How Hungry Are You?

                      
                              Matthew 5:6

Are you hungry enough to chase after God? Psalm63.1,7-8:                                                                      
"O God, You are my God, earnestly will I seek You; my inner self thirsts for You, my flesh longs and is faint for You, in a dry and weary land where no water is.
For You have been my help, and in the shadow of Your wings will I rejoice.
My whole being follows hard after You and clings closely to You; Your right hand upholds me."
God is waiting for you to catch Him. It's time to get out of the church that we know, It's time to break out of the praise and worship that we know, it's time to stop praying the same old way we always pray , and it's time to realize we need Him , not that we need to know about Him or of the past things He has done, and start seeking who He is now and what He is doing right now. God wants us to know Him. He wants  us to be so hungry for Him that we are chasing Him.
In his book, {The God Chaser}, Tommy Tenney says; The difference between the truth of God and revelation is very simple. Truth is where God has been, revelation is where God is. Truth is God's tracks, His trail, His path, but it leads to Him.  But true God chaser's are not satisfied to know where God's been, they are not content to just study His trail, His truths, they want to know Him. They want to know where He is and what He is doing right now.
God is not asking us how much we know about Him; He is asking us do we really know Him, do we really want Him?  Knowing about Him doesn't imply intimacy.  Knowing Him does.
God is not going to pour out His spirit where He doesn't find hungry. And you can not live in His presence without repentance, because repentance permits the pursuit of God's presence.
So again I ask you to consider this question. How hungry are you to know God?

Living More Abundantly

All scripture in this blog is from the King James Version.


Christian living is to live more abundantly and to live more abundantly is to love more abundantly. Matthew 5: 46&47 says" If you love them that love you, what reward will you get? Are not even the tax collectors doing thus? And if you greet only your brothers, what are you doing more than others? Aren't even the pagans doing that?

It is when you love the unlovable , do for those who are not your inner circle of family or friends, reach out to the distressed ( and or ) the needy, share the love that God has freely given to you with those who don't know or haven't received His love.  We as Christians need to go that extra mile. In Matthew 5:41 it says " Whosoever shall compell thee to go one mile go with them two."

In Luke 6:38 it says " Give and it shall be given unto you, good measure, pressed down, shaken together, running over, shall they give unto you. For with what measure you meet it shall be measured to you again." In an excerpt from A.T. Mahanay's sermon- {It's the part that hangs over that keeps you warm.}Good measure is standard, so if you want real comfort in Christian living, press it down, shake it together, run it over, do a little extra, add a little something- a little love, a little service, a little kindness.

Use the parable of the good Samaritan found in Luke 10: 30-37. The good Samaritan went the the extra mile, he went beyond the standard help that was necessary. He not only took him to the inn but, he also paid all of his expenses till he got well. Here are some today examples. Example #1- If you saw a person who had been beaten up the standard would be to call the police, but, to go that extra mile would be to take them to safety, clean the wounds the best you could, and be the helping hand they need till they can stand on their own again. Example #2- If you saw an accident take place the standard would be to call for help but, to go the extra mile would be to you would tend to their needs the best you know how and you would stay with them till arrived , then check on them from there on always remembering them in prayer.

The Christian way of life is to go beyond the standard and go the extra mile, give the extra dollar, reach a little farther with your helping hand, love beyond those who love you back.
In John 15: 13 it says " Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for another." There are many interpretations of this verse but in the text that I using it in I interpret it in this manner; there is no greater love you can give than to put you out of the forefront to do for someone else in the Christian manner that we are called to show forth.

To live is Christ !

                         
Many christians lives are a turn-style of up and down experiences.One day they are on a spiritual mountaintop and the next they are in the valley of the shadow of death. The reason for this is that they mistakenly believe that it is their responsibility to do what only God can do.
As Charles Trumbull says in his book* Victory in Christ*, Jesus offers to set us free not only from the penalty of sin but, also from it's power. We accept and are victorious only by letting Him do it all as an outright gift.
We have all heard the saying *Let go and let God*, in essence what that is saying is that we need to surrender striving to fix everything in our lives and let God do the fixing. We need to surrender ALL areas of our lives, our concerns, our needs, etc. totally to Him.
In Galatians 2:20 it says " I have been crucified with Christ; it is no longer I who lives, but Christ who lives in me." And in 2 Corinthians 5:17 it says " For if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation."
What we need to understand  and let sink into our very lives and thoughts is that - to live is Christ. NOT, to live is to be Christ-like, NOT, to live is to serve Christ, BUT, to live is Christ. Christ Jesus is not an external savior who does a saving work for us, He is not walking along beside us ready to help us out should we have the need, providing the power, strength and rescuing. He is actually and literally within us. While we retain our own identity, free will, and full moral responsibility, He is our very life.
Let us walk in victory knowing and believing that " TO LIVE IS CHRIST!"

Heaven or Hell, your choice!

 Heaven or Hell, your choice!

Do you know where you would go if you died today? What if the world suddenly came to an end (and it soon will)?Time is so short,you  can not afford to take the chance of waiting
If you have the thought that   since you are a good person and haven't done anything illegal and haven't got a bad attitude or that you help the homeless or needy children that you are going to heaven. If you think because you go to church once in a while when it fits your schedule or every week for that matter , that you are going to heaven. If you think because your mom or dad is or was a christian that automatically makes you one. Then you have bought into the world's most dangerous lie and you need to change that before time runs out. And believe me we never know how much time we really have.
The Bible says the ONLY way into heaven is through Jesus Christ. You must believe He is the Son of God and that He alone died to take away the sins of the world, (your sins)  and you need to ask Him to come into your heart and become your Savior.
You may say but, I haven't sinned, I haven't done anything bad, but, the Bible says the we have all sinned and fallen short . We are born into sin and without Jesus we will die in that sin and the only place without Jesus in our hearts is Hell.
Then there are those who have made the choice to follow Satan (Lucifer the fallen angel) thinking that he promised them riches and fame and whatever else but, before it's to late let me just tell you that Satan does not love you, Satan does not care about you, and most certainly Satan would not give his life to save you. All you are to him is an instrument. He feels that since his time is short and his end is coming that the more people that he can keep out of the kingdom of heaven the more pain He can cause God the Father and Jesus our savior.
But, here is good news for you who have chosen his way. It is not to late, you haven't gone to far; Jesus is waiting with His hand out to you , waiting to pull you up out of that mire and set you free from Satan's kingdom. Jesus shed His blood that you may be saved. Make that choice now before it is to late. Jesus loves you and wants you with Him for all eternity.
So which will you choose today? Will it be heaven or will it be hell?I pray that it will be the right choice.

Grace and Mercy

 Grace and Mercy

They are almost always found together but are not of the same meaning.
According to Merriam-Webster dictionary:
Grace: unmerited divine assistance given humans for their regeneration or sanctification; the quality or state of being considerate or thoughtful.
Mercy: a blessing that is an act of divine favor or compassion;compassion or forbearance shown especially to an offender or to one subject to one's power;lenient or compassionate treatment.
Mercy is God withholding the punishment that we rightly deeserve. Grace is God not only withholding that punishment but, offering the most precious of gifts instead.
Examples:
Mercy withholds the knife from the heart of Isacc.
Grace provides a ram in the thicket.
Mercy runs to forgive the prodigal son.
Grace throws a party with every extravagance.
Mercy bandages the wounds of the man beaten by robbers.
Grace covers the cost of his full recovery.
Mercy hears the cry of the thief on the cross.
Grace promises paradise that very day.
Mercy pays the penalty for our sins at the cross.
Grace substitutes the righteousness of Christ for our wickedness.
Mercy converts Paul on the road to Damascus.
Grace calls him to be an apostle.
Mercy closes the door to hell.
Grace opens the door to heaven.
Mercy withholds what we have earned.
Grace provides blessings we have not earned.
There should always be one with the other. It is possible for both grace and mercy to stand on their own but, it is heavenly when they work simultaneously together.
Are you in need of grace and mercy today.... Our Heavenly Father is waiting to give these free gifts to you just as soon as you ask.
Do you know someone who needs grace and mercy from you today? If God our Father has not withheld these things from us, isn't it about time we start following His lead and freely giving these gifts to others in need of them?

The wedding you don't want to miss!

When we think of weddings it's all about the bride, showcases the bride, makes the bride the one to watch and be near. But, the wedding I am writing about is all about the bridegroom. His name is Jesus. He is the one to watch for , he is the most important, he is the one to be married to. He has paid the bride price and is coming back for His bride.  We the church are His bride (Ephesians 5:27) and we are to be pure and holy, without spot or wrinkle. (Ephesians 5:27)
 As in the parable of the 10 virgins ; Jesus told that parable not to the multitudes but, to the disciples why? Because the message is for the church. Out of the 10 only 5 were ready and waiting for the bridegrooms return. Many of us call ourselves christians but, are not waiting and ready for His return. When the bridegroom returns it will be to late for those who are not prepared (saved).
 I found this comparison between a Jewish wedding and the marriage of Jesus to His church. I would like to show you the amazing way this opens your eyes to the clarity of the message.

A Jewish man's relationship with his Bride to be	Christ Jesus' relationship with His Bride to Be
A Jewish man would approach the girl of his choice with a legally binding contract/covenant.  If accepted it was a fully binding agreement on both parties.	Jesus approaches us and if we accept He makes a  covenant with us
The contract would include the price that that man was willing to pay for his bride.  The more he would pay, the more it would show his love for his bride.	Jesus paid the highest price for us, sacrificing His life for us, shedding His blood. (1Cor. 6:19-20)
The contract was sealed when the man and woman would drink a cup of wine together.	Jesus had His disciples drink of His  blood and eat of his flesh and asks all of us to do the same. (communion)
Some form of benediction would be given symbolizing that the covenant relationship between the two had been  established.  At this time they were considered married.	Jesus said do this (communion) in remembrance of His, until He returns.    (Mat. 26:28-29)
The man/groom would then leave the girl at her home and would depart to go to his home, usually his father’s house.   There he would prepare a bridal chamber for them to honeymoon in.	Jesus left to return to His fathers house to prepare a place for us. (Jn. 14:2-4)
The length of time before the groom returned to get his bride was usually a year. The actual timing of his return was up to his father. When the father said it was time, the groom would return for his bride.	Jesus says only the Father knows when He will return. (Mat. 24:36)
While the groom was away, the bride prepared herself for their marriage.  She would keep herself veiled in public, a symbol that she belonged to another and was set apart and bought with a price.	We, the church, as His bride are to prepare ourselves for His return. We are to keep ourselves pure and unadulterated. (2Cor. 11:2)(Eph. 5:25-27)
Custom was the she was to have an oil lamp ready for her departure, as the groom was to come for her at night.	We are to always be ready for Jesus’ return for us. (Mat. 25)
When the time came, the groom, along with his best man and other attendants, would leave his father's house in a torchlite procession (as it was done at night) and go to fetch his bride.	Jesus will come back down from heaven and we will meet Him in the air. (1Thes. 4:16-17)
Since the bride did not know the exact timing of the groom's coming (she had an idea when it was to happen, but did not know the exact timing of his coming), the groom's arrival was preceded by a loud shout or shouts to give her a few moments to arise, trim her lamp, gather her things and then the groom would get her and bring her back (veiled) to his father's house and the place he has prepared for her.	Jesus will return for us with a loud command, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trumpet of God announcing Him. (1Thes.4:16-18)
The groom and his bride would return to his father's house, where the wedding party and guests would escort them to the chamber. There the groom and his bride would consummate the marriage for the first time (be intimate).	We return to heaven (Father’s house) with Jesus to be made fully clean (2Cor. 5:10) and then begin the wedding party.  (Jn. 3:29)
After consummation, the groom's best man would announce the consummation to the wedding party waiting outside. The wedding party and the wedding guests would then celebrate the wedding feast for the next seven days and the groom and his bride would honeymoon in their bridal chamber for the next seven days.	We remain with Jesus in heaven for 7 yrs.- during the time of the Great Tribulation on earth.
When the marriage week was over, the bride and the groom would emerge, the bride would be unveiled so all could see her face.	We emerge with Jesus fully clean and righteous for all to see. and the great wedding supper would be celebrated.  (Eph. 25-27)
After the marriage supper, the bride and groom would depart for their own dwelling place to live.	Jesus (now with us His bride) return to earth, His rightful home, to rule forever.   (Col. 3:4)     (Rev. 19:13-14)         (2Tim 2:12) (1Cor. 6:1-3)

    Now suppose the young girl, suddenly appears at her window, only to say, "I am not ready yet; go away and come back later". How would the bridegroom feel in that situation? His friends have all made the long trip with him, only to see him embarrassed by a bride who isn't even keeping watch for him!   Everything to this point has been done explicitly for her benefit. Might her lack of exuberance at the sight of her bridegroom’s sudden appearance indicate she has another lover. Folks, this scene breaks my heart! It makes me downright angry too! To think that Jesus has paid the ultimate price for us, for us to have everything; granted many gifts to us; and then for the Church to not be eagerly yearning for his sudden appearance is an insult to the Father!

So here is my question. Are you ready and eager for the return of your bridegroom Jesus? Or do you have another lover (the world) and need to get ready (saved and set apart for the bridegroom only). Will you be taken to the bridegrooms bosom or will it be to late for you? Please my friend , I beg of you, forsake all and give your all to Jesus this very day, this very hour, this very minute, for we know not when the bridegroom cometh.

Shekhinah Glory come!

Some of us have sung this song, some have even prayed this song or worshiped to it, others have heard of it and thought it to be a good song, and still others have never even heard of it. But, what is it and why are we praying for it to come?

While studying up on this subject, I came across a lot of very interesting information on this subject so I am going to share some of that with you(if i shared it all it would take a book for sure).

The word shekhinah is not actually found in the bible but, the meanings for it are, and the Hebrew translation tells us where it came from and what it means. It is actually derived from the word shakan or originally (shkn). Jewish scholars actually coined the word shekhinah from the word shakan to mean the same " to dwell, inhabit, or abide" In the Encyclopedia Judaica the word shekhinah is defined as "the Divine Presence, the numinous immanence of God in the world, a revelation of the Holy in the midst of the profane" (volume 14 pp1349-1351).
So the essential meaning of this word in every day terms is , the Glory of God dwelling amongst His people on the earth, or in a particular place. We see that quite often throughout the old testament and occasionally in the new testament we see it but, not as it was in the old testament. 
We begin at the beginning of the bible in Genesis; God walked in the garden with Adam and Eve before they sinned, and He spoke audibly to them. Now in 1 Kings 8:27 we see that King Solomon states that even the heavens can't contain His presence.In Exodus 33:20 it says no man may see my face and live,  so therefore we know that it was God's presence that walked and talked with Adam and Eve in the garden. From the time they were cast out of the garden until God lead the Isrealites through the wilderness with Moses it was only His voice that was heard.
Then God's presence appeared to Moses in the burning bush and spoke to him. And from then on through the Wilderness His Glory was with them and Moses in a cloud or in a pillar of fire. When Moses asked to see more of God so God answered him by allowing His goodness to pass before him, but, because of the power of His presence he hid him in a rock so that all he was able to see wouldn't destroy him.
 When the Isrealites built a tabernacle for God His Glory filled it and even Moses could not enter  in. So when the Isrealities finally built a permanent temple for the Lord the place called the Holy of Holies was where the Lord's presence dwelt, between the cherubim on the ark of covenant and when the priest entered to do their duties they tied a rope around their ankles with bells on it so that if the entered with any sin  they died instantly and the other priest were able to pull them out. So in this we see that God's glory can not look upon any sin. Which I believe is an example of why God turned His face from Jesus His son when he was upon the cross, because he took on the sin of the world.
And we see that when Israel's sins were so great that God removed His Presence from the temple.

In the New testament we see where God spoke to John the baptist and when Jesus was baptized in water The voice of God was heard by everyone there. But, during the time of Jesus we see no mention of God's presence on earth except when in John14:9, Jesus states that "if you have seen me you have seen the Father."So in this we see that God dwelt among them through Jesus. After the crucifixion of Jesus, we again see the Glory of God come when the disciples were in the upper room praying, a sound like a mighty rushing wind filled the temple and tongues of fire rested on each one of them and THEN they were filled with the Holy Spirit.When Stephen was accused of blasphemy and address the high priests the Glory of God came on Him and his face shined like that of an angel. When Paul was persecuting the christians , the voice of God spoke to him from a great light and he was blinded.
 So in the New Testament we see that a few times The Glory of God was seen or heard but, mostly it was in Jesus or upon the Christians. But, in Revelations we see that once again the Glory of God will inhabit the earth and dwell in His temple.

So what is it we are crying out for , the voice of God to speak to us in an audible way? The Glory of God to dwell among us or  in us ?