This is not an exclusive club, it is open to everyone who believes. If you do not believe, then you should not feel rejected or disgruntled by those who do believe. Moreover, we all are capable of having a change of heart. From time to time we hear of the benefits and blessings of being a member of God’s family and it may cause one to be jealous, that’s ok. It is God’s people who bring blessing and favor or curses and distress by our response to God’s direction and will. God said to Israel, “if my people, who are…
Living Life On God's Terms
From Theology
Holy Spirit Impartation
“On the last and greatest day of the festival, Jesus stood and said in a loud voice, ‘Let anyone who is thirsty come to me and drink. Whoever believes in me, as Scripture has said, rivers of living water will flow from within them.’ By this he meant the Spirit, whom those who believed in him were later to receive. Up to that time the Spirit had not been given, since Jesus had not yet been glorified.” (John 7: 37-39). This is a scripture that expanded my horizons and changed everything. I’ve been thirsty wanting to drink and satisfy my…
Acceptance
I made a small sign with a black marker and some white cardboard. I wrote in large bold letters “I ACCEPT”, and put it on the wall. It was during college that I had a personal revival of sorts and was filled with the Holy Spirit. This term, “filled” is from decades of perspective and life experience, at the time I wouldn’t have been able to say what happened. I had been a believer from my earliest memories and was baptized in my early teens out of a sincere surrender and commitment to God. So, according to the word of…
Fear The One Who Can Cast Into Hell
“I tell you, my friends, do not fear those who kill the body, and after that have nothing more that they can do. But I will warn you whom to fear: fear him who, after he has killed, has authority to cast into hell. Yes, I tell you, fear him! Are not five sparrows sold for two pennies? And not one of them is forgotten before God. Why, even the hairs of your head are all numbered. Fear not; you are of more value than many sparrows.” Luke 12:4-7. Here Christ reminds His disciples that a Christian should not fear…
Encouragement Today
“Though you have not seen him, you love him; and even though you do not see him now, you believe in him and are filled with an inexpressible and glorious joy, for you are receiving the end result of your faith, the salvation of your souls.” (1 Peter 1: 8-9). The world denies this and consistently tells you the opposite. The accuser of the brethen suggest you consider your natural self and your many failings and worldly desires. The physical world is in decline, wearing out like a garment. The nations are in constant termoil, with threats, disputes, crime, and…
Our Hedge of Protection
“Those who trust in the Lord are like Mount Zion, which cannot be moved, but abides forever. As the mountains surround Jerusalem, so the Lord surrounds his people, from this time forth and forevermore.” Psalm 125:1-2. But you have come to Mount Zion and to the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem, to an innumerable company of angels, to the general assembly and church of the firstborn who are registered in heaven, to God the Judge of all, to the spirits of just men made perfect, to Jesus the Mediator of the new covenant, and to the blood of sprinkling that speaks better…
The Smartest One in the Room
The person who thinks this about themselves treads upon a slippery narrow ledge that is crumbling beneath their feet. I knew a man who was surrounded by his chosen advisors. One advisor was extremely loyal, but to a fault, so that when he might have prevented wrong, he was unable to contradict his leader. One was very knowledgeable about the law, it’s meaning, application, precident, and nuance, but he was not experienced in the real world of facts upon which his vast legal prowess hindged. One was a master of the political environment in which this group functioned. He was…
Prayer Note
I kept thinking about my friend and brother in the Lord while I went about my business. When I ran an errand, when I helped the neighbor, and as I was cutting firewood; so I decided to call and find out what was happening with my friend. As soon as I asked, he described the surgery on his neck, yesterday, and though all went well he was facing a long period of recuperation. I encouraged him and told him I would be in prayer for his health. I believe the Holy Spirit calls us to pray at times for our…
Hearing Our Voice
“I love the Lord, because he has heard my voice and my pleas for mercy. Because he inclined his ear to me, therefore I will call on him as long as I live. The snares of death encompassed me; the pangs of Sheol laid hold on me; I suffered distress and anguish. Then I called on the name of the Lord: ‘O Lord, I pray, deliver my soul!’ Gracious is the Lord, and righteous; our God is merciful. The Lord preserves the simple; when I was brought low, he saved me. Return, O my soul, to your rest; for the Lord has dealt bountifully with you.” Psalm 116:1-7. Here the Psalmist had experienced “distress…
You Are Not Alone
“Very truly I tell you, whoever hears my word and believes him who sent me has eternal life and will not be judged but has crossed over from death to life.” (John 5: 24). Can you accept these words of Yeshua? Do you trust Him? Is this your destiny? Do you see any requirement in this truth, but hearing and believing? Have you said to Almighty God, “I believe.” Is eternal life yours so that you have crossed over from death to life? Has Yeshua called and you responded to His voice, so that His name is upon you and…
Word Power
Saul was zealous for God and considered persecuting followers of Yeshua God’s work. Yeshua met him on his journey and said, “Saul, Saul, why do you persecute me?” (Acts 9: 4). Paul might have answered, “As a service to God, I’m persecuting the followers of Yeshua, whom I consider to be in opposition to the law of Moses by their allegiance to a false Messiah.” Yeshua’s question to Saul might have included why he had appointed himself to be the enforcer of the law, when there is no such provision in the law. Instead the weight of the voice of…
Spiritual Testimony
On Thursday, September 26, 2019 the 700 Club TV show aired an account of a woman who had an abortion when she was in her early twenties. The doctor told her an abortion was possible, but it would by very painful as she would have to deliver the baby. Afterwards the memory was painful and she was overcome with regret. She shared a recurring image of meeting her daughter in the afterlife and hearing her say, “Mommy, why did you kill me.” She began to consider suicide and as she was slitting her wrist the phone rang and the caller…
Trust in God and not Man
“Thus says the LORD: ‘Cursed is the man who trusts in man and makes flesh his strength, whose heart departs from the LORD. For he shall be like a shrub in the desert, and shall not see when good comes, but shall inhabit the parched places in the wilderness, in a salt land which is not inhabited. Blessed is the man who trusts in the LORD, and whose hope is the LORD. For he shall be like a tree planted by the waters, which spreads out its roots by the river, and will not fear when heat comes; but its…
Spiritual Sight
Yeshua gave all He had in pursuit of God’s will. This includes in His conversation with the woman at the well and as He traveled around Israel, healing, delivering, teaching, prophecying, confronting a few, being rejected by many, loving completely in every circumstance. He kept nothing for Himself and abandoned completely every aspect of His human ego, but He had it and it cried out when the crowds wanted to make Him king and whenever He was reminded of His central purpose at that time, to be the sacrificial lamb. I was thinking about some acquaintances I have and wondering…
The Father’s Heart
It may seem arrogant at first, but God has not hidden Himself from His children. He revealed Himself as fully as possible in human form through Yeshua Messiah. His words endure through the generations and His lovingkindness and mercy is new every morning. If you are a Believer you can know the heart of God. He has given you His indwelling Holy Spirit as an interpreter. Listen with your Spiritual ears and see how God would love, serve, speak, or stand in every circumstance. This is His heart to wayward Israel (and us), “My eyes will watch over them for…
How to Bless a Believer
“The Lord said to Moses, ‘Tell Aaron and his sons, This is how you are to bless the Israelites. Say to them: The Lord bless you and keep you; the Lord make his face shine on you and be gracious to you; the Lord turn his face toward you and give you peace.’ So they will put my name on the Israelites, and I will bless them.” (Numbers 6: 22-27). You might think this is just an Old Testament thing that God provided to Aaron through Moses as a symbolic blessing for the Israelites, which is ancient history and not…
In the Depths of Your Heart
Think of all the years of your life, the months and weeks that measure your growth physically, emotionally, and spiritually. Then scan the range of your memories from childhood till now, the events that have made you who you are, your education, relationships, vacations, holidays, achievements, your greatest triumps and the agony of your defeats, failures, struggles and tradegy. In the midst of these are your desires, wants, needs and dreams, meshed together with the mundane, routine, tasks, chores and daily necessitates of life. All this is quite a mass of information and the content of living and it’s not…
The Season of Peace For Those With Whom God is Pleased
“And in the same region there were shepherds out in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. And an angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were filled with great fear. And the angel said to them, ‘Fear not, for behold, I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. And this will be a sign for you: you will find a…
Church Growth
This is a topic of keen interest to church leaders. Church growth is seen by some as an indication of God’s favor, doing church right, and/or that the preacher is effective. Various leaders offer advice and books at conferences promoting church growth. I’ve seen Christian businessmen propose various organizational strategies intended to facilitate church growth. The Seeker church movement was a product of this type of analysis and thinking. The idea was to conform the church service to accommodate people with worldly habits, expectations, and desires, but whom it was thought had an interest in church or religion. It was…
Is This Between Me and God?
In certain of life’s situations we may ask this question? It is likely a good question to ask, even before we become desparate or disappointed? During Gideon’s days Israel was under extreme oppression from rival nations. An angel appeared to Gideon saying, ” ‘Go in the strength you have and save Israel out of Midian’s hand. Am I not sending you?’ ‘Pardon me, my lord,’ Gideon replied, ‘but how can I save Israel? My clan is the weakest in Manasseh, and I am the least in my family.’ The Lord answered, ‘I will be with you, and you will…
Heaven’s Superstars
I’ve watched many people in the music industry and it is interesting to see how some went on to great commercial success, while others remain largely unknown, even though they had more natural talent and ability. I’ve heard it said about actors as well, that commercial success depends more on a chance meeting or fortunate event than anything else. Life is not a fair competition among all the qualified competitors where each one gets their chance in the spotlight of future fame and popularity. Moreover, consider the vast number of “One Hit Wonders”, those who got their chance, produced a…
Helping God Get It Done
If this were possible, has it actually been attempted? In the Bible there are several examples: ▪ Sarah gave her servant to Abraham has a means of fulfilling God’s promise that he would have descendants. (Gen 16: 1-4). ▪ Moses killed an abusive Egyptian when he joined his Hebrew people’s struggle for freedom considering his call as a deliverer. exodus 2: 11-12. ▪ Korah and 250 other leaders in the counsel concluded that Moses had misinterpreted God’s intent for Israel saying, “You have gone too far! The whole community is holy, every one of them, and the Lord is with…
Thanksgiving Day
Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good; his love endures forever. I Chronicles 16:34. In everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you. I Thessalonians 5:18. And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose. Romans 8:28. For to me, to live is Christ, and to die is gain. Philippians 1:21. Today is Thanksgiving Day and a special one for me. As I have written about elsewhere in this Journal, I recently came close to…
Healing By Faith
“Jesus left the synagogue and went to the home of Simon. Now Simon’s mother-in-law was suffering from a high fever, and they asked Jesus to help her. So he bent over her and rebuked the fever, and it left her. She got up at once and began to wait on them.” (Luke 4: 38-39). Who has ever prescribed a rebuke to relieve a fever? When you hear “faith and healing” do you think of charlatans and fakes who deceive people in order to get money? Have you dismissed all healing except by modern medical science? If so, are you taking…
God’s Prophets
Many are named in the Bible. The greatest among men was John, the Baptist, perhaps because he best prepared the people for Yeshua’s appearance and was closest to Him. Anything which is more closely related to Yeshua is greater than other things, because Yeshua is supreme over all creation. (Col. 1: 18). You could invent the cure for cancer, a perpetual motion engine or wings that enabled men to fly like a bird, but these would be insignificant to the person of Yeshua Messiah. The prophets and patriarchs were given vision, faith, and insight to see the Messiah thousands of…
