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A great post, a blog to follow.

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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I try to read at least one of the Psalms or Proverbs a day, as my devotional. Today It happened to be Psalm 12. Not much has changed since the time of David.

Psalm 12:1-8

“Help, Yahweh; for the godly man ceases. For the faithful fail from among the children of men. Everyone lies to his neighbor. They speak with flattering lips, and with a double heart. May Yahweh cut off all flattering lips, and the tongue that boasts, who have said, “With our tongue we will prevail. Our lips are our own. Who is lord over us?” “Because of the oppression of the weak and because of the groaning of the needy, I will now arise,” says Yahweh; “I will set him in safety from those who malign him.” The words of Yahweh are flawless words, as silver refined in a clay furnace, purified seven times. You will keep them, Yahweh. You will preserve them from this generation forever. The wicked walk on every side, when what is vile is exalted among the sons of men.” For the Chief Musician. A Psalm by David.

‘Help, Yahweh; for the godly man ceases. For the faithful fail from among the children of men.’

It is as hard today, as it has always been, to be Holy, Sanctified, Faithfull and True. We have the same distractions and temptations, as everyman has. it has just made it into our private homes by way of the Internet and TV.

There are sin and evil in all but the best Christian content, and there isn’t enough Good Christian content to keep us entertained in our free time.

I know many have sworn off the TV and the Internet, but do most of us? I watch the original NCIS and Blue Bloods as my only appointment TV, and Netflix otherwise. There is still too much sin condoned and promoted to keep my mind renewed and faith increased.

It is easy to say, ‘It’s legal, so it must be ok to be full of what used to be, (and still is), SIN.

IT ISN’T!

We are called to be Holy, set apart, witnesses of God’s Grace, Mercy, and Love. We fail to read and meditate on the Word daily, to be diligent in the pursuit of Godliness, to pray and expect the Lord to act.

“The wicked walk on every side, when what is vile is exalted among the sons of men.”

We must walk apart.

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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It tickles me, when I hear people complain about the successful ministries, while attending little churches, (all of, once a week).

They Truly believe they are Holy, Sanctified, Right with God, and those other Churches aren’t.

I have to ask, what does it take to be saved? Must we be the poor, the few, the beat down?

Is it possible to be rich and still love and serve the Lord? What makes us Saved?

To believe and confess, Jesus as Lord and Savior of our lives. You do not agree with the message of these ministries.

Do they not proclaim Jesus as Lord? We don’t think they are humble enough to be saved. They have too much.

Please, Job, and Abram were both very rich. One was just and perfect, the other was the Father of a Nation and a Friend of God.

The Disciples, were small business men or tax collector’s, neither of them was poor.

Do not despise the wealth and success of the man of God. The Lord would have us to prosper and be in good health as our soul prospers.

You do not need to be poor, (money-wise), but poor in Spirit. (Not believing that we are Holier or better than others).

Just my thoughts.

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 walls of Jerusalem were finally rebuilt. Nehemiah set these men in charge.

Nehemiah 7: 1-3

“Now it happened, when the wall was built, and I had set up the doors, and the porters and the singers and the Levites were appointed, that I put my brother Hanani, and Hananiah the governor of the castle, in charge of Jerusalem; for he was a faithful man, and feared God above many. I said to them, “Don’t let the gates of Jerusalem be opened until the sun is hot; and while they stand guard, let them shut the doors, and you bar them: and appoint watches of the inhabitants of Jerusalem, everyone in his watch, with everyone near his house.”

Hananiah was a faithful man, and feared God above many.

Could this be said about me? I only wish. I am not faithful in prayer, or devotion, in giving, loving, mercy or grace. Do I fear God? Am I in awe?

Unfortunately, I tend to expect God to listen to me; (like He needs my advice or direction). Instead of faithfully listening to and obeying Him.

I like to think I am not alone, (in thinking if God would just do things my way), the work would be done.

I know this is ridiculous, if God listened to me, the world would be in an even bigger mess than it Is. BUT, the truth IS, if I was faithful in prayer and in seeking Him, I would be praying, instead of complaining, allowing the Lord to act by praying His will be done. (Not mine).

If we were truly Full of Faith and Faithful to His calling, if we were truly in Awe of a Righteous God, we would be living a life He could use to bless others.

We need to forget about ourselves, our desires, plans, hopes and dreams and focus on the Eternal. Who cares what color the rug is, or if we Baptise by sprinkle, pour or immerse.

The Christian Baptism is not about Repentance, we have done that, we are saved, it is about obedience to God and receiving the Holy Spirit.

They were commanded to wait for the Baptism of the Holy Spirit, those who had been Baptised in John’s Baptism, we’re Baptised in obedience and received the Gift of the Holy Spirit.

The Gifts of the Spirit are the building materials He gave us, to build His Church.

I’ve not written anything for quite a while. I’ve not been very open to the Lord’s voice. His Word has been closed to my understanding,

I have been lazy, I wasn’t like Jacob, (Genesis 32:24,) I gave up the fight. I feel like Esau, wondering, ‘Is there no blessing for me?’ (Genisis 37:34)

I know better, I am just discouraged. I look behind me and see no one following. No signs, wonders or miracles. No voice saying walk this way. (Isaiah 30:21)

My hopes, dreams, and plans, are farther away than ever. I stay here because I haven’t been directed or released to go elsewhere.

Our Pastor reminds me that John Wesley wasn’t allowed to preach in the Church he was a member of good standing in.

I think to myself how much bigger than Anglican Church would be if they had embraced John’s followers, instead of driving them away.

That’s all for today. I will try to get back in the saddle, the Lord has a lot He wants us to understand.

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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I am disappointed! WHY? Because I believe the Scripture.

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

When I was first seeking God, I begged Him to show me that He was a God of Power and Might, not just words.

Growing up in a Catholic Church, I heard all the words, wondered at the mystery, and was disappointed with the reality.

When I was saved, I was introduced to a God of Power and Might, a God, who was alive, loving, comforting, healing, who gave true joy and peace.

A God who knew and provided my needs before I knew them myself. He was within me, around me, all I sought, wanted or needed.

I was part of a community of believers. Bold, working in the Gifts and Calling of the Lord.

Acts 4:29-31
King James Version (KJV)
And now, Lord, behold their threatenings: and grant unto thy servants, that with all boldness they may speak thy word,

By stretching forth thine hand to heal; and that signs and wonders may be done by the name of thy holy child Jesus.

And when they had prayed, the place was shaken where they were assembled together; and they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and they spake the word of God with boldness.”

Where did their boldness come from? The Lord stretching forth His hand to heal, and signs and wonders happening by the Name of Jesus.

Some 30+ years later, I am disappointed! The body of believers don’t believe.

We see few if any signs and wonders, we stay home from Church when sick, so we don’t spread our colds or flu.

We don’t expect signs, wonders and miracles, they just don’t happen anymore. WHY NOT?

Is God not the same yesterday, today and forever?

Has His ability to preform said works, diminished?

Expired?

Has he forgotten how?

No, we seem to be content, we are saved, loved by God, the redeemed of the Lord.

What more could we want?

I will tell you what I want!

The Power of God, in my life, real, and mighty for the pulling down of strong holds, powerful for the saving of souls.

Wonderful for healing, comforting, bringing peace and joy to the afflicted, the lost, depressed, all those in need of a touch from God.

The Kingdom of God in POWER. The Lord honoring His Promises in MY LIFE.

How and when, will I see this? When I am totally His.

When we like Elijah, speak and act on His Word, even in the face of the King. When we tell His story like Stephen, even as we are being stoned to death.

We are not bold. We are not powerful. We really are not faithful, true to His calling, active in His work.

Well maybe you are…

I sure fall short. I am disapointed, desolate and afflicted. I long to be true, called, chosen and faithful.

I have answered the call, been accepted into the chosen. My failure, is in being faithful.

I am the problem. “I”, “I”, “I”… this truth is devastating.

Like this home, covered in ivy, the temple of the Holy Spirit within me, is covered and strangled by my wants, desires, my sin and shame.

Lord, please, change my heart, my mind, my life. May I be a man after Your own heart and desires.

May I be a vessel, You can use to proclaim Your Kingdom in Power.

May Your promise of signs, wonders and miracles follow… Because I believe. Amen

Thanks for visiting,
Know You Are Loved

We all have the relationship we want with God. My desire is a more intimate one.
bill theunfetteredpreacher cote