Loving God

Set your hearts: The Fix-it Shop

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Set your hearts unto all the words which I testify among you this day;

I’ve not been in the Word or Prayer much the last month or so.  The Easter rush for piano tuning, company and Arthurs flare up, have distracted me from the important.

Martin Luther on his next days plans, said:
“Work, work, work, from early until late. In fact, I have so much to do that I shall spend the first three hours in prayer.”

If I could only hold to prayer first, last and during I could become an overcomer.  To him that overcomes:

” He that overcometh shall inherit all things; and I will be his God, and he shall be my son.”

Plus many other promises. ..so why is it so hard to focus when your busy or in pain?  Not sure, but am determined to get back into the swing of things.

Thanks for dropping by, hope to start regular posts soon.

Blessings

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Prayer that will be Answered : The Filling Station

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We all want our prayers to be heard and answered.  The disciples asked Jesus to :Teach us to pray”.

So here we are repeating Jesus’s words and ignoring the meaning.  Not understanding what Jesus was saying.  He was teaching how to pray, not a prayer.   I covered this in “Lord, teach us to pray”

If we would look at 2 Samuel 7, we find King David longing to build the Lord a house, to replace the tent of Tabernacle.  Nathan the Prophet said “Go ahead the Lord is with you.”

That night the Lord came to Nathan and said: No…tell David: ” Shalt thou build me an house for me to dwell in?”

David was a man after Gods own heart, the Lord was with him from the sheep to this time of rest as King.  David was a warrior and therefore not worthy to build the Lords house.

Solomon, Davids son would have that honor.
” But my mercy shall not depart away from him, as I took it from Saul, whom I put away before thee.   And thine house and thy kingdom shall be established for ever before thee: thy throne shall be established for ever.”

The promise to generations yet to come.  David then prays:

“Then went king David in, and sat before the Lord, and he said, Who am I, O Lord God? and what is my house, that thou hast brought me hitherto?   And this was yet a small thing in thy sight, O Lord God; but thou hast spoken also of thy servant’s house for a great while to come. And is this the manner of man, O Lord God?   And what can David say more unto thee? for thou, Lord God, knowest thy servant.”

(Our Father, who art in heaven,  hallowed be Thy Name, forgive me as I have forgiven )

“And now, O Lord God, the word that thou hast spoken concerning thy servant, and concerning his house, establish it for ever, and do as thou hast said.”

(Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done, on earth as it is in heaven ).

” For thy word’s sake, and according to thine own heart, hast thou done all these great things, to make thy servant know them.  Wherefore thou art great, O Lord God: for there is none like thee, neither is there any God beside thee, according to all that we have heard with our ears.”

(Give us this day our daily bread,)

“For thou, O Lord of hosts, God of Israel, hast revealed to thy servant, saying, I will build thee an house: therefore hath thy servant found in his heart to pray this prayer unto thee.  And let thy name be magnified for ever, saying, The Lord of hosts is the God over Israel: and let the house of thy servant David be established before thee.”

(Lead us not into temptation, deliver us from evil….more praise )

It not the Words of the Lords prayer….it is the submission, devotion,  love that we are to emulate. If we could learn this our prayers would be answered.

Praise, thanksgiving,  submission, devotion,  more praise….

Not my will….

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Be strong and of good courage : The Filling Station

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“Be strong and of a good courage; be not afraid, neither be thou dismayed: for the Lord thy God is with thee whithersoever thou goest.”

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The Lord sent this message in various forms to Joshua 7 times, 6 of them prior to crossing into the promised land.

I am not a man who gets a lot of visions or dreams but a few years ago I dreamed someone was carjacking me.  I woke up beating the clothes in my closet, with my reading lamp.

I was not letting someone steal from me.  This is the point the Lord was making to Joshua and His people.

They had been at this spot 38 years before.

It had taken them two years after crossing the Red Sea to learn how to serve the Lord.  They had built the tools, symbols, utensils  for Worship.  The Tabernacle was completed.  The Lords presence was there.   They had followed the tribe of Judah,  (Praise), as the Lord led.

The Lord said:  “ Ye have compassed this mountain long enough: turn you northward.”

They were ready, cross the Jordan, take the promised land.  He had given them a promise:

Deuteronomy 7
“When the Lord thy God shall bring thee into the land whither thou goest to possess it, and hath cast out many nations before thee, (He names them), seven nations greater and mightier than thou;  And when the Lord thy God shall deliver them before thee; thou shalt smite them, and utterly destroy them; thou shalt make no covenant with them, nor shew mercy unto them:”

The Lord promised to destroy the 7 Nations that inhabited the promised land.  They send in the 12 spies and an evil heart of unbelief, overtook them,  (they couldn’t believe Joshua and Caleb’s good report); and sentenced themselves to 38 more years, wondering.

So the Lord encouraged Joshua and the people 7 times.  ” Be strong and of a good courage; be not afraid, neither be thou dismayed: for the Lord thy God is with thee whithersoever thou goest.”

” for the Lord thy God, he it is that doth go with thee; he will not fail thee, nor forsake thee.”
“go with this people unto the land which the Lord hath sworn  to give them;.”
” bring the children of Israel into the land: and I will be with thee.”
” thou divide for an inheritance the land, which I sware to give them.”
“Whosoever he be that doth rebel against thy commandment, shall be put to death: “
” for thus shall the Lord do to all your enemies against whom ye fight.”
 
All these promises began or ended with:  “Be strong and of good courage “.

Today as we leave behind this body of sin and death, the Lord has promised to cast out the many Nations that have inhabited our promised land.

These may well be the 7 deadly sins:

Proverbs 6:
” These six things doth the Lord hate: yea, seven are an abomination unto him:
A proud look, a lying tongue, and hands that shed innocent blood,   An heart that deviseth wicked imaginations, feet that be swift in running to mischief,   A false witness that speaketh lies, and he that soweth discord among brethren.”

Like the 7 Nations, the Lord will destroy these sins, if we smite them,  don’t let them linger and grow, we must show no mercy……cut them off.  Quit entertaining them. 

As we walk in the Promise of Salvation,  we must gain the victory over sin, with His help.  We cannot do it ourselves and He won’t do it with out our participation. 

So:  “Be strong and of good courage “.

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The Blessing of Judah 2: – The Fix-it Shop

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Deuteronomy 33.
” this is the blessing of Judah: and he said, Hear, Lord, the voice of Judah, and bring him unto his people: let his hands be sufficient for him; and be thou an help to him from his enemies.”

The Lord will hear the voice of Praise.
        Judah led in the desert. …Jesus is the Lion of the tribe of Judah…Judah means Praise.
Bring Praise back to the people. …
         The church needs to relearn Praise.  Make a joyful noise…enter His gates with.           
           thanksgiving and His courts with Praise.
Let his hands be sufficient and be a help with his enimies.
          As he is obedient to Your will, help, protect and provide.

This is the blessing to those who Praise. Claim it today by lifting your hearts to the Lord.  Love Him, obey Him, learn to sing, play and Worship,  beginning with Praise.

 
       

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2 views of life:

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I found this on Google +  Conrad Carriker @
ConradRocks.net

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Jesus looked on them with anger: The Fix-it Shop

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Jesus was in the Synagogue on the Sabbath, He saw a man with a withered hand.  The  religious folks were hoping to carch Him working (healing ).

” 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.”

The anger of the Lord, was usually reserved for the religious.  It was a righteous anger, because of the hardness of their hearts.  The evil hearts of unbelief.

Unbelief kept the Hebrews wondering the desert for 38 years longer then the Lord had planned.  When He told them:  ” Ye have dwelt long enough in this mount:”    Instead of going in to take the land, they allowed the ten negative reports to influence their hearts.

They had “evil hearts of unbelief “.   The Lord is grieved by our unbelief.  

Only Believe and your dead daughter will be well,  the blind will see, the lame walk, the crippled healed.

We don’t know how to believe.  If we are honest,  we recognize  very few signs and wonders or miracles.   I am talking about folks healed by our shadows or by their touching the hems of our garments.

The breakdown is in us, not God.  We are Christians, believers but not Deciples.  We all have something we need to give up or change within so that the Lord can trust us with His Power and Grace.

Self Righteousness,  Pride, Covetousness, Lust, Greed, A proud look, a lying tongue,  hands that shed innocent blood,   An heart that deviseth wicked imaginations, feet that be swift in running to mischief,  A false witness that speaketh lies, and he that soweth discord among brethren.

We must learn to give all to the Lord.  Enter into His courtyard,  Allow Him to truly live and reign within our hearts.    Touch the hem of His garment, by fulfilling His command to love as He loved.

That means to be willing to give all you are, all you own or will ever posess to follow Him.  Take His Yoke upon you and walk with Him.

It is beyond my ability.   I must rest in Him.

Lord, help me to enter into Your rest.  To become a useful vessel of Your love.

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The Wonder of Salvation

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The peace that passes understanding.   I would that all could accept and love its source.  

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Persistence : The Fix-it Shop

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Sitting at the waterfront, half listening to Car Talk, watching the sea gulls and praying in and  as the Spirit directs.

There is one particular sea gull, working so hard at getting his meal out of a whelk.  He picks and pokes for the longest time. Suddenly he picks it up flies out over the water, up, up, up, back over land and drops the shell.  CRACK!!!

Back on it like white on rice…he doesn’t quit until he has gotten every morsel, he leaves an empty broken shell…He leaves satisfied.

This is how we should feed on the Word.    Pick, poke, prode, crack it open until  we are satisfied,  filled with Wisdom, Understanding and Knowledge, the faith to believe.  If we could  only believe. ….

Be converted and become as a child…. ask, seek and knock, enter the Holy of Holies, receive  grace and mercy in our time of need.

Do not quit, persist. …..children ask and believe you can supply their every want, need or desire.
The Lord Would have us Believe in Him that way as well.   He is able….Only  Believe.  Know the Word, so you Knew His will…believe and receive.

Lord, help our unbelief.

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Neglected Caroline – 3 / 24 / 15

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Neglected Caroline

I post these pictures of Neglected Caroline because I believe they represent the state of our Spiritual lives.

The Church does not display the Power, Signs and Wonders or Miracles that Christ promised would follow those who believe.

The reason it doesn’t, is we have buried the Talents the Master left to whosoever will.  

We need to practice,  invest these Talents,  the Gifts of the Spirit.   Our Words are not all we have.

There is Power in the Gifts, seek to be one He can trust with this Power.

Teach them, accept them, practice them.

He sent them for His Glory.   May He be Glorified.

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Man and his Maker – Servant of God – The Filling Station

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“Moses the Servant of the Lord ”  was  given this title the day of his death.  He was called by this title 15 times in the Old Testament.   Joshua was called “Joshua, the Servant of the Lord “,  twice.

Timothy told us how to become “Servants of the Lord.
“Moses the Servant of God “,  appears 5 times in the Word. 

Four others are called: “Servants of God “
or “Servants of Christ”

Paul, a servant of God, and Jesus Christ
James, a servant of God , and Jesus Christ
Jude also called hinself a Servant of the Lord Jesus Christ
Epaphras, a Servant of Christ

The one we know the least of is Epaphras.

Colossians 4 : 12-13
Epaphras, who is one of you, a servant of Christ, saluteth you, always labouring fervently for you in prayers, that ye may stand perfect and complete in all the will of God.

For I bear him record, that he hath a great zeal for you, and them that are in Laodicea, and them in Hierapolis.

Epaphras, a believer, someone who knows and loves the Colossians well enough to labor fervently in prayer for them.

He has great zeal for them and others, that they may stand perfect and complete in all the will of God.

Note his prayer is not, they be prosperous in material things.  But perfect and complete in Christ.  He had zeal for them because he knew them.

Colossians 1. Tells us: Epaphras a faithful servant brought the Gospel to the Colossians,  and told Paul of their love in the Spirit for Christ. Which promted Paul and the others to pray:

” (we) do not cease to pray for you, and to desire that ye might be filled with the knowledge of his will in all wisdom and spiritual understanding;  That ye might walk worthy of the Lord unto all pleasing, being fruitful in every good work, and increasing in the knowledge of God;   Strengthened with all might, according to his glorious power, unto all patience and longsuffering with joyfulness;   Giving thanks unto the Father, which hath made us meet to be partakers of the inheritance of the saints in light:”

Note:  They do not pray for material things……

We get so concerned about this life,  Jesus said:  “Take no thought of what you will eat or drink”.   Yet we pray more for it then for our Spiritual life.
Paul, Timothy, Epaphras and the other saints, prayed for Spiritual desires, wisdom, understanding, Knowledge. ….love, grace the fruit of the Spirit in our lives.

That we grow in Christ.

The last we hear of Epaphras is that he is a fellow prisoner with Paul.  A faithful servant indeed.

Oh Lord,  please help us to be servents of righteousness,  bringing the Gospel of the Kingdom to all, regardless of the cost.  Lord may I be Your Bond (love) Servant.

May we all grow in the knowledge of Your love and grace.

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Man and his Maker – Servant of the Lord : – The Filling Station

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Servant of the Lord :

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Servent of the Lord :

That was the title the Lord gave Moses the day of his death.  15 times in the Word do we see the title: “Moses the servant of the Lord “

Joshua was called  the ” servant of the Lord ” twice.

17 of the 18 times we see that phrase, it applies to either Moses or Joshua.   I would, that it apply to me.  How about you?  It took special people to gain that title.  Is it possible for us to wear it?

2 Timothy 2:24-26,  Shows us we could, if we would and also tells who Moses and Joshua were.

” the servant of the Lord must not strive; but be gentle unto all men, apt to teach, patient,

In meekness instructing those that oppose themselves; if God peradventure will give them repentance to the acknowledging of the truth;”

And that they may recover themselves out of the snare of the devil, who are taken captive by him at his will.

     ☆  And the servant of the Lord must not strive; but be gentle unto all men,
It took me a long time to learn this.  When I  was first saved,  I got so frustrated when my loved ones said “its nice for you, but I  don’t need ….”

I could not make them understand the Importance,  the Wonder of  Forgiveness,  the Majesty of Mercy and Grace.   The Availability of  the Peace that passes Understanding.  The Earth Quake of Salvation.

In frustration it became :  “If you don’t believe like me, your going straight to hell “.   JESUS LOVES YOU,  DAMN IT!!!   I,  of course,  won many,  (to the side of the lost). 

Some relatives and friends from that time, unfortunately,  still hide, if they hear me coming.

We need to quit striving,  it’s  the difference in playing a tune you just learned and one you have loved and played forever.  Of  cooking your favorite meal or that new dish for your new mother in law.

Our new found Zeal needs focus,  instruction,  knowledge,  honey;  not a sledge hammer.

     ☆  apt to teach, patient,
I play piano but do not have the knowledge or patience to teach.  I  am a hack,  I never put in the practice and study to really play well.  I  read melody lines and chords and produce simple tunes that do not move you.  It’s ok but you wouldn’t come back special to hear me.

A lot of believers are like this also.  We know just enough to know we are saved.  We can tell others how to be saved.   We are hacks,  we never studied enough or draw close enough to God to produce that Heavenly Melody that makes people come back for more.

Our Witness is HO HUM.

     ☆  ” In meekness instructing those that oppose themselves; “
The World without Jesus is opposing themselves.   They are moving away from their best interest.
” shall I come unto you with a rod, or in love, and in the spirit of meekness. .. beseech you by the meekness and gentleness of Christ,. .. if a man be overtaken in a fault, ye which are spiritual, restore such an one in the spirit of meekness; considering thyself, lest thou also be tempted.. .. With all lowliness and meekness, with longsuffering, forbearing one another in love;”

Christ was meek and gentle towards sinners and a terror to the religious.   We need to learn to walk in His Yoke.

     ☆  ” if God peradventure will give them repentance to the acknowledging of the truth;”
The Lord would have all to be saved.  We are just the delivery system He uses….The Spirit is the one who draws them to Salvation.   We must be diligent in acknowledging Him.

     ☆  ” And that they may recover themselves out of the snare of the devil, who are taken captive by him at his will.”
We must must realize everyone makes their own choice,  they must recover themselves by excepting Jesus as Savior and Lord.

I believed it was my job to bring people to Christ.  That is wrong thinking, it is our job to display Christ in our everyday lives.  To be:  ” an odour of a sweet smell, a sacrifice acceptable, wellpleasing to God.”

The Spirit of the Lord does the rest as we walk in obedience.

Lord, help us to walk in meekness and obedience,  help us to take up Your Yoke.

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become as little children, – The Fix-it Shop

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Matthew: 18. 3.
“And said, Verily I say unto you, Except ye be converted, and become as little children, ye shall not enter into the kingdom of heaven. “

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Become as little children:

Have you become as a little child since you’ve been converted?  

When Jesus taught us how to pray, He started by telling us to  call on Our Father.  I don’t know about you but my human father was quite a man.  He could yell and swear with best of them.

He wore a ball style cap at his,  Fix-it Shop,  garage, when he worked on cars to keep grease, oil and dirt out of his hair.

Happy, the brim was in front. As he got aggravated the brim moved to the side…. (maybe by itself, never saw him move it).

It seems like it was pointed sideways quite alot when dealing with me. 

Here’s the point;   He may have chewed me out, been disappointed  and I suffered the consequences of my actions; ….. but he kept me in line because he loved me.

He never denied me something I needed, sometimes, things I wanted but never a need.

I haven’t thought of that for years, the steadfast love of my father…..even at my most unlovable.
I was reminded of  that love a few weeks ago.   My college aged daughter had questions about her rental insurance for her apartment at school. 

She called and asked for my help

I couldn’t fix it fast enough. ….the joy of providing this little thing for her….that she needed me.

Yeah, I  guess I ‘m putty…….but I  think God enjoys doing the little things for those He loves also.

We need to rely on, call on,  trust in and believe that God is and He is a rewarder of them that diligently seek Him.

If they have loving parents, a child doesn’t study to be a son or daughter, they don’t need lessons on how to love. 

Any problems are in the will.  A strong willed child does things his own way, to spite the best advice or direction given.

I believe this to be the reason so many who love the Lord and long to see the Kingdom of God at hand,…. don’t. 

There are few signs and wonders, miracles because we accept Him as Savior and never really submit to Him as Lord.

To be  Disciples;   that is what we are called to be.  We are instead believers.   We believe but don’t obey.  Jesus said something about that.  Didn’t He?

Lord, help us to become Disciples please. ….mold and make us into vessels You use for Your Glory, Praise and Purpose. 

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Man and his Maker – be not dismayed – The Filling Station

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Be not dismayed :
to cause to lose courage or resolution : upset, perturbed

Sometimes life seems to be to much. …the task is so big….the needs so urgent. …the desires so intense.   Lord, where art Thou?   Or more realistic :  Help!!!

The Lord says:  “Do not be dismayed…..fear not,”

Don’t be afraid,  dismayed, the Lord is in control,  He holds you in the palm of His hand.

“Do not be dismayed…..fear not, He will not forsake thee or fail thee, He will be with thee, He it is that doth go before thee;  Be strong and of a good courage: ”       Thus saith the Lord

These promises of the Lord are found in Deuteronomy 31.   Are they for us?

According to your faith, so be it :

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Awake to righteousness, – The Fix-it Shop

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Awake to righteousness, and sin not;

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Awake to righteousness, and sin not;

I  am sad to admit,  I have a sin that easily besets me.
 
I  know I  should; 
1.  Submit myself to God and
2. Resist the Devil and he will flee.

I’m not sure whether the problem is Submission or Resistance;  but there is a problem.   I  don’t think I am alone. (I hope not, anyway ).

I believe, we all struggle with something,  covetousness, lust, pride;  (lust of the eyes, lust of the flesh and the pride of life).

When we recognize the sin,  if we turn to God and repent, He is Faithful and Just to forgive us our sin and cleanse us from all unrighteousness.

This is not the sin spoken of here: 

1 Corinthians 15:34
“Awake to righteousness, and sin not;  for some have not the knowledge of God: I speak this to your shame.

The Great Commission was given to us, that the Gospel of the Kingdom be preached throughout the earth.

We must wake up and share the knowledge that God is alive, that He  invites whosoever will to have a personal relationship with Him.

To do this our lives need to reflect Jesus,  show love to all, speak the truth in love, learn to plant the seed of the Gospel.

Seeds either need to be planted in the ground, or digested and deposited on the host plant.  Wheat or misletoe both grow when correctly distributed.

The Word is the Seed, it has been planted in our hearts, we must digest it and scatter it about.  Our sin is that people can’t see and recognize the Lord in our lives.  We don’t sound like Christ,  our actions don’t reflect His Mercy and Grace.

To reflect Jesus we must become Disciples of Jesus, learning and leaning on Him.

As we take His Yoke upon us, we will see the planting of His Seed, Watering and Harvesting become something we no longer work to do, it will be a natural outgrowth of our faith, filled lives.

1 Peter: 4. 17
For the time is come that judgment must begin at the house of God: and if it first begin at us, what shall the end be of them that obey not the gospel of God?

Lord teach us to wear Your Yoke in all we do.  Your Yoke is easy and Your burden is light and You will give rest to our souls.

Help us Lord, to walk with You.

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That he may establish thee to day : The Fix-it Shop

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That he may establish thee to day for a people unto himself, and that he may be unto thee a God

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We make things difficult,  the Lord just wants to be our God.  In Mark 5; is the story of the Legion. …Jesus cast  the evil spirits into the swine who then ran into the water and drowned.   The keepers of same ran to tell the story.

The Legion was healed,  in his right mind and listening to Jesus, when people from the town came to see.  In fear they begged Jesus to leave.

Isn’t it funny how when the power of God is manifest, some in fear reject the very thing they need.  When we reject Jesus,  He will leave us alone.  This is the unpardonable sin.

The Legion asked to go with Jesus.   The Lord sent him back to the towns to tell all He knew.  He didn’t know alot of Scripture,  he knew the Author and that is what we must needs know.  The unbelieving had another chance to believe.   (Do you?)

We must share the knowledge of Christ,  how He is real in our lives, how we know Him. 

It is the Spirits job to draw those He has chosen.  We must plant, water or harvest.   We do this by knowing and obeying Him.  Just living in the love, trust and faith we have received.

Lord, help us to lift You up, for all men to see….

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Peaceful easy feeling

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The peace that passes understanding

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Ye have seen all that the Lord did : The Fix-it Shop

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“Ye have seen all that the Lord did before your eyes in the land of Egypt unto Pharaoh, and unto all his servants, and unto all his land;

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The great temptations which thine eyes have seen, the signs, and those great miracles:   Yet the Lord hath not given you an heart to perceive, and eyes to see, and ears to hear, unto this day.”

The Lord hasn’t given a heart to perceive and eyes to see or ears to hear:

Some people just don’t recognize the hand of God in creation,  recently, science changed its mind on the big bang….now it never happened,  the solar systems are eternal,  they never had a beginning.

Wow….how can this be?

We see the mighty hand of God, all around us.  Look up and recognize how insignificant we are.  Look at the ancient cities man has build….what is left?  Ruins. 

Empty shells, a glimpse of what might have been.  

Then look at the earth.  We cannot destroy it,  grass, vines and trees grow and flourish to mock our foolish wisdom.

The miracles of God are  for all to see…if He gives eyes to see.  The voice of God is loud and clear. …if He gives ears to hear.  The Salvation of God is available to all. …if He gives the heart to receive.

We  must pray the Lord opens the hearts, eyes and ears of those we love and those we meet.  That Jesus be evident in our lives.  That people recognize a soul striving to set an example,  a heart that is full of love and compassion.   A life that is dedicated to serve the Lord.

Are we truly followers of Christ?   Or do we just claim His Name?   He said people would know we are His, by our love for one another.  

” Keep yourselves in the love of God, looking for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ unto eternal life.   And of some have compassion, making a difference:   And others save with fear, pulling them out of the fire; hating even the garment spotted by the flesh.”

Lord help me to live in Your love.

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The Eyes of the Lord – The Filling Station

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“The eyes of the Lord are in every place, beholding the evil and the good.”

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“Whither shall I go from thy spirit? or whither shall I flee from thy presence?   If I ascend up into heaven, thou art there: if I make my bed in hell, behold, thou art there.”

I believe when we read of the Giants of the Faith, we are intiminated.  Enoch, Noah, Abraham, Joseph, Moses, Joshua, David, Daniel, ect….these were great and Godly men.  I’m not.

We cannot fathom the depths of their respective relationships with God.  How did they reach such heights?

Abraham was a friend of God.  Lord I can’t imagine how that happens.  What is the secret?

We place them above us, we always look up to them, they had lived in a special time and place.

The Lord doesn’t do that anymore.

WHO SAYS? 

Why doesn’t He do that today? 

Are His hands tied? 

Was He lying when He said:  “These signs shall follow them that believe.”    ?????

” The eyes of the Lord are upon the righteous, and his ears are open unto their cry,  the ways of man are before the eyes of the Lord, and he pondereth all his goings.  The eyes of the Lord are in every place, beholding the evil and the good.”

Here in lies the problem,  the Lord sees all I am, He knows all I think, imagine, desire and do. 

Oh what can I  do?  I  am full of sin and sickness,  broken,  unlovable. Why would He use me?  Be my friend?  Trust me with His plan?  Unworthy? ….

The Blood of Jesus, sets me free from the curse of sin and death, I am the Righteousness of God in Christ Jesus.  I come boldly to the throne of grace and obtain mercy and grace in my time of need.

If I would live a life of repentance and obedience, there is no limit to what the Lord might do, in and with me.  If I would only desire the Lord more than life itself.

” David did that which was right in the eyes of the Lord, and turned not aside from any thing that he commanded him all the days of his life, save only in the matter of Uriah the Hittite.”

David was really special, He was a man after Gods heart, how can I  compare to that?

Have you heard of his son, Asa or even Asa’s son after him?

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

 he walked in all the ways of Asa his father; he turned not aside from it, doing that which was right in the eyes of the Lord: “

We need to purpose in our hearts to obey the Lord, repent when we miss the mark and let the Lord direct our path.

” 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.

Will you allow the Lord to shew himself strong on your behalf?   He longs to know you, use you and bless all you do.

Have a perfect heart,  be quick to repent, turn towards the Lord. If we could do this, we would change our world.

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Who touched me? – The Fix-it Shop

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Mark 5 & 6
The secret to answered prayer revealed :

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and much people followed him, (Jesus), and thronged him.  And a certain woman, which had an issue of blood twelve years,

And had suffered many things of many physicians, and had spent all that she had, and was nothing bettered, but rather grew worse,

When she had heard of Jesus, came in the press behind, and touched his garment.

For twelve years, this woman had tried everything available, seeking relief, many Doctors, probably a few quacks, home remedies, nothing helped.

She heard of Jesus, she didn’t cry out Jesus touch me.  She fought her way through the crowd and touched His garment.

We cryout, Jesus heal me, touch me, mend me  and wonder why we see meager results.   If we would touch Him, I believe we could unleash His power in our lives.

For she said, If I may touch but his clothes, I shall be whole.  And straightway the fountain of her blood was dried up; and she felt in her body that she was healed of that plague.

Notice straightway she was healed.   Jesus didn’t run a hospital,  a place to recover,  Jesus healed straightway.

And Jesus, immediately knowing in himself that virtue had gone out of him, turned him about in the press, and said, Who touched my clothes?

And his disciples said unto him, Thou seest the multitude thronging thee, and sayest thou, Who touched me?

And he looked round about to see her that had done this thing.

But the woman fearing and trembling, knowing what was done in her, came and fell down before him, and told him all the truth.  And he said unto her, Daughter, thy faith hath made thee whole; go in peace, and be whole of thy plague.

This is the most popular story of The Hem of His Garment but not the only one.  In Mark 6 we find another :

And when they had passed over, they came into the land of Gennesaret, and drew to the shore.  And when they were come out of the ship, straightway they knew him,

And ran through that whole region round about, and began to carry about in beds those that were sick, where they heard he was.

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.

It is a simple message here;  quit asking for a touch from God and get in your prayer closet and find the way to the Holy of Holies and touch Him.

When I have sought Him with prayer and fasting, with no agenda,  He has always blessed.   “The Lord said, Seek ye my face.  Your face oh Lord will I seek.”

Lord, please help us to seek only You, may You always be touchable to us.

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The Filling Station

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In Mark 5 we find Jesus casting demons out of Legion and into the swine.

It is interesting to me that Mark notes the Legion came to Jesus and Worshipped;   then said “What do you want of me?”  “torment me not”.

Jesus cast out the demons, the swine ran into the sea:

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

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

And they began to pray him to depart out of their coasts.  And when he was come into the ship, he that had been possessed with the devil prayed him that he might be with him.

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

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

Those that witness miracles tell others, who then go to see….then fear sets in.

I  find this to be true.  When God moves in the Supernatural,  wonder, awe and fear results. 

These folks asked Him to leave.

In my own experience, for a short time in my early Christian walk, the Lord would work through me.

People would be touched by the Holy Spirit. …One time it frightened me and I stupidly asked Him to stop.

He did…I have prayed often for the return of His power.  No joy.

When the man who was set free asked to go with Jesus, the answer was no.

We often feel we need to know more, to be able to quote scriptures,  to have all the answers.   When we should just :

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

We need to share what we know.  Sometimes our ignorance will drive others to seek the truth,   if only to prove us wrong.

Then men will marvel.   We only need to know what we know.  “I once was lost but now I’m found”.  Leave it to the Holy Spirit to draw them in.

I just learned a friend prayed for me, in our youth, many years before I was saved. 

As Abraham prayed for Lot and he was saved, it took awhile in my life, but prayer works.

Thanks for the prayers,  we don’t know the results until we know the results.   We see through  a glass darkly.

God said: “My ways are not your ways”

So pray for one another. …share what you know to be true…you don’t need to prove it.  The Holy Spirit is able to touch others with our testimony.

Lord, please use us for Your Glory, may others come to love You by our lives, prayers and testimony.

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