“The Right to Choose”                        

Joshua 24:14-15
“Now therefore fear the Lord, and serve him in sincerity and in truth;  and put away the gods which your fathers served on the other side of the flood and in Egypt, and serve ye the Lord.
And if it seem evil unto you to serve the Lord, choose you this day whom ye will serve, whether the gods which your fathers served that were on the other side of the flood or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land ye dwell; but as for me and my house we will serve the Lord.”

Often when there's a protest you hear shouts of our right to choose is being taken away.

This is never accurate… we are all born with the right to choose.  There are laws but we have the right to obey them or not.  There are diets but we have the right to choose between the Twinkie and the salad.

Our right to choose has always been exactly that… a right to choose.

This past weekend a choice was made by someone … a choice to steal my son's car.  A person chose to be cruel, to take something from someone.  A choice to hurt someone they never even met.

My son had gone to visit his girlfriend in Greensboro for his birthday weekend.  A short time before the car was stolen she gave him his birthday gift… a beautiful compass with these words engraved…
Proverbs 3:5-6
“Trust in the Lord with all thine heart and lean not unto thy own understanding.  In all thy ways acknowledge him and he shall direct thy paths.”

Through the questions of why such a cruel and senseless act was done I pondered those words on that compass. In it is a choice to be made…. Trust the Lord.

Those times when we question why or our minds race with confusion or desire to “fix it” even when we can’t.  That verse holds the answer.

My son also had the right to choose that day… he could have chosen to go outside to his car as he heard the glass breaking… he could have chose to protect his car and possibly lose his life… he instead chose to contact the police and hope his car would be found.

When my son called I didn't know what to think or feel, nothing is harder on a mom than seeing their child hurt or wronged whether they are 3 or 33.  After the shock wore off I began to think of the words of Matthew 5:45 “it rains on the just and the unjust” I grabbed my Bible to read that verse but the Lord drew me to the verse directly above it…

Matthew 5:44
“But I say unto you, love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you and persecute you.”

After knowing what had happened I too had the right to choose. I could hate this man who wronged my son, I could seek revenge, I could panic and go crazy.

Everyday I pray these words “Lord, let my thoughts, my words and my actions please you this day.”

I had that day, the right to choose… I chose to pray.  I prayed a prayer of thanksgiving that my son was safe, this could have ended in tragedy.  I then began to intercede for the unjust one, the criminal, the thief.   I have prayed for that man everyday since and will continue.

Everyday we are given the right to choose… we choose life and death by the words we speak and the decisions we make.
The greatest of all those choices is to say yes to being a follower of Christ.  To seek after him, to trust him, to know him, to love him, to honor and obey him, to abide in him.
Even the choice of Heaven and Hell is ours to make…
God does not send anyone to hell, God allows us the right to choose to go there.. God is merciful, forcing no one to choose eternity with Him.

So choose this day whom ye will serve… and as for me and my house we will serve the Lord.

“A Matter of Time”                                     March 30,2025

Ephesians 5:16
“Redeeming the time because the days are evil.”

Last Sunday Pastor spoke about the importance of going to church.  I pondered his words and had a few thoughts.  When there is a fellowship meal the seats are full… on the day to come and worship our Lord and Savior many seats are empty.  When there is a prayer meeting one or two come the other seats are empty. 

Most people use the excuse of having other things to do, too tired or I don't have time.

Psalm 90:12
“So teach us to number our days, that we may apply our hearts unto wisdom.”

To learn of Him to grow in Him requires time.  The Bible speaks of bringing Him the first fruits, the best of the crop, the first of our money, but all too often we bring Him our leftovers.

God gave us all 24 hours each day… 8 for work… 6-8 for sleep… 8-10 for choices.  We all too often use those precious hours so unwisely.  Mindless TV, playing on our phones and other such things.

All these thoughts led me to Luke 10:38-42
“Now it came to pass as they went that he entered into a certain village; and a certain woman named Martha received Him into her house.  And she had a sister called Mary, which also sat at Jesus feet and heard His word, But Martha was cumbered about much serving, and came to Him and said Lord dost thou not care that my sister hath left me to serve alone bid her therefore that she help me.  And Jesus answered and said unto her Martha, Martha thou art careful and troubled about many things, but something is needful and Mary hath chosen that good part which shall not be taken away from her.”

Martha acknowledges Jesus as Lord, but has no time for Him… there's work to be done… she chose the tasks at hand over time with Jesus and He was literally sitting in her home.

I'm certain Mary also had work to do… tasks to complete, but she put all that aside for time with Jesus.  When Jesus left that day and Mary took care of her to do list I'm certain she accomplished her work with joy in her heart, peace in her mind, and strength to do what was necessary.

There's more to the story of these two sisters…

John 11:5
“Now Jesus loved Martha, and her sister, and Lazarus.”
John 11:20
“Then Martha as soon as she saw that Jesus was coming went and met him, but Mary sat still in the house.”

Martha leaves the house to meet  up with Jesus, Mary sat still in the house.

Perhaps from all the time Mary had sat with Jesus prior to the death of her brother Lazarus.. She was able to be still and know and trust, regardless the outcome, Jesus would do what was best.

Martha in all her busyness ran after Jesus… hoping for the best…fearful her brother was gone forever… wavering faith from lack of time with the one she calls Lord.

John 11:39-40
“Jesus said, take ye away the stone Martha, the sister of him that was dead, saith unto him Lord, by this time he stinketh for he hath been dead four days, Jesus saith unto her, said I not unto thee, that if thou wouldst believe, thou shouldest see the glory of God.”

God loved Martha, God showed Martha mercy, and allowed her to see with her eyes the miracle.
Perhaps from that day on Martha sat alongside her sister Mary at the feet of Jesus, when He came to visit.

Our savior is so gracious and merciful… His love for us is beyond comprehension.  He does not demand our time with Him in a controlling or domineering way.  He wants our time because when we go through challenges, hard times, grief, sadness, pain and suffering we will have the ability to say on our darkest day, I know this one I serve will see me through.  We will not run in fear like Martha… We will be like Mary, be still and know He is God.  

“Trust the Cross”                                               

Isaiah 53:5
“But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities, the chastisement of our peace was upon him, and with his stripes we are healed”

1 Peter 2:24
“Who his own self bare our sins in his own body on the tree, that we being dead to sins, should live unto the righteousness, by whose stripes ye are healed.”

A couple years ago I did a study on what is the difference between sin, transgression and iniquity.

Simply put transgression is willful disobedience to the law, knowing what's right and doing wrong without caring…  such as speeding, a cruel word to someone.

Sin… there are sins of commission and sins of omission either intentional or unintentional.  Sins of commission willfully going against Gods word or law.. Sins of omission not doing what you know to be right.

Iniquity…An act of moral uncleanness a sin that is deep reflecting the depths of ones heart or intentionally twisting or defiance to God's standard.

We often say sin is sin and yes this is true, but most people do not struggle to forgive themselves when they drive too fast or say something they shouldn't.  But the one who commits adultery or has an abortion or in some way harms somebody, or other such things deemed far worse… that person all too often cannot believe they are forgiven and forgive themselves…

We must forgive others but I also have seen the look on the face of the one who cannot believe they are truly forgiven.  I've also heard them say things like “this is happening to me because of what I did.”  or “what I did was too awful, I dont deserve any blessings.”

Trust the Cross

Every sin, transgression, and iniquity covered by the bruises, wounds and blood poured out…. for you… remembered no more.

Psalm 103:10-12
“He hath not dealt with us after our sins, nor rewarded us according to our iniquities. For as the heaven is high above the earth, so great is his mercy toward them that fear him.  As far as the east is from the west, so far hath he removed our transgressions from us.”

Our sins are no longer remembered by God.  When those thoughts come of that thing you find unforgivable, remember those thoughts are never from God.  The enemy loves a life hindered… a child of God doubting the cross… a life that is never truly free.

Isaiah 43: 25
“I, even I, am he that blotteth out thy transgression for mine own sake, and will not remember thy sins.”

When we walk in condemnation of our past, we are weakened to what God wants to use us for, we are fearful and downcast, we step out for the Lord and the enemy whispers “hypocrite why would God ever use you?”
We shrink back and miss out on what God has for us.

Trust the Cross
One of the greatest things Jesus said was on that cross
John 19:30
“When Jesus therefore had received the vinegar he said it is finished and he bowed his head, and gave up the ghost.”

“It is finished”
every sin…. Covered
every transgression… Covered
every iniquity… Covered
every disease… Covered
every power of death…. Covered
every power of hell… Covered
every fear of death… Covered

Trust the Cross

“Don't Grow Weary”                                      

Do you ever feel like you pray and things seem to go totally opposite of your request? Do you ever feel like you're doing the right thing and there is constant opposition?  Do you try so hard to pour life and truth into someone and it falls on deaf ears?

I have felt all of these things this past week… I began to much more clearly understand 2 Thessalonians 3:13
“But ye, brethren, be not weary in well doing.”

Like the Lord knows we will have times and seasons where everything seems opposite our prayers, hopes and plans… but we are to press on.

Earlier this week I was not doing that, instead I was frustrated and irritable.. usually in these times I ask the Lord to show me what He's trying to teach me or show me, but this week I began to ask Him why.  Why has the answer not come?  Why does she only call to complain and I try so hard to be kind, speak truth to her but she continues to be miserable? And with those simple questions and thoughts I allowed the flesh to totally rule me and the attitude of a Pharisee to creep in… myself above others…

The Lord gave me a scripture that completely silenced those feelings and thoughts.
Ecclesiates 11:5 (NKJV)
“As you do not know what is the way of the wind.  Or how the bones grown in the womb of her who is with child.  So you do not know the works of God who makes everything.”

In my frustration I was caught up in the thought that my desires and timetable made perfect sense, completely forgetting 
Isaiah 55:8-9
“For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, saith the Lord.  For as the heavens are higher than the earth so are my ways higher than your ways, and my thoughts than your thoughts.”

God does not call us to follow Him only when things make sense.  He wants us to fully trust HIM… that's so easy when every prayer is quickly answered with yes, when every phone call is by an uplifting pleasant friend.  But the truth of who we are in Him really shows when absolutely nothing is going how we want and the prayers are yet unanswered.

The answer of how we truly do what 2 Thessalonians 3:13 says
(But ye, brethren, be not weary in well doing)
I believe is answered in 1 Corinthians 2:16
“For who hath known the mind of the Lord, that he may instruct him? But we have the mind of Christ.”

We are incapable of knowing the Lord's mind, however we can have His mind in us.. It's knowing who He is in an intimate way… knowing His character… and trusting Romans 8:28 to be true
“And we know that all things work together for good, to them that love God, to them who are called according to HIS purpose.”

So in those times of frustration or even doubt…. do not grow weary…. press on.

Galatians 6:9
“And let us not be weary in well doing; for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not.”

Philippians 4:13
“I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.”

“Focused on Family”                            

I heard a quote years ago “if Satan can destroy the family he can destroy a nation.”

Mark 6:3-6
“Is not this the carpenter, the son of Mary, the brother of James and Joses, and of Judah and Simon? And are not his sisters here with us? And they were offended at him.  But Jesus said unto them a prophet is not without honor, but in his own country, and among his own kin, and in his own house.  And he could do no mighty work, save that he laid his hands upon a few sick folk and healed them and he marveled because of their unbelief and went round about the village's teaching.”

Jesus had performed miracles of all kinds, everywhere he went, but in his hometown just a few sick were healed.
His family saw him as nothing but a carpenter's son… the son of Mary not the Son of God.  Because of their offense toward him in his home he was seen as nothing.. unbelief in who He is hindered what could have been many miracles.

Genesis 37:28
“Then they passed by Midianites, Merchantmen, and they drew and lifted up Joseph out of the pit, and sold Joseph to the Ishmaelites for twenty pieces of silver and they brought Joseph unto Egypt.”

Jealousy and hatred among brothers.. they wanted to kill Joseph, but instead got rid of him by selling him.

Proverbs 17:17
“A friend loveth at all times and a brother is born for adversity.”

Your friend sees you happy over an accomplishment and they cheer you on, a brother sees that same accomplishment and becomes jealous or competitive.  A friend sees the positive changes in your life, a brother only sees who you were.

Ecclesiastes 1:9
“The thing that hath been, it is that which shall be, and that which is done is that which shall be done, and there is no new thing under the sun.”

The tactic to destroy the family is nothing new.  Since the beginning of time the enemy has gone after the family.The first siblings born Cain and Abel, over jealousy Cain killed Abel.  The first murder recorded in scripture was a brother killing a brother.  Satan knows if he can destroy a family he can destroy the nation.

When a stranger or acquaintance hurts us we may be sad or for awhile, but we quickly move past it.  When a mom, dad, sister, brother, husband, wife, son or daughter hurts us… it goes deep.  It consumes our thoughts and can lead to bitterness, estrangement, and even death of a family.

It causes our focus to be very small… seeing only the small circle of our own life, hindering the realization that beyond this is a broken, lost dying world  We strive to fix and heal our circle…. we lose the desire to reach beyond our own walls… and the destruction of the family begins.

Perhaps that is why Jesus said what he did in Matthew 10:36-38
“And a man's foes shall be they of his own household. He that loveth father or mother more than me is not worthy of me: and he that loveth son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me.  And he that taketh not his cross and followeth after me is not worthy of me.”

I think that's the answer to how we let go of the family hurts and see beyond our own circle, and see the lost broken dying world have hope.  When we truly lay down all we love and care about and focus on and place all of our life in Christ and carry our cross trusting him with our family to do the work only he can do.
It's not easy but we have to look beyond our immediate circle of people to truly follow where Jesus leads.

It's not always tough stuff going on within a family that consumes our heart, mind and soul, it can also be the good stuff… feeling such a sense of peace that the burden to pray and study the word can take a backseat.  Face it, prayer is more urgent when there is sickness, sadness, fear, etc.

The biggest desire I hear people speak of is peace.  When things are good we feel that peace and it becomes easy to truly relax. Yet those are the times when we should truly be still and know he is God,  to meditate on his word, hear his voice, seek his face and prepare our minds for whatever may be next.

Our families are the ones who matter most to us, but we have no ability to fix them or their anger bitterness hurts, etc…So when Jesus says to hate them, he's actually offering us the greatest way to love them, by letting go and allowing Him to do the work only he can truly do.

“Some Thoughts On Prayer”                  

Much of this week my thoughts have gone to what's changed in the last several years… prayer has in many ways taken a backseat.  The word says “pray without ceasing” and I'm sure many of us do… ALONE.  As I've been reading through scripture I've come to think I know what's caused this world to fall apart… gone are the prayer meetings.

Acts 12: 5;12
v 5 “Peter therefore was kept in prison; but prayer was made without ceasing of the church unto God for him”
v12 “And when he had considered the thing, he came to the house of Mary, the mother of John, whose surname was Mark; where many were gathered together praying.”

Matthew 18:20
“For where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them.”

James 5:14-15
“Is any sick among you? Let him call for the elders of the church, and let them pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord, 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.”

Mark 6:7
“And he called unto him the twelve, and began to send them forth by two and two, and gave them power over unclean spirits.”
  
Mark 6:12-13
“And they went out and preached that men should repent and they cast out many devils and anointed them with oil, many that were sick and healed them.”

The church gathered to pray… Peter was freed from prison.
Two or more gathered and He was there in their midst.
Two by two sent out… demons cast out, the sick healed and forgiven.

God has not changed, miracles still happen because He is faithful, and yes our time alone with him in prayer matters greatly, but I believe something amazing happens when a gathering of believers come together to pray.

As I've spent some time in prayer this week, some things I believe may have caused true prayer meetings to cease…

1. Social Media.  It has made things very isolated, people don't talk, they post.  The intimacy of coming together has lessened, it has made it easy to sit home to gain information and knowledge and an emoji of praying hands has replaced a call or get together to truly pray.
2. They can become monotonous. Going round and round basically praying for the saved to stay out of Heaven and the lost to stay lost.
3. Laziness.  Prayer is work and we've lost the ability to sit in silence and wait on the Lord's direction.
4. Lacking the Faith to believe.  God still does miracles but we don't want to wait on his timing so we give up.

If we remain in this condition with this attitude toward corporate prayer we will continue to not see freedom, healing, the lost saved, and this world will continue on the road to Hell it's been on for so many years.

2 Chronicles 7:14
“If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face; and turn from their wicked ways, then will I hear from Heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land.”

Prayer is an unstoppable force
It does what you cannot do
It goes where you cannot go
It accomplishes more than you ever will

“My Savior, My Lord”                            

I had a thought earlier this week and have not been able to get away from it.  He is my Savior, but have I truly made Him my Lord?
Through much of scripture the words Lord and Savior are together when speaking of Jesus.  So can I have one without the other?  I think the answer is yes.

1 Timothy 4:10
“For therefore we both labor and suffer reproach, because we trust in the living God, who is the Savior of all men, specially of those that believe”

Luke 19:10
“For the Son of man is come to seek and save that which was lost.”

The day I repented and called upon Jesus I was saved.  Jesus became my Savior.  The cross paid for all my sin, His resurrection promised me eternal life.  A free gift, I did nothing.

Ephesians 2:8-9
“For by grace ye are saved through faith, and that not of yourselves, and is the gift of God, not of works lest any man should boast.”

My question is have I made Him Lord?  Is this the process of sanctification or is it work on my part?  I think it's a bit of both.
I think of the Lord as ruler over every part of me.

I say I love Him.
Jesus says in John 14:15
“If ye love me keep my commandments.”

I say, your will, not mine. But do I do as 1 Corinthians 15:31 says
“I protest by your rejoicing which I have in Christ Jesus our Lord, I die daily.”

I praise and worship Him with my mouth, but am I truly all in, my heart, mind and soul?
Matthew 15:8
“The people draweth nigh unto me by their mouth; and honoureth me with their lips, but their heart is far from me.”

I want peace… where is my thought life?
Isaiah 26:3
“Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on thee, because he trusteth in thee.”

I say I want to know Him more… am I doing what Joshua 1:8 says?
“This book of the law shall not depart out of thy mouth but thou shall meditate therein day and night that thou mayest observe to do according to all that is written therein, for then thou shalt make thy way prosperous and then thou shalt have success.”

I believe there are 3 words that prove yes I have made Him my Lord

1. Surrender… my life, my job, my time, my family, my will…all of me
2. Obedience… Following after all He says in His word.

James 1:22
“But be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving your own selves.”

3. Submission

James 4:7-10
“Submit yourselves therefore to God, resist the devil and he will flee from you.  Draw nigh to God and He will draw nigh to you, cleanse your hands, ye sinners and purify your hearts, ye double minded.  Be afflicted and mourn, and weep, let your laughter be turned to mourning and your joy to heaviness.  Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord, and He shall lift you up.”

I believe what I've come to through this is:
Jesus my Savior gave me all of Him.
Jesus my Lord wants all of me.

“Don't Quit, Be Found Faithful”
 
Luke 18:8
“I tell you, that he will avenge them speedily, nevertheless when the Son of Man cometh shall he find faith on earth?”

The context of this verse is the parable of the widow who continued to worry the unjust judge until he finally gave in.
We serve a God who is just yet we struggle to be persistent, we pray for that situation and see no improvement, we cry out to him and he seems silent.  We think this storm or battle will never end.  Doubt and fear creep in… suddenly our eyes can only see the flames and not the one who walks with us through the fire… we see the enemy and not the one who goes before us into enemy camp and wins every battle.  Our eyes get fixed on the situation and off our Savior.

Luke 22:31-32
“And the Lord said Simon, Simon, behold Satan hath desired to have you, that he may sift you as wheat.
But I have prayed for thee that thy faith fail not; and when thou art converted, strengthen thy brethren.”

To sift as wheat he wanted to shake Peter's faith so forcibly that he would fall, proving God’s faithful servant was lacking.

I found no reference to exactly what Peter went through during this sifting.  But during it all Jesus prayed for his faith.  Jesus could have told Satan no, but the sifting meant for evil by Satan was allowed.

We, like Peter, have times when we are being “sifted as wheat” battles so strong they can shake us to the very core of who we are and what we believe.
I know in those times Jesus prays for our faith, just as he did for Peter.

These times are not allowed by God to destroy our faith, he goes on to say when you get through this use it to strengthen the brethren.

I received a text that read:
“I don't know about you all but it's been an intense week already, I've felt pressure and anxiety.  I've never had an issue with anxiety.  But I've gotten a feel of it this week.  I know evil spirits know the importance of this week for us and are trying to get our attention off Him. I say in the Holy sweet name of Jesus you have no place here among us, you have no power over us and we are covered in the name of Jesus, Blessings and love to you all”

I had just arrived at work when that text came.  I too had been battling anxiety, something I also do not get.
Her text said:  I'm going through this too… You are not alone..  she spoke truth back into my heart and the anxiety was lifted.

None of us are immune to the attacks of the enemy… he wants our faith and he wants our joy.

I know the greatest way to fight the enemy is on our knees, so when the Lord lays someone on your heart; text them, call them, go to them… we need each other at times to hold our arms up as Aaron and Hur did for Moses.

So when the Son of Man cometh He will find faith on Earth.

“Be Careful Little Mouth What You Say…”

Matthew 12:36
“But I say unto you, that every idle word that men shall speak, they shall give account thereof in the day of judgement.”

Words are so powerful they can be used to build someone up, they can tear someone down and slander them.

Matthew 12:34
“O, generation of vipers, how can ye being evil speak good things? For out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks.”

What comes out of our mouths is a great indicator of where our heart is… who we truly are.
Cruel hurtful words do not always come out through cussing or sounding angry.  Some of the cruelest words spoken come out followed by “just kidding” or “bless your heart”  that does not change the meaning of these words or the thoughts behind them.

The best definition I found for idle words is “foolish, irreverent talk which does not build up or edify others”

We live in a world full of noise and distractions… people fear silence.. so often the most foolish words are spoken simply to fill the air.

Proverbs 17:27
“He that hath knowledge, spareth his words; and a man of understanding is of an excellent spirit.”

Words reflect our character.  We tell someone we will do something we need to actually do it  

Proverbs 12:22
“Lying lips are an abomination to the Lord, but they that deal truly are his delight.”

There are angry, slanderous, hurtful malicious words.  These are spoken out of a heart of bitterness and unforgiveness.

Psalm 139:23
“Search me, O God, and know my heart; try me, and know my thoughts, and see if there be any wicked way in me, and lead me the way everlasting.”

There are words spoken in fear, usually shown through words of the worst case scenario… “this will never work out”  “it's going to be bad” “I can't do this”

Matthew 6:34
“Take therefore no thought for the morrow; for the morrow shall take thought for the things of itself, sufficient unto the day is the evil thereof”

Boastful, proud words… spoken to build up self while tearing others down

Luke 18:11-12
“The Pharisee stood and prayed thus with himself, God I thank thee that I am not as other men are, extortioners, unjust, adulterers, or even as the publican.  I fast twice a week, I give tithes of all I possess.”

There are so many forms of idle words… so many ways our tongue can destroy relationships and hurt even the very ones we love most.

Three verses of the way we use our mouths to avoid idle words:

Matthew 5:37
“But let your communication be yea yea; nay nay for whatsover is more than these is evil.”

James 1:19
“Wherefore, my beloved brethren let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath.”

Psalm 19:14
“Let the words of my mouth, and the meditation of my heart, be acceptable in thy sight, O Lord, my strength and my redeemer.”

“Our Tears & Our Prayers”

 There are two things the Lord treasures… He treasures them so much he has saved every one.

Our Tears:
Psalm 56:8
“Thou tellest my wanderings, put thou my tears into thy bottle, are they not in thy book?”

Some tears are of joy… that hug from a friend you haven't seen in a while, that beautiful song at just the right moment,  that prayer answered.  There are also those tears that fall when we are in pain, heartbroken, and distressed.

Whatever the reason for those tears, not one has fallen from your eye that is not collected in Heaven.

Revelation 21:4
“And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death; neither sorrow; nor crying, neither shall there be anymore pain; for the former things are passed away.”

So some of our tears are of joy, yet they too will be wiped away… for the former things are passed away.  What our Savior has planned for us is so amazing the greatest joy we have ever had will be nothing in comparison.

Our Prayers:
Revelation 5:8
“And when he had taken the book, the four beasts and four and twenty elders fell down before the lamb, having everyone of them harps, and golden vials full of odors, which are the prayers of the saints.”

Every prayer of desperation… every long night of intercession for the one the Lord wakes you in the night to pray for… every prayer of thanksgiving… are not just stored in Heaven around the throne of God they emit into his nostrils a beautiful fragrance.  

Next tear that falls remember if no one on earth seems to notice or care…. in Heaven there is a bottle catching each and every one to be wiped away by the very hand of Jesus.
Next prayer you pray to remember they have reached the very throne of God and to him are a beautiful fragrance.

“Be ye Merciful”

This past week the scripture I've been most thankful for is 
Lamentations 3:22-23
“It is of the Lord's mercies that we are not consumed because his compassions fail not. They are new every morning great is thy faithfulness.”

There's been a lot of stuff going on and I've seen inside of me a whole lot of ugliness.  I have handled things lacking kindness, short tempered, and saying things I wish I could take back.

I have learned during these times the importance of quickly confessing and repenting to God and to the one I've hurt.

I prayed the Lord would give me a scripture to help me through.  He gave me Psalm 117:2
“For his merciful kindness is great toward us; and the truth of the Lord endureth for ever.  Praise ye the Lord.”

The first thing that jumped out at me is “the truth of the Lord endureth for ever” His character, His personality, His love never changes.
The second part is “merciful kindness”.... compassionate treatment of those in distress when it is within one's power to punish or harm them.

I firmly believe we cannot give to others what we have not received ourselves or what we don't fully understand.

I really believe the Lord led me to that scripture in Psalm 117 to show me in spite of how awful I was being He did not change his love for me and he showed me mercy.

This did not mean all was ok with my attitude.

Luke 6:36
“Be ye therefore merciful as your Father also is merciful.”

Now it was my turn to extend what I had received… Mercy.  I would love to say all my feelings instantly changed and that I handled everything perfectly… I did not.  I did however take that next step and apologize.

These last few months have very much felt like a time of bringing to the surface things in my life that have yet become what the Lord wants them to be.

Job 23:10
“But he knoweth the way that I take.  When he hath tried me I shall come forth as gold.”

This process is not fun, it's been quite painful at times.  I've had some successes and some failures through it.  But I no longer run and hide ashamed… I no longer avoid taking it to the Lord even when it's the 10th failure within 5 minutes.

Hebrews 4:16
“Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need.”

When I'm not who I should be He changes not… He welcomes me back and shows me mercy.

Micah 6:8
“He hath shewed thee O man what is good; and what doth the Lord require of thee, but to do justly, and to love mercy, and to walk humbly with thy God.”

Matthew 5:7
“Blessed are the merciful for they shall obtain mercy.”

He shows His mercy toward us so we in turn will be merciful.

“That only what's of Christ will remain”

Hebrews 12:27-29
“And this word, yet once more, signifieth the removing of those things that are shaken, as of things that are made, that those things that cannot be shaken may remain.
Wherefore we receiving a kingdom which cannot be moved, let us have grace whereby, we may serve God acceptably with reverence and godly fear, for our God is a consuming fire.”

Deuteronomy 4:24
“For the Lord thy God is a consuming fire, even a jealous God.”

As I've been studying these scriptures I thought why? Why must things be shaken and removed? Some things are seemingly good.

The word that came to me when asking why is Grace.

When my trust, hope, confidence, and contentment is in anything besides Christ… my life is not fulll it is not complete.  

God is not shaking and removing things because He is unkind… He is not doing it to leave sad empty places.

He is doing it because of the depths of His love.  Because sometimes we are not willing on our own to give up that one or that thing that has in some way elevated itself above God in our lives.  We are comfortable when the bank account is full.. we forget to thank Him for our daily bread.

We are content when our homes are peaceful. We begin to trust it's alright to enjoy what we have and expect we always will.  We forget we need Him every moment… after all we've got this.

He calls us His bride, He is jealous for us.

And at times we are too blind to see and too content in our situation… so we wander a bit like the prodigal son… we let our guard down… we compromise a little… and without realizing it we make what we once called blessings become idols in our lives.

He calls us His bride, He is jealous for us.

He is worthy of our all. He is worthy of our best.

So don't wait for the healing, praise him through the sickness.
Don’t wait for the rainbow, praise Him in the storm.
Dont wait for the feast, praise Him through the famine.
He never wanted the rich young rulers money…. He only wanted his heart.

He calls us His bride, He is jealous for us.

So when I read these scriptures what I truly see is grace. The loving hand of the Father removes everything that will offer momentary satisfaction and happiness for what is the one thing that will remain…. HIM

He calls us His bride, He is jealous for us.

Love That Brought Us Victory
March 3-24-24

John 3:16
“For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish but have everlasting life” 

This verse is quoted often and sometimes it's amazing significance gets lessened.  God loves us so much he gave us his son, to die so we could live.

Today is the day known as Palm Sunday 
John 12:12-14
“On the next day much people that were come to the feast when they heard that Jesus was coming to Jerusalem took branches of palm trees and went forth to meet him, and cried Hosanna, Blessed be the king of Israel that cometh in the name of the Lord, and Jesus when he had found a young ass, sat thereon as it is written” 

The feast the people had come for was Passover, a time to sacrifice lambs for atonement.  I wonder did they know riding on that colt was the true Lamb of God, the last lamb to ever need to be sacrificed…. the lamb that would be slain to bring salvation.

When I think of the cross it's always Isaiah 53 I am drawn to

verse 2 No beauty that we should desire him..
when you feel like you don't fit in, unpopular, unattractive
remember… Jeus understands he felt that too.

verse 3 despised and rejected grieved sorrowful…
when you feel at your absolute lowest, and your sadness seems endless
remember Jesus felt that too

verse 5 beaten for our transgressions and iniquities, chastised for our peace, whipped for our healing.  
remember every beating he took every wound on his body every bit of mockery was for you to be free of the burden of sin and healed of the horrible shame and guilt that sin brought you 

verse 6 we have wandered and strayed we have rejected him and on that cross all our sin, transgression and iniiquity were placed on him.
those days you feel no one understands no one has been through what you have 
remeber Jesus has and he was innocent, but he took our sin upon himself because he loves us

verse 7 oppressed and afflicted but never said a word, lies thrown at him,cruel horrors and he allowed it all with no defense.
Oh such love

verse 12 In the very act of the crucifixtion whlle th hammer was pounding on the spikes He interceded for the very ones who were nailiing him to that cross.
when you are hurt by someone… Jesus sure understands that, but he forgave while the pounding sounds of the hammers were hanging him on the cross with each searing pain he felt he prayed for them   the greatest love

Luke 23:44-46
“And it was about the sixth hour, and there was darkness over all the earth until the ninth hour, and the sun was darkened, and the veil of the temple was rent in the miidst.  And when Jesus had cried with a loud voice, he said Father into thy hands I commend my spirit and having said this he gave up the ghost.”
 
Darkness over the whole earth as the light of the world died… there is no light apart from Jesus.

Luke 24:2-3
“And they found the stone rolled away from the seplucher. And they entered in, and found not the Lord Jesus.”
 
Luke 24:6-7
“He is not here, but is risen, remember how he spake unto you when he was yet in Galilee, saying the son of man must be delivered into the hands of sinful men, and be crucified, and the third day rise again.”

The most important time ever in history… Jesus on the cross nailed to it… all our sin, shame of sin, every horrible thing we would ever endure placed upon him.
He died as a lamb to the slaughter
He rose victorious over sin, death, satan, and hell.

1 corinthians 15:55
“O death where is thy sting? O grave where is thy victory?”

Hebrews 2:14-15
“Forasmuch then as the childrren are partakers of flesh and blood, he also himself likewise took part of the same; that through death he might destroy him that had the poweere of death, that is the devil.  And deliver them who through fear of death were all their lifetime subject to bondage.”

Oh such love, He did this all for you.

John 8:36
“If the Son therefore shall make you free, ye shall be free indeed.”

Walk closely with the one, whose love for you is so deep, he died for you… Such great love brought your victory.  

Show Me Your Glory
                    

The last couple of days, I have had two verses stuck in my head. 

Exodus 33:18
“And he said, I beseech thee, shew me thy glory.”
Isaiah 6:5
“Then said I, Woe is me! for I am undone; because I am a man of unclean lips, and I dwell in the midst of a people of unclean lips: for mine eyes have seen the King, the LORD of hosts.”

What truly fascinates me is leading up to Moses asking the Lord to show him his glory he had already seen (the following).

• The angle of the Lord appeared to him in a burning bush. (Exodus 3:2)
• Heard the Lord's voice commission him to bring the children of Israel out of Egypt. ( Exodus 3:10)
• He saw a miracle- hand became Leprous then restored to normal.(Exodus 4:6-7)
• The miracle of the rod turned into a serpent as the Lord said it would. (Exodus 7:10)
• A glimpse of what Jesus would do on the cross. (Exodus 12:1-28)
• The importance of dedicating our children to the Lord.(Exodus 13:21-22)
• The Lords guidance through a cloud in the day and fire by night.(Exodus 13:21-22)
• The Red Sea parted. (Exodus 14:21)
• Protection from disease when the commandments are not broken.(Exodus 15:26)
• Provision through manna & quail. (Exodus 16:12-16)
• The miracle of water from a rock. (Exodus 17: 6-7)
• The knowledge of how to live by God's laws through the ten commandments. (Exodus 20:1-17)
• The importance of worship only for God. (Exodus 20:22-26)

If Moses had already seen all these miracles why (in) Exodus 33:18 did he ask God to show him his glory? I have always equated his glory to simply mean his presence, but Moses had his presence all throughout. (S0) was it (His Glory)  manifestations, signs, and wonders? I don’t think so, he had seen a lot of that. 

In Isaiah 6:5- where Isaiah is undone, the verses leading up to that mentions God’s glory.

Isaiah 6:3-4
“And one cried unto another, and said, Holy, holy, holy, is the LORD of hosts: the whole earth is full of his glory. And the posts of the door moved at the voice of him that cried, and the house was filled with smoke.”

I believe the words show me your glory- come from a heart that has seen what God can do - has had times when the have heard him speak so strongly it sounds like he’s right in the room - and (is) no longer content with anything less than everything- the shift from desire to desperation to know- to truly know every detail of this amazing God we serve - And I strongly believe when that desperation becomes all our heart desires- then like moses we will see his glory - and like Isaiah in that moment we will be undone and unable to even speak. Because his glory is his holiness

One last thought on this I believe the Lord truly sees the heart that is longing to know him more, the heart that will not rest until they've seen his glory. Moses did not enter the promised land but Moses was at the transfiguration. 

Mark 9:3-4 
“And his raiment became shining, exceeding white as snow; so as no fuller on earth can white them and there appeared unto them  Elijah and Moses ; and they were talking with Jesus.”

And based on Rev. 11:6 & Malachi 4.4 seems Moses will be one of the two witnesses. 

I believe in spite of Moses failures sins and temper tantrums when he asked the lord to show him his glory- the Lord saw a heart that truly wanted all of Him 

In the summer of 2021 Cale and I were planning to purchase a home. I was not on board. One day I went to the property and was drawn to a building that was used for family get-togethers.

I prayed and the Lord showed us this building would be a prayer room. He also gave me very clear instructions- prayer meeting Tuesdays at 10:00 for the lost and the word “freedom”. The first part was easy. We would invite the ladies the Lord put on my heart. I put a cross in there with the names of the lost we are interceding for and nailed it to the cross. Red ribbons were tied onto it when they came to Jesus. But three years later I still did not understand the part about freedom. 

The Tuesday before the ladies came I asked the Lord what He meant about Joy and Freedom. 

He gave me my answer. 

Psalm 51:10
“Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a right spirit within me.”

Luke 7:47
“Wherefore I say into thee, her sins which are many are forgiven, for she loved much; but to whom little is forgiven. The same loveth little.” 

Matthew 5:43-44
“ Ye have heard that it hath been said. Thou shalt love thy neighbor and hate the enemy. But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them that despitefully use you, and persecute you.”

I am convinced that Satan's greatest weapon against a christian is a seed of bitterness. Bitterness comes very sneakily into the heart. Satan is crafty. It starts with unforgiveness. 

Bitterness sees what they did to you, how they have hurt you or wronged you. Pride creeps in, you see yourself as the victim and you feel justified for your hatred. 

The Bible says in Matthew 6:15. 
“But if you forgive not men for their tresspasses, neither will your father forgive your tresspasses. 

The World Says:

Set up boundaries, avoid that awful person ( that you have every right to hate them. 


The Bible Says:

1 John 4:20
“ If a man say, I love God, and hateth his brother, he is a liar, for he that loveth not his brother whom he hath seen, how can he love God whom he hath not seen”. 

Bitterness causes prayers to be unheard and hindered. 

Psalm 66:18
“If I regard iniquity in my heart the Lord will not hear me”. 

Ways to recognize there is a root of bitterness in your life:

• You hear that person's name-irritate and anger set in.
• You blame that person for everything, never recognizing your own role in the problem. 
• You view them as evil and yourself as innocent. 
• You have no joy or peace.
• Physically- you will have headaches, stomach aches, anxiety attacks, restless sleep and fear. 

A very scary thought to all this is Satan is also a master deceiver. So in your state of bitterness and unforgiveness you may still see signs and wonders, and think you're okay. Like somehow God loves you so much he will excuse the unforgiveness you harbor. That is a deceitful lie from Satan. 

Matthew 7:22-23
Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works? And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity.

Forgiveness of others is not a suggestion, it is a command. 

John 13:34
 A new commandment I give unto you, That ye love one another; as I have loved you, that ye also love one another.

Aside from Jesus himself the best example of forgiveness is Stephen. 

Acts 7:60
And he kneeled down, and cried with a loud voice, Lord, lay not this sin to their charge. And when he had said this, he fell asleep.

Stephen in the midst of being martyred cried to the Lord to forgive the very ones who were killing him. Forgiveness does not make you a doormat. It does not mean what they did was okay. Forgiveness allows the prison cell your heart is living in to open up and set you free. 

We are called to take up our cross and follow Jesus. He carried the weight of every sin on that cross. He did everything necessary so we could be forgiven. And when we take our eyes off the hurt, and take our hurt to him, and repent of the bitterness and learn to love our enemies that is when we are truly free. 

The Lyrics to” Forgiveness” by Matthew West:

It's the hardest thing to give away
And the last thing on your mind today
It always goes to those who don't deserve
It's the opposite of how you feel
When they pain they caused is just too real
Takes everything you have to say the word
Forgiveness, forgiveness

It flies in the face of all your pride
It moves away the mad inside
It's always anger's own worst enemy
Even when the jury and the judge
Say you've got a right to hold a grudge
It's the whisper in your ear saying set it free
Forgiveness, forgiveness
Forgiveness, forgiveness
Show me how to love the unlovable
Show me how to reach the unreachable
Help me now to do the impossible
Forgiveness, forgiveness
Help me now to do the impossible
Forgiveness

I want finally set it free
Show me how to see what your mercy sees
Help me now to give what You gave to me
Forgiveness, forgiveness
Forgiveness, forgiveness