The Battle is the Lord's

   Sometimes the strongest people are those who love beyond all measure, cry when no one sees and fight battles only God knows 
about (in their mind).

   Blessed are the poor in spirit (those who are without faith in Jesus Christ or those who are believers in Him, who are beaten down by the devil OR who realize they can't do ANYTHING right without the Lord.)

   Psalm 109:31 "For Jesus will stand at the right hand of THE POOR (in spirit) to save him from those who (fail to see Jesus in them) [and who] condemn them."
"This poor man cried and the Lord heard him."
"Help me O Lord my God: save me by Your mercy."
"That they may know that this is Your hand that You Lord have done (for me and in me)."

   Too often in Christian's lives, they are still dealing with habits, wrong ideas and attitudes that cause them to err, to sin.
                   But remember God's Word to you; 
   "Psalm 93:18 "When I said, my foot is slipping, Your mercy and Loving-kindness, O Lord, held me up (kept me from stumbling, and falling into sin.)
   Also remember "The battle is the Lord's, not yours."
[He fights the battles IN YOUR MIND - By His Word, as well as defeating the devil and his demons that fight you in this world.]

   Jesus wants to be your ALL IN ALL here. He said, "HE increases the power of the weak. They WILL RENEW their strength as they call upon Him. 
Paul said "In weakness, we are made strong." "Let the weak SAY 'I am strong'."

   To be tempted is a trial of your faith so don't despise yourself because of how guilty you feel for what you're going through.
   Instead, remember you have the Strong One IN YOU Who comes in His mercy and Loving-kindness. He picks you up, cleans you off, forgives your iniquity, draws you near, hugs you close, whispering in the ear of your heart,  "I love you, my son. I am able to KEEP YOU in ALL your ways as you trust Me more and more.

   After all, I AM Jehovah, Yahweh, The Everlasting Father. I AM omniscient (All knowing), omnipresent (Everywhere at once), omnipotent, (Almighty), the Prince of Peace."

   The Lord will PERFECT that which concerns you and leave nothing undone.
Jesus said, "You are COMPLETE (Perfected) IN ME. I am the head of My body, the church."

   "Even youths grow weary and young men stumble and fall. 
I (The Lord) WILL uphold you with My Righteous Right hand."

   Believers in Christ, you are being renewed by the Holy Spirit, day after day whether you feel it or not.
   However, lack of prayer, Bible study and doing what you know is wrong will hinder God's Spirit in His work in you.

   Repent and return to your first love, Jesus, with all your heart.
His kingdom, His open arms and your incredible future await you. 

                           The Innkeeper
                                            By Harvey Glass


 I keep the Inn. That's what I do.
 For those who rest, just passing through.

 My wife and I, someone must,
care for those who walk through dust.

My Inn was full, I know not why,
God chose that night to light the sky,
and bring a babe of such renown,
So near, right here, in Bethlehem town.

I remember now, her face it shined.
He called her Mary and she with child.
All Inns the same, no respite there.
I alone must show I care.

What to do! What must I do?
I cannot send them cold away.
I have but this that I can give,
a stable, a manger, some warm dry hay.

If only I had known,
A King was He, the angels did proclaim.
A star so bright, shepherds and wise men 
on camels came.

My heart was heavy. I hung my head in shame.
No room had I, save stable fare, 
I'll never be the same.

But what is this? I cannot tell.
This touch of love within my heart. 
These words of peace, "All is well."

(God speaks)
 "Innkeeper, my dear man,
 I chose your stable, ere time began,
 to bring to earth, Christ the Lord,
 the Son of man.

 I chose you, your stable
 this time and place,
 to birth My Son by My grace."

 Jesus, Savior His name shall be,
 for He has come to make man free.

The Oil of Joy

   Frank  Sinatra once sang a cute song about an ant. 

Some of the words were, best I can recall;

   "Everyone knows an ant can't, fell a rubber tree plant.
But he had high hopes, he had high hopes. He had high apple pie in the sky hopes. 
   So if you're feelin' low, don't know where to go, just remember an ant can't, fell a rubber tree plant.
   But don't be givin' in, one day you will win, just remember that ant,
Oops there goes another rubber tree plant."

   The Word says to us "Don't be weary in well doing, for in due season, you will reap if you faint not."

   We have need of patience, not ours but the Lord's. It's His life, His character, His endurance that far surpasses ours that we need.
Hebrews 12:1-4 gives us a glimpse of the incredible suffering that Jesus endured for us so He could endow us with HIS PATIENCE and ENDURANCE. 

  "Wherefore seeing we are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which does so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us.
vs. 2 Looking unto Jesus the Author and Finisher of our faith; Who for the joy that was set before Him ENDURED THE CROSS (where all hell came against Him), despising the shame, and is (now for us) set down at the right hand of the throne of God.
vs. 3 For consider Him that endured such contradiction of sinners against Himself, lest you be weary and faint in your minds (at your pitifully few troubles compared to His)
vs. 4 (Amplified) You have not struggled and fought agonizingly against sin, nor have you yet resisted and withstood to the point of pouring out your own blood."

   We all know the old adages, "Keep on keeping on. When the going gets tough, the tough get going. Never quit. When life throws you lemons, make lemonade."
   I happen to like the new ones (that never grow old).
"God will strengthen you, yes He will help you." "God will strengthen His people." "The Lord is an ever present help in time of trouble." "I will never leave you nor forsake you."

   By faith, we ARE more than overcomers (over sin, satan, sickness, sadness, and all evil). 
   The Glory of the Lord is our inheritance and God is about to be glorified through His believers  as never before. 

   God is about to turn our sackcloth (our fear, weakness and doubt) into joy [the oil of joy for mourning]. "Rejoice I will always be with you." "Now thanks be to God which ALWAYS causes us to triumph in Christ Jesus."

   God said "The Joy of the Lord IS my strength."
Believe it and receive it by faith.


  

   

It Matters How We Perceive

   On the way to church I remarked "It's gloomy weather we're having; dark, wet cold and rainy." 
   My wife's reply was (being a faith filled woman of God) "It's not gloomy!"
   I said, "Well, I'm only stating facts, this weather is not bright and sunny and tends to make people feel down and depressed a little."

   She stated, "I don't see it as gloomy. I love the different seasons.
Fall and Winter are the way the earth renews itself."
   
   I said, "Well, I can see I need to view this from a spiritual perspective. Because Jesus is The Light of the World, and He is in my heart. I should not let this weather control my emotions.
  
 The fact is the sun always shines above the clouds and I am not to let the surrounding circumstances dictate the way I feel.
   BECAUSE God's Word says 'Set your affections on things above and not beneath." It also says, "Rejoice continually, in all things give thanks to God (that He rules in my heart and mind-not my circumstances).
   Then I remembered Malachi 4:2 "But unto you that fear My name
shall the SUN of Righteousness (Jesus) arise with healing in His wings..." 

   When things seem to be dark looking, the Word of God is "A lamp unto my feet and a Light unto my path." 
   We can see where we are and where we are going however God is "The Lifter of my head" and whomever God lifts up, He will never let down. 
   God's best for us is to keep our focus on Jesus Who IS THE WORD OF GOD. He tells us to not fear ANY evil, that He will fight our battles for us and soon crush satan under our feet.
   God in His great Love for us says "He forgives ALL our sins, and heals ALL our diseases."Psalm 103:3
   He also promised He would NEVER leave us nor forsake us.
So since "Greater is God Who is in me than the devil who's in the world" why should I ever let anything get me down?

R. U. A Grinch?

   R. U. A Grinch?

              Grinches hold grudges, people of God should not! 

   If you are walking about not speaking friendly to others and only speaking when you are spoken to, you more than likely have a grudge.

   And since you have a grudge against one or more persons,
and you are out of fellowship with them (Oh you might be faking that you agree with them) UNDERSTAND - YOU ARE ALSO OUT  OF FELLOWSHIP WITH GOD.

   It's one thing to agree to disagree and walk in love and entirely another to disagree and fake that you are in fellowship.
That's you being deceived and trying to deceive. That's wrong and ungodly. 

   God says "If you come to praise Me, and you have ANYTHING against your brother, lay your gift of praise down and go and be reconciled with your brother, then come back and praise Me."
   If you know (YOU HAVE A GRUDGE AND) 'IT'S NOT THE LOVE OF GOD THAT FLOWS ONE TO ANOTHER' then it's called sin. We are to forgive all those who trespass against us.
   
   The love of God is only real when it follows the cross, up and down (God to man) and across (out to man).

   Since God is Love, He responds to those who humble themselves and lay down their opinions and hurts (those who are seeking God).
   
   He will then restore what the enemy has stolen.

When fellowship breaks down, there is a gap in the wall, where the enemy could get in to destroy unity. 
   Repair that breach QUICKLY  and don't let the Love of God Languish (sour on the vine). His Love must always FLOW. Be His divine vessel through which He pours out His Love continually!

   God IS Love. He SO LOVED us, He sacrificed His Only Begotten Son to save us. That act of love cost God the One He held most dear, Jesus.  It didn't cost God anything to create all creation. 
   That's why God loved man more than He did all creation. It's the goodness of God(His love) that leads man to repentance. He First loved us. This makes man more valuable to Him than all the rest of creation. 

A Way Out For You

   It is time for God's children no matter how long you've known the Lord, TO STOP YOUR COMPLAINING AND MURMURING.
   Do you hear me? 
                               God HATES complaining. 

   The Israelites, God's chosen people, murmured and complained AGAINST MOSES (God's servant) therefore they were complaining against God.
   They were supposed to enter the Promised Land, INSTEAD THEY ALL DIED IN THE WILDERNESS.
  
   "Bring every thought CAPTIVE.." Do not entertain judgemental  thoughts against those who are your leaders, against neighbors, etc.
Tell you why.
"Judge not lest you be judged. Who made you a judge? Jesus is the Judge of all the earth."
We have a command to LOVE one another as Christ has loved us. 

   Forgive your enemies. Pray for those who hate you and despitefully use you. In so doing they will be convicted of their wrong against you.
   If you complain about everything, that's not faith, or trusting God. Don't think you'll receive anything from the Lord. He does not respond to double mindedness or wavering (James 4:8).

   Ask yourself this question, Does my anger at my situation and my complaining about it do ANYTHING to CHANGE my situation? 
The answer is NO-NOTHING. But it does insure you will suffer more and stay longer in your problem than you want to.
   That's the devil's intent; to keep you bound up in sin, pain and suffering to ultimately destroy your life.
   
   My friend, it's time to come out from under your oppression, to rise up out of your distress, to overcome the wicked one and give God the praise for showing you the way out.

   Do you want out? Do you want victory? Do you really? If you've had enough of pain and suffering and are ready to be delivered "Out of the hand of the enemy and all them that hate you.." then listen to these words from the heart and Spirit of the Living God.

   1. (1 Cor. 10:13) There has no temptation (trial, problem or situation) come upon you but such as is common to man, but God WILL NOT ALLOW you to be overcome but will show you, a way of escape, so you can endure and come out victorious.

   2. STOP COMPLAINING, STOP SAYING ALL NEGATIVE WORDS   [i.e. "I'm broke, I'll catch my death of cold, etc.]  
Stop attaching the word "I" with negative lies of satan.
When God says the exact opposite.

   3. Begin trusting God with your whole heart, (by Faith in Jesus Christ- the ONLY Way to God)  submit your life, your future, all your hopes and dreams to Him,  acknowledge Him in all your ways and He WILL direct your heart.

   4. Begin by faith, PRAISING Him for BEING YOUR LORD AND YOUR GOD. The enemy has no defense against praise. It's a supernatural weapon that makes you invincible.

   5. Thank God for belonging to Him, (Bought with the precious blood of the Lamb). 2 Cor. 2:14 NOW (All the time) thanks be unto God which ALWAYS causes us to TRIUMPH  in Christ Jesus."

   

Two Gardens of Eden

   Genesis 1:1 says that God created the heavens and the earth.
He does not create things without form and void. He created the earth like a virtual garden of Eden.  
               How do I know? The Bible tells me so.

Proverbs 8:30-31 says "I, Wisdom was with God...daily His delight...rejoicing in the habitable place of the earth...and my delights were with the SONS OF MEN."
   Bible scholars agree these 'Men' were angels who followed satan to earth.

   It seems to fit this Eden was Atlantis that was destroyed in one day sinking into the sea.
   Ezekiel 28:13 proves the Prince of Tyrus was Lucifer. vs. 13 "You were in Eden the garden of God," "Perfect in your ways..till iniquity was found in you." 
Ezekiel 27:2 "Your borders are in the midst of the seas."  27:32 "..What city is like Tyrus, like the destroyed in the midst of the sea.?"  

   Satan was in this Eden of God, then called Lucifer, the Light Bearer.
   This was not the Garden Adam and Eve were in because there the devil came as a snake. In this garden, Lucifer was resplendent in jewels and he was "an anointed cherub that covers (worships)."

   His demotion came in this first garden, Ezekiel 28:16 "By the multitude of your merchandise they have filled you with violence and you have sinned."
   Here Lucifer began being violent, corrupting his followers, and "defiling his sanctuaries."
   Isaiah 14:12 says "How you are fallen from heaven.."
The devil commuted to heaven where God threw him out. Jesus said "I beheld satan, as lightning, fall from heaven." 

   The devil said, "I will be like the Most High." Isaiah 14:15 "Yet you shall be brought down to hell.."
   vs 17 "(You) that made the world AS A WILDERNESS (without form and void)-see Genesis 1:2. 

   THEN God made Garden of Eden Number 2. This time placing Adam and Eve in it instead of  "Sons of Men." God then told Adam to "Go and REPLENISH THE EARTH."

   The Book Song of Solomon calls believers in Jesus "His Garden." Isaiah 51:3 states "For the Lord shall comfort Zion: He will comfort all her waste places; for he will make her desert LIKE THE GARDEN OF THE LORD; joy and gladness shall be found therein, thanksgiving and the voice of melody."

  Lucifer was placed in the Garden of God, now God has placed the Garden in us. (Song of Solomon Chapter 4).

You can Dine in Peace

   In the Old Testament when the Israelites obeyed God through Moses and the Prophets, GOD CAUSED them to BE Victorious over their enemies, one after another till they no longer were at war. Times of peace followed.
   
   When a person has had it with sin (doing what is contrary to God's Word) and its consequences, and learns how to believe in 'The Obedience of the Lord' [in them- by the power of His Word]
through the Faith of God in them, THEN
they find the peace of God fills and surrounds 
their heart and mind.
  
   Fear, anxiety, and worry become things of the past. Inner wars cease and the Peace of God that passes all understanding takes over
and that person realizes they can RULE and REIGN in life by one Christ Jesus.
   "He will keep him in PERFECT PEACE whose mind is stayed on Thee." 
   That's when God "Prepares a table before me (where I can sit and dine in peace) in the presence of my enemies."
 

    Oh they won't be gone but they will be under your feet, not on your back. God told Jesus, "Sit here by My side till I make Your enemies Your footstool."

   America's enemies, within and without, no matter how much saber rattling and false accusing, can ever over come the Spirit of the Living God Who is  America's God. America was birthed by faith in Jesus Christ. He is able to keep her from destruction by the faith and prayers of millions of believers in Jesus Christ (Who is God come in the flesh), The (Only)Way (to God), The Truth (of God) and The Life (Salvation of God). 

   "BLESSED is that nation whose God is THE LORD."

   Jesus, You are to be praised, blessed, worshiped, loved and adored, for You alone ARE GOD! You said, "You and the Father ARE ONE, He who has the Son has the Father. He who does not have the Son does not have the Father." Amen.
    

The Purpose of Life - Part 1

   Someone once said, "There's a God shaped vacuum in our heart that only God can fill."

   I know it's true because I remember standing in my apartment in 1971, shaking my fist at God, saying, "God, I have a fast new motorcycle, a new, fast ram air parachute, (I loved skydiving), a classic Thunderbird automobile, an awesome 400 cubic inch, 4 speed, 1968 Pontiac Firebird, as well as a true hot rod, a 1933 Ford coupe with a supercharged Oldsmobile engine in it." 

   I had a good job at Kennedy Space Center. I was single and a Hedonist (I worshiped the goddess of pleasure [without realizing it] -thought that was what life was all about.) 

   I was having sex with every woman I could. Pleasure man, I couldn't get enough.

   That's why I was having it out with God. All the things and pleasures of this world were not satisfying me. The more I got, the more I needed and the less they satisfied me. 
   So I questioned God; "God if all I have won't satisfy me, what will? Why was I born? What's the purpose of life? 

      I'm not letting go of you until I get an answer!"

Anytime you get serious with God, He WILL answer you.
He's waiting to hear from you. He loves you more than you can imagine.
   He answered all of my questions. The God of all creation was speaking to me. 

Where Are You God?

To all Believers in the Lamb of God, Jesus Christ Who died for our sins.

   Where are you God?
Closer than your own breath.
   I can't sense you God.
I don't make sense to man.
   I can't hear you God.
Listen with your spiritual ears I've given you.
   How do I know it's you God?
If it gives you peace in your heart and agrees with My Word, it's Me!
              How do I defeat the lust of my flesh?
DIE! See yourself as dying with Me on the cross. I suffered and died for you, now "Reckon yourself DEAD TO SIN' and ALIVE TO RIGHTEOUSNESS (with My Resurrected life).
                      I tried that God, didn't work? 
   My son, never quit seeking Me and the freedom I have provided for you. Your answer lies in My Word. See 1 Peter 4:1. I will be with you when you die there to your body's lusts. After all, I AM the Resurrection and the (New) Life (1 Corinthians 5:17).
   Your body is an entity of past lessons learned as well as strong addictions that resist your will just as it did Apostle Paul in Romans chapter seven. See Romans 7:23-24.
   I suffered ALL things in My body and on My soul that you would ever have to face and overcome.   I "..learned obedience for you, (Hebrews 5:8 Though He were a Son, (of God) yet He learned obedience by the things which He suffered. (2 Corinthians 10:5 Bringing every thought into captivity (by the power of God's Word) to the obedience OF CHRIST."
   
   It's HIS OBEDIENCE WE TRUST- NOT OUR OWN TRYING!
Remember He said "Without Me you can do nothing (spiritually worthy of salvation)" but "With God ALL (Righteous) things are possible."

   Also (Hebrews 2:10 For it was an act worthy (of God) and fitting [to the divine nature] that He for Whose sake and by Whom all things have their existence, in bringing many sons into glory, 
(KJV) to make the captain of their salvation perfect (mature) through SUFFERINGS."
  VERSE 11 For both He that sanctifies and those He sanctifies all have one Father. For this reason He is not ashamed to call them brethren." 
   

Jesus IS Because He IS, I AM

                           JESUS IS, not He will be. 

   Jesus is the vindicator of all who believe He shed His blood for them.
     Is. 54:17 "..every tongue that rises against you in judgement
you shall condemn (show to be in the wrong)." "No weapon that is formed against you (who trust in Jesus Christ) shall prosper."

    Jesus is your strength.
      The joy of the Lord IS your strength, (Holy Spirit will reveal what that means to you).

How can this be? Aren't we supposed to hang our head in shame despising our sinful ways, hating the wrongful lusts of our flesh,
crying, repenting and anguishing over our inability to obey God.

   FIRST Jesus became our shame for us. "Jesus endured the cross, DESPISING THE SHAME for the joy (of our deliverance from shame and our salvation) that was set before Him."

   SECOND Jesus forgave ALL our sins the day we asked Him to come into our life. God simply loves us as a NEW creation, born (Holy). God does not create half breeds, half sinner and half holy.

Thirdly
Through the working of the Holy Spirit (by the Word of God) we are CHANGED from our old sinful self (habits, wrong doctrines, loving the world and the things in it-which are all going to perish)
into the very image of the Lord Jesus Himself.
   Our spirit (life) is born holy, but we have to be renewed in our mind. "But let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus."


    By staying in the Word, The Holy Spirit reveals to us the power to believe in Christ's Obedience IN US to the Father. 
   Jesus "Learned obedience (for us) by the things He suffered."
He did not sin yet He became not only our Savior but also our obedience and faithfulness to God's Word IN US.
  Our obedience (in our own efforts) is as filthy rags to God.
We need to believe Jesus has done it all for us if we will just believe Him like a child would.