, quickly reading through the Hagaddah, (which means literally "The Telling", reading the "Magid" -the Story)from the Torah book, B'Midbar (meaning "In the desert"-what we know as Exodus) and rushing through what is viewed as the perfunctory ceremony, drudgery to most, let's get it over with mentality, in order to get to the meal.
But this story is richer and more nourishing than any culinary delight, if you have ears to hear! The actual dinner is dessert to me, after meditating and devouring every word of this incredible story of deliverance and redemption- 430 years to the very day, God Himself-not a seraph-delivered His people, performing miracles never before witnessed by humans, the sheer logistics of moving 600,000 men, plus women, children, livestock, possessions, ahead of a really angry Pharoah!
God's Word is the meal- Jesus said, "Man does not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceeds from the mouth of God"...it is no coincidence, of course, that the Last Supper, was the last Passover for Yeshua in that body- the topic of which I'm sure was about God's deliverance and redemption. (I have read between the lines with God's holy spirit assistance!) Today, read Exodus 1-15, if you are not celebrating Passover at an actual Seder, dine tonight, relish every word, topped with a deeper understanding of what a might, awesome, loving and engaged Abba/Master/ Bridegroom we serve.

Trials, Joy, Strength

   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.”
John 16:33

 2 Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters,[a] whenever you face trials of many kinds, 3 because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. 4 Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.
James 1:2-4

"The LORD is my strength and my shield; my heart trusts in him, and I am helped. My heart leaps for joy and I will give thanks to him in song."
Psalm 28:7

Today another giant squared off in front of my wife and I; a certified letter from the landlord of a failed attempted business, making demands for a huge sum of money which there is no hope (in the natural) of resolving. Another giant, another trial. What should we do, how should we respond? As we talked and prayed, the scriptures and the Holy Spirit provided the answers ...Jesus told us, braced us for the truth- in this life we will have trials and troubles. But he has told us to TAKE HEART, He has overcome the world, overcome our circumstances, financial problems, health issues, given us joy unspeakable. The kind of joy that is what the Word calls the JOY OF THE LORD, that makes it possible to keep going, that strengthens us, not becoming miserable, depressed, or embittered.
This giant will fall. I don't know how, and that's not my concern or worry. My heart trusts in the Lord, and I am helped, in this trial and all that this life brings, be it trouble, tribulation, or victory. I will praise Him and continue to keep on thanking my Conqueror.

The Only Safe Place

 66 From this time many of his disciples turned back and no longer followed him.
67 “You do not want to leave too, do you?” Jesus asked the Twelve.
68 Simon Peter answered him, “Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life. 69 We have come to believe and to know that you are the Holy One of God.”
John 6:66-69

From the end of the earth I call to You when my heart is faint; Lead me to the rock that is higher than I.
Psalm 61:2

When things get dicey, and the world as we know it (TEOTWAKI) crumbles, when health, finances, people, relationships, government- everything - fails us, where else should we go but to the Rock? There is nothing else, no one else, that can-or should-be counted on. The only peace, the only security, in this world and the life to come, the only Foundation, all else is sinking sand. If you are fearful, sick, wondering about the days ahead, cast all your cares on Him.
In Him is the only place to be.

Selling Out

 29 Once when Jacob was cooking some stew, Esau came in from the open country, famished. 30 He said to Jacob, “Quick, let me have some of that red stew! I’m famished!” (That is why he was also called Edom.[f])
 31 Jacob replied, “First sell me your birthright.”
 32 “Look, I am about to die,” Esau said. “What good is the birthright to me?”
33 But Jacob said, “Swear to me first.” So he swore an oath to him, selling his birthright to Jacob.
34 Then Jacob gave Esau some bread and some lentil stew. He ate and drank, and then got up and left.
 So Esau despised his birthright.

Today my daughter, Peri, and I were talking about the escalating price of oil and fuels, and how there is a tremendous transfer of wealth that has been taking place, as the west continues to buy oil from middle East oil producing nations, and as greedy corporations have closed American factories outsourcing millions of jobs, etc. Although we ourselves are sitting on vast natural resources-iron, minerals, petroleum, natural gas, & coal resources and have pioneered new forms of energy, we have allowed ourselves to be put in the place of selling our birthrights, for something that cost the sellers next to nothing. America was once the world's industrial leader, a Judeo-Christian nation seeking and trusting God, producers, lending to other countries, with no trade deficits, budget deficits- because we did not have moral deficits. Supreme Court Justice Earl Warren in 1954 wrote, " I like to believe we are living today in the spirit of the Christian religion. I like also to believe that as long as we do so, no great harm can come to our country." ... but no longer. So many have gone their own ways ("there is a way that seems right to a man, but in the end it leads to death"), this country mirrors biblical Israel, as God's chosen people turned away from him, chasing idols and forsaking the Lord. Esau traded his God-given birthrights, and all that it implied and its promise, for next to nothing, a moment of satisfying a hunger craving, feeding his belly and instant self gratification. Esau had the power and the resources, but he failed to use his knowledge (My people perish for a lack of knowledge), he chose to do things his way. Ya'acov (Jacob), the "trickster", did not just happen to be making this delicious aromatic stew coincidentally, it was purposeful, he had premeditated this plan, layed a trap of sorts for Esau, he desired to gain the birthright...he understood it's power, privilege, and he wanted it.
As born again awakened followers we have a birthright, we are the sons and daughters of the living God, and it is not for sale!
Remember who you are in the Lord, and remember to use the resources and gifts you have according to the purposes of the One who gave them to us. Let's not sell out to the world, but instead be SOLD OUT for God alone.

One thing I ask from the lord, this only do I seek: that I may dwell in the house of the lord all the days of my life, to gaze on the beauty of the lord and to seek him in his temple.
Psalm 27:4

The Importance of Reconciliation

   23 “Therefore, if you are offering your gift at the altar and there remember that your brother or sister has something against you, 24 leave your gift there in front of the altar. First go and be reconciled to them; then come and offer your gift.
Matthew 5:23-24

rec·on·cil·i·a·tion [rek-uh n-sil-ee-ey-shuh n]
-noun
1. an act of reconciling or the state of being reconciled.
2. the process of making consistent or compatible.

com·pat·i·ble [kuh m-pat-uh-buh l]
-adjective
1. capable of existing or living together in harmony

Cain's sacrifices were not accepted for a number of reasons, and amongst them was that the enmity that had developed between Abel and him that was never resolved. Sometimes in our lives there are situations that happen where a brother or sister becomes offended. How we interpret the cause as to whether or not we share the blame is not the point, or justification. Jesus makes no mention here of who caused the offense. This is a heart issue, and a prideful heart (when we are selfish and egocentric) will keep us from receiving the blessing that our Abba wants to bestow on us. Pride causes unforgiveness & disharmony to be cultivated, and with that, incompatibility - the inability of brothers and sisters to dwell together, which to say the least is "unpleasant". Psalm 133.
Jesus said "blessed are the peacemakers for they will be called sons of God..."Matt 5:9
To be called sons and daughters of the Living God is to dwell in harmony, and worth swallowing and squashing prideful fleshly instincts. These are days, today is the time for the rebuilding and mending of things torn down and damaged, starting with relationships, earthly and spiritual. If you have some that need fixing, step forward, be the fixer.
You'll be blessed!

Not Too Difficult

11 Now what I am commanding you today is not too difficult for you or beyond your reach. 12 It is not up in heaven, so that you have to ask, “Who will ascend into heaven to get it and proclaim it to us so we may obey it?” 13 Nor is it beyond the sea, so that you have to ask, “Who will cross the sea to get it and proclaim it to us so we may obey it?” 14 No, the word is very near you; it is in your mouth and in your heart so you may obey it.
Deuteronomy 30:11-14

Every time the children of Israel faced trials they would inevitably become discouraged and either shrink back or want to shrink back. I certainly understand that, not because I am a son of Israel, but because I'm human. Setbacks, hardship, "swimming against the tide", the seemingly daily struggles of life and the demands put upon us can just grind us down.
God commands us to love, obey, and follow Him with all our heart, mind, strength, soul. It is not too hard, and we don't have to go on a transcontinental "vision-quest" to find "it". God have given us the Word and the keys to the revelation of the knowledge of Him in personal and powerful ways. His yoke is easy, His burden is light. The Word is very near to us, it's in our mouths and He has written it on the tablets of our hearts. Our Abba is near to us, and is always a very present help in difficult and troublesome times. Cast your cares on Him today-and every day.

Remembrance

"Remember Him before the silver cord is broken and the golden bowl is crushed, the pitcher by the well is shattered and the wheel at the cistern is crushed, and the dust returns to the ground it came from, and the spirit returns to God who gave it."
Ecc. 12:6-7

God has given each of us life, the balance of which is uncertain. There is no one who knows the number of his/her days ; if you had just been told that you have only 6 months, perhaps a year to live, how would you spend it? Would you seek the pleasures of this world, eating, drinking, partying "like it's 1999"? Perhaps as Christians, assured of our eternal address and destiny, we would do all we could to be vessels of God's purpose, maybe make up for lost time... feeling the weight of mortality here, and seeing the fields as they are, white with the harvest"-...perhaps we would do all we could to make sure those we love know that we feel about them, more importantly, making sure that they know how the Father feels about them- lavishing them with affection and more, leaving nothing undone. When we close our eyes for the last time in this world, and open them to behold the Father/Bridegroom, will he be able to say , "Well done"?
Dwell on the Lord, make sure that He is indwelling you, and remember your Creator all the days of your life, whatever span that is.

Golden Calves

 1 When the people saw that Moses was so long in coming down from the mountain, they gathered around Aaron and said, “Come, make us gods[a] who will go before us. As for this fellow Moses who brought us up out of Egypt, we don’t know what has happened to him.”
 2 Aaron answered them, “Take off the gold earrings that your wives, your sons and your daughters are wearing, and bring them to me.” 3 So all the people took off their earrings and brought them to Aaron. 4 He took what they handed him and made it into an idol cast in the shape of a calf, fashioning it with a tool. Then they said, “These are your gods,[b] Israel, who brought you up out of Egypt.”
 5 When Aaron saw this, he built an altar in front of the calf and announced, “Tomorrow there will be a festival to the LORD.” 6 So the next day the people rose early and sacrificed burnt offerings and presented fellowship offerings. Afterward they sat down to eat and drink and got up to indulge in revelry.
Ex.32:1-5

Every time I read this, I am always amazed and disturbed. Moses was up on Mt. Sinai for only 40 days ... and in just this brief time these people totally turned their backs on the Lord God Almighty, fashioning an idol in the shape of a calf of gold to worship instead! God Himself had delivered them with a mighty arm and outstretched right hand, led them in the desert by pillars of cloud by day and pillars of fire by night, fed them supernaturally day by day, but yet in just a few days without Moses these people were clamoring for Aaron to make an idol for them to worship, and he complied, later lying to his brother about where the calf came from. Just a few days...and these were the actual folks that crossed the parted Red Sea! How could this have happened to these people, and so quickly? If it happened to them it can also happen to others...
The scriptures read " draw near to God and He will draw near to you" (James 4:8), "a broken and contrite heart God will not despise" (Psalm 51:17). But if our eyes and our hearts are not fixed on God, we too will find ourselves worshipping idols, maybe not a golden calf, but maybe other forms of gold, perhaps a career, perhaps another person we are obsessing about or a thousand other idols...no, maybe not the calf, but not less harmful and dangerous.
Moses utterly destroyed that calf. He didn't melt it back down and turn it into earrings again, he burned it in the fire and ground it to dust, making the faithless drink the remains.
But I encourage you, fix your eyes on Jesus, destroy the idols...worship God only.
Remember, there is nothing we desire that compares to Him.

Keep Going

But those who trust in the LORD will find new strength. They will soar high on wings like eagles. They will run and not grow weary. They will walk and not faint.
Isaiah 40:31

Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, 3because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance. 4Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.
James 1:2-4


Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up.
Gal.6:9

Wait for the LORD; be strong and take heart and wait for the LORD.
PSALM 27:14

It has been said, "When the going gets tough, the tough keep going." I have blogged before on perseverance, the need to push forward and the supernatural encouragement that the Lord gives us through His word when we face giants, when there are minefields in our paths, and when promises made to us by others turn out to be lies (thank you Michael W. Smith). We have not finished the race yet, we serve a mighty God, and even when we can't see the light at the end of the tunnel hope is never lost. So don't give up or give in...God's strength and power is perfected in our weakness, and our Father/Master/King will never, not ever, leave us or forsake us. Rejoice in the Lord, and remember : THE JOY OF THE LORD IS OUR STRENGTH!

Patching Gaping Holes

I had Nehemiah and Jesus on my mind all night...as I slept, awakened, slept, dreamed, I could see Nehemiah and his brethren working shoulder to shoulder, tools in one hand, sword in the other, and then fading to Yeshua, both rending the veil and simultaneously "making the two one". Ephesians 2:15
Nehemiah, with the King's permission and authority, came to repair Jerusalem, city of his ancestors, that had been assailed and destroyed, burnt by fire and walls broken down with huge gaps in them, with no protection from her enemies. The destruction was a result of God's chosen people turning their backs on Him, taking up idols and going astray. He was a forerunner.
Jesus with the King's authority and power, came to repair and fill the gaping holes in our hearts and lives, remove the wreckage, restore our sin scorched consciences, renew everything that was ruined. We are called and equipped to work alongside Him- with a sword in one hand(the Word), his gifts in the other.
Nehemiah rebuilt the walls of Jerusalem in just 52 amazing days, with the Lord's help and guidance, even as numerous adversaries, accused, lied, and tried to attack, and Jesus does the same, only supremely better, even as the accuser tries to lie and use every trick to keep us from finishing the work. He who began a good work in us will be faithful to complete it!

My Desire

"Zeal for my Father's house has consumed me"

"I want to know Christ and the power of his resurrection and the fellowship of sharing in his sufferings, becoming like him in his death,"
Phil.3:10

"What is more, I consider everything a loss compared to the surpassing greatness of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whose sake I have lost all things. I consider them rubbish, that I may gain Christ"
Philippians 3:8

These scriptures succinctly sum up my desires...to know Him, commune with Him, hear his voice, climb into His lap, lock gazes with Him. My life is hidden in Him, I want to be consumed by His all consuming fire, and nothing I desire compares to my longing for my Bridegroom. Truly there is nothing that can compare. In His presence is fullness of joy.

No Box Will Hold Him/Misconceptions

 12 Who has measured the waters in the hollow of his hand,
   or with the breadth of his hand marked off the heavens?
Who has held the dust of the earth in a basket,
   or weighed the mountains on the scales
   and the hills in a balance?
13 Who can fathom the Spirit[d] of the LORD,
   or instruct the LORD as his counselor?
14 Whom did the LORD consult to enlighten him,
   and who taught him the right way?
Who was it that taught him knowledge,
   or showed him the path of understanding?

 15 Surely the nations are like a drop in a bucket;
   they are regarded as dust on the scales;
   he weighs the islands as though they were fine dust.
16 Lebanon is not sufficient for altar fires,
   nor its animals enough for burnt offerings.
17 Before him all the nations are as nothing;
   they are regarded by him as worthless
   and less than nothing.

 18 With whom, then, will you compare God?
   To what image will you liken him?
19 As for an idol, a metalworker casts it,
   and a goldsmith overlays it with gold
   and fashions silver chains for it.
20 A person too poor to present such an offering
   selects wood that will not rot;
they look for a skilled worker
   to set up an idol that will not topple.

 21 Do you not know?
   Have you not heard?
Has it not been told you from the beginning?
   Have you not understood since the earth was founded?
22 He sits enthroned above the circle of the earth,
   and its people are like grasshoppers.
He stretches out the heavens like a canopy,
   and spreads them out like a tent to live in.
23 He brings princes to naught
   and reduces the rulers of this world to nothing.
24 No sooner are they planted,
   no sooner are they sown,
   no sooner do they take root in the ground,
than he blows on them and they wither,
   and a whirlwind sweeps them away like chaff.

 25 “To whom will you compare me?
   Or who is my equal?” says the Holy One.
26 Lift up your eyes and look to the heavens:
   Who created all these?
He who brings out the starry host one by one
   and calls forth each of them by name.
Because of his great power and mighty strength,
   not one of them is missing.
Isaiah 40:12-26

8 “For my thoughts are not your thoughts,
   neither are your ways my ways,”
            declares the LORD.
9 “As the heavens are higher than the earth,
   so are my ways higher than your ways
   and my thoughts than your thoughts.
Jer.55:8-9
 
Many doctrines in church denominations and other religions swirl around their ideas of who God is, and since we have human minds, putting limits on what the Uncreated, Shoreless Ocean, father/Master/Creator/Bridegroom can or cannot do. People often do in their minds exactly what the Lord spoke through Isaiah here- making God into cute little figurines, a genie in a bottle, or in their minds putting a box around God to keep up their "shelf"- putting it away if they don't need Him or taking it down when they do need Him, when there is trouble or difficulty , to fill their shopping list, as they see fit. What is your concept of God? Whatever it is, it is too narrow, too small...He is boundless, endless, the Alpha & the Omega, He began everything, and everything He will bring to it's conclusion. As a new believer, I was told that if I wanted to understand how big God really is, go stand at the bottom of the biggest skyscraper I could find -and look up - then imagine that expanded by 10 to the infinity! Everyday I am blown away by this amazing God who hung all the stars, positions this planet exactly for life , surrounded us with such beautiful creation, and created us in His image, loved us first so that we can love Him and have real relationship with Him, gave us free will to come to Him compelled by His love, not by His wrath or fear of impending judgement, and sent His Son, JESUS, who paid for each of our death sentences and redeemed us with His own blood.
Today, think on these things, His thoughts and ways are much higher than ours.
 

Wielding

1Jesus, full of the Holy Spirit, returned from the Jordan and was led by the Spirit in the desert, 2where for forty days he was tempted by the devil. He ate nothing during those days, and at the end of them he was hungry.
3The devil said to him, “If you are the Son of God, tell this stone to become bread.”
4Jesus answered, “It is written: ‘Man does not live on bread alone.
5The devil led him up to a high place and showed him in an instant all the kingdoms of the world. 6And he said to him, “I will give you all their authority and splendor, for it has been given to me, and I can give it to anyone I want to. 7So if you worship me, it will all be yours.”
8Jesus answered, “It is written: "Worship the Lord your God and serve him only."
9The devil led him to Jerusalem and had him stand on the highest point of the temple. “If you are the Son of God,” he said, “throw yourself down from here. 10For it is written:
“‘He will command his angels concerning you to guard you carefully;
11they will lift you up in their hands, so that you will not strike your foot against a stone.
12Jesus answered, “It says: ‘Do not put the Lord your God to the test.’
13When the devil had finished all this tempting, he left him until an opportune time."
Luke 4:1-13


Notice how the King of Kings refutes the devil here! He does not use the innate power bestowed to Immanuel- he uses the power contained in the Scriptures, the very same Scriptures, with all the power Jesus utilized. All He had to do is to utter IT IS WRITTEN. "For the word of God is living and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart." Hebrews 4:12
The Word is our Sword, crafted by the Lord in holiness, to be wielded by His soldiers(that's us, Beloved!), but you must take the sword out of the scabbard and use it!
GOD'S Word goes out and never returns void, without accomplishing its purpose! Is.55:11.
"All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the servant of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work."
2 Timothy 3:16-17
Today in the face of any and every situation declare: IT IS WRITTEN.

Jesus 101

Jesus did many amazing things during His ministry including:
made the blind see,
the lame walk,
the deaf hear,
lepers were made clean,
The dead revived to life

As I thought about these miracles, the Holy Spirit was showing me how many more miracles Jesus is doing even now-in our our lives, we were blinded, stumbling, deaf, unclean and filthy, and even dead spiritually in our sinful lives. But Jesus ! He opens the eyes of our hearts, clears the paths in front of us so we can walk uprightly, cleans the junk from our ears that makes it hard to hear the Voice of the Beloved, cleans and heals, and makes us alive, even when we were dead. All spiritual reflections of physical examples- as the Lord often uses the Word to illuminate such things.
Now, I know that these principles are basic "Jesus 101" but for me these are not days of fancy theological exegesis, but a time for getting back to the basics: who we are, what our gifts and callings are, His purposes for my life, having the revelation of the knowledge of God. I want only to know God and His ways, and be known by Him. I know that I can weather the storms of life as He strengthens me when I am able to see, walk, hear, run the Race ... I live because of Him.

Getting Together

"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."
Hebrew 10:25

"And when the day of Pentecost was fully come, they were all with one accord in one place."
Acts 2:1

"Carry each other’s burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ."
Galatians 6:2

They overcame by the word of their testimony and the Blood of the Lamb"
Rev. 12:11

"Jesus answered, "It is written: 'Worship the Lord your God and serve him only.'"
Luke 4:8

"See, I set before you today life and prosperity, death and destruction. 16For I command you today to love the LORD your God, to walk in his ways, and to keep his commands, decrees and laws; then you will live and increase, and the LORD your God will bless you in the land you are entering to possess."
Deut.30:15-16


Have you ever heard these statements- or maybe even said them?:

A) " I'm so tired today, I never get to do what I want Sunday morning, I think I will go to brunch and hang out instead of church" ...

B) "I don't think I need to go to church to worship God because God is everywhere, so I can worship Him anywhere."

There are many others, and I'm sure that I have used them all! Having used them, I can admit the obvious: I knew that I was wrong, and disobedient, I knew I belonged in church, in fellowship, but I was being self indulgent, and giving into the flesh, and once I started missing it became easier because I wasn't feeding my soul...
Beloved, the scriptures encourage believers to assemble to worship Him, bearing each other's burdens, sharing each other's testimonies which also strengthen the body of believers (the Church), prophesying for the edification of our brothers and sisters, there is strength in numbers, how good it is for brothers to dwell together ... but, when a person is out of fellowship, the probability is that they are also not hearing the Word, and therefore prone to have their faith shipwrecked (Faith comes from hearing and hearing from the word of God). Without fellowship the Christian is weakened.
In nature predators do not attack herds, where the numbers are strong and all members are operating for the good of each other, nurturing, feeding, and protecting one another, no, they go after the strays, the wayward, weakened ones, and quickly overcome and devour.
God gives us the gift of free will, and He will not drag us kicking and screaming to anything, but there will be consequences for our decisions.

Returned/Redeemed

1When the LORD brought back the captives to Zion,
we were like men who dreamed.
2Our mouths were filled with laughter,
our tongues with songs of joy.
Then it was said among the nations,
“The LORD has done great things for them.”
3The LORD has done great things for us,
and we are filled with joy.
4Restore our fortunes, O LORD,
like streams in the Negev.
5Those who sow in tears
will reap with songs of joy.
6He who goes out weeping,
carrying seed to sow,
will return with songs of joy,
carrying sheaves with him.
Psalm 126

As I read this psalm ( one of my favorites) I had this revelation of the successive verses: I was a captive... So were you, and some of us still are. We hold our arms right out, and the shackles and chains are slipped onto us, while we lean over willingly to have the stock slipped around our necks! Ah, but Jesus...he is the Great Liberator! Even at the darkest moment, He is always right there. The key to our redemption lies in the paradigm shift from surrendering to the flesh and the evil wrought by the enemy, to total surrender to the true Master, seeking His face, with the ongoing help on the Spirit, and bathing in the Word.
The Lord has done great things for us! Let us not forget for a second, who He is, that His desires are for us, to restore, bring joy (The Joy of the Lord is our strength, and actually helps sustains us, bringing ongoing health and vigor). Why did the Lord give us tears as a physiologic function? I believe tears (rain) are part of the process of washing away impurities, physical, emotional, and spiritual, what is left , and helps impart and plant that which is will become fruitful. Sheaves are the harvest...the bounty God pours out on us, in every realm, "after the rain". He is so good to us, we are children of the King! We have all hit the lottery, we are the recipients are exceedingly rich treasures, but we often forget. We have the promises of a heavenly Father/Bridegroom who does not change or lie!
Praise the Lord!

Immoveable Unshakeable

 25 See to it that you do not refuse him who speaks. If they did not escape when they refused him who warned them on earth, how much less will we, if we turn away from him who warns us from heaven? 26 At that time his voice shook the earth, but now he has promised, “Once more I will shake not only the earth but also the heavens.”[e] 27 The words “once more” indicate the removing of what can be shaken—that is, created things—so that what cannot be shaken may remain. 28 Therefore, since we are receiving a kingdom that cannot be shaken, let us be thankful, and so worship God acceptably with reverence and awe, 29 for our “God is a consuming fire.”
Hebrews 12:25-28

Though the mountains be shaken and the hills be removed, yet my unfailing love for you will not be shaken nor my covenant of peace be removed," says the LORD, who has compassion on you.
Isaiah 54:10

Those who trust in the lord are like Mount Zion, which cannot be shaken but endures forever.
Psalm 125:1

I have blogged about these things before, but I feel led to again...
There are a lot of frightened and confused people out there. We talked to a relative recently, who knows someone who confided in her that she and many friends are really frightened, as the Middle East really starts to churn, Islam threatens , earthquakes shake countries literally apart, the governments and systems we have trusted in become weakened and many fear inevitable collapses. Now these people are not Christians, they know not the Lord or His Word-yet.
Beloved, I haven't done a word study on how many times shaking appears in scripture, but it is MANY. It's there because we have a bad habit of taking our eyes off the Uncreated Creator, the One who is immoveable, steady, controls everything, and loves ...US. Family, it is actually a sin to worry! It means that we don't trust Him, that we think His Arm is too short, that He is not mighty enough. Guess what? All lies from the pit of hell, from an adversary who wants to plant seeds of doubt, just as when Peter was strolling on the water - until He entertained those thoughts that came from the accuser, and went down.
The Lord, our Father/Master/Bridegroom/Redeemer, is mighty to save. He is never early or late, He is always right on time. We only see dimly now, but soon we will know His perfect plans and how He worked everything for good, always, even in times that seemed dark and difficult.

Clued In or Clueless?

"A wicked and adulterous generation looks for a miraculous sign, but none will be given it except the sign of Jonah." Jesus then left them and went away."
Matthew 16:4

27 “He answered, ‘Then I beg you, father, send Lazarus to my family, 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 16:27-31

But as the days of Noah were, so shall also the coming of the Son of man be”
Matthew 24:37

"Now learn this lesson from the fig tree: As soon as its twigs get tender and its leaves come out, you know that summer is near. Even so, when you see all these things, you know that it is near, right at the door.
Matthew 24:32-33

If the Lord returned at this moment would you be ready, or would it be a total surprise? I heard an astounding fact from my wife today - the number of earthquakes between 2000-2009 was an escalated number of roughly 2000 per year, but in 2010 there were 8,444 earthquakes!
Since The Ascension, people have asked the same questions that the disciples also asked: What will be the signs of your coming? How will we know and when can we expect you?
We are given the clues, the Bible is full of signposts, the Lord told us : Watch and Pray. We are in an extremely perverse and depraved generation. Just as in the days of Noah...when the scoffers and mockers laughed and made sport of a godly and obedient man and his family, while they labored for about 100 years! Were there not clues everywhere, were the people not warned repeatedly? God placed a huge signpost in their midst but the people were hardened, so the ability to understand spiritual and physical dynamics were cloaked from them.
Again, we are in the days like Noah! Earthquakes, wars, rumors of war, chaos abounding, love of many is waxing cold...the dark is getting very dark indeed. Night comes before the morning...as surely as the darkness approaches, the light is getting brighter. The spirit is impressing on me two things: (1) "Have my oil lamp full" - to keep my own eyes fixed on Him, my ear and heart inclined to hear the voice of my Lord and Bridegroom-to be ready as He will come as a thief in the night, (2) sound the trumpet- awaken the sleeping, share the Gospel with all who may listen, wherever they may be found.
Whenever the appointed time is, it is short- work for His Kingdom, manning your post, while there is day, and let us not love our own lives so selfishly that we are self-absorbed and useless. Use the gifts and talents that you are equipped with, do not bury them, He will require an accounting of what was done with them when we stand before Him. Remember, Jesus said,"whoever seeks to save his life will lose it, and whoever loses his life for my sake will find it."

Read The Label (Following Instructions)

Place me like a seal over your heart, like a seal on your arm; for love is as strong as death, its jealousy unyielding as the grave. It burns like blazing fire, like a mighty flame.
Song of Songs 8:6

"For we are God's workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do."
Eph.2:10

"If a man cleanses himself from the latter, he will be an instrument for noble purposes, made holy, useful to the Master and prepared to do any good work."
2 Tim.2:21

"All of us have become like one who is unclean, and all our righteous acts are like filthy rags; we all shrivel up like a leaf, and like the wind our sins sweep us away...Yet you, lord, are our Father. We are the clay, you are the potter; we are all the work of your hand."
Isaiah64:6,8

I was at the gas station, and looking at the different labels, "PREMIUM ONLY" , "LOW SULFUR DIESEL ONLY", etc. and the Lord showed me an image of a huge holy gold chalice, shining and jewel encrusted. As I watched, a garbage truck backed up to it, brimming and reeking with the stench of trash and filth, and dumped all of this into, onto, and overflowing- the holy chalice. I could see the elements of the filth - adultery, pornography, immorality, lies, anger, unforgiveness, unbelief, idolatry ... It was totally covered up...the Lord showed me, " You and many of your brothers and sister were like this chalice, which I created for holiness ONLY, but you turned your back on me, chased the things of this world, filling yourself with filth until it overtook you, but by my lovingkindness I led you to repentance, and by my grace I delivered you. There are no secrets that can be hidden from me, do not be deceived, I will not be mocked. Pursue holiness, resist evil. Go and deliver this message to whomever has ears to hear."

Today I am a messenger...Friendship with the world is emnity with God. His plans for us are far better than any plans we might have for ourselves, apart from Him we can do nothing.

The Deal

“The kingdom of heaven is like treasure hidden in a field. When a man found it, he hid it again, and then in his joy went and sold all he had and bought that field.
“Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a merchant looking for fine pearls.
When he found one of great value, he went away and sold everything he had and bought it."
Matthew 13:44-45

What can compare to the incomparable riches of what our Bridegroom/Master and the kingdom life promises us? The answer- nothing... No thing, no one...nothing.
Like the treasure in the field in this parable of Jesus, where people walked past it, over it, on it, never realizing that which was within their grasp, consumed by other concerns and interests- if only they could see and hear the Kol Dodi- the voice of the Beloved. Selling "all we have", walking away from what the world perceives as valuable, may seem crazy, foolish...Paul said "if I am out of my mind it is for God's sake". But it is the best deal we could ever make!
Nothing I desire or have owned or experience can compare with the majesty, holiness, awesomeness, glory, lovingkindness of my Father and His house, where I will spend eternity. For me, to live is Christ, to die is gain. I desire to decrease, so He can increase.

Not Sinking 259

My Hope Is Built on Nothing Less
By Edward Mote

My hope is built on nothing less
Than Jesus’ blood and righteous;
No merit of my own I claim
But wholly lean on Jesus’ name.
On Christ, the solid rock, I stand;
All other ground is sinking sand.
When darkness veils his lovely face,
I rest on his unchanging grace;
In every high and story gale
My anchor holds within the veil.
On Christ, the solid rock, I stand;
All other ground is sinking sand.
His oath, his covenant, his blood
Sustain me in the raging flood;
When all supports are washed away,
He then is all my hope and stay.
On Christ, the solid rock, I stand;
All other ground is sinking sand.
When he shall come with trumpet sound,
Oh, may I then in him be found,
Clothed in his righteousness alone,
Redeemed to stand before the throne!
On Christ, the solid rock, I stand;
All other ground is sinking sand.

"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.
Colossians 2:6-7

Jesus Christ, the Rock, is where I choose to put all my hope, faith, trust, and adoration.
He alone will anchor me, as everything that can be shaken shakes, as the perfect storm approaches.
I won't trust in man, money, governments, or any other manmade thing.
Everything else is like sinking sand; it will not stand.
It has been said , "I never knew that Jesus was all I needed until He was all I had."
He is that lighthouse that shines when all else is stormy and dark, strength increasing when I am weak, His love is better than wine, when my self worth and esteem feels low, I realize He values me as priceless , so highly prized that I (we are) am His reward. He is with me, right now, always, and will be in the age to come.
Jesus loves me, this I know, for the Bible tells me so!
On Christ the solid Rock I stand...all else is sinking sand.

War & Peace

I say then: Walk in the Spirit, and you shall not fulfill the lust of the flesh. For the flesh lusts against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh; and these are contrary to one another, so that you do not do the things that you wish. But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the law.
Gal.5:16-18

" 21 So I find this law at work: Although I want to do good, evil is right there with me. 22 For in my inner being I delight in God’s law; 23 but I see another law at work in me, waging war against the law of my mind and making me a prisoner of the law of sin at work within me. 24 What a wretched man I am! Who will rescue me from this body that is subject to death? 25 Thanks be to God, who delivers me through Jesus Christ our Lord!"
Romans 7:21-25

We are at war with ourselves! Two primary facets of who and what we are - body and spirit- are diametrically opposed, and no one is exempt from this ongoing battle. Even the Apostle Paul wrote about his dealings with this struggle. I am reminded today- a person cannot heap burning coals into his lap, and not be burned. The Word reads- Resist the devil and he will flee.
So resist today. Do not try to reason with darkness and rationalize evil. Walk in the spirit and not in the flesh. Christ crucified is the goal, He is our beacon in a dark world, and we are His reward.

Grateful 101

I am grateful.
I have been reflecting on my Father.
He is not a cruel Master, who metes out punishment mercilessly.
His mercy is endless- withholding punishment from me that I rightfully deserve.
His grace is more than abundant- giving me unmerited favor, covering and healing self inflicted wounds, and giving me blessings that I rightfully am not entitled to.
His lovingkindness endures forever- when I can't lift my head because of sin,
All I can croak out through my tears is "Lord, have mercy on me",
He lifts my head, and looks into my soul, and comforts me.
I am grateful.

Hands and Feet 145

“He makes my feet like hinds’ feet,
         And sets me on my high places.
2 Samuel 22:34, Psalm 18:33

How beautiful on the mountains are the feet of those who bring good news, who proclaim peace, who bring good tidings, who proclaim salvation, who say to Zion, "Your God reigns!"
Isaiah 52:7

"He trains my hands for battle;
my arms can bend a bow of bronze."
Psalm 18:34, 2 Samuel 22:35


"It is God who arms me with strength and makes my way perfect."
Psalm 18:32

God is our enabler. When the Lord knocks on the door of our hearts and we invite Him in, He turns ordinary vessels into those that can be used for Holy purposes. He turns our weaknesses into His strength. He washes the dirt from our feet, making them beautiful as we are faithful to bring the good news of the Gospel, and sturdy enough to leap over the pits and snares that lay on our paths, and then stand in high places in His presence. The Lord is our navigation system- In Him we are never in the wrong place. He makes us battle ready-strengthened, armored, and more than conquerers. Today make the Lord your confidence, The eternal weight of His glory is being worked in you.

Listening and Doing

 19 My dear brothers and sisters, take note of this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry, 20 because human anger does not produce the righteousness that God desires. 21 Therefore, get rid of all moral filth and the evil that is so prevalent and humbly accept the word planted in you, which can save you.
 22 Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says. 23 Anyone who listens to the word but does not do what it says is like someone who looks at his face in a mirror 24 and, after looking at himself, goes away and immediately forgets what he looks like. 25 But whoever looks intently into the perfect law that gives freedom, and continues in it—not forgetting what they have heard, but doing it—they will be blessed in what they do.
James 1:19-25

We are called to listen more, speak less- and then do what we have heard. This principle escaped me for many years; hearing the word, the voice of the Master, but then doing nothing of what I had just heard!
In the natural world, we respond to those in authority over us, in the workplace, personal relationships, etc., but somehow we often choose to ignore the words of Life. There are blessings attached to this vital principle. V.25 reads "they will be blessed in what they do." We have all the tools we need, as the word tells us :"
for the equipping of the saints for the work of service, to the building up of the body of Christ"(Eph.4:12). Step forward. God has given us the armor, tools & weapons, that we need to advance the kingdom, each of us where He has placed us.
There is one thing He hasn't given us: the spirit of fear.

My Foundation 258

 "If I speak in the tongues of men or of angels, but do not have 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 do not have love, I am nothing. 3 If I give all I possess to the poor and give over my body to hardship that I may boast,but do not have love, I gain nothing. 4 Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. 5 It does not dishonor others, 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.8 Love never fails. But where there are prophecies, they will cease; where there are tongues, they will be stilled; where there is knowledge, it will pass away. 9 For we know in part and we prophesy in part, 10 but when completeness comes, what is in part disappears. 11 When I was a child, I talked like a child, I thought like a child, I reasoned like a child. When I became a man, I put the ways of childhood behind me. 12 For now we see only a reflection as in a mirror; then we shall see face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I am fully known.
13 And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love."
1 Corinthians 13

God is love.
I want to be affected, and affect others, by the principles of these verses.
I want to wear His light and easy yoke.
 Sometimes it's easier said than actually accomplished.
A bit of selfishness here, a hard heart there, a spark of offense sneaks in, and a runaway train wreck can happen- if love is not applied generously.
So I make every effort to apply love thick enough to fill and cover any bomb cratered roads, and reconstruct blown out buildings that I machined-gunned into rubble with bullets of anger. Today Lord, make me a lover, and a legacy builder.
LORD, Cover our shortcomings, failures, and inadequacies,
as You use your love to help us cover and build up others.

Thirsty

 1 As the deer pants for streams of water,
   so my soul pants for you, my God.
2 My soul thirsts for God, for the living God.
   When can I go and meet with God?
3 My tears have been my food
   day and night,
while people say to me all day long,
   “Where is your God?”
4 These things I remember
   as I pour out my soul:
how I used to go to the house of God
   under the protection of the Mighty One[d]
with shouts of joy and praise
   among the festive throng.
5 Why, my soul, are you downcast?
   Why so disturbed within me?
Put your hope in God,
   for I will yet praise him,
   my Savior and my God.
6 My soul is downcast within me;
   therefore I will remember you
from the land of the Jordan,
   the heights of Hermon—from Mount Mizar.
7 Deep calls to deep
   in the roar of your waterfalls;
all your waves and breakers
   have swept over me.
8 By day the LORD directs his love,
   at night his song is with me—
   a prayer to the God of my life.
9 I say to God my Rock,
   “Why have you forgotten me?
Why must I go about mourning,
   oppressed by the enemy?”
10 My bones suffer mortal agony
   as my foes taunt me,
saying to me all day long,
   “Where is your God?”
11 Why, my soul, are you downcast?
   Why so disturbed within me?
Put your hope in God,
   for I will yet praise him,
My Savior and my God.
Psalm 42

I am thirsty. I find that in my life with my Father/Bridegroom/King that I am in one of two possible places. Either His waves and breakers are sweeping over me, totally enveloping me, or I am in the Sahara. There is no intermediate between the two, it is one or the other.
We harvest what we sow; we either sow into the Spirit or sow into the flesh, but we are always sowing to one or the other, whether realized or not. The thirsty times are painful, what I imagine withdrawal pain would be to a drug addict, the scriptures stating,"my bones suffer mortal agony". I have know this sensation, it truly is agonizing. The goal of my life: to hope in God, to pursue Him, to feast on His Word, to hear the whisper of His voice and the roar of His waterfalls, to have my heart not ache because of not being in His presence, but to ache because I am lovesick for Him, and I know that only He can satisfy the desires and longings of my heart and soul.

Times of Refreshing/Repentance

“For thus says the high and exalted One Who lives forever, whose name is Holy, I dwell in a high and holy place, And also with the contrite and lowly of spirit in order to revive the spirit of the lowly And to revive the heart of the contrite.” Isaiah 57:15

“Therefore repent and return, so that your sins may be wiped away, in order that times of refreshing may come from the presence of the Lord.” Psalm 3:19

“Revive me according to Your loving kindness, So that I may keep the testimony of Your mouth.” Psalm 119:88

"We love because He first loved us"
1 John 4:19

Repentance...refreshing...revival...renewal...
Biblical Israel, God's Chosen people, were always in a state of flux througout their history, they would be in a great place of surrender, obedience, and enjoying peace and prosperity as they are blessed by the Lord. Over time, though, complacency and lukewarm attitudes crept in, along with idolatry, and all of the manifestations of backsliding. The people then paid a heavy price as the blessings and protection of the Father were removed, after which repentance would fall, revival would come, and the people restored.
Their history is a reflection of our personal histories.
We get up...we fall down...we get up. I once heard, "the difference between saints and sinners is that saints keep getting up. We are flawed, imperfect creatures, it is incumbent on us to fix our eyes on perfection- Jesus. He loved us first, and it's God's lovingkindness that brings us to repentance when we slip from a high and lofty place. Revival is never far away, as long as we are willing to turn from wickedness, confess our mess-ups, and fall back into the loving arms of our Father/Bridegroom/King.

In Our Midst 148

"They also will answer, 'Lord, when did we see you hungry or thirsty or a stranger or needing clothes or sick or in prison, and did not help you?'
Matthew 25:44

Do not forget to show hospitality to strangers, for by so doing some people have shown hospitality to angels without knowing it.
Hebrews 13:2

Angels are among us! Angelic visitations have never stopped, but in most cases we are simply unaware that we are in their presence. They are multi-purpose; guardians, warriors, messengers, sometimes they are sent to test us. We talk the talk, but when we are faced with a stranger who may have needs- hungry, sick, broke, cold, lonely- how do we respond? On the Day that the veils are pulled away, and we are allowed to see the whole picture, we will see just how many times angels were injected into our life situations.
I am reminded of a former pastor of ours who shared the anecdote of buying a fast food meal for a man who seemed destitute. The stranger thanked him, stepped out into a busy street, a work van going 30 mph passed between their line of sight, and when it passed a split second later, the stranger had vanished.
There are many such accounts, and while they are so interesting, beloved, we need to treat the least of these, every opportunity, with love because this is what love is. We are called to do all things as unto Jesus Himself. The Lord doesn't need to send angels- He is omniscient and omnipotent- He knows and sees everything.
Food for thought...

Majestic 260

 Oh LORD, our Lord,
   how majestic is your name in all the earth!
You have set your glory
   in the heavens.
2 Through the praise of children and infants
   you have established a stronghold against your enemies,
   to silence the foe and the avenger.
3 When I consider your heavens,
   the work of your fingers,
the moon and the stars,
   which you have set in place,
4 what is mankind that you are mindful of them,
   human beings that you care for them?
5 You have made them a little lower than the angels
   and crowned them with glory and honor.
6 You made them rulers over the works of your hands;
   you put everything under their feet:
7 all flocks and herds,
   and the animals of the wild,
8 the birds in the sky,
   and the fish in the sea,
   all that swim the paths of the seas.
9 LORD, our Lord,
   how majestic is your name in all the earth!

Familiarity with the names of the Master/Creator God sometimes can cause me to lose sight and take for granted the obvious: God's, and the sheer awesomeness of who He is, and how He thinks of us. We are surrounded by his handiwork; beautiful sunrises and sunsets, incredible sculpturing of mountains and landscapes. Even though this world has been corrupted by the Fall, we are living in an immense art gallery. God has given us administration over His creation- "handed us the keys"-
We are always on His mind and highly prized by Him.
We are loved with a jealous and everlasting love, and He has given good gifts to us.
Slow down a bit, beloved  take a look around, and Praise Him -today and everyday.

Holy 149

"On that day holy to the Lord will be inscribed on the bells of the horses, and the cooking pots in the Lord's house will be like the sacred bowls in front of the altar. Every pot in Jerusalem and Judah will be holy to the Lord Almighty, and all who come to sacrifice will take some of the pots and cook in them. And on that day there will no longer be a Canaanite in the house of the lord Almighty."
Zechariah. 14:20-21

This scripture has personal profound significance to me- even common cooking pots will be like sacred bowls - and so labeled - HOLY TO THE LORD- this is the seal the Lord instructed me to tattoo onto the inside of my right forearm. If any of you have ever had a tattoo, you may know that the inside of the forearm is one of the most sensitive and painful areas to tattoo- the Lord showed me that this pain was necessary- endurance and perseverance, even with pain, will at times be required in our lives, stepping out of our comfort zone.
We are these vessels- common pots being remade for uncommon and holy purposes.
Do not say, "I have no gifts, no skills, I am broken and worthless - how and why would the Lord use me?"
We are entering the season where God desires to use all of us, He is searching the whole earth looking for those who are willing; He is inscribing his labeling and making us HOLY. The requirement: total surrender.

Signs 150

Over and over the words are ringing in my spirit: When you see these things, look up, look up, look up, for your redemption draws nigh. Yes, the winds of Armageddon are beginning to blow. Jesus described our day when saying that "as the days of Noah were, so shall the coming of the Son of Man be … And they knew not until the flood came and took them all away." (Matthew 24:37, 39)

-Reprinted from Jerusalem Prayer Team, Dr. Mike Evans, 3/15/2011

Earthquakes and tsunamis, wars, and rumors of more wars, the love of many waxing cold and falling away, famines- these are the signs of the soon return of Yeshua ben David- Jesus son of David. The words of the Scriptures, Dr.Evans' message, and also from Dr.John Hagee just yesterday, reflect and confirm what I feel in my spirit. He is coming- people get ready. When? I don't know, but this I do know. I want to be found faithful, a bride made ready, pure and spotless, when the Bridegroom comes. I will cling to Jesus, He is my Rock, the Author and Perfector of my faith. While everything that can be shaken (sometimes literally) is being shaken, and the Refiner's Fire does its work, we are to hold fast, be ready, rejoice, and look up. Do not hesitate to share the Gospel wherever opportunity is, we are to plant and harvest, so everyday ask God to put those in your path. Let's do God work while there is yet daylight. Get ready.

Easy 151

28“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. 29Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. 30For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.”
Matthew 11:28-30

Lord, there is nothing more I desire than to take your light and easy yoke. Yokes are generally devices that shackle, burden, and enslave, but your yoke actually buoys me up, pulling me out of the filth and pollution this world bathes me in, and sometimes, what I wade into. I desire the rest for my soul that only you can give, I long to sit at your feet and absorb everything that you are. Revive me Lord, nothing I desire compares to you. Your Love is better than wine; only you can satisfy.

Haves and Have Nots 152

"What causes quarrels and what causes fights among you? Is it not this, that your passions are at war within you? You desire and do not have, so you murder. You covet and cannot obtain, so you fight and quarrel. You do not have, because you do not ask. You ask and do not receive, because you ask wrongly, to spend it on your passions. You adulterous people![c] Do you not know that friendship with the world is enmity with God? Therefore whoever wishes to be a friend of the world makes himself an enemy of God. Or do you suppose it is to no purpose that the Scripture says, "He yearns jealously over the spirit that he has made to dwell in us"? But he gives more grace. Therefore it says, "God opposes the proud, but gives grace to the humble." Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. Draw near to God, and he will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded.  Be wretched and mourn and weep. Let your laughter be turned to mourning and your joy to gloom.  

Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will exalt you."
James 4:1-10

This morning I am reminded here of what causes strife and discord...we do!
The enemy wants us to be self-absorbed, instead of Jesus-absorbed.
Our natural fleshly desires are self seeking and without submission to God,
quarrels and discord are inevitable.
But, oh the changes that are wrought when our hearts are thrown wide open and the "God shaped vacuum is filled with the Holy Spirit! Really the difference between night and day. The Word says that God is jealous, and one of His names is Jealousy.   
Let that sink in!
He is jealous for us. He wants us-every fiber of what and who we are.
When we are totally surrendered to Him we submit ourselves totally, not half-heartedly, we are not thinking of ourselves. What happens when our hearts, minds, bodies, spirits, and souls are submitted to our Master? He meets us right where we are.
The Word says that "God will not leave the righteous forsaken, or begging bread".
If He feeds the birds of the air and clothes the flowers of the field then He will be faithful to take care of us, so we do not need to strive, covet, quarrel, or steal.
Trust in God alone, whose lovingkindness endures for ever.
Do not trust in things or world systems which will fail.
Today beloved seek the Lord while He may yet be found!

Shaken and Stirred 153

 1 Those who trust in the LORD are like Mount Zion,
   which cannot be shaken but endures forever.
2 As the mountains surround Jerusalem,
   so the LORD surrounds his people
   both now and forevermore.
Psalm 125:-2

"I consider that our present sufferings are not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed in us."
Romans 8:18

 "31 What, then, shall we say in response to these things? 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. 34 Who then is the one who condemns? No one. Christ Jesus who died—more than that, who was raised to life—is at the right hand of God and is also interceding for us. 35 Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall trouble or hardship or persecution or famine or nakedness or danger or sword? 36 As it is written:
   “For your sake we face death all day long;
   we are considered as sheep to be slaughtered.”[j]
37 No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. 38 For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons,[k] neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, 39 neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord."

Yesterday, March 11, 2011, one of the worst earthquakes in recorded history demolished Japan, followed by a massive tsunami, the loss in property and human life yet unknown, political upheaval, wars and rumors of wars, chaos abounding, and this morning we heard that our brother, Jim Maher, who headed up IHOP's Israel Mandate went to be with the Lord yesterday, taken in a motorcycle accident. These are difficult days.
But Beloved, we who trust in the Lord should have no fear though, except the fear of the Lord. We are unshaken, because He is the Rock that is higher than we are. We don't know the reasons because we are just the clay in the Potter's hands. I choose to remain surrendered to Him, to keep my heart soft and pliable, watered and washed in His Word, so I don't become hardened, and I encourage you to do likewise. The Word says, " Unless the Lord be on my side, I would've despaired" ...The Lord, who is Mighty, and who there is none like Him, sits high above the circle of the earth, and laughs at the His enemies. The Lord God is my defense, therefore I will not be moved.
Today, do not despair, instead, run to Him who is our ever-present Help and Strong Tower.
Remember that He is the same yesterday, today, and forever- FAITHFUL.

Temptation & Deliverance 154

"For I do not want you to be ignorant of the fact, brothers, that our forefathers were all under the cloud and that they all passed through the sea. They were all baptized into Moses in the cloud and in the sea. They all ate the same spiritual food and drank the same spiritual drink; for they drank from the spiritual rock that accompanied them, and that rock was Christ. 
Nevertheless, God was not pleased with most of them; their bodies were scattered over the desert.
Now these things occurred as examples to keep us from setting our hearts on evil things as they did. Do not be idolaters, as some of them were; as it is written: “The people sat down to eat and drink and got up to indulge in pagan revelry.” We should not commit sexual immorality, as some of them did—and in one day twenty-three thousand of them died. We should not test the Lord, as some of them did—and were killed by snakes. And do not grumble, as some of them did—and were killed by the destroying angel. These things happened to them as examples and were written down as warnings for us, on whom the fulfillment of the ages has come. So, if you think you are standing firm, be careful that you don’t fall! No temptation has seized you except what is common to man. 
And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. 
But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can stand up under it."
1Cor.10:1-13

The children of Israel, having been delivered and passed through the parted Red Sea, having witnessed so many miracles and benefitted from them must've been elated and praised the Lord! Nonetheless, over time these same people fell to a variety of temptations- idolatry, sexual immorality, testing the Lord, grumbling; and their bones were scattered across the desert.
Our lives here, our journey, can be like that, crossing the desert towards our promised land - eternity with the Lord. We must be on guard and remain really careful.  As Paul writes here, just when we think we are really standing firm and in a great place is when we are actually most in danger of succumbing.
Temptations swirl around, and I cast myself at my Abba's mercy and care.
I know He will not despise my weak love, and I am never too strong, too able, too resolute.
But my God is more than able, and promises to provide an escape route so that I can stand up under it.

Spirit Empowered 155

"Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen.  And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, with whom you were sealed for the day of redemption.  Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice.  Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you."
Ephesians 4:29-32

When the kind of love that Jesus has is operating in us, the instructions for Christian conduct quoted in Ephesians happen automatically. Holy Spirit writes it on the tablets of our hearts. When we are empowered by this love (Jesus said, "Greater things than these shall you do") there will not be found in us- gossip, slander, coarse and rude joke telling, rage, anger, or the host of other ills . Love covers and heals, and drowns bitterness, etc., like the Red Sea drowned Pharaoh's army.
This empowerment is the direct benefit of being taken over by Holy Spirit, who sweeps into us when we surrender to our true Master, The Lord Jesus. We are always either sowing to the spirit or sowing to the flesh, we're always sowing to one or the other all the time.
Which would you rather reap a harvest from?
If love is not what is overflowing in you, and you are desperate for it, ask Jesus for it now.
"Behold, I stand at the door and knock.
Whoever answers and open the door, I will come in and dine with him, and he with me."

Rescued 123

"As for you, you were dead in your transgressions and sins, 2 in which you used to live when you followed the ways of this world and of the ruler of the kingdom of the air, the spirit who is now at work in those who are disobedient. 3 All of us also lived among them at one time, gratifying the cravings of our flesh[a] and following its desires and thoughts. Like the rest, we were by nature deserving of wrath. 4 But because of his great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy, 5 made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in transgressions—it is by grace you have been saved. 6 And God raised us up with Christ and seated us with him in the heavenly realms in Christ Jesus, 7 in order that in the coming ages he might show the incomparable riches of his grace, expressed in his kindness to us in Christ Jesus. 8 For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God— 9 not by works, so that no one can boast. 10 For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do."
Ephesians 2:1-10

He made me alive, while I was dead!
Careful, my heart, that I do not forget, that no wisp of pride, arrogance, nor selfishness creep in. That the business of living does not minimize the facts: for it is by grace that I am saved, because of His great love and mercy...an amazing gift from my Father/Bridegroom/Master. He rescued me while I deserved death and punishment. It is by His grace alone that I am in this place, my feet plucked from quicksands of sin and death, making my feet like hinds' feet able to tread on high and holy places.
He made me alive-to live for Holy purposes- when I was a dead man walking.
Ransomed ...redeemed...rescued ...how then do we conduct ourselves? Live for what you are created for - holiness.

Wisdom 104

"Buy the truth and do not sell it— wisdom, instruction and insight as well."
Prov.23:23

 "1 My son, if you accept my words
   and store up my commands within you,
2 turning your ear to wisdom
   and applying your heart to understanding—
3 indeed, if you call out for insight
   and cry aloud for understanding,
4 and if you look for it as for silver
   and search for it as for hidden treasure,
5 then you will understand the fear of the LORD
   and find the knowledge of God.
6 For the LORD gives wisdom;
   from his mouth come knowledge and understanding.
7 He holds success in store for the upright,
   he is a shield to those whose walk is blameless,
8 for he guards the course of the just
   and protects the way of his faithful ones."
Prov. 2:1-8

We live in perilous times...world leaders say," peace, peace"... but there is no peace. The words of the politically correct, and others who are haters of those of us who are believers, real disciples of the Lord Jesus, use Orwellian double speak, lulling the undiscerning masses to sleep. These are times for wisdom. Why do God's enemies use every tool possible to keep people from wisdom & understanding? Because revelation comes with wisdom and understanding, when applied properly to our hearts...the revelation of the knowledge of God, and when that happens,the lies that have been crafted by the devil are incinerated by the Light. This is why so many people, once they receive Jesus, have they entire belief systems realigned. When I got saved in 1987 I had a total change- world view, life-style, everything- paradigm shift. Everything the world and university taught me was the opposite of GOD'S wisdom.
Battles lines are being drawn... Choose God's wisdom

Power 270

"For the word of God is alive and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart."
Hebrews 4:12

After many years of being a believer, I'm always amazed how the power of God's Holy Scriptures, and how the impact and meaning of the Word, can affect one so differently depending on the situation and timing. "It judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart...it is as if the divine word somehow in a supernatural mechanism that our natural minds cannot begin to fathom, has a way of discerning what is in our hearts. My born-again-again experience, and the brokenness that caused it was a direct result of my Father's voice speaking through His Word, knowing exactly what was required at that moment. I don't know understand this divine mechanism, but I am grateful. Although I do read some other books, I am a one-book man, I only need the Bible, and I never ceased to be amazed by the breathtaking power that is contained in its pages.

The Politics of Never

If you do what is right, will you not be accepted? But if you do not do what is right, sin is crouching at your door; it desires to have you, but you must master it."
Genesis 4:7

Above all, my brothers, do not swear--not by heaven or by earth or by anything else. Let your "Yes" be yes, and your "No," no, or you will be condemned.
James 5:12

Have you ever said, " Well, I'll never do this, or I'll never do that?"
It is my experience that whenever I have said that I will "never" something, the Lord will allow that challenge to be brought right to my "doorstep". The strength of the resolve will be tried and tested, because this is a type of oath, and I usually end up eating my rash proclamations. Except for God's grace and mercy I would not be spared from my own words, and except through His power, I can do nothing. Day by day I call on the Name of Jesus, because he is life and my Light. My promises are frail, but my Abba's promises are reliable and trustworthy.

Seventy Seven 271

"Then Peter came to Jesus and asked, “Lord, how many times shall I forgive my brother or sister who sins against me? Up to seven times?”
Jesus answered, “I tell you, not seven times, but seventy-seven times."
Matthew 18:21-22

There are situations that arise in relationships where trespass, hurt, and offense happens.
A close friend or even a family member betrays or uncovers us, says or does something (either knowingly or not) hurtful, with a variety of injuries resulting, and when the dust settles we are left with the one thing that we have to do: forgive them .
Why does the Lord place such a high priority on us forgiving each other?
Why are we not supposed to, even allowed to, have unforgiveness when the other party might have deserved it totally? Love and unforgiveness cannot live in the same heart. Broken hearts are mended by love, we were created to love and be loved, but unforgiveness requires costly emotional maintenance, and that spirit has to be fed, and then it becomes a bitter root, then it becomes like a cancer. Unforgiveness kills love, joy, peace, and the rest of the fruits of the Spirit, leaving only misery, sadness, pain, anger, hatred, even resulting in physical illnesses - the opposites of the fruits of the Spirit. These are all manifestations in our natural lives, but there is another reason, even more important... Jesus tells us that unless we forgive, that our Heavenly Father will not forgive us.(Matthew 6:14-15)
We have been forgiven so much by the Lord, Jesus showed us how to forgive, even as He hung suffering on the Cross. Forgiveness unshackles us, and releases us to live life as Jesus promised us - abundantly.

Caught Up

 13 Brothers and sisters, we do not want you to be uninformed about those who sleep in death, so that you do not grieve like the rest of mankind, who have no hope. 14 For we believe that Jesus died and rose again, and so we believe that God will bring with Jesus those who have fallen asleep in him. 15 According to the Lord’s word, we tell you that we who are still alive, who are left until the coming of the Lord, will certainly not precede those who have fallen asleep. 16 For the Lord himself will come down from heaven, with a loud command, with the voice of the archangel and with the trumpet call of God, and the dead in Christ will rise first. 17 After that, we who are still alive and are left will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And so we will be with the Lord forever. 18 Therefore encourage one another with these words."
1 Thess. 4:13-18

We will be with the Lord forever! How exciting, how can we not be filled with joy, at the prospect and promise of being with our Lord/Bridegroom/King/Father for eternity? I am filled with gladness and peace because I know with all certainty that whether I go to "sleep" or my body is still alive on the earth when the Lord returns that I will be with Him. In light of this, why should we fear death? I do not, we should not.. It's a homecoming, so look forward and upward to the moment we cross the finish line in this marathon we call life. Our real lives are ahead of us, after our time in our temporary homes, our bodies, is through, and it will be glorious. So when you have a difficult day, or are going through hard things, look ahead. You are one day closer to home.

Promises

" Because of the LORD’s great love we are not consumed,
   for his compassions never fail.
23 They are new every morning;
   great is your faithfulness."
Lamentations 3:22-23

Today (and every day) as the storms swirl about us and we are tried, tested, and stretched, we can take great comfort here. His love, compassion, mercy, and His faithfulness renew us...uphold us...strengthen us. His promises are true, and one of them states that "He will never leave us or forsake us. He is the Rock that is higher than we are, and this revelation gives us joy, and the Word states that , "THE JOY OF THE LORD IS OUR STRENGTH"
So...rejoice in the Lord today...and always.

The Lesson of Marriage/Toleration

 22 Wives, submit yourselves to your own husbands as you do to the Lord. 23 For the husband is the head of the wife as Christ is the head of the church, his body, of which he is the Savior. 24 Now as the church submits to Christ, so also wives should submit to their husbands in everything.
 25 Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her 26 to make her holy, cleansing[a] 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. 28 In this same way, husbands ought to love their wives as their own bodies. He who loves his wife loves himself. 29 After all, no one ever hated their own body, but they feed and care for their body, just as Christ does the church— 30 for we are members of his body. 31 “For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife, and the two will become one flesh.”[b] 32 This is a profound mystery—but I am talking about Christ and the church. 33 However, each one of you also must love his wife as he loves himself, and the wife must respect her husband.
Ephesians 5:22-33

In this often quoted passage, we are given instructions on how to relate to our spouses. Wives to submit (often abused and misunderstood by many men), and husbands to love their wives( often misunderstood by everyone). Marriage vows made as two people gaze into each other's eyes at the alter are easy to declare but at times difficult to live out. Individuals have their own needs, desires, dreams, fears, weaknesses...and the process of learning to live together, united as "one flesh" has its trials and stormy moments. We are told that the keys to a successful marriage are grounded in how the Bridegroom deals with us, his Bride. What "submission" really is , what "love" is really all about, is revealed as we keep our eyes locked on the Author and Perfector of our Faith.
Everyday that we live and love our spouses - and others- our boundaries are being stretched, as we are called to put others before ourselves. This is an integral part of our walk, love is the engine that drives us down the narrow path.
The next time you find yourself irritated, annoyed, or inconvenienced remember how much the Lord loves us, makes good plans for us, and always has each of us on his mind, never considering us an imposition, but desiring to bless us.
Go and do likewise.

Holding Firmly 135

 "Therefore, since we have a great high priest who has ascended into heaven, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold firmly to the faith we profess. For we do not have a high priest who is unable to empathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are—yet he did not sin. Let us then approach God’s throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need."
Hebrews 4:14-16

Jesus, our great high priest, has many names...strong tower, ever present help in times of trouble, healer, counselor, co-heir, Son of God, Guardian, Savior...Alpha & Omega- Today, as the challenge of living in the natural world that we are passing through, beats on us and can wear us thin, my mind centers on this thought: He is our lifeline, our carrier, a very strong tower. I am reminded today - not to grow weary. We can approach the Throne of God in confidence, without a doubt. I am rescued not because I am worthy, but because of His great love and the fact that He is worthy, and He keeps His Promises.
Today we receive His great mercy and grace, as we keep on "reaching and moving".