I will never leave you

Heb 13:5  Let your conversation be without covetousness; and be content with such things as ye have: for he hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee.

Let your conversation: tropos, Manner of life, your ways, your character; be content, be satisfied with God's provision, do not seek after things or other idols; anything between you and God. I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee. Our attention should be on serving and pleasing God, his Son Jesus with a way of life where he is Lord of all. I want his presence with me as he was with Moses.

This quote was originally given to Joshua, but Paul has applied it to all who are the heirs of salvation.

Jos 1:5  There shall not any man be able to stand before thee all the days of thy life: as I was with Moses, so I will be with thee: I will not fail thee, nor forsake thee.
Jos 1:6  Be strong and of a good courage: for unto this people shalt thou divide for an inheritance the land, which I sware unto their fathers to give them.
Jos 1:7  Only be thou strong and very courageous, that thou mayest observe to do according to all the law, which Moses my servant commanded thee: turn not from it to the right hand or to the left, that thou mayest prosper whithersoever thou goest.
Jos 1:8  This book of the law shall not depart out of thy mouth; but thou shalt meditate therein day and night, that thou mayest observe to do according to all that is written therein: for then thou shalt make thy way prosperous, and then thou shalt have good success.
Jos 1:9  Have not I commanded thee? 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.

Be strong in faith, in your character by reading his word, in your actions, in following the Holy Spirit. Our inheritance is not a physical land but a place in heaven prepared for you, for us by our Master, Jesus Christ. He is coming for those who are looking for him. Keep in the word of truth, live for him, be content and expect him to come at any time. He will never leave you nor forsake you (Hebrews 13:5) and "I go to prepare a place for you", in my Father's house in heaven. Until he comes for us he will be with us in the Comforter that he will give to his disciples, the Spirit of truth and His power.

John 14:3  And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also.

Joh 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. 

Joh 14:11  Believe me that I am in the Father, and the Father in me: or else believe me for the very works' sake. 

Joh 14:12  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. 

Joh 14:13  And whatsoever ye shall ask in my name, that will I do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son. 

Joh 14:14  If ye shall ask any thing in my name, I will do it. 

Joh 14:15  If ye love me, keep my commandments. 

Joh 14:16  And I will pray the Father, and he shall give you another Comforter, that he may abide with you for ever; 

Joh 14:17  Even the Spirit of truth; whom the world cannot receive, because it seeth him not, neither knoweth him: but ye know him; for he dwelleth with you, and shall be in you. 

Joh 14:18  I will not leave you comfortless: I will come to you. 

Having his truth and power we must pray to the Father for His direction.

Eaglewings Ministries

A little water

A little water causes the moss to grow on a piece of firewood. The moss lays dormant, but when moisture comes, the pencil lead sized moss springs to life as a mighty forest in miniature. We need the water of God's word, much like this moss. We lay dormant spiritually, not reaching our potential and fulfilling the purpose God has for us until he brings us life. Jesus is the life giver, the Word of God, come to bring us abundant life, now, and forever by believing in his name and making him our Lord. Like the dry moss we thirst for his presence and his written and spoken word to give us new life. Jesus is our valentine of love from the Father. He is our Spiritual Bridegroom, our spirit thirsts for his presence, as we look for the day of his coming.

Rev 22:12  And, behold, I come quickly; and my reward is with me, to give every man according as his work shall be. 
Rev 22:13  I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end, the first and the last. 
Rev 22:14  Blessed are they that do his commandments, that they may have right to the tree of life, and may enter in through the gates into the city. 

Rain

Isa 55:8  For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, saith the LORD. 

Isa 55:9  For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways, and my thoughts than your thoughts. 

Isa 55:10  For as the rain cometh down, and the snow from heaven, and returneth not thither, but watereth the earth, and maketh it bring forth and bud, that it may give seed to the sower, and bread to the eater: 

Isa 55:11  So shall my word be that goeth forth out of my mouth: it shall not return unto me void, but it shall accomplish that which I please, and it shall prosper in the thing whereto I sent it. 

Isa 55:12  For ye shall go out with joy, and be led forth with peace: the mountains and the hills shall break forth before you into singing, and all the trees of the field shall clap their hands. 

Eaglewings Ministries

Fix it

My wife decided to go through her old recipe books and remove any that were not useful. Part of the books and pamphlets were her mothers and were printed in the 1930's. She found something useful among the books, it was a repair manual for her vacuum cleaner. The vacuum was not working well and we had called a repair place for an estimate to have it looked at. My wife is mechanically gifted and she wanted to fix it herself. I helped her remove the tight bolts and soon she had cleaned out a lot of gunk and found an exhaust filter that was plugged. It runs great now. Well it isn't too hard to apply this lesson. When things are not going well, look to the manual, the Bible and get cleaned out by repentance, asking for forgiveness and the oil of the Holy Spirit. We run better when we are in tune with God's plan. 

1Jn 1:9  If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. 

2Cor 2:17  For we are not as many, which corrupt the word of God: but as of sincerity, but as of God, in the sight of God speak we in Christ. 

Heb 4:12  For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart. 

Looking ahead

Looking back there was one goal that was realized. That was to again do a daily Bible study. There was not a day that an Eaglewings Journal entry was not sent out. I hope these have some fruit and I just know that the word of God will accomplish it's purpose. We are to be faithful, not looking to man for approval. If we look to man we get discouraged and quit. In the early days of the ministry a family of saved young people  who we called the "Free family", would receive the Daily Bible lessons and save them in notebooks. They would seek others, from bad places and from off the streets, give them a place to live and get them saved with Bible studies as a requirement. They knew the importance of God's word for a new life. They were disciples making disciples of Jesus Christ. In time they went there own way, but this ministry gave them a fresh start in a new life in Jesus. I was as a father to them, but even a father must let the children have their own purpose to fulfill.

2Ti 2:1  Thou therefore, my son, be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus. 
2Ti 2:2  And the things that thou hast heard of me among many witnesses, the same commit thou to faithful men, who shall be able to teach others also. 
2Ti 2:3  Thou therefore endure hardness, as a good soldier of Jesus Christ. 
2Ti 2:4  No man that warreth entangleth himself with the affairs of this life; that he may please him who hath chosen him to be a soldier. 

2Ti 2:5  And if a man also strive for masteries, yet is he not crowned, except he strive lawfully. 

Keep the faith and stay in the word. Look to God, not to man for approval and he will reward you when you see Jesus, face to face.

Sin unto death

1 John 5:16 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.

What is the sin unto death? Is it not rejecting Jesus as Lord and going out into the world? Where is the proof? I think you will know through the Spirit's witness if someone is not of God. Note, that John is speaking of a brother, a professing believer. A professing believer may not be truly committed to Christ.

I have seen people who left being a Christian who were enemies of the cross. They became antichrist like. Wolves doing all they could to destroy the faith of other people. We see them in the world going to court to stop the display of the ten commandments or placing anti God billboards in public places.

1 John 2:18 Little children, it is the last time: and as ye have heard that antichrist shall come, even now are there many antichrists; whereby we know that it is the last time.
1 John 2:19 They went out from us, but they were not of us; for if they had been of us, they would no doubt have continued with us: but they went out, that they might be made manifest that they were not all of us. 
1 John 2:20 But ye have an unction from the Holy One, and ye know all things.

Heb 6:4 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,
Heb 6:5 And have tasted the good word of God, and the powers of the world to come,
Heb 6:6 If they shall fall away, to renew them again unto repentance; seeing they crucify to themselves the Son of God afresh, and put him to an open shame.

I was one who for a time fell away, don't be too swift to abandon someone who has fallen away. It may be that a great trial or sorrow has come upon the person. If this is the case we should go to them seeking their restoration.

Gal 6:1 Brethren, 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.
Gal 6:2 Bear ye one another's burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ.

James 5:19 Brethren, if any of you do err from the truth, and one convert him;
James 5:20 Let him know, that he which converteth the sinner from the error of his way shall save a soul from death, and shall hide a multitude of sins.

Some are to be sought after and some are to be avoided.

Plumbline

Amo 7:7  Thus he shewed me: and, behold, the Lord stood upon a wall made by a plumbline, with a plumbline in his hand. 

Amo 7:8  And the LORD said unto me, Amos, what seest thou? And I said, A plumbline. Then said the Lord, Behold, I will set a plumbline in the midst of my people Israel: I will not again pass by them any more: 

A plumb line is a straight and true line by suspending a pointed weight on a string.  The plumb line is a straight line and by it a wall is made straight or is seen as not truly being straight. The law of gravity keeps it perfectly straight. God would judge Israel with a perfect law, no longer would he pass by and ignore their sins. Judgement time had come.

Paul spoke of rightly dividing the word of God. I see this as a plumb line in the spiritual. We can discern the truth by correctly interpreting scriptures. The scriptures interpret scriptures. Read them, know them and then you will see truth from error.

2Ti 2:15  Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth. 

The truth of God is backed up by the authority and power of God as creator and judge. He will punish the transgressor and through faith in the Lord Jesus Christ he gives grace. When a politician makes a line, then it means that anyone stepping over it would be subject to the power that he has behind him. The big difference is that God is not a liar, he means what he says and he keeps his word. When all is said and done, God's word remains true, the plumb line of his truth and will.

Well fed

Between lunch and our 2:30 rest home ministry, I stopped by a local park. The camera was in the car so surely there should be something interesting to see. I saw this big fluffy homeless cat that looked well fed. He was well fed, for someone had a large supply of cat food and watering bowls out in the brush. There was even something similar to a dog house. I cannot call it a cat house, but it was a shelter. The stray cats were not alone scavenging in the park for there were many homeless, street people there as well. No food was poured out on the ground, in fact there is an ordinance preventing the feeding of stray humans. The local Rescue Mission has meals for the homeless. A new policy at the mission has made it so that they do not have to sit for a gospel message in order to receive free food. Always in the past the people were fed the word of God before feeding them. I suppose this is progressive? Perhaps some of the support comes from non Christian sources? Once outsiders start paying the bills, then they start telling you what to do. They say there is separation of church and state. In truth it is the state separating people from the Christian religion.

Our foundation

The foundation of our nation was based on the Bible and the laws of God. These are being removed. What was unheard of Fifty years ago has come about because of the lack of understanding and the indifference of the people. With the ignoring of the constitution and the moral laws there is a crumbling of the nation because the foundations are being destroyed. We Christians have a high calling.

World War 2 poster

Eph 2:19  Now therefore ye are no more strangers and foreigners, but fellow citizens with the saints, and of the household of God; 
Eph 2:20  And are built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ himself being the chief corner stone; 
Eph 2:21  In whom all the building fitly framed together groweth unto an holy temple in the Lord: 
Eph 2:22  In whom ye also are builded together for an habitation of God through the Spirit. 

The foundations of our faith were built on Jesus Christ and the founding apostles. There are no new entries to the Bible, it is complete as written. All that is said and done must  be aligned with the word of God. When a nation or church alters the foundations in the name of progress, we have the so called enlightenment of nazi Germany or communist Russia. Both of these systems failed because they oppressed God's truth and destroyed individual freedom.

Our leaders swore to keep and honor the constitution of the United States. We the people are to be careful who we elect to office. The church too must pray for the leaders and uphold the word of God or the foundations will crumble. Jesus is returning soon and he will destroy the ungodly foundations and bring righteousness. He will make everything over to his proper building"code,"  the way that God has foretold and established that it shall be. We are to be made into his image in truth and righteousness.


Psa 96:11  Let the heavens rejoice, and let the earth be glad; let the sea roar, and the fulness thereof. 
Psa 96:12  Let the field be joyful, and all that is therein: then shall all the trees of the wood rejoice 

Psa 96:13  Before the LORD: for he cometh, for he cometh to judge the earth: he shall judge the world with righteousness, and the people with his truth. 

Eph 5:8  For ye were sometimes darkness, but now are ye light in the Lord: walk as children of light: 
Eph 5:9  (For the fruit of the Spirit is in all goodness and righteousness and truth;) 
Eph 5:10  Proving what is acceptable unto the Lord. 

This little light of mine, I'm gonna let it shine, let it shine, let it shine, let it shine. (hymn)

Look up

The park is only a mile from our home, so when the last light of the day comes and I need refreshing I find solitude there. I see the LORD's creation as the sun dies in the west. How beautiful are the western skies through the majestic oaks from the pond boat dock.

The air is crisp and the beauty of God's creation takes my breath away. If it is so beautiful here, how much more beautiful will be our heavenly home?

John 14:1  Let not your heart be troubled: ye believe in God, believe also in me. 

John 14:2  In my Father's house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. 

John 14:3  And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also. 

The silent ripples in the pool mirror the beauty of the sunset. We too are to mirror the beautiful light that is Jesus.

Joh 14:4  And whither I go ye know, and the way ye know. 

John 14:5  Thomas saith unto him, Lord, we know not whither thou goest; and how can we know the way? 

John 14:6  Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me. 

Mark 16:15  And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature. 

Mark 16:16  He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned. 

Mark 16:17  And these signs shall follow them that believe; In my name shall they cast out devils; they shall speak with new tongues; 

Mark 16:18  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. 

Looking towards the eastern sky through the oak, the  clouds are a cooler pink and blue.

Mat 24:27  For as the lightning cometh out of the east, and shineth even unto the west; so shall also the coming of the Son of man be. 

Streaks of pink clouds show the urgency of moving before the last light goes out.

Mat 16:1  The Pharisees also with the Sadducees came, and tempting desired him that he would shew them a sign from heaven. 

Mat 16:2  He answered and said unto them, When it is evening, ye say, It will be fair weather: for the sky is red. 

Mat 16:3  And in the morning, It will be foul weather to day: for the sky is red and lowring. O ye hypocrites, ye can discern the face of the sky; but can ye not discern the signs of the times? 

My heart knows that the world of man's doing is a mess, having removed the foundations of truth, the word of God. The creation shouts that the Lord lives!

Job 19:25  For I know that my redeemer liveth, and that he shall stand at the latter day upon the earth: 

Job 19:26  And though after my skin worms destroy this body, yet in my flesh shall I see God: 

Job 19:27  Whom I shall see for myself, and mine eyes shall behold, and not another; though my reins be consumed within me.

Luke 21:25  And there shall be signs in the sun, and in the moon, and in the stars; and upon the earth distress of nations, with perplexity; the sea and the waves roaring; 

Luke 21:26  Men's hearts failing them for fear, and for looking after those things which are coming on the earth: for the powers of heaven shall be shaken. 

Luke 21:27  And then shall they see the Son of man coming in a cloud with power and great glory. 

Much ado about nothing

Just driftwood

Perhaps others are tired of these posts. At times I feel that I have nothing to say. In myself is no good thing and it is when I realize this that I trust more in the Lord. Music or the word of God are his doing. We are given certain gifts and abilities to develop through complete trust in him. We do not become lazy or neglect practice or the reading of God's word, we do have to be faithful and diligent and to remember that victory or praise belong to him, for when we accept accolades and awards,  pride comes to destroy our anointing. Some have skills of their own to move a congregation or even to manipulate them by personal power. Watch out for this, it is not of God. It is a good thing to encourage someone if their faithfulness has blessed you as the spirit directs you, it helps them to continue. The walk in the spirit often staggers as the flesh wants to dominate. Stay humble and stay the course. Follow Jesus until your salvation is complete in him at his coming.

1Co 15:58  Therefore, my beloved brethren, be ye stedfast, unmoveable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, forasmuch as ye know that your labour is not in vain in the Lord.

Thoughts

When I was a young man the devil gave me thoughts of suicide. God spoke to me giving me life. The voice of the LORD brings life and encouragement to us, if we obey him.

Isa 55:6  Seek ye the LORD while he may be found, call ye upon him while he is near:
Isa 55:7  Let the wicked forsake his way, and the unrighteous man his thoughts: and let him return unto the LORD, and he will have mercy upon him; and to our God, for he will abundantly pardon.
Isa 55:8  For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, saith the LORD.
Isa 55:9  For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways, and my thoughts than your thoughts.

Isa 55:10  For as the rain cometh down, and the snow from heaven, and returneth not thither, but watereth the earth, and maketh it bring forth and bud, that it may give seed to the sower, and bread to the eater:
Isa 55:11  So shall my word be that goeth forth out of my mouth: it shall not return unto me void, but it shall accomplish that which I please, and it shall prosper in the thing whereto I sent it. 

Psa 27:14 Wait on the LORD: be of good courage, and he shall strengthen thine heart: wait, I say, on the LORD.

Isa 40:29 He giveth power to the faint; and to them that have no might he increaseth strength.
Isa 40:30 Even the youths shall faint and be weary, and the young men shall utterly fall:
Isa 40:31 But they that wait upon the LORD shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint.

We have no fear who trust in the Lord, for you are our strength. You brought us forth, you created us in the womb to serve you in righteousness. You guide us and protect us, keeping us as we seek your face. We want to obey you always. You are truth and life all the days of this life and for ever more. 

Jer 29:11  For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith the LORD, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you an expected end. 

We are the children of your kingdom. Thank you Father.

Salvation

I thank God for these particular scriptures. They are his promises and show us the steps to salvation from our sins. These scriptures are referred to often in leading many to Christ and a new life in His Spirit.

Rom 10:8 But what saith it? The word is nigh thee, even in thy mouth, and in thy heart: that is, the word of faith, which we preach;

Preaching the word of faith

Rom 10:17 So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.

Rom 1:16 For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek.
Rom 1:17 For therein is the righteousness of God revealed from faith to faith: as it is written, The just shall live by faith.

What is the way?

Rom 10:9 That 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.

Confess with your mouth, or write it on the screen, that Jesus has risen from the grave. He is the only one who said he was of God who has risen from the grave, proving that he is of God. He is God the Son as this other powerful witnessing verse says:

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.

Confession of Jesus, believing and trusting in him with all your heart, will save you from your sins.

Rom 10:10 For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.

It is God who chooses you and then we respond with confession of faith and with  believing in our hearts that he has risen from the grave. Confess their sins to God, he knows them, and to give all to him. For Jesus has died for all your sins.

Psa 32:5 I acknowledged my sin unto thee, and mine iniquity have I not hid. I said, I will confess my transgressions unto the LORD; and thou forgavest the iniquity of my sin. Selah.

After this ask for the Holy Spirit to come in you and teach you all truth. By the spirit comes power to repent, to turn from the old ways, and to seek Gods direction and will. Finally we make Jesus Lord and master of our life.

1 Pet 1:23 Being born again, not of corruptible seed, but of incorruptible, by the word of God, which liveth and abideth for ever.

Behold all things have become new, I am a child of God. I have everlasting life with Jesus and he holds me in his hand . I am an adopted child of the king, forever. If you think Jesus cannot forgive you, you are mistaken. No one is beyond the cleansing blood of Jesus, as long as they are able to respond to his love. After death it is too late.Yes, he loves you, now is the time of salvation. Come to Jesus.

Marsh Reeds

Moses was placed in a woven reed basket, pitched 

and placed in the river Nile. 

Exo 2:10  And the child grew, and she brought him unto Pharaoh's daughter, and he became her son. 

And she called his name Moses: and she said, 

Because I drew him out of the water. 

Rom 5:14  Nevertheless death reigned from Adam to Moses, even over them that had not sinned after the similitude of Adam's transgression, who is the figure of him that was to come. 

Rom 5:15  But not as the offence, so also is the free gift. For if through the offence of one many be dead, much more the grace of God, and the gift by grace, which is by one man, Jesus Christ, hath abounded unto many. 

Where there is water the reeds grow. They become the habitat for birds and animals. 

Job spoke of an animal among the reeds called Behemoth. 

It must have been very large, perhaps a dinosaur. 

The purpose of Job was to show the power of God.

Job 40:21  He lieth under the shady trees, 

in the covert of the reed, and fens. 

Job 40:22  The shady trees cover him with their shadow; the willows of the brook compass him about. 

Job 40:23  Behold, he drinketh up a river, and hasteth not: he trusteth that he can draw up

 Jordan into his mouth. 

Job 40:24  He taketh it with his eyes:

his nose pierceth through snares. 

These reeds are bent like shepherds crooks. 

Sometimes people will turn to idols and false shepherds
because of careless ease.

Israel did this long ago and made God angry. 

1Kings 14:15  For the LORD shall smite Israel, as a reed is shaken in the water, 

and he shall root up Israel out of this good land, which he gave to their fathers,

 and shall scatter them beyond the river, because they have made their groves,  provoking the LORD to anger. 

The LORD loves his people and sent John the Baptist

 to make the way for the Messiah to forgive their sins. 

Many went into the Jordan wilderness to be baptized by him.

Mat 11:8  But what went ye out for to see? A man clothed in soft raiment? behold, they that wear soft clothing are in kings' houses. 

Mat 11:9  But what went ye out for to see? A prophet? yea, I say unto you, and more than a prophet. 

Mat 11:10  For this is he, of whom it is written, Behold, I send my messenger before thy face, which shall prepare thy way before thee. 

The reeds mature to make rods with seeds called cattails. 
These are older cattails glowing from the back light. Jesus was struck with reeds and given a cattail as a scepter, being mocked as a humiliated king. They were foolish, for
all people will bow before Jesus as the King of kings and the Lord of lords.

Mat 27:29  And when they had platted a crown of thorns, they put it upon his head, and a reed in his right hand: and they bowed the knee before him, and mocked him, saying, Hail, King of the Jews! 
Mat 27:30  And they spit upon him, and took the reed, and smote him on the head. 
Mat 27:31  And after that they had mocked him, they took the robe off from him, and put his own raiment on him, and led him away to crucify him. 

A turn of the head and this reed picture looks like a "Z". I remember the movie the mark of Zorro, 
where a sword was used to carve a Z.  Jesus came to us as a gentle Shepherd and he is the Living Word; the word of God is sharper than a two edged sword.

Mat 12:19  He shall not strive, nor cry; neither shall any man hear his voice in the streets. 
Mat 12:20  A bruised reed shall he not break, and smoking flax shall he not quench, till he send forth judgment unto victory. 
Mat 12:21  And in his name shall the Gentiles trust. 

Heb 4:12  For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart. 

Heb 4:13  Neither is there any creature that is not manifest in his sight: but all things are naked and opened unto the eyes of him with whom we have to do. 

False Deceivers

It is Halloween day and as I drove home from a concert last night I noticed several yards that were elaborately decorated with ghosts, pumpkin faces, witches and some had expensive props with colored lights strung up. For some there is almost as much celebrating for this dark day as is done for Christmas. To many people there may be little difference in the days to them, all is for fun and treats. Not many are sad at Halloween,  maybe strung out on sugar, but at Christmas, many are sad. Perhaps this is conviction, the Lord seeking to draw the lost back to him. At worst it is the devil and the flesh remembering happier times. Let us hold onto what is good each day while we are alive on this earth for we are witnesses of a better time, the time of our meeting Jesus and our conversion from darkness to the kingdom of light. Paul encouraged a Bishop of God in his letter to Titus.

Titus 1:9 Holding fast the faithful word as he hath been taught, that he may be able by sound doctrine both to exhort and to convince the gainsayers.

Holding fast, he is anchored in the word of God. By the word he is able to correct and encourage others. The word of God is able to bring God's power for a new life to some of the skeptics and enemies of the Lord.

Rom 1:16 For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek.
Rom 1:17 For therein is the righteousness of God revealed from faith to faith: as it is written, The just shall live by faith.

We must be subject to God's word and his direction. Too many are living evil lives, even some of those who are in the church; they are not disciples of Jesus Christ. We need to obey God and his word.

False ones

Titus 1:10 For there are many unruly and vain talkers and deceivers, specially they of the circumcision:

unruly; not under submission to authority

vain talkers; speaking empty worthless words

deceivers; seducers, flatterer, seeking to take advantage of you

the circumcision; the old covenant Jews, those who do not understand nor receive the grace of Jesus, or those who wish to put Jewish customs upon the Christians. For example, insisting in circumcision.

Gal 5:10 I have confidence in you through the Lord, that ye will be none otherwise minded: but he that troubleth you shall bear his judgment, whosoever he be.
Gal 5:11 And I, brethren, if I yet preach circumcision, why do I yet suffer persecution? then is the offence of the cross ceased.
Gal 5:12 I would they were even cut off which trouble you.
Gal 5:13 For, brethren, ye have been called unto liberty; only use not liberty for an occasion to the flesh, but by love serve one another.

Titus 1:11 Whose mouths must be stopped, who subvert whole houses, teaching things which they ought not, for filthy lucre's sake.

These dangerous false teachers must be exposed and stopped, they are seeking your money. They want to use you and are dangerous to follow, for they are not of God. Nothing is so sad as to seek to come out of the darkness and then to be subject to a false religious guide. Jesus is the light and the new life, follow him.

Someone Cares

Our Pastor has said that people do not care about what you know, they want to know that you care. Some care only about themselves, but when we are touched by God, then we are able to care about others. Sunday we were in our weekly visit to a care center for the elderly; we have a dedicated group who minister through music and the word of God. We love the people who are there. Some cannot speak well, but one lady opened up to us and testified of the love of God for her. She was so glad that Jesus' love for her did not depend on her performance. Still she was a witness for him with her testimony and her gentle nature and friendly smile.

Often in these care centers there are birds in cages that sing along with our music. I suppose the people in these homes often feel caged, but they are cared for and that is good. We noticed a lady who had a lovely voice who would awaken from her dozing in her wheelchair and begin to sing along with our old hymns. The lady is a hundred years old. We asked her to sing the Old Rugged Cross with us. She sang along with us, and then she testified that her mother played the organ in church and she learned all the hymns from singing with her. Back in our church the Pastor's two year old grandson sang for us. He was learning early the praise of our Lord.

Jesus cares for you.

 I once had an Internet chat room entitled "Someone Cares." People often do not care and if we fix our hopes on others caring for us, we may be disappointed. Jesus cares for us. We serve by his Spirit and his love in us. He reaches out to others through our obedience to him.

John 10:13  The hireling fleeth, because he is an hireling, and careth not for the sheep.
John 10:14  I am the good shepherd, and know my sheep, and am known of mine.
John 10:15  As the Father knoweth me, even so know I the Father: and I lay down my life for the sheep.

1Pe 5:6  Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God, that he may exalt you in due time:
1Pe 5:7  Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you. 
1Pe 5:8  Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour:
1Pe 5:9  Whom resist stedfast in the faith, knowing that the same afflictions are accomplished in your brethren that are in the world.
1Pe 5:10  But the God of all grace, who hath called us unto his eternal glory by Christ Jesus, after that ye have suffered a while, make you perfect, stablish, strengthen, settle you.
1Pe 5:11  To him be glory and dominion for ever and ever. Amen.

No matter how often we fail him, Jesus is there to lift us up again because he loves us.

Complete in Him

I believer in the Lord Jesus Christ is not just one who attends a church and has his name written in a membership book, but his name is written in heaven in the book of life. He is a new creation, with a new Spirit filled heart. We must keep our hearts by feeding the heart the word of God and submitting to the will of God.

Col 2:8 Beware lest any man spoil you through philosophy and vain deceit, after the tradition of men, after the rudiments of the world, and not after Christ.

To spoil in this verse is to be led away from the truth.

Beware of clever men of the world's thinking and empty deception, who follow man made rules and customs, after the accepted principles of the world, and not after Christ Jesus. Do you know that we have two minds? The natural mind often is swayed by the lusts and wrong thinking of the world's people. When you are in Christ there is the mind of the heart, the mind of the Spirit, that is called the mind of Christ. We renew our spiritual mind with the word of God. We submit to the Spirit in all our ways.

Rom 8:27  And he that searcheth the hearts knoweth what is the mind of the Spirit, because he maketh intercession for the saints according to the will of God

1Co 2:16  For who hath known the mind of the Lord, that he may instruct him? But we have the mind of Christ. 

Jesus prayed to the Father for his own.

John 17:14 I have given them thy word; and the world hath hated them, because they are not of the world, even as I am not of the world.

Col 2:9 For in him dwelleth all the fulness of the Godhead bodily.

Col 1:17 And he is before all things, and by him all things consist.

Col 1:18 And he is the head of the body, the church: who is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead; that in all things he might have the preeminence.

Col 1:19 For it pleased the Father that in him should all fulness dwell;

Col 2:10 And ye are complete in him, which is the head of all principality and power:

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:

Jesus has finished all that was needed to make us complete when he gave his life in our place on the cross. By faith we receive him into our hearts, and we are changed. We are complete in him. Now we are to be conformed to his image in all godly character. This is our spiritual fruit.