What's Ahead?

Jeremiah 8:20, “The harvest is past, the summer is ended, and we are not saved.”

Jeremiah lamented the future state of Judah, seeing through the prophetic that they would languish in sorrow as a people who had failed to reap the spring or summer harvest. God had presented them with the opportunity to repent and return to His provision but they insisted upon holding to their false gods.

Much in the same way, I lament the future state our nation and our world seeing that mankind as a whole has refused to repent and return to the Lord. What does the immediate future hold for the world, this nation, the Church and each individual? God alone knows what is ahead and only He can position us where we can be of the greatest benefit to Him.

Where am I in relation to where he wants me to be? Do I hear each “still small voice” expression and command? Or am I so easily distracted that I miss part of the message. It is expedient that we hear and receive His directive without delay. We do not have the luxury of “wasted time.” Each moment is precious as we pull lost souls out of the fire. No one is expendable. Jesus Christ is the answer to our dilemma!

God's Champion!

1 Samuel 17:40, “40And he took his staff in his hand, and chose him five smooth stones out of the brook, and put them in a shepherd's bag which he had, even in a scrip; and his sling was in his hand: and he drew near to the Philistine.”

1 Samuel 17:45, “Then said David to the Philistine, Thou comest to me with a sword, and with a spear, and with a shield: but I come to thee in the name of the LORD of hosts, the God of the armies of Israel, whom thou hast defied. 46This day will the LORD deliver thee into mine hand;...”

What is the significance of the smooth stones that David chose? The smooth stones were more aerodynamic. They would fly straight. David knew this not because he had studied physics at the Jerusalem University. He knew this through his own practical experience with a slingshot. This was a tried and true weapon in the hands of a proficient champion. David used what he had in his hands. He used what he knew best, his faith in the Lord God of Israel and his slingshot. The combination of the two was a sure formula for victory.

What do we do when confronted by the enemy. Much like the armies of Israel when confronted by the Philistines and their champion, we stand motionless in fear at the very prospect of defeat. Thoughts of doubt and uncertainty flood our minds and cause us to lose heart.

God sent young David to the battlefield that day because He needed a champion and He had chosen David. He didn’t choose someone who would be measured as a warrior. The kings armor would not fit this ruddy young lad but nevertheless, he was God’s champion. He left the field with a resounding victory because he gave himself into the hands of God.

The Body of Christ is facing its own spiritual giants. At the same time the Holy Spirit is raising up God’s champions to render the enemy helpless and deliver a resounding victory. We know how this will end. God will be the victor! But are we willing to answer God’s call and become His champion for His cause. David used what was familiar to him, his faith in God and his slingshot. He became a willing participant in God’s cause. Will you give yourself into the hands of God, become a willing participant in His cause and become His CHAMPION?

But By My Spirit Saith The Lord!

Zech. 4:6, "Then he answered and spake unto me, saying, This is the word of the LORD unto Zerubbabel, saying, Not by might, nor by power, but by my spirit, saith the LORD of hosts."

I feel inspired to remind us that we must continue in the unabated freedom of the Holy Ghost. The knowledge and wisdom of man is not sufficient for the time ahead.

The Holy Spirit is an indispensable confidant in the time ahead of us. Unabated means “continuing at full strength or force without becoming weaker. Being at full strength or force.” We will require the full authority, presence and perspective of the Holy Ghost every moment of this journey. We dare not proceed without being fully immersed in His person and baptized in the power of His presence. His guidance is essential. The choices and decisions ahead will be difficult. Not difficult to make but difficult in the sense of their consequences. A step forward without the absolute wisdom and guidance of the Holy Spirit could put us on a path of irreparable error. At the very least choices made without the full assurance of the Holy Ghost will cause unnecessary sorrow and suffering. The road back is always burdensome.

The storms of darkness will rage against the souls of light. These storms will respond to only ONE voice, the Master’s voice. When the storms of life are raging, He will stand by me. At the mere utterance of His command the winds cease and there is peace.

Psalm 31:19, “Oh how great is thy goodness, which thou hast laid up for them that fear thee; which thou hast wrought for them that trust in thee before the sons of men! 20Thou shalt hide them in the secret of thy presence from the pride of man: thou shalt keep them secretly in a pavilion from the strife of tongues.”

I must run to my hiding place, my refuge from the storm. My soul craves the quietness there. In the stillness, I find peace and rest. He lifts me above this world's raging sea. He quiets the winds and calms the blustery waves. He commands “peace, be still” and the wholeness of my life returns.

Joy Is Coming In The Morning! by Myra Boozer

Sorrows may last for the night...
But Joy is Coming in the Morning.
Sickness may seem to have its way...
But Joy is Coming in the Morning.
Heartaches my swell and your heart may bleed...
But Joy is Coming in the Morning.
Friends may withhold their love from you...
But Joy is Coming in the Morning.
Troubles may pound upon your door...
But Joy is Coming in the Morning.
Your pantry may be empty and the rent may be due...
But Joy is Coming in the Morning.
The family you have counted on, all your life may all be gone...
But Joy is Coming in the Morning.
Your finances may dwindle and finally run out...
But Joy is Coming in the Morning.
The night may be long and weary no doubt...
But Joy is coming in the Morning!!!

Psalms 30:5, "...weeping may endure through the night, but joy comes with the morning."
Remember faith grows in darkness. He is Coming. Don't give up but hold to His promise!

Specific Instructions From The Lord Jesus! Part 2

1 Samuel 3:11, “And the LORD said to Samuel, Behold, I will do a thing in Israel, at which both the ears of every one that heareth it shall tingle. 12In that day I will perform against Eli all things which I have spoken concerning his house: when I begin, I will also make an end. 13For I have told him that I will judge his house for ever for the iniquity which he knoweth; because his sons made themselves vile, and he restrained them not.” Note: there was a time for repentance, (see 1 Sam. 2:27-36), but it was too late at this point. “14And therefore I have sworn unto the house of Eli, that the iniquity of Eli's house shall not be purged with sacrifice nor offering for ever. 15And Samuel lay until the morning, and opened the doors of the house of the LORD. And Samuel feared to shew Eli the vision. 16Then Eli called Samuel, and said, Samuel, my son. And he answered, Here am I. 17And he said, What is the thing that the LORD hath said unto thee? I pray thee hide it not from me: God do so to thee, and more also, if thou hide any thing from me of all the things that he said unto thee. 18And Samuel told him every whit, and hid nothing from him. And he said, It is the LORD: let him do what seemeth him good.”

In 1 Samuel chapter 4, we observe the fulfillment of God's judgment upon the house of Eli. Israel went into battle against the Philistines and the battle did not go well for them. The Israelites sent for the Ark of the Covenant to be brought to the battlefield presumably to elicit the intervention of God and encourage the soldiers to press on to victory. However, the Israelites were already defeated. There was nothing that could be done, “the iniquity of Eli's house shall not be purged with sacrifice nor offering forever,” v14. This was all according to God's plan to bring Hophni and Phinehas to the battlefield as they accompanied the Ark. The Ark was captured and Eli's two sons were killed in battle. Eli, having received the news of what had happened, fell backward off his seat, broke his neck and died. Phinehas' wife, being with child, went into labor when she heard of her husband's death. She named the child Ichabod which means “the glory is departed from Israel.” God's warning was that He would cut off the house of Eli. 1 Sam. 2:31, “...there shall not be an old man in thine house.”

The death, devastation, and destruction in Israel was because there was not a man who would hear the Word of the Lord. The glory was departed from Israel because they would not hear the Word of the Lord. The death, devastation, and destruction in our world is because of man's failure to hear the Word of the Lord. In 1 Samuel 7:3, we observe the beginning of Samuel's revival ministry, “And Samuel spake unto all the house of Israel, saying, If ye do return unto the LORD with all your hearts, then put away the strange gods and Ashtaroth from among you, and prepare your hearts unto the LORD, and serve him only: and he will deliver you out of the hand of the Philistines. 4Then the children of Israel did put away Baalim and Ashtaroth, and served the LORD only... 9And Samuel took a sucking lamb, and offered it for a burnt offering wholly unto the LORD: and Samuel cried unto the LORD for Israel; and the LORD heard him.” It is imperative that the Body of Christ continually receive specific instructions from the Lord Jesus for our mission each day until He returns for us.

Do You Know Him! by Myra Boozer

Do you know the love of Jesus? Has He come into your life and brought peace where confusion and turmoil once lived? Has He come with a whisper of the love that He has for you and your family? Has He given you joy beyond measure, sharing with you the abundance of the heavenly rain that covers all souls that delight in Him? Do you feel His arms of security and have confidence in His plan for your life, instead of feeling like a lost ship on the sea of time? Do you awake each morning with hope that today you will be able to share good news with a world that so desperately needs it...all because you know JESUS, the author of good news? Do you have a laughter that comes from a deep deep well of living water...that springs forth giving life? Do you know the love of Jesus...the compassionate one who feels every heartache and sees every tear that falls from your eyes? Do you know this man that gave His very life so that you would not have to receive punishment for the sin of Adam that dwelt in each of us? Do you know Him? Do you know that He is coming to take those who love Him to live with Him forever in a place that eyes have not seen and ears have not heard. There is nothing on earth to even compare! He is the one who picks me up and turns me around when I feel dizzy from the hustle of this life, the one I depend on to give me strength, the one who gives me HOPE. No matter what may come, no matter what may happen I can be FAITHFUL to Him and TRUST Him for the outcome....#Doyouknowhim?

Specific Instructions From The Lord Jesus!

In these evil and uncertain times is imperative that the Body of Christ receive specific instructions from the Lord! We need His counsel daily to position us how and where He wants to use us. Our every move is critical to His mission and our assignment here.

1 Samuel 3:1, “And the child Samuel ministered unto the LORD before Eli. And the word of the LORD was precious in those days; there was no open vision.” There was not a prophet in Israel, no open communication with God. Ryrie states, “Apostasy and prophetic inactivity characterized the days of Eli.”³³ Eli was the High Priest of Israel. He had allowed his sons to pervert the worship of God and bring the worship of Baal into the temple. Ellicott states “Hophni and Phinehas, the grown men prostituted the holy work to their own vile worldly ends.”³⁴ Eli's failure, which brought God's judgment upon his house, was the gross neglect and inability to bring his sons under control. We are accountable to God and as such determine our own destiny.

1 Samuel 3:10, “And the LORD came, and stood, and called as at other times, Samuel, Samuel. Then Samuel answered, Speak; for thy servant heareth.” Young Samuel ministered unto the Lord under the direction of Eli. Samuel's job was to ensure that the lamp located just outside the veil to the Holy of Holies stayed lit. The lamp burned from evening to morning. It was during this time that Samuel encountered God. Three times God called his name and three times Samuel went to Eli to reply “Here I am.” The third time Eli, realizing that Samuel was hearing the voice of God, instructed him to answer, “Speak Lord for thy servant heareth.” Samuel followed Eli's instructions and God began to inform him of what was ahead for Israel, Eli, and his sons.

Young Samuel was looking to Eli for his direction. It was only after he recognized the source of the message that he could understand the significance of the message. Life is full of disappointments but I have found that many disappointments come because I am looking to man to do what only God can do. The ultimate source of my supply is God and God alone. Although, a man may give support, counsel, encouragement and prayer, we must guard against putting our faith and confidence solely in mortal resources. Man's ability to intervene for us is limited, therefore we must turn to and ultimately trust in the infinite resources of Jesus Christ. He is the one, the only one who can go with us all the way to the end of the matter. Thereby, the peace that surpasses all human understanding will accompany us until we complete this journey (Phil. 4:7). The Message, p. 104-106, available at Amazon.com.

33 Ryrie, Charles C. (1978). Ryrie Study Bible. Chicago, IL: Moody Press, note on 1 Kings 3:1

34 Ellicott's Commentary. (2016, June 28).

Retrieved from http://www.biblehub.com/commentaries/1_samuel/3- 1.htm

Be Faithful! Be Full of Faith! Conclusion

There appears to be some confusion among the leadership of secular churches about the definition of Scriptural Holiness. We cannot be holy (be the sanctuary of the Holy Spirit) and live sinful lives. How can we embrace Holiness and sin at the same time? As the Body of Christ, we need to identify with the struggles of the sinner but we cannot accept the life of sin. And neither can the sinner if he or she wants to truly be free. Sin is a weight. It’s destructive power is like a malignant cancer with it’s invasive tentacles reaching into every fiber of the human body. The cancer must be identified and eradicated. It is the work of the Holy Ghost to identify the sin.

John 16:7, “Nevertheless I tell you the truth; It is expedient for you that I go away: for if I go not away, the Comforter will not come unto you; but if I depart, I will send him unto you. 8And when he is come, he will reprove the world of sin, and of righteousness, and of judgment: 9Of sin, because they believe not on me; 10Of righteousness, because I go to my Father, and ye see me no more; 11Of judgment, because the prince of this world is judged.”

It is the work of the same Holy Ghost to destroy the power of sin. He does this when we repent and walk the light of the Word. He does this because of the power of the redeeming blood of Jesus Christ.

We need to post no trespassing signs for Satan. We need to tell him that he cannot enter and exert his influence in our lives. He needs to know he is not welcome here. He needs to feel the fervor, the fire of the Holy Ghost when be comes calling.

Satan needs to know that this house is under the protection, provision and promises of the Lord God Almighty. He knows our God well. He has battled with the forces of Light from the beginning but must bow or flee from the presence of God. James 2:19, “Thou believest that there is one God; thou doest well: the devils also believe, and tremble.” And he trembles at the presence of God in you. Because we are the sons of God!

Liberation from Our Fleshly Curse! Part 3

God never intended it to be this way. His plan was for the spiritual and physical to be perfectly joined together. How can that be with the fallen state of mankind? Through faith in the finished work of Jesus Christ on the cross, we can walk in the Spirit though we are present in this physical body. Though we live in this physical world, we live and move and have our being in Jesus Christ (Acts 17:28). Through faith in Him, we are sanctified (set apart from the world) Heb. 10:10, “By the which will we are sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all.” Through faith in Christ we are regenerated (restored to sinless state) Titus 3:5, “Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost;” And through the saving grace of the cross we are justified (just as if we never sinned) Eph. 2:16, “Knowing that a man is not justified by the works of the law, but by the faith of Jesus Christ, even we have believed in Jesus Christ,..” Therefore, we can conclude that through Jesus' sacrifice we are restored to the relationship God had with man before the fall. Through Jesus Christ, we can walk in the righteousness of God with His Spirit living in us as our daily guide.

Why is that so important? God wants to walk with us in intimate relationship. His intention is that His Holy Spirit is our counselor, comfort, rock, strong tower, mighty fortress, deliverer, provider, healer and anything else we need. “But my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus,” Phil. 4:19.

I want to note two very important factors in the relationship between God and Adam. 1)There was continued communication between them. 2)Obedience to God's instructions was absolute. When these two principles are observed, the spiritual and physical are perfectly joined together. The failure comes on our part when we either fail to communicate with God or fail to obey His instructions.

Be Faithful! Be Full of Faith! Part 6

A disciple of Christ will reflect the character of God. In 1 Peter 1:16 God says, “Be ye holy; for I am holy.” God is holy and Jesus was without sin and no deceit was found in Him, 1 Peter 2:22. Holiness is a New Testament teaching and has become a serious issue in the 21^st century church. If we believe and accept the Bible, we must declare that Holiness is an absolute in the Body of Christ. The Body of Christ, which is the Bride of Christ, will be presented to Christ without spot or wrinkle or any such thing. The Bride will be presented in Holiness. Eph. 5:25, “Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ also loved the church, and gave himself for it; 26That he might sanctify and cleanse it with the washing of water by the word, 27That he might present it to himself a glorious church, not having spot, or wrinkle, or any such thing; but that it should be holy and without blemish.” (See The Message, chapter 5 – The Body of Christ will be Ready / Unbelievers will not be Ready. Available at Amazon.com)

Be Faithful! Be Full of Faith! Part 5

Remember, we are engaged in a great spiritual conflict. We must move ourselves, in obedience to the leading of the Holy Ghost, into position for optimal results for ourselves and those we can help. There is one element that is absolutely essential to our victory in this conflict. That element is Holiness.

What is Holiness? It is the direct result of receiving and yielding to the indwelling of the Holy Ghost. In and through the Spirit, God positions us for what is ahead for the disciples of Christ and His Church.

Going back to Hebrews 12:14, we reiterate Gods call to Holiness, “Follow peace with all men, and holiness, without which no man shall see the Lord:” The words of an old song come to mind as I think about the work of a disciple of Christ, “Lord prepare me to be a sanctuary, pure and holy tried and true. With thanksgiving, I’ll be a living sanctuary for you.” We must be a living sanctuary for the manifest presence of God.

The true disciple of Christ is a reflection of God. Man was created in the image of God, our Father. Until he sinned, man was the reflection of God. However, the sin in mortal man can not be representative of God. Therefore, the sin must be cast aside and abandoned. That is done in the redemptive work of Jesus Christ on the cross. He provided everything we need to be a true disciple through His cleansing blood. Look to the cross, believe on the cleansing of Christ. Cast aside the carnal man, receive the regeneration of the Spirit and be the reflection of God. Lord, fill us today, fill us full of your abiding presence!

Liberation from Our Fleshly Curse! Part 2

The world around us can be overwhelming at times, especially in the current state of world affairs. Many questions flood our minds as to where all this is going and what may happen next. If we focus on current events alone, we will become depressed, oppressed, discouraged and defeated. But when we allow the Holy Spirit to teach us how these events fit into prophecy and the end times, the uncertainty of our future is eliminated. We can move into a relationship with Christ where the spirit and physical realms connect in the perfect plan of God. We can walk in perfect peace with total confidence in the promises of God. Isaiah 26:3, “Thou will keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed upon thee.”

What has created such a disconnect from the spirit world? In the Garden of Eden, the spiritual and the physical were perfectly joined together. The disconnect came when man disobeyed specific instructions given to them by God, rebelled against His oversight and fell into sin. As a result of that disobedience and rebellion, Adam and Eve had to deal with issues of life that God never intended. God never intended that they concern themselves with anything relative to their living and provision (water, food, shelter, clothing). He had already made provision for all their needs and God presented Himself each day to walk with them in the cool of the evening. Anything they needed, God was right there in person to provide.

God's intention was that they dress the garden. We don't know exactly what all that involved but we do know that the environment drastically changed after the sin of disobedience. They went from having everything they needed to providing for themselves through toil, sweat, and tears. The earth itself became a vessel of discipline. They were driven from the perfect climate of the garden to the dry and thirsty land of rebellion where they had to battle the thorns and thistles for food to eat. God cursed the ground because of sin and in the sweat of his face man would have food to eat. And the pain of childbirth for women would be greatly multiplied. The Message, p. 102-103 (to be continued).

Distractions! by Myra Boozer

If you were at the Airport Terminal with your bags packed and ticket in hand would you throw those things aside and grab a taxi and head back home to start a makeover...to tear down and build bigger and better? Or start making plans for more training on how to build your career... Not really, not if your mind and your heart were set, fixed and determined to make the trip of your life...Say a trip to your final destination , to the place that Jesus has gone to prepare for you...Now mind you , we do not know when the sound will be made to leave but we can see all lights are giving the go ahead...Even if there is a delay at the airport you do not go back home...You stay sitting on ready for when the call is given you must be there READY...Are we getting Ready? Many distraction will come to mind...This is our challenge, to not become entangled with the affairs of this life when we see that day fast approaching...The call for all of God's people is about to happen for all those" Departing" this sinful world...The call is about to be made...We are going HOME...We must be vigilant, alert and listening for his call...Don't allow the sounds of distraction to cause you to miss the Sound of His Coming.... mjb.

From Where I'm Sitting! by Myra Boozer

From where I'm sitting...
Sin and evil are about to explode as a Volcano...
And my world is calm from where I'm sitting...
But the war is raging and lives are torn...
My heart cries out for their deliverance...
Deliverance from calamity, torture and pain...
The days of sorrow, they are multiplying...
As I am calm from where I'm sitting...
I come, I go , I do as I please...
My heart cries out for their deliverance...
Deliverance from calamity, torture and pain...
I live, I love, I long for deliverance...
Sin and evil are about to explode....
It will no longer be calm from where I'm sitting... mjb

Liberation from Our Fleshly Curse!

Romans 13:11, “And that, knowing the time, that now it is high time to awake out of sleep: for now is our salvation nearer than when we believed. 12The night is far spent, the day is at hand: let us therefore cast off the works of darkness, and let us put on the armour of light. 13Let us walk honestly, as in the day; not in rioting and drunkenness, not in chambering and wantonness, not in strife and envying. 14But put ye on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make not provision for the flesh, to fulfil the lusts thereof.”

We live in the most self-absorbed society in modern times. When we are so self-focused, we can miss the greater plan that God has for all His creation. If we are always focused on I, me, and mine, it is difficult for us to understand the needs of those around us. Our role in God's plan is to affect our world for the cause of Christ. When I am focused on the here and now, the day to day issues in my life, it pushes my spiritual connection farther away. If my attention is given fully to the pain in my body, the issues of my relationships and the responsibilities of daily care and provision for my family, then there is little room for activity in the spirit realm. That is why the Lord invites us to cast all our concerns on Him and exercise our faith in His promises for us.

1 Peter 5:5, “Likewise, ye younger, submit yourselves unto the elder. Yea, all of you be subject one to another, and be clothed with humility: for God resisteth the proud, and giveth grace to the humble.6Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God, that he may exalt you in due time: 7Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you. 8Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour: 9Whom resist stedfast in the faith, knowing that the same afflictions are accomplished in your brethren that are in the world.” In verse 7, “the word for 'care' in the Greek is 'mer'-im-nah' which means 'anxiety' and it comes from the word 'mer-id'-zo' which means 'to divide or separate into pieces (through the idea of distraction).'”³¹ “The word for 'careth' in the Greek is 'mel'-o' which means 'to care about.' It is a verb which means it is an action word. Jesus understands our needs and cares to the extent that our needs move Him to action.”³²

What the scriptures teach and what Jesus taught is that our physical world and our spiritual world are indisputably connected together. Activity in the physical realm affects activity in the spiritual and vis versus. Jesus understands our conflict and He wants to be part of our daily struggles. In the person of the Holy Ghost, He has become our provider, our comfort, our deliverer, our healer and everything else that we need. Our walk with Christ is not a separate part of our journey in life. When we try to separate the two worlds we create unlimited difficulty for ourselves. The Message, p.101-102, available at Amazon.com. (to be continued)

3

1 Bible Study Tools. (2016, June 28).

Retrieved from http://www.biblestudytools.com/lexicons/greek/kjv/merizo.html

3

2 Bible Study Tools. (2016, June 28).

Retrieved from http://www.biblestudytools.com/lexicons/greek/kjv/melo.html

Be Faithful! Be Full of Faith! Part 4

We are the Sons of God! What is God’s motive or purpose in our giving ourselves fully to Him? Why does God require us to give ourselves totally to Him? Remember, we are engaged in a great spiritual war. God want’s to position us for success and victory in Him. If we are full of ourselves, we are no match for the enemy. But, if we are full of Jesus Christ, we can do all things because He is our strength.

God wants to remove the carnal influence in our lives. The Bible calls it the influence of the flesh. The conflict of the Spirit and flesh is the battle we face. The Spirit is our strength and we need to understand what happens when we fully submit to God’s influence in our lives.

Galatians 4:1, “1Now I say, That the heir, as long as he is a child, differeth nothing from a servant, though he be lord of all; 2But is under tutors and governors until the time appointed of the father. 3Even so we, when we were children, were in bondage under the elements of the world: 4But when the fulness of the time was come, God sent forth his Son, made of a woman, made under the law, 5To redeem them that were under the law, that we might receive the adoption of sons. 6And because ye are sons, God hath sent forth the Spirit of his Son into your hearts, crying, Abba, Father. 7Wherefore thou art no more a servant, but a son; and if a son, then an heir of God through Christ.” Under the Law, followers of the Law were servants of God. In Christ Jesus, His disciples are sons of God.

 

Romans 8:12, “Therefore, brethren, we are debtors, not to the flesh, to live after the flesh. 13For if ye live after the flesh, ye shall die: but if ye through the Spirit do mortify (Gr. Put to death) the deeds of the body, ye shall live. 14For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God. 15For ye have not received the spirit of bondage again to fear; but ye have received the Spirit of adoption, whereby we cry, Abba, Father. 16The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God: 17And if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ; if so be that we suffer with him, that we may be also glorified together.”

 

We are debtors, not to the flesh but to the cleansing power of Jesus Christ. We are changed by the sanctifying power of His blood. We receive and submit to the rule of His indwelling Spirit, the Holy Ghost. Thereby, we are the sons of God. We cry Abba, Father and He always hears us. The Holy Ghost bears witness that we are sons of God, heirs of God, joint heirs with Jesus Christ. (to be continued)

Be Faithful! Be Full of Faith! Part 3

Determine who you are in Christ Jesus. Hebrews 12:4, “Ye have not yet resisted unto blood, striving against sin.” That is our battle. Have we resisted to the shedding of blood? No, not yet, but that may come! Hebrews 12:5, “And ye have forgotten the exhortation which speaketh unto you as unto children, My son, despise not thou the chastening of the Lord, nor faint when thou art rebuked of him:” Chastisement is for our benefit.

Hebrews 12:6, “For whom the Lord loveth he chasteneth, and scourgeth every son whom he receiveth. 7If ye endure chastening, God dealeth with you as with sons; for what son is he whom the father chasteneth not?” Sons is the key expression here. Determine who you are in Christ Jesus. We are the sons of God! Oh! That we could understand the full implications of this promise.

Hebrews 12:8, “But if ye be without chastisement, whereof all are partakers, then are ye bastards, and not sons.” We can lay no claim to God if we don’t respond to His chastening in obedience.

Hebrews 12:9, “Furthermore we have had fathers of our flesh which corrected us, and we gave them reverence: shall we not much rather be in subjection unto the Father of spirits, and live? 10For they verily for a few days chastened us after their own pleasure; but he for our profit, that we might be partakers of his holiness.” Obedience had its blessing. How much more can our Heavenly Father bless us.

Hebrews 12:11, “Now no chastening for the present seemeth to be joyous, but grievous: nevertheless afterward it yieldeth the peaceable fruit of righteousness unto them which are exercised thereby.” Chastening is not enjoyable! However, if we yield to the correction it will bring us into a position of favor and victory as the sons of God. Who are you in Christ Jesus? Sons and daughters of God and recipients of His Holiness.  

Hebrews 12:12, “Wherefore lift up the hands which hang down, and the feeble knees;” There is not need to be fearful and distressed. Some Christians live in a state of fear. Fear will paralyze your efforts to serve God. Obey God, shake it off and move forward in victory. We are the sons of God.

Hebrews 12:13, “And make straight paths for your feet, lest that which is lame be turned out of the way; but let it rather be healed.” Walk the straight path and God will heal your fear.

Hebrews 12:14, “Follow peace with all men, and holiness, without which no man shall see the Lord:” We must give Him our total selves, the good and bad, the challenging and pleasant. Give them all, give them all to Jesus, shattered dreams, wasted lives and broken toys. And He will turn the sorrow into joy!

A Future Built on Sinking Sand??? by Myra Boozer

Dr David Jeremiah ask the question ... We seem to have lost all interest in Christian Values that built America. What does that mean for our Country's future...

My answer is this... America has forgotten the old path that our fore fathers traveled and they have sought for what they call " The American Dream" . One of prosperity and progress, giving place for greed to capture the hearts of many...opening the doors for deceit and deception in all areas of trade...
The love of... money and the desire to have plenty has caused many to forget their families at home...leaving them to the daycare system and even to the streets... No time for nurturing or discipline, no time for God and His plan for their lives...


The desires of the flesh has over ridden the desire for God and many homes have been broken ... bringing God's plan for marriage( One woman for one man for life) to be cast aside... much sadness and anger has developed ...This has been the reason for much rebellion, drug use,and unwanted babies which has lead to many abortions.
 
Many of those who have been leading our country... have no Christian Values... not all ,but many have given in to lower their standard to fit into society... This has not only taken place in the arena of government but also in our Spiritual world... Men and women who have lost their desire to follow the standard of God because of seeking " The American Dream"....


Seeking to fulfill every desire known to mankind has opened the door to much evil... We can see where this philosophy has led.. America built this dream in the sand of pleasure and desire, the waves of Judgement are coming fast upon her shores... My opinion is to be waving the banner of SURRENDER to God Almighty, for He alone can and will save us...

Be Faithful! Be Full of Faith! Part 2

Galatians 6:9, “And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not. 10As we have therefore opportunity, let us do good unto all men, especially unto them who are of the household of faith.”

Presently we are engaged in a great spiritual war. This war is not with flesh and blood but with the unholy forces of darkness. The scope of this conflict is greater than any we have faced before and will become increasingly more intense as we proceed. We must place ourselves in position for optimal results for ourselves and those that we can assist. The spirit of the world is anti-Christ, anti-God, unholy and rebellious against all things that represent God and holiness. The more ungodly it appears, the better they like it.

The spirit of anti-Christ is taking over the world. The Word of God has warned us of this time so that the Body of Christ is not taken by surprise. Jude 1:17, “17But, beloved, remember ye the words which were spoken before of the apostles of our Lord Jesus Christ; 18How that they told you there should be mockers in the last time, who should walk after their own ungodly lusts. 19These be they who separate themselves, sensual, having not the Spirit. 20But ye, beloved, building up yourselves on your most holy faith, praying in the Holy Ghost, 21Keep yourselves in the love of God, looking for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ unto eternal life. 22And of some have compassion, making a difference: 23And others save with fear, pulling them out of the fire; hating even the garment spotted by the flesh.”

Jude was writing this letter to address the false teachings that had arisen in the churches. (70-80AD) Alarming advances were being made by an incipient (not fully developed) form of Gnosticism. The Gnostic focused on their spirituality and allowed the flesh to indulge in anything they desired. In verse 3, Jude identifies this behavior as a departure from the faith which was once delivered to the saints. Some had the appearance of the faithful but denied the power of the Holy Ghost! (To be continued)

Powerless Churches! part 4

The more men depend on the carnal man for guidance, the less room there is for the Holy Spirit. Many churches have forced the Spirit of God out of their affairs creating a vacuum that Satan cheerfully fills. Lack of the Spirit means a lack of light. Lack of light means increased darkness.

But not all churches and individuals have given up their role in the Body of Christ. There is a remnant of true believers who are seeking for God's intervention into the affairs of men. God is answering their prayers. God is moving where believers are submissive and obedient. They access and God delivers the “dunamis” of Acts 1:8, “But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth.” This is the promise!

This is the fulfillment! Acts 2:1, “And when the day of Pentecost was fully come, they were all with one accord in one place. 2And suddenly there came a sound from heaven as of a rushing mighty wind, and it filled all the house where they were sitting. 3And there appeared unto them cloven tongues like as of fire, and it sat upon each of them. 4And they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance.”

The Greek word for “one accord” is “homothumadon.” Strong’s Concordance defines as “with one mind, with one accord, with one passion. A unique Greek word, used 10 of its 12 New Testament occurrences in the Book of Acts, helps us understand the uniqueness of the Christian community. Homothumadon is a compound of two words meaning to 'rush along' and 'in unison'. The image is almost musical; a number of notes are sounded which, while different, harmonize in pitch and tone. As the instruments of a great concert under the direction of a concert master, so the Holy Spirit blends together the lives of members of Christ's church.”³⁰

The Body of Christ must address the error of religion in our world through the power and authority of Pentecost. We must seek for and embrace the indwelling of the Holy Ghost. We must rise up in one united voice, anointed in His abiding presence declaring freedom in the truth of God's Word. (The Message, p.99-101) available at Amazon.com

 

30 Retrieved from http://www.biblestudytools.com/lexicons/greek/kjv/homothumadon.html

Be Faithful! Be Full of Faith! part 1

We are engaged in a great spiritual conflict. We want to position ourselves where we can best be used for the glory of God.

We determine the outcome of this conflict for us by how we respond. The plan of God is predetermined. The players are not. We have the opportunity to choose the role we will play by our response to the invitation of God. If we remain faithful and full of faith, we can discern His direction when it comes. If we become distressed and overwhelmed, the enemy will cloud our judgment and fill our hearts with fear. If we maintain faith and assurance, the Lord will be our fortress, our strong tower, our rock. How do we achieve the latter and allow Christ to fight our battles? By applying Isaiah 40:31, “...wait upon the Lord...” and Galatians 6:9, “...not be weary in well doing...” Easier said that done, right?

It all begins with an honest, faithful relationship with Jesus Christ. Come to the cross and leave everything including yourself. Romans 12:1, “I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service. 2And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.” When you give it all to Him, it becomes His property and all belongs to Him. When you give it all to Him, the battle becomes His battle. However, we must be strong in faith and leave everything there. We cannot become distressed by circumstances and attempt to take control again. Take your burdens to the Lord and leave them there. Romans 8:28, “And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.” We must place our HOPE entirely in the hands of God. It will not work any other way! That is FAITH. When we place our faith in God through Christ, then He becomes our hope. (To be continued).

Your Love Lord! by Myra Boozer

YOUR LOVE LORD.....
Is so high my mind can't reach it..
My thoughts can't think it.....
My heart can't conceive it..
And my words can't express it..

YOUR LOVE LORD....
Is like the ocean, it covers more than I can see...
Like the sky, it keeps on going...
Like the rivers, it keeps on flowing...
Like the trees, it keeps on reaching...
And the flowers, it keeps on growing...
YOUR LOVE LORD...
It finds me where I am...
It hovers over me like a light...
It forces me to smile even in the saddest times...
It lifts me above the sorrows...
And gives me hope for tomorrow...
Your Love Lord... is all I need...mjb

You Come! by Myra Boozer

Lord, when the world is overwhelming and I don't know what to do.
I struggle with my feelings and try to trust in You...

When the trials come down like rain and I think I'm about to sink.
I call for you to save me and stop all my defeat.
When my feet get weary from running and my eyes are full of fear.
I turn to you and just in time I know that you are near.
When my lips began to quiver and my heart begins to faint.
I stand upon the Solid Rock and call upon Your Name.
You Come! .. for you are not afraid of what I 'm feeling and you calm my stormy sea...I draw a breath of sweet relief and put my trust in Thee...mb

"My flesh and my heart faileth: but God is the strength of my heart, and my portion for ever..." Psalm 73:26

Powerless Churches! Part 3

Many people who once stood for Biblical principles and righteous behavior run when confronting the societal pressures of our day. The most pressing issue is the doctrine of inclusion which demands that the Church embrace all people, all lifestyles, and manner of behavior. In so doing they are removing their covering of Holiness, Divine protection, and Divine intervention. They no longer wear the whole armor of God. Eph. 6:10, “Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might. 11Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. 12For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places. 13Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand. 14Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness; 15And your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace; 16Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked. 17And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God:”

In many ways, these fallen souls are like the Iraqi soldier as he stands in his underwear before his countrymen (see previous post). These so called Christians stand naked before God and in this present spiritual battle. The assets that Jesus gave for the victory of the Body of Christ are no longer available to them. Why? Because they have stripped off their uniform, no longer desiring to be identified with Christ's army. They have removed their covering and therefore, they stand powerless in the face of overwhelming darkness. The Message, p.98-99, available at Amazon.com.