The Lord Is

“The Lord is my strength and my shield; my heart trusted in him, and I am helped: therefore my heart greatly rejoiceth; and with my song will I praise him.” Psalms‬ ‭28:7‬ ‭KJV‬‬

In reading the above scripture, I know that David is not talking about his heart muscle pumping blood, when he says his heart "trusted" and "rejoiceth!" We have a "natural" side and we have a "spiritual" side. Here David is looking at the spiritual side of his heart.

Our "natural" side is our fleshly nature; our old man; our worldliness. It's the part of us that is drawn to the world. It's the part of us that we as Christians must overcome.‬‬

There is a spirit realm all around us; there is light and there is darkness. The darkness will tell you "that is not true" unless of course you worship darkness, then it will acknowledge its existence.

God is light.  

“He (speaking of John the Baptist) was not that Light, but was sent to bear witness of that Light.”  John‬ ‭1:8‬ ‭KJV‬‬

“God is a Spirit: and they that worship him must worship him in spirit and in truth.”  John‬ ‭4:24‬ ‭KJV

When we become a Follower of The LORD Jesus Christ, and our eyes are opened, we must learn to look at the spiritual side of things around us, for everything that happens to us in the natural is rooted in the spiritual. 

EVERYTHING! 

God has His hand in everything, and is in control of everything. The devil tries to thwart God's purposes, and often times seems to be winning. We have a choice of whom we will agree with in every situation; God or satan. We have a choice of looking at a situation in the natural or the spiritual and dealing with it by our decision. 

“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

The devil whispers in our ear what he wants us to believe. We then have the choice to agree with him or not. Our words have power. When we agree with him, and speak it, we give him our power and it becomes real.  The devil knows that and tricks us into giving up our power for his evil purposes. We speak our fears and they come about!

God uses the things of the world (good and bad) for His purpose; in spite of us. 

“But as for you, ye thought evil against me; but God meant it unto good, to bring to pass, as it is this day, to save much people alive.”  Genesis‬ ‭50:20‬ ‭KJV‬‬

When things occur; when there is a problem, those in the world have no choice but to react to what they see. We though, can and should examine the spiritual side first! 

We go to God! 

I say, "please show me LORD where I've missed it!" Or "LORD please expose in my heart what You want to show me!"  And He does! I then repent and I'm restored! 

Every healing I have received from God, came after I humbled myself, examined my heart and repented of my sin which He exposed. 

Those still tied to the world do not want to be told that healing comes from repentance of sin. But it is through repentance we become free.  

Before I fully surrendered and became obedient to God, I was on many prescriptions. After dealing with the sins hidden in my heart through confession and repentance, the doctors took me off of them all. It has been 5 years I've been healed and walking in health, through repentance. (James 5:16)

Looking at the spiritual side is not just for illnesses. The enemy can be attacking your finances, your marriage, your children, your job. Often times judgments we've made, as small children, against our parents or a siblings can have monumental effects on our lives and we never have a clue. Confession and repentance of unforgiveness and judgments not only can set us free but also our children, even if they are grown and live in another state. The spirit realm is not limited by time or space. God's hand is not too short! Often times the afflictions of our children are actually a result of unrepented sin in our own lives. Our obedience to The Word of God can set them free. 

If you would like to know more about deliverance and the healing effects of forgiveness and repentance, we have CDs we will be happy to send, at no cost or obligation to you. We will even pay the shipping. Private message me your address.

Ask God to show you The Truth. 

Repent while there is still time. 

Even so - MARANATHA! 

From 6/25/17

Praise Ye The Lord

“Praise ye the Lord. O give thanks unto the Lord; for he is good: for his mercy endureth for ever. Who can utter the mighty acts of the Lord? who can shew forth all his praise?”

‭‭Psalms‬ ‭106:1-2‬ ‭KJV‬‬

All of the Bible declares "the mighty acts of the Lord!" In my reading of this Psalm this morning, I am aware that His mighty works have never ended! I am a recipient of His mercy and His grace; I see His hand working on my behalf and on the behalf of those He's drawing unto Himself daily! It's a matter of looking and acknowledging Him. At times I am overwhelmed at His goodness and attention to details. 

“Blessed are they that keep judgment, and he that doeth righteousness at all times. Remember me, O Lord, with the favour that thou bearest unto thy people: O visit me with thy salvation; That I may see the good of thy chosen, that I may rejoice in the gladness of thy nation, that I may glory with thine inheritance.” 

Psalms‬ ‭106:3-5‬ ‭KJV‬‬

How often are we remiss in our thanksgiving. His mercies abound and we take them for granted. We are so unaware of Him working; if we could only get our eyes off of ourselves and think on Him!

“And he saved them from the hand of him that hated them, and redeemed them from the hand of the enemy. And the waters covered their enemies: there was not one of them left. Then believed they his words; they sang his praise. They soon forgat his works; they waited not for his counsel:”. Psalms‬ ‭106:10-13‬ ‭KJV‬‬

We just like the children of Israel soon forget His works. We seek Him and cry out to Him when we are in a trial, and when He intervenes we soon forget and go right back to our old hard hearted ways. 

“They forgat God their saviour, which had done great things in Egypt; Wondrous works in the land of Ham, and terrible things by the Red sea.”

‭‭Psalms‬ ‭106:21-22‬ ‭KJV‬‬

When we turn away from God, His blessings wane. When we turn towards Him they increase. He wants to bless us and He wants us to be bless-able. The bad thing is we don't turn to God when we win the lottery! We turn to God when we reach the end of ourselves! When the bottom falls out and when we have no where else to go, we cry to Him! 

“Many times did he deliver them; but they provoked him with their counsel, and were brought low for their iniquity. Nevertheless he regarded their affliction, when he heard their cry:” Psalms‬ ‭106:43-44‬ ‭KJV‬‬

We as a people, as in the days of old, have not changed. But praise God, He changes not, and still rescues those who call out to Him! We should be as faithful. 

LORD change our hearts! Bring us to repentance so that we may bless You all of the days of our lives! For only You are worthy!

“Save us, O Lord our God, and gather us from among the heathen, to give thanks unto thy holy name, and to triumph in thy praise. Blessed be the Lord God of Israel from everlasting to everlasting: and let all the people say, Amen. Praise ye the Lord.” ‭‭Psalms‬ ‭106:47-48‬ ‭KJV‬‬

Even so - MARANATHA! 

And God Saw

“And God saw that the wickedness of man was great in the earth, and that every imagination of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually. And it repented the Lord that he had made man on the earth, and it grieved him at his heart. And the Lord said, I will destroy man whom I have created from the face of the earth; both man, and beast, and the creeping thing, and the fowls of the air; for it repenteth me that I have made them.”

‭‭Genesis‬ ‭6:5-7‬ ‭KJV‬‬

“every imagination of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually.”

Yes, again,  “the wickedness of man was great”

Everyday, what rings through my mind: “can it get any worse?”

“And as it was in the days of Noah, so shall it be also in the days of the Son of man.” ‭‭Luke‬ ‭17:26‬ ‭KJV‬‬

There is little doubt that we are indeed in the “last days!” There does seem to be great division, though, of what will happen in the future. The majority of “Christians” believe they will be raptured out of the tribulation. There are those, however, who believe that we will go through the tribulation and suffer as Christ did.  Both cite scriptures to validate their theories. 

One of the overlooked scriptures by the escape camp is: “Whosoever shall seek to save his life shall lose it; and whosoever shall lose his life shall preserve it.” Luke‬ ‭17:33‬ ‭KJV‬‬

The majority of “Christians” do not even want to consider that we are called to suffer for our faith! They refuse to entertain the idea that persecution will come to us here in the states; even though Believers in other countries have been martyred for years!

I read, a while back, an interesting fact:

From the death of Christ until the 1950’s compared to 1950 to today; there have been more Christians martyred today than for thousands of years! 

“For as the lightning, that lighteneth out of the one part under heaven, shineth unto the other part under heaven; so shall also the Son of man be in his day. But first must he suffer many things, and be rejected of this generation.” ‭‭Luke‬ ‭17:24-25‬ ‭KJV‬‬

“Then said Jesus unto his disciples, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me.” Matthew‬ ‭16:24‬ ‭KJV‬‬

“Any man” includes us today! 

“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

It’s the “broad” way that adheres to the rapture theory - how do I know? Because that’s what the majority of the church in the US believe. The “narrow” way be “few!” Suffering for Christ is not the popular view!

We do all, however, agree that God must be “grieved in His heart” with man for the “wickedness” we see everyday, for we are grieved too! Violence, it seems, is ratcheted up exponentially, daily - how much more???

I’m afraid we will soon see.

If you are not reading your Bible daily; studying yourself to be approved, I urge you to take it off the shelf today, dust it off and begin! Ask God to open your eyes, your ears and your heart so that you may understand what we face! 

Only those who seek refuge in Him will overcome what will come! 

“Whosoever shall seek to save his life shall lose it; and whosoever shall lose his life shall preserve it.” ‭‭Luke‬ ‭17:33‬ ‭KJV‬‬

“And when he had opened the fifth seal, I saw under the altar the souls of them that were slain for the word of God, and for the testimony which they held: And they cried with a loud voice, saying, How long, O Lord, holy and true, dost thou not judge and avenge our blood on them that dwell on the earth?” Revelation‬ ‭6:9-10‬ ‭KJV

“And white robes were given unto every one of them; and it was said unto them, that they should rest yet for a little season, until their fellowservants also and their brethren, that should be killed as they were, should be fulfilled.” Revelation‬ ‭6:11‬ ‭KJV‬‬

Even so - MARANATHA ‬‬

And They Heard

“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 ‭3:8‬ ‭KJV‬‬

Back in Genesis and the above verse leaps off the page. Here is the first futile attempt of man hiding his sin from God. 

Today, we do the same; also to no avail! God saw Adam when he sinned; He saw him when he tried to cover his sin; He saw when he hid himself.  And God still does - every time we do too! 

God has not changed and the sinful heart of man hasn’t either.

Man’s first sin required a blood sacrifice, which God Himself provided, when He killed the the animals and gave them a covering for their nakedness. 

“Unto Adam also and to his wife did the Lord God make coats of skins, and clothed them.” Genesis‬ ‭3:21‬ ‭KJV‬‬

Our sins, today, still require a Blood Sacrifice; again which God Himself has provided through His Son Jesus Christ! 

“And almost all things are by the law purged with blood; and without shedding of blood is no remission.”

‭‭Hebrews‬ ‭9:22‬ ‭KJV‬‬

“For then must he often have suffered since the foundation of the world: but now once in the end of the world hath he appeared to put away sin by the sacrifice of himself. And as it is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment: So Christ was once offered to bear the sins of many; and unto them that look for him shall he appear the second time without sin unto salvation.” Hebrews‬ ‭9:26-28‬ ‭KJV‬‬

Knowing what God considers “sin” is imperative for The Believer!” And to know, one must read His Word; all of it!

“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

Unforgiveness is the biggest sin of all and yet that is THE one we hide from not only God, but from ourselves! We bury it and the pain associated with it deep in our heart! But God still sees that sin! The pain stays until repentance is made for that sin! If it still hurts it’s not forgiven! 

We are in fact holding onto our sin; covering it, if you will, with leaves as Adam did! It requires The Blood! 

Again, Jesus said: “But if ye do not forgive, neither will your Father which is in heaven forgive your trespasses.”

‭‭Mark‬ ‭11:26‬ ‭KJV‬‬

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

When we don’t love; when we don’t forgive; when we don’t repent; when we judge, etc - we sin. 

“For if we sin wilfully after that we have received the knowledge of the truth, there remaineth no more sacrifice for sins,” ‭‭Hebrews‬ ‭10:26‬ ‭KJV‬‬

However: “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

Ask God to reveal the sin hiding in your heart. I promise He will! He will show you the faces; bring names up; let you relive the situations that still hurt; that have not been forgiven; giving you another chance to forgive and repent of that sin of unforgiveness! 

Time is so short. Repent while you can! Someday it will be too late!

Even so - MARANATHA 

But I Fear

“But I fear, lest by any means, as the serpent beguiled Eve through his subtilty, so your minds should be corrupted from the simplicity that is in Christ. For if he that cometh preacheth another Jesus, whom we have not preached, or if ye receive another spirit, which ye have not received, or another gospel, which ye have not accepted, ye might well bear with him.”‭‭  2 Corinthians‬ ‭11:3-4‬ ‭KJV‬

If someone is deceived - do they know it?  The answer is no! 

Are most sitting on pews today deceived by their pulpits? Yes; if sin and repentance are not being preached! If you do not leave the service convicted of the sin in your life and the need to be in right standing with God, then a different gospel is being preached! 

“For such are false apostles, deceitful workers, transforming themselves into the apostles of Christ. And no marvel; for Satan himself is transformed into an angel of light. Therefore it is no great thing if his ministers also be transformed as the ministers of righteousness; whose end shall be according to their works.” ‭‭2 Corinthians‬ ‭11:13-15‬ ‭KJV‬‬

The "feel good", "inspirational", "motivational" message being preached in the majority of churches today, is a different gospel, with a different spirit, for a different Jesus! 

Even when Jesus, himself, preached, He told the ones He healed to go and sin no more!

If one is being deceived by the pulpit, where they attend - can their eyes be opened to the deception?  The answer is yes! 

Ask God to reveal The Truth to you and then read your Bible! Then you will see the partial or half truths that is being preached; from the pulpit, on TV and radio!

The message that quotes scripture but does not require you to examine yourself, repent from your sin and turn from your wicked way, might make you feel good, however is like rat poison; 99.9% good stuff and .1% poison! It will still kill you!

If a message is not 100% truth, then it is a lie and will send you to hell!

Just because you said some words at the altar, and were told you are saved doesn't insure you are! We have been lied to by those we trusted to tell us the truth!

Time is running out! 

You'd better ask God to reveal The Truth to you! If you seek Him you will find Him! He will give you the desire of your heart, if He is the desire of your heart!

If He is not your Everything, but something you do once or twice a week, then your salvation is in question!

Even so - MARANATHA!

From 10/20/13

But If Ye

“But if ye will not obey the voice of the Lord, but rebel against the commandment of the Lord, then shall the hand of the Lord be against you, as it was against your fathers.”

‭‭1 Samuel‬ ‭12:15‬ ‭KJV‬‬

No matter how many times I read this verse, I am amazed, that we as Believers don’t walk closer to The LORD! Such a strong admonition! No mincing of words here! Can anything be worse than The LORD being against us? All because of disobedience to His Word! 

Isn’t that where we are today; walking contrary to His Word? 

We are so deceived! 

We think we are “okay” - we think we are blessed! All the while the curses of The LORD are all over us! Just read Deuteronomy 28! But because our denominations have said The Law is no longer valid we stay in darkness! 

We think because we haven’t stolen, or killed someone, we keep His Commandments. Yet we have not honored our parents, we covet; we lie; our idols are too numerous to mention; not even taking into consideration the sins we have hiding in our hearts! The grumbling and complaining; the unbelief (fear & worry), resentment, bitterness, judging, and the biggest of all - unforgiveness! (Matthew 6:14-15) Because of these sins we are sick, our children and grandchildren are rebellious, divorce is rampant.  We live in the most prosperous country in the world and the most evil. We are so desensitized we don’t even see the unrelenting filth that affronts us in the media! 

We do not seek The LORD!! 

But because we give Him an hour most weeks we are convinced we are good Christians! We might open our Bible occasionally; read a few “affirming” scriptures, or an uplifting book, but to spend time with Him and seek Him as He instructs us to - doesn’t happen! We treat God like our old parents - we’ve put Him away and visit when we have the time. Oh, yes we love Him as long as it doesn’t interfere with our plans!

Yet, when our life falls apart we cry out to Him, and thankfully His mercy and His grace abounds; and He is there!

Continuing in my morning read:

“Moreover as for me, God forbid that I should sin against the Lord in ceasing to pray for you: but I will teach you the good and the right way: Only fear the Lord, and serve him in truth with all your heart: for consider how great things he hath done for you.”

1 Samuel‬ ‭12:23-24‬ ‭KJV‬‬

Our church leaders have failed to teach us the “good and right way!” They are so concerned with numbers and dollars, they cannot afford to risk offending anyone! The Truth is offensive! It has to be - to turn us around! “We are so lost, yet think we are found!” (to paraphrase Joyce Green!) We justify our sin, instead of owning it and repenting!  We in fact love our sin more than we love The LORD, or we would examine our hearts, humble ourselves and confess our sins that we might be healed! (James 5:16)

The last verse in my read this morning is chilling: “But if ye shall still do wickedly, ye shall be consumed, both ye and your king.” 1 Samuel‬ ‭12:25‬ ‭KJV‬

We must turn and repent for we are being consumed! Just read the news.

Father, I pray you open our eyes, open our ears, and change our hearts! Bring us to repentance LORD. Show us our sins! Have mercy on us LORD for we are undone! We thank You for Your grace! Thank You LORD for The Cross; Thank You for The Blood Your Son shed, for us, to make a way back to You! Father please forgive us!

Even so - MARANATHA!

From 1/20/18

Behold The Lord’s

“Behold, the Lord's hand is not shortened, that it cannot save; neither his ear heavy, that it cannot hear:”

‭‭Isaiah‬ ‭59:1‬ ‭KJV‬‬

Are you going through a storm? Does it feel like the wind is blowing so loudly that The LORD can't hear your cries? I have been there! 

Do you pray and pray but your situation never seems to change? In fact, it worsens and you see no relief in sight! I so remember those days! 

No one had told me that the storm had one purpose; to turn me to God! I would cry out for relief, but did not repent! It wasn't until I couldn't take anymore that I surrendered! In brokenness, I repented of my sins and THEN He heard my cries and the sun came out and the storm was gone!

“But your iniquities have separated between you and your God, and your sins have hid his face from you, that he will not hear.” Isaiah‬ ‭59:2‬ ‭KJV‬‬

When was the last time you heard a sermon on repentance? When was the last time you were called on your sin? Have you ever asked God to reveal the sin, in your life, that separates you from Him? 

Do you know what sin is?

I knew, I wasn't supposed to steal, or kill, or lie (much)! Breaking the law, like speeding, well everyone does that, so that's not really sin; right? I was a good person; I thought! I even did "Random Acts of Kindness", "Paid It Forward" at Starbucks and went to church and sang in the choir! I was "doing" everything my church said I should do - and I was proud of it! 

Yet - I was sick! I was depressed! I had no joy! I had no peace! Didn't know what they were! I had everything one could ask for, but was miserable! There was something missing, that a pill just could not fix! And everywhere I looked, everyone I saw was there too! 

When I found out that unforgiveness was sin, and that “it” was separating me from The LORD; when I read: 

“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

and realized that my very Salvation hinged on my obedience of forgiving those who had hurt me, and then acted on that fact, my life turned totally around!!!

I chose to forgive and repented for the unforgiveness I had held onto and released those who had hurt me! I repented of judging them and I confessed my sin to a couple of trusted friends and they prayed for me! (James 5:16)

I chose to obey The Word Of God, and it felt like someone had removed the weight of the world from my shoulders! Not only was I no longer depressed but I no longer had pain! God forgave me and healed me! I had joy and peace for the first time in my life! 

“Behold, the Lord's hand is not shortened, that it cannot save; neither his ear heavy, that it cannot hear: But your iniquities have separated between you and your God, and your sins have hid his face from you, that he will not hear.” ‭‭Isaiah‬ ‭59:1-2‬ ‭KJV‬‬

Repent and confess your sins and be saved; especially if you are in church! 

Time is running out!

Even so - MARANATHA! 

From 3/20/14

"I was lost, when I thought I was saved!" (Joyce Green) 

Me too! (cb)

And The Lord

“And the Lord shall scatter you among the nations, and ye shall be left few in number among the heathen, whither the Lord shall lead you. And there ye shall serve gods, the work of men's hands, wood and stone, which neither see, nor hear, nor eat, nor smell. But if from thence thou shalt seek the Lord thy God, thou shalt find him, if thou seek him with all thy heart and with all thy soul. When thou art in tribulation, and all these things are come upon thee, even in the latter days, if thou turn to the Lord thy God, and shalt be obedient unto his voice; (For the Lord thy God is a merciful God;) he will not forsake thee, neither destroy thee, nor forget the covenant of thy fathers which he sware unto them.” Deuteronomy‬ ‭4:27-31‬ ‭KJV‬‬

Here Moses is telling the children of Israel what will happen to them when they forsake Him and how God will respond if they will turn BACK to Him!

All is still true today!

When we go our own way, not seeking God we soon find we are not prospering! When we realize we are perishing, we turn to God! 

God actually sends storms to turn us back to Him!

Let's face it - when people win the lottery they don't say, "I think I'll turn to God!"

But when we are floundering, we cry out to Him - we turn to God!

"When you are in distress, and all these things come upon you in the latter days, when you turn to the LORD your God and obey His voice (for the LORD your God is a merciful God), He will not forsake you nor destroy you, nor forget the covenant of your fathers which He swore to them."

The important part is the "turn to the LORD and obey"!

That does not mean just asking God for help and maybe going to church! 

No, it means repentance and a change of direction! Instead of doing what you want to do, you do what He wants you to do! Following His Commandments; following His direction!

Wanting relief from the situation you have found yourself in, is not the reason to follow God! Though, that is often how we start!  However, when we find out WHO He is and that He is SO worthy of our love and devotion; we find that His ways are not cumbersome, and it is a delight to do His will!

Now, especially during this season that puts so much pressure on people who are already bending under the weight of daily stress, examine your heart! 

Lay down the yoke of the world, and yoke up with Him!

“For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.” Matthew‬ ‭11:30‬ ‭KJV‬‬

It's light because He carries the weight, IF we stop trying to pull against Him!

So how do change your direction? 

How do you get off the merry-go-round?

-   By humbling yourself (laying down your pride)!

-   And repenting of your sin!

-   Confessing one to another the sins you have stuffed down in your heart and repenting of all of the unforgiveness, pride, judgements, bitterness, anger, fear, and worry you have held onto (forever) and ask for forgiveness for all of your rebellion!

-   Repent of having and cast down your idols! 

It seems like a great deal of effort and it is! And painful too!

Anything worth having takes effort! You get what you put into any relationship! You put in nothing - you get nothing!

This is actually THE most important act of your life! 

Fully turning, to follow The LORD is beyond huge! 

Not to be taken lightly! 

This is something no one can do for you! 

Not your mom or dad!  

Not your significant other or spouse! 

Not your teacher! 

Not your Pastor!

You and you alone have to make this decision! 

This is life changing!

By turning your life over to Him, you are giving up your rights! You are giving up control! You will no longer be free to do your thing! You are in essence accepting servitude, over independence! 

THAT is what it means to be a Christian - a follower of Christ!

THAT is what it means "you were bought with a price!" (1Cor 6:20)

If you have not done that - then you are just a church goer! 

You are not the church!

Examine your heart!

Repent! 

Seek Him with your whole heart and soul!!!!

Make HIM the only thing you desire this year!!!

Even so - MARANATHA! 

From 12/3/14

“And when they had brought their ships to land, they forsook all, and followed him.” ‭‭Luke‬ ‭5:11‬ ‭KJV‬‬

“So likewise, whosoever he be of you that forsaketh not all that he hath, he cannot be my disciple.”

‭‭Luke‬ ‭14:33‬ ‭KJV‬‬

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

Seeking God with your whole heart; keeping your focus on Him, in spite of all of life's distractions is hard! It takes determination, perseverance, and dedication to your quest! We have that drive for things we love! That's how excellence is born! Singleminded-ness is attributed to those who excel in their craft; no matter what! Not many, though, will set their minds on their relationship with God, because something else has their heart!

“Turn not to the right hand nor to the left: remove thy foot from evil.”  Proverbs‬ ‭4:27‬ ‭KJV‬‬

It maybe something as good for you as - your health! Changing your diet, exercise, sharing recipes; not bad things but is that what you are focused on - all of the time? Does sports consume your thoughts? Are you distracted with "life changes" like remodeling or buying or selling your house? Starting a new business? Landscaping your yard? Going to school?

You want to know what has your heart? Listen to your mouth! What do you talk about all of the time? If you don't know, ask your friends, or just read your Facebook page!

"for out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaketh.” Matthew‬ ‭12:34‬b KJV‬‬

“Ye shall observe to do therefore as the Lord your God hath commanded you: ye shall not turn aside to the right hand or to the left.” Deuteronomy‬ ‭5:32‬ ‭KJV‬‬

“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:” Matthew‬ ‭7:13‬ ‭KJV‬‬

We start the race strong, when we first turn to The LORD! However, when the tests come, (and they always do) it's easy to take our eyes off of Him! The path gets difficult and it often offers "shortcuts" or "rest stops" or even "in-depth studies", on the side of the path, with which the enemy hopes to distract! We have to keep our focus on God and not look to the right or the left; straight ahead! Watching our steps, for the path is steep and rocky; so as not to fall! And if you do fall - get back up! 

“Be ye therefore very courageous to keep and to do all that is written in the book of the law of Moses, that ye turn not aside therefrom to the right hand or to the left;” Joshua‬ ‭23:6‬ ‭KJV‬‬

It takes courage to follow God, especially in the world today!

If you seek God; if you love Him with your whole heart, you will do fine! That is how you overcome! Purpose in your heart to make Him first! Do not lose your first love! Love Him; not the things of this world! Pray for a hunger and thirst for Him! Listen for His still small voice! Spend time with Him! That's what relationships are all about; invest in yours with Him! No one will love you more! He calls you His Beloved!

Repent of your adultery and commit to fidelity - with God!

Change your life!

Even so - MARANATHA! 

From: 11/16/14

O Bless Our God

“O bless our God, ye people, and make the voice of his praise to be heard: Which holdeth our soul in life, and suffereth not our feet to be moved. For thou, O God, hast proved us: thou hast tried us, as silver is tried. Thou broughtest us into the net; thou laidst affliction upon our loins. Thou hast caused men to ride over our heads; we went through fire and through water: but thou broughtest us out into a wealthy place.” ‭‭Psalms‬ ‭66:8-12‬ ‭KJV‬‬

It is hard to be refined as silver! Going through the fire, again and again is painful, but completely necessary to have all impurities removed; ending only when the Mastersmith can see His reflection! And then of course comes the moulding and beating for the shaping into His designed creation! Yes, oh it hurts! But it is so worth it!

Some times, like me, the metal is obstinate and takes more than multiple efforts to remove the dross! 

Last night, I was reminded by The LORD what all it took to break my will; to bring me into submission for His use! Over the years pressure would be put on me to change, and I would dig my heels in harder, determined to have my way! I knew, "I knew better!" And God would give me more rope, shaking His head! 

When I ran out of rope; He was there!  

Molestation as a child, rebellion, failed marriage(s), loss of a child, abuse (sexual, mental and physical), drug addiction, rape, relocation, loss of father(s), witnessing pet run over/killed, loss of home, loss of property in fire, near fatal car accident of mother and daughter, closing down of business, care of disabled elderly parent, loss of mother, depression and ill health; those are just the big things!  And it took every one of them to put me where, I would say, 'Okay, God, if You will help me, I'm yours!' It took all of that, and the realization that, nothing else that man had offered had worked, so what had I to lose! All of my efforts had failed; medicine had failed; religion had failed! 

The ANSWER I had been looking for all my life, I found in 

repentance and obedience to The Word of God! 

When I chose to humble myself (laying down my pride) in repentance and confessed my sins (before my brother and sister in The LORD as James 5:14 says we must); seeking forgiveness for the unforgiveness (Matthew 6:15) and judgments (Matthew 7:1-2) I had held onto for all those years,  God THEN had the material with which He could work!

At the point where it didn't matter any longer to me, if I lived or died, He gave me life! Now I live for Him in "rich fulfillment!"

“Make a joyful noise unto God, all ye lands: Sing forth the honour of his name: make his praise glorious. Say unto God, How terrible art thou in thy works! through the greatness of thy power shall thine enemies submit themselves unto thee. All the earth shall worship thee, and shall sing unto thee; they shall sing to thy name. Selah. Come and see the works of God: he is terrible in his doing toward the children of men.” Psalms‬ ‭66:1-5‬ ‭KJV‬‬

Even though I had been in church most of my life, I was His enemy! Now, I'm His beloved! Now, I'm His servant and I sing praises to His name!!!!

No matter what you are going through right now; "just life" or "near death", He IS your only answer! 

And THE only way to find Him is through submission and repentance!

Even so - MARANATHA! 

From 2/26/15

But Seek Ye

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

What does that look like? How does one seek the kingdom of God? 

Well, how do you seek advancement in your job? You focus on what you are trying to achieve and spend endless hours working towards that goal! You give it everything you got!

Same way! To seek God you put everything you have towards that goal! Spend time reading your Bible and pray "without ceasing"!

In any relationship; you get out of it, what you put into it! 

“And thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thine heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy might.”

‭‭Deuteronomy‬ ‭6:5‬ ‭KJV‬‬ (and repeated in Matthew 22:37, Mark 12:30)

To fulfill that commandment Jesus has to be THE principal purpose in your life - not something you "do" once or twice a week! 

If He is your desire, then you will give Him everything you've got, to achieve that end! 

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

Then! (the following verse)

“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

If you are seeking Him, your mind is on Kingdom "things" not things of this world. When we worry, we sin! We are in essence saying, "God I don't trust you to take care of this for me so I'm going to take care of this myself - I will be god!" (The same thing that got the devil thrown out of heaven!)

Repent of worry! 

"Worries" are simply distractions to get your mind off of God; off of what you are supposed to be "seeking"! 

When your mind is on Him you have peace; the opposite of worry!!

Trust me! He IS big enough to take care of anything you are facing! Let Him!

You seek Him, and rest!

Even so - MARANATHA! 

From 4/5/14

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

For The Time

“For the time is come that judgment must begin at the house of God: and if it first begin at us, what shall the end be of them that obey not the gospel of God? And if the righteous scarcely be saved, where shall the ungodly and the sinner appear?”

‭‭1 Peter‬ ‭4:17-18‬ ‭KJV‬‬

“if the righteous scarcely be saved” is a far cry from what churches and Christian music portray "salvation" these days.

scarce·ly

adverb: scarcely

1. synonyms:

   hardly, barely, only just;  almost not

   • only a very short time before.
   • used to suggest that something is unlikely to be or certainly not the case.

     synonyms:

     rarely, seldom, infrequently, not often, hardly ever, almost never, on rare occasions, every once in a while; More informalonce in a blue moon "I scarcely ever see him" surely not, not, hardly, certainly not, definitely not, not at all, on no account, under no circumstances, by no means, in no way, noway, noways "this could scarcely be accidental"

     antonyms:

     often

Brother's and sisters we have been lied to, and the lies by the enemy continue! 

Jesus said in the Gospel of Matthew: 

“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

And again in Revelation: “And he that overcometh, and keepeth my works unto the end, to him will I give power over the nations:” Revelation‬ ‭2:26‬ ‭KJV‬‬

"Scarcely saved!"  

“Wherefore, my beloved, as ye have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling.”

‭‭Philippians‬ ‭2:12‬ ‭KJV‬‬

Obedience is the key. 

Today's “sugar coated” Gospel allows for one to be saved and do their own thing with no change, because "Christ did it all!"  Never is judgment spoken of; if so it's for others, not for the believer!  Escapism is the belief for the believer. 

Everyone believes he's obedient - walking around with unforgiveness, bitterness, anger, and fear in their heart; judging others; gossiping. Unbelief is the acceptable sin in the Church. 

“And thinkest thou this, O man, that judgest them which do such things, and doest the same, that thou shalt escape the judgment of God?”

‭‭Romans‬ ‭2:3‬ ‭KJV‬‬

We will be judged!

Again Jesus speaking: “But I say unto you, That every idle word that men shall speak, they shall give account thereof in the day of judgment.” Matthew‬ ‭12:36‬ ‭KJV‬‬

We are called to repentance of our sins! Yet most believe it is just a one time thing! They do not grasp that repentance is a daily walk, as is walking in love and walking in forgiveness. "How many times?" All day long!  (Matt 18:22)

“But if ye do not forgive, neither will your Father which is in heaven forgive your trespasses.” Mark‬ ‭11:26‬ ‭KJV‬‬

Obedience is all encompassing! You don't pick and choose what you will obey. It's not about what you agree with; a servant does not argue with his Master. He obeys. 

Disobedience has consequences. 

Read it again!

“For the time is come that judgment must begin at the house of God: and if it first begin at us, what shall the end be of them that obey not the gospel of God? And if the righteous scarcely be saved, where shall the ungodly and the sinner appear?”

‭‭1 Peter‬ ‭4:17-18‬ ‭KJV‬‬

Father, make us to realize that You are God and we are not. Open our eyes, open our ears, change our hearts! Bring us to repentance LORD! Save us to the uttermost! In Jesus name we pray. Amen!

Even so - MARANATHA! 

11/2/16

There Is

“There is a way that seemeth right unto a man, but the end thereof are the ways of death.” Proverbs‬ ‭16:25‬ ‭KJV‬‬

Father, this morning, I'm praying for those, in church, whose eyes are still closed; whose hearts are still hardened; who refuse to seek You and turn from their wicked ways.

“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

Father, I lift those who are still fully engrossed in this world and are not yet awakened to the wickedness that abounds. I pray LORD that You would bring them to repentance; change their hearts! You called me out of darkness and You are no respecter of persons!

“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

Father, forgive me loosing sight and listening, even momentarily, to the lies of the enemy. 

Father, I choose to look at them as You see them, complete and perfect, and I choose to let You have Your perfect way in their life, on Your timetable. You are God and I am not. I will do as You command, sowing seeds; You will bring the rains and give the growth in Your season. And as we walk through the wilderness places You will hold our hands. 

“But ye, brethren, be not weary in well doing.” ‭2 Thessalonians‬ ‭3:13‬ ‭KJV‬‬

Thank You LORD for Your encouragement! Father, I will rest in You! I will trust in You! I will keep my eyes upon You; the Author and Finisher of my faith, and everyone else's! Thank You, LORD, for Your mercy and Your grace! Continue to save us all to the uttermost!

In Jesus' precious name, I pray!

Even so - MARANATHA! 

From 3/8/17 

And Unto The

“And unto the angel of the church in Sardis write; These things saith he that hath the seven Spirits of God, and the seven stars; I know thy works, that thou hast a name that thou livest, and art dead.” Revelation‬ ‭3:1‬ ‭KJV‬‬

Wow! How many churches could be named Sardis today? The "dead" church! Churches that think they are alive and well! 

In reading this, I am aware there is a great deal of difference in "dying to self" (which we are called to do) and being dead! It occurs to me that if you don't do the former - you will end up the latter!

“Be watchful, and strengthen the things which remain, that are ready to die: for I have not found thy works perfect before God. Remember therefore how thou hast received and heard, and hold fast, and repent. If therefore thou shalt not watch, I will come on thee as a thief, and thou shalt not know what hour I will come upon thee.” Revelation‬ ‭3:2-3‬ ‭KJV‬‬

Here we are in the end of days and Jesus is still calling us to repentance! The dead church still had "works" but they were not perfect in His eyes, meaning their heart was wrong. We can do stuff for Jesus yet be far from obedient! (Reminds me of:  “For I desired mercy, and not sacrifice; and the knowledge of God more than burnt offerings.” Hosea‬ ‭6:6‬ ‭KJV‬‬)

“Thou hast a few names even in Sardis which have not defiled their garments; and they shall walk with me in white: for they are worthy.”

‭‭Revelation‬ ‭3:4‬ ‭KJV‬

“He that overcometh, the same shall be clothed in white raiment; and I will not blot out his name out of the book of life, but I will confess his name before my Father, and before his angels.” Revelation‬ ‭3:5‬ ‭KJV‬‬

How many this morning will walk into buildings anticipating a white robe, yet instead of overcoming - compromise is the rule of thumb! Unity above obedience! 

What is at stake is so great,  yet we are not mindful of the consequences of our actions or inactions! 

This life, this walk is not a game with "redo's"! There will come a day, in the not so distant future when repentance will no longer be available! We have been given more opportunities to turn from our wickedness than we deserve! Yet until we draw our last breath the chance remains! The "not knowing" when that will be is of supreme importance! But do we want to gamble with where we will spend eternity, should it come upon us suddenly? 

But you see my friend, "it" is not about us! It's about Him! We don't do what we do, for insurance, it is about who we are! If we are His, we walk according to His ways! By prompting of the Holy Spirit; mindful of His desires; a tool in His hands to minister to His own! 

Laying aside our desires, our wants we even willingly sacrifice our very lives for His good purpose, without consideration of reward! His pleasure in us is enough! THAT is a servant's reward!

With that mindset comes peace that passes all understanding and joy unspeakable! Promises that are true and available each and every day! 

Surrender to The One who deserves all of that and more! Submit! Repent!

Even so - MARANATHA! 

From 8/30/15

Bless The Lord

“Bless the Lord, O my soul: and all that is within me, bless his holy name. Bless the Lord, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits: Who forgiveth all thine iniquities; who healeth all thy diseases; Who redeemeth thy life from destruction; who crowneth thee with lovingkindness and tender mercies; Who satisfieth thy mouth with good things; so that thy youth is renewed like the eagle's.” Psalms‬ ‭103:1-5‬ ‭KJV‬‬

Have you ever been utterly consumed with thankfulness and awe at the miracles of God in your life? Have you ever been so keenly aware of His workings in your life or the lives of those you love that words like the above Psalm come pouring out of your mouth? 

“The Lord is merciful and gracious, slow to anger, and plenteous in mercy. He will not always chide: neither will he keep his anger for ever. He hath not dealt with us after our sins; nor rewarded us according to our iniquities. For as the heaven is high above the earth, so great is his mercy toward them that fear him.” Psalms‬ ‭103:8-11‬ ‭KJV‬‬

The fact that God has not destroyed us yet, but is capable of doing do, seems to escape most people that profess a belief in Him! None fear Him! If we all did,  we would not be in the shape we are in! We would obey His commandments! We would obey His Word!

“As far as the east is from the west, so far hath he removed our transgressions from us.” Psalms‬ ‭103:12‬ ‭KJV‬‬

Every person who goes to church knows and quotes that verse! The popular belief is, "ask Jesus into your heart and you are forgiven of all sin, past present and future!" Once saved always saved! But no one quotes the next verse!

“Like as a father pitieth his children, so the Lord pitieth them that fear him.” Psalms‬ ‭103:13‬ ‭KJV‬‬

Or the following!

“But the mercy of the Lord is from everlasting to everlasting upon them that fear him, and his righteousness unto children's children; To such as keep his covenant, and to those that remember his commandments to do them.” Psalms‬ ‭103:17-18‬ ‭KJV‬‬

If you KNOW The LORD; if you LOVE Him; if you FEAR Him and OBEY His commandments and He IS the primary purpose of your life, then you will see manifestations of the workings of His hands in your life and you will declare, like the writer of the Psalm, like me, and countless others, "Bless The LORD oh, my soul! Bless Your holy Name!"

Fear Him!

Obey Him!

Rejoice with me!!!

“The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom: and the knowledge of the holy is understanding.” Proverbs‬ ‭9:10‬ ‭KJV‬‬

Even so - MARANATHA! 

From 5/23/14

This Is

“This is a faithful saying, and worthy of all acceptation, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners; of whom I am chief.”  ‭1 Timothy‬ ‭1:15‬ ‭KJV‬‬

Oh, how I relate to this scripture! 

I noticed something this morning;  Paul does not say he "was" a sinner; he says "I am!" 

Those of you, who believe that you no longer sin, since Jesus came into your heart, please reconsider your denomination's stance. For if you believe you do not sin, then you will never know the freedom from sin, through repentance. 

“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

When you do not read your Bible; when you only follow the traditions of men/denominations, it's easy to "err from the truth!" (That would be sin!)

The devil came in the garden and twisted God's Word, and has been doing it ever since. He is the one whispering in your ear, "hath God said?"  

Your enemy is the one telling you "you do not need to repent 'cause all that was taken care of at the cross!" 

Satan is the author of your compromise, for he does not want you walking on that narrow road of obedience to God's Word! He wants you to go with the crowd, on the broad path to destruction! 

How do I know? For I believed just like you! Then I began to read my Bible! God opened my eyes to The Truth! I saw the difference, and was convicted of the sin in my heart! 

When I was young I, too, had asked Jesus into my heart! However, I shortly thereafter, fell into sin and gave up on my Christian walk! I still "believed", but I did not live the life of a believer! I did not follow Jesus! 40+ years later, I heard about the ministry of forgiveness! I read: “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

I had so much unforgiveness in my heart, from so many hurts! Little by little, with great humility and much repentance, I've taken them to the cross! I had nothing to lose, for I had tried all the world had offered; to no avail!

In great despair, I confessed and repented and forgave in front of a brother and sister in The LORD, according to James 5:16, and God honored His Word! I was healed and delivered, because I obeyed! I now, walk in forgiveness and I walk in love and when I miss it, I repent!

See for yourself! Dust off your Bible and start reading in Matthew 1:1 and read to the end of Revelation! Then turn to the front, begin in Genesis 1:1 and read every page till you finish in Revelation! Then start again! In other words, don't stop reading! I promise you, you will never regret the time spent! Even if it's just 15 min a day; set time aside; make it a routine! 

Ask God to reveal Himself to you, through His Word! 

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

Even so - MARANATHA! 

From 6/19/17

Wherefore The King

“Wherefore the king hearkened not unto the people; for the cause was from the Lord, that he might perform his saying, which the Lord spake by Ahijah the Shilonite unto Jeroboam the son of Nebat.” ‭‭1 Kings‬ ‭12:15‬ ‭KJV‬‬

"for the cause was from the LORD"

That phrase has stuck in my head for two days!

How many of us would consider, that a situation we were going through, would be from The LORD? We are quick to attribute all things good "as from Him" (as we should) however, the bad? Would we give Him credit or the devil? 

I had always been taught it was the devil that was causing whatever trial I was battling! I never heard that God might have His hand in it; for my correction. Never was I taught to inquire of The LORD, of sins that were in need of repentance; to ask Him where I had "missed it!" 

When you stop and think about it; if the storm you are in, is from God (to change your direction; to turn you back to Him) and you fight it, you are fighting God. And I know for a fact, you will not win that fight! He will prevail!

People don't turn to God when they win the lottery!  But, when their world falls apart, they are quick to call on Him! That is the whole reason for the storms; a course correction! 

I was reminded, this week, of a woman we prayed with, a couple of years ago. She had been raped by two men and they had thrown battery acid in her face, so that she would not be able to identify them. She had no eyes, no nose, no ears, and her skin looked like cottage cheese! Her attack had been so recent, that she still had scabs on her neck and an IV port was visible. 

The week before she had heard The Power Of Forgiveness message on cd, which had been given out at her church.

When she came to the altar I asked her if she was ready to forgive her attackers and she said, "Yes, but I don't know their names!"

I told her, "God knows."

Right there, she chose to forgive them, and repented of her sins of unforgiveness, judgments, anger, hatred, bitterness, & resentment. 

She later told the pastor, that that attack was the best thing that had ever happened to her, because it had stopped her in her tracks! She had been on her way to hell, with the life she was living, but that one event had changed her life and turned her to God! She was set free!

God will do whatever it takes, to get your attention, to bring you to Him! Often times, it takes a series of events to get our attention, culminating in a major catastrophe, especially if our rebellion runs deep!

This is serious folks!

You see, this life is not about how successful you can be, what kind of car you drive, what neighborhood you live in, or where you go to school; it's all about where you will spend eternity! 

It's ALL about Him! 

Living for Him!

And that purpose is not just for those called to preach! It's the rule for everyone walking the face of this earth! We were made for Him; for His good pleasure!

He is God! 

We are not! 

Yet, we live like we are; our choices; our happiness; our desires; our wants!

Until we make Him our Principal Purpose, we will know no joy, for only in Him will we realize why we are here on this earth! He is the reason for our being! He is our fulfillment! And our life makes no sense and does not begin until we come to that realization! There is only satisfaction in Him!

So, if your life is falling apart; if you have tried everything this world has to offer and nothing has helped, private message me and I will send you a copy of the cd that changed my life, free of charge! 

At the end of my rope was where I was, when a friend gave me the cd! It seemed I had searched forever, in and out of church, trying to do "it" on my own, and then a "turn of events from The LORD", changed my life, and I'll forever be grateful and live to serve Him!

Even so - MARANATHA! 

From 9/4/16