#ScriptureReflection - Galatians 6 (10.25.18)

Doing Good to All

6 Brothers and sisters, if someone is caught in a sin, you who live by the Spirit should restore that person gently. But watch yourselves, or you also may be tempted. ² Carry each other’s burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ. ³ If anyone thinks they are something when they are not, they deceive themselves. ⁴ Each one should test their own actions. Then they can take pride in themselves alone, without comparing themselves to someone else, ⁵ for each one should carry their own load. ⁶ Nevertheless, the one who receives instruction in the word should share all good things with their instructor.

⁷ Do not be deceived: God cannot be mocked. A man reaps what he sows. ⁸ Whoever sows to please their flesh, from the flesh will reap destruction; whoever sows to please the Spirit, from the Spirit will reap eternal life. ⁹ Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up. ¹⁰ Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, especially to those who belong to the family of believers.

Not Circumcision but the New Creation

¹¹ See what large letters I use as I write to you with my own hand!

¹² Those who want to impress people by means of the flesh are trying to compel you to be circumcised. The only reason they do this is to avoid being persecuted for the cross of Christ. ¹³ Not even those who are circumcised keep the law, yet they want you to be circumcised that they may boast about your circumcision in the flesh. ¹⁴ May I never boast except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, through which the world has been crucified to me, and I to the world. ¹⁵ Neither circumcision nor uncircumcision means anything; what counts is the new creation. ¹⁶ Peace and mercy to all who follow this rule—to the Israel of God.

¹⁷ From now on, let no one cause me trouble, for I bear on my body the marks of Jesus.

¹⁸ The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit, brothers and sisters. Amen.

Break Every Chain with Praise (10.24.18)

Around midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to GOD, and the other prisoners were listening. 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! - Acts 16:25-26   

My Child,
I Delight in the praises of My People, and I Am moving by My Holy Spirit; drawing people into a closer relationship and dependency on Me.  I Want My People to praise Me in all times.  I want you to praise Me when your spirit is crushed, when your heart is broken, from the things of this world. 

Praise Me, for I Am so close to the brokenhearted
     and those down in the spirit. 
Lift up your voice and praise Me, for I inhabit
     the praises of My people. 
Come close and praise Me, always.

Yes, praise Me in the good times, in the challenging times, even in those times when it is hard to praise Me; for I Am here for you.  I Am your mountain mover, and as you draw nigh unto Me with praises; My Presence will come down from Heaven and cause a change to happen all around you. 

As you praise Me, you shall feel My Presence, and in My Presence is the fullness of joy.  In My Presence, there is freedom, liberty, and much joy; and My Presence will break every chain.

I Am the great I AM, your Deliverer and as you draw close to Me, you will have freedom from the chains that bind you. 

Remember when Paul and Silas were in prison, bound with chains and having endured a beating, they both decided to praise Me in the midst of their situation.  My Presence came down and broke the chains which held them captive.  An act of intimacy and worship brought about a mighty miracle, their chains were broken and the guard was saved by My Presence, all because they chose to praise Me.

So, My people, draw close to Me and praise Me. 

During your time of tribulation, enter into a Spirit of Praise and Thanksgiving, to break free of the chains which have come against you.  Oh, I inhabit the praises of My People who wholeheartedly come into fellowship and adoration, as they praise Me.  Yes, come to Me. 

I Am the great I AM, and as you praise Me,
     I Will set you free from the heavy yokes
     and chains of this life.

Now, continually let your lips bring
     sacrifices of praises to Me and
     BREAK EVERY CHAIN WITH PRAISE.

 

 

READ AND MEDITATE ON GOD'S WORD:
1 Chronicles 23:30 - And to stand every morning to thank and praise the LORD, and likewise at even;

Psalm 34:18 - The LORD is close to the brokenhearted; he rescues those whose spirits are crushed.

Psalm 119:62 - At midnight I rise to praise you, because of your righteous rules.

Psalm 119:164 - Seven times a day I praise you for your righteous rules.

Isaiah 9:4 - For you will break the yoke of their slavery and lift the heavy burden from their shoulders. You will break the oppressor’s rod, just as you did when you destroyed the army of Midian

Ezekiel 34:27 - And the trees of the field shall yield their fruit, and the earth shall yield its increase, and they shall be secure in their land. And they shall know that I am the LORD when I break the bars of their yoke and deliver them from the hand of those who enslaved them.

Ephesians 5:20 - Giving thanks always for all things unto GOD and the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ; 

#ScriptureReflection - Luke 12:39-48 (10.23.18)

Jesus said to his disciples:
“Be sure of this:
if the master of the house had known the hour
when the thief was coming,
he would not have let his house be broken into.
You also must be prepared,
for at an hour you do not expect, the Son of Man will come.”

Then Peter said,
“Lord, is this parable meant for us or for everyone?”
And the Lord replied,
“Who, then, is the faithful and prudent steward
whom the master will put in charge of his servants
to distribute the food allowance at the proper time?
Blessed is that servant whom his master on arrival finds doing so.
Truly, I say to you, he will put him
in charge of all his property.
But if that servant says to himself,
‘My master is delayed in coming,’
and begins to beat the menservants and the maidservants,
to eat and drink and get drunk,
then that servant’s master will come
on an unexpected day and at an unknown hour
and will punish the servant severely
and assign him a place with the unfaithful.
That servant who knew his master’s will
but did not make preparations nor act in accord with his will
shall be beaten severely;
and the servant who was ignorant of his master’s will
but acted in a way deserving of a severe beating
shall be beaten only lightly.
Much will be required of the person entrusted with much,
and still more will be demanded of the person entrusted with more.”

God Has a Plan For You. You Cannot Fail. You are His Created Work... (10.22.18)

Failures?

Beloved,
I had a plan for you even before I said, "Let there be light!"
     and that plan did not include failing.

Each of you have been given special gifts, visions, and revelations; all orchestrated by Me, for what I Have called you to do. Failures?  No, My Plan for you did not include failing.  I Know you see your visions and dreams fading away; but My Child, I Say 'open your spiritual eyes and stop looking at circumstances through your natural eyes.'  

 

You must walk by faith, and not by sight.

Beloved, I Have given you visions and dreams for the future. You have examined them, and it may appear to you that these dreams are too big for your abilities; so you think.  However, I Say to you, no dream is too big for ME to fulfill.   It was Me who put these dreams in your heart; and it will be Me who will bring those dreams to pass. 

Beloved, you will not fail.

You cannot fail with Me on your side, for you are My Created Work.  Even when you feel you may be drifting away, I Will pull you back in, because I Have a plan for you.

So, lay your concerns about failing aside.
Failing is not part of My Plan for your life.

Finally Beloved, I will never change My Mind. I Know your circumstances may seem to contradict this; but the facts remain... I HAVE PLANS FOR YOU, and I Will never change My Mind about the people I have called.

I Know your needs, and remember I Am a master planner. 
Trust Me and have faith in Me. 
I Will work everything out.

I Have a plan for you, and
     it is going to amaze you!

Walk by faith and not by sight.

 

 

Read and Meditate on GOD's Word

Jeremiah 29:11 - For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith the LORD, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you an expected end. 

Ephesians 1:3-4 - Blessed be the GOD and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who hath blessed us with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ: According as he hath chosen us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before him in love:
 
Romans 11:29 - For the gifts and calling of GOD are without repentance. 

  

Your Kingdom Come, Your Will Be Done..... (10.21.18)

…your kingdom come, your will be done on earth as it is in heaven - Matthew 6:10

Faith Believers,
The Kingdom of Heaven and the Holy Spirit’s presence and Your power are connected.

It is very clear, from the teaching's of Jesus, that our Lord was intimately concerned about the coming Kingdom of His Father. That is the sense of this second line from the Lord’s Prayer.

In fact, it is striking that Jesus told us to ask for that Kingdom to come, as if our prayers in this matter would make a difference. In fact, they do. There is a sense in which the Kingdom of Heaven is coming, where there will be an end to time; when all evil will be destroyed and truth will prevail.

But there is another sense in which the Kingdom of GOD is already here; and that is by the presence and power of the Holy Spirit.  Read Acts 1:1-11 and underline all of the references to the Kingdom and the Holy Spirit.

  -  Marilyn

~ Prayer ~
Lord,

Your Kingdom is now…and Your Kingdom is not yet.

What an incredible mystery, and yet it compels me to pray!
What an incredible privilege You have given to Your People!

Through the power and presence of Your Holy Spirit, my prayers make a difference in Heaven, for the sake of what is happening on the earth.

May I never take for granted this grace-filled gift of prayer and intercession, which allows my heart to give a voice to what is in Your Heart.

May Your Will be done on earth, as it is in Heaven!

Amen

#ScriptureReflection - Proverbs 22 (10.20.18)

22 A good name is more desirable than great riches;
    to be esteemed is better than silver or gold.

2 Rich and poor have this in common:
    The Lord is the Maker of them all.

3 The prudent see danger and take refuge,
    but the simple keep going and pay the penalty.

4 Humility is the fear of the Lord;
    its wages are riches and honor and life.

5 In the paths of the wicked are snares and pitfalls,
    but those who would preserve their life stay far from them.

6 Start children off on the way they should go,
    and even when they are old they will not turn from it.

7 The rich rule over the poor,
    and the borrower is slave to the lender.

8 Whoever sows injustice reaps calamity,
    and the rod they wield in fury will be broken.

9 The generous will themselves be blessed,
    for they share their food with the poor.

10 Drive out the mocker, and out goes strife;
    quarrels and insults are ended.

11 One who loves a pure heart and who speaks with grace
    will have the king for a friend.

12 The eyes of the Lord keep watch over knowledge,
    but he frustrates the words of the unfaithful.

13 The sluggard says, “There’s a lion outside!
    I’ll be killed in the public square!”

14 The mouth of an adulterous woman is a deep pit;
    a man who is under the Lord’s wrath falls into it.

15 Folly is bound up in the heart of a child,
    but the rod of discipline will drive it far away.

16 One who oppresses the poor to increase his wealth
    and one who gives gifts to the rich—both come to poverty.

Thirty Sayings of the Wise

Saying 1

17 Pay attention and turn your ear to the sayings of the wise;
    apply your heart to what I teach,
18 for it is pleasing when you keep them in your heart
    and have all of them ready on your lips.
19 So that your trust may be in the Lord,
    I teach you today, even you.
20 Have I not written thirty sayings for you,
    sayings of counsel and knowledge,
21 teaching you to be honest and to speak the truth,
    so that you bring back truthful reports
    to those you serve?

Saying 2

22 Do not exploit the poor because they are poor
    and do not crush the needy in court,
23 for the Lord will take up their case
    and will exact life for life.

Saying 3

24 Do not make friends with a hot-tempered person,
    do not associate with one easily angered,
25 or you may learn their ways
    and get yourself ensnared.

Saying 4

26 Do not be one who shakes hands in pledge
    or puts up security for debts;
27 if you lack the means to pay,
    your very bed will be snatched from under you.

Saying 5

28 Do not move an ancient boundary stone
    set up by your ancestors.

Saying 6

29 Do you see someone skilled in their work?
    They will serve before kings;
    they will not serve before officials of low rank.

Honoring Your Request (10.19.18)

My Child,
I know you’ve been crying out for more of Me.

I Am going to honor your request and give you
     the desires of your heart.

Beloved, you do not have to be stressed anymore, come into the shelter of My Arms. I See the doubt that’s been lingering in your mind, trying to make you believe you are not delivered. I Have also seen you silently struggling with fear of failure.

However, do not worry - for I Am with you.
I heard you, and I Am honoring your request.
I Have called you and anointed you for great things.

You are My Warrior, and I have given you the words you need. My Words are very powerful and nothing can stand against the power of My Words.

You will speak them forth in ways,
     you never thought you would.
You will speak into existence all
     that I have placed in your heart.
You shall bring honor to My Name,
     for what I Have done in you, and for you.

No longer worry about whether you are in the right place or not, because you are.

I Have placed you exactly where you need to be.

Come My Child, rest in Me, let Me show you
     how much I Love you as I Honor your request.

Come now and rest in Me.


  

READ AND MEDITATE ON HIS WORD

Psalm 37:4 - Delight thyself also in the LORD, and he shall give thee the desires of thine heart

Isaiah 28:12 - To whom he said, This is the rest wherewith ye may cause the weary to rest, and this is the refreshing:

Isaiah 50:4 - The Lord GOD hath given me the tongue of the learned, that I should know how to speak a word in season to him that is weary: he wakeneth morning by morning he wakeneth mine ear to hear as the learned.

Ephesians 4:23 - And be renewed in the spirit of your mind;

Philippians 4:6-7 - Be careful for nothing; but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto GOD. And the peace of GOD, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus. 

Today, Will You Rise Above Your Circumstances? God Wants to Bless Us Indeed. It Is Time to Rise to a New Life!! (10.18.18)

Faith Believers,
Let's rise above our circumstances and ask
     our Almighty, Loving Father to bless us!!

It is time that we rise above the things which have held us back or kept us down.

It is time to rise to a new life!
We are to shine for our Master!
We are to be radiant with the Glory of the Lord, for our light has come, and the Glory of the Lord has risen upon us. Isaiah 60:1

       

How often do we tend to focus on negative situations and they hold us down, when really we should rise above that circumstance and ask GOD to bless us; even while we are in the trial.

What about today?  Whatever you are facing ask our Loving Father, who has blessings untold for you, to bless you. Ask for His Favor wherever you go today, and in all that you do, despite the trials that you may find yourself in.

Today, will you rise above your circumstance?

If we only knew what GOD has waiting for us, we would reach up to our Loving Father and change our depression or weakness, into joy and strength.

GOD has a hard time pouring out His wonderful, loving blessings upon His Children that live downcast and can't seem to lift up their faces to call upon His Name.

He wants to bless us, indeed!

       

It is so much easier to ask our Father to bless us when we take time to acknowledge Him for Who He is.

So we need to focus on Jehovah Jireh and His Goodness.

You can't go wrong by choosing, even in the midst of your circumstance, to give praise and worship to the Father. Then cry out 'O God, bless me today!' He loves that cry!

       

Will you, today, lift your face to Jesus
     and acknowledge Who He Is?
Tell Him you love Him and trust Him.
Then ask for His Blessings and His Favor on your life today!

       

Have a blessed day and may GOD bless you,
     today and forever.
  -  Marilyn

       

#ScriptureReflection - Ezekiel 36:24-28 (10.17.18)

24 “‘For I will take you out of the nations; I will gather you from all the countries and bring you back into your own land. 25 I will sprinkle clean water on you, and you will be clean; I will cleanse you from all your impurities and from all your idols. 26 I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit in you; I will remove from you your heart of stone and give you a heart of flesh. 27 And I will put my Spirit in you and move you to follow my decrees and be careful to keep my laws. 28 Then you will live in the land I gave your ancestors; you will be my people, and I will be your God.

Only the Pure of Heart... (10.16.18)

But your iniquities have separated you from your GOD; and your sins have hidden His face from you so that He will not hear. - Isaiah 59:2

Faith Believers,
When we come into the presence of GOD, we will always behold one outstanding characteristic of His Nature: His Holiness.

There is not a blemish in God.  Purity and impurity do not mix. If we are to have intimate fellowship with a Holy GOD, then we must be clean before Him. David asked a question in Psalms 24, “Who may ascend into the hill of the LORD? Or who may stand in His holy place?” He then answered his own question by saying, “He who has clean hands and a pure heart, who has not lifted up his soul to an idol, nor sworn deceitfully” (Psalm 24:3-4).

Only the pure in heart will be able to enter
     into the presence of GOD
     and discover intimacy with Him.

Sin in the life of the believer hinders intimate fellowship with GOD.

GOD is holy. When sin resides within the heart of a Disciple of Jesus, it is impossible for that disciple to walk in a deep, intimate fellowship with The One who is absolute purity. We must confess our sins, and “He [will be] faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness” (1 John. 1:9).

~ Prayer ~
Father GOD,

Continue to create a pure heart within me, and help me to be continually aware of anything that has become an idol in my life.

Search me and reveal anything that sets my soul on a sinful path.
I want to walk in intimate fellowship with You, Father. 
Reveal insincerity or anything that threatens our relationship.

Transform me by the renewing of my mind and give me the perseverance to lean into Christ-likeness for the sake of people who love You, and those who have yet to claim Your Son as Savior and Lord.

Amen

Praise the Name of Jehovah-Jireh, “the Lord will provide.”

Thank GOD, for He has given you everything you need for life and health. Confess to Him the times when you have hesitated to give a kind word or encouragement or forgiveness, to another person.

Commit yourself to reflecting on GOD’s generosity and open-handed
       love and how to share those things with a difficult person in your life.

Ask GOD to give you an extra portion of His Spirit as you strive to reflect His character.

If there is a specific need in your family that only GOD can provide, commit this need to Him in the faith that He Will supply it abundantly (2 Corinthians 9:8).

  -  Marilyn