Decay or Abide

Sin, sin, why do You make such a big deal of sin?
It’s where freedom ends and slavery begins.
It’s desire is for you, you life to devour,
But you should rule over it, I’ve given you power.

You know in your heart, what’s wrong and what’s right,
Darkness is death and light is life.
Don’t over think it, or get stuck trying to figure it out,
To live in love is what the bout is about.

Be conscious of God,
Not conscious of sin,
And when it comes to the door,
Just don’t let it in.

Death is like a wasp,
Sin is its sting,
If you don’t let it in,
It can’t do a thing.

Allow it in - it builds hives
Feeds on your lives.
Then everyday as you die,
It grows more alive.

But if to the Almighty,
You open your heart wide,
He’ll fill you with His love - forever,
And in His life you’ll abide.

Gen 4:7
7 If you do well, will you not be accepted? And if you do not do well, sin lies at the door. And its desire is for you, but you should rule over it."
NKJV

James 2:8-9
8 If you really fulfill the royal law according to the Scripture, "You shall love your neighbor as yourself," you do well;
NKJV

John 8:34
34 Jesus answered them, "Most assuredly, I say to you, whoever commits sin is a slave of sin.
NKJV

Rom 6:12-14
12 Therefore do not let sin reign in your mortal body, that you should obey it in its lusts. 13 And do not present your members as instruments of unrighteousness to sin, but present yourselves to God as being alive from the dead, and your members as instruments of righteousness to God. 14 For sin shall not have dominion over you, for you are not under law but under grace.
NKJV

Rom 5:17
17 For if by the one man's offense death reigned through the one, much more those who receive abundance of grace and of the gift of righteousness will reign in life through the One, Jesus Christ.)
NKJV

Rom 13:8-10
8 Owe no one anything except to love one another, for he who loves another has fulfilled the law. 9 For the commandments, "You shall not commit adultery," "You shall not murder," "You shall not steal," "You shall not bear false witness," "You shall not covet," and if there is any other commandment, are all summed up in this saying, namely, "You shall love your neighbor as yourself." 10 Love does no harm to a neighbor; therefore love is the fulfillment of the law.
NKJV

Rom 8:1-5
8 There is therefore now no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus, who do not walk according to the flesh, but according to the Spirit. 2 For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus has made me free from the law of sin and death. 3 For what the law could not do in that it was weak through the flesh, God did by sending His own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh, on account of sin: He condemned sin in the flesh, 4 that the righteous requirement of the law might be fulfilled in us who do not walk according to the flesh but according to the Spirit.
NKJV

Heb 9:13-15
13 For if the blood of bulls and goats and the ashes of a heifer, sprinkling the unclean, sanctifies for the purifying of the flesh, 14 how much more shall the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered Himself without spot to God, cleanse your conscience from dead works to serve the living God?
NKJV

Heb 9:26b
…but now, once at the end of the ages, He has appeared to put away sin by the sacrifice of Himself.
NKJV

Heb 10:1-2
10 For the law, having a shadow of the good things to come, and not the very image of the things, can never with these same sacrifices, which they offer continually year by year, make those who approach perfect. 2 For then would they not have ceased to be offered? For the worshipers, once purified, would have had no more consciousness of sins.
NKJV

1 Cor 15:54-58
54 So when this corruptible has put on incorruption, and this mortal has put on immortality, then shall be brought to pass the saying that is written: "Death is swallowed up in victory."

55 "O Death, where is your sting?
O Hades, where is your victory?"

56 The sting of death is sin, and the strength of sin is the law. 57 But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.

58 Therefore, my beloved brethren, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that your labor is not in vain in the Lord.
NKJV

1 Peter 5:8-12
8 Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour. 9 Resist him, steadfast in the faith, knowing that the same sufferings are experienced by your brotherhood in the world. 10 But may the God of all grace, who called us to His eternal glory by Christ Jesus, after you have suffered a while, perfect, establish, strengthen, and settle you. 11 To Him be the glory and the dominion forever and ever. Amen.

Farewell and Peace
NKJV

Rom 5:1-5
5 Therefore, having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, 2 through whom also we have access by faith into this grace in which we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God. 3 And not only that, but we also glory in tribulations, knowing that tribulation produces perseverance; 4 and perseverance, character; and character, hope. 5 Now hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out in our hearts by the Holy Spirit who was given to us.
NKJV

John 8:31-36
1 Then Jesus said to those Jews who believed Him, "If you abide in My word, you are My disciples indeed. 32 And you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free."

33 They answered Him,"We are Abraham's descendants, and have never been in bondage to anyone. How can You say, 'You will be made free'?"

34 Jesus answered them, "Most assuredly, I say to you, whoever commits sin is a slave of sin. 35 And a slave does not abide in the house forever, but a son abides forever. 36 Therefore if the Son makes you free, you shall be free indeed.
NKJV

Crowned with Grace for the Race

I don’t have much to say today. God is helping me get reorganized this morning. He does that sometimes and I’ve learned that you have to take the grace when it comes.

Sometimes you can do things with ease and others hardly do them at all. When it’s easy it’s a simple indication that God’s grace is upon you and so the time is probably right. When it’s not it’s not and so it’s probably not time.

Just gotta learn to go with the flow.

Not to say that it’s always easy, it’s not. But when it’s not then there’s a grace to press through and do what you need to do.

If it’s urgent it’s probably because you didn’t do it when you should have. But don’t fret, just ask God to help you get caught up, and then press through until you do.

You need things in order to go with the flow, because all of the clutter will make you go slow.

1 Cor 14:40
40 Let all things be done decently and in order.
NKJV

1 Cor 15:10-11
10 But by the grace of God I am what I am, and His grace toward me was not in vain; but I labored more abundantly than they all, yet not I, but the grace of God which was with me.
NKJV

Prov 4:5-9
5 Get wisdom! Get understanding!
Do not forget, nor turn away from the words of my mouth.
6 Do not forsake her, and she will preserve you;
Love her, and she will keep you.
7 Wisdom is the principal thing;
Therefore get wisdom.
And in all your getting, get understanding.
8 Exalt her, and she will promote you;
She will bring you honor, when you embrace her.
9 She will place on your head an ornament of grace;
A crown of glory she will deliver to you."
NKJV

1 Cor 9:24
24 Do you not know that those who run in a race all run, but one receives the prize? Run in such a way that you may obtain it.
NKJV

GET UP and GO!

You’re not going to know what to do until you do what you know.

You don’t need to know step two - until step one - you have begun.

You have two legs and the next step is always one. If you try to skip it you’ll find yourself hopping. But the problem is that you can’t hop well uphill, so you fall, and wonder why you fell.

You can’t skip steps so you stagnate when you seek more steps than you’re stepping.

It’s more important to take the next step then it is to know the one after it.

You’ll never know until you go.

So many people are stuck in their seeking simply because they won’t take the next step.

Step out then you’ll see - the next step I have for thee.

As long as you’re waiting, I AM waiting - your obedience anticipating.

You can seek and seek, and pray and pray, but if you want to know, get on the way!

You keep questioning Me, I will question you, “What do you ‘know that you know’ to do?” When you already ‘know what you know’ it’s time to shut your mouth - and GO.

You gotta go with what you know stop seeking more until you go.

You seek more wisdom when you should be seeking to obey. Just pray and obey everyday. And if you still haven’t done what I told you yesterday, don’t pray and try to make it go away, or seek more direction until you’re on the way.

The steps I show, as you go, if you want to know, GET UP and GO!

Ps 37:23
23 The steps of a good man are ordered by the Lord,
And He delights in his way.
NKJV

Acts 9:6
6 So he, trembling and astonished, said, "Lord, what do You want me to do?"

Then the Lord said to him, "Arise and go into the city, and you will be told what you must do."
NKJV

Acts 9:6
6 I want you to get up and enter the city. In the city you'll be told what to do next."
MES

Acts 9:6
But get up, and go into the town, and it will be made clear to you what you have to do.
BBE

Acts 22:10
10 So I said, 'What shall I do, Lord?' And the Lord said to me, 'Arise and go into Damascus, and there you will be told all things which are appointed for you to do.'
NKJV

Acts 22:10-11
10 "Then I said, 'What do I do now, Master?'

"He said, 'Get to your feet and enter Damascus. There you'll be told everything that's been set out for you to do.'
MES

Acts 22:10
10 And I asked, What shall I do, Lord? And the Lord answered me, Get up and go into Damascus, and there it will be told you all that it is destined and appointed for you to do.
AMP

Primitive or Empowered

It’s still dark and the power is out at the house this morning. No power means no light, no coffee and no cooking. Things that could normally be done with ease can now only be done with effort or possibly not at all. I could go out in the snow, gather some sticks, start a fire, cook some coffee and grill some toast, but for now it’s not worth it. I can’t turn on the lights or get online at all. The heat is off and I have a very limited supply of water because the thermostat and well pump are electronic, and if I don’t get some power soon my computer battery will also be dead.

A problem with the power means going from living in comfort and convenience back to manual living, it’s like primitive camping, which can be fun, but not when you’re not predisposed or prepared. Likewise this is what happens in Christianity when you lose you connection with Christ. You can’t do what you were really created to do without supernatural power. You have no light, no energy source and things that should be done with ease can now only be done by effort or not at all. He is the Fire so the heat is off and you’re in danger of becoming lukewarm or even cold. He is also the Living Water and without a connection or way to receive it you’ve got naught. Without faith you can’t pray or get on God’s line at all, and if you don’t get some power soon you batteries will go dead.

Faith is what connects us to God and all the blessings flow through and are operated by faith. Faith comes by hearing and hearing God’s Word. So when you maintain your hearing you maintain your faith and therefore maintain your connection. Faith empowers prayer and prayer accesses all of God’s resources. God’s glory is like His power plant and all you need is in it. So you can either tap into it by faith and receive all you need to overcome with power, or fall back into primitive living. That’s why the enemy is always attacking your faith because it’s your supply line. He won’t attack it at the source but just wants to slowly choke it out somewhere along the way.

Lack of supply like lack of air produces desperation. So if you’ve been feeling like you can’t breathe lately, then it’s time to return to the Breath of Life. Breathe Him in, be revived again and by His glory empowered to win. Because as long as your alive you will have the challenges of living, but everything’s always easier with power.

Rom 5:1-3
Therefore, having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, 2 through whom also we have access by faith into this grace in which we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God.
NKJV

Eph 2:8-10
8 For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, 9 not of works, lest anyone should boast. 10 For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them.
NKJV

Phil 4:19
19 And my God shall supply all your need according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus.

Eph 3:17-21
17 that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith; that you, being rooted and grounded in love, 18 may be able to comprehend with all the saints what is the width and length and depth and height — 19 to know the love of Christ which passes knowledge; that you may be filled with all the fullness of God.

20 Now to Him who is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that works in us, 21 to Him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus to all generations, forever and ever. Amen.
NKJV

YAY! Now the power is back on and now everything suddenly works again. The disconnection can be subtle but the reconnection can happen in an instant.

Obey TODAY?

The word for today is, “Will you obey?” Saying, “Yes, I will tomorrow” is the same thing as saying, “No, I will not today.” And then when tomorrow comes you say, “Tomorrow.” Now you’re not only disobedient but also a liar and justify the whole thing with procrastination. You pretend you’re obedient because you intend to be obedient and end up deceived. And you haven’t yet received what you’ve believed because you haven’t obeyed what you got when you prayed. Putting off obedience is the same thing as putting off the blessing. Being disobedient and expecting to be blessed is like baking a cake with ingredients fake. And no matter how much you justify your actions, and try and pretend your cake will not bake or rise in the end. So you must obey today if you want to be blessed, because being obedient is the key ingredient by which the promise is possessed. Cake without staples is imagined, and “Faith without works is dead” so if you want what God has, you’ll have to do what He said. It will pay to obey, but only if you do it TODAY!

Isa 1:19-20
19 If you are willing and obedient,
You shall eat the good of the land;
20 But if you refuse and rebel,
You shall be devoured by the sword";
For the mouth of the Lord has spoken.
NKJV

Job 36:11-12
11 If they obey and serve Him,
They shall spend their days in prosperity,
And their years in pleasures.
12 But if they do not obey,
They shall perish by the sword,
And they shall die without knowledge.
NKJV

Heb 3:7-8
7 Therefore, as the Holy Spirit says:

"Today, if you will hear His voice,
8 Do not harden your hearts as in the rebellion,
In the day of trial in the wilderness,
NKJV

Heb 3:14-15
14 For we have become partakers of Christ if we hold the beginning of our confidence steadfast to the end, 15 while it is said:

"Today, if you will hear His voice,
Do not harden your hearts as in the rebellion."
NKJV

Heb 4:6-7

6 Since therefore it remains that some must enter it, and those to whom it was first preached did not enter because of disobedience, 7 again He designates a certain day, saying in David, "Today," after such a long time, as it has been said:

"Today, if you will hear His voice,
Do not harden your hearts."
NKJV

Heb 4:11-12
11 Let us therefore be diligent to enter that rest, lest anyone fall according to the same example of disobedience.
NKJV

Deut 28:45-46
45 "Moreover all these curses shall come upon you and pursue and overtake you, until you are destroyed, because you did not obey the voice of the Lord your God, to keep His commandments and His statutes which He commanded you.
NKJV

Deut 28:2
2 And all these blessings shall come upon you and overtake you, because you obey the voice of the Lord your God:
NKJV

Deut 28:1-2
28 "Now it shall come to pass, if you diligently obey the voice of the Lord your God, to observe carefully all His commandments which I command you today, that the Lord your God will set you high above all nations of the earth. 2 And all these blessings shall come upon you and overtake you, because you obey the voice of the Lord your God:
NKJV

Rom 2:7-11
7 eternal life to those who by patient continuance in doing good seek for glory, honor, and immortality; 8 but to those who are self-seeking and do not obey the truth, but obey unrighteousness — indignation and wrath, 9 tribulation and anguish, on every soul of man who does evil, of the Jew first and also of the Greek; 10 but glory, honor, and peace to everyone who works what is good, to the Jew first and also to the Greek. 11 For there is no partiality with God.
NKJV

Rom 6:16-17
16 Do you not know that to whom you present yourselves slaves to obey, you are that one's slaves whom you obey, whether of sin leading to death, or of obedience leading to righteousness?
NKJV

Heb 5:9-10
9 And having been perfected, He became the author of eternal salvation to all who obey Him,
NKJV

See – Deuteronomy Chapter 30 and Romans Chapter 10

Have a great day and be blessed in every way – as you obey!

Acknowledge Him

Feeling bored,
Need restored,
Take the time,
to Know the Lord.

Be aware,
He’s always there,
Commune with Him,
in constant prayer.

Think on - listen to -
Recognize - God Within.
He’s one with you,
As you’re one with Him.

Prov 3:6
In all your ways acknowledge Him,
And He shall direct your paths.
NKJV

Prov 3:6
Listen for God's voice in everything you do, everywhere you go;
he's the one who will keep you on track.
MES

Prov 3:6
In everything you do, put God first, and he will direct you and crown your efforts with success.
TLB

Prov 3:6
Seek his will in all you do,
and he will show you which path to take.
NLT

Prov 3:6
In all your ways give ear to him, and he will make straight your footsteps.
BBE

Prov 3:6-7
Remember the Lord in everything you do, and he will show you the right way.
GNT

Prov 3:6
6 In all thy ways know thou Him, And He doth make straight thy paths.
YLT

Prov 3:6
6 In all thy ways think on him, and he will direct thy steps.
Douay-Rheims

Prov 3:6
In all your ways know, recognize, and acknowledge Him, and He will direct and make straight and plain your paths.
AMP

1 Cor 6:17
17 But he who unites himself with the Lord is one with him in spirit.
NIV

John 17:22-23
22 And the glory which You gave Me I have given them, that they may be one just as We are one: 23 I in them, and You in Me; that they may be made perfect in one, and that the world may know that You have sent Me, and have loved them as You have loved Me.
NKJV

Faker or Partaker

The way has been made and the price has been paid for you to be a partaker of the Divine Nature. So awake and partake, so that you “may have the richest measure of the divine Presence, and become a body wholly filled and flooded with God Himself!”

Even though you are weak in humanity you are powerful in divinity. The fullness of the Deity lives in thee bodily. Receive His grace and take your place - in divine blessing, favor, power, strength and ability!

Acts 17:29
29 Therefore, since we are the offspring of God, we ought not to think that the Divine Nature is like gold or silver or stone, something shaped by art and man's devising.
NKJV

Rom 1:20
20 For since the creation of the world God's invisible qualities — his eternal power and divine nature — have been clearly seen, being understood from what has been made, so that men are without excuse.
NIV

2 Peter 1:2-4
2 Grace and peace be multiplied to you in the knowledge of God and of Jesus our Lord, 3 as His divine power has given to us all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of Him who called us by glory and virtue, 4 by which have been given to us exceedingly great and precious promises, that through these you may be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust.
NKJV

Eph 3:19
19 [That you may really come] to know [practically, through experience for yourselves] the love of Christ, which far surpasses mere knowledge [without experience]; that you may be filled [through all your being] unto all the fullness of God [may have the richest measure of the divine Presence, and become a body wholly filled and flooded with God Himself]!
AMP

2 Cor 12:10
10 So for the sake of Christ, I am well pleased and take pleasure in infirmities, insults, hardships, persecutions, perplexities and distresses; for when I am weak [in human strength], then am I [truly] strong (able, powerful in divine strength).
AMP

Col 1:19
19 For it has pleased [the Father] that all the divine fullness (the sum total of the divine perfection, powers, and attributes) should dwell in Him permanently.
AMP

Col 2:9-10
9 For in Him the whole fullness of Deity (the Godhead) continues to dwell in bodily form [giving complete expression of the divine nature].

10 And you are in Him, made full and having come to fullness of life [in Christ you too are filled with the Godhead — Father, Son and Holy Spirit — and reach full spiritual stature]. And He is the Head of all rule and authority [of every angelic principality and power].
AMP

Acts 6:8
8 Now Stephen, full of grace (divine blessing and favor) and power (strength and ability) worked great wonders and signs (miracles) among the people.
AMP

2 Cor 4:6-7
6 For God Who said, Let light shine out of darkness, has shone in our hearts so as [to beam forth] the Light for the illumination of the knowledge of the majesty and glory of God [as it is manifest in the Person and is revealed] in the face of Jesus Christ (the Messiah). [Gen 1:3.]

7 However, we possess this precious treasure [the divine Light of the Gospel] in [frail, human] vessels of earth, that the grandeur and exceeding greatness of the power may be shown to be from God and not from ourselves.
AMP

Gifted to Give

You have gifts that have been given to you by God. They are in you! But just like seeds are made for sowing gifts are made for giving. If you don’t use them they will lay dormant, but if you will give what you’ve got it will began to grow. The gift is multiplied in the giving. The gift in you is not for you but given to you, to flow through you. It’s like you went shopping on God’s card and He’s given you gifts to give. And because He is unlimited, He is able to make you an awesome blessing to the degree that the whole world may be blessed by Gift of God that is in you. The ultimate Gift He has given is the Gift of His Spirit and His Spirit enables you to animate and operate the gifts that are in you. So the question is not "if" you have gifts, everyone does. The question is - what will you do with the Gift of God that is in you?
It’s no wonder the Lord said,
“It is more blessed to give than receive.”
It’s the way of His Kingdom,
And method of increase for those who believe.

Giving is sowing and sowing is growing.

The more that you give, the more that you grow,
Then the more you can sow, wherever ever you go!

The Gift will continue to multiply as long as you’re living,
And be a blessing, as long as you’re giving.

1 Peter 4:10
As each one has received a gift, minister it to one another, as good stewards of the manifold grace of God.
NKJV

Eph 3:7
…I became a minister according to the gift of the grace of God given to me by the effective working of His power.
NKJV

1 Cor 7:7
…each one has his own gift from God, one in this manner and another in that.
NKJV

Eph 4:7-8
7 But to each one of us grace was given according to the measure of Christ's gift. 8 Therefore He says:

"When He ascended on high,
He led captivity captive,
And gave gifts to men."
NKJV

1 Tim 4:14
14 Do not neglect the gift that is in you…
NKJV

2 Tim 1:6
6 Therefore I remind you to stir up the gift of God which is in you…
NKJV

2 Tim 1:6
6 That is why I would remind you to stir up (rekindle the embers of, fan the flame of, and keep burning) the [gracious] gift of God, [the inner fire] that is in you…
AMP

Rom 12:6
6 Having then gifts differing according to the grace that is given to us, let us use them:
NKJV

Rom 12:6
6 In his grace, God has given us different gifts for doing certain things well.
NLT

Rom 12:6
6 let's just go ahead and be what we were made to be…
MES

Prov 18:16
6 A gift opens the way for the giver
and ushers him into the presence of the great.
NIV

James 1:17
17 Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and comes down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shadow of turning.

Rom 11:29-30
29 For the gifts and the calling of God are irrevocable.
NKJV

2 Cor 9:10-15
10 Now may He who supplies seed to the sower, and bread for food, supply and multiply the seed you have sown and increase the fruits of your righteousness, 11 while you are enriched in everything for all liberality, which causes thanksgiving through us to God. 12 For the administration of this service not only supplies the needs of the saints, but also is abounding through many thanksgivings to God, 13 while, through the proof of this ministry, they glorify God for the obedience of your confession to the gospel of Christ, and for your liberal sharing with them and all men, 14 and by their prayer for you, who long for you because of the exceeding grace of God in you. 15 Thanks be to God for His indescribable gift!
NKJV

Acts 2:38-39
38 Then Peter said to them, "Repent, and let every one of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins; and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. 39 For the promise is to you and to your children, and to all who are afar off, as many as the Lord our God will call."
NKJV

Acts 10:45
45 And those of the circumcision who believed were astonished, as many as came with Peter, because the gift of the Holy Spirit had been poured out on the Gentiles also.
NKJV

John 4:10
10 Jesus answered and said to her, "If you knew the gift of God, and who it is who says to you, 'Give Me a drink,' you would have asked Him, and He would have given you living water."
NKJV

John 7:37-39
37 On the last day, that great day of the feast, Jesus stood and cried out, saying, "If anyone thirsts, let him come to Me and drink. 38 He who believes in Me, as the Scripture has said, out of his heart will flow rivers of living water." 39 But this He spoke concerning the Spirit, whom those believing in Him would receive; for the Holy Spirit was not yet given, because Jesus was not yet glorified.
NKJV

ALL in ALL

Grace is undeserved favor,
Thank God you’re forgiven!
By unmerited favor,
God’s riches are given.
ALL THAT HE HAS,
Bequeathed to you,
Not just all of His wealth,
But HIS NATURE too!

Through faith you have access,
Into abundance of grace,
Receive it to reign,
Bless the whole human race!
You already possess,
All sufficiency for all,
Know it and sow it,
This is your call.

Eph 2:4-8
4 But God — so rich is He in His mercy! Because of and in order to satisfy the great and wonderful and intense love with which He loved us,

5 Even when we were dead (slain) by [our own] shortcomings and trespasses, He made us alive together in fellowship and in union with Christ; [He gave us the very life of Christ Himself, the same new life with which He quickened Him, for] it is by grace (His favor and mercy which you did not deserve) that you are saved ( delivered from judgment and made partakers of Christ's salvation).

6 And He raised us up together with Him and made us sit down together [giving us joint seating with Him] in the heavenly sphere [by virtue of our being] in Christ Jesus (the Messiah, the Anointed One).

7 He did this that He might clearly demonstrate through the ages to come the immeasurable (limitless, surpassing) riches of His free grace (His unmerited favor) in [His] kindness and goodness of heart toward us in Christ Jesus.

8 For it is by free grace (God's unmerited favor) that you are saved ( delivered from judgment and made partakers of Christ's salvation) through [your] faith. And this [salvation] is not of yourselves [of your own doing, it came not through your own striving], but it is the gift of God;
AMP

2 Cor 8:9
9 You know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ; rich as he was, he made himself poor for your sake, in order to make you rich by means of his poverty.
TEV

Rom 8:32-33
32 He who did not spare His own Son, but delivered Him up for us all, how shall He not with Him also freely give us all things?
NKJV

Rom 8:32
32 If God didn't hesitate to put everything on the line for us, embracing our condition and exposing himself to the worst by sending his own Son, is there anything else he wouldn't gladly and freely do for us?
MES

Rom 8:32
32 He who did not withhold or spare [even] His own Son but gave Him up for us all, will He not also with Him freely and graciously give us all [other] things?
AMP

Heb 1:1-3
1 God, who at various times and in various ways spoke in time past to the fathers by the prophets, 2 has in these last days spoken to us by His Son, whom He has appointed heir of all things...
NKJV

Gal 4:6-7
6 And because you are sons, God has sent forth the Spirit of His Son into your hearts, crying out, "Abba, Father!" 7 Therefore you are no longer a slave but a son, and if a son, then an heir of God through Christ.
NKJV

Rom 8:16-17
16 The Spirit Himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God, 17 and if children, then heirs — heirs of God and joint heirs with Christ…
NKJV

John 16:15
15 All things that the Father has are Mine. Therefore I said that He will take of Mine and declare it to you.
NKJV

John 16:15
15 All that belongs to the Father is mine. That is why I said the Spirit will take from what is mine and make it known to you.
NIV

John 16:15
15 Everything that the Father has is Mine. That is what I meant when I said that He [the Spirit] will take the things that are Mine and will reveal (declare, disclose, transmit) it to you.
AMP

2 Cor 9:8
8 And God is able to make all grace abound toward you, that you, always having all sufficiency in all things, may have an abundance for every good work.
NKJV

Eph 1:7-8
7 In Him we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of His grace 8 which He made to abound toward us in all wisdom and prudence,
NKJV

Eph 1:7-8
7 In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches of God's grace 8 that he lavished on us with all wisdom and understanding.
NIV

2 Cor 9:8
8 God can pour on the blessings in astonishing ways so that you're ready for anything and everything, more than just ready to do what needs to be done.
MES

2 Cor 9:8
8 And God is able to make all grace abound toward you; that ye, always having all sufficiency in all things, may abound to every good work:
KJV

Rom 5:1-2
Therefore, having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, 2 through whom also we have access by faith into this grace in which we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God.
NKJV

Phil 4:19-20
19 And my God shall supply all your need according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus.
NKJV

Phil 2:13
13 for it is God who works in you both to will and to do for His good pleasure.
NKJV

Eph 3:20-21
20 Now to Him who is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that works in us,
NKJV

2 Cor 6:1-2
6 We then, as workers together with Him also plead with you not to receive the grace of God in vain.
NKJV

1 Cor 15:10
10 But by the grace of God I am what I am, and His grace toward me was not in vain; but I labored more abundantly than they all, yet not I, but the grace of God which was with me.
NKJV

1 Tim 1:14
4 And the grace of our Lord was exceedingly abundant, with faith and love which are in Christ Jesus
NKJV

2 Tim 2:1
2 You therefore, my son, be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus.
NKJV

Heb 4:16
16 Let us therefore come boldly to the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need.
NKJV

2 Peter 1:2-4
2 Grace and peace be multiplied to you in the knowledge of God and of Jesus our Lord, 3 as His divine power has given to us all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of Him who called us by glory and virtue, 4 by which have been given to us exceedingly great and precious promises, that through these you may be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust.
NKJV

Rom 5:17
17 For if by one man's offence death reigned by one; much more they which receive abundance of grace and of the gift of righteousness shall reign in life by one, Jesus Christ.)
KJV

Rom 5:17
17 For if, by the trespass of the one man, death reigned through that one man, how much more will those who receive God's abundant provision of grace and of the gift of righteousness reign in life through the one man, Jesus Christ.
NIV

2 Cor 9:6-15
6 But this I say: He who sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and he who sows bountifully will also reap bountifully. 7 So let each one give as he purposes in his heart, not grudgingly or of necessity; for God loves a cheerful giver. 8 And God is able to make all grace abound toward you, that you, always having all sufficiency in all things, may have an abundance for every good work. 9 As it is written:

"He has dispersed abroad,

"He has dispersed abroad,
He has given to the poor;
His righteousness endures forever."

10 Now may He who supplies seed to the sower, and bread for food, supply and multiply the seed you have sown and increase the fruits of your righteousness, 11 while you are enriched in everything for all liberality, which causes thanksgiving through us to God. 12 For the administration of this service not only supplies the needs of the saints, but also is abounding through many thanksgivings to God, 13 while, through the proof of this ministry, they glorify God for the obedience of your confession to the gospel of Christ, and for your liberal sharing with them and all men, 14 and by their prayer for you, who long for you because of the exceeding grace of God in you. 15 Thanks be to God for His indescribable gift!
NKJV

Gal 3:8
8 And the Scripture, foreseeing that God would justify the Gentiles by faith, preached the gospel to Abraham beforehand, saying, "In you all the nations shall be blessed."
NKJV

Gen 12:3
3 I will bless those who bless you,
And I will curse him who curses you;
And in you all the families of the earth shall be blessed."
NKJV

Gal 3:13-14
13 Christ has redeemed us from the curse of the law, having become a curse for us (for it is written, "Cursed is everyone who hangs on a tree"), 14 that the blessing of Abraham might come upon the Gentiles in Christ Jesus, that we might receive the promise of the Spirit through faith.
NKJV

Eph 3:2-7
2 if indeed you have heard of the dispensation of the grace of God which was given to me for you, 3 how that by revelation He made known to me the mystery (as I have briefly written already, 4 by which, when you read, you may understand my knowledge in the mystery of Christ), 5 which in other ages was not made known to the sons of men, as it has now been revealed by the Spirit to His holy apostles and prophets: 6 that the Gentiles should be fellow heirs, of the same body, and partakers of His promise in Christ through the gospel, 7 of which I became a minister according to the gift of the grace of God given to me by the effective working of His power.
NKJV

Col 1:27
27 To them God willed to make known what are the riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles: which is Christ in you, the hope of glory.
NKJV

OVERFLOW!

“Remember the words of the Lord Jesus, that He said, 'It is more blessed to give than to receive.'"

Giving is sowing and sowing is growing. Receiving is eating - provision depleting. It’s no wonder the Lord said, “It is more blessed to give than receive.” It’s the way of His Kingdom, and method of increase for those who believe. The more that you give, the more that you grow, then the more you can sow, wherever ever you go! The main seed is love, and God has given you His so you always have plenty, to receive it and sow it won’t cost you a penny. The price has already been paid, there’s an everlasting supply, so love all you want, and you’ll never run dry. How wonderful it is when you learn how to give, and in the joy of the Lord’s - abundance live!


“Remember the words of the Lord Jesus, that He said, 'It is more blessed to give than to receive.'"
Acts 20:35bNKJV

John 12:24-25
24 Most assuredly, I say to you, unless a grain of wheat falls into the ground and dies, it remains alone; but if it dies, it produces much grain.
NKJV

John 3:16-17
16 For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.
NKJV

Mark 4:26-32
26 And He said, "The kingdom of God is as if a man should scatter seed on the ground, 27 and should sleep by night and rise by day, and the seed should sprout and grow, he himself does not know how. 28 For the earth yields crops by itself: first the blade, then the head, after that the full grain in the head. 29 But when the grain ripens, immediately he puts in the sickle, because the harvest has come."

30 Then He said, "To what shall we liken the kingdom of God? Or with what parable shall we picture it? 31 It is like a mustard seed which, when it is sown on the ground, is smaller than all the seeds on earth; 32 but when it is sown, it grows up and becomes greater than all herbs, and shoots out large branches, so that the birds of the air may nest under its shade."
NKJV

2 Cor 9:6-15
6 But this I say: He who sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and he who sows bountifully will also reap bountifully. 7 So let each one give as he purposes in his heart, not grudgingly or of necessity; for God loves a cheerful giver. 8 And God is able to make all grace abound toward you, that you, always having all sufficiency in all things, may have an abundance for every good work. 9 As it is written:

"He has dispersed abroad,
He has given to the poor;
His righteousness endures forever."

10 Now may He who supplies seed to the sower, and bread for food, supply and multiply the seed you have sown and increase the fruits of your righteousness, 11 while you are enriched in everything for all liberality, which causes thanksgiving through us to God. 12 For the administration of this service not only supplies the needs of the saints, but also is abounding through many thanksgivings to God, 13 while, through the proof of this ministry, they glorify God for the obedience of your confession to the gospel of Christ, and for your liberal sharing with them and all men, 14 and by their prayer for you, who long for you because of the exceeding grace of God in you. 15 Thanks be to God for His indescribable gift!
NKJV

2 Cor 9:7
7 Let each one [give] as he has made up his own mind and purposed in his heart, not reluctantly or sorrowfully or under compulsion, for God loves (He takes pleasure in, prizes above other things, and is unwilling to abandon or to do without) a cheerful (joyous, "prompt to do it") giver [whose heart is in his giving]. [Prov 22:9.]
AMP

1 John 3:1
3 How great is the love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God! And that is what we are!
NIV

1 John 4:12-21
12 No one has seen God at any time. If we love one another, God abides in us, and His love has been perfected in us. 13 By this we know that we abide in Him, and He in us, because He has given us of His Spirit. 14 And we have seen and testify that the Father has sent the Son as Savior of the world. 15 Whoever confesses that Jesus is the Son of God, God abides in him, and he in God. 16 And we have known and believed the love that God has for us. God is love, and he who abides in love abides in God, and God in him.


17 Love has been perfected among us in this: that we may have boldness in the day of judgment; because as He is, so are we in this world. 18 There is no fear in love; but perfect love casts out fear, because fear involves torment. But he who fears has not been made perfect in love. 19 We love Him because He first loved us.


20 If someone says, "I love God," and hates his brother, he is a liar; for he who does not love his brother whom he has seen, how can he love God whom he has not seen? 21 And this commandment we have from Him: that he who loves God must love his brother also.
NKJV

1 Cor 13:1-8
13 If I speak in the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I am only a resounding gong or a clanging cymbal. 2 If I have the gift of prophecy and can fathom all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have a faith that can move mountains, but have not love, I am nothing. 3 If I give all I possess to the poor and surrender my body to the flames, but have not love, I gain nothing.

4 Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. 5 It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. 6 Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. 7 It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.

8 Love never fails.
NIV

Rom 8:31-39
31 What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us? 32 He who did not spare His own Son, but delivered Him up for us all, how shall He not with Him also freely give us all things? 33 Who shall bring a charge against God's elect? It is God who justifies. 34 Who is he who condemns? It is Christ who died, and furthermore is also risen, who is even at the right hand of God, who also makes intercession for us. 35 Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword? 36 As it is written:

"For Your sake we are killed all day long;
We are accounted as sheep for the slaughter."

37 Yet in all these things we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us. 38 For I am persuaded that neither death nor life, nor angels nor principalities nor powers, nor things present nor things to come, 39 nor height nor depth, nor any other created thing, shall be able to separate us from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.
NKJV

John 10:10
10 The thief comes only in order to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have and enjoy life, and have it in abundance (to the full, till it overflows).
AMP

Acts 20:35
35 In everything I have pointed out to you [by example] that, by working diligently in this manner, we ought to assist the weak, being mindful of the words of the Lord Jesus, how He Himself said, It is more blessed (makes one happier and more to be envied) to give than to receive.
AMP

JOY!

Mine or Thine

The note today is about a song that I’m working on. It’s about how Jesus had to war to do God’s will and die to live. And how we still must fight the war within, die to self and choose His will to win.

THY WILL BE DONE

Whose will wins
Mine or Thine
War Within
Mine or Thine
Whose will wins
Mine or Thine
War Within
Mine or Thine

Thy Kingdom come Thy will be done
A violent war that must be won
In agony sweating drops of blood
From the pain one can not run
Battle can’t be won by gun
Mind is black and dark of mud
There is no escape – none but one
Arise and be revealed my Son

Not my will but Thine be done
For this deed the chosen One
To stop the dark and evil flood
It’s time for you to die My Son
For by your death – death is undone
To the cross now – shed thy blood
When your life ends - it has begun
Thy Kingdom come thy will be done

Copyright © 2011 Violent By Nature

Luke 17:20-21
20 Now when He was asked by the Pharisees when the kingdom of God would come, He answered them and said, "The kingdom of God does not come with observation; 21 nor will they say,'See here!' or 'See there!' For indeed, the kingdom of God is within you."
NKJV

Matt 6:9-13
9 In this manner, therefore, pray:

Our Father in heaven,
Hallowed be Your name.
10 Your kingdom come.
Your will be done
On earth as it is in heaven.
11 Give us this day our daily bread.
12 And forgive us our debts,
As we forgive our debtors.
13 And do not lead us into temptation,
But deliver us from the evil one.
For Yours is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever. Amen.
NKJV

Luke 22:41-44
41 And He was withdrawn from them about a stone's throw, and He knelt down and prayed, 42 saying, "Father, if it is Your will, take this cup away from Me; nevertheless not My will, but Yours, be done." 43 Then an angel appeared to Him from heaven, strengthening Him. 44 And being in agony, He prayed more earnestly. Then His sweat became like great drops of blood falling down to the ground.
NKJV

John 3:14
14 And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the Son of Man be lifted up,
NKJV

John 12:31-33
31 Now is the judgment of this world; now the ruler of this world will be cast out. 32 And I, if I am lifted up from the earth, will draw all peoples to Myself." 33 This He said, signifying by what death He would die.
NKJV

Rom 8:18-21
18 For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us. 19 For the earnest expectation of the creation eagerly waits for the revealing of the sons of God. 20 For the creation was subjected to futility, not willingly, but because of Him who subjected it in hope; 21 because the creation itself also will be delivered from the bondage of corruption into the glorious liberty of the children of God.
NKJV

Isa 59:15 – 60:3
Then the Lord saw it, and it displeased Him
That there was no justice.
16 He saw that there was no man,
And wondered that there was no intercessor;
Therefore His own arm brought salvation for Him;
And His own righteousness, it sustained Him.
17 For He put on righteousness as a breastplate,
And a helmet of salvation on His head;
He put on the garments of vengeance for clothing,
And was clad with zeal as a cloak.
18 According to their deeds, accordingly He will repay,
Fury to His adversaries,
Recompense to His enemies;
The coastlands He will fully repay.
19 So shall they fear
The name of the Lord from the west,
And His glory from the rising of the sun;
When the enemy comes in like a flood,
The Spirit of the Lord will lift up a standard against him.

20 "The Redeemer will come to Zion,
And to those who turn from transgression in Jacob,"
Says the Lord.

21 "As for Me," says the Lord, "this is My covenant with them: My Spirit who is upon you, and My words which I have put in your mouth, shall not depart from your mouth, nor from the mouth of your descendants, nor from the mouth of your descendants' descendants," says the Lord, "from this time and forevermore."

1 Arise, shine;
For your light has come!
And the glory of the Lord is risen upon you.
2 For behold, the darkness shall cover the earth,
And deep darkness the people;
But the Lord will arise over you,
And His glory will be seen upon you.
3 The Gentiles shall come to your light,
And kings to the brightness of your rising.
NKJV

Rev 12:10-11
10 Then I heard a loud voice saying in heaven, "Now salvation, and strength, and the kingdom of our God, and the power of His Christ have come, for the accuser of our brethren, who accused them before our God day and night, has been cast down. 11 And they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony, and they did not love their lives to the death.
NKJV

Heb 2:14-15
14 Inasmuch then as the children have partaken of flesh and blood, He Himself likewise shared in the same, that through death He might destroy him who had the power of death, that is, the devil, 15 and release those who through fear of death were all their lifetime subject to bondage.
NKJV

Phil 2:5-11
5 Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus, 6 who, being in the form of God, did not consider it robbery to be equal with God, 7 but made Himself of no reputation, taking the form of a bondservant, and coming in the likeness of men. 8 And being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself and became obedient to the point of death, even the death of the cross. 9 Therefore God also has highly exalted Him and given Him the name which is above every name, 10 that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of those in heaven, and of those on earth, and of those under the earth, 11 and that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.
NKJV

Heb 1:8
8 But to the Son He says:

"Your throne, O God, is forever and ever;
A scepter of righteousness is the scepter of Your kingdom.
NKJV

Heb 12:28
28 Therefore, since we are receiving a kingdom which cannot be shaken, let us have grace, by which we may serve God acceptably with reverence and godly fear. 29 For our God is a consuming fire.
NKJV

Secret Recipe

“I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.” Phil 4:13

This seems to be many people’s favorite scripture and it is awesome. It’s also the secret for staying content in every situation. If you look at in context it’s “the recipe for being happy” - “with much or little” - “everywhere and in all things!” So if you’re not happy it’s probably because you’ve been cooking with your circumstances. It’s time to change ingredients and cook with Christ if you want contentment. Then you’ll be able to say, “I’ve learned to be happy no matter what happens because “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.”

In Christ you always have everything you need to cook up a crock of contentment and partake – if you will.

So put this in your recipe box!

Phil 4:11-13
11 Not that I speak in regard to need, for I have learned in whatever state I am, to be content: 12 I know how to be abased, and I know how to abound. Everywhere and in all things I have learned both to be full and to be hungry, both to abound and to suffer need. 13 I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.
NKJV

Phil 4:11-13
11 Not that I speak in respect of want: for I have learned, in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content.

12 I know both how to be abased, and I know how to abound: every where and in all things I am instructed both to be full and to be hungry, both to abound and to suffer need.

13 I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.
KJV

Phil 4:11-13
11 Actually, I don't have a sense of needing anything personally. I've learned by now to be quite content whatever my circumstances. 12 I'm just as happy with little as with much, with much as with little. I've found the recipe for being happy whether full or hungry, hands full or hands empty. 13 Whatever I have, wherever I am, I can make it through anything in the One who makes me who I am.
MES

Phil 4:11-13
11 I am not saying this because I am in need, for I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances. 12 I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. 13 I can do everything through him who gives me strength.
NIV

Phil 4:11-13
1 Not that I was ever in need, for I have learned how to get along happily whether I have much or little. 12 I know how to live on almost nothing or with everything. I have learned the secret of contentment in every situation, whether it be a full stomach or hunger, plenty or want; 13 for I can do everything God asks me to with the help of Christ who gives me the strength and power.
TLB

Phil 4:11-14
11 Not that I was ever in need, for I have learned how to be content with whatever I have. 12 I know how to live on almost nothing or with everything. I have learned the secret of living in every situation, whether it is with a full stomach or empty, with plenty or little. 13 For I can do everything through Christ, who gives me strength.
NLT

Phil 4:11-13
11 Not that I am implying that I was in any personal want, for I have learned how to be content (satisfied to the point where I am not disturbed or disquieted) in whatever state I am.

12 I know how to be abased and live humbly in straitened circumstances, and I know also how to enjoy plenty and live in abundance. I have learned in any and all circumstances the secret of facing every situation, whether well-fed or going hungry, having a sufficiency and enough to spare or going without and being in want.

13 I have strength for all things in Christ Who empowers me [I am ready for anything and equal to anything through Him Who infuses inner strength into me; I am self-sufficient in Christ's sufficiency].
AMP

Phil 4:10-13
It is not that I speak as regards a need, for, so far as I am concerned, I have come to learn, in the circumstances in which I am placed, to be independent of these and self-sufficient. I know in fact how to discipline myself in lowly circumstances. I know in fact how to conduct myself when I have more than enough. In everything and in all things I have learned the secret, both to be satiated and to be hungry, and to have more than enough and to lack. I am strong for all things in the One who constantly infuses strength in me.
Wuest

Phil 4:11-13
11 I'm not saying this because I'm in any need. I've learned to be content in whatever situation I'm in. 12 I know how to live in poverty or prosperity. No matter what the situation, I've learned the secret of how to live when I'm full or when I'm hungry, when I have too much or when I have too little. 13 I can do everything through Christ who strengthens me.
GOD'S WORD

Phil 4:11-13
11 And I am not saying this because I feel neglected, for I have learned to be satisfied with what I have. 12 I know what it is to be in need and what it is to have more than enough. I have learned this secret, so that anywhere, at any time, I am content, whether I am full or hungry, whether I have too much or too little. 13 I have the strength to face all conditions by the power that Christ gives me.
GNT

Phil 4:11-13
11 I am not telling you this because I need anything. I have learned to be satisfied with the things I have and with everything that happens. 12 I know how to live when I am poor, and I know how to live when I have plenty. I have learned the secret of being happy at any time in everything that happens, when I have enough to eat and when I go hungry, when I have more than I need and when I do not have enough. 13 I can do all things through Christ, because he gives me strength.
NCV

Phil 4:11-13
11 I do not refer to this through fear of privation, for (for my part) I have learned, whatever be my outward experiences, to be content.

12 I know both how to live in humble circumstances and how to live amid abundance. I am fully initiated into all the mysteries both of fulness and of hunger, of abundance and of want.

13 I have strength for anything through Him who gives me power.
Weymouth

Secret

Matt 6:6
6 But you, when you pray, go into your room, and when you have shut your door, pray to your Father who is in the secret place; and your Father who sees in secret will reward you openly.
NKJV

Ps 91:1
1 HE WHO dwells in the secret place of the Most High shall remain stable and fixed under the shadow of the Almighty [Whose power no foe can withstand].
AMP

Ps 91
1 He who dwells in the secret place of the Most High
Shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty.
2 I will say of the Lord, "He is my refuge and my fortress;
My God, in Him I will trust."

3 Surely He shall deliver you from the snare of the fowler
And from the perilous pestilence.
4 He shall cover you with His feathers,
And under His wings you shall take refuge;
His truth shall be your shield and buckler.
5 You shall not be afraid of the terror by night,
Nor of the arrow that flies by day,
6 Nor of the pestilence that walks in darkness,
Nor of the destruction that lays waste at noonday.

7 A thousand may fall at your side,
And ten thousand at your right hand;
But it shall not come near you.
8 Only with your eyes shall you look,
And see the reward of the wicked.

9 Because you have made the Lord, who is my refuge,
Even the Most High, your dwelling place,
10 No evil shall befall you,
Nor shall any plague come near your dwelling;
11 For He shall give His angels charge over you,
To keep you in all your ways.
12 In their hands they shall bear you up,
Lest you dash your foot against a stone.
13 You shall tread upon the lion and the cobra,
The young lion and the serpent you shall trample underfoot.

14 "Because he has set his love upon Me, therefore I will deliver him;
I will set him on high, because he has known My name.
15 He shall call upon Me, and I will answer him;
I will be with him in trouble;
I will deliver him and honor him.
16 With long life I will satisfy him,
And show him My salvation."
NKJV

Fear Not, I AM With You!

Isa 41:10
10 Fear not, for I am with you;
Be not dismayed, for I am your God.
I will strengthen you,
Yes, I will help you,
I will uphold you with My righteous right hand.'
NKJV

Jer 1:8
8 Do not be afraid of their faces,
For I am with you to deliver you," says the Lord.
NKJV

Matt 28:18-20
18 And Jesus came and spoke to them, saying, "All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth. 19 Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age." Amen.
NKJV

Isa 54:10
10 Though the mountains be shaken
and the hills be removed,
yet my unfailing love for you will not be shaken
nor my covenant of peace be removed,"
says the Lord, who has compassion on you.
NIV

Heb 13:5-6
5 Let your character or moral disposition be free from love of money [including greed, avarice, lust, and craving for earthly possessions] and be satisfied with your present [circumstances and with what you have]; for He [God] Himself has said, I will not in any way fail you nor give you up nor leave you without support. [I will] not,[I will] not, [I will] not in any degree leave you helpless nor forsake nor let [you] down ( relax My hold on you)! [Assuredly not!] [Josh 1:5.]

6 So we take comfort and are encouraged and confidently and boldly say, The Lord is my Helper; I will not be seized with alarm [I will not fear or dread or be terrified]. What can man do to me? [Ps 27:1; 118:6.]
AMP

Ps 27:1
1 THE LORD is my Light and my Salvation — whom shall I fear or dread? The Lord is the Refuge and Stronghold of my life — of whom shall I be afraid?
AMP

Ps 121
121 I will lift up my eyes to the hills —
From whence comes my help?
2 My help comes from the Lord,
Who made heaven and earth.

3 He will not allow your foot to be moved;
He who keeps you will not slumber.
4 Behold, He who keeps Israel
Shall neither slumber nor sleep.

5 The Lord is your keeper;
The Lord is your shade at your right hand.
6 The sun shall not strike you by day,
Nor the moon by night.

7 The Lord shall preserve you from all evil;
He shall preserve your soul.
8 The Lord shall preserve your going out and your coming in
From this time forth, and even forevermore.
NKJV

So, Fear Not, for I AM With You!

Dare to Compare?

Can you imagine being of one mind and wrestling yourself, racing yourself, debating yourself or competing in any other kind of contest against yourself? All you could is defeat yourself and exalt yourself. And then brag on and bag on yourself.

What if you could pick your opponent in any kind of contest? Would you pick someone weaker or stronger, better or worse? Either way you would still be lifting yourself up or beating yourself down according to your own choice.

Men like to make their own standards and if they don’t measure up then they usually go find a shorter stick. Someone or something they consider lesser to compare themselves to. How ignorant, to think that they can ascend by being condescending.

The bottom line is that if you compare yourself with those who commend themselves, you measure yourself by yourselves and compare self with selves. This is not wise, and just sounds like a lot of selves. Comparing yourselves to others does not show that you are smart but stupid.

So stop comparing yourself to others, THIS IS NOT WISE! Jesus is your example and your standard. Don’t look down or around but get your attention and affection on God. It’s time to look up, grow up and go up!

2 Cor 10:12
12 For we dare not class ourselves or compare ourselves with those who commend themselves. But they, measuring themselves by themselves, and comparing themselves among themselves, are not wise.
NKJV

2 Cor 10:12
12 Oh, don't worry, I wouldn't dare say that I am as wonderful as these other men who tell you how good they are! Their trouble is that they are only comparing themselves with each other and measuring themselves against their own little ideas. What stupidity!
TLB

2 Cor 10:12
12 Oh, don't worry; we wouldn't dare say that we are as wonderful as these other men who tell you how important they are! But they are only comparing themselves with each other, using themselves as the standard of measurement. How ignorant!
NLT

2 Cor 10:12-13
12 Of course we would not dare classify ourselves or compare ourselves with those who rate themselves so highly. How stupid they are! They make up their own standards to measure themselves by, and they judge themselves by their own standards!
GNT

1 Cor 1:26-31
26 For you see your calling, brethren, that not many wise according to the flesh, not many mighty, not many noble, are called. 27 But God has chosen the foolish things of the world to put to shame the wise, and God has chosen the weak things of the world to put to shame the things which are mighty; 28 and the base things of the world and the things which are despised God has chosen, and the things which are not, to bring to nothing the things that are, 29 that no flesh should glory in His presence. 30 But of Him you are in Christ Jesus, who became for us wisdom from God — and righteousness and sanctification and redemption — 31 that, as it is written, "He who glories, let him glory in the Lord."
NKJV

Jer 9:23-24
23 Thus says the Lord:

"Let not the wise man glory in his wisdom,
Let not the mighty man glory in his might,
Nor let the rich man glory in his riches;
24 But let him who glories glory in this,
That he understands and knows Me,
That I am the Lord, exercising lovingkindness, judgment, and righteousness in the earth.
For in these I delight," says the Lord.
NKJV

Jer 9:23-24
23 God's Message:

"Don't let the wise brag of their wisdom.
Don't let heroes brag of their exploits.
Don't let the rich brag of their riches.
24 If you brag, brag of this and this only:
That you understand and know me.
I'm God, and I act in loyal love.
I do what's right and set things right and fair,
and delight in those who do the same things.
These are my trademarks."
God's Decree.
MES

Jer 9:23-24
23 Thus says the Lord: Let not the wise and skillful person glory and boast in his wisdom and skill; let not the mighty and powerful person glory and boast in his strength and power; let not the person who is rich [in physical gratification and earthly wealth] glory and boast in his [temporal satisfactions and earthly] riches;

24 But let him who glories glory in this: that he understands and knows Me [personally and practically, directly discerning and recognizing My character], that I am the Lord, Who practices loving-kindness, judgment, and righteousness in the earth, for in these things I delight, says the Lord. [1 Cor 1:31; 2 Cor 10:17.]
AMP

Jude 24-25
24 Now to Him who is able to keep you from stumbling,
And to present you faultless
Before the presence of His glory with exceeding joy,
25 To God our Savior,
Who alone is wise,Be glory and majesty,
Dominion and power,
Both now and forever.
Amen.
NKJV

1 Tim 1:17
17 Now to the King eternal, immortal, invisible, to God who alone is wise, be honor and glory forever and ever. Amen.
NKJV

Heb 12:1-2
12 Therefore we also, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, 2 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 has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.
NKJV

Eph 2:4-10
4 But God, who is rich in mercy, because of His great love with which He loved us, 5 even when we were dead in trespasses, made us alive together with Christ (by grace you have been saved), 6 and raised us up together, and made us sit together in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus, 7 that in the ages to come He might show the exceeding riches of His grace in His kindness toward us in Christ Jesus. 8 For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, 9 not of works, lest anyone should boast. 10 For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them.
NKJV

Eph 2:10
10 For we are God's [own] handiwork (His workmanship), recreated in Christ Jesus, [born anew] that we may do those good works which God predestined (planned beforehand) for us [taking paths which He prepared ahead of time], that we should walk in them [living the good life which He prearranged and made ready for us to live].
AMP

Know ONE Thing

“God, what do people need to hear today?” Many mornings I believe that I’m led to think this thought and pray this prayer. And often times it seems that the answer is simply “Tell them that I love them!” You’ll never understand everything but you can always understand one thing and that is - that God loves you. I know this may mess with your mind, especially during hard times and you think, “Well, if God loves us so much then why did He let this happen or that?” I believe the answer is free will. If God choose to control absolutely everything the He would be responsible for everything and nothing would go wrong. But He chose to give us a choice and be responsible with our own lives. He said that He will help us if we ask but He didn’t say that He would do it for us.

When my children were little and learning to walk - they all fell down. I could have carried them everywhere and if I did then I still would be. Can you imagine it, me walking around with four teenagers on my back? As they grew and learned to think they have made some mistakes and have had to deal with the consequences. So should I try to control their mind with some kind of continual Vulcan mind meld and make every decision for them in order to “protect them”? I think not and I’m not Spock. But the point is that if I protect them from everything then I protect then from nothing. And if I do everything for them then I enable them to be disabled. But no matter what happens, stand or fall, win or sin, they know that I love them.

With God the same is true. He loves you no matter what you do. He doesn’t desire for you to do wrong and sing a sad song, but He’s not making your decisions or writing your lyrics. And sometimes other’s people’s stories are almost unbearable but with free will are they not for this short time on earth the author of their own destiny? God has a plan and a path for us to walk but He still lets choose our own way. We can choose His way or our way or someone else’s way. Sometimes we do and others we don’t and some don’t and some do.

So everything is really a big mess and the world looks like our house did when we had four little ones. But it’s okay, because God is going to come and clean it all up in the end. But in the mean time we get to live here and make the best or worst of it that we will. Often times people trip over the “toys” and people fall down, get hurt or even die. But it’s still okay but God always there, even in death, and able to raise us up. And He will if we will because He loves us so much. He said that He will help when we ask and if we don’t then He won’t. And it’s because He’s given us the gift of free will. Apparently He has more faith in us than we do. Can you imagine a whole planet with the forces of good and evil and full of people with free will? Oh, wait no need for imagination - here it is.

So in the midst of it all remember, you’ll never understand everything but you can always understand one thing and that is - that God loves you!

Jer 31:3 I have loved you, O my people, with an everlasting love; with loving-kindness I have drawn you to me. (TLB)
I have always loved you, so I continue to show you my constant love. (GNB)
I've never quit loving you and never will. Expect love, love, and more love! (MSG)

1 John 3:1
How great is the love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God! And that is what we are!
NIV

Isa 54:10
10 For even if the mountains walk away
and the hills fall to pieces,
My love won't walk away from you,
my covenant commitment of peace won't fall apart."
The God who has compassion on you says so.
MES

Tight Line

Comprehend your liberty better everyday,
As you exercise your freedom to obey.
Seek to please man, and you will stray,
Live “too free” - and you will pay.
Back and forth the line does sway.
Keep your balance - go all the way.

Living free is like walking a tight line. On one side is your relationship with God and on the other is your relationship with people. If you get slack on either side then you will fall. It’s challenging because God set you free and you are not to be “be entangled again with a yoke of bondage” or to “use liberty as an opportunity for the flesh.” The more time you spend with God the more you comprehend your liberty and the more you attain the ability to offend those who are not free. You want to live in love, but you don’t want to be controlled by other people’s expectations and especially when they expect you to get in their cage so your freedom won’t offend them. Freedom can be very offensive to those who are bound, but they don’t where freedom’s found. So then should you live in bondage only in order not offend? What about the liberty that God called you to, and honoring the price He paid on the cross by living in it? It seems like there’s always someone who wants you to live by their standards and put their shackles on you, but you’re called to live by God’s standards and not mans. Many people simply wear the shackles for the fear of man and rejection. After all it’s easier to be in bondage than it is to be free. But God has called you to liberty. But if you live “too free” and “use liberty as an opportunity for the flesh.” then you will fall off the other side. Legalism tempts on one side and the flesh on the other. The flesh side says, “I’ll do what I want when I want, it doesn’t matter who it affects because after all, I’M FREE and if people don’t like it then that’s their problem.” And the fear side says, “I better toe mans line or they will reproach and reject me.” The problem is that both fear and flesh are false, they can’t hold up under pressure, if you try to walk their lines they will fail and you will fall.

The only line that never fails is love. But again you find yourself stuck between God and man. Love the Lord with all your heart and love people as yourself. So how do you find the balance? You must put first things first, and if you don’t do the first then you won’t be able to do the second. It’s imperative that you spend enough time with God and aware of Him that you become saturated with His love. The only way to love Him with all your heart is to receive the love He lavishes on you and then lavish it back. If you drink of His love daily then it won’t be long until it overflows. Then when you obey out of love you will truly begin to live in liberty. You’re free to do whatever He leads you to do, not just whatever you want to do. Your freedom is not restrained but tempered by love. Then you can bend in order not to offend without breaking your fellowship with God. Then you’re controlled by love and not by compulsion. You’ll never be able to please everyone, but you can always please God. So you must follow the line of love and let the chips fall where they may with people. Seek not to disobey God first and then not to offend people second. But be advised, surely someone somewhere won’t like it, but don’t use their reproach as an opportunity for your flesh and begin to flout your flout your freedom to offend.

The best you can do is to seek to please God and love man. Follow your heart. Do what the love of the Lord is leading you to do. Live by love and you will walk the line, defy the gravity of guilt by divine design.

Comprehend your liberty better everyday,
As you exercise your freedom to obey.
Seek to please man, and you will stray,
Live “too free” - and you will pay.
Back and forth the line does sway.
Keep your balance - go all the way.

Gal 5:1-2
5 Stand fast therefore in the liberty by which Christ has made us free, and do not be entangled again with a yoke of bondage.
NKJV

Gal 5:13-14
13 For you, brethren, have been called to liberty; only do not use liberty as an opportunity for the flesh, but through love serve one another. 14 For all the law is fulfilled in one word, even in this: "You shall love your neighbor as yourself."
NKJV

Prov 29:25
25 The fear of man brings a snare,
But whoever trusts in the Lord shall be safe.
NKJV

Rom 14:1-15:6
14 Receive one who is weak in the faith, but not to disputes over doubtful things. 2 For one believes he may eat all things, but he who is weak eats only vegetables. 3 Let not him who eats despise him who does not eat, and let not him who does not eat judge him who eats; for God has received him. 4 Who are you to judge another's servant? To his own master he stands or falls. Indeed, he will be made to stand, for God is able to make him stand.

5 One person esteems one day above another; another esteems every day alike. Let each be fully convinced in his own mind. 6 He who observes the day, observes it to the Lord; and he who does not observe the day, to the Lord he does not observe it. He who eats, eats to the Lord, for he gives God thanks; and he who does not eat, to the Lord he does not eat, and gives God thanks. 7 For none of us lives to himself, and no one dies to himself. 8 For if we live, we live to the Lord; and if we die, we die to the Lord. Therefore, whether we live or die, we are the Lord's. 9 For to this end Christ died and rose and lived again, that He might be Lord of both the dead and the living. 10 But why do you judge your brother? Or why do you show contempt for your brother? For we shall all stand before the judgment seat of Christ. 11 For it is written:

"As I live, says the Lord,
Every knee shall bow to Me,
And every tongue shall confess to God."

12 So then each of us shall give account of himself to God. 13 Therefore let us not judge one another anymore, but rather resolve this, not to put a stumbling block or a cause to fall in our brother's way.

14 I know and am convinced by the Lord Jesus that there is nothing unclean of itself; but to him who considers anything to be unclean, to him it is unclean. 15 Yet if your brother is grieved because of your food, you are no longer walking in love. Do not destroy with your food the one for whom Christ died. 16 Therefore do not let your good be spoken of as evil; 17 for the kingdom of God is not eating and drinking, but righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit. 18 For he who serves Christ in these things is acceptable to God and approved by men.

19 Therefore let us pursue the things which make for peace and the things by which one may edify another. 20 Do not destroy the work of God for the sake of food. All things indeed are pure, but it is evil for the man who eats with offense. 21 It is good neither to eat meat nor drink wine nor do anything by which your brother stumbles or is offended or is made weak. 22 Do you have faith? Have it to yourself before God. Happy is he who does not condemn himself in what he approves. 23 But he who doubts is condemned if he eats, because he does not eat from faith; for whatever is not from faith is sin.

1 We then who are strong ought to bear with the scruples of the weak, and not to please ourselves. 2 Let each of us please his neighbor for his good, leading to edification. 3 For even Christ did not please Himself; but as it is written, "The reproaches of those who reproached You fell on Me." 4 For whatever things were written before were written for our learning, that we through the patience and comfort of the Scriptures might have hope. 5 Now may the God of patience and comfort grant you to be like-minded toward one another, according to Christ Jesus, 6 that you may with one mind and one mouth glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.
NKJV

1 Cor 13
1 Though I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I have become sounding brass or a clanging cymbal. 2 And though I have the gift of prophecy, and understand all mysteries and all knowledge, and though I have all faith, so that I could remove mountains, but have not love, I am nothing. 3 And though I bestow all my goods to feed the poor, and though I give my body to be burned, but have not love, it profits me nothing.

4 Love suffers long and is kind; love does not envy; love does not parade itself, is not puffed up; 5 does not behave rudely, does not seek its own, is not provoked, thinks no evil; 6 does not rejoice in iniquity, but rejoices in the truth; 7 bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things.

8 Love never fails. But whether there are prophecies, they will fail; whether there are tongues, they will cease; whether there is knowledge, it will vanish away. 9 For we know in part and we prophesy in part. 10 But when that which is perfect has come, then that which is in part will be done away.

11 When I was a child, I spoke as a child, I understood as a child, I thought as a child; but when I became a man, I put away childish things. 12 For now we see in a mirror, dimly, but then face to face. Now I know in part, but then I shall know just as I also am known.

13 And now abide faith, hope, love, these three; but the greatest of these is love.
NKJV

ONE

God intends for us to be like Him. He made us in His Image and likeness. In the beginning God walked WITH us but that was not enough so He decided to live IN us. Not only to have relationship with us but to be ONE with us. The old covenant was reformation from the outside in, the new covenant is transformation form the inside out. The blood of Jesus was shed to wash us from our sin so God could dwell within. When we accept the sacrifice then He moves in and WE begin. His Spirit becomes one with our spirit and we become one spirit - a new creation. It’s no longer just God and man but the Spirit of God in the Spirit Man. If you have trouble grasping this then get some food coloring. Make some blue water to represent God’s Spirit and some red water to represent your spirit. Now let the red receive the blue and it becomes purple. The two have become one and a new creation has begun. Just like water and water mix together and make a new water, Spirit and spirit mix together and make a new Spirit. It’s not just God with man or man “seeking” God but the two have become ONE!

2 Cor 5:17
17 Therefore if any person is [ingrafted] in Christ (the Messiah) he is a new creation (a new creature altogether); the old [previous moral and spiritual condition] has passed away. Behold, the fresh and new has come!
AMP


2 Cor 5:17
17 Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new.
NKJV

2 Cor 5:17
17 Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.
KJV

John 1:10-13
10 He was in the world, and the world was made through Him, and the world did not know Him. 11 He came to His own, and His own did not receive Him. 12 But as many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God, to those who believe in His name: 13 who were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God.
NKJV

John 3:3-8
3 Jesus answered and said to him, "Most assuredly, I say to you, unless one is born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God."

4 Nicodemus said to Him, "How can a man be born when he is old? Can he enter a second time into his mother's womb and be born?"

5 Jesus answered, "Most assuredly, I say to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God. 6 That which is born of the flesh is flesh, and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit. 7 Do not marvel that I said to you, 'You must be born again.' 8 The wind blows where it wishes, and you hear the sound of it, but cannot tell where it comes from and where it goes. So is everyone who is born of the Spirit."
NKJV

Eph 5:30-33
30 For we are members of His body, of His flesh and of His bones. 31 "For this reason a man shall leave his father and mother and be joined to his wife, and the two shall become one flesh." 32 This is a great mystery, but I speak concerning Christ and the church.
NKJV

1 Cor 6:15-17
15 Do you not know that your bodies are members of Christ? Shall I then take the members of Christ and make them members of a harlot? Certainly not! 16 Or do you not know that he who is joined to a harlot is one body with her? For "the two," He says, "shall become one flesh." 17 But he who is joined to the Lord is one spirit with Him.
NKJV

1 Cor 6:17
17 But he that is joined unto the Lord is one spirit.
KJV

1 Cor 6:17
17 But he who unites himself with the Lord is one with him in spirit.
NIV

John 17:21-23
21 that they all may be one, as You, Father, are in Me, and I in You; that they also may be one in Us, that the world may believe that You sent Me. 22 And the glory which You gave Me I have given them, that they may be one just as We are one: 23 I in them, and You in Me; that they may be made perfect in one, and that the world may know that You have sent Me, and have loved them as You have loved Me.
NKJV

John 17:22
22 And the glory which thou gavest me I have given them; that they may be one, even as we are one:
KJV

John 17:21-23
21 The goal is for all of them to become one heart and mind —
Just as you, Father, are in me and I in you,
So they might be one heart and mind with us.
Then the world might believe that you, in fact, sent me.
22 The same glory you gave me, I gave them,
So they'll be as unified and together as we are —
23 I in them and you in me.
Then they'll be mature in this oneness,
And give the godless world evidence
That you've sent me and loved them
In the same way you've loved me.
(from THE MESSAGE: The Bible in Contemporary Language © 2002 by Eugene H. Peterson. All rights reserved.)

John 17:22-23
22 "I have given them the glory you gave me-the glorious unity of being one, as we are-
TLB

John 17:22
22 I have given to them the glory and honor which You have given Me, that they may be one [even] as We are one:
AMP

“FOLLOW ME!”

I don’t have much to say today. Seek God and pray He will show you the way.

Ps 32:8-9
I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go;
I will guide you with My eye.
9 Do not be like the horse or like the mule,
Which have no understanding,
Which must be harnessed with bit and bridle,
Else they will not come near you.
NKJV

Ps 32:9
9 "Don't be ornery like a horse or mule
that needs bit and bridle
to stay on track."
MES

Ps 32:8-9
8 I will instruct you (says the Lord) and guide you along the best pathway for your life; I will advise you and watch your progress. 9 Don't be like a senseless horse or mule that has to have a bit in its mouth to keep it in line!
TLB

Ps 32:8-9
8 The Lord says, "I will teach you the way you should go;
I will instruct you and advise you.
9 Don't be stupid like a horse or a mule,
which must be controlled with a bit and bridle
to make it submit."
GNT

Ps 32:8-9
8 I will give you knowledge, teaching you the way to go; my eye will be your guide.
9 Do not be like the horse or the ass, without sense; ...
BBE

Isa 48:17-18
7 Thus says the Lord, your Redeemer,
The Holy One of Israel:
"I am the Lord your God,
Who teaches you to profit,
Who leads you by the way you should go.
18 Oh, that you had heeded My commandments!
Then your peace would have been like a river,
And your righteousness like the waves of the sea.
NKJV

Isa 48:17-18
17 with this Message from God,
your Redeemer, The Holy of Israel:
"I am God, your God,
who teaches you how to live right and well.
I show you what to do, where to go.
18 If you had listened all along to what I told you,
your life would have flowed full like a river,
blessings rolling in like waves from the sea.
MES

Jer 33:3
3 'Call to Me, and I will answer you, and show you great and mighty things, which you do not know.'
NKJV

Jer 29:11-14
11 For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, says the Lord, thoughts of peace and not of evil, to give you a future and a hope. 12 Then you will call upon Me and go and pray to Me, and I will listen to you. 13 And you will seek Me and find Me, when you search for Me with all your heart.
NKJV

1 Peter 2:25
25 For you were like sheep going astray, but have now returned to the Shepherd and Overseer of your souls.
NKJV

Ps 23
23 The Lord is my shepherd;
I shall not want.
2 He makes me to lie down in green pastures;
He leads me beside the still waters.
3 He restores my soul;
He leads me in the paths of righteousness
For His name's sake.

4 Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death,
I will fear no evil;
For You are with me;
Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me.

5 You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies;
You anoint my head with oil;
My cup runs over.
6 Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me
All the days of my life;
And I will dwell in the house of the Lord
Forever.
NKJV

John 10:4-5
4 And when he brings out his own sheep, he goes before them; and the sheep follow him, for they know his voice.
NKJV

John 10:10
10 The thief does not come except to steal, and to kill, and to destroy. I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly.
NKJV

John 10:27-28
27 My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me. 28 And I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; neither shall anyone snatch them out of My hand.
NKJV

John 12:26
26 If anyone serves Me, let him follow Me; and where I am, there My servant will be also. If anyone serves Me, him My Father will honor.
NKJV

John 10:4-5
4 And when he brings out his own sheep, he goes before them; and the sheep follow him, for they know his voice.
NKJV

John 10:10
10 The thief does not come except to steal, and to kill, and to destroy. I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly.
NKJV

John 10:27-28
27 My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me. 28 And I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; neither shall anyone snatch them out of My hand.
NKJV

John 12:26
26 If anyone serves Me, let him follow Me; and where I am, there My servant will be also. If anyone serves Me, him My Father will honor.
NKJV

John 21:17-22
Jesus said to him, "Feed My sheep. 18 Most assuredly, I say to you, when you were younger, you girded yourself and walked where you wished; but when you are old, you will stretch out your hands, and another will gird you and carry you where you do not wish." 19 This He spoke, signifying by what death he would glorify God. And when He had spoken this, He said to him, "Follow Me."

20 Then Peter, turning around, saw the disciple whom Jesus loved following, who also had leaned on His breast at the supper, and said, "Lord, who is the one who betrays You?" 21 Peter, seeing him, said to Jesus, "But Lord, what about this man?"

22 Jesus said to him, "If I will that he remain till I come, what is that to you? You follow Me."
NKJV

LOBOTOMY

Today I’m writing about one of the new songs that I just wrote for our band which is called, Violent By Nature. The name of the band comes from the scripture Mt 11:12, “And from the days of John the Baptist until now the kingdom of heaven suffers violence, and the violent take it by force.” We have an evil and malicious enemy and we must resist Him by force. The violence is not violence for evil, but violence for good against evil. And the force is the power and energy of the Almighty to overcome evil. Because the Bible says, “For this purpose the Son of God was manifested, that He might destroy the works of the devil.” (I Jn 3:8) and Jesus said that the works that He did believers will do also (Jn 14:12) and that is to “destroy the works of the devil.” We are not to “…be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good. (Rom 12:21) So we resist the enemy by being empowered by God to be violent for good against all evil. The music is Punk, Thrash and Metal and that’s because the vision is to take the light into the darkness that they may see and be free.

The new song is called Lobotomy and it refers to the human tendency of humanity to try to make others conform to their own way of thinking. Anyone who doesn’t think within the “box” is apparently “out of their mind” so most people consciously or subconsciously take it upon themselves to try to get others back in their box. It’s the pot of their own perception and they can’t see past it. People that don’t think “right” are tormented and pressured to fit in, and get in the pot. If they can not then society offers the option of Lobotomy. Pioneered by Walter J. Freeman the process involved shocking the patient unconscious and then inserting an ice pick through the eye socket, tapping it in with a hammer and then wiggling it around in the frontal lobe. (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_0aNILW6ILk) Once lobotomized the patient might reformed and able to conform to the norm. The process was mostly replace by the drug Thorazine, originally market as chemical lobotomy. Also referred to as a chemical straight jacket for the mind and body.

Most people don’t go to these lengths but instead resort reform their “patients” by informational lobotomy. They inform to deform and Jesus said to “Take heed, beware of the leaven of the Pharisees and the leaven of Herod. (Mark 8:15)

But God offers the real answer for all mental and emotional distress, “do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind” (Rom 12:2) “Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ” (Phil 2:5) And “…we have the mind of Christ.” (1 Cor 2:16b)

The “mind of Christ” is contrary to the World and all of mans mindsets that seek to control. Such as: different forms of religion, political correctness, psychology, peer pressure, culture, traditions, etc. But we are called and created to be controlled by God and not man or evil. When we seek Him, make Him our Lord and yield to Him then we are conformed to His love and likeness. However, apparently even Jesus Himself became a misfit in His own society. He didn’t “fit in” where the people, politicians or the Pharisees wanted Him to “fit in” thus misfit. He would not get in their pot because He came to do the will of God and not of man. And it’s still the same today, when you sincerely step out to obey God you inevitably go against someone’s grain. Then they will try to “inform” to help you conform their norm. And to whom and what you give your mind to is to whom and what you will be conformed.

Rom 12:2
2 And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God.
NKJV

Acts 4:19-20
19 But Peter and John answered and said to them, "Whether it is right in the sight of God to listen to you more than to God, you judge. 20 For we cannot but speak the things which we have seen and heard."
NKJV

Acts 5:27-30
27 And when they had brought them, they set them before the council. And the high priest asked them, 28 saying,"Did we not strictly command you not to teach in this name? And look, you have filled Jerusalem with your doctrine, and intend to bring this Man's blood on us!"

29 But Peter and the other apostles answered and said: "We ought to obey God rather than men.
NKJV

So here’s the song. The music is up on our MySpace page and we’ll be getting it up with the lyrics also - soon. And I’m believing that somewhere somehow that this song will be used to set the captives free so they may see and have the mind of Christ. I’ll be ministering on it tonight and we will play it at the gang meeting. You’re welcome to come or bring someone if you desire and you’re in our area. (388 9th St. Meeker, CO)

1 Cor 4:9-10a
It seems to me that God has put us who bear his Message on stage in a theater in which no one wants to buy a ticket. We're something everyone stands around and stares at, like an accident in the street. 10 We're the Messiah's misfits.
MES

LOBOTOMY

THEY INFORM
TO DEFORM
WITCHES BREW
NICE AND WARM

Tried to put us in their pot, but we wouldn’t fit.
Told to toe a sacred line but we couldn’t find it.
Tried until we almost died, but we couldn’t do it.
Finally went out of our minds, became Messiah’s misfits.

DON’T CONFORM
TO THE SWARM
MIND OF CHRIST
BE TRANSFORMED

They said to bid our pain adieu, ice pick will reform.
Came to make our life a stew - driven to perform.
Upon our flesh they want to chew, the pot is nice and warm.
Consume our brain – like fondue, WE WILL NOT CONFORM!

Got the fire blazing hot, and they came to find us.
Hounded us till we were shot, but they couldn’t bind us.
Disemboweled and left to rot, but they couldn’t grind us.
WE WILL NOT GET IN THE POT! We’re Messiah’s misfits.

THEY INFORM
TO DEFORM
WITCHES BREW
NICE AND WARM
DON’T CONFORM
TO THE SWARM
MIND OF CHRIST
BE TRANSFORMED

(Violent by Nature, Copyright © 2011, All rights reserved)

References: for LOBOTOMY

Most of the ideas are found in Romans and Galatians. But there are many others. Here’s a few and there are many more but my time for writing this has expired. Cheers!

THEY INFORM (Gen 3: 4-5, Mt 16:6, Mk 8:15, Lu 12:1)
TO DEFORM ( 1 Cor 5:6)
WITCHES BREW ( Gal 3:1-3, 5:1-9)
NICE AND WARM

Tried to put us in their pot, but we wouldn’t fit. (Jn 1:11, 17:14, Mt 10:24-31)
Told to toe a sacred line but we couldn’t find it. (Mt 15:1-9)
Tried until we almost died, but we couldn’t do it. (Gal 3:11, 5:4)
Finally went out of our minds, became Messiah’s misfits. ( 2 Cor 5:12-13, 1 Cor 4:9-10MES)

DON’T CONFORM
TO THE SWARM
MIND OF CHRIST
BE TRANSFORMED (Rom 12:2, Php 2:5, I Cor 2:16, Eph 4:22-24, Lu 1:74-75)

They said to bid our pain adieu, ice pick will reform. (Lobotomy)
Came to make our life a stew - driven to perform. (Lu 18:9-14,)
Upon our flesh they want to chew, the pot is nice and warm. (Gal 6:13-14, Mt 23:13-39)
Consume our brain – like fondue, WE WILL NOT CONFORM! (Rom 12:2, Jam 4:7, 1 Pe 5:8-9)

Got the fire blazing hot, and they came to find us. (Mt 23:13)
Hounded us till we were shot, but they couldn’t bind us. (Gal 5:1, Mt 23:4, Heb 2:14-15, Ac 8:23, 2 Tim 2:9)
Disemboweled and left to rot, but they couldn’t grind us. (Disemboweled – to try and control by guilt and condemnation, fear, rejection, etc. - in the gut – Rom 8:1)
WE WILL NOT GET IN THE POT! We’re Messiah’s misfits. (Mt 11:12, Rom 12:2, 1 Cor 4:9-10MES)

THEY INFORM
TO DEFORM
WITCHES BREW
NICE AND WARM
DON’T CONFORM
TO THE SWARM
MIND OF CHRIST
BE TRANSFORMED

(Violent by Nature, Copyright © 2011, All rights reserved)