James 3:1–18

June 24, 2013

The tongue. James teaches about the importance of controlling the things we say.

Just like a small bit in the mouth of a horse can be used to control its whole body and a ship can be controlled by a very small rudder, our tongues (even though small), can wreck havoc on those around us and start wars among friends, families, and even countries if not brought under the Spirit's control. Our tongues of course cannot without our permission control us or say harmful things, but the actions of our tongues are a window to our souls. Our tongues reveal who we truly are.

We have a choice. Our tongues can be used to inflict harm on people and start a fire around us, or our tongues can be used to build others up and to teach others how to live. Our tongues reveal the truth of our lives. If our hearts are pure our tongues reflect that. If our hearts are selfish and evil, the truth will eventually be revealed by our tongues. Man can tame a wild animal, but in our own power we cannot control our tongues. Our tongues can only be tamed by a changed heart.

"When we submit to the claims of Christ upon our lives, our untamed natures are brought under His control. We become meek, tamed, and 'fit for the Master's service.' " ~ From The Secret of Happiness by Billy Graham

IF—there hasn't been true submission to Christ and true repentance, and IF—our "changed" heart is for appearances only, THEN—"we use our tongues" to praise God on one hand and turn around and use that same tongue to criticize and abuse people. James 3:10 - "Praises and curses come from the same mouth." IF—that happens THEN—something is wrong!! Good water and bad water cannot come from the same spring. A fig tree cannot grow olives. A grapevine cannot grow figs. A well full of salty water cannot also produce good water. It just cannot happen. We are all created equal. You cannot say you serve God and then use your tongue to harm someone God created equal with you. 

Selfishness and bitter jealousy cannot come from God. Cannot. It is not spiritual and it is a lie straight from the devil. Using the tongue to brag "is a lie that hides the truth" of a selfish and jealous heart. James 3:16 - "Where jealousy and selfishness are, there will be confusion and every kind of evil."

Wisdom and understanding does not produce confusion and strife. It instead shows itself by living right and doing good things with gentleness. The wisdom that comes from God is:

• Pure (first and foremost)
• Peaceful
• Gentle
• Easy to please
• Always ready to help others
• Always ready to do good
• Always fair
• Always honest

James 3:18 - "People who work for peace in a peaceful way plant a crop of right-living." Even if those who are outside of your control rage against you, you can live at peace and peacefully.

It all comes back to DO. Do the right things. Be real  Be genuine. Our tongues are a reflection of the attitude of our heart. The only way to change the tongue is to change the heart. That is not to say that we can never make a mistake. We can and do make mistakes, but a mistake is different than a way of life. 

As teachers, we need to be very careful with the words we say. We need to make sure ALL we say aligns with God's Word and is not part of a personal agenda. We will all be held accountable for the things we say. Guard your heart. Guard your mind. Guard your mouth. It all starts with our hearts and minds.

We all need to be careful. If we are not growing in Christ then we are reverting back to our sinful nature and our tongues will reveal the truth about the condition of our heart.   


Next Entry: James 4:1–17

Hebrews 4:1 – 5:10

June 03, 2013

"By grace of God, I've come to place where I can't work up a worry (rest)." "Never be afraid to trust an unknown future to a known God." ~ Written in Jane's KJV Bible.

Rest. God has offered to us a place of rest. There is of course heaven, a place of eternal rest. But in addition to eternal rest, we have also been offered a "place of rest" on this earth.

"Now, since God has left us the promise that we may enter his rest, let us be very careful so none of you fail to enter. The Good News was preached to us just as it was to them. But the teaching they heard did not help them, because they heard it but did not accept it with faith." Hebrews 4:1–3 

It wasn't the teaching that failed, the failure came from the choices they made. They "heard" the teaching but they refused to accept it with faith. They chose disobedience. The old hymn has it right when it says: "Trust and obey for there is no other way, to be happy in Jesus, but to trust and obey."

Hebrews 4:5 - "We who have believed are able to enter and have God's rest." Our choices determine our life results.

Obedience → Happy in Jesus → Rest

God rested on the seventh day, His perfect work of creation was complete. God made available to us His perfect work of redemption, and as believers, we can rest in that. God provided the Israelites a way of redemption from the Egyptians. They could have rested in His deliverance and protection, but instead, they chose not to trust and they chose not to obey, and as a result of their choices they lived 40 years wandering around in the desert and they never received His "rest." Those who did not obey and did not trust were not allowed into the Promised Land. Not only did they not get the future reward, they missed out on peace and "rest" in the present, their time on this earth.

The writer of Hebrew again says—TODAY. Hebrews 4:7 - "Today listen to what he says. Do not be stubborn." Stubbornness—the root of the problem. That is what keeps most people from surrendering to God and obeying Him. It's not ignorance—it's stubbornness. It's a refusal to let go of whatever you need to let go of (pride, selfishness, the need to be in charge, etc.) and let God be—God. Hebrews 4:10–11 - "Anyone who enters God's rest will rest from his work as God did. Let us try as hard as we can to enter God's rest so that no one will fail by following the example of those who refused to obey."

The phrase "try as hard as you can" does not mean we are working to earn our salvation. To enter God's rest is to finally "get-it"; to fully understand the

God

↓

man

relationship; and to daily live the "God is God, I am not" concept. If you don't daily commit to surrendering your will to the authority and Lordship of God, you will find the sin of self-sufficiency slowly creeping back into your life.

We can attest to what it means to find God's rest while on earth. Oh, what a change there has been in our thinking. Before we learned to surrender all I used to occasionally have "what if" fears about my husband's business. What if the economy goes bad? What if there isn't enough work? What if? What if? Our entire livelihood and our son's entire livelihood depends on this business. What if? What if? Then "the storm" happens, the economy goes bad, and all my prior "what if" fears which at times clouded my thoughts—happened. BUT! It did not bring fear.

What would have earlier created worry, fear, and angst in our lives, now has no power or control in our lives. We are living in God's rest and it is only because of one reason: we have committed to surrendering ALL to God. Oh, what peace (and rest) that gives. When the economy went bad, we didn't frantically go out searching for work—God brought the work to us. When the lawsuit threatened the very existence of my husband's business and took hundreds of thousands to defend our innocence—God doubled our gross revenues. God is in control and we can REST in that. 

We need to "work hard" at surrendering. God does ALL the rest. TODAY don't be stubborn! Listen to what He says! Hebrews 4:12 - "God's word is alive and working and is sharper that a double-edged sword." It convicts, it prunes, it does whatever is necessary to make us as believers more like Him. For the believer, it brings freedom and rest. For the non-believer, it condemns. "It judges the thoughts and feeling in our hearts. Nothing in all the world can be hidden from God. Everything is clear and lies open before him, and to him we must explain the way we have lived." (Hebrews 4:12b–13)

I've often wondered if people would change their hearts and lives if they understood that someday they will stand before Christ and have to explain the choices they've made and the way they lived their lives? Would it matter? Would they care? As believers we will stand before the judgment seat of Christ and have to explain our choices and how we lived, and we will be rewarded accordingly. A non-believer will stand before Christ at the Great White Throne judgment, and they will be held accountable—eternally—for their stubborn refusal to surrender to Him.

Hebrews 5 - Jesus is our high priest, an intercessor between us and God. Because of Jesus we can "come before God's throne where there is grace. There we can receive mercy and grace to help us when we need it." When Jesus was on this earth He prayed to God and "his prayer was heard because he trusted God."

Even though He was the Son of God, He learned obedience by what He suffered. The same can be said about us.We learned obedience because of our suffering, and for that we are grateful. Obedience and full surrender is often learned best during times of suffering.

Addendum: 11/29/16 ~ So many people try to avoid times of suffering by trying to "pray away" their problems instead of surrendering and learning from them. Charles Swindoll in Growing Strong in the Seasons of Life says it perfectly.

"Life is difficult... really very little more than an endless series of problems. Do we want to moan and groan about them or face them? Do we want to teach the next generation the disciplines involved in accepting and solving them or encourage them to run and hide? ... The tragedy, of course, is that the substitute itself ultimately becomes more painful than the "legitimate suffering" it was trying to avoid. And, adding insult to injury, the avoidance of legitimate suffering means we also avoid the growth that problems demand of us. Our determination to push pain away instead of meeting it head on creates a vicious circle. Could this explain why God's wisest saints are often people who endure pain rather than escape it? Like their Savior, they are men and women "acquainted with grief." I recall that Jesus "learned obedience from the things which he suffered (Hebrews 5:8) not in spite of those things. Do you have a problem? You're smiling back at me. "A problem? Would you believe several dozen problems?" If you listen to the voices around you, you'll search for a substitute—an escape route. You'll miss the fact that each one of those problems is a God-appointed instructor ready to stretch you and challenge you and deepen your walk with Him. Growth and wisdom await you at the solution of each one, the pain and mess notwithstanding."         

Well said.  


Next Entry: Hebrews 5:11 – 7:28

Philippians 4:1–23

May 08, 2013

So, what are we as Christians to do? Stand strong!  No matter what is going on around you—STAND STRONG! Not in your own strength and power. Stand strong in the LORD.

Paul lists how we should live:

• Stand strong
• Be joyful in the Lord ALWAYS!
• Be gentle
• Be kind
• Do not worry about anything
• Pray often
• Ask God for what you need
• Be God-reliant not self-sufficient
• Give thanks ALWAYS

And the result of living the way Christ wants us to live? Peace! God's peace. Peace that only He can give. Philippians 4:7 - "And God's peace, which is so great we cannot understand it, will keep your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus."

Think about these things:

• What is good
• What is worthy of praise (GOD)
• What is true
• What is honorable
• What is right
• What is beautiful
• What is respected

Think—and then DO! God will give HIS peace to you.

Paul concludes his letter to the people in Philippi. He thanks them for their help. He tells them what all he has learned during his walk as a follower of Christ. What Paul learned (and what each of us can learn as well) can only be learned by totally surrendering to God. Paul learned it during the hard and difficult times in his life.

The "hard times" is often when we are the most open to learning what God wants to teach us as well. It is during those times:

• We can learn to be satisfied with what we have 
• We can learn to be satisfied with whatever happens
• We can know how to live when we have plenty
• We can know how to live when we are poor
• We can learn the secret of how to be happy—no matter what
• We can learn our circumstances don't determine our happiness—whether there is enough to eat or there isn't, if we have more than we need or if we don't have enough

 We can learn all those things when we learn this:

"I can do all things through Christ who strengtheneth me." (Philippians 4:13)

It is not our strength—it is HIS. 

I vividly remember a time when I was on the brink of a breaking point. I was absolutely buried under the paperwork of the lawsuit. Buried. It was overwhelming and I felt like I was drowning in "the storm." (Part of the plan of my sister, brother-in-law and their lawyer was to overwhelm us with their demands during the discovery process.) I was driving home from making copies of (and numbering) literally thousands of pages of documentation. As I was driving, I KNEW I could not in my own strength handle the demands placed upon us. This verse came to my mind and I said it over and over and over again. I would emphasize the next word in the verse each time I said it.

I can do all things through Christ who strengtheneth me. I CAN do all things through Christ who strengtheneth me. I can DO all things through Christ who strengtheneth me. I can do ALL things through Christ who strengtheneth me. I can do all THINGS through Christ who strengtheneth me. I can do all things THROUGH Christ who strengtheneth me. I can do all things through CHRIST who strengtheneth me. I can do all things through Christ WHO strengtheneth me. I can do all things through Christ who STRENGTHENETH me. I can do all things through Christ who strengtheneth ME.  

I CAN DO ALL THINGS THROUGH CHRIST WHO STRENGTHENETH ME. Over and over all the way home. The peace of God came over me and I KNEW I could do it. Not because of my strength because my strength was gone. I couldn't do it—BUT GOD COULD! And He did.

Tears come to my eyes. Partly because I am remembering some of the painful details from that time in our lives, but the tears are not only because of the pain. The tears are also in recognition of what all God did to carry us through that extremely difficult time, and the joy, peace, and contentment He has given to us both then and now. He has taught us so many things, and it has been worth it all.

Paul explained an important truth to the people of Philippi and that is the importance of "giving." Life is not about "getting," it is about "giving." What pleasure there is in giving to others from an open hand as opposed to having a closed fist. God knows what we need. Philippians 4:19–20 - "My God will use his wonderful riches in Christ Jesus to give you everything you need. Glory to our God and Father forever and ever! Amen."

It truly is ALL about HIM!

*****

Philippians is over. I can't believe how fast the books are flying by. There isn't much left.  It is almost scary. I can't imagine being done with journaling through the Bible since it has been part of my everyday life for almost three and one half years now. I will probably be done by the end of summer.  I wonder what will be next?

Addendum: 9/21/16 ~ Now it has been almost seven years since I started reading through the Bible and writing my thoughts. It turns out I wasn't "done" when I finished writing in my journals. Instead, it was The Beginning. And here I am today, once again finishing up with Philippians, and once again feeling like time is flying by with only one and one half journals left to enter into Blogger.

I know at least a portion of what is "next."

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

I don't know the when. I don't know the how. I only know that God has it all under control. We will follow Him even if our next steps are not clear. He will make the way, and we will follow. 


Next Entry: Colossians 1:1 – 2:5

Philippians 1:1 – 2:30 (Continued)

May 06, 2013

Paul was in prison when he wrote this letter to the people of Philippi. Even though Paul was in prison he was still doing the right thing. Even in his time of trouble, Paul continued to tell others about Christ and encourage them in their own walk of faith.

Paul said, "What has happened to me has helped to spread the Good News." (Philippians 1:12) Paul's crime? He was a believer in Christ. That's it. He had done nothing wrong, but the trouble he was in gave him a platform to reach many people with the news of Christ. The purpose of putting him in prison was to stop him from speaking truth, but the exact opposite happened. It didn't discourage the other believers. It instead strengthened their faith, and others who were not believers were exposed to Truth for the first time.

Paul said because prayers were being said on his behalf, and because the Holy Spirit was helping him, "I know this trouble will bring my freedom." (Philippians 1:19) True freedom, not just freedom from jail. Living Paul's life took courage. He knew that. But standing strong did not come from his own strength and power. It came from the Holy Spirit  Because of that he could say, "I expect and hope that I will not fail Christ in anything but that I will have the courage now, as always, to show the greatness of Christ in my life on earth, whether I live or die. To me the only important thing about living is Christ, and dying would be profit for me." (Philippians 1:20–21)

Psalm 73 talks about people "looking for profits" on this earth. Paul was looking to please Christ and bring honor and glory to HIM and heaven would be his profit, the ONLY profit that matters. What is the point of gaining the "profits" of this world if you lose your soul? Take this whole world, just give me Jesus. That is the profit I want. It is the only important thing.

"Be sure that you live in a way that brings honor to the Good News of Christ... standing strong with one purpose, that you work together as one for the faith of the Good News, and that you are not afraid of those who are against you. All of this is proof that your enemies will be destroyed but that you will be saved by God. God gave you the honor not only of believing in Christ but also of suffering for him, both of which bring glory to Christ... when you do things, do not let selfishness or pride be your guide. Instead, be humble and give more honor to others than to yourselves... think and act like Christ... do everything without complaining or arguing. Then you will be innocent and without any wrong. You will be God's children without fault. But you are living with crooked and mean people all around you, among whom you shine like stars in the dark world. You offer the teaching that gives life. So when Christ come again, I can be happy because my work was not wasted. I ran the race and won." From Philippians 1:27 – 2:16

There will come a day when "every knee will bow to the name of Jesus—everyone in heaven, on earth, and under the earth. And everyone will confess that Jesus Christ is Lord and bring glory to God the Father." (Philippians 2:10–11)

Every-knee-will-bow. I choose to bow now, serving Him with all my heart now. With no regrets, I choose to surrender all—NOW!

*****

Jane died five years ago today and tomorrow it will be two years since my Dad died. My Mom (who is 84 years old) decided she wanted to prepare a meal and bring everyone back home for a family dinner one last time. So, yesterday that is what we did.

Fifteen of us gathered at Mom and Dad's farm. We reminisced and talked about Dad and his many "isms" and sayings. There was a lot of laughter. The great grand-kids fished, went for walks around the farm, and played in the creek. We took lots of pictures. Mom gave my husband and me the old iron farm hay rake my Dad had and our son loaded it up to take to our place. Dad certainly was missed, but his memory lives on in all of our hearts.

I am so grateful for Dad's life and for the time I got to spend with him during his last days. What a blessing. I am happy for Mom that everyone could come since this was so important to her. (How sad to realize "everyone" does not include my sister. By her own actions, my sister has estranged herself from our entire family. It is equally sad to think about how much fun, unity, and laughter there was because my sister was not there. How sad!)   

It was a lot of work for Mom to get the house and all the food ready. There was an over abundance of food (as usual). Mom made everyone's favorites, even making our son's favorite chocolate ice cream cake roll! Mom had a great time, everyone was relaxed and we all enjoyed our time together. What wonderful memories she and her kids, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren have of that special day. Thanks, Mom!

*****

The following comes from Jane's hand written notes in her KJV.

Philippians 1:21 - Death to a Christian is gain because it means:

• Heaven
• Holiness
• Heart's desire
• Him

Hallelujah! Psalm 16:15 - "I shall be satisfied when I awake."

Culture—that which comes into being whenever man begins to interact with his environment. Christian culture becomes a reality when Christian people give themselves back to Christ (Romans 12:1–2) mentally, intellectually, spiritually—"bodies" the particular package by which that total being comes into the world. Our Savior must become center of all our pursuits.


Next Entry: Philippians 3:1–21   

Galatians 5:1–26

April 17, 2013

What happened? What went wrong? You started out running a good race. What changed? What caused you to add things to the very clear words of Christ? It isn't enough to believe in Christ and then add your own spin on it. You must be a Christ follower. Being a follower means setting your own desires, wants, and wishes aside, and committing yourself to following Him wherever He leads and whatever He asks. It means following His words ONLY and not adding anything to it or taking anything away from it. You started out that way. What happened? Christ made us free, but that doesn't mean you use your freedom as an excuse to do whatever you please! We are to serve each other, not manipulate others as a way to fulfill our selfish desires. We are to die to self and surrender to God. That is our freedom.

Selfish desires and surrendering to God don't mix. It is like oil and water. You cannot live by following the Spirit (Christ) while following your selfish sinful self at the same time. CANNOT! If you follow the Spirit, "... Then you will not do what your sinful selves want." (Galatians 5:16) You just can't have it both ways. Galatians 5:17 - "Our sinful selves want what is against the Spirit, and the Spirit wants what is against our sinful selves. The two are against each other, so you cannot do just what you please." No wonder there is conflict in this world and among people. One side is pursuing their own selfish desires, and the other side is pursuing the desires of the Spirit. This is why you should not be unequally yoked in close friendships, marriage, business, etc. You are pursuing opposite goals and there will be conflict.

There is no middle ground here. You can't be in the middle of the road or sitting on a fence. You are either going to do what your sinful self wants—OR—you are going to commit yourself to doing what the Spirit wants. Believing in Christ but living how you want won't cut it. You must be a committed follower of Christ.

Paul compares the actions of  the followers of "self" to the followers of Christ. One list is "the wrong things the sinful self does," and the other is what following the Spirit produces.

Sinful Self Results:

• Sexually unfaithful
• Not being pure
• Taking part in sexual sins
• Worshiping gods
• Doing witchcraft
• Hating
• Making trouble
• Jealousy
• Anger
• Selfishness
• Making people angry with each other
• Causing divisions among people
• Feeling envy
• Being drunk
• Having wild and wasteful parties
• Doing other things like this 

Spirit Led Results:

• Produces the fruit of love
• Joy
• Peace
• Patience
• Kindness
• Goodness
• Faithfulness
• Gentleness
• Self-control
• Die to self
• Give up old selfish feelings and evil things "self" wanted
• Have new life
• Is not proud
• Does not make trouble with each other
• Is not jealous of others

The contrasts between the two lists are striking, and you can soon see why the two should not be joined together and cannot mix. Paul said, "I warn you now as I warned you before: Those who do these things (the sinful self list) will not inherit God's kingdom." (Galatians 5:21)

Psalm 1

Happy are those who don't listen to the wicked
   who don't go where sinners go,
   who don't do what evil people do.
They love the Lord's teachings,
   and they think about those teachings day and night.
They are strong, like a tree planted by the river.
   The tree produces fruit in season,
   and its leaves don't die.
Everything they do will succeed.

But wicked people are not like that.
   They are like the chaff that the wind blows away.
So the wicked will not escape God' punishment.
   Sinners will not worship with God's people.
This is because the LORD takes care of his people,
   but the wicked will be destroyed.

Stand strong. Christ has made you free, so you are free indeed.

Addendum: April 2016 ~ It has been eight years since Jane (Her Name Was Jane) spoke her last God-given words to us—"Jeremiah 33." My husband and I will read that chapter together again today. God's last promise of protection through the lips of Jane. The day is coming. The day is coming when God will set us completely free from "the storm."

Early this morning the song Give Me Jesus played over and over in my mind. In the morning when I arise—give me Jesus. When I am alone—give me Jesus. When I come to die—give me Jesus. You can have all this world—just give me Jesus. That is my heart's desire. In ALL things—just give me Jesus.  


 Next Entry: Galatians 6:1–18

I Corinthians 14:1–40

March 29, 2013

Speaking in tongues: Between you and God; does not build other people up; and is a witness for non-believers.

Prophesying: Spirit led for the purpose of building up people. It is for people who believe.

"I would rather speak five words I understand in order to teach others than thousands of words in a different language." I Corinthians 14:19

Prophecy is meant to give strength, encouragement, comfort, build up the whole church, and to reveal new truth or new knowledge, which is an accurate description of what Jane E. Wolfe (Her Name Was Jane) did for us. I never thought of it in that way until I heard our daughter-in-law say she had told someone about Jane prophesying—and I realized she was right.

God used Jane to prophecy words of strength, comfort, hope, encouragement, and new truths and knowledge. We have said from early on that the single most important thing Jane taught us was the importance of praise—first and foremost. We (my husband and I) have been part of the church our whole lives. We were both saved by God's grace as children. Yet, we had either totally missed or didn't understand the full concept of "praise." Praise is ALL about WHO God is. It is not about what He has done for you—that is thankfulness.

Next time you are in a church setting listen carefully to the "praises" people give. They most often sound something like this: "God has done such and such for me"; "God answered my prayer for _______"; "I'm so blessed", etc. Me, my, and I. The "praises" are really about us. There is a difference between thankfulness for what he has done for us and praising Him for who HE is.

Praise is exemplified in Psalm 150 and Psalm 8. In Psalm 8 it says that God "ordained praise because of your enemies, to silence the foe and the avenger." In this world we are going to have troubles and opposition. We will have foes (enemies that are many times hostile) and avengers (someone who tries to get revenge for themselves and seeks to punish others). Because of what God knew we would face, HE ordained (ordered; fixed; decided; appointed; decreed; prescribed) PRAISE as a way to silence those who attack us. This is a HUGE concept. When someone sets out to attack you, as a foe and avenger, they want two things: 1) harm you now; 2) harm you later. They want to inflict punishment NOW and then ultimately cause destruction as soon as they can down the road. PRAISE prevents that from happening. It blocks (silences) their evil intentions.

We have been the targets of my sister and brother-in-law's attacks for over six years now—BUT—because of Jane teaching us this new truth/knowledge, the attacks they have sent our way have not harmed us. Nothing they have thrown at us has stuck; everything has literally rolled off of us. PRAISE THE NAME OF JESUS!! He is our ROCK. He is our COMFORTER. He is our SHIELD. He is our DELIVERER. He is our LORD. He is our SAVIOR. Psalm 8:1 - "O LORD, our Lord, how majestic is your name in all the earth."

LORD, thank you for Jane's faithfulness in serving you. Thank you, for her words of encouragement, hope, comfort, strength, and revelation of new truths and knowledge. May YOUR name be praised forevermore.

Addendum:  4/7/16 ~ Praise doesn't stop the foe or avenger's actions. Instead, PRAISE stops the intents of their actions. Their intent is to put you in bondage to them and their threats, but man CANNOT put into bondage the one whom God has set free. PRAISE reminds you of whose you are and that understanding silences their actions and frees you from their intentions. The poison from their arrows cannot penetrate and harm you because PRAISE becomes the shield from which God forms a protective barrier between you and them. They can hurl anything they want—but as long as you remain focused on WHO God is—fear and anxiety CANNOT take hold. PRAISE keeps your heart and mind balanced, focused, and gives you perspective and peace. When you even begin to grasp who HE is, who or what the avenger is attempting becomes irrelevant.

John 8:36 - "So if the Son sets you free you are free indeed."


Next Entry: Sunday is Coming! 

Romans 14:1 – 15:13

February 27, 2013

This section of Romans has a lot of important truths:

• Judgment is not ours—it is God's
• He will be the one who decides judgment
• Our strength comes from the Lord
• If we live—we are living for the Lord
• If we die—we are dying for the Lord
• So living or dying—we belong to the Lord
• Our lives are not "ours"
• This earth is temporary
• We will all stand before God to be judged
• Every knee will bow
• Every tongue will confess
• Jesus IS Lord
• Each of us will have to answer to God for the decisions we have made
• Each of us will have to answer to God for how we have lived our lives
• The only important things are: living right with God; peace; and joy in the Holy Spirit
• When people attack or insult you—they are hurting Christ
• All scripture is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting, and training in righteousness so we can be thoroughly equipped for every good work.  (II Timothy 3:16–17)
• Scripture gives us: endurance (patience); encouragement ; and hope
• It is God who gives endurance, encouragement, and unity
• All glory belongs to God
• All praise belongs to God
• We are instructed to praise the Lord
• We are instructed to sing praises to HIM
• Our hope comes from Him

Paul ends this section with a benediction. Jane (Her Name Was Jane) has written in her Bible, "memorize Romans 15:13," a suggestion that would serve us all well.

"I pray that the God who gives hope will fill you with much joy and peace while you trust in him. Then your hope will overflow by the power of the Holy Spirit."

• It is God who gives hope
• While we trust in Him
• Your hope will overflow
• By the power of the Holy Spirit
• And the result is: joy and peace

Our job is to trust. God is the one who gives overflowing hope, peace, and joy through the power of the Holy Spirit. Trust—and obey. There really is no other way.

Ezekiel 18:20 - "Those who do right will enjoy the results of their own goodness; evil people will suffer the results of their own evil."

Addendum: 3/24/16 ~  I am so excited. Our  "Praise Shelter" is really starting to come together. The mason called and is coming tomorrow to begin building the fireplace that represents our altar of thanksgiving. It is a very simple design using old street bricks. We just got the call that the stones we gathered from our property (to represent the stones the Israelites gathered when the Lord led them across the Red Sea and the Jordan) are done and ready to be picked up. Each stone has been sandblasted with the scriptures Jane told us to read so we could memorialize HIS promises. God's promises, which are the same as written in stone, are now literally—written in stone. 

There is one more stone to be completed—a rock we picked up from the Appalachian Trail (from the exact area where Jane also hiked) during our last day hiking. The rock is going to have the white blaze of the trail painted on it with the A.T. symbol carved in the center of it. Then yesterday I decided what we could do to "name" the shelter. So I called the gentleman that cut the wood for the timber peg construction of the shelter and he is making a large plank for us to hang from the front center of the building. We are going to have the words "Praise Shelter" engraved on it so all who enter KNOW why this shelter was built and what it stands for. I'm hoping by mid summer we will have the cobblestone floor laid (which will include the promise stones); the wood stained; and the benches for along the front and sides built.

We are looking forward to the day when "the storm" will be over; God's promises are fulfilled; and HIS story is told. Praise God from whom ALL blessings flow.

Excited! Very excited!!

Addendum #2: 9/9/16 ~ Why does everything always take longer than you think? The fireplace is done; the wood is stained; the plank is engraved but still needs stained; I just finished the cobblestone path leading to the fireplace with the promise stones last week; we've decided not to put benches along the front and side; and instead of making the entire floor cobblestone we are instead laying old antique street bricks and have about 3/4 of the bricks laid. It is almost done. We expect to have the rest of the bricks laid in a few days.

We are so pleased with how it is turning out and can't wait until we can share it and HIS story with others.

Addendum #3: 2018 ~ Here is a picture of the finished Praise Shelter and a link to a YouTube video of the winding path with God's promises. We are so grateful for the many opportunities He has already given us to tell HIS story with others. The video can also be viewed below the picture.

Next Entry: Romans 15:14–33

Romans 12:1–21

February 22, 2013

Don't conform—be transformed! Change your hearts by a new way of thinking. THEN (and only then) will you be able to understand and accept God's perfect will for you life and what is pleasing to him.

It is not a position of aggressive maneuvers and being on the offense trying to control everything around you. It is instead a quiet spirit surrendered to the Lord and an acceptance of His teachings. It is understanding the peace and contentment that comes from letting go—and letting God. There is no room for pride in that description. We, as believers, are all part of one body—Christ's. We have a part to play, and we must play it to the best of our God-given ability. God says our love must be real and not just words. Our love should show in our actions and deeds as well.

You can't claim to love, and then by deceitful measures try to take what is not yours. Give more honor to others than you want for yourself. Work hard. Don't be lazy. Be joyful. Have hope. Be patient. Share with others. Pray at all times. Don't try to get even. Relate to others. Rejoice with them when they are happy and feel their pain when they are sad. Live in peace as much as it depends on you. Do not be proud. Reach out to others regardless of social stature. Don't mistakenly think, "It is all about me." Don't try to pay back those who have wronged you. Do what is right. Don't punish others. "Leave room for God's wrath." (NIV - Romans 12:19) Wait for God to punish them with His anger. 

It isn't about you. The battle belongs to the Lord. Don't let evil defeat you. Defeat evil by doing good and it will be like heaping burning coal on their heads.

Sound hard? In your own power—Yes. With a surrendered heart—No.


Next Entry: Romans 13:1–14

Romans 5:1–21

January 30, 2013

Faith is what makes us right with God, and when you are right with God you have peace with God as well and an inexplicable peace settles over you—no matter what the earthly circumstances of your life. The surrendering of our will and the acceptance of Jesus' death as payment for our sin, opens the door for God's grace and blessing to flood into our lives.

And the result is:

• We have hope when things look hopeless; 
• Joy even in the midst of trouble; 
• Patience is built in the midst of trouble as we wait on the Lord; 
• And that patience builds character that cannot be obtained in any other way.  

 As you change, you find yourself having more hope; and God promises that "this hope will never disappoint us, because God has poured out his love to fill our hearts." (Romans 5:5) It's ALL about Him. IF—we surrender and accept his gift of salvation, THEN—we change, and we develop hope, joy, patience, character, and back to hope. All because of His love being poured into our lives. We can't do it on our own. It is only through the power of the Holy Spirit.

It is only because of the love of God pouring out His love through the Holy Spirit that hope is possible even in the worst of circumstances. Faith produces hope; hope produces joy; joy produces patience; patience develops character; character produces hope; and the circle of faith continues. 


Next Entry: Romans 6:1–23

Romans 4:1–25

January 29, 2013

It's ALL about faith. Romans 4:3 - "Abraham believed God, and God accepted Abraham's faith, and that faith made him right with God." It's not what you do that saves you. It's who you believe in that saves you. God's free gift of love wouldn't be free if we had to earn it.

Abraham was in a impossible situation. There was nothing he could do. BUT, he believed in God's promises and he continued to have hope in the completion of God's promises. He kept the faith. He believed. Time passed and he was still without children, but his faith grew stronger and he gave praise to God. Romans 4:21 - "Abraham felt sure that God was able to do what he had promised." He continued to praise God even during the long wait, and therein lies the key to his ability to keep the faith in God's promises.   

The Old Testament example of Abraham teaches us an important lesson. When you keep your focus on who God IS an amazing thing happens—it becomes impossible to remain focused on yourself and your problems. You are instead focused on the Creator of the universe and mankind; who is All-powerful; ALL-knowing; ALL-present; who has surpassing greatness; and you come to realize you can trust Him—and that becomes enough—more than enough as you put your faith in who He is. When you are focused on the ALL-mighty, the enormity of the problems in your life fade into the background and you TRUST HIM to fulfill HIS PROMISES in your life. THEN—when you have taken your hands are off of the situation—you get to see the hand of God at work in your life and there are no human words adequate to describe the joy and peace that gives you.

You begin to praise Him even more and He blesses you more. It's a continuing circle. Our praises lifted up to HIM and HIS blessings given down to us. Our hands are open in surrender to HIM and our hands are open to receive HIS blessings. There is complete freedom in surrender! What you fear in "giving up" turns into blessings as you receive God Himself. 


Next Entry: Romans 5:1–21

Acts 21 – 28 (Continued)

January 04, 2013

As Paul was saying all these things, Festus spoke up and accused Paul of being crazy. Everything Paul was talking about and explaining to them was totally foreign to Festus. Paul replied, I am not crazy. Everything you have heard me say is true and sensible. King Agrippa, what about you? You've heard about these things. I can speak freely to you. Do you believe in what the prophets wrote? I know you believe. The king replied, "Do you think you can persuade me to become a Christian in such a short time?" And Paul said, "Whether it is a short time or a long time, I pray to God that not only you but every person listening to me today would be saved and be like me except for the chains." (Acts 26:29)

Then everyone who was gathered in the room—all the important people—stood up and left the room. Talking to each other they said, "There is no reason why this man should die or be put in jail." (Acts 26:31) They could have left him go free, but Paul had asked to be heard by Caeser. God's plan was not yet done. Remember what God said to Paul when he came and stood beside him? Acts 23:11 - "Be brave! You have told people in Jerusalem about me. You must do the same in Rome." It was not yet time for it to be over—Paul must go to Rome. Look at all the people who were hearing God's message because of the situation Paul was in. From outside appearances, it looked like Paul was being punished by man. But contrary to what it looked like, Paul was in the center of God's Will and he was being used by God to further His Kingdom purposes.  

On 11/27/10, I was reading in Ezra 6. The Life Lesson Exploration verses included Acts 26:17–18. "I will keep you safe from your own people and also from the others. I am sending you to them to open their eyes so that they may turn away from darkness to the light, away from the power of Satan and to God. Then their sins can be forgiven, and they can have a place with those people who have been made holy by believing in me." I read those words at the exact time we were preparing to send to my sister and brother-in-law over 450 handwritten pages of this journal.   

The reason we had to prepare and send my journal was because the judge reopened discovery for a short time and "journals" were included in the long list of discoverable items. I'd never kept a journal before and was wishing I wouldn't have started one when I realized it was part of what was discoverable. I began keeping a journal in 2009 after feeling strongly led ("pressed in the Spirit") to chronicle my thoughts and prayers while reading through the Bible. The thought of sending our enemy my very personal writings, prayers, and thoughts was nauseating. (I paused when I wrote the word "enemy" because it seems like a such a strong word. But what other word do you use to describe someone who is actively trying to destroy you? We do not have enemy thoughts towards them, but there sure is enemy actions from them.) 

Oh, how I did not want to send my journals to my sister. I knew she would parse every word and every thought would be analyzed to see it they could find something to use against us. But, even though it was very upsetting, I was not going to go down a path of lies, whether by words or by omission. So, I told our lawyers about my journals and I went against my fear, pride, reluctance—whatever it was—and sent over 450 handwritten pages to them. At that time my journals covered Genesis to II Chronicles 11:17.

My journals were full of my personal thoughts; our prayers for my sister and brother-in-law; the story of Jane (Her Name Was Jane); and what God had taught us during this time. But most important of all, it was full of God's Word. At the exact same time as when my journals were being prepared, I am reading (and writing) about Ezra 6, and the Exploration Verses send me to Acts 26:17–18.

"I will keep you safe from your own people and also from the others. I am sending you to them to open their eyes so that they may turn away from darkness to the light, away from the power of Satan and to God. Then their sins can be forgiven, and they can have a place with those people who have been made holy by believing in me."

Wow! Wow! A thousand times—WOW! God gave us a voice and a captive audience even though the world would say we are the captive ones. His Words went out. Their response to His words is not determined or controlled by us. (See tomorrow's journal entry.) Their initial response was like that of Festus towards Paul. They basically accused me of being crazy and homicidal. They said they were fearful of me and would seek a restraining order against me if they lived closer to us. Their lawyer followed suit and said he was fearful of me as well and if we ever needed to meet it would have to be in a secure location where I would have to be searched and go through a metal detector.

What I KNOW is this: God sent me (my journals) and we are protected from our own people and others!


Next Entry: Acts 21 – 28 (Continued)

An Opportuity to SERVE!

December 13, 2012

I've been praying a lot for my husband's brother. His leukemia is progressing rapidly. My husband and I met with his brother (and his wife) Sunday night to try and explain the medical options that are left. In some ways he has been in denial, but in many ways he just isn't capable of understanding it on his own. As we were talking with them the thought came to me that I should tell him the train analogy that I've told my husband. I hesitated. Should I say it or just let him remain oblivious to his situation? I said a quick prayer seeking guidance and then strongly felt I was to say it. My husband's brother can understand things better if he can "see" it whether visually or pictured in his mind. I explained to him (and his wife) that his disease is like a train. The train has already left the station. It left when he was diagnosed with Blast Crisis in September of 2011 and that medically there is no going back. I went on to explain that what we have been trying to do these last fifteen months is to slow the train down, and we are running out of options to be able to do that.

You could tell that it was finally starting to sink in. The next day I went to his Doctor appointment with him. While we were waiting for the doctor my brother-in-law said, "It will be good to go home." I nodded my head. We sat in silence. I knew he was processing his feelings and I didn't want to interrupt. Then he went on, "It will be good to be able to see Grandma and Grandpa again. I loved Grandpa B... he was my favorite." I could have cried on the spot. I asked him to tell me stories of his Grandpa. His faced beamed as he shared some of his memories with me.

He is starting to understand and he is beginning to look forward to heaven! This is huge! He is so simple minded. Death is seldom easy but it is even more difficult when an adult has limited understanding and coping skills. Other members of my husband's family have voiced their hope that the dying process could happen without him even knowing he is terminally ill. Death from cancer seldom happens that way. We are the only ones who have spoken honestly with him in terms he could understand, we will continue to try and guide him (and his wife) through the dying process. 

We have been praying several things:

1. For peace that only God can give;
2. For acceptance of God's will—no matter what;
3. For my husband's brother to have an increased desire for heaven as this life wanes;
4. For as much as possible a peaceful passing;
5. For God to accept him with open arms.

As I was praying for him about 5:30 this morning another old hymn came to mind.

'Tis So Sweet to Trust in Jesus

'Tis so sweet to trust in Jesus,
Just to take Him at His Word;
Just to rest upon His promise,
And to know "Thus saith the Lord."

   Jesus, Jesus, How I trust Him!
   How I've proved Him o'er and o'er;
   Jesus, Jesus, precious Jesus!
   Oh, for grace to trust Him more.

Oh, how sweet to trust in Jesus,
Just to to trust His cleansing blood;
And in simple faith to plunge me,
'Neath the healing, cleansing flood!

Yes, 'tis sweet to trust in Jesus,
Just from sin and self to cease;
Just from Jesus simply taking
Life and rest, and joy and peace.

I'm so glad I learned to trust Thee,
Precious Jesus, Savior, Friend;
And I know that Thou are with me,
Wilt be with me to the end.

Written by Louisa Stead 1882.  Listen to it here.

There is one more thing we do while praying. We thank Jesus for the opportunity to serve my husband's brother. Who would have ever thought we would be thanking God for the opportunity to serve someone who brought more stress, problems, and headaches to my husband than any other person ever in his life! That's how God works. He changes you from the inside out. He took what was a horrible situation and turned it into an "opportunity." Wow! And the havoc situations that were meant for harm does not harm you. Instead, it builds you up and strengthens you and you become more like Christ in your thoughts and actions. Again—Wow!

Bless the LORD, oh my soul
Bless the LORD, oh my soul
Let everything within me
Let everything within me
Let everything within me
I will bless the LORD.

At all times,
At all times,
At all times,
I will bless the LORD!

Listen to it here.


Next Entry: Acts 17:1–34

Acts 12:1–25 (Continued)

November 29 & 30, 2012

Herod began to mistreat the followers of Christ. This King Herod was the grandson of the King Herod who ordered all the boys killed when Jesus was born. The sins of the father being taught and passed down through the generations. Herod had James killed. Because he saw some of the people liked this he decided to arrest Peter as well. So, Peter was arrested and put into jail where he was guarded by sixteen soldiers. Sixteen! Seems like a little overkill. He was bound by two chains, in a cell, behind an iron gate, and then guarded by sixteen soldiers? Seems to me Herod took this extreme measure because he knew Peter's God was all-powerful and needed to be guarded against. No mere man would need that much restraint. But, the God of the universe couldn't be contained by a few men, chains, and iron gates. It was a futile attempt.

Peter was going to be put on trial after the holy period. Funny how the "holy" periods kept getting in the way of the desires of evil people and the reverse of that as well. Funny that those who were planning evil even bothered to care whether it was Passover or the Feast of Unleavened Bread.

It was the night before the trial. Peter was not pacing back and forth. He was sleeping between two soldiers. Other soldiers were guarding the door. An angel appeared; struck him to get his attention; told him "Hurry! Get up!"; and the chains fell off. Then the angel said, "Get dressed and put on your sandals." So, Peter did. Then he said, "Put on your coat and follow me." Peter obeyed the clear instructions. He didn't know if he was dreaming or if this was reality, but whether it was in his mind or real, he was going to obey. They went past the first guards. They went past the second guards. Then they came to the iron gates that separated them from the city and freedom. The gate opened by itself and they walked through it. After they walked down one street the angel left him as suddenly as he came.

You can try to imprison God's people, but nothing can prevent God's protection and God's plan.  Nothing!! God can rescue His followers from the most complex of situations. Nothing is too difficult for him. No power of hell, no scheme of man, can EVER separate us from God's hand. Can I hear an AMEN!?! Time to start standing up in church and waving a white hankie! 🙂 After the angel left him THEN Peter understood. Acts 12:11 - "Now I know that the Lord really sent his angel to me. He rescued me from Herod and from all the things the people thought would happen." The NIV says from everything the people were anticipating.

We absolutely without-a-doubt believe the promise of God's protection we received for Jane's lips in July of 2007. We are at total peace while we wait on HIS timing and watch HIS hand working in our lives. For my sister and brother-in-law it has to be the opposite. They are "anticipating" our destruction; they are waiting for their plans of deceit to work; they are anxiously waiting for us to get what (in their mind's eye) they think we deserve; and they are eagerly awaiting for what they hope to be the end result—the reward of money. Eager anticipation which causes anxiety and time to drag by—verses—restful peace. We see this time of waiting (for the judge to rule on what can continue) as God's day of grace for my sister and brother-in-law and God's meticulous timing as He continues to change, grow, and prepare us for the future HE desires. You've got to believe that my sister and brother-in-law see these three plus years of waiting as anxious anticipation. As I've said before, until my last breath or until their last breath, I will continue to have hope for them to recognize and accept God's grace for their lives.

Peter went to the house where the other followers were fervently praying for him. They were amazed even though they had been praying. Peter explained to them what happened. He said, "Tell James and the other believers what happened." (Acts 12:17) You cannot keep what God has done to yourself. If you are the recipient of a Blessed Event, you cannot squander it!!

Herod thought he had all the possibilities covered, but Peter was gone. They looked for him but could not find him. So, Herod ordered the guards to be killed. He had just witnessed first hand the power of God but he did not change. Life was still all about him. He loved his royal robes, the throne, and the appearance of power and prestige. People gave him praise. When he accepted that praise for himself instead of giving the glory to the only One who deserves it, an angel of the Lord immediately caused him to be sick, and he died.

Accountability. He had every opportunity. But he never surrendered and acknowledged God as Lord and Savior. He kept pursuing his own selfish desires until the time came when God said enough is enough. But, as sad and disappointing as that is—God's message was not stopped. Acts 12:24- "God's message continued to spread and reach people." Sometimes it is not "in spite of" it is "because of." God's will—WILL be done. Nothing can stop it or prevent it. Praise the Lord!

"God sees our lives from beginning to end. He may lead us through a storm at age thirty so we can endure a hurricane at age sixty." ~ From On the Anvil by Max Lucado

We can attest to that. We have been able to look back and see how God prepared us "for such a time as this."

Jane's notes for Acts 12 in her KJV:

Satan could not prevent the effectiveness of
1) A believer's prayer
2) Inner peace of believer (Peter sleeping in prison) Psalm 127:2
3) Appearance of angels to minister to
4) Frustration of his own purposes (verse 19)
5) His own confusion
6) The purposes of God from being fulfilled

*****

Very grateful! Friday night (11/30/12) my husband left the house to fuel up the pickup in preparation for our trip to Chicago with our grandson the next day. He closed the gate and was waiting for traffic to clear when another pickup pulled in our drive. He could tell the person was confused because he kept braking and trying to decide whether to drive up by the side drive or straight up the drive. The pickup turned around at the gate. My husband got out and asked if he could help him. The guy became very agitated and went absolutely ballistic. He was obviously impaired in some way (most likely high) so my husband called 911 as he walked back to his truck. As my husband was sitting in his truck and talking to the 911 operator, the man came up behind him and held a gun to the back of my husband's head. Somehow—only by the grace of God and HIS protecting hand—my husband was able to quickly drive away and God prevented the gun from firing.

God is good ALL the time. My husband was in our own driveway, minding his own business. Never would you have expected to be in any kind of danger. Especially in our quiet little town!  But God knew and God protected. Blessed be the Name of the LORD!


Next Entry: Acts 13:1–52

John 20:1–31

November 14, 2012

The tomb is empty! The fear of death is gone! We serve a Living Savior!

   Hallelujah, Thine the glory
   Hallelujah, Amen
   Hallelujah, Thine the glory
   Revive us again.

God provided the final sacrifice. We no longer need to be dead in our sin. The grave is no longer our enemy. He is alive! His Father is our Father, and His God is our God. When we live our lives surrendered to Him we have peace, a peace that only HE can give, and we have the Holy Spirit that HE breathes on us.

When Jesus appeared to His followers they believed and were given peace and the Holy Spirit. Thomas wasn't with them and wouldn't believe until he saw it for himself. A week later he saw and he believed and was given the peace only God can give. But what about that week when he refused to believe? For one week he lived in misery; the teacher was dead; what was going to happen to his followers, etc. For one whole week he was on his own. 

That was one week. Some people spend a whole life time trying to do it on their own and they miss out on the peace that only He can give. And more importantly, they miss out on the presence of the Holy Spirit. 

If you want happiness, peace and contentment—BELIEVE!


Next Entry: John 21:1–25

John 17:1–26 (Continued)

November 11, 2012

Songs running through my mind early this morning.

Come Thou Fount

Come thou fount of every blessing

Tune my heart to sing Thy grace

Streams of mercy never ceasing

Call for songs of loudest praise.  

Teach me some melodious sonnet

Sung by flaming tongues above

I'll praise the mount I'm fixed upon it

Mount of Thy redeeming love

Here I raise my Ebenezer 

Hither by Thy help I come

And I hope by Thy good pleasure

Safely to arrive at home.

Jesus sought me when a stranger

Wandering from the fold of God

He, to rescue me from danger

Interposed His precious blood.

O to grace, how great a debtor

Daily I'm constrained to be!

Let Thy goodness like a fetter

Bind my wandering heart to thee

Prone to wander Lord I feel it,

Prone to leave the God I love

Here's my heart, O take and seal it,

Seal it for Thy courts above.

Listen to it here.  Shortly after Come Thou Fount another song began to play in my thoughts.

Blessed Assurance

Blessed Assurance, Jesus is mine!

Oh, what a foretaste of glory divine!

Heir of salvation, purchase of God, 

Born of His Spirit, washed in His blood.

   This is my story, this is my song,

   Praising my Savior all the day long;

   This is my story, this is my song

   Praising my Savior all the day long.

Perfect submission, perfect delight,

Visions of rapture now burst on my sight;

Angels descending, bring from above

Echoes of mercy, whispers of love.

Perfect submission, all is at rest,

I in my Savior am happy and blest,

Watching and waiting, looking above,

Filled with his goodness, lost in His love.  

   This is my story, this is my song.

   Praising my Savior, all the day long.

   This is my story, this is my song,

   Praising my Savior, all the day long.

Listen to Blessed Assurance here.


Next Entry: John 18:1–27

John 17:1–26

November 09, 2012

Yesterday I wrote how I feel as if momentum is building in our lives. Today I realize momentum is building in more than one way. Momentum is also building in the life of Christ. He begins to tell His followers about the progress of events.

John 13

He washes his followers' feet; He teaches them about the importance of servant-hood; He tells them what is going to happen before it happens; He reveals the truth about who Judas really is; Judas went out into the night; then when he was gone, Jesus said—NOW! NOW the time has come for His and the Father's glory to be shown. 

John 14

Jesus prepares His followers; He comforts them; He encourages them; He reminds them that "I am the way" and that they must believe; He promises to send them the Helper and that He is the Spirit of Truth; and He gave them His peace. He was like a coach gathering His team privately together one last time; giving them some final instructions; calling them in a circle; putting their hands together; and on the count of three saying, "Come now, let us go."

John 15

They are on the way to Gethsemane; God's plan is in motion; it is time; and Jesus continues His teaching and pep talk. Remain! Remain in me! I am the vine; you are the branch; God is the gardener; you will be pruned; it is for your good and the good of others; the world will hate you; you must tell people about Me.

John 16

The teaching continues; Jesus warns them ahead of time on what will happen; He explains to them how the Helper (Holy Spirit) will be the one who proves the truth about sin, righteousness, and judgment; the Holy Spirit will lead; He will tell what is to come; He will bring glory to Christ's name; sadness will turn to joy; you can ask for anything in Jesus' name, and the Father will do it; He said all these things so we could have peace; there will be trouble in this world; "but be brave! I have defeated the world."

John 17

Jesus prays for His followers. The time has come. He prays for: 1) glory be brought to Him and the Father; 2) the return to Glory they had together before the fall of man; 3) the protection and safety of the believers from the world and evil one; 4) the believers to be ready for service by His truth—the Word; 5) the believers to be unified as one; 6) the world to believe in Him because of that unity; 7) those who follow Him to see and share in His eternal glory forever and ever.  

It is getting closer to the time that His followers are to be sent out. The momentum is building and Jesus says, "I am praying for them." What a thought and promise. God is preparing us, teaching us, and equipping us. And most importantly, He is praying His protection over us as He is getting ready to send us out.  

Thank you, Jesus! Jane (Her Name Was Jane) has the following verses written beside this chapter.

Psalm 97:10 - "People who love the LORD hate evil. The LORD watches over those who follow him and frees them from the power of the wicked."
II Timothy 4:17–18 - "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 lion's mouth. The Lord will save me when anyone tries to hurt me, and he will bring me safely to his heavenly kingdom. Glory forever and ever be the Lord's. Amen."

Life Lesson Verses:

Deuteronomy 4:7 - "... the Lord our God comes near when we pray to him."
Psalm 32:6 - "For this reason, all who obey you should pray to you while they still can. When troubles rise like a flood, they will not reach them."

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."

*****

I went out for a walk after I wrote this morning. Yet another old hymn was running through my mind.  :)

Revive Us Again

Hallelujah, Thine the glory

   Hallelujah, Amen.

Hallelujah, Thine the glory

   Revive us again.   

We praise You O God, for the Son of Thy love

For Jesus, who died and is now gone above.

We praise You O God, for Thy spirit of Light

Who has shown us our Savior and scattered our night.

Hallelujah, Thine the glory

   Hallelujah, Amen.

Hallelujah, Thine the glory

   Revive us again.

All glory and praise to the Lamb that was slain

Who has born all our sin and has cleansed every stain

Revive us again, fill our hearts with Thy love

And may our souls be rekindled with fire from above.

Hallelujah, Thine the glory

   Hallelujah, Amen

Hallelujah, Thine the glory

   Revive us again.

Listen to Revive Us Again here.


Next Entry: John 17:1–26 (Continued)

John 14:1–31

November 06, 2012

After Judas was gone, Jesus began to teach.

• "Don't let your hearts be troubled..." (Verse 1) Learn what it means to let go and TRUST. You cannot move forward and worry at the same time.
• "You know the way..." (Verse 4) Quit trying to reinvent the wheel. When we listen, God directs our paths. He will show you what you already know but have not seen. Isaiah 30:21 - "If you go the wrong way, to the right or left, you will hear a voice behind you saying, 'This is the right way. You should go this way.' "
• "I am the way..." (Verse 6) He is the only way. He is truth. He is life. It is not "our way or the highway." It is only through Jesus. God's way IS the only way.
• "Believe... believe... believe..." (Verses 11 & 12) Believe Him because of what He says, or believe Him because of what He has done. Whatever you do—BELIEVE. When you believe you will be able to do great things not because of who you are but whose you are.
• "Ask!..." (Verse 13) I John 5:14–15 - "...if we ask God for anything that agrees with what he wants he hears us. If we know he hears us every time we ask him, we know we have what we ask from him." The motives behind our requests; the purpose of what we ask for; the result of what we want; must be to bring Honor and Glory to His Name and not our own.  
• "If you love me, you will obey my commands." (Verse 15) You will. Not once in a while, not some of His commands, not the ones you choose. "IF you love me, you will..." No ifs; ands; or buts. You will!! Complete obedience. Total surrender.
• "...Spirit of truth." (Verse 17) In a world where "seeing is believing," the Spirit of Truth is often not recognized. "The world cannot accept him, because it does not see him or know him. But you know him, because he lives with you and he will be in you." (Verse 17) The Holy Spirit is real and alive in our lives. This journal bears witness to many of the ways He has ministered to us. He guides us and directs us. Yet, because He cannot be understood by those in the world, His existence and guidance is denied or misunderstood and as a result we are often falsely accused and viewed with suspicion.  
• "Those who know my commands and obey them are the ones who love me, and my Father will love those who love me. I will love them and will show myself to them." (Verse 21) The love of the Father, and the love of the Son, and our understanding of them is predicated on our actions—knowing His commands and obeying them. It isn't enough to just know. We must also obey. 
• "If people love me, they will obey my teaching." (Verse 23) And the reverse would also be true. Those who do not love me do not obey my teachings. You cannot love Him and continue to disobey His teachings. Cannot! You can say you love Him, but words are not enough. Our actions prove whether we do or do not love Him. Love = Obedience. Obedience = Love.  
• "I leave you peace; my peace I give to you." (Verse 27) You cannot buy peace. You cannot manufacture it; manipulate it; or fake it. Only God can give true, lasting, peace. So don't be afraid. Fear cannot survive in a heart filled with God's peace. It truly is a peace that passeth all understanding.
• "I have told you this now, before it happens, so that when it happens, you will believe." (Verse 29) This the the second time Jesus said this in John. (See John 13:19) Psalm 140:12–13 - "I KNOW the LORD will get justice for the poor and will defend the needy in court. Good people will praise his name; honest people will live in his presence." Those two verses, spoken by Jane (Her Name Was Jane) contain the promise of "before it happens," and the result of "when it happens."  
• "Come now, let us go." (Verse 31) I never noticed this verse before. It's like a coach gathering his team in a huddle; preparing them for the game ahead; giving them the final pep talk; then everyone putting their hands together; and on the count of three saying:

Come now, let us go!!

We are ready LORD. We are all in. We are ready and willing to do whatever it is you ask us to do. Thank you for preparing us; growing us; changing us; encouraging us; blessing us; and using us.  Thank you, LORD for allowing us to be the recipients of this Blessed Event. LORD, we will not squander it. "Come now, let us go!" Praise the LORD!

John 14 - What a chapter!! 


Next Entry: John 15:1 – 16:4a

John 12:1–50

October 31, 2012

The Pharisees, Priests, and Sadducees were angry. They were so threatened by Jesus and the TRUTH that they were willing to do anything to stop the "noise" of anyone who was speaking and/or believing truth. They plotted (Psalm 140:1 - "Rescue me O Lord from evil men who devise evil plans in their hearts") not only against Jesus but Lazarus also, making plans to kill him because people were leaving their ways and believing in Jesus. When you have encountered the Son of God there is one thing you must do—tell others about Him. And that is what they were doing.

An encounter with Christ brings peace to yourself; a love for others; and the desire to tell others about Him. 

Matthew 7:15–20 - You will know them by their fruit. The Pharisees, Priests, and Sadducees called themselves religious when in actuality they were religious unbelievers. Their actions mirrored that of whom they followed. They sought to steal, kill, and destroy—the very description of what Satan seeks to do—and they did it under the guise of religiosity. Judas acted appalled at the "wasting" of perfume on Jesus feet when that money could have been used for the poor. John 12:6 - "But Judas did not really care about the poor; he said this because he was a thief. He was the one who kept the money box, and he often stole from it." The only reason the leaders wanted Jesus, Lazarus, and the other believers destroyed was to preserve themselves and their selfish desires.

Christ-followers give away. Self-followers take.

In John 12 there is a switch. Up until now Jesus said, "My time has not yet come." (John 2:4; John 7:6; John 7:30; John 8:20) Now it changes to "the time has come..." It was now time.  John 12:23–27 - "The time has come for the Son of Man to receive his glory. I tell you the truth, a grain of wheat must fall to the ground and die to make many seeds. But if it never dies, it remains only a single seed. Those who love their lives will lose them, but those who hate their lives in this world will keep true life forever. Whoever serves me must follow me. Then my servant will be with me everywhere I am. My Father will honor anyone who serves me. Now I am very troubled. Should I say, 'Father, save me from this time'? No, I came to this time so I could suffer. Father, bring glory to your name!" Then a voice came from heaven, "I have brought glory to it; and I will do it again. The crowd standing there, who heard the voice, said it was thunder. But others said, "An angel has spoken to him." Jesus said, "that voice was for your sake, not mine."

Now is the time.

We must be willing to do what Jesus did—surrender ALL—and lay our lives down to follow Him. And when we do, our actions and our desires bring Honor and Glory to His Name. When we surrender the Father is pleased and He in turn brings honor to those who serve Him. It is for "your sake" that trials and difficulties come. To see the hand of God and to bring honor and glory to Him is for "your sake."

Oh, how grateful I am for all the "deep water" times in our lives, including these last almost six years of "the storm." It truly has been for "your sake."

Still, through everything, some people still would not believe. They saw the miracles but, "They still did not believe in him." Their eyes were blind. Their minds were closed. (Isaiah 6:10) When you walk in darkness you don't know where you are going. Jesus came to be the light, "but they did not want light. They wanted darkness, because they were doing evil things. All who do evil hate the light and will not come to the light, because it will show all the evil things they do. But those who follow the true way come to the light, and it shows that the things they do were done through God." (John 3:19–21)

Again—Jesus came to be the light—but it is our choice whether we receive it or not. John 12:46 - "I have come as light into the world so that whoever believes in me would not stay in darkness." 

You cannot believe and continue to do the things that are of darkness. Light and darkness do not mix. If you choose to believe and obey—you are in the light. If you refuse to believe, do not accept my words, and do not obey (Jesus' own words)—then you are in darkness. It really is that black and white.


Next Entry: John 13:1–38

John 11:1–57

October 29. 2012

The death of Lazarus. I am struck again by the words of Jesus. John 11:15 - "I am glad for your sakes I was not there so that you may believe." What looks disastrous is many times for our good.

Oh, how I can relate! As I look back over our lives I can see how God has used the different "deep water" times in our lives to build us up; grow us; change us; deepen our faith; and use us... ALL for our good. I am grateful—yes, GRATEFUL—for all the deep water times in our lives and "the storm." They are truly Blessed Events and we will not squander them.

Jane (Her Name Was Jane) has written a comparison between Martha and Mary's response to life and Lazarus illness and death in her KJV Bible.

Martha—Self-centered
Mary—Christ-centered

Martha was busy "doing" whether it be preparing the house and food or going to meet Jesus after Lazarus died. Mary on the other hand, was busy "being." Mary was the one who poured perfume on Jesus feet and wiped them with her hair. She didn't go to meet Jesus coming, she "sat still." Jane has written "submission, peace, confidence." When Jesus asked for her "she arose quickly, and came unto him." When she saw him, "she fell down at his feet." Her dependence was not on self or "doing," it was on "being," totally dependent on the Lord.

Our concerns should not be about what "we" want. It should be—Jesus, what do YOU want from me?


Next Entry: John 12:1–50