A Letter of Thanksgiving

God, Oh Most High, how can I thank you? Creator of the heavens, Lord of the living and the dead what words could express my gratitude for your excellence? Father of lights, in whom there is no variation or shadow of turning, every good and perfect gift comes from you.  You who are higher than the heavens, whose voice is like the sound of many waters, have chosen to give ear to your people. Therefore I long to give you thanks!

If I dance like David until there is no strength left within me would that give you thanks? If I sing with the voice of an angel and play upon the harp or flute where the sound is perfect pitch would that honor you? If I give all my possessions to the poor and live a life of destitution would your glory be revealed?

Even in my thoughts of how to give you thanks, you have directed me through your Word. You guide my steps and light a path for my feet. You lift up my hands and strengthen my feeble knees.  You lead me by the still waters and restore my soul. You teach me your ways that I may walk in your truth. You unite my heart to fear your name. You are my joy in the morning and my comfort when I lay upon my bed at night. Yet, how can I thank you?

I was stranger to your covenant of promise having no hope and without God in the world. I conducted myself in the lusts of my flesh; fulfilling the desires of the flesh and my mind as a child of wrath.  While dead in trespass and sin Christ died for me. My glorious Lord, how do I thank you?

Your Word has told me what is good and what you require of me, to do justly and love mercy and to walk humbly with the Lord my God. Your Word has told me that you desire mercy and not sacrifice. Therefore, I will thank you through obedience to what you desire. I will submit my whole heart and search for you with all my soul. I will lift up clean hands (my actions) with a pure heart and love you with all sincerity and no hypocrisy. If I live the rest of my life each day in obedience to your Word, surely I would begin to say, thank you?

We are not alone.....Christ in us!

We all endure the challenges of life in this world. These tests vary within each individual member in His body. Today there are many struggling with illnesses and death, strained relationships, loss of loved ones, stresses of life, fear and anxiety of the unknown. Although I recognize all of these issues to be real and present, for those of us who have been purchased by the blood of Jesus and born from above we are not alone!

Not only are God Almighty’s eyes upon us and His ears open to our cries, His Spirit that raised Christ from the dead dwells within us. Our natural human spirit and/or souls can not endure the trails of life and overcome victoriously. We must remember the great mystery that has been revealed to us, Christ in us is the hope of glory. God’s Spirit and His Word dwell within His people. God’s Spirit is the guide that illuminates His Word within us. He did not leave us as orphans without hope and alone. When our Lord was to ascend on high to sit at the right hand of our Father, He said that He would ask the Father and the Father will give us another comforter. At that time Jesus was the comforter. Now He would no longer be physically present to address all of the needs of His people, therefore our Father gave us of His Spirit. He said, The Spirit of truth, whom the world can not receive, because it neither sees Him nor knows Him; but you know Him, for He dwells with you and will be in you. Glory be to God Most High!

This mystery is what makes us a peculiar people, a royal nation a holy priesthood; the undeniable truth that we are not alone. Jesus said, if a man loves me, he will keep my Words; and my Father will love him, and we will come unto him, and make our abode with him. (This word abode means; dwelling, staying, abiding) We must not be like those men that were gazing into heaven after Jesus ascended looking for help. We must look within ourselves where God’s Word and Spirit reside and find comfort in our time of need and at all times.

Beloved, this present life is temporary with all its difficulties. We must remember that our God said and it is written, Eye has not seen, nor ear heard, nor have entered into the heart of man, the things which God has prepare for those who love Him. But, God has revealed them to us through His Spirit.

In every plight of this life God has made provision for us in that He is within us. God promised saying, I will never leave you nor forsake you. He also said, lo, I am with you always even to the end of the age. 

Therefore, we are not alone...

Practice Righteousness

Beloved, there is so very much I want to share with you concerning His Words of life. Yet, it has become abundantly clear that far too many have need of basic teachings by which to grow. God’s Word says that “whoever does not practice righteousness is not of God, nor he who does not love his brother.” Too many fail to recognize that WE must practice righteousness. Our righteousness is in Christ and we must walk in Him and His ways to attain His righteousness.

Here is a tool I used to explain the parallels of practicing righteousness and sports to my son. He played baseball. Everyday he practiced many of the same drills for game time. He practiced his swing and repeatedly covered potential situations for readiness. He built what is called muscle memory. So that when it was game time, he reacted instead of having to take time thinking, what should I do, how do I adjust to hit this curve ball? You get the picture, right?

Well, dear ones, we are to practice righteousness in like manner. So that when we are faced with the challenges of life we don’t have to stop and call our Pastor to ask, what do I do? Nor do we need to ask everyone we know for prayer, because we know what to pray and how to go to His Word for ourselves to hear what He says regarding our situations. Then we obey Him and have faith in His Word. If we practice walking daily in Christ and exhibiting His righteousness when we are faced with the challenges of life we will walk as practiced. 

Another simple tool for your toolbox is using the Word of God effectively in your own lives regarding encouragement. Far too often brethren you wait to be encouraged. This breaks my heart. For you wait until Sunday and what if the Word spoken isn’t about your situation? So you wait for the prayer line. Or you wait until someone has a word of knowledge and then you think God really does care, God really does see. Oh, what a childlike mind. For babes wait for their needs to be acknowledge. WE must be like David and ask ourselves, “Why are you cast down, O my soul?   And why are you disquieted within me? Hope in God, for I shall yet praise Him, for the help of His countenance.” WE must practice encouraging ourselves in Him and build ourselves up on our most holy faith, praying in the Holy Spirit, keeping ourselves in the love of God.

I will not call this a tool yet it necessary to state. Sin is sin. We must stop pretending sin is oops, I didn’t mean to do it. Yes you did! The devil didn’t make you do anything! In fact instead of practicing righteousness many have been practicing sin. I will not list the deeds of the flesh or works of lawlessness you know them as well as me. But I will warn you that “those who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God.” And for those that would say, Lord, Lord, look at everything I’ve done in your name, remember He said, “I will declare to them, I never knew you; depart from Me, you who practice lawlessness!”

What am I saying to you? For though by this time you ought to be teachers, you need someone to teach you again the first principles of the oracles of God; and you have come to need milk and not solid food. For everyone who partakes only of milk is unskilled in the word of righteousness for he is a babe. But solid food belongs to those who are of full age that is those who by reason of use (practice) have their senses exercised to discern both good and evil. Use these tools and others to practice the righteousness of God and Grow up!

Perfect through sufferings………

Paul said that he “considered that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us.” Truly, this is my hope and the anchor to my soul and the topic for this blog.

The sufferings of this present time. For the purpose of truth, let’s review quickly what sufferings are: externally, it is misfortune, calamity, evil, affliction, that which we all must endure for we are in the world. In addition the sufferings we as Christians must undergo are of the same cause which Christ patiently endured, are of an inward state, an affliction, passion.  To ensure sound doctrine note neither of these sufferings are the result of sin and/or disobedience which result in not only sufferings but also condemnation.

I am talking about the sufferings within yourself to receive and obey His Word while submitting yourself to that which you do not want to adhere. I refer to humbling yourself under His mighty hand when you can not see the end result and truly don’t have understanding of the reason for the evil. When you believe His Word above the affliction you are enduring and trust that regardless of what you see and experience, God is greater, the inward man dies to self and our flesh suffers. These sufferings although necessary for maturity and to reveal His glory in us create great angst within the soul.

Beloved, I believe in prosperity. For He said, “Beloved, I wish above all things that you may prosper and be in health, even as your soul prospers”. (Note, this is not a promise, it is a wish of goodwill) I believe that prospering in the soul is when we can walk obediently in the midst of great sorrow and sufferings and know that regardless of the heartache, God is with us. Prospering in the soul is when regardless of our feelings and/or emotions we know with certainty that salvation belongs to the Lord. We trust, "I am my beloveds and my beloved is mine."

                                                        

I must admit that the sufferings we endure produce a broken and contrite spirit, which the Lord said, He would not turn away. Perhaps without the sufferings, our pride would not allow such brokenness.  He also said, “Blessed are those that mourn, for they shall be comforted.”

So, what do I say? Lord, take this affliction away for me? No, I pray, “O Lord, you are our Father, we are the clay, you are our potter, and we all are the work of thy hand.”  If we believe His Words and walk in His truth we know that all things will work together for the good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to His purpose.

Therefore through these sufferings with obedience to His Word we will reveal the Glory of our God and shine forth like the son with the power and strength of God Almighty. For no longer will we live, but He will live through and in us! Selah!

While it is today......seek the Lord!

There is much that I have wanted to say in the past few weeks about the behavior of the church. I see clearly. However, what is much more needful for all, is to understand and believe that God sees. His eye’s are not dim nor is His arm short. Everything that is done and every thought of the heart are known by God. He judges and will hold each of us accountable.

Therefore, be encouraged today to seek the Lord before all else and seek His righteousness. Cry out to Him with your whole heart. Search for Him as hidden treasure.  Remembering those who seek the Lord shall not lack any good thing and there is no want to those who fear Him. (He is not talking about our flesh, He’s talking about that which only God gives…. righteousness, peace and joy in Him). He says, Casting your cares upon Him for He cares for you. Take His yoke upon you and learn from Him.

His mercies are new every morning. Everyday we must set our hearts and minds on that which is above, where Christ is sitting in the heavens at the right hand of the Father. We must strive to walk before Him in a manner that would bring glory to the name of the God we profess to worship and adore.

We must ask for our daily bread. This would require that we pick up our bible and read what His Words are to us. Being ever mindful that Jesus is our mediator and not man. He gives us access to God our Father. Hearing preaching and teaching by man is helpful, but nothing can or ever will bring us to maturity without each of us learning of Him through Him. This is the will of God. “I will put My laws in their mind and write them on their hearts: and I will be their God, and they shall be My people. None of them shall teach his neighbor, and none his brother saying, Know the Lord, for all shall know Me, from the least of them to the greatest of them.”

I would have despaired if I had not believed that I would see the goodness of the Lord. Although His Word is in mine heart and like fire in my bones, I wait on the Lord. I wait to see His church heed His Word and love Him above all else. I wait to see Him in us. When each of us are walking epistles’ living breathing His Words. Oh, glorious Lord, may I live to see that day?

May God bless you this day! As God spoke to Joshua so I speak to you, “Be strong and of good courage.” Be sober not lagging in diligence, fervent in spirit, serving the Lord Jesus our God.

CHANGE!

The topic of “change” is one spoken of often, however, not from the perspective that I believe is most needful or helpful. There is much said about how through faith we can change just about everything, from relationships to circumstances. What I have learned through trails, experience and the truth of God’s Word is that in nearly every circumstance of my life that I want to change, what actually need’s to change is ME! No matter how much I pray, complain, desire, demand etc. when it’s all said and done I am the only thing I have the power to change. And that change happens only through obedience of action and submission of heart to His Word and by His grace.

So often we think that if we change our natural and external circumstances, meaning jobs or income, living arrangements or relationships that the issues we face will disappear. (Now let me say for the babes, if you are practicing sin as in living as married yet not married, YES, do change your circumstance, as with any other sin) Yet speaking in all other issues if you change your external circumstances thinking that the situation will be different, you might find perhaps for a while reprieve, yet within a time you will be exactly where you were before.  We have a tendency to see the need for change in everything around us including those we love and encounter daily. And somehow convince ourselves if everything else were different we would have a different life or we would or then could be different. Yet, we fail to recognize that the one single common dominator in every situation regardless that is constant is us! Funny, how our very heart deceives us, isn’t it? Everything else isn’t the problem. Everyone else isn’t the problem. You are. I am. That is the truth.  We need to change. First we must acknowledge that we are the problem. We must admit that we need to change. We must dedicate ourselves to change by submitting our whole lives to the truth of His Word. Then a miraculous thing happens, all the issues that we had before crumble before us. The mountains turn into mole hills, the peaks turn into valleys and nothing is too great for us to overcome. The circumstance may be the same from an external natural sense but the change in us will handle it completely different. We will have confidence knowing God is for us, wisdom in how to conduct ourselves, grace to endure and the peace of God to keep us in the midst of any circumstance. GLORY BE TO GOD!

I pray that God would open our eyes so that we would see ourselves clearly, that God would reveal our hearts to us and that He would grant us repentance so that we may change and increasingly become more Christ like.

May the God of all mercy and truth keep you and bless you this day and always!

"In praise of the Word of God! "

As I contemplate the Word of God, which is pure and true and tested. I am in awe of just what that means. His Word is pure in all of its intent and content. It is without mixture and free of any ill will or deceit. It is true in that it is without falsehood, lies or misrepresentation. And it is tested, meaning it is proven and established and has and will continue to stand any examination forever. For He has said, “Heaven and earth will pass away, but My Words will by no means pass away.”

Therefore, all my hope and all my trust can and does rest fully in His Word. I can anchor my soul with the hope of knowing I will never be ashamed. For His Word will never fail, never falter, never change and never lead me astray. His Word is perfect! Where is there in all the earth any assurance like this, which God has given to those of us who believe?  

Moreover, He has said, “My covenant I will not break nor alter the Word that has gone out of My lips.” We have the promise of God Almighty that He will hold Himself to the promises of His Word. His majesty is without compromise.

What more can I say? He who is higher than the heavens has given us His Word. By which we can stand, withstand and endure. And also through His Word have His strength, hope, joy and resounding assurance that He will bring all His Word to pass.

May the joy of the Word of the Lord be with you all this day and always!

“How you ought to walk.”

Paul said, “Brethren, we urge and exhort in the Lord Jesus that you should abound more and more, just as you received from us how you ought to walk and to please God;”

Through this scripture we must understand that there is a manner in which we should walk, meaning behave and live. His Word is what teaches us “how we ought to walk.” Yet, I am eye witness that some do not obey this truth. And in not teaching “how you ought to walk” have created a body of cripples and babies. For the purpose of this writing I will address some behaviors in regards to praise.

While singing, dancing, shouting and declaring their righteousness in God, in the midst of all these antics there is no joyful shouting of salvation, because there is no understanding of salvation. There is no consideration of how to work out our salvation with fear and trembling. Because there is no teaching of “how you ought to walk.” There are rituals, traditions and behaviors that display godliness, yet deny the power of true godliness. Godliness, having reverence and respect for God, piety toward God, holiness unto God, which means being obedient to God. And walking before Him worthy of the vocation in which we were called.  

We sing “we summon your power O God” and work ourselves into frenzies then when physically and emotionally fatigued think we feel the presence of God. The whole display is exhausting. His Word says that God inhabits the praises of His people. The word inhabits means to dwell, remain, abide. The definition indicates that His presence is to exist in the praises of His people. Therefore, singing, dancing, shouting etc. for any manner of time has nothing what-so-ever to do with God’s presence, for these actions which are temporary can not possibly produce inhabitancy.

We are called to live our lives as praise to God through obedience to His Word then His presence abides in us. His presence doesn’t fall on us over and over again as in the day of Pentecost. C’mon man! When we lift our voices in song to Him, His presence that is in us is what flows out of us. Does not His Word say, “He who believes in Me, as the Scripture has said, out of his heart will flow rivers of living waters.” This He spoke concerning the Spirit, whom those believing in Him would receive.  His presence is to inhabit us! Yet, if you live your life in disobedience, sin and disregard of His Word, you are not praise to Him no matter how loud you sing or how much you dance. This is evidence that you do not know “how you ought to walk.” 

His Words says, yet now brethren, I know that you did it in ignorance. I realize most are not taught “how you ought to walk” however, when you hear truth, as in today, you must receive truth and walk in truth. “Repent therefore and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out, so that times of refreshing may come from the presence of the Lord.” This scripture means, change your mind, being contrite or remorseful for your behavior and turn toward the true God and worship Him in truth. Again, times of refreshing from the presence of the Lord is not equated with physical demonstrations of praise, it is of an obedient heart and manner of living. His Word says, “This people draw near with their mouth and honor me with their lips, but their heart is far from me.”

As we begin or as with some continue to walk “how we ought to walk” then God’s presence will abide in us.  And we through our lives will praise Him saying, “The Lord is my strength and my song, and He is become my salvation; He is my God, and I will prepare Him a habitation; my God, and I will exalt Him.”

Pray

I have wanted to write about prayer for quite a while. I have been leery of how to communicate in written words a topic so dear to my heart. Prayer is simple yet so misunderstood and at times made complex. Today, I pray that these words would enlighten your minds as to the benefits of prayer and encourage you to pray.

Jesus gave his disciples a few directions. He told us when we pray don’t be like the hypocrites. For hypocrites pray in front of everyone to be seen by men. He said, when we pray, go into a private place and pray before our Father. He said don’t use vain repetitions as the heathens do. For the heathens think they will be heard because of their many words. He said, “Don’t be like them.” “Our Father knows the things you have need of before you ask Him.”

Then He goes on to tell us in what manner we should pray: “Our Father in heaven. Hallowed be Your name. Your kingdom come. Your will be done. On earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our debts. As we forgive our debtors. And do not lead us into temptation. But deliver us from the evil one. For Yours is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever. Amen.”

Before I expound of the scripture above the next sentence Jesus says is, “For if you forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. But if you do not forgive men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses.” Hear ye His Word beloved, for His Word says, “we know that God does not hear sinners,”  herein, hear and know that if you harbor unforgiveness toward any your prayers are not heard by God.

Now in the manner that Jesus told us to pray we see that His Words are clear. First our prayers are to God alone. True prayer must be directed to Our Father in heaven. Our prayers are for His ears. And “the prayer of the upright is His delight.” 

What is most important for this writing is the spirit of this prayer. Our acknowledgement is that God is in heaven and that He is above all. Our prayers should be that His will would be done. We know that His Word is His will.

When we pray and set our hearts and minds on His will all of our issues whatever they may be get perspective. For it’s during this time that we realize that He truly is God in heaven and above all. And we are His, if we walking according to His Word. Then we have peace and confidence that His will, will be done on the earth. We understand that our life is about Him and His will for us and we believe and accept that it is good!

As we continue to seek Him through prayer and obedience to His Word  our understanding will increase. We must be diligent. Therefore beloved, pray without ceasing!

Becoming the sons of God!

How often have you said, “Enough, “I’m done, I’m tired?”  How many times have you decided that you have done all that you are willing to do and taken all that you are willing to take? Regardless of it’s at the hands of loved ones, colleagues, friends or foes. We’ve all uttered those words either to ourselves or to others. Of course we never call it grumbling or complaining we call it “venting”, that way we feel justified. 

Well, I am guilty of this very thing. I can’t even think of how many times my heart has been in this exact condition and I have uttered those exact words. Today however, I heard the Word of God so clear, His chastening so true. He said, “But I tell you not to resist an evil person. But whoever slaps you on your right cheek, turn the other to him also. If anyone wants to sue you and take away your tunic, let him have your cloak also. And whoever compels you to go one mile, go with him two. Give to him who asks you and from him who wants to borrow from you do not turn away.” I have not one word of defense. There is nothing to say to excuse, justify or explain why His Word isn’t obeyed.  The only acceptable response is, forgive me Lord! He continues by saying, “I say to you, love your enemies, bless those who curse you, do good to those who hate you, and pray for those who spitefully use you and persecute you, that you may be sons of your Father in heaven.” Being the sons of God is our destiny! The whole world is waiting and groaning that the sons of God would be made manifest.

So what can I say? When I take my mind off my thoughts and feelings and set my mind on things above, not things on the earth His peace that passes understanding keeps my heart and my mind. Then I consider Him. When has His mercy or generosity toward me waned? When has His mighty arm been shorten toward me? I opened my eyes this morning and my chest was filled with breath. I have been given another day on earth to work out my salvation with fear and trembling. I have been given another day to glorify His Name through my obedience to His Word. We can be the sons of God and the light of the world. If we will humble ourselves under His mighty hand and believe He will always be with us. He will strengthen us to do that which we would not do or know to do on our own.

Therefore I pray that we would be perfect, just as our Father in heaven is perfect. And that we would just as our Lord did, endure all, for the joy that is set before us. Becoming the sons of God!

A New Commandment… continued….

This is the first time I wanted to continue with a previously written blog. Of course with my writing I hope that each of you look to your bible to determine the accuracy of what I’ve written. Remember, that you are responsible for your salvation?

On the topic of  “A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another; as I have loved you, that you also love one another.” I need to give you a more comprehensive view of God’s love for you to consider.

Let’s begin with “speaking the truth in love.”  This scripture goes on to say that we may grow up in all things into Him who is the head, Christ. Therefore, we must understand that we will not grow into maturity in Christ the head of the church without speaking the truth in love. His Word is truth. In light of our discussion if we are to love one another we must speak truth in love. We can not ignore the practice of sin amongst one another and believe we are obeying the new commandment Jesus gave us. If you love your brother why would you not speak truth him?

I can hear your argument, who am I to judge? We are the church, the body of Christ Jesus. We are to judge with His judgment and not our own, knowing that the same measurement you use it will be use to judge you. But, if you are not practicing sin as you should not be, why are you afraid to judge? Why would you be afraid to speak truth in love to your brother? And His Word goes on to say “I have written to you not to keep company with anyone named a brother, who is sexually immoral, or covetous, or an idolater, or a reviler, or a drunkard, or an extortioner, not even to eat with such a person. For what have I to do with judging those who are outside? Do you not judge those who are inside? But those who are outside God judges; Therefore put away from yourselves the evil person.” We must acknowledge His Word is talking about any of us that say we are believers but walk in sin. His Word also says, “And if any man does not obey our word by this epistle (The bible) note that man, and have no company with him, that he may be ashamed.” I truly don’t know how we are to obey either of these commands without judging. Also, His Word says, that they should be ashamed not us for discontinuing fellowship with anyone brother or sister that walks contrary to the Words of God.

His Word says, “even as they did not retain God in their knowledge, being filled with all unrighteousness, sexual immorality, wickedness, covetousness, maliciousness, full of envy, murder, strife, deceit, evil-mindedness, whispers, backbiters, haters of God, violent, proud, boasters, inventors of evil things, disobedient to parents, undiscerning, untrustworthy, unloving, unforgiving, unmerciful, who, knowing the righteous judgment of God, that those who practice such things are deserving of death, not only do the same but also approve of those who practice them.”  Beloved, God’s Word is written to His people. This scripture is not talking about the world it is talking about us, those that call themselves of Christ. Here not only are those that sin deserving of death, but also those that approve. Our approval is given through our silence and pretense of ignorance.

His Word says by our love ALL would know that we are His disciples. Therefore we must love with the love of God in obedience to His Word. If we believe Him and speak the truth in love we will be pleasing to God for our obedience and know brother that “if anyone among you wanders from the truth and someone turns him back, let him know that he who turns a sinner from the error of his way will save a soul from death and cover a multitude of sins.”

Therefore I say again, love one another!

A New Commandment

His Word says, “A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another; as I have loved you, that you also love one another. By this all will know that you are My disciples, If you have love for one another”. For the majority of us this isn’t new in that we have heard this scripture for many years. Yet, I would suggest it is absolutely new to most in that it is not a commandment that is obeyed. An important point in His statement is He identifies how we are to love one another. He says that we are to love one another as He has. This is where we fail most miserably. Instead of relying on how God loves us as our standard as He commanded we use our feelings or un-renewed minds which change continuously. Perhaps because of ignorance and/or error in teachings we qualify and distinguish ourselves not understanding His love. By this I mean not understanding the chastening and pruning of God which isn’t necessarily pleasant as God’s love. Or even the reaping of the bad seeds that have been sown as the love of God. Yet, when you know His Word and understand His ways even His rebuke demonstrates His love for you. As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten; be zealous therefore and repent.  

Dearly beloved, we all have many things in common; however, for the sake of this writing I distinguish two of them. One, we have all sinned and fallen short of the glory of God and need a Savior and Redeemer, and second we are all man made of dust by our glorious God. He in His wisdom had mercy on us and reconciled us to our Father. Not because of our value or worth but because of His greatness. God so mighty and pure dwells within earthen vessels, which we are if you have called upon His Holy Name, and are sealed by His Spirit. How is then that we can not remember our own weakness and have mercy upon our fellow brethren? How is it that we can’t remember the great love with He has loved us? His Word says, “For judgment is without mercy, to the one that shows no mercy, for mercy triumphs over judgment.”

I encourage you today to take God’s Word and arm yourselves against anything that would suggest that you can be justified in your reasoning for not loving your brethren as He has loved you. The carnal mind quickly begins to remind of all that they did to you. Yet, what have you done? Has God had mercy and forgiven you? Did you have to sit down and discuss at length, be heard, get your point across? No, I think not. At least with me, I look into the perfect law of liberty and see my iniquity, know, repent by turning away and ask God for forgiveness and press on. We need each other brethren and all the more as the day approaches. Therefore I say, love one another!

Again, He says, “Blessed are the merciful, for they shall obtain mercy”.

The Heart of Man

While mediating on the condition of man yesterday the Spirit of God reminded me of Cain. Cain was the first born son of Adam and Eve and the first murderer in history, causing the first record of death on the earth. Cain killed his younger and at the time only brother Abel. Now what is most interesting for the point of this discussion is Cain’s heart. The Word tells us God asked Cain before the murder, “Why are you angry? And why has your countenance fallen?” So we know Cain was angry and that his expression or physical appearance was noticeably upset. We all know what someone looks like when their countenance has fallen. I used to say to my children, fix your face. (They hated it!) I would inquire about what was wrong and when they would say nothing, I would tell them look in the mirror to notify their face and fix it. What we often fail to acknowledge is the condition of our heart.  Remember His Word says “it’s not what goes in a man that defiles him, but what comes out of the man. For out of the heart proceed evil thoughts, murders, adulteries, fornication, thefts, false witness or lies, and blasphemies.” In this scripture we see Cain did not answer God when asked about his anger and countenance. Although God knowing all things spoke of Cains heart and told him to do well and that he would be accepted. He also warned Cain that sin was at the door of his heart but instructed Cain to rule over it. Yet, Cain killed his brother and when God asked him where his brother was, he answered lying by saying he did not know and questioned God asking, Am I my brother’s keeper? In other words, Cain said I am not responsible.

Wow! As we read this most of us think of Cain as this despicable hate filled man. We don’t think of him as a man just like us. We separate ourselves from the heart that was in him as if that heart is not in us. And we do this in pride and ignorance. His Word says, “God saw that the wickedness of man was great in the earth, and that every imagination of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually." God is speaking of us! It is the heart of God only that separates us from the heathen. It is His blood that cleansed us and His Word that sustains us. This is accomplished through His grace and our obedience alone.

I find that it is not in the Sunday service that I am confronted about the wickedness that is within me. It’s daily.  We must strive daily through constant vigilance to heed His Word and with purposeful effort maintain ears to hear and a heart to obey. It’s work! It is the working out of our salvation with fear and trembling. An example, yesterday my son, Jeremiah addressed some comments I made about a friend of ours. I justified the reasons for my words in the moment. But in my heart I knew there was no justification. It was a small thing and could seem harmless, yet I know and believe that God saw the truth of my heart and it was wicked. It doesn’t matter how much I attempted to explain or justify the reason for my words. It didn’t matter if the person heard me or not. (The lie of the world, what they don’t see won’t hurt them) We are the ones hurt. And I was wrong. God heard me and He hears you. He knows our hearts and He alone reveals our hearts to us, whether they are good or evil. God pricked my heart to repent. I am sorry and am turning from this wickedness. We know if we will admit it when we are wrong. I know His Word says, “Keep thy heart with all diligence for out of it are the issues of life”.  

My prayer for us today: Oh Lord God, Father of lights, You from whom all blessings flow. Hear my prayer. Guide us today in truth, open our hearts to receive your Word and strengthen us to obey. Remember that your servants are the creation of your hands and have mercy on us. Then we will declare the power of your name and your faithfulness to all generations. Amen!

He called some………..

This writing has been stirring within me for a very long time. Therefore, I am compelled to speak His Word concerning His church. May He according to His Word root out, pull down, destroy and throw down as well as build and plant. Yes, I said destroy! Beloved, He said, “My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge: because you have rejected knowledge, I will also reject you, that you shall be no priest to me; seeing that you have forgotten the law of your God, I will also forget my children.” We hear the beginning of this verse quoted regularly yet fail to acknowledge all that He has said, in that we are destroyed because the knowledge of Him is rejected. This is the subject that I will speak with you today concerning, rejecting the knowledge of God.

Little children, as John referred to us as is appropriate in this regard. Truly you act as little children that are unaware of your actions. First I must make it clear that it is not the responsibility of your leader (be it pastor, bishop, etc) to provide you with the knowledge of God. For many this is the error which causes them to not have a foundation within themselves and to never grow. For they wait faithfully for a man to speak the Words of God to them. Foolish ones and slow of heart. Jesus became our High priest so that we would each have access to God. God gave us His Holy Spirit to lead us, guide us and teach us of Him. And of course He has given us His Word, (the bible) which we have in abundance. He did give us some apostles, prophets, evangelist, pastors and teachers.  Until we come to maturity. Some…. Have you ever considered that Jesus choose twelve? Those twelve turned the known world around with the gospel of Jesus Christ. Today we have umpteenth pastors, apostles, prophets, etc in each congregation within each city, within each state, within each country. I am sure you get my point. And to what avail, so that you can sit and wait for some one to provide you with the knowledge of God to consider? I say this to your shame and to the shame of your leaders. Who exactly is benefiting from your behavior? Certainly not you and not the God of heaven! He is not glorified in a lazy, ignorant church. As He said, you reject His knowledge and He rejects you.

We have been blessed beyond measure, yet are full of lust, selfishness and disregard for the holiness of God. You are repeating history and have clamored for a king to fight your battles for you, one that you can see and blame for your misfortune. While waiting for some one to give you the next Word to set you free, or put your mind at ease for a moment. You will never know the liberty of God until you come to the knowledge of His Word.: “If the Son makes you free, you shall be free indeed, but My Word has no place in you”.

We must first know the Word of God for ourselves. Which means you must pick up your own bible and read it, daily. Then we must obey each and every Word spoken regardless of how we feel, what anyone says, or how you will be perceived. You will find many thoughts and beliefs you’ve embraced are contrary to His Word. Therefore, repent! And turn from your wickedness and God will forgive you. And walk anew! And you will find the knowledge of Him! That knowledge will give you all things that pertain to life and godliness. You will find God! Isn’t that what we all want?

The power of God’s Word

I am blessed to be a witness to the testimony of the power of God’s Word in my husband Donnie’s life. Today is Donnie’s birthday and God alone deserves all honor and praise for His goodness toward him and those who love Him. Donnie’s life is a demonstration of the power of the Word of God. I have observed the Word of God manifest in his life and change him into the man he is today.

For those of you that don’t know Donnie. He is not a man that has walked without challenges. He is a man that has struggled with lust, pride and sin. He is a man like all of us. Yet, he has continued to walk with God and to pursue Jesus and His righteousness. By the power of God’s Word and Donnie’s perseverance in yielding through repentance and obeying the Word of God he is becoming the man that God has called him to be and one that I am committed to walking with for the rest of my life. 

The Word of God says that we should be living epistles to be read of all men. When I read the epistle of Donnie’s life I learn of God’s faithfulness. I see God’s strong right arm of deliverance. I see how the Word of God can change a heart and life as he has submitted himself to God’s Word. I have watched God by the Word of His power give strength where there was no strength and give honor where there was shame. Donnie is now a man that his wife honors, his community acknowledges, his co-workers admire, and his children respect. He is a brother in Christ, elder in the church and a father to countless believers. God demonstrates His strength through Donnie and also His gentleness. He is a man that is not ashamed of the gospel of Jesus Christ for it is the power of God that has changed his life. I am blessed to be a witness and write today in giving honor where honor is due.

I am proud to be called his wife. And as Sarah honored Abraham through obedience and was not ashamed to call him lord, I honor my husband today and everyday (I pray) in word and deed. This is the blessing I pray for Donnie and for all of you that love the Lord: “May the Lord bless you and keep you; May the Lord make His face shine upon you, and be gracious to you; May the Lord look upon you with favor and give you peace.”

Father, I pray that you give Donnie and I many more years together. Oh and Lord, and may we live to see our children’s children!
Happy Birthday, I love you, Honey!