I Begin

I begin my day in Job (ending at 13:15) then I flip over and read Psalm 91; both appropriate for what I face today.

We begin our vacation at 5:00 this afternoon with a total of 20 hours in flight. 

I am loaded with sermons; Paris Reidhead, A.W. Tozer, David Wilkerson, Carter Conlon, Ken Carpenter, Chet Murrell, and others - all my companions, while I crochet a scarf of great proportion! I thank God for earbuds and more relaxed TSA rules.

I will do my daily posts, but the time will be varied, depending on the availability of WiFi. Watch for pics! I will try not to blow up your newsfeed!

We would greatly appreciate your prayers for favor, encouragement and  travel mercies, coming and going!

Even so - MARANATHA 

Whereas Ye Know Not

“Whereas ye know not what shall be on the morrow. For what is your life? It is even a vapour, that appeareth for a little time, and then vanisheth away.”

‭‭James‬ ‭4:14‬ ‭KJV‬‬

If today was the last day of your life -

What would you want to tell the ones you love? 

Would you tell them how much you love them and ask their forgiveness for not being a better spouse/parent/

grandparent/friend/employee? 

Would you remind them of the wonderful memories you've shared or would you tell them of the regrets you have for not giving more of yourself to them? 

Would you tell them how much you will miss them and how you wish you you could stay? 

Would you tell them that you are ready to die and meet your Maker? 

Would you tell them that it is with mixed emotions that you leave; hating to leave them but excited to finally see, face to face, the one who gave His life for yours! 

Would you tell them that your prayer is for them to repent and seek God with their whole heart and follow Him all their days? That you hope that they too will long to be with The LORD with their whole heart; that when their life is over, they can spend eternity with The LORD!  

Would you explain to them that this life is not about here and now; about what you earn; where you live or what you drive!

Or would you cry out in fear; wondering where you will go and what legacy you leave; if anyone will miss you?

Don't wait to repent and make things right!

Tomorrow just might be your last! 

Or today.

Even so -MARANATHA! 

From 2/26/14

Repentance A Change

"Repentance: a change from pleasing self, to pleasing God!" Paris Reidhead 'Incomplete Repentance'

“I tell you, Nay: but, except ye repent, ye shall all likewise perish.”  Luke‬ ‭13:3‬ ‭KJV‬‬

Our desire to please Him is THE CHANGE! We naturally want to please ourselves because we are in this world! The change that true repentance brings is obedience to His Word, which says:

“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.” Matthew‬ ‭22:37‬ ‭KJV‬‬

THAT which you love is what you live for; care for; look out for; sacrifice for; die for! 

It's either you or Him!

There can be only One! 

“No man can serve two masters: for either he will hate the one, and love the other; or else he will hold to the one, and despise the other. Ye cannot serve God and mammon.” Matthew‬ ‭6:24‬ ‭KJV‬‬

“There is one body, and one Spirit, even as ye are called in one hope of your calling; One Lord, one faith, one baptism, One God and Father of all, who is above all, and through all, and in you all.”  ‭‭Ephesians‬ ‭4:4-6‬ ‭KJV‬‬

We want to go this way -

He says, “Go that way!”

“And thine ears shall hear a word behind thee, saying, This is the way, walk ye in it, when ye turn to the right hand, and when ye turn to the left.”

‭‭Isaiah‬ ‭30:21‬ ‭KJV‬‬

Every “way” we find that we are in conflicts with His Way, “His Way” prevails. 

"We must have a attitude of  receiving constant correction from the Lord." Paris Reidhead

Our attitude must be today (and everyday) I want to please God!

My prayer: Father, forgive me for all of the times I fail to listen to your still small voice. Forgive me for allowing my wants and desires to come before Yours! I do want to please You in all my ways, for You are my heart's desire! I repent for walking in my flesh and not in Your Spirit! Thank You LORD for Your mercy and grace!

EVEN SO - MARANATHA! 

From 7/12/16, 

If There Arises

“If there arise among you a prophet, or a dreamer of dreams, and giveth thee a sign or a wonder, And the sign or the wonder come to pass, whereof he spake unto thee, saying, Let us go after other gods, which thou hast not known, and let us serve them; Thou shalt not hearken unto the words of that prophet, or that dreamer of dreams: for the Lord your God proveth you, to know whether ye love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul.” Deuteronomy‬ ‭13:1-3‬ ‭KJV‬‬

I have come to the conclusion that life is nothing but processes and tests, all meant to conform us to our father's image. And we have to decide which one. The father of this world or our Heavenly Father. 

Our Heavenly Father lovingly pursues us and then gently guides our steps to perfect us into His Son's image. Sometimes because of our rebellious heart He has to use a sledgehammer. 

The father of this world in which we are born, along with his minions spend every moment trying to destroy what The Father loves. 

We spend our days here searching for love and truth and there are many counterfeits! Our pursuit leaves us wanting until we find the correct path, i.e. the narrow road that leads to Life everlasting. It's the hard road; least traveled.

All of the other roads have signs directing you to them, and of course the all say "narrow road!" Some have big flashing lights. Some are classic. Some are paved with jewels! The right road is overgrown and the path rocky. It's not appealing for all of the blood! You see our flesh does not want the pain. It does not want the lack. We do not want to be inconvenienced in any way. We want the promises and the crowns, but we don't want the sacrifice that it takes to procure them!

You see the narrow road requires you to lay down your "self"; give no consideration to your flesh. In fact it requires your flesh to die! And dying to self hurts! 

Looking at; owning your sin and confessing it to another person, means laying down your pride. No one wants to do that! And that is what we are commanded to do! (James 5:16)

The majority of denominations offer a sterile salvation; where you don't get dirty and you look good! Everyone cheers and applauds you walking down the aisle, you say some words, pronounced "saved" and the angels rejoice! Then you go to church the rest of your life (maybe) and live life like the world, unchanged.  That is the broad road.

Then there are other options. Much like buying a car. They will cost you, but we are told they are worth it. They give the appearance of "rightness", because they require effort, in study, money, maybe even travel. You might even have to relocate. Lots of people do it and again there's the applause. People think you are wonderful for doing it. And of course the comradery gives validity in the conferences attended! Another red flag of the broad road; numbers.

The narrow road is the lonely road. It's the road that offends. It's the road that results in persecution by those who refuse to walk it. It makes them look bad so they accuse and bully; used (unknowingly) by their father to intimidate and distract. 

The narrow road gives no consideration to self; brings no limelight or notoriety to the one walking. The one that finds the narrow road understands a servant's lot and willingly accepts the lack of recognition. No promotion for the journey; depth yes, elevation no! He digs deep into his heart to make more room for his Savior to inhabit! He diminishes as The LORD increases!  I was once told, "It doesn't matter how bad you look, if Jesus looks good!" 

The narrow road does not cost hundreds of dollars to walk it! There is no shipping and handling fees! No postage to pay!  No best seller list to choose from, nor top ten promotion to join. 

However, the narrow road is a toll road. It costs you everything you own! Actually more than you will earn in a lifetime! And you will want to give until there is nothing left! For you know what it cost to build that road and you realize Who paid and how!

Open your eyes! Look at those around you on the road and examine their fruit. Those you have chosen to walk alongside, do you see fear in operation in their life? Do you see gossip? Do you see anger? Do you see worry? Do you see bitterness? Or do you see peace in the midst of the storms? 

Open your ears! Are they encouraging you to conform to the image of Christ? Do they preach repentance from sin? Do they point you to the cross or is their name in lights?

If it's about you (or them) then you are on the wrong road! 

“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

Even so - MARANATHA! 

From 11/1/15

Now The Word

“Now the word of the Lord came unto Jonah the son of Amittai, saying, Arise, go to Nineveh, that great city, and cry against it; for their wickedness is come up before me.”

‭‭Jonah‬ ‭1:1-2‬ ‭KJV‬‬

Verse 3, begins with "But", for Jonah did not do what God wanted him to do. He chose not to obey the word of The LORD! He ran from God. 

Verse 4 also begins with "But" - in response to Jonah's disobedience.

“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.” Jonah‬ ‭1:4‬ ‭KJV‬‬

How many times in our life have we run from God? How many times have we chosen to ignore God's commands? How many calamities, sent by God, have we suffered because of our rebellion, and finally, when they became unbearable have we cried out to Him for mercy?

“Wherefore they cried unto the Lord, and said, We beseech thee, O Lord, we beseech thee, let us not perish for this man's life, and lay not upon us innocent blood: for thou, O Lord, hast done as it pleased thee.” Jonah‬ ‭1:14‬ ‭KJV‬‬

“When my soul fainted within me I remembered the Lord: and my prayer came in unto thee, into thine holy temple. They that observe lying vanities forsake their own mercy. But I will sacrifice unto thee with the voice of thanksgiving; I will pay that that I have vowed. Salvation is of the Lord.”  ‭Jonah‬ ‭2:7-9‬ ‭KJV‬‬

When God turns up the heat, in our fiery trials, to bring us to repentance, we eliminate the "buts!"

Next, we see, Nineveh immediately respond to Jonah's warning in complete submission. 

“And Jonah began to enter into the city a day's journey, and he cried, and said, Yet forty days, and Nineveh shall be overthrown. So the people of Nineveh believed God, and proclaimed a fast, and put on sackcloth, from the greatest of them even to the least of them. For word came unto the king of Nineveh, and he arose from his throne, and he laid his robe from him, and covered him with sackcloth, and sat in ashes. And he caused it to be proclaimed and published through Nineveh by the decree of the king and his nobles, saying, Let neither man nor beast, herd nor flock, taste any thing: let them not feed, nor drink water: But let man and beast be covered with sackcloth, and cry mightily unto God: yea, let them turn every one from his evil way, and from the violence that is in their hands. Who can tell if God will turn and repent, and turn away from his fierce anger, that we perish not?”

‭‭Jonah‬ ‭3:4-9‬ ‭KJV‬‬

Sackcloth and fasting; man and beast!

God gave them 40 days; a warning most don't receive when destruction is on its way, so we are commanded to live daily, in obedience to God, like there is no tomorrow; for our lives are but a vapor. 

“Whereas ye know not what shall be on the morrow. For what is your life? It is even a vapour, that appeareth for a little time, and then vanisheth away.”  ‭‭James‬ ‭4:14‬ ‭KJV‬‬

If we knew we were facing death, would we change our ways? If we knew we had days, not years, would we spend each remaining moment, turning back to God; repenting of sins we had hidden in our heart?

I work with many people who are advanced in years and they speak to me of remorse! Each week there is another memory of regret; pain still fresh; every detail surfacing in a foggy brain. I ask them if they want to forgive the injury and their response is, "oh, I've forgiven them" yet just the fact the memory surfaced shows it is unsettled. (A reminder from God)

How many times have I said "if it still hurts, it's unforgiven"? 

What many do not grasp is that unforgiveness is a sin, of which we must repent! So you may have said, "I forgive", but if you have held on to the issue for a while, you did so in rebellion to God's command! You must repent of your disobedience!  Unforgiveness is serious business! 

“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 

 - neither will your Father forgive you

Do you need forgiveness?

I know I do!

Father, shine a light on the darkness hiding in our hearts. Bring an awareness of the sins hiding there for which we need to repent. Let us live the remainder of our days with eternity in mind, knowing our days are short! Let the words of Jesus echo through our mind, and drive us to our knees: 

“. . . Repent ye: for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.”Matthew‬ ‭3:2‬ ‭KJV‬‬

If you were told you would die tomorrow, how would you spend your day? 

“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

Even so - MARANATHA! 

From 12/26/16

I Am

“I am the Lord, and there is none else, there is no God beside me: I girded thee, though thou hast not known me: That they may know from the rising of the sun, and from the west, that there is none beside me. I am the Lord, and there is none else. I form the light, and create darkness: I make peace, and create evil: I the Lord do all these things.” Isaiah‬ ‭45:5-7‬ ‭KJV‬‬

When you realize that it is God that "creates darkness and evil" and that they have a purpose; it changes your view on the events of your life!

You see, I had always been taught that the devil did the bad things to us.  I would curse the sicknesses. I would pray for rapid relief of adversity. I would quote scripture in my desire to end the trial and get back to life as usual! 

But if we believe the above scripture and others that it is His will to work all things for our good, it puts "storms" in a different light! 

Looking back at my life of rebellion, I see God's hand trying to gently guide me back to the narrow path, but I was determined to have it my way! His corrections would become stronger and I would dig my heels. I was going to "stand!" The storm would increase in intensity and a big wave would come and knock me down and in my stiffnecked, open defiance, I'd wave my fist at the devil and yell, "I will not be moved!"  

Never ever knowing I was in error! 

That all along it was God trying to get my attention! 

To my shame, I was defying God! 

“My son, despise not the chastening of the Lord; neither be weary of his correction:” Proverbs‬ ‭3:11‬ ‭KJV‬‬

I don't know how I thought The LORD, chastened and corrected! But I had been told by my teachers that it was the devil making my life miserable! Never did they say the stuff I was going through was from God, for my own good! 

“Correction is grievous unto him that forsaketh the way: and he that hateth reproof shall die.” Proverbs‬ ‭15:10‬ ‭KJV‬‬

We have all lived in open rebellion for so long, taught by a traditions of men and doctrines of demons that we are supposed to live long and prosper, in complete happiness! 

That just is not true! Our life is not ours and it is for His good pleasure we exist! When we grasp that and humble ourselves in submission, that is when the blessings of God and His peace and joy abounds! "Happiness is a 'by product' of obedience, not the means to an end!" (Paris Reidhead)

If you are going through storms; if your trials seem never ending, try something different! Try obedience to The Word of God!  I know it's a novel concept

, but it works!!!! 

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

“Draw nigh to God, and he will draw nigh to you. Cleanse your hands, ye sinners; and purify your hearts, ye double minded.” James‬ ‭4:8‬ ‭KJV‬‬

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

If you are at the end of your rope, repent! Turn to God! Humble yourself and sincerely repent of your sins! 

"But I'm a good person! What sins?" you say!  

Sins common to all of us are: unforgiveness, bitterness, judgments, gossip, anger, worry, fear! These sins permeate the church and are deemed acceptable by everyone but God! Unforgiveness all by itself will keep you out of heaven!

“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

Do you need healing?

“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

Walking in repentance; walking in forgiveness; walking in love is obedience to Him, and makes us "overcomers"! 

“He that overcometh shall inherit all things; and I will be his God, and he shall be my son.” Revelation‬ ‭21:7‬ ‭KJV‬‬

Stop grumbling and complaining! In everything give thanks! Keep your eyes on Jesus! Seek first the kingdom of God! Do not fear! Look not to the things that are seen! Humble yourself! Repent!

Time is running out! Church we have got to get this right! 

Repent while there is still time!

Even so - MARANATHA

From 10/10/15 

How’s Your Walk?

How’s your walk?

Daily I am around people who have trouble walking. Either from bad knees, hips or feet. But that’s not the walk I’m talking about - nor are the following verses.

“And he did that which was right in the sight of the Lord, and walked in the ways of David his father, and declined neither to the right hand, nor to the left.” 2 Chronicles‬ ‭34:2‬ ‭KJV‬‬

The way we walk, daily; the choices we make; the way we conduct our lives is very important to The LORD, for it exposes our heart!

“And he did evil in the sight of the Lord, and walked in the way of Jeroboam, and in his sin wherewith he made Israel to sin. ‭1 Kings‬ ‭15:34‬ ‭KJV

God looks at our walk! Whether we follow a leader or go our own way, we alone are held accountable for our walk.

“In those days there was no king in Israel, but every man did that which was right in his own eyes.” Judges‬ ‭17:6‬ ‭KJV‬‬

Doing right in our own eyes comes with consequences!

“There is a way which seemeth right unto a man, but the end thereof are the ways of death.” Proverbs‬ ‭14:12‬ ‭KJV‬‬

It’s our choice whether we walk with God or not. “Our” own way is not “His” way unless we adhere to all of His Commandments! We cannot pick and choose which laws/rules we like, because THEN it becomes “our” way! 

God’s Word tells us how to walk:

“And thine ears shall hear a word behind thee, saying, This is the way, walk ye in it, when ye turn to the right hand, and when ye turn to the left.”

‭‭Isaiah‬ ‭30:21‬ ‭KJV‬‬

“For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, saith the Lord.” Isaiah‬ ‭55:8‬ ‭KJV‬‬

Bottom line - He is God and we are not! But, when we choose to walk contrary to His Word, we set ourselves up to be above Him! We dethrone Him. We make ourselves a god - in our own image; an idol! 

In today’s politically correct climate we often hear, “well if they aren’t hurting anyone, it’s okay with me!” “Live and let live!” However, in God’s Word wrong is wrong and sin is sin! 

“Who knowing the judgment of God, that they which commit such things are worthy of death, not only do the same, but have pleasure in them that do them.” Romans‬ ‭1:32‬ ‭KJV‬‬

His word must be the final say - no matter what is popular for the day!

God says: 

“If ye love me, keep my commandments.” John‬ ‭14:15‬ ‭KJV‬‬

“For thou shalt worship no other god: for the Lord, whose name is Jealous, is a jealous God:” Exodus‬ ‭34:14‬ ‭KJV‬‬

He IS God, and we are not. 

He does what He pleases. 

His ways are perfect. 

He knows the beginning to the end. He has always been, and yet we argue with Him, like we have a say in a matter! 

There is no longer any Fear of the Lord.

“The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge: but fools despise wisdom and instruction.” Proverbs‬ ‭1:7‬ ‭KJV‬‬

“Behold, I set before you this day a blessing and a curse; A blessing, if ye obey the commandments of the Lord your God, which I command you this day: And a curse, if ye will not obey the commandments of the Lord your God, but turn aside out of the way which I command you this day, to go after other gods, which ye have not known.” Deuteronomy‬ ‭11:26-28‬ ‭KJV‬‬

“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. And the second is like unto it, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself. On these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets.” Matthew‬ ‭22:37-40‬ ‭KJV‬‬

We can’t even do that, because of the sin we hold in our hearts; judgments, unforgiveness, bitterness, fear, worry (unbelief), anger, etc!

Praise God for His mercy and His grace! Praise God for repentance!

Our salvation is a walk of sanctification! 

Walking in love

walking in forgiveness

walking in repentance

Even if we walk with a limp

It’s how we overcome 

“Furthermore then we beseech you, brethren, and exhort you by the Lord Jesus, that as ye have received of us how ye ought to walk and to please God, so ye would abound more and more.” ‭‭1 Thessalonians‬ ‭4:1‬ ‭KJV‬‬

“For all people will walk every one in the name of his god, and we will walk in the name of the Lord our God for ever and ever.” Micah‬ ‭4:5‬ ‭KJV‬‬

“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

Even so - MARANATHA! 

Who Can Understand

“Who can understand his errors? cleanse thou me from secret faults. Keep back thy servant also from presumptuous sins; let them not have dominion over me: then shall I be upright, and I shall be innocent from the great transgression.” Psalms‬ ‭19:12-13‬ ‭KJV‬‬

When was the last time you prayed, "Cleanse me from secret faults. Keep back thy servant also from presumptuous sins"?

Those secret faults, are the sins of anger, unforgiveness, judgment, bitterness that we have hiding in our hearts; those things we've shoved down so far and that we have kept hidden so long we believe they make us what we are today! 

But the "presumptuous sins" should give us pause! In reading the definition I'm aware we find its synonyms to be acceptable! We may not like people that display those traits, but they are normally successful and success we admire!

pre·sump·tu·ous

prəˈzəm(p)(t)SH(o͞o)əs/

1. Part of Speech: adjective

Definition: self-confident

Synonyms: arrogant, audacious, bold, cheeky*, conceited, confident, contumelious, egotistic, foolhardy, forward, fresh, insolent, overconfident, overfamiliar, overweening, pompous, presuming, pretentious, pushy, rash, rude, self-assertive, self-assured, self-satisfied, smug, supercilious, uppity

Antonyms: humble, modest

Being presumptuous is not good thing in God's eyes; quite the opposite! 

“Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God, that he may exalt you in due time:” 1 Peter‬ ‭5:6‬ ‭KJV‬‬

“A man's pride shall bring him low: but honour shall uphold the humble in spirit.” Proverbs‬ ‭29:23‬ ‭KJV‬‬

The world does not think highly of humility or modesty and we in the church are right there with them! We assess humility with weakness and modesty as unsuccessful. We may like the modest man, but do we strive to be like him? Hardly ever.

mod·est

ˈmädəst/

adjective

1. 1. 

   unassuming or moderate in the estimation of one's abilities or achievements.

   "he was a very modest man, refusing to take any credit for the enterprise"

   synonyms:

   self-effacing, self-deprecating, humble, unpretentious, unassuming, unpresuming, unostentatious, unshowy, unflashy;

When was the last time you admired a man who was unassuming? 

“He is despised and rejected of men; a man of sorrows, and acquainted with grief: and we hid as it were our faces from him; he was despised, and we esteemed him not. Surely he hath borne our griefs, and carried our sorrows: yet we did esteem him stricken, smitten of God, and afflicted. But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed.” Isaiah‬ ‭53:3-5‬ ‭KJV‬‬

Jesus was everything the world rejects and we must reject the world to be like Him!

Actually, we are not to be like Him we are called to BE Him for the world! If we are to be His hands and His feet; to be His voice; show His love then we must humble ourselves; empty ourselves, so that He can fill us!

LORD Jesus, cleanse me from secret faults and make me blameless. Show me my presumptuous sins so that I may repent and they will have no dominion over me! Let me understand my errors! In humility and modesty I surrender to You knowing I have nothing to boast in, but I can boast in You! Thank You, Father for Your mercy and Your grace! 

Even so - MARANATHA! 

From 12/15/15

Manasseh Was

“Manasseh was twelve years old when he began to reign, and he reigned fifty and five years in Jerusalem: But did that which was evil in the sight of the Lord, like unto the abominations of the heathen, whom the Lord had cast out before the children of Israel. For he built again the high places which Hezekiah his father had broken down, and he reared up altars for Baalim, and made groves, and worshipped all the host of heaven, and served them. Also he built altars in the house of the Lord, whereof the Lord had said, In Jerusalem shall my name be for ever. And he built altars for all the host of heaven in the two courts of the house of the Lord. And he caused his children to pass through the fire in the valley of the son of Hinnom: also he observed times, and used enchantments, and used witchcraft, and dealt with a familiar spirit, and with wizards: he wrought much evil in the sight of the Lord, to provoke him to anger.” 2 Chronicles‬ ‭33:1-6‬ ‭KJV‬‬

“So Manasseh made Judah and the inhabitants of Jerusalem to err, and to do worse than the heathen, whom the Lord had destroyed before the children of Israel.” 2 Chronicles‬ ‭33:9‬ ‭KJV‬‬

“And the Lord spake to Manasseh, and to his people: but they would not hearken. Wherefore the Lord brought upon them the captains of the host of the king of Assyria, which took Manasseh among the thorns, and bound him with fetters, and carried him to Babylon. And when he was in affliction, he besought the Lord his God, and humbled himself greatly before the God of his fathers, And prayed unto Him: and He was entreated of him, and heard his supplication, and brought him again to Jerusalem into his kingdom. Then Manasseh knew that the Lord He was God.” 2 Chronicles‬ ‭33:10-13‬ ‭KJV‬‬

Manasseh rebelled against God and his father at an early age. Most would have considered him a lost cause! He had been raised in a house that followed God, but he chose not to and God took him to task. God tried talking to him and the people, but they would not listen. Then God brought disaster upon them. Only then did God have his attention.

Manesseh humbled himself,  cried out to God and God answered him.

"Then Manasseh knew that the Lord He was God.”

Manesseh was just like us. We do evil in the sight of The LORD; all the while God is calling to us but we won't listen! Then catastrophe strikes and we cry out to Him. 

However, unlike Manesseh, we cry out for immediate relief. We do not humble ourselves. We want instantaneous miracles, so we can get back to the way we were! See, we don't think we are evil; in fact we think we are "good!"  And  we demand God come down and take care of the situation believing it is caused by the devil! We never once consider that God brought on this trial/storm to turn us to Him! 

Even though Manesseh started out wrong, in the end, he got it right. 

We all start out wrong and we have our whole life to try and get it right! Some of us take longer than others, but we all have to come to the place of surrender; our will for His!

It's a shame we don't just willingly give up, because we love Him and want to obey Him! It's our unbelief and our stiffnecked and rebellious sin nature that keeps us from walking as we should! We are deceived by a corrupt church; we are ignorant of God's Word; we are too busy with a love for the things of the world to search for The Truth! He has to get us to a place where we will listen and submit in repentance.

God knows what it will take for us to break! 

And I promise you, you will break, for only He is God. 

There is no other!

Repent while there is still time! 

There is work to be done and He needs you!

Even so - MARANATHA! 

From 6/9/17

Reading This Morning

Reading this morning about Uzziah:

“And he made in Jerusalem engines, invented by cunning men, to be on the towers and upon the bulwarks, to shoot arrows and great stones withal. And his name spread far abroad; for he was marvellously helped, till he was strong. But when he was strong, his heart was lifted up to his destruction: for he transgressed against the Lord his God, and went into the temple of the Lord to burn incense upon the altar of incense.”

‭‭2 Chronicles‬ ‭26:15-16‬ ‭KJV‬‬

The priests stood up to him and told him he was doing wrong; that it was not his place. He got angry and the LORD smote him with leprosy. 

His heart was not right.

David’s heart was right when he wrote: "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." (Psalms 18:1, 2 KJV)

Have you seen the sign on Facebook that says: "The enemy is not fighting you because you are weak. He's fighting you because you are strong."  It's only one of many with the same message! You know - it sounds good, but it's not! I've given it some thought and have sought God, because of the unease it brings to my spirit man. The above scripture and the others in this post is what God gave in answer to my question!

I have come to the conclusion that I am nothing without The LORD! All of my efforts are futile, without His direction! There is nothing good in me, but Him! He is everything; I am not!

Isn't that where we are supposed to be? 

We are to die to self! 

“Knowing this, that our old man is crucified with him, that the body of sin might be destroyed, that henceforth we should not serve sin.”

‭‭Romans‬ ‭6:6‬ ‭KJV‬‬

Should we rob God of the glory He rightly deserves for delivering us from our afflictions by taking credit for overcoming adversity? Saying we are strong instead of submitting to Him and acknowledging the fact that we NEED Him because we are weak is sin! We are exalting ourself which is exactly what the devil did! 

Again: “But when he was strong, his heart was lifted up to his destruction:”

The world may pat themselves on the back, but we are to glory only in Him! 

“But he that glorieth, let him glory in the Lord.” ‭2 Corinthians‬ ‭10:17‬ ‭KJV‬‬

Just because a big ministry does a post - does not make it right! Make sure it lines up with The Word of God! If it makes you look good or makes you feel good then you better check it out! 

'Cause it's not about you!

“But God hath chosen the foolish things of the world to confound the wise; and God hath chosen the weak things of the world to confound the things which are mighty;” ‭‭1 Corinthians‬ ‭1:27‬ ‭KJV‬‬

“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

Father, forgive us for robbing You of Your glory! Thank You LORD for Your mercy and Your grace. Without You we are lost as sheep without a shepherd! Thank You for “Thy rod and Thy staff” that corrects and comforts us!  Keep us close to You!

Even so - MARANATHA!

The Number One

The number one sin in the church is unbelief. It is so full of fear and worry. Trusting God seems to occur when every other avenue the world/man has to offer; prayer - the last resort. We are so deceived we do not even know we have sunk this low!

“Thus saith the Lord; Cursed be the man that trusteth in man, and maketh flesh his arm, and whose heart departeth from the Lord.”  Jeremiah‬ ‭17:5‬ ‭KJV‬‬

“Blessed is the man that trusteth in the Lord, and whose hope the Lord is.” Jeremiah‬ ‭17:7‬ ‭KJV‬‬

(For a complete explanation of God's blessings and curses, read Deuteronomy. They have not changed.) 

However, we are as stiffnecked and stubborn as the children of Israel and Judah, ever were. Sin is mentioned and immediately we claim, "God knows my heart!"

God says:

“The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked: who can know it?” Jeremiah‬ ‭17:9‬ ‭KJV‬‬

If we would just examine our hearts.

“I the Lord search the heart, I try the reins, even to give every man according to his ways, and according to the fruit of his doings.” Jeremiah‬ ‭17:10‬ ‭KJV‬‬

We do not see, for we are blind, and we like it so. We are happy in our sin. We may be miserable, hurting and paralyzed with fear, but we have believed the lie of the enemy who said we are "saved, sanctified and delivered", and we rattle our chains as proof!

Would that we would proclaim:  “Heal me, O Lord, and I shall be healed; save me, and I shall be saved: for thou art my praise.” Jeremiah‬ ‭17:14‬ ‭KJV‬‬

No, we trust in man. Because we refuse to deal with the sin in our hearts, man is our only recourse. 

However, God is merciful; if we would just turn in repentance! 

“At what instant I shall speak concerning a nation, and concerning a kingdom, to pluck up, and to pull down, and to destroy it; If that nation, against whom I have pronounced, turn from their evil, I will repent of the evil that I thought to do unto them. And at what instant I shall speak concerning a nation, and concerning a kingdom, to build and to plant it; If it do evil in my sight, that it obey not my voice, then I will repent of the good, wherewith I said I would benefit them.” Jeremiah‬ ‭18:7-10‬ ‭KJV‬‬

“Now therefore go to, speak to the men of Judah, and to the inhabitants of Jerusalem, saying, Thus saith the Lord; Behold, I frame evil against you, and devise a device against you: return ye now every one from his evil way, and make your ways and your doings good.” Jeremiah‬ ‭18:11‬ ‭KJV‬‬

Repent while there is still time.

Even so - MARANATHA! 

From 3/4/16

He Hath Shewed

‬‬“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

Today's sleeping church, seems to think the LORD requires from it  nothing! And nothing is further from the truth; as we see above.

We need mercy and we are to give mercy, if we hope to obtain mercy.‬‬

“Blessed are the merciful: for they shall obtain mercy.” Matthew‬ ‭5:7‬ ‭KJV‬‬

The following scripture should cause us to fear The LORD! 

“For he shall have judgment without mercy, that hath shewed no mercy; and mercy rejoiceth against judgment.” James‬ ‭2:13‬ ‭KJV‬‬

Yes, God in His mercy sent us Jesus. And yes, He did what we could not do, to bring us salvation, but we can see from these scriptures, and others, that our actions (or lack of) are not without consequence!‬‬

“He that covereth his sins shall not prosper: but whoso confesseth and forsaketh them shall have mercy.”

‭‭Proverbs‬ ‭28:13‬ ‭KJV‬‬‬‬

“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

So, if we need forgiveness and mercy we must forgive and give mercy. 

Where does that leave the faithful church goer, who harbors unforgiveness in his heart and does not extend mercy?

Forgiveness withheld.

Mercy withheld.

No matter what his denomination teaches.‬‬

“Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap. For he that soweth to his flesh shall of the flesh reap corruption; but he that soweth to the Spirit shall of the Spirit reap life everlasting. And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not. As we have therefore opportunity, let us do good unto all men, especially unto them who are of the household of faith.”

‭‭Galatians‬ ‭6:7-10‬ ‭KJV‬‬

We must examine our heart! 

Ask God to show you the sin hidden there; sin you have refused to address and just buried deeper! Acknowledge the sins of unforgiveness and then repent! Beg for mercy for the times you have withheld mercy, and then, in obedience, give it graciously to all, as you wish to receive from God!‬‬

“And shewing mercy unto thousands of them that love me, and keep my commandments.” Exodus‬ ‭20:6‬ ‭KJV‬‬‬‬

“And shewing mercy unto thousands of them that love me and keep my commandments.” Deuteronomy‬ ‭5:10‬ ‭KJV‬‬‬‬

“If ye love me, keep my commandments.” John‬ ‭14:15‬ ‭KJV‬‬

Repent while there is still time! 

Even so - MARANATHA! 

From 11/20/16

And He Went

‬“And he went out to meet Asa, and said unto him, Hear ye me, Asa, and all Judah and Benjamin; The Lord is with you, while ye be with him; and if ye seek him, he will be found of you; but if ye forsake him, he will forsake you.” ‭‭2 Chronicles‬ ‭15:2‬ ‭KJV‬‬

This word from the prophet to Asa is a word for all of us; yes even today. But it is not a word you will hear preached. 

“Now for a long season Israel hath been without the true God, and without a teaching priest, and without law. But when they in their trouble did turn unto the Lord God of Israel, and sought him, he was found of them. And in those times there was no peace to him that went out, nor to him that came in, but great vexations were upon all the inhabitants of the countries. And nation was destroyed of nation, and city of city: for God did vex them with all adversity. Be ye strong therefore, and let not your hands be weak: for your work shall be rewarded.” 2 Chronicles‬ ‭15:3-7‬ ‭KJV‬‬

Doesn’t that sound like us today? We’ve been without The Law; we are face continually (it seems) with adversity, yet when we get in trouble we cry out to God; and/or when we are without peace we seek Him and during those times our efforts are rewarded. 

Most read the above and immediately say, “That’s OT!” and dismiss. 

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

Asa received the word and took action:  “And when Asa heard these words, and the prophecy of Oded the prophet, he took courage, and put away the abominable idols out of all the land of Judah and Benjamin, and out of the cities which he had taken from mount Ephraim, and renewed the altar of the Lord, that was before the porch of the Lord.” ‭2 Chronicles‬ ‭15:8‬ ‭KJV‬‬

Asa cleaned house! He did it right this time, but in the next chapter he blows it. 

He’s confronted by another prophet who reminds him of what God had previously done for him. Then I love what he says to Asa:

“For the eyes of the Lord run to and fro throughout the whole earth, to shew himself strong in the behalf of them whose heart is perfect toward him.” 2 Chronicles‬ ‭16:9‬a KJV‬‬

And God still does! He still rewards those who seek and obey Him! 

“But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.” Hebrews‬ ‭11:6‬ ‭KJV‬‬

“Blessed are they that keep his testimonies, and that seek him with the whole heart.” Psalms‬ ‭119:2‬ ‭KJV‬‬

Seeking God with your whole heart occurs when you love Him with your whole heart! It’s second nature! When you have made Him Lord of your life, spending time reading His Word is your desire and you do it! I have found that what you really want to do, you do! 

“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.” Matthew‬ ‭22:37‬ ‭KJV‬‬

Do you love Him with your whole heart? 

“If ye love me, keep my commandments.” John‬ ‭14:15‬ ‭KJV‬‬

Do you obey His Word?

Examine your heart today! 

“And ye shall seek me, and find me, when ye shall search for me with all your heart.” Jeremiah‬ ‭29:13‬ ‭KJV‬‬

He’s still looking: “For the eyes of the Lord run to and fro throughout the whole earth, to shew himself strong in the behalf of them whose heart is perfect toward him.” 2 Chronicles‬ ‭16:9‬a KJV‬‬

Even so - MARANATHA 

Take Heed Brethren

“Take heed, 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 To day; lest any of you be hardened through the deceitfulness of sin. For we are made partakers of Christ, if we hold the beginning of our confidence stedfast unto the end; While it is said, To day if ye will hear his voice, harden not your hearts, as in the provocation.” Hebrews‬ ‭3:12-15‬ ‭KJV‬‬

Did you catch that?

“For we are made partakers of Christ, if we hold the beginning of our confidence stedfast unto the end;”

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, (right then) exactly, when I would need it! 

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!!!

“There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it.” 1 Corinthians‬ ‭10:13‬ ‭KJV‬‬

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

Hearken Therefore

“Hearken therefore unto the supplications of thy servant, and of thy people Israel, which they shall make toward this place: hear thou from thy dwelling place, even from heaven; and when thou hearest, forgive.” 2 Chronicles‬ ‭6:21‬ ‭KJV‬‬

Do we ever consider that our prayers may not be heard? We pray; we ask for prayer; does it ever cross our mind that our prayers may not reach the ears of God? Reading this morning, I hear Solomon pleading with God to listen for the prayers of his people; for God to incline His ear; and to forgive!

Many, many times, throughout The Word, we hear the same:

“Hear my cry, O God; attend unto my prayer.” ‭Psalms‬ ‭61:1‬ ‭KJV‬‬

And the reasons why God won’t hear:

“If I regard iniquity in my heart, the Lord will not hear me:” Psalms‬ ‭66:18‬ ‭KJV‬‬

And then of course the remedy:

“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

Repentance is the key; turning from our wicked ways towards God’s way; obedience to His Word!

“Now mine eyes shall be open, and mine ears attent unto the prayer that is made in this place.” 2 Chronicles‬ ‭7:15‬ ‭KJV‬‬

These conditions still exist today. God listens for the repentant heart’s cry!

“The Lord hath heard my supplication; the Lord will receive my prayer.” Psalms‬ ‭6:9‬ ‭KJV‬‬

“But verily God hath heard me; he hath attended to the voice of my prayer.” Psalms‬ ‭66:19‬ ‭KJV‬‬

“For the eyes of the Lord are over the righteous, and his ears are open unto their prayers: but the face of the Lord is against them that do evil.” ‭‭1 Peter‬ ‭3:12‬ ‭KJV‬‬

If your prayers are going unanswered, ask God to show you the sin that is hiding in your heart. He will! Then repent!

“Likewise, ye husbands, dwell with them according to knowledge, giving honour unto the wife, as unto the weaker vessel, and as being heirs together of the grace of life; that your prayers be not hindered.” 1 Peter‬ ‭3:7‬ ‭KJV‬‬

Sin hinders our prayers! But a repentant heart is heard! And Jesus is listening for that cry!

“For there is one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus;” ‭‭1 Timothy‬ ‭2:5‬ ‭KJV‬‬

“From that time Jesus began to preach, and to say, Repent: for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.”

‭‭Matthew‬ ‭4:17‬ ‭KJV‬‬

And He continued: “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 ‭2:5‬ ‭KJV‬‬

Praying with a repentant heart essential to be heard!

Check your heart! 

Repent!

“Create in me a clean heart, O God; and renew a right spirit within me.”

‭‭Psalms‬ ‭51:10‬ ‭KJV‬‬

“Who shall ascend into the hill of the Lord? or who shall stand in his holy place? He that hath clean hands, and a pure heart; who hath not lifted up his soul unto vanity, nor sworn deceitfully. He shall receive the blessing from the Lord, and righteousness from the God of his salvation.” Psalms‬ ‭24:3-5‬ ‭KJV‬‬

“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 ‭1:9-10‬ ‭KJV‬‬

Even so - MARANATHA 

Brethren If Any

“Brethren, if any of you do err from the truth, and one convert him; Let him know, that he which converteth the sinner from the error of his way shall save a soul from death, and shall hide a multitude of sins.” James‬ ‭5:19-20‬ ‭KJV‬‬

You would think, when one discovers The Truth, one would stick with it, however The Truth can be difficult and we (especially) here (in America) don't do difficult well! Our lives are considered "cushy" in comparison with the rest of the world! We have instant everything, and if we have to wait for anything, we often will rethink, abandon and move on to something else. We will endure only so much, such a pitiful lot, we are. "Hard" is only for bodies!

It's no wonder that a soft, easy, and/or pretty and entertaining gospel suits us better! Oh, we don't mind seeking and searching as long as it doesn't put us out or cause discomfort! I mean, after all, "Jesus DID it all so we don't have to" - right?

WRONG!

“He that overcometh shall inherit all things; and I will be his God, and he shall be my son. But the fearful, and unbelieving, and the abominable, and murderers, and whoremongers, and sorcerers, and idolaters, and all liars, shall have their part in the lake which burneth with fire and brimstone: which is the second death.”  Revelation‬ ‭21:7-8‬ ‭KJV‬‬

Overcomes what? 

•  Trials and tests!

“My brethren, count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptations; Knowing this, that the trying of your faith worketh patience.” James‬ ‭1:2-3‬ ‭KJV‬‬

Trials and tests come, but do we "grumble and complain" or "count it all joy"?

•  Die to the flesh

“For if ye live after the flesh, ye shall die: but if ye through the Spirit do mortify the deeds of the body, ye shall live.” Romans‬ ‭8:13‬ ‭KJV‬‬

Our flesh continually demands satisfaction and it rules our every step unless we consciously bring it into submission! We see athletes diligently overcoming their flesh, however they most often neglect the spirit! Their desired goal is actually feeding their fleshly nature.

If our goal is to look and act like Jesus then we do well!

“For whom he did foreknow, he also did predestinate to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brethren.”

‭‭Romans‬ ‭8:29‬ ‭KJV‬‬

The trials (storms) we face have a purpose in our lives. Their intended result is to bring us to Jesus and conform us to His image. And what do we do? Instead of seeking God, asking Him to reveal the (storms’) purpose, we try and pray it away! Instead of humbling ourself, in submission to His will; we dig our heels in and "stand strong" in our belief, even if our belief is in error!

“Wherefore let him that thinketh he standeth take heed lest he fall.”

‭‭1 Corinthians‬ ‭10:12‬ ‭KJV‬‬

We walk around in fear, consumed in worry; full of anger, unforgiveness, bitterness and other sins, justifying our rebellion! But it's okay; we are okay, because everyone else does it! 

No.

“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 ‭6:34‬ ‭KJV‬‬

Big sins or little sins; sin is not okay!

Confessing and repenting of our sin is hard, but that is the way of escape, provided for us!

“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

“There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it.” 1 Corinthians‬ ‭10:13‬ ‭KJV‬‬

If what you are into; if what you are doing is not conforming you to the image of Christ, then you need to pray for God to open your eyes to The Truth! If you do not have fruit, but walk in anxiety, (be anxious for nothing) you are on the wrong road! If you believe that you can look like the world and still go to heaven you are in error! 

If Jesus Christ in not your principal purpose then you are lost. 

Repent!

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

Jesus can't be second, third or fourth! 

He can't be a "thing" you do! 

He HAS to be your everything, or He is nothing!

Even so - MARANATHA! 

From 8/23/15

What Has Your Heart?

What has your heart?

“Blessed are the pure in heart: for they shall see God.” Matthew‬ ‭5:8‬ ‭KJV‬‬

It is so much easier to do anything and everything else than examine our heart!  It is much less painful to ignore those hard things that we have hidden there, than to look at each hurt and to revisit each sin. 

You see, what we hide there is sin, but no one wants to call it that! Each of those sins have other names and those other names have become acceptable in the church today! Like the desensitization of violence and pornography (we've brought into our homes through television); bitterness, judgments, anger, fear, worry are even more acceptable today, but yet they also will keep you from seeing God! 

The church at large does not believe there is a sin problem under its roof! Because its members asked Jesus into their heart, they believe He took care of their sin, past, present and future. 

However speaking to believers, in the Epistle of John: “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 ‭1:8-10‬ ‭KJV‬‬) we see that confession and repentance cleanses us from unrighteousness!

And again James is also speaking to believers: “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

A righteous man has dealt with his sin! 

No sin is too big for God to forgive! However, even the smallest sin, (unconfessed and unrepented of) will keep you from having a pure heart; will keep you from God! He made the way for us to get to Him, but we have to walk it out! 

Yes, it is a great deal easier to do everything else than examine your heart! There is always your house to clean; bills to pay, games to go to with the kids, church functions, and don't forget yard work! Busy-ness is the excuse the devil provides, to keep us separated from God! He knows our days are numbered and his intention is not for us to win "parent of the year" but make us miss heaven! If we are distracted enough we will hear: “And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity.” Matthew‬ ‭7:23‬ ‭KJV‬‬

We have got to get our priorities right!

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

Actively seek Him!

Examine your heart!

Confess your sin!

Repent!

Make Him LORD!

While there is still time!

Even so - MARANATHA! 

From 8/20/15

I Will Extol

“I will extol thee, my God, O king; and I will bless thy name for ever and ever. Every day will I bless thee; and I will praise thy name for ever and ever. Great is the Lord, and greatly to be praised; and his greatness is unsearchable. One generation shall praise thy works to another, and shall declare thy mighty acts. I will speak of the glorious honour of thy majesty, and of thy wondrous works. And men shall speak of the might of thy terrible acts: and I will declare thy greatness. They shall abundantly utter the memory of thy great goodness, and shall sing of thy righteousness. The Lord is gracious, and full of compassion; slow to anger, and of great mercy. The Lord is good to all: and his tender mercies are over all his works. All thy works shall praise thee, O Lord; and thy saints shall bless thee. They shall speak of the glory of thy kingdom, and talk of thy power; To make known to the sons of men his mighty acts, and the glorious majesty of his kingdom. Thy kingdom is an everlasting kingdom, and thy dominion endureth throughout all generations.” Psalms‬ ‭145:1-13‬ ‭KJV‬‬

Wow! David was truly lifting The Lord up with his whole heart in this Psalm! His belief echoing in his every word! I feel his heart soaring as he extols God's love for His own! 

Do you do that? 

Do you have THAT kind of belief in your Savior? 

Do you believe  in the inerrancy of The Word of God? 

Do you believe it is relevant for today? 

Where DO you stand?

I was speaking with a man last week about this very subject. He had been reading in Revelation in his Sunday School, and after just a few words expressed his unbelief with, "well the Bible was written by man!" 

Is that how you view it? Do you question its validity? Is that why you seldom, if ever, read it?

You see, for most of my life I was like that! I was also in church and "carried" my "Holy Bible" every week but, I had never READ it! And then I was challenged to read it! That was in 2010 - after 5 years, I'm still reading it - daily! (Now, 9 read throughs)

So, I had to set that man straight! 

The Bible IS the infallible Word of God; written by men inspired by The Creator of the universe! And IT has changed my life! He, through promptings by His Holy Spirit, and through His Word, speaks to me, also! 

AND He wants to speak with you!

“The Lord upholdeth all that fall, and raiseth up all those that be bowed down. The eyes of all wait upon thee; and thou givest them their meat in due season. Thou openest thine hand, and satisfiest the desire of every living thing.” Psalms‬ ‭145:14-16‬ ‭KJV‬‬

Yes, David knew Him intimately and trusted Him implicitly! God had proven Himself to be relevant to David, through The Torah! He lived by it and loved The Law! 

"The LORD is righteous in all His ways, Gracious in all His works. The LORD is near to all who call upon Him, To all who call upon Him in truth. He will fulfill the desire of those who fear Him; He also will hear their cry and save them. The LORD preserves all who love Him, But all the wicked He will destroy. My mouth shall speak the praise of the LORD, And all flesh shall bless His holy name Forever and ever." (‭Psalms‬ ‭145‬:‭17-21‬ NKJV)

“The Lord is righteous in all his ways, and holy in all his works. The Lord is nigh unto all them that call upon him, to all that call upon him in truth. He will fulfil the desire of them that fear him: he also will hear their cry, and will save them. The Lord preserveth all them that love him: but all the wicked will he destroy. My mouth shall speak the praise of the Lord: and let all flesh bless his holy name for ever and ever.” Psalms‬ ‭145:17-21‬ ‭KJV‬‬

Yes, my heart soars with David, when I read this Psalm, because my heart echos his words! My mouth SHALL speak the praises of my LORD! He IS RIGHTEOUS in all His ways! He IS near to all who call on Him in truth! He IS Truth!

If you aren't  believing; if you aren't reading; if you aren't saying, 'Oh yeah!', then examine your heart! Because time is running out! 

“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

Yes, one day, in the not so distant future, EVERY knee WILL bow, either willingly or not!  

If you won't bow now, you WILL bow then!

I challenge you to read your Bible and prove me wrong! 

Repent while there is still time!

Jesus speaking:

“He that rejecteth me, and receiveth not my words, hath one that judgeth him: the word that I have spoken, the same shall judge him in the last day.”

‭‭John‬ ‭12:48‬ ‭KJV‬‬

Even so - MARANATHA! 

From  3/12/15

Fear Ye Not

“Fear ye not, neither be afraid: have not I told thee from that time, and have declared it? ye are even my witnesses. Is there a God beside me? yea, there is no God; I know not any.”

‭‭Isaiah‬ ‭44:8‬ ‭KJV‬‬

We are living in extremely uncertain times and those who do not know God will not make it!

It is so easy to take our eyes off of Him and look at our circumstances!

Everything is vying for our attention! Everything is a crisis! Everything is suddenly!

World news, local news, doctors news! Nothing good! All bad! 

 All reports are meant to instill fear in you! 

Fear will incapacitate you! It will isolate you! It robs you of peace and joy and can take all of your money! Fear will cause you to make bad decisions because it colors what you see and hear with dread! It says that your circumstances will never get better! They will only get worse! Always darkness; no light! Fear is out to kill you!

Fear projects the future just like faith, but in the negative! 

You fear it; you speak it; it happens! 

“For the thing which I greatly feared is come upon me, and that which I was afraid of is come unto me.” Job‬ ‭3:25‬ ‭KJV‬‬

Fear is the sin of unbelief! 

Fear shows a lack of trust in God! It says to God, "You, God, are not great enough to handle my circumstances! You, God, are incapable of changing anything!"

Fear declares to The Creator of The Universe, "You have no power!"

Fear is a spirit, out of the pit of hell, whose sole purpose is to distract and paralyze you; rendering you ineffective for the work God has called you to do! (2 Timothy 1:7)

To be rid of fear requires repentance, not a drug! 

Finding the root of that fear (the time of entry), repenting of the judgement, confessing and repenting of the circumstance that allowed its entry, is the only way to be free!

Repent of your actions that have accused God of being powerless! Humble yourself before God and acknowledge Him as The One True God! 

When God is your God (and not the devil) you can walk fearlessly anywhere because He, God, has your back! 

God has to be on your Throne; He has to be LORD! Not you!

Repent of your sins! Regain your focus and keep your eyes on the prize!

“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

“Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on thee: because he trusteth in thee.” Isaiah‬ ‭26:3‬ ‭KJV‬‬

You can have peace and live without fear, no matter what "it looks like", when HE is truly your LORD! 

Even so - MARANATHA! 

From 11/24/14

I personally know this for a fact! I will never forget the night I came face to face with the fact that I had called God a liar. That in my fear I had said, in my heart, that God was incapable of caring for those I love! In tears and great remorse I confessed (to 2 brothers in The Lord) and I repented of my unbelief; that spirit of fear left me! I felt peace and had no fear for the first time in my life. I had had no concept of what peace was; I had read about it, but had never had the experience.  It was through obedience to The Word Of God, I was set free from fear. That was 6 years ago. Freedom is sweet; His Word is true! If you would like to know more about my deliverance, PM me and I will send you my Testimony and the Forgiveness CD that changed my life, free of charge. I’ll even pay the postage. cb

Then Said One

‬“Then said one unto him, Lord, are there few that be saved? And he said unto them, Strive to enter in at the strait gate: for many, I say unto you, will seek to enter in, and shall not be able. When once the master of the house is risen up, and hath shut to the door, and ye begin to stand without, and to knock at the door, saying, Lord, Lord, open unto us; and he shall answer and say unto you, I know you not whence ye are: Then shall ye begin to say, We have eaten and drunk in thy presence, and thou hast taught in our streets. But he shall say, I tell you, I know you not whence ye are; depart from me, all ye workers of iniquity. There shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth, when ye shall see Abraham, and Isaac, and Jacob, and all the prophets, in the kingdom of God, and you yourselves thrust out.”

‭‭Luke‬ ‭13:23-28‬ ‭KJV‬‬

"Lord, are there few that be saved?"

You know, I was amazed when I read this, for today EVERYONE (whether they go to church or not) thinks they are saved and heaven-bound!

“Strive to enter in at the strait gate: for many, I say unto you, will seek to enter in, and shall not be able.”

The deception of the church today is widespread! The pulpits have lowered the standard to fill the pews! They preach a feel-good motivational message and their members are destined for hell! 

“There shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth”

All of the tears and anger will not change the situation, for you will not be able to cry or shout your way out of hell! 

“I tell you, I know you not whence ye are; depart from me, all ye workers of iniquity”

in·iq·ui·ty

iˈnikwədē/

noun

1. immoral or grossly unfair behavior.

   "a den of iniquity"

   synonyms:

   wickedness, sinfulness, immorality, impropriety;  vice, evil, sin;  villainy, criminality;  odiousness, atrocity, egregiousness;  outrage, monstrosity, obscenity, reprehensibility; formalturpitude "many runaways become the pawns of these merchants of iniquity" sin, crime, transgression, wrongdoing, wrong, violation, offense, vice "I will forgive their iniquity"

Forgiveness of our iniquities occurs this side of the grave, and time is short for us all!

Ironically, forgiveness is what we need and what we MUST give; yet we refuse! 

“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

People say "oh I have forgiven, but I'll never forget!" 

They put themselves above God!

‬‬

“And their sins and iniquities will I remember no more.” Hebrews‬ ‭10:17‬ ‭KJV‬‬

If He forgives and forgets ours - how can we not do the same?

The key is repentance!

Unforgiveness is sin. So when we have unforgiveness in our hearts because of a hurt, not only are we to forgive, but we must repent of holding onto the hurt for so long in unforgiveness! We are supposed to forgive immediately and often! No matter what the deed done! No exclusion! All of the time! Because we haven't we must repent! If you ask God to show you the unforgiveness that you have buried in your heart, He will! And there will be great pain until you "choose" to forgive and "choose" to repent! 

The "choice" is in obedience to God! We do it because we love God and He commands us to forgive and repent! 

“If ye love me, keep my commandments.” John‬ ‭14:15‬ ‭KJV‬‬

"Lord, are there few that be saved?"

Yes, there are few!

“Then said one unto him, Lord, are there few that be saved? And he said unto them, Strive to enter in at the strait gate: for many, I say unto you, will seek to enter in, and shall not be able.” Luke‬ ‭13:23-24‬ ‭KJV‬‬

“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

Yes, it hard! That is why most churches don't preach forgiveness and/or repentance of sin! The broad way of “the sugar-coated gospel” is easy and feels good (and leads to hell!)

Even so - MARANATHA! 

From 5/2/16