Our hope

What's on my mind?

Love, Joy and Peace in the Holy Spirit. This has been the general theme for the last couple of days.

With our lives/world in such turmoil there has to be a "safe haven" for us to rest in, and that haven is God.

It's easy enough to get swept away with all the media lies and "prominent peoples personal", (say that real fast 5 x), opinions, along with any personal difficulties that are happening in our own lives. We must have a "refuge" that's always loving, always forgiving, and always available for us to run to and find solace.

My safe haven is in Christ who has never failed me yet, even though many of my "visits" to this Heart were needed because of self imposed problems.

These times let you know who has your heart and thereby hope. Is it this surreal world we live in, (the one that right now is so troubled), or is it our Heavenly Father, (who knows and holds the future)?

So the question that need to be asked is: Who or what is real enough to you that you put your hope and trust in, or how much comfort and hope do you get from your choice? There is only one choice here that satisfies all our needs for Love, hope, and peace, that choice is God the Father through the Lord Jesus Christ.

Think about this when you think about "the times we live in."

Think about this when the "fear of the future sets in."

Think about this when "trials and tribulations manifest themselves."

Life is full of "obstacles".

God is full of Love and Grace.

Love to all,

J&E in Tn.

Loss, comfort.

Hard week! Questions, sleeplessness, sorrow, all culminating in where we are at this moment. Taking comfort in some old gospel songs sung by one of the "greats." Amazing how passion, pain and the gospel can give hope and bring joy. Worshiping the True and Living God can redeem one from grief and comfort the aching heart. It's there that we have hope and relief with His presence filling the hole left behind. Loss of a loved one can set the spirit low but Jesus came to give wings to the broken hearted so we can fly to His bosom for comfort.

Isaiah 40:31

"But they that wait upon the LORD shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint."

1 Peter 5:7

"Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you."

Those who are partaking in this event/loss we hope this post will bring you comfort and help ease the pain. Here is a worship song that will complete this post:

https://www.shazam.com/track/114049408/turn-your-eyes-upon-jesus

Love

J&E in Tn

What came with Jesus on the first Christ-mas

Christmas 

Today is the day that has been proclaimed since the beginning and preformed "at the appointed time." Though God's Love has always been with us since the creation, His manifestation of that Love in bodily form came through Jesus Christ.
Hereto we celebrate that memory in the fact that by His (Jesus) birth we are given access to forgiveness by faith, and the promise of heaven "where we will be with Him forever."
For most this is the meaning of Christ, He is the definition of "salvation" but that's pretty much it.
But the Word Christ goes much deeper than that in completion.
He is:
The Alpha and Omega
Which means literally "the beginning and the end", also "from the beginning (Gen 1:1) to the end (Rev 22:21), and from the beginning of time (no known point as God/Christ is without time) to the end of time (no known point as there is no time in God, only in His creation, but HIs creation is in a time state so we can know the 'shortness of our days', and the need to accomplish His goal of "believing on the Lord Jesus Christ to be forgiven our sins and grow in "fellowship with Him."
The Great Physician
"By His stripes we are healed!" His healing power was manifest before His "stripes" were set upon Him by healing the sick, cleansing the leapers, giving sight to the blind, straightening the crooked back and shriveled hand, and many more "manifestations", to many to be mentioned here.
What was the reason for these manifestations of healing???? Simply put: so God's glory could be shown, and His Love of man manifested in concert with the Truth (His Word) being spoken. When the Truth is spoken God will manifest His "signs and wonders" to bare witness to that "Eternal, set you free, make you whole Truth", which is Jesus Christ; the hope of glory and all that God the Father has finished, in and through Him, for us to participate in.
The Supreme Power over the Devil
So that we can be aware of, unencumbered by, unoppressed by, set free from, and have authority over "the destroyer of our souls. That in His name (Jesus) every knee should bow and tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord to the glory of the Father. He (this) is true freedom. Protected under the wing of the Father from all evil by His grace through Christ and faith in that name.
The giver of the Comforter
"I go to the Father so that I can send you the Comforter," who is the power of God to "enable" all of us to "posses the land," and "having done all you could do to stand then just stand with all the armor that God has given us for battle, against spiritual wickedness." He (the Comforter) will also "teach us and remind us of all the things He (Jesus) has said and taught." Remember He (the Comforter) is the Mind of Christ that reveals to us, (a revelation given), what is the Truth of God and empowers us to "do the things that Jesus did and greater things."
Our Provider
"He will fulfill all your needs through Christ Jesus our Lord."
Multiplication of the loaves for food. Raiment for clothes. A sound mind. Fearlessness in the overcoming of trouble. Life (eternal) for physical death.
There are many more things that could be said about what God the Father finished for us in His Son Jesus Christ for our use of and the taking by faith, but this shall sustain us for now.
All this and more was given, settled, and acquired by faith on that first Christmas morn.
God bless and keep through out the year.
Merry Christmas
Love
J&E in Tn

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True healing

Let me start out with this:

John 14:12-17 King James Version (KJV)

12 Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that believeth on me, the works that I do shall he do also; and greater works than these shall he do; because I go unto my Father.

13 And whatsoever ye shall ask in my name, that will I do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son.

14 If ye shall ask any thing in my name, I will do it.

15 If ye love me, keep my commandments.

16 And I will pray the Father, and he shall give you another Comforter, that he may abide with you for ever;

17 Even the Spirit of truth; whom the world cannot receive, because it seeth him not, neither knoweth him: but ye know him; for he dwelleth with you, and shall be in you.

What is more important? Going to church or knowing and obeying the "will of God?"
Though we are not to forsake "the meeting of our fellowship" the reason we do that is so that we can "obey the will of God."
So how do we know the will of God? We know the will of God by 3 things:
1. His Word (the Bible)
2. His Spirit (the baptism in and repetitive "being filled")
3. A personal/intimate relationship with Jesus Christ (not just lip  
    service but becoming one with Him.
By these three "applications" being implored everyday we will cultivate a "Father/Son" relationship that will guide us in "walking in the Spirit and there by not satisfy the lust of the flesh." Vs 16 is a promise that makes all other promises possible. He is the "Spirit of Truth" and will guide us in all truth. God's Truth not our interpretation.
Every Word of God is true and cannot be broken, but for those whose hearts have not been "cleansed by the Word" vs 13-14 might be an attraction to ask wicked things of God which of course He cannot do, "for God cannot be tempted with sin nor temps He anyone."
So what has this to do with anything?
Troublesome times are apon us, and not just political, or national.
The root of all "problems" is spiritual.

Ephesians 6:12-13King James Version (KJV)

12 For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.

13 Wherefore take unto you the whole armor of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.

What we are experiencing today is brought on by waging a warfare "in the flesh" with carnal weapons, and not proceeding it with spiritual warfare (Prayer and supplication to God) to bolster our "actions" with Divine power from above.

Mark this one thing:
Our ways have failed because we have failed. We, to long have looked to man to "set things right", and to few have exerted the practice of "the prayers of a rightous man availeth much." We have not given "the Comforter" significant "abiding" with us so that He could lead us "in all Truth."
"Like sheep we have gone our own way" and have "reaped what we have sown." Sorry to say that reaping is never 1 for 1 but 1 for 30, 60, or 100 fold, ergo what we have now for acceptance in our present state: adultery (extra marital affairs), fornication (sex outside marriage), sodomy (read Romans 1:18-32), murder, and many other "not so long ago sins" that are accepted as normal now.
These times (both spiritual and physical) warrant a drastic change if the future is going to accomplish any reformation.

So here is the question:
What do you believe?
Have you received the Comforter?
Is the "change" worth the effort for our grandchildren and those afar off?
Just know that NO change is going to come unless this takes place:
2 Chronicles 7:14
If my people (God's people), which are called by my name (the name of Jesus Christ, 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.
AND Will HEAL THEIR LAND!
Notice it didn't say just vote in the change, (we must apply ourselves here) but "humble ourselves", "confess our sins (mentioned above), pray, and seek His face." Before the voting and petitioning that must be done.
Only then will this "land be healed."

There is the layout for future success and change for the better. There in is the hope for our progeny.

What thinkest thou?
Their future is in our hands.
"I put before you life and death, I would that you chose life." Jesus said that.
Will the future hold life or death?
It's up to us to start doing what will change the evil we have to good now.

Love, joy and peace in the Holy Spirit to all who set their hearts on these things above.
Love
J&E in Tn

Who is the True keeper/teacher of the Word of God?

The Pharisees, Sadducee's, and Herodians were the pre-Christ keepers of the Word of God. It didn't take long for them to turn it into a "self serving" religion. The same has happened since Christ and we seem to be slipping into the same morass. I see the problem now...........once again it has been entrusted into the hands of man, many of which "know not the Spirit." God's way of correcting this will be "Christ's return", as with His first event, this will be another game changer.

Until it is once again taught that "being filled, sealed, and baptized in the Holy Spirit is an experience, (both spiritual and physical), starting by faith then turning into the "evidence and substance." Look to the Book of Acts, or we will continue in making allowances to minimize this promise. Thereby "having a form of Godliness but denying the power thereof."

There are enough "lackluster formulations" out there representing Christianity to implicate that salvation is the only reason we preach the Gospel, but God's real purpose for salvation through Jesus Christ is to prove His Love for all mankind by His witnessing with power to the Truth that sets free. Without such "witness" by the Holy Spirit, (signs, wonders, divers miracles, ect) the Book of Acts would be pretty lame having followed the Gospels wherein we were promised by Jesus to receive "power from on high." Salvation is an "all inclusive" Word that encompasses freedom from all sin but also the promise of all that was promised by God the Father and Jesus Christ the Son. Everything, period. Every precious promise of God is True, (as He cannot lie), whether you have seen, heard, witnessed, or prayed for them. Your experience is not what makes God's Word True of false. God's Word is True regardless of us who believe. Much of today's doctrine doesn't address this issue to the "empowering of the saints." So then it's up to you, the believer, to embrace the Truth and be "set free."

When we stand before God "in that day" what you were taught won't matter one bit, but "what you hungered and thirsted after" in His Word during your "closet times."

I hope that this word of encouragement will challenge you as it does me daily in seeking the Truth.

Start with the Holy Spirit then devour the Word like it is as important as your "real meat."

Love

J&E inTn

A scriptural application to strengthen "as long as it is called today"

Psalm 30:3b, "weeping may endure for a night, but joy cometh in the morning."

Some thoughts for today!

Jesus oft spent the night in prayer, alone; especially when He had important events to prepare for. He also arose early in the morning to do the same.

But let’s look at the significance of evening prayer and "weeping for a night."

Because we all are "day" based for most our activities we think that the new day begins at sunrise, but alas Scripture proves us wrong. The new day begins with the evening meal and that should be around 6 pm.

Genesis 1:3-5, "3 And God said, Let there be light: and there was light.

4 And God saw the light, that it was good: and God divided the light from the darkness.

                         

5 And God called the light Day, and the darkness he called Night. And the evening and the morning were the first day."

"And the evening and the morning were the first day" shows us that the evening starts the day.

This is a special time in Scripture as the events that come in the morning are effected by what we do during the start of the evening which is the beginning of the day.

Evening is the time for the "family meal" where all gather around the table and the events of the day are addressed and discussed with wisdom for guidance or discipline/correction doled out. A time for families to "come together", under the "natural cause" of breaking bread, both "carnal and spiritual" for the good health of both "body and spirit."

This event is of the most dire importance because Scripture states:

Ephesians 4:26, "Be ye angry, and sin not: let not the sun go down upon your wrath:"

To stay ones wrath every time, prayer must be employed. We are brought to a spirit of wrath during all times of the day by what we read, what's said, or just the ignorant actions of other people. Many times inanimate objects cause us to "react" out of character by not working or breaking down.

This is why we "start the day" (evening) with the family meal followed by prayer both corporate and individual (private) so that our "hearts can be stayed, grace received, and wisdom gained" for every situation that will arise as the "day" continues. This produces a maturing faith that when completed fills our lack.

James 1: 2-4,  My brethren, count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptations;³ Knowing this, that the trying of your faith worketh patience.⁴ But let patience have her perfect work, that ye may be perfect and entire, wanting nothing.

As the day try’s our faith so the evening perfects our patience, and the perfect work there of is “lacking nothing.” At the onset of a new day, the breaking of bread, family communications, prayer, and the resulting bond that is strengthened within the family, rest comes more natural, and the ability through the “freedom” these things bring, prepare us for “meditating” on God’s Word in the “night watches.” Surely then rest will be sweet and productive, dreams and visions by the Holy Spirit will attend more frequently, and our “revelation of Jesus Christ” will grow and mature under His guidance. These are the nearly unspoken, untaught, or unpracticed things in the lives of many Christians today as well as a lack thereof in the corporate church. This is a great hindrance to the development of strong families which are to replicate Christ to a “lost and dying world.” When will we get to the point that the Words offered in Scripture are not “a suggestion” but the Word of God for our good and benefit. Did God so lightly pen His Words to only suggest “a better way”? Or did he, by His eternal wisdom and power of the Holy Spirit, have them written like they were the “bread of life”? Real meat for those who “hunger and thirst after righteousness! I declare that He had them written, by “men led by the Holy Spirit”, to be of more nourishment than our carnal food that we thoughtlessly partake in daily. And that for our temporal body’s sake which will perish in time, but His Word feeds our eternal spirit which will reign with Him forever. So I ask here: which is more vital to partake in? Which partaking more noble? Look to Moses who following God was led into a mountain and did not eat or drink for 40 days and nights, then returning back to camp disciplining the “children of God” had to return for another 40 days and nights being denied the food of man but living off of the “Word of God”, real meat able to sustain him and change his countenance. And then there was Jesus 40 days in the wilderness, “having meat that you know not of” with the angels attending Him when His ordeal was over. How many of you need to be reminded of “that meat”? Look here: He was the “Word that became flesh and dwelt amongst us for a while,” He was (is still) Emanuel God with us, the Word in the flesh that still had to “sup, eat of, partake of, engraft of,” the Word of God to maintain His strength as an example to us of what we should do the same, daily, consistently, passionately, having our fill so our “cup can run over.” When our cup “runeth over” it is an example, a nourishment, and a hope for others around us, revealing “from whence our hope, victory, and strength cometh.”

Many religions talk about the way or a path, but this is the ONLY True “Way, Truth and Life/Light” lived and expressed by His children, “not as under a bushel, but as a light that shineth in the darkness, one that is put upon a hill that cannot be hid.”

Did you ever think that all this success hinges on the reality of God’s design “in the beginning”? Do you see why His Word is real meat for His people, His flock, His body? Do you see how starting our “new day” scripturaly, in the evening, with the family meal can set the course of our “night watch” and prepare us for the “day ahead”? Is it now proven that success for the “morning” is built on this scriptural building block? Does this make you aware of the importance to have an evening family time/meal so that we can receive grace through faith for the “weeping that may last a night but joy comes in the morning”? Remember this one crucial proof: “you are saved by grace through faith” Ephesians 2:8, but in all things grace always comes through faith, it is an undisputed reality in any Biblical application, no faith, no grace. Period, anywhere, anytime, any how! All things done outside of faith is “sin” and then comes the “trusting in God’s Word (Jesus) that we can overcome by grace “the sin that so easily besets.”

Again this is the scriptural way to “start the day” in the evening with the family meal as God has designed it.

God bless and keep.

Love

J&E in Tn

The reaping of faith

The reaping of faith: my story.

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

All our well doing should be done by faith in obedience to God’s Word. The clear definition of faith is found in Hebrews 11:1 “Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.”

Faith in what? Faith in God’s Word. Many people put their faith in “the things of man” hoping that somehow the things that can be built by man “will endure” to our profit or provision. But True faith can only be put in “the Word of God” as it never fails and cannot change, not being effected by time.

For me, my faith “in my beginning” was placed in my Catholic training and my parents guidelines. Helpful, but do to my young age and low maturity level it was not engaged or exercised. I stumbled through life with reckless abandon having only the “hand of God” to protect me from my own sin and actions, unbeknown to me.

But then when the revelation of Jesus Christ came to me through the presenting of His Gospel by a co-worker I immediately put my “faith” in Jesus Christ who is the Word of God. So I effectively put my faith in the Word of God without reservation, not wondering about interpretation, or my ability or study, but just “believing” that every Word of God is True. Because of this grace that I received through salvation, and my grasping on to it as one who was perishing, I indulged in the hope that was handed me and devoured the “engrafted Word” which had set me free. It was (and still is) like being at a wonderful banquet table full of “sustaining” victuals and profitable delights. I engaged this new spiritual hunger with both passion and energy, as it well deserved. Not just feeding on the “milk of the Word” but also very quickly getting into the “meat of the Word”. I believed that this passion and success came quickly because of the help of the Holy Spirit, who taught me and reminded me of all things that Jesus said, guiding me to “walk by faith and in the light.”

I had no mind (or leading by the Holy Spirit) to do anything more than read/hear the Word, the Holy Scriptures. I didn’t allow myself to “try to understand” them only to “wait on the Lord” to teach me “in His time” all things. And over the last 35 yrs He has been faithful to “guide me in truth” and thereby “strengthen my faith in Him.” Many times I would ask for wisdom on some matter but the timing “not being His” the understanding would not be given. This taught me one most important lesson: “all things are in His time, not ours.” If we “wait upon the Lord” we will receive all things, all things. Wisdom, knowledge, and understanding are God’s gift to us for our patience, by faith, through the waiting, seeking and knocking process.

As the Scriptures say, the Word of God is “real meat and real drink” for us to indulge in as if it were the carnal food that we eat. As much as we need carnal food we more so need spiritual food. Carnal food feeds the body but “the Word of God” feeds the soul, the spirit man, which then causes “spiritual growth.” Anyone who only relies on a sermon once a week for their “feeding” will lack the ability to grow strong and mighty in spirit. The sermon of the week is to be added to the diligence of the believer during the week to make the feeding complete, but it is not enough to grow the body by itself. Knowing God, seeking God, communing with God is rewarded by effort: Hebrews 11:6 “But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.” Faith is the “spice” that makes the meal of His Word desirable, as the reward of faith in the Word develops our spirit by testing.

For many Christians have left faith in the Word and the guidance of the Holy Spirit for the “words of man”, man’s teaching, filling itching ears, not of the Spirit. Sound teaching comes from men anointed of God for that position, who speak the Truth and lie not, led by the Spirit of God. I do not say this for a general condemnation but to reveal a common application that’s going on in many church’s today. Positions are filled because they exist, not because there is an anointing or leading of God to teach. Know this that everything God does is “for today.” His provisions are “daily”, His Word is needed “daily”, His revelation is given “daily”, teaching is given as needed daily, that is why “He will  teach us and remind us of all things Jesus said” when we need it and in its time.

It takes faith to believe and receive this. It takes “abiding” in Him to receive this. It takes passion and desire to obtain this. Though we are the Body of Christ corporately we are also the “individual members” that have the responsibility to add “our participation” to the rest of the Body. Though we may feel otherwise this participation is “non optional.” For the Body to be healthy all members of it must be healthy or the whole body suffers to some degree, as does its performance. Each member is given a revelation (if he has sought for it), and gifts to share with the other members to edify one another, to build up the body as a whole. Any member that cannot contribute to the needs of the body by living their ministry, and using their gifts in it, is weakening the body and its effectiveness as a whole.

To make the Body of Christ as effective as possible, all believers must concur that the “engrafting of the written Word”, and faith that it is exactly as God wants it, is True, unchanging, and eternal in its application, real meat and drink, for life and that more abundantly in the Body. If we allow the Word to be reduced to mere stories, comparisons, and philosophies, then we deny it the power that God has given it for “reproduction” of its kind. Remember “in the beginning” all things were given the ability to “reproduce” its own kind for continuance in this creation, we are no difference as “followers of Jesus Christ.” We must reproduce faith in Him or be overrun by the world. To do this God has given us “power” and “anointing” for “possessing” the land, which is the hearts and souls of mankind. Only faith in His Word, unwavering and True, releases the power of God to do this keeping His seed spotless by the Blood of Christ building the Body up in its most holy expression of His provision and Love.

Anyone who argues that there are discrepancies in His Word has no revelation from God or faith in His Word. God cannot lie, lead astray, or deceive so His Word is pure, undefiled, and Holy…….whether you see it that way, experience it that way, or see it that way in anyone else, period. God’s Word is there to manifest His glory in mere men, those chosen vessels of His, to a wicked and adulterous generation that “none might perish but all should have eternal life.” If we who say we believe undermine the Word of God then we undermine the Gospel of Christ and (aside from the promise “my Word shall not come back void”) weaken the presentation of their salvation who here. If we are confused about what God’s Word says then how can we convince the unbelievers to believe? The power of the Gospel is just that, the power! The Holy Spirit draws all to Christ, Christ saves and brings to God, a washed and cleansed offering of Love for His worship and praise. Where the Gospel of Christ is spoken the power of salvation is released for the harvest. Again how can they believe our words if we don’t fully believe? I hope this is clear now so that the Body of Christ can reproduce members of like type, strong in faith, believing!

The word “salvation” does not only mean to “deliver from hell” but to “completely restore back to its original designed condition as God intended.” So we are saved from hell’s fire, but we are also “returned to the original design of “made in the image and likeness of God.” Complete, made whole, lacking nothing of His original design, His original plan for us, “Being conformed unto His (Jesus Christ’s) image and likeness, to do those things He did and greater things” to Glorify our (His) Father in Heaven. Saved to the fullest representation of Christ, doing the will of God as He did, seeing Him do His work and doing it also,, speaking “as though speaking the very Words of God.” So we are saved to be complete in Him. This is the True goal of salvation……restoration to God’s perfect design. To do that we must agree that engrafting His Word is necessary along with a daily communing with Him through prayer and being faithful or full of faith. “Without faith no man can please God.”

This is what I had as a “beginning” when I was saved. All the above was completed on my salvation and its revelation taught and brought to the front as I grew in grace and faith. I daily seek those revelations from His Word that He would show me, knowing that “today is the day if you hear my voice harden not your heart.”

Our walk is daily.                                                 

Our growth in faith is daily; and that by the Holy Spirit.

Our need to “edify” other members in the Body of Christ is daily.

Our being “conformed to His image and likeness” is daily.

“Live your life before men so that they might see your good works and glorify your Father in Heaven.”

Grace and peace be with you.

Love

J&E in Tn