I truly think God is a God who gives second chances. I mean if I am sorry I took the boat to Tarsus instead of going to Niveah , He'll give me another opportunity to go to Niveah someday.
If I heard Him say, "go plow up your fallow ground,' but I said, "I'm to busy right now." He'll come back, He'll tell me again.
Some areas of fallow ground that He's told me to plow up have been neglected so long that I think jackals may have moved in. I wonder what He wants me to do about that.
In order for a word of testimony to be just that I want to not be so vague.
There is an area of my life style that I can not seem to clean up. It is just a habit , or an addiction , I am not sure that it matters if I have it labeled right.
It is not like I don't know what to do about it. It is like I don't want to do it.
When I speak of fallow ground I am speaking of my heart. When I am speaking of breaking up my fallow ground , I am speaking about praying .
Now my borders are huge. When I talk to other believers I can keep them talking about subjects that my fallow ground has not only been broke , but seeds have been planted , some are even bearing fruit and then more seeds.
Only it has occurred to me I need to stop that. I need to take them over to the ground that I can't seem to even get myself to pray about. Where jackals have moved in and I don't really know what to do about that.
The scripture that I found for jackals inhabiting a deserted place is Is 34:13 Thorns will come up in its fortified towers, Nettles and thistles in its fortified cities; It will also be a haunt of jackals {And} an abode of ostriches.
The scripture that would sound very encouraging to me that has jackals in it is Is 43:20 "The beasts of the field will glorify Me, The jackals and the ostriches, Because I have given waters in the wilderness And rivers in the desert, To give drink to My chosen people.
Now I have not read this in context so I have no idea if I can use this scripture as my word of testimony today. What I do know is that Jesus came and talked with a woman at a well one time. He told her if she would ask of Him water He would give her living water and she would thirst no more. I do know I can ask for living water today . I can hope that after I have drank of that water I will return to those areas in my life I am to pray about and start plowing up the fallow ground so His Word can be planted there.
If I want change , if I want a new nature in Christ Jesus , my mind has to be renewed.
The in Christ Jesus part can't be ignored or the renewing of my mind part can't be ignored.
May all that I do be a worship unto Him . May I worship Him in Spirit and in Truth.
Tuesday, March 31, 2009
Monday, March 30, 2009
What Can Separate Me From His Love ?
My word of testimony today is Rom 8:33-39 Who shall bring a charge against God’s elect? It is God who justifies. Who is he who condemns? It is Christ who died, and furthermore is also risen, who is even at the right hand of God, who also makes intercession for us. Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword? As it is written: “For Your sake we are killed all day long; we are accounted as sheep for the slaughter.” Yet in all these things we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us. For I am persuaded that neither death nor life, nor angels nor principalities nor powers, nor things present nor things to come, nor height nor depth, nor any other created thing, shall be able to separate us from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.
I think what Paul was trying to get across here was how powerful the love of God is.
Some things that can not separate me from God's love.
When I am not feeling well .
When it looks like the predicted cash outflow is going to exceed the cash inflow.
When it looks like dear ones that I love have yet to find the power of God's love.
When it looks like even though dear ones I love hear the word, they neglect to be doers of the word.
When my friends and those that are around me do not want me to really follow Jesus and tell me so.
When I find out that sometimes I am considered obnoxious.
When I can't find a prayer partner.
When I wonder if my breath is bad and I should not risk talking to people.
None of those things can separate me from the power of the love of God . Also none of those things can separate any living being from the love of God. Even any thing I might do or not do, can not separate any person from the power of God's love. Jesus is making intercession for us.
I find it interesting to note that He loved us, past tense , just as He died for us, past tense. He paid the price we needed for redemption because He loved us, therefore He died for us. He now lives for us at the right hand of God the Father making intercession for us.
The "us" is all people. Not just the believer but the unbeliever as well. What a comfort it is to know that even if I can't find a human prayer partner I have an even greater friend sitting at the right hand of God making intercession for all those whom I am inclined to pray for.
I think what Paul was trying to get across here was how powerful the love of God is.
Some things that can not separate me from God's love.
When I am not feeling well .
When it looks like the predicted cash outflow is going to exceed the cash inflow.
When it looks like dear ones that I love have yet to find the power of God's love.
When it looks like even though dear ones I love hear the word, they neglect to be doers of the word.
When my friends and those that are around me do not want me to really follow Jesus and tell me so.
When I find out that sometimes I am considered obnoxious.
When I can't find a prayer partner.
When I wonder if my breath is bad and I should not risk talking to people.
None of those things can separate me from the power of the love of God . Also none of those things can separate any living being from the love of God. Even any thing I might do or not do, can not separate any person from the power of God's love. Jesus is making intercession for us.
I find it interesting to note that He loved us, past tense , just as He died for us, past tense. He paid the price we needed for redemption because He loved us, therefore He died for us. He now lives for us at the right hand of God the Father making intercession for us.
The "us" is all people. Not just the believer but the unbeliever as well. What a comfort it is to know that even if I can't find a human prayer partner I have an even greater friend sitting at the right hand of God making intercession for all those whom I am inclined to pray for.
Sunday, March 29, 2009
This IS The DAY The LORD Has Made
My word of testimony Ps 18:24 This is the day the LORD hath made; we will rejoice and be glad in it. NKJV
If I were to sing this song , the words would go like this.
This is the day that the LORD has made. I will rejoice and be glad.
This is the day that the LORD has made. I will rejoice and be glad.
For You are my God, and I will praise You.
You are my God , I will exalt You.
For Your mercies endureth forever.
Now I long gate the LORD's prayer when I say it. That's my term for adding in word's. For instance after the part that says "forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us, " I say, "help us LORD to forgive those people who have trespassed, help us to see that You Father have already forgiven them. " Like that .
I've decided to long gate this song because to do so seems to fit in with my most recent request.
That request is to have the mind of Christ when it comes to deciding what to do with my time.
Now I know that the Psalm has to do with the LORD's day and that is different from my day.
However, He did make my day too, for me to do something in it , as unto Him , so I can rejoice and be glad. I can ask Him about this day He has made , is there anything He wants to tell me about it ?
If I am not feeling to good , I can remember , that He is my God. Not my health. Not my comfort. Not my children . Not other people's opinion about how I should spend the day. He is my God . I worship the LORD my God, and Him only will I serve.
His mercies endureth forever. I remember I am under the blood of the Lamb. As far as the Father sees I am doing a great job. He is so merciful and I am so grateful that He gave His Son for me . I do not earn my righteousness standing before Him , by doing His will .
I mess up a lot . However, once in a while I get it right. Either way , it is the day the LORD has made. I rejoice and I am glad.
If I were to sing this song , the words would go like this.
This is the day that the LORD has made. I will rejoice and be glad.
This is the day that the LORD has made. I will rejoice and be glad.
For You are my God, and I will praise You.
You are my God , I will exalt You.
For Your mercies endureth forever.
Now I long gate the LORD's prayer when I say it. That's my term for adding in word's. For instance after the part that says "forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us, " I say, "help us LORD to forgive those people who have trespassed, help us to see that You Father have already forgiven them. " Like that .
I've decided to long gate this song because to do so seems to fit in with my most recent request.
That request is to have the mind of Christ when it comes to deciding what to do with my time.
Now I know that the Psalm has to do with the LORD's day and that is different from my day.
However, He did make my day too, for me to do something in it , as unto Him , so I can rejoice and be glad. I can ask Him about this day He has made , is there anything He wants to tell me about it ?
If I am not feeling to good , I can remember , that He is my God. Not my health. Not my comfort. Not my children . Not other people's opinion about how I should spend the day. He is my God . I worship the LORD my God, and Him only will I serve.
His mercies endureth forever. I remember I am under the blood of the Lamb. As far as the Father sees I am doing a great job. He is so merciful and I am so grateful that He gave His Son for me . I do not earn my righteousness standing before Him , by doing His will .
I mess up a lot . However, once in a while I get it right. Either way , it is the day the LORD has made. I rejoice and I am glad.
Saturday, March 28, 2009
He Came To Seek and Save the Lost
Luke 19:10 For the Son of man is come to seek and to save that which was lost.
This word of testimony is to encourage me . I've had a "what would Jesus do ?" question come up . I know that I am going to be around "people".
I want to have His heart and I want to do what He would do , as close as I can. Just how well I can do that will depend on just how much fruit of His Spirit is in me. I am glad when I have an opportunity to find out. Although I am almost always disappointed that more of His Spirit does not flow through me . I have learned to rejoice , as He does , in what fruit there is in me.
So yesterday I was a sheep and today I am a vineyard. Ha, ha, following Jesus has it's light moments. It is never is grin and bare it for me. I just don't feel Jesus' Spirit is there flowing through me when I do that. So I know that I am coming upon some new situations soon.
I don't want to go with out Jesus. Well, that won't happen because He will never leave us or forsake us. I don't want to go , quenching the Spirit. If I have a preconceived idea of this is what Jesus would do , and then the Spirit starts leading me another way, there will be a problem.
The fruit that is in this vineyard won't do any good if I have closed up the vineyard and said no trespassing.
So I am trying to think about this story that my word of testimony comes from. The people around Jesus were astonished that He went to have dinner with Zacchaeus . I don't want it to be beyond my comprehension if Jesus wants me to go have dinner with a sinner.
My heart is convicted for what a Pharisee I am at times. I've got Jesus so figured out I always think I'll know His next move. That is why He has started nudging me about "hearing His voice and following Him." You know cattle will go the same trail day after day when they are herded back to the barn from the pasture. I don't think the keeper lays this out for them , I think they just do it, instinctively. But I am not a cow. I am a sheep . I am looking at Jesus and how He was friends with sinners.
This word of testimony is to encourage me . I've had a "what would Jesus do ?" question come up . I know that I am going to be around "people".
I want to have His heart and I want to do what He would do , as close as I can. Just how well I can do that will depend on just how much fruit of His Spirit is in me. I am glad when I have an opportunity to find out. Although I am almost always disappointed that more of His Spirit does not flow through me . I have learned to rejoice , as He does , in what fruit there is in me.
So yesterday I was a sheep and today I am a vineyard. Ha, ha, following Jesus has it's light moments. It is never is grin and bare it for me. I just don't feel Jesus' Spirit is there flowing through me when I do that. So I know that I am coming upon some new situations soon.
I don't want to go with out Jesus. Well, that won't happen because He will never leave us or forsake us. I don't want to go , quenching the Spirit. If I have a preconceived idea of this is what Jesus would do , and then the Spirit starts leading me another way, there will be a problem.
The fruit that is in this vineyard won't do any good if I have closed up the vineyard and said no trespassing.
So I am trying to think about this story that my word of testimony comes from. The people around Jesus were astonished that He went to have dinner with Zacchaeus . I don't want it to be beyond my comprehension if Jesus wants me to go have dinner with a sinner.
My heart is convicted for what a Pharisee I am at times. I've got Jesus so figured out I always think I'll know His next move. That is why He has started nudging me about "hearing His voice and following Him." You know cattle will go the same trail day after day when they are herded back to the barn from the pasture. I don't think the keeper lays this out for them , I think they just do it, instinctively. But I am not a cow. I am a sheep . I am looking at Jesus and how He was friends with sinners.
Friday, March 27, 2009
My Sheep Hear My Voice
Joy that comes from the LORD comes every time the LORD speaks. Sometimes I can miss out on the joy just because I am not sure I was hearing His voice. However, when I catch a time that He's spoken and then I find out He not only spoke that to me but to a few other people , my soul wakes up ! Hey, there's joy in the LORD after all !
Last night I talked with my friend to whom I have only spoken to once in the last seven years. Well, she moved, out of sight and kind of out of mind. I just didn't call her. So as we started filling each other in on what we have been doing lately . I feel that the hour I spend blogging everyday is something to tell her, so I do. First I tell her the name of the blog , then I tell her about the scripture in Rev 12:11 and then she gets sooooo excited.
Turns out just a short time back she is in a prayer meeting . I am not sure of the exact details but best I could understand , someone really felt impressed that this scripture should be a focus in their prayer meeting so he wrote it on the white board where they were putting prayer requests. She too had been thinking about that scripture before he did that . So this was a Sunday morning. That night she and a group from her church decide to go and listen to this speaker in a town close to theirs. So a major part of his teaching that night was on , you guessed it Rev 12:11.
Now she was already joyful about hearing from the LORD ! Now that I've found out there is a whole flock of sheep up in Washington State that are hearing the same message my joy has quad tripled.
Aside from my story I want to be sure you hear the word of my testimony today .
John 10:27 My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me:
This past week I had been getting more and more skeptical about if asking for wisdom from God on daily basis for what I should do daily , was going to work. I wrote this in a past blog for a word of testimony. The LORD has graciously added a few other scriptures for my concern about how does He want me to spend my time. Actually , my concern is , that He will go with me. Unless the LORD builds the house , I labor in vain. I just want to be productive.
You know I don't just get one word of testimony a day , I get several .
About the time management issue , many have come through out this week.
If I acknowledge Him , He will direct my steps.
The just shall live by faith !
Yesterday, it was , My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me: and in my heart I know He knows me and I know that I know Him. Now the follow part.
Doing this word of testimony is part of that following part . For those who know where I live , come and see if you want . This sheep is about to follow on the run.
Thursday, March 26, 2009
It Is What He Does
1 John 4:13-15 By this we know that we abide in Him, and He in us, because He has given us of His Spirit. And we have seen and testify that the Father has sent the Son as Savior of the world. Whoever confesses that Jesus is the Son of God, God abides in him, and he in God.
The marvelous plan that God has for me looks to be unfolding, as my words of testimony open up my mind and spirit to the power of His love.
Instead of wondering when He is going to fix this and that in my life , I am just trying to keep up with what He has done in my life.
The other stuff just can't be important to Him. If it was He would of fixed it .
So what He has done is give me a testimony that the Father has sent the Son as Savior of the world.
I have seen it ( with eyes of my heart ) and I of speak it continually .
The marvelous plan that God has for me looks to be unfolding, as my words of testimony open up my mind and spirit to the power of His love.
Instead of wondering when He is going to fix this and that in my life , I am just trying to keep up with what He has done in my life.
The other stuff just can't be important to Him. If it was He would of fixed it .
So what He has done is give me a testimony that the Father has sent the Son as Savior of the world.
I have seen it ( with eyes of my heart ) and I of speak it continually .
Tuesday, March 24, 2009
The LORD Bless You
Matt 19:14 But Jesus said, Suffer little children, and forbid them not, to come unto me: for of such is the kingdom of heaven.
I have an acquaintance that has such a strong smell of her pets on her , it literally makes me ill to be around her. I have been praying about what to do about this problem. It was not until a situation came up that would require my consent to be in the same car with her , that I really prayed hard.
Isn't it funny how I can pray for months off and on about a concern but as long as I have some idea of how to take care of it myself , I don't really get an answer.
Today I feel that I have my answer and yes, it is to be around her even if she makes me sick.
However my impression from the Holy Spirit is not only Matt 19:14 but also Matt 19:15 And he laid [his] hands on them, and departed thence.
The impression that I have from the spirit is that I should make the time count. I should really be expecting the LORD to use me to bless this person. I should not pull back from her , hold my breath , ect. If I am going to be sick I should make this count. She should get a blessing from the LORD or at least I should do nothing to hinder it from happening.
I guess I could add that I can and do expect the LORD to give me immunity to the allergy I suffer with , this time. But you know , if Paul could go and preach to people knowing full well he was likely to get stoned what am I doing worrying about a headache ?
I have an acquaintance that has such a strong smell of her pets on her , it literally makes me ill to be around her. I have been praying about what to do about this problem. It was not until a situation came up that would require my consent to be in the same car with her , that I really prayed hard.
Isn't it funny how I can pray for months off and on about a concern but as long as I have some idea of how to take care of it myself , I don't really get an answer.
Today I feel that I have my answer and yes, it is to be around her even if she makes me sick.
However my impression from the Holy Spirit is not only Matt 19:14 but also Matt 19:15 And he laid [his] hands on them, and departed thence.
The impression that I have from the spirit is that I should make the time count. I should really be expecting the LORD to use me to bless this person. I should not pull back from her , hold my breath , ect. If I am going to be sick I should make this count. She should get a blessing from the LORD or at least I should do nothing to hinder it from happening.
I guess I could add that I can and do expect the LORD to give me immunity to the allergy I suffer with , this time. But you know , if Paul could go and preach to people knowing full well he was likely to get stoned what am I doing worrying about a headache ?
Monday, March 23, 2009
The Nicest Thing I Could Say
Sunday at our monthly eat together in fellowship hall , I made a social blunder.
This is what I now call it. At first I was mortified. " Surely I am a simpleton ", I told the LORD.
The truth is I am not a simpleton. I am a person that is inclined to say what comes to my mind.
I was sitting across a young fellow and his bride to be. I love this guy and I wanted his bride to be to know something really awesome about him. I remembered back when my daughter really needed a job. He had asked me one Sunday if there was something he could pray for me about.
"Oh yes, " I said, "please pray that my daughter get a job."
Now a lot of people asked the LORD to help my daughter get a job . Maybe it was his prayer that pushed the petition up to the LORD in the most important thing to do today pile . Or maybe it was his desire to see me blessed and the LORD heard his prayer. Some people could question me , "why do you think his prayer was special ?" "I just know it was," would be my reply.
So since I have him connected to my daughter getting a job , this was the nicest thing I could say about him. To tell his bride to be that when he had prayed for my daughter to get a job , she did .
Oh, she probably didn't think twice about me saying that. Or maybe she thought what I was hoping she would think," what a wonderful caring young man has asked me to marry him. He cared enough to pray for this ladies daughter to get a job, and she did".
When what people think is so very important to me , it should be a red flag that warns me .
Who is my God ?
God is my God and what ever she might think is not a concern to me now. Being a simpleton is not a concern because I know that I am not one.
Simpletons are described in Proverbs as people who do not learn from instruction .
Now there are times when I wonder if people do think of me as "simple ". If they do I would tell them that I am a work in progress.
Ps 19:7 The law of the LORD is perfect, reviving the soul. The decrees of the LORD are trustworthy, making wise the simple.
Ps 119:130 As your words are taught, they give light; even the simple can understand them.
I don't mind if people realize God is doing a work in me.
This is what I now call it. At first I was mortified. " Surely I am a simpleton ", I told the LORD.
The truth is I am not a simpleton. I am a person that is inclined to say what comes to my mind.
I was sitting across a young fellow and his bride to be. I love this guy and I wanted his bride to be to know something really awesome about him. I remembered back when my daughter really needed a job. He had asked me one Sunday if there was something he could pray for me about.
"Oh yes, " I said, "please pray that my daughter get a job."
Now a lot of people asked the LORD to help my daughter get a job . Maybe it was his prayer that pushed the petition up to the LORD in the most important thing to do today pile . Or maybe it was his desire to see me blessed and the LORD heard his prayer. Some people could question me , "why do you think his prayer was special ?" "I just know it was," would be my reply.
So since I have him connected to my daughter getting a job , this was the nicest thing I could say about him. To tell his bride to be that when he had prayed for my daughter to get a job , she did .
Oh, she probably didn't think twice about me saying that. Or maybe she thought what I was hoping she would think," what a wonderful caring young man has asked me to marry him. He cared enough to pray for this ladies daughter to get a job, and she did".
When what people think is so very important to me , it should be a red flag that warns me .
Who is my God ?
God is my God and what ever she might think is not a concern to me now. Being a simpleton is not a concern because I know that I am not one.
Simpletons are described in Proverbs as people who do not learn from instruction .
Now there are times when I wonder if people do think of me as "simple ". If they do I would tell them that I am a work in progress.
Ps 19:7 The law of the LORD is perfect, reviving the soul. The decrees of the LORD are trustworthy, making wise the simple.
Ps 119:130 As your words are taught, they give light; even the simple can understand them.
I don't mind if people realize God is doing a work in me.
Sunday, March 22, 2009
Open the Eyes of My Heart
My struggle is to stay awake ! My heart eyes have been opened . Finding the way in to my Father's arms requires a constant awakeness .
There is no auto pilot that I can click on . My flesh does try that kind of thing when it lures me into some kind of religious system . Then I fall back asleep and wonder what happened when I don't reach my destination .
There are other types of escaping that my flesh does .
When I realize that my flesh has once again convinced me , there is no other way than .......to use a hiding style ............I think it might be compared to the story of the prodigal son .
He was into indulging his flesh . One or two nights on the town seemed far more important to him than the security and love his father's house offered him .
I keep wanting to live in the father's house , but not become like the elder brother who does not have a gratitude for what he has .
However , today I am more closely akin to the prodigal son because I have been indulging my flesh . I know that if I do not quit it I will find myself feeding pigs once again .
When I come to myself , I want to come up with some kind of proof that I won't do this again.
Then I want to return to the father.
What I have to accept is the unconditional love of my father.
He knows I can not possibly keep myself from indulging my flesh , myself.
Once again the words Jesus spoke to the disciples , who asked ," who then can be saved ?"
"With man it is impossible , but with God all things are possible" was Jesus' reply.
This to was in reference to an indulger of the flesh. A rich young ruler who wanted to enter the kingdom of God but keep all his possessions.
Thankfully , the Lord Jesus gave the answer .
My word of testimony today : Hebrews 4:16 Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need.
There is no auto pilot that I can click on . My flesh does try that kind of thing when it lures me into some kind of religious system . Then I fall back asleep and wonder what happened when I don't reach my destination .
There are other types of escaping that my flesh does .
When I realize that my flesh has once again convinced me , there is no other way than .......to use a hiding style ............I think it might be compared to the story of the prodigal son .
He was into indulging his flesh . One or two nights on the town seemed far more important to him than the security and love his father's house offered him .
I keep wanting to live in the father's house , but not become like the elder brother who does not have a gratitude for what he has .
However , today I am more closely akin to the prodigal son because I have been indulging my flesh . I know that if I do not quit it I will find myself feeding pigs once again .
When I come to myself , I want to come up with some kind of proof that I won't do this again.
Then I want to return to the father.
What I have to accept is the unconditional love of my father.
He knows I can not possibly keep myself from indulging my flesh , myself.
Once again the words Jesus spoke to the disciples , who asked ," who then can be saved ?"
"With man it is impossible , but with God all things are possible" was Jesus' reply.
This to was in reference to an indulger of the flesh. A rich young ruler who wanted to enter the kingdom of God but keep all his possessions.
Thankfully , the Lord Jesus gave the answer .
My word of testimony today : Hebrews 4:16 Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need.
Saturday, March 21, 2009
He Will Do It
1 Th 5:23-24 Now may the God of peace Himself sanctify you completely; and may your whole spirit, soul, and body be preserved blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. He who calls you is faithful, who also will do it.
Even as I ate the ice cream that I knew could be a form of idolatry my heart did not condemn me. Gluttony is a sin , yes. If you had any idea of the sins in my old nature I've turned over to God maybe you would understand better my stand without condemnation.
If there is any thing I've learned well, it has to be a work that God does. I can not change my old nature into a divine nature . What I can do is expect it to be there. I go out everyday hoping to love , hoping to have power , hoping to have a sound mind. I have put my hope in God.
I hope not to be a glutton today.
If I am not a glutton He will be glorified. If I am still a glutton, I am hoping for Him to complete the work He began in me.
I trust He can be glorified in the work He has done in me.
I will not hide His glory. I will not hide myself.
Even as I ate the ice cream that I knew could be a form of idolatry my heart did not condemn me. Gluttony is a sin , yes. If you had any idea of the sins in my old nature I've turned over to God maybe you would understand better my stand without condemnation.
If there is any thing I've learned well, it has to be a work that God does. I can not change my old nature into a divine nature . What I can do is expect it to be there. I go out everyday hoping to love , hoping to have power , hoping to have a sound mind. I have put my hope in God.
I hope not to be a glutton today.
If I am not a glutton He will be glorified. If I am still a glutton, I am hoping for Him to complete the work He began in me.
I trust He can be glorified in the work He has done in me.
I will not hide His glory. I will not hide myself.
Friday, March 20, 2009
The God I Serve
My word of testimony today Matt 4:10 Then saith Jesus unto him, Get thee hence, Satan: for it is written, Thou shalt worship the Lord thy God, and him only shalt thou serve.
This is day six and the allergy/cold symptoms are still upon me. When I started thinking about moving to Arizona to escape this pollen filled country something inside of me woke up.
I am to bring my thoughts captive and to the obedience of Christ . The Holy Spirit gave me a thought alert ! I have already had extended conversations about where I should live . The choice I made came with an assurance God would bless me. I do not have a marriage partner that I sometimes regret my choice , so I wonder if God hasn't seen fit to replace the lessons I could learn by giving me other circumstances.
As I began trying to bring my thoughts captive and to the obedience of Christ I remembered three guys who also found themselves in a very unpleasant circumstance. The fact that they had chosen to worship only one God and serve Him only , had brought them to a firey furnace that the king was about to throw them into. Their words to the king came to my thoughts as I pictured myself saying , " Oh king , I know the Lord Jesus Christ can heal me, but even if He don't I won't serve any other gods."
That is my picture , as in one I would paint and feel that it is I, lining up with God's word in the circumstances I am now in. Just how to make that picture be the exact copy of my life is for me and the Holy Spirit to work on.
Faith cometh by hearing and hearing by the word of the Lord.
I say what Jesus said ," Then saith Jesus unto him, Get thee hence, Satan: for it is written, Thou shalt worship the Lord thy God, and him only shalt thou serve. "
This is day six and the allergy/cold symptoms are still upon me. When I started thinking about moving to Arizona to escape this pollen filled country something inside of me woke up.
I am to bring my thoughts captive and to the obedience of Christ . The Holy Spirit gave me a thought alert ! I have already had extended conversations about where I should live . The choice I made came with an assurance God would bless me. I do not have a marriage partner that I sometimes regret my choice , so I wonder if God hasn't seen fit to replace the lessons I could learn by giving me other circumstances.
As I began trying to bring my thoughts captive and to the obedience of Christ I remembered three guys who also found themselves in a very unpleasant circumstance. The fact that they had chosen to worship only one God and serve Him only , had brought them to a firey furnace that the king was about to throw them into. Their words to the king came to my thoughts as I pictured myself saying , " Oh king , I know the Lord Jesus Christ can heal me, but even if He don't I won't serve any other gods."
That is my picture , as in one I would paint and feel that it is I, lining up with God's word in the circumstances I am now in. Just how to make that picture be the exact copy of my life is for me and the Holy Spirit to work on.
Faith cometh by hearing and hearing by the word of the Lord.
I say what Jesus said ," Then saith Jesus unto him, Get thee hence, Satan: for it is written, Thou shalt worship the Lord thy God, and him only shalt thou serve. "
Tuesday, March 17, 2009
Jesus said, "If anyone thirsts, let him come to me and drink."
John 7: 37-39
On the last day, that great day of the feast, Jesus stood and cried out, saying, "If anyone thirsts, let him come to Me and drink. He who believes in Me, as the Scripture has said, out of his heart will flow rivers of living water." But this He spoke concerning the Spirit, whom those believing in Him would receive; for the Holy Spirit was not yet given, because Jesus was not yet glorified.
My heart rejoices in the LORD's words for me today. I am being taught by the Spirit how to walk in and worship in Spirit and in Truth. "He who believes in me, as the Scripture has said," Jesus said . This tells me the Spirit and Truth have always wanted to be joined together within me. The enemy at the very beginning ( place : garden of Eden ) saw his best shot was to get man to question God's word. Get sided tracked as it were, "hath God said ?" Satan said to Eve.
Satan tried it again while tempting Jesus in the wilderness. He threw out scripture to Jesus hoping He would say yes to his desired application of it. Jesus was filled with the Holy Spirit and led by the Spirit into the wilderness. The Holy Spirit gave right discernment for the use of each scripture and Jesus was not deceived into giving Satan power.
I am thankful for the help the Holy Spirit gives me today as I want to apply His Word to my life.
On the last day, that great day of the feast, Jesus stood and cried out, saying, "If anyone thirsts, let him come to Me and drink. He who believes in Me, as the Scripture has said, out of his heart will flow rivers of living water." But this He spoke concerning the Spirit, whom those believing in Him would receive; for the Holy Spirit was not yet given, because Jesus was not yet glorified.
My heart rejoices in the LORD's words for me today. I am being taught by the Spirit how to walk in and worship in Spirit and in Truth. "He who believes in me, as the Scripture has said," Jesus said . This tells me the Spirit and Truth have always wanted to be joined together within me. The enemy at the very beginning ( place : garden of Eden ) saw his best shot was to get man to question God's word. Get sided tracked as it were, "hath God said ?" Satan said to Eve.
Satan tried it again while tempting Jesus in the wilderness. He threw out scripture to Jesus hoping He would say yes to his desired application of it. Jesus was filled with the Holy Spirit and led by the Spirit into the wilderness. The Holy Spirit gave right discernment for the use of each scripture and Jesus was not deceived into giving Satan power.
I am thankful for the help the Holy Spirit gives me today as I want to apply His Word to my life.
To Whom He Was Sent
Acts 26 :12-20 “While thus occupied, as I journeyed to Damascus with authority and commission from the chief priests, at midday, O king, along the road I saw a light from heaven, brighter than the sun, shining around me and those who journeyed with me. And when we all had fallen to the ground, I heard a voice speaking to me and saying in the Hebrew language, ‘Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting Me? It is hard for you to kick against the goads.’ So I said, ‘Who are You, Lord?’ And He said, ‘I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting. But rise and stand on your feet; for I have appeared to you for this purpose, to make you a minister and a witness both of the things which you have seen and of the things which I will yet reveal to you. I will deliver you from the Jewish people, as well as from the Gentiles, to whom I now send you, to open their eyes, in order to turn them from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan to God, that they may receive forgiveness of sins and an inheritance among those who are sanctified by faith in Me.’ Therefore, King Agrippa, I was not disobedient to the heavenly vision, but declared first to those in Damascus and in Jerusalem, and throughout all the region of Judea, and then to the Gentiles, that they should repent, turn to God, and do works befitting repentance.”
Every time I study this word I get a new sense of urgency. If I could re-write the song, "Open the eyes of my heart , LORD ," I would add in how I wanted to turn from the power of Satan to God. I would add into it's content also how I wanted to receive forgiveness of sins and an inheritance by being sanctified by faith in Jesus.
Of course opening the eyes of my heart , comes first. Just opening the eyes of my heart will not be the complete work though. Turning from darkness to light. Would it be possible to continue turning toward darkness after your eyes were opened ? I think I would say , "Yes." I can sense the desire of my flesh to go back to sleep . This I think is in context to what Paul is being told by Jesus, and then is retelling to King Agrippa. Also in Eph 5: 14 Wherefore he saith, Awake thou that sleepest, and arise from the dead, and Christ shall give thee light.
I think I have to constantly guard against falling back asleep , once my eyes have been opened.
The best thing to do when trying to wake up in the morning is , get up and do something. Walk around , sit up , something different from the sleeping position I was in. I think asking God to give me a word of testimony every day is helping me stay awake. I want to turn from the power of Satan to God.
Now that I am awake I want to receive forgiveness of sins and receive an inheritance for those who are sanctified by faith in Jesus.
Every time I study this word I get a new sense of urgency. If I could re-write the song, "Open the eyes of my heart , LORD ," I would add in how I wanted to turn from the power of Satan to God. I would add into it's content also how I wanted to receive forgiveness of sins and an inheritance by being sanctified by faith in Jesus.
Of course opening the eyes of my heart , comes first. Just opening the eyes of my heart will not be the complete work though. Turning from darkness to light. Would it be possible to continue turning toward darkness after your eyes were opened ? I think I would say , "Yes." I can sense the desire of my flesh to go back to sleep . This I think is in context to what Paul is being told by Jesus, and then is retelling to King Agrippa. Also in Eph 5: 14 Wherefore he saith, Awake thou that sleepest, and arise from the dead, and Christ shall give thee light.
I think I have to constantly guard against falling back asleep , once my eyes have been opened.
The best thing to do when trying to wake up in the morning is , get up and do something. Walk around , sit up , something different from the sleeping position I was in. I think asking God to give me a word of testimony every day is helping me stay awake. I want to turn from the power of Satan to God.
Now that I am awake I want to receive forgiveness of sins and receive an inheritance for those who are sanctified by faith in Jesus.
He Touched Me
Mark 5: 25-34 Now a certain woman had a flow of blood for twelve years, and had suffered many things from many physicians. She had spent all that she had and was no better, but rather grew worse. When she heard about Jesus, she came behind Him in the crowd and touched His garment. For she said, “If only I may touch His clothes, I shall be made well.” Immediately the fountain of her blood was dried up, and she felt in her body that she was healed of the affliction. And Jesus, immediately knowing in Himself that power had gone out of Him, turned around in the crowd and said, “Who touched My clothes?” But His disciples said to Him, “You see the multitude thronging You, and You say, ‘Who touched Me?’” And He looked around to see her who had done this thing. But the woman, fearing and trembling, knowing what had happened to her, came and fell down before Him and told Him the whole truth. And He said to her, “Daughter, your faith has made you well. Go in peace, and be healed of your affliction.”
Four days now I have had the symptoms described in yesterday's word of testimony. Only today I feel much better than the last three days. During the night I was wrestling with my suspicion that my unforgiving problem might be hindering my healing.
During the day I had thought of all kinds of bad things I had done. I have learned that bringing my thoughts captive to the obedience of Christ is a necessary skill when walking in the Spirit .
Perhaps it is my most motivating factor for publicly sharing my word of testimony for the day.
As those thoughts came yesterday , I would say to myself , " I am forgiven." Then I thought about what my friend had said. Was she forgiven ? I knew in my heart she is forgiven. If Jesus hanging on the cross would say to the Father, "forgive them for they know not what they do, " then she was forgiven.
During the night I realized that my own judgement of myself for how I felt about what she had said, was the thing I needed to repent of.
"Lord , is it I that I need to forgive ? " I asked. He touched me. I know He touched me and I am going to get better. I am going to be well.
This idea that I need to be sick in order for the Lord to do a work in me comes from some place other than God's word. Still it hangs on to my thought life and I am seeking for a Word of Truth that will remove it once and for all from me.
I want to clarify that I believe God does use suffering to do a work in me as Paul states in Romans 5: 3-4 And not only that, but we also glory in tribulations, knowing that tribulation produces perseverance; and perseverance, character; and character, hope.
Here is my picture that I have of me being in the woman who touches the hem of His garment story.
Jesus is here and I am yelling "unclean, unclean, unclean." He reaches out to touch me , and I draw back, saying ,"unclean, unclean, unclean."
It was her faith that made her whole. Not her faith that Jesus heals. Her faith that believed He forgives our sins , all sins . If I can not get through to that kind of faith I can never get to the healing He wants to give me. I know He is reaching out His hand to touch me. By using the word of my testimony today I am doing my best to not say " unclean, unclean, unclean."
My word of testimony today is : Is 53:5 But he [was] wounded for our transgressions, [he was] bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace [was] upon him; and with his stripes we are healed.
Four days now I have had the symptoms described in yesterday's word of testimony. Only today I feel much better than the last three days. During the night I was wrestling with my suspicion that my unforgiving problem might be hindering my healing.
During the day I had thought of all kinds of bad things I had done. I have learned that bringing my thoughts captive to the obedience of Christ is a necessary skill when walking in the Spirit .
Perhaps it is my most motivating factor for publicly sharing my word of testimony for the day.
As those thoughts came yesterday , I would say to myself , " I am forgiven." Then I thought about what my friend had said. Was she forgiven ? I knew in my heart she is forgiven. If Jesus hanging on the cross would say to the Father, "forgive them for they know not what they do, " then she was forgiven.
During the night I realized that my own judgement of myself for how I felt about what she had said, was the thing I needed to repent of.
"Lord , is it I that I need to forgive ? " I asked. He touched me. I know He touched me and I am going to get better. I am going to be well.
This idea that I need to be sick in order for the Lord to do a work in me comes from some place other than God's word. Still it hangs on to my thought life and I am seeking for a Word of Truth that will remove it once and for all from me.
I want to clarify that I believe God does use suffering to do a work in me as Paul states in Romans 5: 3-4 And not only that, but we also glory in tribulations, knowing that tribulation produces perseverance; and perseverance, character; and character, hope.
Here is my picture that I have of me being in the woman who touches the hem of His garment story.
Jesus is here and I am yelling "unclean, unclean, unclean." He reaches out to touch me , and I draw back, saying ,"unclean, unclean, unclean."
It was her faith that made her whole. Not her faith that Jesus heals. Her faith that believed He forgives our sins , all sins . If I can not get through to that kind of faith I can never get to the healing He wants to give me. I know He is reaching out His hand to touch me. By using the word of my testimony today I am doing my best to not say " unclean, unclean, unclean."
My word of testimony today is : Is 53:5 But he [was] wounded for our transgressions, [he was] bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace [was] upon him; and with his stripes we are healed.
Monday, March 16, 2009
Go thy way
A sore throat , cough , congestion , just don't feel up to my regular self. These are my symptoms and they started Saturday. Just because I do not feel well is not a reason to not write out my word of testimony. Best thing to do I believe is give my word of testimony for today and go on, rather than try to back track.
Luke 7 : 22 Then Jesus answering said unto them, Go your way, and tell John what things ye have seen and heard; how that the blind see, the lame walk, the lepers are cleansed, the deaf hear, the dead are raised, to the poor the gospel is preached.
Now that is the "go my way" that I would like to do. However , the "go my way" that I am hearing from the Holy Spirit sounds more like the "go your way" Jesus told the rich young ruler.
Matt. 10 : 21 Then Jesus beholding him loved him, and said unto him, One thing thou lackest: go thy way, sell whatsoever thou hast, and give to the poor, and thou shalt have treasure in heaven: and come, take up the cross, and follow me.
Today I know that walking in "the way" which is to follow Jesus is not all fun and games. Not at all, not ever. There is joy in the Holy Ghost but not fun.
Jesus doesn't say publicly , "come , take up the cross , and follow me" . When I hear the Spirit say, " don't let this unforgiving remain between you and your sister in Christ " it may seem as hard a thing to do , as it did for the rich young ruler.
Once more I am encouraged by the reply Jesus gave to His disciples when they asked, " who then can be saved ?"
Matt. 10:27 And Jesus looking upon them saith, With men [it is] impossible, but not with God: for with God all things are possible.
This unforgiving problem , could it be hindering my healing ? I want to correctly state that it is my desire to walk in the Spirit. This unforgiving problem could hinder that .
Luke 7 : 22 Then Jesus answering said unto them, Go your way, and tell John what things ye have seen and heard; how that the blind see, the lame walk, the lepers are cleansed, the deaf hear, the dead are raised, to the poor the gospel is preached.
Now that is the "go my way" that I would like to do. However , the "go my way" that I am hearing from the Holy Spirit sounds more like the "go your way" Jesus told the rich young ruler.
Matt. 10 : 21 Then Jesus beholding him loved him, and said unto him, One thing thou lackest: go thy way, sell whatsoever thou hast, and give to the poor, and thou shalt have treasure in heaven: and come, take up the cross, and follow me.
Today I know that walking in "the way" which is to follow Jesus is not all fun and games. Not at all, not ever. There is joy in the Holy Ghost but not fun.
Jesus doesn't say publicly , "come , take up the cross , and follow me" . When I hear the Spirit say, " don't let this unforgiving remain between you and your sister in Christ " it may seem as hard a thing to do , as it did for the rich young ruler.
Once more I am encouraged by the reply Jesus gave to His disciples when they asked, " who then can be saved ?"
Matt. 10:27 And Jesus looking upon them saith, With men [it is] impossible, but not with God: for with God all things are possible.
This unforgiving problem , could it be hindering my healing ? I want to correctly state that it is my desire to walk in the Spirit. This unforgiving problem could hinder that .
Friday, March 13, 2009
Coming to Myself
Later on I want to talk about the inheritance I have.
Today I want to talk about coming to myself.
Luke 15: 17 And when he came to himself, he said, How many hired servants of my father's have bread enough and to spare, and I perish with hunger!
I believe Romans 8 , all of it . I believe that I do not have to follow my flesh. That the Spirit of Jesus Christ dwells within me giving me the power to choose to follow the Spirit rather than my flesh.
Coming to myself , means waking up and realizing the way home to the Father . It means not listening to my flesh with it's advice about how I can make myself worthy to speak to Him. It means letting the Spirit wake me up .
My carnal nature is drawn to religion . I have sought the LORD to remove it from me. Over and over I see His answer is not just one quick deliverance. It is a waking , then a cutting, then a healing , then a choice to follow a different path than the one I followed when living in the carnal Christian life style.
I want to wake up , fully.
I know how to follow the Spirit when I worship my God. I also know that my flesh can get involved with that worship . I also am learning how to stop that. It is by insisting that I only worship if led by the Spirit. So I want everything I do to be a worship and praise to Him.
Just like worshipping in song , I can begin with praise and thanksgiving . As I praise and thank Him I can ask the Spirit to give me the words and song Our King would want to hear. Or I can just keep on praising and thanking Him letting my mind and heart wonder . Before I know it I am thinking about my grocery list or what I am going to do next week.
My God bless me with the same awaking that the prodigal son had. May I fully come to myself and return home.
Today I want to talk about coming to myself.
Luke 15: 17 And when he came to himself, he said, How many hired servants of my father's have bread enough and to spare, and I perish with hunger!
I believe Romans 8 , all of it . I believe that I do not have to follow my flesh. That the Spirit of Jesus Christ dwells within me giving me the power to choose to follow the Spirit rather than my flesh.
Coming to myself , means waking up and realizing the way home to the Father . It means not listening to my flesh with it's advice about how I can make myself worthy to speak to Him. It means letting the Spirit wake me up .
My carnal nature is drawn to religion . I have sought the LORD to remove it from me. Over and over I see His answer is not just one quick deliverance. It is a waking , then a cutting, then a healing , then a choice to follow a different path than the one I followed when living in the carnal Christian life style.
I want to wake up , fully.
I know how to follow the Spirit when I worship my God. I also know that my flesh can get involved with that worship . I also am learning how to stop that. It is by insisting that I only worship if led by the Spirit. So I want everything I do to be a worship and praise to Him.
Just like worshipping in song , I can begin with praise and thanksgiving . As I praise and thank Him I can ask the Spirit to give me the words and song Our King would want to hear. Or I can just keep on praising and thanking Him letting my mind and heart wonder . Before I know it I am thinking about my grocery list or what I am going to do next week.
My God bless me with the same awaking that the prodigal son had. May I fully come to myself and return home.
Tuesday, March 10, 2009
What Really Matters
Years ago I sought the LORD for help . I was gaining weight , I was very unhappy, and I was living with a husband that I could not make happy.
Four things but three had me captive in an emotional prison that made me feel separated from God. Yet, I had this hope that God hears those who call for help.
I heard about this organization called OA . A twelve step group for over eaters.
My problem was being fat, I had figured because my husband had been happy when I was thin. When ever I wanted to go somewhere that I did not feel I had his approval or even his support I would always come home with a sense of dread . I just knew he would be unhappy and so every thing that I might have found helpful , say at a church service, simply went out of my head and sorrow and glum would fill me when I would return home.
What I am describing to you is the life of a person who has made her husband her god. Well, obviously the real God was in my life so maybe we should say , he was my idol. Now does God hear people who have idols in their life ? Yes , He does. He heard me and He has been helping me. Idolatry has not kept Him from hearing my prayers or answering my cry for help.
At the time this was going on I did not think that my husband was an idol to me. I did not even like him very much because he was so unhappy. Now food. I thought that maybe food could be an idol in my life and if I could get rid of the food idol , maybe my husband would be happy again.
I am glad that I remember how I use to think. It all seemed so rational back then . I am glad I remember because I want to have a right spirit towards others who are struggling with idolatry right now. The blindness it causes to truth is amazing to me today. I am so thankful that I realize the before and after because it is motivation for me to want no idols in my life today.
When I had prayed about going to OA or not , I found this scripture . At that time in my life I had not been taught the importance of context or even reading the whole story around a scripture . God's word and the Holy Spirit is what has lead me out of bondage and into His glorious light. Even when out of context and incomplete , He has used His word to help out of a prison of darkness that is filled with lies.
Here is the scripture Judges 6:27 Then Gideon took ten men of his servants, and did as the LORD had said unto him: and [so] it was, because he feared his father's household, and the men of the city, that he could not do [it] by day, that he did [it] by night.
The thing that Gideon and his ten men servants did was knock down some idols. I took that scripture to mean that God might not mind to much if I went to a group for support while I tried to knock down the idol , Food.
I went to OA for several years . I am so glad that I did. For one thing I really understand what the twelve step programs are and I have a respect for the help that any support group can give to individuals who are wanting to knock down some idol in their life.
Today my word of testimony is 2 Tim 1:7 For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind.
The idols that I want removed from my life will go as I want God to be my only God. The sound mind , the absence of fear which is peace , the power and the love will fill this temple . There will be no room for idols . For what ever reason I think I must hold on to them or want to hold on to them , I trust the sound mind will change my heart's attitude towards them. The love of God and the power of God and the sound mind of God surely can set this temple in order.
May I be blessed to worship Him in Spirit and in Truth.
Four things but three had me captive in an emotional prison that made me feel separated from God. Yet, I had this hope that God hears those who call for help.
I heard about this organization called OA . A twelve step group for over eaters.
My problem was being fat, I had figured because my husband had been happy when I was thin. When ever I wanted to go somewhere that I did not feel I had his approval or even his support I would always come home with a sense of dread . I just knew he would be unhappy and so every thing that I might have found helpful , say at a church service, simply went out of my head and sorrow and glum would fill me when I would return home.
What I am describing to you is the life of a person who has made her husband her god. Well, obviously the real God was in my life so maybe we should say , he was my idol. Now does God hear people who have idols in their life ? Yes , He does. He heard me and He has been helping me. Idolatry has not kept Him from hearing my prayers or answering my cry for help.
At the time this was going on I did not think that my husband was an idol to me. I did not even like him very much because he was so unhappy. Now food. I thought that maybe food could be an idol in my life and if I could get rid of the food idol , maybe my husband would be happy again.
I am glad that I remember how I use to think. It all seemed so rational back then . I am glad I remember because I want to have a right spirit towards others who are struggling with idolatry right now. The blindness it causes to truth is amazing to me today. I am so thankful that I realize the before and after because it is motivation for me to want no idols in my life today.
When I had prayed about going to OA or not , I found this scripture . At that time in my life I had not been taught the importance of context or even reading the whole story around a scripture . God's word and the Holy Spirit is what has lead me out of bondage and into His glorious light. Even when out of context and incomplete , He has used His word to help out of a prison of darkness that is filled with lies.
Here is the scripture Judges 6:27 Then Gideon took ten men of his servants, and did as the LORD had said unto him: and [so] it was, because he feared his father's household, and the men of the city, that he could not do [it] by day, that he did [it] by night.
The thing that Gideon and his ten men servants did was knock down some idols. I took that scripture to mean that God might not mind to much if I went to a group for support while I tried to knock down the idol , Food.
I went to OA for several years . I am so glad that I did. For one thing I really understand what the twelve step programs are and I have a respect for the help that any support group can give to individuals who are wanting to knock down some idol in their life.
Today my word of testimony is 2 Tim 1:7 For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind.
The idols that I want removed from my life will go as I want God to be my only God. The sound mind , the absence of fear which is peace , the power and the love will fill this temple . There will be no room for idols . For what ever reason I think I must hold on to them or want to hold on to them , I trust the sound mind will change my heart's attitude towards them. The love of God and the power of God and the sound mind of God surely can set this temple in order.
May I be blessed to worship Him in Spirit and in Truth.
Monday, March 9, 2009
Do Overs With the Gift of Repentance
The Gift of Repentance could be a word of testimony by it's self. I was once a person who thought that God would only be pleased with my confession of sin if I promised not to do it again. That became more and more of a problem when I found that all I was doing was lieing to God. I could not stop sinning , to please Him. Even a word to my heart from Him , that He did not want me to be good , in my own strength , did not have an immediate effect on the way I interacted with God.
In time I learned that even repentance was a gift from Him and that for situations that were uncommon in my life , I might have to wait years before I would be able to use that gift .
The key to being able to use the gift of repentance is teachableness . Sometimes the word of testimony the Lord gives me has to do with building a foundation , a renewing of my mind , so that I won't sin. Sometimes I think that I should go looking for a word of testimony on my own. Like a detective I think my street savy will lead me just to the word I need for the day.
There are a couple of guys in the Bible that thought they were pretty smart too. Now I do not know a lot about the historical facts but I do know the Spirit , and the Spirit reminded me of these guys .
Lev 10:1 And Nadab and Abihu, the sons of Aaron, took either of them his censer, and put fire therein, and put incense thereon, and offered strange fire before the LORD, which he commanded them not.
Num 3:4 And Nadab and Abihu died before the LORD, when they offered strange fire before the LORD, in the wilderness of Sinai, and they had no children: and Eleazar and Ithamar ministered in the priest's office in the sight of Aaron their father.
From what I understand this place that Nadab and Abihu were suppose to perform their duty was in a very important place , right before the vail that [is] by the ark of the testimony, before the mercy seat that [is] over the testimony, where I will meet with thee. Ex 30:6
You know I did not mess with the scriptures this morning and change it up. I have always thought the ark of the covenant was called the ark of the covenant. I can only trust that God has something very special to lead me to as I meditate on these words of testimony today.
In time I learned that even repentance was a gift from Him and that for situations that were uncommon in my life , I might have to wait years before I would be able to use that gift .
The key to being able to use the gift of repentance is teachableness . Sometimes the word of testimony the Lord gives me has to do with building a foundation , a renewing of my mind , so that I won't sin. Sometimes I think that I should go looking for a word of testimony on my own. Like a detective I think my street savy will lead me just to the word I need for the day.
There are a couple of guys in the Bible that thought they were pretty smart too. Now I do not know a lot about the historical facts but I do know the Spirit , and the Spirit reminded me of these guys .
Lev 10:1 And Nadab and Abihu, the sons of Aaron, took either of them his censer, and put fire therein, and put incense thereon, and offered strange fire before the LORD, which he commanded them not.
Num 3:4 And Nadab and Abihu died before the LORD, when they offered strange fire before the LORD, in the wilderness of Sinai, and they had no children: and Eleazar and Ithamar ministered in the priest's office in the sight of Aaron their father.
From what I understand this place that Nadab and Abihu were suppose to perform their duty was in a very important place , right before the vail that [is] by the ark of the testimony, before the mercy seat that [is] over the testimony, where I will meet with thee. Ex 30:6
You know I did not mess with the scriptures this morning and change it up. I have always thought the ark of the covenant was called the ark of the covenant. I can only trust that God has something very special to lead me to as I meditate on these words of testimony today.
Saturday, March 7, 2009
Hath God Said ?
Having a perspective of God and sharing it is not harmful , unless I distort what God hath said.
I realize every day I know God more and more thus my perspective of Him intensifies. He becomes more my God everyday that I embrace His Word.
My word of testimony today is : 2 Cr 6:16 And what agreement hath the temple of God with idols? for ye are the temple of the living God; as God hath said, I will dwell in them, and walk in [them]; and I will be their God, and they shall be my people.
As I embrace this word I will probably have more to say about it. The desire to rid myself of idols is healthy but only possible with God . That means impossible if I plan to do this in my own strength. God's strength is imparted to me in His Word through the Spirit .
I realize every day I know God more and more thus my perspective of Him intensifies. He becomes more my God everyday that I embrace His Word.
My word of testimony today is : 2 Cr 6:16 And what agreement hath the temple of God with idols? for ye are the temple of the living God; as God hath said, I will dwell in them, and walk in [them]; and I will be their God, and they shall be my people.
As I embrace this word I will probably have more to say about it. The desire to rid myself of idols is healthy but only possible with God . That means impossible if I plan to do this in my own strength. God's strength is imparted to me in His Word through the Spirit .
Friday, March 6, 2009
The Spirit
Eph 6:17 And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God:
When I open my heart and mind to the Holy Spirit to give me songs of praise , I must also guard that I do not quench the Spirit , or there will be no song. Also I pray to stay aware that I do not grieve the Spirit nor deny the power of the Holy Spirit. God's word tells me that it is possible to lie to the Holy Spirit .
If my most valuable tool I can have in this life is the sword of the Spirit , I think it wise to be mindful of the Spirit .
I almost lied about something the other day.
How be it in my defense and also the person assuring me that I should sign these forms , the forms were confusing . What they said and what the company that was asking me to sign them, wanted to know is probably two different things. However, after praying about it , I called the worker up and said I would not sign the papers . I told her , since I was wanting God's help in this matter , I know it best to do things God's way.
In my past I have lied . Lieing somehow is a kin to unbelief. I won't get what I want , or I might even believe that what God wants , won' t happen , unless I lie, must have been my thoughts.
Today I trust God . There are a few giants out there that do not want what God wants, also. However , when the time is right , I will have the sword of the Spirit in my hand , just like I have His praise in my mouth.
When I open my heart and mind to the Holy Spirit to give me songs of praise , I must also guard that I do not quench the Spirit , or there will be no song. Also I pray to stay aware that I do not grieve the Spirit nor deny the power of the Holy Spirit. God's word tells me that it is possible to lie to the Holy Spirit .
If my most valuable tool I can have in this life is the sword of the Spirit , I think it wise to be mindful of the Spirit .
I almost lied about something the other day.
How be it in my defense and also the person assuring me that I should sign these forms , the forms were confusing . What they said and what the company that was asking me to sign them, wanted to know is probably two different things. However, after praying about it , I called the worker up and said I would not sign the papers . I told her , since I was wanting God's help in this matter , I know it best to do things God's way.
In my past I have lied . Lieing somehow is a kin to unbelief. I won't get what I want , or I might even believe that what God wants , won' t happen , unless I lie, must have been my thoughts.
Today I trust God . There are a few giants out there that do not want what God wants, also. However , when the time is right , I will have the sword of the Spirit in my hand , just like I have His praise in my mouth.
Thursday, March 5, 2009
The God of Who?
I want to be sure I am following the right God. He is there for me to follow. He is there for me to know. He is there for me to be known by Him.
After listening to a review on The Shack , I wondered if I read this book , will I lose sight of the God I know. This book changed the perspective of the person giving the review. The Black Velvet Elvis has had the same effect on people. Pilgrim's Progress has probably helped shape my perspective of what God is like. As I read Timothy Stoner's The God Who Smokes , I kept saying in my heart , oh finally , someone who knows the God I know.
In the Old Testament I read a lot about the God of Abraham, Issac and Jacob.
In John 14:6 Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.
If I continue to seek to find the more perfect way, love truth more than anything, and accept the resurrection life Jesus has given me , I surely will come to know the right God.
After listening to a review on The Shack , I wondered if I read this book , will I lose sight of the God I know. This book changed the perspective of the person giving the review. The Black Velvet Elvis has had the same effect on people. Pilgrim's Progress has probably helped shape my perspective of what God is like. As I read Timothy Stoner's The God Who Smokes , I kept saying in my heart , oh finally , someone who knows the God I know.
In the Old Testament I read a lot about the God of Abraham, Issac and Jacob.
In John 14:6 Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.
If I continue to seek to find the more perfect way, love truth more than anything, and accept the resurrection life Jesus has given me , I surely will come to know the right God.
Wednesday, March 4, 2009
Will there be rain or hail ?
So today my journey has brought me to a place where there are several people in turmoil because the rules keep changing. I want to help these people find peace so I've prayed and His answer may be " to give grace. "
I once worked for a business that required me to persuade customers to use a service. Then they were to sign a contract . In this form written contract were some blank lines that I was to fill in , as to according to the agreement.
So when I handed in my first signed contract I was surprised to learn from my employer that what I had written on the lines did not please him. The rules are .............. and he proceeded to tell me. So then I found another customer , once again this customer signed the contract after I had filled in the blank lines. This time I was sure I had done as my employer said, but no. He called me up and told me I had done it wrong again. It wasn't long and his secretary called me and when I asked her about the rules changing , she said, "this is just the way he is , what ever seems to be right to him on any given day , these are the rules. "
Now that position probably provided about five to ten per cent of my monthly income . For these people whose full time employment could be affected by how well they follow the rules , I have to assume their distress is much greater than mine was.
I did not walk through that experience with victory . However, if I could do it over , I think the answer would be grace.
I will tell you what I am thinking . Remembering this is my word of testimony , I believe by basing my choices on God's words , He is with me.
When people truly need a word of correction , I think it best to find grace for their mistake first. If you address their mistake with the attitude of surely a donkey would know better than to do that. I think you just might find out how ineffective that would be.
So what kind of grace am I talking about giving ? Well , take me for instance. I tell my daughter this is what I want her to do and then I change it up. I have good reasons of course , but I am really causing her a lot of frustration. What is going on ?
Am I really a double minded person who doesn't know what I want her to ?
If I am double minded person , what hope could there be for me ?
I will tell you. There is a lot of hope. I once was a double minded person but I started placing my trust in God's word and living like I trusted in it. I have become less double minded as time goes on. However , when I was the greatest depth of double mindedness , someone gave me grace. Someone corrected me yes, but at the same time they introduced me to grace.
I share with you an excerpt from Pilgrim's Progress
CHRISTIAN: Then said Christian, What means this?
INTERPRETER: The Interpreter answered, This parlor is the heart of a man that was never sanctified by the sweet grace of the Gospel. The dust is his original sin, and inward corruptions, that have defiled the whole man. He that began to sweep at first, is the law; but she that brought water, and did sprinkle it, is the Gospel. Now whereas thou sawest, that so soon as the first began to sweep, the dust did so fly about that the room by him could not be cleansed, but that thou wast almost choked therewith; this is to show thee, that the law, instead of cleansing the heart (by its working) from sin, doth revive, (Rom 7:9 ) put strength into, (1 Cr 15:56) and increase it in the soul, (Rom 5:20) even as it doth discover and forbid it; for it doth not give power to subdue. Again, as thou sawest the damsel sprinkle the room with water, upon which it was cleansed with pleasure, this is to show thee, that when the Gospel comes in the sweet and precious influences thereof to the heart, then, I say, even as thou sawest the damsel lay the dust by sprinkling the floor with water, so is sin vanquished and subdued, and the soul made clean, through the faith of it, and consequently fit for the King of glory to inhabit.
So what I am saying here is I think in order to walk beside the people who are now in distress because of bosses who have changing rules , I should line myself up to God's word the best I can.
However, if I line up with God's word , receive grace and desire to give grace , it is for God to decide their fate. It may rain upon them , as it has me, or He may judge them (the bosses) , as He promised to do in Rev. send hail.
May my own heart be fit for the King of glory to inhabit before I go on.
Rom 5:20 And the law came in besides, that the trespass might abound; but where sin abounded, grace did abound more exceedingly:
I once worked for a business that required me to persuade customers to use a service. Then they were to sign a contract . In this form written contract were some blank lines that I was to fill in , as to according to the agreement.
So when I handed in my first signed contract I was surprised to learn from my employer that what I had written on the lines did not please him. The rules are .............. and he proceeded to tell me. So then I found another customer , once again this customer signed the contract after I had filled in the blank lines. This time I was sure I had done as my employer said, but no. He called me up and told me I had done it wrong again. It wasn't long and his secretary called me and when I asked her about the rules changing , she said, "this is just the way he is , what ever seems to be right to him on any given day , these are the rules. "
Now that position probably provided about five to ten per cent of my monthly income . For these people whose full time employment could be affected by how well they follow the rules , I have to assume their distress is much greater than mine was.
I did not walk through that experience with victory . However, if I could do it over , I think the answer would be grace.
I will tell you what I am thinking . Remembering this is my word of testimony , I believe by basing my choices on God's words , He is with me.
When people truly need a word of correction , I think it best to find grace for their mistake first. If you address their mistake with the attitude of surely a donkey would know better than to do that. I think you just might find out how ineffective that would be.
So what kind of grace am I talking about giving ? Well , take me for instance. I tell my daughter this is what I want her to do and then I change it up. I have good reasons of course , but I am really causing her a lot of frustration. What is going on ?
Am I really a double minded person who doesn't know what I want her to ?
If I am double minded person , what hope could there be for me ?
I will tell you. There is a lot of hope. I once was a double minded person but I started placing my trust in God's word and living like I trusted in it. I have become less double minded as time goes on. However , when I was the greatest depth of double mindedness , someone gave me grace. Someone corrected me yes, but at the same time they introduced me to grace.
I share with you an excerpt from Pilgrim's Progress
CHRISTIAN: Then said Christian, What means this?
INTERPRETER: The Interpreter answered, This parlor is the heart of a man that was never sanctified by the sweet grace of the Gospel. The dust is his original sin, and inward corruptions, that have defiled the whole man. He that began to sweep at first, is the law; but she that brought water, and did sprinkle it, is the Gospel. Now whereas thou sawest, that so soon as the first began to sweep, the dust did so fly about that the room by him could not be cleansed, but that thou wast almost choked therewith; this is to show thee, that the law, instead of cleansing the heart (by its working) from sin, doth revive, (Rom 7:9 ) put strength into, (1 Cr 15:56) and increase it in the soul, (Rom 5:20) even as it doth discover and forbid it; for it doth not give power to subdue. Again, as thou sawest the damsel sprinkle the room with water, upon which it was cleansed with pleasure, this is to show thee, that when the Gospel comes in the sweet and precious influences thereof to the heart, then, I say, even as thou sawest the damsel lay the dust by sprinkling the floor with water, so is sin vanquished and subdued, and the soul made clean, through the faith of it, and consequently fit for the King of glory to inhabit.
So what I am saying here is I think in order to walk beside the people who are now in distress because of bosses who have changing rules , I should line myself up to God's word the best I can.
However, if I line up with God's word , receive grace and desire to give grace , it is for God to decide their fate. It may rain upon them , as it has me, or He may judge them (the bosses) , as He promised to do in Rev. send hail.
May my own heart be fit for the King of glory to inhabit before I go on.
Rom 5:20 And the law came in besides, that the trespass might abound; but where sin abounded, grace did abound more exceedingly:
Tuesday, March 3, 2009
Trust and Obey
Nah 1:7 The LORD [is] good, a strong hold in the day of trouble; and he knoweth them that trust in him.
My heart is singing melodies to the LORD as I write. He deserves so much praise .
My word of testimony today is a follow up of yesterday. As I wrote my word of testimony I was sure of one thing , that what ever I did , I wanted to stay aware of this God who wants me to know Him.
So as the day's events unfolded and I trusted that the wisdom I had asked for would come. I placed going to get my oil change at about 3:30 . Earlier in the day I started going through my book inventory deciding which ones I would sell at the second hand book store. So when I went to the place I trust to change my oil and it was closed , I decided to take my books in to the resale store.
Here I was blessed with the most wonderful conversation . I was allowed to share the word of my testimony with another believer who like me , was wanting to live her life out loud. This was such a delight and help to me that I have to praise the LORD for allowing this blessed fellowship with another believer.
This was exactly where I was suppose to be , when I was suppose to be there , to receive the blessing I was suppose to get and also give the blessing that I gave from the LORD.
During another part of the day I shared with someone about the sorrow I was experiencing and how I was waiting for the joy to come in the morning . I am still in sorrow but with a melody in my heart. The LORD is with me. That is going to make all of my sorrow filled experiences a lot easier to bare.
I don't want to pretend that I like the big changes that are going on in my life. Without pretence I can tell you that there are plenty of little blessings that are blossoming up at this same time. I am glad the LORD has taught me to rejoice in Him. Where ever He is I can rejoice.
My heart is singing melodies to the LORD as I write. He deserves so much praise .
My word of testimony today is a follow up of yesterday. As I wrote my word of testimony I was sure of one thing , that what ever I did , I wanted to stay aware of this God who wants me to know Him.
So as the day's events unfolded and I trusted that the wisdom I had asked for would come. I placed going to get my oil change at about 3:30 . Earlier in the day I started going through my book inventory deciding which ones I would sell at the second hand book store. So when I went to the place I trust to change my oil and it was closed , I decided to take my books in to the resale store.
Here I was blessed with the most wonderful conversation . I was allowed to share the word of my testimony with another believer who like me , was wanting to live her life out loud. This was such a delight and help to me that I have to praise the LORD for allowing this blessed fellowship with another believer.
This was exactly where I was suppose to be , when I was suppose to be there , to receive the blessing I was suppose to get and also give the blessing that I gave from the LORD.
During another part of the day I shared with someone about the sorrow I was experiencing and how I was waiting for the joy to come in the morning . I am still in sorrow but with a melody in my heart. The LORD is with me. That is going to make all of my sorrow filled experiences a lot easier to bare.
I don't want to pretend that I like the big changes that are going on in my life. Without pretence I can tell you that there are plenty of little blessings that are blossoming up at this same time. I am glad the LORD has taught me to rejoice in Him. Where ever He is I can rejoice.
Monday, March 2, 2009
Before I give my word of testimony today I want to say how grateful I am to others who share their word of testimony. Had it not been for their desire to obey God and give their word of testimony I would not be where I am today.
The first words of testimony are found in the Bible. When I pick up the words of testimony from God's Holy Word I am strengthened . When others share how they have experienced the same strength , how their lives were changed because they did apply God's word to their lives , the help is amplified . Then when I am in a soggy mire that sounds strangely familiar to theirs , I suddenly find steps to help me out of it , and praise the LORD , I am on solid ground once again.
Such is the case today . I must acknowledge some of the people ( not all ) , whose word of testimony has helped me up.
A personal testimony by Sheila Walsh has given me hope . She placed her word of testimony on
James 1:5 If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all [men] liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him.
In my opinion the whole book of James has scriptures that I find hard to receive grace to live. I know the grace must be there because James lived them. I think when trying to live God's Word I must be careful to acknowledge the context. Was James saying that in any area I wish to have wisdom I can ask of God ?
That is why Sheila's testimony is such a blessing . She put it to needing wisdom about what speaking engagement's to accept. Early in her career she had been given the most awesome opportunity to speak on television, live. ( I can not do the testimonies justice so please note they can be found in her books Bringing Back the Joy and Life Is Tough But God Is Faithful . ) Just the day before the event she came down with laryngitis . Not just a light case, it literally took her voice away.
As she cried out to God , in her heart , as to why He would allow this to happen , she received the word that I think changed her life , as it has changed millions of others. It reminded me of my own word from God, as it probably will remind you of yours. He told her there were many people out there to tell people about Him. He was looking for people who wanted to know Him.
She took that word to her heart. No, I don't mean she tried to figure out if the people she would be speaking to wanted to know God. She realised she would just be spinning her wheels but not going the direction God wanted her to go, if she herself was not taking the time , to get to know Him.
So when she asks God for wisdom about how to spend her time , she is asking in context of knowing Him , and then trusting where she feels led to go is where He wants her to be.
I am really unhappy that God has changed my work schedule . Not only that, He wants me to move to a different house , ( time is not definite here, I keep saying a year or two , but I think He is saying sooner ) . I hate moving , and I liked my old schedule. So I should wait to talk to Him like someone I know , until I get into a better frame of mind , is what I thought.
Even though I was continuing to pray pretty much as I had always done.
But then because the new schedule leaves some unstructured time , I must ask Him for wisdom about how does He want me to fill that time. That is when Shelia Walsh's testimony came to me and has helped me out of the miry clay that I could of stayed in , for who knows how long.
I remember now, it is more important to Him that I continue my on going relationship with Him than just doing something He wants done. He has plenty of people who will do that. So that means I am back to talking to Him , like someone I know , even though the above mentioned things are going on, plus a few others that I am really unhappy about. It is hard to go ahead and talk to Him and believe that He is still wanting to talk to me , but I know He does because I know He loves me as He does. The words of testimony that I have given to declare His love for me have taken root , and I know He loves me even when I am not happy with His plans.
The first words of testimony are found in the Bible. When I pick up the words of testimony from God's Holy Word I am strengthened . When others share how they have experienced the same strength , how their lives were changed because they did apply God's word to their lives , the help is amplified . Then when I am in a soggy mire that sounds strangely familiar to theirs , I suddenly find steps to help me out of it , and praise the LORD , I am on solid ground once again.
Such is the case today . I must acknowledge some of the people ( not all ) , whose word of testimony has helped me up.
A personal testimony by Sheila Walsh has given me hope . She placed her word of testimony on
James 1:5 If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all [men] liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him.
In my opinion the whole book of James has scriptures that I find hard to receive grace to live. I know the grace must be there because James lived them. I think when trying to live God's Word I must be careful to acknowledge the context. Was James saying that in any area I wish to have wisdom I can ask of God ?
That is why Sheila's testimony is such a blessing . She put it to needing wisdom about what speaking engagement's to accept. Early in her career she had been given the most awesome opportunity to speak on television, live. ( I can not do the testimonies justice so please note they can be found in her books Bringing Back the Joy and Life Is Tough But God Is Faithful . ) Just the day before the event she came down with laryngitis . Not just a light case, it literally took her voice away.
As she cried out to God , in her heart , as to why He would allow this to happen , she received the word that I think changed her life , as it has changed millions of others. It reminded me of my own word from God, as it probably will remind you of yours. He told her there were many people out there to tell people about Him. He was looking for people who wanted to know Him.
She took that word to her heart. No, I don't mean she tried to figure out if the people she would be speaking to wanted to know God. She realised she would just be spinning her wheels but not going the direction God wanted her to go, if she herself was not taking the time , to get to know Him.
So when she asks God for wisdom about how to spend her time , she is asking in context of knowing Him , and then trusting where she feels led to go is where He wants her to be.
I am really unhappy that God has changed my work schedule . Not only that, He wants me to move to a different house , ( time is not definite here, I keep saying a year or two , but I think He is saying sooner ) . I hate moving , and I liked my old schedule. So I should wait to talk to Him like someone I know , until I get into a better frame of mind , is what I thought.
Even though I was continuing to pray pretty much as I had always done.
But then because the new schedule leaves some unstructured time , I must ask Him for wisdom about how does He want me to fill that time. That is when Shelia Walsh's testimony came to me and has helped me out of the miry clay that I could of stayed in , for who knows how long.
I remember now, it is more important to Him that I continue my on going relationship with Him than just doing something He wants done. He has plenty of people who will do that. So that means I am back to talking to Him , like someone I know , even though the above mentioned things are going on, plus a few others that I am really unhappy about. It is hard to go ahead and talk to Him and believe that He is still wanting to talk to me , but I know He does because I know He loves me as He does. The words of testimony that I have given to declare His love for me have taken root , and I know He loves me even when I am not happy with His plans.
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