Ripping back the Black Curtain!

A New Year Praise!

2018-01-02T13:01:00.001-08:00

Upon entering the year 2018 I am seeing just how great our God is. He is forever faithful and worthy of all praise. He is the God of all glorious wonders. He is the God of great joy and so much love. Our God is forever exalted. He is the only One that deserves all glory and all honor. Nothing compares to the God of the heavens and the earth, our great Creator. All the host of heaven praise Him and shout Worthy to the Lamb who sits upon the throne. All that has breath will open their mouths and praise the Great I am. No tongue will keep silent and every knee will bow to Jesus who reigns as King of kings and Lord of Lords! His church will arise and shine and the gates of hell will not prevail against the people of the almighty God! The body of Christ will exalt Him in praise and glorify His name through out the whole earth. The mountains will melt like wax before our Mighty King, they will lay low and bow at His feet! I have tasted and seen that the Lord is good, and I cannot and will not keep silent! His Holy Spirit is a fire within me. He is so faithful and will never forsake His own! His love is past finding out! I know the Lord and desire to know Him so much more. Oh to know Him more! My God will never cast His own away. He is my First Love and is jealous for me. He desires me to keep my eyes upon Him and not man, for He is my all and all and my exceedingly great reward. He has bestowed upon His children a peace that passes all understanding and a joy that no one can take away! To know Him is to love Him and to desire to be more like Him! He is not silent, he speaks to His children. He calls them by name. He is forever speaking to His people and telling them truths and things which are to come. He leads His people into all Truth and leads them beside the still waters and into green pastures. He heals the broken-hearted and sets the captive free. He delivers us from all our enemies, and will prepare a table before us in the presence of the enemy. He is our Defender, our Redeemer, our Hope and our Answer. He is Holy, Righteous and Just. Our God strengthens His people with His power and might and fills them with His Holy Spirit. We do not walk in fear, but God's people are bold as lions. They are secure in who they are and in whom they believe. The rewards of this life are nothing in comparison to the reward He will give His people. We need not want of nothing, for He provides all to His own. He is our Provider. Nor do we desire accolades of this present world, for this world is not our home. What awaits us is a home that eye has not seen nor ear has heard, nor has it fully entered into the heart of man the things God has prepared for them that love Him. Oh how I love the Lord, because He first loved me. He will come riding on a white horse, and His Name is Faithful and True, His eyes like a flame of fire, and on His head were many crowns. He had on His robe and on His thigh a name written: King of kings and Lord of lords, and truth and justice will proceed out of His mouth like a sword! What an awesome mighty God our Jesus is. That is the King I will see one day. That is my King the One that I serve. He is the King of all the heavens and all the earth and everything below the earth. All creation will worship that King, the one and only King! Come Lord Jesus!!

There is no high like the Most High

2017-05-29T19:56:00.000-07:00

May we stop giving in to temporary fleshly desires. Our birthright is to have all that the Spirit has to give us. We have been given freedom, and whom the Son sets free is free indeed. May we not become entangled with the flesh and all it demands. True faith in Christ Jesus will establish His grace in us, which will work in us to will and do His good pleasure. May we stop placing our self in bondage to sin. May we be sensitive to the voice of our Shepherd as He leads and guides us. Holy Spirit will tell us which way to go, what to do or not to do. May we listen to the voice of Truth and not the voice of lies. The enemy is a master manipulator that flatters with his words and knows how to speak to the longings of our flesh. The person who wants to be recognized can be easily enticed and deceived by the enemy. The enemy will use people to give us what we desire, which is not God's will for us. Like Esau we can become hungry, weary, and desirous to have a longing ache filled, and somebody may come along who has the power to give us what we think we want or even need, and upon receiving his offer, we soon realize that it did not reach the depths of our soul, but only satisfied us temporarily. Now we find ourselves discontented and in wanting once again. The void within remains. That nagging feeling is still there, and now we are paying harsh consequences because of a temporary fix. We wonder to and fro, discontented and no place to find peace. We may have feelings of anger, hurt and bitterness all because of a momentary fleshly fix. The Word of God reads, that if we walk in the Spirit we will not fulfill the lusts of the flesh. The Grace of God will empower us to do this. The Spirit of God in us is greater than this flesh. He that is within us is greater than he that is within the world. How do we rise above this flesh and walk in the Spirit? First, one must believe upon the Lord Jesus Christ, repent of sin and turn away from it, and ask the Lord Jesus to come and make His home within them and to become Lord and Savior of their life. When one does this, he will become born again. He becomes a new creation, old things are past away and all things have become new. Jesus said, that He is the Way, the Truth, and the Life, and that no man can come to the Father except through Him. Jesus so loved us that He gave His life for us, He died for us, He took our place and died for our sins so that we don't have to die. When we leave this world, we do not die, but only go from this life to the next to live eternally with our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. He loves us more than anyone! When one is born again, the Holy Spirit comes to lead and guide that person into all truth and freedom. It is up to the person to listen to the Spirit and to do what He says. What He says for us to do is for our good and not our hurt. He loves us so very much, and wants our joy to be full, and our peace to be abundant! Read God's Word and communicate with Him, for when we do this our faith grows and the power of Holy Spirit strengthens us to be overcomers and more than conquerors. As we begin to obey the voice of Holy Spirit the enemy must flee. Submit to God, resist the devil and he will flee from you. The Word of God says, that it is in Him/Jesus that we live and move and have our being. And it is Jesus who works in us the ability to walk in freedom and not to be a slave to sin/flesh. If we give place to Holy Spirit and His leading, we will find that the void and longings of the flesh will have no power over us any longer. We are no longer in bondage to our flesh and all it demands. The flesh is now under submission to the Spirit. Temporary fixes no longer tempt us. Anger, sorrow, bitterness, acceptance by others, recognition, rewards, worry, addictions, all the desires of the flesh no longer rule us. We are not its slave any longer. We have been set free! There is no high like the Most High. Jesus is not a temporary fix but a permanent one (for now and all eternity)! Get fixed on Jesus!

Know who you are in Christ Jesus Pt. 5 (Christ in us our hope of glory)

2016-02-03T11:49:00.000-08:00

What does it mean Christ in us our hope of glory? It begins with our faith in Him. "That eyes will be opened and men will turn from the power of darkness to the Light and from the power of Satan to God, so that they may receive forgiveness and release from their sins and an inheritance among them which are sanctified by faith that is in me" (words spoken by Jesus Acts 26:18). Without faith it is impossible to please God (Heb. 11:6) and faith worketh by love (Gal. 5:6). There is no fear in love; but perfect love casteth out fear; because fear hath torment. He that feareth is not made perfect in love (1 Jn. 4:18). The Spirit of love will cast out the spirit of fear. If perfected in love Satan cannot touch you, you will not be deceived for you know who you are in Christ Jesus, you have been given a revelation of His love for you. You know who the true Shepherd is and He calls you by name and you follow Him and no one else. The hope you have in Christ is steadfast and unmovable and nothing will be able to shake your foundation which is built upon Christ Jesus! To live is Christ and to die is gain! To know Him and walk with Him while here in this earth is our zeal. To leave here and finally be with Him is our exceedingly great reward!

If we know who we are in Christ Jesus we will know that as servants of God we must not be quarrelsome (fighting and contending) and have nothing to do with unedifying, stupid controversies over ignorant questions, for they only foster strife (2 Timothy 2:23 amp. paraphrased). Instead the servant of the Lord must be kind, patient and forbearing and gentle (2 Timothy 2:25 amp. paraphrased). We clothe ourselves as God's own chosen ones, His own picked representatives, who are purified and holy and well-beloved by God Himself, by putting on behavior marked by tenderhearted pity and mercy, kind feeling, a lowly opinion of ourselves, gentle ways and patience which is tireless and long-suffering, and has the power to endure whatever comes, with good temper, we must be gentle and forbearing with one another and, if one has a difference a grievance or complaint against another, readily pardoning each other; even as the Lord has freely forgiven us, so must we also forgive ( Colossians 3:12-13 amp.). That is how we must treat our brothers and sisters in Christ.

When it comes to evil conduct it must be addressed with Godly wisdom by those who know who they are in Christ/who are mature in the Lord and His Word. There must be correction brought forth, rebuke, warnings and urging, for the time is coming when people will not hear truth any longer but only encircle themselves with others that share in their error as to satisfy their liking. Are we in that time yet? It truly seems as though we are but we must continue to be calm, cool and steady. Just as Paul told Timothy to do in (2 Timothy 4) and continue to do the work of an evangelist. The great commission is to go. Know Him (Jesus) for He is the Word, He is the Way, He is the Truth and He is the Life and no man can come to the Father except through Him. We should show forth Jesus in our lives in love and with great joy and have hope and peace from God which passes all understanding! If you desire to know what it is really like to experience freedom and the absence of fear and anxiety and to know total rest, peace and joy despite circumstances then you must know who you are in Christ and walk in the power of the Spirit and not the flesh! In so doing, you will fear no man but only reverence God. He is with you always and He will never leave you or forsake you. To experience freedom and boldness like you have never known before will be when you know who you are in Christ and who God has created you to be. Pray and ask God to help you to not just know of Him but to truly know Him and who you are in Him, and that He would do this in you by the power of His Holy Spirit in Jesus Name! For it is Christ in us our hope of glory for those that know Him and know who they are in Him!

Know who you are in Christ Jesus Pt.4 (how the enemy entices the vulnerable and tries to silence the strong)

2016-02-02T17:52:00.000-08:00

The enemy will preoccupy himself with fantasies that focus on unlimited success, power and intelligence. He has a form of godliness which identifies with a haughtiness. The vulnerable will look to him as being strong because he seems to carry himself with confidence. This confidence he portrays is deceiving because it is not a confidence in God which is true humility, but a self-confidence conjured up in arrogance or a false humility. Those who do not know who they are in Christ because they are not in tune with His Holy Spirit, will put men like this upon pedestals and follow them, which plays right into the hand of the enemy, for it is this kind of people that the enemy encircles himself with. The ignorance of babes, those who are not clothed in Jesus (the armor of God), the insecure, and co-dependents he will use to his advantage for they are his enablers and his followers. Keeping the vulnerable under his control is a twisted mind game he plays as he continually misrepresents facts, even subtly twisting God's Word, or frequently shifting positions as the opportunities arise. Those who do not study God's Word and ask the Holy Spirit for understanding will continually be deceived by the enemy. Not looking to Jesus but man is their bondage, thus they begin to wonder and go astray. Living under the stronghold of obligation and in constant service to please man and not God is their bondage! Operating in the spirit of fear, because of not knowing the perfect love of Christ for them is their bondage. All of this to which the enemy uses to his advantage with his twisted teachings, which ultimately serves him and his purposes. To deny flesh/self and walk in the Spirit is not the mindset of the enemy, but catering to the flesh and making one feel good in the flesh (which ultimately keeps the vulnerable in a weak state) is his goal. For the spirit is willing but the flesh is weak! It's a twisted lie and a controlling strategy that the enemy plays. Being a master manipulator is his mission!

How does the enemy deal with those who know who they are in Christ? If he does not disregard them as an individual as well as their viewpoints, he will make it a point to belittle them and or jest about them and their viewpoints, or he will disregard them as if they never existed for his relation with them was only based upon their support of his authority and grandiosity, beyond that they are nameless, faceless and worthless. If the enemy is challenged by one who is strong in the Lord, and his control seems threatened, insanity will be unveiled, he will respond like a crazy person who thinks his survival is at stake, evil is seen! The enemy can be so twisted and manipulating that he can express himself as potentially violent or show forth socially unacceptable impulses in a modified socially acceptable manner which deceives the weak in faith but displays to those who are strong in the Lord a wolf in sheep clothing. We who know who we are in Christ are not going to be deceived and fall into such a snare of the enemy. Those who know who they are in Christ will not be silenced by such a one, for they have no fear of man and what man can do to them, and they care not of being bullied or made fun of. They need not recognition from man. They do not need to be acknowledged by man or rewarded by man for they know that their reward will be much greater when they finally meet their Jesus! They care not for the accolades of this world. They are secure in their relationship with Jesus. They have a peace that passes understanding and a joy that makes them strong in the Lord! They only reverence God! They don't need titles, nor do they want them. They are perfectly content with resting in Jesus and adoring Him in all that they do for His Glory alone!

As we continue in Pt. 5 "Know who you are in Christ Jesus" we will talk about "Jesus in us our hope of glory"

Know who you are in Christ Jesus Pt. 3 (unmasking the enemy)

2016-01-29T19:07:00.003-08:00

Let us begin to unmask the enemy according to God's Word. The Bible warns us to beware of wolves in sheep clothing. They are described as false teachers and prophets. According to (2 Peter chapter 2 amp. paraphrased) there are false teachers among us who will subtly and stealthily introduce heretical doctrines even denying and disowning the Master who bought them. Many will follow their immoral ways and lustful doings. They will slander and attack the good name of Jesus who is the Way for all men. They are very skilled and crafty in their deceptions as they exploit God's people in cunning arguments. Their argument might be based on reasonable evidence, but is brought forth boldly and with arrogance and sometimes offensive language. They are self-willed and self-loving and scoff honorable authorities without fear. They are unreasonable and live according to flesh and instinct. They will complain bitterly or abusively about things that they are ignorant of. They take great pleasure in unrestrained celebrations living luxuriously. They take great pleasure in their deceptions as they feast with you. They will bait as to deceive and lure away unstable souls. They are loud in their boasting and folly and lure those who can barely escape from wrong doing. They speak great words of liberty, while they themselves are slaves of depravity and defilement. They take great pleasure in deceiving others to bring them down to their level as to be enslaved. The Scriptures talk about those who do not teach with a wholesome reverence toward God, that they are puffed up and full of pride and deceit, but woefully ignorant. They have a morbid fondness for controversy and disputes and strife about words, which result in envy and jealousy, quarrels and dissension, abuse and insults and slander, and base suspicions. They prolong arguing and bickering and are corrupt in mind and no not the truth (1 Timothy 6 amp. paraphrased). The enemy will operate in a superficial wisdom and not the wisdom from God. This kind of wisdom is earthly, unspiritual (animal), even devilish (demoniacal). He brings forth an atmosphere of jealousy, envy and contention rivalry and selfish ambition. He also breeds an atmosphere of confusion, unrest, disharmony, rebellion and all sorts of evil and vile practices (James 3: 15-16 amp. paraphrased). We who know Christ and know who we are in Him should withdraw from such people.

Know who you are in Christ Jesus Pt. 4 we will talk about the enemy's tactics and how he entices the vulnerable and tries to silence the strong in the Lord!

Know who you are in Christ Jesus Pt. 2

2016-01-18T11:55:00.000-08:00

We ended Part 1 of "Know who you are in Christ Jesus" with this question: Could the wandering lamb/sheep, not know who they are in Christ? There could be various reasons why sheep go astray. I would like to focus on the one who as gone or who is wandering astray because his relationship with the Great Good Shepherd has been compromised! The enemy is a master at twisting truth and very manipulative. Those who are vulnerable to the enemy's lies are those who place their dependency on man and not on God. If the enemy can get your eyes on man and off of Jesus he will have control of your life. The Bible warns us to beware of wolves in sheep clothing for they can be very influential and are masterful liars! Drawing you away to themselves is their goal and having a mindset of fleshly fun and pleasures more than of spiritual growth and relationship with Jesus and His Word is their focus. Is your Christianity based mostly on your relationship with man more than your relationship with Jesus? If your honest answer is the former rather than the latter then you are set for being easily deceived and being lead astray.

I would like to set the stage on how God sees us. God sees us (His children) corporately as well as individually. We each (individually) were delicately knit together in the womb of our biological mothers to be a unique vessel of honor for God's glory in the body of His Son (Jesus Christ)! We are the salt of the earth, a city on a hill, a light that shines, a representative, a witness and example corporately as well as individually for the glory of God (our Father and Creator)! He knows the number of hairs on each of our heads, now if that is not knowing us intimately I don't know what is. He loves us and knows us in every detail. There is nothing or no one in this great universe that shares your finger print. We are each unique, and nothing about us is hidden from God, we are open before Our Father in Heaven! When we become part of the body of Christ, we are each given a unique gifting as to be used to edify others for the Glory of God! And when one part of the body is not functioning the body cannot function properly, this is how important each of us is, and Christ will judge each of us "individually" for the works we have done! He is the author and the finisher of our faith, and the good work that He has begun in us He is faithful to complete it. He is also faithful and just to forgive us of our sins because He loves each of us very much and does not want to see even "one" perish! When your eyes have been opened because it has been revealed that He first loved you and has accepted you just the way you are and how much He truly loves you, then your knowing Him is loving Him and your loving Him is truly knowing Him! And to continue to look to man instead of Jesus might be a passing thought but is quickly dismissed!

Back to the enemy, that master deceiver. The sheep who is established in his relationship with his Great Good Shepherd is not easily deceived, but the one who is not established will wander from time to time making themselves vulnerable to the wiles of the devil! They become an easy target to be manipulated! The Bible says that we must be alert and vigilant, always watching because Satan roams to and fro through out the earth like a roaring lion seeking whom he may devour! The Bible also says that we are to have on the whole armor of God so that we can quench all the fiery darts of the devil! If one piece of the armor of God is missing we are vulnerable! In Part 3 of "Know who you are in Christ Jesus" I will unmask the enemy and how he operates!

To be continued....

Know who you are in Christ Jesus Pt. 1

2016-01-15T11:14:00.000-08:00

How important is it to know who you are in Christ Jesus? It is of great importance for each of us to realize and understand our place in Christ so that the enemy cannot enslave us. Not knowing who we are as a child of God makes us vulnerable to the tricks and schemes of the devil. Deception enslaves and places shackles on God's people. The only way to know who you are in Christ is to know His Word and to understand what is the lie and what is the Truth! Our worth is not in and of ourselves but who we are in Him. Our true identity is who our Creator created us to be. Our Creator knows each of us intimately and desires us to know Him intimately. Our Heavenly Father who created us and knew us before the foundations of the world loves us very much. His desires for us are for our good and not our harm, to give us a hope and a future. He desires for us to know His love, joy and peace in our lives as well as His freedom. Where the Spirit of the Lord is there is freedom! Whom the Son sets free is free indeed! May your joy be full just as mine is, said Jesus. We must each be transformed by the renewing of our minds, and the only way this is possible is to know who we are in the eyes of Christ!

What does God's Word say about us and Himself and who we are in Him? Here is a few things: I did not give you a spirit of fear, but power, love and a sound mind. Let not your heart be troubled neither let it be afraid for in this world there will be troubles but I have overcome the world. I will never leave you nor forsake you, I am with you always even until the very end and then I am still with you. I have come to heal the broken hearted and set at liberty those who are held captive. I am the Great Good Shepherd and my sheep hear my voice, and I call them by name and they follow me.

The question is, are you following Jesus "the great good Shepherd?" Is He truly the Shepherd of your life? If He is, then you will know the freedom and joy of being lead by Him. No fear, no bondage, peace in the midst of troubles, and the fullness of His joy in your life despite circumstances. The comfort of His Holy Spirit will always be with you, tending to your every need. His love always washing over you bringing refreshing to your soul as you eat in green pastures and drink from the still waters. He is your bread of life and the water that causes you to never thirst again. Jesus our Shepherd never leaves us with feelings of helplessness, hopelessness or vulnerability. There is no condemnation in Him but only saving grace and mercy offered to all who call upon His name and follow Him. He loves us with an Everlasting Love and draws us with His Loving Kindness! Even when our Shepherd must chastise us, it is not done as to cause us to cower in fear of Him for being disobedient. His chastising is done in love as to refine, purify and protect us (His Lambs and Sheep). A Good Shepherd has been known to break a leg of a straying lamb with His Shepherd's hook as to keep a lamb from continually going astray, then the good Shepherd will bind up His lamb's leg and carry him upon His shoulders until the lamb's leg is healed. The bond that grows during this time between the straying lamb and the Shepherd is a loving bond that can never be broken.

The Good Shepherd will leave the 99 in a safe place together while He searches for the straying lamb. Isn't it amazing that the majority (the 99) stay close to the Shepherd but there seems to be the one who always wanders, thus continually placing himself in harms way, where it can be devoured by a predator/the enemy? The wandering lamb may be deceived in thinking that the pastures may look greener on the other side but when they get there they find it was just an illusion. Could it be that, that "one" may not know who they are in the eyes of Christ Jesus/their Great Good Shepherd? Could it be that this wandering lamb/sheep who sabotages his life and places his worth in the abusiveness of the enemy enslaving himself to fear and bondage not know who they are in Christ Jesus?

To be continued....

Light breaking forth!

2015-11-06T16:26:00.000-08:00

Have you ever been studying God's Word and suddenly there is a quickening in your spirit and you have understanding that gives you deeper insight? That is what is called Revelational knowledge, or some will say a Rhema Word, which means the Word has come to life in you. At that revelational moment you begin to understand God's Word and it does pierce even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of joints and marrow and that it is indeed most powerful. Spiritual eyes have been awakened, and a deeper understanding comes forth. It is no longer an intellectual knowledge but a Spiritual understanding. God's Word is living and it is literally life to our whole being. When we read and study God's Word we should always pray first asking the Holy Spirit to give us understanding. For all it takes is one small quickening of the Holy Spirit in your spirit and you will be so hungry to know more that you will find yourself devouring God's Word like you can't get enough of it.

Have you heard the saying: "That there is no high like the most High"? If you have experienced Rhema Word then you understand that saying and what it means. You just can't get enough of God, and the deeper you go the deeper He gets. It's like water that quenches your thirst but you still want more. Being washed and bathed in God's Word is something you just can't get enough of. A joy overcomes you and the knowing of who God truly is and what He is all about settles deep within your soul to the very joints and marrow of your being. It's at this moment healing comes (spiritual as well as physical), deliverance comes, no more chains, no more bondage, you have been set free and you know that you have just been brought to life!

Revelational knowledge is the Light breaking forth increasing your faith. You know that you know, and you will not nor cannot be moved. It's a quickening that causes you to rise above the flesh and walk in the Spirit. Rhema Word is more than just hope, but an established victory! Life and joy arises in glorious faith, peace comes, freedom comes, and you get a glimpse of the awesomeness of God!

The next time you pick up your Bible to read take a minute to pray and ask the Holy Spirit to give you revelational knowledge and see what happens! Be prepared as His truth explodes off the pages of His Word. He that lacks wisdom, let him ask, the Spirit will give to them liberally.

God's Refreshing Rain

2015-10-31T09:35:00.004-07:00

God's Refreshing Rain

Let Your Refreshing rain pour down upon me Father God! Rain down your glory upon me, may I walk in Your glory and taste Your refreshing rain upon my dry and parched land. Comfort me and rain down Your wisdom upon me and be my guide. May Your rain of Grace wash over me and Your rain of mercy saturate me! O' how I love You and long for You my Lord and Savior my precious Jesus! Your glory covers the earth. Your refreshing rain brings forth New Life. You are a God that restores and beautifies and brings cleansing to Your people. May Your cool waters of Life soak and permeate and bring healing to my soul! From out of my belly will flow rivers of Living Water. Make me brand new by the rain of Your Holy Spirit. Rain down Your peace and joy upon me and bring me new beginnings. Your rain has renewed my strength and has made my heart moist and rich and filled with pools of life. I ask for the pools of my heart to always be full so that I may continually draw joy from Your wells of salvation. Let Your Refreshing Rain pour down upon me my Father God for my soul thirsts for You! All of creation needs Your Refreshing Rain so let it rain in Jesus Name Amen!

This prayer is still as fresh today as it was when I wrote it back in 2011! Thank you Jesus for the cleansing healing rain of Your Word in the power of your Holy Spirit!

We are one

2015-09-25T14:09:00.001-07:00

Jesus said that I didn't come to bring peace but a sword
Those in me that have my peace are in one accord
They have my mind they are not the world's kind
They stand strong and my grace they embrace
My Spirit bears witness with theirs
We are one you see and they are free
Seeking and searching hungering and thirsting
They will find me and will be filled
It's my plan to keep them in my hand
No one or nothing can take them from me
Even the enemy must flee
This world does not move them
It has no power over them
Face to face is the place they love
It's the higher calling
Which keeps them from falling
They can never be held captive
Prison is not their home
They will always rise to soaring
While the world is warring
They walk in my strength clothed in my joy and humility
Not futility or subtlety, that's not their way
The wisdom they seek is from above and not below
It's the narrow way which they choose to go
Nothing can stop them, nothing can break them
Nothing can hold them and nothing can shake them
They keep their eyes lifted looking to the sky
Jesus (their Lord and Savior) they will behold
Just as the Bible foretold!

The difference between Faith and Fantasy

2014-03-17T07:52:00.000-07:00

   Do you know people who you would say "they are living in a fantasy world or some folks are just not in touch with reality?" Then there are those who walk out their day to day lives always looking up with a hope? On their lips you hear their whispered words, "today may be the day." The latter are those who put their faith in the Savior, the Redeemer of His people. Today I would like to discuss the difference between faith and fantasy.

   First I would like to consider people who live in a fantasy world. In a fantasy "you" the ruler of that world set up rules and guidelines for the plot of the fantasy. Your fantasy is a hiding place to run away to when life gets too serious. You consistently set yourself up for a fall, or disappointment, because when reality comes knocking at your door you will struggle in your ability to cope with day to day realities. For one to live a fantasy in this broken world is extremely difficult because inevitably you will always come up empty, hit a dead end and be disappointed. The definition of a fantasy is to create imaginings, daydreaming, an illusion, a delusion, a whimsical notion or idea.
  "Fantasy is the soul being driven by the flesh". It is an erratic and impulsive behavior, emotional instability. The proverbial double minded man if you will. Fantasizing is an emotional escape to a world of illusions and false hopes in aspiring to fulfill the flesh in some way, it's the great deception. People will use all kinds of things to "deal with this world". Such as drugs, alcohol, cars, movies, cartoons, work, the opposite sex, gambling etc.. I think you get the picture.

   Does this mean that one cannot live by faith and believe in miracles? No, for faith and fantasy are not the same thing.
The definition of Faith is a confident belief in God, trusting God, having a loyalty and allegiance toward God. In other words, "Living by Faith is the soul being driven by the Spirit". It is a wise and true state of mind, a sound mind in which emotions have not the power to rule, but submits itself to the higher power which is the Spirit of God. Faith is a Spirit driven hope of knowing and being assured that one day you will escape, but while you are here you trust God for His will to be done in your life as you yield to Him. Living by Faith is where your ultimate true peace, joy and rest lies. Faith is not slave to the flesh as fantasy is. It is slave to the Spirit of God.

Do you enjoy imagining things? if so then live by Faith in your imagination and not fantasy and try to imagine this for example: Eye has not seen, ear has not heard, neither has it entered into the heart of man what God has prepared for them that love Him (1 Cor. 2:9). Can you try to imagine what God has prepared for you, not in this worldly kingdom but "His Kingdom." Go ahead and go for it and be assured that it will be for real and exceedingly greater than you could ever imagine.

Hoping for better while here in this world is okay because God's Word says He gives us a hope and a future. But when you try to make this world your fantasy paradise it will not go well for you. For Jesus said "my kingdom is not of this world". Think on God's Kingdom and what it has to offer. When believing the enemy's lies you will find that what he has to offer in this world is shallow, a life of false hope and empty promises, an illusion. It's interesting that what the enemy offers and what fantasy offers is basically the same. May we allow Jesus when He was tempted by the Devil in the wilderness to be our example. What did Jesus do when Satan took Him up to an exceeding high mountain and showed Him all the kingdoms of the world? Satan said, "all these things I will give thee, if you will fall down and worship me". Jesus replied and said: "Get thee hence Satan for it is written, thou shalt worship the Lord thy God, and Him only shalt thou serve (Mt. 4:8-10). When we create a fantasy of the perfect life here in this world are we not essentially in that moment in the same position that Jesus was? He was being tempted by the enemy to place more value on the here and now. To desire the things of this world and to make it your mission to have all that it has to offer is the enemy's offer not what God offers. Is it not the great deception from the enemy to draw our attention away from God our Lord and Savior (Who is our only true hope for today, as well as our eternal hope). Satan's only goal is to get us to worship him and the things of this world. Satan comes to steal, kill and destroy. His goal is to keep us blind to that which is most important, that we (God's Children) have been given a hope and a future. For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith the Lord, thoughts of peace and not of evil, to give you hope in your "final outcome" (Jer. 29:11amp.). Did you catch that? He said "final outcome" so if you want to live by faith and not fantasy then place your hope in your final outcome when you leave this life and go into His Heavenly Kingdom.

Jesus tells us ever so lovingly in His Word to "Occupy till He comes" What that simply means is to carry on with what needs to be done to live out your life while here. For example: working, keeping busy and trusting Him to meet your needs, it's called living by faith and it can be a beautiful and contented life. And as you trust and obey Him, He will continue to give you His mercy and His grace. "Lean not upon your own understanding but acknowledge Him in all of your ways and He will direct your path" (Proverbs 5:3-6). So go ahead and be "Heavenly minded" for this will keep you living in faith and not in some fantasy world.

written by Joe and Tammy

His Splendor

2014-02-12T12:07:00.000-08:00

As His Light pierces through I behold His grandeur. I gaze upon the cut of the rock the sharp edge and the smooth, the sharp is like the strong mountain of Justice, no bending or bowing as the great tempest blows, steady and strong it holds, so majestic in splendor and so magnificent to behold. As I peer upon the smooth, I behold the gentle breeze that blows, a bowing of the knee, burdens lifted, oh how sweet is the surrender as peace sweeps across the soul. Looking deep, no shadow of turning as His beams of Light dance all around. This glorious Light which magnifies the depths of His Grace, the tenderness of His Mercy toward a penitent heart. Oh the beauty I behold, so pure, unblemished and so perfect. Darkness flees, evil is overwhelmed by the beautiful Light of God. Nothing hinders His majesty for He is undaunted as His perfect Light overtakes the wholeness of creation. He is so splendid and glorious and in one day will be honored by all.

Time and age so fleeting but a friend indeed for it will unveil the many facets of God's beautiful character. Jesus as a Diamond that's been lifted from the dark earth by the hand of God all for you and me and brought forth into the Light of our Creator who makes all things beautiful in His time as we become the beautiful faceted diamond created in His Son's image.

written by Tammy

A Real Man

2012-07-18T17:19:00.002-07:00

Here's my motivational exhortation for all the real men out there. Just because you play music, write poetry, and are in touch with your emotional/sensitive side and know how to be a loving true friend to another male "doesn't make you gay". A real man knows this to be true because they have the capacity of heart and mind to know the difference between sex and love. Men get a bad wrap and just can't seem to win because the world will portray this kind of character in a man as someone who is gay, thus many men suffer identity crisis. Real men that are in tune/sensitive to their Creator's heart will not be deceived but be able to distinguish between the truth and the lies of this world and realize that God created them with emotion and sensitivity as to know what real love is and how to show forth that love. After all, man was created by God, who is a God of emotion and the all encompassing expression of life living "Love". God formed you from the dust of the ground in the image and likeness of Himself and He didn't stop there, He also breathed into mans nostrils the breath of life, thus giving man all the attributes of Himself and man became a living soul. Men, you have been given the whole package of manhood and not just the physical.

A real man will understand the concept of loving his wife as Christ loved the church and gave His life for it. A real man understands the love in laying down his life for a friend. A real man understands righteous indignation in loving tough, and understands that this is what it may take in order to see a victorious end. I would go as far as to say that a real man has a greater understanding of love and how to convey it then most women if he would be willing to let go and allow himself to be sensitive to the heart of God and be the man God created him to be. If men would do this without concerning themselves with the disgusting lies of the world they would not only be powerhouses in courage, strength, honor, determination, hard-working, but they would also be passionate, righteous, loving individuals who will display the most beautiful character of God, which is love in its rawest form, and they will be as King David was, "a man after God's own heart".

I am thoroughly disgusted at how people poke and make fun of this kind of character in men and make jokes about it. Call me old fashion, a stick in the mud, I don't care. It's not right and I'm tired of the homosexual labels and jokes.

Quit you like men the Bible says, rise up man of God. Don't be embarrassed or ashamed of the emotional side of God that abides within you. You are not an idiot, you are not out of touch when it comes to love in it's purest form, you do understand, so stop pretending like you don't just because the t.v shows, psychologist, books and others tell you so. You are physical beings but you are also an emotional being just as God created you, stop going along with the lies that you are clueless. Nor are you effeminate just because you are in touch with your sensitive side, King David wasn't and he was a man of poetry, as well as a man of war and had a deep abiding love ( not a sexual one) for his dear friend Jonathan. In fact King David was so in touch with his emotional/sensitive side that he not only wrote poetry but also played the harp and fought with his bare hands a lion and a bear just to save the sheep that he shepherded and loved. He was all the things that the world would label a man as gay. But the fact is, King David had a fondness of desiring many women and this was one of his flaws.

Men if you choose to act like you don't know and laugh about how you are clueless when it comes to emotion/sentiment or use them as a justification for perverted living then you "dishonor the character of God Himself". But, if you have been innocently ignorant up to this point, consider yourself now schooled in the character of God and how He created you, so be set free and be the man that God created you to be, a living loving being who is well intentioned and fully aware of your identity in the image of God!

written by Tammy

"A song in the night"

2012-02-10T07:22:00.000-08:00

Awoke from a dream in August of 2011 singing this:

I thank you for your mercy

I thank you for your grace

I thank you for your healing

You're worthy of all praise

I love you I adore you

I praise your Holy Name

You're glorious you're wonderful

Your love forever reigns

You're our well spring of Joy

You're our life giving rain

You're our protector and deliverer

Your blessings have sustained

I thank you for the hope

The promise we foresee

One day all will praise you

And everyone bow their knee

No tongue shall keep silent

Every hand will raise

All creation shall worship you

And sing forth your praise

"Tammy Greenwell"

New Beginnings

2012-01-11T14:40:00.000-08:00

Where has the time gone. It has been awhile since I have written anything. Life has a way of interrupting in good ways as well as maybe some bad. But for us it has been good and we are so very thankful. Here we are beginning a new year with a new Grandbaby, in a new home, and working new jobs. Our life in Arizona for 5 in a half years was filled with many a life lessons, some good and some not so good. But hey we are back living in our home town and life has seemed to begin afresh for us. Wow! how thankful I am for fresh starts. God is so very good about that, giving us new beginnings that is and allowing us the freedoms to live and learn and to come to that place where we can sit back and look at all that has transpired and say thank you God for your mercy and grace, for your loving kindness and for your blessings that come our way more often then not if we would just take the time to be still and listen and watch. How Great God has been and always will be. Placing our trust in Him will always in the end bring forth His tender affection and mercy. Life will never cease to be difficult from time to time but nor will it cease to be good from time to time. I guess that's what it takes so as to keep our eyes fixed upon what really matters in life. Trusting God and a whole lot of lovin is what will hold out in the end.

written by Tammy

Matrimony

2011-07-26T11:45:00.000-07:00

We exhort you, who are a husband, to love your wife, even as you love yourself. Give honor to her as the more delicate vessel; respect the delicacy of her frame and the delicacy of her mind. Continue through life the same attention, the same manly tenderness which in youth gained her affections. Reflect that, though her bodily charms are decayed as she is advanced in age, yet that her mental charms are increased, and that, though novelty is worn off, yet that habit and a thousand acts of kindness have strengthened your mutual friendship. Devote yourself to her, and , after the hours of business, let the pleasures which you most highly prize be found in her society.

We exhort you, who are a wife, to be gentle and condescending to your husband. Let the influence which you possess over him arise from the mildness of your manners and the discretion of your conduct. Whilst you are careful to adorn your person with neat and clean apparel--for no woman can long preserve affection if she is negligent in this point--be still more attentive in ornamenting your mind with meekness and peace, with cheerfulness and good humor. Lighten the cares and chase away the vexations to which men, in their commerce with the world, are unavoidably exposed, by rendering his house pleasant to your husband. Keep at home, let your employment be domestic and your pleasures domestic.

To both husband and wife we say, "Preserve a strict guard over your tongues, that you never utter anything which is rude, contemptuous, or severe; and over your tempers, that you never appear sullen and morose. Endeavor to be perfect yourselves, but expect not too much from each other. If any offense arises, forgive it; and think not that a human being can be exempt from faults."

From the book: "The Royal Path of Life by T.L Haines 1876"

The Conjugal Relation

2011-07-06T10:59:00.000-07:00

We cannot look upon marriage in the light in which many seem to regard it--merely as a convenient arrangement in society. To persons of benevolence, intelligence, and refinement, it must be something more--the source of the greatest possible happiness or of the most abject misery-- no half-way felicity. You have not had the folly to discard common sense. You have endeavored to study charitably and carefully the peculiarities of each other's habits, dispositions, and principles, and to anticipate somewhat the inconveniences to which they may lead. And as you are determined to outdo each other in making personal sacrifices, and to live by the spirit of the Savior, you have laid a foundation for happiness , which it is not likely will be shaken by the joys or sorrows, the prosperity or adversity, the riches or poverty, or by the frowns or flattery, of the world. If there is a place on earth to which vice has no entrance--where the gloomy passions have no empire--where pleasure and innocence live constantly together-- where cares and labors are delightful--where every pain is forgotten in reciprocal tenderness--where there is an equal enjoyment of the past, the present, and the future--it is the house of a wedded pair, but of a pair who, in wedlock, are lovers still.

From the book " The Royal Path of Life" by: T.L. Haines 1876

God's song to His child

2011-06-07T10:34:00.000-07:00

My Child has my eyes

My child has my face

My child has my heart

My child can't be replaced

You are my child

I hold you close

You are safe

In my embrace

No cause for harm

You're in my arms

You are my child

I love you so

No need to fear

I hold you tight

You are my child

Every thing's alright

I look in your eyes

I kiss your face

The joy you bring

Can't be erased

You are my child

I love you so

You are my child

I will never let you go

Tammy Greenwell

Behold what manner of love

The Father has bestowed upon us

That we should be called the sons

and daughters of God

(1John 3:1a)

Remember These Words

2011-05-25T14:48:00.000-07:00

For as the lightning cometh out of the east, and shineth even unto the west; so shall also the coming of the Son of man be. Mt. 24:27.

One does well if he remembers these words of Christ for he will not be lead astray by the false christs and the false prophets, who will no doubt show great signs and wonders; insomuch that if it were possible, they shall deceive the very elect. Be as the wise Berean and search the scriptures for your self so that you will know the truth. Don't lean only upon the teachings of man and what a so-called wise teacher might have to say. Learn for yourself, study the Word of God for your own good so that you will be prepared and know how to answer the one who has a question about the end time and the return of Christ Jesus. Be not mocked such as the ones who claim to be prophets and speak of the end of the world, the judgment of God and the day of Christ return. They call themselves ministers of the Word but yet they know not the Word. They are the ones who give true Bible believing Christians a bad name. Do not judge all Christians because of one looney person who considers himself a scholar when it comes to the Word of God and an end time prophet. Back-up everything with scripture and know the truth for the truth will not lead astray and will always lead to Jesus the Word and what Jesus said..

Study to show thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth. But shun profane and vain babblings; for they will increase unto more ungodliness. (2 Timothy 2:15-16)

Tammy

Quench your thirst

2011-04-15T11:51:00.000-07:00

Oh how I love the Word of God, for I draw all that I need from God's Word and am filled. When I drink in the Word of God it always quenches my thirsting soul. When in doubt I draw faith from His Word, when in sorrow I draw joy, when in suffering I draw hope, when in fear I draw peace, when in sickness I draw healing. What is the water you need today? The Word of God says to draw from the wells of salvation joy for this day. God faithfully carries us day by day giving unto us His love, grace and tender mercies. He is always faithful and never slumbers. His ears are open to our prayers and He is faithful to answer. Even in our mistakes God is still faithful. He always stands arms wide open saying come. He is always there, close by with a smile on His face, watching over us, leading us, guiding us along our journey. He is our Heavenly Daddy that will never leave us or forsake us. Though suffering may come we will see His glory and He will share His glory with His own. He performs miracles and never ceases to work His amazing work in our lives. Whatever your hearts cry, God is right there to lift you up and help you along. The end of the Lord is very pitiful and of tender mercy (James 5:11). And the water of His Word is forever quenching the thirsty lives of His children! Cry to Him and draw from Him today, He is waiting for you...

Tammy

HOPE!

2011-03-24T12:01:00.000-07:00

Hope: It whispers liberty to the slave, freedom to the captive, health to the sick, home to the wandering, friends to the forsaken, peace to the troubled, supplies to the needy, bread to the hungry, strength to the weak, rest to the weary, life to the dying. It has sunshine in its eye, encouragement on its tongue, and inspiration in its hand.

Eternal Hope! Hope gilds the future. Hope cheers and rouses the soul. The man who carries the lantern in a dark night can have friends all around him, walking safely by the help of its rays, and not be defrauded. So he who has the God-given light of hope in his breast can help on many others in this worlds darkness, not to his own loss, but to their precious gain.

Hope is an anchor to the soul, both sure and steadfast, that will steady our frail back, while sailing over the ocean of life, and that will enable us to out ride the storms of time-a hope that reaches from earth to heaven. This hope is based on faith in the immaculate redeemer, and keeps our earthly hopes from running riot into forbidden paths. The cable of this hope cannot be sundered until death cuts the Gordian knot and lets the prisoner go free. To live without it, is blind infatuation- to die without it, eternal ruin. (Quotes from the book "The Royal path of Life" by T.L Haines 1876 from the chapter on "Hope")

Who do you say that I am?

2011-03-02T09:18:00.000-08:00

I have been on a mission learning to see people through the eyes of Jesus. Through prayer and study of God's Word as well as some research on different personality types God has help to unfold some very interesting personality profiles (I might add that there is a lot out there that needs a spiritual filter as to sift through the garbage though). The Lord has shown me that for the true "Christians" the real person/personality will be who that person is in Christ and who He created them to be. For example let's take a look at the person of Peter. Peter comes across as a boisterous prideful man who is so brave and strong and willing to fight no matter the cost. He's a big talker, and the first to say "let me take care of that, I can handle it." I'm sure Peter's personality was very annoying to some back in the day and that many looked at him as an obnoxious character. But just as there were Peter's then, there are Peter personalities today. But... take a look at this, Jesus chose that boisterous Peter to be one of His disciples, why would Jesus choose such a person you might ask, because, Jesus knew who Peter truly was and who he was created to be, and He knew that if Peter vented his personality in the right direction for the right purpose he would be a power house for the cause of Christ. See how Jesus seen Peter, that is how we need to start seeing ourselves and others. Take a look at each of the twelve, they all have unique personalities that when surrendered to the purpose and will of God they turned the world upside down. And if you look closely into the personality of each you will no doubt see yourself in one or more of them.

Years ago I read a book that was a required read for a Bible class I was taking, it was a book about the twelve Disciples and why Jesus chose them to follow Him. It was one of those books that made a huge impact on my life. As I read the book I found myself becoming very acquainted with each Disciple and how I could see myself in some of them as well as others that I knew, and because of that book I began to understand that just as Jesus called Disciples then, He is calling Disciples today saying, "Come follow Me" rise up and be who you have been created to be. The Bible says that in Him we live and move and have our being, so why not embrace that and stop allowing the enemy, or others critical views, or even your own negative thoughts stop you from being the person that God says you are.

Jesus asked His Disciples, "Who do men say that I the Son of man am?" And they answered and said, some say that you are John the Baptist, others say that you are Elias, and some say that you are Jeremiah or one of the Prophets. Jesus said unto the Disciples, But who do you say that I am? And Simon Peter answered and said, You are the Christ, the Son of the Living God. Jesus answered Peter and said to him, "Blessed art thou, Simon Bar-jona: for flesh and blood hath not revealed this unto you, but my Father which is in heaven. That boisterous confident Peter stepped right up didn't he? Do you know who your Father/Creator is, have you proclaimed as Peter who Jesus truly is? Did you notice that when Peter said who Jesus was, Jesus replied back and told Peter who he was by saying he was blessed for the Father had told Him this. When thinking of another, have you taken the time to ask the Father how He might see that person? Knowing who Jesus truly is by revelation of the Father is the first step in knowing who you are in Christ as well as seeing who others are. It takes a Spiritual eye instead of a fleshly one to unfold beautiful truths into the Spiritual nature of a persons heart and soul, and at this point is when you will begin to see that person differently. We can be very critical and even deceive ourselves when viewing with the fleshly eye. Until we can see with the Spiritual eye we will never behold the true heart of the person in Christ and will always find it difficult to accept them, as well as step up, step out and move forward in Christ for ourselves. Sure... we will mess up and falter and find ourselves operating in the flesh at times, but should that cause us to stop and move backwards, No! for grace says repent, learn from it and continue moving forward. Stop beating yourself up and or others and rise above the flesh. May the flesh come under submission to the Spirit. Let that be your prayer.

May we all think upon these things and know who we are in Christ Jesus and begin looking at others through His eyes and be strengthened in the power of the risen Savior. Arise anew my friend and be the person who God created you to be. Be forewarned though that as the flesh decreases and God increases in you, you may be misunderstood and even hated by some who have yet to see with a spiritual eye, but remember it is not you they hate but Christ Jesus. Which is truly sad, for He only loved them to the utmost, and though it causes Him to weep, know that He loves you and He rejoices over you for stepping up and walking out who you are in Him. Know this my friend, that once you understand how much the Lord truly loves you it will strengthen you in His Spirit, and not being loved or accepted by others will not matter to you as much.

Have you received the Holy Ghost since you have believed?

2011-02-24T08:02:00.000-08:00

Jesus breathed upon His disciples and said "receive ye the Holy Ghost" (Jn 20:21-23) herein they were given the power to remit and retain sins. The breath of God which is Jesus Christ the Word made flesh breathed "on" His disciples and sent them forth in the power of the Holy Ghost. On the day of Pentecost the Breath of God (Acts 1:5,8, Acts 2:1-39) came into the room as a sound of a mighty rushing wind and there appeared unto them cloven tongues, like as of fire and sat upon each of them and they were all "filled" with the Holy Ghost and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance. They were all "filled" with the "Word of God" and went forth in the power of the Holy Ghost and spoke in different languages so that all would hear the saving Word of God (Jesus and Him crucified, resurrected and coming again)! It was also at this point that Peter said to them: Repent and be baptized in the Name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the "Gift of the Holy Ghost"(Greek 4151 blast, breath, breeze, air) for the promise (Acts 2: 38-39) is unto you, and to your children, and to all that are afar off (that would include us), even as many as the Lord our God shall call (this also would include us). And many wonders and signs were done by the Apostles. The Promise, The Gift of the Holy Spirit that Peter is referring to here is the Word/Breath (Greek 4151) of God (Jesus) via the Holy Spirit has been planted into the hearts of each one. Faith has been planted in each heart after hearing the Gospel to believe, repent and be baptized (baptism unto repentance) in the Name of Jesus! Thus the beginnings of our faith so as to be "saved". That is where most people stop. By faith and the grace of God I am saved, I have been forgiven and I will make heaven my home. The end.

I do not want to diminish the miracle of saving faith and the grace of God. A "changed" heart is the greatest miracle of all but should it be just for the sole purpose of salvation and eternity and nothing more? What about operating in the gifts of the Holy Spirit for here and now? Eternal salvation has been taken care of but Paul speaks of the gifts of the Spirit as well. The gifts of the Spirit in operation is essential for us today.

The gift of the Holy Spirit (operating in the gifts of the Holy Spirit) is not for today many will say. I will have to strongly disagree with such a statement. And here's why:

When the Apostles head off to Samaria word has it that the people there have already received the Word of God and were baptized with water in the name of the Lord but they had not yet received the Holy Ghost. They believed and accepted the Word of Jesus and was baptized in His name but they had not received His Holy Spirit yet (Acts 8:14-17). At that time the Apostles laid hands upon them and they received the Holy Ghost. Correct me if I'm wrong but Isn't the popular teaching out there that when you repent and are baptized and believe upon the Lord Jesus Christ that you automatically receive the Holy Spirit? If so then why does Paul ask this question? (Acts 19) Have ye received the Holy Ghost since ye believed? And they said unto him, We have not so much as heard whether there be any Holy Ghost. And he said unto them, Unto what then were ye baptized? And they said, Unto John's baptism. Then said Paul, John verily baptized with the baptism of repentance, saying unto the people, that they should believe on Him which should come after him, that is, on Christ Jesus. When they heard this, they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus. And when Paul had laid his hands upon them, the Holy Ghost came on them; and they spake with tongues, and prophesied (wow! they seem to be operating in the gifts of the Spirit here) They weren't doing this before when they only believed.

(Acts 10:44-48) While Peter yet spoke these words The Holy Ghost fell upon all of them (Gentiles) which heard the Word, so also upon the Gentiles was poured out the gift of the Holy Ghost and they also began to speak with tongues and magnify God, and "then" they were baptized with water in the name of the Lord (ah.. this time the Gift of the Holy Spirit came first and then the baptism with water in the name of Jesus unto salvation came second. (Acts 11:15-17) And as Peter began to speak the Holy Ghost fell on them (Gentiles) as on us (the Apostles) at the "beginning" (still going beyond the Apostles here). Then Peter remembered the Word of the Lord, how that he (the Lord) said, John indeed baptized with water; but ye shall be baptized with the Holy Ghost. Forasmuch then as God gave Peter and the others the like "gift", who believed on the Lord Jesus Christ; what was Peter that he could withstand God (Acts 11:15-17)? You gotta be kidding, the Gentiles are operating in the gift of the Spirit just as the Apostles? They were baptized with water unto repentance in the name of Jesus and they were also baptized with the Holy Ghost? Evidently it doesn't stop with the baptism of repentance/salvation, there's this extra receiving the Holy Spirit gift thing going on.

How does one know if he has received the Holy Spirit since he has believed? Well now that we have established that believing and receiving the gift of the Holy Spirit are two different things let's take a look at God's Word and see how one can know. Tongues, Prophesying, Speaking the Word of God with Boldness is all evidence of receiving the Holy Ghost and also according to Apostle Paul in (1 Cor. 12: 7-11 Amp.) here is the manifested presence of the Holy Spirit in ones life: For to one is given in and through the Holy Spirit the power to speak a message of wisdom, and to another the power to express a word of knowledge and understanding according to the same Holy Spirit. To another wonder working faith by the same Spirit. To another extraordinary powers of healing by the same Spirit. To another the working of miracles, to another prophetic insight (the gift of interpreting the devine will and purpose); to another the ability to discern and distinguish between the utterance of true spirits and false ones, to another various kinds of unknown tongues, to another the ability to interpret such tongues. All these gifts, achievements, abilities are inspired and brought to pass by one and the same Holy Spirit, who apportions to each person individually exactly as He chooses. So, if you are a special messenger then you would be considered an Apostle, If you are an inspired preacher, expounder then you are a Prophet of God. Some are teachers, some are wonder workers, some are the healers with the gift of healing, others are helpers, administrators, speakers in different unknown tongues (1 Cor. 12:28 Amp.). So with that said, I would say that receiving the Holy Ghost is very much for today and desperately needed in the body of Christ so as we can be about our Father's business.

So now I will ask you, have you received the Holy Ghost since you have believed/Are you operating in the gifts of the Spirit? If your answer is no or even I don't know but you desire to receive the Holy Spirit here is what you must do. First you must whole-heartily open your heart and humble yourself before the Lord. In other words you throw your "mind" back and your "heart" forward with a true desire to receive all that the Lord would desire to give you. This is hard for many especially those who have a hard time receiving when giving is their comfort zone. Peter for example had a hard time receiving when Jesus began washing his feet, but Jesus told him that if you want to have any part of me Peter then you must receive this washing from me (this was a symbolic example of the blood of Jesus that is needed to wash our sins away), It was a truly humbling experience for Peter. Peter said I should be washing your feet Lord, do not wash mine. But when Jesus told him that if he did not receive this washing from Him then he could have no part of Him, it was at this point Peter whole-heartily received and said Lord don't just wash my feet but wash my hands and head also, in other words Peter was saying "wash me all over". That is the key that unlocks the treasure box in receiving the gift of the Holy Spirit. One must be willing to humble himself and receive from the Lord "all" that the Lord would have to give him, and one must have the attitude as Peter did.. Do what you must Lord for I desire all that you would need to do unto me so that I may have "all" of you. If that is your attitude then you are open to the receiving of the Holy Spirit. Humble your self before the Lord, lift your hands, or prostrate yourself before the Lord, kneel, just present yourself humble physically as well as spiritually before the Lord your God and say here I am Lord wash me all over and baptize me with your Holy Spirit and fill me to overflowing, for I desire all of you and all you have to give me. I am yours Lord!

The Birth of a Warrior

2011-02-17T08:03:00.000-08:00

The storm is violent, the sea is raging

The boat is tossed and darkness engaging

But there's hope in the distance, a Light he does see

Penetrating the night causing the darkness to flee

Clothed in his battle gear, Shield in his hand

With the Sword of the Spirit he takes a stand

He sets his course and aims straight for the Light

Though the wind is blowing he won't give up this fight

JESUS! he proclaims standing strong and tall

He's my Savior my King I will not fall

The shield of faith guards him round about

Quenching and deflecting every mindful doubt

With the sword of the Spirit he does proclaim

"That I'm more than a conqueror in Jesus name"

Salvation is his, he knows in his heart

That the winds must cease and the darkness depart

The Truth is known and now he does see

That the Light of Jesus has set him free

Though the boat is battered

And ripped and torn

Under his mantle

A WARRIOR IS BORN!!

Tamela Greenwell

The Great Romance

2011-02-10T11:12:00.000-08:00

If you read the Song of Solomon you will find the most Intimate Expressions of love in it's purest form. Our almighty God is the Author and Creator of these passionate affections. We all know the world's definition of love, for we see it everywhere. How sad it is that the world has defiled and perverted such a beautiful thing created by God by plastering the televisions, theaters, magazines and books with such a shallow idea of what they consider to be love.

There are many people looking for love but in all the wrong places. Sadly, they will continue to remain empty until they look to the Author and Creator of Love (their Great King and Shepherd). Only Christ can fill this void in all of mankind's heart. Oh! to know the love of Jesus that far surpasses all of our shallow understanding. Christ's desire is to flood our beings and fill us to saturation and overflowing with His great love. Listen to some of the Intimate Expressions of the Shepherd's great love for His Bride in the Song of Solomon.

HOW FAIR you are, my love [he said], how very fair! Your eyes behind your veil [remind me] of those of a dove; your hair [makes me think of the black, wavy fleece] of a flock of [the Arabian] goats which one sees trailing down Mount Gilead [beyond the Jordan on the frontiers of the desert]. (Song of Solomon 4: 1 Amp. )

[He exclaimed] O my love, how beautiful you are! There is no flaw in you! (Song of Solomon 4:7 Amp.)

Come away with me from Lebanon, my [promised] bride, come with me from Lebanon. Depart from the top of Amana from the peak of Senir and Hermon, from the lions' dens from the mountains of the leopards.

You have ravished my heart and given me courage, my sister, my [promised] bride; you have ravished my heart and given me courage with one look from your eyes, with one jewel of your necklace.

How beautiful is your love, my sister, my [promised] bride! How much better is your love than wine! And the fragrance of your ointments than all spices!

Your lips, O my [promised] bride, drop honey as the honeycomb; honey and milk are under your tongue. And the odor of your garments is like the odor of Lebanon.

A garden enclosed and barred is my sister, my [promised] bride-a spring shut up, a fountain sealed. (Song of Solomon 4: 7-12 Amp).

Will we heed the call from our Great Shepherd the Lover of our souls and come away with Him? He desires to rescue us from any harm or danger from the lions dens and the mountains of the leopards (evil schemes and temptations of the enemy). With one look from His Bride's eyes His heart is ravished with love and filled with great courage, how He longs to be with His Bride and His Bride with Him. Our praise unto Him is like sweet honey from our mouths and wine from our lips. The garments of His Bride are not defiled for He sees no flaw in her for she is covered with His righteousness. He sees only virtue and honor in His Bride. There is an exchange of pure love between Christ and His Bride, Her heart is only for Him. Christ does not see His Bride as "what" he or she is, but "who" he or she is. Not what we have done, but what we have become. He sees us for who we really are. His Bride is like the beautiful garden that is barred, and His eyes are beholding Her. In His sight, His Bride is as the garden that has already blossomed into all of it's glory and beauty. Christ's love for His Bride is so passionate and strong that it's what held Him to the cross. His love for His Bride is like a spring that is shut up or a fountain sealed. To be with His beloved Bride fills His heart to bursting with love and joy.

[She said distinctly] My beloved is mine and I am his! He pastures his flocks among the lilies. (Song of Solomon 2:16 Amp.).