Who's Governing Your Mind--Flesh or Holy Spirit?

Those who live according to the flesh have their minds set on what the flesh desires; but those who live in accordance with the Spirit have their minds set on what the Spirit desires. The mind governed by the flesh is death, but the mind governed by the Spirit is life and peace. The mind governed by the flesh is hostile to God; it does not submit to God's law, nor can it do so. Those who are in the realm of the flesh cannot please God." (Romans 85-8 NIV)

Who lives according to the dictates of their flesh? Everyone who does not live in accordance to the direction of Holy Spirit. The result is easy to see and when we have evidence to support our conclusions, it is not an opinion nor a rash judgment.

Overeating is evidence of the mind being governed by the flesh. The flesh says it wants more to eat than it needs and when it governs the mind, people eat--far more than is good for them and as a result, become overwhelmed by the flesh--evident in their appearance and in health issues that are result from overeating.

Being rude and disrespectful is evidence of the mind being governed by the flesh. Flesh tells people they are superior to others and must have the last word, no matter what and the mind caves to the dictates of the flesh because it feels good and sounds. good. The results as we can see on a daily basis are those who are discourteous drivers, loud-mouthed and obnoxious people waiting in lines who think they shouldn't have to wait--for anything or anyone. We see them cussing at those in authority when they can't have their way and in front of their children--demonstrate to their children that it's okay to be rude and disrespectful and we see this in classrooms across the country.

Sexual immorality is evident in what people do--promiscuously--having sex with random people and sometimes people they just met and the evidence is all we see on television, in the movies, and hear in the music. The mind is governed by the flesh, because if it feels good, then do it. The results are increase rates of sexually transmitted diseases, AIDs, and increase in low-esteem, depression, and suicide. Why? Because the devil loves it when people submit to him and then he leaves them high and dry, when they cannot find real love or a reason to keep living once they understand how they have used and abused their bodies.

Addictions of all types are the evidence of the mind being governed by the flesh--drugs, nicotine, alcohol, shopping, shoplifting, pornography--all are a conclusion of the matter--the feel-good-syndrome-for a moment and when the moment passes, it must be repeated, and repeated, and repeated until it fulfills its vicious cycle--in death--naturally or spiritually.

A person who has deprived themselves of the leadership and guidance of Holy Spirit is prone to making the same mistakes, over and over again, expecting a different result--which by definition is--insanity. When chaos and confusion exists, God is not in it and certainly there is no evidence of Holy Spirit guiding anyone.

What happens when our minds are governed by Holy Spirit? There is peace within and then there can peace without--in our environment and everywhere we go. When Holy Spirit leads--He reminds of those things we have been taught, strengthens us to live by faith and ignore the temptations of the enemy, and keeps us focused on pleasing God, not flesh.

Where's the evidence? The evidence is seen in those who do not have to resort to cussing out people, involving themselves in road-rage, or even randomly acting out. The evidence is in the person's ability to remain calm, exercise wisdom in all situations, and to discipline themselves to hear God and act accordingly. They know when to stop eating, stop smoking, stop giving into the desires that make them feel good only for a moment, and start doing those things that bring the heart joy and they know they are pleasing God.

So, what's it going to be for you today? Will you allow flesh to dictate or Holy Spirit? Do you want temporary pleasure or lasting joy? It's up to us--we decide and I choose to allow Holy Spirit to reign in my life!

Before I Die, I'd Like To See...!

"Just as people are destined to die once, and after that to face judgment, so Christ was sacrificed once to take away the sins of many; and he will appear a second time, not to bear sin, but to bring salvation to those who are waiting for him." (Hebrews 9:27,28 NIV)

People have bucket lists of things they want to do before they reach their appointed time, and though I joyously await the return of my Savior, there are things that I would like "to see" before I die.

I'd like to see every person walking the earth, blinded to color, biases and hatred.

I'd like to see every parent become the parent that God wants them to be.

I'd like to see government returned to the hands of the people and those in charge, incorruptible, just and true.

I'd like to see children be respectful of every adult they meet and greet.

I'd like to see an end to foolish violence and endless deaths for no reason.

I'd like to see peace in every nation, where every child can live without fear.

I'd like to see every person who ever went to school or will go to school take education seriously, especially in the United States.

I'd like to see teachers given total autonomy to teach what they know and be treated like the professionals they are.

I'd like to see preachers preach The Word of God and not their opinions or their biases.

I'd like to see all of my family and friends saved before Jesus returns.

I'd like to see an end of poverty, hunger and illness.

I'd like to see people--caring about all human beings--ready to assist without hesitation.

I'd like to see an end to the need for planned parenthood and hidden agendas by all.

I'd like to see politicians who are honest and conduct themselves with integrity in all matters.

I'd like to see every person who desires to succeed have the means to do so.

I'd like to see an end to wars that do nothing but devastate families and countries alike.

I'd like to see purpose-driven people move mountains by faith in the One True God.

I'd like to see--clearly--senior citizens have an opportunity to live life until their end, without financial concerns, and respected for all they have done for most of their lives.

I'd like to see children be children and then raise their children, with knowledge and understanding of how God wants all to live.

I'd like to see our nation return--to the foundations the founding fathers laid--with firm beliefs and convictions--learned from The Word of God.

I'd like to see--all manner of wrongs righted and people given opportunities to get the wrongs, right--just as God gives us chance after chance.

I'd like to see what heaven will be like, right here on earth, before I depart.

I'd like to see so many things, that time will not allow me to tell, but before I die, I want everyone to know, whether I know you in the natural or not, I pray you'll receive the benefit of the work on the Cross and accept Jesus Christ as your personal Savior, and know Love as I know Love and am able to love you, unconditionally.

Quiet Wisdom!

"The quiet words of the wise are more to be heeded than the shouts a ruler of fools." (Ecclesiastes 9:17 NIV)

How loud do we speak to be heard?
How much do we hear when it's quiet?
How loud is the noise of war?
How quiet is the sound of peace?
How powerful is the sound of loud?
How effective is the sound of silence?
Who pays more attention to the loud?
Who actually hears the voice of the quiet?

The media is loud and persistent,
Noisily proclaiming all that is wrong,
Repetitively insisting that we hear,
The power of hate and sin alike,
Venomously, noise spews from their mikes,
Garnering attention of young and old,
Allowing promotion of all that's bold,
Causing many to creep backwards into a past,
Proven wrong and certainly won't last.

Colors blast and blind those willing to look,
Changing meanings of The Word as if it's just a book,
Loudly proclaiming right is wrong and wrong is right,
Doing what pleases flesh, forgetting they're in God's sight,
And when He whispers wisdom into an ear,
Not many, in quietness are willing to hear,
For the noise of the foolish has effectively blocked,
And the enemy's influenced, heard and locked,
Into the minds of those who are weak, not strong,
Following those who are just loud and wrong.

But that is not the end of the story,
There are still some who work to God's glory,
And when He speaks in the quiet of the night,
They will do all they can to do what is right.
Wisdom--the quiet, soothing, comfort we need,
When we listen to it, we won't hear the enemy's pleas,
To turn left when we should turn right,
Living in the light of day, not the dark of night,
Doing all things to please Him who gives,
Power, direction, through the One who lives,
Within and will only tell us what He hears from above,
Wrapped in His wisdom, embracing us with love.

God's wisdom is heard in the silent moments,
We use to study His Word and open our hearts to hear,
All He has to say, directing our steps every day,
Never loud and obnoxious as fools tend to be,
He knows who we are, when we listen and is waiting for us to see,
Him in all His majesty, and glory, ready and willing to obey.
Shutting out the loud, the noisy, the hate and sin,
Hearing only wisdom, seeking a victorious win
Daily, poised, positioned, never giving up the fight,
Listening for the wisdom we know, directing us right,
To The throne, for all eternity, watching Wisdom,
Quietly reigning, for the world to see those who are His,
Receive their rewards for faithfulness, diligence and loyalty.

Speak to our hearts, Lord that we might hear a word of wisdom today in the quiet of the moment, while we're not distracted by the noises of the world, vying for our attention, keeping us distracted in the midst of the storm, hoping we won't hear You, and share You with others. Speak Lord, Your servants will hear and not follow another.

Are We Now As Jerusalem Was?

"Jerusalem has sinned greatly and so has become unclean. All who honored her despise her, for they have all seen her naked; she herself groans and turns away. Her filthiness clung to her skirts; she did not consider her future. Her fall was astounding; there was none to comfort her. Look, Lord, on my affliction for the enemy has triumphed." (Lamentations 1:8,9 NIV)

Jeremiah understood why Jerusalem became captives--for they had forgotten the God of their fathers, the God of heaven who had saved them so many times from their enemies, the God who had made them an honored nation of people who had great reputations, and now--no other nation looked upon them with honor and respect.

America has become captive--slave to the enemy of God--Satan and all of his influence in the minds of people who have forsaken the principles of godliness and righteousness because of some--who choose to mock God and God is allowing us to be scorned as mocked as a nation, where few countries have any respect for us and certainly, none honor us Godly people. Have we become the Jerusalem that concerned Jeremiah? If so, how did it happen and is there any hope for us as a nation?

When greed--having more than we need becomes a priority, we set ourselves up for failure. However, most corporations in this country don't call it greed; they call it competitiveness. Greed by any other name is still greed; especially when little thought is given to the people who clamor for the goods of the competitiveness until they clamor themselves out of jobs. The more the worker in this country wants, the less they get. They may get higher wages, but those higher wages lead to job loss, benefit loss, and higher consumer prices, and job creation anywhere but in America.

Corporations are only interested in one thing--the bottom line--profit over everything. They could care less about those in this country, which is why we are now so indebted to others. If the Chinese were to demand payment on the debt we owe them (or any other country), we'd all end up learning to speak other languages for America would no longer be an English speaking nation. This is what happens when a nation becomes captives of others--the captives have to change to accommodate their captors.

That's on a natural level. On a spiritual level--everything changes in the spirit realm first--this country has submitted to enemy's influence and he is running rampant, creating havoc in the minds of so many, leaving violence and death in his wake and because we have become such a godless nation; we don't even recognize the enemy at work--at least some don't. The principalities in the air have definitely influenced the head of our government and all those in places of authority. They have been deceived and now become captive to the deceit, sworn to spread the lies of the enemy everywhere they go, making a mockery of the Godly principles by which we once lived. And other nations--are looking upon us with contempt, just waiting for us to cave so they can enter our borders and hold us captive to their will. This is what happens to every nation who puts God on a shelf, thinking they know more than He does.

While I can see the inevitable about to take place, it won't stop me from praying and interceding on behalf of a nation that has forsaken God and all of His principles to pacify flesh. And I know there are other Believers out there who know what I know and they are doing what I'm doing--communicating with the One who can change the course for the better for all. For God has said, "If my people who are called by name would humble themselves and pray, turn from their wicked ways, then would He hear from heaven and heal the land."

Father, look upon this land and see the hearts of those who love You. I pray that there are more of us who love You and will obey than those who scorn and mock You and Your Ways. Forgive us, for many don't know why they do what they do, other than to live to please self and not You. Thank You for Your mercies, which are new every day and help us who know You, to not take Your mercy and grace for granted, but to continue to fight the good fight of faith, daily, for we know time is not on our side, but You will have the last and final word over all those who have chosen to disobey You. In Jesus' name, I pray. Have mercy upon us O God!

No Ethnicities In Christ!

"Do not lie to each other, since you have taken off your old self with its practices and have put on the new self, which is being renewed in knowledge in the image of its Creator. Here there is no Gentile or Jew, circumcised or uncircumcised, barbarian, Scythian, slave or free, but Christ is all, and is in all." (Colossians 3:9-11 NIV)

"Liar, liar pants on fire." Remember that one? Usually the target of this phrase had just been caught in a lie, but what does one say to self when we lie to ourselves? Is there a voice telling us, "liar, liar, pants on fire" or are we just deceiving ourselves into believing a lie? If the enemy is telling us that God doesn't have a problem with sin--ANY SIN--then we need to remind him, that he's a liar, the father of liars and there is no truth in him.

For if we have put off--literally shed the skin and practices of the old man--the one who didn't know any better before receiving Christ into our lives, then we are brand new--with a new attitude and a new wisdom regarding the attributes of Christ. We can walk in our newness by facing the fact that God is color-blind, has no respect of persons, and LOVES US ALL THE SAME! When we sin--after knowing how He wants us to live right before Him--He still loves us, but He's not happy with our choices.

When children disobey their parents, most parents--at least those with a little common sense and love of Christ in them, don't kill or maim their children because they're upset. They don't like the disobedience and there is usually an unpleasant consequence the children have to deal with. Since God is our heavenly Father, Jesus our Lord and Savior, and Holy Spirit our counselor and comforter, we have no excuse.  We cannot claim not to know--when we have received Him into our lives, giving Him reign over our lives and allowing Holy Spirit to do His job. He never stops loving us, but there is a consequence for our actions for He has said, "the wages (the payment/the penalty) of sin is death" and for some a spiritual death is worse than a natural death. For if we die naturally, then sin has no more authority over us; however if we die spiritually, we continue in our sin and eventually see no wrong with what we do.

Now, the real problem for many is that they like to make distinctions between who is in Christ or who is not based upon one's proclivity to categorize people--in an effort to be superior to them. I've heard so much garbage lately, that it is really sickening and saddening to know just how much racism and bigotry there is yet in the world. God knows no distinctions between any people--we are all the same in Him--so why must we use misrepresented information to try to make others feel inferior? Ham's curse--as related in Genesis--was not about his descendants being black! That is a misconception taught by those who think they are superior to others. The first man--Adam--was a person of color--his origin of creation on the continent of Africa. People did not begin to "pale" until they started migration into colder climates.

Really? Can this be true? Don't take my word for it--check out the history of man's migration from Africa--Asia--and other parts of the world. None of us are superior to others--by race, gender, ethnicity, or education. In Christ we are all one blood, one world of human beings and we need to start acting like it!

None of us has ever walked this journey in life in perfection. All of us have fallen short--sinned in some manner and many who claim to know Christ are still living in sin. It's time we stopped lying to ourselves and realize we all need the Risen Savior, Jesus Christ and Holy Spirit guiding us in all we do--according to God's Word--not according to our own limited knowledge of anything. There are no distinctions between people in Christ; we are all one--loved by Him who is Love, saved by Him who is the Savior, and guided by Him who is--the guiding Spirit of Christ.

Now that we know we are one--let's love one another--casting away our old nature and walking in the new with Christ Jesus!

We Have A Reason To Praise Him!

"For the LORD takes delight in his people; he crowns the humble with victory. Let his faithful people rejoice in this honor and sing for joy on their beds."(Psalm 149:4,5 NIV)

No matter what happens in our lives on a daily basis, we can always find a reason to praise God. When He delights in us, He gives us favor--with Him and others. We have opportunities to share His love that we didn't think about and yet, every time we open our mouths or tap the keys on a keyboard or speak into a system that will type for us--we can encourage others to live, pleasing God and watching Him work in our lives.

Does this mean our lives will be perfect? Not hardly, but it means our lives will be meaningful.

Look up at the sky on a sunshiny day and praise God for the sun shining and seeing a blue sky, dotted with puffy white clouds.

If it's raining and all you do is to hear the thunder and see the lightning, praise God for hearing and sight.

If you wake in pain--praise Him for being able to feel the pain because some people can't feel anything.

If you don't have what you want to eat in the refrigerator, praise God for what you do have because some people, have nothing.

If you don't have the clothes you want to wear, praise God for something to cover your body; there are those who have nothing other than the rags they wear, daily.

If you don't have the kind of car you want to drive, praise God for having a car of any kind and the resources to keep it  moving.

If you don't have a car and have to catch a bus, praise God for the means to pay for the ride.

If you have to walk everywhere you go, praise God for legs that move when you want them to move.

If you don't have the type of job you want, praise God for the job you have or for what He's about to bless you with--always keeping your focus on Him and living to please Him.

If we tried--and for some it's really easy since they're never satisfied with their lot in life--we could complain about every aspect of our lives, but what would happen if we started praising God for what we have, instead of complaining for what we don't have?

Many of us don't have any more than we do because we have proven to God that we are not good stewards over what He has given so why would He give us more--to squander? Think about it! How many ways and how many times have you had an opportunity to do great things, but you chose not to try? We are not great or can do great things simply because we "think" about doing it--we actually have to get up and do--more than talk about it.

With every blog I write, every book idea I start, I keep at it because I'm trying to achieve something great in my effort to please God, by sharing what He gives me. Have I made it yet? I don't know, which is why I keep writing. When He stops talking to me, I'll stop having anything to say, but while I wait for Him to speak, I'm praising Him for using a little older lady like me, to share His goodness. Even though there are mornings when I think I'll give it up, I keep going because He keeps blessing me and I can hear the angels cheering me, "keep going, keep going, it's not over yet."

Yes, we have a reason to praise Him--and all we have to do is look around us or look within us to know what it is. Our God is an awesome God and I praise Him, just because He is who He is!

No Power But Holy Spirit!

“Tell us, you idols, what is going to happen. Tell us what the former things were, so that we may consider them and know their final outcome. Or declare to us the things to come, tell us what the future holds, so we may know that you are gods. Do something, whether good or bad, so that we will be dismayed and filled with fear. But you are less than nothing and your works are utterly worthless; whoever chooses you is detestable." (Isaiah 41:22-24 NIV)

Symbols, images, statues--all carved from wood or crystals or stones--which of them has the power to do anything on their own--without the manipulation of hands attached to man/woman/child? Do they speak to remind of the past? Do they foretell the future? Do they heal the sick? Do they move mountains or other obstacles?

Since neither stone, wood, or crystals have no power of their own, why do we give them credit for having any? What makes us fear images created by the hands of man in paints or sculptures? Whatever is made or contrived by manipulation "any substance" is powerless and those who think they have any power have been deceived. Things can not do anything without the help of hands attached to a person. Even with mass production, someone has to control the machinery, turn on the power or at least set the controls so the power is turned on or off.

With all of the stupidity--totally foolish machinations being erected by those who are only interested in mocking God and stirring strife within the minds of people--why are we in such an uproar? What power does a satanic temple have over those who know God and are empowered by Holy Spirit? Do we really need to fear wood, stones, or paint, or crystals? There is no power in those things, but there resides in the heart of every Believer--the power of Holy Spirit to combat the works of evil. Instead of sounding alarms of fear, it's time to place our faith on the altar of the One who can and will do all things well because of His love for us.

Very simply put--we ignore stupidity and pray for repentance for those who act out of ignorance--and we know they are ignorant or they would not involve themselves in such foolishness. We ignore the media reports and not give them any place in our hearts or thoughts. If we truly believe that God is yet in control--we have nothing to fear from the enemy, but they have everything to fear from the wrath of an angry God--who created all things.

Don't allow the symbols or symbolism to ignite fear or trepidation into your hearts! Remember how God used symbols and symbolism as a means to warn people who were guilty of sin. The snake--the cursed reptile who used to stand upright, now crawls on his belly on the ground--prey to all mankind who fear him. The horns attached to a head--which keep the one to whom they are attached from thinking clearly or they would know the horns torn from another animal gives them no power and puts them on the same level as the animal from which they took the horns. Red--though meant to instill fear--should ignite gratitude in the heart of the Believer since it is a reminder of the blood shed on the cross for us. Shapes and images are merely marks made by those who are bored and have nothing better to do--than to be used by the enemy as a trick to create fearfulness. NONE OF THESE THINGS HAVE ANY POWER OF THEMSELVES!

However, in the spirit realm--there are two reigning spirits--Satan--the prince of the air and god of this world--who influences weak minds of those who rebel against God and Holy Spirit--the living spirit of the Lord Jesus Christ--who resides in us and keeps us focused on doing what is right--abhorring evil, and turning away from it.

I don't know about you, but I have the mind of Christ, desire only to please God, and know that Holy Spirit reminds me of those things that occurred in the past that I might learn from them and reveals future events that I might prepare for them. What do the stones, wood, crystals and paint do? Absolutely nothing!

Of All the gods, You Alone are God!

"Among the gods there is none like you, Lord; no deeds can compare with yours. All the nations you have made will come and worship before you, Lord; they will bring glory to your name. For you are great and do marvelous deeds; you alone are God." (Psalm 86:8-10 NIV)

Up in the hills, deep into the trees,
On the altars of ignorance were burned,
Wood, animals, children, as stomachs turned,
Making idol sacrifices instead of bending knees,
Praying to the One True God, who does marvelous deeds.

From the beginning and still now, people exercise the inherent desire to worship something and when they find something they think works, that thing they will worship, forgetting that there is One God who created all things and without Him, nothing was created.

Before we had the means to explore and examine our environment, we attributed events to certain other "circumstances" giving credit to the sun god, the rain god, the fertility god, the garden god, the angry god, the happy god, the moon god, the good luck god, the bad luck god, the pretty god, the ugly god, the god of hair, the god of baldness, the god of the fat people, the god of the skinny people, the water gods, the fire gods--and I'm sure there are many more like "the lottery god" (dream books), but all of these gods are manifested into carved, shaped, molded things that are made by the hands of man. Every symbol and image that people use to worship and give some magical attribute-- (by way of explaining events) was made by man or machines in our times. Now, if we made the things, what makes us think the things we made are greater than we who made them?

The Psalmist understood that with all the carved statues of trees or monuments of stones and worshipped as gods that among all those gods, there was but One, who was the greatest--the One who did marvelous deeds--the One all nations would worship. And then--as now--they had a name for all the gods. When Paul was speaking before "the learned men" he referenced all the gods who were represented and the "unknown god." He explained to them who the unknown God was and why He was unknown to them.

Now, if the statues and monuments could have created themselves without the benefit of man's involvement--I'd say worship them. If they could create themselves there is a great likelihood they could actually help somebody. But there's the rub--they were made by people and then the people decided--what they made, had power.

Think about the things children make out of paper, Popsicle sticks and other materials and then allow their imaginations to soar--giving the things they made power. The things empowered their imagination, but they had no power of themselves.

Our God--our awesome God--who no one created since He has no beginning and definitely no end. He created the universe without any help from man--the sun shines during the day without man's help, the moon makes it's way to shine at night without man's help, the earth turns on its axis, without man's help, so why would we continue to believe that any "thing" made by the hands of man has any power?

Among the gods that people worship--their jobs, their spouses, their money, and some even their children, there is only one God who does great things and even though we are ridiculed about our belief in the "invisible God" it makes more sense to worship Him, than anything we make or manufacture to worship. Our God is the only self-existing God who needs no thing to prove His existence; He is the only wise God--the One who was wise enough to do all He has done without consulting any of us. He alone is worthy of our praise.

You alone are worthy, O God, of all our praise and adoration!

Consider The Cost To Avoid Defeat!

“Suppose one of you wants to build a tower. Won’t you first sit down and estimate the cost to see if you have enough money to complete it? For if you lay the foundation and are not able to finish it, everyone who sees it will ridicule you, saying, ‘This person began to build and wasn’t able to finish.’ “Or suppose a king is about to go to war against another king. Won’t he first sit down and consider whether he is able with ten thousand men to oppose the one coming against him with twenty thousand?" (Luke 14:28-31 NIV)

The word "budget" for many seems to be a dirty word, but unless people are willing to consider the cost--of doing anything--before doing it, the end result could be disastrous. This is true for families, communities, local governments, the federal government and of churches. In order for there to be resources flowing out--there must be incoming resources. When expenses are greater than income--frustration rises and trouble and discord reign. We can see this with our governments all over the land.

Within the church and other non-profit organizations, many people do not realize--unless they are in charge of the finances--just how important a budget is. Since a number of churches are a resource to the communities in which they conduct business, they often expend far more than they receive from the membership of their organization. Whenever there is no policy or criteria by which a person is considered for consideration, the word gets out--and everyone who doesn't want to work for a living or to provide for themselves comes knocking on the door--for a hand-out.

There is a reason for churches and other non-profit organizations obtaining and retaining a tax-exempt status. Most exist because of donations, volunteerism and they benefit more people than they have people contributing to their cause. However, at some point--if they are not careful about spending habits--they will cease to exist. We see this with schools, churches, and other organizations who had a good idea, but it was not a God-idea--because His principles were not used to either establish it or maintain it.

Welfare-mentality--always seeking a hand-out and never contributing to the source has become a way of life for many people and when they can't get what they want, they get angry and start vicious rumors--never understanding they are not entitled to anything to which they have never contributed. This is why I fail to understand why there are some who feel--Social Security Benefits for those who have worked and contributed to the fund--is an entitlement program. Well, in one sense I suppose it is--I contributed to the fund through every job I ever had and now, I'm entitled to receive the benefits of my contribution. The reason the Social Security program is in danger is because of all those people who received the benefits through supplementary income criteria--from the Social Security pool of funds--and they never contributed to the fund! Someone--along the way--never considered the cost and now those who did contribute--are at risk.

"Wisdom is the principal thing and with all of our getting, we need to get understanding." When we learn to exercise Godly principles in every area of our lives, we can avoid being defeated by anything that confronts, but we must always consider the cost--for every decision we make--looking far into the future and determining how a decision made today will impact that future.

When The King of Glory Shows Up!

"Who is this King of glory? The Lord strong and mighty, the Lord mighty in battle. Lift up your heads, you gates; lift them up, you ancient doors, that the King of glory may come in. Who is he, this King of glory? The Lord Almighty--he is the King of Glory." (Psalm 24:8-10 NIV)

For the past several weeks, there has been so much going on in my life that sometimes--it weighed upon me like a ton of bricks. But I believe in power of prayer, the One who responds and can say--Victory achieved on the front! The King of Glory showed up and showed out and now we may proceed without obstacle or sour grapes interfering with the process of achieving success. Glory to His Name!

But this victory was not achieved because of who I am. It was achieved because of who He is. He is the King of Glory, strong and mighty in battle and whenever we have reached the end of our strength, we can depend on His and know in our weakness, He makes us strong. We are strengthened for every battle that confronts us and when we allow Him to lead and guide every step we take and every word we speak--we know victory.

There is no need for any Believer to be overly concerned about current events, demon statues, temples for Satan, or any other demonic attempt to upset our peace, in Him. Though it may seem like the enemy is winning--take heart, The King of Glory is about to show up and show out! Victory in the name of Jesus will be proclaimed and all who were concerned will know peace.

We must always remember, we are more than conquerors because of His love for us and there is defeat in Him, therefore, we never have to know defeat when we are abiding in the vine and He is abiding in us. We have victory over everything--every challenge, every setback, every thought that would hinder--victory is near and all we have to do is proclaim. We have to see every situation for what it is--an opportunity for us stand tall, ready to proclaim His love and share the Gospel of salvation and then just sat back, knowing God's got this--and see the victory He has determined. Every setback is really a set-up--for the King of Glory to show up. 

When we truly realize we can count on Him--we'll never allow the enemy's tricks to get us off course. We must stay in The Word, we must mediate on The Word, we must continually seek Him and ask for His wisdom to guide us daily and when we are obedient, in the midst of the storm, we can and must relax and know--He's going to show up and set things right!

Who is this King of Glory? The One who created all things and without whom, nothing was ever created. He is the bright and morning star, the Lily of the Valley, our Healer, our Provider, our Heavenly Father, our Savior and Lord, our Peace in the storms of life and when He speaks--after He shows up--all will be calm.

The Value of A Name!

"A good name is more desirable than great riches; to be esteemed is better than silver or gold." (Proverbs 22:1 NIV)

Most of us have heard the phrase, "A rose better any other name is just as sweet," but have we really thought about the value of a name?

Just as there as many kinds of roses, with varying hues and fragrances, there are many kinds of names--with varying connotations attached and usually--the perceptions of others will increase the value of our name or detract from the worth of our name.

Think about this--when people hear your name--what is the first thing they think about? Do they smile or frown? Are they happy or sad? Are they inspired to seek you for counsel or to hide from you? Is being associated with you a good thing or a questionable venture? Remember the adage, "Birds of a feather flock together," or "We are known by the company we keep." What kind of company do you keep that determines the value of your name?

When people respect someone--there is usually an acknowledgment of that respect when someone utters their name. Those listening to the one who uttered the name, perk up and pay attention. This person's name will revive good memories and stories abound about how good they are at this and that--how they stepped forward to help in a pinch, how selfless and considerate they are of others and this is a person--most want to be around--they have a good name.

However, the same is true when a person's name is mentioned that has gained notoriety--a name that causes people dread and anguish or even brings up negative memories. Most people will shun anyone associated with this person simply because they have an affiliation with one whose name is not trusted or respected.

When I look at what is happening in our society right now--change of names with change of gender, change of political correctness and change of stance for what is right--I am not surprised with the reaction or responses some people have to hearing "some names" in the media. But it is because our perceptions of others are colored by the behavior or conduct associated with the name that we lose sight of the one name--Jesus--who was vilified by those who didn't understand who He was or His purpose on earth. The religious leaders of the time sought to kill all who were associated with Him, not because the disciples had done anything wrong, but because the religious leaders were afraid of losing control over the people. There are still some people who fear the name of Jesus--especially when they don't want others to come to know Him for themselves and then they'll discover--how some have lied to them.

But what feelings are triggered when we hear the names? Caitlin,Bruce, Bill, Hilary, Obama, Boehner, Kagan, Thomas, Scalia, Ginsburg, Roberts, Kennedy, Tiger, McCain, Wesley, Michael, Kwame, Rosa, Martin, and the list could go on and on.

Now--what thoughts or feelings are triggered when someone mentions your name? Are the thoughts kind, respectful, considerate--does your name excite or defeat? When people hear your name associated with others, what is their likely conclusion about who you are?

If we conduct ourselves in such a way that many people would abhor association with us--we need to rethink how we do things or accept the fate of someone who will never rise to a level of success because without others--there is no true success.

When people mention Jesus and your name in the same breath--what is their conclusion  about you? Will they say you're  living the life or living a lie?

A good name has value beyond measure and when it is heard, it is highly esteemed and promoted.

Right in God's Sight!

"A person may think their own ways are right, but the Lord weighs the heart. To do what is right and just is more acceptable to the Lord than sacrifice." Proverbs 21: 2,3 NIV

In this world--societies of men determine what is right and what is wrong--sometimes these determinations are made with the guidance of God's Word and sometimes, men fall prey to the dictates of other men and decide that was wrong is now right and what was right is now wrong.
The real challenge is knowing--whose "right" is right! Can what man says ever be right over what God says? Not for those who believe God's Word. For us, His Word settles all questions that may arise about right and wrong, good and evil, and judgment for saints and sinners alike.

Looking back in history, we know that man has constantly abused other people by putting them into bondage and making them build civilizations with blood and sweat and sometimes their lives. Though some think that slavery began with people being exported from Africa to other nations, slavery began in the history of man, when one group discovered they could manipulate others.
Though usually as a matter of who won a battle in war, some people were enslaved out of manipulation and deceit (African transports). What has always been amazing to me is the fact that a minority group of people can terrorize the majority into doing their bidding. We see this dilemma played out again and again in history and what happens eventually is rebellion of the masses, leading to bloodshed and more change.

This appears to be the cycle of mankind whenever we attempt to change or deviate from God's Word. Deliberate misinterpretation of God's Word leads people to believe they are the superior race over others and they have a right to mistreat others. Foolishly have some believed that the Ham's curse was that his descendants were black people. A closer study of man's beginnings would bring understanding of the fact that the first man--Adam--was a person of color since all life began on the continent of Africa. Migration--moving away from hot climates into colder ones, led to the change in skin color--not superiority of one race over another. Who decided man's skin color from the beginning? God--when He created man from the dust of the earth. Who decided the nature of man from the beginning? God--when He created them male and female.

What changed things? Superiority and avarice changed things for mankind from one continent to another and has not changed since the beginning with the first act of disobedience. When man thought he knew better than God, change in the atmosphere led to manipulation and deceit which is why we are where we are today. Manipulation of a minority of people who have changed the atmosphere of doing right in God's sight into doing whatever they want to do--has led to controversy, hatred and turmoil. Persecution of Christians is on the rise because a minority feel their rights override the rights of Christians. Believers are being sued because they stand on their faith in God. Hatred is running rampant and the minority is leading the pack--claiming their "right" supersedes God's right. 

In the final analysis--all who have eyes and ears will see and hear that God's right is always right and His wrong is always wrong. But since Satan has blinded those who believe they can call God's wrong, right, they will reap the benefit of not heeding God's Word and be cut off and remembered no more; their deliverance from their enslavement--created by the minority--will end with the deaths of the minority since their seed ends with them.

We must--in order to sustain our civilization of mankind--understand that only God is right and what we do in His sight, will ever be accounted right.

Blessed Because He Chose Us!

"Praise awaits you, our God, in Zion;to you our vows will be fulfilled. You who answer prayer, to you all people will come. When we were overwhelmed by sins, you forgave our transgressions. Blessed are those you choose and bring near to live in your courts! We are filled with the good things of your house, of your holy temple." (Psalm 65:1-4 NIV)

In the midst of trials and tribulations,
He looked upon us with compassion
Poured out grace and mercy abundantly,
Waiting for us to see our ways would not allow us in
To the place He had prepared for us for all eternity,
But loved us enough to die for us, while we were yet in sin,
Forgiving us over and over again, loving us in spite of us,
Choosing us to participate in His goodness and victory,
Choosing us to live with Him past our natural deaths,
Blessing us while we live, naturally, so we can be witnesses
Of His continual grace and mercy, promoting the Gospel
Of love and salvation to all who will hear and accept;
Praising Him for victory over sinfulness--daring to break free,
Choosing to live life as He ordained it--obediently.

Blessed are we, by He who chose us before we were ever born,
Blessed are we, by He who sacrificed Himself so we might live,
Blessed are we, by He who made victory possible over all things,
Blessed are we, by He who inspired praise as our hearts sing,
Songs of worship, adoration and praise for all He has done,
Encouraging our boldness, reflecting over victories won,
Over addictions and predilections to go our way, down the broad road,
Where everyone, doomed to the same fate walked and dared not stray,
Afraid of what others would think, if they chose another path, much narrower,
Where there would be no crowd, no hoops and hollering heard, just a few,
Faithful, delivered and set free to focus on God's goodness and He path he chose,
For all He loves, but few love Him enough to see, just how wonderful this path could be,
Loving Him enough to live for Him, doing what's right at all times, knowing He never slumbers,
Is not hard of hearing and certainly never forgets our pleas to Him in the quiet of the night,
Or in the middle of a raging storm, either physically or spiritually, He is yet on His throne,
Mighty in majesty, caring for His own, like no other can and certainly, He loves those He chose,
To live and reign with Him, forevermore.

And when we arrive--at the gate of His choice, will we be ready to lift our voice,
In praise of Him who loves and dies for those He loves so we can be judged, righteously?
Though the journey to heaven gets marred by obstacles thrown in our way,
Just look to Him, He chose us and He'll never let us stray if our focus is stayed upon Him.
Speak up--aloud so all may hear, we have no fear of man or what they may do, Our God,
In Heaven, will respond to prayers that are earnestly heaven-sent--with solutions,
To all problems as He guides us through His Word, once we read it we'll know, Yes, He heard.
And Now we know--His rights can't be wrong; and His wrongs can't be right;
We must learn to live, according to what He says, since we're always in His sight,
And remember, we are blessed because He chose us!

Church Leaders--Pay Attention!

"Woe to the shepherds who are destroying and scattering the sheep of my pasture!" declares the Lord. Both prophet and priest are godless; even in my temple I find their wickedness," declares the Lord." (Jeremiah 23:1, 11 NIV)

There is so much that can be said about this entire chapter of Jeremiah--if I spent time expounding on each verse, it would take me over a month to complete it. But when I woke up this morning before 6:00 a.m., these are the verses of scripture that were playing over and over in my head and in particular, verse one.

Though many would attempt to deny that what was said to the prophet Jeremiah applies to us today, they would be wrong. Since some of those same folks constantly reference Jeremiah 29:11 (including me), we must understand that we cannot selectively determine which passages are applicable whenever it's convenient. ALL SCRIPTURE is there for our learning, good for reproof, and direction, if we would just seek God for understanding.

Yesterday, my husband and I witnessed (in a video) a pastor pouring bleach, water and detergent over the heads of people--"washing away their sins." How abominably ignorant of him and his followers to risk physical injury to eyes, ears, or other regions of their bodies. We are cleansed by the blood of Jesus Christ--shed on the Cross--and nothing that man can do will ever wash away our sins.

In a number of churches, the church leaders are gay and promoting a lifestyle that is opposition to living according to the Word. In one such church, the pastor is a woman and her wife is the first lady. I'm praying for them to see the need for repentance and to stop misleading God's flock. And herein lies the problem--many church leaders see their congregation as their flock, not God's.

When people are not aware of their responsibility as a church leader or are just interested in the position as a status symbol, they veer away from the Word in order to make themselves special. They are special alright--in need of special prayer.

If God has ordained and anointed a person for leadership in a church--the development of the church is dependent upon God, not them. They should be in constant prayer, ready to hear God speak and ready to obey what He says. The people who come into the church do not belong to the pastor or church leader--they belong to God. When we abuse or misuse that which does not belong to us there is a penalty to pay and in this passage of Scripture (read all of it), we see God is not playing around with His proclamation against those who mislead His children.

In fact, most of the churches or religious institutions do not exist because God ordained them--they are cults, established by narcissistic persons who have a need to seen and thought important. They are encouraged in their own eyes by their ability to influence people into doing foolish things--we've seen the evidence in Texas, Oklahoma, Illinois, and in other places--where people died led by those narcissists. Jim Jones, David Koresh, and so many more. There are other cults around that have not reached notoriety as yet, but I'm sure we'll see them soon.

How do we know a religious groups is a cult? They are easily identifiable; they esteem themselves more highly than the Word of God and in many cases, they go beyond the Word in their interpretation and begin to think they are equal to God. Whenever a person thinks they are a god, there is a problem. Whenever a person thinks they can foretell the date and hour of Jesus' return, there is a problem. Whenever a person encourages and promotes living in opposition to God's Word, there is a problem. God has already prepared their final dwelling for all eternity--the lake of fire, if they do not repent.

I'm sure there will be some who think I'm bashing preachers, but I'm not. I'm warning church leaders--everywhere--do not forget that God is the same--yesterday, today and forever. His purposes and intent for mankind have not changed, and when anyone changes what God has said for their own purposes--to mislead and encourage living in sin, they are going to judged by God, not me--for misleading God's flock.

It's Later Than We Think!

"Dear friends, although I was very eager to write to you about the salvation we share, I felt compelled to write and urge you to contend for the faith that was once for all entrusted to God’s holy people. For certain individuals whose condemnation was written about long ago have secretly slipped in among you. They are ungodly people, who pervert the grace of our God into a license for immorality and deny Jesus Christ our only Sovereign and Lord.Yet these people slander whatever they do not understand, and the very things they do understand by instinct—as irrational animals do—will destroy them. These are the people who divide you, who follow mere natural instincts and do not have the Spirit." (Jude 1:3,4,10,19 NIV)

We spend so much time trying to encourage one another to stay strong and to stay focused on what Jesus and Paul say, that we tend to forget what Jude said in defense of Godliness. In fact, we must remember there are more writers in The Bible than those who wrote the history, the psalms, the wisdom, and the instructions for church doctrines. They are all good, but we must also remember that when God speaks--He speaks to more than one person--saying the same thing, in a different way (in the mouths of two or three witnesses shall every Word be confirmed), and Jude is often overlooked, except by some--who repeat the last two verses as a benediction--signalling the end of a service.

Jude reminds the Believers of what has come before with immorality and ungodliness as he points out--in his time--history was repeating itself. And here we are--in 2015--watching history repeat itself, again. "Those who cannot remember the past are condemned to repeating it" (Santayana). Jude summarizes the events from Sodom and Gomorrah to his present time, in warning them to know the enemy's influence.

Have we learned nothing from reviewing past events? Or are we so immune to learning history that we deliberately establish our fate--a fate of gloom and doom for the masses?

There are those who scoff at Believers' convictions about eternity and the lake of fire. That is their right to do so, but it doesn't change what God has already determined. People--in their logical minds--can attempt to change anything they want to change, but it is only those things that God has established and ordained from the beginning that will matter in the end. As Jude said, those whose only appeal is to their own logic are not guided by Holy Spirit and therefore whatever they think, matters not.

But we who Believe and know that Holy Spirit will never guide us into changing what God has said or encouraging us to promote ungodliness, should act on what we know is Truth and not get caught up in the trends of this world. We have the mind of Christ and it's time the world knew that. We who know Truth should never be conformed to the dictates of the flesh which guide ungodliness.

We are told that "judgment will begin at the household of faith" for the Believers. If the Believers will not be able to stand before God and be judged--according to righteous judgment--what hope then can unbelievers have?

The time is far spent--it's much later than we think. Whenever Jesus returns--we are closer to that return than ever before, and it's time for Believers to stand on God's Word, no matter what the enemy does to influence people to live in opposition to God. For the Word has said that rebellion is as witchcraft--they who rebel against God have been unduly influenced under an evil spell--and it is up to us who believe to counter the attack--with all godliness--living according to God's Word and sharing the purpose of salvation to all who will believe, allowing Holy Spirit to guide our every word and deed.

Why Must We Believe?

"Jesus replied, “Truly I tell you, if you have faith and do not doubt, not only can you do what was done to the fig tree, but also you can say to this mountain, ‘Go, throw yourself into the sea,’ and it will be done. If you believe, you will receive whatever you ask for in prayer.” (Matthew 21:21,22 NIV)

Most of us know the story of Jesus and the fig tree that had leaves, but no fruit. When Jesus saw the leaves, He expected to find figs, but there were none and since He was hungry, and now frustrated, He spoke to the tree and said it would wither and die. When the disciples came back past the tree, they were amazed that the tree was withered.

The tree with leaves had the appearance of bearing fruit, but was barren. When we look at ourselves in our walk, following the precepts of Jesus, how do we look? Do we have the appearance of bearing fruit, yet no fruit exists? Are we just superficial Christians--mimicking phrases, following traditions that have no meaning, giving lip service, but no real praise, mumbling words resembling prayer, but have no power, carrying our bibles that we won't read, and wearing crosses that bear no witness of our understanding of the work on the cross?

Do we know how to generate love in any environment we find ourselves simply because we know how to love? Is there real joy in our lives that overflows onto all we meet? Do we have peace in our hearts, homes and community? Do we know how to teach with gentleness, remembering that we too are imperfect people? Do we know how to show kindness and compassion to those in need? Are we faithful--totally committed to do that we do, to do it well? Have we disciplined ourselves so others can see we live a disciplined life--free of anxiety, anger, and intolerance? Are we fruit-bearing Christians or do we just have the appearance of being one?

Now, what Jesus referenced to His disciples was more about their faith and what they would be able to do if they believed what they heard. They heard Him what He said to the tree, but apparently did not believe it would happen since they were amazed at what happened. He knew there was doubt lingering in them which is why they were amazed and told them that if they "didn't doubt" they could say, to the mountain, "go move into the sea and it would." Why must they say it? So they could hear what they said and since Jesus told them to do it, it would be so. "Faith coming by hearing and hearing by The Word of God."

We must believe The Word (Jesus is The Word) and when we pray, we can have whatever we ask for when we don't doubt The Word. In another passage, Jesus reminds us that whatever we ask of the Father, in His name, He would do it--as long as we don't doubt it will be done.

The reason many do not see answered prayers is because of doubt and unbelief or because of asking for things that do not align with The Word. When we know The Word, we do not pray amiss (out of alignment with The Word) and we know that God is not hard of hearing or forgetful. Those are our weaknesses, not His.

So when we pray--we only need to ask for what we want--once--and then we give thanks for it until we receive it. Giving thanks to God what we have faith to receive--removes doubt. For if we know, we already have what we ask for, why would we need to keep asking for it?

In order to see faith operate on a daily basis, we must "hear" The Word and keep hearing The Word, building our faith in Him so He will move on our behalf since He is moved by faith, not by feelings.

Why Jesus Asked Peter, "Do You Love Me?"

"When they had finished eating, Jesus said to Simon Peter, "Simon son of John, do you love me more than these?" (John 21:15 NIV)

After Jesus rose from the grave, His visited His disciples and while they were fishing and asked them for something to eat. They didn't realize who was speaking to them, until they obeyed His direction for hauling in an abundance of fish, when they had until that point, caught nothing. When they had finished eating, Jesus asked Peter this question, not because He didn't know where Peter's heart was regarding Him, but to give Peter something to think about--reflecting for his own good.

There is much to be said about the three questions asked of Peter, but I simply want to focus on this one. I hear Him asking us today, "Do we love Him more than the people around us?"

Love--that four letter word--has caused more challenges in life for so many people simply because most people do not realize what the word really means:

L--lifelong commitment to serve and consider others before self.
O--obligation to protect the object of one's affection, even if means sacrificing self in the process.
V--virtually becoming one with the object of affection in purpose and intent in living life.
E--estranging oneself from everything and everyone who would jeopardize the relationship between you and the object of your affection.

When we truly love someone, our hearts are so involved with consideration for them, that we only see how we can best serve them. That affection does not end with separation--physically or spiritually--we continue to love those we truly love and that love has no lustful connotation. Parents who model themselves after God, love their children no matter what they do, but that love also involves correction and instruction and punishment, if necessary. Children who love their parents, obey them in all of the ways that glorify God and love them long after they die. Siblings, when raised in a loving home, love forever and do all they can to support and assist one another. Spouses should love one another past difference of opinions and seek a balance, compromising for the benefit of the relationship, not the individual.

And now, we get to the God's kind of love--His Love for us, our love for God, and our love for one another.

The love of God towards us is amazing and cannot be superseded by any other. No one has ever loved anyone enough to die for the masses like God. No one ever will because there is no other death that could accomplish what His hanging on the cross could accomplish. That's His love for us. Our love for Him should be an act of obedience to all He has said--Love Him with all our hearts and minds and then to love one another.

When we love one another--whether we have ever met--physically or not--we are able to pray--interceding on behalf of people we don't know as well as those we do know. We are able to pray for God's best in the lives of Believers everywhere and we teach God's Word--whether it is convenient or not, whether people want to hear it or not (or read or not), but we do so because the love of God has filled us to overflowing and our desire is see everyone saved and having eternal life with Jesus.

When Jesus asked Peter the question, "Do you love me?" Peter became frustrated because he believed that Jesus knew how he felt about Him. He did know, but Jesus wanted Peter to really know--no doubting--about his love for Him because of the hardships he would endure in serving Him.
When I look at the direction of the world today--calling right wrong and wrong right, I ask myself,
"Do we really love God the way we say we do?" Living in opposition to God's Word demonstrates a lack of understanding what His love really means and certainly shows we don't love Him, if we're not willing to obey Him.

Unless God speaks to my heart and tells me differently, this is my final composition on the "Why Jesus Said" series. I pray that something has been said to cause deep reflection about who Jesus is and why He came. I pray that those who never thought about "love" in the purest sense of the word, understand just how much God loves us. I pray that we will love Him enough to obey Him, promoting the Gospel of Jesus Christ, serving the needs of others, and preparing all to spend eternity with Jesus. I pray that all will experience God for themselves and know Him and allow Him to reveal the truth of His Word to them. I pray for all Believers everyone--those who are persecuted and those who are not--stay strong in The Lord--for eternity is assured and those who are responsible for interfering in God's plan, will suffer their due consequence--the lake of fire has been prepared and God knows those who are His and those who are simply offering lip service.

Thank you for reading and encouraging me during this time. I encourage all to seek  what some others are saying about The Word and there are many online who expound with greater clarity and depth. They do what God speaks to them and I do what God puts upon my heart to do. In the end, we shall meet in Heaven and celebrate our love for God and our willingness to obey God, loving one another in the here-and-now, encouraging all to obey Him.

Do you really love God?

Why Jesus Said, "I'm Praying For All Who Will Believe!"

"My prayer is not for them alone. I pray also for those who will believe in me through their message, that all of them may be one, Father, just as you are in me and I am in you. May they also be in us so that the world may believe that you have sent me." (John 17: 20,21 NIV)

In order to really get the gist of this prayer, we have to understand just how much God loves us.

"In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was with God in the beginning." John 1:1,2) The explanation of who Jesus is.

"For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish, but have eternal life." (John 3:16). How we know just how much God loves us.

He came down from heaven, in the likeness of sinful flesh, born of a woman who had known no man--but by the incorruptible seed--the spirit of the living God, who knew know sin and was not subject to sin as man was. He knew that man would not keep His Law regarding the atonement of sin, so He made it for all who believe--that they would have eternal life.

And now, while Jesus is in the Garden praying, once more, He demonstrates His love for all who will believe as He prayed for us.

In the sixteenth chapter of John, Jesus warned His disciples that in "this world" you will have trouble, but that He had overcome the world. And right after telling them that, He looked toward Heaven and prayed.

Though many think the model prayer He gave His disciples was His prayer, it is not. The model prayer found in Matthew 6 and Luke 11 is the "model or guide" to prayer: acknowledging who God is and what He represents in our lives, acknowledging our dependence on Him, repentance of sin, and seeking forgiveness, and securing His direction for our lives. We know that He did not intend for people to simply "repeat" the model as a prayer because the model does not do what He later tells us to do in John 14, to ask "in His name."

"And I will do whatever you ask in my name, so that the Father may be gloried in the Son. You may ask me for anything in my name, and I will do it." John 14: 13,14 NIV

Notice, that He does not say that in the model prayer because He never intended for people to just repeat those words. And many people wonder why they do not see prayers answered; it is because they have not believed in the power of asking in His name, aligned with The Word.
But back to His Prayer--the one He prayed. He acknowledged who His Father is and acknowledged the purpose for His journey to earth. He acknowledges His obedience in doing all that was required of Him while here, and then He asks the Father to protect those who have believed Him and those who will believe in Him because of the message they would teach.

John 17:15-19

v. 15 MY PRAYER is not that you take them out of the world that you protect them from the evil one.
v.16 They are not OF THE WORLD, even as I am not of it.
v.17 Sanctify them by the truth; your word is Truth.
v.18 As you sent me into the world, I have sent them into the world.
v.19 For them I sanctify myself, that they too may be truly sanctified.

And we know from our focus scripture that we who believe today, were included in that prayer, asked of the Father, over 2000 years ago. Now, that's love! He thought about us before we were ever born--before our parents and grandparents and their grandparents--were ever born. He wanted for us--what those with Him would have--access to eternal life through belief in Him and the work on the cross. He wanted us to be one--in purpose and intent--as He and the Father were one--in purpose and intent--the share the glorious Gospel of Jesus Christ--repentance of sin and salvation through Him.
If there is no repentance--turning away of sin--there can be no salvation, no access to heaven.

Though there are many groups who have REWRITTEN God's Word to support their own agendas--to continue in sin or to control others, God's Word is revealed in us with the experience we have with Him, when He reveals Himself to us through that experience, cementing our relationship with Him for all times. 

For those who think "changing His Word" will benefit them, they are in for a rude awakening. When God says that judgment will begin at the household of faith, He meant it. Those of who proclaim to Believe God and yet will not live according to His Word, will stand to be judged first and the consequence--the lake of fire--is already prepared; along with His pronouncement, "Depart from me you workers of iniquity, I never knew you." (Luke 13:7) Notice that He does not say, "I don't know you" in the present tense as we stand before Him; He uses the past tense--never knew you. In other words, nothing you have ever done was done to glorify me. These are not the words I plan to hear from Him.

Although I don't always understand why God speaks to my heart and has me share what He's given me, I won't worry about it. I know that I don't have to understand the whys of what He does, but just obey and I will see the blessing of obedience in my life. Living a life based upon The Word has its challenges, but the rewards are so great, that I choose to continue to live my life according to His Word and encourage others to do the same.

It was through this passage of Scripture--that I finally understood just how much I was loved and I pray, in Jesus' name,  you will understand it, too and choose to live in obedience to His Word.

Why Jesus Said, "The Spirit of Truth Will Remind You!"

"But when the Spirit of truth comes, he will guide you into all the truth. He will not speak on his own; he will speak only what he hears, and he will tell you what is yet to come. He will glorify me because it is from that he will receive what he will make known to you. All that belongs to the Father is mine. That is why I said the Spirit will receive from me what he will make known to you." (John 16:13-15 NIV)

The promise of Holy Spirit, our Advocate, Comforter, and Counselor--to those who follow Christ was not just for the disciples of that day, but for all who believe Him because of them. At the time Jesus was telling them about the role of Holy Spirit, He did so because He knew His time here on earth was just about up, but He didn't want His disciples to be discouraged in His physical absence. A number of things led up to this conversation, but what makes it worthwhile is knowing, we also have access to all Jesus promised through Holy Spirit. But this is why He said it.

John 16:7-12

v. 7 But very truly I tell you, it is for your good that I am going away. Unless I go away, the Advocate will not come to you.

v.8 When he comes, he will prove the world to be in the wrong about sin and righteousness and judgment:

v.9 about sin, because people do not believe in me;

v.10 about righteousness, because I am going to the Father, where you can see me no longer;

v.11 and about judgment, because the prince of this world now stands condemned.

v.12 I have much more to say to you, more than you can bear."

The time was now at hand which the prophets predicted. Jesus was about to submit Himself for the ultimate sacrifice for sin and it was time for Him to return to heaven. But He wanted His disciples to know, they would not be left without benefit of His continued guidance in all things.

Everything He had told them about sin--Holy Spirit would bring back to their remembrance and they would see the results of sin because people did not believe Him. What most people do not understand about what Jesus said about sin was He included all sin, not the variations of sin. When the religious leaders brought the woman who was supposedly caught in the act of adultery, He told her to go and SIN no more. He did not make a distinction between fornication, or other sexual immorality or anything else. He did not say, don't commit any more SINS, He said SIN no more. Don't do anything that is a sin according to God's Word! For those who know His purpose in being here, we know that's what He meant. And that is why He said, there would be this continuous debate about sin, because people don't believe Him. If we love Him, we'll obey Him.

He said Holy Spirit would guide all who believe Him in righteousness--not self-righteousness-but leading all to be in right-standing with God. In order to be in right standing with God, one must know what God has said and be willing to stand on His Word for all times--no matter what current trends may abound. In fact, Paul tells us we are not to conform to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of our minds in Christ Jesus. Paul understood that the enemy first attacks and influences the minds of people and then behavior follows the thoughts of their minds. If we have the mind of Christ--through relationship with Him, then we stand on God's Word and will not fall prey to the enemy's deceptions.

Then, as for judgment--judgment has already made against the prince of this world--the god of this world, Satan, the prince of darkness (always influencing people to try to hide their wrong-doing), the devil--by whatever name he is known, the lake of fire has already been prepared for him and now he seeks to influence others so he won't burn alone.

Because He understood that He had given His disciples much to think about and He knew they did not fully understand, He decided not to overwhelm them with more teachings, but assured them that Holy Spirit would continue to teach them and remind them of all they had been taught and show them things to come.

I can imagine that every person who has ever read the Bible in its entirety, more than once--has been overwhelmed by the abundance of information. And most people have their own method of reading and reading in order to get the most out of it the content and understanding the intent. All of the sins--as God gave them--are enumerated in Deuteronomy 28--which I refer to as the book of blessings and curses. Of course they are explained in detailed throughout Exodus, Leviticus, and Numbers, as well as the rest of Deuteronomy. But as I said, there is much than can overwhelm
and simplicity usually leaves its mark.

The bottom line is this--God has a blueprint for our living--designed to put us in a position to prosper, not harm us so we would have a future and our children's children would have a great future as well. We were meant to have generational blessings, but for those who won't obey, they have been destined for generational curses. It's time to break the curses, but it can only be done out of obedience to God's Word, not political correctness, or succumbing to Satan's agenda.
Holy Spirit is here--to remind us, to guide us, to comfort us and to be our Advocate when we need Him.

More about what Jesus said and why, next time.

Why Jesus Said, "Keeping His Commands Shows Our Love For Him!"

"If you keep my commands, you remain in my love, just as I have kept my Father's commands and remain in His love." (John 15:10 NIV)

This entire segment in the 15th chapter of John is Jesus talking, most of the 16th chapter and all of the 17th chapter which is His prayer (I'll expound on that later). The point I'm making here is that Jesus had a great deal to say and the only way ANYONE can know that is by reading "all of His Word" and not just selected phrases that appear to justify a person's behavior. If I was to take the time to expound on every verse noted of Jesus speaking, I'd have more to write than time to write since I probably won't live that long.  I have chosen the selections used to make a point--to refute what groups of people are saying that Jesus just said, "love" and "don't judge." I know when they say such things, they have no clue as to who He is or His purpose in our lives. 

But getting back to His teaching--using the analogy of the vine and branches, something the disciples walking with Him, understood and so would most gardeners. It's about relationships that grow, with correction and instruction.

John 15:1-9

v.1 I am the true vine, and my Father is the gardener.

v.2 He CUTS OFF every branch in me that bears no fruit, while every branch that does bear fruit he PRUNES so that it will be even more fruitful,

v.3 You are already clean because of the WORD I have spoken to you.

v.4 Remain in me, as I also remain in you. No branch can bear fruit by itself; it must remain in the vine. Neither can you bear fruit UNLESS you remain in me.

v.5 I am the vine; you are the branches, If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; APART from me you can do nothing.

v.6 If you do not remain in me, you are like a branch that is thrown away and withers, such branches are picked up, thrown into the fire and BURNED.

v.7 If you remain in me and my words remain in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you.

v.8 This is to my Father's glory, that you bear much fruit, SHOWING yourselves to be my disciples.

v.9 As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you. Now remain in my love.

Walking with Jesus--in the spirit--since He is no longer physically here walking with us--means that we demonstrate our love for Him, by keeping His commands (obeying His Word) to love God and love one another. Of course, in order for anyone to understand this, they must be in relationship with Him--accepting His love and knowing who He is and how He wants us to live.

It's not enough to accept God's unconditional love--if we truly love--we know that love is reciprocal--we must love Him. If we love Him, we must be willing to accept the occasional pruning, His correction, so we'll become more like Him. If we reject His correction and instruction, we reject His love and risk missing spending eternity with Him.

I'm not a gardener, but I have rose bush in my back yard that for some reason, has a mind of its own. The branches dry out and break off and when I have the time, I cut them back to a spot where I can tell there is still life (green on the outside and pulpy on the inside). No matter how much of the branch I end up cutting off, they grow back and roses blossom. As long as I prune off the "dead" part, this rose bush will live.

When God uses His messengers--then and now--to correct people about their behavior, He's trying to cut off the DEAD part (the rebellious part) so we can have life and blossom under His guidance. Teaching His Word in truth, not selectively distorting it, is about a love relationship--not judgment as some believe. Actually, I don't believe they think we're judging them, they just need something to say in an attempt to justify their opposition to living according to God's Word. Deep down, they know--that sin is killing them on a daily basis and if they will not heed righteous instruction, they will die off and nothing will be left of them in the earth.

When people know they are wrong--they are quick to justify their actions--as we can see with lawsuits, false claims of discrimination against those who will not support a celebration of sin. And now, the great oxymoron of them all is the production of the "Queen James Bible" which removes any reference to homosexuality as a sin. If they didn't know they were in sin, they would have had no need to "re-write" the bible. The very production of the book demonstrates they KNOW they live in sin, but they want to "feel" better about it.

People have been "adjusting" The Word for generations--so much so that not many even know which translation is right. I can tell which translation is right--THE ONE IN WHICH GOD HAS REVEALED THE TRUTH OF HIS WORD TO EVERYONE IN RIGHT RELATIONSHIP WITH HIM. An experience with God, reveals who He is and how we are to live. We don't need a book to validate us--we need to know truth to grow and bear much fruit. For the Believer, the experience with Him, leads us to insight and revelation and He'll show us which Bible speaks Him.

If we truly love Him, we make no excuses and choose to live right because our desire is to please Him, not people or our flesh.

More about what Jesus said and why, next time.

Why Jesus Said, "Whoever Lives By Belief In Me Will Never Die!"

"I am the resurrection and the life. The one who believes in me will live, even though they die; whoever lives by believing in me will never die. Do you believe this?" (John 11:25,26 NIV)

Within John's record of the life of Jesus, Jesus says, "believes" fourteen times and in the rest of the New Covenant, it is mentioned eleven other times. Of course in the King James Version, the word believeth is used (meaning the same thing) and occurs in both Old and New for a total of forty-five times. Since I'm expounding on what Jesus said and why, let's take a closer look at why belief is so important.

Whatever a person believes--has immoveable faith in--good or bad, that is usually indicative of how a person lives. If they believe in a horoscope--they live their life according to the horoscope. If they believe Oprah Winfrey is wiser than God, they live their life according to Oprah. If they believe than one political party is superior to another, they live their life supporting that party and criticizing the other. If people believe they'll become rich by gambling, they gamble on a regular basis (and the lottery is gambling). If they believe that God's Word can ever be changed to pacify fleshly dictates, they live their lives doing whatever they want because they do not understand--God's Word never changes and neither will His judgment. 

But let's get back to what's taking place in Jesus' life when He said what He said. He had been that Lazarus was sick and instead of going to him immediately, Jesus delayed his departure. He told his disciples that Lazarus was sleep and they thought he was just asleep because of sickness. Jesus then told them, he was dead.

John 11:15-24

v. 15 And for your sake I am glad I was not there, so you may believe. But let us go to him.

v. 16 Then Thomas (also known as Didymus) said to the rest of the disciples, "Let us also go, that we may die with him."

v.17 On his arrival, Jesus found that Lazarus had already been in the tomb for four days.

v. 18 Now Bethany was less than two miles from Jerusalem,

v 19 and many Jews had come to Martha and Mary to comfort them in the loss of their brother.

v. 20 When Martha heard that Jesus was coming, she went out to meet him, but Mary stayed at home.

v. 21 "Lord," Martha said to Jesus, "If you had been here, my brother would not have died.

v. 22 But I know that even now God will give you whatever you ask."

v. 23 Jesus said to her, "Your brother will rise again."

v. 24 Martha answered, " I know he will rise again in the resurrection at the last day."

And after Jesus asked her the question about what she believed, she said, she believed. I can imagine the heartache Martha felt over losing her brother and some have said (their interpretations of her statement) that she was accusing Jesus of waiting too long to come to them. She didn't understand the magnitude of what was about to happen, but she believed that Jesus would take care of it and He did.

Jesus waited until Lazarus was dead and buried so that all who observed Him would witness the miracle and share it with others. He simply looked unto His Father and then commanded Lazarus to come out of the tomb and he did. Faith--can move mountains, cause the dead to rise and the sick to recover--if we will only believe--have immoveable faith in Him.

Lazarus rose from the dead to live again, but we don't know how long he lived until he succumbed to natural, then. What we do know is that all are appointed a time to die, naturally, but those who believe Jesus is the resurrection and when He returns, the dead shall rise and the rest of us caught up with Him, shall live for all eternity in heaven.

We simply have to believe--having faith in Him--and not man's suppositions about death and dying, sickness and disease, sin and holiness. If we believed and lived our beliefs in Him, the world would be in a much better place. Do we believe that Jesus is the Son of God? Do we believe that His blood, shed on the cross at Calvary, was shed for us--that we might have access to heaven, through Him? Do we believe that we have the power--through Holy Spirit--to live without sin in our lives? If the answer is yes, we believe, then why aren't we living what we say we believe? Our active obedience to God demonstrates our love for Him and our belief--our immoveable faith in Him. Lord, help us!

More about what Jesus said and why, next time.

Why Jesus said, "My Father And I Are The Same!"

"I and the Father are one." (John 10:30 NIV)

This statement has triggered controversy for generations since many have not understood why Jesus said or to whom. The simple explanation is this--God the Father and God the Son are one in purpose and intent. They do not vary nor are they ever in conflict with one another. God is Spirit, and loved us so much He decided that the only way to reconcile mankind back to Him, was to make the ultimate sacrifice, the blood sacrifice that many recognized as atonement for sin, so He came--wrapped in flesh and born of a woman--to experience life as we do--tempted to sin, but didn't. Under the Law, a pure lamb was to offered and Jesus is the pure Lamb--sacrificed for the sins of man--for all who believe.

But let's go back and see what led to this statement when the Jews questioned Jesus' veracity.

John 10:24-29

v. 24 The Jews who were there gathered around him, saying, "How long will you keep us in suspense? If you are the Messiah, tell us plainly."

v.25 Jesus answered, "I did tell you, but you do not believe. The works I do in my Father's name testify about me,

v.26 but you do not believe because you are not my sheep.

v.27 My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me.

v. 28 I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; no one will snatch them out of my hand,

v. 29 My Father, who has given them to me, is greater than all; no one can snatch them out of my Father's hand.

What follows is the attempt by them to stone Jesus for blasphemy--accusing Him of claiming to be God when He was a mere man.

Some people--those who say they believe and those who don't--still do not understand that Jesus and God are one. When we pray to the Father, in Jesus' name, we are talking to both and Jesus said (in another verse of scripture), whatever we asked of the Father in His name, it would be given to us. When we attempt to separate God as one entity and Jesus as another, and Holy Spirit as another, we nullify the power of the three since they are One in purpose. I have never understood how people can say they believe in God and yet not believe God or in how they can establish, "Jesus Only," doctrines.

Before Jesus came (God in the flesh), God spoke to the people through the prophets or whoever else He chose to use. While He was here on earth, He was limited by His fleshly body to a point, but He knew what people were thinking and He knew all the Father had spoken to those of old and this is why the Pharisees were amazed at the knowledge He had since He had not been taught by them. Jesus is The Word so He would certainly know The Word as God spoke it to those who were before Him. Now, since His ascension back to heaven, we have access to Him through Holy Spirit and when we are filled with His Spirit and allow His spirit to guide us in all things, we no longer have need for others to "tell us" what The Lord says about anything. But this is for those who Believe! God is yet speaking to us, directly--and those who know His Word, know His voice when we hear Him and He knows all who belong to Him, by our obedience to His Word. Glory Hallelujah!

When we belong to God, we listen and obey. If we do not belong to God, we will not hear and certainly will not obey. So, when people claim to believe in God yet encourage or promote others to live in opposition to His Word, they are really saying they believe in a force greater than them, but since they do not what God has said, they cannot believe God.

Jesus is the Great Shepherd, I am one of the sheep who belongs to Him and I know His voice because I know what the Father has said. It is my relationship with God through His Son, that I can stand firmly on The Word as my foundation for living and knowing how to live--unconditionally, but also knowing that loving comes with the responsibility of correction, and instruction. 

God the Father and God the Son, Jesus Christ are one and since I belong to them, my purpose is the same as theirs--to bring all into the knowledge of who He is, acceptance of the work on the cross for our sins, and encouraging obedience in all things so we can all hear, "Well done" and live with Him for all eternity.

More about what Jesus said and why, next time.

Why Jesus Said, "If You Were Blind, You Wouldn't Be Guilty."

Jesus said, "If you were blind, you would not be guilty of sin; but now that you claim you can see, your guilt remains." (John 9:41 NIV)

Once again, because of a miracle on the Sabbath, Jesus healing a man who had been born blind, the religious group in their self-righteousness threw the man out the temple, because he dared to challenge them about who Jesus was. To keep this in context, we must understand the back-story (John 9:1-34). Whenever a person was healed, they were to go to the priests (the Pharisees in this case) to confirm their healing. In this particular miracle, when the Pharisees started questioning the blind man's healing, they accused Jesus of being a sinner and certainly not from God. The man dared to refute what they said and he was prohibited from attending the temple. Now, let's eavesdrop on the conversation between the healed man, some Pharisees and Jesus.

John 9:35-41

v. 35 Jesus heard that they had thrown him out and when He found him, He said, "Do you believe in the Son of Man?"

v. 36 "Who is he, sir?" the man asked. "Tell me so that I may believe in Him."

v. 37 Jesus said, "You have now seen Him in fact, He is the one speaking with you."

v. 38 Then the man said, "Lord, I believe," and he worshiped Him.

v. 39 Jesus said, "For judgment I have come into this world, so that the blind will see and those who see will become blind."

v. 40 Some of the Pharisees who were with Him heard Him say this and asked, "What? Are we blind, too?"

The entire point of this conversation was to let the Pharisees know, they were spiritually blinded--they claimed a belief in God, yet refused to accept what was right in front of them--God in the flesh--working miracles for the benefit of those who would believe.
The world hasn't changed much in the last 2000 + years. There are still some--both religious leaders and carnal Christians--who are spiritually blind. They claim to know God, yet they refuse to obey God and have in essence, created even more religions that have no basis or foundation in Him who created all things and without Him, nothing was ever created. The religious group would rather adhere to their traditions than to allow Holy Spirit to lead and guide them--in all things. And since they are the leaders in the churches today, not many in their congregations ever witness miracles because their unbelief inhibits the movement of Holy Spirit.

If every church, in every city, all over the world, would allow Holy Spirit His rightful place in any service--people would be healed of cancer, blind eyes would be opened, the lame would walk, and all manner of diseases would dissipate for those who believe. For The Word says, "These signs shall accompany those who believe: In my name: they will drive out demons, they will speak with new tongues; they will pick up snakes with their hands (to discard them) and when they drink deadly poison (not intentionally), it will not hurt them at all; they will place their hands on sick people, and they will get well." (Mark 16:17,18 NIV)  Now, once again to keep this in context, Jesus said this-after He rose from the grave and was included in the instructions given to those who followed Him to go into all the world and preach the Gospel. And as in so many other places, we see the conditions or qualifiers if you will, under which the signs shall follow. "Whoever believes and is baptized and for those who don't believe, they will be condemned." (v.15, 16)

So, now the question for all to consider is, "Are we yet blind even though we say we Believe?" If we are spiritually blinded by the traditions of the world and political correctness and fleshly desires, will we ever truly Believe God and obey? If we remain spiritually blind, will we ever be able to accomplish all that Jesus said we would, for those who Believe?

Spiritual blindness opens the door for Satan and all the demonic forces he employs to deceive and manipulate. For this reason, sin abound in the earth and all manner of sickness and disease run rampant because those who say they believe, don't practice obedience and in operating in the Spiritual Gifts Holy Spirit has for each of us, to lay hands on the sick and watch them get well.

More about what Jesus said and why, next time.