My Journey through Romans 10

Just Zeal Ain’t Gonna Get It. Wake Up All Ye Believers. It’s Time to Know God.

Grab your hot cup of cocoa and warm gingerbread for this read.It’s kinda long.  This message is precisely for those who art in the Body of Christ. Though many may not find this as an encouraging blog, I assure you that if you look honestly within self and your churches, this blog is meant to encourage you and set you on fire for the Lord. As you know, I’m not a “tone it down” writer. Did God “tone it down” to the church in Laodicea? (Rev. 3:14-21) (TYHS) Let me start with Paul’s reality of many, even TODAY that say they “know God”:

“Brethren, my heart’s desire and prayer to God for Israel is, that they might be saved. For I bear them record that they have a zeal of God, but not according to knowledge. (Romans 10:1-2)

Paul was a unflinching writer of what he had done, what he had seen and what he had heard. It is for these reasons that he could say: “For they being ignorant of God’s righteousness, and going about to establish their own righteousness, have not submitted themselves unto the righteousness of God. For Christ is the end of the law for righteousness to every one that believeth.”(Romans 10:3-4)  Paul came to know God.  He did not just go from city to city preaching and writing to Believers for entertainment like a Ringling Brothers Barnum & Bailey Circus show. Lord knows if we are honest with ourselves, we know in our hearts and minds that we have become a congregation that does not know God in the way He wants us to know Him. We can’t even share our confessions with one another in church (James 5:16) without being whispered about. Some rely on being entertained in the church by too many circus acts. These  are just a few things showing that we are not submitting to the righteousness of God. That’s a no-no. And now we move on to the real stuff. 😛

A Real Moment

There are many a time I’ve fallen short of knowing God when under attack by family members, church members, and illnesses. Let’s call the shortness self-sufficiency- the natural stress response when we all tend to forget that God is in the midst. Get the hence, Satan. In this world, there are too many (Believers included) who are the protégé of evil, and way too many shepherds misusing (double-tonguing) the word of God as though they were a professional at using every wind instrument in an orchestra. It is exhausting and sickening to know, to see and to hear of these non-Christ like behaviors that continue to go on in the church. If we knew God, our behaviors would be different. Amen. Daniel fell sick for a reason knowing the outcome of disobedience for the Lord’s people. (Read Daniel 8)

I came to the conclusion that there are many members sitting in many churches crying out to know God. There is a suppressing of the knowledge of God going on. How do we stop suppressing the knowledge of God? By faith first. Paul said, But what saith it? The word is nigh thee, even in thy mouth, and in thy heart: that is, the word of faith, which we preach; That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved. (vs. 8-9) And  “So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.” (vs. 17) Begin with faith when you preach, teach, and learn the truth of and about God. (TYHS) EVERY BODY in the church needs to wake up and start believing in this truth 100% that Paul shares with us. We have the zeal, yet we are not feeling the burn of the knowledge of God. Not only do we show that we have not faith in God, but we also show that we have not faith in each other in the church.Stop playing church.

I wish shepherds knew what is really on the mind and hearts of their members. I wish members knew what is really on the mind and hearts of their shepherds. This would eliminate gossip, the uncommitted and hardened hearts within the body of Christ. All are afraid to speak the truth in love to one another. Until truth is communicated within the body of Christ, we present-day Laodicean’s (most churches if not all) will continue to be naked without the covering of God. Personally, I’d rather have hurt feelings instead of walking around both blind and naked all the time in church. It would do us good to heed this message for “These are the words of the Amen, the faithful and true witness, the ruler of God’s creation.  I know your deeds, that you are neither cold nor hot. I wish you were either one or the other! So, because you are lukewarm—neither hot nor cold—I am about to spit you out of my mouth.  You say, ‘I am rich; I have acquired wealth and do not need a thing.’ But you do not realize that you are wretched, pitiful, poor, blind and naked.”  (Rev. 3:14-17)

Because we are lukewarm, we are sickening to God and he has become very nauseated with the church.  It is natural for us to spit out anything bad tasting from our mouth, is it not? God prefers us to be either for Him or against Him, does He not? When you have a close friend, is it your wish for them to be for you or against you?  Jesus is the Believer’s husband, we are the bride, should we not agree to “ride or die” (to be down with your husband/wife no matter what, through it all the good and the bad.) with Him? Yes there are members (individually I might add) who are committed to “ride or die” with God; the problem is that we, the church as a WHOLE have become spiritually uncommitted and we lack the knowledge of God.

Stop the “Self-Sufficiency” teachings that teach us to rely on self first. Stop the “Leadership Training” that limits the gifts of others within the church. Stop avoiding and frowning upon the testimony of Christ that others have to share. Without testimonies, over half of the bible would be missing.

Stop having church favorites. The church is NOT a catering business in which one caters to a select few because of so-called church positions. The church is not a business entity period. We need to use the heart of God. He is no respecter of persons.(Acts 10:34; Rom. 2:11)  He gives visions to many in the church. Did he give visions to only one person in the bible? We all have to share these God-given visions with one another. If shepherds open the doors of truthful communication in love with all church members, gossip would not rear its ugly head from the pulpit and the pews. The church is not a venue where the ‘I scratch your back, you scratch mine’ mentality  should be taking place. Favoritism shows a lack of knowledge present within the body of Christ. We all have to work together using the knowledge of God. In many churches, even the zeal is gone. BB King would say “the thrill is gone.” Change the setting of your hearts to show favoritism towards the mind of God.

The church is not a theater. In many churches, people who ACT as though they know God can come across as friendly to visitors, but have a problem being friendly with their own members. Stop it with the wearing of a Christian name tag in the church for visitors to see. Let us stop with the man-made teachings and the micromanagement in the body of Christ. Stop these things because they are not in line with His word. (Read Isaiah 29:13 ; 1 Timothy 6:20-21; Titus 1:16) May we begin to obey the word of God. His question found in Luke 4:46 pertains to us today : ^“And why call ye me, Lord, Lord, and do not the things which I say?”

We are just like Israel, up and down, all day, every day. ‘But to Israel he saith, “All day long I have stretched forth my hands unto a disobedient and gainsaying people.” (vs. 21) We need to get back to the bible to have God’s kingdom mentality. The Lord said “As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten: be zealous therefore, and repent. Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me.” (Rev. 3:19-20)  Just zeal ain’t gonna get it. Wake up all ye believers, it’s time to know God. There is going on in the world a widespread planting of in-home churches as in the days of old with many that know God and those that truly want to know Him.

I came across this message while looking for something else: It is written by Steven H. Atherto. I’m not sure why it popped up in my search. 🙂

http://www.thefishermenministry.org/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/How-should-the-Church-Operate.pdf

Prayer Moment– Lord, we repent of our sins committed within your churches.  Help us Lord, we who are offended by this message to come to know you spiritually and to become obedient to your word. Come into our church doors Lord. Set us on fire with the knowledge of you. Cover our nakedness in Jesus name. Amen.

My Journey through Romans 4

Justification Through Faith

In the previous blog I learned about the law of faith and how important it is to be obedient to that law for it is of the Gospel of Christ. In chapter three verse twenty two, the light shined that even “the righteousness of God is by faith of Jesus Christ upon all those that believe”.  In this chapter I am learning more about justification through faith. This is a touchy subject for many Christians and unbelievers alike. I’ve always wrestled with understanding justification for /through anything. Let us swing back a step and review the meaning of justification.

• Justification, in Christian theology, is God’s act of removing the guilt and penalty of sin while at the same time declaring a sinner righteous through Christ’s atoning sacrifice. In Protestantism, righteousness from God is viewed as being credited to the sinner’s account through faith alone, without works. ( Courtesy of https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Justification_(theology) )
• an acceptable reason for doing something : something that justifies an action
• Synonyms: reason, defense, excuse, validation-

 

You may or may not agree, but I found this verse to be the crux of understanding justification through faith (vs. 8- Blessed is the man to whom the Lord will not impute (credit) sin.) Lord knows we are too familiar with sin and its many facets. We also know that sin has a fee attached to it and it is ALWAYS crouching at our door (Gen. 4:7) holding out its collection plate. Amen?

What many of us may miss in this chapter is the discussion of Abraham’s faith and how it was a spiritual matter between him and God. Even so with Rahab the prostitute. Think. Abraham went way out of his natural self to obey and please God. Which one of us would be that obedient to God as to sacrifice one of our children to Him? I’ll be honest and say that is something I could not bring myself to do, even with knowing of Abraham’s outcome.  My outcome could be something different if I were to make such a sacrifice. Lord, let me have that type of faith.  Abraham’s obedience clearly shows us that justification is through faith and not works. It reminds us of this scripture (Hebrews 11:6 – And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him)  

The bottom line concerning justification through faith for me was understanding that we are justified in the same way as Abraham- believing. But for us, it is belief in Jesus Christ, i.e. God’s sacrifice.   Not a one of us would be capable(unless you owned your own animal farm)  nor be obedient to the old law of killing animals to be a sacrifice for our daily sins. We’d just die because we could not meet that working quota. Do you know how many animal killings a day that would be?  Those animal rights groups would have a fit and we’d have to figure out another way to pay for our sins. But, God.

Instead of asking us to make a sacrifice as He did with Abraham, God knew we would not be that obedient. Therefore, God debited our account from the guilt and punishment of our sins by sacrificing His only begotten Son. “He was oppressed and afflicted, yet he did not open his mouth; he was led like a lamb to the slaughter, and as a sheep before its shearers is silent, so he did not open his mouth. By oppression and judgment he was taken away. Yet who of his generation protested? For he was cut off from the land of the living; for the transgression of my people he was punished. He was assigned a grave with the wicked and with the rich in his death, though he had done no violence, nor was any deceit in his mouth.” (Isaiah 53:7-9) Knowing this I ponder why it is that we still waiver in our faith in Jesus?   Knowing this also, all Believers should thank God daily that we will not be asked to make any children and animal sacrifices for our sins ever again.  Just let that faith point soak in!  😛

Anywho, in this chapter I found out that we cannot “by any means necessary” work our way to God, doing so-called “church work” or any other works. Justification is God’s work because it is He who fulfills the promise through our faith in His Son. Do tell… how is it that we think we can “earn” our way into heaven when we are incapable of sacrificing one of our children as Abraham did?  I sure am learning more about the spiritual role faith plays on this journey. Obeying and pleasing God is a spiritual matter. (TYHS) It even caused me to pause and think long about God’s reasoning through the ages of loving generations of a disobedient people. Maybe he thinks of Barbara Streisand’s song, “The way we were” in the Garden of Eden before the serpent slid in.  I think of the moment too, walking with God up close and personal as Adam and Eve did. What a joyful day that will be.

In conclusion, I am assured that we receive justification through faith in Christ. Key words –Faith In Christ. Thank you for riding along with me on this journey.

***Recent find, please enjoy Brother Noel’s biblical stance: https://gospelmuse.com/2014/01/19/are-you-justified-by-faith-or-by-works/

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

 

 

 

The Other Way Around- Exodus 13:17

And it came to pass, when Pharaoh had let the people go, that God led them not through the way of the land of the Philistines, although that was near; for God said, Lest peradventure the people repent when they see war, and they return to Egypt:(KJV)

 When Pharaoh let the people go, God did not lead them on the road through the Philistine country, though that was shorter. For God said, “If they face war, they might change their minds and return to Egypt.” (NIV)

As I was reading in Exodus earlier, this passage really hit at the brain waves hard. It was another Thank You Holy Spirit moment. (TYHS) I’ve been getting so many messages from the Holy Spirit in this study of reading through the bible in a year calendar. It amazes me that messages received are messages that I need to heed.

When we are going through life we more oft than not get caught up and lost in many of its issues (wars).  We experience so many emotions that hinder our health, our thinking, and our ability to do what the Lord has intended for us to do. We even see things differently through the mirror of fear. Stress can cause quite a few of us to have a mental breakdown over some of life’s issues, and in some cases it even causes death.  Most people never get to go the other way around an issue either because of a spiritual or physical death. I repeat Stress Kills.

The message I received is that therein exist The Other Way Around, when God plans a move(change) for you. God, who knows your heart, your fears, your thoughts and how you will react, will redirect your steps to be in line with His plan. Majority of the time we are a hard-headed people and try to choose our own route. This passage showed me that the Lord our God desires for us to avoid certain wars in life because He knows us well. Sometimes He will take you away from the war that lies ahead, as He did the Israelites leading them not through the way of the land of the Philistines. After this morning’s epiphany I have to believe that He will do the same for us today.

Our life issues may differ; some will get around wars and some may go through wars to get to where God has intended for them to be.  It is often preached that you have to go through something to get where God wants you to be. There are many other stories in the bible that alludes to that statement. Well, I agree because for generations, to be exact for “four hundred and thirty years” (Read Exodus 12:40-42), the Israelites were in bondage to the Egyptians before Moses was chosen to lead them out of Egypt. For many years they went through some heavy oppression before becoming desert wanderers.

Even today some are living in an oppressive state. Peradventure, time comes along to move us out of oppression; we become glad until we hit a bump or fork in the road. We become confused about where we are to go. I have realized that through faults of our own, we try to move ahead of God only to find out that we went about dealing with the move in a wrong way (the bump or fork in the road).  

 

 

 

Sometimes we as Christians don’t realize that there was the other way around (God’s Plan) until after the fact.  But, here’s the grace… God will still lead you the other way around when you submit to and trust in His ways. Quite often we take a short cut or a short route to accomplish or change something. Often times that cut leads to a war within our very being that affects our mental and physical health.  It affects our relationships with others. It affects our trust and belief in God. It even makes us want to return to whatever our Egypt was.

My prayer is that we all come to realize that there is the other way around. It is the way that God has planned for us when we find ourselves oppressed and in bondage by many of life’s issues. The word says “And the Lord went before them by day in a pillar of a cloud, to lead them the way; and by night a pillar of fire, to give them light; to go by day and by night: He took not away the pillar…..”(Exodus 13:21-22) What does this say to you?  It tells me that as He was with the Israelites, so shall He be with us to take us the other way around too. Amen.

Enemy Tactics…Remove Yourself and Be Not Afraid

Matthew 12:9-14

 And when he was departed thence, he went into their synagogue: And, behold, there was a man which had his hand withered. And they asked him, saying, Is it lawful to heal on the sabbath days? that they might accuse him.  And he said unto them, What man shall there be among you, that shall have one sheep, and if it fall into a pit on the sabbath day, will he not lay hold on it, and lift it out?  How much then is a man better than a sheep? Wherefore it is lawful to do well on the sabbath days.  Then saith he to the man, Stretch forth thine hand. And he stretched it forth; and it was restored whole, like as the other.

Then the Pharisees went out, and held a council against him, how they might destroy him.

 They say that there will always be someone around that we do not get along with, i.e.. someone we do not see eye to eye, nor heart to heart with on things.  Ok…It’s Life.  But, why must an indifference turn into one starting a war, one wishing ill will upon another, and/or one plotting  evil against another to destroy them?  If you think deeply about it, at the heart of many indifferences lies fear; not hatred for others.  Sooooo…why is fear such a strong natural practice for the human race?  I don’t know for sure, but I do know that we can better prepare spiritually if we become more aware of who the real enemy is.

Off Beat Moment– I have noticed one thing about this next presidential election…It is a fear based election. That’s enough politics from me. The Pharisees…were they not a type of political group?  🙂

I don’t believe there is any bible verse stating that Jesus was fearful of any plots against Him.  I did love His action plan which took place in Matt.12:15 –But when Jesus knew it, he withdrew himself from thence: and great multitudes followed him, and he healed them all; 

There is a possibility that some are not aware of the two things Jesus set forth as an example to us in that passage when dealing with enemies:

 (1) He removed Himself from their presence.

(2) He did not let the enemy keep Him from doing God’s will. (That deserves a Praise the Lord shout out!)

Enemies know how to work as a close knit group and they communicate very effectively amongst themselves to set a motion into action. As I was reading in Matthew 12 earlier, I was led to focus on enemy tactics. I’m so happy to be sharing them with you beloved readers. (TYHS!!!!) 

1. They will watch you.
2. They will call a meeting(council) to order.
3. They will speak against you.
4. They will proceed in acts against you such as avoidance, gossip, look over their eyelids past you, try a sneak attack on you in a sermon, and walk a crooked mile behind you.
   
5. They are behind the pulpit and in the pews aka body of Christ. Be watchful of their actions towards you and pray for them. Be like Jesus, remove yourself from them and carry on with whatever gift God has given you to minister to others in Jesus name.
6. They will try to limit the use of your spiritual gifts.
7. They are prone to err.

The ignorance that goes on in the body of Christ is a truth that hurts not only the Believers in His house but, It Hurts God.

Wisdom Moment– During my study, I believe I’ve found the best advice on how to deal with an enemy and a great quote. (TYHS) It is found in Deuteronomy 20:1:

When thou goest out to battle against thine enemies , and seest horses, and chariots, and a people more than thou, be not afraid of them: for the LORD thy God is with thee, which brought thee up out of the land of Egypt.        

  Quotes

I Love You

Love Covers A Multitude Of Sins             

And While He Lingered… The Lord Had Mercy – Genesis 19:16

And while he lingered, the men laid hold upon his hand, and upon the hand of his wife, and upon the hand of his two daughters; the Lord being merciful unto him: and they brought him forth, and set him without the city. And it came to pass, when they had brought them forth abroad, that he said, Escape for thy life; look not behind thee, neither stay thou in all the plain; escape to the mountain, lest thou be consumed. And Lot said unto them, Oh, not so, my Lord: Behold now, thy servant hath found grace in thy sight, and thou hast magnified thy mercy, which thou hast shewed unto me in saving my life; and I cannot escape to the mountain, lest some evil take me, and I die: Behold now, this city is near to flee unto, and it is a little one: Oh, let me escape thither, (is it not a little one?) and my soul shall live. And he said unto him, See, I have accepted thee concerning this thing also, that I will not overthrow this city, for the which thou hast spoken. Haste thee, escape thither; for I cannot do anything till thou be come thither. Therefore the name of the city was called Zoar.(Genesis 19:16-22 KJV)

Most are familiar with the story of Sodom and Gomorrah, right? I wanted to share with you something the Holy Spirit shared with me concerning this story . It’s about lingering, the Lord’s mercy, and yes, the sin of not helping others (doing nothing) and leaving the people of God to be consumed in a place of chaos. (Ouch 1!)

We as the people of God in this very day and age, still linger when He tells us to go. We as his people also have a bad habit of looking and running the other way when we need to hold the hand of (help) others; we knowingly and cowardly let them become consumed. Why? Is it because we don’t have or never had anyone to grab us by the hand like the angels helped Lot, to lead us out of the place we are in to avoid being consumed? Have we forgotten how to show mercy to and make sacrifices for others? (Ouch 2!)

We are taught and told by many that God doesn’t speak directly to us anymore as He did the prophets of old. That could be true for some, however, He does speak to us through his Holy Spirit, others and His angels, those who He have given charge over thee per King David’s experience. “There shall no evil befall thee, neither shall any plague come nigh thy dwelling. For he shall give his angels charge over thee, to keep thee in all thy ways.”- (Psalm 91:10-11) and,  “For it is written, He shall give his angels charge over thee, to keep thee: And in their hands they shall bear thee up, lest at any time thou dash thy foot against a stone.”(Luke 4:10-11) *Be*

Toe Stepping Moment

The four ethical questions I have when chaos hits are: (1) While most linger when God tells us to go; shouldn’t we have family, friends, or someone in the body of Christ helping us to go forward? (2) If so, then why has the church become a place concerned with the building up of a larger or new building while neglecting to build up its very members? A lot of churches have forgotten about planting seeds, they are more concerned with planting cement. (3) Why do family and so-called friends take off in the opposite direction, choose sides, or ignore the ones in need when chaos presents itself?  The elephant is always present and its presence is always ignored seemingly to be the norm for most. (4) Have you ever seen a herd of sheep around an elephant? (Ouch 3!) Ok, I’m stepping off of toes now, mine included. 🙂

It was made manifest to me that through the interceding’s of Abraham (Gen. 18:23-33) and by the hands of the Lord’s angels that Lot would have never gotten out of the chaos (place) on his own for he was comfortable living there amid the chaos. Let me bring it to you on another level. Sometimes we worship where we live no matter what is going on around or in that place. Sometimes we worship a church place for the wrong reasons, and/ or a  place of employment and we linger when the Lord is telling us to go elsewhere less we “be consumed.”

We should learn that the Lord always have something better planned for us(Joshua 1:9, Jer. 29:11) even through those people, places, or things we have a hard time of moving away from or losing. In verse 22, we find the angel of the Lord telling Lot, that he cannot do anything until he “be come thither”(KJV) or “flee there quickly” (NIV) *Come*

Uh oh! I just had a ‘the boot doesn’t fit’ laughing moment from the movie Toy Story 2 to insert here. Let me share it with you.

Jessie: You callin’ me a liar?

Woody: Well, if the boot fits.

Jessie: Say that again.

Woody: [slowly enunciating] If the boot-tah fits!

In this case, the “boot-tah” doesn’t fit, (and I love boots) therefore I am not a liar when I made mention of the above occurrences. 

 

Sacrificial Thinking Moment– Lot tried to give his own daughters over to the violent men for sex, instead of giving the angels over to them for sex. He did not linger in that thought. Why not? What a sacrifice for a father to make to keep God’s own angels (people) safe! Get it?

 

 

When there is someone in need of your help and you know that they need help(spiritually or physically), though they linger and have not asked, put forth your hand to help them move out of the chaos. *Thither* This is the time when God speaks through his angels(you quite possibly) to relay a message  to others. Trust me, it is true. I don’t know about you, but I always know when someone is going through something and I do not hesitate to help people in some way. I have put my own self at risk of losing things to help others out. I know that the Lord will see me through my loss. I am also guilty of not asking others for help-Lord help me in that area. This is what the people of God do for one another. There is no time for gossip about what one is going through.

We who are of the Lord better Wake Up, No More Lingering; we are to stretch out a helping hand to one another and stop thinking of self and self’s earthly possessions, positions, and what others think. For the word said “And while he lingered the men laid hold upon his hand…”  It was the light for me in His word beloved that this was a show of mercy from the Lord on Abraham, not just on Lot and his family. Are you not of Abraham’s seed? It also shows us that when one who art in the body of Christ is hurting, that in spiritual reality, all are hurting. The Lord does not want His people to live in hurt, nor to linger. 

Do you know someone who is lingering? If so, go back to the ways of old…the Lord’s Way in helping others who linger. Where is your show of mercy (your helping hand)?  For the Lord’s angels said:… “for I cannot do anything till thou be come thither.” In other words to stop lingering when He tells you to “Go” and to stop lingering when it comes to helping others.

I’m going to end with more words from Toy Story 2. (TYHS) Find the hidden message that is relative to this post(three words are located thither*)

Alien toys: You have saved our lives. We are eternally grateful.

Mrs. Potato Head: You saved their lives? My hero! They’re so adorable. Let’s adopt them!

Alien toys: [Gathering around Mr. Potato Head] Daddy!

 I Love You

Love Covers A Multitude of Sins

 

 

He Is Not Afraid To Approach You and Taketh You Up

Matthew 4:1-11

Biblical Insight-There are three Key Responses To Use when you are approached and tempted by the devil and those that do his bidding for him:

1. “It is written, Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God.”
2. “ It is written again, Thou shalt not tempt the Lord thy God.”
3. “Get thee hence, Satan: for it is written, Thou shalt worship the Lord thy God, and him only shalt thou serve.”

Results of the Responses

“Then the devil leaveth him, and, behold, angels came and ministered unto him.”

The devil, aka the tempter, when he thought Jesus was at his most vulnerable moment, tempted Jesus three times and twice he “taketh”/lifted/carried  Jesus up. Get this! He actually touched Jesus by lifting him up and setting him down or upon. That’s a “Whoa???” moment for me. Let’s have a look at these three times from a worldly perspective(TYHS):

1. He tempted Jesus by using the you are in a position to make commands, so do it. You don’t need anyone’s authority. If he/she can do it, so can you.  Most are familiar with this type of temptation. If they can do it you can do it too… you know the go over your bosses head, not consulting with others, just do it because you are a child of God’s propositional temptation? How many of us have been taken to a higher level by others and put in that type of situation, going over God’s head  to become a commander of things and people? You don’t listen to others, LISTEN to God. He still speaks to you TODAY. When the time comes for you to face God, you will be facing Him alone; not with the people who have tempted you on their own authority.(Acts 4:18-20, Acts 5:9, Ephesians 5:21, 1Peter 5:3, Hosea 8:1-6, 1 Corinthians 11:3, and John 5:19)
2. He tempted Jesus by using the prove it, if you are who you say you are methodical deception temptation(my new thought words). We do not have to prove anything to anyone on this earth. All we have to do is “Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.” (2 Timothy 2:15) That’s It! One verse.
3. He tempted Jesus by using the you can have whatever you like as long as you bow down to me temptation. I think there is a song out there called “Whatever You Like.” 🙂 Most are also familiar with this type of temptation whereas a person(the fooled) becomes a bootlicker, brownnoser, kowtower, the a-k word, lackey, and/or a backscratcher. “It’s a short step from lip service to brown-nosing” is a common saying. People that have taken this step have fallen off of the high mountain they were taken to by others. People have a habit of feeling indebted to others who give them whatever they like. Notice that the word NEED is missing when presented with such a low temptation promising high expectations from others.(TYHS) Jesus gave us a clear example that this is not how the people of God should be. If we choose to serve God, then God provides for our every need. Enough said. (Genesis 9:3, Genesis 22:13-14, Psalm 34:10,Matthew 6:31-32 and Philippians 4:19)

Mountain Top Insight– People who want to control you have issues controlling themselves and they are a people who are not led by the Spirit of God. Let’s label them as ‘Sweet Talkers’ and Fake Morale Boosters. I’m sorry I can’t work with or fathom the thought of the people of God being positionally fake.(Sigh!)  Most likely these type of people have already experienced temptation in some form and know its outcome. The devil (our greatest example and foe) was tempted to control God’s kingdom; look where it got him and his followers…booted out(Rev.12:9). For edification please read 1 John 2:19-27.

We should remember that we have always been a vulnerable people that need the Lord since being put out of the Garden of Eden. More so now than ever. It is a fact that God will send His angels to minister to us( those who trust and believe in Him) at our lowest moments. The Holy Spirit will guide us. (Matthew 4:11, John 16:13) ^“There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it.” (1 Corinthians 10:13)

Therefore, let us be strong in the Lord as Jesus was, because if the devil approached Jesus…took him up and “setteth him”, know this one thing beloved: 

He Is Not Afraid to Approach You And Taketh You Up.

Henceforth beloved, “Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.” (James 4:7)

Because In Reality

“We don’t see the things the way they are. We see things the way WE are.”– Talmund

 

I Love You

Love Covers A Multitude of Sins

 

Are You Keeping Your Heart With All Diligence?

Proverbs 4:23 Keep thy heart with all diligence; for out of it are the issues of life.

 

As I was reading over this verse, a lot of things came to mind about the power the heart has. When it stops beating and pumping blood, out of it flows life as we have lived it. When it is beating and pumping blood, out of it flow the issues of life. That is so fascinating to me…the things that go into and out of the heart. Most of us don’t give the flow much thought or else we would have lived or live our lives per the Proverbs verse above. In essence, we tend to forget that the mouth plays a big role in the flow.

Even though we freely make decisions and act upon what’s in our heart, do we even ponder deeply about the fact that God has total control over our hearts? When He sees the need to step in to suit His purpose, He does. Remember the issues with Pharaoh?

Exodus 4:21- And the Lord said unto Moses, When thou goest to return into Egypt, see that thou do all those wonders before Pharaoh, which I have put in thine hand: but I will harden his heart, that he shall not let the people go.

AND His people

Jeremiah 32:40- “….And I will make an everlasting covenant with them, that I will not turn away from them, to do them good; but I will put my fear in their hearts, that they shall not depart from me.

Now darlings…We all know from personal experience and from watching others that these two things are the truth and nothing but the truth about the issues that flow from the heart per the Believers’ Lord and Savior:

• “But those things which proceed out of the mouth come forth from the heart; and they defile the man. For out of the heart proceed evil thoughts, murders, adulteries, fornications, thefts, false witness, blasphemies:”-(Matthew 15:18-19)

• God said, “The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked: who can know it?” (Jeremiah 17:9)

Credit: http://www.snoopy.com

Some may ask God… then why should we keep our heart with all diligence since it is “deceitful?” Snoopy has a point too, but I found the answer here: Psalm 51: 6 -Behold, thou desirest truth in the inward parts: and in the hidden part thou shalt make me to know wisdom. The heart is very valuable to God. It is how we connect with Him and others. Truth, Truth, Truth is what He desires. If our heart is true, it is there that we can have peace concerning the issues that flow out.

One last thing beloved readers…Be aware. The heart is ALWAYS under attack. Solomon alluded to this fact in the books of Kings and Proverbs. He would know best per his experiences, which is why he has shared this “to do” information about protecting(keeping) the heart. The reason we get hurt by others and hurt others is because we do not keep a diligent watch over, nor do we place a high enough value on the heart.

When we keep things that we value, what do we do? We find strength and joy in those things, we care for and even ask others to help us in caring for those things, sometimes we share them with others according to its value, and we protect those things with all our might. Soooo…Why is it then, that we are such failures at keeping the heart with the same diligence as we do things? You’ll have to discover the true reason that you don’t.

Shouldn’t we be a people who place more value on the heart than on things?

This is why I believe that all Believers’ should be diligent about asking in every prayer “Create in me a clean heart, O God; and renew a right spirit within me.” (Psalm 51:10) I can tell you from experience that when God is cleaning the heart, it takes time. The more you work at diligently protecting it, the quicker God works on the cleaning. Some may not like the changes you make. Don’t worry about them, concentrate on the fact that God is looking at the strides you are making to keep your heart in line with His will. People will disappoint you all the time. Knowing the value of your heart is the first step.

John Flavel stated “The state of the whole body depends upon the soundness and vigour of the heart, and the everlasting state of the whole man upon the good or ill condition of the soul.”

Conclusion-Therefore it is prudent that you “Keep thy heart with all diligence” beloved because “….the Lord looketh on the heart…” (1 Samuel 16:7)

Merry Christmas and Have a Happy New Year

“Learning To Stand Alone” – (This Too is Wisdom)

 

Please, please listen to——->  Adrian Rogers Sermon

 

Great morning to you beloved. I just finished listening to this sermon about Stephen. For years I have listened to his sermons and I always receive a spiritual message. This morning’s message was a timely message received after I posted about the gift of wisdom last evening. (TYHS) I  had to share this message with you.  May you be touched and encouraged on this great Friday morning as I was. Listen closely to his story about his trip to Hawaii. 🙂

Here are a few comments I love from the sermon:

“The secret to standing alone is to be filled with the Holy Ghost.”

“When you get saved, He( the Holy Spirit) comes in as resident, but when you’re filled, he becomes President.”

“When He controls your life there are three other things that you are going to be filled with that is going to be the secret of you standing alone….. filled with wisdom, filled with faith and filled with power….”

“…..salt irritates….”

“……If you kneel before God, you can stand before any man…”

“If the devil can find fear in you, he’ll know that you’ll never stand alone. You will fold up when you ought to stand up.”

I Love You

Love Covers A Multitude of Sins

 

 

The Gift of Wisdom from the Spirit of the Lord

Find the seed at the bottom of your heart and bring forth a flower.– Shigenori Kameoka

 

A Perk- The gifts from the Spirit of the Lord are all gifts that we are to ask for. They are not resting upon us as they rested on the Root of Jesse. I discovered this as I was briefly studying the gifts. Lord given wisdom gives us the ability to be beautifully great and strong discerners. Solomon’s wisdom was counted among the greatest. (1Kings 4:29-30-1; 1Kings 10:23)

 

 

 

 

As we know, wisdom is mostly referred to as “she” and “it” in the bible. So… it’s fair to conclude that wisdom is indeed a female epitome, not a male nor a transgender epitome?  There is absolutely no confusion to wisdom’s gender identity or gender expression here unless we want to view wisdom as a seahorse. The Fact-wisdom’s epitome of being a “she” and an “it” in the bible is never explained. That stands as is. However on the other hand, there could be a point to argue since “it” was in the beginning. I won’t argue the point because I’m not going outside of what the Spirit of the Lord is showing me at this time- “She” is it.

I found that wisdom is considered the “first” or “highest” gift of the “Holy Spirit.” So I asked self why that is. I believe it is because of the following verses. (TYHS)

Proverbs 8:22-23; 30 was an eye opener. Wisdom Speaks. I’ve never paid attention to these verses before (you read vs. 11-36)

22-23;30- The Lord possessed me in the beginning of his way, before his works of old. I was set up from everlasting, from the beginning, or ever the earth was….Then I was by him, as one brought up with him: and I was daily his delight, rejoicing always before him;

Wow, have you ever given deep thought about those verses? I’ve just experienced a cleansing and am in such awe right now as I write this. Let me calm down! (TYHS)

And then there is Job 28:12-28. I could not get away from what Job said about God and wisdom in verses 26 & 27. 

²⁶ When he (God)made a decree for the rain, and a way for the lightning of the thunder:

 27-“Then did he see it, and declare it; he prepared it, yea, and searched it out.”

And those words threw me back to:

Genesis 1:2– And the earth was without form, and void; and darkness was upon the face of the deep. And the Spirit of God moved upon the face of the waters.

(TYHS! TYHS!) If the Holy Spirit keeps speaking to me, this post will be 8,000 words or more on this subject alone. That is reserved for my upcoming book…can’t share everything here!

Let me share a few questions and thoughts on wisdom. In this study, I have discovered that the heart’s condition is dependent upon us getting wisdom from God. Please read :Ps 90:12;Pro 4:6-7; Ecc:10:2; Col. 2:2-3(I’m so in awe of that finding- TYHS) In my Heart and Mind seminars, absolutely no one leaves without knowing the importance of the heart’s condition with God, including me.

• How does one get wisdom? James 1:5
• Who gives us wisdom? Dan 1:17
• What is the difference in wisdom from God and wisdom from reading other books? (James 3:17– from God) It has been my experience when reading other books that I have gained more knowledge instead of more wisdom. When reading the words inspired by God, I can harden not my heart-receive His gift of wisdom to make pure decisions when it concerns people. Sometimes our hearts change on a daily basis, depending on us being hurt or loved. I will not lie…sometimes that gift is hidden from me because I have not been obedient in heart to His word. We all have disobedient days, right? When reading other books, I learn about why a person’s heart may be the way it is and the actions that stem from it, which becomes both knowledge and news to me.
• Can the gift of wisdom be taken away? Yes (Are you shocked?)Isaiah 29: 13-15– Wherefore the Lord said, Forasmuch as this people draw near me with their mouth, and with their lips do honour me, but have removed their heart far from me, and their fear toward me is taught by the precept of men: Therefore, behold, I will proceed to do a marvellous work among this people, even a marvellous work and a wonder: for the wisdom of their wise men shall perish, and the understanding of their prudent men shall be hid. Woe unto them that seek deep to hide their counsel from the Lord, and their works are in the dark, and they say, Who seeth us? and who knoweth us?
• This one is not a question. I disagree with these statements I found “The seven gifts of the Holy Spirit is a concept in Catholicism. The gifts refer to the seven graces bestowed upon Catholics who follow their faith correctly. …..Catholics are encouraged to use these gifts in daily life. Gifts come as a byproduct of living a spiritually pure life, and also through the sacrament of confirmation, a Catholic rite of passage”  It is not a concept in Catholicism. It is for ALL Christians who follow God with their heart. You can’t use His gifts daily if the Lord has not rested upon you. The Root of Jesse is the “rite of passage.” As Christians, our desire should be to become closer to the Lord, to receive the Gifts from the Spirit of the Lord. And that’s the essence of what I have to say about those statements. If I have offended anyone, forgive me.
• Having wisdom teeth does not make us wise.

 Whoa!!! Marshmallows on fire for a moment. I have experienced that wisdom often makes me very discerning…full of eyes rolling everywhere like Ezekiel’s wheel. It’s not a scary feeling when I experience such, it’s more of an ‘I’m ready to see; I don’t want to know because I can’t believe someone is that way feeling’….but I accept what God is showing me. Forgive, move forward.  It is sad that we have to treat some Christians with a 7 foot pole as we continue to love them. Wisdom from God is a very powerful gift.

I pray that you find with the help of the Holy Spirit deeper insights to wisdom from these additional readings and quote below: 1 Cor. 2:6-16; 2 Chronicles 1:7-12;Daniel 2:20-23;Proverbs 14:33 and Acts 22:7(can’t leave out something about Moses)

If you have more scriptures to add in comments, please do so.  Thank you for stopping by and spending time with my thoughts. I so appreciate your time.

 Read Proverbs 1

 

 I Love You

Love Covers A Multitude of Sins