ESTABLISH YOUR HEART

Acts 20: 28
Take heed, therefore, unto yourselves, and to all the flock, over which the Holy Spirit hath made you overseers, to feed the church of GOD, which He that purchased with His own Blood.

BE ALERT

This verse from the Acts of the Apostles is a warning to all who are leaders in the Church. The Church has been bought with the price of the Blood of JESUS; it belongs to GOD and GOD is very passionate about His Church. Let me be clear, the Church is defined as the Body of all true believers in JESUS Christ, who is the Head and High Priest. JESUS watches over His Church, it belongs to Him, and the Holy Spirit anoints the "Overseers".

There is a great responsibility placed upon the shoulders of the "overseers", and those anointed to shepherd the flock of GOD are accountable to JESUS for the food they feed the flock. The good food is always the Word of GOD, the Holy Scripture, which the Holy Spirit enlightens to the believer. The Scripture is very clear that the flock of GOD must be reconciled to GOD by the Blood of JESUS, therefore, the flock must be feed with the Body and Blood of JESUS in Holy Communion. Good food is found in the teaching and preaching about the Blood of JESUS which sanctifies, justifies, redeems and glorifies in the Name of JESUS. Without the Blood of JESUS there is no redemption; where there is no redemption, there is no Church.

Overseers of the flock are accountable for every word that is given to the people. Every teaching and every act must conform to the Word of GOD and be under the anointing of the Holy Spirit. If another doctrine is taught; if JESUS is denied; if actions do not conform with Holy Scripture, then the people perish for a lack of knowledge and good instruction; again I say, there is no church without the blood of JESUS. JESUS is watching and is holding all who teach and preach accountable to Him for their word and action.

The Holy Spirit has made you overseers, to feed the Church of GOD, which He hath purchased with His own Blood

ESTABLISH YOUR HEART

I Corinthians 6: 19, 20
What? Know ye not that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit who is in you, whom ye have of GOD, and ye are not your own?
For ye are bought with a price; therefore, glorify GOD in your body and in your spirit, which are GOD'S.

YOU BELONG TO GOD

Sit and think about these verses from I Corinthians. This is a fact that many do not understand about their body and their spirit. When we are born-again, JESUS fills that Holy Place within us that no one else can fill. Once that is filled, we become a living temple of the Holy Spirit. How is this so, you might ask? It is true because JESUS paid the price for our redemption from the wrath of GOD. His Blood reconciled us to GOD, washed us clean, and when we are born-again, our body is set free from the bondage of sin and death and liberated into the life Eternal. JESUS made this all possible.

Think where you take your body and evaluate whether this is a place that would be pleasing to GOD. Since we are the temple of the Living GOD who is within us, where we go, He goes; where we lodge, He lodges; where we fellowship, He fellowships. Is the place where you go a fit place for the Master?

As we look at our life, let us cast out those places which are not fitting for the LORD GOD and let us add to our life those places which bring JESUS glory that is due His Name. When new opportunities open for us, it is fitting to ask the LORD if this is an opportunity which will be right and good for the LORD to walk and minister. This is a new way of thinking about life, but it is the way of the LORD. We are bearers of the Presence of the Holy Spirit of GOD; we bring JESUS into every place we are found. May His Holy Name be glorified in our life and in our body.

ESTABLISH YOUR HEART

I Timothy 4:1
Now the Spirit speaketh expressly that, in the latter times, some shall depart from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits, and doctrines of demons.

GUARD YOUR HEART

Notice the word, "expressly", this is an urgent, direct word from the Holy Spirit to the Church-the people of GOD. We believe that we are living in the "latter times" and there is great evidence that there are "seducing spirits" running around seeking whom they may lure into their net. These "seducing spirits" tickle the ear and give good feelings and warm fuzzies to the listener, but do not proclaim JESUS Christ is LORD. There is a big mark that should warn the believer in JESUS to stay away from there doctrines; they do not teach or preach about the Blood of JESUS, the Atonement for sin. Many of these doctrines deny the Birth of JESUS and His death, resurrection and ascension to the right hand of the Father. Many deny the infallible Word of GOD, the Holy Scripture given by GOD to man.

TEST ALL SPIRITS WHETHER THEY ARE OF GOD. "BY THIS KNOW YE THE SPIRIT OF GOD; EVERY SPIRIT THAT CONFESSETH THAT JESUS CHRIST IS COME IN THE FLESH IS OF GOD." (I John 4:1, 2)

ROOTED AND GROUNDED IN CHRIST JESUS

Romans 6:23
For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of GOD is Eternal life through JESUS Christ, our LORD.

GOD MADE THE WAY

It is awesome for me to consider the fact that GOD made the way, Eternal life is a free gift, GOD sought us out and led us to JESUS, GOD prepared an Eternal home for all who believe in JESUS, GOD loved so much that He gave His only Son to reconcile the world to Himself. GOD paid the price for the redemption of the world. GOD did all that is necessary for us to live with Him.
HOW CAN WE SAY THANKS FOR ALL THAT HE HAS DONE?

"Redeemed, how I love to proclaim it; redeemed by the Blood of the Lamb. Redeemed through His infinite mercy; His Child and forever I am." This song says what the LORD has done; singing this song makes it my thanks to GOD. We can give the LORD thanks by "proclaiming" Him LORD of our life and GOD of our Salvation. We give Him thanks by reaching out to the poor and serving them, as He served us. We give Him thanks by the love we give Him and the love we give to others. His love GAVE; our love GIVES Him to a lost and fearful world.

SING THE SONG OF THE REDEEMED AND BRING ALL WHO DO NOT KNOW HIM TO THE LOVE AND KNOWLEDGE OF HIM, THAT JESUS MIGHT BE GLORIFIED

ROOTED AND GROUNDED IN CHRIST JESUS

Colossians 1: 17-19
And He is before all things and by Him all things consist. And He is the head of the body, the Church; who is the beginning, the first-born from the dead, that in all things He might have the pre-eminence. For it pleased the Father that in Him should all fullness dwell.

IN JESUS ALL THE FULLNESS DWELLS

John 1:3 says," all things were made by Him (the Word of GOD); and without Him was not anything made that was made." The Word of GOD is JESUS. JESUS is before all things and by Him all things consist. He is the Head of the body, the first-born, the way, the truth and the life; JESUS, the only begotten Son of GOD.

JESUS is the head of the Church, which is the body of all true believers. To Him do we turn for life, light, instruction and in Him is Salvation, Redemption, Justification, Sanctification and all that is necessary for Eternal Life. "By His Blood He reconciled us (to GOD) and by His wounds we are healed (in mind, body and spirit)".

Since it is true that in JESUS all the fullness of the GOD-HEAD dwells, that this pleases the Father, and by Him all things consist, then, to Live and dwell in Him is fullness of life forever.

BELIEVE ON THE LORD JESUS CHRIST AND YOU SHALL BE SAVED, AND YOUR HOUSE. BELIEVE, AND BE SAVED.

ROOTED AND GROUNDED IN CHRIST JESUS

Hebrews 9:12
Neither by the blood of goats and calves, but by His own Blood He entered in once into the Holy Place, having obtained eternal redemption for us.

The offering of the the blood of animals was a shadow of the perfect offering once and for all in JESUS Christ. It was the grace of GOD that He accepted the substitution of animals to atone for the sin of the people; it is the Grace of GOD that His Son would be the Lamb without blemish slain for eternal atonement.

When the High Priest would enter into the Holy Place each year, he carried the blood of the slain animal, he wore a garment with bells on the hem and he was ceremonially clean. When JESUS entered into the Temple not made with hands, whose maker and builder is GOD, He entered in as the great High Priest of the order of Melchizedek, He was ceremonially washed clean and His new garment was given to Him by His Father ( His new spiritual body). When He entered into the presence of the Great High Altar in Heaven to pour his Blood upon the Mercy Seat, all the bells of Heaven rang out the song of the redeemed. Once and for all time, JESUS atoned for the sin of man and made a perfect way open for the redemption of those who believe in Him.

BY HIS BLOOD HE RECONCILED US TO GOD AND BY HIS WOUNDS WE ARE HEALED

ROOTED AND GROUNDED IN CHRIST JESUS

Psalm 107: 1, 2
Oh, give thanks unto the LORD, for He is good; for His mercy endureth forever. Let the redeemed of the LORD say so, whom He hath redeemed from the hand of the enemy.

SHOUT THE VICTORY SHOUT:
THE LORD HAS REDEEMED US FROM THE HAND OF THE ENEMY.

Today, in many Church gatherings, there will be the solemn service of Ash Wednesday. Today begins the 40 days of Lent, culminating in the High Celebration of Easter and the festival shout: HE IS RISEN.

These days of remembrance are important, lest we forget the plan of GOD for our redemption from the hand of the evil one. Lest we forget the price that was paid for our salvation from death. We must never forget that the grace of GOD, which is free for us, cost GOD His only Son. Dietrik Bonhoeffer said, "the Grace of GOD is not cheap; but it is free." Lest we forget; let us remember the life, teaching and willing sacrifice of JESUS, the Messiah.

Verse two of Psalm 107 should be remembered and shouted by all of the redeemed of GOD. Let us say this aloud as we read it:
LET THE REDEEMED OF THE LORD SAY SO, WHOM HE HATH REDEEMED FROM THE HAND OF THE ENEMY. GLORY TO GOD.

ROOTED AND GROUNDED IN CHRIST JESUS

I Peter 1:18, 19
Forasmuch as ye know that ye were not redeemed with corruptible things, like silver and gold, from your vain manner of life received by tradition from your fathers, but with the precious Blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot.

In the past, before JESUS, Atonement was made one time per year, when the High Priest would enter the Holy Place with the blood of a lamb. Only the High Priest could enter this place and he had to be clean from all earthly filth through washing. He also had to put on new garments before entering, he had to be a new creation without spot or blemish in order to enter into the Presence of the LORD.

JESUS entered into the Holy Presence of the GOD with His own Blood, to make Atonement for us by the shedding of His Blood and carrying it into the presence of GOD, as our Great High Priest. He did this once and for all time. Through Him we have redemption and are washed clean by Him. JESUS is the Lamb of God, the perfect offering for our sin.

We are delivered from the power of Satan. JESUS, by His Blood, reclaimed us by paying the full price for our salvation. Written on the bill of sale are the words: PAID IN FULL. We were sold into sin by Satan; we were bought with the price of the precious Blood of JESUS, blessed be His Holy Name forever and ever.

GIVE HIM THE GLORY DUE HIS NAME

ROOTED AND GROUNDED IN CHRIST JESUS

Hebrews 10:19-22
Having, therefore, brethren, boldness to enter into the holiest by the Blood of JESUS, by a new and living way, which He hath consecrated for us, through the veil, that is to say, His flesh, and having an high priest over the House of GOD, Let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith; having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience, and our bodies washed with pure water.

THERE IS POWER IN THE BLOOD OF JESUS

GOD is love. Through this passion of GOD love, GOD planned and implemented the way for His loved ones to enter into His presence. The plan cost GOD His only Son. In the Hebrew Scripture, we find shadows of the plan of GOD for the redemption of humanity. All parts of the plan of redemption include the shedding of Blood. Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers and Deuteronomy contain moments when GOD required Blood for the Atonement for the sin of the people. GOD also required a High Priest to carry the Blood into the Holiest Place once a year for the act of Atonement. Exodus 12 shows us the power in the Blood of the Lamb on the door post of the house, when GOD would Passover the house and where the Blood was, there was not death; where the Blood was not, death came to that house.

All the shadows, were a foretaste of the once and for all shedding of the Blood of JESUS for Atonement. In the past, the High Priest had to go into the holiest place once a year; through JESUS, there is a "new and living way" through the veil, which is His flesh. This new way was opened by JESUS, Himself, who carried His Blood into the Holiest place and made Atonement once and for all time as the Great High Priest according to the Order of Melchizedek.

It is through JESUS, that we have access to the Throne of GOD and can come boldly into His presence. We have been cleaned from an evil conscience and sanctified through His Blood. We are walking on the "new and living way" to the presence of GOD.

There is only one big stipulation; Believe in the LORD JESUS Christ and you shall be saved, and your house. In order to receive from the gracious Hand of GOD, you must believe that He is and is the rewarder of them that diligently seek Him. WE MUST BELIEVE IN JESUS.

COME TO JESUS AND BE SAVED BY HIS BLOOD SHED IN HOLY LOVE FOR YOU.

ATTRIBUTES OF GOD'S LOVE

Matthew 5: 43-48
A WORD FROM JESUS
You have heard it hath been said, "Thou shalt love thy neighbor, and hate thine enemy"; but I say unto you, " Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them who despitefully use you, and persecute you, that ye may be the sons of your Father, who is in heaven; for He maketh His sun to rise on the evil and on the good, and sendeth rain on the just and on the unjust. For if ye love them who love you, what reward have ye? Do not even the tax collectors the same? And if ye greet your brethren only, what do ye more than others? Do not even the heathen so? Be ye, therefore, perfect, even as your Father, who is in heaven, is perfect."

This word from JESUS says all that needs to be said about the Love of GOD: It is unconditional, unfailing, unending, unselfish and it is the very nature of GOD. YOU ARE GREATLY LOVED, THEREFORE LOVE GREATLY

ATTRIBUTES OF GOD'S LOVE

Romans 5:3-5
We glory in tribulations also, knowing that tribulation worketh patience; and patience, experience; and experience, hope; and hope maketh not ashamed, because the love of GOD is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Spirit who is given unto us.

GOD IS LOVE; BY NATURE, UNCONDITIONAL, UNFAILING, UNENDING, UNSELFISH.

Therefore, we do not have anything to fear, for the love of GOD is always surrounding us and leading us to the good and glorious life. Everything in life teaches us more and more about GOD and His love. Tribulation teaches us to wait on the LORD and be patient. It also teaches us about the patience of GOD. The practice of patience gives us the understanding of how waiting for the LORD to move is more profitable than running out ahead of Him into the unknown darkness; the experience of waiting patiently teaches us about the long-suffering of GOD. Experience matures our hope and gives us examples from our own life of the power of GOD to bring all things together for the good. When we walk in the patience, matured by experience and hope, we are able to love in the way that GOD loves; naturally, unconditionally, unfailing, unending and unselfish.

Can we learn how to love the way GOD loves? Can we become as proficient in our loving as GOD is to us? Only by the Holy Spirit given to us by JESUS can we even begin to love in the same manner as GOD. As we read and study the Holy Scripture, the Holy Spirit brings the attributes of GOD to light and invites us to embrace those attributes. The Holy Spirit is the essence of the Father and the Son and they are all One and all in agreement. The Holy Spirit teaches us in the heart about the Heart of GOD, so that we can touch the heart of others with His Love.

THE LOVE OF GOD IS SHED ABROAD IN OUR HEARTS BY THE HOLY SPIRIT WHO IS GIVEN UNTO US

ATTRIBUTES OF GOD'S LOVE

Jeremiah 31: 3
The LORD hath appeared of old unto me, saying, "Yea, I have loved thee with an everlasting love; therefore, with loving-kindness have I drawn thee."

NOTHING SHALL SEPARATE US FROM THE LOVE OF GOD

Romans 8:38, 39 says, " For I am persuaded that neither death, not life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come, nor height, nor depth, nor any other creation, shall be able to separate us from the love of GOD, which is in Christ JESUS, our LORD." The love of GOD is everlasting and full of loving-kindness for us and for all whom He has made. It is a love that is beyond all understanding, since we can not love in this way. Our human love is tainted by the flesh and has all sorts of barriers to total love; GOD has no such barriers. Part of that string of human barriers is the fear of being disappointed.

How many times have you heard people say that they have been disappointed so many times that they have a hard time loving another or trusting another person. That barrier is very common, both on the conscious level, as well as the subconscious level. It is a barrier that stands between us and other people, and stands strongly between us and GOD. It is this barrier that has to fall. It can only fall by yielding our whole self to GOD in total surrender and unconditional trust.

Can we trust GOD with our whole self? Can we say, with Job, "though he slay me, yet will I trust Him"?(Job 13:15) Is there anyone more trustworthy, who loves you without condition, who shows loving-kindness when you do not deserve it? Only GOD can be trusted with your life; only GOD can keep that which we have committed unto Him. GOD is a Covenant GOD, who keeps His promises and stands on His Word.

JESUS LOVES US WITH AN UNFAILING LOVE

ATTRIBUTES OF GOD'S LOVE

Romans 5: 6-8 (NIV)
Your see, at just the right time, when we were still powerless, Christ died for the ungodly. Very rarely will anyone die for a righteous man, though for a good man someone might possibly dare to die. But, GOD demonstrates His own love for us in this: while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.

There are 5 major attributes of GOD'S love: 1. It is the nature of GOD to love; 2. GOD'S love is unconditional; 3. GOD'S love is unending; 4. GOD'S love is unfailing; 5. GOD'S love is unselfish.

Our text for today tells us about the unconditional nature of the Love of GOD. When we were powerless and filled with the stain of sin, Christ JESUS bridged the gap between death and life, making full atonement for us. We are recipients of the blessed love of GOD. We do not deserve it, we can not earn it, we must receive it. By receiving JESUS as LORD of our Life and GOD of our salvation, we are brought under the Covenant with GOD and man, sealed by the Blood of JESUS. Through JESUS we are reconciled with GOD.

Remember, GOD loves you and it is His nature to love. His love is unconditional, unfailing, unending, and unselfish.

ESTABLISHED IN THE FAITH

I John 4: 16

And we have known and believed the love that GOD hath to us. GOD is love, and He that dwelleth in love dwelleth in GOD and GOD in him.

Do you know that GOD loves you? Do you believe that GOD loves you? Many people believe that GOD loves the world, but they fall short of the fact that GOD loves them. There are many people who believe that GOD loves them, but they have not let that love sink so deeply into their heart that they can say, "I know that GOD loves me." We sing, "JESUS loves me, this I know; for the Bible tells me so." but do we know the fact that GOD loves us totally.

There is another step in the development of the understanding of the Love of GOD and that is to dwell in love, which is to dwell in GOD and GOD in us. Dwelling means to live in and not to go in and out, but to rest and stay. This assurance of the Love of GOD is so totally consuming that every thought, word and deed is conceived, nurtured and matured by the Love of GOD through us.

Think on these words: believe that GOD loves you; know that GOD loves you and dwell in God who loves you and He in you.

BE STILL AND KNOW THAT I AM GOD; I LOVE YOU

ESTABLISHED IN THE FAITH

John 3:14-17
And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so the Son of man be lifted up, that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have eternal life. FOR GOD SO LOVED THE WORLD, THAT HE GAVE HIS ONLY BEGOTTEN SON, THAT WHOSOEVER BELIEVETH IN HIM SHOULD NOT PERISH, BUT HAVE EVERLASTING LIFE. For GOD sent not His Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world through Him might be saved.

NO GREATER LOVE THAN THIS

Today we celebrate love, it is Valentine Day. We cannot celebrate love without first celebrating the author of Love, GOD Almighty, the LORD of great love. Without Him, there would be no love at all, for GOD is Love and without Him there is no love.

Love has three words in the Greek: eros, which is sensual love; phileo, which is brotherly love; and agape, which is Divine, unconditional love. In the eye of GOD there is only one kind of love which embraces all things, the unconditional love of the Divine and Holy One, which He expresses in giving.

Does GOD only love the World? or does GOD love YOU? both are true, it is not either one, it is both. GOD loves the world and every person in it, individually. GOD sent His Son into the World to be the propitiation for the sin of the world; GOD sent His Son into the world to make the way for all who believed in Him to have eternal life through Him. JESUS is the atonement.
GOD LOVE SAVES.

If GOD loves us so much to save us from death and the grave, ought not we to love in the same way? I John 3:11 says that the message from the beginning is that we love GOD and one another. You see, Love is of GOD and GOD is love. In Him there is not hate, hurt or harm; damage or destruction. JESUS laid down His life for His friends, for the world, for US. We must love in the same manner, to lay down our life for others, GIVING IS PART OF LOVING.

GODS SO LOVED THE WORLD THAT HE GAVE

ESTABLISHED IN THE FAITH

Colossians 2: 6-8
As ye have, therefore, received Christ JESUS the LORD, so walk ye in Him. Rooted and built up in Him, and established in the faith, as ye have been taught, abounding with thanksgiving. Beware lest any man spoil you through philosophy and vain deceit, after the tradition of men, after the rudiments of the world, and not after Christ.

Walk in the Light of JESUS Christ and do not allow the darkness of this world's system to dull your sight of Him.

Everyday, we are bombarded with twisted language about many things. We have become numb to the many lies and manipulation that we hear, excusing them as being "politics" or "advertising" or amplification of the truth so that it sells papers. We are dulled to the effect of lies which come from the father of lies, Satan. Some people sound convincing and sound like they are telling the truth, but they are not.

There is a test that you can hold up to anything that you hear: does it conform to the Word of GOD. The Holy Scripture is a filter to filter out the lies and reveal the truth. Any philosophy that will not name the Name of JESUS, must not be from GOD for GOD will never deny JESUS, because JESUS is GOD. There are lots of good sounding traditions of men and philosophies around and many good books that sound pretty convincing, BUT are nothing than vain stories with no good in them. Followers of these vain philosophies are putting themselves in danger.

We must be rooted in the Word of the LORD; grounded in JESUS Christ and established in the faith so that we can stand in the day of temptation. We must walk in JESUS; following His lead and His Light; obedient to His Word and the faith that is found in Him. ABOUND IN THANKSGIVING FOR ALL THAT HE HAS DONE FOR US.

FOR IN JESUS DWELLETH ALL THE FULLNESS OF THE GODHEAD BODILY AND YE ARE COMPLETE IN HIM WHO IS THE HEAD OF ALL PRINCIPALITY AND POWER. (Colossians 2:9, 10)

SUPER BOWL OF BLESSING

Malachi 3:10, 11
Bring all the tithes into the storehouse, that there may be food in mine house, and test me now herewith, saith the LORD of hosts, if I will not open for you the windows of heaven, and pour out for you a blessing, that there shall not be room enough to receive it. And I will rebuke the devourer for your sakes, and he shall not destroy the fruits of your ground; neither shall your vine cast its fruit before the time in the field, saith the LORD of hosts.

THE SUPERBOWL OF BLESSING

The blessings of the LORD are in such abundance that we cannot receive all of it at once. His bowl is so big that there is not room on earth to receive all of its contents. But look at the conditions upon which the abundant blessings come; the bringing of the tithe into the storehouse of GOD. The ancient tithe was the first 10% of the harvest or of the hunt. In the time after JESUS, it was yield all to JESUS and He will grant blessings. Romans 6:13b says: Yield yourselves unto GOD, as those that are alive from the dead, and your members as instruments of righteousness unto GOD. The more of ourselves we yield to the LORD, the more blessing He will give to us.

The greatest blessing that we have received from the LORD is the blessing of Eternal life with Him. We did not do anything to deserve this blessing; it is a free gift from GOD for all those who give their life to JESUS. Every part of our life is filled with His glory as we yield unto the LORD and open the door for the Light of Christ to shine into us; this is the tithe and this is the blessing. The only response we can give to so great a gift, is our total
THANKSGIVING, HONOR AND GLORY TO THE HOLY ONE WHO SAVED US.

SUPER BOWL OF BLESSING

Matthew 6: 31-33
Therefore, be not anxious saying, "what shall we eat? or, What shall we drink? or, With what shall we be clothed?" For after all these things do the Gentiles seek. For your heavenly Father knoweth that ye have need of all these things +[before ye ask Him]. But seek ye first the Kingdom of GOD, and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added unto you.

+Just a little note: the words in the brackets are from verse 8 of Matthew 6.

BE ANXIOUS FOR NOTHING

Is it realistic to be "anxious for nothing"? It depends on what you understand as "realistic". If we look at what we see as the only reality, then there is much to be anxious about. We read the news and tremble; we read the mail and tremble; we listen to the radio and tremble; we watch TV and are shocked and frightened. However, if we look at the life in the Holy Spirit of GOD as our reality, then we see that "all things work together for our good"; we see that our Heavenly Father knows what we need before we ask and He is our provision and healer.
REALITY DEPENDS ON WHERE WE ARE LOOKING

JESUS says: "But seek ye first the Kingdom of GOD and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added unto you." The righteous will never beg bread and will never want for any good thing, this is the promise of GOD. Instead of trembling at what is happening in the sight of our human eyes, open the eyes of our heart in prayer and seek JESUS first. JESUS will show you His Kingdom and the glory of His life in you. Ask Him, and you will receive what you need; seek Him and you will find all that you need; knock at the door of His Heart and He will open His Arms of Love to you.

MY FAITH LOOKS UP TO THEE, THOU LAMB OF CALVARY, SAVIOR DIVINE.

SUPER BOWL OF BLESSING

Psalm 105: 42-45
He remembered His Holy promise, and Abraham, His servant, and He brought forth His People with joy, and His chosen with gladness, and gave them the lands of the nations; and they inherited the labor of the peoples, that they might observe His statutes, and keep His laws. Praise ye the LORD.

THE LORD HONORS HIS PROMISES ALWAYS

When I read the Old Testament, I am astounded at the great lengths that the LORD went to provide for His People. He never backed down on what He promised them;
GOD ALWAYS HONORS HIS WORD; HIS WORD IS HOLY.

Do you know the promises of GOD? Do you believe that GOD will honor ALL those promises that He has made in His Word? Do you KNOW, beyond a shadow of a doubt, that GOD will honor His promises in your life?

I suggest that you read and make note of the promises of GOD. There are books that list the promises and their references in the Scripture. Learn those promises and then receive those promises as having been given to you, personally. Those who are born-again and live their life in JESUS are heirs of ALL the promises of GOD, receive them and live your life free from fear.

ALL THE PROMISES OF GOD ARE YEAH AND AMEN

SUPER BOWL OF BLESSING

Psalm 78: 15, 16
He split the rocks in the wilderness, and gave them drink as out of the great depths. he brought streams also out of the rock, and caused waters to run down like rivers.

Verse 19b asks a question that people who are in trouble ask in various forms: "Can GOD furnish a table in the wilderness?" Can GOD provide for His people? Does GOD really care? Psalm 78 is a Psalm remembering the mighty acts of GOD in the life of the Children of Israel. The question still remains, "Will GOD do this for me?"

YES, GOD does mighty things for His people. The mightiest of which is the Salvation of our soul from death through JESUS Christ. JESUS, the Word of GOD made flesh and living among us, opened the door for us to live with Him forever. He is the perfect offering for our sins and IS the Way to the Father. By His Blood He reconciled us to GOD and by His wounds we are healed. Our GOD is a mighty GOD who cares and loves His children with a passion unknown to humankind, but experienced by all who love and serve Him.

GOD gives us this day our daily bread. He provides just what we need to get through the situations that face us at every turn. Look deep into the mighty work of GOD in your life. Find those times when all seemed dark and there was no light to see by; then look at how the LORD provided the light and made provision for you to get through the wilderness. GOD is faithful ALL THE TIME.

We, oftentimes, suffer needlessly because to do not hold on to the FACT that GOD is always going to show us the way through the wilderness and all we have to do is follow. We must have KNOWING FAITH, knowing that what GOD has promised, He is faithful to fulfill FOR YOU.

KNOW THAT GOD IS YOUR PROVIDER WITH A SUPER LARGE BOWL OF GRACE

SUPER BOWL OF BLESSING

Psalm 145: 18, 19
The LORD is near; unto to all those who call upon Him, to all who call upon Him in truth. He will fulfill the desire of those who fear Him; He also will hear their cry, and will save them.

In order to obtain this wonderful "Super Bowl of Blessing" from the LORD, we must be rightly related to Him. The LORD is near and He hears the cry of the poor,"all those who call upon Him in truth." His Love pours out to those who reverence His Name and give Him the glory due His Name. He hears their cry and WILL save them. This is not just a dribbling of Blessing; GOD does not know how to "dribble"; this is an abundance of blessing.

When I think about the blessings of GOD, I am drawn to the story of Moses and the children of Israel in the wilderness. They had food, their clothes didn't wear out, and they had plenty of water. Just think how much Manna was needed to feed the 2 1/2 - 3 million people in the desert, not just once, but every day for 40 years. If that does not blow your mind, think about the water from the Rock that followed them. It would take 11 million gallons of water per day to supply enough water for the people to drink - for 40 years. The water did not dribble out of the rock, it gushed forth 11 million gallons or water per day. THIS IS WHAT WE MEAN BY THE ABUNDANCE OF BLESSING FROM GOD.

Is this kind of blessing available to us today? Yes, GOD is the same; yesterday, today and forever. He never changes and will supply all your need according to His riches in glory in Christ JESUS. The key to this abundant blessing is JESUS Christ and your relationship with Him.
The fear of the LORD is the beginning; calling upon Him in truth is the next part; then wait upon Him to supply all your need. Wait, expecting and watching for the fulfillment of your need. Wait, KNOWING that what He said, He will do. Wait, I say, on the LORD.

SUPER BOWL OF BLESSING

Philippians 4: 19
But my GOD shall supply all your need according to His riches in glory in Christ JESUS.

The key to this verse is, "in Christ JESUS". The LORD takes care of His own, but we must be a part of the Family for Him to pour out His blessings in Super Bowl fashion. Having said that, remember that "while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us" there is no greater outpouring of blessings than that, BUT many there are who have rejected that great gift from Father GOD and they do so at their own peril.

The fact is, throughout history, the LORD has supplied all the needs of His children in great, Super Bowl abundance. He does not hold back his blessing and He has said that the Children of GOD will never beg bread. GOD is the great supplier of every good thing. His storehouse in Heaven is filled with great riches and an abundant supply for all our needs. What we need to do is get in right relationship with Him and then ASK. When we ask according to His will, which is His Word, He will respond with a Bowl that is overflowing with good things.

Throughout this week, we will see how the LORD supplies in abundance. The stories in the Scripture are wonderful and uplifting.

GROWING IN CHRIST-PART 3

Job 23:12 (NIV)
I have not departed from the commands of His lips; I have treasured the words of His mouth more than my daily bread.

This verse from Job reminds me of the words JESUS spoke when the evil one asked Him to turn the stones into bread; JESUS said,"It is written, Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of GOD." In both of these Scriptures, we are reminded that the fleshly things of life are of a great deal less importance than the Spiritual. The things of GOD carry Eternal weight; the things of the flesh are temporary.

Proverbs 4: 20-22 contain strong words for us as we desire to grow in our relationship with the LORD:
"My son/daughter, attend to my words; incline thine ear into my sayings. Let them not depart from thine eyes; keep them in the midst of thine heart. For they are life unto those that find them, and health to all their flesh."

Mark the words: attend, incline, let them not depart from thine eyes, and keep. These words call us to be diligent and focused on the Word of the LORD. The Children of Israel were told by GOD to teach, bind them as a sign, and write the Word of the LORD. From the beginning, GOD has wanted all of us to understand that His Word is His righteous will for all of us, His people. We are never to neglect his Word, if we do, it is to our peril.

We all need to eat food for our earthly life and health; more than this, we need the WORD of the LORD for our Spiritual life and Eternal health.

I feel that there is another point of great importance: If we love another, we want to hear from them and know what would please them. We earnestly desire to be connected to them day and night, and we meditate on them with every thought. How much more should we want to seek the LORD who loves us with a perfect love! The whole desire of our heart should be to know His ways and walk with Him in harmony, this way we will feel the tender, passionate love of GOD flooding our soul and spirit, healing our wounds and restoring our life. He will keep us in perfect peace, when our mind is stayed on Him.

WE FIND ALL THAT WE NEED IN THE WORD OF THE LORD, IT IS FOOD FOR OUR LIFE.

GROWING IN CHRIST-PART 3

Hosea 4: 6
My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge; because thou hast rejected knowledge, I will also reject thee, that thou shalt be no priest to me; seeing thou has forgotten the law of thy GOD, I will also forget thy children.

Today's word is not one of those sweet to entreat words; it is a stern warning to all of us to be faithful to the WORD of the LORD. We are instructed to read, study and inwardly digest the WORD of the LORD; to meditate on the WORD day and night and to not allow the WORD of the LORD to fall into disuse. The Scripture is filled with instruction about the Holy Scripture - the Word of the LORD. So, READ AND STUDY IT, IT CONTAINS EVERYTHING WE NEED FOR LIFE.

I find that there is an even deeper meaning to this verse from Hosea. Who is the One who has all the knowledge? You will say, "that's easy, GOD has all the knowledge." and you are right. So, if we desire knowledge, we must ask of GOD, from Whom comes all knowledge. Therefore, we are back to the basis of all growth in Christ, pray without ceasing. Our relationship with JESUS brings wisdom and knowledge that cannot be derived from any other source. JESUS IS THE WORD OF GOD, KNOW HIM AND HE WILL LEAD YOU INTO ALL TRUTH, BECAUSE HE IS THE TRUTH.

The second part of this verse from Hosea is a very strong admonition; if you reject knowledge - which comes from GOD - you and your children will be rejected. I tremble at these words, because I see many people rejecting the WORD of the LORD and counting the Holy Scripture as unimportant. We who have embraced the LORD JESUS Christ as our Savior MUST pray for those who have rejected His Word - both the Scripture and JESUS Himself. To reject the WORD is to reject GOD and there is an awful price to pay for that.

PRAY FOR THE LOST THAT THE GREAT SHEPHERD WILL SEEK THEM AND FIND THEM. PRAY FOR THE CONVERSION OF SOULS.

GROWING IN CHRIST-PART 3

Ephesians 4: 14-16
That we henceforth be no more children, tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men, and cunning craftiness, by which they lie in wait to deceive; But, speaking the truth in love, may grow up into Him in all things, who is the head, even Christ; from Whom the whole body fitly joined together and compacted by that which every joint supplieth, according to the effectual working in the measure of every part, maketh increase of the body unto the edifying of itself in love.

JESUS, THE HEAD OF THE BODY

I like to meditate on the image of the Body of Christ, made up of all the true believers in JESUS, knit together in Love. The Love of the LORD GOD, the love of one another and the love of neighbor. When the Head, JESUS, says "move" the body moves in harmony; every join working smoothly as the Body of Christ acts according to the command of JESUS.

We are a part of that Body, when we come in surrender to JESUS and His leading. We are part of that image, taking command from the head and moving in harmony with every other part to accomplish His will.

How do we stay in tune with the rest of the Body? By being in complete harmony with the Head, JESUS. The relationship between us and Him makes our part of the Body smooth and agile. The more we study the Word of the LORD, the more we pray, the more we receive communion, the more we fellowship with other believers and the more we trust him, even in times of trial, trouble and tribulation, the more like Him we become, until we are one Body of Christ.

LET US GROW UP INTO THE HEAD OF THE BODY AND BE ONE WITH JESUS