Who is Jesus? Chapter 40 Don't Worry about Tomorrow

Who is Jesus? Chapter 40 Don't Worry about Tomorrow As the New Year is in front of us; for many it is a fearful time not knowing what the future holds. For many there is much fear about the unknown, but I am reminded of the beautiful song that goes something like this; I don't know about tomorrow; I just live from day to day. I don't borrow from its sunshine, For its skies may turn to gray. I don't worry o'er the future, For I know what Jesus said. And today I'll walk beside Him, For He knows what is ahead. Many things about tomorrow I don't seem to understand But I know who holds tomorrow, And I know who holds my hand. My message today is taken from Luke's Gospel chapter 12. As Jesus was teaching, he said to them, “Be on your guard against all greed and covetousness, for one's life does not consist in the abundance of his possessions.”And he told them a parable, saying, “The land of a rich man produced plentifully, and he thought to himself, ‘What shall I do, for I have nowhere to store my crops?’ So he said, ‘I will do this: I will tear down my barns and build larger ones, and there I will store all my grain and my goods. And I will say to my self, “Man, you have ample goods laid up for many years; relax, eat, drink, be merry.”’ But God said to him, ‘Fool! Tonight your soul is required of you, and the things you have stored up, whose will they be?’ So is the one who lays up treasure for himself and is not rich toward God.” And Jesus said to his disciples, “Therefore I tell you, do not be anxious about your life, what you will eat, nor about your body, what you will put on. For life is more than food, and the body more than clothing. Consider the ravens: they neither sow nor reap, they have neither storehouse nor barn, and yet God feeds them. Of how much more value are you than the birds! And which of you by being anxious can add a single hour to his span of life? If then you are not able to do as small a thing as that, why are you anxious about the rest? Consider the lilies, how they grow: they neither toil nor spin, yet I tell you, even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these. But if God so clothes the grass, which is alive in the field today, and tomorrow is cast aside, how much more will he clothe you, O you of little faith! And do not seek what you are to eat and what you are to drink, nor be worried. For all the nations of the world seek after these things, and your Father knows that you need them. Instead, seek his kingdom, and these things will be added to you. “Fear not, little flock, for it is your Father's good pleasure to give you the kingdom. Sell your extra possessions, and give to the needy. Provide yourselves with moneybags that do not grow old, with a treasure in the heavens that does not fail, where no thief approaches and no moth destroys. For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also. “Stay dressed for action and keep your lamps burning, and be like men who are waiting for their master to come home from the wedding feast, so that they may open the door to him at once when he comes and knocks. Blessed are those servants whom the master finds awake when he comes. Truly, I say to you, he will dress himself for service and have them recline at table, and he will come and serve them. If he comes in the second watch, or in the third, and finds them awake, blessed are those servants! But know this, that if the master of the house had known at what hour the thief was coming, he would not have left his house to be broken into. You also must be ready, for the Son of Man is coming at an hour you do not expect.”

I rejoice because of the Virgin Birth

I Rejoice Because of the Virgin Birth!! As we consider this Christmas Season and celebrate the Birth of Jesus Christ, I am so very thankful and rejoice for the Virgin Birth. It is extremely important that we understand why the Virgin Birth was so necessary. The Bible tells us that the Life is in the Blood. Jesus said he was the Life and the light of Life. When the first Adam sinned and took of the fruit in the garden something terrible happened to his body, his soul, and his spirit. He became sort of REVERSE born again or changed into a different person. His blood now had the sin nature which all mankind has inherited. 1 Corinthians 15:45 tells us that the Last Adam was Jesus. Jesus was not born with Adams sin nature because his father was God. Dr. M.R. De Haan explains in his book, “The Chemistry of the Blood,” Physiologists have proven beyond question that the Mother does not impart her blood to the babe that is being formed. It has been proven that the blood that flows in the arteries and veins of the babe is from the father of the child. Mary herself wondered and told the Angel, “How can this be since I have never known a man?” The Angel told Mary that this Holy Child that will be formed in you will be conceived by the Holy Ghost, and the life in him will be from his Father God. Mary said to the Angel, “Let it be so unto me even as you have said.” God needed a blood sacrifice to atone for Adam’s sin. Jesus was the Lamb of God who takes away the sins of the world. His blood was Holy because his blood was from his Father God. That is why it is so very important to be thankful for the Virgin Birth, so that the Holy Jesus could shed his Holy Blood so that we could be saved and changed into another person. So my joy today is that I am thankful for the Virgin Birth and all it means to purchase for you and me, -- the gift of salvation. 1 Corinthians 15:45 And so it is written, "The first man, Adam, became a living soul," the last Adam became a life-giving Spirit.

Don’t Look Back

 

 Fire and Brimstone!!

Don’t Look Back

I am reminded of Lot and Abraham and how Lot pitched his tent toward two wicked cities, Sodom and Gomorrah. Lot became an important person and often stood at the gate giving advice.

God spoke to Abraham telling him that he was going to destroy Sodom and Gomorrah, but Abraham protested and bargained with God. Finally God told Abraham, I will save Lot and his family but no one else.

God sent two angels to warn Lot - - and the evil of the city revealed itself as the men both young and old came to Lot’s door demanding that he give them the two angels that appeared as human men - - so that they could have relations with them. Finally the angels pulled Lot back inside the house and blinded all the men so that they could not find the door and eventually the wicked men left.

Lot told his son-in-laws who were pledged to marry his daughters that in order to be saved they must heed the message and flee, but they only scoffed and refused to believe. So Lot gathered his wife and two daughters as they were hesitating and slow to depart as this was home and like a friend to them. Finally the angels had to forcefully take their hands and lead them out, because they hesitated to leave that sinful city.

(Isn't it the way we are at times, when God is telling us to leave certain habits, and associations behind and to begin afresh with our Lord?)

Genesis 19:17 As soon as the angels got them outside, one of them loudly commanded; "Run for your lives! Don't look back and don't stop anywhere on the plain! Run to the mountains, or you will be swept away!"

Genesis 19:24, 26 Then the LORD rained down fire and burning sulfur from the sky on Sodom and Gomorrah. But Lot's wife looked back as she lingered behind him, and the Bible records that she became a pillar of salt.

The Bible records her as nameless, she was only known as Lot’s wife, but she hesitated to leave the place that had been home to her these many years. Sin was familiar to her and she tolerated the lifestyle of her sinful friends, besides she had affiliations with the woman's gossip groups and she was of importance in these places. She was given an opportunity to change her life by leaving and to begin anew, but no she paused, and delayed, and finally looked back wishing for the old life that she was so familiar with. Sad to say, that was not a good decision.

We can learn from this story that when we leave the past - - it is not good to look back.

The reason some of our citizens look back is that they were content with their old life. The spirits that controlled them were familiar and were like friends. The Bible calls them “familiar spirits.”

How can we apply this to our city, our family and those we care about as we pray? Unknowingly many have made agreements and contracts with sin and the devil, and God wants to destroy their contracts in His Holy Fire.

Colossians 2:14-15 having canceled the charge of our legal indebtedness, which stood against us and condemned us; he has taken it away, nailing it to the cross. In this way, he disarmed the spiritual rulers and authorities. He shamed them publicly by his victory over them on the cross.

Luke 13:1 There were present at that season some that told Jesus of the Galileans, whose blood Pilate had mingled with their sacrifices. And Jesus answering said unto them, “Do you Suppose that these Galileans were sinners above all the Galileans, because they suffered such things? I tell you, Nay: but, except you repent, you shall all likewise perish.

Or those eighteen, upon whom the tower in Siloam fell, and killed them, do you think that they were sinners above all men that dwelt in Jerusalem?

I tell you, Nay: but, except you repent, you shall all likewise perish.

Many in our land are bound with chains of huge debts of sin that they cannot pay. I am here to declare today, your debt of sin has been taken care of by Jesus - because He has paid the price for your salvation when He died on that bloody cross.

Jesus is waiting for you to come-as-you-are to the cross and receive his eternal life and to serve him all the days of your life. 

 All it takes is a simple invitation from you to ask Jesus to come into your life - - Just speak with your mouth a prayer, telling Him that you believe he is the Son of God, and you believe he died on the cross for you, and you believe after three days - he rose from the dead, and that you declare that you will follow Him all the days of your life.   

Let the Breath of God now Breathe on Me.

 

Let the Breath of God now Breathe on Me.

I was reminded of the old Hymn, Let it breathe on me, let it breathe on Me, Let the Breath of God now breathe on me.

In the beginning God created the world and all that is therein with words. He spoke and it was so. However when he created man God formed him from the dust of the earth, and to give him life; God breathed on him and he became a living soul.

When you speak, it’s through your breath that the words take form. Just imagine that: God speaking, His breath comes out, and there you have the Word of God, "Let there be light." That is where the Gospel of John says, "In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God." They are all separate, but at the same time, they are all one, just as when you breathe and you speak, your words can be one with you.

And so it is written, the first Adam was made a living soul. The last Adam was made a quickening - (life giving-) Spirit - I Corinthians 15:45.

For as the Father has life in Himself: so hath He given to the Son to have life in Himself - John 5:26.

The Bible tells us that God's word is breathed. 2 Timothy 3:16 All Scripture is (God breathed) given by inspiration of God and is profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, for training in righteousness; so that the man of God may be adequate, equipped for every good work.

The phrase “given by inspiration of God,” is one word in the Greek text. It is the word theopneustos, (theo news tos) which means “God-breathed.”

It has been awhile, but in times past, I have seen ministers blow or breathe on those who come forward for healing. As I think about it, could it be - -that God was using their breath to create the needed organ in their body. Also I have witnessed ministers blow or breathe on those desiring to receive the baptism of the Holy Spirit and God honored their breath.

Now understand, unless God tells you to blow on someone, it is probably not a good thing to do, but yes, if God says to do it then by all means obey God.

Mouth to mouth resuscitation is a form of breathing life into a person who has drowned, or seems dead.

There is a story about Elijah and a dead boy, the son of a widow woman, who befriended the prophet. 1 Kings 17:30-22 Then Elijah cried out to the LORD, “O LORD my God, have You also brought tragedy on this widow who has opened her home to me, by causing her son to die?” Then he stretched himself out over the child three times and cried out to the Lord, “O Lord my God, please let this boy's life return to him!” And the LORD listened to the voice of Elijah, and the child’s life returned to him, and he lived.…

Again we read in 2 Kings 4:32-34 about Elijah's protege, the prophet Elisha raising the Shunammite's Son. … When Elisha reached the house, there was the boy lying dead on his bed. So he went in, closed the door, and prayed to the Lord. Then Elisha got on the bed and lay on the boy, mouth to mouth, eye to eye, and hand to hand. As he stretched himself out over him, the boy’s body became warm.…and the prophet gave the boy to his mother.

In Hebrew the Spirit of God is named ruah, which means breath. Therefore the Holy Spirit, the breath of God, gives us life. During this time of crisis, during any crisis, we may find ourselves feeling panic. This is the time to gasp for the breath of God. The Holy Spirit who resides within is always available to sustain us.

 Just as God breathed on Adam and gave him the breath of life, Jesus breathed on His disciples in John chapter 20:21-22 "'Peace be onto you! As the Father sent me, I also send you.' And when He had said this, He breathed on them and said, 'Receive the Holy Spirit'"

The Holy Spirit, the breath of God. When you get into that kind of analogy, you now understand better what the attributes are. God's holy Spirit is as close to you as your very breath. The Bible says, "In Him we live and move and have our being."

It is amazing but true that your words create the very atmosphere. This can be now, or in your home, or even at church. Faith filled words bring miracles. Words of doubt and unbelief will hinder the ministry of the Holy Spirit who desires to breathe life into God's children, Not only Eternal life in their spirit but life in their flesh, and life in their emotions and thoughts.

If you are in your secret place reading your Bible, and you pray and praise God with your voice, you might want to practice singing praise to our Lord. Doing this will usher in the very presence of God as He breathes upon you. Singing in the Spirit is when you allow your voice to utter words that are from your heavenly language. You will be amazed how quickly God will enter the place where you will practice giving a singing voice to words of praise unto our Lord.

May the very Breath-Of-God blow over YOU today as you sing praises to Our God.

Today as we prepare to pray over our City, our State and our Nation, we must understand that God desires to breathe his very eternal life into those who are spiritually walking in darkness. As we make our declarations claiming that our citizens will have spiritual hearing ears, and spiritual seeing eyes, and that they may realize and understand that God loves them, and his Holy Spirit is gently blowing upon them even now. Let the very breath of God now blow over our citizens bringing life where there is spiritual death.  Amen

Hearing God Speak

Hearing God Speak  (This message was given at our Praying Over our City Meeting)

Hearing from God comes in a variety of ways. The inward witness is the most usual, but God can and does speak in an audible voice at times. He also speaks to us in dreams, visions, and by circumstances that cause us to know we must make new decisions. Many times God speaks to us as we read and search scriptures from our Bible.

Understand that as we read scripture, the life giving words from the pages of our Bible often can be related to us personally. As we read this portion from Jeremiah chapter one; please consider how these words can be applied to you.

The word of the LORD came to Jeremiah, saying: Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, and before you were born I set you apart and appointed you a prophet to the nations.”

“Ah, Lord GOD,” Jeremiah said, “I surely do not know how to speak, for I am only a child!”

But the LORD told him: “Do not say, ‘I am only a child.’ For to everyone I send you, you must go, and all that I command you, you must speak. Do not be afraid of them, for I am with you to deliver you,” declares the LORD.

Then the LORD reached out His hand, touched my mouth, and said to me:

“Behold, I have put My words into your mouth. See, I have appointed you today over nations and kingdoms to uproot and tear down, to destroy and overthrow, to build and plant.”

As we search over what we have just read; What can we learn? First, God speaks; In this case it probably was an audible voice because Jeremiah no doubt would not have paid attention to the inward witness. Next God tells Jeremiah that he is set apart and known by God even before he was born and God has good plans for his future and for his ministry.

Does Jeremiah say, “oh good, that is great, thank you God?” No - - he begins to make excuses. (Does that remind you of anyone else? Perhaps someone in the Bible who was hesitant to obey what God was asking? Perhaps some one like Moses or Gideon for example, and of course not me or you.)

Then God does a teaching message of correction. God says: Watch your words Jeremiah, Don't say those negative remarks about yourself, because it is important that you follow through with what I am commanding you. Do not fear or be afraid of those who will hear you, because I am with you to deliver the oppressed.

It is interesting that God found it necessary to say, Do not fear; and Jesus also had to say over and over again, DO NOT be AFRAID . . . FEAR NOT, because I am with you.

Finally God does something that we all must be ready for Him to do onto us as well. For you see, it is not enough to hear God's voice and for him to tell us how special we are and build up our faith and give us goose-bumps because we are in His presence . .

No it is not enough simply to hear from God. We must take the Words that he puts into our mouth and speak them out with boldness and with declaration power.  God says, I will bring to you words to share . . . so speak only what you hear me telling you, because there are kingdoms and nations that must be uprooted and torn down and overthrown - - and then we will build and plant with newness.

In our city, there are kingdoms of darkness and wicked spiritual ancestries that must be removed and destroyed before God can build anew thing. Yes, our God is at work and Seeds are being planted here and there, and they are growing in many, but never-the-less, there are still battles that must be won. Often we fight with our prayers, other times, our words become a sword cutting into the quick of those who need to make changes.

Be faithful to listen to what God is saying to you, and then be quick to obey and go forward in the power of the Holy Spirit using the words that God places in your mouth to bring about change in our city, our state and our Nation. 

Please Note: I am having trouble accessing my blog "A Joyful Noise" but was able to log in to my other blog: Chewing God's Word - - so Watch for a new blog soon  where I shall post my Series "Who is Jesus?"   My other blog can be viewed, but as it's author, I am not able to post to it.

Sweeter than Honey

What is Sweeter than Honey?

In Judges chapter 14 there is a story about Sampson killing a lion: “ So Samson came to the vineyards of Timnah; and to his surprise, a young lion came roaring against him.  And the Spirit of the Lord came mightily upon him, and he tore the lion apart as one would have torn apart a young goat, though he had nothing in his hand. But he did not tell his father or his mother what he had done.

 After some time, when he returned that way and saw the carcass of the lion. And behold, a swarm of bees and honey were in the carcass of the lion. He took some of it in his hands and went along, eating. When he came to his father and mother, he gave some to them, and they also ate.” And they were energized.

Psalms 19:10 The words of the Lord are more precious than gold, than much pure gold; they are sweeter than honey, than honey from the honeycomb.

Psalms 119:103 How sweet are Your words to my taste! Yes, sweeter than honey to my mouth!

The Old Testament prophet Jeremiah said, “Your words were found and I ate them, and Your word became to me the gladness and joy of my heart” (Jeremiah. 15:16). 

The Lord Jesus said,“Man shall not live on bread alone, but by every word that proceeds out of the mouth of God” (Matt. 4:4). Again  Jesus said, “The words which I have spoken to you are spirit and are life” (John 6:63). The words of God are food for us to eat in our spirit and soul.

There is a story in 1 Samuel 14, about Johnathan, the King's son who was fighting the enemy with the army. The king has said, no one is to eat anything until evening after the battle is won or they will be cursed. But Johnathan had not heard this. And the men entered the forest, and there was honey on the ground.  When the troops entered the forest, they saw the flow of honey, but none of them ate any of it because they feared the King's oath. 27 However, Jonathan had not heard his father so he reached out with the end of the staff he was carrying and dipped it into the honeycomb. When he ate the honey,  he had renewed energy.28 Then, one of the troops said, “Your father made the troops solemnly swear, ‘The man who eats food today is cursed,’ and the troops are exhausted.” 

But Johnathan did not agree with his father, because eating the honey, he was revitalized. - - Our message today is about God's word and how taking it into our spirit as sweet honey, it becomes energy to us spiritually. Sad to say, in some lands it is forbidden to read God's Word or even own a Bible. We in the United States should not take for granted our Bible, but we need to partake daily of God's Word because it is food for our spirit and for our soul.

The Prophet Ezekiel had an interesting vision where the Lord appeared to him with God's word written on a scroll, and Ezekiel was instructed to physically eat the scroll. Ezekiel 3 The voice from heaven said to me, “Son of man, eat what I am giving you — eat this scroll! Then go and give its message to your people.” So I opened my mouth, and he fed me the scroll. “Fill your stomach with this,” God said. And when I ate it, it tasted as sweet as honey in my mouth.

God continued to speak to his messenger: And he speaks to us today as we testify to our citizens. God says, I am not sending you to foreign people who speak a different language than you, but if I did send you to a foreign people, they would listen to you . . . But I am sending you to those who speak your language, your neighbors and fellow citizens of your city and many of them will not pay attention to you anymore than they listen to me. However do not fear because I have given you a hard head to withstand their evil looks and statements even if they are rebels. Then the Lord added, “My child, let all my words sink deep into your own heart first. Listen to them carefully for yourself. Then go to your people and say to them, ‘This is what the Sovereign LORD says!’ And Do this whether they listen to you or not.” Do not give up.

Understand that as we pray over our families, our city, our nation, that God is at work and our citizens are beginning to listen. Some are tired and worn out like the army that was fighting. They need to taste and see that the Lord is Good and that His mercy endures for ever. There is honey in the rock and that rock is Jesus our salvation, who is the Word of God. We are taking the honey of God's word to our neighbors and citizens, so do not despair, take courage and eat a little honey first for yourself for your own strength and enlightenment.

Whisper - - or Shout When you Pray??

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Whisper - - or Shout ??

Jesus said in Matthew 6: "And when you pray, do not be like the hypocrites who want to be seen by others. For they love to pray loud prayers saying, "Lord I am thankful that I am NOT like those sinners.   When you pray, go into your closet (private room,) shut your door, and pray to your Father in secret. And when you are praying, do not use meaningless repetition, as the Gentiles do." 

There is a time for private quiet prayers while you seek the presence of God personally for yourself.  Then there is also a time for praise, and worship, that can get loud. 

Reading from;  Psalms 47:1  O clap your hands, all ye people; shout onto God with the voice of triumph.

Psalms 100:  Make a joyful noise to the Lord, all the earth! Serve the Lord with gladness!  Come into His presence with singing!  Know that he lord, He is God!  Enter His gates with thanksgiving, and into His courts with Praise!

Psalms 81  Sing ALOUD to God our strength: SHOUT for joy to the God of Jacob.

When God created the world, the Bible tells us, "And God Said."  It does not say He whispered, and it does not say He shouted.  God declared no doubt in a normal tone, "Let there be" and it was so. However it is interesting to note that the Holy Spirit hovered over the waters.  His very breath was enough to create change and make new from what appeared to be nothing but earth, darkness, and water without form and void. 

As Joshua led the Children of Israel to Jericho to begin their march around the walls; only the army and priests were to blow their trumpets, but the warning to the people as they marched: was No voice was to be heard until Joshua gave the command in seven days. 

Joshua 6:  And the armed men went before the priests that blew with the trumpets, the priests going on, and blowing with their trumpets. And Joshua had commanded the people, saying, You shall not shout, nor make any noise with your voice, neither shall any word proceed out of your mouth, until the day I bid you shout; then shall you shout. 

Elijah said to Ahab and the false prophets of Baal; The God who answers by fire is the true god.  Although the prophets of Baal shouted and cried aloud, danced and even cut themselves there was no answer.   And it came to pass at the time of the offering of the evening sacrifice, that Elijah the prophet of God came near, and calmly said, Lord God of Abraham, Isaac, and of Israel, let it be known this day that you are God in Israel, and that I am thy servant, and that I have done all these things at your word - - and the fire fell consuming the sacrifice.

Hannah was a woman in torment for she was without child.  At their annual visit to the temple, she cried bitterly and prayed for a child to bring her fulfillment.  1 Samuel records her prayer this way:  "Now Hannah, spoke in her heart; only her lips moved, but her voice was not heard: therefore Eli the priest thought she was drunk."

After Jesus rose from the dead, He told his followers to return to Jerusalem and seek God until the Holy Spirit would fill them with power to heal the sick, cast out devils and deliver those who were bound.  On the day of Pentecost, 120 were gathered together in an upper room. These all continued with one accord in fervent prayer and supplication, with the women, and Mary the mother of Jesus, and with his brethren.    

Acts 2: And suddenly there came a sound from heaven as of a rushing mighty wind, and it filled all the house where they were sitting. And there appeared unto them cloven tongues like as of fire, and it sat upon each of them. And they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance in languages they did not know.    

The Bible does not say they were loud, but it is understood, because they were in an upper room, and people out in the street heard them magnify God and wondered what this could mean.  Peter went down to the street; preached a short sermon and 5000 were converted that day.

Soon after - - there was persecution and as Peter relayed to the believers what was happening; this time their voices were loud as they prayed.  Acts 4:24 They LIFTED up their VOICE to God with one accord, and said, Lord, behold their threatening: and grant unto your servants, that with all boldness they may speak thy word,  By stretching forth your hand to heal; and that signs and wonders may be done by the name of thy holy son Jesus.  And when they had prayed, the place was shaken where they were assembled together; and they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and they spoke the word of God with boldness. 

These individuals were the same ones who were baptized with the Holy Spirit on the day of Pentecost, and here they were again being refilled.  Scripture tells us to:  Be Being filled with the Holy Spirit.  It is wise to daily keep the oil of the Holy Spirit burning in our hearts. Jude tells us to build up your self by praying in the Holy Spirit.

Grant you there is a time we can enter into quiet, whispered prayers, but when you get ready to do business with God, there is a time to get loud.  There is a time to shout our declarations and draw the lines.  

We need to be aware that the Satan, our enemy does not like noisy prayers, and this kind of Holy Spirit praying will shake the walls of intimidation, rejection, fear, depression, addiction, immoral living and cause our citizens to be open to the voice of the Holy Spirit as he Woo's them to come to Christ Jesus.