I kept wondering exactly what HE desired me to say. What came to my spirit was simple. “I am so GRIEVED by the rejection of MY LOVE. ” I heard Jesus speak THIS. It really pierced me. I said, ” I am SO SORRY. I know that hurts so much. I cannot even FATHOM how much PAIN you endure, and HAVE endured. I thank you for the GIFT of calling us HOME. Whenever WE officially get there to stay, until WE do, we will rejoice. WE will receive MORE of who you are. Lord, I repent on behalf of those who don’t know how to receive. Until recently I was still battling that. But, NOW I ask you to shower us in your GLORY. Bring to pass HOME, so that WE don’t just want to leave, or run away. But we are encouraged to finish the race with your GRACE leading the way. Bringing many willing participants along with us :)”
Recently, our family went to see the movie “HOME.” I am not going to talk about the evil involved in the film. I am going to speak about what GOD revealed to us. It is simple really. HIS LOVE conquers. No matter how dark things appear around us, HIS LOVE will be the light. It will be the HOPE and it alone will guide us HOME. So, are you HOME? Well, in some sense the answer is NO. Because literally you are not 100% HOME. Yet, can you LIVE from there and not be there officially? YES, you can. Because JESUS is there. Yet, lives in you too. He is here and there as well 🙂
I do encourage you to, through the LOVE of God, learn about your enemy. Because, WHEN you do, then you will NOT be so blindsided when trials arise. What is YOUR idea of HOME? What is Jesus’s idea of HOME? Because the fact is, what God says is the ONLY thing that is TRUTH. Is home in your spouses arms? Is it in the arms of a child? It it in a house with a white picket fence? Is it surrounded by the world? Consider what HOME is to you, and what it is to GOD. Do they line up? Is there agreement with HIS plan?
What if God said, “I need YOU to release your idea of Heaven, for the REAL Heaven, which is MY HOME.” What would your reaction be? I will be VERY Real and tell you my first reaction was NO. I am not saying that I do not want what he does. I am simply stating that, I did NOT want to give up anything. Because, then I had a fear I would never get anything in return. I believed no matter how much others said otherwise, that I was unloved. I remember as a teen, there was a song that kind of became my “anthem.”
THIS was the song. It was written by Jan Arden…
Lyrics
There will be no consolation prize
This time the bone is broken clean
No baptism, no reprise and no sweet taste
of victory. All the stars have fallen
from the sky and everything else in between
satelites have closed their eyes.
The moon has gone to sleep
Unloved
Unloved
Unloved
Unloved
Here I am inside a hotel choking on a
million words I said
Cigarettes have burned a hole and dreams are
drunk and penniless.
Here I am inside my father’s arms,
all jagged-bone and whiskey-dry.
Whisper to me sweetly now and tell me I will
never die.
Unloved
Unloved
Unloved
Unloved
Here I am an empty hallway,
Broken window, rainy night
I am nineteen sixty-two and I am ready
for a fight.
People crying hallelujah,
While the bullet leaves the gun
People falling, falling, falling and I don’t know
where they’re falling from
Are they
Unloved
Unloved
Unloved
Unloved
Hoping that the kindness will lead us
past the blindness and
not another living soul will ever have to feel
Unloved
Unloved
Unloved
Unloved
Unloved
Unloved
This song was what I believed about myself. BUT it was a LIE. I say THIS to tell you that NO ONE caused me to believe it, and no one person is to blame. I simply came into agreement with a lie. It was ALL around me, people saying God loves us, He will conquer, it will be okay. But, when I looked at the fruit, hardly anyone was walking in this. No judgement, because people did and saw what they knew. I am NOT nor will I blame people for what took place in my life. I did for a long time.
My idea of HOME was chaos, stress, anger, disagreement, pain, and LOTS of other negative values. I believed it was abuse, and neglect as well as being abandoned. Why? Because, no matter how hard I tried, I could not FIND a HOME. There is a VERY specific reason why this is a fact. My HOME does NOT exist here. I remember Sarah saying, “I just want a loving and happy family.” I thought those were her desires. But, they were the heart of JESUS. I remember thinking, “How could she know this? Can she read my mind. I dare NOT tell her that I feel the same way.” But, she knew…always.
I do NOT always talk about what REALLY happened. How people were NOT always as they seemed. How evil was always hunting me, and I lived a LIFE terrified to even breathe. YET, I was determined to FIND the LOVE. I was HELL BENT that I would find it. I experienced a lot of HELL along the way, with remnants of Heaven.
There is another song I thought of the other day. It is by Amy Grant.
Lyrics
If these old walls
If these old walls could speak
Of things that they remembered well
Stories and faces dearly held
A couple in love
Livin’ week to week
Rooms full of laughter
If these walls could speak
If these old halls
If hallowed halls could talk
These would have a tale to tell
Of sun goin’ down and dinner bell
And children playing at hide and seek
From floor to rafter
If these halls could speak
They would tell you that I’m sorry
For bein’ cold and blind and weak
They would tell you that it’s only
That I have a stubborn streak
If these walls could speak
If these old fashioned window panes were eyes
I guess they would have seen it all
Each little tear and sigh and footfall
And every dream that we came to seek
Or followed after
If these walls could speak
They would tell you that I owe you
More than I could ever pay
Here’s someone who really loves you
Don’t ever go away
That’s what these walls would say
They would tell you that I owe you
More than I could ever pay
Here’s someone who really loves you
Don’t ever go away
That’s what these walls would say
That’s what these walls would say
That’s what these walls would say
God captured my heart through MUSIC. I mean He drew me in, despite how the enemy baited me. I remember in error, I believed music saved me. But, in TRUTH Jesus did. HE is my HOME. He is my HOPE, HEART, and BREATH. Yet, I kept trying to get to HIM. I never knew just how much I was LOVED. I thought to get to Jesus, I had to have the “perfect” life. But, the TRUTH is, to be HOME, to LIVE from HOME, I simply had to KEEP choosing to receive.
I did, every day. I got so discouraged, but I just kept going. I kept on telling people about JESUS. I had seen my Mom do this. Yet, also saw her battle with receiving. I just kept thanking God. recently, He healed my heart. He has brought me home. He used MANY weapons. His word, encouragement of people who LOVE HIM and me, music, television, and so much more. But, the GREATEST weapon GOD used to FREE me is HIS LOVE. It did NOT look like I expected. But, it has brought me HOME.
Behold, I am with you and will keep you wherever you go, and will bring you back to this land. For I will not leave you until I have done what I have promised you.”
And he did not permit him but said to him, “Go home to your friends and tell them how much the Lord has done for you, and how he has had mercy on you.”
For we know that if the tent that is our earthly home is destroyed, we have a building from God, a house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens. For in this tent we groan, longing to put on our heavenly dwelling, if indeed by putting it on we may not be found naked. For while we are still in this tent, we groan, being burdened—not that we would be unclothed, but that we would be further clothed, so that what is mortal may be swallowed up by life. He who has prepared us for this very thing is God, who has given us the Spirit as a guarantee. …
For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope. Then you will call upon me and come and pray to me, and I will hear you.
After this I looked, and behold, a great multitude that no one could number, from every nation, from all tribes and peoples and languages, standing before the throne and before the Lamb, clothed in white robes, with palm branches in their hands, and crying out with a loud voice, “Salvation belongs to our God who sits on the throne, and to the Lamb!” And all the angels were standing around the throne and around the elders and the four living creatures, and they fell on their faces before the throne and worshiped God, saying, “Amen! Blessing and glory and wisdom and thanksgiving and honor and power and might be to our God forever and ever! Amen.”
Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God. Consider him who endured from sinners such hostility against himself, so that you may not grow weary or fainthearted. In your struggle against sin you have not yet resisted to the point of shedding your blood. And have you forgotten the exhortation that addresses you as sons? “My son, do not regard lightly the discipline of the Lord, nor be weary when reproved by him. …
And he said, “There was a man who had two sons. And the younger of them said to his father, ‘Father, give me the share of property that is coming to me.’ And he divided his property between them. Not many days later, the younger son gathered all he had and took a journey into a far country, and there he squandered his property in reckless living. And when he had spent everything, a severe famine arose in that country, and he began to be in need. So he went and hired himself out to one of the citizens of that country, who sent him into his fields to feed pigs. …
For thus says the Lord: “Sing aloud with gladness for Jacob, and raise shouts for the chief of the nations; proclaim, give praise, and say, ‘O Lord, save your people, the remnant of Israel.’ Behold, I will bring them from the north country and gather them from the farthest parts of the earth, among them the blind and the lame, the pregnant woman and she who is in labor, together; a great company, they shall return here. With weeping they shall come, and with pleas for mercy I will lead them back, I will make them walk by brooks of water, in a straight path in which they shall not stumble, for I am a father to Israel, and Ephraim is my firstborn. “Hear the word of the Lord, O nations, and declare it in the coastlands far away; say, ‘He who scattered Israel will gather him, and will keep him as a shepherd keeps his flock.’
“Surely your waste and your desolate places and your devastated land— surely now you will be too narrow for your inhabitants, and those who swallowed you up will be far away. The children of your bereavement will yet say in your ears: ‘The place is too narrow for me; make room for me to dwell in.’
James, a servant of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ, To the twelve tribes in the Dispersion: Greetings. Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing. If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives generously to all without reproach, and it will be given him. …
First of all, then, I urge that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings be made for all people, for kings and all who are in high positions, that we may lead a peaceful and quiet life, godly and dignified in every way. This is good, and it is pleasing in the sight of God our Savior, who desires all people to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth. For there is one God, and there is one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus, …
Now there was a man of the Pharisees named Nicodemus, a ruler of the Jews. This man came to Jesus by night and said to him, “Rabbi, we know that you are a teacher come from God, for no one can do these signs that you do unless God is with him.” Jesus answered him, “Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born again he cannot see the kingdom of God.” Nicodemus said to him, “How can a man be born when he is old? Can he enter a second time into his mother’s womb and be born?” Jesus answered, “Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God. …
Now the tax collectors and sinners were all drawing near to hear him. And the Pharisees and the scribes grumbled, saying, “This man receives sinners and eats with them.” So he told them this parable: “What man of you, having a hundred sheep, if he has lost one of them, does not leave the ninety-nine in the open country, and go after the one that is lost, until he finds it? And when he has found it, he lays it on his shoulders, rejoicing. …
Therefore, my beloved, as you have always obeyed, so now, not only as in my presence but much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling, for it is God who works in you, both to will and to work for his good pleasure. Do all things without grumbling or questioning, that you may be blameless and innocent, children of God without blemish in the midst of a crooked and twisted generation, among whom you shine as lights in the world, holding fast to the word of life, so that in the day of Christ I may be proud that I did not run in vain or labor in vain.
The Song of Songs, which is Solomon’s. Let him kiss me with the kisses of his mouth! For your love is better than wine; your anointing oils are fragrant; your name is oil poured out; therefore virgins love you. Draw me after you; let us run. The king has brought me into his chambers. We will exult and rejoice in you; we will extol your love more than wine; rightly do they love you. I am very dark, but lovely, O daughters of Jerusalem, like the tents of Kedar, like the curtains of Solomon. …
So put away all malice and all deceit and hypocrisy and envy and all slander. Like newborn infants, long for the pure spiritual milk, that by it you may grow up into salvation— if indeed you have tasted that the Lord is good. As you come to him, a living stone rejected by men but in the sight of God chosen and precious, you yourselves like living stones are being built up as a spiritual house, to be a holy priesthood, to offer spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ. …
Paul, a servant of Christ Jesus, called to be an apostle, set apart for the gospel of God, which he promised beforehand through his prophets in the holy Scriptures, concerning his Son, who was descended from David according to the flesh and was declared to be the Son of God in power according to the Spirit of holiness by his resurrection from the dead, Jesus Christ our Lord, through whom we have received grace and apostleship to bring about the obedience of faith for the sake of his name among all the nations, …
A Song of Ascents. Of David. Behold, how good and pleasant it is when brothers dwell in unity! It is like the precious oil on the head, running down on the beard, on the beard of Aaron, running down on the collar of his robes! It is like the dew of Hermon, which falls on the mountains of Zion! For there the Lord has commanded the blessing, life forevermore.
I physically do not reside in Heaven 100%, but know THIS every day I LIVE more from MY HOME. The one that WE are blessed to SHARE with JESUS. Because HE IS LOVE and shares it with everyone. 🙂
The LAST song that came to my spirit when praying about this entry is…ON THE WINGS OF LOVE.
Lyrics
Just smile for me
And let the day begin
You are the sunshine
That lights my heart within
And I’m sure that you’re
An angel in disguise
Come take my hand and
Together we will rise
On the wings of love
Up and above the clouds
The only way to fly
Is on the wings of love
On the wings of love
Only the two of us
Together flying high
Flying high up on the wings of love
You look at me
And I begin to melt
Just like the snow when
A ray of sun is felt
And I’m crazy ’boutcha
Baby, can’t you see
I’d be so delighted if
You would come with me
On the wings of love
Up and above the clouds
The only way to fly
Is on the wings of love
On the wings of love
Only the two of us
Together flying high
Flying high up on the wings of love
Yes, you belong to me
I’m yours exclusively
Right now we live
And breathe each other
Inseparable it seems
We’re flowing like a stream
Running free traveling
On the wings of love
On the wings of love
Up and above the clouds
The only way to fly
Is on the wings of love
On the wings of love
Only the two of us
Together flying high
Together flying high
On the wings of love
Up and above the clouds
The only way to fly
Is on the wings of love
On the wings of love
Only the two of us
Together flying high
Flying high up on the wings of love
This is by an artist named Jeffrey Osbourne.
The LAST song is what I believe JESUS is saying to US. Home is NOT just about one thing. It is NOT all about family, it is ALL about HIS FAMILY. He wants to know are we finished? The answer is NO! We are just getting started. WE simply must be aware that He desires to prepare HIS bride before the wedding. He wants to bring us HOME, but as MANY as He can…not just one but HIS desire is for ALL to enter into HIS GATES.
So, come HOME…..receive HIS LOVE. Ask HIM to search you, try you, so that you can become a LIVING testimony for ALL to see. He needs you. In HIS arms you are ALWAYS safe and FOREVER HOME.
Any of you who have followed this blog, know that God wakes me up REALLY early. I started reflecting on THIS today. I thought about how, I always knew what did NOT please HIM, and what he viewed as bad. Now, do NOT get me wrong, I was and AM not perfect. As a kid I was often honory, harsh, easily offended, and things were often about me. Because I figured if I could figure out what my part was, God would help. Yes, it sounds odd, but it was my thought process.
In fact, it was the thought process of MOST of those around me, as well. BUT GOD. Again, I thought the next entry was going to be “Are you HOME?” Yet, here WE are, and I am called to speak on being a MOM. So, here we go…
I NEVER wanted to be a mom. Or did I? Overtime people would discuss it with me, I would think, “Nope I am NEVER having kids.” I was absolutely terrified of being a mom. Because in my mind, that meant I would be married, have responsibility, and that it would NO LONGER be about me. Oh my goodness! Yet, what I have learned and am learning, is it NEVER was.
I am reminded of my absolute favorite commercial. It is a State Farm commercial. Perhaps you have seen it. It begins with a man saying,” I am NEVER getting married,” then shows a marriage. Then He says, “I am NEVER moving to the suburbs.” Then He is living there. “WE are never having children,” the man says. Then, they have kids. Then, the last thing, is “I AM never letting go.” It is a beautiful commercial, that I believe shows us God’s LOVE.
He says, “I WILL NEVER LEAVE YOU OR FORSAKE YOU.” So, that is something WE can rejoice because of. 🙂 It is cause for celebration, and merriment. HE does NOT fail us. He NEVER ever will, or can, as long as WE are receiving HIS LOVE. His LOVE is unconditional, but receiving it is a whole other ball game. 😉
SO, back to being a mom. I remember it becoming official. Just like it was yesterday, I remember being in the doctor’s office and hearing I was pregnant. I had such mixed emotions. It was a time of great wonder and expectation, and also great difficulty for me. I LOVED being pregnant. I mean I LOVED it. I have said b4, if God wants me having kids in my 70’s that would be HEAVEN to me. Because, in the pregnancy, I was so close to GOD. I mean, we were, pardon the expression, “Thick as thieves.”
Despite all the craziness of the circumstance, HIS LOVE conquered. God put me and my husband together during this time. In fact, WE got together when I was 1 month and a half pregnant. It was NOT easy for SO many reasons. BUT GOD. Every day, every moment of being pregnant, I experienced more of Heaven. It is so tough to put into words. But, the best way to describe it, is HEAVEN was within me, in a way that I finally could grasp.
I am purposely focusing on the JOY involved in these circumstances. Yet, I must interject that it did NOT always “feel” joyful. I battled with my health during the pregnancy. I mean, somebody did not want this gift to arrive. But, SHE beat the odds. JESUS beat the odds. The Heavenly FATHER beat the odds, and the HOLY spirit beat the odds. Sarah did arrive. Around 6:15 in the morning on December 27, 2005.
To date, she is the ONLY child that did beat the odds, that came through my womb in a natural manner. In a tangible way, she arrived, and OH what a day!!!!!! I remember the night before, I took a bath. I was NEVER told not to take one, when you suspect your water broke. So, I took one, and afterwards there was liquid coming out. It was not stopping. I was freaked out. Anyway, we went in to the hospital. I was checked and sent home. I mentioned I took a bath, but no one said a thing.
The next day, we went next door for brunch with our neighbors. I get a call on my cell phone. I answer and it is the hospital. The woman is VERY insistent. She says, get here NOW! I was calm, and said,” okay we will be right there.” So, I begin to understand as she explained it. They had somehow, by the GRACE of God, determined that my water broke the night before, and they needed to check me.
I remember wondering if it was a false alarm again. But, was not upset, and was trying to stay calm and focused. SO, my “boyfriend” and I head to the hospital. No contractions, nothing yet, just us driving there and getting prepared. We get there, they check me, determine my water had broken, and get started on their part. So, many hours later, still no contractions, and I was starving. So, I ate. They warned me I might throw it up. I did eventually.
AT some point, people came in to check me again. One doctor or nurse had to break forebags. They apparently are part of the area where the water breaks. Mine was leaking, but had not caused the flood that most normally have. Anyway, there was absolute chaos around me. BUT GOD. Oh how HE kept me, and kept her. It was so precious. Even now my eyes well with tears of gratefulness.
I also recall, when she began coming. God showed me how to alleviate the pain. I had surgery as a child and had rods put in my back. THIS worked to an advantage. I could rock back and forth and the pain was not nearly as intense. When she finally arrived, I remember she was quiet. That is, still they started poking at her and cleaning her mouth out. THEN she cried….and I laughed. I thought, “What a beautiful sound.” I wept with JOY.
I remember wanting more of THAT….more JOY. Essentially, I wanted MORE of Heaven. So, THUS officially birthed was the gift of being a mommy. I was so overwhelmed by the LOVE of the HEAVENLY FATHER. I held HIS promise, despite how it looked like she came to be. SHE was a gift, and still is. Every thought, memory, video, every second of her life, a gift.
This is my second mother’s day without “natural children with me.” It is surreal, and strange. I say, there are no natural ones, because the world sees that as those birthed through the womb on earth. One time someone spoke to me saying, “You will have some natural children, but also spiritual ones.” I knew that, but something about how it was said, just rubbed me the wrong way. I know now, it was because in my spirit, I knew that soon my ONLY natural child would go HOME. Not only that, but that I could NOT go with her for good.
A few days ago, someone posted the story of Mother’s day. I was fascinated to know that it began with the LOSS of a child. I mean, I was just in awe. Yet, today those who lose children are often seen as outcasts and problems. They skip over that part of life when they talk, if only to avoid conflict. But, I believe GOD is resurrecting the JOY of being a mommy. Not the overwhelming pressure, burden, stress, and other stuff. That stuff is dying. Because GOD wants the LOVE and hope as well as JOY to arise.
I LOVE being a mom. It is ONE of the greatest gifts I have ever received. Yet, it has also been and continues to be one of the toughest things I have ever experienced. It is funny how something can be not one thing, or another, but both. I LOVE being a MOM, yet at times I hated what it required. I thought about JESUS. I thought about HIS journey walking the earth. HE LOVES US now, and THEN. I know that at times He despised the requirements, but NEVER the people. Despising the evil that causes something to be a problem, is NEVER bad. It was okay that He did not always feel good. I am not saying He was sick. We know HE never was. But, look at HIS rebukes.
He was the FATHER to Fatherless, and the MOTHER to the motherless. Until Sarah and other children came into my life, I NEVER considered that. It was NOT tangible to me. He still IS ALL of these things. I see God in an interesting way. HE is my family. It consists of JESUS who is my brother, and the HEAVENLY FATHER, who is dad, as well as the HOLY SPIRIT, the nurturer. That is what moms are used to do, nurture. I am so glad that SARAH made it here.
THAT helps me to not be sad, and to stay focused on the GAIN. Yes, the LOSS happened, but also after the death; comes resurrection. I say THIS to share that when Sarah arrived, I was driven to serve God. I was NOT trying to strive, but I think I naturally did. I was driven, and in some ways hell bent on figuring out God’s plan. The LOVE of Jesus in Sarah taught me so much. Even now…a constant reminder that I must choose to BEND toward Heaven and NOT Hell exists.
I am so thankful that I still get to be a mom. I am beyond words excited about God making me a MOMMY again. Because, NOW I understand HIS promises. I knew them but I was somehow blocked from really seeing them. I LOVE our angel kids. I thank God for the one that He has still teaching me, and training me. WE learn from JESUS in each other. It is GLORIOUS. Yet, I must add it is NOT without challenges. ALL Good things, ALL Heavenly treasures, will have challenges to find. Yet, HIS hunt is worth it. HIS LOVE is worth it.
Seek first the KINGDOM of HEAVEN. Then, you shall see the JOY appear right before your very eyes. Choose HIS ways and surrender deeper. Do NOT try to make things so simple, that you MISS the secrets hidden in the tapestry of HIS word. It is a LOVE story. Indeed, it is EPIC from the most wonderful place.
Strength and dignity are her clothing, and she laughs at the time to come. She opens her mouth with wisdom, and the teaching of kindness is on her tongue. She looks well to the ways of her household and does not eat the bread of idleness. Her children rise up and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praises her: “Many women have done excellently, but you surpass them all.” …
She opens her mouth with wisdom, and the teaching of kindness is on her tongue. She looks well to the ways of her household and does not eat the bread of idleness.
Listen to your father who gave you life, and do not despise your mother when she is old. Buy truth, and do not sell it; buy wisdom, instruction, and understanding. The father of the righteous will greatly rejoice; he who fathers a wise son will be glad in him. Let your father and mother be glad; let her who bore you rejoice.
This article REALLY touched me today. I pray it touches all of you moms. That HE brings you Heaven in it, as He did me. THIS is how JESUS LOVES US…PERFECTLY.
CHOOSE this day to let JESUS remind you about WHY you get to be a mommy or a daddy. SUCH an honor, such a precious and awesome responsibility. TRAIN these kids in HIS ways and see HEAVEN with brand new eyes. YOU ARE SO LOVED. Lifting up the MOMS today and every day. Love you ALL.
For several days, I have been seeking God, on what he desired to say. I thought I was going to write another entry first. It is called “Are you HOME?” But the holy spirit quickened me, that THIS entry must come first. I, like many have felt the discouragement around, and have questioned the LORD for my purpose. Looking up to HIM and saying, “What is your plan in relation to ME?” How many or you have had similar experiences? The Lord does not mind if we ask HIM what. He just minds, when we don’t accept the answer.
For days now, the LORD has been speaking to me, “LOOK how FAR you HAVE come. NOT how FAR you have to go. I have brought you SO FAR.” I said, “Yes LORD, and I am so grateful. For ALL the times you have guarded me, protected me, fought for me. Yet, Lord it seems like every time a mountain is conquered, there is another, then another. So, how do I stay encouraged? I know you will never fail me, or anyone you LOVE, as long as WE receive it. Yet, there is this constant WAR within and without. What is the secret to staying in that cleft of your bosom?” This is what I heard, “My child there is no way you EVER leave me. We are joined together. Even in the times, you thought I was gone, I watched, I waited for you. For I knew when you would FULLY return to me. Look how FAR WE have come together? Look at the miracles, and wonders that have come to pass. It is a gift each day, and the secret is MY LOVE. The more you receive my LOVE, the more you will be filled with it. There are SO many ways to receive. One way to be certain you are receiving is to keep a repentant heart. You do that well. Allowing me to chasten you, and correct you dear one is precious to me. I TRUST you. I don’t just LOVE you, I treasure you. Each day that you exist is a GIFT to me. I desire that you not encounter pain, but it is necessary to walk through at times. For, my child you have learned the GIFT of my suffering. NOW it is TIME for you to see the sorrow transformed into JOY!”
As I sat and listened to the LORD speak, I realized WHY in scripture it states, “But, the GREATEST of these is LOVE.” Yesterday, I wrote that last sentence. I thought about it all day. It was a wonderful and heavenly day overall. His Glory was so VERY present. God blessed David with a new laptop for work. He blessed us with breath, dinner, and so much more. But, having said that, last night I got some news. It was tough to hear. I remember God showing me in a dream that someone was going to die. He never said who. When I found out who it was, I was just in shock. It was a dear and precious sister to me. When someone I LOVE goes home, I have a reaction of rejoicing. It is NOT because of the pain, or hole that can be left behind. It is because they have come HOME to be with JESUS. I don’t always have this reaction first, but when I accept it, I can then SING unto the LORD a new song. My heart, just aches for her family. This was not something they expected, and she leaves behind 2 young children and a husband. I will at the end of this post, have a link to donate to her family. When these types of events happen, I really seek the LORD.
Here is what I received, “It simply takes what it takes my child. My ways do not always make sense. TRULY Loving me and receiving me, is about choosing to LIVE and breathe my ways, even when it hurts. In fact, especially when it hurts, it is so important to CHOOSE my LOVE. MY LOVE conquers. Yet, know THIS my child it will NOT always feel good. Sometimes, quite frankly it will feel to your flesh like Fire. But, my LOVE you can FLY through the FIRE on my wings. I will NOT fail, and as you KEEP surrendering it ALL to ME, I will bring you Heaven.” I told him, “This really seems so strange to me. Yet, I know that you are a merciful GOD. You must have a plan that many don’t see. Perhaps because they don’t know how or are afraid to. I sat in HIS water, and just thanked HIM for healing, for bringing more FREEDOM, and for bringing Heaven in place of HELL for His faithful ones. For those who are suffering, I believe I received this message from HIM for you:
“I see you my precious child. I knew ALL of THIS would come. It is not a surprise to me. I catch every single tear that falls. I treasure it beloved. As you call to me, I will answer, and I will show you things that YOU have never known. I will keep bringing you through, and I will not EVER stop LOVING you. Receive my LOVE. We have come this far together, and these sufferings are the ONLY way. REST in ME, and allow my LOVE to turn the sorrows into JOY. You are such a beautiful jewel to ME, all of you my children. Oh how I ADORE you. ~ Jesus
Look how FAR you have come. EVERY day that you LIVE and BREATHE is a miracle. Every moment you exist to honor the ONE who made you, is such a GIFT to God. Yes, there is a LONG way to go, but when you observe what has come already, it WILL encourage you to KEEP praising HIM, keep LOVING HIM, keep moving forward, even when it is baby steps, because HIS LOVE is REAL and HIS HOLY FIRE is so beautiful. Thank you JESUS….
“Thank You Jesus”
Grace that flows like a river
Washing over me
Fount of Heaven, love of Christ
Overflow in me
Thank You Jesus
You set me free
Christ my Savior
You rescued me
Take this life delivered
A vessel of Your love
Wholly now devoted
To see Your kingdom come
Thank You Jesus
You set me free
Christ my Savior
You rescued me [x2]
You’ve given me life
You’ve opened my eyes
I love You Lord
I love You Lord
You’ve entered my heart
You’ve set me apart
I love You Lord
I love You Lord [x4]
Thank You Jesus
You set me free
Christ my Savior
You rescued me [x2]
I woke with THIS song in my spirit….especially for my friend. For those who are WITH Jesus in a whole new way. I still say THANK YOU, because GOD is still worthy and HE is still faithful. How far as He brought you? How many times has HE healed you? Regardless of what was used to bring the healing. HIS LOVE is the anchor and it is what NEVER ever fades. His Grace and MERCY are HIS wings of LOVE. I saw a vision of the HOLY eagle and I could see HIS LOVE as the body. His AMAZING Grace was one wing, and HIS infinite mercy was the other. Golden indeed and glowing is HIS LOVE. IT shines so bright and HIS LIGHT, no matter how it appears and FIRE will NEVER ever go out. HIS LOVE is indeed eternal and now words are good enough to describe it.
Ecclesiastes 3 King James Version (KJV)
3 To every thing there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven:
2 A time to be born, and a time to die; a time to plant, and a time to pluck up that which is planted;
3 A time to kill, and a time to heal; a time to break down, and a time to build up;
4 A time to weep, and a time to laugh; a time to mourn, and a time to dance;
5 A time to cast away stones, and a time to gather stones together; a time to embrace, and a time to refrain from embracing;
6 A time to get, and a time to lose; a time to keep, and a time to cast away;
7 A time to rend, and a time to sew; a time to keep silence, and a time to speak;
8 A time to love, and a time to hate; a time of war, and a time of peace.
9 What profit hath he that worketh in that wherein he laboureth?
10 I have seen the travail, which God hath given to the sons of men to be exercised in it.
11 He hath made every thing beautiful in his time: also he hath set the world in their heart, so that no man can find out the work that God maketh from the beginning to the end.
12 I know that there is no good in them, but for a man to rejoice, and to do good in his life.
13 And also that every man should eat and drink, and enjoy the good of all his labour, it is the gift of God.
14 I know that, whatsoever God doeth, it shall be for ever: nothing can be put to it, nor any thing taken from it: and God doeth it, that men should fear before him.
15 That which hath been is now; and that which is to be hath already been; and God requireth that which is past.
16 And moreover I saw under the sun the place of judgment, that wickedness was there; and the place of righteousness, that iniquity was there.
17 I said in mine heart, God shall judge the righteous and the wicked: for there is a time there for every purpose and for every work.
18 I said in mine heart concerning the estate of the sons of men, that God might manifest them, and that they might see that they themselves are beasts.
19 For that which befalleth the sons of men befalleth beasts; even one thing befalleth them: as the one dieth, so dieth the other; yea, they have all one breath; so that a man hath no preeminence above a beast: for all is vanity.
20 All go unto one place; all are of the dust, and all turn to dust again.
21 Who knoweth the spirit of man that goeth upward, and the spirit of the beast that goeth downward to the earth?
22 Wherefore I perceive that there is nothing better, than that a man should rejoice in his own works; for that is his portion: for who shall bring him to see what shall be after him?
THIS scripture was one that I was lead to when Sarah went home. Today, I reflect again and I thank GOD that HIS timing is prefect, and HIS ways are NEVER flawed. I thank GOD for healing my precious sister. I thank GOD for healing the BODY of Christ and delivering us all from evil, who desire to be FREE. I thank GOD for LOVING us always and bringing us OUT of the darkness, and into HIS Heaven. Oh how GLORIOUS to enter into HIS presence and HIS gates. How precious to HIM that WE forgive, keep LOVING and only give up through surrender. His desire is to LOVE us. LOOK how FAR WE have come. ONLY He could bring us here, and HE LOVES us so much that WE will not stay where WE are. HIS HEAVENLY LOVE will fly us on, and journey us through to the next place of GLORY.
In my own strength or mind, when asked to do this, just a few days after another post it IS impossible. But, despite how WE “feel” His LOVE must flow. So, through HIS LOVE, it is possible. As always, I ask JESUS to do it through me. I ask the Holy Spirit to bring the desires of Heaven to this page. I ask the FATHER in Heaven to grant wisdom, protection and PEACE as others partake of this food. May you ALL receive what HE desires you to, as you read, reflect and receive.
I was listening to the spirit today. I kept hearing THAT storm is over. Just breathe. Now, there is NOT a day that goes by, that I don’t get encouraged by GOD. He uses SO many things to speak. The most powerful TOOL is the word. I spoke to a brother recently, and He reminded me that JESUS is the word. THAT is a VERY important reminder. Though, a VERY difficult storm has passed. There will be others to come. But, I also was reminded that JESUS is the keeper of the storms.
I usually like to write when I am focused, calm and connected in a peaceful way. Because, I hope that God uses me to bring that to others. But, today, and in the time I have been writing this entry, it has been different. I have been listening to God’s word since I woke up. I have just been weeping. So many reasons why. But, I believe the BIGGEST reason is because of the LOVE hidden in the midst of it all.
Love has been a funny things for me. It has been the hardest WAVE for me to experience. I have navigated HATE, REJECTION, ANGER, GRIEF, LOSS, and so many MORE. But, I asked God why LOVE is the hardest one. His reply was this: “MY LOVE REALLY DOES CONQUER ALL.” I remember as a child I would look around me. I was a talkative child, and I spent a lot of time with GOD until about age 7. I would talk to HIM. He would show me things. But, I would continue to seek what I SAW. I yearned for something tangible. TEARS were tangible. I cried a lot as a kid. People always assumed I was unhappy, depressed, or something bad. But, what I was then, is what I am now. HOMESICK. Let me explain a bit. I always knew who I was. I was then and am NOW, a child of GOD. My home is in HEAVEN. Though, I have had many earthly homes, and will have more, I know where I belong. That is HIS Grace is sufficient. His MERCY is new each day. HIS LOVE is why WE exist.
In some ways, I was like a “typical child.” But, in other ways, I was VERY different. I remember vividly the things I did wrong. Not because I feel guilty, or bad. But, because everything I did wrong was ALWAYS pointed out. Very rarely was the good stuff acknowledged. I want to be clear, that I am not angry about this anymore. It is just a fact. Seeing the good was like trying to find a needle in a haystack back then. I was always striving to be something better than people thought I was. But, I wasn’t asking GOD who He wanted me to be. I have spoken before about being disconnected from Jesus at age 7 1/2. That disconnect really lasted for about 22 years. In that time, I sank further into darkness. Miraculously because I did know who I was, and through Jesus you are guided to the Heavenly Father; I stayed connected with HIM.
I yearned for LOVE. It was my greatest desire. I looked everywhere. I recall that it was like a hunt. But, eventhough I sough and sought it, I ONLY found disappointment, pain, agony, hurt, depression, despair, abandonment, insecurity, and darkness. It seemed like no matter what I tried, I could not become anything good. Even now, when I think about it, I wonder. Why did I not KNOW that the LOVE was inside? That what I was looking for was not without but within?
The answer is because I had to go THROUGH to learn what was TRUE. These entries are getting more personal, and honestly I am NOT a fan of that. But, I have been called to share these things. My prayer is that what I tried to share as a child, will help someone. As a kid, my mother said something to me once. She said, “Katy you need a lot of love.” Here is what I heard, “You are exhausting, I will never be able to give you what you need. I wish I never had you. You are such a problem in my life.” I got ALL of THAT from her saying, “You need a lot of love.” But, now I know that her saying that I need a lot of LOVE was prophetic. IT was something that I would look back on as Jesus and me together navigated these waves. A disconnect does not mean something is gone. It simply means the access granted to it, is different than before.
IT fascinates me that for 22 years, Jesus watched me, prayed for me, LOVED me from afar, until the day that I would come back again. Now, THAT my dear ones is LOVE. For JESUS to TRUST that I would not fall so far into darkness, that I could NOT be rescued. I learned a lot about God, in the time of my child hood. Sadly, MUCH of it taught from others was misinformation. Even now, when people misunderstand me, it is not easy for me. Because GOD is healing that VERY deep wound. I learned a lot about evil. There were MANY people sent in and used to take advantage, stab, gossip, and so much more in relation to me. BUT, through it ALL the LOVE of GOD only, kept me a float.
I had a vision today. I was drifting on a small boat in the ocean. There was no FEAR of sharks, or anything bad. The boat was yellow, representing the GLORY of GOD. I had everything I needed. I had the word of God. THAT was ALL I needed. It was just me and HIM drifting along. The raft had red around the rim, representing the blood of JESUS. The book was GOLDEN, as the treasure it is. Here is what I know. It is okay to be drifting with GOD. I have to say that because in my life, I never really voiced that, and if I did, I was still doubting it. But, there is a point where in the drifting you REACH the destination.
The destination is where the promises unfold for you. WHY? Because you are LOVED. I mean, LOVED in a way THAT does NOT even have words. SO LOVED. I remember people would say that, and my first response was bad. I would say, “yeah right. ” I still have to fight that. Because it is HARD to fathom, embrace, and FULLY RECEIVE the LOVE of GOD. It is the greatest WAVE of HEAVEN. It conquers everything. GOD cannot be limited. He HAS NO LIMITATIONS.
Certain storms are over, and it is hard to wave good bye to them. Because, it feels like saying goodbye means, it is forever. But, the TRUTH is, if we will say goodbye to one part, the GOD can bring another and another and another. I know THIS. I have lived this. But, sometimes it is so hard to BELIEVE this. Thank GOD that when we struggle with that, HIS LOVE arises. Thank GOD there is nothing that can conquer HIS LOVE.
In the second year of the reign of Nebuchadnezzar, Nebuchadnezzar had dreams; his spirit was troubled, and his sleep left him. Then the king commanded that the magicians, the enchanters, the sorcerers, and the Chaldeans be summoned to tell the king his dreams. So they came in and stood before the king. And the king said to them, “I had a dream, and my spirit is troubled to know the dream.” Then the Chaldeans said to the king in Aramaic, “O king, live forever! Tell your servants the dream, and we will show the interpretation.” The king answered and said to the Chaldeans, “The word from me is firm: if you do not make known to me the dream and its interpretation, you shall be torn limb from limb, and your houses shall be laid in ruins. …
Now in the days of Ahasuerus, the Ahasuerus who reigned from India to Ethiopia over 127 provinces, in those days when King Ahasuerus sat on his royal throne in Susa, the capital, in the third year of his reign he gave a feast for all his officials and servants. The army of Persia and Media and the nobles and governors of the provinces were before him, while he showed the riches of his royal glory and the splendor and pomp of his greatness for many days, 180 days. And when these days were completed, the king gave for all the people present in Susa, the citadel, both great and small, a feast lasting for seven days in the court of the garden of the king’s palace. …
And I saw what appeared to be a sea of glass mingled with fire—and also those who had conquered the beast and its image and the number of its name, standing beside the sea of glass with harps of God in their hands.
And before the throne there was as it were a sea of glass, like crystal. And around the throne, on each side of the throne, are four living creatures, full of eyes in front and behind:
The revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave him to show to his servants the things that must soon take place. He made it known by sending his angel to his servant John, who bore witness to the word of God and to the testimony of Jesus Christ, even to all that he saw. Blessed is the one who reads aloud the words of this prophecy, and blessed are those who hear, and who keep what is written in it, for the time is near. John to the seven churches that are in Asia: Grace to you and peace from him who is and who was and who is to come, and from the seven spirits who are before his throne, and from Jesus Christ the faithful witness, the firstborn of the dead, and the ruler of kings on earth. To him who loves us and has freed us from our sins by his blood …
Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things.
Paul, an apostle—not from men nor through man, but through Jesus Christ and God the Father, who raised him from the dead— and all the brothers who are with me, To the churches of Galatia: Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ, who gave himself for our sins to deliver us from the present evil age, according to the will of our God and Father, to whom be the glory forever and ever. Amen. …
Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.
“For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through him.
Now there was a man of the Pharisees named Nicodemus, a ruler of the Jews. This man came to Jesus by night and said to him, “Rabbi, we know that you are a teacher come from God, for no one can do these signs that you do unless God is with him.” Jesus answered him, “Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born again he cannot see the kingdom of God.” Nicodemus said to him, “How can a man be born when he is old? Can he enter a second time into his mother’s womb and be born?” Jesus answered, “Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God. …
Immediately he made the disciples get into the boat and go before him to the other side, while he dismissed the crowds. And after he had dismissed the crowds, he went up on the mountain by himself to pray. When evening came, he was there alone, but the boat by this time was a long way from the land, beaten by the waves, for the wind was against them. And in the fourth watch of the night he came to them, walking on the sea. But when the disciples saw him walking on the sea, they were terrified, and said, “It is a ghost!” and they cried out in fear. …
“No one can serve two masters, for either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and money.
On that day living waters shall flow out from Jerusalem, half of them to the eastern sea and half of them to the western sea. It shall continue in summer as in winter.
Who builds his upper chambers in the heavens and founds his vault upon the earth; who calls for the waters of the sea and pours them out upon the surface of the earth— the Lord is his name.
Do you not fear me? declares the Lord. Do you not tremble before me? I placed the sand as the boundary for the sea, a perpetual barrier that it cannot pass; though the waves toss, they cannot prevail; though they roar, they cannot pass over it.
But the wicked are like the tossing sea; for it cannot be quiet, and its waters toss up mire and dirt.
I had a song in my spirit today. It was NOT and really is not designed to be a worship song. I have memories as a teen of listening to this song after breakups. But, one day I listened and I heard God speak through the words. I remember crying hard as a kid. I look back now and I understand better why I cried. I yearned for HOME. I was so disconnected from everyone. No one cared, very often what I had to say. Because, it was NOT what they wanted to hear. I just wanted LOVE. I still just want LOVE, kindness and family.
In HIS word, He says the greatest of these is LOVE. Faith, hope and Love.
Hold on my heart
Just hold on to that feeling
We both know we’ve been here before
We both know what can happen
Hold on my heart
’cause I’m looking over you shoulder
Please don’t rush in this time
Don’t show her how you feel
Hold on my heart
Throw me a lifeline
I’ll keep a place for you
Somewhere deep inside
Hold on my heart
Please tell her to be patient
’cause there has never been a time
That I wanted something more
If I can recall this feeling
And I know there’s a chance
Oh I will be there
Yes I will be there
Be there for you
Whenever you want me to
Whenever you call I will be there
Yes I will be there
Hold on my heart
Don’t let her see you crying
No matter where I go
She’ll always be with me
Hold on my heart
Just hold on to that feeling
We both know we’ve been here before
We both know what can happen
So hold on my heart
Here is what it means NOW to me….GOD wants me to hold onto HIS heart. The hem of HIS garment. To let mine be united with HIS. To remember the honor of suffering. To not allow the emotion to control, but to REMEMBER His LOVE will conquer, as it ALWAYS has. I pray this has been a blessing for you that have read it. I know that my HEART is not always easy to understand. I believe Jesus struggled with that too. I am grateful, that because of what HE has conquered and finished, WE will never be alone in the OCEAN of Heaven, or in this LIFE on earth. Humbled by HIS LOVE, embracing HIS spirit, I wait with HIM.
A few days ago, God spoke to me about this post. I was anything but excited to write it. Yet, I know what happens when I disobey. So, write it, I MUST. I’m not totally sure the direction God is going. Most days, I feel like I am just along for the ride. So few seem to understand, and that makes life, even more of a challenge than it used to be.
This entry will document many LIES we are taught to believe. After, you read them aloud, I encourage you to reject, rebuke, and renounce them in Jesus name. If you KNOW HIM, this will be a life changing thing for you. But, rest assured, it may need to be done more than once.
If there are any lies left out that you know of, please feel free to leave them in the comment section. It’s time we do as asked, and take the STAND that serving CHRIST requires. Especially, now with ALL that is happening in the world around us, it is time to SPEAK OUT.
Lies Lies and MORE Lies. It is the only thing the enemy knows how to do, is tell lies, and attempt to manipulate the world. It is ALL over the place, and it is time that the HOLY TRUTH movement accelerate. When truth is told from God’s perspective, it is loving and kind. Not to mention compassionate and understanding.
Some of the LIES : They are posted in black, and the TRUTH is in blue.
You are ugly if you are not thin and attractive to others.
But the Lord said to Samuel, “Do not look on his appearance or on the height of his stature, because I have rejected him. For the Lord sees not as man sees: man looks on the outward appearance, but the Lord looks on the heart.”
Do not let your adorning be external—the braiding of hair and the putting on of gold jewelry, or the clothing you wear— but let your adorning be the hidden person of the heart with the imperishable beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which in God’s sight is very precious.
I perceived that there is nothing better for them than to be joyful and to do good as long as they live; also that everyone should eat and drink and take pleasure in all his toil—this is God’s gift to man.
Blessed is the man who walks not in the counsel of the wicked, nor stands in the way of sinners, nor sits in the seat of scoffers; but his delight is in the law of the Lord, and on his law he meditates day and night. He is like a tree planted by streams of water that yields its fruit in its season, and its leaf does not wither. In all that he does, he prospers. The wicked are not so, but are like chaff that the wind drives away. Therefore the wicked will not stand in the judgment, nor sinners in the congregation of the righteous; …
I tell you, on the day of judgment people will give account for every careless word they speak, for by your words you will be justified, and by your words you will be condemned.”
For he is God’s servant for your good. But if you do wrong, be afraid, for he does not bear the sword in vain. For he is the servant of God, an avenger who carries out God’s wrath on the wrongdoer.
But love your enemies, and do good, and lend, expecting nothing in return, and your reward will be great, and you will be sons of the Most High, for he is kind to the ungrateful and the evil.
“For the man who does not love his wife but divorces her, says the Lord, the God of Israel, covers his garment with violence, says theLord of hosts. So guard yourselves in your spirit, and do not be faithless.”
But I say to you that everyone who divorces his wife, except on the ground of sexual immorality, makes her commit adultery, and whoever marries a divorced woman commits adultery.
“If anyone comes to me and does not hate his own father and mother and wife and children and brothers and sisters, yes, and even his own life, he cannot be my disciple.
See what kind of love the Father has given to us, that we should be called children of God; and so we are. The reason why the world does not know us is that it did not know him.
“No one can serve two masters, for either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and money.
“To the angel of the church in Ephesus write: ‘The words of him who holds the seven stars in his right hand, who walks among the seven golden lampstands. “‘I know your works, your toil and your patient endurance, and how you cannot bear with those who are evil, but have tested those who call themselves apostles and are not, and found them to be false. I know you are enduring patiently and bearing up for my name’s sake, and you have not grown weary. But I have this against you, that you have abandoned the love you had at first. Remember therefore from where you have fallen; repent, and do the works you did at first. If not, I will come to you and remove your lampstand from its place, unless you repent. …
And this is love, that we walk according to his commandments; this is the commandment, just as you have heard from the beginning, so that you should walk in it.
Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right. “Honor your father and mother” (this is the first commandment with a promise), “that it may go well with you and that you may live long in the land.” Fathers, do not provoke your children to anger, but bring them up in the discipline and instruction of the Lord.
Do not withhold discipline from a child; if you strike him with a rod, he will not die. If you strike him with the rod, you will save his soul from Sheol.
“If a man has a stubborn and rebellious son who will not obey the voice of his father or the voice of his mother, and, though they discipline him, will not listen to them, then his father and his mother shall take hold of him and bring him out to the elders of his city at the gate of the place where he lives, and they shall say to the elders of his city, ‘This our son is stubborn and rebellious; he will not obey our voice; he is a glutton and a drunkard.’ Then all the men of the city shall stone him to death with stones. So you shall purge the evil from your midst, and all Israel shall hear, and fear.
Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right. “Honor your father and mother” (this is the first commandment with a promise), “that it may go well with you and that you may live long in the land.”
Let no corrupting talk come out of your mouths, but only such as is good for building up, as fits the occasion, that it may give grace to those who hear.
Now concerning the matters about which you wrote: “It is good for a man not to have sexual relations with a woman.” But because of the temptation to sexual immorality, each man should have his own wife and each woman her own husband. The husband should give to his wife her conjugal rights, and likewise the wife to her husband. For the wife does not have authority over her own body, but the husband does. Likewise the husband does not have authority over his own body, but the wife does. Do not deprive one another, except perhaps by agreement for a limited time, that you may devote yourselves to prayer; but then come together again, so that Satan may not tempt you because of your lack of self-control. …
“When a man takes a wife and marries her, if then she finds no favor in his eyes because he has found some indecency in her, and he writes her a certificate of divorce and puts it in her hand and sends her out of his house, and she departs out of his house, and if she goes and becomes another man’s wife, and the latter man hates her and writes her a certificate of divorce and puts it in her hand and sends her out of his house, or if the latter man dies, who took her to be his wife, then her former husband, who sent her away, may not take her again to be his wife, after she has been defiled, for that is an abomination before the Lord. And you shall not bring sin upon the land that the Lord your God is giving you for an inheritance.
Therefore be imitators of God, as beloved children. And walk in love, as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us, a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God. But sexual immorality and all impurity or covetousness must not even be named among you, as is proper among saints. Let there be no filthiness nor foolish talk nor crude joking, which are out of place, but instead let there be thanksgiving. For you may be sure of this, that everyone who is sexually immoral or impure, or who is covetous (that is, an idolater), has no inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and God. …
Now when Jesus had finished these sayings, he went away from Galilee and entered the region of Judea beyond the Jordan. And large crowds followed him, and he healed them there. And Pharisees came up to him and tested him by asking, “Is it lawful to divorce one’s wife for any cause?” He answered, “Have you not read that he who created them from the beginning made them male and female, and said, ‘Therefore a man shall leave his father and his mother and hold fast to his wife, and the two shall become one flesh’? …
But I say to you that everyone who divorces his wife, except on the ground of sexual immorality, makes her commit adultery, and whoever marries a divorced woman commits adultery.
“For the man who does not love his wife but divorces her, says the Lord, the God of Israel, covers his garment with violence, says the Lord of hosts. So guard yourselves in your spirit, and do not be faithless.”
For behold, the Lord God of hosts is taking away from Jerusalem and from Judah support and supply, all support of bread, and all support of water; the mighty man and the soldier, the judge and the prophet, the diviner and the elder, the captain of fifty and the man of rank, the counselor and the skillful magician and the expert in charms. And I will make boys their princes, and infants shall rule over them. And the people will oppress one another, every one his fellow and every one his neighbor; the youth will be insolent to the elder, and the despised to the honorable. …
Likewise, wives, be subject to your own husbands, so that even if some do not obey the word, they may be won without a word by the conduct of their wives,
If I speak in the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I am a noisy gong or a clanging cymbal. And if I have prophetic powers, and understand all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have all faith, so as to remove mountains, but have not love, I am nothing. If I give away all I have, and if I deliver up my body to be burned, but have not love, I gain nothing. Love is patient and kind; love does not envy or boast; it is not arrogant or rude. It does not insist on its own way; it is not irritable or resentful; …
To the married I give this charge (not I, but the Lord): the wife should not separate from her husband (but if she does, she should remain unmarried or else be reconciled to her husband), and the husband should not divorce his wife.
For a married woman is bound by law to her husband while he lives, but if her husband dies she is released from the law of marriage. Accordingly, she will be called an adulteress if she lives with another man while her husband is alive. But if her husband dies, she is free from that law, and if she marries another man she is not an adulteress.
And Pharisees came up to him and tested him by asking, “Is it lawful to divorce one’s wife for any cause?” He answered, “Have you not read that he who created them from the beginning made them male and female, and said, ‘Therefore a man shall leave his father and his mother and hold fast to his wife, and the two shall become one flesh’? So they are no longer two but one flesh. What therefore God has joined together, let not man separate.” They said to him, “Why then did Moses command one to give a certificate of divorce and to send her away?” …
“It was also said, ‘Whoever divorces his wife, let him give her a certificate of divorce.’ But I say to you that everyone who divorces his wife, except on the ground of sexual immorality, makes her commit adultery, and whoever marries a divorced woman commits adultery.
“When a man takes a wife and marries her, if then she finds no favor in his eyes because he has found some indecency in her, and he writes her a certificate of divorce and puts it in her hand and sends her out of his house, and she departs out of his house, and if she goes and becomes another man’s wife, and the latter man hates her and writes her a certificate of divorce and puts it in her hand and sends her out of his house, or if the latter man dies, who took her to be his wife, then her former husband, who sent her away, may not take her again to be his wife, after she has been defiled, for that is an abomination before the Lord. And you shall not bring sin upon the land that the Lord your God is giving you for an inheritance. “When a man is newly married, he shall not go out with the army or be liable for any other public duty. He shall be free at home one year to be happy with his wife whom he has taken. …
“To the angel of the church in Ephesus write: ‘The words of him who holds the seven stars in his right hand, who walks among the seven golden lampstands. “‘I know your works, your toil and your patient endurance, and how you cannot bear with those who are evil, but have tested those who call themselves apostles and are not, and found them to be false. I know you are enduring patiently and bearing up for my name’s sake, and you have not grown weary. But I have this against you, that you have abandoned the love you had at first. Remember therefore from where you have fallen; repent, and do the works you did at first. If not, I will come to you and remove your lampstand from its place, unless you repent. …
For behold, the Lord God of hosts is taking away from Jerusalem and from Judah support and supply, all support of bread, and all support of water; the mighty man and the soldier, the judge and the prophet, the diviner and the elder, the captain of fifty and the man of rank, the counselor and the skillful magician and the expert in charms. And I will make boys their princes, and infants shall rule over them. And the people will oppress one another, every one his fellow and every one his neighbor; the youth will be insolent to the elder, and the despised to the honorable. …
“When a man takes a wife and marries her, if then she finds no favor in his eyes because he has found some indecency in her, and he writes her a certificate of divorce and puts it in her hand and sends her out of his house, and she departs out of his house, and if she goes and becomes another man’s wife, and the latter man hates her and writes her a certificate of divorce and puts it in her hand and sends her out of his house, or if the latter man dies, who took her to be his wife, then her former husband, who sent her away, may not take her again to be his wife, after she has been defiled, for that is an abomination before the Lord. And you shall not bring sin upon the land that the Lord your God is giving you for an inheritance.
For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places.
For if you forgive others their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you, but if you do not forgive others their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses.
If I speak in the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I am a noisy gong or a clanging cymbal. And if I have prophetic powers, and understand all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have all faith, so as to remove mountains, but have not love, I am nothing. If I give away all I have, and if I deliver up my body to be burned, but have not love, I gain nothing. Love is patient and kind; love does not envy or boast; it is not arrogant or rude. It does not insist on its own way; it is not irritable or resentful; …
I appeal to you, brothers, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that all of you agree, and that there be no divisions among you, but that you be united in the same mind and the same judgment.
I appeal to you, brothers, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that all of you agree, and that there be no divisions among you, but that you be united in the same mind and the same judgment. For it has been reported to me by Chloe’s people that there is quarreling among you, my brothers. What I mean is that each one of you says, “I follow Paul,” or “I follow Apollos,” or “I follow Cephas,” or “I follow Christ.” Is Christ divided? Was Paul crucified for you? Or were you baptized in the name of Paul? I thank God that I baptized none of you except Crispus and Gaius, …
Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.
I appeal to you, brothers, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that all of you agree, and that there be no divisions among you, but that you be united in the same mind and the same judgment.
I therefore, a prisoner for the Lord, urge you to walk in a manner worthy of the calling to which you have been called, with all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another in love, eager to maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. There is one body and one Spirit—just as you were called to the one hope that belongs to your call— one Lord, one faith, one baptism, …
That they may all be one, just as you, Father, are in me, and I in you, that they also may be in us, so that the world may believe that you have sent me.
Beloved, although I was very eager to write to you about our common salvation, I found it necessary to write appealing to you to contend for the faith that was once for all delivered to the saints.
A Song of Ascents. Of David. Behold, how good and pleasant it is when brothers dwell in unity! It is like the precious oil on the head, running down on the beard, on the beard of Aaron, running down on the collar of his robes! It is like the dew of Hermon, which falls on the mountains of Zion! For there the Lord has commanded the blessing, life forevermore.
For behold, the Lord God of hosts is taking away from Jerusalem and from Judah support and supply, all support of bread, and all support of water; the mighty man and the soldier, the judge and the prophet, the diviner and the elder, the captain of fifty and the man of rank, the counselor and the skillful magician and the expert in charms. And I will make boys their princes, and infants shall rule over them. And the people will oppress one another, every one his fellow and every one his neighbor; the youth will be insolent to the elder, and the despised to the honorable. …
Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen. For by it the people of old received their commendation. By faith we understand that the universe was created by the word of God, so that what is seen was not made out of things that are visible. By faith Abel offered to God a more acceptable sacrifice than Cain, through which he was commended as righteous, God commending him by accepting his gifts. And through his faith, though he died, he still speaks. By faith Enoch was taken up so that he should not see death, and he was not found, because God had taken him. Now before he was taken he was commended as having pleased God. …
No temptation has overtaken you that is not common to man. God is faithful, and he will not let you be tempted beyond your ability, but with the temptation he will also provide the way of escape, that you may be able to endure it.
Repay no one evil for evil, but give thought to do what is honorable in the sight of all. If possible, so far as it depends on you, live peaceably with all. Beloved, never avenge yourselves, but leave it to the wrath of God, for it is written, “Vengeance is mine, I will repay, says the Lord.” To the contrary, “if your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him something to drink; for by so doing you will heap burning coals on his head.” Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.
But if anyone does not provide for his relatives, and especially for members of his household, he has denied the faith and is worse than an unbeliever.
Religion that is pure and undefiled before God, the Father, is this: to visit orphans and widows in their affliction, and to keep oneself unstained from the world.
“For the man who does not love his wife but divorces her, says the Lord, the God of Israel, covers his garment with violence, says theLord of hosts. So guard yourselves in your spirit, and do not be faithless.”
“If anyone comes to me and does not hate his own father and mother and wife and children and brothers and sisters, yes, and even his own life, he cannot be my disciple.
If anyone says, “I love God,” and hates his brother, he is a liar; for he who does not love his brother whom he has seen cannot love God whom he has not seen.
But whoever hates his brother is in the darkness and walks in the darkness, and does not know where he is going, because the darkness has blinded his eyes.
The Lord is not slow to fulfill his promise as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not wishing that any should perish, but that all should reach repentance.
No temptation has overtaken you that is not common to man. God is faithful, and he will not let you be tempted beyond your ability, but with the temptation he will also provide the way of escape, that you may be able to endure it.
The Lord is not slow to fulfill his promise as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not wishing that any should perish, but that all should reach repentance.
“‘And in the last days it shall be, God declares, that I will pour out my Spirit on all flesh, and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, and your young men shall see visions, and your old men shall dream dreams;
And I saw a beast rising out of the sea, with ten horns and seven heads, with ten diadems on its horns and blasphemous names on its heads. And the beast that I saw was like a leopard; its feet were like a bear’s, and its mouth was like a lion’s mouth. And to it the dragon gave his power and his throne and great authority. One of its heads seemed to have a mortal wound, but its mortal wound was healed, and the whole earth marveled as they followed the beast. And they worshiped the dragon, for he had given his authority to the beast, and they worshiped the beast, saying, “Who is like the beast, and who can fight against it?” And the beast was given a mouth uttering haughty and blasphemous words, and it was allowed to exercise authority for forty-two months. …
“No one can serve two masters, for either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and money.
You do not deserve children- Counter it with this scripture, “Psalm 127:3-5a “Behold, children are a heritage from the Lord, the fruit of the womb a reward. Like arrows in the hand of a warrior are the children of one’s youth. Blessed is the man who fills his quiver with them!”
For behold, the Lord God of hosts is taking away from Jerusalem and from Judah support and supply, all support of bread, and all support of water; the mighty man and the soldier, the judge and the prophet, the diviner and the elder, the captain of fifty and the man of rank, the counselor and the skillful magician and the expert in charms. And I will make boys their princes, and infants shall rule over them. And the people will oppress one another, every one his fellow and every one his neighbor; the youth will be insolent to the elder, and the despised to the honorable. …
And after all that has come upon us for our evil deeds and for our great guilt, seeing that you, our God, have punished us less than our iniquities deserved and have given us such a remnant as this,
“To the angel of the church in Ephesus write: ‘The words of him who holds the seven stars in his right hand, who walks among the seven golden lampstands. “‘I know your works, your toil and your patient endurance, and how you cannot bear with those who are evil, but have tested those who call themselves apostles and are not, and found them to be false. I know you are enduring patiently and bearing up for my name’s sake, and you have not grown weary. But I have this against you, that you have abandoned the love you had at first. Remember therefore from where you have fallen; repent, and do the works you did at first. If not, I will come to you and remove your lampstand from its place, unless you repent. …
The Lord is not slow to fulfill his promise as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not wishing that any should perish, but that all should reach repentance.
What good is it, my brothers, if someone says he has faith but does not have works? Can that faith save him? If a brother or sister is poorly clothed and lacking in daily food, and one of you says to them, “Go in peace, be warmed and filled,” without giving them the things needed for the body, what good is that? So also faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead.
Listen, my beloved brothers, has not God chosen those who are poor in the world to be rich in faith and heirs of the kingdom, which he has promised to those who love him?
And have you forgotten the exhortation that addresses you as sons? “My son, do not regard lightly the discipline of the Lord, nor be weary when reproved by him. For the Lord disciplines the one he loves, and chastises every son whom he receives.”
But in your hearts honor Christ the Lord as holy, always being prepared to make a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you; yet do it with gentleness and respect,
In all things I have shown you that by working hard in this way we must help the weak and remember the words of the Lord Jesus, how he himself said, ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive.’”
Having gifts that differ according to the grace given to us, let us use them: if prophecy, in proportion to our faith; if service, in our serving; the one who teaches, in his teaching; the one who exhorts, in his exhortation; the one who contributes, in generosity; the one who leads, with zeal; the one who does acts of mercy, with cheerfulness.
Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right. “Honor your father and mother” (this is the first commandment with a promise), “that it may go well with you and that you may live long in the land.” Fathers, do not provoke your children to anger, but bring them up in the discipline and instruction of the Lord.
But in your hearts honor Christ the Lord as holy, always being prepared to make a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you; yet do it with gentleness and respect,
“To the angel of the church in Ephesus write: ‘The words of him who holds the seven stars in his right hand, who walks among the seven golden lampstands. “‘I know your works, your toil and your patient endurance, and how you cannot bear with those who are evil, but have tested those who call themselves apostles and are not, and found them to be false. I know you are enduring patiently and bearing up for my name’s sake, and you have not grown weary. But I have this against you, that you have abandoned the love you had at first. Remember therefore from where you have fallen; repent, and do the works you did at first. If not, I will come to you and remove your lampstand from its place, unless you repent. …
Do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For all that is in the world—the desires of the flesh and the desires of the eyes and pride in possessions—is not from the Father but is from the world. And the world is passing away along with its desires, but whoever does the will of God abides forever.
For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast.
For if you forgive others their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you, but if you do not forgive others their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses.
A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another: just as I have loved you, you also are to love one another. By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.”
Come now, you rich, weep and howl for the miseries that are coming upon you. Your riches have rotted and your garments are moth-eaten. Your gold and silver have corroded, and their corrosion will be evidence against you and will eat your flesh like fire. You have laid up treasure in the last days. Behold, the wages of the laborers who mowed your fields, which you kept back by fraud, are crying out against you, and the cries of the harvesters have reached the ears of the Lord of hosts. You have lived on the earth in luxury and in self-indulgence. You have fattened your hearts in a day of slaughter. …
“For it will be like a man going on a journey, who called his servants and entrusted to them his property. To one he gave five talents, to another two, to another one, to each according to his ability. Then he went away. He who had received the five talents went at once and traded with them, and he made five talents more. So also he who had the two talents made two talents more. But he who had received the one talent went and dug in the ground and hid his master’s money. …
“No one can serve two masters, for either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and money.
The Lord is not slow to fulfill his promise as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not wishing that any should perish, but that all should reach repentance.
The vision of Isaiah the son of Amoz, which he saw concerning Judah and Jerusalem in the days of Uzziah, Jotham, Ahaz, and Hezekiah, kings of Judah. Hear, O heavens, and give ear, O earth; for the Lord has spoken: “Children have I reared and brought up, but they have rebelled against me. The ox knows its owner, and the donkey its master’s crib, but Israel does not know, my people do not understand.” Ah, sinful nation, a people laden with iniquity, offspring of evildoers, children who deal corruptly! They have forsaken the Lord, they have despised the Holy One of Israel, they are utterly estranged. Why will you still be struck down? Why will you continue to rebel? The whole head is sick, and the whole heart faint
But as for the cowardly, the faithless, the detestable, as for murderers, the sexually immoral, sorcerers, idolaters, and all liars, their portion will be in the lake that burns with fire and sulfur, which is the second death.”
“No one can serve two masters, for either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and money.
For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evils. It is through this craving that some have wandered away from the faith and pierced themselves with many pangs.
How God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and with power. He went about doing good and healing all who were oppressed by the devil, for God was with him.
Therefore, confess your sins to one another and pray for one another, that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person has great power as it is working.
If you look at scripture there is an answer, a HOLY TRUTH that counteracts and defeats these lies. I highly recommend taking THIS to the LORD, and receiving the healing that has already been completed at the cross. The fact is, the lies seem big, but you will notice the healing and POWER of God’s love and word is SO MUCH BIGGER?
Choose this day to believe HIS TRUTH. There has never been a better time to be set free. Reject the evil, rebuke the false words, and RENOUNCE ALL lies, and you will learn and SEE what a NEW creation in CHRIST really is.
Special thank you to our daughter for helping with some of the research. HIS FAMILY never breaks, WE only BEND towards HEAVEN.
My whole life, I have been barely making it. Even though, it looked one way on the outside, the inside was a mess. Until, WE were given Sarah, I did not remotely comprehend the LOVE of God. Specifically, the LOVE of JESUS and how it HEALS us.
I’m always REAL, and I know now it was not, and will NEVER be about ME. But, it IS about HIS LOVE for ME and for YOU. That is great news. I really was not sure, where God was going to take this entry. He told me, keep sharing, open your heart, and I will bring HEaven to your doorstep.
So, here is a story from years ago. If I had told it in 2012, I would have not wept while typing. I stand not in grief, but relying on HIS strength to transform for HIS purpose. I was reminded again, that it is time to move forward BY His LOVE. Okay, the story goes like this:
In 2005, I was dating a young man. Our relationship was ANYTHING but EASY. Yet, God was present. At this time, I was also pregnant with Sarah. My now, husband at that time, agreed to a trip on the Oregon coast. I worked for a time share company, and got a good deal. I had gone before, by myself, so I knew the way. When I say, by myself, it means just me and God. 😉 I warned my “boyfriend” that there was only 1 gas station for like 200 miles. I told him, if he needed gas, he should GET it. He, of course ignored me. Back then, he was influenced by arrogance, and he just did not like the brand of gas suggested.
SO, the night went on. I fell asleep, because I was VERY pregnant. He woke me around 1:15 or so. He was kind of panicked. He said, “I have been staring at the empty light, and really, WE are running on fumes. I had to wake you. I don’t know what to do.” I calmly said, “Well, let’s pray. God knows I am pregnant. He is NOT going to let us get stranded here. So, I prayed. I thanked God. I even called the police for help, but they offered NO assistance. You know why? Because, at that time, GOD did not need their help.
The more miles we drove, the more panicked he seemed to be. But, eventually, something BROKE off. If I had panicked, then everything would have been more of a MESS. We turned the hazards on, and we pulled over to the side. Someone came to help us. They had a job similar to my husband’s and mine. I believe God sent angels to assist us. They were used to carry us, all the way to the next gas station. It was 50 miles at least. We offered them a financial blessing for helping, but they did not accept it. Either way, GOD covered us.
This may look like a SMALL miracle. But, to us, it was a HUG and KISS from JESUS. He was loving us from a distance, because back then we were still “disconnected” from HIM. God knew what we needed. He knew our hearts, and even running on fumes, HE carried us.
This morning, when I woke, it was um tumultuous to say the least. I woke coughing and gasping for air, and again, remaining calm. Thankfully, my husband heard me, and came bringing me water. I thank GOD for HIS saving grace indeed. When I woke again, I heard these words. “You were running on fumes of the past, now it is time to let ME FUEL your future. ”
I began to think of the holy spirit and weep. To me, since my mother went to Heaven, when I was young, I see it differently. GOD is a family. He adopts us into HIS family, and the holy spirit is a nurturer, it is how I can nurture. Through the “MOM and DAD.” I believe God gave me the wisdom to see it this way. Because, it has been tremendously helpful in the healing process.
I have no earthly parents living here anymore. But, I DO have the FAMILY of God. So, when I LONG for reunion, or to be able to work with my earthly family, when my heart aches, I can smile and thank GOD for healing. I might smile through TEARS, but I will still smile.
My mom was not perfect, but she did LOVE the LORD Jesus. My dad, also LOVED the LORD. I am grateful, that despite the evils, that plagued us, I got to hear about GOD. Little by little, I began searching to connect to HIM. I think, in some respects, I tried almost every wrong way possible. In others, I tried what I was shown. I saw some fruit, as a child, but most of it was bruised and beaten. Some, was downright rotten. I just did not know what I was SEARCHING FOR.
I want to say, that I, in no way justify anything bad that I participated in. I believe JESUS has wiped it away. SO much so, it is tough to remember. Thank GOD. But, having said that, every step taken to get to this place, was done so under the watchful eyes of JESUS. Because, even though WE got disconnected for a while, HE never lost HOPE in me.
Sometimes, when I am wondering if I am doing and being something that pleases God, I receive a sign that He is happy. Not, just happy, but pleased and pouring out HIS LOVE. As I was writing today, I was overwhelmed with HIS LOVE. I just began weeping. I was listening to music, and the song butterfly came on. He spoke to me, and said something very simple. I heard, “She is NOT the ONLY butterfly. It is time to FLY.”
I had a vision of many TREES. They were all brand NEW. They were filled with luscious fruits. It was like NOTHING I had EVER seen before. Around each tree, there were circles of butterflies taking flight. They were ALL different colors.
Like a TREE planted by the water….This was what I heard. I was led to Jeremiah 17: 8 which is VERY significant. I copied the link for the whole chapter. But, what really jumped out at me is how GOD is sustaining HIS FAITHFUL ONES. He is the VICTORY, HIS LOVE is the NEW BEGINNING.
Perhaps, THIS vision is how God sees us. How HE sees JESUS in us especially. It is The Heavenly Father’s child who LIVES and THRIVES in US. It is because of HIS incredible sacrifice that WE can live and be called Children of God. When we start to focus on the fruits of JESUS, we begin to see them appear in our lives, and those WE pray for.
I believe, God is revealing that even when we thought WE were running on fumes, the HEAVENLY FATHER, our brother/and HIS son JESUS, and the HOLY SPIRIT as well as ALL of HEAVEN were behind us, gently carrying us. Glory, that WE can be carried ALL the way HOME.
For he shall be like a tree planted by the waters that spreads out its roots by the river; and it shall not see and fear when heat comes; but its leaf shall be green. It shall not be anxious and full of care in the year of drought, nor shall it cease yielding fruit.
The Lord knows how to reach us, in a place that NO ONE else can. Why? Because HE is the greatest GIFT. He is the ONLY one who can separate the TRUTH from the lies. He is the ONLY one who will never ever despise us. That is a fact, if you can believe nothing else, BELIEVE that you are LOVED.
The enemy cannot love. Because he never received the love. It was because he rejected the love, that he was ejected out of Heaven. God did not fail to love him, but satan failed to receive it. Was this a shock to God? No. Because, He knows everything.
He wasn’t sitting around wondering, “How did that happen?” So, we have to keep THAT in mind when walking through this earth journey. That WE do have a choice. When Adam and Eve fell for the trap the enemy set? Was this a shock? NO, not to God it wasn’t.
Why did JESUS come? It is very simple. One word, REDEMPTION. It really says it all. He came in the form of a baby. Why? Because He is God’s son. WE come in the from of a baby, because WE are His children. But, like the enemy, we have a choice to receive the lineage of heaven.
His heart is being poured out before the world, like NEVER before. So, do you want to continue playing russian roulette, by being half way in? I, for one, do NOT. I want to be ALL in, or nothing. Because, choosing HIS path leads me home to heaven. Choosing anything else, leads only to destruction.
People argue about hell, they argue about the trinity. But, what NO ONE can argue about is the LOVE of God. I have seen it first hand, how much GOD LOVES us. I receive it more every day. I have a renewed JOY and HOPE, the more I receive it. Why settle for less?
God is not a respector of person’s. He LOVES everyone. But, despite the fact, that HE LOVES without question, so many reject HIM and HIS unending and undying and unfailing LOVE. Jesus is the way to the heavenly Father. The gift given to us, after Jesus ascended was the Holy Spirit. Does that mean Jesus’s spirit left? No. Because He is GOD His spirit can be here and in heaven. Because we are His chosen people, WE can LIVE from Heaven.
How awesome is that??? Are you willing to give UP what you consider your greatest gifts? Because then you can GO UP and you will receive even MORE. HIS LOVE is the gift that keeps on giving. Like the energizer bunny, it never EVER runs out of power. NOT EVER!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
1 Corinthians 13 Amplified Bible (AMP)
13 If I [can] speak in the tongues of men and [even] of angels, but have not love (that reasoning, intentional, spiritual devotion such [a]as is inspired by God’s love for and in us), I am only a noisy gong or a clanging cymbal.
2 And if I have prophetic powers ([b]the gift of interpreting the divine will and purpose), and understand all the secret truths and mysteries and possess all knowledge, and if I have [sufficient] faith so that I can remove mountains, but have not love (God’s love in me) I am nothing (a useless nobody).
3 Even if I dole out all that I have [to the poor in providing] food, and if I surrender my body to be burned or[c]in order that I may glory, but have not love (God’s love in me), I gain nothing.
4 Love endures long and is patient and kind; love never is envious nor boils over with jealousy, is not boastful or vainglorious, does not display itself haughtily.
5 It is not conceited (arrogant and inflated with pride); it is not rude (unmannerly) and does not act unbecomingly. Love (God’s love in us) does not insist on its own rights or its own way, for it is not self-seeking; it is not touchyor fretful or resentful; it takes no account of the evil done to it [it pays no attention to a suffered wrong].
6 It does not rejoice at injustice and unrighteousness, but rejoices when rightand truth prevail.
7 Love bears up under anything and everything that comes, is ever ready to believe the best of every person, its hopes are fadeless under all circumstances, and it endures everything [without weakening].
8 Love never fails [never fades out or becomes obsolete or comes to an end]. As for prophecy ([d]the gift of interpreting the divine will and purpose), it will be fulfilled and pass away; as for tongues, they will be destroyed and cease; as for knowledge, it will pass away [it will lose its value and be superseded by truth].
9 For our knowledge is fragmentary (incomplete and imperfect), and our prophecy (our teaching) is fragmentary (incomplete and imperfect).
10 But when the complete and perfect (total) comes, the incomplete andimperfect will vanish away (become antiquated, void, and superseded).
11 When I was a child, I talked like a child, I thought like a child, I reasoned like a child; now that I have become a man, I am done with childish ways and have put them aside.
12 For now we are looking in a mirror that gives only a dim (blurred) reflection [of reality as [e]in a riddle or enigma], but then [when perfection comes] we shall see in reality and face to face! Now I know in part (imperfectly), but then I shall know and understand [f]fully and clearly, even in the same manner as I have been [g]fully and clearly known and understood [[h]by God].
13 And so faith, hope, love abide [faith—conviction and belief respecting man’s relation to God and divine things; hope—joyful and confident expectation of eternal salvation; love—true affection for God and man, growing out of God’s love for and in us], these three; but the greatest of these is love.
A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another: just as I have loved you, you also are to love one another. By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.”
If I speak in the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I am a noisy gong or a clanging cymbal. And if I have prophetic powers, and understand all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have all faith, so as to remove mountains, but have not love, I am nothing. If I give away all I have, and if I deliver up my body to be burned, but have not love, I gain nothing. Love is patient and kind; love does not envy or boast; it is not arrogant or rude. It does not insist on its own way; it is not irritable or resentful; …
But love your enemies, and do good, and lend, expecting nothing in return, and your reward will be great, and you will be sons of the Most High, for he is kind to the ungrateful and the evil.
I have been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me. And the life I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.
As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you. Abide in my love. If you keep my commandments, you will abide in my love, just as I have kept my Father’s commandments and abide in his love. These things I have spoken to you, that my joy may be in you, and that your joy may be full. “This is my commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you. Greater love has no one than this, that someone lay down his life for his friends.
“No one can serve two masters, for either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and money.
And above all these put on love, which binds everything together in perfect harmony. And let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in one body. And be thankful.
LOOK at HOW much GOD CARES about YOU. He sent HIS son not ONLY to DIE for you, but BE BORN for YOU, and RESURRECTED FOR YOU. What is the greatest gift? LOVE. How did it arrive? IN the form of a baby.
Side note : ) A few pictures were posted here. WE encourage you to comment on the pictures, or if you have questions or encouragement. God bless you greatly. Praying He brings you ALL Heaven.
In our lives this happened too. Where God uses a child, or children. It keeps happening, over and OVER because GOD has won, and VICTORY is certain. Receive HIS LOVE and drink from HIS Heavenly CUP today.
After days of crying out to God silently, today I was just listening. I am NOT a huge fan of quiet. But, today ALL the things that make noise became silent. I heard, “I LOVE you.” I was really frustrated. It is NOT like I was thrilled to hear this. Even though, I should have been. But, the TRUTH is, I wanted to scream. I wanted to shake my fist at God at yell. I wanted to say, “HOW CAN YOU SAY YOU LOVE ME?” But, I just said, “Thank you.”
God’s LOVE is NOT always like a beautiful spring shower. Sometimes HIS Love is painful to receive. This is why many people deny HIS LOVE. To receive LOVE the way GOD intends, it takes getting struck by HIS Golden rod. When God is talking about not sparring the rod, this is part of what He is referring to. Jesus is our lighting rod.
A lightening rod is a grounded metallic structure set up to protect an object from being damaged by lightening.
Jesus is our lightening rod, a GOLDEN ROD to protect us from the WAYS of the world. God never tells us that we will not have struggles. He said, “Take heart, because I have overcome the world.” He is our place of refuge. Our help in times of trials. The word of God says, “Our present help in time of need” is the LORD.
When do WE need God? Always.
How do WE LOVE GOD? Many ways.
How does GOD LOVE us? EVERY way.
Let me explain…. WE always need God’s help. Do WE always ASK for HIS help? Sometimes, WE don’t have words to speak, and thankfully HE reads and SEES our heart. God loves us in so many ways. There is NOT just one way to be LOVED. But, there is ONLY one way to get to the Heavenly Father, and that way is JESUS.
Most of us were raised in homes where there was one way to do something. If we tried to suggest another way, it was almost always shut down. Because, everyone believed that the way that they were taught was correct. So, naturally when we say something, and get shut down, then WE shut up. But, God never shoots us down. No matter what happens, God elevates us and encourages us.
He is the ONLY one who can constantly build us up. God can fulfill every single need. He CAN do it instantly. But, rarely does this happen. The reason why is, because if God was a vending machine God, WE would never appreciate what we receive when it came. Each gift is precious and special. WE are a gift to God.
If HE is our lightening ROD perhaps in some sense WE are HIS. God really does need us. The relationship is suppose to be united. WE are supposed to realize at some point how special WE are to HIM. Now, this may seem a bit repetitive, but HERE is the point WE fulfill a DEEP need for God. Why did He create us? Well, WE were created to LOVE and BE LOVED. God actually SEES us an individual masterpieces, that are put together to create a WHOLE.
Don’t you see? HE makes us WHOLE It is HIS LOVE alone that breaks us down and FEEDS us to the multitudes. What was it that cause food to multiply with the feeding of the 5,000? It is and WAS His LOVE that was the ingredient then and NOW. It is NOT a secret in and of it self. But, it is a VERY special ingredient. If WE do not choose to let GOD add it, then the recipe is simply incomplete.
WE are not garbage, yet the world makes us feel like it. The god of this world has a task. That task is to destroy us. The GOD of heaven has a job as well. It is to HEAL us. To deliver us from evil, and to teach US to walk in the freedom of our HOME. I was thinking about what HOME means. I have heard, it is where the heart is. So, to ME home is JESUS. It is everywhere I go that HE is. Because when HE is present, so is the HEAVenLY Father, and the HOLY spirit. It is a safe place, where even thought the GOLDEN Rod does NOT always feel like sunshine and roses, it produces them. Along with rainbows, new breeds of flowers, and precious jewels that no one has seen, are Heaven’s treasures.
Will be coming back tomorrow to add more photos and scriptures. 🙂 Love to you ALL.
So, here is the question? Who do you let beat you? What do you let tame you? Is it the LOVE of God? Because God has a requirement for HIS babies. It is very simple. He wants us to be REAL. If we get too religious, WE will be a turn off. He wants us NOT to compromise with the world, but to be a LIGHT and a JOY through HIM and the LOVE that shines through. So will YOU allow the LORD JESUS this day to use HIS Golden ROD to make you a new?
After a week of being unplugged with Jesus, I learned a few things. I realized that I am VERY thankful for HIS Grace. I am grateful to GOD for our family. Tough LOVE is hard to give and at times hard to take. I was thinking about a song that represented what took place. The one that first played on the radio is called “Here.”
http://www.azlyrics.com/lyrics/karijobe/here.html
“Here”
Come and rest here
Come and lay your burdens down
Come and rest here
There is refuge for you now
[Pre-Chorus:]
You’ll find His peace
And know you’re not alone anymore
He is near
You’ll find His healing
You’re heart isn’t shattered anymore
He is here
[Chorus:]
Breathe in
Breathe out
You will
You will find Him here
[Bridge:]
I will rest in You
[Outro:]
You will find Him
You will find Him here
You will find Him
You will find Him here
As I walked through this time with God. It was NOT easy. You would think that just sitting before God would be a piece of cake. But, this time ALL HELL seemed to break loose around me. I remembered when my mom was alive. I recalled her shutting herself in her room. I never considered back then, that she was having time with God. But, I bet she was trying to. I have a great deal of respect for my mom. In fact, more each day as I am blessed to mother. Mom loved being a mom, but often had trouble connecting to us. When I first became a mom, I struggled with the same thing.
It is funny to me how God heals us. He often takes us back to the toughest times in our lives. At that point, He reveals what could have been done differently. Then, He gives us a chance to do so. It isn’t funny in a hahaha kind of way. It is more interesting and a fascination to me. I thought about my mother a lot. Many times, I felt her watching over me. Both of my parents have gone home to Heaven, and many of our children. I say this, to share that the MOTHER has a specific responsibility. She is the matriarch of the family.
Full Definition of MATRIARCH
: a woman who rules or dominates a family, group, or state; specifically: a mother who is head and ruler of her family and descendants
The Father has a specific responsibility as well. He is the Patriarch.
Full Definition of PATRIARCH
1
a: one of the scriptural fathers of the human race or of the Hebrew people
b: a man who is father or founder
c (1): the oldest member or representative of a group (2): a venerable old man
a: any of the bishops of the ancient or Eastern Orthodox sees of Constantinople, Alexandria, Antioch, and Jerusalem or the ancient and Western see of Rome with authority over other bishops
b: the head of any of various Eastern churches
c: a Roman Catholic bishop next in rank to the pope with purely titular or with metropolitan jurisdiction
3
: a Mormon of the Melchizedek priesthood empowered to perform the ordinances of the church and pronounce blessings within a stake or prescribed jurisdiction
See patriarch defined for English-language learners
The first word matriarch, I heard A LOT. The second word, I practically NEVER heard. I was led to seek God for the word for the man, or Father. In my family growing up, my mother ran the house. Dad battled being passive aggressive. Well, they both did to some degree. Mom had a lot of fear about things getting done. She tried to bring order. But, my dad always felt like she was trying to undercut him. He would look to other things to fulfill his desire to lead. The choices were NOT always wise ones. He spoke death a lot, and really did not realize just how many curses were affecting us as a family.
Mom tried very hard at EVERYTHING she did. In fact, I believe she went home early, in part, because she threw herself into every thing she attempted. I’m not saying giving your ALL is bad, but not letting JESUS do through us, is always destructive long term. Sometimes as a wife and mom, we are called to have tough conversations. It is NOT always a fun thing to do, and WE do NOT desire to be holy spirit to anyone. Having said that, my parents battled talking AT each other, and not TO each other.
I was reflecting on this scripture today.
Ecclesiastes 3 Amplified Bible (AMP)
3 To everything there is a season, and a time for every matter or purpose under heaven:
2 A time to be born and a time to die, a time to plant and a time to pluck up what is planted,
3 A time to kill and a time to heal, a time to break down and a time to build up,
4 A time to weep and a time to laugh, a time to mourn and a time to dance,
5 A time to cast away stones and a time to gather stones together, a time to embrace and a time to refrain from embracing,
6 A time to get and a time to lose, a time to keep and a time to cast away,
7 A time to rend and a time to sew, a time to keep silence and a time to speak,
8 A time to love and a time to hate, a time for war and a time for peace.
9 What profit remains for the worker from his toil?
10 I have seen the painful labor and exertion and miserable business which God has given to the sons of men with which to exercise and busy themselves.
11 He has made everything beautiful in its time. He also has planted eternity in men’s hearts and minds [a divinely implanted sense of a purpose working through the ages which nothing under the sun but God alone can satisfy], yet so that men cannot find out what God has done from the beginning to the end.
12 I know that there is nothing better for them than to be glad and to get anddo good as long as they live;
13 And also that every man should eat and drink and enjoy the good of all his labor—it is the gift of God.
14 I know that whatever God does, it endures forever; nothing can be added to it nor anything taken from it. And God does it so that men will [reverently] fear Him [revere and worship Him, knowing that He is].
15 That which is now already has been, and that which is to be already has been; and God seeks that which has passed by [so that history repeats itself].
16 Moreover, I saw under the sun that in the place of justice there was wickedness, and that in the place of righteousness wickedness was there also.
17 I said in my heart, God will judge the righteous and the wicked, for there is a time [appointed] for every matter and purpose and for every work.
18 I said in my heart regarding the subject of the sons of men, God is trying (separating and sifting) them, that they may see that by themselves [under the sun, without God] they are but like beasts.
19 For that which befalls the sons of men befalls beasts; even [in the end] one thing befalls them both. As the one dies, so dies the other. Yes, they all have one breath and spirit, so that a [a]man has no preeminence over a beast; for all is vanity (emptiness, falsity, and futility)!
20 All go to one place; all are of the dust, and all turn to dust again.
21 Who knows the spirit of man, whether it goes upward, and the spirit of the beast, whether it goes downward to the earth?
22 So I saw that there is nothing better than that a man should rejoice in his own works, for that is his portion. For who shall bring him back to see what will happen after he is gone?
Particularly a time to plant, and a time to reap. Because, there are seasons where we must let God’s seed bring Harvest. It is NOT always going to look as WE expect it to. A great example is when we pray. IF, we are praying God’s will, then WE must let HIM move as He sees fit. So, when we have the hard conversations, WE must do so in LOVE and not be offended, no matter the responses.
The title of this entry is Restored, Replaced, and Resurrected. I was given this title weeks ago. I had no idea the direction God had planned to take this. He wanted to focus on partnership, and how HIS desire is for the man to be the head of the house, but for the house to be run in unity. My husband wanted to know why, when He tried to instill order in the house, only chaos seemed to be present. I mentioned to him, that it is because WE re used to chaos. Order seems like unfamiliar territory at first. But, it won’t forever.
In order to be RESTORED, complete and total surrender is needed. In order for GOD to replace He has to have been given the OLD. In order for Resurrection to occur, death must have shown it’s face. Do you notice each sentence begins with IN ORDER? God’s order does not look like ours. When we REST in HIM and with HIM, we will slowly begin to unravel the chaos. It happens with JESUS. If it happens without HIM, disorder inevitably will ensue.
One thing interesting about my parents. My mother went first. My dad stuck around 14 more years. For a long time, he felt guilty that mom went home before him. But, little by little, despite the chaos, God’s order took root. He was a great dad. He faithfully prayed for us. But, he got few accolades on this side of Heaven. He struggled with being a husband. I believe his battle with disease came from often feeling inadequate. When I was younger, I remember pornography being strewn about openly. No one knew how much of an open door that was. But GOD. In His time, HE would reveal it.
The amazing thing about GOD is He does not care how many times we fall, doubt, or skin our knees. He just cares that WE let HIM LOVE us. My dad was a Godly man. Especially in the end, I can say the example of Jesus in him shined. The day dad went home was the 24th. Biblically that represents the ROYAL priesthood. My dad got his Glorious crown, and ORDER was restored by God. Did it look as I expected? Well, no. In a perfect world, I wanted my mom and dad to see our children and grandchildren. They will, but, NOT as I expected. But, it can’t be wrong, because HIS plans never are.
Recently, I had something earth shattering happen. I’m not going to be too specific. But, suffice it to say, it was like a nuclear bomb, and it was the closets I have ever had to a breakdown. I found myself looking to God and asking “HUH??? After ALL of this? Seriously???” It ROCKED by FAITH to the VERY core, and to be honest it broke me. Most are going to think I am referring to the death of our daughter Sarah. But, I am not. In fact, I had begun to make great strides in healing from that. Then, something else came at me.
I realized my mother had a similar battle. She kept quiet a lot, and internalized too. Me, I have never been fond of quiet for various reasons. But, suddenly I found myself just unable to speak again. I felt that way when our daughter died, and actually when my mother Sarah died too. Maybe even when dad died, I struggled with voicing my words. But, this was related to something else. It was about someone I LOVE dearly, and a betrayal to God. It was NOT against me, but it definitely did and does affect me. So, I had a choice to make. If I internalized it, then it could kill me. THAT was NOT an option.
When I did speak, it was often from pain. Most that don’t know the difference, either don’t know me well, understand, or haven’t yet been taught that discernment. Pain, can be demonic and evil. But, it can also be a gift. For the first time, David and I were given the gift of expressing our pain. We ended up just sitting at the feet of Jesus together ultimately. Sometimes in a marriage, we fight each other. Other times we fight God, or ourselves. We have been married almost 9 years. But, what we have encountered in that short time, some NEVER ever do.
That is a blessing in some ways, yet an obstacle in others. But, the point is that GOD is not just the center. He is the whole kit and caboodle in our marriage. He is EVERYTHING. Which means when we can’t speak, He alone connects us and our family together. Even when almost EVERYONE, if NOT EVERYONE has a desire to RUN AWAY. For us, we have realized that, as long as WE are united still, that leaving is NOT an option.
I appeal to you, brothers, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that all of you agree, and that there be no divisions among you, but that you be united in the same mind and the same judgment.
Finally, brothers, rejoice. Aim for restoration, comfort one another, agree with one another, live in peace; and the God of love and peace will be with you.
I therefore, a prisoner for the Lord, urge you to walk in a manner worthy of the calling to which you have been called, with all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another in love, eager to maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. There is one body and one Spirit—just as you were called to the one hope that belongs to your call— one Lord, one faith, one baptism, …
For as in one body we have many members, and the members do not all have the same function, so we, though many, are one body in Christ, and individually members one of another.
Only let your manner of life be worthy of the gospel of Christ, so that whether I come and see you or am absent, I may hear of you that you are standing firm in one spirit, with one mind striving side by side for the faith of the gospel,
Now the full number of those who believed were of one heart and soul, and no one said that any of the things that belonged to him was his own, but they had everything in common.
Until we all attain to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to mature manhood, to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ,
For just as the body is one and has many members, and all the members of the body, though many, are one body, so it is with Christ.
So, who and what unites you? In fact, what TIES you together? Because if it is NOT His LOVE, than the ties will eventually break. ONLY His LOVE heals. In HIM we do NOT have to FEAR the storms of LIFE. We can ride upon the waves. Even when WE are hidden inside the wave. It is SAFE there. Because REST in present no matter how WE feel. His LOVE is REAL.
I charge you to seek God for Restoration, Replacement and Resurrection in your homes, families, and lives. Because, one thing I will say is, God NEVER fails. When our faith in HIM is tested, and HIS faith in US is tested WE will pass, with a rainbow of promise as the flying colors. His GLORY is awaiting your surrender. The JOY is just on the other side. One step at a time, choose to heal. It takes courage, but the GLORY of God will multiply.
I am so thankful for the faithful to HIM. I am grateful to God for the prayers, the love, the mothering, the fathering, and the HEAVEN that so many are being used to pray into our lives. Bless them LORD with abundant Heaven. IJN
For days I have just been sitting with God and reflecting. The rain has been falling, and it has been Heavenly. Not, that it has always felt that way, but GOD. I was wondering about understanding HIS Glory more. He says He will take us from Glory, to Glory, to Glory. What does this mean?
Glory is a celebration. It is formed in the deepest darkest places, and through surrender of the most difficult circumstances and suffering. The birth of GLORY often takes much surrender, time,energy, and release.
Looking at HIS word, WE see that the GLORY embodies, entails and encompasses a lot of ground.
Therefore God has highly exalted him and bestowed on him the name that is above every name, so that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.
He is the radiance of the glory of God and the exact imprint of his nature, and he upholds the universe by the word of his power. After making purification for sins, he sat down at the right hand of the Majesty on high,
Then the cloud covered the tent of meeting, and the glory of the Lord filled the tabernacle. And Moses was not able to enter the tent of meeting because the cloud settled on it, and the glory of the Lord filled the tabernacle.
That the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give you a spirit of wisdom and of revelation in the knowledge of him, having the eyes of your hearts enlightened, that you may know what is the hope to which he has called you, what are the riches of his glorious inheritance in the saints, and what is the immeasurable greatness of his power toward us who believe, according to the working of his great might that he worked in Christ when he raised him from the dead and seated him at his right hand in the heavenly places, far above all rule and authority and power and dominion, and above every name that is named, not only in this age but also in the one to come.
I glorified you on earth, having accomplished the work that you gave me to do. And now, Father, glorify me in your own presence with the glory that I had with you before the world existed.
Then shall your light break forth like the dawn, and your healing shall spring up speedily; your righteousness shall go before you; the glory of the Lord shall be your rear guard.
To the choirmaster: according to The Gittith. A Psalm of David. O Lord, our Lord, how majestic is your name in all the earth! You have set your glory above the heavens.
But you shall be called the priests of the Lord; they shall speak of you as the ministers of our God; you shall eat the wealth of the nations, and in their glory you shall boast.
The revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave him to show to his servants the things that must soon take place. He made it known by sending his angel to his servant John, who bore witness to the word of God and to the testimony of Jesus Christ, even to all that he saw. Blessed is the one who reads aloud the words of this prophecy, and blessed are those who hear, and who keep what is written in it, for the time is near. John to the seven churches that are in Asia: Grace to you and peace from him who is and who was and who is to come, and from the seven spirits who are before his throne, and from Jesus Christ the faithful witness, the firstborn of the dead, and the ruler of kings on earth. To him who loves us and has freed us from our sins by his blood …
The Lord reigns, let the earth rejoice; let the many coastlands be glad! Clouds and thick darkness are all around him; righteousness and justice are the foundation of his throne. Fire goes before him and burns up his adversaries all around. His lightnings light up the world; the earth sees and trembles. The mountains melt like wax before the Lord, before the Lord of all the earth. …
Lift up your heads, O gates! And be lifted up, O ancient doors, that the King of glory may come in. Who is this King of glory? The Lord, strong and mighty, the Lord, mighty in battle!
Blessed is the man who walks not in the counsel of the wicked, nor stands in the way of sinners, nor sits in the seat of scoffers; but his delight is in the law of the Lord, and on his law he meditates day and night. He is like a tree planted by streams of water that yields its fruit in its season, and its leaf does not wither. In all that he does, he prospers. The wicked are not so, but are like chaff that the wind drives away. Therefore the wicked will not stand in the judgment, nor sinners in the congregation of the righteous; …
He was still speaking when, behold, a bright cloud overshadowed them, and a voice from the cloud said, “This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased; listen to him.”
Saying, “If you will diligently listen to the voice of the Lord your God, and do that which is right in his eyes, and give ear to his commandments and keep all his statutes, I will put none of the diseases on you that I put on the Egyptians, for I am the Lord, your healer.”
And the city has no need of sun or moon to shine on it, for the glory of God gives it light, and its lamp is the Lamb. By its light will the nations walk, and the kings of the earth will bring their glory into it, and its gates will never be shut by day—and there will be no night there.
In the year that King Uzziah died I saw the Lord sitting upon a throne, high and lifted up; and the train of his robe filled the temple. Above him stood the seraphim. Each had six wings: with two he covered his face, and with two he covered his feet, and with two he flew. And one called to another and said: “Holy, holy, holy is the Lord of hosts; the whole earth is full of his glory!” And the foundations of the thresholds shook at the voice of him who called, and the house was filled with smoke.
This man came to Jesus by night and said to him, “Rabbi, we know that you are a teacher come from God, for no one can do these signs that you do unless God is with him.”
No servant can serve two masters, for either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and money.”
“The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he has anointed me to proclaim good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim liberty to the captives and recovering of sight to the blind, to set at liberty those who are oppressed,
Ascribe to the Lord, O clans of the peoples, ascribe to the Lord glory and strength! Ascribe to the Lord the glory due his name; bring an offering and come before him! Worship theLord in the splendor of holiness;
Then Moses and Aaron went from the presence of the assembly to the entrance of the tent of meeting and fell on their faces. And the glory of the Lord appeared to them,
Because you are precious in my eyes, and honored, and I love you, I give men in return for you, peoples in exchange for your life. Fear not, for I am with you; I will bring your offspring from the east, and from the west I will gather you. I will say to the north, Give up, and to the south, Do not withhold; bring my sons from afar and my daughters from the end of the earth, everyone who is called by my name, whom I created for my glory, whom I formed and made.”
He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High will abide in the shadow of the Almighty. I will say to the Lord, “My refuge and my fortress, my God, in whom I trust.” For he will deliver you from the snare of the fowler and from the deadly pestilence. He will cover you with his pinions, and under his wings you will find refuge; his faithfulness is a shield and buckler. You will not fear the terror of the night, nor the arrow that flies by day, …
And beware lest you raise your eyes to heaven, and when you see the sun and the moon and the stars, all the host of heaven, you be drawn away and bow down to them and serve them, things that the Lord your God has allotted to all the peoples under the whole heaven.
Now Jesus was praying in a certain place, and when he finished, one of his disciples said to him, “Lord, teach us to pray, as John taught his disciples.”
And he said to them, “Truly, I say to you, there are some standing here who will not taste death until they see the kingdom of God after it has come with power.”
To the choirmaster. A Psalm of David. The heavens declare the glory of God, and the sky above proclaims his handiwork. Day to day pours out speech, and night to night reveals knowledge. There is no speech, nor are there words, whose voice is not heard. Their voice goes out through all the earth, and their words to the end of the world. In them he has set a tent for the sun, which comes out like a bridegroom leaving his chamber, and, like a strong man, runs its course with joy. …
Then Moses said to Aaron, “This is what the Lord has said, ‘Among those who are near me I will be sanctified, and before all the people I will be glorified.’” And Aaron held his peace.
And the Lord went before them by day in a pillar of cloud to lead them along the way, and by night in a pillar of fire to give them light, that they might travel by day and by night.
But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.”
Now there was a man of the Pharisees named Nicodemus, a ruler of the Jews. This man came to Jesus by night and said to him, “Rabbi, we know that you are a teacher come from God, for no one can do these signs that you do unless God is with him.” Jesus answered him, “Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born again he cannot see the kingdom of God.” Nicodemus said to him, “How can a man be born when he is old? Can he enter a second time into his mother’s womb and be born?” Jesus answered, “Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God. …
Thus says God, the Lord, who created the heavens and stretched them out, who spread out the earth and what comes from it, who gives breath to the people on it and spirit to those who walk in it:
The vision of Isaiah the son of Amoz, which he saw concerning Judah and Jerusalem in the days of Uzziah, Jotham, Ahaz, and Hezekiah, kings of Judah. Hear, O heavens, and give ear, O earth; for the Lord has spoken: “Children have I reared and brought up, but they have rebelled against me. The ox knows its owner, and the donkey its master’s crib, but Israel does not know, my people do not understand.” Ah, sinful nation, a people laden with iniquity, offspring of evildoers, children who deal corruptly! They have forsaken theLord, they have despised the Holy One of Israel, they are utterly estranged. Why will you still be struck down? Why will you continue to rebel? The whole head is sick, and the whole heart faint. …
There was a man in the land of Uz whose name was Job, and that man was blameless and upright, one who feared God and turned away from evil. There were born to him seven sons and three daughters. He possessed 7,000 sheep, 3,000 camels, 500 yoke of oxen, and 500 female donkeys, and very many servants, so that this man was the greatest of all the people of the east. His sons used to go and hold a feast in the house of each one on his day, and they would send and invite their three sisters to eat and drink with them. And when the days of the feast had run their course, Job would send and consecrate them, and he would rise early in the morning and offer burnt offerings according to the number of them all. For Job said, “It may be that my children have sinned, and cursed God in their hearts.” Thus Job did continually. …
Blessed and holy is the one who shares in the first resurrection! Over such the second death has no power, but they will be priests of God and of Christ, and they will reign with him for a thousand years.
How God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and with power. He went about doing good and healing all who were oppressed by the devil, for God was with him.
Truly, truly, I say to you, whoever hears my word and believes him who sent me has eternal life. He does not come into judgment, but has passed from death to life.
For God, who said, “Let light shine out of darkness,” has shone in our hearts to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ.
For rulers are not a terror to good conduct, but to bad. Would you have no fear of the one who is in authority? Then do what is good, and you will receive his approval,
You heard me say to you, ‘I am going away, and I will come to you.’ If you loved me, you would have rejoiced, because I am going to the Father, for the Father is greater than I.
And as he was setting out on his journey, a man ran up and knelt before him and asked him, “Good Teacher, what must I do to inherit eternal life?” And Jesus said to him, “Why do you call me good? No one is good except God alone. You know the commandments: ‘Do not murder, Do not commit adultery, Do not steal, Do not bear false witness, Do not defraud, Honor your father and mother.’” And he said to him, “Teacher, all these I have kept from my youth.” And Jesus, looking at him, loved him, and said to him, “You lack one thing: go, sell all that you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, follow me.” …
Then he led me to the gate, the gate facing east. And behold, the glory of the God of Israel was coming from the east. And the sound of his coming was like the sound of many waters, and the earth shone with his glory. And the vision I saw was just like the vision that I had seen when he came to destroy the city, and just like the vision that I had seen by the Chebar canal. And I fell on my face. As the glory of the Lord entered the temple by the gate facing east, the Spirit lifted me up and brought me into the inner court; and behold, the glory of the Lord filled the temple. …
“Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is one.
I was reminded that GLORY is not about our perfection. It IS about the perfection of GOD, and HIS perfect LOVE that heals us. It is the LOVE of GOd that drives away the enemy. ONLY the LOVE of GOd can reach in and pull someone out of a pit.
Recently, I was asked to speak at a dear brother’s event. I really was not sure about it. But, as I prayed, I kept getting more peace. So, the time approached, and I was under heavy fire. I was not feeling my best, but I pushed through. By His Grace alone, God moved.
While we were there, I was in worship, in the audience. I was waiting to be called up to participate. All of the sudden, the Lord interrupted my worship. I sensed, I needed to ask the woman behind me for something. I could tell she wanted to cling to JEsus. Her children were having trouble sitting still. I never thought I could miss that. But, dear friends, I absolutely do miss it.
I did not know this woman, and I really like to respect people’s time to worship God. However, the holy spirit kept prompting me to ask her something. I asked her if one of her children could sit with me. She graciously agreed. Her precious daughter came and sat with me. she received with JOY the tender hugs and kisses on the forehead. I received the gift of the presence of HEAVEN.
I had explained gently to the mother, that our daughter had passed into Heaven completely in 2013. It is still so hard to wrap my head around that fact. Not to mention, how much of a challenge it is to my heart. But God. He saw my heart, and encouraged me to be courageous to ask for my need to be met.
I am so grateful I did. God used that time with this precious JOY child. He prepared me for going up to speak. Heaven fell, and the GLORY showered us all. It was so incredibly beautiful. 🙂
No one will tell you that the GLORY of God is easy. If they do, then walk away, and fast. The life God has given us is meant to be challenging at times. Because, it is in those times, that WE fully rely and depend on GOD alone. No one else can give us what HE does.
To look at the definition of Glory is interesting.
Full Definition of GLORY
1
a: praise, honor, or distinction extended by common consent :renown
b: worshipful praise, honor, and thanksgiving <giving glory to God>
2
a: something that secures praise or renown <the glory of a brilliant career>
b: a distinguished quality or asset
3
a (1): great beauty and splendor :magnificence<the glory that was Greece and the grandeur that was Rome — E. A. Poe>(2): something marked by beauty or resplendence <a perfect glory of a day>
b: the splendor and beatific happiness of heaven; broadly:eternity
4
a: a state of great gratification or exaltation <when she’s acting she’s in her glory>
As a young soldier he dreamed of winning military glory.
He now has only a few trophies to remind him of the glory of his athletic career.
Let us give glory to God.
The glory of the town is its fountain.
an art exhibit showing off the glories of ancient civilizations
The new owners are trying to restore the company to its former glory.
The beautiful art reminds us of the glory of the empire.
Origin of GLORY
Middle English glorie, from Anglo-French & Latin; Anglo-French, from Latingloria
First Known Use: 14th century
God wants us to choose HIS ways in full, not part. He will NOT settle for half way. Are you willing to go with HIM? To the darkest places and most desolate and to HELL when necessary. Will you be used to rescue and save? Can JESUS move through you? He is requesting full access.
I would NOT want to be someone not knowing HIM in this hour. He loves even the unbelievers, but the LOVE is going to show up in ways that look strange to others indeed. Because, GOD disciplines those He loves.
I receive HIS Glory shower. No matter the pain and suffering. It is worth it to LOVE, and be LOVED by my incredible, awe inspriring, and unrelentless GLORIOUS KING.
Finally, THIS entry has come to PASS….
