tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-83858643911407288502024-03-27T00:36:47.186-06:00Lift Up the StandardKnow Jesus. God reveals Jesus through His Word. Read and Consider What He is Saying to You. Talk to Jesus as you read His Word, thank Him for His promises, and ask His help to do what He asks. GeneOhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06651450892607764151noreply@blogger.comBlogger253125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8385864391140728850.post-19008970763246757992024-03-16T10:43:00.000-06:002024-03-16T10:43:31.629-06:00I want you to be in heaven with me. <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Just as Paul tells the Israelites in Romans 9, I want you to be in heaven with me. Everything else in this life is trivial compared to this absolute, final outcome. </span><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px;">“Location, location, location” is an old adage concerning real estate. That principle is even more crucial for our eternal existence.</span><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px;"> </span><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px;">Clearly, nothing in this life matters more than the question, "Where will you spend eternity?"</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Beyond our finite mind and understanding, we will live
forever. God created each of us as an
eternal being. Just as described in
Genesis, these fleshly bodies have received the breath of God and become living
souls that will live forever. Yes, our
physical bodies will fall to the earth and die, but our inner man, the real
person we are, has an eternal existence.
<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Unfortunately, even though everyone knows that our years on
the earth are limited and will end in death, many people allow themselves to be
so distracted with wealth, comfort and convenience, that they fail to consider
and prepare for the eternity that lies ahead. Nothing could be more foolish. Vanity of vanity, says the preacher in Ecclesiastes, all is vanity. He is so right. </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">At one point a man asked Jesus to intervene so
his brother would share the inheritance. (Luke 12:13) </span><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"> </span><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"> </span><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">Jesus
answered that one’s life does not consist in the abundance of what he possesses, and then Jesus follows with the parable of the rich man building more barns and neglecting
his soul.</span><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"> </span><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">Jesus calls him a fool who is
rich in earthly goods and not rich toward God.</span><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"> </span><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px;">A wise man builds his house upon the rock.</span><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px;"> </span><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px;">The rock is Jesus Christ and what is revealed in His Word how to be right with God and be saved for a life of joy with Him forever.</span><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px;">None of us even comes close to deserving to be right with God forever, which is, of course, the reason God sent His Son to pay what we really deserved so we could have His life and right relationship with the Father. The question isn't why would God send people to hell, the question is why would anyone reject the perfect love of God who died for our sins so we could live in joy forever. </span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px;">Therefore, above anything else you think or do, make sure that you have accepted that Jesus Christ has paid the price for you and that because of such great love, you willingly submit to Him as the Lord, or master of your life. Read this truth in Romans 10:8-10. It really is as simple as believing that Jesus rose from the dead (meaning every one of your sins are paid for) and being willing to declare with your lips that Jesus is Lord of your life. Jesus stated in Matthew 10:32 that He would confess each one before the Father who has been unashamed to confess Him (Jesus) before men. </span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px;">Lay down every other excuse or persuasion of human thinking, and come as little child trusting Jesus to forgive you and make you completely new. He is faithful and promises you will be with Him (and me) in heaven forever. </span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px;"><br /></span></p>
<p><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"> </span> </p>GeneOhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06651450892607764151noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8385864391140728850.post-34023855525194474802023-11-19T08:51:00.001-07:002023-11-19T09:36:09.397-07:00Reason to Give Thanks<div dir="ltr" style="background-color: white; color: #1d2228; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; outline: none;">It is a good thing to give thanks to the Lord, and to sing praises to Your name, O Most High according to Psalm 92:1. This verse also reminds us that when Jesus answered the Pharisees that there was only one who was good, and that was God. Therefore, it is true that giving thanks is not only a good thing but a "God" thing.</div><div dir="ltr" style="background-color: white; color: #1d2228; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; outline: none;"><br style="outline: none;" /></div><div dir="ltr" style="background-color: white; color: #1d2228; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; outline: none;">Verse 2 contains some simple reminders of how to do it: to declare your lovingkindness in the morning, and your faithfulness every night. Start your day with an awareness that God's mercy is fresh every morning, and establish this truth for the day by declaring it over your day. Then as you retire for the night, let your closing thoughts and words be giving thanks for His faithfulness in taking care of you in all the events of the day. </div><div dir="ltr" style="background-color: white; color: #1d2228; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; outline: none;"><br /></div><div dir="ltr" style="background-color: white; color: #1d2228; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; outline: none;">It is both true and humbling to remember what 1 Corinthians 4:7 asks, "what do you have that you did not receive?" Take time to acknowledge and reflect with a thankful heart all God has given. </div><div dir="ltr" style="background-color: white; color: #1d2228; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; outline: none;"><br /></div><div dir="ltr" style="background-color: white; color: #1d2228; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; outline: none;">Secondly, Thanksgiving causes us to look forward to all God has for us in the future: Eye has not seen, nor ear heard, nor have entered into the heart of man the things which God has prepared for those who love Him." (1 Corinthians 2:9) We clearly are the most blessed on the earth, as Psalm 21:6 states, and have every reason to be grateful for His gracious gift of Himself! <span style="background-color: transparent;"> </span></div>GeneOhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06651450892607764151noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8385864391140728850.post-83589567434093593902023-11-12T09:45:00.002-07:002023-11-12T09:47:38.095-07:00Keep Sowing Seeds<div dir="ltr" style="background-color: white; outline: none;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">Give, and it will be given to you: good measure, pressed down, shaken together, and running over will be put into your bosom. For with the same measure that you use, it will be measured back to you, according to Luke 6:38. Clearly, God is so pleased that we choose to care about others rather than just ourselves that He abundantly responds in kind. </span></div><div dir="ltr" style="background-color: white; outline: none;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><br style="outline: none;" /></span></div><div dir="ltr" style="background-color: white; outline: none;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">The principle of God, which Galatians 6:7 introduces by reminding us that God is not mocked, is that what a man sows he will surely reap. This same concept is declared in 1 Peter 3:9 where the Holy Spirit states that we are called to bless that we might receive the blessing. We don't just do it for the return blessing, but as sure as God is, He does reward our smallest and biggest effort, from giving a glass of water to little one to laying our life down for others.</span></div><div dir="ltr" style="background-color: white; outline: none;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div dir="ltr" style="background-color: white; outline: none;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: arial;">The obvious problem with giving is that often the people we seek to bless may take advantage of us, or worse yet, turn on us. So, it is important to remember that we give to God by blessing others, and we do it in obedience to Him. Then it doesn't matter whether the ones we help appreciate our work or not, God knows our heart and every detail of what we do. Therefore, Galatians 6:9 reminds us to not be weary in well doing for in due time we shall surely reap. The central issue is do we trust that God is faithful to His promise. </span><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: arial;"> </span></span></div><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">The nature of God is love which gives. Because God is a giver, and is so good, His life in us motivates and empowers us to give: to give thanks to Him always, to give our resources to others in need, and to be ready to bless every person that He directs. Give and it will be given. In all this, we simply cannot outgive God, He will surely honor those who honor Him by giving. Keep sowing seeds and trust God to produce the harvest. </span></p><p><br /></p>GeneOhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06651450892607764151noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8385864391140728850.post-22151024743777088672023-11-05T09:54:00.005-07:002023-11-05T10:04:14.295-07:00Thankfully Overcome<p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><span> </span>God is the master at reminding us of foundational values through events and seasons. Just as October challenged us to stand in the authority Jesus has given over the powers of darkness, November is designed to bring us back to acknowledging God's eternal goodness, not just in what we now have, but also in His awesome future for us to dwell in His presence and glory forever. What God has planned certainly is beyond description and our finite understanding, but nevertheless, true and worthy of rejoicing in His revealed plan and letting it motivate our godly choices. </span></p><div data-setdir="false" dir="ltr" style="outline: none;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Scripture reveals that Jesus endured the cross because of the joy set before Him. Surely HIs joy was seeing you and I receive what He was doing to pay for our sins and become children of God to be with Him forever. Likewise, in </span><span style="font-family: arial;">Revelation 2 and 3, God sent messages to the various churches with awesome encouragements of "joy" set before those who overcome. </span></span></div><div data-setdir="false" dir="ltr" style="outline: none;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div data-setdir="false" dir="ltr" style="outline: none;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;">God is a rewarder of those who seek Him and obey Him. If God does not overlook having a reward for giving a glass of water to a little one, how much more will not miss rewarding choices to obey our Spirit-led promptings and to put down the screaming lusts of the flesh (Romans 8:13). He promises life and peace to those who obey the Spirit. </span></div><div data-setdir="false" dir="ltr" style="outline: none;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div data-setdir="false" dir="ltr" style="outline: none;"><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;">Therefore, in this season of thankfulness, hear the word from Jesus in John 16:33, "Be of good cheer, I have overcome the world." And the accompanying truth from 1 John 5:4-5, which states that all those who are born again overcome the world through our faith. </span></span></div><div data-setdir="false" dir="ltr" style="outline: none;"><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></div><div data-setdir="false" dir="ltr" style="outline: none;"><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;">We rejoice together in thankfulness for all the goodness we taste now (Psalm 34:8 Taste and see that the Lord is good); and also for the amazing future goodness God has for those who love Him (Eye has not seen, nor ear heard, nor have entered into the heart of man the things which God has prepared for those who love Him. 1 Corinthians 2:9)</span></span></div><div data-setdir="false" dir="ltr" style="outline: none;"><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></div><div data-setdir="false" dir="ltr" style="outline: none;"><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;">The Lord has enabled His children to overcome through His death and resurrection; furthermore, He has given us sufficient reason and anointing to be thankful in every situation. As He overcame, we now thankfully overcome by His power working in us. </span></span></div><div data-setdir="false" dir="ltr" style="outline: none;"><br /></div>GeneOhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06651450892607764151noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8385864391140728850.post-77583004662188061672023-10-22T09:39:00.001-06:002023-10-22T09:39:29.476-06:00Touch Nothing Unclean<p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"> Jesus chose you to belong to Him and be a light in the world rather than just live like the world. It is awesome to realize that before the foundation of the world, (Ephesians 1:4) He chose you and already had a masterful plan for your life. However, in the midst of this great calling, Jesus makes it clear that "the world" is the opposite of His truth and that you will experience some of the same consequences He faced in coming to the earth. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"> <span class="text John-15-18" style="background-color: white;"><span class="woj">“If the world hates you, you know that it hated Me before <i>it hated</i> you.</span> </span><span class="text John-15-19" id="en-NKJV-26719" style="background-color: white;"><span class="woj">If you were of the world, the world would love its own. Yet</span> <span class="woj">because you are not of the world, but I chose you out of the world, therefore the world hates you. (John 15:18-19) We need to understand the absolute polar extremes of following Jesus and of living like the world. </span></span></span></p><div dir="ltr" style="background-color: white; outline: none !important;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium; outline: none !important;"><div style="outline: none !important;"><div dir="ltr" style="outline: none !important;"><div style="outline: none !important;"><div style="outline: none !important;"><span style="font-size: medium; outline: none !important;"><span class="yiv2808824796ydp916a3eb5text yiv2808824796ydp916a3eb5John-15-19" id="yiv2808824796ydp916a3eb5en-NKJV-26719" style="outline: none !important;"><span class="yiv2808824796ydp916a3eb5woj" style="outline: none !important;">This complete difference between the Kingdom of God and the sin-fallen world causes godly believers to make practical choices. </span></span></span>For the past 30 years I have given a chapel talk to our students entitled, "Don't Drink Dirty Milk," and of course, to make a point I pour dirt into a glass of milk and tempt them to drink it. The point is that Halloween may seem like fun, and there is candy to be had, but it is foundationally a celebration of Satan: fear, death, demons, evil, anything to arouse the dark side and scare people. We challenge our kids to choose a godly alternative and avoid the world's way of participating in glorifying the Evil One.</div></div></div></div></span></div><div dir="ltr" style="background-color: white; outline: none !important;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium; outline: none !important;"><br style="outline: none !important;" /></span></div><div dir="ltr" style="background-color: white; outline: none !important;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium; outline: none !important;">However, the warning from 2 Corinthians 6 is much stronger and more comprehensive than just Halloween. "<span class="yiv2808824796ydp3389074ctext yiv2808824796ydp3389074c2Cor-6-14" id="yiv2808824796ydp3389074cen-NKJV-28913" style="outline: none !important;">For what fellowship has righteousness with lawlessness? And what communion has light with darkness? </span><span class="yiv2808824796ydp3389074ctext yiv2808824796ydp3389074c2Cor-6-15" id="yiv2808824796ydp3389074cen-NKJV-28914" style="outline: none !important;">And what accord has Christ with Belial? Or what part has a believer with an unbeliever? For you are the temple of the living God. As God has said: "I will dwell in them and walk among them. I will be their God, and they shall be My people." Therefore, "Come out from among them and be separate," says the Lord. "Do not touch what is unclean, and I will receive you." "I will be a Father to you, and you shall be My sons and daughters," says the Lord Almighty. </span></span></div><div dir="ltr" style="background-color: white; outline: none !important;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium; outline: none !important;"><span class="yiv2808824796ydp3389074ctext yiv2808824796ydp3389074c2Cor-6-15" style="outline: none !important;"><br /></span></span></div><div dir="ltr" style="background-color: white; outline: none !important;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><span style="outline: none !important;"><span class="yiv2808824796ydp3389074ctext yiv2808824796ydp3389074c2Cor-6-15" style="outline: none !important;">Notice how God always has our best interests in mind even in this warning, wanting us to experience His intimate fatherly love rather than the fleeting and deceiving pleasures that the world offers. God's Word clearly calls each of us </span></span>to keep ourselves clean from the ways of the world and let the love of the Father fill you and guide all that you watch, think, or participate in. Even though it may look inviting, touch nothing unclean. </span></div>GeneOhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06651450892607764151noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8385864391140728850.post-7974184302891006532023-10-15T09:32:00.002-06:002023-10-15T09:32:33.673-06:00Despise the Shame<div dir="ltr" style="background-color: white; color: #1d2228; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; outline: none !important;">What do you see? </div><div dir="ltr" style="background-color: white; color: #1d2228; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; outline: none !important;"><br /></div><div dir="ltr" style="background-color: white; color: #1d2228; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; outline: none !important;">Jesus, according to Hebrews 12:2, was so focused on completing God's will (even unto death) that he "despised the shame" of all the ridicule, beating, torture and pain of death on the cross. There is both a principle of life and an example that challenges every Christian. So, let's look to Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, to learn this lesson.</div><div dir="ltr" style="background-color: white; color: #1d2228; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; outline: none !important;"><br style="outline: none !important;" /></div><div dir="ltr" style="background-color: white; color: #1d2228; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; outline: none !important;">Whenever we set our heart to obey God or to do something for the Lord, there will always be obstacles and challenges designed to distract and prevent us from moving forward. We have to learn to despise the shame, in other words, think nothing of the cost compared to the glory of God that comes from obedience. </div><div dir="ltr" style="background-color: white; color: #1d2228; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; outline: none !important;"><br style="outline: none !important;" /></div><div dir="ltr" style="background-color: white; color: #1d2228; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; outline: none !important;">Consider the comments of Paul, who also went through beatings, shipwrecks, false accusations and imprisonment, saying on one hand to count the cost and then on the other hand declaring, "the cost is nothing" compared to the glory of God to be revealed. The point is that there is always a cost, but we have to keep our focus on the prize and not let the cost deter us from accomplishing the God-given task. Because our flesh may get discouraged by circumstances and quit, God warns us in Galatians 6:9, "let us not grow weary while doing good for in due season we shall reap if we do not lose heart." </div><div dir="ltr" style="background-color: white; color: #1d2228; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; outline: none !important;"><br style="outline: none !important;" /></div><p><span style="background-color: white; color: #1d2228; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px;">Therefore, be encouraged. God, who is always faithful, will give you both the will and the power to do what He asks. Choose to ignore and think nothing of the effort or abuse that you may have to endure so that you press on to receive the prize. Faith and patience (same Greek word for endurance) inherit the promises. Keep your eyes on Jesus and refuse to be side-tracted by the shame or cost. You will succeed. </span> </p>GeneOhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06651450892607764151noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8385864391140728850.post-50459370766373286892023-10-08T09:41:00.004-06:002023-10-08T09:41:38.508-06:00How Big is Your God?<p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">Perception is everything.</span></p><div dir="ltr" style="background-color: white; color: #1d2228; outline: none !important;"><span class="yiv8905086854ydp50c14a10woj" style="color: black; outline: none !important;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">In the parable of the talents, the attitude of the one who received the one talent says it all. "Lord, I knew you to be a hard man, reaping where you have not sown, and gathering where you have not scattered seed." Because of his perception of the character of his master, he was afraid and hid his talent instead of thankfully using it and being productive with his gift.</span></span></div><div dir="ltr" style="background-color: white; color: #1d2228; outline: none !important;"><span class="yiv8905086854ydp50c14a10woj" style="color: black; outline: none !important;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><br style="outline: none !important;" /></span></span></div><div dir="ltr" style="background-color: white; color: #1d2228; outline: none !important;"><span class="yiv8905086854ydp50c14a10woj" style="color: black; outline: none !important;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">A student who blatantly talks during class and ignores the rules is convinced that teachers are against him and always picking on him. As a result, he refuses to take correction and continues to be his own worst enemy by getting in trouble and causing others around him to resent his interference. A homeless person feels that his loss of family, home, and job is due to someone else being cruel to him and his "bad luck." The criminal thinks the system is unfair and wonders why he is being punished when the other guy who did worse got away with it. In other words, we haven't changed since the days of Adam and Eve, who conveniently found someone else to blame: "It was the fault of the woman that You God gave me." "It was the serpent who deceived me." In each of these examples, the perception or mind set of the individual creates an excuse that justifies his wrong choices. </span></span></div><div dir="ltr" style="background-color: white; color: #1d2228; outline: none !important;"><span class="yiv8905086854ydp50c14a10woj" style="color: black; outline: none !important;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><br style="outline: none !important;" /></span></span></div><div dir="ltr" style="background-color: white; color: #1d2228; outline: none !important;"><span class="yiv8905086854ydp50c14a10woj" style="color: black; outline: none !important;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">Scripture points out that our natural mind is darkened, so naturally verses like Romans 12 clearly instruct us to be renewed in our mind so that we are not like the world in our thinking. How big is your God? Does He cause you to walk in favor with God and man? Do you enjoy His fresh mercy every morning and are you able to declare His faithfulness every night? Do you in your heart know that He is making all things work for good in your life? All these "renewed" thoughts come from receiving the Word of God with meekness rather than depending on our own thoughts and feelings. Fallen nature always thinks our way is right. </span></span></div><div dir="ltr" style="background-color: white; color: #1d2228; outline: none !important;"><span class="yiv8905086854ydp50c14a10woj" style="color: black; outline: none !important;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><br style="outline: none !important;" /></span></span></div><div dir="ltr" style="background-color: white; color: #1d2228; outline: none !important;"><span class="yiv8905086854ydp50c14a10woj" style="color: black; outline: none !important;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">Jesus told several people "be it done to you according to your faith." Therefore, letting the Word of God "dwell in you richly" makes all the difference in the outcome. Likewise, in John 15:7, Jesus states that our prayer will be answered and we will be fruitful, "If you abide in Me and My words abide in you." How we perceive God and how we allow the Word of God to be our truth is foundational to having right attitudes and correct actions. </span></span></div><div dir="ltr" style="background-color: white; color: #1d2228; outline: none !important;"><span class="yiv8905086854ydp50c14a10woj" style="color: black; outline: none !important;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></div><div dir="ltr" style="background-color: white; color: #1d2228; outline: none !important;"><span class="yiv8905086854ydp50c14a10woj" style="color: black; outline: none !important;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">Simply start each day choosing to let your thoughts and ways be renewed by His revealed truth of who He is and what He has done. As a man thinks in his heart, so is he. Our perception of God and His goodness will allow us to glorify Him in what we do and to enjoy His glorious provision. </span></span></div><div dir="ltr" style="background-color: white; color: #1d2228; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; outline: none !important;"><span class="yiv8905086854ydp50c14a10woj" style="color: black; font-family: "new times", serif; font-size: 19.2px; outline: none !important;"><br style="outline: none !important;" /></span></div><div dir="ltr" style="background-color: white; color: #1d2228; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; outline: none !important;"><br /></div><div dir="ltr" style="background-color: white; color: #1d2228; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; outline: none !important;"><span class="yiv8905086854ydp50c14a10woj" style="color: black; font-family: "new times", serif; font-size: 19.2px; outline: none !important;"><br style="outline: none !important;" /></span></div><div dir="ltr" style="background-color: white; color: #1d2228; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; outline: none !important;"><span class="yiv8905086854ydp50c14a10woj" style="color: black; font-family: "new times", serif; font-size: 19.2px; outline: none !important;"> </span></div><div dir="ltr" style="background-color: white; color: #1d2228; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; outline: none !important;"><span style="font-family: times new roman, new york, times, serif; outline: none !important;"><br style="outline: none !important;" /></span></div><p> </p>GeneOhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06651450892607764151noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8385864391140728850.post-20608982932700457922023-10-01T09:50:00.002-06:002023-10-01T09:52:54.108-06:00Revealing Jehovah Nissi<div class="I_ZkbNhI D_FY W_6D6F" data-test-id="message-view-body" style="background-color: white; display: table; outline: none; width: 990px;"><div class="msg-body P_wpofO mq_AS" data-test-id="message-view-body-content" style="line-height: normal; outline: none; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 2px 0px 0px; position: relative; word-break: break-word;"><div class="jb_0 X_6MGW N_6Fd5" style="outline: none; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 24px; padding-right: 16px;"><div style="outline: none;"><div id="yiv9716537204" style="outline: none;"><div style="outline: none;"><div class="yiv9716537204yahoo-style-wrap" style="outline: none;"><div dir="ltr" style="outline: none;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">Jesus' victory over the enemy ensures the promise </span></div><div dir="ltr" style="outline: none;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">that "Surely goodness and mercy shall follow you </span></div><div dir="ltr" style="outline: none;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">today."</span></div><div dir="ltr" style="outline: none;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><br style="outline: none;" /></span></div><div dir="ltr" style="outline: none;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">It is always enlightening to see where and how God </span></div><div dir="ltr" style="outline: none;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">reveals His names. In Exodus 17, we </span></div><div dir="ltr" style="outline: none;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">find the famous battle between Israel and Amalek </span></div><div dir="ltr" style="outline: none;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">where Israel triumphs as long as Moses lifts up the </span></div><div dir="ltr" style="outline: none;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">rod of God's authority. As you recall, Aaron and Hur </span></div><div dir="ltr" style="outline: none;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">were called upon to help hold Moses' hands up and </span></div><div dir="ltr" style="outline: none;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">God overcame and destroyed the enemy. The </span></div><div dir="ltr" style="outline: none;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">conclusion finds Moses realizing this truth about </span></div><div dir="ltr" style="outline: none;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">God, "And Moses built an altar and called its name, </span></div><div dir="ltr" style="outline: none;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">Jehovah Nissi (The-Lord-is-My-Banner); for he said,</span></div><div dir="ltr" style="outline: none;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">"Because the Lord has sworn: the Lord will have war </span></div><div dir="ltr" style="outline: none;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">with Amalek from generation to generation." </span></div><div dir="ltr" style="outline: none;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><br style="outline: none;" /></span></div><div dir="ltr" style="outline: none;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">Amalek was a staunch enemy of Israel and the name </span></div><div dir="ltr" style="outline: none;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">itself means "one who takes away." Consider that </span></div><div dir="ltr" style="outline: none;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">Jesus told us that Satan comes to "steal, kill, and </span></div><div dir="ltr" style="outline: none;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">destroy," or in short, take away the abundant life He </span></div><div dir="ltr" style="outline: none;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">has given. Therefore, the promise that the Lord will </span></div><div dir="ltr" style="outline: none;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">have war with Amalek from generation to generation </span></div><div dir="ltr" style="outline: none;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">suggests He is able and willing to give the same </span></div><div dir="ltr" style="outline: none;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">overcoming victory to all people throughout the </span></div><div dir="ltr" style="outline: none;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">generations. We simply need to lift up our rod of </span></div><div dir="ltr" style="outline: none;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">authority, the Word of God, the blood of Jesus, and </span></div><div dir="ltr" style="outline: none;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">the name of Jesus, and He will overcome and </span></div><div dir="ltr" style="outline: none;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: arial;">destroy </span><span style="font-family: arial;">the enemy. </span></span></div><div dir="ltr" style="outline: none;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><br style="outline: none;" /></span></div><div dir="ltr" style="outline: none;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">Let's also consider the meaning of "The Lord is My </span></div><div dir="ltr" style="outline: none;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">Banner." In the rafters of Ball Arena there hangs a </span></div><div dir="ltr" style="outline: none;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">triumphal banner, "Denner Nuggets 2023 NBA </span></div><div dir="ltr" style="outline: none;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">Champions." The banner is the trophy or </span></div><div dir="ltr" style="outline: none;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">acknowledgment of their successful overcoming of </span></div><div dir="ltr" style="outline: none;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">all challengers to become the National Basketball </span></div><div dir="ltr" style="outline: none;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">Association's champions. In like manner, the cross </span></div><div dir="ltr" style="outline: none;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">declares "It is finished," and proclaims Jesus' victory </span></div><div dir="ltr" style="outline: none;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">over all the powers of darkness for all generations </span></div><div dir="ltr" style="outline: none;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">to come. Jehovah Nissi, His banner, declares He </span></div><div dir="ltr" style="outline: none;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">reigns and triumphs over all. Therefore, this </span></div><div dir="ltr" style="outline: none;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">overcoming triumph now is released to all who </span></div><div dir="ltr" style="outline: none;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">believe in His victory as 2 Corinthians 2:14 states, </span></div><div dir="ltr" style="outline: none;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">"Now thanks be to God who always leads us in </span></div><div dir="ltr" style="outline: none;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">triumph in Christ, and through us diffuses the </span></div><div dir="ltr" style="outline: none;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">fragrance of His knowledge in every place." </span></div><div dir="ltr" style="outline: none;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><br style="outline: none;" /></span></div><div dir="ltr" style="outline: none;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">May God continue to show Himself mighty and ever </span></div><div dir="ltr" style="outline: none;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">present as a consuming fire over all our enemies </span></div><div dir="ltr" style="outline: none;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">as we lift the banner of Jesus' cross and triumph, </span></div><div dir="ltr" style="outline: none;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">Jehovah Nissi. </span></div></div></div></div></div></div></div><div class="jb_0 X_6MGW N_6Fd5" style="outline: none; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 24px; padding-right: 16px;"></div></div><div class="H_7jIs D_F ab_C Q_69H5 E_36RhU" data-test-id="toolbar-hover-area" style="align-items: center; display: flex; height: 64px; margin-left: -8px; margin-right: -20px; outline: none;"><div class="D_F W_6D6F r_BN gl_C" data-test-id="card-toolbar" style="cursor: default; display: flex; justify-content: center; outline: none; width: 1018px;"><span class="em_N en_N" style="background-color: white; color: #1d2228; flex-grow: 1; flex-shrink: 1; outline: none;"></span><div class="D_F ab_C en_0 b_Z14vXdP e_3mS2U I_ZkbNhI P_Z1otBpf" style="align-items: center; 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position: relative; text-overflow: ellipsis;"><span class="r_P D_F M_oRiNT" style="cursor: pointer; display: flex; margin: 0px 10px 0px 8px; outline: none;"><div class="D_F cdPFi_Z1oI2WW cdPFi4_Z29WjXl" data-test-id="popover-container" style="display: flex; fill: rgba(39, 41, 43, 0.8); outline: none;"><button aria-label="More" class="c27KHO0_n b_0 M_0 i_0 I_T y_jyw3a A_6EqO c1AVi73_6FsP r_P C_q cvhIH6_T P_0" data-test-id="more-card-trigger" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; appearance: none; border-color: initial; border-style: initial; border-width: 0px; cursor: pointer; font-family: "YahooSans VF", YahooSans, "Helvetica Neue", "Segoe UI", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 0; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px;" tabindex="0" title="More" type="button"><span class="D_F ab_C gl_C W_6D6F" style="align-items: center; display: flex; justify-content: center; outline: none; width: 20px;"><svg class="D_X W_6LEV H_6LEV cdPFi_q cZW7ROP_n en_0 cvhIH6_T" viewbox="0 0 20 20"><g><circle cx="3" cy="10" r="2"></circle><circle cx="10" cy="10" r="2"></circle><circle cx="17" cy="10" r="2"></circle></g></svg></span></button></div></span></li></ul><span class="em_N en_N" style="flex-grow: 1; flex-shrink: 1; outline: none;"></span><hr class="M_0 P_0 cn_0" style="border-width: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px;" /></div></div></div><p> </p>GeneOhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06651450892607764151noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8385864391140728850.post-62199400461927626932023-09-24T10:20:00.004-06:002023-09-24T10:25:26.140-06:00Rest<div dir="ltr" style="background-color: white; color: #1d2228; outline: none;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large; outline: none;">Jesus rested peacefully as the disciples cried out in panic in the midst of the storm. He likewise tells us and enables us to rest in the midst of our storms. </span></div><div dir="ltr" style="background-color: white; color: #1d2228; outline: none;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large; outline: none;"><br /></span></div><div dir="ltr" style="background-color: white; color: #1d2228; outline: none;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large; outline: none;">In the midst of life's ups and downs, one consistent word from God is this: rest in Him. Jesus gave a beautiful illustration in John 15 of how to bear fruit, simply by abiding in the vine. Hebrews 4:1 speaks of a promise that remains of entering His rest, and a few verses later the exhortation to "strive to enter that rest." The next verse, Hebrews 4:12, gives us the key: the Word of God is living and powerful.</span></div><div dir="ltr" style="background-color: white; color: #1d2228; outline: none;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large; outline: none;"><br style="outline: none;" /></span></div><div dir="ltr" style="background-color: white; color: #1d2228; outline: none;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large; outline: none;">The children of Israel, through unbelief and disobedience, earned the wrath of God that declared, "They shall not enter My rest." The explanation states that the Word was not mixed with faith. Their example is given so we do not make the same mistake, but rather consider and observe God's truth. </span></div><div dir="ltr" style="background-color: white; color: #1d2228; outline: none;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large; outline: none;"><br style="outline: none;" /></span></div><div dir="ltr" style="background-color: white; color: #1d2228; outline: none;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large; outline: none;">On the seventh day God rested from all His works. When asked about the work of God, Jesus answered "This is the work of God that you believe in Him whom He sent." (John 6:29) The reason is simple, Jesus came to do all that was required to bring man back to God, and with that final, "It is finished," the work is already done. Now the challenge is to be still and know that He is God and rest in the mercy and goodness that His promises declare. Psalm 132 gives further insight about God's resting place where He abundantly blesses provision, satisfies the poor with bread, clothes priests with salvation and saints shout aloud for joy. </span></div><div dir="ltr" style="background-color: white; color: #1d2228; outline: none;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large; outline: none;"><br style="outline: none;" /></span></div><div dir="ltr" style="background-color: white; color: #1d2228; outline: none;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large; outline: none;">God wants His children to rest in Him and His accomplished work. In times of struggle, remembering Jehovah Jireh, "my needs are met according to His riches," gives rest. In times of physical challenge, we are called to declare by His stripes we were healed and to rest in this truth. Those who seek the Lord will lack "No good thing." Faith pleases God and He takes pleasure in any choice we make to stand in the power of His Word rather than live in anxiety, fear, and defeat. The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not want. </span></div><div dir="ltr" style="background-color: white; color: #1d2228; outline: none;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large; outline: none;"><br style="outline: none;" /></span></div><p><span face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" style="color: #1d2228; font-family: arial; font-size: large; outline: none;">Therefore, God's Word to you is whatever your challenge, Jesus has already accomplished what is needed, and you can rest in Him. Instead of worry, give thanks that it is done. As Philippians 4:6 states, "Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God, and the peace of God which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus." </span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><span face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" style="color: #1d2228; outline: none;">Be still and know He is God. As we look into His face and His everlasting love for each one of us, we choose to rest in His abundant goodness and enter into His peaceful rest. </span><span face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" style="color: #1d2228; outline: none;"> </span></span> </p>GeneOhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06651450892607764151noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8385864391140728850.post-2753837497674138202023-09-17T10:01:00.007-06:002023-09-17T10:15:38.723-06:00What is Truth?<div dir="ltr" style="background-color: white; outline: none;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large; outline: none;">"What is truth?" was Pilate's question after Jesus stated that He came to bear witness to the truth. Likewise, in the movie, <i>The Jesus Revolution</i>, the predominate question of the hippie generation was how to find truth. It is clear that until we have a foundation of truth about life and its purpose that man is floundering in uncertainty and hopelessness. </span></div><div dir="ltr" style="background-color: white; outline: none;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large; outline: none;"><br style="outline: none;" /></span></div><div dir="ltr" style="background-color: white; outline: none;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large; outline: none;">On one hand, God has created an awesome universe and rightfully declares in Romans 1:19-20, "<span style="outline: none;">For since the creation of the world </span><span style="outline: none;">His invisible attributes </span><span style="outline: none;">are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even </span><span style="outline: none;">His eternal power and </span><span style="outline: none;">Godhead, so that they are without excuse." On the other hand, God has created us in the image of God and given us free will to seek and search for truth. Proverbs 25:2 says it well, "It is the glory of God to conceal a matter, but the glory of kings to search out a matter."</span></span></div><div dir="ltr" style="background-color: white; outline: none;"><span style="outline: none;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large; outline: none;"><br style="outline: none;" /></span></span></div><div dir="ltr" style="background-color: white; outline: none;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><span style="outline: none;"><span style="outline: none;">Jesus told us to ask, to seek, and to knock. He pointed out that when we seek Him with all our heart, He will be found. Proverbs 2:1-5 describes an attitude of desiring and determined seeking that brings great results, concluding in verses 4-5, "If you seek her as silver, and search for her as for hidden treasures, then you will understand the fear of the Lord, and find the knowledge of God." </span></span><span>Jesus asked the man with an infirmity at the pool of Bethesda, "Do you want to be healed?" The point is, how much do we really want to know God better and how desperate are we to go after more truth?</span></span></div><div dir="ltr" style="background-color: white; outline: none;"><span style="outline: none;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large; outline: none;"><br style="outline: none;" /></span></span></div><p><span style="background-color: white; font-family: arial; font-size: large;">Jesus is the truth, and He has given us the Spirit of truth to reveal truth from His Word. Jesus promised the Spirit would lead us into all truth. Rather that live by man's worldly standards and understanding of life, we can know the truth about the purpose of life, about God's will and what really matters, about salvation and all Jesus has done to forgive sin and make us a new creation, and finally, eternal judgment and our glorious forever destiny. We are the most blessed people on earth who know our God and His truth. </span></p><p><span style="background-color: white; font-family: arial; font-size: large;">In the third letter of John, John expressed God's heart when he said he had no greater joy than to hear that his children were walking in truth. The end of the matter is this: seek truth, know truth, walk in truth. </span></p>GeneOhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06651450892607764151noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8385864391140728850.post-13727386880763995052023-09-10T10:12:00.012-06:002023-09-10T10:53:39.632-06:00Let Him Who Has Ears to Hear, Hear<div class="I_ZkbNhI D_FY W_6D6F" data-test-id="message-view-body" style="background-color: white; display: table; outline: none; width: 1008px;"><div class="msg-body P_wpofO mq_AS" data-test-id="message-view-body-content" style="line-height: normal; outline: none; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 2px 0px 0px; position: relative; word-break: break-word;"><div class="jb_0 X_6MGW N_6Fd5" style="outline: none; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 24px; padding-right: 16px;"><div style="outline: none;"><div id="yiv5821863492" style="outline: none;"><div style="outline: none;"><div class="yiv5821863492yahoo-style-wrap" style="outline: none;"><div dir="ltr" style="outline: none;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium; outline: none;">Jesus declared one of the greatest blessings given </span></div><div dir="ltr" style="outline: none;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: arial; outline: none;">to man, "My sheep hear My </span><span style="font-family: arial; outline: none;">voice </span><span style="font-family: arial;">and I know them, </span></span></div><div dir="ltr" style="outline: none;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">and they follow Me."</span></div><div dir="ltr" style="outline: none;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium; outline: none;"><br style="outline: none;" /></span></div><div dir="ltr" style="outline: none;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium; outline: none;">In John 10, there is an amazing dichotomy between </span></div><div dir="ltr" style="outline: none;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: arial; outline: none;">Jesus as the door and as </span><span style="font-family: arial; outline: none;">the </span><span style="font-family: arial;">shepherd. In verse 3, </span></span></div><div dir="ltr" style="outline: none;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">He declares, "To him the doorkeeper opens, and the </span></div><div dir="ltr" style="outline: none;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: arial;">sheep </span><span style="font-family: arial;">hear his voice; and he calls his own sheep by </span></span></div><div dir="ltr" style="outline: none;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span><span style="font-family: arial;">name and leads them out." </span></span><span style="font-family: arial;">A few </span><span style="font-family: arial;">verses later Jesus </span></span></div><div dir="ltr" style="outline: none;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">reveals He is the door., "Most assuredly, I say to you, </span></div><div dir="ltr" style="outline: none;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: arial;">I am the </span><span style="font-family: arial;">door of the sheep. If anyone enters by Me, </span></span></div><div dir="ltr" style="outline: none;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span><span style="font-family: arial;">he will be saved, and will go in and out </span></span><span style="font-family: arial;">and find </span></span></div><div dir="ltr" style="outline: none;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">pasture." Jesus is the door, as the One who shed </span></div><div dir="ltr" style="outline: none;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: arial;">His blood on the </span><span style="font-family: arial; outline: none;">cross </span><span style="font-family: arial;">for all sin that all men must </span></span></div><div dir="ltr" style="outline: none;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">enter into as the only way into God's kingdom. </span></div><div dir="ltr" style="outline: none;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Nobody </span><span style="font-family: arial;">can come to the Father except he hear the </span></span></div><div dir="ltr" style="outline: none;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span><span style="font-family: arial;">divine call to "Come to me, I </span></span><span style="font-family: arial;">will give you </span><span style="font-family: arial;">rest." </span></span></div><div dir="ltr" style="outline: none;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">and responds to His love. </span></div><div dir="ltr" style="outline: none;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium; outline: none;"><br style="outline: none;" /></span></div><div dir="ltr" style="outline: none;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium; outline: none;">However, Jesus, the risen Lord, is also the shepherd </span></div><div dir="ltr" style="outline: none;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: arial; outline: none;">who now by the Spirit of </span><span style="font-family: arial; outline: none;">God </span><span style="font-family: arial;">leads all believers into </span></span></div><div dir="ltr" style="outline: none;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">a place of knowing Him and His voice so they can </span></div><div dir="ltr" style="outline: none;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: arial;">follow Him. </span><span style="font-family: arial;">Once a person has acknowledged His </span></span></div><div dir="ltr" style="outline: none;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span><span style="font-family: arial;">call to repent and accept </span></span><span style="font-family: arial;">Jesus' death for his </span><span style="font-family: arial;">sins, </span></span></div><div dir="ltr" style="outline: none;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">the believer is now able to walk by faith in response </span></div><div dir="ltr" style="outline: none;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: arial;">to His voice in following </span><span style="font-family: arial;">Him. Isaiah talks about </span></span></div><div dir="ltr" style="outline: none;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span><span style="font-family: arial;">hearing a voice saying, "This is </span></span><span style="font-family: arial;">the way, walk in it." </span></span></div><div dir="ltr" style="outline: none;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Jesus </span><span style="font-family: arial;">declares that believers know His voice so </span></span></div><div dir="ltr" style="outline: none;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: arial;">clearly and </span><span style="font-family: arial;">are so familiar with His voice, </span><span style="font-family: arial;">that they </span></span></div><div dir="ltr" style="outline: none;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: arial;">will not know or listen to the voice of </span><span style="font-family: arial;">strangers. </span></span></div><div dir="ltr" style="outline: none;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium; outline: none;"><br style="outline: none;" /></span></div><div dir="ltr" style="outline: none;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium; outline: none;">My question is how desperately do we desire to </span></div><div dir="ltr" style="outline: none;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: arial; outline: none;">hear His voice and how do we </span><span style="font-family: arial;">respond? Jacob </span></span></div><div dir="ltr" style="outline: none;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">wrestled with the angel and refused to let go until </span></div><div dir="ltr" style="outline: none;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: arial;">the angel </span><span style="font-family: arial;">blessed </span><span style="font-family: arial;">him. With that kind of deter-</span></span></div><div dir="ltr" style="outline: none;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: arial;">mination and resolve, we need to come into </span><span style="font-family: arial;">God's </span></span></div><div dir="ltr" style="outline: none;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">presence (through thanksgiving, praise, singing, </span></div><div dir="ltr" style="outline: none;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: arial;">and the truth of His Word </span><span style="font-family: arial;">according </span><span style="font-family: arial;">to Psalm 100) </span></span></div><div dir="ltr" style="outline: none;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">and then quietly be still until we get a word from </span></div><div dir="ltr" style="outline: none;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">God. </span></div><div dir="ltr" style="outline: none;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div dir="ltr" style="outline: none;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Linger. Those </span><span style="font-family: arial;">who wait upon the Lord shall renew </span></span></div><div dir="ltr" style="outline: none;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span><span style="font-family: arial;">their strength as declared in </span></span><span style="font-family: arial;">Isaiah. How long do </span><span style="font-family: arial;">we </span></span></div><div dir="ltr" style="outline: none;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">wait, how important is it to us to wait, until we can </span></div><div dir="ltr" style="outline: none;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: arial;">receive His voice that </span><span style="font-family: arial;">quickens our inner man? It </span></span></div><div dir="ltr" style="outline: none;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span><span style="font-family: arial;">may be helpful to continue </span></span><span style="font-family: arial;">by declaring Jesus' words,</span></span></div><div dir="ltr" style="outline: none;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">"My sheep hear My voice" in order to focus your soul </span></div><div dir="ltr" style="outline: none;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">that you are waiting in faith. </span></div><div dir="ltr" style="outline: none;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium; outline: none;"><br style="outline: none;" /></span></div><div dir="ltr" style="outline: none;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium; outline: none;">God told Moses to write a book of remembrance </span></div><div dir="ltr" style="outline: none;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: arial; outline: none;">and told Habakkuk to write the </span><span style="font-family: arial;">vision. Following </span></span></div><div dir="ltr" style="outline: none;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">this pattern, wait on the Lord until you hear His voice </span></div><div dir="ltr" style="outline: none;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: arial;">and can </span><span style="font-family: arial;">write down what you believe He is saying </span></span></div><div dir="ltr" style="outline: none;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: arial;">to you. Like Jacob, refuse to let go </span><span style="font-family: arial; outline: none;">until </span><span style="font-family: arial;">you "know" </span></span></div><div dir="ltr" style="outline: none;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">His word to you. He will speak peace to His </span></div><div dir="ltr" style="outline: none;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">people (Psalm 85:8). </span></div><div dir="ltr" style="outline: none;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium; outline: none;"><br style="outline: none;" /></span></div><div dir="ltr" style="outline: none;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium; outline: none;">Hunger enough to take time and ask the Holy Spirit </span></div><div dir="ltr" style="outline: none;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: arial; outline: none;">to teach you to hear and to </span><span style="font-family: arial; outline: none;">know </span><span style="font-family: arial; outline: none;">His voice. </span><span style="font-family: arial;">Jesus </span></span></div><div dir="ltr" style="outline: none;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">said those who hear and do what He says will be </span></div><div dir="ltr" style="outline: none;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span>blessed </span></span><span style="font-family: arial;">(Matthew 7:24), </span><span style="font-family: arial;">bear much fruit </span></span></div><div dir="ltr" style="outline: none;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span><span style="font-family: arial;">(John 15:8), and never be led astray </span></span><span style="font-family: arial;">(John 10:28). </span></span></div><div dir="ltr" style="outline: none;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Let him who has </span><span style="font-family: arial;">ears to hear, hear!</span></span></div></div></div></div></div></div></div><div class="jb_0 X_6MGW N_6Fd5" style="outline: none; 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margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px;" /></div></div></div><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"> </span></p>GeneOhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06651450892607764151noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8385864391140728850.post-46136414917436145492023-09-03T11:12:00.006-06:002023-09-03T22:05:39.335-06:00Worthy of It All!<p><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #1d2228; font-family: arial; outline: none;">Seek the Lord with your whole heart. The Word of God, through verses like this one, convert the soul from selfish thinking into choosing to give our all to Jesus. The reason is simple: He is worthy. </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #1d2228; font-family: arial;">Our soulish part, "I think, I feel, I want", that is self-oriented must be challenged to obey the spirit which is clearly calling us to "present our bodies a living sacrifice and be transformed by the renewing of our mind to prove the perfect will of God." (Romans 12:1-2) </span></span></p><div dir="ltr" style="background-color: white; outline: none;"><span style="color: #1d2228; font-family: arial; font-size: medium; outline: none;"><br /></span></div><div dir="ltr" style="background-color: white; outline: none;"><span style="color: #1d2228; font-family: arial; font-size: medium; outline: none;">Many Christians in parts of the world like Korea, China, or some of the Muslim countries have paid dearly to believe in Jesus. Often their testimonies force us to see how trivial our "trials" really are. However, regardless of the intensity, there is always a price. Jesus says count the cost. Clearly when we see Jesus, the words of Paul that all his sufferings were nothing compared to the glory of God will also be evident to us too. </span></div><div dir="ltr" style="background-color: white; outline: none;"><span style="color: #1d2228; font-family: arial; font-size: medium; outline: none;"><br style="outline: none;" /></span></div><div dir="ltr" style="background-color: white; outline: none;"><span style="color: #1d2228; font-family: arial; font-size: medium; outline: none;">Likewise, there are some Biblical truths like "Jehovah Jireh," or "all my needs are met according to His riches in glory" which are only one side of the coin. Observing the context presents a bigger picture and a much greater opportunity to understand how to apply these principles. Abraham (in Genesis 22) was asked to give his son, whom he had believed 25 years for, as a sacrifice. It was because of this awesome act of obeying God that the Lord provided the ram as the sacrifice instead and was revealed as Jehovah Jireh. Likewise, the promise in Philippians 4:19 that our needs would be met according to His riches in glory was to the Philippi church that had given more than once to support Paul's ministry. </span></div><div dir="ltr" style="background-color: white; outline: none;"><span style="color: #1d2228; font-family: arial; font-size: medium; outline: none;"><br style="outline: none;" /></span></div><div dir="ltr" style="background-color: white; outline: none;"><span style="color: #1d2228; font-family: arial; font-size: medium; outline: none;">Sometimes we preach Jesus as meeting our needs. This is accurate but lacks true depth. The point is that He is worthy, He is King of kings, He is the one from whom are all things, through whom are all things, and to whom are all things. Once we receive the truth of the glory and worthiness of Jesus and all God has done for us, we see that it is our joy and privilege to lay down all our rights for Him. He who loses his life for Him will find it. The greater invitation is to acknowledge Jesus as Lord of all and surrender all we are and have because He is worthy. We are asked to step out in faith that as we honor Him, He will take care of us. He will certainly show Himself more than we "could think, ask, or imagine" in meeting our needs. </span></div><div dir="ltr" style="background-color: white; outline: none;"><span style="color: #1d2228; font-family: arial; font-size: medium; outline: none;"><br style="outline: none;" /></span></div><p><span style="color: #1d2228; font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><span style="background-color: white;">God invites us (you) to lose our life for Him. Jesus is worthy of all you are asked to give. In that willing surrender His presence and pleasure will refresh you. Seek first the Kingdom of God and all else will be added.</span> He is worthy.</span></p>GeneOhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06651450892607764151noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8385864391140728850.post-44166422242446089962023-08-27T11:23:00.003-06:002023-08-27T11:23:58.373-06:00Like Jesus - Love Good and Hate Evil<div dir="ltr" style="background-color: white; color: #1d2228; outline: none !important;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium; outline: none !important;">"I speak Jesus over every heart and mind," which is the beginning words of a powerful worship song. There is something supernatural about the peace and power released as we declare His name. Guess that is why Colossians 3:17 instructs us, "Whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Him." <span style="color: black; outline: none !important;"> </span></span></div><div dir="ltr" style="background-color: white; color: #1d2228; outline: none !important;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium; outline: none !important;"><span style="color: black; outline: none !important;"><br style="outline: none !important;" /></span></span></div><div dir="ltr" style="background-color: white; color: #1d2228; outline: none !important;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium; outline: none !important;">Using the name of Jesus is so much more than just speaking the word Jesus, it is actually the privilege of representing Jesus Himself. We all agree that Jesus stated that He is the light of the world, but Jesus also said we are the light of the world (Matthew 5:14). Clearly that depends upon God shining through us, which is, of course, the reason He gave us His Spirit. </span></div><div dir="ltr" style="background-color: white; color: #1d2228; outline: none !important;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium; outline: none !important;"><br style="outline: none !important;" /></span></div><div dir="ltr" style="background-color: white; color: #1d2228; outline: none !important;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium; outline: none !important;"><span style="outline: none !important;">Jesus didn't begin HIs ministry until the Spirit of God came upon Him, as He declared in Luke 4, "The Spirit of the Lord is upon Me, because He has anointed Me to preach the Gospel to the poor, to heal the broken-hearted ...." Surely, we have received the same Holy Spirit and Jesus pointed out that the Spirit is given without measure "</span>For He whom God has sent speaks the words of God, for God does not give the Spirit by measure. (John 3;34) Therefore, it follows that with the same Spirit that raised Christ from the dead, we can and should do the same works that He did. (Actually, Jesus says we will do greater ones!)</span></div><div dir="ltr" style="background-color: white; color: #1d2228; outline: none !important;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium; outline: none !important;"><br style="outline: none !important;" /></span></div><div dir="ltr" style="background-color: white; color: #1d2228; outline: none !important;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium; outline: none !important;">However, the strong hindrance to being this lighthouse and accomplishing these great works is sin. Even though the blood of Jesus forgives sin and cleanses us from all unrighteousness, we have this flesh nature, these desires of body and mind, that is sold out to sin, and the wages of sin is death. It is vital that we choose life and obedience to the Word rather than give in to these selfish seductions. Notice the attitude of Jesus toward sin, found in Hebrews 1:9, "You have loved righteousness and hated lawlessness; therefore God, your God, has anointed You with the oil of gladness more than your companions." Jesus hated sin. Fear of the Lord is defined as hatred of evil in Proverbs 8:13.</span></div><div dir="ltr" style="background-color: white; color: #1d2228; outline: none !important;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium; outline: none !important;"> </span></div><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #1d2228;">Unless we let the Lord help us develop a hatred toward sin, we will always be deceived into thinking it is desirable. Psalm 34:11 shares God's invitation, "Come, you children, listen to me, I will teach you the fear of the Lord. Who is the man who desires life, and loves many days that he may see good? Keep your tongue from evil, and your lips from speaking deceit. Depart from evil and do good; seek peace and pursue it." </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #1d2228;"> God is waiting to teach those who come to Him.</span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #1d2228;">By loving and delighting to do His will, we choose life and can learn to reject, yes even hate, evil. Psalm 112 declares, "Blessed is the man who fears the Lord, who delights greatly in His commandments." </span> </span></p>GeneOhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06651450892607764151noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8385864391140728850.post-48804515195394868142023-08-20T09:21:00.002-06:002023-08-20T09:32:03.167-06:00God of the Open Hand<div dir="ltr" style="outline: none;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">You have been given everything you need to share the fullness of God and to enjoy His mercy and goodness today. His hand is open to you.</span></div><div dir="ltr" style="outline: none;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><br style="outline: none;" /></span></div><div dir="ltr" style="outline: none;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">Psalm 104 describes how God in wisdom and power provided everything man and beast needed to thrive on the earth. Then, verses 27-28 summarizes this interaction: "They all wait for You to give them their food in due season. You give to them, they gather it up; You open Your hand, they are satisfied with good. "</span></div><div dir="ltr" style="outline: none;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><br style="outline: none;" /></span></div><div dir="ltr" style="outline: none;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">God is faithful. He has given us all that we need to meet every need and He calls on us "to gather it up." Psalm 145 celebrates this theme also, declaring His greatness and heart toward us. "You open Your hand and satisfy the desire of every living thing. The Lord is righteous in all His ways and kind in all His deeds. The Lord is near to all who call upon Him, to all who call upon Him in truth. He will fulfill the desire of those who fear Him; He will also hear their cry and will save them. The Lord keeps all who love Him." You can know that this is how good God is toward you. </span></div><div dir="ltr" style="outline: none;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><br style="outline: none;" /></span></div><div dir="ltr" style="outline: none;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">Natural, or soulish man, cannot know or appreciate the gifts of God. Therefore, the world and those who live by their mind, will, and emotions are just spectators that do not see or know the God who has provided everything. However, when we receive our born-again spirit, we now can taste and see the goodness of the One who created all things for our good. Our spirit has three basic functions: worship, revelation, and fellowship, which enable us to live by His Word, to let the revelation of God's greatness and goodness direct our thoughts and feelings. Our spirit is in charge of the reaction of the soul, as David states in the Psalms, "Bless the Lord, O my soul." His spirit directed his soul (thoughts, will, and feelings) to worship and yield to God. The Word is spirit and life, so it provides the revelation, or enabling truth, that produces worship with God. This fellowship with God allows us to know and enjoy all He has given. </span></div><div dir="ltr" style="outline: none;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><br style="outline: none;" /></span></div><div dir="ltr" style="outline: none;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">Let this truth that God's hand is open toward you direct your thoughts and feelings. Receive and rejoice in God's fresh mercy and goodness, for He "satisfies the desire of every living thing." God's hand is open to you, releasing whatever you need to satisfy your heart's desires. Just as Jesus asked the blind man in Luke 18, He now asks you, "What do you want Me to do for you?"</span></div><div dir="ltr" style="outline: none;"><br /></div><p> </p>GeneOhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06651450892607764151noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8385864391140728850.post-49649543587567351272023-08-13T09:52:00.006-06:002023-08-13T11:28:35.325-06:00No More Excuses, Come!<div dir="ltr" style="background-color: white; outline: none;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium; outline: none;"><span style="color: #1d2228;">"Come, for all things are now ready." is the invitation given to attend the wedding banquet in Luke 14. This also is the Father's invitation extended to each of us to share His banquet, the celebration feast of Jesus' victory over sin, sickness, and death, as all things are now ready. Jesus has accomplished the work. </span></span></div><div dir="ltr" style="background-color: white; outline: none;"><span style="color: #1d2228; font-family: arial; font-size: medium; outline: none;"><br style="outline: none;" /></span></div><div dir="ltr" style="background-color: white; outline: none;"><span style="color: #1d2228; font-family: arial; font-size: medium; outline: none;">However, we often are prone to act just as people did in the parable that Jesus told, "but they all alike began to make excuses." The DNA of fallen human nature is rebellion, to want to do things our own way, and to think that our business, time, and desires are more important that whatever God is calling us to do. </span></div><div dir="ltr" style="background-color: white; outline: none;"><span style="color: #1d2228; font-family: arial; font-size: medium; outline: none;"><br style="outline: none;" /></span></div><div dir="ltr" style="background-color: white; outline: none;"><span style="color: #1d2228; font-family: arial; font-size: medium; outline: none;">This invitation also applies to many issues of the heart, so we will focus on one key area, fear of the Lord. In Psalm 34, the Lord invites us to come and to let Him teach us this crucial character trait which leads to enjoying good, fullness of life, and multiple blessings. "Come, you children, listen to me; I will teach you the fear of the Lord. Who is the man who desires life, and loves many days, that he may see good?"</span></div><div dir="ltr" style="background-color: white; outline: none;"><span style="color: #1d2228; font-family: arial; font-size: medium; outline: none;"><br style="outline: none;" /></span></div><div dir="ltr" style="background-color: white; outline: none;"><span style="color: #1d2228; font-family: arial; font-size: medium; outline: none;">The Holy Spirit continues in this Psalm to instruct us "Keep your tongue from evil, and your lips from speaking deceit. Depart from evil and do good. Seek peace and pursue it." Likewise, Proverbs 8:13 declares "The fear of the Lord is to hate evil; pride and arrogance and the evil way and the perverse mouth I hate." The Lord desires to give us the same heart and attitude toward sin that He has. </span></div><div dir="ltr" style="background-color: white; outline: none;"><span style="color: #1d2228; font-family: arial; font-size: medium; outline: none;"><br style="outline: none;" /></span></div><div dir="ltr" style="background-color: white; outline: none;"><span style="color: #1d2228; font-family: arial; font-size: medium; outline: none;">While our flesh responds negatively to being told what to do, the truth is that all God's commands are for our own good. Notice Deuteronomy 4:40, "You shall therefore keep His statutes and His commandments which I command you today, that it may go well with you and with your children after you, and that you may prolong your days in the land which the Lord your God is giving you for all time." God delights in His children willingly choosing to follow His ways because they are the way of life and peace. </span></div><div dir="ltr" style="background-color: white; outline: none;"><span style="color: #1d2228; font-family: arial; font-size: medium; outline: none;"><br style="outline: none;" /></span></div><div dir="ltr" style="background-color: white; outline: none;"><span style="color: #1d2228; font-family: arial; font-size: medium; outline: none;">This is especially true with knowing and doing what is good and right with God. God literally promises us many delicacies at this "fear of the Lord" banquet: (verse 7) angel of the Lord encamps around and delivers you, (verse 9) have no want, (Psalm 25:12-15) God teaches him in the way He chooses, and he shall dwell in prosperity, and his descendants shall inherit the earth, (Psalm 15:14) God reveals His secrets and shows His covenant. God deliberately fills His Word with many more awesome promises of blessing for having "fear of the Lord," and invites us to choose to come to this special place with Him. </span></div><div dir="ltr" style="background-color: white; outline: none;"><span style="color: #1d2228; font-family: arial; font-size: medium; outline: none;"><br style="outline: none;" /></span></div><p><span style="color: #1d2228; font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><span style="background-color: white;">The point is that we cannot be one of those that make excuses, but rather be one of those who chooses to let Him teach us how to depart from evil and do good in all we do. </span><span style="background-color: white;"> Jesus says, "Be holy as I am holy."</span> No more excuses, Come. </span></p>GeneOhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06651450892607764151noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8385864391140728850.post-60072086420499782472023-08-06T11:40:00.001-06:002023-08-06T11:40:15.505-06:00You are God's Favorite!<div dir="ltr" style="background-color: white; color: #1d2228; outline: none !important;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">"Let the favor of the Lord be upon us." God declares in Psalm 90:12. We are called upon to let, or to allow, His favor to be upon us. Reminds me of one of the faith statements that Smith Wigglesworth often quoted, "God is more eager to answer than we are to ask." God desires His favor to rest on us. </span></div><div dir="ltr" style="background-color: white; color: #1d2228; outline: none !important;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><br style="outline: none !important;" /></span></div><div dir="ltr" style="background-color: white; color: #1d2228; outline: none !important;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">As in all things, it is God who both initiates and completes this work. In Psalm 5:12, He declares, "For You, O Lord, will bless the righteous; with favor You will surround him as with a shield." What a great deal! He gives us His righteousness (Remember 2 Corinthians 5:21, He became sin that we might become the righteousness of God.) and then because we have His righteousness, we can also then enjoy His favor which surrounds us like a shield. A shield protects us from all the attacks of the enemy, as the shield of faith in the armor of God promises. </span></div><div dir="ltr" style="background-color: white; color: #1d2228; outline: none !important;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><br style="outline: none !important;" /></span></div><div dir="ltr" style="background-color: white; color: #1d2228; outline: none !important;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">There is a difference between doing a favor for someone and having favor. Doing a favor is a one-time act, but having favor is a continuing attitude toward you that desires to bless and give to you all the time. In our family, whenever one of the kids gets something at Christmas or at other times, they tease each other saying that this is because they are "Mom's favorite." Well, that is not far from the truth of how God feels about you. The verse in Psalm 21:6 states we, (or I) have been made kings and are the "most blessed forever." In short, the truth is that because you have His favor, you can know you are God's favorite. Only God is such a magnanimous person that He can treat each of us as "His favorite."</span></div><div dir="ltr" style="background-color: white; color: #1d2228; outline: none !important;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div dir="ltr" style="background-color: white; color: #1d2228; outline: none !important;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">We can grow in realizing that we have His favor. Jesus, in Luke 2:52, is reported that He grew "in favor with God and men." Let this Word of truth daily settle in your thoughts and heart, because of His fresh mercy, you can be assured that He is pleased with you and that His favor rests upon you.</span></div><div dir="ltr" style="background-color: white; color: #1d2228; outline: none !important;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div dir="ltr" style="background-color: white; color: #1d2228; outline: none !important;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">Rejoice and be gald, you favorite of God!</span></div>GeneOhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06651450892607764151noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8385864391140728850.post-91241781474170010892023-07-30T09:04:00.000-06:002023-07-30T09:04:22.536-06:00Fight the Good Fight of Faith<div dir="ltr" style="outline: none !important;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">In Psalm 83, God declared that His plan will overcome the evil forces that are trying to destroy godliness on the earth, "that they may know the You alone, whose name is the Lord, are the Most High over all the earth."</span></div><div dir="ltr" style="outline: none !important;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><br style="outline: none !important;" /></span></div><div dir="ltr" style="outline: none !important;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">God is not mocked. The world's way of openly defying God's laws and creation by homosexuality, transgender, promiscuity, and outright selfishness and rebellion often gives the impression that the whole purpose of life is simply to give in to all the desires of the flesh. We, of course, know that just as Peter's attempt to stop Jesus from going to the cross, this is fueled by Satan. We say just as Jesus said, "Get behind Me Satan, you are not on the side of God but of man." (Matthew 16:23) </span></div><div dir="ltr" style="outline: none !important;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><br style="outline: none !important;" /></span></div><div dir="ltr" style="outline: none !important;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">We live in an awesome time. God is raising up prophetic voices who are calling for Christians to respond through repentance, prayer in faith, and taking authority to turn the tide and open the gates for the Holy Spirit to "renew the face of the earth." (Psalm 104:30) Clearly, God has a plan that will overcome the best laid plans of the enemy, and He chooses to use you and I to carry it out. We are familiar with the 2 Chronicles 7:14 call, "If My people who are called by My name will humble themselves and pray and seek My face, and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven and forgive their sin and heal their land." God's plan is to rule through us, and use the authority He has given, what you bind on earth is bound in heaven.</span></div><div dir="ltr" style="outline: none !important;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><br style="outline: none !important;" /></span></div><div dir="ltr" style="outline: none !important;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">Never has there been such an importance, such urgency, such a strong call as the voice of God that is speaking today. Prophetic words from Dutch Sheets, Give Him 15 daily reports, Clay Nash, Intercessors for America, Christ for the Nations, Youth with a Mission, Fred Markert, and many others are the Paul Revere's of the day, shouting the message that God is awakening the church to unite in prayer, repentance, and standing in the authority of Jesus' name to take this land (and the world) back for Him. Clearly the signs of the times are so blatant that we cannot ignore them; however, rather than get disgusted or frustrated, the Lord gives us direction and strength to stand in the gap and overcome through Him.</span></div><div dir="ltr" style="outline: none !important;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><br style="outline: none !important;" /></span></div><div dir="ltr" style="outline: none !important;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">Therefore, my word today is "Let's do it." Father, we unite our hearts and minds with the Lord Jesus and His victory over evil by dying on the cross, and humbly seek Your face. We repent of living for ourselves and receive your grace of forgiveness for all our fleshly choices, and now join the army of believers who are taking the sword of the Spirit, declaring your Word of truth to tear down all the strongholds of wickedness. We declare, Jesus is Lord, and every power of darkness must bow. In the name of Jesus, (put in the area of evil that you are particularly mindful of), I break your power and tell you to "be gone." </span></div><div dir="ltr" style="outline: none !important;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div dir="ltr" style="outline: none !important;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">Fight the good fight of faith and we shall see the Lord reign in our land and on the earth. Jesus overcame, and we join His victory and overcome the world by our faith. (1 John 5:4)</span></div><div dir="ltr" style="outline: none !important;"><br style="background-color: white; color: #1d2228; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; outline: none !important;" /></div><p> </p>GeneOhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06651450892607764151noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8385864391140728850.post-76534908301137437962023-07-23T11:33:00.005-06:002023-07-23T11:49:19.635-06:00Honest to God<p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">God is merciful, and He is also completely just. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">Psalm <span style="background-color: white;">76 describes the ultimate power of God in judging the earth and why those who oppose Him should fear His wrath. However, on the other side of the coin, verse 9 reveals His heart toward certain others, "When God arose to judgment, to save all the humble of the earth." He judges wickedness but saves the humble.</span></span></p><div dir="ltr" style="background-color: white; outline: none;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium; outline: none;">The crux of the whole judgment matter is pride versus humbleness. What does God require but to do justly, love mercy, and walk humbly with our God? Scripture is clear that God gives grace to the humble but resists the proud. Did not Satan fall because of pride, and did not Eve submit to the lie of pride that she would be "like God" if she ate the fruit? </span></div><div dir="ltr" style="background-color: white; outline: none;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium; outline: none;"><br style="outline: none;" /></span></div><div dir="ltr" style="background-color: white; outline: none;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium; outline: none;">David, after he repented from sinning with Bathsheba and killing Uriah, prayed with new understanding, in Psalm 51:6, that God, "you desire truth in our inmost being." What is the truth? First Corinthians 4:7 explains this truth by declaring that everything we have, our mind, our heart, our faith, our talents, our health, our life, is all received, so we have nothing to boast about. Since the truth is that we have nothing because of our own efforts but rather all is the gift of God, our only honest response to Him is to be thankful and humbly admit we depend upon Him for everything. The truthful attitude, being humble and thankful, motivates us to obey and is what pleases God.</span></div><div dir="ltr" style="background-color: white; outline: none;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium; outline: none;"><br style="outline: none;" /></span></div><div dir="ltr" style="background-color: white; outline: none;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium; outline: none;">Furthermore, Isaiah 57:15 confirms this truth, "<span style="outline: none;">For thus says the High and Lofty One Who inhabits eternity, whose name </span><i style="outline: none;">is</i><span style="outline: none;"> Holy: “I dwell in the high and holy </span><span style="outline: none;">place</span><i style="outline: none;">,</i><span style="outline: none;"> with him </span><span style="outline: none;">who</span><span style="outline: none;"> has a contrite and </span><span style="outline: none;">humble</span><span style="outline: none;"> spirit, to revive the spirit of the </span><span style="outline: none;">humble</span><span style="outline: none;">, and to revive the heart of the contrite ones." When we honestly acknowledge our need for His help and forgiveness, He is right there to revive us.</span></span></div><div dir="ltr" style="background-color: white; outline: none;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium; outline: none;"><span style="outline: none;"><br /></span></span></div><div dir="ltr" style="background-color: white; outline: none;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium; outline: none;"><span style="outline: none;">Be honest to God as you humbly admit your need and walk obediently with a grateful attitude in all He has given you to do. God will dwell with you and you will be blessed forever!</span></span></div>GeneOhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06651450892607764151noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8385864391140728850.post-52583885065959580602023-07-16T07:38:00.010-06:002023-07-16T18:59:20.233-06:00You Shall Go Out With Joy!<div class="I_ZkbNhI D_FY W_6D6F" data-test-id="message-view-body" style="background-color: white; display: table; outline: none; width: 638.667px;"><div class="msg-body P_wpofO mq_AS" data-test-id="message-view-body-content" style="line-height: normal; outline: none; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 2px 0px 0px; position: relative; word-break: break-word;"><div class="jb_0 X_6MGW N_6Fd5" style="outline: none; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 24px; padding-right: 16px;"><div style="outline: none;"><div id="yiv6445336692" style="outline: none;"><div style="outline: none;"><div class="yiv6445336692yahoo-style-wrap" style="outline: none;"><div dir="ltr" style="outline: none;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">A friend of ours loves to meet our needs and do </span></div><div dir="ltr" style="outline: none;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">special things for us. And then when we express </span></div><div dir="ltr" style="outline: none;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">our joy and gratefulness for his gift, he replies, </span></div><div dir="ltr" style="outline: none;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">"It makes me so happy that you enjoy it."<br style="outline: none;" /></span></div><div dir="ltr" style="outline: none;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><br style="outline: none;" /></span></div><div dir="ltr" style="outline: none;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">God is so much more like that. He is a cheerful </span></div><div dir="ltr" style="outline: none;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">giver who "takes pleasure in the welfare of His </span></div><div dir="ltr" style="outline: none;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">children." He has given us "all things that pertain </span></div><div dir="ltr" style="outline: none;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">to life and godliness" according to 2 Peter 1:3. </span></div><div dir="ltr" style="outline: none;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">What glorifies and pleases God most is when we </span></div><div dir="ltr" style="outline: none;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">receive His gifts with joy and thankfulness.</span></div><div dir="ltr" style="outline: none;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><br style="outline: none;" /></span></div><div dir="ltr" style="outline: none;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">Therefore, it follows that every Christian that has </span></div><div dir="ltr" style="outline: none;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">received His gift of salvation and the "all else" </span></div><div dir="ltr" style="outline: none;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">provided should be someone who continually </span></div><div dir="ltr" style="outline: none;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">exhibits joy and thankfulness. While It is God's </span></div><div dir="ltr" style="outline: none;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><span>will, </span>according to 1 Thess 5:23, that we give </span></div><div dir="ltr" style="outline: none;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">thanks in <span>all </span>circumstances, this message will </span></div><div dir="ltr" style="outline: none;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">focus on being filled with joy.</span></div><div dir="ltr" style="outline: none;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><br style="outline: none;" /></span></div><div dir="ltr" style="outline: none;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">In John 15, Jesus shares about abiding in Him </span></div><div dir="ltr" style="outline: none;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><span>and </span>in His Word which enables us to bear fruit. </span></div><div dir="ltr" style="outline: none;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">He compares our relationship to Him as close as </span></div><div dir="ltr" style="outline: none;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">branches joined to the vine. Then Jesus points </span></div><div dir="ltr" style="outline: none;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><span>out </span>why He has given us this truth, "that My joy </span></div><div dir="ltr" style="outline: none;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">may be in you and your joy may be full." Likewise, </span></div><div dir="ltr" style="outline: none;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">in Psalm 16, God declares "in His presence is </span></div><div dir="ltr" style="outline: none;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">fullness of joy." Being with and in Jesus is being </span></div><div dir="ltr" style="outline: none;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">filled with His joy.</span></div><div dir="ltr" style="outline: none;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><br style="outline: none;" /></span></div><div dir="ltr" style="outline: none;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">Seek first the Kingdom of God and His righteousness </span></div><div dir="ltr" style="outline: none;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">is what Jesus instructed all men. But what is the </span></div><div dir="ltr" style="outline: none;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">Kingdom of God where Jesus reigns as King? </span></div><div dir="ltr" style="outline: none;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">According to Romans 14, the kingdom of God is </span></div><div dir="ltr" style="outline: none;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">"righteousness, peace, and joy in the Holy Spirit." </span></div><div dir="ltr" style="outline: none;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">Clearly, our joy is a testimony that Jesus rules in us. </span></div><div dir="ltr" style="outline: none;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">This joy is so strong and dominant that we can even </span></div><div dir="ltr" style="outline: none;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><span>"count </span>it all joy" when trials come, knowing that our </span></div><div dir="ltr" style="outline: none;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">loving Father is working good in us.</span></div><div dir="ltr" style="outline: none;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><br style="outline: none;" /></span></div><div dir="ltr" style="outline: none;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">As Christians we are told to "rejoice, and again I say </span></div><div dir="ltr" style="outline: none;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">rejoice." This is a command. We can choose to </span></div><div dir="ltr" style="outline: none;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: arial;">reject any </span><span style="font-family: arial;">other thought or feeling that tends to focus </span></span></div><div dir="ltr" style="outline: none;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: arial;">on the </span><span style="font-family: arial;">troubles of the world and instead, focus on the </span></span></div><div dir="ltr" style="outline: none;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">goodness and mercy of God. Surely goodness and </span></div><div dir="ltr" style="outline: none;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">mercy will follow each of us today and forever. We </span></div><div dir="ltr" style="outline: none;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: arial;">are </span><span style="font-family: arial;">so blessed that our only honest response to all </span></span></div><div dir="ltr" style="outline: none;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: arial;">He is </span><span style="font-family: arial;">and has done for us is to be filled with joy and </span></span></div><div dir="ltr" style="outline: none;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">thankfulness. This attitude so pleases God that He </span></div><div dir="ltr" style="outline: none;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">declares in Isaiah 55:12, "you shall go out with joy, </span></div><div dir="ltr" style="outline: none;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">and be led out with peace; the mountains and the </span></div><div dir="ltr" style="outline: none;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: arial;">hills </span><span style="font-family: arial;">shall break forth into singing before you, and all </span></span></div><div dir="ltr" style="outline: none;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: arial;">the </span><span style="font-family: arial;">trees of the field shall clap their hands." </span></span></div></div></div></div></div></div></div><div class="jb_0 X_6MGW N_6Fd5" style="outline: none; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 24px; padding-right: 16px;"></div></div><div class="H_7jIs D_F ab_C Q_69H5 E_36RhU" data-test-id="toolbar-hover-area" style="align-items: center; 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position: relative; text-overflow: ellipsis;"><span class="r_P D_F M_oRiNT" style="cursor: pointer; display: flex; margin: 0px 10px 0px 8px; outline: none;"><div class="D_F cdPFi_Z1oI2WW cdPFi4_Z29WjXl" data-test-id="popover-container" style="display: flex; fill: rgba(39, 41, 43, 0.8); outline: none;"><button aria-label="More" class="c27KHO0_n b_0 M_0 i_0 I_T y_Z2hYGcu A_6EqO c1AVi73_6FsP r_P C_q cvhIH6_T P_0" data-test-id="more-card-trigger" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; appearance: none; border-color: initial; border-style: initial; border-width: 0px; cursor: pointer; font-family: YahooSans, "Helvetica Neue", "Segoe UI", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 0; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px;" tabindex="0" title="More" type="button"><span class="D_F ab_C gl_C W_6D6F" style="align-items: center; display: flex; justify-content: center; outline: none; width: 20px;"><svg class="D_X W_6LEV H_6LEV cdPFi_q cZW7ROP_n en_0 cvhIH6_T" viewbox="0 0 20 20"><g><span style="font-size: medium;"><circle cx="3" cy="10" r="2"></circle><circle cx="10" cy="10" r="2"></circle><circle cx="17" cy="10" r="2"></circle></span></g></svg></span></button></div></span></li></ul><span class="em_N en_N" style="flex-grow: 1; flex-shrink: 1; outline: none;"></span><hr class="M_0 P_0 cn_0" style="border-width: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px;" /></div></div></div><p> </p>GeneOhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06651450892607764151noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8385864391140728850.post-49076702326021429562023-07-09T10:54:00.010-06:002023-07-09T21:39:03.204-06:00Fresh and Equipped<div class="I_ZkbNhI D_FY W_6D6F" data-test-id="message-view-body" style="background-color: white; display: table; outline: none; text-align: left; width: 622.667px;"><div class="msg-body P_wpofO mq_AS" data-test-id="message-view-body-content" style="line-height: normal; outline: none; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 2px 0px 0px; position: relative; word-break: break-word;"><div class="jb_0 X_6MGW N_6Fd5" style="outline: none; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 24px; padding-right: 16px;"><div style="outline: none;"><div id="yiv0947516193" style="outline: none;"><div style="outline: none;"><div class="yiv0947516193yahoo-style-wrap" style="outline: none;"><div style="outline: none; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: arial;">The Lord leads us beside still waters to refresh <br /></span><span style="font-family: arial;">our </span><span style="font-family: arial;">soul, </span><span style="font-family: arial;">which includes our thoughts, feelings, </span></span></div><div style="outline: none; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: arial;">and desires. </span><span style="font-family: arial;">As Psalm 59 declares, "O my </span></span></div><div style="outline: none; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Strength, I will sing </span><span style="font-family: arial;">praises </span><span style="font-family: arial;">to You; for God is </span></span></div><div style="outline: none; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: arial;">my strength, the God who </span><span style="font-family: arial;">shows me </span><span style="font-family: arial;">loving-</span></span></div><div style="outline: none; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: arial;">kindness." We know God's mercy is </span><span style="font-family: arial;">fresh </span></span></div><div style="outline: none; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: arial;">every </span><span style="font-family: arial;">morning, but so is His strength, as our </span></span></div><div style="outline: none; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: arial;">mind </span><span style="font-family: arial;">is renewed </span><span style="font-family: arial;">by the truth of all He is and </span></span></div><div style="outline: none; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">what is given to us. </span></div><div style="outline: none; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: arial;"> <br /></span><span style="font-family: arial;">We live in a day of daily recharging with our </span></span></div><div style="outline: none; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: arial;">phones, </span><span style="font-family: arial;">digital devices, laptops, and even electric </span></span></div><div style="outline: none; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: arial;">vehicles. </span><span style="font-family: arial;">Likewise, our bodies, muscles, and </span></span></div><div style="outline: none; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: arial;">brain need to be </span><span style="font-family: arial;">renewed every night. So it </span></span></div><div style="outline: none; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: arial;">makes sense that the God </span><span style="font-family: arial;">who designed all this, </span></span></div><div style="outline: none; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: arial;">would also prepare a way for us </span><span style="font-family: arial;">to renew our </span></span></div><div style="outline: none; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: arial;">thoughts, feelings, and desires with fresh <br /></span><span style="font-family: arial;">awareness of His mercy and strength each day. </span></span></div><div style="outline: none; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></span></div><div style="outline: none; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: arial;">This </span><span style="font-family: arial;">special place is when we read the Word </span></span></div><div style="outline: none; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: arial;">and focus on </span><span style="font-family: arial;">His mercy and truth, even singing </span></span></div><div style="outline: none; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: arial;">a song to Him and </span><span style="font-family: arial;">reflecting on His promises, </span></span></div><div style="outline: none; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: arial;">that our minds and hearts </span><span style="font-family: arial;">can be refreshed. </span></span></div><div style="outline: none; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Then we can start the day aware </span><span style="font-family: arial;">that we have </span></span></div><div style="outline: none; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: arial;">His heart-cleansing mercy and His divine <br /></span><span style="font-family: arial;">strength to do the things we need to do. </span></span></div><div style="outline: none; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: arial;">"I can do all </span><span style="font-family: arial;">things through Christ who strengthens </span></span></div><div style="outline: none; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: arial;">me."</span></span></div><div style="outline: none; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: arial;">There is a reason why God tells us (2 Corinthians </span></span></div><div style="outline: none; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: arial;">13:5) </span><span style="font-family: arial;">to test ourselves whether we are in faith, "do </span></span></div><div style="outline: none; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: arial;">you not </span><span style="font-family: arial;">know that Jesus Christ is in you?" Jesus </span></span></div><div style="outline: none; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: arial;">promised the </span><span style="font-family: arial;">Holy Spirit would make us His temple, </span></span></div><div style="outline: none; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: arial;">and that even the </span><span style="font-family: arial;">Father and Jesus would dwell </span></span></div><div style="outline: none; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: arial;">in us. (John 14) We live </span><span style="font-family: arial;">by faith. Galatians 2:20 </span></span></div><div style="outline: none; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: arial;">states, "I have been crucified </span><span style="font-family: arial;">with Christ, </span></span></div><div style="outline: none; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: arial;">nevertheless I live, yet not I but Christ lives </span><span style="font-family: arial;">in me, </span></span></div><div style="outline: none; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: arial;">and the life that I now live in the flesh I live by faith <br /></span><span style="font-family: arial;">in the Son of God who loves me and gave Himself </span></span></div><div style="outline: none; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: arial;">for me." </span><span style="font-family: arial;">We pass the test by believing the Lord </span></span></div><div style="outline: none; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: arial;">who loves us and </span><span style="font-family: arial;">gave Himself for us now </span></span></div><div style="outline: none; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: arial;">empowers us to live a victorious </span><span style="font-family: arial;">life. </span></span></div><div style="outline: none; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: arial;">No wonder the armor of God calls us "above all" </span></span></div><div style="outline: none; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span><span style="font-family: arial;">to </span></span><span style="font-family: arial;">take up </span><span style="font-family: arial;">the shield of faith, as we intentionally </span></span></div><div style="outline: none; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: arial;">choose </span><span><span style="font-family: arial;">to believe and </span></span><span style="font-family: arial;">declare Jesus is Lord who </span></span></div><div style="outline: none; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: arial;">lives in us. </span><span style="font-family: arial;">Knowing this truth </span><span style="font-family: arial;">that He who dwells </span></span></div><div style="outline: none; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: arial;">in us is greater </span><span style="font-family: arial;">than he who is in the </span><span style="font-family: arial;">world </span></span></div><div style="outline: none; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: arial;">establishes our authority </span><span style="font-family: arial;">and victory. Because of </span></span></div><div style="outline: none; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: arial;">His </span><span style="font-family: arial;">abiding presence, and </span><span style="font-family: arial;">His fresh mercy and </span></span></div><div style="outline: none; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: arial;">love, we know </span><span style="font-family: arial;">and can trust His </span><span style="font-family: arial;">life and power </span></span></div><div style="outline: none; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">to equip us for the day ahead. </span></div><div style="outline: none; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="outline: none; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Therefore, put on this fresh thought and </span></span></div><div style="outline: none; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: arial;">understanding that </span><span style="font-family: arial;">the Lord Jesus Christ is in you </span></span></div><div style="outline: none; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: arial;">and by faith so you are ready </span><span style="font-family: arial;">for the day!</span></span></div><div style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; outline: none;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br style="outline: none;" /></span></div><div style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; outline: none;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div></div></div></div></div></div></div><div class="jb_0 X_6MGW N_6Fd5" style="outline: none; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 24px; padding-right: 16px;"></div></div><div class="H_7jIs D_F ab_C Q_69H5 E_36RhU" data-test-id="toolbar-hover-area" style="align-items: center; display: flex; height: 64px; margin-left: -8px; 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flex-shrink: 1; outline: none;"></span><hr class="M_0 P_0 cn_0" style="border-width: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px;" /></div></div></div><p> </p>GeneOhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06651450892607764151noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8385864391140728850.post-13491875646694982412023-07-02T09:14:00.005-06:002023-07-02T09:18:18.483-06:00How to Get Free <div dir="ltr" style="background-color: white; color: #1d2228; outline: none;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">There is only one way to get free of our flesh: to fail and repent. </span></div><div dir="ltr" style="background-color: white; color: #1d2228; outline: none;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div dir="ltr" style="background-color: white; color: #1d2228; outline: none;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">Psalm 51 shares the painful truth of David's moral failure and his turning to God for mercy. It is never pleasant to focus on our moral failures; we would rather share our triumphs. However, God is always able to turn things around, and amazingly, in this case, we see a fresh awareness and desire for truth in our innermost being, having a clean heart, knowing the presence of the Holy Spirit, and experiencing the joy of our salvation. God always works things for good for those who love Him and are called to His purpose. </span></div><div dir="ltr" style="background-color: white; color: #1d2228; outline: none;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><br style="outline: none;" /></span></div><div dir="ltr" style="background-color: white; color: #1d2228; outline: none;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">This principle is also shown in 2 Corinthians 4:11, "For we who live are always being delivered unto death for Jesus' sake, that the life of Jesus also may be manifested in our mortal flesh." Likewise, Romans 8:13 declares that "if by the Holy Spirit you put to death the deeds of the body, you will live." The result of coming to the end of ourselves is the release of Jesus' life and power in us. </span></div><div dir="ltr" style="background-color: white; color: #1d2228; outline: none;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><br style="outline: none;" /></span></div><div dir="ltr" style="background-color: white; color: #1d2228; outline: none;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">To be sanctified, or being made like Jesus, is really just being set free from the flesh. </span></div><div dir="ltr" style="background-color: white; color: #1d2228; outline: none;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><br style="outline: none;" /></span></div><div dir="ltr" style="background-color: white; color: #1d2228; outline: none;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">The Lord desires a broken and contrite heart rather than sacrifices. He shares that "on this one will I look: on him who is poor and of a contrite heart" in Isaiah 66:2. Obviously, God knows we are made of dust and have a fallen nature. He doesn't condemn us even though we fail. What He desires is for us to humble ourselves and honestly acknowledge our failures. Then, almost beyond our greatest imaginations, rather than condemn us, He delights in showing mercy to the one who seeks His forgiveness. </span></div><div dir="ltr" style="background-color: white; color: #1d2228; outline: none;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><br style="outline: none;" /></span></div><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #1d2228;">Only a loving God can turn our failures into life-giving events. The worst thing man could ever do is for human beings to crucify the Son of God, yet this very event because of God's beyond-description love and mercy, opens the door for all men to be saved and become children of God forever. After we fail and turn to God for forgiveness, we grow in greater appreciation for all He has done for us, and hopefully, greater knowledge of what an awesome and merciful God He is. </span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #1d2228;">Stand fast, therefore, in the freedom which Christ has set you free. </span></span></p>GeneOhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06651450892607764151noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8385864391140728850.post-17657790506959107002023-06-25T20:09:00.003-06:002023-06-25T20:17:35.687-06:00God: Obvious or Hidden?<p><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Is God hiding? </span><span style="font-family: arial;">It is the glory of God to conceal a thing, but the honor of kings to search out a matter according to Proverbs 25:2. </span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">The knowledge of God may be hidden to the average person. Yet on the other hand, Romans 1:19-20 points out that "what may be known of God is evident. For since the creation of the world His invisible attributes are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even His eternal power and Godhead." God is ever visible in all He has made so no one can honestly deny Him, but the greater goal, knowing Him personally and intimately, has conditions that depend upon us. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">God has deliberately hidden truth for some and deliberately shown His nature and character to others. Jesus explained to his disciples that "it has been given to you to know the mysteries of the kingdom of heaven, but to them it has not been given." Therefore, I speak to them in parables, because seeing they do not see, and hearing they do not hear, nor do they understand." God deliberately conceals Himself and intimate knowledge of Him because He waits for us to desire Him. <span style="background-color: white;"> In Jeremiah 29 it states this condition, "when you seek Me with all your heart, I will be found." </span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="background-color: white; font-size: medium;">There are three reasons why God has concealed Himself. 1) God is not an intellectual concept and as 1 Corinthians explains, "in his wisdom it is impossible to know Him through human wisdom." He reveals Himself to mere babes but declares that all human wisdom is foolishness. 2) He will not reveal Himself just to boast or satisfy our curiosity. When Herod wanted to see a sign or miracle just to show off, Jesus refused to even answer. 3) God resists the proud but gives grace to the humble. He draws near to the one with a contrite and humble heart. God knows the intents and motives of the heart, so man shows his highest purpose and glory when He humbles himself and chooses to receive the Word of God with meekness. Humbling ourselves to acknowledge sin allows the Spirit to lead us into all truth, especially the truth that Jesus is Lord and Savior of all who come to Him. </span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="background-color: white;">Jesus is the truth. He openly demonstrated that sin deserves death and that through His death and resurrection the penalty for sin has been paid. He further declares that eternal life is not just duration, but rather quality of life. "This is eternal life, that they may know You, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom You have sent. (John 17:3)"</span></span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: arial;"> He was sent to redeem man and bring us back to God, so obviously He desires all men to be saved and come to know Him forever. Yet the simple invitation is "Who so ever will."</span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><span style="background-color: white;">It is the glory or honor of kings to search out a matter. The Word, in Revelation 1, declares this tribute to Jesus, </span><span class="text Rev-1-5" style="background-color: white;">"</span><span class="text Rev-1-5" style="background-color: white;">To Him who loved us and washed us from our sins in His own blood, </span><span class="text Rev-1-6" id="en-NKJV-30704" style="background-color: white;">and has made us kings and priests to His God and Father, to Him be glory and dominion forever and ever. Amen.</span><span class="text Rev-1-6" style="background-color: white;">" It is our honor as kings to search out knowing God and humbling ourselves to accept His invitation to come into a saving knowledge of God. He honors those who honor Him with an intimate relationship of glorious life that never ends. </span></span></p><p><br /></p>GeneOhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06651450892607764151noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8385864391140728850.post-32764564105670661882023-06-18T10:05:00.002-06:002023-06-18T10:12:14.766-06:00Right with God<div style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">Seek first the Kingdom of God and His righteousness. Righteousness in simple terms is being right with God. However, there are two basic definitions. One is pleasing God by doing the things that He tells us are right, and the second, is to be right next to God, right with Him. If we are mindful that the Lord is with us, our choice to do what pleases Him is easy. </span></div><div style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">The Word in Psalm 37 declares many benefits of being righteous. God promises to bring forth our righteousness as the light, rising as the dawn. Even though the wicked plot against the righteous, the Lord will "sustain the righteous." Better is the little of the righteous than the abundance of many wicked. He declares they will not be ashamed in the time of evil and in the days of famine they will have abundance. The righteous have the character of God, which is to be gracious and give, as we see the nature of God in the familiar declaration, "God so loved the world that He gave..." <span style="background-color: transparent;">He promises that the righteous will not be forsaken but will inherit the land and dwell in it forever. Furthermore, the mouth of the righteous "utters wisdom, and his tongue speaks justice."</span></span></div><div style="background-color: white;"><span style="background-color: transparent;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></div><div style="background-color: white;"><span style="background-color: transparent;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">The point is that righteousness is the currency of heaven. Seek first the Kingdom of God and His righteousness. We are only as rich as we are righteous. In the world people often consider wealth as money, fame, and position. However, these items are temporary and can give only fleeting pleasure, but righteousness, being right with God in action and in position, is true worth and lasts for eternity. </span></span></div><div style="background-color: white;"><span style="background-color: transparent;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></div><div style="background-color: white;"><span style="background-color: transparent;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">All God asks is our willing response, "Come to me, all you heavy burdened and I will give you rest." As we humbly come and acknowledge our falling short, He gives the most valuable gift, His righteousness. We can rest, right now in total peace without guilt or anxiety, in His presence. He became sin that we might become the righteousness of God. His death and resurrection is the ultimate provision so we can receive and enjoy the awesome reality of literally sharing His righteousness, being seated with Jesus at the right hand of God. Naturally from this high position of His righteousness, we have the powerful gift and authority to live a life of love, peace, and joy. </span></span></div><div style="background-color: white;"><span style="background-color: transparent;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></div><div style="background-color: white;"><span style="background-color: transparent;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">Take time to receive and be refreshed in the righteousness of God. Then, aware of your eternal position of being next to God, choose to walk in the choices that please Him. Enjoy and maintain the righteousness of God, and all else will be added. </span></span></div><p> </p>GeneOhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06651450892607764151noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8385864391140728850.post-80771966646242060692023-06-11T10:54:00.002-06:002023-06-11T11:22:05.157-06:00Tested by Fire<p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">Jesus endured the cross, despised the shame, because of the joy that was set before Him.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">The same principle applies to us. In 1 Peter 1:6-7, God tells us to rejoice in the glorious salvation Jesus has won for us, BUT... "if need be, you have been grieved by various trials, that the genuineness of your faith, being much more precious than gold that perishes, though it is tested by fire, may be found to praise, honor, and glory at the revelation of Jesus Christ." Trials are God's testing to determine how genuine or real is our faith, and to allow us a very tangible way to honor and glorify God. The Lord is pleased with every godly choice from giving a child a glass of water to laying our life down for our faith. There is no joy like being able to give glory to God, which lasts forever and is worth a million times the cost now.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">Life is filled with opportunities to grow. Actually, maturing comes from making good choices that make godly qualities a part of our nature. Everything starts with applying God's gift of faith to accept Jesus and be born again. 2 Peter 1:5-10 would then tell us to add to our faith, virtue, and to our virtue, knowledge, and to our knowledge, self-control, and to our self control, perseverance, and to our perseverance, godliness, and to our godliness, brotherly love, and finally, to our brotherly love, the agape God-kind of love. When we practice and acquire these qualities, the Word promises we will never fail.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">Scripture warns about those who say, Lord, Lord, and then do not do the will of God. Jesus had very strong words of condemnation for the behavior of the hypocritical Pharisees. There is a need to demonstrate that we don't just believe and love in word, but in word and deed. There is parable about two sons that Jesus told in Matthew 21 where the first refused to obey and the second said, "Oh yes, I will." However, he did not. But the first son who first refused, repented and did the work. None of us in our flesh want to obey God, our flesh will not and cannot please God. It requires a choice, by the power of the Spirit, to put to death the deeds and desires of the flesh. </span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: arial;">God also promises to refine us as fire, so don't think it strange when the fiery trial comes but rather rejoice. James would give the same instruction, to count it joy when various trials come because they produce patience, that we may be "perfect and complete, lacking nothing." </span><span style="font-family: arial;">Psalms, as well as Isaiah and Zachariah, explain that God refines us as silver is refined. Silver is melted over a fire so the impurities float to the top. Then the master skims off the impurities. The fire continues, and the master continues to skim off the impurities until He can see the reflection of His own face in the silver. </span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">So trials are necessary steps to help us get rid of the baggage of fallen nature and choose to walk in the Spirit. God, being God, is a very present help in times of trials and openly offers the Spirit's help to will and to work for His pleasure. Truly, God works all things for good for those who love Him and are called according to His purpose.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><span style="background-color: white;">We will be tested by fire. Rather than dreading the trials, we are invited to see the joy set before us, as God uses these as opportunities to demonstrate the genuineness of our faith and to let Him perfect us through them. Notice the purpose and fruit of trials in this end-time passage in Zachariah (13:9) about the effect of trials for the people of Israel, "I will bring the </span><i style="background-color: white;">one</i><span style="background-color: white;">-third through the fire, will refine them as </span><span style="background-color: white;">silver</span><span style="background-color: white;"> is </span><span style="background-color: white;">refined</span><span style="background-color: white;">, and test them as gold is tested. They will call on My name, and I will answer them. I will say, ‘This </span><i style="background-color: white;">is</i><span style="background-color: white;"> My people’; and each one will say, ‘The </span><span class="small-caps" style="background-color: white; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: small-caps; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal;">Lord</span><span style="background-color: white;"> </span><i style="background-color: white;">is</i><span style="background-color: white;"> my God. ” Trials by fire refine us to declare and confirm that Jesus is Lord of our lives. </span></span></p>GeneOhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06651450892607764151noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8385864391140728850.post-66603051956408631842023-06-04T08:23:00.003-06:002023-06-04T08:23:57.311-06:00He Opens My Ear<p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">G<span style="background-color: white;">od is not quiet. He wants to speak to you and direct your steps today. "He awakens me morning by morning, He awakens my ear to hear as the learned, the Lord has opened my ear..." according to Isaiah 50:4. While this is obviously describing the Father speaking to Jesus and giving Him the fortitude to go through the torture of paying for sin, it is also very directly addressed to you and me. God hasn't changed and is no respecter of persons. </span></span></p><div style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">Jesus, in His overcoming temptation in the wilderness, also spoke this truth in a different way. Man does not live by bread alone, but by every word (rhema - the spoken word for the exact situation and time) that proceeds (verb tense - constantly proceeding) from the mouth of God. Just as bread sustains the physical man, the spoken word from the Father gives life to the spiritual man. This ever-flowing voice is what makes us live, or if you will, enables us to overcome with the abundant life. </span></div><div style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">Often when we wake up, our thinking and feelings are very fleshy, so taking time to read the Word and letting the giving-life rhema transform our thoughts and feelings to His thoughts and ways is essential. Psalm 23 would confirm this: He leads me beside the still waters, He restores my soul (my thoughts, emotions, and will). We let the Spirit renew our mind and re-fill our faith as faith comes by hearing, and hearing, the Word of God. We live by faith, which is the assurance of things hoped for and the conviction of things not seen.</span></div><div style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">Many Christians deny or confuse whether they hear God. Hebrews 5:14 would suggest that we grow or become mature by practice, having our faculties trained to discern good and evil. Therefore, the more we consistently take time to wait on God and receive a word from Him, the more our ability to hear grows and the clearer His voice becomes. It is good to force ourselves to decide what God is saying by writing it down in a journal. God is the One who "opens our ear to hear" so He is also the One who will confirm His word to help us know His voice. </span></div><div style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">We grow from being children born of the Spirit (John 1:12) to becoming mature sons of God (Romans 8:14) when we are led by the Spirit. Therefore, take time today to read and hear the Word, waiting upon Him to discern His spoken word to you, and write down what, to the best of your knowledge, is from Him. Review it later and begin the simple practice of hearing His voice each morning to let Him give you His life. God is faithful and He who opens your ear will help you learn to hear. </span></div>GeneOhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06651450892607764151noreply@blogger.com0