“And the Lord said, Simon, Simon, behold, Satan hath desired to have you, that he may sift you as wheat: But I have prayed for thee, that thy faith fail not: and when thou art converted, strengthen thy brethren.”
Luke 22:31-32 KJV
Have you ever felt like Peter?
I always have!
Peter was always opening his mouth and saying something that (in retrospect,) you KNOW he would think, "I can't believe I said that!"
Well, in this verse we see Jesus stating that Peter was getting ready to go through something that could ultimately affect his walk; seriously damage his faith!
Then Jesus says, "But I have prayed for thee, that thy faith fail not:”
Well the enemy is still sifting believers today; attempting to destroy our walk; trying to kill us!
We are told to pray and we find great comfort when a friend says, "I'm praying for you!"
But just think, Jesus is still praying for us today! He is standing on the right side of the Father interceding for us, that our faith, also, fail not!
Do you think that God answers Jesus' prayers?
This storm you are going through; the sifting the enemy has purposed to derail your walk, is a part of God's plan to bring you to a realization of who He is! To make you admit and repent of the sin that is separating you from Him! To cause you to acknowledge that He is King of Kings and Lord of Lords and that life without Him is nothing!
Peter had walked with Jesus for 3 years but until the sifting; until he came to the end of himself; broken before the One Who would die for him, then and only then could he be used for the Kingdom in all power!
And you; when you come to the end of yourself and realize there is no where else to turn, you will find Him right there saying, "I've been praying for you!"
That's when the adventure begins!
Repent while there is still time!
Even so - MARANATHA!
9/24/13
Wednesday, January 31, 2018
Tuesday, January 30, 2018
Cry Out
Cry out to God
"The eyes of the Lord are upon the righteous, and his ears are open unto their cry. The face of the Lord is against them that do evil, to cut off the remembrance of them from the earth. The righteous cry, and the Lord heareth, and delivereth them out of all their troubles." (Psalms 34:15-17 KJV)
The is a difference in praying to God for relief of trials and tribulations, and crying out to God in brokenness!
“And it came to pass in process of time, that the king of Egypt died: and the children of Israel sighed by reason of the bondage, and they cried, and their cry came up unto God by reason of the bondage. And God heard their groaning, and God remembered his covenant with Abraham, with Isaac, and with Jacob. And God looked upon the children of Israel, and God had respect unto them.” Exodus 2:23-25 KJV
"Now therefore, behold, the cry of the children of Israel is come unto me: and I have also seen the oppression wherewith the Egyptians oppress them." (Exodus 3:9 KJV)
When the children of Israel's cries reached God, their grumbling and complaining had ceased!
A parent knows the difference when their children are fussy and when they are in actual distress. We see babies that never cry except when in crisis and others who cry continually. It doesn't take long for children to realize that if they "carry on", their worn out parent will cave in and their wants will be met! A parent that is wise will not give their child/children everything they desire because too much of anything is not good, for anyone; children and adults alike! God know what we need before we need it and supplies with love. He also withholds with love!
When the children of Israel's cries actually became the result of life and death issues, God acted! However, He did it in His time! He waited because He sees the big picture and knows when our hearts are ready for redemption!
"But as for you, ye thought evil against me; but God meant it unto good, to bring to pass, as it is this day, to save much people alive." (Genesis 50:20 KJV)
"And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose." (Romans 8:28 KJV)
If you are praying for deliverance or healing and you think you are ready and it seems like God is not hearing your prayers - trust Him! He knows when the time is right! He knows when the fire is hot enough. He knows when your heart is ready for submission!
“The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit: a broken and a contrite heart, O God, thou wilt not despise.” Psalms 51:17 KJV
Praying loud and long, in lamentation without obedience to His Word futile! Standing on promises without submission to His commandments is for naught! If it seems your prayers are not getting past the roof, examine your heart!
"Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand. Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness; And your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace; Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked. And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God: Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints;" (Ephesians 6:13-18 KJV)
The battle you are in is not with your spouse, your children, your boss, or the government! It is against the powers of darkness! So quoting the above scripture, yet complaining about "what he or she has done" is not displaying obedience! If you speak evil of someone you have not "girded your waist in truth!" The truth is: its not about you and them - it's about your relationship with God! No matter what they do, you must walk in forgiveness, love and repentance, before you can put on the breastplate of righteousness! You can not take the shield of faith in your hand if you have fear in your heart! Fear actually says, "I don't trust You God!"
Fear is unbelief!
Without righteousness, truth and faith; swinging the sword of the Spirit is like incantations! Speaking the Word of God in belief of the power of the words, is as witchcraft without obedience to His Commandments and humble submission to His authority in all things!
The trials and storms you are praying for relief of, are of God to bring you to the end of yourself! He wants you to totally rely on Him, not your own strength! While you are "standing" He's stoking the fires, so that the heat is hot enough to make you surrender!
"The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit: a broken and a contrite heart, O God, thou wilt not despise." (Psalms 51:17 KJV)
“Because they rebelled against the words of God, and contemned the counsel of the most High: Therefore he brought down their heart with labour; they fell down, and there was none to help. Then they cried unto the Lord in their trouble, and he saved them out of their distresses. He brought them out of darkness and the shadow of death, and brake their bands in sunder. Oh that men would praise the Lord for his goodness, and for his wonderful works to the children of men!” Psalms 107:11-15 KJV
Even so - MARANATHA!
From 6/27/15
Monday, January 29, 2018
If Any
“If any man have ears to hear, let him hear. And he said unto them, Take heed what ye hear: with what measure ye mete, it shall be measured to you: and unto you that hear shall more be given. For he that hath, to him shall be given: and he that hath not, from him shall be taken even that which he hath.”
Mark 4:23-25 KJV
"Take heed what ye hear!"
To what or who are you listening?
Are your ears turned or tuned towards God? Is His voice your desire or do you drown it out continually?
We are a society that has to have noise and that compulsion is of the enemy, because he knows it's in the still, quiet voice God speaks to His people.
The first thing we do when we awake is turn on the TV. The last thing we do is turn it off, or maybe even sleep with it on! People who live alone, the lonely especially; the enemy has convinced it's okay to play the TV just for "company." I hear people say all day, "I'm not watching I just play it for the noise!"
The stuff you see or hear on TV sows seeds contrary to The Word of God! It's content is one of evil. It promotes fear, anger and lust, discontent and hopelessness. It's like watching a train wreck, continually! We hope for happy endings and pray for fictitious characters! We even gossip about the "people" on programs we "wouldn't miss"! We suspend reality for the absurd! The actors are our idols and we put them before the One true God, by evidence of time spent in indulgence!
Even the programs deemed "Christian" are often water down to the point they no longer resemble Truth! Compromise of the Gospel as much evident there, as in churches across our land. These are bad seeds sown among and meant to choke out the good seed.
"Take heed what ye hear!"
“with what measure ye mete, it shall be measured to you: and unto you that hear shall more be given”
If all you sow is violence, then that is the crop you will have! You will have fear, anger, distrust, depression for those are the demons that perpetrate violence! Our families and our countries' statistics support this fact!
The only love, joy, peace, and contentment to be had are found in The Word of God! The more you spend in seeking Him, in His Word, the more good you will experience in your life! For only God is good!
If you go to a church and are fortunate enough to hear The Word, yet go home and turn on the TV, then that Word will be uprooted and not allowed to grow!
Our families, our very country is addicted to entertainment! We were sold a lie (and we bought it, hook, line and sinker) that we "deserve" to be happy and "entertainment" is the prescription for everything that ails us!
Happiness is an empty illusion that is short lived at best! The only lasting joy, to be had in this life, is obtained through obeying God's Commandments and a relationship with Him!
The only thing we deserve is hell!
Turn off the TV! Change your habits! Spend time with your family! Spend time with God! Change your life!
Wake up!!! Your life is not about here and now and not many of us get a second chance! It's all about eternity and eternity is a very long time! Repent while there is still time, for time is running out!
Even so - MARANATHA!
From 9/8/14
Sunday, January 28, 2018
Does It
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 ye forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you: But if ye forgive not men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses.”
Matthew 6:14-15 KJV
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, saith the Lord, every knee shall bow to me, and every tongue shall confess to God.”
Romans 14:11 KJV
“Is any among you afflicted? let him pray. Is any merry? let him sing psalms. Is any sick among you? 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 shall save the sick, and the Lord shall raise him up; and if he have committed sins, they shall be forgiven him.” James 5:13-15 KJV
The next verse: here is the hard part:
“Confess your faults one to another, and pray one for another, that ye may be healed. The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much.” James 5:16 KJV
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!
“And Moses said unto the people, Fear ye not, stand still, and see the salvation of the Lord, which he will shew to you to day: for the Egyptians whom ye have seen to day, ye shall see them again no more for ever.”
Exodus 14:13 KJV
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
Saturday, January 27, 2018
Yesterday
Yesterday morning I awoke knowing something in me was not quite right. So I took inventory. So many little aches and pains, not uncommon for a woman my age. Nothing major by themselves, but collectively disconcerting. So I took it to God!
I asked Him to show me what I had done, for I knew something in my heart was wrong. Upon examination pride seem to be the most prevalent issue; then came judging. Just like the aches in my body, collectively -dangerous. See even small unrepented sins are the first steps to a hardened heart.
Wednesday, I had listened to a sermon by Derek Prince, about Jonah and he pointed out something I had never heard. He said when God called Jonah to go and preach repentance to Nineveh, God gave the commandment to him on top of the mountain. Jonah, when he intentionally disobeyed God, had to descend the mountain to get to the ship. Every step closer to the water took him further down and farther away from God. And then even on the ship, when the storm (sent from God) arose, they found him in the lowest part of the ship. Of course, we know that Jonah had to go farther down before he turned back to God; clear down, in the belly of the whale, to the bottom of the ocean!
“But Jonah rose up to flee unto Tarshish from the presence of the Lord, and went down to Joppa; and he found a ship going to Tarshish: so he paid the fare thereof, and went down into it, to go with them unto Tarshish from the presence of the Lord. But the Lord sent out a great wind into the sea, and there was a mighty tempest in the sea, so that the ship was like to be broken. Then the mariners were afraid, and cried every man unto his god, and cast forth the wares that were in the ship into the sea, to lighten it of them. But Jonah was gone down into the sides of the ship; and he lay, and was fast asleep.”
Jonah 1:3-5 KJV
We all have that choice to either, descend into the pits in rebellion, or acknowledge our sin and turn back in obedience - through repentance! Restoration to a right relationship with God comes through obedience; humbling ourselves, confessing and repenting our sin; which takes much less time than running from God; for repent we must! Like Jonah, God will let us stay in our rebellion until we come to His way of thinking!
“Then Jonah prayed unto the Lord his God out of the fish's belly, And said, I cried by reason of mine affliction unto the Lord, and he heard me; out of the belly of hell cried I, and thou heardest my voice. For thou hadst cast me into the deep, in the midst of the seas; and the floods compassed me about: all thy billows and thy waves passed over me. Then I said, I am cast out of thy sight; yet I will look again toward thy holy temple.” Jonah 2:1-4 KJV
What has God called you to do, that you are not doing?
“And the word of the Lord came unto Jonah the second time, saying, Arise, go unto Nineveh, that great city, and preach unto it the preaching that I bid thee.” Jonah 3:1-2 KJV
We may not all be called to preach repentance to a city, however we are all called to obey God’s Commandments! And until we do, it won’t bode well with us!
All rebellion against God is as of witchcraft.
“For rebellion is as the sin of witchcraft, and stubbornness is as iniquity and idolatry” 1 Samuel 15:23b KJV
Yesterday, when my heart convicted me (in obedience to the scriptures) I confessed my sins to a friend and repented of my pride and judgments, he then prayed for me and immediately the heaviness in my heart left. My peace returned.
If you have a check in your spirit, ask God to reveal to you the sin that is hiding in your heart. I promise He will. (Don’t let pride rob you of peace!) Then in obedience to James 5:16 - find a brother or sister you can trust and confess and repent!
There is nothing sweeter than the peace that comes from obedience to God.
“And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.” Philippians 4:7 KJV
Even so - MARANATHA!
Friday, January 26, 2018
To Whom Then
“To whom then will ye liken me, or shall I be equal? saith the Holy One.” Isaiah 40:25 KJV
Have you compared your god to The Holy One?
Obviously they are not the same!
“To whom then will ye liken God? or what likeness will ye compare unto him? The workman melteth a graven image, and the goldsmith spreadeth it over with gold, and casteth silver chains. He that is so impoverished that he hath no oblation chooseth a tree that will not rot; he seeketh unto him a cunning workman to prepare a graven image, that shall not be moved.” Isaiah 40:18-20 KJV
The god you have created and worship is no different than those of old, as mentioned above! Your god has no more power than one carved of wood, stone or metal. The god you worship is not the God of The Bible, The Holy One of Israel, The Great I AM, because if he were, you would obey Him! Your god has no power, nor do you want him to have any, for then you would have to bend your will to His! And THAT you refuse to do!
You have chosen for yourself a "god of love"! One who loves you and will allow you to do whatever you want to do! One who is there only when you need him to be; one who promises everything but demands nothing!
"Wait a minute,” you say, “I do obey God! I don't kill, I don't steal! I pay my tithe! I go to church! I teach Sunday School! I even have a couple of Bibles! I do everything my pastor and denomination requires! I gave my heart to Jesus, at the altar, and am heaven bound!"
If The Creator of the universe, did not extend Mercy and Grace we would not be here, for we are indeed a stiffnecked, obstinate people!
“Have ye not known? have ye not heard? hath it not been told you from the beginning? have ye not understood from the foundations of the earth? It is he that sitteth upon the circle of the earth, and the inhabitants thereof are as grasshoppers; that stretcheth out the heavens as a curtain, and spreadeth them out as a tent to dwell in: That bringeth the princes to nothing; he maketh the judges of the earth as vanity. Yea, they shall not be planted; yea, they shall not be sown: yea, their stock shall not take root in the earth: and he shall also blow upon them, and they shall wither, and the whirlwind shall take them away as stubble. To whom then will ye liken me, or shall I be equal? saith the Holy One. Lift up your eyes on high, and behold who hath created these things, that bringeth out their host by number: he calleth them all by names by the greatness of his might, for that he is strong in power; not one faileth.” Isaiah 40:21-26 KJV
If we truly grasped Who God Is, we would be on our faces. crying out to Him in repentance, all the day long!
You who say you love and obey Him, yet harbor unforgiveness and bitterness in your heart; you are deceived!
You who have anger against your neighbor; you who live in fear; you who worry continually, you are rebellious! You refuse to repent of your sin! You are no different than the one who commits adultery; the one who murders their unborn child; the one who embezzles from his employer! Actually those "major" sins are not nearly as bad because people who do those things know they have sinned and are quicker to repent than the one who lives in fear!
Did you know that the sin of fear is basically saying that you don't trust God! Fear is unbelief. Fear says that you do not believe Him capable of taking care of your problem! You are making yourself to be god, because you believe you can do "it" better than He!
"For I, the LORD your God, will hold your right hand, Saying to you, ‘Fear not, I will help you.’ “Fear not, you worm Jacob, You men of Israel! I will help you,” says the LORD And your Redeemer, the Holy One of Israel". (Isaiah 41:13, 14 NKJV)
Why He puts up with us is beyond all comprehension! We bless Him one moment and in our next breath deny His power!
All through His Word, we are called to repentance! We are called to obedience! We are told to humble ourselves and exalt Him!
The storm you are going through is designed just for you; to bring you to your knees in submission to Him! He will stop you in your tracks to get your attention! If your storm has not reached that point, just wait! If this one doesn't get you, the next one will! He loves you that much! He is relentless in His pursuit of His!
Time is running out! Repent!
How bad it gets, is up to you!
Cry out to Him!
Humble yourself and repent!
Even so - MARANATHA!
From 6/26/14
Thursday, January 25, 2018
And Let The
“and let the Lord do that which is good in his sight.” 1 Chronicles 19:13b KJV
David trusted God!
“I will love thee, O Lord, my strength. The Lord is my rock, and my fortress, and my deliverer; my God, my strength, in whom I will trust; my buckler, and the horn of my salvation, and my high tower. I will call upon the Lord, who is worthy to be praised: so shall I be saved from mine enemies.”
Psalms 18:1-3 KJV
Time and time again, God delivered David from his enemies! Just like us!
“The sorrows of death compassed me, and the floods of ungodly men made me afraid. The sorrows of hell compassed me about: the snares of death prevented me. In my distress I called upon the Lord, and cried unto my God: he heard my voice out of his temple, and my cry came before him, even into his ears.” Psalms 18:4-6 KJV
David not only sought God when times were bad, he sought Him daily! David was in a relationship with God and he knew God was listening for his cry!
He is listening for your cry too!
“He delivered me from my strong enemy, and from them which hated me: for they were too strong for me. They prevented me in the day of my calamity: but the Lord was my stay. He brought me forth also into a large place; he delivered me, because he delighted in me.” Psalms 18:17-19 KJV
David knew God and God knew David! It was God's delight to deliver David! The same as God delights to show Himself strong for us! He is our Deliverer too!
Trusting God to do right for us is of paramount importance in our relationship too! Trusting God is knowing when we cry out He will act! Submission is allowing Him to be God and tell us how He will act on our behalf! David didn't TELL God what to do and how to do it! He said, “let the LORD do that which is good in his sight.” David knew God could see from beginning to end, not just what was before his eyes! And that His ways are higher!
“For thou wilt light my candle: the Lord my God will enlighten my darkness. For by thee I have run through a troop; and by my God have I leaped over a wall. As for God, his way is perfect: the word of the Lord is tried: he is a buckler to all those that trust in him. For who is God save the Lord? or who is a rock save our God? It is God that girdeth me with strength, and maketh my way perfect.” Psalms 18:28-32 KJV
Walking daily with God gives you the confidence to trust Him implicitly! For you know His nature! That walk is not just reading your Bible occasionally and then doing what you want; its consulting Him and letting Him guide you in every way, throughout your day! He makes your way perfect!!
You don't plan and then ask Him to bless it; you ask Him what you should do and then sit back and watch Him organize your every effort!
“He maketh my feet like hinds' feet, and setteth me upon my high places. He teacheth my hands to war, so that a bow of steel is broken by mine arms. Thou hast also given me the shield of thy salvation: and thy right hand hath holden me up, and thy gentleness hath made me great. Thou hast enlarged my steps under me, that my feet did not slip.” Psalms 18:33-36 KJV
Even when it looks like everything around you is falling apart, you can trust in Him to keep you from falling!
“The Lord liveth; and blessed be my rock; and let the God of my salvation be exalted. It is God that avengeth me, and subdueth the people under me. He delivereth me from mine enemies: yea, thou liftest me up above those that rise up against me: thou hast delivered me from the violent man. Therefore will I give thanks unto thee, O Lord, among the heathen, and sing praises unto thy name.” Psalms 18:46-49 KJV
We may not all be Davids, but He is still God! He never changes and is no respecter of persons! We are all His favorites!
Seek Him with your whole heart and He WILL establish you! It may not look like it at the time, but in the end you WILL see the salvation of The LORD!
Repent while there is still time! Submit your ways to Him!
Trust and obey!!!
Even so - MARANATHA!
From 12/18/15
Wednesday, January 24, 2018
The Hand Of
“The hand of our God is upon all them for good that seek him; but his power and his wrath is against all them that forsake him.” Ezra 8:22b KJV
“Yea, they have chosen their own ways, and their soul delighteth in their abominations. I also will choose their delusions, and will bring their fears upon them; because when I called, none did answer; when I spake, they did not hear: but they did evil before mine eyes, and chose that in which I delighted not.” Isaiah 66:3b-4 KJV
“For there is nothing hid, which shall not be manifested; neither was any thing kept secret, but that it should come abroad. If any man have ears to hear, let him hear.” Mark 4:22-23 KJV
We are such a tolerant people. I often hear, "as long as they are hurting no one else . . . "; we are so afraid of being accused of judging.
But there is One who sees all, and His judgment is righteous! We look on the outside, but He sees all; even into the heart of man. No, nothing is hidden from Him.
We have all heard of The Judgment Day, that soon approaches, however, our God is ever present and affects our lives everyday; for good for those who seek Him with their whole heart!
I remember in my past, that it felt like the world was against me; and it was. I had no idea that everything I tried (on my own) was cursed! (I know it felt that way and it was!) Then when at the end of myself, I found Him, He made everything my hand touched to be blessed! His promises are true! His Word never fails!
The difference of then and now is like night and day! Before - all darkness and great fear. Now - there is peace in the light, and calm assurance, when He is in control!
He calls to you today! Do not drown out that "still small voice" Who wants you for Himself! If you have been running from Him, it's now time to give up! He will win; He's bigger than you! You think you have control; that's a lie from the devil!
If you are tired of fighting a losing battle, give up! It is better to be a captive of The LORD than a slave to your own sins! He makes all things new; and for those who surrender all -there are great rewards!
Do not wait another moment! We are not promised tomorrow!
Repent while there is still time!
Even so - MARANATHA!
From 12/8/15
Tuesday, January 23, 2018
Nevertheless They Did
“Nevertheless they did flatter him with their mouth, and they lied unto him with their tongues. For their heart was not right with him, neither were they stedfast in his covenant.”
Psalms 78:36-37 KJV
Sundays and Wednesdays the people file into the buildings "doing" or "having" church! Because by traditions of men they are told that is what they must do; sing a few songs, give a few dollars, time done for another week!
Now God bless us!
It doesn't matter that our hearts are far from You! Our leaders say we are to be blessed if we do these things! We are sick and You will heal us! We are impoverished, but You will provide for our needs! We have done our due, now act on our behalf because we pray to You!
Covenant not taught, but benefits expected!
A time is coming and now is that the sheep and the goats will be separated!
If you seek Him you will find Him! Seek Him for Him and not for blessings! Stop lying to Him and to yourself! Stop with the flattering words that are empty of heart! Stop singing the songs when you have no intention of obedience! Stop claiming blessings expected without repentance!
Do not follow denominations or men who are not preaching repentance of sin! That "feel good" message that strokes you, will send you to hell! You are being deceived! Salvation is not an event, a few words spoken once at the altar, but a walk and reward for those who overcome the tests of this life! Pass your test! Turn around!
Repent!
Die to self and be found in Him.
Even so - MARANATHA!
From 3/18/14
“But if our gospel be hid, it is hid to them that are lost: In whom the god of this world hath blinded the minds of them which believe not, lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine unto them.” 2 Corinthians 4:3-4 KJV
Monday, January 22, 2018
And It Came
“And it came to pass on the morrow, that the evil spirit from God came upon Saul, and he prophesied in the midst of the house: and David played with his hand, as at other times: and there was a javelin in Saul's hand.”
1 Samuel 18:10 KJV
We know the story. David had killed the giant; the people had celebrated David and Saul had eyed him with jealousy and anger. Because of that sin an evil spirit came upon Saul.
“And Saul was afraid of David, because the Lord was with him, and was departed from Saul.” 1 Samuel 18:12 KJV
So, Saul was not only jealous and angry, but he also feared David! The Lord was with David but had departed from Saul. Notice when the evil spirit came upon Saul he prophesied! Here again is that lying Spirit we see in 1 Kings 22 and 2 Chronicles 18.
What jumped off the page at me this morning is that with the evil spirit Saul “prophesied.”
Confirmation that today’s prophets can prophesy from an unholy spirit. Where there is unrepented sin such as pride and ambition an evil spirit can and does impersonate a spirit of light. Just because one says “thus saith the Lord” does not mean he is speaking the truth. Here is where discernment is so important. And discernment comes from God.
“Again he said, Therefore hear the word of the Lord; I saw the Lord sitting upon his throne, and all the host of heaven standing on his right hand and on his left. And the Lord said, Who shall entice Ahab king of Israel, that he may go up and fall at Ramoth–gilead? And one spake saying after this manner, and another saying after that manner. Then there came out a spirit, and stood before the Lord, and said, I will entice him. And the Lord said unto him, Wherewith? And he said, I will go out, and be a lying spirit in the mouth of all his prophets. And the Lord said, Thou shalt entice him, and thou shalt also prevail: go out, and do even so. Now therefore, behold, the Lord hath put a lying spirit in the mouth of these thy prophets, and the Lord hath spoken evil against thee.” 2 Chronicles 18:18-22 KJV
Ahab was happy hearing the lies he wanted to hear! He didn’t like the truth, because he wanted everything his way. He refused to walk in obedience to God’s word. Even after the Truth was spoken to him, he refused to listen and obey! So God gave him up.
“For rebellion is as the sin of witchcraft, and stubbornness is as iniquity and idolatry. Because thou hast rejected the word of the Lord, he hath also rejected thee from being king.” 1 Samuel 15:23 KJV
When we reject The Truth, God rejects us too; just like he did Saul! Saul had the opportunity to turn back to God in repentance but because of the sin of pride, he refused - he disobeyed. He chose dark over light - rebellion to God’s Word.
Saul never humbled himself.
God has given up on many today for the same reason. Instead of humbling themselves before The LORD and seeking The Truth they seek a name for themselves; building bigger churches. Instead of preaching repentance of sin and obedience to The Word Of God, they preach a sugar-coated gospel that leads straight to hell, and the people love it! They worship another Jesus who does not require repentance of sin!
“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’ first message was repent and His last message to the church is the same!
“As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten: be zealous therefore, and repent.” Revelation 3:19 KJV
We must get this right! Pray for God to open your eyes, to the REAL truth! Seek it with your whole heart! Humble yourself, before He humbles you!
“If we say that we have fellowship with him, and walk in darkness, we lie, and do not the truth: But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin. If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. If we say that we have not sinned, we make him a liar, and his word is not in us.” 1 John 1:6-10 KJV
“Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God, that he may exalt you in due time: Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you. Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour:” 1 Peter 5:6-8 KJV
Even so - MARANATHA!
Sunday, January 21, 2018
Yesterday
Yesterday, a dear friend and sister in The LORD posted the following:
“No matter what we face, God wants us to do the right thing! No excuses, No exceptions!” Allison Trammell
I LOVED THAT!!! It was such a timely word for us today!
It seems everywhere we turn, people are justifying their sins. Very few will own up, instead excuses are made and blame cast on someone or something else.
Why? Because people love their sin more than they love God!
“And this is the condemnation, that light is come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil.” John 3:19 KJV
People say they love God, but their words and actions say differently!
“If ye love me, keep my commandments.” John 14:15 KJV
“And thou shalt do that which is right and good in the sight of the Lord: that it may be well with thee,” Deuteronomy 6:18a KJV
Did you notice God says when we do what is good and right in His eyes, it will go well for us? It’s true! He blesses those who obey His WORD!
The children of Israel were always in trouble for doing “what was right in their own eyes.” That often is in direct opposition to what God considers right!
“And there shall cleave nought of the cursed thing to thine hand: that the Lord may turn from the fierceness of his anger, and shew thee mercy, and have compassion upon thee, and multiply thee, as he hath sworn unto thy fathers; When thou shalt hearken to the voice of the Lord thy God, to keep all his commandments which I command thee this day, to do that which is right in the eyes of the Lord thy God.” Deuteronomy 13:17-18 KJV
“Therefore to him that knoweth to do good, and doeth it not, to him it is sin.” James 4:17 KJV
Praise God we have an advocate; a High Priest we can go to when our heart convicts us of our sins!
“If we say that we have fellowship with him, and walk in darkness, we lie, and do not the truth: But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin. If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. If we say that we have not sinned, we make him a liar, and his word is not in us.” 1 John 1:6-10 KJV
“Confess your faults one to another, and pray one for another, that ye may be healed. The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much.” James 5:16 KJV
“Teach me to do thy will; for thou art my God: thy spirit is good; lead me into the land of uprightness.”
Psalms 143:10 KJV
“He hath shewed thee, O man, what is good; and what doth the Lord require of thee, but to do justly, and to love mercy, and to walk humbly with thy God?” Micah 6:8 KJV
Loving Him; walking humbly with God is a daily, moment by moment, continuous thing! Examine your heart frequently and repent when He exposes your sin!
That is doing right!
Even so - MARANATHA!
Saturday, January 20, 2018
But If
“But if ye will not obey the voice of the Lord, but rebel against the commandment of the Lord, then shall the hand of the Lord be against you, as it was against your fathers.”
1 Samuel 12:15 KJV
No matter how many times I read this verse, I am amazed, that we as Believers don’t walk closer to The LORD! Such a strong admonition! No mincing of words here! Can anything be worse than The LORD being against us? All because of disobedience to His Word!
Isn’t that where we are today; walking contrary to His Word?
We are so deceived!
We think we are “okay” - we think we are blessed! All the while the curses of The LORD are all over us! Just read Deuteronomy 28! But because our denominations have said The Law is no longer valid we stay in darkness!
We think because we haven’t stolen, or killed someone, we keep His Commandments. Yet we have not honored our parents, we covet; we lie; our idols are too numerous to mention; not even taking into consideration the sins we have hiding in our hearts! The grumbling and complaining; the unbelief (fear & worry), resentment, bitterness, judging, and the biggest of all - unforgiveness! (Matthew 6:14-15) Because of these sins we are sick, our children and grandchildren are rebellious, divorce is rampant. We live in the most prosperous country in the world and the most evil. We are so desensitized we don’t even see the unrelenting filth that affronts us in the media!
We do not seek The LORD!!
But because we give Him an hour most weeks we are convinced we are good Christians! We might open our Bible occasionally; read a few “affirming” scriptures, or an uplifting book, but to spend time with Him and seek Him as He instructs us to - doesn’t happen! We treat God like our old parents - we’ve put Him away and visit when we have the time. Oh, yes we love Him as long as it doesn’t interfere with our plans!
Yet, when our life falls apart we cry out to Him, and thankfully His mercy and His grace abounds; and He is there!
Continuing in my morning read:
“Moreover as for me, God forbid that I should sin against the Lord in ceasing to pray for you: but I will teach you the good and the right way: Only fear the Lord, and serve him in truth with all your heart: for consider how great things he hath done for you.”
1 Samuel 12:23-24 KJV
Our church leaders have failed to teach us the “good and right way!” They are so concerned with numbers and dollars, they cannot afford to risk offending anyone! The Truth is offensive! It has to be - to turn us around! “We are so lost, yet think we are found!” (to paraphrase Joyce Green!) We justify our sin, instead of owning it and repenting! We in fact love our sin more than we love The LORD, or we would examine our hearts, humble ourselves and confess our sins that we might be healed! (James 5:16)
The last verse in my read this morning is chilling: “But if ye shall still do wickedly, ye shall be consumed, both ye and your king.” 1 Samuel 12:25 KJV
We must turn and repent for we are being consumed! Just read the news.
Father, I pray you open our eyes, open our ears, and change our hearts! Bring us to repentance LORD. Show us our sins! Have mercy on us LORD for we are undone! We thank You for Your grace! Thank You LORD for The Cross; Thank You for The Blood Your Son shed, for us, to make a way back to You! Father please forgive us!
Even so - MARANATHA!
Friday, January 19, 2018
When The Heart
"When the heart of man touches the heart of God, miracles happen!" Chet Murrell
That quote from my pastor is what came to mind this morning when I read the following verse:
“For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith the Lord, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you an expected end. Then shall ye call upon me, and ye shall go and pray unto me, and I will hearken unto you. And ye shall seek me, and find me, when ye shall search for me with all your heart. And I will be found of you, saith the Lord: and I will turn away your captivity, and I will gather you from all the nations, and from all the places whither I have driven you, saith the Lord; and I will bring you again into the place whence I caused you to be carried away captive.” Jeremiah 29:11-14 KJV
Do you hear what God is saying through Jeremiah? Do you hear His heart?
He sounds so much like the parents I hear everyday, mourning their children of whom they have little or no contact! The anguish they feel; the isolation; the aloneness! The promise unrealized. We love our children and after raising them, we anticipate sharing their success in adulthood, in fellowship. However, often that companionship is unknown. The kids are busy, living the life we helped them make. They might call. We hope for get-togethers on special occasions. Sometimes they occur; sometimes not. We hope for a phone call. A visit. We get them, when there is a need, but occasionally "just because" would be nice.
Do you hear it in the above verse? God's heart for His wayward children? His longing for fellowship? His love and desire to commune with those He created? We are so busy; we give Him so little. Oh, we offer a prayer in crisis, but to just set aside time, "just because" . . .
Our relationships with our kids -
a reflection of our relationship with God?
Unlike most parents, God allows us to go our own way! To fall down and learn from our mistakes, if we wish. However, most of the time we insist on making the same mistakes over and over. He's there when we call to Him! But He allows us to grow and encourages us to mature, so we will realize that His ways are the best for us!
In contrast we often enable our children, in their rebellion and keep them dependent on us, because of our need. Not letting them go. That is our rebellion against God! For we make them to be idols and seek love to meet our needs that our children are unable to provide! This is love twisted, and it is prevalent in the world! In fact, the world ONLY knows twisted love. It's basis for love is "self"; what's in it for "me!"
Because we, have not repented of our idolatry, God allows the trials and storms of our captivity to escalate to the point we will call out to Him! He, ever the loving Father, is there listening for the broken hearted cry, of His child finally turning to Him in submission; so that He can establish the relationship we have avoided!
When will we realize our happiness only comes from obedience to our Father/Creator's commandments, and He allows our waywardness till we come to the end of ourselves? Then we find Him!
Why do we have to end up broken before we find Him? Why so much pain and suffering before we turn? Because there can be only One God, and we are not Him! As long as we vie for control, He is not our LORD.
If you are tired and battle weary, get off the throne and let Him take His rightful place!
Let your heart, touch His heart and see the miracle occur; new life, joy unspeakable, peace that passes all understanding in the midst of life's storms; fellowship with The Lover of Your soul; the very One Who gave His life for you! What a Miracle!
You want a purpose for your empty life? Make Him your Principal Purpose! Then and only then will you know why you are here! He has work for His servants, and it's time to get busy!
Repent while there is still time!
Even so - MARANATHA!
From: 3/9/16
Thursday, January 18, 2018
Go, Enquire
“Go, enquire of the Lord for me, and for them that are left in Israel and in Judah, concerning the words of the book that is found: for great is the wrath of the Lord that is poured out upon us, because our fathers have not kept the word of the Lord, to do after all that is written in this book.”
2 Chronicles 34:21 KJV
'FOR GREAT IS THE WRATH OF THE LORD THAT IS POURED OUT UPON US, because our fathers have not kept the word of the LORD, to do after all that is written in this book.”
Josiah saw it! I see it! Do you see it?
“And it came to pass, when the king had heard the words of the law, that he rent his clothes.” 2 Chronicles 34:19 KJV
King Josiah rent his clothes!
We are told to rend our hearts!
“And rend your heart, and not your garments, and turn unto the Lord your God: for he is gracious and merciful, slow to anger, and of great kindness, and repenteth him of the evil.” Joel 2:13 KJV
We must deal with the sins in our hearts! Rip them out if necessary; if they are buried so deep and we are so proud! Whatever it takes!
God wants a clean heart; a submissive heart; a willing heart! We have to lay down our control and humble ourselves; die to our flesh! We ask Him to give us His heart, without any effort on our part! No remorse. No repentance!
Owning our sin; taking responsibility for our sin is the first step to having a clean heart! The devil will tell you it is someone else's fault! "They made you do it", "I was born that way", and many other excuses he will bring to mind. Our doctors even give it a medical name and a billing code to justify our rebellion! We can not justify our sin.
The other big lie is that "I don't have to repent because ALL my sins were forgiven when I got saved!"
IF THAT were the case, THEN the following verse would not have been written to the church
“Confess your faults one to another, and pray one for another, that ye may be healed. The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much.” James 5:16 KJV
Like in Josiah's time The Book Of The Law has been lost in the church!
No preaching of repentance of sin! You listen! You will not hear a sermon on confessing your sin to one another! Yet THAT's from where the healing comes! Humbling yourself, laying down your pride and repenting in front of a brother or sister in obedience to God's Word, brings the power for healing! We have eliminated that scripture and that's why the church is sick! We quote the two before, and ignore the last part of that one! Look!
“Is any sick among you? 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 shall save the sick, and the Lord shall raise him up; and if he have committed sins, they shall be forgiven him. Confess your faults one to another, and pray one for another, that ye may be healed. The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much.” James 5:14-16 KJV
The body suffers and dies and our denominations hold onto the traditions of men and false doctrines!
Such a travesty!
Repent church before it's too late!
Rend your heart!
“And David said unto Nathan, I have sinned against the Lord. And Nathan said unto David, The Lord also hath put away thy sin; thou shalt not die.”
2 Samuel 12:13 KJV
David confessed! God spared him!
We quote: “If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land.” 2 Chronicles 7:14 KJV
And once again we expect God to answer our prayers without our obedience!
You need healing? Ask God to open your eyes! Ask Him to reveal the sins hiding in your heart. Find someone you can trust and confess your sins and repent - before it’s too late!
Even so - MARANATHA!
From: 11/21/15
Wednesday, January 17, 2018
A Son Honoureth
“A son honoureth his father, and a servant his master: if then I be a father, where is mine honour? and if I be a master, where is my fear? saith the Lord of hosts unto you, O priests, that despise my name. And ye say, Wherein have we despised thy name? Ye offer polluted bread upon mine altar; and ye say, Wherein have we polluted thee? In that ye say, The table of the Lord is contemptible. And if ye offer the blind for sacrifice, is it not evil? and if ye offer the lame and sick, is it not evil? offer it now unto thy governor; will he be pleased with thee, or accept thy person? saith the Lord of hosts. And now, I pray you, beseech God that he will be gracious unto us: this hath been by your means: will he regard your persons? saith the Lord of hosts.” Malachi 1:6-9 KJV
Are you offering polluted bread on your altar to God?
You call Him "Father", yet you don't honor, or obey, much less fear Him!
Instead of giving Him your best, your all; you give Him crumbs from your table (if you even think about it) and a few hours of your week!
When you are called on it, just like the children of Israel you make excuses and have an attitude, like "WHO are YOU?" You refuse to humble yourself, submit your will to His, yet are convinced you are "saved", because your denomination told you so! It doesn't matter what The Word of God says!
“Who is there even among you that would shut the doors for nought? neither do ye kindle fire on mine altar for nought. I have no pleasure in you, saith the Lord of hosts, neither will I accept an offering at your hand.” Malachi 1:10 KJV
"I have no pleasure in you!"
Oooooooo doesn't that just cut you to the quick? I surely hope so! Because if it doesn't, your heart has grown cold! Or, if you get angry at these words, then there is sin that has hardened your heart!
“Even from the days of your fathers ye are gone away from mine ordinances, and have not kept them. Return unto me, and I will return unto you, saith the Lord of hosts. But ye said, Wherein shall we return?” Malachi 3:7 KJV
Think about your relationship with God! Are you seeking Him with your whole heart, submitting your will to His? Are you "sold out"? If your children gave you the same consideration you give God, would you be pleased or would you feel short changed?
God says, "return to Me and I'll return to you"!!!!!!
Time is running out!
“For, behold, the day cometh, that shall burn as an oven; and all the proud, yea, and all that do wickedly, shall be stubble: and the day that cometh shall burn them up, saith the Lord of hosts, that it shall leave them neither root nor branch.” Malachi 4:1 KJV
Take a close look at your life, examine your heart, turn back to God!
Repent, before it's too late!!!
Even so - MARANATHA!
From 9/30/14
“Then shall ye return, and discern between the righteous and the wicked, between him that serveth God and him that serveth him not.”
Malachi 3:18 KJV
Tuesday, January 16, 2018
Whosoever Cometh
“Whosoever cometh to me, and heareth my sayings, and doeth them, I will shew you to whom he is like: He is like a man which built an house, and digged deep, and laid the foundation on a rock: and when the flood arose, the stream beat vehemently upon that house, and could not shake it: for it was founded upon a rock. But he that heareth, and doeth not, is like a man that without a foundation built an house upon the earth; against which the stream did beat vehemently, and immediately it fell; and the ruin of that house was great.” Luke 6:47-49 KJV
Just about all "the church" has heard or read the above scripture and claims to have built their house on "The Rock" - Jesus Christ! We've sung the songs, and prayed, confessed this scripture in an effort to convince God (or ourselves) that we are a "doer" of The Word!
But are you? You who say that you are a doer; are you really?
Notice what it takes to build on the Rock:“digged deep, and laid the foundation on a rock”
Are you digging deep?
Do you get up early or stay up late, or set a side time during the day, to spend time reading your Bible? Or does it have dust on it? Do you even know where it is?
Do you listen or read only scriptures that make you feel good, or do you seek (in The Word for) the Truth that will convict you of your sin and refine you to His image?
Digging deep to lay a foundation is painful! It builds muscles! It takes time and is repetitive! It takes a desire to do a job to the best of your ability and see it through to the end! It takes commitment!
Is THAT how you approach your walk with The LORD?
Well, you can examine yourself in the little storm you are already in, and determine if your foundation is solid! If you have fear and worry then you built on sand, not a rock!
Fear, worry, double-mindedness, are sin! They are sand! They and unforgiveness, bitterness, and judgment ARE the mortar for walls; but those walls keep God out!
God is saying: tear down those walls of unbelief, doubt, and other sins that are separating you from His blessings!
Dig deeper! Get rid of your sins! Tear down the lies; the shoddy construction, (the denominational doctrine and traditions of men) that have laid the walls that will not hold up in a storm!
You insist; you choose excellence in your construction and demand of yourself and for your family - the excavation through the sand, all the way to The Rock and begin building the right and true foundation!
Time is running out and the storms, THE BAD STORMS are coming!
Start today!
“But he that heareth, and doeth not, is like a man that without a foundation built an house upon the earth; against which the stream did beat vehemently, and immediately it fell; and the ruin of that house was great.”
Luke 6:49 KJV
Get your foundation laid before the ground is too wet to dig!
Father forgive me for putting everything else above you. I repent LORD, for being too busy to spend time with you! I want to know You, and be known by You! My desire is for You! Make me and mold me into Your Son’s image! Cleanse me from all unrighteousness! I give up my right to be right! Have Your way in me!
Even so - MARANATHA!
From: 6/5/14
Monday, January 15, 2018
Thus Saith
“Thus saith the Lord, Stand ye in the ways, and see, and ask for the old paths, where is the good way, and walk therein, and ye shall find rest for your souls. But they said, We will not walk therein.” Jeremiah 6:16 KJV
I had a dream last year. I and my friends were in a desert looking for water. They as a group went one way, I headed in a different direction. I found a beautiful pool of clear running water and drank deep! Then I set off to find my friends and tell them of my find. When I came upon them and excitedly told them of my discovery, they refused to come and see! Though they were dry and thirsty, and I had proof of refreshment, they kept going in the same direction, convinced they were on the right path. I told another friend about my dream and she encouraged me to keep telling, saying, that they would eventually hear The Truth!
The Truth is "the old paths". The Truth was handed down at the foundation of the earth! The Truth doesn't come any older and The Truth never changes.
However, it has been so long since The Truth has been taught, it is now considered a new thing, and people are reluctant to hear, because it goes against the traditions of their parents, their grandparents and their denominations!
The good way, or the old way is The Law, that most denominations teach we are not under; which is true, sorta!
“Therefore by the deeds of the law there shall no flesh be justified in his sight: for by the law is the knowledge of sin.” Romans 3:20 KJV
Yes, we are not saved through The Law, but through Grace, however when we sin, the curse of The Law is standing there!
Here is the kicker! By removing the law, the denominations do not teach what is sin! Hence there is nothing of which to Repent! If you don't know fear, worry, unforgiveness, bitterness (and the like) are sin, how do you know to repent of them?
Even Jesus spoke of this: “And that repentance and remission of sins should be preached in his name among all nations, beginning at Jerusalem.” Luke 24:47 KJV
The "feel good message", that is being preached in today's pulpits, does not convict, because conviction of sin does not feel good!
Salvation may be preached and the altars filled, but they are with false converts! Without repentance and the turning away from sin there is no salvation!
You cannot continue in sin and go to heaven! If you have unforgiveness in your heart (which is sin) you will not be forgiven!
“For if ye forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you: But if ye forgive not men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses.” Matthew 6:14-15 KJV
If unforgiveness is addressed it is preached to "put it behind you"; sweep it under the rug! You may say "I have forgiven", however, if the memory still hurts it's not forgiven!
“Confess your faults one to another, and pray one for another, that ye may be healed. The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much.” James 5:16 KJV
Confession and repentance of sin is the only way to freedom! This is Truth!
You can receive forgiveness and healing and you can walk in freedom from the curse of the law! You can experience peace and joy as promised in The Word! You can be healed, but it takes an effort on your part! It does not come without a cost! It is painful, uncomfortable, but not as much as what Jesus experienced - for you to be able to be saved!
Salvation is not an event it is a walk! It is not going to the altar and saying a few words and then continuing to live like you did before you walked the aisle!
Salvation requires humbling yourself! It demands you admitting your need to be saved from your sin! You have to admit you can't do it on your own, that you need a Savior! It takes laying down your pride, confessing your sin to someone you can trust and asking God for forgiveness of your sins and it takes repentance (the turning away from sin)!
This is The Way and there is no other way! It is not new! It is scriptural! It is Truth!
This is walking on the narrow path! Walking in forgiveness and in repentance is the good way! There is peace and rest for your soul on this path!
I know!
I have peace!
I have joy!
I have rest, and every other promise I had only read about in The Bible, before I found "the good way"!
Even so - MARANATHA!
From 7/2/14
Addendum: I’ve seen many, many set free and saved, but am still waiting on my friends.
Sunday, January 14, 2018
Thus Saith
“Thus saith the Lord of hosts, Hearken not unto the words of the prophets that prophesy unto you: they make you vain: they speak a vision of their own heart, and not out of the mouth of the Lord. They say still unto them that despise me, The Lord hath said, Ye shall have peace; and they say unto every one that walketh after the imagination of his own heart, No evil shall come upon you.” Jeremiah 23:16-17 KJV
“The anger of the Lord shall not return, until he have executed, and till he have performed the thoughts of his heart: in the latter days ye shall consider it perfectly. I have not sent these prophets, yet they ran: I have not spoken to them, yet they prophesied. But if they had stood in my counsel, and had caused my people to hear my words, then they should have turned them from their evil way, and from the evil of their doings.” Jeremiah 23:20-22 KJV
“But if they had stood in my counsel, and had caused my people to hear my words, then they should have turned them from their evil way, and from the evil of their doings.”
Read it again!
“But if they had stood in my counsel, and had caused my people to hear my words, then they should have turned them from their evil way, and from the evil of their doings.”
If your favorite preacher is not preaching repentance of sin, then he is NOT preaching the Word of God! If he is not pointing you to the cross and telling you that it will cost you to be a Follower of Jesus, then he is preaching a different gospel!
“Hearken not unto the words of the prophets that prophesy unto you: they make you vain:”
vain
adjective
- 1.having or showing an excessively high opinion of one's appearance, abilities, or worth.
synonyms: conceited, narcissistic, self-loving, in love with oneself, self-admiring, self-regarding, self-obsessed, egocentric, egotistic, egotistical;More proud, arrogant, boastful, cocky, cocksure, immodest, swaggering;informalbig-headed;antonyms: modest - 2.producing no result; useless.
synonyms: futile, useless, pointless, to no purpose, hopeless, in vain; More ineffective, ineffectual, inefficacious, impotent, unavailing, to no avail, fruitless, profitless, unrewarding, unproductive, unsuccessful, failed, abortive, for nothing;thwarted, frustrated, foiled;
Proud, self-loving, immodest, useless, hopeless, fruitless; words which describe many who attend church these latter days! When God really gets a hold of you there is a change; you must conform to the image of Christ!
“For false Christs and false prophets shall rise, and shall shew signs and wonders, to seduce, if it were possible, even the elect.” Mark 13:22 KJV
If your church is observing and celebrating signs and wonders, but NOT preaching repentance of sin, then it is not from The LORD!
As in days of old, when The Lord shows up NO ONE can stand before Him! Fear and trembling are present in His presence! There is no laughter, but much tears! One is greatly aware of how “undone” he is! (Isaiah 6:5)
“So that the priests could not stand to minister by reason of the cloud: for the glory of the Lord had filled the house of God.” 2 Chronicles 5:14 KJV
Beware you who are seeking the LORD without a willingness to humble yourself! He will humble you!
“For whosoever exalteth himself shall be abased; and he that humbleth himself shall be exalted.” Luke 14:11 KJV
“But he answered and said unto them, An evil and adulterous generation seeketh after a sign; and there shall no sign be given to it, but the sign of the prophet Jonas:”
Matthew 12:39 KJV
Do not seek the sign!
“But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.” Matthew 6:33 KJV
“Therefore, behold, I am against the prophets, saith the Lord, that steal my words every one from his neighbour. Behold, I am against the prophets, saith the Lord, that use their tongues, and say, He saith. Behold, I am against them that prophesy false dreams, saith the Lord, and do tell them, and cause my people to err by their lies, and by their lightness; yet I sent them not, nor commanded them: therefore they shall not profit this people at all, saith the Lord.” Jeremiah 23:30-32 KJV
If He is against the prophets that speak lies, He will also be against those who willingly listen and believe.
“Now therefore, behold, the Lord hath put a lying spirit in the mouth of all these thy prophets, and the Lord hath spoken evil concerning thee.” 1 Kings 22:23 KJV
Father I pray: LORD open our eyes, that we may not be deceived!
Change our hearts and bring us to repentance! Forgive our lukewarmness and our self-centeredness! Turn us back to You LORD, that we may follow You - all of our days - in all of Your ways!
Humble yourself and repent!
Even so - MARANATHA!
From 12/22/15
Saturday, January 13, 2018
But Seek Ye
“But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.” Matthew 6:33 KJV
The 6th chapter of Matthew has to be one of the meatiest chapters in the Bible! It's foundational and when reading it, most would consider its simplicity to be milk! The importance of its content however, belies that notion!
When we begin building a structure the foundation is of supreme importance! It's soundness dictates whether the building stands or falls when the storms come!
So is your foundation sound?
Do you "seek first" in all your ways; you who are new in The Lord?
Do you, who claim to have known Him all your life, seek Him in everything?
Or are you still walking in your own strength? Trying to figure out in your own flesh, how to do; how to gain; how to make - something? Weighing your options; mulling it over in your mind; staying torn up over your indecision?
Is that why you are floundering?
“Therefore take no thought, saying, What shall we eat? or, What shall we drink? or, Wherewithal shall we be clothed? (For after all these things do the Gentiles seek:) for your heavenly Father knoweth that ye have need of all these things.” Matthew 6:31-32 KJV
When you have your focus on The Lord; when you seek Him in everything; you have no worry; you have no fear! You have no confusion over a decision, because you are not placing your trust or faith in yourself, or external forces! You are choosing to ignore what the enemy is telling you, and believe that The Creator of The Universe, The King of all kings and The LORD of all lords will do what He says He will do!
THAT is seeking first!
THAT is looking to the Author and Finisher of your faith!
When you "seek first" and doubt tries to raise his ugly head, you choose to stand firm in your belief that He is your provider and because His Word says He will - you will trust, no matter what your circumstances look like!
You choice is vital!
Who do you choose to believe?
God or the devil?
What you see or what His Word says!
If you are worrying, if you have fear, then your choice is apparent! However, you can change your mind! You do not have to stay in the enemies' camp!
“Be not ye therefore like unto them: for your Father knoweth what things ye have need of, before ye ask him.”
Matthew 6:8 KJV
“After this manner therefore pray ye: Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil: For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever. Amen.” Matthew 6:9-13 KJV
If you have prayed and your prayers are not being answered, examine your heart. Sin like unforgiveness can block your prayers.
Jesus still speaking: “For if ye forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you: But if ye forgive not men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses.” Matthew 6:14-15 KJV
When in obedience you have confessed your sin and forgiven all who have hurt you and repented of those you have hurt, you have made Jesus Lord and chosen to obey His Commandments. Refusing to forgive and repent is rebellion.
Now - repent for not trusting God and read Matthew 6:33. Then while you are at it, read it again; and then read it again! When Jesus Christ is your LORD and you are walking in obedience you can stand on His Word!
“But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you. Take therefore no thought for the morrow: for the morrow shall take thought for the things of itself. Sufficient unto the day is the evil thereof.” Matthew 6:33-34 KJV
Those who stay in The Word of God; those who are obedient to His Commandments will stand in the fiercest battles, because they do not stand alone!
Even so - MARANATHA!
From 6/17/14
My foundation stands!
It is secure - anchored in The Rock!
I dug deep!
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