I was walking quickly through the grocery store and I heard this question that stopped me.
The voice belonged to an older gentlemen wearing a white beard who was visiting with another couple in the aisle, I turned around to see he was looking right at me.
I answered “yes you will ” and then we started talking about Christ coming like we’ve known each other for years.
After a few minutes exchanging the Words of life, I begin to part ways, he says to me “I’ll see you on the way up..” 1 Thess 4:13-18
It was a great reminder that there is a way to get the invitation out there to others.
It was a bold question.
If I could not answer this without hesitation, then I would need to work out some travel plans.
But even though I know, this doesn’t excuse that I shouldn’t still show up early and be ready, just like we do when traveling on the airlines.
It will take surrendering my plans for His, and giving Him my whole heart not just a part of it. Proverbs 3:5We must fix our eyes upon Christ the Lord and let Him prepare us for departure. Heb 12:2
He is the way, He is the truth and He is the life.
Most do not understand the truth of God’s love for His creation.
When I read the Word and see the clear evidence of the long suffering, merciful, gracious love of God, my mind cannot understand how great a love this is.
He was accused of not being fair and called venegful by the lair, one of His own.
I believe He would have reasoned with the fallen angels had they wanted to be reconciled.
He would have shown them the truth of His Word and thus spared all humanity the experience of sin.
Sit with this a minute. Sin is the cause of all evil.
The world we live in today is a result of not yielding, not trusting in the authority of God’s Word.
Thankfully there is a small remnant left of those who keep the commandments of God and have the testimony of Jesus.
Otherwise we would have all become like Sodom and sin would make us like Gomorrah. Isaiah 1:1-20
Even so – God still made a way for us to battle for truth and it is simply by yielding to Him to be transformed in Christ.
Our heart must be yielded to God’s love toward us or the change can never happen in us – by doing this we are restored into His likeness.
It is by nature of sin, that we are alienated from God..but He desires to heal us and set us free from living in sin nature.
He works ever so carefully as a loving parent would to a child learning how to live safely.
I am so thankful to have made my decision to give my heart to Christ Jesus, and I implore you to do the same.
Have you ever heard the 10 commandments of the laws of God described as the laws of love?
Maybe you understood when the son of God ( Christ Jesus ) answered in Matthew 22:34-40 this question;
“Teacher which is the great commandment in the law ? ”
He says you shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind.” This is the first and great commandment, and the second is like it: you shall love your neighbor as yourself.”
Did you know the first four commandments are about loving God, and the last six are about loving your neighbor?
This is why the ten Gospels are also pointing to how all the law and the prophets are shared!
Most understand the gospel is the story of God, the message of God’s love.
The book I am linking here today is one I hope you will consider looking into today. It speaks to the truth of God’s Word and the whole matter like verses 40 in Matthew says.
“On these two commandments hang all the Law and the Prophets.”
Studying this will help us in the battle for truth.
The final events in earths history is coming.
You will be more prepared if you would only seek the truth of God’s Word. His greatest desire is to write this law of love on our hearts and minds!
And did you know you in this very moment you could be fighting on the wrong side?
Why do I say this, because Jesus asked the Father in Heaven “forgive them ~they don’t know what they are doing”, as He was dying on the cross. Killed by God’s own people, not wanting to do the deed of crucifying Him, they turned Him over to the law enforcer of their time, Rome, which ridiculed Him.
And in that battle Jesus said forgive them.
Today I am convicted that I must share the reality on the subject of sin because all have fallen short of the glory of God, ALL.
Most do not understand that we are falling down on a spiritual battlefield, which is a war over our lives.
It’s the great controversy between Jesus and the Heavenly Angels verses Satan and his demons.
You see there’s a loud battle cry going forth from the soldiers of Christ, this battle cry is for our souls.
God would have not one lost, but He gives the choice over our own lives to us.
This is why it is not “predestined” as some would say. You get to chose.
The invisible battle being waged on ALL the children of God daily has been going on since the beginning of time.
In this present time where nation is against nation, and violence is the theme every day. We must battle for the truth, the Gospel of Christ must be talked about.
In 2 Timothy 3, we are told of dangerous times in the last days, which are even worse than the days of Christ and His apostles.
So how do we battle?
First we must know the Author and the Finisher of our faith. It is the difference between walking in darkness and having God’s light in the darkness.
You must look to whom this light is, it is Jesus Christ the Son of God, without His light you remain in darkness.
God‘s Word is the light that divides day from night.
This is meant to be understood both figuratively and literally.
The whole matter of light will be found throughout scriptures, all we have to do is seek out the Word, He will give you light to understand the truth of this battle of darkness and how to walk through it.
Secondly, your battle stance is not on your feet.
It’s on your knees. It is having a heart posture of humbleness towards the Lord and leaning on His Word, not your understanding.This is where God offers forgiveness and healing.
Give Him all that is yours, daily. Your cares, your troubles, your future and your past. Give Him access to your mind, your whole life. He will not trespass, He knocks on your heart and waits for you to let Him in.
Understand this , all your treasures and all your own ways belong to you until you give it to Him.
Once you surrender, you will learn how to wear His armor. You will become a soldier for Him. Unburdening yourself in surrendered service, means you will no longer fight alone or on your own.
To battle for the Lord is to share the truth of His Word.
It is to lay down your own version of right and wrong. It means giving our will to the Lord and choosing His ways in place of ours.
When we realize that we need repentance, He provides.
He gives grace and mercy.
Sounds like a lot, but it’s nothing compared to what He will give you. You will not out give the Lord, He is the ultimate gift giver.
His ways are higher and He plans good for us.
With Him in charge, there is no future of harm to us. He plans to heal us and to set us up to succeed.
Even though the darkness remains at this time, His light gives us a firm footing in the battle.
I will continue to share more battle plans, however right now look to Christ Jesus the Savior, give Him your heart, commit to study His Word. You will need to do this, in order to trust The Victorious Commander and Chief.
I’m going to describe the morning I wrote this post, and it is my hope that you will see the “intersecting truth” this is the message I hope to convey to you today.
When we look around at the scenes of life, the beauty of God’s love gets overlooked as the details of life are often distracting.
The picture window I’m sitting at this morning is presenting a new day dawning. The scene is full, life is happening. The birds are flying from limb to limb in the tall trees, the branches are swaying in the wind. Below those trees are neighboring homes which start to become vividly contrasting in the light of day. One home looks like it’s well cared for, maintained from what I can see on the outside, and then there’s the neighbor next-door which appears like it struggles. Projects piled up in the yard, maybe they ran out of time or energy. Maybe they were more concerned with the chores inside. I don’t pretend to know, this is just an observance, a small part of the bigger picture.
While in the background the sun is rising in slow procession upwards, its rays are breaking through the fabric of the clouds. And as the light travels out in each direction it gives more light with each passing moment bringing with it warmth.
I observe the wildlife continue to hunt for their breakfast, while keeping watch for harm. The grass is receiving its morning dew drops and the sun continues to cast rise upwards with with it the wind moves around, in response the tree branches become subject to the sun’s presence in the air. And the rest of nature plays out to the changing of the day.
All that I witness is because the sun gave light. Without the illumination of this light from the sun, we would not experience the picture before us.
Without light, we would remain in darkness.
Nothing would be seen that is seen, just as it is, with the Lord.
1 Corinthians 1: 26- 31 says only when we seek to know the Lord, will we be able to see his glory ( His light) this is how we become believers. He chose us to see Him.
We did not choose Him.
He gives light that He may be seen, revealing that He is the truth. It is how we learn. It is how we become partakers of the truth of His Word.
God is not the author of confusion, He paints with perfect strokes the picture of completion each new morning. He designed it so that all who look will see and be acquainted with Him the perfect Creator.
It is the very same in that those who seek to study the Bible will know the will of the Heavenly Father.
He gave men the pure word of prophecy, angels to help guide and even more His son who is God Himself in flesh, which made what would come to pass. The Gospel message. The God – story. The Good news. The message of Salvation.
Salvation is not a mystery, the Word of God studied plainly with a prayerful heart will reveal what is to come and how we must work with Him to store up in heaven our treasures. Just like the morning picture.
Only when we surrender our worldly plans for the cares of our Redeemer we will want to invest in the work purposed for us, His will. Revelations 1:3
Blessings will come to those who hear and keep His word.
But to those who, instead stay invested in this world, who buy silver and gold, which will corrode. Those who refuse and remain unrepentant, living unrepented lives, they are treasuring up for themselves wrath in the day of judgment. James 5:2-6
Since the creation of the world, His invisible attributes are clearly seen and understood. Romans 1:20
No one denies the suns shining presence when seeing it rise each morning.
It is the same with God. We only need to be willing to abide in His will as children, to be patient and surrendered to His leading so that in the day of His coming, we will stand unashamed and ready to meet the Savior.
One day Jesus will return to get His loved ones, whom chose Him and served Him only, don’t be deceived, give your life and every new day to Him that you may be saved.
The Spirit of the Lord gives life; my flesh counts for nothing. The words I have written to you—they are full of the Spirit and life. Yet there are some of you who do not believe.
I am just repeating what the Lord has shared with me as I study His word from John 6: 63
I am not the author of any of these words that I write, I can only testify to the truth that has set me free from a life of sin.
I am not a prophet and I have no special abilities, it is the Spirit of God who makes me to minister of the new covenant.
The laws I keep do not save me. They do not give me life, they only point out my sin. The Holy Spirit is who gives life. 2 Corth 3-6
The Word says in 1 Corth 3 the Lord gave to Paul and Apollo’s the water (which is the Spirit) it was their job to share it.
So it is my job to do the same this would be my the them of my autobiography, and if you who are reading this and believe in the living Word of God, it is yours as well. To be an open book in how we live our life here, as we seek the Kingdom of God. A pilgrims progress.
He called us to proclaim the good news, but this is not all.
His Word says a new covenant to the house of Israel was given. Accepting the righteousness of Christ because He loved us, we also should reflect this in our hearts.
Jerimiah 31:31 It is very clear the outcome of His new covenant.
“Behold, I am the Lord, the God of all flesh. Is there anything too hard for Me? ‘ Jeremiah 32:27
He is God to ALL. We are not following Him if we believe only a certain tribe, tongue or literal nation is saved.
The One true God is not bias, plays no favorites, there is no division, this is not the Spirit of the Lord.
He calls everyone and they chose whom they will serve.
In Romans 2:27-29 it reads that a real Jew is if he’s been circumcised in his heart by the Holy Spirit. And true Israelite is one who is praise worthy in the eyes of God, not men. You are not going to find safety in numbers, there is not us and them. If you don’t find yourself in the middle of the battle in this life. You are on the wrong side.
I encourage you to seek Him with all your heart; mind and soul and then share the truth of His Word wherever you are.
It is not a life of works that we are to pursue.
The works of the law are under a curse.
No it is that the just shall live by faith. Gal 3:10
It is by faith we receive the promise of the Spirit.
Friends, just as a siren sounds to alert a coming danger, so should we warn of the day of the Lord.
Stay in the Word of truth put away all foolishness, pray that the Lord will guide you into all understanding, give you light for understanding and discernment to know the truth from the lies, because if possible even the very elect with be deceived.
Lately I’ve been watching a lot of body cam videos on law enforcement officers. I’m sure I have only scratched the surface of what happens but I have seen enough to spot the character differences of those who are rebellious and those who are humble. This is not about the justice system but about the citizens reaction towards it.
The common thread of the rebellious citizen is that most are not law abiding; they are quick tempered and most of the time will try to lie their way out of a situation and act as if they are entitled.
Their attitudes are hostile even at the onset, when others are using common courtesy. I understand good manners don’t make up for stressful situations, however it should deescalate any type of defensive attitudes. But this is not the case with a rebellious attitude, which seem to behave ugly in nature, and most often abusive. It makes perfect sense as to why there’s so much lawlessness and aggravated events.
And even before the law is involved these rebellious characters are subjective and demanding towards the public in their nature with irrational attitudes which cause unrest and disrupting the peace.
These are those who have no regard for others, and no respect towards civility in the law of the land. They want all the considerations, and are unwilling to be humble.
The other side is this, those who confess and admit to wrong or foul play. They are better able to listen, their behavior demonstrates they made a bad choice but it doesn’t define them.
In every situation if we handled ourselves in humility we would deescalate and attract better outcomes. A lesson I am learning.
The problem is we are quick to anger, quick to speak and slow to listen. We believe the lie in our mind that says we will be treated unfairly unless we control of the narrative.
This never works out – and it’s actually the scheme of the devil to cause this kind of stinking thinking which causes division. James 4:7 tells us.
While those who are humble minded will submit to God’s will – in that they can resist the devils lies and he will flee.
We are told to be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to anger. That’s the fruit of humility. James 1:19
And most of all God is a shield to all who trust Him.
This is why I need to give my battles to the Lord, you should also.
And let’s be mindful to pray for those whose jobs it is to keep the peace, it’s a hard job to keep balance, they are faced with more then you could imagine. Without law, we have no order.
I am guilty of looking at and listening to misinformation, scrolling along I’ll give a few seconds to platforms that continue to give their opinions of what they perceive as truth in the times we are living in.
Some even sound legit but then I’ll hear or see something that registers as an untruth and I’ll know it is time to move on.
Those of you who know what I’m talking about. Even if you are not well studied in the Bible, in our little understanding we know because of the we are given spiritual discernment, which the Word of God gives to those who accept and read it. Proverbs 2
The same happened in the days of Noah before the great flood, you see a message was sent from heaven to the world in Noah’s time, He shared it and listened to God about building an ark to save that which God appointed. The creatures, and those who would respond to the message. Their salvation depended upon how they accepted it, yet only Noah’s family escaped because the rest of humanity rejected the warning of God. Gen 6
The Spirit of God was withdrawn from the sinful race and they all perished. By choice.
The same happened again in the days of Abraham who pleaded for Sodom.Gen 18: 16 Only three survived. By choice.
The same fate is true for those in the days when Christ comes back again. Those who do not have the love of truth, but reject Christ Jesus the Lord and Savior, who delight in unrighteousness.
Matthew 23:37 is how Jesus expressed His lament over Jerusalem’s rejection. Continue reading through 24 and you will see what He says about His coming.
Those who reject the teachings of His Word. God will have no choice but to withdraw His Spirit and leave them to the deception which they love.
Friends, the way we spend our time is showing what we love.
Let’s purpose to put down those things that distract us from learning the truth of God’s love towards us.
Let’s ask God to help us learn to put away foolishness and instead nourish our minds to have the love of the truth.
According to Romans 6 ~ I am no longer a slave to sin.
Living as a new creation saved by grace through Jesus Christ.
Sin shall have no dominion over me because I am no longer under the law but under grace.
To be obedient to this word so I may be lead to ” right living” righteousness. My life – body – mind – spirit needs to be a willing vessel to right living, instead of wrong living which makes one under the penalty of sin.
By grace = saved through faith not of myself but a Gift from God, not by works. However created new in Christ for good works which God prepared beforehand that I should walk in them.
The end is near ( at hand) therefore I need to be serious and watchful in prayers.
When prompted to pray..do it.
And above all things have love for one another for love will cover a multitude of sins. Love of family in their weakness – love of friends in their own “lost sense” because we know love heals.
This a foretaste of Heaven, if love was used this way.
Be hospitable towards others without grumbling.
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I just shared the working out of the scriptures in study. Did you notice how one layer of truth builds upon another and another giving a firm foundation? This helps us to understand better the way the Lord is wanting us to walk.
This is why it is so vital to study to understand. Acts 17:11
The only way I can speak about the Word is by the ability He gives me in bringing it forward to my mind, my part is to study to put it there so that I will be able to see and testify to His glory.
In this, He creates within us the gift of life to share with others freely. Being tender hearted, compassionate and courteous, this is what He calls us to do so that HE may be blessed and seen.
Better is the end of a thing than its beginning and the patient in spirit is better than the proud in spirit. Ecc 7:8
I encourage you to journal your study times to see how He leads you in understanding, it only takes willingness.
Are you walking around with a dark cloud over your head?
I’m not talking about clinical depression or anxiety which tend to feel this way.
This cloud is more spiritual and today it’s becoming more common in the times we are living in, everyone is being oppressed.
In 2010 my life was actually good. I was raising three healthy children, I was able to be a stay at home mom, great marriage.
But I was walking around with that dark cloud over my head.
For whatever reason I couldn’t shake it, I tried lots of natural approaches, went to a doctor to get a diagnosis and he said
“I’m not prescribing you anything, just eat better and exercise.” And I did. But I was still so unhappy.
I remember having a conversation with a mentor who was telling me about a new prayer ministry she was involved in, I became curious about it because she was seeing God heal others through this ministry.
I don’t plan to promote the “type of ministry” because if used wrong it becomes a tool for the enemy. Instead I’m going to tell you that prayer in itself is key, so vital to our healing journey. Looking back I didn’t have the same attitude about prayer as I do now.
At that time I felt lead to investigate this and because I trusted my friend “E” she was a walking light for Him and had the fruit of His Spirit. She was also like a mother figure, she loved the Lord and loved to share His Word. She was our groups prayer warrior, I knew that God had her in my life for this reason. We prayed often together prior to this ministry.
I remember asking my pastor about this new prayer ministry and he didn’t know about it but encouraged me to be cautious. I even talked with another church member who was studying mental health at that time and she didn’t know about it either but again encouraged me to use caution.
Then I asked my husband who said that if I felt lead to try this that it should be ok. But the final authority is when Jesus says in Matt 18:18-20 when we are together in His name and we agree, He is in the midst.
This is when I said, “Lord, “E” is my sister in Christ, I can trust her because I know she serves and loves You, and I trust that You will bless and be there.”
What happened next is surreal and every time I share it, I still can’t believe I had the privilege of experiencing it.
We decided to meet up at her church one late afternoon, it was overcast and rainy.
She was given a room dedicated to this ministry, it was a little office space with a love seat and some other comfortable chairs, decorated with some soft effects like a lamp, throw blanket and a few pillows, box of Kleenex nearby.
The ministry rules suggest two to one ratio unless the person is a believer, “E” arranged to have a her friend who was also in the prayer ministry join us, however at the last minute she had to cancel because she wasn’t feeling well.
I remember “E” asking me if I wanted to reschedule.
I didn’t, I trusted God was in this moment and it would work it out as it should.
As we sat down “E” asked me what I wanted to pray about, I expressed everything about how I was feeling and I didn’t know why and I couldn’t shake it.
Then “E” says: Lets pray.
And She did, she gave thanks to the Lord for His mercy and grace for all that He is and all that He does. She asked forgiveness and then she began proclaiming the promises of His Word as she pleaded with Him on my behalf.
She asked Him to reveal to me what I needed to know about these feelings and especially about this cloud hanging over me. As she was petitioning Him on my behalf I was hearing her prayer and I was also asking the Lord for the same thing.
I was moved to tears because I felt in that moment a safe warm embrace of someone who cared and was beseeching the Heavenly Father on my behalf. And even though it was “E” I heard I knew it was actually The Holy Spirit interceding on my behalf through “E” prayer. And then I saw it.
While she was still praying aloud for me, clear as day, I saw what looked to be a picture perfect day. Blue sky with a field of lush green grass. But as I looked up, I saw a black chalk board which becomes a huge obstacle in the middle of that beautiful day.
I could not see around it, and it was a stark contrast to what I was wanting to see.
If you are from the older generation a “black board” was something a teacher would use to show lesson examples and used also to write the names of those who were not doing good that day.
I never liked the black board, my name was on it more then I care to remember.
As I was looking at this black board I realize written across it was everything I had ever done wrong in my life, it was completely covered from top to bottom.
The whole board listed every thing I was guilty of.
I remember thinking “wait.. I thought I was forgiven of all this and yet here it is, a reminder of what I had done.”
I sat there feeling worse then when we started.
Then “E” ends the prayer.
I was crying.
I told her what I saw and that it made perfect sense now, I had a cloud over me, and it was all my down falls.
Everything I did wrong.
She sat and listened, she didn’t counsel me, she just listened and then said: Let’s pray.
I closed my eyes and saw that vision again like it was just sitting there waiting for me.
I heard “E” praying and asking the Lord on my behalf what I needed to know about this. She prayed the passages of the Bible on repentances and forgiveness. She continued to to ask Him on my behalf and I asked ” Lord what do I do now?”
From the top side of the vision I see a hand come down out of the sky and in one swoop it grabbed that intimidating black board chalk full of all my trespasses and crumbled it up and next threw it out like a piece of paper, it was forever cast away never to be seen again.
I was so confused, I sat there stunned waiting for “E” to finish praying. My face must have said it all. She says “what.. what happened?”
I told her what just happened then I said “it’s gone, what does this mean, now what am I supposed to do? ” ( still upset ~ crying)
She repeated it slowly. “it’s…. gone…?”
I said ” yea.. like it never existed, it’s not there anymore.. it’s gone, the hand took it and threw it out like it was never there, what do I do now? ” ( yes, I’m still crying..it hasn’t registered yet..)
She smiles and says again ” it’s… gone..?”
Her smile lights up her eyes and I finally see the answer.
It’s gone.
He took this from me because He loves me.
He has forgiven me and paid dearly for the privilege of crumbling up my sins and sending them away to set me free.
Of course you know what “E” did next.. “Let’s pray”.
She gave thanks. Oh boy! did She give thanks.
I sat there and yes I cried and thanked Him too.
I told Him I would never forget this and would tell everyone what He did. As we said Amen, she looked at me and said “girl I have never witnessed this happen so fast.. what a privilege to be apart of this, I am amazed, what a testimony!? Wow! ”
That was the last day I had the cloud of my past hanging over my head. It was a rainy day and there were a lot of tears but the sun was shining and the sky was blue in my mind.
Never had to deal with this cloud issue again.
Friends, if you are struggling with this, look to the Lord Jesus Christ. Look to His Word.
Look purposely to the promises that were written in love for you.
The Word is a love letter about how much God wants to save His children.
Look up “help or heal or grief” or whatever words you need to read about, Jesus will meet YOU there.
Ask Him to show you the fullness of His love towards you. Pray and remember with repentance, having forgiveness towards those who hurt you also. This is not for them, it’s for you. You don’t have to like what they did or even trust them, you just need to realize we are all guilty and sinful, falling very short of the glory of God.
He is wanting to heal you and He will take care of what’s given to Him. Take hold of His promises.
As far as the east is from the west, So far has He removed our transgressions from us. Psalms 103:12
