But I Fear

“But I fear, lest by any means, as the serpent beguiled Eve through his subtilty, so your minds should be corrupted from the simplicity that is in Christ. For if he that cometh preacheth another Jesus, whom we have not preached, or if ye receive another spirit, which ye have not received, or another gospel, which ye have not accepted, ye might well bear with him.”

‭‭2 Corinthians‬ ‭11:3-4‬ ‭KJV‬‬

The simplicity of Christ! Did you catch that? No fanfare! Just Jesus and Him crucified; plain and simple! 

“For I determined not to know any thing among you, save Jesus Christ, and Him crucified.”

‭‭1 Corinthians‬ ‭2:2‬ ‭KJV‬‬

Oh, our flesh wants to make a big deal out of everything! When we have not dealt with the rejection in our heart, we do anything and everything, to get recognition; lusting for approval. And the devil agrees with us, as does the religious spirit that is prevalent in the church today.

This other Jesus may give the appearance of simplicity, but there will be production! It will appeal to the eyes! It will be large! There will be headliners! Unlike in days gone by; the sequins are gone and have been replaced by raggedy jeans. A false spirit of humility feigns simplicity and is glorified; and "we bear with him!"

“But God forbid that I should glory, save in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom the world is crucified unto me, and I unto the world.”

‭‭Galatians‬ ‭6:14‬ ‭KJV‬‬

What is the attraction? Food? Ambiance? Numbers? Music? Celebrities? A time set apart? Promise of new revelation?

Could this be that "other spirit?"

Might this actually be the "other gospel?"

If the ministry you follow does not preach repentance of sin; if they do not tell you to examine your heart; if obedience to The Commandments of God is not preached; if they are a rockstar like the world promotes - RUN!

"But he that glorieth, let him glory in the Lord.”

‭‭2 Corinthians‬ ‭10:17‬ ‭KJV‬‬

If it appeals to your senses, it is wrong! 

If you don't want to do it, because it's uncomfortable then it's probably right!  You see our old man does want to lay down it's pride. Humbling ourselves is hard, whereas false humility is easy! It's a different spirit! 

“Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord, and He shall lift you up.”  James‬ ‭4:10‬ ‭KJV‬‬

“But He giveth more grace. Wherefore He saith, God resisteth the proud, but giveth grace unto the humble.” 

James‬ ‭4:6‬ ‭KJV‬‬

Are you wanting a closer relationship with Jesus, without having to sacrifice all you hold dear; then the devil has the "other Jesus" for you! If you want to go to church, or meetings, or conventions without having to part with the sins you love; there's that "other Jesus!" If you want someone to do it for you and you not have to put yourself out, "other Jesus" is for you! There's no need to become extreme, "other Jesus" is OK with  your reservations! Oh, and if you want the semblance of devoutness (education, special studies or training) without obedience to God's Word, then there is an "other Jesus" for you too!

However, you will miss the one Who died for you!

“Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works? And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity.”

Matthew‬ ‭7:22-23‬ ‭KJV‬‬

My prayer: Father, I come to You, having nothing I can boast in, but I do boast in You! I boast in Your faithfulness; Your goodness; Your love! Father I ask that You would open our eyes to see the folly of our ways! Show us our sins, so we may repent! Remove from our ears that which keeps us from hearing Your voice. Give us a hunger and a thirst for Your Word. Change our hearts so that we may seek You and glorify you in our lives, today and always. Make us a reflection of Your Son, so we may shine in this dark, dark world. In Jesus' name, I pray!

Even so - MARANATHA! 

Now The LORD

"Now the LORD spoke to Moses in the plains of Moab by the Jordan, across from Jericho, saying, “Speak to the children of Israel, and say to them: ‘When you have crossed the Jordan into the land of Canaan, then you shall drive out all the inhabitants of the land from before you, destroy all their engraved stones, destroy all their molded images, and demolish all their high places; you shall dispossess the inhabitants of the land and dwell in it, for I have given you the land to possess." (‭Numbers‬ ‭33‬:‭50-53‬ NKJV)

"But if you do not drive out the inhabitants of the land from before you, then it shall be that those whom you let remain shall be irritants in your eyes and thorns in your sides, and they shall harass you in the land where you dwell."(‭Numbers‬ ‭33‬:‭55‬ NKJV)

"Moreover it shall be that I will do to you as I thought to do to them.’ ”"(‭Numbers‬ ‭33‬:‭56‬ NKJV)

When the Children of Israel were given their inheritance, God gave them instructions of what He wanted them to do! There were not obedient then and are still reaping the results of the disobedience they sowed.

And we have done the same. 

When we "made Jesus our Savior", God gave us a new heart (our land to possess.) In His Word, we are given specific instructions on how to drive out the inhabitants (enemy), but we listened to his lies and have "done what seemed right" to us. (Deuteronomy 12:8)  We have been disobedient, and are paying the price! We are harassed and tormented, and have been for so long we believe it's the norm! It does not have to be! 

In repentance we can take back the land! In humbling ourselves, confessing the unforgiveness, bitterness, anger, worry, that lives in our heart and repenting of our sins of disobedience, we drive them out! 

When you deal with your sin in stead of justifying it, those demons have no authority to stay. They have to leave! 

It is a battle, and few win, because of the lies the enemy has sown, and we've accepted as truth. The traditions of men and doctrines of demons have kept the church in bondage for hundreds of years!

Just as in the days of Josiah:

"Now it happened, when the king heard the words of the Book of the Law, that he tore his clothes.

“Go, inquire of the LORD for me, for the people and for all Judah, concerning the words of this book that has been found; for great is the wrath of the LORD that is aroused against us, because our fathers have not obeyed the words of this book, to do according to all that is written concerning us.” (‭II Kings‬ ‭22‬:‭11, 13‬ NKJV)

We do not read, much less live by the Word of God! We have not torn down the high places, and our idols abound! 

Freedom comes when we are obedient to God's Word; not what our denominations teach! 

Time is short and His wrath is great! Look everyman to himself; examine your heart, and turn back in repentance! 

"if My people who are called by My name will humble themselves, and pray and seek My face, and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin and heal their land." (‭II Chronicles‬ ‭7‬:‭14‬ NKJV)

Don't wait for everyone else! You are responsible for you! You want your land healed? Humble yourself and repent! Don't wait another moment!

If He is not your LORD, then He is not your Savior!

Repent!

Even so - MARANATHA! 

From 10/26/15

And Like

“And like unto him was there no king before him, that turned to the Lord with all his heart, and with all his soul, and with all his might, according to all the law of Moses; neither after him arose there any like him.”

‭‭2 Kings‬ ‭23:25‬ ‭KJV‬‬

I believe this is one of the saddest scriptures in the Bible. 

"No king before"; "neither after" who "turned to the Lord with all his heart, and with all his soul, and with all his might".

It is hard to conceive that so few during the times in Old Testament and New, turned as commanded!

How then, today, does everyone believe they have turned so completely?

Nothing is changed!

Except the Sacrifice.

Most kings did not do what is right; they "did evil in the sight of The LORD!" One king did what was right but his heart was wrong. Some did "right" but left the high places.

All through out the OT, the high places remained except with Josiah! He tore them down. 

They remain today.

You who believe you are a Christian; who go to church every week; but seldom if ever read your Bible; can you identify the "high places" that remain in your life? 

Do you know what God considers your idols? 

Are they your children? Money? Your career? Your house? Your health? Your ministry?

To identify your idols, you need look no further than the storm you are in. 

And whatever has your heart is what you talk about; unceasingly!

We are commanded to:

“And thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thine heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy might.” Deuteronomy‬ ‭6:5‬ ‭KJV‬‬

God doesn't want a part of your heart; He wants the whole thing!

To do less is sin.

“For if we sin wilfully after that we have received the knowledge of the truth, there remaineth no more sacrifice for sins,”

‭‭Hebrews‬ ‭10:26‬ ‭KJV‬‬

There must be that change!

You cannot say a few words at an altar and continue to live like the world. There must be a change of heart! That change puts you on a very narrow, hard road that you must walk the rest of your life! It's a daily thing! And the enemy tries to creep back in to get you to sin, everyday to put you back on the broad path to destruction! 

Denominations have told those who would walk with God that they are saved and heaven bound. The churches are filled with deceived people, led by deceived pastors, because they bought a lie. They are deceived.

How do I know? I was one.

Jesus Himself warned of this time:

“And he said, Take heed that ye be not deceived: for many shall come in my name, saying, I am Christ; and the time draweth near: go ye not therefore after them.”  Luke‬ ‭21:8‬ ‭KJV‬‬

“Know ye not that the unrighteous shall not inherit the kingdom of God? Be not deceived: neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor effeminate, nor abusers of themselves with mankind, Nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners, shall inherit the kingdom of God. And such were some of you: but ye are washed, but ye are sanctified, but ye are justified in the name of the Lord Jesus, and by the Spirit of our God.” 1 Corinthians‬ ‭6:9-11‬ ‭KJV‬‬

This used to describe one, before he "was saved", now it describes "the church" at large. You no longer can tell the church from the world.

There is hope! There are more and more that are reading their Bibles, and God is opening their eyes and calling them out! 

However, it will never be many for Jesus Himself said there would be few. 

“Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it.” Matthew‬ ‭7:14‬ ‭KJV‬‬

“Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven. Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works? And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity.”

‭‭Matthew‬ ‭7:21-23‬ ‭KJV‬‬

Examine your heart. Tear down the high places and cast down your idols. Repent of the sins hiding there and turn while there is still time! 

You must love God more than you love your sin.

Even so - MARANATHA! 

And Isaiah Said

“And Isaiah said unto them, Thus shall ye say to your master, Thus saith the Lord, Be not afraid of the words which thou hast heard, with which the servants of the king of Assyria have blasphemed me. Behold, I will send a blast upon him, and he shall hear a rumour, and shall return to his own land; and I will cause him to fall by the sword in his own land.”

‭‭2 Kings‬ ‭19:6-7‬ ‭KJV‬‬

"Be not afraid of the words which thou hast heard,"

Oh, the words the enemy whispers in our ears; and we listen! Here God is saying, "Be not afraid of the words!" Those words have no power unless we listen! They have no power unless we receive them! Their design is to make us fall; incapacitate us; keep us from something we are supposed to do! We listen; we accept; we sin!

Hezekiah listened to his enemy, but then took his fears to God in repentance! 

“And it came to pass, when king Hezekiah heard it, that he rent his clothes, and covered himself with sackcloth, and went into the house of the Lord.”

‭2 Kings‬ ‭19:1‬ ‭KJV‬‬

And God said! "Be not afraid of the words which thou hast heard,"

Even after hearing from God, he was tested! The enemy sent his words in written form! And Hezekiah took them to God!

“And Hezekiah received the letter of the hand of the messengers, and read it: and Hezekiah went up into the house of the Lord, and spread it before the Lord.”

‭‭2 Kings‬ ‭19:14‬ ‭KJV‬‬

“Now therefore, O Lord our God, I beseech thee, save thou us out of his hand, that all the kingdoms of the earth may know that thou art the Lord God, even thou only.”  ‭2 Kings‬ ‭19:19‬ ‭KJV‬‬

And God answered him! 

“Then Isaiah the son of Amoz sent to Hezekiah, saying, Thus saith the Lord God of Israel, That which thou hast prayed to me against Sennacherib king of Assyria I have heard.”

‭‭2 Kings‬ ‭19:20‬ ‭KJV‬‬

And God acted; in a BIG way!

“For I will defend this city, to save it, for mine own sake, and for my servant David's sake. And it came to pass that night, that the angel of the Lord went out, and smote in the camp of the Assyrians an hundred fourscore and five thousand: and when they arose early in the morning, behold, they were all dead corpses.” 2 Kings‬ ‭19:34-35‬ ‭KJV‬‬

God is still on the throne and answers our prayers today! He is still slaying our enemies when we turn to Him in prayer! He still fights our battles for us when we call on Him in repentance!

When we humbly bow before Him, admitting we are incapable and give Him the lead! 

When we choose to believe Him, instead of what we see with our eyes, and FOLLOW Him instead of either getting ahead of Him or turning tail and running!

The testing of our faith! 

“That the trial of your faith, being much more precious than of gold that perisheth, though it be tried with fire, might be found unto praise and honour and glory at the appearing of Jesus Christ:”

‭‭1 Peter‬ ‭1:7‬ ‭KJV‬‬

This trial you are going through is to teach you to war! 

And the battle is won by obedience to The Word of God! 

A good officer takes his observations to his Commander, waits for His instructions and then carries them out! He does not deviate from the battle plan. He is single minded in his attack! He serves!

These skirmishes are by design, to make you an overcomer!

They expose chinks in your armor, so The Master Smith may make the repairs! We acknowledge our flaws; we submit; He refines the metal!

Thank You, Father God for the trial yesterday! Thank you for exposing my weakness! I humbly submit to the anvil! Continue your refinement of your servant! You will receive all of the glory in this war! I serve You gladly!

Even so - MARANATHA! 

a 

Reading About

Reading about Hezekiah:

“And he did that which was right in the sight of the Lord, according to all that David his father did. He removed the high places, and brake the images, and cut down the groves, and brake in pieces the brasen serpent that Moses had made: for unto those days the children of Israel did burn incense to it: and he called it Nehushtan. He trusted in the Lord God of Israel; so that after him was none like him among all the kings of Judah, nor any that were before him. For he clave to the Lord, and departed not from following Him, but kept His commandments, which the Lord commanded Moses.”‭ 2 Kings‬ ‭18:3-6‬ ‭KJV‬‬

In re-reading these verses this morning, what jumped off the page was: "He trusted in the Lord God". I don't know how many times a day I try to encourage people to trust in The LORD; I feel like a broken record!

Dissecting the above scriptures we see:

1. He did what was right 

2. He tore down the high places

3. He trusted in The LORD

4. He kept His Commandments

and the result is verse 7:

“And the Lord was with him; and He prospered whithersoever he went forth.” 2 Kings‬ ‭18:7‬a KJV‬‬

But we just want 7 without 3-6!

Not trusting God comes from unbelief; the most acceptable sin in the church today. We all think we "do right", but because we don't read His Word, we don't know what He considers "wrong!" Our idols are numerous; we live in our "high places"; and we "follow" whomever we "like!"

Then when the trials and storms come to "test our faith", we flounder! 

I was talking with a lady yesterday, about how hard this life is; and how it is supposed to be "hard"; for the harder life is, the closer we walk with God! 

When people win the lottery they don't say, "I think I will turn to God", but when the bottom falls out, is when we turn to Him!

When we daily walk close to Him, reading His Word, following His Commandments; our faith is built and we KNOW Whom we can trust! We KNOW He will never leave us or forsake us; it's automatic; reflex action; no doubt, because our eyes are fixed on Him. However when we only look at the circumstances, there is no hope!

“While we look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen: for the things which are seen are temporal; but the things which are not seen are eternal.” ‭‭2 Corinthians‬ ‭4:18‬ ‭KJV‬‬

We must have The WORD in us for us to be encouraged by it; an engine only runs when filled with fuel! 

“Thy word have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against thee.” Psalms‬ ‭119:11‬ ‭KJV‬‬

“Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path.”

‭‭Psalms‬ ‭119:105‬ ‭KJV‬‬

When your life is over; will you be described as one who "did right" and "followed" The LORD? Or will you be described as Ahaz? 

“And he did that which was evil in the sight of the Lord,”

‭‭2 Kings‬ ‭17:2‬a ‭KJV‬‬

It's not too late!

Repent while there is still time!

“He that overcometh, the same shall be clothed in white raiment; and I will not blot out his name out of the book of life, but I will confess his name before my Father, and before his angels. He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches.”  Revelation‬ ‭3:5-6‬ ‭KJV‬‬

My prayer: Father God, I ask Your forgiveness for all of the times I failed to put You first in my life! My desire is for You to be my "principal purpose" for the rest of my days! You and you alone do I seek to please! Thank You LORD for walking before me, so that I may follow You!

Even so - MARANATHA! 

For Now

"For now we see in a mirror dimly, but then face to face; now I know in part, but then I will know fully just as I also have been fully known." (‭1 Corinthians‬ ‭13‬:‭12‬ NASB)

I have always loved this verse! It resonated in my spirit the first moment I read it in the 70's. And today, the more I learn about God and His Ways the more I realize I have just scratched the surface on knowing Him! And I am painfully aware that He FULLY KNOWS me! 

I remember hiding things in my heart, from myself and erroneously thinking He wouldn't see them either! I'm sure He didn't want to see the evil I did, anymore than I wanted Him to, however whether looking or not, HE KNEW! For He knows me better than I know myself, for He made me! (Jeremiah 12:3) (Psalm 131:13)

We are all His children, and when we are Born Again into His likeness, we are given the milk of The Word. And as we grow (and we are supposed to grow) we are then fed meat! (1Peter 2:2)

"When I was a child, I spoke as a child, I understood as a child, I thought as a child; but when I became a man, I put away childish things." (I Corinthians‬ ‭13‬:‭11‬ NKJV)

As we grow (and put away the childish things) we see His love formed in us! We take on His attributes! We love because He first loved us! (1John 4:18) 

This is meat:

"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." (‭I Corinthians‬ ‭13‬:‭4-7‬ NKJV)

That is love! That's what He does and that is what we are supposed to do! But we don't, and we then excuse ourselves "because we are only human!" That is a lie from the devil! You see when we miss it, we are not supposed to excuse ourself, we are supposed to repent! 

When we repent of our lack of obedience; when we ask forgiveness and own up to our sin, then we can call on Him for mercy! His grace is sufficient and His work in us continues! When we make an excuse instead, we are justifying ourself and our sin, and we stay right there in our shortcomings! If we repent and purpose, in our hearts, to conform to His likeness then we begin, to look like Him! His love working in us and through us to reach a lost and dying world, shines brightly in the darkness! 

Reread the above verse! (‭I Corinthians‬ ‭13‬:‭4-7‬ NKJV). Does that describe you? So many times I do not respond like that, but those responses are my hearts desire! 

"but as He who called you is holy, you also be holy in all your conduct, because it is written, “Be holy, for I am holy.”" (‭I Peter‬ ‭1‬:‭15-16‬ NKJV)

Holiness only comes from obedience to His Word! Jesus obeyed The Father's every command and we must purpose to do the same! Repentance gets us there! 

Making excuses keeps us in our sin! 

So repent and repent often! 

A friend often says, "when we get to heaven, I'm sure we won't get into trouble for repenting too much!"

However, if we don't obey, if we refuse to repent of our rebellion, if we excuse our sin . . . Then we will never look like Him! 

"But He will say, ‘I tell you I do not know you, where you are from. Depart from Me, all you workers of iniquity.’" (‭Luke‬ ‭13‬:‭27‬ NKJV)

It is beyond time to grow-up church!  

Before time runs out! Repent!!!

Even so - MARANATHA! 

From 8/4/15, 4/23/16

The Word Strange

The word "Strange Fire" came to me 10/11/15.

"But Nadab and Abihu died when they offered strange and unholy fire before the Lord." (‭Numbers‬ ‭26‬:‭61‬ AMP)

"So fire went out from the LORD and devoured them, and they died before the LORD. And Moses said to Aaron, “This is what the LORD spoke, saying: ‘By those who come near Me I must be regarded as holy; And before all the people I must be glorified.’ ” So Aaron held his peace."  (‭Leviticus‬ ‭10‬:‭2-3‬ NKJV)

"And Moses said to Aaron, and to Eleazar and Ithamar, his sons, “Do not uncover your heads nor tear your clothes, lest you die, and wrath come upon all the people. But let your brethren, the whole house of Israel, bewail the burning which the LORD has kindled. You shall not go out from the door of the tabernacle of meeting, lest you die, for the anointing oil of the LORD is upon you.” And they did according to the word of Moses." (‭Leviticus‬ ‭10‬:‭6-7‬ NKJV)

"Then the fire of the Lord fell and consumed the burnt sacrifice and the wood and the stones and the dust, and also licked up the water that was in the trench. When all the people saw it, they fell on their faces  and they said, The Lord, He is God! The Lord, He is God!" (‭1 Kings‬ ‭18‬:‭38-39‬ AMP)

"And he said, “I have been very zealous for the LORD God of hosts; because the children of Israel have forsaken Your covenant, torn down Your altars, and killed Your prophets with the sword. I alone am left; and they seek to take my life.”" (‭I Kings‬ ‭19‬:‭14‬ NKJV)

Even after being used mightily by God, Elijah fled in fear from Jezebel's hostile intentions! He had called down the fire and killed the false prophets then ran from the words of a woman into the wilderness. To him, her displeasure and warning carried a greater threat than God's! And they still do today. The wrong doctrine and rebellious, controlling spirit like Jezebel is still the ruler of most homes and not only does her husband submit but so do the priests and prophets.

The fire of God has gone out.

None submit to God! There are no heads, there are no leaders. In our churches and in our homes; we are upside down. Until the men stand against the wiles of the enemy by taking their proper place as head of their home and humbly submit to the leadership of God instead of their wives - there will be no holy fire! 

"And the fire on the altar shall be kept burning on it; it shall not be put out. And the priest shall burn wood on it every morning, and lay the burnt offering in order on it; and he shall burn on it the fat of the peace offerings. A fire shall always be burning on the altar; it shall never go out." (‭Leviticus‬ ‭6‬:‭12-13‬ NKJV)

The church has let the fire go out!

Holiness is foreign to us. No consecration; no preparation; no purification! 

We have strange fire, because The LORD has left the tabernacle. He cannot abide sin and we love our sin more than we love God! 

We pray for the fire to fall like the prophets of Baal, and the result is the same. 

God in His mercy and His grace has turned His back so we would not be consumed! 

We frivolously sing and pray "Consume me!" with no idea of what we say, for we are consumed with ourselves! We have made god in our own image; he is powerless and if there be any fire it is profane! 

Without obedience to His Word we are as filthy rags!

"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)

He alone is Holy and only He can make us holy! We must abide in Him! 

We say the right words with the wrong heart! 

"“Son of man, you dwell in the midst of a rebellious house, which has eyes to see but does not see, and ears to hear but does not hear; for they are a rebellious house." (Ezekiel‬ ‭12‬:‭2‬ 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!

"For such are false apostles, deceitful workers, transforming themselves into apostles of Christ. And no wonder! For Satan himself transforms himself into an angel of light. (‭II Corinthians‬ ‭11‬:‭4, 13-14‬ NKJV)

The church is so deceived that they are unable to see the difference between Holy Fire and strange fire!

Rabbit trails, distractions, different wells of polluted waters all accepted; compromise to keep from hurting feelings. Best sellers, TV shows, concerts; we have time for those! Our days are so full, so much to do! There's always time for the things of the world! Time for prayer and reading The Word; not so much. We talk the talk, but not walk the walk!

And because of their lack of discernment they have brought profane fire to the altar! And if a spirit falls during service, it is the wrong spirit!

How do we know the difference?

If not called to repentance; if not called to holiness, then it is strange fire! 

If it makes you feel good it's not of God! Dying to the flesh hurts! Emptying yourself of "self" hurts! 

If it only preaches your worth, it's worthless!

It's not about us; our value, our happiness, our mental state or self-image. A servant is a servant. Taking our eyes off of Jesus and looking at our lack is of the enemy and is sin! The spirits that torment us have the right to do so because we have not dealt with our sins; unforgiveness, bitterness, fear, unbelief, anger. Our Bibles lay unopened; we are too busy to commune with the One we say we love most! 

The fire has died out! 

"“ Is not My word like a fire?” says the LORD, “And like a hammer that breaks the rock in pieces?" (‭Jeremiah‬ ‭23‬:‭29‬ NKJV)

"But if the watchman sees the sword coming and does not blow the trumpet, and the people are not warned, and the sword comes and takes any person from among them, he is taken away in his iniquity; but his blood I will require at the watchman’s hand.’ “So you, son of man: I have made you a watchman for the house of Israel; therefore you shall hear a word from My mouth and warn them for Me. When I say to the wicked, ‘O wicked man, you shall surely die!’ and you do not speak to warn the wicked from his way, that wicked man shall die in his iniquity; but his blood I will require at your hand. Nevertheless if you warn the wicked to turn from his way, and he does not turn from his way, he shall die in his iniquity; but you have delivered your soul." (‭Ezekiel‬ ‭33‬:‭6-9‬ NKJV)

""“Therefore you shall keep My commandments, and perform them: I am the LORD. You shall not profane My holy name, but I will be hallowed among the children of Israel. I am the LORD who sanctifies you, who brought you out of the land of Egypt, to be your God: I am the LORD.”" (‭Leviticus‬ ‭22‬:‭31-33‬ NKJV)

Even so - MARANATHA! 

From 10/17/15

For The Weapons

“(For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strong holds;)”

‭‭2 Corinthians‬ ‭10:4‬ ‭KJV‬‬

Strongholds are defendable positions and many equate them as good, but when the enemy has built a stronghold in your life it is a bad thing. He has you captured in an area and will defend his position with all his might. His lies keep us captured and he is relentless with the barrage. 

“Ye are of your father the devil, and the lusts of your father ye will do. He was a murderer from the beginning, and abode not in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he speaketh a lie, he speaketh of his own: for he is a liar, and the father of it.”

‭‭John‬ ‭8:44‬ ‭KJV‬‬

Recognizing we have a stronghold is important. Seeing it for what it is gives us the clarity to address it; a stronghold is sin. If the devil has told us that our addiction is not sin, and we have believed him, then, in our minds, we have no need for repentance. Another lie is we can't overcome it, or even "we can whenever we want!" Denial is the surest way to stay captured, and the enemy knows it; deception is one of his biggest weapons; as is procrastination. 

If you ask God to show you the stronghold(s) in your life, He will! If, however, you continually refuse to address them, your heart will harden, and you will cease to hear from Him. That's what happens when we love our sin more than Him. 

He has given us the ways and means to overcome through His Holy Spirit! But we have to come to a place where we cry out to Him and surrender the fight!

“For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.”

‭‭Ephesians‬ ‭6:12‬ ‭KJV‬‬

When we surrender He will fight our battle for us! 

I have had many strongholds, that God and I have faced!  But, the stronghold I remember that took the longest to overcome was smoking. I smoked for 20 years, and it had come to the point that every time I laughed, I would cough uncontrollably. I began trying to quit on my own. I would make it a few days and would be miserable! I also made everyone around me miserable. Another thing, my husband smoked and while trying to quit he smelled so bad to me, I couldn't stand to be around him.

About my third effort at quitting, (I remember) I had been sick with a bug and for a couple of days; only smoked 2 cigarettes daily where I had smoked 2 - 3 packs a day!  I was sick and facing surgery; at the end of my rope, and cried out to God! I asked Him to deliver me from my addiction and also from the smell, "because I had to be able to hug my husband!"

He did!

I have not smoked since that day; have had no desire to do so! I also do not smell that horrific smell on anyone that smokes! God is faithful!!! He gets all of the glory! That was, I think, 13 years ago. That feels like it was another person; He's brought me that far!

I had faith in Him. I knew I couldn't quit, for I had tried. I knew it was harming me and I knew He didn't like it! I wanted to be free and I knew only He could set me free! I also knew it was sin. I wanted to turn and He gave me the hand up, I needed!

Brother and Sister, you can be free too, of any stronghold in which the devil has you captured! He did it for me; He will do it for you! But you HAVE to want to be set free! You must surrender! You must see the addiction (to whatever) as sin and repent! He WILL do it, but you have your part too! 

The church has "acceptable sins", because it has "lowered the bar!"  Jesus still says "go and sin no more!" (John 8:11)

If you don't believe that God will deliver you then your problem is unbelief; also a sin! You need to read your Bible from cover to cover daily, and learn WHO God IS! He IS the same today as in the Old Testament! He has not changed! 

“Jesus Christ the same yesterday, and to day, and for ever.”  Hebrews‬ ‭13:8‬ ‭KJV‬‬

Ask God to show you your sin! 

He will!

Cast down your high places

(strongholds)

And repent, for time is short!

Even so - MARANATHA! 

The Sacrifices

“The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit: a broken and a contrite heart, O God, thou wilt not despise.” Psalms‬ ‭51:17‬ ‭KJV‬‬

Brokenness is different from broken-hearted. Many confuse the two. 

We get hurt by a person or situation and we may become broken-hearted. We can fail to achieve something or be deprived of a goal and be broken-hearted. Broken-hearted may ultimately lead to brokenness if one turns to God, but, it can also lead to a hard heart, if one turns away from God.

Brokenness, however, is coming to the end of yourself. It's not depression; it's a discovery; a realization that you are not God. It's surrendering your very next breath to The Creator of The Universe; acknowledging His authority over all things; giving up all control. It's craving the intangible more than the tangible. It's letting go of the idea of power, fame and luxury; to answer the call for a life of servitude. His servant. No higher calling; no greater vocation; no other reason to live.

Brokenness is the willingness to turn your heart inside out; being emptied of everything that is you, to be filled by Him. Laying down all pride. Relinquishing all rights. Having no desire for this world and what it offers. It's realizing that nothing will satisfy you but Him; and settling for nothing else.

Those of you called by God; are you still happy in the world? Do you still enjoy and anticipate the things that it offers? 

Then you need a heart check! 

If He is NOT the principal purpose of your life then He is not your LORD! He MUST be what you desire above all things; your spouse; your children; your ministry; your very existence! There must be sacrifice; a turning away from everything else, to accept a His sacrifice! 

No compromise! 

Where did we get that our purification should be less than what He required in the OT? 

We have not only "lowered to bar" for the church, but we lowered it for her leaders!

You men and women of God, it is time to step up and resume your rightful place; on your face, before a Holy God! 

Cleanse your heart! Lay down your lust! Confess your sins and repent! How can the body turn to Him if you won't! 

You want revival! 

Let it begin with you! 

“Have mercy upon me, O God, according to thy lovingkindness: according unto the multitude of thy tender mercies blot out my transgressions. Wash me thoroughly from mine iniquity, and cleanse me from my sin. For I acknowledge my transgressions: and my sin is ever before me. Against thee, thee only, have I sinned, and done this evil in thy sight: that thou mightest be justified when thou speakest, and be clear when thou judgest. Behold, I was shapen in iniquity; and in sin did my mother conceive me. Behold, thou desirest truth in the inward parts: and in the hidden part thou shalt make me to know wisdom. Purge me with hyssop, and I shall be clean: wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow. Make me to hear joy and gladness; that the bones which thou hast broken may rejoice. Hide thy face from my sins, and blot out all mine iniquities. Create in me a clean heart, O God; and renew a right spirit within me. Cast me not away from thy presence; and take not thy holy spirit from me. Restore unto me the joy of thy salvation; and uphold me with thy free spirit. Then will I teach transgressors thy ways; and sinners shall be converted unto thee.” Psalms‬ ‭51:1-13‬ ‭KJV‬‬

Repent while there is still time. 

LORD, I bend my knee, have Thy way with me.

Even so - MARANATHA! 

Ye Have Heard

“Ye have heard that it hath been said, Thou shalt love thy neighbour, and hate thine enemy. But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you; That ye may be the children of your Father which is in heaven: for he maketh his sun to rise on the evil and on the good, and sendeth rain on the just and on the unjust. For if ye love them which love you, what reward have ye? do not even the publicans the same? And if ye salute your brethren only, what do ye more than others? do not even the publicans so? Be ye therefore perfect, even as your Father which is in heaven is perfect.” Matthew‬ ‭5:43-48‬ ‭KJV‬‬

"bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you"; BOY - that's a tall order! You know our  "old man" just doesn't want to do that! The easy way is to respond in like manner! Even as small children we say, "well, he did that to me first"; justifying our reaction to a wrong. We have to be taught mercy and kindness and that lesson does not come easy! When we get it right though, it is a beautiful thing! It is truly a reflection of our Father. 

It all comes down to dealing with our sins and having a pliable heart. 

“O generation of vipers, how can ye, being evil, speak good things? for out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaketh. A good man out of the good treasure of the heart bringeth forth good things: and an evil man out of the evil treasure bringeth forth evil things. But I say unto you, That every idle word that men shall speak, they shall give account thereof in the day of judgment. For by thy words thou shalt be justified, and by thy words thou shalt be condemned.”

Matthew‬ ‭12:34-37‬ ‭KJV‬‬

"for out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaketh." Our friend says: "When you get your lemon squeezed, what comes out? What's in middle!" Honey is what is supposed to come out as a Follower of Jesus Christ! The world responds in kind, but we have overcome the world!  

“But now ye also put off all these; anger, wrath, malice, blasphemy, filthy communication out of your mouth. Lie not one to another, seeing that ye have put off the old man with his deeds; And have put on the new man, which is renewed in knowledge after the image of Him that created him:” Colossians‬ ‭3:8-10‬ ‭KJV‬‬

This can only be done when one is seeking God with his whole heart! God actually gives us His heart as we (little by little) give up our will to Him. Herein is the change! He makes us into His image! And the difference in light and dark is no more noticeable than when we are attacked! Even when we blow it, and recognize it, and immediately repent is a reflection of Him working in us! Such a beautiful thing! 

However, if one refuses to give up his sin; justifies it; loves it more than God, then the devil has a foothold and darkness will choke out the light! It's our choice whom we follow! Taking the easy way is always the wrong way for a Follower of Jesus! He didn't and we can't! Repentance must be made. 

“And if it seem evil unto you to serve the Lord, choose you this day whom ye will serve; whether the gods which your fathers served that were on the other side of the flood, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land ye dwell: but as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord.”

‭‭Joshua‬ ‭24:15‬ ‭KJV‬‬

Everyday we choose whom we will follow; by our response to circumstances! Laying down our "right" to be right, is a true indicator of our choice! 

“Enter ye in at the strait gate: for wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that leadeth to destruction, and many there be which go in thereat: Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it.”

‭‭Matthew‬ ‭7:13-14‬ ‭KJV‬‬

That narrow way is the way of the Cross; it's the hard way; it's painful and it's not the way our flesh wants to walk! 

When we walk in love; when we walk in forgiveness; when we walk in repentance - daily, we are walking in His light! 

If however we choose to walk offended, angry, hateful, bitter, and unforgiving, we are reflecting the devil in us; no matter how churched we are.

“But if thine eye be evil, thy whole body shall be full of darkness. If therefore the light that is in thee be darkness, how great is that darkness!”

‭‭Matthew‬ ‭6:23‬ ‭KJV‬‬

In these last days the line will be blurred and many will believe they are on the straight and narrow. When pulpits don't preach repentance and define sin, then the lost stay lost even when they believe they are saved!

“Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works? And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity.”

‭‭Matthew‬ ‭7:22-23‬ ‭KJV‬‬

It all comes down to sin. Christ did not die on the cross for you to stay in the sins you love; pride, unbelief, bitterness, anger, fear, unforgiveness, judgments, adultery, coveting, slander, gossiping, grumbling and complaining, criticisms and the like! You must repent before it's too late!

Even so - MARANATHA! 

Then Simon Himself

"Then Simon himself also believed; and when he was baptized he continued with Philip, and was amazed, seeing the miracles and signs which were done." (‭Acts‬ ‭8‬:‭13‬ NKJV)

"You have neither part nor portion in this matter, for your heart is not right in the sight of God. Repent therefore of this your wickedness, and pray God if perhaps the thought of your heart may be forgiven you. For I see that you are poisoned by bitterness and bound by iniquity.”" (‭Acts‬ ‭8‬:‭21-23‬ NKJV)

We are familiar with the story of Simon the sorcerer. While reading it this morning, I thought his story is not unlike the church today. 

Simon heard preaching about Jesus and believed. He was even baptized and continued with Phillip. Probably didn't miss a meeting. 

Then comes Peter and John and they discern the true condition of his heart by what comes out of his mouth, and call him on it! They tell him he needs to repent!

The Holy Spirit shows them and they tell him, that "he is poisoned by bitterness and bound by iniquity!"

Instead of falling on his face in repentance; instead of turning to The LORD in brokenness, he's concerned with his skin! 

"Then Simon answered and said, “Pray to the Lord for me, that none of the things which you have spoken may come upon me.”" (‭Acts‬ ‭8‬:‭24‬ NKJV)

"Pray for me"; Instead of "turning" he wanted someone to do "it" for him! 

This is exactly what is happening when the false prophets of today, pray blessings and healings on unrepentant hearts!

The church today is "full of bitterness and bound by iniquity!" It is full of fear, worry, anger, pride, hopelessness, unforgiveness, depression, unbelief; all in a stiff-necked people who refuse to humble themselves in obedience to God's Word! They believed and were Baptized, but never changed; because there was no repentance!

I know, because I was there! I did not hear the message of repentance in the church I attended! Every Sunday they celebrated the anointing and believed they had received a visitation, and at the end of the service the captured returned  home in their sins. For sin was not discussed. How do you know to repent if you don't know you have sin?

It was through a ministry preaching forgiveness and repentance that I heard the Truth and was set free when I obeyed! In humility and obedience and repentance I was healed! And I have stayed healed! 

What religion had promised and had not fulfilled, total surrender and obedience to The Word of God calling for repentance - accomplished! 

"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." (‭Isaiah‬ ‭55‬:‭11‬ NKJV)

You can believe and you can be Baptized, and just like Simon perish your sin!

"I tell you, no; but unless you repent you will all likewise perish.” (‭Luke‬ ‭13‬:‭5‬ NKJV)

"Therefore bear fruits worthy of repentance," (‭Matthew‬ ‭3‬:‭8‬ NKJV)

"Therefore by their fruits you will know them. “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 ‭7‬:‭20-23‬ NKJV)

Please! Please! Please! Get your heart right in the sight of God!

Repent while there is still time! 

Even so - MARANATHA! 

From 6/5/15

I Will Behave

"I will behave wisely in a perfect way. Oh, when will You come to me? I will walk within my house with a perfect heart. I will set nothing wicked before my eyes; I hate the work of those who fall away; It shall not cling to me." (‭Psalms‬ ‭101‬:‭2-3‬ NKJV)

"I will set nothing wicked before my eyes;" caught my eye this morning! 

Oh, how hard it is to keep from seeing wickedness these days! It is everywhere, especially in the media. And the really sad thing is we have been so desensitized; that for the most part, we are unaware! 

Wickedness comes in many forms.  The kind that is in your face, though is of a sexual nature. Because of its saturation in our society, even the sexualization of our young children is thought the norm. Oh, how far we have fallen!

If in watching TV (even the commercials) you don't blush, then you have been desensitized!  And this is not a little thing in the eyes of The LORD!

"Were they ashamed when they had committed abomination? No! They were not at all ashamed; Nor did they know how to blush. Therefore they shall fall among those who fall; At the time I punish them, They shall be cast down,” says the LORD."(‭Jeremiah‬ ‭6‬:‭15‬ NKJV)

And the sad part is that if you are offended by something wicked these days, you are considered a "hater", or at the least a prude!

It is time for a heart check!

Look at a magazine or a commercial. If your response is not repulsion, but of acceptance, then you have a heart issue. If you see nothing wrong in in the sexualization of selling butter or toilet paper, then you have a heart issue.

It's such a subtle thing, like all sin! Just a little here; a little there. A drifting deeper and deeper in to dark waters! The proliferation of satanic and "dead" series on tv is appalling! The very romanticizing of evil is a sign of the times!

"But know this, that in the last days perilous times will come: For men will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, unloving, unforgiving, slanderers, without self-control, brutal, despisers of good, traitors, headstrong, haughty, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God, having a form of godliness but denying its power. And from such people turn away! For of this sort are those who creep into households and make captives of gullible women loaded down with sins, led away by various lusts," (‭II Timothy‬ ‭3‬:‭1-6‬ NKJV)

"Woe to those who call evil good, and good evil; Who put darkness for light, and light for darkness; Who put bitter for sweet, and sweet for bitter!" (‭Isaiah‬ ‭5‬:‭20‬ NKJV)

The saddest part is our children, who are being raised in this time! A few years back my young grandson and I were watching the floor exercises of the Olympics and he made a comment that I will always remember. He said of the girls, "Aren't they embarrassed to be wearing that?"  And the response anyone would give is, "That's what they wear!"

But THAT does not make it right! 

Would that we would once again have that kind of innocent heart. A heart that seeks the things of God and that is ashamed of what the world calls "okay"!

It's far past time for repentance!

My prayer this morning: God please open our eyes and let us see the evil once again so that we may repent! Change our hearts so that they are no longer hard, but are tender and pliable before You! Bring us back to You! Set us on that narrow path! Open our ears so that we may hear Your words saying, "This is the way, walk in it!"

"Your ears shall hear a word behind you, saying, “This is the way, walk in it,” Whenever you turn to the right hand Or whenever you turn to the left." (‭Isaiah‬ ‭30‬:‭21‬ NKJV)

Even so - MARANATHA 

From 1/18/16, 9/17/16

Beware Brethren

"Beware, brethren, lest there be in any of you an evil heart of unbelief in departing from the living God; but exhort one another daily, while it is called “Today,” lest any of you be hardened through the deceitfulness of sin. For we have become partakers of Christ if we hold the beginning of our confidence steadfast to the end, while it is said: “Today, if you will hear His voice, Do not harden your hearts as in the rebellion.”" (‭Hebrews‬ ‭3‬:‭12-15‬ NKJV)

Did you catch that?

"If we hold the beginning of our confidence steadfast to the end" we will become partakers of Christ!

And 

"lest any of you be hardened through the deceitfulness of sin." 

Did you know that the sin of unbelief can attack you at any point in your walk? It is one of the darts the enemy will fire at you and entertaining it is sin! The devil's whole intent is to take you out of the war and unbelief is extremely effective ammunition! 

It starts out as unbelief in yourself then spreads to unbelief in God! It is so subtle and many a believer has quit the race by not repenting of associating with it. 

Flirting with sin is always disastrous and repenting is the only solution!

A couple of weeks ago a friend gave me an old copy of a David Wilkerson publication entitled "The Ultimate Test Of Faith". I shoved it in my bag to read later, and promptly forgot it, until 2 days ago. It was a God Thing! He knew, exactly, when I would need it, right then! 

Excerpt:

     "All are guilty of such unbelief at times. Often when we face yet another struggle we let the enemy discourage us. We're overcome by unexplainable loneliness and feel a sense of total in adequacy. We become convinced The Lord doesn't hear us. And a cry erupts in our hearts "God where are you? I pray, I fast, I study your Word. All  I want is a closer walk with you. Why won't you deliver me from this?

    We keep going to the secret closet of prayer but we don't feel like praying.  Our souls are dry, empty, exhausted from our struggles.  Yet we don't dare accuse the Lord of neglecting us in our condition.  So we approach him with our heads down, discouraged and weak. We pray 'Lord, I don't blame you.  You're  good and kind to me and I know the problem is in me. I've failed you so much.'"

Okay here it is!!!!!!

     "All God hears from us in such times is how unprofitable we are in His sight. Yet, that isn't humility. On the contrary it is and outright insult to a Father who adopted us with a covenant promise to love and support us throughout our life time. When we tell him how bad we are - how weak, empty and useless we are to Him, we despise all He has accomplished in us!"

Oh!

 Praise God for His mercy!!!

"No temptation has overtaken you except such as is common to man; but God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will also make the way of escape, that you may be able to bear it."(‭I Corinthians‬ ‭10‬:‭13‬ NKJV)

He knew I would go through this test! He made a way to show me my sin! He had a friend give me a paper Wilkerson published in 2004, that addressed EXACTLY what I was going through. He sent so many to encourage me, especially Wednesday night when a special sister got up and gave her testimony of how God had used me in her time of need! 

God knew!!!!!!

I have repented of my sin of unbelief in Him and my peace and joy have been restored and I praise His Holy Name!!!!

Hope this helps you today! 

We have to hold steadfast till the end and stay pliable all the way!

Repent! 

Walk in repentance!

Even so - MARANATHA! 

From 9/8/14

Who can Utter

"Who can utter the mighty acts of the LORD? Who can declare all His praise? Blessed are those who keep justice, And he who does righteousness at all times!" (Psalms 106:2, 3 NKJV)

Reading the above verse I am so painfully aware that I do not do this! I want to "do righteousness at all times", but fail daily! My hearts desire is be holy "as He is holy" and I blow it, continually! 

"We have sinned with our fathers, We have committed iniquity, We have done wickedly. Our fathers in Egypt did not understand Your wonders; They did not remember the multitude of Your mercies, But rebelled by the sea—the Red Sea." (Psalms 106:6, 7 NKJV)

I remember when I first started reading my Bible years ago, I would read how the Israelites would sin against God, right after He had done some great miracle, and I would sit in judgment, thinking to myself, "I wouldn't do that!" 

Now as I read; I see myself just like the Children of Israel, sinning against The Lord, moments after witnessing a wondrous event that was so obviously God!  

In humble repentance, I confess my old man not being as dead as he should be, and I give thanks that God has made me, once again, to realize my failings!

"Nevertheless He saved them for His name’s sake, That He might make His mighty power known." (Psalms 106:8 NKJV)

I love "that"; my daily wanderings in the wilderness give Him ample opportunities to look good! But isn't that His way?  My weaknesses; my inabilities easily show that I'm incapable, but that He is working in me and through me! 

The children would rejoice in His miracles then turn around and sin! 

"Then they believed His words; They sang His praise. They soon forgot His works; They did not wait for His counsel, But lusted exceedingly in the wilderness, And tested God in the desert."

(Psalms 106:12-14 NKJV)

Again and again -

"They forgot God their Savior, Who had done great things in Egypt, Wondrous works in the land of Ham, Awesome things by the Red Sea.

"Then they despised the pleasant land; They did not believe His word, But complained in their tents, And did not heed the voice of the LORD." (Psalms 106:21, 22, 24, 25 NKJV)

"They did not destroy the peoples, Concerning whom the LORD had commanded them, But they mingled with the Gentiles And learned their works; They served their idols, Which became a snare to them. They even sacrificed their sons And their daughters to demons, And shed innocent blood, The blood of their sons and daughters, Whom they sacrificed to the idols of Canaan; And the land was polluted with blood. Thus they were defiled by their own works, And played the harlot by their own deeds." (Psalms 106:34-39 NKJV)

I have done all of this! I have played the harlot with idols! 

And will again.

"Many times He delivered them; But they rebelled in their counsel, And were brought low for their iniquity. Nevertheless He regarded their affliction, When He heard their cry; And for their sake He remembered His covenant, And relented according to the multitude of His mercies." (Psalms 106:43-45 NKJV)

Praise God that He WILL hear my cry, also, and deliver me once again, because He knows me! He knows what I'm made of; He knows where I've come from; He knows where I'm going; He knows because He called me! He's perfecting me! 

My hearts desire is to serve Him, without reservation! To seek Him all my days! To be available for His use, as He needs me! 

As long as I stay humble and repentant He can work in me! And when I get too full of myself, He's quick to point out He IS God, not me!

"Save us, O LORD our God, And gather us from among the Gentiles, To give thanks to Your holy name, To triumph in Your praise. Blessed be the LORD God of Israel From everlasting to everlasting! And let all the people say, “Amen!” Praise the LORD!" (Psalms 106:47, 48 NKJV)

Join me this morning, in praise of a God that is powerful enough to create the universe and yet personal enough to give a spanking to His wayward child!

Even so - MARANATHA! 

From 5/25/14, 1/6/15, 12/31/15

"For whom the LORD loves He corrects, Just as a father the son in whom he delights."

(‭Proverbs‬ ‭3‬:‭12‬ NKJV)

Delight Thyself

“Delight thyself also in the Lord; and He shall give thee the desires of thine heart.” 

‭Psalms‬ ‭37:4‬ ‭KJV‬‬

Thankful is inadequate to describe my heart this morning; overflowing is better, for God blessed me abundantly yesterday! Never before have I had a Mother's Day like it; I am loved!

It was unexpected. For years it has been just another day. Leading up to this Sunday, I battled with the enemy's taunts and darts, determined to keep my focus on The LORD. When a tear would slip, I would encourage myself, remembering all He has done; His faithfulness; His love! I determined to be satisfied with His blessings, whether I celebrated Mother's Day or not; all the while the enemy was on the attack! 

Saturday evening I received such an amazing surprise; an invitation for lunch after church! A day spent with family; such joy; truly a gift from God! 

So this morning, with my heart still full, I want to encourage all of you to seek Him first! His Word is true; His mercies unfailing! His faithfulness beyond all we could imagine! 

“But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and His righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.”  Matthew‬ ‭6:33‬ ‭KJV‬‬

“Commit thy way unto the Lord; trust also in Him; and He shall bring it to pass.” 

‭Psalms‬ ‭37:5‬ ‭KJV‬‬

Thank You LORD for all of Your loving kindness! I am beyond overwhelmed! You once again have blown my mind with Your attention to detail and infinite thoughtfulness! I humbly and gratefully delight in You, and love You with my whole heart! 

You ARE my Beloved!

Even so - MARANATHA! 

The Statutes

“The statutes of the Lord are right, rejoicing the heart: the commandment of the Lord is pure, enlightening the eyes.”

‭‭Psalms‬ ‭19:8‬ ‭KJV‬‬

Today my study is on "right!"

Everyday we are faced the task of doing "right"; whether consciously or not! Everyday we are given the opportunity to choose right or wrong. In today's world the line between the two is often blurred. It seems everyone has their own opinion of what is right. For the Christian the standard is based on the Word of God. It is hard and fast; never varies; no grey areas. For the Christian, the decision is easy but often the act is hard. When you take a stand to do "right", there are consequences, but the only one we are ultimately accountable to is God. In the end, He is Who we want to please.

“There is a way which seemeth right unto a man, but the end thereof are the ways of death.”

‭‭Proverbs‬ ‭14:12‬ ‭KJV‬‬

Often times in our life, we make choices that, except for the grace of God, can lead to death. Many times it's years later, when we look back we see how close we came. We also look back and see the friends that didn't survive, because of the same bad choices, and shake our heads. We do not live our lives in realization of how fragile and temporary our lives are. We give no thought to "this might be our last day." In the blink of an eye, it can be over. If we did think ahead, in the light of eternity, would we make the same choice?

“In those days there was no king in Israel: every man did that which was right in his own eyes.”

‭‭Judges‬ ‭21:25‬ ‭KJV‬‬

Today you and I will be faced with the choice to do right. We will be faced with the choice to obey the law or not; big laws, little laws, dumb laws. Will we speed? Will we rob a bank? Will we murder someone? Will we seek God? Will we obey His Commandments? Will we love Him with our whole hearts?

“And he did that which was right in the sight of the Lord, but not with a perfect heart.”

‭‭2 Chronicles‬ ‭25:2‬ ‭KJV‬‬

I guess my study is actually on "right choices!"

Before you go out today, to do all you have to do, seek God first! Examine your heart. Pray. 

“Create in me a clean heart, O God; and renew a right spirit within me.”  Psalms‬ ‭51:10‬ ‭KJV‬‬

Father, my prayer today is show me what, in my life is not pleasing in Your sight. Shine a light on the darkness in my heart; expose the sin that may be hiding there, so I may repent. I choose to walk in Your ways; to do Your will. I choose to walk in forgiveness, love and repentance. May my choices, today Father, be made with You in the forefront of my mind! May my steps be pleasing in Your eyes. Put a guard over my tongue so I may not sin against You and may my words be pleasing to You. And I thank You LORD for Your mercy and grace.

“Order my steps in Thy word: and let not any iniquity have dominion over me.”

‭‭Psalms‬ ‭119:133‬ ‭KJV‬‬

Even so - MARANATHA! 

Does It Feel

Does it feel like everything in the world is going wrong?

Do circumstances beyond your control keep occurring that are more than you can bear?

Have you reached the end of your rope?

Oh, we may (or may not) get a reprieve, but I hate to say it, those trials are not going to stop for they have a purpose!

We pray for relief, and they may slack a bit, but until they accomplish God's plan, they will continue!

It doesn't matter who we are; the tests and trials of life are designed to turn our hearts back to God, to correct our course, or to refine our walk!  

"If you by your own engineering are able to get out of the trial you are in, be assured He will engineer a stronger one, in which you can't!"(Paraphrased of Paris Reidhead from "Incomplete Repentance")

"At the center of your storm, you will find your idol;" that which you love more than God! (Joyce Green)

God wants us to turn back to Him and rely totally on Him! He wants all of me and all of you, not just a portion; that which we have allotted for our "spiritual side!"  He is dead serious about His relationship with us, and He will not share us! It's either all or nothing - our choice! 

You see, He's already given His all! 

He deserves the same from us!

Because of our sins, we deserve death! 

So He gave us His life, and we act like we are "all that and more!"  

We deserve hell!

And that's where we will end up, unless we turn from our self-absorbed wicked ways! We must turn in repentance of the sin we have in our hearts; unforgiveness, judgments, pride, bitterness, worry, fear, anger, and unbelief!

It is past time! 

We must turn loose of the world and stop "playing" church!

As small children we judge our parents and our siblings! We bury hurts and make proclamations; "I'll never . . . !" And because of the hurts, we build walls! Those judgments; the unforgiveness then come back on us and from that point on we continue to be hurt in the same manner, over and over again, by teachers, friends, employers, spouses, children! We do the exact same thing we said we wouldn't! Then we see those same hurts affecting our children; they do the same dumb things, only worse! The cycle has to stop or it becomes generational; alcoholism, drug addiction, gluttony, stubbornness, bitterness! And the ONLY way to end it, is through forgiveness and repentance!

Forgiving is a deliberate act; a choice we make in obedience to God! And we must repent of the unforgiveness we have held onto for so long!

Unforgiveness is NOT an option! If we don't forgive, we will go to hell!

"“For if you forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. But if you do not forgive men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses."(‭Matthew‬ ‭6‬:‭14-15‬ NKJV)

There will be NO unforgiven people in heaven!

It doesn't matter what happened to us; how horrendous the act, we MUST choose to forgive and repent of the unforgiveness we've held onto all this time, in disobedience to God's commandment!

I hear people say, "Oh, I've forgiven, but I can never forget!" 

Then it's not forgiven!

When we have forgiven, from the heart, that "hurt" is no longer painful! It's as if it happened to someone else!

When we forgive, it doesn't mean we are saying what happened is okay. We don't do it to set ourself free, although that's what happens. No, it's all about our relationship with God!

And the best part; when we forgive and extend mercy, mercy comes back on us! 

When we forgive, we are doing so because we love God, more than we love ourselves! We are choosing to obey and lay aside our fleshly desire for vengeance in submission to His commandments! That is what dying to the flesh is all about! It's hard, but it's imperative in our walk with The LORD! It's laying down our will, and surrendering to His authority! It's humbling ourself; It's giving up the throne and letting Him have first place in my life; stepping aside in repentance and bowing to His Kingship! 

"For it is written: “ As I live, says the LORD, Every knee shall bow to Me, And every tongue shall confess to God.”" (‭Romans‬ ‭14‬:‭11‬ NKJV)

"Is anyone among you suffering? Let him pray. Is anyone cheerful? Let him sing psalms. Is anyone among you sick? Let him call for the elders of the church, and let them pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord. And the prayer of faith will save the sick, and the Lord will raise him up. And if he has committed sins, he will be forgiven. (‭James‬ ‭5‬:‭13-15‬ NKJV)

Now here is the hard part:

"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)

Confessing our sins is what stops most people, because it requires laying down our pride; the very thing the devil refused to do, too!

We want healing? 

We must obey James 5:16!

It's that simple! 

Examine your heart! 

Ask God to show you what sin is there and He will! 

Then get with a brother or sister you can trust, humble yourself and confess your sin and repent! Then watch as God moves! You will see the miraculous! Healing occurs; lives are changed; we begin to be conformed to His likeness!

It's the laying aside of pride; humbling ourselves and repenting before another person that unleashes His power!

When we obey, He moves mountains!

“Do not be afraid. Stand still, and see the salvation of the LORD, which He will accomplish for you today. For the Egyptians whom you see today, you shall see again no more forever." (Exodus‬ ‭14‬:‭13‬ NKJV)

Those enemies that are pursuing you; obey and watch God act on your behalf! He is still in the miracle business!

Obey!

It doesn't matter if we've  been a Christian for 50 years or 5 hours, we all must lay down our pride and surrender our will! If we don't, then He is not our LORD!

Repent while there is still time!

Tomorrow may be too late!

Even so - MARANATHA! 

From 1/7/15, 12/18/16, 1/12/16

“Now I rejoice, not that ye were made sorry, but that ye sorrowed to repentance: for ye were made sorry after a godly manner, that ye might receive damage by us in nothing. For godly sorrow worketh repentance to salvation not to be repented of: but the sorrow of the world worketh death.” 2 Corinthians‬ ‭7:9-10‬ ‭KJV‬‬

Study To Shew

“Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.”

‭‭2 Timothy‬ ‭2:15‬ ‭KJV‬‬

"What do you do when you fall down? You get back up!" I wish I had a dollar for every time I've heard that question. And today I'm so thankful I have, for I've blown it again. 

“And the servant of the Lord must not strive; but be gentle unto all men, apt to teach, patient, In meekness instructing those that oppose themselves; if God peradventure will give them repentance to the acknowledging of the truth;”

‭‭2 Timothy‬ ‭2:24-25‬ ‭KJV‬‬

"Gentle unto all men"; ooooooo that's a hard one! (ykr) This is how you learn patience. You do it over and over until you get it right. And with God's help, I will keep getting back up until I do! He shows me in His Word what I need to do; how I need to respond; and gives a course correction of how to get back on that hard narrow road!

A friend recently reminded me that you can do right but your heart might not be right when you do, so then you are wrong. 

This morning I must confess, I missed it. My heart was not right. I was not patient nor was I gentle; for that I am ashamed. But I am so thankful for God's mercy and grace in showing me my sin, and I humbly repent. I will ask forgiveness today and set things right, for in my error I sinned against man and God. 

This is that narrow road. When the devil says, "oh that wasn't that bad; you don't have to do that; no one cares!" - I know that God cares and I know that I care about what He thinks. 

If your conscience has been nagging you about something, then give heed. It may be hard at the moment but anything is worth the cost to get your peace

 back.

Even so - MARANATHA! 

The Devil Has

The devil has been telling mankind we do not have to obey the Word of God since the garden Eden and he is still doing it, today. When he says that you can live like the world and still be a Christian, we like Adam and Eve, fall for his lies.

However, The Bible says you can not love the things of the world and love God.

“If ye love Me, keep My commandments.”

‭‭John‬ ‭14:15‬ ‭KJV‬‬

“Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him.”

‭‭1 John‬ ‭2:15‬ ‭KJV‬‬

Most "Christians" are indistinguishable from the world. They love the same things, go to the same places, do the same things! They talk the same way, dress the same way and are okay with it! They are happy in their belief that you don't have to be "sold out", "extreme", or "radical" all the while boasting of being a "peculiar people."

They might have had an "experience" at one time; might have even read their Bible for a while; but when the testing came, they fell away. They may even have continued going to church, because of the way they were raised; "that's just what you do!"

They "love" Jesus and their "Jesus" is okay with their lifestyle because he is not the Jesus in the Bible. He is a "another Jesus!"

“For if he that cometh preacheth another Jesus, whom we have not preached, or if ye receive another spirit, which ye have not received, or another gospel, which ye have not accepted, ye might well bear with him.”

‭‭2 Corinthians‬ ‭11:4‬ ‭KJV‬‬

Jesus has not changed! The church has! And He said it would!

“Not every one that saith unto Me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of My Father which is in heaven. Many will say to Me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works? And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from Me, ye that work iniquity.”

‭‭Matthew‬ ‭7:21-23‬ ‭KJV‬‬

“Nevertheless I have somewhat against thee, because thou hast left thy first love. Remember therefore from whence thou art fallen, and repent, and do the first works; or else I will come unto thee quickly, and will remove thy candlestick out of his place, except thou repent.”

‭‭Revelation‬ ‭2:4-5‬ ‭KJV‬‬

“This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come. For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, Without natural affection, trucebreakers, false accusers, incontinent, fierce, despisers of those that are good, Traitors, heady, highminded, lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God; Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away.”

‭‭2 Timothy‬ ‭3:1-5‬ ‭KJV‬‬

"lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God"

"having a form of godliness"

Doesn't THAT describe the church at large?

Entertain me!

Lights! Loud music! Programs! videos! Short sermons that make you feel good! Then off to lunch! Movies. Concerts. Ball games. 

What happened to set apart? 

What happened to repentance?

What happened to holiness?

What happened to hunger and thirsting after righteousness?

What happened to salt?

What happened to light?

What happened to:

“Jesus said unto him, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind. This is the first and great commandment.”

‭‭Matthew‬ ‭22:37-38‬ ‭KJV‬‬

Compromise!

We have not laid down our idols! We worship everything but God, but because we go to church and sing songs we think we are okay! 

The argument goes: "how can we reach the lost if we don't go where they are?"  The reality is because we are "where" they are we have nothing to offer them! They see no difference. They call us hypocrites, and they are right! 

What a mess we are.

Oh, if only we had the power promised us! Then they would know! If only the Light of The World shone as brightly in us as He should! But He can't for all of the darkness still in our hearts. There is no room for Him because we are full of ourselves.

“But if thine eye be evil, thy whole body shall be full of darkness. If therefore the light that is in thee be darkness, how great is that darkness!”

‭‭Matthew‬ ‭6:23‬ ‭KJV‬‬

"Worldliness is whatever makes sin look normal and righteousness look strange." Kevin DeYoung

If you have chosen to take a stand for righteousness, you will feel like you stand alone. The narrow road is not heavily traveled and is hard for a reason. It's a proving ground for the overcomers. 

“And he that taketh not his cross, and followeth after Me, is not worthy of Me.”

Matthew‬ ‭10:38‬ ‭KJV‬‬

The walk of a Follower of Jesus Christ is not supposed to be easy, because His walk was not easy! Being ridiculed and shunned by those you love is heart breaking; but that was His walk. We are to "count it all joy",  but often have to be reminded to do so! 

“But I say unto you which hear, Love your enemies, do good to them which hate you, Bless them that curse you, and pray for them which despitefully use you.”

‭‭Luke‬ ‭6:27-28‬ ‭KJV‬‬

Prayer is the key that opens doors! Prayer changes things. Prayer is our best defense. 

If you pray: "LORD open my eye; open my ears; change my heart! He will! You start reading your Bible and diligently seeking Him, you WILL find Him! He will draw you unto Himself! I promise you, it will not be the sugarcoated message preached in most churches, you will find. But the uncompromising message of the Cross will be the sweetest Word you have ever tasted; worth all of the pain the world can throw at you! There is no turning back!

Examine your heart and repent while there is still time!

Even so - MARANATHA! 

But Avoid Foolish

"But avoid foolish and ignorant disputes, knowing that they generate strife. 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 ‭2‬:‭23-26‬ NKJV)

I hear people in dispute over The Truth, everywhere! However, I find very few that exhibit humility as they argue their beliefs! 

Those who are in opposition to The Truth are captives of the devil and only God can bring them to repentance. 

When God brings one to repentance, The Truth is made known to them and they come to their senses; their eyes are opened to see the lie they have been living! In repentance they are set free; free to turn away from the very thing that has held them captive!

Foolish and ignorant disputes generate strife! They cause division in the body, as is the intent of the one behind all conflict; divide and conquer! That is why there are so many denominations. And each segment believes they have The Truth! 

So, what should we do? 

Avoid them! (disputes): Ask God to open our eyes and bring us to repentance! It's a walk, to be done daily, because unrepented sin hardens the heart! 

Ask for discernment of our leaders! In reading the above passage I feel blessed to perceive those qualities (humility, patience, gentleness) in those who teach me! God has truly given me wonderful examples of what a servant should be!

Pray! Pray God continues His Work in you! Pray God brings to repentance those who are in disputes! Pray for those who are in authority!

Seek The Truth! Lay aside everything that would pull you away from seeking Him with all of your heart! Ask God to have His way in your life! Give up your will for His will! Acknowledge Him as  your LORD and surrender control! (You don't have any anyway! It's an illusion, a snare of the devil!)

"For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places." (Ephesians‬ ‭6‬:‭12‬ NKJV)

Even so - MARANATHA! 

From 4/2/15, 8/16/15