Anxiety......Jeremiah 17:5-10



The problem.
Jeremiah 17:5-6 (The Message)
God's Message:
"Cursed is the strong one who depends on mere humans, Who thinks he can make it on muscle alone and sets God aside as dead weight. He's like a tumbleweed on the prairie, out of touch with the good earth.
He lives rootless and aimless in a land where nothing grows.


 God says the person that depends on mere humans is cursed!
Depends means
1. to rely; place trust :You may depend on the accuracy of the report.
2. to rely for support, maintenance, help.


Do you rely on a humans or a person to give you the right report...Gods report is yes and amen. The promises of God are the only reports you should be relying on....not anyone Else's!


Do you rely on people for support and help....or even the maintenance of your soul? (having others studying, reading and praying for you) Support and help are to come from God, He is the only one that will never fail you in times of need. Do you get upset when you need support or help (prayer or bible knowledge) and no one is around to give you Gods report?
In the nkjv it uses the words: trust in man and makes flesh his strength.
Trust means to make secure or to feel safe.

Are you trusting someone rather than God to make you feel safe and secure?

It also says you will never grow if you do these things....no fruit and you will remain the same and continue in elementary Christianity. You will be tossed by every storm every wind like a tumbleweed, no root to stabilize you!

AIMLESS....you will not hit the bulls eye, you will constantly miss the mark (SIN).

Jeremiah 17:7-8 "But blessed is the man who trusts me, God, the woman who sticks with God.

They're like trees replanted in Eden, putting down roots near the rivers—Never a worry through the hottest of summers, never dropping a leaf,Serene and calm through droughts, bearing fresh fruit every season.


Replanted in Eden...wow! never noticed that before! Eden was where Adam and Eve walked with God! Sweet fellowship with Him daily!!!
Never worried.....
Serene and calm through droughts......calm, peaceful, or tranquil; unruffled,without rough motion; still or nearly still. example: a calm sea.


We need to be still in order to hear God, if we are to busy and never put time away to be with Him and be still, we will never experience His salvation and peace! You can have salvation but not be experiencing what salvation is!

Exodus 14:13
And Moses said to the people, “Do not be afraid. Stand still, and see the salvation of the LORD, which He will accomplish for you today. For the Egyptians whom you see today, you shall see again no more forever.


Jeremiah 17:9-10 "The heart is hopelessly dark and deceitful, a puzzle that no one can figure out.1 Corinthians 10:13
No temptation has overtaken you except such as is common to man; but God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will also make the way of escape, that you may be able to bear it.
The answer...
But I, God, search the heart and examine the mind.I get to the heart of the human. I get to the root of things.
I treat them as they really are, not as they pretend to be."
.
We NEED to understand that we DO NOT know our heart! We think we do, but the bible is clear that God alone knows whats really is in there! If we know this, then we should be driven to figure out the truth (Gods word) If my heart is telling me a lie and I know the word of God....I can spot the problem. If I FEEL or THINK something that is contrary to what the bible says and teaches; then my heart is lieing to me! At that point I need to trust the word of the Lord, not my FEELINGS or THOUGHTS! This is the only way you will see your heart and problems clearly!
God is true and EVERY man is a liar! Even if that man might be you!
Romans 3:4
Certainly not! Indeed, let God be true but every man a liar. As it is written:“ That You may be justified in Your words,And may overcome when You are judged.”
God will help you get to the root of your problems, instead of masking them. Doctors mask problems God fixes them! We can Go to doctors, they are good....but not when you are depending on them to fix problems that only God can fix. They are good for infections, glasses, curable things.......but not if it is rooted deeper in spiritual things, they will only mask the symtoms! Example: depression
Depression can be from disobedience or other spiritual issues, sometimes the doctors can help you with tempory releif and be a stepping stone to help in a despret situation; but rest assured you will need to follow up with the Great physician "Jesus".
God will search your heart and reveal things to you about yourself. Sometimes this is a very uncomfortable season...if you dont rely on God for peace and comfort; you will be anxious! You must rely on Gods promises and beleive the report of the Lord during these times. He is with you, He loves you and His grace is sufficient for you.
God will never lead you, where the grace of God wont keep you!
If you have no peace you havent spent enough time in true fellowship or maybe you need it more often during the day.


1.Don't depend on man for security, support, help maintenance and don't listen to anybodies report but Gods! Man can line up with God but they are still human and wont meet your expectations!


Psalm 62:5
My soul, wait silently for God alone,For my expectation is from Him.
2.It is clear we must have fellowship with God  DAILY. Have time set apart to be in His presence and be still with NOTHING else going on.


3.Study, study, study.....the more you know the better you can spot issues in yourself and you wont have to depend on people to explain them to you. You also will have peace, knowing what the bible says and not trusting in humans to tell you!


2 Corinthians 10:5 (Amplified Bible)
[Inasmuch as we] refute arguments and theories and reasonings and every proud and lofty thing that sets itself up against the [true] knowledge of God; and we lead every thought and purpose away captive into the obedience of Christ (the Messiah, the Anointed One),


Philippians 4:8
[ Meditate on These Things ] Finally, brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy—meditate on these things.
Matthew 6:34 (The Message) "Give your entire attention to what God is doing right now, and don't get worked up about what may or may not happen tomorrow. God will help you deal with whatever hard things come up when the time comes.


Bottom line....its a sin to think, say and ponder the WHAT IF'S in life. You must remove this statement far from your MIND!

You get JOY from doing good works!

Galatians 6:4 (Amplified Bible)

But let every person carefully scrutinize and examine and test his own conduct and his own work. He can then have the personal satisfaction and joy of doing something commendable [in itself alone] without [resorting to] boastful comparison with his neighbor.

Do you want to walk on water?



Discipline in a Long-Distance Race
Hebrews 12:
1-3 Do you see what this means—all these pioneers who blazed the way, all these veterans cheering us on? It means we'd better get on with it. Strip down, start running—and never quit! No extra spiritual fat, no parasitic sins. Keep your eyes on Jesus, who both began and finished this race we're in. Study how he did it. Because he never lost sight of where he was headed—that exhilarating finish in and with God—he could put up with anything along the way: Cross, shame, whatever. And now he's there, in the place of honor, right alongside God. When you find yourselves flagging in your faith, go over that story again, item by item, that long litany of hostility he plowed through. That will shoot adrenaline into your souls!

This is what you need to do! Get rid of sin and stay focused on the Jesus! Study and remind yourselves when necessary!


This is the problem...
Matt 14:29-30
He said, "Come ahead."
Jumping out of the boat, Peter walked on the water to Jesus. But when he looked down at the waves churning beneath his feet, he lost his nerve and started to sink. He cried, "Master, save me!"

Don't lose your nerve!

Have you ever noticed that Peter walked on water! Notice that Jesus told Peter to come! If God tells you to do something He will enable you to do it! If He tells us to walk on water....we will... IF, we keep our eyes on Jesus! Alot of people think because they are doing all kinds of stuff in the name of Jesus that God will bless it. This isn't scriptural, Jesus will bless it... if He has called you to do it! I would hate to be in a race and find out that I am on a hamsters wheel going no where. Lots of running but accomplishing nothing! This is what we do when we are not lead by the spirit. Have you ever just got quit with God and asked Him what He wants you to do?

Luke 10:38-40(The Message)
As they continued their travel, Jesus entered a village. A woman by the name of Martha welcomed him and made him feel quite at home. She had a sister, Mary, who sat before the Master, hanging on every word he said. But Martha was pulled away by all she had to do in the kitchen. Later, she stepped in, interrupting them. "Master, don't you care that my sister has abandoned the kitchen to me? Tell her to lend me a hand."

41-42The Master said, "Martha, dear Martha, you're fussing far too much and getting yourself worked up over nothing. One thing only is essential, and Mary has chosen it—it's the main course, and won't be taken from her."

We are to be about our Fathers business, however, we need to pay attention to what He wants us to do! We can make plans but we need to be sensitive to the spirit. If we are so busy that we don't see the special opportunities God is giving us....we are in a hamster cage! Would you change your plans? Would you stop in the middle of something IMPORTANT?

Proverbs 19:21
We humans keep brainstorming options and plans, but God's purpose prevails.

2 Corinthians 1:12-14 (The Message)
Now that the worst is over, we're pleased we can report that we've come out of this with conscience and faith intact, and can face the world—and even more importantly, face you with our heads held high. But it wasn't by any fancy footwork on our part. It was God who kept us focused on him, uncompromised. Don't try to read between the lines or look for hidden meanings in this letter. We're writing plain, unembellished truth, hoping that you'll now see the whole picture as well as you've seen some of the details. We want you to be as proud of us as we are of you when we stand together before our Master Jesus.

God will guide us! He is with us! He doesn't hide from us! Its not a game for Him! So knowing this, by faith we hear Him and by faith, we walk with Him!

Last night was so awesome....I was praying and I felt like He wanted me to go to CVS. I was talking to Him all the way there. I ended up meeting several people, praying with them and encouraging them....I even found a woman that came into service that needed prayer! It was awesome! I absolutely loved it when I see His hand on me! I had a lady even give me her email address and phone number! All that in 20  minutes! This goes to show you that His yoke is easy and burden is light. How often we put so much effort into something and get no where! I believe He has special things planned for these people I met! I am so encouraged when I am used by God!

Just remember, Peter walked on water, but only when Jesus told him to! He was able to do the IMPOSSIBLE! He didn't sink until he lost focus of Jesus and started looking at the problems around him. I believe God will call us out of the boat as well! I believe we can do the impossible, IF, we stay focused on Jesus and STOP focusing on our problems and the storms around us! Like Mary we need to be in awe with every word! Stop doing so many things and be led by God! God didnt call us to be busy bodies, He called us to be fruitful.

I have such a big desire to do all God wants me to! I surrender my life for Him!

Called to Duty...

So a couple of months ago I started to notice that I wasn't really going forward for God. I decided to press against the gates of hell and all hell came against my life! This is no surprise, our enemy doesn't desire us to press against his kingdom. He doesn't just sit there and shrivel up and let us do it! We are kidding ourselves if we think he is going to leave us alone. Each time I got up, I was knocked back down, might I add, very hard!
The bible says that if we resist the devil he will flee!
James 4:7
[ Humility Cures Worldliness ] Therefore submit to God. Resist the devil and he will flee from you.
But we first must submit to God!
Everyone wants the promises without the works, lol! I am submitted and I am believing the devil will flee! It doesn't say how long it takes but it will happen!
I love God with all my heart and the gates of hell will not prevail against His army!

Can you see where you are going?

Revelation 2:5 (Amplified Bible)
Remember then from what heights you have fallen. Repent (change the inner man to meet God's will) and do the works you did previously [when first you knew the Lord], or else I will visit you and remove your lampstand from its place, unless you change your mind and repent.

The lampstand in the bible was located in the holy place. This is where he met with God and had a relationship with Him. The holy place had no windows and absolutly no light. The lampstand was the only light in the holy place, it was a picture of Gods presence; if it went out the high priest could not see where he was going. Hence, he would be walking around like a blind man. Unable to see where he was going.

Exodus 27:20 (Amplified Bible)
You shall command the Israelites to provide you with pure oil of crushed olives for the light, to cause it to burn continually [every night].

Gods people where commanded to bring pure olive oil to keep the lamp going continuously. It was not supposed to go out.

In the new testiment, we see a parable of the wise and foolish virgins. They also, needed their lamps to stay lit continually. If they did not bring enough oil, they where foolish, tbeir lamps would go out and then they would have to go purchase more. When they went to buy more, that is when Christ (their groom) came. They missed Him!

Sadly, people miss all the warnings in the bible...they think all they have to do is beleive (with their thoughts) in Christ. They think that they are saved by faith only. It is true that we are saved by faith but if their are no works; it proves we really dont have the faith we need. Faith without works is dead. If pour faith is dead, we are dead spiritually speaking.

Over and over the bible expresses warnings to us, written to christians! Why dont we prepare ourselves, like the wise virgins? If we dont, we will miss it!

I remember when I first got saved, I loved this scripture:
Mark 9:47 (Amplified Bible)
And if your eye causes you to stumble and sin, pluck it out! It is more profitable and wholesome for you to enter the kingdom of God with one eye than with two eyes to be thrown into hell (Gehenna)

Their was this person that had used it though and brought alot of confusion to me. She said
"do you think God really wants you to pluck your eye out and cut your hand off?" While she probably didnt mean to bring confusion...it did. I started to study it and what this scriture is saying is; DO WHAT EVER IT TAKES NOT TO SIN.  It was telling you to be radical with your sin! Make your flesh submitt to the spirit!

I also, told everyone around me about what God did in my life! I couldnt keep silent! In fact, I would get introuble alot, because I still didnt know when or whrere to share my faith! I didnt understand how to share it either. I would tell people they where going to hell! lol!

So, its been about 8.5 years now and I have learned when, where and how to share my faith, BUT I noticed that I wasnt radical anymore. In fact I RARELY TOLD ANYONE ABOUT MY FAITH. This is the sin! I had lost my first love! The bible commands us to remember then from what heights we have fallen. So I started to think about it.... I was convinced I had fallen!

The bible then commands us to repent! Turn! Change your direction and do the first works! So now, I have done this. I have decided to pick up where I left off. I still loved God! I still was in church! I even prayed and read my bible! However, I could see my actions not lining up with when I first was converted. The radicallness was gone the desire to tell everyone wasnt there! I was still conviced though that I was okay, on my way to heaven but I was luke warm!

Revelation 3:16
So, because you are lukewarm—neither hot nor cold—I am about to spit you out of my mouth.

Please please please listen to me! I know you may love God, read, pray ect....but if you are not prepared with your lamp stands lit! Which is lit with fire! Then you are not prepared. Fire is hot and intence! Are you?

The lampstand will be removed if you dont repent! The scripture states that your lampstand will be removed. What does this mean? Is God going to remove our light from our path so we cant see where we are headed?

Judges 16:20 (Amplified Bible)
She said, The Philistines are upon you, Samson! And he awoke out of his sleep and said, I will go out as I have time after time and shake myself free. For Samson did not know that the Lord had departed from him.

Samson didnt even realize the Lord departed from him. Will we know if our light has been removed from us?

Romans 1:28-32 (Amplified Bible)
And so, since they did not see fit to acknowledge God or approve of Him or consider Him worth the knowing, God gave them over to a base and condemned mind to do things not proper or decent but loathsome,
29Until they were filled (permeated and saturated) with every kind of unrighteousness, iniquity, grasping and covetous greed, and malice. [They were] full of envy and jealousy, murder, strife, deceit and treachery, ill will and cruel ways. [They were] secret backbiters and gossipers,
30Slanderers, hateful to and hating God, full of insolence, arrogance, [and] boasting; inventors of new forms of evil, disobedient and undutiful to parents.
31[They were] without understanding, conscienceless and faithless, heartless and loveless [and] merciless.
32Though they are fully aware of God's righteous decree that those who do such things deserve to die, they not only do them themselves but approve and applaud others who practice them.
Do you do these things? Do you have an abased mind?

This is very scarey! We need to examine ourselves! Are we prepared, do we have what it takes, do our works line up with God, is the presence of God still with us, or is His light still shining our path?

The religous people in the bible where taking people with them as they fell into ditches.....they coould see where they where going, they didnt even realize they where headed for the ditches!

Matthew 15:14 (Amplified Bible)
Let them alone and disregard them; they are blind guides and teachers. And if a blind man leads a blind man, both will fall into a ditch.

First remember your first works! Compare them to your current works.
Then repent! Turn around and change your mind.
Finally, do those first works again, passionatly, with fire!

Conclusion: The lampstand is a picture of Gods presence, that He is with us, lighting up our path. Dont be lukewarm...you will fall into the ditch, be abased and foolishly unprepared to die or the rapture.

Is your faith dead or alive?

Works is the "evidence" of true saving grace!

James 2:19-20 (The Message)
Do I hear you professing to believe in the one and only God, but then observe you complacently sitting back as if you had done something wonderful? That's just great. Demons do that, but what good does it do them? Use your heads! Do you suppose for a minute that you can cut faith and works in two and not end up with a corpse on your hands?

*****Good Samaritan (Luke 10:25-35) *****
Luke 10:25-35 (The Message)
25Just then a religion scholar stood up with a question to test Jesus. "Teacher, what do I need to do to get eternal life?"
26He answered, "What's written in God's Law? How do you interpret it?"
27He said, "That you love the Lord your God with all your passion and prayer and muscle and intelligence—and that you love your neighbor as well as you do yourself."
28"Good answer!" said Jesus. "Do it and you'll live."
29Looking for a loophole, he asked, "And just how would you define 'neighbor'?"
30-32Jesus answered by telling a story. "There was once a man traveling from Jerusalem to Jericho. On the way he was attacked by robbers. They took his clothes, beat him up, and went off leaving him half-dead. Luckily, a priest was on his way down the same road, but when he saw him he angled across to the other side. Then a Levite religious man showed up; he also avoided the injured man.
33-35"A Samaritan traveling the road came on him. When he saw the man's condition, his heart went out to him. He gave him first aid, disinfecting and bandaging his wounds. Then he lifted him onto his donkey, led him to an inn, and made him comfortable. In the morning he took out two silver coins and gave them to the innkeeper, saying, 'Take good care of him. If it costs any more, put it on my bill—I'll pay you on my way back.'

I want to point out a few things in this passage.
First, notice how the “religious person is trying to get out of what Jesus is teaching. He is trying to find loopholes….

The biggest loophole Christians find is the scripture that says we are not saved by works and they go on to say by faith alone we are saved. But this is a misinterpretation of the scripture, the pharsees (religious people) thought highly of themselves because they did so much, their self-righteousness was as filthy rags to God, we have to have the grace of God to make heaven our home. However, woks will follow geuioun faith. BECAREFUL TO USE THIS SCRIPTURE…..loopholes can be found; but that is not Gods heart….that is religion.

Second, Jesus goes directly to the law. The law is there so we can identify our sin, if we are doing something wrong it will show us. Some Christians use this also, they say that we are “new testament believers” AND THAT WE DON’T LIVE UNDER THE LAW, (another loophole), this is also is correct; but the law is there as a tool to check ourselves. We aren’t supposed to just ignore the Old Testament!

Third, the religious person responds with the answer to Jesus’ question, he states that we need to love God with everything in us and love people (neighbors), the way we love ourselves.

We all think that we love people the way we love ourselves….but think with me, how many people have you seen just this week that have been broken, lost, hungry, hurting, ect…but you have just walked right by them; in the stores, driving around, at schools and even worse, people at the haunted house. We fail daily to love people, take the time for people and go out of our way for people the way we do for ourselves!

Forth, Jesus started to tell him a story, (because he was trying to get the man to see himself clearly) we already read the story, I want to draw a parallel. Let the robbers be pictured as this world and the devil. The Devil attaches people, takes everything they have, beats them and then leaves them to die! He drives them to addiction, depression, self-hatred, self-pity, angry and a lot of times suicidal!

Fifth, the religious person is the person that sees the issues, sees the hurt, the pain and people dying all around them….headed for a devils hell and does NOTHING ABOUT IT!

Sixth, this person is the person we should be like! Our hearts should be hurting for the people around us, we should be going out of our way to preach His message, reach out to the poor, proclaim His forgiveness- to all that would hear us, to bring sight to the blind, to help those that are burdened and abused and to heal the broken hearted!

Luke 4:18 God's Spirit is on me;
he's chosen me to preach the Message of good news to
the poor, Sent me to announce pardon to prisoners and
recovery of sight to the blind,
To set the burdened and battered free,
to announce, "This is God's year to act!"

The Good Samaritan saw the need and met it. The religious person saw the need and turned his head, and ignored it! He came up with every excuse he could not to meet the need!

The calling that everyone has on his or her life is to meet the need!

Right now, our church needs to move towards the mark, who will ignore the need and who will meet the need?

This is the difference between being religious and being the Good Samaritan.

Faith without works is not faith at all. It is lip service.

Isaiah 29:13 (Amplified Bible) And the Lord said, Forasmuch as this people draw near Me with their mouth and honor Me with their lips but remove their hearts and minds far from Me, and their fear and reverence for Me are a commandment of men that is learned by repetition [without any thought as to the meaning].

Back to our original scripture:
James 2:19-20 (The Message)
Do I hear you professing to believe in the one and only God, but then observe you complacently sitting back as if you had done something wonderful? That's just great. Demons do that, but what good does it do them? Use your heads! Do you suppose for a minute that you can cut faith and works in two and not end up with a corpse on your hands?

We sit complacently while others do the work….statistics state that 20% of the church does all the work.

Your body would not function correctly if it only was using 20%.... and the body of Christ (the church) is not functioning correctly!

1 Corinthians 12:12 (New Living Translation)
The human body has many parts, but the many parts make up one whole body. So it is with the body of Christ.

I have been guilty of this very thing! I have repented and I am pressing for the mark! I am reaching for the goal…..we need to continue to help each other, encourage each other and support each other.

A few years ago, I remember Tony saying that the troops would get angry when people would say, “They do not support the war but they support our troops”. He said that the troops hated that, and said that it is impossible to support our troops without supporting the war!

We can apply that to the war we (Christians) are fighting! If we sit at home and say ya, we support the church (troops), but then do not go out with them to war….we aren’t supporting them at all. Once again, it is lip servive. Works is the "evidence" of our support.

I hope this has helped you; I have attached several scriptures for you to read at home. This study has brought me back to my first works. I believe this was the mind of God for us this morning. I really hope to see you all in the trenches with me! Together it is encouraging but alone it is hard!

Ecclesiastes 4:10 (The Message)
It's better to have a partner than go it alone.
Share the work, share the wealth.
And if one falls down, the other helps,
But if there's no one to help, tough!

Would Jesus say that you are steadfast, always abounding in His work?
Do you actively seek ways to be more involved in the work of the church, or do you seek to avoid work?
If every member were just as active and involved in the work of the church as you are, how much work would be accomplished?

1 Corinthians 15:58 (The Message)
With all this going for us, my dear, dear friends, stand your ground. And don't hold back. Throw yourselves into the work of the Master, confident that nothing you do for him is a waste of time or effort.

1 Peter 1:17
And if you call on the Father, who without partiality judges according to each one’s work, conduct yourselves throughout the time of your stay here in fear;
Revelation 20:12
And I saw the dead, small and great, standing before God, and books were opened. And another book was opened, which is the Book of Life. And the dead were judged according to their works, by the things which were written in the books.
Revelation 20:13
The sea gave up the dead who were in it, and Death and Hades delivered up the dead who were in them. And they were judged, each one according to his works.

Attitudes

This is the warning!Genesis 4:7 (Amplified Bible)
If you do well, will you not be accepted? And if you do not do well, sin crouches at your door; its desire is for you, but you must master it.

People around you are affected!Deuteronomy 20:8 (Amplified Bible)
And the officers shall speak further to the people, and say, What man is fearful and fainthearted? Let him return to his house, lest [because of him] his brethren's [minds and] hearts faint as does his own.


Are you open to rebuke or correction?2 Samuel 16:11-12 (Amplified Bible)
And David said to Abishai and to all his servants, Behold, my son, who was born to me, seeks my life. With how much more reason now may this Benjamite do it? Let him alone; and let him curse, for the Lord has bidden him to do it.
It may be that the Lord will look on the iniquity done me and will recompense me with good for his cursing this day.


Are you bitter or better?
Ruth 1:20 (Amplified Bible)
And she said to them, Call me not Naomi [pleasant]; call me Mara [bitter], for the Almighty has dealt very bitterly with me.

Ruth 2:13 (Amplified Bible)
Then she said, Let me find favor in your sight, my lord. For you have comforted me and have spoken to the heart of your maidservant, though I am not as one of your maidservants.


Teachable or willing to listen?Job 6:24 (Amplified Bible)
Teach me, and I will hold my peace; and cause me to understand wherein I have erred.


Angry?
Genesis 4:5-6 (Amplified Bible)
But for Cain and his offering He had no respect or regard. So Cain was exceedingly angry and indignant, and he looked sad and depressed.
And the Lord said to Cain, Why are you angry? And why do you look sad and depressed and dejected?


Hateful?
1 John 4:20 (Amplified Bible)
If anyone says, I love God, and hates (detests, abominates) his brother [in Christ], he is a liar; for he who does not love his brother, whom he has seen, cannot love God, Whom he has not seen.


Unforgiving?
Matthew 6:14-15 (Amplified Bible)
For if you forgive people their trespasses [their reckless and willful sins, leaving them, letting them go, and giving up resentment], your heavenly Father will also forgive you.
But if you do not forgive others their trespasses [their reckless and willful sins, leaving them, letting them go, and giving up resentment], neither will your Father forgive you your trespasses.

Think you are better or deserve better?

Jesus didnt deserve it and He was better than all of us!
Philippians 2:6-7 (Amplified Bible)
Who, although being essentially one with God and in the form of God [possessing the fullness of the attributes which make God God], did not think this equality with God was a thing to be eagerly grasped ]or retained,
But stripped Himself [of all privileges and rightful dignity], so as to assume the guise of a servant (slave), in that He became like men and was born a human being.

Do you leave traps for your enemy or plot evil?
Proverbs 1:18 (Amplified Bible)
But [when these men set a trap for others] they are lying in wait for their own blood; they set an ambush for their own lives.

Is this your prayer?
Psalm 51:10 (Amplified Bible)
Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a right, persevering, and steadfast spirit within me.

In order to have a good attitude you must keep your thoughts right.....what ever is in your heart and mind will bleed out your attitude!
Philippians 4:8 "Finally, brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy; meditate on these things."

Titles...Positions...

People want titles and positions, not realizing the work behind it. There were men that wanted to sit at Jesus' right hand but Jesus asked them if they where willing to drink of the cup? Asking them if they would be willing to die for it? I pray Gods will be done with me, because if you get a position or title that you aren't ready for, it can very well ruin you. It can take your joy and ruin many relationships and ultimately take you right out of the will of God.

Matthew 20:21 (New Living Translation)“What is your request?” he asked. She replied, “In your Kingdom, please let my two sons sit in places of honor next to you, one on your right and the other on your left.”
People don't realize what they ask for....they want to be seen, not abused! Most positions come with much abuse. People take advantage of you, hate you, challenge you and worse, everyone thinks they can do it better than you. If you are not equipped for it, it can take you out......! God doesn't measure you by the notches on your belt...He measures your heart!

Just cause someone has a title doesn't mean they are acting on Gods behalf either! There have been many people that name the name of Jesus and still don't hear from Him. They hear from everyone around them. Everyone that is in their ear, giving them what they want to hear. The people that stand for the truth and whats right are a lot of times the ones that get accused of the worse stuff. They are accused of everything under the sun and are persecuted because they don't submit to the flow!

Its crazy when positions are created and titles formed just to keep peace in a group  of people. People need to get a back bone and realize that sometimes its not about that! You don't need a title to be used by God. Pilate crucified Christ in fear of the people! Why give the title, why not just tell the people what they need to do and let the chips fall into place. You shouldn't have to get people fired up about getting a title, so they rise up.... they should do it because its the right thing to do and because they love God.

I have come to realize...all of it is not worth it! The competition, striving, animosity etc! I don't need or want it....I will serve without the headache. God puts people where He wants them. He also removes them when He wants to. I am convinced that no matter what a man does they cant stop you from fulfilling Gods plan for you! Only you can stop it and only you can turn from it. All the people in the bible...Joseph and David could not be kept from what God had for them...Through many trials and hardships Gods will was done. Even Jesus told Pilate, you only have the authority over me that My Father has given you.

1 Corinthians 12:18 (New King James Version) But now God has set the members, each one of them, in the body just as He pleased.

If you are the only one standing for the truth...are you going to continue to stand? What if it is amongst your closest friends? Most wont!
I lay my life down for God....no one makes me. I can pick it up again when I choose. I love God and I willfully lay down my will and life for His!

Titles and positions can change people. Be careful to stay connected to God about everything!

Even if you think you are doing the will of God and you are rolling with the flow you should still seek God in all your decisions!
Joshua 9:14 (New Living Translation) So the Israelites examined their food, but they did not consult the Lord.

People sometimes get caught up in religious activity and forget about God!

Hosea 4:12 (New King James Version) My people ask counsel from their wooden idols, and their staff informs them. For the spirit of harlotry has caused them to stray, And they have played the harlot against their God.

Please be careful not to think your okay with God just because you have a position. Pastors, priest, ministers, people in ministry, people that are devote to church! All kinds of people that look and seem okay with God......are far from doing what God has called them to.

 Isaiah 29:13 (Amplified Bible) And the Lord said, Forasmuch as this people draw near Me with their mouth and honor Me with their lips but remove their hearts and minds far from Me, and their fear and reverence for Me are a commandment of men that is learned by repetition [without any thought as to the meaning]

The grass is greener in the other yard!

It always kills me that people just think they have it so bad. Everything requires work and maintenance, if you dont water your grass it dies, if you start to water it more, it comes back to life.....mind you -usually stronger and thicker.

I used to say water your grass more but now I say uproot the grass and build a pool! I guess that could be devastating for the grass, but I am allergic to grass and I like swimming better anyways!

BUT! the bible says:
Proverbs 14:1
The wise woman builds her house, but with her own hands the foolish one tears hers down.

Well, so much for that idea...!!!

2 Timothy 4:5 (The Message)
3-5You're going to find that there will be times when people will have no stomach for solid teaching, but will fill up on spiritual junk food—catchy opinions that tickle their fancy. They'll turn their backs on truth and chase mirages. But you—keep your eye on what you're doing; accept the hard times along with the good; keep the Message alive; do a thorough job as God's servant.

2 Timothy 4:5 (New King James Version)

 But you be watchful in all things, endure afflictions, do the work of an evangelist, fulfill your ministry.

Remember after you get your grass back to being healthy...its takes alot of work to keep it that way!

The Silent Killer

No one thinks they have it, it sneaks up on you when you least expect it. Some of the symtoms are being short tempered with people, getting frustrated if they dont understand something or do something you think they should do. Getting into heated discussions, always thinking your right in arguements. Having input about stuff that is none of your business. The more you understand something, or think you understand something; the more you need to be checking yourself for this.

I recently had to ask myself if I was full of pride. Pride hides itself, is disguses itself. Pride will tear your life apart! It ruins relationships, it offends people and you can give Christ a bad name.

1 Corinthians 8:1-3 (Amplified Bible)
NOW ABOUT food offered to idols: of course we know that all of us possess knowledge [concerning these matters. Yet mere] knowledge causes people to be puffed up (to bear themselves loftily and be proud), but love (affection and goodwill and benevolence) edifies and builds up and encourages one to grow [to his full stature]. If anyone imagines that he has come to know and understand much [of divine things, without love], he does not yet perceive and recognize and understand as strongly and clearly, nor has he become as intimately acquainted with anything as he ought or as is necessary.
But if one loves God truly with affectionate reverence, prompt obedience, and grateful recognition of His blessing], he is known by God recognized as worthy of His intimacy and love, and he is owned by Him].

Thinking you have discernment but really you are being critical. 

Discerment is rooted in love, discerment without love is being critical.

1 Corinthians 4 (The Message)
14-16 I'm not writing all this as a neighborhood scold just to make you feel rotten. I'm writing as a father to you, my children. I love you and want you to grow up well, not spoiled. There are a lot of people around who can't wait to tell you what you've done wrong, but there aren't many fathers willing to take the time and effort to help you grow up. It was as Jesus helped me proclaim God's Message to you that I became your father. I'm not, you know, asking you to do anything I'm not already doing myself.

Another symtom is not listening or interrupting. Even better, there is a big conversation and you get in it, but what you say is not even the subject being talked about. Just wanting to look li,e you know something.

1 Corinthians 4:18-20 (The Message)
I know there are some among you who are so full of themselves they never listen to anyone, let alone me. They don't think I'll ever show up in person. But I'll be there sooner than you think, God willing, and then we'll see if they're full of anything but hot air. God's Way is not a matter of mere talk; it's an empowered life.

God help us to grow in love, help us to knock down the walls that hurt us so very much! Help to mature and beleive You have everything in contrtol! We don't need to put our hands in everything! Help us to see where our hearts are and motive are. Remind us when we are not doing what You want us to. Help us be humble, pateint and gentle.

James 4:6 (The Message)
You're cheating on God. If all you want is your own way, flirting with the world every chance you get, you end up enemies of God and his way. And do you suppose God doesn't care? The proverb has it that "he's a fiercely jealous lover." And what he gives in love is far better than anything else you'll find. It's common knowledge that "God goes against the willful proud; God gives grace to the willing humble."

Pride makes you see yourself as a victim.

You know, there comes a time when you need to just stop being hurt and offended at the littlest things. People that care about, can't reach you or love you. Have you ever thought that maybe most of your issues are self induced. Your holding on to things that happened in the past like they were yesterday! Making everyone feel sorry for you and worse feeling sorry for yourself constantly. Life is what you make of it. You don't like your life.....your the only one that can change it. People try to help you and you get mad or don't accept the help...why? This isn't how God intended us to live! He has given us family, friends and people around us.....they are supposed to bring joy to your life! Pain comes, but it is supposed to go! People hurt us, but they are hurting! Why cant you see its not personal? Your expectations are to high, you expect more out of people than God himself. If you would lower your expectations you wouldn't get hurt so much!

I would venture to say; everything you see that you don't like in people or that makes you mad.....you do those exact things as well....its like looking in the mirror!

All they want is easy street. They hate Christ's Cross. But easy street is a dead-end street.

Focus on the goal. How many of you when you run a race, you look back and say, "wow....did you see me in the beginning?" Did you see how good I started the race? NO! We don't saw that, we say, man that was a good finish or I am so proud of you for finishing! I know its not easy your chest was burning in pain, your legs felt like they where going to collapse but that didn't stop you!

There will be times you feel like you just cant do anymore, your focus on the goal gets dim. We need to refocus like a camera does every so often. No matter what the situation is, we need to keep pushing forward. Its not easy but that is what God expects of us. We run a race, not to finish first, but to finish! If you have stopped pressing toward the finish line....get back up, off your butt and start again!

NO PAIN... NO GAIN!


Philippians 3:12-19 (New Living Translation)
Pressing toward the Goal 12 I don’t mean to say that I have already achieved these things or that I have already reached perfection. But I press on to possess that perfection for which Christ Jesus first possessed me. 13 No, dear brothers and sisters, I have not achieved it,[a] but I focus on this one thing: Forgetting the past and looking forward to what lies ahead, 14 I press on to reach the end of the race and receive the heavenly prize for which God, through Christ Jesus, is calling us.

15 Let all who are spiritually mature agree on these things. If you disagree on some point, I believe God will make it plain to you. 16 But we must hold on to the progress we have already made.

17 Dear brothers and sisters, pattern your lives after mine, and learn from those who follow our example. 18 For I have told you often before, and I say it again with tears in my eyes, that there are many whose conduct shows they are really enemies of the cross of Christ. 19 They are headed for destruction. Their god is their appetite, they brag about shameful things, and they think only about this life here on earth.

Instead of Monday I do Meday!

For those of you who know me....I have always spent mondays as off days or pamper days! I call them Medays! Yesterday I finally had the money to go get my hair cut the way I wanted! I think I love it! Part in the middle, flowing with a bit of a flip!



Plus, I got my nails done, went shopping and went to dinner with my family! We even went for cold stone! I love it when we can do that! Thank you Jesus for Blessing us! 

Today Allie has her appointment at the specialist office! Pray for us!

Feelings!!! UGH!!

Feelings! UGH! You can't live without them and you can't
make decisions with them....I have found that the more feelings you have about something, the harder it is to do the right thing. You start making decisions because of your feelings and then the trial and problems get worse!

There are many reasons we go through trials, but I think we can look at a couple that are an umbrella of most of them.

1. Refine us and purify us....get us to grow! (Children of Israel- Exodus 13-17 )

If we are being purified and God is trying to pull things out of us that don't belong...it is very uncomfortable! The last thing we should do is complain and mummer. God doesn't like it, it shows our unbelief that God is not in control. Also, we need to be careful not to complain against our head ship. They have a hard job and a lot of times the are dealing with very stubborn people. The only 2 people that survived the Exodus was Joshua and Caleb...all the people died in their problem! They never made it to the promise land.....God promises things for us but we can stop the blessing by complaining and not believing the report of the lord. Complaining also is a form of disobedience.

Joshua 5:6 (NKJV)
For the children of Israel walked forty years in the wilderness, till all the people who were men of war, who came out of Egypt, were consumed, because they did not obey the voice of the LORD—to whom the LORD swore that He would not show them the land which the LORD had sworn to their fathers that He would give us, “a land flowing with milk and honey.”

2. Disobedience (Jonah 1:12)

God desires to use us, not for just the people we like but also the one we don;t get along with. When God tells us to do something and we don't....storms will come to get you in the place God told you to go in the first place. When we are in the storm it will affect the people around us....they also will be in the storm! When we finally surrender and do what God tells us; we need to be careful not to get bitter and mad at Gods mercy! Because our feeling can lead us astray!

Jonah 4:4 (NKJV)
Then the LORD said, “Is it right for you to be angry?”

3.For the Glory of God and a to be a testimony for others-an example for them. (Job 1:8; 2:3)

Satan comes to attack our character...he accuses us and then comes to test us. Everyone sees what happens....a lot of time they will try and blame it on some sin you have committed or a door you have opened to the demonic. During these times we need to be sure we don't curse God. This is what Jobs wife said during his trial....curse God and die! This is exactly what the enemy wants! We need to be in love with Christ and be close to Him to endure such stress. the people you serve God with in the church (your brethren) and the your family will try and figure out what is going on they will give reasoning's and opinions that can cause you to stumble. Be very cautious not to let your heart grow weary in this season that can last a long time. You may have to endure the worse things you have ever experienced but God will be with you. Do not yield to what others say and think. If you have opened doors to the demonic or if you have sinned against God....God will not hide that from you, His desire is that all come to repentance. You  don't have to worry about not knowing if you have or haven't deserved this. Jonah knew that he was disobedient, he knew the storm was his fault. Don't complain....like the children of Israel. Keep your heart right with your headship. This is a time that you will be tried by fire...it is the will of God.

Job 1:8-12 (NKJV)
Then the LORD said to Satan, “Have you considered My servant Job, that there is none like him on the earth, a blameless and upright man, one who fears God and shuns evil?”
9 So Satan answered the LORD and said, “Does Job fear God for nothing? 10 Have You not made a hedge around him, around his household, and around all that he has on every side? You have blessed the work of his hands, and his possessions have increased in the land. 11 But now, stretch out Your hand and touch all that he has, and he will surely curse You to Your face!”
12 And the LORD said to Satan, “Behold, all that he has is in your power; only do not lay a hand on his person.”
So Satan went out from the presence of the LORD.

I encourage you to get closer to God and more intimate with God now....don't wait for the trial!

Matthew 7:24-27 (The Message)
24-25"These words I speak to you are not incidental additions to your life, homeowner improvements to your standard of living. They are foundational words, words to build a life on. If you work these words into your life, you are like a smart carpenter who built his house on solid rock. Rain poured down, the river flooded, a tornado hit—but nothing moved that house. It was fixed to the rock.

26-27"But if you just use my words in Bible studies and don't work them into your life, you are like a stupid carpenter who built his house on the sandy beach. When a storm rolled in and the waves came up, it collapsed like a house of cards."

We had a hard night!

Poor Allie has had stomach pain for months every time she eats! Last night we took her to the ER cause during Bible the night prior, her stomach swelled big. We were there from 3pm-3am.....test galore, two different hospitals and no coffee!
The highlight of the night was that the nurse taught Allie how to tie a tourniquet to take blood. The nurse found out Allie wanted to be a firefighter and gave her the rubber band in memory of her first lesson. Its really the little things that count!!

The people were very pleasant and went the extra mile! This morning PA Sam called to see how she was doing. I am very thankful they took the time to care!

My tantrum!

Job 16:2-5 (The Message)

If You Were in My Shoes

 ^1-5 Then Job defended himself:

"I've had all I can take of your talk.
   What a bunch of miserable comforters!
Is there no end to your windbag speeches? 
   What's your problem that you go on and on like this?
If you were in my shoes,
   I could talk just like you.
I could put together a terrific harangue
   and really let you have it.
But I'd never do that. I'd console and comfort,
   make things better, not worse!

Isn't it funny, how we can look at someone and come to a conclusion about them without ever taking the time to understand them. We think we understand things and we think we can judge books without reading them! The longer I serve God....the more I see everyone judges (including myself).....and usually it is incorrect! I can easily look at someones life and think how foolish a person is being... because the actions they are taking! We see the actions people take and become Jobs counselors so quick!

I want to try and understand people....I don't want to jump to conclusions! While I was not talking for a week, I experienced this so much. People automatically assumed they knew what I was going to say... before I had a chance to even say it.

Biggest thing that gets me is.....how often we justify ourselves and then give no mercy to the next person!

Bottom line is....the will of God in your life is the will of God for you! I know that there are basic guidelines for all Christians... but when it comes to the details....please put away your magnifying glass and pray for me! God is big enough to reveal His will to me and I will be the only one to face God for my life and I will be the one to give Him an account for my life!

This is the first time God has really shown me how ugly this is.....I have been guilty of the same thing! I cant believe how shallow we are.

Job 16:5 (New King James Version)
But I would strengthen you with my mouth,
And the comfort of my lips would relieve your grief.

We love God...we want to do everything we can.....sometimes we can't......just like you. There is a time for everything, balance is required in using the word of God correctly.
Discernment is rooted in love and if there is no love it is being critical!

Deborah and Jael

So the question was posed....If you could pick your personality from all the people in the bible, excluding Jesus, who would you want to be like?

Well, after careful consideration I have decided I would like to be Deborah and Jael. You can read the story in Judges. They were both women that were fearless!
Deborah was a homemaker and an ordinary woman but she was extremely devoted to God. People would come to her for counsel and direction in their everyday lives. She had enthusiasm and faith that kindled the people around her. She believed God for big things, she inspired people around her to believe God and she enabled people to act quickly and radically for God. When people were panicking around her she was able to lead them to victory! Religious zeal and patriotism could sum her up. When her leadership faltered, she was able to rise up and be the deliverer.
She was able to speak to her leadership positively even when she was let down and encourage him to "GO"!
She ended up leading a war and her spiritual insight was all she leaned on! They where up against the impossible. God used nature and the elements of the earth to bring her victory!
She believed that if people just put their hope in God and honor Him that He would deliver them and lead them to victory. Even when the people around her had a lack of vision or faith...her faith was able to carry them!
In Judges 4:9 she showed that she was a prophet as well. She said that a woman would win the war. That is when Jael comes into the picture, another woman. She was in a tent that the enemy fled into. She acted hospitable and let the enemy come in and she served him milk. When he relaxed and fell asleep she drove a metal peg through  his temple....killing the enemy! As you can see, she was strong, coarse, hard and very courageous! She wasn't fragile and scared, she wasn't waiting for a deliverer,she rose to the occasion and became the deliverer.

Two woman that showed Gods power and might!

1st a homemaker
2nd a counselor
3rd a warrior
4th a prophet

There are many many woman in the bible....they love God and are used by God in mighty ways!

I didnt speak for a week....

On September 12, 2010, I was in prayer asking for walls to come down and God quickened my spirit not to talk about the issues anymore! Of course, I would be the one to tell God that I didn't think that was possible for me....I felt overwhelmed buy them...so He said, not to talk at all- for a week! What! I should have kept my mouth closed! But I really was being honest with God; I wanted the walls to come crashing down. I believe that I heard from God, no matter what people think! By faith, I started my fast from talking..... It taught me a lot of good things and also showed me some bad things as well.

1. It taught me to be very cautious of what I said, everything I said I had to write down and it took forever! I didn't want to waste my time on idol Babel, it took to long to write!
2. It showed me how frustrated I get when I am unable to communicate. I would get so frustrated that I would cry. On the 4th day I had to start over cause I blew up! It seemed like people didn't think I wasn't important enough to take the time to communicate with me, at least a couple of people.
3. It taught me to be slow to speak, again, I had to write it down so I had time to think about what I was going to say and a lot of times I would erase it and say never mind.
4. It showed me how important it is to communicate and to communicate the right way!
5. It showed me how much people depended on me, (good and bad), I felt loved and also stuck...because I couldn't help them!
6. It also showed me how little people pay attention; some people didn't even realize I wasn't speaking....I guess it is no biggy but it could really affect some people if they aren't noticed. Some people noticed that don't even live in the same state as me, lol (Johnson). ....Crazy!
7. It taught me not to care what people thought of me....I felt people were going to think I was being to religious or to spiritual....who cares! There was a time though- that would have really bothered me. I really only care what God thinks!  YAAAA! I have been delivered!
8. I learned that talking could be a form of bondage. Not knowing when to speak or what to say can be destructive to our well being and the well being of others around us!
9. I heard from God easier,....because I was not talking, I was listening!
10. I learned Patience...because when I heard from God on what to do and what He wanted me to do, I still had to wait tell my fast was completed to move forward.
11. I learned that fires don't go out unless there is no more wood (words) or a whole bunch of water (Jesus); in my case... both had to take place!
12. I have learned who really cares.. what you have to say, and who is patient enough to deal with you under hard circumstances, cause they take the time to read your notes and wait for you to write them and it is very time consuming! The people that get irritated and the people that just realize they love you and want to be there for you.
13. I learned that my tone and my body language in some cases where just excuses that people used not to communicate or face problems.
14. When I was quite (the people that knew I wasn't able to talk) rose to the occasion. Normally they didn't give their input, but they showed their love by talking for me!
15. I noticed that a lot of times when I was writing something, people would assume half way through the statement what I was writing, 99% of the time, they were wrong on there assumptions. Blew my mind! We wander why there is so much miscommunication, we think we know what people are saying before they finish! Even when I wrote it in black and white it was assumed what I was writing. People would interrupt me writing!!!

I pray that everything I learned would be in my heart for the rest of my life...I don't want this to be something forgotten! I want to be slow to speak, I want my words to carry weight and I want to know what to say and what not to say and even better when to say it! I don't want to talk just because I have a mouth! I want to be a vessel that God can use to speak to the broken hearted and  the lost. I desire to bless people and God with my mouth and not curse them. My words can speak life or death and I don't want to be careless with it! Think before I speak and not in anger! Oh God... that my words would be acceptable and pleasing to You!

Proverbs 10:19 (NLT) Too much talk leads to sin.
Be sensible and keep your mouth shut.

Reconciliation......?

God reconciled us to Him- through Jesus. We don't have to be reconciled to Him if we don't want to be. But God has left the door open to us if we choose to accept His forgiveness. We have sinned against God, but with all His love and desire for our best, He sent His son to die for us even though we were His enemy! How many of us would die for someone that is our enemy and a lot of times hates us? Will we- no matter the pain or hurt committed against us, be willing to die for the very person that has hurt us? Jesus did that very thing! True attempt to reconcile: is when we lay our pride down and do what God did for us. We crucify ourselves- to bring forgiveness against sin committed against us. We do this by going to the person and talking about it. It is uncomfortable but the outcome of reconciliation is more important. After the crucifying however, it is up to the person to accept that sacrifice of humility or "uncomfortable feelings" and be set free from the bondage of sin or the bondage of offence. We can't make people accept Jesus' sacrifice for their sin nor can we make them accept our sacrifice of love towards them. They can accept it and believe that we truly love them or they can deny it and say we were not sincere. A lot of people say things like..... "if there was really a God then why is there all this pain", but the bottom line is there is healing in Jesus and God has supplied the healing.... people are just not willing to accept it. They choose to hold on to their sin and the pain that comes from it. They try and blame everyone around them for their pain but refuse to face the issue head on. If people choose to deal with issues they will be reconciled. Just like if they choose to accept Jesus sacrifice on the cross, they will be forgiven!

The parallel with reconciliation with God and are brethren is the same and very vivid when you look at it correctly.

Why do you cry to Me? GO FORWARD! Gen 14:15

God brought me to this scripture years ago....and again brings it to me today! I am so thankful for His faithfulness! He truly loves us and wants the best for us! We need to be obedient, regardless of how hard it is and how we feel!

 

Eternity is along time to think about what we should have done, is it worth it?

 

THE PRAYER OF UNBELIEF

You’ve heard of the prayer of faith. I believe there is a mirror image of
this prayer, a prayer that is based on flesh. I call it the prayer of unbelief.

I want to pose a question to you. Have you ever heard the Lord tell you,
“Quit praying—get up off your knees”? Has his Spirit ever commanded you,
“Stop crying, and wipe your eyes. Why are you on your face before me?”

The Lord spoke these very words to Moses: “The Lord said unto Moses,
Wherefore criest thou unto me?” (Exodus 14:15). The literal Hebrew meaning of
the verse is, “Why are you shrieking at me? Why all the loud pleading in my
ears?”

Why would God say this to Moses? Here was a godly, praying man, in the crisis
of his life. The Israelites were being chased by Pharaoh, with no escape. Most
Christians would probably react as Moses did. He set out for an isolated
hillside and got alone with the Lord. Then he poured out his heart in prayer.

When God heard Moses shrieking, he told him, “Enough.” Scripture is not
explicit about what follows. But at that point God might have said, “You have
no right to agonize before me, Moses. Your cries are an affront to my
faithfulness. I’ve already given you my solemn promise of deliverance. And
I’ve instructed you specifically on what to do. Now, stop crying.”

As we face our own crises, we may convince ourselves, “Prayer is the most
important thing I can do right now.” But a time comes when God calls us to
act, to obey his Word in faith. At such a time, he won’t allow us to retreat
to a wilderness to pray. That would be disobedience and any prayers would be
offered in unbelief.

The prayer of unbelief takes into account only God’s goodness. It ignores the
severity of his holy judgments. Paul writes, “Behold therefore the goodness
and severity of God” (Romans 11:22). The apostle purposely mentions God’s
goodness and severity in the same breath here. He’s saying one can’t be
separated from the other.

In the Old Testament, Isaiah stated it this way: “Behold, the Lord’s hand
is not shortened, that it cannot save; neither his ear heavy, that it cannot
hear: but your iniquities have separated between you and your God, and your
sins have hid his face from you, that he will not hear. For your hands are
defiled with blood” (Isaiah 59:1–3).

Beloved, God didn’t change between the Old Testament and the New. He’s a
God of love and mercy, as Isaiah points out. But he still hates sin because
he’s holy and just. That’s why he told Israel, “I can’t hear you
because of your sin.”

Consider the words of the psalmist David: “I cried unto him with my mouth,
and he was extolled with my tongue. If I regard iniquity in my heart, the Lord
will not hear me: but verily God hath heard me; he hath attended to the voice
of my prayer. Blessed be God, which hath not turned away [ignored] my prayer”
(Psalm 66:17–20).

The psalmist is saying, “I saw there was iniquity in my heart and I refused
to live with it. So I went to the Lord to get cleansed. Then he heard my
prayer. But if I had held on to my sin, God wouldn’t have listened to my
cry.”
~David Wilkerson
MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 20, 2010
""Great spirits have always encountered violent opposition from mediocre minds"".
~ Albert Einstein

"The Bait of Satan" by John Bevere

I am currently reading this book, it by far has been one of the best books I have ever read! Go get it! Read it! Teach it! Live it! I don't have words to describe how good it is! I read A LOT! I usually do not recommend books like this. It will open your eyes to your heart and the hearts of others. It will give you understanding!

RELIGOUIS NITPICKING!

2 Timothy 2:14-18 (The Message)

14-18Repeat these basic essentials over and over to God's people. Warn them before God against pious nitpicking, which chips away at the faith. It just wears everyone out. Concentrate on doing your best for God, work you won't be ashamed of, laying out the truth plain and simple. Stay clear of pious talk that is only talk. Words are not mere words, you know. If they're not backed by a godly life, they accumulate as poison in the soul. Hymenaeus and Philetus are examples, throwing believers off stride and missing the truth by a mile by saying the resurrection is over and done with.

Pious= Having or exhibiting religious reverence; earnestly compliant in the observance of religion; devout. See Synonyms at religious

RELIGIOUS NITPICKING!

Is it worth it?

It amazes me, the things that we lose the victory over! Stupid stuff, that in the end won't matter. People please keep things in perspective, the day we are on our death bed, we will wish we spent our time wisely! Loving our loved ones, laughing with them, listening to what matters to them. Caring for them the way we want to be cared for! It is a time investment! What matters most? What do we neglect in order to get what we want? Do we neglect our kids to cooking or cleaning, neglect our husbands because we are busy reading or watching a move?  In the end will it be worth it? Really- worth it? When I die I want everyone to remember me as authentic person, not fake! Not just words, I want to really love with all my heart and not just pretend that I am doing what I am supposed to be doing. I don't want to regret even one minute spent on laziness or idleness. We really convince ourselves of the lies! All in the name of anger and hurt- we hurt others!!!!!!!!!!!! We are so selfish as human beings! Our pride stinks in the nostrils of God! God help us.

The Tabernacle....does it show us anything today as New Testiment beleivers?

So during worship service I try and think of what I am singing and I always knew the idea of the holy of hollies.....what it was etc. But I never studied it and then I had a friend tell me some things about it that stirred me up to study it more in depth. What I found really helped me have a deeper understanding of what God wants and expects of us. Let me explain:

The tabernacle was a place where the people of God went to worship, a place where people could focus on Gods presence. There where different sections in the Tabernacle.

I want to draw a parallel between the different sections in the tabernacle and what we experience today in our personal walk with God.

1.) The Gate of the tabernacle- there was only one entrance into the tabernacle.

There is only one way to God...Jesus

“I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.” (John 14:6)

Jesus Christ, He is the only way in!

Jesus is the gate...
“I am the gate; whoever enters through me will be saved.” (John 10:9)

2.) The Brazen alter of the tabernacle- The 1st thing you see when you enter the gate is an alter where a sacrifice was made for your sins. It was bloody! The only way to cover your sins was through the shedding of blood.

Exodus 30:20
When they go into the tabernacle of meeting, or when they come near the altar to minister, to burn an offering made by fire to the LORD, they shall wash with water, lest they die.
Jesus on the cross would be that sacrifice today...You would see the horror of your sin and what it has done, how bad your sin really is. It is so bad that blood was shed for the payment of your sin. Here you would be forgiven. 

“For you know that … you were redeemed … with the precious blood of Christ, a lamb without blemish or defect.” (1 Peter 1:18-19)

"He is to lay his hand on the head of the burnt offering, and it will be accepted on his behalf to make atonement for him.” (Leviticus 1:4)

notice: he laid his hands on the head of the animal being sacrificed. If he didn't make it personal...with his hands- he would take it lightly.

3.) The laven- or basin of the tabernacle, was a large bowl filled with water located halfway between the brazen altar, and the Holy Place. This was for the hands and the feet to be washed
If we are reading the Bible and God's word it will wash us, and cleanse us from the dirt that gets on our minds, renewing us to go further.

“…Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her to make her holy, cleansing her by the washing with water through the word, and to present her to himself as a radiant church, without stain or wrinkle or any other blemish, but holy and blameless.” (Ephesians 5:25-27)

4.) Entering the holy place- the tent.

The 1st room of the tent has 3 pieces of furniture: the menorah (lampstand), table of showbread and the golden alter of incense.

•  The first piece of furniture was the menorah. It was the golden Lamp stand or candle stick, The candles were to be burning continuously; they were to never go out. Olive oil and wicks were sticking out. It was the only light that would allow the priest to see where he was going inside the tabernacle. Without this light he would stumble and not be able to see where or what he was doing. Without this light they wouldn’t be able to see the show bread and the alter of incense.

Jesus is our light, without Him we can't see the path in front of us.

“The Lord said to Moses, ‘Command the Israelites to bring you clear oil of pressed olives for the light so that the lamps may be kept burning continually. Outside the curtain of the Testimony in the Tent of Meeting, Aaron is to tend the lamps before the Lord from evening till morning, continually.’” (Leviticus 24:1-3)
Jesus said:
“I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.” (John 8:12)

“I have come into the world as a light, so that no one who believes in me should stay in darkness.” (John 9:46)

Without the light the priest could not see to go further. 

In Revelations, it says that if we (talking to Christians) don't repent and do the first works; He will remove our lampstand. (Revelations 2:5)

If He removes our lampstands, we will not be able to see, we will stumble and fall.

• The second piece of furniture was the table of showbread, also called bread of the presence. (12 loaves of bread, representing the 12 tribes, Gods people) Only the priest could eat the bread, and they only could eat it in the holy place. It was a picture of communion with God. God wanted to have communion and fellowship with man. An invitation to share a meal.

God has always had a desire to commune with us!

Jesus said:
“I am the bread of life. He who comes to me will never go hungry, and he who believes in me will never be thirsty. … Your forefathers ate the manna in the desert, yet they died. But here is the bread that comes down from heaven, which a man may eat and not die.” (John 6:35, 49-50)

“While they were eating, Jesus took bread, gave thanks and broke it, and gave it to his disciples, saying, ‘Take and eat; this is my body.’” (Matthew 26:26)

“Here I am! I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in and eat with him, and he with me.” (Revelations 3:20)

• The golden altar of incense was the third piece of furniture- which is not to be confused with the brazen altar, sat in front of the curtain that separated the Holy Place from the Holy of Hollies. This is where the incense burned, at the same time as the burnt offering, at the same time every day, (morning and evening, continually burning all the time night and day. It was made of stacte, onycha, galbanum and frankincence and it was considered holy. It was not to be copied for perfumes or for their own consumption; it was set apart only for God.

 Incense was a picture of prayer!

“…for my house will be called a house of prayer for all nations.” (Isaiah 56:7)

“May my prayer be set before you like incense; may the lifting up of my hands be like the evening sacrifice.” (Psalm 141:2)

“Another angel, who had a golden censer, came and stood at the altar. He was given much incense to offer, with the prayers of all the saints, on the golden altar before the throne. The smoke of the incense, together with the prayers of the saints, went up before God from the angel’s hand.” (Revelations 8:3-4)

The Veil was a curtain that separated the 2 different sections. Only the High Priest was permitted to go past it, into the Holy of Holies.

5.) Holy of Holies- this is where you would find The Ark of the Covenant. No ordinary person would enter here, it was Gods special dwelling place. This was only for the High Priest, the one set apart for God. 

• The Veil (Curtain)- made of 10 blue, purple and scarlet fine linen curtains. This was torn from top to bottom when Jesus died on the cross (Matt 27:51) Symbolizing that all men could come to God, not just the priest

Matthew 27:51 (NKJV)
Then, behold, the veil of the temple was torn in two from top to bottom; and the earth quaked, and the rocks were split

6.)The Ark of the Covenant was a sacred and portable chest. It was the most important item to the people of God. It was a portable sanctuary. No one could touch it, if they did it would kill them, they transported it with poles on their shoulders.

• The Ark of the Covenant had a Mercy seat. It was covered in gold. The high priest would sprinkle blood for the atonement (price) for our sins. It was a picture of Gods mercy to forgive sin.
• The Cherubim was the part of the mercy seat which had two cherubim. They were angelic statues standing on opposite ends facing each other with their wings stretched out, their faces where bowed toward the mercy seat.

Inside the Ark of the covenant you would find 3 items:

• The first thing was the Rod of Aaron that budded- which was to remind people that God places our leaders in position and not to rebel against them!

“And the Lord said to Moses, ‘Put back the staff of Aaron before the testimony, to be kept as a sign for the rebels, that you may make an end of their grumblings against me, lest they die.’” (Numbers 17:10)

• The second was Manna- which was a picture of Gods provision....God always supplies our needs, He fed His people in the desert with miracle food from heaven. They only could take enough for the day cause it would go bad by the next day.

“This is what the Lord has commanded: ‘Take an omer [portion for one man] of manna and keep it for the generations to come, so they can see the bread I gave you to eat in the desert when I brought you out of Egypt.’” (Exodus 16:32)

• The third thing was the Ten Commandments- stone tablets with Gods law on them.

“Now if you obey me fully and keep my covenant, then out of all nations you will be my treasured possession. Although the whole earth is mine, you will be for me a kingdom of priests and a holy nation.” (Exodus 19:5-6)

Interesting...the 3 things in the Ark of the covenant...

1. A picture of God's leadership
2. A picture of God's provision
3. The commandments

I believe there are far to many Christians still in the outer courts and remaining in the court yard, rather than moving forward into the Holy of Holies. They only get to the Brazin Alter (the cross). They do not go past the outer courts into the Holy Place. We need to wash ourselves with the water in the laven (the word of God). Be guided by the lampstand (the light). Burn incense (pray), and eat the show bread (commune with God). We then need to proceed into the Holy of Holies and sit at the mercy seat of God, protected by cherubim (angels). Remembering that God places leaders into position, and we need to respect them. Trusting that God will provide our every need. Lastly, obeying His commandments because we love Him.

John 14:15 (NKJV)
“If you love Me, keep My commandments.

To hear the song that inspired me to study this follow the link:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7vG9Cx767mc