Last Sunday, December 2, during the Praise service the Lord spoke a word to me that I was to share with the people. I did shout the word out, but I have felt led to share the word here also.
~~The Lord says, "Don't be shy, don't be passive, pursue Me and I will meet You in your pursuit.
Don't sit and wait for Me to do all of the work or all of the pursuing.
To the degree you pursue, you will receive from Me."~~
(Remember this word was shared with a body of believers.)
Friday, December 7, 2018
Friday, August 17, 2018
Hidden Sins
OK, so we're not murderers, not thieves, not adulterers, not drunkards, not gluttons, not slanderers...or are we? We might have a few sins that are not really hidden. We probably recognize them when we look at ourselves and other people probably recognize them in us also. I would love to talk here about people who are Christians that let road rage or their stomachs control there thoughts and actions, but this blog is for a different purpose.
There are a second set of sins that we need to be concerned with.
The sins of some men are quite evident, going before them to judgment; for others, their sins follow after. 1 Timothy 5:24
The first set of sins are quite evident to all and as scripture says, they will go before us into Judgment, but then there are sins that are hidden but will follow us, do you think those might be unforgiveness, bitterness, judgment and some that might be hidden in our deceiving hearts?
“The heart is more deceitful than all else
And is desperately sick; Who can understand it? Jeremiah 17:9 There are teachings to help people be healed and set free from the effects of things that have happened in their past. The healing and being set free can take a while to work through, I have a friend that is a Prophet, and they have shared that the face of a person that had wronged them in a much earlier time in their lives, 40 years to be exact, was brought before them by the Holy Spirit, they were shown that they had unforgiveness for the person and HAD to forgive this person! God takes unforgiveness very seriously, His scriptures talk about it a LOT!
For if you forgive others for their transgressions, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. But if you do not forgive others, then your Father will not forgive your transgressions. Matthew 6:14-15
We are forgiven for everything we confess....and repent from, but what if we hold unforgiveness in our hearts or spirits, it can be so deep that we can ignore that it's even there!
Please take time to say a cleansing prayer, ask the Holy Spirit to show you any unforgiveness that you may harbor, and then be still and let Him show you, confess your unforgiveness, choose to forgive those He shows you, ask Him to help you forgive, let yourself be cleansed from the effects of unforgiveness! Release those people to the Holy Spirit to deal with, after you forgive them then you are free to be made whole and holy, free to be healed, free to move on from the past.
This will take more than one time, I'm beginning to believe it needs to be done daily! Remember my friend the Prophet, they thought they were walking in forgiveness but yet had someone brought to them from 40 years before! Some things our hearts hide from us, and not for our own good!
Pray for yourselves, pray that there are no hidden sins in your life, pray that all is revealed to you to deal with.....He won't reveal it all at one time, we probably couldn't bear it, so it needs to be an ongoing prayer. Daily pray to be shown any area that may be holding you back from being made whole and holy.
The sins of some men are quite evident, going before them to judgment; for others, their sins follow after. 1 Timothy 5:24
“The heart is more deceitful than all else
And is desperately sick; Who can understand it? Jeremiah 17:9
For if you forgive others for their transgressions, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. But if you do not forgive others, then your Father will not forgive your transgressions. Matthew 6:14-15
Thursday, August 16, 2018
Psalm 16
Psalm 16 The Passion Translation (TPT)
16 A precious song, engraved in gold, by King David[a]
1 Keep me safe, O mighty God.
I run for dear life to you, my safe place.
2 So I said to the Lord God,
“You are my Maker, my Mediator, and my Master.
Any good thing you find in me has come from you.”[b]
3 And he said to me, “My holy lovers are wonderful,
my majestic ones, my glorious ones,
fulfilling all my desires.”
4 Yet there are those who yield to their weakness,[c]
and they will have troubles and sorrows unending.
I never gather with such ones,[d]
nor give them honor in any way.
5 Lord, I have chosen you alone as my inheritance.
You are my prize, my pleasure, and my portion.
I leave my destiny and its timing in your hands.[e]
6 Your pleasant path leads me to pleasant places.
I’m overwhelmed by the privileges
that come with following you,
for you have given me the best!
7 The way you counsel and correct me makes me praise you more,
for your whispers in the night give me wisdom,
showing me what to do next.
8 Because you are close to me and always available,
my confidence will never be shaken,
for I experience your wrap-around presence every moment.
9 My heart and soul explode with joy—full of glory!
Even my body will rest confident and secure.
10 For you will not abandon me to the realm of death,
nor will you allow your Holy One to experience corruption.[f]
11 For you bring me a continual revelation of resurrection life,
the path to the bliss that brings me face-to-face with you.[g]
1 Keep me safe, O mighty God.
I run for dear life to you, my safe place.
2 So I said to the Lord God,
“You are my Maker, my Mediator, and my Master.
Any good thing you find in me has come from you.”[b]
3 And he said to me, “My holy lovers are wonderful,
my majestic ones, my glorious ones,
fulfilling all my desires.”
4 Yet there are those who yield to their weakness,[c]
and they will have troubles and sorrows unending.
I never gather with such ones,[d]
nor give them honor in any way.
5 Lord, I have chosen you alone as my inheritance.
You are my prize, my pleasure, and my portion.
I leave my destiny and its timing in your hands.[e]
6 Your pleasant path leads me to pleasant places.
I’m overwhelmed by the privileges
that come with following you,
for you have given me the best!
7 The way you counsel and correct me makes me praise you more,
for your whispers in the night give me wisdom,
showing me what to do next.
8 Because you are close to me and always available,
my confidence will never be shaken,
for I experience your wrap-around presence every moment.
9 My heart and soul explode with joy—full of glory!
Even my body will rest confident and secure.
10 For you will not abandon me to the realm of death,
nor will you allow your Holy One to experience corruption.[f]
11 For you bring me a continual revelation of resurrection life,
the path to the bliss that brings me face-to-face with you.[g]
Sunday, August 5, 2018
Crazy Days in Ponca City
This morning the Lord woke me with thoughts about the weekend's ministry.
The first thought was that what was accomplished was not seen with human eye, yes, we saw people's faces, heard their needs, prayed for them and watched them accept cold bottles of water, but the Kingdom of the Lord moved forward! His Kingdom moved into the everyday world that we have not claimed for a few years. His Kingdom moved out from behind the walls that have shut us off from the people that need Him, His love and His power and need our witness, we let our friends and neighbors see that God's people are happy, smiling, caring, people!
The enemy has been trying to portray the Kingdom as a sour bunch of people that want to judge and condemn others, but this weekend those people were encouraged to see loving, smiling people that wanted to comfort and encourage them! They saw people that know the answer to their problems and were willing to usher them into the very presence of the King that is able to touch and change lives!
The Second thought that has come back to me over and over was the police force that was represented there, so many young people in uniforms standing between the average citizen and the dangers that are not often heard about because those officers are in those uniforms doing their jobs! We told them "Thank you for doing such a wonderful job! Come, get some water anytime!" They did appear surprised!
We were able to be an encouragement to them at a time when they also are under attack, they needed to see the connection they have to the Justice that is part of the Lord's Kingdom and the support that we, His body can offer to them. This weekend they did see our support!
One of the Officers in charge was offered prayer as he received water, and at first didn't believe he needed any prayer but when it was suggested that we could pray for safety for him and his people he gladly accepted it! As the prayer was spoken and finished the Officer was deeply touched, in his own words he was "left speechless"! How often do you think he has heard himself and his crew lifted in prayer? They need to know that God's Kingdom is a living group of people that are covering them in prayer!
Okay, the Third thought, the heavenlies were touched by the sweat, the work and the pain of the workers this weekend, do not be deceived into believing that only what can be seen in the flesh was accomplished. There were warring angels in the unseen realm that were at work also, I'm sure that the whole heavenly atmosphere in the Kay County area was affected by the efforts of the people involved in this activity!
Yes, this work was represented by the people on the street handing out water and praying, and they are mighty and powerful warriors in the Kingdom because take my word for it, that heat took a lot of endurance! But there were people that donated water, ice, ice chests and encouraged behind the scenes! This was a work that took the effort of many and that is how the body does and will work, the Kingdom is built by many, seen and unseen!
There are a lot of testimonies of the people that were touched and encouraged by the efforts of this ministry, but those are the stories for others to share, my purpose here is to help us realize that there was much more accomplished than we will be aware of this side of heaven! This was our "2 mites" by which the Lord will bless this area!
Yes, we give all glory to the Lord, but this weekend the Lord was well pleased with His faithful servants!
The first thought was that what was accomplished was not seen with human eye, yes, we saw people's faces, heard their needs, prayed for them and watched them accept cold bottles of water, but the Kingdom of the Lord moved forward! His Kingdom moved into the everyday world that we have not claimed for a few years. His Kingdom moved out from behind the walls that have shut us off from the people that need Him, His love and His power and need our witness, we let our friends and neighbors see that God's people are happy, smiling, caring, people!
The enemy has been trying to portray the Kingdom as a sour bunch of people that want to judge and condemn others, but this weekend those people were encouraged to see loving, smiling people that wanted to comfort and encourage them! They saw people that know the answer to their problems and were willing to usher them into the very presence of the King that is able to touch and change lives!
The Second thought that has come back to me over and over was the police force that was represented there, so many young people in uniforms standing between the average citizen and the dangers that are not often heard about because those officers are in those uniforms doing their jobs! We told them "Thank you for doing such a wonderful job! Come, get some water anytime!" They did appear surprised!
We were able to be an encouragement to them at a time when they also are under attack, they needed to see the connection they have to the Justice that is part of the Lord's Kingdom and the support that we, His body can offer to them. This weekend they did see our support!
One of the Officers in charge was offered prayer as he received water, and at first didn't believe he needed any prayer but when it was suggested that we could pray for safety for him and his people he gladly accepted it! As the prayer was spoken and finished the Officer was deeply touched, in his own words he was "left speechless"! How often do you think he has heard himself and his crew lifted in prayer? They need to know that God's Kingdom is a living group of people that are covering them in prayer!
Okay, the Third thought, the heavenlies were touched by the sweat, the work and the pain of the workers this weekend, do not be deceived into believing that only what can be seen in the flesh was accomplished. There were warring angels in the unseen realm that were at work also, I'm sure that the whole heavenly atmosphere in the Kay County area was affected by the efforts of the people involved in this activity!
Yes, this work was represented by the people on the street handing out water and praying, and they are mighty and powerful warriors in the Kingdom because take my word for it, that heat took a lot of endurance! But there were people that donated water, ice, ice chests and encouraged behind the scenes! This was a work that took the effort of many and that is how the body does and will work, the Kingdom is built by many, seen and unseen!
There are a lot of testimonies of the people that were touched and encouraged by the efforts of this ministry, but those are the stories for others to share, my purpose here is to help us realize that there was much more accomplished than we will be aware of this side of heaven! This was our "2 mites" by which the Lord will bless this area!
Yes, we give all glory to the Lord, but this weekend the Lord was well pleased with His faithful servants!
Tuesday, July 10, 2018
Competition? Enemy? Unity!
Have you ever seen or maybe even played a game where you have to defeat an enemy to advance to the next level?
Last night in a dream the Lord used that scenario and showed me that we as His children, His body, and His Kingdom should not see other believers as the enemy that we have to destroy to advance in the work He has called us too. We need to recognize that all of His body is called into unity and His body and Kingdom has one enemy and that enemy is not one another!
That does sound like something that we should already know, right? And I would have thought I already knew this, however, sometimes I meet people that bring out the very fleshly, human side of me and I need to be reminded again!
Reminder to self, even though someone may rub us the wrong way they are not our enemy(repeat, they are not our enemy!), try to let yourself see that they are an opportunity for your own growth(even if you think they are the ones that need to grow!), this is a lesson in letting go of more of yourself.
To freely give space to someone that may be irritating to you is to free yourself of things that limit you from being who you are to be! Let go of pride and competition, do not seek your own way. Seek unity.
Do nothing from selfishness or empty conceit, but with humility of mind regard one another as more important than yourselves; Philippians 2:3
Last night in a dream the Lord used that scenario and showed me that we as His children, His body, and His Kingdom should not see other believers as the enemy that we have to destroy to advance in the work He has called us too. We need to recognize that all of His body is called into unity and His body and Kingdom has one enemy and that enemy is not one another!
That does sound like something that we should already know, right? And I would have thought I already knew this, however, sometimes I meet people that bring out the very fleshly, human side of me and I need to be reminded again!
Reminder to self, even though someone may rub us the wrong way they are not our enemy(repeat, they are not our enemy!), try to let yourself see that they are an opportunity for your own growth(even if you think they are the ones that need to grow!), this is a lesson in letting go of more of yourself.
To freely give space to someone that may be irritating to you is to free yourself of things that limit you from being who you are to be! Let go of pride and competition, do not seek your own way. Seek unity.
Do nothing from selfishness or empty conceit, but with humility of mind regard one another as more important than yourselves; Philippians 2:3
Friday, June 8, 2018
Today's Need For Deborahs!
This post is mostly directed at women, but men might be interested also.
Society has an attack against men, manhood and masculinity, you have probably noticed it! It probably started with the women's liberation movement, and while that wasn't all bad it has gone way over to an all out attack against men! As a wife, mother, sister and aunt I have men in my life that I love, which causes me to be ready to stand up to society and say
"Enough!".
Then God said, “Let Us make man in Our image, according to Our likeness; and let them rule over the fish of the sea and over the birds of the sky and over the cattle and over all the earth, and over every creeping thing that creeps on the earth.” God created man in His own image, in the image of God He created him; male and female He created them. Genesis 1:26-27
Society has an attack against men, manhood and masculinity, you have probably noticed it! It probably started with the women's liberation movement, and while that wasn't all bad it has gone way over to an all out attack against men! As a wife, mother, sister and aunt I have men in my life that I love, which causes me to be ready to stand up to society and say
"Enough!".
If you feel as I do and are looking for an anointing to pick up and move into, consider the Deborah anointing!
Deborah was a judge and prophetess in Israel, it was a time when there was a battle...is there a battle now?(Yes! Against men!) Deborah advised a military leader that this was the time to stand against the enemy. The military leader hesitated and would only follow Deborah into the battle....so Deborah rose up and took the lead! (Deborah ~ Judges 4-5)
If there are men and boys(future men!) in your life that you love and respect, men that you know are good people that don't deserve the abuse that society has turned against them, then join me, rise up and lead as Deborah did! Stand firm against the world! Do not allow abuse of the men in your life! You are a woman of God! Use your voice to protect the Men of God in your lives, use your prayers to cover them and your respect to empower them!
Pick up the Deborah anointing and join women who do not want to see their husbands, sons, brothers and friends bashed by society! The movement against men is attempting to destroy manhood in the men and boys that we love and cherish, let's recognize that men have a very important role and job in our lives, let's honor them for being God's creation in whom He was pleased!
No more men bashing! Remember they are God's creation, made in His own image and He would not have us bash His work! This Father's Day let's honor all of the men, even if they are not fathers! Let's honor men who are in our lives and the manhood they have been created to walk in!
Deborah was a judge and prophetess in Israel, it was a time when there was a battle...is there a battle now?(Yes! Against men!) Deborah advised a military leader that this was the time to stand against the enemy. The military leader hesitated and would only follow Deborah into the battle....so Deborah rose up and took the lead! (Deborah ~ Judges 4-5)
If there are men and boys(future men!) in your life that you love and respect, men that you know are good people that don't deserve the abuse that society has turned against them, then join me, rise up and lead as Deborah did! Stand firm against the world! Do not allow abuse of the men in your life! You are a woman of God! Use your voice to protect the Men of God in your lives, use your prayers to cover them and your respect to empower them!
Pick up the Deborah anointing and join women who do not want to see their husbands, sons, brothers and friends bashed by society! The movement against men is attempting to destroy manhood in the men and boys that we love and cherish, let's recognize that men have a very important role and job in our lives, let's honor them for being God's creation in whom He was pleased!
No more men bashing! Remember they are God's creation, made in His own image and He would not have us bash His work! This Father's Day let's honor all of the men, even if they are not fathers! Let's honor men who are in our lives and the manhood they have been created to walk in!
Friday, May 11, 2018
Shining Light
We who are part of God's creation tend to take things from one extreme to another.
In the past, there was a lot of teaching and sermons about the "Fire and Brimstone" side of our relationship with our Heavenly Father, but now we focus only on the love side.
We really need to remember that God is a very complex Father and Creator, yes, He is Love but He is also Just, Righteous and Holy. (Psalms reveals so much of His heart and nature that if you long to know your Father's heart I would recommend that you read through it, taking note of the verses that list His attributes.)
The purpose of this writing is to encourage you to not be deceived into the love side of the relationship with a blind eye to the justice that our Father requires.
I have been trying to walk a holy path with my Saviour and while it is the best path, it is often too easy to slip off of the path with a word or thought that I need to bring back into line and then climb back to the path of holiness again.
On this path I have had things of the past brought to mind that were "dirt swept under the rug" that were an issue on the holiness path, things that I needed to deal with, confess and be cleansed from.
This morning my prayer has been to be a shining light in God's Kingdom(for His pleasure), that is not an easy thing to do if there is anything that you have hidden under the rug! I had attitudes brought to me of when I have been less than respectful to the people the Lord had put over me as a covering in my life.
Yesterday I read about how leaders are put in place by the Lord for His purpose, we have had leaders of our nation in the past that I did not think or speak properly of, that did not fit in with His purpose for me if I want to be a shining light! (Every person is to be in subjection to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and those which exist are established by God. Romans 13:1)
As a teenager, I was not very respectful of my earthly father, and now that I am older I can see how hard he worked to care and provide for me. I have dealt with these issues I am now forgiven for this, but it was something I needed to put under the forgiveness of my Heavenly Father to be qualified to walk as a shining light.
There are other examples of course, but my point is that if you desire to walk as a shining light in His Kingdom you need to examine yourself. Yes, He is Love and He does give Forgiveness but we need to be aware of our need for forgiveness and ask Him for it!
If we claim that we’re free of sin, we’re only fooling ourselves. A claim like that is errant nonsense. On the other hand, if we admit our sins—make a clean breast of them—he won’t let us down; he’ll be true to himself. He’ll forgive our sins and purge us of all wrongdoing. If we claim that we’ve never sinned, we out-and-out contradict God—make a liar out of him. A claim like that only shows off our ignorance of God. 1 John 1:9-10 The Message
In the past, there was a lot of teaching and sermons about the "Fire and Brimstone" side of our relationship with our Heavenly Father, but now we focus only on the love side.
We really need to remember that God is a very complex Father and Creator, yes, He is Love but He is also Just, Righteous and Holy. (Psalms reveals so much of His heart and nature that if you long to know your Father's heart I would recommend that you read through it, taking note of the verses that list His attributes.)
The purpose of this writing is to encourage you to not be deceived into the love side of the relationship with a blind eye to the justice that our Father requires.
I have been trying to walk a holy path with my Saviour and while it is the best path, it is often too easy to slip off of the path with a word or thought that I need to bring back into line and then climb back to the path of holiness again.
On this path I have had things of the past brought to mind that were "dirt swept under the rug" that were an issue on the holiness path, things that I needed to deal with, confess and be cleansed from.
This morning my prayer has been to be a shining light in God's Kingdom(for His pleasure), that is not an easy thing to do if there is anything that you have hidden under the rug! I had attitudes brought to me of when I have been less than respectful to the people the Lord had put over me as a covering in my life.
Yesterday I read about how leaders are put in place by the Lord for His purpose, we have had leaders of our nation in the past that I did not think or speak properly of, that did not fit in with His purpose for me if I want to be a shining light! (Every person is to be in subjection to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and those which exist are established by God. Romans 13:1)
As a teenager, I was not very respectful of my earthly father, and now that I am older I can see how hard he worked to care and provide for me. I have dealt with these issues I am now forgiven for this, but it was something I needed to put under the forgiveness of my Heavenly Father to be qualified to walk as a shining light.
There are other examples of course, but my point is that if you desire to walk as a shining light in His Kingdom you need to examine yourself. Yes, He is Love and He does give Forgiveness but we need to be aware of our need for forgiveness and ask Him for it!
If we claim that we’re free of sin, we’re only fooling ourselves. A claim like that is errant nonsense. On the other hand, if we admit our sins—make a clean breast of them—he won’t let us down; he’ll be true to himself. He’ll forgive our sins and purge us of all wrongdoing. If we claim that we’ve never sinned, we out-and-out contradict God—make a liar out of him. A claim like that only shows off our ignorance of God. 1 John 1:9-10 The Message
Tuesday, May 1, 2018
Pursue Love
I had a Pastor that advised us to be careful about praying for patience, he told us that if we did pray for patience, then we would encounter plenty of things to "help" our patience grow. He didn't warn us to not pray to be "unoffendable" or to grow in "love"! I am warning you now!
I have prayed for both of those and now I have plenty of opportunities cross my path to exercise and grow in this area. Scripture does tell us to grow in these things, so it's not exactly like we have a choice....you might as well jump in the deep end and start trying to adjust to the shock! No dipping your toes in the shallow end~ =D
I do think the opportunities are there to grow in love before we pray to grow, but once we say that prayer, the Holy Spirit helps us to become more aware of the selfish ways and conflicts in our hearts. The Holy Spirit is an amazing Teacher, He knows us inside out (must be because He lives inside of us!?) He knows all of the weak places in our spirits that need His "grow" light shined on them, and shine it He does!
Actually, I said I was going to warn you about saying a prayer to grow in love or to be unoffendable, but that isn't really true. Our Creator does want us to love and we will always need to grow in it, so I advise you to pursue love with all that you are, yes be prepared you will face situations where it is not easy to love but we are not commanded to find and do what is easy, we are commanded to love. Let it be your driving force! and remember, God is love so you are to be also!
Love never stops loving. It extends beyond the gift of prophecy, which eventually fades away. It is more enduring than tongues, which will one day fall silent. Love remains long after words of knowledge are forgotten. Our present knowledge and our prophecies are but partial, but when love’s perfection arrives, the partial will fade away. When I was a child, I spoke about childish matters, for I saw things like a child and reasoned like a child. But the day came when I matured, and I set aside my childish ways.
For now we see but a faint reflection of riddles and mysteries as though reflected in a mirror, but one day we will see face-to-face. My understanding is incomplete now, but one day I will understand everything, just as everything about me has been fully understood. Until then, there are three things that remain: faith, hope, and love—yet love surpasses them all. So above all else, let love be the beautiful prize for which you run. 1 Corinthians 13:8-13
Teacher, which is the great commandment in the Law?” And He said to him, “‘You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind.’ This is the great and foremost commandment. The second is like it, ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’ Matthew 22:36-39
The whole law is made complete in this one command: “Love your neighbor as you love yourself.” Galatians 5:14
I have prayed for both of those and now I have plenty of opportunities cross my path to exercise and grow in this area. Scripture does tell us to grow in these things, so it's not exactly like we have a choice....you might as well jump in the deep end and start trying to adjust to the shock! No dipping your toes in the shallow end~ =D
I do think the opportunities are there to grow in love before we pray to grow, but once we say that prayer, the Holy Spirit helps us to become more aware of the selfish ways and conflicts in our hearts. The Holy Spirit is an amazing Teacher, He knows us inside out (must be because He lives inside of us!?) He knows all of the weak places in our spirits that need His "grow" light shined on them, and shine it He does!
Actually, I said I was going to warn you about saying a prayer to grow in love or to be unoffendable, but that isn't really true. Our Creator does want us to love and we will always need to grow in it, so I advise you to pursue love with all that you are, yes be prepared you will face situations where it is not easy to love but we are not commanded to find and do what is easy, we are commanded to love. Let it be your driving force! and remember, God is love so you are to be also!
Love never stops loving. It extends beyond the gift of prophecy, which eventually fades away. It is more enduring than tongues, which will one day fall silent. Love remains long after words of knowledge are forgotten. Our present knowledge and our prophecies are but partial, but when love’s perfection arrives, the partial will fade away. When I was a child, I spoke about childish matters, for I saw things like a child and reasoned like a child. But the day came when I matured, and I set aside my childish ways.
For now we see but a faint reflection of riddles and mysteries as though reflected in a mirror, but one day we will see face-to-face. My understanding is incomplete now, but one day I will understand everything, just as everything about me has been fully understood. Until then, there are three things that remain: faith, hope, and love—yet love surpasses them all. So above all else, let love be the beautiful prize for which you run. 1 Corinthians 13:8-13
The whole law is made complete in this one command: “Love your neighbor as you love yourself.” Galatians 5:14
Tuesday, April 24, 2018
Grow In Love
In my study today I read that Paul was being held as a prisoner on a ship. He had given the men on the ship wise advice but they had ignored him and done exactly opposite of his advice.
Because of their choices they were now all in a situation facing death!
Some people, not me of course! =) would be tempted to say "See! I told you so!" And would possibly pray for their own safety....and for the other's to "learn their lesson!".
Here we see that Paul prayed for those holding him as a prisoner! Can you imagine? And not only that, but because he had prayed for them the men who had ignored his advice and were holding him captive were going to be saved.
I have to ask myself if I would be so full of love and mercy for those holding me as a prisoner as Paul had been? I know I am supposed to love my enemies, so after asking myself if I would have enough love and mercy to pray for my captors to be saved, and saying maybe not.... then I need to pray to have the love for my enemies that I am commanded to have!
Lord, please give me Your love for people! Not only for my family and friends, but for my neighbors, strangers, and enemies! Help me to grow in this area because I know I fall short!
"When they had gone a long time without food, then Paul stood up in their midst and said, “Men, you ought to have followed my advice and not to have set sail from Crete and incurred this damage and loss. Yet now I urge you to keep up your courage, for there will be no loss of life among you, but only of the ship. For this very night an angel of the God to whom I belong and whom I serve stood before me, saying, ‘Do not be afraid, Paul; you must stand before Caesar; and behold, God has granted you all those who are sailing with you.’" Acts 27:21-24 NASB
Because of their choices they were now all in a situation facing death!
Some people, not me of course! =) would be tempted to say "See! I told you so!" And would possibly pray for their own safety....and for the other's to "learn their lesson!".
Here we see that Paul prayed for those holding him as a prisoner! Can you imagine? And not only that, but because he had prayed for them the men who had ignored his advice and were holding him captive were going to be saved.
I have to ask myself if I would be so full of love and mercy for those holding me as a prisoner as Paul had been? I know I am supposed to love my enemies, so after asking myself if I would have enough love and mercy to pray for my captors to be saved, and saying maybe not.... then I need to pray to have the love for my enemies that I am commanded to have!
Lord, please give me Your love for people! Not only for my family and friends, but for my neighbors, strangers, and enemies! Help me to grow in this area because I know I fall short!
"When they had gone a long time without food, then Paul stood up in their midst and said, “Men, you ought to have followed my advice and not to have set sail from Crete and incurred this damage and loss. Yet now I urge you to keep up your courage, for there will be no loss of life among you, but only of the ship. For this very night an angel of the God to whom I belong and whom I serve stood before me, saying, ‘Do not be afraid, Paul; you must stand before Caesar; and behold, God has granted you all those who are sailing with you.’" Acts 27:21-24 NASB
Thursday, April 19, 2018
Questions
Do not rush
Why do we hurry?
We rush to grow up, why?
We want to be free from the constraints of our parents...why?
We want to meet someone to fall in love with....why?
We want a career, a partner, we want children, we want a house, we want a car, we want, we want, we want........
We are designed to strive and when we are not striving we are stagnant, but we get lost in what we strive for.
We do grow up, we do break away from our parental constraints, we do find someone, they break our hearts, we find someone else and they break our hearts, we find a career, it becomes a boring routine, our parents grow old and die, we want them back, we have children, they want to break away from our constraints, and they do and then they are gone, we find a house, we spend our lives paying for it and then our health is gone. We grow old and feeble and then we look back and wonder why did we rush?
We strive for earthly things that do not satisfy. We have yet to understand that Jesus came to teach us the correct things to strive for....for a relationship with our Father. We think that the whole point of Him coming was to "save" us but then we lose sight of what He is saving us from. He did come to save us but not just from going to Hell.....He came to save us from a wasted life, wasted chasing after things that have no meaning and no satisfaction.
What do you chase after? Why are you rushing?
Looking at him, Jesus felt a love for him and said to him, “One thing you lack: go and sell all you possess and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, follow Me.” Mark10:21
Why do we hurry?
We rush to grow up, why?
We want to be free from the constraints of our parents...why?
We want to meet someone to fall in love with....why?
We want a career, a partner, we want children, we want a house, we want a car, we want, we want, we want........
We are designed to strive and when we are not striving we are stagnant, but we get lost in what we strive for.
We do grow up, we do break away from our parental constraints, we do find someone, they break our hearts, we find someone else and they break our hearts, we find a career, it becomes a boring routine, our parents grow old and die, we want them back, we have children, they want to break away from our constraints, and they do and then they are gone, we find a house, we spend our lives paying for it and then our health is gone. We grow old and feeble and then we look back and wonder why did we rush?
We strive for earthly things that do not satisfy. We have yet to understand that Jesus came to teach us the correct things to strive for....for a relationship with our Father. We think that the whole point of Him coming was to "save" us but then we lose sight of what He is saving us from. He did come to save us but not just from going to Hell.....He came to save us from a wasted life, wasted chasing after things that have no meaning and no satisfaction.
What do you chase after? Why are you rushing?
Looking at him, Jesus felt a love for him and said to him, “One thing you lack: go and sell all you possess and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, follow Me.” Mark10:21
Tuesday, April 17, 2018
Reckless Love?
There is a current "popular" song on the radio that brings a couple of questions to mind....the lyrics of the song go like this ~
"There's no shadow You won't light up
Mountain You won't climb up, Coming after me
There's no wall You won't kick down,
Lie You won't tear down, Coming after me"
This song is declaring God's love for His people.
The first question is, "Can you declare the same love of God?
Then the second question from the next lyrics~
"Oh, it chases me down, fights 'til I'm found"
Do you chase Him down and do you fight until He's found?
I have a lot more to say about this, but it is hard to get it across to you since you’ve picked up this bad habit of not listening. By this time you ought to be teachers yourselves, yet here I find you need someone to sit down with you and go over the basics on God again, starting from square one—baby’s milk, when you should have been on solid food long ago! Milk is for beginners, inexperienced in God’s ways; solid food is for the mature, who have some practice in telling right from wrong. Hebrews 5:12
Friday, April 13, 2018
Zechariah 13:9
Notice the word says I will bring them through the fire
Refine and test and then we will call on His name
and He will answer! It sounds like the refining and testing is before He calls us His people.....
“And I will bring the third part through the fire,
Refine them as silver is refined,
And test them as gold is tested.
They will call on My name,
And I will answer them;
I will say, ‘They are My people,’
And they will say, ‘The Lord is my God.’”
Zechariah 13:9
Refine and test and then we will call on His name
and He will answer! It sounds like the refining and testing is before He calls us His people.....
“And I will bring the third part through the fire,
Refine them as silver is refined,
And test them as gold is tested.
They will call on My name,
And I will answer them;
I will say, ‘They are My people,’
And they will say, ‘The Lord is my God.’”
Zechariah 13:9
Friday, April 6, 2018
Psalm 6
When you read this Psalm, stop and think, who are your enemies? Claim this answered prayer for yourself! I claim victory through the Lord's power over: Pain, Infirmity, Rejection, Dissatisfaction, Depression, Age, Fear
Psalm 6
O Lord, don’t rebuke me in your anger
or discipline me in your rage.
2 Have compassion on me, Lord, for I am weak.
Heal me, Lord, for my bones are in agony.
3 I am sick at heart.
How long, O Lord, until you restore me?
or discipline me in your rage.
2 Have compassion on me, Lord, for I am weak.
Heal me, Lord, for my bones are in agony.
3 I am sick at heart.
How long, O Lord, until you restore me?
4 Return, O Lord, and rescue me.
Save me because of your unfailing love.
5 For the dead do not remember you.
Who can praise you from the grave?
Save me because of your unfailing love.
5 For the dead do not remember you.
Who can praise you from the grave?
6 I am worn out from sobbing.
All night I flood my bed with weeping,
drenching it with my tears.
7 My vision is blurred by grief;
my eyes are worn out because of all my enemies.
All night I flood my bed with weeping,
drenching it with my tears.
7 My vision is blurred by grief;
my eyes are worn out because of all my enemies.
8 Go away, all you who do evil,
for the Lord has heard my weeping.
9 The Lord has heard my plea;
the Lord will answer my prayer.
10 May all my enemies be disgraced and terrified.
May they suddenly turn back in shame.
for the Lord has heard my weeping.
9 The Lord has heard my plea;
the Lord will answer my prayer.
10 May all my enemies be disgraced and terrified.
May they suddenly turn back in shame.
Pray
When did we become so divided? Do you believe maybe there is an enemy to our Nation in the Spiritual realm that has a goal of destroying the United States?
We are one of the few countries in the world that has had the nerve to declare ourselves "One Nation Under God"...... that is probably a battle cry for the enemy of our souls and the soul of our Nation! We are also one of the few....no wait, make that the only Nation that supports Israel, the home of God's chosen people! That puts another target on us!
Now to the divided part. In the last year or so we have seen so many divisions in our society, there is no more tolerance even though that is what is touted as the goal of our people! We have Democrats against Republicans, Liberals against Conservatives, blacks against other races, we have women against men, we have poor against rich, we have young against old, now we have teachers against government leaders...
We have always been a Nation of diversity, always! The melting pot of the world was our nickname, I have a theory that part of the problem is some of the people's refusal to melt in the pot, but that is a different subject. This is about division brought about by our enemy.
I'm usually writing this blog to "the choir" or other Christians, so now we can ask ourselves what do we do about this? We pray! We speak peace, love, and balance.
We are spiritual beings with a spiritual enemy but we also have a physical body and therefore our enemy uses physical issues to try to destroy us.
We may disagree with other people and their opinions, but we need to recognize that our battle is not against each other, it is not against people. We will always be in a spiritual wrestling match against our enemy as long as we are in this world. Be at peace with all people as far as in your power, but never, ever neglect to pray over issues that are against the soul of our Nation! If you do not stand firm and pray then there is a battle being fought over our Nation and you are not even showing up to defend it. Think about this, it is not something that can be ignored and/or left for someone else to do! Pray, pray, pray or face the victory of the enemy over our Nation.
For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the powers, against the world forces of this darkness, against the spiritual forces of wickedness in the heavenly places. Ephesians 6:12 NASB
If possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone. Romans 12:18 NASB
We are one of the few countries in the world that has had the nerve to declare ourselves "One Nation Under God"...... that is probably a battle cry for the enemy of our souls and the soul of our Nation! We are also one of the few....no wait, make that the only Nation that supports Israel, the home of God's chosen people! That puts another target on us!
Now to the divided part. In the last year or so we have seen so many divisions in our society, there is no more tolerance even though that is what is touted as the goal of our people! We have Democrats against Republicans, Liberals against Conservatives, blacks against other races, we have women against men, we have poor against rich, we have young against old, now we have teachers against government leaders...
We have always been a Nation of diversity, always! The melting pot of the world was our nickname, I have a theory that part of the problem is some of the people's refusal to melt in the pot, but that is a different subject. This is about division brought about by our enemy.
I'm usually writing this blog to "the choir" or other Christians, so now we can ask ourselves what do we do about this? We pray! We speak peace, love, and balance.
We are spiritual beings with a spiritual enemy but we also have a physical body and therefore our enemy uses physical issues to try to destroy us.
We may disagree with other people and their opinions, but we need to recognize that our battle is not against each other, it is not against people. We will always be in a spiritual wrestling match against our enemy as long as we are in this world. Be at peace with all people as far as in your power, but never, ever neglect to pray over issues that are against the soul of our Nation! If you do not stand firm and pray then there is a battle being fought over our Nation and you are not even showing up to defend it. Think about this, it is not something that can be ignored and/or left for someone else to do! Pray, pray, pray or face the victory of the enemy over our Nation.
For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the powers, against the world forces of this darkness, against the spiritual forces of wickedness in the heavenly places. Ephesians 6:12 NASB
If possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone. Romans 12:18 NASB
Tuesday, April 3, 2018
Easter Sunrise Service
We had the sunrise service last Sunday for Easter.....let me tell you it was COLD! FRIGID COLD! but during the service we heard about many of the early day Christians that were martyred. Part of me wanted to run to the warmth of the car, but part of me thought that I was a pretty pitiful Believer if the early day ones went through stonings, crucifixions, trials, having their heads cut off, being put in boiling oil and here I was that I couldn't handle a cold Oklahoma wind for30 minutes!? (besides that, I was the Preacher's wife, I couldn't bolt and run for the car!) I managed to stay for the full service along with the other brave, tough believers, but I was thankful that Lane cut the last song out of the service! Would you be able to walk the path that the early Christians walked no matter how uncomfortable? Would you stand firm in your beliefs or would you cut and run? I have been looking at this ever since last Sunday, I need to toughen up or how can I reach the world? How about you? Are you committed enough to set your comfort aside to follow Jesus?
Wednesday, March 28, 2018
Broken Or Made Whole?
Recently I heard people speaking and sharing the idea that we as Christians are vile and worms in comparison to God, they repeated this idea several times. I had not heard that for a long time and I have to admit it was a good thing to hear...not because I believe it, but to challenge me to research what I do believe and why! =)
Sometimes we can fall into a habit of just believing what we believe because we have believed it for a long time! It becomes a habit. =/
It is good to go back and refresh our understanding. So today I have spent a great deal of time reading and rereading why I do not believe I am vile! I believe I am a new creation! Yes, I was vile but the Lord has cleansed me and in Him, I am a new creation!
As a Christian, we know that we are made from dust, and we know that outside of being covered by Jesus' blood we have no forgiveness, no hope, and a very dismal future. We know that in ourselves there is no good thing!
BUT~~
As a Christian, we also know that we are covered by Jesus' blood! We know we are forgiven! We know that we are eternal beings with a hope and a great future! We know we are children of the One True King! We know we have been set free from our sinful nature and that our Father is working to bring us to all good things! We know that we are seated at the right hand of the Father, that we are in Christ and He is in us!
I'm writing this to encourage you to recognize that before you believed and trusted in Jesus, yes, you were vile and broken! You were without hope! without forgiveness! but please don't stay there! Move into the Sonship, move into your new self, you have been made whole! He didn't bring you out of your brokenness so that you could spend your time thinking about how bad you were before, He brought you out so you could become a part of the Kingdom and touch the world! Hear your calling! Move forward!
Jesus did His part in covering you, now do your part in living in Him and Him in you!
If we acknowledge our sins, then, since he is trustworthy and just, he will forgive them and purify us from all wrongdoing.1 John 1:9 CJB
Since all have sinned and come short of earning God’s praise. By God’s grace, without earning it, all are granted the status of being considered righteous before him, through the act redeeming us from our enslavement to sin that was accomplished by the Messiah Yeshua. God put Yeshua forward as the kapparah (propitiation, sacrifice)for sin through his faithfulness in respect to his bloody sacrificial death. This vindicated God’s righteousness; because, in his forbearance, he had passed over [with neither punishment nor remission] the sins people had committed in the past; and it vindicates his righteousness in the present age by showing that he is righteous himself and is also the one who makes people righteous on the ground of Yeshua’s faithfulness. Romans 3:23-26 CJB
But God is so rich in mercy and loves us with such intense love that, even when we were dead because of our acts of disobedience, he brought us to life along with the Messiah — it is by grace that you have been delivered. That is, God raised us up with the Messiah Yeshua and seated us with Him in heaven, Ephesians 2:4-6 CJB
He has rescued us from the domain of darkness and transferred us into the Kingdom of his dear Son. It is through his Son that we have redemption — that is, our sins have been forgiven. Colossians 1:13-14 CJB
Therefore, just as you received the Messiah Yeshua as Lord, keep living your life united with him. Remain deeply rooted in him; continue being built up in him and confirmed in your trust, the way you were taught, so that you overflow in thanksgiving. Colossians 2:6-7
He then adds,“ ‘And their sins and their wickednesses
I will remember no more.’ Hebrews 10:17 CJB
And so, dear brothers and sisters, we can boldly enter heaven’s Most Holy Place because of the blood of Jesus. By his death, Jesus opened a new and life-giving way through the curtain into the Most Holy Place. And since we have a great High Priest who rules over God’s house, let us go right into the presence of God with sincere hearts fully trusting him. For our guilty consciences have been sprinkled with Christ’s blood to make us clean, and our bodies have been washed with pure water. Hebrews 10:19-22 NLT
Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new. 2 Corinthians 5:17 NKJV
He has removed our sins from us
as far as the east is from the west. Psalms 103:12 CJB
Sometimes we can fall into a habit of just believing what we believe because we have believed it for a long time! It becomes a habit. =/
It is good to go back and refresh our understanding. So today I have spent a great deal of time reading and rereading why I do not believe I am vile! I believe I am a new creation! Yes, I was vile but the Lord has cleansed me and in Him, I am a new creation!
As a Christian, we know that we are made from dust, and we know that outside of being covered by Jesus' blood we have no forgiveness, no hope, and a very dismal future. We know that in ourselves there is no good thing!
BUT~~
As a Christian, we also know that we are covered by Jesus' blood! We know we are forgiven! We know that we are eternal beings with a hope and a great future! We know we are children of the One True King! We know we have been set free from our sinful nature and that our Father is working to bring us to all good things! We know that we are seated at the right hand of the Father, that we are in Christ and He is in us!
I'm writing this to encourage you to recognize that before you believed and trusted in Jesus, yes, you were vile and broken! You were without hope! without forgiveness! but please don't stay there! Move into the Sonship, move into your new self, you have been made whole! He didn't bring you out of your brokenness so that you could spend your time thinking about how bad you were before, He brought you out so you could become a part of the Kingdom and touch the world! Hear your calling! Move forward!
Jesus did His part in covering you, now do your part in living in Him and Him in you!
If we acknowledge our sins, then, since he is trustworthy and just, he will forgive them and purify us from all wrongdoing.1 John 1:9 CJB
He has rescued us from the domain of darkness and transferred us into the Kingdom of his dear Son. It is through his Son that we have redemption — that is, our sins have been forgiven. Colossians 1:13-14 CJB
I will remember no more.’ Hebrews 10:17 CJB
Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new. 2 Corinthians 5:17 NKJV
as far as the east is from the west. Psalms 103:12 CJB
Wednesday, March 21, 2018
Grow Up! Build Up!
Lane and I had an experience that has stirred this subject so you can blame the other people involved for this teaching! I don't know why the Lord always lets Lane be encouraging and gives me the tough "in your face" teachings to share! Anyways~
We went to the store which will remain nameless, but know that it is the store that everyone in the world goes to and they can be met there 24 hours a day(Never go there looking sloppy or you'll run into everyone!).
As we encountered these people who we have "encountered" before, I asked how they were doing they proceeded to tell us every physical ailment they were enduring, the ones their spouse was enduring, (their children and grandchildren's health was also covered) their past medical tests and future doctors appointments. Plus any mysterious problems that nobody could understand. All the time they were sharing these things they were smiling like a child with a good report card, they were so proud of having so many problems to share!~
I had forgotten this was their pattern but every time we see them they give us a rundown of their health status.
My question is why? Why are they happy they can share so many physical problems? Why is there a pride in them that they are walking examples of poor health? I do believe it probably started as children, maybe the only time they received attention was when they were sick? Who knows?
But as adults, scripture tells us to grow up!
As a result, we are no longer to be children, tossed here and there by waves and carried about by every wind of doctrine, by the trickery of men, by craftiness in deceitful scheming; but speaking the truth in love, we are to grow up in all aspects into Him who is the head, even Christ, Ephesians 4:14-15
We are to change the patterns we learned as children, we are to focus on the true, honorable, right, pure, lovely, good repute, excellence, anything worthy of praise.
Finally, brethren, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is of good repute, if there is any excellence and if anything worthy of praise, dwell on these things. Philippians 4:8
We went to the store which will remain nameless, but know that it is the store that everyone in the world goes to and they can be met there 24 hours a day(Never go there looking sloppy or you'll run into everyone!).
As we encountered these people who we have "encountered" before, I asked how they were doing they proceeded to tell us every physical ailment they were enduring, the ones their spouse was enduring, (their children and grandchildren's health was also covered) their past medical tests and future doctors appointments. Plus any mysterious problems that nobody could understand. All the time they were sharing these things they were smiling like a child with a good report card, they were so proud of having so many problems to share!~
I had forgotten this was their pattern but every time we see them they give us a rundown of their health status.
My question is why? Why are they happy they can share so many physical problems? Why is there a pride in them that they are walking examples of poor health? I do believe it probably started as children, maybe the only time they received attention was when they were sick? Who knows?
But as adults, scripture tells us to grow up!
As a result, we are no longer to be children, tossed here and there by waves and carried about by every wind of doctrine, by the trickery of men, by craftiness in deceitful scheming; but speaking the truth in love, we are to grow up in all aspects into Him who is the head, even Christ, Ephesians 4:14-15
We are to change the patterns we learned as children, we are to focus on the true, honorable, right, pure, lovely, good repute, excellence, anything worthy of praise.
Finally, brethren, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is of good repute, if there is any excellence and if anything worthy of praise, dwell on these things. Philippians 4:8
And I would encourage you to build one another up when you have chance encounters, share what the Lord is doing, how He has blessed you, speak truth and life!
"The good man out of the good treasure of his heart brings forth what is good; and the evil man out of the evil treasure brings forth what is evil; for his mouth speaks from that which fills his heart. Luke 6:45
"The good man out of the good treasure of his heart brings forth what is good; and the evil man out of the evil treasure brings forth what is evil; for his mouth speaks from that which fills his heart. Luke 6:45
Friday, March 16, 2018
Acts 8:9-24
Today's scriptures told the story of Simon,
1. Simon was a man that had been practicing magic in the city where he lived.
2. Simon heard Phillip, a disciple of Jesus preaching about God's kingdom and the name of Jesus,
3. Simon was convicted and repented.
4. Simon stayed by Phillip's side going everywhere he went.
5. Peter and John came to the town where Phillip was preaching.
6. The baptism of the Holy Spirit fell on the ones that Peter and John placed hands on and filled each of them.
7. Simon saw how the Holy Spirit was released and he wanted the ability and offered to pay Peter and John to give him the ability "so that I also can lay my hands on everyone to receive the Holy Spirit.”.
8. Peter rebuked Simon!
9. Peter told Simon that he was going to hell along with his money!
10. Peter told Simon that he would never be part of their ministry because his heart was wrong...but that if he prayed he might be forgiven.
In this scripture I have been convicted that we have elevated people and their feelings above God's holiness, we are more concerned in offending a person than we are of protecting the honor of our Saviour! I cannot imagine any Christian of today saying the things to Simon that Peter said! Yet Peter walked in the power of the Holy Spirit, Peter's very shadow was a healing power!
Lord I do pray that You will forgive my shortcomings, forgive me when I have not stood firm for Your honor! Forgive me when my heart has been wrong and not right with You! Please Holy Spirit come and create a right, steadfast spirit and a clean, pure heart in me! Help me to have understanding and wisdom. Give me courage to walk how You would have me walk, to speak what You would have me to say! I love You Lord, thank You for loving me! In Jesus' name~
Acts 8:9-24 Now, there was a man who lived there who was steeped in sorcery. For some time he had astounded the people of Samaria with his magic, boasting to be someone great.Everyone, from the least to the greatest among them, was dazzled by his sorcery, saying, “This man is the greatest wizard of all! The divine power of God walks among us!” For many years everyone was in awe of him because of his astonishing displays of the magic arts.
But as Philip preached the wonderful news of God’s kingdom realm, and the name of Jesus the Anointed One, many believed his message and were baptized, both men and women. Even Simon believed and was baptized! Wherever Philip went, Simon was right by his side, astounded by all the miracles, signs, and enormous displays of power that he witnessed.
When the apostles in Jerusalem heard that the Samaritans had accepted God’s message of life, they sent Peter and John to pray over them so that they would receive the Holy Spirit. For they had only been baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus and were yet to have the Holy Spirit fall upon them. As soon as Peter and John arrived, they laid their hands on the Samaritan believers, one after another, and the Holy Spirit fell and filled each one of them!
When Simon saw how the Holy Spirit was released through the laying on of the apostles’ hands, he approached them and offered them money, saying, “I want this power too. I’m willing to pay you for the anointing that you have, so that I also can lay my hands on everyone to receive the Holy Spirit.”
Peter rebuked him and said, “Your money will go with you to destruction! How could you even think that you could purchase God’s supernatural gift with money? You will never have this gift or take part in this ministry, for your heart is not right with God. Repent this moment for allowing such wickedness to fill you. Plead with the Lord that perhaps he would forgive you the treachery of your heart. For I discern that jealous envy has poisoned you and binds you as a captive to sin.”
Simon begged, “Peter, please pray to God for me. Plead with him so that nothing you just said over me may come to pass!”
1. Simon was a man that had been practicing magic in the city where he lived.
2. Simon heard Phillip, a disciple of Jesus preaching about God's kingdom and the name of Jesus,
3. Simon was convicted and repented.
4. Simon stayed by Phillip's side going everywhere he went.
5. Peter and John came to the town where Phillip was preaching.
6. The baptism of the Holy Spirit fell on the ones that Peter and John placed hands on and filled each of them.
7. Simon saw how the Holy Spirit was released and he wanted the ability and offered to pay Peter and John to give him the ability "so that I also can lay my hands on everyone to receive the Holy Spirit.”.
8. Peter rebuked Simon!
9. Peter told Simon that he was going to hell along with his money!
10. Peter told Simon that he would never be part of their ministry because his heart was wrong...but that if he prayed he might be forgiven.
In this scripture I have been convicted that we have elevated people and their feelings above God's holiness, we are more concerned in offending a person than we are of protecting the honor of our Saviour! I cannot imagine any Christian of today saying the things to Simon that Peter said! Yet Peter walked in the power of the Holy Spirit, Peter's very shadow was a healing power!
Lord I do pray that You will forgive my shortcomings, forgive me when I have not stood firm for Your honor! Forgive me when my heart has been wrong and not right with You! Please Holy Spirit come and create a right, steadfast spirit and a clean, pure heart in me! Help me to have understanding and wisdom. Give me courage to walk how You would have me walk, to speak what You would have me to say! I love You Lord, thank You for loving me! In Jesus' name~
Acts 8:9-24 Now, there was a man who lived there who was steeped in sorcery. For some time he had astounded the people of Samaria with his magic, boasting to be someone great.Everyone, from the least to the greatest among them, was dazzled by his sorcery, saying, “This man is the greatest wizard of all! The divine power of God walks among us!” For many years everyone was in awe of him because of his astonishing displays of the magic arts.
But as Philip preached the wonderful news of God’s kingdom realm, and the name of Jesus the Anointed One, many believed his message and were baptized, both men and women. Even Simon believed and was baptized! Wherever Philip went, Simon was right by his side, astounded by all the miracles, signs, and enormous displays of power that he witnessed.
When the apostles in Jerusalem heard that the Samaritans had accepted God’s message of life, they sent Peter and John to pray over them so that they would receive the Holy Spirit. For they had only been baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus and were yet to have the Holy Spirit fall upon them. As soon as Peter and John arrived, they laid their hands on the Samaritan believers, one after another, and the Holy Spirit fell and filled each one of them!
When Simon saw how the Holy Spirit was released through the laying on of the apostles’ hands, he approached them and offered them money, saying, “I want this power too. I’m willing to pay you for the anointing that you have, so that I also can lay my hands on everyone to receive the Holy Spirit.”
Peter rebuked him and said, “Your money will go with you to destruction! How could you even think that you could purchase God’s supernatural gift with money? You will never have this gift or take part in this ministry, for your heart is not right with God. Repent this moment for allowing such wickedness to fill you. Plead with the Lord that perhaps he would forgive you the treachery of your heart. For I discern that jealous envy has poisoned you and binds you as a captive to sin.”
Simon begged, “Peter, please pray to God for me. Plead with him so that nothing you just said over me may come to pass!”
Thursday, March 15, 2018
Wisdom and Hope
We are all always growing older, right? With age there is always change, some good, some not what we would seek.
An older woman friend of mine and I were talking about this subject and she shared how each decade of life brings changes to our bodies. Being younger and maybe not quite as mature as she, I said: "it must be hard to go through your body breaking down".
My friend stopped for a moment as if she were listening to an inner voice and then spoke words of great wisdom that I have not yet forgotten.
To my youth orientated statement about bodies breaking down she shared what the inner voice had shared with her, '"You are a child of God. Life is not about learning to deal with your body breaking down, it is about recognizing each new change as an ingredient to create the "Masterpiece" that you are to become"'.
As we go through the changes of our bodies aging there are new challenges and we do slow down, but we are not to see it as a bad thing, but a good thing! If our bodies didn't slow down we would not be able to be more still to hear, think, see and understand the life that we are rushing through in our younger years.
Instead of how sad that we slow down it would be truly sad if we continued to rush through life with the energy of a two-year-old, we would never gain understanding! Or if we continued in the passion of a 16-year-old we would not develop patience, many good things come with the slowing down of maturity.
As our bodies change we grapple with new challenges, we master them and then face the next change until we become a Masterpiece of understanding, patience, perseverance, proven character, and hope.
Don't pursue the aging process but neither discount it or criticize it, it has a purpose....to refine us and to bring us to hope!
And not only this, but we also exult in our tribulations, knowing that tribulation brings about perseverance; and perseverance, proven character; and proven character, hope; and hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out within our hearts through the Holy Spirit who was given to us. Romans 5:3-5 NASB
I pray with great faith for you, because I’m fully convinced that the One who began this glorious work in you will faithfully continue the process of maturing you and will put his finishing touches to it until the unveiling of our Lord Jesus Christ! Philippians 1:6 TPT
An older woman friend of mine and I were talking about this subject and she shared how each decade of life brings changes to our bodies. Being younger and maybe not quite as mature as she, I said: "it must be hard to go through your body breaking down".
My friend stopped for a moment as if she were listening to an inner voice and then spoke words of great wisdom that I have not yet forgotten.
To my youth orientated statement about bodies breaking down she shared what the inner voice had shared with her, '"You are a child of God. Life is not about learning to deal with your body breaking down, it is about recognizing each new change as an ingredient to create the "Masterpiece" that you are to become"'.
As we go through the changes of our bodies aging there are new challenges and we do slow down, but we are not to see it as a bad thing, but a good thing! If our bodies didn't slow down we would not be able to be more still to hear, think, see and understand the life that we are rushing through in our younger years.
Instead of how sad that we slow down it would be truly sad if we continued to rush through life with the energy of a two-year-old, we would never gain understanding! Or if we continued in the passion of a 16-year-old we would not develop patience, many good things come with the slowing down of maturity.
As our bodies change we grapple with new challenges, we master them and then face the next change until we become a Masterpiece of understanding, patience, perseverance, proven character, and hope.
Don't pursue the aging process but neither discount it or criticize it, it has a purpose....to refine us and to bring us to hope!
And not only this, but we also exult in our tribulations, knowing that tribulation brings about perseverance; and perseverance, proven character; and proven character, hope; and hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out within our hearts through the Holy Spirit who was given to us. Romans 5:3-5 NASB
Wednesday, February 14, 2018
Bad News, Good News
Consider this~
Jesus warned Peter that the enemy had asked for permission to "sift" him.
And the Lord said, “Simon, Simon, Satan has asked to sift each of you like wheat. But I have pleaded in prayer for you, Simon, that your faith should not fail. ” Luke 22:31-32
Is it possible you will be sifted also? Or maybe you are being sifted?
Probably yes! You will be or have been! and probably will be again! I know for many Christians this sounds ridiculous or elementary, depending on which camp you're in, but when you are in the middle of a "sifting" it is difficult to see it as either one! "Siftings" do not feel ridiculous or elementary!
Now, as you are sifted or after you have been sifted what is the result going to be?
Are you going to be a pile of whining dust? or are you going to be submitted to the Lord's purpose? Will you glorify the Lord no matter what comes? Will you come through with your heart still set on the Lord's will?
Remember, even as Jesus told Peter(Simon) that He had prayed for him, He is praying for you also! He is standing in intercession for you now! You can know that the grace from Heaven is on you to go through the sifting! Therefore He is able also to save forever those who draw near to God through Him, since He always lives to make intercession for them. Hebrews 7:25
Do not lose heart thinking that you are alone, or that you are the only one to be sifted, we all will be! Or that your sifting is worse than anyone else's....it is all difficult or it wouldn't be "sifting"!
I would like to encourage you with the understanding that as you go through "siftings" there is less of your old nature left each time! If you are like me and pray for more of the Lord and less of me....the sifting is a tool that brings that about! =)
What this comes down to is that we recognize that:
Jesus warned Peter that the enemy had asked for permission to "sift" him.
And the Lord said, “Simon, Simon, Satan has asked to sift each of you like wheat. But I have pleaded in prayer for you, Simon, that your faith should not fail. ” Luke 22:31-32
Is it possible you will be sifted also? Or maybe you are being sifted?
Probably yes! You will be or have been! and probably will be again! I know for many Christians this sounds ridiculous or elementary, depending on which camp you're in, but when you are in the middle of a "sifting" it is difficult to see it as either one! "Siftings" do not feel ridiculous or elementary!
Now, as you are sifted or after you have been sifted what is the result going to be?
Are you going to be a pile of whining dust? or are you going to be submitted to the Lord's purpose? Will you glorify the Lord no matter what comes? Will you come through with your heart still set on the Lord's will?
Remember, even as Jesus told Peter(Simon) that He had prayed for him, He is praying for you also! He is standing in intercession for you now! You can know that the grace from Heaven is on you to go through the sifting! Therefore He is able also to save forever those who draw near to God through Him, since He always lives to make intercession for them. Hebrews 7:25
Do not lose heart thinking that you are alone, or that you are the only one to be sifted, we all will be! Or that your sifting is worse than anyone else's....it is all difficult or it wouldn't be "sifting"!
I would like to encourage you with the understanding that as you go through "siftings" there is less of your old nature left each time! If you are like me and pray for more of the Lord and less of me....the sifting is a tool that brings that about! =)
What this comes down to is that we recognize that:
- We will be sifted,
- We will survive the sifting,
- Try to go through it with the Lord's grace!
- If you keep your focus on the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit you will grow spiritually stronger!
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