LIFE SONG

Delight your self in the Lord and He will lift you up! JOY is delight, bliss, gaiety, favor and good fortune! The first fruit of the Spirit is love followed by JOY! God's love for me, and in me are my assurance of His JOY which sustains me regardless of the chaos around me. "For in Him we live and move and have our being, as also some of your own poets have said 'For we are also His offspring.'" ACTS 17:28 NKJ ~ As the offspring of GOD, I choose to languish NO more ~ as I have the indwelt power of the Holy Spirit, therefore I no longer lack vitality, for He is strong in my weakness, and I am given wings like an eagle to fly above any chaos and see through the eyes of God. ~ "and the life which I now live in the flesh, I live by faith in the Son of God, Who LOVED me and GAVE Himself for me." Galatians 2:20 NKJV ~ Many Christians have been unjustly punished, and just like Paul and Silas no man, no demon can rob us of our JOY unless we allow it. ACTS 16:26 Yes my Lord releases captives even in 2012! As my God said to me "for the kingdom of God is not eating and drinking, but righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit." Romans 14:17 ~ NOW this is the day that the Lord hath made and as a believer, I acknowledge that I am not merely an observer of Christ and His Kingdom, I am not simply reading His word, waiting around for my departure from earth into His Presence, NO, NO, NO ~ as the holy scripture details the steps of Jesus, the good works of Jesus back then, today the Holy Spirit, the Presence of Jesus dwells within me and I acknowledge my experience of the omnipresence of God with a SHOUT of HALLELUIAH JOY! Consider our brother Moses whose retiring motive of heart was to finally reach the promised land ~ but God instead did not require that the elderly Moses walk across the Jordan River ~ our Father God instead gave Moses His highest reward, the promised land of His Kingdom, was a personal face to face encounter with God. "Behold, I send the Promise of My Father upon you; but tarry in the city of Jerusalem (Stockton) until you are endued with power from on high.” Luke 24:49 ~ WOW our Father fulfilled His promise in those inhabitants of Stockton who believe in Him ~ God sent the Holy Spirit upon us, to fill us, teach, protect and give us His words to utter to defeat the schemes of satan! "But you shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be witnesses to Me in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.” Acts 1:7-8 NKJ ~ to the end of the earth includes Stockton. The purpose of the indwelling presence of God is that we know, that we claim, that we utilize the power of the Holy Spirit, by surrendering our plans to His way, will and words that we may share His JOY, His pleasure and by so smiling with His radiance, attract others to Himself. " I will satiate the soul of the priests with abundance, and My people shall be satisfied with My goodness, says the Lord.” Jeremiah 31:14 NKJ ~ Therefore let us exodus from DOUBT and let us unify with the Holy One as we BE STILL and hear what the Spirit is saying "And you shall be to Me a kingdom of priests and a holy nation." Exodus 19:6 NKJ - Who was God referring to? "This means a “better” hope for us because Jesus has become our priest by the oath of God. Other men have been priests without any sworn guarantee, but Jesus has the oath of him that said of him: ‘The Lord has sworn and will not relent, You are a priest forever according to the order of Melchizedek’." Hebrews 7:20 Phillips Bible Translation

CRAZY MAKERS

Pastor Rick Warren, author of many GREAT biblically based books, put together an awesome series on crazy makers. GET NEEDED SKILLS that you did NOT learn in school, or maybe even from your parents or at church. Five SUPERB messages to hear and share:

1) Wise people never do these things in relationships (James)
2) The button people who purposely try to provoke us into anger
3) Biblical steps to resolving conflict in a world full of trials
4) Healthy Boundaries, by Doctor Townsend
5) How to identify and avoid getting married to a crazy maker

“The righteous chooses his friends carefully.” Prov. 12:26 (ESV)
GOD does not choose our mates for us. FOOLISH: I am not going to date, I am going to wait. GOD can steer a car that is moving, He cannot steer a parked car. GOD leads us, GOD guides us. TRUTH is biblical, not logical. Being single gives you a solitary purpose. A bad union is worse than being single. ASK GOD, and choose wisely. “Stop forming inappropriate relationships with unbelievers. Can 'right' and 'wrong' be partners? Can light have anything in common with darkness?… Can a believer share life with an unbeliever?” 2 Cor. 6:14-15 (GW) Romantic myth is that there is only one person on the planet for us to marry. GOD gives us choice. LOVE is a CHOICE. Love is not enough to get married. NON negotiable points that prevent God's best - Seek God's blessing and protection, and trust His word for a marriage that will bring Him glory:1) Spiritual Unity is a must for emotional and sexual intimacy
a) attend church together b) read bible together c) pray together

“I want us to help each other with the FAITH we have. Your faith will help me, and my faith will help you.” Rom. 1:12 (NCV) Don't get involved with missionary dating, to convert them to your faith after the marriage. It is easier to pull somebody down than up. 2) Life Purpose Compatability, headed in the same direction for God's purpose. Standing before God, He will ask "Did you fulfill your purpose?" God shaped me and gifted me for His purpose. He will not ask what denomination you attended. ASK before you leap: Are we ONE in CHRIST to work towards a compatible purpose? “Can two people walk together without agreeing on the direction?” Amos 3:3 (NLT) “For we are God's workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.” Eph. 2:10 (NIV) “Each of you has received a gift from God for serving others. Now you must be faithful to develop and use that gracious gift from God!” 1 Peter 4:10 (NCV) “Brothers and sisters, you are holy partners in a heavenly CALLING.” Heb. 3:1a (GW) 3) BOTH MUST BE EMOTIONALLY HEALTHY - not perfect, but aware that both are BROKEN and in NEED of grace. We all marry sinners, the bible says "we all have sinned and fall short" Some are more broken than others. They may look good, smell great and treat you like royalty, but emotionally they remain in denial about their fears. God says to AVOID these people: “Do not make friends with a hot-tempered man! Do not associate with one easily angered.” Prov. 22:24 (NIV) “Don't associate with people who drink too much, or stuff themselves with food.” Prov. 23:20 (TEV)
a) NO uncontrolled anger
b) NO addictions (drugs, porn, sports, spending,food)
c) NO bitterness
“Make sure you all have experienced the grace of God so that bitterness doesn't take root and grow, because that causes much trouble and will corrupt you.” Hebrews 12:15 “If you curse your father or mother, the lamp of your life will be snuffed out. “ Prov. 20:20 (NLT) Whatever we resent we begin to resemble. Whatever we resist, we persist. "I will never be like my dad!" Repent, do not resist - confess any bitterness towards anybody! Any issues with a parent, the mate will take the brunt of any unrepented bitterness. 4) NO SELFISH PEOPLE - “Selfish people cause trouble.” Prov. 28:25 “People who do not get along with others are only interested in themselves; they will disagree with what everyone else knows is right.” Prov. 18:1 (TEV) CONFLICT = I want what I want, and you want what you want. “A greedy man brings trouble to his family.” Prov. 15:27 “Don't eat at the table of a stingy person.” Prov. 23:6 (TEV) Greedy people buy what they dont need to impress people they do not know. “A generous man will prosper; he who refreshes others will himself be refreshed.” Prov. 11:25 (NIV) CHOOSE the opposite of SELFISH, choose a GENEROUS, KIND person. “A kindhearted woman gains respect, and a kind man benefits himself, but a cruel people brings trouble on themselves.” Prov. 11:17 5) NO LIARS - CHOOSE an honest person. God says nothing about appearance, for God looks at the heart, not what people wear. Do Hollywood marriages last? “A righteous person lives on the basis of his integrity. His children will be blessed, even after he is gone.” Prov. 20:7 ~ BE WISE and ask God for the courage to END A dead-end dating relationship that does not meet what GOD says will bless you. “In the end, people appreciate frankness more than flattery.” Prvb. 28:23 (NLT) GOD always gives His best to those who look to Him when making life decisions. DETERMINE within the first few dates; talking ~ establish compatibility and choose.
MEMORY VERSE lesson 4 "IN HIS PRESENCE" "You reveal the path of life to me;in Your presence is abundant joy; in Your right hand are eternal pleasures. " Psalm 16:11 NKJV ~ What is the purpose of the manifestation of God's presence to His inner circle of Peter, James and John? It is believed that the presence of Moses and Elijah represents the fulfillment of the Law and the Prophets by Jesus Christ. In this holy encounter Jesus is preparing His followers for what is about to occur. Their FAITH will be tested, but by reflecting on this mountain top experience, it will bring to mind that God confirmed Jesus will change their LIFE and destiny in supernatural ways. Jesus said "ELIJAH is coming and will restore everything." Matthew 17:1-13 NKJV ~ The disciples questioned why the scribes say that Elijah must come first? God the Father, Jesus the Son, and the Holy Spirit must come first, and He has already come, that you may have LIFE and live it fully!

GOOD NEWS in AVOIDING THE CRAZY MAKERS; Continual JOY is based on the everlasting, un-impeded, presence of God. Choose someone that will NOT impede or prevent the JOY of the Lord in your heart, home and relationship. "Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away, and look, NEW things have come." 2 Corin 5:17 HOLMAN CLICK into LINK on the right and don't BLINK or you will miss the important TOOLS to deal with the CRAZY MAKERS in your life. Saddleback is a HEALTHY thriving church in Southern California, it is the birth place of Celebrate Recovery.

In His Presence

"Then it came to pass on the third day, in the morning, that there were thunderings and lightnings, and a thick cloud on the mountain; and the sound of the trumpet was very loud, so that all the people who were in the camp trembled. And Moses brought the people out of the camp to meet with God, and they stood at the foot of the mountain. Now Mount Sinai was completely in smoke, because the Lord descended upon it in fire. Its smoke ascended like the smoke of a furnace, and the whole mountain quaked greatly." Exodus 19:16-18 WHY did God manifest His presence in such a dramatic way to His people? Maybe to instill AWE and RESPECT for Who God is ~ God's presence then ascended like smoke in a furnace after descending down to show Himself like Fire. WHAT was God's PURPOSE for manifesting Himself to the people of Israel on Mount Sinai ? For certain, God showed them the LIGHT of TRUTH, and perhaps His purpose included shaking them loose from making Moses an idol to worship - God's chosen people have often been caught up by what is SEEN, and they sought visible manisfestations, or miracles to increase their faith. God is holy, and above all He is to be praised. We are to bow to God alone, not to a prophet, not a president, not a party of people, not a church, not to an angel ~ God manifested Himself to His people to increase their faith in Him, that He alone is worthy to be praised! WHAT is the response of the people to God's manifested Presence? The people feared the Lord, they respected His power, and trembled. The ground quaked, God shook the foundation of their FAITH in Moses, to get their eyes on Him. WHAT did GOD need to communicate to Moses and Aaron without the priests? ASK GOD, search the scriptures, seek Him with all your heart and the CONFIDENCE of Who God has always been will KEEP you in His presence, in His peace about each life situation. Then the Lord said to Moses: “Away! Get down and then come up, you and Aaron with you. But do not let the priests and the people break through to come up to the Lord, lest He break out against them.” So Moses went down to the people and spoke to them. “I am the Lord your God, who brought you out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of bondage. “You shall have no other gods before Me. “You shall not make for yourself a carved image—any likeness of anything that is in heaven above, or that is in the earth beneath, or that is in the water under the earth; you shall not bow down to them nor serve them. For I, the Lord your God, am a jealous God ~" EXODUS 19:19-20 WERE the people of Israel making Moses an idol? Were not the people of Israel just released from the bondage of slavery in Egypt and entering into a relationship of misguided worship towards Moses? WHAT was God's message to His children? Does God warn us out of love? YES, our Lord disciplines us because He loves us. JESUS speaks strongly to us today by His Spirit in this: "Did not Moses give you the Law? And yet not one of you keeps the Law. If that is the truth why do you seek to kill Me for not keeping it? The crowd answered Him, You are possessed by a demon! You are raving! Who seeks to kill you? Jesus answered them, I did one work, and you all are astounded. Now Moses established circumcision among you—though it did not originate with Moses but with the previous patriarchs—and you circumcise a person even on the Sabbath day. If, to avoid breaking the Law of Moses, a person undergoes circumcision on the Sabbath day, have you any cause to be angry with, indignant with, or bitter against Me for making a man’s whole body well on the Sabbath? Be honest in your judgment and do NOT decide at a glance, superficially and by appearances; but judge fairly and righteously. " John 7 ~ AMP LESSON: Do not worship man, read the scriptures and ask the Holy Spirit to reveal the truth, whom shall I judge? God is the judge, and we are to bow down to no man, no council member, no sports idol, no rock stars. By His command we are to keep our eyes on Jesus, for He has got the ball, the world in His hands. Listen for His voice and mingle in the world and feel His manifest Presence tingle. His greatest command is that we love ourself as we are loved by Him, without a condition, and full of compassion. We are to confess our sins, then forgive ourself as He remembers not, and He forgives all. All sickness, all disease, the entire curse has been forgiven and healed by the blood of Jesus. Our Father takes pleasure in us, it is His will (and we know His will, becuase we are people of the Word) that we enjoy life and judge not. Jesus came for the lost, the broken, and He challenges those who take pride in their knowledge of the scriptures, to be found faithful and remain surrendered to not fully comprehending all His ways. Our light, our laughter, our joy, our kind acts, our grace, our love will attract more to God than our rigourous attempt to keep the law of Moses. And God said through Paul, a man carried away by his lofty thoughts, a man blinded by the pride of his study of the old testament. The risen Lord Jesus revealed the truth to Paul. "For though I am free from all men, I have made myself a servant to all, in every way from anyone’s control, I have made myself a bond servant to everyone, so that I might gain the more for Christ. To the Jews I became as a Jew, that I might win Jews; to men under the Law, I became as one under the Law, though not myself being under the Law, that I might win those under the Law. To those without (outside) law I became as one without law, not that I am without the law of God and lawless toward Him, but that I am especially keeping within and committed to the law of Christ, that I might win those who are without law. To the weak (wanting in discernment) I have become weak (asking for discernment) that I might win the weak and over scrupulous. I have in short become all things to all men, that I might by all means, at all costs and in any and every way, save some by winning them to FAITH in Jesus Christ. 1 Corin 9:19 ~ As I was born on 9/19 this is my LIFE VERSE. Thank You Jesus for Your grace and Your MANIFEST presence. Halleluiah! Your living Word abides in me and it reminds me to hold each thought captive and measure it against the perfect Word and will of God. "I beg you that when I am present I will not need to be bold with the confidence by which I plan to challenge certain people who think we are behaving in an unspiritual way. For though we live in the body, we do not wage war in an unspiritual way, since the weapons of our warfare are not worldly, but are powerful through God for the demolition of strongholds. We demolish arguments and every high-minded thing that is raised up against the knowledge of God, taking every thought captive to obey Christ. And we are ready to punish any disobedience, once your obedience has been confirmed. Look at what is obvious. If anyone is confident that he belongs to Christ, he should remind himself of this: Just as he belongs to Christ, so do we. For if I boast some more about our authority, which the Lord gave for building you up and not for tearing you down, I am not ashamed. I don’t want to seem as though I am trying to terrify you with my letters. For it is said, “His letters are weighty and powerful, but his physical presence is weak, and his public speaking is despicable.” Such a person should consider this: What we are in the words of our letters when absent, we will be in actions when present." 2 Corin 10:2-11 HOLMAN ~ Jesus commanded "Do not be afraid" When I stand in Your glorious manifested Presence, I shall speak in FAITH, I am covered by the blood of Jesus, and I am healed from all insecurity as my confidence is in my Lord, it is His gift to me and I receive it. AMEN

FAITH in GOD

An unschooled 15 year old girl was found faithful by God and she remained faithful to His spoken word. Today, regardless of what the world looks like, our future is found in our faithfulness to God. People of faith are faithful, but are they faithful to their rituals, to what the denomination preaches, or to God? How important is it for a believer of Jesus Christ to be faithful to God, and remain faithful to God? God says "Now it is required that those who have been given a trust must prove faithful." 1 Corin 4:2 NIV ~ NOW would be today in 2012. God requires that those who have been entrusted with the Holy Spirit, that we must be proved faithful. "Moreover it is required in stewards that one be found faithful." NKJV ~ We are considered to be good or bad stewards of what we have been given, which is the GIFT of FAITH, and that FAITH is in God. We are to be found faithful in God, and in His Word, NOT man's commentary, or in the opinion of the saints within a church. God did not say that we are to be found correct, but that we are found faithful to the Word of God, to the end. "If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness." God is faithful to His word, and righteous in the forgiveness of our sins when we confess them. God does not require us to WORK for our forgiveness, He simply requires us to confess our sins and by FAITH we are saved, over and over and over again. Let us read through the HALL OF FAME of those who were found faithful: "Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen. For by it the elders obtained a good testimony. By faith we understand that the worlds were framed by the word of God, so that the things which are seen were not made of things which are visible. By faith Abel offered to God a more excellent sacrifice than Cain, through which he obtained witness that he was righteous, God testifying of his gifts; and through it he being dead still speaks. By faith Enoch was taken away so that he did not see death, “and was not found, because God had taken him”; for before he was taken he had this testimony, that he pleased God. But without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him. By faith Noah, being divinely warned of things not yet seen, moved with godly fear, prepared an ark for the saving of his household, by which he condemned the world and became heir of the righteousness which is according to faith. Faithful Abraham By faith Abraham obeyed when he was called to go out to the place which he would receive as an inheritance. And he went out, not knowing where he was going. By faith he dwelt in the land of promise as in a foreign country, dwelling in tents with Isaac and Jacob, the heirs with him of the same promise; for he waited for the city which has foundations, whose builder and maker is God. By faith Sarah herself also received strength to conceive seed, and she bore a child when she was past the age, because she judged Him faithful who had promised. Therefore from one man, and him as good as dead, were born as many as the stars of the sky in multitude—innumerable as the sand which is by the seashore. Our Heavenly Hope: These all died in faith, not having received the promises, but having seen them afar off were assured of them, embraced them and confessed that they were strangers and pilgrims on the earth. For those who say such things declare plainly that they seek a homeland. And truly if they had called to mind that country from which they had come out, they would have had opportunity to return. But now they desire a better, that is, a heavenly country. Therefore God is not ashamed to be called their God, for He has prepared a city for them." HEBREWS CHAP 11 - NKJV Where is your FAITH placed? Oh Lord we draw a circle around the City of Stockton, we draw this circle with the blood of Jesus and we speak boldly, in the name of Jesus that the city be delivered from evil, and we stand faithful in prayer, in the midst of this city until you deliver it. AMEN

BE ENCOURAGED BY OUR USA HEROS OF FAITH: 52 of the 55 signers of The Declaration of Independence were orthodox, deeply committed Christians. The other three all believed in the Bible as the divine truth, the God of scripture, and His personal intervention. It is the same congress that formed the American Bible Society. Immediately after creating the Declaration of Independence , the Continental Congress voted to purchase and import 20,000 copies of scripture for the people of this nation. Patrick Henry: "An appeal to arms and the God of hosts is all that is left us. But we shall not fight our battle alone. There is a just God that presides over the destinies of nations. The battle sir, is not of the strong alone. Is life so dear or peace so sweet as to be purchased at the price of chains and slavery? Forbid it almighty God. I know not what course others may take, but as for me, give me liberty, or give me death." In 1776, he wrote this 'It cannot be emphasized too strongly or too often that this great nation was founded not by religionists, but by Christians; not on religion, but on the Gospel of Jesus Christ. For that reason alone, people of other faiths have been afforded freedom of worship here.'
Thomas Jefferson: 'I am a Christian, that is to say a disciple of the doctrines of Jesus. I have little doubt that our whole country will soon be rallied to the unity of our Creator and, I hope, to the pure doctrine of Jesus also.'

George Washington: His farewell speech on September 19, 1796: 'It is impossible to govern the world without God and the Bible. Of all the dispositions and habits that lead to political prosperity, our religion and morality are the indispensable supporters. Let us with caution indulge the supposition that morality can be maintained without religion. Reason and experience both forbid us to expect that our national morality can prevail in exclusion of religious principle.' President Washington wrote these words in his personal prayer book: 'Oh, eternal and everlasting God, direct my thoughts, words and work. Wash away my sins in the immaculate blood of the lamb and purge my heart by the Holy Spirit. Daily, frame me more and more in the likeness of thy son, Jesus Christ, that living in thy fear, and dying in thy favor, I may in thy appointed time obtain the resurrection of the justified unto eternal life. Bless, O Lord, the whole nation.

SPIRITUAL GIFTS

Nicodemus was a Pharisee, a priest who was a member of the Jewish ruling council. A man that studied the word of God, but a man who was not anointed with the Holy Spirit, who did not have understanding of being "born again". Nicodemus went to visit Jesus in the night so that he would not be seen, to ask Jesus "How can a man be born when he is old?" Jesus answered "I tell you the truth, unless a man is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God. Flesh gives birth to flesh, but the Spirit gives birth to spirit....The wind blows wherever it pleases. You hear its sound, but you cannot tell where it comes from or where it is going. So it is with everyone born of the Spirit."
(John 3:5) "At that time Jesus, full of joy through the Holy Spirit, said 'I praise you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, because You have hidden these things from the wise and learned, and revealed them to little children. Yes, Father, for this was Your good pleasure. All things have been committed to me by my Father. No one knows who the Son is except the Father, and no one knows who the Father is except the Son and those to whom the Son chooses to reveal Him." (Luke 10:23) "Meanwhile, Saul was still breathing out murderous threats against the Lord's disciples. He went to the high priest and asked him for letters to the synagogues in Damascus, so that if he found any there who belonged to the Way, whether men or women, he might take them as prisoners to Jerusalem. As he neared Damascus on his journey, suddenly a light from heaven flashed around him. He fell to the ground and heard a voice say to him, Saul, Saul, why do you persecute me? Saul asked 'Who are you Lord?' 'I am Jesus, who you are persecuting,' He replied. 'Now get up and go into the city, and you will be told what you must do.' The men traveling with Saul stood there speechless; they heard the sound but did not see anyone. Saul got up from the ground, but when he opened his eyes he could see nothing. So they led him by the hand into Damascus. For three days he was blind, and did not eat or drink anything. In Damascus there was a disciple named Ananias. The Lord called to him in a vision, "Ananias!" 'Yes Lord' he answered. The Lord told him, 'Go to the house of Judas on Straight Street and ask for a man from Taurus named Saul, for he is praying. In a vision he has seen a man named Ananias come and place his hand on him to restore his sight. "Lord," Ananias answered, 'I have heard many reports about this man and all the harm he has done to your saints in Jerusalem. And he has come here with authority from the chief priests to arrest all who call on your name. But the Lord said to Ananias, GO! This man is my chosen instrument to carry my name before the people of Israel. I will show him how much he must suffer for my name. Then Ananias went to the house and entered it. Placing his hands on Saul, he said, 'Brother Saul, the Lord---Jesus, who appeared to you on the road as you were coming here---has sent me so that you may see again and be filled with the Holy Spirit.' Immediately, something likes scales fell from Saul's eyes, and he could see again. He got up and was baptized, and after taking some food, he regained his strength. Saul spent several days with the disciples in Damascus. At once he began to preach in the synagogues that Jesus is the Son of God. All those who heard him were astonished and asked, 'Isn't he the man who raised havoc in Jerusalem among those who call on this name? And hasn't he come here to take them as prisoners to the chief priests? Yet Saul grew more and more powerful and baffled the Jews living in Damascus by proving that Jesus is the Christ." (ACTS 9)The Lord chose Saul and named him Paul. Paul was not one of the 12 disciples, yet he was chosen by the Way, the Light, the Voice of Jesus, and Paul was baptized by the Holy Spirit and given the GOOD GIFT of teaching by the Holy Spirit. A spiritual gift is any ability that is empowered by the Holy Spirit and used in the service of God's purposes. So Saul/Paul grew more and more powerful by the Holy Spirit and he was used by God to write many of the books of the bible. "Paul, called to be an apostle of Christ Jesus by the will of God...." wrote to the church of Corinthians "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----therefore you do not lack any spiritual gift..." Yet the first church in Corinth was divided, they were abusing their gifts. First Paul thanked them, then in the following 11 chapters of 1 Corinthians, Paul spoke the truth in love and rebukes those slipping away for being infants, for their incest, and for judging one another, for bringing lawsuits against one another, for getting drunk. GOD LOVES US and HE shows us His way. In Chapter 12, Paul tells them to not be confused, or ignorant about spiritual gifts. To remember when they were non-believers how they were led astray, how they were easily influenced, how they worshipped idols, statues, and whatever desire of the flesh they had. He addressed the speaking and interpreting of tongues with this reproof. 'No one can say, "Jesus is Lord" except by the Holy Spirit.' Paul completely surrendered to the Holy Spirit taught them "Now to EACH ONE (everyone) the manifestation of the Spirit is given for the common good." ---"There are different kinds of gifts, but the same Spirit."....The body of Christ is One body, and many parts. Not one gift is more important than the other. "For we were all baptized by One Spirit into One body." Consider the unseen parts as important as the visible parts. You must agree that the hands of service, and the unseen heart are equally valuable. What good is a hand without a heart? The mind of the teacher, and the unseen heart that prays are parts of the Body of Christ, which work in harmony. Working together, respecting all without division, malice or jealousy." INSIGHTS ON SPIRITUAL GIFTS:
We need understanding. That spiritual gifts are given by the Holy Spirit to you, yet not for you. Any ability given and empowered by the Holy Spirit is to be used in service for others. To have a gift and not use it is a sin. We need to acknowledge that the Holy Spirit decides the gifts He gives. "All these are the work of the one and the same Spirit, and He gives them to each one, just as He determines." (1 Corin 12:11) We need to know what our spiritual gifts are so that we can put them to use to serve others. We are the hands, we are the feet, we are His church, and we were GIFTED to be used with His intention and purpose.
SPIRITUAL GIFTS - FROM THE HOLY SPIRIT:
1) SIGNS - miracles, healings, tongues. There are believers that hold the thought that all signs have ceased until Jesus returns based "For we know in part and we prophesy in part, but when perfection comes, the imperfect disappears." (1 Corin 13:10) The Holy Spirit in me interprets that verse to mean when Jesus, the perfect one returns, what we think we know will pass away, all tongues will be stilled, and even the rocks will cry out Jesus is Lord.
2) SPEAKING - Teaching, exhortation, prophesy, song, evangelism etc. Spiritual gifts are outlined in 1 Corin chapter 12; Ephesians 4; and Romans 12. However, like Ananasis, we are not to question the authority of the Holy Spirit, or grieve the Holy Spirit by placing limits to what He chooses to do through us.
3) SERVING - Helps, mercy, leadership, faith, giving, hospitality, administration. Are all apostles? No. Are all prophets? No. Do all have the gift of healing? No. Do all speak in tongues? No. But do people eagerly desire the greater gifts? Yes. Then Paul teaches LOVE! "And now I will show you the most excellent way. If I speak in the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I am onlyh a resounding gong or a clanging symbal. If I have the gift of prophesy and can fathom all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have a faith that can move mountains, but have not love, I am nothing. If I give all I possess to the poor and surrender my body to the flames, but have not love, I gain nothing. Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no records of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices in the truth. It always prtoects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. Love never fails."
(1 Corinthians 13:1-8) LOVE speaks to us always and we must LISTEN for what the SPIRIT is saying. God never fails, Jesus never fails, the Holy Spirit never fails, and God is love, and His love for us never fails --- as He has given us every spiritual GIFT we need to fulfill His purpose, to spread the good news of Jesus.

EYE WITNESS

Today on the first day of Spring 2012 we join in as EYE WITNESSES of the world gone mad! Together we HEAR the DAILY NEWS and as humans we may tremble at what we see and hear! We might choose to feel alone, discouraged or worried. We might unwisely isolate from family or friends who can help us . "HOLD ON TO WHAT YOU HAVE" and be at peace with the truth of what is yet to be seen and heard! Be encouraged by the story of a simple fisherman named John. This guy was placed in solitude on a tiny island, a barren rock in the middle of the Aegean Sea. Without a phone, a computer or any possibility of escape or communication, this spirit filled man submitted to God's will and accepted the blessing of a time in prison, alone with God. John knew what day it was and celebrated it! "On the Lord's day, I was in the Spirit." REV 1:10 ~ John was in a sweet spirit, he had a right attitude and he was thrilled to spend time, alone with the Lord. He did not spend time in self-pity for his circumstance, he did not complain, he did not resent the happiness of those who had the warmth of family and home. The interior man, the integrity of his soul did what it always did, it longed for more of Jesus. We are a chosen people, and with our eyes we get to witness the Jesus in John and the by the same Spirit, we experience the Presence of Jesus is us. Revelation is the unveiling of the Truth in us, the Jesus alive in us by the perfect will and purpose of God ~ "IT IS WRITTEN: Man does not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God." Matthew 4:4 ~ Allow the Word of God to light up your soul with a glimpse of His glory in what John wrote that he saw and heard from the Lord. "Having believed, you were marked in Him with a seal, the promised Holy Spirit, Who is a deposit guaranteeing our inheritance until the redemption of those who are God's possession - to the praise of His glory." Eph 1:14 ~ "I would like to learn just one thing from you: Did you receive the Spirit by observing the law, or by believing what you heard? Are you foolish? After beginning with the Spirit, are you now trying to attain your goal by human effort? Does God give you His Spirit and work miracles among you because you observe the law, or because you believe what you heard?" Galatians 3:2 ~ Look in the mirror and be the EYE WITNESS to the truth ~ Speak this fact
"I am God's possession, and I am filled by the Holy Spirit." Now release the Teacher within to speak to your soul and unveil the mystery of Who Jesus Christ is. ~ Paul wrote "But when God, who set me apart from birth and called me by His grace, was pleased to reveal His Son in me that I might preach Him among the gentiles, I did not consult any man, nor did I go up to Jerusalem to see those who were apostles before I was, but I went immediately into Arabia (Chapala) and later returned to Damascus (Stockton)....As for those who seemed to be important - whatever they were makes no difference to me; God does not judge by external appearance - those men added nothing to my message." Galatians 1:15 - 2:6 ~ Read the Word of God and ask the Holy Spirit what is the lesson in this holy sentence for me to apply personally. OKAY, back to the Reveal of Jesus to us, His beloved! ~ In a Patmos prison John wrote that he heard God's voice loudly "I heard behind me a loud voice like a trumpet" Rev 1:10b When we set aside what we want, expect, need and feel we deserve, when we choose to soak our minds with the living Word of God, we are blessed and our hearts are uplifted when we hear and obey the Word of God. God takes away our burdens when we let go...and let God fill us with His peace. What the EYE can see, the mouth can testify and God shows us His mighty ways as He reveals, unveils and blesses us with a fresh vision of His glory in the book of Revelation! "You will show me the path of life; in Your Presence is fullness of joy; at Your right hand are pleasures forevermore." Psalm 16:11 NKJV "Christ in you the hope for glory." Colossians 1:27 ~ Hopelessness is a desolate place where people feel insecure, unwanted, forgotten, starved for affection and tortured with pity me thoughts like "how small is my cry within a world of people praying to One God". What hope can one possibly find in a future that is shared with millions of abandoned, lonely, desperate people? Do you or someone you care about ever feel invisible, too ordinary, too insignificant, too unworthy of God's attention? Why would God's hope for glory through you be a part of His divine plan, His purpose, and His unfailing, unmatched promise? Ponder these scriptures and consider the theme of the last book of the bible which is stated right up front: "The revelation of Jesus Christ." It is our Father's purpose to reveal, to unveil the glory of His Son Jesus in the past, in our history, in our present, in our presence and in our future. Today in 2012 we are the lucky believers because we get to watch more prophecy unfold, and to SEE Jesus in a way that the early saints could not. When Jesus walked among us, He was so veiled that His mother, His brothers, His disciples and the Pharisees did not fully understand Who Jesus was and is today. Before the foundation of the world, God gave us all the spiritual blessings, and the wisdom of the Holy Spirit to unveil Jesus Christ through prophecy in the past, and in last book of the canon, God's plan is that Jesus is unveiled as the HOPE for our future. God told John to write down what he saw and John wrote "I SAW" almost 50 times. John also encourages us in the book of Revelation that he heard God's voice more than 30 times. HOPE ignites our hearts to live and we can BE STILL and know that we are loved by God as we LISTEN for HIS voice ~ as we read His love letter to us. The vision of Jesus gives hope to the hopeless, to those depressed by their circumstance, to all those who are deceived by their own importance, or by their insignificance, to all those who are discouraged by the majority of the ungodly, to all those distressed by evil choices, to all those defeated by life...GOD IS FAITHFUL to his Word, to His work, to His plan, to His purpose, and to those who witness His glory in the Revelation of Jesus Christ. Through a vision Isaiah worshiped Jesus as the "wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace and as the Lamb by Whose wounds we are healed. Micah worshiped Jesus as the Baby born in Bethlehem. Zechariah worshiped Jesus as the King of kings and Lord of lords Who would rule the world. Those who walked in Old Testament times did not fully understand Who Jesus was and is, but to us in this generation ~ Revelation is thrilling because it is better than a hopeful weather forecast of what may come - But God assures us in His Word "Yes, I am coming soon." Revelation 22:21 ~ Imagine living on earth with Jesus as the visible Ruler. Living as the eye witness of NO MORE: fear, dishonesty, civil unrest, prejudice, sex traffic, lies, wars, poverty, crime, homeless, taxes, hunger, anger, prisons, sickness, murder, hospitals, foreclosures, discrimination of any kind, hatred, jealousy, evil spirits, depression or broke people! Lord Jesus I long for the day when I can see you face to face, when I will see ONLY followers of Jesus, not just the majority, but the entire population! When death does not separate me from my loved ones, and when the entire world is filled with Your joyfilled glory! "I pray also that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened in order that you may know the HOPE to which He has called you." Eph 1:18 ~ "But now that you know God - or rather are known by God - how is it that you are turning back to those weak and miserable principles? --- What happened to your JOY? I can testify that if you could have done so, you would have torn out your eyes and given them to me. Have I become your enemy by telling you the truth? Those people are zealous to win you over, but for no good. What they want is to alienate you from us, so that you may be zealous for them. It is fine to be zealous, provided the purpose is good....tell me, you who want to be under the law, are you not aware of what the law says? For it is written that Abraham had two sons, one by the slave woman and the other by the free woman. His son by the slave woman was born in the ordinary way; but his son by the free woman was born as the result of a promise.....we are not the children of the slave woman, but of the free woman." Galatians 4:8-31 (Paul's concern for us)