Quake Not Flake

God’s people have a solid foundation. These words are engraved on it:
“The Lord knows those who belong to him,” and “Whoever worships the Lord must give up doing wrong.”
2 Timothy 2:19

Lord, I found Your words, and Your word has become for me the joy and delight of my heart

No More Playing at Religion with Toy Gods

Do I hear you professing to believe in the one and only God, but then observe you complacently sitting back as if you had done something wonderful? That’s just great. Demons do that, but what good does it do them? Use your heads! Do you suppose for a minute that you can cut faith and works in two and not end up with a corpse on your hands?

The very moment you separate body and spirit, you end up with a corpse. Separate faith and works and you get the same thing: a corpse. Jesus who is the Same yesterday, today and forever: the Eternal Living Word of Almighty God the Father clearly said that a house divided will not stand.

We need to hold on to our declaration of faith: We have a superior chief priest who has gone through the heavens. That person is Jesus, the Son of God. We have a chief priest who is able to sympathize with our weaknesses. He was tempted in every way that we are, but he didn’t sin. So we can go confidently to the throne of God’s kindness to receive mercy and find kindness, which will help us at the right time.
Hebrews 4:14-16

Because I am God and not a human. I’m The Holy One and I’m here—in your very midst. The people will end up following God.
I will roar like a lion—Oh, how I’ll roar! My frightened children will come running. I’ll move them back into their homes.”
– God’s Word!

And said unto them, It is written, My house shall be called the house of prayer; but ye have made it a den of thieves.

In Genesis 3:6 we see the seed of doubt (the weed) that the the enemy of God (the serpent, the accuser of God’s children) sowed into the Garden, when he implanted by implying God was holding something back… “When the Woman saw that the tree looked like good eating and realized what she would get out of it—she’d know everything!—she took and ate the fruit and then gave some to her husband, and he ate. The implication that Father doesn’t always know best and might possibly be holding out on the “good stuff.” Yet the Word is very clear,
“You fathers—if your children ask for a fish, do you give them a snake instead? Or if they ask for an egg, do you give them a scorpion? Of course not! So if you sinful people know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him.”
Luke 11:11-13

In Mark 15:32, we see the enemy of the Good News, the accuser of the brethren, that ole sly serpent Satan, influencing via the prevailing religious/political spirits of the day in mocking the Finished Work of the Perfected Son of Man on the Cross–
“Let Christ the King of Israel descend now from the cross, that we may see and believe. And they that were crucified with him reviled him.”

Yet in Romans 10:17, “So then faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.”

In John 11:40, just before raising Lazarus who was dead and buried four days, Jesus said this to silence the accusing voice of the grief-stricken Martha,
“Didn’t I tell you that if you believed, you would see the glory of God?”

The thing that has me so upset is that I care about you so much—this is the passion of God burning inside me! I promised your hand in marriage to Christ, presented you as a pure virgin to her husband. And now I’m afraid that exactly as the Snake seduced Eve with his smooth patter, you are being lured away from the simple purity of your love for Christ.

It seems that if someone shows up preaching quite another Jesus than we preached—different spirit, different message—you put up with him quite nicely. But if you put up with these big-shot “apostles,” why can’t you put up with simple me? I’m as good as they are. It’s true that I don’t have their voice, haven’t mastered that smooth eloquence that impresses you so much. But when I do open my mouth, I at least know what I’m talking about. We haven’t kept anything back. We let you in on everything.
2 Corinthians 11:2-6

The Word of the LORD tells us that out of the mouth of two or three witnesses is a thing established—

Jesus tells us in John 10:10, “A thief comes to steal, kill, and destroy. But I came so that my sheep will have life and so that they will have everything they need.” King David tells us in Psalm 23:1,
“The Lord is my shepherd. I am never in need.” The Apostle Paul tells us in Philippians 4:19, “But my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus.”

God has hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge in Christ. Jesus says, I Am coming soon; hold fast what you have so that no one may seize your crown.

Again, out of the mouth of two or three witnesses is a thing confirmed:

A Word to the Wise is Sufficient: Ephesians 5:6; 2 Thessalonians 2:3; 1 John 3:7 (The Message)

“And such as do wickedly against the covenant shall he corrupt by flatteries: but the people that do know their God shall be strong, and do exploits.”
Daniel 11:32

Joel 2:7-23, Nahum 1:2-10, Matthew 27:45-54, and Hebrews 12:18-29 all speak to the QUAKE of Almighty God.

Living Worship is what God desires in spirit and in truth!

For the Word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any two edged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart. And they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb, and by the word of their testimony; and they loved not their lives unto the death. Whereby are given unto us exceeding great and precious promises: that by these ye might be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust

Isaiah 66:5, “Hear the word of the LORD, ye that tremble at his word; Your brethren that hated you, that cast you out for my name’s sake, said, Let the LORD be glorified: but he shall appear to your joy, and they shall be ashamed.”

Build on the Rock

“Why do you call me Lord but don’t do what I tell you?

“I will show you what everyone who comes to me, hears what I say, and obeys it is like. He is like a person who dug down to bedrock to lay the foundation of his home. When a flood came, the flood waters pushed against that house. But the house couldn’t be washed away because it had a good foundation. The person who hears what I say but doesn’t obey it is like someone who built a house on the ground without any foundation. The flood waters pushed against it, and that house quickly collapsed and was destroyed.”
Luke 6:46-49

Therefore thus saith the Lord GOD, Behold, I lay in Zion for a foundation a stone, a tried stone, a precious corner stone, a sure foundation: he that believes shall not make haste.

Foot In Mouth? Diseased?

“Even a child is known by his doings, whether his work be pure, and whether it be right. So they asked Jesus,
Do you hear what they are saying?
Indeed I do, answered Jesus.
Haven’t you ever read this scripture?
You have trained children and babies to offer perfect praise.”
Proverbs 20:11, Matthew 21:16

Beloved, I pray that in all things thou may prosper and be in health, even as thy soul prospers. So God created man in his own image, in the image of God created he him; male and female created he them. So also it is written, The first man Adam became a living soul. The last Adam became a life-giving spirit. How be it that is not first which is spiritual, but that which is natural; then that which is spiritual. The first man is of the earth, earthy: the second man is of heaven. As is the earthy, such are they also that are earthy: and as is the heavenly, such are they also that are heavenly. And as we have borne the image of the earthy, we shall also bear the image of the heavenly. O death, where is thy victory? O death, where is thy sting? The sting of death is sin; and the power of sin is the law: but thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.
3 John 1:2, Genesis 1:27, 1 Corinthians 15:45-49, 55-57

A healthy body is a whole body. Just as the brain controls the systems within the body, the “Church” as the “Body” of Christ has just one head and he is her life and health. God sent His Word and healed and saved us from the curse of sin and death (Psalm 107:20). As in the natural, so in the spiritual: how you live in alignment with God’s Word affects the overall body health Your choices affect all aspects of your well-being. Spiritually, as physically, the health of the overall body including joints is contingent upon a healthy body weight. Joints that are stressed and strained by bearing the burden of excess pounds show more wear and tear causing inflammation and stiffness which lead to pain, loss of mobility and weakness. As your body breaks down, you are more susceptible to life threatening illnesses and injuries. Overall health is balanced between proper diet, exercise, hydration, rest and sunlight.

As the eyes are a window into your soul, likewise the mouth is a window into overall health. A healthy mouth is more important than you may realize–-spiritually as well as physically.
Problems in your mouth can affect the rest of your body. There is an intimate connection between oral hygiene and overall health. What you allow to teem in your mouth can enter your bloodstream and destroy your heart.

But God, who is rich in mercy, for his great love wherewith he loved us, Even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ, (by grace ye are saved) And hath raised us up together, and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus: That in the ages to come he might shew the exceeding riches of his grace in his kindness toward us through Christ Jesus. For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast. For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them.

“On earth as it is in heaven.”
The physical body with its overall composition is an illustration of the “Body” of Christ. In Christ’s body we’re all connected to each other. What you say and do, as well as what you fail to say and do, not only affects you as an individual member of His body, it affects the whole. We are not sufficient unto ourselves but our sufficiency is of God who created us in Christ Jesus to work together as one for His glory. He created us to function by using His gifts and enablements together for His glory. The same Word that spoke creation into being is the same Word that gives daily instruction and who we turn to for daily bread. It is His love flowing through the body that promotes unity as we work together for His glory.

Don’t grieve God. Don’t break his heart. His Holy Spirit, moving and breathing in you, is the most intimate part of your life, making you fit for himself. Don’t take such a gift for granted. Watch the way you talk. Let nothing foul or dirty come out of your mouth. Say only what helps, each word a gift. As in the natural, maintaining good oral health is crucial. Guard your heart for out of it flow the issues of life or death. What you eat affects what you say. If you are feasting on “junk food” instead of God’s sound word, corruption and decay enter in.

Make a clean break with all cutting, backbiting, profane talk. Be gentle with one another, sensitive. Forgive one another as quickly and thoroughly as God in Christ forgave you.

Will two people walk together unless they have agreed to do so? Whoever speaks should do so as those who speak God’s word. Whoever serves should do so from the strength that God furnishes. Do this so that in everything God may be honored through Jesus Christ. To him be honor and power forever and always. Amen.
Amos 3:3, 1 Peter 4:11

Fix your attention on God. You'll be changed from the inside out. Readily recognize what he wants from you, and quickly respond to it.

You were all called to travel on the same road and in the same direction, so stay together, both outwardly and inwardly. You have one Master, one faith, one baptism, one God and Father of all, who rules over all, works through all, and is present in all.
Everything you are and think and do is permeated with em>Oneness.
But that doesn’t mean you should all look and speak and act the same. Out of the generosity of Christ, each of us is given his own gift.

In this way we are like the various parts of a human body. Each part gets its meaning from the body as a whole, not the other way around. The body we're talking about is Christ's body of chosen people. Each of us finds our meaning and function as a part of his body. But as a chopped-off finger or cut-off toe we wouldn't amount to much, would we? So since we find ourselves fashioned into all these excellently formed and marvelously functioning parts in Christ's body, let's just go ahead and be what we were made to be, without enviously or pridefully comparing ourselves with each other, or trying to be something we aren't

Joint discomfort is perhaps the most common of all physical complaints, affecting millions and often making the simplest daily activities more difficult to manage. We who are many are one in the Lord Christ Jesus and when one suffers, we all suffer together.
We bear one another’s burdens and so fulfill the law of Christ.
The last thing you may want to do with an aching joint is exercise it. But a vast body of research clearly shows that exercise is extremely effective in restoring function, movement, and flexibility—and, believe it or not, in reducing aches and stiffness.

Hold fast the form of sound words, which thou hast heard of me, in faith and love which is in Christ Jesus.

Some of you are like “dead” weight (faith without works is dead) subjecting the joints of Christ’s body to a beating just by going through the activities of daily living.
As if that weren’t enough, others are like poorly aligned bones
(not lining up with the Word of God in Christ Jesus), while others are like weak muscles (not having your senses exercised to discern between good and evil)–-thus causing even the simplest repetitive use to place even greater stress on joints. When joints break down, pain enters in with loss of mobility.

Just as proper nutrition, exercise, rest, hydration and sunlight are crucial to support physical health, God gives us His Word for fitness for living. His Word is food, exercise, rest, water and light for our body, soul and spirit to enter into His abundant, everlasting life!

By eating my flesh and drinking my blood you enter into me and I into you. In the same way that the fully alive Father sent me here and I live because of him, so the one who makes a meal of me lives because of me. This is the Bread from heaven.

In light of all this, here’s what I want you to do–I want you to get out there and walk—better yet, run!—on the road God called you to travel. I don’t want any of you sitting around on your hands. I don’t want anyone strolling off, down some path that goes nowhere. And mark that you do this with humility and discipline—not in fits and starts, but steadily, pouring yourselves out for each other in acts of love, alert at noticing differences and quick at mending fences.

By eating my flesh and drinking my blood you enter into me and I into you. In the same way that the fully alive Father sent me here and I live because of him, so the one who makes a meal of me lives because of me. This is the Bread from heaven.

Sheer muscle and willpower don’t make anything happen. Every word I’ve spoken to you is a Spirit-word, and so it is life-making. But some of you are resisting, refusing to have any part in this.
(Jesus knew from the start that some weren’t going to risk themselves with him. He knew also who would betray him.) He went on to say, “This is why I told you earlier that no one is capable of coming to me on his own. You get to me only as a gift from the Father.”

“And I, if I be lifted up from the earth, will draw all men unto me. Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us, Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God.” John 12:32, Hebrews 12:1-2

Sometimes magnets are used to relieve pain. While no one yet has satisfactorily explained how magnets work, one theory is that they enhance blood flow to an injured area, which decreases inflammation and speeds up healing. It is thought that this may activate an electrical current in the body releasing pain-relieving neurotransmitters. There is suggestion that it is even stimulating the brain and central nervous system

He climbed the high mountain, He captured the enemy and seized the booty, He handed it all out in gifts to the people. Is it not true that the One who climbed up also climbed down, down to the valley of earth? And the One who climbed down is the One who climbed back up, up to highest heaven. He handed out gifts above and below, filled heaven with his gifts, filled earth with his gifts. He handed out gifts of apostle, prophet, evangelist, and pastor-teacher to train Christ’s followers in skilled servant work, working within Christ’s body, the church, until we’re all moving rhythmically and easily with each other, efficient and graceful in response to God’s Son, fully mature adults, fully developed within and without, fully alive like Christ.

Christ has put each part of the church in its right place. Each part helps other parts. This is what is needed to keep the whole body together. In this way, the whole body grows strong in love.

Ultimately, the only thing that matters is that God’s Word works. “…so shall my word be that goes forth out of my mouth: it shall not return unto me void, but it shall accomplish that which I please, and it shall prosper in the thing whereto I sent it.” Isaiah 55:11

God wants us to grow up, to know the whole truth and tell it in love—-like Christ in everything. We take our lead from Christ, who is the source of everything we do. He keeps us in step with each other. His very breath and blood flow through us, nourishing us so that we will grow up healthy in God, robust in love.

“Just Ducky”, Our Swan Song

Use your heads as you live and work among outsiders. Don't miss a trick. Make the most of every opportunity. Be gracious in your speech. The goal is to bring out the best in others in a conversation, not put them down, not cut them out.

God wants to season your speech with the salt of His grace. Before the days of modern refrigeration, salt was a precious commodity, being used as a preservative. The grace of God’s covenant keeps us from the corruption in this world and the grave.
God gives us His Word and it is True and Faithful. Further, out of the mouth of two or three witnesses, it is confirmed and established.

Salt is good: but if the salt have lost his savor, wherewith shall it be seasoned? It is neither fit for the land, nor yet for the dunghill; but men cast it out. He that hath ears to hear, let him hear. Out of the same mouth proceeds blessing and cursing. My brethren, these things ought not so to be. Doth a fountain send forth at the same place sweet water and bitter?

To this you were called, to be a blessing

“To preserve our blessed land we must look to God.
It is time to realize that we need God more than He needs us.
Let us, young and old, join together, as did the First Continental Congress, in the first step, in humble heartfelt prayer.
Let us do so for the Love of God and His great goodness, in search of His guidance and the grace of repentance, in seeking His blessings, His peace, and the resting of His kind and holy hands on ourselves, our nation, our friends in the defense of freedom, and all mankind, now and always.” -Ronald Reagan

John 3:15, “That whosoever believes in him should not perish, but have eternal life.”

We have come to His Kingdom for such a time as this: the time has come to turn to God and reassert our trust in Him for the healing of America. Our country is in need of a spiritual renewal. The same spirit that united the Father and the Son is the same spirit given to every tongue that confesses that Jesus is Lord of the heart.
Death and Life are in the power of the tongue…we can choose to use our mouths to curse or bless but know that we reap what we sow. God is not mocked, we will have whatever we set our hearts on.
The time has come for the Redeemed of the Lord to say so!
The love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by His Holy Spirit as we stretch out our hands and lift our voices in prayer and praise for those around us. This is the living sacrifice in which the Lord is well pleased, speaking His Word the Truth that sets the captives free to really live in His Peace.

The LORD delights in those who fear him, who put their hope in his unfailing love.
Extol the LORD, Jerusalem; Praise your God, Zion.
He strengthens the bars of your gates and blesses your people within you.
He grants peace to your borders and satisfies you with the finest of wheat.
He sends his command to the earth; His word runs swiftly.
He spreads the snow like wool and scatters the frost like ashes.
He hurls down his hail like pebbles. Who can withstand his icy blast?
He sends His word and melts them; He stirs up his breezes, and the waters flow.” Psalm 147:11-18

“Not by might nor by power but by My Spirit”, says the Lord, “Speak to this mountain, Say to this strong hold, Speak to the cold hearted, “Grace, Grace” “Move, Move” for John 6:63,
“It is the spirit that quickens; the flesh profits nothing: the words that I speak unto you, they are Spirit, and they are Life.“

Have I not shown you how to defeat the enemy? Did not I still the accuser with “It is Written“, says the Lord? Did I not silence the enemy with voicing Praise?

Those that lead many to righteousness will shine as the stars forever. Fix your eyes above where Christ is seated at the right hand of God the Father. It is in Him that we live, move and have our being. For did He not speak Creation into Being? As He not existed since before the foundations were lain? Is He not the lamb slain from before the foundations? There is no other foundation that can be laid but Jesus Christ the Lord. He holds the world by the same Word of His Truth. He is the Mediator between God and man and is the door, the way, the truth and the light. He is the Good Shepherd that and His sheep hear His voice and follow him.

This is my story, this is my song: praising my Savior all the day long…a day with the Lord is as a thousand years.
I will sing to the LORD all my life; I will sing praise to my God as long as I live.
May my meditation be pleasing to Him, as I rejoice in the LORD.
Praise the LORD, my soul. Praise the LORD.

We have a more sure word of prophecy. The Spirit of prophecy is the revelation of Jesus Christ who is the Everlasting Word that spoke Creation into Being. Out of the mouth of two or three witnesses is a thing confirmed. The Spirit and the Bride are revealing the Word of Truth, Jesus is the Everlasting Word the Risen Son of God. Hear oh Israel the Lord our God is ONE! Jesus said that He and the Father are One and the same Holy Spirit that raised Jesus Christ from the grave dwells in every true believer’s heart. This is the Age of God’s Grace and Faith working by the Perfecting of His Love in us, speaking the Same Word. This is really worship in Spirit and in Truth, the written Word spoken as an offering made by salt, in remembrance of His Covenant. This is the beauty of Holiness.

In the song, The Twelve Days of Christmas one’s true love gave gifts. Every good and perfect gift comes down to us from Above.
John the Beloved Apostle received the revelation of Jesus Christ speaking by His Spirit to the Seven Churches throughout time.

And the Spirit and the bride say, Come. And let him that heareth say, Come. And let him that is athirst come. And whosoever will, let him take the water of life freely. For I testify unto every man that heareth the words of the prophecy of this book, If any man shall add unto these things, God shall add unto him the plagues that are written in this book: And if any man shall take away from the words of the book of this prophecy, God shall take away his part out of the book of life, and out of the holy city, and from the things which are written in this book. He which testifieth these things saith, Surely I come quickly. Amen. Even so, come, Lord Jesus. The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all. Amen." photo by Ben Brandt

The verse, “Seven Swans-a-Swimming“, like the Word to the Seven Churches, is the Door opening that ushers in the climax of the age.
Swans, which are always associated with royalty and prophecy, were thought to know the hour of their death and announce their death with a great cry, the “swan song”.
This is the Same Song sung throughout time and refraining in Eternity: it is the song of Christ’s Redeemed, the testimony of God’s Grace and Glory. It heralds Christ’s Finished work on the cross–-seven representing a completed, perfected, whole (nothing missing, nothing lacking) work. Swans are fast fliers and in migratory flight, they will form a V shape (the letter for vav meaning “connection” in Hebrew or “victory” in modern times).
Swans mate for life and live in community, their normal life span is up to 50 years.

The day the rains ceased, my cousin’s son captured the essence of what God is saying in several photos of two swans on Water Street in lower ROYALton (outside Middletown, Pennsylvania).

The swans were swimming gracefully riding the cresting waves at the mouth of the Swatara Creek where it joins with the Susquehanna River at Water Street. Although the swollen waters were muddy and the deep current, powerful…they remained totally at peace, an expression of the heart at rest in God all fears and cares of this world retired in His care. All our sins are covered and washed away. All boundaries are removed just as our trespasses (sins, shortcomings) are washed away in the sacrifice of His Christ. Notice how neither the swan or the water is heeding the “no trespassing” sign.

He hath not dealt with us after our sins; nor rewarded us according to our iniquities. For as the heaven is high above the earth, so great is his mercy toward them that fear him. As far as the east is from the west, so far hath he removed our transgressions from us. Like as a father pities his children, so the LORD pities them that fear him. For he knows our frame; he remembers that we are dust. As for man, his days are as grass: as a flower of the field, so he flourishes. For the wind passes over it, and it is gone; and the place thereof shall know it no more. But the mercy of the LORD is from everlasting to everlasting upon them that fear him, and his righteousness unto children's children; To such as keep his covenant, and to those that remember his commandments to do them. The LORD hath prepared his throne in the heavens; and his kingdom rules over all. Photo by Ben Brandt

The two swans where the mouth of the creek and river connect reflect the agreement of those walking together with God according to His Word. For this hour and this place, God is saying that His Word is confirmed and established and it runs very swiftly as it is being fulfilled in complete performance to the voicing of it. Even as the waters were covering the earth rapidly, so shall His glory cover the earth. The swan also signifies the mind of God in Christ. For God has not given us a spirit of fear but of power, of love and a sound mind. We have the mind of Christ when we put on the helmet of His Salvation. We are in the world but not of the world. We have a kingdom that cannot be shaken whose Builder and Maker is God.

Because swans mate for life, they illustrate our heavenly Bridegroom Jesus and His Bride. Jesus is the Everlasting Word of God and He is called: Faithful and True. He is the Lord of Lords and King of Kings and they that are with Him are called, and chosen, and faithful.
Symbolic of grace, beauty, elegance, divinity and royalty, the swan is the heraldic emblem of the household of faith. The swan song, the precious dowry of the Redeemed Bride to the Bridegroom-Kinsman-Redeemer.

Even as Ruth took shelter under the protection of the kinsman-redeemer Boaz’ garment and name, Jesus gathers us together under the healing of His wings, and His feathers:

“He shall cover thee with his feathers, and under his wings shalt thou trust: his truth shall be thy shield and buckler.”
Psalms 91:4

God’s Word does not return back to Him void but accomplishes His will as it is actively working by faith in the place where He sends it (Isaiah 55); He hastens to perform His Word (Jeremiah 1:12); and out of the mouth of two or three witnesses is a thing confirmed as sure and established–even as Joseph said unto Pharoah in Genesis 41:25,

“The dream of Pharaoh is one: God hath shown Pharaoh what he is about to do.” Remember Pharoah said he had two dreams?

There is healing under the shadow of the wings of Almighty God:
He is your Provider, your Deliverer, your Savior. Jesus was more than just a perfect man, He was the Perfected Man that ever lives to silence the accuser. There is no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus who have via the cross leaving the ways of the world, the flesh and the devil and being made alive unto God.

As such, the swan is the symbol of Christ’s sacrifice and resurrection. Jesus tells us that, “It is the Spirit that quickens, the flesh profits nothing. These words that I speak to you are spirit and life.” The swan would rather perish itself than lose its young and in scarcity feeds its young from its own flesh and blood.

John 6:53-58, “Then Jesus said unto them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Except ye eat the flesh of the Son of man, and drink his blood, ye have no life in you. Whoso eats my flesh, and drinks my blood, hath eternal life; and I will raise him up at the last day. For my flesh is meat indeed, and my blood is drink indeed. He that eats my flesh, and drinks my blood, dwells in me, and I in him. As the living Father hath sent me, and I live by the Father: so he that eats me, even he shall live by me. This is that bread which came down from heaven: not as your fathers did eat manna, and are dead: he that eats of this bread shall live for ever.”

Man does not live by bread alone but by every Living Word of God. Jesus is the Living Word of God and He sent His Holy Spirit to lead and guide us into all Truth. You shall know the Truth and the Truth shall set you free. Jesus Christ is Called, Faithful and True. God sent His Word and healed and delivered from the curse of sin and death. For this you were called to be a Blessing. This is love – that everyone who believes may have eternal life in Him.. Love so amazing, so divine, demands my life, my heart my all.

Last but not least, the swan is mentioned in the list of unclean birds (Leviticus 11:18; Deuteronomy 14:16), yet in Acts chapter 10, we see God speaking to Peter, saying that what God calls “clean” let not man call “unclean.”

The curtain call on this age of grace is closing...where do you stand?

God’s offer of salvation in Christ Jesus is an open invitation to whosoever believes in their heart and confesses with their mouth that Jesus Christ is Lord of Life. He is no respecter of persons, there are no “grey areas” only darkness and light. Death and life, the choice is before you today. Are you a Dead Sea or a one out of whose belly, God’s Spirit will pour rivers of living water?

It All Belongs To Him

SO is he who is treasuring up to himSELF, and is not rich toward God. Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon earth, where moth and rust doth corrupt, and where thieves break through and steal: But lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt, and where thieves do not break through nor steal: For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.

Luke 12:13-59
The Message

The Story of the Greedy Farmer

Someone out of the crowd said,

“Teacher, order my brother to give me a fair share of the family inheritance.”

He replied,

“Mister, what makes you think it’s any of my business to be a judge or mediator for you?”

Speaking to the people, he went on,

“Take care! Protect yourself against the least bit of greed. Life is not defined by what you have, even when you have a lot.”

Then he told them this story:

“The farm of a certain rich man produced a terrific crop. He talked to himself: ‘What can I do? My barn isn’t big enough for this harvest.’ Then he said, ‘Here’s what I’ll do: I’ll tear down my barns and build bigger ones. Then I’ll gather in all my grain and goods, and I’ll say to myself, Self, you’ve done well! You’ve got it made and can now retire. Take it easy and have the time of your life!‘

“Just then God showed up and said, ‘Fool! Tonight you die. And your barnful of goods—who gets it?‘

“That’s what happens when you fill your barn with Self and not with God.”

Some are in for a rude awakening...But of the times and the seasons, brethren, ye have no need that I write unto you. For yourselves know perfectly that the day of the Lord so comes as a thief in the night. For when they shall say, Peace and safety; then sudden destruction comes upon them, as travail upon a woman with child; and they shall not escape. But ye, brethren, are not in darkness, that that day should overtake you as a thief. Ye are all the children of light, and the children of the day: we are not of the night, nor of darkness. Therefore let us not sleep, as do others; but let us watch and be sober. For they that sleep sleep in the night; and they that be drunken are drunken in the night. But let us, who are of the day, be sober, putting on the breastplate of faith and love; and for an helmet, the hope of salvation. For God hath not appointed us to wrath, but to obtain salvation by our Lord Jesus Christ, Who died for us, that, whether we wake or sleep, we should live together with him.

Steep Yourself in God-Reality

He continued this subject with his disciples.

“Don’t fuss about what’s on the table at mealtimes or if the clothes in your closet are in fashion. There is far more to your inner life than the food you put in your stomach, more to your outer appearance than the clothes you hang on your body. Look at the ravens, free and unfettered, not tied down to a job description, carefree in the care of God. And you count far more.

“Has anyone by fussing before the mirror ever gotten taller by so much as an inch? If fussing can’t even do that, why fuss at all? Walk into the fields and look at the wildflowers. They don’t fuss with their appearance—but have you ever seen color and design quite like it? The ten best-dressed men and women in the country look shabby alongside them. If God gives such attention to the wildflowers, most of them never even seen, don’t you think he’ll attend to you, take pride in you, do his best for you?

“What I’m trying to do here is get you to relax, not be so preoccupied with getting so you can respond to God’s giving. People who don’t know God and the way he works fuss over these things, but you know both God and how he works. Steep yourself in God-reality, God-initiative, God-provisions. You’ll find all your everyday human concerns will be met. Don’t be afraid of missing out. You’re my dearest friends! The Father wants to give you the very kingdom itself.

“Be generous. Give to the poor. Get yourselves a bank that can’t go bankrupt, a bank in heaven far from bankrobbers, safe from embezzlers, a bank you can bank on. It’s obvious, isn’t it? The place where your treasure is, is the place you will most want to be, and end up being.

When the Master Shows Up

“Keep your shirts on; keep the lights on! Be like house servants waiting for their master to come back from his honeymoon, awake and ready to open the door when he arrives and knocks. Lucky the servants whom the master finds on watch! He’ll put on an apron, sit them at the table, and serve them a meal, sharing his wedding feast with them. It doesn’t matter what time of the night he arrives; they’re awake—and so blessed!

“You know that if the house owner had known what night the burglar was coming, he wouldn’t have stayed out late and left the place unlocked. So don’t you be slovenly and careless. Just when you don’t expect him, the Son of Man will show up.”

Peter said,

“Master, are you telling this story just for us? Or is it for everybody?”

The Master said,

“Let me ask you: Who is the dependable manager, full of common sense, that the master puts in charge of his staff to feed them well and on time? He is a blessed man if when the master shows up he’s doing his job. But if he says to himself, ‘The master is certainly taking his time,’ begins maltreating the servants and maids, throws parties for his friends, and gets drunk, the master will walk in when he least expects it, give him the thrashing of his life, and put him back in the kitchen peeling potatoes.

“The servant who knows what his master wants and ignores it, or insolently does whatever he pleases, will be thoroughly thrashed. But if he does a poor job through ignorance, he’ll get off with a slap on the hand. Great gifts mean great responsibilities; greater gifts, greater responsibilities!

To Start a Fire

“I’ve come to start a fire on this earth—how I wish it were blazing right now! I’ve come to change everything, turn everything rightside up—how I long for it to be finished! Do you think I came to smooth things over and make everything nice? Not so. I’ve come to disrupt and confront! From now on, when you find five in a house, it will be—

Three against two,
and two against three;
Father against son,
and son against father;
Mother against daughter,
and daughter against mother;
Mother-in-law against bride,
and bride against mother-in-law.”

Then he turned to the crowd:

“When you see clouds coming in from the west, you say, ‘Storm’s coming’—and you’re right. And when the wind comes out of the south, you say, ‘This’ll be a hot one’—and you’re right. Frauds! You know how to tell a change in the weather, so don’t tell me you can’t tell a change in the season, the God-season we’re in right now.

“You don’t have to be a genius to understand these things. Just use your common sense, the kind you’d use if, while being taken to court, you decided to settle up with your accuser on the way, knowing that if the case went to the judge you’d probably go to jail and pay every last penny of the fine. That’s the kind of decision I’m asking you to make.”

Do not err, my beloved brethren. Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and cometh down from the Father of lights, with whom is no variableness, neither shadow of turning. Of his own will begat he us with the word of truth, that we should be a kind of firstfruits of his creatures.

Mark 8:34-38, “And when he had called the people unto him with his disciples also, he said unto them, Whosoever will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me. For whosoever will save his life shall lose it; but whosoever shall lose his life for my sake and the gospel’s, the same shall save it. For what shall it profit a man, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul? Or what shall a man give in exchange for his soul? Whosoever therefore shall be ashamed of me and of my words in this adulterous and sinful generation; of him also shall the Son of man be ashamed, when he comes in the glory of his Father with the holy angels.”

Moment of Mercy

The waters saw you, God, the waters saw you and writhed; the very depths were convulsed. The clouds poured down water, the heavens resounded with thunder; your arrows flashed back and forth. Your thunder was heard in the whirlwind, your lightning lit up the world; the earth trembled and quaked. Your path led through the sea, your way through the mighty waters, though your footprints were not seen. You led your people like a flock by the hand of Moses and Aaron.

The Prophet—A Man of Hope

“The reason I can still find hope is that I keep this one thing in mind: the Lord’s mercy.
We were not completely wiped out.
His compassion is never limited.
It is new every morning.
His faithfulness is great.”
Even if he makes us suffer,
He will have compassion
in keeping with the richness of his mercy.
He does not willingly bring suffering or grief to anyone,
crush any prisoner on earth underfoot,
deny people their rights in the presence of the Most High God,
or deprive people of justice in court.
The Lord isn’t happy to see these things.
Who was it who spoke and it came into being?
It was the Lord who gave the order.
Both good and bad come from the mouth of the Most High God.

“Why should any living mortal (any person)
complain about being punished for sin?
Let us look closely at our ways and examine them
and then return to the Lord.
Let us raise our hearts and hands to God in heaven.

Lamentations 3:21-23, 32-41

On Saturday, August 6, 2011, the Lord sent us to stand in the highest place in the King’s gate and declare the Word of the Lord (the following). This is 17 days before the earthquakes and 21 days before the Hurricane Irene (God is speaking, “Peace”) and 38 days before Hurricane Lee (God is speaking, “Healing”).

Psalm 24, A Psalm of David.
THE EARTH is the Lord’s, and the fullness of it, the world and they who dwell in it.
For He has founded it upon the seas and established it upon the currents and the rivers.
Who shall go up into the mountain of the Lord? Or who shall stand in His Holy Place?
He who has clean hands and a pure heart, who has not lifted himself up to falsehood or to what is false, nor sworn deceitfully.
He shall receive blessing from the Lord and righteousness from the God of his salvation.
This is the generation [description] of those who seek Him [who inquire of and for Him and of necessity require Him], who seek Your face, [O God of] Jacob. Selah [pause, and think of that]!
Lift up your heads, O you gates; and be lifted up, you age-abiding doors, that the King of glory may come in.
Who is the King of glory? The Lord strong and mighty, the Lord mighty in battle.
Lift up your heads, O you gates; yes, lift them up, you age-abiding doors, that the King of glory may come in.
Who is [He then] this King of glory? The Lord of hosts, He is the King of glory. Selah [pause, and think of that]!

Psalm 29, A Psalm of David, “The Song of the Thunderstorm,”
ASCRIBE TO the Lord, O sons of the mighty, ascribe to the Lord glory and strength.
Give to the Lord the glory due to His name; worship the Lord in the beauty of holiness or in holy array.
The voice of the Lord is upon the waters; the God of glory thunders; the Lord is upon many great waters.
The voice of the Lord is powerful; the voice of the Lord is full of majesty.
The voice of the Lord breaks the cedars; yes, the Lord breaks in pieces the cedars of Lebanon.
He makes them also to skip like a calf; Lebanon and Sirion (Mount Hermon) like a young, wild ox.
The voice of the Lord splits and flashes forth forked lightning.
The voice of the Lord makes the wilderness tremble; the Lord shakes the Wilderness of Kadesh.
The voice of the Lord makes the hinds bring forth their young, and His voice strips bare the forests, while in His temple everyone is saying, Glory!
The Lord sat as King over the deluge; the Lord still sits as King and forever!
The Lord will give unyielding & impenetrable strength to His people; the Lord will bless His people with peace.

A glorious psalm of praise sung during an earthshaking tempest which reminds the psalmist of the time of Noah and the deluge

Father, because of Who You Are, here I am as a Living Sacrifice: holy –devoted, consecrated & pleasing to You, which is my service and spiritual worship. Take the renewing of my mind and transform my life so that it may prove Your good, acceptable & perfect will. The time is now to Worship You in spirit and in truth (reality). I stand in holy array, the Lord Jesus Christ, even as Queen Esther for my true, real identity is hidden, protected, safe at rest in the Lord Christ Jesus. Thank You Father for enlarging my capacity to bear so that I might deliver multitudes for Your glory. Let Your light so shine through me it brings glory to You! In Jesus’ name AMEN

Blessed -(happy, enviably fortunate, & spiritually prosperous–possessing the happiness produced by the experience of God’s favor & especially conditioned by the revelation of His grace, regardless of their outward conditions are the pure in heart, for they shall see God! Matthew 5:8
Down in the valley, valley so low Hang your head over, hear the wind blow
Hear the wind blow, love, hear the wind blow; Hang your head over, hear the wind blow.
Down in the valley, walking between, Telling our story, here’s what it sings:
Roses love sunshine, violets love dew, Angels in Heaven know I love you,
Know I love you, love, know I love you, Angels in Heaven know I love you.
Build me a castle, forty feet high; So I can see her as she rides by,
As he rides by, love, as he rides by, So I can see her as she rides by.
“Throw your arms round me, give my heart ease” (Songs of Expanding America)

the sounds of joy and happiness and the sounds of brides and grooms. You will hear those who bring thank offerings to the Lord’s temple say, ‘Give thanks to the Lord of Armies because the Lord is good, because his mercy endures forever.’ I will restore the fortunes of the land to what they were before,” says the Lord

Psalm 84
HOW LOVELY are Your tabernacles, O Lord of hosts!
My soul yearns, yes, even pines and is homesick for the courts of the Lord; my heart and my flesh cry out and sing for joy to the living God.
Yes, the sparrow has found a house, and the swallow a nest for herself, where she may lay her young–even Your altars, O Lord of hosts, my King and my God.
Blessed (happy, fortunate, to be envied) are those who dwell in Your house and Your presence; they will be singing Your praises all the day long. Selah [pause, and calmly think of that]!
Blessed (happy, fortunate, to be envied) is the man whose strength is in You, in whose heart are the highways to Zion.
Passing through the Valley of Weeping (Baca), they make it a place of springs; the early rain also fills [the pools] with blessings.
They go from strength to strength [increasing in victorious power]; each of them appears before God in Zion.
O Lord God of hosts, hear my prayer; give ear, O God of Jacob! Selah [pause, and calmly think of that]!
Behold our shield [the king as Your agent], O God, and look upon the face of Your anointed!
For a day in Your courts is better than a thousand [anywhere else]; I would rather be a doorkeeper and stand at the threshold in the house of my God than to dwell [at ease] in the tents of wickedness.
For the Lord God is a Sun and Shield; the Lord bestows [present] grace and favor and [future] glory (honor, splendor, and heavenly bliss)! No good thing will He withhold from those who walk uprightly.
O Lord of hosts, blessed (happy, fortunate, to be envied) is the man who trusts in You [leaning and believing on You, committing all and confidently looking to You, and that without fear or misgiving]!

10/10 Equals One, 10/10 Wins!

Obtain Mercy and Find Grace to Help in Time of Need

At the mouth of the East Gate in Reservoir Park, in light of both the recent earthquake and hurricane fall out, I was thinking we would see the idols face down in the dirt. Even as the thought was not yet on my lips, my husband voiced it. Yet the Bridegroom stands at the Thresh-Hold allowing His Bride His Finishing Touch. True Love
places the other ahead of ones’ self. When she is ready, nothing will stand in His Way. All will be swept away in the deep waters of their desire for all to be found in Him.

Arise & Thresh Daughter of Zion! I am coming soon; hold fast what you have, so that no one may seize your crown.

“Let us therefore fear, lest, a promise being left us of entering into his rest, any of you should seem to come short of it. For unto us was the gospel preached, as well as unto them: but the word preached did not profit them, not being mixed with faith in them that heard it. For we which have believed do enter into rest, as he said, As I have sworn in my wrath, if they shall enter into my rest: although the works were finished from the foundation of the world. For he spake in a certain place of the seventh day on this wise, And God did rest the Seventh day from all his works. And in this place again, If they shall enter into my rest. Seeing therefore it remains that some must enter therein, and they to whom it was first preached entered not in because of unbelief: Again, he limits a certain day, saying in David, To day, after so long a time; as it is said, To day if ye will hear his voice, harden not your hearts. For if Jesus had given them rest, then would he not afterward have spoken of another day. There remains therefore a rest to the people of God. For he that is entered into his rest, he also hath ceased from his own works, as God did from his. Let us labor therefore to enter into that rest, lest any man fall after the same example of unbelief. For the Word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart. Neither is there any creature that is not manifest in his sight: but all things are naked and opened unto the eyes of him with whom we have to do. Seeing then that we have a great high priest, that is passed into the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our profession. For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin. Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need.” Hebrews 4:1-16

“According as His Divine Power hath given unto us all things that pertain unto life and godliness, through the knowledge of him that hath called us to glory and virtue: Whereby are given unto us exceeding great and precious promises: that by these ye might be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust. And beside this, giving all diligence, add to your faith virtue; and to virtue knowledge; And to knowledge temperance; and to temperance patience; and to patience godliness; And to godliness brotherly kindness; and to brotherly kindness charity. For if these things be in you, and abound, they make you that ye shall neither be barren nor unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. But he that lacks these things is blind, and cannot see afar off, and hath forgotten that he was purged from his old sins. Wherefore the rather, brethren, give diligence to make your calling and election sure: for if ye do these things, ye shall never fall: For so an entrance shall be ministered unto you abundantly into the everlasting kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Wherefore I will not be negligent to put you always in remembrance of these things, though ye know them, and be established in the present truth.” 2 Peter 1:3-12

Your Maker, your husband; the LORD of hosts; your Redeemer the Holy One; The God of the Whole earth The King’s Daughter is all glorious within for what God has joined together man can not tear asunder. The Father’s Blessing is bestowed through the Word of His Son and the Spirit of His Peace resting on His Body joined together as One. He sent his Word, and healed them, and delivered them from their destructions

More than a token of His love, the purple and silver bracelet reveals God’s Providence. Prayer is the three-fold cord that binds us together in holy union with His Word. Jesus Christ is Faithful and True and He is the Living Word of God. Prayer is the plummet line, the lineage of Christ’s Household of Faith, His Blood Royal Family.

The purple – God’s Glorious Royal Household, the Power and Authority of His Name, the Inheritance of His True Riches, the Honor and Faithfulness of His Word, and the Eternal Priesthood

“And has made us unto our God kings and priests and we shall reign on the earth. But my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus. I can do all things through Christ which strengthens me. Wherefore we receiving a kingdom which cannot be moved, let us have grace, whereby we may serve God acceptably with reverence and godly fear.”
Revelations 5:10, Philippians 4:19, Philippians 4:13, Hebrews 12:28

The silver – the Bridal Dowry, His Faithful and True Word, Strengthened Faith, the Spirit’s Revelation of Jesus Christ as Kinsman-Redeemer and Great Shepherd, His Divinity, All Wisdom, Purity

The keys to the kingdom are JOHN 10:10. 10/10 WINS is our holy dial around the “system” – yes the enemy is known as the prince of the power of the air but we are in the world but not of the world – Jesus has prayed and stands praying that we may be “One” as He and the Father are “One.”

“That the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give unto you the spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of him: The eyes of your understanding being enlightened; that ye may know what is the hope of his calling, and what the riches of the glory of his inheritance in the saints, And what is the exceeding greatness of his power to us-ward who believe, according to the working of his mighty power, Which he wrought in Christ, when he raised him from the dead, and set him at his own right hand in the heavenly places, Far above all principality, and power, and might, and dominion, and every name that is named, not only in this world, but also in that which is to come: And hath put all things under his feet, and gave him to be the head over all things to the church, Which is his body, the fulness of him that fills all in all.”

That they all may be one; as thou, Father, art in me, and I in thee, that they also may be one in us: that the world may believe that thou hast sent me.

Ephesians 1:17-23

When we know His Christ and our place in Him, what God joins together no man can tear asunder. We are linked together by Love as co-laborers in His Harvest. Nothing can separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.

The Season of Waiting is coming into the Season of THRESHING!
When the LION ROARS we assemble, we go out to the SHOUT OF EL SHADDAI, it is the SHOUT OF JOY & VICTORY “10-10 WINS!”

The Lion is the Prince of the Tribe of Judah and His roar confirms that this is the hour of His established Word. The hour of the King standing on the Thresh-Hold.
It’s only a matter of TIME. Only what God says “is”, and all else is based on perspective. Where you stand determines your vision. If you are upright in Him, you are steadfast, firm.

We win! “10-10 WINS” John 10:10 shows that we already have the VICTORY for the Battle belongs to the LORD. Jesus has already conquered sin and death and all of God’s promises are Yes and AMEN to the glory of God the Father in Jesus Christ the SON!

CHILDREN ARE RETURNED (PAST TENSE) TO THE LORD! DONE DEAL.
Jesus Christ is TRUTH. Jesus Christ is the LIVING SON of God. He is the LIVING WORD.
By the power of His Holy Spirit, He spoke CREATION into BEING. Man does not live by bread alone but by every living Word of God, in Him we live, move and have our being!
His Word always accomplishes what it is SENT to do.
He is watching over His Word to perform it SPEEDILY!
Miracles. Captives set free. Prodigals returning.
The SEASON OF DOUBLE HARVEST in nearly upon us! We are standing on the thresh-hold.

The season of threshing bringing in the harvest of the LORD – souls for His kingdom. We hold fast so that no one seizes our crown of rejoicing in the LORD. A HOLY THRESH-HOLD.
No one snatches them out of Jesus’ hands
IT IS WRITTEN AND GOD IS NOT A MAN THAT HE CAN LIE!– whatever lies the devil has been “feeding” are being exposed!
The devil is only baiting to switch you out of God’s kingdom IF it were possible but we have prayed for you that your faith will STAND in Jesus who is interceding. He STANDS in the GAP between us and the Father and there is NO DISTANCE!!! NO GAP! Only the LOVE of GOD working by FAITH in the Son, the WORD, the PROMISES of ALMIGHTY GOD! The shout of El Shaddai – HIS GRACE is enough!

“Thus says the Lord GOD; The gate of the inner court that looks toward the east shall be shut the six working days; but on the Sabbath it shall be opened, and in the day of the new moon it shall be opened. And the prince shall enter by the way of the porch of that gate without, and shall stand by the post of the gate, and the priests shall prepare his burnt offering and his peace offerings, and he shall worship at the threshold of the gate: then he shall go forth; but the gate shall not be shut until the evening.”
Ezekiel 46:1-10

The bracelet was the Overcomer’s love offering, His heavenly strategy: PRAY CONTINUALLY! Know who you are in Him!
Like Queen Esther whose true identity is in her Lord and Savior.
If we live or die it is unto the Lord!
MY SHEEP HEAR MY VOICE & THEY FOLLOW ME,
THE VOICE OF ANOTHER THEY WILL NOT FOLLOW.

As we were returning home, there was a bumper sticker on a van that the Lord used to strengthen my heart and confirm His Word:

Your life has seemed like a long journey with many changes of fortune but the answer is not found in an intellectual quest or emotional wandering but in looking to Me, the Author and Finisher of your Faith! Salvation is of the Jews and Jesus is the Lion of the Tribe of Judah, He is your Peace. Look to Him and live! The enemy has infected the world with his stinking thinking that you must divide to conquer but the Kingdom of His Peace is only found in One Lord. When we come together as One in Him, our hearts united in reverential awe of His Glorious Majesty and Wonder, we Integrate & Conquer.
We are more than Conquerors in Christ Jesus who loved us & gave Himself for us.
Jesus is the Victor; we are only victorious in Him.

But the days will come, when the bridegroom shall be taken away from them, and then shall they fast in those days...Who is that wise virgin but the one who is found watching and praying for her groom. She has made herself ready to go with him.

We have come to the Kingdom for such a time as this and the time to be spent for the purpose of His REDEMPTION.

“For this shall every one that is godly pray unto thee in a time when thou may be found: surely in the floods of great waters they shall not come nigh unto him. Thou art my hiding place; thou shalt preserve me from trouble; thou shalt compass me about with songs of deliverance. Selah.
I will instruct thee and teach thee in the way which thou shalt go: I will guide thee with mine eye. Be ye not as the horse, or as the mule, which have no understanding: whose mouth must be held in with bit and bridle, lest they come near unto thee. Many sorrows shall be to the wicked: but he that trusts in the LORD, mercy shall compass him about. Be glad in the LORD, and rejoice, ye righteous: and shout for joy, all ye that are upright in heart.” Psalms 32:6-11

This is The Year of the LORD’s Favor, You have come to the Kingdom for such a Time as this – for the purpose of His Redemption.

May the words of this song by Jason Upton be our prayer as we join together as One in the Lord:
Glory Come Down

Father, listen to our earnest prayer
Jesus prayed it years ago
That the glory You had given Him
We would somehow come to know
So make us one according to Your plan
As in heaven it will be
Fill us with the truth and righteousness
You desire the world to see

Let Your glory and honor
Fall on our face
Holy Father
Rest in this place

The church is sick and need of God alone
And people we must seek His face
If we turn from all our unrighteousness
He’ll forgive our evil ways
So may the eyes of God be on us here
Lord, revive us by Your grace
Holy Spirit be forever near
Saturate us in this place

Let Your glory and honor
Fall on our face
Holy Father
Rest in this place

Let the fire fall
Let the wind blow
Let the glory come down

And their seed shall be known among the Gentiles, and their offspring among the people: all that see them shall acknowledge them, that they are the seed which the LORD hath blessed. I will greatly rejoice in the LORD, my soul shall be joyful in my God; for he hath clothed me with the garments of salvation, he hath covered me with the robe of righteousness, as a bridegroom decketh himself with ornaments, and as a bride adorneth herself with her jewels. For as the earth bringeth forth her bud, and as the garden causeth the things that are sown in it to spring forth; so the Lord GOD will cause righteousness and praise to spring forth before all the nations.

To him who overcomes, I will give the right to eat from the tree of life, which is in the paradise of God” (Revelation 2:7).

As One River…Endless Praise

Unless the LORD had been my help, my soul had almost dwelt in silence

As we entered the Water Gate, I remarked about the Five Senses Garden that we’re coming in with the Sixth sense by the power of the Holy Spirit. In this garden there was a bad smell. There was a large rotting dead tree, yet the smell was emanating from the piles of mulch.

“Samuel took a stone and…named it Ebenezer, saying ‘Thus far has the Lord helped us.’” 1 Samuel 7:12 The Lord has helped is the meaning of the name, Lazarus, the man who Jesus raised from the dead after he was in the grave four days and stunk. It is also the meaning of the name of the high priest, Eleazar of the Hebrews.

“And he shall cleanse the house with the blood of the bird, and with the running water, and with the living bird, and with the cedar wood, and with the hyssop, and with the scarlet. Who is he that overcomes the world, but he that believes that Jesus is the Son of God? This is he that came by water and blood, even Jesus Christ; not by water only, but by water and blood. And it is the Spirit that bears witness, because the Spirit is truth. For there are three that bear record in heaven, the Father, the Word, and the Holy Ghost: and these three are one. And there are three that bear witness in earth, the Spirit, and the water, and the blood: and these three agree in one. Seeing then that we have a great high priest, that is passed into the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our profession. For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin. Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need.” Leviticus 14:52, 1 John 5:5-8, Hebrews 4:14-16

Although we had just experienced heavy thunderstorms, the Spring Creek was trickling very low even though the Susquehanna River was running quite high, muddy and fast moving. At the dam there was tremendous force. All the streams will flow as one river to the City of our God.

And it will come about that every living and moving thing, wherever their streams come, will have life; and there will be very much fish because these waters have come there and have been made sweet: and everything wherever the river comes will have life.

Righteousness exalts a nation but sin is a reproach to any people.
God is in the details as we each examine our own hearts and allow Him to work through us, all the streams are flowing together as One river to the City of our God!
All things work TOGETHER for good to those who love the Lord and are called according to His purpose.

In my dream last night, I saw a long time client who was divorced for many years. In the dream, their son had remained close to both parents and was with the mother helping her and working to bring the family’s heart back together. He was sharing “moving pictures” of his mother and she was bathing in a white dress in a rushing pool of water and as she swam, she no longer looked her age.

Remembering the purple and silver bracelet that the LORD gave me as we began our prayer-tour of the City Gates, the film The Color Purple came to mind. I have never seen this movie but understand that in spite of some rather objectionable parts, it was basically about the main character’s faith being developed to see God as He reveals Himself to her in everything. In spite of the pain and suffering, God is here with us and He gives us all we need so we should always be thankful and praise Him. As we relate to God, He reveals Himself more fully to us and we grow into mature in Him. God frees us from the bondage of sin so that we might live for Him by faith. We do not live in fear of sin but in freedom by faith, knowing the TRUTH that God is in control. Truth is free for us to give as well in love.

And he shewed me a pure river of water of life, clear as crystal, proceeding out of the throne of God and of the Lamb. In the midst of the street of it, and on either side of the river, was there the tree of life, which bare twelve manner of fruits, and yielded her fruit every month: and the leaves of the tree were for the healing of the nations.

Interestingly, as The Color Purple concludes, the main character notes that though she is now old, she has never in her life felt younger.

“The steps of a good man are ordered by the LORD: and he delights in his way. Though he fall, he shall not be utterly cast down: for the LORD upholds him with his hand. I have been young, and now am old; yet have I not seen the righteous forsaken, nor his seed begging bread. He is ever merciful, and lends; and his seed is blessed.”
Psalms 37:23-26

Ho, every one that thirsts, come ye to the waters, and he that hath no money; come ye, buy, and eat; yea, come, buy wine and milk without money and without price.
Wherefore do ye spend money for that which is not bread? and your labor for that which satisfies not? hearken diligently unto me, and eat ye that which is good, and let your soul delight itself in fatness.
Incline your ear, and come unto me: hear, and your soul shall live; and I will make an everlasting covenant with you, even the sure mercies of David.
Behold, I have given him for a witness to the people, a leader and commander to the people.
Behold, thou shalt call a nation that thou knows not, and nations that knew not thee shall run unto thee because of the LORD thy God, and for the Holy One of Israel; for he hath glorified thee.
Seek ye the LORD while he may be found, call ye upon him while he is near:
Let the wicked forsake his way, and the unrighteous man his thoughts: and let him return unto the LORD, and he will have mercy upon him; and to our God, for he will abundantly pardon.
For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, saith the LORD.
For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways, and my thoughts than your thoughts.
For as the rain comes down, and the snow from heaven, and returns not thither, but waters the earth, and makes it bring forth and bud, that it may give seed to the sower, and bread to the eater:
So shall my word be that goes forth out of my mouth: it shall not return unto me void, but it shall accomplish that which I please, and it shall prosper in the thing whereto I sent it.
For ye shall go out with joy, and be led forth with peace: the mountains and the hills shall break forth before you into singing, and all the trees of the field shall clap their hands.
Instead of the thorn shall come up the fir tree, and instead of the brier shall come up the myrtle tree: and it shall be to the LORD for a name, for an everlasting sign that shall not be cut off.
Isaiah 55

“God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble. Therefore will not we fear, though the earth be removed, and though the mountains be carried into the midst of the sea; Though the waters thereof roar and be troubled, though the mountains shake with the swelling thereof. Selah.

There is a river, the streams whereof shall make glad the city of God, the holy place of the tabernacles of the most High. God is in the midst of her; she shall not be moved: God shall help her, and that right early. The heathen raged, the kingdoms were moved: he uttered his voice, the earth melted. The LORD of hosts is with us; the God of Jacob is our refuge. Selah.”
Psalms 46:1-7

All the streams will flow as ONE river to the City of our God.

“In the last day, that great day of the feast, Jesus stood and cried, saying, If any man thirst, let him come unto me, and drink. He that believes on me, as the scripture hath said, out of his belly shall flow rivers of living water.”
John 7:37-38

And the Spirit and the bride say, Come. And let him that heareth say, Come. And let him that is athirst come. And whosoever will, let him take the water of life freely.

Come, Thou Fount of every blessing,
Tune my heart to sing Thy grace;
Streams of mercy, never ceasing,
Call for songs of loudest praise.
Teach me some melodious sonnet,
Sung by flaming tongues above.
Praise the mount! I’m fixed upon it,
Mount of Thy redeeming love.

Sorrowing I shall be in spirit,
Till released from flesh and sin,
Yet from what I do inherit,
Here Thy praises I’ll begin;
Here I raise my Ebenezer;
Here by Thy great help I’ve come;
And I hope, by Thy good pleasure,
Safely to arrive at home.

Jesus sought me when a stranger,
Wandering from the fold of God;
He, to rescue me from danger,
Interposed His precious blood;
How His kindness yet pursues me
Mortal tongue can never tell,
Clothed in flesh, till death shall loose me
I cannot proclaim it well.

O to grace how great a debtor
Daily I’m constrained to be!
Let Thy goodness, like a fetter,
Bind my wandering heart to Thee.
Prone to wander, Lord, I feel it,
Prone to leave the God I love;
Here’s my heart, O take and seal it,
Seal it for Thy courts above.

O that day when freed from sinning,
I shall see Thy lovely face;
Clothed then in blood washed linen
How I’ll sing Thy sovereign grace;
Come, my Lord, no longer tarry,
Take my ransomed soul away;
Send thine angels now to carry
Me to realms of endless day.

The author of this hymn, Robinson, his widowed mother sent him at age 14 to London, to learn the trade of barber and hair dresser. However, his master found he enjoyed reading more than work. Converted to Christ at age 17, Robinson became a Methodist minister. He later moved to the Baptist church and pastored in Cambridge, England. He wrote a number of hymns, as well as on the subject of theology. His later life was evidently not an easy one, judging from a well known story about his hymn “Come, Thou Fount of Every Blessing.” One day, he encountered a woman who was studying a hymnal, and she asked how he liked the hymn she was humming. In tears, he replied, “Madam, I am the poor unhappy man who wrote that hymn many years ago, and I would give a thousand worlds, if I had them, to enjoy the feelings I had then.”

Jeremiah 2:13, “For my people have committed two evils; they have forsaken me the fountain of living waters, and hewed them out cisterns, broken cisterns, that can hold no water.”

1 Corinthians 10:16-17, “The cup of blessing which we bless, is it not the communion of the blood of Christ? The bread which we break, is it not the communion of the body of Christ? For we being many are one bread, and one body: for we are all partakers of that one bread.”

Romans 10:8-13, “But what saith it? The word is nigh thee, even in thy mouth, and in thy heart: that is, the word of faith, which we preach; That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved. For with the heart man believes unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation. For the scripture saith, Whosoever believes on him shall not be ashamed. For there is no difference between the Jew and the Greek: for the same Lord over all is rich unto all that call upon him. For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.”

We All Live Downstream

“Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and comes down from the Father of lights, with whom is no variableness, neither shadow of turning. Of his own will begat he us with the word of truth, that we should be a kind of firstfruits of his creatures.”
James 1:17-18

When we entered the fountain gate the Gate was open — on both ends, the gates were open.

“The earth is the LORD’S, and the fulness thereof; the world, and they that dwell therein. For he hath founded it upon the seas, and established it upon the floods. Who shall ascend into the hill of the LORD? or who shall stand in his holy place? He that hath clean hands, and a pure heart; who hath not lifted up his soul unto vanity, nor sworn deceitfully. He shall receive the blessing from the LORD, and righteousness from the God of his salvation. This is the generation of them that seek him, that seek thy face, O Jacob. Selah.

Arise, cry out in the night: in the beginning of the watches pour out thine heart like water before the face of the Lord: lift up thy hands toward him for the life of thy young children, that faint for hunger in the top of every street.

Lift up your heads, O ye gates; and be ye lift up, ye everlasting doors; and the King of glory shall come in. Who is this King of glory? The LORD strong and mighty, the LORD mighty in battle. Lift up your heads, O ye gates; even lift them up, ye everlasting doors; and the King of glory shall come in. Who is this King of glory? The LORD of hosts, he is the King of glory. Selah.”
Psalms 24:1-10

“Such is the generation of those who seek him,
who seek the face of the God of
Jacob. Selah.”

We seek His FACE not His hands: for we are Jesus’ hands and feet which were pierced and bled. We go in His peace and authority for ministry in worship. The lifting of our hands is as the EVENING SACRIFICE. Our prayers ascend as incense. Our hands lifted show we SURRENDER ALL and that God is in control. It is spiritual worship & warfare it acKNOWledges Jesus is the VICTOR and the battle belongs to the LORD. Only dogs seek their master’s hand for hand outs but we are His children who seek their loving father’s face. We want to be like our Daddy and feel his good pleasure in our deeds and say “that’s my son that’s my daughter“.

Jesus answered and said unto her, Whosoever drinks of this water shall thirst again: But whosoever drinks of the water that I shall give him shall never thirst; but the water that I shall give him shall be in him a well of water springing up into everlasting life.

This is the “year of God’s power to change lives and set young people free.” This is the Jubilee. We are the ELIJAH GENERATION! Even as I was declaring this as we passed through the Fountain Gate, across the globe in a worship & praise gathering in Tel Aviv, Israel, they were praying for revival and for rain. Even though it never rains in the summer in Israel, it RAINED!!!

“And I will make them and the places round about my hill a blessing; and I will cause the shower to come down in his season; there shall be showers of blessing.” (Ezekiel 34:26)

And he shewed me a pure river of water of life, clear as crystal, proceeding out of the throne of God and of the Lamb. In the midst of the street of it, and on either side of the river, was there the tree of life, which bare twelve manner of fruits, and yielded her fruit every month: and the leaves of the tree were for the healing of the nations. And there shall be no more curse: but the throne of God and of the Lamb shall be in it; and his servants shall serve him: And they shall see his face; and his name shall be in their foreheads. And there shall be no night there; and they need no candle, neither light of the sun; for the Lord God gives them light: and they shall reign for ever and ever. And he said unto me, These sayings are faithful and true: and the Lord God of the holy prophets sent his angel to shew unto his servants the things which must shortly be done. Behold, I come quickly: blessed is he that keeps the sayings of the prophecy of this book

Revelation 21:5-7, “And he that sat upon the throne said, Behold, I make all things new. And he said unto me, Write: for these words are true and faithful. And he said unto me, It is done. I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end. I will give unto him that is athirst of the fountain of the water of life freely. He that overcomes shall inherit all things; and I will be his God, and he shall be my son.”

Go Down to Come Up Higher

“God resists the proud, but GIVES GRACE to the humble.”

In Luke 18:15-17, “And they brought unto him (Jesus) also infants, that he would touch them: but when his disciples saw it, they rebuked them. But Jesus called them unto him, and said, Suffer little children to come unto me, and forbid them not: for of such is the kingdom of God. Verily I say unto you, Whosoever shall not receive the kingdom of God as a little child shall in no wise enter therein.”

Start children off on the way they should go, and even when they are old they will not turn from it.
Proverbs 22:6

For where envying and strife is, there is confusion and every evil work. But the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, and easy to be intreated, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality, and without hypocrisy. And the fruit of righteousness is sown in peace of them that make peace.

Isaac learned to trust God to help him dig open Father Abraham’s wells.

Your River rushes to the lowest place
I’ve gotta get lower, lower
I’ve gotta go deeper, deeper
The River flows!
I bow down
I get lower
I open up my heart to receive your love

Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will lift you up.

You said there would be joy in the laying down

You said there would be joy in the letting go

You said there would be joy in the giving of my life

And now I see

Your river it rushes to the lowest place
Come and rush over me
Let the river flow

I bow down
I get low
I open up my heart to receive your love

I have to dig for the wells of joy
I gotta get to the wells of joy
I gotta get lower, lower

Your river it rushes to the lowest place
-Laura Hackett: Lowest Place

As we entered into the dung gate, a female snapping turtle crossed the trail in front of us and even stood still long enough for several photos. They only come up out of the water to lay eggs.

The Snapping Turtle one of the largest fresh water turtles in the world. It draws its prey in by lying still on the river bed with its mouth wide open. It angles with a worm-like appendage on the end of its tongue. When the fish enters the turtle’s mouth, its sharp jaws snap tight.

In the world each day, we are presented with appealing opportunities, but how do we determine that which is good or that which is bad. When opportunity comes knocking, what is on the other side? Is it a door that God has opened, or is it the enemy baiting us to his trap with enticement? The smartest fish is not the one in the frying pan!

God has given us all that we need that pertains to Life and godliness. He protects and delivers us by His written Word and His still small voice. We we do well to take heed to both. God will do us good and not evil all the days of our life. If God’s Word says, ‘No’ that’s where it should end. If God gives us a “check” in our spirit, it is for our certain protection. We are fish in His “school” and should trust the impression of His touch on our heart.

But what things were gain to me, those I counted loss for Christ. Yea doubtless, and I count all things but loss for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord: for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and do count them but dung, that I may win Christ, And be found in him, not having mine own righteousness, which is of the law, but that which is through the faith of Christ, the righteousness which is of God by faith: That I may know him, and the power of his resurrection, and the fellowship of his sufferings, being made conformable unto his death

The turtle is a symbol of creation and life. Snapping turtles rarely leave the waters. Usually only the females leave their swamps to dig their nests and lay their eggs. The turtle is almost always portrayed as a symbol of strength, stability, benevolence, and wisdom. The Greeks, for example, regarded the turtle as sacred, and Aesop’s fable of the race between the hare and the turtle shows the wisdom and determination of the turtle. It is believed that the turtle is supernaturally enabled for survival as they have been known to survive forest fires unharmed and it is recognized as one of the most permanent of all species. The American Indians have always regarded the turtle as sacred and the land on which they lived was the back of a huge “mother turtle,” floating in a vast, primal sea.

Their fierce tenacity has been a mixed blessing for they cannot fully retract their heads into their shells. Because of this, they are left exposed, and an easy mark. Blessed with an omnivorous diet, they are able to survive in almost any water body in North America. They are believed to live up to 45-50 years, although that is only conjecture because after a certain length of time, its shell scales no longer grow. So measuring the age of the turtle becomes impossible after 45-odd years.

The Snapping Turtle lay up to eighty eggs per season. Females lay each season. As the females lay eggs most of their lives, they are very prolific yet their numbers are relatively static due to the high mortality rate of infant snapping turtles (nearly 99.9%). Yet even though the infant mortality rate is so high, their populations never seem to lower due to the high rate of reproduction of those that survive.

Mother turtles will travel extensively over land, to find the perfect soil to lay their eggs. If a mother turtle is harassed in the process of nesting, she will not move further on to dig again and safely lay her eggs.

And the servant of the Lord must not strive; but be gentle unto all men, apt to teach, patient, In meekness instructing those that oppose themselves; if God peradventure will give them repentance to the acknowledging of the truth; And that they may recover themselves out of the snare of the devil, who are taken captive by him at his will.

Rich and poor have this in common:
The LORD is the Maker of them all.

The prudent see danger and take refuge,
but the simple keep going and pay the penalty.

Humility is the fear of the LORD;
its wages are riches and honor and life.

In the paths of the wicked are snares and pitfalls,
but those who would preserve their life stay far from them.

Proverbs 22:2-5

In John 12:23-26, “..Jesus answered them, saying, The hour is come, that the Son of man should be glorified. Verily, verily, I say unto you, Except a corn of wheat fall into the ground and die, it abides alone: but if it die, it brings forth much fruit. He that loves his life shall lose it; and he that hates his life in this world shall keep it unto life eternal. If any man serve me, let him follow me; and where I am, there shall also my servant be: if any man serve me, him will my Father honor.”

Confidence in KNOWING

“Hear the WORD of the LORD, children for the LORD has a controversy with the inhabitants of the earth, because there is no Truth, nor Mercy, nor Knowledge of GOD in the earth.” Hosea 4:1

Fix your thoughts on what is True, and honorable, and right, and pure, and lovely, and admirable. Think about things that are excellent and worthy of praise. Philippians 4:8

I lift up my eyes to the mountains—where does my help come from? My help comes from the LORD, the Maker of heaven and earth. Psalm 121:1-2

Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. For the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. Consider him who endured such opposition from sinners, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart.
Hebrews 12:1-2

Psalm 57
For the choir director: A psalm of David, regarding the time he fled from Saul and went into the cave. To be sung to the tune
“Do Not Destroy!”

Have mercy on me, O God, have mercy! I look to you for protection. I will hide beneath the shadow of your wings until the danger passes by. I cry out to God Most High (El-Elyon), to God who will fulfill his purpose for me.
He will send help from heaven to rescue me, disgracing those who hound me.
Interlude
My God will send forth his unfailing love and faithfulness.

Jesus Christ is the Lamb of God that takes away the sin of the world; He is called Faithful and True; His Name is the Word of God, the King of Kings and Lord of Lords. He is the Beginning and the End. The Alef and Tov. The First and Last to the Glory of God the Father AMEN

I am surrounded by fierce lions who greedily devour human prey—
whose teeth pierce like spears and arrows, and whose tongues cut like swords. Be exalted, O God, above the highest heavens! May your glory shine over all the earth. My enemies have set a trap for me. I am weary from distress. They have dug a deep pit in my path, but they themselves have fallen into it.
Interlude
My heart is confident in you, O God; my heart is confident. No wonder I can sing your praises! Wake up, my heart! Wake up, O lyre and harp! I will wake the dawn with my song. I will thank you, Lord, among all the people. I will sing your praises among the nations.
For your unfailing love is as high as the heavens.Your faithfulness reaches to the clouds.
Be exalted, O God, above the highest heavens. May your glory shine over all the earth.

Yet in all these things we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us. My heart is confident in you, O God; no wonder I can sing your praises with all my heart! This is the confidence we have in approaching God: that if we ask anything according to His will, He hears us. Through and with God we shall do valiantly, for He it is Who shall tread down our adversaries. For Your mercy and loving-kindness are great and high as the heavens! Your truth and faithfulness reach to the skies! Romans 8:37, Psalm 108:1, 1 John 5:14, Psalm 108:13, Psalm 108:4

Hallelujah! Blessed man, blessed woman, who fear God, Who cherish and relish His commandments, Their children robust on the earth, And the homes of the upright—how blessed! Their houses brim with wealth And a generosity that never runs dry. Sunrise breaks through the darkness for good people— God’s grace and mercy and justice! The good person is generous and lends lavishly;
No shuffling or stumbling around for this one,
But a sterling and solid and lasting reputation.
Unfazed by rumor and gossip, Heart ready, trusting in God,
Spirit firm, unperturbed, Ever blessed, relaxed among enemies,
They lavish gifts on the poor—A generosity that goes on, and on, and on. An honored life! A beautiful life!
Someone wicked takes one look and rages, Blusters away but ends up speechless. There’s nothing to the dreams of the wicked. Nothing.
Psalm 112

Proverbs 23
Restrain Yourself
When you go out to dinner with an influential person, mind your manners: Don’t gobble your food, don’t talk with your mouth full.
And don’t stuff yourself; bridle your appetite.
Don’t wear yourself out trying to get rich;
Restrain yourself!
Riches disappear in the blink of an eye; wealth sprouts wings and flies off into the wild blue yonder.
Don’t accept a meal from a tightwad; don’t expect anything special.
He’ll be as stingy with you as he is with himself;
He’ll say, “Eat! Drink!” but won’t mean a word of it.
His miserly serving will turn your stomach when you realize the meal’s a sham. Don’t bother talking sense to fools; they’ll only poke fun at your words. Don’t stealthily move back the boundary lines or cheat orphans out of their property, For they have a powerful Advocate who will go to bat for them.
Give yourselves to disciplined instruction; open your ears to tested knowledge. Don’t be afraid to correct your young ones; a spanking won’t kill them. A good spanking, in fact, might save them from something worse than death. Dear child, if you become wise, I’ll be one happy parent.
My heart will dance and sing to the tuneful truth you’ll speak.
Don’t for a minute envy careless rebels; soak yourself in the Fear-of-God—That’s where your future lies.Then you won’t be left with an armload of nothing.
Oh listen, dear child—become wise; point your life in the right direction.
Don’t drink too much wine and get drunk; don’t eat too much food and get fat. Drunks and gluttons will end up on skid row, in a stupor and dressed in rags.
Buy Wisdom, Education, Insight
Listen with respect to the father who raised you, and when your mother grows old, don’t neglect her.
Buy truth—don’t sell it for love or money; buy wisdom, buy education, buy insight.
Parents rejoice when their children turn out well; wise children become proud parents.
So make your father happy! Make your mother proud!
Dear child, I want your full attention; please do what I show you.
A whore is a bottomless pit; a loose woman can get you in deep trouble fast. She’ll take you for all you’ve got; she’s worse than a pack of thieves. Who are the people who are always crying the blues?
Who do you know who reeks of self-pity? Who keeps getting beat up for no reason at all? Whose eyes are bleary and bloodshot?
It’s those who spend the night with a bottle, for whom drinking is serious business.
Don’t judge wine by its label, or its bouquet, or its full-bodied flavor. Judge it rather by the hangover it leaves you with—
the splitting headache, the queasy stomach.
Do you really prefer seeing double, with your speech all slurred, Reeling and seasick, drunk as a sailor?
“They hit me,” you’ll say, “but it didn’t hurt; they beat on me, but I didn’t feel a thing. When I’m sober enough to manage it, bring me another drink!”

James 1:5-8, “If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that gives to all men liberally, and upbraids not; and it shall be given him. But let him ask in faith, nothing wavering. For he that wavers is like a wave of the sea driven with the wind and tossed. For let not that man think that he shall receive any thing of the Lord. A double minded man is unstable in all his ways.”

Malachi 3:13-18

Your words have been strong and hard against Me, says the Lord. Yet you say, What have we spoken against You? You have said, It is useless to serve God, and what profit is it if we keep His ordinances and walk gloomily and as if in mourning apparel before the Lord of hosts?
And now we consider the proud and arrogant to be happy and favored; evildoers are exalted and prosper; yes, and when they test God, they escape unpunished. Then those who feared the Lord talked often one to another; and the Lord listened and heard it, and a book of remembrance was written before Him of those who reverenced and worshipfully feared the Lord and who thought on His name. And they shall be Mine, says the Lord of hosts, in that day when I publicly recognize and openly declare them to be My jewels (My special possession, My peculiar treasure). And I will spare them, as a man spares his own son who serves him.
Then shall you return and discern between the righteous and the wicked, between him who serves God and him who does not serve Him.

BUT I SAY TO YOU, That EVERY IDLE WORD that men shall SPEAK, they shall give ACCOUNT thereof in the DAY of Judgment. For by thy WORDS thou shalt be justified, and by thy WORDS thou shalt be condemned.

John 4:31-38, “In the meanwhile his disciples prayed him, saying, Master, eat. But he said unto them, I have meat to eat that ye know not of. Therefore said the disciples one to another, Hath any man brought him ought to eat? Jesus says unto them, My meat is to do the will of him that sent me, and to finish his work. Say not ye, There are yet four months, and then comes harvest? behold, I say unto you, Lift up your eyes, and look on the fields; for they are white already to harvest. And he that reaps receives wages, and gathers fruit unto life eternal: that both he that sows and he that reaps may rejoice together. And herein is that saying true, One sows, and another reaps. I sent you to reap that whereon ye bestowed no labor: other men labored, and ye are entered into their labors.”

Son of Man, Son of God
He pressed them, “And how about you? Who do you say I am?”
Simon Peter said, “You’re the Christ, the Messiah, the Son of the living God.”
Matthew 16:15-16

Jesus came back, “God bless you, Simon, son of Jonah! You didn’t get that answer out of books or from teachers. My Father in heaven, God himself, let you in on this secret of who I really am. And now I’m going to tell you who you are, really are. You are Peter, a rock. This is the rock on which I will put together my church, a church so expansive with energy that not even the gates of hell will be able to keep it out. And that’s not all. You will have complete and free access to God’s kingdom, keys to open any and every door: no more barriers between heaven and earth, earth and heaven. A yes on earth is yes in heaven. A no on earth is no in heaven.”

You’re Not in the Driver’s Seat

Then Jesus went to work on his disciples. “Anyone who intends to come with me has to let me lead. You’re not in the driver’s seat; I am. Don’t run from suffering; embrace it. Follow me and I’ll show you how. Self-help is no help at all. Self-sacrifice is the way, my way, to finding yourself, your true self. What kind of deal is it to get everything you want but lose yourself? What could you ever trade your soul for? “Don’t be in such a hurry to go into business for yourself. Before you know it the Son of Man will arrive with all the splendor of his Father, accompanied by an army of angels. You’ll get everything you have coming to you, a personal gift. This isn’t pie in the sky by and by. Some of you standing here are going to see it take place, see the Son of Man in kingdom glory.” Matthew 17-28

Mark 15:32-33, “Let Christ the King of Israel descend now from the cross, that we may see and believe. And they that were crucified with him reviled him. And when the sixth hour was come, there was darkness over the whole land until the ninth hour.”

John 4:48, “Then said Jesus unto him, Except ye see signs and wonders, ye will not believe.”

John 6:26-40, “Jesus answered them and said, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Ye seek me, not because ye saw the miracles, but because ye did eat of the loaves, and were filled. Labor not for the meat which perishes, but for that meat which endures unto everlasting life, which the Son of man shall give unto you: for him hath God the Father sealed. Then said they unto him, What shall we do, that we might work the works of God? Jesus answered and said unto them, This is the work of God, that ye believe on him whom he hath sent. They said therefore unto him, What sign shew thou then, that we may see, and believe thee? what dost thou work? Our fathers did eat manna in the desert; as it is written, He gave them bread from heaven to eat. Then Jesus said unto them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Moses gave you not that bread from heaven; but my Father gives you the true bread from heaven. For the bread of God is he which comes down from heaven, and gives life unto the world. Then said they unto him, Lord, evermore give us this bread. And Jesus said unto them, I am the bread of life: he that comes to me shall never hunger; and he that believes on me shall never thirst. But I said unto you, That ye also have seen me, and believe not. All that the Father gives me shall come to me; and him that comes to me I will in no wise cast out. For I came down from heaven, not to do mine own will, but the will of him that sent me. And this is the Father’s will which hath sent me, that of all which he hath given me I should lose nothing, but should raise it up again at the last day. And this is the will of him that sent me, that every one which sees the Son, and believes on him, may have everlasting life: and I will raise him up at the last day.”

John 11:40, “Jesus said unto her, Said I not unto thee, that, if thou would believe, thou should see the glory of God?”

1 Peter 1:17-25, “And if ye call on the Father, who without respect of persons judges according to every man’s work, pass the time of your sojourning here in fear: Forasmuch as ye know that ye were not redeemed with corruptible things, as silver and gold, from your vain conversation received by tradition from your fathers; But with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot: Who verily was foreordained before the foundation of the world, but was manifest in these last times for you, Who by him do believe in God, that raised him up from the dead, and gave him glory; that your faith and hope might be in God. Seeing ye have purified your souls in obeying the truth through the Spirit unto unfeigned love of the brethren, see that ye love one another with a pure heart fervently: Being born again, not of corruptible seed, but of incorruptible, by the word of God, which lives and abides forever. For all flesh is as grass, and all the glory of man as the flower of grass. The grass withers, and the flower thereof falls away: But the word of the Lord endures for ever. And this is the word which by the gospel is preached unto you.”

Mark 5:36, “As soon as Jesus heard the word that was spoken, he saith unto the ruler of the synagogue, Be not afraid, only believe.”

Matthew 6:6-21, “But thou, when thou pray, enter into thy closet, and when thou hast shut thy door, pray to thy Father which is in secret; and thy Father which sees in secret shall reward thee openly. But when ye pray, use not vain repetitions, as the heathen do: for they think that they shall be heard for their much speaking. Be not ye therefore like unto them: for your Father knows what things ye have need of, before ye ask him. After this manner therefore pray ye: Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil: For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever. Amen. For if ye forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you: But if ye forgive not men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses. Moreover when ye fast, be not, as the hypocrites, of a sad countenance: for they disfigure their faces, that they may appear unto men to fast. Verily I say unto you, They have their reward. But thou, when thou fastest, anoint thine head, and wash thy face; That thou appear not unto men to fast, but unto thy Father which is in secret: and thy Father, which sees in secret, shall reward thee openly. Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon earth, where moth and rust doth corrupt, and where thieves break through and steal: But lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt, and where thieves do not break through nor steal: For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.”

John 14:12-21, “Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that believes on me, the works that I do shall he do also; and greater works than these shall he do; because I go unto my Father. And whatsoever ye shall ask in my name, that will I do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son. If ye shall ask any thing in my name, I will do it. If ye love me, keep my commandments. And I will pray the Father, and he shall give you another Comforter, that he may abide with you for ever; Even the Spirit of truth; whom the world cannot receive, because it sees him not, neither knows him: but ye know him; for he dwells with you, and shall be in you. I will not leave you comfortless: I will come to you. Yet a little while, and the world sees me no more; but ye see me: because I live, ye shall live also. At that day ye shall know that I am in my Father, and ye in me, and I in you. He that hath my commandments, and keeps them, he it is that loves me: and he that loves me shall be loved of my Father, and I will love him, and will manifest myself to him.”

John 14:26, “But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you.”

Luke 10:16-24, “He that hears you hears me; and he that despises you despises me; and he that despises me despises him that sent me. And the seventy returned again with joy, saying, Lord, even the devils are subject unto us through thy name. And he said unto them, I beheld Satan as lightning fall from heaven. Behold, I give unto you power to tread on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy: and nothing shall by any means hurt you. Notwithstanding in this rejoice not, that the spirits are subject unto you; but rather rejoice, because your names are written in heaven. In that hour Jesus rejoiced in spirit, and said, I thank thee, O Father, Lord of heaven and earth, that thou hast hid these things from the wise and prudent, and hast revealed them unto babes: even so, Father; for so it seemed good in thy sight. All things are delivered to me of my Father: and no man knows who the Son is, but the Father; and who the Father is, but the Son, and he to whom the Son will reveal him. And he turned him unto his disciples, and said privately, Blessed are the eyes which see the things that ye see: For I tell you, that many prophets and kings have desired to see those things which ye see, and have not seen them; and to hear those things which ye hear, and have not heard them.”

Hosea 6:1-3
A Call to Repentance
“Come, let us return to the Lord. He has torn us to pieces; now he will heal us.
He has injured us; now he will bandage our wounds.
In just a short time he will restore us, so that we may live in his presence.
Oh, that we might know the Lord! Let us press on to know him.
He will respond to us as surely as the arrival of dawn or the coming of rains in early spring.”

Daniel 11:32 in speaking of the End of Time, God’s Age of Grace and the anti-Christ coming against the Timeless Truth of God:
And such as violate the covenant he shall pervert and seduce with flatteries, but the people who know their God shall prove themselves strong and shall stand firm and do exploits for God.

John 17:17-18, “Sanctify them through thy truth: thy word is truth. As thou hast sent me into the world, even so have I also sent them into the world.”

After you receive the revelation of Who Christ is and press on to know him, he will manifest himself to you by the Holy Spirit leading and guiding you into all Truth. Yet it is not for you to become complacent in the settling knowledge of Jesus as Lord of Life but to take it back into the deepest, darkest, lowest regions of the earth and apply these KEYS to RELEASING those held in bondage to the curse of sin and death and to let them go! To unloose the power of the limitless love of God so that they might come to know Him as Lord and Savior.

This is our “meat” this is our “prayer” knowing God as loving Father who supplies all we need according to His glorious riches in Christ Jesus. James 1:17, “Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and comes down from the Father of lights, with whom is no variableness, neither shadow of turning.” Christ went to the cross to atone for the curse of sin and death and He is the opener of the new and living way back home to the Father. On Jesus was conferred the blessing and the birthright of the firstborn. The curse is broken and the way opened to the Father’s blessing in Christ Jesus who laid down his life in obedient love.

James 1:18, “Of his own will begat he us with the word of truth, that we should be a kind of firstfruits of his creatures.”

Full Circle, The Circle is UNBroken, His Word is True from Beginning to End. Jesus Christ is the Beginning and the End.

2 Corinthians 6:1-2, “We then, as workers together with him, beseech you also that ye receive not the grace of God in vain. For he says, I have heard thee in a time accepted, and in the day of salvation have I succored thee: behold, now is the accepted time; behold, now is the day of salvation“

James 2:17-20, “Even so faith, if it hath not works, is dead, being alone. Yea, a man may say, Thou hast faith, and I have works: shew me thy faith without thy works, and I will shew thee my faith by my works. Thou believes that there is one God; thou does well: the devils also believe, and tremble. But wilt thou know, O vain man, that faith without works is dead?”

The demons tremble because they know the END. They know time is running out and they are fighting tooth and nail to the finish, to the death. God says that His people are destroyed for lack of knowledge. Trust in His Truth. The enemy seeks to steal, to kill and destroy any that are not trusting in the Lord with their whole being. God is the supplier of all your needs. Get this settled and know it – needs not wants. We are not spoiled children but disciplined growing up and know our Father loves us. We make it our aim to be well pleasing to honor Him in all things!

Don’t let anyone or anything hold you back! Jesus loves me this I know for the Bible, God’s Word, tells me so. Jesus is the Living Word of Almighty God the Father and He is Faithful and True! As you walk through the valley of the shadow of death, you fear no evil for the Lord is with you. When we are at our weakest that is when God’s strength manifests best. It demonstrates the power of God is not of flesh lest any man boast but that all glory and honor and praise belong to the Father through Jesus the Son! The Spirit always reveals Jesus as Lord and Savior! He is all we need! He is the Answer to everything. We don’t have to prove anything because it is not our power but God all-powerful! The Battle belongs to the Lord and the devil already knows he is defeated and only trying to get you to step out from under the provision of God by perverting His Truth. We are not to use God or His gifts to satisfy ourselves or prove a point. You don’t need to test God’s love! He is Faithful and True! Give no place to the devil’s lies by giving every doubt and negative thought a quick eviction! You know who you really are and your true, real identity is secure in the knowledge of God. Jesus is the Victor! The gates of hell cannot prevail when you know Jesus as Lord. He is your Savior and Lord of Life.

What is our sacrifice? It’s a labor of love to fast our ways because we have a wedding feast to look forward to in Everlasting Love.

Out of the barren cursed ground, God sowed His Seed – the promised Savior of mankind, Jesus Messiah. Not by man’s might nor man’s power but by God’s Spirit the Seed was received in a humble heart of adoration and love fully trusting God, taking Him at His Word.

The productive earth is the heart responsive to God’s Word of Truth and Life.

Mark 4:20, “And these are they which are sown on good ground; such as hear the word, and receive it, and bring forth fruit, some thirty-fold, some sixty, and some an hundred.”

As in Genesis 26:12, “Then Isaac sowed in that land, and received in the same year an hundredfold: and the LORD blessed him.” Isaac was the promised Seed received in the barren womb yet when God said to Abraham that in Sarah will his promise be fulfilled, Abraham believed and received the promised Seed. Be unto me according to my faith and it is! When you receive God’s Word as Truth, it frees His Creatively Joyous Life. For Isaac means “laughter.”

These things have I spoken unto you, that my joy might remain in you, and that your joy might be full.

There are those who generously scatter abroad, and yet increase more; there are those who withhold more than is fitting or what is justly due, but it results only in want. The liberal person shall be enriched, and he who waters shall himself be watered.The fruit of the uncompromisingly righteous is a tree of life, and he who is wise captures human lives for God, as a fisher of men–he gathers and receives them for eternity.Proverbs 11:24-25, 30

Isaiah 54
SING, O barren one, you who did not bear; break forth into singing and cry aloud, you who did not travail with child! For the spiritual children of the desolate one will be more than the children of the married wife, says the Lord.
Enlarge the place of your tent, and let the curtains of your habitations be stretched out; spare not; lengthen your cords and strengthen your stakes, For you will spread abroad to the right hand and to the left; and your offspring will possess the nations and make the desolate cities to be inhabited. Fear not, for you shall not be ashamed; neither be confounded and depressed, for you shall not be put to shame. For you shall forget the shame of your youth, and you shall not seriously remember the reproach of your widowhood any more. For your Maker is your Husband–the Lord of hosts is His name–and the Holy One of Israel is your Redeemer; the God of the whole earth He is called. For the Lord has called you like a woman forsaken, grieved in spirit, and heart sore–even a wife wooed and won in youth, when she is later refused and scorned, says your God. For a brief moment I forsook you, but with great compassion and mercy I will gather you to Me again. In a little burst of wrath I hid My face from you for a moment, but with age-enduring love and kindness I will have compassion and mercy on you, says the Lord, your Redeemer. For this is like the days of Noah to Me; as I swore that the waters of Noah should no more go over the earth, so have I sworn that I will not be angry with you or rebuke you. For though the mountains should depart and the hills be shaken or removed, yet My love and kindness shall not depart from you, nor shall My covenant of peace and completeness be removed, says the Lord, Who has compassion on you. O you afflicted city, storm-tossed and not comforted, behold, I will set your stones in fair colors in antimony to enhance their brilliance and lay your foundations with sapphires. And I will make your windows and pinnacles of sparkling agates or rubies, and your gates of shining carbuncles, and all your walls of your enclosures of precious stones. And all your spiritual children shall be disciples taught by the Lord and obedient to His will, and great shall be the peace and undisturbed composure of your children.You shall establish yourself in righteousness (rightness, in conformity with God’s will and order): you shall be far from even the thought of oppression or destruction, for you shall not fear, and from terror, for it shall not come near you. Behold, they may gather together and stir up strife, but it is not from Me. Whoever stirs up strife against you shall fall and surrender to you. Behold, I have created the smith who blows on the fire of coals and who produces a weapon for its purpose; and I have created the devastator to destroy. But no weapon that is formed against you shall prosper, and every tongue that shall rise against you in judgment you shall show to be in the wrong. This peace, righteousness, security, triumph over opposition is the heritage of the servants of the Lord those in whom the ideal Servant of the Lord is reproduced; this is the righteousness or the vindication which they obtain from Me this is that which I impart to them as their justification, says the Lord.

God is preparing hearts for the 100-fold return of His children. He wouldn’t have sent us if He hadn’t prepared their hearts. Again, He is saying to you:

John 4:34-38, “Jesus says unto them, My meat is to do the will of him that sent me, and to finish his work. Say not ye, There are yet four months, and then comes harvest? behold, I say unto you, Lift up your eyes, and look on the fields; for they are white already to harvest. And he that reaps receives wages, and gathers fruit unto life eternal: that both he that sows and he that reaps may rejoice together. And herein is that saying true, One sows, and another reaps. I sent you to reap that whereon ye bestowed no labor: other men labored, and ye are entered into their labors.” God gives the Seed as Promised in the Eternal Life through Christ’s perfect sacrifice for sin. 1 Corinthians 3:7-8, “So then neither is he that plants any thing, neither he that waters; but God that gives the increase. Now he that plants and he that waters are one: and every man shall receive his own reward according to his own labor.” The Seed is Christ the Living Word of God the Father and He gives unto each of us a measure of faith and sends us out to sow, to water and to reap in His field, the earth’s is the Lord’s and the fulness thereof. We are co-laborers with Him. God multiplies His Seed SOWN.

Psalms 126:1-6, “When the LORD turned again the captivity of Zion, we were like them that dream. Then was our mouth filled with laughter, and our tongue with singing: then said they among the heathen, The LORD hath done great things for them. The LORD hath done great things for us; whereof we are glad. Turn again our captivity, O LORD, as the streams in the south. They that sow in tears shall reap in joy. He that goes forth and weeps, bearing precious seed, shall doubtless come again with rejoicing, bringing his sheaves with him.”

All power and all authority have been given to Jesus already. Those that believe, ask and receive! And you know that you receive because you know His will and ask in accordance with it, that you might do the greater works as promised. It’s only a matter of TIME and time is running out. We are coming full circle.

My little children, let us not love in word, neither in tongue; but in deed and in truth.”
CRY ALOUD, spare not. Lift up your voice like a trumpet and declare to My people their transgression and to the house of Jacob their sins! 1 John 3:18, Isaiah 58:1

Remember the Sabbath Day to keep it Holy, Sacred, Set Apart in Time! Remember that in six days God created the heavens and the earth: in Genesis 2:7, “And the LORD God formed man of the dust of the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life; and man became a living soul.” God placed man in a garden and commanded in Genesis 1:28, “And God blessed them, and God said unto them, Be fruitful, and multiply, and replenish the earth, and subdue it: and have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over every living thing that moves upon the earth.” God gave us every seed that bears fruit and He has given us everything that pertains to Life and godliness in the knowledge of Him. Godliness with contentment is GREAT GAIN! For it is certain that we brought nothing of ourselves into this world and we take nothing of ourselves out. All that we can bring to God is what He commands the fruit of our labors with Him. For apart from Him we can do nothing.
Faith without works is dead. But He sent Jesus to show us a new and living Way! WE delight to do His will that we might live and subdue and have dominion over all the earth. Jesus gave us the keys to His kingdom that it would be on earth as it is in heaven according to His Father’s will. This is the work of God – believe Him! Believe His Word. Believe Jesus is Lord of Life!

In the Law, God sowed His Seed and all creation has been pregnant, expectant longing for the birth and maturation of the sons and daughters God’s 100-fold harvest reaped!

Even as we approach the Harvest Season and Yom Teruah, it is a SACRED and HOLY HOUR, calling the people to repentance to turnaround and embrace the Truth, that God is Love and in Him is no darkness. To return to God and live! This is entering in to the complete and perfect rest of God. This is the SABBATH, the JUBILEE, the Truth setting you free!
Just as the trumpet blasts call the Jews to assemble together (Psalm 133 for THERE all coming together under the Headship of the Great High Priest, Jesus the Mediator between God and man) is WHERE God commands the blessing, even life forevermore!
It is the dawn of the new day! New beginnings. Even as the Spirit of God was hovering over the waters at Creation, the Spirit of God is hovering over the sea of humanity, stirring peoples’ hearts to respond to His Truth and Love in loving Him back believing.

The Ten Days of AWE. Awesome for those that love His Truth; Awful for those that doubt and dis-trust. Ten days to prove Him in this! Taste and see that the Lord is good! No good thing does He withhold from those that walk uprightly with Him. How can two walk together unless they be agreed?

Deuteronomy 30:10-20, “If thou shalt hearken unto the voice of the LORD thy God, to keep his commandments and his statutes which are written in this book of the law, and if thou turn unto the LORD thy God with all thine heart, and with all thy soul. For this commandment which I command thee this day, it is not hidden from thee, neither is it far off. It is not in heaven, that thou should say, Who shall go up for us to heaven, and bring it unto us, that we may hear it, and do it? Neither is it beyond the sea, that thou should say, Who shall go over the sea for us, and bring it unto us, that we may hear it, and do it? But the word is very nigh unto thee, in thy mouth, and in thy heart, that thou may do it. See, I have set before thee this day life and good, and death and evil; In that I command thee this day to love the LORD thy God, to walk in his ways, and to keep his commandments and his statutes and his judgments, that thou may live and multiply: and the LORD thy God shall bless thee in the land whither thou go to possess it. But if thine heart turn away, so that thou wilt not hear, but shalt be drawn away, and worship other gods, and serve them; I denounce unto you this day, that ye shall surely perish, and that ye shall not prolong your days upon the land, whither thou pass over Jordan to go to possess it. I call heaven and earth to record this day against you, that I have set before you life and death, blessing and cursing: therefore choose life, that both thou and thy seed may live: That thou may love the LORD thy God, and that thou may obey his voice, and that thou may cleave unto him: for he is thy life, and the length of thy days: that thou may dwell in the land which the LORD swore unto thy fathers, to Abraham, to Isaac, and to Jacob, to give them.”

What God has joined together let no man tear asunder! Nothing can separate you from the Love of God which is in Christ Jesus. No man snatches us from His hands for our names are engraved on His palms by the nail imprints. As a nail secures something in place even so the crucifixion placed us securely in Christ Jesus’ Seed planted in this earth and God gives the Increase and raised us in Newness of His Resurrection Life!

John 6:26-35, “Jesus answered them and said, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Ye seek me, not because ye saw the miracles, but because ye did eat of the loaves, and were filled. Labor not for the meat which perishes, but for that meat which endures unto everlasting life, which the Son of man shall give unto you: for him hath God the Father sealed. Then said they unto him, What shall we do, that we might work the works of God? Jesus answered and said unto them, This is the work of God, that ye believe on him whom he hath sent. They said therefore unto him, What sign shewest thou then, that we may see, and believe thee? what dost thou work? Our fathers did eat manna in the desert; as it is written, He gave them bread from heaven to eat. Then Jesus said unto them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Moses gave you not that bread from heaven; but my Father gives you the true bread from heaven. For the bread of God is he which comes down from heaven, and gives life unto the world. Then said they unto him, Lord, evermore give us this bread. And Jesus said unto them, I am the bread of life: he that comes to me shall never hunger; and he that believes on me shall never thirst.”

Matthew 4:4, “But he answered and said, It is written, Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceeds out of the mouth of God.” Luke 4:4, “And Jesus answered him, saying, It is written, That man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word of God.”

Isaiah 58
CRY ALOUD, spare not. Lift up your voice like a trumpet and declare to My people their transgression and to the house of Jacob their sins! Yet they seek, inquire for, and require Me daily and delight externally to know My ways, as if they were in reality a nation that did righteousness and forsook not the ordinance of their God. They ask of Me righteous judgments, they delight to draw near to God in visible ways.Why have we fasted, they say, and You do not see it? Why have we afflicted ourselves, and You take no knowledge of it? Behold O Israel, on the day of your fast when you should be grieving for your sins, you find profit in your business, and instead of stopping all work, as the law implies you and your workmen should do you extort from your hired servants a full amount of labor. The facts are that you fast only for strife and debate and to smite with the fist of wickedness. Fasting as you do today will not cause your voice to be heard on high. Is such a fast as yours what I have chosen, a day for a man to humble himself with sorrow in his soul? Is true fasting merely mechanical? Is it only to bow down his head like a bulrush and to spread sackcloth and ashes under him to indicate a condition of heart that he does not have? Will you call this a fast and an acceptable day to the Lord? Rather is not this the fast that I have chosen: to loose the bonds of wickedness, to undo the bands of the yoke, to let the oppressed go free, and that you break every enslaving yoke? Is it not to divide your bread with the hungry and bring the homeless poor into your house–when you see the naked, that you cover him, and that you hide not yourself from the needs of your own flesh and blood? Then shall your light break forth like the morning, and your healing your restoration and the power of a new life shall spring forth speedily; your righteousness your rightness, your justice, and your right relationship with God shall go before you conducting you to peace and prosperity, and the glory of the Lord shall be your rear guard. Then you shall call, and the Lord will answer; you shall cry, and He will say, Here I am. If you take away from your midst yokes of oppression wherever you find them , the finger pointed in scorn toward the oppressed or the godly, and every form of false, harsh, unjust, and wicked speaking, And if you pour out that with which you sustain your own life for the hungry and satisfy the need of the afflicted, then shall your light rise in darkness, and your obscurity and gloom become like the noonday. And the Lord shall guide you continually and satisfy you in drought and in dry places and make strong your bones. And you shall be like a watered garden and like a spring of water whose waters fail not. And your ancient ruins shall be rebuilt; you shall raise up the foundations of buildings that have laid waste for many generations; and you shall be called Repairer of the Breach, Restorer of Streets to Dwell In.
If you turn away your foot from traveling unduly on the Sabbath, from doing your own pleasure on My holy day, and call the Sabbath a spiritual delight, the holy day of the Lord honorable, and honor Him and it, not going your own way or seeking or finding your own pleasure or speaking with your own idle words, Then will you delight yourself in the Lord, and I will make you to ride on the high places of the earth, and I will feed you with the heritage promised for you of Jacob your father; for the mouth of the Lord has spoken it.

I WILL confess and praise You [O God] with my whole heart; before the gods will I sing praises to You. I will worship toward Your holy temple and praise Your name for Your loving-kindness and for Your truth and faithfulness; for You have exalted above all else Your name and Your word and You have magnified Your word above all Your name! In the day when I called, You answered me; and You strengthened me with strength might and inflexibility to temptation in my inner self. Psalm 138

John 1:9-14, “That was the true Light, which lights very man that comes into the world. He was in the world, and the world was made by him, and the world knew him not. He came unto his own, and his own received him not. 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: Which were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God. And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father full of grace and truth.”