Eagles' Wings

 Exodus 19:4  Ye have seen what I did unto the Egyptians, and how I bare you on eagles' wings, and brought you unto myself. 

Exo 19:5  Now therefore, if ye will obey my voice indeed, and keep my covenant, then ye shall be a peculiar treasure unto me above all people: for all the earth is mine: 

God’s love and care was shown for Israel, as He bore you on eagle’s wings. It is said that an eagle does not carry her young in her claws like other birds; the young eagles attach themselves to the back of the mother eagle and are protected as they are carried. Any arrow from a hunter must pass through the mother eagle before it could touch the young eagle on her back. The deliverance (I bore you on eagles’ wings) was for fellowship (brought you to Myself). God didn’t deliver Israel so they could “do their own thing,” but so they could be God’s people.

Then you shall be a special treasure to Me: God intended for Israel to be a special treasure unto Him. He wanted them to be a people with a unique place in God’s great plan, a people of great value and concern to God.(David Guzik)

Through Jesus, all people may come to God and enter into a covenant relationship with him. We receive wisdom and knowledge and the riches of an eternal inheritance with Jesus in the kingdom of God.

Eph 1:17  That the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give unto you the spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of him: 

Eph 1:18  The eyes of your understanding being enlightened; that ye may know what is the hope of his calling, and what the riches of the glory of his inheritance in the saints, 

Eph 1:19  And what is the exceeding greatness of his power to us-ward who believe, according to the working of his mighty power, 

Eph 1:20  Which he wrought in Christ, when he raised him from the dead, and set him at his own right hand in the heavenly places, 

Just know that in a time when no one wants God, that he wants you to come to him so that he may bless you. All good comes from God. Citizen of America, look on a coin. (In God We Trust, liberty.)  All freedom, liberty and blessings come from God who bears you up on eagles' wings.

On Eagle's Wings

Good and Evil

3Jn 1:11  Beloved, follow not that which is evil, but that which is good. He that doeth good is of God: but he that doeth evil hath not seen God. 

Knowing what is good and what is evil is moral judgement. If we are not aware of what is evil, how will we know what is good? Everyone has a God given conscience to guide them. Often though, we listen to the world and are confused by what we see and hear. I believe we have got to the place of reversing what is evil for what is good as spoken by the prophet Isaiah.

Isa 5:20  Woe unto them that call evil good, and good evil; that put darkness for light, and light for darkness; that put bitter for sweet, and sweet for bitter! 

Psa 38:18  For I will declare mine iniquity; I will be sorry for my sin. 

Psa 38:19  But mine enemies are lively, and they are strong: and they that hate me wrongfully are multiplied. 

Psa 38:20  They also that render evil for good are mine adversaries; because I follow the thing that good is. 

The world may be against God's order of things.  Humanists, socialists and communists do not want you following God and what is good.  They are of the devil who is a liar, a thief and a destroyer. Jesus came to give us life, a rich and satisfying life, now and forever more. (John 10:10)

Fear God, turn from evil and come to Jesus who is the way to God, the truth of God and the life of God. (John 14:6)

Refuge

Prosperity

3Jn 1:2  Beloved, I wish above all things that thou mayest prosper and be in health, even as thy soul prospereth. 

This is a favorite verse for prosperity teachers. Let's look at the word "prosper".

to advance, prosper, make progress, succeed, be profitable

These words fit the American dream of doing something we enjoy and being successful in the doing. This can be prospering with money or spiritually, helping others to be successful in what they enjoy and peace within, We share the good news that Jesus came as the way to be cleansed and acceptable to God. Reading the Bible and doing what it says will also help your soul to prosper.

Having the wrong ideas can cause the opposite; Lies, destruction and death.  We should not trust our prosperity to politicians or wrong thinking organizations or people.

John spoke the word "wish" , which can also be translated "I pray" He is speaking with God as his witness, not just a wish.

Beloved, I wish (pray) above all things that thou mayest prosper and be in health, even as thy soul prospereth. 

 

Child of God

The virgin Mary was with child, by the Holy Spirit. The father of Adam brought forth a second Adam. The first was earthy, the second was God's Son from heaven. 

1Co 15:47  The first man was from the earth, a man of dust; the second man is from heaven. 

1Co 15:48  As was the man of dust, so also are those who are of the dust, and as is the man of heaven, so also are those who are of heaven. 

1Co 15:49  Just as we have borne the image of the man of dust, we shall also bear the image of the man of heaven. 

Joseph heard in a dream that his espoused wife was with a miracle child from God

 Mat 1:20  But as he considered these things, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream, saying, “Joseph, son of David, do not fear to take Mary as your wife, for that which is conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit. 

Mat 1:21  She will bear a son, and you shall call his name Jesus, for he will save his people from their sins.” 

Mat 1:22  All this took place to fulfill what the Lord had spoken by the prophet: 

Mat 1:23  “Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and they shall call his name Immanuel” (which means, God with us). 

Mat 1:24  When Joseph woke from sleep, he did as the angel of the Lord commanded him: he took his wife, 

Mat 1:25  but knew her not until she had given birth to a son. And he called his name Jesus. 

RECONCILED

Col 1:20 And, having made peace through the blood of his cross, by him to reconcile all things unto himself; by him, I say, whether they be things in earth, or things in heaven.

The word for reconcile, means to change thoroughly. Peace comes between man and God through the blood of his cross. The act of Jesus Christ spilling his sinless blood at the cross, fulfilled God's just punishment for sins. Those who receive Jesus through faith, also are justified, declared not guilty of sins by God the Father. We must receive Jesus through faith, the blood does not save those who reject him. Jesus has been given by his Father, power and dominion over all things; yes even satan will bow to him, but only those humans who are reconciled shall live forever in the love of God. Angels do not get a second chance if they fall. People have a choice, but for the angels, they will be punished.

Col 1:21 And you, that were sometime alienated and enemies in your mind by wicked works, yet now hath he reconciled
Col 1:22 In the body of his flesh through death, to present you holy and unblameable and unreproveable in his sight:

You, who once were captives of satan and worshiped fallen angels, you who have received Jesus have now been delivered (transferred into the kingdom of light) and are now reconciled (completely changed) and are made holy children of God.

2Co 5:17  Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new. 

2Co 5:18  And all things are of God, who hath reconciled us to himself by Jesus Christ, and hath given to us the ministry of reconciliation; 

2Co 5:19  To wit, that God was in Christ, reconciling the world unto himself, not imputing their trespasses unto them; and hath committed unto us the word of reconciliation. 

Before All Things

Col 1:17  And he is before all things, and in him all things hold together. 

Jesus as God, has an eternal existence, he created all things and upholds all things. When he came in the form of a baby, he was born six months after Mary's cousin Elizabeth's son, John the Baptist. When older, John knew that he was born before baby Jesus, but he also knew as a prophet of God that in this baby was the eternal God, Jesus the Son of God.

John 1:15 John bare witness of him, and cried, saying, This was he of whom I spake, He that cometh after me is preferred before me: for he was before me.

John 1:16 And of his fulness have all we received, and grace for grace.

John 1:17 For the law was given by Moses, but grace and truth came by Jesus Christ. 

The law is holy, but no one was able to keep all the law; no one but Jesus. The penalty for law breaking; sin, is death and separation from God.

Heb 9:27  And as it is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment: 

Heb 9:28  So Christ was once offered to bear the sins of many; and unto them that look for him shall he appear the second time without sin unto salvation. 

Jesus died for our sins as our substitute. He has risen from the grave and through trust in him we become children of God. We must accept his salvation before we die. Do you hear him calling you now? 

Creator and Redeemer

Col 1:16 For by him were all things created, that are in heaven, and that are in earth, visible and invisible, whether they be thrones, or dominions, or principalities, or powers: all things were created by him, and for him:

God worked together with his eternal Son creating all things.

God is the creator, Jesus is God the Son. Everything was created by him and for him. This is made clear again in Hebrews 1:1-3

Heb 1:1 God, who at sundry times and in divers manners spake in time past unto the fathers by the prophets,
Heb 1:2 Hath in these last days spoken unto us by his Son, whom he hath appointed heir of all things, by whom also he made the worlds;
Heb 1:3 Who being the brightness of his glory, and the express image of his person, and upholding all things by the word of his power, when he had by himself purged our sins, sat down on the right hand of the Majesty on high;

Hebrews repeats what Paul has said in these verses of Colossians and adds the purpose of his coming; to purge our sins. They are removed, God himself became as a man just to make you and I free. We had better not forget this great gift. Thank you our precious and almighty Lord Jesus!

Jesus my Redeemer

Col 1:14 In whom we have redemption through his blood, even the forgiveness of sins:

He bought us who have come to Jesus from the devil and darkness by his blood that was spilled for us. Our sins are forgiven, shouldn't we forget them? By the power of the Holy Spirit we are kept free, as we choose to walk in the light of truth by faith in our Lord Jesus Christ.

This portion of scripture is one of the most powerful in the Bible describing our Lord Jesus Christ, and of his highest position as God the Son.

Col 1:15 Who is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of every creature:

Jesus Christ is the image of the invisible God.

John 1:18 No man hath seen God at any time; the only begotten Son, which is in the bosom of the Father, he hath declared him.

John 14:8 Philip saith unto him, Lord, show us the Father, and it sufficeth us.
John 14:9 Jesus saith unto him, Have I been so long time with you, and yet hast thou not known me, Philip? he that hath seen me hath seen the Father; and how sayest thou then, Show us the Father?
John 14:10 Believest thou not that I am in the Father, and the Father in me? the words that I speak unto you I speak not of myself: but the Father that dwelleth in me, he doeth the works.

The world should see Christ Jesus in us, for he dwells in us, we are to show the world Jesus by speaking his word and doing his work, just as he showed us the Father in himself.

What is meant by "the firstborn of every creature?"

It is the position of being over all creation, and not referring to an actual birth. Jesus is the most high heir of all that is of God. Psalms 89:27 shows this as God the father giving the son the title and authority to be over all things.

Psa 89:27 Also I will make him my firstborn, higher than the kings of the earth.

Phil 2:9 Wherefore God also hath highly exalted him, and given him a name which is above every name:
Phil 2:10 That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth;

My Father's Business

Luke 2:45  And when they found him not, they turned back again to Jerusalem, seeking him. 

Luk 2:46  And it came to pass, that after three days they found him in the temple, sitting in the midst of the doctors, both hearing them, and asking them questions. 

Luk 2:47  And all that heard him were astonished at his understanding and answers. 

Luk 2:48  And when they saw him, they were amazed: and his mother said unto him, Son, why hast thou thus dealt with us? behold, thy father and I have sought thee sorrowing. 

Luk 2:49  And he said unto them, How is it that ye sought me? wist ye not that I must be about my Father's business? 

Jesus at age twelve was found in the temple both hearing and asking questions of the doctors of the law.  Jesus new that God in heaven was his Father.  We have an earthly father  and then after coming to Jesus, we become adopted by our heavenly Father. It is our business to learn the things of God who is our eternal Father. There is much evil and deception in the world. We are to discern what is good and pleasing to God. The Christian has the spirit of God and that spirit keeps the world from becoming totally anti Christ and evil. There will be a one world government and a wicked ruler who will bring much evil, but the Christians will be with the Lord in heaven, and their restraining influence will be gone before this will happen.

2Thessalonians 2:6  And you know what is restraining him now so that he may be revealed in his time. 

2Th 2:7  For the mystery of lawlessness is already at work. Only he who now restrains it will do so until he is out of the way. 

2Th 2:8  And then the lawless one will be revealed, whom the Lord Jesus will kill with the breath of his mouth and bring to nothing by the appearance of his coming. 

2Th 2:9  The coming of the lawless one is by the activity of Satan with all power and false signs and wonders, 

2Th 2:10  and with all wicked deception for those who are perishing, because they refused to love the truth and so be saved. 

2Th 2:11  Therefore God sends them a strong delusion, so that they may believe what is false, 

2Th 2:12  in order that all may be condemned who did not believe the truth but had pleasure in unrighteousness. 

Diotrephes

3Jn 1:9  I have written something to the church, but Diotrephes, who likes to put himself first, does not acknowledge our authority. 

3Jn 1:10  So if I come, I will bring up what he is doing, talking wicked nonsense against us. And not content with that, he refuses to welcome the brothers, and also stops those who want to and puts them out of the church. 

3Jn 1:11  Beloved, do not imitate evil but imitate good. Whoever does good is from God; whoever does evil has not seen God. 

Diotrephes was a man who was included in the Bible as an example of  an evil man.  He wanted to be in authority and would not submit to the authority of the apostles. He even removed people from church who welcomed the true men of God.  I suppose in every place where there is authority there will be a challenge from evil.  This is why we need to acknowledge those of goodness and  good character. Catholics too have problems with their globalist Pope. We do not align our self with evil;  it is something to watch out for.  People who use their authority to cause division and strife are not of God. Are we helping the church to grow in the fellowship of Jesus Christ? Lord help us to not be a stumbling block to cause someone to fall away.

Eaglewings Ministries Home

The Spirit of Truth

Zep 2:3  Seek the LORD, all you humble of the land, who do his just commands; seek righteousness; seek humility; perhaps you may be hidden on the day of the anger of the LORD. 

Some say that there is no fear of the LORD in the land.  The ungodly should fear but they follow their father, the devil to steal, kill and destroy.(John 10:10)  The Christian has greater power  within.  We should allow this power out to restrain the evil in the land.  

1Jn 4:3  and every spirit that does not confess Jesus is not from God. This is the spirit of the antichrist, which you heard was coming and now is in the world already. 

1Jn 4:4  Little children, you are from God and have overcome them, for he who is in you is greater than he who is in the world. 

How do we overcome evil? We pray and follow God's Spirit.

2Ch 7:13  When I shut up the heavens so that there is no rain, or command the locust to devour the land, or send pestilence among my people, 

2Ch 7:14  if my people who are called by my name humble themselves, and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and heal their land. 

Remember the words of Joseph who was hated by his brothers and sold as a slave. God was with him and brought him to power in the world to save his people.

Gen 50:18  His brothers also came and fell down before him and said, “Behold, we are your servants.” 

Gen 50:19  But Joseph said to them, “Do not fear, for am I in the place of God? 

Gen 50:20  As for you, you meant evil against me, but God meant it for good, to bring it about that many people should be kept alive, as they are today. 

Gen 50:21  So do not fear; I will provide for you and your little ones.” Thus he comforted them and spoke kindly to them. 

Do not lose faith in difficult times. God is not worried, his purposes will be done.

Rom 8:27  And he who searches hearts knows what is the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for the saints according to the will of God. 

Rom 8:28  And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose. 

Comforter-Helper

John 14:22  Judas saith unto him, not Iscariot, Lord, how is it that thou wilt manifest thyself unto us, and not unto the world? 

Joh 14:23  Jesus answered and said unto him, If a man love me, he will keep my words: and my Father will love him, and we will come unto him, and make our abode with him. 

Joh 14:24  He that loveth me not keepeth not my sayings: and the word which ye hear is not mine, but the Father's which sent me. 

Joh 14:25  These things have I spoken unto you, being yet present with you. 

Joh 14:26  But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you.

God, the Father will send the comforter, helper, teacher to those who believe in Jesus. Bible translations say either comforter or helper for the Greek word, paraklētos; one who is called alongside, a counselor and helper. The Holy Spirit is as Jesus who is not limited to one place, but dwells with all believers. Those who follow Jesus have his spirit to guide them in all truth. My comforter and my helper shows me truth, he shows me what Jesus has said. He is my peace. (John 14:27)

Miry Clay

Psa 40:1  To the chief Musician, A Psalm of David. I waited patiently for the LORD; and he inclined unto me, and heard my cry. 

Psa 40:2  He brought me up also out of an horrible pit, out of the miry clay, and set my feet upon a rock, and established my goings. 

Psa 40:3  And he hath put a new song in my mouth, even praise unto our God: many shall see it, and fear, and shall trust in the LORD. 

Psa 40:4  Blessed is that man that maketh the LORD his trust, and respecteth not the proud, nor such as turn aside to lies. 

The prophet Jeremiah prophesied to Judah the word of truth. The leaders did not like what he said so they lowered him down into a cistern into the miry clay. (Jer 38:6)

In the world we may find ourselves in a miry pit, but God who hates lies and who looks out for his own; He will bring us out of the miry clay and set our feet on the rock. Jesus is the sure rock of our salvation. As over comers we sing our spiritual songs with praise to God and by God's grace others will be drawn to the Lord.

ASK

1Jn 5:14  And this is the confidence that we have in him, that, if we ask any thing according to his will, he heareth us: 

1Jn 5:15  And if we know that he hear us, whatsoever we ask, we know that we have the petitions that we desired of him. 

If something is God's will, and he is sovereign, why doesn't he just do it?  Because he wants us to ask in order to receive from Him.  He will not violate our free will.

Mat 7:7  Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you: 

Mat 7:8  For every one that asketh receiveth; and he that seeketh findeth; and to him that knocketh it shall be opened. 

This is for those who trust in Jesus.  Does Jesus want to come in your heart? Yes he does, for he knocks on the door of your heart.

Rev 3:20  Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and eat with him, and he with me. 

Once again, he does not barge in, it is up to you to let him into your life. Ask, seek, and knock and open your life to Jesus. 

Choose Life

 

1John 5:11  And the witness is this, that God gave unto us eternal life, and this life is in his Son. 

1Jn 5:12  He that hath the Son hath the life; he that hath not the Son of God hath not the life. 

Beautiful promises that agree with this beautiful verse.

John 3:16  For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. 

Believe in Jesus, the Son of God, and receive the promise of eternal life.

Trusted Counselors

Exo 18:13  The next day Moses sat to judge the people, and the people stood around Moses from morning till evening. 

Exo 18:14  When Moses' father-in-law saw all that he was doing for the people, he said, “What is this that you are doing for the people? Why do you sit alone, and all the people stand around you from morning till evening?” 

Exo 18:19  Now obey my voice; I will give you advice, and God be with you! You shall represent the people before God and bring their cases to God, 

Exo 18:20  and you shall warn them about the statutes and the laws, and make them know the way in which they must walk and what they must do. 

Exo 18:21  Moreover, look for able men from all the people, men who fear God, who are trustworthy and hate a bribe, and place such men over the people as chiefs of thousands, of hundreds, of fifties, and of tens. 

Exo 18:22  And let them judge the people at all times. Every great matter they shall bring to you, but any small matter they shall decide themselves. So it will be easier for you, and they will bear the burden with you. 

Exo 18:23  If you do this, God will direct you, you will be able to endure, and all this people also will go to their place in peace.” 

Exo 18:24  So Moses listened to the voice of his father-in-law and did all that he had said. 

Pro 11:14  Where there is no guidance, a people falls, but in an abundance of counselors there is safety. 

Moses was taking on too much. Only God can judge everyone in righteousness. God gave all authority to His Son as our judge. Whenever a person seeks to have absolute power over people they become little gods. They rule with mistrust and by force, to force their will on a people. A left leaning communist/socialist leader, who ignores our constitution, can bring tyranny on the people. One such example is Kim Jong un, the dictator of North Korea. In my opinion many of the Democrat governors are acting as dictators, little gods in a country founded on individual freedoms. What if our election was rigged? What if our nation will be led, or forced to obey ungodly counselors? I pray that this will not happen.

Like a Deaf Man

Psalm 38:13  But I am like a deaf man; I do not hear, like a mute man who does not open his mouth. 

Psa 38:14  I have become like a man who does not hear, and in whose mouth are no rebukes. 

Psa 38:15  But for you, O LORD, do I wait; it is you, O Lord my God, who will answer. 

Why do I pick out these verses to share after speaking of thanksgiving and praise? Truth is, I have felt like this. My ears do not always hear what is said and I have nothing to say and yet I have shared my concerns with the Lord. Like Abraham and Sarah, like Zechariah and Elizabeth, he often moves in the latter years to bring forth his miracles, his blessings. He remembers our prayers and he knows our hearts. Perhaps he wants for us to take our hands off, to give him the control of events.  We learn to be content, no matter what the circumstances. We do still give him our thanks and our praise, for he is worthy and he loves us.

As The Deer

GIVE THANKS AND PRAISE

1Ch 16:8  Oh give thanks to the LORD; call upon his name; make known his deeds among the peoples! 

1Ch 16:9  Sing to him, sing praises to him; tell of all his wondrous works! 

1Ch 16:10  Glory in his holy name; let the hearts of those who seek the LORD rejoice! 

1Ch 16:11  Seek the LORD and his strength; seek his presence continually! 

1Ch 16:12  Remember the wondrous works that he has done, his miracles and the judgments he uttered, 

1Ch 16:13  O offspring of Israel his servant, children of Jacob, his chosen ones! 

1Ch 16:14  He is the LORD our God; his judgments are in all the earth. 

1Ch 16:15  Remember his covenant forever, the word that he commanded, for a thousand generations,  

The occasion was placing the Ark of the Covenant in the tent made for it in Jerualem. Jerusalem would become the holy city of David, the place of the Ark of the Covenant. There was thanksgiving and praise to the God of Israel.  

1Ch 16:5  Asaph was the chief, (among the Levites)... who were to play harps and lyres; Asaph was to sound the cymbals, 

1Ch 16:6  and Benaiah and Jahaziel the priests were to blow trumpets regularly before the ark of the covenant of God. 

Let our thanks be not only solemn and deliberate, but may they be from the heart with music and instruments of praise. We especially need to praise God in difficult times when we are feeling less than joyful.  We have much to be thankful for,  especially in the presence of our LORD. He is in our heartfelt praises.

Psa 150:1  Praise the LORD! Praise God in his sanctuary; praise him in his mighty heavens! 

Psa 150:2  Praise him for his mighty deeds; praise him according to his excellent greatness! 

Psa 150:3  Praise him with trumpet sound; praise him with lute and harp! 

Psa 150:4  Praise him with tambourine and dance; praise him with strings and pipe! 

Psa 150:5  Praise him with sounding cymbals; praise him with loud clashing cymbals! 

Psa 150:6  Let everything that has breath praise the LORD! Praise the LORD! 

Let There Be Praise

Secret of How to Live

Php 4:12  I know how to live when I am poor and when I have plenty. I have learned the secret of how to live through any kind of situation—when I have enough to eat or when I am hungry, when I have everything I need or when I have nothing. 

Php 4:13  Christ is the one who gives me the strength I need to do whatever I must do. 

It is a secret no more; Christ Jesus is our strength to do what we must do.   After coming to Jesus, all things become knew as we see through his eyes. What is important to him should be important to us as we learn more of him in the Bible.

The western song writer, Stuart Hamblen, came to Jesus during a Billy Graham crusade. Stuart witnessed to his movie star friend, John Wayne and John replied "it is no secret what God can do".  This became the title of a new song.

It is no Secret What God Can do

INSIDE OUT

Luke 1:39  In those days Mary arose and went with haste into the hill country, to a town in Judah, 

Luk 1:40  and she entered the house of Zechariah and greeted Elizabeth. 

Luk 1:41  And when Elizabeth heard the greeting of Mary, the baby leaped in her womb. And Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit, 

Luk 1:42  and she exclaimed with a loud cry, “Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb! 

Elizabeth was pregnant 6 months with John the Baptist who was filled with the Holy Spirit from the womb

Luke 1:15  for he will be great before the Lord. And he must not drink wine or strong drink, and he will be filled with the Holy Spirit, even from his mother's womb. 

Jesus was in the womb of Mary and when she came to Elizabeth the baby John leaped in her. The Holy Spirit in John was aware of Jesus in the womb. Jesus is the Son of God who came from heaven to identify in every way what it is like to be human. Even in the earliest stages of physical development John recognized the presence of Jesus in the womb of Mary. Not only this, but as a result of this encounter John's mother was filled with the Holy Spirit.

This is a real example of the sacredness of a baby in the mother's womb. The women are blessed by the children. They are sacred vessels to bring forth life. May all the children see Jesus at an early age and be filled with the Holy Spirit. May we by the Spirit see Jesus who came in a human body to give his life in our place, so that we may live with him. Jesus overcame death and lives forever. Chose life with Jesus.

John the Baptist

Luke 1:5  In the days of Herod, king of Judea, there was a priest named Zechariah, of the division of Abijah. And he had a wife from the daughters of Aaron, and her name was Elizabeth. 

Luk 1:6  And they were both righteous before God, walking blamelessly in all the commandments and statutes of the Lord. 

Luk 1:7  But they had no child, because Elizabeth was barren, and both were advanced in years. 

Luk 1:8  Now while he was serving as priest before God when his division was on duty, 

Luk 1:9  according to the custom of the priesthood, he was chosen by lot to enter the temple of the Lord and burn incense. 

Luk 1:10  And the whole multitude of the people were praying outside at the hour of incense. 

Luk 1:11  And there appeared to him an angel of the Lord standing on the right side of the altar of incense. 

Luk 1:12  And Zechariah was troubled when he saw him, and fear fell upon him. 

Luk 1:13  But the angel said to him, “Do not be afraid, Zechariah, for your prayer has been heard, and your wife Elizabeth will bear you a son, and you shall call his name John. 

Luk 1:14  And you will have joy and gladness, and many will rejoice at his birth, 

Luk 1:15  for he will be great before the Lord. And he must not drink wine or strong drink, and he will be filled with the Holy Spirit, even from his mother's womb. 

Luk 1:16  And he will turn many of the children of Israel to the Lord their God, 

Luk 1:17  and he will go before him in the spirit and power of Elijah, to turn the hearts of the fathers to the children, and the disobedient to the wisdom of the just, to make ready for the Lord a people prepared.”

Let me see what I can as a summery of this event. Zechariah was a priest that had the privilege of lighting incense in the holy temple of God. Incense is a symbol for the prayers to God. An angel appeared before him; the word for angel means "messenger". The angel had a message to give. God had heard their prayers for a son and even though they were past the age of child bearing he would have a son named John. The son would be filled with the Holy Spirit from the womb. Here is proof against abortion, that the child may be called of God from the womb. The child would go before the Messiah Jesus and preach repentance, for the kingdom of God is at hand. Repentance will heal the hearts of the people of the land. "and he will go before him in the spirit and power of Elijah, to turn the hearts of the fathers to the children, and the disobedient to the wisdom of the just, to make ready for the Lord a people prepared.” Our land needs to turn to God and the hearts healed with love  poured out for the restoration of families, and the anticipation of the return of Jesus. Let us join hearts and pray for our nation and our families, in the name of Jesus, amen.

JOY and PEACE

Philippians 4:4  Always be filled with joy in the Lord. I will say it again. Be filled with joy. 

Php 4:5  Let everyone see that you are gentle and kind. The Lord is coming soon. 

Php 4:6  Don't worry about anything, but pray and ask God for everything you need, always giving thanks for what you have. 

Php 4:7  And because you belong to Christ Jesus, God's peace will stand guard over all your thoughts and feelings. His peace can do this far better than our human minds. (Easy Read Version).

Personally when I was undergoing recurrences of cancer at an early age, peace would come to me from God. A peace that the world does not know. Last year when I had an operation that turned out to be a cyst, I came to the recovery room with overwhelming joy. I am alive and I thank you my Lord. Joy and peace are fruits of the spirit that belong to those who are saved in Christ Jesus. Thank you Jesus.

JOY

1Peter 1:6  Wherein ye greatly rejoice, though now for a season, if need be, ye are in heaviness through manifold temptations: 

1Pe 1:7  That the trial of your faith, being much more precious than of gold that perisheth, though it be tried with fire, might be found unto praise and honour and glory at the appearing of Jesus Christ: 

1Pe 1:8  Whom having not seen, ye love; in whom, though now ye see him not, yet believing, ye rejoice with joy unspeakable and full of glory: 

1Pe 1:9  Receiving the end of your faith, even the salvation of your souls. 

PEACE

John 14:27  Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid. 

MANNA BREAD

Exo 16:31  And the house of Israel called the name thereof Manna: and it was like coriander seed, white; and the taste of it was like wafers made with honey. 

The LORD fed his people wityh Manna from heaven. He did this for forty years, until they entered the promise land. The description of Manna gave me the idea to make a "Manna bread."  Here is my recipe.

2 cups flour

oil

honey to your taste

enough milk to make a dough. I added raisins, like found in the promise land. 

flatten out on a cookie sheet and bake in the oven at 375 for 12 minutes, until cooked through. The hot steaming unleavened bread is a quick snack to fulfill your hunger and tastes like wafers made of honey. 

If you desire a bit more flavor sprinkle the top with cinnamon and sugar. Let me know if you like this...

LEARNING TO TRUST

Exo 16:2  And the whole congregation of the children of Israel murmured against Moses and Aaron in the wilderness: 

Exo 16:3  And the children of Israel said unto them, Would to God we had died by the hand of the LORD in the land of Egypt, when we sat by the flesh pots, and when we did eat bread to the full; for ye have brought us forth into this wilderness, to kill this whole assembly with hunger. 

Exo 16:4  Then said the LORD unto Moses, Behold, I will rain bread from heaven for you; and the people shall go out and gather a certain rate every day, that I may prove them, whether they will walk in my law, or no. 

The children of Israel were rescued from slavery in Egypt, they passed through the Red Sea that God parted for them. Instead of thanksgiving, they murmured and complained. They were a bunch of complainers, like so many of us today. They were hungry and they had not learned to trust God. The LORD Jehovah said unto Moses, I will rain bread from heaven and test them to see if they will obey my law. The bread would be called "manna", meaning, "what is it"?

Do you remember the Lord's prayer?

Mat 6:9  After this manner therefore pray ye: Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name. 

Mat 6:10  Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven. 

Mat 6:11  Give us this day our daily bread. 

Mat 6:12  And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors. 

Mat 6:13  And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil: For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever. Amen. 

We are to call upon the Lord who is holy, to follow his will and to depend on him for our daily bread. To be forgiven of our complaining and sins, we are also to forgive others, not be led into temptation, but to be delivered from evil. We are to trust in God forever, for he is our king. Jesus is our spiritual bread from heaven, He is the living word of God from heaven who came to bring us to the Father in heaven. Praise God.

TRUST AND OBEY

PRAISE

 

Philippians 4:8 Finally, brethren,..if there be any  praise, ..think on these things. 

praise: commendation, praiseworthy

We should make it a habit to comment on the good behavior and words of others, edifying the body of Christ. Let us worship and praise our God together for he is worthy

Psa 7:17  I will praise the LORD according to his righteousness: and will sing praise to the name of the LORD most high. 

Psa 9:1  .... I will praise thee, O LORD, with my whole heart; I will shew forth all thy marvellous works. 

Praise that is flattery may not be good. Praise God rather than man. We should not accept praise that belongs to God. and we should not be afraid to publicly give praise to Jesus.

John 12:42  Nevertheless among the chief rulers also many believed on him; but because of the Pharisees they did not confess him, lest they should be put out of the synagogue: 

John 12:43  For they loved the praise of men more than the praise of God. 

Psa 9:2  I will be glad and rejoice in thee: I will sing praise to thy name, O thou most High. 

Our work should be as to give praise to God. He has given us life and abilities and each new day.

Phl 1:11 Being filled with the fruits of righteousness, which are by Jesus Christ, unto the glory and praise of God.

Thank You Jesus, you are all of these things...

True

Honest

Just

Pure

Lovely

Good Report

Virtue

Praise

We are to think on these things.  

PRAISE THE LORD

VIRTUE

Philippians 4:8 Finally, brethren,..if there be any virtue, ..think on these things. 

virtue: moral goodness, moral excellence, such as, modesty and purity. Conformity of one's life and conduct to moral and ethical principles;  Godly character. Honesty, courage, compassion, generosity, fidelity, integrity, fairness, self-control, and prudence are all examples of virtues

Virtue is a word we do not hear in a world that has no shame.  Bad behavior I suppose is a result of not desiring moral training about God and his commandments. On the internet I have talked to people who were victims of human bondage, even tortured in a satanic cult. They had no hope of having virtue until they were shown that Jesus came to pay the price  for their sins and shame, on the cross at Calvary. They are forgiven and made clean and virtuous again, by the grace of God. Thank you Jesus.

Pro 12:4 A virtuous woman [is] a crown to her husband: but she that maketh ashamed [is] as rottenness in his bones.

Eph 5:21 Submitting yourselves one to another in the fear of God.
Eph 5:22 Wives, submit yourselves unto your own husbands, as unto the Lord.

Eph 5:25 Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ also loved the church, and gave himself for it;

The church is not a building, the church are those who are forgiven and become adopted people of God who receive eternal life with God. No matter how bad we may be, Jesus wants to make you good and acceptable to God. God has power to forgive your sins through Jesus.

2Pe 1:3  According as his divine power hath given unto us all things that pertain unto life and godliness, through the knowledge of him that hath called us to glory and virtue: 

2Pe 1:4  Whereby are given unto us exceeding great and precious promises: that by these ye might be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust. 

2Pe 1:5  And beside this, giving all diligence, add to your faith virtue; and to virtue knowledge; 

2Pe 1:6  And to knowledge temperance (self-control); and to temperance patience; and to patience godliness; 

2Pe 1:7  And to godliness brotherly kindness; and to brotherly kindness charity. 

2Pe 1:8  For if these things be in you, and abound, they make you that ye shall neither be barren nor unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ.