While writing my post “They limited the Holy One”, I realized, I have not heard the Ask, Seek and Knock, scriptures taught in the seven years I have been at this UMC.

Why?    The same reason the miracles of Jesus aren’t being taught.   These things are relegated to children’s church. 

Along with the stories of Noah and Jonah, the Exodus. The miraculous, supernatural, unbelievable. 

  The things, as adults, we believe must be parables or stories,  the could not possibly be true.

We are too intelligent to believe these Bible stories, really happened. 

Why then, do we believe in Salvation?   To me that is the most unbelievable story told.

Yet, I believe.  

I also believe Noah, Jonah, Moses, Abraham and their stories are real and did happen.

Just as they are recorded.   I must, and do,  believe and act on the rest of His Word.

So let us look at these scriptures, we find them recorded in:

Matthew 7:7-11 and Luke 11:9-13

If you will take a moment to read both accounts,  you will see how similar they are.

  Two different writers,  yet, almost identical. 

Matthew 7:7-11 (KJV)

7 Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you:

8 For every one that asketh receiveth; and he that seeketh findeth; and to him that knocketh it shall be opened.

9 Or what man is there of you, whom if his son ask bread, will he give him a stone?

10 Or if he ask a fish, will he give him a serpent?

11 If ye then, being evil, know how to give good gifts unto your children, how much more shall your Father which is in heaven give good things to them that ask him?

Luke 11:9-13 (KJV)

9 And I say unto you, Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you.

10 For every one that asketh receiveth; and he that seeketh findeth; and to him that knocketh it shall be opened.

11 If a son shall ask bread of any of you that is a father, will he give him a stone? or if he ask a fish, will he for a fish give him a serpent?

12 Or if he shall ask an egg, will he offer him a scorpion?

13 If ye then, being evil, know how to give good gifts unto your children: how much more shall your heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to them that ask him?

Luke adds an egg and serpent,  and more importantly, the Holy Spirit, while  Matthew, speaks of good things.

Matthew 

“Your Father which is in heaven give good things to them that ask him?”

GOOD THINGS

Luke

“Your heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to them that ask him?”

THE HOLY SPIRIT 

Saints the Holy Spirit is a good thing,  He was promised to those who believe.   He was given on the Day of Pentecost. 

Both Peter and Paul asked new believers, “Have you received the Holy Spirit since you believed?“

Saints if you are Saved, Ask, for the Baptism  of Holy Spirit. 

It is an additional Blessing,  He is real, alive and desirous to lead, Guide, teach and comfort us. 

 To teach us truth.  To bless us with all Spiritual Blessings in Christ Jesus.   If only, we could believe. 

Do you believe? 

Will you believe? 

Will you ask?  

Notice, we may have to Seek and Knock for other desires.   Somethings must be captured. 

TO RECEIVE THE HOLY SPIRIT?    ONLY ASK!!!

Amen

We limit the Holy One:

Do we realize how we limit God?  Do we even believe, we can, and do, limit God?

How often do we think or hear, God speaks to man through the Bible, He doesn’t speak to us personally any longer. 

Signs and wonders stopped with the death of the Apostles, or Disciples….  

We are living in the silent years, like the 400 years between the Old Testament and New.

Many believe this.  Many teach this.  Many are GRIEVING THE HOLY SPIRIT. 

This scripture,  Psalms 78:41.
“Yea, they turned back and tempted God, and limited the Holy One of Israel.”

Psalms 78 talks of how the Hebrews, verse 40:
“How oft did they provoke him in the wilderness, and grieve him in the desert!”

This Psalm recites all the miracles they were witness to and benefited from.  

     >Deliverance from slavery

     >Crossing the Red Sea on dry land

     >Angels food from heaven

     >Water from a rock

And many, many more miraculous acts.  What was it that GRIEVED THE HOLY SPIRIT? 

“They turned back and tempted God.”

They didn’t believe God, to go in and take the land.

The author of Hebrews called it:
Hebrews 3:12
“Take heed, brethren, lest there be in any of you an evil heart of unbelief, in departing from the living God.”

An evil heart of unbelief. 

The Church is plagued with unbelief. 

How often did Jesus ask, where is your faith?  According to your faith….  only believe. 

Fear not, only believe….

The problem with the Church today?

WE DO NOT BELIEVE. 

We have limited the Holy One of Israel.

Do you hunger and thirst for righteousness? 

Do you long to serve a LIVING GOD?

Set your face like flint to SEEK AND SERVE THE LORD.

“Believe God is and He is a rewarder of them that diligently seek Him.”

Ask, Seek, and Knock….  Then be ready to receive. Amen

Mark  5:25-34. Matthew 9:20-22.  Luke 8:43-48

The woman with the issue of blood.

Mark 5:25-34

King James Version (KJV)

25 And a certain woman, which had an issue of blood twelve years,
26 And had suffered many things of many physicians, and had spent all that she had, and was nothing bettered, but rather grew worse,
27 When she had heard of Jesus, came in the press behind, and touched his garment.
28 For she said, If I may touch but his clothes, I shall be whole.
29 And straightway the fountain of her blood was dried up; and she felt in her body that she was healed of that plague.
30 And Jesus, immediately knowing in himself that virtue had gone out of him, turned him about in the press, and said, Who touched my clothes?
31 And his disciples said unto him, Thou seest the multitude thronging thee, and sayest thou, Who touched me?
32 And he looked round about to see her that had done this thing.
33 But the woman fearing and trembling, knowing what was done in her, came and fell down before him, and told him all the truth.
34 And he said unto her, Daughter, thy faith hath made thee whole; go in peace, and be whole of thy plague.

A certain woman:

A person, an individual, you, me, Sally, Joe or Melvin.   God deals with us one at a time.  A multitude of people, thronging Him.  He knew a certain women.

We all are at different places in our lives, we have wildly diverse needs, desires, joys and sorrows.

Jesus, meets us where we are, whether in want or triumph.

This woman had a problem,  a big one, she was plagued with an issue of blood, for 12 years.

She suffered at the hands of (at the time), modern medicine, till her finances, insurance, all she had was gone.

She only got worse.

Some have the same problem today.  We seek man’s wisdom, spend all we have, searching for the cure to our afflictions.

Somehow she knew, she had a Word of Knowledge that, “If I may touch but his clothes, I shall be made whole.”

She pushed her way through,  and She Was Immediately  Healed.

Straightway,  Jesus knew, someone touched Him.

He knows today, when we push through and touch Him.  If you have a need, physical, material or spiritual,  learn how to touch Jesus.

Then, Receive Your Request.

Jesus asked her to tell her Testimony.  She fell down before Him in Worship, and told all.

” He said unto her, Daughter, thy faith hath made thee whole; go in peace, and be whole of thy plague.”

THY FAITH HATH MADE THEE WHOLE.

Do we have the faith to push through to the Holy of Holies, to receive the grace and Mercy we need?

Have you ever pushed through, to the place of power, of Blessings, healings, comfort and joy.

Learning to Praise, can lead you there, Prayer, Fellowship with God, will lead you there, allowing the Holy Spirit to guide you will bring you there.

Saints, push through the trouble and strife of this world, enter into the Spirit and be set free.

Go in peace, and be whole.

Amen

Matthew 9:20-22

King James Version (KJV)

20 And, behold, a woman, which was diseased with an issue of blood twelve years, came behind him, and touched the hem of his garment:
21 For she said within herself, If I may but touch his garment, I shall be whole.
22 But Jesus turned him about, and when he saw her, he said, Daughter, be of good comfort; thy faith hath made thee whole. And the woman was made whole from that hour.

Luke 8:43-48

King James Version (KJV)

43 And a woman having an issue of blood twelve years, which had spent all her living upon physicians, neither could be healed of any,
44 Came behind him, and touched the border of his garment: and immediately her issue of blood stanched.
45 And Jesus said, Who touched me? When all denied, Peter and they that were with him said, Master, the multitude throng thee and press thee, and sayest thou, Who touched me?
46 And Jesus said, Somebody hath touched me: for I perceive that virtue is gone out of me.
47 And when the woman saw that she was not hid, she came trembling, and falling down before him, she declared unto him before all the people for what cause she had touched him, and how she was healed immediately.
48 And he said unto her, Daughter, be of good comfort: thy faith hath made thee whole; go in peace.

 

A blind man came to Jesus and asked to be healed.

“​Believe ye that I am able to do this?” They said unto him, “Yea, Lord.”

Do we really?

Believe, with our heart, confess with our mouth…  Only believe . .. Where is our faith?

Faith is a two way street.  We all have received a measure of Faith. The Faith to believe. 

The Faith of Salvation,  we believe Jesus died for us, we are forgiven. That God loves us.

Why don’t we believe He is able?   Or maybe we do believe, but do not know if it is His will?

What have we done with our measure of Faith?  Have we increased it, or let it wither away?

We do not see signs and wonders following us. 

 So obviously, God doesn’t do that anymore!!!

Sad, the Book tells us in Hebrews 13:8
“Jesus Christ the same yesterday, and to day, and for ever.”

After Jesus ascended into heaven, His followers healed the sick, rose the dead, caused the lame to walk.

Are we followers of Jesus?   

 “Believe ye that I am able to do this?“

We should be seeing signs and wonders.  If we only believed. 

Why don’t we?

We have failed to take up His Yoke.  We don’t really walk with Him.  We love Him, we try to be obedient, but we haven’t really learned to be one with Him.

This kind comes only by prayer and fasting.  

That sounds like work.  It is.

Matthew 11:12
“And from the days of John the Baptist until now the kingdom of heaven suffereth violence, and the violent take it by force.”

We must become violent, in our prayers:

James 5:16
“Confess your faults one to another, and pray one for another, that ye may be healed. The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much.”

We must learn to battle in prayer.  Fasting, helps, as it humbles us, it helps us to be focused,  it shows the Lord, we are willing to deny ourselves. 

Our prayers, petitions, desires must be for more of God in our lives.  Not for material things, not even for healing,  but to  SEEK THE SPIRITUAL. 

To Seek more of Jesus, to know God, and the power of His resurrection, the fellowship of His suffering, to be conformed to His image.

 We must seek to be more like Jesus, ask the Holy Spirit to guide, direct and protect us, to lead us to Truth.

“GOD IS, AND IS A REWARDER OF THEM THAT DILIGENTLY SEEK HIM.”

If we diligently seek Him, we will be rewarded with whatever Gift, Talent or Anointing that He would have us have.

Billy Graham was used mightily by God. 

 Why?  I do not know His story, but I would bet He was a man, like David, who longed for the heart of God.

I know and understand, most of us are happy to be saved… to know the Lord…  to love Him and live our lives.  It is enough. 

I am calling out the Abraham’s, Noahs, the David’s, those who want more.

I am calling those who “HUNGER AND THIRST, FOR RIGHTEOUSNESS.”

Jesus is alive, well and still able to heal the sick, cause the lame to walk, the blind to see, the deaf to hear…even to raise the dead.

He needs  willing vessels, sanctified  (set apart, for His Service), who are open and able to walk by the Power of, and Obedience to, the Holy Spirit.

This comes by time with the Lord, Reading His Word, Meditation, Praise and Prayer, and finally, walking in His Ways.

Then we will turn around and realize signs and wonders are following. 

Amen

The calling of Levi.  This story is listed twice in my Thompson Chain Reference Bibles, Harmony of the Gospels.

It is interesting, one listed the Calling of Matthew, this one the calling of Levi.  The same scriptures,  but I  find myself writing slightly different posts.

I hope you enjoy.

Mark 2:14-20. Matthew  9:9-15.  Luke 5:27-35

Mark 2:14-20

King James Version (KJV)

“And as he passed by, he saw Levi the son of Alphaeus sitting at the receipt of custom, and said unto him, Follow me. And he arose and followed him.
And it came to pass, that, as Jesus sat at meat in his house, many publicans and sinners sat also together with Jesus and his disciples: for there were many, and they followed him.
And when the scribes and Pharisees saw him eat with publicans and sinners, they said unto his disciples, How is it that he eateth and drinketh with publicans and sinners?
When Jesus heard it, he saith unto them, They that are whole have no need of the physician, but they that are sick: I came not to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance.
And the disciples of John and of the Pharisees used to fast: and they come and say unto him, Why do the disciples of John and of the Pharisees fast, but thy disciples fast not?
And Jesus said unto them, Can the children of the bridechamber fast, while the bridegroom is with them? as long as they have the bridegroom with them, they cannot fast.

But the days will come, when the bridegroom shall be taken away from them, and then shall they fast in those days.”

Once again, we find Jesus out among the people.  He didn’t wait in the Sanctuary for people to come to Him.

He was out looking to find those who needed Him.

We have no idea why Levi stood out, unless it again was a Word of Knowledge,  that Jesus knew that which was impossible to know.

Except it be revealed by God.   Levi, if asked, would follow Him, and immediately, he did.

He didn’t just follow,  he prepared a feast, called all his fellow tax collectors and sinners to meet the Man, Jesus. (His Disciples joined them).

It tells us many followed Him.

When we first meet the Master, we desire to share Him with everyone.  Unfortunately, our zeal cools down.

Why?  Sorry to say, sometimes it is because of the Religious, the Scribes and Pharisees.   You say we have no Scribes or Pharisees today?

Well open your eyes.  So many of our church leaders, are more concerned with the Law then the Spirit.

They really do, Pat us on the head, and say there there, you will see, God doesn’t do that anymore.

Apparently, Jesus lied, when He told us in John 14, that these things I do and more, will you do.  ONLY BELIEVE. 

Jesus goes on to tell us, He hasn’t come for the Righteous, but the sinner.  Not to bring the Law, but Liberty.

The Lord used signs and wonders in Egypt. To convince Pharaoh and the Hebrews that He was real.  Jesus, used signs and wonders for the same reason.

He told us to continue therein and build His Kingdom.  What happened?  Who changed?

They asked about fasting.  Some Denominations do not practice or teach on fasting.

I guess they reason, we have Jesus in our hearts, there is no need to fast.  What does it accomplish anyway?

We forget, to heal the young man, who was vexed by an unclean spirit, that they could not expel.

He said:  “This kind can come forth by nothing, but by prayer and fasting.”

Fasting is a way of humbling ourselves before the Lord.  It gets His attention, when we deny ourselves, when in search for answers.

We can fast pleasant foods as Daniel, one meal a day or week, 3,7,14,21, or 40 day fasts.  They are all represented in the Bible.

I think He would even honor fasting our favorite things. TV, the Internet, secular music… ect.

The important thing is to Seek His Face.   Draw close to God and He will draw close to you.

AMEN

 

Matthew 9:9-15

King James Version (KJV)

9 And as Jesus passed forth from thence, he saw a man, named Matthew, sitting at the receipt of custom: and he saith unto him, Follow me. And he arose, and followed him.
10 And it came to pass, as Jesus sat at meat in the house, behold, many publicans and sinners came and sat down with him and his disciples.
11 And when the Pharisees saw it, they said unto his disciples, Why eateth your Master with publicans and sinners?
12 But when Jesus heard that, he said unto them, They that be whole need not a physician, but they that are sick.
13 But go ye and learn what that meaneth, I will have mercy, and not sacrifice: for I am not come to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance.
14 Then came to him the disciples of John, saying, Why do we and the Pharisees fast oft, but thy disciples fast not?
15 And Jesus said unto them, Can the children of the bridechamber mourn, as long as the bridegroom is with them? but the days will come, when the bridegroom shall be taken from them, and then shall they fast.
Luke 5:27-35

King James Version (KJV)

27 And after these things he went forth, and saw a publican, named Levi, sitting at the receipt of custom: and he said unto him, Follow me.
28 And he left all, rose up, and followed him.
29 And Levi made him a great feast in his own house: and there was a great company of publicans and of others that sat down with them.
30 But their scribes and Pharisees murmured against his disciples, saying, Why do ye eat and drink with publicans and sinners?
31 And Jesus answering said unto them, They that are whole need not a physician; but they that are sick.
32 I came not to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance.
33 And they said unto him, Why do the disciples of John fast often, and make prayers, and likewise the disciples of the Pharisees; but thine eat and drink?
34 And he said unto them, Can ye make the children of the bridechamber fast, while the bridegroom is with them?
35 But the days will come, when the bridegroom shall be taken away from them, and then shall they fast in those days.

As a teenager I watched as my Mom, suffered the debilitating pain of rampant arthritis. 

Dad, had to carry Mom up the stairs to enter the house.  We could almost see her hands and feet as they became crippled,  in real time.

She soon, learned to survive, through the use of prescription pain pills.   (I don’t think it removes the pain as much as makes you not care).

I was abnormally concerned with my own problems, oblivious to her pain and suffering. 

As I got older I began to think her bad attitude, lack of faith, and snide smile, as she said something she thought, was clever,was the cause of her sickness. 

Even as my wife and daughter reminded me, that I had the same faults….    Can you believe that?   lol

I was redeemed, forgiven, blameless in the beloved.   Yet hateful,  seeking vengeance, a miserable, unforgiving son of a gun.   

Yes, then arthritis in my feet and ankles, began to open my eyes.  

Gee, maybe Mom couldn’t help being short with people, couldn’t control her attitude. 

Now, into my hands.  

I could push through, damn the torpedoes, full speed ahead.  When it was just a problem, moving from here to there.

Now, it’s my hands.   One in particular,  not able to play octaves, painful to play single notes, never mind chords and melodies. 

Now, the Lord has my attention.   My livelihood is in jeopardy.  Sure I can tune pianos using my left hand, but a lot of my income, is derived from playing. 

Seek ye the Lord.  He has promised.

Deuteronomy: 28. 1. 

“And it shall come to pass, if thou shalt hearken diligently unto the voice of the LORD thy God, to observe and to do all his commandments which I command thee this day, that the LORD thy God will set thee on high above all nations of the earth:  And all these blessings shall come on thee, and overtake thee, if thou shalt hearken unto the voice of the LORD thy God.”

What is going on?  This pain is not a blessing? There are 13 verses of Blessings,  why am I experiencing the curses?

Deuteronomy: 28. 15.
“But it shall come to pass, if thou wilt not hearken unto the voice of the LORD thy God, to observe to do all his commandments and his statutes which I command thee this day; that all these curses shall come upon thee, and overtake thee:”

Deuteronomy: 28. 22.
“The LORD shall smite thee with a consumption, and with a fever, and with an inflammation, and with an extreme burning, and with the sword, and with blasting, and with mildew; and they shall pursue thee until thou perish.”

Deuteronomy: 28. 35.
“The LORD shall smite thee in the knees, and in the legs, with a sore botch that cannot be healed, from the sole of thy foot unto the top of thy head.”

Isn’t it strange, arthritis, seems to be part of the curse, for not obeying, seeking and serving the Lord?

I haven’t always.  There were almost as many years of rebellion as there have been serving.

Is this arthritis a punishment for my past?

No, as with Job, (and I am not saying, I am the modern day Job), but we are all,  at times tested, tried, encouraged by the devil, to abandon our faith.

Job: 1. 8. 

“And the LORD said unto Satan, Hast thou considered my servant Job, that there is none like him in the earth, a perfect and an upright man, one that feareth God, and escheweth evil?“

When tested, do we stay true?  Do we remember the will of God?  Do we turn to or away from our salvation? 
Deuteronomy: 28. 63.
“And it shall come to pass, that as the LORD rejoiced over you to do you good, and to multiply you; so the LORD will rejoice over you to destroy you, and to bring you to nought; and ye shall be plucked from off the land whither thou goest to possess it.”

“that as the LORD rejoiced over you to do you good, and to multiply you;“

The Lords will is that we prosper and be in health, even as our soul prospers. 

Turn to the Lord, Harken diligently to His Word and Ways.

  He tells us, He is our Shepherd,  we SHALL NOT WANT.

We must learn to stand on His Word.   We must know His Word, We must know Him.

In the midst of trials and tribulation, turn to Jesus, the Author and finisher of our faith. 

Amen

Mark 5:1-20. Matthew 8:28-34 Luke 8:26-39

The story of the Legion.  In 3 Gospels, the only major difference is Matthew has two men instead of one.

Mark 5:1-20

5 And they came over unto the other side of the sea, into the country of the Gadarenes.

2 And when he was come out of the ship, immediately there met him out of the tombs a man with an unclean spirit,

3 Who had his dwelling among the tombs; and no man could bind him, no, not with chains:

4 Because that he had been often bound with fetters and chains, and the chains had been plucked asunder by him, and the fetters broken in pieces: neither could any man tame him.

5 And always, night and day, he was in the mountains, and in the tombs, crying, and cutting himself with stones.

6 But when he saw Jesus afar off, he ran and worshipped him,

7 And cried with a loud voice, and said, What have I to do with thee, Jesus, thou Son of the most high God? I adjure thee by God, that thou torment me not.

8 For he said unto him, Come out of the man, thou unclean spirit.

9 And he asked him, What is thy name? And he answered, saying, My name is Legion: for we are many.

10 And he besought him much that he would not send them away out of the country.

11 Now there was there nigh unto the mountains a great herd of swine feeding.

12 And all the devils besought him, saying, Send us into the swine, that we may enter into them.

13 And forthwith Jesus gave them leave. And the unclean spirits went out, and entered into the swine: and the herd ran violently down a steep place into the sea, (they were about two thousand;) and were choked in the sea.

14 And they that fed the swine fled, and told it in the city, and in the country. And they went out to see what it was that was done.

15 And they come to Jesus, and see him that was possessed with the devil, and had the legion, sitting, and clothed, and in his right mind: and they were afraid.

16 And they that saw it told them how it befell to him that was possessed with the devil, and also concerning the swine.

17 And they began to pray him to depart out of their coasts.

18 And when he was come into the ship, he that had been possessed with the devil prayed him that he might be with him.

19 Howbeit Jesus suffered him not, but saith unto him, Go home to thy friends, and tell them how great things the Lord hath done for thee, and hath had compassion on thee.

20 And he departed, and began to publish in Decapolis how great things Jesus had done for him: and all men did marvel.

The things that stand out to me:

~  Jesus, once again on the move…

Jesus would go somewhere, those in need would find Him.  Immediately…    Are folks flocking to your Church?   Is Jesus, really there?

Saints, we need to invite Jesus into our Services, we all want to grow our Church.

We need to grow His Kingdom.   Is there room for Him in our Services?

NO, for the most part.   We have a little music, Rituals, a message and bye, have a good week.

STOP…  SEEK JESUS… ALLOW THE HOLY SPIRIT TO MOVE IN OUR MIDST.

~  He was immediately met by one in need.

The man, with an unclean spirit.  This man was truly possessed.  Under the control of many unclean spirits.  Unnaturally strong, able to break chains and fetters, naked, crying, cutting himself.

Yet, when seeing Jesus, he ran to meet Him.

~  He fell to his knees, and Worshipped.

He cried out for mercy, torment me not…  The spirits sought release into the swine.

The whole world is tied up in chains and fetters, of sin, shame and torments. If they had the chance to experience the Power of the Lord, present, willing and able to set them free, they would flock to our Services.

The evil spirits, would cry out for mercy,  not parade around dressed as sex organs.

As people see the Power of God, something else happens.

When some see the Work of God, they ask the Worker to leave.  It isn’t possible in their lives, they haven’t or won’t spend the time and effort themselves.

It isn’t fair, that you have…  that the Lord answers your prayers.

So depart, go someplace else.  So the one who was healed, changed, set free… is left to tell of the great things God hath done.

If God moves in the midst of you.  People will marvel, be amazed.   Some will ask for more, others will ask Him to leave.

How do they know, unless they experience His Presence.

I pray our Churches our Hearts will invite Him to MOVE IN OUR MIDST.

Amen

Matthew 8:28-34

28 And when he was come to the other side into the country of the Gergesenes, there met him two possessed with devils, coming out of the tombs, exceeding fierce, so that no man might pass by that way.

29 And, behold, they cried out, saying, What have we to do with thee, Jesus, thou Son of God? art thou come hither to torment us before the time?

30 And there was a good way off from them an herd of many swine feeding.

31 So the devils besought him, saying, If thou cast us out, suffer us to go away into the herd of swine.

32 And he said unto them, Go. And when they were come out, they went into the herd of swine: and, behold, the whole herd of swine ran violently down a steep place into the sea, and perished in the waters.

33 And they that kept them fled, and went their ways into the city, and told every thing, and what was befallen to the possessed of the devils.

34 And, behold, the whole city came out to meet Jesus: and when they saw him, they besought him that he would depart out of their coasts.
Luke 8:26-39

26 And they arrived at the country of the Gadarenes, which is over against Galilee.

27 And when he went forth to land, there met him out of the city a certain man, which had devils long time, and ware no clothes, neither abode in any house, but in the tombs.

28 When he saw Jesus, he cried out, and fell down before him, and with a loud voice said, What have I to do with thee, Jesus, thou Son of God most high? I beseech thee, torment me not.

29 (For he had commanded the unclean spirit to come out of the man. For oftentimes it had caught him: and he was kept bound with chains and in fetters; and he brake the bands, and was driven of the devil into the wilderness.)

30 And Jesus asked him, saying, What is thy name? And he said, Legion: because many devils were entered into him.

31 And they besought him that he would not command them to go out into the deep.

32 And there was there an herd of many swine feeding on the mountain: and they besought him that he would suffer them to enter into them. And he suffered them.

33 Then went the devils out of the man, and entered into the swine: and the herd ran violently down a steep place into the lake, and were choked.

34 When they that fed them saw what was done, they fled, and went and told it in the city and in the country.

35 Then they went out to see what was done; and came to Jesus, and found the man, out of whom the devils were departed, sitting at the feet of Jesus, clothed, and in his right mind: and they were afraid.

36 They also which saw it told them by what means he that was possessed of the devils was healed.

37 Then the whole multitude of the country of the Gadarenes round about besought him to depart from them; for they were taken with great fear: and he went up into the ship, and returned back again.

38 Now the man out of whom the devils were departed besought him that he might be with him: but Jesus sent him away, saying,

39 Return to thine own house, and shew how great things God hath done unto thee. And he went his way, and published throughout the whole city how great things Jesus had done unto him.

I am happy to report, I have dressed myself, (buttons, socks and belt), for the last three days.

I even managed to put two hands on the keys Sunday a.m.  (Simple one note lead lines).

This morning I have a tuning scheduled.   It will be my first left handed tuning in 20+ years.

A real learning experience.   (Help?  lol..)

Thank you for your prayers, the Lords answer is  the reason for my progress thus far.   Please pray I get full (painless)  use, back to my right hand.  

Thanks once again,

Blessings, 

Bill

Proverbs: 18. 14. 

“The spirit of a man will sustain his infirmity; but a wounded spirit who can bear?”

Thank You, Lord, Your Spirit sustains me in my infirmity.  While weak, in Spirit I am strong. 

My Faith, causes me to look up and rely on You. All my needs are met,  by my Lord and Savior.  The Shepherd of my soul.

I love and  trust You, Lord.  I thank You, for You keep, Your promises,  Your Word is truth.  I am Yours, Oh Lord.

Matthew 5:6
“Blessed are they which do hunger and thirst after righteousness: for they shall be filled.”
I currently play piano in a nice UMC.  I Know that the people, know and love the Lord.   (Why else attend  for 60 years?)

What I do not, and will not ever understand, is how they can just accept where they are and not hunger and thirst for more.

How can you accept that God has saved you, and not believe the rest of His Word.

To my natural mind, there is nothing more outrageous or unbelievable then, a man has to die, to save me from my sins.

A man, sacrificed, to replace the blood of bulls and goats.  How gullible, do we have to be, to believe this?

Yet, I do.  Why?  

Because, I sensed,  a knocking on the door of my heart.  I opened the door.  Jesus came in.

The weight of the world, lifted off my shoulders.  I experienced forgiveness and   freedom from the bondage of sin and shame.

I am blameless in the beloved. 

Should I stop here, continue no further?   Is that all I need or want?   No, no a thousand times, NO. 

That place, is the beginning of a never ending quest, a journey of discovery.   It gave me a hunger and thirst for righteousness. 

The first taste, gave me, a longing for more.   I search the Word, to know Him more.

You saved me Lord, You set me free, You let me recognize true love, for the first time ever.

I desire more.   I realize, I do not deserve anything,  that I am not worthy of Your notice.

Yet, I am loved, accepted and promised so much more.

IF I ONLY BELIEVE.  IF I,  HAVE FAITH IN GOD.

Saints, the Bible is full of promises, they are available for whosoever will.

We have too many who won’t.    

I beg you,  Seek first the kingdom of God, everything else you need will follow.

Blessings, 

Amen

Psalm: 10. 4. 

“The wicked, through the pride of his countenance, will not seek after God: God is not in all his thoughts.”

This is the condition of our towns, counties, states and country.  The people,  will not seek after God.   God is not in their thoughts.  God has no reverence in their lives.  

We, do fine without a God.  We, are all powerful, we, cause, and can fix, the climate, we, are the masters of our universe. 

I am, the master of my own life.  I have, by my own power and wisdom, caused my success.  I will succeed in all I do.

Is that not, the attitude of the world?  Do not the lost, believe this?  Are they not, delusional?

Are they correct?  Is there any reason to serve the Lord?  Is there an upside to becoming a Christian?   Is it worth it to press toward the mark, for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus?

Indeed it is worth it.  Here are some Blessings For the righteous from Proverbs 11.

  ~   The righteousness of the perfect shall direct his way: 

  ~   The righteousness of the upright shall deliver them: 

  ~  The righteous is delivered out of trouble, 

  ~  By the blessing of the upright the city is exalted: 

  ~  As righteousness tendeth to life: 

  ~  To the LORD:  such as are upright in their way are his delight.

  ~   To him that soweth righteousness shall be a sure reward.

  ~   The desire of the righteous is only good: 

  ~  He that diligently seeketh good procureth favour: 

  ~  The seed of the righteous shall be delivered.

  ~   The righteous shall flourish as a branch.

  ~   The fruit of the righteous is a tree of life; and he that winneth souls is wise.

  ~  Behold, the righteous shall be recompensed in the earth: 

These are Blessings promised to those who hunger and thirst for Righteousness. 

Is it worth the trouble?  ABSOLUTELY….

When you said, seek ye the Lord.  I answered, I will set my face like flint seek my God.  Amen. 

Mark 4:36-41. Matthew 8:23-27. Luke  8:22-25

 Who do you trust?   What do you believe?   When is your faith strongest?   Where is your faith?  Why does your faith fail?   How do we grow our faith?

These are all good questions,  do we have the answers at hand.

1 Peter 3:15
“But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts: and be ready always to give an answer to every man that asketh you a reason of the hope that is in you with meekness and fear:“

Jesus, in His ministry years, mentioned faith, often.   

He was disappointed with those who lacked sufficient faith, to walk on water, cast out devils,  be healed, calm the storm, or move mountains.

All because of a lack of faith. 

He marvelled at those with great faith… He saw their faith,  and healed them,  they received their petition because of their faith, they received their sight, were saved, were made whole.   

All because of faith.

So “In whom do you put your trust?”

Is your faith in Christ?   Or in your Pastor?  Billy Graham, Jimmy Swagart, Martin Luther, John Wesley?   

Is it Christ, or your Church that you Worship? 

I cringe, when I hear people,(in pride say), I am a Baptist, Methodist, Adventist, ect, and ect…

We identify with our Denomination, when we need to  identify, only with Christ. 

I joined the Church, the day I asked Jesus to be my Lord and Savior.   I am a member in good standing, forgiven, blameless, accepted in the beloved. 

Please don’t expect me to join your Denomination. 

I will gladly attend services,  Praise the Lord with you, listen to and embrace the teachings of your Denomination, or teach, as long as it lines up with the Word.

Our faith, our service, our praise,  needs to be centered and directed to Christ.  

What do you believe?

Are you a cafeteria Christian?  Or do you believe the Full Council of God?  

Please read beyond your Denominational teachings, Ask and Trust the Holy Spirit to Lead you to all truth.

Don’t waste your time asking UNBELIEVING BELIEVERS,  to explain, that which they do not believe.  

If the BOOK says one thing, and your Denomination, another?  

PLEASE TRUST THE BOOK AND SEEK THE HOLY SPIRIT, WHO WILL LEAD YOU TO ALL TRUTH.

ABOVE YOUR DENOMINATIONS.

When is your faith strongest?   Why does your faith fail?   How do we grow our faith?

We are all given a measure of Faith.  The ability to believe, if we will.

We need to understand a few things.  Faith in God and Salvation are personal things.  Mom and Dad cannot save us by their faith. 

We cannot save our children by our faith.

According to the Word, our lack of Faith, or our unbelief, our worship of anything that isn’t the Lord, brings us to trouble.  (Exodus 20, Deuteronomy 5)

” I the Lord thy God am a jealous God, visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children unto the third and fourth generation of them that hate me,
And shewing mercy unto thousands of them that love me and keep my commandments.”

Our disbelief, our sins will have consequences to the third and forth generation.   If you feel like you are cursed?  You might be.

The other side of the coin is blessings to thousands of our descendents, if we love and keep His commandments.

We can easily fall away, by staying away or by never really growing to start with.  To be strong in the Lord, we must first know the Lord.

We must:

~  Study to show ourselves approved:

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.”

~  Set ourselves apart:

Romans 12:1-2

“I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service.

And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.”

We do this by renewing our minds, this takes Study of the Word, renewing our minds, learning to be holy, knowing God’s good, acceptable, and perfect will.

~  We must learn to pray:

Jude 1:20-21
“But ye, beloved, building up yourselves on your most holy faith, praying in the Holy Ghost, Keep yourselves in the love of God, looking for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ unto eternal life.”

Pray in the Holy Ghost,   yes, the best way to do that is to Pray in Tongues. 

1 Corinthians 14:2

“For he that speaketh in an unknown tongue speaketh not unto men, but unto God: for no man understandeth him; howbeit in the spirit he speaketh mysteries.“

If You don’t pray in Tongues,  at least know the Word and pray in accordance to it.  KNOW GOD’S WILL, AND PRAY THAT.

When do we need strong faith?   NOW.

We must believe.   Our Faith needs to be strong, sound and active.   Amen

Mark 4:36-41

36 And when they had sent away the multitude, they took him even as he was in the ship. And there were also with him other little ships.
37 And there arose a great storm of wind, and the waves beat into the ship, so that it was now full.
38 And he was in the hinder part of the ship, asleep on a pillow: and they awake him, and say unto him, Master, carest thou not that we perish?
39 And he arose, and rebuked the wind, and said unto the sea, Peace, be still. And the wind ceased, and there was a great calm.
40 And he said unto them, Why are ye so fearful? how is it that ye have no faith?
41 And they feared exceedingly, and said one to another, What manner of man is this, that even the wind and the sea obey him?

Matthew 8:23-27

23 And when he was entered into a ship, his disciples followed him.
24 And, behold, there arose a great tempest in the sea, insomuch that the ship was covered with the waves: but he was asleep.
25 And his disciples came to him, and awoke him, saying, Lord, save us: we perish.
26 And he saith unto them, Why are ye fearful, O ye of little faith? Then he arose, and rebuked the winds and the sea; and there was a great calm.
27 But the men marvelled, saying, What manner of man is this, that even the winds and the sea obey him!

Luke 8:22-25

22 Now it came to pass on a certain day, that he went into a ship with his disciples: and he said unto them, Let us go over unto the other side of the lake. And they launched forth.
23 But as they sailed he fell asleep: and there came down a storm of wind on the lake; and they were filled with water, and were in jeopardy.
24 And they came to him, and awoke him, saying, Master, master, we perish. Then he arose, and rebuked the wind and the raging of the water: and they ceased, and there was a calm.
25 And he said unto them, Where is your faith? And they being afraid wondered, saying one to another, What manner of man is this! for he commandeth even the winds and water, and they obey him.

Psalm 139:13-14

“For thou hast possessed my reins: thou hast covered me in my mother’s womb.   

I will praise thee; for I am fearfully and wonderfully made: marvellous are thy works; and that my soul knoweth right well.”

We are POSSESSED…  

Possessed:  To occupy, to seize, to rob, to inherit. (Strongs Concordance #3423, OT)  These are some of the meanings given for the word Possessed in the Old Testament. 

It means to own, or occupy the land.  In the Psalm above we see that the Lord, possessed my reins.  What???

Reins:    Strongs #3629 tells this means an essential organ, a kidney or fig. the mind (as the interior self).  

We are Possessed by the Lord.  Every human ever conceived, was and is, fearfully and wonderfully made.    We belong to God. 

He is our Creator, herein lies the  problem,  Freewill.    He gives us the ability to choose whether to accept Him as Lord and Savior or not.

Most of the world chooses not.  How Sad.

That’s not what this post is about.  Let’s talk about us.  We possess things.  We own our cars, homes, land, things…   Some, once owned people. 

Slavery, unfortunately once was practiced  here in the United States,  and is still practiced in many parts of the world.   That is certainly a wrong that should be corrected.   

We as Christians  should be slaves, though, bond slaves of Christ.

To be a bond slave of Christ is by choice, by our   Freewill.  It is a total giving of our mind, heart and body to the Lord.

How about being Possessed by the devil?   We find a lot of references to people being Possessed by the devil in the New Testament. Really?  What does that mean?

Matthew 12:22. Luke 11:14
Matthew 12:22
“Then was brought unto him one possessed with a devil, blind, and dumb: and he healed him, insomuch that the blind and dumb both spake and saw.”
Luke 11:14
“And he was casting out a devil, and it was dumb. And it came to pass, when the devil was gone out, the dumb spake; and the people wondered.”

Possessed:  In the New Testament it can mean to own something, (such as property or things), but when connected to the devil, (possesed by, it is #1139, Strongs Concordance New Testament), it means to be exercised by, or vexed, troubled, bothered.

It is from the root word for devil.  A demon or devil cannot possess you, they can continuously trouble us, tempting us, vex our Spirit, but  We  are the Lords.

As Eve found out, the devil can tempt us by reminding us of our lust, greed, or pride.

Paul tells us a messenger of Satan, can buffet us, be a continuous thorn in our side.  

Tempting us, reminding us, if we fail in the fight, it can become the sin that so easily be sets us.

We see different levels of trials from this vexing, trouble, agitation.  From the Legion, wild, crazy, out of control. 

To seizures, issues of blood, deformities of limbs, to spirits of divination. 

 The point is Jesus can heal and set us free from anything the devil sends our way.  As He healed the blind and dumb man, causing him to see and speak.

The point?   NOTHING IS IMPOSSIBLE WITH GOD.

He can comfort, heal, set us free from all the vexatious, troubles of the devil.

Unfortunately,  we do have to deal with the consequences of our decisions and actions.

That is a whole separate can of worms.

This story is told in three Gospels.   In the mouth of two or three witnesses… we find the truth.

Mark 2:1-12  Luke 5:17-26. Matthew 9:1-8

Mark 2

2 And again he entered into Capernaum after some days; and it was noised that he was in the house.
2 And straightway many were gathered together, insomuch that there was no room to receive them, no, not so much as about the door: and he preached the word unto them.  (Luke-the power of the Lord was present to heal them.)
3 And they come unto him, bringing one sick of the palsy, which was borne of four.
4 And when they could not come nigh unto him for the press, they uncovered the roof where he was: and when they had broken it up, they let down the bed wherein the sick of the palsy lay.
5 When Jesus saw their faith, he said unto the sick of the palsy, Son, thy sins be forgiven thee.
6 But there was certain of the scribes sitting there, and reasoning in their hearts,
7 Why doth this man thus speak blasphemies? who can forgive sins but God only?
8 And immediately when Jesus perceived in his spirit  (knew their thoughts) that they so reasoned within themselves, he said unto them, Why reason ye these things in your hearts?
9 Whether is it easier to say to the sick of the palsy, Thy sins be forgiven thee; or to say, Arise, and take up thy bed, and walk?
10 But that ye may know that the Son of man hath power on earth to forgive sins, (he saith to the sick of the palsy,)
11 I say unto thee, Arise, and take up thy bed, and go thy way into thine house.
12 And immediately he arose, took up the bed, and went forth before them all; insomuch that they were all amazed, and glorified God, saying, We never saw it on this fashion.

This is a Faith building Story.   There are several points I would like to make.

A.  Not a Sabbath, Not in a Church (Jesus taught, on boats, hillsides,  private homes, on the streets). 

Wherever He was, the Word was shared.

We must carry the Gospel wherever we go.  We don’t need to know a lot of scriptures, (although it doesn’t hurt).   Women at well,  Legion, all who meet Him, long to tell of His Grace and Mercy.

It is important to know the Author.   Know in whom you believe and why.  This comes from time in the Word and in Prayer and Meditation. 

Spending time with the Lord.

B. It was noised about: 

The news of the presence of the Lord, gets talked about…  Churches grow, if the Lord is revealed. 

C.  Straightway  many were gathered:

Standing room only…. or no room at all.  Our Churches should be full, and would be full.  IF we allow the Lords Presence.    

Moment of meditation.  A place for God to reveal Himself.

This is a place where we could hear a Word of Wisdom or Knowledge, Prophecy… 

1 Corinthians 12:27-28

27 Now ye are the body of Christ, and members in particular.
28 And God hath set some in the church, first apostles, secondarily prophets, thirdly teachers, (all the easiest gifts to walk in). after that miracles, then gifts of healings, helps, governments, diversities of tongues.
If God spoke through a Donkey,  He could surely speak through the newest of Christians.

Miracles, gifts of healings,… these call for a deeper walk with the Lord…  Taking His Yoke upon us, walking with Him.

D.  He preached the Word:

The problem with the Church, we never hear the Full Council of God.   Lectionary’s, are great, they keep track of the Church Calendar. 

So we preach and teach, what happened when and what, year in and year out.  Birth, Death, Resurrection,  Pentecost….

Then we get into Doctrines:  Justification, Sanctification, Baptism, ect…

We end up missing the real message.  When John the Baptists faith wavered, he sent his followers to Jesus.  Are you the one?

Luke 7:22
Then Jesus answering said unto them, Go your way, and tell John what things ye have seen and heard; how that the blind see, the lame walk, the lepers are cleansed, the deaf hear, the dead are raised, to the poor the gospel is preached.

When we tell people what we have seen and heard, it doesn’t build up or renew  faith… We haven’t experienced those things. So when we tell people about the Lord.   It’s so what?

We need to hear the Full Council of God. 

Acts 17:18
he preached unto them Jesus, and the resurrection.

Galatians 3:5-6

5 He therefore that ministereth to you the Spirit, and worketh miracles among you, doeth he it by the works of the law, or by the hearing of faith?
6 Even as Abraham believed God, and it was accounted to him for righteousness.

2 Corinthians 3:5-6

5 Not that we are sufficient of ourselves to think any thing as of ourselves; but our sufficiency is of God;

6 Who also hath made us able ministers of the new testament; not of the letter, but of the spirit: for the letter killeth, but the spirit giveth life.

E.  There was no o way to get close.

They made a way.  Made a hole in the roof.

F.  JESUS SAW THEIR FAITH:

He saw their faith, because, they made a way to reach Him, when there was no way.
We come to Church, maybe even a Bible Study, we accept being fed, with no apparent  desire to learn to feed ourselves.
We never learn to chew our food, we don’t have the meat of the Word in our Spiritual diet.
We do not, study to shew ourselves approved unto God, workmen, rightly dividing the word of Truth.
It really isn’t hard to get close to God, to study His Word, to enter into the Holy of Holies.  To abide in Him.

When we do, we believe and act on His Word.

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.“

The Lord is God, He desires that all men be saved, He wants us to prosper and be in health, even as our soul prospers.

We need to read the Word Daily…  No big deal, not for hours, a Proverb or a Psalm a day.  If you have time a chapter of the New Testament. 

We need to know the Word, so we can judge the truth of what we are taught.

MANY DON’T BELIEVE GOD SAVES, HEALS SETS FREE…

Why?

They haven’t learned to feed themselves… They only know what they have been taught. 

It is impossible to expect a Pastor or teacher to teach the Full Council of God.  We aren’t under his teaching full time.  

He can only hope to entice us to Seek the Lord ourselves. 

We must feed ourselves.  Pastors lead to the food source,  we must feed ourselves. 

G.  They reasoned in their hearts:

The Religious, the UNBELIEVING BELIEVERS:   Those who know the Lord, who when they hear or see something they have not seen or believed before, anything they haven’t been taught, will search the scriptures to prove it wrong.   Rather to see if it is true.

We need to be open to Revelation Knowledge.  Luther was, the Wesley’s were.  We need to FOLLOW JESUS… not them.

  Deuteronomy 29:29
“The secret things belong unto the Lord our God: but those things which are revealed belong unto us and to our children for ever, that we may do all the words of this law.”

The Word never changes, the Spirit leads and teaches us to new understanding.   Growth in the Lord.

H.  Jesus perceived in His Spirit:  He knew their thoughts.

The Gift of a WORD OF KNOWLEDGE.   As He saw Phillip, under the fig tree, the Desciples out in the storm, before walking on water to meet them.

The Gifts of the Spirit, in 1 Corinthians 13 are ours for the building of His Church.  They are the STRAW TO MAKE THE BRICKS….  We see their use through out the Bible.

We need to be taught to recognize them.  Paul told us to seek the best gifts.  Which one is that?

The One we need right now.

I.  He wanted them to know HE IS GOD.

Enoch knew GOD IS AND HE IS A REWARDER OF THEM WHO DILIGENTLY SEEK HIM.

THERE IS NO EXPIRATION DATE ON THE GIFTS OF THE SPIRIT. 

J.  Immediately  he was healed.  All were amazed and glorified God. 

I pray our hearts and minds are open to receive the Revelation Knowledge the Holy Spirit longs to share.

Seek His Face.  Amen