CONTROL OF THE WIND AND THE SEA

We hear people laugh when Pat Robertson and others pray for the Hurricanes to go away. We dismiss this miracle, as wishful or delusional thinking. We just don’t believe we could have this power.

As Christians we believe in the Creator of everything, and that He caused the Ten Plagues in Egypt, but that we could see these results, personally?  No Way.

Mark 4:36-41

“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. And there arose a great storm of wind, and the waves beat into the ship so that it was now full. 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? 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. And he said unto them, Why are ye so fearful? how is it that ye have no faith? And they feared exceedingly, and said one to another, What manner of man is this, that even the wind and the sea obey him?”

Jesus controlled the wind and sea and caused a fig tree to dry up and die. (Matthew 21:19-21) He told the disciples if they only had faith they could do the same to the fig tree and also move that mountain into the sea.

What has happened that that measure of faith is not apparent in our lives, our Preachers, or our Churches? We see very few true miracles, the multitudes do not flock to most of our Churches, and where they do, we blame it on the music or anything but the presence of God.

In Romans, we are told we are all given the measure of Faith. (Romans 12:3) We are told we must build up our faith by praying in the Holy Spirit. (Jude 1:20)

Our prayer language, our Spirit praying directly to God’s Spirit, our mind and will not in the way. (1 Corinthians 14:14)

Too often we reject the need for our prayer language. A Sad Situation, rejecting the Gift of God, out of fear or ignorance. Pray for Wisdom. (James 1:5). Ask for God’s best for your life.

Thanks for visiting,
Know You Are Loved

We all have the relationship we want with God. My desire is a more intimate one.
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Once again we find Jesus teaching in a Synagogue, where He saw a man with a withered hand. The Religious watched, wanting to accuse Him of Working on the Sabbath.

He called the man forth and asked if it was lawful to do good on the Sabbath? To save a life or to kill? They failed to answer, He was Grieved because of the hardness of their hearts.

He then healed him, the Religious plotted to kill Him, but He slipped away.  (Mark 3:1-6)

Multitudes of people followed Him, seeking healings, and deliverance from devils.  The unclean again called out He was the Son of God.  He once again told them to hold their peace, He called Himself the Son of Man.   (Mark 3:7-12)

He then called the 12, and gave them the power to heal the sick and cast out demons.  (Mark 3:13-15)

Do we see the Ministry that was left to us to fulfill, are we disciples? Followers of Christ? Are we healing the sick and casting out devils? No? Why not?

Why do we have such a problem believing that Jesus is the same yesterday, today and forever? (Hebrews 13:8)

The mission has not changed, the tools are available to those who seek them, and will use them for God’s Glory.

Why did Jesus call Himself Son of Man and not acknowledge He was the Son of God. Everyone knew Him as a man, filled with the Holy Spirit, who could do things mortals could not. Including giving Himself up as a sacrifice for us all.

Thanks for visiting,
Know You Are Loved

We all have the relationship we want with God. My desire is a more intimate one.
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The Miracles that Mark recorded in Chapter 1 of his Gospel are interesting. Jesus had just finished His 40 days of fasting and of temptation.

He called Simon and Andrew, James and John to follow Him, and become fishers of men. On the Sabbath He entered a Synagogue, (where surprise), He found a man with an unclean spirit.

Why would an unclean spirit be in church? To cause division and strife, to steal the Love, Joy and Peace of the Holy Spirit. (It doesn’t take a lot to distract us from Worship).

Saints, just because you are in church and worshiping God, does not mean you are free from the temptation of and even the leading of unclean spirits.

We must be aware and guard against the lies of the devil.

These unclean spirits, need to be rebuked and cast out. Then to stay free, we must fill ourselves with the things of God. (Mark 1:23-28; Luke 11:24-26)

Next we find Peters mother is sick of a fever. (Mark 1:30-31). He treated the sick quite differently, then the possesed.

He took her by the hand and lifted her up. She was immediately healed and served them.

When it was dark, they brought the sick and the possessed, and He healed many and cast out many devils. He wanted those who were possessed to hush, because they recognized Him as the Son of God, while He called Himself the Son of Man. (Mark 1:32-34)

Jesus at daybreak went off alone, Peter and the others followed Him and proclaimed: ‘All men seek Him’. It is as true today as then. Many know not what they seek, and look into booze, drugs, sex and rock and roll.

Never finding the Peace that passes understanding.  This is only found in life with Christ.

There then came a leper, seeking healing, knowing Jesus was able, and wondering if He was willing. Jesus touched the untouchable, He was full of compassion, and He healed him. (Mark 1:40-42)

We need to look at the Works of Jesus, and learn to Walk with and do the Work of the Ministry. Only believe, and do His Work. (John 14:12)

Thanks for visiting,
Know You Are Loved

We all have the relationship we want with God. My desire is a more intimate one.
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When we walk through the church calendar every year we hit the high spots of the church. The birth, death and resurrection of Christ.

We acknowledge He performed miracles, but fail to believe He would have us continue this work. We are satisfied with teaching and not experiencing the Full Gospel of Jesus Christ.

When Paul preached the Full Gospel, he had signs and wonders following. (Romans 15:19)

How do we get back to the place of signs and wonders? By reminding the flock of His life.

He would rebuke the devils, heal the sick, comfort the brokenhearted, raise the dead.

Mark 1: 25. And Jesus rebuked him, saying, Hold thy peace, and come out of him. 26. And when the unclean spirit had torn him, and cried with a loud voice, he came out of him.

Mark 1: 30. But Simon’s wife’s mother lay sick of a fever, and anon they tell him of her. 31. And he came and took her by the hand, and lifted her up; and immediately the fever left her, and she ministered unto them.

Mark 1: 32. And at even, when the sun did set, they brought unto him all that were diseased, and them that were possessed with devils. 33. And all the city was gathered together at the door. 34. And he healed many that were sick of divers diseases, and cast out many devils; and suffered not the devils to speak, because they knew him.

Mark 1: 39. And he preached in their synagogues throughout all Galilee, and cast out devils. 40. And there came a leper to him, beseeching him, and kneeling down to him, and saying unto him, If thou wilt, thou canst make me clean. 41. And Jesus, moved with compassion, put forth his hand, and touched him, and saith unto him, I will; be thou clean.

Mark 2: 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. 5. When Jesus saw their faith, he said unto the sick of the palsy, Son, thy sins be forgiven thee. 11. I say unto thee, Arise, and take up thy bed, and go thy way into thine house.

Mark 3: 4. And he saith unto them, Is it lawful to do good on the sabbath days, or to do evil? to save life, or to kill? But they held their peace. 5. And when he had looked round about on them with anger, being grieved for the hardness of their hearts, he saith unto the man, Stretch forth thine hand. And he stretched it out: and his hand was restored whole as the other.

Mark 3: 10. For he had healed many; insomuch that they pressed upon him for to touch him, as many as had plagues. 11. And unclean spirits, when they saw him, fell down before him, and cried, saying, Thou art the Son of God.

Mark 3: 14. And he ordained twelve, that they should be with him, and that he might send them forth to preach, 15. And to have power to heal sicknesses, and to cast out devils:

Mark 4: 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?

Mark 5: 6. But when he saw Jesus afar off, he ran and worshipped him, 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. 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. 25. And a certain woman, which had an issue of blood twelve years, 27. When she had heard of Jesus, came in the press behind, and touched his garment. 35. While he yet spake, there came from the ruler of the synagogue’s house certain which said, Thy daughter is dead: why troublest thou the Master any further? 36. As soon as Jesus heard the word that was spoken, he saith unto the ruler of the synagogue, Be not afraid, only believe. 41. And he took the damsel by the hand, and said unto her, Talitha cumi; which is, being interpreted, Damsel, I say unto thee, arise.

Mark 6: 5. And he could there do no mighty work, save that he laid his hands upon a few sick folk, and healed them. 6. And he marvelled because of their unbelief. And he went round about the villages, teaching.

Mark 6: 13. And they cast out many devils, and anointed with oil many that were sick, and healed them.

Mark 6: 51. And he went up unto them into the ship; and the wind ceased: and they were sore amazed in themselves beyond measure, and wondered. 52. For they considered not the miracle of the loaves: for their heart was hardened. 54. And when they were come out of the ship, straightway they knew him, 55. And ran through that whole region round about, and began to carry about in beds those that were sick, where they heard he was. 56. And whithersoever he entered, into villages, or cities, or country, they laid the sick in the streets, and besought him that they might touch if it were but the border of his garment: and as many as touched him were made whole.

Mark 7: 15. There is nothing from without a man, that entering into him can defile him: but the things which come out of him, those are they that defile the man. 29. And he said unto her, For this saying go thy way; the devil is gone out of thy daughter. 34. And looking up to heaven, he sighed, and saith unto him, Ephphatha, that is, Be opened. 35. And straightway his ears were opened, and the string of his tongue was loosed, and he spake plain. 37. And were beyond measure astonished, saying, He hath done all things well: he maketh both the deaf to hear, and the dumb to speak.

Why do we dought He would want to heal and set free today? We need to become vessels of His Love and Grace. Touching those around us in need.

We must simply believe, and walk in that Faith, and allow the Lord to work through us.

Thanks for visiting,
Know You Are Loved

We all have the relationship we want with God. My desire is a more intimate one.
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Have a good time…. A Paul Simon song. I remember it like this.

‘Yesterday it was your birthday, you hung another year on the line. Imaginating this and imaginating that. … Have a good time.’

Imaginating:

When I was young a simple bath towel could be Superman’s cape as I flew around the yard and fought bad guys, or the cape of Zorro, helping me battle the corrupt establishment.

Often I was playing alone. Toy soldiers, (little green men), had me captivated for hours. I would also set chairs in a row and pretend they were an airplane or army jeep.

I spent a lot of time Imaginating. (I know it’s not really a word, but I like it). As I got older, things changed.

Playing catch was a major pass time. Often with Susan Navin, a beautiful, smart young lady, who was a much better athlete than I ever would be, and of course multiple hours with Joe Olivari.

He was also a much better athlete than I. We spent many enjoyable hours, throwing a baseball or football.

Mindless activities. Wonderful times.

Music was also a huge part of my life. Bruce Gibbs, I, and a few others spent hours working to be the next rock and roll success. What, you never heard of us? No joy there.

It was after these times that I fell off the rails. It took quite a while to find them again.

As an adult, I have spent much time at the piano, playing old standards, and earning a good part of my living. I never developed beyond basic skills.

I have spent many hours tuning pianos and making a living, enjoyable work. Making music from many neglected instruments.

Just random memories. I hope you have pleasant times you remember also.

Thanks for visiting,
Know You Are Loved

We all have the relationship we want with God. My desire is a more intimate one.
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Psalm 141:1-4

LORD, I cry unto thee: make haste unto me; give ear unto my voice, when I cry unto thee.

Let my prayer be set forth before thee as incense; and the lifting up of my hands as the evening sacrifice.

Set a watch, O LORD, before my mouth; keep the door of my lips.

Incline not my heart to any evil thing, to practise wicked works with men that work iniquity: and let me not eat of their dainties.

Thanks for visiting,
Know You Are Loved

We all have the relationship we want with God. My desire is a more intimate one.
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In the old days, when a man was a man, we would say he had ‘sand’, or ‘seeds’. It was a good thing, they were brave, proud, honest and reliable.

Seeds are, a good thing, we plant our food, with seeds, we watered, weeded, harvested, then ate the food, removing the seeds as we ate. (Full circle)

We sowed the seeds of the Gospel, our Words, or Testimony are the seeds we are given to build the Church.

Now we are not so fond of seeds. We have grown to love, seedless watermelons and grapes, headless shrimp, lazy lobster, boneless ribs, and shelled crabs. Mmm, mmm good. (Almost as good as pb&j).

It’s work to deal with seeds, shells, heads, and ribs. We want to be, satisfied, quickly and effortlessly. (Less work, more fun). Who wants to deal with seeds?

At one time, eating in a restaurant was special, costly and a status cymbal. When I was growing up, it was even a special treat to go to the first fast food place in a neighboring town.

By the time my daughter was born, there was fast food on every corner, and eating out was the norm. It has overtaken and changed our culture.

Now the poorer we are, the more we eat out. Cheaply, quickly and constantly. It is quicker and easier to get something already prepared, then assemble the ingredients and do it ourselves.

It’s not just-food. It’s all of our existence. Our microwave lifestyles, always in a hurry. No time to savor and enjoy food, companions, reading, or just peace and quiet.

We need Seeds to reproduce, to continue to grow and survive. With a partial thanks to science we have gone seedless.

Someone, much smarter than I, has figured out how to grow seedless food. Is this good? Convenient absolutely, good? Not so sure.

It’s a conundrum at best, at the worst we now share a seedless Gospel. We are shaping the Gospel to fit today’s culture.

We no longer are set apart from the world, no longer holy, consecrated, a living sacrifice to the Lord. Our minds have not been renewed, we no longer know the acceptable, good or perfect will of God.

Since our laws have now legalized sin, we seem to believe God has changed His requirements. He has not. He wants a Holy people, a people whose light shines in the darkness, a people who lift up the Lord, so all men are drawn to Him.

The Lord gave us the tools to build His Church, we have just allowed them to sit on the shelf unopened.

We no longer preach the full Gospel with signs and wonders following. (Romans 15:19). Our Gospel does not draw the multitudes to Jesus.

There is little power, little witness of God’s Grace in our lives. When John the Baptist doubted that Jesus was the one. His disciples were told to tell him what they saw. People healed, saved, comforted and loved.

Do they experience that at our Church Services?

Thanks for visiting,
Know You Are Loved

We all have the relationship we want with God. My desire is a more intimate one.
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This is who I am. I was born this way. It’s not my fault. How often have we said or heard this, and it is true.

Me, me, me, me, me….. Feed me, change me, hold me, look at me, I want, I will, mine, mine, mine….

If we were lucky, our parents taught us we are not the center of the universe. Mary and Bob are just as important and needful as us.

We are taught to share, to tell the truth, not to hit, hurt or abuse others, all the important things we have learned in kindergarten. Taught how to be productive, concerned, and loving citizens.

The thing is, We were born in SIN. Pride, lying, envy, lust, coveting, backbiting, killing, addiction, adultery, fornication, including gay, lesbian, transgender and queer are all behavioral sins.

They are a life choice. It is the sin we feed, we love and repeat. It is hard to leave these sins behind, we must, ‘Submit to God, Resist the devil and he will flee.’ (James 4:7)

We are all born in sin. Behavioral sins, are things we enjoy while knowing they are not good for us.

James 1:13-17

“Let no man say when he is tempted, I am tempted of God: for God cannot be tempted with evil, neither tempteth he any man. But every man is tempted, when he is drawn away of his own lust, and enticed. Then when lust hath conceived, it bringeth forth sin: and sin, when it is finished, bringeth forth death. Do not err, my beloved brethren. Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and cometh down from the Father of lights, with whom is no variableness, neither shadow of turning.“

Our life choices are either sin and death or grace and hope. Do not blame God for your sin. Repent, ask forgiveness every time you fail.

It may seem you cannot brake the hold this sin has on you, but the Power of the Living God, can raise you upon the Rock.

I pray Davids’s prayer often.

Psalms 51:10-13

“Create in me a clean heart, O God; and renew a right spirit within me. Cast me not away from thy presence; and take not thy holy spirit from me. Restore unto me the joy of thy salvation; and uphold me with thy free spirit. Then will I teach transgressors thy ways; and sinners shall be converted unto thee.“

The only way to overcome evil is to trust and rely on the Lord. We may fight till the end, never receiving the promise, (Hebrews 11:13) but if we are people who know how to repent and look up to the hills, from whence comes our help. (Psalms 121). We will overcome the evil that would overtake us. (Amos 9:10)

What say you?

Thanks for visiting,
Know You Are Loved

We all have the relationship we want with God. My desire is a more intimate one.
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Paul’s Thorn: theunfetteredpreacher

I have thought long and hard about writing this post, we have so many learned men’s opinions on this subject. Why do I come up with something different, and dare write it?

What kind of fool am I?

Please comment….

2 Corinthians 12:7-9
King James Version (KJV)

“And lest I should be exalted above measure through the abundance of the revelations, there was given to me a thorn in the flesh, the messenger of Satan to buffet me, lest I should be exalted above measure.

For this thing I besought the Lord thrice, that it might depart from me.

And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly, therefore, will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me.”

Why did he have a “Thorn in the flesh?“

So he would be humble. “lest I should be exalted above measure through the abundance of the revelations.” “lest I should be exalted above measure.”

What was the “Thorn in the flesh?”

“The messenger of Satan to buffet me.”

Not much help, we will look deeper.

He asked the Lord three times to take this “messenger of Satan,” away.

The Lord’s answer: “My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness.”

Paul’s reaction: “Most gladly, therefore, will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me.”

A thorn in the flesh, a messenger of Satan. A big enough problem that he asked three times for relief. While gladly accepting it, if Christ’s power would rest upon him.

So what was this thorn?

As we study the scriptures we can easily point to his eye problems, he mentions this several times. It’s probably his eyes.

We could blame persecution, guilt from when he persecuted the church or that he received persecution. Nope, it’s probably persecution, somehow.

It is thought it might be a sickness, like malaria, epilepsy, convulsive attacks or even a carnal temptation or depression. Yeah, that must be it.

Why don’t we check the scriptures, The Lord said His grace is sufficient.

Let’s see if any of these combinations are in the word: grace and persecution: grace and sickness: grace and healing:

It’s funny how grace is never paired with, persecution, sickness, healing or eye problems.

In fact, the only thing I see paired up with grace, (God’s unmerited mercy, or Salvation), is SIN. (12 times)

Exodus 34:9

“And he said, If now I have found grace in thy sight, O Lord, let my Lord, I pray thee, go among us; for it is a stiffnecked people; and pardon our iniquity and our sin, and take us for thine inheritance.”

Romans 5:20

“Moreover the law entered, that the offence might abound. But where sin abounded, grace did much more abound:”

Romans 5:21

“That as sin hath reigned unto death, even so might grace reign through righteousness unto eternal life by Jesus Christ our Lord.”

Romans 6:1

“What shall we say then? Shall we continue in sin, that grace may abound?”

Romans 6:14

“For sin shall not have dominion over you: for ye are not under the law, but under grace”

Romans 6:15

“What then? shall we sin, because we are not under the law, but under grace? God forbid.”

Ephesians 1:7

“In whom we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of his grace;”

Ephesians 2:5

“Even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ, (by grace ye are saved;)”

Now I know some will say, ‘What about the messenger of Satan?’

I say why did Eve sin?

We just do not want to think that Paul might have had sin, he could not conquer. Just like me.

No, Paul did the miraculous, raised the dead, healed the sick, had revelations from God. He could not have been struggling with a secret sin.

Hebrews 1:1-2

“Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us,

Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God.“
Saints, I could be wrong, but I don’t think so. Paul wrote more on sin than any other writer in the Word.

Paul, like every other great man of God, was a man just like you and I. We all struggle with sin, whether we acknowledge it or not.

Like David, Paul knew how to repent, and turn back towards God, and to walk in obedience.

We can also. If we would.

The Lord will use those who continue to seek His face. Do not let that sin stop, the Lord from raising you up for His service.

His “strength is made perfect in our weakness.” Let Him make you strong. Amen

Thanks for visiting,
Know You Are Loved

We all have the relationship we want with God. My desire is a more intimate one.
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This is an older post that I feel like I needed to see once again. Please feel free to comment.

“We are all born ignorant, but it takes hard work to remain stupid.” Ben Franklin

Why do so many of us remain stupid? Oh, not that we know nothing, but that most of what we know, is meaningless, temporal, not eternal.

1 Corinthians 14: 38.

“But if any man be ignorant, let him be ignorant.”

So many reject the Gospel of Jesus Christ. We must set it before them, if they refuse it? They will remain ignorant.

Then we have those who have gladly accepted the Gospel, yet reject much of it, that they do not understand. These people remain stupid.

They have rejected the best of the Gospel. Romans 14:17

“For the kingdom of God is not meat and drink; but righteousness, and peace, and joy in the Holy Ghost.“

Oh, we know, we are the righteousness of God, (2 Corinthians 5:21), in Christ Jesus, we sing we have peace like a river, (Isaiah 66:12), but do we really experience joy in the Holy Ghost?

Paul tells us in 2 Corinthians 3, what true ministry should be. First, we must teach the New Covenant, it isn’t the Law that should guide us, but the Spirit.

We need to recognize His leading, council, and guidance.

Learn to walk in the Spirit, not the flesh, to put on the Spiritual as we take off the Natural.

Allow the Holy Spirit to write, God’s law on our hearts (Jer. 31:31–34; Heb. 8:8–12). The Holy Spirit will give us a love for God’s moral standards and the power to obey them. (Rom. 8:4; 1 Cor. 7:19)

We must, realize Christ’s blood makes us righteous, it is just like we never sinned, we are Justified, we are called to separate ourselves out for His service, to become Sanctified.

This is started in our Salvation, but we must Transform and Renew our minds, by studying and obeying the Word of God.

2 Corinthians 3: 6. It is Jesus:

“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.

We have been delivered from our bodies of sin and death, and given the power to overcome temptations. The Power to become true children of God, able to walk in victory, even as it looks like we are defeated.

Galatians 1: 4. It was Jesus:

“Who gave himself for our sins, that he might deliver us from this present evil world, according to the will of God and our Father: To whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen.”

Thanks for visiting, come back soon.
Know, you are loved.
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‘You can have the relationship you want with God. My desire is a more intimate one.’