This is my first post, and I am very excited to have a space to share the strength, excitement, joy, and peace that I find in reading the word of God. It is my heartfelt hope that others may find encouragement in these words.
I have been told that I am a pillar of strength. I feel quite the contrary. People that know me well, are amazed that my elevator still goes up, and the lights are still on. The truth is, the word of God has rescued me. It is like fire shut up in my bones. This reminds me of a passage in the book of Luke, where Jesus speaks of a reed shaken in the wind. This is a representation of someone who is dense (dimly lit), and spiritually weak. It was not a representation of John, and it is not a representation of me. John 6:63 “It is the spirit that quickeneth; the flesh profiteth nothing: The words that I speak unto you, they are spirit, and they are life.” What did they think that they would see?
1 Corinthians 9:24 Know ye not that they which run in a race run all, but one receiveth the prize? So run, that ye may obtain. (King James Version)
About three months ago I wrote about The Acts 1-7. I finally finished the rest of the Book a few days ago. There is no way to touch on so many great things in one post, so this entry is the sum of what is Burning in My Heart. I see myself coming closer to the finish line. Just like a foot race, it’s my goal to pick up speed. Paul ran an awesome race.
Paul (formerly Saul) was a Pharisee and a persecutor of Christians (Philippians 3:1-5), yet he was a chosen vessel unto God. He suffered many things for preaching Jesus (Acts 9:15-16). He was beaten by the Jews five times, receiving thirty-nine stripes each time, stoned once, shipwrecked three times, and had many perilous journeys in which he suffered pain, hunger, weariness, and cold, besides all of that, he had the care of all of the churches (2 Corinthians11: 24-28). As I read about these events it pricked my heart because he was a man that had undoubtedly left the comforts of This Life considering them dung that he would win Christ (Philippians 3:8), yet I am so easily distracted by the cares of this world.
I wondered why Paul was so insistent on going to Jerusalem when he was warned of the Holy Ghost of what he would suffer there (Acts 21:10-14). It seems that his motive was to Bless the poor saints at Jerusalem with the gifts collected from the Gentile churches (Romans 15:25-28) (Acts 24:17). It is mentioned that Paul wanted to be at Jerusalem by the day of Pentecost, which is the second of three great annual festivals. It is called (1) the feast of weeks (Exodus 34:22), because it was celebrated seven complete weeks, or fifty days after the Passover. (2) the feast of the Harvest, because it concluded the harvest of latter grains (barley) (Exodus 23:16), (3) the day of the first fruits (Numbers28:26), because the first loaves from the new grain (wheat) were offered on the alter (Leviticus 23:17), (Unger and Harrison. “Pentecost” The New Unger’s Bible Dictionary”. 414.). God chose this day to send the Gift of the Holy Ghost, and man became His Tabernacle (Acts 2:1-2). He has empowered us not only to live a Godly life, but to work in His field.
Jesus said, “Lift up your eyes, and look on the fields; for they are white already to harvest” (John 4:35). “The harvest truly is plenteous, but the laborers are few: Pray ye therefore the Lord of the harvest, that he will send forth laborers into his harvest” (Matthew 9:37-38).
This is our calling.This is our race.This world needs Jesus! If you have a gift, it’s time to use it. If God put something inside of you, use it for his glory. If the world didn’t give it to you, then the world can’t take it away. If you have a prayer of faith, pray it. If you have a song, sing it. If you have a victory shout, shout it. If you have a dance, dance. Just let God be God! Give Him Glory, Amen.
2 Timothy 4:1-8
4:2 Preach the word; be instant in season (no definite fixed hours); reprove, rebuke, exhort with all longsuffering and doctrine. (Charles Ellicott Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers)
4:7 Fight a good fight. Finish your course. Keep the faith.
References
Unger, Merrill F., and R.K.Harrison, editors. The New Unger’sBible Dictionary. Moody Publishers, 2006
Ellicott, Charles. Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers. Bible Hub, Accessed November 24, 2025. Bible Hub.”.
Joshua 5:9 And the Lord said unto Joshua, This day have I rolled away the reproach of Egypt from off you. Wherefore the name of this place is called Gilgal (A rolling) unto this day. (King James Version)
Pictured above are the steps that I walked up and down daily when I was eight years old. I wish that someone could sit one of them in my front yard and engrave the name “Gilgal” on it as a Daily reminder that God has rolled Egypt off of me. I Don’t Live There Anymore! Just Let It Go!
I read the Book of Joshua yesterday, then I was overtaken with depression. I wondered how that could be. As I thought about Joshua, I realized how God uses his Word to heal us. The Lord knew what I was facing before I even saw it coming.
Joshua was born intoslaveryin Egypt. He was not only in the wilderness for forty years, but a slave for more than forty years. He was Approximately eighty-two years old when they crossed over to the Promised Land where he ruled for twenty-eight years (Ussher qtd. In Scofield,259) and died at one hundred-ten years old. His life was not an easy one. It brought to my mind the squeezing of the olive to produce the Oil (The Anointing).
Joshua was commissioned by the Lord to go out and Possess the Land (As We Are). Here we read about Rahab the harlot hiding the two spies because the fear of Our God had melted the hearts of men (Josh. 2:11). Oh, My Goodness!! On the seventh day, and the seventh time marching around the walls of Jericho, they All came down With a Shout, Amen (Josh. 6:15-20).
This is a Power Packed Book for sure! Joshua 3:10 And Joshua said, Hereby ye shall know that the Living God is among you, and that He Will Without Fail drive out from before you the Canaanites, and the Hittites, and the Hivites, and the Perizzites, and the Girgashites, and the Amorites, and the Jebusites.
How I Love That! We can replace those words with our own enemies, such as depression, anxiety, sickness, worry, stress, unforgiveness, and Heaviness in general. Sometimes my yesterdays are heavy, and I just need to lay them down (Let God roll Egypt off of me).
It came to pass that when these enemies had heard of all the things that Our God had done, they came out against the children of Israel in Multitudes, even as the sand is on the seashore (Josh. 11:1-8). Well now, doesn’t that sound familiar? Maybe they didn’t hear about the five kingdoms that rose up, and how Our God took out more men with hailstones than were slain by swords (Josh 10:11).
In the words of Joshua:
23:14 And, behold, this day I am going the way of the earth: and ye Know in All your Hearts and in All your Souls, thatNot One thing hath failed of All the Good things which the Lord Your God Spake Concerning You…….
24:14-15 Now therefore fear (reverentialtrust) the Lord, and serve Him in Sincerity and in Truth: and put away the other gods which your fathers served on the other side of the flood, AND in Egypt: and Serve ye the Lord. 15…………….Choose this day who you will serve:……………. As for me and my house we will serve the Lord. Amen
Works Cited
The Bible, Scofield Reference Edition, edited by Cyrus I. Scofield, Oxford University Press, 1917
2 Corinthians 11:3 But I fear, lest by any means, as the serpent beguiled Eve through his subtilty (craftiness), so your minds should be corruptedfrom the simplicityin Christ. (King James Version)
This entry will be different because I have been on a Spiritual journey which has brought me out different on the other side of it. The picture above is special to me because it is a picture of my bedroom, my Peaceful place, and my homemade curtains, where my revelation began.
I have recently moved, and I was looking for some bedroom curtains. I used my last forty-two dollars to purchase four eighty-four-inch-long panels, in hopes that I could make enough curtains to cover all of the windows. I usually go for more plain things, but my life was feeling like death, and the budding branches on these panels reminded me of life.
I was physically, mentally, emotionally, financially, and spiritually exhausted as I laid on my bed admiring my curtains, when I heard God speak to my heart, “Are you bearing any fruit today?” I wondered how I could bear fruit in this desert place.
I can’t go into every detail of my journey, but I can tell you that I lost someone dear to my heart. God was Mighty in suppling my needs on a two-week journey that left me emptier than I wanted to be, and fuller than I could ever have imagined. Now each day when I admire my curtains, they remind me that God wants me to be a fruit bearing branch. As I look back on it now, I can see that some of our most precious fruit is born in a desert place, and only possible when we are Connected to The Vine.
Many times, I have wondered why some people are very prosperous and others barely get by. Through the many things that I have gone through in the last few years, God has taught me that I am Complete in Him. He has done Great things! I have family members who are still here with me when the Dr.’s had given us no hope, ButGod saw my tears in the night. Now I wake up in my peaceful place with a New understanding of these words in my heart, “And he lifted up his eyes on his disciples, and said, Blessed be ye poor: for yours is the kingdom of God” (Luke 6:20-26). I had read this many times before, but about a week ago it sunk into my spirit that Jesus was talking to his disciples.
I’m not saying that it is wrong to prosper. God blesses his people, but we are to be channels, not reservoirs. He is our provider and ever-present help in times of trouble, Amen. What I am saying is that the “prosperity preaching” of the age is being used to exploit and corrupt the minds of Christians. Not everybody is called to be wealthy. It’s not about planting a seed and reaping a harvest. God is not a slot machine. We give because we love. We are called daily to plant an uncommon seed. It is called Love Unfeigned, which is sincere and without hypocrisy. It gives of itself.
Galatians 6:8-9
8 For he that soweth to his flesh shall of the flesh reap corruption: but he that soweth to the Spirit shall of the Spirit reap life everlasting. 9 And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not.
Jesus’ words on reaping the harvest were these; “The harvest is plenteous, but the laborers are few”. (Matt. 9:37-38)
In the words of Paul, “but godliness with contentment is great gain”. (1Timothy 6:3-12)
As I pondered on these things this morning it occurred to me that it was in the desert that God sent water from the rock. As I read in my Bible about all of these stiff-necked rebellious people, I realize that I am one as well. I am so thankful that from Jesus Christ, the Chief Cornerstone, and The Rock of Our Salvation flows an endless supply of Living Water, Amen
Revelation 22:17
And the Spirit and the bride say, Come. And let him that heareth say, Come. And whosoever will, let him take the water of life freely.
Be it known unto you all, and to all the people of Israel, that by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom ye crucified, whom God raised from the dead, even by him doth this man stand here before you whole. (King James Version)
I have learned that Luke is the author of the book of “The Acts”, and it is widely considered to be a sequel to the Book of Luke (Acts 1:1-4). The Book of Luke depicts the life of Jesus. The Book of Acts records Jesus’ ascension, the infilling of the Holy Ghost, the Actions of the apostles, and the expansion of The Faith. As Jesus exalted and revealed the Father in the Book of Luke, the Spirit exalts and reveals Jesus in the Book of Acts (Scofield, 1909).
The Book of Acts consists of twenty-eight chapters. I have read it in its entirety, but this time after I read the first seven chapters I felt like it was a good place to stop and reflect. It just felt like the ending of the first chain of events to me.
I learned that a sabbath day’s journey is approximately a half of a mile. While they were in the upper room, continuing in prayer, Matthias was numbered with the eleven, replacing Judas. I find it interesting that at the time of Judas’s death All of his bowels gushed out (Acts 1:18). Now there is something to think about!
Though the world will try to say the baptism of the Holy Ghost is not for today (Acts 2), they will be sadly mistaken. Nowhere in the Bible does it say that. With all humility I can tell you that I pray with the Spirit and the understanding also (1 Cor. 14:14-15). It is the gift of God, yet the Bible makes it clear that if we don’t know the Language of Love, we are just making noise (1 Cor. 13:1).
I will forever remember that the first apostolic miracle was the lame man who was laid at the gate of the temple, and that from that time forward they were commanded not to speak At All or to Teach in the Name of Jesus. I can still hear the voice of my preacher quoting their prayer, “And now, Lord, behold their threatenings and grant unto thy servants, that with all boldness they may speak thy word, By stretching forth thine hand to heal; and that signs and wonders may be done by the name of thy holy child Jesus” (Acts 4:29-30).
God honored that prayer insomuch that they were laying people in the streets hoping that Peters shadow would pass over them. There were multitudes of people sick and vexed with evil spirits: and they were healed Every One Of Them (Acts 5:15). The apostles faced imprisonment and were beaten, for which they rejoiced being found worthy to suffer for His Name. They ceased Not to teach and preach Jesus Christ. (Acts 5:41:42)
As for the Sadducees being grieved at the preaching of the resurrection from the dead. That same preacher told me once, “That’s why their sad you see”?
The stoning of Stephen (who was full of faith and power) was the third persecution, and Stephen was the first martyr. They were not able to resist the wisdom and the spirit by which he spoke (Acts 6:10). He expounded the Faith from the time of Abraham. He called them stiff-necked, uncircumcised in the heart and ears, and resisters of the Holy Ghost, just like their fathers (Acts 7:51). Here again, they were cut to the heart. (Acts 5:33, 7:34)
I love what Stephen said in Acts 7:39 speaking of the years in the wilderness, within their heartsthey had turned back to Egypt. Wow!
For some reason it was in my mind that Stephen saw the heavens open as he was being stoned, but he beheld the glory of God, and Jesus standing at God’s right hand before the stoning had begun (Acts7:54-56). When Stephen spoke of this they cast him out of the city and stoned him (Acts :58). They stoned him as he prayed. I wonder if this is why God gave him the vision of the heavens being opened. This reminds me of Psalms 23:5, “Thou preparest a table for me in the presence of mine enemies”.
“And they laid down their clothes at a young man’s feet whose name was Saul” (Acts 7:58), whom God had predestined to become the Apostle to the Gentiles (Acts 9:15). Which in my mind begins the next chain of events.
Conclusion:
This world is still fighting against the Name of Jesus, but to no avail. ” Wherefore God also hath highly exalted him and given him a name: That at the at the name of Jesus every knee shall bow, of things in heaven, of things in earth: And that every tongue shall confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the gloryof God the Father” (Phil. 2:9-11). There is still only one Gospel. It is the Gospel of Jesus Christ.
The Gospel when preached in the power of the Spirit convicts or enrages. (Scofield, 1909) (Acts 2:37)
References:
Scofield Reference Bible, King James Version (1945). Oxford University Press
For all the law is fulfilled in one word, even in this; Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself.
The Book of Galatians consists of six power packed chapters. Although we can never reach the full richness of the Word of God, for this day, this is what I have taken from this Awesome Book. It was written by the Apostle Paul, a sinner saved by Grace through Faith, Amen.
If I mix the Traditions of men into the Gospel of Grace, then I have perverted the Gospel of Christ, putting Him to death in vein. (Galatians 1:7, 1:14, 2:21). (King James Version)
Paul (Apostle to the Gentiles) was previously a zealous Jew. He was deeply rooted in the Traditions of his fathers. When God called him by GRACE, he did not confer with flesh and blood, but he received the Gospel of Christ through revelation. After three years he went to Jerusalem and spent fifteen days with Peter (Apostle to the Jews) (Gal.2:8). At that time, he saw no other apostles besides James (Jesus’s brother). He spent the next fourteen years preaching the Gospel of Grace among the Gentiles. After fourteen years, he went to Jerusalem by revelation (Acts 16:9).
I need to stop here, and reflect; This says to me that if I want to be led by the Spirit, I need to spend time with the Lord. I am absolutely guilty of conferring with others for the comfort and direction that Only the Lord can give.
I also found it noteworthy that false brethren had crept in to spy out the Liberty of the Gospel of Christ. It appears that “these people” seemed to be something Special, but Paul makes it clear that God accepts No mans Person.
I can’t count the times that I have marveled at the thought of heaven, where all of us are actually regarded equally! If I could only remember Who I am in Jesus I could live in that reality on this side of life, and why do we marvel when false brethren are among us? It’s nothing new. They have always been slipping in with some prestigious appearance to pervert the Gospel of Christ. Discernment is also found at the feet of Jesus, Amen.
Paul does Not teach us that Grace allows us to live an ungodly lifestyle (Romans6:1-4, Ephesians 41-5), yet he lived by grace each day. There’s some depth here! Consider Paul’s “Thorn in his flesh” (which I believe was Ophthalmia) (Gal. 4:15,6:11); In the Jewish religion it would have deemed him useless for Priestly duties, but not only did God Almighty choose him to preach the Gospel of Jesus Christ, I think that He gave him that “Thorn” to save Paul from that ugly thing that we all fight with called Self (Acts 9) (2Cor. 12:8)). Amen!
We are the children of God byFaith in Christ Jesus (Gal. 3:26). The law cannot disannul the Covenant that God confirmed in Christ four hundred and thirty years before it was even written (Gal.3:17). No man is justified by the law in the sight of God, it is evident: for, The just shall live by faith (Gal.3:11).
Now Abraham had two sons, one by a bondmaid, and the other by a free woman. The son born of the bondmaid was born after the Flesh; but the son of the free woman was a child of Promise. These are an allegory: for these are the two Covenants; the one from Mount Sinai which genders bondage is Agar, but we as Isaac, are children of Promise (Gal.4:22-31).
The Word makes it clear to us, “Cast out the bondwoman and her son”(Gal.4:30)! We have fallen from Grace if our Faith is justified by the works of the flesh (Gal. 5:4). Let’s take this scripture into context here; a little leaven leavens the whole lump (Gal5:9).
I can still hear Pastor Don Dwyer quoting Galatians 5:7 Ye did run well; who did hinder you that you should not obey the truth?
Why would we be so foolish to justify ourselves by our traditions, and not take into consideration the works of the flesh or the fruit of the Spirit (Gal. 5:17-26)? Would not the world in which we are to be a light, consider us to be as whitewashed tombs full of hypocrisy?
Let us Cast out the bondwoman and Freely open our hearts to Jesus Christ our Lord and Savior, for we are saved through Faith: and that Not of ourselves: it is the Gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast (Eph. 2:8-9).
For God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish but have everlasting life.
In the words of Scofield, “The four Gospels record the eternal being, human ancestry, birth, death, resurrection, and ascension of Jesus the Christ, Son of God, and Son of Man. They record also a selection from the incidents of His life, and also from His words and works. Taken together, they set forth, not a biography, but a Personality.” I Love That! (The Scofield Reference Bible, KJV)
The book of John (The Love Book) is one of my favorites. I cry every time I read it. Until now, I never really thought about why it touches me so deeply. I think it is because it speaks to my heart about the depth of a personal relationship with Jesus.
Although the book of Acts (Acts of the Apostles) follows it, the book of John is the only one of the four Gospels that does not record Jesus’ commissioning the twelve Apostles, however John does mention “the twelve” (John6:67). I find it quite fitting that it was the last of the four Gospels written, because it is centered more on relationship. Without a personal relationship with Jesus, our works (Acts) are dead (John 15:5).
It has been debated whether or not John was one of the “two disciples” (of John the Baptist) that followed Jesus, and if he wrote the book of John. Because John refers to himself as “the disciple that Jesus loved”, I find it probable that he would also refer to himself as one of “the two” disciples according to John 1:34. I think that John makes it clear that he is author of the book in John 21:24.
The calling of Peter, Andrew, James and John are recorded in the book of Mark (1:16-20), so in reading John 1:35-49 I know that Andrew and Peter already knew who Jesus was. They abode with him for the day (John 1:39). At times when my faith runs thin it would behoove me to remember that Jesus KNEW Peter before he called him! The first time that Jesus laid eyes on him he called him Cephas (a stone) (John 1:42). It is no coincidence that at Peter’s revelation that Jesus is the Son of the living God, that Jesus said, “Thou art Peter (a small stone), and upon this rock will I build my church: and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it” (Matt. 16:18). I also find it interesting that when Jesus ordained “the twelve”, he surnamed James and John (Boanerges) (The sons of thunder) (Mark 3:17). When a village of Samaritans would not receive him, they asked Jesus if he wanted them to call down fire from heaven to consume them (Luke 9:54). HE KNOWS US!
After Jesus called Phillip, Phillip went to get Nathaniel. Phillip called Jesus “the son of Joseph”(man), but because Jesus KNEW Nathaniel, Nathaniel said, you are “the Son of God“(John 1:43-49).
When Jesus taught in the synagogue at Capernaum that he is the bread of life, many of his disciples were offended. From that time, they went back and walked with him no more (John 6:66). This is noteworthy because my heart sank within me when Jesus said to “the twelve”, Will you also go away (John 6:67)?
It is my feeling that John is also the disciple that went into the palace with Jesus and came back to get Peter who was standing outside the door (John 18:15-16). Scripture then tells us that Peter denied the Lord three times. The Gospel of Luke says that Jesus turned, and looked upon Peter, who then went out and wept bitterly (Luke 22:61-62).
At the crucifixion:
John 19; 26 When Jesus therefore saw his mother, and the disciple standing by, whom he loved (John), he said unto his mother, Woman behold thy son! 27 Then said he to the disciple, Behold thy mother! And from that hour that disciple took her unto his own home. RELATIONSHIP!
After the resurrection:
Jesus appeared to the disciples: Thomas not present
He stood in the midst of them and showed them his hands and his side. He said, “Peace be unto you: as my Father hath sent me, even so send I you” (John 20:19-21).
And when he had said this,he breathed on them, and said unto them, Receive ye the Holy Ghost:
I CRIED
John 25 (Thomas) “Except I see in his hands the print of the nails, and put my finger into the print of the nails, and thrust my hand into his side, I will not believe.”
John 20:26-28
26 Again after eight days his disciples were within, and Thomaswith them: then came Jesus, the doors being shut, and stood in the midst, and said, Peace be unto you. 27 Then saith he to Thomas, reach hither thy finger, and behold my hands; and reach hither thy hand, and thrust it into my side: and be not faithless but believing. 28 Then Thomas answered and said unto him, My Lord and my God.
I CRIED
John 21 (last chapter)
Here again, John has referred to himself as “one of the two” other disciples. Here again, I wept as I pictured Jesus calling out to them from the shore. They had caught nothing all night, but at his command they let down their net down on the right side. It was completely full, but it did not break. When the disciple that Jesus loved (John) said to Peter, “It is the Lord” I was again moved to tears. When Peter heard that it was the Lord, he put his fishers coat on and jumped overboard to meet him. As soon as they had come to land, they saw a fire of coals with fish and bread prepared. Jesus saith to them, “Come and dine”.
15 So when they had dined, Jesus saith to Simon Peter, Simon, Son of Jonas, lovest thou me more than these? He saith unto him, Yea, Lord; thou knowest that I love thee. He saith unto him, Feed my lambs. 16 He saith to him again the second time, Simon, Son of Jonas, lovest thou me? He saith unto him, Yea, Lord; thou knowest that I love thee. He saith unto him, Feed my sheep. 17 He saith unto him the third time, Simon, Son of Jonas, lovest thou me? Peter was grieved because he said unto him the third time, Lovest thou me? And he said unto him, Lord, thou knowest all things; thou knowest that I love thee. Jesus saith unto him, Feed my sheep.
Jesus then tells Peter that when he is old, he will be bound and carried to a place that he would rather not go (speaking of what death he would glorify God). He instructs him, “Follow me”. Then in Peter’s humanness, he asked Jesus what John would do. Jesus told Peter that Johns calling was none of his concern, and again instructed him, “Follow thou me”. RELATIONSHIP
This book is so wonderful that I am finding it difficult trying to keep my scope within context! There is a scripture that means so much to me that I have to include it. When Judas brought the band of soldiers to take Jesus, when Jesus said “I am he” they All fell down backwards to the ground (John 18:6). The first time that this hit my spirit, I thought that I might shout my house down! When Jesus speaks, they All fall down! He forever stands on the shoreline of my life calling unto me, “Come and Dine”. RELATIONSHIP
In conclusion Jesus has reminded us that we will face persecution as he did. The servant is not greater than his Lord (John 15:20). He has commanded us to love one another as he has loved us (John 13:34). By this shall all men know that you are my disciples, if ye have love one to another (John 13:35).
John 4:35 Say not ye, there are yet four months, and then cometh harvest? behold, I say unto you, Lift up your eyes, and look on the fields; for they are white and already to harvest.
1.Give ear, O ye heavens, and I will speak; and hear, O earth, the words of my mouth. 2. My doctrine shall drop as the rain, my speech shall distill as the dew, as the small rain upon the tender herb, and as the showers upon the grass: 3 Because I will publish the name of the Lord: ascribe ye greatness unto our God. (King James Version)
Jesus said that when we pray without doubt in our hearts we can speak to the mountain, and it will be removed (Mark 11:23). I absolutely believe this, yet the Lord has taught me that the Greatest prayer that I can pray is for His Sovereign Will to be done (Matt. 6:10). My prayer is “Lord, do whatever it takes”. I know when I pray for salvation that I am praying in His will.
I love those times when I can feel God listening to me pray! Sometimes I listen for God to tell me what to pray, and sometimes I come before Him with my petition. There are times when I am as dry as a bone. One thing is for sure, I can speak (Drop) the Word of the Lord over any situation! It is Quick and Powerful, and Sharper than any twoedged sword (Heb. 4:12). Amen!
I have been praying for some time that the Lord would excite my heart with His Word and anoint me to write about it. He has answered that prayer! I started reading Jeremiah Chapter 43. God told him to prophesy to the remnant of Judah warning them Not to flee into Egypt to escape Babylonian captivity. They did not obey.
I somehow ended up in Ezekiel Chapter 20. It came to pass that certain of the elders of Israel came to enquire of the Lord. The Lord said, “As I live, I will not be enquired of by you”. When He brought them out of the land of Egypt, He told them to cast away their abominations, and not to be defiled with the idols of Egypt.
As I was reading Chapter 21 the excitement hit me!
21:2 Son of man, set thy face toward Jerusalem, and drop thy word (20:46) toward the holy places, and prophesy against the land of Israel. In verse 6 he instructs Ezekiel to sigh with bitterness before their eyes, so that when they ask him why he can answer to them, because of what is coming upon you. In verse 12 God instructs him to cry and howl for the terrors to be brought upon His people by reason of the sword. He also instructs him to smite his thigh. God tells him in verse 14 to clap his hands as he prophesies in representation of the sword being doubled the third time.
In reading these scriptures I tried to Invision these things. I even laughed with great joy. He Is a Radicle God! I thought of the times that I had the unction to walk around my kitchen table while clapping my hands and setting my face toward the people that I was praying for while I spoke the Words, “Dry bones hear the word of the Lord and LIVE”.
I pray that I will always remember to set my face in the in the proper direction, and to practice dropping the Word of God. It would be the greatest honor to be radical for my Lord, Amen.
Isaiah 55:10-11
10. For as the rain cometh down, and the snow from heaven, and returneth not thither, but watereth the earth, and maketh it bring forth and bud, that it may give seed to the sower, and bread to the eater: 11. So shall my Word be that goeth forth out of my mouth: it shall not return unto me void, but it shall accomplish that which I please, and it shall prosper in the thing whereto I sent it.
Crooner: Typically, a male singer who sings sentimental songs in a soft, low voice.
I had this word in my head for two days, but I didn’t know what it meant, so I googled it. For the next two days I had a song in there as well. It goes as follows:
“I keep falling in love with him over and over and, over and over again. He gets sweeter and sweeter as the days go by. Oh, what a love between my Lord and I, just keep falling in love with him over and over and over and over again.”
I do not think that this was a mere coincidence. I have been seeking God for quite some time to let me hear His voice again. My actual prayer was this, “Lord let me fall in love with you again. Teach me to keep my eyes and ears open and My Mouth Shut! Please let me hear Your Voice. ” As I lotion my feet each day I also pray that He will guide and direct my steps.
I have not fallen away from God, in fact, God has been moving mightily in the lives of my family and doing works that Only He could do, yet I have been exposed to an atmosphere that has caused me to face my scars.
The truth is that I have some ugliness inside of me. The good news is that God is faithful. He Sings Songs of Deliverance Over Me. He is the first and Greatest Crooner of All Time.
Psalm 32:7 Thou art my hiding place; thou shalt preserve me from trouble; thou shalt compass me about with songs of deliverance. Selah (musical pause) KJV
I have come to the realization that the longer we live, the more baggage we can carry. God has shown me that this is not an excuse to be controlled by the Flesh in my attitudes and behavior.
Sometimes we separate sin. God does not. This is clear in the 5th chapter of Galatians. Variance, (quarreling), Strife (discontentment), Lasciviousness (wantonness), and Envy (jealousy) are listed right along with Witchcraft, Idolatry, Adultery, Murder, and Drunkenness.
Galatians 5:22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, 23 Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law.
Ephesians 4 goes hand in hand with this teaching, stating that we are to Walk worthy of the vocation of our calling, with Lowliness, Meekness, and Longsuffering, forbearing one another in Love.
Revelation 2:4 Nevertheless I have somewhat against thee, because thou hast left thy first love. 5 Remember therefore from whence thou art fallen, and repent, and do the first works; or else I will come unto the quickly, and I will remove thy candlestick out of his place, except thou repent.
I am not saying that I have overcame my shortcomings. I cannot acquire the fruits of the Spirit on my own. I am saying that I have heard His voice. He speaks to us in many different ways. I can repent. His Mercy is new every day (Lamentations 3:22-23). If I draw nigh unto Him, He will draw nigh unto me (James 4:8).
Psalm 32 1 Blessed is he whose transgression is covered. 2 Blessed is the man unto whom the Lord imputeth not iniquity, and in whose spirit there is no guile. 3 When I kept silence my bones waxed old through my roaring all the day long. 4 For day and night thy hand was upon me: my moisture is turned into drought of summer. Selah 5 I acknowledged my sin unto thee, and mine iniquity have I not hid. I said, I will confess my transgressions unto the Lord; and thou forgavest the iniquity of my sin. Selah 6 For this shall every one that is Godly pray unto thee in a time when thou mayest be found: surely in the floods of great waters they shall not come nigh unto him. 7 Thou art my hiding place; thou shalt preserve me from trouble; thou shalt compass me about with songs of deliverance. Selah8 I will instruct thee and teach thee in the way which thou shalt go: I will guide thee with mine eye. 9 Be ye not as the horse, or as the mule, which have no understanding: whose mouth must be held with a bit and bridle, lest they come near unto thee. 10 Many sorrows shall be to the wicked: but he that trusteth in the Lord, mercy shall compass him about. 11 Be glad in the Lord, and rejoice ye righteous: and shout for joy, all ye that are upright in heart.
For the past year God has thumped me with Galatians 5 and Ephesians 4, now with Psalm32 and Revelation 2 He has encouraged me and given me direction. As you have read this, I hope that you can see the Relationship between a frail human being and an All Knowing, Merciful Savior. I also hope this is an encouragement for those who feel that they are falling short. Just keep talking to God and Listen for His Voice. Do Not Give Up! He Is Faithful, Amen.
Galatians 2:21
I do not frustrate the Grace of God: for if righteousness came by the law; then Christ is dead in vain. (KJV)
This post goes out to those who struggle with Self-Condemnation and Religion. Life is a Journey, and We All fall down sometimes. The spirit is at war with the flesh. We All have our own life struggles and personal demons to fight. The One Element of Survival is Faith. It is what gives us the Strength to Get Up, Dust ourselves off, and move forward.
It is Ironic that Paul wrote not only the book of Galatians, but three-fourths of the New Testament, since he was a Hebrew of Hebrews (Pharisee) (Phil. 3:4-6), and a persecutor of Christians (Gal. 1:9). He counted all of that dung that he would win Christ, and be found in Him, not having his own righteousness, which is of the law, but that which is the righteousness of God by Faith. He was a chosen vessel of God for a Greater picture of Grace (Acts 9:15).
In the Old Testament (Covenant) men lived under the Levitical Law. That law could not change the hearts of men (Heb. 8:10) or disannul the PROMISE that God gave to Abraham four-hundred-thirty years earlier. That PROMISE was JESUS CHRIST. When we are Baptized into Christ we become the Seeds of Abraham, and heirs according to the PROMISE (Galatians 3).
Therefore, let us Stand fast in the Liberty in which Christ has made us free, knowing that God is looking on the Inner Man. Let us come Boldly to the Throne of Grace with An Open and Honest Heart. No matter what personal demons we are fighting (Drugs, Pornography, Alcoholism, Hatred, etc…). God Is Bigger! The Blood of bulls and goats could not cleanse a man, but the Blood of Christ and the Indwelling of His Spirit can (Heb. 9:12). We are no longer under the law of sin and death. We are under a Greater Law, which is Love Unfeigned.
This Love not only gives us the Grace that we need on our Journey, but it empowers us to walk in this Higher Calling along the way. God is So Faithful! He knows that we will fall down, so He teaches us Line Upon Line, Precept upon Precept (Isaiah 28:9-10).
The Book of Galatians was my inspiration for this post. I have read it many times before, but this time God has given me a Life Changing Revelation. It is so Evident in these scriptures how Personal God is, and how He really does look on the Heart (1 Sam. 16:7). No matter how many times that I attend church, or tithe, or how I present my bodily appearance, my connection (openness) with God Must be Strong enough to Change My Inner Man, To Create the Kind of Faith in me that Makes me get up when I fall.
I can’t worry about how someone else is walking. God wants me to look at how I am walking. He has filled me with His Spirit, and Tabernacles within My Heart. I am now Empowered to overcome the works of the flesh, such as living in Wantonness, Jealousy, Competition, and Debate. These may appear to be small things, but in God’s eyes they are big things that can cost me Heaven (Gal. 5:17-21), but when I submit myself wholly unto the Lord, it produces the Fruit of the Spirit in which I cannot attain on my own. These Fruits are not only necessary in my effectiveness for Christ, but they are also necessary for my own Peacefulness of Life as well. I must also say that these are areas in which I have failed miserably in times past, but I have been learning how fulfilling Meekness, Humbleness, and Giving of myself can be. It is truly Amazing!
Let us be like Paul, putting our yesterdays behind us, and reaching forward for the prize of the High Calling of God (Phil.3:13-14), which is our reasonable service (Romans 12:1) (Lifestyle).
May We All Grow in Grace and Knowledge (2 Peter 3:18), In Jesus Name I Pray, Amen
They are set in their place having No Power to Move or to Save (Isaiah 46:7). Who hath formed a god, or molten an image that is profitable for nothing (Isaiah 44;10)? The Lord Hates Idolatry (Deuteronomy 16:22) (KJV).
This is not a suggestion. It is a commandment. “Thou shall have no other gods before me. Thou shalt not make unto thee any graven image, or any likeness of any thing that is in heaven above, or that is in the earth beneath, or that is in the water under the earth. Thou shalt not bow down thyself to them: for I the Lord thy God am a jealous God…. (Exodus 20:3-5)”
Thus saith the Lord and King of Israel, and his redeemer (Holy Spirit) the Lord of hosts, I am the first, and I am the last; and beside me there is no God. (Isaiah 44:6)
In this day and time, the effects of globalism are being felt around the world. While we walk in love toward our fellow man, we must Hold On to our Unwavering Faith. We no longer have to travel the world to fulfill the Great Commission (Matthew 28:19), but God has placed the reaping field in our own back yard.
We are surely living in the end times. While some are in desperation they are being drawn away from the truth. Some having itchy ears (2Timothy 4:3), and some being Puffed Up in Their Own Knowledge, “Ever learning and never able to come to the Knowledge of the truth” (2 Timothy 3:7). They practice Occultism (Wicca) and idolatry. Their earthly wisdom and knowledge has perverted them. Their enchantments and sorceries will not prevail. Their astrologers, stargazers, and prognosticators (fortune tellers) will not be able to save them from the things to come (Isaiah 47).
Death is hard, and a certainty of life. While we all would like to believe that that every one goes to heaven, that is Surely Not the case. There is only one door ( John 10:7), and His Name Is Jesus (Philippians 2:9-10). You Must be born again (John 3:17). “But he is a Jew, which is one inwardly; and circumcision is that of the heart, in the spirit, and not in the letter; whose praise is not of men, but of God (Romans 2:29).
My God is Not an idol! He has hands that move, eyes that see, ears that hear, and a heart that can be touched with feelings of my infirmities ( Hebrews 4:15). He is the Creator of ALL things (Acts 17:22-28) (Genesis 1:1-3). He will Carry Me from the Cradle to the Grave. He has made me. He will deliver me (Isaiah 46:4). There is None like Him. He has declared the end from the beginning. He Is God All By Himself! He will do His pleasure, and His Counsel Will Stand (Isaiah 46:10).
Isaiah 44-48 is such an Awesome read! Babylon was the center of Intellectual life in Western Asia (Merril Unger). It was home to magicians, sorcerers, diviners, and other Occults. Chaldean astrologers were proficient in the practice of astrology, ( Daniel 2 “conjurers”). Israel was under their captivity for seventy years for punishment for the practice of Idolatry. As you will find, My God is a God of Covenant. Although He may feed us with the bread of adversity and the water of affliction, He Always Redeems us ( Isaiah 30:20-21). He will never break Covenant or alter what His lips have uttered (Psalm 89:34).
As I noted earlier, God knows the end from the beginning. He knew that we would be transgressors from the womb (Isaiah 48:8), but He says “;from the time that it was, there am I: (Isaiah 48:16)”. King Josiah (of Judah) was mentioned 300 years before his birth (1Kings 13:2) . He put down the idolatrous priests whom the kings of Judah had ordained to burn incense in the high places in the city of Judah, and in the places round about Jerusalem; them also that burned incense to Baal, to the sun, and to the moon, and to the planets, and to all the host of heaven (2Kings 23:5).
Jeremiah preached for 40 years, appealing to Judah to repent from idolatry and to turn back to God. He prophesied that God was going to give Judah over to the king of Babylon, and it would be burned with fire (Jeremiah 34:2), also in the first year of King Zedekiah’s reign (son of Josiah), Jeremiah prophesied again that Judah would go into Babylonian captivity (Jeremiah 27). Nine years later Babylon besieged it (Jeremiah 39). My God confirms the words of his servants, and performs the counsel of His messengers ( Isaiah 44:26).
Because He is a God of Covenant and Redemption, we are sometimes chosen in the furnace of affliction, and refined in the fire (Isaiah 48:10). Although He gives us the Rod of Correction, like our earthly parents, He doesn’t take it kindly when we are mistreated. Therefore, He would not meet Babylon as a man (Isaiah 47:3). He anointed King Cyrus (Gentile), called him by his name, and surnamed him, even though Cyrus did not know him (Isaiah 45:1-4). Babylon fell in 39BC to this Persian King. God says, “I am the Lord, and there is none else, there is no God beside me: I girded thee, though thou hast not known me: That they may know from the rising of the sun, and from the west, that there is none beside me. I am the Lord, and there is none else (Isaiah 45:5-6).
Isaiah 44:12-17
The smith with the tongs both works in the coals and fashions it with hammers, and works with the strength of his arms: yea he is hungry, and his strength fails, and he drinks no water and is faint. The carpenter stretches out his rule; he marks it out with a line; he fits it with plains, and marks it out with a compass, and makes it after the figure of a man, according to the beauty of a man; that it may remain in the house. He cuts down the cedars and the cypress and the oak which he replenished in the forest: he plants an ash and the rain nourishes it. Then he burns it to warm himself with, and to bake bread; then he makes a god, and worships it; he makes a graven image, and falls down to it. He burns part of it; and roasts flesh to eat; and is satisfied. With the residue he makes a god, even his graven image; he falls down to it, and worships it, and prays for it to deliver him.
Isaiah 44:19-20
And none considers in his heart, neither is there knowledge or understanding to say, I have burned part of it in the fire; yes, also I have baked bread on the coals thereof; I have roasted flesh and eaten it: and I shall make the residue thereof an ABOMINATION? shall I fall down to the stock of a tree? He feeds on ashes: a deceived heart has turned him aside, that he cannot deliver his own soul, nor say, is there not a lie in my right hand?
God did not speak in secret, in a dark place of the earth: He did not say to the seed of Jacob (Israel, a Jew Inwardly) to seek Him in vain ( Isaiah 45:19). He said ” They have no knowledge that set up the wood of their graven image, and pray unto a god that cannot save (Isaiah 45:20). In His mercy and grace He is still calling, “Look unto Me, and be ye saved, All the ends of the earth: for I am God, and there is none else “(Isaiah 45:22).
References
Merrill F. Unger, D.H. (1988). The New Unger’s Bible Dictionary. Chicago: The Moody Bible Institute Of Chicago.
myheartburnswithinme.com 