Let's say that you made your living as farmer and a horrible draught had swept across the land, causing you to close shop and move to another town. What do you feel your initial thoughts would be regarding this news?
I have been re-visiting the story of Ruth lately. Naomi and Ruth, WOW what an incredible duo of women! If you have time, I urge you to read the story for yourselves. It is in the Old Testament of the Bible.
As with all of the Lord's perfectly painted stories, this one will not let you down in the way of teaching you valuable life lessons and insights. A story of pain, hope and deliverance and mostly love.
In the beginning scene we learn that there was a famine in Bethlehem where Naomi is from. It is for this reason that she, her husband Elimilech and their two sons embark on a journey to Moab. In that time Moabites were known to worship a God they named chemosh. A blood thirsty God who required human sacrifice. It is surprising to think that there was not another place for them to travel to in their time of need; however it is quite obvious that God used the situation of the drought to usher them to the place, that He had prepared for them at that specific moment in time. A place on the way to greatness. A stepping stone in life. Not the end of the journey but a stop along the way. They took up residence there and it does not say how long after they arrived that Elimilech had died. Wow, can you imagine being driven from your homeland, and then losing your husband on top of that?! Next, she loses not one but both of her sons! This is where Ruth steps onto the canvas in the story of our Savior. She was married to Mahlon, one of Naomi's two sons. You can surely see, these women had known much pain in their lives up to this point. Naomi was still living with both of her daughter- in- laws when she heard that the famine was over in Bethlehem. Knowing that she was of old in age, and unable to provide a husband for her daughters, she bid them to please stay in Moab where there true families were and find another man so that they could know the pleasure of having a family of their own. Orpah wanted to go with Naomi but then decided to stay in Moab. Ruth clung to Naomi despite her blessing for her to find a new husband. Nothing was going to stop her from going to Bethlehem with Naomi. She even went as far as denouncing her childhood deity of chemosh and calling Jehovah her God! Where you go, I will go and your God will be my God, and your people my people. Have you ever had someone that was not only willing to share your pain, but to really and truly bear your burden with you? As far as a pair of natural eyes could see, walking with Naomi meant that she was basically to become the care giver of this women in the place of a husband. On top of that, it also meant the possibility of children was out. For a young lady to make a decision like this, only one thing could compel her to do so..... LOVE.. Naomi was so bitter before they arrive in her hometown, she had asked that Ruth call her Mara, (meaning bitter water) feeling as if the Lord's hand was against her.
When they arrived, it was the beginning of the Barley Harvest. It is then that Ruth declares that she will glean in the field of the one whom she will find favor with the owner. Mind you she did not have a plan in front of her, or know what field she would end up in; however in the midst of such a seemingly rotten set of past circumstances, she still used her will to express blessings onto the situation. Hope was not lost. That is Faith my friends!
It says that her hap was to light on the portion of the field belonging to Boaz. In English, or I suppose I should say Anglo Saxton, it means... Hap (a Saxon word for "luck, chance"). In other words, God's blessings. The question is why does it say it was a blessing? Well, let me tell you! It turns out that Boaz is a brother of Naomi's late husband and very wealthy. This made him what they called a Kinsman. This is someone who is able to marry their brother's widow in order to protect the family line. However, Boaz had an older brother (nearer kinsman) who was entitled to redeem before his younger brother if he chose to.
Ruth unaware of this worked every day from sun up to sun down taking little breaks and winning the hearts of those around her with her kind loving nature, including the heart of Boaz. True to what Ruth had declared earlier (as a man believes so is he), Boaz had taken notice of her and had begun to show her great favor. One night when Ruth had brought home enough wheat that Naomi must have known it was more than she could have gleaned in a day, Naomi asked her what field have you been gleaning and she blessed the man that would show her such favor. When Ruth revealed to her the place, Naomi cried, " blessed be Jehovah who has not left off His kindness to the living and to the dead"! That man is kin to us!!
She then thoroughly explained to Ruth how to go about making Boaz realize who Ruth and how to ask that he redeem her. It was a strange ritual really but in the end Boaz would have had a chance to fully take advantage of Ruth in the wee hours of the night but he was a total gentleman and very protective of her honor. He agreed that he should redeem her but had to make sure that it was ok by his older brother. When Ruth came home to tell Naomi how it went, Naomi said something that all women need to hear. She said sit still for the man will not rest until he has finished this thing this day. Hear that ladies? A man with true intentions towards you and commitment to you will not rest until he finds a way to win your heart.
The only thing standing between Boaz and Ruth was his being second to his brother in the redeeming order. Boaz went up to the gate that he knew his brother would come to that same day. It doesn't say how long he waited there but the fact that he was willing to sit and wait is a shocking thought in today's day and age especially. His brother (name unmentioned), happened by as he thought he would and he began to plead his case for Ruth. Boaz explained to him that he could redeem the land that Naomi was selling because she was the wife of their brother. Initially he agrees to do it. Can you imagine the pit that Boaz, Ruth and Naomi must have had in their stomachs upon hearing those words, I will redeem it!? Boaz however did not stop there. He reminded his brother that the day he was to buy the field of Naomi, he would also have to buy it from Ruth in order to raise up the name of the dead on his inheritance. How quickly this changed his brother's mind! One woman, was costly enough but two, oh it just wasn't worth it.. to him anyway. He said, "I cannot redeem it or I will mar my own inheritance". Buy it for yourself if you wish. You bet he did! You see Boaz knew what a treasure that he was getting with Ruth and he was willing to also be the provider for Naomi. When is the last time someone went the extra mile for you? How treasured she must have felt!
The story ends with baby Obed laying in the bosom of Naomi. A woman that not so long before wept bitterly having no hope. Oh wait just another small detail! Obed later became the Father of Jesse who was the Father of none other than King David.
If you had asked someone earlier in the story including Ruth, do you think God will create in your womb, a Father of the future generations of Kings? I am certain she would have raised a brow.
WITH GOD ALL THINGS ARE POSSIBLE AND EVERYONE IS EQUALLY TREASURED WARTS AND ALL..
I had asked at the beginning of the story, how you would feel if you had to leave your hometown due to seemingly bad circumstances? Perhaps this story has given you a different perspective. God can use any situation and it seems to me it is usually the worst of times, that turn a happy ending into a joyous one.
-Selah-
Monday, January 21, 2013
Sunday, January 6, 2013
Faith like Tulips
In the summer of 2012 my friend and I went to the Cincinnati Zoo to purchase some of the tulips that they sell at the end of the Tunes and Blooms spring season. This is an awesome event that they have at the Zoo everything Thursday in April. The Zoo comes to life with these beautiful tulips from all around the world and it is quite the backdrop to the already awesome animal exhibits. I remember we sat there for over an hour waiting for the sales to begin. My friend had her eye on the biggest bunch of tulips in crates that they had for sale that day. They were a beautiful red color and everyone there would look at them as they walked by. We had the edge, we were the first ones there. Finally, the sales began and she purchased the coveted bunch of tulips. As we were walking through the Zoo to the exit carrying the double sized crate, I remember feeling as if we were walking with our prize. As if we were proud hunters that were walking out with the 15 point buck of the day. I had promised her that I would help her to plant them sometime that week. The only problem was that neither of knew how to plant tulips.
The day came when it was time for me to make good on my promise and we were in her flower bed planting away. Besides some tips that we grabbed from various Internet sites ( most of which seemed to contradict the information that we had read the site before), we just started planting them with wreckless abandon. We must have planted over 100 bulbs. I prayed over the garden and dedicated it to God. I remember when I finished wondering will they come up? What will they look like? You really cannot see the full picture until flowers bloom. Yeah, you have a picture in your head, but until you see it with your eyes, it's all just your imagination. I remember thinking man, this is going to take forever before we see what we have created together!
The other day my friend mentioned the tulips to me and I was thinking of how planting those tulips and waiting for them to bloom is a lot like a picture of Faith. It's something that is in the ground and you cannot really see the changes that are taking place beneath the surface of the ground, but you wait in expectation that in the spring, you will see the show of pure beauty that God will put on for you as the tulips start to take the stage. We planted the seeds knowing that , God will make them grow. He gave nature it's capability to know what to do and when to do it. However if my friend and I didn't truly believe that they grow, we would not have purchased them, or took the time to plant them in her garden. We would have just said, oh well we don't know if they will grow, so why plant?
Faith is a lot like this in the way that we cannot see the things that we hope for and we usually have to wait for some period of time before we see whatever it is that we are anticipating. In the Bible there are quotes from Jesus.. "Your Faith has healed you" and "Let it be done for you according to your Faith !".. It's clear to me that our Faith in whatever we are wishing for, is the main active factor that God is able to work with in order to have it come to fruition. Faith is will based and necessary for any miracle. God can do anything that He wants and is not limited in any way however; I feel it is a our Faith that moves Him to co-create with us. It's no fun when all parties are not participating in anything in life. It's not all about work on our part but mostly about belief. When James said that, "Faith without works is dead", I really feel he meant more of the stepping out that happens when a heart truly believes. Do your actions match what your mouth is saying? If we told everyone that we believed we could make a garden of tulips that would come up in the Spring but then when someone gave us the opportunity to do this, said ehhh we are really not sure that will happen, that is a lack of Faith in what we have professed. True in this scenario we did have to physically work with some elbow grease, ( it was not easy planting all of those bulbs).. Sometimes it can be as simple as the action of speaking after we have asked for something or profess to believe in something in our lives. If I ask God to use me to change the world, but then make comments such as " I am just one simple person, how could God ever use me"? The action of your mouth speaking disbelief is showing what is truly in your heart on the matter. "Let it be done for you according to your Faith !".. Individual reality is nothing more than individual perception of reality. Two people can attend same event and each individual person can walk away from the event with a different opinion of what happened while they were there than the other person will have. What happened while they were there is their individual perception of what happened and for that moment in time was their individual reality. What is real to us? What do we see with our eyes?
When I take pictures, sometimes I focus the lens on one subject and I take several different shots from several different angles. It amazes me every time how different the same thing can appear when I change my position around the same subject. It creates a new frame. We truly can do this in life with our circumstances. Move, change your position ( re-frame). Choose to see it differently. It's true that all sides of that subject remained the same but it was I that had to move around, to see the different angles that made a completely different picture and it gave me a totally new perspective of that same subject. We will see whatever we choose to see with the lens of our eyes.
Matthew 13:58 And he did not do many miracles there because of their lack of faith..
Saturday, January 5, 2013
The Word Became Flesh
Every story has characters/scenes,backgrounds. The authors job is to depict these things in such a way that the reader will feel as if they know the Characters and he will paint a picture in thier mind as to the setttings to a point where the reader feels that he is there.
In His Book God is described and His laws/Words. The character of Jesus, Jesus was the character of God sent in physical form to relay those Words and show us the nature of our Father.
Through the Character of Jesus (who is the character of God in flesh form) is how the WORD BECAME FLESH in our world.
ACTS 3:15
You killed the author of life, but God raised him from the dead. We are witnesses of this.
Timothy 1:10: “And now he has made all of this plain to us by the appearing of Christ Jesus, our Savior. He broke the power of death and illuminated the way to life and immortality through the Good News.”
In His Book God is described and His laws/Words. The character of Jesus, Jesus was the character of God sent in physical form to relay those Words and show us the nature of our Father.
Through the Character of Jesus (who is the character of God in flesh form) is how the WORD BECAME FLESH in our world.
ACTS 3:15
You killed the author of life, but God raised him from the dead. We are witnesses of this.
Timothy 1:10: “And now he has made all of this plain to us by the appearing of Christ Jesus, our Savior. He broke the power of death and illuminated the way to life and immortality through the Good News.”
Friday, December 21, 2012
Generational Curses no more
A friend of mine was informed by someone that something that had happened to her was due to a generational curse. We know that this is not possible any longer because it says so in the Bible and His Word is True. There are generational influences that could affect our outlook on different things if we allow them to, however we are not bound, cursed or chained in anyway to the path that another has decided to take. The devil is quite aware that if he can persuade us into believing that we are, he will be able to cultivate a victim mentality within us. If we decide to take on this victim role regardless of the Truth, we will limit the power of Chris within us. Not because He is unable, but because we are choosing to receive a lie rather than the Truth. There is nothing that will go against individual will of a single person. God has given us choices. Every decision and every outcome in our lives will be based on how we choose to believe. Choose to believe Truth!
Ezekiel 18 >>
New International Version 1984
________________________________________
The Soul Who Sins Will Die
1The word of the LORD came to me: 2“What do you people mean by quoting this proverb about the land of Israel:
“‘The fathers eat sour grapes,
and the children’s teeth are set on edge’?
3“As surely as I live, declares the Sovereign LORD, you will no longer quote this proverb in Israel. 4For every living soul belongs to me, the father as well as the son—both alike belong to me. The soul who sins is the one who will die.
5“Suppose there is a righteous man
who does what is just and right.
6He does not eat at the mountain shrines
or look to the idols of the house of Israel.
He does not defile his neighbor’s wife
or lie with a woman during her period.
7He does not oppress anyone,
but returns what he took in pledge for a loan.
He does not commit robbery
but gives his food to the hungry
and provides clothing for the naked.
8He does not lend at usury
or take excessive interest.a
He withholds his hand from doing wrong
and judges fairly between man and man.
9He follows my decrees
and faithfully keeps my laws.
That man is righteous;
he will surely live,
declares the Sovereign LORD.
10“Suppose he has a violent son, who sheds blood or does any of these other things 11(though the father has done none of them):
“He eats at the mountain shrines.
He defiles his neighbor’s wife.
12He oppresses the poor and needy.
He commits robbery.
He does not return what he took in pledge.
He looks to the idols.
He does detestable things.
13He lends at usury and takes excessive interest.
Will such a man live? He will not! Because he has done all these detestable things, he will surely be put to death and his blood will be on his own head.
14“But suppose this son has a son who sees all the sins his father commits, and though he sees them, he does not do such things:
15“He does not eat at the mountain shrines
or look to the idols of the house of Israel.
He does not defile his neighbor’s wife.
16He does not oppress anyone
or require a pledge for a loan.
He does not commit robbery
but gives his food to the hungry
and provides clothing for the naked.
17He withholds his hand from sin
and takes no usury or excessive interest.
He keeps my laws and follows my decrees.
He will not die for his father’s sin; he will surely live. 18But his father will die for his own sin, because he practiced extortion, robbed his brother and did what was wrong among his people.
19“Yet you ask, ‘Why does the son not share the guilt of his father?’ Since the son has done what is just and right and has been careful to keep all my decrees, he will surely live. 20The soul who sins is the one who will die. The son will not share the guilt of the father, nor will the father share the guilt of the son. The righteousness of the righteous man will be credited to him, and the wickedness of the wicked will be charged against him.
21“But if a wicked man turns away from all the sins he has committed and keeps all my decrees and does what is just and right, he will surely live; he will not die. 22None of the offenses he has committed will be remembered against him. Because of the righteous things he has done, he will live. 23Do I take any pleasure in the death of the wicked? declares the Sovereign LORD. Rather, am I not pleased when they turn from their ways and live?
24“But if a righteous man turns from his righteousness and commits sin and does the same detestable things the wicked man does, will he live? None of the righteous things he has done will be remembered. Because of the unfaithfulness he is guilty of and because of the sins he has committed, he will die.
25“Yet you say, ‘The way of the Lord is not just.’ Hear, O house of Israel: Is my way unjust? Is it not your ways that are unjust? 26If a righteous man turns from his righteousness and commits sin, he will die for it; because of the sin he has committed he will die. 27But if a wicked man turns away from the wickedness he has committed and does what is just and right, he will save his life. 28Because he considers all the offenses he has committed and turns away from them, he will surely live; he will not die. 29Yet the house of Israel says, ‘The way of the Lord is not just.’ Are my ways unjust, O house of Israel? Is it not your ways that are unjust?
30“Therefore, O house of Israel, I will judge you, each one according to his ways, declares the Sovereign LORD. Repent! Turn away from all your offenses; then sin will not be your downfall. 31Rid yourselves of all the offenses you have committed, and get a new heart and a new spirit. Why will you die, O house of Israel? 32For I take no pleasure in the death of anyone, declares the Sovereign LORD. Repent and live!
________________________________________
Ezekiel 18 >>
New International Version 1984
________________________________________
The Soul Who Sins Will Die
1The word of the LORD came to me: 2“What do you people mean by quoting this proverb about the land of Israel:
“‘The fathers eat sour grapes,
and the children’s teeth are set on edge’?
3“As surely as I live, declares the Sovereign LORD, you will no longer quote this proverb in Israel. 4For every living soul belongs to me, the father as well as the son—both alike belong to me. The soul who sins is the one who will die.
5“Suppose there is a righteous man
who does what is just and right.
6He does not eat at the mountain shrines
or look to the idols of the house of Israel.
He does not defile his neighbor’s wife
or lie with a woman during her period.
7He does not oppress anyone,
but returns what he took in pledge for a loan.
He does not commit robbery
but gives his food to the hungry
and provides clothing for the naked.
8He does not lend at usury
or take excessive interest.a
He withholds his hand from doing wrong
and judges fairly between man and man.
9He follows my decrees
and faithfully keeps my laws.
That man is righteous;
he will surely live,
declares the Sovereign LORD.
10“Suppose he has a violent son, who sheds blood or does any of these other things 11(though the father has done none of them):
“He eats at the mountain shrines.
He defiles his neighbor’s wife.
12He oppresses the poor and needy.
He commits robbery.
He does not return what he took in pledge.
He looks to the idols.
He does detestable things.
13He lends at usury and takes excessive interest.
Will such a man live? He will not! Because he has done all these detestable things, he will surely be put to death and his blood will be on his own head.
14“But suppose this son has a son who sees all the sins his father commits, and though he sees them, he does not do such things:
15“He does not eat at the mountain shrines
or look to the idols of the house of Israel.
He does not defile his neighbor’s wife.
16He does not oppress anyone
or require a pledge for a loan.
He does not commit robbery
but gives his food to the hungry
and provides clothing for the naked.
17He withholds his hand from sin
and takes no usury or excessive interest.
He keeps my laws and follows my decrees.
He will not die for his father’s sin; he will surely live. 18But his father will die for his own sin, because he practiced extortion, robbed his brother and did what was wrong among his people.
19“Yet you ask, ‘Why does the son not share the guilt of his father?’ Since the son has done what is just and right and has been careful to keep all my decrees, he will surely live. 20The soul who sins is the one who will die. The son will not share the guilt of the father, nor will the father share the guilt of the son. The righteousness of the righteous man will be credited to him, and the wickedness of the wicked will be charged against him.
21“But if a wicked man turns away from all the sins he has committed and keeps all my decrees and does what is just and right, he will surely live; he will not die. 22None of the offenses he has committed will be remembered against him. Because of the righteous things he has done, he will live. 23Do I take any pleasure in the death of the wicked? declares the Sovereign LORD. Rather, am I not pleased when they turn from their ways and live?
24“But if a righteous man turns from his righteousness and commits sin and does the same detestable things the wicked man does, will he live? None of the righteous things he has done will be remembered. Because of the unfaithfulness he is guilty of and because of the sins he has committed, he will die.
25“Yet you say, ‘The way of the Lord is not just.’ Hear, O house of Israel: Is my way unjust? Is it not your ways that are unjust? 26If a righteous man turns from his righteousness and commits sin, he will die for it; because of the sin he has committed he will die. 27But if a wicked man turns away from the wickedness he has committed and does what is just and right, he will save his life. 28Because he considers all the offenses he has committed and turns away from them, he will surely live; he will not die. 29Yet the house of Israel says, ‘The way of the Lord is not just.’ Are my ways unjust, O house of Israel? Is it not your ways that are unjust?
30“Therefore, O house of Israel, I will judge you, each one according to his ways, declares the Sovereign LORD. Repent! Turn away from all your offenses; then sin will not be your downfall. 31Rid yourselves of all the offenses you have committed, and get a new heart and a new spirit. Why will you die, O house of Israel? 32For I take no pleasure in the death of anyone, declares the Sovereign LORD. Repent and live!
________________________________________
Thursday, December 20, 2012
Doomsday Prediction
In light of it being the day before the so called doomsday... Take peace in this
King James Bible (Cambridge Ed.)
But of that day and hour knoweth no man, no, not the angels of heaven, but my Father only.
Have a peaceful night with sweet dreams!
Monday, December 17, 2012
Assurance of His Love
Contrary to the belief of some, John was not conceited in proclaiming that he was the Disciple that Jesus loved. He had grasped something that we need to receive before we can have a true relationship with the Lord. THAT HE LOVES US! Once we get this into our Spirit, we will be able to forgive others the way that we must as He has commanded it. WE CANNOT LOVE OTHERS IF WE DO NOT LOVE OURSELVES. WE CANNOT LOVE OURSELVES FULLY UNLESS WE CAN GRASP ONTO THE FACT THAT GOD LOVES US. WE NEED TO KNOW THAT GOD LOVES US! That is probably why Peter lacked courage before the Spirit came on him at Pentecost. You will notice in the Gospels that he had spoken of the way he loved Christ, but he did not mention how Christ loves him. Remember how Peter thought he was unworthy to have his feet washed by Christ? Christ said he must allow Him in order that Peter could take part in Christ/salvation! In order for us to take part WE MUST RECEIVE the GIFT He is offering to every single one of us. Just as Peter needed to receive from Jesus the day that He cleaned his feet.
John 13:8
23 Now there was leaning on Jesus' bosom one of his disciples, whom Jesus loved.
( KEEP IN MIND JOHN WROTE JOHN)
_________________________________________________________________________________________
1 JOHN 3
17 But whoso hath this world's good, and seeth his brother have need, and shutteth up his bowels of compassion from him, how dwelleth the love of God in him?
18 My little children, let us not love in word, neither in tongue; but in deed and in truth.
19 And hereby we know that we are of the truth, and shall assure our hearts before him.
19 SPEAKS TO HOW EVEN THOUGH WE ARE IN TRUTH, OUR HEARTS MAY TRY TO CONDEMN US BUT TO KNOW THAT GOD’s WORDS ARE STRONGER THAN OUR HEARTS, AND HE SAYS THAT WE ARE LOVED AND IN RIGHT STANDING ONCE WE BELIEVE IN CHRIST. WE CANNOT GO OFF OUR HEART FEELINGS SOMETIMES. IF WE DO NOT HAVE 100% CONFIDENCE IN THE FACT THAT WE ARE SAVED AND LOVED BY GOD, THIS IS OUR HEART TRYING TO CONDEMN US AND WE JUST HAVE TO REMEMBER THAT WHAT GOD SAYS IS TRUTH! NOT HOW WE MAY FEEL!
20 For if our heart condemn us, God is greater than our heart, and knoweth all things.
21 Beloved, if our heart condemn us not, then have we confidence toward God.
22 And whatsoever we ask, we receive of him, because we keep his commandments, and do those things that are pleasing in his sight.
23 And this is his commandment, That we should believe on the name of his Son Jesus Christ, and love one another, as he gave us commandment.
24 And he that keepeth his commandments dwelleth in him, and he in him. And hereby we know that he abideth in us, by the Spirit which he hath given us.
____________________________________________________________________________________________________________
JOHN 4
10 Herein is love, not that we loved God, but that he loved us, and sent his Son to be the propitiation for our sins.
11 Beloved, if God so loved us, we ought also to love one another.
19 We love him, because he first loved us.
HOW SURE ARE YOU THAT CHRIST/GOD LOVES YOU? !! ARE YOU WILLING TO FREELY LOVE OTHERS THE WAY THAT HE LOVES YOU?
Remember that God loved us while we were still sinners. He did not wait for us to become perfect. Please extend forgiveness to anyone that you need to today. We never know when are last day on this Earth will be.
John 13:8
King James Version (KJV)
8 Peter saith unto him, Thou shalt never wash my feet. Jesus answered him, If I wash thee not, thou hast no part with me.
Jesus may not be here today physically asking that He may wash your feet, but I do feel that He is asking you to receive the Gift of His Spirit that is offerd freely to you. In light of the the Christmas season, let us ponder... If someone gives a gift to you, how well will you receive it?
In regards to John and the way he was able to grab ahold of the love that Christ is offering.
Jesus may not be here today physically asking that He may wash your feet, but I do feel that He is asking you to receive the Gift of His Spirit that is offerd freely to you. In light of the the Christmas season, let us ponder... If someone gives a gift to you, how well will you receive it?
In regards to John and the way he was able to grab ahold of the love that Christ is offering.
John 13:23-26 (King James Version)
23 Now there was leaning on Jesus' bosom one of his disciples, whom Jesus loved.
( KEEP IN MIND JOHN WROTE JOHN)
_________________________________________________________________________________________
1 JOHN 3
17 But whoso hath this world's good, and seeth his brother have need, and shutteth up his bowels of compassion from him, how dwelleth the love of God in him?
18 My little children, let us not love in word, neither in tongue; but in deed and in truth.
19 And hereby we know that we are of the truth, and shall assure our hearts before him.
19 SPEAKS TO HOW EVEN THOUGH WE ARE IN TRUTH, OUR HEARTS MAY TRY TO CONDEMN US BUT TO KNOW THAT GOD’s WORDS ARE STRONGER THAN OUR HEARTS, AND HE SAYS THAT WE ARE LOVED AND IN RIGHT STANDING ONCE WE BELIEVE IN CHRIST. WE CANNOT GO OFF OUR HEART FEELINGS SOMETIMES. IF WE DO NOT HAVE 100% CONFIDENCE IN THE FACT THAT WE ARE SAVED AND LOVED BY GOD, THIS IS OUR HEART TRYING TO CONDEMN US AND WE JUST HAVE TO REMEMBER THAT WHAT GOD SAYS IS TRUTH! NOT HOW WE MAY FEEL!
20 For if our heart condemn us, God is greater than our heart, and knoweth all things.
21 Beloved, if our heart condemn us not, then have we confidence toward God.
22 And whatsoever we ask, we receive of him, because we keep his commandments, and do those things that are pleasing in his sight.
23 And this is his commandment, That we should believe on the name of his Son Jesus Christ, and love one another, as he gave us commandment.
24 And he that keepeth his commandments dwelleth in him, and he in him. And hereby we know that he abideth in us, by the Spirit which he hath given us.
____________________________________________________________________________________________________________
JOHN 4
10 Herein is love, not that we loved God, but that he loved us, and sent his Son to be the propitiation for our sins.
11 Beloved, if God so loved us, we ought also to love one another.
19 We love him, because he first loved us.
HOW SURE ARE YOU THAT CHRIST/GOD LOVES YOU? !! ARE YOU WILLING TO FREELY LOVE OTHERS THE WAY THAT HE LOVES YOU?
Remember that God loved us while we were still sinners. He did not wait for us to become perfect. Please extend forgiveness to anyone that you need to today. We never know when are last day on this Earth will be.
Tuesday, December 4, 2012
Make a joy-full noise to GOD!!!!!
+Galatians 5:22-23
New International Version (NIV)
22 But the fruit(A) of the Spirit is love,(B joy, peace,(C) forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness and self-control.(D) Against such things there is no law.(E)
We are also given gifts of the Spirit. I found a neat article that describes gifts:
http://www.whatchristianswanttoknow.com/what-are-gifts-of-the-spirit-a-bible-study/
Always bear in mind that Spirit will reveal to you through Scripture and relationship what you need to know about Fruits and Gifts. I bid you to remember this always.. Revelation given to you by Spirit should always be your final place for understanding in Spiritual matters, and not the words of man.
Having said this, the reason the lights remind me so much of this Spirit is the way that they once they are heated start to bubble up. It reminds me of the way the Gifts of the Spirit bubble up inside of you and create fruits for those that are around you to partake in. When we feed others, we ourselves are fed. How is the heat created that causes them to bubble? The lights are connected on a strand that is plugged into an electrical circuit. If we do not plug them in, they obviously will not light. Our Faith in this analogy is what I view as our Will to plug in. Although we cannot see the electrical current, we believe that it is there and that we are able to plug into it as a source of power. Because we believe this, we pick up the cord and plug it in. On Earth, we know where the sockets are and how to plug in. We know because we have been shown what a socket looks like and how to plug in. The Spiritual side is different where we are not typically trained how to access our Spiritual side or tap into this power. I am sure in some families this is not the case, but the ones that I have been around, it seems that everyone views Spirituality as personal. It is personal but sure helps sometimes to have another older and wiser point of view to lead us. So, I will share!
HIS WORD IS YOUR CONNECTION TO THIS CIRCUIT! His Word lives in you! This is why when you pick up the Bible and start to read, you will recognize the voice that is speaking. I encourage you to seek our Lord now and pick up the only book that is full of Truth and able to nourish your soul.
The words giving tree were just given to me and I do not know why. I am sure I will find out or someone else reading this will know.
added 11-04-2013 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1TZCP6OqRlE. As I was re-reading this post today, I just noticed that this was in here. I decided to Google giving tree and I found this. Before this, I had never seen this story before. It goes hand in hand with bearing fruit that helps others. My Mom is like this giving tree. She would give her last penny to someone that asked her for something.I thank you God for your perfect timing on all of Your lessons to me.
I love the way that the lights are wrapped around the tree, it only completes this analogy:
9 “As the Father has loved me,(M) so have I loved you. Now remain in my love. 10 If you keep my commands,(N) you will remain in my love, just as I have kept my Father’s commands and remain in his love. 11 I have told you this so that my joy may be in you and that your joy may be complete.(O) 12 My command is this: Love each other as I have loved you.(P) 13 Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one’s life for one’s friends.(Q) 14 You are my friends(R) if you do what I command.(S) 15 I no longer call you servants, because a servant does not know his master’s business. Instead, I have called you friends, for everything that I learned from my Father I have made known to you.(T) 16 You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you(U) so that you might go and bear fruit(V)—fruit that will last—and so that whatever you ask in my name the Father will give you.(W) 17 This is my command: Love each other.(X)
26 “When the Advocate(AL) comes, whom I will send to you from the Father(AM)—the Spirit of truth(AN) who goes out from the Father—he will testify about me.(AO) 27 And you also must testify,(AP) for you have been with me from the beginning.(AQ
We are also given gifts of the Spirit. I found a neat article that describes gifts:
http://www.whatchristianswanttoknow.com/what-are-gifts-of-the-spirit-a-bible-study/
Always bear in mind that Spirit will reveal to you through Scripture and relationship what you need to know about Fruits and Gifts. I bid you to remember this always.. Revelation given to you by Spirit should always be your final place for understanding in Spiritual matters, and not the words of man.
Having said this, the reason the lights remind me so much of this Spirit is the way that they once they are heated start to bubble up. It reminds me of the way the Gifts of the Spirit bubble up inside of you and create fruits for those that are around you to partake in. When we feed others, we ourselves are fed. How is the heat created that causes them to bubble? The lights are connected on a strand that is plugged into an electrical circuit. If we do not plug them in, they obviously will not light. Our Faith in this analogy is what I view as our Will to plug in. Although we cannot see the electrical current, we believe that it is there and that we are able to plug into it as a source of power. Because we believe this, we pick up the cord and plug it in. On Earth, we know where the sockets are and how to plug in. We know because we have been shown what a socket looks like and how to plug in. The Spiritual side is different where we are not typically trained how to access our Spiritual side or tap into this power. I am sure in some families this is not the case, but the ones that I have been around, it seems that everyone views Spirituality as personal. It is personal but sure helps sometimes to have another older and wiser point of view to lead us. So, I will share!
HIS WORD IS YOUR CONNECTION TO THIS CIRCUIT! His Word lives in you! This is why when you pick up the Bible and start to read, you will recognize the voice that is speaking. I encourage you to seek our Lord now and pick up the only book that is full of Truth and able to nourish your soul.
Psalm 19 King James Version (KJV)
19 The heavens declare the glory of God; and the
firmament sheweth his handywork.
3
There is no
speech nor language, where their voice is not heard.
4
Their line
is gone out through all the earth, and their words to the end of the world. In
them hath he set a tabernacle for the sun,
5
Which is as
a bridegroom coming out of his chamber, and rejoiceth as a strong man to run a
race.
6
His going
forth is from the end of the heaven, and his circuit unto the ends of it: and
there is nothing hid from the heat thereof.
7
The law of
the Lord is perfect, converting the soul: the testimony of the
Lord
is sure, making wise the simple.
8
The
statutes of the Lord are right, rejoicing the heart: the commandment of
the Lord is pure, enlightening the eyes.
9
The fear of
the Lord is clean, enduring for ever: the judgments of the Lord are true and righteous altogether.
10
More to be
desired are they than gold, yea, than much fine gold: sweeter also than honey
and the honeycomb.
11
Moreover by
them is thy servant warned: and in keeping of them there is great reward.
12
Who can
understand his errors? cleanse thou me from secret faults.
13
Keep back
thy servant also from presumptuous sins; let them not have dominion over me:
then shall I be upright, and I shall be innocent from the great transgression.
14
Let the
words of my mouth, and the meditation of my heart, be acceptable in thy sight, O
Lord,
my strength, and my redeemer.
The words giving tree were just given to me and I do not know why. I am sure I will find out or someone else reading this will know. added 11-04-2013 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1TZCP6OqRlE. As I was re-reading this post today, I just noticed that this was in here. I decided to Google giving tree and I found this. Before this, I had never seen this story before. It goes hand in hand with bearing fruit that helps others. My Mom is like this giving tree. She would give her last penny to someone that asked her for something.I thank you God for your perfect timing on all of Your lessons to me.
I love the way that the lights are wrapped around the tree, it only completes this analogy:
John 15
New International Version (NIV)
The Vine and the Branches
15 “I am(A) the true vine,(B) and my Father is the gardener. 2 He cuts off every branch in me that bears no fruit,(C) while every branch that does bear fruit(D) he prunes[a] so that it will be even more fruitful. 3 You are already clean because of the word I have spoken to you.(E) 4 Remain in me, as I also remain in you.(F) No branch can bear fruit by itself; it must remain in the vine. Neither can you bear fruit unless you remain in me.
5 “I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit;(G) apart from me you can do nothing. 6 If you do not remain in me, you are like a branch that is thrown away and withers; such branches are picked up, thrown into the fire and burned.(H) 7 If you remain in me(I) and my words remain in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you.(J) 8 This is to my Father’s glory,(K) that you bear much fruit, showing yourselves to be my disciples.(L)9 “As the Father has loved me,(M) so have I loved you. Now remain in my love. 10 If you keep my commands,(N) you will remain in my love, just as I have kept my Father’s commands and remain in his love. 11 I have told you this so that my joy may be in you and that your joy may be complete.(O) 12 My command is this: Love each other as I have loved you.(P) 13 Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one’s life for one’s friends.(Q) 14 You are my friends(R) if you do what I command.(S) 15 I no longer call you servants, because a servant does not know his master’s business. Instead, I have called you friends, for everything that I learned from my Father I have made known to you.(T) 16 You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you(U) so that you might go and bear fruit(V)—fruit that will last—and so that whatever you ask in my name the Father will give you.(W) 17 This is my command: Love each other.(X)
The World Hates the Disciples
18 “If the world hates you,(Y) keep in mind that it hated me first. 19 If you belonged to the world, it would love you as its own. As it is, you do not belong to the world, but I have chosen you(Z) out of the world. That is why the world hates you.(AA) 20 Remember what I told you: ‘A servant is not greater than his master.’[b](AB) If they persecuted me, they will persecute you also.(AC) If they obeyed my teaching, they will obey yours also. 21 They will treat you this way because of my name,(AD) for they do not know the one who sent me.(AE) 22 If I had not come and spoken to them,(AF) they would not be guilty of sin; but now they have no excuse for their sin.(AG) 23 Whoever hates me hates my Father as well. 24 If I had not done among them the works no one else did,(AH) they would not be guilty of sin.(AI) As it is, they have seen, and yet they have hated both me and my Father. 25 But this is to fulfill what is written in their Law:(AJ) ‘They hated me without reason.’[c](AK)The Work of the Holy Spirit
26 “When the Advocate(AL) comes, whom I will send to you from the Father(AM)—the Spirit of truth(AN) who goes out from the Father—he will testify about me.(AO) 27 And you also must testify,(AP) for you have been with me from the beginning.(AQ
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