He wants it all!!

The heavens declare the glory of God; and the firmament sheweth his handywork. Day unto day uttereth speech, and night unto night sheweth knowledge. There is no speech nor language, where their voice is not heard. Their line is gone out through all the earth, and their words to the end of the world. In them hath he set a tabernacle for the sun, Which is as a bridegroom coming out of his chamber, and rejoiceth as a strong man to run a race. His going forth is from the end of the heaven, and his circuit unto the ends of it: and there is nothing hid from the heat thereof. Psalms 19:1‭-‬6 KJV http://bible.com/1/psa.19.1-6.KJV

True indeed, the earth is the LORD'S and all that dwells in it, to include the seen and the unseen.  Yet, a most precious prize of GOD'S is the human soul.  For in the very beginning (that which cannot be given a date, a season or time) GOD said, "Let Us create man in Our image and in Our likeness."  In doing this GOD made us much different than the ape, monkey, fish or cow,  He breathed into us His Spirit and thus we became a living 'NEPHESH'.  Man became from that point on a living 'soul'; being infused with and empowered by the Spirit of GOD breathed into man's nostrils.  "For in Him we live and breathe and have all our 'being'".  We cannot, nor could we ever 'be' without His breath!  Our soul is a living soul because GOD in His Omniscient wisdom and Omnipotent grace, placed within us, a part of Himself.  This is why of all creation, we cannot ever hide from Him nor His love for us.  So, it must be understood that our soul...our Nephesh...does not belong to us at all!!  We were always His and shall always be His, either as created beings only, or joyfully delighting as both created beings and children of the Most High GOD!  Yes, He wants it all, because He deserves it all, due to the Truth that He owns it all, in Christ Jesus!!

Alive

And the Lord God formed man of the dust of the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life; and man became a living soul. Genesis 2:7 KJV http://bible.com/1/gen.2.7.KJV

Isn't it interesting that only once GOD breathes into man, that then he becomes a living soul?  Isn't it interesting that GOD is said to have breathed into his nostrils, and not his mouth?  Isn't it interesting that this is the only creation account where GOD breathes into His creation?  My friends the life we carry is not ours to squander.  The life given to us was given through the very place that science tells us I'd the proper way to inhale to the full potential.   The LORD God breathed into our nostrils, that we would receive Him to the fullest, and that His breath, His essence, would be experienced all through our being, unimpeded.   He breathed into us because we are to be the expression of Him in this earth...in His image and in His likeness!  We are the pot and He is the Potter!!

Trust in GOD!

The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance. 2 Peter 3:9 KJV http://bible.com/1/2pe.3.9.KJV

Often times we truthfully lack confidence and true faith in that which GOD has promised, and even in the great sacrifice Jesus Christ has made.  We may often drift off in wonder whether there be a resurrection or any promise of eternal life after death.  Friends, brethren, and fellow Christian believers, yes there is life after this!  Yes, GOD'S promises are always and forever yea and amen.  Yes, Jesus Christ was sent of the Father into this world and He was persecuted, crucified, and died.  But He did rise in that glorious third day, with all power in His hand and He did defeat both death and the grave, for us, for you!  It is imperative and totally trustworthy to believe in Him!  And though this world seems to be getting worse and harder, we must as believers hold fast to our confession of faith, for the Son of GOD, is coming!!  He is coming soon!  Oh, yes, He is coming back for you and I!!  HALLELUJAH!

More than a conqueror!!

Friends and the beloved of our LORD Jesus Christ,  LORD Father GOD has not given us the ability to cower down, retreat or give up!  Although the devil may attack our positions from every side, and it may seem as if 'it's not one thing, it's another', know with assuring that our LORD has fought and won the battle that we could never have won.  The only thing He requires, with fully activated faith and confidence in Him, is not 'fear' for He has given us Holy Spirit; full of love, power and a sound mind!  So, hold your head up, stick your chest out, square off those shoulders and advance forward in the name of Jesus Christ!!!   RAK CHAZAK!

For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind. 2 Timothy 1:7 KJV http://bible.com/1/2ti.1.7.KJV

Receive His answer

Often times we may slack in our prayer lufe because we simply often times lack true faith in the LORD'S promise to us.  I have been told that GOD always answers prayer in one of three ways; yes, no, not yet.  Can we today become as Jesus when He prayed to His Father in Luke 22, that if it be His will let this cup...this bitter cup...of suffering pass from Him.  We often want the LORD to exempt us from various sufferings or all sufferings.  Yet, the Bible tells us explicitly that we all will have to suffer for Christ's sake.  What if in our suffering our answer from LORD Father GOD was 'no'? 

Angels from Heaven strengthened Jesus. God gave Jesus the fortitude to endure the suffering and the Cross. For this reason, we have salvation, forgiveness, healing, and deliverance in the name of Jesus. Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under Heaven given to mankind by which we must be saved except for the name of Jesus.

Often our salvation is not found in the yes, that we want and desire, but in the no that the Father wills.  Perhaps, this is where our true victory is found.  So, embrace the Father's will for your life....
Blessings.

Praying for America

Praying for America.  LORD Father GOD promises to hear from heaven and heal our land if...2 Chronicles 7:12-15

https://www.facebook.com/faye1137/videos/1146605172028959/

Liberty

This week has been tiring, trying, strange, vulnerable, confrontational,  and empowering.   I entered it apprehensive of its academic challenges and intellectual perplexity, yet I found that it offered a much greater lesson:  How does one become Liberated from the complexity of themselves?  Well, through the intensity of these days I have learned the answer comes only from by vulnerability,  the compassion of GOD'S  love and the empathy discovered once one has been broken thoroughly and died to self.  That is Liberty!!

A father's love heals from rejection

     "And He said, There was a certain man who had two sons; And the younger of them said to his father, Father, give me the part of the property that falls [to me]. And he divided the estate between them. [Deut. 21:15-17.] And not many days after that, the younger son gathered up all that he had and journeyed into a distant country, and there he wasted his fortune in reckless and loose [from restraint] living. And when he had spent all he had, a mighty famine came upon that country, and he began to fall behind and be in want. So he went and forced (glued) himself upon one of the citizens of that country, who sent him into his fields to feed hogs. And he would gladly have fed on and  filled his belly with the carob pods that the hogs were eating, but [they could not satisfy his hunger and] nobody gave him anything [better]. [Jer. 30:14.] Then when he came to himself, he said, How many hired servants of my father have enough food, and [even food] to spare, but I am perishing (dying) here of hunger! I will get up and go to my father, and I will say to him, Father, I have sinned against heaven and in your sight. I am no longer worthy to be called your son; [just] make me like one of your hired servants. So he got up and came to his [own] father. But while he was still a long way off, his father saw him and was moved with pity and tenderness [for him]; and he ran and embraced him and kissed him [fervently]. And the son said to him, Father, I have sinned against heaven and in your sight; I am no longer worthy to be called your son [I no longer deserve to be recognized as a son of yours]! But the father said to his bond servants, Bring quickly the best robe (the festive robe of honor) and put it on him; and give him a ring for his hand and sandals for his feet. [Gen. 41:42; Zech. 3:4.] And bring out that [wheat-]fattened calf and kill it; and let us revel and feast and be happy and make merry, Because this my son was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found! And they began to revel and feast and make merry."           Luke 15:11‭-‬24 AMP

     In every forum in which I heard the parable of the prodigal son I have never heard anyone explain the heart of the father.  I. This story, the third parable of three in Jesus Christ describes the characteristic of the Father, we find some similar elements; something lost, something alone, something found, something rejoiced and celebrated.  In this story this 'something' is now identified as a son, one of two sons in particular.
     In order to address and appreciate 'sonship', we must understand the heart of the Father.  Here the father has been demanded of the younger so to give him his inheritance immediately; before the father's death. The father obliges the son; which according to Jewish law (then) was an absolute dishonor and a good reason to be banished.  The son then leaves a few days later and 'journeys' to a distant country, there to spend all he had ignorantly and lavishly. He wasted the gifted inheritance in a foreign (unclean) place and found himself in dire need.  The Bible says at that time a great famine came and the son, big found in want, tried to network or join himself with the owner of a farm of pigs.  What a place to be, and only to be rejected and sent out to feed the pigs hungry and still in dire need. Not even did he get anything from the other servants...not even the pig slop could satisfy this young man.   He was willing to sacrifice his culture, his belief,  and his way just to get back on his feet again.
   Meanwhile, the son's father, we may assume, was heart broken from his son's rebellion and rejection, yet we can also assume he never stopped loving his son. 1 Peter 4:8, tells us that True love; agape love; covers a multitude;  plethora; of sins; offenses.   I believe that a moral found here is that the father didn't need to send out a search party, nor did he himself leave to go find his son, as we saw in the previous two parables,  but there was something given and hidden within the son by the father, that the father knew would bring all things back to js son's remembrance.  Could it be that the father understood that this was the only way for his son to be purged of his wayward heart and experience the unfailing love of thefather?  Could the father had known that "And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.  For whom he did foreknow, he also did predestinate to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brethren. Romans 8:28-29?

The father held to no unforgiveness,  nor did he allow the law of the land to determine his son's fate.  By Jewish law his son should have been totally cut off from the nation, family and people.  Banished and totally rejected forever, but grace and mercy had already pleaded the case and found this son justified by and through pure love!

Sons, turn back to your father's; and fathers turn back to your son's and embrace them today.  For True love truly and totally covers a multitude of sins!

Loving You is so easy when....

"SO BY whatever [appeal to you there is in our mutual dwelling in Christ, by whatever] strengthening and consoling and encouraging [our relationship] in Him [affords], by whatever persuasive incentive there is in love, by whatever participation in the [Holy] Spirit [we share], and by whatever depth of affection and compassionate sympathy, Fill up and complete my joy by living in harmony and being of the same mind and one in purpose, having the same love, being in full accord and of one harmonious mind and intention. Do nothing from factional motives [through contentiousness, strife, selfishness, or for unworthy ends] or prompted by conceit and empty arrogance. Instead, in the true spirit of humility (lowliness of mind) let each regard the others as better than and superior to himself [thinking more highly of one another than you do of yourselves]. Let each of you esteem and look upon and be concerned for not [merely] his own interests, but also each for the interests of others. Let this same attitude and purpose and [humble] mind be in you which was in Christ Jesus: [Let Him be your example in humility:]"       Philippians 2:1‭-‬5 AMP     http://bible.com/8/php.2.1-5.AMP

Such a passionate and heartfelt appeal by Paul to the church, yet hardly do we experience or show that Jesus kind of love (agape) towards one another.  Often we express love based upon our wants, needs and desires, and hardly do we express love to another without wanting, needing or expecting anything in return.  The Scriptures tells us that the love of many shall wax cold, and unfortunately that is the very disease that is killing churches and society today.  To love the way Jesus commands requires us to receive and love Him and allow Him through Holy Spirit to develop and strengthen us.  Otherwise we would never love according to LORD Father GOD'S will.  Yes, it's a challenge and it won't get easier according to our natural man, but that's why we must rely upon the Spirit of GOD to lead and guide us, into love.   This type of love, only, covers a multitude of sins.  And this type of love harbors no bitterness, wrongs or unforgiveness.  This type of love is pure.  This type of love is powerful!  So I challenge you to love the way Paul has described in this passage, today, but the first step and the Truest step is to love vertically....that is we...you...must love the LORD your GOD with all your heart, and all your mind and all your soul!!!

The other desert battle

       In conclusion, be strong in the Lord [draw your strength from Him and be empowered through your union with Him] and in the power of His [boundless] might. Put on the full armor of God [for His precepts are like the splendid armor of a heavily-armed soldier], so that you may be able to [successfully] stand up against all the schemes and the strategies and the deceits of the devil. For our struggle is not against flesh and blood [contending only with physical opponents], but against the rulers, against the powers, against the world forces of this [present] darkness, against the spiritual forces of wickedness in the heavenly (supernatural) places. Therefore, put on the complete armor of God, so that you will be able to [successfully] resist and stand your ground in the evil day [of danger], and having done everything [that the crisis demands], to stand firm [in your place, fully prepared, immovable, victorious]. So stand firm and hold your ground, having tightened the wide band of truth (personal integrity, moral courage) around your waist and having put on the breastplate of righteousness (an upright heart), and having strapped on your feet the gospel of peace in preparation [to face the enemy with firm-footed stability and the readiness produced by the good news]. Above all, lift up the [protective] shield of faith with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the Word of God. With all prayer and petition pray [with specific requests] at all times [on every occasion and in every season] in the Spirit, and with this in view, stay alert with all perseverance and petition [interceding in prayer] for all God’s people. - Ephesians 6:10-18

And yes, this battle gets wearisome and at times makes the heart to almost faint, but you must stand in the liberty of which Jesus Christ has freed you and you must stand in the hope that is much more than hope, but it is a promise! Yes, Paul was very correct, these are the times and days of great pressure, crushing and frustrations, yet you must be determined to not allow the words of your mouth to become unacceptable to your Sovereign LORD and Master, GOD!  So, receive this divinely carried Word of encouragement that your heart may now be lifted and your contenance reinvigorated.  
I must now reflect back to the last Word given by the One Who leads the heavenly armies.... RAK CHAZAK! !!
Meaning only "Be Strong"!

Now, may our LORD and Father GOD,  the glorious gift and grace of His only begotten Son Jesus Christ,  and the power and might of His Holy Spirit continue to lead and guide you.  May your ways be made to prosper and may you succeed as you submit to the will and purpose of GOD in Christ Jesus!

Let's talk more..

I just finished day 7 of the @YouVersion Plan Refresh Your Marriage In 31 Days. Check it out here: http://bible.com/r/Yc

Our divine longing...

I just finished day 6 of the @YouVersion Plan The Longing In Me: A Study On The Life Of David. Check it out here: http://bible.com/r/az

I just finished day 6 of the @YouVersion Plan Refresh Your Marriage In 31 Days. Check it out here: http://bible.com/r/Yc

Oh taste and see that the LORD is good!

Jesus says, "its not what goes in a man that defiles him but what comes out of him that defiles the man."  The Word of LORD Father GOD, is the sweetest fruit and as we eat His Word, we should be so transformed that we would express or manifest and become what we have eaten. 
What have you eaten today?

http://bible.com/8/gal.5.22-23.AMP

I just finished day 4 of the @YouVersion Plan The Longing In Me: A Study On The Life Of David. Check it out here: http://bible.com/r/az

What's coming out of you?

James 3: 6-12 

                "6 And the tongue is [in a sense] a fire, the very world of injustice and unrighteousness; the tongue is set among our members as that which contaminates the entire body, and sets on fire the course of our life [the cycle of man’s existence], and is itself set on fire by [b]hell (Gehenna).7 For every species of beasts and birds, of reptiles and sea creatures, is tamed and has been tamed by the human race. 8 But no one can tame the human tongue; it is a restless evil [undisciplined, unstable], full of deadly poison. 9 With it we bless our Lord and Father, and with it we curse men, who have been made in the likeness of God. 10 Out of the same mouth come both blessing and cursing. These things, my brothers, should not be this way [for we have a moral obligation to speak in a manner that reflects our fear of God and profound respect for His precepts]. 11 Does a spring send out from the same opening both [c]fresh and bitter water? 12 Can a fig tree, my brothers, produce olives, or a grapevine produce figs? Nor can salt water produce [d]fresh."


Jesus declares that is not what goes in the man that defiles him, but what comes out of him, that's what defiles the man.  Matthew 15:11

Today if you find that there are some things that you are saying, doing and manifesting that bring negative results, the Bible tells us to let a man examine himself and see if you are truly in the faith.

Even in the Book of Revelation 3:16 Jesus says, "But since you are like lukewarm water, neither hot nor cold, I will spit you out of my mouth! English Standard Version So, because you are lukewarm, and neither ..."

This is a discipline that must manifested in the life and breath of Christ Jesus' believers! 

Journey towards a joyful and purposeful marriage

I just finished day 3 of the @YouVersion Plan Refresh Your Marriage In 31 Days. Check it out here: http://bible.com/r/Yc

You are my strength! !

I just finished day 2 of the @YouVersion Plan The Longing In Me: A Study On The Life Of David. Check it out here: http://bible.com/r/az

What's coming from your heart?

I just finished day 13 of the @YouVersion Plan Henry Cloud & John Townsend - Life Journey. Check it out here:
http://bible.com/r/GJ

Oftentimes we cannot blame others for the 'foul' things that we release, but actually they are the product of our own hearts.  This why the Bible consistently warns jus to guard, watch, examine, and check our hearts. For we don't know our hearts, but it is the Spirit of GOD Who searches the heart, yes even the deepest (most foulest) parts of our hearts.

Living an Excellent mixture

The Bible, like and greater than the Chemist's Periodic Table, provides every believer instructions on the elements of life.  Like an expert Chemist, LORD Father GOD, is our Chief Instructor as to how we should handle, mix and utilize all of our life experiences. Yet, there is an Excellent mixture of which nothing can match, that is able to empower,  strengthen, encourage, uproot, tear down, and rebuild again.  To our own folly as humans we often neglect the upkeep of this mixture and at various times find ourselves as the "five foolish virgins", who failed to keep and maintain their oil for their lamps.  On one hand the ingredients needed may be seen in very short supply, if we observe the calamities of our world. Yet, if we observe with Kingdom eyes the ingredients necessary are 'truly' without end and we need only ask of the LORD and He promises to supply through His powerful Holy Spirit.
You see, I have found that the reason we may not experience the victories GOD promises in our lives or the exceedingly and abundantly encounters through Jesus Christ is that we have failed to mix the very elements of our Christian foundation together...those being our faith with GOD'S WORD!  Like the timeless cartoon superheroes of the 70's, the Wonder Twins, the two ingredients, although powerful in their own right, are not able to satisfy our victories in this earthly life without being mixed together by you and in you!  The power manifested relies upon us mixing our faith with the Living and Alive WORD of GOD.  John says that "In the beginning was the WORD, and the WORD was with GOD, and the WORD was GOD." Then he goes on to explain that this very WORD was none other that our Savior Jesus the Christ.
Today, mix the faith that GOD has supplied every one of us with; yes even the 'measure' of faith given; and it is now upon you and I to surender our will to Jesus Christ that He being the WORD of GOD may mix with our faith.  Jeremiah explained it best concerning the reaction of such a mixture...."it was like fire shut up...locked in...released through. ..my bones"

Blessings....

"THEREFORE, WHILE the promise of entering His rest still holds and is offered [today], let us be afraid [to distrust it], lest any of you should think he has come too late and has come short of [reaching] it. For indeed we have had the glad tidings [Gospel of God] proclaimed to us just as truly as they [the Israelites of old did when the good news of deliverance from bondage came to them]; but the message they heard did not benefit them, because it was not mixed with faith (with the leaning of the entire personality on God in absolute trust and confidence in His power, wisdom, and goodness) by those who heard it; neither were they united in faith with the ones [Joshua and Caleb] who heard (did believe). For we who have believed (adhered to and trusted in and relied on God) do enter that rest, in accordance with His declaration that those [who did not believe] should not enter when He said, As I swore in My wrath, They shall not enter My rest; and this He said although [His] works had been completed and prepared [and waiting for all who would believe] from the foundation of the world. [Psalm 95:11.]"    Hebrews 4:1-3 AMP http://bible.co/8/heb.4.1-3.AMP

Faithfully waiting

“If you seek to be justified and declared righteous and to be given a right standing with God through the Law, you are brought to nothing and so separated (severed) from Christ. You have fallen away from grace (from God's gracious favor and unmerited blessing). For we, [not relying on the Law but] through the [Holy] Spirit's [help], by faith anticipate and wait for the blessing and good for which our righteousness and right standing with God [our conformity to His will in purpose, thought, and action, causes us] to hope. For [if we are] in Christ Jesus, neither circumcision nor uncircumcision counts for anything, but only faith activated and energized and expressed and working through love. You were running the race nobly. Who has interfered in (hindered and stopped you from) your heeding and following the Truth?” Galatians 5:4-7 AMP

We all, going through life’s multiplicities of challenges and faced often enough with the dilemma of our faith under attack, quickly address Isaiah’s proclamation, “31 But those who wait for the Lord [who expect, look for, and hope in Him] shall change and renew their strength and power; they shall lift their wings and mount up [close to God] as eagles [mount up to the sun]; they shall run and not be weary, they shall walk and not faint or become tired.”  Isaiah 40:31 AMP.  We recite this and many other familiar Scriptures with great fervency in the ‘hope’ that if we say it loud enough, or hard enough, or around enough people, or even if we recite it enough times, somehow it would ‘of itself’ miraculously change our situation.    I am in no way mocking the WORD of LORD GOD, nor am I denying the eternal and infinite power of our LORD GOD Almighty.  What I want to address, and even challenge us as believers today is that we would recognize that LORD Father GOD, throughout the Bible has shown us that there is a ‘positional’ response of faith that tells LORD God that we are serious and that we count on no one or nothing else to deliver us from our calamity. 
‘Wait’ is defined as: Verb. “1. To stay where one is or delay action until a particular time or until something else happens.    2. used to indicate that one is eagerly impatient to do something or for something to happen; "I can't wait for tomorrow" synonyms:  hold on, hold back, bide one's time, hang fire, mark time, stand by, sit tight, hold one's horses
Noun.     1. a period of waiting; "we had a long wait" synonyms:  delay, holdup, interval, interlude, intermission, pause, break, stay, cessation, suspension, stoppage, halt, interruption, lull, respite, recess, moratorium, hiatus, gap, rest. "a long wait"
‘Wait’ in Galatians 5:5, in Greek, is defined as ‘apekdechomai’  ‘ap-ek-dekh'-om-ahee’
Meaning to expect fully: - look (wait) for.”  If we were to ask Isaiah (Isaiah 40:31) what he meant by wait, he would encourage us that “The word rendered ‘wait upon’ here (from קוה  qâvâh), denotes properly to wait, in the sense of expecting. The phrase, ‘to wait on Yahweh,’ means to wait for his help; that is, to trust in him, to put our hope or confidence in him.”
So, the idea of ‘to wait’ challenges the believer to give over or deny our own confidence in making a thing happen.  I am not saying we should have no confidence, realize that our confidence exists only because of the Spirit of the Living LORD God and the grace given through Jesus our Christ.  The Apostle Paul explains it like this, “4 Such is the reliance and confidence that we have through Christ toward and with reference to God.  5 Not that we are fit (qualified and sufficient in ability) of ourselves to form personal judgments or to claim or count anything as coming from us, but our power and ability and sufficiency are from God.  6 [It is He] Who has qualified us [making us to be fit and worthy and sufficient] as ministers and dispensers of a new covenant [of salvation through Christ], not [ministers] of the letter (of legally written code) but of the Spirit; for the code [of the Law] kills, but the [Holy] Spirit makes alive.”  2 Corinthians 3:4-6 AMP.
And with that confidence Paul further encourages us; “6 And I am convinced and sure of this very thing, that He Who began a good work in you will continue until the day of Jesus Christ [right up to the time of His return], developing [that good work] and perfecting and bringing it to full completion in you.”  Philippians 1:6 AMP.
As we can see from these two verses, the idea and position of ‘waiting’ on LORD GOD is very evident.  Waiting does not say that we are to become stagnant or unresponsive or even reclusive, but I would liken the waiting to that of a subordinate Soldier in response to his/her superior leader.  There is a trust, a reliance upon and a confidence given unto the superior by the subordinate, that even in the absence of orders the subordinate will yet trust in his/her leader and not lean to their ‘own’ understanding, but in every way; until they receive new marching orders; acknowledge the will and purpose of their leader, until told by their leader different. 
I have found that this is often the point in which we encounter that proverbial ‘fork in the road’ in which we must make a decisive decision, as Joshua would challenge Israel, “14 Now therefore, [reverently] fear the Lord and serve Him in sincerity and in truth; put away the gods which your fathers served on the other side of the [Euphrates] River and in Egypt, and serve the Lord.  15 And if it seems evil to you to serve the Lord, choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve, whether the gods which your fathers served on the other side of the River, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land you dwell; but as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord.”      Joshua 24:14-15 AMP.
It’s in this place of faithful decision that we are required to ‘wait’ upon the LORD GOD, who is Faithful to deliver us. When we see nothing, hear nothing, feel nothing and know nothing, would we say and do as Job prescribes, “14 If a man dies, shall he live again? All the days of my warfare and service I will wait, till my change and release shall come.  15 [Then] You would call and I would answer You; You would yearn for [me] the work of Your hands.” Job 14:14-15 AMP.
Paul, here in the fifth chapter of his letter to the Galatians begins in verse one by immediately commanding them to “stand fast therefore in the liberty wherewith Christ has made us free…”.  This after Paul reminds us at the end of chapter four (verse 31) that we “are not children of the bondwoman (a female slave or servant), but of the free.”  Stand fast therefore!!  Be stationary, not so much in physical form as that noble sentry at his guard post, but Paul would have us to take such militaristic principles as it pertains to our mind, our soul and our spirit.  This same Greek word, ‘stēkō’ stay'-ko, also means for one to persevere: - stand (fast).  So, there is yet a moving forward in the will and purpose of LORD Father GOD that defies the obstacles and distractions that may come.  Paul would later in this fifth chapter (verse 7) inquire of the Galatians, “You ran well, who hindered you…”   Who distracted you from waiting on LORD GOD?
Let’s look at the ‘three-point’ stance of waiting in faith:

1. Waiting eagerly in faith:
      Gal. 5:4-6 AMP., “4 If you seek to be justified and declared righteous and to be given a right standing with God through the Law, you are brought to nothing and so separated (severed) from Christ. You have fallen away from grace (from God’s gracious favor and unmerited blessing).  5 For we, [not relying on the Law but] through the [Holy] Spirit’s [help], by faith anticipate and wait for the blessing and good for which our righteousness and right standing with God [our [b]conformity to His will in purpose, thought, and action, causes us] to hope.  6 For [if we are] in Christ Jesus, neither circumcision nor uncircumcision counts for anything, but only faith activated and energized and expressed and working through love.”

2. Waiting courageously in faith: 
     Psalm 27:13-14 AMP., “13 [What, what would have become of me] had I not believed that I would see the Lord’s goodness in the land of the living!  14 Wait and hope for and expect the Lord; be brave and of good courage and let your heart be stout and enduring. Yes, wait for and hope for and expect the Lord.”


3. Waiting with great expectation for LORD GOD’s promised revealing, in faith:
     Rom. 8:18-19 AMP., “18 [But what of that?] For I consider that the sufferings of this present time (this present life) are not worth being compared with the glory that is about to be revealed to us and in us and [g]for us and [h]conferred on us!  19 For [even the whole] creation (all nature) waits expectantly and longs earnestly for God’s sons to be made known [waits for the revealing, the disclosing of their sonship].”

Abraham waited 25 years
Moses waited 40 years
Caleb waited 40 years
Joseph waited 13 years
Jesus waited 30 years
If God is making you wait, you’re in good company.

W - Watch God work in HIS ways
A - Ask God about HIS purposes
I -   Invite GOD to work in your heart
T -  Trust GOD to fulfill HIS plans

Life...

There is a funny line in an even funnier movie, where the main character has a cliche or his personal mantra stating "life is like a box of chocolates. " Well there are times in our lives where, if life were like a box of chocolates, they must be the cheapest, sales and nastiest chocolates ever!  I mean could the tests of life really get any harder? Any uglier? Any more defeating?  Just how deep can a person be pressed?
There is another story though, this one is not so funny although there are some funny scenes.  The lead character here states, "why so downtrodden, o' my soul? "  I've been told that it's not crazy to talk yourself, but pretty weird if you were to answer yourself.
I am finding that GOD doesn't consider this an issue of psychosis or some other psychological disease to answer yourself, but HE does declare it foolish not to answer according to HIS Word, which is always True and always victorious.   These days I have been doing a lot of talking to myself and I don't like these challenges in my life.  I hate the dysfunctional ditches I seem to always fall into.  And I detest the division that the enemy has tempted and seemingly immobilized me with.  But, somehow I hear the voice of a Savior calling me to get up out of this faithless and defeated bog, and press on. 

Learning to love others, even where they are at.

I just finished day 2 of the @YouVersion Plan Henry Cloud & John Townsend - Life Journey. Check it out here: http://bible.com/r/GJ

Foundations

"Therefore whosoever heareth these sayings of mine, and doeth them, I will liken him unto a wise man, which built his house upon a rock:   And the rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and beat upon that house; and it fell not: for it was founded upon a rock.   And every one that heareth these sayings of mine, and doeth them not, shall be likened unto a foolish man, which built his house upon the sand:   And the rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and beat upon that house; and it fell: and great was the fall of it."    Matthew 7:24-27 KJV

I've heard a great preacher by the name of Derek Prince state, "the foundation sets the limits."  I have found that in my own Christianity I have made my greatest 'self' failures due to inadequate and false foundations.  The bible warns us that there is way that seems right unto man...meaning what we think and believe based upon our world view and intellect...but the end thereof leads to death.  Well, then that would explain my financial indebtness, bad relationships, poor grades, and countless other issues that I instigated.  But when I discovered that there can be and has always been One foundation forever poured out on my behalf and that this foundation has excellent consistency and great long lasting value, I now allow the Great and Eternal Master Builder of all life,  LORD Father God, to build me up upon His given foundation, Jesus Christ! 
The limits set by having and trusting the foundation is not to deny one the ability to expand or grow, but it ensures that the weight of growth can be maintained and that time and weather cannot destroy the buildings footing.  Jesus was poured out that we might have life and that more abundantly.   In fact Jesus desires that we expand and grow, in Him, so He has left the believer His Holy Spirit who is the One who knows the architectural plans of the Father concerning my life and yours.
So, my friend today examine what foundation you are trying to build and be built on, and ensure it is the Word of LORD GOD only...be built up in your most holy faith...Selah

Well done...

As I woke up this morning I thought about a comment i heard on Tuesday evening, while at Bible study.  As I was teaching on faith; coming from Habakkuk 2:1-4; concerning our position of faith, our position in faith and our faithful position in the midst of storms, illness, financial distress, chaos and challenges...just life, a  young lady commented that her daily prayer is that upon every evening she lies down to sleep LORD Father GOD tells her "well done, my good and faithful servant..."  I found this to be such a revelation as well as a reigniting of the spirit, because for so long we have read that passage in both Luke 19:17 and Matthew 25:21, but we may only receive based upon the context of a future Christian goal of entering into the peace of GOD.  I would, though, ask us to examine this passage of Scripture as it relates to our daily life journey.  For we know not whether when we close our eyes, whether we will wake up to face life's challenges and experience another day's journey, or will we awaken before eternity's Most High throne.  In either case we must 'examine our daily lives to ensure that we are in the faith'.  This can only be done upon the 'mirror' that makes us to see what others cannot, the WORD of GOD.  Our rising breath upon each morning's dawn must be that LORD Father GOD would lead and direct us HIS Holy Ghost, that HIS Son, Jesus Christ's blood, has set us free from the terrors of yesterday, and finally that HIS Sovereign will and purpose be performed and manifested in and through our walk all the day.  This then would close out our day before our Great and Omnipotent Master and Father to inquire of HIS satisfaction as we receive the reward of HIS sweet rest from 'this days' toils.
            So, friend I would say to you make this the day of the LORD, let HIM rest rule and move you according to HIS good will.

     Father I pray that all who read this receive Your free gift of life to live, to be healed and made whole and to receive the blessed strength of Your immeasurable love...today, because Father at the end of this day we desire to hear you say to us, well done..... Selah

Pastor Lou