“I bless the Lord who gives me counsel; in the night also my heart instructs me.” Psalm 16:7.  “My soul will be satisfied as with fat and rich food, and my mouth will praise you with joyful lips, when I remember you upon my bed, and meditate on you in the watches of the night.” Psalm 63:5-6.

Many times I find myself waking up from sleep with a word from God or a praise to God in my mind.  I know it was not initiated by my own thinking because it is in my mind the moment I wake up before I have time to get oriented to get my mind working myself.  It has always been clear to me that this was placed there by the Holy Spirit in the watches of the night.  This is confirmed by the scriptures above which teach that the Lord gives counsel and praises even while a Christian sleeps.  The word for “heart” is actually better translated “kidneys”.  The kidneys and their fat were always to be burnt in sacrifice, to indicate that the most secret purposes and affections of the soul are to be devoted to God.

My waking thoughts from the Holy Spirit are always an application of Scripture and sometimes seem profound.  However, more often they are simple reminders of spiritual applications that relate to something that is going on in my life.  Today I had one of those experiences as I woke up with the clear message that “Not only do I hear your prayers but I act on them”.  Nothing profound – something all Christians believe but it related to prayers I had been recently making requesting God to move on a particular matter in my life to which I have heard no answer or seeming action from the Lord.  It was strongly indicated that there was more emphasis on the part “I act on it”.  It made a great impression on me and reminded me, weak as I am in my faith, that God always acts on our prayers even if we see no tangible evidence.  Sometimes he chooses not to act, or delays acting in our best interests but he is always acting on our prayers.

This morning message from the Holy Spirit was a great encouragement to me as all of them are.  I wonder if the Lord can better communicate with me when I am asleep and have no distractions.  This reminds me to dedicate more quiet devotion time with Him during the day.  In any event, I look forward to future morning instruction from my Lord!

Praise God, from whom all blessings flow; Praise Him, all creatures here below; Praise Him above, ye heavenly host: Praise Father, Son, and Holy Ghost. Amen

This hymn is well supported in scripture.  Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows.” (James 1 :17).  God is all about blessing His people and even those who scarcely deserve it, but really no one deserves anything.  Love flows from God as seen in our provision, our relationships, our very life.

Are you constantly strapped for money?  Does it seem that just as you get a little cushion something comes along to swallow it up?  Do you know the source of your blessing, provision, livelihood, protection?  Have you assumed that it was your work, your planning, your efforts that have provided for you and your family?  Scripture is true, God is the source of all blessing. You might have plenty of money, but do you have peace and love with it.  “Moreover, when God gives someone wealth and possessions, and the ability to enjoy them, to accept their lot and be happy in their toil—this is a gift of God.” (Ecclesiastes 5:19).  The curse of the world is that people amass wealth and never enjoy it.  In fact, the American lie is that money equals happiness, but this is simply not true. Without love and relationship no amount of money can bring peace and joy.  Good health is a blessing of God.  “Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in the heavenly realms with every spiritual blessing in Christ.” (Eph. 1:3).

Turn to God and seek His face, His instruction, and inquire as to whether there is anything that is restricting the flow of His blessings.  Give and it will be given to you.  The measure you use will be the measure used for you.  All your hope and good is in the Lord God Almighty.  Do not set your heart on riches, but seek Him with all your heart, mind, soul, and strength, and you will find rest for your soul.  Cast all your anxiety on the Lord for He cares for you.  Do not run after money, because it is fleeting and will not provide what you most deeply need.  Put God first and everything else will start to line up.  Finally, praise God, from whom all blessings flow.

Anyone would be wrong to think that he could comprehend God’s full plan. (Ecclesiastes 3:11). However, we can see part of His purposes from what He tells us in scripture.  We know that God placed two trees in the garden of Eden, the tree of life and the tree of the knowledge of good and evil; fruit of the later was forbidden to eat.  The fall of man happened as Adam and Eve disobeyed God’s command and ate the forbidden fruit.  They became self-aware knowing good from evil and were banished from the garden and no longer had access to the tree of life and God’s direct presence. (Gen. 3:22-24; Gen. 3:8).

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When younger men are given authority by their Fathers, Elders, and predecessors, it is right to charge them with the responsibility they are assuming together with such authority.  It takes humility to advance in one’s career and life calling, so Fathers should be called upon to join in this charge and properly establish a sound foundation at the start.  Colleges do this at graduation ceremonies in a very impersonal mass process, but it is something, at least.  Other organizations do this including the church.  Paul the Apostle does it best with Titus, his spiritual son.  After he articulates, in brief, the power of the gospel message, he concludes, “These, then, are the things you should teach.  Encourage and rebuke with all authority.  Do not let anyone despise you.” (Titus 2:15).Read More »

With all respect, I ask because it has a bearing on whether, or more specifically, to what extent we rely on Him.  This is more than whether He says the same thing twice.  I think the scripture repeats many essential themes numerous times in various ways in order to convey a more full and deep understanding of what the Lord is communicating. We have four different accounts of the life, ministry, death and resurrection of Yeshua. Mankind has repeatedly committed the same failings, rebellion, wickedness and unbelief, to which our patient Father God has graciously restated and demonstrated His love again to each generation.  We usually associate a negative view of repetition, but is often the only way we actually learn and understand.  It was God’s design to have day and night repeating themselves endlessly.  But what about the nature and character of God Himself, can we conclude rightly that if God did a certain thing to reveal His nature in ages long past, might He do the same or similar thing in our day?  The scriptures say that God does not change, that He is the same. (James 1:17). 
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Do you know right from wrong?  Yes, instinctively, most would respond.  As children of Adam, we have within us the knowledge of good and evil.  It is evidenced by our conscience, which is an inner voice that creates remorse and convicts us with guilt when we do wrong.  There are other voices as well, the voice of temptation urging us to do what we want and what seems pleasurable.  The voice of providence and wisdom may have been instilled within us from loving parents, wise counselors, instruction or discipline.  Believers have the voice of the indwelling Holy Spirit that directs, protects and corrects us with a presence and power that transcends all other counsel.  Perhaps you have seen a cartoon that depicts a small satan behind one ear urging the character to do evil, while an angel offers restraint and right thinking in the other ear.  The tempter always seems to prevail in the cartoon and the fallen human nature does as well, except where the power of the Holy Spirit is working in the life of a believer. Read More »

“The steps of a man are established by the Lord, when he delights in his way; though he fall, be shall not be cast headlong, for the Lord upholds his hand.” Psalm 37: 23-24.  “Blessed is the man who … delight(s) in the law of the Lord, and on his law he meditates day and night.” Psalm 1: 1-2.

When we delight in the way of the Lord by mediating on and honoring His Word He promises to establish and protect us.  We will still have times of failures, due to our own fallen nature or other circumstances that come against us, but we will never be cast headlong, out of control, with the Sovereign God always in control of our lives.  “The Lord upholds Read More »

The God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob sees individuals.  This is another distinction from the religions of the world that are dispassionate to the masses, even though a prophet or select person may have been specially acknowledged.  Throughout the Bible we see accounts of God’s dealings with individuals low-born, humble, Jew and gentile, weak and prominent.  Consider Ruth a foreign-born woman whom God selected to be the grandmother of King David, part of the lineage of Israel’s Messiah.  God put humility, loyalty and devotion into Ruth and He chose her individually for His purposes.  Consider Esther to whom He granted beauty, courage, and wisdom.  She was a Jew born in captivity, but rose to be a queen who held fast to her destiny and identity.  She discerned the plans of wicked men and courageously spoke out so that God’s providence could bring salvation for His people.  Consider Nebuchadnezzar, the king of Babylon, in whom God displayed His might and sovereignty.  Hebrews chapter eleven contains a list of people who demonstrated faith in God, faith of individuals that was rewarded, acknowledged and affirmed by God.
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Haman was a noble in the Mead and Persian empire.  The King, Xerxes, honored Haman son of Hammedatha, the Agagite, elevating him and giving him a seat of honor higher than that of all the other nobles.  Accordingly with this honor people at the kings gate bowed down to him, but a Jew named Mordecai would not kneel down or pay him honor.  Eventually, this was brought to Haman’s attention. When Haman saw that Mordecai would not kneel down or pay him honor, he was enraged.  Yet having learned who Mordecai’s people were, he scorned the idea of killing only Mordecai.  Instead Haman looked for a way to destroy all Mordecai’s people, the Jews, throughout the whole kingdom of Xerxes.  Then Haman said to King Xerxes, “There is a certain people dispersed among the peoples in all the provinces of your kingdom who keep themselves separate.  Their customs are different from those of all other people, and they do not obey the king’s laws; it is not in the king’s best interest to tolerate them.  If it pleases the king, let a decree be issued to destroy them, and I will give ten thousand talents of silver to the king’s administrators for the royal treasury.”  So the king took his signet ring from his finger and gave it to Haman son of Hammedatha, the Agagite, the enemy of the Jews. Dispatches were sent by couriers to all the king’s provinces with the order to destroy, kill and annihilate all the Jews—young and old, women and children—on a single day, the thirteenth day of the twelfth month, the month of Adar, and to plunder their goods.  A copy of the text of the edict was to be issued as law in every province and made known to the people of every nationality so they would be ready for that day. Read More »

The world is lost, just as we believers were at one time.  The great news is that today is the day of salvation and the Lord is drawing men to Himself still.  He said, “When I am lifted up I will draw all people to myself.” (John 12: 32).  This has at least two meanings, 1) that He would be lifted up on the cross to die for the penalty of our sins, and 2) as we exalt the truth that Yeshua is Messiah, Lord and Savior, then He will draw all men to Himself.  He offers forgiveness to those who believe in Him.  The power of the name above all names, Yeshua and the blood is the Lamb of God is power unto salvation. Resurrection power is in the Name of Yeshua, Jesus.  This power opens the eyes of those blinded by the world and God creates a new person that is a living child of God from one dead in sins.  This is God’s  mighty power at work today.

He also causes His Spirit to dwell in each new believer.  The Holy Spirit empowers the believer with supernatural insight Read More »

“Finally, all of you, have unity of mind, sympathy, brotherly love, a tender heart, and a humble mind. Do not repay evil for evil or reviling for reviling, but on the contrary, bless, for to this you were called, that you may obtain a blessing.” I Peter 3:8-9.  This passage is not suggesting approving of false doctrine or failing to stand for the Truth of God’s Word to maintain unity among Believers but have, as William MacDonald in the “Believer’s Bible Commentary” states, “in fundamentals, unity; in non-essentials, liberty; in everything, love.”  Further, we are to always have love for and have sympathy with (“suffer with”) all persons while always maintaining a tender heart sensitive to the needs and feelings of others with a spirit of humility.

As Christians, we are not to revile anyone but rather be persons who bless others. This is not to bless someones sinful life or wrongful acts but “to speak well of” a person to the extent possible while desiring their well-being.  The old Read More »

There is a foundation in your faith that supports all the rest.  This foundation was laid when you abandoned your self and accepted King Yeshua as Lord and Savior.  It was as small and hidden as conception, like a seed germinating deep in the dark soil.  Yet in this spark was life and power beyond anything seen in the natural world, greater than earthquakes, volcanic eruption, hurricane winds, lightning strikes.  The work of salvation, new birth, redemption, through the resurrection power of the blood of the lamb is solely the work of God’s hand.  The Holy Spirit impartation to the new believer is the same power of God hidden in jars of clay.  It is resurrection power that produces a new creation, in Messiah Yeshua.

Our faith is grounded in the unchanging all-powerful God.  Our God is a jealous God.  He wants all of us, everything we are and will be.  All He starts comes to fruition and finds completion in His perfect will.  That immovable Read More »

What fellowship is there between light and darkness? The clear answer is nothing, as to being able to seeing.  If you wish to see, full light is always best.  If you desire to sleep or hide, the shadows or even total darkness will be your best choice.  Twilight is not so much a mixture of light and dark as it is the dimming of the light until the sun light passes completely beyond the horizon.  Yet, Paul’s point is not about physics, but about purity in our fellowship, friendship, associations, communion, and relationships.

There is a real division of practice when it comes to the application of living a consecrated life in community.  One driving view is that we are to go “out” into the world sharing the gospel with everyone and to be an influence of God Read More »

“And this is the confidence that we have toward him, that if we ask anything according to his will he hears us.  And if we know that he hears us in whatever we ask, we know that we have the requests that we have asked of him”. I John 5:14-15.

This passage in I John encourages Christians to make their requests known to God in confidence.  He promises to grant our requests that are made according to His will.  Our duty is to walk close to God
to be better able to better ascertain what God’s will is, with the help of

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There is a love story that will be completed in heaven. This story is an epic story that is as vast as time and deeper than human emotion can contain.  It is a story worthy of Heaven and exalts the only true God who is love.  It starts with the perfect love that exists between Father God and His one and only Son.  God’s desire is to make mankind in His image, male and female, and for them to dwell in His presence.  In the Garden of Eden He had a perfect relationship with His people.  However, an enemy lied to His people and they fell out of relationship with their God, dying physically and spiritually. All manner Read More »

I’ve noticed something about the Holy Spirit in believer’s relationships.  You may have observed this as well.  When the Holy Spirit is given reign in the prayer gathering He brings a unity that can only be described as communion.  One prays in the Spirit over a matter or word of God and another will have the same impression in their heart and mind (Spirit) at the same moment.  So, there is supernatural agreement in the prayer. There are no limits to what the Holy Spirit will and can do when He is placed in authority and everyone is submitted to Him.  I have seen Holy Spirit lead a spiritual battle with the word of God against the powers of darkness.  One after another would be given a Scripture prayer that worked together with the one before so that God’s love and character were exalted over circumstances.  This could not be Read More »

Everyone has a cross, the instrument of our own destruction.  We were made to die as a result of our fallen human nature.  We may live seventy years or so, maybe a little more, but our body and/or mind begins to breakdown.  The stress of life finds the weakest and most vulnerable point and that is where the serious trouble of death begins. Just forty years ago it was not uncommon to here that a person died of old age, now doctors give a more specific reason, but it’s still the same root cause.  This is just the natural consequence of living – we die.

However, physical death is not the death to which Yeshua is referring when He addressed His disciples, “Whoever does not take up their cross Read More »

“Be subject for the Lord’s sake to every human institution … Live as people who are free not using your freedom as a cover-up for evil, but living as servants of God … Servants, be subject to your masters with all respect, not only to the good and gentle but also to the unjust.”  I Peter 2: 13-18.

We are called to be subject/submissive to the authorities that have been placed above us, such as government authorities and workplace bosses, whether they are just or not.  Further, we are not to rebel in our hearts against the authorities Read More »

Do you think Yeshua enjoyed life?  The Bible said He was a man of sorrows and acquainted with grief.  It is indisputable that He suffered, was persecuted, was treated unjustly, and lived a very simple life with no possessions.  Is a happy life dependent on possessions?  Can a person suffer injustice and persecution, but still enjoy the good things and blessings of life?  Is life itself a gift of God?  To all these questions, I believe the answer is – Yes.

Yeshua, is the one and only Messiah, God’s Son.  On more than one occasion God vocalized, “This is my Son, whom I love; with him I am well pleased.” (Matt 3:17; 17:5).  Yeshua taught frequently that He and Father God were of a single Read More »

I’m praying for an upright generation to be born in this earth.  In the Spirit I see a generation that will have faith in God.  They will know God and follow His ways.  They will be gracious and compassionate and conduct their affairs with justice.  They will care for the poor and needy and will defend the cause of widows and orphans.  This is my prayer that the Lord will raise up a generation that will make the Lord Yeshua known and will accomplish His purposes in the earth.  Among this righteous generation the Holy Spirit will find men and women Read More »

Can both fresh water and salt water flow from the same spring?  No, but until then we see it in ourselves. Peter spoke the truth by revelation of the Spirit that Yeshua was Messiah.  A few moments later he spoke the words of the enemy, suggesting to Yeshua a will apart from God’s, even contrary to Yeshua’s central purpose.  Not until the impartation of the Holy Spirit, did the disciples begin to sense and move in the Spirit. It is true for all believers throughout history.

A well-spring bubbling up into eternal life has been opened for mankind.  The desperate, weak, and perishing come and drink of the water of life. They eat true bread and true drink, which is the body and blood of Messiah Yeshua.  They receive saving grace and are filled with Holy Spirit.  Of course, this Read More »

We all have the desire to be happy.  The founders of this country knew this and acknowledged it in our founding documents saying, “… life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness.”  They sought to protect these God-given rights.  When we think about tomorrow it is this pursuit that engages our minds in various and indirect ways.  We want the things that are associated with happiness with the expectation that happiness will be found therein.  We want someone to love and be loved.  We want a career, skill, trade, business, or livelihood that will provide some measure of financial provision and security.  We may want a family, children or at least see ourselves as being parents one day.  Generally, this Read More »

When you seem confined, it may be that God has set you aside in order to love you and discipline you for His purposes.  This is true for prisoners, whom He loves so much that He has used the police and justice system to confine them in prison where they can be quiet, listen to Him alone, and rest from the forces that were destroying them body, soul, and spirit.

In confinement it is possible to become open to His voice.  There the tension and strife of self pursuit can release, relax, and be still.  Have you ever realized while just sitting there, that your every muscle was strained tight with tension, and for no reason, then only, do you really begin to relax the muscles that constant tension Read More »

I often become distressed these days when I watch the news.  Few people in Government or in the media seem concerned for the good of America but rather only want to promote their own agendas.  Combined with the moral decay of our country I sometimes find myself becoming discouraged and even angry.   The Holy Spirit has convicted me that this is an entirely wrong reaction for a Christian.  The Word of God gives us the proper way for a Christian to conduct themselves.  “I therefore, a prisoner for the Lord, urge you to walk in a manner worthy of the calling to which you have been called, with all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one Read More »

“In the same way, the Spirit helps us in our weakness.  We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit Himself intercedes for us through wordless groans.  And he who searches our hearts knows the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for God’s people in accordance with the will of God.” (Rom. 8: 26-27).  This is describing the normal operation of the Holy Spirit in a believer who has faith for prayer, the operation of the Holy Spirit as defined in scripture and the prophetic gift as defined in scripture.  I include these qualifications because not everyone has faith to believe all scripture.  It does not hinder God in His saving work, nor does it limit the love God Read More »