My Journey Through The Book of Romans

As I studied this book kind of thoroughly, (just being honest) I discovered it is a great book with great examples and teaching on sin and death and sin and grace. It is one book that I plan to read over and over again and obtain wisdom on how to live daily in Christ. It is a convicting book. It is a law book. It is an instructional book. So, I wanted to share my thoughts/notes made when I studied this book. Learning about the history of places has always given me a clearer understanding of events in The Holy Bible. Allow me to share with you some information retrieved from bible.about.com:

• Rome was a relatively wealthy city and included several economic classes — including slaves, free individuals, official Roman citizens, and nobles of different kinds (political and military). First-century Rome was known to be filled with all kinds of decadence and immorality, from the brutal practices of the arena to sexual immorality of all kinds.

• During the first century, Rome was heavily influenced by Greek Mythology and the practice of Emperor worship (also known as the Imperial Cult). Thus, most inhabitants of Rome were polytheistic — they worshiped several different gods and demigods depending on their own situations and preferences. For this reason, Rome contained many temples, shrines, and places of worship without a centralized ritual or practice. Most forms of worship were tolerated. Rome was also a home to “outsiders” of many different cultures, including Christians and Jews.

• Nobody is certain of who founded the Christian movement in Rome and developed the earliest churches within the city. Many scholars believe the earliest Roman Christians were Jewish inhabitants of Rome who were exposed to Christianity while visiting Jerusalem — perhaps even during the Day of Pentecost when the church was first established (see Acts 2:1-12). Christianity had become a major presence in the city of Rome by the late 40s A.D. Like most Christians in the ancient world, the Roman Christians were not collected into a single congregation. Instead, small groups of Christ-followers gathered regularly in house churches to worship, fellowship, and study the Scriptures together. The people of Rome were tolerant of most religious expressions. However, that tolerance was largely limited to religions that were polytheistic — meaning, the Roman authorities didn’t care who you worshiped as long as you included the emperor and didn’t create problems with other religious systems. That was a problem for both Christians and Jews during the middle of the first century. That’s because both Christians and Jews were fiercely monotheistic; they proclaimed the unpopular doctrine that there is only one God — and by extension, they refused to worship the emperor or acknowledge him as any kind of deity. For these reasons, Christians and Jews began to experience intense persecution. For example, the Roman Emperor Claudius banished all Jews from the city of Rome in 49 A.D. This decree lasted until Claudius’s death 5 years later.

• Christians began to experience greater persecution under the rule of Emperor Nero — a brutal and perverted man who harbored an intense dislike for Christians. Indeed, it’s known that near the end of his rule Nero enjoyed capturing Christians and setting them on fire to provide light for his gardens at night. The apostle Paul wrote the Book of Romans during the early reign of Nero, when Christian persecution was just beginning. Amazingly, the persecution only became worse near the end of the first century under Emperor Domitian.

Conflict
There were clashes between Christians of Jewish origin and Christians who were Gentiles. The earliest Christian converts in Rome were likely of Jewish origin. The early Roman churches were dominated and led by Jewish disciples of Jesus. When Claudius expelled all Jews from the city of Rome, however, only the Gentile Christians remained. Therefore, the church grew and expanded as a largely Gentile community from 49 – 54 A.D. When Claudius perished and Jews were allowed back in Rome, the returning Jewish Christians came home to find a church that was much different from the one they had left. This resulted in disagreements about how to incorporate the Old Testament law into following Christ, including rituals such as circumcision.

For these reasons, much of Paul’s letter to the Romans includes instructions for Jewish and Gentile Christians on how to live in harmony and properly worship God as a new culture — a new church.

And with that being said, today even- in the robotic and government controlled 21st century we still experience conflict in the church. The question I always wrestle with is: Why do we as Christians / Believers still have this unending conflict when we are all reading and studying the same Holy Bible? We’ve read with our own eyes, or have listened to an audio version of the bible with our own ears, yet we don’t appear to totally comprehend what God’s word is teaching us and warning us of. The things that Paul discusses with the church in Rome continue in its full blown entirety today around the world. No country is exempt. How sad! What it amounts to is that we as Christians/Believers think that we are

whilst the majority of us are behaving like OT Israelite’s being led by way too many false Moses, mountain climbing with wolves as our guides, skydiving while hanging on to the feet of a bluebird and even setting sail to the Holy Land vacationing on false doctrine. You get the gist of what I’m saying, I hope.

At the beginning and end of every day, some of us are out there trying our best to get over our human fears to do this or to do that. Fear of God has to become our dominate heart and mindset trait to get to where God wants us to be.

Job said it best in Job 28:23 God understandeth the way thereof, and he knoweth the place thereof.(Therefore being obedient to Him daily gives us the opportunity to know Him as one church) and in Job 28:28 , And unto man he(God) said, Behold, the fear of the Lord, that is wisdom; and to depart from evil is understanding.
Speaking of ‘knockin’ on heaven’s door, Jesus said in Matthew 7:21-23- 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.

I hope you enjoy the journey that will teach us how to knock on heaven’s door and enter into eternity with Christ.

I Love You

Love Covers A Multitude of Sins

 

A Ready, Willing and Able Heart Requires A Building Up In Christ First- Exodus 35:5

Exodus 35:5 (KJV)~ Take ye from among you an offering unto the Lord: whosoever is of a willing heart, let him bring it, an offering of the Lord; gold, and silver, and brass,

As I read this chapter, it occurred to me once more how the heart plays a big factor in decision making to do for the Lord as a Believer. I try to echo this in all my SheSpeaks4U Seminars 4 the Heart and Mind. Thank you Holy Spirit for giving me an additional understanding found specifically in this one verse about having a willing heart. I get it! Yeah!

Can I share something with you? Sure. I made a decision last November to try one of those Read the Bible In A Year plans received from a church that I visited. I never thought much of those plans because I felt it wasn’t spirit led. However, God proved otherwise and I am doing well with it. He is speaking to me through verses I’d never given a second thought to over the years. I do miss picking out what I want to read over and over. My four older bibles have been marked up pretty good and I hate typing notes on my IPAD using that bible app, it’s just not paper. I have a love for writing on paper.

So my daughter-in-law asked me what I wanted for Christmas last year, I told her that I wanted a medium size KJV bible, because I did not want to start writing in the 20 pound bible I inherited from my pawpaw. Lo and behold, she bought me one with a matching bible tote and faith diary to write in. In the bible she wrote “To my real mother…” Aww that made me shed tears. Not many DIL’s consider their mother-in-law much, other than a babysitter.  As I was following the yearly plan in Exodus, she came to mind and the many who are trying to build bigger churches with unwilling and unable people came to mind.  Thank you for your reading patience.

And now, let us move along to a heavy message that should heave the heart of those that claim to love God, but their heart is not stirred with the Spirit of God. You may get angry about this message, and that’s ok, just don’t wake up tomorrow with the anger still in your heart. (Ephesians 4:26 message coming soon to a WP blog near you) I assure you the message is neither from me nor the evil one.

The text in Exodus 35-36 and the Holy Spirit showed me several things about having A Ready, Willing and Able Heart:

1. A willing heart does not give sacrificially nor give according to legalistic issues. (It’s all SPIRITUAL)
2. A willing heart does not have to involve pecuniary giving. (Everyone is not financially able to give, irrespective of what is preached)
3. A willing heart is flawed when one gives after receiving a brash call (usually from the pulpit) to do so.
4. A willing heart automatically produces an overflow (clothing, food, and appliance donations to homeless shelters is a great example; when storms hits, people give what they have with a willing heart to rebuild and help others)
5. A willing offering occurs when a person gives of their knowledge, time, understanding, wisdom, on-hand items, and their gifted abilities when their “heart is stirred up” to do something for the Lord. (These abilities show that one is filled with the Spirit of God.)

To sum it all up, the following verses should explain what the Holy Spirit led me to understand about giving to and doing for the Lord (You should read Exodus 35- 40, to get to the nucleus of it all):

Exodus 35:10-And every wise hearted among you shall come, and make all that the Lord hath commanded;

Exodus 35:21– And they came, every one whose heart stirred him up, and every one whom his spirit made willing, and they brought the Lord’s offering to the work of the tabernacle of the congregation, and for all his service, and for the holy garments.

Exodus 35:29– The children of Israel brought a willing offering unto the Lord, every man and woman, whose heart made them willing to bring for all manner of work, which the Lord had commanded to be made by the hand of Moses.

Exodus 35:31– And he hath filled him with the spirit of God, in wisdom, in understanding, and in knowledge, and in all manner of workmanship;

The Outcome of A Ready, Willing, And Able Heart is here: Exodus 36:5-7- And they spake unto Moses, saying, The people bring much more than enough for the service of the work, which the Lord commanded to make. And Moses gave commandment, and they caused it to be proclaimed throughout the camp, saying, Let neither man nor woman make any more work for the offering of the sanctuary. So the people were restrained from bringing. For the stuff they had was sufficient for all the work to make it, and too much.

Another thing beloved…The Holy Spirit just reminded me of this and the scripture. The glory of the Lord will fill those that have such a heart. I’m not saying you’ll be walking around with a shiny face like Moses had, but someone will notice His glory in you. Let us not forget that our bodies are also the Lord’s tabernacle. (TYHS) Exodus 40:34-Then a cloud covered the tent of the congregation, and the glory of the Lord filled the tabernacle.

I was in the midst of a sermon preached that made my heart sick a while ago. The glory of the Lord was nowhere in the midst of that tabernacle. I love it when the Lord shows me when people are emitting twisted words while making demands on the body of Christ. There is a falsehood floating around in many small and even large churches about the “need” to build buildings costing millions upon millions of dollar to “house the people of God.” Quite a few people that I have come in contact with through my seminars believe this to be an ongoing negative issue within small churches. Lo, the Lord will handle the building of a building, whatever the cost, in His time. The focus does not need to be on a building; it needs to be on the heart and souls of those Believers who have lost their heart for Christ and for those who do not know Christ.

Why do people think a “new building will” automatically “change” a person into having a ready, willing, and able heart for God? Wisdom Speaks- A new atmosphere will not change the people of God that are dead set in their non-Christ-like behaviors and attitudes; those that have a return to Egypt lifestyle mindset, a stiff necked people. Remember the Israelites that were led by Moses?  I know of one church with about 150 members that sold their three million dollar building in order to purchase or build  a six million dollar building. Needless to say, that church lost quite a few members because of “greed from within and a relocation that caused life long family members to leave…” The church was “not experiencing any growth”… so I asked why would they sell and relocate. Their response blew me  away-“…pastors and leaders are always trying to build new churches and compete when they get tired of being in an older building….and then the prosperity sermons started…” This is a message to those that believe a “bigger and newer eye pleasing church will allow us to do more ministries to bring in more members.”  Strike 1, Strike 2, Strike 3 – You’re out.

God is watching every behavior and hearing every word that does not glorify Him concerning His tabernacle, i.e. your body. It’s not about doing more ministries, nor is it about “eye pleasing” others.  It’s about preparing those bodies inside the church to go outside of the church to spread the Gospel of Christ. It’s about preaching and teaching those in the body of Christ how to become a more ready, willing, and able member led by the heart that God has instilled His Spirit within.  Isn’t that what Jesus did with his disciples and other followers? We’re always running around here like a chicken with his neck broke claiming “Jesus is the head of my life” with an unrented, unwilling, and non-penitent heart toward others in the body of Christ. Negative behaviors of and toward those already in the body of Christ does not glorify God. That’s a sure sign of a heart attack taking  place in the body of Christ.

The Spirit of God has been beating me down for the last year (February 14, 2015) about getting this message out. Actually today is the anniversary date for me to share the entire message. Believers of Christ just can’t build a church on a rock when its members have not truthfully and wholly consecrated their heart to the Lord. You can’t squeeze blood from a turnip, unless it is the Lord’s will. It’s not always about building a structure made of steel, wood, plastic, and bricks. Again, our call is to build up one another first in Christ and by sharing the message of the Gospel of Christ outside of church walls. We are also called to work with the gifts the Lord imparted to our hearts for His church. No brash demand, eye pleasing service nor new building can glorify God with a people lacking a willing and stirred heart.(Missing in Action)

Let us ask ourselves as shepherds and sheep, did God ever abandon those that He gave a willing heart to build something for Him? Again, buildings (old or new) do not help people to come to Christ, nor does it improve the heart’s status. It is those members in the body of Christ that worship Him in spirit and truth filled with a willing heart from the Spirit of God that will lead people to Christ to do for Him. Remember the cleaning of the cup from the inside is what makes it clean?  

Peradventure, the outcome that took place in Exodus 35:7 will happen, then a new building may be built because of the spiritual overflow.  We must start believing what Jesus said in John 4:23-24- But the hour cometh, and now is, when the true worshippers shall worship the Father in spirit and in truth: for the Father seeketh such to worship him. God is a Spirit: and they that worship him must worship him in spirit and in truth. 

Message Finale– You as a shepherd and/ or a sheep must spiritually have A Ready, Willing and Able Heart to build up and out for the Lord.  A stressed out congregation can not comprehend what it is to have a willing spirit. When the building up in Christ comes first, then comes the “stuff” you have will be “sufficient for all the work to make it, and too much.”  (TYHS) Peace 2 you beloved.

 

I Love You

Love Covers A Multitude of Sins

 

 

 

John Ball – c. 1338 – 15 July 1381

I came across this during my studies of July 15th past events. Of course , you know I find the lesser mentioned history events interesting. John Ball was a Christian evangelist who preached the basic Christian redemption message as he travelled around spreading the message to many people. Ps. 27:11, came to mind…”Teach me thy way, O Lord and lead me in a plain path, because of mine enemies.”

After reading about him it caused me to pause for thought…As Christians, are we prepared to be hanged, drawn, and quartered for sharing and defending the Gospel of Christ?  That is something we need to give serious thought too, with the way  God’s plan is going. There will come again an updated version of  the “Peasant’s Revolt”, I’m sure. 😛

1381 Peasant Revolt
Courtesy: storyboardthat.com

 

 

 

John Ball- Preist- Wiki

Peasant’s Revolt

John Ball- Preist

Definition- Hanged, Drawn, and Quartered

To be hanged, drawn and quartered was from 1351 a statutory penalty in England for men convicted of high treason, although the ritual was first recorded during the reign of King Henry III (1216–1272). Convicts were fastened to a hurdle, or wooden panel, and drawn by horse to the place of execution, where they were hanged (almost to the point of death), , disembowelled,beheaded , emasculated, and quartered (chopped into four pieces). Their remains were often displayed in prominent places across the country, such as London Bridge. For reasons of ,public decency women convicted of high treason were instead burned at the stake.

Ball was imprisoned in Maidstone, Kent at the time of the 1381 Revolt. What is recorded of his adult life comes from hostile sources emanating from the established religious and political social order. He is said to have gained considerable fame as a roving preacher—a “hedge priest” without a parish or any link to the established order—by expounding the doctrines of John Wycliffe, and especially by his insistence on social equality. He delivered radical sermons in many places, … (Click on the links above 4 more info) Enjoy!

“When Adam delved and Eve span, Who was then the gentleman?  From the beginning all men by nature were created alike, and our bondage or servitude came in by the unjust oppression of naughty men. For if God would have had any bondmen from the beginning, he would have appointed who should be bond, and who free. And therefore I exhort you to consider that now the time is come, appointed to us by God, in which ye may (if ye will) cast off the yoke of bondage, and recover liberty.” – John Ball

 

Hungry and Thirsty – Who Fills You Up? Matthew 5:6

 “Blessed are they which do hunger and thirst after righteousness: for they shall be filled.”

What are the first things to come to mind when one is hungry and thirsty? Food and water….right? As Christians do we look beyond the food and water? Don’t forget air. Sure! These are the basic sustenance’s needed to survive for the animal and human kingdom. In the plant kingdom, THOSE individuals thirst for water, sun, shade, and air to live. However their basic sustenance is water and dirt.  Aren’t we all simply complicated? Think about that question, will ya! Also think about the symptoms of hunger and thirst. I didn’t want to overload the blog with my thoughts, so you’ll have to think on your own.  

Think! Think!

Slide with me here! There comes a time when we need to look past the seen. We as Christians need to look spiritually at our basic needs and review in our mind and heart, if those needs are being met. To be spiritually hungry and thirsty gives us Christians, the opportunity to focus on righteousness in order for us to truly be filled. (TYHS) What can fill you up? Who fills you up?

Now that I’ve stated my little knowledge of kingdoms, let us move to a real word focus. THRIVE (TYHS)  You got it, dictionary and knowledge time.

Thrive (IV) – : to grow or develop successfully: to flourish or succeed; to gain in wealth or possessions: prosper: to progress toward or realize a goal despite or because of circumstances

***********************************************************************************************************************

Basic Plant Requirements (http://www.usna.usda.gov/Gardens/requirements.html) Anyone interested in gardening has one question in mind when choosing a new plant: Will it thrive in my garden? Many factors come into play to determine whether or not a plant will perform well for you. Each kind of plant has its own needs and requirements. Some plants, like the dandelion, are tolerant of a wide variety of conditions, while others, such as the pink lady slipper orchid, have very exacting requirements. Before you spend the time, effort, and money attempting to grow a new plant in your garden, it is best to do some research to learn something about the conditions that the plant needs to grow properly. Water-Different plants have different water needs. Some tolerate drought during the summer but need winter rains. Others need a consistent supply of moisture to grow well.   Careful attention to the need for supplemental water can help you select plants that need a minimum of irrigation to perform well in your garden. If you have poorly drained, chronically wet soil, you can select lovely garden plants that naturally grow in bogs, fens, and other wet places. ***********************************************************************************************************************

My Thoughts Office

As I sit here on my back porch watching bees, butterflies, wasps, and even a few ants, I began wondering about what fills them up. Bengal spray….ha ha ha, to keep them away from me as I write this blog. It is nice and windy out. I fill (not feel) blessed. 😛

 

 

 

 

Gene Tree

 

 

Here’s a pic of my beautiful oak tree I planted nine years ago in honor of my firstborn’s 25th birthday. I was admiring the wind blowing its limbs and leaves-swaying back and forth. Beautiful! It is astounding to me, how God moves. Then I thought, wow, I have never done anything to it except plant it, add fertilizer dirt (food) and left it alone 9 years ago. It appears to have thrived very well in its environment without my help. You do know WHO is responsible for it thriving, right? Our Lord, God, the Giver of life.

 

 

 

 

Were you attentive to the underlined statement above ‘Each kind of plant has its own needs and requirements’?

What about this statement? Before you spend the time, effort, and money attempting to grow a new plant in your garden, it is best to do some research to learn something about the conditions that the plant needs to grow properly. 

We should consider and research what “factors come into play to determine whether or not” WHAT “will perform well for” us to help us hunger and thirst after righteousness. In our researching, we must RESEARCH the holy word of God and His will.

Point Break -In order to THRIVE, period- We, as God’s children should be Hungry and Thirsty for Righteousness. We must STRIVE and SLIDE in every direction that will lead us to righteousness. Those were my thoughts when I read this verse. AND these lyrics popped into my head, seems fitting for this section:

Fantastic Voyage

 Hey, come on, come along take a ride
There’s a party over there, that ain’t no jive
It’s live, live, it’s all the way live
Don’t even have to walk, don’t even have to drive
Just slide, slide, slippity slide (and STRIVE)
Just forget about your troubles and your nine to five (and sail on the Fantastic Voyage with God)

Take heart time to research the basic needs of the human kingdom and you will find that EVERY need begins with God and His provisions. Fancifully, we have been planted on this earth for a reason. If you are hungry and thirsty for righteousness, then indeed you will be filled. Now, surrender to God so that you can hunger and thirst for Him.  Go grab that Holy Bible, a cool glass of lemonade with honey and a piece of bread. (TYHS)

Now, I’ll end this wonderful post and head back inside. Dark clouds are approaching yonder thar West!  Enjoy!

May the Spirit of God lead you and fill you up!

Listen to another one of my favorite all time worship songs- I Surrender

Breathe and let Jesus in. He IS your fill of sustenance.

Obedience to Government Leaders – Ecclesiastes 8

Thar she goes!

I’m afraid this is going to be my soapbox moment blog. I am not one to go top-over about how this country or any country is run. When reading this chapter last night, I became somewhat angry about the lack of love in obedience in this world from both Christians and Non-Christians alike. I have always been puzzled about people who are selected to represent a county, city, precinct, state, and country. Throughout the bible it is evident that whoever is elected to rule is not without sin; have prejudices; appear self-serving; ineffective communicators; make bad decisions; can’t consciously commit to a yea or nah; and are quick to bend instead of standing firm on issues biblically after they are sworn into office putting their hand on a Holy Bible of their choice. At least that is what goes on in America.       What’s wrong with that picture? Everything! The problem…leaders have taken an oath on the Word of God and all of them have fallen short on adhering to that oath. Why then are we instructed to be obedient to our elected leaders? Take a look around, governments are being run by many people who seem to have no deep fear of God. Ok, kick me, but it is truth. Solomon says “Though a sinner do evil an hundred times, and his days be prolonged, yet surely I know that it shall be well with them that fear God, which fear before him: But it shall not be well with the wicked, neither shall he prolong his days, which are as a shadow; because he feareth not before God.

Another problem – most of us plain folk have no knowledge or care of what is going on in our own backyard, much less in the big Washington D.C. front yard unless it is about throwing up THE hand sign, somebody jumping the fence or fighting against sexual orientation and marriage issues. It is true that we cannot keep up with every law made or changed. You’d be amazed at some of the laws and cases available for you to read at a law library. OBSERVE. This is where wisdom comes in handy knowing what you need to know that affect your way of life according to God’s purpose. PRAY.

Most of us don’t even want to admit that the church, which is the Body of Christ, is being ruled by and under some form of government as a non-profit agency, adhering to government non-profit rules, yet some churches are bringing in more money than a for profit agency and are the last to help those truly in need. How did that happen? There is biblical foundation for government rule( 1 Corinthians 12:28-kjv) if I understand this verse correctly. I need to do more research on the church being under subjection to man-made laws. Something is awry here, yet we are still to be in obedience to our government leaders???

Per Solomon- “I counsel thee to keep the king’s commandment, and that in regard of the oath of God. Be not hasty to go out of his sight: stand not in an evil thing; for he doeth whatsoever pleaseth him.  Where the word of a king is, there is power: and who may say unto him, What doest thou?  Whoso keepeth the commandment shall feel no evil thing: and a wise man’s heart discerneth both time and judgment. Because to every purpose there is time and judgment, therefore the misery of man is great upon him…”

Here is the good news I’ve found in this chapter – “There is no man that hath power over the spirit to retain the spirit; neither hath he power in the day of death: and there is no discharge in that war; neither shall wickedness deliver those that are given to it.” (TYHS) Let this be a remembrance to those who are in Christ and to those who make an oath to lead while laying their hands on the book that has the Word of God. Your job is to serve while leading.

Since we are to be obedient, we need to become wise in our voting choices. Stand against oppression. Let us give some serious thought here – Why is there always billions upon trillions of dollars available to fight wars and to keep others from entering into certain countries, yet illegal drugs and murderers get through? Why is there not enough government money to help other countries dig wells for clean water? Why do most panic when there is a government shut-down or hear-say of one? Why is there always a lack of money to help with unemployment, poverty, homelessness, elderly care, childcare, medical care, permanent job creations, war veterans, and basic needs to live?

Welfare is NOT the answer.

What is being done with the so-called money set aside to stop human trafficking and drug trafficking? When you look beneath the selected government leaders, you will find that we the people ARE the government. Come Lord Jesus. (Read John 16 for an uplifting message- Joy is coming)

When you see or hear about all these things going on, we who seek wisdom can agree with Solomon and say “Then I commended mirth, because a man hath no better thing under the sun, than to eat, and to drink, and to be merry: for that shall abide with him of his labour the days of his life, which God giveth him under the sun.”

I imagine that discerning time and judgment are keys to unlocking disobedience from our hearts and mind to be in alignment with God’s purpose. God’s people need to pray for and choose leaders who want to work in alignment with His purpose. Throughout the Holy Bible, we are instructed to be obedient to our governing leaders.  Solomon’s writing always mentions the word “purpose.” That word carries a lot of power for any government and its leaders. God is the TRUE GOVERNMENT LEADER of this world and it is His purpose that matters. (TYHS)

http://rcg.org/articles/scstga.html -Something I found interesting after writing this post. I’ll read more in-depth later to see if the scriptures provided are in line with what they are saying. Let me know your thoughts.

I Love You

It’s Open Season For Spiritual Highway Robbery -Ecclesiastes 6

Ecclesiastes 6 – Read Here

Take a moment to read over the verses with the Spirit of God as your interpreter.  Keep in mind the following words:

highway robbery (n) : the practice of charging a price that is very high and usually unfair for something; syns.- fleecing, gouging, extortion, overcharging

Life Is a Highway (Tom Cochrane)- Partial Lyrics

Life’s like a road that you travel on
When there’s one day here and the next day gone
Sometimes you bend, sometimes you stand
Sometimes you turn your back to the wind

There’s no load I can’t hold
Road so rough this I know
I’ll be there when the light comes in
Tell ’em we’re survivors

1 There is an evil which I have seen under the sun, and it is common among men:

Solomon has given another deep insight on what is common among men. If we look deeper with a spiritual sense of things going on around us and in our lives, spiritual highway robbery is a good description. I’m going to take you even deeper. (TYHS) We are all on a spiritual highway. Some of us are content with driving like a raisin under the sun basking in our own glory. Some are  driving eagerly to get over the sun to bask in God’s glory. If most of us were to take a look back on the roads and paths we have driven, most of us would be able to pinpoint the times we have been robbed or robbed others spiritually under the sun.

As he mentioned there are “many things that increase vanity” which speaks volumes about where we place our priorities and stash our treasures along our highway.  Yes, we have this in common regardless of our race. Wherever these things are, there within lies an open season opportunity for a spiritual fleecing. Speaking of that, have any of you seen the old movie Open Season? It’s a neat movie. I’ve kept videos on hand for years for the grandkids visits since I don’t watch regular television programs. You may be able to watch it on youtube. Here is a summary of the movie.  Pay attention to the underlined words. 😛

Courtesy of sonypictures.com

In Sony Pictures Animation’s first feature film, the animated action adventure comedy Open Season, the odd are about to get even. Boog (Martin Lawrence), a domesticated grizzly bear with no survival skills, has his perfect world turned upside down when he meets Elliot (Ashton Kutcher) a scrawny, fast-talking mule deer. When Elliot convinces Boog to leave his cushy home in a park ranger’s garage to try a taste of the great outdoors, things quickly spiral out of control. Relocated to the forest with open season only three days away, Boog and Elliot must acclimate in a hurry. They must join forces to unite the woodland creatures and take the forest back!

When the grandkids and I finished watching the movie, we had the same thoughts.  Why do people feel the need to remove animals from their natural environment – cage and put them on display?  Why do zoo animals look sad? Why do some animals just lay there?  I often tell them that one day, God will put some of us back in our natural environment where there will be no need or want for neither animals nor humans to be caged.

Beloved, have you been spiritually robbed of your natural environment?  What high prices have you paid for the “wandering of the desire” to have this or that, to be here or there, to eat this or that, to build this or that? Thy Kingdom will come. Those who are worthy to live in the Kingdom of Heaven will be free indeed. Free to enjoy the riches, wealth, and honour that God gives and have no worries about a stranger in the midst to take it all away. Spiritual highway robbery will be passé.

 

Be encouraged my dear loves, that there is ONE who can tell a man what shall be after him under the sun.(verse 12) There will be no more open seasons for spiritual highway robbery. All evil diseases will end and “That which hath been is named already, and it is known that it is man: neither may he contend with him that is mightier than he.”(verse 10)  The key is for us all to become spiritually sober. (TYHS) Oh but Talkative One, how can we do this to avoid spiritual highway robbery?  One simple piece of advice here it is:

“But seek ye first the kingdom of God” during this Open Season For Spiritual Highway Robbery “and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.” (Matthew 6:33)

I Love You

Highway Photo – Courtesy of Earthshots.org

Knowing and Accepting Your Lot – Ecclesiastes 5:8-20

 

Tombstone Image- Courtesy of Wikimedia.Org

Lot-(n)- an object used as a counter in determining a question by chance : the use of lots as a means of deciding something: the resulting choice : something that comes to one upon whom a lot has fallen : (share): one’s way of life or worldly fate : (fortune)

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We as God’s children often times forget the many gifts He gives to us. I personally had never thought much of a LOT being a gift of God. Solomon confirmed it by his observations. The Holy Spirit stamped it in my heart just now on this great blessed New Years Eve. Wow! I am becoming wiser. 😛

It is a fact that “Everyone comes naked from their mother’s womb,and as everyone comes, so they depart.They take nothing from their toil that they can carry in their hands.” (vs 15)

On a serious note, I wish that those who are hoarders of their riches (LOT) given to them by God, would stop thinking that they are going to take their riches with them when they die. I also wish that they would realize, whatever they have is a gift from God. God is a giving God that supply all of our needs. (Philippians 4:19-And my God will meet all your needs according to the riches of his glory in Christ Jesus.)

Since we are made in His image, aren’t we suppose to be giving beings that do the same? After all, it is through some of us that the Spirit of God works in our heart to give to the less fortunate so that their needs are met. We are NOT taking anything with us in death. God even takes our soul from our bodies that He breathed into us. It belongs to Him when we die. All things belong to Him. This too is something we need to know and accept. It’s a – (dash ) period.

When death occurs it seems to be customary to put the date of birth – (dash) date of death on the marker for the deceased and/or to list it in an obituary. I’ve never heard an explanation for the -(dash) but what would you think if I said that -(dash) represented ‘one’s way of life or worldly fate’…the things that took place in between life and death? Yeah, their LOT. Hmmm, thinking too much again, I am. (TYHS)

“To eat, drink, and to find satisfaction” in our labor under the sun during our life is a LOT that God has given to all. We all share in that LOT… the -(dash) That is now one of my New Years resolutions after reading the scriptures…Knowing and Accepting My Lot for it is a gift from God. That will be my – (dash). I will choose to “seldom reflect on my life” because I will trust in what God gives me and be totally “occupied with gladness of heart.” Amen (TYHS)

And I close with verses 18-20:

This is what I have observed to be good: that it is appropriate for a person to eat, to drink and to find satisfaction in their toilsome labor under the sun during the few days of life God has given them—for this is their lot. Moreover, when God gives someone wealth and possessions, and the ability to enjoy them, to accept their lot and be happy in their toil—this is a gift of God. They seldom reflect on the days of their life, because God keeps them occupied with gladness of heart.

I pray that all get to work in Knowing and Accepting Your Lot.

JOYFUL NEW YEAR TO YOU ALL

I LOVE YOU

Plumb-Line- Are You All Measured Up for God? – Amos 7

Amos 7:7-9 This is what he showed me: The Lord was standing by a wall that had been built true to plumb, with a plumb line in his hand. And the Lord asked me, “What do you see, Amos?” “A plumb line,” I replied. Then the Lord said, “Look, I am setting a plumb line among my people Israel; I will spare them no longer.

Plumb-line – A cord weighted with lead that is used in building to check that vertical structures are true. It is used symbolically to refer to the divine standard against which God, the builder of his people, tests and judges them. It also symbolises the standards by which God will rebuild his people.

A plumb line marks a vertical reference line in construction work. From the Latin “plumbum,” meaning “lead”, a plumb line is made of thin cord or string suspending a heavy plumb bob, or plummet. The force of gravity causes the string to trace an exactly vertical line, ensuring that things measured are vertical or “plumb” with respect to gravity. Plumbers, masons, surveyors, carpenters and landscapers all use plumb lines to build things that must be vertical in order to function or simply look right. A plumb line is a line that is perfectly vertical. Builders need to find a plumb line when they build so that they can be sure that nothing is leaning to one side or another. (http://www.ehow.com)

hundred and eighty degree turn –noun 1. a reversal of direction. 2. a complete reversal in thinking or behavior.

 

Knowledge Moment 180 degree rule   The 180° rule is a basic film editing guideline that states that two characters (or other elements) in the same scene should always have the same left/right relationship to each other. If the camera passes over the imaginary axis connecting the two subjects, it is called crossing the line. The new shot, from the opposite side, is known as a reverse angle.

 

In Amos 7, Amos is given three visions from God. My lesson learned placed a focus on the third vision in verses 7-9, as I was taking a look at my life through Jesus’ eyes, ears, and heart. God does not always extend mercy to those with a hardened heart. Now before you disagree with me and go jump off a bridge hanging yourself. Hear this. Pharaoh’s heart was hardened, was it not? Did God extend mercy to spare Pharaoh’s son? Did God not destroy Sodom and Gomorrah? Who are those that will be thrown into the lake of fire per Rev 21:18, refusing to change because of a hardened heart?

Once the Lord sets the plumb line, He will spare us no longer as well if we don’t make a 180 Grad drehen; if we lean to one side or the other, i.e. lukewarm; and if we’re not too high to get over,(like the high places of Isaac…vs.9) too low to get under(like the sanctuaries of Israel, vs 9), you’re stuck in the middle (like Israel going into exile..vs17) and the pain is thunder,( “with My sword…”vs 9) you’re a vegetable (like Israel, “Your land will be measured and divided up, and you yourself will die in a pagan country”… vs 17) like MJ’s song “Wanna Be Startin’ Something.”

There are too many examples in the Holy Bible that gives us a picturesque Kodak moment of how the Lord works. The Good News is that we don’t have to be stuck. Amen. If you “wanna be startin’ something”, start making a 180 degree turn in your life if you’re not measuring up for God. Avoid the devil’s force of gravity.

 

To personally answer the question- No, I am not. Even though I thought so before starting my Lent walk with Jesus, I was shown during the walk that I really did not measure up for God. Now I KNOW. I know that I am currently in the process of measuring up for God. I KNOW there is definitely a right way to walk in the His ways. I know that it is not an overnight process. I know that it is a 180 Grad drehen in a 360 degree realm. If one makes a 360, they are right back where they started from. NO 360 turn folks.  

Allow me to share some verses I received (TYHS) with you in line with being measured up for God. According to many bible verses, the plumb-line represents justice and righteousness, i.e. uprightness with the Lord. A line is set to make sure that your works meet the measurements set by God w/o crossing the line.

 

Lamentations 2- Kodak moment of what happens when you’re not measured up Ezekiel 40-44 – (Focus on 44:9) & Acts 7 -Those who have an uncircumcised heart, and those that choose to continue to swim in the filthiness of the flesh Ezekiel 16– A google street view of crossing the plumb-line 1 Corinthians 3(Focus on vs 6-18) & Ephesians 3– God’s eye view of worldliness lines concerning the Body of Christ and its leaders

“There is one body and one Spirit, just as you were called to one hope when you were called; one Lord, one faith, one baptism; one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all.”(Ephesians 3:4-6) It is His plumb line that does ALL the measuring. There is no reason not to measure up because we will find in Romans 1: 18-20:

The wrath of God is being revealed from heaven against all the godlessness and wickedness of people, who suppress the truth by their wickedness, since what may be known about God is plain to them, because God has made it plain to them. For since the creation of the world God’s invisible qualities—his eternal power and divine nature—have been clearly seen, being understood from what has been made, so that people are without excuse.

If the Lord were to set a plumb-line today, will you or your church measure up? Are you following the 180° rule? If not, what is your excuse?

Smile and Walk Upright…You’re on Gods’ Candid Camera.

Nakedness- Be Aware of Your Sin(s) Amos 1-4

Please read Amos 1-4 or perhaps a commentary. Word Up! It is best to read it for self to grasp what the Holy Spirit wants you to see. Remember, these are my thoughts in spending time with the Holy Spirit of God. I would also encourage you to read Hebrews 3.

This is my first encounter with studying (not just reading) the Book of Amos. My study began on 3/14/14 with prayer to have mercy on me and show me the message I needed to heed. Of course, the repeated theme of “for three sins, even for four” was sort of annoying to read at first. First thing I noticed is that the Lord was not slack in showing the nakedness of the people of Israel.  Can you imagine being pulled aside by someone and them reminding you all the wrong you have done?  My thought- It is a rather convicting book. It shows just how Sovereign the Lord is and it taught me about the benefits of rebuke, correction, and being fully aware of my sins…something a lot of Christians, both shepherds and sheep, shy away from when dealing with self and others. Most importantly, it taught me more about Hope. Hebrew 3:6– But Christ is faithful as the Son over God’s house. And we are his house, if indeed we hold firmly to our confidence and the hope in which we glory.

If you are not aware of your sin(s), how can you correct them? I found that an answer lies within the Book of Amos. (TYHS!!!) I Love You.

Key Points Received

Amos 1-2

We will all be judged by God. Each and every one of us will be stripped naked. Amos 2:16-And he that is courageous among the mighty shall flee away naked in that day, saith the Lord.  It is clear in these chapters that God reminds the people of Israel and us that He is always watching us. He has the sole right to remind us and judge us of our sins against Him.

I prayed on this day that the Lord would show me the nakedness of those at the workplace, church, people, and myself in the coming days. I continued in daily prayer for Him to remove me from the workplace. I prayed that He would break me down to pieces and raise me up in His Glory. Hallelujah! There isn’t anything like being made fully aware of His Sovereignty and being convicted by God. And I’ll leave it at that. Something we should remember “for three sins, even for four.” Be aware folks!

Amos 3

We Christians, who share in the heavenly calling, are a chosen people just as the Israelites were. We are just as guilty of our sins against God. There were seven questions the Lord asked Israel, that I found intriguing for us to ponder today.   Amos 3:3-6(KJV)

• Can two walk together, except they be agreed?
• Will a lion roar in the forest, when he hath no prey?
• Will a young lion cry out of his den, if he have taken nothing?
• Can a bird fall in a snare upon the earth, where no gin is for him?
• Shall one take up a snare from the earth, and have taken nothing at all?
• Shall a trumpet be blown in the city, and the people not be afraid?
• Shall there be evil in a city, and the Lord hath not done it?

Amos 4

We have a tendency to forget what the Lord has done for us. Too many times we are skydiving off into our own desires thinking we’re on top of the world and wishing for more for ourselves, our businesses, churches, and families. We suffer from a disorder called I did this when we feel we are responsible for our success. Just like the Israelites, we rarely think about being favored and blessed by God. We people, you and I forget where to return sometimes; where our Hope is rooted and from whence all things come. (Psalm 121)

The Lord reminded Israel of their past sins and Who their HOPE comes from. Hear this beloved!-(vs 11-13) I have overthrown some of you, as God overthrew Sodom and Gomorrah, and ye were as a firebrand plucked out of the burning: yet have ye not returned unto me, saith the Lord. Therefore thus will I do unto thee, O Israel: and because I will do this unto thee, prepare to meet thy God, O Israel. For, lo, he that formeth the mountains, and createth the wind, and declareth unto man what is his thought, that maketh the morning darkness, and treadeth upon the high places of the earth, The Lord, The God of hosts, is his name.

Through Amos in these first 4 chapters, God was making them aware of their sins, against Him. They were reminded of their history with God, going back and forth. They had been back and forth “from the pit to the palace” and from the palace to the pit. However, beloved darlings, if you remember nothing else about the book of Amos, please remember this. Be aware of your sin(s) and Know that there is HOPE in God. The day is upon us when there will be no back and forth between the pit and the palace. We will become lifetime inhabitants of The Palace aka The Kingdom of God.  

Be aware of your sins and be very careful how you treat others. Don’t let others keep throwing up your past. They are not God ordained judges.Your nakedness will be revealed at some point and time by God, so “prepare to meet thy God…”

Ezekiel 16:36-37– Thus saith the Lord God; Because thy filthiness was poured out, and thy nakedness discovered through thy whoredoms with thy lovers, and with all the idols of thy abominations, and by the blood of thy children, which thou didst give unto them; Behold, therefore I will gather all thy lovers, with whom thou hast taken pleasure, and all them that thou hast loved, with all them that thou hast hated; I will even gather them round about against thee, and will discover thy nakedness unto them, that they may see all thy nakedness.

Quotes

 

“Perfection is finally attained not when there is no longer anything to add but when there is no longer anything to take away, when a body has been stripped down to its nakedness”- Antoine de Saint-Exupery

“I have seen three emperors in their nakedness, and the sight was not inspiring.” – Otto von Bismarck

“Identity would seem to be the garment with which one covers the nakedness of the self, in which case, it is best that the garment be loose, a little like the robes of the desert, through which one’s nakedness can always be felt, and, sometimes, discerned.” – James Arthur Baldwin

“Our birth is but a sleep and a forgetting. Not in entire forgetfulness, and not in utter nakedness, but trailing clouds of glory do we come.” – William Wordsworth

“Electric Slidin” and “Boot Scootin” In our Steps to Follow Jesus- Discipleship

    How did one think about this parable and dancing? I haven’t a clue.  I usually write what the Holy Spirit puts on the mind for me to understand the Word of God.

Yes, I am not normal. I was singing “Higher” trying to teach two of my grandsons the song and dance while waiting in a drive thru line one day. The 10 year old, Emanuel looked at me funny and said “Grandma, I told you, you ain’t gangsta, don’t even try it.” Elijah, the 8 year old said, “Manny, you know our grandma can dance and nope she is not gangsta.” I love my grand gifts the Lord has blessed me with sooo much. When they hurt, I hurt. When I dance, they dance. Most of all, I love that they are young disciples in training and they tell me everything (sometimes too much) going on with or around them.
If you know anything about dancing, I’m sure most of you have done or seen the Electric Slide and the Boot Scoot. The one thing I like about these dances is that you are moving in one accord even if one decides to add their own signature move or step off into another direction. You can join in the dances on either step if late. You will still come back in step with everyone else ending on one accord.

I warned you, I could take anything, any subject, give it a twist, and make it germane on another level in regard to our walks with Jesus without getting off the biblical path. Yes, the Holy Spirit dances too. Do you not know that you will be praising Him and dancing before Him should you be so blessed to enter into His Kingdom?

Have fun being a Christian in this life. There is no time in life to be stuck up, judgmental, and a deadbeat as a Christian. Here are two fun videos if you need step instructions:

Senior Citizens Electric Slide. http://youtu.be/RHYeNs9zUZo   (I think the man in the red shirt use to be on my dance team in my ancient days)

Boot Scootin–>  http://youtu.be/Qv8w8vtGnjI

Luke 14:25-35 – Cost of Discipleship

Now great multitudes went with Him. And He turned and said to them, “If anyone comes to Me and does not hate his father and mother, wife and children, brothers and sisters, yes, and his own life also, he cannot be My disciple. And whoever does not bear his cross and come after Me cannot be My disciple. For which of you, intending to build a tower, does not sit down first and count the cost, whether he has enough to finish it— lest, after he has laid the foundation, and is not able to finish, all who see it begin to mock him, saying, ‘This man began to build and was not able to finish’? Or what king, going to make war against another king, does not sit down first and consider whether he is able with ten thousand to meet him who comes against him with twenty thousand? Or else, while the other is still a great way off, he sends a delegation and asks conditions of peace. So likewise, whoever of you does not forsake all that he has cannot be My disciple. “Salt is good; but if the salt has lost its flavor, how shall it be seasoned? It is neither fit for the land nor for the dunghill, but men throw it out. He who has ears to hear, let him hear!”

Words to Know:
• Disciple– one of the 12 personal followers of Christ; one of the 70 followers sent forth by Christ. Luke 10:1; any other professed follower of Christ in His lifetime; any follower of Christ; A person who is a pupil or an adherent of the doctrines of another; follower:
• Bearing your Cross-a full dedication to Christ for the cause of the Gospel. ( Keep dancing for the Lord even when your feet are tired and your heart is still dancing)
• Consider– to think carefully about, especially in order to make a decision; contemplate; reflect on:
• Forsake -to quit or leave entirely; abandon; desert: 2. to give up or renounce (a habit, way of life, etc.)

When we make the choice to or are called into following Jesus, we need to consider the costs. In this day and age, you cannot just jump up without considering your ability to bear your cross and its costs. I was thinking…that would be so hurtful to our ego, knowing what is required and unable to bear our cross as a Christian. Jesus said it “whoever does not bear his cross and come after ME cannot be MY disciple.” Notice, Jesus did not say bear His cross… He clearly stated that the follower has to “bear his” own “cross”. With that in mind, this post is a bit different. This post will include questions for you to ponder while Electric Slidin or Boot Scootin in your steps to follow Jesus. This post is all about you and your dancing disciple skills. Remember even if you get out of line, you will still end up back in line with all other Christians on one accord, okie dokie? Let’s get dancing for the Lord!

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Ponder here after reading Luke 14:25-35:

1. What do you think Jesus meant by “does not hate”?
2. (a)As a Christian, can I be considered a disciple of Jesus? (b) What cost have I already paid if any to be a disciple?
3. What happens when one overlooks anything, not just overlooking the cost?
4. (Scenario-You just completed a dance floor in your new dance studio. Three weeks later you learn you will need to build a larger dance floor because more dancers (followers) than you anticipated signed up for classes at your grand opening. You do not have the funds anywhere in sight or hand to expand.) What beloved, would be your next course of action to take?
 5. (a)What experience have you had with a daily or ongoing battle? (b)After reading the parable, do you understand why the battle is ongoing and reoccurring daily?(c) Who does the battle belong to in the end?
6. What things in my life have I forsaken in the name of Jesus? (Make a list so you can view it in black and white or color if you prefer.)
7. What can I do to be like salt to follow in Jesus’ steps? Do a quick study on your own time about the properties and use of salt. (Salt does not lose its flavor, it is a mineral. Hear me out! This is where you will need the Holy Spirit to grasp an understanding of Jesus’ use of the word.) You may also go here–> http://gods-word-first.org/salt-earth.html

Action Item- Do you recall doing this experiment in a middle school class?  Pour about a teaspoon of salt in your hand and taste it. Put remaining salt in a glass of water and taste it again. Did the salt lose it’s flavor? What did it lose? My answer starts with a ‘C’.

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After a pondering self- evaluation and instructions from Jesus (Luke 14:25-35), are we ready to Consider Electric Slidin and Boot Scootin In our Steps to Follow Jesus?

 

LOVE COVERS A MULTITUDE OF SINS