Positivity: a few humble thoughts.

 Overcast,

Slightly warm,

A little drizzly.

A good day to take time and reflect on life,

We have two choices each of time and application.

First part time, second part application:

Past: Did we learn or will we repeat?

Now: Will today's decisions help or hinder ourselves or others?

I don't quite agree with the "positive attitude" approach.

I believe that a humble attitude guided by God's Word and Spirit is as good as it gets. 

The word "positive" neither reflects good or evil in its application. We assume that it has "good" connotations but very wicked men can be positive. The devil was positive in his attitude and effort to "ascend above the mount". I make this point to throw up a red flag on Christians who indulge in secular humanism because it "sounds right", instead of God's Word which "is right." Humanism placates the mind with carnal right, but God's Word enters the heart and fills it with timeless Truth (Jesus Christ is the Way, the Truth, and the Light/Life.)

Whereas "humble men and women" filled with God's Spirit and His word can't help to reproduce good actions and (with) good intentions. Not at all meaning that the Godly cannot sin but that the general "habit" of application for the man and women who fear God is on an average good. (Notice that I choose the words "humble men and women filled with God's Spirit and His Word, not all who know scripture, or go to church, or all who say they know God are His. Those who's hearts are filled with Christ and Love God are the ones I am speaking of.) These are better than "positive" they are "righteous" by their communion (intimacy) with Christ and God the Father. 

More than "positive" they are joyful of spirit which is far better than happy in the mind or flesh. Being "joyful" is a quality of character that is born from God as a divine gift from being saved, realizing that your "death sentence" has been es-ponged and all your sins have been paid for and washed away at Calvary by the blood of Christ. When Christians loose their joy all they have to do is "lift up holy hands" to their Father in Heaven, confess their sins, believe that His word to forgive is true, be grateful for the cleansing, and their joy will be restored. Now in this practice "blessed" is a better word than positive.

Well I can see that today has been "productive" in the reflection on life for me and I pray for you too. Take time to get quite before God and enter into His presence through the name of Jesus and review (not dwell) your past, sight areas to improve on: thought, word and deed, then prayerfully ask to receive the grace today to avoid the same pitfalls.

Remember you can only receive grace for "today" because "today has enough troubles of it's own." 

Grow in the grace and knowledge of the Lord Jesus Christ daily and you will fulfill the will of God in your life.

With all Love in Christ

J&E in Tn

Why signs and wonders?

 This post was sent to me having to do with the age old Christian question of “why signs and wonders?”

He stated:

Jerrold, who said anything about “signs and wonders” being necessary for a Christian today to be a good witness and testimony for Jesus Christ?

My motivation for my answer: I’ll start with and stay in Scripture.

My answer:

Isaiah 8:18

18 Behold, I and the children whom the Lord hath given me are for signs and for wonders in Israel from the Lord of hosts, which dwelleth in mount Zion.

2 Timothy 4:2

King James Version

2 Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all long suffering and doctrine.

1 Corinthians 4:20

“For the kingdom of God is not in word, but in power.”

1 Corinthians 2:4-5

4 And my speech and my preaching were not with enticing words of man’s wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power,

5 that your faith should not stand on the wisdom of man, but on the power of God.

James 2:17-18

17 Even so faith, if it hath not works, is dead, being alone.

18 Yea, a man may say, Thou hast faith, and I have works: shew me thy faith without thy works, and I will shew thee my faith by my works. 

John 14:12, KJV: 

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.

It’s obvious that the works spoken about are the manifestations of God (miraculously), or God working through man using compassion.

Finally if you have a “good witness and  testimony” signs and wonders will follow:

Mark 16:15-20

15 And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature.

16 He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned.

17 And these signs shall follow them that believe; In my name shall they cast out devils; they shall speak with new tongues;

18 They shall take up serpents; and if they drink any deadly thing, it shall not hurt them; they shall lay hands on the sick, and they shall recover.

19 So then after the Lord had spoken unto them, he was received up into heaven, and sat on the right hand of God.

20 And they went forth, and preached every where, the Lord working with them, and confirming the word with signs following. Amen.

Vs 20

Here’s that Word again “Working” then “working with them” and “confirming the Word” (preached) with “signs following. AMEN!

Normally at this point I would say “case dismissed!” 

Sir: the Holy Spirit is part of the “anointing” of being “saved.” Scripture says be saved and be baptized. “And they (Christians) received power from on high when that the Holy Spirit came upon them.” 

God had Scripture “wrote by men led of the Spirit” so no one could say that anything written was not “for all who would believe” or up for “personal opinions.”

Romans 3:4

“Let God be True and all men liars.”

I have set before you “God’s Word” for proof of the necessity of “signs and wonders” to follow the True preaching of the Gospel. Open your heart to the “Truth that sets free” and “Glorify your Father in heaven,” not forsaking your “good witness and testimony” that “none may perish but all have eternal life.

God bless and keep in His ever increasing grace and Unconditional Love that is ours in Christ Jesus!

Love

Jerrold Cavasin

Decisions

 Another day past,

You knew it wouldn't last,

What did you do with it?

Sun coming up tomorrow,

Will it be joy or sorrow,

What will you do with it?

Battles and struggles a coming,

Victories and defeats, the summing,

What will you do with it?

Love and hate residing,

Agreement and debate colliding,

What will you do with it?

Decisions that take a second to make 

May have an eternity of consequences.

Remember that tomorrow is based on today's choices.

Have a great day and make decisions to make tomorrow better.

Love 

J&E in Tn

Another Miracle

 ANOTHER MIRACLE:

If we are not sensitive to the Holy Spirit during our prayer time we could miss His guidance in our prayer time. Most of the time we pray what’s on our hearts and minds, and that’s good but we should not be so adherent to our hearts and minds as to forget He “who prays with groans and utterances that cannot be spoken” for us. We should “pray with our conscience and we should pray with our spirit”. Our spirit is the prayer that we want to offer because that’s where the Holy Spirit excels with the supernatural answers and miracles to us ward.  

Kinda works like this: your having a conversation with God, (many times just a monologue as God isn’t allowed to comment through ignorance), telling Him what all you need to tell or ask HIm. All the while the Holy Spirit is off to the side praying what really need to be prayed. You sort of hear Him but your not sure and don’t want to be distracted because no one has ever explained it to you. Needless to say, (admit it or not), its in Scripture where all Spirit led instructions are gleaned from but the catch is that you have to “read” them in order to “know” them.

Ok then now about the miracle that happened to me just after breakfast this morning:

It started several weeks ago in prayer. As you would so would I; I was going through my prayers but keen to the Spirit of God so that we could have a “monologue” if I was invited to do so. I was and this is the result of “praying in the, with the, Holy Spirit as the Spirit gave utterance.

He showed me to start praying for something that’s really important. Something I never even thought of until now: and that was “praying that each and everyone of you would receive your own non arguable personal miracle of your own, so that you would be forever convinced that God has proven His presence and Love, and your value to Him in such a way that you cannot shake it.” Yes a miracle so powerful that religious training, church doctrine or teaching could not make you see otherwise! After 40 years of being born again this is the first time this was made known to me.

Why?

Revelations 12:11

“And they have conquered him (the devil) by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony,”

Many people have never seen the power of what they have been told about in Jesus Christ manifest in their own life, so they helplessly follow a “religion” hoping for it to be true but never sure or fully convinced. Well when you delve into this receiving of miracles personally through prayer in Jesus name all of a sudden a “Light goes on in your soul” and you can see clearly now. 

Now the actual miracle that happened this morning:

I made and ate breakfast with Elise the usual time. Slightly thereafter a grave 

Illness started to manifest its self in my body (His temple). I knew that this was significant because of the way it came upon me and how out of sorts I felt. 

Body sweats, cloudy ness of thought, very sharp pains in my torso, weakness over all my body, an awareness of something unnatural trying to take over, and shortness of breath. I walked around praying and claiming the will of God for healing as my body is the “temple of the Living God” but I just got worse. Almost toe the point of passing out. So the first thought that came to mind was to text my son (son in law but I Love him like a son) Kristian and petition him for prayer. Absolutely was his answer. Right after that I fell into a deep sleep. I woke up several hours later completely healed, feeling good as gold. Reading these few words might not seem like much to you as to call it a miracle but I went from a “shut down” sickness to a complete healing in 2 hours. Praise God for His Love and mercy shown to His people.

This is the kind of power I pray would become evident in your own lives so that you might “know beyond a shadow of doubt” that you are His and He, the God of creation cares about you so much so as to “manifest” His (very real) glory in your life.

“Pray without ceasing for this is the will of God concerning you in Christ Jesus.”

Love 

Jerry and Elise

Today: Moving of the Holy Spirit

 God be praised continually as He reveals His Holy Spirit to man advancing His revelation to His people! Several days ago the Holy Spirit reminded me about “singing in the Holy Spirit” during our intimate times of worship. ! Corinthians 14:15 “What is it then? I will pray with the Spirit, and I will pray with the understanding also: I will sing with the Spirit, and I will sing with the understanding also.” Ephesians 5:9 “Speaking to yourselves in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord.” 

I have seldom thought about this in the last 35 yrs until now. My prayers of late (the last 2 days) has been to reincorporate that practice into my worship time. I talked to Elise about it and how that the only church we ever experienced that was at the Brighten Body of Christ back in the 80’s (no more around). Since then we have never witnessed that again anywhere. 

So up to date: this morning I was talking to Elise about that during breakfast when a text came in from our daughter who participates with different worship writers across the country. It was a posting of the recent meeting for a time of spontaneous worship using the Psalms as their words to sing. It was Psalm 91 that morning. They committed the time to the Lord and invited the Holy Spirit to take the lead. He did and a beautiful worship broke loose for 12 minutes. In the end God confirmed the practice of singing in the Spirit when at the end one worshiper started singing in the Spirit for several minutes. His tune, His melody, His Words! It was inspiring. Singing in the Spirit was reminded  me by Him, then to make double sure that I received the message He had my daughter send me this text with worship music to show me that it’s still a gift and functioning to those who “seek”.

I present this to you this day to remind you all to seek every precious gift and satisfy every precious command so that your revelation and experience of Christ will dwell in you richly and bring forth His glory.

Love: Jerry and Elise

What should a “Biblical” worship service contain?

 When “Believers” get together corporately we call that a “service.” What happens in a service is only what happens in an individual’s life at home during the week. Nothing will be manifested “corporately” what isn’t manifested at home individually. 

Assuming that, we might ask ourselves “are we experiencing Biblical promises at home and at church. Here’s a check list:

1.  Jesus is Savior and Lord.

2.  The Holy Spirit is present.

3.  Praise and worship is natural in expression.

4.  Unconditional Love abounds.

5.  Promises and gifts are manifested because Jesus promised and the Holy         

     Spirit brings them forth.

6.  There should be Prophesy.

7.  There could be Tongues with interpretation or just the worship therein.

8.  Healings would be commonplace.

9.  Raising the dead (both physical and spiritual), as needed.

10. Miraculous signs and wonders.

11.  Passionate, fervent prayer, with known results.

12. Receiving communion regularly.

13. Sharing of personal testimonies.

14. Encouraging one another in the faith.

15. Even discipline over heresies when they occur.

16. Sound preaching straight from the Word, no fabrications.

Such are just a few of the list that should be experienced “regularly” at the corporate service. If they are not there consistently then action needs be taken. Having a couple of the above with excuse for the lack of the rest doesn’t cut it. Every precious promise should be on the church agenda all the time as the Holy Spirit distributes them. These “incidents” are what makes us different from “other” faiths. You have no right to say that we are True if Truth isn’t manifested “according to the Word” in our lives. God will operate according to His Word and doesn’t need your guidelines or acceptance to limit Him. 

Step 1. Make sure that your individual life is being fulfilled according to Scripture not your preferences, no excuses! Step 2. Make sure your corporate gatherings follow the same pattern. Step 3. Unconditionally Love one another so that your prayers will be answered and God will be glorified!

Love

Jerrold and Elise 

Blessed above and beyond: 1 Timothy 6: 6-10

 1 Timothy 6:6-10

6. But godliness with contentment is great gain. 

7. For we brought nothing into this world, and it is certain we can carry nothing out. 

8. And having food and raiment let us be therewith content. 

9. But they that will be rich fall into temptation and a snare, and into many foolish and hurtful lusts, which drown men in destruction and perdition. 

10. For the love of money is the root of all evil: which while some coveted after, they have erred from the faith, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows.

Sometimes we forget this.

“Food and raiment” is enough to be “content” with. A good measure of the world today is without either!

Example:

Water: to our taps, showers, washers, spigots, dishwashers, in fact anywhere you want water most places in the USA its available. Our potted plants get more water then much of the world does for a week, and we don’t have to walk 5 miles to get it to carry it back for a family of 5 or more. Let alone bathing.

Food: we have so much food here in America that only he poorest do without. In fact those who have throw away more food every day then could be used by the needy (here) so none would go hungry.

Electricity: you can just about “plug in” anywhere. Not just availability but consistent availability.

Health care products: Soaps, tooth paste, health care products, over the counter aids, glasses, almost everything’s you can imagine.

Fuel: not just for vehicles but for airplanes, homes, and BBQ’s Ect.

Travel: all types, anywhere!

Money: we are the wealthiest nation (for now) in the world. Some would say “not me” but Truth be know, your here so you made it this far so “be content, grateful.” Tomorrow is on it’s way and God can open up the doors of heaven and pour out a blessing that you can’t contain. We have personal testimony for that one. Explained later if needed.

The list goes on and on!

We (you implied also) are blessed above and beyond measure and beyond what we can think or imagine.

Did you note that He didn’t promise: houses, boats, snowmobiles, dirt bikes, 4-wheelers, transportation, air conditioners, and other “extra’s” that we readily indulge in. Why is that? Because they are not needed for life and Godliness. It doesn’t mean they are bad just that “with food and raiment THERE WITH BE CONTENT.”

With all your “trappings” are you content? If yes great! If not then “with food and raiment there with be content.” Go back to being grateful with the basics promised.  

During every meal I can’t help to say “this is incredible”. To eat so well such a fine repast. Think about it.

When I get into the shower I thank God for hot water, not just there but at every tap in the house hot water can be had. Think about it.

This is a small foot note to remind us of how blessed we are in this country.

More on this later.

Think about it.

Love

Jerry and Elise