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So God promises that when we are saved, our house (family) will follow…

Let us hang our faith on this promise!

Here’s the backstory to what happened prior to Acts 16, verse 31:

Acts 16:25-34
New Living Translation

The Philippian Jailer Saved
25 Around midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God, and the other prisoners were listening.

26 Suddenly, there was a massive earthquake, and the prison was shaken to its foundations.

All the doors immediately flew open, and the chains of every prisoner fell off!

27 The jailer woke up to see the prison doors wide open. He assumed the prisoners had escaped, so he drew his sword to kill himself.

28 But Paul shouted to him, “Stop! Don’t kill yourself! We are all here!”

29 The jailer called for lights and ran to the dungeon and fell down trembling before Paul and Silas.

30 Then he brought them out and asked,

“Sirs, what must I do to be saved?”

31 They replied,

“Believe in the Lord Jesus and you will be saved, along with everyone in your household.”

32 And they shared the word of the Lord with him and with all who lived in his household.

33 Even at that hour of the night, the jailer cared for them and washed their wounds.

Then he and everyone in his household were immediately baptized.

34 He brought them into his house and set a meal before them, and he and his entire household rejoiced because they all believed in God.
———

SALVATION BEGINS WITH FAITH

Paul and Silas’s answer to the Philippian jailer’s question is the essence of salvation;

“Believe in the Lord Jesus and you will be saved.”

This verse raises two questions:

1. What does it mean to believe, and

2. What does it mean to be saved?

Belief includes but is MUCH MORE than just an intellectual assent!

Belief includes the idea of TOTAL reliance, trust, dependence, and submission of oneself to Christ, as both LORD (King, Master) and SAVIOR of their life.

(HE CAN’T BE ONE WITHOUT THE OTHER… BOTH LORD AND SAVIOR)

TO BE SAVED IS TO BE DELIVERED

We are delivered from the very presence of sin and evil (Satan and hell) and will be delivered into the very presence of God (Christ and heaven).

“…to be absent from the body is to be present with the Lord.”
– 2 Corinthians 5:8

“I have written this to you who believe in the name of the Son of God, so that you may KNOW you have eternal life.”
— 1 John 5:13

So the way we receive this new life is by faith — believing that we are sinful, that Jesus died for our sins, that His death was in our place, and that His payment for sin is fully acceptable in God’s sight.

Faith can be summarized in the following acrostic:

F. A. I. T. H. =
Forsaking All I Take Him

And in verse 31b, the promise goes on to say that “your entire household will be saved.”

Your Family’s Salvation —
So the jailer was the first to be saved; and then by him assuming spiritual leadership of his family, by being the first to repent and to humble himself before God; and then by him being the first to ask for forgiveness and a change of life, he set the pattern for the rest of his family.

And so by his example, the rest of his family was also won to Christ.

In the same way, every believing father has the responsibility to set the example of spiritual commitment, and to teach his family all he knows of following Christ.
———

Mon, December 20
The Spirit Filled Believer
Written by Dick Mills

YOU AND ALL YOUR HOUSEHOLD

“They shall come back from the land of the enemy…your children shall come back to their own border.”
— Jeremiah 31:16-17

One of the most encouraging words from the Lord we have been hearing throughout the length and breadth of this land is:

“All the children are coming home; those who have been away in the land of the enemy are going to return to their own border.”

It is hard to describe the gladness, joy, and peace this God-breathed message of assurance brings to distraught parents.

GATHER AND BRING THEM IN

When the ark was finally all in readiness, just before the great flood descended, the Lord spoke these words to Noah:

“…Come into the ark, you and all your household…” (Genesis 7:1)

We are hearing these same words today:

“A flood of tribulation and persecution is coming. Get your family together and bring them in.”

When Israel was alerted to get ready to move out of Egypt, each family was instructed to sacrifice a lamb to cover their household.

Jesus is our sacrificial Lamb whose blood is sufficient to cover our entire family.

One of the features of the last-day move of the Spirit of God is family salvation, family restoration, and family unity.

If your children are away from home, you can take comfort from this passage in Jeremiah 31:16-17 which assures you that they will return.

In the parable, the prodigal son came home. The modern-day prodigals are going to do the same.

Just as chickens come home to roost and cows come back to the barn at the close of the day, so our children will return to us before the final darkness descends.

We are hearing this word all over the world. Believe it and be encouraged!

Source: The Spirit-Filled Believer’s Daily Devotional by Dick Mills
———

Come join the Adventure!

Skip 🕊️

Who Were the “Three Wise Men?”…

Well to begin with, contrary to popular Christmas tradition, the Bible does not use the terms “three wise men” or “three kings” to describe the travelers who went to see Jesus after his birth (see Matthew 2:1).

NOTE: The term “Wise Men” in Greek is magos, and can be translated “Oriental Scientist,” most likely having been influenced by the teaching of the prophet Daniel.

Because of Daniel’s great wisdom, and because he had successfully pleaded for the lives of the wise men who had failed to interpret the king’s dream (Dan. 2:24), Daniel came to be highly regarded among the magi (saving many of their lives!), so we’d certainly expect that the magi learned much from the Prophet Daniel about the one true God, and because so many Jews remained behind in Babylon after the Exile, refusing to go back to Jerusalem, they intermarried with the people of the east.

This makes it all the more likely that Jewish messianic influence remained strong in that region, even into New Testament times.

The Bible says that the Magi brought three kinds of gifts:

Gold (a gift for a king/royalty);
Frankincense (prayers);
and the Myrrh was used as an embalming oil).

Matthew 2:10-11

Speaking of the wise men: “When they saw the star, they rejoiced with exceedingly great joy.

And when they had come into the house, they saw the young Child with Mary His mother, and fell down and worshiped Him.

And when they had opened their treasures, they presented gifts to Him: gold, frankincense, and myrrh.”

There may have been several kings or wise men in the group (which is likely), and this must have required a caravan of up to 60 camels or more (soldiers, servants, supplies, gifts).

In God’s sovereignty, these gifts probably proved useful in Joseph and Mary’s flight to Egypt, paying for their expenses, and this escape was made necessary because Herod ordered the execution of all male children, two and under in or near Bethlehem.

King Nebuchadnezzar sought the cream of the crop for his own private council (Dan 1:3-4), and “Among those who were chosen were some from Judah: Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael and Azariah” (Dan 1:6).

Daniel’s title was “Rab Mag” or “Chief of the Magi” (Dan 5:11), so he must have left some historical records of his writings for the Babylonians, and remember, they were also historians.

One such writing may have been Daniel chapter 9, where Daniel refers to the appearance of the Messiah, and goes into very specific detail about the timing of the Anointed One’s appearance (Dan 9:21-26).

We know from Scripture that Daniel was a man of prayer, and he naturally wanted to know when things would be restored, so Gabriel answered Daniel’s prayer (2 weeks later) and told Daniel not only where and when the Messiah would come, but when He would be killed (Dan. 9:25-26).

The magi or wise men recognized the fact that Daniel’s point of reference was not Babylon but Jerusalem (Dan 9:16), so for the wise men, it was not a guessing game.

They had to have accurate information to go on or they’d have missed Him.

And then there is the oral tradition or story (that was given before Noah’s flood) that we can read in the Stars (something Satan took and corrupted into astrology).

God is the one who originated this message in the stars, which every ancient civilization has a record of.

This message or story in the Stars tells of how God would send the “Seed” of the woman (Messiah) to judge and conquer evil; starting with Virgo (a virgin who gives birth to a child), who then judges and conquers evil in the world and comes back as Leo (the lion of Judah).

The fact that these constellations, in the sky (and the message or story they contained) were created by God is evident in the fact of how God speaks of them in the Book of Job.

Job 38:31-32
New Living Translation

31 “Can you direct the movement of the stars—
binding the cluster of the Pleiades
or loosening the cords of Orion?

32 Can you direct the constellations through the seasons

or guide the Bear with her cubs across the heavens?

The fact that God created these constellations and their corresponding message is evident in the fact that God named them, as He also authored the story or message that can be seen in them.

THE MESSAGE IN THE STARS

Psalm 19:1-4

1 The heavens proclaim the glory of God.
The skies display his craftsmanship.

2 Day after day they continue to speak;
night after night they make him known.

3 They speak without a sound or word;
their voice is never heard.

4 Yet their message has gone throughout the earth,
and their words to all the world.

God has made a home in the heavens for the sun.
———

And in Romans we read the following:

Romans 1:18

God’s Wrath on Unrighteousness

“For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who suppress the truth in unrighteousness”
———

SAT, December 18
The Winning Walk
by Dr Ed Young

FOLLOWING THE STAR

“And having been warned by God in a dream not to return to Herod, they departed for their own country by another way.”
-Matthew 2:12

We know very little about the Magi, those Wise Men who saw the star in the East.

Thousands of other people could have seen that star, but these must have been visionary individuals who did not want to miss the moment.

They scanned the heavens when most of us only see our feet; they focused on the extraordinary instead of the commonplace.

And not only did they see the star, they acted upon what they saw, making the arduous journey from Persia to Jerusalem.

They were indeed wise. And I believe the epitome of their wisdom is seen in the last two words of our verse:

“they went back ‘ANOTHER way.’”

In other words, they met Jesus and they worshiped Him, they gave Him gifts, and they went home by a different route.

A true encounter with Jesus will do that.

It will change everything about you.

When you worship Him and surrender to Him, you will leave the presence of Jesus by a new – and different – way.
———

Come join the Adventure!

Skip 🕊️

Our absolute trust and reliance upon Jesus is the Solid Rock upon which we build the foundation of our faith…

I touched on this the other day in how Jesus is both the Aleph and Tav in the Old Testament, and the Alpha and Omega in the New Testament, the Author and Finisher of our faith.

In my morning devotions the other day, I ran across this scripture, where God says to Moses:

Exodus 23:20-21

The Angel and the Promises

20 “Behold, I send an Angel before you to keep you in the way and to bring you into the place which I have prepared.

21 Beware of Him and obey His voice; do not provoke Him, for He will not pardon your transgressions; for My name is in Him.

(NOTE: it is very significant that He says “My NAME is in Him,” as it relates to our praying in Jesus’ name in the New Testament)

The reason why the word Angel is capitalized is because this is Yeshua that is being spoken of.

There are several times in the Old Testament where the Living Word appears and it is called a Theophany.

The apostle John emphasizes this when he begins his gospel account.

In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God. All things were made through Him, and without Him nothing was made that was made. (John 1:1-3)

The apostle Paul also affirms this truth in the book of Colossians.

He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation. For by Him all things were created that are in heaven and that are on earth, visible and invisible….And He is before all things, and in Him all things consist. (Colossians 1:15-17)

The Lord Jesus Christ was present at the beginning of creation—He was and is our Creator.

His pre-existence is further affirmed by His many appearances documented throughout the Old Testament.

Theophany is a theological term that refers to an encounter with God prior to Christ’s incarnation.

What particularly got my attention was
the statement “My Name (authority) is in Him” (v. 21), which shows that this messenger, this Angel of the Lord, is none other than “the Living Word” Himself; and with the promise of His presence and protection comes the warning “obey His voice,” for the Lord is a holy God who cannot dwell in the presence of sin.

Obedience is the evidence of reality of the covenant relationship.

The Angel of the Lord “encamps around those who fear Him” (Ps 34:7).

The reason why I’m bringing this up is because when Jesus tells us (in the New Testament) to pray in His Name,
He’s not talking about some hocus pocus magic, like click your heels three times and you get what you want.

When Jesus was speaking to His disciples about His departure, after the resurrection, He said the following:

John 16:22-23

22 Therefore you now have sorrow; but I will see you again and your heart will rejoice, and your joy no one will take from you.

23 “And in that day you will ask Me nothing. Most assuredly, I say to you, WHATEVER YOU ASK THE FATHER IN MY NAME He will give you.’

Praying in Jesus’ name is praying for things that will honor and glorify Jesus.

Saying “in Jesus’ name” at the end of a prayer is definitely not a magic formula.

It means that, as ambassadors (God’s representatives here in the Earth) for Christ, that we are standing in obedience to Him and in His authority, in order to facilitate God’s will being done here in the Earth as it is in heaven.

If what we ask for or say in prayer is not for God’s glory and according to His will, then saying “in Jesus’ name” is meaningless.

Genuinely praying in Jesus’ name and for His glory is what is important, not attaching certain words to the end of a prayer.

It is not the words in the prayer that matter, but the purpose behind the prayer.

Praying for things that are in agreement with God’s will is the essence of praying in Jesus’ name.

As God’s occupational Force, here in the Earth, we are to complete the mission that Jesus started, and we are to do it in the way that He demonstrated.

When the Bible says that Jesus is now seated at the right hand of the Father, the scriptures are letting us know that Jesus’ work is FINISHED (at Calvary’s cross), in that having offered up propitiation for our sins, He has prepared the way and has done EVERYTHING necessary for us to go out and complete the work that He began.

And so as God’s occupational force in the Earth, this has to be our daily confession:

Galatians 2:20
“I have been crucified with Christ; it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live BY FAITH IN THE SON OF GOD, who loved me and gave Himself for me.”

Jesus is the Rock on which our faith is built, and faith in God (our willingness to take risks and step out in obedience to His Word) is the means by which we are to navigate through the storms of our life, here on Earth; and without that Faith the Bible says it is impossible for us to please Him (Heb 11:6).

So once again this gets us back to our original point, that Jesus is both the Author and Finisher of our faith; and He is both the Foundation and Anchor that allows us to weather any storm!

In his book, Six Hours One Friday, Max Lucado tells the story of how he and his boat survived a hurricane.

An old sea man gave Max the advice to take his boat to deep water, drop four anchors off each corner of the boat, and pray that the anchors held.

Max survived that storm, but he says that he learned an important lesson, all of us need an anchor that will hold during the storms of life.

That anchor is our faith. What have you put your faith in?

How important is it to have faith?

Where do we find a faith strong enough to make it through the storms of life?

Peter knows how important faith is and he gives us a great picture of faith, a faith that we can anchor deep with, and a faith which will hold us during the storms of life.

1 Peter 1:3-12
The Message

A New Life
3-5 What a God we have! And how fortunate we are to have him, this Father of our Master Jesus!

Because Jesus was raised from the dead, we’ve been given a brand-new life and have everything to live for, including a future in heaven—and the future starts now!

God is keeping careful watch over us and the future. The Day is coming when you’ll have it all—life healed and whole.

6-7 I know how great this makes you feel, even though you have to put up with every kind of aggravation in the meantime.

Pure gold put in the fire comes out of it proved pure; genuine faith put through this suffering comes out proved genuine.

When Jesus wraps this all up, it’s your faith, not your gold, that God will have on display as evidence of his victory.

8-9 You never saw him, yet you love him. You still don’t see him, yet you trust him—with laughter and singing.

Because you kept on believing, you’ll get what you’re looking forward to: total salvation.

10-12 The prophets who told us this was coming asked a lot of questions about this gift of life God was preparing.

The Messiah’s Spirit let them in on some of it—that the Messiah would experience suffering, followed by glory.

They clamored to know who and when.

All they were told was that they were serving you, you who by orders from heaven have now heard for yourselves—through the Holy Spirit—the Message of those prophecies fulfilled.

Do you realize how fortunate you are? Angels would have given anything to be in on this!
———

When Peter wrote his letter, things were changing.

In the beginning of the first century church, the government remained unconcerned about this new religious sect, and as the church grew, the constrictions of the government increased.

Peter is writing to a people who are finding it increasingly difficult to live their faith.

Even today it is not easy being a Christian, but we must find a way to live our faith without compromise.

Sooner or later the storms of life will begin to blow and then the question becomes will the anchor of faith hold.

If our faith is set upon the things of this world, then our faith will perish.

Countless kingdoms have come and fallen, economies have been built and destroyed, and nations have been established and vanished.

All that is left of some of those kingdoms are the ruins you can see in a museum.

Only the kingdom of God has remained constant in the past two thousand years.

Our faith is to be set in heaven, and not on the things of this world. That is the only way that we know our faith is imperishable.

Jesus is our example in all things related to life and ministry. . .

“So let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before Him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.” (Hebrews 12:2)


Fri, December 17
Worthy Brief

WHERE’S FAITH WHEN YOU NEED IT?!?!

“So then faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.”
— Romans 10:17

I could tell you about countless difficult and drawn-out circumstances over which we have tried to stand firmly in faith until they finally came to pass.

Sometimes we made it and sometimes we were weak and began to doubt.

But God mercifully came through for us on most of these things, despite our lack of strength to stay faith-ful.

There are some things in our lives that take a lot of prayer and a lot of faith to overcome. But why is it so hard sometimes to stand in faith for those things?

D.L. Moody spent many hours praying for faith.

He once said, “If all the time I have spent praying for faith was put together, it would be months.

I thought that someday faith was going to come down and strike me like lightning. But faith did not come.

Then one day I read in the 10th chapter of Romans,

“So then faith comes by hearing and hearing by the Word of God.”

I now opened my Bible and began to read God’s Word and faith has been growing ever since.”

Much of what we believers describe as ‘faith’ has nothing to do with Biblical faith.

Our faith must not be based on emotion, or want, and not on the latest exciting conference or revival.

But it must be centered on God’s Word, on Yeshua (Jesus), His death and resurrection, His salvation.

The Living Word is the eternal, everlasting love of God that has been poured out upon our lives.

Let’s read, hear, apply and live the Word today, and we will grow strong in faith!

Your family in the Lord with much agape love,

George, Baht Rivka, Elianna & Obadiah
Pahrump, Nevada
———

Come join the Adventure!

Skip 🕊️

Are we paying attention to the signs of the times that Jesus warned us about that would mark His return?…

Jesus said very clearly that no man knows the exact day nor the hour of His return, and that only His Father in Heaven knew this; but He also emphatically said that we should recognize the prophetic times and season of His return, which are given to us in the scriptures.

In Matthew 24:32-35, Jesus warned His disciples,

“Now learn this parable from the fig tree: When its branch has already become tender and puts forth leaves, you know that summer is near.

So you also, when you see all these things, know that it is near—at the doors!

Assuredly, I say to you, this generation will by no means pass away till all these things take place.

Heaven and earth will pass away, but My words will by no means pass away.”
———

I just recently ran across this article and found it interesting.

THE FIG TREE (ISRAEL)
REBORN 1948
by Gabriel Ansley

Parable of Budding Fig Tree Confirms Christ’s Return AD 2028
Click on link below:

“The days of our lives are 70 years;
And if by reason of strength they are 80 YEARS, yet is their strength labour and sorrow; for it is SOON CUT OFF, and WE FLY AWAY” (Psalms 90:10)

One day the disciples asked Jesus:

“What shall be the sign of thy coming, and of the end of the world?” (Matthew 24:3).

In answer to this question, Jesus spoke a parable of the Fig Tree, which combined with Psalm 90 and the rebirth of Israel in AD 1948, now gives us the YEAR of Christ’s return – AD 2028.

PROPHECY IN PSALMS

After Jesus resurrected from the dead, he met with his disciples and explained to them:

“These are the words which I spoke unto you, while I was yet with you, that ALL THINGS MUST BE FULFILLED, which were written in the law of Moses, and in the prophets, and IN THE PSALMS, concerning me. Then opened he their understanding, that they might understand the Scriptures” (Luke 24:44-45).

Do you see Jesus confirmed there were prophecies in the PSALMS concerning his First Coming?

Well, make no mistake about it, there are OTHER prophecies in the Psalms, unfulfilled, concerning his Second Coming! And Psalm 90 is a HUGE one, which you will soon see!

PARABLE OF FIG TREE
So here now is Jesus’ parable of the Fig Tree in answer to the disciples asking him when the “end of the world” would arrive:

“Now learn a parable of the fig tree; when its branch is yet tender, and puts forth leaves, you know that summer is near: So likewise you, when you shall see all these things, know that it is near, even at the doors. Verily I say unto you, This generation shall not pass away, till all these things be fulfilled.” (Matthew 24:32-34)

What?!?! What is this about?

What “generation” shall not pass away before Christ returns?

The answer is in the parable!

It’s the generation that sees the FIG TREE put forth its leaves!

Listen, in a parable things always represent other things.

For example, in Jesus’ parable of the sower, the “seed” represented the “Word of God” (Mark 4:14), and in his parable of the tares, the “tares” represented the “children of the wicked one” (Matthew 13:38).

FIG TREE = ISRAEL

So what does the “Fig Tree” represent in the parable of the Fig Tree?

It’s the nation of Israel!

How do we know?

The Bible clearly tells us:

“I (God) found ISRAEL like grapes in the wilderness; I saw your fathers as the firstfruits on the Fig Tree.” (Hosea 9:10)

Therefore, Jesus was saying in his parable of the fig tree (and I’m paraphrasing) …

“The generation that is born the year the nation of Israel comes back on the map again will not all pass away (die) before my Second Coming occurs!”

What’s fascinating about this parable is the fact that when Jesus uttered it, Israel was still a nation!

They were just under Rome’s control. In other words, through this parable, Jesus was actually prophesying the destruction of the nation of Israel!

And sure enough, around AD 70, that happened — Rome destroyed Jerusalem.

So WHEN did the nation of Israel STUNNINGLY and AMAZINGLY come back on the map again?

AD 1948!!!

So the people born in the year AD 1948 are the final generation! They will not all die before Jesus Christ returns!

LENGTH OF GENERATION
Ok, so all we need to know is the Biblical length (years) of a generation of people, and we can add that number to AD 1948 and this will be the OUTSIDE DATE for Christ’s Second Coming.

So is this in the Bible?

Well, remember me saying there are prophecies in the Psalms, concerning Christ’s Second Coming? Well, here it is:

“The days of our lives are 70 years; and if by reason of strength they are 80 YEARS, yet is their strength labor and sorrow, for it is soon CUT OFF, and we FLY AWAY” (Psalms 90:10).

This verse tells us 80 years is the average age of a generation of people.

Therefore, the outside date for Christ’s return is AD 1948 + 80 = AD 2028!

What’s even more fascinating is that Moses wrote Psalm 90 over 3,000 years ago, and even though he lived to be 120 years old, today, 80 years is the average life expectancy of human beings worldwide!

THE RAPTURE
Oh, but there’s more! Did you notice the “soon cut off” and “we fly away” words written in the Psalms 90:10 verse above, after the 80 year generation was mentioned?

The Bible tells us the Antichrist’s time will be “cut short” or “cut off” at Christ’s return — 42 months.

And during Christ’s return, a small righteous remnant of saints will “fly away” up into the air to meet him in the clouds to escape the global firestorm of God’s Wrath.

Friend, these words in the Psalm 90:10 are almost certainly prophesying of the “flying away” that will happen to the saints (elect) at the end of the Antichrist’s Great Tribulation reign, when his time will be “cut off” at 3.5 years, 80 years after AD 1948 — 2028 END!

CONCLUSION
So there you have it … Christ’s parable of the Fig Tree in Matthew 24, along with the length of a generation in Psalms 90 go hand in hand in confirming Jesus Christ’s rapturous return “immediately AFTER the Great Tribulation” in the year AD 2028!
———

Now listen to this interview with Ken Johnson, a biblical scholar and expert on the Dead Sea Scrolls.

Apocalypse of the ESSENES! Dead Sea Scrolls 2025, 2032, 2068 PREDICTIONS | Dr. Ken Johnson

(Pay particular attention to 53:15, where they talk about the final Year of Jubilee before Christ returns and the possible significance of the Year 2025)

Click on link below:

The years 2025 – 2028 are just around the corner, and obviously I think we’re in the ballpark here, in terms of prophetic indicators that we should probably be looking at.

And finally this is God’s invitation to all of those who are seekers of Truth in these last days. . .

Isaiah 55:1-7
New Living Translation

Invitation to the Lord’s Salvation
1 “Is anyone thirsty?
Come and drink—
even if you have no money!
Come, take your choice of wine or milk—
it’s all free!

2 Why spend your money on food that does not give you strength?
Why pay for food that does you no good?
Listen to me, and you will eat what is good.
You will enjoy the finest food.

3 “Come to me with your ears wide open.
Listen, and you will find life.
I will make an everlasting covenant with you.
I will give you all the unfailing love I promised to David.

4 See how I used him to display my power among the peoples.
I made him a leader among the nations.

5 You also will command nations you do not know,
and peoples unknown to you will come running to obey,
because I, the Lord your God,
the Holy One of Israel, have made you glorious.”

6 Seek the Lord while you can find him.
Call on him now while he is near.

7 Let the wicked change their ways
and banish the very thought of doing wrong.

Let them turn to the Lord that he may have mercy on them.
Yes, turn to our God, for he will forgive generously.
———

Tue, December 14
Worthy Brief

WAKE UP — THE ERUPTIONS ARE HERE!

“Before the decree is issued, Or the day passes like chaff, Before the Lord’s fierce anger comes upon you, Before the day of the Lord’s anger comes upon you! Seek the Lord, all you meek of the earth, Who have upheld His justice. Seek righteousness, seek humility. It may be that you will be hidden in the day of the Lord’s anger.”
— Zephaniah 2:2-3

Mount Semeru erupted last week killing dozens of people in Indonesia, and this reminded me of a story that happened in the late 1800’s when witnesses of a volcanic eruption believed the end of the world had come.

It was 1883, Captain Sampson of the British navy witnessed one of the greatest volcanic eruptions in history which took place in Indonesia.

The eruption was so powerful that its shock waves traveled around the world seven times.

The volcano shot miles of debris into the atmosphere which fell to earth as far away as Madagascar – over 2000 miles distance.

Captain Sampson wrote in the ship’s log:

“I am writing this blind in pitch darkness. We are under continual rain of pumice-stone and dust. So violent are the explosions that the ear-drums of over half my crew have been shattered … I am convinced that the Day of Judgment has come.”

These men witnessed something extraordinary, and it caused them to ponder the inevitable question — Is this the end?

What was the crew thinking and feeling as they were deafened by the massive explosions, and blinded by the clouds of smoke and ash?

To them, it must have been as if the sun had become like sackcloth!

Did this experience change their lives? Were they now powerfully aware of how fragile life is?

Did they suddenly begin to examine what their lives had consisted of up to that moment?

Imagine yourself in that boat as these events are taking place. Now picture yourself at the present moment … are you thinking about what your life has been about, or what it is now?

Are you thinking about what it could be??

Wake up. Recognize that eruptions are already taking place, and these are the Lord’s warnings to this sleeping world; warnings that His return is NEAR!

We are privileged to be witnesses and participants in the most extraordinary times as the end of the age draws near.

But God is looking for people who are awake, who are wise, who understand the signs of the times, and who know Him … so they can do exploits and can shine like stars in a darkening world– will you be one of them?

Your family in the Lord with much agape love,

George, Baht Rivka, Elianna & Obadiah
Pahrump, Nevada
———

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In order for us to contend and then receive our breakthrough, we must learn to be more like David…

To gain our breakthrough we must learn to persevere, meaning we stand firm on the promises of God, standing in faith against any and all odds; we must also repent of our “stinking thinking” (often the result of old injuries and wounds from our past) – we do this by using the shield of faith, in our spiritual armor – in order to block the fiery darts that the devil is forever aiming at our minds, causing us to doubt and to fear; and we must also put on the mind of Christ daily (Php 2:6). . .

“Pulling down strongholds, casting down arguments and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God; and bringing EVERY thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ!” (2 Corinthians 10:5)

Listen to what Paul said to the Ephesians church, in how we should ALL respond to those struggles we are facing in our lives; and let us make this prayer our own:

Ephesians 1:17-21
Living Bible

16-17 Paul speaking: I have never stopped thanking God for you. I pray for you constantly, asking God, the glorious Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, to give you wisdom to see clearly and really understand who Christ is and all that He has done for you.

18 I pray that your hearts will be flooded with light so that you can see something of the future he has called you to share (read Jer 29:11).

I want you to realize that God has been made rich because we who are Christ’s have been given to him!

19 I pray that you will begin to understand how incredibly great His power is to help those who believe Him.

It is that same mighty power 20 that raised Christ from the dead and seated Him in the place of honor at God’s right hand in heaven, 21 far, far above any other king or ruler or dictator or leader.

Yes, His honor is far more glorious than that of anyone else either in this world or in the world to come.
———

First of all, let us remember that the Battle belongs to the Lord (whatever it is we’re facing – and anything that’s coming at us must first go through Him) because He alone is our Good Shepherd, the Aleph and the Tav of our faith.

What does that mean?

Aleph/Tav = את (in Hebrew)

The first and last letters of the Hebrew alphabet, an aleph on the right (an ‘A’) and a tav on the left (this would be like a ‘Z’ in English.)

Aleph א – Tav ת
Is found in Genesis 1:1

Remember that Hebrew reads from right to left.

Notice the circled letters in Genesis 1:1.

Behold – an aleph-tav!

And there’s another one two words later.

This is Jesus, the Messiah, hiding in plain sight in the first verse of the Bible!

So what does this tell us?

Here is an amazing point that we need to understand.

In classic (ancient) Paleo-Hebrew, every letter is a picture.

THE ALEPH was an ox, indicating strength, and is one of the silent Hebrew letters.

It’s kind of a breath. It can also represent God since He is number one, first and strong.

THE TAV was a slanted ‘t’. It looked like an ‘x’, or a cross. The letters aleph-tav picture the silent strength of the cross and the God of the cross.


IN THE NEW TESTAMENT, those same letters would be an alpha and omega, the beginning and end of the Greek alphabet.

That would mean if Jesus is in the Old Testament like He is in the New, He is also the Aleph and Tav, the first and last letters of the Hebrew alphabet, which also corresponds to the first and last of the Greek.

In Revelation 1:8 He is called the Alpha and Omega

“I am the Alpha and the Omega,” says the Lord God, “who is and who was and who is to come, the Almighty.”

The 1st letter in the Greek (New Testament written in Greek) Alpha α & the last letter is the Omega Ω.

Could that mean that the Aleph and Tav (in the Old Testament) and the Alpha and Omega (in the New Testament) both represent Jesus – Savior and Messiah?

The answer to that question is yes!

This is the same Jesus that in the New Testament promises to never leave us nor forsake us (Heb 13:5b) and also He promises to complete the work that He has begun in each one of our lives (Php 1:6)!
———

Daily Devotionals
by Inspiration Ministries

BREAKTHROUGH

“’God has broken through my enemies by my hand, like the breakthrough of waters.’ Therefore they named that place Baal-perazim.”
— 1 Chronicles 14:11

David had been anointed king, and the Philistines were concerned. They knew he had defeated their champion, Goliath, and led Israel’s armies to other victories.

They were determined to search for him and silence him.

David was ready to confront these enemies. But before taking any action, he sought God’s direction.

God responded, “Go up, for I will hand them over to you” (v. 10).

When Israel followed God’s lead, they won a great victory.

David realized that this had been a “breakthrough.” He had broken through his enemies like water rushing through a blockage, “like a bursting flood.”

David was aware that they had faced a massive problem, but God delivered them. He knew that God shattered the walls that stood before him.

He tore open a hole in the enemy line that led to great victory.

It was such a powerful moment that he changed the name of the place where the battle had been fought.

It became “Baal-perazim,” the “possessor of breaches.”

David wanted everyone to remember that God had given him this breakthrough.

He could give them breakthroughs, too.

We face many types of problems. We can feel overwhelmed and outnumbered, afraid and discouraged.

We can be filled with doubt and worry.

Remember what David learned:

“God is the God of breakthroughs.”

He can give you victory in any situation, even when defeat seems inevitable.

Believe Him for your breakthrough today!

Prayer
Father, I commit these problems to You: _______.

I believe You can provide breakthroughs. Thank You for Your blessing.
In Jesus’ name. Amen.
———

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It all is determined by what sort of soil we are…

So let us come to the Living Water that nurtures our spiritual life.

“Put on your new nature, created to be like God—truly righteous and holy” (Ephesians 4:24)

We all go through dry seasons in our life, those wilderness periods that we read about in the Bible.

Nevertheless God has given us His promise that He will never leave us or forsake us; and that He will complete the work that He has begun in our lives.

Hebrews 13:5b
Amplified Bible, Classic Edition

God Himself has said, I will not in any way fail you nor give you up nor leave you without support. [I will] not, [I will] not, [I will] not in any degree leave you helpless nor forsake nor let [you] down (relax My hold on you)! [Assuredly not!]

Philippians 1:6
Amplified Bible, Classic Edition

And I am convinced and sure of this very thing, that He Who began a good work in you will continue until the day of Jesus Christ [right up to the time of His return], developing [that good work] and perfecting and bringing it to full completion in you.

The Holy Spirit will make changes in your life far beyond anything you thought was possible, but they’re not going to happen overnight.

God the Father’s ultimate purpose in all of this is that we be conformed into the image of His Son.

Romans 8:29-30
Amplified Bible, Classic Edition

29 For those whom He foreknew [of whom He was aware and loved beforehand], He also destined from the beginning [foreordaining them] to be molded into the image of His Son [and share inwardly His likeness], that He might become the firstborn among many brethren.

30 And those whom He thus foreordained, He also called; and those whom He called, He also justified (acquitted, made righteous, putting them into right standing with Himself).

And those whom He justified, He also glorified [raising them to a heavenly dignity and condition or state of being].
———

So the question is would you rather be an oak tree or a mushroom?

An oak tree takes about 60 years for it to mature, whereas a mushroom will mature in just a few hours.

It’s during the dry seasons of that oak tree’s development that it must stretch its roots down deeper into the soil, to where the water table is; and it’s in that process that the oak tree gets stronger.

The same is true of us who are Christians, in that during the dry seasons of our life we also have to stretch the roots of our faith down deeper into the soil of our life, in order to get to the Living Water which nurtures our spiritual life.

Jesus gave us the parable of the sower which describes this situation,

“A farmer went out to sow his seed. As he was scattering the seed, some fell along the path, and the birds came and ate it up. Some fell on rocky places . . . Other seed fell among thorns . . . Still other seed fell on good soil.” (Matthew 13:3–8)

Although this is often known as the parable of the sower and the seed, it can also be said this is a parable about the soil.

All four types of soil are essentially the same dirt but are in different conditions and respond in different ways to cultivation.

What made one soil more responsive and the other less?

When the New Testament was written, communities were agriculturally based.

A family would be appointed a section of land to farm, and every farmer’s plot was adjacent to their neighbor’s.

In order to get to the fields, the farmers would walk along the boundaries bordering each field to avoid stepping on the growing plants.

The “path” was held in common by all the farmers and over time, the soil on the path would compact.

It was never plowed and never fertilized.

In the parable, the seed that is sown on the path is not able to penetrate the ground because of the constant use.

The condition of the first soil is hard and impermeable.

The second type of soil mentioned in the parable is the “rocky” places” or the shallow soil where the plow didn’t cut deeply enough to break up the shale or hard ground just below the surface.

This soil produced only plants with weak, shallow roots.

The third type of soil mentioned is the thorny soil, most likely found in the corners of the field where the plow couldn’t reach; here, weeds overtook what was planted.

All the types of soils mentioned here are actually in the same plot of ground with one major difference:

Only one area was fully yielded to cultivation, to being changed and prepared for planting. That area was called the good soil.

The greatest amount of fruit produced was not determined by how rich the soil was, but how yielded to the plow it was.

The soil in each condition received seed, but not all produced quality fruit.

As Christians, everyone of us receives seed, which is the Word of God; and everyone of us has the potential for a great harvest, in living a fruitful life, but the ones who will produce the most fruit will be the ones most yielded to cultivation.

The Bible tells us to, “Put on your new nature, created to be like God—truly righteous and holy” (Ephesians 4:24 NLT).

The ground first has to be prepared in order to receive the seeds that are sown in it.

And in order for those seeds to be fruitful the Bible tells us that we must be attached to God’s root system.

Jesus put it like this:

John 15:1-8

The True Vine
1 “I am the true vine, and My Father is the vinedresser.

2 Every branch in Me that does not bear fruit He takes away; and every branch that bears fruit He prunes, that it may bear more fruit.

3 You are already clean because of the word which I have spoken to you.

4 Abide in Me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in Me.

5 “I am the vine, you are the branches. He who abides in Me, and I in him, bears much fruit; for without Me you can do nothing.

6 If anyone does not abide in Me, he is cast out as a branch and is withered; and they gather them and throw them into the fire, and they are burned.

7 If you abide in Me, and My words abide in you, you will ask what you desire, and it shall be done for you.

8 By this My Father is glorified, that you bear much fruit; so you will be My disciples.
———

The goal is that we be conformed into the image of Christ. . .

And the apostle Paul says, “As the Spirit of the Lord works within us, we become more and more like Him”
(2 Corinthians 3:18 TLB).
———

Fri, December 10
God Calling
by Two Listeners

THE QUIET TIME

“My beloved spake, and said unto me, Rise up, my love, my fair one, and come away.”
— Song of Solomon 2:10

There may be many times when I reveal nothing, command nothing, give no guidance.

But your path is clear, and your task, to grow daily more and more into the knowledge of Me. That this quiet time with Me will enable you to do.

I may ask you to sit silent before Me, and I may speak no word that you could write.

All the same that waiting with Me will bring comfort and Peace. Only friends who understand and love each other can wait silent in each other’s presence.

And it may be that I shall prove our friendship by asking you to wait in silence while I rest with you, assured of your Love and understanding. So wait, so love, so joy.

Now unto Him who is able to keep you from stumbling, and to make you stand in the presence of His glory blameless with great joy, to the only God our Savior, through Jesus Christ our Lord, be glory, majesty, dominion and authority, before all time and now and forever. Amen.
— Jude 1:24-25
———

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“Nevertheless, when the Son of Man comes, will He really find faith on the earth?” (Luke 18:8b)

It is our persistent faith, the ability to persevere under adverse and contradictory feelings and circumstances that necessitates our being filled and refilled each day with the OIL of the Holy Spirit, because we are such leaky vessels.

Romans 10:17
Amplified Bible, Classic Edition

“So faith comes by hearing [what is told], and what is heard comes by the preaching [of the message that came from the lips] of Christ (the Messiah Himself).”

You can’t have faith without the truth of God’s Word holding final authority in your life.

Faith is based on the truth and authority of the Scriptures.

The end of your faith is when you begin doubting the Word of God, and it stops carrying authority in your life.

The end of your faith is when you no longer live by the Word of God.

Multitudes of professing Christians in the church system today have departed from the real faith. Many no longer even believe the Scriptures are inspired of God.

In Luke 18:8, Jesus gives us the Parable of the Persistent Widow.

Apparently, there were some issues in her life that this woman wanted addressed, where she had been wronged and she wanted justice to be executed by this unrighteous judge.

I maintain that it is her persistence and not quitting and not giving up, in the face of all kinds of opposition (including petitioning before an unjust earthly judge, who could care less about her or her problems, that is the point here; and the way she maintains her faith, in the face of all types of obstacles, is by her keeping her relationship with the Source of her faith, who is Jesus living and vibrant, by keeping the fire of her faith burning, by being filled and refilled with the oil of the Holy Spirit everyday.

And so she is determined, offering her supplication (her legal petition) in the courtroom of Heaven until she gets her breakthrough.

Jesus ends this parable by saying that He will avenge all that is wrong in this world and that everyone will be held accountable for what they’ve done in their lifetime, including everything they’ve said (Rom. 14:10-12; Matt. 12:36).

Jesus is asking the rhetorical question, “Will not God give justice to his elect, who cry to him day and night?

Will he delay long over them” (Luke 18:7)?

The obvious answer is, of course, He will, and there will be no long delay when He returns.

The Bible is emphatic on this point, ”I tell you, Jesus will give justice to them speedily,” but this promise is to them who persevere and don’t give up!

And so the question is posed, “When the Son of Man comes, will he find faith on earth?”
———

Mon, December 6, 2021
Worthy Brief

TRIM YOUR LAMPS!

“Then the kingdom of heaven shall be likened to ten virgins who took their lamps and went out to meet the bridegroom.

Now five of them were wise, and five were foolish. Those who were foolish took their lamps and took no oil with them, but the wise took oil in their vessels with their lamps.

But while the bridegroom was delayed, they all slumbered and slept. And at midnight a cry was heard: ‘Behold, the bridegroom is coming; go out to meet him!’

Then all those virgins arose and trimmed their lamps. And the foolish said to the wise, ‘Give us some of your oil, for our lamps are going out.’

But the wise answered, saying, ‘No, lest there should not be enough for us and you; but go rather to those who sell, and buy for yourselves.’

And while they went to buy, the bridegroom came, and those who were ready went in with him to the wedding; and the door was shut.

Afterward the other virgins came also, saying, ‘Lord, Lord, open to us!’

But he answered and said, ‘Assuredly, I say to you, I do not know you.’

Watch therefore, for you know neither the day nor the hour in which the Son of Man is coming.”
— Matthew 25:1-13

As we conclude the final day of Chanukah, I want to focus on this parable.

This parable in Matthew 25 is a warning to the entire body — be ready with your oil!

Each of these virgins was anticipating the Lord’s return; none were atheists, or non-believers.

They were all virgins who claimed to be awaiting the Bridegroom’s arrival. But notice carefully that only half of them were truly ready.

In the ancient Temple era the Aaronic priests were in charge of lighting the lamp of God and keeping it burning.

Their main responsibilities included trimming the wicks, refilling the lamp constantly with fresh oil, and making sure it never burned out.

A clear parallel can be drawn between the Aaronic priesthood and the New Covenant priesthood of Melchizedek and Yeshua (Jesus). Both are responsible to keep the lamps burning!

Are you feeling burned out this Chanukah season? Then trim your wick by getting rid of the useless things in your life and diving deeper into His Word.

Are you feeling spiritually drained? Then wait on the Lord and ask Him for a fresh anointing.

Bearing the light of God is the responsibility of all true believers; you are the bearer of that light; so be reignited today and keep your lamps burning bright for Him. Let’s be wise virgins, anxiously awaiting His return!

Your family in the Lord with much agape love,

George, Baht Rivka, Elianna & Obadiah
Pahrump, Nevada
———

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Whatever you give to God He will multiply back to you…

There are dividends that accrue to those who take the time to wait upon the Lord; to discipline themselves, to prioritize and make room for God in their daily lives, that they may immerse themselves in His Word and in the Spirit, through our prayers and our meditation in His Word.

Matthew 6:31-34
The Message

30-33 “If God gives such attention to the appearance of wildflowers—most of which are never even seen—don’t you think he’ll attend to you, take pride in you, do his best for you?

What I’m trying to do here is to get you to relax, to not be so preoccupied with getting, so you can respond to God’s giving.

People who don’t know God and the way he works fuss over these things, but you know both God and how he works.

Steep your life in God-reality, God-initiative, God-provisions (in other words, “seek first the Kingdom of God and His righteousness – His way of doing things”).

Don’t worry about missing out. You’ll find all your everyday human concerns will be met.

34 “Give your entire attention to what God is doing right now, and don’t get worked up about what may or may not happen tomorrow.

God will help you deal with whatever hard things come up when the time comes.
———

Thu, Dec 02
The Spirit Filled Believer
Written by Dick Mills

THE PORTALS OF WISDOM

“Blessed is the man who listens to me, Watching daily at my gates, Waiting at the posts of my doors”
— Proverbs 8:34

Life is a learning process. Every day that goes by can add enrichment to it.

One of the requisites for the adding of spiritual knowledge is a teachable spirit. This verse encourages that kind of attitude.

Here wisdom is speaking to us. It is to our best advantage to be alert to hear what she has to say and to be receptive to her message.

We can find happiness by listening to wisdom’s pronouncements. We can also be blessed by being constantly on the lookout, watching daily for her.

This verse suggests an attentiveness that comes from total concentration on wisdom and her words.

In His multi-faceted wisdom (Eph. 3:10), God has so many things to reveal, unveil and unfold to those who wait upon Him faithfully and attentively.

It is as we seek Him, serve Him, and wait upon Him in daily prayer and meditation that He discloses to us ever new facets and perspectives of His limitless wisdom and knowledge.

Eternity will be a marvel to us. In the other world to which we are bound, you and I will be witnesses to a continuous display of God’s attributes, purposes and nature.

Instead of waiting till we all get to heaven to behold the majestic greatness of our God, we are invited to begin now.

A quest for knowledge is all we need to get started.

A teachable spirit will keep us going. A daily discipline of Bible reading and prayer communication sets us right at the portals of wisdom.

All this takes time, but the advantages of receiving God’s wisdom makes it all well worth the sacrifice.

Source: The Spirit-Filled Believer’s Daily Devotional by Dick Mills
———

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• 

The importance of our learning to get in sync and resonate with the Holy Spirit in our everyday walk…

This is the life that we each are destined to have with our Creator; and without that vertical connection with Him we are all like fish flopping around on the shores of life, looking for our way back home.

Psalm 139:16
Living Bible

“You saw me before I was born and scheduled (choreographed) each day of my life before I began to breathe. Every day was recorded in your book!”

Being led by the Spirit is like what happens when a woman is learning to follow the lead of her dance partner.

John 4:24
Amplified Bible

“God is spirit [the Source of life, yet invisible to mankind], and those who worship Him must worship in spirit and truth.”

Once we are born again we have access and are then able (through Jesus’ sacrifice and shed blood at Calvary’s Cross) to tap into the spiritual realm, where Adam and God had communion together before Adam’s fall.

This Divine connection comes only through the spirit and not through our flesh, nor through our intellect or natural thinking.

That’s why we are told to trust God with all of our heart and NOT lean on our understanding; to then acknowledge Him in ALL of our ways (by faith) and know that He is directing our steps (Prov 3:5-6).

From our birth, our flesh has always had control of our life, through our natural instincts and understanding, and it does not want to give up or relinquish control to our spirit man once we are born-again; but the problem is, you see, your flesh is not going to heaven and is 180° out of phase and sync with God.

The Apostle Paul said, “I discipline my body like an athlete, training it to do what it should” (1 Cor 9:27).

Galatians 5:17
“For the flesh desires what is contrary to the Spirit, and the Spirit what is contrary to the flesh. They are in conflict with each other, so that you are not to do whatever you want.”

Galatians 5:24
“Now those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires.”

We have to work at this because it doesn’t come naturally, and so we must practice following the Holy Spirit’s lead every day of our life, by learning to respond to those inward nudges and thoughts that spring forth from our innermost being, which are often ignored because they are easily mistaken for our thoughts.

Isaiah 30:21
“And your ears shall hear a word behind you, saying, “This is the way, walk in it,” when you turn to the right or when you turn to the left.”

Psalm 32:6-9
The Voice

6 So let all who are devoted to You
speak honestly to You now, while You are still listening.

For then when the floods come, surely the rushing water
will not even reach them.

7 You are my hiding place.
You will keep me out of trouble
and envelop me with songs that remind me I am free.

[Selah – pause and calmly think about this]

8 I will teach you and tell you the way to go and how to get there;

I will give you good counsel, and I will watch over you.

9 But don’t be stubborn and stupid like horses and mules
who, if not reined by leather and metal,
will run wild, ignoring their masters.
———

Charisma
STEP INTO THE RHYTHM OF THE HOLY SPIRIT
by Mark J. Chironna

Others may identify us based on our function and our role. But God sees us for who we truly are apart from all that: transparent, unashamed and following His lead.

Walking with God and experiencing Him in worship we discover that our destiny isn’t unfolded in a moment, but over the course of a lifetime.

The flow of destiny has a rhythm to it, a choreography. It reminds me of ballroom dancing (once you get the hang of it). It has that kind of feel.

I remember watching all the Fred Astaire and Ginger Rogers movies when I was growing up, in which the two partners flowed with elegance and grace on the dance floor.

They were so well attuned to each other that Ginger Rogers would follow Fred Astaire’s lead intuitively. She felt it, and she moved with the rhythm.

Then the time came when it was her moment to shine.

Though Astaire still led, he would bring her uniqueness and flair into the overall work of art they were weaving together, and he delighted in her while she performed.

She anticipated where he was going, and she could feel it the split second before he did it.

I was fascinated and inspired by the creative flow that took place on every dance floor, every stair and even the ceiling in those movies.

Wouldn’t you like to be in that kind of harmony with God–to dance with Him, as it were? I would.

Though the Scriptures are full of stories of men and women dancing, perhaps no account is as poignant as the story of David dancing before the Lord (see 2 Sam. 6:14).

The word for before in Hebrew means “face to face.”

In other words, this was not a solo performance by David in the presence of the children of Israel as he made his way to the heights of the mountains.

This was the visible David dancing face to face with his Invisible Partner, who took the lead and directed the flow of David’s steps in the direction He desired.

The steps (dance steps?) of a good man are ordered of the Lord (see Ps. 37:23).

David had to travel light if he was going to dance with God. He had to lay aside the garments of position, performance and external identity and put on the robe of transparency and self-disclosure.

Others may identify us based on our function and our role. But God sees us for who we truly are apart from all that: transparent, unashamed and following His lead.

In the dance to the higher places, our feet become more surefooted. We make the difficult thing look so easy that others observing us watch in awe and wonder.

But part of dancing with God as He unfolds our destiny is coming to the realization that life doesn’t arrive on our doorstep in a neat package.

Life can fool us and play tricks on us. Sometimes the very opposite of what we expect to happen takes place, and then we have to figure out a way to turn those moments of reversal into opportunities for seeing the goodness of God in the land of the living.

The “feel” of destiny is so different when we finally realize it doesn’t happen the way we thought it would or the way some fantasy book told us it would.

To partner and flow in a dance where two wills become one is an exquisite experience.

There is a flow that can’t be explained–it has to be experienced.

Rebellion Against the Word

We talk about believing the whole Word of God, but we ignore the parts that are hard to understand or that conflict with our notions about propriety, decorum and modern science.

The Bible says, “Is anyone among you sick? Let him call for the elders of the church, and let them pray over him, anointing him with oil” (James 5:14-15, NKJV).

If you belong to a church that believes the whole Bible, and you are sick but don’t present yourself to the elders for healing, then you are in rebellion against the Word of God.

The Bible has commanded you to call upon your elders, to receive their prayers and blessings, and to receive forgiveness for your sins.

Some believers are hurting, and some are in trouble or sick, yet they never call the church.

They’re self-sufficient. They want to do it themselves, or they just want the doctors to take care of it.

But you can’t do this alone. God put elders in the church to minister to your needs, and He commands you to come to Him through them for your healing.

Any time pride causes you to ignore the Word of God, you’re not living by kingdom principles but by a mind-set of pride and doubt from the very gates of hell.

And that kind of life simply cannot coexist with the life of the kingdom.

[Mark J. Chironna is the founder of The Master’s Touch International Church in Orlando, Florida.]
———

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We first must learn to cast the whole of our trust and reliance upon Jesus, who is the Captain of our ship and the Author and Finisher of our faith…

When in trouble, these are the necessary keys to enter into God’s presence:

Psalm 100:4
“Enter into His gates with thanksgiving, and into His courts with praise: be thankful unto Him, and bless His name.”

There is also a dress code requirement and certain other protocols that must be followed before we are allowed to enter into God’s presence.

First of all, we are ONLY allowed to come into God’s Presence by way of the blood of Jesus, and His propitious sacrifice on Calvary’s Cross; and when we do, the dress code requirement can be found in the book of Isaiah.

Isaiah the prophet said,

“The Spirit of the Lord God is upon me, because the Lord has anointed me to preach Good News unto the meek. He has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives, and the opening of the prison to them that are bound,

To appoint unto them that mourn in Zion, to give unto them beauty for ashes, the oil of JOY for mourning, the GARMENT OF PRAISE for the spirit of heaviness, that they might be called trees of righteousness, the planting of the Lord, that He might be glorified.”

And then Jesus, who is the fulfillment of Isaiah’s prophecy, announced in His first sermon, when He started His ministry. . .

“The Spirit of the Lord is upon Me, because He hath anointed Me to preach the Gospel (Good News) to the poor. He hath sent Me to heal the brokenhearted, to preach deliverance to the captives, and recovering of sight to the blind, to set at liberty them that are bruised, to preach the acceptable year of the Lord.”

And He closed the book, and He gave it again to the minister and sat down.

And the eyes of all those who were in the synagogue were fastened on Him.

And He began to say unto them,

‘THIS DAY IS THIS SCRIPTURE FULFILLED IN YOUR EARS.’”
(Luke 4:18-21)

The Bible makes it very clear that it’s ONLY through Jesus Christ and His shed blood, that we have access to come into God’s presence.

And the Bible even tells us that because of Jesus’ propitious sacrifice and shed blood that we can BOLDLY come into God’s presence:

“Having therefore, brethren, boldness to enter into the holiest by the blood of Jesus, by a new and living way, which he hath consecrated for us, through the veil…let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith” (Hebrews 10:19–20, 22).

“In whom we have boldness and access with confidence through faith in Him (Jesus).” (Ephesians 3:12)

The moment we believe in Jesus Christ for salvation from hell we are placed “in Christ” (Eph 1:13-14; 2:8-9).

This phrase “in Christ/Him” refers to how God sees us.

In the first three chapters of Ephesians, the apostle Paul has been focusing on how God sees us after we come to faith in Jesus.

As a member of Christ’s body, the church, I can approach God’s throne room in prayer with “boldness” and “confidence.”

The word “boldness” (parresia) literally means “all” (pa) “speech” (rhesis) or freedom to say all.

It conveys an attitude of openness that comes from freedom and a lack of fear.

The word “confidence” (pepoithesis) refers to being persuaded that God is Someone I can fully trust and rely upon, much like the confidence that a beloved child has towards his gracious and loving father.

But again this access is ONLY granted us through the Cross of Christ and His shed blood.

John 3:3, 5
3 Jesus answered and said to him, “Most assuredly, I say to you, unless one is born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.”

5 Jesus answered, “Most assuredly, I say to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God.”

And then again Jesus tells us in John 14:6,

“I am the Way, the Truth, and the Life; no man cometh unto the Father, but by Me.”

So the biblical protocols are that we first enter by way of Jesus’ shed blood and the cross of Calvary; and then after having been born again, we can then only “Enter into His gates with thanksgiving, and into His courts with praise!”

How many times in life, when we are in trouble and we’re facing overwhelming challenges (financial, sickness, or otherwise), do we ask God what is it you want me to do here?

Well in fulfillment of the prophetic scriptures, in the Old Testament, and having now been granted access into God’s presence, in the New Testament, through the propitious work of Jesus, this is what the Bible says we are to do in every situation:

1 Thessalonians 5:16-18

16 Rejoice evermore.

17 Pray without ceasing.

18 In EVERY THING give thanks, for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.

[Please note also, in verse 18, we’re not thanking God for all the bad things that happen in our life; but rather the reason why we’re told to thank Him in EVERY situation is because of the promise of Romans 8:28, which tells us that God will enter into every situation (the Good, the Bad and the Ugly) and He will work it for our good of those who love Him and are called according to His purpose.]

We should also know that the Bible tells us that the JOY of the Lord is our strength (Neh 8:10), but maybe what some of you don’t know is that to REJOICE means to return to that same JOY, that gives us the strength we need to face any challenge or battle in life, due to the faith, power and strength that Jesus brings to us, to face and overcome those challenges. Selah (let us pause and calmly think about that)
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Sun, November 21

God At Eventide
by Two Listeners

BE GLAD IN THE LORD

Wait before Me with a song of praise in your hearts. Sing unto Me a new song. There will always be something in each day for which to thank Me.

Acknowledge every little happening as a revelation of My Love and thought for you. Praise has the power to wash away the bitterness of life. Be glad in the Lord.

Rejoice evermore. Great is the heart’s “Thank You.”

As you learn to thank Me more and more you will more and more see Me in the little happenings, and increasingly see much about which to rejoice.

Praise and thanksgiving are the preservers of youth.

Now unto Him who is able to keep you from stumbling, and to make you stand in the presence of His glory blameless with great joy, to the only God our Savior, through Jesus Christ our Lord, be glory, majesty, dominion and authority, before all time and now and forever. Amen.
— Jude 1:24-25
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