Wednesday, March 29, 2017

Make a Friend


Pro 25:21  If thine enemy be hungry, give him bread to eat; and if he be thirsty, give him water to drink: 
Pro 25:22  For thou shalt heap coals of fire upon his head, and the LORD shall reward thee. 

These verses are referred to in Romans 12.

Rom 12:19  Dearly beloved, avenge not yourselves, but rather give place unto wrath: for it is written, Vengeance is mine; I will repay, saith the Lord. 
Rom 12:20  Therefore if thine enemy hunger, feed him; if he thirst, give him drink: for in so doing thou shalt heap coals of fire on his head. 
Rom 12:21  Be not overcome of evil, but overcome evil with good. 

If your enemy is hungry, feed him, if thirsty, give him something to drink. This will be like heaping coals on his head. Now some say the coals are an act of giving someone a fire starter as there were no matches. That is really stretching this story. He was not given coals actual coals upon his head, but spiritual coals. It was meant as conviction of wrong doing and a possible rethinking of the relationship with the one who gave him kindness; food and drink. 

If we are to bring a person who is an enemy of God to repentance and to a better disposition towards hearing our message, it is better to be kind, to show that we mean the person no harm. It is God he should fear and God that may take vengeance. If we do well we are not under condemnation. If he repents and comes to Jesus he then becomes a friend with Jesus Christ and his followers. Our loving concern is better than strife, anger and evil doing. He may still continue to hate you and your message, but that is on them, not you. We want to see them saved and escaping wrath and hell. Wrath belongs to God and so does salvation and a new life for those who trust in him and Jesus the savior from sins. May we put away hurt and vengeance and put on love and a burning desire to save the lost.



Monday, March 27, 2017

Borders, walls and praise


Isa 60:18  Violence shall no more be heard in thy land, wasting nor destruction within thy borders; but thou shalt call thy walls Salvation, and thy gates Praise. 

Looking forward to the Millennial reign of Jesus Christ in Israel, there shall be no more violence in the land, wasting nor destruction within thy borders; but thou shalt call thy walls Salvation, and thy gates Praise. This description of walls of salvation and gates of praise can be experienced in the true church of Jesus Christ. The church should be a secure place of salvation and praise.

Psa 24:7  Lift up your heads, O ye gates; and be ye lift up, ye everlasting doors; and the King of glory shall come in. 
Psa 24:8  Who is this King of glory? The LORD strong and mighty, the LORD mighty in battle. 
Psa 24:9  Lift up your heads, O ye gates; even lift them up, ye everlasting doors; and the King of glory shall come in. 
Psa 24:10  Who is this King of glory? The LORD of hosts, he is the King of glory. Selah. 

Even now Jesus is wanting to come into your heart. Open the gate of your heart, let Jesus into the inner walls of your protection. 

Rev 3:19  As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten: be zealous therefore, and repent. 
Rev 3:20  Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me. 
Rev 3:21  To him that overcometh will I grant to sit with me in my throne, even as I also overcame, and am set down with my Father in his throne. 

Salvation has come to your house. Your body has become the house of the Lord as you receive the King of glory. His Spirit dwells within your house and it has become the temple of the Lord. Salvation has come by the power of God through the death and resurrection of the Lord Jesus Christ. We die daily to the flesh and follow him in the spirit of truth lifting up Jesus with praise and thanksgiving. His kingdom is now in the hearts of his spirit filled people of faith. Jesus is Lord of my salvation.




Sunday, March 26, 2017

Arise and Shine


Isa 60:1  Arise, shine; for thy light is come, and the glory of the LORD is risen upon thee.
Isa 60:2  For, behold, the darkness shall cover the earth, and gross darkness the people: but the LORD shall arise upon thee, and his glory shall be seen upon thee.
Isa 60:3  And the Gentiles shall come to thy light, and kings to the brightness of thy rising.
Isa 60:4  Lift up thine eyes round about, and see: all they gather themselves together, they come to thee: thy sons shall come from far, and thy daughters shall be nursed at thy side.
Isa 60:5  Then thou shalt see, and flow together, and thine heart shall fear, and be enlarged; because the abundance of the sea shall be converted unto thee, the forces of the Gentiles shall come unto thee
 
Jesus, the light of God has come and his church has been born. Each new believer is to arise out of the darkness and shine the truth of God's redemption and new life. By grace we are saved by faith in Jesus who died or our sins. (Eph 2:8)
 
This scripture also can be applied to Israel seeing and receiving their Messiah at the second coming of Christ and His Millennial reign on earth. Gentiles will be drawn to the light of Christ's coming and there shall be a gathering together of Jews and Gentiles.
 
There already is a physical gathering of Jews to Israel; however  the gathering together of Jews and Gentiles had started at the beginning of the Church. The wall of separation of Jew from Gentiles has come down for those who are become one spirit filled people by faith in the Lord Jesus Christ. There are not diverse gods and many ways to God. There is but one God and one way, through Christ Jesus. (John 14:6)
 
Eph 2:12  That at that time ye were without Christ, being aliens from the commonwealth of Israel, and strangers from the covenants of promise, having no hope, and without God in the world:
Eph 2:13  But now in Christ Jesus ye who sometimes were far off are made nigh by the blood of Christ.
Eph 2:14  For he is our peace, who hath made both one, and hath broken down the middle wall of partition between us;
Eph 2:15  Having abolished in his flesh the enmity, even the law of commandments contained in ordinances; for to make in himself of twain one new man, so making peace;
Eph 2:16  And that he might reconcile both unto God in one body by the cross, having slain the enmity thereby:
Eph 2:17  And came and preached peace to you which were afar off, and to them that were nigh.
Eph 2:18  For through him we both have access by one Spirit unto the Father.
Eph 2:19  Now therefore ye are no more strangers and foreigners, but fellowcitizens 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;
 
 

Let your light shine in this sin darkened world, so that others may see Jesus and be saved.


Saturday, March 25, 2017

Where is thy faith?


Luk 8:22  Now it came to pass on a certain day, that he went into a ship with his disciples: and he said unto them, Let us go over unto the other side of the lake. And they launched forth.
Luk 8:23  But as they sailed he fell asleep: and there came down a storm of wind on the lake; and they were filled with water, and were in jeopardy.
Luk 8:24  And they came to him, and awoke him, saying, Master, master, we perish. Then he arose, and rebuked the wind and the raging of the water: and they ceased, and there was a calm.
Luk 8:25  And he said unto them, Where is your faith? And they being afraid wondered, saying one to another, What manner of man is this! for he commandeth even the winds and water, and they obey him.
 
 
Jesus asked "Where is your faith?" Didn't they come to him? Perhaps this was more in reference to their great fear. For as long as Jesus is with us, we should not fear. Jesus could walk on storm tossed waters. 

Mat 14:24  But the ship was now in the midst of the sea, tossed with waves: for the wind was contrary. 
Mat 14:25  And in the fourth watch of the night Jesus went unto them, walking on the sea.

 And he spoke to the water and wind and they were calmed. What manner of man is this? A man who is both human and God. Jesus the human in the boat was asleep. God the Spirit, does not need to sleep. Jesus was fully man and fully God. He could speak with the authority and power of God and still experience the life of a human who came from heaven. As we are humans, not from heaven, but from Adam, we have been accustomed to this physical life of material things. I think Jesus was wanting them to have faith in God and spiritual truth. Several times when I was in trouble, for example, in a car out of control, I have yelled the name of God or Jesus for help and his angels kept me from harm. Our faith is to trust God the Father, Jesus His Son and the Holy Spirit. This is to have faith that God cares for us. If we see Jesus only as a man, our faith is not placed on the true Lord and Savior. Faith and trust keeps fear away.
 

Luk 12:31  But rather seek ye the kingdom of God; and all these things shall be added unto you.
Luk 12:32  Fear not, little flock; for it is your Father's good pleasure to give you the kingdom.
 


Friday, March 24, 2017

LORD JAH


Psa 68:4  Sing unto God, sing praises to his name: extol him that rideth upon the heavens by his name JAH, and rejoice before him. 
 
The word for God here is JAH, it is only found here. It is the same word used for LORD. The Strongs concordance number is H3050 for the KJV Bible. The word LORD is used 49 times and in two verses He is named LORD Jehovah.
 
Isa 12:1  And in that day thou shalt say, O LORD, I will praise thee: though thou wast angry with me, thine anger is turned away, and thou comfortedst me.
Isa 12:2  Behold, God (EL) is my salvation; I will trust, and not be afraid: for the LORD JEHOVAH is my strength and my song; he also is become my salvation.
Isa 12:3  Therefore with joy shall ye draw water out of the wells of salvation.
Isa 12:4  And in that day shall ye say, Praise the LORD, call upon his name, declare his doings among the people, make mention that his name is exalted.
Isa 12:5  Sing unto the LORD; for he hath done excellent things: this is known in all the earth.
Isa 12:6  Cry out and shout, thou inhabitant of Zion: for great is the Holy One of Israel in the midst of thee.
 
 

 
Isa 26:3  Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on thee: because he trusteth in thee.
Isa 26:4  Trust ye in the LORD for ever: for in the LORD JEHOVAH is everlasting strength:
 
Jesus is Lord, lesser perhaps in position of authority to the Father, but one with him. Jesus is Lord of our salvation. All authority has been given to Him and he will deliver all to the Father.
 
1Co 15:21  For since by man came death, by man came also the resurrection of the dead.
1Co 15:22  For as in Adam all die, even so in Christ shall all be made alive.
1Co 15:23  But every man in his own order: Christ the firstfruits; afterward they that are Christ's at his coming.
1Co 15:24  Then cometh the end, when he shall have delivered up the kingdom to God, even the Father; when he shall have put down all rule and all authority and power.
1Co 15:25  For he must reign, till he hath put all enemies under his feet.
1Co 15:26  The last enemy that shall be destroyed is death.
1Co 15:27  For he hath put all things under his feet. But when he saith all things are put under him, it is manifest that he is excepted, which did put all things under him.
1Co 15:28  And when all things shall be subdued unto him, then shall the Son also himself be subject unto him that put all things under him, that God may be all in all.  
 
I like the knowledge that he will deliver his own saved people to the Father. We will all be a big family of God with Christ Jesus married to His Church. He will share all things with us,  his Spiritual Bride. What a fellowship, what a glory divine, leaning on the everlasting arms. Jesus loves me, this I know, for the Bible tells me so. Believe and accept this with the trust of a child.


Thursday, March 23, 2017

Blessings of Rain


Psa 68:9  Thou, O God, didst send a plentiful rain, whereby thou didst confirm thine inheritance, when it was weary. 

It rained a good rain again yesterday. That long drought has been changed in one year to an overflowing of abundant water. This too is our blessing from God a spiritual overflowing. A friend from church came to visit my wife who is confined to bed. She brought a book that I had heard of before."The Book of Mysteries", by Jonathon Cahn. Daily readings full of insights from the LORD. One of the first lessons was to have an open mind and heart to receive from God. Open up to new possibilities. a closed vessel cannot receive, but an open one can contain a river. Like the abundant rain, I love the flowing of the river of God, the Living waters. It is not only to be kept, but also to pour out to others.

Another blessing was that a handyman working through our church ministry installed a roofing roll of non slip walkway for our wheelchair ramp. Thank you Lord for blessings from above flowing out of your people as the abundant rain and living waters. Make me a blessing too LORD.

Wednesday, March 22, 2017

Are You Able?

Pro 24:30  I went by the field of the slothful, and by the vineyard of the man void of understanding;
Pro 24:31  And, lo, it was all grown over with thorns, and nettles had covered the face thereof, and the stone wall thereof was broken down.
Pro 24:32  Then I saw, and considered it well: I looked upon it, and received instruction.
Pro 24:33  Yet a little sleep, a little slumber, a little folding of the hands to sleep:
Pro 24:34  So shall thy poverty come as one that travelleth; and thy want as an armed man.
 


My parents had retired and moved from southern California, 600 miles north to a ten acre ranch. They had come from a dairy farm in Arkansas to California during the depression. My father had worked hard at many jobs, was a carpenter and skilled laborer. Now it was time to retire, but not from work. They made a big garden, had fruit trees, raised cattle, a pig, chickens, ducks and geese. They shared from their abundance with my family. They kept the ranch in great shape.

Old age came to where they were no longer able to grow a garden. They could no longer tend to farm animals. There was a handyman that would come to help them do small fix it jobs. They gave him meat and produce for compensation. He was more useful to them than their distant sons.They were just far enough away from us that we could only visit on weekends. My mother was always given to hospitality, offering coffee, tea, cookies, pie and cake. They were very special. Towards the end of their life she would forget to offer coffee, but on the day she died there was a bowl of chocolate chip cookie dough in the refrigerator. Mom died at 86, having worked hard along side of dad and giving care to his 200 lb frame, caring for him and feeding him until the end of her life. Pop had dementia, he no longer knew his family. and lived to the age of 89. They both worked hard all of their lives and had received a blessed life. They were in no way slothful, but sometimes people get to where they cannot keep up their property, they were no longer able. 

There are other people who have never worked never taken care of anything. I feel sorry for these. What of spiritual applications to these verses? Have we neglected the things of God? Do we pray and read the Bible. Do we withdraw from fellowship with the family of God?  Have we started something and walked away from it? Do we have understanding? If so, we can get things as they should be, back in order.  Is our spiritual life" grown over with thorns, and nettles had covered the face thereof, and the stone wall thereof was broken down."

As the parable of the sower of the seed, have we grown only to allow weeds and thorns, the cares of this life to choke out our faith and service to God?

Mat 13:22  He also that received seed among the thorns is he that heareth the word; and the care of this world, and the deceitfulness of riches, choke the word, and he becometh unfruitful.
Mat 13:23  But he that received seed into the good ground is he that heareth the word, and understandeth it; which also beareth fruit, and bringeth forth, some an hundredfold, some sixty, some thirty.
 


Keep going, serving and following Jesus until we are with him forever.


Tuesday, March 21, 2017

Too humble or too proud?



Joh 16:22  And ye now therefore have sorrow: but I will see you again, and your heart shall rejoice, and your joy no man taketh from you. 
Joh 16:23  And in that day ye shall ask me nothing. Verily, verily, I say unto you, Whatsoever ye shall ask the Father in my name, he will give it you. 
Joh 16:24  Hitherto have ye asked nothing in my name: ask, and ye shall receive, that your joy may be full. 

We are to pray to God the Father in the name of Jesus. Sometimes I have trouble asking a person of authority for anything. Is this humility or pride? I think in our nation there is a lack of respect for authority. We like to be free, but when facing a judge we can be humbled. How many times are we offended by the performance of someone in authority. We may ask, "He does not care for my needs" and when we are forced to go to one in authority we may be fearful and humble. Criticism from a pew is easy, but what about praying for the one in authority? It is hard sometimes to submit to a rascal in authority. Can we do all in Jesus name with a clear conscience? Even Nehemiah overcame fear to approach his king at the prospect of being refused and killed. Because God was in Nehemiahs request, the king gave him authority to go rebuild the walls of Jerusalem.

LORD God, Father, I ask you in the name of Jesus for mercy, for health for my family.  I ask for your love to be poured out through us for others. I receive the promise of peace and Joy in the Lord Jesus Christ, amen.

Sunday, March 19, 2017

Victory over self


Gal 6:3  For if a man think himself to be something, when he is nothing, he deceiveth himself. 
Gal 6:4  But let every man prove his own work, and then shall he have rejoicing in himself alone, and not in another. 

Being lifted up with pride and thinking we are better than others, seeking praise from the world, amounts to nothing. We are to find our work to do and with a clear conscience serve the LORD and we are to exalt him in our work for him.

Gal 6:9  And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not. 
Gal 6:10  As we have therefore opportunity, let us do good unto all men, especially unto them who are of the household of faith. 

If we do well, we will be rewarded by the LORD. Seek to do good to others, especially those of faith who need encouragement or help. A clear conscience and walking in the Spirit leads us to the way of victory in Christ Jesus. Find your place in the ranks of the army of God, marching to his commands.

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. 

Saturday, March 18, 2017

Where is the LORD?


Job 23:3  Oh that I knew where I might find him! that I might come even to his seat! 
Job 23:4  I would order my cause before him, and fill my mouth with arguments. 
Job 23:5  I would know the words which he would answer me, and understand what he would say unto me. 
Job 23:6  Will he plead against me with his great power? No; but he would put strength in me. 
Job 23:7  There the righteous might dispute with him; so should I be delivered for ever from my judge. 
Job 23:8  Behold, I go forward, but he is not there; and backward, but I cannot perceive him: 
Job 23:9  On the left hand, where he doth work, but I cannot behold him: he hideth himself on the right hand, that I cannot see him: 
Job 23:10  But he knoweth the way that I take: when he hath tried me, I shall come forth as gold. 

Job in his great suffering cries out to the LORD, Oh that I knew where I might find him! Job knows in his heart that if he can make contact with the LORD that he would receive strength. Like Job, even when we do not see the LORD or feel his presence, yet he knows where we are and what we are doing. We are to continue as Job, in faith, for when he has tried you, you 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: 


Deu 4:29  But if from thence thou shalt seek the LORD thy God, thou shalt find him, if thou seek him with all thy heart and with all thy soul.





The ins and outs of fasting


Mat 6:16  Moreover when ye fast, be not, as the hypocrites, of a sad countenance: for they disfigure their faces, that they may appear unto men to fast. Verily I say unto you, They have their reward. 
Mat 6:17  But thou, when thou fastest, anoint thine head, and wash thy face; 
Mat 6:18  That thou appear not unto men to fast, but unto thy Father which is in secret: and thy Father, which seeth in secret, shall reward thee openly. 

Fast as a drawing nearer to God in secret. This fasting is of the soul and spirit as the flesh is denied.

Mat 9:14  Then came to him the disciples of John, saying, Why do we and the Pharisees fast oft, but thy disciples fast not? 
Mat 9:15  And Jesus said unto them, Can the children of the bridechamber mourn, as long as the bridegroom is with them? but the days will come, when the bridegroom shall be taken from them, and then shall they fast.

They needed not to fast to seek God when God was with them, walking and talking with them. They needed to see and to hear what was happening before them. Fasting should not be an outward show to others your miserable self. We are to show the fasting of God by doing what he would do in relieving the suffering of people, setting them free of the bonds of flesh and sin; to feed the hungry both food and God's word. Clothing the naked and finding them shelter. Isaiah heard from God what he required in their fasting. Church is not a half hearted exercise in religion, but fasting should be to get closer to God and to obey his will.

Isa 58:1  Cry aloud, spare not, lift up thy voice like a trumpet, and shew my people their transgression, and the house of Jacob their sins. 
Isa 58:2  Yet they seek me daily, and delight to know my ways, as a nation that did righteousness, and forsook not the ordinance of their God: they ask of me the ordinances of justice; they take delight in approaching to God. 
Isa 58:3  Wherefore have we fasted, say they, and thou seest not? wherefore have we afflicted our soul, and thou takest no knowledge? Behold, in the day of your fast ye find pleasure, and exact all your labours. 
Isa 58:4  Behold, ye fast for strife and debate, and to smite with the fist of wickedness: ye shall not fast as ye do this day, to make your voice to be heard on high. 
Isa 58:5  Is it such a fast that I have chosen? a day for a man to afflict his soul? is it to bow down his head as a bulrush, and to spread sackcloth and ashes under him? wilt thou call this a fast, and an acceptable day to the LORD? 
Isa 58:6  Is not this the fast that I have chosen? to loose the bands of wickedness, to undo the heavy burdens, and to let the oppressed go free, and that ye break every yoke? 
Isa 58:7  Is it not to deal thy bread to the hungry, and that thou bring the poor that are cast out to thy house? when thou seest the naked, that thou cover him; and that thou hide not thyself from thine own flesh? 
Isa 58:8  Then shall thy light break forth as the morning, and thine health shall spring forth speedily: and thy righteousness shall go before thee; the glory of the LORD shall be thy rereward. 
Isa 58:9  Then shalt thou call, and the LORD shall answer; thou shalt cry, and he shall say, Here I am. If thou take away from the midst of thee the yoke, the putting forth of the finger, and speaking vanity; 
Isa 58:10  And if thou draw out thy soul to the hungry, and satisfy the afflicted soul; then shall thy light rise in obscurity, and thy darkness be as the noonday: 
Isa 58:11  And the LORD shall guide thee continually, and satisfy thy soul in drought, and make fat thy bones: and thou shalt be like a watered garden, and like a spring of water, whose waters fail not. 
Isa 58:12  And they that shall be of thee shall build the old waste places: thou shalt raise up the foundations of many generations; and thou shalt be called, The repairer of the breach, The restorer of paths to dwell in. 
Isa 58:13  If thou turn away thy foot from the sabbath, from doing thy pleasure on my holy day; and call the sabbath a delight, the holy of the LORD, honourable; and shalt honour him, not doing thine own ways, nor finding thine own pleasure, nor speaking thine own words: 
Isa 58:14  Then shalt thou delight thyself in the LORD; and I will cause thee to ride upon the high places of the earth, and feed thee with the heritage of Jacob thy father: for the mouth of the LORD hath spoken it. 

Let's get real and not play at religion. Self needs to hear and obey our Lord in a world of information overload. We are to fine tune our hearing from the LORD and to put his hands and feet to action following the words in Isaiah 58.

Friday, March 17, 2017

None Considers


Isa 57:1  The righteous perisheth, and no man layeth it to heart: and merciful men are taken away, none considering that the righteous is taken away from the evil to come.
Isa 57:2  He shall enter into peace: they shall rest in their beds, each one walking in his uprightness.

Good friends die, loved ones suffer and no one seems to notice until they are no more. The world grows cold, angry and more unloving. The righteous, the good folks who trust the Lord go to be with him. They are at peace. The world gets worse and worse until the time of judgement at the day of the LORD. Be glad that the precious loved ones are at peace with the Lord. The Lord is our peace, we can rest at night and enjoy him; walk with him in his creation. He is with his people. Thank you Lord for your presence.