For I Know

“For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, says the LORD, thoughts of peace and not of evil, to give you a future and a hope. Then you will call upon Me and go and pray to Me, and I will listen to you. And you will seek Me and find Me, when you search for Me with all your heart. I will be found by you, says the LORD, and I will bring you back from your captivity; I will gather you from all the nations and from all the places where I have driven you, says the LORD, and I will bring you to the place from which I cause you to be carried away captive.”

‭‭Jeremiah‬ ‭29:11-14‬ ‭NKJV‬‬

I asked for encouragement this morning, and by no confidence, the above verse is where my reading begins. "thoughts of peace and not of evil, to give you a future and a hope." Such comfort offered in a world in great turmoil. 

"And you will seek Me and find Me, when you search for Me with all your heart". 

We all at some point will find ourselves in a position where we have to seek Him with our whole heart, and then we find Him!

When everything in our world is turned upside down; when the solution we come up with does not come about; when it feels like our prayers don't make it past the ceiling; giving up is our only choice - THAT is where we find our hope in Him! 

In The Word we are told to trust, hope, believe, and surrender. 

In the world we are told to be strong; never give up; believe in yourself! Totally the opposite of what God wants us to do! We are not in control; He is! Giving up our will for His will, in our lives is where we will find our peace. He sees the big picture, whereas we don't! All we see is the impossible, but He has a plan.

“But as for you, you meant evil against me; but God meant it for good, in order to bring it about as it is this day, to save many people alive.”  Genesis‬ ‭50:20‬ ‭NKJV‬‬

Saving many people, saving just your family, or even just your own salvation; He works everything out for our good, when we let go, and not pick it back up! It may not be what we would have chosen, but we are not God; He Is! 

When we "stand", we are to stop striving and let Him do it! We take it to mean "dig our heels in" the dirt and become unmovable! He wants us to stand aside, rest and see His salvation! 

“And Moses said to the people, “Do not be afraid. Stand still, and see the salvation of the LORD, which He will accomplish for you today.”

‭‭Exodus‬ ‭14:13‬a ‭NKJV‬‬

We have every reason to trust Him if we consider all He has already done for us! He gave His all; how can we not give ours?

“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.”  Proverbs‬ ‭3:5-8‬ ‭NKJV‬‬

No matter what you are going through in your life - Trust Him!

He will not leave you nor forsake you, no matter what it looks like; keep your eyes on Jesus!

“For consider Him who endured such hostility from sinners against Himself, lest you become weary and discouraged in your souls.”

‭‭Hebrews‬ ‭12:3‬ ‭NKJV‬‬

“For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us.”

‭‭Romans‬ ‭8:18‬ ‭NKJV‬‬

“while we do not look at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen. For the things which are seen are temporary, but the things which are not seen are eternal.” ‭II Corinthians‬ ‭4:18‬ ‭NKJV‬‬

Even so - MARANATHA! 

And He Said

"And He said to them, “Do you not understand this parable? How then will you understand all the parables? The sower sows the word. And these are the ones by the wayside where the word is sown. When they hear, Satan comes immediately and takes away the word that was sown in their hearts. These likewise are the ones sown on stony ground who, when they hear the word, immediately receive it with gladness; and they have no root in themselves, and so endure only for a time. Afterward, when tribulation or persecution arises for the word’s sake, immediately they stumble. Now these are the ones sown among 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. 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.” "(Mark 4:13-20 NKJV)

What kind of dirt is your heart?

Is it hard, baked; never touched by The Son Of Man? So that the seed sown is sown in vain?

Is it on the outskirts of the field, where there still remains some rocks and weeds? The seed comes up but gets choked out!

Was it plowed and tilled at one time, but rehardened after seasons of no use?  Hosea 10:12

Or has the Land Owner reclaimed the land that was once idle; unsuitable for His use? Has He broken up the hard places, run His fingers through and sifted the stones that would be barriers to the new shoots? Has He lovingly watered His seed to cause the growth needed to produce fruit?

A happy field is faithfully prepared by The Master Gardner, being utilized for its purpose!  It wasn't designed for a parking lot! It was meant to produce nourishment for the children of The Owner! 

I have been every kind of dirt and now I praise God that He's reclaimed my land!!!!!

Even so - MARANATHA!

From 9/8/13

For I Fear Lest

"For I fear lest, when I come, I shall not find you such as I wish, and that I shall be found by you such as you do not wish; lest there be contentions, jealousies, outbursts of wrath, selfish ambitions, backbitings, whisperings, conceits, tumults; lest, when I come again, my God will humble me among you, and I shall mourn for many who have sinned before and have not repented of the uncleanness, fornication, and lewdness which they have practiced."

(‭II Corinthians‬ ‭12‬:‭20-21‬ NKJV)

Paul in his letter, addressing the church at Corinth, is addressing the sin in the church. Not the sins they committed before they believed, but the sins the continued in, and of which they did not repent! 

This addresses the question many have of walking in repentance. This sheds light on the misconception of ALL sin being forgiven at being born again; past, present and future. 

Upon choosing to follow Jesus Christ, our separation from God, that occurred because of the fall of Adam, is forgiven because of Christ being the perfect sacrifice for that sin! However, we must repent for sins that we have stored (or shoved down deep) in our heart; walls that we have erected to protect us from being hurt; bitterness, unforgiveness, anger and such that have to go, to make room for The Holy Spirit! He sheds light on the occurrences that wounded us, so that we may forgive and repent of holding onto them! Once truly forgiven they no longer hurt! Once forgiven, the devil no longer has a foothold in our life. Sanctification is beginning. The more sin we address, as The Holy Spirit illuminates, the more we are cleansed. He begins to conform us to His image, because we are putting away the wicked deeds of the flesh! 

Being unwilling to repent of past sins, and current sins, keep us under the dominion of the enemy. By believing his lies, (that we don't have to) he keeps us under his rule, and we continue to be separated from God. That is why so many fall away, even though they are in church. There has been no change, except that which they have accomplished on their own, in their flesh. 

I know first hand the process of decision then backsliding; over and over! I know the futility of trying to clean myself up and knowing there must be something more, because of the promises listed in His Word! Promises of Peace! Promises of Victory! Promises of Joy! 

I NOW know firsthand that those promises are indeed for the believer willing to be submitted; to dying to the flesh! It's so hard to humble yourself and lay down your pride,  to confess your sins to a brother or sister in The LORD! But oh the freedom that comes with the act of repentance, in humility! That's truly from where the power comes! Transparency begets healing! 

"Confess your trespasses to one another, and pray for one another, that you may be healed. The effective, fervent prayer of a righteous man avails much."(‭James‬ ‭5‬:‭16‬ NKJV)

Most of us tell a friend our deepest secrets, at one time or another, and often are betrayed, so we think we have to conceal so as not to incur further hurts. However, notice James says the person prays for you, at the time of confession. Not commiserates, not pats you on the back, not belittles you, but prays for you! 

I met with a trusted brother and sister in The LORD, and confessed and repented of my sins of unforgiveness and judgments against those who had hurt me and immediately felt a lightness I had never known! What had weighed me down was removed and I then knew freedom! I didn't get it all done in one night, but made great strides! Then through subsequent meetings I have been truly set free! I now recognize The Holy Spirit's prompting of another layer that needs addressing; an exposed root to be dug out! Yes, it hurts but only momentarily! The freedom is so worth the sacrifice of my pride! 

This is what is meant by working out your own salvation with fear and trembling! It's daily submitting to the pruning of the Master's hands! Submitting to His ministrations to make me like Him! Dying to self! Climbing up on the cross with Him! Sharing in His sufferings of my sins for which He died! So I may be raised with Him, in His glory; His work in me complete!

Even so - MARANATHA! 

From 5/7/15, 9/4/15, 3/24/16

I See Lots

I see lots of posts about God not leaving us when we are in a bad place! Many people post that they are "over comers", and quote scriptures of encouragement! Never do I see scriptures calling for repentance!

Never do I see the cute little signs saying, "if you forsake Me, I'll forsake you!" (2 Chronicles 15:2b). 

We are a stiff necked people who want something for nothing! Drive thru; instant gratification with no effort on our part!  "Here I am God - you can save me now! But hurry up I've got to be somewhere!"

Someone who has truly repented, knows they have nothing to offer The Creator of the universe, and comes broken and surrendered to The Cross; remorseful for the sins they have committed against God! 

If that is not you, then quoting Scripture is as of witchcraft!  The storm you are going through will worsen and there will be another right behind it, because He is trying to get your attention!  If you are not in a storm just wait, it's on the horizon! 

People don't turn to God when things are going good, only when it feels like the bottom is falling out from under them!

Today, repent and seek God! 

Tomorrow, may be too late!

Or, at the Judgement Seat, you could hear: "‘I never knew you; depart from Me, you who practice lawlessness!’"(Matthew 7:23 NKJV)

Even so - MARANATHA! 

From 9/27/13, 11/22/16

Moreover - from 11/23/16

"Moreover, as for me, far be it from me that I should sin against the LORD in ceasing to pray for you; but I will teach you the good and the right way." (‭I Samuel‬ ‭12‬:‭23‬ NKJV)

I've been listening to "Sinners In The Hands Of An Angry God" by Jonathan Edwards, all week. His sermon dated 1473 was directed at the wicked man and describes what awaits him  because of his rebellion against God. It is reported that those listening when he read his sermon were found hanging on to the building supports, for they felt they were being sucked right down into hell! Hearing it, I completely understand!

He describes our life as walking on a slippery slope, our days numbered. 

"Therefore their way shall be to them Like slippery ways; In the darkness they shall be driven on And fall in them; For I will bring disaster on them, The year of their punishment,” says the LORD."(‭Jeremiah‬ ‭23‬:‭12‬ NKJV)

Everyone of us have a certain number of days allotted to us. Everyday we are one step closer to our end. That date is hidden from us and because of that, we tend to think it will never come. We live in denial and plan our lives without consulting The One Who holds them in His hands. 

"Instead you ought to say, “If the Lord wills, we shall live and do this or that.”" (‭James‬ ‭4‬:‭15‬ NKJV) 

Our audacity knows no bounds! 

Not only has God given us His Commandments to lead us, He controls every moment of our days/nights; bringing or removing things which alter the course WE have plotted for ourselves. Even the most seemingly insignificant event can have monumental influence under His direction. His attention to details beyond our comprehension!

We however, have a choice to willingly walk under His guidance; asking His direction: "Do I turn to the left or to the right?" Resting in complete confidence that He will answer and direct our way! 

"In all your ways acknowledge Him, And He shall direct your paths." (‭Proverbs‬ ‭3‬:‭6‬ NKJV)

"However, if you do not obey the voice of the LORD, but rebel against the commandment of the LORD, then the hand of the LORD will be against you, as it was against your fathers." (‭I Samuel‬ ‭12‬:‭15‬ NKJV)

Walking with The LORD and  listening for His directions, He uses us for His desires. However He will use anyone, anywhere for His purpose, for He knows everything at all times! His power to influence our every moment is unlimited! 

"Many shall be purified, made white, and refined, but the wicked shall do wickedly; and none of the wicked shall understand, but the wise shall understand." (‭Daniel‬ ‭12‬:‭10‬ NKJV)

What I understand: it's not about me (or you), but it's all about HIM!

When we think we are in control of everything, we become angry and frustrated when things do not go our way WE want! Our plans get upset; we are delayed; our efforts are thwarted! However, when we give up control and become His servant (as we are called to do) then He moves heaven and earth for His purpose. 

"For My yoke is easy and My burden is light.”" (‭Matthew‬ ‭11‬:‭30‬ NKJV)

He pulls His weight and we just fall into step with Him! 

It's our choice; walk instep or pull against; which is called the wicked way!

"Only fear the LORD, and serve Him in truth with all your heart; for consider what great things He has done for you. But if you still do wickedly, you shall be swept away, both you and your king.”" (‭I Samuel‬ ‭12‬:‭24-25‬ NKJV)

Lay down; surrender your will! 

Repent of your rebellion! 

I wonder what The LORD will do today?

Even so - MARANATHA! 

From 2/1/16

Confess Your Trespasses

"Confess your trespasses to one another, and pray for one another, that you may be healed. The effective, fervent prayer of a righteous man avails much." (James 5:16 NKJV)

"If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us." (I John 1:8 NKJV)

"If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness." 

(I John 1:9 NKJV)

"If we say that we have not sinned, we make Him a liar, and His word is not in us."

(I John 1:10 NKJV)

If you worry; if you get angry and/or hold a grudge; if you won't forgive; if you are prideful; if you are bitter, then you have sin! If you say you have no sin then you sin, for all have sinned! 

Make a list of the people who have hurt you! If a memory still hurts, it IS NOT under the blood!  

Confess your sin to someone you can trust and choose to repent of your unforgiveness, and of judging them!

Freedom and peace is available to those who are obedient to His Word! 

Check and see if James 5:16 is still in your Bible and then just do it! Or explain to God at the end of your life why that verse didn't apply to you!

Even so - MARANATHA!

From 11/24/13

Hear This Now

“‘Hear this now, O foolish people, Without understanding, Who have eyes and see not, And who have ears and hear not: Do you not fear Me?’ says the LORD. ‘Will you not tremble at My presence, Who have placed the sand as the bound of the sea, By a perpetual decree, that it cannot pass beyond it? And though its waves toss to and fro, Yet they cannot prevail; Though they roar, yet they cannot pass over it. But this people has a defiant and rebellious heart; They have revolted and departed. They do not say in their heart, “Let us now fear the LORD our God, Who gives rain, both the former and the latter, in its season. He reserves for us the appointed weeks of the harvest.””

‭‭Jeremiah‬ ‭5:21-24‬ ‭NKJV‬‬

"But this people has a defiant and rebellious heart;" sounds like it was written to us, today! We turn to God when things get so bad they will affect our lifestyle. Then when the danger has passed, we go back to our wicked ways. Our corruption and our rebellion knows no bounds! We claim the blessings of God with no intention of obeying His Word, and are so blind we don't know we are living under the curse!

“Your iniquities have turned these things away, And your sins have withheld good from you. ‘For among My people are found wicked men; They lie in wait as one who sets snares; They set a trap; They catch men. As a cage is full of birds, So their houses are full of deceit. Therefore they have become great and grown rich. They have grown fat, they are sleek; Yes, they surpass the deeds of the wicked; They do not plead the cause, The cause of the fatherless; Yet they prosper, And the right of the needy they do not defend.” ‭‭Jeremiah‬ ‭5:25-28‬ ‭NKJV‬‬

Michael Boldea, Jr said it best: "A stay of execution does not a pardon make."

“Shall I not punish them for these things? ’ says the LORD. ‘Shall I not avenge Myself on such a nation as this?’ “An astonishing and horrible thing Has been committed in the land: The prophets prophesy falsely, And the priests rule by their own power; And My people love to have it so. But what will you do in the end?”  Jeremiah‬ ‭5:29-31‬ ‭NKJV‬‬

If you, two weeks ago, were on your face, praying for our nation, don't stop now! That was just a skirmish; the war is not won! 

We must turn with our whole hearts back to The LORD! Going on, like before is not change! All of our good, is nothing when we have pride in our heart! We must all pray for God to open our eyes (to the deception brought on by our stiffnecked and rebellious hearts) and to open our ears (to hear His still small voice in the midst of all the chaos in the world) and to change our hearts (to take away our heart of stone and give us a heart that desires Him and Him alone).

My prayer this morning: Father turn us back to You! You, who created the universe with a Word; create in us a clean heart. We humble ourselves and surrender to Your will! Take away our heart of stone! Show us our sins, so that we may repent! Our desire is to please You, and not ourselves. We ask in The Name above all names; Jesus Christ our LORD, who IS The King of kings and LORD of lords.  

Even so - MARANATHA! 

So It Came

“So it came to pass, through her casual harlotry, that she defiled the land and committed adultery with stones and trees. And yet for all this her treacherous sister Judah has not turned to Me with her whole heart, but in pretense,” says the LORD.”

‭‭Jeremiah‬ ‭3:9-10‬ ‭NKJV‬‬

"has not turned to Me with her whole heart, but in pretense" is what kept off the page, this morning!

I would love to have a dollar for every time I've heard "God knows my heart!"

The Bible says:  ““The heart is deceitful above all things, And desperately wicked; Who can know it?” Jeremiah‬ ‭17:9‬ ‭NKJV‬‬

He surely does. 

We try so hard to be good. 

We try to live right. 

“As it is written: “There is none righteous, no, not one; There is none who understands; There is none who seeks after God. They have all turned aside; They have together become unprofitable; There is none who does good, no, not one.””

‭‭Romans‬ ‭3:10-12‬ ‭NKJV‬‬

“But we are all like an unclean thing, And all our righteousnesses are like filthy rags; We all fade as a leaf, And our iniquities, like the wind, Have taken us away.”  ‭‭Isaiah‬ ‭64:6‬ ‭NKJV‬‬

We can't do it on our own!

We have to turn with our whole heart!

"has not turned to Me with her whole heart, but in pretense"

Turning with your whole heart, is what's missing today (just like then); we do it in pretense! 

We are not told about the sins lurking in our heart, that must be confessed and repented of; sins of unforgiveness, bitterness, fear, anger, resentment, and such. For you see, the sleeping church accepts those things and doesn't require you to turn from them. The turning away from sin is not required as long as you walk the aisle and pay your tithe. It's about "numbers, nickels and noses!" (Milton Green)

See, a real change, according to scripture IS required! And that change occurs when we obey His Word! It's not a pretense; it truly happens.

“Jesus said to him, “ ‘You shall love the LORD your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind.’ This is the first and great commandment. And the second is like it: ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’ On these two commandments hang all the Law and the Prophets.””  Matthew‬ ‭22:37-40‬ ‭NKJV‬‬

““If you love Me, keep My commandments.” ‭‭John‬ ‭14:15‬ ‭NKJV‬‬

When you love the LORD; when you keep His commandments, you don't love the world and the things of the world. You actually look different and act differently. The things of the world hold no attraction, for you. You know - "this is not your home!"

Don't be fooled! 

Ask God to open your eyes, open your ears, and change your heart! Ask Him to expose the hidden sins in your heart so that you may confess and repent! 

Seek Him first, in all things! 

Make Him your principle purpose! Pray for a hunger and thirst for righteousness! 

Desire to burn for Him!

Repent while there is still time!

Even so - MARANATHA! 

Cry Aloud

““Cry aloud, spare not; Lift up your voice like a trumpet; Tell My people their transgression, And the house of Jacob their sins.” ‭‭Isaiah‬ ‭58:1‬ ‭NKJV‬‬

In my reading (through), I'm stuck here this week on Isaiah 58. Since it's one of my favorite chapters, I'm okay with that; talk about pertinent for today! There's so much, but this morning the word "yoke" is jumping off the page. 

““Is this not the fast that I have chosen: To loose the bonds of wickedness, To undo the heavy burdens, To let the oppressed go free, And that you break every yoke?”  ‭Isaiah‬ ‭58:6‬ ‭NKJV‬‬

“Then you shall call, and the LORD will answer; You shall cry, and He will say, ‘Here I am. ’ “If you take away the yoke from your midst, The pointing of the finger, and speaking wickedness,” ‭‭Isaiah‬ ‭58:9‬ ‭NKJV‬‬

The word "yoke" has many meanings, however, I never really studied it before! 

From Webster:

plural  

yokes

1. 1a  :  a wooden bar or frame by which two draft animals (as oxen) are joined at the heads or necks for working togetherb  :  an arched device formerly laid on the neck of a defeated personc  :  a frame fitted to a person's shoulders to carry a load in two equal portionsd  :  a bar by which the end of the tongue of a wagon or carriage is suspended from the collars of the harnesse (1)  :  a crosspiece on the head of a boat's rudder  (2)  :  an airplane control operating the elevators and aileronsf  :  a frame from which a bell is hungg  :  a clamp or similar piece that embraces two parts to hold or unite them in position
2. 2plural usually  yoke  :  two animals yoked or worked together
3. 3a (1)  :  an oppressive agency  (2)  :  servitude, bondageb  :  tie, link; especially  :  marriage
   

We, who are following Christ, are welcomed to take "His yoke" and He promises us rest.

 “Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For My yoke is easy and My burden is light.””

‭‭Matthew‬ ‭11:28-30‬ ‭NKJV

Those who have not yet put on Christ, and are still tied to the world, their yoke is visible if we look; they are in bondage.

But what about the deceived; those who think they are okay? Those who are involved in church, who love The LORD but are still living like the world?  Those who you can't tell if they are believers or not, because of the way they live or talk. Aren't we, like Isaiah supposed to shine a light on their darkness; their bondage?

But they have to want to be set free!

If they don't know they are still held captive; if they believe they are free and love where they are, there will be a battle. 

For if you love your sin more than you love The LORD, then you will be offended, when your darkness is exposed! 

However, if you love The LORD more than anything else, you will be grateful and repent! 

Church, it's time to repent and turn from our wickedness! Jesus didn't die for us to stay captured! Do a heart check! Don't be satisfied! Yearn for more of Him and ask Him to expose the areas in your life you have not submitted or surrendered to Him! Then give them up! Let go!

““The Spirit of the LORD is upon Me, Because He has anointed 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;”

‭‭Luke‬ ‭4:18‬ ‭NKJV‬‬

He came to set us free! Throw off your yoke to the world, so He can use you for His work! 

“Then He said to His disciples, “The harvest truly is plentiful, but the laborers are few.”  Matthew‬ ‭9:37‬ ‭NKJV

Time is short! 

It's time to stop playing, Church!

Even so - MARANATHA! 

And a Servant

"And a servant of the Lord must not quarrel but be gentle to all, able to teach, patient, in humility correcting those who are in opposition, if God perhaps will grant them repentance, so that they may know the truth, and that they may come to their senses and escape the snare of the devil, having been taken captive by him to do his will." (‭II Timothy‬ ‭2‬:‭24-26‬ NKJV)

It is so important, as servants of The LORD that we remember that God brings to repentance and gives Truth to those He chooses. 

Try as we might we, with our words, can bring no one to saving grace! He and only He has that capability! We are seed sowers only. He brings the storms that water the seed and dampens the ground to accept the seed! He brings the Sonshine that gives growth to the seed, strengthening it so that it may seek freedom from the mud or miry clay! He gives the desire for a hunger and thirst for Righteousness! He is everything in this equation - we are zero!

We received His seed! We were given the desire to grow! We are seed bearers as witness of His Work in us! 

How much does our desire impact our walk?

As we seek - we find.

If we are satisfied - we become stagnant. We will wither and die.

"Fight the good fight of faith, lay hold on eternal life, to which you were also called and have confessed the good confession in the presence of many witnesses." (‭I Timothy‬ ‭6‬:‭12‬ NKJV)

"You have not yet resisted to bloodshed, striving against sin."(‭Hebrews‬ ‭12‬:‭4‬ NKJV)

"Therefore we also, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us," (‭Hebrews‬ ‭12‬:‭1‬ NKJV)

Fighting, striving, running all denote action!

But then we have:

"For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God," (‭Ephesians‬ ‭2‬:‭8‬ NKJV)

But in Romans the 11th chapter we find we were grafted and can still be cut off. 

"Therefore consider the goodness and severity of God: on those who fell, severity; but toward you, goodness, if you continue in His goodness. Otherwise you also will be cut off." (‭Romans‬ ‭11‬:‭22‬ NKJV)

And then there's this: 

"He who overcomes shall inherit all things, and I will be his God and he shall be My son."(‭Revelation‬ ‭21‬:‭7‬ NKJV)

I do not believe OSAS! 

And I do not believe that I matter! Yes, I know who I am in Christ, because He died for me and my salvation is His reward for His suffering! I know He loves me! However it's not about me!!!!

Humanism's infiltration of the doctrine and traditions of men has twisted The Gospel. 

We are nothing without Him and our service to Him is our reward! 

To be used for His glory IS joy unspeakable! The overwhelming gratitude in Him finding any worthiness that I may further His Kingdom reminds me of the flowers blooming and showing their face to the sun in gratitude for fulfilling their purpose! It's glorious - even surpassing childbirth! Nothing on this earth compares! But I serve for His pleasure - not mine! 

His pleasure IS my reward! 

My prayer is that God may perhaps grant you repentance that you may know The Truth!

Even so - MARANATHA! 

From 5/25/15

For The Time

"For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears; And they shall turn away their ears from the truth, and shall be turned unto fables." (‭2 Timothy‬ ‭4‬:‭3-4‬ KJV)

Reading the following verse in psalms this morning, I am reminded of the above verse!

"Saying, Touch not mine anointed, and do my prophets no harm."(‭Psalms‬ ‭105‬:‭15‬ KJV)

It is no new thing for a man called of God to fall away in sin, yet David still considered Saul, God's anointed, as we see in the verse below.

"And he said unto his men, The Lord forbid that I should do this thing unto my master, the Lord's anointed, to stretch forth mine hand against him, seeing he is the anointed of the Lord." (‭1 Samuel‬ ‭24‬:‭6‬ KJV)

Should we not also give mercy to those in the ministry who seem to now be walking on the broad path, instead of the narrow way? 

There may come a time when we need mercy.

"For with what judgment you judge, you will be judged; and with the measure you use, it will be measured back to you." (‭Matthew‬ ‭7‬:‭2‬ NKJV)

Because of unrepented sin in Saul's heart, he died in torment.

We must all examine our hearts to make sure that we too, do not allow the enemy a foothold in our life! We must deal with the unforgiveness, bitterness, worry, fear, judgements, gossip, pride and unbelief; the baggage we have carried since childhood, to weigh us down. 

"Therefore we also, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us," (‭Hebrews‬ ‭12‬:‭1‬ NKJV)

It is very easy judge other ministries. 

As the days go by, more and more will be snared with the lure of success. And as the end nears and persecution increases for followers of Jesus, the pressure to compromise or be shut down, will cause many more to fall. It's hard to stand when you are on top and carrying a large mortgage.

Instead of preaching against those who have deviated from sound doctrine, pray for them and those who follow them. 

Remember this is a spiritual war, with the powers of darkness. God knows what's going on and it has been prophesied since days of old. It's part of the separation of sheep and goats and even sheep and sheep! 

Mercy is called for today and sound teaching; a call to repentance of sin!

Very soon, it's going to get real rough here, to be a follower of Jesus! Let's keep our focus on The One Who walked the narrow way before us!

"Blessed are the merciful, For they shall obtain mercy. Blessed are the pure in heart, For they shall see God. Blessed are the peacemakers, For they shall be called sons of God. Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness’ sake, For theirs is the kingdom of heaven. “Blessed are you when they revile and persecute you, and say all kinds of evil against you falsely for My sake. Rejoice and be exceedingly glad, for great is your reward in heaven, for so they persecuted the prophets who were before you." (‭Matthew‬ ‭5‬:‭7-12‬ NKJV)

Even so - MARANATHA 

From 1/20/16

The LORD Is Near

"The Lord is near to those who have a broken heart, And saves such as have a contrite spirit." (Psalms 34:18 NKJV)

So many are broken hearted right now, but where are the "Contrite"?

I googled the definition of contrite: "con·trite - 

kənˈtrīt,ˈkäntrīt/adjective

1. feeling or expressing remorse or penitence; affected by guilt.  "a broken and a contrite heart"

synonyms: remorseful, repentant, penitent, regretful, sorry, apologetic, rueful, sheepish, hangdog, ashamed, chastened, shamefaced, conscience-stricken, guilt-ridden".

So - in the above Psalm we see He is "near" the "broken", but He "saves" the "contrite"! So brokenness can lead to being contrite, or not!  

Hurting is a degree of, but is not brokenness! We can hurt a long time and our pain can do one of two things:

1).  It can lead to hardness of the heart: where you say "I will not be hurt again!" 

or 

2). It can lead to brokenness: where you say "I can no longer stand the pain, God help me!"

That is where God steps in to save!!! Your plea has to come from the heart! In other words; you have to mean it!

He's near the first - waiting to see the choice we will make! If we choose number one: His helping hand is stayed!

• If your storms keep coming with no clear skies in sight (and they will)

• If the fires, you have found yourself in, keep getting hotter and hotter (and they will) 

Rest assured He is near, waiting for your choice, and His desire is for you; to save you! He is relentless in His pursuit of you!!!!

But, you have to want to be saved! 

Repent while He is near!

Someday - might be too late!

Even so - MARANATHA! 

From Jan 7, 2014, 11/14/15

With My Soul

“With my soul have I desired thee in the night; yea, with my spirit within me will I seek thee early: for when thy judgments are in the earth, the inhabitants of the world will learn righteousness.” Isaiah‬ ‭26:9‬ ‭KJV‬‬

There is no fear of God in our land. Judgements are far from the minds of our people. Unbelief is acceptable; sin does not exist; the call to repentance is blasphemy. 

The common belief is that righteousness was given once the invitation was accepted and no matter what you say or do, you are good. No loving god would require you to suffer, because Jesus did it all. All of society; world and church; do not see punishments for wrongs committed, so repercussions are illusions; threats without substance. Violence is such a way of life, we are not even shocked by atrocities perpetrated by our neighbors. "You just never know", is the common thought. We have become numb.

Adversity turns people to God. There are no atheists in foxholes. When catastrophe strikes all cry out to God, "save us O Lord!" Repentance is made, but soon forgotten when the danger is passed. We are a sorry lot, yet all think they are okay; deceived as prophesied. 

Yet, while there is breath there is time for repentance. Pray God opens our eyes, opens our ears, changes our hearts back to Him.

“Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on thee: because he trusteth in thee. Trust ye in the Lord for ever: for in the Lord Jehovah is everlasting strength: For he bringeth down them that dwell on high; the lofty city, he layeth it low; he layeth it low, even to the ground; he bringeth it even to the dust.”  Isaiah‬ ‭26:3-5‬ ‭KJV‬‬

We must pray for mercy.

We must repent.

For the time of reckoning is nigh upon us.

“Come, my people, enter thou into thy chambers, and shut thy doors about thee: hide thyself as it were for a little moment, until the indignation be overpast. For, behold, the Lord cometh out of his place to punish the inhabitants of the earth for their iniquity: the earth also shall disclose her blood, and shall no more cover her slain.”

‭‭Isaiah‬ ‭26:20-21‬ ‭KJV‬‬

Even so - MARANATHA! 

Who Is Hanging

Who is hanging on your cross?

Does the Jesus you worship even resemble the Son Of God, or have you made Him into your own image? Is He "The Word" that was spoken at the Creation of the universe, or is he a name with no power that requires nothing of you?

Did Jesus hang on the cross so that you could stay in your sin; walk in unrighteousness; hold onto unforgiveness and bitterness in your heart towards your brother?

Do you read your Bible, occasionally, yet skip over the hard parts about "taking up your cross daily", "dying to self", (Matthew 16:24, Philippians 1:21, Colossians 3:3) and concentrate on love, peace, & Grace?   

“When He had called the people to Himself, with His disciples also, He said to them, “Whoever desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow Me.”  Mark‬ ‭8:34‬ ‭NKJV

"For if he who comes preaches another Jesus whom we have not preached, or if you receive a different spirit which you have not received, or a different gospel which you have not accepted—you may well put up with it!"

(II Corinthians 11:4 NKJV)

"“Not everyone who says to Me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ shall enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father in heaven. Many will say to Me in that day, ‘Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in Your name, cast out demons in Your name, and done many wonders in Your name?’ And then I will declare to them, ‘I never knew you; depart from Me, you who practice lawlessness!’" (Matthew 7:21-23 NKJV)

If you read these scriptures and immediately think: "that's not me" instead of thinking, "Oh God, please reveal to me if I've missed You!"; then you are deceived!

A deceived person is happy in the assurance that his ticket is punched, and he is heaven bound! He prays to a god that requires nothing, does nothing, but offers everything!

If you have no fear of your god, then he is not God!

God, who sacrificed His Son for your sins, so that you could be with Him in Glory, will let you die and go to hell, because you refused to bow your will in obedience and follow Him!

"because it is written, “Be holy, for I am holy.”" (I Peter 1:16 NKJV)

If He says to be Holy, then you can be holy, and you'd better desire to become holy!

Time is running out! 

Don't wait until the "Glory train is pulling out of the station" to realize that, though you bought your ticket, you never got on the train!

Again I ask you: Who is hanging on your cross?

It had better be you!

“I have been crucified with Christ; it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me.”  Galatians‬ ‭2:20‬ ‭NKJV‬‬

Repent! 

Seek Him with your whole heart and He will be found!

Even so - MARANATHA! 

From 5/29/14

This Is Not

This is not the beginning of "The End"; "it" began sometime ago!

In our hardness of heart we have refused to see; choosing to believe the lies of the enemy! Even today, those who claim to know God are discounting the "signs of the times", that saturate the news. And as the perversions and violence escalates daily, know this; God is in control, He is still on His throne, and His judgment is upon us! What we are witnessing is designed to bring us to repentance! It is our choice as to whether we "overcome" these tribulations or not!  (Revelation 21:7-8)

"Martin Luther, the great reformer, wrote: "When our Lord and Master Jesus Christ says repent, he means that the whole life of believers on earth should be a constant and perpetual repentance. 

"Repentance and sorrow -
i. e. true repentance - endure as long as a man is displeased with himself - that is, until he passes from this life into eternity. The desire of self-justification is the cause of all the distresses of the heart."   From 'Azusa Street' by Frank Bartleman 

We have missed it! We have been happy here in our complacency! Accepting the twisting of the scriptures by the enemy and not standing in and for The Truth! We have, in our compromise and tolerance allowed the thief to kill, steal and destroy that, with which we had been entrusted! The Elect have been deceived, and it is time to repent!

You can say, "Right on!", but until you personally fall on your face and seek God with your whole heart, all of your praying is for naught! This day is not for the other guy, down the street; this day is for you! Not the other church! Not the other denomination! This is the wake-up call for you!!!!! You! Everyone of you, must, turn! Repent while there is still time! We do not know if we have tomorrow! And a call to repentance IS NOT fear mongering! Join me!

Father God, I come to You this morning having nothing I can boast in, but I do boast in You - You alone! Whatever it takes, oh LORD, bring us to repentance! Show us what is required! Humble us! Change our hearts, LORD! Bring us to submission! Turn us back! Open our eyes; open our ears! Make Your desires our desires! Give us Your heart! I pray for tears for a lost and dying world! Show us the error of our ways; bring us back to You! In Your Son's precious name I pray!

Even so - MARANATHA

From 7/17/25, 5/24/16

“As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten. Therefore be zealous and repent.”  ‭‭Revelation‬ ‭3:19‬ ‭NKJV‬‬

“For godly sorrow produces repentance leading to salvation, not to be regretted; but the sorrow of the world produces death.”

‭‭II Corinthians‬ ‭7:10‬ ‭NKJV‬‬

While We Do Not (posted 11/1)

"while we do not look at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen. For the things which are seen are temporary, but the things which are not seen are eternal." 

(‭II Corinthians‬ ‭4‬:‭18‬ NKJV)

"For our citizenship is in heaven, from which we also eagerly wait for the Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ,"(‭Philippians‬ ‭3‬:‭20‬ NKJV)

"For then there will be great tribulation, such as has not been since the beginning of the world until this time, no, nor ever shall be." (‭Matthew‬ ‭24‬:‭21‬ NKJV)

"You will keep him in perfect peace, Whose mind is stayed on You, Because he trusts in You." (‭Isaiah‬ ‭26‬:‭3‬ NKJV)

"And this I say for your own profit, not that I may put a leash on you, but for what is proper, and that you may serve the Lord without distraction."

 (‭I Corinthians‬ ‭7‬:‭35‬ NKJV)

"Brethren, I do not count myself to have apprehended; but one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind and reaching forward to those things which are ahead, I press toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus." (‭Philippians‬ ‭3‬:‭13-14‬ NKJV)

"In Him also we have obtained an inheritance, being predestined according to the purpose of Him who works all things according to the counsel of His will," (‭Ephesians‬ ‭1‬:‭11‬ NKJV)

"My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience. But let patience have its perfect work, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing. If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all liberally and without reproach, and it will be given to him. But let him ask in faith, with no doubting, for he who doubts is like a wave of the sea driven and tossed by the wind. For let not that man suppose that he will receive anything from the Lord; he is a double-minded man, unstable in all his ways."(‭James‬ ‭1‬:‭2-8‬ NKJV)

"Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand." (‭Ephesians‬ ‭6‬:‭13‬ NKJV)

Keep your eyes on Jesus, people; the boat is really gonna start rockin now!

Even so - MARANATHA! 

From 6/27/15

“Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter: Fear God and keep His commandments, For this is man’s all. For God will bring every work into judgment, Including every secret thing, Whether good or evil.”

‭‭Ecclesiastes‬ ‭12:13-14‬ ‭NKJV‬‬

Repent while there is still time.

You Shall Love

"You shall love the LORD your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your strength.

"You shall not go after other gods, the gods of the peoples who are all around you (for the LORD your God is a jealous God among you), lest the anger of the LORD your God be aroused against you and destroy you from the face of the earth."(‭Deuteronomy‬ ‭6‬:‭5, 14-15‬ NKJV)

We have not listened! We have not obeyed! We have made god in our own image, to the point He no longer resembles the God from the Old Testament. Our christianity is saturated with the religion of humanism. 

hu·man·ism

ˈ(h)yo͞oməˌnizəm/

noun

1. an outlook or system of thought attaching prime importance to human rather than divine or supernatural matters. Humanist beliefs stress the potential value and goodness of human beings, emphasize common human needs, and seek solely rational ways of solving human problems.

We have made "it" all about us! Our happiness; our success; our belief. It doesn't matter if "it" conflicts with The Word of God, we will do "it" our way! Our god is a god of love, who will love us no matter what we do, how we act; never reigning us in, just like we are prone to do with our children.

But that's not how it is.

Yes, He loves us, but read on -

"“For you are a holy people to the LORD your God; the LORD your God has chosen you to be a people for Himself, a special treasure above all the peoples on the face of the earth.

“Therefore know that the LORD your God, He is God, the faithful God who keeps covenant and mercy for a thousand generations with those who love Him and keep His commandments; and He repays those who hate Him to their face, to destroy them. He will not be slack with him who hates Him; He will repay him to his face." (Deuteronomy‬ ‭7‬:‭6, 9-10‬ NKJV)

If you love the LORD, you keep His Commandments!  If you don't keep His Commandments, you hate Him.

"“If you love Me, keep My commandments." (‭John‬ ‭14‬:‭15‬ NKJV)

"“No one can serve two masters; for either he will hate the one and love the other, or else he will be loyal to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and mammon."(‭Matthew‬ ‭6‬:‭24‬ NKJV)

It is time we take a look at our hearts! It is time we examine our beliefs and line up with His Word! It is time to acknowledge our sin and repent! For time is running out and you will have to decide Who you will serve; God or yourself!

Ask God to open your eyes to The Truth and expose the lies that have been seeded through the "traditions of men and doctrines of demons." 

Pick up your Bible and prove me wrong! Read it page by page, cover to cover! Let it change your life!

Ask Him to reveal Himself to you, and I promise He will!

"“And now, Israel, what does the LORD your God require of you, but to fear the LORD your God, to walk in all His ways and to love Him, to serve the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul, and to keep the commandments of the LORD and His statutes which I command you today for your good?"(‭Deuteronomy‬ ‭10‬:‭12-13‬ NKJV)

Even so - MARANATHA! 

From 10/29/15