Peter after Pentacost...Acts 2:14-21

 Peter after Pentacost

Acts 2:14 But Peter, standing up with the eleven, lifted up his voice, and said unto them, Ye men of Judaea, and all ye that dwell at Jerusalem, be this known unto you, and hearken to my words:

Listen to me, hear what I have to say.We should notice that the speaking in tongues stopped when Peter began to preach. The Holy Spirit now worked through Peter’s preaching and would not work against Himself through tongues at the same time.

There is a remarkable change in Peter. He has courage and boldness that is a complete contrast to his denials of Jesus before being filled with the Holy Spirit.

Peter was speaking boldly

1 Pet 4:11 If any man speak, let him speak as the oracles of God; if any man minister, let him do it as of the ability which God giveth: that God in all things may be glorified through Jesus Christ, to whom be praise and dominion for ever and ever. Amen.

Acts 2:15 For these are not drunken, as ye suppose, seeing it is but the third hour of the day.

It is too early in the day to be drunk, drunkeness is of the night.

Acts 2:16 But this is that which was spoken by the prophet Joel; Peter announces the fulfillment of the prophecy of Joel, partial fulfillment.

This focus on God’s Word did not quench the moving of the Holy Spirit; it fulfilled what the Holy Spirit wanted to do. All the signs and wonders and speaking in tongues were preparing for this work of God’s Word. The Spirit does not call attention to himself, but to Jesus and his word.

The word of God and the Holy Spirit t are the power of God to transform a life. They work together, not apart. The word without the spirit may be dry. The Spirit without the word, may be empty emotion. We need the spirit and the word, then peoples lives are changed and new people are born into the kingdom of God.

Rom 12:2 And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.

Acts 2:17 And it shall come to pass in the last days, saith God, I will pour out of my Spirit upon all flesh: and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, and your young men shall see visions, and your old men shall dream dreams:

It was the beginning of the last days. Messiah Jesus had finished the work of redeeming a people from satan's power. Now he was expected to come at anytime to establish his millennial kingdom on earth. These are the last days in expectation of the kingdom.

The promise was the Holy Spirit to be poured out on all flesh. Male and female, boy and girl, Jew or non Jew. The spirit was no longer just to come upon them for a season, as in the Old Testament. Now, he would be poured out in ministry to others. The Holy Spirit remains with the believer.

... and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, and your young men shall see visions, and your old men shall dream dreams:

God will speak through the spirit of prophecy to young and old male and females. Those who limit the speaking of women in church, must remember this prophecy. Men are not more spiritual than women, but men are given authority in the church to lead, as well as in the home.

Acts 2:18 And on my servants and on my handmaidens I will pour out in those days of my Spirit; and they shall prophesy:
Acts 2:19 And I will show wonders in heaven above, and signs in the earth beneath; blood, and fire, and vapour of smoke:
Acts 2:20 The sun shall be turned into darkness, and the moon into blood, before that great and notable day of the Lord come:Acts 2:21 And it shall come to pass, that whosoever shall call on the name of the Lord shall be saved.

Whosoever shall call on the name of the Lord shall be saved. Jew and gentile shall be saved.

Speaking in tongues...Acts 2:8-13

 Acts 2:8 And how hear we every man in our own tongue, wherein we were born?

Jewish People from many nations and languages had come to Jerusalem to the feast at Pentecost. The promised Holy Spirit filled the hundred and twenty who were all in one accord. The Holy Spirit filled the believers and spoke praises to God in the various languages.

Acts 2:9 Parthians, and Medes, and Elamites, and the dwellers in Mesopotamia, and in Judaea, and Cappadocia, in Pontus, and Asia,
Acts 2:10 Phrygia, and Pamphylia, in Egypt, and in the parts of Libya about Cyrene, and strangers of Rome, Jews and proselytes,
Acts 2:11 Cretes and Arabians, we do hear them speak in our tongues the wonderful works of God.

This was not a show of cleverness or a work of satan, for each heard in their own language the wonderful works of God. They were glorifying God, this is the evidence and presence of the Holy Spirit.

Acts 2:12 And they were all amazed, and were in doubt, saying one to another, What meaneth this?

They doubted then and many doubt today, trying to reason and explain away this miracle.

Acts 2:13 Others mocking said, These men are full of new wine. Also mockers accusing them of drunkeness.

Tongues is a divisive subject today. Some churches forbid it, saying it is for another time. Other Churches demand it as a proof of the Baptism of the Holy Spirit.

When the Filling of the Spirit occurred in the upper room all praised God in a language unknown to the worshiper, but known to the various language groups present. Tongues then is an expression of worship, the Spirit glorifies Jesus and the Father. It also is a way of praying to build up the person who is praying. All things must be for edifying. Tongues with a prophetic message require an interpreter so that others may be edified.

1 Cor 14:27 If any man speak in an unknown tongue, let it be by two, or at the most by three, and that by course; and let one interpret.
1 Cor 14:28 But if there be no interpreter, let him keep silence in the church; and let him speak to himself, and to God.

Let's read what the Spirit says of tongues

1 Cor 12:30 Have all the gifts of healing? do all speak with tongues? do all interpret?
1 Cor 12:31 But covet earnestly the best gifts: and yet show I unto you a more excellent way.
1 Cor 13:1 Though I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, and have not charity, I am become as sounding brass, or a tinkling cymbal.

The best gifts are gifts that edify the church in truth and in love.

1 Cor 14:1 Follow after charity, and desire spiritual gifts, but rather that ye may prophesy.

The greatest gift is speaking forth the revealed word of God, to edify or correct the church.

1 Cor 14:2 For he that speaketh in an unknown tongue speaketh not unto men, but unto God: for no man understandeth him; howbeit in the spirit he speaketh mysteries.

Unknown tongues only are beneficial to the speaker and his message to God.

1 Cor 14:3 But he that prophesieth speaketh unto men to edification, and exhortation, and comfort.
1 Cor 14:4 He that speaketh in an unknown tongue edifieth himself; but he that prophesieth edifieth the church.
1 Cor 14:5 I would that ye all spake with tongues, but rather that ye prophesied: for greater is he that prophesieth than he that speaketh with tongues, except he interpret, that the church may receive edifying.

Edifying the church is required, if speaking in public an unknown language.

1 Cor 14:6 Now, brethren, if I come unto you speaking with tongues, what shall I profit you, except I shall speak to you either by revelation, or by knowledge, or by prophesying, or by doctrine?

Not confusion, but a clear message must come forth.

1 Cor 14:7 And even things without life giving sound, whether pipe or harp, except they give a distinction in the sounds, how shall it be known what is piped or harped?
1 Cor 14:8 For if the trumpet give an uncertain sound, who shall prepare himself to the battle?
1 Cor 14:9 So likewise ye, except ye utter by the tongue words easy to be understood, how shall it be known what is spoken? for ye shall speak into the air.

Paul uses these examples to make his point. The Spirit testifies of Jesus. If tongues are used, let them be understood, or there is confusion. Tongues are not a badge of honor, the Spirit seals the Christian and brings various gifts, including tongues.

1 Cor 14:10 There are, it may be, so many kinds of voices in the world, and none of them is without signification.
1 Cor 14:11 Therefore if I know not the meaning of the voice, I shall be unto him that speaketh a barbarian, and he that speaketh shall be a barbarian unto me.

As in the confusion at the tower of Babel.

1 Cor 14:12 Even so ye, forasmuch as ye are zealous of spiritual gifts, seek that ye may excel to the edifying of the church.

Amen, gifts are for edifying the church.

1 Cor 14:13 Wherefore let him that speaketh in an unknown tongue pray that he may interpret.

In church be slow to speak a tongue unless you have the confirmation in the spirit that an interpretation may follow. In this instance, the speaker prays for the ability to interpret.

1 Cor 14:14 For if I pray in an unknown tongue, my spirit prayeth, but my understanding is unfruitful.
1 Cor 14:15 What is it then? I will pray with the spirit, and I will pray with the understanding also: I will sing with the spirit, and I will sing with the understanding also.

This is what I see in the Bible. Do I have all knowledge? No, and there are testimonies of people who received the Holy Spirit and spoke in tongues. Tongues are not required to be saved by Jesus. Jesus did all for our redemption. Nothing more is required.

Pentacost Acts 2:1-7

 Acts 2:1 And when the day of Pentecost was fully come, they were all with one accord in one place.

Pentecost was a Jewish feast held fifty days after Passover; it was a time of celebration for the first-fruits of the harvest.

At Passover, the first sheaf to be reaped from the barley harvest was presented to God; but at Pentecost, the firstfruits of the wheat harvest were given to God. Therefore, Pentecost is called the day of firstfruits (Numbers 28:26) Also, Jewish tradition taught that Pentecost commemorates the day when the Law was given to Israel; the feast was sometimes called by the Jews shimchath torah, or "joy of the law"

So on Pentecost, Israel received the Law, and the Church received the Spirit of Grace in fullness

All in unity together seeking God.

Acts 2:2 And suddenly there came a sound from heaven as of a rushing mighty wind, and it filled all the house where they were sitting.

The word for Spirit is also "wind", a mighty rushing wind filling all the upper room. Is this the fan of Jesus separating the wheat from the chaff? Or is this a new life breathed into born again believers? Perhaps both and more.

Mat 3:11 I indeed baptize you with water unto repentance: but he that cometh after me is mightier than I, whose shoes I am not worthy to bear: he shall baptize you with the Holy Ghost, and with fire:
Mat 3:12 Whose fan is in his hand, and he will thoroughly purge his floor, and gather his wheat into the garner; but he will burn up the chaff with unquenchable fire.

Acts 2:3 And there appeared unto them cloven tongues like as of fire, and it sat upon each of them.

The baptism of fire as in Mat 3:11...he shall baptize you with the Holy Ghost, and with fire:

The idea behind the picture of fire is usually purification, as fire is used by a refiner to make pure gold, or as it can burn away that which is temporary, to leave that which is lasting. This is an excellent illustration of the principle that the filling of the Holy Spirit is not just for power, but for purity.

Under the New Covenant, the Holy Spirit rests upon God's people as individuals - the tongues of fire sat upon each of them.

Acts 2:4 And they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance.

How many were filled with the Holy Ghost and spake with other tongues? One hundred twenty were in one accord and were speaking in recognizable languages as the spirit gave them utterance.

tongues - the language or dialect used by a particular people distinct

utterances - to speak forth, speak out, say

Acts 2:5 And there were dwelling at Jerusalem Jews, devout men, out of every nation under heaven.
Acts 2:6 Now when this was noised abroad, the multitude came together, and were confounded, because that every man heard them speak in his own language.

A crowd quickly gathered, being attracted by this sound (either the rushing mighty wind or the speaking in other tongues); when they came they heard the Christians speak in their own foreign languages; apparently the Christians could be heard from the windows of the upper room, or they went out onto some kind of balcony or into the temple courts.

What better way to show the presence of Gods Spirit in the hearts of the people, then to speak edifying words of God in each language. This was a reversal of what happened at the tower of Babel. There all were confounded and confused speaking in languages no one understood.

Acts 2:7 And they were all amazed and marvelled, saying one to another, Behold, are not all these which speak Galilaeans?

Galileans were not known to be educated men or good speakers.

Return of the Nephilim?

This is a different way of looking at these scriptures, regarding the son's of God and the daughters of men for me. but these thoughts are most interesting. 

Gen 6:1  And it came to pass, when men began to multiply on the face of the earth, and daughters were born unto them, 
Gen 6:2  That the sons of God saw the daughters of men that they were fair; and they took them wives of all which they chose. 
Gen 6:3  And the LORD said, My spirit shall not always strive with man, for that he also is flesh: yet his days shall be an hundred and twenty years. 
Gen 6:4  There were giants ( the Nephilim) in the earth in those days; and also after that, when the sons of God came in unto the daughters of men, and they bare children to them, the same became mighty men which were of old, men of renown. 
Gen 6:5  And GOD saw that the wickedness of man was great in the earth, and that every imagination of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually. 
Gen 6:6  And it repented the LORD that he had made man on the earth, and it grieved him at his heart. 
Gen 6:7  And the LORD said, I will destroy man whom I have created from the face of the earth; both man, and beast, and the creeping thing, and the fowls of the air; for it repenteth me that I have made them. 
Gen 6:8  But Noah found grace in the eyes of the LORD. 


Jude 1:6  And the angels which kept not their first estate, but left their own habitation, he hath reserved in everlasting chains under darkness unto the judgment of the great day. 

The ministry of Chuck Missler, explains the possibility of actual angels, leaving their first estate,and mating with human women, that produced genetic mutants who were larger and faster than natural man; these were the nephilim. These were the mighty men of renown. In Greek mythology; we read of the gods mating with humans making great men such as Hercules and Atlas. Every culture seems to have stories of these mutants. Noah was not contaminated, being perfect as a physical human, not a hybrid. His family was on the ark and all the earth was flooded to remove these Nephilim. After the flood there were still Nephilim in Canaan, the sons of Anak. Possibly the reason the LORD ordered all to be killed when his people entered the land was to rid the land of these genetic mutants. There are indications that fallen angels will again mess with the human race to produce mutants again in the last days.

Mat 24:37  But as the days of Noe were, so shall also the coming of the Son of man be. 

Mat 24:38  For as in the days that were before the flood they were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, until the day that Noe entered into the ark, 

Mat 24:39  And knew not until the flood came, and took them all away; so shall also the coming of the Son of man be. 

Another verse from Daniel of the kingdom in the last days is interesting looking at it with Genesis 6 in mind. The vision of the statue of gold, silver, bronze, iron and a mixture of iron and clay in the last days.

Dan 2:32  This image's head was of fine gold, his breast and his arms of silver, his belly and his thighs of brass,
Dan 2:33  His legs of iron, his feet part of iron and part of clay. 

Dan 2:43  And whereas thou sawest iron mixed with miry clay, they shall mingle themselves with the seed of men: but they shall not cleave one to another, even as iron is not mixed with clay. 

Who are the "they" who shall mingle with the seed of men? Are these the fallen angels making hybrids as in the time of Noah? One thing to prevent our being taken by fallen angels or to keep from the mark of the beast is to be in a secure relationship with Jesus, Spirit filled, and belonging to God. For we battle with spirits, spiritual warfare, therefore put on the whole armour of God. (Eph 6) These are perilous times of ungodly spiritual invasion, for the devil's time is short. Fasten your Spiritual seat belts, hold onto the Word of truth and you will do well.

Eaglewings Ministries

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

The Big Green Carp Windsock

I found a big green carp windsock in a sack behind the couch.It was something Grandma bought and stored. I hung it up in the backyard where I could see it from the kitchen window. It really looked out of place. I have had this cough for a week and feeling somewhat out of place, so that windsock reminded me of how I was feeling out of sorts. It is difficult to make plans when under the weather. Just after taking this picture there was a knock on the door and two ladies stood with watchtower tracts. I was glad that they came, I was able to share about Jesus as Lord who left behind the Comforter,(John 14:26) the Holy Spirit to give us power and truth and peace, (John 14:27). He is a person, not a force, not an it. There is the Father, Son and Holy Spirit that are the one God.The lead woman said that she had been a Catholic but now she was in the truth. I told her that we never have all of the truth and that she needs to keep reading the Bible on her own. She agreed that Jesus is Lord of Lords , King of Kings, but that the Father is greater. I said in authority the Father was greater, but the father gave all authority to Jesus. She said but he is in heaven now, yes, but he gave his authority to his witnesses and the power of the Holy Spirit. It was through the blood of Jesus that we are redeemed. She somewhat agreed. They left, but I was feeling I still had a reason and purpose. I was not hung out to blow in the breeze like that carp windsock. We are here to be witnesses of his truth.

About that Carp windsock; it is from Japan and used for a traditional calendar event called Koinobori, Children's Day. This takes place on May 5 when landscapes across Japan are decorated with koinobori from April to early May, in honor of sons and in the hope that they will grow up healthy and strong. May our sons and daughters grow up healthy and strong and may they be true disciples of the Lord Jesus Christ.

Eaglewings Ministries

Delivered from the power of darkness

Col 1:12 Giving thanks unto the Father, which hath made us meet to be partakers of the inheritance of the saints in light:

Col 1:13 Who hath delivered us from the power of darkness, and hath translated us into the kingdom of his dear Son:

We are delivered from the power of darkness, do you understand this? You are delivered from the power of darkness and transferred unto the kingdom of his dear son by the power of the Holy Spirit. Now it is up to us to keep our eyes on Jesus, not on the ugly darkness we have been removed from.

Luke 11:34 The light of the body is the eye: therefore when thine eye is single, thy whole body also is full of light; but when thine eye is evil, thy body also is full of darkness.
Luke 11:35 Take heed therefore that the light which is in thee be not darkness.
Luke 11:36 If thy whole body therefore be full of light, having no part dark, the whole shall be full of light, as when the bright shining of a candle doth give thee light.

The  Holy Spirit generates light within you. The Spirit of truth gives light to our understanding.  Keep your eyes and mind on Jesus the way the truth and the life.

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

He bought us from the devil and darkness through his blood shed for us. Our sins are forgiven, shouldn't we confess, repent and then forget them? By the power of the Holy Spirit we are kept free, as we choose to walk in the light of truth by faith in our Lord Jesus Christ. Jesus is Lord of my life. He has overcome sin and the darkness and translated me into His Kingdom, in the light of truth.

Eaglewings Ministries

Bland

I made a loaf of bread today from a familiar recipe. I knew the ingredients by heart. It sometimes takes many hours for bread to rise and be ready to bake in the oven. It came out piping hot and lovely. I sliced a piece from the end, tasted it, and then I realized that I had left out the salt. The bread was good, but bland and pasty to taste. It had lost it's savor.

Mat 5:13  Ye are the salt of the earth: but if the salt have lost his savour, wherewith shall it be salted? it is thenceforth good for nothing, but to be cast out, and to be trodden under foot of men. 

How do we lose our salt as a Christian? Some thoughts on this; by our bad testimony and willful sins we bring shame to the faith. Often we are fearful and do not speak when we should. Still another thought is we speak but not from God's inspired word. Or when we share the word,  we are dull and lacking the conviction of the Holy Spirit in what we say. The word is alive, so we should be alive when we share it. Speak boldly, with zeal.

Eph 6:18  Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints; 
Eph 6:19  And for me, that utterance may be given unto me, that I may open my mouth boldly, to make known the mystery of the gospel, 
Eph 6:20  For which I am an ambassador in bonds: that therein I may speak boldly, as I ought to speak. 

Light or Shadows

There wasn't much light as I came to the street that led to the park. One of the largest oak trees still standing is in the front of the Episcopal church. The moon shined through the shadows of the tree.

The LORD always speaks to me on my visits to the park. The church sign spoke to me. Is our life a light in the darkness of the world or are we as a shadow? The Old Testament was Gods light but it also had shadows and types of the true light that was to be manifest. Jesus is the light of the world. We are to shine forth his light of goodness and truth.

Mat 5:14  Ye are the light of the world. A city that is set on an hill cannot be hid. 

Mat 5:15  Neither do men light a candle, and put it under a bushel, but on a candlestick; and it giveth light unto all that are in the house. 

Mat 5:16  Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven. 

The light of the moon made a veil of light on the pond surface. Our light must come from within, the light of God from the Holy Spirit.

1Jn 2:8  Again, a new commandment I write unto you, which thing is true in him and in you: because the darkness is past, and the true light now shineth. 

1Jn 2:9  He that saith he is in the light, and hateth his brother, is in darkness even until now. 

1Jn 2:10  He that loveth his brother abideth in the light, and there is none occasion of stumbling in him. 

1Jn 2:11  But he that hateth his brother is in darkness, and walketh in darkness, and knoweth not whither he goeth, because that darkness hath blinded his eyes. 

A small child was feeding the ducks from the dock. I gave my bread to her parents and the little girl was delighted to feed the ducks and Randy the goose with the encouragement of her mother. This was a good lesson of sharing from our abundance. Our LORD shares his abundance and all good things with us.

Jas 1:17  Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and cometh down from the Father of lights, with whom is no variableness, neither shadow of turning. 

The ducks were as ghosts in the night time light. There is a spirit world that we sometimes see through our spiritual eyes.

Deu 29:29  The secret things belong unto the LORD our God: but those things which are revealed belong unto us and to our children for ever, that we may do all the words of this law. 

Randy is there too, but something else happened that troubled me. In the distance was a struggle, a black duck had been introduced into the pond. At one time there were four white ducks and over time there is now only one white duck left who acts as the shepherd over the Mallard ducks. Often I would see a line of ducks being led by the white duck. The black duck attacked the white duck as the other ducks were feeding. Then I saw the black duck chasing a female mallard away from the flock. The shepherd white duck followed seeking to protect the female from the black duck. This is not about racism concerning ducks, but it reminded me of a larger picture where Christians are being persecuted worldwide by Muslim extremists. They kill and destroy the family of God. We are to pray for these who are being persecuted.Their angels go beside them, but the LORD wants us to pray. There is power in the spirit world and our prayers are the power of God for the needs we see. Pray for the souls of the lost and for strength, peace and protection for the Christians and the suffering people of the world to come to Jesus.

Rev 2:10  Fear none of those things which thou shalt suffer: behold, the devil shall cast some of you into prison, that ye may be tried; and ye shall have tribulation ten days: be thou faithful unto death, and I will give thee a crown of life. 

Randy's new year

I was able to download the pictures I took of Randy and the park on January first, using another device. By the drooping wing, we know it is Randy the goose. Some may judge the bird as an invalid, but he has survived three years at his new home at the park with it's green grass for food and the pond for foraging. His kin fly great distances together but he is doing quite well where he is. When I first began to minister on the Internet I was able to go places that you could not fly to. Inside locked bedrooms, in homes where a woman huddled to protect her children from an abusive mate. The Internet brought me friends in Canada, India, Scotland and Great Britain. We shared testimonies of people in China and Africa. Some scoffed at the Chat rooms saying God doesn't go there. Is there anyplace that God cannot go?

 His Spirit spoke heart to heart to the lost, to the new convert or the abused person. The Holy Spirit showed us how to minister through the Internet in AOL chat rooms and instant messages.

Randy may be alone, but he is in a beautiful place. We should be thankful for our blessings, for if we are in Christ we certainly are a blessed people, both here and with him in heavenly places.

Eph 1:3  Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who hath blessed us with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ: 

Eph 1:4  According as he hath chosen us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before him in love: 

Eph 1:5  Having predestinated us unto the adoption of children by Jesus Christ to himself, according to the good pleasure of his will, 

Eph 1:6  To the praise of the glory of his grace, wherein he hath made us accepted in the beloved. 

Eph 1:7  In whom we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of his grace; 

Eph 1:8  Wherein he hath abounded toward us in all wisdom and prudence; 

Eph 1:9  Having made known unto us the mystery of his will, according to his good pleasure which he hath purposed in himself: 

Eph 1:10  That in the dispensation of the fulness of times he might gather together in one all things in Christ, both which are in heaven, and which are on earth; even in him: 

Eph 1:11  In whom also we have obtained an inheritance, being predestinated according to the purpose of him who worketh all things after the counsel of his own will: 

Eph 1:12  That we should be to the praise of his glory, who first trusted in Christ. 

It is hard to stop reading when the verses are so meaningful. The important thing is that we are more precious to God than a goose or a tree or a sunset. All were made by Jesus for his good pleasure and for us to enjoy.

Walking by the cat tail rushes I get a quick look at a fawn. The camera was on manual focus, I took the picture without focusing, but the telephoto lens was the right focus to see him before he ran across my path. Some things we only get a glimpse of. Think of friends in the past who were sent to guide us on our correct path, but who have gone now. Perhaps one was an angel?

Heb 13:2  Be not forgetful to entertain strangers: for thereby some have entertained angels unawares. 

Two people sharing the sunset. Sometimes we put all our attention on a person to meet our needs. We are not to forget God, who provides to us all good things, including the sunsets. Give God the glory and thank you Jesus for another beautiful day.

Music in the way of the word

I have been placing the Bible with commentary on the Internet in a web site called  eaglewingsministries.com . The Bible studies were from sharing the Bible each day to disciple new believers. The oldest entries were in 2001. Having gone through all of the New Testament and several books in the Old Testament, I find there is a problem when trying to access a page, often it freezes up. I figured out that the problem was I had embedded midi music files in the lessons, it may be that new antivirus safety practices block the music. I am now removing all the music that I put in the chapters of the Bible. Almost every chapter had music to stir the soul, now I have the task of removing it. There are 260 chapters in the New Testament, Isaiah, has 66, etc. A lot of chapters to open and to delete the music. After all, the word of God is more important than the music.

Thinking on this as applied to the church, the word is still more important, and music should glorify the LORD. Most of the old hymns had great music and great words from the Bible. Maybe we should go through our music selections and remove the music that does not exalt the LORD or give a truthful message from the Bible?  May we glorify the LORD and speak his truth to a world in need.

In a private Bible study it was mentioned that when the ark of the covenant was taken captive, that it was returned on a new cart because the world's people did not know the proper handling of the ark. When Israel received the ark, they should have used the poles to transport the ark, instead they moved it the world's way and when Uzzah put his hand out to steady the ark he was killed.

1Ch 13:9  And when they came unto the threshingfloor of Chidon, Uzza put forth his hand to hold the ark; for the oxen stumbled. 
1Ch 13:10  And the anger of the LORD was kindled against Uzza, and he smote him, because he put his hand to the ark: and there he died before God. 

1Ch 13:11  And David was displeased, because the LORD had made a breach upon Uzza: wherefore that place is called Perezuzza to this day. 

Apparently God was displeased in the careless handling of his holiness. When the world's way in music gets into the church, is God honored, or upset? We should remove anything that does not honor the LORD, including examining ourselves, for we are the temples of the Holy Spirit.


Psa 26:2  Examine me, O LORD, and prove me; try my reins and my heart. 

Fall back, but not away

In the Fall we fall back an hour to be off of daylight saving time and back to normal. I like the extra hour that we gain this way. Sometimes we need to take time to fall back and to seek the LORD's presence and his direction for our life. We do not fall away and hide from the LORD and our problems, Jesus loves us and we take our problems to him. As I was reading in Amos 9, the chapter was about God's judgement on his own people Israel. They had left him for other gods and he was telling them that they could not hide from him, they would be judged. The story ends with a promise of restoration for a remnant who would return to the land and it would be rebuilt and the land would produce an abundance of good things. This is happening and it refers to a time when they would be ruled by a righteous king. This king is Jesus at his second coming. These things are coming very soon, so fall back and pray and be refreshed, but do not hide from God. The safest place is in Jesus and he is in you.

 

Amos 9:1  I saw the Lord standing upon the altar: and he said, Smite the lintel of the door, that the posts may shake: and cut them in the head, all of them; and I will slay the last of them with the sword: he that fleeth of them shall not flee away, and he that escapeth of them shall not be delivered.

 

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.

 

Jer 23:24  Can any hide himself in secret places that I shall not see him? saith the LORD. Do not I fill heaven and earth? saith the LORD.

It is terrible thing to run from the wrath of God. Where can you go, that he is not there?

 

Jude 1:21  Keep yourselves in the love of God, looking for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ unto eternal life.

The greatest thing we have is his love and the Holy Spirit, his truth and power with us. Fear God, but not the things that are coming. Pray for his peace and his salvation in our land.

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.

For the beauty of the earth

I had a lovely walk in the rain yesterday and this morning I awoke with a song in my heart: 

For the beauty of the earth, For the glory of the skies,

Layered rain clouds, a most welcome sight.

For the love which from our birth Over 

and around us lies:

A fallen leaf on a lonely bench appears to be dancing.

Lord of all, to Thee we raise This our hymn of grateful praise.

These strange berries are on the pokeweed. Robins and doves eat them and spread them in my home garden. They are toxic to animals, but the pioneers boiled the young leaves to remove the toxins and used them in salads.

Amos 3:7  Surely the Lord GOD will do nothing, but he revealeth his secret unto his servants the prophets.

An oil slick on a puddle in the road forms a swan illusion. To me the illusion is the nations with the fighting and perversions. It is as the days of Noah in the world.

The LORD reveals his secret things through his word and the Holy Spirit. If we know the word of God in the Bible then we should know that we are in the end times.

Mat 24:35  Heaven and earth shall pass away, but my words shall not pass away. 

Mat 24:36  But of that day and hour knoweth no man, no, not the angels of heaven, but my Father only.
Mat 24:37  But as the days of Noe were, so shall also the coming of the Son of man be.
Mat 24:38  For as in the days that were before the flood they were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, until the day that Noe entered into the ark,
Mat 24:39  And knew not until the flood came, and took them all away; so shall also the coming of the Son of man be.

God made and loves his creation. 

A deer enjoyed the rain with me.

Mat 11:25  At that time Jesus answered and said, I thank thee, O Father, Lord of heaven and earth, because thou hast hid these things from the wise and prudent, and hast revealed them unto babes.

The path we choose is up to us. There is God's way that leads to Jesus and everlasting life, or there is the way of man seeking to destroy life and ignore the God of creation. We can warn them, but not be of them, 

We are on another path.

What is revealed to us is by the Holy Spirit

and the scriptures. 

The trees are so loving the rain. The moss grows and the dry summer trees have a new fall and winter coat.

Peace on earth and joy in heaven: Lord of all to thee we

raise This our hymn of grateful praise.