Praise God From Whom All Blessings Flow

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

"The storm" is over! The lawsuit has ended—there was NO trial! God waited until anything man could do was done. Everything was ready and prepared for the scheduled trial. The legal paperwork was filed; all exhibits were turned in; witnesses were contacted and ready; hours were spent in preparation; the trial was just weeks away; and THEN!—the LORD stepped in. HE secured justice and established our freedom. Permanently!

By HIS Great Power we are free. Seven years after "the storm" began, the very last words I read while on my journey of reading through the Bible—"You are free to go" (God's fulfillment of HIS promise to the Israelites in Jeremiah 33)—is now God's fulfillment of HIS last promise to us. "You are free to go." What we believed by faith has become sight.

THEN They Will Know! It was by HIS Power, HIS might, and HIS hand that we were saved us from the mouth of the lion. Our prayer has always been that ALL would know it was the LORD who saved us. Our prayer has been answered. Only HE gets the Glory for our freedom.

The Proof Came—AFTER! The only way to prove we weren't crazy when for twelve years we stood firm and shared our belief that the lawsuit would never go to trial, is AFTER it doesn't go to trial. HIS promises once again proved true—there was no trial.

Purpose: To Bring Honor and Glory to HIS Name. It's ALL about HIM! The LORD—HE is the One! This is HIS Story. All Honor and Glory belongs to HIM.

 

HIS Story can now be released. 

A New Path—A New Journey! The time has come to take our first steps on HIS new path.   

A Divine Mandate finished. AFTER—HIS Story was completed, THEN—the LORD stepped in, secured justice, granted us our freedom and fulfilled all of HIS promises. 

 

II Chronicles 20:17 - "You will not have to fight this battle. Take up your positions; stand firm and see the deliverance the LORD will give you..."

Isaiah 52:2–3 - "...you once were a prisoner. Now shake off the dust and stand up... This is what the LORD says: 'You were not sold for a price, so you will be saved without cost.' " 

ALL praise, honor, glory and power belongs to our LORD and Savior, Jesus Christ. Thank you, LORD, for your unfathomable Grace. Thank you, LORD, for the gift of Salvation, both now and forevermore. Thank you, LORD, for your Holy Spirit who guided our every step while Walking on His Footpath (Following the Master's Lead). Thank you, LORD, for fulfilling every single one of your promises. Every. Single. One. Only YOU are worthy of our Praise. No words will ever be enough, LORD. No words will ever be enough.

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

By HIS Great Power

November 02, 2017

This morning, as I began to read Exodus 3 in my Bible (the next chronological chapter in my devotions), I was struck by several things.

1. God knows. Nothing was/is a surprise to Him. "I have seen... I have heard... I am concerned... I have come down to save them... I will bring them out... (I will) lead them... I have heard the cries... "
2. God is ever present. Moses was going about his daily business when he saw the bush on fire but not burning up. Moses didn't call out to God and then God finally arrived from some far away distant place. He was already there! BUT, Moses (and we) have to first look, and then draw closer in order to see Him.  
3. God promised HIS help. He is the great I AM. He was. He is. He will always be. He promised to go with them as He sent them out, and He promised to help them. "I care about you... I have seen what has happened to you... I promised I would take you out of your troubles... I will lead you..."
4. God has power. "Only a great power will force him to let you go, so I will use my great power... After I do that, he will let you go." God has "surpassing greatness" (Psalm 150). Nothing is beyond His capability. "Praise him for his acts of power..." (Psalm 150).  
5. God is in control. God used the ordinary to prove His authority. God took Moses' rod, something he used in his day to day life, to show Moses (and later the Egyptians) HE was in control and had the power and authority to save His people. Psalm 140:12 - "The Lord secures justice."
6. God will lead. He doesn't need our ability, He only wants our availability. Who has the power and authority? "It is I, the LORD. Now go! I will help you speak, and I will teach you what to say."

Thank you, LORD, for the reminders this morning. You are the great I AM. You are omnipresent and you are omniscient. Your promises are true. You have surpassing greatness. And no matter what, YOU are in control and you will continue to lead us while we are on this journey. We will continue to trust you and follow you on your footpath.

I still do not believe this path we are on includes sitting across from my sister in a court of law as "he said–she said" plays out in front of a judge. I do not believe a judge in the world's court system is going to determine our fate. (It took a considerable amount of courage to just put my belief down in writing—again!) It's not a comfortable position to be standing at the precipice of a cliff when you know you don't have any kind of safety line to protect you should you fall. I know I will look like a fool and much of what I have devoted seven years of my life to (reading through the Bible and keeping a journal of my thoughts now transcribed into this blog) will be totally discounted should I be proven wrong. BUT, with tears in my eyes I am going to step out on the edge of the cliff and say it again: I do not believe the path we are on includes a trial.

So, if I don't believe there is to be a trial, then what do I believe will happen? What I believe is found in the chapter I read this morning.  

"Only a great power will force him to let you go, so I will use my great power... After I do that, he will let you go." ~ From Exodus 3:19–20

I believe the only way we will be released from the traps my sister and brother-in-law set and from this lawsuit they've filed is by HIS great power. Not a judge. Not the skill of an attorney. Not by luck, happenstance, or a fluke. No. Only by HIS great power!

We have already seen that "time" is not the answer. The lawsuit has dragged on in the court system for over ten years. "Time" has changed nothing. When someone is fueled by revenge and evil intentions, no amount of "time" in and of itself, will ever change their mind.

We have already seen that "reasoning" is not the answer. A mediation attorney spent hours (literally) in their room trying to "reason" with them—and failed. A skilled settlement judge gave it his best effort. He tried to "reason" with them—and failed. All of our "reasonable" offers to sell, buy, or sell to a third party were flatly rejected without any consideration. "Reasoning" is not the answer or the lawsuit would be over.

Shockingly, even though my sister and brother-in-law's lives appear to be fueled by greed, "money" is not the answer either. They have already spent far more than they could ever hope to win even if the judge ruled in their favor on every one of their (false) charges. If you add what they will now have to spend to take the lawsuit on to trial to what they have already spent, it makes no logical or business sense. The judge at the Settlement Conference made a pointed effort to explain to them that even if they were successful in getting a judge to rule in their favor, all we would have to do is go down the hall to another office and file bankruptcy and they would be left with nothing. Yet, the risk of gambling and losing even more money is not enough to make them stop. Not only are they willing to risk spending more money they also rejected the possibility of receiving guaranteed money. We offered to walk away from any share of the money in escrow (over $140,000) if they dropped the lawsuit, and our offer was rejected. So, no amount of guaranteed "money" or no amount of risked "money" is the answer.

Even a ruling by a judge is not an answer. As the judge explained at the Settlement Conference, if you don't like the court's ruling you can always appeal, the lawyers would be glad to take your money.

Time. Reasoning. Money. A court's ruling. None of these are the answer. No earthly thing is the answer.

The way I see it that leaves only two options:

1. A heart and life change; or  
2. By HIS great power.

Oh, how I pray it will be #1. That has always been our prayer and it continues to be our prayer today. If there is a true heart change then their desire to pursue us would soon change and the lawsuit would end. That is still our hope, desire and prayer. However, even after ten years of Grace, there has been no heart change.

If there continues to be no heart change, then by default that leaves #2. "Only a great power will force him to let you go, so I will use my great power... After I do that, he will let you go." Brick by brick a wall being built to force a change in behavior. What a sobering thought. I can't imagine what it would take to force them to stop. I can't imagine, and I can't even allow my mind to go there.

Oh. My. Goodness. I just had a brand new thought!! Soon the judge will set a date for a trial. When we received the news, it felt like an end point was quickly coming and we were running out of time for some sort of intervention to block the impending trial. It felt like we were the ones running out of time. But. Oh. My. Goodness! What if they are the ones who are running out of time? Are the "days of Grace" God has so graciously extended to them these last ten years coming to an end? Are they running out of time to change their hearts and lives? Is there a day of accountability and reckoning coming?

I don't know. All I know is this: we are putting our faith and trust in Christ alone. I wish we could make the same decision for my sister and brother-in-law, but we can't. Only they can choose to surrender their hearts and lives to the King of kings and Lord of lords  I KNOW God wants my sister and brother-in-law's surrendered hearts even more than I want it for them. I KNOW God is a fair and just judge who can be trusted. I KNOW that no matter what, I can have peace and joy in all circumstances because HE is in control and my trust is in HIM.

For the last couple of days the song In Christ Alone has been running through my mind.  Here are the lyrics:

In Christ alone my hope is found
He is my light, my strength, my song
This Cornerstone, this solid ground
Firm through the fiercest drought and storm
What heights of love, what depths of peace
When fears are stilled, when strivings cease
My Comforter, my All in All
Here in the love of Christ I stand

In Christ alone, who took on flesh
Fullness of God in helpless babe
This gift of love and righteousness
Scorned by the ones He came to save
'Til on that cross as Jesus died
The wrath of God was satisfied
For every sin on Him was laid
Here in the death of Christ I live, I live

There in the ground His body lay
Light of the world by darkness slain
Then bursting forth in glorious Day
Up from the grave He rose again
And as He stands in victory
Sin's curse has lost its grip on me
For I am His and He is mine
Bought with the precious blood of Christ

No guilt in life, no fear in death

This is the power of Christ in me

From life's first cry to final breath

Jesus commands my destiny

No power of hell, no scheme of man

Can ever pluck me from His hand

Til He returns or calls me home

Here in the power of Christ I'll stand

I will stand

I will stand, all other ground is sinking sand

All other ground, is sinking sand

Songwriters: Keith Getty/ Stuart Townend

Listen to In Christ Alone here.


Next Entry: THEN They Will Know!

Brick by Brick!

November 01, 2017

The first initial years of "the storm" were overwhelming and time consuming, but once all the legal filings were submitted to the courts, things became quiet. The wait for the judge to issue his rulings began. Months passed. And then years passed. We became accustomed to the lull in the nastiness. And then a few weeks ago, the judge sent out a notice to both parties soliciting available dates for a trial to be scheduled for the Spring or Summer of 2018.

What?? A trial?!? Is there going to be a trial?!? For YEARS, I have been absolutely sure that this lawsuit would never go to trial. SURE! There are many, many reasons why I have felt so strongly about there not being a trial. You can read about some of them here and here. To get a letter from the judge requesting available dates for a trial was a complete surprise and rather disconcerting. It temporarily threw me off balance. I had a lot of questions and no answers. Feeling discouraged, on October 20th, I sat down and wrote my feelings out in a prayer to the LORD.

LORD,

What is it YOU want? What is YOUR will for our lives? Is it YOUR will for this ugly battle perpetrated upon us to go to trial? Is that YOUR will? Is it YOUR will for my journals and the story of Jane to be made public? Is that the way you want YOUR story to be told?

I have so many questions. So many. I'm not doubting you, LORD. I am doubting me. I have been sure for years that this battle was not going to trial. I still believe that. But am I crazy? Was it just wishful thinking? Is it something I have conjured up in my own mind? I really don't believe so. I really don't. But LORD, I want to be sure. I want to be sure that I am surrendered to YOUR will and following YOUR path.

LORD, I have absolutely NO doubt that you are going to protect us from my sister and brother-in-law's vicious and false accusations. NO doubt whatsoever. I guess what confuses me is the path. Do you want this battle to go to trial? Do you want the blogs to be made public? How does that work? Things have changed. The wait for the resolution of the lawsuit has been open ended with nothing in sight, so waiting wasn't that hard because there was an open ended time frame (in my mind) for you to complete your will. But now things have changed. Lawyers from both sides have agreed to set June of 2018 aside for a trial. There is now a point in time set aside for a decision and it is nine months away. Am I starting to doubt? I'm not losing faith in the end result, but I am really confused about the process. Did I misunderstand? Am I wrong? Last night I was reminded of what our Pastor always says. "Don't doubt in the dark what God has shown you in the light."

The blogs are for the most part done and ready. As far as I know I have completed the journey I felt YOU directed me to take. Is YOUR story really going to just sit idle for over nine months? Is there something else I am supposed to do? Am I losing my faith?

In the end it doesn't matter. You are God and I am not. So what is the problem?

I am ashamed. Why am I struggling? Nothing has changed. Am I worried about being wrong in what I have so passionately written about? Is it my pride that is suffering? Am I fearful of looking like a fool and trying to explain why everything I said I felt God was showing me was wrong and (evidently) a figment of my imagination?

LORD, I confess to you my fears. I confess to you my doubt. I confess to you my need to know what is going on and how you plan on doing things. I am weary. I surrender all to you. I surrender it all to you. My hands are open. You are God. I will continue to trust you. I do trust you. If I'm made to look like a fool—then so be it. The only thing that matters is YOU. I bow my need to know how you are going to protect us to your authority and sovereignty. I'm sorry, LORD. A planned date doesn't mean anything. I will still follow your footpath no matter where it leads. Help me to only look ahead at each next step and not start looking into the future. One step at a time, LORD. One step at a time. May YOUR will be done in whatever way YOU choose. 

Writing my thoughts down always has a therapeutic effect for me. It calms my mind and soothes my soul. It brings me back to Truth and to what I KNOW.

• I KNOW God has a plan for our lives.
• I KNOW God has promised us His protection.
• I KNOW I am to tell HIS story.
• I KNOW this lawsuit will not accidentally go to trial.
• I KNOW that while God may allow the "world's" court system to set us free, it cannot be His revealed moral will because the filing of this lawsuit violates His written words.
• I KNOW God has given my sister and brother-in-law ten plus years of Grace.
• I KNOW there will come a day when accountability for our life choices WILL happen.
• I KNOW that HE is in control—and that is enough.

We will STAND on the promises of God. We will continue to believe and hold on to HIS Truth.

There have been some other new developments pertaining to the lawsuit as well. Three of the four attorneys (including the lead attorney) representing my sister and brother-in-law are now no longer with their law firm. To us this is huge news. We felt their lead attorney was just plain vicious in his actions, words and tone. He didn't appear to be interested in facilitating any kind of negotiation or reconciliation and gave my sister and brother-in-law free rein in trying to cause strife and discord among our immediate and extended family members. Nothing appeared to be sacred or off-limits to either him or my sister and brother-in-law. We are SO grateful he is gone.

The timing of his departure seems rather remarkable. He literally left the firm just days or weeks before the judge sent the notice out asking for available dates from each side for a trial. He took a position as an in-house lawyer for a large company so he will NOT be able to assist my sister and brother-in-law again on their case. This is a huge blessing! We never need to see him again and we are very grateful. The scheduled dates for the trial are still up in the air. Some time in June 2018 is what the attorneys for both sides agreed upon but my sister and brother-in-law would not agree to those dates, so we are waiting to hear what the judge decides to do.

Shortly after the news about these new developments broke, the phrase "Brick by Brick" came to my mind early one morning and it got me to thinking.

In the beginning of this conflict, my sister and brother-in-law put up a brick wall of their own doing. Every effort we made to bring our conflict to a peaceful end (by using biblical principles) was blocked by a brick wall of resistance. They thought they were in complete control of their destiny and ours. While my sister and brother-in-law were building a brick wall of resistance, God was building a brick wall for our protection. "Brick by Brick" obstacles to block their plans and intents have been put in their way from the very beginning and the obstacles continue to build as they try to take us down financially by using the "world's" court system. Losing their lead attorney, ten years into the legal process and immediately before the judge requested spring and/or summer trial dates from both sides, is certainly another brick placed in their way. It will now cost them a considerable amount of more money to continue to pursue us. It will take a new lawyer many billable hours to be brought up to speed on the sheer amount of volume and details of the case.

Brick by brick.

Even the scheduling of a date appears to be a brick in their path. In their letter to the judge they stated the only times they would be available for a trial would be in very early spring because a trial later than that would cause their seasonable businesses hardship. I'm not sure if the judge will grant their request or not. Our lawyer is scheduled to be out of town and then has two other trials scheduled and the judge is typically in Florida in the time frame my sister and brother-in-law proposed as the only time they would be available. To read their claims of hardship and their basic refusal to consider other times was rather astonishing. They are pursuing us, we are not pursuing them! You would have thought their response would have been something along the lines of, "you name the date and time and we will be there." Instead, they had the audacity to tell a judge that his time frame for dates was not acceptable to them. Incredible. Their own words have caused more bricks to be added to the wall being built for our protection.

Brick by brick.

LORD, our prayer for my sister and brother-in-law remains the same. May they understand that without you they are nothing, and may they desire nothing but you. LORD, thank you for patiently giving them time to change their hearts and lives. Thank you, for granting them ten more years of Grace. LORD, we have always said they cannot pursue you and pursue us at the same time. So, Lord, I come boldly before you and ask in the Almighty name of Jesus for you to build the brick wall of protection around us so high they can't climb over it and so wide they can't go around it. LORD, I pray you would knock down their brick wall of resistance. LORD, I pray you would block the path of disobedience they are on to the point where the brick wall of protection you have built around us is insurmountable and they cannot successfully go forward in their desire to pursue us. LORD, we pray the words of Psalm 140:8 - "Do not grant the wicked their desires, O LORD; do not let their plans succeed or they will become proud." LORD, their planned intentions were clearly demonstrated when they chose to go against your written words and instead filed this lawsuit in an attempt to use the "world's" court system as the means to further their false accusations and their evil intentions. LORD, I pray that brick by brick you would block their ability to pursue this case to trial. LORD, may YOU release us through YOUR power and YOUR might. May all know that is was the LORD God Almighty who stopped the avenger and saved us from the lion's mouth. We pray this in Jesus' holy name. Amen.

Brick by brick.

Addendum: 2/19/19 ~ A light bulb of further understanding went on as I was reading this today. Jesus is three types of stone: 

• Cornerstone—someone to build your life's foundation upon
• Stumbling stone—someone who puts or allows obstacles in your path for the purpose of getting your attention and letting you know you need to change your heart and life 
• Crushing stone—someone who will eventually hold those who refuse to follow Him accountable for their life choices.

I Peter 2:6–8 - " 'See, I lay a stone in Zion, a chosen and precious cornerstone, and the one who trusts in him will never be put to shame.' (Quoting Isaiah 28:16) Now to you who believe, this stone is precious. But to those who do not believe, 'The stone the builders rejected has become the capstone,' (Quoting Psalm 118:22) and, 'A stone that causes men to stumble and a rock that makes them fall.' "(Quoting Isaiah 8:14) 

Matthew 21:42–44 - "Have you never read in the Scriptures: 'The stone the builders rejected has become the cornerstone; the Lord has done this, and it is marvelous in our eyes'?  (Jesus quoting Psalm 118:22,23) 'Therefore I tell you that the kingdom of God will be taken away from you and given to a people who will produce its fruit.  He who falls on this stone will be broken to pieces, but he on whom it falls will be crushed.' "

Many of the decisions my sister and brother-in-law made throughout "the storm" just didn't make sense. My husband and I (and others) would often just look at each other and shake our heads. How many times did we (and others) say, "Why on earth did they do that?? How does that make any sense?!"

I thought my sister and brother-in-law were (all on their own) building strong walls of resistance and they thought they were in complete control of their destiny and ours, but now I am starting to see things a little differently. I am beginning to understand God's hand has been in even the smallest of details. I now believe God-planned and God-allowed stumbling stones were put in their path; obstacles which were meant to get their attention and change their course of actions. 

So many situations are running through my mind. So many things that just didn't seem to make good business or logical sense. The disturbing thing is this: my sister and brother-in-law think they are building a wall of resistance against us when in reality, their wall of resistance is a fight against the authority of God. Because my sister and brother-in-law refused to change their hearts and lives, God allowed them to continue to build a wall that ultimately prevented them from owning our joint project which in turn prevented them from realizing any eventual profits from their deceitful practices. They also didn't make any money from the large sum of money they removed from the project; they lost the entire amount they removed and much more. 

My sister and brother-in-law's covert strategy to take over the project—failed. Their scheme to keep all profits for themselves—failed. Their plan to make a large profit off of the money they removed from the project—failed. All their best laid plans and strategies—failed. Not only did all their strategies for ill-gotten gain fail, but now their insistence on moving forward with a lawsuit has cost them hundreds of thousands of dollars in legal fees. We absolutely believe their attempt to have the courts enforce the "agreement" they deceitfully obtained as a way to financially ruin us for their own gain will fail as well.  

We always wondered, but now we see more clearly. Their decisions weren't just bad business practices or illogical thinking—it was God's hand at work. Stumbling stones were put in place and brick by brick a wall was built to thwart their plans. God has given my sister and brother-in-law opportunity after opportunity to change their hearts and minds, to surrender, to turn from their self-centered ways, and to build their lives upon the Cornerstone. For that I am very thankful. However, there comes a time when "time" runs out and accountability happens.

The stumbling stone becomes a crushing stone.

None of us like to think about judgment. We would all much prefer to talk about the wonderful Grace of God and sit around a campfire singing, Kum Ba Ya. But TRUTH is the truth. Some day we will all stand before our Maker. At that time He will either be the Cornerstone on which we have built our lives—OR—He will be revealed as the stumbling and crushing stone. He is either Lord of our lives—or He isn't. 

Oh LORD, we are still learning so much. While we have understood much of what YOU have done, we at the same time have understood very little. I am just amazed at even the glimpse we have been given. LORD, we trust you and ask that you continue to put obstacles in their path that will prevent their plans from succeeding. Thank you, for building walls of protection around us. LORD, there are not enough words to adequately thank you for all you have done these past twelve years. Thank you, Father.

Brick by brick. Stumbling stone by stumbling stone. Obstacles ignored. Walls of resistance built.


Next Entry: By HIS Great Power

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 (Continued)

July 15, 2014

Jehoshaphat (king of Judah), became entwined with Ahab (king of Israel) because his son married Ahab's daughter. Ahab—who rarely followed God's teachings; and Jehoshaphat—who followed God's teaching. In Jane's (Her Name Was Jane) Bible she has written: danger ahead. Indeed. When you align yourself with those who are not like-minded with you, there is danger ahead.

Jehoshaphat knew he was going against God's commands, but he did it anyways.

Ahab wants to go to war and he wants Jehoshaphat to join him. Jehoshaphat wants to make sure it is God's will. Ahab just wants to do what he wants to do. He has a group of 400 "prophets" that will tell him whatever he wants to hear. Ahab despises the one prophet who is honest about what God wants. Jehoshaphat wants to hear what the LORD'S prophet has to say. Micaiah (the Lord's prophet) says—don't do it. Don't go to war. Your plans won't work. In fact, what you don't understand is this: God is fed up with your refusal to follow his teachings. You think those 400 men are just telling you what you want to hear. Wrong. They are being used by God to fool you into going into battle because of your refusal to submit to His authority. Ahab became angry. He refused to listen, and put Micaiah in jail. Ahab (in his typical arrogant fashion) said to only give Micaiah bread and water until he returned safe from the battle. Micaiah replied, "If you come back safely" then the LORD hasn't spoken through me.

"Remember my words, all you people."

So, Ahab does what Ahab wants to do and he goes into battle. But Ahab wasn't completely confident in his victory. Somewhere in the back of his mind there was some doubt and fear. So he tells Jehoshaphat to wear his royal clothes, but Ahab wore other clothes so no one would recognize him. How nice of him. He set up his "friend" as a means to protect himself. Ahab's plan most likely would have worked, but God stepped in and intervened. The only person the king of Aram wanted was Ahab. When they saw Jehoshaphat in royal clothing they were ready to attack him. But Jehoshaphat shouted, "... and the LORD helped him." And then, by chance, (God) a soldier shot a random arrow and it struck Ahab between his pieces of armor. Ahab was dead by sunset.

By chance, was actually the Hand of God. The army that was ready to attack Jehoshaphat was stopped by God. II Chronicles 18:31 - "The LORD helped him; and God moved them to depart from him." (KJV) God protects those who call on Him; He holds accountable those who have turned their backs on Him. We control whether we submit ourselves to the authority of God and obey His teachings. God controls all the rest.

Jehoshaphat returns. God sends a seer to him and asks, "Why did you help evil people? Why do you love those who hate the LORD?" Because of the choices Jehoshaphat made, the LORD was angry with him and he was faced with new troubles and the same problems of aligning himself with those who were not like-minded.


Next Entry: II Chronicles 19:4 – 21:3

Revelation 21:1 – 22:21

August 27, 2013

It is finished! Eternal heaven is about to begin. There is a new heaven and a new earth. There is a new Jerusalem that descends from heaven. There will no longer be a "cloud" of God's presence (like there was when God protected and led His people from their bondage in Egypt) because God Himself will be there with His people. Oh what a day! To be in the presence of the LORD God Almighty Himself!! 

Revelation 21:4 - "He will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and there will be no more death, sadness, crying, or pain, because the old ways are gone." The One on the throne said, "Write this, because these words are true and can be trusted."

"It is finished. I am the Alpha and the Omega, the Beginning and the End. I will give free water from the spring of the water of life to anyone who is thirsty. Those who win the victory will receive this, and I will be their God, and they will be my children. But cowards (KJV - fearful), those who refuse to believe, who do evil things, who kill, who sin sexually, who do evil magic, who worship idols, and who tell lies—all these will have a place in the lake of burning sulfur. This is the second death." Revelation 21:6–8

The key to knowing God is found in the word I have underlined. You have to be thirsty. His water of life is available to anyone who wants it, but you have to want it. You have to desire it as if you were in a hot dry desert and desperately needing water to survive. If you sincerely want to know God and know more about God, He WILL show you Himself. God has never turned away an honest seeker. NEVER! When you seek Him, you will find Him. It is a promise from God that cannot be broken. 

There is no need for a temple in the New Jerusalem. The Almighty God and the Lamb are the temple. The city doesn't need a sun or moon because God is the light and the Lamb is the lamp. No thing or no one else is needed. We will walk in the light of God and the Lamb. There is no darkness there. There is no sin. Revelation 21:27 - "Only those whose names are written in the Lamb's Book of Life will enter the city."

The river of the water of life flows through the city. It flows from the throne of God and of the Lamb. The tree of life is on each side of the river. Nothing that God judges guilty will be there. Evil is forever gone. Surrounding the throne of God and the Lamb is God's servants—you and me—and we are worshiping the Lord God Almighty. Songs of praise are popping into my mind: I Can Only Imagine; What a Day That Will Be; The Cross Was Enough (Jesus, Son of God); How Great Thou Art.

Jesus as Lord says:

"Listen!  I am coming soon!... Obey my words!"

And again He says:

"Listen! I am coming soon! I will bring my reward with me, and I will repay each one of you for what you have done. I am the Alpha and Omega, the First and Last, the Beginning and the End. I, Jesus have sent my angel to tell you these things for the churches. I am the descendant from the family of David, and I am the bright Morning Star."

The Spirit and the bride (that's us) say,

"Come!"

Let the one who hears this say,

"Come!"

Let whoever is thirsty,

"Come!"

Revelation 22:17 - "Whoever wishes may have the water of life as a free gift."

Revelation 22:20–21 - "Jesus, the One who says these things are true says, "Yes, I am coming soon." Amen. Come, Lord Jesus! The grace of the Lord Jesus be with you all. Amen."

*****

There is no more to say. The Cross of Jesus is enough. Amen. Come, Lord Jesus. Come!


Next Entry: The Journey: Part Two 

Revelation 14:1 – 15:8 (Continued)

August 16, 2013

This passage is also a prophetic description of a battle that will take place at the end of the tribulation. The battle is so violent that blood will flow as high as a horse's bridle for a distance of about one hundred eighty miles. Horrible, horrible destruction and violence for those who refused to be a servant of Master Jesus and instead insisted on following their own selfish ways. They realize they are no longer in control of their choices. Their attempt to ride the fence and fool others into thinking they were "religious" while they were actually unbelievers is exposed and they are forced into being what they were all along—a slave to Satan himself. 

Then John looked again—and he saw seven angels bringing seven disasters. Revelation 15:1 - "These are the last disasters, because after them, God's anger is finished." When Jesus was crucified (John 19:30) He said, "It is finished." The Plan for Salvation was completed with Christ's death and resurrection. Now the plan for destruction and God's anger will soon be finished.

But before the final seven disasters began, John saw something else. He saw what looked like a sea of glass mixed with fire. All of those who had won the victory over the beast and his idol and of the Antichrist were standing there. They had harps that God himself had given them. Revelation 15:3–4 - "They sang the song of Moses, the servant of God, and the song of the Lamb:

"You do great and wonderful things, (Psalm 111:2)
    Lord God Almighty. (Amos 3:13)
Everything the Lord does is right and true, (Psalm 145:17)
     King of the nations.
Everyone will respect you, Lord (Jeremiah 10:7)
     and will honor you.
Only you are holy.
All the nations will come
     and worship you, (Psalm 86:9–10)
because the right things you have done,
     are now made known." (Deuteronomy 32:4)

After John saw the redeemed and heard this song, the temple in heaven was opened and the seven angels bringing the seven disasters came out. They were given seven golden bowls "filled with the anger of God, who lives forever and ever." The temple filled with smoke from the power and glory of God, "and no one could enter the temple until the seven disasters of the seven angels were finished."

The final destruction is about to begin.


Next Entry: Revelation 16:1–21

Revelation 12:1–18

August 07, 2013

Revelation 12 symbolizes the conflict between God and Satan. It's a conflict that Satan doesn't and cannot win, but that does not stop him from trying to create havoc along the way.

God reveals (and John describes) a battle between a woman and a giant red dragon. The woman represents God's plan for man's salvation through the birth and death of Jesus. The red dragon represents Satan. Satan was determined to stop God's plan for salvation before it even began. The dragon "stood in front of the woman who was ready to give birth so he could eat her baby as soon as it was born." His plan to destroy God's plan failed, and the child and the mother were protected by God.

I have a whole new appreciation for what Mary must have endured before, during, and after the birth of Jesus. I'd never really given much thought to how Mary's life was impacted by Satan's desire to thwart God's plan for salvation. Stopping God's plan for man's salvation was/is the driving force behind all of Satan's actions. Understanding this also gives us more perspective on how Jesus as God/man was the target of Satan's attacks. Jesus was God's Son and His plan for the salvation of man. It wasn't "just" the temptations in the desert, it would have been daily attacks. Satan would have been relentless and would have stopped at nothing—all to try and circumvent and prevent God's plan. He thought he was successful when Jesus was nailed to the cross, but Satan (praise the Lord) can never stop God's power. Since he couldn't thwart God's plan through Mary or Jesus, he has turned his attention to "man."

This should not bring us fear. When we are surrendered to Jesus we are protected by Him and Satan has no power over us. But, it sure does explain why Satan works so hard at keeping people blinded and ignorant to Truth. He knows God's Truth is what will set them free. Jesus said, "The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I came that they may have life..." (John 10:10)

Revelation 12:7 - "Then there was a war in heaven. Michael and his angels fought against the dragon, and the dragon and his angels fought back." The dragon and his angels cannot be a victor over God's angels, and the dragon and his angels lost their place in heaven and were thrown out—down to earth. Then John heard a loud voice in heaven say:

"The salvation and the power and the kingdom of our God
     and the authority of his Christ have now come.
The accuser of our brothers and sisters,
     who accused them day and night before our God,
     has been thrown down.
And our brothers and sisters defeated him
     by the blood of the Lamb's death (First and most important)
     and by the message they preached.(and by the testimonies of His followers)
They did not love their lives so much  
     that they were afraid of death. (They were totally surrendered)
So rejoice, you heavens
     and all who live there!
But it will be terrible for the earth and the sea,
     because the devil has come down to you!
He is filled with anger,
     because he knows he does not have much time."
     (Revelation 12:10–12 ~ Emphasis and comments mine)

When the dragon/Satan realized he was thrown out of heaven he was angry and full of vengeance. He sought (seeks) to destroy anyone who is a follower of God, starting with the woman who gave birth to the Son. God prepared a place of safety for her, but still Satan did not give up. He poured water out of his mouth like a river to carry her away, "But the earth helped the woman by opening its mouth and swallowing the river that came from the mouth of the dragon."

Satan doesn't take defeat lightly. He was very angry, "and he went off to make war against all her other children—those who obey God's commands and who have the message Jesus taught."

Obviously there is a lot of symbolism and deeper meanings here which I don't understand. But the bottom line is this:

• God is more powerful than Satan
• We know who wins the final battle
• God provides protection for His people
• To have that protection we must obey His commands (not just know them, we must OBEY them) and we must have the message that Jesus taught (not just head knowledge of Christ, we must HAVE a personal relationship with Christ).

Satan is defeated by the blood of Christ's death and (incredibly) by our testimonies. Our testimonies of God's salvation plays a role in defeating Satan's plan. What an incredible thought.

God is in control. Satan may try to wreck havoc, but he is not in control. We can depend on God for our strength, courage, and victory.

Addendum: 3/4/17 ~ I was thinking this morning about the length of time between Satan's success in getting Adam and Eve to believe they could assert their self-sufficiency over God's authority in the Garden of Eden to when God's plan of salvation culminated in the virgin birth, life, death and resurrection of Jesus.

Thousands of years passed between the downfall of man and the birth of Jesus. No wonder Satan was so adamant at trying to prevent the fulfillment of God's plan of salvation. He thought his plan was working. Thousands of years had passed. 

Time is of NO importance. God's will—WILL happen and nothing can stop it. Now, thousands of more years have passed since the resurrection of Christ, and Satan is still trying to prevent as many people as possible from accepting God's plan of salvation.

The blood of Jesus defeated Satan's plans and our testimonies bear witness to his defeat. Satan has spent thousands and thousands of years trying to thwart God's plan of salvation and trying to prevent humanity from accepting it. No wonder there is such a battle. He wants God's position. He doesn't have the power to come up with his own creation so he tries to counterfeit God's position. He's relentless. He's determined. But no matter what he does, his ultimate defeat is guaranteed.

The end of the story is already written. The outcome is certain.

Revelation describes the battle. For a period of time Satan will have what he thinks is full control. He doesn't understand that God allows him only so much time and power. I take that back. I think he does know that God is in control, and it makes him angry and he fights back even more. BUT! There is coming a day when his rule of terror will permanently end and his eternity of punishment will begin.

On that day, on that planned day, all of creation will rejoice. God's will—WILL be done.

There is coming a day! Oh what a day that will be.  


Next Entry: Revelation 13:1–18

Revelation 8:1 – 9:21

August 01, 2013

The Lamb opens the seventh seal and there was silence in heaven for about half an hour.

The seventh seal revealed seven angels who stand before God and they each were given a trumpet. Another angel came and stood before the altar. He was holding a golden pan for incense—the prayers of God's holy people. He put the golden pan filled with incense and the prayers of God's people on the altar before the throne. The smoke went from the angel's hands to God with the prayers of God's people.

I believe these to be the prayers of repentance, surrender, praise, protection, provision, honor, glory, thankfulness, and gratitude to Master Jesus. Prayers that come from understanding the God (Master) → man (servant) relationship. Those types of prayers are a sweet smelling aroma to God. I cannot believe the golden pan also held the self-serving prayers so prevalent in modern Christianity. Prayers from those who have placed themselves on the throne while treating God as if He was their own personal servant to heed their every wish, beck and call. How could those types of prayers be an offering to the Most Holy One and to the Lamb? Isaiah 65:5 describes those kind of prayers as a stench in the nostril of God.

God heard the prayers of his people and the angel filled the pan with the fire from the altar and threw it on the earth.  And there were flashes of lightning, thunder, loud noises, and an earthquake. God hears the honest prayers of His people.

The seven angels with the seven trumpets prepared to blow them. The tribulation time is at hand.

1st Trumpet—hail and fire mixed with blood poured down on the earth. A third of the earth, the green grass and a third of the trees were burned up.

2nd Trumpet—something that looked like a big mountain was thrown into the sea and a third of the sea became blood, and a third of the living things in the sea died and a third of the ships were destroyed.

3rd Trumpet—a large star, burning like a torch fell from the sky. It fell on a third of the rivers and on the springs of water. The star was named wormwood which means bitter, and there was bitter sorrow around the world. The water became toxic and many people died from drinking it.

4th Trumpet—a third of the moon, sun, and stars are destroyed. This creates total chaos on the earth. It affects everything: the tides, the ability to grow food, etc. Life as it was known is now gone.

Sometimes it's easy to read descriptions of something and think—wow—but then go right on without really thinking about the magnitude of it. Or, we picture it in our mind as some sort of movie event that is not part of reality. But think about it!! This is not a science fiction movie. This is reality!! 

The Solar System: One-third of the sun, moon and stars destroyed.  This affects everything!

The Earth: One-third of the dirt, grass, and trees burned up. One-third of the sea turned to blood. One-third of the living things in the sea destroyed. One-third of the ships (commerce) destroyed. One-third of all the earth's water, rivers and springs become unusable. 

Picture it in your mind. One-third of everything!! Can you imagine the stench, the chaos, the hopelessness, the horror? The sun, moon and stars as they were known—GONE. The 🌎 as it was known—GONE! 

After the 4th trumpet an eagle was flying high in the air and in a loud cry was saying, "Trouble!  Trouble! Trouble for those who live on earth because of the remaining sounds of the trumpets that the other three angels are about to blow!" (This reminds me of the "How terrible it will be" statements found in Isaiah.)

5th Trumpet—A star falls from the sky. It was given the key to a deep hole that leads to the bottomless pit. It opened the hole and smoke came up out of it like smoke from a furnace. The sun and sky became dark. (This would disrupt everything. A localized volcano wrecks havoc on air flights, etc. Think what this would do!) Then out of the smoke came locusts who were given the power to sting like scorpions. Normally a locust devours vegetation, but these locusts were instructed not to harm the earth, or any plant or tree. They were to only harm people and to cause extreme pain for five months with their powerful sting. People will want to die, but "death will run away from them" and they are forced to endure the awfulness for the entire five months. The locusts leader was an angel of the bottomless pit. His name means Destroyer. Just like in the days of Pharaoh and the Israelites who were in captivity, the only people not affected by this curse were God's people, the ones who had been sealed for protection by the sign of God on their foreheads.

Revelation 9:12 - "The first trouble has past; there are still two other troubles that will come."


Next Entry: Revelation 8:1 – 9:21 (Continued)

II Peter 1:1–21

July 10, 2013

We have everything we need for life and godliness IF—we know Him. We have the very words of God available at our fingertips. It is through His words that we have knowledge of Him and we can receive His power and promises. THEN—we have everything we need to live a successful godly life. He has made it ALL available to us.

For too many years I didn't take full advantage of His Words. I wish I would have because:

• We have these things—because we know Him.
• Through these—He gives us promises and power.
• With these—you become more godly.

Our protection from the world's snares come from KNOWING Him, and the only way to truly KNOW Him is to be carefully reading HIS words.

II Peter 1:5 - Because you have these blessings, do your best to add these things to your lives: Faith (it all begins here)  →  Goodness (virtue)  → Knowledge (of God) → Self-Control (temperance) → Patience (perseverance) → Service for God (godliness) → Brotherly kindness (no selfish motives) → Love (Charity; Christian love)

It all begins with faith IN Him, knowledge OF Him, and action THROUGH Him. 

II Peter 1:8 - "For if you possess these qualities in increasing measure, they will keep you from being ineffective and unproductive in your knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ." If you don't have these qualities growing in your life, then you are not effective and you can no longer clearly see truth and are instead blind to what truth is, your faith experience is in the distant past, and you are in danger of falling away. If you follow God's plan "you will never fall" and you will be able to do great things for Him and by Him, and you will be welcomed into eternal heaven by Jesus with a "well done thou good and faithful servant."

Prophecy—God showed Peter what lay ahead for him. His life was going to end in martyrdom. Peter didn't moan and groan. He spent his time building up fellow believers and doing as much for the cause of the kingdom as he could in the time he had left. He saw the greatness of Jesus with his own eyes and he was forever changed. He heard God tell Jesus that He loved him with his own ears and it increased his faith. He stood strong, and he continued on.

God sent a light in the darkness. He did it with the prophets in the Old Testament, the apostles in the New Testament, and He still does it today.  II Peter 1:20 - "Most of all, you must understand this: No prophecy in the Scriptures ever comes from the prophet's own interpretation. No prophecy ever came from what a person wanted to say, but people led by the Holy Spirit spoke words from God."

Jane can be explained in no other way.


Next Entry: II Peter 2:1–22

I Peter 5:1–14

July 09, 2013

Continue to do what is right—no matter what. Don't give up. Stand firm and continue to do what is right. Be humble and serve others. "God is against the proud, but he gives grace to the humble." (I Peter 5:5 and Proverbs 3:34)

Your humility should not come from a "I'm no good" attitude. That isn't humility. Humility is understanding the awesomeness of God and the

God

↓

man

relationship. It's ALL about Him. I Peter 5:6 -"Be humble under God's powerful hand so he will lift you up when the right time comes." He will do the rescuing. It isn't us who have to pull ourselves up to save ourselves. The key is to let Him (surrender) and wait for Him. Only He knows the "right time." In the meantime,  I Peter 5:7 - "Give all your worries to him, because he cares about you."

Don't hold on to worries or fears because that is a reflection of you trying to assume control. Let go and trust Him. Control yourself—NOT the situation. Be careful to keep yourself grounded in God's Word. The devil prowls around looking for someone to devour. He is "like a roaring lion." There are times your head is in the mouth of the lion because you are doing the right thing. It is not your power that saves you, it is God's power that prevents the mouth of the lion from shutting and harming you. Our responsibility is to stand strong and refuse to give in to him (the evil one) or the fear he wants to create.

I Peter 5:10 - "After you suffer for a short time, God, who gives all grace, will make everything right. He will make you strong and support you and keep you from falling. He called you to share in his glory in Christ, a glory that will continue forever. All power is his forever and ever. Amen."

So stand strong. He is in control. Pass it on. Share who HE is and what HE has done. Mentor others. I Peter 5:2 - "I beg you to shepherd God's flock, for whom you are responsible. Watch over them because you want to not because you are forced." Do it because it is the right thing. Be happy to serve. Don't do it because it is a way to make a monetary gain or to bring notoriety to yourself. Don't do it to be in charge. As a servant of Christ—serve. As a recipient of Grace—give grace. "This is how God wants it." (I Peter 5:2) In everything you do, please God—not self.

"When the temptation of pride comes knocking... as it will... we must lock the door against it—whatever that takes... The best protection I have discovered is accountability. Since we all have blind spots, we must, as we mentioned earlier, submit ourselves to those who can see the logs floating in our eyes." ~ From The Body by Charles Colson

Next Entry: II Peter 1:1–21

I Peter 2:1–25 (Continued)

July 02, 2013

I Peter 2:20–21 - "But if you suffer for doing good, and you are patient, then God is pleased. This is what you were called to do..." Wow. How do those who support the idea of a "feel good, God just wants you to be happy" religion reconcile that "belief" with what Peter says about suffering? "This is what you were called to do..."

Christ suffered for us and gave us an example of how to suffer and be patient. I Peter 2:21 - "So you should do as he did."

• He was innocent—He had not sinned
• He was truthful—He did not lie
• He was insulted—but He did not seek to strike back at those who accused Him
• He suffered—but He did not threaten

I Peter 2:23 - "He let God, the One who judges rightly, take care of him." He let God. What a powerful statement and a creed we should all live our lives by and be known by.

He let God!

Christ suffered and took our sins so we would:

STOP—living for sin

START—living for what is right 

When we suffer we need to examine our lives.

1. Is there anything I need to stop doing?
2. Is there something I should begin doing?

If you have wandered away—accept God's healing, and return to the Shepherd and Protector of souls. If you are falsely accused and suffering unfairly—hold on, be patient, endure the pain, and LET GOD TAKE CARE OF IT!

As my husband and I were talking about this passage, my husband began to reflect back on what happened to him while we were on a missions trip to El Sembrador boy's school in Honduras. I don't think I've written about it before. I want to make sure it gets written and not lost so I am recounting it here.

We arrived in Honduras on a Saturday. On Sunday we went to their church service in their simple but beautiful chapel. All the boys sat up front. We sat on the hard wooden pews towards the back. The worship songs were in Spanish and the preaching was also in Spanish. We understood little to nothing that was spoken, however the Spirit of the Lord was there and we understood much.

During the service my husband became very emotional. He sat there and wept with tears running down his face. I put my arm around him. I didn't know what was happening. Was he thinking about his brother who had just passed away a few weeks earlier? What was going on? What was causing him to become so emotional?

Later my husband shared with the group what was happening. God was running the events of the last six and one half years of "the storm" through his mind and God was grilling him with questions.

"You wanted to go on mission trips but because of the lawsuit you thought it was impossible. Where are you sitting? You thought there was no way your business could pay for its portion of the expenses caused by the lawsuit. What did I do for your business in 2007? What am I still doing today? You thought because the economy tanked and because of the lawsuit and the loss of revenue for services rendered that your business wouldn't be able to survive. Look at what I have done!! You are now in a specialized field and busier than ever!"  

And the tears rolled as God replayed the events of the last six and one half years through his mind. Jane, our walks, the sky opening up, witnessing the hand of God, and on and on. You thought—verses—the reality of God's power and His plan. God is so good. I Peter 2:19–20 - "A person might have to suffer even when it is unfair, but if he thinks of God and stands the pain, God is pleased... if you suffer for doing good, and you are patient, then God is pleased."

Christ suffered. But He let God, the One who judges rightly, take care of Him. We have chosen to let God, the One who judges rightly, take care of us.

He has proven Himself faithful!!


Next Entry: I Peter 3:1–22

I Peter 1:1–25

June 30, 2013

Praise. Hope. God's Power.

Praise—First, foremost, and always! Praise— to God the Father, Jesus the Son, and the Holy Spirit. When your life is filled with praise there is hope, a living hope.

Hope—because Jesus rose from the dead. Hope—because God blesses his children. Hope—because those blessings cannot be destroyed or spoiled. Hope—because His blessings are eternal, will never lose their beauty, and are kept secure for us in heaven.

God's power—above all, in all, and through all. I Peter 1:5 - "God's power protects you through your faith...." God's power— protects you through troubles and storms. Through! It does not say prevents troubles and storms, and it does not say helps you avoid trouble and storms.

Like I've said before, the "deep" is not a place to avoid, it is a place to embrace. "Deep" water times come to grow us, change us, strengthen us, and get us ready for HIS service. And while it may be hard, difficult, and at times cause sadness, it is worth every moment. I Peter 1:7 - "These troubles come to prove that your faith is pure. This purity of faith is worth more than gold, which can be proved to be pure by fire but will ruin." And that purity of faith brings blessings beyond measure. And as a result, "You are filled with a joy that cannot be explained, a joy full of glory. And you are receiving the goal of your faith—the salvation of your souls." (I Peter 1:8)

God used the prophets of the Old Testament to teach others HIS truth. God uses us and the situations we are in to grow us, but it is also for the purpose of teaching others what we have learned. I Peter 1:13 - "Prepare your minds for service and have self-control... be holy in all you do just as God, the One who called you, is holy."

We are to live our lives with respect for God. We were bought for a price, a very steep price. We were bought by "the precious blood of Christ, who was like a pure and perfect lamb." (I Peter 1:19) If we believe that and understand that, we cannot live our lives the same again. We are changed and we have no desire to go back to our old life. Our faith and hope are in God, and we make our souls pure by obeying the truth, and love for others flows out of that. I Peter 1:22 - "So love each other deeply with all your heart."

The things we do bears witness to the truth (or lie) about our lives. Words are easy. Our actions prove whether our words are truth or lies. Our lives on this earth are so short. Scripture says we are like a mist that is only here for a short time, or like grass that dies or flowers that fade away, but that "the word of the Lord will live forever." (I Peter 1:25 and Isaiah 40:8) The only things that matter are eternal things.  

How are you doing? How much time this last week was spent on things that are temporary with no eternal value and how much time was spent on things with Kingdom value? Do any changes need to be made? Remember:

Only one life, 'twill soon be past,
Only what's done for Christ will last.
C.T. Studd

Next Entry: I Peter 2:1–25 

James 5:1–20 (Continued)

June 28, 2013

James continues to teach. Be patient. Wait upon the Lord. A farmer plants a seed and then he waits. It has to go through the process. It needs cared for, fed, watered, and the weeds pulled.Then at the right time, the crop comes. We too must be patient, do the right things, not give up hope, and wait upon the Lord. Job went through the fire, but in the end God blessed him beyond measure. DON'T GIVE UP!! 

James 5:11 - "You know the Lord is full of mercy and is kind." Our hope, faith, and trust is in Him alone. No matter what happens in life—go to Him. Having troubles? Praise and pray. Things going well? Praise and pray. Ill? Praise and pray. Confess your sins to each other. Share praises. Pray for each other. James 5:16 - "When a believing person prays, great things happen." Elijah was a human being just like us and his prayers stopped the rain for three and one half years. It wasn't Elijah's abilities, it was his availability. It wasn't Elijah's strength and power, it was God's. Elijah understood that God was God, and he wasn't.

"God's power was seen, not through the ability of the instrument, but through its availability." ~ From Usefulness insert in my NCV Bible

God used a stick, rocks, spit, and man to do His will, and He can use us. We sometimes think that the patriarchs of the Bible somehow had special abilities, and we forget that "Elijah was a human being just like us." (James 5:17)

LORD, we don't have a trove of special abilities, but we are available for YOUR use. Use us however you would like to bring honor and glory to YOUR name.

"If any of you wander away from the truth, and someone helps that person come back, remember this: Anyone who brings a sinner back from the wrong way will save that sinners soul from death and will cause many sins to be forgiven." James 5:19–20

*****

From Jane's KJV:

God never promised to give knowledge, but wisdom. Living faith realizes all trials are permitted of God, designed "just for you" for our good and His honor and glory.

More of Jane's notes written in her KJV:

Humility of James. James 1:1 - not brother of Jesus but servant; a bond (love) slave (Exodus 21:1–6) no pay but all needs met by Master. He exalted Lord Jesus Christ. A Jew writing to Jews in a dispersion undergoing persecution (1st New Testament written), do not grumble in trial. Purpose: to produce steadfastness in our testimony, burn out impurity and become a vessel of praise to His Glory. James, a brother of Jesus our Lord (Galatians 1:19)
Matthew 13:54–56  "brothers and sisters"
Mark 3:31
Luke 2:7 - her "firstborn son"
Matthew 1:18–25
Luke 2:40 - child grew. He understands youths' problems at every age.
Mark 6:1–6 - attitude of people
I Corinthians 15:7 - He appeared especially to James, his brother
John 7
Acts 15 - Peter out of jail, go and tell James
Pastor of church at Jerusalem
Last man to stand up in Jerusalem council and summarize convictions.

"Ask in faith!"


Next Entry: I Peter 1:1–25

II Thessalonians 2:1 – 3:18

May 16, 2013

Stand strong and wait for the Lord. And until that happens—be productive and make a difference.

We are living in a sinful world. Evil will happen. And it is going to get worse... much worse. Prophecy tells us that during the end times the Holy Spirit will be removed and Satan and his forces will have full reign for a period of time. As evil as the world is now with the Holy Spirit and Christians still present, it is unimaginable to even fathom what it will be like during that period of time. Thank you, Lord for salvation from sin and from the evil one. II Thessalonians 3:3–5 - "But the Lord is faithful and will give you strength and will protect you from the Evil One... may the Lord lead your hearts into God's love and Christ's patience."

Paul asked the people of Thessalonica to pray for him. II Thessalonians 3:2 - "Pray that we will be protected from stubborn and evil people, because not all people believe." When you stand for something you will be a target from those who stand for nothing. And if you don't stand for something, you are at risk of falling for anything. But when you are the target, God is faithful and He does protect you. II Timothy 4:17 - "But the Lord stayed with me and gave me strength so I could fully tell the Good News to all those who are not Jews. So I was saved from the mouth of the lion."

That is our testimony as well.

• The Lord stayed with me
• He gave me strength
• I need to tell others
• I am saved from the mouth of the lion

God is faithful. Our hope is in HIM.

Addendum: 10/6/16 ~ Another reference to being saved "from the mouth of the lion." The story of Daniel gives us a visual picture of what it means to be saved "from the mouth of the lion." God literally prevented the harm intended for him. I've written before how God totally protected us and prevented the harm intended for us when we put our heads "in the mouth of the lion." But today, as I was writing about Paul describing it as "the mouth of the lion," I started to think about the lion, and what God truly protected him (and us) from.

We've all heard it said that the lion is the King of the Jungle. From a safe distance a lion appears beautiful and magnificent with its large stature and thick flowing mane. But looks can be deceiving. A lion is NOT a gentle giant. A lion uses its size and even its beautiful mane to intimidate those around it. A lion uses its roar (which can be heard up to five miles away) to assert power, intimidate, and control. A lion's claws are hidden until it is ready to attack... and attack it does. A lion sneaks up on his prey; it crouches down; it hides; and it patiently waits until his unsuspecting target gets closer, and then it attacks. A lion is a flesh eating and destroying carnivore. It uses its four long and sharp canine teeth to rip through the skin. The smaller front teeth are used to grip and hold onto its prey while the sharp teeth in the back of the mouth are used to cut through the flesh like a serrated knife. The attack is vicious, relentless, and deadly. Wow! And THAT is what God saved Paul (and Daniel and many others) from, and is an accurate description for what God has us from.

Job 4:10–11 - "Lions may roar and growl, but when the teeth of a strong lion are broken, that lion dies of hunger. The cubs of the mother lion are scattered."


Next Entry: I Timothy 1:1 – 2:15

Philippians 3:1–21

May 07, 2013

Watch out! Live right!

Watch out for others—those who do evil. Watch out for yourself. Don't start thinking it is all about you and that you have everything figured out. It is not about who we are and what we do. It is about who Christ is and what Christ did. It is not about us. It is ALL about HIM.

Philippians 3:8 - "We do not put trust in ourselves or anything we can do... all things are worth nothing compared with the greatness of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord. Because of him, I have lost all those things, and now I know they are worthless trash." Instead of spending time pursuing "self" which has no value, pursue the only One with true eternal value and surpassing greatness—Jesus Christ. Philippians 3:10 - "I want to know Christ and the power that raised him from the dead. I want to share in his sufferings and become like him in his death." Psalm 150 talks about the "surpassing greatness" of Christ. 

Totally surrendered. That is what I want to be. And if I ever begin to get off track, I want to be corrected like the Holy Spirit did last week by pointing out to me that I have a choice: 1) listen to Truth; or 2) believe the lie. I choose Truth. None of us have reached our goal, and we won't until we are in heaven. I haven't reached it and Paul hadn't reached it. But like Paul said:

"Forgetting the past and straining toward what is ahead, I keep trying to reach the goal and get the prize for which God called me through Christ to the life above... our homeland is in heaven, and we are waiting for our Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ, to come from heaven. By his power to rule all things, he will change our simple bodies and make them like his own glorious body." Philippians 3:13-14

Praise the Lord!


Next Entry: Philippians 4:1–23

Ephesians 6:1–24 (Continued)

May 01, 2013

Put on the full armor of God. Don't try to go into battle in your own power and using your own protection. The battle isn't ours to fight! The only way to be strong is "in the Lord and in His great power." It isn't our strength that matters, it is our obedience. I'm not pretending it is easy. It isn't because you are in the line of fire. But it is freeing to know that you aren't in charge and God is in control. The battle is His; the battle plan is His; the length of the battle is His; and the battle victory is His. Our job is to stand strong, rely on Him, and wait for Him. So stand strong by putting on the full armor of God. Ephesians 6:13 - "And when you have finished the whole fight, you will still be standing."

So stand strong with:

• The belt of truth tied around your waist
• The protection of right living on your chest
• The gospel of peace on your feet so you can stand
• The shield of faith which you can use to stop ALL the burning arrows of the wicked
• Let God's salvation be your helmet (Psalm 140 - "...who shields your head in the days of battle.") 
• Arm yourself with the sword of the Spirit which is God's word
• Pray always, in the Spirit, for God's will and God's plan in your life. (Psalm 140 - "Rescue me O Lord from evil men...")

THEN WAIT! Don't give up! Stand strong! It is the Lord who "secures justice and upholds the cause of the needy. Surely the righteous will praise his name and the upright will live before him." (Psalm 140:12) So stand strong. Spread the message. Encourage others. Bring honor, glory, and praise to HIS name.

Addendum: 5/9/2016 ~ I am going to be taking a short break from transcribing my journal entries. I leave tomorrow and will be spending the next week staying with two of my grandchildren while their parents take a vacation. Since they will be in school all day I am going to have a lot of uninterrupted time on my hands, something I would never have available to me while at home. So, I am going to use that time to go back to the beginning (again) and read through all the entries for a final proof reading, making sure links work, adding any new labels, etc. I don't know how far I will get, but it will be interesting to read my journal in an uninterrupted continuous way.  It will also be interesting to see what God wants to show me and teach me this time. Whenever I have paused in the past, there has always been something I was to learn. So, I am ready and willing, Lord. Show me what it is YOU want me to learn.  

Journal #11 is finished. When I pulled out Journal #12, I noticed there was one more entry for Ephesians—today's journal entry. I thought I would wait to begin Journal #12 until after my break, but then decided to finish Ephesians. I'm so glad I did. What an encouraging message to read as I once again hit the pause button before the final push to finish Journal #12 and Journal #13.

THEN WAIT! Don't give up! Stand strong! It is the Lord who "secures justice and upholds the cause of the needy. Surely the righteous will praise his name and the upright will live before him." (Psalm 140) So stand strong. Spread the message. Encourage others. Bring honor, glory, and praise to HIS name.

It is getting so close to the end to this part of the journey, only one and one half journals left. It is exciting and a little frightening at the same time. I'll be sad to see it over, but I am also very curious to see what God has planned for our next steps.

Addendum #2: 7/16/2018 ~ When am I ever going to learn? In May of 2016, I thought I was doing a final read through and edit. Now it is July of 2018, the lawsuit is ongoing, and I am doing yet another read through and edits. You just never know what you don't know. After a several month break from working on the blog, I suddenly realized the initials I used to protect people's identities were very distracting. So, for the past months I have once again been reading through all my entries to remove and replace all proper names and initials with descriptive words instead. Is this my final time through? I have no idea. All I know is I'm following HIS lead and when HE is ready for me to change the private box to public I will know and I will obey. Until then, I will continue to prepare the way for the release of:

Walking By Faith: A True Story of God's Faithfulness

and 

Walking On His Footpath (Following the Master's Lead)

Next Entry: It's All Coming Together

II Corinthians 11:16 – 13:14

April 11, 2013

Paul starts closing his letter to the people in Corinth. He talks about being patient "with those who order you around, or use you, or trick you, or think they are better than you, or hit you in the face." (II Corinthians 11:20) He talks about the empathy he feels when other people struggle or are led into sin. He talks about his thorn in the flesh. Paul wanted his "problem" to be gone, but God said, "My grace is enough for you. When you are weak, my power is made perfect in you." (II Corinthians 12:9)

The number one danger any of us face is self-sufficiency. God wants us to be reliant on Him and He allows situations in our lives to accomplish that. Our goal should not be to get rid of our "problems" but to learn to depend on God in our problems.

"God does not spare us trials, but he helps us overcome them. God works in our weakness because when we are weak his strength accomplishes the task." ~ From Life Lesson

When you learn and accept this truth you really can have joy and contentment in and through your trials. Paul said, "For this reason I am happy when I have weaknesses, insults, hard times, sufferings, and all kinds of troubles for Christ. Because when I am weak, then I am truly strong." (II Corinthians 12:10)  God used the things that happened to Paul to strengthen other believers and to build His Kingdom. Even though there were times that things looked disastrous—ALL things worked together for good. II Corinthians 13:7–10 - "It is not important to see that we have passed the test, but it is important that you do what is right, even if it seems we have failed... the Lord gave me this authority to build you up, not to tear you down."

Paul was looked upon suspiciously and falsely accused, yet he stood firm on whose he was.


Next Entry: Galatians 1:1–24