Do you know what a sift is? It is an instrument used to sift the fine from the coarse so to speak. To separate the good from the bad sometimes. Pastor made a comment at church Sunday about sifting through things with the Word of God to find what's good and what is not. In other words, sometimes the enemy will tell us one thing but when we check it with the Word it is no good. We need to sift those things out and separate the bad from the good so that we can focus on the good. AMEN!
We need to be careful about what we put into our mixing bowls (our minds). Because once we stir it all together, it becomes too difficult to separate the bad that dropped in there. Once it is blended in, it begins to form our thoughts. We want our thoughts to be formed by God not the enemy. AMEN! God told Peter that Satan had asked for him so that he might sift him as wheat. In other words, Satan wants to trouble us with our thoughts so that he might sift out the ones he can manipulate. Remember he can only attack us through our minds, through our thoughts.
Luke 22 v 31-32.....And the LORD said, "Simon, Simon! Indeed, Satan has asked for you, that he may sift you as wheat. But I have prayed for you, that your faith should not fail; and when you have returned to Me, strenghthen your brethren....
You see Jesus knew that Peter was going to deny Him. But He was telling him, when you return to Me, make strong your brothers. How was Peter going to make the disciples strong. By sharing the Word of God with them. By sharing what Jesus had taught him. Likewise we need the WORD in us, so that we do not let the enemy attack us and lead us astray. We are made strong through our minds with the Word of God.
We need our Pastors just as the disciples needed Peter. Jesus told Peter to return to shepherd His disciples. The same way God leads our Pastors to disciple us. With the teachings of His WORD.
Paul tells us in Phillipians to meditate on good things. He says to meditate on the things we have saw and heard and learned through his actions. I believe this is just another passage the Lord is using to tell us to imitate Him. He tells us it will go well with us.
Phil 4 v 8-9....Finally, brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy, meditate on these things. The things which you learned and received and heard and saw in me, these do, and the God of peace will be with you.....
Let's look at an example of a good report vs. bad report. You eat right, you exercise, you take good care of your body, but yet you go to the doctor for your annual check up and he says, hmmm, it looks like you have high cholesterol. That is a bad report. So now, you go to the Word and see what does God have to say about that. The Word tells us that every name that is named has to bow to the name of Jesus. Cholesterol has a name. It has to bow to the power of the name of JESUS according to your belief. For example Rob and I went for our annual check ups a couple of years ago, and one doctor had told me that I was going to have to take cholesterol medicine if my cholesterol did not go down. I immediately rebuked that report in my mind and said my blood work will be excellent. My mom talks about how she has high cholesterol and how it runs in the family. I rebuke that bad report and say I am of a blood line where the cholesterol is excellent. So before we went to the doctor the next time for our blood work, I said Lord according to your word, we have excellent blood work, and all of our tests today will come back with excellent reports.
When we got our paper work our report from the doctor, the word excellent was used over every area of the reports. Now I ask you how many times do you hear a doctor use the word excellent to describe your health. Let it be according to your faith, your belief. AMEN!
Ephes. 1 v 15-23....Therefore I also, after I heard of your faith in the LORD JESUS and your love for all the saints, do not cease to give thanks for you, making mention of you in my prayers; that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give to you the spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of Him, the eyes of your understanding being enlightened; that you may know what is the hope of His calling, what are the riches of the glory of His inheritance in the saints, and what is the exceeding greatness of His power toward us who believe, according to the working of His mighty power which he worked in Christ when He raised Him from the dead and seated Him at His right hand in the heavenly places, far above all principality and power and might and dominion, and every name that is named, not only in this age but also in that which is to come. And He put all things under His feet, and gave Him to be head over all things to the church, which is the body, the fullness of Him who fills all in all.......
That is quite a mouthful, but the point is, that Christ was made head over all things, He has power over all things, and if we be in Christ and He be in us then we have the same authority to speak to all things with the same exceeding greatness of his power which works in us through Him that is in us. AMEN!
God raised us up to sit together in the heavenly places with Christ Jesus, so that through our faith, our believing in Him that we would share in those same powers.
Ephes.2 v 6......and raised us up together, and made us sit together in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus....
Ephes. 2 v 10....For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them.....
We walk in good works, not in sickness and bad health. Sickness and bad health are bad reports from the enemy trying to attack us through our minds.
But as we get into the Word of God and use our big sift to sift through those bad reports and let the good reports outweigh the bad, so that we focus on what is pure and just and of a good report. AMEN! We all need to do some housecleaning in our minds now and again. What is the best way to clean our minds. By renewing them with the Word of God.
STAY IN THE WORD!
Tuesday, May 31, 2011
A Daily Dose
How many readers out there take daily supplements to stay healthy? That's great! We are suppose to take care of our bodies as they are the temple of the Lord. AMEN!
Which supplements do you take? Is it P4202122, P378, P1722, P1624, P1225, E61314151617, PH46789, P413?
These are just some of my favorites that seem to help me to stay healthy.
Oh you are probably more familiar with their common names. Scriptures from the WORD. Let's see that would be Prov 4 v 20-22, Prov 3 v 7-8, Prov 17 v 22, Prov 16 v 24, Prov 12 v 25, Ephes. 6 v 13-17, Phil 4 v 6-9, Phil 4 v 13.
You see our supplements work well to take care of little things, but when it comes to the enemy, we had better be more protected. We better have the word of GOD in us so that we can stand against him. You see your supplements can't defeat the enemy. He can only be defeated by the WORD of GOD. That is why it is so important to spend time in the WORD daily. Some people get sick and can not figure out why they can't get better. They eat right, they exercise, they do all the things their doctor tells them to do. So why can't they get better?
Doctors are great for taking care of some things, but Who is the greatest physician of all? JESUS! What does this great physician tell you to do? He says to keep His words in your heart, tied around your neck, on your forehead, before your eyes, well you get the picture. STAY IN THE WORD!
Let's look at an example in the Word, of how Jesus healed a woman who the doctors could not heal.
Luke 8 v 43-44.....But as He went, the multitudes thronged Him. Now a woman, having a flow of blood for twelve years, who had spent all her livelihood on physicians and could not be healed by any, came from behind and touched the border of His garment. And immediately her flow of blood stopped.
So you see she spent all her money going to different doctors trying to find a cure for her affliction, but it took a special kind of power to heal her, and that power came from her faith in the LORD.
46-48.......But Jesus said, "Somebody touched Me, for I perceived power going out from Me." Now when the woman saw that she was not hidden, she came trembling; and falling down before Him, she declared to Him in the presence of all the people the reason she had touched Him and how she was healed immediately. And He said to her, " Daughter, be of good cheer. Your faith has made you well. Go in peace.".......
Our pastor tells us to read something, even if you can only get a verse in a day. Get something in you. It's true. We have to have the word in us to fight the enemy. You know our bodies are made up of spores, so we are full of holes. We have leaks that can not be plugged up. Pastor also tells us that faith comes by hearing not by heard. In other words we have to continually hear the word of God so that our faith and strength is built up to withstand the attacks of the enemy. Oh he may let you slide a few days, because he wants you at your weakest when he attacks. But we can be assured of this. If we do not have the word of God in us, we do not have the strength it will take to fight him off when he does attack.
You see Jesus has already defeated Satan and all the curses of the world for us. But where Satan attacks us and causes us to receive these curses is through our minds. If you have enough room left in your mind that is not covered with the WORD, then when the enemy tells you something is wrong, you will start to think about that and meditate on the bad report instead of what the WORD says, that you WERE healed by the stripes on HIS back. AMEN!
1 Pet 2 v 24 .....who Himself bore our sins in His own body on the tree, that we, having died to sins, might live for righteousness, by whose stripes you were healed......
IS 53 v 5....But He was wounded for our transgressions, He was bruised for our iniquities; the chastisement for our peace was upon Him. And by His stripes we are healed........
So I encourage you today, to not only take your daily supplements to fight off the little things, and exercise and eat healthy, but take a DAILY DOSE of the WORD to fight off the bigger attacks that are brought on by the enemy. AMEN!
See what you can find in the list of scriptures above to meditate on so that they might help you with whatever you may be going through. Here is a thought. Your doctor gives you a prescription that reads take three times a day. Are you faithful to do as the prescription says? Then I encourage you to do the same with what the GREAT PHYSICIAN tells you to do. TAKE AS NEEDED. For some of you, you may can get by on once daily, for others you may need to take 2-3 times daily or around the clock. And the good news is, there is no expiration date on THE WORD OF GOD. AMEN!
STAY IN THE WORD!
Which supplements do you take? Is it P4202122, P378, P1722, P1624, P1225, E61314151617, PH46789, P413?
These are just some of my favorites that seem to help me to stay healthy.
Oh you are probably more familiar with their common names. Scriptures from the WORD. Let's see that would be Prov 4 v 20-22, Prov 3 v 7-8, Prov 17 v 22, Prov 16 v 24, Prov 12 v 25, Ephes. 6 v 13-17, Phil 4 v 6-9, Phil 4 v 13.
You see our supplements work well to take care of little things, but when it comes to the enemy, we had better be more protected. We better have the word of GOD in us so that we can stand against him. You see your supplements can't defeat the enemy. He can only be defeated by the WORD of GOD. That is why it is so important to spend time in the WORD daily. Some people get sick and can not figure out why they can't get better. They eat right, they exercise, they do all the things their doctor tells them to do. So why can't they get better?
Doctors are great for taking care of some things, but Who is the greatest physician of all? JESUS! What does this great physician tell you to do? He says to keep His words in your heart, tied around your neck, on your forehead, before your eyes, well you get the picture. STAY IN THE WORD!
Let's look at an example in the Word, of how Jesus healed a woman who the doctors could not heal.
Luke 8 v 43-44.....But as He went, the multitudes thronged Him. Now a woman, having a flow of blood for twelve years, who had spent all her livelihood on physicians and could not be healed by any, came from behind and touched the border of His garment. And immediately her flow of blood stopped.
So you see she spent all her money going to different doctors trying to find a cure for her affliction, but it took a special kind of power to heal her, and that power came from her faith in the LORD.
46-48.......But Jesus said, "Somebody touched Me, for I perceived power going out from Me." Now when the woman saw that she was not hidden, she came trembling; and falling down before Him, she declared to Him in the presence of all the people the reason she had touched Him and how she was healed immediately. And He said to her, " Daughter, be of good cheer. Your faith has made you well. Go in peace.".......
Our pastor tells us to read something, even if you can only get a verse in a day. Get something in you. It's true. We have to have the word in us to fight the enemy. You know our bodies are made up of spores, so we are full of holes. We have leaks that can not be plugged up. Pastor also tells us that faith comes by hearing not by heard. In other words we have to continually hear the word of God so that our faith and strength is built up to withstand the attacks of the enemy. Oh he may let you slide a few days, because he wants you at your weakest when he attacks. But we can be assured of this. If we do not have the word of God in us, we do not have the strength it will take to fight him off when he does attack.
You see Jesus has already defeated Satan and all the curses of the world for us. But where Satan attacks us and causes us to receive these curses is through our minds. If you have enough room left in your mind that is not covered with the WORD, then when the enemy tells you something is wrong, you will start to think about that and meditate on the bad report instead of what the WORD says, that you WERE healed by the stripes on HIS back. AMEN!
1 Pet 2 v 24 .....who Himself bore our sins in His own body on the tree, that we, having died to sins, might live for righteousness, by whose stripes you were healed......
IS 53 v 5....But He was wounded for our transgressions, He was bruised for our iniquities; the chastisement for our peace was upon Him. And by His stripes we are healed........
So I encourage you today, to not only take your daily supplements to fight off the little things, and exercise and eat healthy, but take a DAILY DOSE of the WORD to fight off the bigger attacks that are brought on by the enemy. AMEN!
See what you can find in the list of scriptures above to meditate on so that they might help you with whatever you may be going through. Here is a thought. Your doctor gives you a prescription that reads take three times a day. Are you faithful to do as the prescription says? Then I encourage you to do the same with what the GREAT PHYSICIAN tells you to do. TAKE AS NEEDED. For some of you, you may can get by on once daily, for others you may need to take 2-3 times daily or around the clock. And the good news is, there is no expiration date on THE WORD OF GOD. AMEN!
STAY IN THE WORD!
Sunday, May 22, 2011
NO ONE KNOWS
The WORD tells us that no one will know the time or the day that the LORD is coming back. And although I am soooo ready to meet Jesus, I am not anxious for His return.
Now before you all start thinking that I am not ready to meet Jesus, it is not that. The fact is, there are still so many people out there who have not yet come to know the Lord personally, there are so many who have yet to accept Him as their Savior. I am not ready to lose these loved ones, friends and family members to Satan and his lies. So before we all jump on the band wagon of trying to rush the Lord into coming back to get us, let us all check and make sure all of our friends, loved ones, and family members are ready for His return as well.
My heart is heavy for this person who thought, or I should say who believed so much that he knew the time and date of the Lord's return. Why you say? Because, he must have believed so much in his heart that he was right that he would dare to tell the whole world this. But here is the thing. Why would anyone want to try to pin point God down and say this is when He will come when He has said, NO ONE WILL KNOW. He is not a liar that He should lie. His word is TRUTH. Why would anyone concern themself with wanting to be the one to guess when the LORD is coming? I mean if you are right, no one will care or remember when they are in Heaven with the LORD. There will be no reward or crown waiting to reward you for knowing the exact time. It is not a contest or a game.
Matthew 24 v 36....."But of that day and hour no one knows, not even the angels of heaven, but My Father only."....
Matthew 24 v 42...."Watch therefore, for you do not know what hour your Lord is coming"....
Matthew 24 v 44...."Therefore you also be ready, for the Son of Man is coming at an hour you do not expect."......
Numbers 23 v 19.... "God is not a man, that he should lie, nor a son of man, that He should repent. Has He said, and will He not do? Or has He spoken, and will He not make it good?"..........
The Lord did not tell us to try and figure this mystery out. No the Lord said take His gospel to the ends of the earth so that all creatures will know of His love and His gift of salvation. We need to be more concerned with getting people ready to meet the LORD when the time does come, instead of trying to be the one to guess at something God has said NO ONE WILL KNOW.
Mark 16 v 15....And He said to them, "Go into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature.".........
And then here is another thought. How sad for so many people who believed that this man knew the day and hour, and what did they do with that belief? Were they running around trying to save others, or were they running around trying to take care of unfinished business? It is not the same as us going home to be with the LORD when our time comes. We make preparations for our loved ones that we are leaving behind. But when the LORD comes back for us, hopefully there will not be any loved ones left behind. AMEN!
For all of us Christians, here is food for thought. We do not have to concern ourselves with the day and hour, because we will know instantly without mistake because we will be present with the LORD. What we do have to concern ourselves with, is that we spend what time we have here on earth, sharing the love of Christ Jesus with all we come into contact with. We do our part of bringing the gospel to the ends of the earth starting right here at home. AMEN!
2 Cor 5 v 6-9......So we are always confident, knowing that while we are at home in the body we are absent from the LORD. For we walk by faith, not by sight. We are confident, yes, well pleased rather to be absent from the body and to be present with the LORD. Therefore we make it our aim, whether present or absent, to be well pleasing to Him......
John 3 v 16-17.....For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life. For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world through Him might be saved.....
So you see, God is not out to condemn us, but to love us. He wants us each and everyone to spend eternity with Him. He says whosoever. We are the whosoevers. He is talking to us. Accept Him today as your personal Savior. Ask Him to come into your heart and make Him LORD over your life here on earth and He will be your LORD throughout all eternity. We can't wait on our friends,or even for our family members, this is a personal decision we have to make for ourselves. The TRUTH is , we will serve one or the other, Satan or JESUS. Choose Life, Choose JESUS!
DON'T WAIT! Do it today. Remember NO ONE KNOWS the day or hour. It could be before I finish typing this message and sending it out. I love you all, but Christ Jesus loves you more. Get into the WORD and you will always find the truth and see His love for you. AMEN!
STAY IN THE WORD!
Now before you all start thinking that I am not ready to meet Jesus, it is not that. The fact is, there are still so many people out there who have not yet come to know the Lord personally, there are so many who have yet to accept Him as their Savior. I am not ready to lose these loved ones, friends and family members to Satan and his lies. So before we all jump on the band wagon of trying to rush the Lord into coming back to get us, let us all check and make sure all of our friends, loved ones, and family members are ready for His return as well.
My heart is heavy for this person who thought, or I should say who believed so much that he knew the time and date of the Lord's return. Why you say? Because, he must have believed so much in his heart that he was right that he would dare to tell the whole world this. But here is the thing. Why would anyone want to try to pin point God down and say this is when He will come when He has said, NO ONE WILL KNOW. He is not a liar that He should lie. His word is TRUTH. Why would anyone concern themself with wanting to be the one to guess when the LORD is coming? I mean if you are right, no one will care or remember when they are in Heaven with the LORD. There will be no reward or crown waiting to reward you for knowing the exact time. It is not a contest or a game.
Matthew 24 v 36....."But of that day and hour no one knows, not even the angels of heaven, but My Father only."....
Matthew 24 v 42...."Watch therefore, for you do not know what hour your Lord is coming"....
Matthew 24 v 44...."Therefore you also be ready, for the Son of Man is coming at an hour you do not expect."......
Numbers 23 v 19.... "God is not a man, that he should lie, nor a son of man, that He should repent. Has He said, and will He not do? Or has He spoken, and will He not make it good?"..........
The Lord did not tell us to try and figure this mystery out. No the Lord said take His gospel to the ends of the earth so that all creatures will know of His love and His gift of salvation. We need to be more concerned with getting people ready to meet the LORD when the time does come, instead of trying to be the one to guess at something God has said NO ONE WILL KNOW.
Mark 16 v 15....And He said to them, "Go into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature.".........
And then here is another thought. How sad for so many people who believed that this man knew the day and hour, and what did they do with that belief? Were they running around trying to save others, or were they running around trying to take care of unfinished business? It is not the same as us going home to be with the LORD when our time comes. We make preparations for our loved ones that we are leaving behind. But when the LORD comes back for us, hopefully there will not be any loved ones left behind. AMEN!
For all of us Christians, here is food for thought. We do not have to concern ourselves with the day and hour, because we will know instantly without mistake because we will be present with the LORD. What we do have to concern ourselves with, is that we spend what time we have here on earth, sharing the love of Christ Jesus with all we come into contact with. We do our part of bringing the gospel to the ends of the earth starting right here at home. AMEN!
2 Cor 5 v 6-9......So we are always confident, knowing that while we are at home in the body we are absent from the LORD. For we walk by faith, not by sight. We are confident, yes, well pleased rather to be absent from the body and to be present with the LORD. Therefore we make it our aim, whether present or absent, to be well pleasing to Him......
John 3 v 16-17.....For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life. For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world through Him might be saved.....
So you see, God is not out to condemn us, but to love us. He wants us each and everyone to spend eternity with Him. He says whosoever. We are the whosoevers. He is talking to us. Accept Him today as your personal Savior. Ask Him to come into your heart and make Him LORD over your life here on earth and He will be your LORD throughout all eternity. We can't wait on our friends,or even for our family members, this is a personal decision we have to make for ourselves. The TRUTH is , we will serve one or the other, Satan or JESUS. Choose Life, Choose JESUS!
DON'T WAIT! Do it today. Remember NO ONE KNOWS the day or hour. It could be before I finish typing this message and sending it out. I love you all, but Christ Jesus loves you more. Get into the WORD and you will always find the truth and see His love for you. AMEN!
STAY IN THE WORD!
There Has To Be Pressure
I planted some green beans a while back and they never came up like I thought that they should. So I dug another bed and planted some more, and then added some more seeds to the first bed. I'm thinking I must not have planted them right the first time. I remember thinking, I have never seen it take so long for a bean to sprout, to at least come up out of the dirt and show some signs of life.
I started watering my ground diligently, instead of just now and again when I would think about it. I was diligent about watering everyday, and pulling weeds out. But still no sprouts showing anywhere. Hmmmm! I'm thinking, those must of been bad seeds. Then we had a storm with lots of lightning and wind and rain. The day before nothing was showing any signs of life, and then after the storm my seeds were up out of the ground a good 3-4 inches high the very next day.
There had to be pressure applied to cause that seed to open up and sprout forth. I am glad I did not jump the gun and just till up the whole bed and start over. I'm glad I did not give up on my seeds.
Sometimes we plant seeds in the kingdom of God or in our own lives, and when we do not immediately see the results, we want to just give up. I'm telling you now, don't give up. Don't quit! Your seeds will spring forth and bud. When we sow God's word into good ground it will come to pass.
IS 55 v 10-11....For as the rain comes down, and the snow from heaven, and do not return there, but water the earth, and make it spring forth and bud, that it may give seed to the sower and bread to the eater, so shall My word be that goes forth from My mouth; it shall not return to Me void, but it shall accomplish what I please, and it shall prosper in the thing for which I sent it......
When we give up, it is like the parable in the Word about the seeds being sown in different types of soil. If we quit watering and nurturing and pulling the weeds, the things of the world will take over our harvest.
Mark 4 v 18-19....Now these are the ones sown among the thorns; they are the ones who hear the word, and the cares of this world, the deceitfulness of riches, and the desires for other things entering in choke the word, and it becomes unfruitful......
Remember sometimes it takes a little more pressure to cause that seed to burst forth.
When I say pressure let me explain so you do not get the wrong idea and think that God is causing pressure on you or that you are to pressure someone into accepting anything. The pressure does not come from God. The pressure however does come from you, but not like you may think.
When we plant our seed, we have to take care of our ground. We can't just walk away and say oh well if it buds good, if not too bad. No, we have to keep pressure on Satan to keep him out of the way for our seed to grow. We are the ones applying the pressure here. We have the authority over Satan. So everytime a weed (doubt) tries to come up and choke out our seed that we have sown, we cast it out through fervent prayer, and then we are putting pressure on Satan to leave it alone. The Word tells us to resist the devil and he has to flee. When we diligently pray over our seeds after they are sown, pressure is being applied. AMEN!
James 5 v 17-18...Elijah was a man with a nature like ours, and he prayed earnestly that it would not rain; and it did not rain on the land for three years and six months. And he prayed again, and the heaven gave rain, and the earth produced its fruit....
James 4 v 7...Therefore submit to God. Resist the devil and he will flee from you...
What seeds have you planted? Have you planted seeds into a loved one's life for their salvation? Have you planted seeds in your own life for prosperity, or for divine health and healing?
First we have to plant good seeds, God's words, then we have to nurture our soil, meditating on His word and praising Him and thanking Him for our harvest from our seeds and believing that the seeds we have sown will come to bear fruit, some thirty, some sixty and some one hundredfold. Don't just throw the seeds out there and then walk away. Praise the Lord constantly and give Him thanks for your seed and apply pressure on Satan to leave your seed alone, and then trust God do what He says He will do. He will cause that seed to sping forth and bud and accomplish and prosper in that for which He sent it.
Mark 4 v 20....But these are the ones sown on good ground, those who hear the word, accept it, and bear fruit; some thirtyfold, some sixty, and some a hundred.......
In today's economy 10% return sounds doubtful, but PRAISE GOD we are not of this world we are the righteousness of Christ Jesus and heirs to the promise of Abraham and we will see a one hundredfold on our investments (seeds) if we do not grow weary and give up but stand fast on His word and put our trust in Him and not this world. If we keep the pressure on our seed with our prayers and thanksgiving, we will bear fruit. We will see signs of life sprouting forth. AMEN!
Where do we find the strength to apply pressure on Satan?
STAY IN THE WORD!
I started watering my ground diligently, instead of just now and again when I would think about it. I was diligent about watering everyday, and pulling weeds out. But still no sprouts showing anywhere. Hmmmm! I'm thinking, those must of been bad seeds. Then we had a storm with lots of lightning and wind and rain. The day before nothing was showing any signs of life, and then after the storm my seeds were up out of the ground a good 3-4 inches high the very next day.
There had to be pressure applied to cause that seed to open up and sprout forth. I am glad I did not jump the gun and just till up the whole bed and start over. I'm glad I did not give up on my seeds.
Sometimes we plant seeds in the kingdom of God or in our own lives, and when we do not immediately see the results, we want to just give up. I'm telling you now, don't give up. Don't quit! Your seeds will spring forth and bud. When we sow God's word into good ground it will come to pass.
IS 55 v 10-11....For as the rain comes down, and the snow from heaven, and do not return there, but water the earth, and make it spring forth and bud, that it may give seed to the sower and bread to the eater, so shall My word be that goes forth from My mouth; it shall not return to Me void, but it shall accomplish what I please, and it shall prosper in the thing for which I sent it......
When we give up, it is like the parable in the Word about the seeds being sown in different types of soil. If we quit watering and nurturing and pulling the weeds, the things of the world will take over our harvest.
Mark 4 v 18-19....Now these are the ones sown among the thorns; they are the ones who hear the word, and the cares of this world, the deceitfulness of riches, and the desires for other things entering in choke the word, and it becomes unfruitful......
Remember sometimes it takes a little more pressure to cause that seed to burst forth.
When I say pressure let me explain so you do not get the wrong idea and think that God is causing pressure on you or that you are to pressure someone into accepting anything. The pressure does not come from God. The pressure however does come from you, but not like you may think.
When we plant our seed, we have to take care of our ground. We can't just walk away and say oh well if it buds good, if not too bad. No, we have to keep pressure on Satan to keep him out of the way for our seed to grow. We are the ones applying the pressure here. We have the authority over Satan. So everytime a weed (doubt) tries to come up and choke out our seed that we have sown, we cast it out through fervent prayer, and then we are putting pressure on Satan to leave it alone. The Word tells us to resist the devil and he has to flee. When we diligently pray over our seeds after they are sown, pressure is being applied. AMEN!
James 5 v 17-18...Elijah was a man with a nature like ours, and he prayed earnestly that it would not rain; and it did not rain on the land for three years and six months. And he prayed again, and the heaven gave rain, and the earth produced its fruit....
James 4 v 7...Therefore submit to God. Resist the devil and he will flee from you...
What seeds have you planted? Have you planted seeds into a loved one's life for their salvation? Have you planted seeds in your own life for prosperity, or for divine health and healing?
First we have to plant good seeds, God's words, then we have to nurture our soil, meditating on His word and praising Him and thanking Him for our harvest from our seeds and believing that the seeds we have sown will come to bear fruit, some thirty, some sixty and some one hundredfold. Don't just throw the seeds out there and then walk away. Praise the Lord constantly and give Him thanks for your seed and apply pressure on Satan to leave your seed alone, and then trust God do what He says He will do. He will cause that seed to sping forth and bud and accomplish and prosper in that for which He sent it.
Mark 4 v 20....But these are the ones sown on good ground, those who hear the word, accept it, and bear fruit; some thirtyfold, some sixty, and some a hundred.......
In today's economy 10% return sounds doubtful, but PRAISE GOD we are not of this world we are the righteousness of Christ Jesus and heirs to the promise of Abraham and we will see a one hundredfold on our investments (seeds) if we do not grow weary and give up but stand fast on His word and put our trust in Him and not this world. If we keep the pressure on our seed with our prayers and thanksgiving, we will bear fruit. We will see signs of life sprouting forth. AMEN!
Where do we find the strength to apply pressure on Satan?
STAY IN THE WORD!
What Has God Done For You
Ok, I do not have enough space here to write all of the things God has done for me. My God is so good. He delivered me from a life of destruction. If it had not been for God, I would probably be dead by now. But God my Father had another plan for me. For those who knew me before 1992, you know what I mean. I tried drinking my life away, partying at every chance. Missing out on the most important years of my children's lives. One marriage after another failed. You name it, I was tagged with it, adulterous, liar, baby killer, drunkard, no good for nothing, sorry excuse of a mother.
BUT PRAISE GOD, then came JESUS into my life. Not just into my knowing who He is, but me having a personal relationship with Him. Me understanding just Who He is, and what He did for me. How many of my drinking buddies would lay their life down for me? How many would take a beating until their flesh is torn away from their bodies? How many would hang on a cross and die for me? I can't think of one.
Pastor talked Sunday about Grace. He was talking about the undeserved, unmerited favor from God. I just told you above how I was living. Did it sound like I deserved this forgiveness, this kind of love, this kind of favor? Does it sound like anyone you know? Pastor has said over and over again, we can only tell you our testimony. I can only tell you what Jesus did for me. How He picked me up and turned me around, how He made me into a new person with a renewed mind. With a love from Him that surpasses all understanding. Would you have loved me back then just as I was, or would you have been one of many of my judges? I had very few Christians who loved me right where I was and prayed for me daily, and I had many many Christian judges who condemned me.
It reminds me of the story of the woman who was brought before Jesus to be condemned and stoned for adultery. BUT THEN! JESUS says simply, "Let him who has no sin, cast the first stone". It is interesting here to note that they were in the temple listening as Jesus was teaching them, when the interruption broke out with the scribes and Pharisees bringing the woman before everyone. Why were they not listening to His teachings? Instead they were out trying to find a way to trip Him up and prove Him to be a false teacher.
John 8 v 2-7....Now early in the morning He came again into the temple, and all the people came to Him; and He sat down and taught them. Then the scribes and Pharisees brought to Him a woman caught in adultery. And when they had set her in the midst, they said to Him, "Teacher, this woman was caught in adultery, in the very act." Now Moses, in the law, commanded us that such should be stoned. But what do you say?" This they said, testing Him, that they might have something of which to accuse Him. But Jesus stooped down and wrote on the ground with His finger, as though He did not hear. So when they continued asking Him, He raised Himself up and said to them, "He who is without sin among you, let him throw a stone at her first."......
Isn't that the way of the world still today? Aren't there plenty of those out there still trying to prove Jesus not to be who He says He is? Who GOD says He is. Instead of accepting this free gift of Grace from Him, there are still those who want more evidence. If you are one of those, I challenge you to look at my life and see proof that He is who He says He is. There are many more stories like mine out there, where people have been transformed into new people with the renewing of their minds through the love of JESUS and GOD'S WORD.
Instead of sitting at home calling all Christians hypocrites, try going to church to hear from God, to hear the WORD preached instead of focusing on judging the others there. First we have to open our hearts so that we can hear who Jesus really is through His Father's Word. I thank God everyday for those who were instrumental in praying for me and inviting me to church so that I could get a good understanding of who God really is and just how much He loves me without condemnation, but with forgiveness that I did not do anything to earn or deserve. Not by works was I saved, but by LOVE. By Grace that my LORD would die for me and for you as well.
Hebrews 8 v 12....."For I will be merciful to their unrighteousness, and their sins and their lawless deeds I will remember no more."....
Romans 8 v 1....There is therefore now no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus, who do not walk according to the flesh, but according to the Spirit.....
Ephesians 2 v 8-9....For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, not of works, lest anyone should boast.....
Jesus is all about LOVE not condemnation. He wants to love you right where you are without you having to work to prove yourself worthy. He has already forgiven you. You just have to believe and accept His love and forgiveness. Then get into His word and renew your mind. Meditate on His word and let Him bring you peace and joy into your life. A life overflowing with His love. AMEN!
I would not trade my new life with Christ Jesus for anything. As I look back on my life before, I can see clearly now that I was living with the enemy in darkness. The enemy makes sin look and feel like fun or else we would not be attracted to it. But the TRUTH is, that we are blinded by thinking it is fun. When our eyes are opened to the light of Jesus, we can then see where we are being deceived. We can then find true Peace and Joy through Him.
Share your testimony of what God has done for you, how He has turned your life into a full life. How He has healed you, prospered you, delivered you, rescued you, tell how He saved you with His undeserved, unmerited, free gift of GRACE.
STAY IN THE WORD!
BUT PRAISE GOD, then came JESUS into my life. Not just into my knowing who He is, but me having a personal relationship with Him. Me understanding just Who He is, and what He did for me. How many of my drinking buddies would lay their life down for me? How many would take a beating until their flesh is torn away from their bodies? How many would hang on a cross and die for me? I can't think of one.
Pastor talked Sunday about Grace. He was talking about the undeserved, unmerited favor from God. I just told you above how I was living. Did it sound like I deserved this forgiveness, this kind of love, this kind of favor? Does it sound like anyone you know? Pastor has said over and over again, we can only tell you our testimony. I can only tell you what Jesus did for me. How He picked me up and turned me around, how He made me into a new person with a renewed mind. With a love from Him that surpasses all understanding. Would you have loved me back then just as I was, or would you have been one of many of my judges? I had very few Christians who loved me right where I was and prayed for me daily, and I had many many Christian judges who condemned me.
It reminds me of the story of the woman who was brought before Jesus to be condemned and stoned for adultery. BUT THEN! JESUS says simply, "Let him who has no sin, cast the first stone". It is interesting here to note that they were in the temple listening as Jesus was teaching them, when the interruption broke out with the scribes and Pharisees bringing the woman before everyone. Why were they not listening to His teachings? Instead they were out trying to find a way to trip Him up and prove Him to be a false teacher.
John 8 v 2-7....Now early in the morning He came again into the temple, and all the people came to Him; and He sat down and taught them. Then the scribes and Pharisees brought to Him a woman caught in adultery. And when they had set her in the midst, they said to Him, "Teacher, this woman was caught in adultery, in the very act." Now Moses, in the law, commanded us that such should be stoned. But what do you say?" This they said, testing Him, that they might have something of which to accuse Him. But Jesus stooped down and wrote on the ground with His finger, as though He did not hear. So when they continued asking Him, He raised Himself up and said to them, "He who is without sin among you, let him throw a stone at her first."......
Isn't that the way of the world still today? Aren't there plenty of those out there still trying to prove Jesus not to be who He says He is? Who GOD says He is. Instead of accepting this free gift of Grace from Him, there are still those who want more evidence. If you are one of those, I challenge you to look at my life and see proof that He is who He says He is. There are many more stories like mine out there, where people have been transformed into new people with the renewing of their minds through the love of JESUS and GOD'S WORD.
Instead of sitting at home calling all Christians hypocrites, try going to church to hear from God, to hear the WORD preached instead of focusing on judging the others there. First we have to open our hearts so that we can hear who Jesus really is through His Father's Word. I thank God everyday for those who were instrumental in praying for me and inviting me to church so that I could get a good understanding of who God really is and just how much He loves me without condemnation, but with forgiveness that I did not do anything to earn or deserve. Not by works was I saved, but by LOVE. By Grace that my LORD would die for me and for you as well.
Hebrews 8 v 12....."For I will be merciful to their unrighteousness, and their sins and their lawless deeds I will remember no more."....
Romans 8 v 1....There is therefore now no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus, who do not walk according to the flesh, but according to the Spirit.....
Ephesians 2 v 8-9....For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, not of works, lest anyone should boast.....
Jesus is all about LOVE not condemnation. He wants to love you right where you are without you having to work to prove yourself worthy. He has already forgiven you. You just have to believe and accept His love and forgiveness. Then get into His word and renew your mind. Meditate on His word and let Him bring you peace and joy into your life. A life overflowing with His love. AMEN!
I would not trade my new life with Christ Jesus for anything. As I look back on my life before, I can see clearly now that I was living with the enemy in darkness. The enemy makes sin look and feel like fun or else we would not be attracted to it. But the TRUTH is, that we are blinded by thinking it is fun. When our eyes are opened to the light of Jesus, we can then see where we are being deceived. We can then find true Peace and Joy through Him.
Share your testimony of what God has done for you, how He has turned your life into a full life. How He has healed you, prospered you, delivered you, rescued you, tell how He saved you with His undeserved, unmerited, free gift of GRACE.
STAY IN THE WORD!
Tuesday, May 3, 2011
WISDOM UNDERSTANDING AND KNOWLEDGE
The word tells us these things are beneficial to our health, our soul, and our safety. The word says that with these when we lie down we will not be afraid but that our sleep will be sweet. How many of us have trouble sleeping from time to time? Sounds like if we do, we need to be seeking His wisdom, and understanding and knowledge. The word goes on to say that we will not stumble, that we will be sure footed and walk safely in our way, it says that we can have confidence in our foot not being caught by the enemy. AMEN!
Prov 3 v 19-26.....The Lord by wisdom founded the earth; by understanding He established the heavens; by His knowledge the depths were broken up, and clouds drop down the dew. My son, let them not depart from your eyes. Keep sound wisdom and discretion; so they will be life to your soul and grace to your neck. Then you will walk safely in your way, and your foot will not stumble. When you lie down, you will not be afraid; yes you will lie down, and your sleep will be sweet. Do not be afraid of sudden terror, nor of trouble from the wicked when it comes; for the Lord will be your confidence, and will keep your foot from being caught.......
The word tells us that when we trust in the Lord and lean on Him, and not look to our own understanding, that He will direct our paths for us. Now how many know, that if the Lord is directing your path, He is not going to lead you the wrong way? There are miracles in the word that we do not always understand. But the Lord says it is not in our understanding but in His. He tells us to not be wise in our own eyes. When our wisdom comes from the Lord, we will have health and strength added to us.
Prov. 3 v 5-8.....Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct your paths. Do not be wise in your own eyes; fear the Lord and depart from evil, it will be health to your flesh and strength to your bones......
The Lord tells us that His ways are not our ways. His ways and thoughts are higher than our ways.
IS 55 v 8-9....."For My thoughts are not your thoughts. nor are your ways My ways," says the Lord. "For as the heavens are higher than the earth,so are My ways higher than your ways, and My thoughts higher than your thoughts".......
So when people question how you can believe you are healed when the world says you are sick, or how you can believe in prosperity when the prices of things skyrocket. You can answer with confidence that you do not trust in the things of the world, but in the Truth of the Word. That the word says your God will supply all your needs. That your confidence is in Him. AMEN!
Phil 4 v 19....And my God shall supply all your need, according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus.........
Where can we find this confidence, this protection, this wisdom, this understanding and knowledge?
STAY IN THE WORD!
Prov 3 v 19-26.....The Lord by wisdom founded the earth; by understanding He established the heavens; by His knowledge the depths were broken up, and clouds drop down the dew. My son, let them not depart from your eyes. Keep sound wisdom and discretion; so they will be life to your soul and grace to your neck. Then you will walk safely in your way, and your foot will not stumble. When you lie down, you will not be afraid; yes you will lie down, and your sleep will be sweet. Do not be afraid of sudden terror, nor of trouble from the wicked when it comes; for the Lord will be your confidence, and will keep your foot from being caught.......
The word tells us that when we trust in the Lord and lean on Him, and not look to our own understanding, that He will direct our paths for us. Now how many know, that if the Lord is directing your path, He is not going to lead you the wrong way? There are miracles in the word that we do not always understand. But the Lord says it is not in our understanding but in His. He tells us to not be wise in our own eyes. When our wisdom comes from the Lord, we will have health and strength added to us.
Prov. 3 v 5-8.....Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct your paths. Do not be wise in your own eyes; fear the Lord and depart from evil, it will be health to your flesh and strength to your bones......
The Lord tells us that His ways are not our ways. His ways and thoughts are higher than our ways.
IS 55 v 8-9....."For My thoughts are not your thoughts. nor are your ways My ways," says the Lord. "For as the heavens are higher than the earth,so are My ways higher than your ways, and My thoughts higher than your thoughts".......
So when people question how you can believe you are healed when the world says you are sick, or how you can believe in prosperity when the prices of things skyrocket. You can answer with confidence that you do not trust in the things of the world, but in the Truth of the Word. That the word says your God will supply all your needs. That your confidence is in Him. AMEN!
Phil 4 v 19....And my God shall supply all your need, according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus.........
Where can we find this confidence, this protection, this wisdom, this understanding and knowledge?
STAY IN THE WORD!
Monday, April 18, 2011
Love Walk Exercise
Here is a little exercise for us to practice our love walk. You will need good strong steel toed shoes for this one. While in the School of Ministry back home, we had a class about Love. This was my favorite class although it was also the one that stepped on my toes the most. One of the things we had to do was memorize a passage of scripture out of what I call the Love chapter of the bible. 1 Cor 13. The passage was verses 4-8a. 1 Cor 13 v 4-8.....Love suffers long and is kind; love does not envy, love does not parade itself, is not puffed up; does not behave rudely, does not seek its own, is not provoked, thinks no evil; does not rejoice in iniquity, but rejoices in the truth; bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things. LOVE NEVER FAILS...... Well, here is proof just because you know something doesn't mean you know anything. This is what I mean. Just because we memorize the scripture but we never put it into action, then we haven't learned anything. Just because someone knows who God is, doesn't mean they know God. Words without action are just markings on a page with no meaning. It is when we put action to the words that they come alive in us. They then move from our head to our hearts. If we only have the words in our head but not in our heart we have nothing worth anything. Here is my exercise, I noticed how I get off the love walk path now and again, and I wanted to get back on the path and stay steady in my love walk, so I have been reading 1 Cor 13 v4-8 daily. I decided to try to commit it to my memory once again, but this time also get it established in my heart, so when something should come up to cause me to want to jump off the path, I could bring up out of my heart, to my thinking what does the word say about walking in love toward your neighbor. Well, I kept getting stuck in the middle. I could remember very easily the first part and the last part, but I was having trouble in the middle. So I decided to seek the Lord and ask Him why am I having so much trouble remembering this middle section? And then one of those AHA moments hit me. That is where I was having trouble in my love walk. (...does not seek its own, is not provoked, thinks no evil....). Personally for me, these areas are trouble areas in my love walk. I do tend to look after number one (me) more than maybe I should, I do tend to think the worse of situations at times, and I am easily provoked at times. So here you have it. There it is, all out there for everyone to see. You may think, why are you telling off on yourself? 1 John 1 v 9...If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness...... Prov 15 v 31-33.....The ear that hears the rebukes of life will abide among the wise. He who disdains instruction depsises his own soul, but he who heeds rebuke gets understanding. The fear of the Lord is the instruction of wisdom, and before honor is humility.... I might just be guessing here, and I may be way off, but I am thinking that maybe I am not the only one that needs to practice our love walk. So if anyone out there believes they know someone who needs to practice their love walk, well maybe, you just admitted then that you do as well. Walk in love and then get a foot massage. STAY IN THE WORD!
Thursday, April 14, 2011
AHA MOMENTS
Don't you just love the AHA moments when you get a revelation of what the Word is saying to you? I do. I had one last night while Pastor was teaching us the word. I have heard it before but this time I connected it with myself. That is the AHA moments I am talking about. We can have a revelation of what the Word is saying but we do not always connect the dots back to us. He was talking about how people in third world countries don't always have doctors. So who do they call on when they are sick. Well, if they are believers, they call on God for their healing. Now, I know you have all heard me and others say this before that there are more miracles happening in those places than here in this country. Why? Because they do not have anyone telling them any different. HELLO! There was the AHA moment. If all they have is the Word of God to put their faith in, then that is what they believe. So they do not have any problem receiving what the Word tells them they have. We on the other hand have too many other sources to turn to that may tell us different. My AHA moment was when he said this, something I have heard before, and talked about before. I put myself in that place with no doctors and tried to picture what would I do? Well, when we were in Oregon, in our small little town, I felt like we were without doctors. After working in the Hospital back home,for so many years and getting to know personally so many doctors, I knew who to go to and who to lets just say not to choose. Sometimes a little information is just enough to spoil things. Now, I wasn't sick, nor was Rob. But we do go for our annual checkups and I was trying to figure out who to go to. Well, I picked the wrong one. And some of you know that story. Let's just say she tried to give me bad reports. I could not wait to get out of Oregon (a place Rob and I both fell in love with) just because I thought they could not supply me with medical help should I need it. WOW! Where was my faith? I even made the comment that this place reminded me of a third world country when it came to the medical field. First of all why was I meditating on needing a doctor? Second, where was my faith in believing that I am healed, whole and complete in the LORD? Good grief what would I do if I were in a third world country where they really did not have doctors? Now I said all of this so that you would understand when I tell you this. BE REALLY CAREFUL who you are listening to or hanging out with when you are believing for something that has not yet manifested. They just may talk you out of your healing, or your prosperity, or whatever you are believing for. This is not a message to tell you not to go to doctors. So don't go there with it. This is a message about us staying in the Word and getting the Word in us, so that we know who to listen to, and who not to. AMEN! It is a message about what we are to meditate on and what not to meditate about. This is not just about healing, this is about anything that we are believing for. It may be you are believing something for yourself or someone in your family. Don't let the enemy talk you out of your hope in the LORD and don't let him use others to talk you out of what you are believing for. AMEN! Keep saying and believing what you need and praising Him and thanking Him for it. No matter what the circumstances are saying. The Word of God will prevail. His Word will not come back void. AMEN! Mark 11 v 22-24...So Jesus answered and said to them, "Have faith in God". For assuredly, I say to you, whoever says to this mountain, 'Be removed and be cast into the sea,' and does not doubt in his heart, but believes that those things he says will be done, he will have whatever he says. Therefore, I say to you, whatever things you ask when you pray, believe that you receive them and you will have them."..... Speak to your mountains! Then meditate on the good things. Don't let someone give you contradictory information to meditate on. Phil. 4 v 8....Finally, brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy-----meditate on these things........ Watch what we are saying as well. We must speak faith filled words. We must be speaking God's Word over our situations. God's Word has not lost His power to heal, or to change whatever He pleases. His Word is still power. God spoke everything into existence. That is the power of God's Word. And you being a child of God, have the ability to speak His power with His Words. AMEN. Charles Capps said it like this in one of his books.... The Word of God conceived in the heart, formed by the tongue, and spoken out of the mouth is creative power. (From the book, God's creative power gift collection by Charles Capps) A great little book to keep in your possession for a quick reference on any situation. God's Word still works today and always will. There is no expiration date on the Word of God and what He says He will do. AMEN! Oh yeh, my AHA moment. Now I know it doesn't matter where I am, my faith is in the LORD, not in man. AMEN! STAY IN THE WORD!
Monday, April 4, 2011
His Words In Your Heart
Which of God's words do you need to keep in your heart? All of them. I know there are alot of words of wisdom in His word. Let's narrow it down like this. What trial are we going through at the moment? Then that is where we look to His Word and find the exact words that we need to be meditating on. For each of us it will be a different situation. We have to look at what season in our life we are going through. Prov. 4 v 20-27....My son, give attention to my words: Incline your ear to my sayings. Do not let them depart from your eyes; keep them in the midst of your heart; for they are life to those who find them, and health to all their flesh. Keep your heart with all diligence, for out of it spring the issues of life. Put away from you a deceitful mouth, and put perverse lips far from you. Let your eyes look straight ahead, and your eyelids look right before you. Ponder the path of your feet, and let all your ways be established. Do not turn to the right or the left; remove your foot from evil..... His words are telling us to meditate on what His truth says. Don't let someone else tell you differently. If what they tell you does not line up with what He says, then depart from that evil. When He says put away from you a deceitful and perverse mouth, He is not talking about talking ugly (cursing and swearing), no He is talking about saying the wrong things over your situation. When we say we are sick, that is perverse language to Him because He has said we are healed. (IS 53 v 5, 1 Pet 2 v 24, PS 103 v 3-5). When we say we are poor and we are children of God, then that is perverse language because He said, although He was rich, He became poor so that you might become rich, He gives us all things richly to enjoy, He says He makes our way prosperous. (2 Cor 8 v 9, 1 Tim 6 v 17-18, PS 112 v 1-3). When we say we are afraid and weak, that is deceitful words, because He says, He did not give you the spirit of fear, He says He gives us strength and a sound mind and peace. (2 Tim 1 v 7, 2 Cor 12 v 9-10, Phil. 4 v 13, Phil 4 v 6-7). Look in His Word and find these scriptures, read them for yourself and meditate on them, get them settled in your hearts and minds. I encourage you now to ponder the path of your feet. Where are your feet swift to run to when you are encountered with a trial. Do you run to the Word, or do you run to someone who will agree with you and jump on a wagon of sorrow with you? We just finished a class at church and Pastor told us how important it is that he protects the annointing before he preaches. In other words, before he gets ready to bring us the Word God has given him to deliver, he has to make sure that he doesn't let the things of the world enter into his thinking, so that he meditates on God's words and keeps them in the midst of his heart and on the front of his mind. It is the same with us. Before we ever even encounter a trial we need to have God's words in the midst of our hearts and on the fronts of our minds so that we do not let the world deceive us into wrong thinking about ourselves. If we are meditating on His words, then we will keep our feet on the right paths. Sometimes we are reading the Word and then later a situation arises that presents us with a challenge, and then we remember, Oh, that is what God was saying to me today and we are able to overcome the situation. We received a good Word in due season. Prov 25 v 11....A word fitly spoken is like apples of gold in settings of silver.... STAY IN THE WORD!
Monday, March 28, 2011
Secret To A Successful Life
There is one particular passage of scripture in the Word of God that gives us instructions on how to have a successful life. There are many more but this is one of my favorites. It sort of covers everything. Are you ready to hear it? Ok I'll get to it in a moment. First, let me ask this. What is it that you want out of your life? Do you want more riches, better health, a name for yourself that is to be recognized? Just exactly what is it that you want? Or are you content with what you have? Are you satisfied with your life just as it is? Next question, what is it that you need? Do you need more food, more money, better health, a better relationship? Or are you content with what you've got? Are you satisfied? Those are two different questions even though you may think they sound the same. One is what do you WANT the other is what do you NEED. And then the second part of both questions is just as important, are you CONTENT or are you SATISFIED. 1 Tim 6 v 6-10....Now godliness with contentment is great gain. For we brought nothing into this world, and it is certain we can carry nothing out. And having food and clothing, with these we shall be content. But those who desire to be rich fall into temptaition and a snare, and into many foolish and harmful lusts which drown men in destruction and perdition. For the LOVE of money is the root of all kinds of evil, for which some have strayed from the faiith in their greediness, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows...... Now this scripture does not say money is evil. No, it says the LOVE of money. Being financially rich is not evil. It is when we start coveting what we do not have, and when we let those riches take over our lives and we forget who we are. We need to be content with what we have so that we do not covet what others have. You know the saying the grass always looks greener on the other side. That does not mean it is better for you. That grass has probably been fertilized with harmful chemicals that eventually causes destruction or death to you. Looks can be deceiving. Now the word does not tell you to be satisfied so that you stop working to achieve more. No it just simply says to be content with what you have at all times even though you are still working toward a goal. We can be content without having satisfied our goals and desires just yet. Just as we can strive to satisfy those goals and desires without coveting what is not ours. When something is satisfied, it is brought to completion, it is finished. I for one do not want to be satisfied until Jesus comes. But I am happy to be content with what I have and to work toward other goals. Some may say, I have all I need or want. You may say I do not need anything else. That is great, but don't get satisfied, start working on a goal to help others in the kingdom. Find what it is that God would have you do to help in His kingdom. After all Who was it that got you where you are? I heard it put like this once. The word retirement is never found in the bible. You may have satisfied your obligations as for working for the world, but there is no retirement in working for the LORD. AMEN! Jesus didn't say go out into all the world and preach the gospel until you have put in your 25 or 30 years. Mark 16 v 15... And He said to them, "Go into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature."..... No we are not all ordained ministers, but we all do minister the gospel everyday with our actions, our words, our conduct. You have heard it said that sometimes you are the only bible a person ever sees. We are to be the word of God in action. Oh yes, we will mess up now and again, but we must be quick to repent when we do and make our actions right according to the word. Being successful doesn't necessarily mean being financially rich. There are some financially rich people who are living in misery everyday. These people do not experience Joy, Peace, Divine Health and the blessing of Abraham on their lives. These are those so called "self made milllionaires." When someone starts claiming to be self made then they are only enjoying temporary riches here on earth. The secret to success is being blessed with riches in every area, not just finances and being content with what you have while still striving toward other goals. And now for the secret to success found in the Word. Please take the time to read and meditate on this passage of scripture, so that you may obtain revelation of what a sucessful life is really all about. Prov 3 v 1-10 ......My son, do not forget my law, but let your heart keep my commands; for length of days and long life and peace they will add to you. Let not mercy and truth forsake you; Bind them around your neck, write them on the tablets of your heart, and so find favor and high esteem in the sight of God and man. Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding; In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct your paths. Do not be wise in your own eyes; Fear the Lord and depart from evil. It will be health to your flesh, and strength to your bones. Honor the Lord with your possessions, and with the first fruits of all your increase; So that your barns will be filled with plenty, and your vats will overflow with new wine...... WOW, here you have it. You are told how to have a long life, a healthy life, a strong body, favor from God and men on you and all you set your hands to (your business, your job, etc.) Then you will have your barns overflowing with all that you can contain. And most importantly you will not be doing it alone and you will have His peace through it all. AMEN! STAY IN THE WORD!
Monday, March 21, 2011
Where Do You Fit In
Sometimes do you wonder where do I fit in to the big scheme of things? Where am I suppose to be in God's big world? Who am I to Him?
We have all wondered that at some time in our lives. You are not alone. But now we have to realize just who we are in Christ. We are joint heirs with Him to the throne. We are God's children and He loves us all the same. He is no respector of man so He will not love you more than me, or me more than you. We are descendants of Abraham and therefore we are in covenant with God to the promises of Abraham.
What does that mean you might ask? Well, for one thing it means you will have no lack. No lack in any area. No lack in your food, no lack in the gasoline you need to put in your car to get you to and fro. No lack in your health. No lack in the strength you need to do the things God calls you to do. I could go on and on. But you get the picture. God says He will provide your every need. He knows what you are going to need before you need it.
Now, where do we fit in? We all fit into God's world, remember He formed us each in our mother's womb. Do you think God would make something for nothing? Why would He do that? No, He has a purpose for each one of us. We heard yesterday at church about our vision as a church. We have a goal for 2011, a vision that we will strive together to meet, and we will meet it before 2011 is over. Why? Because God does not give you a vision and then not see it through.
God gives each of us our own personal visions as well. We struggle sometimes to see what that vision is. I know I do. I am always thinking Lord, what would you have me do for You? What is my purpose? It is like our Pastor said yesterday, sometimes we get under condemnation thinking we can not see our vision, thinking we have to know before the day is over what is my vision. Sometimes we can't see the forest because of the trees. AMEN! We need to back off, stop, get quiet and listen to what God has to say to us. See what He has to show us. And then if you are like me, sometimes He will show us a vision, and we will say, nah, thats not it, I could never do that. Maybe you couldn't, but God can. He is using you to bring His vision about. Now that is where you fit into the big scheme of God's world. Alone, you probably can't do what He might ask you to do, but with Him all things are possible. AMEN!
The next time you are sitting and wondering just who you are to Christ and how you fit into His world, get the word out and begin to look at what the scriptures say about who you are, and what your purpose is. The more we STAY IN THE WORD, the more we know about ourselves and who we are to Him. AMEN!
A scripture Pastor used yesterday to help us with seeing our vision was in Habakkuk. It was marked in my bible so at sometime I had heard this in church or from a speaker before. But, like most of us, I then went about my week and forgot all about it. We need to meditate on scripture when we hear it until we get a revelation of it. Until we say "Oh" now I get it. This week I will be meditating on these scriptures. I do not want to be like the people roaming around in circles in the desert for forty years. I would like to see my vision come to pass in less time than that. AMEN!
Habakkuk 2 v 2-3....Then the LORD answered me and said: "Write the vision. And make it plain on tablets, that he may run who reads it. For the vision is yet for an appointed time; But at the end it will speak, and it will not lie. Though it tarries, wait for it: Because it will surely come, It will not tarry......
Here is something the Pastor gave us yesterday to help us with our vision.
1.) We pray about it........2) We see it.........3) We write it......4) We say it......5) We act on it.....6) WE HAVE IT!
Remember we have to say what we have before we actually have it. That is faith. Faith comes by hearing and hearing by the word of God. (Rom 10 v 17) We need to hear our vision being spoken out. The word tells us to call those things that are not as though they already are. (2 Cor 4 v 18) ( 2 Cor 5 v 7) (Heb 11 v 3 and verse 6) Jesus told Thomas, blessed are those who believe without yet seeing.(John 20 v 29) That is the Faith of Abraham and we are the descendants of Abraham.( Heb. 11 v 1) How do we get to that point of having that kind of faith?
STAY IN THE WORD!
We have all wondered that at some time in our lives. You are not alone. But now we have to realize just who we are in Christ. We are joint heirs with Him to the throne. We are God's children and He loves us all the same. He is no respector of man so He will not love you more than me, or me more than you. We are descendants of Abraham and therefore we are in covenant with God to the promises of Abraham.
What does that mean you might ask? Well, for one thing it means you will have no lack. No lack in any area. No lack in your food, no lack in the gasoline you need to put in your car to get you to and fro. No lack in your health. No lack in the strength you need to do the things God calls you to do. I could go on and on. But you get the picture. God says He will provide your every need. He knows what you are going to need before you need it.
Now, where do we fit in? We all fit into God's world, remember He formed us each in our mother's womb. Do you think God would make something for nothing? Why would He do that? No, He has a purpose for each one of us. We heard yesterday at church about our vision as a church. We have a goal for 2011, a vision that we will strive together to meet, and we will meet it before 2011 is over. Why? Because God does not give you a vision and then not see it through.
God gives each of us our own personal visions as well. We struggle sometimes to see what that vision is. I know I do. I am always thinking Lord, what would you have me do for You? What is my purpose? It is like our Pastor said yesterday, sometimes we get under condemnation thinking we can not see our vision, thinking we have to know before the day is over what is my vision. Sometimes we can't see the forest because of the trees. AMEN! We need to back off, stop, get quiet and listen to what God has to say to us. See what He has to show us. And then if you are like me, sometimes He will show us a vision, and we will say, nah, thats not it, I could never do that. Maybe you couldn't, but God can. He is using you to bring His vision about. Now that is where you fit into the big scheme of God's world. Alone, you probably can't do what He might ask you to do, but with Him all things are possible. AMEN!
The next time you are sitting and wondering just who you are to Christ and how you fit into His world, get the word out and begin to look at what the scriptures say about who you are, and what your purpose is. The more we STAY IN THE WORD, the more we know about ourselves and who we are to Him. AMEN!
A scripture Pastor used yesterday to help us with seeing our vision was in Habakkuk. It was marked in my bible so at sometime I had heard this in church or from a speaker before. But, like most of us, I then went about my week and forgot all about it. We need to meditate on scripture when we hear it until we get a revelation of it. Until we say "Oh" now I get it. This week I will be meditating on these scriptures. I do not want to be like the people roaming around in circles in the desert for forty years. I would like to see my vision come to pass in less time than that. AMEN!
Habakkuk 2 v 2-3....Then the LORD answered me and said: "Write the vision. And make it plain on tablets, that he may run who reads it. For the vision is yet for an appointed time; But at the end it will speak, and it will not lie. Though it tarries, wait for it: Because it will surely come, It will not tarry......
Here is something the Pastor gave us yesterday to help us with our vision.
1.) We pray about it........2) We see it.........3) We write it......4) We say it......5) We act on it.....6) WE HAVE IT!
Remember we have to say what we have before we actually have it. That is faith. Faith comes by hearing and hearing by the word of God. (Rom 10 v 17) We need to hear our vision being spoken out. The word tells us to call those things that are not as though they already are. (2 Cor 4 v 18) ( 2 Cor 5 v 7) (Heb 11 v 3 and verse 6) Jesus told Thomas, blessed are those who believe without yet seeing.(John 20 v 29) That is the Faith of Abraham and we are the descendants of Abraham.( Heb. 11 v 1) How do we get to that point of having that kind of faith?
STAY IN THE WORD!
Tuesday, March 15, 2011
Who Do You Think Is Watching You
When we are challenged with attacks against us or our health, or when someone on our job irritates us to the point of wanting to scream. Who do you think is watching to see how we will react? We have been taught through out our childhoods, to be on our good behavior, that God is watching us, He sees how we behave.
Well, it is not God who is watching us. Shocked? No, in fact it is the enemy who is watching us to see what we will do. He wants to cause us to react out of anger, or revenge or anything else but love. When we do, he gets bonus points for his side.
You see, God does not have to watch us. He already knows every move we will make before we even make it, or every word before we speak before it is spoken. You see He knows when to turn away as He can not look upon sin. But the enemy on the other hand is sitting there cheering us on when we react to something outside of love.
God is always watching over us, He is always there to catch us when we call upon His name. But, He is not watching to see how we behave. He already knows. He will be there afterwards when we call out to Him. When in truth, we should have called out on His name to start with before we put ourselves into sin.
That is hard to think on sometimes as I know I for one have not always reacted the way I should to situations. Sometimes, I have a tendency to just fly off the handle and say whatever spiteful thing comes to my mind first. This is not something I am proud of, it is just part of my makeup that I need to change by renewing my mind daily with His word.
Who are we hurting when we react out of anger, or hatefuleness. Are we hurting those who are attacking us? Maybe, but they are not the only ones we are hurting. We are hurting all the people everywhere who Christians are trying to help, who they are trying to tell how much God loves them and wants to forgive them, and wants to give them life full of joy and abundance and hope. We are destroying our own witness of the Lord and His grace. We are making null and void what we say we believe. Oh, God's grace will win out, His love will never fail. But we will at times. It is what we do when we do fail that will make a difference. Don't leave things as they are when you mess up. Be quick to apologize and to offer love and ask for forgiveness. It is not easy being humble. Just ask Jesus!
We are being watched by all those who have looked to us to show them how we as Christians are to respond to the wiles of the devil. It breaks God's heart to see us react outside of His love.
I don't know about you, but it breaks my heart to think that I have broken God's heart. AMEN!
Matthew 5 v 44-45a.....But I say to you, love your enemies, bless those who curse you, do good to those who hate you, and pray for those who spitefully use you and persecute you, that you may be sons of your Father in heaven.......
Yes, we are to behave as sons and daughters of our Father in heaven. So that when people see us, they can see God through us.
Matthew 5 v 14 and 16.......You are the light of the world. A city that is set on a hill cannot be hidden.... 16....Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven....
Ephesians 5 v 8-10....For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Walk as children of light (for the fruit of the Spirit is in all goodness, righteousness, and truth), finding out what is acceptable to the LORD......
Galatians 5 v 16....I say then; walk in the Spirit, and you shall not fulfill the lusts of the flesh....
Galatians 5 v 22-23a....But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self control....
I believe the main fruit of the Spirit that we should all work on is self control. If we can master this one, then the rest of the fruits will fall into place. AMEN!. Bottom line, is always always walk in love toward your neighbor. And then your Father in heaven will not only be watching over you, but watching you as well and beaming with happiness.
How do we stay in God's presence and react the way He would have us to? By renewing our minds, by...
STAYING IN THE WORD!
Well, it is not God who is watching us. Shocked? No, in fact it is the enemy who is watching us to see what we will do. He wants to cause us to react out of anger, or revenge or anything else but love. When we do, he gets bonus points for his side.
You see, God does not have to watch us. He already knows every move we will make before we even make it, or every word before we speak before it is spoken. You see He knows when to turn away as He can not look upon sin. But the enemy on the other hand is sitting there cheering us on when we react to something outside of love.
God is always watching over us, He is always there to catch us when we call upon His name. But, He is not watching to see how we behave. He already knows. He will be there afterwards when we call out to Him. When in truth, we should have called out on His name to start with before we put ourselves into sin.
That is hard to think on sometimes as I know I for one have not always reacted the way I should to situations. Sometimes, I have a tendency to just fly off the handle and say whatever spiteful thing comes to my mind first. This is not something I am proud of, it is just part of my makeup that I need to change by renewing my mind daily with His word.
Who are we hurting when we react out of anger, or hatefuleness. Are we hurting those who are attacking us? Maybe, but they are not the only ones we are hurting. We are hurting all the people everywhere who Christians are trying to help, who they are trying to tell how much God loves them and wants to forgive them, and wants to give them life full of joy and abundance and hope. We are destroying our own witness of the Lord and His grace. We are making null and void what we say we believe. Oh, God's grace will win out, His love will never fail. But we will at times. It is what we do when we do fail that will make a difference. Don't leave things as they are when you mess up. Be quick to apologize and to offer love and ask for forgiveness. It is not easy being humble. Just ask Jesus!
We are being watched by all those who have looked to us to show them how we as Christians are to respond to the wiles of the devil. It breaks God's heart to see us react outside of His love.
I don't know about you, but it breaks my heart to think that I have broken God's heart. AMEN!
Matthew 5 v 44-45a.....But I say to you, love your enemies, bless those who curse you, do good to those who hate you, and pray for those who spitefully use you and persecute you, that you may be sons of your Father in heaven.......
Yes, we are to behave as sons and daughters of our Father in heaven. So that when people see us, they can see God through us.
Matthew 5 v 14 and 16.......You are the light of the world. A city that is set on a hill cannot be hidden.... 16....Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven....
Ephesians 5 v 8-10....For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Walk as children of light (for the fruit of the Spirit is in all goodness, righteousness, and truth), finding out what is acceptable to the LORD......
Galatians 5 v 16....I say then; walk in the Spirit, and you shall not fulfill the lusts of the flesh....
Galatians 5 v 22-23a....But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self control....
I believe the main fruit of the Spirit that we should all work on is self control. If we can master this one, then the rest of the fruits will fall into place. AMEN!. Bottom line, is always always walk in love toward your neighbor. And then your Father in heaven will not only be watching over you, but watching you as well and beaming with happiness.
How do we stay in God's presence and react the way He would have us to? By renewing our minds, by...
STAYING IN THE WORD!
Thursday, March 10, 2011
Staying Focused
Focused on what you may ask? Focused on the Word of God. If you do not stay focused on the Word, and your circumstances become bigger than the Word that is in you, then you will succomb to your circumstances. Let me explain.
When you stay in the Word and you get the Word established (settled) into your heart, then no matter what the circumstances are the Word will be bigger. You will hear the Word rising up in your Spirit man, and you will not be able to hear (or see) the circumstances that are trying to rise up against you.
God will win out everytime. No matter what the battle you are facing. You just need to find in His Word where He says that battle has been fought and won already, and take hold of your victory.
Our Pastor said it like this Sunday. The Greatest Victory is on the other side of your worst battle. So just know when you think you are going through the worst possible fight you can imagine, recall what He says in His word about it, and stay focused on the Word and not the battle. And you will come out with the Victory on the other side. AMEN!
So if your battle is dealing with healing in your body, focus on what He says in IS 53, 1 Pet 2 v 24.
IS 53 v 5....But He was wounded for our transgressions, He was bruised for our iniquities; the chastisement of our peace was upon Him, and by His stripes we are healed.....
1 Pet 2 v 24.....Who Himself bore our sins in His own body on the tree, that we, having died to sins, might live for righteousness, by whose stripes you were healed....
If your battle is with finances read Proverbs 10, and Galatians 3 v 29, Gen. 17 v 7, and Gen. 15 v 1.
Proverbs 10 v 22...The blessing of the Lord makes one rich, and He adds no sorrow with it....
Gal. 3 v 29...And if you are Christ's, then you are Abraham's seed, and heirs according to the promise....
Genesis 17 v 7....And I will establish My covenant between Me and you and your descendants after you in their generations, for an everlasting covenant, to be God to you and your descendants after you......
Genesis 15 v 1...After these things the word of the Lord came to Abram in a vision, saying, do not be afraid, Abram, I am your shield, your exceedingly great reward....
If your battle is with others trying to steal your joy. Read 1 Cor 13, Phillipians 4.
1 Cor 13 v 4-8a.....Love suffers long and is kind; love does not envy. love does not parade itself, is not puffed up; does not behave rudely, does not seek its own, is not provoked, thinks no evil; does not rejoice in iniquity, but rejoices in the truth; bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things. Love never fails....
Phil 4 v 6-7.....be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.....
Above all else remember who you are in Christ Jesus. And stay focused on what He says you have, who He says you are and then give Him your battles and He will see your through to the other side.
Hebrews 13 v 5-6....Let your conduct be without covetousness; be content with such things as you have. For He Himself has said, "I will never leave you nor forsake you." So we may boldly say; "The LORD is my helper; I will not fear; What can man do to me?".....
There is a safe place for us when we rest in Him and meditate on His words. And there is always, always Victory on the other side of our battles when we trust in Him. Read PS 91 and focus on who God says you are to Him. See what He has to say about those who come against you and the battles you are facing. He says they shall not come near you. Focus on that! AMEN!
STAY IN THE WORD!
When you stay in the Word and you get the Word established (settled) into your heart, then no matter what the circumstances are the Word will be bigger. You will hear the Word rising up in your Spirit man, and you will not be able to hear (or see) the circumstances that are trying to rise up against you.
God will win out everytime. No matter what the battle you are facing. You just need to find in His Word where He says that battle has been fought and won already, and take hold of your victory.
Our Pastor said it like this Sunday. The Greatest Victory is on the other side of your worst battle. So just know when you think you are going through the worst possible fight you can imagine, recall what He says in His word about it, and stay focused on the Word and not the battle. And you will come out with the Victory on the other side. AMEN!
So if your battle is dealing with healing in your body, focus on what He says in IS 53, 1 Pet 2 v 24.
IS 53 v 5....But He was wounded for our transgressions, He was bruised for our iniquities; the chastisement of our peace was upon Him, and by His stripes we are healed.....
1 Pet 2 v 24.....Who Himself bore our sins in His own body on the tree, that we, having died to sins, might live for righteousness, by whose stripes you were healed....
If your battle is with finances read Proverbs 10, and Galatians 3 v 29, Gen. 17 v 7, and Gen. 15 v 1.
Proverbs 10 v 22...The blessing of the Lord makes one rich, and He adds no sorrow with it....
Gal. 3 v 29...And if you are Christ's, then you are Abraham's seed, and heirs according to the promise....
Genesis 17 v 7....And I will establish My covenant between Me and you and your descendants after you in their generations, for an everlasting covenant, to be God to you and your descendants after you......
Genesis 15 v 1...After these things the word of the Lord came to Abram in a vision, saying, do not be afraid, Abram, I am your shield, your exceedingly great reward....
If your battle is with others trying to steal your joy. Read 1 Cor 13, Phillipians 4.
1 Cor 13 v 4-8a.....Love suffers long and is kind; love does not envy. love does not parade itself, is not puffed up; does not behave rudely, does not seek its own, is not provoked, thinks no evil; does not rejoice in iniquity, but rejoices in the truth; bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things. Love never fails....
Phil 4 v 6-7.....be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.....
Above all else remember who you are in Christ Jesus. And stay focused on what He says you have, who He says you are and then give Him your battles and He will see your through to the other side.
Hebrews 13 v 5-6....Let your conduct be without covetousness; be content with such things as you have. For He Himself has said, "I will never leave you nor forsake you." So we may boldly say; "The LORD is my helper; I will not fear; What can man do to me?".....
There is a safe place for us when we rest in Him and meditate on His words. And there is always, always Victory on the other side of our battles when we trust in Him. Read PS 91 and focus on who God says you are to Him. See what He has to say about those who come against you and the battles you are facing. He says they shall not come near you. Focus on that! AMEN!
STAY IN THE WORD!
Wednesday, February 23, 2011
YOUR WORD COVERS ME
Are you covered by the Word? Well that depends. Do you have a revelation of what the Word is saying? Or do you just read the Word and it goes in one ear and out the other and you can't even remember what you read or heard once you leave church? Do you have a good understanding of what the Word is saying to you when you read it? Or may I put it like this, Do you have a good understanding of who God is to you and what His promises are to you?
I think first we must get a clear picture of just who God is to us. He is our Father. He loved us so much that He gave His only begotten Son to die on a cross so that we might live eternally with Him.( read John 3 v 16) Notice I said, might. You see He can't guarantee that we will until we first accept His Son as our personal Savior and Lord. So many people answer with, oh yes, I know God and I know who Jesus is. But there is a difference in knowing something or someone. There is a difference of just having knowledge of something and really knowing something.
For example: I know that my heart beats and blood is transported through my body. However, that is about all I know about it. But now, take a cardiologist, he knows exactly how it works, and when something is amiss, he knows where to look to find out how to fix it. I would not know, what to do, because I have very limited knowledge about my heart.
The same is true with knowing who Jesus is and knowing Him personally. Having a personal relationship with Him. That is why God gave us His Word, so that we can have intimate knowledge of just who Jesus is.
That cardiologist had to read alot of books and do alot of studying to know how to fix your heart. You would not want a cardiologist working on you who had no training, who had just opened the book for the first time and was looking up what to do as he works on you would you?
The same thing with being covered by the Word. When the enemy attacks you with sickness, disease, poverty, heartache. Where do you go in the Word to find instructions on what to do so that you may defeat the enemy? Or do you just accept what is happening to you as part of life?
God has so many promises to you in His Word, that when you get the Word in you, settled in your heart, then you are covered by His Word. These things will not prevail over you, they will not prosper. (read Isaiah 54 v 17) He has you covered in His Word. (Read PS chapter 91.)
Remember in the beginning was the Word.
John 1 v 1-2....In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God......
John 1 v 14......And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we beheld His glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father, full of grace and truth...
John 14 v 6..."Jesus said to him, "I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father, except through Me......
We have to get the Word established in our hearts. The Word is Jesus. Only then can we have this personal relationship with Him. Remember it is not enough just to know what the Word says. Satan knew the Word very well, and even used it against Jesus to try and trick Him into worshipping him. But, Jesus knew the Word even better, (hello, He is the WORD) and so therefore He turned the Word back on Satan in its true meaning, and was not decieved by him.(read Matthew chapter 4)
So my prayer for each of you today is that you will get the Word established in your hearts, settled in your hearts, so that you are covered by His Word. Don't just know of the Word. Have a relationship with the Word.
STAY IN THE WORD!
I think first we must get a clear picture of just who God is to us. He is our Father. He loved us so much that He gave His only begotten Son to die on a cross so that we might live eternally with Him.( read John 3 v 16) Notice I said, might. You see He can't guarantee that we will until we first accept His Son as our personal Savior and Lord. So many people answer with, oh yes, I know God and I know who Jesus is. But there is a difference in knowing something or someone. There is a difference of just having knowledge of something and really knowing something.
For example: I know that my heart beats and blood is transported through my body. However, that is about all I know about it. But now, take a cardiologist, he knows exactly how it works, and when something is amiss, he knows where to look to find out how to fix it. I would not know, what to do, because I have very limited knowledge about my heart.
The same is true with knowing who Jesus is and knowing Him personally. Having a personal relationship with Him. That is why God gave us His Word, so that we can have intimate knowledge of just who Jesus is.
That cardiologist had to read alot of books and do alot of studying to know how to fix your heart. You would not want a cardiologist working on you who had no training, who had just opened the book for the first time and was looking up what to do as he works on you would you?
The same thing with being covered by the Word. When the enemy attacks you with sickness, disease, poverty, heartache. Where do you go in the Word to find instructions on what to do so that you may defeat the enemy? Or do you just accept what is happening to you as part of life?
God has so many promises to you in His Word, that when you get the Word in you, settled in your heart, then you are covered by His Word. These things will not prevail over you, they will not prosper. (read Isaiah 54 v 17) He has you covered in His Word. (Read PS chapter 91.)
Remember in the beginning was the Word.
John 1 v 1-2....In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God......
John 1 v 14......And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we beheld His glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father, full of grace and truth...
John 14 v 6..."Jesus said to him, "I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father, except through Me......
We have to get the Word established in our hearts. The Word is Jesus. Only then can we have this personal relationship with Him. Remember it is not enough just to know what the Word says. Satan knew the Word very well, and even used it against Jesus to try and trick Him into worshipping him. But, Jesus knew the Word even better, (hello, He is the WORD) and so therefore He turned the Word back on Satan in its true meaning, and was not decieved by him.(read Matthew chapter 4)
So my prayer for each of you today is that you will get the Word established in your hearts, settled in your hearts, so that you are covered by His Word. Don't just know of the Word. Have a relationship with the Word.
STAY IN THE WORD!
Monday, February 7, 2011
Isaiah 65 v 24
If we only had the faith of those whose minds have not been cluttered by doubt. This was sent to me and after reading the scripture above, I was reminded of what faith is really all about. Which brings the scripture Heb. 11 v 1....Faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not yet seen..... AMEN! Hope you enjoy the story and I hope your faith will be renewed.
This is a story written by a doctor who worked in Africa .
> One night I had worked hard to help a mother in the labor ward; but in spite
> of all we could do, she died, leaving us with a tiny, premature baby and a
> crying two-year-old daughter. We would have difficulty keeping the baby
> alive; as we had no incubator (we had no electricity to run an incubator).
>
>
>
> We also had no special feeding facilities.
>
>
> Although we lived on the equator, nights were often chilly with treacherous
> drafts. One student midwife went for the box we had for such babies and the
> cotton wool that the baby would be wrapped in.
>
>
> Another went to stoke up the fire and fill a hot water bottle. She came back
> shortly in distress to tell me that in filling the bottle, it had burst
> (rubber perishes easily in tropical climates)..
>
>
> 'And it is our last hot water bottle!' she exclaimed. As in the West, it is
> no good crying over spilled milk, so in Central Africa
> it might be considered no good crying over burst water bottles.
>
>
> They do not grow on trees, and there are no drugstores down forest pathways.
>
>
> 'All right,' I said, 'put the baby as near the fire as you safely can, and
> sleep between the baby and the door to keep it free from drafts Your job is
> to keep the baby warm.'
>
>
> The following noon, as I did most days, I went to have prayers with any of
> the orphanage children who chose to gather with me. I gave the youngsters
> various suggestions of things to pray about and told them about the tiny
> baby. I explained our problem about keeping the baby warm enough, mentioning
> the hot water bottle, and that the baby could so easily die if it got
> chills. I also told them of the two-year-old sister, crying because her
> mother had died.
>
>
> During prayer time, one ten -year-old girl, Ruth, prayed with the usual
> blunt conciseness of our African children. 'Please, God' she prayed, 'Send
> us a hot water bottle today It'll be no good tomorrow, God, as the baby will
> be dead, so please send it this afternoon.'
>
>
> While I gasped inwardly at the audacity of the prayer, she added, 'And while
> You are about it, would You please send a dolly for the little girl so
> she'll know You really love her?'
>
>
> As often with children's prayers, I was put on the spot. Could I honestly
> say 'Amen?' I just did not believe that God could do this.
>
>
> Oh, yes, I know that He can do everything; the Bible says so. But there are
> limits, aren't there? The only way God could answer this particular prayer
> would be by sending me a parcel from the homeland. I had been in Africa
> for almost four years at that time, and I had never, ever, received a parcel
> from home.
>
>
> Anyway, if anyone did send me a parcel, who would put in a hot water bottle?
> I lived on the equator!
>
>
> Halfway through the afternoon, while I was teaching in the nurses' training
> school, a message was sent that there was a car at my front door. By the
> time I reached home, the car had gone, but there on the verandah was a large
> 22-pound parcel. I felt tears pricking my eyes. I could not open the parcel
> alone, so I sent for the orphanage children.. Together we pulled off the
> string, carefully undoing each knot. We folded the paper, taking care not to
> tear it unduly Excitement was mounting. Some thirty or forty pairs of eyes
> were focused on the large cardboard box. >From the top, I lifted out
> brightly-colored, knitted jerseys. Eyes sparkled as I gave them out. Then
> there were the knitted bandages for the leprosy patients, and the children
> looked a little bored.. Then came a box of mixed raisins and sultanas - that
> would make a batch of buns for the weekend.
>
> Then, as I put my hand in again, I felt the.....could it really be?
>
> I grasped it and pulled it out. Yes, a brand new, rubber hot water bottle. I
> cried.
>
> I had not asked God to send it; I had not truly believed that He could.
>
> Ruth was in the front row of the children. She rushed forward, crying out,
> 'If God has sent the bottle, He must have sent the dolly, too!'
>
> Rummaging down to the bottom of the box, she pulled out the small,
> beautifully-dressed dolly. Her eyes shone! She had never doubted!
>
> Looking up at me, she asked, 'Can I go over with you and give this dolly to
> that little girl, so she'll know that Jesus really loves her?'
>
> 'Of course,' I replied!
>
> That parcel had been on the way for five whole months, packed up by my
> former Sunday school class, whose leader had heard and obeyed God's
> prompting to send a hot water bottle, even to the equator.
>
> And one of the girls had put in a dolly for an African child - five months
> before, in answer to the believing prayer of a ten-year-old to bring it
> 'that afternoon.'
>
> 'Before they call, I will answer.' (Isaiah 65:24)
>
> When you receive this, say the prayer. That's all I ask. No strings
> attached. Just send it on to whomever you want - but do send it on.
>
> Prayer is one of the best free gifts we receive. There is no cost, but a lot
> of rewards. Let's continue praying for one another.
>
> This awesome prayer takes less than a minute.
>
> Heavenly Father, I ask you to bless my friends reading this. I ask You to
> minister to their spirit. Where there is pain, give them Your peace and
> mercy. Where there is self doubting, release a renewed confidence to work
> through them Where there is tiredness or exhaustion, I ask You to give them
> understanding, guidance, and strength. Where there is fear, reveal Your love
> and release to them Your courage.. Bless their finances, give them greater
> vision, and raise up leaders and friends to support and encourage them. I
> ask You to do these things in Jesus' name. Amen
>
This is a story written by a doctor who worked in Africa .
> One night I had worked hard to help a mother in the labor ward; but in spite
> of all we could do, she died, leaving us with a tiny, premature baby and a
> crying two-year-old daughter. We would have difficulty keeping the baby
> alive; as we had no incubator (we had no electricity to run an incubator).
>
>
>
> We also had no special feeding facilities.
>
>
> Although we lived on the equator, nights were often chilly with treacherous
> drafts. One student midwife went for the box we had for such babies and the
> cotton wool that the baby would be wrapped in.
>
>
> Another went to stoke up the fire and fill a hot water bottle. She came back
> shortly in distress to tell me that in filling the bottle, it had burst
> (rubber perishes easily in tropical climates)..
>
>
> 'And it is our last hot water bottle!' she exclaimed. As in the West, it is
> no good crying over spilled milk, so in Central Africa
> it might be considered no good crying over burst water bottles.
>
>
> They do not grow on trees, and there are no drugstores down forest pathways.
>
>
> 'All right,' I said, 'put the baby as near the fire as you safely can, and
> sleep between the baby and the door to keep it free from drafts Your job is
> to keep the baby warm.'
>
>
> The following noon, as I did most days, I went to have prayers with any of
> the orphanage children who chose to gather with me. I gave the youngsters
> various suggestions of things to pray about and told them about the tiny
> baby. I explained our problem about keeping the baby warm enough, mentioning
> the hot water bottle, and that the baby could so easily die if it got
> chills. I also told them of the two-year-old sister, crying because her
> mother had died.
>
>
> During prayer time, one ten -year-old girl, Ruth, prayed with the usual
> blunt conciseness of our African children. 'Please, God' she prayed, 'Send
> us a hot water bottle today It'll be no good tomorrow, God, as the baby will
> be dead, so please send it this afternoon.'
>
>
> While I gasped inwardly at the audacity of the prayer, she added, 'And while
> You are about it, would You please send a dolly for the little girl so
> she'll know You really love her?'
>
>
> As often with children's prayers, I was put on the spot. Could I honestly
> say 'Amen?' I just did not believe that God could do this.
>
>
> Oh, yes, I know that He can do everything; the Bible says so. But there are
> limits, aren't there? The only way God could answer this particular prayer
> would be by sending me a parcel from the homeland. I had been in Africa
> for almost four years at that time, and I had never, ever, received a parcel
> from home.
>
>
> Anyway, if anyone did send me a parcel, who would put in a hot water bottle?
> I lived on the equator!
>
>
> Halfway through the afternoon, while I was teaching in the nurses' training
> school, a message was sent that there was a car at my front door. By the
> time I reached home, the car had gone, but there on the verandah was a large
> 22-pound parcel. I felt tears pricking my eyes. I could not open the parcel
> alone, so I sent for the orphanage children.. Together we pulled off the
> string, carefully undoing each knot. We folded the paper, taking care not to
> tear it unduly Excitement was mounting. Some thirty or forty pairs of eyes
> were focused on the large cardboard box. >From the top, I lifted out
> brightly-colored, knitted jerseys. Eyes sparkled as I gave them out. Then
> there were the knitted bandages for the leprosy patients, and the children
> looked a little bored.. Then came a box of mixed raisins and sultanas - that
> would make a batch of buns for the weekend.
>
> Then, as I put my hand in again, I felt the.....could it really be?
>
> I grasped it and pulled it out. Yes, a brand new, rubber hot water bottle. I
> cried.
>
> I had not asked God to send it; I had not truly believed that He could.
>
> Ruth was in the front row of the children. She rushed forward, crying out,
> 'If God has sent the bottle, He must have sent the dolly, too!'
>
> Rummaging down to the bottom of the box, she pulled out the small,
> beautifully-dressed dolly. Her eyes shone! She had never doubted!
>
> Looking up at me, she asked, 'Can I go over with you and give this dolly to
> that little girl, so she'll know that Jesus really loves her?'
>
> 'Of course,' I replied!
>
> That parcel had been on the way for five whole months, packed up by my
> former Sunday school class, whose leader had heard and obeyed God's
> prompting to send a hot water bottle, even to the equator.
>
> And one of the girls had put in a dolly for an African child - five months
> before, in answer to the believing prayer of a ten-year-old to bring it
> 'that afternoon.'
>
> 'Before they call, I will answer.' (Isaiah 65:24)
>
> When you receive this, say the prayer. That's all I ask. No strings
> attached. Just send it on to whomever you want - but do send it on.
>
> Prayer is one of the best free gifts we receive. There is no cost, but a lot
> of rewards. Let's continue praying for one another.
>
> This awesome prayer takes less than a minute.
>
> Heavenly Father, I ask you to bless my friends reading this. I ask You to
> minister to their spirit. Where there is pain, give them Your peace and
> mercy. Where there is self doubting, release a renewed confidence to work
> through them Where there is tiredness or exhaustion, I ask You to give them
> understanding, guidance, and strength. Where there is fear, reveal Your love
> and release to them Your courage.. Bless their finances, give them greater
> vision, and raise up leaders and friends to support and encourage them. I
> ask You to do these things in Jesus' name. Amen
>
Monday, January 24, 2011
The Untouchables
No I am not referring to the movie. More like to the people in the bible that no one else would touch, but Jesus did.
Remember the man who had leprosy who and when he saw Jesus, he knelt before Him and said "Lord if you are willing, You can make me clean." Of course Jesus was (and still is) willing, so He touched the man, and immediately he was cleansed of his disease.
Mark 1 v 40-42....NKJV....Now a leper came to Him imploring Him, kneeling down to Him and saying to Him, "If You are willing, You can make me clean." Then Jesus, moved with compassion, stretched out His hand and touched him, and said to him, "I am willing; be cleansed." As soon as He had spoken, immediately the leprosy left him, and he was cleansed......
We sometimes don't want to touch those who appear undesirable to us. We sometimes want to stay in our little comfort zones at church and turn a blind eye to those who need a touch. I have seen this happen even inside churches where someone who doesn't look or act exactly like some may think they should, and then they are avoided and ignored. Too many times, we want to turn our heads and pretend we don't see them. I myself was about as crude and undesirable as one could get when I first started attending church. We are all babes when we first come to Christ, we have to be fed so that we may grow. We have to be comfortable coming to a place to be fed so that we will not want to miss any meals. AMEN!
Jesus did not tell us to build churches so that we could hold a fasion show each week, to see who dresses the best. His house is built for everyone to come to worship Him. To be able to come to seek help if they need or want it.
Sometimes the untouchables may have to reach deep into themselves just to get out of their comfort zone to come to worship the Lord, or come seeking help from those they believe can help them. They may be in real need of prayer and they have reached out to the church where the church may have missed them on the streets.
Jesus called us to go out and take the good news, to heal the brokenhearted and the sick. To touch those with His love and with His compassion. He commissioned us to do the same as His Father in heaven sent Him to do. First, we have to get out of ourselves, and then let His Spirit rise up in us so that we are able to minister to those who just need a touch of His compassion and with the love that He loved with.
Luke 4 v 18-19...."The Spirit of the Lord is upon Me. because He has annointed Me to preach the gospel to the poor; He has sent Me to heal the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives and recovery of sight to the blind. To set at liberty those who are oppressed; to proclaim the acceptable year of the Lord."
And then Jesus passed that authority on to us in John 14.
John 14 v 12-14....NKJV...."Most assuredly, I say to you, he who believes in Me, the works that I do he will do also; and greater works than these he will do because I go to My Father. And whatever you ask in My name, that I will do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son. If you ask anything in My name, I will do it....
Have you ever heard another christian say, "I am not going near that, there are too many bad spirits around that person, I am not going to let that get on me"? Well, first of all they have just walked out of love. When we walk in love toward our fellow man, just as Jesus did, we are walking with Jesus. When we step out of love and start walking in judgment, we have walked away from Jesus.
In other words when we see someone that may look undesirable, untouchable in our eyes, we have two decisions to choose from, we can decide we are going to get as far away as we can, or we can pray for that person maybe even give that person a hug if they are receptive to that. Jesus touched the people He healed. He didn't just stand up there all high and mighty on the mountain and look down at the people. No, He walked among the people. He made Himself available to the people.
You may say, I want to have the compassion and the love Jesus had for others, I want to be more like Him and able to minister to those I might be leary of, who might seem untouchable or undesirable to me. How can I do this? Well, first you need to get into His word and learn His ways. You have to be able to come out of yourself and let His Spirit rise up in you.
Remember when you walk in love you are walking with Him. He will guide you along the way.
STAY IN THE WORD!
Remember the man who had leprosy who and when he saw Jesus, he knelt before Him and said "Lord if you are willing, You can make me clean." Of course Jesus was (and still is) willing, so He touched the man, and immediately he was cleansed of his disease.
Mark 1 v 40-42....NKJV....Now a leper came to Him imploring Him, kneeling down to Him and saying to Him, "If You are willing, You can make me clean." Then Jesus, moved with compassion, stretched out His hand and touched him, and said to him, "I am willing; be cleansed." As soon as He had spoken, immediately the leprosy left him, and he was cleansed......
We sometimes don't want to touch those who appear undesirable to us. We sometimes want to stay in our little comfort zones at church and turn a blind eye to those who need a touch. I have seen this happen even inside churches where someone who doesn't look or act exactly like some may think they should, and then they are avoided and ignored. Too many times, we want to turn our heads and pretend we don't see them. I myself was about as crude and undesirable as one could get when I first started attending church. We are all babes when we first come to Christ, we have to be fed so that we may grow. We have to be comfortable coming to a place to be fed so that we will not want to miss any meals. AMEN!
Jesus did not tell us to build churches so that we could hold a fasion show each week, to see who dresses the best. His house is built for everyone to come to worship Him. To be able to come to seek help if they need or want it.
Sometimes the untouchables may have to reach deep into themselves just to get out of their comfort zone to come to worship the Lord, or come seeking help from those they believe can help them. They may be in real need of prayer and they have reached out to the church where the church may have missed them on the streets.
Jesus called us to go out and take the good news, to heal the brokenhearted and the sick. To touch those with His love and with His compassion. He commissioned us to do the same as His Father in heaven sent Him to do. First, we have to get out of ourselves, and then let His Spirit rise up in us so that we are able to minister to those who just need a touch of His compassion and with the love that He loved with.
Luke 4 v 18-19...."The Spirit of the Lord is upon Me. because He has annointed Me to preach the gospel to the poor; He has sent Me to heal the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives and recovery of sight to the blind. To set at liberty those who are oppressed; to proclaim the acceptable year of the Lord."
And then Jesus passed that authority on to us in John 14.
John 14 v 12-14....NKJV...."Most assuredly, I say to you, he who believes in Me, the works that I do he will do also; and greater works than these he will do because I go to My Father. And whatever you ask in My name, that I will do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son. If you ask anything in My name, I will do it....
Have you ever heard another christian say, "I am not going near that, there are too many bad spirits around that person, I am not going to let that get on me"? Well, first of all they have just walked out of love. When we walk in love toward our fellow man, just as Jesus did, we are walking with Jesus. When we step out of love and start walking in judgment, we have walked away from Jesus.
In other words when we see someone that may look undesirable, untouchable in our eyes, we have two decisions to choose from, we can decide we are going to get as far away as we can, or we can pray for that person maybe even give that person a hug if they are receptive to that. Jesus touched the people He healed. He didn't just stand up there all high and mighty on the mountain and look down at the people. No, He walked among the people. He made Himself available to the people.
You may say, I want to have the compassion and the love Jesus had for others, I want to be more like Him and able to minister to those I might be leary of, who might seem untouchable or undesirable to me. How can I do this? Well, first you need to get into His word and learn His ways. You have to be able to come out of yourself and let His Spirit rise up in you.
Remember when you walk in love you are walking with Him. He will guide you along the way.
STAY IN THE WORD!
Friday, January 14, 2011
He Takes You Out Of Your Sackcloth
Has the Lord taken you out of your sackcloth? Have you put on the new garments of the Lord? Has the Lord ever given you anything to shout and rejoice over? Has He given you His joy?
If we do not sing the praises of the Lord God now while we are here on this earth, then how will anyone know what He has done for us? We can not sing His praises from the grave. Who would hear them?
Psalm 30 v 11-12..NKJV.....You have turned my mourning into dancing; You have put off my sackcloth and clothed me with gladness, to the end that my glory may sing praise to You and not be silent. O Lord my God, I will give thanks to You forever.....
David sang songs and praises to the Lord for everything in His life. God said David was a man after His own heart. He found much favor and delight in David. Can we say the same of ourselves? Has the Lord God found much favor and delight in our lives, in our every day attitudes?
David was human and was not perfect, he did mess up. Read 2 Sam 11. But he came back to the Lord seeking His face and worshiping Him. 2 Sam 12.
We are human as well and we will mess up now and again, but to know that the Lord God has got our back when we do, gives us such peace that we will want to rejoice and praise His name all the day long. He is not giving us permission to sin just because He has forgiven us, but we will not want to sin once we truly connect ourselves to Him as joint heirs to the throne. But, alas, we are human and we will at times miss the mark. But it is what we do when this happens that will determine just what sort of relationship we really do have with Him.
How can we live this life to the fullest praising Him for all His blessings toward us? Do you need to change your garment of praise? Do you need to shed the sackcloth and put on a new garment?
How can we take off the sackcloth we have been wearing? By meditating on His word and keeping His words in our heart at all times. When we praise and worship Him, He clothes us in gladness.
I like to read the Psalms and Proverbs each day. It gives me wisdom and understanding of how God wants me to live. If you will read five chapters in Psalm and one chapter in Proverbs each day you will begin to see what it is God wants for you in this life. Start your day off with His words before you listen to anyone else's words and life will be easier throughout each day. AMEN!
STAY IN THE WORD!
If we do not sing the praises of the Lord God now while we are here on this earth, then how will anyone know what He has done for us? We can not sing His praises from the grave. Who would hear them?
Psalm 30 v 11-12..NKJV.....You have turned my mourning into dancing; You have put off my sackcloth and clothed me with gladness, to the end that my glory may sing praise to You and not be silent. O Lord my God, I will give thanks to You forever.....
David sang songs and praises to the Lord for everything in His life. God said David was a man after His own heart. He found much favor and delight in David. Can we say the same of ourselves? Has the Lord God found much favor and delight in our lives, in our every day attitudes?
David was human and was not perfect, he did mess up. Read 2 Sam 11. But he came back to the Lord seeking His face and worshiping Him. 2 Sam 12.
We are human as well and we will mess up now and again, but to know that the Lord God has got our back when we do, gives us such peace that we will want to rejoice and praise His name all the day long. He is not giving us permission to sin just because He has forgiven us, but we will not want to sin once we truly connect ourselves to Him as joint heirs to the throne. But, alas, we are human and we will at times miss the mark. But it is what we do when this happens that will determine just what sort of relationship we really do have with Him.
How can we live this life to the fullest praising Him for all His blessings toward us? Do you need to change your garment of praise? Do you need to shed the sackcloth and put on a new garment?
How can we take off the sackcloth we have been wearing? By meditating on His word and keeping His words in our heart at all times. When we praise and worship Him, He clothes us in gladness.
I like to read the Psalms and Proverbs each day. It gives me wisdom and understanding of how God wants me to live. If you will read five chapters in Psalm and one chapter in Proverbs each day you will begin to see what it is God wants for you in this life. Start your day off with His words before you listen to anyone else's words and life will be easier throughout each day. AMEN!
STAY IN THE WORD!
Thursday, December 2, 2010
loose Lips Sink Ships
We need to start seeing ourselves as blessed instead of admiring others for the blessings they are receiving. We can not receive the blessings God has for us until we can see ourselves blessed. You can't receive your healing until you see yourself healed. If you are struggling with your finances then maybe you just have not seen yourself with the blessing of prosperity yet.
If you are in need of something, then the way to speed up your blessing coming to you is to pray in the Spirit for what it is you need. Sometimes there are some evil forces trying to keep us from our blessings. While we are steady praying for the things we need the enemy is listening and coming against us in those areas. But----When we pray in the Spirit, that is a prayer language only God Himself understands and the enemy does not know where to hit us, as he does not know for what we are praying. AMEN!
It is sort of like when we are planning something and we have to keep it under wrap until it's time so that no one will steal your idea before you get your patent on it. Hence the words, loose lips sink ships. Maybe we need to keep our needs between us and God. It is the same with telling someone your problems, and then they immediately jump on the band wagon of doom with you speaking whatever it is over you. Keep your wants between you and God and take your trials and sufferings to Him and your trusted faithful prayer partner, not necessarily your family and friends.
This reminds me of the story of Daniel when he was praying and the angel took so long to get to him. He was hindered by forces in the spiritual realm. He was not wrestling with flesh but with the principalities of darkness. He left to come to Daniel's defense the moment Daniel started praying but was delayed by the enemy. So sometimes maybe when our prayers seem to take a while to be answered we should start praying in the Spirit between us and God. AMEN!
Daniel 10 v 10-12.....Suddenly a hand touched me, which made me tremble on my knees and on the palms of my hands. And he said to me, "O Daniel, man greatly beloved, understand the words that I speak to you, and stand upright, for I have now been sent to you." While he was speaking this word to me, I stood trembling. Then he said to me, "Do not fear, Daniel, for from the first day that you set your heart to understand, and to humble yourself before your God, your words were heard; and I have come because of your words. But the prince of the kingdom of Persia withstood me twenty one days; and behold, Michael one of the chief princes, came to help me, for I had been left alone there with the kings of Persia.......
This was not the real prince of Persia, but a helper of the enemy in the spirit realm. Maybe if Daniel had been praying in the Spirit, the enemy would not have gotten a chance to hold back his help coming forth. Who knows? But I do know that when I need something, and I begin to pray in the Spirit, (in other tongues) my answer usually comes alot swifter.
You see it is not that our prayers are not heard, but it is who else is listening and trying to intervene. Maybe that is why we are told to go into our prayer closets, and get alone with God when we pray. In other words, don't give the enemy a foothold into your life by speaking your troubles out loud for him to hear. He is not God, he does not know all things, but only what he hears you speak.
The word tells us we will eat the fruit of our lips. Have you ever heard the saying, "you will eat your words"? The word gave us that wisdom, long before the saying ever came about.
Proverbs18 v 20-21...A man's stomach shall be satisfied from the fruit of his mouth; from the produce of his lips he shall be filled. Death and life are in the power of the tongue. and those who love it shall eat its fruit.....
Let us only let the enemy hear us speak positive to ourselves and to one another. AMEN!
STAY IN THE WORD!
If you are in need of something, then the way to speed up your blessing coming to you is to pray in the Spirit for what it is you need. Sometimes there are some evil forces trying to keep us from our blessings. While we are steady praying for the things we need the enemy is listening and coming against us in those areas. But----When we pray in the Spirit, that is a prayer language only God Himself understands and the enemy does not know where to hit us, as he does not know for what we are praying. AMEN!
It is sort of like when we are planning something and we have to keep it under wrap until it's time so that no one will steal your idea before you get your patent on it. Hence the words, loose lips sink ships. Maybe we need to keep our needs between us and God. It is the same with telling someone your problems, and then they immediately jump on the band wagon of doom with you speaking whatever it is over you. Keep your wants between you and God and take your trials and sufferings to Him and your trusted faithful prayer partner, not necessarily your family and friends.
This reminds me of the story of Daniel when he was praying and the angel took so long to get to him. He was hindered by forces in the spiritual realm. He was not wrestling with flesh but with the principalities of darkness. He left to come to Daniel's defense the moment Daniel started praying but was delayed by the enemy. So sometimes maybe when our prayers seem to take a while to be answered we should start praying in the Spirit between us and God. AMEN!
Daniel 10 v 10-12.....Suddenly a hand touched me, which made me tremble on my knees and on the palms of my hands. And he said to me, "O Daniel, man greatly beloved, understand the words that I speak to you, and stand upright, for I have now been sent to you." While he was speaking this word to me, I stood trembling. Then he said to me, "Do not fear, Daniel, for from the first day that you set your heart to understand, and to humble yourself before your God, your words were heard; and I have come because of your words. But the prince of the kingdom of Persia withstood me twenty one days; and behold, Michael one of the chief princes, came to help me, for I had been left alone there with the kings of Persia.......
This was not the real prince of Persia, but a helper of the enemy in the spirit realm. Maybe if Daniel had been praying in the Spirit, the enemy would not have gotten a chance to hold back his help coming forth. Who knows? But I do know that when I need something, and I begin to pray in the Spirit, (in other tongues) my answer usually comes alot swifter.
You see it is not that our prayers are not heard, but it is who else is listening and trying to intervene. Maybe that is why we are told to go into our prayer closets, and get alone with God when we pray. In other words, don't give the enemy a foothold into your life by speaking your troubles out loud for him to hear. He is not God, he does not know all things, but only what he hears you speak.
The word tells us we will eat the fruit of our lips. Have you ever heard the saying, "you will eat your words"? The word gave us that wisdom, long before the saying ever came about.
Proverbs18 v 20-21...A man's stomach shall be satisfied from the fruit of his mouth; from the produce of his lips he shall be filled. Death and life are in the power of the tongue. and those who love it shall eat its fruit.....
Let us only let the enemy hear us speak positive to ourselves and to one another. AMEN!
STAY IN THE WORD!
Wednesday, November 10, 2010
What Do You Season With
Some use salt and pepper, and then there are others like myself that likes to use a little Tony's, for those of you who eat bland that would be Tony Chatchere's pronounced (sat chur rees). You should try it, it will add some spice to your life.
Speaking of our lives, we as Christians are suppose to be the salt and the light of the world. We are suppose to go out and season the world with the Word of God. We are to take the Word to those who need healing, who need to be delivered from the enemy's attacks, who need to be delivered from lack in their lives. Those who are lost and can't seem to find their way in this world.
We are told to share the love of God with all of our neighbors. Far and near. The people we work with, the people we see in the grocery store, the people we see at the gym.
You never know who is walking around in darkness, and then when you let your light shine, when you flavor their lives so to speak with your salt, then you just may be keeping someone from destruction by the enemy. You see the enemy can't stand to be around the light. He is blinded by the light. The light throws him off track. So if we keep our light shining brightly instead of hidden under the bushel basket like the word talks about, then we can show someone the way out. It only takes a small beam of light to break darkness. AMEN!
Then the next step is to share our salt. Share the word with them, so that they may be well seasoned the next time the enemy comes up against them. Invite them to church with you, and if they have a church already, encourage them to read the word each day, so that they may stay strong.
I am going to give you the scriptures out of the message bible today, so you can get a good picture of what the word is saying.
Matthew 5 v 13-16....."Let me tell you why you are here. You're here to be salt-seasoning that brings out the God flavors of this earth. If you lose your saltiness, how will people taste godliness? You've lost your usefulness and will end up in the garbage.
Here's another way to put it: You're here to be light, bringing out the God colors in the world. God is not a secret to be kept. We're going public with this, as public as a city on a hill. If I make you light-bearers, you don't think I'm going to hide you under a bucket, do you? I''m putting you on a light stand. Now that I've put you there on a hill-top, on a light stand----SHINE! Keep open house, be generous with your lives. By opening up to others, you'll prompt people to open up with God, this generous Father in heaven......
For those who don't need that much spice, here is the word in the NKJ version.
Matthew 5 v 13-16....."You are the salt of the earth; but if the salt loses its flavor, how shall it be seasoned? It is then good for nothing but to be thrown out and trampled underfoot by men. "You are the light of the world. A city that is set on a hill cannot be hidden. Nor do they light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a lampstand, and it gives light to all who are in the house. Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven.....
God will get the glory when you shine your light and salt the earth. So don't be afraid to use your salt, be generous with it. You will never over season with God's salt. AMEN! And there can never be too much light when darkness is trying to take over. AMEN!
Like our pastor said Sunday, if you never pick up the salt shaker and sprinkle it on your food, you will never taste the salt. It doesn't do you any good just sitting on the table in its container. AMEN!
You need to share your seasoning with others. Make sure your seasoning is good seasoning and not something that has gone bad. In other words don't share the bad news, only the GOOD NEWS. THE GOSPEL. AMEN!
STAY IN THE WORD!
Speaking of our lives, we as Christians are suppose to be the salt and the light of the world. We are suppose to go out and season the world with the Word of God. We are to take the Word to those who need healing, who need to be delivered from the enemy's attacks, who need to be delivered from lack in their lives. Those who are lost and can't seem to find their way in this world.
We are told to share the love of God with all of our neighbors. Far and near. The people we work with, the people we see in the grocery store, the people we see at the gym.
You never know who is walking around in darkness, and then when you let your light shine, when you flavor their lives so to speak with your salt, then you just may be keeping someone from destruction by the enemy. You see the enemy can't stand to be around the light. He is blinded by the light. The light throws him off track. So if we keep our light shining brightly instead of hidden under the bushel basket like the word talks about, then we can show someone the way out. It only takes a small beam of light to break darkness. AMEN!
Then the next step is to share our salt. Share the word with them, so that they may be well seasoned the next time the enemy comes up against them. Invite them to church with you, and if they have a church already, encourage them to read the word each day, so that they may stay strong.
I am going to give you the scriptures out of the message bible today, so you can get a good picture of what the word is saying.
Matthew 5 v 13-16....."Let me tell you why you are here. You're here to be salt-seasoning that brings out the God flavors of this earth. If you lose your saltiness, how will people taste godliness? You've lost your usefulness and will end up in the garbage.
Here's another way to put it: You're here to be light, bringing out the God colors in the world. God is not a secret to be kept. We're going public with this, as public as a city on a hill. If I make you light-bearers, you don't think I'm going to hide you under a bucket, do you? I''m putting you on a light stand. Now that I've put you there on a hill-top, on a light stand----SHINE! Keep open house, be generous with your lives. By opening up to others, you'll prompt people to open up with God, this generous Father in heaven......
For those who don't need that much spice, here is the word in the NKJ version.
Matthew 5 v 13-16....."You are the salt of the earth; but if the salt loses its flavor, how shall it be seasoned? It is then good for nothing but to be thrown out and trampled underfoot by men. "You are the light of the world. A city that is set on a hill cannot be hidden. Nor do they light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a lampstand, and it gives light to all who are in the house. Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven.....
God will get the glory when you shine your light and salt the earth. So don't be afraid to use your salt, be generous with it. You will never over season with God's salt. AMEN! And there can never be too much light when darkness is trying to take over. AMEN!
Like our pastor said Sunday, if you never pick up the salt shaker and sprinkle it on your food, you will never taste the salt. It doesn't do you any good just sitting on the table in its container. AMEN!
You need to share your seasoning with others. Make sure your seasoning is good seasoning and not something that has gone bad. In other words don't share the bad news, only the GOOD NEWS. THE GOSPEL. AMEN!
STAY IN THE WORD!
Exchanging Seeds
If you do any gardening at all, you know that in order to grow something you have to put seed in the ground. Then depending on the soil of the ground and the care that the seed is given after being sown will tell when bloom time or harvest time comes.
Gardeners like to share their seeds and exchange with each other so that they have a variety of plants and flowers. However the art of saving seeds and exchanging is being lost to the easy trip down to the store to buy already potted flowers and plants.
What about the seeds we sow into others lives each day with our words? Do you plant seeds in the hearts of those you come into contact with? Or do you just leave it for the pastor or the priest or the evangelist to do?
God says there will always be a seed time and a harvest. He says some plant the seeds, some water and then some harvest. We can all plant seeds. But we may not be the one to water or harvest.
Genesis 8 v 22..."While the earth remains, Seedtime and harvest, cold and heat, Winter and summer, and day and night shall not cease.".....
John 4 v 37-38...For in this the saying is true; "One sows and another reaps. I sent you to reap that for which you have not labored; others have labored, and you have entered into their labors......
God did not say to brow beat someone into receiving Him or His word. He said to share the good news with them. To share His love and the Father's love for them. Sometimes we just want people to immediately receive the Word and make a change. But that is not always the case.
You will never put a seed in a pot and then stand back and watch it sprout immediately. The seed needs nourishing and caring to come to that point. Different seeds take different amounts of time to germinate, no matter how much water or care you give it, the seed will not germinate before its time.
God knows each of us and He knows when our hearts will become one with His. He knew us before we were ever a seed planted in our mother's wombs.
Jer. 1 v 5..."Before I formed you in the womb I knew you; before you were born I sanctified you; I ordained you a prophet to the nations".........
God knows our hearts so He knows the type of soil that seeds will be sown into. Don't be discouraged or become aggravated with a loved one or someone who you think has not received your seed. Instead, you need to nourish that seed with prayer and love. Don't keep pushing on it, you will push it so far down into the soil that it will not be able to spring forth and germinate.
Just like when planting seeds in your herb bed, the seeds you plant in someone's life does not need pressure to grow, it needs to be gently laid just below the surface of the soil. In other words when you share the good news of God's love with love, the seed will come to germinate.
The most important thing to remember is to never sow weeds in with your seeds. Remember your words are your seeds. Only sow good seeds. AMEN!
STAY IN THE WORD!
Gardeners like to share their seeds and exchange with each other so that they have a variety of plants and flowers. However the art of saving seeds and exchanging is being lost to the easy trip down to the store to buy already potted flowers and plants.
What about the seeds we sow into others lives each day with our words? Do you plant seeds in the hearts of those you come into contact with? Or do you just leave it for the pastor or the priest or the evangelist to do?
God says there will always be a seed time and a harvest. He says some plant the seeds, some water and then some harvest. We can all plant seeds. But we may not be the one to water or harvest.
Genesis 8 v 22..."While the earth remains, Seedtime and harvest, cold and heat, Winter and summer, and day and night shall not cease.".....
John 4 v 37-38...For in this the saying is true; "One sows and another reaps. I sent you to reap that for which you have not labored; others have labored, and you have entered into their labors......
God did not say to brow beat someone into receiving Him or His word. He said to share the good news with them. To share His love and the Father's love for them. Sometimes we just want people to immediately receive the Word and make a change. But that is not always the case.
You will never put a seed in a pot and then stand back and watch it sprout immediately. The seed needs nourishing and caring to come to that point. Different seeds take different amounts of time to germinate, no matter how much water or care you give it, the seed will not germinate before its time.
God knows each of us and He knows when our hearts will become one with His. He knew us before we were ever a seed planted in our mother's wombs.
Jer. 1 v 5..."Before I formed you in the womb I knew you; before you were born I sanctified you; I ordained you a prophet to the nations".........
God knows our hearts so He knows the type of soil that seeds will be sown into. Don't be discouraged or become aggravated with a loved one or someone who you think has not received your seed. Instead, you need to nourish that seed with prayer and love. Don't keep pushing on it, you will push it so far down into the soil that it will not be able to spring forth and germinate.
Just like when planting seeds in your herb bed, the seeds you plant in someone's life does not need pressure to grow, it needs to be gently laid just below the surface of the soil. In other words when you share the good news of God's love with love, the seed will come to germinate.
The most important thing to remember is to never sow weeds in with your seeds. Remember your words are your seeds. Only sow good seeds. AMEN!
STAY IN THE WORD!
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