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.

They shall proceed no further

2Ti 3:1  This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come.
2Ti 3:2  For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy,
2Ti 3:3  Without natural affection, trucebreakers, false accusers, incontinent, fierce, despisers of those that are good,
2Ti 3:4  Traitors, heady, highminded, lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God;
2Ti 3:5  Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away.
2Ti 3:6  For of this sort are they which creep into houses, and lead captive silly women laden with sins, led away with divers lusts,
2Ti 3:7  Ever learning, and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth.
2Ti 3:8  Now as Jannes and Jambres withstood Moses, so do these also resist the truth: men of corrupt minds, reprobate concerning the faith.
2Ti 3:9  But they shall proceed no further: for their folly shall be manifest unto all men, as theirs also was.

I think that we all can agree that the times are perilous. We see wrong behavior even from our highest officials  who should be examples of what is right and good, instead they are the opposite. So many are unknowing and fooled, led astray and the only thing restraining them are those who know better. The laws of the land does some restraining, but even they are being ignored and changed.  God's word does not change and those who abide by his word and are spirit led are the restrainers of sin. Of course this will make them the targets of those who do evil; the traitors, the arrogant, the pleasure seekers and the liars. Those who are of God can keep a local church from these types, but what of the corrupt in our world? " Now as Jannes and Jambres withstood Moses, so do these also resist the truth: men of corrupt minds, reprobate concerning the faith."

The LORD will not let them get away.

2Ti 3:9  But they shall proceed no further: for their folly shall be manifest unto all men, as theirs also was.

The LORD makes things right.

Psa 37:5  Commit thy way unto the LORD; trust also in him; and he shall bring it to pass. 

Psa 37:6  And he shall bring forth thy righteousness as the light, and thy judgment as the noonday. 

Psa 37:7  Rest in the LORD, and wait patiently for him: fret not thyself because of him who prospereth in his way, because of the man who bringeth wicked devices to pass. 

Psa 37:8  Cease from anger, and forsake wrath: fret not thyself in any wise to do evil. 

Psa 37:9  For evildoers shall be cut off: but those that wait upon the LORD, they shall inherit the earth. 

Psa 37:10  For yet a little while, and the wicked shall not be: yea, thou shalt diligently consider his place, and it shall not be. 

Psa 37:11  But the meek shall inherit the earth; and shall delight themselves in the abundance of peace. 

Psa 37:12  The wicked plotteth against the just, and gnasheth upon him with his teeth. 

Psa 37:13  The Lord shall laugh at him: for he seeth that his day is coming. 

The Branch

The second coming of the Lord Jesus Christ as the Millennial king.

Jer 23:5  Behold, the days come, saith the LORD, that I will raise unto David a righteous Branch, and a King shall reign and prosper, and shall execute judgment and justice in the earth.
Jer 23:6  In his days Judah shall be saved, and Israel shall dwell safely: and this is his name whereby he shall be called, THE LORD OUR RIGHTEOUSNESS.

He had other names:Emmanuel, God with us and Jesus, Saviour.

Mat1:23  Behold, a virgin shall be with child, and shall bring forth a son, and they shall call his name Emmanuel, which being interpreted is, God with us. 

Act 13:22  ... he raised up unto them David to be their king; to whom also he gave testimony, and said, I have found David the son of Jesse, a man after mine own heart, which shall fulfil all my will.
Act 13:23  Of this man's seed hath God according to his promise raised unto Israel a Saviour, Jesus:
Act 13:24  When John had first preached before his coming the baptism of repentance to all the people of Israel.

Isa 11:1  And there shall come forth a rod out of the stem of Jesse, and a Branch shall grow out of his roots: 
Isa 11:2  And the spirit of the LORD shall rest upon him, the spirit of wisdom and understanding, the spirit of counsel and might, the spirit of knowledge and of the fear of the LORD; 
Isa 11:3  And shall make him of quick understanding in the fear of the LORD: and he shall not judge after the sight of his eyes, neither reprove after the hearing of his ears: 
Isa 11:4  But with righteousness shall he judge the poor, and reprove with equity for the meek of the earth: and he shall smite the earth with the rod of his mouth, and with the breath of his lips shall he slay the wicked. 
Isa 11:5  And righteousness shall be the girdle of his loins, and faithfulness the girdle of his reins. 

Isa 11:9  They shall not hurt nor destroy in all my holy mountain: for the earth shall be full of the knowledge of the LORD, as the waters cover the sea. 
Isa 11:10  And in that day there shall be a root of Jesse, which shall stand for an ensign of the people; to it shall the Gentiles seek: and his rest shall be glorious. 

Our hope and rest is in the righteous Branch of David.

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.

Pipes

Often when there is an important event, there will be music to help celebrate the occasion. There were the sounds of instruments at the coronation of King Solomon.

At the dedication of the New Veterans retirement home I was honored to play with some of the most gifted trombone players. A full orchestra played the old familiar swing music for the WW2 veterans as well as patriotic marches, topped off with "The Stars and Stripes Forever" featuring a piccolo solo. A piccolo is a form of a pipe instrument.

1Ki 1:39  And Zadok the priest took an horn of oil out of the tabernacle, and anointed Solomon. And they blew the trumpet; and all the people said, God save king Solomon. 
1Ki 1:40  And all the people came up after him, and the people piped with pipes, and rejoiced with great joy, so that the earth rent with the sound of them. 

Our Scottish WW2 allies supplied the stirring sound 
of pipes, bagpipes. This group was a firefighters bagpipe band.

Drums kept the beat and they added to the excitement.

1Ki 1:41  And Adonijah and all the guests that were with him heard it as they had made an end of eating. And when Joab heard the sound of the trumpet, he said, Wherefore is this noise of the city being in an uproar? 
1Ki 1:42  And while he yet spake, behold, Jonathan the son of Abiathar the priest came: and Adonijah said unto him, Come in; for thou art a valiant man, and bringest good tidings. 
1Ki 1:43  And Jonathan answered and said to Adonijah, Verily our lord king David hath made Solomon king. 

Psa 150:1  Praise ye the LORD. Praise God in his sanctuary: praise him in the firmament of his power.
Psa 150:2  Praise him for his mighty acts: praise him according to his excellent greatness.
Psa 150:3  Praise him with the sound of the trumpet: praise him with the psaltery and harp.
Psa 150:4  Praise him with the timbrel and dance: praise him with stringed instruments and organs.
Psa 150:5  Praise him upon the loud cymbals: praise him upon the high sounding cymbals. 

Seven lamps

In my walk, I saw this Mullen plant with seven branches, reminding me of the lamp stand with seven lamps used in the temple in Jerusalem. Zechariah the priest was given a vision concerning this holy item to be used in the rebuilt temple.

Zec 4:1  And the angel that talked with me came again, and waked me, as a man that is wakened out of his sleep,
Zec 4:2  And said unto me, What seest thou? And I said, I have looked, and behold a candlestick all of gold, with a bowl upon the top of it, and his seven lamps thereon, and seven pipes to the seven lamps, which are upon the top thereof:

The lamps were to represent the light of God. Seven is the number of completeness. Seven is the number of Jesus, the light of the world. Some refer to the lamps as the perfect eyes of God, seeing all things. Another thought would be the seven spirits, the fullness of the Holy Spirit as described in Isaiah.


Isa 11:2  And the spirit of the LORD shall rest upon him, the spirit of wisdom and understanding, the spirit of counsel and might, the spirit of knowledge and of the fear of the LORD; 

Zec 4:3  And two olive trees by it, one upon the right side of the bowl, and the other upon the left side thereof.

The two olive trees supplied the oil for the lamps. Oil is the symbol of the Holy Spirit. The two Olive trees may refer to two witnesses. The word of God and the Spirit of God go together. Two witnesses were required to establish a truth, in the law. The law and the prophets could be the two witnesses in the two witnesses in Revelations. Were these two witnesses Moses and Elijah?

Rev 11:3  And I will give power unto my two witnesses, and they shall prophesy a thousand two hundred and threescore days, clothed in sackcloth. 

Rev 11:4  These are the two olive trees, and the two candlesticks standing before the God of the earth. 

Zec 4:4  So I answered and spake to the angel that talked with me, saying, What are these, my lord?
Zec 4:5  Then the angel that talked with me answered and said unto me, Knowest thou not what these be? And I said, No, my lord.
Zec 4:6  Then he answered and spake unto me, saying, This is the word of the LORD unto Zerubbabel, saying, Not by might, nor by power, but by my spirit, saith the LORD of hosts.

This is often quoted, but not in context. The rebuilding of the walls and the temple in Jerusalem would take more than the unity and might of men. There was the power of the King Cyrus' decree by the will of God allowing the rebuilding; Cyrus was given that power by God. Facing many obstacles, they must rely on the power of God, the Spirit of God to finish the work of God. We can apply this to our own walk in the Spirit. It is by God's Spirit that we have success in accomplishing his work, our strength is made complete in God. Not by might, nor by power, but by my spirit, saith the LORD of hosts.

Perfect Peace

This morning I plan to be in a special band honoring the veterans in the opening of a new veterans retirement home. We will play patriotic marches and music of the swing era. There was a write up in the paper about the first veteran to come into the home, I have known him for years and he is a gentle man, a Christian. It was Christian America that defeated the Nazis and became the most productive people ever. America has changed, the people have changed. A true hope and change is coming, for Jesus is going to return, removing those who plan to do evil. We will be ruled by righteousness; the Prince of Peace is coming to rule and to reign.

Isa 26:3 Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on thee: because he trusteth in thee.

Jesus gives us perfect peace, now.

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.

Isa 26:4 Trust ye in the LORD for ever: for in the LORD JEHOVAH is everlasting strength:
Isa 26:5 For he bringeth down them that dwell on high; the lofty city, he layeth it low; he layeth it low, even to the ground; he bringeth it even to the dust.

The LORD Jehovah does not work apart from his son, Jesus. They share titles and have the same spirit being one God with the Holy Spirit. Jesus returns with power and authority to judge the nations.

Rev 19:15 And out of his mouth goeth a sharp sword, that with it he should smite the nations: and he shall rule them with a rod of iron: and he treadeth the winepress of the fierceness and wrath of Almighty God.
Rev 19:16 And he hath on his vesture and on his thigh a name written, KING OF KINGS, AND LORD OF LORDS.

The Spy

I picked a persimmon that looked like a cartoon spy.

There are good spies and bad spies.

Num 13:17  And Moses sent them to spy out the land of Canaan, and said unto them, Get you up this way southward, and go up into the mountain: 

Num 13:18  And see the land, what it is; and the people that dwelleth therein, whether they be strong or weak, few or many; 

A spy should be "cut out" for his job.

Num 13:30  And Caleb stilled the people before Moses, and said, Let us go up at once, and possess it; for we are well able to overcome it. 

Spies must not fall apart , nor be fearful.

Num 13:31  But the men that went up with him said, We be not able to go up against the people; for they are stronger than we. 

Num 13:32  And they brought up an evil report of the land which they had searched unto the children of Israel, saying, The land, through which we have gone to search it, is a land that eateth up the inhabitants thereof; and all the people that we saw in it are men of a great stature. 

Num 13:33  And there we saw the giants, the sons of Anak, which come of the giants: and we were in our own sight as grasshoppers, and so we were in their sight.

Who knows, there may be a spy around us. In communist countries the government had spies and even children accused their parents. It will be this way in the end times.

Mat 10:21  And the brother shall deliver up the brother to death, and the father the child: and the children shall rise up against their parents, and cause them to be put to death. 

Mat 10:22  And ye shall be hated of all men for my name's sake: but he that endureth to the end shall be saved. 

We all may be be put to the heat. Will we be faithful?

1Co 3:13  Every man's work shall be made manifest: for the day shall declare it, because it shall be revealed by fire; and the fire shall try every man's work of what sort it is. 

1Co 3:14  If any man's work abide which he hath built thereupon, he shall receive a reward. 

If we survive the heat and are true, 

we shall come forth as gold. 

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: 

Pray for all men

1Ti 2:1  I exhort therefore, that, first of all, supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks, be made for all men; 
1Ti 2:2  For kings, and for all that are in authority; that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and honesty. 
1Ti 2:3  For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Saviour; 
1Ti 2:4  Who will have all men to be saved, and to come unto the knowledge of the truth. 
1Ti 2:5  For there is one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus; 
1Ti 2:6  Who gave himself a ransom for all, to be testified in due time. 

One may ask why it is that we are to pray for all people? Jesus didn't pray for all people did he?

John 17:6  I have manifested thy name unto the men which thou gavest me out of the world: thine they were, and thou gavest them me; and they have kept thy word. 
John 17:7  Now they have known that all things whatsoever thou hast given me are of thee. 
John 17:8  For I have given unto them the words which thou gavest me; and they have received them, and have known surely that I came out from thee, and they have believed that thou didst send me. 
John 17:9  I pray for them: I pray not for the world, but for them which thou hast given me; for they are thine. 
John 17:10  And all mine are thine, and thine are mine; and I am glorified in them. 
John 17:11  And now I am no more in the world, but these are in the world, and I come to thee. Holy Father, keep through thine own name those whom thou hast given me, that they may be one, as we are. 

Jesus prayed for those who had a covenant relationship with him. Why are we to pray for all men? The answer is in verse two:  that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and honesty. If we were to sow hate we would receive hate in return. Have you heard of hate crimes? Whatever that may be, we are to be harmless children of God. We are to pray for the souls of all people to be saved from the wrath to come. We give out love, peace and goodness, so that we may live in God's peace and that others will become the adopted children of God. This is the will of God for us.

The Righteous

Psa 92:12  The righteous shall flourish like the palm tree: he shall grow like a cedar in Lebanon.

1 Tim 1:12 And I thank Christ Jesus our Lord, who hath enabled me, for that he counted me faithful, putting me into the ministry;

Being faithful is important, and being called, we are enabled to do His work by his grace. God called the twelve disciples, and equipped them for ministry.

Mat 10:1 And when he had called unto him his twelve disciples, he gave them power against unclean spirits, to cast them out, and to heal all manner of sickness and all manner of disease.

Paul was the last of the apostles to be called.

1 Cor 15:8 And last of all he was seen of me also, as of one born out of due time.
1 Cor 15:9 For I am the least of the apostles, that am not meet to be called an apostle, because I persecuted the church of God.
1 Cor 15:10 But by the grace of God I am what I am: and his grace which was bestowed upon me was not in vain; but I laboured more abundantly than they all: yet not I, but the grace of God which was with me.

1 Tim 1:13 Who was before a blasphemer, and a persecutor, and injurious: but I obtained mercy, because I did it ignorantly in unbelief.

Thinking he was serving God by being zealous for his law keeping, he destroyed God's children, in ignorance.

1 Tim 1:14 And the grace of our Lord was exceeding abundant with faith and love which is in Christ Jesus.

Rom 5:20 Moreover the law entered, that the offence might abound. But where sin abounded, grace did much more abound:
Rom 5:21 That as sin hath reigned unto death, even so might grace reign through righteousness unto eternal life by Jesus Christ our Lord. 

Our righteousness is by faith in Jesus.

1 Tim 1:15 This is a faithful saying, and worthy of all acceptation, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners; of whom I am chief.

Luke 19:10 For the Son of man is come to seek and to save that which was lost.

1 Tim 1:16 Howbeit for this cause I obtained mercy, that in me first Jesus Christ might show forth all longsuffering, for a pattern to them which should hereafter believe on him to life everlasting.

If Saul can be saved, so can we. We should not write people off, but rather pray for them, that they might hear and receive the word of faith and be accounted as righteous in Christ Jesus. Paul was given a ministry to the Gentile nations and with the calling was the promise of suffering with God's grace. The faithful will also suffer and be persecuted and more so in days to come, for Jesus is coming back for his righteous and  faithful Church.

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.

Just say, Yes

Jer 1:4  Then the word of the LORD came unto me, saying, 
Jer 1:5  Before I formed thee in the belly I knew thee; and before thou camest forth out of the womb I sanctified thee, and I ordained thee a prophet unto the nations. 
Jer 1:6  Then said I, Ah, Lord GOD! behold, I cannot speak: for I am a child. 
Jer 1:7  But the LORD said unto me, Say not, I am a child: for thou shalt go to all that I shall send thee, and whatsoever I command thee thou shalt speak. 
Jer 1:8  Be not afraid of their faces: for I am with thee to deliver thee, saith the LORD. 

Jeremiah was chosen from the womb. Moses too was so chosen, and he was called at the burning bush to a great ministry. Common to both was their reluctance, because they knew in themselves that they were not enough. Sometimes we say no to God, when we should say yes. We each have giftings to be used for God. Next time you are asked to do something greater than yourself, trust God and say yes. That is what the walk of faith is all about.

Picking time

Two Jalapeno faces, Smiley and Bob,  to be put in salsa. 

We had a good crop of tomatoes this year. Jealousy has no place with brothers, especially in God's family.

Gen 4:3  And in process of time it came to pass, that Cain brought of the fruit of the ground an offering unto the LORD. 
Gen 4:4  And Abel, he also brought of the firstlings of his flock and of the fat thereof. And the LORD had respect unto Abel and to his offering: 
Gen 4:5  But unto Cain and to his offering he had not respect. And Cain was very wroth, and his countenance fell. 
Gen 4:6  And the LORD said unto Cain, Why art thou wroth? and why is thy countenance fallen? 
Gen 4:7  If thou doest well, shalt thou not be accepted? and if thou doest not well, sin lieth at the door. And unto thee shall be his desire, and thou shalt rule over him. 

Gen 4:8  And Cain talked with Abel his brother: and it came to pass, when they were in the field, that Cain rose up against Abel his brother, and slew him. 

The persimmon leaves are turning colors.

Lev 26:3  If ye walk in my statutes, and keep my commandments, and do them; 

Lev 26:4  Then I will give you rain in due season, and the land shall yield her increase, and the trees of the field shall yield their fruit. 

The leaves look like lanterns when the sun shines 

from behind.

John 18:3  Judas then, having received a band of men and officers from the chief priests and Pharisees, cometh thither with lanterns and torches and weapons. 

John 18:4  Jesus therefore, knowing all things that should come upon him, went forth, and said unto them, Whom seek ye? 

John 18:5  They answered him, Jesus of Nazareth. Jesus saith unto them, I am he. And Judas also, which betrayed him, stood with them. 

John 18:6  As soon then as he had said unto them, I am he, they went backward, and fell to the ground. 

The persimmons are ready to pick and to dry.

They last longer when dried. Dried  raisins and figs were mentioned in the Bible. Sharing food with David's men kept away David's wrath upon Abigail's foolish husband, Nabal. 

1Sa 25:14  But one of the young men told Abigail, Nabal's wife, saying, Behold, David sent messengers out of the wilderness to salute our master; and he railed on them. 

1Sa 25:15  But the men were very good unto us, and we were not hurt, neither missed we any thing, as long as we were conversant with them, when we were in the fields: 

1Sa 25:16  They were a wall unto us both by night and day, all the while we were with them keeping the sheep. 

1Sa 25:17  Now therefore know and consider what thou wilt do; for evil is determined against our master, and against all his household: for he is such a son of Belial, that a man cannot speak to him. 

1Sa 25:18  Then Abigail made haste, and took two hundred loaves, and two bottles of wine, and five sheep ready dressed, and five measures of parched corn, and an hundred clusters of raisins, and two hundred cakes of figs, and laid them on asses. 

1Sa 25:19  And she said unto her servants, Go on before me; behold, I come after you. But she told not her husband Nabal. 

1Sa 25:20  And it was so, as she rode on the ass, that she came down by the covert of the hill, and, behold, David and his men came down against her; and she met them. 

Angering God

I love God's world, his creation and his word, but even in the church the thoughts of the sinful world, the values of the world of man come into our minds. We must keep our self pure by reading the word of God and renewing our minds. Our behavior is to be godly, for we are the temples of God and his spirit indwells those who are his own.

Isa 65:2 I have spread out my hands all the day unto a rebellious people, which walketh in a way that was not good, after their own thoughts;

A disciple does the will of God, not his own will. How many of us give God our choices, rather than accepting his will? The rebellious walk in a way according to their own thoughts, they trust in their own wisdom, their own judgment, their own thinking, instead of obeying the LORD. Worse yet, they use no wisdom or discernment seeking to escape from all responsibility in the most harmful and ungodly lusts. There is no thought of their creator.

Isa 65:3 A people that provoketh me to anger continually to my face; that sacrificeth in gardens, and burneth incense upon altars of brick;

Idol worship was common. This is why the LORD allowed Israel to be taken captive. What things do we put ahead of our love of God?

Isa 65:4 Which remain among the graves, and lodge in the monuments, which eat swine's flesh, and broth of abominable things is in their vessels;

These things were unclean, against the law of Moses and an abomination to God. Do we willfully disobey God? More important than laws, is the authority behind them. If we disobey and treat God as if he were not real; where is the fear of God? If we love him and fear him, how can we do what he hates? How can we ignor the one we love and obey? Where is our hearts desire and what do we obey?

Isa 65:5 Which say, Stand by thyself, come not near to me; for I am holier than thou. These are a smoke in my nose, a fire that burneth all the day.

I can see this attitude in many of the denominations and especially the pseudo Christian cults. We are the only true believers they say. But they are arrogant and rebellious. They speak with pride: "Our way is the true way, all others are wrong." Jesus is the way. This separates many religious people who add their own works to their form of religion as the only "true" way. In these end times there is a falling away and what is valued is an abomination to the LORD.

1Jn 2:15  Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him.
1Jn 2:16  For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world. 1Jn 2:17  And the world passeth away, and the lust thereof: but he that doeth the will of God abideth for ever.

Late long walk

Walking where we can see the river, the ponds, the trees and vines, the animals and birds; this renews the mind and soul and we feel the presence of our creator. 

The trail looks long when pushing a wheelchair, 

but we share as we go seeing many things.

Gen 2:8  And the LORD God planted a garden eastward in Eden; and there he put the man whom he had formed. 
Gen 2:9  And out of the ground made the LORD God to grow every tree that is pleasant to the sight, and good for food; the tree of life also in the midst of the garden, and the tree of knowledge of good and evil. 
Gen 2:10  And a river went out of Eden to water the garden; and from thence it was parted, and became into four heads. 
Gen 2:11  The name of the first is Pison: that is it which compasseth the whole land of Havilah, where there is gold; 
Gen 2:12  And the gold of that land is good: there is bdellium and the onyx stone. 

Gen 2:15  And the LORD God took the man, and put him into the garden of Eden to dress it and to keep it. 
Gen 2:16  And the LORD God commanded the man, saying, Of every tree of the garden thou mayest freely eat: 
Gen 2:17  But of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, thou shalt not eat of it: for in the day that thou eatest thereof thou shalt surely die. 
Gen 2:18  And the LORD God said, It is not good that the man should be alone; I will make him an help meet for him. 

Gen 2:19  And out of the ground the LORD God formed every beast of the field, and every fowl of the air; and brought them unto Adam to see what he would call them: and whatsoever Adam called every living creature, that was the name thereof. 

Gen 2:20  And Adam gave names to all cattle, and to the fowl of the air, and to every beast of the field; but for Adam there was not found an help meet for him. 

Gen 2:21  And the LORD God caused a deep sleep to fall upon Adam, and he slept: and he took one of his ribs, and closed up the flesh instead thereof; 

Gen 2:22  And the rib, which the LORD God had taken from man, made he a woman, and brought her unto the man. 

Gen 2:23  And Adam said, This is now bone of my bones, and flesh of my flesh: she shall be called Woman, because she was taken out of Man. 

Our shadows grow long in the setting sunlight. The first day was evening to evening. Adam's wife was the beginning of women, so she was named Eve. Eve means life, or living. Adam means man, the first man.

Gen 3:20  And Adam called his wife's name Eve; because she was the mother of all living.

Spike looks up from his grazing. The KJV
calls the deer, a hart.

Song 8:14  Make haste, my beloved, and be thou like to a roe or to a young hart upon the mountains of spices.

His older brother Buck hurries to his side. 

It is nice to have an older brother nearby. I saw a young doe in the road and it jumped over a 6 foot wall of blackberries and hopped up and down like a jack rabbit in the field.

Isa 35:6  Then shall the lame man leap as an hart, and the tongue of the dumb sing: for in the wilderness shall waters break out, and streams in the desert. 

Often the deer will position themselves 

one behind another.

Gen 27:6  And Rebekah spake unto Jacob her son, saying, Behold, I heard thy father speak unto Esau thy brother, saying, 

Gen 27:7  Bring me venison, and make me savoury meat, that I may eat, and bless thee before the LORD before my death. 

Gen 27:8  Now therefore, my son, obey my voice according to that which I command thee. 

Gen 27:9  Go now to the flock, and fetch me from thence two good kids of the goats; and I will make them savoury meat for thy father, such as he loveth: 

Gen 27:10  And thou shalt bring it to thy father, that he may eat, and that he may bless thee before his death. 

A majestic oak has branches that walk with us,

in my imagination. The oak tree has wood that when dried, resists moisture. They make good oars.

Eze 27:6  Of the oaks of Bashan have they made thine oars; the company of the Ashurites have made thy benches of ivory, brought out of the isles of Chittim. 

We are almost around to the end of the trail loop 

as we approach the bridge. Jesus has been called the bridge between this life and the next life. He is the way, the strait way. A strait is a narrow way, for example a cattle chute where only one can pass at a time.

Mat 7:13  Enter ye in at the strait gate: for wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that leadeth to destruction, and many there be which go in thereat: 

We hear the honking of geese 

and two large groups flew overhead heading south.

Gen 1:20  And God said, Let the waters bring forth abundantly the moving creature that hath life, and fowl that may fly above the earth in the open firmament of heaven. 

A quacking was heard as we walked on the bridge.

A family of Mallards were foraging in the pond. Baby sister is in the middle. They hatched her out in the Spring and

will probably spend the Winter in the pond.

Gen 1:21  And God created great whales, and every living creature that moveth, which the waters brought forth abundantly, after their kind, and every winged fowl after his kind: and God saw that it was good. 
Gen 1:22  And God blessed them, saying, Be fruitful, and multiply, and fill the waters in the seas, and let fowl multiply in the earth.

It has been a good walk in God's creation. We saw much more, but these things I wanted to share with you.