being a useful vessel for the Lord

Walk in Wisdom, Walk in Jesus

bill theunfetteredpreacher cote being a useful vessel for the Lord, Christian life, Christian living, Spiritual health, Spiritual life, Spiritual living, Walking with God, WORD WITH OUT RELIGION , , ,

Colossians 4:5-6
King James Version (KJV)
5 Walk in wisdom toward them that are without, redeeming the time. Let your speech be always with grace, seasoned with salt, that ye may know how ye ought to answer every man.

If we read Proverbs we find Wisdom is to be sought always,  if we read carefully we find we can substitute Jesus for Wisdom and not be  off the mark.

1 Corinthians 1:30
King James Version (KJV)
30 But of him are ye in Christ Jesus, who of God is made unto us wisdom, and righteousness, and sanctification, and redemption:

Jesus is our wisdom,  righteousness, sanctification and redemption. So when we walk in wisdom toward them that are without.  He is speaking of people that know the Lord, interacting with those who do not know Jesus.

When I was saved,  I had found faith, peace and joy, but patience,  meekness, goodness, gentleness, love or temperance had not yet developed in my life.  I had found a good thing and everyone I saw needed to come aboard or you’re all going to hell.

Instead of redeeming the time, in my zeal I am sure the people I loved and cared for the most were driven far from the Lord.  My speech had no grace or love.  Condemnation was my strong suit.

As I’ve grown I hope I’ve become more Christ like and recognize He loved the sinners and that my religious spirit was a worse sin than those who didn’t know the truth.

I pray now that the love and grace of our Lord is what people see, hear and expect from me.  That people find Jesus through my walk with Him.

Lord may you be lifted up, so all men will be drawn to You.

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Seek ye the Lord while he may be found, :

bill theunfetteredpreacher cote being a useful vessel for the Lord, Christian living, Spiritual health, Spiritual living, Walking with God, WORD WITH OUT RELIGION , , , ,

Seek ye the Lord while he may be found, call ye upon him while he is near:

This verse has caused much consternation.  After all isn’t the Lord omnipresent, omnipotent and omniscient. …Isn’t He everywhere,  can’t He do anything and dosn’t He know everything.

What do you mean,  while He may be found?  When He is near?

I believe the writer is speaking of the condition of our hearts.  There are times when we are open and receptive to the will and word of God and other times, not so much.

Like the Hebrews in the desert,  the promised land was there, all they had to do was enter and the Lord would give it to them.  When they refused, it was back to the desert.

When we don’t answer the knock at our hearts, we sometimes take one more trip around the mountain. …then maybe we open ourselves to the Lords love and grace.   It was there all the time, we needed to reach out and ask for it.  Be willing to give ourselves to Him,  so He can reside within.

I said not unto the seed of Jacob, Seek ye me in vain: I the Lord speak righteousness, I declare things that are right.

This is the second seek ye verse in Isaiah:   The Lord is reminding us His word is true…seek Him and you will find Him.  Good and perfect gifts come from the Father.   The time is now, today if you will harken unto the voice of the Lord,  you can find peace, comfort,  forgiveness,  Mercy and the Grace of Salvation.

Seek ye out of the book of the Lord, and read: no one of these shall fail, none shall want her mate: for my mouth it hath commanded, and his spirit it hath gathered them.

This is an important verse for Christians,  this is a “Billism”; something I have interpreted to mean:

We need to find the book, read the book,  none of its promises will fail.  The Lord watches  over His word to proform it and the Spirit is here to see that it is done.

Lord help us to love and obey so You might use us to lead others to You.  Amen

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Teach us to pray

bill theunfetteredpreacher cote being a useful vessel for the Lord, Christian living, Spiritual health, Spiritual living, Walking with God, WORD WITH OUT RELIGION , , ,

Matthew 6:9-13
King James Version (KJV)
After this manner therefore pray ye: Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name.  Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven.  Give us this day our daily bread.  And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors.
And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil: For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever. Amen.

This morning as we repeated this prayer, which is beautiful and given to us by Jesus Himself.   For the who knows how many times, it breaks my heart that we pray it by rote.

Not understanding He was teaching us how to pray, not a prayer.  Paul also teaches us in Philippians 4:6:
King James Version (KJV)
Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God.  (praise, requests, thanksgiving)

As our Lord taught:
Our Father which art in heaven,

First comes acknowledgement of where the Father is:
Above us, bigger, more powerful, the One in control.

Secondly, praise:
Hallowed be thy name. 
Hallowed means:
to render sacred, to consecrate (Ex. 28:38; 29:1). This word is from the Saxon, and properly means “to make holy.” The name of God is “hallowed”, i.e., is reverenced as holy (Matt. 6:9).  Easton’s Bible Dictionary

To realize and proclaim His Majesty,  magnify His Holiness,  Righteousness,  Worthiness. …shout to the Lord……let Him know your love.

Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven.

Third:  Acknowledge it is His will not ours that we want for our lives and allow Him to mold and make us into His image.

Give us this day our daily bread. 

Forth:  We have gotten the Fathers attention:
Now we remind Him of our needs.
Isaiah 65:24
And it shall come to pass, that before they call, I will answer; and while they are yet speaking, I will hear.

Fifth,  Forgiveness:

And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors.

We ask for forgiveness and remind Him we have forgiven those who have used us wrongly.

Sixth,
And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil:

The Lord alows us to be tested,  so we can prove our love and faithfulness,  He will deliver,  if we turn to Him.

Seventh,
For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever. Amen.

We end with more praise and thanksgiving, the acknowledgement of His Supreme Authority and Worth.

It is great that we know this prayer but more importantly that we know how and what to pray.

Lord teach us to pray.

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Enoch, Noah and Levi: 3 unique men:

bill theunfetteredpreacher cote being a useful vessel for the Lord, Christian living, Spiritual health, Spiritual living, Walking with God, WORD WITH OUT RELIGION , , , ,

How are these men different from you and I?

Enoch: His name means dedicated; disciplined, we know he was the 7th from Adam and is still alive today in bodily form in heaven.  He had this testimony:

Enoch walked with God and was not, because God took him.  Enoch believed God is and is a rewarder of them that diligently seek Him.   Enoch pleased God and preached of the second coming of Christ.

Then we have Noah as a type of Him who is the true “rest and comfort” of men.  We know this about Noah.

Noah found grace in the eyes of the Lord,  He was just and perfect in his generation.   Noah walked with God.   In reverential fear,  he build an ark for the saving of his family from the comming flood and became the heir of righteousness. Noah bore constant testimony against the unbelief and wickedness of that generation. (1 Pet. 3:18-20; 2 Pet. 2:5).

Enoch and Noah were the only two that Moses stated, by name, who walked with God in the Old Testament.

They walked with God and the “Spirit of God” was upon them, a Spirit of wisdom, understanding, Knowledge, skill and prophesy.  (see Exodus 31).

When we look at other great Old Testament men we find warriors. ..men with the “Spirit of the Lord”. (First found in Judges 3:10).   A Spirit of righteousness and justice, wisdom in war.

These men walked before the Lord, not with. Abraham and David both walked before the Lord,  not with God. (See The Trinity in the Old Testament).

Abraham was told by the Lord to walk before me and be and  be thou perfect.  The Lord speaking to Solomon said: “ And if thou wilt walk before me, as David thy father walked, in integrity of heart, and in uprightness,”

How about Levi?  The origin of the name is found in Leah’s words at his birth, “This time will my husband be joined unto me.”   He is mentioned as taking a prominent part in avenging his sister  Dinah who was kidnapped and raped.  His only recorded words were:   Should he deal with our sister as with an harlot?

Take note that the Lord choose the Levites, to became His Ministers and Priest’s.  They were warriors,  who did what was right, without question or hesitation.   Their job was to bring people the knowledge of God, protect that Gospel and the church (Gods people), from any strangers. (See The Stranger that draws nigh).

Moses was a Levite who following his ancestors example,  took revenge on an Egyptian for killing a Hebrew.  Hid in the desert 40 years,  till the Lord burnt the bush and called him to service.

Than we have the Levites,  comming to the Lords side and killing the Hebrews who rebelled and Worshipped  the golden calf.

Phinious,  who chased and killed the man and woman in sin and stoped the plague among the people.

This is what the Lord has to say about Levi in Malachi:
” Levi, saith the Lord of hosts.   My covenant was with him of life and peace; and I gave them to him for the fear wherewith he feared me, and was afraid before my name.  The law of truth was in his mouth, and iniquity was not found in his lips: he walked with me in peace and equity, and did turn many away from iniquity.”

This is important today because we Christians are the ministers and Priest’s of God. ….We must learn from the examples of those who walked in our shoes.  We are the Ministers and Priest’s of the Lord today.

We must have the reverential fear of the Lord so we are obedient in building an ark or protecting the Gospel.  (making sure we are preaching Christ crucified).  The love and Salvation of God.

Be dedicated and disciplined, to Gods word.  We must walk with God in wisdom, understanding, Knowledge, skill and with words of prophecy.

We must also walk with the Lord in peace and equity
( fairness or justice in the way people are treated).
Speaking the truth in love, turning many from sin and death.

Moses told us of Enoch and Noah walking with God,  it was the Lord, Himself that told us “Levi walked with Me”

Lord help me to walk in perfect peace,  (my mind upon you), treat all I meet fairly, justly,  my life leading people to You.

Help on me to be dedicated and disciplined in the study and sharing of Your Word.

May I understand and display a reverential fear and be obedient to Your will and ways.

Make me a useful vessel.

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We need to be filling stations!!!

bill theunfetteredpreacher cote being a useful vessel for the Lord, Christian living, Spiritual living, Walking with God, WORD WITH OUT RELIGION , ,

wpid-20140619_202448.jpgMy father owned what was then called a Filling Station or a garage, a place you brought your car for fuel and repairs.

It was originally called Bob’s Fix-it Shop because when he started, he fixed lawn mowers, toasters, boat engines, cars, farm equipment even toys.  He did everything from changing tires and oil, windshield wipers and ball joints to welding broken parts.

He hoped and expected to see you regularly to fill your car with gas, (full service, ck oil, tires, wash windows, pump fuel).  When you broke down, he would tow your car to the shop and do the  repairs that were needed.

He built a very successful business, eventually changing the name to Cote’s Garage when my brother joined him in his work. I worked there through high school but unlike my brother I hated it and didn’t understand engines. I only pumped gas, fixed tires, did a few brake jobs….I was pretty much useless.

We often discribe church as a hospital. That implies sickness, broken bones, contagious desease. A long recovery time. That isn’t how our Lord operated.

He fixed you now…when you met him. You may have had to go wash, or present yourself somewhere but it was almost immediate recovery of sight, walking and leaping, you were clean, go and sin no more. Receive ye the Holy Spirit.

Today we allow ourselves to wallow in our sins and troubles. Jesus would have us repent, turn from our wicked ways, be filled with the Word and the Spirit and Walk in the Light. Lifting up Jesus the Author and finsher of our faith.

Then we would have success in drawing all men to Him. If we are always recovering it’s all about us…..We Need To Make It ALL ABOUT JESUS.

Believe by His stripes we are healed, go about praying for the sick, feeding the hungry, giving living water to those who thirst. …preaching the acceptable year of the Lord.

Forget the church/hospital idea……WE NEED TO BECOME FILLING STATIONS.

Help us Lord to be useful vessels.

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The Church should be like a filling staition

bill theunfetteredpreacher cote being a useful vessel for the Lord, Christian living, Spiritual living, Walking with God, WORD WITH OUT RELIGION , ,

We have many beautiful churchs, annointed and inspired  speakers, loving, caring  people.    Good fellowship,  wonderful ministries, great plans and intentions.  (so your church is growing daily,  right?)

If it is, praise God, quit reading and get back to work.  If not, maybe the Lord has shown me something worth praying about.

Sadly, what most  churches are missing is the power of God.   We can preach, teach and even exemplify the love and care of God.

We feed the hungry, clothe the poor, give soup, soap and Salvation.  (thank you Salvation Army).

Oh, we see some prayers answered,  some folks comforted, even some of the sick healed.  Others we cannot seem to touch.  I’ve considered several reasons.

1.  Our  life is to blame
(we don’t walk in obedience).

2.  We need to fast and pray
(humble ourselves).

3.  We  don’t truly believe

After all Jesus said we would do even greater things then He did and he healed all that were afflicted,  raised the dead, gave sight to the blind, the lame walked. “If we would only believe,  we could move mountains”.

Lord Jesus,  if we were just walking in these truths the world would be won for you….but we have failed.

The Question is WHY?

Certainly we can blame the reasons listed above and not be wrong,  but I believe the answer is deeper still.  If we look at Mark 6 we find Jesus in His home town.

He heals a few sick (His words) and marvals at their unbelief. While they seem to think it is marvelous work.

When in Bible School (early 1980’s), Benny Hinn would come for a week at a time.

We would be amazed at the mighty works that Jesus preformed through him but he never healed them all.

Some left untouched,  hurting, discouraged, disappointed.

One answer:   501c 3s

When we started giving receipts, became tax exempt. …allowed ourselves to be muzzled about the problems in our country,  we gave the power to edit Gods word and will.

Think I’m way off, out of line, maybe out of my mind?

When the tax man came to Peter what happened?

What thinkest thou, Simon? of whom do the kings of the earth take custom or tribute? of their own children, or of strangers?  Peter saith unto him, Of strangers. Jesus saith unto him, Then are the children free.  Notwithstanding, lest we should offend them, go thou to the sea, and cast an hook, and take up the fish that first cometh up; and when thou hast opened his mouth, thou shalt find a piece of money: that take, and give unto them for me and thee.

Later in answer to Pharisees,  Jesus said:

Render therefore unto Caesar the things which are Caesar’s; and unto God the things that are God’s.

We need to treat the church like the filling staition down the street.   Fix whats wrong, fill folks with the Holy Spirit and after expenses,  pay the tax man.

Give  control of His Church back to Him.  God did miracles so that:

Isaiah 41:20
That they may see, and know, and consider, and understand together, that the hand of the Lord hath done this, and the Holy One of Israel hath created it.

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What is Righteousness?

bill theunfetteredpreacher cote being a useful vessel for the Lord, Christian living, Spiritual living, Walking with God, WORD WITH OUT RELIGION , , ,

What is Righteousness?   Righteousness is quite simply,  right standing with God.

Genesis 15:6
And he believed in the Lord; and he counted it to him for righteousness.

Believed. ..counted it for righteousness:   What was it Abram believed?   It wasn’t simply a belief that the Lord exists,  he had been  worshiping, obeying and walking with the Lord for a number of years.

What made him righteous was the belief in the Lords promise of an heir.  He and Sarai were old beyond child bearing years,  yet he believed the impossible the promise of the Lord.

Today for us, it is belief in “Christ Jesus, who of God is made unto us wisdom, and righteousness, and sanctification, and redemption:”  He has made us new men, which after God are created in righteousness and true holiness.

Our Righteousness,  holiness, sanctification, redemption, wisdom all come from the cover of the blood of Jesus which we receive when we believe.

We believe the promises of God to become Righteous but to exhibit Righteousness is more important.

The Lord would have us be ministers of righteousness;  (display the) peaceable fruit of righteousness,  suffer for righteousness’ sake, (be) instruments of righteousness,  walk in the way of righteousness, Awake to righteousness, and sin not; follow after righteousness, we should live unto righteousness:    seek first the Kingdom of God and His righteousness,  for the kingdom of God is not meat and drink; but righteousness, and peace, and joy in the Holy Ghost, and most of all be  preachers of righteousness.

These are all pieces of New Testament scriptures that tell us “what righteousness is”. 

To  become Righteous,  we must set our face like flint to seek, love and obey the will of the Lord.  May we become the vessels He can use.

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Abraham and Noah: Righteousness in truth

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Righteousness;   We are told to serve it, follow it, seek it but in the life of Abraham we get to the truth of it.

Abraham believed the unbelievable. That is what gives us our Righteousness, the belief that God can fulfill His promises.   

For some reason it is pretty easy to believe in Salvation.   We believe the Holy Spirit resides within us, but in truth, we don’t want to let Him be God.

We are satisfied with the occasional miracle or healing.  Knowing how or what to do in a certain situations.   When we really  need to learn to, depend on, respond to and walk in the will and ways of the Lord.

Abram walked with the Lord for many years, knew the Lord and His ways.   When he asked the Lord a question,  he knew the Lord would not lie.  He believed the Lord and it was counted to him for righteousness.

Genesis 15:6
And he believed in the Lord; and he counted it to him for righteousness.

Romans 4:13
For the promise, that he should be the heir of the world, was not to Abraham, or to his seed, through the law, but through the righteousness of faith.  (because he believed God is able).

Romans 4:21-23
And being fully persuaded that, what he had promised, he was able also to perform.  And therefore it was imputed to him for righteousness.  Now it was not written for his sake alone, that it was imputed to him;   (but so we would believe also).

Galatians 3:6
 Even as Abraham believed God, and it was accounted to him for righteousness.

Hebrews 7:2
To whom also Abraham gave a tenth part of all; first being by interpretation King of righteousness, and after that also King of Salem, which is, King of peace; (Melchizedek,  some say Jesus, who is our Righteousness,  Peace and joy in the Holy Ghost).

James 2:23
 And the scripture was fulfilled which saith, Abraham believed God, and it was imputed unto him for righteousness: and he was called the Friend of God.

Hebrews 11:7
By faith Noah, being warned of God of things not seen as yet, moved with fear, prepared an ark to the saving of his house; by the which he condemned the world, and became heir of the righteousness which is by faith.

2 Peter 2:5
And spared not the old world, but saved Noah the eighth person, a preacher of righteousness, bringing in the flood upon the world of the ungodly;

Righteousness comes to us by the simple act of believing the impossible. Abraham and Noah, both believed the impossible.  Noah preached the impossible.

Things that had never happened before.  We need to believe also.

 Not just in Salvation,  but provision, protection, direction, healing, miracles,  the peace and comfort of thd Holy Spirit.

The simple fact that “we are the Righteousness of God in Christ Jesus our Lord and Savior.”

 Lord help us to follow/seek you, believe you and serve you, all the days of our life.

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Follow/Seek Righteousness

bill theunfetteredpreacher cote being a useful vessel for the Lord, Christian living, Spiritual life, Spiritual living, Walking with God, WORD WITH OUT RELIGION , ,

We need to follow after/seek righteousness:

1 Timothy 6:11-12
But thou, O man of God, flee these things; and follow after righteousness, godliness, faith, love, patience, meekness.  

Fight the good fight of faith, lay hold on eternal life, whereunto thou art also called, and hast professed a good profession before many witnesses.

2 Timothy 2:22
Flee also youthful lusts: but follow righteousness, faith, charity, peace, with them that call on the Lord out of a pure heart.

Matthew 5:6
 Blessed are they which do hunger and thirst after righteousness: for they shall be filled.

Matthew 6:33
 But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.

1 Corinthians 15:34
All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness:

We need to study the word, be instructed in righteousness.

Follow/Seek: righteousness, godliness, faith, love, patience, meekness.  Fight the good fight of faith, lay hold on eternal life, whereunto thou art also called,

Hunger and thirst for God and His righteousness,  to see His Kingdom in Power and Might of the Holy Spirit.

Righteousness is a fruit: We need to allow the fruit of the Spirit room  grow in our lives.   

2 Corinthians 9:10
Now he that ministereth seed to the sower both minister bread for your food, and multiply your seed sown, and increase the fruits of your righteousness;)

Ephesians 5:9
(For the fruit of the Spirit is in all goodness and righteousness and truth;)

Philippians 1:11
Being filled with the fruits of righteousness, which are by Jesus Christ, unto the glory and praise of God.

James 3:18
And the fruit of righteousness is sown in peace of them that make peace.

Hebrews 12:11
Now no chastening for the present seemeth to be joyous, but grievous: nevertheless afterward it yieldeth the peaceable fruit of righteousness unto them which are exercised thereby.

Sometimes God needs to chastise those He loves who are on the wrong trrack.  When you recognize your sin, be quick to turn around, repent and confess.  He is quick to forgive.

 If we will simply study His word, walk in His ways, hearken unto His voice. …Be obedient children. ..honestly desiring to please Him.

He promises to be with us, never leave or forsake us. We will have the victory over the evil one and souls will be won to the Lord.

Lord help us to be obedient children.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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Are we servents of righteousness?

bill theunfetteredpreacher cote being a useful vessel for the Lord, Christian living, Spiritual living, Walking with God, WORD WITH OUT RELIGION , , ,

Genesis 15:6
And he believed in the Lord; and he counted it to him for righteousness.

This is the first of 289 times the word righteousness appears in the Bible.   

Abram had just asked the Lord, “Who will be my heir?”  He had only his trusted servent, no offspring.

The Lord told him:  “His seed would out number the stars.”

Abram was an old man his wife not far behind, well beyond child bearing years….he already knew the Lord, had been following Him for years…...he believed the impossible.  He would have heirs. …that is why it was counted to him for righteousness..

In the New Testament, Jesus said if we only believe. ….the fig tree or mountain would be cast into the sea. …do we believe?   Are we serving righteousness?

The book of Romans mentions righteousness 33 times, the most of any New Testament book. It is here we learn to be servents of righteousness.

Romans 6:16
Know ye not, that to whom ye yield yourselves servants to obey, his servants ye are to whom ye obey; whether of sin unto death, or of obedience unto righteousness?

Romans 6:18
Being then made free from sin, ye became the servants of righteousness.

Romans 6:19
I speak after the manner of men because of the infirmity of your flesh: for as ye have yielded your members servants to uncleanness and to iniquity unto iniquity; even so now yield your members servants to righteousness unto holiness.

Romans 6:20
For when ye were the servants of sin, ye were free from righteousness.

Now that we know the Lord, our lives should be turned around. …we need to watch what we allow into our lives….TV, Internet, magazines. …music…

We need to stop fulfilling the lusts of the flesh, eyes and pride of life.  

2 Timothy 2:15
Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.

1 Samuel 15:22
 And Samuel said, Hath the Lord as great delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices, as in obeying the voice of the Lord? Behold, to obey is better than sacrifice, and to hearken than the fat of rams.

The Lord is not a hard task master. ..he said:

Matthew 11:29-30
Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls.  For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.

All he really requires of us is to “Love the Lord and love our neighbors”…if we can learn to live this new commandment, the Lord will add to His Church daily such as should be saved.

We need to believe beyond salvation,  He healed all that were afflicted. …we will do all He did and more…

We need to believe the impossible.

Lord help me to share Your love, help my unbelief.

 

 

 

 

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How long will this people provoke me?

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Numbers 14:12 , How long will this people provoke me?

“Those who cannot remember the past are condemned to repeat it”,
George Santayana

I believe Christians today are much like the Hebrews of Moses time.  If we look closely at their society we  find a multitude surrounding the Tabernacle of God in their travels.

We have the Tabernacle and Sanctuary carried by the Levites,  the Priest’s before them.   The tribe of Judah leading the march.  (Praise should always precede our walk).  All other tribes following and surrounding.

The murmurings and complaints start at the outside edges of the camp and ripple towards the center. Until almost all are upset.

Moses has to continually pray for the people so the Lord would not destroy them….Moses gets frustrated and basically said to the Lord:  “I’m not their Mother, why did you give me these people….how am I going to feed them, please them?”  Forgetting all the Lord had done to supply their needs.

They are at the edge of the promised land….12 go ahead to spy out the land.  It is a land of milk and honey, with giants.  Only Caleb and Joshua give a good report.   They are the only ones that believe the Lord can and will give them victory and the promise.

You can read the story in Numbers 13,14….the Lord had them wandering in the desert for 38 more years because of their unbelief.  Caleb and Joshua were the only two who had been in Egypt, to enter the promise.

In today’s Christian experience I can’t help but wonder how many will not make it into the promised land because of unbelief.  The Hebrews were all Gods children,  but only two made the transition. 

Matthew 7:14
14 Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it.

In today’s world those that murmur and complain need to become the Levites of today….They need to seek the face of God, know His will, walk in His ways. Believe His promises,  act on the talents he gave us. (See Mathew 25 scriptures and blog title).

Both Joshua and Caleb were given something special from the Lord, we need to pray that He would give the same to us.

Deuteronomy 34:9
And Joshua the son of Nun was full of the spirit of wisdom; for Moses had laid his hands upon him: and the children of Israel hearkened unto him, and did as the Lord commanded Moses.

Numbers 14:24
But my servant Caleb, because he had another spirit with him, and hath followed me fully, him will I bring into the land whereinto he went; and his seed shall possess it.

Do you have the right spirit within. …a spirit of devotion,  obedience, love and thanksgiving?  Will you follow the Lord fully?  Will you find the narrow way?

Lord give us the Spirit of wisdom to believe and the grace to follow.

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The stranger (part 2)

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   God desires a pure, holy,  loving and obedient church.  That is why His warnings in Numbers were so dire.  (see: stranger that cometh nigh….)   

He was warning of wolves in sheeps clothing.  Unbelieving, believers. …”salvation is available but God doesn’t do that other stuff anymore.”

When Jesus said: “These signs shall follow those who believe,” there was no experation date.  The determining factor was belief.

We have become a body that doesn’t really expect God to meet our needs, heal the sick or comfort the brokenhearted. We have settled on a Gospel of love and peace;  a Gospel of Salvation and not much else, when the Gospel should have Power and Might.

Jesus stirred up the Religious,  He rocked the boat….He threw out the traditions of man and brought the Power of God.

Luke 4:18,19
“The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he hath anointed me to preach the gospel to the poor; he hath sent me to heal the brokenhearted, to preach deliverance to the captives, and recovering of sight to the blind, to set at liberty them that are bruised,  To preach the acceptable year of the Lord.”

John 14:12
“He that believeth on me, the works that I do shall he do also; and greater works than these shall he do; because I go unto my Father.”

He gave us that annointing, we just need to take the talents he has giving us and increase them.  (see Mathew 25).    

How did the church lose its power?  When our itching ears overcame our desire for inward change.

The Lord charged the Levites and Priest’s to keep the Tabernacle separate, holy, consecrated, annointed for His work.  To protect it from those who would defile it.   

Today the church cannot enter the promise,  because of unbelief.

Psalm 37:4
“Delight thyself also in the Lord: and he shall give thee the desires of thine heart.”

The desire of my heart is to see people “saved, sanctified,  holy ghost filled and water baptized,  Jesus on their minds.  To find a new life.”  (to quote an old tune)

The key is learning to “delight ourselves in the Lord.”

de·light\di-ˈlīt, dē-\
noun
Full Definition
1 : a high degree of gratification : joy; also : extreme satisfaction
2 : something that gives great pleasure
3 archaic : the power of affording pleasure

We must learn how to both delight ourselves in the Lord and be a delight to the Lord.   “To obey is better than sacrifice”…….”This is my commandment, that you love one another.”

When your life is devoted to pleasing God and loving others….you will find peace, grace, comfort and joy in the midst of our trials.

Lord, help me to be pleasing in your sight.   May I learn to delight myself in You.

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the stranger that cometh nigh…..

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the stranger that cometh nigh shall be put to death.

The Word of the Lord,  repeated four times in the book of Numbers.   It seems a little harsh to me, until we realize what the Lord is protecting.

If we look at the Old Testament as a picture of our Christian walk we begin to understand what the Lord is showing us.

Genesis:  Our wonderings, we may stumble upon the Lord and some find a way to walk with the Lord but it takes exceptional desire and obedience. …Enoch,  Noah,  Abraham, Joseph.  All men who had a special relationship with the Lord.

Exodus:  Our deliverance from slavery and the bondage of sin.  Jesus made the way.  The building of our Spiritual lifes, the church of God.  Still takes a special person to lead, guide, direct on our journey.   The Spirit of God gives  the wisdom, knowledge and skill to build the Tabernacle of the Lord.   The place He lives.  (within us).

Leviticus:  The journey to holiness, obedience, blessing.   True believers are separated from the masses. We begin to be responsible for our own walks. The Levites start their traning for the service of the Lord.

Numbers:  The start of our walk to the promised land.  The Levites start their various ministries.   The way to the promised land is before them.  Some don’t make it because of an evil heart of unbelief they depart from the living God.   

Here is where the warning is given:  “the stranger that cometh nigh shall be put to death.”

The first of these warning is to the Levites.   

Numbers 1:51
 And when the tabernacle setteth forward, the Levites shall take it down: and when the tabernacle is to be pitched, the Levites shall set it up: and the stranger that cometh nigh shall be put to death.

Only the Levites are empowered to build the Tabernacle the habitat of the Lord.  There are many children of Israel. …only the chosen are allowed to touch the Tabernacle.   Are you one of the multitudes of believers or one of the chosen?   

What is the depth of your beliefs.   Virgin birth, death, resurrection. …2nd coming?    How about Baptism, by water, by spirit?   Calling, Gifts, Ministries of the Spirit?  Tongues, Interpretation, prophecy,  healings, miracles?   Is your church growing daily? Where does your faith line end?  I know we want to believe it all…but do we?   Really?

2nd through 4th warnings are to the Priest’s.  

Numbers 3:10
But those that encamp before the tabernacle toward the east, even before the tabernacle of the congregation eastward, shall be Moses, and Aaron and his sons, keeping the charge of the sanctuary for the charge of the children of Israel; and the stranger that cometh nigh shall be put to death.

Numbers 3:38
But those that encamp before the tabernacle toward the east, even before the tabernacle of the congregation eastward, shall be Moses, and Aaron and his sons, keeping the charge of the sanctuary for the charge of the children of Israel; and the stranger that cometh nigh shall be put to death.

Numbers 18:7
Therefore thou and thy sons with thee shall keep your priest’s office for everything of the altar, and within the vail; and ye shall serve: I have given your priest’s office unto you as a service of gift: and the stranger that cometh nigh shall be put to death.

The Lord tells us who is to lead His church.   Those in the east, the leaders, priests.   They are to wait on their ministry.  It is a service of gift.

The Lord today is telling the Levites and Priest’s of today.   (Those who truly seek, love and obey Him).  To keep His testimony,  His word is Sacred,  we are to guard and protect it, to proclaim the acceptable year of the Lord.

We should be healing the sick, freeing the captives, comforting the brokenhearted,  proclaiming Jesus.  Help us Lord to understand and be obedient to Your will and ways.  May we truly Walk with Jesus. .

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Joseph and the coming climate change

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Genesis 41:38.   “Can we find such a one as this is, a man in whom the Spirit of God is?”

What the world is longing and looking for.  A man in whom the Spirit of God is.

This is an interesting choice of words, for to have faith, we must believe God is and that He is a rewarder of them that diligently  seek Him.

The Spirit of God was with within Joseph,  God gave Joseph a Word of Knowledge and a Word of Wisdom. …the explanation of Pharaohs dream and what to do about it.  Pharaoh recognized the Spirit of God.   He marvelled and accepted it and the Egyptians were prepared for the coming climate change.

As we read about Joseph the Lord was there all the time.

Born from prayer:

Genesis 30:24.  she called his name Joseph; and said, The Lord shall add to me another son.

As a child, God gave him prophetic dreams and he was his Father’s favorite.   His eleven brothers hated him, sold him into slavery.   Where he prospered.

Genesis 39:2  the Lord was with Joseph, and he was a prosperous man; and he was in the house of his master the Egyptian.

Genesis 39:5. And it came to pass from the time that he had made him overseer in his house, and over all that he had, that the Lord blessed the Egyptian’s house for Joseph’s sake; and the blessing of the Lord was upon all that he had in the house, and in the field.

As top slave, his Masters wife tried to entice him into sexual sin.  When he refused, she accused him of rape and he was sent to prison.

Genesis 39:21   But the Lord was with Joseph, and shewed him mercy, and gave him favour in the sight of the keeper of the prison.

While in prison,  God gave him interpretations of dreams which finally brought him before Pharaoh.  The Word tells us the Lord was with him but he recognized and prayed to God. (see the Trinity in the Old Testament)

Genesis 4 0:8. “Do not interpretations belong to God? Tell me your dreams.”

Genesis 41:16  “I cannot do it,” , “but God will give Pharaoh the answer he desires.”

 Genesis 41:51  Joseph named his firstborn Manasseh and said,   “It is because God has made me forget all my trouble and all my father’s household.”

When his brothers came to find food because of the draught, Joseph’s prophetic dreams came true and he sent for his family.

Genesis 42:18  “Do this and you will live, for I fear God:”

Genesis 45:9  “God has made me lord of all Egypt. Come down to me; don’t delay.“

Joseph had the Spirit of God within him from birth.  He was open and obedient to God, walked with God, which caused the Lord to be with him and for him to prosper in all that he did.

If we would learn the simple truth;  “to obey is better than sacrifice” and do it.  I believe we would find ourselves as leaders causing all those around us to proper in the blessings of God.

Jesus please,  help me to walk with you, to be obedient to Your will.

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How “I AM” became “He Was”

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(or how the church lost the Power of God)

Some might say this is blasphemy.  ” Ye do err, not knowing the scriptures, nor the power of God.”   But unfortunately it is the truth. 

We no longer preach the Great “I AM”.  The church is weak, ineffective, ingrown.  ” Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away.”” Not my church,” you say.

I ask, do our churches really measure up to the early church?  ” He gave them power against unclean spirits, to cast them out, and to heal all manner of sickness and all manner of disease.” They had no building,  pulpits,  children’s ministry,  teen ministry, homeless ministry.  

They had the POWER OF GOD and He added to the church daily such as should be saved.  Be honest if someone comes into church with a contagious disease,  we are more likely to say you should have stayed home till you feel better.  When we should say “Be healed in the name of Jesus.”

What are we to do?

God heard the cries and groaning of the Hebrew captives in Egypt,  because they were in bondage and He remembered His promise to Abraham.  

Moses hiding in the desert,  turned aside to see  a burning bush.  The Lord saw and God said; ” Take off your shoes, you are on Holy Ground”.

The first step in the transformation of “I AM” to “He Was” is that we really do not treat the Lords presence as Holy anymore.  I am not a clothes line preacher…if you are at the beach…..beach clothes are certainly fine for church.    I am more concerned with our attitudes.   Do we understand Reverence,  Sanctity, Praise,  Meditation,  Worship?

God heard our cries and groaning when we were trapped in the bondage of sin and shame.  He desires us to pay attention to whatever our personal burning bush is and take off our shoes; this means,  set ourselves apart, present ourself a living sacrifice,  Holy and acceptable unto God.  Our minds should be renewed by reading Gods Word.   Then we will know the good, acceptable and perfect will of God.

When we enter church, we should think of it as turning aside to see our burning bush….Entering into the presence of God.

The second step in the transformation is how we introduce God.

Moses asked God: “Who should I say sent me?”   God answered:  “Tell them I AM THAT I AM sent you.”

God is the Great “I AM”;  He preformed signs, wonders and miracles to free the Hebrews so that the Egyptians would: “see, know, consider, understand and believe that the Lord “IS” and he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek Him.”

When Jesus was on the earth He preformed signs, wonders and miracles and sent His disciples to do the same.  For the same reason:  So people would “see, know, consider, understand and believe that Jesus is and is a rewarder of them that diligently seek Him.”

He promised that “these signs shall follow them that believe; In my name shall they cast out devils; they shall speak with new tongues; They shall take up serpents; and if they drink any deadly thing, it shall not hurt them; they shall lay hands on the sick, and they shall recover  And they went forth, and preached every where, the Lord working with them, and confirming the word with signs following. Amen.”

When Jesus sent out the 12 they cast out devils and healed the sick. At The Day of Pentecost they spoke with new tongues. …had a boldness to preach,  they had power and knowledge to handle the Serpent,  the devil and God confirmed the Word with signs following.

So what happened?  

“Nevertheless I have somewhat against thee, because thou hast left thy first love.  Remember therefore from whence thou art fallen, and repent, and do the first works;”

The signs and wonders have grown scarce.  We have to many wonderful speakers and not enough dedicated seekers. 

I am not saying we don’t love the Lord.  Just that we have forgotten what it means to Walk with the Lord.  To seek His face and will, in all that we do. 

We are afraid our prayers will not answered,  we don’t want to say He doesn’t do that anymore,  we want to believe but we don’t really know how to reach the Holy of Holies.   We can tho. …

The church can and will have power again, when we fast, pray, meditate,  praise and above all learn to Worship and share the Great “I AM”.    “He is a very present help in times of trouble. ”  “Ask, ye shall receive, seek, and you will find, knock, and the door will be opened.

ps. 
Have you ever wondered if the gifts of the Spirit might be the talents that the Master left for us to increase till His return.     A lot of churches have buried those talents.

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WHAT WAS THE BIBLES EXPIRATION DATE?

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It seems to me, a lot of churches have put  expiration dates on parts of the Bible.

Miracles, signs and wonders, revelations from God; all expired with the last of the Apostles.  (Until the new improved message,  arrived).

Jonah and the big fish died the same time as the tooth fairy. David and Goliath,  Noah and the flood, Samson,  Gideon, all just fables, stories for children. 

Morales, ethics, honesty, self-control,  self-respect,  self-reliance all expired,  dead, gone, buried.  Will they ever return?

Folks, when a large segment of the population, teaches their children it is OK  to abort, and not raise their little sister or brother; or that Heather has two mommies; or let’s go visit daddy in prison;   do not be surprised when they set fire to the cat.

What we have allowed to happen to our country and churches, will continue.

Our churches, like our politicians. …are empty suits.  All hot air and promises.  
Do we really see and talk about the great things God is doing?   Not often,  because He is not doing much,  with this stiff-necked generation.

For the eyes of the Lord run to and fro throughout the earth, to shew himself strong in the behalf of them whose heart is perfect toward him.

.Lord, I pray our hearts would turn your way.

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Mathew 25

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Matthew 25:  Jesus speaking to His disciples about the end times.  Parables,  stories,  whatever, people have tried to understand  this chapter forever.

So lets take a non-denominational look:

Wise and foolish virgins:   Oil for their lamps.

Continue reading →

enter thou into the joy of thy lord.

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It is probably safe to say, all Christians expect and want to hear the Lord say: Well done, thou good and faithful servant: thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things: enter thou into the joy of the Lord.

I wonder how many of us will? As we read Matthew 25, consider are you a wise or foolish virgin? Is there extra oil for your lamp?

When we are first saved we usually burn the brightest. Our excitement of meeting the Lord is contagious. The joy of the Lord, peace and comfort of the Holy Spirit is alive in our lives until we find life on earth continues much like before.

Knowing Jesus doesn’t solve all our problems like magic. We still have consequences of our decisions and actions. The joy and freedom doesn’t seem to carry through. That is when we need to refill our lamps.

To be a wise bridesmaid we must continually renew our minds, to find the holy, acceptable and perfect will of God. That is when our lights burn the brightest.

That is how we will be ready for the day of His return or the day we leave this body.

How about the parable of the talents?
And unto one he gave five talents, to another two, and to another one; to every man according to his several ability; and straightway took his journey.

When Jesus went to sit at the Fathers right hand, He left us not money but the Holy Spirit. The comforter, teacher the one who will lead us to the truth. As those who believed waited for the promise the Holy Spirit descended and they began to speak in tongues.

The Holy Spirit has given the church gifts which most of the Churches have locked away in a closet.

Either they believe that they are not for today or are afraid they will not work as promised and they would be made the fool for believing.

Either way I believe they have hid their talents. If Jesus and His disciples needed signs and wonders to bring people to the Gospel who are we to think we can do it with out.

It is interesting to note:
1. Believers gathered waiting for promise
2. One accord, one place
3. Sound from heaven of a mighty rushing wind
4. Filled the house
5. Tongues of fire sat on them
6. They were filled with the Holy Spirit
7. They began to speak with other tongues

Another interesting verse:
Have you received the Holy Spirit since you believed? when Paul had laid his hands upon them, the Holy Ghost came on them; and they spake with tongues, and prophesied.

The Baptism in the Holy Spirit,  and the Gifts of the Spirit are the talents that Jesus has left for us to increase.    More in next post

 

Let no man deceive you. ..

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Let no man deceive you. ..

2 Thessalonians 2:3

Let no man deceive you by any means:

Paul was warning people not to be mislead about the Day of the Lord. …that people would fall away from the true Gospel and follow the false Prophet.

Today we need to be warned against non believing, believers.  Who are these people. …Those who have tried it all and not succeeded.   They love the Lord but really, “He doesn’t do that Biblical mumbo-jumbo anymore.   We are much too intelligent to believe in signs, wonders and miracles.

Speaking in tongues, holiness, morals, commandments. Continue reading →

God so loved the world; do you?

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God so loved the world

John 3:16
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.

God loved the world….not just those of us who have chosen to receive Him but everyone.  It grieves me when I hear the unsaved say a loving God wouldn’t send so many to hell.  My good out ways the bad.

How do we convince the World?
John 13:35
By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another.

If we learn to love as the Lord loves, perhaps we will see and experience His glory.

John 17:22-24
And the glory which thou gavest me I have given them; that they may be one, even as we are one:   I in them, and thou in me, that they may be made perfect in one; and that the world may know that thou hast sent me, and hast loved them, as thou hast loved me.  Father, I will that they also, whom thou hast given me, be with me where I am; that they may behold my glory, which thou hast given me: for thou lovedst me before the foundation of the world.

What is this glory….it is explained various ways:
●    Abundance, wealth, treasure, and hence honour
●    Honour, dignity
●    Splendour, brightness, majesty
●    The glorious moral attributes, the infinite
perfections of  God.
●    The bliss of heaven
●     “Give God the praise”  is an adjuration to confess. They    are equivalent to, “Confess that you are an impostor,” “Give God the glory by speaking the truth;” for they denied that a miracle had been wrought.   John 9:24  (they did not believe the healed blind man)

Give God the glory. …SPEAK THE TRUTH. ..live the truth. ..if we could learn to love like Jesus.   That means be willing to accept their sickness,  accept their fears, failures….love unconditionally.

Be willing to die for them.  (whosoever needs what we have to give).   Are you willing to die or get cancer be lame or blind.  When we are I believe we will see signs, wonders and miracles.

John 15:13
Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends.

Lord help me to be that man.

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