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Daily Bread….. Whose Love Is It?

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Recently a friend quoted Galatians 5:6 about “faith working by love”…… And they asked the question “Whose love is it?….. Is it mine or God’s?” …….

The first “thought” that came to me was from Romans 5:5 – which tells us that “the love of God is shed abroad (poured out) in our hearts/spirit by the Holy Ghost” – which we have of God as born again believers….. So, we see then that the love of God is resident within the believer’s born again spirit…. and is also listed in Galatians 5:22 as a”fruit of the spirit”  (fruit being a “product” of the spirit).  So, although the believer’s own spirit is capable of producing the fruit of love, we understand that the love that was/is poured into our heart/spirit has its origin in God….. 

And as we choose to draw aside from the affairs of this life – to spend time in fellowship with Him – we come away from those times of fellowship – instilled with the very attributes of His nature.. love, joy, peace……. Thus we begin to build a “reservoir”of His love and the other good things/fruit of the Spirit into our own spirit……The love is of God, but when you and I received Jesus as our personal Savior we were given the capacity in our born again spirit to contain the love of God……

And as we follow after to know Him, the love that He has for us more and more casts out fear in our lives  (I John 4:16-19)….. Which is very important because fear is the greatest enemy of our faith….. This is “in a nutshell” describes how faith worketh by love…. and we can trace all genuine love back to the very heart of God.

 

“As the Eagle Stirs Her Nest”…. So God the Father Calls Us to His Plan

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The eagle stirs her nest…. She moves away the soft feathers to bring it to the bare sticks.  She does this because her chicks are needing to grow up… They are needing to leave the place of comfort (their “comfort zone”) and learn to fly

…. So.. the eagle stirs her nest – their nest – to make it a less comfortable place to be… The aim is to affect a change for the young eaglets …. a change from lazily dozing in the nest to getting up off their “duff”.. and out of the nest!  For some this will mean literally jumping off the high cliff their nest is on… and going into a free fall!…  But in the midst of that fall,  the big eagle will catch them… She will soar in underneath the little one and bare it up on her wings. This the eagle repeats until each little one learns – through that process – to fly….

They thought that they surely were going to fall – but instead, they learn to fly – to soar like an eagle was meant to do!  Even so there are times in our walk with God when He sees the need to do much the same for us as the eagle does for their offspring….. and thus He stirs the “nest” that once fit us so well – but now we are needing to move out into something a little bigger!  We’ve grown to the point that we are ready for the change – but we’re still reluctant to leave our comfort zone!…. So He starts “pulling out some of the feathers” (things that have made it so cushy for us in the past)…..Because  He wants to make our world bigger – give us more territory to cover – but we’re just not quite sure that things will be as comfy for us as they were before ….. and so we balk at the change….

But like the eagle with their offspring – God always knows what is best….. The nest is wonderful, but if you’ve been there twenty years or so – it’s time to move on!! .. So He starts working on that nest to help us decide to get out – try our wings – start moving more in the direction of the good plan He has for our lives……

Another “translation” for all of this is “COME” …. “Get out of that boat/comfort zone and walk on the water with Me!”  as Jesus bid Peter to do  (Matthew 14:25-31)….. And so.. you climb out of “the nest” into a new adventure with Him….

And He is there to keep you afloat if you start to fall… but you do have to reach out to take “His hand”- that is – whatever direction He offers you….. Do that rather than pull back into the “comfort zone” that your flesh calls you to.  We’ve all pulled back into our comfort zone – at least some of the time – but don’t keep doing that all of the time…. Because the things that our Father God offers us are too good to let them all slip by….. Indeed now is the time to let the new adventure He has for you begin…. So step out of “the boat/your nest” and give it a try…..

For He wants to teach all His children to soar with Him – as it were on eagle’s wings – going forth to fulfill all His good plan for you.   Thus as the eagle stirs her nest to help her children learn to live their divine destiny and plan (Deuteronomy 32:11-13) – so our Father God calls each of us to rise up and fly with Him.

Daily Bread…. “Give Us This Day Our Daily Bread”

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`”Our Father, who art in Heaven…. Whose name is both awesome and Holy… Whom we reverence, worship, and adore….. Your kingdom come, Your will be done – on earth as it is in Heaven…..

And even as Jesus told us (Matthew 6:9-13) to “Pray after this manner” – even so we proceed to pray – “Give us this day our daily bread”…

But just what is it that we are asking for?…. “This day”is the time now present .. And “our daily bread” is “what is needed for our subsistence/our overall existence at present…..

And we know that “our daily bread” is more than just the bread/needs for our physical body — for Jesus told us in Matthew 4:4  “Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceeds out of the mouth of God.” It is for much more than our physical sustenance then – that we pray “Give us this day, our daily bread…..

Indeed it is for His grace for all those things we do not even know we will have need of for this day – understanding that our Father God is “able to do exceeding abundantly more than we can ask or think ” (Ephesians 3:20) – according to the power that is at work in us….. even the power of God’s Word and His Spirit –  in conjunction with our faith – believing that He hears us when we pray…..”Father give us the provision that we will need for this day – that for which our Lord Jesus has already paid.”….. And for all these things we give You thanks, and we give You praise!

 

Keeping a Proper Perspective…… As You Press Toward the Mark

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As a growing Christian, we want more of Jesus…. So we press in, and press towards that mark for the high calling of God in our lives…. and then it is like we come to the top of the hill – or mountain – and we see farther then we’ve ever seen before…. and we breathe in fresh new air…. “Oh, this is great!”…..

But life goes on – and if you think Satan (II Peter 5:8 – your adversary the devil) likes you being in a new place, a higher place – think again!…. Because he’s already working on some tactic to get you back down….. And it can get to the point that it is like “I thought I had grown into a new level – but things are not working – not even as good as they were!… And after a couple of weeks or so of this,  we feel “distant” from God….and we begin to”think it strange” (I Peter 4:12) – strange concerning the things happening to us and the place we are at….  (Can you “identify” in some way with that?)

Because I have “been there and done that”- definitely more than once or twice – I thought it good to share the following “Psalm” that God dropped into my spirit many years ago as I was coming out of one of those times.  It was at a time in my life – that I was just beginning to see – that as we pass along the way pressing in to know Jesus better – we will UNDOUBTEDLY  ENCOUNTER  some feelings and things that are strange – and uncomfortable for us….. But what I “saw” at the time He dropped this Psalm into my heart – gave me insight and understanding that I had not had before…. an understanding that helped me keep things in more of a proper perspective every time thereafter that I began to experience a time like that …..So,  I now share it with the hope that it will also give helpful insight to you – as you press in to know Jesus better……

BORNE OUT OF THE FIRE

We desire to go on with God…… But what we do not see is that we are carrying things that cannot go with us – things which would hold us back – from going to the next place of His glory…. But because we do not see all of this in proper perspective… (so much we do not understand!)…. Indeed it does seem as though we “look through a glass darkly”…. And thus we urgently plead, “Lord help me!”

And of course He is always there to lead us…. (He can’t take us unless we ask!) And ask, we do – not knowing or seeing – that between where we are now – and the place we desire to be….. is the FIRE or the RAGING WATERS!  We’ve asked and so ….  He leads us out……. but before long, we begin to think.. “this must surely be a mistake!”…..     I mean – we were wanting to go upward – to “get better!”. ….. But instead – here we are in a frightening place!

Now, water and fire can both destroy and wreak havoc…. But carefully tended and directed – they cleanse and ready the ground for new growth….. So that in the time that follows, out comes a thing for God’s use and our “beauty.”

Then through tears of joy – and with strengthened devotion – we look back – and our understanding is lightened!…. There is no other way – else He would surely bring us…… But should we come another way …. I mean – that He would just “zap”us!….  We’d “be there” alright  – and “there” would be “perfect!”….

But who would He be??… Would we even know Him??….                                               You see, there is so much “distance” between who He is and who we are – a world of difference – that it takes a lifetime just to begin to understand….  And how could we ever – have a proper view of Him – if we had not seen the things that “fill up the way” – between our mortality and Him?….

Sure,  now we see through a glass darkly…. but each new level we press to brings us closer to His light – and we grow in our personal knowledge of Jesus Christ …. Then from this new place of glory….. I see Him more clearly… and do better understand…the futility of the unregenerate man….

Holding Fast to Your Confession of Faith

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In the posts for July 11,18,.and 24 (listed in Archives) – I shared with you about the value of speaking in line with what God has said……aka holding fast to your confession of faith  (Hebrews 4:14 & 10:23) – which is your acknowledgment – THAT…

  • God’ s words are true…
  • You recognize the power and authority of those words to bring into being the things that He has promised….. (and that they can cause circumstances that are working to the contrary of what God has said – to be changed, “overturned,” or moved out of the way)!!
  • And lastly, when you and I speak in agreement with what God has said,  we are giving Him thanks for what He IS doing to bring His word to pass in our situation

You and I can acknowledge the validity of these things concerning God’s word – BECAUSE – “It is not the word of men, but it is in truth the word of God – – which very actively and powerfully works in and for those who believe!”    (I Thessalonians 2:13)……And as Psalm 107:20 tells us -“God sent His word   and healed them and delivered them“…. Even so – He sends us His word/quickens or speaks to us His word to apply to a situation ….. and then He watches for us to “return” it to Him through the words of our mouth….. as our act of faith that we believe His word is true and that it shall be even as He has told us!….

In Romans 4:11-25  scripture refers to Abraham as”the father of all them that believe”…… “even those who walk in the steps of that faith that he walked in ….

When God  promised Abraham that he would have a son by his wife Sarah – Sarah was 90 years old (and had been barren all her life) and Abraham was 99. Nevertheless, God promised to make him “a father of multitudes/many nations (Genesis 17) …… From the natural standpoint – of course this was impossible – but scripture tells us that “Abraham – seeing beyond the hopelessness of his circumstances in the natural…. believed God….. believed what God had told him……and like with us when we believe God – HOPE – is birthed in us/in Abraham according to the Word God has spoken!

The Lord God had actually appeared to Abraham at age 99 – while he was yet named Abram….. but along with the promise of a son… God gave to Abram a new name – Abraham – declaring “a father of many nations have I made you.” So it was from that day forward, that every time Abraham heard his name called – he heard himself being called “father of many nations.”…. Likewise every time Abraham spoke his name to someone – he was calling himself “father of many nations.”  Are you getting the picture?  (…. faith comes by hearing and hearing what God has said)! …….

And on the other end of the faith that is growing and developing in our heart is the promise from God – who cannot lie – and fully intends to bring that promise to pass!  But the real issue here is this –   Will you and I yield to the pressure of the doubts and fear that come to steal our promise – OR – will we choose to stand our ground and speak in line with what God has said?….. Which is the way that you hold fast to the confession of your faith.   

We can do this because the God who gave us that promise – or spoke that word of direction to us – is both faithful and able to bring our confession of faith in what He has said – to pass!

 

 

An Example…… Confessing God’s Word in Prayer and Worship

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Today I am sharing a “writing” which I call “a confession sheet” because it is full of the word of God …… It came to me early one morning as an answer  to something I had prayed the day before – when I had asked the Lord to show me how to pray for a Christian friend who was struggling with some bondages in their life.

Before I get into the post – I’m going to share a few strong reasons  for learning to spend some time worshiping God and confessing His word as you pray…..

  • Mark 16:20 – informs us that “the Lord works with and confirms His Word with signs following.“
  • II Timothy 2:9 – says that “the word of God is not bound!”….. It can go into places and reach into situations where we ourselves are not able to go or get into – to affect a situation – (including people’s hearts and minds!)  + Psalm 107:20 “God sent His Word and He healed them and delivered them”…..   And remember the centurion (in Matthew 8) telling Jesus “You don’t even have to come to my house to heal my servant – but just speak the Word – and he shall be healed.“
  • In the same way, the Spirit of God will quicken/send a word to us….. with the expectation that we will receive that word and keep it – in our heart and in our mouth!!!….. speaking the life that is in that word into our own life – or even into someone else’s life.  In this way, you can cover someone’s life with the word of God – as you spend time thanking Him that His word is true!

CONFESSING God’s WORD IN PRAYER AND WORSHIP

I worship You, Father – You are the one true God, the Great Creator, Our Healer and Deliverer…. Provider and Keeper…….. Great and mighty God You are …. I worship and adore You! ……(Personal worship touches God’s heart deeply because He wants to be close to each one of  us – So I urge you to use your own words of worship here – expressing what is in your heart to God.).

Father, I thank You that You ARE  a rewarder of those that diligently seek You. I believe that You “are” – and I am a diligent seeker!…. Father, I am seeking You now for (name of person)….. and I thank You that You ARE perfecting the things that concern them…..

I thank You that You are:……..

Pulling down strongholds of error in their thinking – so they can recognize the truth when they hear it…… And for leading and guiding them into all truth, I thank You.

For enlightening the eyes of their understanding – that they may know the hope of their calling, and the riches of their inheritance in Christ Jesus our Lord.   Thank You that He is their Savior and Lord – and any place they are lacking in that – You are perfecting that part or place in them.  Hallelujah!

I thank You for causing them to see and understand the greatness of Your power towards all who believe.  And for helping them to see that even with a child like faith they can do all things that they need to do – and do those things well!….. because in Jesus, they are overcomers and conquerors!

Thank You for helping them to understand that they can live a life of overcoming and victory – because Jesus is Lord over every need that they have!   Oh Father, for redeeming their lives from destruction – even wrong things that they’ve bowed down to – I thank You.  I give You thanks and I give You praise for this – for nothing is too hard for You!

Thank You Father for helping them to see how much You love them…..and that nothing can separate them from that love!  … And for helping them to see the good plan You have for their lives.

Thank You now for causing Your wonderful grace to flow to them – redeeming and restoring every good thing in their lives……. even the years that the enemy has stolen!  And Father, thank You for taking and weaving in Your good into all those destructive things and bringing them back on line with that good plan You have for them……. Glory be to God – our Healer and Deliverer!  Thank You Jesus – You ARE the Redeemer and Restorer of every good thing!

———————————————–

NOTE: That is just an example of a time of confessing God’s Word as you worship and thank Him for supplying what you (or some other person) needs. And I can tell you that – as you focus on God as the provider of all of our needs, the Spirit of God will likely drop some other things into your spirit to pray – making this more personally yours in the time that you spend with Him worshiping and confessing His word – acknowledging that you have asked – and He is doing these things to perfect the lives of those for whom you pray!

Getting to that Place of Rest – a Place Called “Trust”

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There is a place in God – where storms will calm and winds be still …..                    That place is in Jesus ….. It is the place called “Trust”- where we can rest from the problems that assail us.  We are not denying that the “problem(s)” exist – rather we are looking beyond all our reason – looking for His help….. asking for His answers.  I’ve been “there” – any number of times – and it’s quite likely that you who read this have been there too…… So, even though this that I am now writing may be a little “poetic” in wording, I hope to share here with you what I have learned over the years to do.

In everything we see or face we will find our Answer in that place – where storms are calmed and winds are stilled – because that’s where He IS – and we do not want to be found where He is not!….. He is not in strife, in turmoil, in reasonings.  Still,  He is available to us, but He does not walk in those things – they are not a part of who He is – (Recall that He was not in the earthquake, wind, or fire – but His voice was heard…..when Elijah got still!!  –  I Kings 19).

So to walk closely with Him in the midst of our need or the problems that we face – we must learn to “separate” ourselves from the turmoil, the strife, and the unrest that comes with the problem – even though those things may be waging a war in us and all around us….. and find our rest in Him….. For He IS our resting place….

But yet again – the winds (of adversity) and the turmoil, strife and unbelief come  against me, to take me out of that resting place….. Do they succeed?  In all honesty – Yes! – but their success is only temporary – because I see quickly that I do not like that place they take me to!!  So, like Jonah – remember? – I will tell you…..

So like Jonah – he was in the belly of that whale……. a circumstance more desperate and seeming impossible than anything I’ve seen in a long long while (and then some!)   But it says (Jonah 2:5-10 paraphrased)  “when my soul fainted within me, I remembered the Lord….”  and my prayer went up to Him – even with the voice of thanksgiving – (to Him who hears and answers prayers).  Salvation is of the Lord I said…..  And the Lord heard me and spoke to the fish” –  and thus He delivered me – out of the midst of a deep sea and on to the dry land – where I could breathe again – out of the belly of that whale!

It is God’s heart that we remember Him when trouble shows up in some form in our life – even if we had a part in bringing it…… He cares for us -. and wants us to learn to cast our care on Him – and ask/seek  to know His solution.  We can turn to Him in all kinds of trouble….. It’s a choice – our choice – to turn to Him  – best of course to do before we stir up and muddy the waters….. But even so, He can “fix our messes” – but the time can be made a lot shorter – and for us much easier – to ask Him into the situation in the first place.

There is a place of rest in Him – some call it “the secret place”…..  another name could just be “Trust”.….   “trust in the Lord with all your heart – and lean not to your own understanding….. call on Him and He will direct your paths” – (aka He will give you the answers and direction that you need)!

There is a place in God where storms will calm and the winds be still – a place of safety and rest….. That place is in Jesus.   Turn to Him, call on Him – and He will be there – there as your place of safety and rest.

 

The Heavens Declare the Existence and the Glory – of a Mighty God

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As we look up into the heavens – taking in the order and the grandeur of the morning and evening skies – we are given to understand that there is indeed “a mighty God”…… a God big enough to put together all of this that we see above us in the sky….. Indeed He IS talking to us – and making Himself known to all who will observe and truly consider – that the constellations we see in the evening sky –  and the faithful rising of the sun each morning – are far too complex and well ordered –  to be simply the product of a “Big Bang” or some other “cosmic accident.”

And I do not scorn that line of thinking – for it is not a bad thing to seek to find a reason – but apart from understanding that God’s ways and thinking are higher than yours and mine – you and I can never comprehend His power and operations…..Thus He set “a vision” for us to see in the morning and evening sky…

So I watched the sun rise this morning – with the splendor of its warm colors spreading across the sky…… It is glorious to be sure –  the soft fresh colors of the morning – and the darker hues we see in the evening – magnificent colors that melt away as the stars and their constellations begin to fill the night time sky.   What we see is a picture painted by the Great Creator – the grandeur of which  even the best of artists cannot quite capture….

But it is more than just a thing of beauty – because there is also the wonder-        For you can see the majesty and the love of its Creator…….                                 Indeed, He put it together perfectly – the hallmark of a new day and the setting to rest at evening of the same….. Then the multitude of stars – and the moon as they appear – beckoning to us to ponder how anyone could put such a masterpiece of incredible design and purpose there…..

No one could help but worship God and feel His presence –                                     Should they take the time to ponder……                                                                              Indeed – they would begin  to understand His way! …….                                               For the heavens declare the glory of God  –                                                                        There is no speech or language  where their “voice” is not heard!

* “The heavens – where the celestial bodies revolve –                                                          do declare the existence – and the glory of a mighty God!                                       Indeed the sky that is visible to our eyes – day unto day and night unto night –       if one will observe…do show forth His handiwork – even the operations of a mighty God!  There is no speech nor language where their “voice” is not heard…..They make their proclamation  –  that there is  a living God!!                                                  The heavens indeed ….. declare the glory of God.”

* Paraphrase Psalm 19:1-3

I Believe God that it shall be as He has said… Receiving the things God has Promised

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The post that I share with you today is about another one of those “I have learned” things….. All of these “I have learned things” fit into a category of things that I have longed to see “work” in my life – as they are laid out in the Word of God – one of those things being about receiving things God has promised….. which is the thing that I will share about with you today.

I still have plenty of room to grow in this,  but I have gained a lot of ground… The credit for that  would have to go to the Spirit of God (aka the Holy Spirit )  because He has never given up on me, but faithfully led me to the next step – even when that next step meant going back to pick up some things I should have already worked into my life.

Sometimes He has talked to me “in plain English” – as another person would – but what He would say has never been contrary to the principles in His Word.  I shared that because – there is no where in the bible that God tells any one to “move to Minnesota” (for example) – but He might tell you to do just that – and you would need to know that you have indeed heard His voice and not something that is out of your own thinking – (or “off the wall” from someone else’s thinking).  Hearing and recognizing His voice comes as you spend alone time with Him….. time in the Word, in prayer, in worship.  Those are some  things that bring you into His presence – and into a confidence of knowing Him…. which things are paramount for you and me in learning to “walk by faith” and receive the things that God has promised.

You see, when the Apostle Paul – on that ship being exceedingly tossed for days in a storm they referred to as “no small tempest”- told his shipmates   “Be of good cheer – for I believe God that it shall be even as He has told me”….. Paul could say that to them because he had come to know…… and learned to have full confidence in God – from whom he had just received word that very night – “not to be afraid because there would be no loss of any man’s life among them.  (Acts 27:13-44 ) So regardless of how that storm (or your storm) rages, he had learned – as we can learn – to take what God has said about it and “fight the good fight of faith”….. by holding fast to acknowledge what God has said – and so receive the promise.

In holding fast to what God has said – regardless of “how things look” – we will “through faith and patience” obtain the promise…….whether it be a certain scripture that He has quickened to us – or a word we hear from Him – as Paul heard the word from God about the storm and the lives of the men on the ship.  We can count on it because “all the promises of God in His son Jesus Christ are yes, and amen (aka “so be it”) – That means they are sure and trustworthy.  (II Corinthians 1:19,20).

His words are trustworthy because  He has said “I will not alter the words that have gone out of my lips.” Our part is to hold fast to the words He has spoken to us ….. And we can learn to do that – with patience – because He is faithful that promised.

I’m in there with you – having received a lot of promises….  And I’m still fighting the good fight of faith – ie. endeavoring to “hold fast to what He has said” – in order to receive other promises.  That’s how it works!…..Through faith and patience you and I WILL receive the things that God has promised!

Encouraged to Believe…. “Everything’s Going to be Okay”

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Several years ago, something happened in my relationship with the Lord that has continued to be a great encouragement to my faith “to believe God that it will be just as He has told me”…And  I believe that sharing my story will encourage your faith too…

It began as one of those unexpected things – a thing which could have easily became a major problem for me – if just one of the three people who needed to hear and obey God had failed to do so.

In those days – when stock markets were dropping and houses not selling – it took my best efforts just to keep the bills paid!  On this particular occasion, I had everything budgeted and was waiting on the pay check due in about a week for the rest of the money needed to pay my bills….. But this day, I was in for an unpleasant surprise… For when I arrived at work my employer asked me for the keys to the store… She was in the process of closing the business!  I gave her the keys.. We said our goodbyes.. and we both got in our cars to leave……

Was I feeling fearful??   I likely would have been – my circumstances being what they were (and too detailed to mention here) –  BUT GOD KNEW what was coming.. and He had already set the wheels in motion to supply what I was going to need!….

For just the day before – I had gotten a call from a pastor in another state who had often prayed for me and my family….. The conversation was brief and to the point… “I don’t know what this is about,” he said ” but the Lord told me to call you and tell you “that everything is going to be okay.” I responded that I didn’t know what it was about either, but thanked him for calling.  Thinking  about it, I knew him too well to doubt that he’d heard God – but knowing nothing of what was in the works at that time concerning my job, I laid those words aside.

Now back to the store where I had just lost my job….. As I got into my car to leave there,  I remembered the words of the old pastor from yesterday… And I said to God – “I don’t know “HOW” You’re going to do it – but I believe that “everything is going to be okay.. just as You said!”  And with that, I proceeded to make the short drive to my apartment – where – as I was still in the parking lot gathering my things to get out of the car, my cell phone rang….

Seeing that the call was coming from a friend in another state, I quickly answered it…… and heard an excited voice telling me that she had just been given quite a bit of money from a relative who “felt” that he should give her a small part of her inheritance NOW.”  She didn’t tell me the amount she had been given, but began excitedly to tell me that.. as she was being handed the money, she heard the Lord tell her to give me a certain amount of it!  I then proceeded to tell her about what had just happened to me – losing my job and with it, the pay check I needed to pay the bills… And then, hundreds of miles away, this friend rejoiced with me as we realized how God had been at work to meet my needs – and bring good things into both our lives!

The money that the Lord had instructed this friend to give to me was enough to take care of my bills for the two months ahead until I again had a steady income.  I am ever grateful for the three dear people who heard from God – and acted  on what He asked them to do!

Several years have passed now, but I still feel a joy whenever I think of this “adventure” that I had in my relationship with the Lord and how it makes me ever mindful that.. you and I can believe God!  We can believe God that it shall be even as He has told us… and be encouraged “that everything is going to be okay!”  

I Have Learned … Dealing with Difficult Feelings and Emotions

~ kathrynspen ~ 3 Comments

I share this post today about “dealing with difficult feelings and emotions” with compassion in my heart – because that is an area that used to “eat my lunch” – so that I very well understand how those things feel – and the way that they can negatively affect everything you need to do.  BUT this is one of the  “I have learned” things in my life…… not that I am always 100% perfect the minute I recognize a feeling I don’t like,  or an emotion that hurts – but I have learned what to do – and when I rise up and do it,  those things do not control my thinking or my day.

First of all, you must understand this – EMOTIONS CANNOT BE IGNORED! We struggle to get away from them – only to find that indeed they are still “with us” – they cannot be ignored!….. BUT  fortunately –  they can be “TURNED”!  I’ll show you an example of that in the Word of God……

I Samuel 30:1-19 (Paraphrased)  After being away for three days, David and his men returned to their place at Ziklag – only to find it burned and their wives and children all carried away captive……. “Then David and the men that were with him lifted up their voice and wept – until they had no more power to weep.” …..then came another “turn for the worse” ….. for David…..

“And David was greatly distressed – for the people spoke of stoning him – because the soul of every man was grieved for their wives, sons and daughters.. …..( which is not too surprising as people in deep grief often divert some of that grief to “assigning blame” for what has happened.) …. So that David who had suffered as much loss as the rest of them – now faced still another crisis…..  But the way that he chose to handle the mounting crisis is the thing that made ALL THE DIFFERENCE for him. 

So, what did he do?  Verse 6 says “David was greatly distressed —- but David….  but David did what? – “But David encouraged himself in the Lord!!  To give you a better idea of exactly what David did, I will give you the definition for the Hebrew word “encouraged”…..  It means:  “to fasten upon – be stubborn, strong, courageous – which, by so doing – is causative to heal, cure, fortify, strengthen, or repair a situation….. David CHOSE to encourage himself in the Lord….. and the Lord obviously began to influence the situation so that the men who wanted to stone David in their grief begin to think differently….

AND – David prayed –  he inquired of the Lord saying -“Shall I pursue after the troop/this enemy? Shall I overtake them? And the Lord answered him “Pursue; for you shall overtake them – and without fail recover all”!   We then read the report of the outcome in verses 18,19 ……  “And David recovered all that the enemy had carried away –  there was no person nor spoil of what had been taken that was not recovered……. David RECOVERED ALL!  Of course that is what was important to David and his men……

But for us today, I am pointing to THE REASON  he was able to recover all the loss – which, of course, was that he fastened his eyes on God – David steadied himself in the midst of his distress – and looked to God for help and direction.  In the same way, when we are confronted with challenging or hurtful situations,  we have a choice to either “embrace” the negative feelings and emotions that often accompany those situations – and let them” swallow us up” – OR – we can begin to encourage ourselves in the Lord so that we can think and hear what He would say to us more clearly…….

HOW do you do that??  I am going to just list some ways I have learned that work for me   (and everyone of them you will find in God’s word)……

First, pray anything that you know to pray if a person’s safety etc. is involved. Also, forgive anyone that needs forgiveness – do this by faith – feelings follow.

  • Begin to give thanks for different things/ways God has helped or blessed you.  (This has nothing to do with what you feel like at the time – for basing what you do on feelings and emotions is like building a house on shifting sand.) You give thanks because God is good and offers help and deliverance to those who look to Him.
  • You might put on music that lends to worship – and deliberately focus on Jesus and the deliverance you have already tasted by His hand. Get into worship!
  • You can start speaking to yourself in psalms and hymns – sing and make melody in your heart to the Lord – with thanksgiving for every good thing.  (Ephesians 5:18-20)
  • Speak God’s word as scriptures come to you. (God’s word has the power to change things and to accomplish what He sends it to do.)
  • Pray in the spirit quietly – and continue in these things until your mind and emotions have quieted….. which will lend to hearing any scripture or words of direction the Spirit of God would put in your spirit for you at this time.   (Jude 20,21)

Setting yourself to do any of those things will have the effect of turning negative or painful emotions.

In the beginning, I found it hard to “make myself” say what I “didn’t feel” – but over the years I have learned to not go so much by what my mind or emotions are saying at the moment – but rather to choose to take Jesus up on His invitation to come to Him with all your cares and let Him give you rest.  Once I established myself in choosing to not embrace the negative feelings – but to labor to turn those emotions, I have seen a change happen in less than 5 minutes, but that’s not always the case – and you need to stay there with God until you have quieted your mind and let Him have some time to touch you.  Then if there be a valid reason for any of those negative feelings, He WILL show you – because He delights in our well being – the well being that comes from walking in the truth.

God bless and keep you.

 

 

Part 2 – Being a Doer of the Word… Wielding the Sword of the Spirit

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In this post, I will share a little about learning to use the Word of God as your sword of deliverance against attacks of the enemy….as Jesus did. This enemy that I  refer to here is specifically referred to as “your adversary, the devil” in I Peter 5:8…. and also named “the tempter” in Matthew 4 – as he comes to tempt Jesus to do other than what God had sent Him to this earth to do…. That is where we see Jesus taking the Word of God to “answer” every thing that the devil suggests to Him that He should do – but each time, Jesus answered and said “It is written…..” – using the Word of God to shut the enemy down – ie. we see that after his third unsuccessful attempt to lure Jesus away from His standing in God, verse 11 says  “the devil left Him.” Jesus resisted the devil and he left!

And that is exactly what the Word instructs you and  I to do when we find ourselves being tempted by this enemy….. because according to I Peter 5:8,9  “your adversary, the devil – as a roaring lion – walketh about seeking whom he may devour (oppose, swallow up) – whom we are to “resist – stedfast in the faith (the faith in what God has said)”….  that means that we are to speak in line with what God has said.  When the enemy comes to suggest anything contrary to what God has said about a matter – then you and I are to resist that temptation by speaking according to what God has indeed said about that matter.   Being a “doer of the Word” means that we apply the Word to our situation…. for as we do this, we are ” announcing”-  in effect – that we believe God that it shall be even as He has told us.  That is our resistance – it affects to “disconnect” us/our situation from the suggestions that the enemy is tempting us to take over what God has said….  And we are told to hold fast to our speaking according to what God has said..for His words SHALL BE FULFILLED “in their season.” (Luke 1:20)

How can such things be??  We have to get out of our own (man’s) way of thinking – because as Isaiah 55:9-11 (paraphrased) tells us – God thinks higher than you and I do.  His ways are higher than our ways …. and what He speaks, He is able to perform and intends to perform.  And as we get to know and trust Him, we can more and more be able to say with the Apostle Paul (Acts 27:25) “I believe God that it shall be even as He told me” – in the face of a storm that had raged so violently for days against the ship he was in – that all hope that they could be saved had been taken away……but the Apostle Paul said “I believe God that it shall be even as He told me”! … and so it was – for him – and so it can be for us!

…….And like Mary, whom God had chosen to be the mother of Jesus (Luke 1:26-38) – who though being a virgin at the time – understood that “with God nothing shall be impossible”…. and with these words: “Be it unto me according to Your Word”– gave her consent for the power of God to “overshadow/ envelope” her – causing this miracle of conception to take place in her.  Likewise with our words of agreement with what God has said, we release Him to begin to bring to pass the promise He has given us.  

The words that God speaks  have the power to perform to bring about  WHATEVER  He has promised! …. But realize this – that HE HAS MADE US to be  labourers together with Him in this process….. BECAUSE…..He gives us His Word and it is with you and I even as He said to Mary  “Blessed is he or she that believes – for there shall be a performance of those things that were told her from the Lord.”

God’s Words – are the sword we use to cut off the suggestions of the enemy …. and they are the words we speak to bring forth what God has purposed for our lives and for His Kingdom!  Its not because you and I are such hot rods – but it is because God cannot fail – and His words SHALL BE FULFILLED in their season…. He wants us to get in there and believe so that they can be fulfilled in our lives!

 

Part 3 – Praying in the Spirit … Why Pray in Tongues ?

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When you or I speak or pray in an unknown tongue – we are not speaking to men, but to God …. in fact I Corinthians 14:2  informs us that in the spirit we are speaking /praying the mysteries of God.  . and as we pray those mysteries that God is depositing into our spirit – we are being “set up” for God to begin to direct us and our lives in those things that He desires for us and for the people for whom we pray.

God wisely and lovingly put this together in this way  – because you and I don’t always know (actually we seldom know)  the whole picture concerning things that we need to know …. but He wisely deposits the knowledge we need about  those things into our spirit as our spirit prays (I Cor 14:14)…. And one very good reason for that is  – as we see in  Romans 8:26 – “we know not what, or how to pray as we ought”…..And  just as God intends to answer the prayers that we give voice to in English – even so, those prayers we are giving voice to that come in tongues out of us as we pray in the spirit – He intends to answer!

And I can honestly tell you that my prayer life – both the satisfaction of it and the answers to prayer – multiplied as I learned to spend time praying in the spirit (that is because you are much more likely to be praying “according to His will”)…. And I quickly noticed how much more alive the Word of God became to me as well.  It is as the old quote says “the proof is in the pudding.”  So I was very soon “sold” on the value of praying in the spirit….. and  It didn’t hurt that a hero of mine – the Apostle Paul – valued personal prayer in the spirit so highly that he told the Corinthians “I thank my God that I pray in tongues more than you all”… (and you can note that he didn’t have time to waste on things that weren’t important!) – So since he urged us to “follow me as I follow the Lord” …..

Perhaps  praying in the spirit should likewise be a priority to you and me – don’t you think?   I can also tell you that after praying in tongues for 15 – 20 minutes or so, I will generally  feel/or hear some things in English rising up in my spirit to pray for – and I will go with that until it feels “emptied out” – then I begin again praying in the spirit until I finish the time I have to give to praying – or until something else rises up in my spirit such as worship or maybe one of the writings that He frequently downloads into my spirit.  I have also learned that I can continue quietly praying in the spirit even after I leave the “place” of prayer and become involved in house work – or driving the car – or laying down to rest,  etc, etc……

If you think I place great value on praying in the spirit, you are very right and if you think I am urging you to  spend a little time developing that habit, you are right again.  You can start by taking 15 minutes  out of your day (or more if you can) aside from other things and begin praying in tongues.  Day by day as you pray – the Spirit of God gives you the utterance – so that you can know it is as perfect a prayer as you could possibly pray … and one that He will take coming from your lips – and answer in the best possible ways as you continue in those times of fellowship with Him…… praying in the Holy Ghost – as Jude 20,21  refers to it.  I am excited for you as you begin “building yourself up praying in the Holy Ghost!”

Thank You Lord for this incredible gift You gave to the Church….. I pray that many more of Your people will come to understand its value and receive it as a precious gift from You to them.

“I Have Learned”……. Being a Do-er of the Word

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The Apostle Paul said… “I have learned to be “content” in whatever state – circumstance, or situation I find myself in.   (Philippians 4:11)  The key phrase used here that I will share some things about in this post – is –  “I have learned”….. We generally tend to emphasize other parts of that verse, but one day the Spirit of God really quickened that little 3 word phrase to me – and it has served as a goad to me to keep moving forward on many ocassions……

“I have learned” indicates a process entered into.  It also indicates a willingness to apply yourself to going through that process – even as we can see that the Apostle Paul made such a decision (in Philippians 3:8-11) when he determined to pursue a thing that he considered to be  paramount to every other thing in his life…..  And in the verses that followed that – he expressed the fervency of his pursuit to press toward that mark – but immediately thereafter – he assured the readers of this passage that he had not yet “got there” – ie. he was not as mature as he would like to be or could be, but nevertheless – and in spite of some mistakes along the way – he was purposed to keep walking and moving forward in that direction – doing his best to  mind the things/rules that he had learned along the way.

“I have learned” he tells us….. indicating that he gained some ground as he kept minding and putting into practice the things he was learning along the way.   That is actually what the “famous” Romans 8:28 passage is talking about.   Let’s look at that one for a moment….. Because we hear so much that “God is sovereign – and that settles the matter” – (which it does), but because we mostly fail to understand the details of,  and the God placed boundaries on that sovereignty – we therefore swallow  “hook, line, and sinker” the teaching that EVERYTHING that happens to us was sent by God….. and is therefore to be passively and humbly received…..  But is that what it truly says and means?

Romans 8:28 – “And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them that are called according to His purpose.”

One day as I was reading that verse, I heard God ask me the question:  “Who is it that loves Me?”….. and before I even had time to ponder it, I heard Him tell me the answer –  ie. He directed me to look at John 14:21 & 23…”He that has My commandments (My Word) and keepeth it – he is the one that loves Me.. .If you love Me, you will keep My words”…  THIS IS THE ONE FOR WHOM ALL THINGS WORK TOGETHER FOR GOOD!  (….and we know that all things work together for good to them that love God!!)  BECAUSE  he that loves Me – God says – will keep My word”……..

We’re not talking about a long list of “do’s and don’ts” (although that will have some part in this because it is God’s word) – but rather He is telling us that when He directs us in some way – do that!… If He tells you whether or not to “buy that house” for example – or – If He has quickened a Word to you about stopping exaggerating the truth – or maybe you felt really convicted as you read His Word that you needed to stop overeating – then  begin as much as you know how to, to do that – and as you walk, continue to mind anything that you learn that applies to your walking according to “what or how” He has directed you….. BECAUSE… it all has a cumulative effect – like pieces of a puzzle – and that thing that He directed you to do will weave together with all the other things that He has been telling you to do – BECOMING A PART  of the “all things work together for your good” chain of keeping His word (s) -which He has promised to bless!

You see we can’t just live any old way and expect that all of the things that  come our way are working for our good – but God can,  and wants to work with us to have a better outcome and a lot less ongoing grief in our life…. He wants to weave His good into every area of our lives – even those places where we think that we’ve missed it so badly that it can never work out right!  But we can – like the Apostle Paul – realize how important and powerful God’s words are – and LEARN  to keep them – ie. Do as James 1:25  admonishes us to do by being not just a forgetful hearer, but be a doer of God’s Word – realizing that the Word of God has power to change things – because God is “one with His Word(s) – and He works with His Word to perform it (to bring what He has promised to pass).  It has taken some time for me to “get it”- but I have learned that following each thing as best I can that He directs me to do – or holding on to a promise He has given me – will indeed have  its part in working all things together for my good!

Part II – Praying in the Spirit – What IS the Purpose?

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“I thank my God, I speak with tongues more than you all.”   (I Cor. 14:18) Who said that – and why would they place such high value on speaking with tongues?….. It was the Apostle Paul speaking to the Corinthian church – and to us who would even today be reading God’s Word……

(I made a point to tell you that it was spoken for us even today – because in many circles it is taught that the gifts of the Spirit are not for today – but there is no place in God’s Word that nullifies any of the spiritual gifts which God gave to the church after the resurrection and ascension of Jesus Christ.  A verse or two taken out of context has been used to appear to say that the gifts have passed away – but you would have to do away with MANY other new testament passages of scriptures in order for those one or two verses to stand – as evidence of the spiritual gifts having “passed away.” I am not trying to be ugly to anyone – for I have seen some things in the name of “spiritual gifts” that would turn me off too – but any true gift God has for us is too good to miss – simply because of misuse or misinformation….. So  my aim is only to share what the Word of God does have to say about this incredible gift of God for His church)

Incredible gift is right!….. that is “the why” for the Apostle Paul telling us that he speaks in tongues – “more than you all!” The Apostle Paul was a very busy man – and with all that he had to do for the care of the churches, he would not have had time – or taken time – for frivolous or trivial things!  That should tell us that it is important to look into this matter to see why he placed so much value on speaking/praying in tongues (aka praying in the spirit)…..

To begin with (in I Cor 14) – just four verses before he made the statement about his choice to spend time praying and speaking much in tongues – he tells us that … “if I pray in an unknown tongue – my spirit prayeth.” (verse 14)  And going back to verses 4 and 5,  he makes the statement “I wish that you all spoke with tongues”– and in verse 39 as he finishes that chapter – he tells us to “forbid not to speak with tongues” – all of these statements pointing to the fact that he found it very important that we understand the value that he placed on this gift…. and at the same time he made it clear that it can be used (misused) in a disorderly fashion in a church setting – that being the topic of that entire chapter…. . He was not belittling the gift (as some pull a verse or two out of the context of that whole chapter to say),  but rather he was addressing the proper use of the gift in a church setting so that all could benefit.  There is the church as a corporate body meeting together,  and there are the individual members of that body. The gifts were given to the individual members to profit withal…….“There are diversities of gifts but the same Spirit ….. and there are diversities of operations,  but it is the same God which worketh all in all – for the manifestation of the Spirit is given to every man to profit withal” (I Cor 12:4-7 paraphrased)……ie. Praying in the spirit – or any of these gifts that are used for the end result of ministering the life giving grace of God to others will benefit the minister – and the one(s) ministered to.  That is the “profit withal” that this scripture mentioned.

Okay, it’s an important gift – but “WHY”?   To begin to answer that I will share from two passages of scripture with you…… “He that speaketh in an unknown tongue edifieth himself…. for in the spirit he is speaking mysteries .” (I extracted two key statements here from I Corinthians 14:2,4 – highlighting them to you for a purpose)-  ie. “Edifieth himself” means “to be a housebuilder – to build (up), to construct – or instruct in such a way as to improve, enlighten or uplift and embolden.…..  That’s a lot of good stuff,  and at first look it might appear that this is a rather “self-serving” gift – but not so!

Why is that?  ….  Let’s look at one other scripture because one scripture often sheds light on other scriptures….. Jude 20, 21 :  “But you beloved, building up yourselves on your most holy faith – PRAYING IN THE HOLY GHOST – keep yourselves in the love of God…..   Hmmmmm … Indeed!  We do build ourselves up when we pray in the spirit (aka pray in the Holy Ghost) – and it is very important that we keep ourselves built up and strong – so that when the need arises, we are able also to help others……  And “keeping yourself in the love of God” –  (as this scripture attributes to praying in the Holy Ghost) – is no small thing either!

I’ve just shared with you a couple of super big reasons for developing the simple but strong discipline of praying in the spirit.  There’s more to share with you about this from the Word –  and from some personal experience about what has helped me along the way too – so I hope with all my heart that you who are reading this today will return to this blog for the next posts on this very important subject of praying in the spirit

….. And thank You Lord Jesus  for this incredible gift to your church!… and for unveiling its purpose in Your Word.

A Heart Attitude – a Secret Worth Paying Attention To

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The following is what the Lord gave to me this morning as I pondered why I should be feeling a little “dull” and “testy” ( which is a “flesh” thing/feeling.)…..

As I just began to ponder “the why” for such feelings – I picked up on something in my spirit – which was this….. “The secret to keeping things fresh and new – is a thankful heart.”  

(And now having my attention, He began to add more to what I had just heard!) ……

…… And having a thankful heart is also the secret to walking in and letting patience have its perfect(ing) work in us – which the Word of God tells us is very important – ie. “Count it all joy when you fall into different kinds of temptations – knowing this- that the trying of your faith worketh patience….. So let patience have her perfect work – that you may be perfect (complete) and entire, lacking nothing.” (James 1:2-4).

In thinking about it, I can see how that having an overall thankful heart attitude makes it much easier to be patient – with things and with  people  ….  And we know that patience is the secret to possessing your soul (which is your mind, will, and emotions) – Luke 21:19.  Think about that one….. and the fact that  a thankful heart makes it so much easier to be patient!

So …. I see that developing a thankful heart is indeed the foundation from which other strong desirable qualities in our life are built upon.   I am not generally an ungrateful person, but I see today that there is still room for (and cause for ) improvement in having this irreplaceable heart attitude of thankfulness.  It is a wonderful virtue and a true strength of character…..which God in His love for us admonishes us to make it our heart attitude ….

“Forbear and forgive one another where there has been a quarrel – put on love in action!  Then let the peace of God rule in your heart… and be ye thankful.” Colossians  3:13-15  (paraphrased).

I hope this that I just shared with you will cause you – as it did me- to check out the attitude of your heart and see if there is room in you for more of this wonderful virtue of a thankful heart ….. It just might be the secret you need for the opening of some other doors for you!

 

 

These 3 Things — About that 3rd Thing – Praying in the Spirit

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“If I pray in an unknown tongue – my spirit prayeth – but my understanding is unfruitful.  What then? ….  I will pray with the spirit, and  I will pray with the understanding also.”   ( I Corinthians 14:14, 15a )

In the post on March 7th, I began to share with you about the three things have really helped me grow in the area of developing the ear of my spirit to hear…..  (I want to hear when God has something to say – don’t you?) In several of the posts since March 7th, I have shared a little with you about the first two of those 3 things  – one being: personal worship where you spend time alone with the Lord – giving thanks and worshiping Him. … And the other of the first two things being – getting alone to spend time with God in His Word – so that you come to understand the true value of it.

I would also tell you this about those first two things – which is that in spending time in personal worship and alone with God in His word – it is there that you will learn the “taste” of His presence more than anywhere else….. and knowing that “taste” is very important to your learning to hear His voice – and to recognize it from any other.  That is why I listed these as the first two things – ie. because they are foundational in learning to hear the voice of God.  They are the place that you learn to have sweet fellowship with Him.

But in this post, I will begin to share about the third one of those 3 things that have been so helpful to me in learning to hear the voice of God……(to say nothing of the wonderful fellowship you can have along the way).  This third thing is of course “praying in the spirit.” The scripture that I used to begin this post with in the first paragraph separates praying in the spirit from praying with your native or other natural language.  I feel that it is important to point that out to you because I have heard praying in the spirit “explained away” by saying something to the effect that it just means that you are “in the spirit” while you are praying to God in whatever your natural language is.  I will address that more in the next post by sharing more from the Word of God about it – indeed there are a number of scriptures that I will bring to you to further clarify and explain more about this subject while I am doing the coming posts on praying in the spirit……

But what I particularly would like to share with you today is to assure you that I have both friends who pray in the spirit and those who do not – and I would tell  you that ALL who receive Jesus as Savior are born again – and praying – or not praying in the spirit – does nothing to change that!

Now because praying in the spirit (aka praying in tongues) has been a subject  with some controversy attached to it within the Body of Christ as well as outside of it – I am proceeding here with consideration of that fact – but I must as the Lord reminded me when I started this blog -“speak His Word faithfully.” …. So that I likely cannot please everyone who reads this, but my first loyalty is to God and to His Word – and though I do not  purpose to offend anyone, I  cannot speak contrary to what I see and hear and know of the Word of God….. It is just too important …..But I pray that each of you as readers will be like the Berean Christians (Acts 17:11) who “searched the scriptures daily to see for themselves whether the things they were being taught were indeed true.” You and I owe that much to ourselves I think.

I’ve kept it short today – just presenting the very beginning of what I want to share with you “about that 3rd thing – praying in the spirit.” But for those of you who are hungry to know what is in the Word of God concerning this subject – please join me for the next post – which will take us a little further into the scriptures about this.

Seek to Know the Realities of God’s Kingdom

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Is your life about striving to get the “accolades” that come when one is an “overnight success” …. and the popularity/fame that may come with it…. ?  Those things alone are often fleeting – and empty at the end – as things and people more “relevant” take that place…..

Therefore, why not rather seek to know the realities of God’s Kingdom – which will never end – and each one has a place reserved for them…..And although all these things are hidden to the natural eye of man , yet God’s invitation to receive Jesus – the Door to knowing Him…… to all men, this invitation God does extend….

The invitation accepted….. and the journey begins.  There are challenges, yes – but you can be sure that deep within…                                                                                   you will find much satisfaction, contentment and confidence – when your heart is to do the Lord’s bidding – ie. walk out the plan that He put together especially for you!  Because walking upon that path is the greatest success any person can know or even think to do – for when you choose to walk God’s path, He will walk there with you …… and ever stay close…..

….. as you give Him the praise and worship that He deserves, always looking to Him for the things that you need and what is best to do – learning to keep the eyes of your spirit on the horizon – where He purposes to open up new venues for you!

There’s nothing boring about walking His way you see ….                                              for the spirit of a man can hold more strength, more joy than the flesh ever can. And that is because…..it is by the spirit that you are “connected” to Him      –  when you are born again (John 3:1-8) –  and by way of this Spirit to spirit connection that you then have with Him,  He can impart peace and many other things that you pray for and need.  He can answer your questions – and inform you of His plans. (John 16:12-15)

So stay close to Him and learn to live more aware of this Spirit to spirit relationship you have with Him.  (John 4:22-24). … *spending time in His word, giving thanks and worshiping Him – and finally praying in the spirit – (as well as in words that you understand) …..  For *these things all lend to developing that ear that He gave you to hear – those things that He would say and impart to you……

… . So that at the end of this life, you can depart with peace because you know Him – the Giver of that life that is so much better than the accolades of men.  Glory be to God – my goal then – will be to seek to know and walk with Him!  For as the scripture says ….

“Godliness is profitable unto all things – having promise for the life that now is, and of that which is to come.”  (I Timothy 4:8)   Amen!

Available to All – the Door to Fellowship With God

~ kathrynspen ~ Leave a comment

There I was – so many years ago – “pondering” how this could be…                Someone so “big” – and so “mighty”- as to bring all this about – even all of  creation that we can see …. It stymies the mind! …… just to try to figure it all out!

But our mind has it’s limits – ie. there is “a stopping place”……..                               Where reason can take us no further –                                                                                 than the proof we have from tasting and seeing……. Who God IS …… when we fellowship with Him! …. and the miracles that happen when we “believe and pray.”

Miracles that come in all  “sizes and shapes” – and far too many – (and too accurate as they are seen to fit the need) – for it to just be circumstance or chance – all these miracles that I have seen…                  And that “taste” that I just mentioned – nothing on earth carries that kind of atmosphere! …..  like that when you sit or stand in His presence.  Indeed – something that tastes so wonderful is definitely there!…….  No other way to explain it – God’s presence – with the aura it carries – so incredibly   unique and certainly “unforgettable”…. it astounds me – that the God of all the earth – the great Creator – who so loves us, would meet you and I there!

What else, Father – (Father of my born again spirit) – could I tell them? …….          How can I explain ‘YOU’ to someone who doesn’t know You – and thinks they don’t want to …. are even “bent” on not believing!  But it is even as Your Word says – the “natural man” cannot know – has no way of receiving – the things of Your Kingdom and of Your Spirit …….

That is – except a man should ponder who You are – (and “if” You are) –       For in such a case, Father God – You are not far from any one of us –                       When we become open to know the truth – about You – and Your Kingdom …..   For You set  “a Door” there in that place – a door for the truth to come through!     We can try another way – God gave you and I that choice – but Jesus is the  door that God set in place – to which Jesus testifies – “I am the way,  the truth,  and the life.”  (John 14:6)

Why then does a man “fight”? ….. and even vehemently oppose ….. the very life that God chose – to make a man whole?

Indeed it is time – time to “be still and know”- to ponder His existence -Even whether it be so!! …….. Then end it all by asking “if You are real, please let me know – dear Jesus – if You be the Son of God – reveal to me that it is so” … Lest I resume this long search …. and finally come to my end – empty and void of all the life that You, Father God, did intend.

But here today – with all my heart I give you to know – that He is as real as the bible tells us so……  and that door to fellowship with Him is available to all men!

A Practical Tip for Getting the Word in You

~ kathrynspen ~ 2 Comments

Today, I want to share a very practical thing that you can do which has helped me tremendously in getting more of the Word of God in me with very little effort on my part.   In fact, I have so felt the benefits of doing this – that 20 years after I first started  – I still do it to make the most of my time!

What I am referring to is listening to the word of God on CD (or other device as you please) during the night.  I started out programming one book of the bible to repeat, started it  playing as I went to bed and just let it play all night long.   I keep the volume at a lower “pleasant” level as I sleep.  I had little or no trouble getting accustomed to this low level “noise” going as I sleep.  In addition to that I would tell you that even though I generally sleep easily and well – I have found it to be helpful to just relax and listen quietly when I happen to go to bed extra tired – and I seldom get to listen to a whole book of any size without going to sleep before it gets to the end.

Do you actually hear it/does it actually help?  YES!   I asked the Lord that question myself – more than once – and He graciously let me see that indeed I was hearing and getting as much out of it as if I were reading it during the day.  More than once I woke up and found myself in my mind beginning to speak the next words that would be playing – BEFORE – they were actually spoken on the CD….. and this happened with verses of scripture that I was not real familiar with – so you can see that the Word is being “heard and hidden” inside you as you let yourself hear it being spoken over and again.

Is this to be a “substitute for setting and reading the Word where you draw aside to spend time with the Lord?  NO – it is not a substitute, but a very helpful and profitable “supplement” to that.  

And I would also advise you to keep a notebook and pen at your bedside – (or a recording device you can speak into) – BECAUSE – many times when I am first waking up (or during the night at times)  the Spirit of God will quicken one or more of the scriptures to me – and I am careful to jot down enough of it so that as soon as I can, I will set down with the bible and go to that particular scripture and start reading and listening for anything that He wanted to show me about it.  Sometimes the scripture that was quickened is for direction that I needed or holds the answer to a question I have asked Him

This that I have just shared with you has helped me immeasurably to get the Word of God in me – and I would be very very pleased if this little shared tip helps someone who is reading this.  God bless and keep you!

……….and have a good night!