Those we leave behind are a sign of our passing.
Does your sign point to Jesus?
Or is it empty?
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Walking with God
Useful Vessels
Useful Vessels come in all shapes and sizes, they are built for specific duties and tasks. When working, they do wonderful things for their Masters.
Lord, help me to be a useful vessel.
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Storage Wars:
Are you a useful vessel, or so filled with old junk there’s no room for the Holy Spirit to work?
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Don’t go without Jesus
The end without Jesus. …is never-ending. Accept His love today.
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Merry Christmas
May the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.
Merry Christmas and Happy New Year
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Life springs eternal :
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the LORD thy God hath chosen thee
Deuteronomy: 7. 6. For thou art an holy people unto the LORD thy God: the LORD thy God hath chosen thee to be a special people unto himself, above all people that are upon the face of the earth.
Do you believe that? Has the Lord chosen you? Are you holy? Special, above all people?
Yes, yes, yes, yes and yes. The promises of God are yes and amen.
You are the beloved, a gift beyond great price.
Are you living up to His expectations? I know I am not. He desires me to be Holy, I am, only by His blood. He chose me, only because of His love and mercy.
I am special only by His grace.
In 2 Kings 13 we have Elisha on his death bed instructing Joash, the King of Israel. Shoot an arrow out the window. The arrow of the Lords deliverance. …to mark victory over enimies.
Then he had him hit the ground with the arrows. …he smote the ground thrice. Elisha was upset, “You should have smote the ground 5 or 6 times, then you would have consumed your enimies. ….now you will only have victory twice.
How was he to know? He wasn’t. The lesson for us is to do whatever we do with our whole heart and soul.
The way to please the Lord and gain victory over sin and death is to seek the Lord, determine in our hearts to love, honor an obey the Lord. Be set apart, dedicated to His service, open to His directions, protection and inspiration. To do all with all and above all for Him.
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Glory
Glory to God in the highest, peace on earth to men of goodwill.
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The Helper
The other night I complimented my college aged daughter, on how well she helped me do a job that day and how I’d enjoyed her company.
She thanked me and commented: “I didn’t do much.”
I ended up explaining how important, a good helper is:
* Paying attention
* understanding what part or tool is needed next
* having it handy
* Fetching needed stuff
* Being a third hand, when needed
* a good attitude
It caused me to evaluate my status as a servant of the Lord.
☆ Do I pay attention to His work?
☆ Do I understand what He needs from me?
☆ Am I ready with the words or actions to fill the need?
☆ Am I willing to go at His bidding?
☆ Will I get my hands dirty to serve His need? (Dig a ditch, build a mud pie?)
☆ How’s my attitude? (Am I too good to be second banana? )
To be honest, I am probably one of the worst of His servants. Most times I am sure His work would go faster, better and prettier, if He could just listen to my advice and let me do it my way.
I sometimes have a hard time with the verse:
“Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord and He shall lift you up.”
I am sure I am worthy of all glory, honor and power.
Do you see why I have a problem? As I look around I don’t believe I’m alone.
Many of us want it our way. We are the star, the only one who knows how it should be. Whether it’s the colors of the carpet or where the money should be used, or what the Pastor preaches.
STOP IT!!!
Become a good and faithful servant.
The operative word is servant…..to be a good servant we must do His will, His way, in His time. Not mine.
Help me please, Lord, to walk and obey.
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Cast off!
When we cast off our carnal man, the Lord can make us sail again.
Let Jesus make you shipshape.
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4 types of believers :
There are 4 types of believers in the body of Christ :
The Church attenders
The Levites
The Priest’s
Those who walk with God :
☆ The Church attenders:
These are the people who desperately want a Savior, some attend church Christmas and Easter, most every Sunday, a chosen few two or more times a week. They may be involved with Sunday school, choir, Bible study.
They know the apostles creed, they have believed and confessed Jesus as Lord and Savior.
They have allowed Jesus to be Savior; As Lord, not so much.
They love the idea of being saved as long as it doesn’t interrupt or change their lives too much.
Like the Hebrews in the desert, they will gladly partake of the Lords provisions while complaining about the same.
Man: “I haven’t had a new pair of shoes in years.”
Other man: “Well, they still look brand new.”
Man: “Yeah, I want different ones.”
Dismissing the miracles the Lord is doing, daily.
☆ The Levites:
The Levites are the backbone of the Churches; they are the organizers, the workers, builders, movers and shakers.
In the desert they assembled and disassembled, carried and cared for the Lords house.
Protected it from stangers (those who knew not the Lord). They stood with the Priest’s when the Church attenders sinned.
They know the apostles creed, they have believed and confessed Jesus as Lord and Savior.
They have allowed Jesus to be Savior; and Lord in many areas of their lives.
Some things are just to dear to give up.
☆ The Priest’s :
These are the doers of the Word: They study to show themselves approved, workmen rightly dividing the Word of truth. They teach, preach, exhort, comfort, guide and direct. Wherever they go.
They know the apostles creed, they have believed and confessed Jesus as Lord and Savior.
Jesus is their Lord and Savior :
They live a life of holiness, sanctification and consecration.
They deny themselves and take up their cross daily.
They work out their Salvation with fear and trembling.
They have set their face like flint towards the Lord.
They may have many followers or none. They are concerned with being obedient to God. They will be misunderstood, maligned, persecuted and highly favored by God.
☆ Those who walk with God :
Psalm 65:4
King James Version (KJV)
“Blessed is the man whom thou choosest, and causest to approach unto thee, that he may dwell in thy courts: we shall be satisfied with the goodness of thy house, even of thy holy temple.”
This is who we all should aspire to be. The Lord has stood at the door of our hearts, we have accepted Him in. Now we need to let Him Cause us to approach, learn to enter into the Holy of Holies, to find the mercy and grace He so wants to share.
Psalm 22 tells us He inhabits the Praise of His people. If we desire to walk with Jesus, we must learn to praise and worship. Learn to live the Lords prayer, not just recite it.
If we want to experience joy unspeakable, the peace that passes understanding, the comforter, teacher, lover of our souls, we must Worship and adore Him. Believe Him…Take His Yoke…..it is the only way to Walk with Him.
If you just attend Church, and don’t allow Jesus to be Lord, when its time to enter the promise, you may find you have an evil heart of unbelief. Like the Hebrews you may just wonder and die in the desert.
Please Lord, create in us clean hearts and renew our Spirits, that we might Walk with You.
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Neglected Caroline – lawn art
As a boat, must be on water to serve its maker. A Christian, must be in the world to serve his Master. So if a boat stuck on land is lawn art, what is a Christian that’s stuck in the church?
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Love Jesus?
I love the Lord. So why am I uncomfortable when I see home made signs of love. Why are these folks strange and I’m not?
Lord forgive me, make me bold but loving in my witness.
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Sin is like Gorilla Glue
Have you ever used Gorilla Glue? It is wonderful stuff, I have used it for many projects and been extremely satisfied with the results.
My smart phone holster was falling apart so Gorilla Glue to the rescue. While at a job I knew I would be on for 3 or more hours. I decided to glue up my holster. Took my phone out applied glue. Set it aside to dry.
It was finished: The job was done. Collected my tools, put them in tool case. Checked out holster…..looking good, seemed dry. Put on hip, placed phone inside, went out to my car.
Phone vibrated; once.
I’ve had this phone almost 2 years…it is a good phone, I know how to use this phone. This phone has my life on it.
The only problem with this phone is the screen cracks really easily. (When dropped).
I had replaced screen twice. (Ouch). The third time decided to live with the cracks.
Vibrate once, a text message I am sure.
Well maybe I shut it off by accident?
Not a chance, a little bit of Gorilla Glue snuck inside the cracks and fried my phone.
Why do I mention this? Just to let you know I’m not too bright?
No, to warn you that sin is just like Gorilla Glue. It expands and will fill any cracks in your armor. A little sin in your life, can and will completely take over. It can fry your walk with the Lord.
We must be quick to recognize and quick to repent, just like King David when Nathan woke him up to his sin. Our Spirit may belong to the Lord, we still have our minds and bodies that need to be brought under submission to the Holy Ghost.
Let the chastisement of the Lord teach you the way you should walk. We are Holy because He is Holy….We must let His Spirit rule in our lives.
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Shall not God search this out?
Psalm 44:21
King James Version (KJV)
“Shall not God search this out? for he knoweth the secrets of the heart.“
As I’ve studied the Word, I believe one of the reasons we see so few mighty miracles, signs and wonders, even positive answers to prayers, is because of the condition of our hearts. Why do I desire to see the power of God, is it so He will be glorified or so I’ll be in the spotlight?
Jeremiah 17:9
King James Version (KJV)
“The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked: who can know it?”
What are my motives? I cry out: “Create in me a clean heart O Lord, renew in me a right Spirit.
Am I a vessel the Lord can trust and use, or will I be filled with pride?
1 Chronicles 28:9
King James Version (KJV)
“And thou, Solomon my son, know thou the God of thy father, and serve him with a perfect heart and with a willing mind: for the Lord searcheth all hearts, and understandeth all the imaginations of the thoughts: if thou seek him, he will be found of thee; but if thou forsake him, he will cast thee off for ever.”
Have I a perfect heart and willing mind towards God?
I know I am saved, sanctified, holy ghost filled and water baptized, Jesus on my mind, I found a new life. But I am still a man at war with my fleshly desires.
I love the Lord but I am still a prideful man, a stiffnecked and rebellious person. More often than not I want God to do things my way, rather than doing the Lords will. This is why I miss the mark, I fail in doing the will of God. I fail to see the power of God in my life or ministry.
Psalm 77:5-7
King James Version (KJV)
” I have considered the days of old, the years of ancient times. I call to remembrance my song in the night: I commune with mine own heart: and my spirit made diligent search. Will the Lord cast off for ever? and will he be favourable no more?”
Romans 8:27
King James Version (KJV)
“And he that searcheth the hearts knoweth what is the mind of the Spirit, because he maketh intercession for the saints according to the will of God.”
I do search my heart, ask the Lord for a clean heart. Believe He has given me a new heart. One that hungers and thirsts for Him. I long to see His will done. Thank You Holy Spirit for Your intercession, love, comfort and teaching.
Lord make me a vessel that you can use, that souls will be saved. Bodies healed and made whole. That You be lifted up, Glorified, Magnified, Praised, Worshipped and Obeyed.
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Fleet Caroline at rest. 12/10/14
All these vessels, waiting to fulfill their purpose. Reminds me of the church. Waiting to be used, when all we need to do is cast off.
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Take heed to thyself. …
These scriptures are from Deuteronomy 4, I believe they are wisdom for us today…..I think it reads quite well also.
“But ye that did cleave unto the Lord your God are alive every one of you this day.
Only take heed to thyself, and keep thy soul diligently, lest thou forget the things which thine eyes have seen, and lest they depart from thy heart all the days of thy life: but teach them thy sons, and thy sons’ sons;
But the Lord hath taken you, and brought you forth out of the iron furnace, even out of Egypt, to be unto him a people of inheritance, as ye are this day.
Take heed unto yourselves, lest ye forget the covenant of the Lord your God, which he made with you,
For the Lord thy God is a consuming fire, even a jealous God.
When thou shalt beget children, and children’s children, and ye shall have remained long in the land, and shall corrupt yourselves,
And the Lord shall scatter you among the nations, and ye shall be left few in number among the heathen, whither the Lord shall lead you.
And there ye shall serve gods, the work of men’s hands,
But if from thence thou shalt seek the Lord thy God, thou shalt find him, if thou seek him with all thy heart and with all thy soul.
When thou art in tribulation, and all these things are come upon thee, even in the latter days, if thou turn to the Lord thy God, and shalt be obedient unto his voice;
(For the Lord thy God is a merciful God;) he will not forsake thee, neither destroy thee, nor forget the covenant of thy fathers which he sware unto them.
Know therefore this day, and consider it in thine heart, that the Lord he is God in heaven above, and upon the earth beneath: there is none else.”
We must turn to God and be obedient, Lord help us to know and love you.
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For where two or three are gathered together in my name,
Matthew 18:20
King James Version (KJV)
“For where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them.”
Do we really understand the power we have as Christians if we are truly together? Spiritually together, of one mind and heart in agreement. Jesus, God Himself is in our midst.
If God be for us, who can be against?
I bring this up because of a wonderful picture of this Scripture I found at:
http://whiskedawaykenya.com
This young lady has a vidio of three Kenyon men, steeling a meal from between 6 and 15 Lions.
Without using their weapons. We need to be watchful of lions.
1 Peter 5:8
King James Version (KJV)
“Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour:“
The Lord warns us that the devil is likened to a roaring lion…..seeking those he can devour.
He comes to kill, steel and destroy. It seems impossible that we could steel from him. These men from Kenya show us how it is done.
Ecclesiastes 4:12
King James Version (KJV)
“And if one prevail against him, two shall withstand him; and a threefold cord is not quickly broken.“
One can prevail, ( to defeat an opponent especially in a long or difficult contest).
Two shall withstand, ( : to not be harmed or affected by (something)
: to deal with (something, such as an attack or criticism) successfully).
Threefold cord not easily broken, ( violently separated into parts : shattered).
These three men walking in a line, scare off a pack of lions, walk up to the kill and cut off meat for their own use. Walk away unmolested. Wow. Well worth a visit and watch.
The point is as Christians, alone we can prevail but it is a hard fight. Two more easily withstands the attack, without much damage, three together is not easily defeated. There is strength in the body of believers.
When the church was in one accord, it was added to daily. The Spirit of the Lord was present, there was power, fear of the Lord. Miracles, signs and wonders. The church needs this above all else.
I think we need to come together in one accord….heart, soul, mind and strength. ….bow down before the Lord and live out the Lords prayer, not just repeat it. Learn to Worship the King in Spirit and truth.
Lord help us to understand and welcome Your presence in our lives and church.
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Merry Christmas
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Is a Promise Delayed, a promise denied?
Are you waiting to receive a promise from God? Something you saw in the Word and claimed as your own? A desire of your heart, you’re sure you received from God?
A ministry, financial need, work, salvation for loved ones?
There are many things we hope and pray for, believe the Lord will give us, that stay just out of our reach.
This can seem cruel, thoughtless, mean. Why isn’t this need, want or promise fulfilled?
Am I desiring something that will hurt me or others? No. Is it a selfish, I deserve it, I’m so much holier than thou, thing? No.
What is the problem?
Let us take a quick look at Joseph:
Psalm 105:17-22
King James Version (KJV)
“He sent a man before them, even Joseph, who was sold for a servant: Whose feet they hurt with fetters: he was laid in iron:
Until the time that his word came: the word of the Lord tried him.
The king sent and loosed him; even the ruler of the people, and let him go free. He made him lord of his house, and ruler of all his substance: To bind his princes at his pleasure; and teach his senators wisdom.”
The verse in the middle is the key:
“Until the time that his word came : the word of the Lord tried him. “
Joseph, in his youth, was given a prophetic dream, he told his brothers. …they showed him. Bow down indeed.
Sold into slavery, accused of rape, sentenced to prison. ……years pass…
Where was his faith? Was he thinking, am I crazy? Or my Lord promised.
What are you thinking, saying, believing?
Until his dream came true….his brothers appeared before him and bowed. That Word, (promise), tried his faith. Every day of his life.
He believed God is and is a rewarder of them that diligently seek Him.
That is what we must do.
1 Corinthians 1:9
King James Version (KJV)
“God is faithful, by whom ye were called unto the fellowship of his Son Jesus Christ our Lord.”
Wait, Hope, Believe. ..God is faithful, you will receive.
“Therefore I say unto you, What things soever ye desire, when ye pray, believe that ye receive them, and ye shall have them.”
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theunfetteredpreacher 