Time to own our Responsibility (5)

“if My people who are called by My name will humble themselves, and pray and seek My face, and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin and heal their land.” 2 Chronicles 7:14 NKJV

It is never too late to repent. We, the people of this world, have made a mess of things and God is willing to step in and deliver us as we learn to handle what God has told us to handle.

Dear Heavenly Father – Please reveal yourself to us. Help set us on fire and fill us with love. Help us fall in love with you and to love others. Please open our eyes to see and our understanding to know what we are studying today. Please continue to pour out your grace upon us! – In Jesus name we pray, Amen

I have a few friends who claim to be Christians, quoting that one verse that says all you have to do to be saved is believe, whose lives do not reflect God’s love and you know they have not been in the presence of the Almighty for many years.  Once saved, always saved – is a risk they are willing to take. Taking responsibility for their walk with the Lord is not even remotely on their radar. These three men could be mighty in the Kingdom, instead they are overrun with selfishness.  They were/are dear friends who I love with a Godly love, and I do not wish for them to miss out on all that God has for them, but they go back to that one verse, all they have to do is believe and they are saved. Grace grieves.

“You believe that there is one God. You do well. Even the demons believe—and tremble!” James 2:19 NKJV
And we know that the demons do not make it into heaven.

We must take some responsibility – they will know we are Christians because we are followers of Christ, disciple to trying to be Christ-like. How is it that so many who claim to be a Christian are so in bondage to conforming to this world and in bondage to their own selfishness and
“² For men will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, ³ unloving, unforgiving, slanderers, without self-control, brutal, despisers of good, ⁴ traitors, headstrong, haughty, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God, ⁵ having a form of godliness but denying its power. And from such people turn away!” 2 Timothy 3:2-5 NKJV

A form of Godliness without the power. Oh Lord, forbid it, please! We need your power and grace! Come on people there is more than just one verse about being saved! Doesn’t your salvation inspire LOVE for God as He first loved you? Are you not at all interested in obeying Him and enjoying the benefits of a life lived in His presence?! Don’t you know:
“So then, because you are lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will vomit you out of My mouth.” Revelation 3:16 NKJV
Vomit isn’t saved, people! Nope – Vomit doesn’t get to stay in heaven. It gets to spend eternity with the demons who also believe and are not saved from the eternal damnation.

Maybe it just seems wrong to you to read the Bible, Pray and build a relationship with God? Maybe it seems wrong to give up the things your flesh enjoys and exchange it for things your spirit will enjoy and will edify your soul? 
Be a Christian on Sunday, be the cool guy on Monday? Justify these compromises until you’re compromised right into the pit of hell??

“¹⁵ And if it seems evil to you to serve the Lord, choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve, whether the gods which your fathers served that were on the other side of the River, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land you dwell. But as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord.” Joshua 24:15 NKJV
SERVE THE LORD – not just believe!

Really – if you aren’t looking at the election process in the USA, and looking at the world stage and events, and looking at how bizarre this year (2020) has been, and realizing the time is short, and Jesus is coming again soon to rapture His followers – then what are you thinking about?!?!

“What shall we say then? Shall we continue in sin that grace may abound? ² Certainly not! How shall we who died to sin live any longer in it?” Romans 6:1-2 NKJV

The Bible is very clear that once you are “saved” or in a relationship with God you must “die to sin” (read all of Romans 6). This means give it up, be delivered from its bondage, sacrifice your desire to indulge and submit to God’s will.

“²⁶ For if we sin willfully after we have received the knowledge of the truth, there no longer remains a sacrifice for sins, ²⁷ but a certain fearful expectation of judgment, and fiery indignation which will devour the adversaries. ²⁸ Anyone who has rejected Moses’ law dies without mercy on the testimony of two or three witnesses. ²⁹ Of how much worse punishment, do you suppose, will he be thought worthy who has trampled the Son of God underfoot, counted the blood of the covenant by which he was sanctified a common thing, and insulted the Spirit of grace? ³⁰ For we know Him who said, “Vengeance is Mine, I will repay,” says the Lord. And again, “The Lord will judge His people.” ³¹ It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God.” Hebrews 10:26-31 NKJV

Ok, ok – I know it is a process of shedding sins and flesh. I know that some are bondages that we cannot break on our own – but God can and will deliver us from! I know some are strong holds – but our God is a chain breaking God! This says “sin willfully”. This is for those who are refusing to put aside some selfish things, refusing deliverance when it is offered, refusing obedience to God and refusing to move forward in grace.

“¹⁰ and with all unrighteous deception among those who perish, because they did not receive the love of the truth, that they might be saved. ¹¹ And for this reason God will send them strong delusion, that they should believe the lie, ¹² that they all may be condemned who did not believe the truth but had pleasure in unrighteousness.” 1 Thessalonians 2:10-12 NKJV

When we love the lies, when we accept only the verses that line up with our agendas, when we refuse the truth of God – He sends a strong delusion. He sends it. I cannot break through that – I have authority with the power of Christ over the enemy, not over God.  You have the truth – do not reject it and be sent a strong delusion.  I pray God changes his mind and frees some of my friends from their delusions. 

We as Christians have a responsibility to our relations with God – and when we compromise and do not obey as God wants us to – there is a heavy and eternal consequence.
And after saying all that – do not serve God out of fear.  It will not last.  Read His word, learn of His love – talk with Him. Have a real experience with grace that transforms your life daily.  He is love. It will satisfy in ways that none of the sins you once clung to have ever satisfied.  God’s grace and love is enough.

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!

Time to own our Responsibility (4)

“if My people who are called by My name will humble themselves, and pray and seek My face, and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin and heal their land.” 2 Chronicles 7:14 NKJV

It is never too late to repent. We, the people of this world, have made a mess of things and God is willing to step in and deliver us as we learn to handle what God has told us to handle.

Dear Heavenly Father – Please reveal yourself to us. Help set us on fire and fill us with love. Please open our eyes to see and our understanding to know what we are studying today. Please continue to pour out your grace upon us! – In Jesus name we pray, Amen

After volunteering at a charity and seeing the need, I had worked for a few months on developing and preparing a fundraiser for that charity and scheduled the launch for 3 days after the USA election.  (I live in the US.)  Simple concept, I designed and created an item and sold it (for less than a cup of fancy coffee at a coffee shop) at 50% mark-up with full transparency and 100% of the profits go to the regional food bank. (Did you know 1 in 4 household are experiencing food insecurities during 2020?) Because shipping was a vital part of the fundraiser, we scheduled it for after the election ballots were shipped and before the Christmas cards and gifts start taxing the postal service. This wasn’t my idea. God said to do it. The timing was perfect. We launched.

I have seen many people donate to many other charities so generously, but not to this. I am not worried. God said to do it and so I did, and He will bless it. My brother decided to help by raffling off one of my items in his business in hopes to help raise even more money. He lost money with trying to do so. I have kept the fundraiser in prayer and tried to do as God wanted each step of the way. 
Is it the timing – my small area of influence was just too preoccupied with the media’s gossip on projected winners? It is the charity that is supported? People would rather give money to cancer research than to feeding the hungry? Granted the item I am selling is not something anyone needs, but it is cute. But do people really support charities with the sole intention of purchasing the item?
I had one friend say I would rather go to the store and buy a needy family $200 in groceries than spend $5 to contribute to a food bank, cause the money might help someone who isn’t really needy and takes advantage of a food pantry giving away free food.  My heart breaks (especially since I know he will not go buy food for a needy family). 

1 in 4 households is the current statistic – 25% of the USA (once a great and prosperous nation) are struggling to feed their household.  Haven’t they ever been hungry?

I happened upon this verse:
“Behold, this was the guilt of your sister Sodom: she and her daughters had pride, excess of food, and prosperous ease, but did not aid the poor and needy. They were haughty and did an abomination before me. So I removed them, when I saw it.” Ezekiel 16:49-50 ESV

It really struck me as we sit and wait for election results it feels like we wait to see if God is going to judge the USA for her transgressions or if maybe there was found a enough righteous in the eyes of God to defer His judgement.  75% of the nation is not just fed, the USA is known internationally for overeating and having excess of food. Yet here we are confronted with this data.  There are 20 houses on my block and potential 5 of those houses do not have enough food in them.

“Whoever gives to the poor will not want, but he who hides his eyes will get many a curse.” Proverbs 28:27 ESV

“If you pour yourself out for the hungry and satisfy the desire of the afflicted, then shall your light rise in the darkness and your gloom be as the noonday.” Isaiah 58:10 ESV

“But if anyone has the world’s goods and sees his brother in need, yet closes his heart against him, how does God’s love abide in him? Little children, let us not love in word or talk but in deed and in truth.” 1 John 3:17-18 ESV

In Matthew 25, Jesus says that if you feed the hungry, you have fed Him! Since Jesus is no longer on the earth, I cannot invite Him over for a tasty meal – but I can help to feed the poor.

“Bear one another’s burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ.” Galatians 6:2 ESV
“The law of Christ” is how this is worded. Helping each other and feeding the hungry is a responsibility Christians have. 
According to Wikipedia, 62% of the people polled claim to be a member of a church and a Christian. And it is estimated that there are 205 million Christians in the USA. The US population is estimated to be approximately 331,002,700 according to UN data. I’ll let you draw your own conclusions regarding if Christians are actually obedient in feeding the hungry. And yes, my friend who said he would buy $200 in groceries, but won’t – proclaims he is a Christian.

Throughout this election and still through to today – both sides are posting memes of hatred for the other and accusing the other of not having love.  As they throw hate at each other, there are hungry children.

“³⁶ “Teacher, which is the greatest commandment in the Law?”
³⁷ Jesus replied: “‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’ ³⁸ This is the first and greatest commandment. ³⁹ And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ ⁴⁰ All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments.” Matthew 22:36-40 NIV

Do we love God? Do we have a relationship with Him? Are we obediently taking responsibility for our Christianity? 

“¹⁵ So when they had eaten breakfast, Jesus said to Simon Peter, “Simon, son of Jonah, do you love Me more than these?”
He said to Him, “Yes, Lord; You know that I love You.”
He said to him, “Feed My lambs.”
¹⁶ He said to him again a second time, “Simon, son of Jonah, do you love Me?”
He said to Him, “Yes, Lord; You know that I ^]love You.”
He said to him, “Tend My sheep.”
¹⁷ He said to him the third time, “Simon, son of Jonah, do you love Me?” Peter was grieved because He said to him the third time, “Do you love Me?”
And he said to Him, “Lord, You know all things; You know that I love You.”
Jesus said to him, “Feed My sheep.”  John 21:15-17 NKJV

Although this passage in John is often interpreted as feeding and tending sheep and lambs being symbols of Peter being the cornerstone of the church and Peter spiritually feeding the church – let us look at it in terms of Peter’s actual ministry. Peter did build the church and did it through caring for the young (lambs) and old – and feeding the poor as well as feeding them spiritually.  Therefore it is not incorrect to surmise (also remaining mindful of all the other Bible verses about feeding and caring for the poor) that if we love Jesus we will feed the hungry.

I am sure you all would donate to the fundraiser I am doing.  I am not opening it up to you all, though. First, because God did not tell me to. Second, because you all have poor and hungry in your own areas which need your attention and help. Many of you are already working and donating and volunteering – doing your part. Thank you!

Participating in charity work is a form of worship – both honoring God and giving glory to Him! I know that my obedience in my fundraiser shall ultimately give him Glory despite what I see right now – I know that when it looks impossible, God is ready to take over and do exceedingly abundantly more than I could have imagined. I know, because I know God – I know because I have a 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 ~ I love you and love one another
Watch and Pray ~ Seek God & keep your eyes on Jesus!

Maranatha ~ Come Lord Jesus!

Time to own our Responsibility (3)

“if My people who are called by My name will humble themselves, and pray and seek My face, and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin and heal their land.” 2 Chronicles 7:14 NKJV

It is never too late to repent. We, the people of this world, have made a mess of things and God is willing to step in and deliver us as we learn to handle what God has told us to handle.

Dear Heavenly Father – Today you have something to say and I lose your words and bind all that intends to hinder it! Please open our eyes to see and our understanding to know what we are studying today. Please continue to pour out your grace upon us! – In Jesus name we pray, Amen

When we are married or in any type of relationship (and friendship), we must work on those relationship. We must communicate with each other spending quality time. If not – the relationship dies. The same is true for our relationship with God.

This week as God has impressed so many studies on our responsibilities as Christians, I am a bit leery – knowing a list of duties can become a tool to further insincerity, manipulation and deception in the hands of a luke-warm Christian or a hypocrite. So I share out of love, as a reminder, to those who are shedding their flesh and lining themselves up with God. I share out of loving corrections to those who are not taking responsibility for their Christianity.  I share for those who do not know these things – our salvation is a free gift of grace, but once we enter into it we are responsible to read the Bible, pray, and grow in the Lord (essentially, to obey).  But obedience without understanding Who it is we are obeying will also lead you astray.  It is time to get to know God.

“My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge.” Hosea 4:6 NKJV
This word knowledge literally mean knowing God. You can have the Bible memorized – I have a large portion memorized and had the understanding on how to rightly divide the scriptures. Yet I walked away from God for quite a few years. This word knowledge in this scripture isn’t head knowledge of theology – this is knowing God in a deep and personal way that only comes from devoted time in the Bible and in God’s presence.

We must be diligent and devoted.

“If we are faithless, he remains faithful— for he cannot deny himself.” 2 Timothy 2:13 ESV
Our very nature is faithless to the core and our heavenly Father is faithful. So when it seems like we are putting so much more effort into things – it is simply because we need to overcome ourselves.  Humans cannot even be faithful in a marriage or faithful to raise their children – how much more must we work to learn faithfulness to God? God literally sacrificed His only son for us (John 3:16). This isn’t one sided.

“But the Lord is faithful. He will establish you and guard you against the evil one.” 2 Thessalonians 3:3 ESV
First He must establish us – I told you about when I was going through a foundational time. God tore down, what felt like, everything. Then He rebuilt me the right way, from the base up. I must first be established.  During that time the enemy, the world, my flesh and anything else seem to come against me – I was vulnerable without a foundation and without a guard. Everything shook me, everything made me cry out to God to save me, and everything was SO MUCH. 

“The LORD is near to all who call upon Him, To all who call upon Him in truth.” Psalm 145:18 NKJV

So many lessons and so much building and so many prayer times I felt so close to God. But as you go along, you don’t always feel God. You must just believe the word is true and He comes near the moment you call on Him. We have the responsibility to grow and walk in the truth of the word and not in our feelings.

They say the salvation or destruction of the USA is in the outcome of the election – and many are crying out to God this past week believing that this is the end. They are in luck, as God is moving near to them!  But also to them I quote the verse at the top – fast, pray, and repent and God will heal our land. Spending quality time in His presence will heal us very quickly.

“Know therefore that the Lord your God is God, the faithful God who keeps covenant and steadfast love with those who love him and keep his commandments, to a thousand generations,” Deuteronomy 7:9 ESV
There are so many “if/then” clauses in the Bible. Pay special attention to them. Yesterday’s post was filled with them and here is another today.
If we love God and obey Him, then He will be our God, He will be faithful, He will keep all this promises, He will continue in steadfast love for us. 
Earlier in this same post we thought it felt like so much work to read, pray and commit to a relationship with God as He was just so easily faithful.  But he is so much more than faithful – every promise in the Bible is a yes to us. Every.  
“For all the promises of God in Him are Yes, and in Him Amen, to the glory of God through us.” 2 Corinthians 1:20 NKJV
To the glory of God is the key – we were created to give God glory – for God to be glorified in and through us. This is why all of the promises are yes, when we obey. It is the prescribed method for His glory.

And when the promises haven’t arrived yet and when we are begging for God to open the gates and let those promises in. When we knock and knock and persist like the widow in Luke 18:1-8; let us not grow weary.

“Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for he who promised is faithful.” Hebrews 10:23 ESV

Meanwhile, as we wait for the promises we should continue to grow in our relationship and take responsibility for our actions and our side of the relationship. Maintain – even as it gets worse. Maintain even as it begins to look impossible.

“Behold, the Lord’s hand is not shortened, that it cannot save, or his ear dull, that it cannot hear;” Isaiah 59:1 ESV

Cry out to God:
“Ah, Lord God! It is you who have made the heavens and the earth by your great power and by your outstretched arm! Nothing is too hard for you.” Jeremiah 32:17 ESV

“For nothing will be impossible with God.” Luke 1:37 ESV

“Jesus looked at them and said, “With man it is impossible, but not with God. For all things are possible with God.” Mark 10:27 ESV

It is in what is impossible for man, that God is the most glorified! All glory be to God!

“Now to him who is able to do far more abundantly than all that we ask or think, according to the power at work within us,” Ephesians 3:20 ESV
Not only is it possible with God, but He will do it OVER THE TOP! I always say if it isn’t exceedingly abundantly more than you could ask or think, then God isn’t done yet!

There is however, one thing that is impossible for God:
“So that by two unchangeable things, in which it is impossible for God to lie, we who have fled for refuge might have strong encouragement to hold fast to the hope set before us.” Hebrews 6:18 ESV

This is our promise, as well. So take responsibility of working on your relationship with God.

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!

Time to own our Responsibility (2)

“if My people who are called by My name will humble themselves, and pray and seek My face, and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin and heal their land.” 2 Chronicles 7:14 NKJV

It is never too late to repent. We, the people of this world, have made a mess of things and God is willing to step in and deliver us as we learn to handle what God has told us to handle.

Dear Heavenly Father – Today you have something to say and I lose your words and bind all that intends to hinder it! Please open our eyes to see and our understanding to know what we are studying today. Please continue to pour out your grace upon us! – In Jesus name we pray, Amen

We hear it all the time: “God is in control” – BUT that does NOT mean God made this mess or the current state of overflowing sin that runs rampant over our world, government, people and churches. This world is still under the corrupted curse of sin.  So when we say, God is in control, what do we mean?

First, we know He is always in control of who is in control:
“for there is no authority except that which God has established. The authorities that exist have been established by God.” Romans 13:1 NIV
God will chose who will lead the USA for the next 4 years. God also raises up leaders at our jobs, in our communities, in the organizations we participate in, and in our churches.

Second, He is in control of whatever we have committed to Him:

Have we committed ourselves to have a relationship with God, through Christ Jesus?
“And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose.” Romans 8:28 NKJV

Have we committed our hearts, our lives, our situations, our loved ones, our jobs and means of provision, our burdens, our everything?
“For the which cause 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 that which I have committed unto him against that day. Hold fast the form of sound words, which thou hast heard of me, in faith and love which is in Christ Jesus.” 2 Timothy1:12-13 NKJV

That is what we mean – we mean we are covered by the amazing grace that saved us and continues to keep us and preserve us.

But the human condition is corrupted and sinful – and God know the motives and true nature of our hearts. Of course, how this condition influences leadership, is heavy in my heart during this election in the USA between two corrupt men. And I have shared so many times the struggle at work with other corrupt leaders. Back in August, God spoke to me about a leader in a group I belong to and said “this leader is not of my Spirit” – I was shocked as I thought He was, since then, God has shown others as well. Through all of this God has shown me more about the inner human moral deterioration which has been caused by too much worldly influence and flesh that people refuse to deal with, within themselves. We (let us not fail to include ourselves) may think we are following the right thing – and it may very well be the right thing in the eyes of mankind. It is not for me to judge the heart of others (just to discern so I can pray with the knowledge God gives and pray His will with understanding).   

And I am not saying it is only in our leadership – But since we know God is in control of who is in control, and our next verse speaks to the heart of leaders, I am applying it there.  However, I will not fail to also apply today’s lesson to my own heart.

“The king’s heart is in the hand of the Lord, Like the rivers of water; He turns it wherever He wishes.
² Every way of a man is right in his own eyes, But the Lord weighs the hearts.
³ To do righteousness and justice Is more acceptable to the Lord than sacrifice.
⁴ A haughty look, a proud heart, And the plowing of the wicked are sin.
⁵ The plans of the diligent lead surely to plenty, But those of everyone who is hasty, surely to poverty.
⁶ Getting treasures by a lying tongue Is the fleeting fantasy of those who seek death.
⁷ The violence of the wicked will destroy them, Because they refuse to do justice.
⁸ The way of a guilty man is perverse; But as for the pure, his work is right.
⁹ Better to dwell in a corner of a housetop, Than in a house shared with a contentious woman.
¹⁰ The soul of the wicked desires evil; His neighbor finds no favor in his eyes.
¹¹ When the scoffer is punished, the simple is made wise; But when the wise is instructed, he receives knowledge.
¹² The righteous God wisely considers the house of the wicked, Overthrowing the wicked for their wickedness.
¹³ Whoever shuts his ears to the cry of the poor Will also cry himself and not be heard.
¹⁴ A gift in secret pacifies anger, And a bribe behind the back, strong wrath.
¹⁵ It is a joy for the just to do justice, But destruction will come to the workers of iniquity.
¹⁶ A man who wanders from the way of understanding Will rest in the assembly of the dead.
¹⁷ He who loves pleasure will be a poor man; He who loves wine and oil will not be rich.
¹⁸ The wicked shall be a ransom for the righteous, And the unfaithful for the upright.
¹⁹ Better to dwell in the wilderness, Than with a contentious and angry woman.
²⁰ There is desirable treasure, And oil in the dwelling of the wise, But a foolish man squanders it.
²¹ He who follows righteousness and mercy Finds life, righteousness, and honor.
²² A wise man scales the city of the mighty, And brings down the trusted stronghold.
²³ Whoever guards his mouth and tongue Keeps his soul from troubles.
²⁴ A proud and haughty man—“Scoffer” is his name; He acts with arrogant pride.
²⁵ The desire of the lazy man kills him, For his hands refuse to labor.
²⁶ He covets greedily all day long, But the righteous gives and does not spare.
²⁷ The sacrifice of the wicked is an abomination; How much more when he brings it with wicked intent!
²⁸ A false witness shall perish, But the man who hears him will speak endlessly.
²⁹ A wicked man hardens his face, But as for the upright, he establishes his way.
³⁰ There is no wisdom or understanding Or counsel against the Lord.
³¹ The horse is prepared for the day of battle, But deliverance is of the Lord.” Proverbs 21 NKJV

God considers the heart of mankind. There is a lot in here to digest.
Let me recommend you reread it later – maybe read in in another Bible version for more understanding.

Where do you self-identify in this passage?
Where does God say you are in this passage? – Are you willing to let God expose you to yourself?

My personal relationship with God is the primary focus of my life, and hopefully yours too. So whenever we read a passage – read the words of the Lord (He is talking to us) – it is vital that we ask, what is He saying to me specifically?  Then respond with: I hear you Lord, what do you want me to do with this?

Do you need to change your heart and thinking? Do you need to change your actions?
Maybe you needed this insight for dealing with a corrupted leader – How can this information assist you with managing through your situation? 

Today – God did not give me the answers to your questions. Today He wants to give them to you Himself and is asking you to be open to what He is saying.  Today, I will grow in the Lord through this and so will you if you let His work be done. Today He is speaking and we should take the time to listen.

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!

Time to own our Responsibility

“if My people who are called by My name will humble themselves, and pray and seek My face, and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin and heal their land.” 2 Chronicles 7:14 NKJV

It is never too late to repent. We, the people of this world, have made a mess of things and God is willing to step in and deliver us!

Dear Heavenly Father – I feel like a broken record repeating the same messages and how much more do you also feel that way. Forgive us, please and help us reach others. Please really open our eyes to see and our understanding to know what we are studying today. Please continue to pour out your grace upon us, within us, and show it through us! – In Jesus name we pray, Amen

I saw a small circle, inside many tiny sugar ants busy working together trying to collect food and picking up grains of sand. But there was a small group working together actually picking up sugar. I saw them trying to show the other where the sugar was in the circle but the others just kept picking up sand. As I leaned over this small circle my back began to ache, so I leaned back and when I did I saw circle upon circle some big and some small and the covered as far as I could see. I could not see the details of every circle – but what was happening in the small circle was clearly a representation of what is happening in all the circle.

As I sit here and write, I still do not know the results of the election in the United State. Over the weekend, the media declared a winner before all the states finished counting – since when can the media make this decision? Regardless of who wins, it will be challenged in court and we will not really know who the winner is until a day appointed by God.  In the meantime, we have a Bible to read, a relationship with God to foster, and prayers to be prayed.

I do know that like the vision of the busy ants relates the events being played out on the national stage in the United State to a sign, given to all nations and a representation of the same happening all over the world.  This year during the (God appointed) time of repentance and atonement (Yom Kippur), the Christians felt the same call from God unto repentance. Was it just an emotional move and not a solid life changing decision among the participants? I know am generalizing, as I too fasted, prayed and repented, therefore I know there are some who took things seriously.  But I cannot help but wonder if not enough people made a firm choice and just rode an emotional wave to feel good and on Monday returned to their compromised lives.

So the USA is in limbo with the slowest counting of ballots ever. A time of grace I suppose. Are we as Christian committed to this and to God? Is it too late to repent and have God heal our land? A friend said to me, it is too late the votes have been cast. But I do not see ANYWHERE in the Bible that it is EVER too late to repent! This is true of the global situations, the national situations as well as personally in my life and in your life.  If you are not dead – then quite frankly there is time to get it right.

I am speaking to the Christians first. If you don’t have a relationship with God, I am speaking to you second – but I want you to know that Christians are not perfect. We try to obey God, but there is a LOT we must repent of regularly.  I heard an older Christian say it wasn’t so, and that ya just get good at being good. I tell you that is a lie straight from the father of lies! Why would Paul have written Romans 6 through 8 – and the life long battle against the flesh and human propensity to continue in sin?

“For it is time for judgment to begin at the household of God; and if it begins with us, what will be the outcome for those who do not obey the gospel of God?” 1 Peter 4:17 ESV

We all make compromises and rationalize how we are not wrong.  We all have strongholds that we refuse to teardown. Some of us say we pray for deliverance and want nothing more than deliverance – yet we are comfortable in the pain and struggle and do not want to accept the responsibilities that come with being made whole.

In my own life, I have searched for a man of God within my travelling abilities who would be willing to lay hands on me, anoint me, and pray for my deliverance from ancestral bondages and other strongholds.  I have not found a ministry in my area that delivers the demon possessed, that heals the sick, and that raises the dead.  So, was I to just throw my hands in the air and remain in bondage?

Christ came to set the captives free!  While He lived among us doing miracles He said to us:
“I have given you authority to trample on snakes and scorpions and to overcome all the power of the enemy; nothing will harm you.” Luke 10:19 NIV

This wasn’t given in His shed blood – this was before the work of the cross. We have been given authority before we even understood that this power could raise Jesus from the dead and conquer all evil – before we understood that this power was the grace to draw all men to salvation – before we understood that nothing can prevail against this power. Nothing! Although, maybe we should have already understood this as it was told to us in the Old Testament.

“No weapon that is fashioned against you shall succeed, and you shall confute every tongue that rises against you in judgment. This is the heritage of the servants of the Lord and their vindication from me, declares the Lord.” Isaiah 54:17 ESV

I took God at His word. I did the work of deliverance – one sin and one stronghold at a time. I held the word of the Lord up as victorious! It says it, I believe it and it is up to the all mighty and powerful God I serve to do what He is famous for.  With each thing I surrendered and asked forgiveness for – more of the Holy Spirit filled me and more power was inside me to continue the work of being open and honest with God – who already knows all the dark areas I buried and forgot. He brings then gently to the surface and together – I grow and learn to change while He miraculously transforms me.  God will not wait for a ministry to rise up and deliver me – nor will He for you!

“For He says: “In an acceptable time I have heard you, And in the day of salvation I have helped you.” Behold, now is the accepted time; behold, now is the day of salvation.” 2 Corinthians 6:2 NKJV

He HAS already heard you – it is your turn to get on board with the game plan because NOW is the time! It is time to be set free!!!

“Stand fast therefore in the liberty wherewith Christ hath made us free, and be not entangled again with the yoke of bondage.” Galatians 5:1 KJV

Then – God will hear us and heal our land. He isn’t a genie in a bottle doing our whim and He has given us both a responsibility to do certain things to get certain outcome as well as the authority to handle some of these things ourselves through His grace, power and for His glory.

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!

New Thing (Part 5)

“Behold, I am doing a new thing; now it springs forth, do you not perceive it? I will make a way in the wilderness and rivers in the desert.” Isaiah 43:19 ESV

GOD IS MOVING!  Let’s continue to talk about the things that might be in the way that we have control over. We can help God move if we are awake to see what is happening around us.

Dear Heavenly Father – Thank you for guiding me and giving me these messages this week. Please really open our eyes to see and our understanding to know what we are studying today. We need you more than ever before to help us understand. Please continue to pour out your grace upon us, within us, and show it through us! – In Jesus name we pray, Amen

As I write this, I still do not know the outcome of the presidential election in the United States. Today was a weird day – not only are the people in the USA feeling unsettled, but there is definitely a spiritual battle raging. But before I digress and start preaching prophecy – I would like to get back into the good book. In prayer and in the good book is where we belong right now. God’s new thing springs forth and we must stay diligent in prayer.

So I was asked last night: If God the Father, Jesus Christ the Son, and the Holy Spirit are three but also one – who do we pray to? All three? Then the person asking added that he doesn’t ever pray to the Holy Spirit, and we chuckled. However, it is a deep theological question that causes many long discussion. Are they separate? Are they one?  I answered with the only reasonable and absolutely definitive answer I know of: Yes.

It is an either / or question but both are absolutely true. The Holy Trinity is One Almighty God. Yet the part we call God is too holy and pure to be seen or in the presence of us (or more accurately we are too dirty and evil to survive such purity and truth). The part we call Jesus became flesh and can be near us (yet he too is pure and holy). The part we call the Holy Spirit can be everywhere including in us (in us? Even though we are corruptible?). Many have tried to explain it in comparison to the soul or being, the body, and the spirit which is a very simplified way to look at it.  The truth of it all is more than the human mind can comprehend.

“Such knowledge is too wonderful for me; It is high, I cannot attain it.” Psalm 139:6 NKJV

But as we grow in our walk with the Lord – we learn who He is (and that is more important than understanding He substance). Ya see, asking to understand how three can be one, is a question of substance – like cutting a pie into 3 pieces (all the same pie, all just as pure and holy, yet different pieces as well as one pie).  Is it not more important to get to know God personally – know who He is? Seek God – for yourself! Get to know Him. Let me give you an assignment to look up a verse on who God is every day!

I am more interested in the part of the question: Who do we pray to?  I LOVE THAT QUESTION! That question takes you from shallow waters into deep waters.  When you first decide you want to have a relationship with God you pray to Jesus or God and you just try to get your prayers heard and hope to hear back – all the while covered in grace. And all the errors young zealous Christians make – all of it mercifully covered in grace. God honors your heart and forgives your lack of knowledge.
But there is a point, where you should have the knowledge – yet you aren’t asking the right questions so you aren’t getting the answers.
“My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge.” Hosea 4:6 NKJV

So let’s look at the structure and where the parts of God reside:
God the Father is sitting on a throne: Revelations 4:2, Isaiah 6:1, and Psalm 103:19.
Jesus ascended to heaven and sits at the right hand of God the Father: Luke 22:69, Romans 8:34 and Psalms 110:1.
And the Holy Spirit is on the earth – filling us: John 14:16-26, Acts 2:38, & Romans 8:26.

So, here we are on earth and want a relationship with God – here we are sinners and although we are saved by grace we still are of a corruptible seed. Until we are transformed in heaven, we are so evil that we cannot be in the presence of a holy God – it would kill us. BUT (and here is more of that grace I cannot stop writing about!) But GOD wanted a relationship with us and found a way to do so without us being destroyed in His presence. 
In Numbers chapter 18 – God set the sons of Aaron aside to perform the priestly duties. They had to do all sorts of thing to be able to be in the presence of God – but still couldn’t see Him or have a relationship with Him. And people could only have a relationship with God through the priests.

As we know, He sent Jesus to die, and rise again, and then ascend (and more grace) so we could now have a relationship with God without having to go through a priest.  As we saw above, now that the work on earth is done – He sits at the right hand of God.
“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.” Romans 8:34 ESV

See that – Jesus’s job now is to intercede on our behalf. He is the mediator.
“For there is one God and one Mediator between God and men, the Man Christ Jesus,” 1 Timothy 2:5 NKJV

And then there is the Job of the Holy Spirit:
“Likewise the Spirit helps us in our weakness. For we do not know what to pray for as we ought, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groanings too deep for words.  And he who searches hearts knows what is the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for the saints according to the will of God.” Romans 8:26-27

Therefore we are to pray to the Father, like Jesus instructed in Matthew 6:9, through Jesus Christ, by the method of the Holy Spirit.  And we ask it in the name of Jesus, so the Father shall be glorified in the Son:
“And whatever you ask in My name, that I will do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son.” John 14:13 NKJV

So in the Spirit, by Jesus, to God the Father. So maybe understanding the trinity might have a better analogy: the Holy Spirit is the cell phone and Jesus is the cell tower and all the techie stuff that goes on to get our calls where they need to go – and God is on the receiving end.
And when the spirit prays for us, it is like when you pocket dial – the cell just knew to make the call. Giggles.

Today – make the call. This world needs prayer. If you don’t know how to pray, just leave the line open.  

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!

New Thing (Part 4)

“Behold, I am doing a new thing; now it springs forth, do you not perceive it? I will make a way in the wilderness and rivers in the desert.” Isaiah 43:19 ESV

GOD IS MOVING!  Let’s continue to talk about the move of God and our role in His work. Did you know each of us were created to do a part?

Dear Heavenly Father – Thank you for guiding me and giving me these messages this week. Please open our eyes to see and our understanding to know what you are saying to each of us – you have something for each person reading. We bind the spirit of division and loose unity and grace over all believers. Please continue to pour out your grace upon us, within us, and show it through us! – In Jesus name we pray, Amen

As we begin to see reactions to the drawn out process of the elections here in the United States – we must remember that God is working and He is moving. It is also important to understand what we must do and how me must react in the USA as well as all over the globe.

I feel like God is saying the next four years will be years of grace or years of fire. Let me assure you – on an individual level the choice is yours.  Did you read last the post from Tuesday this week with Romans chapter 13? No matter what is happening in the world around us (if it gets worse, or if it stays as it is, or even if it gets better) if you choose to seek God you shall be overflowing in grace and if you reject God you will have turmoil like never before.

It is a choice – and honestly if you do not choose to actively seek God, you are standing in His way of the promises and blessings He has for you. You will have also been pushed aside, as God will raise up someone else to do the work He intended for you.

“For if you remain completely silent at this time, relief and deliverance will arise for the Jews from another place, but you and your father’s house will perish. Yet who knows whether you have come to the kingdom for such a time as this?” Esther 4:14 NKJV

First let me say this was for Esther, but it is also for us. We are to seek God first and all things will be added unto us (Matthew 6:33) – the added things should include obedience to God. If God says “Speak” as He said to Esther, then you shall speak. But it may not be speaking that is specifically required from you – this is why I say seek God.  Whatever He intends to do through you and with you – it will be for His glory and as part of His work (which is always grace, redemption, salvation and deliverance).  The principle in this verse hold true – obey God or you will perish, especially in such a time as this.

Have we come to the kingdom for such a time as this? Yes. Psalms 139 (please go read the whole thing and reread it!) – In Psalm 139, there is that famous verse that women raise their daughters under, which says we are fearfully and wonderfully made. Oh the beautiful verse we share to build our girls up, but it was written by a man and applies to both men and women – It was written so we understand how important we are to God, that we are created specifically and with intent, and that we are created so He can be glorified. This Psalm is called “God’s Perfect Knowledge of Man”.  And it starts with detailing how well God knows everything we do and think – even in private.  Which always overwhelms me – that even though God knows me better than I know myself (and knows my imperfections and sin struggles and depravity), and He still loves me and wants to have a relationship with me.   
…but let us skip to verse 13, today. (This blog has covered portions of this chapter many times – but it is worth repeating until we believe we are created and designed with an assignment and purpose for such a time as this.)

“For You formed my inward parts; You covered me in my mother’s womb. ¹⁴ I will praise You, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made; Marvelous are Your works, And that my soul knows very well. ¹⁵ My frame was not hidden from You, When I was made in secret, And skillfully wrought in the lowest parts of the earth. ¹⁶ Your eyes saw my substance, being yet unformed. And in Your book they all were written, The days fashioned for me, When as yet there were none of them.” Psalm 139:13-16 NKJV   

You see – God saw what this time was going to be like and He created you specifically for such a time as this.  Will you marry royalty and save a nation like Esther? This is practically an impossibility. (Are there even any eligible royals available for marriage left on this planet?)  God created you so that He will be glorified. This is the primary purpose of humans. 

How do we glorify God?  Through obedience. Faith is an action word that is mobilized through obedience. Love also rides on obedience. All of the commandments and verses ride on our obedience. I know, we do not like to see/hear messages about obedience.  But as we seek God – seek Him first – we fall in love with Him, we build a relationship with Him, we hunger for more of Him and we then obey easily and without thinking. But at first it is a struggle – so do not focus on obedience, instead focus on God. Keep your eyes on God – mind focused on God – and the rest falls into place.

You see, as the world responds to an election in the USA and people are choosing how to react, we should be focused on God. Get off social media, turn off the news and just focus on God. We were created for this – we are prepared (and if we fall short, God shall supply all our needs including emotional and spiritual – and we are covered by grace which is sufficient). We are here to give God glory – how can we do it better than to have peace knowing that these things do not have to trigger us.  We should continue the work of empting ourselves and letting God fill us more and more.

“How precious also are Your thoughts to me, O God! How great is the sum of them! If I should count them, they would be more in number than the sand; When I awake, I am still with You.” Psalm 139:17-18 NKJV

I believe in God – I also believe God. If He says in His word that He has precious thoughts for me – and more of those thoughts then grains of sand in the world, then I believe it. His plan is perfect. I seek it, and the only way to get there is to seek Him and have a relationship with Him.  I don’t know about you, but when I am in a loving relationship, I think precious thoughts ALL the time. I know as I raised my son, I thought precious thoughts all the time – Yet God thinks precious thought so much more than you and I can comprehend. Wow, the love!!! (He is even thinking those thoughts if we reject Him and do not believe – which is why He keeps coming after us waiting for us to turn to Him.)

I have read where the Bible says the times will progressively become more evil and more difficult – and all scripture must be fulfilled.  But no matter what is going on in this world – When I am in God and God is in me I am fulfilled and overflowing and nothing else really matters. God is sufficient (and even then He is also exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think).

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!

New Thing (Part 3)

“Behold, I am doing a new thing; now it springs forth, do you not perceive it? I will make a way in the wilderness and rivers in the desert.” Isaiah 43:19 ESV

GOD IS MOVING!  This week, we are discussing grace, the move of God and how we can help God move if we are awake to see what is happening around us and obedient to Him.

Dear Heavenly Father – Thank you for guiding me and giving me these messages this week. Please open our eyes to see and our understanding to know what you are saying to each of us – you have something for each person reading. We bind the spirit of division and loose unity and grace over all believers. Please continue to pour out your grace upon us, within us, and show it through us! – In Jesus name we pray, Amen

As I sit here and type, I do not yet know the outcome of the election (in the United States of America).  My guess is they will need more days to count the vote as neither man will concede.

In the meanwhile – Let us talk about UNITY.  As the nation of the United State is divided and as the body of Christ has divided itself into different denominations and as there is a shift in the spirit all over the world – God is trying to “spring forth” as it says in Isaiah 43 and one of the thing getting in His way is the lack of unity.

Our lack of understanding grace and permitting it to flow through us was the hindrance discussed on Monday. And Tuesday, we discussed obeying His will and praying for guidance in order to prevent disobedience from hindering.  And these things do not just hinder God’s move – He will still find a way and it will be leaving you out of it – but these things also hinder our relationship with God, the blessings intended for us, and our ability to complete what we were created to complete.

We do not need to believe 100% theologically the same to join in unity. For example: if you believe the rapture will come mid-tribulation and I hope and pray and think there is biblical evidence that it will be pre-tribulation – we can put that aside because it will happen when it happens and there are more important things to do.  Peter and Paul, the apostles of the early church had some interesting disagreements yet unity in mission and understanding of the will of God. And people in Corinth started dividing themselves over similar disagreements over small matters. Let us read what Paul writes to them:

“I appeal to you, brothers, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that all of you agree, and that there be no divisions among you, but that you be united in the same mind and the same judgment. For it has been reported to me by Chloe’s people that there is quarreling among you, my brothers. What I mean is that each one of you says, “I follow Paul,” or “I follow Apollos,” or “I follow Cephas,” or “I follow Christ.” Is Christ divided? Was Paul crucified for you? Or were you baptized in the name of Paul? I thank God that I baptized none of you except Crispus and Gaius, so that no one may say that you were baptized in my name. (I did baptize also the household of Stephanas. Beyond that, I do not know whether I baptized anyone else.) For Christ did not send me to baptize but to preach the gospel, and not with words of eloquent wisdom, lest the cross of Christ be emptied of its power. For the word of the cross is folly to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God.” 1 Corinthians 1:10-18 ESV

Amen! Paul says it so well. Is our salvation in any other name BUT Jesus? Is some denomination named in the Bible as the only way and has the monopoly on the power of God?!
The only people that God set apart as favored are the Jewish people – but they (as a majority) rejected their Messiah for coming in the power of grace instead of coming as a political warrior. (As right now God is coming, as in moving here on earth, and doing a new thing, in the power of grace – are you still looking for the warrior or politician and possibly missing it?)  Lord, open our eyes. Let us see what you have to show us.

“Now is my soul troubled. And what shall I say? ‘Father, save me from this hour’? But for this purpose I have come to this hour. Father, glorify your name.” Then a voice came from heaven: “I have glorified it, and I will glorify it again.” The crowd that stood there and heard it said that it had thundered. Others said, “An angel has spoken to him.” Jesus answered, “This voice has come for your sake, not mine. Now is the judgment of this world; now will the ruler of this world be cast out. And I, when I am lifted up from the earth, will draw all people to myself.” John 12:27-32 ESV

OK, please try to understand these things:
First Jesus says he came for this purpose – and we all think that it means He came for the work of the cross (and resurrection). But literally He said it is so the Father will be glorified. The cross was part of many ordained tasks Jesus had to accomplish (and one that would complete the purpose) – but the purpose is to give glory to God! The same holds true for us – created that God could be glorified.
Next, God replies showing us two different time references bookending the end-times.  Jesus said when He walked on the earth that it was the end times, signaling the beginning of the end. And our great longsuffering and merciful Father continues the end times even to this day. God was glorified because of Jesus then – and He will be glorified in the end.
Thirdly, this time period is still in play, as Jesus says that the display of God was for their benefit, and therefore recorded for ours. Then was the judgment and the casting out of the ruler of this world and NOW is STILL the judgment and casting out of the ruler of this world, until it is completed. And when the savior died and rose again – only a few understood. Such a strong warning for all Christians throughout these end times. The signs are here – yet we cannot even live in love and unity let alone in the power and gifts and works that God wants to accomplish.
AND if we lift Jesus up ALL men (black, white, Jew, gentile, rich, poor, healthy, sickly, all, ALL – ALL MEN) shall be drawn to Him. Can we at least unite in our mission?! Our joint task of lifting Jesus higher!

There is a special strength in agreement and unity. 
“Again I say to you, if two of you agree on earth about anything they ask, it will be done for them by my Father in heaven.” Matthew 18:19 ESV

ANYTHING – IT WILL BE DONE.

It doesn’t matter what the outcome of the presidential election is. I have unity with the body of Christ and the Power of God. It doesn’t matter if America falls into dark times of persecution or if God grants us four more years of grace – either way the persecution is still growing and so is division and hate. I am covered under my father’s wing – listening to His voice, doing His will, untouchable in spirit. Are you?

Draw close to Him and others who believe – Read your Bible (maybe try memorizing verses) – pray! Pray like Paul prayed in the spirit “more than all of you” (1 Corinthians 14:18) – work on your relationship with God. Because as this move of God grows, nothing else will matter.

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!

New Thing (Part 2)

“Behold, I am doing a new thing; now it springs forth, do you not perceive it? I will make a way in the wilderness and rivers in the desert.” Isaiah 43:19 ESV

GOD IS MOVING!  This week, we are talking about this move of God. We can help God move if we are awake to see what is happening around us and obedient to Him.

Dear Heavenly Father – Thank you for guiding me and giving me these messages this week. Please open our eyes to see and our understanding to know what you are saying to each of us – you have something for each person reading. Please continue to pour out your grace upon us, within us, and show it through us! – In Jesus name we pray, Amen

God is moving.  Now is the time. He is doing a new thing! And I hope you are just as excited as I am.
We, the people of this world, long to see a powerful and mighty God move! And as we reminded ourselves yesterday, all this power and might will come through mercy, love and grace.  Jesus did not arrive as a warrior, but He still moved in power and might – This move of God shall transform the world by transforming the hearts of men, gently, lovingly and tenderly.

Today, in the United States of America, it is Election Day.  This shall post before the polls open.  Most of you are from other countries and I am not sure if you are paying attention to this election.  It is unlike any before and appears to be a poor taste joke. Sadly this is my reality and I have prayed long and hard about who to vote for and I have prayed against cheating, ballot harvesting, and all the other ways to rig an election here in the states.  How does this train wreck of a dog and pony show apply to this week’s theme?

Last week I shared the passage in Daniel that show’s that God rises up kings or takes them down.  Let me reiterate with supporting scripture.
“Let every person be subject to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and those that exist have been instituted by God.” Romans 13:1 ESV

God is alive and moving. Oh yes, He is a God of judgment, however He is also a God of longsuffering and mercy.
“The Lord is not slow to fulfill his promise as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not wishing that any should perish, but that all should reach repentance.” 2 Peter 3:9 ESV

And in His infinite wisdom – He will give authority to the person who He wants in charge. 
“² Therefore whoever resists the authorities resists what God has appointed, and those who resist will incur judgment. ³ For rulers are not a terror to good conduct, but to bad. Would you have no fear of the one who is in authority? Then do what is good, and you will receive his approval, ⁴ for he is God’s servant for your good. But if you do wrong, be afraid, for he does not bear the sword in vain. For he is the servant of God, an avenger who carries out God’s wrath on the wrongdoer. ⁵ Therefore one must be in subjection, not only to avoid God’s wrath but also for the sake of conscience.“ Romans 13:2-5 ESV
And we see here that how that ruler treats people is entirety up to us.

But I do know some good Christian have been martyred in parts of this world even as they obeyed these verses and some say therefore that these verses are wrong. As much as it does not seem comforting on the surface – the truth is that God permitted it for a greater good and His child who was martyred had completed His tasks and works here on earth. There is always a way of escape – I suppose sometimes it is straight into the arms of our loving Father.
“For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain.” Philippians 1:21 ESV

We, humans, usually tend to think God is in control of life – therefore He is also in control of death.  Although death has dominion over the world right now and God did not create this mess, He has allowed the consequences of the evil choices in the world – He honors our free will. 

In other words – He can permit the man He can use to bless America win and He can permit the man that will bring down the hardships of the consequences of our evil ways.  It is by His permission and He is still in control.  God is still moving and working.

And yes, he knows which we will choose and He know all that will happen but it has not yet happened and we still have to make the choice. Predestined is not complacent and passive – No!  We will find ourselves passed over or as it says in Revelations 3:16, He will spit out lukewarm, casual, inactive “Christians”.  We do not sit idly by waiting for things to happen to us.

“Abraham answered and said, “Behold, I have undertaken to speak to the Lord, I who am but dust and ashes. Suppose five of the fifty righteous are lacking. Will you destroy the whole city for lack of five?”
And he said, “I will not destroy it if I find forty-five there.” 
Again he spoke to him and said, “Suppose forty are found there.”
He answered, “For the sake of forty I will not do it.” 
Then he said, “Oh let not the Lord be angry, and I will speak. Suppose thirty are found there.”
He answered, “I will not do it, if I find thirty there.” 
He said, “Behold, I have undertaken to speak to the Lord. Suppose twenty are found there.”
He answered, “For the sake of twenty I will not destroy it.” 
Then he said, “Oh let not the Lord be angry, and I will speak again but this once. Suppose ten are found there.”
He answered, “For the sake of ten I will not destroy it.” And the LORD went his way, when he had finished speaking to Abraham, and Abraham returned to his place.” Genesis 18:27-33 ESV

This is a beautiful example of the grace of God and the intercessor’s prayer. Abraham interceded for the cities of Sodom and Gomorrah – almost negotiating for their salvation. Our merciful God is always willing to defer judgment.  God wants us to take an active role in His plan (which is always to save people).  He wants us to intercede in prayer.  He wants us to try to effect change.  You do see – when God moves – it is usually through men and women who have submitted to His will and obey what He says. 

You may live in the States and may have already voted by the time you read this. If you did not submit that vote to the will of God in prayer and obedience and if you are not interceding for salvation, life and love for your nation – then YOU are what is standing in the way of the very move of God you long to see.
And if you did submit your vote to prayer and obedience – you have expedited the work of the Lord.

One last note about this passage in Genesis – See how God speaks to Abraham?  That is not just an Old Testament thing.  Let me encourage you to continue to seek Him – He is pouring out His spirit and He is speaking to those He has a close relationship with. Spend some time with God – He wants to be closer to you. And He wants to direct your paths.

“in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight.” Proverbs 3:6 NIV

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!

New Thing (Part 1)

“Behold, I am doing a new thing; now it springs forth, do you not perceive it? I will make a way in the wilderness and rivers in the desert.” Isaiah 43:19 ESV

God is moving.  This week, let’s talk about how we can help God move if we are awake to see what is happening around us and obedient to His will for our lives.

Dear Heavenly Father – Thank you for guiding me and giving me these messages. Please open our eyes to see and our understanding to know what you are saying to each of us. Please continue to pour out your grace upon us, within us, and show it through us! – In Jesus name we pray, Amen

God is moving.  Now is the time. He is doing a new thing!
I hear so many say God is ‘about to’… but did they miss that He has been doing the foundational work for a while? He is moving. He brought me back. I have watched Him knock down unstable foundations given to me with a form of Christianity that was muddied with false concepts in my youth. And as difficult as surrendering to the dismantling of my foundation was, I let God do what He is famous for because He rebuilt me strong and solid.  I no longer have to fight to stand my ground, He took care of that with a solid foundation and now all I have to do is LOVE.
As much as He is doing a new thing – it is also the same old thing and the same old story we heard repeated over and over again, reflected in a multitude of Bible books.

Before we can explore the new thing God is doing, and before we can explore what might be hindering it and how we can help, we must understand GRACE. I pray you have a real experience with grace today as you read this.

Some say grace is the undeserved favor of God – we have explored grace so many times through the last 220 posts and I think you will agree, it is the undeserved favor as well as so much more. It is love and mercy. It is a broad understanding that we are sinners and yet we are children of God make whole through this amazing grace. Grace is the salvation message. Grace is the work of the cross and resurrection.  When my faith fails me grace is what picks up the pieces and grace picks me up too and carries me the rest of the way.  Grace is what draws us to seek God in the first place. Grace is what unlocks the door to heaven in the end, when it is time.  Grace is what turns ‘believing in God’ into ‘believing God’.
Some say the theme of the New Testament is grace – as the Old Testament is law. As soon as the New Testament begins we are covered by the grace of God sending His son to be our sacrifice for our sins and we are no longer under the law. I fear that simplistic look at it (as if grace and law are diametrically oppositional) diminishes the largeness of grace. Simple put: Grace is not the opposite of Levitical Law.

Grace is the theme of the Old Testament as well as the New. Through grace God gave His chosen people the Levitical Law. The existence of the law was a demonstration of His grace.  It was man under the law, which was given by grace from God (and now it is man under the grace of God).  God removed a layer in order to have personal relationships with humans.

Let’s talk about the grace of the Old Testament –
In Sodom and Gomorrah, the notoriously evil cities, God sent angels in who gave warning to Lot and His family.
“¹² The two men said to Lot, “Do you have anyone else here—sons-in-law, sons or daughters, or anyone else in the city who belongs to you? Get them out of here, ¹³ because we are going to destroy this place. The outcry to the Lord against its people is so great that he has sent us to destroy it.”
¹⁴ So Lot went out and spoke to his sons-in-law, who were pledged to marry his daughters. He said, “Hurry and get out of this place, because the Lord is about to destroy the city!” But his sons-in-law thought he was joking.” Genesis 19:12-14 NIV
God is love, and in 1 Corinthians 13 we see that love is longsuffering and patient – therefore so is God. Knowing all the stories of the prophets, I am sure this was not the first and only warning to the people of these cities. But if it was, God had put it in Abraham’s heart to pray and intercede for the cities demonstrating His grace. I am sure God, who never changes (Hebrews 13:8), had waited and hoped they would repent and He would not have to destroy them. God is so longsuffering wishing that none shall perish (2 Peter 3:9).  Obviously, we see they never turned from evil and we remember this as a story of God’s anger and judgment. Oh why is the grace forgotten?!

In our current time, God has warned the world – not just one nation – that His wrath is coming.  We have read the book and know the signs of the time and hopefully you are looking up, our redemption draws near!! Are you like Lot? God said leave and you leave, albeit the angel had to take him by the hand and lead him out, but he obeyed. Are you like Lots sons-in-law? Are you taking these warnings from God as a joke? Clicking like on too many internet memes created by the enemy to lull Christian to sleep?  The sons-in-law were given the same warning as Lot and made a very different decision.  I gave myself a moment to think about it. That final warning was a matter of life or death and we never know when God says to obey if it is a matter of life or death (either my own or someone else’s). Makes you realize how important it is that God can count on us for immediate obedience.

Have you ever noticed the grace of God before His wrath throughout the entire Bible? God always gives everyone fair warning. And then, when the wrath falls, so does an abundance of grace fall upon those who are saved from it.
Same theme with Noah. Same theme with Jonah (first Jonah had some Godly discipline and correcting) and Jonah was sent to warn the people of Nineveh (who did turn to God and were, through Grace, spared from the wrath!! Over and over – how many times did His people turn to idols and not stay on track with God?! And each time there was a prophet to warn them – and grace upon grace upon grace!! Grace through the wilderness and grace in the promise land. Grace when a baby Jesus was born and grace continued when they rejected and killed the Messiah and only begotten son of God. Grace over and over continuing through today.

God is moving and He is moving in grace.  He has begun the work and He will finish the work. And our response to grace helps form the outcome. He is working even when we do not see, or understand, or even believe. The time is now. So, today we pray for understanding of grace, for fullness of grace, for a real and powerful experience with Grace – that we will not miss what God is doing.

He wants a real relationship with each of us and he wants that relationship to grow. And He wants it now! Because He is doing a new thing!

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!