To God be The glory, Amen

“Waiting on The LORD.”

Now just what does that mean? We have read (or heard of) the verse that says “A day is like a thousand years and a thousand years like a day.” 2 Peter 3:8 this seems impossible! But think on it. In God’s eyes His Son was just here. All history (which is essentially God’s story was turned around.) We can be as Adam and Eve and live much like they did. God not only comes in the ‘still of the eve’, but His Spirit is permanently encamped in us, if and when we realize and allow this to be the case

We can fellowship with Him all ways. How many of us know God is waiting and willing for us to throw the doors open? We can see from The Word that Moses and so many more had an awesome relationship with The LORD. We just pointed out that even his second in command Aaron and his sister spoke out against him, they were punished for it.

And the cloud departed from off the tabernacle; and, behold, Miriam became leprous, white as snow: and Aaron looked upon Miriam, and, behold, she was leprous. And Aaron said unto Moses, Alas, my lord, I beseech thee, lay not the sin upon us, wherein we have done foolishly, and wherein we have sinned. Let her not be as one dead, of whom the flesh is half consumed when he cometh out of his mother’s womb. And Moses cried unto the LORD, saying, Heal her now, O God, I beseech thee. And the LORD said unto Moses, If her father had but spit in her face, should she not be ashamed seven days? let her be shut out from the camp seven days, and after that let her be received in again. And Miriam was shut out from the camp seven days.

Numbers 12:10-15

So, in ‘waiting’ on The LORD, It might not be immediate for so many reasons. Ensure your life is right, then truly start to prayerfully and thankfully wait on Him.

We can break this down further, to wait on The LORD seems so very ‘droll’. We think/say “But God said I should ask, and I would receive. I’m asking…!!!”

Let’s address this. If you were to receive what you asked for in the here and now, what would happen? Think about it. We would so get used to asking and the immediacy of things. In truth, there is no ‘lesson’ there. A teaching point-Yes! But are we truly learning? We ask, we receive, we are happy full-stop/period. How about The thanksgiving? I can put this so many ways. One would say “I thanked God for this, of course I did…” But are your thanksgivings automatic and ‘spontaneous’ because you know you have to. Or are they from realizing that without God’s grace, the ‘chances’ were slim to none? A very brief story I have to share is I went to DMV the other day and realized in my ‘rush’ I had forgotten my wallet at home (now before you think I drove ‘illegally’, my mother took me!). I had waited on line not aware that I had forgotten my wallet at home. Then I was called. Ran though the rigmarole (actually found out that I had filled the wrong form), when all this was done, I was asked for my life sense. And you can imagine what happened next. I was sent home to ‘fetch’ the drivers license. Just what is a ‘testimony’ in that? You might ask. Hole on!

The week after, my mother again took me. She went for a walk-something she does often. Praise The LORD for His care and hand in and on her life. (More on this later). When we get back I walked straight to the line I had been before

There were three ‘clerks’ at the Windows, and I waited patiently. The first clear to be free was ‘right in front of me’. I brought out the paperwork (for a duplicate of my title of ownership); she decided just then she would head out to lunch. Turned the sign at her window to “out on break”. I then had to wait for one of the remaining two. Guess what? The same one who had attended to me the previous visit came free! And by the grace of God recognized me. All the paperwork was out and complete but there was a problem with the computer. She called over (and waited) for the next clerk who at the time was busy. To cut a long story short with prayer and a constant trust in God, she printed out the title there and then. I walked out of DMV with the title in my hands. There are many possible scenarios. She might have taken all the information and had it mailed, her PC might have acted up and she would have ‘allowed’ me to go home and wait for it to be sent, I ‘might’ have forgotten something (it wasn’t I ‘quick’ drive either.) The reason I share this is, so many things happen each and every day. Do we realize what the blessings are?

Stop here! Let us do something. Think back on the previous 24 hours (I am giving you time,) think of all the unexpected and surprising things that occurred. What would you have/have done without? And in this case, what can you do with what so ‘luckily’ fell in your lap? It is time (once again to realize that we have a special umpire in our corner.) Our ‘fight’ may not always be ‘fought’ for us, but the energy/power/ability comes from one source!

Believe that the God who saved you hears your cries (Micah 7:7).

Have you ever felt like your prayers are bouncing off the ceiling? Perhaps, like me, you have prayed for years about a concern, but God has seemed silent. That’s where God demonstrated his love and mercy towards us when we were still his enemies. Mind you, Man had sinned and we were apart from His will. I will be stubborn and ask, which one of you can truly say (and mean it) that they are without sin? It is not impossible, I am sure that there are many moments that we can answer this in the affirmative, that is great! Let is look to permanently be able to share (and say this).

He who did not spare his own Son, but gave him up for us all, how will he not also with him graciously give us all things? (Romans 8:32)

In other words, the cross is our guarantee that God is for us and is committed to give us everything we would ask for if we knew everything he knew. We can be content with that and wait patiently for his answers.

2. Watch with expectancy, but be prepared for unexpected answers (Psalm 5:3).

While God has been faithful to answer many of my prayers, it’s often been in far different ways than I would have anticipated! God knows that the only way to do what he and I both desire will, at times, involve varying degrees of discomfort in my life.

Growing in humility means pride has to be done away with. Learning to love like Jesus requires us to say no to self’s constant demand for selfish ambition, wanting our own way, and putting ourselves first. Growing in patience inevitably involves some form of waiting, whether in a long line at the grocery story or a lifetime for a loved one to come to Christ. When we lay our requests before him, it is by faith that we wait and watch in anticipation of God’s good work in us and others.

3. Put your hope in his Word (Psalm 130:5-6).

We can be tempted to put our hope in things that may disappoint us in the end. We can hope a doctor will heal us, a teacher will pass us, a spouse will love us, our employer will reward us, or a friend will help us. But it is only when we put our hope in Christ that we can wait with confidence and know we will not be put to shame.

It seems that God allows us to experience disappointments in life to teach us that nothing else will truly satisfy or provide us with a firm foundation to stand upon. God’s Word alone is unshakable. We can wait for the Lord knowing that, no matter how dark the night is, his light will break through in our lives, bringing abundant joy through a more intimate relationship with Christ.

4. Trust in the Lord, not in your own understanding (Proverbs 3:5-6).

But in your hearts revere Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect.

1 Peter 3:15

So, I read this and meditated on it. Are we asked? What makes you different??? Let me state it a different way. Is there or are there things that cause you to stand out among folks. I will do well to say that among believers, we should ‘fit’ in wonderfully well (we will touch on this when we discuss ‘faith’). What makes you different???

Ok, let me ask…before eating, do you hold and give thanks for the food? I can strip this down…aren’t there people alive that are hungry or in need of more. But, you sit down and are about to take it in. Give thanks! We have been asked to give thanks in all, do you??? We are about to spill over into a “gratitude” teaching; let us hold fast to where we are and what we set out to do.

Let us define ‘hope’. All we do encircled hope. Our lives, our ways, our beliefs, our all. Where do you want to be tomorrow? Our answer is…. Are you working toward it? Striving? We can look back and see just what we put in to be were we currently are. Look back. Did you know you’d be right where you are? It was a hope that your hard work would pay off. No? We live in hope, striving for the next nugget. Well in our Christian walk, we have the very self same hope.

We have not seen or lived, but we hope and live in hope that we will. Let us be a bit ‘unruly’ and take a moment to ask another brother or sister what there hope is. If they speak of there present hope, propel them forward and ask what their ultimate hope and goal is. It is not ‘kosher’ to speak about ‘end time’s’ with anyone at all. But, we did not say ‘end time’s’ rather “Where do you hope to be when your life is over?” Ok, there I get a look of “Aha! That is what you were driving at?”

So in asking we get a heap of answers, the main one goes “If Heaven is real, that is where I hope to be.” Back in the day; there might have been one or two people who had experienced a brief glimpse of where we will all end up. I in reading the Bible have run into accounts of a few. Most importantly, at the time these occurred technology to send this far and wide was unavailable, so we read about it in the here and now. How did people catch a whiff of what was coming? All comes down to hope.

I hope that I am doing right, or what I am doing will get me where I want to be (I should really say “hope to be”.) It is a definite, we as people have hopes and dreams. What are yours? Again we go down lists and lists of every form shape and size. We are clear with what we want-here!!! And after???

Once again, I will be a tad stubborn. If you were coming back to earth (recycled life). I say this because I have listened to one share about this. What can you do to ensure that your next round will be golden? I have so many suggestions, which we have shared in the past. But, I had to admit that not knowing where, when, as what we would be back makes that a very improbable answer or theory. Now, we are getting somewhere. A theory/concept, no?

All this from a verse, no? Shows why and what we have to meditate on His word day and night. Funny enough, that is in The Word, Psalm 1:2 to be precise: “But whose delight is in the law of the Lord,

and who meditates on his law day and night.”

I guess I should ask; “From where do you obtain your thrills and/or chills?” Kinda ‘freaky’, huh? All connected. We may not have realized it just yet, but as we begin to take a thrill in The Word, we will be revealed its ‘secrets’ that are out in the open and get chills as we realize what we may have missed for it becomes established in our Lives.

I guess we will end this with a thrill:

Your word, Lord, is eternal;

it stands firm in the Heavens.

Psalm 119:

And as we meditate on this, we are made to understand:

“Truly I tell you, whatever you bind on earth will bee bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will bef loosed in Heaven.”

“Again, truly I tell you that if two of you on Earth agree about anything they ask for, it will be done for them by my Father in Heaven.”

Matthew 18:18

So, in all things may we respond in gentleness and respect. In Love y’all, for that is our ‘new way’, Amen.

Chaper 17

“I am the Living bread that came down from Heaven. Anyone who eats this bread will live forever; and this bread, which I will offer so the world may live, is my flesh.”

– John 6:51

Must we ‘grub’ to stay healthy? No matter how ‘specific’ we get. Vegans, Vegetarians, standard Nutrition appreciates; we have to eat to be here, no?

We have the promise of ‘living’ bread. Happened and we were not aware. Our debts are played! Were taken on in all their fullness.

We have a way to sup. Believe in your Spirit that Jesus came for you, no one else. Might take a bit of realizing; you were the reason (among other people) that He came. Right now, I am focusing on you. In the verse it says Anyone who eats this bread will live forever… What does this mean?

For you Jesus came and died, He was put to a death that we could/can barely imagine, for us! We hear and in faith believe. Yes there is history. Even with history, stories change. But 2000+ years later the story has remained the same. Truism I call it, crystal clear fact.

We are left with the action we are to take: accept or deny. The choice is clear, a chose we must make. How do I put this? There are things in life we have to decide on; what to wear, what time to leave, when to get there…so many decisions. But there is one that answers all… If we take a moment to dress it down; we have all these decisions but they amount to one fact. The time, place, conditions, health status we cannot decide. Time, place, conditions, season, even reason….all is left to…chance.

So, we can make a decision now that becomes a part; the who and what we are. So, we must come to a decision.

This was said: “And whither I go ye know, and the way ye know.”

Can we guess who said this and to whom? A big clue is one of those spoken to was a doubter. But today, I ask you “Where are you going and how will you get there?”

GPS knowledge springs up….”a left, two rights, you’ll see a sign that says …” Stop! Did you really think I meant directions on and of how to get someplace? I meant some where, THE place! No matter where our lives take us there is that deep seated knowledge and hope that there is more. O will ask you “Is there?”

“What makes you believe?” Is it based on faith? Believing without seeing? That is where hope comes from. We have slices and diced it every which way and we are left ‘hoping’ that we trusted right.

Let me be a ‘bad guy’s for a minute. I will ask “How about if it comes to mean nothing at all?” Let me be stubborn and stand in another set oh shoes. “Even if I am proved wrong, when you look back on the way out. Could you or would you have done anything differently? We can be blatantly honest, No one to hear your response, even I the ‘askee’ is not present. All I can do is point our that living by the rules in The Word lead us to live lives that are above reproach. We in essence are in a great place. To have hope, to live it and ‘wait’ for the promise…is a way of life. Live it it peace and Spiritual excellence in Jesus’ name, Amen

(Daniel 3:15b)  “And who is that God that shall deliver you out of my hands”                           Therefore as you go out this day with your faith in God, the Lord will deliver you as He did for  the three Hebrew boys. He will open a new chapter in your life. He will defend His name. He will Speak peace to your life. He will demonstrate His power just to give you the last laugh. Your enemies will declare publicly the mighty power of God and your testimony shall be real. Many will follow you to serve your God. Amen

Jesus’ ‘brothers’ (I know what you are thinking, reason why I started with that. Awesome to start at shock and finish with awe!) said to him, “Leave here and go to Judea, where your followers can see your miracles!

You can’t become famous if you hide like this! If you can do such wonderful things, show yourself to the world!”

For even his brothers didn’t believe in him.

John 7:

3-5

Who exactly are these? Joseph’s children from his first marriage? Jesus’ relatives as in ‘cousin’s’ I have to admit that it is hard to figure out. This comes up yet other times; The Gospel of Mark 6:3 and the Gospel of Matthew 13:55-56 state that James, Joses (or Joseph), Judas, and Simon were the brothers of Jesus, The same verses also mention unnamed sisters of Jesus.

Being of direct African decent we called ‘cousins’ as we called siblings. I will give an example ‘Older male’ relative is àgbà arakunrin. If you switch that to ‘younger’ you get ‘aburo’. The simplest form is Sister/Brother which can be described as Egbon or Aburo. The specifics are not stated. But the most significant that settles this is siblings (if there were any) would have been there at the cross or with Mary. Before Jesus breathed His last, He committed the care of His Mother to John.

Then said He to the disciple, Behold your Mother! And from that hour that disciple took Her to his own home.

John 19:27

Again, should the ‘siblings’ who obviously knew of the signs and wonders not have been at the cross? Yet they were missing which draws a simple line across them being related in any way.

For me it draws a HUGE line under the virgin Mary. Born for a purpose and fulfilling that purpose. I have to point out that she was given a choice; we read-

In the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent from God to a city of Galilee named Nazareth, to a virgin betrothed to a man whose name was Joseph, of the house of David. And the virgin’s name was Mary. And he came to her and said, “Greetings, O favored one, the Lord is with you!” But she was greatly troubled at the saying, and tried to discern what sort of greeting this might be. And the angel said to her, “Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God. And behold, you will conceive in your womb and bear a son, and you shall call his name Jesus. He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High. And the Lord God will give to him the throne of his father David, and he will reign over the house of Jacob forever, and of his kingdom there will be no end.”

And Mary said to the angel, “How will this be, since I am a virgin?”

Not only was the birth of Jesus announced as Mary submitted to the will of God. But the birth of John the Baptist was foretold. We will get to that, but Mary went to wait on Elizabeth-John the baptist’ mother. Which we read about. As we have shared it is all connected! When we open our hearts, it all falls in place, Alleluia!

Believing God for healing.

So much has been shared in The Word about healing. Awesome this thing known as faith. The Word says if we have faith as a mustard seed, we will receive. Again, we don’t have to outright believe, but rather give God a chance! He stands politely at the door and knocks

If you want, open the door. Throw it open! There is untold joy, peace and fulfillment! At times, we have so much going on. We might not even realize it. Time to get down on your knees in your quiet place and seek the face of The LORD.

I was looking up “healing” and found these scripture references. There are tons more, a good place to start is with the basics.

My son, pay attention to what I say; listen closely to my words.  Do not let them out of your sight, keep them within your heart;  for they are life to those who find them and health to a man’s whole body.

Then they cried to the LORD in their trouble, and he saved them from their distress. He sent forth his word and healed them; he rescued them from the grave. Let them give thanks to the LORD for his unfailing love and his wonderful deeds for men.

Heal me, O LORD, and I will be healed; save me and I will be saved, for you are the one I praise.

Jeremiah 17:14

He said to her, “Daughter, your faith has healed you. Go in peace and be freed from your suffering.”

Mark 5:34

Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous man is powerful and effective.

James 5:16

There is so much that might stand in the way of you receiving. Search your heart! I love where the word says to be ‘born again’; teeter toddle, loose balance first. One day you will run. Our goal is to get the prize! To ‘age’ myself, I was ‘older’ or at least ‘old enough’ to remember when Carl Lewis ran in the Olympics and broke records. Prior there were others and since, his record has been beat. Point??? All these athletes started somewhere! For the most part, they crawled once. One day started walking, then jogging, then running. Practice, practice, practice then award time. Frankly, No one gets up and wins awards right out the gate. I may be wrong, but we all see Olympic champs, they work for what they have. Got faith? You worked for it!

Encourage those around you. Pray for and with them, make a difference. We shall one existence all be where there is no time, extent of ‘atmosphere’, limits. To place it simply. Even our enemy from birth, will be permanently placed away and we shall be in The presence of our God.

There are many rivers to cross prior to reaching this point, a thing (of many) that makes it easier is the fact that it is worth it! Think about it, you might have so much ‘suffering’ now, but that is for a ‘short time’s only. I know it seems like ‘everyrhing’ is topsy-turvy. That is for a period.

Trying to stay off The Word, I am drawn to nowhere else but the book of Job. As shared, when written, by whom etc is a lot of unknown. But, rather let us look for the example that is read. He had it all, yes! He worked for it, but that is part of the lesson too. No matter what he did, the first thing he did was to dedicate it with praise and thanksgiving to God.

Again, not knowing exactly when this was written is cause for a bit of ‘confusion’, we have a keen idea of when everything else was written. But, let us look at it closer for a second, it was written. The people discussed did exist, you know what? Let us say that it was all ‘fiction’ there is a lesson here. In a ‘world’ where people ‘lived’; they had or obtained what they needed. This individual (still on fiction) had what he had. Now, ‘God’ saw this and built a ‘fence’ around him. Lesson here, if we believe in God and trust that he controls our all. We are blessed to be under His care and Love.

Job lost all. Property, children, spouse, health and was asked to speak out and give up his Spirit. We see what his response was. For this ‘sharing’ we will cut it short and simple ‘Naked and without I came into this World, naked and without I may leave it.’ No matter how bad things got, he trusted in an unseen God.

Now, this brings a key point to the forefront. We have not seen God! We talk to Him! Why? It is called faith. Our Lives are made ‘easier’ when we trust this unseen force, so we trust ‘it’ more. You just made the point; we didn’t see yet trusted and received, so we trusted more and got more….see the pattern? We start small and aim BIG.

I guess this is good a place as any to pray. There are a lot of prayers, let us pray this from within and let it all go.

Father Lord, Mighty King Jesus and Ever Loving Holy Spirit. To You I come realizing that there is something I must be hoping on to that is restricting me from receiving that which You have given in full. I know I am before You, cleanse my heart, Lord not only because I desire healing, but to Your glory. If I may, I decree health and good fortune in Jesus’ name. Father, Your will be done in my life. I may want, if it is not your will, be glorified in all actions, thoughts and words from me. Today and always, I am blessed to be a part of Your Kingdom. Lord, I desire to see You. Joy overwhelms my heart at the prospect which I am only too pleased to decree that here and now and know that it is established in Heaven. Father, I know all strength, power and wisdom is from You. Strenthen me, empower me, grant me Your Spirit to lift me up out of this place that I am. In my life Lord be glorified. I thank You for Your word. Lord, give me a hunger for it always. Lord I am made in Your image with Your essence coursing through me. Lord, touch me and make me whole. I ask once again that though be glorified in and with my life for this short while I am here on earth, I pray in Jesus’ almighty name, Amen

A story that is His-story

We read and are struck by the sheer magnificence of His Glory, of His Love.

To him who alone doeth great wonders: for his mercy endureth for ever. To him that by wisdom made the heavens: for his mercy endureth for  To him that stretched out the earth above the waters: for his mercy endureth for ever. To him that made great lights: for his mercy endureth for ever: The sun to rule by day: for his mercy endureth for ever: The moon and stars to rule by night: for his mercy endureth for ever. To him that smote Egypt in their firstborn: for his mercy endureth for ever: And brought out Israel from among them: for his mercy endureth for ever: With a strong hand, and with a stretched out arm: for his mercy endureth for ever. To him which divided the Red sea into parts: for his mercy endureth for ever: And made Israel to pass through the midst of it: for his mercy endureth for ever: But overthrew Pharaoh and his host in the Red sea: for his mercy endureth for ever. To him which led his people through the wilderness: for his mercy endureth for ever. To him which smote great kings: for his mercy endureth for ever: And slew famous kings: for his mercy endureth for ever: Sihon king of the Amorites: for his mercy endureth for ever: And Og the king of Bashan: for his mercy endureth for ever: And gave their land for an heritage: for his mercy endureth for ever: Even an heritage unto Israel his servant: for his mercy endureth for ever. Who remembered us in our low estate: for his mercy endureth for ever: And hath redeemed us from our enemies: for his mercy endureth for ever. Who giveth food to all flesh: for his mercy endureth for ever. O give thanks unto the God of heaven: for his mercy endureth for ever.

Psalm 136: 4-26

If you are offered droves of money and  an existence with leisure in this life, just how could it be described? ‘Loot’ rolling in, note though- I did not say you were blessed. To be specific, blessings are from God. Loot is just that, it is ‘goods without definition’, We have to ask “From where???” It could mean so much If… But why do we use the word if? We are smitten by a fever that is want- we have to have, and then? I ask this question to make you think. Hopefully it touches a nerve. We have all we ever need, then? Point is, we are happy/content here, one again I ask, and then?

It sounded like I might have been a bit testy. I just stated that if here you have all you want and need, how about the next ‘life’, we discussed the ‘possibility’ of ‘recycling’. How then do you prepare for what is next? I have to state that this is THE question. Can anyone tell you what comes next? There is world history and people have existed for eons. I will state half jokingly “Have you met a cave person yet? Or at least an ancestor?” Let me be more serious. We are aware that this ‘Dude’ Jesus was. In His time, there were people, no? I do not think we can deny that He was. Agreed, as Christians, He changed The World!

We can look over history and there never has been any one that has literally changed the world like Him. Even if we admit we are not followers, there was this historical figure that existed and changed the course of His-story (and I refer to the ‘creating power’ that caused the world to be.

Let me point out another fact here’s the order of the planets, starting nearest the sun and working outward through the solar system: Mercury, Venus, Earth, Mars, Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus, Neptune — and Planet Nine. If being believers God created all, we can look deeper into this. We are such a distance that reasonable exposure to the son causes no problems. Seasons change, yet we have developed waus to ‘cope’. The closest object is the moon. Not enough sun, not big enough. Mars? Too far, no life? I can go on, but it gives a clear concept. Life is as it was created to be. In this realm, far enough away from the sun which provides warmth, heat, light.

Let me make a point that has possibly crossed our minds. Is there ‘life’ on other planets? We have sent out various technologies to explore our realm. Just was we have discussed, it would take years to go from planet to planet. We would arrive and have to figure out how to live. Where would you get the oxygen? The more I delve into this, the more it becomes clear that Earth was created for life! We are life! No other planet has what is needed for ‘life’. Not even the moon! So, we can assume that Earth was placed just so for humans and living life.

Mind you, we were created last! As caretakers of what was created. Furthermore, we – male and female were created in His image. As pointed out not that God in any way appears as us, but we are like Him. Yes, we are ‘little’ gods. Do we act like it? Or are we so caught up by what we are ‘missing’.

Repitition is no ‘sin’, in fact it is a blessing!

I set out to be filled with The Word (a hunger brewed within) and I ‘stumbled’ on a passage I had read prior. To read and meditate on The Word is called for. Out go all those ‘wilful’ self fulfilling thoughts. We don’t give them room at all, we give The Word room and we GROW therein!

Try it! I know we have done this before; what is your favorite or most ‘meaningful’ bible verse there is? Seriously! We agreed to not John 3:16 it. But rather encouraged 3:16’ing other books. We even read Psal 3:16 and Revelation 3:16. Any takers? Volunteers to say exactly what they say? I was moved to do this and hopefully it caught on. Amazing if you could start from Genesis and move through Revelations. That would be VERY impressive. But, the reason I was moved to do so was if there were excuses as to why The Word was ‘boring’, it would encourage reading, knowing and hopefully memorizing what is written.

I am aware that we have shied away from our topic. Let’s get reading!

Psalm 136

O give thanks unto the LORD; for he is good: for his mercy endureth for ever. O give thanks unto the God of gods: for his mercy endureth for ever. O give thanks to the Lord of lords: for his mercy endureth for ever.

Give thanks in all things. Hold on! god’s??? We are ‘little’ gods, we are created in His image. So, much respect we must give our leaders, they have ‘dominion’, but the ultimate dominion is to The creator of all. We just looked up the solar system, the planets, the sun and were struck by how ‘liveable’ Earth was. Far enough away from the sun that we get its warmth, far enough away that with knowledge we do not suffer solar radiation. We also took a ‘look’ at other planets, even ‘closest’ planets and realized that Earth is a perfect distance from the sun. Who created this? What wisdom and/or knowledge went into this? This makes us stand with our minds ablaze, jaws slack, mouth wide open.

We looked at the 7 days of creation. More came to heart. What is and was described as “days” were ‘periods’. Amazing that the creator of all would need to ‘rest’ on the 7th day. I was ‘lost’ trying to figure out the ‘Sabbath’, why Saturday for some and Sunday for others. Still in being in the ‘medical field’s, it was every day for some. Made me think. A week is a week, each c day like the day before. What makes them different? Yes, the Isrealites were told to keep a day ‘holy’, churches developed this. I will point out that each day is as ‘holy’ as we make it. Walk with The Lord and He will direct you, no matter the day, season or conditions. We live in a blessed time. In essence, we have a new ‘leading’. Yes, there are days for gathering unto the Lord. Important! Do not place these aside, the community of believers is essential for a multitude of reasons: agreeing as touching prayer points, learning The Word, listening to teachings. I have to state that there are so many things that wevinbour everyday miss and simply going to here does a boatload! So, do not neglect the gathering of yourselves together.

“Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching.”

Hebrews 10:25

As we shared, all connected! Amazing, no?

In our reading of Psalm 136 the key byline is “His love endures forever.” This comes after every verse! We can see this in:

1 Chronicles 16:34

Psalm 100:5

I decided to take a ‘smattering’ of both the old and new Testaments. The new is built on the old, but they speak of The Word of God.

Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good, for his steadfast love endures forever. Give thanks to the God of gods, for his steadfast love endures forever. Give thanks to the Lord of lords, for his steadfast love endures forever; to him who alone does great wonders, for his steadfast love endures forever; to him who by understanding made the heavens, for his steadfast love endures forever; …

Psalm 136:1-26

Oh give thanks to the Lord, for he is good; for his steadfast love endures forever! Let Israel say, “His steadfast love endures forever.” Let the house of Aaron say, “His steadfast love endures forever.” Let those who fear the Lord say, “His steadfast love endures forever.” Out of my distress I called on the Lord; the Lord answered me and set me free. …

29

Praise the Lord, all nations! Extol him, all peoples! For great is his steadfast love toward us, and the faithfulness of the Lord endures forever. Praise the Lord!

Psalm 117:1-2

Oh give thanks to the Lord, for he is good; for his steadfast love endures forever!

And when he had taken counsel with the people, he appointed those who were to sing to the Lord and praise him in holy attire, as they went before the army, and say, “Give thanks to the Lord, for his steadfast love endures forever.”

2 Chronicles 20:21

For I am sure that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers, nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.

39

But God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.

8

And the Lord said to me, “Go again, love a woman who is loved by another man and is an adulteress, even as the Lord loves the children of Israel, though they turn to other gods and love cakes of raisins.”

1

The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases; his mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning; great is your faithfulness.

Lamentations 3:22-23

See what kind of love the Father has given to us, that we should be called children of God; and so we are. The reason why the world does not know us is that it did not know him.

1

Oh give thanks to the Lord, for he is good; for his steadfast love endures forever!

Psalm 118:29

Oh give thanks to the Lord, for he is good; for his steadfast love endures forever! Let Israel say, “His steadfast love endures forever.” Let the house of Aaron say, “His steadfast love endures forever.” Let those who fear the Lord say, “His steadfast love endures forever.”

4

Oh give thanks to the Lord, for he is good, for his steadfast love endures forever! Let the redeemed of the Lord say so, whom he has redeemed from trouble and gathered in from the lands, from the east and from the west, from the north and from the south. Some wandered in desert wastes, finding no way to a city to dwell in; hungry and thirsty, their soul fainted within them.

Psalm 107:1-136:3

So that we would not conclude that it was a ‘singular’ individuals ‘way’ of writing, we took it from the different books and mixed it up.

One thing we have not done in a blink of is pray. Let us get busy!

Lord, He a enlu Father, Holy Spirit; You are one. You produced Jesus from Your heart, He is You. You would shock so many with Your presence, not only that, but when Jesus was ‘leaving’ He said You would send Your spirit to dwell in us. Lord, hallelujah! Cleanse me that I may be a worthy vessel for your will. Fill me so that I may spill over and touch many who need to be touched. Father, use me as You will. Thank You for each moment, it is another opportunity to show Your will and working in my Life. Hallelujah Spirit, for Your guidance and Love. Thank You Jesus, King of Heaven and of Earth. We bow before You, all authority is Yours. Lord, Your temptation and Your life were given up for me, as King I bow before you in deference to give You all honor. Thank You Lord. I am touched in Jesus’ name, I pray, Amen

My goal is that you and your brethren (in our words- and sister too) may be encouraged in heart and united in Love, so that you may have the full riches of complete understanding, in order that you may know the mystery of God, namely, Christ, in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge.

So, let’s get busy! Treasures??? We are about to get paid!!! Payday, payday! Alleluia!

He will be the sure foundation for your times, a rich store of salvation and wisdom and knowledge;

And ‘wisdom’ is the knowledge of God and in ‘knowing’ is wisdom.

The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom and the knowledge of the Holy One is understanding.

Proverbs 9:10

To practice what we preach, let us pray:

Do we have ‘wisdom’? Are we knowledge filled? As we go through trials, let us not that they are for a ‘short’ period. Lazarus was ‘dead’; his spirit had left his body. It was to and for the glory of God. What did He do as a believer for those days? I can tell you that where he was if he had a choice, he would have stayed. It is for the ‘comfort’ of our loved ones that many times we are brought through ‘trials’. Funny enough, Paul in his ministry said

Philippians 1:21–23

We can look at this many different ways. To pass away does not ‘automatically’ mean you are in Heaven, but the timeless afterlife. Yes, there is a positive and a negative as we shared, there no ‘time’ exists. You are here on Earth, then you pass and based on decision you are where decisions placed you.

As shared, I thought, the billion billion Spirits that have passed on would take eons to judge. I have a new view; there ‘time’ does not exist. Yes, we will be aware that we are ‘experiencing’ but it will be in a ‘timeless’ fashion.

We can read further what Paul says:

“According to my earnest expectation and hope that in nothing I shall be ashamed, but with all boldness, as always, so now also Christ will be magnified in my body, whether by life or by death. For to me, to live is Christ, and to die is gain. But if I live on in the flesh, this will mean fruit from my labor; yet what I shall choose I cannot tell. For I am hard-pressed between the two, having a desire to depart and be with Christ, which is far better”

Philippians 1:20–23

He makes this a bit complex to understand, but in faith as Christians our next stop is the final stop and it is filled with Glory.  To be with Christ is far better, but we have a job to do first. Believe? Not just that. Witness? Yup, that’s a part of it. Let me ask you this. The people you love, especially your family; wouldn’t you love to spend eternity with them? I am aware that I did not address ‘couples’, that is a given.

1. Prayer and Fasting

But when you pray, go into your room and shut the door and pray to your Father who is in secret. And your Father who sees in secret will reward you.…But when you fast, anoint your head and wash your face, that your fasting may not be seen by others but by your Father who is in secret. And your Father who sees in secret will reward you. Matthew 6:6, 17-18

The first guaranteed winner is prayer and fasting. God desires that his children seek him through faith-filled prayer and fasting, and he promises to reward those who earnestly seek him (Hebrews 11:6). Prayer is one of the chief ways we show our reliance on God and are able to know him. Be sure to put your stock in what God values and rewards, and make sure you are living a life characterized by seeking God through prayer and fasting.

2. Compassion for the vulnerable

Matthew 25:37-40

3. Bearing insults and being excluded for the name of Christ

Blessed are you when people hate you and when they exclude you and revile you and spurn your name as evil, on account of the Son of Man! Rejoice in that day, and leap for joy, for behold, your reward is great in heaven; for so their fathers did to the prophets. (Luke 6:22-23)

4. Generous giving

5. Hospitality that cannot be repaid

6. Love for your enemies

7. Endurance through pressures in ministry

2 Corinthians 4:17-18

So, we have a few things to ‘aim’ for. Everything in ‘wisdom’. That comes through praying and knowing The Lord.

Again, these are available online, but realizing that it is possible that you would not get to them, I share them here.

Praise as a key part of your life.

Make a joyful noise unto the LORD, all ye lands. Serve the LORD with gladness: come before his presence with singing. Know ye that the LORD he is God: it is he that hath made us, and not we ourselves; we are his people, and the sheep of his pasture. Enter into his gates with thanksgiving, and into his courts with praise: be thankful unto him, and bless his name. For the LORD is good; his mercy is everlasting; and his truth endureth to all generations.

Psalm 100:1-5

Several places in Scripture command us to make a joyful noise unto the Lord (Psalm 66:1; 95:1–2; 100:1; 1 Chronicles 15:16). The verses that follow explain what that means. For example, Psalm 98:4–6 says, “Make a joyful noise to the Lord, all the earth; break forth into joyous song and sing praises! Sing praises to the Lord with the lyre, with the lyre and the sound of melody! With trumpets and the sound of the horn make a joyful noise before the King, the Lord!” This psalm goes on to describe the sea roaring, the rivers clapping their hands, and the hills breaking forth in song. The picture is that of all creation joining together in noisy worship of God.

Not just praise, but allowing that indescribable joy to spill over!

People who cover over their sins will not prosper. But if they confess and forsake them, they will receive mercy.

Proverbs 28:13

Mercy is a joy! Too many times we live in denial. “The Nile is a river on Egypt”! Not a part of our Lives. To live appropriately- we need to confess, open up and let God in. When we do, we have all the reason to praise God. We are free to Live in and through God. Just how you might ask. We are given The Spirit who resides within us and fires us up.

To explain more the reason for praise is we were given a task. Care for The garden in Eden. Something that came to me was God did not speak to Eve, it was said to Adam that the fruit of all could be eaten except the fruit of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil. I received a forward which I will share with you and there is SO much to learn from it:

This is one of the best post I’ve read about *MEN*

By ​Myles Munroe……On Marriage & Relationships​

Ladies and Gentlemen,

This post is not for everybody. It’s for people who wish to get understanding.

★The word “Eden” is an Hebrew word for “where God dwells”, so the first thing God gave man was “His Presence”.

*(1)*So the first thing a man needs is NOT a woman; it is the presence of God, and a woman should meet him in the presence of God. Eve met Adam in Eden.

*(2)*The next thing God gave man after putting him in the Garden was WORK. (Gen. 2:15). God gave man work before giving him a woman. That means a man needs a job before he gets a woman. God’s priorities are very clear.

*(3)*The third thing God told man was “Cultivate”…… Cultivate here means, bring out the best in everything around you, to maximize the potentials of everything and everyone around you; to make everything fruithful. He only said that to the male. That’s why God will never give a man a finished woman. The male was created by God to create whatever he wants. The woman you are looking for doesn’t exist; she’s in your head. Your job is to take the raw material you married and cultivate her into the woman in your head. So you have been married for 20yrs and you still don’t like the product you get, that’s your *fault*.

*(3a)*If your wife is putting a little weight and you don’t like that, don’t criticize her; it’s your job to wake her at 6am, ” Hey baby, let’s go jogging”.

*(3b)*You don’t like her dress? Take her to a boutique and buy her clothes you like.

*(3c)* She can’t speak good English? Send her to school and pay her tuition fee. CULTIVATE HER!!!!

*(4)*The fourth thing God said to man was, “Guard the Garden”. The man has to be the protector of everything under his care. That’s why God gave you a stronger bone frame. A bigger muscle mass, not to abuse the woman, but to protect the woman.

*(5)*The last thing God gave man was his Word… God told man not to touch the tree; God never told the woman about the tree, NEVER!!!….. Which means it was the man WHO received the word of God and his job was to teach his wife the word of God.

*NOTE*: Nothing frustrates a woman like when she asks her man “So what do you think” and the dummy answers “what ever you think is OK”….or keeps quiet. ..Giving Silence…mmmm.

Don’t do that bro, don’t do that. She’s looking for knowledge and direction. That was the last command God gave to man in Vs 17.

★Now watch this: in verse 18, God said, “It is not good for this man to be alone”. Now, don’t just read the statement fast, read it again slowly, ” it is not good for THIS MAN to be alone”.

WHAT MAN???

Answer : The man who is:

*In his presence

*Has a job (working)

*Can Cultivate you

*Can protect you

*Can teach you.

So here’s the problem:

★ if you meet a man who doesn’t like God’s presence, isn’t working, can’t cultivate you, can’t protect you and can’t teach you, then…..

IT IS GOOD FOR THAT MAN TO BE ALONE….😂😂😂

This is a forward I received and it says so much. When we are as we should be. As we were created for and fulfilling the will of God, we have all things added to us.

What was clear is that there are Heavenly Angels and those who were cast out of Heaven for their desire to be ‘otherwise’.

How you are fallen from heaven,

    O Day Star, son of Dawn!

How you are cut down to the ground,

    you who laid the nations low!

You said in your heart,

    “I will ascend to heaven;

above the stars of God

    I will set my throne on high;

I will sit on the mount of assembly

    in the far reaches of the north;

I will ascend above the heights of the clouds;

    I will make myself like the Most High.”

But you are brought down to Sheol,

Isaiah 14:12-15

This is one of the most extensive accounts of the who and what happened. In essence, it explains all. We can see why Lucifer and his cohorts are desperate! Seeking who to exist with them in darkness, with no hope.

The angels cast out of  Heaven have set temporary ‘residence’ here on Earth.

The Bible teaches that fallen angels are invisible, supernatural, angelic, spirits created by God. Satan employs them as his immoral agents. After one-third of the heavenly angels sided with Satan, they were cast out of heaven to the earth (Revelation 12:4).

The Bible calls fallen angels devils, demons, evil, and unclean spirits. Their lust for power is matched with an evil mind, emotions, and will. In their present, restrained state, demon angels are awaiting God’s final judgment and their ultimate destination: God’s predestined, eternal hell, a place of “reserved everlasting chains.”

While the Bible doesn’t offer the exact number of angels, the hosts could outnumber people. Of all the multitudes of angels God created, fallen angels comprise one-third. Satan keeps demons in bondage to his will: corrupting humans to separate them from God.

God controls the universe — including Satan. However, He permits Satan to assign demons to activities and people to test. Demons tempt, accuse, and deceive. Demons dominate and captivate people who practice sin. Demons can inflict disease, ruining bodies and souls (Luke 9:42).

“For by him all things were created: things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or powers or rulers or authorities; all things were created by him and for him.”

Col 1:16

“However, as it is written: “No eye has seen, no ear has heard, no mind has conceived what God has prepared for those who love him.
1 Cor 2:9

Rev 20:12-13

This might get a little much. Let us pray, go back over it and move on.

Father Lord, we thank You for Your word. You have created life and set limits on all. We thank You and praise You for our lives, for the blessings we receive from You. Give us peace and patience to understand Your word. We thank You for all we have learned. Open our eyes, release our Spirits to understand even but a fraction of Your mystery. Father we thank You. In Jesus’ name, Amen

We started at praise and as we understand more and have our hearts open to the mystery, there is need to praise God for the part He plays in our lives.

Once in sharing with a sister who was going through a challenging time job loss, school loans due, mortgage and more. I was moved to share and I share because many have problems that words cannot come close to describing. But, read on…

You are constantly in my thanksgiving, for we are asked to give thanks in all things, No matter what it seems or is; there is a way! Your path was determined when you were in your mothers womb. There are children who never are born for whatever reason. People who try and try. In your life, as you trust Him- God WILL be glorified through you and in you in Jesus’ mighty name, Amen

I share this because I encourage us all to share, pray for each other. You know what A prayer group is a wonderful thing. Find another believer and start there. Things will start to ‘gel’, pray, share, encourage, enlighten- Be blessed.

I am drawn to think of when the Apostles went out to witness, things happened. When Paul was speaking a young man fell asleep (it was late), let us read:

On the first day of the week we came together to break bread. Paul spoke to the people and, because he intended to leave the next day, kept on talking until midnight. There were many lamps in the upstairs room where we were meeting. Seated in a window was a young man named Eutychus, who was sinking into a deep sleep as Paul talked on and on. When he was sound asleep, he fell to the ground from the third story and was picked up dead. Paul went down, threw himself on the young man and put his arms around him. “Don’t be alarmed,” he said. “He’s alive!” Then he went upstairs again and broke bread and ate. After talking until daylight, he left. The people took the young man home alive and were greatly comforted.

Acts 20:7-12

So many ways God is magnified. A ‘revival’ may take a while; what needs to be shared, needs to be shared. In this case Paul was leaving in the morning so even he went without sleep. The poor young man! But, he was blessed…a thir story window? Even in this day and age we could imagine the EMS, the ambulances, cop cars. But Paul threw himself on the lad. Sometimes, even we are moved to do things that don’t make ‘sense’. Think of it; a young man fell from the third story and was picked up dead. Hard to say but he must have asked the body to be placed down and he fell on it! Alleluia, a testimony! Hadn’t the body had enough ‘falling’? But, God was magnified! I guess there was no more sitting on windows or sills! Alleluia!

This moves us right into faith. Why would you be praise-licioisly rejoicing if you didn’t have faith? Let me be stubborn; is there a God? We have seen His work, it gives our potential ‘disbelief’ or lack of ‘faith’ a step back. Many chalk it up to ‘luck’. Let me ask “Is there really that much in this world?” Let’s just think on it. Believers, unbelievers God Loves you all. I can’t say ‘equally’ because in the case of Job, God spoke highly of him at the meeting of the Angels who came to present themselves to Him.

One day the angelsa came to present themselves before the Lord, and Satanb also came with them. Job 1:6

A topic we haven’t touched on is the care and Love Job had as a father for his children. They would celebrate and on bit their sisters, Job would call them and sacrifice on their behalf in case they had sinned or spoken against God.

Praise as a key part of your life.

Make a joyful noise unto the LORD, all ye lands. Serve the LORD with gladness: come before his presence with singing. Know ye that the LORD he is God: it is he that hath made us, and not we ourselves; we are his people, and the sheep of his pasture. Enter into his gates with thanksgiving, and into his courts with praise: be thankful unto him, and bless his name. For the LORD is good; his mercy is everlasting; and his truth endureth to all generations.

Psalm 100:1-5

Several places in Scripture command us to make a joyful noise unto the Lord (Psalm 66:1; 95:1–2; 100:1; 1 Chronicles 15:16). The verses that follow explain what that means. For example, Psalm 98:4–6 says, “Make a joyful noise to the Lord, all the earth; break forth into joyous song and sing praises! Sing praises to the Lord with the lyre, with the lyre and the sound of melody! With trumpets and the sound of the horn make a joyful noise before the King, the Lord!” This psalm goes on to describe the sea roaring, the rivers clapping their hands, and the hills breaking forth in song. The picture is that of all creation joining together in noisy worship of God.

Not just praise, but allowing that indescribable joy to spill over!

People who cover over their sins will not prosper. But if they confess and forsake them, they will receive mercy.

Proverbs 28:13

Mercy is a joy! Too many times we live in denial. “The Nile is a river on Egypt”! Not a part of our Lives. To live appropriately- we need to confess, open up and let God in. When we do, we have all the reason to praise God. We are free to Live in and through God. Just how you might ask. We are given The Spirit who resides within us and fires us up.

To explain more the reason for praise is we were given a task. Care for The garden in Eden. Something that came to me was God did not speak to Eve, it was said to Adam that the fruit of all could be eaten except the fruit of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil. I received a forward which I will share with you and there is SO much to learn from it:

This is one of the best post I’ve read about *MEN*

By ​Myles Munroe……On Marriage & Relationships​

Ladies and Gentlemen,

This post is not for everybody. It’s for people who wish to get understanding.

★The word “Eden” is an Hebrew word for “where God dwells”, so the first thing God gave man was “His Presence”.

*(1)*So the first thing a man needs is NOT a woman; it is the presence of God, and a woman should meet him in the presence of God. Eve met Adam in Eden.

*(2)*The next thing God gave man after putting him in the Garden was WORK. (Gen. 2:15). God gave man work before giving him a woman. That means a man needs a job before he gets a woman. God’s priorities are very clear.

*(3)*The third thing God told man was “Cultivate”…… Cultivate here means, bring out the best in everything around you, to maximize the potentials of everything and everyone around you; to make everything fruithful. He only said that to the male. That’s why God will never give a man a finished woman. The male was created by God to create whatever he wants. The woman you are looking for doesn’t exist; she’s in your head. Your job is to take the raw material you married and cultivate her into the woman in your head. So you have been married for 20yrs and you still don’t like the product you get, that’s your *fault*.

*(3a)*If your wife is putting a little weight and you don’t like that, don’t criticize her; it’s your job to wake her at 6am, ” Hey baby, let’s go jogging”.

*(3b)*You don’t like her dress? Take her to a boutique and buy her clothes you like.

*(3c)* She can’t speak good English? Send her to school and pay her tuition fee. CULTIVATE HER!!!!

*(4)*The fourth thing God said to man was, “Guard the Garden”. The man has to be the protector of everything under his care. That’s why God gave you a stronger bone frame. A bigger muscle mass, not to abuse the woman, but to protect the woman.

*(5)*The last thing God gave man was his Word… God told man not to touch the tree; God never told the woman about the tree, NEVER!!!….. Which means it was the man WHO received the word of God and his job was to teach his wife the word of God.

*NOTE*: Nothing frustrates a woman like when she asks her man “So what do you think” and the dummy answers “what ever you think is OK”….or keeps quiet. ..Giving Silence…mmmm.

Don’t do that bro, don’t do that. She’s looking for knowledge and direction. That was the last command God gave to man in Vs 17.

★Now watch this: in verse 18, God said, “It is not good for this man to be alone”. Now, don’t just read the statement fast, read it again slowly, ” it is not good for THIS MAN to be alone”.

WHAT MAN???

Answer : The man who is:

*In his presence

*Has a job (working)

*Can Cultivate you

*Can protect you

*Can teach you.

So here’s the problem:

★ if you meet a man who doesn’t like God’s presence, isn’t working, can’t cultivate you, can’t protect you and can’t teach you, then…..

IT IS GOOD FOR THAT MAN TO BE ALONE….😂😂😂

This is a forward I received and it says so much. When we are as we should be. As we were created for and fulfilling the will of God, we have all things added to us.

What was clear is that there are Heavenly Angels and those who were cast out of Heaven for their desire to be ‘otherwise’.

How you are fallen from heaven,

    O Day Star, son of Dawn!

How you are cut down to the ground,

    you who laid the nations low!

You said in your heart,

    “I will ascend to heaven;

above the stars of God

    I will set my throne on high;

I will sit on the mount of assembly

    in the far reaches of the north;

I will ascend above the heights of the clouds;

    I will make myself like the Most High.”

But you are brought down to Sheol,

Isaiah 14:12-15

This is one of the most extensive accounts of the who and what happened. In essence, it explains all. We can see why Lucifer and his cohorts are desperate! Seeking who to exist with them in darkness, with no hope.

The angels cast out of  Heaven have set temporary ‘residence’ here on Earth.

The Bible teaches that fallen angels are invisible, supernatural, angelic, spirits created by God. Satan employs them as his immoral agents. After one-third of the heavenly angels sided with Satan, they were cast out of heaven to the earth (Revelation 12:4).

The Bible calls fallen angels devils, demons, evil, and unclean spirits. Their lust for power is matched with an evil mind, emotions, and will. In their present, restrained state, demon angels are awaiting God’s final judgment and their ultimate destination: God’s predestined, eternal hell, a place of “reserved everlasting chains.”

While the Bible doesn’t offer the exact number of angels, the hosts could outnumber people. Of all the multitudes of angels God created, fallen angels comprise one-third. Satan keeps demons in bondage to his will: corrupting humans to separate them from God.

God controls the universe — including Satan. However, He permits Satan to assign demons to activities and people to test. Demons tempt, accuse, and deceive. Demons dominate and captivate people who practice sin. Demons can inflict disease, ruining bodies and souls (Luke 9:42).

“For by him all things were created: things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or powers or rulers or authorities; all things were created by him and for him.”

Col 1:16

“However, as it is written: “No eye has seen, no ear has heard, no mind has conceived what God has prepared for those who love him.
1 Cor 2:9

Rev 20:12-13

This might get a little much. Let us pray, go back over it and move on.

Father Lord, we thank You for Your word. You have created life and set limits on all. We thank You and praise You for our lives, for the blessings we receive from You. Give us peace and patience to understand Your word. We thank You for all we have learned. Open our eyes, release our Spirits to understand even but a fraction of Your mystery. Father we thank You. In Jesus’ name, Amen

We started at praise and as we understand more and have our hearts open to the mystery, there is need to praise God for the part He plays in our lives.

Once in sharing with a sister who was going through a challenging time job loss, school loans due, mortgage and more. I was moved to share and I share because many have problems that words cannot come close to describing. But, read on…

You are constantly in my thanksgiving, for we are asked to give thanks in all things, No matter what it seems or is; there is a way! Your path was determined when you were in your mothers womb. There are children who never are born for whatever reason. People who try and try. In your life, as you trust Him- God WILL be glorified through you and in you in Jesus’ mighty name, Amen

I share this because I encourage us all to share, pray for each other. You know what A prayer group is a wonderful thing. Find another believer and start there. Things will start to ‘gel’, pray, share, encourage, enlighten- Be blessed.

I am drawn to think of when the Apostles went out to witness, things happened. When Paul was speaking a young man fell asleep (it was late), let us read:

On the first day of the week we came together to break bread. Paul spoke to the people and, because he intended to leave the next day, kept on talking until midnight. There were many lamps in the upstairs room where we were meeting. Seated in a window was a young man named Eutychus, who was sinking into a deep sleep as Paul talked on and on. When he was sound asleep, he fell to the ground from the third story and was picked up dead. Paul went down, threw himself on the young man and put his arms around him. “Don’t be alarmed,” he said. “He’s alive!” Then he went upstairs again and broke bread and ate. After talking until daylight, he left. The people took the young man home alive and were greatly comforted.

Acts 20:7-12

So many ways God is magnified. A ‘revival’ may take a while; what needs to be shared, needs to be shared. In this case Paul was leaving in the morning so even he went without sleep. The poor young man! But, he was blessed…a thir story window? Even in this day and age we could imagine the EMS, the ambulances, cop cars. But Paul threw himself on the lad. Sometimes, even we are moved to do things that don’t make ‘sense’. Think of it; a young man fell from the third story and was picked up dead. Hard to say but he must have asked the body to be placed down and he fell on it! Alleluia, a testimony! Hadn’t the body had enough ‘falling’? But, God was magnified! I guess there was no more sitting on windows or sills! Alleluia!

This moves us right into faith. Why would you be praise-licioisly rejoicing if you didn’t have faith? Let me be stubborn; is there a God? We have seen His work, it gives our potential ‘disbelief’ or lack of ‘faith’ a step back. Many chalk it up to ‘luck’. Let me ask “Is there really that much in this world?” Let’s just think on it. Believers, unbelievers God Loves you all. I can’t say ‘equally’ because in the case of Job, God spoke highly of him at the meeting of the Angels who came to present themselves to Him.

One day the angelsa came to present themselves before the Lord, and Satanb also came with them. Job 1:6

A topic we haven’t touched on is the care and Love Job had as a father for his children. They would celebrate and on bit their sisters, Job would call them and sacrifice on their behalf in case they had sinned or spoken against God.