Slowing Down

Some cultures move at a very fast pace. America is like that for many of us. In other countries it is more customary to move a slower pace, taking time to observe and interact with the people and places around you. Perhaps that is yet another reason God made the Sabbath. Every week we can all get back to the same starting point if every week we take a day to rest and just spend time with God.

Genesis 2:1 Thus the heavens and the earth were finished, and all the host of them.
2 And on the seventh day God ended his work which he had made; and he rested on the seventh day from all his work which he had made.
3 And God blessed the seventh day, and sanctified it: because that in it he had rested from all his work which God created and made.

When we rest from our daily work, we have time for thinking and praying. We have time to spend with God, thinking about our lives, seeking forgiveness, praying for others that need healing, and all those things that are good for our growth in the Spirit. This message is repeated throughout the scriptures as if God was and is repeatedly trying to tell us that we are to be walking on this path. To get to the end in victory, we all must take the time to spend with our Father, seeking direction and comfort. He alone can provide these things.

Prayer
Father, we praise and exalt You as the Most High. Thank You for a day of rest. Help us to learn to slow down. Help us to remember to spend time with You, seeking Your face. We struggle at times, and please forgive us when we fall. Help us Lord, to be more like You. Send us today Your deliverance, Your healing, and Your abundant provision. In Jesus’ (Yeshua’s) name. Amen.

Love Letters

This morning I was speaking with a friend of mine about praise and worship and life in general. We both have had both good and bad experiences in our walks with God. The discussion moved to how we sometimes get into what we call a “funky mood” (yes, we are both old enough to remember when that phrase was used often) where we are upset or displeased or depressed – something just not right. As we talk it occurred to me that we read the scriptures – say all the letters that Paul wrote – we get this image of how strong these people were and all the great stuff and miracles going on in their lives. However, what about all the days in between? My guess is Paul had down times as well.

Romans 7:18 For I know that in me (that is, in my flesh,) dwelleth no good thing: for to will is present with me; but how to perform that which is good I find not.
19 For the good that I would I do not: but the evil which I would not, that I do.

James also wrote about this same thing, where believers are just people like everyone else.

James 5:15 And the prayer of faith shall save the sick, and the Lord shall raise him up; and if he have committed sins, they shall be forgiven him.
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.
17 Elias was a man subject to like passions as we are, and he prayed earnestly that it might not rain: and it rained not on the earth by the space of three years and six months.
18 And he prayed again, and the heaven gave rain, and the earth brought forth her fruit.

We all go through both good times and times of struggle in our walks with God. The goal is to focus on God, not the good and bad times. When we focus on God, then we see God in these times. Perhaps the good times are the most difficult because we can tend to forget to focus on God in those times. The interesting point to our discussion came in what my friend said that he had started the day before to help get him in a better place. Yesterday he started to journal about what was going on with him first thing in the morning and then again in the evening, just communing with God. And it was beginning to show fruit. It reminded me of the way life has changed for me since I began writing here more than a year ago. There are still ups and downs, but now I know that if I just focus on God, then it will be God I see, not the things around me. We can all write love letters to God.

Prayer
Father, we praise and exalt You as the Most High. You are so wonderful to us in our everyday lives, yet sometimes we forget to look to see You. Please forgive us for that, and all that we do not in Your ways. Please send the joy of Your presence into our lives today, Father. Send us Your deliverance, healing, and very abundant provision. In Jesus’ (Yeshua’s) name. Amen.

Every Need

This morning as I was looking out my window I reflected on how big our God is and on how He never stops doing good for His people. God loves every person, regardless of their current condition. It must be that God sees us not for who we are, but for who we can be. Last night I watched a movie about a famous person that had a big drinking problem. Eventually he turned his life around by surrendering to God, and God healed him of his drinking problem. He ended up back with his family after twelve years, and there life was good. The story was fiction, but the part about God was not. He really does see us as those people that we will be, and every step of the way is there to help us reach that image He has of us. As I was reading this morning, I read a scripture that David wrote that talks about this very thing.

Psalms 103:1 Bless the Lord, O my soul: and all that is within me, bless his holy name.
2 Bless the Lord, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits:
3 Who forgiveth all thine iniquities; who healeth all thy diseases;
4 Who redeemeth thy life from destruction; who crowneth thee with lovingkindness and tender mercies;
5 Who satisfieth thy mouth with good things; so that thy youth is renewed like the eagle’s.
6 The Lord executeth righteousness and judgment for all that are oppressed.
7 He made known his ways unto Moses, his acts unto the children of Israel.
8 The Lord is merciful and gracious, slow to anger, and plenteous in mercy.
9 He will not always chide: neither will he keep his anger for ever.
10 He hath not dealt with us after our sins; nor rewarded us according to our iniquities.
11 For as the heaven is high above the earth, so great is his mercy toward them that fear him.
12 As far as the east is from the west, so far hath he removed our transgressions from us.
13 Like as a father pitieth his children, so the Lord pitieth them that fear him.
14 For he knoweth our frame; he remembereth that we are dust.

John also wrote of this, speaking about how we will be changes when Jesus returns, as well as how we change now.

1 John 3:1 Behold, what manner of love the Father hath bestowed upon us, that we should be called the sons of God: therefore the world knoweth us not, because it knew him not.
2 Beloved, now are we the sons of God, and it doth not yet appear what we shall be: but we know that, when he shall appear, we shall be like him; for we shall see him as he is.
3 And every man that hath this hope in him purifieth himself, even as he is pure.

Today, I am thankful that my God is with us, with me. I am thankful that His plan is forever, just as His love and mercy are forever. Today, we can move toward being better with His help, and that is a lot to be thankful for in this life.

Prayer
Father, we praise and exalt You as the Most High. We struggle. We struggle almost daily, and we fall almost daily. Please forgive us for falling. Please always pick us up. We know You will. We thank You for being that kind of Father, better than any of us. We need You. We need Your help. Please send today, deliverance, healing, and abundant provision. In Jesus’ (Yeshua’s) name. Amen.

Intent Of The Heart

For those of us that have been believers for any length of time, we know that there are days when we do not get everything right. We live in a challenging world. There are many things that can distract us, even from serving God as we know we should. This is the challenge of living, the challenge of being a believer waiting in earnest for Jesus to return. Paul wrote of his desire to be with God rather than being on the earth.

Philippians 1:21 For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain.
22 But if I live in the flesh, this is the fruit of my labour: yet what I shall choose I wot not.
23 For I am in a strait betwixt two, having a desire to depart, and to be with Christ; which is far better:
24 Nevertheless to abide in the flesh is more needful for you.
25 And having this confidence, I know that I shall abide and continue with you all for your furtherance and joy of faith;

Paul wanted to be with the Lord, but stayed here to help others win their battles spiritually. We need each other to make it. That was part of Paul’s message here. We can help each other to win battles. Paul talked about this in his second letter to the Corinthians.

2 Corinthians 5:8 We are confident, I say, and willing rather to be absent from the body, and to be present with the Lord.
9 Wherefore we labour, that, whether present or absent, we may be accepted of him.

This quote from Paul’s letter is used often to say that when we die we are immediately with God. But I think there is another meaning. When we overcome sin in our life, when we beat those temptation, we are absent from the flesh and walking in the Spirit in God’s ways. God is always with us, but when we walk in His ways we are with Him.

We will not always get things right. But we can always want to get them right. If we spend time with God, He will help us get our hearts right. He is always with us, always on our side.

Prayer
Father, we exalt You as our King. We want to do Your will. Help us to get it right, and please forgive us when we do not. Please help all those struggling today to see You in their lives. Touch our hearts and create them clean in us. Please send today Your healing, deliverance, and abundant provision. In Jesus’ (Yeshua’s) name. Amen.

Master Builder, Master Helper

A friend of mine told me that if there is a God, after creation He left the world to us. He thinks that we just do what we do and we are on our own. I must admit there have been times in my life when I felt alone, so I can understand his position. However, I found that that feeling of lonesomeness was my own doing. God is always there. He built this world and He helps us when we spend time with Him.

Psalms 139:1O Lord, thou hast searched me, and known me.
2 Thou knowest my downsitting and mine uprising, thou understandest my thought afar off.
3 Thou compassest my path and my lying down, and art acquainted with all my ways.
4 For there is not a word in my tongue, but, lo, O Lord, thou knowest it altogether.
5 Thou hast beset me behind and before, and laid thine hand upon me.
6 Such knowledge is too wonderful for me; it is high, I cannot attain unto it.
7 Whither shall I go from thy spirit? or whither shall I flee from thy presence?
8 If I ascend up into heaven, thou art there: if I make my bed in hell, behold, thou art there.
9 If I take the wings of the morning, and dwell in the uttermost parts of the sea;
10 Even there shall thy hand lead me, and thy right hand shall hold me.

David knew that God was always present. God knew everything about him, and He knows everything about us. Even though He knows us for who we really are, He does not turn away or give up on us. At the end of this psalm David asks that God help him to be a better person.

Psalms 139:23 Search me, O God, and know my heart: try me, and know my thoughts:
24 And see if there be any wicked way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting.

Clearly David understood that God was always present. He wrote many praise and prayer songs asking for God’s help. And David was a successful and prosperous king, even though he made terrible mistakes at times. God is the Master Builder, and He will be our Master Helper if we will but ask Him.

Prayer
Father, we praise and exalt You. You alone are worthy to be praised above all. Thank You for all Your wisdom and guidance in our lives. Thank You for keeping us from evil. Please forgive us when we stumble, and pick us up. We ask today that You help us to grow to be more like Your Son, Jesus. Please send us today Your wisdom, healing, deliverance, and abundant provision. In Jesus’ (Yeshua’s) name. Amen.

Stretching Our Belief

Last night we had a storm that was very intense. Thunder and lighting that lit up the sky, and much rain. This morning the birds are happily getting worms, the grass is green, and the garden plants looked revived. There is a beautiful time in the creation after the storm. Our life with God is like that as well if we can only believe.

Mark 5:35 While he yet spake, there came from the ruler of the synagogue’s house certain which said, Thy daughter is dead: why troublest thou the Master any further?
36 As soon as Jesus heard the word that was spoken, he saith unto the ruler of the synagogue, Be not afraid, only believe.
37 And he suffered no man to follow him, save Peter, and James, and John the brother of James.
38 And he cometh to the house of the ruler of the synagogue, and seeth the tumult, and them that wept and wailed greatly.
39 And when he was come in, he saith unto them, Why make ye this ado, and weep? the damsel is not dead, but sleepeth.
40 And they laughed him to scorn. But when he had put them all out, he taketh the father and the mother of the damsel, and them that were with him, and entereth in where the damsel was lying.
41 And he took the damsel by the hand, and said unto her, Talitha cumi; which is, being interpreted, Damsel, I say unto thee, arise.
42 And straightway the damsel arose, and walked; for she was of the age of twelve years. And they were astonished with a great astonishment.

The ruler of the synagogue had asked Jesus to come heal his daughter. On the way Jesus healed the woman with the issue of blood. Then came the message to the ruler that his daughter was dead. What was the response of Jesus? “Be not afraid, only believe.” He then takes only a few of the disciples and goes to the house saying the girl is only asleep. When He goes into the room, Jesus prays over her in the Spirit, and she is raised from the dead. This is a dramatic example of what God will do for His people, and wants to do.

We are promised repeatedly in the bible that God wants to take care of us and provide for us. In this story, imagine being the father. He could not read to the end. He had to cling to those words of Jesus and fight off the fear. He had to make the journey to the house with this small band of men, and somehow cling to Jesus words. The result – his daughter was raised from the dead – she was alive! We can have these same things, the promises of God, if we will cling to the words of our Messiah.

“Be not afraid, only believe.”

Prayer
Father, we praise and exalt You as the Most High King. Please forgive us when we doubt or are afraid. We have been given so many thoughts like this from our world. Help us to believe in You and Your words. Please send us today Your healing, Your deliverance, and Your abundant provision. In Jesus’ (Yeshua’s) name. Amen.

A Mother’s Comfort

Regardless of how our lives began, our mother’s gave us many things, like life and often comfort. And God gaveus our mothers as a part of His plan. They are most often the one that cares for us early, that is there when we get hurt, or sick, or cannot sleep as children. They are truly a blessing.

Pverbs 31:10 Who can find a virtuous woman? for her price is far above rubies.
11 The heart of her husband doth safely trust in her, so that he shall have no need of spoil.
12 She will do him good and not evil all the days of her life.
13 She seeketh wool, and flax, and worketh willingly with her hands.
14 She is like the merchants’ ships; she bringeth her food from afar.
15 She riseth also while it is yet night, and giveth meat to her household, and a portion to her maidens.
16 She considereth a field, and buyeth it: with the fruit of her hands she planteth a vineyard.
17 She girdeth her loins with strength, and strengtheneth her arms.
18 She perceiveth that her merchandise is good: her candle goeth not out by night.
19 She layeth her hands to the spindle, and her hands hold the distaff.
20 She stretcheth out her hand to the poor; yea, she reacheth forth her hands to the needy.
21 She is not afraid of the snow for her household: for all her household are clothed with scarlet.
22 She maketh herself coverings of tapestry; her clothing is silk and purple.
23 Her husband is known in the gates, when he sitteth among the elders of the land.
24 She maketh fine linen, and selleth it; and delivereth girdles unto the merchant.
25 Strength and honour are her clothing; and she shall rejoice in time to come.
26 She openeth her mouth with wisdom; and in her tongue is the law of kindness.
27 She looketh well to the ways of her household, and eateth not the bread of idleness.
28 Her children arise up, and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praiseth her.
29 Many daughters have done virtuously, but thou excellest them all.
30 Favour is deceitful, and beauty is vain: but a woman that feareth the Lord, she shall be praised.
31 Give her of the fruit of her hands; and let her own works praise her in the gates.

Today, I want to dedicate this post to all mothers everywhere, past, present, and future. May your day be blessed and may your works praise you!

Prayer
Father, we praise and exalt You. We ask today that You give a special blessing to all mothers everywhere, past, present, and future. Let them feel Your love in a special way today, and give them Your peace. In Jesus’ (Yeshua’s) name. Amen.

On The Journey With God

Have you ever taken a long trip with someone and were eager to get to the destination? Growing up we lived in central Illinois and every summer traveled to the east coast to visit with my dad’s family. Many times my dad would drive straight through with a stop for a few hours sleep in the car. Recently I thought about those vacations and there were definitely good times there. But I also remember the driving, going through the tunnels in the mountains, and the games we would play together as a family – license plate, I see something that starts with… and so on. These were good family times. And it was always good to get back home, making that same drive. This morning I saw these trips in a different way. The trip was not just arriving out east, it was the entire experience that was fun. There was the waiting in the car for hours while we were getting to the next point on the journey. Then there was an experience. Then more waiting. This is like our journey with God.

John 1:15 John bare witness of him, and cried, saying, This was he of whom I spake, He that cometh after me is preferred before me: for he was before me.
16 And of his fulness have all we received, and grace for grace.
17 For the law was given by Moses, but grace and truth came by Jesus Christ.

John was talking about the arrival of the Messiah, saying that we moved from the grace in the law to the grace brought by Jesus. Clearly we see events in the scriptures where there were periods of waiting and then events. It is interesting what John says next.

John 1:18 No man hath seen God at any time; the only begotten Son, which is in the bosom of the Father, he hath declared him.

John says that Jesus declared the Father. The word “declared” here is quite interesting. It means the originating point of action with authority. Both by His actions and His speaking, Jesus was declaring the Father. We have that same opportunity to declare God in the world. In fact, Jesus directed us to do just that.

Matthew 10:7 And as ye go, preach, saying, The kingdom of heaven is at hand.
8 Heal the sick, cleanse the lepers, raise the dead, cast out devils: freely ye have received, freely give.

Here Jesus told them to preach that the kingdom of heaven is at hand. This word “preach” means speech only. However, they were to also bring wholeness to people. And they were to go from place to place. The time in between, and the events. Their journey with God was declaring the kingdom of heaven. Our lives do declare something, by our actions and our speaking. As I reflect on God today, I ask myself, what is my life declaring?

Prayer
Father, we praise and exalt You. You truly are the Most High. Thank You for being in our lives. forgive us when we declare something with our lives other than You. Please help us, by our words and our speaking, to declare You to the world. Please send us today Your healing, deliverance, and abundant provision. In Jesus’ (Yeshua’s) name. Amen.

What Dreams Can Tell Us

Have you ever had a dream that had a big impact on you when you woke up, like there was something different about that dream? I had one last night. Essentially the authority figure in the house in the dream admonished me to do good. What do the scriptures say to us about dreams?

Acts 2:16 But this is that which was spoken by the prophet Joel;
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:
18 And on my servants and on my handmaidens I will pour out in those days of my Spirit; and they shall prophesy:
19 And I will shew wonders in heaven above, and signs in the earth beneath; blood, and fire, and vapour of smoke:
20 The sun shall be turned into darkness, and the moon into blood, before that great and notable day of the Lord come:
21 And it shall come to pass, that whosoever shall call on the name of the Lord shall be saved.

This scripture is the story about Shavuot (Pentacost) when God poured out His spirit on everyone in the room. Peter stood up and spoke to the people gathered who heard these people speaking in many languages. If we look at what Joel said that came before this, I believe we see some additional direction.

Joel 2:12 Therefore also now, saith the Lord, turn ye even to me with all your heart, and with fasting, and with weeping, and with mourning:
13 And rend your heart, and not your garments, and turn unto the Lord your God: for he is gracious and merciful, slow to anger, and of great kindness, and repenteth him of the evil.
14 Who knoweth if he will return and repent, and leave a blessing behind him; even a meat offering and a drink offering unto the Lord your God?
15 Blow the trumpet in Zion, sanctify a fast, call a solemn assembly:
16 Gather the people, sanctify the congregation, assemble the elders, gather the children, and those that suck the breasts: let the bridegroom go forth of his chamber, and the bride out of her closet.
17 Let the priests, the ministers of the Lord, weep between the porch and the altar, and let them say, Spare thy people, O Lord, and give not thine heritage to reproach, that the heathen should rule over them: wherefore should they say among the people, Where is their God?
18 Then will the Lord be jealous for his land, and pity his people.

Here is what I am getting from all of this. God speaks to us and calls us to Him. He calls to us to do the right thing. He can do it through scriptures. He can do it through other people as in the case of the people in Acts speaking in languages unknown to them. And he do it in visions and dreams. One thing is for sure, God is calling His people to Him. I believe God is calling us to fast and pray and ask for His mighty deliverance from oppression. Spiritual things come before physical things. Here is an interesting fact.

In the years 2014 – 2015 there will be four times when the moon will turn to blood. These four events will happen on Jewish feast days known as High Holy Days or Sabbaths or sometimes solemn assemblies.

Perhaps God is calling us to pray and call out to Him?

Prayer
Father, we praise and exalt You as the Most High King. Please forgive us when we get it wrong. Please help us to find our way. Please deliver us from the oppressors. We ask that today You have mercy on Your people and destroy the enemies that attack us. Please send today healing, deliverance, and abundant provision that all may know that You alone are God. In Jesus’ (Yeshua’s) name. Amen.

With Us Forever

It is difficult for me to imagine how big our God is, or even more so how big His heart is. The fact that He loved us before we were born, sent His son to die for us, and never turns His back on us makes me speechless really. No matter what He love us and gives us His truth.

2 John 1:1 The elder unto the elect lady and her children, whom I love in the truth; and not I only, but also all they that have known the truth;
2 For the truth’s sake, which dwelleth in us, and shall be with us for ever.
3 Grace be with you, mercy, and peace, from God the Father, and from the Lord Jesus Christ, the Son of the Father, in truth and love.

We can always count on God for His mercy, truth, and grace. It gives me joy even in troubled times to know that we can count on Him. It makes me want to sing His praises with thanksgiving. It makes me want to just say thank you and lift up my hands to Him. He is our loving Father.

Prayer
Father, we thank You and exalt You as the Most High King. Thank You for being there for us. Thank You for Your wisdom and truth. Forgive us our sins and also those that sin against us. We ask Father that You be our strong defender, healer, and provider today Father. In Jesus’ (Yeshua’s) name. Amen.