I eat Well

 Joyce Meyers says that every morning she confesses I eat well, I look good, feel good and I will do what God has for me today.

I have always said that our words are so important and they are according to God. What is your confession? You can make it what ever you want. So today sit down and think about what you want from God and line your words up with it. Confess it every morning.

Here is a good one for Born again believers. Every morning when you wake up say I am born again, spirit filled, tongue talking, devil chasing, prayer warrior child of the King. I guarantee that you start your day confessing that you will never be the same. 

Are you born again? Did you make Jesus your Saviour? He is waiting just ask Him to forgive your sins and come and live into your heart. Then live for Him.

May your day be all it needs to be. Be blessed.

Purgatory

 Hearing that word purgatory a couple of times in the last few days has made me think of my childhood growning up. In some faiths that word is used  more often than it should be. It can be a tormenting word as a child.

For one thing it refers to purgatory as being a holding tank for people after you die. The Bible says differently. 

The Bible says to be absent from the body is to be present with the Lord. You are born, you live, you die and if you are a born again believer you go home to be with the Lord.

If your not born again then hell will be your home. Some people say how can a loving God send anybody to hell. God for one doesn't send anyone to hell we send ourselves by not believing. Hell wasn't created for humans it was created for the devil and his demons. As sad is it is though some humans will end up there.

In the book of Romans the first chapter it talks about how God put in all us a knowing to believe in Him. It says that because of creation we all know there is a God. So if God gave us all the ability to believe in Him then we need to take it to the next step. John 3:3 says to be born again or saved.

So getting back to the purgatory thing. If God said that we are saved by grace in Eph. 2:8 then why would anybody think that after we get saved and we are cleansed why would we believe we have to go someplace else before we can get to God.

Purgatory means the condition or process of purification or temporary punishment in which, it is believed, the souls of those who die in a state of grace are made ready for Heaven. Notice the word believed.  It says that it is believed the souls of those who die in a state of grace are ready for Heaven. It doesn't say that it is true. I think someone just misunderstood the definition.

If  God created purgatory which He didn't since the Bible doesn't back that up. If He did though that would really mean we could all live anyway we want to on this earth then we die and go to so called purgatory where we can get cleansed and go on to heaven.

If that was true then it would mean everybody goes to heaven. The Bible says that wide is the gate that leads to destruction and narrow is the gate that leads to life. As Christians we have instructions that we follow according to the Bible. When we follow them the narrow gate will belong to us. The unsaved are the ones that will be punished. Course that still doesn't mean that purgatory is the place they will go they will die and go right to hell.

So if you believe in purgatory I pray you find the truth. My guess is that thought torments some of you also. Ask God to show you the truth.

You are a Ten

 Jesus prayed all night before He chose His disciples. All night is 12 hours. 

He didn’t want to just choose the world’s way so He asked His Father. If you look at it then He prayed one hour for each disciple.  

Notice then who He chooses. He chose ordinary people like you and me. Rejects. Peter had a past he was no one special. Paul persecuted Christians. Matthew was a tax collector.

In other parts of the Bible it says Rahab was a harlot. Ruth worshiped idols. It says Jacob was a schemer, a trickster and a swindler. David was a murderer. The writer of those beautiful Psalms was a murderer. All through the Bible the people that worked for God had a past. They were 0’s. Read the stories to see what God made out of them all.

The best people sometimes that God can choose are rejects. They will do the most for Him sometimes. They are looked upon as a 0.

Jesus is #1. So if you take our 0 and His 1 it makes us a 10. Jesus puts value in every 0. As long as the 1 is in front we will always have value.

Take the 1 away and we are nothing. 

God has ways of defeating all our giants if we just listen to the Holy Spirit. 

For example the philistines were prepared for battle. They were prepared to win. They had goliath and figured how they could be defeated. We all know how God defeated goliath that day. A Sheppard boy knew his calling and went against him in the name of the Lord.

Reinhart told the story when him and his brother would go down by the docks to see the big boats docked there. They could push on the boat and even though it was in the water it didn't move. When the tide came in then it moved. With the tide it started rockin and rollin. 

When we obey the Word of God and listen to the voice of the Holy Spirit our tide will come in. Jesus is our rock and we are on His roll.

He said that the Lord told him what Jesus was praying that night back when He was getting ready to choose the 12. Jesus said to God don’t let me choose the world’s way. 

It’s kind of the same way when we pray. We pray and ask the Lord what we want of Him and then if you’re like me you might try to show God how he can bring it to you. I have gotten a lot better at that because I have seen to many times the Lord come through in a different way. 

We need to listen to the voice of the Holy Spirit. Invite Him to have His way. That voice will never lead us astray and sometimes even keep us safe if we listen.  

Hearing the voice and doing what God is telling us to do is two different things. We need to always remember the Holy Spirit is ever present to help us or guide us or tell us what to do. We need to hear that voice and not follow any other.  

You know that hymn by Dottie Rambo. Holy Spirit Thou are welcomed in this place. We need to invite Him. God is a gentle God and won’t push anything on us. James 1:5 says we need to ask God for wisdom. When we do that the Holy Spirit will tell us what we want to know.

He never pushed salvation on us and He will never push anything else on us either. We make the choice to take what He offers. 

Remember the Scripture starts with an instruction and ends with a promise. Remember also when reading a Scripture is it past tense or present tense. Present tense means we don’t have to ask for it we already have it we just need to praise and thank Him for it. 

I am not a zero and neither are any of you. I have a past and so do you. God doesn’t care about that. It is forgotten. Jesus made us white as snow. We made Jesus our Saviour which makes us a ten. We are in right standing with God. You I and Jesus are together an unbeatable team. We have the victory in Jesus. We need to stop taking His name in vain by not walking in what He died to give us. 

So when we go out in the world today and we are rejected by people lets laugh again at the devil. God doesn’t reject us. People will let us down. God will never leave us or forsake us. We need to walk with our heads high and know who we are in Christ.

This is the day the Lord has made for us. We will rejoice and be glad in it.  

What a mighty mighty God we serve. Nothing can defeat us. His grace and mercy are new this morning for all of us. The babe that came in the manger at Christmas time is no longer sleeping in heavenly peace according to Hebrews 7:25 He is daily making intercession for all of us. 

We are destroyed by lack of knowledge. The bible doesn’t say we are destroyed by sickness, poverty or sin it says lack of knowledge destroys us. 

Today as we go about our day lets remember we have to step out in faith in order for anything to happen. The woman with the issue of blood had to touch the hem of Jesus garment before she was healed. Don’t be so hard on yourself just let go and let God. Relax in the Lord. He will bring everything to pass. Just talk to Him. You don’t have to sit there and pray for hours and hour’s just talk to Him. 

The Bible says signs and wonders will follow them that believe. That is a promise.

Psalm 30:5 the favor of  God is for a lifetime. The favor of God is ever present in our lives. We don’t have to pray for favor God said we have it. We just need to thank Him for it. Favor opens door, creates opportunities, accelerates progress and brings great blessings. We need to say every morning the favor of God is going before me that way when we get to where ever we are going it is already there. In our lives and our business’s we need to see the end before we begin. Don’t ever quit dreaming. God wants to see our dreams fulfilled. 

1Corth. 2:9 Eye has not seen, nor ear heard, nor have entered into the heart of man the things which God has prepared for those who love Him. God has our backs; everything is in His control weather we believe it or not. We need to have peace in this world. 

See yourself as God’s special treasure. A person of destiny. Know that God’s hands are not tied. You are handpicked by God. We are master pieces created by the most famous artist of all. The one who holds the universe in the palm of His hands has faith in you. We are the spice of life created to bring zest and flavor to the world around us just by being ourselves.

Romans 8:28 says that everything works to our good because we love God and are called for His purpose. What a promise as long as you love God. When we make mistakes God will always turn it around for good. 

We are suppose to be blessed, overflowing with God’s provision. We need to have confidence and security in knowing what God gives us will never be taken away. I don’t believe God giveth and God take it away.

God will always see us through. He is always the fourth man in the fire. So if your in the oven waiting on God just wait He will never let you down. 

Proverbs 3:5-6 Trust in the Lord with all your heart, And do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will make your paths straight.

Beautiful day today. All my needs met. I am above and not beneath the head and not the tail. I am blessed coming in and blessed going out. My steps are ordered of the Lord. The favor of the Lord always goes before me. Thank You Jesus....

I speak blessings over all of you. May all your needs, wants and dreams come true in Jesus name. 

Door Number 1

 I was listening to a preacher the other day. He was talking about the TV show the price is right. If you know the show then you know that Bob Barker calls your name saying come on down. When that person is called out they come down screaming and shouting with happiness. The thing is they don't even know what is behind the doors. They are just happy that their name has been called. 

As Christians lets imagine we have Door number 1-2 & 3. Door number 1 is God. Door number 2 is the promises of God. Door number 3 the promises of God fulfilled. Now that is something to be happy about. 

So what is wrong with us? If we are Christians we know what is behind the door. Why don't we scream and shout with happiness. Life. Life gets in the way. We have to really know and believe God has our back 24/7. We need to roll all our cares on Him and not try to take them back. Even if we can figure things out on our own God does a much better job. From the biggest care to the smallest care He has it all in control. 

So rejoice the prize belongs to us. Our name has been called out. Salvation, Healing, Prosperity, Deliverance and what ever else we need belongs to us if we have accepted Jesus. Do you know Him today? If not you can.

Holy Communion

 I heard a wonderful teaching on Communion from two different Pastor's. There both good. Here are the notes. As a child Communion was just a ritual for me. I never understood what it was all about. It is sorta a ritual but you should know why you are taking it.

We need to get personal about taking Communion. Almost like seeing Jesus Himself giving it to us. Picture Jesus on the cross and all your stuff on Him. His brokenness made us whole. The elements that you use for Communion don't really matter but the Passover bread when it was made was beaten, burned, striped and pierced. So was Jesus as we all know.

Understand communion and don't take it in a unworthy manner. Discern the body of Jesus, what He did for us on the cross.

1 Corinthians 11:29-30 For he who eats and drinks, eats and drinks judgement to himself, if he does not judge the body rightly. For this reason many among you are weak and sick, and a number sleep. (Judgement doesn't mean God's wrath)

When it talks about taking communion in a unworthy manner it has nothing to do with sin. In the Bible they were getting drunk and treating the bread like it was a meal instead of the symbol it is suppose to be. (1 Corinthians 11:20-22)

Colossians 1:14 in whom we have the forgiveness of sins. We have health and wholeness in Communion.

A piece of bread can change to good forever. Discern His body and everything He did on the cross for you, they didn't do that in Corinthians that's why some were sick or dead.

Remember get personal about communion. Picture Jesus carrying all your stuff on the cross. Jesus dying on the cross is greater than anything you will ever go through in this world. His brokenness makes us whole. Luke 6:19

Psalm 32:5 says in the presence of our enemies so you can take communion with unbelievers as well as with your enemies. Judas was at the table when Jesus took communion and the devil was in him. Jesus knew what was coming and on the night He was betrayed He took communion. (Take communion in the major moments of your life). Mark your problems with communion no matter if there physical, financial, spiritual and when hell breaks loose. Communion is the cup of the covenant that says everything I have is yours. Communion turns things around.

Psalm 23:5 goes on to say that our head is anointed with oil (destroy yokes, remove enemy and change situations) and our cup overflows. Psalm 23:6 says goodness and mercy follow us (everywhere all the time). Even at night when your sleeping. Fear is broken all the days of our lives and we dwell in the house of the Lord forever. 

Ephesians 1:7 In Him we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of His grace.

Colossians 2:15 says that He had disarmed the rulers and authorities, He made a public display of them, having triumphed over them through Him. Jesus went into the pit of hell and took the keys of the kingdom away from the devil before He rose to heaven. When we take communion we are reminding the devil what Jesus has done and the promises we can stand on. If the devil is bothering you in any area or all areas take Communion. It will break strong holds in your life.

Acts 2:42-46 says they were continuing breaking bread so we should also. I take Communion for everything. If we need money, healing, whatever the need it will work. There is faith involved in that though. You have to know what Jesus has done for you on the cross and believe He loves you and wants you forgiven, healed, prosperous and living in victory.  

In every celebration you have a meal why not have communion and have God's power. At a wedding meal take communion and bless that marriage from the start. When you get married everything she owns is his and everything he owns is hers. It's the same way with Jesus. Communion is the cup of the covenant that says everything I have is yours.

Jesus gave us beauty for ashes.

The Blood

 In the morning and at night I plead the blood over all of us. Actually sometimes I plead it over everything. Then I am trying to remember to confess psalm 91 over us all too. 

So if attacks come we are all covered. It’s a promise. They do come but remember it’s what you do when they come. Most of the time the first thing out of our mouth is the wrong thing.

The Bible says life and death are in the power of the tongue. I learned years ago we have what we say.

The cute little sayings this world has taught us are death words. Butch use to say if worst comes to worst. He catches himself now because he gets in trouble with me. 

I hate to hear people say it is what it is. No it’s not. The Bible says we are ensnared by the words of our mouth. If you’re having a bad day today stop and think about yesterday. What were you saying? 

What about the saying that scared me to death. For one thing God didn’t give us fear. 

Another one is oh that dessert is to die for. I ain’t dying over any dessert and that’s what I tell a person that says that in my presence. Psalm 91 promises long life.

I could go on and on but I am sure I got my point across. Blessings. 

A Old Picture

On our TV stand is a picture of Butch and I at Northern ave. It was Probably 1987ish. We’re standing in our dining room. I look behind us and remember when we painted the walls baby blue in the living as well as in the dining room. 

We were getting ready to paint that Saturday and a nearby friend (acquaintance) called and on the landline asking if Butch could help him redo his patio. We should have said no but I let him go help. So I tackled the painting on my own. I painted one roller on and called Butch to come home and get his opinion. I will say it looked a lot different but when the job was done I loved it. I later read that if you want to make your house look cozy paint it baby blue.

Butch has always said he doesn’t like to paint. So all three spec homes if I wanted them painted I did the painting. Yes I did all three homes. 

Northern avenue was our first home after two years in a mobile home. We loved it and the kids were younger. We were basically baby Christian’s. In fact if you have read my book on this blog (Life as a Christian should be simple) it was a miracle how we got the home. It was all God. I still miss the three seasons porch all these years later. 

There are things I miss from each home we lived in. I have said next home we will make sure we have everything we miss. However we don’t feel right now that God has a move for us. Maybe after the housing crash. 

God is so good. I always tell Him how spoiled we are but He already knows since He is the spoiler. Forty plus years and He hasn’t quit spoiling and taking care of us and our family. And guess what He never quits on us either. 

He’s an awesome God. Blessings.