I know whom I believe (Part 1)

“Let not your heart be troubled; you believe in God, believe also in Me.” John 14:1 NKJV

Dear Heavenly Father – Thank you Lord for your grace which you have continually wrapped me in. Thank for your faithfulness and love. Please open our eyes to see your works and our ears to hear from you. Wake us up, and please open our understanding. Help us understand your plans for us! In the name of Jesus – Amen

I have been having a few trying days.  To make a joke: maybe I should stop trying? Ok, ok… that is not funny – maybe it kinda is?? I liked it. Anyway… 

“For everyone who asks receives, and he who seeks finds, and to him who knocks it will be opened.” Matthew 7:8 NKJV
The Word of God says it, I believe it and that settles it.  If I seek God, I find Him – He reveals Himself and draws close to us. I have sought Him throughout this week and found Him. I attend church (online) still expecting to encounter God and I find Him – Hallelujah!  This is a solid spiritual principle, and if you do not already practice it – let me challenge you to do so.

I watched my church’s mid-week service last night and I said to God – OK Lord, I have come to hear from you – expecting a word specifically for me. I seek you and expect to find you.  And true to His nature he did not disappoint. God is always faithful – praise the Lord! So, always pray before a service or a Bible study (or even reading things like this online. Pray that you will hear from God.  But do it with an expectant heart. Expect to hear from God. I promise you, if you are sensitive to the Spirit, you will encounter God.  And practice this especially before reading this blog – I am human and fallible – but God told me to share my studies and testimony. God said HE wanted to use it. So if you are reading He has something for you.  It may not be the main point I and studying or sharing – but there is something HE wants to share with you.

Pastor opened the mid-week service sermon with the above verse: “Let not your heart be troubled”. I suppose my week was actually more troublesome than it was trying (but if I said from the beginning, I would have missed out on the opportunity to tell that terrible joke!) I knew that God was immediately showing me He loves me, He is aware of these troubles, and He is working on them.

In a red-letter bible, these words have red letters – these are the words of Jesus.  Jesus said to the disciples and to the people he was speaking to – not to let their hearts be troubled.  And Jesus says now, today, that we should not let our hearts be troubled.  With all the new pandemic rules, and the spirit of fear wandering over the world – Don’t be troubled.  With the problems we find ourselves in through temptation and losing battled against our minds – DON’T BE TROUBLED.  With all these things and the spiritual battle that rages – DO NOT BE TROUBLED.  And when exhausted from the daily grind and depleted of self and love – know, I love you and this is why I am diligent in this – know that Jesus loves you and that is why He died and rose – know that God the Father loves you and this is why He has me share, and Has been reaching out to you from ever place He can – and now He is saying seek me!!! Seek me and expect me – I am right here! I am ready and able! DO not let your heart be troubled!

My pastor could have stayed on this verse all night! (But he didn’t – he had a different message. But this was definitely for me and worth staying thoughtful on.)  

If Matthew 7:8 (above) confirming that God is near, and hears us, and answers us, and opens doors making a way for us… If all this isn’t enough to ease our troubles and if Jesus telling us not to be troubled isn’t enough to ease our troubles, then let’s flip around the Bible – He shows plenty of reasons to not be troubled.

“Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God.” Philippians 4:6 ESV
Why? Because He wants to ease our troubles – He wants to bless us – He wants to be glorified in our lives.  Why?

As we discussed last week, it is because of how He views us and not how we view ourselves: I am a child of God! I am a temple of the Holy Spirit. I am a new creature. I am redeemed! I am all that He says I am!

And when we look at the second half of the verse – All I have to do is believe in Jesus! I am so glad I already do believe. Believe and get to know Him. Know whom you believe.

“For this reason I also suffer these things; nevertheless I am not ashamed, for I know whom I have believed and am persuaded that He is able to keep what I have committed to Him until that Day.” 2 Timothy 1:12 NKJV

As much as there have been troubles, let me give a praise report as to God’s steadiness in my life through this. He is so good.  He has spoken loudly and clearly to me, guiding me through this week.

“And Jesus said to him, “Why do you call me good? No one is good except God alone.” Mark 10:18 ESV
Therefore I know my God is Good!!!!  If only God is good – then be experiencing good this week in the midst of my troubles, I know Jesus IS interceding on my behalf, I know I am redeemed and God is my Father, and I know my Father loves me and is with me. I know in whom I believe.

“Thus says the Lord, the King of Israel and his Redeemer, the Lord of hosts: “I am the first and I am the last; besides me there is no god.” Isaiah 44:6 NKJV
I know my God – He is the first and last. I know my redeemer – the plan of God and the actions of Jesus and the work of the cross has redeemed me.  This verse refers to God the Father (King of Israel), and Jesus (our Redeemer).  I know in whom I believe.

“I love you, Lord, my strength. The Lord is my rock, my fortress and my deliverer; my God is my rock, in whom I take refuge, my shield and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold.” Psalm 18:1-2 NIV
I know my strength, my rock, my fortress, my deliverer, my refuse, my shield, my salvation, my stronghold! This verse also refers to both the works of the Father and works of the Son.  I know in whom I believe.

And back to “you believe in God, believe also in Me.” John 14:1a NKJV
Although we can see the workings and existence of Jesus in the old testament – we are reminded to believe in Him. This grace giving faith is essential for overcoming and living in victory because HE has the keys to heaven and hell and HE has the authority wherein is our victory.

“And the living one. I died, and behold I am alive forevermore, and I have the keys of Death and Hades.” Revelation 1:18 ESV

If you don’t already, and today you would like to have a relationship with a God who can communicate with you and be part of your life (and protect you) – one who is full of mighty power and tender love, then please know that I have put the “A, B, C’s of Salvation” in my introduction. Please click here to follow the link.**

Thank you for reading ~ Grace be with you
Be healthy and blessed ~ I love you and love one another
Watch and Pray ~ Seek God & keep your eyes on Jesus!

Maranatha ~ Come Lord Jesus!

Who am I? (part 6)

“31 What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us? 32 He who did not spare his own Son but gave him up for us all, how will he not also with him graciously give us all things? 33 Who shall bring any charge against God’s elect? It is God who justifies. 34 Who is to condemn? Christ Jesus is the one who died—more than that, who was raised—who is at the right hand of God, who indeed is interceding for us.  35 Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or danger, or sword? 36 As it is written,
“For your sake we are being killed all the day long;
we are regarded as sheep to be slaughtered.”
37 No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. 38 For I am sure that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers, 39 nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.” Romans 8:31-39 ESV

Dear Heavenly Father – Thank you Lord for your grace. Thank you for making us! Thank for your faithfulness and love. Please reveal to me and to everyone reading this who we are in you and in your body. Please open our eyes to see ourselves as you see us and see others as you see them. Wake us up, and please open our understanding. Help us understand your plans for us as we understand who you say we are! In the name of Jesus – Amen

I am sure.

There – verse 38, it says “I am sure”.  I am sure we are more than conquerors. I am sure conviction comes from God unto repentance. I am sure condemnation is NOT of God. I am sure God loves me!

“17 When the seventy-two disciples returned, they joyfully reported to him, “Lord, even the demons obey us when we use your name!”
18 “Yes,” he told them, “I saw Satan fall from heaven like lightning! 19 Look, I have given you authority over all the power of the enemy, and you can walk among snakes and scorpions and crush them. Nothing will injure you. 20 But don’t rejoice because evil spirits obey you; rejoice because your names are registered in heaven.” Luke 10:17-20 ESV

I am sure my name is written in the Lamb’s Book of Life in heaven! Hallelujah! Amen! Glory to God! I am sure I was dying and full of destruction and I am sure I am now redeemed and have a reservation in heaven through grace! Glorious grace! All for the glory of God!
I am sure evil spirit must obey me when I say be cast out. I am sure I can walk in the midst of evil things meant to harm me – and come out unharmed. I am sure that the glory of God in it all is that I have been delivered and that other people are being delivered as well. I am sure I am focused on things eternal!

“And they have conquered him by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony, for they loved not their lives even unto death.” Revelation 12:11 ESV

I am sure we have already conquered him! I am sure that in spirit and outside of time the blood of Christ has already won! I am sure my redemption and word of my testimony has been, is, and always will be, a fatal blow against the enemy!

“When Jesus had received the sour wine, he said, “It is finished,” and he bowed his head and gave up his spirit.” John 19:30 ESV

I am sure that IT IS FINISHED. I am sure the end of the story is written in stone – it is done. We have won! God gets the Glory!

I am sure. The Bible is not just nice moral stories to create good people – but it is the inspired word of God, His revelation to man of Himself and His plan of salvation! It is alive and full of life more so than most people are alive. I believe it. I am sure of it. I am sure that when it says Jesus is the word – that Jesus is the word.  I am sure that the word of God never returns void.

“I praise you, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made. Wonderful are your works; my soul knows it very well.” Psalm 139:14 ESV

I am sure I am fearfully and wonderfully made. I am sure that all of God’s works are wonderful. I am sure my soul knows it well.

“For we are God’s masterpiece. He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so we can do the good things he planned for us long ago.” Ephesians 2:10 NLT

I am sure I am his masterpiece. I am sure He has created me to do a work for Him. I am sure I am anew in Christ!

“For if you keep silent at this time, relief and deliverance… will rise from another place, but you and your father’s house will perish. And who knows whether you have not come to the kingdom for such a time as this?” Esther 4:14 ESV

I am sure relief and deliverance has arose! I am sure we shall live and not die. I am sure I made, created and designed, by God, for such a time as this! I am sure He will be glorified in me.

“11For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans for welfare [peace] and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope. 12Then you will call upon me and come and pray to me, and I will hear you. 13You will seek me and find me, when you seek me with all your heart.” Jeremiah 29:11-13 ESV

I am sure Gods plans are for my good. I am sure all things work for good. I am sure peace is mine. I am sure I have a future and hope. I am sure that when I pray God always answers. I am sure His answers are always best for my life. I am sure – I know because I have experienced it – that when I seek God, He reveals himself to me. 

Are you sure of all these things?

Do you know who God says you are and walk in the full knowledge of who you are?

I am a new creation.  I am a princess.  I am the temple of the Holy Spirit.  I am a light.  I am a member of the Body of Christ. I am sure my redeemer lives. I am sure I am filled to overflowing with the Holy Spirit.

And most important of all – I am sure.  I am sure of every word that is in the Bible. I am sure of my personal relationship with God through Christ Jesus. I am sure. I am sure. I am sure.

If you are not sure – get on your knees and get sure through prayer. Exercise that relationship offered through grace. And, if you don’t already, and today you would like to have a relationship with a God who can communicate with you and be part of your life (and protect you) – one who is full of mighty power and tender love, then please know that I have put the “A, B, C’s of Salvation” in my introduction. Please click here to follow the link.**

Thank you for reading ~ Grace be with you
Be healthy and blessed ~ I love you and love one another
Watch and Pray ~ Seek God & keep your eyes on Jesus!

Maranatha ~ Come Lord Jesus!

Who am I? (part 5)

“Now you are the body of Christ and individually members of it.” 1 Corinthians 12:27 ESV

“For as in one body we have many members, and the members do not all have the same function, so we, though many, are one body in Christ, and individually members one of another.” Romans 12:4—5 ESV

Dear Heavenly Father – Thank you Lord for your grace. Thank for your faithfulness and love. Please reveal to me and to everyone reading this who we are in you and in your body. Please open our eyes to see ourselves as you see us and see others as you see them. Wake us up, and please open our understanding. In the name of Jesus – Amen

I am part of the Body of Christ.  I am. Kind of like being the light and the temple which is God in us, we are the body, God giving us each different positions to work together in His fullness being so much so that we are a body – The Body. The Body of Christ. As He no longer lives on earth and teaches, heals, delivers, etc. in person – we are His body and through us as an extension of Him we can teach, heal, etc. While Jesus remains the head and in charge.  I am part of something bigger. I am part of a local church, I am part of the same body as all the believers in my state, region, nation, and all of the world.

“¹² For just as the body is one and has many members, and all the members of the body, though many, are one body, so it is with Christ. ¹³ For in one Spirit we were all baptized into one body—Jews or Greeks, slaves or free—and all were made to drink of one Spirit.
¹⁴ For the body does not consist of one member but of many. ¹⁵ If the foot should say, “Because I am not a hand, I do not belong to the body,” that would not make it any less a part of the body. ¹⁶ And if the ear should say, “Because I am not an eye, I do not belong to the body,” that would not make it any less a part of the body. ¹⁷ If the whole body were an eye, where would be the sense of hearing? If the whole body were an ear, where would be the sense of smell? ¹⁸ But as it is, God arranged the members in the body, each one of them, as he chose. ¹⁹ If all were a single member, where would the body be? ²⁰ As it is, there are many parts, yet one body.
²¹ The eye cannot say to the hand, “I have no need of you,” nor again the head to the feet, “I have no need of you.” ²² On the contrary, the parts of the body that seem to be weaker are indispensable, ²³ and on those parts of the body that we think less honorable we bestow the greater honor, and our unpresentable parts are treated with greater modesty, ²⁴ which our more presentable parts do not require. But God has so composed the body, giving greater honor to the part that lacked it, ²⁵ that there may be no division in the body, but that the members may have the same care for one another. ²⁶ If one member suffers, all suffer together; if one member is honored, all rejoice together. ²⁷ Now you are the body of Christ and individually members of it. ²⁸ And God has appointed in the church first apostles, second prophets, third teachers, then miracles, then gifts of healing, helping, administrating, and various kinds of tongues. ²⁹ Are all apostles? Are all prophets? Are all teachers? Do all work miracles? ³⁰ Do all possess gifts of healing? Do all speak with tongues? Do all interpret? ³¹ But earnestly desire the higher gifts. And I will show you a still more excellent way.”  1 Corinthians 12:12-31 ESV

How does one say anything intelligent about being the body after that thorough explanation? Wow! I get it. I am the body and each of us is the body and therefore none of us are better or worse and none of us can live without the others.

So let’s focus in on the 5 fold ministry which ironically just came up in a video a friend shared with me. The video encourages Christians to make sure they are in a church which operates in the 5 fold ministry found here in verse 28 It is very sound guidance as this passage says the body should have all 5: apostles/evangelist, prophets, teachers/preachers, miracles, healing.  And of course the others: helping, administrating, and tongues.  (Never understood why they call it 5 fold when clearly the list has 8.) And then in verse 30, interpreter is added.  But we know there are many gifts not listed here, like: exhorter, comforter, faith, prayer warrior, intercessor, care giver, worship team, etc.

I sit here wondering if I have a favorite part to my body. I have lovely nails and enjoy painting them. Oddly though that the longer and prettier they get the more useless they become.  I like my eyes – and they are pretty important to the body. They are definitely more important than my nails.  But I am at the age where suddenly I can’t see so well. I need reading glasses and can no longer to embroidery.  My arms and legs are all pretty important – my legs move me and arms reach out from me. But both are useless without my core attached and without my hand to grasp as I reach and my feet to give my legs support to walk on.  So I cannot say I favor one body part over another (unless you count the nails, which I do spend a lot of time painting despite them being useless).

So when this passages refers to the different gifs and says we all won’t have all or any of them (even though some people have all of them), it makes sense to me.  My nails have the gift of paint and so do my eyes occasionally. But it would be strange to give paint to my belly or my knee. I grew up in a church where different people had different gifts and they all worked well together.

“But you should be eager for the greater gifts. And now I will show you a way that is beyond comparison.” 1 Corinthians 12:31 NET
I am eager for all gifts that God will give me. I used to say, no not all – but as I watch God’s direction in my life and He prepares me for the next stages of this ministry, I see God has already given me the gifts to move in, although I was unaware and not utilizing them.

But this last sentence! What an amazing introduction to 1 Corinthians chapter 13!!! Which is the love chapter!!
Also funny that it kept coming up today and I finally went to it. Oh Lord, help me to love as you love – because right now, I am not so good at it. Amen

I am part of the body – and gifts matter, but none of this matters without love – deep Godly love. We should examine ourselves regularly if not daily to see that we are behaving as part of the Body and seeking the Lords directions and gifts. Most importantly – are we existing in love, exemplifying love, and sharing God’s love? All because we have a relationship with God our Father through Jesus Christ our Lord, we are the Body of Christ.

If you don’t already, and today you would like to have a relationship with a God who can communicate with you and be part of your life (and protect you) – one who is full of mighty power and tender love, then please know that I have put the “A, B, C’s of Salvation” in my introduction. Please click here to follow the link.**

Thank you for reading ~ Grace be with you
Be healthy and blessed ~ I love you and love one another
Watch and Pray ~ Seek God & keep your eyes on Jesus!

Maranatha ~ Come Lord Jesus!

Who am I? (part 4)

¹⁴ “You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden. ¹⁵ Nor do people light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a stand, and it gives light to all in the house. ¹⁶ In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven.” Matthew 5:14-16 ESV

Dear Heavenly Father – Thank you Lord for your grace. Thank for your faithfulness and love. Please reveal to me and to everyone reading this the empowering and transformative truth of who we are in you. Please open our eyes to see ourselves as you see us and see others as you see them. Wake us up, and please open our understanding. In the name of Jesus – Amen

I am a light! I am bright and shining! I have the glory of the Lord upon me. I glow in the spirit and anyone who walks in the spirit can see the light and feel its warmth. I am a light that is brighter than the sun. I am a light for the glory of God.

“And God said, “Let there be light,” and there was light.” Genesis 1:3 ESV
And so it began – as things were created they had light by which to see clearly – by which truth could be revealed.  Light is a perfect creation of God and she shines it through us – from within us.

“Again Jesus spoke to them, saying, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will not walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.” John 8:12 ESV
Jesus is the light while we are a light. We are to follow His example. As a good big brother he has shown us how to be a light.
We also see here that light is also life – And He came that we may have life more abundantly. Life shining out like a big bright light!

“Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path.” Psalm 119:105 ESV
All light needs a source. Jesus is the source. In John chapter 1 it says Jesus is the word – and therefore Jesus is the light that shows us the way.  And as we have Jesus as an example of light – we should also be leading the way for other – the way to the light.  That they may also become light and glorify God.

“Arise, shine, for your light has come, and the glory of the Lord has risen upon you.” Isaiah 60:1 ESV
Oh the time is now. We are here for such a time as this. It is a time of great darkness. We need to wake up while all the sleepers keep saying they are ‘woke’ and pressing selfish agendas – not us. We are not ‘woke’ as the world sees ‘woke’.  Instead we are awake – watching and praying. Awake and bathed in the glory of the Lord – shining as a light! Following The Light.

The clearest instruction on being a light, I feel, is in 1 John:

“⁵ This is the message we have heard from him and proclaim to you, that God is light, and in him is no darkness at all. ⁶ If we say we have fellowship with him while we walk in darkness, we lie and do not practice the truth. ⁷ But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus his Son cleanses us from all sin. ⁸ If we say we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. ⁹ If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. ¹⁰ If we say we have not sinned, we make him a liar, and his word is not in us.” 1 John 1:5-10 ESV

And just like all the other “I am…” proclamations I have made this week – this one also relies on a repentant heart that is seeking God. On forgiveness and being forgiven.  Being who the Bible says I am is all wrapped up with accepting the grace of the work of the cross on a daily basis – being diligent.

“The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.” John 1:5 ESV
Yes we live in a dark time. The evil and flesh of people seems to overflow. But we are a light and the light pierces into the darkness. Darkness cannot overcome light! Get together with a few other believers and watch the light not just pierce into the darkness, but flood into it!!!

“For anything that becomes visible is light. Therefore it says, “Awake, O sleeper, and arise from the dead, and Christ will shine on you.” Ephesians 5:14 ESV

Let us shine for the glory of God through Christ Jesus! Even in prayer this light works – since Jesus is no longer walking the earth, we must be diligent in our task as the light – pray for the light to expose the corrupt leaders and offer them repentance, pray for the light in the media to expose truths, pray for the light to shine into the hearts of friends, relatives, coworkers, etc. so that lives can be saved from the wrath to come.

“And this is the judgment: the light has come into the world, and people loved the darkness rather than the light because their works were evil. For everyone who does wicked things hates the light and does not come to the light, lest his works should be exposed. But whoever does what is true comes to the light, so that it may be clearly seen that his works have been carried out in God.” John 3:19-21 ESV

Stay in the Bible and feed the light within you so that you shine, because…

“So Jesus said to them, “The light is among you for a little while longer. Walk while you have the light, lest darkness overtake you. The one who walks in the darkness does not know where he is going.” John 12:35 ESV

And the one who is a light, knows they are going to heaven. We know it will all work out for our good and God’s glory.

Are you shining your light – exposing truth in darkness just by being near darkness? Are you leading others to Christ through the light? Are you testifying what the Lord has done, witnessing to the unsaved, conquering darkness and bringing delivering light to those in bondage? Be the light, as God shines His grace and favor down upon you – reflect that grace and shine for others – Be who God says you are!

If you don’t already, and today you would like to have a relationship with a God who can communicate with you and be part of your life (and protect you) – one who is full of mighty power and tender love, then please know that I have put the “A, B, C’s of Salvation” in my introduction. Please click here to follow the link.**

Thank you for reading ~ Grace be with you
Be healthy and blessed ~ I love you and love one another
Watch and Pray ~ Seek God & keep your eyes on Jesus!

Maranatha ~ Come Lord Jesus!

Who am I? (part 3)

“What? know ye not that your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost which is in you, which ye have of God, and ye are not your own? For ye are bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God’s.” 1 Corinthians 6:19-20 KJV

Dear Heavenly Father – Thank you Lord for your grace. Thank for your faithfulness and love. Please speak to me and to everyone reading this as we know your word is empowering and transformative. Please open our eyes to see ourselves as you see us and to see others as you see them. Wake us up, and please open our understanding. In the name of Jesus – Amen

I am the temple of the Holy Spirit. Go ahead and say it! It feels so good and fulfilling to say! Wait, what does this mean?

Let us quickly review the history of where the spirit of God has resided here on Earth. 
First, there was the Ark of the Covenant.  Approximately a year after the Israelites’ fled Egypt, the Lord set up a covenant (one of many) with His people. The Ark of the Covenant was created (when God told Moses to create it) to be a dwelling place for His Spirit, and as a symbol* of the covenant, containing a golden pot of manna, Aaron’s rod, and the tables of the covenant. (*Symbol isn’t really a strong enough word but I am not sure what the right word is.)
This Ark was made of pure gold and all the most precious things known to man.  It was the most valuable thing the Israelites had, both spiritually (as God anointed it and put His Spirit inside it) and financially (as it was made from the best of the best of the most costly materials known to man).  God’s presence could NOT abide in something that was not pure, not anointed, and not holy. There are multiple accounts of those who were not sanctified looking at it or touching it and instantly dyeing. Because God’s Holiness is too powerful for man & womankind. Therefore, laws and rules had to be in place that only those anointed and sanctified could even be near it.  This always required a blood sacrifice to cleans the sins and purify the person anointed to be near it.

Next, tents were built to be the sanctuary and keep the Ark of the Covenant, then tabernacles, then temples – with inner rooms called the Holy of Holies, or the Holiest of all, where this valuable, powerful, reverent, and sometimes lethal, Ark of the Covenant could reside. And of course these structures were always made of the most valuable gold and precious (and costly) materials known to man. Valuable materials were used, not just because they had reverence and felt God deserved the best (although He does) – but because holiness is pure and cannot be inside something that is not pure.  They used the purist gold which had been through the fire multiple times, they used the purist (in strength and integrity) stones, they used the purest gems, etc. Even the wood had to meet certain criteria which was established because of purity. 

My quick review does not do justice to fully understanding the importance of a valuable and pure place for God’s spirit. It doesn’t fully reveal the depth of sanctification and purity required to be near God’s presence. But I try to keep these studies to a couple thousand words so we must go on as I pray God reveals to you these truths in a new way. Please Lord, reveal to them as you have revealed to me – Amen

Jesus then came to be the ultimate blood sacrifice. He came so we can be purified and the workings of the temple can be changed – as the Holy Spirit and presence of God would no longer be contained in an Ark or in the Temple.

“Then verily the first covenant had also ordinances of divine service, and a worldly sanctuary.
Now the first covenant had regulations for worship and also an earthly sanctuary. ² A tabernacle was set up. In its first room were the lampstand and the table with its consecrated bread; this was called the Holy Place. ³ Behind the second curtain was a room called the Most Holy Place, ⁴ which had the golden altar of incense and the gold-covered ark of the covenant. This ark contained the gold jar of manna, Aaron’s staff that had budded, and the stone tablets of the covenant. ⁵ Above the ark were the cherubim of the Glory, overshadowing the atonement cover. But we cannot discuss these things in detail now.
⁶ When everything had been arranged like this, the priests entered regularly into the outer room to carry on their ministry. ⁷ But only the high priest entered the inner room, and that only once a year, and never without blood, which he offered for himself and for the sins the people had committed in ignorance. ⁸ The Holy Spirit was showing by this that the way into the Most Holy Place had not yet been disclosed as long as the first tabernacle was still functioning. ⁹ This is an illustration for the present time, indicating that the gifts and sacrifices being offered were not able to clear the conscience of the worshiper. ¹⁰ They are only a matter of food and drink and various ceremonial washings—external regulations applying until the time of the new order.
¹¹ But when Christ came as high priest of the good things that are now already here, he went through the greater and more perfect tabernacle that is not made with human hands, that is to say, is not a part of this creation. ¹² He did not enter by means of the blood of goats and calves; but he entered the Most Holy Place once for all by his own blood, thus obtaining eternal redemption. ¹³ The blood of goats and bulls and the ashes of a heifer sprinkled on those who are ceremonially unclean sanctify them so that they are outwardly clean. ¹⁴ How much more, then, will the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered himself unblemished to God, cleanse our consciences from acts that lead to death, so that we may serve the living God!
¹⁵ For this reason Christ is the mediator of a new covenant, that those who are called may receive the promised eternal inheritance—now that he has died as a ransom to set them free from the sins committed under the first covenant.” Hebrews 9:1-15 NIV

Now, those who have (or want to have) a relationship with God – as God deeply desires to have a relationship with us – can be sanctified through Jesus’s blood and be pure enough (which is completely pure) that this pure, holy, and powerful presence of God in His Spirit can now dwell in us.  We are the temple. 

What does this then say about us?  We already know that God is the same yesterday, today and forever – so a dwelling place for Him must also be the same.  Therefore, once we are cleansed through the blood and begin our relationship with God, God sees us as valuable and made from THE MOST VALUABLE MATERIAL ON EARTH! Amen! Do you see??? We are the most valuable. Lord, please open our understanding, here, with revelation! We are most valuable – others are most valuable!
Jesus encouraged us to pray daily for the repentance of sins (see the Lord’s Prayer in Matthew chapter 6) and to forgive others – this practice keeps us pure – pure to be in the presence of God – valuable enough that His Spirit (which is Holy, pure, powerful, reverent, and even sometimes lethal) can not only visit us – but enter us! ENTER US!!! Others had try to touch the objects wherein was the Spirit and died yet we can not only touch but be filled with Him!!! What amazing grace is established in this gesture! As wrong as I am even on my best day – through this grace and merciful cleansing, God can enter us and remain. Hallelujah! Glory be to my most high and Holy God!

To be the Temple of God is another free gift – but like all covenants of God we must hold up our end.  We know that nothing can separate us from Gods love (Romans 8:31) but we must remember that the word separate here mean separate God from loving us (as we have studied in past posts).  We can reject this love – but it is always flowing from Him to us and this verse is about love – not God’s presence.

And we know He will never leave us or forsake us (1 Chronicles 28:20).  And that again is God’s promise to be near us – not that we won’t reject Him. Both of these love and God’s promise to be near are flowing from Him to us – not from us to Him.  As we can see, through sin and unforgiveness we physically push God away.  He is still loving us, He is still near (as near as His holiness can be to sin), He is not forsaking us (and will answer the moment we cry out for Him in our sin) – He is trying desperately to get us to repent and turn towards Him.  Repent and be purified so that God can send His presence INTO us – so we can be the temple. A covenant always has responsibilities for both parties. He has fulfilled His – and we are learning about our responsibility in this grace.

With being the temple – we are Holy (by grace) just as God’s Ark and Temples have always been.  We are subject to His will and judgment, but we are also protected by God just as He protected His Ark and His Temple.  I am saying that it is biblically sound to say that if an impure, defiled person comes against us they shall be smitten by God. I am saying it is biblically sound that the power of His Spirit in us will affect those around us, both in positive ways (like drawing people to Christ) and negative ways – but in all ways it is for the GLORY OF GOD.

Quick side note – no evil person has tried to lay hands on me and died.  But I also find that the demonic influences know the rules of spiritual engagement better than we do. Therefore, they know not to touch the temple of God, but instead use other forces, like temptation, to defile us and keep us from being the holy temple.  

“Do you not know that you are God’s temple and that God’s Spirit dwells in you? If anyone destroys God’s temple, God will destroy him. For God’s temple is holy, and you are that temple.” 1 Corinthians 3:16-17 ESV

Are you behaving as a temple? Or are you defiling yourself and allowing others to corrupt you? Stand firm on the foundation God has built for you. And start acting like who God says you are.

Dear Father God, today reveal your holiness as we repent to ensure our purity. Send your Spirit to fill us like never before – like we are your temple, please make us your temple.  Thank you for seeing us as the most valuable materials on earth and worthy only through grace and the Blood of Jesus. Thank you for wanting to have a personal relationship with us. – in Jesus name we pray- amen

If you don’t already, and today you would like to have a relationship with a God who can communicate with you and be part of your life (and protect you) – one who is full of mighty power and tender love, then please know that I have put the “A, B, C’s of Salvation” in my introduction. Please click here to follow the link.**

Thank you for reading ~ Grace be with you
Be healthy and blessed ~ I love you and love one another
Watch and Pray ~ Seek God & keep your eyes on Jesus!

Maranatha ~ Come Lord Jesus!

Who am I? (part 2)

“But to all who did receive him, who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God,” John 1:12 ESV

Dear Heavenly Father – Thank you Lord for your grace. Thank for your faithfulness and love. Please reveal to me and to everyone reading this what you want us to learn your word, which is empowering and transformative. Please open our eyes to see ourselves as you see us and see others as you see them. Wake us up, and please open our understanding. In the name of Jesus – Amen

I am a princess, daughter of The Most High King.  In our modern world where entitlement is referred to as out of selfishness and lack of love and respect for others and a major cause of offense – I want to study what the Bible says about it. Just a little. But mostly – This study is about who I am (and you are) in the eyes of our Lord.  It is critical to understand how He sees us – so we can see ourselves that way, understand our position (and therefore understand the Bible better), and see others the way Christ sees them (and therefore treat others the way we should).

“For in Christ Jesus you are all sons of God, through faith.” Galatians 3:26 ESV
We become the sons and daughters of God through faith. The same faith that grace worked to save us.
“For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast.” Ephesians 2:8-9 ESV

Many people understand the want for children. It seems programed into our DNA and into our very being.  (Yes, some people do not have it – and should not be judged. One of those people who did not have that desire was the apostle Paul. But statistically more people have a desire for children than those who don’t so I am using it as a relatable example.)  Just as some of us desire children and family, God in heaven had that very same desire. Being the creator, He created us (specifically Adam and Eve) to be His children and to reproduce to give God children and so on up to now and in the future – all His children. Someone once told me that when you love someone you desire for that love to reproduce and grow and that is why people desire children.  So, God had so much LOVE – it is was through this great love that He Fathered us.

“See what kind of love the Father has given to us, that we should be called children of God; and so we are. The reason why the world does not know us is that it did not know him.” 1 John 3:1 ESV

So we are the children of God – the King of kings and Lord of lords. We are Princes and Princesses with a capital “P”. So, now let’s talk a little about entitlement – because children of royalty are always entitled.
Entitlement is defined as “the fact of having a right to something” and “the amount to which a person has a right”.  In our modern world it has also become defined as “the belief that one is inherently deserving of privileges or special treatment” which I suppose is also applicable as we should believe we are inherently (we inherit) and are deserving of certain things. Not as someone who doesn’t understand our position or our inheritance but as someone humbly knowledgeable of our inheritance through Christ Jesus.  
So, looking back up at 1 John 3:1 – we inherit and are deserving to be unknown to the world. This also means rejected by the world as God has been rejected.  God has been SO rejected they murdered Jesus. This is our entitlement, wrapped up with knowing that all things work together for good (Romans 8:28) and God’s glory along with knowing that to live is Christ and to die is gain (Philippians 1:21).

“For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.” John 3:16 ESV
If Jesus, The Son of God, was sent to die – are we to not consider the possibility of our own potential to die for Christ as is our inheritance? Granted, the majority of Christians were not called to martyrdom – however, it is listed among our inheritance and entitlements, therefore, we should be aware.

“And if children, then heirs—heirs of God and fellow heirs with Christ, provided we suffer with him in order that we may also be glorified with him.” Romans 8:17 ESV

Fellow heirs with Christ – we are His brother.  My brother is one of my best friends. It is very special to have both a Brother and a friend in the same person. And we can have that same (yet closer) relationship with Christ.
“No longer do I call you servants, for the servant does not know what his master is doing; but I have called you friends, for all that I have heard from my Father I have made known to you.” John 15:15 ESV

So, how does God and the Kingdom of God view children? Let me reason with you that it would be extremely applicable to take the verses about children and apply them as us being the children and God being the parent to fully understand the relationship we have with Him.

“And they were bringing children to him that he might touch them, and the disciples rebuked them. But when Jesus saw it, he was indignant and said to them, “Let the children come to me; do not hinder them, for to such belongs the kingdom of God. Truly, I say to you, whoever does not receive the kingdom of God like a child shall not enter it.” And he took them in his arms and blessed them, laying his hands on them.” Mark 10:13-16 ESV
To children belongs the kingdom of heaven! We are the children and heaven is also part of our entitlement and inheritance!! See how we can apply it – but we must also believe and have faith as a child. It is written – therefore I believe it and that is the end of that.

“See that you do not despise one of these little ones. For I tell you that in heaven their angels always see the face of my Father who is in heaven.” Matthew 18:10 ESV
As children of God we see that there are angels who are assigned to us and also go before our Father to intercede on our behalf.  Jesus is also at the right hand of the throne interceding on our behalf. We are entitled to this. Entitled to have more for us than those against us. Entitled to have support and encouragement in the ways of the Father. Glory to God!

Brothers and sisters – be aware in such a time as this, of who is actually our brothers and sisters. Some are new to the faith and are struggling and in need of a hand from us to pull them in deeper. But some are wolves in sheep’s clothing.

“By this it is evident who are the children of God, and who are the children of the devil: whoever does not practice righteousness is not of God, nor is the one who does not love his brother.” 1 John 3:10 ESV

Also keep in mind that as children we must practice righteousness. I love the word practice!  Cause we cannot without supernatural assistance from God through the blood of Christ. None the less, we are to do our best and constantly raise the standard for ourselves as we grow.  If we are NOT practicing righteousness then are we children of God??

As children, we are entitled to all the ‘good’ things (and more according to all the promises in the scriptures) that we provide to our children. We must also behave a children of God or encounter the discipline we are also entitled to.

Are you behaving like a Prince or Princess? Standing on the promises and spending time with our Daddy?

Let me leave you with this last word from the Lord Almighty himself – to remind us of who we are in Him:

“And I will be a father to you, and you shall be sons and daughters to me, says the Lord Almighty.” 2 Corinthians 6:18

If you don’t already, and today you would like to have a relationship with a God, and be His son or daughter, and communicate with Him and let Him be part of your life (and protect you) – a God who is full of mighty power and tender love, then please know that I have put the “A, B, C’s of Salvation” in my introduction. Please click here to follow the link.**

Thank you for reading ~ Grace be with you
Be healthy and blessed ~ I love you and love one another
Watch and Pray ~ Seek God & keep your eyes on Jesus!

Maranatha ~ Come Lord Jesus!

Who am I? (part 1)

“Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come.” 2 Corinthians 5:17 ESV

Dear Heavenly Father – Thank you Lord for your grace. Thank for your faithfulness and love. Please reveal to me and to everyone reading this the empowering and transformative truth of who we are in you. Please open our eyes to see ourselves as you see us and see others as you see them. Wake us up, and please open our understanding. In the name of Jesus – Amen

I am a new creation. Praise the Lord!!!!  I am not the sinner I was. I am not the broken, hurting person I used to be.  I am not any longer a terrible person. I am made new! New I tell ya, new!!!

I new creature! New and made into what He intended for His good works and glory – new for the blessed life I was supposed to have. Anyone following this? Good stuff here!!! If you are new as well, say AMEN!

So, what does this mean and how are we made new.  Well, this one hurts the fleshly sinful nature of the ‘Old’ – actually it kills it. So that the new nature may live and have abundant life! Put the knife down, it is a metaphor, although denying one’s self can be painful at first.  Let’s take a closer look.

“I have been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me. And the life I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.” Galatians 2:20 ESV
Paul wrote this – and as a Roman citizen it is unlikely he was ever crucified as citizens were protected from that brutal of a death. He was most likely, and commonly believed to have, died by beheading as a martyr.  So, what does he mean when he says he has been crucified with Christ? 
I will not share the verses from the book of Roman’s chapters 6-8 where he describes the battle over flesh and sin – the submission to God’s will and obedience – and the whole ‘Die to self’.  But if you are hungry for more meat, feel free to go read it.

Paul repeated his message in different letters to the various churches.  Let’s study how he presented this message to the Colossians:  

“If then you have been raised with Christ, seek the things that are above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. ² Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth. ³ For you have died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God. ⁴ When Christ who is your life appears, then you also will appear with him in glory.
⁵ Put to death therefore what is earthly in you: sexual immorality, impurity, passion, evil desire, and covetousness, which is idolatry. ⁶ On account of these the wrath of God is coming. ⁷ In these you too once walked, when you were living in them. ⁸ But now you must put them all away: anger, wrath, malice, slander, and obscene talk from your mouth. ⁹ Do not lie to one another, seeing that you have put off the old self with its practices ¹⁰ and have put on the new self, which is being renewed in knowledge after the image of its creator. ¹¹ Here there is not Greek and Jew, circumcised and uncircumcised, barbarian, Scythian, slave, free; but Christ is all, and in all.
¹² Put on then, as God’s chosen ones, holy and beloved, compassionate hearts, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience, ¹³ bearing with one another and, if one has a complaint against another, forgiving each other; as the Lord has forgiven you, so you also must forgive. ¹⁴ And above all these put on love, which binds everything together in perfect harmony.” Colossians 3:1-14 ESV

Such a full passage! It begins with being raised with Christ – so we see the death of self, had happened by inference and then again in verse 5 it is flat out stated along with a good description of what should be ‘put to death’.

Let us describe the “old” me – the old you – the old that was made into a new creation. These practices, behaviors and ‘just who I am’ (or even ‘I was born this way’ ideologies) are:
a mind set on things that are on earth, sexual immorality, impurity, passion [hold up! What? Oh the Greek word here can be translated as passion however it can also be translated as ‘depraved passion’ or ‘lust’. The King James translates it as inordinate affection.], evil desire, covetousness – which is idolatry, anger, wrath, malice, slander, obscene talk from your mouth [yep, that potty mouth – oh how hard a time I had and sometimes still have with not using foul language], and lying to one another.
This seems like a pretty exhaustive list – but I am sure we can, if we examine ourselves well enough, find other things that do not bring glory to God that should be part of the ‘old’ me (old you).

We most definitely were born that way – born into a sin nature and propensity to sin and grow in depravity. When people say they cannot help themselves – it most definitely is a truth, however only in part. They are in bondage to the sin, in the dark and do not have the light to see. The interesting thing about Jesus’s work on the cross is that, at the moment Jesus’s blood spilt, sin became a choice. To some degree it was always a choice. If you know it or not, having a sin nature and being compelled to sin is no longer an excuse. Yes you were born sinful, but you have the choice to sin or not. Yes you may be in bondage to sin, but you have the choice to be free from bondage. Yes the old man is sin – but you have the choice to deny sin, resist the devil, and be delivered and become a new creature.

Oh how the spirit is willing but the flesh is weak. Oh how I could not do it on my own – I am sure you could not as well. But…
“I can do all things through him who strengthens me.” Philippians 4:13 ESV

So we deny our old selves, nail them to a cross metaphorically speaking. (If nailed and left there I am sure the struggle to metaphorically kill the sin nature will be easier.) Choose not to sin. Pray, repent, fall, get back up – it is a process. An intentional process.

Then we become a new creature, described here in Colossians as:
Raised with Christ
Seeks the things that are above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God
Mind set on things that are above
Life hidden with Christ in God
Practices righteousness 
having put on the new self, which is being renewed in knowledge after the image of its creator
Unity with Christians where Christ is all, and in all
BeingGod’s chosen ones
holy and beloved, compassionate hearts, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience, bearing with one another, forgiving
And above all these loving, which binds everything together in perfect harmony.

This is a fabulous and surly incomplete description of the new creature. And we can examine ourselves for evidence of these things developing in our lives as those old things pass away.

“We know that everyone who has been born of God does not keep on sinning, but he who was born of God protects him, and the evil one does not touch him.” 1 John 5:18 ESV

Oh the grace of it all!!! Here in 1 John we see God grace as He, Himself, helps us, protects us and works in us to complete the process with us! All for the Glory of God!!!
Because those who do not have a relationship cannot stop sinning, cannot be free from bondage, cannot change – But through grace and for God’s glory we can and then can say – I am a new creature!

“Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind,” Romans 12:2a ESV

Are you a new creature? Or are you the same as you have always been except now you call yourself a Christian. Calling yourself something different is not the same as letting God transform you into something new – with release, with peace, with blessings, with real love, etc. It’s time to call out to God in surrender and let Him make you new!

And if you are a new creature, continue to read your Bible – it continues to transform you and renew you and keeps you the New Creature that God intended for you to be.

If you don’t already, and today you would like to have a relationship with a God who can communicate with you and be part of your life (and protect you) – one who is full of mighty power and tender love, then please know that I have put the “A, B, C’s of Salvation” in my introduction. Please click here to follow the link.**

Thank you for reading ~ Grace be with you
Be healthy and blessed ~ I love you and love one another
Watch and Pray ~ Seek God & keep your eyes on Jesus!

Maranatha ~ Come Lord Jesus!

Baby food

“Repent therefore and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out, so that times of refreshing may come from the presence of the Lord,” Acts 3:19 NKJV

Dear Heavenly Father – Thank you Lord for your grace. Thank you that you are faithful when we repent to forgive us our sins. Please speak to me and to everyone reading this as we know your word is empowering and transformative. Open our eyes, wake us up, and please open our understanding. In the name of Jesus – Amen

Grace – oh grace, how far must we let grace abound? – but through grace we find mercy and forgiveness, conviction to repentance. Grace! Glorious grace! The kind of grace that brings all glory to God! Because if not for God, where would we be?

“There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.” Romans 8:1 KJV

First hold in your heart that all conviction is from God unto repentance and all condemnation is of the enemy to bondage to sin.  Then, we can move on.

This week as have addressed many conditions in the church, the body of Christ – and why we need to address them, repentance, and growing a heart after God’s own heart.  I am well aware that many of the people reading my posts here are hungry for the meat of the scriptures.

Let me explain. When my son was born, he could not eat meat. He drank milk. At some point in his first year, the doctor said I could add cereal to his diet. As his stomach matured it could handle and actually needed more than just the milk.  Slowly from that point we added other food all ground up into mush. And then as he grew even more we slowly switched him over to solid foods and meat. Soon enough He was eating more and more and he grew into a strong young man.

Now – what if he refused the cereal and would only drink milk? Eventually, he would not survive.
And what if he made it past the milk to mushy baby food and then refused anything solid? In the long run he would not get enough nutrition and would die.

Spiritually and biblically, the word of God is referred to as food many times.
“Taste and see that the Lord is good;” Psalm 34:8a NIV
But then that means we must go from easy Bible study lessons – learning the basics to more difficult Bible study lessons.  We must go from understanding basic right and wrong kinds of sins to learning that even if it is morally right is may not be expedient and it may be in direct disobedience to God if He said otherwise for that situation. We go from baby food, or milk, to the meat of the word.  We go from the children’s church lessons to understanding the depths of the scriptures.

“Brothers and sisters, I could not address you as people who live by the Spirit but as people who are still worldly—mere infants in Christ. ² I gave you milk, not solid food, for you were not yet ready for it. Indeed, you are still not ready. ³ You are still worldly. For since there is jealousy and quarreling among you, are you not worldly? Are you not acting like mere humans?” 1 Corinthians 3:1-3 NIV

A few times last week I spoke with people about how difficult it is to be a mere human trying to serve God. Something you may not understand until you’ve tried to live without compromise.  Paul admits to his human mistakes and yet he strived daily to walk in a way that was in complete submission and obedience to God. So you and I can’t say that it is impossible. Pray to understand – stretch and grow to see – is there an area of scriptural you are still a baby? Do you need to basics again?  I can point you to a good basic Bible study. You won’t get baby food here on a daily basis. I am not saying I won’t study and discuss some basics, but haven’t we grown too much for just baby food?

Yet – In the modern church, we have so many fat babies looking for nice messages to make them feel nice and look nice without having to sacrifice the fleshly desires and repent of the deep hidden sins. Fat babies who just want to say there are a Christian and lie to themselves about the certainty of their salvation while refusing to hear that if you aren’t hot for God, and are only lukewarm, he will cast you out. Fat little babies who like the story of Noah and fondly remember drawing rainbows in Sunday school as a child – instead of confronting the fact that the world at that time was described the same as the world today; AND didn’t God send a flood to destroy all that evil?!?! Destroy the whole planet?? And fat babies want to ignore the righteous judgement of God in that ‘story’ and assume it cannot apply to the evil world we are in today; they go around saying everything is ok and trying not to offend anyone. Are you a fat baby???

“¹¹ We have much to say about this, but it is hard to make it clear to you because you no longer try to understand. ¹² In fact, though by this time you ought to be teachers, you need someone to teach you the elementary truths of God’s word all over again. You need milk, not solid food! ¹³ Anyone who lives on milk, being still an infant, is not acquainted with the teaching about righteousness. ¹⁴ But solid food is for the mature, who by constant use have trained themselves to distinguish good from evil.” Hebrews 5:11-14 NIV

How many of you should be teaching me as you have been a Christian longer than I have, yet here you are reading this and being taught by me – because the grace of God. Do you understand? It is the grace of God. All and act of His undeserved favor and love – His mercy and goodness. To Him be the glory.
This passage in Hebrews chapter 5 does not end with the chapter, but it continues in chapter 6 with a stern and frightening warning about fat baby sliding away from their relationships with God to eternal damnation:

“Therefore let us move beyond the elementary teachings about Christ and be taken forward to maturity, not laying again the foundation of repentance from acts that lead to death, and of faith in God, ² instruction about cleansing rites, the laying on of hands, the resurrection of the dead, and eternal judgment. ³ And God permitting, we will do so.
⁴ It is impossible for those who have once been enlightened, who have tasted the heavenly gift, who have shared in the Holy Spirit, ⁵ who have tasted the goodness of the word of God and the powers of the coming age ⁶ and who have fallen away, to be brought back to repentance. To their loss they are crucifying the Son of God all over again and subjecting him to public disgrace. ⁷ Land that drinks in the rain often falling on it and that produces a crop useful to those for whom it is farmed receives the blessing of God. ⁸ But land that produces thorns and thistles is worthless and is in danger of being cursed. In the end it will be burned.
⁹ Even though we speak like this, dear friends, we are convinced of better things in your case—the things that have to do with salvation. ¹⁰ God is not unjust; he will not forget your work and the love you have shown him as you have helped his people and continue to help them. ¹¹ We want each of you to show this same diligence to the very end, so that what you hope for may be fully realized. ¹² We do not want you to become lazy, but to imitate those who through faith and patience inherit what has been promised.” Hebrews 6:1-12 NIV

Verse 9- ‘even though we speak like this dear friends, we are convinced of better things in your case’. This is true. I think better things in you, my reader’s, case as well – or God would not have me sharing these things to warn you.

Verse 12 – do not become lazy. Pick up that Bible and ask God to open your eyes and understanding so you might read it and get the good meat. Get the banquet he has prepared. Feast!

Yes we studied fasting not too long ago – there is a time for fasting and a time for feasting. Feast on the words of the Lord! It’s time for the meat – the deep stuff. The hard messages. The good stuff. Amen?

If you don’t already, and today you would like to have a relationship with a God who can communicate with you and be part of your life (and protect you) – one who is full of mighty power and tender love, then please know that I have put the “A, B, C’s of Salvation” in my introduction. Please click here to follow the link.**

Thank you for reading ~ Grace be with you
Be healthy and blessed ~ Love one another
~ Watch and Pray ~
Seek God & keep your eyes on Jesus!

Maranatha ~ Come Lord Jesus!

A heart after God

“Repent therefore and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out, so that times of refreshing may come from the presence of the Lord,” Acts 3:19 NKJV

Dear Heavenly Father – Thank you Lord for your grace. Thank you that you are faithful when we repent to forgive us our sins. Please speak to me and to everyone reading this as we know your word is empowering and transformative. Open our eyes, wake us up, and please open our understanding. In the name of Jesus – Amen

Grace – If not for grace we would be condemned to eternal hell-fire – but through grace we find mercy and forgiveness, conviction to repentance. Grace! Glorious grace! The kind of grace that brings all glory to God! Because if not for God, where would we be?

“There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.” Romans 8:1 KJV

First hold in your heart that all conviction is from God unto repentance and all condemnation is of the enemy to bondage to sin.  Then, we can move on.

I know this has been a rough week (at least for me) – hopefully God has been challenging you, like he has been challenging me, and you have been growing in your relationship with Christ  and I pray you are choosing complete submission to God, complete and total obedience.  Now is not the time to be lukewarm, now is not the time to be complacent, now is the time to be on fire and overflowing with godliness and glorifying God in all that you do.

King David. King David was a sinner who seems to have been in bondage to the sin of lust. Who had a couple men killed and took their wives. Yet with his many downfalls and obvious sin struggle this is what the Bible says about King David.  First Samuel says to King Saul:
“But now thy kingdom shall not continue: the Lord hath sought him a man after his own heart, and the Lord hath commanded him to be captain over his people, because thou hast not kept that which the Lord commanded thee.” 1 Samuel 13:14 KJV

Then in the book of Acts:
“And when he had removed him, he raised up unto them David to be their king; to whom also he gave their testimony, and said, I have found David the son of Jesse, a man after mine own heart, which shall fulfil all my will.”  Acts 13:22 KJV

David was blessed because he was a man after God’s own heart. God found this one act so important that all of David’s human failings were nothing compared. So God raise The Messiah, Jesus Christ, from the lineage of David.   

This week – if you have been humble before God, then I am sure you have been convicted of things as I have. We bravely confronted our own failing and shortcomings and fell at the feet of Jesus in repentance and committed ourselves to rise to the standard in which we are called.  We are trying to turn away from sin – as David did.  And as David, I am sure we might fail but repent and try again. Be a person after God’s own heart.  Have an honest relationship with Him. And give all glory to Him.

Be a person after God’s own heart. 

“But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.” Matthew 6:33 ESV
Seek God – everything else will fall into place.

“Seek the Lord and his strength; seek his presence continually!” 1 Chronicles 16:11 ESV
Stay focused on the Lord. It is difficult to wander into temptation and wander off the path when you are focused on Him.

“You will seek me and find me, when you seek me with all your heart.” Jeremiah 29:13 ESV
What a glorious solution to our heart problems discussed in yesterday’s post. Seek Him with ALL your heart. Surrender all of your heart to Him in obedience.

“A Psalm of David, when he was in the wilderness of Judah. O God, you are my God; earnestly I seek you; my soul thirsts for you; my flesh faints for you, as in a dry and weary land where there is no water.” Psalm 63:1 ESV
And here is just one of the verses in one of the Psalms written by David – study them to truly understand David’s heart towards God.

Have an honest relationship with Him.

“For you did not receive the spirit of slavery to fall back into fear, but you have received the Spirit of adoption as sons, by whom we cry, “Abba! Father!” Romans 8:15 ESV
God wants to be our Father – he wants a father/son or father/daughter relationship with each of us.

“And this is eternal life that they know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom you have sent.” John 17:3 ESV
We can have this relationship by getting to know God and Jesus through the Bible and Jesus said God will reveal himself to you. If you are reading this it isn’t an accident – God is trying to speak to you. He wants a closer relationship with you! He wants you to be able to say: I know the only true God and Jesus Christ, who was sent by Him.

“Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and eat with him, and he with me.” Revelation 3:20 ESV
When I came back to the Lord, there was word after word and verse after verse about a banquet. Ya see, God is preparing a banquet and He wants us to sit and eat with Him.  To enjoy dinner time conversations with Him. To get to know Him.

And give all glory to Him.

“⁵ Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus, ⁶ who, though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, ⁷ but emptied himself, by taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men. ⁸ And being found in human form, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross. ⁹ Therefore God has highly exalted him and bestowed on him the name that is above every name, ¹⁰ so that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, ¹¹ and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.” Philippians 2:5-11 ESV
“Have this mind[set]” or this is how you should be thinking…. It is all for the Glory of God. Everything. Jesus making a way through the work of the cross was all for His glory – but so is everything.

“So, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God.” 1 Corinthians 10:31 ESV
Everything for the glory of God!

“For from him and through him and to him are all things. To him be glory forever. Amen.” Romans 11:36 ESV
Think about this one and give God the GLORY!!!

“Everyone who is called by my name, whom I created for my glory, whom I formed and made.” Isaiah 43:7 ESV
We were created for the purpose of God being Glorified. We are for His glory!  Let Him be glorified in you, today, through your relationship with Him.

If you don’t already, and today you would like to have a relationship with a God who can communicate with you and be part of your life (and protect you) – one who is full of mighty power and tender love, then please know that I have put the “A, B, C’s of Salvation” in my introduction. Please click here to follow the link.**

Thank you for reading ~ Grace be with you
Be healthy and blessed ~ Love one another
~ Watch and Pray ~
Seek God & keep your eyes on Jesus!

Maranatha ~ Come Lord Jesus!

Soften our hearts (part 2)

“Repent therefore and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out, so that times of refreshing may come from the presence of the Lord,” Acts 3:19 NKJV

Dear Heavenly Father – Thank you Lord for your continued grace. Thank you that you are faithful when we repent to forgive us our sins. Please speak to me and to everyone reading this as we know your word is empowering and transformative. Open our eyes, wake us up, and please open our understanding. In the name of Jesus – Amen

Grace – this week I am bathing in grace.  If not for grace we would be condemned to eternal hell-fire – but through grace we find mercy and forgiveness, conviction to repentance. Grace! Glorious grace! The kind of grace that brings all glory to God! Because if not for God, where would we be?

“There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.” Romans 8:1 KJV

First hold in your heart that all conviction is from God unto repentance and all condemnation is of the enemy to bondage to sin.  Then, we can move on.

We have a heart condition – all of us – the modern church and body of Christ. The heart is part of The Body and if the heart is in trouble the entire body is in trouble. I did not want to apply these messages to myself but right from the beginning of this week – these are all for me as much as for the body. Many times we look only to ourselves and forget that we are all interconnected and all part of the same body – all over the world – one body of Christ. We must pray this through and as a body be healed! There is no other way than repentance.

“⁷ Therefore, as the Holy Spirit says, “Today, if you hear his voice, ⁸ do not harden your hearts as in the rebellion, on the day of testing in the wilderness, ⁹ where your fathers put me to the test and saw my works for forty years. ¹⁰ Therefore I was provoked with that generation, and said, ‘They always go astray in their heart; they have not known my ways.’ ¹¹ As I swore in my wrath, ‘They shall not enter my rest.’” Hebrews 3:7-11 ESV

What generation has provoked God? Our world is as it was in the days of Noah. It is as it was in Sodom and Gomorrah. Can we then say we are immune to the wrath of God? Have we lost our understanding of His holiness and righteousness?  Was our righteousness given to us too easily as maybe without having seen the act of the cross in person we fail to understand the great price that was paid for that gift?! God’s righteousness was not a gift to Himself – He earned it with an eternal record of being pure, flawless, faithful and perfect. He earned it with sacrifice and sorrow over having to judge the bad and joy of judging and rewarding the good.

“But because of your stubbornness and unrepentant heart you are storing up wrath for yourself in the day of wrath and revelation of the righteous judgment of God,” Romans 2:5 NASB

Repentance is a daily thing. Yes, I am going to say it daily this week. None of us are righteous of our own merit and must clean our hearts daily – we have a heart problem. And until our hearts are pouring God’s glory out of our mouths – as a body we must repent! Individually and as the body of Christ coming together and repenting.

“The good person out of the good treasure of his heart produces good, and the evil person out of his evil treasure produces evil, for out of the abundance of the heart his mouth speaks.” Luke 6:45 ESV

What are we sharing on social media? What are we texting, emailing, and doing when no one is looking and we feel safe hidden behind a keyboard? What is truly in our hearts? Are we evoking the wrath of God? Are we continuing in sin to the promised end of the wrath of God?!

“Therefore, since we have been justified through faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, ² through whom we have gained access by faith into this grace in which we now stand. And we boast in the hope of the glory of God. ³ Not only so, but wealso glory in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; ⁴ perseverance, character; and character, hope. ⁵ And hope does not put us to shame, because God’s love has been poured out into our hearts through the Holy Spirit, who has been given to us.
⁶ You see, at just the right time, when we were still powerless, Christ died for the ungodly. ⁷ Very rarely will anyone die for a righteous person, though for a good person someone might possibly dare to die. ⁸ But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.
⁹ Since we have now been justified by his blood, how much more shall we be saved from God’s wrath through him! ¹⁰ For if, while we were God’s enemies, we were reconciled to him through the death of his Son, how much more, having been reconciled, shall we be saved through his life! ¹¹ Not only is this so, but we also boast in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have now received reconciliation.” Romans 5:1-11 NIV

The wrath of God was deferred by the blood of Christ shed on the cross! We can repent and be delivered from the bondage of sin!

It’s a heart problem and the answer is so simple – Love.

“⁷ Beloved, let us love one another, for love is from God, and whoever loves has been born of God and knows God. ⁸ Anyone who does not love does not know God, because God is love. ⁹ In this the love of God was made manifest among us, that God sent his only Son into the world, so that we might live through him. ¹⁰ In this is love, not that we have loved God but that he loved us and sent his Son to be the propitiation for our sins. ¹¹ Beloved, if God so loved us, we also ought to love one another. ¹² No one has ever seen God; if we love one another, God abides in us and his love is perfected in us.
¹³ By this we know that we abide in him and he in us, because he has given us of his Spirit. ¹⁴ And we have seen and testify that the Father has sent his Son to be the Savior of the world. ¹⁵ Whoever confesses that Jesus is the Son of God, God abides in him, and he in God. ¹⁶ So we have come to know and to believe the love that God has for us. God is love, and whoever abides in love abides in God, and God abides in him. ¹⁷ By this is love perfected with us, so that we may have confidence for the day of judgment, because as he is so also are we in this world. ¹⁸ There is no fear in love, but perfect love casts out fear. For fear has to do with punishment, and whoever fears has not been perfected in love. ¹⁹ We love because he first loved us. ²⁰ If anyone says, “I love God,” and hates his brother, he is a liar; for he who does not love his brother whom he has seen cannot love God whom he has not seen. ²¹ And this commandment we have from him: whoever loves God must also love his brother.” 1 John 4:7-21 ESV

We all, both the believers and non-believers, shall sit before the judgment seat of Christ. If we are in obedience to Christ, then when we are judge we shall be rewarded for our obedience. If we are continuing in sin, then we are judged according to our disobedience.  And if we are full of the love that is God, then God gets the glory!  And all things were created to glorify Him and if he gets the glory in us then we are fulfilling our purpose.

If you don’t already, and today you would like to have a relationship with a God who can communicate with you and be part of your life (and protect you) – one who is full of mighty power and tender love, then please know that I have put the “A, B, C’s of Salvation” in my introduction. Please click here to follow the link.**

Thank you for reading ~ Grace be with you
Be healthy and blessed ~ Love one another
~ Watch and Pray ~
Seek God & keep your eyes on Jesus!

Maranatha ~ Come Lord Jesus!