Who Is The King of Glory?

The Lord of Heaven's Armies

Being reminded of Psalm 24, I wondered what the Lord had in mind that I could share on this blog.  It seems He wants people everywhere to recognize who He REALLY Is.  He's not simply another King.  We have enough of those.  Nor is He a President or Leader like any earthly leader.  He is truly King of Kings and Lord of Lords.

We don't get to see Him riding around on a white horse, but we do get to see what He is capable of.  He has created pretty much everything except the things Satan stole through not just his own rebellion, but also the disobedience of Adam and Eve.

Satan wasn't lying when he offered Jesus all the kingdoms of the world and their glory if only He would bow down and worship him.  However, Jesus answered him simply, "Scriptures say, 'You must worship the Lord your God and serve only him.'"

The Bible teaches us that we don't have to fear the future because He is Savior.  That doesn't mean we won't die, but once we make the CHOICE to believe and serve Him, He will be there to help us in this present world, but also will be standing beside His Father God to welcome us into the Kingdom of God.  It's life insurance....life forevermore!

We are living in a time that Believer's have been hoping and watching for ever since the changing of calendars based on the death and resurrection of Christ.  The difference is that now time is nearing the beginning of the End as we know it.  There is hope for those who do believe in Jesus as Savior, but many who fool themselves into thinking He isn't "the only" God or He isn't God at all are in for several shocks. 

The first is that there will be a "catching away" of saints (not meaning they were perfect) but identified as followers of Jesus.  Then the time known as The Tribulation begins.  Look what it says in the book of Revelation.  It will be the most horrible time ever.....even worse than when the earth was destroyed by "water" and only a few escaped upon Noah's Ark.

The Bible explains that those who have already died in Christ (knowing Him as their Savior) will rise first, but then the rest of the Believers will rise up to meet Him in the air.  Yes, cars will crash, boats will sink, businesses will find themselves without "help" and so on.  It is called Tribulation for a reason.

The only way to escape this horrendous occurrence is have asked Jesus to save you by changing your mind about your lack of acceptance of Him as your Lord and King.  Repent (change your mind) about your lifestyle and live a life of purity and hope and trust in the One and Only God.  He will do much more for you than you can think or imagine.  He isn't looking for "our" perfection; He wants us to look at His Son's perfection covering us.

We must be watching for this wonderful day of "Rapture"!  Look Up, for your Redemption draws  near! Jesus said, "there will be strange signs in the sun, moon and stars.  And here on earth the nations will be in turmoil, perplexed by roaring seas and strange tides.  People will be shaken at what they see coming upon the earth, for the powers in the heavens will be shaken."

Jesus tells His disciples (hoping you are one) "Watch out (be watching!!!)  Don't let your hearts be dulled by carousing and drunkenness, and by the worries of this life.  Don't let that day catch you unaware, like a trap for that day will come upon everyone living on the earth.  Keep alert at all times.  And pray that you might be strong enough to escape these coming horrors and stand before the Son of Man. (Luke 21:34-36

God Speaks

God Still Speaks

                         God Speaks In A Variety of Ways

Most Americans know enough about the Bible that as they look up at a beautiful Rainbow, it represents the promise God made to Noah that He would never again flood the whole earth.

Reading the written Word of God allows the Holy Spirit to 'quicken' a passage or a word to affirm He is speaking to us via the Bible.  This is the safest way to "listen" to God, because the Bible has been declared and proven throughout thousands of years.

Recently, however, I've had a new experience in my walk with the Lord.  Twice I have heard His audible voice.  The first time was approximately a month ago and after a couple of weeks, God confirmed that Word as a confirmation of a journey I was yet to take (I didn't know it at the time). Only  two days ago, I was awakened at 3:23 a.m. with a "start" as I heard a very loud voice saying, "HEAR" and I was shocked that God "literally" woke me up to speak to me .  It took me a little time to gain my composure and lay my head down in order to go back to sleep.  I believe He lead me the following day to search His Word...and then apply some of the reading for a Connect Group that meets in our home.

I have a new sense of awe about how near our "Lord" is and hearing Him "audibly" makes His ability to cross over time and space to be heard by those of us who have "ears to hear" has made me realize how much He wants us to "Listen".  James 4:8 says, "Draw near to God and He will draw near to you."  That's our promise and our assurance, but there are requirements.   "We must love the Lord, our God, with all our heart, mind, soul and strength. This is the first commandment.  The second, like it, is this:  You shall love your neighbor as yourself."  There are no other commandments greater than these.    

Unfortunately, many of us are slow to listen and quick to speak.  The ideal is just the reverse:  "Be Quick to Listen and Slow to Speak, and Slow to get Angry-"- James 1:19.  I think this blog is about "being still and listening."  I pray YOU have ears to hear what God is saying!

"The Steps Of The Righteous Are Ordered Of The Lord"

Psalm 37:23

Sometimes we question whether we are truly able to "hear" whenever God is talking to us.  This challenge is not just true of new "believers" but applies to those who have been following the Lord for many years.  When God takes us on a left-hand turn...all we can do is follow that leading, because we can't see very far ahead any longer.

That may happen gradually, or it may happen all at once....known as a "suddenly."  I've just experienced one of those all-at-once suddenly moments.  My life has been going along excitedly, but also rather predictably, but this very day I received an interesting e-mail from my husband which indicated that he "thought of me" as he was reading an invitation from a school principle to consider reading to children.  That would be quite surprising if it had been the only "sign" that God  might be talking to me, but there were at least two more "signs."

So, I have to take a step of faith, move out of my comfort (familiar) zone and see "What's next?"  On the surface, I will admit it doesn't look very exciting.  But I've walked this path before and what seemed like a mundane endeavor lead to some rather amazing results.  The most important thing is that I trust MY GOD.  If he needs me to fill a "hole" somewhere, "anywhere", I'll fill it, theoretically speaking.

I will have to keep you posted in a future blog as to how this left hand turn works out.  I can only see the 1st step at this time, but I believe in the promise that "my footsteps are ordered by the Lord"!!  Do you?

If you aren't sure you can trust Him, then ask him for His very own Helper:  the Holy Spirit!  He is your counselor and teacher and I GUARANTEE you can definitely TRUST HIM!!!

The Power of A Seed

I thought of a powerful proof of how strong the love of God is for His creation by looking at a "struggling weed" attempting to squeeze through a tiny space in our concrete driveway.  In spite of pouring rains, footsteps, blowers, brooms, hot sun and cold temperatures, that seed "broke through."

That seems like the "Gospel" to me.  In spite of the "small beginnings" if you will....a man named "Abram was told to leave his comfortable existence and move far away to a country that God was going to send him, he believed...and proved his faith by obeying what God had told him to do.  He actually didn't do it exactly right either.  

He was told to leave his family, however he brought along his nephew, Lot.  We'll see that added a few more challenges to Abrams newfound life upon arrival in his promised land.  But Abram held fast to God and received a couple of important promises.

Even after lying about his wife, telling a king she was his sister, God watched over her and rescued them both and with great favor, sent them on their way.  That didn't only happen once; it happened again with the same result....they traveled on to their unknown destination without harm.

In my view, the lack of an heir led to the greatest failure by Abram in letting Sarai convince him to have Hagar, her maid, serve as a surrogate mother for Ishmael.  Abram agreed to Sarai's plan, but as soon as Ismael grew from a baby to a teenager, Sarai wanted the boy and Hagar "gone."  Amazingly, God assured Hagar that she and the boy would be alright.

We see that there was a seed sown in the Middle East out of that "lack of faith and/or patience" by Sarai and Abram which has led to constant war in the middle east.  We can only look forward to the 2nd coming of Christ which appears to be nearer in our day than one would think.  We're told we won't know the "day or the hour" so we should always be ready...even watching the sky, because we will know the "season."

That may be as small as a tiny seed, but if we truly believe in the truthfulness of the Bible we will have faith as small as a mustard seed which will assure us we may not be far from the "rapture" of the church.  Jesus spoke about a mustard seed when he was walking on planet earth.  He said "if you have faith as small as a mustard seed you can speak to a mountain to be picked up and moved into the sea." 

We who are awake and watching won't be like the 10 virgins, 5 of which didn't take extra oil with them and when they fell asleep ahead of the time the bridegroom arrived they ran out of oil, but unfortunately it was too late to buy it, and the wise virgins couldn't share or they would be in danger of running out also.

The meaning of this parable leads to the importance of being FULL of the OIL....which is the Holy Spirit, the third member of the Trinity.  Many churches teach about believing in Jesus as Savior and the need to invite Him into your heart for salvation, but unfortunately, they don't move new believers into the book of Acts which teaches about the necessity of the being "filled with the Holy Spirit" just as the believers of that day experienced and more than 3000 people gave their lives to the Lord Jesus Christ.

If you've accepted Jesus, that's a "seed sown in your heart" and just like other seeds, which have amazing power to grow up....even as big as the Redwood Trees in California, the watering, feeding of that seed will ultimately need the fertilization of the power of the Holy Spirit coming into your life.  He brings more growth and power to resist the "devil."  

So I urge you, read more, especially if you aren't already enjoying the presence of the Holy Spirit and using an unknown tongue in your prayers. You will pray a "perfect prayer that is the will of God" with His help speaking through you.

God has provided us with what we need, but we must "accept" his gifts.  A gift given is of no use until it accepted.

God bless you abundantly is my prayer!!

Get ready!

 

       OPPORTUNITY KNOCKS

Some things have a way of coming to us without our grasping!  Recently I have had a couple of opportunities present themselves to me.

Because we live in a Manufactured Home Park, there are a number of opportunities that are ongoing.  One is to welcome the newcomers (Welcome Wagon).  Another way is to interview people for the newsletter which informs the residents as to what events are taking place and highlights an individual..

It worked out for me to be accepted into each of these venues and I'm pleased that it will help me get to know my "many" neighbors.

It also reminded me that this is the way Jesus wants us to behave!!!  Be willing!!!

The Bible says, "

Revelation 3:15-17 New International Version (NIV)

15 I know your deeds, that you are neither cold nor hot. I wish you were either one or the other! 16 So, because you are lukewarm—neither hot nor cold—I am about to spit you out of my mouth. 17 You say, ‘I am rich; I have acquired wealth and do not need a thing.’ But you do not realize that you are wretched, pitiful, poor, blind and naked.

18 I counsel you to buy from Me gold refined in the fire, that you may be rich; and white garments, that you may be clothed, that the shame of your nakedness may not be revealed; and anoint your eyes with eye salve, that you may see.

19 As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten.  Therefore be zealous and repent.  20  BEHOLD, I STAND AT THE DOOR AND KNOCK.  IF ANYONE HEARS MY VOICE AND OPENS THE DOOR, I WILL COME IN TO HIM AND DINE WITH HIM, AND HE WITH ME.  21 TO HIM WHO OVERCOMES I WILL GRANT TO SIT WITH ME ON MY THRONE, AS I ALSO OVERCAME AND SAT DOWN WITH MY FATHER OR HIS THRONE."

This is a very exciting scripture,  In another place the Bible tells us that we will rule and reign with Christ.  We are also described as Priests and Kings once we are adopted into the Kingdom of God!

We are truly a "privileged" class....not better than people in general, but certainly assured of a wonderful future.  We must not "grow weary in well-doing" and all the more as we see the great fulfillment of what is promised in the Bible.  I personally am looking for fulfillment of the day  described in 1 Thessalonians.

"The Comfort of Christ’s Coming

13 But I do not want you to be ignorant, brethren, concerning those who have fallen asleep, lest you sorrow as others who have no hope. 14 For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so God will bring with Him those who sleep in Jesus.

15 For this we say to you by the word of the Lord, that we who are alive and remain until the coming of the Lord will by no means precede those who are asleep. 16 For the Lord Himself will descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of an archangel, and with the trumpet of God. And the dead in Christ will rise first. 17 Then we who are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And thus we shall always be with the Lord. 18 Therefore comfort one another with these words."

Be ready and willing to Welcome Christ in when He comes Knocking.  Most likely, the sound is growing louder and louder!

Blessings,

Donna

  

I recently remembered the following scripture while at a prayer meeting.  I don't know if you are like me, but often when gathered with other Christian friends, we get excited and start sharing "stuff" even though we came together to pray.I have found comfort throughout my Christian walk with these words, since rather than "itemizing" a long list of already discussed issues, we are assured that God was listening, therefore we can simply thank Him for hearing and answering each request as voiced without a "formal" prayer.  That is not to say that we don't want to pray God's Word back to Him, but He most assuredly knows our needs even better than we do.

I just wanted to reassure anyone...if time is of the essence and you want to name your requests one by one, don't be put off or put down when you gather in His name, because He is listening and we also have the assurance that if we ask ANYTHING according to His will, we have what we ask (or discuss with the hope that He is listening).

Matthew 18:19-- “I also tell you this: If two of you agree here on earth concerning anything you ask, my Father in heaven will do it for you. 20 For where two or three gather together as my followers, I am there among them.”

Malachi 4:16 -"Then those who feared the Lord spoke with each other, and the Lord listened to what they said. In his presence, a scroll of remembrance was written to record the names of those who feared him and always thought about the honor of his name.

17 “They will be my people,” says the Lord of Heaven’s Armies. “On the day when I act in judgment, they will be my own special treasure. I will spare them as a father spares an obedient child. 18 Then you will again see the difference between the righteous and the wicked, between those who serve God and those who do not.”

God Still Speaks

You may not be surprised as I write the above because you're on "speaking terms" with Our Father God.

However, I'm addressing not so much those who are quite aware that He does speak as  I am referring to gaining ADDITIONAL insight on a familiar topic.

I began my "Spirit-filled" walk with the Lord by admiring people who had a certain 'style' in their prayers.  They just seemed to know the right words to pray in order to be heard..

As time went by, and as I had a chance to read the Bible through (and I do mean from Genesis to Revelation), I realized much of their 'style' of praying was simply to be quoting the scriptures that applied to a certain thought or need.  That being said, I was satisfied in time that I "could do that."
And so I did!

Lately, however, after refreshing my memory on certain topics....particularly with the gift of tongues as referred to in the book of Acts 2:4...and which applies to the beginning of the church as we know it today, it occurred to me, that many "prayers" were spoken and understood by some listeners, yet since there were many who were foreign to that part of the world, yet they heard their own language being spoken something so it was a supernatural intervention.  Something else, was the new gift,"interpretation" of tongues.

Now I'm heading down that "lonesome" path simply to say...Jesus or God, the Father is always "understanding" our prayers...even "groaned" ones, but that is not to say that other folks like ourselves do understand unless we speak their same language.  Scripture also teaches that if any two can agree on anything according to the will (or word) of God, it will be done by our Father who is in heaven.

So, you may be asking, why am I reiterating all this???  It is to say that I had a revelation!  We can pray and pray and pray and strain in our groanings over our concerns and/or wishes, but we've been given a better gift.  I guess we may have missed that the very first thing that happened, unlike in the Old Testament was that the marvelous outpouring of the Spirit (God/Jesus) represented in each of us was "noticeable" because of the unlearned language spoken by the crowd of people.

In many of our so divided (and multiplied) church denominations.....we are not taking advantage of this miraculous way of praying to touch the throne room of God and get answers like " speaking to a mountain to be thrown into the sea, and it obeying that command because the will of God was spoken through our mouths!!!"

I knew there were advantages to praying in the "Spirit"!  I practiced it a lot!  But suddenly the Spirit of God has sent me a meaning that should excite us all!  When the Angel Gabriel told Daniel that the moment he began to pray, he was heard....we should be excited because it is true for us as well. However, there was a hellish warfare delaying the answer to his prayer.  Could that have been prevented if they had been issued the "gift of tongues" which Satan or his cohorts wouldn't have understood during Daniel's prayer??  The demons wouldn't have known what course the request was taking, therefore they would have had to stand by, "wondering" what that prayer warrior was saying!!

Another amazing precious scripture states : Malachi 4 :16   The Lord's Promise of Mercy,
16- Then those who feared the Lord spoke with each other, and the LORD LISTENED to what they SAID.  In His presence a scroll of remembrance was written to record the names of those who feared Him and always thought about the honor of His Name.
17--"They will be my people," says the Lord of Heaven's Armies.  "On the day when  I act in judgment, they will be my own special treasure.  I will spare them as a father spares and obedient child.  18--Then you will again see the difference between the righteous and the wicked, between those who serve God and those who do not."

Let us be like Paul, who said, I pray in tongues more than you ALL!!!  PRAY in tongues and then interpret.  It is His Gift....all His Gifts are for our benefit....but the ability to pray in a prayer language (unknown tongue) is indescribable in how far it can reach to bless, not just ourselves...but the world around us!

We win!

Blessings!