My Journey through Romans 3

The Law of Faith

When studying this, I made so many notes because in spirit this chapter covers faith in a way that we do not often think about faith. Have we ever given thought that a law of faith existed? Well, it does. However, I’ll share just a tidbit of what the Holy Spirit led me to share with you.

The Law of Faith- What is it?  Hmm, the odd thing about faith is that EVERYONE believes in something or someone that they can see or feel. That type of faith always lets us down and it can be labeled as the seen law of man. And then there are those who do not believe or have faith in God for one main reason. He is an unseen Spirit. Those unbelievers boast about it loudly while thinking they are going to be living on another planet. Paul also mentioned some of these people in Romans 2.  Who gave those boasters the ability to believe period?

Paul asks in Romans 3:27-31 Where is boasting then? It is excluded. By what law? of works? Nay: but by the law of faith. Therefore we conclude that a man is justified by faith without the deeds of the law. Is he the God of the Jews only? is he not also of the Gentiles? Yes, of the Gentiles also: Seeing it is one God, which shall justify the circumcision by faith, and uncircumcision of faith. Do we then make void the law through faith? God forbid: yea, we establish the law.

Do you see the big role that faith plays in our lives? Through faith the law is established.  So what is the law of faith? Beloved, it is the BELIEF in the Gospel of Jesus Christ. By faith, the Lord sent His only begotten Son through faith born of the Virgin Mary by the Holy Spirit of God. He walked in faith until He was crucified and buried; with faith he was resurrected and because of faith He overcame the world and returned to His original position, at the right hand of His father God from whence our faith comes allowing us to believe that He is coming back for his beloved and faithful Believers. Do you believe?

There is no human living that saw these events take place on this earth save for Enoch and Elijah. We surely can’t ask their thoughts on the law of faith because of their location. Google don’t even have the ability to find them. So, we believe those events took place by the hearing and reading of God’s word. We are to be like Sara  and like a song that says “let our faith be more than anthem.” Hebrews 11:11 says Through faith also Sara herself received strength to conceive seed, and was delivered of a child when she was past age, because she judged him faithful who had promised. Obedience to the laws of God does it every time.

NOTE 2 SELF-Deuteronomy 7:9 – Know therefore that the LORD thy God, he is God, the faithful God, which keepeth covenant and mercy with them that love him and keep his commandments to a thousand generations;

 

So for us, the living and those who have lived/died after Jesus’ time on this earth, our faith can be based on what God said and did.  Jesus said in Luke 10:19-20 “Behold, I give unto you power to tread on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy: and nothing shall by any means hurt you. Notwithstanding in this rejoice not, that the spirits are subject unto you; but rather rejoice, because your names are written in heaven.”  The law of faith gives us that power. Now isn’t that something worth rejoicing over? Know this beloved… “the prince of the kingdom of Persia” cannot hold us back any more when we pray, believe and utilize our gift of faith. For without faith it is impossible to please God….(Hebrews 11:6) Perhaps if there were a faith app, more would become attentive to the law of faith. 

Let me leave you with something to think about that Paul stated at the beginning of this chapter:

What if some were unfaithful? Will their unfaithfulness nullify God’s faithfulness?  Not at all! Let God be true, and every human being a liar. As it is written: “So that you may be proved right when you speak and prevail when you judge.” (Romans 3:3-4 NIV)

My Eye Opener- The law of faith has a lot to do with God’s faithfulness.

 

 

 

The Gift of In the Fear of the Lord from the Spirit of the Lord

“…shall make him of quick understanding in the fear of the Lord: and he shall not judge after the sight of…” (Isaiah 11:3)

I wrestled with this for a moment until the Holy Spirit placed my focus on the words “IN THE FEAR OF.” The previous post about piety was fear OF. I’m straight now. Let us have an English moment:

In – is the preposition used when stating a location or a position within something; used to indicate that someone or something belongs to or is included as part of something

Of- is the preposition used when there is a belonging to, relating to, or connected with (someone or something)

Fear- : to be afraid of (something or someone); to have a reverential awe of <fear God>

Now let’s back it up to some key words that glorify the word fear- “quick understanding”. (TYHS) How often is that overlooked? The word fear is the cause of overlooking many things said and done. When this gift is resting upon us from the Spirit of the Lord, I shall be bold to say that we will know things without a doubt, without lagging in thought, and with no afterthoughts or forethoughts; we will have a belonging to “quick understanding in the fear of the Lord.” (poof on the spot!) How cool is that?

Simply put, I believe Acts 9:31 explains what it is to be n fear of the Lord: Then had the churches rest throughout all Judaea and Galilee and Samaria, and were edified; and walking in the fear of the Lord, and in the comfort of the Holy Ghost, were multiplied. Do you understand the spiritual aspect of that verse?

 

Let me break it down as to what happens when one has a QUICK UNDERSTANDING:

1. You have rest(relaxation) in the Lord
2. You will be edified(educated) in the Lord
3. You will be in comfort (well-being) of the Holy Ghost
4. Your branches will multiply (grow) in Christ, the root of Jesse
5. You will have complete intimacy with the Lord (Ding! Ding! Knock Out!)

And to mention-with a quick understanding you can be considered a jack of all trades. You are positioned right where God is, connected to and within Him. You are able to do many works that are of His will. You are as the Temptations would sing “Standing on the top”. You will know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.” (Romans 8:28) To love God is to be in the fear of God-H.O.L.I.N.E.S.S.

Moses said it best: “…Do not fear, for God has come to test you that the fear of him may be before you that you may not sin.”(Exodus 20:20)

Think deeply about this. Who would you rather live in fear of? When we live in fear of others, what happens? Let me tell ya!

The Happens:

• We are always stressed and depressed
• We are always looking over our shoulders(deficiency in trusting others)
• We have no peace/rest within
• We don’t understand the fear
• We are repetitively sinning
• We have car and house alarm systems just waiting for someone to steal or break into
• We have security guards and alarm systems in place at churches
• We don’t love others unconditionally (1 John 4:18-There is no fear in love; but perfect love casteth out fear: because fear hath torment. He that feareth is not made perfect in love.)
• Hatred runs amuck

I bet you didn’t think of those things as being related to living in fear of others and not fear in the Lord? (TYHS) Let us be reminded my loves, “For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind.”(2 Timothy 1:7) I believe that the fear of others comes from that bad spiritual realm. If we are doing wrong, fear automatically comes through that realm. “Know what I mean Vern?”

The bottom line is this:

“In the fear of the Lord is strong confidence: and his children shall have a place of refuge.” (Proverbs 14:26) “And his mercy is on them that fear him from generation to generation.” (Luke 1:50)

My beloved, understand, when a place of refuge/protection can’t be found anywhere else; this verse clearly teaches us that in living in the fear of the Lord, we are guaranteed a place of refuge/protection by our Heavenly Father. We are connected with(of) God. (TYHS) Only the Spirit of the Lord can give us that peace BY RESTING THIS GIFT UPON US. Father, we all pray to receive a quick understanding from the Spirit of the Lord, teach us to stop fearing one another. Prepare our hearts and minds to receive this gift in Jesus name. Amen.

I Love You

Love Covers A Multitude of Sins

The Gift of Understanding from the Spirit of the Lord- Isaiah 11:2-3

Understanding-(n)1.mental process of a person who comprehends; comprehension; personal interpretation: 2. intellectual faculties; intelligence; mind:

 

After reading the definition of understanding, right away, I knew where this post was going. We are a planet filled with anxiety. Anxiety is a mind issue; a mental process, right? Understanding is a thing of the mind. Oh, but wait, what does the bible tell us about it?  Per the bible, wisdom and understanding go heart in heart and mind in heart. The Spirit of God is telling me that it is spiritual. Other informational items will tell us that understanding is purely psychological.

Wiki Moment Understanding (also called intellection) is a psychological process related to an abstract or physical object, such as a person, situation, or message whereby one is able to think about it and use concepts to deal adequately with that object. Understanding is a relation between the knower and an object of understanding. Understanding implies abilities and dispositions with respect to an object of knowledge sufficient to support intelligent behavior.[1] An understanding is the limit of a conceptualization. To understand something is to have conceptualized it to a given measure. Ex.- 2.A psychiatrist understands another person’s anxieties if he/she knows that person’s anxieties, their causes, and can give useful advice on how to cope with the anxiety.

Note to self… A psychiatrist “can give useful advice on how to cope…” not heal.

One reason that people are reacting to one another out of fear is due to psychological misunderstandings. It is sound to believe that ANXIETY is running this world amuck, we are coping, i.e. getting by.  Even a few patients do not discuss their deepest angst with their psychiatrist/physician because some patients believe no one understands exactly what they are feeling, nor knows what the patient really thinks.  But then,  there is God who knows and understands all. For he said “I the Lord search the heart, I try the reins, (Jer. 17:10) “…and for the Lord searcheth all hearts, and understandeth all the imaginations of the thoughts…” (1 Chr. 28:9) Therefore, it is the Spirit of the Lord that gives us complete understanding to do, not just useful advice on how to cope.

The human race is a very anxious race. We think we understand, but we really don’t because of mind issues. What we need to grasp here is that our personal interpretation means nothing to God. The Holy Spirit is our Interpreter, our Translator, our Linguist – do you get it?  Whose interpretation of our mind and heart is important for us to receive the gift of understanding?

I don’t believe that the bible ever teaches us to just cope without understanding. There is only ONE Psychiatrist/Physician that can give us the gift of understanding period. Paul said “Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. (Phil. 4:6-7) I am guilty of not heeding this advice during many situations and have been broken down. Have you been guilty and broken down? Even as Christians we can be stubborn as all get-out. It has a lot to do with what and why we think the way we do…it’s a symptom of an anxious mind and an absence of the Holy Spirit working within us. 

An anxious mind with the wrong mindset can cause us to experience independence from the Spirit of the Lord. Guilty as charged. Before the Spirit of the Lord appeared, Paul  had the wrong mindset at one time in his life. God had to break him down and take away his physical and psychological sight and give him spiritual sight into understanding the mindset of the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. (TYHS)

A Key– It occurred to me that animals possess an understanding of survival.  I was reading my Animal Encyclopedia to learn about various habits. Let me tell you about the dik-dik animal. It is a small species of the antelope living in many parts of Africa. Their name comes from the sound the female(wisdom…ha ha) makes when alarmed. Needless to say, hunters dislike them because of their ability to alert other animals of a hunter’s presence. They live to see another day.

A Key Point– Using the gift of understanding is a survival skill. When the gift is resting upon us from the Spirit of the Lord, we would be able to alert others of the presence of  hunters that want to prey on us; hunters that want to separate us from the love and understanding of God. It is biblically clear that when one receives the gift of understanding, it is then that one is drawn closer to God. One can become clear of self and understand what God’s will is to live eternally in His kingdom.(TYHS)

Now, let me quiet self and share with you a few verses with thoughts about the gift of understanding.  The 1 Corinthians verse below is used to focus on understanding period, not understanding the gift of speaking in tongues. 🙂

• Proverbs 8:1 – Understanding raises wisdom’s voice. Understanding is her helper.
• Job 28:28 – Knowing how to shun evil is a gift of understanding from the Lord’s Spirit.
• Ephesians 4:17-19 – When we live with the futility of our thinking, we are darkened in our understanding. Misunderstanding occurs due to the hardness of our hearts.
• 1 Corinthians 14:11-17 – The gift of understanding is not just for your benefit. It is to be used to build up the body of believers.
• 1 Samuel 8:10 – We need to experience what Hannah experienced until our heart and mind is just opened to God only. We must become broken to receive the gift of understanding.

Thank you for stopping in and allowing me to share my thoughts with you.

I Love You

Love Covers A Multitude of Sins

https://talkativeangel.wordpress.com/2015/07/28/gifts-from-the-spirit-of-the-lord/

https://talkativeangel.wordpress.com/2015/07/31/the-gift-of-wisdom-from-the-spirit-of-the-lord/

Satanic Strongholds – Another Great Message!

Adrian Rogers Sermon

Reminders from Ephesians 4

²⁷ Neither give place to the devil.

³⁰And grieve not the holy Spirit of God, whereby ye are sealed unto the day of redemption.

 

I’m just enjoying worshipping the Lord this morning.  Come on over and praise the Lord with me!  Lots of singing and dancing going on here.

Have a beautiful weekend beloved.  Thanks for stopping in.

Persecuted for ________ Sake? Matthew 5:10-12

Blessed are they which are persecuted for righteousness’ sake: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

Blessed are ye, when men shall revile you, and persecute you, and shall say all manner of evil against you falsely, for my sake.

Think Time!

1. I often feel or have been persecuted by others for my/some sake; therefore the kingdom of heaven is mine. True or False
2. I have been persecuted for righteousness’ sake; therefore the kingdom of heaven is mine. True or False

We hear stories about being persecuted from the pulpit, in our homes, on our jobs, and from talking to people. What we don’t hone in on most of the time are the words “for righteousness’ sake” and  “my sake” , which Jesus clearly stated. He did NOT say for any other reason that “theirs is the kingdom of heaven.”

I was reading about persecution during my bible study and discovered that there are four types; “physical, social, mental, and spiritual” per Bakers-Evangelical-dictionary. Here’s a snippet and the link for further reading.

The Nature of Persecution

Both the Old Testament and New Testament give examples of physical, social, mental, and spiritual persecution. Physical persecution includes taking another’s life ( Gen 4 , Cain murdering Abel) or maiming the body ( Exod 22 , 23 ). Social persecution (sometimes called discrimination) consists of making individuals or group outcasts. An example of extreme mental and spiritual persecution is seen when Peter and John were threatened not to preach the gospel (Acts 5:28 Acts 5:40). Another example I’d like to add, is when they tell you at work “You can’t talk about God in the workplace, everyone is not a Christian.”

http://www.biblestudytools.com/dictionaries/bakers-evangelical-dictionary/persecution.html (please read)

Some have experienced at least 3 of the 4 types of persecutions mentioned; some have experienced all 4, not necessarily for righteousness’ sake. What exactly does it mean to be persecuted for righteousness’ sake? Let us set all that other self- righteous persecution stuff to the side for a moment.

Hear ye! Hear ye!

It means…

 If you are living a GODLY life, then YOU will suffer persecution. People that you have known forever-family and friends, people that you work with, people that you attend church with, and people that you just meet will be lost relationships if they perceive you as being a God fearing upright person. (Mark 13:11-13; Luke 21: 12-16; 2 Timothy 3:1-5, 11-13 )

People of the world just can’t deal with the Jesus in you and God being the head of your life. Worldly people are unforgiving and unapologetic. They can beat a spider at spinning a tangled web of deceit and hide in broad daylight behind many vices. They are good at making others that follow Jesus appear as the lost one. Be not deceived beloved when you KNOW who you are in Christ Jesus.  Self righteous people will say w/o blinking their blinded eyes “ the bible is just stories written by men…” and then they will point out a verse or two and claim it in the same breath, yet reject the whole Gospel of Christ. I’ve been told that on several occasions when defending my belief in God’s word. Righteous people are to remove the dust(worldly people- the wicked and the proud) from our sandaled life.  

“For, behold, the day cometh, that shall burn as an oven; and all the proud, yea, and all that do wickedly, shall be stubble: and the day that cometh shall burn them up, saith the Lord of hosts, that it shall leave them neither root nor branch. But unto you that fear my name shall the Sun of righteousness arise with healing in his wings; and ye shall go forth, and grow up as calves of the stall.”-Malachi 4:1-2

TRUTH– Life is a tare and wheat movie awaiting its ending credits. I’ve learned that as Christians, WE must suffer such in order to be stored in His barn as wheat. (Matthew 13:24-30)

AND

Sigh!-There is evil fused with good in our churches that many with seeing eyes are lending blind eyes to. Does faking blindness put the church in a righteous standing with God? Nope. You have to ask yourself, why does the church allow evil within its walls without confronting it? I’ll tell you why- fear of being persecuted for self-sake, i.e., man-made by-laws, losing members and money.  The church, THE BODY OF CHRIST can not stand in silence when evil is operating within its walls.  The task of the church is to abide IN Jesus so that He abides IN the church. The church could learn a lesson or two about the righteousness of Jesus. According to John 15:1-7,18-21, Jesus said 

“I am the true vine, and my Father is the husbandman. Every branch in me that beareth not fruit he taketh away: and every branch that beareth fruit, he purgeth it, that it may bring forth more fruit. Now ye are clean through the word which I have spoken unto you. Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, except it abide in the vine; no more can ye, except ye abide in me. I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing. If a man abide not in me, he is cast forth as a branch, and is withered; and men gather them, and cast them into the fire, and they are burned. If ye abide in me, and my words abide in you, ye shall ask what ye will, and it shall be done unto you.”…….“If the world hate you, ye know that it hated me before it hated you. If ye were of the world, the world would love his own: but because ye are not of the world, but I have chosen you out of the world, therefore the world hateth you. Remember the word that I said unto you, The servant is not greater than his lord. If they have persecuted me, they will also persecute you; if they have kept my saying, they will keep yours also. But all these things will they do unto you for my name’s sake, because they know not him that sent me.”

Additional Reading- 1 Peter 3:8-18 and 2 Timothy 3:1-5,11-13

Wisdom Note

The persecuted strongest weapon is to,

“… Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you;” (Matthew 5:44)

THEREFORE

 ^“Rejoice, and be exceeding glad: for great is your reward in heaven: for so persecuted they the prophets which were before you.”

 

This post concludes my study of the Beatitudes. Thanks for stopping in. 😛

Jesus Is The Chlorophyll That Gives The Christian A Characteristic Color- Holiness

 

Opening Thoughts- I was reading an Article of the Day from The Free Dictionary by Farlex on my cell as I wandered outside to look at my rose bushes I planted last September in honor of my “only” daughter’s thirtieth birthday. It’s a daily habit of reading to keep my brain alert, along with the Holy Bible to keep my mental and spiritual sense intact. And you know me, the Holy Spirit alerted me to write a blog about it. I held a few seminars several weeks ago titled Change Your Color for several church groups, and I am in awe by the Spirit of God sending me this colorful message on today. To Him, be the glory and honor. He has me thinking deep thoughts about light and its characteristic color- HOLINESS.  My holy roses absorbing light!  😛

Tia Rose Bush 1

Tia Rose Bush 2

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

So today’s article was about Chlorophyll. The Holy Spirit spoke to me as I was reading this- ‘Chlorophyll is a green pigment that gives most plants their color and enables them to carry out photosynthesis, the process through which plants get energy from light. Chlorophyll absorbs light in the red and blue-violet portions of the visible spectrum; the green portion is not absorbed and reflected, gives chlorophyll its characteristic green color. Only one animal has been found to use the chlorophyll it has eaten to perform photosynthesis itself. What is it?’ It’s not a chameleon.

 

As Children of God, let us ask ourselves- What is the process we must go through that will enable us to get energy from The Light? Using the wording in the article, I want to share with you the message received. (TYHS) Stay with me through the end here, ok? I know this is a long post; however it is a much needed post especially for those who are in darkness and those Children of God who have strayed somewhat from the light.

Here are six things shared with me by the Holy Spirit concerning the Christian process of photosynthesis:

1. Know who formed light and the Light 
   Genesis 1: 1- 4– In the beginning God created the heaven and the earth. 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. And God said, Let there be light: and there was light. And God saw the light, that it was good: and God divided the light from the darkness.
   Isaiah 45:5-7– I am the Lord, and there is none else, there is no God beside me: I girded thee, though thou hast not known me: That they may know from the rising of the sun, and from the west, that there is none beside me. I am the Lord, and there is none else. I form the light, and create darkness: I make peace, and create evil: I the Lord do all these things.
2. Know who the Light is 
   John 8:12 –Then spake Jesus again unto them, saying, I am the light of the world: he that followeth me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life.
   Matthew 3: 16-17– And Jesus, when he was baptized, went up straightway out of the water: and, lo, the heavens were opened unto him, and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove, and lighting upon him: And lo a voice from heaven, saying, This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.
3. Know the purpose of the Light
   1 Peter 2:9-10- 9 -But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvellous light; Which in time past were not a people, but are now the people of God: which had not obtained mercy, but now have obtained mercy.
   Acts 26: 15-18– And I said, Who art thou, Lord? And he said, I am Jesus whom thou persecutest. But rise, and stand upon thy feet: for I have appeared unto thee for this purpose, to make thee a minister and a witness both of these things which thou hast seen, and of those things in the which I will appear unto thee; Delivering thee from the people, and from the Gentiles, unto whom now I send thee, To open their eyes, and to turn them from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan unto God, that they may receive forgiveness of sins, and inheritance among them which are sanctified by faith that is in me.
   John 12:45-46– And he that seeth me seeth him that sent me. I am come a light into the world, that whosoever believeth on me should not abide in darkness.
4. Know what can be found in the Light
    John 14:6-Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.
    1 John 5: 12– He that hath the Son hath life; and he that hath not the Son of God hath not life.
    John 1:1-4 – In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. The same was in the beginning with God. All things were made by him; and without him was not any thing made that was made. In him was life; and the life was the light of men. And the light shineth in darkness; and the darkness comprehended it not.
5. Know how to absorb the Light
   Matthew 6:20-23– But lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt, and where thieves do not break through nor steal: For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also. The light of the body is the eye: if therefore thine eye be single, thy whole body shall be full of light. But if thine eye be evil, thy whole body shall be full of darkness. If therefore the light that is in thee be darkness, how great is that darkness!
    Joshua 1: 8 -This book of the law shall not depart out of thy mouth; but thou shalt meditate therein day and night, that thou mayest observe to do according to all that is written therein: for then thou shalt make thy way prosperous, and then thou shalt have good success.
    1Peter 3:18– But grow in grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. To him be glory both now and for ever. Amen.
6. Know who God hears  
   John 9:31– Now we know that God heareth not sinners: but if any man be a worshipper of God, and doeth his will, him he heareth.

 

Closing Thoughts- Light brings life to ALL humans, plants, and animals. Without The Light , humans would be spiritually “blind as a bat” as the saying goes and experience stunted growth. Remember how God led His people to see where He was leading them? (TYHS) Meditate and let the Holy Spirit reveal to you why these verses are presented.

Exodus 13:21-22– And the Lord went before them by day in a pillar of a cloud, to lead them the way; and by night in a pillar of fire, to give them light; to go by day and night: He took not away the pillar of the cloud by day, nor the pillar of fire by night, from before the people.

Isaiah 9:2 -The people that walked in darkness have seen a great light: they that dwell in the land of the shadow of death, upon them hath the light shined. Also, in Matthew 4:13-17– And leaving Nazareth, he came and dwelt in Capernaum, which is upon the sea coast, in the borders of Zabulon and Nephthalim: That it might be fulfilled which was spoken by Esaias the prophet, saying,The land of Zabulon, and the land of Nephthalim, by the way of the sea, beyond Jordan, Galilee of the Gentiles; The people which sat in darkness saw great light; and to them which sat in the region and shadow of death light is sprung up. From that time Jesus began to preach, and to say, Repent: for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.

I am by no means belittling our Savior when I say that He, Jesus is the chlorophyll (pigment per se) that gives the Christian light. The Light enables us to get energy/eternal life through Him. The Light has a characteristic color- HOLINESS. God said be ye Holy for I am Holy (Leviticus 11: 44 & 1 Peter 1:16)

Purity – God’s Milk w/o the Additives & Percentages – Matthew 5:8

“Blessed are the pure in heart: for they shall see God.”

 

Pure- (adj.) (1): unmixed with any other matter (2): free from dust, dirt, or taint (3): spotless, stainless b: free from harshness or roughness and being in tune —used of a musical tone: being thus and no other: sheer, unmitigated: free from what vitiates, weakens, or pollutes: containing nothing that does not properly belong: having exactly the talents or skills needed for a particular role

What is the first thing that comes to mind when you see the word pure? With all that have gone on and is still going on since Adam and Eve were removed from the Garden of Eden, do you believe that anything pure exists in this world? Speaking of that-Purity milk is my favorite brand of milk. I was in the grocery store and noticed that there were several kinds of milk, for example, 0 % plus, 1 %, 2%, low fat, reduced fat, fat free, whole, and skim. I don’t know why I never noticed that before until reading this verse before going grocery shopping. Remember that old campaign slogan- “Got Milk?”  

Got Heart? Are we conscious of the fact that God is concerned about our heart? Are you concerned about your heart? One more question- Why would a Holy God want to SEE a filthy heart in His kingdom? (TYHS)

It is my thought that the reason we have so much guilt, murders, hatred, idolatry, false sexual preferences, fake messengers, and fake churches is because of an unclean heart. So much filth comes from an unclean heart. (Mark 7:20-23)

The Word of God is being polluted with additives by those who have an unclean heart.

 

Beloved, we need to become dead serious about the pureness of our hearts. How do we do that? The first step – We must be born again spiritually involving water and the Spirit of God. Read John 3:3-6. Take note of verse 6 “… but the Spirit gives birth to the spirit…” In a physical birth we are an embryo growing in a sac of water awaiting our birth. You are the spirit. God is the Spirit that gives life to you. The Spirit is pure. The second step- We must clean ourselves from the inside, removing all additives and whatever percentage of impurities in the heart that is not in alignment with God. We must walk in the light or as Papaw used to say “…straighten up and fly right and own your flight.”(1 John 1:7)

Now let us go here to Matthew 23:24-27. Jesus spoke of 7 woes in this chapter. I was attentive to these two woes in relationship to the word pure. (TYHS) Now you be attentive to the underlined words when using a dishwasher.

Ye blind guides, which strain at a gnat, and swallow a camel. Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye make clean the outside of the cup and of the platter, but within they are full of extortion and excess. Thou blind Pharisee, cleanse first that which is within the cup and platter that the outside of them may be clean also. Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye are like unto whited sepulchres, which indeed appear beautiful outward, but are within full of dead men’s bones, and of all uncleanness.

Ergo the adage, “Beauty is only skin deep.”  😛

 

As Christians, we cannot be full of additives and be 0% plus, 1 %, 2%, low fat, reduced fat, fat- free, nor skim milk drinkers when it comes to the Word of God. We must drink 100% pure whole milk when it comes to His word and our hearts. When God looks at our heart, let our hearts display purity without the additives and the percentages of filth. We must not be like the scribes and Pharisees, who obviously did not know how to wash dishes. We have always been a nation hung upon changing the outside first and trying to change things outside of the human dominion. When will     we get that ALL matters and actions are derivations from the HEART? If the heart was pure, can you imagine how much better this world would be? Let us become wise in knowing that a pure heart is a precondition to being in His presence. A pure heart is needed to see God. (Matthew 5:8)The day that you hear Him, you MUST harden not your heart.

 

Wisdom from the Holy Scriptures:

1 Samuel 16:7 -But the Lord said unto Samuel, Look not on his countenance, or on the height of his stature; because I have refused him: for the Lord seeth not as man seeth; for man looketh on the outward appearance, but the Lord looketh on the heart.

Isaiah 52:11-Depart ye, depart ye, go ye out from thence, touch no unclean thing; go ye out of the midst of her; be ye clean, that bear the vessels of the Lord.

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

Isaiah 1:15-17-And when ye spread forth your hands, I will hide mine eyes from you: yea, when ye make many prayers, I will not hear: your hands are full of blood. Wash you, make you clean; put away the evil of your doings from before mine eyes; cease to do evil; Learn to do well; seek judgment, relieve the oppressed, judge the fatherless, plead for the widow.

Hebrews 3:7-8– Wherefore (as the Holy Ghost saith, To day if ye will hear his voice, Harden not your hearts, as in the provocation, in the day of temptation in the wilderness:

Psalm 24:3-4– Who shall ascend into the hill of the Lord? or who shall stand in his holy place? He that hath clean hands, and a pure heart; who hath not lifted up his soul unto vanity, nor sworn deceitfully.

Proverbs 23:26 -My son, give me thine heart, and let thine eyes observe my ways.

My 100% advice- Go ahead! Try some Purity – God’s Milk w/o the Additives & Percentages. I always pray Psalm 51 when I am experiencing heart dehydration. You may also incorporate others name in the prayer that may be experiencing heart dehydration. Let thou heart be thus and no other.

Bottoms Up! Alla tua salute! Rathima andu atene! Gan bei! & L’chaim!

 

Oh! Mercy, Mercy Me, People Ain’t/Aren’t What They Should Be- Matthew 5:7

 “Blessed are the merciful: for they shall obtain mercy.”

Mercy– (n)- compassion or forbearance shown especially to an offender or to one subject to one’s power; also: lenient or compassionate treatment: a blessing that is an act of divine favor or compassion

Merciful– (adj)- : treating people with kindness and forgiveness : not cruel or harsh : having or showing mercy: giving relief from suffering : full of mercy : compassionate

Yeah I said “ain’t” – And they aren’t what they should be, especially God’s children. “That’s the fact Jack.”

There are many verses in the bible that speak of mercy toward the people of God, i.e. mercy from God and mercy from others. This verse automatically made me think of Saul aka Paul, the one who was rather mean to Christians. You know the event where he was brought to his knees, blinded temporarily, had to rely and believe in Christ, became a new man in Christ?

Here’s my WISDOM for you- If you cannot be forgiving of others, you need to leave them alone(join Shrek in the Kingdom of Far Far Away) and pray for yourself deeply. If you are led by the spirit of the devil, and you choose to continue being led by him, then go on with your bad self and burn. No one likes to be burden with someone who smells like smoke all the time and is down and out (unmerciful), and have no love for others, the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Flee! Don’t be a slave to sin, be merciful.

As I read verse seven(7), I had questions for self for when/what I SEE. Some may appear monotonous, however they are not. Just use your Helper. Now you too can check your eyes and heart. Ok?

1. Are you forgiving of your past? (confess to God, ask for mercy, ask for deliverance)
2. Are you forgiving of the past of others? (the devil stirs others and you to keep your past present)
3. Do you believe that others should be under your control? (think cruelty to animals campaign)
4. Have you shown mercy TO DAY to someone?
5. Do you feel bad for people who can’t seem to come to Christ, after you have been spending Jesus-Time with them? (hardened hearts, unbelievers, weak mind-set that the bible is just stories written by men)
6. Do you have compassion for the sick?( ex. mentally ill, alcoholic, drug addict)
7. Do you have compassion and respect for the elderly and homebound?
8. Do you have compassion for the disabled?( ex. physical infirmities, includes false prophets and teachers)
9. Do you have compassion for those who have suffered?(ex. the abused, the disconsolate)
10. Do you have compassion for the overlooked and poor? (ex. the homeless)
11. Do you call or visit people you have not seen in your church for some time?
12. Have you gone or do you go out of the way to help others in desperate need?
13. Do you have someone on earth that you can go to in confidence about issues in your life? (someone that you know that the bucks(words) stop there-not worrying about gossip or flinging it back in your face) (Wow!)
14. What purpose does it serve to keep throwing up a person’s past, better yet who does it serve?(Whoa!)
15. Who is your neighbor and what have you done for them lately?
16. What is the meaning of relief?
17. What does God’s Word say about forgiveness?

 

I reviewed my answers and the Holy Spirit put me in check. (TYHS) No, we are not perfect. Think about this-what fee do you pay by being merciful? Remember these important things if you do not remember anything else about the word M-E-R-C-I-F-U-L:

She hit 2 home run verses!

 

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

Matthew 18:33 – “Shouldest not thou also have had compassion on thy fellowservant, even as I had pity on thee?” ( for the unforgiving and merciless to ponder)

 

 

 

 

Quotes

Let us sing- Here a quote, there a quote, everywhere a quote quote! Enjoy Beloved- Peace Out!

“God seeth different abilities and frailties of men, which may move His goodness to be merciful to their different improvements in virtue.”

William Law

“The most miserable prison in the world is the prison we make for ourselves when we refuse to show mercy.”

Warren Wiersbe

“Here is the life of prayer, when in or with the Spirit, a man being made sensible of sin, and how to come to the Lord for mercy; he comes, I say, in the strength of the Spirit, and crieth Father. That one word spoken in faith, is better than a thousand prayers, as men call them, written and read, in a formal, cold, lukewarm way.”

John Bunyan

“No obligation to justice does force a man to be cruel, or to use the sharpest sentence. A just man does justice to every man and to everything; and then, if he be also wise, he knows there is a debt of mercy and compassion due to the infirmities of man’s nature; and that is to be paid; and he that is cruel and ungentle to a sinning person, and does the worst to him, is in his debt and is unjust.”

 Jeremy Taylor

Casting and Investing Seeds ( A Show of Mercy for Others ) Ecclesiastes 11

I was taken way back to a childhood memory when reading this chapter. Stick with me now!

I was thinking back of an incident that took place when I was 7 years old. My Pawpaw invested in many ventures, so this chapter was right up my alley. The biggest one he invested in was various seed plantings for they are still around even today waiting for me to chop them down and replant. I recall asking him why he had planted things and then had them picked or cut down. He said it was “called investing in the future of seeds and one day you’ll own the seeds to pass on.” What? Seeds ain’t got no future. They grow, get eaten, chopped down and they get struck by lightning and blown away by big storms then they fall in ditches. Is that why you plant stuff over and over again?, I asked. Needless to say I was told to go in the house and help Grandma. Later on that week I was given some books and 4-H pamphlets for kids to read on the subject of seeds as he told me more about it. When he was preparing a Sunday school lesson from Ecclesiastes, I was there in training helping to prepare lessons with my questions. I bet he wished I wasn’t. And here we are some forty five years later back on the subject of seed investing and in the book of Ecclesiastes. Go figure! That seems to be a karma instance of reaping and sowing for sure. Ya know, that bread expands in water? Try it as a scientific experiment.

photo courtesy of blackenterpise.com

In this chapter my understanding is that Solomon suggests that we invest in being charitable, prepare for death and the judgment following. However, my focus will be on casting and investing. How many times have we given money to the poor and homeless standing on street corners or near shopping areas asking for money? How many times have we given to and through our churches or private giving to organizations asking to help the less fortunate? Do we ever think about what is being doing with the money or items once it leaves our hands? Do we realize that once it leaves our hand it is an investment? When we donate time, food, clothing or housewares, teaching others how to plant and grow,it is also a part of investing-did you know that? Some see it is a risk of faith.(TYHS)

Know this, once it leaves our hands and is invested in others per their claims, what is done with it is out of our hands and controlled by the recipient, whether it be a church, an organization, or an individual. Therefore we are told in verse 4 -” He that observeth the wind shall not sow; and he that regardeth the clouds shall not reap.” The only reason we do observe is for tax purposes, so I guess that is ok. Also know that you have done as God have asked with the casting of your bread , you have invested a seed with the expectations of it growing to its maximum potential and you obtain a heavenly return. And here is where we run head into verse 3 for our answers to the questions that stirred in my mind. “…There It Shall Be…” Whatever or whoever you have given to, “If the clouds be full of rain, they empty themselves upon the earth; and if the tree fall toward the south, or toward the north, in the place where the tree falleth, there it shall be.”

I’m coming to a close soon and I pray for us all to come to the knowledge and be wise in knowing that “As thou knowest not what the way of the spirit, nor how the bones do grown in the womb of her that is with child; even so thou knowest not the works of God who maketh all.” Therefore we as children of God should know that “In the morning sow they seed, and in the evening withhold not thine hand: for thou knowest not whether shall prosper, either this or that, or whether they both shall be alike good.” Amen to that!

It is my belief that “waters” is equivalent to many people. A full meal is equivalent to many people. One day of clothing is equivalent to a full wardrobe for many people. It comes down to pittance versus portion. Since God is rich in mercy, what is our excuse not to be rich in mercy also? If mercy were to have a dollar amount representative of itself, we would not be able to compute the cost. Do you see what I’m saying? (TYHS)

God’s mercy is infinite. Praise the Lord that infinity exists, because whatever we cast, we are told that we “shalt find after many days.” We will never know when or if the tide may turn(reversal of a situation) on us. Comprende? We are all poor and that is one reason that God has mercy for the human race. When he extends mercy we are to be obedient to His requests. We are to be merciful to others so that we also obtain mercy from our Heavenly Father. (Matthew 5:7) “This is a faithful saying, and worthy of all acceptation, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners; of whom I am chief. Howbeit for this cause I obtained mercy, that in me first Jesus Christ might shew forth all  longsuffering, for a pattern to them which should hereafter believe on him to life everlasting.” (1 Timothy 1:15-16)  Even if you gave away 1/4 of what you have, you still have 3/4 left. That’s mercy-ology!

Have we been a merciful race that practice and believe in casting and investing our seeds upon the waters?

“When we cast our bread upon the waters, we can presume that someone downstream whose face we will never know will benefit from our action, as we who are downstream from another will profit from that grantor’s gift” – Maya Angelou

 

Other Photos- Wikimedia

Folly’s Antidote – Ecclesiastes 10

Let us take a look at the word folly, shall we?

Folly-n-the lack of good sense or judgment: a foolish act or idea: foolish behavior; Synonyms: absurdity, asininity, bêtise, craziness, fatuity, foolery, foppery, idiocy, irrationality, imbecility, inanity, insanity, lunacy, stupidity

If we were to be honest with self, can we agree that more than once in our lives we have experienced folly in our personal lives? I know that I have experienced many instances of lacking sense, behaving foolishly and just plain irrational when things didn’t go as I thought they should or just so stressed or angered  that led to making wrong decisions.

WE HAVE ALL HAD WHAT THEY CALL A “KEEPING IT REAL” MOMENT.

Sometimes folly just happens because of inexperience and/or no training of manners and matters. We just say or do things not becoming of our Lord because we lack experience or training in what He expects of us. Have you been there? (NIV Verse 13-14) “At the beginning their words are folly; at the end they are wicked madness— and fools multiply words. No one knows what is coming— who can tell someone else what will happen after them?” I am sure this happens to all, but some of us won’t admit it to self. Since God knows, I don’t see any sense in hiding the truth about self from self. It’s a stage that we all go through. Sometimes when you ask a true friend about your behavior and there is a silence that speaks louder than any words uttered, that’s a good sign that something needs to change about your behavior. And then there are those who feel the need to yap about something until they prove THEIR point, they seem to be using the drug of choice known as folly.

Please read Chapter 10 and let the Holy Spirit show you the importance of wisdom because tis true according to verse 1 that

 “Dead flies cause the ointment of the apothecary to send forth a stinking savour: so doth a little folly him that is in reputation for wisdom and honour.” (KJV)

“As dead flies give perfume a bad smell, so a little folly outweighs wisdom and honor.”(NIV)

 

 

Here’s the thing about folly. No matter how glorious or fantastic your life may be going, or how others perceive you as one of good character, one slip on the folly drug and you no longer are looked upon as one of good character by others. Folks have a hard time seeing the true actions of your heart. Even more importantly when you examine self, you have to be conscious of what your heart, not character says to God. Are others to judge? Are you to judge?

We all have experienced and will experience negative behaviors-character flaws in our lives associated with folly for whatever reason. We are to become wise and learn from our mistakes. Sometimes this takes a lot of practice.Verse one in this chapter speaks louder than an atomic bomb.

Once the smallest stench is found among the strongest of pleasant smells, the stench takes over. You will have to work hard to get rid of  a little stench, correct? In verse 10 Solomon agrees with me. He says that “If the ax is dull and its edge unsharpened, more strength is needed, but skill will bring success.” How does one go about obtaining “skill” that “will bring success?” What is the definition of skill?

Skill –n- the ability to do something that comes from training, experience, or practice 

How do we get rid of the dead flies and the stench?  I’m glad you asked. Dearest flowers, we, as the people of God need to focus on becoming more skillful and knowledgeable of what He requires, lack folly, and become less concerned about proving a point to show whose right or wrong. To do this, we must “Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.” (Proverbs 3:5-6)

With Him directing your paths you too will find that the ANTIDOTE for FOLLY is WISDOM. Wisdom helps us to get rid of stench and the dead flies just waiting to stink us up. Wisdom helps us to give off a more pleasing aroma to God. 

Courtesy of Pinterest.Com

 

 

“He that reads and grows no wiser-seldom suspects his own deficiency, but complains of hard words and obscure sentences, and asks why books are written which cannot be understood.” ― Samuel Johnson

 

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