Keep His Commandments and Live!!

Proverbs 4: 10 - 27

Hear, my child, and accept my words,

that the years of your life may be many.

I have taught you the way of wisdom;
I have led you in the paths of uprightness.

When you walk, your step will not be hampered;
and if you run, you will not stumble.

Keep hold of instruction; do not let go;
guard her, for she is your life.

Do not enter the path of the wicked,
and do not walk in the way of evildoers.

Avoid it; do not go on it;
turn away from it and pass on.

For they cannot sleep unless they have done wrong;
they are robbed of sleep unless they have made someone stumble.

For they eat the bread of wickedness
and drink the wine of violence.

But the path of the righteous is like the light of dawn,
which shines brighter and brighter until full day.

The way of the wicked is like deep darkness;
they do not know what they stumble over.

My child, be attentive tomy words;
incline your ear to my sayings.

Do not let them escape from your sight;
keep them within your heart.

For they are life to those who find them,
and healing to all their flesh.

Keep your heart with all vigilance,
for from it flow the springs of life.

Put away from you crooked speech,
and put devious talk far from you.

Let your eyes look directly forward,
and your gaze be straight before you.

Keep straight the path of your feet,
and all your ways will be sure.

Do not swerve to the right or to the left;
turn your foot away from evil.

In the days of Noah the earth was filled with violence (Genesis 6). And similar to today, the people's hearts were continually inclined toward evil (e.g., read the news, examine video games, and walk through the bookstore).

Noah, in stark contrast, was found blameless. Even though he was surrounded by the deep darkness of the times he chose to walk with God. Even before the cross, he chose to be Christ-like. He laid down his plans and picked up God's perfect plans (the Ark-iTech of LOVE). As a kind of forerunner, he daily chose to suffer public humiliation in order to build a vessel through which God would save the world from the coming flood.

In writing this, I must interrupt with sounding trumpet:

Jesus

Jesus Christ is to recieve all glory and honor and power. Jesus Christ is pure. He is the righteous and blameless Son of God. It is through Jesus Christ, and no other, that salvation is found. Jesus Christ is God's perfect and chosen vessel to save us from sin and death (which is our last enemy we're told, not flood nor famine nor blame).

So how should we live? Listen to God's commands. Trust and Obey. This is exactly what Noah did in his day. . . and please take note: God kept his covenant with Noah. Noah was saved. He did not succumb to the waters of destruction.

God is faithful.
God was faithful.
God will continue to be faithful to you and your family.

His Words of Instruction:

• "Let your heart hold fast my words; keep my commandments, and live."
  Proverbs 4:4

• "You must therefore be careful to do as the LORD your God has commanded you; you shall not turn to the right or to the left. You must follow exactly the path that the LORD your God has commanded you, so that you may live, and that it may go well with you, and that you may live long in the land that you are to possess."
  Deuteronomy 5: 32 - 33

Morning Watch

O' Lord we thank you for awaking our hearts to your love; for making us afresh and anew; for strength, forgiveness and receiving untold blessings according to your Word. It's true, your wisdom speaks a better word offering life and compassion, and giving provision for a living covenant of peace through Christ Jesus, our LORD.

With a high calling from above, we gladly choose to set aside our concerns; turning our attention to others and those places where your affections remain. We specifically pray for your church and your people worldwide. Grant them greater wisdom and discernment in this hour of history, we plead. It is clear that we need to know right from wrong and to discern truth from untruth.

So, at this very moment, we come together as one collective body of believers boldly asking for an immediate and keen awareness of your direction. We desire that all your children may not miss the mark, stumble, fall astray, or lie down bleeding. Give us Jesus!

(the heartfelt prayer of a servant girl)

Proverbs 9: 1 - 6

Wake up and Sing!

Speak, child of mine, tell of His Glory
Speak, child of mine, tell of His Story
Speak, child of mine, for the Kingdom of God has come to you
Speak, child of mine, He is Faithful and True

Faithful and True, you belong to Him
Faithful and True, His Word never ends
Faithful and True, Jesus the Mighty King
Jesus, my Savior, God, and King

Substitutionary Atonement means The LORD will provide.

Reflections on Substitutionary Atonement

• Christ died for me.
• Christ suffered for me.

Hear the Good News: It is because the very Lamb of God took on our sin, died and rose again victoriously, conquering thine enemies (including the label cursed) that we too shall live.

I have heard it loud and clear - He set me free from chains and bore my inquity. He proclaims liberty to the captives and release to the prisoners (Isaiah 61: 1; Luke 4: 18). He paid the price and hung there cursed upon the tree (Galatians 3:13). All this done for you and me!

My worship is this: I will trust and obey. No matter what circumstance or evil befalls me. Jesus Christ is my portion; not wealth, not mammon, not position, not power or anything else. God provides.

To God be all Glory -

Praise the LORD!
I will give thanks to the LORD with my whole heart,
in the company of the upright, in the congregation.
Great are the works of the LORD,
studied by all who delight in them.
Full of honor and majesty is his work,
and his righteousness endures forever.
He has gained renown by his wonderful deeds;
the LORD is gracious and merciful.
He provides food for those who fear him;
he is ever mindful of his covenant.
He has shown his people the power of his works,
in giving them the heritage of the nations.
The works of his hands are faithful and just;
all his precepts are trustworthy.
They are established forever and ever,
to be performed with faithfulness and uprightness.
He sent redemption to his people;
he has commanded his covenant forever.
Holy and awesome is his name.
The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom;
all those who practice it have a good understanding.
His praise endures forever.
Psalm 111

Today I have received forgiveness for my whine and second-guessing.
Thank you Father, Son and Holy Spirit for revealing this to babes.

Signed,
a repentent Isaac
who was almost consumed by circumstance and reason

Today's Text: Genesis 22

"Father!". . ."The fire and wood are here, but where is the lamb for a burnt offering?"

The LORD will provide.

I had a dream

I had a dream last April 22nd.

I was in my father's house; sitting in his blue dining room. My sister showed me the back of a designer magazine. Although I didn't want to fill my mind with worldly things, I had to look. There was an advertisement (like that found on the back cover of a magazine - in color, a thick glossy). It had a face of evil; almost alive. The eyes were most troubling. The ad spoke, "I know a boy who can raise the dead." McDaniel was written in large letters at the top. I immediately knew this came from the pit hell even with an elaborate staircase photographed behind him. The timing was clear. All these things were happening right now, in this generation, when my own son is still young (around 11 years old). My own son had a friend who was fascinated with this boy who he's heard of.

I awoke trembling; knowing this is the time in our world - the end times. It is a matter of life and death, not "simple fantasy." It was impressed upon my heart to pray for unity and trust within the body of Christ. I also asked for wisdom and discernment of spirits. We are to be one with Christ.

Please read Matthew 24.

A Man of Sorrows : iSorrow

My soul cries out for more of you.

It's as simple as this I choose Christ. And no matter what happens my prayer will remain, 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).

O let my life be a reflection of your Love. . .

In the morning
I now can see
A rarely tasted fruit
Indeed!

There is no price
He paid the debt
Lay down your life
In truth submit

For he has graciously granted you the privilege not only of believing in Christ, but of suffering for him as well (Philippians 1: 29)

How beautiful A Man of Sorrow is. . . A cross just for me. His blood shed for me. His love poured out for me.

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.