In 1965, the Beatles (Paul McCartney and John Lennon) wrote a song on their "Help" album entitled, "Yesterday". This song actually appears to focus on a relationship lost and wondering if it could be like it was yesterday ... but in the mix it does describe the human Ecclesiastical desire to drive back in time to change things there for now, or just freeze time and hide there instead of living fully in the now.
("Yesterday...all my troubles were so far away... Now it looks as though they're here to stay... Oh, I believe in yesterday")
("Suddenly ... I'm not half the man I used to be ... There's a shadow hanging over me ... Oh, yesterday came suddenly.")
("Why she had to go, I don't know she wouldn't say... I said something wrong, now I long for yesterday")
("Yesterday, love was such an easy game to play, now I need a place to hide away ... Oh, I believe in yesterday")
Psalm 90:4 "For a thousand years in thy sight are but as yesterday when it is past , and as a watch in the night."
GOD IS ETERNALLY NOW.
Ecclesiastes 3:15 "That which hath been is now; and that which is to be hath already been; and God requireth that which is past" .
GOD HAS A VESTED INTEREST IN OUR TIME.
Jeremiah 8:20 "The harvest is past , the summer is ended , and we are not saved" .
GOD OFFERS HIS DELIVERANCE ALL THE TIME...NOW
... What about our reception?
Yesterday ... or the memories there of ... are always distorted by the moments in which we live. And equally true to our perception ...many times yesterday casts a shadow or sunshine over our days because of a thought (from the past) that we choose for that moment to embrace.
Many homes, businesses, churches,lives and relationships are destroyed, not because of an actual devastating event or harshly destructive words, but because of the filter that we choose to run those events and words through.
So as not to string this out forever ...Pay close attention...to the next thought.
A strong devotional trust of God through His Word, and a cultivated gratitude for the good and the bad memories of "yesterday", will provide you with a "God Mold-able Heart" that will give you victory "today".
Your choice of a filter for the Past will either make you the victim or the victor... Your choice ... Trust His Grace Plan or fall prey to your depravity.
1 Peter 2 ( Can you see where the past and where the NOW fall into place?)
1 Wherefore laying aside all malice, and all guile, and hypocrisies, and envies, and all evil speakings,
2 As newborn babes, desire the sincere milk of the word, that ye may grow thereby
3 If so be ye have tasted that the Lord is gracious.
Learn to Praise God for the past and Rejoice in Him today,
HLFA,
Jeff
O That There Were Such a Heart in Them
Oh if only we would risk ..trust beyond the pain,
rest in the face of fear,
belief stronger in what we do not see,
Realize God's will, His desire, is you
...and He desires that your desire would be Him.
God's heart desires this of of our hearts:
Deuteronomy 5:29
O that there were such an heart in them ,
(God is Looking in THEM for This Specific Driving Inclination,
conscience,mind, memory or internal forse for living)
that they would fear me,
(that our FEAR, AWE, and REVERENCE for Him cause all other fears to fade away
... this type of fear creates the lasting connection)
and keep all my commandments always,
(guarding as a treasure, keeping as most precious,
wearing as our prized adornment .. His voice, His Word, his Will)
that it might be well with them,
(the we might be whole, glad and beautiful with Him)
and with their children for ever!
(this is what is truly passed on to our Children
...our offspring ...our family ... our friends
..."perpetual effectual life in Him"
Every tragedy of human character has been linked to a failure to Hear, to Recognize, and to Experience the power of HIS VOICE through His Word in Scripture.
Here is brief Simple but complicated thought to wrap this brief HLFA ... It is not easy to do what He says many times, especially when we are wrestling at the door of obedience. Many times our hesitation is caused by hoping that God may contradict Himself somehow so we would be allowed to disobey without consequences. This will not happen, and there will be more pain in the consequences of disobedience than we would find in obedience. FEELINGS, EMOTIONS, PAIN, CONFUSION, AND STUBBORNNESS feels so much more real than that still small voice that connects us to His effectual love.
Hang in there, hang close to Him for your Life, don't give in to disobey.
Do right even if the stars may fall.
HLFA,
Jeff
of decision to obey.
rest in the face of fear,
belief stronger in what we do not see,
Realize God's will, His desire, is you
...and He desires that your desire would be Him.
God's heart desires this of of our hearts:
Deuteronomy 5:29
O that there were such an heart in them ,
(God is Looking in THEM for This Specific Driving Inclination,
conscience,mind, memory or internal forse for living)
that they would fear me,
(that our FEAR, AWE, and REVERENCE for Him cause all other fears to fade away
... this type of fear creates the lasting connection)
and keep all my commandments always,
(guarding as a treasure, keeping as most precious,
wearing as our prized adornment .. His voice, His Word, his Will)
that it might be well with them,
(the we might be whole, glad and beautiful with Him)
and with their children for ever!
(this is what is truly passed on to our Children
...our offspring ...our family ... our friends
..."perpetual effectual life in Him"
Every tragedy of human character has been linked to a failure to Hear, to Recognize, and to Experience the power of HIS VOICE through His Word in Scripture.
Here is brief Simple but complicated thought to wrap this brief HLFA ... It is not easy to do what He says many times, especially when we are wrestling at the door of obedience. Many times our hesitation is caused by hoping that God may contradict Himself somehow so we would be allowed to disobey without consequences. This will not happen, and there will be more pain in the consequences of disobedience than we would find in obedience. FEELINGS, EMOTIONS, PAIN, CONFUSION, AND STUBBORNNESS feels so much more real than that still small voice that connects us to His effectual love.
Hang in there, hang close to Him for your Life, don't give in to disobey.
Do right even if the stars may fall.
HLFA,
Jeff
of decision to obey.
Do Not Pretend Your Marriage is OK
When it is not?
No time for self-pity ... cry,
please cry
but cry out to Jesus.
Hold on a minute ... slow down, throw away any self destructive thoughts,
Jesus died for your marriage,
the least you can do is separate yourselves to pay close attention to His desire for you.
What Separate?
Your marriage can be better ... stronger and more fulfilling...
but it will only happen with periodic spiritual detox.
Humble yourself in the sight of the Lord and He will lift you up.
Out with the lies.
Out with the trash.
On with LIFE in HIM.
Buckle your seat belt and hang on:
First, read the passage below in its entirety... I Corinthians 7:5,6
Second, break out the elements or attributes.
Third, find out what words mean so you don't misconstrue things.
Fourth, plan to "come together again".
This separation is devotional.
It is planned and limited in duration.
It is NOT to figure out how to live without each other,
It's a retreat to ache for each other while strengthening your relationship with Jesus.
It s mutually agreed upon and purposeful.
This can be a morning, an evening, a day, a weekend, a week BUT it's duration is based on the severity of the situation
and the limitations of the union.
1 Corinthians 7:5,6
5 Defraud ye not one the other, except it be with consent for a time, that ye may give yourselves to fasting and prayer;
and come together again, that Satan tempt you not for your incontinency.
This is God's Plan, when the marriage is pretending to stay together while threatening to tear apart ...
SEPARATE FOR AN AGREED TIME TO FAST AND PRAY AND THEN COME TOGETHER AGAIN -
This is a pause (not an end or a planning time to end) to retreat to the presence of God, to get right, to get real,
to allow God to rekindle love from Him, for Him and for our spouse.
Notice the word INCONTINENCY at the end of verse 5-- this word means: lack of moral self-control, or inability to respond appropriately/Godly.
Satan's plan for marriage (which is to be a snap shot of the bond that God has with His people) is to separate the union by entering temptation into any area of our lives that are out of God's control. Satan will feed the area of our life that is curious about filth. Satan will counsel the area of our life where there is rebellious discontentment. Satan will roar fear into any area of our life where there is confusion instead of trust and love. By the way, the greatest proponent of divorce is Satan, who knows confusion is the best weapon against unity.
Here are the simple guidelines of this retreat ... "Give your selves to Him".
(The guidelines below are a mixture of suggested wise disciplines not all are scriptural mandates)
FASTING -- removing anything or influence that feeds your flesh, fleshy thoughts and lustful desires.
1. Read no other book than His Word ... suggestion if you don't know where to turn ... Psalms, Proverbs, and the Gospels (the heart of God, the Mind of God, the Face of God).
2. Stay away from negative media ....music and literature that is spiritually dark and sexually questionable.
3. Eat Good Healthful food. (no junk food)
4. Drink water and other healthful drinks (no pop or booze)
5. Exercise properly.
6. Get rest.
PRAYING - without ceasing, talk to Him when you are not talking to people, and don't talk to people about things you haven't talked to him about.
1. Pray like you've never prayed before ...
2. Meditate - think ab out what you have read but be still and listen to His Word as you pray.
3. Submit - ask Him to give you strength to do what He desires.
COME TOGETHER AGAIN - the purpose is to get back together with more to offer the union because of your time with God.
You both need each other, whether you realize it or not, what ever the motives were in the beginning matters not ...past is past.
BUT remember your first love,
remember your first commitment to each other,
remember the events that bring a smile that brings a tear,
appreciate each other
miss each other
Plan the stronger "ONE FLESH" to go forward.
Ask God for a clearer, cleaner love for each other ... Agape Love ... is not self serving but it is yourself serving the other.
6 But I speak this by permission, and not of commandment. ( please, I beg you to do this ... try, I'm not ordering you to do this).
Please take advantage of this Retreat if needed.
Hold this if you have friends OR loved ones who don't know what to do about a marriage that is falling apart.
Pray for the Blush again,
Sincerely,
HLFA,
Jeff
When it is not?
No time for self-pity ... cry,
please cry
but cry out to Jesus.
Hold on a minute ... slow down, throw away any self destructive thoughts,
Jesus died for your marriage,
the least you can do is separate yourselves to pay close attention to His desire for you.
What Separate?
Your marriage can be better ... stronger and more fulfilling...
but it will only happen with periodic spiritual detox.
Humble yourself in the sight of the Lord and He will lift you up.
Out with the lies.
Out with the trash.
On with LIFE in HIM.
Buckle your seat belt and hang on:
First, read the passage below in its entirety... I Corinthians 7:5,6
Second, break out the elements or attributes.
Third, find out what words mean so you don't misconstrue things.
Fourth, plan to "come together again".
This separation is devotional.
It is planned and limited in duration.
It is NOT to figure out how to live without each other,
It's a retreat to ache for each other while strengthening your relationship with Jesus.
It s mutually agreed upon and purposeful.
This can be a morning, an evening, a day, a weekend, a week BUT it's duration is based on the severity of the situation
and the limitations of the union.
1 Corinthians 7:5,6
5 Defraud ye not one the other, except it be with consent for a time, that ye may give yourselves to fasting and prayer;
and come together again, that Satan tempt you not for your incontinency.
This is God's Plan, when the marriage is pretending to stay together while threatening to tear apart ...
SEPARATE FOR AN AGREED TIME TO FAST AND PRAY AND THEN COME TOGETHER AGAIN -
This is a pause (not an end or a planning time to end) to retreat to the presence of God, to get right, to get real,
to allow God to rekindle love from Him, for Him and for our spouse.
Notice the word INCONTINENCY at the end of verse 5-- this word means: lack of moral self-control, or inability to respond appropriately/Godly.
Satan's plan for marriage (which is to be a snap shot of the bond that God has with His people) is to separate the union by entering temptation into any area of our lives that are out of God's control. Satan will feed the area of our life that is curious about filth. Satan will counsel the area of our life where there is rebellious discontentment. Satan will roar fear into any area of our life where there is confusion instead of trust and love. By the way, the greatest proponent of divorce is Satan, who knows confusion is the best weapon against unity.
Here are the simple guidelines of this retreat ... "Give your selves to Him".
(The guidelines below are a mixture of suggested wise disciplines not all are scriptural mandates)
FASTING -- removing anything or influence that feeds your flesh, fleshy thoughts and lustful desires.
1. Read no other book than His Word ... suggestion if you don't know where to turn ... Psalms, Proverbs, and the Gospels (the heart of God, the Mind of God, the Face of God).
2. Stay away from negative media ....music and literature that is spiritually dark and sexually questionable.
3. Eat Good Healthful food. (no junk food)
4. Drink water and other healthful drinks (no pop or booze)
5. Exercise properly.
6. Get rest.
PRAYING - without ceasing, talk to Him when you are not talking to people, and don't talk to people about things you haven't talked to him about.
1. Pray like you've never prayed before ...
2. Meditate - think ab out what you have read but be still and listen to His Word as you pray.
3. Submit - ask Him to give you strength to do what He desires.
COME TOGETHER AGAIN - the purpose is to get back together with more to offer the union because of your time with God.
You both need each other, whether you realize it or not, what ever the motives were in the beginning matters not ...past is past.
BUT remember your first love,
remember your first commitment to each other,
remember the events that bring a smile that brings a tear,
appreciate each other
miss each other
Plan the stronger "ONE FLESH" to go forward.
Ask God for a clearer, cleaner love for each other ... Agape Love ... is not self serving but it is yourself serving the other.
6 But I speak this by permission, and not of commandment. ( please, I beg you to do this ... try, I'm not ordering you to do this).
Please take advantage of this Retreat if needed.
Hold this if you have friends OR loved ones who don't know what to do about a marriage that is falling apart.
Pray for the Blush again,
Sincerely,
HLFA,
Jeff
At the End of a Rope
Years ago, sitting in a college chapel service, I heard our Chancellor shout out in a strong voice (as if it was God's Word) :
"When you get to the end of your rope, tie a knot and hang on!" ... the students shouted .. "Amen!"
I even found this phrase coming forth from my lips at times in messages that I would preach throughout the years.
I was proclaimed to encourage us not to quit just because the going was getting rough.
Little did I know until today that this phrase was borrowed from Franklin D. Roosevelt (not God);
AND there seems to be a very strong message of self reliance in this phrase similar to the phrase "You can do it!"
Oh, there is a truth to be found here, but it is only one sided ...and when I am strong it may work, but what if I am broken?
What do I do when I am at the end of my rope, and I am hanging helplessly ... left with only a short frayed end?
Please follow the painful conversation below and try not to treat the words of the hurting as selfish nor Words of our Lord as typical cliche-like answers.
"The painful thing is, a person can’t live like this forever and at some point you really do have to make a decision."
Matthew 26:39 - And He went a little further, and fell on His face, and prayed, saying,
O my Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass from me: nevertheless not as I will,
but as Thou wilt.
Matthew 26:42 - He went away again the second time, and prayed , saying ,
O my Father, if this cup may not pass away from me, except I drink it,
Thy will be done.
"I don’t know why when we talk to our Dad in heaven, who is with us, He can’t just swoop us up and make things better."
Mark 15:34 - "Eloi, Eloi, lama sabachthani?" ....My God, My God, why has thou forsaken me?
"OK ...I understand that Jesus went through this stuff; but I'm so thirsty, I'm so empty, I'm the one that is hurting here and I do want help!
John 19:28 -- (Jesus said) ... "I thirst."
There was no other way to FREE us ... He had to suffer, bleed and die for us ...
In the clutches of His suffering and death for us,
He had to rely upon the Father for the Joy ahead for Him, by faith, the same as we do now.
THERE was something missing from Him then, so He will be there for us NOW.
PROBLEM ... He is a great God when we are strong, BUT when we are hurting maybe He isn't so strong.
When suffering, we have a hard time with the obvious from His Word.
We have a hard time believing what we have believed and doing what we know we should do, when we are broken.
A rope can be a real problem if it stays anchored to lust and sin because it will keep us tied closely to death.
If it stays fastened around bitterness, un-forgiveness, rebellion, or hatred it will lead us to more pain and suffering.
When it continues to wind around the past, the future gets shorter with very little left to hold on to.
But when we get to the end of the rope...
Let go ...hear Him ... trust Him ... obey Him ... and you will find rest for your soul, healing for your mind, a strengthening of His will in you.
John 19:28 - After this, Jesus knowing that all things were now accomplished, that the scripture might be fulfilled, saith , I thirst.
The scripture was Jesus' source of strength of knowledge to get through the ordeal of the Cross ....what are you doing with scripture?
Suffering does not give us permission
or excuse to violate His word.
HLFA,
Jeff
"When you get to the end of your rope, tie a knot and hang on!" ... the students shouted .. "Amen!"
I even found this phrase coming forth from my lips at times in messages that I would preach throughout the years.
I was proclaimed to encourage us not to quit just because the going was getting rough.
Little did I know until today that this phrase was borrowed from Franklin D. Roosevelt (not God);
AND there seems to be a very strong message of self reliance in this phrase similar to the phrase "You can do it!"
Oh, there is a truth to be found here, but it is only one sided ...and when I am strong it may work, but what if I am broken?
What do I do when I am at the end of my rope, and I am hanging helplessly ... left with only a short frayed end?
Please follow the painful conversation below and try not to treat the words of the hurting as selfish nor Words of our Lord as typical cliche-like answers.
"The painful thing is, a person can’t live like this forever and at some point you really do have to make a decision."
Matthew 26:39 - And He went a little further, and fell on His face, and prayed, saying,
O my Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass from me: nevertheless not as I will,
but as Thou wilt.
Matthew 26:42 - He went away again the second time, and prayed , saying ,
O my Father, if this cup may not pass away from me, except I drink it,
Thy will be done.
"I don’t know why when we talk to our Dad in heaven, who is with us, He can’t just swoop us up and make things better."
Mark 15:34 - "Eloi, Eloi, lama sabachthani?" ....My God, My God, why has thou forsaken me?
"OK ...I understand that Jesus went through this stuff; but I'm so thirsty, I'm so empty, I'm the one that is hurting here and I do want help!
John 19:28 -- (Jesus said) ... "I thirst."
There was no other way to FREE us ... He had to suffer, bleed and die for us ...
In the clutches of His suffering and death for us,
He had to rely upon the Father for the Joy ahead for Him, by faith, the same as we do now.
THERE was something missing from Him then, so He will be there for us NOW.
PROBLEM ... He is a great God when we are strong, BUT when we are hurting maybe He isn't so strong.
When suffering, we have a hard time with the obvious from His Word.
We have a hard time believing what we have believed and doing what we know we should do, when we are broken.
A rope can be a real problem if it stays anchored to lust and sin because it will keep us tied closely to death.
If it stays fastened around bitterness, un-forgiveness, rebellion, or hatred it will lead us to more pain and suffering.
When it continues to wind around the past, the future gets shorter with very little left to hold on to.
But when we get to the end of the rope...
Let go ...hear Him ... trust Him ... obey Him ... and you will find rest for your soul, healing for your mind, a strengthening of His will in you.
John 19:28 - After this, Jesus knowing that all things were now accomplished, that the scripture might be fulfilled, saith , I thirst.
The scripture was Jesus' source of strength of knowledge to get through the ordeal of the Cross ....what are you doing with scripture?
Suffering does not give us permission
or excuse to violate His word.
HLFA,
Jeff
All Shook Up!!!
What would shake your world? What words could devastate you? What event could cause you to lose hope?
Mark 6:50 For they all saw him, and were troubled. And immediately he talked with them, and saith unto them, Be of good cheer: it is I; be not afraid .
The word "troubled" in the passage in the Greek is the word tar-as'-so.
It means - to agitate ...like a thing, that has many irritating parts that continue to move to and fro; disquieting us and making us restless, fearful, anxious and distressed.
This type of troubling perplexes the mind and challenges the senses by suggesting scruples or doubts.
Would God ever do things or allow things to happen that cause doubt?
Take a little time and read though this amazing Chapter (Mark 6) in scripture.
Make note of all the things that happened that could pile high creating a quandary of "hold on a minute".
To list a few:
Jesus' amazing teaching in the Synagogue,
the "two by two" Kingdom Evangelism,
the Herod "who is this?" agitation (he has to revisit what he did to John the Baptist),
the crowded quiet time,
the feeding of the five thousand w/ 5 loaves and 2 small fish,
then the spirited sea walk ... this whole chapter is a "thing that has many irritating parts that continue to move to and fro".
Our lives may not appear to have as many miraculous interruptions BUT the culmination of all the moving parts can easily overwhelm us; troubling us into
a kind of spiritual paralysis. These events of troubling can even weigh heavily on our faith, leaving us in the lurch of hopelessness.
BUT for those who are His:
He comes with the clouds of adversity ... because he sees you toiling in the midst of this and will not stand by leaving you alone in your troubles ...
He will walk on your restless sea of distress.
He will come to you.
See Him ...let there be a new cause for troubling ...Jesus, more to be feared than any trouble.
Listen ... for He will immediately talk to you ... He is above all your troubles.
Hear what he says : BE OF GOOD CHEER ... IT IS I ... BE NOT AFRAID!
Actually it is so much more simple in the original language:
Courage ... I am ... fear not!
He is your source of standing in this, He is your strength, your shield, your weapon of depression destruction, your comfort, your guide, your guard,
your sun, your light, your way, your confidence, your breath, your life, your everything needed, your all in all. He desires to be in the midst of this with you.
Courage ... I am ... fear not!
Oh, if only we could allow this reality to rule our troubled souls.
HLFA,
Jeff
Mark 6:50 For they all saw him, and were troubled. And immediately he talked with them, and saith unto them, Be of good cheer: it is I; be not afraid .
The word "troubled" in the passage in the Greek is the word tar-as'-so.
It means - to agitate ...like a thing, that has many irritating parts that continue to move to and fro; disquieting us and making us restless, fearful, anxious and distressed.
This type of troubling perplexes the mind and challenges the senses by suggesting scruples or doubts.
Would God ever do things or allow things to happen that cause doubt?
Take a little time and read though this amazing Chapter (Mark 6) in scripture.
Make note of all the things that happened that could pile high creating a quandary of "hold on a minute".
To list a few:
Jesus' amazing teaching in the Synagogue,
the "two by two" Kingdom Evangelism,
the Herod "who is this?" agitation (he has to revisit what he did to John the Baptist),
the crowded quiet time,
the feeding of the five thousand w/ 5 loaves and 2 small fish,
then the spirited sea walk ... this whole chapter is a "thing that has many irritating parts that continue to move to and fro".
Our lives may not appear to have as many miraculous interruptions BUT the culmination of all the moving parts can easily overwhelm us; troubling us into
a kind of spiritual paralysis. These events of troubling can even weigh heavily on our faith, leaving us in the lurch of hopelessness.
BUT for those who are His:
He comes with the clouds of adversity ... because he sees you toiling in the midst of this and will not stand by leaving you alone in your troubles ...
He will walk on your restless sea of distress.
He will come to you.
See Him ...let there be a new cause for troubling ...Jesus, more to be feared than any trouble.
Listen ... for He will immediately talk to you ... He is above all your troubles.
Hear what he says : BE OF GOOD CHEER ... IT IS I ... BE NOT AFRAID!
Actually it is so much more simple in the original language:
Courage ... I am ... fear not!
He is your source of standing in this, He is your strength, your shield, your weapon of depression destruction, your comfort, your guide, your guard,
your sun, your light, your way, your confidence, your breath, your life, your everything needed, your all in all. He desires to be in the midst of this with you.
Courage ... I am ... fear not!
Oh, if only we could allow this reality to rule our troubled souls.
HLFA,
Jeff
Jesus is Coming - Don't Predict or Panic... WATCH!
Today, May 21 ...one individual has set himself above scripture like so many have done before (even he did in 1994), and made claims that the Rapture will happen today at 6 o'clock (not sure if the Bible was specific about the time zone so this could get a little tense). There is a problem with this ... scripture has told us "no man knows the hour or the day ... not even the Son of Man (while He was here). What are we to do during these verbal shakings ... WATCH!
Read the scripture below and let it soak your soul.
Matthew 24:36 - But of that day and hour knoweth no man, no, not the angels of heaven, but my Father only.
Mark 13:32 - But of that day and that hour knoweth no man, no, not the angels which are in heaven, neither the Son, but the Father.
Matthew 24:42-43 - Watch therefore: for ye know not what hour your Lord doth come. But know this, that if the goodman of the house had known in what watch the thief would come, he would have watched, and would not have suffered his house to be broken up.
Matthew 25:13 - Watch therefore, for ye know neither the day nor the hour wherein the Son of man cometh.
Matthew 26:38 - Then saith he unto them, My soul is exceeding sorrowful, even unto death: tarry ye here, and watch with me. For those who love Him, everyday begins with what Jesus said about His Return:
Matthew 26:40-41 - And he cometh unto the disciples, and findeth them asleep, and saith unto Peter, What, could ye not watch with me one hour? Watch and pray, that ye enter not into temptation: the spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak.
Mark 13:37 - And what I say unto you I say unto all, Watch.
What does it mean to Watch:
To give strict attention to, be cautious, active - BEING OPEN AND ALIVE TO THE KNOWLEDGE OF JESUS - CONTINUALLY.
2. To Assemble to live out our watching... in Fellowship, in Business, in the Market Place, in the Street - SHARING YOUR LIFE IN JESUS.
3. To Arouse Others to Awake, to arise, to be Born, to construct a living, breathing Body of Watchers - BUILDING THE LIVES OF OTHERS.
Luke 12:37 - Blessed are those servants, whom the lord when he cometh shall find watching: verily I say unto you, that he shall gird himself, and make them to sit down to meat, and will come forth and serve them.
Watching for His coming - is not perilous pandemonium, not painstaking presupposition, not a pestering predisposition...but is the loving lifestyle of those longing to be with Jesus...in His Time. I don't need to appear important by know something special (predicting the moment of His return) ... but my life should consist of a clear simple message of Jesus' Death for our sins, His Burial, His Bodily Resurrection, and His eminent and imminent return.
Living for Him, Living with Him,Living NOW, Living THEN, Living There, Living for Him, Living with Him. FOREVER.
WATCH.
HLFA,
Jeff
Read the scripture below and let it soak your soul.
Matthew 24:36 - But of that day and hour knoweth no man, no, not the angels of heaven, but my Father only.
Mark 13:32 - But of that day and that hour knoweth no man, no, not the angels which are in heaven, neither the Son, but the Father.
Matthew 24:42-43 - Watch therefore: for ye know not what hour your Lord doth come. But know this, that if the goodman of the house had known in what watch the thief would come, he would have watched, and would not have suffered his house to be broken up.
Matthew 25:13 - Watch therefore, for ye know neither the day nor the hour wherein the Son of man cometh.
Matthew 26:38 - Then saith he unto them, My soul is exceeding sorrowful, even unto death: tarry ye here, and watch with me. For those who love Him, everyday begins with what Jesus said about His Return:
Matthew 26:40-41 - And he cometh unto the disciples, and findeth them asleep, and saith unto Peter, What, could ye not watch with me one hour? Watch and pray, that ye enter not into temptation: the spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak.
Mark 13:37 - And what I say unto you I say unto all, Watch.
What does it mean to Watch:
To give strict attention to, be cautious, active - BEING OPEN AND ALIVE TO THE KNOWLEDGE OF JESUS - CONTINUALLY.
2. To Assemble to live out our watching... in Fellowship, in Business, in the Market Place, in the Street - SHARING YOUR LIFE IN JESUS.
3. To Arouse Others to Awake, to arise, to be Born, to construct a living, breathing Body of Watchers - BUILDING THE LIVES OF OTHERS.
Luke 12:37 - Blessed are those servants, whom the lord when he cometh shall find watching: verily I say unto you, that he shall gird himself, and make them to sit down to meat, and will come forth and serve them.
Watching for His coming - is not perilous pandemonium, not painstaking presupposition, not a pestering predisposition...but is the loving lifestyle of those longing to be with Jesus...in His Time. I don't need to appear important by know something special (predicting the moment of His return) ... but my life should consist of a clear simple message of Jesus' Death for our sins, His Burial, His Bodily Resurrection, and His eminent and imminent return.
Living for Him, Living with Him,Living NOW, Living THEN, Living There, Living for Him, Living with Him. FOREVER.
WATCH.
HLFA,
Jeff
Hope and Healing??? Realize the Power of the Body
Have you looked into the face of an unseen enemy who was trying to maim and possibly kill you?
Do you daily face an adversary that smiles while plotting your demise?
Have you been gripped by the fear that your situation may be impossible no matter what you do?
Have you found yourself so overcome by a situation that you wanted to run away, change your name, leave your current life or cease to exist?
Have you been tempted to quit because the fight (you've been told) may just be a futile expenditure of time?
AND THE WORSE THING ... nobody seems to understand...or wants to.
Years ago, as I was recovering after colon cancer surgery, (still feeling the pain and wondering how the future would pan out) ...encouragement wandered into my hospital room in the strangest way. A young man who I had been introduced to months earlier, came into my room to pray for me. He was dying from Leukemia, he had no reason to care apart from his love for Jesus and his love for those whom Jesus died for.
His presence was momentarily overwhelming:
1. His upper body was so swollen that his head and neck were almost the same dimensions as his shoulders.
2. He wheeled in an oxygen tank and an IV stroller.
3. His focus was me not his pain.
4. His prayer was so tender it probably had Angels anxious to attend.
When he left, I knew that everything would be all right. BECAUSE MY SUFFERING BROTHER CARRIED COMFORT for me. My suffering brother decided not to be overcome by his pain, but would rise above it, use it as a powerful tool to love in spite of his condition. I learned a great truth that day about God's strangest, most risky plan to comfort His own.
3 Blessed be God, even the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies, and the God of all comfort; 4 Who comforteth us in all our tribulation, that we may be able to comfort them which are in any trouble, by the comfort wherewith we ourselves are comforted of God. 5 For as the sufferings of Christ abound in us, so our consolation also aboundeth by Christ. FOR THEM.
God's comfort to us is in us, waiting and effective. Like a pressure valve unopened, until it is tapped the valve doesn't experience the flow of released pressure. Until the valve is opened the pressure has no effect outside the valve ... no positive or negative affect. The blessing in this life truly comes when we open our hearts to comfort others. God has placed special emphasis on this powerful ministry through His suffering kids.
He will comfort you as you comfort others. Suffering now?... go for hope and healing, but be ready to share ...so healing will continue to flow through you.
THIS IS HIS WILL ... do not quit. Quitting is not His will.
HLFA,
Jeff
Do you daily face an adversary that smiles while plotting your demise?
Have you been gripped by the fear that your situation may be impossible no matter what you do?
Have you found yourself so overcome by a situation that you wanted to run away, change your name, leave your current life or cease to exist?
Have you been tempted to quit because the fight (you've been told) may just be a futile expenditure of time?
AND THE WORSE THING ... nobody seems to understand...or wants to.
Years ago, as I was recovering after colon cancer surgery, (still feeling the pain and wondering how the future would pan out) ...encouragement wandered into my hospital room in the strangest way. A young man who I had been introduced to months earlier, came into my room to pray for me. He was dying from Leukemia, he had no reason to care apart from his love for Jesus and his love for those whom Jesus died for.
His presence was momentarily overwhelming:
1. His upper body was so swollen that his head and neck were almost the same dimensions as his shoulders.
2. He wheeled in an oxygen tank and an IV stroller.
3. His focus was me not his pain.
4. His prayer was so tender it probably had Angels anxious to attend.
When he left, I knew that everything would be all right. BECAUSE MY SUFFERING BROTHER CARRIED COMFORT for me. My suffering brother decided not to be overcome by his pain, but would rise above it, use it as a powerful tool to love in spite of his condition. I learned a great truth that day about God's strangest, most risky plan to comfort His own.
3 Blessed be God, even the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies, and the God of all comfort; 4 Who comforteth us in all our tribulation, that we may be able to comfort them which are in any trouble, by the comfort wherewith we ourselves are comforted of God. 5 For as the sufferings of Christ abound in us, so our consolation also aboundeth by Christ. FOR THEM.
God's comfort to us is in us, waiting and effective. Like a pressure valve unopened, until it is tapped the valve doesn't experience the flow of released pressure. Until the valve is opened the pressure has no effect outside the valve ... no positive or negative affect. The blessing in this life truly comes when we open our hearts to comfort others. God has placed special emphasis on this powerful ministry through His suffering kids.
He will comfort you as you comfort others. Suffering now?... go for hope and healing, but be ready to share ...so healing will continue to flow through you.
THIS IS HIS WILL ... do not quit. Quitting is not His will.
HLFA,
Jeff
Where In The World Do We Get Off?
There seems to be a growing trend that started in the garden to appear righteous in stead of truly loving.
Unrequited love is love that is not openly reciprocated or understood as such, even though reciprocation is usually deeply desired.
The beloved may or may not be aware of the admirer's deep affections.
The Merriam Webster Online Dictionary defines unrequited as "not reciprocated or returned in kind."
John 3: 16 - For God so loved the world that He gave his only begotten Son that whosoever believes on Him should not perish but have everlasting life.
Romans 1:21 - Because that, when they knew God, they glorified him not as God, neither were thankful ; but became vain in their imaginations, and their foolish heart was darkened .
John 1:12 - But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name:
The world is looking on, longing to see those who requite God's Love. Oh, Ones requiting may never bring fame and fortune ..and Ones will never equal the Love offered ... but the Love bestowed from God's Offering to the receiver is poured forth with the unrelenting force of Abundant Life, Resurrection power, Authority of the Family...the Face of God shining on His requiters.
To requite, no matter how feeble, brings one into the life of truly knowing Him. God never called us to be Christians, assuming the position of Sons and Daughters...He called us to His love offering ... wanting us to live with Him not just "for Him". Faith in His love offering miraculously positions us in His family. The covenant sealed by His blood places us in His care ...He lovingly commits to being responsible for us. He has not called us to religious activity but to Family loving and living.
Reminder ...in this world we will be abused by those who have assumed that the power of God allows them
to rule over those not as dedicated as they are (pure warped perception). Not even beginning to look at the picture of Christ kneeling before His flawed disciples and washing their feet...(we may proudly, in a humble fashion perform a foot washing in a very well planned service) ... sharing in the power of love and full forgiveness.
To requite God's love means to also love others unconditionally.
One that has truly tasted His love, will love... others.
Is there room in this family for spiritual abortion clinics that caste away people in the name of Jesus, because we have discovered a flaw in someone else that may expose us to our own fragile flaws?
If it is true that He was wounded for our transgressions He was bruised for our iniquities the chastisement of our peace was upon Him and by His stripes we are healed........................... why do we continue to think it is our job to expose, embarrass, punish and cast away fallen brothers and sisters. Where in the world do we get off following this warped wisdom? ....We will even twist the word in favor of not bearing all things and not believing all things and not hoping all things.
LET US PUT UP A PERMANENT SIGN ON OUR LIVES THAT READS THE FOLLOWING:
"Don't get too close me or I will expose and announce your sin."
Hey ... look up the verse that says that love covers a multitude of sin, and cut it out if you won't study and see what it really means.
or how about
"Judgement begins in the House of God" .....we don't even have a clue what it means to Judge, let alone judge righteous judgments.
"Here I lay, broken and battered by those I thought did love me; pulled from the safety of the womb of love to be openly discarded; in this cold steel can marked Bio-Hazard ... O I'm loathed and so lowly." Sunday, May 1, 2011
HLFA,
Jeff
Unrequited love is love that is not openly reciprocated or understood as such, even though reciprocation is usually deeply desired.
The beloved may or may not be aware of the admirer's deep affections.
The Merriam Webster Online Dictionary defines unrequited as "not reciprocated or returned in kind."
John 3: 16 - For God so loved the world that He gave his only begotten Son that whosoever believes on Him should not perish but have everlasting life.
Romans 1:21 - Because that, when they knew God, they glorified him not as God, neither were thankful ; but became vain in their imaginations, and their foolish heart was darkened .
John 1:12 - But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name:
The world is looking on, longing to see those who requite God's Love. Oh, Ones requiting may never bring fame and fortune ..and Ones will never equal the Love offered ... but the Love bestowed from God's Offering to the receiver is poured forth with the unrelenting force of Abundant Life, Resurrection power, Authority of the Family...the Face of God shining on His requiters.
To requite, no matter how feeble, brings one into the life of truly knowing Him. God never called us to be Christians, assuming the position of Sons and Daughters...He called us to His love offering ... wanting us to live with Him not just "for Him". Faith in His love offering miraculously positions us in His family. The covenant sealed by His blood places us in His care ...He lovingly commits to being responsible for us. He has not called us to religious activity but to Family loving and living.
Reminder ...in this world we will be abused by those who have assumed that the power of God allows them
to rule over those not as dedicated as they are (pure warped perception). Not even beginning to look at the picture of Christ kneeling before His flawed disciples and washing their feet...(we may proudly, in a humble fashion perform a foot washing in a very well planned service) ... sharing in the power of love and full forgiveness.
To requite God's love means to also love others unconditionally.
One that has truly tasted His love, will love... others.
Is there room in this family for spiritual abortion clinics that caste away people in the name of Jesus, because we have discovered a flaw in someone else that may expose us to our own fragile flaws?
If it is true that He was wounded for our transgressions He was bruised for our iniquities the chastisement of our peace was upon Him and by His stripes we are healed........................... why do we continue to think it is our job to expose, embarrass, punish and cast away fallen brothers and sisters. Where in the world do we get off following this warped wisdom? ....We will even twist the word in favor of not bearing all things and not believing all things and not hoping all things.
LET US PUT UP A PERMANENT SIGN ON OUR LIVES THAT READS THE FOLLOWING:
"Don't get too close me or I will expose and announce your sin."
Hey ... look up the verse that says that love covers a multitude of sin, and cut it out if you won't study and see what it really means.
or how about
"Judgement begins in the House of God" .....we don't even have a clue what it means to Judge, let alone judge righteous judgments.
"Here I lay, broken and battered by those I thought did love me; pulled from the safety of the womb of love to be openly discarded; in this cold steel can marked Bio-Hazard ... O I'm loathed and so lowly." Sunday, May 1, 2011
HLFA,
Jeff
Mary Magdalene
At the feet of Jesus, weeping, anointing, wiping His feet with her hair and tears...
At the foot of the cross, standing, looking, listening...
At the empty tomb, weeping and looking, and longing to hear...
At the sound of her Name, she spoke "Master"...
In the presence of the Disciples, she told them "The Lord Spoke to Me".
Below are the summary verses of this love story...
from a sacrifice of all the tools of her past life and pride
to the humble heart that was waiting, loving and longing for His Voice.
John 12:3
Then took Mary a pound of ointment of spikenard, very costly, and anointed the feet of Jesus, and wiped his feet with her hair: and the house was filled with the odour of the ointment.
John 19:25
Now there stood by the cross of Jesus his mother, and his mother's sister, Mary the wife of Cleophas, and Mary Magdalene.
John 20:1
The first day of the week cometh Mary Magdalene early, when it was yet dark, unto the sepulchre, and seeth the stone taken away from the sepulchre.
John 20:11
But Mary stood without at the sepulchre weeping : and as she wept , she stooped down , and looked into the sepulchre,
John 20:16, 18
Jesus saith unto her, Mary. She turned herself, and saith unto him, Rabboni; which is to say , Master.
Mary Magdalene came and told the disciples that she had seen the Lord, and that He had spoken these things unto her.
What would you do with your life...
if the One that rescued you from your filth and shame;
if this One was suddenly snatched away;
if this One was brutally tortured and left to die right before your eyes...
What would you do with your life?
Would you forget His Voice?
Would you forget His unbelievable promises?
Would you throw your life away?
Did Mary forget His promises while at the empty tomb?
YES ... of course she did ... BUT HE DID NOT FORGET MARY!!!!
(you may want to argue at this point by saying she didn't understand His promises ... but neither do we until He walks us through them
and in her despair she will take that walk ... little by little).
In times of distress will you also forget His promises?
Of course... you have and of course you will !
BUT His faithfulness does not depend upon you or your frail feeling's led memory.
Listen carefully to His still small voice ... this is a call to your broken heart.
Your love for Him and longing for His voice may position you:
for a time of broken trust...
for momentary darkness...
and undeniable doubt...
standing in the mire of your misguided decisions...
gazing from the pit you have dug...
feeling your are not worth His time or His love...
feeling your are held in a curse...never to be blessed;
BUT HE IS FAITHFUL. His mercy endures forever...His love for you who have
trusted Him for salvation is SOLID, and He is satisfied with His love for you.
(Don't miss this)
He is SATISFIED with His Love for you.
Stand quietly, look longingly, listen intently...
This is the moment...He hasn't forgotten you!
He cherishes you.
He will speak your name.
He is speaking your name!
Cry out from your soul..."Master!"
It will be all right!
Happy Easter!!
HLFA,
Jeff
At the foot of the cross, standing, looking, listening...
At the empty tomb, weeping and looking, and longing to hear...
At the sound of her Name, she spoke "Master"...
In the presence of the Disciples, she told them "The Lord Spoke to Me".
Below are the summary verses of this love story...
from a sacrifice of all the tools of her past life and pride
to the humble heart that was waiting, loving and longing for His Voice.
John 12:3
Then took Mary a pound of ointment of spikenard, very costly, and anointed the feet of Jesus, and wiped his feet with her hair: and the house was filled with the odour of the ointment.
John 19:25
Now there stood by the cross of Jesus his mother, and his mother's sister, Mary the wife of Cleophas, and Mary Magdalene.
John 20:1
The first day of the week cometh Mary Magdalene early, when it was yet dark, unto the sepulchre, and seeth the stone taken away from the sepulchre.
John 20:11
But Mary stood without at the sepulchre weeping : and as she wept , she stooped down , and looked into the sepulchre,
John 20:16, 18
Jesus saith unto her, Mary. She turned herself, and saith unto him, Rabboni; which is to say , Master.
Mary Magdalene came and told the disciples that she had seen the Lord, and that He had spoken these things unto her.
What would you do with your life...
if the One that rescued you from your filth and shame;
if this One was suddenly snatched away;
if this One was brutally tortured and left to die right before your eyes...
What would you do with your life?
Would you forget His Voice?
Would you forget His unbelievable promises?
Would you throw your life away?
Did Mary forget His promises while at the empty tomb?
YES ... of course she did ... BUT HE DID NOT FORGET MARY!!!!
(you may want to argue at this point by saying she didn't understand His promises ... but neither do we until He walks us through them
and in her despair she will take that walk ... little by little).
In times of distress will you also forget His promises?
Of course... you have and of course you will !
BUT His faithfulness does not depend upon you or your frail feeling's led memory.
Listen carefully to His still small voice ... this is a call to your broken heart.
Your love for Him and longing for His voice may position you:
for a time of broken trust...
for momentary darkness...
and undeniable doubt...
standing in the mire of your misguided decisions...
gazing from the pit you have dug...
feeling your are not worth His time or His love...
feeling your are held in a curse...never to be blessed;
BUT HE IS FAITHFUL. His mercy endures forever...His love for you who have
trusted Him for salvation is SOLID, and He is satisfied with His love for you.
(Don't miss this)
He is SATISFIED with His Love for you.
Stand quietly, look longingly, listen intently...
This is the moment...He hasn't forgotten you!
He cherishes you.
He will speak your name.
He is speaking your name!
Cry out from your soul..."Master!"
It will be all right!
Happy Easter!!
HLFA,
Jeff
Dumpster People
Years ago during the height of our "Pizza" ministry, two little ones were found sleeping behind a dumpster in the rear of a downtown, Christian Bookstore. Their presence created quite a shock to the owner of the store...actually scared him and shook him up pretty bad.
I happened to walk in to the store later that morning, the owner greeted me with a very disturbed heart. His story was simple but compelling..."I can't believe it, I came in to work this morning and found two small children huddled behind our store's garbage dumpster trying to keep warm. And I yelled at them and said YOU BETTER GET OUT OF HERE!...What is this world coming to?"
I could tell he was waiting for my response knowing our ministry was to "street kids", but I remained silent while staring hard into his elderly eyes. He broke the silence..."Jeff, why couldn't you have been here you would have known what to do." (I guess that was to shift the blame that may have been felt in the silence). I asked just two questions and our conversation was over but it made a lasting impact on the man for years to come - "Were they cold?" and "Were they hungry?" His response was nothing but tears in his eyes...but later on I would here of small missions of rescue to these type of youngsters that would get them into the warm and get breakfast or a meal into bodies of the abandoned.
Why is it so easy to look the other way or chase away the Riff-Raff? Oh to have some spiritual common sense when comes to the needs of the abandoned. To see that these moments are opportunities to minister to and to feed JESUS.
Matthew 25:40 - And the King shall answer and say unto them, Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me. LEAST -this is an estimation of man by man, not by God.
Every time we allow ourselves to despise, overlook, discourage, or DISPOSE of an outcast...we have allowed an opportunity to love Jesus slip right out of our hands.
This is kind of a difficult time in the history of our nation, perhaps the history of the world ... Human traffic, bondage and refuse is creating a coldness in the souls of God's people. We will proclaim the buzz word of the day "Church without Walls", but we are adding more bars, padlocks, security systems, guards and self defense measures to our personal ministries. HEY! if you think I'm talking about a the securing of a physical building WRONG! I'm talking about what is going on in our hearts towards the unlovely ones whom Christ died for. The unprofitable, the stench-filled, the unkempt, the troubled-minded, the needy...again if you are thinking...homeless...the rich can be very destitute of Heaven. Just because someone appears well off means absolutely nothing in the economy of the Kingdom.
John 4:35 - Say not ye, There are yet four months, and then cometh harvest? behold , I say unto you, Lift up your eyes, and look on the fields; for they are white already to harvest.
(allow His perspective to permeate your vision, see things His way...through His Word) Don't just assume away an opportunity to allow Him to reach others through you. Don't settle for the dumpster approach to people.
HLFA,
Jeff
I happened to walk in to the store later that morning, the owner greeted me with a very disturbed heart. His story was simple but compelling..."I can't believe it, I came in to work this morning and found two small children huddled behind our store's garbage dumpster trying to keep warm. And I yelled at them and said YOU BETTER GET OUT OF HERE!...What is this world coming to?"
I could tell he was waiting for my response knowing our ministry was to "street kids", but I remained silent while staring hard into his elderly eyes. He broke the silence..."Jeff, why couldn't you have been here you would have known what to do." (I guess that was to shift the blame that may have been felt in the silence). I asked just two questions and our conversation was over but it made a lasting impact on the man for years to come - "Were they cold?" and "Were they hungry?" His response was nothing but tears in his eyes...but later on I would here of small missions of rescue to these type of youngsters that would get them into the warm and get breakfast or a meal into bodies of the abandoned.
Why is it so easy to look the other way or chase away the Riff-Raff? Oh to have some spiritual common sense when comes to the needs of the abandoned. To see that these moments are opportunities to minister to and to feed JESUS.
Matthew 25:40 - And the King shall answer and say unto them, Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me. LEAST -this is an estimation of man by man, not by God.
Every time we allow ourselves to despise, overlook, discourage, or DISPOSE of an outcast...we have allowed an opportunity to love Jesus slip right out of our hands.
This is kind of a difficult time in the history of our nation, perhaps the history of the world ... Human traffic, bondage and refuse is creating a coldness in the souls of God's people. We will proclaim the buzz word of the day "Church without Walls", but we are adding more bars, padlocks, security systems, guards and self defense measures to our personal ministries. HEY! if you think I'm talking about a the securing of a physical building WRONG! I'm talking about what is going on in our hearts towards the unlovely ones whom Christ died for. The unprofitable, the stench-filled, the unkempt, the troubled-minded, the needy...again if you are thinking...homeless...the rich can be very destitute of Heaven. Just because someone appears well off means absolutely nothing in the economy of the Kingdom.
John 4:35 - Say not ye, There are yet four months, and then cometh harvest? behold , I say unto you, Lift up your eyes, and look on the fields; for they are white already to harvest.
(allow His perspective to permeate your vision, see things His way...through His Word) Don't just assume away an opportunity to allow Him to reach others through you. Don't settle for the dumpster approach to people.
HLFA,
Jeff
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