Being Led

"As for God, his way is perfect;
the word of the LORD is flawless.
He is a shield for all who take refuge in him."
Psalm 18:30(NIV

I just started a new relationship and was pointing out how I want to do things God's way. I will not fold on this. I've made too many mistakes in the past and lived wrongly. I want to do things right from here on out. I thought this scripture explained exactly what I'm feeling. I believe His word is flawless and if I stay under his protection by obeying and putting Him first in everything, I can't go wrong. Thank God this girl feels the same way. We are willing to put the Lord first above ourselves and let Him lead us through this journey. I trust in God's Holy Word and He will lead us on!

What To Offer God?

Monday is the Day Of Atonement (Yom Kippur). One of the feasts of Israel. This is a day I plan on spending fasting, praying and repenting before God. In the Old Testament they always brought something to the Lord in sacrifice. Of course Christ Jesus has made the ultimate sacrifice. Showing me, the sinner, that He has made full substitution for me. But still I shouldn't come to God empty handed.

During God’s specially decreed “feasts” (holy days) and observances, Israelites were commanded to honor Him with their offerings, as is written in Deuteronomy 16:16-17:

…and they shall not appear before the LORD empty-handed. Every man shall give as he is able, according to the blessing of the LORD your God which He has given you (NKJV).

I can't help but think....What in the world can I bring God? God has given me so much. With giving me salvation through Christ, a free gift only to be accepted, I cannot give anything equal or better than this. The only thing I can think to bring God is myself. Myself in humility, in repentance and in adoration for what He's done in my life. God doesn't want the blood of some animal from me. Nor does He want my money. He wants me and He wants you.

Just a note: I have never celebrated any of the feasts of Israel before in my life. I figured I would give it a shot. If for some reason I get blessed in abundance I will let you know.

Grieved Over Sin

It is true that we all have sinned and fallen short of God's glory. It is true even after the acceptance of Christ and filling of the Holy Spirit we can stumble in sin. I see people that sin freely with no remorse. But we as true Christ followers must not let sin grip us. Just because Jesus has paid my price doesn't give me the justification to continue sinning with out grief. That's a dangerous place to be. Paul wrote to some Christians in 1 Corinthians 5 who were tolerating immorality. Instead of being grieved over sin in their midst, they were actually puffed up with pride and arrogance. They were proud when they should have been mourning. God desires that we should be "built up" in Christ and never "puffed up" with pride.

1 Corinthians 5:2 (AMP) "And you are proud and arrogant! And you ought rather to mourn (bow in sorrow and in shame)...."

I for one feel this sorrow and do mourn when I find myself walking out of line with God's word. I pour my heart out to Him because I don't want to grieve His Spirit. Jesus already went through enough agony for the sin in the world. So what should be the continual attitude of God's children? Paul said in Philippians 2:3 "Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in humility consider others better than yourselves" If we take this seriously, we won't be all puffed up.

Talent Night

It's Talent Night at our church (Open Bible Church) and I am heading up the adult quiz team. We will be taking on Clubhouse which consists of very smart kids ages 4-10. Also we will go against the Youth ages 11-18 (they're smart to I guess). It's a good time and I wish you all could come along. The children and adults (if they choose) get on stage and sing a song or do skits or some other entertaining thing. It's fun to watch and be a part of. I will do my best to get some pictures. We have a sundae challenge going on as well. Me and several others volunteered. Each volunteer had a container which people would put money in. The person with the most money in his container gets to be the lucky winner. This person lies on the ground blind folded as the youth take turns dropping the makings of a sundae in the mouth of the lucky winner. By the grace of God I did not win. The awesome part about the whole deal is that the youth raised 160 some odd dollars that will go straight to missions.

Love A Child

I got a nice surprise in the mail today. My child sponsorship came in and I'm really excited to help change a life. This is something that has been on my heart for a while now and have finally taken action. Even if all I do in life is help but one person, I know God would be pleased. God counts each person, each soul as precious. It says in Matthew 25:40 "Truly I say to you, to the extent that you did it to one of these brothers of mine, even the least of them, you did it to Me."

The child I am sponsoring lives in Haiti. Her name is Ydania Felix and she is 13 years old. I am excited to correspond with this precious girl and watch how I can make a difference in her life.

That Was Close

I just realized the other day that I was studying the wrong chapter of my book (What In The World Is Going On) for my Wednesday night Bible Study. That's funny. I would have felt pretty dumb getting up in front of everyone and talking about something completely different. Turns out my chapter is about the rapture. Now I have nothing to say. Back to the drawing board. One nice thing when are teaching or planning on teaching something, you really study and dig in. This helps me get the Word in my heart.

Prosperity And Order

I was thinking of how thankful I am to have everything that I have. What a blessing it is to have such a nice house, a roof over my head. A nice vehicle that runs great. Just things in general. I've heard so many times that when God speaks of prosperity in the Bible he isn't speaking of things. I don't think that's completely right. God does things in a certain order. Of course people think of money or possessions more often when the subject of prosperity comes up, but as I understand it the Bible points out that God is more interested in our spiritual prosperity than anything else. To God our spiritual growth comes first and foremost. Then the other things are added on.

I look at Psalm 25:12-13 which reads "Who is the man who fears the Lord? He will instruct him in the way he should choose. His soul will abide in prosperity, and his descendants will inherit the land." I see when we choose to live God's way according to His word...by faith in the acceptance of Jesus Christ and denial of self then we have prosperity. Our souls will abide in prosperity....then it says his descendants will inherit the land. Then I believe that's when physical prosperity comes forth.

In 3 John 1:2 it says "Beloved, I pray that you may prosper in every way and [that your body] may keep well, even as [I know] your soul keeps well and prospers." If you keep reading through vs. 3 "In fact, I greatly rejoiced when [some of] the brethren from time to time arrived and spoke [so highly] of the sincerity and fidelity of your life, as indeed you do live in the Truth [the whole Gospel presents]." (AMP)

I truly think that when we live accordingly in a godly manner in the covenant God has made for us through the shed blood of Jesus Christ we can expect prosperity. Spiritually and physically.

Lets look at some more scripture. (Psalm 128) "How blessed is everyone who fears the Lord, Who walks in His ways. When you shall eat of the fruit of your hands, you will be happy and it will be well with you. Your wife shall be like a fruitful vine within your house, your children like olive plants around your table. Behold, for thus shall the man be blessed who fears the Lord. The Lord bless you from Zion, and may you see the prosperity of Jerusalem all the days of your life. Indeed, may you see your children's children. Peace be upon Israel!"

And Ezekiel 36:26-27 "Moreover, I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit within you; and I will remove the heart of stone from your flesh and give you a heart of flesh. I will put My Spirit within you and cause you to walk in My statutes, and you will be careful to observe My ordinances...vs. 29...I will call for the grain and multiply it,....I will multiply the fruit of the tree and the produce of the field."

I do realize that the things of this world will some day be destroyed and we are not to heap up treasures here but store up things in heaven. But I do see where the Lord has prospered me and I give Him all the thanksgiving and glory for it.

Wasted Energy

A Few Tips From Mike Murdock:

Sometimes we put to much energy into solving every problem for everyone around us. Do not invest more time in the unhappy than you do those who are supportive and encouraging to you. When you realize that some people are just never satisfied, you can learn from these unhappy voices around you.

I have found myself witnessing to people that just don't want change. They refuse pastoral mentorship. they refuse to attend to a local church. They refuse to follow the principles of success that I taught them privately. They refuse to attend sessions on financial prosperity held within minutes of their home.

I have learned to never attempt to solve the problems of the unteachable. The unteachable always remain unhappy. I've learned not to waste my energy with these types of people. Too often, those who bless us are ignored. The obnoxious often receive far too much time, energy and attention. If you've noticed, Jesus didn't waste his time giving long answers to Pharisees. He saved His time for those who would receive from Him. Do only what you are instructed by the Holy Spirit to do.

Border Patrol

I was listening to a teaching by Joyce Meyer this morning as I got ready for work. She was talking about establishing boundaries in relationships. She used an example of boundaries and borders explaining how when entering into Canada you go through a series of questions and or searches. She made a comment about the kind of people we let into our lives. Are they adding to us or taking away.

I made a relationship with a person when I was first born-again. I thought the relationship was fine because this person was a Christian. It turned out this person was constantly sucking the life right out of me. This person ended up being very needy and clingy. It was a drain on my life and it hurt when I had to tell this person they were driving me nuts. Needless to say I am much more cautious who I let into my life. When I see a person with certain, I'll just say certain issues, a red flag pops up. I will not allow myself to get too close to these types of people. I guess you could say we learn a lot of wisdom from past experiences. I'm learning what to look for for a lasting relationship and what to look for when wanting to avoid heart ache or burdens.

We should all be cautious when letting people into our lives. I think of what Joyce said about the Canadian border. No one is moving in without passing the tests.

The Devils Desire

Today I felt the Lord impress something on me. As much as God loves me, Satan hates me. This is something in theory I already know. But God went as far as to say that the devil desires my heart and soul. That scared me a little to think of it that way. The same way God desires fellowship with me and desires my heart and my soul to be with Him in eternity, the devil desires my heart and soul to be with him in hell for eternity. The devil will do anything possible to achieve this. Satan has nothing to lose. Satans hatred burns with passion as God's love burns with passion. The devil came to steal, kill and destroy but God's love is an all consuming fire!

I can see why this is a battle. Why we are to put on our armor. To keep fighting the good fight of faith. We are at warfare continuously whether we like it or not. We are told in the Word to resist and stand firm. To be ware for satan is looking to devour whomever he can. We are also told to test the spirits to see whether they are of God or satan. The devil never fights fare and will strike your most vital areas which brings me back to a post from the other day. Guard your heart. Never ignore weak areas in your life. Guaranteed satan will ignore your strong points and try his best where he knows you are weak. And never forget the devil desires your heart and soul. Be alert, be on guard!

Work Study Work Study

I've had a lot going on lately. Don't seem to have time to blog everyday anymore. I have worked these last two weeks straight it seems. Not at my everyday job but with getting ready for winter time and stuff. Cutting fire wood and canning vegetables have taken a fair share of my time. Not to mention my ministry work.

In between things I have been studying my book that we are going over in Bible Study. I skipped ahead one chapter to get an idea of what my class will be covering. The first part of the chapter had some interesting information that I wanted to share here.

"To the United States belongs the distinction of providing three-fourths of the missionaries of the lst century and approximately the same amount of money and material aid." This means that 75 percent of all missionaries have come from a country boasting only 5 percent of the total world population. God blesses those who make His priorities their priorities....God has blessed America because we have been the launching pad of the world's great missionary movement. In the aftermath of World War 2, Americans started 1800 missions agencies and sent out more than 350,000 missionaries. And as a result, "today, 95 percent of the world's population have access, not only to some portion of Scripture in their language, but also to Christian radio broadcasts, audio recordings, and the Jesus film." That achievement is due largely to the missionary zeal of churches in the United States.

The rest of the chapter (Does America Have a Role In Prophecy) covers America as a free nation, America being founded on God and His Word, America being incorporated into European coalition, and the future of America. There are some great quotes and knowledge in this chapter and I'm lovin it. There is so much more I could share but I wont bore you with the details. Get your own book. =)

Another Wednesday Night

I think I'm over my head. I did it again.

I committed to hosting another Wednesday night service at my church. I think I will get this fear of speaking in public over with soon enough. One small group at a time. One thing that helped me accept this challenge was that we are in the middle of our "What In The World Is Going On" video series by Dr. David Jeremiah. The video eats up a good 45 minutes so I won't be stumbling for words, I hope.

I just finished the fourth chapter of this book and I am amazed at how well put together this book really is. It is a must read on my list. It is one of those books that you don't want to put down. I'm excited to read more. I've learned a lot already about the Muslim faith and what they believe and are up to. It's an eye opener for sure. I feel it is so essential to be learning these things about end time prophecy so we can judge the times and seasons that are marking the way of Christ Jesus' return. There will be so much confusion and fear. Not just with unbelievers but with Christians as well. The Bible even says that people will be falling from the faith in these times. This makes me want to be prepared.

So this weekend I will be looking up some scriptures and thumbing through my book to see what it is I should share in our study. I have an idea of what it is I want to share but unfortunately it's probably not what is in the chapter we are covering.

Protecting Your Heart

"Watch over your heart with all

diligence, For from it flow the

springs of life". (Proverbs 4:23)

I can see how I haven't guarded my heart properly in the past and how it has effected me. We as people don't function well after suffering a personal blow to the heart. A good hunter knows the best shot placement for a quick kill is in the vital organs. An animal doesn't last long after suffering a fatal wound to the chest cavity.

Whether it's self-inflicted because of our sin or caused by the sins of others, the wound can absolutely level us. It can take us out for days or weeks or months. Maybe even longer. That's why in Proverbs the Bible tells us, "Above all else, guard your heart, for it is the wellspring of life"(v.23)

How are you guarding your heart? What threatens your heart for God the most?

Read Proverbs 4:20-27

Mutant Potatoes

This gives a whole new meaning to Mr. Potato Head. I have grown and harvested mutant potatoes from outer space. Strangely enough they taste like normal taters! They make funny sounds when you boil them but oh-well.....

Sorry, no cool bio

Labor Day???

I'm trying to remember what Labor Day is all about. Is Labor Day the day we shouldn't labor or the day set aside just for labor.

For me I think I get the day off so I can labor over everything I can't get done during the week. My first thought in having a 3 day weekend was to go camping and fishing. Then I had a second thought. Camping would make the weekend go by too fast. So I decided to stay home and accomplish things I have put off for some time.

For the first time since I bought this house I actually got the garage clean enough to pull a vehicle in it. I got a bunch of fire wood cut, loaded and brought home. I also got veggies canned this morning and early afternoon. I didn't however get my washing machine installed. Nor did I get my dish washer installed. All in all I got some things accomplished and that pleases me.

Now I think I will figure out why we celebrate Labor Day.

He is Good

I have been overwhelmed by the many things that I have to accomplish in this life. At my age I would say I'm a tad behind. I think of getting several months of finances stored up. I always seem to take a hit which deplenishes it, which in return puts another hold on starting a good retirement plan. Then again, the market doesn't seem to trustworthy and most people say we have only seen the beginning of it. I have insurance to think about. Health insurance has gone up again and with so many other payments it seems impossible to ever get ahead. Then there are relationships to build, health to maintain along with fitness (which never seems to happen). I think of raising a family some day too.

This all seems to overwhelm me when I look at the big picture. But when I look at even the bigger picture I see how small my part in the universe really is. God has everything in control from the rising and setting of the sun, to keeping the earth on its axis. Everything works out without our effort. This morning I was comforted by this passage in the Bible.

"He who did not withhold or spare

[even] His own Son but gave Him up

for us all, will He not also with Him

freely and graciously give us all

[other] things?" (Romans 8:32)

A Good Word From God

Recently I received another word from the Lord. I contemplated not sharing it here. I guess I was afraid how others will take it. You see, some people get divinely healed and others don't. some, like myself, get divinely delivered from drug addiction and alcoholism and others don't, they have to work at it. I might not ever know why God has chosen to speak words to me and deliver me until I'm with Him again in heaven. I can't comprehend the fact that another Christian who has lived a much holier life than I would suffer until death with cancer and I would get so many blessings. I don't understand how other Christians never get words of knowledge from God and I do.

Last week, on a Monday night I went to a church meeting where there was a special speaker. This man is anointed in the gift of prophecy. In the middle of his preaching he would stop call someone up and bless them and prophesy over them. Towards the end he pointed at me and called me up. Here's what he spoke over me.

I don't know you but I see empty shelves. I see this room, I see you in it, the shelves that used to have stuff on them are empty shelves. The Lord said you tell my son we'll put some stuff back on those shelves for him. That he doesn't have to be in this room by himself. He doesn't have to look at what used to be there, he doesn't have to look and say once upon a time I had, well I had this but I lost this. Well I had this but it left, I had this but it was stolen. The Lord said I'm coming and I'm going to bless you and I'm going to add to you and I'm going to fill you and I'm going to fill these shelves with beautiful and good things.

I say that the quality of his life is going up and the happiness and the joy level of his life is going up. That's what I claim in the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth.

If anyone knows me well he hit the nail right on the head. I've given up and lost so much to follow Jesus and have been all by myself for so long. When I read this I can't help but weep. Praise God for His goodness!! I haven't felt this close to the Lord ever in my life. My joy and happiness has gone up and I believe and expect the rest of this prophecy to come to pass. The Lord said (I'm coming and I'm going to bless you and I'm going to add to you and I'm going to fill you) That gives me goose bumps of joy.

Rediscovering Joy And Happiness

There was a few days a week or so ago that I totally felt like I lost my patience and joy. I was giving into anger and self pity, throwing temper tantrums and acting out in wrath and so on. I must of looked real pathetic to the Lord being so week in the flesh. I kept thinking of Romans 5:3-4 which reads.

[I will be full of joy now!] I will exult and triumph in my troubles and rejoice in my sufferings, knowing that pressure and affliction and hardship produce patient and unswerving endurance. And endurance (fortitude) develops maturity of character (approved faith and tried integrity). And character [of this sort] produces [the habit of] joyful and confident hope of eternal salvation.

I can honestly say that joy was the last thing I was feeling when things constantly went wrong. When people where pushing their way under my skin I surely didn't rejoice in my sufferings. In fact some bad, bad stuff bubbled up. Which all in all isn't the worst thing to happen. Now that these things have came up I know what I am dealing with. I now know what to work on. I've preached on not ignoring weaknesses and I guess that sermon was just as much for me as anyone else. Now I can triumph in my troubles knowing what I have to deal with in my own life.

My joy level has gone up as well as my patience. God has stepped in and is working in my life. I feel I am being refined and truly becoming more Christ like everyday.