ENRICHED IN ALL WAYS

"To those sanctified in Christ Jesus and called to be holy, together with all those everywhere who call on the name of our Lord Jesus Christ—their Lord and ours: Grace and peace to you from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. I always thank God for you because of his grace given you in Christ Jesus. For in Him you have been enriched in every way—in all your speaking and in all your knowledge— because our testimony about Christ was confirmed in you. Therefore you do not lack any spiritual gift as you eagerly wait for our Lord Jesus Christ to be revealed. He will keep you strong to the end, so that you will be blameless on the day of our Lord Jesus Christ. God, who has called you into fellowship with His Son Jesus Christ our Lord, is faithful. (He fulfills promises) For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God. For it is written: "I will destroy the wisdom of the wise; the intelligence of the intelligent I will frustrate." Where is the wise man? Where is the scholar? Where is the philosopher of this age? Has not God made foolish the wisdom of the world? For since in the wisdom of God the world through its wisdom did not know him, God was pleased through the foolishness of what was preached to save those who believe. Jews demand miraculous signs and Greeks look for wisdom, but we preach Christ crucified: a stumbling block to Jews and foolishness to Gentiles, but to those whom God has called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God. For the foolishness of God is wiser than man's wisdom, and the weakness of God is stronger than man's strength. Brothers and sisters, think of what you were when you were called. Not many of you were wise by human standards; not many were influential; not many were of noble birth. But God chose the foolish things of the world to shame the wise; God chose the weak things of the world to shame the strong. He chose the lowly things of this world and the despised things—and the things that are not—to nullify the things that are, so that no one may boast before him. It is because of him that you are in Christ Jesus, who has become for us wisdom from God—that is, our righteousness, holiness and redemption. Therefore, as it is written: "Let him who boasts boast in the Lord." 1 Corin 1:1-31 "Remember this: Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows generously will also reap generously. Each man should give what he has decided in his heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work. As it is written: "He has scattered abroad his gifts to the poor; his righteousness endures forever. "Now he who supplies seed to the sower and bread for food will also supply and increase your store of seed and will enlarge the harvest of your righteousness. You will be made rich in every way so that you can be generous on every occasion, and through us your generosity will result in thanksgiving to God. This service that you perform is not only supplying the needs of God's people but is also overflowing in many expressions of thanks to God. Because of the service by which you have proved yourselves, men will praise God for the obedience that accompanies your confession of the gospel of Christ, and for your generosity in sharing with them and with everyone else. And in their prayers for you their hearts will go out to you, because of the surpassing grace God has given you. Thanks be to God for His indescribable gift!" 2 Corin 9:6-15 "The weapons we fight with are not the weapons of the world. On the contrary, they have divine power to demolish strongholds. We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ. And we will be ready to punish every act of disobedience, once your obedience is complete. You are looking only on the surface of things. If anyone is confident that he belongs to Christ, he should consider again that we belong to Christ just as much as he. 8For even if I boast somewhat freely about the authority the Lord gave us for building you up rather than pulling you down, I will not be ashamed of it. I do not want to seem to be trying to frighten you with my letters. For some say, "His letters are weighty and forceful, but in person he is unimpressive and his speaking amounts to nothing." Such people should realize that what we are in our LETTERS when we are absent, we will be in our actions when we are present. We do not dare to classify or compare ourselves with some who commend themselves. When they measure themselves by themselves and compare themselves with themselves, they are not wise. We, however, will not boast beyond proper limits, but will confine our boasting to the field God has assigned to us, a field that reaches even to you. "Let him who boasts boast in the Lord." For it is not the one who commends himself who is approved, but the one whom the Lord commends."
2 Corinthians 10:7-17 ---Our lives are love letters to Jesus Christ.

BUILD AN ARK

Everything WE need to know, we can learn from Noah's faith in the invisible God. As a believer on this side of the cross, we have the advantage of the CONSTANT indwelt Holy Spirit and His comfort and wise counsel. As we read the story of Noah we reap major lessons by listing the facts! Noah built what did not seem necessary, he did not question God's purpose and without a weather forcast or mercy from those who watched and laughed, Noah kept building without support from a group or a church, without a bible, without written instruction, without adequate funds, without complete knowledge, without a vision of the future, without a doubt in God, Noah worked in complete FAITH, trusting that Almighty God called Him by name and that His purpose may not ever be made known, but Noah chose to be obedient anyway. 1) Don't miss the boat.
2) Remember that we are all in the same boat!
3) Plan ahead. It wasn't raining when Noah built the Ark.
4) Stay fit. At age 60 God may ask you to do something big.
5) Listen to God not the critics.
6) Build your future on high ground.
7) For safety's sake, travel in pairs. 8) Safety does not require speed. Snails boarded with cheetahs. JUST DO NOT GET LEFT BEHIND! ASK the Holy Spirit to prepare you!
9) When stressed, surrender to the Holy Spirit and float.
10) The Ark was built by an amateur; the Titanic by pros.
11) No matter the storm, obey God, and witness the rainbow.

HIDDEN SKELETONS?

Listening to KLOVE and driving down Elliott Road to Acampo to Sue and David's ranchette --- NAME this TUNE: It's more like falling in love, than something to believe in. It's more like falling in love, than a pledge to alligance...the words to that song simply resonated to how I was feeling! At church on Sunday I heard these lyrics to a new song: What IF we pass the sentence on what we witness? What IF we judge those we see who over-indulge the world and bulge with sin? What IF our secrets were all exposed? Would it haunt you to see your sins retold? Skeletons feed on regret. Skeletons won't let us forget. Is there hope for a sinner like me? Will God forgive and truly forget? Can my past be erased? Will my ways be forever traced? No, No, seventy times NO! "Come to Me and be truly free." Freedom is NOT the work of soldiers alone, FREEDOM is a gift from God, the Creator of all that is. "If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness." 1 John 1:9 --- I know that the most miserable people in the world are NOT non-believers --- but Christians living with unconfessed sin. "Those whom I love I rebuke and discipline. So be earnest, and repent." Rev 3:19KNOWING that the truth is NOT what is advertized! "What happens in Vegas does not stay in Vegas" --- and the city of SIN most certainly seperates us from God --- for me -- guilt cannot be suffocated with a new relationship, an exotic vacation, food or a new dress! Believers indeed suffer more when they stubbornly remain non-compliant as we defiantly disobey the call on our hearts. What happens in my life, mind and heart is known by a holy God --- so I might as well confess it! We all want a revival in our hearts, in our bodies, in our lives without a change of mind, a change of habits, the surrendering of our will, or the admittance of our sin of pride, lies, porn, gossip, stealing the reputation of another, our unbelief, our doubts about God's Word, and selfishness. "If we claim to be without sin, we deceive ourselves and the truth is not in us." 1 John 1:8
I praise You God for the Holy Spirit Who convicts me to confess all the skeletons in my past. Your word is a lamp that lights the way to a FREEDOM to dance in God's glory and NOT hide from God who is holy. I pray Lord that You expand my capacity to give, that the Holy Spirit enables me to desire to do the will of God and the power to surrender all that I am to His care. I ask that the Holy Spirit hover over Doyle, Sue and Jason and that He transform them until their lives reflect Christ. Be it unto them Lord according to Thy will. Today July 4th my pastor preached the reality that we are all sinners --- Lord I ask that the housing You have provided be a place of comfort to those who need a good word and some rest.

I AM PROUD TO BE A CHRISTIAN
and an AMERICAN who stands on
the infallible Word of God!

MATTHEW

Matthew was a tax collector. He wrote the gospel to show that Jesus is the long awaited Messiah. Matthew provides the geneology of Jesus the Christ, the annointed King of Kings. Jesus was tempted. "Man does not live on bread alone but on every Word that comes from the mouth of God" "Do not put your Lord thy God to the test."

VISUAL ACTS

The Visual Bible production of the book of ACTS is all about the Acts of the Holy Spirit. 'Wait for the gift that My Father promised' Then Jesus was lifted into heaven. James Brolin plays Peter - scripture verses are included on the video. "I will pour out my Spirit on those days" "Everyone who calls on the Name of the Lord will be saved." ACTS CHAPTER 14 - lesson on worshipping God. ACTS CHAPTER 28:8 "Go to this people and say you will be everhearing but never understanding....for the people's hearts have become callosed"

TIME is PRECIOUS

HAVE YOU EVER SAID
"I don't have the time?" BOY, I have! Whenever I hear myself saying that --- that is my red alert to MANAGE my time before it robs me of my best intentions. Some folks by choice give premium time to listen to Leno, to watch Letterman, to get advice from Dr Phil, to wonder about Oprah, to be mystified by Hollywood, and then wonder WHY there is no time for God? Or what the truth really is? Who is right, who is hot, who is divorcing who? The sad truth is that millions of people fill up their minds on what has been rated as important. Tell - A - Vision. What is your vision during your prime time years? Networks battle to solicit your viewing, your mind, with a silly sitcom, a talk show, a news broadcast, and with lots of color and moving pictures designed to drown your senses. Because ratings of Talk Shows are so very HIGH, we know that a massive amount of people TUNE IN to what someone has to say. Impressions are made, sounds infiltrate, and our beliefs are influenced by the confusion of many foolish ideas. We watch the visions that producers edit, we hear that Oprah is gay, that Letterman lied to his wife, that Phil beat his wife, that Leno and Conan hate each other. In our search for truth, to establish our beliefs, the postmodern age sells us the idea that truth is relative to the individual, to whatever we think is true. How do we distinguish our truth from their truth without making anybody wrong? What if we disagree? The story, the tale, the belief of the author is reflected in the books you read, the movies you watch. Will the vision impact you eternally? Will the moral of the story be incorporated in your life? Will any advice last forever? Will what you hold to be truth stand the test of time? ETERNITY? "The word of our God stands forever." "Stop regarding man, whose breath of life is in his nostrils; for why should he be esteemed?" (Isaiah 40:8 and 2:22) Will the movies you watch cause crime? Will the words you read in bestsellers give you the answers you seek? Do you read to be entertained, to exit your reality, to numb the pain of your emptiness? Is life as you know it all there is? PROVERB = a saying; a popular, common idea that rings true to life over a range of circumstances. "a penney saved is a penny earned" and another memorized proverb "a rolling stone gathers no moss". These sayings agree with a wide variety of experiences. "a rotten apple spoils the whole bunch". This advises to watch the company we keep. "Do not make friend with a hot-tempered man, do not associate with one easily angered, or you may learn his ways and get yourself ensnared."(Proverbs 22:24) "Do not be yoked together with unbelievers. What fellowship can light have with darkness? (1 Corin 6:14) One bad apple does spoil the whole bunch! Feel the mushy texture or rotten beliefs, the smell, the taste, the worm! A bad name and a poor reputation brings God dishonor. Jesus was perfect, man is incapable of being perfect, and that is the beauty of grace. What company do you hold as you watch TV? God's Proverbs are general principles and not universal promises. The book of Proverbs are TIMELESS principles to follow as our PRIME TIME PASSES in this life on earth. The Bible is a divinely inspired book, the words you read do not contradict or change, because it is the truth, given to you by God so you can know Him and His ways more intimately. "For to us God revealed them through the Spirit; for the Spirit searches all things, even the depths of God. For who among men knows the thoughts of man except the spirit of the man which is in him? Even so the thoughts of God no one knows except the Spirit of God." (1 Corin 2:10) Why is it that when people who have not accepted Jesus as Lord, when they pick up a Bible to read the word of God, they do not understand what they are reading? The truth to that question is found in His word. FLIP through the word of God and ASK Jesus to give you understanding. The Bible says that ALL of it is God breathed and "profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, for training in righteousness." (2 Tim 3:16) Have you spent time with others who do not believe in God and felt influenced to do wrong? "Let us not give up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but let us encourage one another --- and all the more as you see the Day approaching." (Hebrews 10:25) "FAITH is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see." (Hebrews 10:39)

A HOT PRIORITY?

What do we consider a HOT priority? When your cell phone rings, or when you are signaled by an incoming TEXT, do you check to see who is wanting your attention before you respond? What makes one call, one abbreviated text, one person more important than another? What do we carry around in our purses or pockets? What do we flip through several times a day? What do we immeidately turn back to go get it if we forget it? What do we hold in our hand and consider most valuable? What example are we setting for the upcoming generation? What do we treat like we cannot live without it? What if we respected and treated God's living Word as the TOP PRIORITY? Where is the bible placed on your priority list? What if we used our bible to receive daily messages from the text? What if we gave it to kids as gifts? What if we used it when we traveled? What if we used it in case of emergency? Oh, and one more reason to keep your bible a priority, unlike our cell phone, we don't have to worry about our Bible being disconnected because Jesus already paid the bill! Does this cause you stop and think, "Where are my priorities?" HAVE I dropped His call? The Lord Jesus calls us by name, do we answer His call and respond obediently, immediately? What would happen if we treated our Bible more of a priority than our cell phone? This message was sent to me from a dear friend in Olympia --- IN GOD's perfect timing, my cell phone contract ended --- Ahhh yes! My choice to create a new habit of WHO I turn to, WHO I flip to, and WHOSE text I respond to immediately. Jesus is my top priority and my choice to NOT sign up for another phone will PROVE to myself that I CAN live more peacefully without a cell. My close friends make plans for face to face contact, for lunch, a day on a kayak --- my family emails me. The number at work remains the same, and I check my email daily at lunch. Ahhhh, just like in the old days....way back in 2002, BEFORE I ever had a cell and I never missed a single important event. AMEN

GREAT FRIENDS

“Prayer is the practice of being in the presence of God.” That being said, THINK about what it means to you --- to be considered a great friend? What JOY is found in a GREAT relationship? What does it mean to PRACTICE being in my friend’s presence? What do we do together? We confide in each other. We congratulate and encourage each other. We thank each other for things done on our behalf. We ask for advice. We admit when we are wrong and ask to be forgiven. We hang out and simply enjoy TIME together. Saturday June 26th I hung out with GREAT singles from Crossroads in bumber boats and we PRACTICED on the course, just BEING in His presence with JOY! BEING WHOLE IN ONE! If the God in me recognizes and values the God in you, then it is my desire to practice being in the presence of God with my friends. When we are with God, in prayer, we are confiding in Him. We tell God our deepest hurts, highest dreams, and greatest longings. (Jeremiah 33:3) We glorify God when we admire and ENJOY all of His creation while singing, dancing and golfing!. (Pslm 71:8, Pslm 72:18, Pslm 92:1, Isaiah 63:7, Matt 15:31; Zeph 3:17). We give thanks to God for all things, in all ways, gladly each day!.(1 Thess 5:18 and Matthew 25:34-40) We seek His personal advice when we read scripture and then list the FACTS – the LESSONS + ASK ourselves a QUESTION about the LESSON. Because GOD knows our heart, He does not ASK for our advice. He does, however, long to give us personal answers. (Pslm 18:6, Pslm 28:7, Pslm 33:20, Hebrews 4:16, James 1:5) When we spend time in His Word, in His presence, we should ENJOY being together with JESUS. (Ps 16:11, Matt 28:20, 1 Jn 3:19)"After that, He poured water into a basin and began to wash His disciples feet, drying them with the towel that was wrapped around Him." John 13:5 During His last supper, a holy final time to be in the presence of Jesus --- (read the scripture before and after) List the facts and the lessons, then with introspection we connect with the Holy Spirit. Ah, the last supper and my last sitting with my Bible open, was indeed a time to be exceedingly treasured. However, the close friends of Jesus were asking for favors, they asked for a prominent position in the Kingdom they believed Jesus was to establish. "So Jesus got up from the meal, took off his outer clothing..." What was He teaching them? What lesson does the Holy Spirit reveal in this scripture about spending TIME slowly savoring the Word of God? Jesus called us His friends. Do we spend more time with our friends than we do with Jesus? Do we sit with our Bibles open, UNAWARE of the presence of the exalted King of Kings, JESUS, the One Who has all the power, glory and authority in the world??? Do we consider our position, our time, our agenda to be greater, more important, more of a priority than spending time with Jesus? Halleluiah! I truly LOVE the edifying, inner convicting - Holy Spirit's TIMELESS friendship and perfect counsel in just TWO scriptures a day! My prayer, my practice of being in the presence of Jesus leads me to ASK the Holy Spirit to impress upon all hearts to serve humbly as we encourage one another. Lord because You first loved us, we have been given the Holy Spirit and we ask that our passion for Jesus increase. AMEN

PRAISE JESUS because?

Jesus Christ is Royalty Who cares
Jesus Christ is lavish in His love
Jesus Christ is faithful to protect us
Jesus Christ is supremely holy and good
Jesus Christ is the only genuine good news
Jesus Christ is the racial King of the Jews
Jesus Christ is the eternal King of the ages
Jesus Christ is the Peace that surpasses pain
Jesus Christ is the moral King of righteousness
Jesus Christ is the celestial King of the cosmos
Jesus Christ is Who raised us from spiritual death
Jesus Christ is unsurpassed in giving mercy and grace
Jesus Christ is Who forgave our sins and removed guilt
Jesus Christ is Who answered our prayers in a living Word
Jesus Christ is all powerful, all knowing, in ALL His ways
Jesus Christ is inescapable, indestructible, incomprehensible
Jesus Christ is all wise and the reason we can stand before God
His ways are matchless, His goodness is limitless, His Word endures

HIS PURPOSE + HARVEST

WOW what a fantastic Harvest of SOULS! We gather in the name of Jesus for the purpose of developing our relationship
with each other --- as we draw ever closer to our blessed Savior. Trusting Jesus for all our needs, the Holy Spirit flowed throughout the night! Thanks to Dawn, Helen, and Elaine for their willingness to HOST a table. The TABLE HOST stays at same table and the remaining saints will rotate to sit at a different table each week. IMAGINE the RICH blessings to come as WE all individually share the personal insights/messages from the Holy Spirit! WOW! The squeaky SUNSHINE and FLIPFLOP will add another FUN dimension to our small groups as we rotate tables from week to week. WE share joy, laughter and perhaps a few tears as a growing family in Christ Jesus! 1st Week Home study for Wed June 16. Read JOHN 10:1-10. In a notebook, write LESSONS and personal application QUESTIONS to share next week. PURSUING MORE OF JESUS BOOK homework is on page 240.

TABLE HOST OPENS in brief prayer:
Dear Lord Jesus, just give us more of Your voice in our ears. Open to homework for the week and ask someone to share the FACTS found in the scripture. Remember parables were like veils intended to make the understanding of truth more difficult. This effectively hid the truth from those who were not earnestly seeking Jesus. Anne teaches about the difference between a false and a true shepherd. Share questions formultated from reading JOHN 10:1
EXAMPLE:

Do I only listen for the voice of Jesus as I read?
Do I ask the Holy Spirit to give me understanding or my friends?

On Wed June 16th the Holy Spirit led us to MOVE tables together to snuggle up around His word and take the first assignment as a group. By the end of 12 weeks - we will come to love each soul a bit deeper. WOW - COME HUNGRY for more of JESUS and leave fully SATISFIED! Removing any SET AGENDA as the Spirit will move us, change us and flex us to OPEN up in the SAFE atmosphere we are creating together. Our Lord Jesus is the supplier of ALL GOOD THINGS - and as Pastor Ed says, the saints like to gather around GOOD food. The food for our souls is the Word of God, and each week there will be a basket of FISH; RAISINS; CHOCOLATE and water. So please eat your NUTRITION before you come.

WEEK #10 is our LAST TIME TOGETHER in the CLUBHOUSE. CONSIDER for week #10 if after our small group time, IF anyone wants to STAY for a longer chat around the pool? Changing rooms are available in the clubhouse. We could ORDER a PIZZA delivered? WEEK# 11 will be our time to unite at ISADORES for COMMUNION and SUPPER. OUR last devoted WEEK# 12 GG meets at Crossroads upstairs in the LOFT to finish our OUTREACH project."Let us not give up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but let us encourage one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching." Hebrews 10:25 --- A grand lesson in chapter one is that our Good Shepherd has called out to all sheep. "Come and drink, come and eat, come follow Me and enter into a personal relationship with God Almighty!" Our Shepherd's voice is filled with authority and mercy. We learned from John 10 that a personal relationship with God is only accessible through one Door, Who is Jesus Himself. As we fish with the glowing bait of the Holy Spirit, our very lives will be the lure that catches the lost. As a bobber floats and survives the waves, we know we will not drown because He holds us, He protects us, with the Spirit of truth. OUR GROUP OUTREACH PROJECT will be finished on Aug 25th at the LOFT - Our group to decide which MISSIONARY FAMILY to adopt and pray for. THE PLAN: On our final day together we will BRING collected GOODIES to send to our selected MISSION family. Herein a listing of names of those followers of Jesus, those Fishers of Men, those SAINTS who gathered in the summer of 2010 to CELEBRATE our relationship with Jesus and to love and encourage one another.

1) Chris Sanchez 271-5377 (Elaine) YES
2) TABLE HOST: Dawn Everson 823-4748 (Tim)
3) Danielle Krenz 456-4858 (Russell)
4) TABLE HOST: Elaine Sanchez
5) TABLE HOST: Helen Bennett 408-710-4504 (Kate)
6) Ingrid 612-5761 MAYBE
7) Janie Davis 239-8043 PRAY FOR THE BABY
8) Jason Cary 482-7297 (Casey)YES
9) "Casey" Cooper (Jason) 823-9540 YES
10) Kate Benett + Helen YES
11) Kelly Neelman 858-8198 YES
12) Russell Krenz 456-4858 (Danielle)
13) Sandra Leask 985-8445 MAYBE
14) Tim Everson + Dawn YES
15) Sonja Sassi 603-0537 YES(Patricio)
16) Patricio Sassi (Sonja)YES
17) TABLE HOST: Barbara Alley 471-8349 Jesus is the Vine, and we are His branches! Like noble Bereans, who listened to Paul preach, then studied the scriptures to verify if what Paul said was truth --- we LISTEN for our Shepherds voice with our EYES on the pages of our own bibles. We ask the Holy Spirit to give us understanding, and we study with our EARS OPEN to hear our Shepherd's call to us. With fearless EYES we examine the scriptures to KNOW what the Spirit of Truth is saying to us. We trust in God's Amazing Plan, His Gospel of Grace! Therefore, we shall NEVER be robbed of our salvation, our close personal relationship with Jesus, the promise of eternal life, peace, joy, or our total forgiveness --- BECAUSE God's living and active Word says that IF we confessed with our mouth that Jesus is Lord, and BELIEVED in our hearts that God raised Jesus from the dead --- God's Word says the truth, we were purchased and sealed forever with the Holy Spirit. Jesus said "And I will ask the Father, and He will give you another Counselor to be with you forever --- the Spirit of truth."
John 14:16

"I tell you the truth, a time is coming (2010) and has now come when the (spiritually) dead will hear the voice of the Son of God and those who hear will live." John 5:24! We do not need to wear ourselves out with Bible study to know His love, to hear His personal Word to us. God created the world and everything in it for His pleasure and ours. He created human beings in His likeness so He could have fellowship with us. Trees, seas, flowers and bees do not confide in Him. Our Creator longs for us to seek Him, to sincerely speak what is in our hearts. He knows when we grieve, and when we are peeved so we might as well say it outloud. Pursuing more of Jesus verse by verse is EASY. God hid treasures in the Word for each soul to "personally" uncover.

Do you want to hear God's voice? Then ASK the Holy Spirit to reveal personal meaning as you read just "3" verses a day. Begin in the book of John. Use this proven method to hear from God as you PRAY and then apply these steps:
1) Read the Scripture. The slowly re-read the same 3 verses.
2) List the FACTS verse by verse. DO NOT PARAPHRASE.
Using words of scripture: Who, What, Where, Did what?
3) List the personal LESSONS contained in the FACTS.
4) Formulate a QUESTION out of the LESSONS.
Dear Holy Spirit reveal to me any EXAMPLE to follow?
What is being done that I should or should NOT do?
Show me the PROMISE to claim. Convict me of a WARNING to heed.
Lord Jesus speak a COMMAND for me to obey. AMEN

We NEED to have scriptures explained by the Holy Spirit. God the Father, Jesus the Son, and the Holy Spirit are all in One, the blessed Trinity. It is very good that Jesus left the earth and sent us the Holy Spirit to dwell within each soul that claims Jesus is Lord. That is a PROMISE KEPT and all believers can speak to the Holy Spirit within! The AUTHENTIC voice of the Shepherd is recognized by the sheep. We learned to test the TRUTH of what we hear at church, on the radio and tv. The voice we can always trust is when we test that it is:
1) Biblical - straight from God's Word
2) Personal - in a language we know
3) Powerful - souls will be changed and saved

IN HIS PRESENCE

When was the last time you felt the presence of God? Was it while you were alone in nature? In a worship service? While you were praying? When you were witnessing to someone? When alone studying His word? Was it when you were broken, absolutely dependent on God? What was happening the last time God interrupted the moment and made Himself, His presence known to you? What emotion came over you? Tears of joy, gladness, peace, mighty assurance, needed confidence, a sense of safety, a shudder of goose bumps, or sweet comfort? We never know when or how God will just show up, but indeed He does to those who love Him! God delights in letting us know He is here with us, but do we maintain the required position of surrender to allow Him this pleasure? God makes Himself known to us in unique and powerful ways...to encourage us, to energize us, to equip us to do that which we are unable to do without God, our Father, Son, Holy Spirit, the Holy ALL in ONE. "Then the eleven disciples went to Galilee, to the mountain where Jesus had told them to go. When they saw him, they worshipped him; but some doubted (In the presence of Judas the fool who doubted, do you feel like the black sheep amidst the mockers? Remember Peter denied Jesus when he was not in the presence of Jesus, but IN HIS PRESENCE, Peter's faith enabled him to walk on water)"Faith is being sure of what you hope for, and certain of what you do not see" Hebrews 11:1 --- "Then Jesus came to them and said, "All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I will be with you always, to the very end of the age." Matthew 28:16---Now without airplanes, the internet, cell phones, trains, cars some might think HOW will we, the eleven disciples teach all nations to obey what Jesus commanded? Each disciple had witnessed miracles, and had FELT the powerful presence of Jesus --- "some doubted" Jesus knew their hearts, their doubts about HOW TO REACH all of mankind about the birth and brutal death of their Creator, their King, our Savior. "So the women hurried away from the tomb, afraid but filled with joy, and ran to tell his disciples. Suddenly Jesus met them. "Greetings" he said. They came to him clasped his feet and worshipped him. Then Jesus said to them, "Do not be afraid. Go and tell my brothers to go to Galilee; there they will see me." Matthew 28:8 --- Jesus made His Presence known to His disciples then, and today our Father, our Jesus, our Holy Spirit makes His presence known to us. God desires that we recognize His presence today. Jesus taught us by His word and by His example. His greatest command was that we love ourselves as we are loved, and to love one another. How do you describe God's presence? Is it in the kindness shown to you in that secret place within? Is it in that moment when you are able to forgive and let go? Some folks say "I believe God is everywhere, and in everything. In the trees, in the ocean, stars, mountains, in the animals etc". God's word does not claim to be in everything. God the almighty Creator of heaven and earth is omni-present, which means everywhere is in the sight of God, or in His presence. God is in the body, heart, mind, in a very personal way, of those who believe in Jesus. He waits for us to turn to Him, to invite Him, to call on Him, to trust Him, to get to know Him. The magnificient mountains, the depth of the seas, the height of the stars are all exhibitions of God's power, His creation of beauty for His beloved to live in. God never intended to be unknown, NOT be found, NOT heard, NOT felt in the great out yonder somewhere. God desires to be in a personal, intimate relationship with us. God makes it most definetly clear in His word where He is NOT present. God does not abide in those who do not claim Jesus as the Lord. "The Lord is FAR from the wicked but He hears the prayer of the righteous. A cheerful look brings joy to the heart, and good news gives health to the bones. He who listens to a life-giving rebuke will be at home among the wise" Proverbs 15:29-31 --- In the life, in the midst, in the heart of a believer of Christ, God is present, as He promised
"I will be with you always, even till the end of the age." The wicked, the wayward, those who do not believe in God, those have no concept or desire to know God, those who deny He exists, those who deny the Truth, that Jesus is Lord, as God's inspired word says --- The Lord is FAR from those that choose to NOT believe. "All a man's ways seem innocent to him, but motives are weighed by the Lord. Commit to the Lord whatever you do, and your plans will succeed. The Lord works out everything for His own ends --- even the wicked for a day of disaster. The Lord detests all the proud of heart." Proverbs 16:2-6 --- Those who know God, are delighted to obey God, enjoy tremendous contentment in God, show great boldness for God, have supernatural energy to do His will, and have Spirit filled conversations about God. Consider Paul's escape from Damascus, his time being shipwrecked, alone at Sea, in prison --- all the while He was filled with peace not fear as he praised God. Paul carried the word of God to far off places perhaps singing. "You guide me with your counsel, and afterward you will take me into glory. Whom have I in heaven but you? And being with you, I desire nothing on earth...But as for me, it is good to be near God. I have made the Sovereign Lord my refuge; I will tell of all your deeds."
Psalm 73:25-28 --- Blessed are we who meditate day and night on His law! King Solomon wrote a majority of the Psalms and the book of wisdom, Proverbs. Halleluiah and AMEN!