The 31th day of December, 2020

“Repent therefore, and turn again, that your sins may be blotted out, that times of refreshing may come from the presence of the Lord, and that he may send the Christ appointed for you, Jesus, whom heaven must receive until the time for restoring all the things about which God spoke by the mouth of his holy prophets long ago.” Acts 3:19-21 ESV

Here we sit somewhere between the chaos of 2020 and the unknown of 2021 – we sit somewhere between Jesus’s resurrection & ascension and the second coming.  We are only here crossing to there, during this moment.

Dear Heavenly Father – Please open our ears to hear what you are saying. Please open our eyes to see and open our understanding that we may know you. Please continue to pour out your grace upon us! Continually, all we want is more of you! – In Jesus name we pray, Amen

New Year’s Eve always feels a little like being in between two places – and this year it does all the more! So many things from last year, so many people want to put behind us and there is so much optimism for what will become of 2021.  I do love the optimist! But reports say we will never go back to what we called ‘normal’ and we will learn to adjust to a ‘new normal’.  The Bible also describes that as time progresses it will become worse and worse right into a time called the tribulation.  Please understand that I am not trying to crush your optimism. The word says it. BUT!! We know all things work together for the GOOD! And God’s good is better than great! And it is exceedingly abundantly above all we could ask or think!  So we sit here – in between what was and all the good and bad that is to come.

So let us continue to flee politics that seek to rise up against Christians, let us flee plagues like covid-19 and its new strands, let us flee from bondage and slavery, and let us flee. Let us press forward to the promise land, where God will pour out His blessings, let us press forward to old things being transformed and made new, let us birth the plans the Lord has for us, let us follow the Lord!

“¹³ Moses answered the people, “Do not be afraid. Stand firm and you will see the deliverance the Lord will bring you today. The Egyptians you see today you will never see again. ¹⁴ The Lord will fight for you; you need only to be still.”

¹⁵ Then the Lord said to Moses, “Why are you crying out to me? Tell the Israelites to move on. ¹⁶ Raise your staff and stretch out your hand over the sea to divide the water so that the Israelites can go through the sea on dry ground. ¹⁷ I will harden the hearts of the Egyptians so that they will go in after them. And I will gain glory through Pharaoh and all his army, through his chariots and his horsemen. ¹⁸ The Egyptians will know that I am the Lord when I gain glory through Pharaoh, his chariots and his horsemen.”

¹⁹ Then the angel of God, who had been traveling in front of Israel’s army, withdrew and went behind them. The pillar of cloud also moved from in front and stood behind them, ²⁰ coming between the armies of Egypt and Israel. Throughout the night the cloud brought darkness to the one side and light to the other side; so neither went near the other all night long.

²¹ Then Moses stretched out his hand over the sea, and all that night the Lord drove the sea back with a strong east wind and turned it into dry land. The waters were divided, ²² and the Israelites went through the sea on dry ground, with a wall of water on their right and on their left.

²³ The Egyptians pursued them, and all Pharaoh’s horses and chariots and horsemen followed them into the sea. ²⁴ During the last watch of the night the Lord looked down from the pillar of fire and cloud at the Egyptian army and threw it into confusion. ²⁵ He jammed the wheels of their chariots so that they had difficulty driving. And the Egyptians said, “Let’s get away from the Israelites! The Lord is fighting for them against Egypt.”

²⁶ Then the Lord said to Moses, “Stretch out your hand over the sea so that the waters may flow back over the Egyptians and their chariots and horsemen.” ²⁷ Moses stretched out his hand over the sea, and at daybreak the sea went back to its place. The Egyptians were fleeing toward it, and the Lord swept them into the sea. ²⁸ The water flowed back and covered the chariots and horsemen—the entire army of Pharaoh that had followed the Israelites into the sea. Not one of them survived.

²⁹ But the Israelites went through the sea on dry ground, with a wall of water on their right and on their left. ³⁰ That day the Lord saved Israel from the hands of the Egyptians, and Israel saw the Egyptians lying dead on the shore. ³¹ And when the Israelites saw the mighty hand of the Lord displayed against the Egyptians, the people feared the Lord and put their trust in him and in Moses his servant.” Exodus 14:13-31 NIV

Tonight – the Lord is fighting for us. Let us leave those things behind and let God lead us. As 2021 will not be a better year for most, we claim the victory and move into the year miraculously – as God has planned growth and goodness for those of us committed to following Him. Tonight our enemies give up and say: “the Lord is fighting for them”! Tonight the spiritual battles witch hold up the answers to our prayer are flooded and washed away.  Tonight we shall cease to be chased by pandemics and politics and we shall safely escape as God shall wash them away.  The spirit world isn’t seen with our eyes but with our spirit. And God has made a way where there is no way. We must be strong and courageous and commit our ways to Him. 

Tomorrow, let us wake up with songs of praise and thanksgiving. This night will pass and tomorrow we begin walking in the promises. Not with what our eyes see – but in the knowledge of God. If He parted the sea once, and saved the Israelites over and over again despite their shortcomings – How much more can He do for us if we set our minds and hearts to obedience to Him? How much greater is His love, mercy and grace for us when we press in – up under His wings and live as He wants us to live and be blessed as He intended we were blessed and flourish as He intended us to flourish?! 

Dear Heavenly Father, please fight our battles for us tonight and through 2021 and teach us how to fight as well. Please open the gates and let your blessings flow to us and through us to others in this coming year. Let us grow in our relationship with you into a greater understanding and into your power and glory. Please hear our prayer and answer them in 2021. Please make a clear and easy path to salvation for our wayward love-ones and draw them into grace and a relationship with you in 2021. Please cause miraculous transformations of the prodigals in 2021. Please set hearts on fire for you in 2021. Please let 2021 be a year of awakening, revival, restoration, love, mercy and grace! In the name of Jesus 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!

The 30th day of December, 2020

“There is therefore now no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus, who do not walk according to the flesh, but according to the Spirit.” Romans 8:1 NKJV

Moving from 2020 and the foundations we have laid in Christ Jesus, into 2021 – let us find freedom and deliverance and then share that freedom and deliverance with others.

Dear Heavenly Father –Please release us from the bondages of sins, deliver us from evil, and free us to have a deeper relationship with you. Open our ears to hear what you are saying. Please open our eyes to see and open our understanding that we may know you. Please continue to pour out your grace upon us! Continually, all we want is more of you! – In Jesus name we pray, Amen

Let me warn you, today’s study is heavy but I share with you in love. God loves us so much that He sent His only son to die and rise in victory over death – He fought against sin, so that we can be cleansed and we do not need to remain in bondage to sin any longer.  It is with that great love and bathed in grace that we study sin and consequences and most importantly: freedom and deliverance!

“You believe that there is one God. You do well. Even the demons believe—and tremble!” James 2:19 NKJV

We believe. We do well. Yet, so many of us still have a sin struggle. We have all sinned. 

“for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God,” Romans 3:23 NKJV
Lord, please reveal any sins we still have to deal with.

Sin is sin – things people call big sins and small sins are all still sin. Let us look at the categories of sin discussed in the Bible.  As we do, let us learn them so we can recognize them in ourselves and in others. By learning these things we will have more wisdom on how to pray for others as well as more freedom for ourselves. If God did not love us he would not give us this information that will lead to freedom for others, through prayer, as well as ourselves.

“²⁰ And He said, “What comes out of a man, that defiles a man. ²¹ For from within, out of the heart of men, proceed evil thoughts, adulteries, fornications, murders, ²² thefts, covetousness, wickedness, deceit, lewdness, an evil eye, blasphemy, pride, foolishness. ²³ All these evil things come from within and defile a man.” Mark 7:20-23 NKJV

Jesus says that sin comes from within us – we tempt ourselves and we defile ourselves and we cause ourselves to sin. At least this is the majority of all cases. And the freedom comes from us denying ourselves and putting sin to death. Yes, killing sin inside ourselves.

“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.” Colossians 3:4-10 ESV

We put sin to death by not lying about our sin struggles (verse 9), letting other help hold you accountable, and “put off the old self” or abstain from doing the things you used to do and at the same time (verse 10) be renewed by reading and learning the word of God.

Let me speak to those of you who believe that once you are saved, you are always saved and you do not have to sacrifice the pleasures of this world and your fleshly ways. To those of you who remain in a sexual relationship (or more than one) outside of marriage, as well as to those of you who love to drive faster than the speed limit. Those who continue in sin, will not be counted righteous and will not inherit the Kingdom of God.

“Or do you not know that the unrighteous will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived: neither the sexually immoral, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor men who practice homosexuality, nor thieves, nor the greedy, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor swindlers will inherit the kingdom of God.” 1 Corinthians 6:9-10 ESV

“Now the works of the flesh are evident: sexual immorality, impurity, sensuality, idolatry, sorcery, enmity, strife, jealousy, fits of anger, rivalries, dissensions, divisions, envy, drunkenness, orgies, and things like these. I warn you, as I warned you before, that those who do such things will not inherit the kingdom of God.” Galatians 5:19-21 ESV

Well, when we combine all this lists – I think it covers almost anything. These are categories of sins and many sins fall into these categories – many more than I can get into in a blog type of setting.

The Bible also warns that it will be much more difficult in the end times (which Jesus stated that that period would start when He walked the earth and would continue to become worse as the years went on).  As society changes and says that fewer things are sins and fewer things are wrong, accepting evil as good, it will become harder for Christians to identify what is sin. Christians will be destroyed for a lack of knowledge (Hosea 4:1). So let us continue to look at what the Bible calls sin:

“But understand this, that in the last days there will come times of difficulty. For people will be lovers of self, lovers of money, proud, arrogant, abusive, disobedient to their parents, ungrateful, unholy, heartless, unappeasable, slanderous, without self-control, brutal, not loving good, treacherous, reckless, swollen with conceit, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God, having the appearance of godliness, but denying its power. Avoid such people.” 2 Timothy 3:1-5 ESV

Here, we see that NOT only are we to stop sinning – but we must avoid people who sin. Here is also an aggressively debated theological discussion with multiple sides. One side says avoid sinners. Another says avoid sinners as friends, but make their acquaintances and witness/preach to them. And another side points out how Jesus was a friend to sinners. I am sure the intention of this verse lays somewhere in the middle – in context with the entire Bible. Acknowledge God in ALL your ways and He will direct you, along with knowing there is a season to plant and harvest and there is a season for saving yourself from temptation and desensitization of right and wrong.

“They were filled with all manner of unrighteousness, evil, covetousness, malice. They are full of envy, murder, strife, deceit, maliciousness. They are gossips, slanderers, haters of God, insolent, haughty, boastful, inventors of evil, disobedient to parents, foolish, faithless, heartless, ruthless.” Romans 1:29-31 ESV

Congratulations to any of you who made it through these lists without feeling conviction. But when you do feel conviction – confess it to God. Yes, He already knows – He wants to see that you know. Be specific and give your secrets to God. That is trust and intimacy with Him – you will be rewarded with transformation. Ask Him to cleanse you from ALL unrighteousness. He may just uproot another or more. Just keep confessing and asking forgiveness.

“For a righteous man may fall seven times and rise again, But the wicked shall fall by calamity.” Proverbs 24:16 NKJV

Every time we fall – grace! Grace permits us to get back up! The proverb uses the number of completion: 7. This does not mean we can only access grace and forgiveness 7 times – it means we can continue the struggle until God’s work in us is complete! Each time, learning new lessons, on our face, and getting stronger and getting bolder as we get back up – for God!

“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? ³ Or do you not know that as many of us as were baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into His death? ⁴ Therefore we were buried with Him through baptism into death, that just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life.” Romans 6:1-4 NKJV

I am praying for a deeper and closer relationship with God. Sin puts a separator between me and God. Sin is from myself, my flesh and my desires. I have control over myself. I have control over sin. I can stop sinning and break sinful habits. It is time to remove any barriers to a more satisfying relationship with God. And with His help, His conviction when I do wrong and His LOVE and His GRACE! I shall not be condemned (see opening verse) but instead be freed from shame and the hold of sin.

Please re-read that paragraph again, out loud, making it your own. Let it be our resolution to end this year with our minds fixed overcoming through the grace of the cross and the victory Jesus already won over sin and death. Let us draw closer to 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!

The 29th day of December, 2020

“¹³ Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended: but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before, ¹⁴ I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.” Philippians 3:13-14 KJV

Dear Heavenly Father –Please reveal the Kingdom of Heaven to us. Open our ears to hear what you are saying. Please open our eyes to see and open our understanding that we may know you. Please continue to pour out your grace upon us! Continually, all we want is more of you! – In Jesus name we pray, Amen

It is that time of year, when people reflect back on the year behind them and make goals and plans for the year ahead.  Quite frankly we all know what we have been through in this past year – the challenges and changes, the testing and turmoil, the physical and spiritual battle of “what was that?!”

And as for plans for tomorrow? Do we not see the signs of the times? Today someone asked me if they will see me next week. All I could say was “if the Lord tarries – if not, I shall see you sooner!”

“¹³ Go to now, ye that say, To day or to morrow we will go into such a city, and continue there a year, and buy and sell, and get gain: ¹⁴ Whereas ye know not what shall be on the morrow. For what is your life? It is even a vapour, that appeareth for a little time, and then vanisheth away. ¹⁵ For that ye ought to say, If the Lord will, we shall live, and do this, or that.” James 4:13-15 KJV

If the Lord wills.  What is the will of the Lord for 2021? What is the Lord’s will for today, tomorrow, or the next day?  Yesterday we say that Simeon and Anna were led by the Spirit to do the Lord’s will. Shall we commit to seeking the will of the Lord in our lives for 2021?

“For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.” Jeremiah 29:11 NIV

Many of us know that verse. BUT have we lived it?  I mean really committed ALL (every single thing) to God.  He is ready to pour out His blessings and His plans and His goodness on us. Are we ready to accept it? It will not look like we expect, that is clear from the scriptures. It will be exceedingly abundantly above all we could ask or think – but it won’t be our way.

The Apostle Paul found himself in a similar state of mind – let’s not look back and let’s not make plans for the future.  He counted the gains of his past as loss when looking at it through the lens of the Kingdom of Heaven and eternity.  His focus became a Kingdom focus and a deep relationship with God focus: 

“⁷ But whatever were gains to me I now consider loss for the sake of Christ. ⁸ What is more, I consider everything a loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whose sake I have lost all things. I consider them garbage, that I may gain Christ ⁹ and be found in him, not having a righteousness of my own that comes from the law, but that which is through faith in Christ—the righteousness that comes from God on the basis of faith. ¹⁰ I want to know Christ—yes, to know the power of his resurrection and participation in his sufferings, becoming like him in his death, ¹¹ and so, somehow, attaining to the resurrection from the dead.
¹² Not that I have already obtained all this, or have already arrived at my goal, but I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me. ¹³ Brothers and sisters, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, ¹⁴ I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.
¹⁵ All of us, then, who are mature should take such a view of things. And if on some point you think differently, that too God will make clear to you. ¹⁶ Only let us live up to what we have already attained.
¹⁷ Join together in following my example, brothers and sisters, and just as you have us as a model, keep your eyes on those who live as we do. ¹⁸ For, as I have often told you before and now tell you again even with tears, many live as enemies of the cross of Christ. ¹⁹ Their destiny is destruction, their god is their stomach, and their glory is in their shame. Their mind is set on earthly things. ²⁰ But our citizenship is in heaven. And we eagerly await a Savior from there, the Lord Jesus Christ, ²¹ who, by the power that enables him to bring everything under his control, will transform our lowly bodies so that they will be like his glorious body.” Philippians 3:7-21 NIV

Press on toward the goal of heaven.  This is a deep concept, may God open your understanding to it, as Paul prayed in verse 15 that you would mature in God and God would make it clear to you. I agree in in this prayer with Him. Let us understand.

It is time to be so heavenly minded we are of no earthly good! The earth is no longer good, anyway, with the curse of sin – and will not understand the good that is of being heavenly minded.  It is time to put our citizenship of Heaven before that of our earth, our country, or our affiliations. Wait, no! Let us be free from earthly affiliations.  2021 should be the year of the will of the Lord!

Let me shake up the order of verses 18-19:  If we are focused on earthly things, the cares of this world, our fleshly desires, our way and our plans – then we are living as enemies to the cross, enemies to the work of grace accomplished on the cross, enemies to our own salvation and enemies to God! Oooof! That hits the feels! I mean, we all have those fleshly moments, I know I do! We all have our wants and desires – but it is clear here that if they are not in line with the will of God, that they lead to destruction and not to the Kingdom of Heaven. What more, our own ways will become gods to us and we will become idolaters!  Shame shall be our glory.

Time to ask God to leave no rock unturned and dig out of us these plans we have made. I don’t know about you – but I want to see heaven. I do not want to find destruction.  Many times this year I picked up situations and while praying like a silly girl, I made plans and handled it my own way. While other things I so easily left in the Lords hands to deal with. Guess which things failed spectacularly and which things gave glory to God?!  And some are not the things you may think as the glory of the Lord has not yet been revealed in some things.

When Paul was writing to the early church (verse 20) he was eagerly awaiting the return of Christ. Here we are in the year 2020 eagerly awaiting this rapture – the meeting of Jesus in the sky – the being taken to glory so that prophesy may be fulfilled.
And in verse 21 – Paul speaks of this power that brings everything under control. The transformative power of grace. The power of heaven itself! And I speak that power for the year 2021. 
We spent 2020 looking up, knowing our redemption draws near and 2021, let us call down Heaven, live heavenly minded, move in the power of Heaven and be transformed into the embodiment of the will of God.  Let our relationship with God grow in such a way that people do not just see Jesus in us, but let them see Heaven and eternity – let Heaven leave its mark and plant its seeds.

Let us love like Heaven is at stake, let us pray like we are having a conversation with our Lord, and let us live as if our life depended on it – because it does.

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!

The 28th day of December, 2020

“²⁵ And, behold, there was a man in Jerusalem, whose name was Simeon; and the same man was just and devout, waiting for the consolation of Israel: and the Holy Ghost was upon him. ²⁶ And it was revealed unto him by the Holy Ghost, that he should not see death, before he had seen the Lord’s Christ. ²⁷ And he came by the Spirit into the temple: and when the parents brought in the child Jesus, to do for him after the custom of the law, ²⁸ Then took he him up in his arms, and blessed God, and said, ²⁹ Lord, now lettest thou thy servant depart in peace, according to thy word: ³⁰ For mine eyes have seen thy salvation, ³¹ Which thou hast prepared before the face of all people; ³² A light to lighten the Gentiles, and the glory of thy people Israel.
³³ And Joseph and his mother marvelled at those things which were spoken of him.
³⁴ And Simeon blessed them, and said unto Mary his mother, Behold, this child is set for the fall and rising again of many in Israel; and for a sign which shall be spoken against; ³⁵ (Yea, a sword shall pierce through thy own soul also,) that the thoughts of many hearts may be revealed.
³⁶ And there was one Anna, a prophetess, the daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Aser: she was of a great age, and had lived with an husband seven years from her virginity; ³⁷ And she was a widow of about fourscore and four years, which departed not from the temple, but served God with fastings and prayers night and day. ³⁸ And she coming in that instant gave thanks likewise unto the Lord, and spake of him to all them that looked for redemption in Jerusalem.” Luke 2:25-38 KJV

Dear Heavenly Father –Please speak to us today. Open our ears to hear what you are saying. Please open our eyes to see and open our understanding that we may know you. Please continue to pour out your grace upon us! Continually, all we want is more of you! – In Jesus name we pray, Amen

As I sit here before this blank page, praying for our daily bread, Christmas day has past and presents and cookies and a bag of wrapping paper that hasn’t made it out of the house, and my mind is full of so many thoughts.  Christmas day here in my home, does not look like it does on TV or in the movies – It doesn’t look like the Christmases I see my ‘friends’ on social media posting.  My son received a book.  His girlfriend received some stickers and colored pens for her organizer.  I received a mug and a pillow. I cooked, cleaned and napped while watching Christmas movies.
I was so tired because Christmas Eve my spirit wouldn’t rest. There was shifting and stirring. I was wide awake praying. God was moving.  I don’t know where or what or how – but I could not stop praying.
I am looking forward to what God is doing.

I was so compelled to pray that I almost thought that it would be the night of the rapture! I see the signs of our times and the state of this world and I cannot help but be expectant. Expectant like Simeon, above – let’s look deeper:

“²⁵ And, behold, there was a man in Jerusalem, whose name was Simeon; and the same man was just and devout, waiting for the consolation of Israel: and the Holy Ghost was upon him. ²⁶ And it was revealed unto him by the Holy Ghost, that he should not see death, before he had seen the Lord’s Christ.”
The Holy Ghost being upon people is not just a New Testament thing that began after Christ ascended to heaven in the Book of Acts. The Holy Spirt was on King David and others in the Old Testament – and here in the beginning of the book of Luke, while Jesus was still a baby – we see the Holy Ghost being upon Simeon.  Simeon obviously had a relationship with God as God shared with him that this baby being brought to the Lord was the Christ Child. 

“²⁷ And he came by the Spirit into the temple:” – We see here Simeon let God lead him in all his ways. He came to church that day because God led him there. Not because Simeon had planned to spend the day there anyway.

I was attending one church then one day, God said go to this other church. I obeyed and I was blessed and so were others at that church. God has a plan and we need to be like Simeon so we are in the place God wants us to be when God wants us to be there.  We see in the rest of verse 27 through verse 35 that Simeon was blessed and also blessed the child, Mary and Joseph. Being where God leads, leads to blessings for everyone.

If we think back to the story of Jonah – when we aren’t obedient to where God has put us, we could end up in the belly of a whale! The still have to obey God in the end, Nineveh was blessed and Jonah missed his blessings and instead learned a very dramatic lesson.

I know you are able to follow the Lord’s leading or you would not be reading this. This blog is intentionally set without metadata and without added assistance to promote it or get it out there.  I have shared it with very few people (and they do not read it daily). Yet, God lead you here and many of you read it daily. I am encouraged by your “likes” and comments. I pray for each of you. Some of you have felt lead to share this – and God is directing the promotion and growth as this is God’s ministry. Therefore, I know you, who have found this at this time, know how to follow the prompting of the Holy Spirit.  Be encouraged.

The end of the passage above shows that Simeon’s prophetic blessings were confirmed by both the word of God (as Simeon quoted it) and by another person – Anna.  Anna dedicated herself to God with Prayer and fastings. (We all know how I promote prayer and fasting – it is heavy on my heart that we should be – and in my studies and posts about fasting we see that fasting somehow has an effect on the spirit world and causes powerful things to happen.) And here we see Anna tapped into the power of God and confirmed that Jesus was the Messiah and began thanking the Lord and telling everyone. God used both a man and woman and His word to confirm the message that day.

So, why, if we know how to be led by the spirit and we are already like Simeon and Anna, knowing the signs of our time and expectantly waiting for Christ – why is God having me pause on Simeon and Anna?  What are they doing, what do they have, what is significant?  We see immediately we should be like them. What is God is speaking to us about?

We say we are Christians and we say we have a relationship with God – It is time for that to be real. It is time for us to go deeper. As a body of Christ around the world, the majority of us struggle with the basics: daily prayer, daily Bible reading, daily worship and praise, and mediating/memorizing the scriptures.  These are the basics. The minimum. Yet many cannot commit themselves enough for the basics and long to see the signs, wonders and miracles. How?! If you cannot even do the basics?

Then there are many of us that are one step deeper, we have the basics as our daily practice. Are we seeking the deeper things? Spending time in the presence of God? Listening to Him?
“⁵ Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. ⁶ In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.⁷ Be not wise in thine own eyes: fear the Lord, and depart from evil.” Proverbs 3:5-7 KJV
God’s ways are not our ways – God’s priorities are not our priorities – God’s plans are not our plans.  Are we letting go? Letting go of our time tables, our plans, our ways – and letting God have His way in our conversations and in our activities?
I know there are a few people in my life – that conversations and time with them take longer than they would like – and I always say: we are done when God says we are done. But it interrupts plans and people associate it with me. Nay, it is God. God it trying to teach us His timing, His plans, His ways!

Anna gave herself to prayer and fasting – let’s go deeper like Anna did!

Simeon was led by the Holy Spirit – let’s go deeper like Simeon did!

God is calling His remnant to a deeper still relationship with Him. Do not say your relationship is good enough, because I know it isn’t.  Don’t say, but I healed people and cast out demons in Jesus name – because Jesus said to some of them: “I never knew you.”  (Matthew 7:22-24)

It doesn’t matter if you know God or not. If you have a relationship with Him or not – TODAY He is saying He wants to know you better and wants you to know Him better. Everyone reading this is being called to a deeper knowledge of Him and He is asking we open up, release ourselves to Him and enjoy the blessings that are coming. Simeon and Anna knew God so well, and He knew them so well – He revealed the Messiah to them – in such a time as this, He wants to reveal so much more to us!

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!

Merry Christmas

“Now in the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent by God to a city of Galilee named Nazareth, to a virgin betrothed to a man whose name was Joseph, of the house of David. The virgin’s name was Mary. And having come in, the angel said to her, “Rejoice, highly favored one, the Lord is with you; blessed are you among women!”
But when she saw him, she was troubled at his saying, and considered what manner of greeting this was. Then the angel said to her, “Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God.  And behold, you will conceive in your womb and bring forth a Son, and shall call His name Jesus. He will be great, and will be called the Son of the Highest; and the Lord God will give Him the throne of His father David. And He will reign over the house of Jacob forever, and of His kingdom there will be no end.”
Then Mary said to the angel, “How can this be, since I do not know a man?” 
And the angel answered and said to her, “The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Highest will overshadow you; therefore, also, that Holy One who is to be born will be called the Son of God. Now indeed, Elizabeth your relative has also conceived a son in her old age; and this is now the sixth month for her who was called barren. For with God nothing will be impossible.”
Then Mary said, “Behold the maidservant of the Lord! Let it be to me according to your word.” And the angel departed from her.” Luke 1:26-38 NKJV

“Now the birth of Jesus Christ was as follows: After His mother Mary was betrothed to Joseph, before they came together, she was found with child of the Holy Spirit. Then Joseph her husband, being a just man, and not wanting to make her a public example, was minded to put her away secretly. But while he thought about these things, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream, saying, “Joseph, son of David, do not be afraid to take to you Mary your wife, for that which is conceived in her is of the Holy Spirit. And she will bring forth a Son, and you shall call His name Jesus, for He will save His people from their sins.”  Matthew 1:18-21 NKJV

“And it came to pass in those days that a decree went out from Caesar Augustus that all the world should be registered. This census first took place while Quirinius was governing Syria. So all went to be registered, everyone to his own city.
Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth, into Judea, to the city of David, which is called Bethlehem, because he was of the house and lineage of David, to be registered with Mary, his betrothed wife, who was with child. So it was, that while they were there, the days were completed for her to be delivered. And she brought forth her firstborn Son, and wrapped Him in swaddling cloths, and laid Him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn.
Now there were in the same country shepherds living out in the fields, keeping watch over their flock by night. And behold, an angel of the Lord stood before them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were greatly afraid. Then the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid, for behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy which will be to all people. For there is born to you this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. And this will be the sign to you: You will find a Babe wrapped in swaddling cloths, lying in a manger.”
And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying: “Glory to God in the highest, And on earth peace, goodwill toward men!”
So it was, when the angels had gone away from them into heaven, that the shepherds said to one another, “Let us now go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has come to pass, which the Lord has made known to us.” And they came with haste and found Mary and Joseph, and the Babe lying in a manger. Now when they had seen Him, they made widely known the saying which was told them concerning this Child. And all those who heard it marveled at those things which were told them by the shepherds. But Mary kept all these things and pondered them in her heart. Then the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things that they had heard and seen, as it was told them.”
And when eight days were completed for the circumcision of the Child, His name was called Jesus, the name given by the angel before He was conceived in the womb.
Now when the days of her purification according to the law of Moses were completed, they brought Him to Jerusalem to present Him to the Lord (as it is written in the law of the Lord, “Every male who opens the womb shall be called holy to the Lord”), and to offer a sacrifice according to what is said in the law of the Lord, “A pair of turtledoves or two young pigeons.”
And behold, there was a man in Jerusalem whose name was Simeon, and this man was just and devout, waiting for the Consolation of Israel, and the Holy Spirit was upon him. And it had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he would not see death before he had seen the Lord’s Christ. So he came by the Spirit into the temple. And when the parents brought in the Child Jesus, to do for Him according to the custom of the law, he took Him up in his arms and blessed God and said: “Lord, now You are letting Your servant depart in peace, According to Your word; For my eyes have seen Your salvation Which You have prepared before the face of all peoples, A light to bring revelation to the Gentiles, And the glory of Your people Israel.”
And Joseph and His mother marveled at those things which were spoken of Him. Then Simeon blessed them, and said to Mary His mother, “Behold, this Child is destined for the fall and rising of many in Israel, and for a sign which will be spoken against (yes, a sword will pierce through your own soul also), that the thoughts of many hearts may be revealed.” Luke 2:1-35 NKJV

“Now after Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea in the days of Herod the king, behold, wise men from the East came to Jerusalem, saying, “Where is He who has been born King of the Jews? For we have seen His star in the East and have come to worship Him.”
When Herod the king heard this, he was troubled, and all Jerusalem with him. And when he had gathered all the chief priests and scribes of the people together, he inquired of them where the Christ was to be born.
So they said to him, “In Bethlehem of Judea, for thus it is written by the prophet:
‘But you, Bethlehem, in the land of Judah, Are not the least among the rulers of Judah;
For out of you shall come a Ruler Who will shepherd My people Israel.’
Then Herod, when he had secretly called the wise men, determined from them what time the star appeared. And he sent them to Bethlehem and said, “Go and search carefully for the young Child, and when you have found Him, bring back word to me, that I may come and worship Him also.”
When they heard the king, they departed; and behold, the star which they had seen in the East went before them, till it came and stood over where the young Child was. When they saw the star, they rejoiced with exceedingly great joy. And when they had come into the house, they saw the young Child with Mary His mother, and fell down and worshiped Him. And when they had opened their treasures, they presented gifts to Him: gold, frankincense, and myrrh.
Then, being divinely warned in a dream that they should not return to Herod, they departed for their own country another way.
Now when they had departed, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared to Joseph in a dream, saying, “Arise, take the young Child and His mother, flee to Egypt, and stay there until I bring you word; for Herod will seek the young Child to destroy Him.”
When he arose, he took the young Child and His mother by night and departed for Egypt, and was there until the death of Herod, that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the Lord through the prophet, saying, “Out of Egypt I called My Son.” Matthew 2:1-15 NKJV

“Now when Herod was dead, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared in a dream to Joseph in Egypt, saying, “Arise, take the young Child and His mother, and go to the land of Israel, for those who sought the young Child’s life are dead.” Then he arose, took the young Child and His mother, and came into the land of Israel.
But when he heard that Archelaus was reigning over Judea instead of his father Herod, he was afraid to go there. And being warned by God in a dream, he turned aside into the region of Galilee. And he came and dwelt in a city called Nazareth, that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the prophets, “He shall be called a Nazarene.” Matthew 2:19-23 NKJV

“So all this was done that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the Lord through the prophet, saying: “Behold, the virgin shall be with child, and bear a Son, and they shall call His name Immanuel,” which is translated, “God with us.”
Then Joseph, being aroused from sleep, did as the angel of the Lord commanded him and took to him his wife, and did not know her till she had brought forth her firstborn Son. And he called His name Jesus.” Matthew 1:22-25 NKJV

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! 

Christmas Eve Grace

“Thanks be to God for His indescribable gift!” 2 Corinthians 9:15 NKJV

While this verse seems to reference the gift of God providing for our every need and our ministries while telling us to be cheerful givers – It is not wrong to take this one verse and apply it to each and every gift that came from God. This Christmas season our minds are on the greatest gift of all – the grace of His sacrifice of His son for mankind. 

Dear Heavenly Father – Thank you for your indescribable gift!  As always, please, open our ears to hear, our eyes to see and our understanding that we may know you. – In Jesus name we pray, Amen

When my son was younger he wanted to go away to summer camp. This was something I did with my church growing up and I wish I could have afforded to send him to an overnight camp. Instead I sent him to a day camp. I did send him camping or on vacation with his father – it was difficult without him around. I missed his presence. He could call and we could chat. But it wasn’t the same as having him around.  He always returned safe. 

Christmas marks the day Jesus arrived at overnight camp – or extended vacation here on earth.  God must have missed His Son, as I missed mine. His son was killed. His son fought off death. His son carried away the sins of mankind. His son finally returned. Yeah, I am certain I would not send my son to that kind of a sleep away camp!!!!

Well, I suppose if God told me to, I would (I hope). When God asks us to sacrifice something – be certain that He understands sacrifice in a significant way. And we can also be certain He will never ask us to sacrifice our sons for the sins of all of mankind. Thanks be to God for His indescribable gift!

It’s a time of giving and receiving. The idea is that we give to others – because we are following God’s example of giving.
“⁶ But this I say: He who sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and he who sows bountifully will also reap bountifully. ⁷ So let each one give as he purposes in his heart, not grudgingly or of necessity; for God loves a cheerful giver. ⁸ And God is able to make all grace abound toward you, that you, always having all sufficiency in all things, may have an abundance for every good work. ⁹ As it is written: “He has dispersed abroad, He has given to the poor; His righteousness endures forever.” 2 Corinthians 9:6-9 NKJV (feel free to look it up and read from verse 6 to 15)
Therefore be generous as God has always been generous with us.

“Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and comes down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shadow of turning.” James 1:17 NKJV
If it is good then it is of God. But let us get back to God’s ultimate gift to humanity – His Son, Jesus.

As indescribable (and wondrous and multilevel-encompassing) as the Apostle Paul, says to the Corinthians, the gift of Jesus is – he then tried to describe it in his letter to the church at Rome. He does so by comparing Adam and the curse of sin to Christ and the abundance of grace. In Romans chapter 5, verses 12 – 21, Paul lays out an extremely logical side by side comparison which helps define what the gift of Christ really is (and isn’t).

“¹² Therefore, just as through one man sin entered the world, and death through sin, and thus death spread to all men, because all sinned— ¹³ (For until the law sin was in the world, but sin is not imputed when there is no law. ¹⁴ Nevertheless death reigned from Adam to Moses, even over those who had not sinned according to the likeness of the transgression of Adam, who is a type of Him who was to come. ¹⁵ But the free gift is not like the offense. For if by the one man’s offense many died, much more the grace of God and the gift by the grace of the one Man, Jesus Christ, abounded to many. ¹⁶ And the gift is not like that which came through the one who sinned. For the judgment which came from one offense resulted in condemnation, but the free gift which came from many offenses resulted in justification. ¹⁷ For if by the one man’s offense death reigned through the one, much more those who receive abundance of grace and of the gift of righteousness will reign in life through the One, Jesus Christ.) ¹⁸ Therefore, as through one man’s offense judgment came to all men, resulting in condemnation, even so through oneMan’s righteous act the free gift came to all men, resulting in justification of life. ¹⁹ For as by one man’s disobedience many were made sinners, so also by one Man’s obedience many will be made righteous. ²⁰ Moreover the law entered that the offense might abound. But where sin abounded, grace abounded much more, ²¹ so that as sin reigned in death, even so grace might reign through righteousness to eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.” Romans 5:12-21 NKJV

That is a lot to process – but let me point out a few things and then you can read it again and spend the rest of your day pondering its depths.

Verse 15 – “But the free gift is not like the offense. For if by the one man’s offense many died, much more the grace of God and the gift by the grace of the one Man, Jesus Christ, abounded to many.”
Read all that grace again!!! “The grace of God” and “The gift BY THE GRACE OF JESUS CHRIST” isn’t just given to many – but it abounds, thrives, flourishes, prospers, and overflows! This is the life-changing and transformative kind of grace I am always talking about. Once you have an experience with the gift of grace, there will be an unquenchable fire burning inside you!

Verse 17 – “For if by the one man’s offense death reigned through the one, much more those who receive abundance of grace and of the gift of righteousness will reign in life through the One, Jesus Christ.”
“Receive abundance of grace” because it is a free gift along with the (also free) “Gift of righteousness” – This was just worth repeating.

“But where sin abounded, grace abounded much more, ²¹ so that as sin reigned in death, even so grace might reign through righteousness to eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord. – 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 5:20b-6:2 NKJV

First, let me point out that the original manuscripts did not have chapter and verse. And when they did create chapter and verse, I cannot understand why they split the sentence found in Romans 5:20b-21.
Now, onto the good stuff, the grace stuff, the given freely from God stuff!!
Here we see whenever there is sin, there is more grace – therefore there is always enough grace to save the sinners, to draw back the prodigals, to free the captives!! There is always enough grace to heal the sick, to release us from Covid-19, to draw man to the signs and wonders of His love and righteousness!  Grace reigns through righteousness to eternal like. In other words – it is grace that saved us, grace that washed away our sins, grace that made us righteous, and grace that gets us into heaven.  It is not a baby in a manger, or His ministry, or His death, or His resurrection – none of these independently works. But when you put ALL of them together into a working function, then it is grace. Grace is not just the favor of God, it is also the gift of all that Jesus did. THIS IS GRACE!
Romans 6:1 continues the concept with a thought provoking question – since Grace is always more than sin – should we just keep sinning (and once you know it is sin and continue you are then committing sin in a multiplying algorithm – sin is increasing) and let grace keep growing, to permit a way back to righteousness??? Verse 2 in the King James Version says “God forbid!” When you start digging into that thought and see all the ways that is translated and can be translated you see that “God forbid” is slightly more accurate – maybe better said as “God forbids it”.  God is telling us not to continue in sin – because it is taking advantage of the sacrifice He made in sending His son and taking advantage of the life, death, and resurrection of His son. 

This Christmas – let us give God a gift. Let us sacrifice areas of our lives that we have not committed to Him, let us give Him our bondages to any sins that keep us captive, and let us surrender the only thing God values, which we have,  our self.  Let us accept the grace and not take advantage of it all.  Let us commit to having a relationship with Him, or re-commit, or just a refresh.  We can affirm our commitment as many times as we like. God enjoys us taking actions that say: I love you and thank you for grace!

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! 

Christmas Grace

“Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests.” Luke 2:14 NIV   

I love the New International Version of this verse! “On whom his favor rests.” Since part of the definition of grace is “God’s undeserved favor”, then this version of this verse is really saying to those under grace. Jesus came with the new covenant of grace – and those of us who have accepted it and have a relationship with God have peace. So we can proclaim glory to God in the highest!

Dear Heavenly Father – Please help us learn more about how much you love us and how you help to protect us. Please help us have a new understanding and a deeper experience with grace. As always, please, open our ears to hear what you are saying. Please open our eyes to see and open our understanding that we may know you. Please continue to pour out your grace upon us! Continually, all we want is more of you! – In Jesus name we pray, Amen

“⁸ And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. ⁹ An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified.” Luke 2:8-9 NIV

Most of you probably know the story of Christmas, the virgin conceived by miracle, the baby in the manger, the shepherds and wise men and all of that. Here in Luke we are looking at the story of those shepherds. They lived in the fields and it was night time, so it was very dark. “An angel”, just one angel, a single angel – appeared to them and they were terrified. Now shepherds are not timid people. They fight wolves, lions, bears, and any other fierce creature who comes to kill his sheep.  Think about David who became King in the Old Testament – He was a shepherd and the only Israelite brave enough to fight Goliath and he was still a boy! Shepherds are not scared of anything….. except an angel, apparently.

If we take a quick look at fine art and mankind’s cultural depiction of angels, we see how our view of them has been slowly changing over the years. In the late 300’s AC most angels looked like people – mighty powerful people. These were painting from Rome and the early church.
By the 12 century, Byzantine art depicted them with wings and halos – less powerful and more otherworldly.  Medieval art, they slimmed up more, still had wings and halos and now flowing robes – looking pale and sickly.
In the renaissance their robes tightened up to match the clothing of the day and wings became small and they continues to look less powerful and more fragile and beautiful. This trend continued to make them all look like beautiful delicate women through the Victorian time with variations of wing sizes, halos, flowing gowns, attempting to make an angel embody an ideal of beauty.  When did they become fat innocent looking babies in diapers floating on clouds?!

Yet just one of these creatures caused terror in a group of fearless men in Luke 2:9. There are over 250 descriptions of angels in the Bible – Not one describes a weak being or a fat baby floating on a cloud.  Most describe them as warriors that look human – yet have the glory of the Lord about them.

In Hebrews 1:14 they are described as “ministering” – serving those who are to inherit salvation. God created these spirit being and they can take on human form when God desires them to. In Genesis 19 they came to Lot and were described as two men (yet they also were strong enough to destroy two cities).  And in Hebrews 13:2 it says we may show hospitality to an angel, unaware if we are kind to strangers. These do not sound so scary but these describe angels who do not have the glory of the Lord shone around them. 

Daniel sees and describes one such angel – one that shined with God’s glory:
“⁵ I looked up and there before me was a man dressed in linen, with a belt of fine gold from Uphaz around his waist. ⁶ His body was like topaz, his face like lightning, his eyes like flaming torches, his arms and legs like the gleam of burnished bronze, and his voice like the sound of a multitude.” Daniel 10:5-6 NIV
I think I can understand how that can be frightening.

In Matthew 28 the angel came down with an earthquake and if that wasn’t scary enough: 
”³ His appearance was like lightning, and his clothes were white as snow. ⁴ The guards were so afraid of him that they shook and became like dead men.” Matthew 28:3-4 NIV

So Why did we pause on angels for a minute – Well, we need to understand that God loves us so much He has given us angels to assist. We aren’t alone here.

“Don’t be afraid,” the prophet answered. “Those who are with us are more than those who are with them.” 2 Kings 6:16 NIV
Elisha was showing he servant the multitude of angels that God had commanded to help him.  We have that same constant help.

“¹¹ For he will command his angels concerning you to guard you in all your ways; ¹² they will lift you up in their hands, so that you will not strike your foot against a stone.” Psalm 91:11-12 NIV

Covid-19 is a virus – and illness – therefore not of God. We have a multitude of angels fighting the spirit of sickness on our behalf.
We have persecution – but I have angels that fight with me.
We have troubles and problems in this evil world – but there are more for us than against us.
And most importantly – understanding these powerful spiritual beings helps us better understand the shepherds in Luke who feared, and helps us understand the Christmas story better.  So let us continue in Luke where we left off:

“¹⁰ But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people. ¹¹ Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord. ¹² This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.” ¹³ Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying, ¹⁴ “Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests.” Luke 2:10-14 NIV

“Do not be afraid” says every angel, every time! How will we survive such a time as we live in? By overcoming fear and some help from these angels, at God’s direction! Let me explain, mixed in with the announcement that the messiah has arrived on earth, are the angels announcing peace and grace – literally announcing the new covenant of grace. And with it peace. How do we have peace? One of the many ways is shown right here – believe God when He shows us He has mighty warrior angels encamped around us because we have grace! Angels and grace end up entangled in all of God’s glory!
These are not the kinds of angels that are beautiful women in beautiful paintings with flowing clothing, wings, and halos. And these are definitely not fat babies floating on clouds, wearing diapers.
These warrior angels ensure there is more for us than against us. These warriors can overcome illness. They can overcome, God has overcome, we can have peace and enjoy the glorious news that Jesus Christ came to earth, died for our sins and now we can have a relationship with God through the Son – and the announcement was made with an angel in the sky over a field to a few shepherds who were experiencing fear for the first time in a long time.

We should also walk away from this feeling loved. When I was in pain shoveling out that big snowstorm, I told you about a few days ago – there were angels there and they caught me when I fell. The proof is I fell three times and I have no serious injuries. All I have are sore muscles. God’s grace extended – through angels and through his own hand in my life. Angels are just a benefit of our 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!

Christmas Celebration

“And the Word [the Son of God] was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth. John bare witness of him, and cried, saying, This was he of whom I spake, He that cometh after me is preferred before me: for he was before me. And of his fullness have all we received, and grace for grace. For the law was given by Moses, but grace and truth came by Jesus Christ.” John 1:14-17 KJV  

The book of Matthew starts with the story of the birth of Christ – But John starts with: ‘Hey, the Son of God always was so there is no need for me to give the story of Mary and Joseph and a manger in Bethlehem – and Jesus is the Son and the Word of God and the Creator and He is Grace and grace and grace and grace and grace…..’

Dear Heavenly Father –Please show us your son and help us get to know Him better as well as getting to know you better. As always, please, open our ears to hear what you are saying. Please open our eyes to see and open our understanding that we may know you. Please continue to pour out your grace upon us! Continually, all we want is more of you! – In Jesus name we pray, Amen

Oh John, I think you had a real, life changing experience with grace! You get just as excited about grace as I do.  Grace is the reason for the season! I mean, if Jesus did not die and rise again – complete the work of grace and mercy which we see in the cross and death and resurrection – then we would have no reason to commemorate His birth. He would have just been another prophet. Like King David (yes, king David has many prophetic verses in his songs, although he did not recognize them as prophesies at the time.
For example in Psalms 16:8-11 – David probably thought He was singing about and foreseeing God saving him for his enemies, which happened so many times in David’s songs and life. Maybe David took some artist license and got overly dramatic – or maybe God was speaking and this passage is messianic prophecy:

“⁸ I have set the Lord always before me: because he is at my right hand, I shall not be moved. ⁹ Therefore my heart is glad, and my glory rejoiceth: my flesh also shall rest in hope. ¹⁰ For thou wilt not leave my soul in hell; neither wilt thou suffer thine Holy One to see corruption. ¹¹ Thou wilt shew me the path of life: in thy presence is fullness of joy; at thy right hand there are pleasures for evermore.” Psalms 16:8-11 KJV

David was always delivered from evil doers – but it seems a bit dramatic to say you are in hell and God won’t leave you there. Then to say God will not just save you but lift you up to the right hand of the throne?!  Only Jesus died, overcame hell, and rose to the right hand of the father – although, I suppose Jesus is of the Davidian linage and therefore David (or at least his DNA) through his ancestor, Jesus, did experience this resurrection.

Paul knew the Old Testament well (and after the resurrection of Christ and Christ’s ascension to heaven) and after Paul began his ministry or teaching Christ – Paul made the remarkable connection between this and other messianic prophecies. Paul used Psalm 16 and other to try to save the Jews as we see in the record of Paul’s preaching to them in Acts chapter 13:

“²⁹ And when they had fulfilled all that was written of him, they took him down from the tree, and laid him in a sepulchre. ³⁰ But God raised him from the dead: ³¹ And he was seen many days of them which came up with him from Galilee to Jerusalem, who are his witnesses unto the people. ³² And we declare unto you glad tidings, how that the promise which was made unto the fathers, ³³ God hath fulfilled the same unto us their children, in that he hath raised up Jesus again; as it is also written in the second psalm, Thou art my Son, this day have I begotten thee. ³⁴ And as concerning that he raised him up from the dead, now no more to return to corruption, he said on this wise, I will give you the sure mercies of David. ³⁵ Wherefore he saith also in another psalm, Thou shalt not suffer thine Holy One to see corruption. ³⁶ For David, after he had served his own generation by the will of God, fell on sleep, and was laid unto his fathers, and saw corruption: ³⁷ But he, whom God raised again, saw no corruption.” Acts 13:29-37 KJV

This is some strong proof that Jesus Christ fulfilled the messianic prophesy of resurrection, or at least it should be if you study these passages.  Feel free to study deeper in.

More on this grace which Jesus brought – as I wrote last week the messiah was to bring the new covenant (Jeremiah 31:31) and just DID bring the covenant of grace (Matthew 26, Luke 22:20, 2 Corinthians 3:6, Hebrews 8, 9 and 12:24!) this glorious grace which was prophesied to come through being forsaken and pierced then vindicated.
Psalm 22 sounds like a messianic battle cry especially verse 5 which promises deliverance and verse 27 which promises the whole world shall turn and worship the Lord – the Lord will send a savior who will victoriously triumph over the enemy. I can understand why they were looking for a soldier and political messiah – but when you read the whole thing, it is very clear that the messiah was to die like Jesus died:
“¹⁴ I am poured out like water, and all my bones are out of joint: my heart is like wax; it is melted in the midst of my bowels. ¹⁵ My strength is dried up like a potsherd; and my tongue cleaveth to my jaws; and thou hast brought me into the dust of death. ¹⁶ For dogs have compassed me: the assembly of the wicked have inclosed me: they pierced my hands and my feet. ¹⁷ I may tell all my bones: they look and stare upon me. ¹⁸ They part my garments among them, and cast lots upon my vesture.” Psalms 22:14-18 KJV
And as we see in Matthew 27 through the story of Jesus’s death, Mark 15:34, and John 19:23-24, Jesus fulfilled the entirety of Psalms 22. And more amazing yet – He told us so. When he was on the cross and cried out “my God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me?” He was actually not accusing God of forsaking Him – but tell us that He was fulfilling Psalms chapter 22; where verse one begins with: “my God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me?”

As John 1:14 above says – the Word became flesh. It was prophesied and Jesus finished it as we studied some of today. All for grace – full of grace and truth (and truth so you will not doubt). And as the passage continued of his fullness have all we received, and grace for grace. This is the grace of the Old Testament and new coming together on Christmas and being fulfilled on Resurrection Sunday – letting us receive and partake of such grace! For the law was given by Moses, but grace and truth came by Jesus Christ – so that we may be restored unto God the father and experience the Joy of a relationship with Him! Glory to God!
We must know in whom we believe – that He is the one true God and that Jesus is indeed His only Son! Why? Because the virus causing the world pandemic has mutated and our human efforts have failed – God will get the glory, not man! We shall heal the sick therefore the sick must exist.  It is the leprosy of our time. Also, because the days are growing more evil and fear and doubt have overcome our world. We must know in whom we believe in order to stand fast, be solid in our faith. It is also important to understand our God and His son, because if we are in a relationship with Him – we must learn more about 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!

White Christmas

“¹¹ For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord. ¹² And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger. ¹³ And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying, ¹⁴ Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men.” Luke 2:11-14 KJV  

Time to dig in to Christmas and dig out of that blizzard that hit me.  Here is the story and lessons of the blizzard of 2020. Typically, on average, this area gets 6 inches per storm through the winter – they predicted we would get 12 to 18 which is a normal blizzard which hits once per year.  No one panicked – this is normal.

Dear Heavenly Father –Please show us your grace and why we must suffer and how we overcome. Open our ears to hear what you are saying. Please open our eyes to see and open our understanding that we may know you. Please continue to pour out your grace upon us! Continually, all we want is more of you! – In Jesus name we pray, Amen

I enjoyed Hanukkah, last week – my favorite part is that it is a holiday set aside for just worshiping God and blessing Him. Then God blessed me (and my area) with a beautiful snow storm. 31 inches of snow fell in less than 24 hours.  Yes, 31 inches!!!  I was unable to get my bible study for this blog done for Friday – but God had blessed me with a snow day and I spent 6 or 7 hours digging out. It was not without challenges set before me – I am alone and a middle aged woman who isn’t in poor health, but not the best of health either. The snow blower wouldn’t stay running, seems to be a mechanical issue and it chugged through the gas until I ran out (yes I had it looked at before winter and we started it a few times and let it run to ensure we wouldn’t have problems) – then I broke both shovels (they were not that old and should have lasted) and I slipped and fell 3 times.  My body hurt from the manual labor for most of the time I was working even to today. I only have boots with holes and the soles worn out and my feet were wet and frozen.
So let me start at the beginning – I prayed before I went outside to shovel – asking for grace and mercy. I prayed and cried while shoveling as I felt the burn in my muscles and tried and tried. Lord, please take this from me! Lord, why don’t you send me help? Lord, why must I struggle so much in life?  I was not in a good place – quite grumpy actually!
The first time I fell I laid there – Lord, where are you? I looked up at the big flakes of snow still falling. . . God is in each beautifully designed and unique snowflake. Such first world problems and it really isn’t as bad as others have it around the world.
I got up – and I said thank you. Thank you for providing me a place to call home – it may have holes where the mice and the snow get in – but it is a palace, since it was provided by you, Lord. Thank you for the car, that I need to dig out – it may be leaking fluid and in the shop more often than I’d like, but it is sufficient and God has always provided a way to fix it.  Thank you for the snow blower, at least it has done some of the work, it was not designed for this much snow. Thank you for the shovels – I do not need to use my hands.  I continued to thank God as I dug through the snow – until I fell again.
I laid there again, at first angry as it hurt so much. Then I tried thankfulness again, but couldn’t stir my spirit. I cried out to God – I am so weak, please take this from me – and I recall that when I am weak, He is strong. So I got up and pushed through.
And I fell a 3^rd time and bounced my head of the ground. I laid there. Already in so much pain I was unable to determine if I was ok, if anything was broken, if I had any damage – I had nothing left.  And I asked one more time – Lord, please take this from me.  I recall Jesus praying the same thing before he went to the cross. This pain I suffered is nothing compared to the cross.  My driveway is just over 100 feet, about 15 feet wide at the mouth and about 40 feet wide in front of the garage and to the back door of the house – this is nothing compared to the walk, carrying a cross, having been beaten, through the town and up the hill and to death – as Christ walked. 
I thought about Paul who also cried out to God 3 times for God to take his suffering from him. And I realized it is the same passage as when I am weak He is strong – Oh glory to God it is all about Grace!!
“⁸ For this thing I besought the Lord thrice, that it might depart from me. ⁹ And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me. ¹⁰ Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in necessities, in persecutions, in distresses for Christ’s sake: for when I am weak, then am I strong.” 2 Corinthians 12:8-10 KJV
God was there, in the midst of what I was going through! God was providing sufficient grace! How would things have gone if God wasn’t in it?!?! God made a way, but it was still hard. And now I know, how to cry out to him, and how to make it through.  I cleared the snow. And when the snow fell off the roof and refilled the driveway, I did it again! And then my son was finally able to make it home when the snowplow finally came down the street and he helped me.
Then the next day, while I went to the office to work – the neighbor and my son cleared it up more and kept the mouth of the driveway clear!
Until just before I arrived home, late and it was freezing and ice fell from the roof and made a 24 inch high ice wall blocking both my son’s car and the neighbor’s car in.  My son was asleep and needed to leave for work later (overnight shift), so I had to dig through the ice and clear a path. I quoted the passage again put on my boots and gloves and set out!
“⁸ Three times I pleaded with the Lord about this, that it should leave me. ⁹ But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me. ¹⁰ For the sake of Christ, then, I am content with weaknesses, insults, hardships, persecutions, and calamities. For when I am weak, then I am strong.” 2 Corinthians 12:8-10 ESV
And this is when I broke the two shovels AND the ice chopper. I looked up to heaven gasping for breath as I had worn myself out and said – I believe, help my unbelief!
“And straightway the father of the child cried out, and said with tears, Lord, I believe; help thou mine unbelief.” Mark 9:24 KJV
And another neighbor came home at that moment and saw me trying to shovel ice. He kindly said: “you cannot do that. It is too much.”
I replied that I had no choice and explained that my son needed to get out and my car was not in good enough repair for my son to take my car.
He called his friend, who had just gotten home from work and his friend said – give me a minute to change and I will come plow it for $40.00.
That is a lot of money to me – but I agreed, as I did not see another way.  The man came over and it took a few tries as the ice was stubborn – but his truck overcame!  When it came time to pay – he said $20!!! Praise the Lord!!! I said, you have blessed me, leaving your home without dinner, having just gotten home from work – so let me bless you and I know it isn’t much but I gave Him another $10. 
Oh but the man doesn’t know how much greater his blessing is!!!! I may not have money, but I have something worth so much more – I prayed blessings for him and his family (please join me in praying for their health and blessings).  God will work a work in them!!

I thank God for my relationship with Him – His grace is sufficient. I sit here recovering knowing He did provide and my home and I are also blessed because we have His grace – which is sufficient. It isn’t my way – but it is sufficient.  And I thank Him and worship Him for getting us through the blizzard.

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!

Hanukkah Day 8

“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

Oh Wait! It’s Hanukkah – let me grab the original back in the Old Testament:
“Arise, shine, for your light has come, and the glory of the Lord has risen upon you.” Isaiah 60:1 ESV  

Dear Heavenly Father –Please wake us up and speak to us today. Help us to hear what you are saying. Please open our eyes to see your light and open our understanding that we may know you. Please continue to pour out your grace upon us! All we want is more of you! – In Jesus name we pray, Amen

It is the final night of Hanukkah – today we light the last candle and it will be as bright as we can make it. Which by the way, isn’t very bright.  I will not be turning off the lights and using it to light my house or even a small room because I will not be able to see where I am going. But…

“Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path.” Psalm 119:105 ESV
The word of God is a lamp that is bright enough to show me the way – to light the dark paths – to lead me. 

“For at one time you were darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Walk as children of light” Ephesians 5:8 ESV
We were in darkness – sometimes it does feel like we are still in darkness. But the light, it is inside of us – we walk in light because it is within us and we still live in a dark world, so when it feels like that it is because the world is still utter darkness.  The light within us, will shine out of us.

“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.” 1 John 1:7 ESV

Oh how can anyone enjoy the light of Hanukkah without the full knowledge of who the light is?! We must show them!

“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 5:16 ESV

All for the glory of God!!!!! It is a miracle we shine, a miracle into the darkness! Just like when I turn on a light in a dark room and the light ALWAYS overcomes the darkness – so does it in the spirit.

“The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.” John 1:5 ESV

But it is a battle – It is not always easy. But shine the light – Shine Jesus!

“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

Light of life – in the middle of a pandemic with many dying and many ill; yes! We shall live and not die and we shall be healed – by His light!!! In the midst of the enemy wandering the world turning off more and more lights; yes, we will shine – we must shine!!! It is a matter of life or death!

“The Lord is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? The Lord is the stronghold of my life; of whom shall I be afraid?” Psalm 27:1 ESV

Who shall we fear? Well, fear God – because the spirit of fear has blanketed the entire earth and now it is critical we shine the light of abundant life into the face of fear and hold it back while people are drawn to the light!

“But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for his own possession, that you may proclaim the excellencies of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light.” 1 Peter 2:9 ESV

I am who He says I am – You are who He says you are! We are chosen, royal, priesthood (priests were the only ones who could have a kinda personal relationship with God – Now WE are that priesthood and we can have that relationship). We are a Holy Nation (not the USA, not South Africa, not India, not even Israel – the nation He speaks of here should be the Body of Christ or the Kingdom of God!) I can not only proclaim how amazing it is to be pulled out of the darkness into the light – BUT I can show you the change in me – I can show you the way!

“Then shall your light break forth like the dawn, and your healing shall spring up speedily; your righteousness shall go before you; the glory of the Lord shall be your rear guard.” Isaiah 58:8 ESV

Glory to God! Read that again!

“Then your light will break forth like the dawn, and your healing will quickly appear; then your righteousness will go before you, and the glory of the LORD will be your rear guard.” Isaiah 58:8 NIV

Oh! That is SO GOOD!!!
Christian these days are wandering around with a dimly lit menorah – shining a little light – but they cannot see well!  They have a form of Godliness and deny the power thereof! It is true. I cannot find one bursting with the light and I hunger to see it. I cannot find one to lay hands on me to deliver and heal me – Not one. And I could really use something going before me and behind me – as I rush foolhardy straight ahead, zealous for my Lord.

Now is the time – today is the day of salvation and we were made for such a time as this!!! So let’s read it again – OUT LOUD! And let the sword swing – overcoming the darkness in our lives!

IT IS WRITTEN:
“Then shall thy light break forth as the morning, and thine health shall spring forth speedily: and thy righteousness shall go before thee; the glory of the LORD shall be thy rereward.” Isaiah 58:8 KJV

Whoosh! Swing that sword (even wrote it in the King James Version because it always seem so much more formal and powerful – gives me the image in my mind of me being a medieval knight slaying a dragon.

John said Jesus is the Word, Paul said the word is the sword, and in Geneses and Revelations the enemy is referred to as a dragon or serpent – So when we speak this verse out loud – in the spirit we really are a knight fighting a dragon!

God is about the fill us overflowing with the light! It shall spring forth! It shall shoot out our eyes and ears and mouths – out our fingertips and hands. Healing and deliverance will start with us and we will be able to pour it out over others as the light of God will spring out of us!!!

All these lessons on righteousness – how it is a gift, how we cannot achieve it yet we are to live in it through grace! Yes these lessons of keeping our focus on God and nothing else. Oh all these things –  they shall go before us!

And behind us we shall leave a trail that is glowing in the light – glowing in the glory of the Lord. Behind us shall be all the people healed by God’s light – all the people transformed by God’s light – all the people filled also with God’s light!!!

It is coming – the time is now – Soon we shall see the signs and wonders! Dig in deeper. Spend more time in prayer. Sit with God and listen! He is coming! Hallelujah! 

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!