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

If birds could think

That was some rain we had. All that rain made me hungry; I wonder if that person has

any bread for us? (no)

Joh 6:33  For the bread of God is he which cometh down from heaven, and giveth life unto the world. 

Joh 6:34  Then said they unto him, Lord, evermore give us this bread. 

Joh 6:35  And Jesus said unto them, I am the bread of life: he that cometh to me shall never hunger; and he that believeth on me shall never thirst. 

Randy the goose sits at the edge of the pond, pondering the meaning of life. Sometimes it is just better to live life then to think too much, especially for a goose. Life is a gift.

Rom 6:23  For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord. 

As Randy looks into the pond the bare trees are reflected; the ripples give the image a look of anxiety. Well it is no time for a pity party. This day is so beautiful, with a warm sun, no kids or dogs to chase me, I praise the creator for life and so many blessings. He has kept me going and life is worth the living knowing he is there.

Php 4:6  Be anxious for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God. 

Php 4:7  And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus. 

I returned home and looked out the kitchen window through the blinds to see two ring necked Turtle Doves swooping down into the bird feeder. They are so graceful, a symbol of the Holy Spirit. There is one Holy Spirit, but he is God and can be everywhere at once. The presence of God brings peace. The Spirit needs to be fed too. We need to feed on God's word. The doves are cautious. They do not mind the smaller sparrows who like to feed  there too.

Luke 12:6  Are not five sparrows sold for two farthings, and not one of them is forgotten before God? 

Come my little friends and feast on what has been provided for you and give thanks to your creator and to the food giver.

John 21:11  Simon Peter went up, and drew the net to land full of great fishes, an hundred and fifty and three: and for all there were so many, yet was not the net broken. 

John 21:12  Jesus saith unto them, Come and dine. And none of the disciples durst ask him, Who art thou? knowing that it was the Lord. 

John 21:13  Jesus then cometh, and taketh bread, and giveth them, and fish likewise. 

John 21:14  This is now the third time that Jesus shewed himself to his disciples, after that he was risen from the dead. 

Eaglewings Ministries 

Rain

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

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

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

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

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

Eaglewings Ministries

Wings of a Dove

Looking through the blinds of the kitchen window a dove rests on the bird feeder. He was turned from me so the picture of his back side is of his wings at rest. When sadness comes or fear, remember the wings of the dove. Here the dove is at rest; be at rest and feel his peace.

Exo 33:21  And the LORD said, Behold, there is a place by me, and thou shalt stand upon a rock: 
Exo 33:22  And it shall come to pass, while my glory passeth by, that I will put thee in a clift of the rock, and will cover thee with my hand while I pass by: 

Exo 33:23  And I will take away mine hand, and thou shalt see my back parts: but my face shall not be seen. 

Psa 55:5  Fearfulness and trembling are come upon me, and horror hath overwhelmed me. 
Psa 55:6  And I said, Oh that I had wings like a dove! for then would I fly away, and be at rest. 

Psa 68:13  Though ye have lien among the pots, yet shall ye be as the wings of a dove covered with silver, and her feathers with yellow gold. 

John 1:32  And John bare record, saying, I saw the Spirit descending from heaven like a dove, and it abode upon him. 

John 1:33  And I knew him not: but he that sent me to baptize with water, the same said unto me, Upon whom thou shalt see the Spirit descending, and remaining on him, the same is he which baptizeth with the Holy Ghost. 

John 1:34  And I saw, and bare record that this is the Son of God. 

If Jesus is your Lord and master he has provided you with the Holy Spirit and power. The dove is a symbol of his Spirit. He is gentle to those who trust in him. The power of God has overcome this world and the devil. We cannot do this alone. Jesus has given us his peace.

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

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. 

Endurance

Psa 102:25  Of old hast thou laid the foundation of the earth: and the heavens are the work of thy hands. 

Psa 102:26  They shall perish, but thou shalt endure: yea, all of them shall wax old like a garment; as a vesture shalt thou change them, and they shall be changed: 

2Co 11:23  Are they ministers of Christ? (I speak as a fool) I am more; in labours more abundant, in stripes above measure, in prisons more frequent, in deaths oft. 

2Co 11:24  Of the Jews five times received I forty stripes save one. 

2Co 11:25  Thrice was I beaten with rods, once was I stoned, thrice I suffered shipwreck, a night and a day I have been in the deep; 

2Co 11:26  In journeyings often, in perils of waters, in perils of robbers, in perils by mine own countrymen, in perils by the heathen, in perils in the city, in perils in the wilderness, in perils in the sea, in perils among false brethren; 

2Co 11:27  In weariness and painfulness, in watchings often, in hunger and thirst, in fastings often, in cold and nakedness. 

2Co 11:28  Beside those things that are without, that which cometh upon me daily, the care of all the churches. 

2Co 11:29  Who is weak, and I am not weak? who is offended, and I burn not? 

2Co 11:30  If I must needs glory, I will glory of the things which concern mine infirmities. 

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. 

Mat 24:12  And because iniquity shall abound, the love of many shall wax cold. 

Mat 24:13  But he that shall endure unto the end, the same shall be saved. 

Mat 24:14  And this gospel of the kingdom shall be preached in all the world for a witness unto all nations; and then shall the end come. 

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. 

All these Manzanita trees face this peaceful lake. We may be afflicted, aged, worn, and yet still standing, as these trees. We have God's peace because we are in his presence day and night.

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. 

Red and white

Isa 1:18  Come now, and let us reason together, saith the LORD: though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they be red like crimson, they shall be as wool.
Isa 1:19  If ye be willing and obedient, ye shall eat the good of the land:
Isa 1:20  But if ye refuse and rebel, ye shall be devoured with the sword: for the mouth of the LORD hath spoken it.

Sit down and listen, stop running around and take heed to God's word. If you repent and believe in His promises, (Receive Jesus as savior); though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they be red like crimson, they shall be as wool. This is a beautiful promise of what Jesus has done for us. But if we refuse God in our lives and rebel against him he will back off when we are in need. Let us be determined to stay close to God for we must have His presence. In His presence there is peace.

? In His Presence - YouTube

Prayers answered

It has been a week since we prayed for the oppressed lady in the resthome who screamed day and night. Today after our praise service I asked one of the ladies if it was now quiet?  Has the lady found peace? "She is over there in the wheel chair, " she answered. I went to the lady who was wearing a surgical mask and greeted her. She replied with a gentle hello. I said may God bless you and she said thank you. Wow, I was happy to see her released from that demon. She seemed to be in her right mind, praise God for answered prayer! I sensed that some of the women in the home were still a bit slow to see this change. It is hard at times to put away the memory of unpleasant people. When we pray and God answers by giving mercy, are we unwilling to give mercy? Is there some nuisance person that we cannot forgive that God has touched, that we still cannot open up to and be kind? Jesus came to save souls and this should be our purpose as well. Let Jesus be the judge and we his servants.

1Tim 2:8  I will therefore that men pray every where, lifting up holy hands, without wrath and doubting. 

Possession

 In Christ Jesus we are blessed. The beauty of his creation we enjoy. The LORD is good and he wants to bless His people.

 To be Spirit possessed is a wonderful thing, if the Holy Spirit is in control but there are other spirits; fallen angels, demons.

 A demonic spirit may control you to do evil. The spirit of antichrist is a demonic spirit. This spirit is active now in these end times, removing every godly thing from society. He cannot remove the Holy Spirit from our hearts.

 Our ministry team went to McDonald's following the rest home service, The discussion we had was on the end times. Jesus could come at any time. The saints will welcome Jesus but the ungodly will curse him and try to hide.

Leaving the restaurant the sky was ablaze with color. I went for my camera that was in the car trunk and took these pictures of the sunset. I noticed that the music was not in the trunk so I went back to the rest home to get the music folio. I spotted the music on a chair. There were two women in wheelchairs in the room who had taken part in our praise service. One of the women mentioned a woman in the home that yelled obscenities continuously. "She is demon possessed." Down the hall I could hear an agitated voice. "She needs deliverance, some godly men need  to go in and drive out those demons." The tormented woman yells "get out, get out", when alone. I can imagine how difficult it must be for the caretakers to try to care for her. She swears at them and continues to say, get out, get out. I went to her room and saw a person who looked old like a meth user, but who may have been only 40. her drinking glass had been thrown across the room on the floor. I spoke the name of Jesus and prayed, asking that she be at peace. She wanted no part of Jesus and continued saying get out, get out. In spite of her obscenities hurled at me, I prayed and spoke the name of Jesus. I knew the scripture that said when a devil is cast out, if not replaced by the Holy Spirit, seven more would come. To cast out one spirit could bring seven times more. Prayer is needed.

Mat 12:43  When the unclean spirit is gone out of a man, he walketh through dry places, seeking rest, and findeth none. 
Mat 12:44  Then he saith, I will return into my house from whence I came out; and when he is come, he findeth it empty, swept, and garnished. 
Mat 12:45  Then goeth he, and taketh with himself seven other spirits more wicked than himself, and they enter in and dwell there: and the last state of that man is worse than the first. Even so shall it be also unto this wicked generation. 


Mat 17:21  Howbeit this kind goeth not out but by prayer and fasting. 

I suggested to the woman in the wheelchair  that she continue praying for the tormented woman  and have others pray that God would give her peace and that she would be able to be delivered. 


Jas 5:16  Confess your faults one to another, and pray one for another, that ye may be healed. The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much. 

There are precious saints at that home who love the Lord and there are those who have no desire for him. The demon possessed lady needs our prayers. Her lack of peace depresses those around her. When we bring praise music and testimonies it brings life and hope and encouragement. LORD God, still the voice of torment and bring peace, in Jesus name, amen.

Our Sanctuary

 

 

Complaining is not a spiritual gift.

1Pe 3:10  For he that will love life, and see good days, let him refrain his tongue from evil, and his lips that they speak no guile:
1Pe 3:11  Let him eschew evil, and do good; let him seek peace, and ensue it.
1Pe 3:12  For the eyes of the Lord are over the righteous, and his ears are open unto their prayers: but the face of the Lord is against them that do evil.

 

eschew : turn aside from

 

 There is much that is wrong in our world, but it must not be allowed to seep into our hearts, polluting our thoughts and stealing our joy. Turn away from evil. Where could I go but to the LORD? He is our hiding place, our Comforter, our sanctuary. Let us be found in Jesus our righteousness. Instead of complaining to others, defiling them, take your hurts to Jesus in prayer. We do not want to take on evil words and actions. There is no evil in our Lord. Abide in him and be in peace.

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

Faith or Fear

 

Jas 2:14  What doth it profit, my brethren, though a man say he hath faith, and have not works? can faith save him?
Jas 2:15  If a brother or sister be naked, and destitute of daily food,
Jas 2:16  And one of you say unto them, Depart in peace, be ye warmed and filled; notwithstanding ye give them not those things which are needful to the body; what doth it profit?
Jas 2:17  Even so faith, if it hath not works, is dead, being alone.

We have faith to ask God for our own needs, but what of the needs of others? One thing about Christianity is that many come to a church when they are in need of food or gas money. Another religion coerces or kills the "infidels." They grow because of fear and fear is respect. How much more should we fear and respect the Living God? I think often the world plays the church as a con artist would. They ask for favors, but secretly many do not respect the one giving help; they have no fear of God. We are to do good because Jesus did the good works of his Father and it brings glory to God the Father. He gave all to us and by giving to others we are giving back to Jesus. We cannot out give God. If some people come with wrong motives, perhaps they will change?

1Pe 2:12  Having your conversation honest among the Gentiles: that, whereas they speak against you as evildoers, they may by your good works, which they shall behold, glorify God in the day of visitation. 

Thoughts

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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.

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.

Hezekiah's Treasure

Hedonism is a school of thought that argues that pleasure is the only intrinsic good.

 We are in a generation of people that seeks personal pleasure over the good of future generations. Millions of their babies are aborted and millions of people indulge themselves in pleasures including the use of drugs and alcohol. In times of crises the supreme leader is taking a vacation or playing games. People like him keep him in power until a once prosperous nation is destroyed. So what? If it feels good , do it, is their attitude. The Bible speaks fresh to us on every important subject. Listen to this story of a good but selfish king of Judah.

Isa 38:5  Go, and say to Hezekiah, Thus saith the LORD, the God of David thy father, I have heard thy prayer, I have seen thy tears: behold, I will add unto thy days fifteen years. 

Isa 38:6  And I will deliver thee and this city out of the hand of the king of Assyria: and I will defend this city. 

Isa 39:1 At that time Merodachbaladan, the son of Baladan, king of Babylon, sent letters and a present to Hezekiah: for he had heard that he had been sick, and was recovered.

I friend once advised me to beware of gifts from strangers, for they may want something that will cost you dearly. Another thing to beware of is flattery, there is usually hidden motives from those who flatter.

Prov 26:28 A lying tongue hateth those that are afflicted by it; and a flattering mouth worketh ruin.

When an enemy pretends to be your friend? Be careful to not let him get too close to you. Hezekiah was not so wise or discerning; he was glad to be alive for another fifteen years.

Isa 39:2 And Hezekiah was glad of them, and showed them the house of his precious things, the silver, and the gold, and the spices, and the precious ointment, and all the house of his armour, and all that was found in his treasures: there was nothing in his house, nor in all his dominion, that Hezekiah showed them not.

Just because you have good will towards people, this does not assure that all will seek your good. Satan often comes in unawares to take advantage of your open door. A naive person shares all things to a stranger; some things we should keep to ourselves, especially if it brings temptation to another. Hezekiah was trying to impress the envoys from Babylon. God knows our hearts, so we are to share all things with God, but not with a stranger. Why do we want to impress strangers? Maybe to look good in the eyes of men? What is our greatest treasure? It should be the LORD.

Isa 39:3 Then came Isaiah the prophet unto king Hezekiah, and said unto him, What said these men? and from whence came they unto thee? And Hezekiah said, They are come from a far country unto me, even from Babylon.

God sent Isaiah to the king. We all need an Isaiah as a friend who hears from God and sees what we do not see. We need trusted godly friends.

Isa 39:4 Then said he, What have they seen in thine house? And Hezekiah answered, All that is in mine house have they seen: there is nothing among my treasures that I have not showed them.

What have they seen in your house? In your person, that they desire? In your possessions, that they pretend to be your friend? Hezekiah explains that they have seen all of his treasures. We have had presidents, members of Congress, who were and are given gifts by strangers. The strangers are invited in to see our treasures, of wealth, of commerce, of technology, of military equipment. They see it all and are given access, because the leaders are selfish, covetous and contemptuous to those they represent as well as to God above.

Isa 39:5 Then said Isaiah to Hezekiah, Hear the word of the LORD of hosts:
Isa 39:6 Behold, the days come, that all that is in thine house, and that which thy fathers have laid up in store until this day, shall be carried to Babylon: nothing shall be left, saith the LORD.

All will be taken, Hezekiah. All the treasure of your nation, all the nobility of your nation, will be taken; it would happen in one hundred years. How much time do we have?

Isa 39:7 And of thy sons that shall issue from thee, which thou shalt beget, shall they take away; and they shall be eunuchs in the palace of the king of Babylon.

Terrible news; his own grandson's taken as prisoners and made eunuchs. This would be Daniel and his descendants.

Isa 39:8 Then said Hezekiah to Isaiah, Good is the word of the LORD which thou hast spoken. He said moreover, For there shall be peace and truth in my days.

Hezekiah said it is good? A self centered king, only cares that he himself will live in peace the rest of his days. We have leaders like this. Not caring about the future of the sons and daughters of the nation. When all is lost, they have their personal treasures and their selfish lives to live, with no care for what follows because of their foolish behavior. A Christian must be a person of character. He or she should stand for purity and righteousness, leaving a godly inheritance to the children. As good citizens, we should make our communities a better place. Woe to wicked self centered rulers, God sees all. We do not have to be like them. Be the light of truth and righteousness and pray for God's revival in our land. Think about the good of others. JOY, Jesus, Others and then Yourself.

Country road

This landowner has the right idea. 

We should all put up scriptures on our private property.

Deu 6:9  And thou shalt write them upon the posts of thy house, and on thy gates.

Deu 6:9  And thou shalt write them upon the posts of thy house, and on thy gates. 

.We stopped to place flowers on my folks grave. They have been gone twenty years. The message speaks of their 65 plus years together.

Eph 5:24  Therefore as the church is subject unto Christ, so let the wives be to their own husbands in every thing. 

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

We saw hundreds of cows in the open range. They

were a little curious about my intentions.

Psa 50:10  For every beast of the forest is mine, and the cattle upon a thousand hills. 

Psa 50:11  I know all the fowls of the mountains: and the wild beasts of the field are mine.

In the hills are miles and miles of rock walls built by Chinese settlers from 1860-1890. This is in Tehama county California.

Psa 122:6  Pray for the peace of Jerusalem: they shall prosper that love thee. 

Psa 122:7  Peace be within thy walls, and prosperity within thy palaces.

There was virtually no traffic on this country road. 

Jesus has come, but he is coming back again. Make room for him in your heart.

Isa 40:3  The voice of him that crieth in the wilderness, Prepare ye the way of the LORD, make straight in the desert a highway for our God. 

Isa 40:4  Every valley shall be exalted, and every mountain and hill shall be made low: and the crooked shall be made straight, and the rough places plain: 

Isa 40:5  And the glory of the LORD shall be revealed, and all flesh shall see it together: for the mouth of the LORD hath spoken it.