The Purpose: To Bring Honor and Glory to the LORD!

November 09, 2017

Remember this day! 

Moses said to the people, "Remember this day, the day you left Egypt. You were slaves in that land, but the LORD with his great power brought you out of it." Exodus 13:3

"On that day you should tell your son: 'We are having this feast because of what the LORD did for me when I came out of Egypt.' This feast will help you remember, like a mark on your hand or a reminder on your forehead. This feast will remind you to speak the LORD's teaching, because the LORD used his great power to bring you out of Egypt." Exodus 13:8–9

"From now on when your son asks you, 'What does this mean?' you will answer, 'With his great power, the LORD brought us out...' This feast is like a mark on your hand and a reminder on your forehead to help you remember that the LORD brought us out of Egypt with his great power." Exodus 13:14–16 (emphasis mine)

When the Israelites left Egypt God did not lead them on the shortest route to the Promised Land. The shortest route would have taken them through the land of the Philistines and it would have involved a battle. While reading this passage this morning, something jumped off the page at me, something I never noticed before. The Israelites expected to have to go through the land of the Philistines to get to the Promised Land. How do I know this? Because they knew where the Promised land was; they knew the logical route took them through the land of the Philistines; they knew what type of people the Philistines were; and they knew passing through that land would involve a battle. So when they left Egypt, "The Israelites were dressed for fighting when they left the land of Egypt."  (Exodus 13:18)

How did I totally miss this important statement all the other times I've read the book of Exodus? The Israelites were prepared for battle!! They were expecting to have to face a battle on the way to their freedom. But, instead of going through the land of the Philistines (a much shorter route but a route which would have involved the Israelites participating in a battle), God led them through the desert toward the Red Sea (much longer and highly improbable route with an impossible obstacle)—a huge body of water between them and the path to the Promised Land. 

When the lawsuit was first filed by my sister and brother-in-law we fully expected it to go to trial. We knew our freedom lie on the other side of "the storm"; we knew a trial was the logical end of a lawsuit; we knew what type of people we were up against; and we knew the lawsuit was going to involve a battle. So, we prepared for the inevitable (or so we thought) battle of a trial. We expected a trial. But less than a year into the preparation, we began to believe there wasn't going to be a trial. We had no concrete evidence, we only had a strong feeling that the journey we were on did not involve a trial. One year passed. Two years passed. And instead of going through the process of a trial (which typically should have happened in a short amount of time and would have involved us entering into a battle), God has instead chosen to lead us on a much longer and highly improbable route with an impossible obstacle—this lawsuit— between us and our freedom. Mediation—failed. Settlement—failed. All offers—rejected. The ONLY thing left in the legal system is a trial. How on earth can we possibly be freed from a lawsuit without a trial?

God led the Israelites the whole way.

"The LORD showed them the way; during the day he went ahead of them in a pillar of cloud, and during the night he was in a pillar of fire to give them light." Exodus 13:21

They didn't travel on the fastest route. God even had them backtrack at times—all for HIS purpose.

"The king will think, 'The Israelites ares lost, trapped by the desert.' I will make the king stubborn again so he will chase after them, but I will defeat the king and his army. This will bring honor to me, and the Egyptians will know that I am the LORD.""

The Purpose: To bring honor and glory to the LORD and prove to everyone that HE is the LORD.

The Israelites "who were leaving victoriously" were chased again by the Egyptians. The Egyptians just absolutely refused to let the Israelites go. The Israelites are trapped with the Red Sea on one side and the entire Egyptian army advancing towards them. The Israelites are discouraged and wish they would have never left Egypt. Then Moses makes an audacious statement:

"Don't be afraid! Stand still and you will see the LORD save you today. You will never see these Egyptians again after today. You only need to remain calm; the LORD will fight for you.... I (the Lord) will be honored when I defeat the king.... the Egyptians will know that I am the LORD." Exodus 14:13–18

By HIS great power!! The angel of God who led Israel's army moved behind them, and the pillar of cloud moved from in front of Israel's army to behind them. The pillar or cloud (Brick By Brick!) stood between them, protected them, and kept them apart all night. And then the impossible happens. God parts the Red Sea and the Israelites walk across to their freedom on dry land and the Egyptians who tried to follow them were swallowed up by the water.

"When the Israelites saw the great power the LORD had used against the Egyptians, they feared the LORD, and they trusted him..." Exodus 14:31

The Purpose: To bring honor and glory to the LORD and prove to everyone that HE is the LORD.

A trial in the world's court system is not the answer for our freedom. Even if we were leaving the courtroom victorious, I believe our accusers (just like the Egyptians) would change their minds and like the Settlement judge warned, all they would have to do is file an appeal and continue their pursuit of us. No, a trial is not the answer. I absolutely believe that God has led our paths during this ten year journey. My journals and this blog are a testament to it. I believe the pillar has moved behind us, and brick by brick, a wall is being built to stand between us, protect us, and keep us apart. Some day the impossible will happen, and God will somehow lead us to our freedom on dry land. I'm sure the Israelites could never have imagined in a million years that God would separate the waters of the Red Sea and make a path for them to cross on dry land. I cannot imagine how God is going to free us without a trial. Our backs are against the wall. A trial date is to be set for next year. Our pursuers are coming after us. Only God! Only God by HIS great power can do the impossible.

The Purpose: To bring honor and glory to the LORD and prove to everyone that HE is the LORD.

"I will sing to the LORD,
   because he is worthy of great honor. He has thrown the horse and its rider
   into the sea.
The LORD gives me strength and makes me sing;
   he has saved me.
He is my God,
   and I will praise him. He is the God of my fathers,
   and I will honor him. The LORD is a warrior;
   the LORD is his name.
The chariots and soldiers of the king of Egypt
   he has thrown into the sea.
The king's best officers
   are drowned in the Red Sea.
The deep waters covered them,
   and they sank to the bottom like a rock.
Your right hand, LORD,
   is amazingly strong.
LORD, your right hand
   broke the enemy to pieces.
In your great victory
   you destroyed those who were against you.
Your anger destroyed them,
   like fire burning straw.
Just a blast of your breath,
   and the waters piled up.
The moving water stood like a wall;
   the deep waters became solid in the middle
      of the sea.
The enemy bragged,
   'I'll chase them and catch them.
I'll take all their riches;
   I'll take all I want.
I'll pull out my sword,
   and my hand will destroy them.'
But you blew on them with your breath
   and covered them with the sea.
They sank like lead
   in the raging water.
Are there any gods like you, LORD?
   There are no gods like you.
   You are wonderfully holy,
   amazingly powerful,
   a worker of miracles.
You reached out with your right hand.
   and the earth swallowed our enemies.
You keep your loving promise
   and lead the people you have saved.
With your strength you will guide them
   to your holy place"

"Sing to the LORD,
   because he is worthy of great honor;
he has thrown the horse and its rider
   into the sea."

From Exodus 15:1–13; 21

THEN they will know! Then ALL will know HE is the LORD and HE saved us by HIS great power!  May it be so, LORD.  May it be so.

Brick by Brick!
By HIS Great Power
THEN They Will Know!
The Proof Came—AFTER
The Purpose: To bring honor and glory to the LORD and prove to everyone that HE is the LORD.  

Remember this day!!  


Next Entry: HIS Story

And That Brings Us to the End

April 9, 2017

And that brings us to the end. Seven years after "the storm" began, and five years after I began the journey of reading through the entire Bible while keeping a journal, The Lost/Last Chapters—which God set aside for such a time as this—is the recorded fulfillment of HIS promise to free HIS people. The promise God gave to Jeremiah (while he was still held captive in Jeremiah 33) was also the last God-given promise given to us by Jane. E. Wolfe. Incredibly, seven years after "the storm" began, the very last verse in the very last chapter, is the recorded fulfillment of God's promise sent to the Israelites through Jeremiah. I believe it to be a message to us. The fulfillment of God's promise sent to us through Jane E. Wolfe is coming. There will come a day when we are no longer held captive by a vicious and vile lawsuit.

There is a WHEN—wait for it.

The more I think about the LORD's promise to free His people being fulfilled in the very last verse of the last chapter in my five year journey of reading through the Bible while keeping a journal, the more awestruck and astounded I am. God's timing is impeccable. Seven years after Jane spoke God's first words of promise to us, the very last verse of the very last chapter of my five year journey of reading, reflecting, and recording my thoughts while reading through the Bible, ends with the fulfillment of Jeremiah 33, Jane's last God-given words to us—God's promise to free HIS people. Incredible!! His promises are true. The Israelites were freed from their bondage as the LORD promised. Hold on! Our deliverance is coming.

There will come a day when we see the fulfillment of God's promise to us. We believe with all our hearts that our deliverance from "the storm" and the lawsuit my sister and brother-in-law filed is coming. Someday we will hear the words, "You are free to go."

Blessed be the name of the LORD!

"O LORD, our Lord, how majestic is your name in all the earth! You have set your glory above the heavens. From the lips of children and infants you have ordained praise because of your enemies, to silence the foe and the avenger. When I consider your heavens, the work of your fingers, the moon and the stars which you have set in place, what is man that you are mindful of him, the son of man that you care for him? You made him a little lower than the heavenly beings and crowned him with glory and honor. You made him ruler over the works of your hands, and put everything under his feet; all flocks and herds, and the beasts of the field, the birds of the air, and the fish of the sea, all that swims the paths of the sea. O LORD, our Lord, how majestic is your NAME in all the earth!!" Psalm 8

No mere human words will every be able to adequately express our love, appreciation, gratitude, thankfulness, and praise to our heavenly Father for His compassion, His sacrifice, and His amazing Saving Grace. 

Addendum: 4/9/17 ~ It took seven years to complete my journey of reading, writing, and then transcribing my journal entries into Blogger. Seven years. So, what is next? I don't know. If God has something more for me to do He will let me know. Here is what I KNOW:

A New Beginning is coming!

I'm ready, Lord. I'm available. Use me and our story, which is YOUR story, in whatever way YOU want. May YOU receive all the honor and the glory for what YOU have done. LORD, it has taken seven years to complete what you so clearly directed me to do. May you bless this work. May it be used to bring others to YOUR saving Grace. Thank you, Father. Thank you, for the journey. Thank you, for allowing us to be the recipients of this Blessed Event.

Psalm 10:14 – "I hope my words and thoughts please you. LORD, you are my Rock, the one who saves me."


Next Entry: Brick by Brick

II Chronicles 35:1 – 36:1

July 23, 2014

After Josiah and the people promised to follow the LORD, they celebrated Passover like it had not been celebrated since the prophet Samuel was alive. Things were going well.

Then thirteen years later...

The king of Egypt decides to go out to attack somebody. This battle had nothing to do with Josiah or Judah. Yet, after all he'd experienced  and learned, Josiah decides he is going to go against the king of Egypt. Why? The king of Egypt said—what are you doing? This isn't between you and me! God told me to attack these people. God is on my side, "So don't fight God, or he will destroy you." But, Josiah did not listen. He did not inquire of God to see if the king of Egypt was telling the truth. Josiah went into battle wearing different clothes thinking no one would know. But God knew, and Josiah was hit by an arrow and died. He did not receive the promise of, "so I will let you die and be buried in peace," which God had promised through the prophetess Huldah.

God never breaks His promises and He never goes back on His word. Josiah broke the covenant. He did not listen to or seek God's voice and insisted on plowing ahead on his own. When we receive a promise from the LORD, it does not give us carte blanche to do whatever it is we want to do, how-when-or-where we want to do it. We must still be faithful and obedient! His promises are what is available to us. Whether or not we receive His promise depends on the choices we make. 

To make it personal, we have received a promise from God that He would protect us, free us, and bless us with HIS presence. He will not go back on His word. However, if we break our covenant, if we make the decision to no longer follow after HIS ways, if we choose to follow after other gods with anything or anyone taking the place in our hearts and lives that should be reserved only for the LORD, then WE have broken the agreement and God's available promise is null and void.

LORD, we surrender ALL. We claim Your promises. We choose to serve YOU only. Psalm 140 - "But we say, YOU are our God.  Hear, O Lord, our cry for mercy!" (Her Name Was Jane)


Next Entry: II Chronicles 36:2–23

II Chronicles 25:1 – 26:23

July 18, 2014

Amaziah becomes king. He does what is right, but it is more out of duty than a passion to follow the LORD's commands. When Amaziah became established, he held those who had killed his father accountable. He followed the laws of Moses and did not hold the children accountable for the actions of their parents.

Amaziah prepares his soldiers for battle. He also hires 100,000 soldiers from Israel for 75 pounds of silver. A man of God comes to him and says—what are you doing? Don't let the men from Israel go with you. Why are you trusting men instead of God? "You can make yourself strong for war, but God will defeat you. He has the power to help you or to defeat you." Amaziah says—but what about the money I have already spent? And the man of God replies—walk away from it. "The LORD can give you much more than that."

God has the power to help you OR defeat you. Put your faith and trust in Him. Rely on HIM, and only Him. It is HIS battle.

So Amaziah goes to war without the hired men and God provides the victory. But THEN, Amaziah brings home the idols of the people he defeated and started worshiping them. Why? Why would he do that? I've always said the most dangerous time isn't when you are facing a battle bigger than yourself because you know you need God's help. The danger comes when the battle has been won and you forget it was God who won the battle. The focus becomes, "look what I have done" instead of, "look what God has done."

Amaziah starts worshiping the idols that could not save those he had attacked and God had beaten. The LORD was very angry and sent a prophet to talk to him. Have you noticed that God always sent someone to warn people when they were getting off track? Unfortunately, it made Amaziah mad and he did not repent. His response was basically, "Who are you to tell me what to do?"

God provides each of us the opportunity for change, but the decision to listen and obey falls entirely upon our own shoulders.

Amaziah would not listen. He tried to align himself with Israel again. Instead of being joined with Israel he was defeated by Israel. He was captured by his enemies, and later he was hunted down and killed by his own people. "God caused all this to happen" because he sought help from others instead of God. Why? Why? Why? Why are some people so stubborn?

We all need to let go (of our pride) and let (surrender to) God.

Uzziah becomes king. He does what the LORD said was right. "As long as Uzziah obeyed the LORD, God gave him success." Therein lies the true secret to success. It is not our own abilities, but God's response to our servant-hood. Unfortunately, when Uzziah became powerful, "His pride led to his ruin." He became unfaithful to God and he thought he was above the rules. Only the priests were allowed to burn incense on the altar, but Uzziah decided that he would do it. The priests tried to warn him, "You have been unfaithful, and the LORD God will not honor you for this." Uzziah wouldn't listen. He became angry and he did what he wanted to do. Because of his actions, Uzziah developed a skin disease and he could no longer live in the palace. He was separated from being around other people for the rest of his life.

The most dangerous time is not when we are in a crisis. The most dangerous time is when things are going well.

LORD, I want to finish strong! May we follow hard after you now and when "the storm" is over.

From the Life Lesson in my Bible – "The humble are always at peace; the proud are often envious and angry." ~ From The Imitation of Christ by Thomas Kempis.

In my Bible margins I have written – "Isn't that amazing! The very thing they think will bring them stature and control actually binds them in a prison. A self made prison of envy and jealousy. What they thought would bring freedom is instead an albatross. A goal or "feeling" that can never be attained."

II Chronicles 25:9 - "...the LORD is able to give thee much more than this." Jane (Her Name Was Jane) has written in her KJV margins – Much More!  See Romans 5 - Uncle Amos's "much more's."

Addendum: 4/12/15 ~ "Walk away from it...the LORD can give you much more." Luke 6:38 - "Give, and you will receive. You will be given much. Pressed down, shaken together, and running over, it will spill into your lap. The way you give to others is the way God will give to you." We are watching this happen. "The storm" has battered our finances. In our human minds we think, but how can we be restored? How could that happen? How would God be able to do that? See II Kings 6:8 – 8:15.

Our human minds cannot begin to fathom the magnitude of God's love and abilities. Cannot. Praise God from whom ALL blessings flow. 


Next Entry: II Chronicles 27:1 – 28:27  

II Chronicles 16:1 – 19:3

July 14, 2014

Asa went from relying and depending on the LORD, to relying on his own strength and seeking out others to join him as he went out to battle.

The LORD had already proven himself faithful. He had already helped Asa and Judah win against other very powerful kings. Why change now? Why did Asa start deciding he was capable without God's help? Success breeds pride, and pride/success has ruined many people. The danger comes when you start believing in your abilities and depending on your strength, instead of depending on the LORD and acknowledging your success comes from HIM.

The most dangerous time isn't when you are facing a great crisis. The most dangerous time is when the crisis is over, and the victory is won.

A seer named Hanai went to Asa to warn him about the consequences. Instead of repenting, Asa became angry and put Hanani in prison. Instead of looking inward and accepting responsibility, Asa blamed others. Even when Asa was faced with disease he did not turn to God. He died soon after.

Jehoshaphat (Asa's son) becomes king. Jehoshaphat relied on the LORD and he obeyed God's commands. He wanted to obey. It takes intentional desire and effort to follow God; surrendering your will to the LORD's will does not happen automatically or accidentally. Jehoshaphat then did what should come naturally when you are surrendered and following the LORD—he told others. He sent his officers and leaders to teach others. They took God's words and went throughout the towns so everyone would know who God was and would know His teachings. The LORD blessed Jehoshaphat and protected him.


Next Entry: II Chronicles 16:1 – 19:3 (Continued)  

The Lost Chapters

March 26, 2017

When I finished writing my journal entry for Revelation 22 on August 27, 2013, I thought I had completed my journey of reading the entire Bible while writing my thoughts in a journal. But in July of 2014, while I was transcribing my journal entries for II Chronicles into this blog, I was surprised to realize there was a section of the Bible which I had not yet written anything about. I call that section: The Lost Chapters.

Below is my journal entry from July 02, 2014.

July 02, 2014

When my private journals became entangled in "the storm," I lost all confidence in my future writings remaining private. As a result, I quit writing in my journals for a period of time. I continued my Bible readings, but I quit writing. That is why my journal entries (The Journey: Part One) ended on November 08, 2010 with what I wrote about II Chronicles 10:1 – 11:17 and didn't begin again until November 26, 2010.

When I summoned the courage to begin writing again, I started with where I was reading—Ezra. Because I wasn't sure if my journals would remain private in the future, for several months I was very cautious about what I put down in writing. As time went along, I once again opened up and shared my thoughts and feelings. In August of 2013, I completed my journey of reading through the Bible while keeping a journal. I then began to record my journal entries into Blogger.

When it was time to enter II Chronicles 11:17 – II Chronicles 36:23, I realized those chapters were missing from my journals. I had totally forgotten about skipping a section of II Chronicles during my hiatus from writing. I now call the missing section: The Lost Chapters. It is the only part of the Bible I have not completed.

I don't remember any of the specifics or the contents of these chapters. It will be interesting to read and see what God has to say in these chapters and/or what He wants to remind us of as we are approaching the seven year anniversary of "the storm."  

My handwritten journal entries for this section will be in my last journal (Journal #13), following what I wrote about Revelations. After I finish reading and writing about this section, I will enter The Lost Chapters in chronological order in Blogger. 

I had totally forgotten about these chapters; I can't wait to find out what is in them.

The Lost Chapters—which I had totally forgotten about. It was incredibly amazing to read the missing section and realize it was saved aside by the providence of God for such a time as this. The lost chapters were divinely orchestrated by God to become the last chapters of my journey through the Bible. It was as if the Coach (God) was gathering the team together for one last meeting of preparation, instruction, and encouragement before sending me out to do HIS work.

I wrote that last statement and then went out for a walk. As I was walking, I suddenly realized the time frame between the time I read these "lost" chapters (July 2014) and when God began to reveal to me what He wanted done with my journals in October 2014.  LORD – What Am I to Do?; The LORD Answers!; I Didn't Know—BUT GOD DID!!

I'm not sure if I ever noticed the correlation before. If I had, I'd forgotten. It was just three months later. AFTER—I'd finished reading from Genesis to Revelation; AFTER—I had filled thirteen journals with my personal thoughts; and AFTER—I finished reading and writing about the "lost" and "last" chapters—THEN. Only THEN did God reveal that Walking on His Footpath (Following the Master's Lead) was not just my story to privately share with my family and friends. Instead, it was the way HE wanted HIS story to be publicly told. The Coach was in fact preparing me to be sent out to do HIS work.

Now here I am again, preparing to enter the "lost" and "last" chapters from my last journal into this blog, and I feel as if Coach God is once again using these chapters to call a meeting to prepare, instruct, and encourage me before sending me out to do HIS work. What exactly is the New Beginning and HIS work going to look like? I don't know. I could have never imagined my private journals going public. I can't begin to imagine how God intends to use them. All I know is that with HIS help, I am available to do whatever He asks of me.

Even though I've already transcribed the missing journal entries into Blogger to chronologically complete the section between II Chronicles 11:17 and II Chronicles 36:23, I believe it is important to also record them here, after the completion of Revelation, in the exact time frame in which they were read and in the place where the "lost" and "last" chapters appear in my hand written journals.

Revelation is finished. Now let's finish the rest of Journal #13 with the Lost (and last) Chapters entries for II Chronicles 11:17 to II Chronicles 36:23 written from July 12, 2014 to July 24, 2014.


Next Entry: II Chronicles 11:18 – 15:19 

The Journey: Part Two

March 24, 2017

Today is a very bittersweet day. For seven years now—since November 16, 2009—I have almost daily read His Word and written in my journals or recorded my hand-written journal entries into this blog while reading through the Bible again. The Journey: Part One was completed on July 1, 2014—seven years after "the storm" began. Now The Journey: Part Two is finished—seven years after I began keeping a journal while reading through the Bible. The last journal entry for Revelation is entered.  

I don't want it to be over. I don't want this journey of Walking on His Footpath (Following the Master's Lead) to end. His footpath has had some unexpected twists and turns, but God has taught me so much, and I have thoroughly enjoyed every minute of it. It has been a part of my life for seven years now, and it feels like a trusted old friend. I just don't feel ready for this part of the journey to end.

I'm asking myself why that is. Why don't I feel ready? Why am I reluctant to have it end?

Who could have ever imagined that it would take me almost four years to complete my journey of keeping a daily journal while ready through the Bible. And then who could have ever imagined that was just the beginning, and it would take me another three years to transcribe those entries into this blog. And who could have ever imagined that THIS is how God wanted HIS STORY told? And who would have ever thought that the lawsuit which began in 2007 would still be ongoing? You have to wonder if there is any link between the journals being finished and the ending of the lawsuit?

For some time now, we have wondered if completing the entire journey through the Bible was linked with the ending of the lawsuit. God waited patiently for Noah to finish the boat before judgment was handed down to those who refused to change their hearts and lives. When the boat was finished, judgment happened and then there was a New Beginning. You have to wonder why has the lawsuit not been resolved yet? It has been almost ten years. Why are my sister and brother-in-law still pursuing us? Why haven't they understood the path they are going down is leading to destruction? Why have they refused to change?  

I guess maybe that is part of why I am reluctant for this part of the journey to be over. Do I want the lawsuit to be over? Yes. Am I fearful of the outcome of the lawsuit? No. Then why the reluctance? The answer is: my sister and brother-in-law. I'm concerned for them. My heart breaks for them. There does not appear to be even a hint of any kind of change of heart or life. Not even one little hint. It feels as if time is fading. While there is breath there is hope, but hope is dwindling.

God waited patiently while Noah finished the boat, but there came a time when the door of the boat was shut and accountability for the people's refusal to surrender to God's authority happened. God has been so patient with my sister and brother-in-law, and for that I am eternally grateful. As much as it would be nice for the lawsuit to be over, the delay in judgment has provided my sister and brother-in-law with days, weeks, and now ten years of God's grace. I would gladly choose to have the lawsuit continue for many more years if all they needed was more time to change their hearts and lives. Sadly, I don't think it is something as simple as needing more time. 

No matter what, there is one thing I absolutely KNOW—God has a plan and HE is in control. 

God's plan and His timing has been meticulous throughout this whole journey. Nothing has been left to chance. He is a just, fair, and on-time God, and we trust Him. So, LORD, where do I go from here? What is it you want me to do next? There's no map for the next part of our journey. But, even though we don't know where YOUR footpath is going to take us there is one thing that is certain: we are following YOUR path no matter where it leads. LORD, show us the next step you want us to take and we will obediently follow you on YOUR path.

Thank you, LORD, for giving me the nudge to begin keeping a daily journal while reading your Word. Oh, how I have changed. I began so timid and unsure of myself and what I was to do. Writing seemed so awkward. Who could have ever imagined that thirteen journals and four years later, I would discover YOU gave me a desire and love for something I would have thought was absolutely impossible—a love for writing. 

LORD, thank you for Jane E. Wolfe. Thank you, for her faithfulness to you and her incredible encouragement to us. I hope Jane knows how you used her to change our lives and how you are going to continue to use her to change others. LORD, may her story and our story which is YOUR story reach many people for your kingdom.

LORD, whatever lies ahead, may YOU receive ALL the glory and ALL the honor. It's ALL about you LORD. It's ALL about you.

I surrender my reluctance. The Journey: Part Two is over. I'm ready to move on now. I'm ready.

*****

Today was moving day. On this, the same day as the last entry for Revelation, we moved the eight large industrial size storage boxes of lawsuit "junk" from our detached storage garage to the attic area of our shop building. No longer will they be taking up space where we can daily see them and continually have to move things around them. They are gone. Totally out of sight. Another part of the journey completed.

Addendum: 3/26/17 ~ Sometimes I think I just need a good thump on the head! Silly me! What was I thinking? Why was I hanging on to the past? Last night we had the unexpected opportunity to share some of HIS story with some friends we hadn't seen in quite some time. Oh, what a pleasure it was to share with them what we have learned. They listened carefully and it was exciting to see them understand new truths for the first time. And then it hit me. Part Two of our journey may be over but the trail isn't finished. IT IS TIME FOR THE NEW BEGINNING!! 

Why was I looking back and focused on what was ending instead of looking forward and focusing on what is ahead? What is important is the New Beginning, the next part of our journey. Thank you, LORD, for the reminder. Thank you, LORD, for the opportunity to share YOUR story. Thank you, LORD, for showing me that while Part Two of our journey is over, Walking On His footpath (Following the Master's Lead) is not ending—it is just beginning!!

I'm excited to see what lies ahead. I can't imagine what God has in store for my journals and this blog. All I know is this: It is time for the NEW BEGINNING; I am available; and I am following HIM wherever HE leads. 

Addendum #2: 7/31/18 ~ Silly me—again. When I first wrote this on 3/24/17, I made this statement, "You have to wonder if there is any link between the journals being finished and the ending of the lawsuit?" I thought I was finished. But I thought wrong.

If you have ever hiked the Appalachian Trail (or any other mountain trail for that matter), you will immediately recognize this analogy on why I was mistaken about being finished. When hiking a mountain trail, reaching the peak of the mountain is your goal. You climb... and you climb... and you climb. The peak appears to be getting closer. Then just when you think you have reached the apex, the path makes a turn and you realize you have not reached the peak after all. The trail continues on and the peak is farther on ahead. Such has been the case with me thinking I was finished in March of 2017. I wasn't finished at all, there were additional edits to make. The path turned, and more of the trail lie ahead.

Addendum #3: 12/26/2019 ~ A lot is "finishing."  For the last several months I have been going through my journal entries to make editing changes after learning how to use the "em" and "en" punctuation dashes. I am getting close to finishing the edits. "The storm" journey we have been on for over twelve years now has a court date—Spring of 2020—so we are getting close to finishing this trial time of our lives.

Finishing. Ending. Done. Over.

While we will be grateful to have the lawsuit in our past, what we are really looking forward to is: A New Path—A New Journey.


Next Entry: The Lost Chapters  

The Beginning of the End

January 11, 2017

All my reviews and edits from Genesis to Jude are done and I am ready to begin recording my last entries from my last journal and the last book of the Bible.

The Revelation of Jesus Christ

I once again am filled with excitement, anticipation, and a little hesitancy. Seven years. It has been seven years since I first began keeping a personal journal of my thoughts while reading through the Bible and then began recording those handwritten journal entries into this format. I'm almost finished.

It's the beginning of the end.

I have so many questions. When I began keeping a private journal on November 16, 2009, I had no idea where this journey was going to take me. I was only doing what I KNEW I was supposed to be doing. Almost four years (2013) and thirteen full size journal notebooks later, as I was finishing up Revelation and wondering what to do next, I suddenly KNEW I was supposed to take my private journals and enter them into a format where I could organize them and create labels for different topics.

NEVER could I have imagined what happened a year later in 2014. Read about it here.

LORD – What Am I to Do?
The LORD Answers!
I Didn't Know—BUT GOD DID!!

Once I began to understand what God was asking me to do, it literally shook me to the core. What? This is "The Book"? Really? But God, the lawsuit! How could it ever be public? Are you sure, God? I know we are supposed to tell the story of Jane and Your faithfulness, but I always pictured a short story in something like Guideposts. My journal is the plan?  What I KNEW I was supposed to start, and what I KNEW I was supposed to put into this format wasn't just something I was doing? It was part of YOUR bigger plan all along?

I was shaken, but then I surrendered all, even though I knew logistically it would be impossible for my journals (and this blog) to become public while the lawsuit is still ongoing.

My private journals* contain conversations between us and our lawyer; reveals mediation and settlement details; reveals much we would use as our defense; reveals things we know and could use against the plaintiffs (my sister and brother-in-law); reveals the ugly details of their deceit, trickery and accusations; reveals my personal opinions about their lives and actions; and my journals also reveal that we would in no way ever go after them for anything—all information which cannot become public knowledge while someone is trying to ruin you. The only way it would ever be acceptable for this journal/blog to go public is if the lawsuit is finalized and over—permanently.

But how or when will the lawsuit end? It's been going on for almost ten years now. Why would it suddenly be over now? Is there going to be a trial? Nothing is on the docket. Even if the judge would decide to set a trial date, it probably couldn't be scheduled until sometime in late 2017 or 2018 at the earliest. It's been ten years already. Why would the judge reverse course and suddenly schedule a trial after what our lawyer calls a "pocket veto" for the last ten years?

We have said from early 2008 on that we somehow believe this lawsuit will never go to trial. We have nothing to back up that statement—except faith. It is just something we KNOW. It seems kind of crazy to believe it won't go to trial. Mediation failed. Settlement failed. A trial is the next step and the only thing left in the legal process. So, why wouldn't it proceed to trial? We don't know, but we are sure. We only know what we believe, and it is by faith that we say we don't believe the world's court is going to be what determines our fate. 

At the Settlement Conference, the judge made it clear that our American laws grant each of us the "right" to sue. My sister and brother-in-law have a legal "right" to sue whether their claims are based on merit or based on greed and vengeance. The judge also pointed out that if you don't like the outcome of the trial it doesn't mean it is over because lawyers will always be glad to take your money and an appeal can be filed. So, it is their "right" as Americans and they can always appeal if they aren't satisfied with the results. 

Even knowing they have the right, and even knowing it is the next legal step in the process, we still don't believe this is going to trial! I know God's ways are not our ways, but what would be the point (now ten years later) of a trial? If there is going to be a trial now, why wasn't there a trial years ago? If the judge thinks if he gives my sister enough time she will eventually stop this personal vendetta, then he doesn't know my sister. She will stop at NOTHING. No earthly thing will ever convince her to stop, and nothing will convince her that what they did (and are doing) is wrong. NOTHING. It truly will take an act of God.

I can't imagine what a trial would be like ten plus years after the facts. During my sister's and brother-in-law's depositions in early 2009 they were confused much of the time. After breaks they would come back in and "clarify" something they said earlier while under oath. When your testimony is based on truth the facts aren't hard to remember. But imagine what it would be like for them now that it is eight or nine years later. I believe there are many ways that our lawyer could show their contradictions and catch them in their lies. But we don't believe it is going to be "man" that protects us.

GOD is the One who is our protector. HE is the One who will deliver us. This battle belongs to the LORD. The glory and honor for what HE is going to do belongs to HIM and HIM only. 

So, the only way I can humanly see the lawsuit ending (and therefore allowing this blog to be made public) is either by trial (and then appeals which would take many years), or by my sister and brother-in-law deciding to drop the lawsuit with prejudice, meaning it could not be brought up again. Either way looks completely impossible. It was only a year ago at the Settlement Conference that the judge could not get them to look at anything realistically. Why would there be any change now when there hasn't been a change for ten years?

Our prayer, desire, and hope, has always been for my sister and brother-in-law to change their hearts and lives. How often have we said that they will either be like the Saul of the Old Testament, who in his anger, revenge, and twisted thinking never understood and/or accepted Truth and went to his grave disillusioned, self-sufficient, and determined to "get" David—OR—they will become like the Saul of the New Testament who was stopped in his tracks, changed his heart and life, and became a servant of Christ. We continue to pray they will understand they are nothing without God and will desire nothing but God. We continue to pray they will be like the Saul of the New Testament.

That is our prayer.

Will they change? Barring a miracle there is little hope, BUT, while there is breath there is hope. So, we will continue to hope and pray, understanding it is a choice only they can make. We cannot make it for them. We would if we could, but we can't. It has to be their own personal choice. 

LORD, I pray again what I said in my journal a few days ago. Get in their face. Rattle their cages. LORD, if it takes bringing them to their knees and blinding them like you did Saul in the New Testament, then bring them to their knees and blind them. LORD, they are already blinded to Truth. LORD, I pray you blind their eyes to the false truth they have been believing so they can open their eyes and like Saul, be able to see Light and Truth for the first time. And like Paul, may they choose to get a new way of thinking. We boldly come before your throne and ask you, in the name of Jesus, to give them one more opportunity to change their hearts and lives. Thank you, LORD, for these ten years of Grace you have so lovingly given them. LORD, please give them one more chance. Whatever it takes, LORD. Whatever it takes. We surrender them to you.

We've come to understand we are NOT victims of a lawsuit. We are the recipients of a Blessed Event. The path we are on isn't a path we've created. It is a God-ordained path and we have chosen to follow the Master's lead on HIS footpath—no matter where it leads. To even begin to realize the awesomeness of our Heavenly Father in even the most minute of ways, has been very convicting and humbling. Following HIS footpath has taught us so much about faith and trust. We trust HIM—period. Our faith is in HIM—period. No matter what the circumstance, there is no safer place to be than following the Master on HIS path. You truly can let go of the need to be in charge and let God lead.   

It's been quite the journey. My crazy idea to begin hiking the Appalachian Trail? It turns out it wasn't my random idea. The idea to start going to a nursing home on Christmas mornings which put everything in place for HIS divinely arranged appointment with Jane? Not my random idea. The idea to start a journal while reading through the Bible? Not my random idea either. Now we understand it wasn't my idea to enter my journal into Blogger. It wasn't my idea to come up with the notion of praying about a NEW BEGINNING. It wasn't my idea to purge the house of all lawsuit files almost five years ago. It most certainly wasn't my idea to make our personal journey public. Unbeknownst to me, God was scripting a plan.

This isn't my story—this is HIS Story.

We absolutely believe without a shadow of a doubt that it is God's will for my private journal and this subsequent blog to be made public. But how can it happen? When? I'm almost finished recording my personal journal entries. The separate blog created to chronicle the story of Jane (Walking By Faith: A True Story of God's Faithfulness) is close to being done. Everything I've been led to do is almost finished. I know of nothing else I am supposed to finish. But, the lawsuit is still ongoing. What else needs to happen before God decides it is time for the lawsuit to end and the public release of the blogs to begin?

It's the beginning of the end.

Why did God show us (in 2013) how He waited patiently until Noah finished the boat before He brought judgment and the New Beginning began? Does the New Beginning after the flood correlate with the New Beginning we were led to pray about in 2012? Does I Peter 3:20 - "God waited patiently while Noah finished the boat" have anything to do with our situation? Is God waiting for something to finish? Is He waiting until my journal/blog and Jane's blog is completely finished? Is He waiting for us to start, stop, or finish something? Is there something else I am to do? 

Seven years. It has been seven years since my journey through the Bible began, and I have loved every minute of it. There has not been even one single day that I felt like I wanted to quit. Not one. There were times I was surprised how long it would take me to do something, but never a time of being bored, tired, or wanting to stop. I learned along the way that God's timing—is God's timing. We are just following Him. And I am okay with that.

It's the beginning of the end.  

I've been thinking a lot lately about this part of the journey being "over." There is hesitancy because I have loved every minute of it, but there is also excitement. What does God have planned? How would anyone even find this blog of our journey and my walk through His Word? How will God use His Story? It been seven years in preparation, what are the next steps? I can't imagine, and that is a good thing because it isn't mine to imagine. 

I have a lot of questions. But you know what? None of them matter. I don't need to know the answers because I trust the One who does know, and that is enough. We don't know how or when this journey will end. We only know that we are Walking On His Footpath (Following the Master's Lead). We only know that God is faithful and we want to be found faithful.

For the last several nights I have been praying specifically for God to use us however He wishes. A few nights ago, I was praising God and praying during one of my wakeful moments. I was praying about this blog and whoever may someday find it. It's taken me seven years to complete. In my mind I literally took these last seven years and my writings and presented them to God as a gift of my love. I once again surrendered to HIS Lordship ALL I know to surrender. I've given my journals and this blog to Him and I've asked Him to accept my gift of love and to use it in whatever way He desires.

During these last several nights as I have been praying and thanking God for his love, there was a melody running through my mind with a few snippets of words. I couldn't quite remember what song it was or the words. Then it finally came to me. I heard this song for the first time when a friend of mine from Texas posted the video from First Baptist Church to Facebook after the horrific shooting of the police officers in Dallas. 

Listen to it here if you have Facebook: Take Me to the King!  If you don't have Facebook you can listen to Tamela Mann sing it on YouTube here: Tamela Mann: Take Me to the King  
 

Take me to the King. That's my plea. Nothing else matters, LORD. Thank you, Jesus, for providing the way. It's all about you, Jesus. It's all about you. 

It's the beginning of the end.

I'm ready to begin recording my journal entries for the last book: The Revelation of Jesus. Show me once again LORD what it is you want to teach me. I'm ready. I'm listening. Let's go.

Addendum: 7/30/18 ~ While it took me seven years to read, write, and then transcribe my journal entries into this blog, it has taken me several more years to work on edits.  After taking a several month break from working on it, a friend of mine began to read the blog. In going back to read some of the entries, I realized the initials I used to protect people's identity were very distracting. So, I once again started over from the beginning, this time to edit out all initials and insert descriptive names instead. And now here I am, once again ready to start Revelations. Once I complete that, I plan on reading through it one more time to check links and to make sure I didn't miss any name corrections. It's close—it's very, very close.

It's the beginning of the end.

*****

*2020 Update: For privacy reasons, I decided to remove from Blogger the portions of my handwritten journals which included private details about my sister and brother-in-law's lives, their behaviors and actions, and the lawsuit they filed. The ugly details are not what is important. HIS Story is not about them—HIS Story is about our journey while following HIS footpath and how the amazing Hand of God protected us from them.  


Next Entry: Revelation 1:1–20

III John 1–15

July 22, 2013

There is a line that separates what is good from what is bad.  You are on one side or the other.  You either do:

What is Good (Exampled by Gaius) 

• Truth was in his life
• He followed truth
• He helped others follow truth
• He loved like Christ loved
• He served others
• He wanted truth (God's kingdom) to grow

 _________________________________________________________

 What is Bad (Exampled by Diotrephes) 

• Was arrogant
• Would not listen to truth
• Was self promoting
• He was a liar
• He said evil things about the believers
• He refused to accept the believers
• He tried to stop their ministries
• He tried to stop others from believing truth 

John calls Gaius actions good and Diotrephes actions bad. III John 11 - "My dear friends, do not follow what is bad; follow what is good. The one who does good belongs to God. But the one who does evil has never known God."  

Truth produces love. It has too because God is love.  

"The truth was in Gaius, and Gaius walked in the truth. If the first had not been the case, the second could have never occurred; and if the second could not have been said of him, the first would have been a mere pretense. Truth must enter into the soul, penetrate and saturate it, or else it is of no value..." ~ From Morning and Evening by Charles H. Spurgeon

Next Entry: Jude 1–25

II John 1–13

July 22, 2013

The Truth:

"I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one can come to the Father except through me."  John 14:6

"Then you will know the truth and the truth will set you free." John 8:32

You can deny it, try to ignore it, or even question it, but nothing changes the fact—the truth is the Truth—and it is the only thing that can set a person free.

I've often used the air in a beach ball as an analogy to teach this truth. The air in a beach ball represents God's Truth (the Trinity). If you try to push a beach ball down under the water it will put up a resistance and exhaust you as you fight to keep the ball (Truth) submerged. No matter how hard you try, it keeps popping up to the surface. It's a constant struggle. When you finally give up and allow the ball (Truth) to rest on the water, it goes from something you were struggling against to becoming something that saves you. As you hold on to the ball (Truth), you no longer need to work to stay afloat and it supports you and holds your head above water.   

Truth is the only thing that can set you free from the bondage of sin caused by selfish desires. 

In the Old Testament, the law commanded that we love. In the New Testament, Christ came to fulfill the law. Jesus is love and we are to love each other the way He loves us. II John 6 - "And love means living the way God commanded us to live. As you have heard from the beginning, his command is this: Live a life of love." II John 9 - "Anyone who goes beyond Christ's teaching and does not continue to follow only his teaching does not have God. But whoever continues to follow the teaching of Christ has both the Father and the Son."

"... The best way to keep the enemy out is to keep Christ in." ~ From Renewed Day by Day by A.W. Tozer

Next Entry: III John 1:1–15

I John 2:1–29 (Continued)

July 16, 2013

I don't know where the line is. How much leeway is there between saved and lost? How narrow is the narrow road? 

After carefully reading, studying, and writing about God's Word for these past 44 months, it seems as if the road is even more narrow than I thought. What I know is this: I want to be as close to the center of that road as I can get. I do not want to flirt with the ditches and become accustomed to the edges.

John describes the enemies of Christ. These were people who used to be part of the group of "believers" but they left the group which showed that they weren't "believers" at all. What they said they believed and the truth about their lives, were polar opposites. I John 2:21b–22 - "No lie comes from truth." He goes on. "Who is the liar? It is the person who does not accept Jesus as the Christ. This is the enemy of Christ: the person who does not accept the Father and his Son."

This is the point where people start going through a check list to convince themselves that they are OK.

1)  Have no other gods
          ✔  I don't do that
2)  Don't take the Lord's name in vain
          ✔  I don't do that
3)  Don't grieve the Holy Spirit
          ✔  I don't do that
4)  Accept Jesus as the Christ
          ✔  Yup—I've done that

WAIT A MINUTE!! WHO DO WE THINK WE ARE?!?

We say we have no other gods, but is anything in my life more important than Him? Self? Work? Family? Christian "service"? Anything? We say we don't take the Lord's name in vain, well maybe you aren't swearing, but what about the times you should have told someone about Christ and you didn't? What about that? You say you don't grieve the Holy Spirit by cursing His name, but any time you choose to not follow God's commands and instead do things your way, you are indeed grieving the Holy Spirit. You say you accept Jesus as the Christ—really? Is He Master of all areas of your life or are you using Him for (what you think will be) your get-out-of-hell free card?

Much of modern Christianity has made Jesus into this feel-good, lukewarm, I-just-want-you-to-be-happy guy. Where do you hear Him being talked about as Master and how often do we hear messages about being a "servant" of Christ? We don't want to hear that! We want to be our own master. Jesus is our back-up plan. We are capable. We will be in charge—thank you very much.

The problem with that way of thinking is that it is heresy. It is not God's teachings. We sure have messed things up. We strive to teach our children from little up to be self-confident, independent, and critical thinkers. Where is that scriptural? Scripture says our confidence comes from Him, it is in whose we are not who we are. Our dependence should be on Him, that is where freedom comes from. Our thoughts should be like His thoughts.

Where on earth did this Americanized view of Christianity come from? Certainly not the Word of God. World view says make it to the top—Christ says serve. To confess Jesus as Lord does not mean mere lip service. He must be LORD!

God has given us everything we need. Jesus clarifies everything in the Old Testament. His teachings show us how to live. His Holy Spirit is in us. I John 2:27 - "Christ gave you a special gift that is still in you so you do not need any other teacher. His gift teaches you about everything, and it is true, not false." He is Truth and His Spirit guides us. I John 2:29 - "If you know that Christ is all that is right, you know that all who do right are God's children."

I've still been thinking about II Peter 2 and the concept of servants—verses—slaves. Jesus is to be our Master Jesus. If He is Master we are servants. If we aren't HIS servant, we are a slave to whatever controls us, our own lusts, selfish desires, and ultimately—Satan. Hmm. Servant to Christ—OR—slave to Satan. We are one or the other. We are not our own boss. We are either surrendered to the Lordship of Christ and we are HIS servant, or in our futile effort to remain in control, we have relinquished ourselves to Satan and we become his slave.

Master Jesus—kind, loving, compassionate, Father, gentle, patient, etc. As His servant we are the beneficiary to all those things and we in return live our lives in service to Him. We bend our knee and allow Him to guide us and direct us, and our hearts desire is to follow His commands and to bring honor and glory to Him.

Satan on the other hand is a cruel dictator that seeks to kill, steal, and destroy. Like a roaring lion he devours. And while you think you are independent and master of your own domain, you are not. Instead you are a slave to a cruel dictator whose only mission is to destroy your soul.

Servant to a Loving God

OR

Slave to a cruel dictator

It truly is one or the other. I choose to surrender and bow my knee in submission to Master Jesus, to live my life in service to Him, to listen and accept His instructions, and to do everything I can to bring honor and glory to His name. When my life on this earth is over, I want to hear the words, "Well done, thou good and faithful servant." (Matthew 25:21–23)  

Being a servant to Christ brings freedom. Selfish desires only brings bondage. 


Next Entry: I John 3:1–24

I John 2:1–29

July 15, 2013

Just because we have a Savior who will forgive us from our sins doesn't mean we have a license to sin. We are to become holy as He is holy. If we do sin Jesus is our intercessor between us and God. But we most certainly are not to remain in sin. There are two simple questions to ask yourself if you don't know where you stand in your fellowship with God.

1)  Am I obeying His commands? Yes or No? Remember, He is Master Jesus and we are to be His servants. We don't get to pick and choose which commands we want to obey. 

2) Do I say I know God but still follow my own ways and do not obey His commands? Then the answer is simple—He is not your Master. The disobedience of His commands show you are are not willing to be a servant to Master Jesus.

John says you are a liar and the truth is not in you if you say with mere words that He is Lord but your actions don't support your words. I John 2:6 - "Whoever says that he lives in God must live as Jesus lived."Jesus explains the teachings of the Old Testament.  We must go to Jesus for salvation, instruction, guidance, direction, clarification, etc. I John 2:9 - "Anyone who says, "I am in the light" (Christian) but hates a brother or sister, is still in the darkness."

Someone who lives in the light will not hate a brother or sister and will not harm anyone. But someone who hates (hate = angry, seeking revenge, harm, etc.) a brother or sister is:

• in darkness
• lives in darkness
• does not know where to go, and
• the darkness has made them blind.

Darkness—the absence of light. What a horrible way to live. When you "say" you are a Christian but your actions show you are out to get your brother or sister then the truth is not in you, and you are in darkness, you live in darkness, you wander around without clear direction, and you are blind because of the darkness. Your actions trump your claims.

I clearly remember how disturbing it was to watch and listen to my sister and brother-in-law's depositions in early 2009. There were just so many conflicting lies in their answers. On the way back home our hearts were just broken for them. At one point, my husband and I looked at each other and said, "There is no truth in them." Now in July, 2013, I understand more about the accuracy and horribleness of that statement.

The Truth/God can set them free. But standing in the way of God's forgiveness is that little (big) word—IF. There has to be confession AND repentance. There has to be a turning from and a turning towards. 

I John 2:15 - "Do not love the world or the things in the world. If you love the world, the love of the Father is not in you. These are the ways of the world:

• Wanting to please our sinful selves
• Wanting the sinful things we see 
• Being too proud of what we have

None of these come from the Father, but all of them come from the world. The world and everything that people want in it are passing away, but the person who does what God wants lives forever."


Next Entry: I John 2:1–29 (Continued)

Hebrews 2:1 – 3:19

June 02, 2013

Jesus is above ALL. He is above man, above Moses, above prophets, above angels—above ALL. He is God.

The writer of Hebrews quotes a portion of Psalm 8. Jane requested that I read Psalm 8 to her in early 2007, long before I understood that God was going to use her to speak words of wisdom, promise, and encouragement to us. I can't adequately express what Psalm 8 now means to us. 

"What is man that you are mindful of him? Or the Son of Man that you care for him? You made him a little lower than the heavenly angels and crowned him with glory and honor. You made him ruler over the works of your hands and put everything under his feet."

While I have quoted this part of Psalm 8 hundreds of times I was always a little confused by it. Are these verses talking about man? Or, are they talking about Jesus? I just wasn't quite sure.

Hebrews 2 explains it. It is about both. Man is made "a little lower than the angels." Jesus, as part of the God three-head is above the angels. But when He came to this earth as God/man, He assumed for a little while this lower place so that by our believing in His death and resurrection He can lift us into His own sphere above the angels at His second coming. Hebrews 2:9 - "Jesus, made for a little time lower than the angels, dies for man that he may lift men above angels into the family of God."

Hebrews 2:10 - "God (including Jesus) is the One who made all things and all things (including us) are for his glory." We are his children, his family. We have physical bodies, so Jesus himself became like us and took on a physical body. Hebrews 2:14–15 - "He did this so that, by dying, he could destroy the one who has the power of death—the devil—and free those who were like slaves all their lives because of their fear of death." Jesus has done it all "so we must be more careful to follow what we are taught. Then we will not stray away from the truth."(Hebrews 2:1)   

We cannot accept Grace and then take all He has done for granted. Jesus is the builder, we are the house. Hebrews 3:6 - "But Christ is faithful as a Son over God's house. And we are God's house if we keep on being very sure about our great hope."

We must keep on keeping on. We must continue to follow God. Today! Now! Not later! TODAY!

Hebrews 3:7 - "Today listen to what he says. Do not be stubborn..."
Hebrews 3:15 - "Today listen to what he says. Do not be stubborn..."

Today! Joshua 24:15 - "Choose you this day whom you will serve." Do not be stubborn. Being stubborn cost the Israelites. They were stubborn and wanted to be in control themselves. And the result was they turned against God, and they bore the consequences for their actions. God was angry with them and instead of receiving His promises of blessings they received His promise of anger. Hebrews 3:11 - "They will never enter my rest." It was because of their sin that He was angry. Because they refused to obey "they were not allowed to enter (the promised land) and have God's rest, because they did not believe."

You can't "believe" and not obey. You either believe (and obey) or you don't believe (and you disobey). Saying you believe is not enough. True belief, by its very nature, means you obey. So, "Be careful that none of you has an evil, unbelieving heart that will turn you away from the living God. But encourage each other every day while it is "today." Help each other so none of you will become hardened because sin has tricked you. We all share in Christ if we keep till the end the sure faith we had in the beginning." (Hebrews 3:12–14)

Today! I want to enter his rest. I choose to believe and obey.

"Usually it is those who have suffered most who are best able to comfort others who are passing through suffering. Our sufferings may be rough and hard to bear, but they teach us lessons which in turn equip and enable us to help others. Our goal should be to learn all we can from what we are called upon to endure, so that we can fulfill a ministry of comfort—as Jesus did. The sufferer becomes the comforter or helper in the service of the Lord." ~ From Unto the Hills by Billy Graham

Addendum: 11/29/16 ~ As I was reading this passage this morning, a statement found in Hebrews 2:2 just pierced by heart. There IS accountability. The writer of Hebrews warned them to be careful. Follow what you were taught. Follow the scriptures. Follow Christ's teachings. FOLLOW!! Follow so you don't "stray away from the truth." Hebrews 2:2 - "The teaching God spoke through angels was shown to be true, and anyone who did not follow it or obey it received the punishment that was earned.

If you don't follow God's teachings, and if you don't obey those teachings, you receive the punishment that was earned. It isn't the fault any(one) or any(thing) else. It falls squarely on the shoulders of the person who has refused to follow and refused to obey. 

I just can't imagine. I can't imagine standing before Christ and coming face to face with the reality of receiving the punishment earned by refusing to follow and obey His teachings. I am determined to follow. I am determined to obey. Like the words of a song from my childhood: I have decided to follow Jesus... no turning back... no turning back. 

I am determined to Walk on His Footpath. I am determined to Follow His Lead.


 Next Entry: Hebrews 4:1 – 5:10

II Timothy 2:1–26 (Continued)

May 27, 2013

II Timothy 2:25–26 - "Then maybe God will let them change their minds so they can accept the truth. And they can wake up and escape from the trap of the devil, who catches them to do what he wants." The NIV says it this way, "... that they will come to their senses and escape from the trap of the devil who has taken them captive to do his will."

I want to be captive to the will of the Lord, not caught in the trap of the devil. To do that, you must stop doing wrong (turn away from) and you must follow Christ's true teaching (turn to).

"In a large house there are not only things made of gold and silver, but also things made of wood and clay. Some things are used for special purposes, and others are used for special jobs. All who make themselves clean from evil will be used for special purposes. They will be made holy, useful to the Master, ready to do any good work." II Timothy 2:20–21

God saves us → we make good choices → He uses us → we are made holy → we are useful to Him → we are ready to be used by Him → in whatever way He chooses. It is a progression of steps. It has to start with salvation. We must make good choices and follow His teachings. THEN we can be used by Him for special purposes. 

"And for you who make the journey—who leave the heap and enter the fire, dare to be pounded on God's anvil, and doggedly seek to discover your own purpose—take courage, for you await the privilege of being called, 'God's chosen instruments'." ~ From On the Anvil by Max Lucado

Next Entry: II Timothy 3:1 – 4:22 

II Timothy 1:1–18

May 23, 2013

Use the gifts God gave you. It's all about personal responsibility. If you were raised in a home with people of faith that's great... but that isn't enough. It has to be your faith, and you are responsible for you. Make sure you grow your faith.

II Timothy 1:6b - "Now let it grow, as a small flame grows into a fire. God did not give us a spirit that makes us afraid, but a spirit of power and love and self-control." So—tell others. Never be ashamed of your faith. By God's great grace we were saved and He is the one we believe in. That is why we tell the story. It is HIS story.  Faith doesn't grow by accident.  You need to follow His ways, protect His truth, and fan it into flame. When you do that you won't be able to keep the Gospel of Christ to yourself, and you will share it with others—no matter what.

In Paul's case, he was put in prison because of it. II Timothy 1:12 - "I am suffering now because I tell the Good News, but I am not ashamed because I know Jesus, the One in whom I have believed. And I am sure he is able to protect what he has trusted me with until that day."

Reading this chapter immediately brings to mind two different songs. One is a current praise song: "I'm not ashamed of the one who saved my soul." And the other is an old hymn with lyrics straight out of the KJV: "For I know whom I have believed, and am persuaded that he is able, to keep that which I have committed unto him against that day."


Next Entry: II Timothy 2:1–26

I Timothy 4:1 – 6:21 (Continued)

May 22, 2013

What is keeping you from surrendering? Why? What you give up to follow Christ doesn't satisfy you anyways. It is only when you surrender your all that you are truly free, happy, and blessed.

I Timothy 6:6 - "Serving God does make us very rich, if we are satisfied with what we have."
I Timothy 6:7 - "We brought nothing into the world, so we can take nothing out."

So—why on earth do people stop at nothing to obtain wealth when whatever "pleasure" it can bring is only temporary? It is here today and gone tomorrow. Having money isn't the problem. It's why you want it; how you go about getting it; and what you do with it that determines if it is a problem.

1. Why do you want it? Don't say so you can give to charities, etc. That is a cop out and an attempt to mask and cover-up your own selfish desires. You already have what charities need the most—your time.
2. How do you go about getting it? Is it part of every thought and scheme? Do you cheat others to benefit yourself? Is it honest pay for an honest days work? Do you neglect other things (time with God, family, helping others) to get it? Do you lie? Is it ill-gotten?
3. What do you do with it? Do you hoard it? Is there ever enough? Are you obsessed with how to keep it and grow it? Do you share generously? Is your opinion about yourself linked with what you "have"? Is it "mine" or is it God's? Is it a tool to help others or is it so you can be independent (even of God) and help yourself?

I Timothy 6:9–10 - "Those who want to become rich bring temptation to themselves and are caught in a trap. They want many foolish and harmful things that ruin and destroy people. The love of money causes all kinds of evil. Some people have left the faith, because they wanted to get more money, but they have caused themselves much sorrow." NIV - "Some people, eager for money, have wandered from the faith and pierced themselves with many griefs."

Most people desire money so they can be in control of their own lives. But who is supposed to be in control? Us? Or God? Matthew 6:24–34 promises us God provisions. We are not to worry. We are to surrender to God as Lord. Paul goes on to say in I Timothy 6:17–19 - "Command those who are rich with things of this world not to be proud. Tell them to hope in God, not in their uncertain riches. God richly gives us everything to enjoy. Tell the rich people to do good, to be rich in doing good deeds, to be generous, and ready to share. By doing that, they will be saving a treasure for themselves as a strong foundation for the future. Then they will be able to have the life that is true life."

Trust in God, not riches. That is true if you don't have money but wish you did, and it is true if you already have riches. Riches have no eternal value. Trusting God has eternal value that is immeasurable. Our forefathers knew what they were doing when on our minted coins and printed bills they wrote, "In God We Trust"! They did not write "In this we trust." Blessed with riches? In God We Trust! Struggling with little? In God We Trust! I Timothy 6:8 - "But, if we have food and clothes, we will be satisfied with that." No matter what—In GOD We Trust!!

As believers we are to run away from false teachings and thinking wealth is what will make us happy. Instead, we are to run toward living in the right way, serving God, having faith, love, patience, and gentleness. We are to "fight the good fight of faith, grabbing hold of the life that continues forever." (I Timothy 6:12) We were called... and we answered that call. NOW DO! I Timothy 6:14 - "Do what you were commanded to do without wrong or blame until our Lord Jesus Christ comes again."

God is in control. He is the One and only God, the King of all kings, and the Lord of all lords. He is the One. May all honor and glory be His forever. Guard what God has trusted you with. Stay away from foolish, useless things and of so-called "knowledge." I Timothy 6:21 - "By saying they have that "knowledge," some have missed the true faith." It is not about what you know. It is about what God teaches you.

Reading that verse reminds me of something my sister said as we were driving them to the airport after their December '06 visit. At the time I just thought it was another one of her arrogant outrageous statements. Now we realize what she said was symptomatic of a much larger and deep-seated problem. Here is the exact quote. She said (speaking about herself and her husband), "We are on the cutting edge of everything." She was speaking about all the "knowledge" they thought they'd gained from attending "guru" boot camps. They paid thousands of dollars to be taught (in my opinion) how to manipulate people and the system. Here is what I totally missed back in 2006:

1. It was not just an arrogant statement, it was a reflection of what was at the core of her life—pride; 
2. They were willing to spend tens of thousands of dollars in order to gain "knowledge" from the world's perspective;
3. It was all about their desire to gain extreme wealth;
4. They bought into the lies and participated in the manipulation of others under the guise of "financial freedom."   

Goodness. Paul (God) says to stay away from foolish, useless things and of so-called "knowledge."

Addendum: 10/27/16 ~ At the end of this chapter I have written notes from a sermon at church. I unfortunately did not write down who the speaker was so I don't know who to attribute the statements to. I have written the following:

"God did not give us wealth to raise our standard of living but to raise our standard of giving."

That is a powerful, powerful statement and worthy of reading over multiple times. It is NOT about us and what we can get!! It is ALL about HIM and what we can give. I also have written:

 Of all the verses in the Bible: 500 +/- deal with Faith; 500 +/- deal with Prayer; and 2000 +/- deal with Money, Wealth, or Possessions. There are 38 Parables. Almost half of them (sixteen) are about wealth.

I Timothy 6:10 - Some people eager for money have wandered from the truth and pierced themselves with many griefs.

"Pierced themselves." What an ironic statement. The very thing they think is going to bring them happiness brings hurt instead. What they thought would bring happiness to "self" ends up causing "self-inflicted" wounds. Money, wealth, or possessions will NEVER bring lasting happiness. Happiness is not determined by what you have. Happiness only comes from surrendering and serving the Lord. 


Next Entry: II Timothy 1:1–18

I Timothy 4:1 – 6:21 (Continued)

May 21, 2013

Paul tells Timothy, "Do not listen to someone who accuses a (leader) without two or three witnesses." (I Timothy 5:19) The NIV says, "Do not entertain an accusation."

As we have learned, anyone can make any accusation they want. Even in our country's court system, and even if it is false. Paul is telling Timothy to be cautious. Make sure someone isn't making false accusations out of revenge, spite, or seeking ill-gotten gain, or for any false reason. He goes on to say that the sins of some people are obvious and easy to see. But some people have used carefully crafted facades to hide their motives and actions. So, be careful, but don't worry about it. What is carefully hidden will be revealed, judged, and dealt with.

The opposite is true as well. The person who lives their lives doing good will one day be rewarded. I Timothy 5:25 - "So also good deeds are easy to see, but even those that are not easily seen cannot stay hidden." Truth, whether it is for doing good or for hidden motives and behaviors, cannot stay hidden and will be revealed. We will all be held accountable for the choices we've made and the actions we've taken. When you've chosen to live your life obedient to God's teachings, that statement is calming and comforting. We aren't in charge, HE is. His promises are true and His justice will prevail.

False Teaching and True Riches.
That is the heading for I Timothy 6:3-21 in my Bible. There is one true way. ONE. And it is following the teachings of the Lord Jesus Christ. All of them. Not picking and choosing the parts we want to follow, but all of it. Not agreeing with all His teachings means you are disagreeing with His lordship and you have placed yourself as god.

I Timothy 6:4–5 - "This person is full of pride and understands nothing, but is sick with a love for arguing and fighting about words. (NIV - an unhealthy interest in controversies and quarrels about words.) This brings jealousy, fighting, speaking against others, evil mistrust, and constant quarrels from those who have evil minds and have lost the truth. They think that serving God is a way to get rich." They think it's all about them and what they want. They will strategize, manipulate, (or file lawsuits), anything to get what they want. Nothing is off limits. They do not agree with all God's teachings. They instead pick and choose and use His teachings as a way to promote and benefit themselves. They think—but they are blinded and cannot see truth. Paul makes it clear that Jesus Christ is not the Lord of that type of person.

Wide is the road to destruction, and narrow is the path to salvation. Salvation comes in no other way than agreeing with and following the true teachings of the Lord Jesus Christ. That is not being narrow-minded. It is accepting the truth: Jesus is the only way.


Next Entry: I Timothy 4:1 – 6:21 (Continued)

I Thessalonians 4:1 – 5:28

May 15, 2013

"God wants us to be holy and does not want us to live in sin. So the person who refuses to obey this teaching is disobeying God, not simply a human teaching." I Thessalonians 4:7–8

People somehow do not reconcile the truth of that statement with their actions. If you are not obeying God's teaching, you are in fact disobeying God himself. You are literally shaking your fist in the face of God.

One of His teachings is to have love for your brothers and sisters in Christ. We are to do all we can to live a peaceful life with each other. You cannot have selfish desire, greed, deceit, revenge, etc. and love at the same time. Cannot. We are not to be thinking only about ourselves, we are to look out for the best interest of others as well. We are to take care of our own business and do our own work. We are to live in peace. We are to help warn and guide other people. We are to encourage others in their faith. We are to help those who are weak. We are to be patient with each other. We are to make sure that no one seeks revenge or tries to pay back wrong with wrong. We are to do what is good for each other and all people. We are to always be joyful. We are to pray continually. We are to give thanks—no matter what. 

I Thessalonians 5:18 - "This is what God wants for you in Christ Jesus." To refuse his teaching, or to do anything less, is to shake our fist in the face of God. I choose to follow His teachings.

These chapters are also a part of prophecy. Jesus is coming again and those who have already died will rise first. (Dad, MaMaw... you will all be going first!) After that, those believers "who are still alive will be gathered up with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air." (I Thessalonians 4:17)  I can't help but sing: "What a day that will be, when my Jesus I will see, when he takes me by the hand and leads me to the promised land... what a day glorious day that will be."

So—Be ready. You are children of the light, so live like it. I Thessalonians 5:8 - "We belong to the day, so we should control ourselves. We should wear faith and love to protect us, and the hope of salvation should be our helmet." (Psalm 140:7 - "O Sovereign Lord, our strong Deliverer who shields our heads in the day of battle...) God provided for our salvation through His Son Jesus. He died for us so we can live for Him. So, we should encourage each other; always be joyful; pray continually; and give thanks whatever happens. Don't hold back. Don't treat prophecy as unimportant. Test everything. Keep what is good and stay away from everything that is evil.

I Thessalonians 5:23–24 - "Now may God himself, the God of peace, make you pure, belonging only to him. May your whole self—spirit, soul, and body—be kept safe and without fault when our Lord Jesus Christ comes. You can trust the One who calls you to do that for you."

We do trust Him. He is our rock. He is our salvation. 

My life verses:

Psalm 32:8 - I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go. I will counsel you and watch over you.

Hosea 14:8 - I the Lord, am the one who answers your prayers and watches over you. I am like a green pine tree, your blessings come from me.

In Jane's KJV she has the following parallels between John 14 and I Thessalonians 4:16–18 written:

I will come again → The Lord himself shall descend (not an angel)
And receive you unto myself → Then we which are alive... in the air
Where I am there ye may be also → So shall we ever be with the Lord
Let not your heart be troubles → Wherefore comfort one another

Psalm 17:15 - I shall be satisfied
Isaiah 53:11 - He shall be satisfied

From Life Lesson:

"The end will come. For those who live for this world, that's bad news. But for those who live for the world to come, it's an encouragement. You're on a land mine, my friend, and it's only a matter of time: 'For in this world you will have trouble...' Next time you are tossed into a river as you ride the rapids of life, remember his words of assurance. Those who endure will be saved. The gospel will be preached. The end will come. You can count on it." ~ From The Angels Were Silent by Max Lucado

Ephesians 4:28 - Those who are stealing must stop stealing and start working. They should earn an honest living for themselves. Then they will have something to share with the poor.

WORK—not to amass things. WORK—so you can give!! 


Next Entry: II Thessalonians 1:1–12