Believing God

The Sorry State of… ? theunfetteredpreacher

bill theunfetteredpreacher cote Spiritual living, walking in the Spirit, Walking with God , , , , , ,

The Sorry State of …. ?

Our Nation, our Towns, our Churches, our People, … our Faith. Is self evident.

We no longer believe, what was once considered Common Sense, or Truth.

Wrong is now Right, Down is Up, Male is Female. The list is endless, we have lost all sense of decency, and order.

I came to a realization this week.

The first list is in the wrong order. We are in a Sorry State, first, because of our lack of Faith.

As our Faith has failed, our people, our Churches, Towns and Nation, have lost their guiding principles.

How do we right this ship, correct our course? It will take a Miracle.

“This beginning of Miracles,” we read about in the book of John. Had absolutely nothing to do with the relationship of the petitioner, to Jesus.

Yes, I know it was His Mom. Some pray to her. Most of us just accept that Jesus granted her request, because she was Mom.

That wasn’t why. Mom soon learned, she didn’t have that much influence.

Jesus was once told His Mother and Brothers were outside, and wished to see Him? What was His answer?

“Who is my mother? and who are my brethren?
And he stretched forth his hand toward his disciples, and said, Behold my mother and my brethren!

For whosoever shall do the will of my Father which is in heaven, the same is my brother, and sister, and mother.” John 12:48-50

Her being Mom, didn’t bring about the desired result of a few moments of His time.

We hear of her again, when Jesus, on the cross, told John, “Behold Thy Mother!” And to Mary, “Behold thy son!”

What motivated Jesus to answer prayer?

Not family, only FAITH, only the BELIEF that God IS.

It is Faith that Saves us.

“if we be dead with Christ, we believe that we shall also live with him:”

“if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved.”

It is Faith, Belief, “that God is, that God will, and even if He doesn’t, we will still serve Him,” that releases God, to preform miracles, in our behalf.

Many wonderful Christian Pastors, Teachers and Leaders, do not believe that God works in Signs, Wonders or Miracles today.

They seem to believe, that as in the days of Eli and Samuel, there are no open visions.

We now have the Bible, so God no longer needs to speak to us individually.

As the body of Christ, accepted this as “Truth,” it became a self fulfilling prophecy.

We end up living a life, that bears little resemblance, to that of the early believers.

Saints, the Lord never stopped revealing Himself to Whosoever will seek His face.

Unfortunately, few of us, are willing to deny ourselves, and seek to please Him, instead of being pleased by Him.

We must return to our First Love. Jesus promised if we believed we would do all that He did and more. (John 14)

Those who TOUCHED Him heard.

“Your Faith has made you whole.”

“According to your Faith, so be it.’

“I have not seen such great Faith.”

“If ye have faith as a grain of mustard seed”

“Fear not, Only Believe.”

“If thou canst believe, all things are possible to him that believeth.”

Today we do not believe. We have lost the ability to believe in the Miraculous.

We still believe in Salvation, and our Churches have plenty of room for new converts. Yet, no one comes. Why?

Their needs are not met, by our Powerless Gospel. Paul warned Timothy.

1 Timothy 6:20-21 (NOG)

“Timothy, guard the Good News which has been entrusted to you. Turn away from pointless discussions and the claims of false knowledge that people use to oppose the Christian faith.

Although some claim to have knowledge, they have abandoned the faith.“

Paul warned us about, Powerless Rituals and Ceremonies. Services that are so busy, there is no room for the Lord to speak.

We now, only believe half the Gospel.

2 Timothy 3:5
“Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away.”

It is much easier to fill our Services, with busy, man directed Worship, than to learn to Wait on God, to deliver His Promise, in Power.

1 Corinthians 4:20
“For the kingdom of God is not in word, but in power.”

Hebrews 6:4-6a

“For it is impossible for those who were once enlightened, and have tasted of the heavenly gift, and were made partakers of the Holy Ghost,
And have tasted the good word of God, and the powers of the world to come,

If they shall fall away, to renew them again unto repentance;”

Saints, as His Church, we should have tasted, the good word of God, and the powers of the world to come. We haven’t.

We have accepted the loss of His Power, because to walk in it takes a real change within us.

It is more than being Saved, by Faith.

We need to change, from wanting things from God, to learning to please God.

By believing, “He is, and He is a rewarder of them that diligently Seek Him.”

Do we Truly Believe, Seek and Walk in Faith? If we did, there would not be room for all who would be Saved.

May we return to Biblical Faith. Amen

Every good and perfect gift: theunfetteredpreacher

bill theunfetteredpreacher cote serving God, Spiritual living, Walking with God , , , , ,

Had a great time yesterday, sharing scripture with a customer. He was a Baptist, and clearly did not believe, that Tongues are for today.

He told me things I did not know. Catholics, Mormons, Jehovah Witnesses… ect all spoke in Tongues. (?)

He said that these false religions are claiming the same gift as Penticostals, so the Gift of Tongues, was not of God.

He said Catholics aren’t Christians, which promoted this question. How do you become a Christian?

Repent, Believe and Confess Jesus, as Lord and Savior. Sorry, I grew up a Catholic, they believe this.

Now, they truly have error, works not faith, praying to Mary… ect…

But, they have the main question down, is God so small, He would keep them from Salvation, because they believed the bad Doctrine of the Church.

You are calling for more than Christ did.

We all have errors in our Denominational beliefs, we don’t understand the Doctrines of Laying on of hands, or Baptisms.

Never mind the Gifts of the Spirit. I believe those who teach against the Gifts of the Spirit, (all of them), are doing great harm to the body.

Paul said in 1 Corinthians 14:

~ to desire spiritual gifts,

~ 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. (This is our prayer language)

~ He that speaketh in an unknown tongue edifieth himself; (prayer language)

~ I would that ye all spake with tongues (prayer language, but in Church interpret)

~ Even so ye, forasmuch as ye are zealous of spiritual gifts, seek that ye may excel to the edifying of the church.

Wherefore let him that speaketh in an unknown tongue pray that he may interpret. (Must interpret in Church, not in prayer language).

~ For if I pray in an unknown tongue, my spirit prayeth, but my understanding is unfruitful. (Prayer)

~ What is it then? I will pray with the spirit, and I will pray with the understanding also: I will sing with the spirit, and I will sing with the understanding also. (Public)

~ I thank my God, I speak with tongues more than ye all: (Prayer)

Yet in the church I had rather speak five words with my understanding, that by my voice I might teach others also, than ten thousand words in an unknown tongue. (Public)

~ Brethren, be not children in understanding: howbeit in malice be ye children, but in understanding be men.

~ If any man speak in an unknown tongue, let it be by two, or at the most by three, and that by course; and let one interpret.

But if there be no interpreter, let him keep silence in the church; and let him speak to himself, and to God. (Public)

~ And the spirits of the prophets are subject to the prophets.

For God is not the author of confusion, but of peace, as in all churches of the saints.

~ But if any man be ignorant, let him be ignorant.

Wherefore, brethren, covet to prophesy, and forbid not to speak with tongues.

Let all things be done decently and in order.

In the early Church, all spoke with Tongues, some in prayer others in public.

It is the first Gift of the Spirit given and is available to all who believe.

In Matthew 25, the Talents are the Gifts of the Spirit, the Lord didn’t leave us money till He returns, but the Gifts, to build His Church. (Don’t bury them).

When we have Denominations teaching against the Gifts, I believe it is close to Blaspheming the Holy Spirit.

James 1:17

“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.“

Instead of looking for reasons to reject God’s Gifts, we should be searching the Scriptures to see if they are true.

They are for today, to build His Church.

Last words: theunfetteredpreacher

bill theunfetteredpreacher cote serving God, Spiritual living, Walking with God , , , ,

Last Words:

Jesus, spent three years, preaching, teaching and exhibiting the Power of the Kingdom of God.

His last words before going to join His Father were:

“All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth.”

He understood, He had done all, He had opened the portal between heaven and earth.

He had brought the Power of God, down to His people, to those who believed. (If they could keep it.)

Acts 10: 38.

“How God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Ghost and with power: who went about doing good, and healing all that were oppressed of the devil; for God was with him.”

He had shown them the Power’s use and how to use it. He sent them out to display it.

Mark 6:7,12-13

“And he called unto him the twelve, and began to send them forth by two and two; and gave them power over unclean spirits;

And they went out, and preached that men should repent.

And they cast out many devils, and anointed with oil many that were sick, and healed them.”

He gave them the Power, to cast out devils, and heal the sick. He had shown them how, that it was possible.

They went about, and did the Work of the Ministry.

The Church, once embodied, used and lived that Power. Many came to the Lord, the Church grew.

Somehow, we have lost the Power, He had given it to us, to build His Church.

He gave us the Power and told us to go use it. We can’t even find it, never mind use it.

We were told to GO…. Not To Church, but out into the world, teaching them, with signs and wonders following.

Baptizing and teaching of the Kingdom.

Matthew 28:

“And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth.

Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost:

Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen.”

Teaching them all He had shown them, taught them, shared with them.

John 14:

“Verily, verily, I say unto you, 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.

And whatsoever ye shall ask in my name, that will I do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son.

If ye shall ask any thing in my name, I will do it.”

Mark 16:

“And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature.

And these signs shall follow them that believe; In my name shall they cast out devils; they shall speak with new tongues;

They shall take up serpents; and if they drink any deadly thing, it shall not hurt them; they shall lay hands on the sick, and they shall recover.

And they went forth, and preached everywhere, the Lord working with them, and confirming the word with signs following. Amen. ”

Signs and wonders, should be following, If we believe.

The Lord promised He would confirm His Word with signs following.

Romans 15:13
“Now the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that ye may abound in hope, through the power of the Holy Ghost.”

Pray that the Lord fill you will all joy and peace in believing.

There is peace and joy in believing the Lord, in doing the Work of the Ministry.

That hope would abound, in our lives, By the Power of the Holy Ghost.

We Must Seek the Power of the Holy Ghost.

This Power is what builds the Church.

“ Not by might, nor by power, but by my spirit, saith the Lord of hosts.“

Amen

Bette’s Battle: theunfetteredpreacher

bill theunfetteredpreacher cote serving God, Spiritual living, Walking with God , , , ,

This mighty man of Faith and Power, is writing this from our local ER.

It is 3:54 AM, the 22nd of November, 2017.

I woke up at midnight, checked on Bette, asleep in a chair in the living room.

She sounded fine. I can usually tell by her speech if her blood sugar is low.

I told her to go to bed, she said sure. I went back to sleep. About 1:30, she woke me and asked for help.

She had fallen, hurt her wrist, and her sugar was low.

As always, she was more worried about checking her sugar, than to eat and get it back up.

Thankfully, Halloween candy was there to rescue her sugar.

Her wrist…. not so much.

X-rays taken, IV in place, waiting for Doctor.

5:00 AM, wrist is broken, waiting for team to put her out and set and splint it.

5:30, She’s out, 5:40, splint on Waking up.

7:30 Home … waiting to call Dr. For cast.

She wants to go to work….

Dr. Did not put a solid cast on. He said the ER, did a good job lining up the broken bones.

Do not use that arm, or hand. Keep it elevated, come back in a week to check.

She didn’t go to work. Did not cry, or complain about pain.

“Oh my goodness”, the only words spoken while, bones were being set.

Wish I was that strong. She’s a keeper for sure.

Glad it isn’t worse.

Prayers requested for quick healing, and that surgery will not be needed.

Thanks,

Bill

At Thy Word: theunfetteredpreacher

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“Let it be known this day that, I have done all these things at thy word.”

(1 Kings 18 )

The heathen, have prepared their sacrifice, the kindling is ready, they called on their god, pleaded, cut themselves, yet, nothing has happened.

Their god is not THE ALL POWERFUL GOD.

Elijah, drowns his sacrifice with water, water all around, wet wood, wet kindling, wet sacrifice, no way will fire start here. (It would take a miracle). Elijah, calls on God.

“Let it be known this day that, I have done all these things at thy word.”

The confidence in this man, he knew Jehovah, he knew God’s power, he knew God’s will, he walked in God’s mercy and grace.

God answered his call.

Saints, there are times, when we believe we need a miracle. We beg, plead, cut ourselves,… yet, we are left in want.

Why is that?

Obedience.

When we meet Elijah, the first thing we see, is him telling Ahab, it will not rain, UNTILL I SAY SO.

It was after this, that the Lord, said,

“Get thee hence, and turn thee eastward, and hide thyself by the brook Cherith, that is before Jordan.” (1 Kings 17: 3)

After he does the will of the Lord, the Lord speaks.

GO HIDE!!!

He was fed by Ravens, drank from a brook. When the brook dried up, told to go live with a widow woman.

She was gathering a few sticks, had a little meal, a little oil, and was preparing, a little cake, what she believed was her and her sons last meal.

Elijah said, “Make me a little cake, first”.

She did. He stayed with her for three and a half years. She never ran out of oil or meal.

She did not proclaim he was a man of God until, he raised her son from the dead.

“Now by this I know that thou art a man of God, and that the word of the Lord in thy mouth is truth.” (1 Kings 17:24)

Is that not a picture of believers today?

We enjoy, God’s provision, His grace, (Salvation), mercy, (Forgiveness), peace and joy.

Yet, we do not walk in Miracles. In the place of Power. We do not have that relationship of trust, of belief, of knowing, His will, His desires, of walking in His Yoke.

Experiencing His Power and Grace.

Psalm 119:162
“I rejoice at thy word, as one that findeth great spoil.”

Have we found that “great spoil”, do we know the Lord, rely on the Lord, believe, Trust, Walk with Him.

We have a New Testament example.

“And Simon answering said unto him, Master, we have toiled all the night, and have taken nothing: nevertheless at thy word I will let down the net.”

Here we are, we have done everything we can, worked as hard as we are able. To no results.

Then we try it God’s way. “At thy word I will.”

Jesus wanted them to go do what they had been doing, only on the other side of the boat.

Are you Nuts?… OK, we will do it.

This act of obedience, gave them the biggest catch they ever had. They left

all, on the shore and followed Him.

Saints, we need to believe and obey, so He is able to touch those in need.

1 John 3:18
“My little children, let us not love in word, neither in tongue; but in deed and in truth.”

We must:

Know the Lord.

Trust His word.

Walk in His Grace.

Obey His commands.

Reap His Blessings… Realize His Power. Recognize His Love.

Amen

Elijah, a man of God 4: The Fix-it Shop-Filling Station

bill theunfetteredpreacher cote serving God, Spiritual living , , , , , , , ,

1 Kings 17:  Now I Know!!!

As we once again join our prophet, he is still being fed by the gift of miracles and the widow.

(Are you tired of seeing gifts and word of?  I keep repeating it because they are the Gifts of the Spirit, the Talents of Matthew 25, given to us to build His church. 

Instead of striving to receive and learning to increase their use, most Denominations have buried them).

Unfortunately, like the manna of old, this never runnng out of oil and flour, it’s not so amazing anymore, this miracle, has become old hat, expected…  Maybe it is just the way it is, is it really even a miracle?

Then the widows world gets turned upside down. The son whom she loves gets sick and dies.

She cries out:  “What have I to do with thee, O thou man of God? art thou come unto me to call my sin to remembrance, and to slay my son?”

She believes this sickness is a punishment for past sins.  It is not.  It is for the glory of God.

Elijah answered:  “Give me thy son.”  He took the boy to his loft, laid him on his bed.

“O Lord my God, hast thou also brought evil upon the widow with whom I sojourn, by slaying her son?”

The man of God, had no fore knowledge of this sickness, he had no understanding of the Lords plan, but he had the Gift of Faith for the working of miracles.

So he stretched himself out three times apon the child, crying out:  “O Lord my God, I pray thee, let this child’s soul come into him again.”

The symbol of “3” times is important for this first person raised from the dead in the word.

A fortaste of the only begotten.

The Lord heard the voice of Elijah;  and the child revived, and awoke from the dead.

We underestimate the power of our words, the power of life and death are in the tongue.

We often speak death, to our finances, health, relationships, jobs…  We must learn to speek truth and the truth of, Gods Word.

What does God desire for us? 

We need to know the answer to that and speak it into existence.  As the Lord spoke the world into existence.

Elijah brought the child to his mother and said:  “See, thy son liveth.”

Her answer is classic:  “Now by this I know that thou art a man of God, and that the word of the Lord in thy mouth is truth.”

The miracles of provision had become  commonplace, of no notice.  “by this I know.”

Saints, that is one of my biggest failures, to realize the Lord has supplied my needs for the last 35 plus years.

He said He would, and He has.  I heard it asked:  “What would tomorrow be like, if we only had what we thanked God for today?”

No, like the Hebrews, we need more.  It’s not enough our sandles aren’t worn-out, we have food and shelter.  Our lusts and desires only bring leaness to our souls.

It is hard for us to acknowledge the everyday miracles we receive.  We just accept them and never really seek the face of God, to walk in his power as Elijah did.

Elijah, like Abram, Moses, David and all the other Bible greats were just men and women such as we are.

No more or less.  Why do they stand above the crowd?

They learned to live at the feet of Jesus, they knew and walked in the way of the Holy of Holies.

image

Even when they missed the mark, their hearts were turned toward God.  How about you?

Lord, draw us close to You.  Mold us into vessels you can use, to draw all men to You.  Amen

What is my responsibility as “theunfetteredpreacher”? The Fix-it Shop-Filling Station

bill theunfetteredpreacher cote serving God, Spiritual living , , , , , , , ,

The last few weeks I have gotten some wonderful feed back, about some of my blog posts. 

My purpose and my prayer is that this blog brings people to a saving knowledge of Jesus Christ, my Lord and Savior.

Being brought up Catholic, I had heard the Bible stories, believed Jesus died for me and yet never knew I could know Him.

After much prayer, that if He (God), was real I wanted to know a God of Power, not just of hot wind. 

He brought me to Christian Retreat in Bradenton Fla.  

They believed and taught me for 3 years, as I worked as a cook, to study the Word for myself, with out Denominational Glasses.

When I first left school, I thought you needed to believe like I do, or you were not a good Christian.   Thank God, I grew out of that.

As I found truth in the word I had not been taught I was excited, it was new revelation to me.  My eyes were opened, some others were not excited.

We find all sorts of Denominations that do not except the truth of the Baptism of the Holy Spirit is for today. 

Where in my understanding, Jesus told us to wait to receive, so we would be equiped for the ministry.  This includes all the Gifts in 1 Cor. 12-14, Eph. and Romans.

So I find myself knowing, reading and learning from the KJ only people, Baptists, Catholics, Prosperity Preachers, even the UMC, where I play piano, lead praise (not so much now), and teach OT.

I feed on the truth… backed up by 2 or 3 scriptures, chuckle at some harmless bad Doctrine and throw out the dangerous Doctrine.

In my old age I have realized, if we agree we love and serve Jesus, the rest is the color in Gods garden.   He made us all as we are, and loves us even if we are wrong, if our hearts are right.

I leave you with these three scriptures…

Psalm 34:18
“The Lord is nigh unto them that are of a broken heart; and saveth such as be of a contrite spirit.”

Psalm 51:17
“The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit: a broken and a contrite heart, O God, thou wilt not despise.”

Isaiah 57:15
“For thus saith the high and lofty One that inhabiteth eternity, whose name is Holy; I dwell in the high and holy place, with him also that is of a contrite and humble spirit, to revive the spirit of the humble, and to revive the heart of the contrite ones.”

If you meet the above criteria, you are my brother.  It  is your responsibility to study to shew yourself approved, rightly dividing the word of truth.

So don’t take my word, or another mans word, as the ultimate truth;  KNOW FOR YOURSELF, WHAT TO BELIEVE BY THE STUDY OF THE WORD.  

image

Lord, I pray I lead no one anywhere, except closer to You.   Amen

Elijah, a man of God 3: The Fix-it Shop-Filling Station

bill theunfetteredpreacher cote serving God, Spiritual living , , , , , , , ,

We are looking at Elijah and the widow woman from 1 Kings 17.  If you would like to see how he got here,  otherwise briefly:

He was beside a brook, exactly where he was told to be by the Lord.  Food provided by Ravens, and all the water he could drink.

Until, because of the drought, the brook dried up. 

“And the word of the Lord came unto him, saying,   Arise, get thee to Zarephath, which belongeth to Zidon, and dwell there:”

The Prophet of God, he has the Gift of Faith, now receiving another Word of Knowledge and a Word of Wisdom.

“behold, I have commanded a widow woman there to sustain thee.”

Elijah was an Israelite, he knew the law and this was not right.  He knew the Lords commands to care for widows and the fatherless.

Yet his instructions are clear, go, the widow will feed, clothe, give him a place to lay his head.

This colors the way he approached her.  He didn’t request water, but asked for a little drink,  he didn’t ask for a meal, but a morsel, (a small amont), of bread.

He met her where she was.

This is a lesson we all must learn.  Not asking people for more than they have to give.  This is true of offerings, physical assistence, prayers and especially Salvation.

A lot of folks might come to the Lord if, we weren’t trying to clean them up first.  “Quit that lifestyle, then come and join us at church.”

Jesus met them where they were,  opened their eyes to the possibilities of a better life, health, wealth, peace, joy.

It wasn’t till they asked questions, did he bring up their faults and offer forgiveness.

Asking for little the woman replied:

“As the Lord thy God liveth, I have not a cake, but an handful of meal in a barrel, and a little oil in a cruse: and, behold, I am gathering two sticks, that I may go in and dress it for me and my son, that we may eat it, and die.”

Where she was:
She had no cake  –  just a handful of meal and a little oil.

She was gathering “2” sticks.  (It must have been vary little supply, to be cooked with only 2 sticks).

That we might eat, all that we have, there was no hope,  in her, for life, only to die.  

She said this in an oath to Elijahs God, not her Canaanite God.

Yet, Elijah once again speaks a Word of Knowledge:
“Fear not; go and do as thou hast said: but make me thereof a little cake first, and bring it unto me, and after make for thee and for thy son.”

A test; feed me first. 

We face this test daily, does God come first in our lives.  Do we first obey Him, then attend to our desires?   I would like to think I do, but in reality,… nope.

“For thus saith the Lord God of Israel, The barrel of meal shall not waste, neither shall the cruse of oil fail, until the day that the Lord sendeth rain upon the earth.”

This another Word of Knowledge, the meal and oil will not run out.  The Word of Wisdom, feed me first.

“And she went and did according to the saying of Elijah: and she, and he, and her house, did eat many days.  And the barrel of meal wasted not, neither did the cruse of oil fail, according to the word of the Lord, which he spake by Elijah.”

She went and did according to the Word of the Lord, through His Prophet. 

The Lord watched over His Word.

We might see this Working of Miracles, God moving in our midst, if we would only learn to listen and obey.

Elijah, a man of God 2: The Fix-it Shop-Filling Station

bill theunfetteredpreacher cote serving God, Spiritual living , , , , , , , ,

As we take another look at Elijah, a quick reminder of what went before.

He appears out of nowhere, a nobody, an unknown who finds himself before the King of all the land.  (An evil King at that)

He is a Prophet of the Lord, he has a Word of Knowledge from the Lord, and he has the Gift of Faith, from the Lord and boldly proclaims, to this evil King. (Ahab)

“As the Lord God of Israel liveth, before whom I stand, there shall not be dew nor rain these years, but according to my word.”

Picture that, speaking to the King… There are no lightning bolts, earth quakes, darkness covering the earth, or even a loud voice from heaven.

Just your words…  (no signs, wonders or miracles confirming your words). 

Just the King, his mouth open in amazement,   his body guards, frozen in place, not reacting to stop this nobody, who is suddenly here in front of the King , rebucking the King…

An angry King, with the power to have you arrested, imprisoned, beheaded.

Wouldn’t this be a good time for the Lord to show himself strong on your behalf?

The Lord didn’t think so, instead he told Elijah:

“Get thee hence, and turn thee eastward, and hide thyself by the brook Cherith”

What?  Go hide?  I just, in Faith, spoke Your word, rebuked the most powerful man in my world, and all You do is tell me to GO HIDE?

Well not quite, the Lord also told him:

“And it shall be, that thou shalt drink of the brook; and I have commanded the ravens to feed thee there.  So he went and did according unto the word of the Lord: for he went and dwelt by the brook Cherith, that is before Jordan.

And the ravens brought him bread and flesh in the morning, and bread and flesh in the evening; and he drank of the brook.” 

God is Awesome, able to meet our needs by using Ravens if He so chooses.  Why do we get so excited when times get lean? 

Where is our Faith?

Did the Lord not promise, He would never leave us or forsake us?  Did you not read, My God shall supply  all my needs?  Or the Lord is my Sheperd, I shall not want?

As I write this, it is the first of the month, my mortgage is due along with all my other monthly obligations. 

I’ve not the money to pay, or the work lined up to make The money I need to pay.

“And it came to pass after a while, that the brook dried up, because there had been no rain in the land.”

I’ve been here, where God sent me, doing Gods will, and now the brook has dried up. 

What’s going on Lord, have I sinned?

What did I do, to be here, lacking, my basic needs?

You promised You would provide, what’s up?

Now, I know I am no Elijah, and it seems I am not a rain maker. 

In my case, I believe I was sent to this little God loving and loved by God church, to lead them to more.

More Power, More Joy, More Jesus, More Life, More Peace, health, wisdom, grace….

They listen, nod their heads and say:  “If God wanted us to have that, He would have given it to us.”

Never to realize, they had to ask for salvation, before receiving it.  It is the same with the Gifts of the Spirit.  We must ask, let God know He is our provider, let Him know we know His word and will.  Seek the best Gift.

The best gift is the Gift needed now.   ASK, SEEK, KNOCK…

Do not stop until you receive.  An answer.  Yes, No or latter.

In Elijahs case, God had more for him to do elsewhere.

“And the word of the Lord came unto him, saying,   Arise, get thee to Zarephath, which belongeth to Zidon, and dwell there:”

A new chapter is awaiting him as he obeys the voice of the Lord.

Do you feel like you are stuck, that there is little or no forward motion in your life?  Have you ignored the voice of the Lord?

Maybe it is time to move on in His will, to a new chapter in your life.

Seek Him, prayerfully.   Amen

Elijah, a man of God 1: The Fix-it Shop-Filling Station

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I hesitate to write this post, but my Wednesday night Bible study has reached 1 Kings 17, this week, so it has been on my heart and mind.

I hesitate, because my friend Wally Fry, from Truth in Palmya, is already doing an excellent study on Elijah – How one man made a difference.

I have enjoyed reading his thoughts and teachings, and I urge you to check it out for yourselves.

So, I humbly submit my thoughts on this, my favorite Biblical figure.

1 Kings 17
King James Version (KJV)
“And Elijah the Tishbite, who was of the inhabitants of Gilead, said unto Ahab, As the Lord God of Israel liveth, before whom I stand, there shall not be dew nor rain these years, but according to my word.”

The first thing that tickles my fancy is, this man Elijah, comes out of nowhere, A nobody, we know nothing of his back story, yet here he is confronting the most powerful man in Israel, the King, Ahab.

In chapter 16 we read that:  “Ahab the son of Omri did evil in the sight of the Lord above all that were before him.  And it came to pass, as if it had been a light thing for him to walk in the sins of Jeroboam the son of Nebat, that he took to wife Jezebel the daughter of Ethbaal king of the Zidonians, and went and served Baal, and worshipped him.”

As it is today, it was a light thing, nothing to worry about, of no consequence, for people to worship and serve the false gods of money, status and power. 

To ignore that which is right and true, for the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes and the pride of life, to be preferred.

We may wonder how Elijah came to know the Lords will, how he found access to the king and maybe most of all, where the boldness to speak this word, came from.

Elijah, unlike Abram, in Genisis 12, who we find, “Now the Lord had said unto Abram, Get thee out of thy country,”

“The Lord had said,”  This implies more than once, the Lord spoke, told Abram, His will, His directions, before Abram was obedient. 

We see no recorded words of direction, to Elijah, he just appears on the scene, the faith and power of the Holy Spirit upon him to speak the Words of the Lord.

That is exactly what it was:  A Word of Knowledge, by the Gift of a Prophet:  “As the Lord God of Israel liveth, before whom I stand, there shall not be dew nor rain these years, but according to my word.”  Powered by the Gift of Faith.

A lesson on the Gifts of the Spirit, the Talents left by the Master to His servents, those who are expected to increase the Talents, (the Gifts), until His return.   wow…

That took Faith, a knowledge, a belief in the Lord, that is enviable.  I believe it is the Faith, the Lord would have us all, attain.

I believe it is recorded, not to leave us in awe, but to show us, what is possible to them that believe. 

We could walk in this place of power and obedience, fulfilling the will of God, but we don’t want it enough, to learn to sit at the Lords feet, to boldly enter in and reside in the Holy of Holies, under the shadow of the Almighty.

We gladly accept Salvation, forgiveness, justification.  We are happy that simple belief will keep us blameless before the Lord, through the precious blood of Jesus. 

Not because of anything we do, but because of what He did.

How many of us are diligent, persistent, faithful in the renewing of our minds, hiding His Words in our hearts, to become holy, knowing the good, aceptable and perfect will of the Lord, which is, our reasonable service.

The Faith of Elijah,  the Power, the signs and wonders, why aren’t we seeing them today?

“Where is the God of Elijah, today?”   

2 Chronicles 16:9
“For the eyes of the Lord run to and fro throughout the whole earth, to shew himself strong in the behalf of them whose heart is perfect toward him.”

Is that you?  Is your heart perfect toward Him?  Do you believe, would you dare to rebuke the King of His sin? 

The measure of Faith you have received, needs to be built up, enlarged and released, for the glory of God.  

According to your Faith, so be it.

Watch out though, after being obedient,  Elijah heard:  “Get thee hence, and turn thee eastward, and hide.”

Be ready to retreat, to hide, to be able to fight another day. 

Obedience to the Lord, may not be a pleasent place, just the place of power and truth, the place I long to stand.  

How about you?

Did more to provoke the LORD God: The Fix-it Shop-Filling Station

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1 Kings: 16. 33.
“And Ahab made a grove; and Ahab did more to provoke the LORD God of Israel to anger than all the kings of Israel that were before him.”

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We are repeating this moment of Israels history.  The northern kingdom had many evil kings, the next worse then the last.

We now meet Ahab and Jezebel, openly worshiping and sacrificing to Baal, a false God. 

It had become no big deal, for all of Israel, to walk in and practice sin. 

If it seems right in our eyes… it is.

God sent in Elijah and a drought. 
Continue reading →

Asa’s heart was perfect: The Fix-it Shop-Filling Station

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As a comment to my post:  “In the time of his old age:”  my friend “janjoy52” commented:

“2 Chronicles 16 said Asa went to a foreign king to pay for helping rid Israel’s army. God sent His prophet to say if He handled Asa’s enemies before who were greater in number than Israel’s army why did he seek another (foreign) king and not Him in his distress. Asa rejected God’s word, punished and jailed God’s prophet. Then, the Bible points out, even with his painful feet Asa refused to ask for God’s help.”

She is absolutely correct, so how can the word tell us in 2 places that:

1 Kings 15:11-24
King James Version (KJV)
“And Asa did that which was right in the eyes of the Lord, as did David his father.”

“But the high places were not removed: nevertheless Asa’s heart was perfect with the Lord all his days.”

2 Chronicles 14:2
King James Version (KJV)
“And Asa did that which was good and right in the eyes of the Lord his God:”

2 Chronicles 15:17
King James Version (KJV)
“But the high places were not taken away out of Israel: nevertheless the heart of Asa was perfect all his days.”

The answer is in the same verses.   “The high places were not taken away out of Israel:”

Solomon, did the same thing (  “The high places were not taken away out of Israel:“), and the scriptures clearly tell us:

1 Kings 11:4
“For it came to pass, when Solomon was old, that his wives turned away his heart after other gods: and his heart was not perfect with the Lord his God, as was the heart of David his father.”

How could this be?  The same failure in both men, one, the wisest man the world has known. 

One heart turned, the other didn’t.  (Too many wives, I’d guess… lol… that’s what it says).

I know in my own life, when the Lord came into my life, I was delievered from this body of sin and death.

He immediately delivered me from addiction from nicotine, alcohol, and other bad habits.  I no longer craved these things.

12 years later… I decided a cigar would taste good.  It did.  I was addicted again for 18 years.

I loved the Lord, but I was knowingly doing something that He had delivered me from, that I knew He didn’t approve of.

I fought for years to quit, it took a time of prayer and fasting to be delivered, smoke free again, for 6 years, this time.

So, the truth is sin seperates us from God, but it may be, that it is not a sin unto death. 

The only sin that we can not be forgiven is not allowing Jesus to be our Savior and King.

Matthew 12:31-32
King James Version (KJV)
“Wherefore I say unto you, All manner of sin and blasphemy shall be forgiven unto men: but the blasphemy against the Holy Ghost shall not be forgiven unto men.

And whosoever speaketh a word against the Son of man, it shall be forgiven him: but whosoever speaketh against the Holy Ghost, it shall not be forgiven him, neither in this world, neither in the world to come.”

John 8:24
“I said therefore unto you, that ye shall die in your sins: for if ye believe not that I am he, ye shall die in your sins.”

1 John 5:15-17
King James Version (KJV)
“And if we know that he hear us, whatsoever we ask, we know that we have the petitions that we desired of him.

If any man see his brother sin a sin which is not unto death, he shall ask, and he shall give him life for them that sin not unto death. There is a sin unto death: I do not say that he shall pray for it.  All unrighteousness is sin: and there is a sin not unto death.”

I love the Lord, I sin differently, daily… but I ask the Lords forgiveness when I realize the state I am in.

We must know how to repent.  We must take responsibility, and not blame, “that women that You gave me.”

I believe if Adam had known repentance, God, Jesus, would never have had to sacrifice Himself to Jehovah, the Lord because the Lord forgives the contrite heart.

Psalm 34:18
“The Lord is nigh unto them that are of a broken heart; and saveth such as be of a contrite spirit.”

Psalm 51:17
“The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit: a broken and a contrite heart, O God, thou wilt not despise.”

Learn to repent, to turn towards God and away from your sin, keep:  A heart this is perfect all your days. 

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I’ll look for you in heaven.  

In the time of his old age: The Fix-it Shop-Filling Station

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“Nevertheless in the time of his old age he was diseased in his feet.”

Is it crazy for me, to receive comfort and joy, from this scripture from 1 Kings 15? 

I know it doesn’t make sense, unless you’re an old guy who loves the Lord, and your feet hurt from arthritis.  (Yeah, that’s me.)

It’s not the fact, that someone had painful feet, that gives me joy, but, who had them.

“And Asa did that which was right in the eyes of the Lord, as did David his father.”

A Godly man, of the lineage of David.  He was a good King.  With diseased feet, how could this be?

Here is another man of God:

In chapter 14 of 1 Kings, we find the Lord, giving a word to Ahijah, his prophet who could not see; for his eyes were set by reason of his age.

A prophet of God, who could not see?

Why are these Godly men afflicted?

How about this?  The prophecy to Jeroboam, a wicked King of Israel,  and his wife about their sick child.  All of his family will die, but… only the child shall be mourned.

1 Kings 14:12-13
“Arise thou therefore, get thee to thine own house: and when thy feet enter into the city, the child shall die.

And all Israel shall mourn for him, and bury him: for he only of Jeroboam shall come to the grave, because in him there is found some good thing toward the Lord God of Israel in the house of Jeroboam.”

All Israel will mourn for this baby for “in him there is found some good thing toward the Lord God of Israel”

How can these things be? 

Psalm 135:6
“Whatsoever the Lord pleased, that did he in heaven, and in earth, in the seas, and all deep places.”

My point?  Sickness, pain, troubles are not punishment from God, and may be allowed by God in our lives to test us and show the world, His love can give us the victory and conquer all our problems.

It is not important, the condition of this body.  My soul and heart, where are they.  Safe in the hands of Jesus, that is all that matters.

“Asa did that which was right in the eyes of the Lord,”

What did he do?  Three things I will mention.

➙ As King, he stood against sin, in his country and removed it.

“he took away the sodomites out of the land, and removed all the idols that his fathers had made.”

➙ As King, he stood against sin, in his family and removed it.

“his mother, even her he removed from being queen, because she had made an idol in a grove; and Asa destroyed her idol, and burnt it by the brook Kidron.”

➙ More importantly, he had a perfect heart.

“Asa’s heart was perfect with the Lord all his days.”

If you are desirous, to lead a life pleasing to God… first, remove the  sin from your life and from your presence, turn your heart to God and walk with Him.

So what if you’re blind or your feet hurt.  Love and Serve your Lord, Trust, Rely and Praise Him for His mighty works and grace.

Amen

My Prayer

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Psalm 139:1-4
“O lord, thou hast searched me, and known me.  Thou knowest my downsitting and mine uprising, thou understandest my thought afar off.”

Lord,
I shutter in fear and shame, when I realize You have seached me, and known me.  That You know what I’ve done and what I will do.

You understand my most secret and sin-full thoughts, my doubts, my fears, my lusts, my anger, and my pain.

I cry.  Knowing You  love me, even while You know the worst of me. 

I will never understand, Your mercy and grace.  I am, at peace, in Your love.

I long to lead the lost to Your throne, that they should receive Your mercy and grace in their times of need.

I desire Your Holy Spirit to comfort the broken hearted and heal the hurting.

I long to Praise and Worship You, in Spirit and in truth, 

Psalm 139:23-24
“Search me, O God, and know my heart: try me, and know my thoughts:  And see if there be any wicked way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting.”

Lord,
Lead and guide me, protect me, from the wickedness that still lies within.

Clean my heart, renew my mind by the washing of Your Word.  Return to me the joy of Thy Salvation, let not my slothful ways cause me to stray.

The path to the Holy of Holies, is the way I will walk. 

I seek Your face, Your love fills my heart.

I tremble in fear, for I know Lord, You’re near.

Lord, hear my cry, supply all my needs.

My deepest desire, is to love you my King, my Lord, and Most High. 

I would that my actions, my thoughts, and the words of my testimony, all please You.

Protect us O’ Lord from those who would flesse us, and cause us pain.

Amen

Are we Full Of Faith? Or Excuses?: The Fix-it Shop-Filling Station

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Faith, Trust and Obedience the legs upon which we rest, our Christian Doctrine. 

Is our life full of Faith and Power?  Do we really trust and obey?

Or do we live a life of excuses, explaining why the Lord doesn’t answer our prayers?

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Sometimes the answers seem far away, through a dark place, it’s scary and we try to comfort. 

We attempt to explain the workings of God.

We give Excuses for Gods, seemingly non-action.  He didn’t answer my prayer, there must be a reason. 

“If I’m not healed today,  I know that when I shut my eyes in death, I will be healed in heaven”.

“If it be Thy will, Oh Lord.”

“I know I will be healed in Gods time.”

Jesus gave two answers, when His Diciples asked:
“Why could not we cast him (the evil spirit), out?”

Jesus answered:
“Because of your unbelief:”
“This kind can come forth by nothing, but by prayer and fasting.”

Lack of Faith, and fasting and prayer.

We are all given a measure of Faith. 

1 Samuel 2:35a
“And I will raise me up a faithful priest, that shall do according to that which is in mine heart and in my mind:”

To become that Faithful priest, we must build our Faith, by praying in the Holy Spirit. (Jude 1:20).  By reading, memorizing, meditating, speaking and hearing the Word of God.  (Romans 10:17)

Fasting and Prayer also builds our Faith, by drawing us closer to God.  He sees our desire to have more of Him, He understands we are serious.  He rewards those who diligently seek Him.  (Hebrews 11:6)

Our unbelief is the major reson for un-answered prayer.

“He did not many mighty works there because of their unbelief.”

“He marvelled because of their unbelief.”

“He appeared unto the eleven as they sat at meat, and upbraided them with their unbelief and hardness of heart,”

He said of Abraham:

“being not weak in faith, he considered not his own body now dead,”

“being fully persuaded that, what he had promised, he was able also to perform.”
(Romans 4) 

Are we fully persuaded?

Abraham believed God and it was counted to him, as righteousness. (Romans 4:3)

We must avoid the “evil heart of unbelief.”

Hebrews 3:12
“Take heed, brethren, lest there be in any of you an evil heart of unbelief,”

“They do alway err in their heart; and they have not known my ways.”  (Hebrews 3)

“Take heed, brethren, lest there be in any of you an evil heart of unbelief, in departing from the living God.”

“So we see that they could not enter in (to His rest), because of unbelief.”

We must believe. 

Jesus healed all that were afflicted, when they came to Him.  Not later, it didn’t take time, He did it NOW, TODAY.  He said we would do this and more.

Both the Faith of one praying, and the one needing prayer can be a reason for healing, or lack thereof.

Acts 14:8-10
King James Version (KJV)
“And there sat a certain man at Lystra, impotent in his feet, being a cripple from his mother’s womb, who never had walked:

The same heard Paul speak: who stedfastly beholding him, and perceiving that he had faith to be healed,  Said with a loud voice, Stand upright on thy feet. And he leaped and walked.”

The one seeking healing must have Faith and the one praying must be bold, full of Faith and able to speak and  pray an effectual fervent prayer.
(James 5:16)

This is complicated by the fact that God, although always there, sometimes tests us.  We cannot always sense His Presence.

Song of Solomon 5:6
King James Version (KJV)
“I opened to my beloved; but my beloved had withdrawn himself, and was gone: my soul failed when he spake: I sought him, but I could not find him; I called him, but he gave me no answer.”

Lamentations 3:8
King James Version (KJV)
“Also when I cry and shout, he shutteth out my prayer.”

Lamentations 3:44
King James Version (KJV)
“Thou hast covered thyself with a cloud, that our prayer should not pass through.”

He is testing us.  We must continue to seek His face.  How badly do we need and want Him.

Lamentations 3:26
King James Version (KJV)
“The Lord is good unto them that wait for him, to the soul that seeketh him.  It is good that a man should both hope and quietly wait for the salvation of the Lord.”

Lamentations 3:40-41
King James Version (KJV)
“Let us search and try our ways, and turn again to the Lord.   Let us lift up our heart with our hands unto God in the heavens.”

We also need to realize that God can and does what He pleases.  Godly people can be sick for Gods reasons.

Philippians 2:13
King James Version (KJV)
“For it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of his good pleasure.”

Philippians 2:27
King James Version (KJV)
“For indeed he was sick nigh unto death: but God had mercy on him; and not on him only, but on me also, lest I should have sorrow upon sorrow.”  (Speaking of Timothy)

We must learn, in everything to give thanks.

Do not give excuses for Gods lack of action, they are not Biblical. 

If you do not see the answer you would like, continue to lift it to the Lord, in thanksgiving and prayer.

Our job is to believe and act on that belief.  It is up to God to comfort those we pray for. 

We should not try to explain.  We have no idea what He is doing in their lives. 

SO DO NOT, GIVE EXCUSES FOR THE LORD NOT ANSWERING YOUR PRAYER.

It is between them and God, teach them to seek His face.

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He may be doing a more important work, within them. Trust and Obey.  

Lord help us please, to have Faith in You.  Amen

The Isolated (dying) Church: The Fix-it Shop-Filling Station

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Why are our Churches dying?  Too many of them are closed (isolated), systems. 

The Baptists only listen to and learn from other Baptists. 

Methodists with Methdists, ect… 

We stay within our Denominations and Doctrines.

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Or worse, the only teaching our Church receives is from it’s Pastor.  (No guest speakers, teachers, other voices).

This is somewhat understandable.

Our Pastors, are mandated, by God to lead and grow the flock.   It is an awesome responsibility.  They must guard against error. 

Unfortunately, that can squelch growth in the knowledge of, and the working of, the Spirit.

A healthy Church us one that is growing in Wisdom and Knowledge, always moving closer to Godly principles, desires and Gods power. 

(Sorry, Jesus healed all that were afflicted, multitudes flocked to Him, is He present in your services?  Are people yearning to learn?  Is the Holy Spirit changing lives?)

If your Church isn’t growing, the people are not receiving the food, needed for growth.

Is your church an isolated system?

The internal energy of an isolated system stays constant.   The entropy of an isolated system tends to increase.

If we don’t allow new Biblical revelation to be explored, if all we can share is:

“This is what I’ve been taught, and by God, that’s all there is.  That is all we need.”

We are starving ourselves, and our flocks,  we are not allowing the Holy Spirit freedom to lead.

Sadly, our church is not receiving the meat of the word.  We must always seek more of God, expect His Holy Spirit to lead us to all truth.

Luther, the Wesleys, Billy Graham,  like the Pope, did not and do not have all spiritual knowledge.

We all see through a glass darkly, only the Holy Spirit can open our eyes to truth and then, only when we allow the light of truth into our lives.

We need to constantly challenge our faith, grow in our faith, allow other points of view, into our Chuches, ask the hard questions of our Pastors, teachers, always comparing what we hear, to the Word, to see if it is true.

It is our responsibility to study to show ourselves approved unto God, rightly dividing the Word of truth.

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Saints, a closed system is a stagnant system.  It is impossible to grow and florish.  We as individuals, need to go to Church to grow, our Churches need to be open to Biblical Revelation for growth.

Our Church needs to be an open system, allowing the Holy Spirit to lead us to all truth.

Lord, open the eyes of our hearts.  Amen

I say unto thee, Arise 4: The Fix-it Shop-Filling Station

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This finally brings me back to my original thoughts and message of this scipture.  Sorry it has been a long and tortures journey.

Jesus said:

Luke 7
King James Version (KJV)
“Now when he came nigh to the gate of the city, behold, there was a dead man carried out, the only son of his mother, and she was a widow: and much people of the city was with her.”

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“And when the Lord saw her, he had compassion on her, and said unto her, Weep not. And he came and touched the bier: and they that bare him stood still. And he said, Young man, I say unto thee, Arise. And he that was dead sat up, and began to speak. And he delivered him to his mother.”

Raising the dead, healing the sick, comforting the broken hearted.  Jesus saw, had compassion, touched them, then spoke what they needed into existance.

From the beginning God said.  In the New Testament, Jesus said:

“Are ye also yet without understanding?”

“It is written”

“Go thy way; and as thou hast believed, so be it done unto thee.”

He directs us to truth, it is up to us to believe.

“Follow me; and let the dead bury their dead.”

“Suffer little children, and forbid them not, to come unto me: for of such is the kingdom of heaven.”

“If thou wilt be perfect, go and sell that thou hast, and give to the poor, and thou shalt have treasure in heaven: and come and follow me.”

Release unto God that which you hold in closest, let the Lord have that place in your heart.

“Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind.”

“Come ye after me, and I will make you to become fishers of men.”

“Go thy way; thy faith hath made thee whole.”

“Fear not; from henceforth thou shalt catch men.”

“I am the bread of life: he that cometh to me shall never hunger;”

“Receive thy sight: thy faith hath saved thee.”

“I am the resurrection, and the life: he that believeth in me, though he were dead, yet shall he live:”

“Neither do I condemn thee:”

“If thou canst believe, all things are possible to him that believeth.”

Can we believe  Do we believe?  Are we resting in, trusting in, letting Him rule and reign in our lives.

Are you hearing Him speak to you, through His Word, acting apon in?  Not only must we hear and act, we must learn to speak, His will, His words, His desire.

Matthew 17:20
King James Version (KJV)
“And Jesus said unto them, Because of your unbelief: for verily I say unto you, If ye have faith as a grain of mustard seed, ye shall say unto this mountain, Remove hence to yonder place; and it shall remove; and nothing shall be impossible unto you.”

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ONLY BELIEVE AND NOTHING SHALL BE IMPOSSIBLE UNTO YOU.

Faith is believing God IS, and believing HE IS a rewarder of those who seek HIM.

Lord, help us to seek Your face.  Help us to speak Your will into existence.

I say unto thee, Arise 2: The Fix-it Shop-Filling Station

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When I wrote the first post on this scripture, I got lost in compassion.  I hope to bring out the other qualities Jesus displayed this trip.

Luke 7
King James Version (KJV)
“Now when he came nigh to the gate of the city, behold, there was a dead man carried out, the only son of his mother, and she was a widow: and much people of the city was with her.

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And when the Lord saw her, he had compassion on her, and said unto her, Weep not.   And he came and touched the bier: and they that bare him stood still. And he said, Young man, I say unto thee, Arise.   And he that was dead sat up, and began to speak. And he delivered him to his mother.”

Raising the dead, healing the sick, comforting the broken hearted.  Jesus saw them, had compassion on them and “touched them“.

Matthew 8:3
“And Jesus put forth his hand, and touched him, saying, I will; be thou clean. And immediately his leprosy was cleansed.”

Matthew 17:7
“And Jesus came and touched them, and said, Arise, and be not afraid.”

Matthew 20:34
“So Jesus had compassion on them, and touched their eyes: and immediately their eyes received sight, and they followed him.”

Mark 1:41
“And Jesus, moved with compassion, put forth his hand, and touched him, and saith unto him, I will; be thou clean.”

Mark 5:27
“When she had heard of Jesus, came in the press behind, and touched his garment.”

Luke 8:45
“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?”

Luke 8:46
“And Jesus said, Somebody hath touched me: for I perceive that virtue is gone out of me.”

The touch of Jesus is what heals, saves and sets us free.  He longs to touch all of us.  He stands at the door of our hearts, knocking.

Have we let Him in?  Have we let Him control our lives, our hearts, our minds?  He reaches out to us.

He also recognizes when we reach out and touch Him.  I believe this is the quickest route to receiving what we need.

Hebrews 4:16
“Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need.”

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Where is this throne of grace?   AT THE FEET OF JESUS. 

We must learn to sit at His feet, become one who loves Him.  Learn to touch the hem of His garment.  Lead us to those still waters Lord, please.  Amen

I say unto thee, Arise 3: The Fix-it Shop-Filling Station

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When I wrote the first post on this scripture, I got lost in compassion.  I hope to bring out the other qualities Jesus displayed this trip.

Luke 7
King James Version (KJV)
“Now when he came nigh to the gate of the city, behold, there was a dead man carried out, the only son of his mother, and she was a widow: and much people of the city was with her.

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And when the Lord saw her, he had compassion on her, and said unto her, Weep not.   And he came and touched the bier: and they that bare him stood still. And he said, Young man, I say unto thee, Arise.   And he that was dead sat up, and began to speak. And he delivered him to his mother.”

Raising the dead, healing the sick, comforting the broken hearted.  Jesus had compassion on them because “He first saw them.”

Mark 2:5
“When Jesus saw their faith, he said unto the sick of the palsy, Son, thy sins be forgiven thee.”

Mark 10:14
“But when Jesus saw it, he was much displeased, and said unto them, Suffer the little children to come unto me, and forbid them not: for of such is the kingdom of God.”

Mark 12:34
“And when Jesus saw that he answered discreetly, he said unto him, Thou art not far from the kingdom of God. And no man after that durst ask him any question.”

Luke 13:12
“And when Jesus saw her, he called her to him, and said unto her, Woman, thou art loosed from thine infirmity.”

Luke 18:24
“And when Jesus saw that he was very sorrowful, he said, How hardly shall they that have riches enter into the kingdom of God!”

John 5:6
“When Jesus saw him lie, and knew that he had been now a long time in that case, he saith unto him, Wilt thou be made whole?”

It was opened eyes that led Him to compassion, we must learn to see, and recognize the Lords hand and plan.

Then we must learn to act. 

Only then the world will see, know, consider and understand that our God is alive and able to do exceedingly abudantly above all we ask or imagine.

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

The Gifts of the Spirit were given to build His Church.  Shouldn’t we see them and learn their use?  Sign posts to the Kingdom, need to be read, to be understood.

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Open our eyes, Lord.  Amen

I say unto thee, Arise. The Fix-it Shop-Filling Station

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Luke 7
King James Version (KJV)
“Now when he came nigh to the gate of the city, behold, there was a dead man carried out, the only son of his mother, and she was a widow: and much people of the city was with her.

image

And when the Lord saw her, he had compassion on her, and said unto her, Weep not.   And he came and touched the bier: and they that bare him stood still. And he said, Young man, I say unto thee, Arise.   And he that was dead sat up, and began to speak. And he delivered him to his mother.”

Raising the dead, healing the sick, comforting the broken hearted.  “He had compassion on her.” 

We keep seeing this:
com·pas·sion
noun
: a feeling of wanting to help someone who is sick, hungry, in trouble, etc. 

Jesus:
“He had compassion”

“he was moved with compassion on them,”

“Jesus went forth, and saw a great multitude, and was moved with compassion toward them, and he healed their sick.”

“I have compassion on the multitude,”

“Jesus had compassion on them, and touched their eyes: and immediately their eyes received sight, and they followed him.”

“Jesus, moved with compassion, put forth his hand, and touched him, and saith unto him, I will; be thou clean.”

“Go home to thy friends, and tell them how great things the Lord hath done for thee, and hath had compassion on thee.”

“Jesus, when he came out, saw much people, and was moved with compassion toward them,”

“I have compassion on the multitude,”

From Abram, praying for the Righteous, in Sodom and Gomorrah, to Moses, praying for the Hebrews, when the Lord was ready to destroy them.

The Lord acts in and on the behalf of those with “compassion on others.”  He gives “Words of Wisdom and Knowledge”,  “Shall I hide this thing from Abram?”   From those who care beyond themselves.

I firmly believe we would see miracles, signs and wonders, at the point of our having, true compassion for others.  

When like Moses, we can say:
“Oh, this people have sinned a great sin, and have made them gods of gold.  Yet now, if thou wilt forgive their sin–; and if not, blot me, I pray thee, out of thy book which thou hast written.”

I have seen it in my own walk.  Someone I cared for was sick, I asked the Lord, to heal her, to give it to me.  I felt His power, she was healed.  (I didn’t receive the sickness, God took it).

I believe this to be an important ingredient to being allowed to exercise the power of healings, miracles, signs and wonders.

“compassion”

“Finally, be ye all of one mind, having compassion one of another,”

“whoso hath this world’s good, and seeth his brother have need, and shutteth up his bowels of compassion from him, how dwelleth the love of God in him?”

“And of some have compassion, making a difference:”

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“Compassion, may be the difference between life and death, sickness and health.  Power and hot air.

Lord, help me to see, understand and have compassion on those in need of Your touch.