Baptized with "Fire"

 Luke 3

   Are we positioning ourselves so that the word of God can come to us? Was he there because he was an unpopular repentance preacher, and needed to hide? I like to think he was so yearning for the touch of the Holy Spirit again, like he felt when he was in his mother's womb and felt the presence of the Christ growing in Mary nearby.  I always wondered if he was baptized at that very moment. I still think he was in the wilderness because of that very confronting tongue of fire. He had to survive long enough to fulfill his calling.
V2b The word of God came to John in the wilderness.
V7 Here is a sample of John's preaching to the crowds that came for baptism: you brood of snakes! Who warned you to flee God's coming judgement? Prove by the way you live that you have really turned from your sins and turned to God. Don't just say ,"we are safe- we're the descendants of Abraham." That proves nothing. Even now the ax of God's judgement is poised, ready to sever your roots. Yes, every tree that does not produce good fruit will be chopped down and thrown into the fire.
V10 What shall we do?
V11 If you have two coats, give one to the poor. If you have food, share it with those who are hungry.
V12 Even corrupt tax collectors came to be baptised and asked, "Teacher what shall we do?
V13 "Show your honesty, " "Make sure you collect no more taxes than the Roman government requires you to.
V14 What shall we do?  asked some Roman soldiers. "Don't exhort money, and don't accuse people of things you know they didn't do, and be content with your pay."
V15 They wondered whether he was the Messiah.
V16 I baptize you with water, but one is coming who is mightier than I, and I am not fit to untie the thong.   He will baptize you with the Holy spirit and fire. 

Remember when you got born again and you felt squeaky clean and everything was beautiful?  Your feet weren't touching the floor, then you prayed with someone or shared the word and you felt on fire. Once you experience that there is never satisfaction in anything else, ever again.
   I'm amazed that he has to tell these guys to be honest and not to steal! Yet, in the church we still don't see our sin at times. He's being a prophet, spotting the counterfeit.
   We say sometimes we are having a wilderness experience in our walk with God.  It's really that we have allowed the rains of life to bring our fire to a smolder. John was spending his time in the wilderness girding himself up and came out a roaring flame! As soon as we step out into serving our fire will be kindled right up. The braver in the things of God we get, the brighter that flame.
   My friend, Carol Burnett, who will be speaking at the women's breakfast next month, is a flaming fire.  She  is a pleasure to watch as she gives yield to the the Holy Spirit's fire. She has been around the world stepping out in great courage to do God's work. The prayer volunteers have stepped out with courage and God is fanning their flames! Fire is all consuming, awesome, powerful and magnificent. We are all called to pull people out of the fire and also, into the fire. We have the choice of life or death, to be consumed or burned. Let us be consumed!   Never give up, never give in.

The seed

Hello Friendly People,
   I have been pondering "The Word", spoken by Jesus. I have been overwhelmed lately by the power of the written word, and the power of the spoken word over peoples lives. So I started a study and got reacquainted with this parable in Luke 8. I started at the end of this portion of scripture hoping to grab your attention before you discard it as too familiar. I hope it works.  It is serious business to God and especially Christ who gave His life so the word (Himself, John 1:1) could manifest its glory on mankind. The thrust I see in this parable is the heart of the individual hearer is to hear the word, implement it, cultivate it and reproduce it. The whole purpose of the word of God is to come alive in the recipient and produce more life. If the holder of this truth won't cultivate it and reproduce it .......

  V16 No one lights a lamp and hides it in a jar or puts it under a bed. Instead, he puts it on a stand, so that those who come in can see the light. For there is nothing hidden that will not be disclosed, and nothing concealed that will not be known or brought to the open. Therefore consider carefully how you listen. Whoever has, will be given more; whoever does not have, even what he thinks he has will be taken from him.

V15 And the seed in the good soil, these are the ones who have heard the word in an honest and good heart, and hold it fast, and bear fruit with perseverance.

  We say,  "Well, only God knows if I have a good heart, an honest heart." Yes, but we sure can work towards being the best we can be by being honest with ourselves and others. Perseverance sure is easier shared with a friend! When we open ourselves to God and allow Him to heal us, we will share our freedom with others. The seats in the church are empty because we are struggling just like the world is. Let's change that this year! Let's get real, get open, get relational. Get in a small group, get some prayer, fast, discipline yourself to read God's word.

V10  The disciples wonder why He spoke in a parable, because Jesus won't plant non producing  seed . He tells them, "The knowledge of the secrets of the kingdom of God has been given to you, but to others I speak in parables, so that, " though seeing, they may not see: though hearing, they may not understand.
   We do not want to be those who don't see!

V8b " He who has ears to hear, let him hear."

V5-8  Jesus knows if a seed will produce from His cast, and likewise, the farmer is careful  not to waste his seed on the road to be trampled under foot or the rocks to wither and die.

V1b  The twelve were with Him, and also some women who had been cured of evil spirits and diseases: Mary (called Magdalene) from whom seven demons had come out; Joanna the wife of Cuza the manager of Herod's household; Susanna; and many others. These women were helping to support them out of their own means.


   Who was supporting Christ's ministry? Those who used to be ill, demonized and broken. Do you think they all had perfect hearts? Who were the ones following Him around constantly trying to find some fault in him? He loves you broken and all; all He asks is to let His word bring life in you, then pass it on. If that's not happening, let's make it happen. Let's start cultivating the truth in our hearts.  Let's stay in church even if our circumstances humble and shame us. The first of the Beatitudes in  Matt 5:3 Says, Blessed are the poor (humble) in spirit for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.  Believe it?

   Get into this chapter and find some jewels for yourself and let God renew you. Never give up, never give in!

A Closer Look At Ezekiel

Hi Friendly people,                              
   We are so used to movies that move our emotions all over the place, games that get our adrenaline going, lusts we give ourselves over to that get our pulses flying, shopping sprees that give us a contented rush............. It's time to slow down and give God some priority time. Is it any wonder when God shows up and surrounds us with peace and love, we wonder if we have had an encounter at all? As we make the exchange, and our passions start to line up with God's, then we tire of the demands of the flesh and yearn for that sweet presence; only then will we abandon ourselves in repentance and awe. I saw our church move to  this new place spiritually last night. I pray we embrace the words God gave us, believe them and implement them in our lives.

Now to this wonder God has created in Ezekiel

   I think the most intimidating aspect about this creature is that it is surrounded with fire. Remember the Scripture that says your works will be tested by fire? When the Glory comes you will see people come undone, because they see their works in the light of God's Glory. Are we ready? I think not, but what happened last night and all week for some of us was preparation  for such an encounter of His Glory. Victor sang a song that said, "I am not afraid". Do not be afraid, He promises that whoever comes to Him will in no way be disappointed. The Glory of God will supersede any and all works of the flesh and they will pale miserably in comparison.

 The wings supply protection to their bodies, protection for the beings on either side of them, worship as they are lifted to God. I like how they only move when the Spirit would speak. If the church would emulate these creatures the devil wouldn't be able to take out any Christians. The Spirit was in the wheels and only listened for His command. There were eyes all over it and it's movement was great. If we were that submitted to the Spirit I think we would be pretty unstoppable. There was an expanse over their heads that sparkled like ice. When they moved it sounded like a roar of rushing waters, like the voice of the almighty, like an army. When they move they are ready to do the Spirit's requests with authority (man), with precision (eagle),with strength (ox), and with mighty intimidating power (lion). God is above the expanse and when He speaks they take a humble stance in honor of him. A throne of Sapphire and the figure he saw looked like glowing metal, as if full of fire, and bright light surrounded Him. The radiance was like a rainbow around him! I'm there,  how about you?
In Revelation 6:6 there is a creature that some think is the same creature found in Ezekiel, but I don't think so. Also in Revelation 1:13-16  there is a beautiful description of Jesus, very similar to the one in Ezekiel. Maybe tomorrow............

Please understand these are only my opinions and are meant in hopes that you will dig yourselves in and fall in love with the word.  Lots of Love- lol, James told me I needed to learn texting language,who says we can't change things around? I don't like," laugh out loud". What,  you have to be told to laugh out loud? drrrrr

Ezekiel 1:1 Living Creatures and The Glory of the Lord

Hi Friendly People,
         I have been thinking about life's circumstances and how they can pull on our faith if we don't stay focused on the Glory of God and His strength to change every circumstance. When I read this chapter I am awed at the creativity of God, His power and and Glory. This vision helps me realize how absurd it is to think God can't break a bondage in our lives, find us a job, control our financial empire, heal our bodies, break curses and protect us from our enemy. As you read this think on the miraculous..................

To save space I 've left a few verses out so you'll need to read it yourself. The NIV does a good job in easy reading.
I looked, and I saw a windstorm coming out of the north- an immense cloud with flashing lightning and surrounded by brilliant light. In the center of the fire looked glowing metal, and in the fire was what looked like four living creatures. In appearance their form was that of a man, but each of them had four faces and four wings. Their legs were straight; their feet were like those of a calf and gleamed like burnished bronze.  Under their wings on their four sides they had the hands of a man . All four of them had faces and wings, and their wings touched one another. Each one went straight ahead; they did not turn as they moved.Their faces looked like this: each of the four had the face of a man, and on the right side each had the face of a loin and on the left the face of an ox; each also had the face of an eagle. Such were their faces. Their wings were spread out upward; each had two wings, one touching the wing of another creature on either side, and two wings covering its body.
Each one went straight ahead. Wherever the spirit would, they would go, without turning as they went. The appearance of the living creatures was like  burning coals of fire or like torches. Fire moved back and forth among the creatures; it was bright, and lightning flashed out of it. The creatures sped back and forth like flashes of lightning. As I looked at the living creatures, I saw a wheel on the ground beside each creature with its four faces. This was the appearance and structure of the wheels: they sparkled like chrysolite, and all four looked alike. Each appeared to be made like a wheel intersecting a wheel. As they moved, they would go in any one of the four directions the creatures faced; the wheels did not turn about as the creatures went. Their rims were high and awesome, and all four rims were full of eyes all around. When the living creatures moved , the wheels beside them moved; and when the living creatures rose from the ground, the wheels also rose. Wherever  the spirit would go , they would go, and the wheels would rise along with them because the spirit of the living creatures was in the wheels. Spread out above the heads of the living creatures was what looked like an expanse, sparkling like ice, and awesome. Under the expanse their wings were stretched out one toward the other, and each had two wings covering its body. When the creatures moved, like the roar of rushing waters, like the voice of the almighty, like the tumult of an army. When they stood still, they lowered their wings. Then there came a voice from above the expanse over their heads as they stood with lowered wings. Above the expanse over their heads was what looked like a throne of sapphire and high above on the throne was a figure like that of a man. I saw that from what appeared to be his waist up he looked like glowing metal, as if full of fire and that from there down he looked like fire; and brilliant light surrounded him. Like the appearance of a rainbow in the clouds on a rainy day, so was the radiance around him. This was the appearance of the likeness of the Glory of the Lord. When I saw it, I fell face down and I heard the voice of one speaking.
     
WOW !  I would love to hear your comments and spiritual insights about this passage. Hope you have  as much fun in this chapter as I have.

Hello kids in Japan, Love you and congratulations on finishing your firefighter school. Yeh!, Mom

Draw near

                              


Hi Friendly people,
      Hope this encourages you to spend some time with the Lord. I challenge you to look these up and read the context it is written in. Let's draw near to God and fill ourselves up as we empty ourselves out.

Hebrews 2:13  and He said," I will put my trust in Him."  "Behold, I and the children that God has given Me."

Hebrews 4:16 Let us therefore draw near with confidence to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and may find grace to help in the time of need.

Hebrews 7:19 for the law made nothing perfect, and on the other hand there is a bringing in of a better hope, through which we draw near to God.

Hebrews 7:25 Hence, also, he is able to save forever those who draw near to God through Him, since He always lives to make intercession for them.

Hebrews 8
I will put an emphasis on verses 11&12   You can see that God is wooing us to draw near to Him. Pastor James is always saying, "Put your rump in the seat." Can we do this during our time of fasting? If you really want to have fun and be blessed look at Jesus the High Priest, in the pages of Hebrews.

V11 and they shall not teach everyone his fellow citizen, and everyone his brother, saying,"know the Lord," For all shall know Me, from the least to the greatest of them.
V12 '' For I will be merciful to their iniquities, and I will remember their sins no more." ( learn more below)

John17: 9
V9 " I ask on their behalf; I do not ask on behalf of the world, but of those whom thou hast given Me, for they are Thine;
V10 and all things that are Mine are Thine, and Thine are Mine; and I have been glorified in them.
V11 "And I am no more in the world; and yet they themselves are in the world, and I come to Thee, holy Father, keep them in Thy name which Thou hast given me, that they may be one, even as We are.

 For those who can't get comfortable in God's presence because of condemnation, guilt and shame, I hope this scripture helps. I remind myself of this scripture when I am being accused. Never give up, Never give in! 

Psalms 89:14-15
Righteousness and justice are the foundation of thy throne. Lovingkindness and truth go before Thee.
V15 How blessed are the people who know the joyful sound! O Lord, they walk in the light of Thy countenance.

 Revelation 12:9-11
V9 the great dragon was thrown down, the serpent of old who is called the deceiver of the whole world; he was thrown down to earth, and his angels were thrown down with him.
V10 and I heard a loud voice in heaven saying, "Now the salvation and the power, and the kingdom of our God and the authority of His Christ have come for the accuser of our brethren has been thrown down, who accuses them before our God day and night.
V11 They overcame him because of the blood of the Lamb and the word of their testimony and they did not love their life even to death.

God bless you as you start your fast this week! Sharing with you what God spoke to me today, hope you get as much from it as I did. God is so good to keep us straight. Still praying for that promotion! Me first,okay?
Love you, Mom

Look at Job chapter 42
 After Job's friend (Eliphaz) wrongly advises him, God tells him v.8 take for yourself seven bulls and seven rams, and go to My servant Job, and offer up a burnt offering for yourselves, and My servant Job will pray for you. For I will accept him so that I may not do with you according to your folly, because you have not spoken of Me what is right, as My servant Job has.( Eliphaz, Bildad,and Zophar who had filled Job's ear with correction and advice, now had to humbly ask for his prayer for restoration of their own sin) v.10 and the Lord restored the fortunes of Job when he prayed for his friends, and the Lord increased all that Job had twofold.

Have you been asked to forgive and maybe even restore someone who has wronged you or kicked you when you were down? Notice that God restores his standing in front of his friends, confirms his righteousness, giving him back his self-respect. Psalms 3:3 says " But Thou, O Lord, art a shield about me, My glory, and the one who lifts my head." God is the lifter of our heads and the restorer of our countenance. I use this scripture often when feeling overwhelmed with guilt or shame. He is always faithful to restore us. Job's restoration wasn't fulfilled until he prayed for his friends. Maybe God knew he had to take this step to rid himself of any bitterness that could have rested on him through this trial.........

Look at Titus3:1-5
v.1 remind them to be subject to rules, to authorities, to be obedient, to be ready for every good deed
v.2 to malign (speak ill of someone) no one, to be uncontentious, gentle, showing every consideration for all men.
v.3 we also once were foolish ourselves, disobedient, deceived, enslaved to various lusts and pleasures, spending our lives in malice and envy, hateful, hating one another
v.4 but when the kindness of God our Savior and His love for mankind appeared,
v.5 he saved us, not on the basis of deeds which we have done in righteousness, but according to His mercy, by the washing of regeneration and renewing by the Holy Spirit,
v.6 whom He poured out upon us richly through Jesus Christ our Savior.

For my son, Joe, God gave you a special gift of patience and love for people. Never give in to the temptation to be bitter. Those seeds WILL grow in God's time. Never give up! 

 Read Luke 4 through as you start the new year.  I pray you won't be shaken as you speak life into people, even when it hurts, even when they turn your words against you.  To love people does mean you care about what they do; to stay silent is to remain neutral.  "Never give up.  Never give in."

Luke 4

In this chapter Jesus is tempted by the devil.  Look at v 13:  "And when he devil had finished every temptation, he departed from Him until an opportune time." 
I've always heard when a new year starts "Oh, am I glad to put that horrible year to rest" or "That was the year from hell; glad it's behind me."
The devil always rebounds when there is an opportune time.  I was going to post this yesterday, but felt it harsh.  Today, I like it more.

Ps 94: 8-15:  "Pay heed, you senseless among the people; and when will you understand, stupid ones?  He who planted the ear, does He not hear?  He who formed the eye, does He not see?  He who chastens nations, will He not rebuke, even He who teaches man knowledge?  The Lord knows the thoughts of man, that they are a mere breath.  Blessed is the man whom Thou dost chasten, O Lord, and does teach out of Thy law; that Thou mayest grant him relief from the days of adversity, until a pit is dug for the wicked.  For the Lord will not abandon His people, nor will He forsake His inheritance.  For judgment will again be righteous, and all the upright in heart will follow it."

When we learn to relax and go with bad things that happen, we will then truly know that God sees it all, has a plan, and will bring us out.  Blessed we will be and relief we will get in adversity.  (Verses 12 and 13)
Look back to Luke 4:14  "And Jesus returned to Galilee in the power of the Spirit; and news about Him spread through all the surrounding district."  v15:  "He began teaching in the synagogues and was praised by all."  v 17:  Now it gets heavy. When he opens the bible to Isaiah 61:1  (I encourage you to read the whole chapter).  Everything changes in the room.  Why?    v 20:  "He closes the book, sits down, and all eyes are on Him" !  v 21:  The Spirit is thick and heavy in the room, and He says "Today, this scripture is fulfilled in your hearing."
I get the feeling the Holy Spirit was already depositing the truth about Him before He even confirms their thoughts.  v 22:  "They were speaking well of Him, and wondering at His gracious words...Is this Joseph's son?"  v 23:  Then He really goes for it!  I wonder why we are so careful, and dance around our words as to never offend anyone.  Take some time and read these verses.  Put yourself in this crowd hearing these words spoken at you.  What would your response be?  Would you join the crowd in verses 28 and 29?  We say "No!" but when the crowd calls us judgemental and self-righteous, it shakes our stance.
Verse 39.  He's on a mission.  He's living His calling, hoping some will heed His words and be saved.  Do we care enough about our family and friends to confront them and hope they will choose life?  Verses 32 and beyond talk a lot about demonic activity.  It seems as if they are going nuts.  That is what happens when light shines in the darkness.