I Had Fainted

“I had fainted, unless I had believed to see the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living.” Psalms‬ ‭27:13‬ ‭KJV‬‬

A couple of years ago, God promised me this, "that I would see the goodness of the LORD in the land of the living", and oh - has He come through! What I see Him doing everyday - blows my mind! He is an active, personal, involved God; moving heaven and earth to bring His children to Him!

In 2010, I began really reading my Bible and found that what it said did not add up to what the church was teaching! I became disillusioned with traditional denominational teachings; and cried out to God for the truth! 

“When thou saidst, Seek ye my face; my heart said unto thee, Thy face, Lord, will I seek.” ‭‭Psalms‬ ‭27:8‬ ‭KJV‬‬

I chose to believe and trust His WORD! I chose to take Him literally! I had tried everything else the world had to offer; what did I have to lose? My choice to obey; my desire for a true and deep relationship; my willingness for Him to refine me; what a glorious 2+ years!!!! 

He has done everything He promised! Such joy! Such peace, especially during the storms! Such rest! No fear! Praise God, I had lived in such great fear, but He delivered me! 

“One thing have I desired of the Lord, that will I seek after; that I may dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of my life, to behold the beauty of the Lord, and to enquire in his temple. For in the time of trouble he shall hide me in his pavilion: in the secret of his tabernacle shall he hide me; he shall set me up upon a rock.” ‭‭Psalms‬ ‭27:4-5‬ ‭KJV‬‬

He has!

If you are at the end of your rope -

If you have tried everything you know to do, to no avail -

If you are ready to give up - 

"When you have lost heart" - 

Then that's when He will meet you and change everything! When you throw up your hands. And say, "Okay, I've made a mess, and I can't fix it, do with my life what YOU wish!" 

Then stand back! Oh! My!

“Wait on the Lord: be of good courage, and he shall strengthen thine heart: wait, I say, on the Lord.”

‭‭Psalms‬ ‭27:14‬ ‭KJV‬‬

The word "wait" in the passage, means to watch! Like on a stake out. 

Watch and wait on The LORD! 

He moves when we get out of His way! And, oh how He moves!! He does all things well!

There has not been a single minute, in the last 2 years, that I have regretted Him taking control! My only regret is that it took me soooo long to give up!

Cry out! Repent! Expect!

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

Even so - MARANATHA! 

From 1/24/14

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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 judgments 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

I Begin

I begin this morning with:

“And whosoever doth not bear his cross, and come after me, cannot be my disciple.” ‭‭Luke‬ ‭14:27‬ ‭KJV‬‬

And end with:‬‬

“And they understood none of these things: and this saying was hid from them, neither knew they the things which were spoken.” ‭‭Luke‬ ‭18:34‬ ‭KJV‬‬

And both continue to this day!

“Then he took unto him the twelve, and said unto them, Behold, we go up to Jerusalem, and all things that are written by the prophets concerning the Son of man shall be accomplished. For he shall be delivered unto the Gentiles, and shall be mocked, and spitefully entreated, and spitted on: And they shall scourge him, and put him to death: and the third day he shall rise again.”  Luke‬ ‭18:31-33‬ ‭KJV‬‬

Jesus was born into this world to fulfill the prophecies of a Savior! He met the requirements of a perfect sacrifice. He knew all along He would die and had to do so, for mankind to be saved! He knew He faced the cross and went willingly! 

And we must too! 

And again most do not understand, for it is -

"hidden from them, and they did not know the things which were spoken"

For the message of picking up your cross does not appeal to those who seek a "feel good" gospel! Most today worship a different Jesus; one who does not require sacrifice to be a follower!

“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

And many do! 

If we want to know something about anything we study the subject! We spend lifetimes investigating a topic to become an expert, yet when it comes to our salvation we trust a human's theory or perception to make our decision! We believe without investing at a "man's" word; never checking out for ourselves what "God" says! The majority spend their entire life going to church and never reading their Bible! They trust in their traditions! My daddy . . . his daddy . . .  and his daddy before him were _______ (Methodist, Catholic, Baptist - you fill in the blank!)

It is imperative that we seek The Truth for ourselves, for deception is widespread! 

“But evil men and seducers shall wax worse and worse, deceiving, and being deceived.” ‭2 Timothy‬ ‭3:13‬ ‭KJV‬‬

“Take heed to yourselves, that your heart be not deceived, and ye turn aside, and serve other gods, and worship them;” Deuteronomy‬ ‭11:16‬ ‭KJV‬‬

If your God does not require repentance of your sins; or forgiveness; or holiness, then you serve another god! If your God does not require obedience to His Word, the you are worshiping another god!

If you are seeking an "experience" or "signs and wonders" instead of "putting to death the deeds of the flesh", then you are deceived!

“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

The narrow way is hard and few find it! Don't go with the crowds on the broad path! You, for yourself - seek Him! Pick up your Bible and read it, like you would any book! See for yourself! (Matt 7:14)

Only the world says, "if it feels good do it!"

“From that time Jesus began to preach, and to say, Repent: for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.” ‭‭Matthew‬ ‭4:17‬ ‭KJV‬‬

And it still is!

“And when he was demanded of the Pharisees, when the kingdom of God should come, he answered them and said, The kingdom of God cometh not with observation: Neither shall they say, Lo here! or, lo there! for, behold, the kingdom of God is within you.”  Luke‬ ‭17:20-21‬ ‭KJV‬‬

Repent while there is still time!

Even so - MARANATHA! 

From 5/3/16

But Seek Ye First

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

"Delight thyself also in the Lord; and he shall give thee the desires of thine heart." (Psalms 37:4 KJV)

What is your heart's desire? Are there "things" for which you long? Do you think that "if only I could have/do; I would be happy"? 

You know, many people think that is what these two scriptures are all about! In fact, many a pulpit has taught that very thing; that God will give you what you want, but often times that sermon was tied to you giving them money! So sad!

So what is your heart's desire? 

If "it" is for more of God, I promise you He WILL give "it" to you!  If you are seeking Him, you will find Him!

The funny thing is; when you seek Him and find Him, you want for NOTHING more! He becomes your "all in all"!

Being in His will; working for Him; giving Him your all; sharing in even a small part of the miracles He is working in the lives of His children is the most amazing "thing" anyone could ever long-for! Watching miracle after miracle of changed lives; long ago hurts healed by His tender mercies; what more could anyone want?

But the best part is "seeking Him"!  Setting aside time, daily, to read His Word, to hear His voice speaking to you; feeling His love; what more could a heart desire? He is everything! Without Him, there is only nothing! Nothing compares!

He is my desire! 

If you are unhappy in your life; if you keep thinking there has got to be more; you are right! There is and He IS God!

Repent! 

Seek God! 

Find your happy place! 

It's that easy! 

Even so - MARANATHA! 

From 4/10/14

Casting Down Imaginations

“Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ;”

‭‭2 Corinthians‬ ‭10:5‬ ‭KJV‬‬

Not every thought in your head is your own! The enemy is right there, whispering to you, to tempt you, deceive you, and twist even The Word of God around, to get you to fail! Just like in the garden; just like he did to Jesus!

“And the devil said unto him, If thou be the Son of God, command this stone that it be made bread. And Jesus answered him, saying, It is written, That man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word of God.” ‭Luke‬ ‭4:3-4‬ ‭KJV‬‬

There are two lines of defense against these attacks! 

1) Taking your thoughts captive 

2) with the Word! 

That's why it is so important to read your Bible!

First - Taking your thoughts captive; 

Refusing to allow yourself to follow a line of thinking is your first defense! For example: the enemy begins to tell you that so 'n so is mad at you, because of what they said - shut it down! You don't know what has happened to that person that day or what they are thinking about! Most likely it has nothing to do with you! The devil is always trying to sow seeds of discord into our relationships! Just don't let him have free reign in your field! Kick him out! That's exactly what Jesus did!

“And Jesus answered and said unto him, Get thee behind me, Satan: for it is written, Thou shalt worship the Lord thy God, and him only shalt thou serve.” ‭‭Luke‬ ‭4:8‬ ‭KJV‬‬

Second - Get in The Word! Read your Bible! You have to KNOW it, not just memorize it!

Hide the Scriptures in your heart and counteract the lies of the enemy with the Word of God - just like Jesus did!

In a war (and make no mistake, we are in a war) you have to know how to use your weapons and you have to know your enemy! 

“For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war after the flesh: (For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strong holds;) Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ;”

‭‭2 Corinthians‬ ‭10:3-5‬ ‭KJV‬‬

Having the knowledge of God; spending time with Him on reading His Word, listening to His voice, knowing His nature will give you the best ammunition in your fight against the powers of darkness! That is where your power and your strength comes from; you have none on your own, but you have His; if you have bothered to arm yourself!

“And the evil spirit answered and said, Jesus I know, and Paul I know; but who are ye?” Acts‬ ‭19:15‬ ‭KJV‬‬

You can't battle and win without preparation and training!

And you can't be a conscientious observer in this war! 

You are in, because you are breathing! Your only choice - 

the side on which you battle; 

good or evil! 

“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 Bob Dylan sung about it! 

“But you're gonna have to serve somebody, yes indeed

You're gonna have to serve somebody
Well, it may be the devil or it may be the Lord
But you're gonna have to serve somebody"

Your choice! The battle is raging! You do not want to be counted as a casualty of this war! 

Time is running out for all of us. But as long as you are breathing, it's not too late!  To the victor go the spoils! It's all about eternity!

Repent and enlist while there is still time!

Even so - MARANATHA! 

From 2/12/15

Ye Have Heard

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

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

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

“O generation of vipers, how can ye, being evil, speak good things? for out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaketh. A good man out of the good treasure of the heart bringeth forth good things: and an evil man out of the evil treasure bringeth forth evil things. But I say unto you, That every idle word that men shall speak, they shall give account thereof in the day of judgment. For by thy words thou shalt be justified, and by thy words thou shalt be condemned.” Matthew‬ ‭12:34-37‬ ‭KJV‬‬

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

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

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

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

“And if it seem evil unto you to serve the Lord, choose you this day whom ye will serve; whether the gods which your fathers served that were on the other side of the flood, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land ye dwell: but as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord.” Joshua‬ ‭24:15‬ ‭KJV‬‬

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

“Enter ye in at the strait gate: for wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that leadeth to destruction, and many there be which go in thereat: Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it.” Matthew‬ ‭7:13-14‬ ‭KJV‬‬

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

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

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

“But if thine eye be evil, thy whole body shall be full of darkness. If therefore the light that is in thee be darkness, how great is that darkness!” ‭‭Matthew‬ ‭6:23‬ ‭KJV‬‬

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

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

‭‭Matthew‬ ‭7:22-23‬ ‭KJV‬‬

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

Even so - MARANATHA! 

From 5/2/17

Do You Know

Do you know Jesus?

In the early 70's, a Jesus Freak came up to me in a park, and asked me that question. I looked in his eyes and knew that he knew something I didn't know. That day I "asked Jesus into my heart", and got on the roller coaster (which accurately describes my walk with The Lord); until 2 years ago; when I was introduced to forgiveness ministry. 

I KNOW Jesus now!

“That I may know him, and the power of his resurrection, and the fellowship of his sufferings, being made conformable unto his death; If by any means I might attain unto the resurrection of the dead.” Philippians‬ ‭3:10-11‬ ‭KJV‬‬

There is a huge difference in "knowing" and "knowing of" someone. Reading about the life of a celebrity, and memorizing facts concerning their career does not mean you have a relationship with that person. Seeing their movies or listening to their songs does not mean that you are in fellowship with them. 

Talking with, spending time in their presence, listening to their counsel, eating, drinking, sleeping with them, gives you a greater insight into what makes them them, than hearsay!  When you spend time with a person long enough you begin to take on their characteristics and mannerisms! 

Again, I ask do you KNOW Jesus? Can people tell if you have been in His presence?

Do you KNOW that He IS God?Are you aware of His power? Do you FEAR Him? Do you love Him so much that you are willing to share in His sufferings? Are you putting to death the old man; dying daily, in the hope of being resurrected in Him? Are you willing to count the cost? Give up everything for Him?

“Not as though I had already attained, either were already perfect: but I follow after, if that I may apprehend that for which also I am apprehended of Christ Jesus. Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended: but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before, I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.” Philippians‬ ‭3:12-14‬ ‭KJV‬‬

“but I follow after, if that I may apprehend that for which also I am apprehended of Christ Jesus” (Don't you just love that?)

Has Jesus Christ apprehended you? 

Are you Following after?

Is He your desire? 

“Not as though I had already attained, either were already perfect” and  “I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.” 

I am pressing toward; I am being perfected And I will attain because I choose to seek Him; get as close to Him as possible! 

You want to know what your purpose is on this earth? 

Why you were born? 

Why you are here? 

Answer: To be like Jesus! 

He is the answer to every question!

Our lives have no meaning without Him. Leave no lasting mark. We are a vapor, soon forgotten; as if we have never existed! 

Knowing Him (spending time in fellowship); becoming like Him (walking in love and forgiveness); being His arms and His hands (feeding His sheep); is the only fulfillment this life has to offer.  

You want an exciting life?

Get your eyes off of you, allow the Creator of The Universe free reign in your life, and watch the miracles unfold!

Let Him "apprehend" you! 

Even so - MARANATHA! 

From 6/8/14

Though The Cross

“Though the cross of Christ has been beautified  by poet and the artist, the avid seeker after God is likely to find it the same savage implement of destruction it was in the days of old! The way of the cross is still the pain-wracked path to spiritual power and fruitfulness. So do not seek to hide from it. Do not accept an easy way. Do not allow yourself to be patted to sleep in a comfortable church, void of power and barren of fruit. Do not paint the cross nor deck it with flowers. Take it for what it is, as it is, and you will find it the rugged way of death and life. Let it slay you utterly. - A.W. Tozer 

Who is hanging on your cross?

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

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

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

“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

“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

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

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

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

Any God that would sacrifice His Son for your sins, so that you could be with Him in Glory, will let you die and go to hell, because you refused to be obedient and follow Him!

“Because it is written, Be ye holy; for I am holy.” ‭‭1 Peter‬ ‭1:16‬ ‭KJV‬‬

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

Time is running out! 

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

Repent! 

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

Even so - MARANATHA! 

From 4/19/14

Have Mercy

“Have mercy upon me, O God, according to thy lovingkindness: according unto the multitude of thy tender mercies blot out my transgressions.” Psalms‬ ‭51:1‬ ‭KJV‬‬

If you are burdened; if you feel like the weight of the world is on your shoulders, you have unrepented sin in your heart! Ask God to reveal the sin hiding there. He will bring to your remembrance names and/or faces.

“Wash me thoroughly from mine iniquity, and cleanse me from my sin. For I acknowledge my transgressions: and my sin is ever before me.” Psalms‬ ‭51:2-3‬ ‭KJV‬‬

The only way to be free from that load is to acknowledge your sin, confess and repent! (James 5:16)

“Against thee, thee only, have I sinned, and done this evil in thy sight: that thou mightest be justified when thou speakest, and be clear when thou judgest.” Psalms‬ ‭51:4‬ ‭KJV‬‬

The sins of unforgiveness you carry hurts you, and you alone! It is a breach between you and God! It has no impact on the one who hurt you. It has no impact on the person you judged, however, that unforgiveness will keep you from being forgiven by God! (Matt 6:14-15)

“Behold, thou desirest truth in the inward parts: and in the hidden part thou shalt make me to know wisdom.”

‭‭Psalms‬ ‭51:6‬ ‭KJV‬‬

You, who think you have forgiven; if it still hurts - it's not forgiven!

The sins of unforgiveness are a wall separating us from God! It's a wall we erect to protect us from further hurts; each hurt, a stone set in place, mortared by unforgiveness! That wall is actually is a barrier to God's healing the hurt and the spiritual root cause for many diseases! The wall, you erected in your heart, has to be torn down - stone by stone!

“Purge me with hyssop, and I shall be clean: wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow. Make me to hear joy and gladness; that the bones which thou hast broken may rejoice. Hide thy face from my sins, and blot out all mine iniquities.” Psalms‬ ‭51:7-9‬ ‭KJV‬‬

Only in dealing with your sins will you be made clean. Only through confession and repentance will your iniquities be blotted out and joy be imparted to you! 

“Create in me a clean heart, O God; and renew a right spirit within me. Cast me not away from thy presence; and take not thy holy spirit from me.”

‭‭Psalms‬ ‭51:10-11‬ ‭KJV‬‬

Coming face to face with your sin is painful! True repentance breaks your heart and is SO necessary! It's the hard, unrepentant heart that that will face God's wrath on the Judgment Day! 

“But after thy hardness and impenitent heart treasurest up unto thyself wrath against the day of wrath and revelation of the righteous judgment of God;” Romans‬ ‭2:5‬ ‭KJV‬‬

God wants you to humble yourself; lay down your pride! 

“Pride goeth before destruction, and an haughty spirit before a fall.” Proverbs‬ ‭16:18‬ ‭KJV‬‬

“For thou desirest not sacrifice; else would I give it: thou delightest not in burnt offering. The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit: a broken and a contrite heart, O God, thou wilt not despise.” Psalms‬ ‭51:16-17‬ ‭KJV‬‬

To be made whole; to be made pure; to be conformed to His nature, you MUST deal with your sin!

“Restore unto me the joy of thy salvation; and uphold me with thy free spirit. Then will I teach transgressors thy ways; and sinners shall be converted unto thee.” Psalms‬ ‭51:12-13‬ ‭KJV‬‬

Repent - while there is still time!

Even so - MARANATHA! 

From 11/19/14

And The Eyes

“And the eyes of them both were opened, and they knew that they were naked; and they sewed fig leaves together, and made themselves aprons. And they heard the voice of the Lord God walking in the garden in the cool of the day: and Adam and his wife hid themselves from the presence of the Lord God amongst the trees of the garden.”

‭‭Genesis‬ ‭3:7-8‬ ‭KJV‬‬

When Adam and his wife disobeyed God and ate of the forbidden fruit, sin was born. They immediately tried to cover their sin. Then they attempted to hide from God. 

We still do that today! Like the ostrich that pokes her head in the sand, if we can't see it, He can't either. We lie so long we begin to believe the lie ourselves. 

“And the Lord God called unto Adam, and said unto him, Where art thou? And he said, I heard thy voice in the garden, and I was afraid, because I was naked; and I hid myself.” Genesis‬ ‭3:9-10‬ ‭KJV‬‬

Even as small children, we know when we do wrong and our first natural instinct is to hide. Then when confronted, our second instinct is to blame someone else. 

“And he said, Who told thee that thou wast naked? Hast thou eaten of the tree, whereof I commanded thee that thou shouldest not eat? And the man said, The woman whom thou gavest to be with me, she gave me of the tree, and I did eat.” Genesis‬ ‭3:11-12‬ ‭KJV‬‬

We have to be taught, by our parents, (and we have to teach our children) to do right. It is not in our nature. Recognizing the difference between right and wrong can come, but it is not innate! Hiding (our wrongs) is!

Taking responsibility of our evil actions; calling it what it is; owning our sin, is a milestone in our effort for reconciliation with God! Without owning it, there is no repentance. Without repentance, reconciliation doesn't happen! 

Humbling ourselves before God and admitting, with a repentant heart, our sins is the only way back. 

Being sorry for getting caught, just does not get it! 

Like Adam, who hid himself, we think because we WON'T look at our sins that He CAN'T see them. He IS God and sees everything! And yet, God in His mercy, still calls our name. Like He did Adam; he gives us the opportunity for repentance; to turn back to Him! His gentle way of exposing our sin (conviction) probably hurts more than if He hit us over the head. 

Bankrupt; being painfully aware of our sin is completely and totally essential in our becoming His servant. We lay down the worst sin, our Pride, when we recognize our need for a Savior! 

We don't come to God on feet but on our knees! There is no becoming His, without Him offering His hand to pull us up! If we do not realize there is nothing good in us, without Him, we are deceived in our belief, and have bought the lie from the devil! 

Having the knowledge of good and evil, does not make us like God! He is God; we are not and can never be! Knowledge is not wisdom! Knowledge is not love! 

Knowledge is not mercy! 

Knowledge is not truth! 

The only way we can even get close to God is through submission and obedience to His Word! Having His Word in our head is not the same as having it in our heart, and THAT is where it HAS to be! When we make a place in our heart for Him to take residence, through the confession and repentance (of the sins we have stashed there) then we make room for His attributes to reside! 

Ask God to expose the sins of unforgiveness you have hiding in your heart, and He will. He will show you people and situations that hurt you. “Oh, I have forgiven them many times!” you say.  The fact it still hurts now, shows that it is still unresolved. 

Unforgiveness  is sin and must be repented of.

You say, “After what they did! Why should I forgive them?”   Forgiveness is a choice to obey God! He says forgive if you want to be forgiven! (Matthew 6:14-15) We all need forgiveness! 

So, when that hurt is exposed, we must choose to forgive (even though our flesh may not want to) and repent of the unforgiveness we’ve held onto for all of those years! We also must repent of the judgments we’ve made of the people that hurt us. We do this in obedience to The Word Of God. When we obey, we show our love for Him and He blesses our efforts! Miracles occur! When He exposes those sins we have hiding, and we repent, it makes room for His attributes! His love! His peace! His joy! His mercy and His grace!

Repentance of our sin makes room for Him to live in us; to sit on the throne of our heart as our LORD & King! 

Walking in love -

walking in forgiveness - 

walking in repentance - 

a way of life for His servant!

Him living in us; THE reason for living!

Nothing else satisfies! 

Repent while there is still time.

Even so - MARANATHA! 

From 10/31/14

Oh Give Thanks

“O give thanks unto the Lord; for he is good: because his mercy endureth for ever.” ‭‭Psalms‬ ‭118:1‬ ‭KJV‬‬

“Let them now that fear the Lord say, that his mercy endureth for ever.” ‭Psalms‬ ‭118:4‬ ‭KJV‬‬

This is where my reading began this morning! This is also where my heart beat with my first thought, awakening;  thanking my LORD for His mercies; amazed at the difference a day makes! Praise, peace, rest, and joy;  a wonderful way to start this day.

It was not so yesterday. I was tested. 

“I called upon the Lord in distress: the Lord answered me, and set me in a large place.” Psalms‬ ‭118:5‬ ‭KJV‬‬

It's funny how I sometimes do not realize I'm in a test until I'm almost through it! Did I pass? Well, I made it through but not necessarily with flying colors! Oh, it could have been so much worse, but His mercy and grace held me up. I checked my heart and in repentance He saved the day. He always does!

“The Lord is on my side; I will not fear: what can man do unto me?” Psalms‬ ‭118:6‬ ‭KJV‬‬

The lyrics from "The Eye of the Storm", playing through my head this morning: "when my sails are torn, Your love surrounds me, in the eye of the storm!" 

Torn sails; dead in the water, but saved by love!

I look back at a sequence of events, isolated incidents, strangely connected; like a string of natural pearls, odd but tied together. Upon examination, exposing what was in my heart; repentance required, repentance made, forgiveness received; rest!

“The Lord taketh my part with them that help me: therefore shall I see my desire upon them that hate me.” Psalms‬ ‭118:7‬ ‭KJV‬‬

Victory, not pretty,  but another lesson learned. ‬‬

“It is better to trust in the Lord than to put confidence in man. It is better to trust in the Lord than to put confidence in princes.” Psalms‬ ‭118:8-9‬ ‭KJV‬‬

“All nations compassed me about: but in the name of the Lord will I destroy them. They compassed me about; yea, they compassed me about: but in the name of the Lord I will destroy them. They compassed me about like bees; they are quenched as the fire of thorns: for in the name of the Lord I will destroy them.” ‭‭Psalms‬ ‭118:10-12 KJV

What the enemy meant for harm, God meant for good.‬‬

“Thou hast thrust sore at me that I might fall: but the Lord helped me. The Lord is my strength and song, and is become my salvation. The voice of rejoicing and salvation is in the tabernacles of the righteous: the right hand of the Lord doeth valiantly. The right hand of the Lord is exalted: the right hand of the Lord doeth valiantly.” Psalms‬ ‭118:13-16‬ ‭KJV‬‬‬‬

“I shall not die, but live, and declare the works of the Lord.” Psalms‬ ‭118:17‬ ‭KJV‬‬

Giving glory to God! 

I cried out to Him and He answered all of my prayers, ALL DAY LONG! He rescued me when I needed rescuing. He comforted me when I needed comfort and He made away, where there was no way! He gets all the glory! ‬‬

“The Lord hath chastened me sore: but he hath not given me over unto death.” Psalms‬ ‭118:18‬ ‭KJV‬‬

“Open to me the gates of righteousness: I will go into them, and I will praise the Lord: This gate of the Lord, into which the righteous shall enter. I will praise thee: for thou hast heard me, and art become my salvation. The stone which the builders refused is become the head stone of the corner. This is the Lord's doing; it is marvellous in our eyes. This is the day which the Lord hath made; we will rejoice and be glad in it.” Psalms‬ ‭118:19-24‬ ‭KJV‬‬

And today, we do it all over again! For this IS the day, He has made for me & I WILL rejoice and be glad in it! 

Even so - MARANATHA! 

From 10/22/16

Therefore Pride

“Therefore pride compasseth them about as a chain; violence covereth them as a garment.” ‭‭Psalms‬ ‭73:6‬ ‭KJV‬‬

Why won't we turn loose of pride? Why do we hold onto it so tight? Wrapped in fear we cling to our Pride!

Pride stops us from being obedient to God's Commandments! 

Is there anything more important than obedience? No. 

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

You who believe that you are okay with God; you who say you are a Christian; if you do not obey His Word, you are not following Christ! 

Three times this week while encouraging people to deal with the unforgiveness in their heart and confess their sin; their response/excuse was: "not yet",  "I'm not ready", "maybe tomorrow!”

“And they say, How doth God know? and is there knowledge in the most High?” Psalms‬ ‭73:11‬ ‭KJV‬‬

Is it even a consideration, in their heart, that they are keeping their sins from God; that He doesn't know? 

All are in the midst of storms, because God is trying to get their attention; trying to turn them back from the broad path they are on, to the narrow path. 

“Surely thou didst set them in slippery places: thou castedst them down into destruction. How are they brought into desolation, as in a moment! they are utterly consumed with terrors.” ‭‭Psalms‬ ‭73:18-19‬ ‭KJV‬‬

To halt that descent, all they have to do is become obedient to what the Word Of God says! 

“Pride goeth before destruction, and an haughty spirit before a fall.” Proverbs‬ ‭16:18‬ ‭KJV‬‬

The proud do not consider what place "pride" has in God's eyes!

“And he said, That which cometh out of the man, that defileth the man. For from within, out of the heart of men, proceed evil thoughts, adulteries, fornications, murders, Thefts, covetousness, wickedness, deceit, lasciviousness, an evil eye, blasphemy, pride, foolishness: All these evil things come from within, and defile the man.” Mark‬ ‭7:20-23‬ ‭KJV‬‬

Look where The Word of God places "Pride"!  Do not think in your heart that "Pride" is the lesser of the sins! "Pride" got the devil thrown out of heaven! He wanted to be like God! 

If you are holding onto pride, instead of humbling yourself to obedience of His Word, you are doing the same thing!

And you who are reading this, do not judge those three, for you are just like them! God is calling you also to let go of your pride; humble yourself in obedience!

I promise you; you will humble yourself or God will humble you! Playing Russian roulette, with God, is very foolish! He's calling you to Him, but you have to come to Him on bended knee!

Repent while there is time!

Become obedient to The Word!

- CHOOSE to forgive the person and the act!  (Matthew 6:14-15)

- REPENT of the unforgiveness and the judgments you have held onto, in your heart!  (Luke 13:3) and (Matthew 7:1-2)

- CONFESS your choice to forgive, to a friend!   (James 5:16)

Empty yourself! Make your list of people you need to forgive. Deal with your stuff! Humble yourself! Don't let that spirit of pride rob you; separate you from God another moment!

Obedience IS true worship!

Become obedient and then you too, will read the following scripture, weep and declare:

“Whom have I in heaven but thee? and there is none upon earth that I desire beside thee. My flesh and my heart faileth: but God is the strength of my heart, and my portion for ever.”

‭‭Psalms‬ ‭73:25-26‬ ‭KJV‬‬

Even so - MARANATHA! 

From 5/16/14

The Heart Is

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

I’ve heard so many say, “God knows my heart” to justify their sins; unwilling to repent.  But we must have a heart willing to submit unto The LORD!

“But he giveth more grace. Wherefore he saith, God resisteth the proud, but giveth grace unto the humble.” James‬ ‭4:6‬ ‭KJV‬‬

It is indeed hard to lay down our pride, for it is a strong spirit, but surrender it we must! Coming to the point we know we have nothing in and of ourselves to offer God is major! The talents we have are nothing to Him for He gave them to us. But our willingness to give them to Him for His use, as He sees fit, or to NOT use is vital; for often in those we become puffed up; pride rears his ugly head.

“Search me, O God, and know my heart: try me, and know my thoughts: And see if there be any wicked way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting.”  Psalms‬ ‭139:23-24‬ ‭KJV‬‬

It’s a milestone for the believer to grasp his own wickedness. We are told we are good; told to be good; desire to be good at what we do.  Yet, the spirt of rejection that most have, at the same time,  is telling us we are no good. The spirit of lust keeps us craving validation; driving us for recognition!

“And Jesus said unto him, Why callest thou me good? none is good, save one, that is, God.” Luke‬ ‭18:19‬ ‭KJV‬‬. Notice Jesus said that!!!

The key to this dilemma is to keep your focus on Him NOT yourself! He has to be your Principal Purpose; His will - not yours is a must!

“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

When our focus is on ourselves, there is no room for Him. We are occupying His space, for there can be only one on the throne of your heart! He will not share it. After all He is God, and you are not!

Often times it takes royally messing up our lives before we come to that conclusion. Or exhausting every avenue the world has to offer for relief of an illness or disaster before we, in utter desperation turn to God! He knows what it will take for you to surrender to His authority and, I’m sorry to say, it will not be pleasant, for we are indeed a stubborn lot! I know from experience how low we have to go before we cry out! But PRAISE GOD He is faithful and will offer His hand! 

“Thou hast a mighty arm: strong is thy hand, and high is thy right hand.”

‭‭Psalms‬ ‭89:13‬ ‭KJV‬‬

“Sold out” is almost a cliche these days, it is used so often; in almost a casual sense, however,  that is indeed the requirement to be a follower of The LORD Jesus Christ! There are no halfway measures. That is the change; living your life for Him instead of yourself; choosing to obey His Word! 

“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

Notice “Confess your faults one to another”? This is where the pride comes in! Admitting to God you have sinned does not seem to be as hard as confessing to another person(s) yet that is from where the Power Of God comes! The act of humbling oneself He honors. I’ve seen (and also experienced myself) many healings from obedience to this commandment! Repenting Of unforgiveness, judgments, resentments, unbelief and anger in front of another, and then them praying for you, God mightily blesses! 

When I humbled myself, confessed and repented, I was delivered as healed!  At that time, for the first time in my life I surrendered to His authority! I willingly became obedient to His Word! 

Seek Him with your whole heart! Hunger and thirst after His Word! Trust Him for every aspect of your life! Consult Him and include Him in everything you do; for He is your constant companion! Walk in His ways for only in Him is there is peace and joy! 

“Cause me to hear thy lovingkindness in the morning; for in thee do I trust: cause me to know the way wherein I should walk; for I lift up my soul unto thee.” Psalms‬ ‭143:8‬ ‭KJV‬‬

Repent and obey while there is still time!

Even so - MARANATHA 

For He Saith

“(For he saith, I have heard thee in a time accepted, and in the day of salvation have I succoured thee: behold, now is the accepted time; behold, now is the day of salvation.)”

‭‭2 Corinthians‬ ‭6:2‬ ‭KJV‬‬

Is today the day you truly make Jesus LORD of your life?

Is today the day you accept The Pardon of your sins? Accept His sacrifice; His dying on the cross, so that you don't have to pay for the sins you have committed against God?

“For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him.” ‭‭2 Corinthians‬ ‭5:21‬ ‭KJV‬‬

Is today the day you finally give it all, in submission to The Lover of your soul?

“Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.” ‭‭2 Corinthians‬ ‭5:17‬ ‭KJV‬‬

But you say, "I've already done that!"

“And that he died for all, that they which live should not henceforth live unto themselves, but unto him which died for them, and rose again.” ‭‭2 Corinthians‬ ‭5:15‬ ‭KJV‬‬

Are you living for Him or are you living for yourself?

Is He ever present in your mind? Do you consider Him in everything you do? Or is He something you just "do" twice a week? 

Is He a part of your life?

Or is He your life?

Are you sold out?

I submit to you that you are deceived if you think the God of the Universe sent His Son to die for your sin, so that you can half-heartedly play Christian!

I submit to you that just because you walked the aisle and confessed Jesus Lord of your life, but saw no change in your life, that you are not saved; no matter what your denomination says!

If you believe yourself to be saved, but you do what you want to do, instead of what God says to do in His Word, you are deceived! 

If what your denomination believes is more important to you than what the Word of God says; you are deceived! 

If you refuse to obey His Commandments that say you are to confess your sins one to another (James 5:16), forgive those that have hurt you (Matt 6:14-15), and repent (Matt 4:17), yet believe you will go to heaven when you die; you are deceived! 

The devil deceived Adam and Eve in the Garden and they knew God, walked with Him, talked with Him! What makes you think you couldn't be deceived? What makes you think that your denomination and their traditions are not deceived? 

Why do you think that something so important as your salvation and where you spend eternity would require so little on your part?

There is no salvation without Jesus, that's why He sacrificed Himself for us, but do you really think He winks at the sin you commit everyday and will let your unrepentant heart "slide into home"? 

If you really think you "are good", that "God knows your heart", that you are saved, sanctified and heading to glory, but live like the devil in rebellion and pride, bitterness, anger, fear - you are deceived!

If you are angry at this post, but claim that you are a Christian, you are deceived! 

You don't have to be!

Ask God to open your eyes, open your ears, and change your heart! Deliberately choose Him!  Repent! Ask forgiveness for your sin and surrender your will to His! Humble yourself; make Him LORD! 

Trust me, He will do so much more with your life than you have done! 

Repent today - for you may not have tomorrow!

Even so - MARANATHA! 

From 7/27/14

As A Shepherd

“As a shepherd seeketh out his flock in the day that he is among his sheep that are scattered; so will I seek out my sheep, and will deliver them out of all places where they have been scattered in the cloudy and dark day.”

‭‭Ezekiel‬ ‭34:12‬ ‭KJV‬‬

“I will feed my flock, and I will cause them to lie down, saith the Lord God. I will seek that which was lost, and bring again that which was driven away, and will bind up that which was broken, and will strengthen that which was sick: but I will destroy the fat and the strong; I will feed them with judgment. And as for you, O my flock, thus saith the Lord God; Behold, I judge between cattle and cattle, between the rams and the he goats.”

‭‭Ezekiel‬ ‭34:15-17‬ ‭KJV‬‬ (The NKJV says “between sheep and sheep”) 

Such encouragement from these verses! I love especially the vision of The Shepherd searching for His sheep on the "cloudy and dark day!" 

Such promises of comfort for the hurting; the weak; for those who are in need of salvation!

And then the “judgement!”

“but I will destroy the fat and the strong; I will feed them with judgmentl”

We often tend  to overlook the part of the verses that are uncomfortable! JUDGEMENT! 

The separation of the sheep from the goats, and the sheep from the sheep!

Everyone thinks of themselves as sheep! We love The LORD and call on His Name! But do we listen? Follow?

"My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me." (John 10:27 NKJV)

So why the separation of sheep from sheep? What is to separate? We are all part of His flock! Right?

The Shepard's criteria, for sheep suitable for The Temple, is "sheep without spot or blemish" - symbols of sin! 

What does He consider sin? 

Everyone thinks, murder, adultery, stealing; those are unacceptable in society's eyes! In God's eyes, however, unbelief (fear and worry); gossiping; harboring unforgiveness in your heart;  bitterness; resentments; judgements are all "spots and blemishes"; easily put under "The Blood", but for the sin of unrepented pride; the very thing that got lucifer thrown out of heaven!  

Confessing our sin to one another (James 5:16), choosing to forgive those who have hurt us (Matthew 6:14-15) and repenting of judgement (Matthew 7:1) puts our sin under "The Blood"!  When we are obedient - we will know we have received forgiveness when the pain is gone! That is the promised freedom; Peace!

Sheep willingly follow, and submit to The Shepherd's voice; willingly lay down their will (pride) and are obedient to His Commands! 

So, just because we are sheep, doesn't mean we won't be separated!

Humble yourself!

Repent before it’s too late!

Even so - MARANATHA! 

From 1/5/14

So The King

“So the king hearkened not unto the people: for the cause was of God, that the Lord might perform his word, which he spake by the hand of Ahijah the Shilonite to Jeroboam the son of Nebat.” 2 Chronicles‬ ‭10:15‬ ‭KJV‬‬

“Thus saith the Lord, Ye shall not go up, nor fight against your brethren: return every man to his house: for this thing is done of me. And they obeyed the words of the Lord, and returned from going against Jeroboam.” ‭‭2 Chronicles‬ ‭11:4‬ ‭KJV‬‬

“for the cause was of God”

“for this thing is done of me.”

How often do we consider that the storm, test, or trial we are going through - is from God? 

Don't we just start praying for relief?

Don't we give credit to the devil and start "cursing and binding the enemy", and "standing on the promises" in an effort to change our situation for what we consider the better?

Do we ever consider maybe it was sent by Him, to move us in our rebellion? 

Do we ever bend our knee in repentance and ask God to show us our sin so that we may get back on the "narrow way"? 

God IS in control of all of our situations, no matter how much we like to think we are! When things go wrong, we take the position we are under attack and go into defense mode! 

Turning to God in submission should be our first impulse, not our last resort!

"God helps those who help themselves" is not in the Bible! That is a lie straight out of hell, no matter what you think! 

We, in our busy lives, give little to no consideration to what God thinks about what we do in our daily business! So wrong, for He is and wants to be a part of EVERYTHING!

“Thou compassest my path and my lying down, and art acquainted with all my ways.”  Psalms‬ ‭139:3‬ ‭KJV‬‬

“The steps of a good man are ordered by the Lord: and he delighteth in his way.”  Psalms‬ ‭37:23‬ ‭KJV‬‬

When we choose our own way, and walk in opposition to God we can expect adversity! Praying for relief without submission is to no avail! 

If we would but turn -

Father, I recognize that You are God and I am not. I submit to Your will. Please LORD, direct my every step! I repent of all of the times I have not sought You in my decisions. I repent of excluding You in all my ways. Please LORD be ever in my thoughts and make Your will known to me in every move I make today! And may my thoughts and the words of my mouth be pleasing to You! In Jesus name I pray!

Even so - MARANATHA! 

From 9/15/16

I’ve Been Hearing

I’ve been hearing a lot about sheep recently! I’ve seen great flocks of sheep on my travels down under! Lamb was even served on the plane on the way back! Several sermons I listened to, referenced scriptures regarding The Good Shepherd!  Even last night my Pastor, Chet Murrell said something that stuck with me:

“My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me:” (John‬ ‭10:27‬ ‭KJV‬‬‬‬) “They won’t follow after a stranger’s voice!” CM

It gave me cause to ponder why so many I know follow after preachers or leaders of big ministries that are so off in their teachings!

So I did a search on sheep and found this:

“My people hath been lost sheep: their shepherds have caused them to go astray, they have turned them away on the mountains: they have gone from mountain to hill, they have forgotten their restingplace.” Jeremiah‬ ‭50:6‬ ‭KJV‬‬

It’s hard being a sheep. The grass is always sweeter on the other side of the fence, however the fence is there for a reason; the sheep’s protection! 

“I am the good shepherd: the good shepherd giveth his life for the sheep. But he that is an hireling, and not the shepherd, whose own the sheep are not, seeth the wolf coming, and leaveth the sheep, and fleeth: and the wolf catcheth them, and scattereth the sheep. The hireling fleeth, because he is an hireling, and careth not for the sheep. I am the good shepherd, and know my sheep, and am known of mine.” ‭‭John‬ ‭10:11-14‬ ‭KJV‬‬

Sheep are notoriously stupid! That’s why they need a shepherd. They will wander off, if given the chance, in search for what they desire! 

“For thus saith the Lord God; Behold, I, even I, will both search my sheep, and seek them out. As a shepherd seeketh out his flock in the day that he is among his sheep that are scattered; so will I seek out my sheep, and will deliver them out of all places where they have been scattered in the cloudy and dark day.” Ezekiel‬ ‭34:11-12‬ ‭KJV‬‬

I love the story of how the Shepherd will sometimes have to break a lamb’s leg to keep it from wandering off into harms way. Then he has to carry it on his shoulders until the leg heals. Meanwhile, the lamb has laid on his shoulder, listening to his Shepherd’s heartbeat for so long,  he’s forever bonded to him. When the lamb can walk,  he stays under the Shepherd’s feet; He can hardly peal him off! 

That is how we are, when God has literally had to pull us out of the gutter where we were drowning in our sins. We cling fiercely to His robe and follow closely to His path!  And because of our bond if we should stray He calls us back, for we know His voice!

“How think ye? if a man have an hundred sheep, and one of them be gone astray, doth he not leave the ninety and nine, and goeth into the mountains, and seeketh that which is gone astray?”  Matthew‬ ‭18:12‬ ‭KJV‬‬

So how does one discern The Master’s voice if one hasn’t had his leg broke? Can it even be done?

I believe it comes down to what you desire! If you are looking to just have an easier life; or if you go to church because that’s the way you were raised; or if you are just wanting to network, then you are more apt to follow anyone who says things that make you feel good!  That kind of “Shepherd” won’t break your leg! He’s more interested in keeping you and your checkbook than looking out for your eternal salvation. 

The one who tells you to “examine your heart” and calls sin “sin” is the one that is not a hireling! He will willing risk offending you, to keep you on the straight path, if he sees you wander off!

Following Jesus if difficult! It’s not supposed to be easy! He had it hard; He was rejected, He was beaten; He was crucified! He tells us - “If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me.” Matthew‬ ‭16:24‬b ‭KJV‬‬

It’s about our heart! What we want! 

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

When we are His - He is all we want! 

When we want the world; if that is our desire, we will fall for anything or anyone who promises it! We may get it here, but we will lose everything in the long run!

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

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.” Luke‬ ‭13:24, 26-27‬ ‭KJV‬‬

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

He must be your everything or He is nothing!

Even so - MARANATHA 

I Submit

I submit to you there are three things to consider when following a minister/ministry:

0. How big is it and whose name is in lights?
0. Is repentance of sin preached?
0. Does it make you feel good?

“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

0. Jesus is telling us that if it is big; if there are many following - then it’s the broad path and leads to destruction!

“From that time Jesus began to preach, and to say, Repent: for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.”
‭‭Matthew‬ ‭4:17‬ ‭KJV‬‬

“And they went out, and preached that men should repent.” Mark‬ ‭6:12‬ ‭KJV‬‬

0. Jesus always preached repentance of sin and so did His disciples; a message that seems to be lost today in most ministries.  The “sugar-coated gospel” of today has deceived “the many!” The message of “daily dying” to self (1 Corinth 15:31) which is required to be a true follower of Jesus Christ, doesn’t increase book or record sales, or bring in the mega bucks required to fund high mortgages or the large crusades and conventions!

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

0. Being rebuked and chastened, at the time does not feel good. But oh,  when repentance is made the peace that passes all understanding comes.

I love the way Tozer put it:
“If God sets out to make you an unusual Christian He is not likely to be as gentle as He is usually pictured by the popular teachers. A sculptor does not use a manicure set to reduce the rude, unshapely marble to a thing of beauty. The saw, the hammer and the chisel are cruel tools, but without them the rough stone must remain forever formless and unbeautiful. To do His supreme work of grace within you He will take from your heart everything you love most. Everything you trust in will go from you. Piles of ashes will lie where your most precious treasures used to be. This is not to teach the sanctifying power of poverty. If to be poor made men holy every tramp on park bench would be a saint. But God knows the secret of removing things from our hearts while they still remain to us. What He does is to restrain us from enjoying them. He lets us have them but makes us psychologically unable to let our hearts go out to them. Thus they are useful without being harmful.” A. W. Tozer Sermon: Dross Removal

If a ministry looks and sounds like the world - then it IS the world!

“Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him.” 1 John‬ ‭2:15‬ ‭KJV‬‬

There is no compromise in The Gospel!

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

The reason there are so many messages, by so many big name ministries is that we have sought after another Jesus, wanting our ears tickled! God gave us what we wanted!

“For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears;”2 Timothy‬ ‭4:3‬ ‭KJV‬‬

“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

Here is “another spirit!”

“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 ‭18:20-22‬ ‭KJV‬‬

JC Ryle said: “He that is not zealous  against error, is not likely to be zealous for truth!”

I have come to the conclusion that if the world likes it, celebrates it, or a acknowledges it/him, I should have nothing to do with it!

When I first got saved I was angry because of all of the lies that were being preached. Then God showed me that the ministers were as deceived as I had been! You see deceived people do not know they are deceived.

The Truth, however, is still being preached but you won’t find it without a search! And most preaching it have been dead for a long time and are not highly thought of by the mainstream!

Before I heard about forgiveness and repentance I followed all of the big name preachers; male and female! I went to their conferences; bought their books; listened to their podcasts! I only listened to “Christian” radio and tv and had for many years. I was suffering from many illnesses and afflictions! I had not read my Bible from cover to cover; I just read the scriptures the sermons used!

One day, I was challenged to read my Bible like I would any other book. While reading Deuteronomy, God opened my eyes to the sin I had buried in my heart. Then through the ministry of forgiveness, I repented of all of the unforgiveness, and judgments I had held onto for so many years. I repented of my anger, lust, fear, worry, bitterness, resentments, gossiping, unbelief, and other things that today’s churches find acceptable, but that God calls sin! When I confessed my sins to a brother and sister (I could trust) and they prayed for me, according to James 5:16, God healed me; and I have stayed healed these 6 years.

He has done such a mighty work in me! I have been encouraged by my brothers and sisters to stay the course, to dig deep, to seek Him with my whole heart and I have continued in repentance when I have failed Him! My overcoming takes perseverance on my part and faith in Him; that He will perfect me!  

I say all of this to encourage you to not take for granted as truth, the messages that abound, but to seek for yourself The Truth! Put away all other books and purpose to read only your Bible for a year. Honor God by giving the same respect to His book, as you would any other author; read it from cover to cover! Pray before you begin: “God open my eyes and ears to receive Your Truth; Your Word is Truth!” Allow Him to have His way in your life! You will never regret it!

Even so. MARANATHA!

Where Am I?

“Where am I?” were my first thoughts this morning! I had no clue! Back in bed it didn’t take long to realized sleep would not return. So I found the bag that contained my Bible, made some tea, and opened it, amazed that my daily “read through” would have me here:

“He that dwelleth in the secret place of the most High shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty. I will say of the Lord, He is my refuge and my fortress: my God; in him will I trust.”

‭‭Psalms‬ ‭91:1-2‬ ‭KJV‬‬

Perfect!!!  How many times the past two weeks has this Psalm come to mind? More than I can remember! 

“Surely he shall deliver thee from the snare of the fowler, and from the noisome pestilence. He shall cover thee with his feathers, and under his wings shalt thou trust: his truth shall be thy shield and buckler. Thou shalt not be afraid for the terror by night; nor for the arrow that flieth by day; Nor for the pestilence that walketh in darkness; nor for the destruction that wasteth at noonday.” Psalms‬ ‭91:3-6‬ ‭KJV‬‬

On our way over; suspended over the middle of the Pacific Ocean; in the dark of night, while everyone else was sound asleep; experiencing horrible turbulence, I was not afraid! I used the time to pray for the crew, passengers and my loved ones back home! Such peace I had from the LORD! 

“A thousand shall fall at thy side, and ten thousand at thy right hand; but it shall not come nigh thee. Only with thine eyes shalt thou behold and see the reward of the wicked. Because thou hast made the Lord, which is my refuge, even the most High, thy habitation; There shall no evil befall thee, neither shall any plague come nigh thy dwelling.” Psalms‬ ‭91:7-10‬ ‭KJV‬‬

Yesterday, again experiencing great turbulence coming back, I was listening to a sermon by David Wilkerson quoting Jonathan Edwards: “Stamp eternity on my eyeballs”, I was again acutely aware of how precarious our lives hang in the balance. Moment by moment we give little to no consideration of how fragile we are; in an instant our life can end; for we are not guaranteed tomorrow! 

“BC” before Christ, such rumination would have brought on great anxiety attacks! Not anymore, praise God, for I know ONLY is there safety in Him! And, as I said at the beginning of my trip, “Though he slay me, yet will I trust in him” Job‬ ‭13:15‬a KJV‬‬ 

“For he shall give his angels charge over thee, to keep thee in all thy ways. They shall bear thee up in their hands, lest thou dash thy foot against a stone. Thou shalt tread upon the lion and adder: the young lion and the dragon shalt thou trample under feet.” Psalms‬ ‭91:11-13‬ ‭KJV‬‬

Only in Him do we have confidence and peace! 

“Because he hath set his love upon me, therefore will I deliver him: I will set him on high, because he hath known my name. He shall call upon me, and I will answer him: I will be with him in trouble; I will deliver him, and honour him. With long life will I satisfy him, and shew him my salvation.” Psalms‬ ‭91:14-16‬ ‭KJV‬‬

I have spent the last two weeks, with literally no control over my life! Everywhere I went, by car, shuttle or plane, someone else had the wheel! But I rested in “Who” controls everything! 

“I will say of the Lord, He is my refuge and my fortress: my God; in him will I trust.” Psalms‬ ‭91:2‬ ‭KJV‬‬

“Control” is an illusion! Giving up what we think we have, is imperative for a successful Christian walk! Submission is a requirement! 

I will trust Him for my life and the lives of those I love! For He alone holds us all - in His more than capable hands! 

He is God and we are not! 

I give Him all the glory for a wonderful trip, and bringing us home safely! Thank you all for your prayers! God answered them abundantly!

Even so - MARANATHA! 

For I Fear

“For I fear, lest, when I come, I shall not find you such as I would, and that I shall be found unto you such as ye would not: lest there be debates, envyings, wraths, strifes, backbitings, whisperings, swellings, tumults: And lest, when I come again, my God will humble me among you, and that I shall bewail many which have sinned already, and have not repented of the uncleanness and fornication and lasciviousness which they have committed.”  ‭2 Corinthians‬ ‭12:20-21‬ ‭KJV‬‬

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

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

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

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

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

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

“Confess your 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

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

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

Jesus speaking to the church in Ephesus:  “Nevertheless I have somewhat against thee, because thou hast left thy first love. Remember therefore from whence thou art fallen, and repent, and do the first works; or else I will come unto thee quickly, and will remove thy candlestick out of his place, except thou repent.”  Revelation‬ ‭2:4-5‬ ‭KJV‬‬

When we love Him, we obey His commandments. When we sin by not loving, not forgiving, not obeying, we must repent. Not doing so has consequences. 

“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

This is what is meant by working out your own salvation with fear and trembling! (Philippians 2:12) It's daily submitting to the pruning of the Master's hands! Submitting to His ministrations to make me like Him! Dying to self! Climbing up on the cross with Him! Sharing in His sufferings of my sins for which He died! So I may be raised with Him, in His glory; His work in me complete!

Ask God to show you who you need to forgive. He will show their face; you will feel the pain of the hurt like it just happened. THAT means it's not forgiven and neither are you. You must repent.

Even so - MARANATHA! 

From 5/7/15