Humble yourselves

1 Peter 5: 6
Humble yourselves therefore
under the mighty hand of God,
so that he may exalt you in due time.

Do uSee what iSee? Obama can’t.

Obama can’t see past his “own glory” in the spotlight. He thinks he’ll earn an ‘A’ for ramming the S.S. (Slaughter Solution) through a temporal problem of ice-o-lated resistance. However, an ordinary citizen who stands for truth knows that ‘A’ is for abortion.

Furthermore, we the ordinary citizens of these United States understand what is true: Our current captain, his officers, and the ruling class have taken on the same mindset as those embodied (and now entombed) in the Titantic rubble. They are over-confident, unaware, and believers of the lie called “unsinkable.”

Rather than engaging in good decision making and sticking to conventional wisdom, we see lawmakers promoting a false hope. Instead of taking ordinary and precautionary measures to insure success, we see an abundance of undue pressure and effort expended in order to make reasoning men cave. This makes the whole lot of them akin to groupthink caricatures.

The warning is clear. Let’s turn from sudden and imminent destruction. Relying on a broken moral compass is simply bad navigation. Continuing along this stream of lukewarm elitism is treacherous water. Surely there is a mountain of people whose hidden cries in the womb have been heard and their pleas for justice shall not go unanswered.

Thus the continuing S.ensless S.laughter of innocent life will break the G.rand S.olidarity of the U.nited S.tates apart. It brings death to a nation.

Without vision
the people will perish.

Plain Art

Senseless Slaughter

Jesus makes a way
to avert sudden destruction
from s.enseless s.laughter

Sacred Moments

Because God is Holy Holy Holy there really is a sacred moment of sharing in Christ's sufferings every time a believer ministers directly unto the LORD.

To begin: It is like when you bind the wound of another, you are doing it unto him through a physical act of love (Matt 25: 40). So too when you find a tangible way to help bear the burdens of another in love (1 Cor 13: 7), you are participating in bringing forth God's plan and purposes in their life. Rightly so, these physical-tangible deeds are noteable ways in which we may seek to fulfill God's commandments to actively love Him and to love others too (Matt 22: 37 - 40). Accordingly, we should ascribe greatness to his name because he daily grants to every human being an opportunity to show their love for him and others.

To continue: There is a lesser known privilege granted to the saints who love God first, above all else: that is to physically and tangibly suffer for the LORD (Phil 1.29). Yes, it is power of God at work inside them to willingly suffer on his behalf. This is no small feat inside the kingdom of God but born out of a great love for him, a genuine gratitude for his sacrifice, and a thankful heart for the gift of substitutionary atonement.

To explain: It is Jesus who suffered and died. He literally bore on his body all our sin, transgressions, pain, afflictions and disease (Isaiah 53: 3 - 5) in a physical-tangible way. On top of that he holds first hand knowledge of all our personal woes for he was despised, scarred, scared, scorned, rejected and more. How else can it be other than his act of substitutionary atonement deserves all praise, his perfect love demands our affections, and his wounds our tender human attentions. Therefore, let us not deny his personal need in this hour by turning a blind eye to his sufferings or deaf our ears to his cry Why have you forsaken me? . . . Ah! Do you hear the hammer even now, nailing his precious hand to the cross? I do hear that resounding throng of a hammer pound. It is nothing less than a direct blood-shedding blow taken on my behalf. Do you see him hanging on the cross with eyes of sorrow and his head hung low? I sometimes do when others are around reveling in lesser glories of mere human success. Quite truthfully he longs and patiently waits for my silent fellowship with him alone.

To encourage: Go ahead and take another sacred step forward. Go directly to him. Cast your eyes upon him for a sacred moment alone . . . you'll find hind in the Holy of Holies and just past the veil of focusing on temporal things. It's your calling, your walk of faith, and your heritage to minister directly to the LORD.

But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God's own people, in order that you may proclaim the mighty acts of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light. 1 Peter 2: 9

To commission: Now go forth knowing Jesus Christ paid the price for you (Rom 5: 8). Nothing can separate you from the love of God and loving him (Rom 8: 35 - 39). Like the priests who have gone on before, you are invited to enter into the Holy of Holies and minister unto him. He likes to hear your praise and your small voice reminding him of what he has already done. Speak the truth in love to others. Speak the truth in love to Him -- for this sacred moment is hidden in Christ and meant to be found.

God Never Fails

Whenever Moses spent significant "quiet" time with God he began to reflect the glory of the LORD. And through every desert place of adversity, wherever he walked, Moses learned more fully the undenying fact that God is FAITHFUL!

Do you regularly spend face-to-face time looking into the eyes of your maker?

If not, please take time to examine each benefit . . . for as you spend real quality time gazing-up at Christ you will begin to shine like the stars, become more fully formed into his image, and reflect God's faithfulness?

Therefore, since He is FAITHFUL in everything (whether good, bad, or ugly), I too want to be faithful in all that I can. Good intentions are no longer enough for me. I want to do great feats for kingdom - - in and through every opportunity that God allows to cross my path - - and at the end of the day I want to look in the mirror and rejoice.

My cheer: I'm beginning to resemble him because he's always on my mind.

This tidal wave come: the Alignment of the Saints

Just as water reflects the face, so one human heart reflects another [Proverbs 27:19].

So I ask you this question: Does your heart reflect the one who belongs to the world? Or does your heart reflect Jesus Christ, the Son of the Living God who came in human form and gave his life so that you - dear Saint - might live?

Go ahead and seek Him to understand this tidbit of wisdom: A heart set on following the path of Christ is one that desires to act in obedience to God's word. And the willingness to crucify the flesh (i.e., one's sinful nature) is a cross formation inside the heart of thee.

Now look again inside your Bible! We are told that Jesus, by his very nature, is the true reflection of God's glory and the exact imprint of God's very being [see Hebrews 1:3]. Therefore, Jesus Christ perfectly reflects the Father's heart (i.e., the heart of LOVE).

Plainly speaking, Jesus showed us God's perfect love and wisdom by learning obedience through what he suffered even unto the point of death on a cross[Hebrews 5: 8].

Do you see? The supreme act of LOVE is defined by the cross.

Jesus himself confirmed this word: "No one has greater love than this, to lay down one's life for one's friends" [John 15: 13]. And He showed us the way of the cross.

Therefore I Conclude in this way: We will see God's perfect alignment of the saints when we, like the Israelites, choose to encamp around the presence of the Lord and become conformed to the cross (see Numbers 2 to draw your own conclusion and a picture of a beautiful cross formation).

And now for my very own pressing forward, and the desiring of the refiner's fire in perfecting my faith, I choose to reflect on this verse: I want to know Christ and the power of his resurrection and the sharing of his sufferings by becoming like him in his death [Philippians 3: 10].

Amen.

Please join along with me and all the other nameless Saints from across the sands of time and take up your cross to come into alignment with God's plans and purposes for your life. It's time for a tidal wave of Christ's perfect LOVE, which reflects the true love of the Father.

An Ebeneezer Dayspring

Here's what I am thinking:
To set the mind on flesh is death, but to set the mind on the Spirit is life and peace Romans 8.6

• It is the Holy Spirit who raises one from the dead (my JESUS CHRIST)
  
• It is the Life-Giving Spirit of God who brings me LIFE (give me JESU CHRISTO; this is my plea!).
• It is the Holy Ghost who guards my heart and mind in Christ Jesus (ushering into my life the one who is Prince of Peace JESUS CHRIST).

So I choose to worship my King . . .
and I look forward to see what he's about to bring.

You may ask a good question like this: What does she expect? New mercies everyday! iExclaim.

. . . so I press on.

Are you perhaps wondering even more: How can she say this with such bold confidence? God is Faithful! iProclaim.

Now Look and see! I built an ebeneezer for all to see.

iDoTestify2U. The desert path I took was filled with death, lies, and disappointments one right after another. But the One Who is Truth has proven himself true. The way home is the cross.

Moreover, iSay, God is Faithful to all generations sharing his steadfast love to the thousandth generation (see Exodus 20:6). He loves the Son, he loves Abraham and Rebekah, he loves you, and he loves me.

Dear One I pray that you come to the place where you are willing to stake your life upon the true claims of Gospel alone. Ask God to give you his Spirit. The Holy Comforter is the one who will open the scriptures for you as you open his Book. . . and you'll be given eyes of faith to see God's Faithfulness in times past and in your very real and present situation.

Four Words that Divide

With great power to separate evil from good Jesus spoke four simple words: I am the Gate (read John 10.7 through 10.19!).

These four small words are sharp and to the point, dividing falsehood from truth. In the most definitive terms, there is no other way to salvation except through Jesus Christ.

We as humans may also choose to freely speak with power: I will follow you. When spoken, and without a doubt, these four little words draw a clear demarcation upon the sands of time. There is no fence to sit upon. These four spirit-filled words put you immediately on the front line of battle.

Either you are for, or against, Jesus Christ?

Listen again to the words of Jesus Christ: "My sheep hear my voice. I know them and they FOLLOW ME. I give them eternal life, and they will never perish." (John 10. 27 - 28).

These are:
Words of wisdom.
Words of intimacy.
Words of promise.
Words of warning.

Four simple words that divide. Four small words that lead to full surrender.

Go ahead. Confirm your walk with a forward (i.e., a four word) press toward the prize of Christ Jesus (Philippians 3.14) and speak, pray, sing, text, blog, or paint a spirit-filled expression of love for Him: I will follow you.

Open Reflection

My Child, I want you to answer the call...

Red Bird, Red Bird what do you see?
I see My Rabonnai smiling; shining down on me.

Rabonnai, Rabonnai what do you see?
I see My Crossing Guard looking up at me?

Jeremiah 1: 11-12

The word of the LORD came to me, saying, "Jeremiah, what do you see?" And I said, "I see a branch of an almond tree." Then the LORD said to me, "You have seen well, for I am watching over my word to perform it."

Good Friday - Nailed it!

Hallelujah. Grace like rain falls down on me. All my sins are washed away.

• Have you heard these words?
• Do you know this truth?
• Will you receive this gift?

Christ died for all our sins erasing the record! (incl. my sins, your sins, our sins and "are" sins . . . all).

Colossians 2: 13 - 14

13 And when you were dead in trespasses and the uncircumcision of your flesh, God made you alive together with him, when he forgave us all our trespasses, 14 erasing the record that stood against us with its legal demands. He set this aside, nailing it to the cross. [emphasis mine]

Q: How will I know this to be true?
A: Take your guilt to the cross and see your salvation.

Psalm 32: 5
Then I acknowledged my sin to you, and I did not hide my iniquity; I said, "I will confess my transgressions to the LORD," and you forgave the guilt of my sin.

Heavenly Father, I come before your throne with boldness; asking for this one - for the one reading - to know the depths of your love. I pray for the heaviest burdens of guilt and shame to be removed. In your most merciful and gracious ways, please take away the sins of self-reproach: including unending blame; feelings of culpability and responsibility for "bad things" in one's life or in the lives loved ones; disapproving thoughts of discredit, disgrace, scorn and rebuke. Bring healing to these festering wounds that paralyze, I pray in the mighty name of Jesus.

iProfess: There is healing in Christ Jesus.

Psalm 103: 1 - 5
1 Bless the LORD, O my soul, and all that is within me, bless his holy name. 2 Bless the LORD, O my soul, and do not forget all his benefits - 3 who forgives all your iniquity, who heals all your diseases, 4 who redeems your life from the Pit, who crowns you with steadfast love and mercy, 5 who satisfies you with good as long as you live so that your youth is renewed like the eagle's.

Hallelujah. Grace like rain falls down on me. All my sins are washed away.

Beautiful Word Cloud

More thoughts on 2 Peter 1 instructions (click to enlarge).

using wordle.net

Heart Full of Devotion

For the Beloved Church

Originally this letter was written to encourage the leadership of a church renewal movement inside the PCUSA (the year 2006). I choose to release this letter now. I am ever mindful that the days are short – understanding that the spirit of the Anti-Christ has been unleashed.

Dear Ones,

This has been a week where God has narrowed my walk – not to restrict my freedom in Christ, but to protect my heart from half-truths. Basically, he inquired of me “To what teachings do you hold fast to?” “From whom do you seek wisdom and knowledge and truth?” “Whose words do you hold in your heart and cherish?” “Are you making choices based on God’s truth or simply taking action in response to words from the mouths and hands of man?”

In particular, there was a verse I had to talk to the Lord about. When I read it, I knew my heart was not pure and I was wrestling with this truth. Perhaps you are too. 2 Timothy 3: 12 says this, "Indeed, all who want to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted."

You see, at the time my eyes were opened to this scripture I was also reading a book on Christian martyrs. Through their testimonies, written in black and white, I could see a clear picture of how God sustained each one of them through all persecution, torture and means of death . . . just like he did for Stephen. The common denominator remains. They truly love(d) Jesus, keeping their eyes upon him.

This is the way I want to live too - - gazing upon my savior Christ Jesus.

I am thankful for God’s correction and the preparation of my heart for things to come. I want to hold to truth alone. It is Christ alone who is the Way, the Truth, and the Life.

Please listen to God’s word, receive it, and pray for one another, as we possibly enter into a season of persecution for the gospel of Jesus Christ.

Your sister in Christ, Brenda

A KINGDOM PARABLE Matthew 13: 3b – 9; 18 – 23

3b "Listen! A sower went out to sow. 4 And as he sowed, some seeds fell on the path, and the birds came and ate them up. 5 Other seeds fell on rocky ground, where they did not have much soil, and they sprang up quickly, since they had no depth of soil. 6 But when the sun rose, they were scorched; and since they had no root, they withered away. 7 Other seeds fell among thorns, and the thorns grew up and choked them. 8 Other seeds fell on good soil and brought forth grain, some a hundredfold, some sixty, some thirty. 9 Let anyone with ears listen!"

18 "Hear then the parable of the sower. 19 When anyone hears the word of the kingdom and does not understand it, the evil one comes and snatches away what is sown in the heart; this is what was sown on the path. 20 As for what was sown on rocky ground, this is the one who hears the word and immediately receives it with joy; 21 yet such a person has no root, but endures only for a while, and when trouble or persecution arises on account of the word, that person immediately falls away. 22 As for what was sown among thorns, this is the one who hears the word, but the cares of the world and the lure of wealth choke the word, and it yields nothing. 23 But as for what was sown on good soil, this is the one who hears the word and understands it, who indeed bears fruit and yields, in one case a hundredfold, in another sixty, and in another thirty."


HOW TO PRAY Colossians 2: 6 – 7

6 As you therefore have received Christ Jesus the Lord, continue to live your lives in him, 7 rooted and built up in him and established in the faith, just as you were taught, abounding in thanksgiving.

• Father God, I ask that you would strengthen my brothers and sisters in the faith. They are weary and sometimes fearful of what man can do to them.

• I thank you for giving us your Son. Lord, we are not worthy of praise. . . only you. It is unfathomable how much you love us! To think, that while we were yet sinners you sent your only son Jesus Christ to make a way for our salvation. THIS IS LOVE!

• Lord, please purify us and help us to desire only your Son.

• Lord, I also ask on behalf of the entire leadership of the beloved church that we would be rooted in Christ Jesus alone. I beg for greater faith, O God.
  

• Help our unbelief and change our hearts. May we be bold for Christ and never shrink back.

• Thank you for this opportunity to show you our love, and to draw closer to you through trials that purify our faith.

• Whom do I have in heaven but you? O my soul sings! I love you Jesus. You are My Everything.

This I pray in the precious name of JESUS.

WORDS OF ENCOURAGEMENT Colossians 2: 8 – 15

8 See to it that no one takes you captive through philosophy and empty deceit, according to human tradition, according to the elemental spirits of the universe, and not according to Christ. 9 For in him the whole fullness of deity dwells bodily, 10 and you have come to fullness in him, who is the head of every ruler and authority. 11 In him also you were circumcised with a spiritual circumcision, by putting off the body of the flesh in the circumcision of Christ; 12 when you were buried with him in baptism, you were also raised with him through faith in the power of God, who raised him from the dead. 13 And when you were dead in trespasses and the uncircumcision of your flesh, God made you alive together with him, when he forgave us all our trespasses, 14 erasing the record that stood against us with its legal demands. He set this aside, nailing it to the cross. 15 He disarmed the rulers and authorities and made a public example of them, triumphing over them in it.