GOD IS THERE

I was watching a special one night, I think it was "Beyond Belief" on ABC. This particular program was about people who had died and lived to tell what they experienced during their moment of "rest" (as I like to call it). Here's what impressed me and really made me believe that at least one of these people really experienced these things. Let me say this, there's a lot of people out there who write books about their death experience and are good writers. There's some phonies as well. I can tell the difference based on a couple of key facts. My writing today, is based on the story of a little boy. I don't know how old he was when he had his experience, but let's remember...he's just a child. He was playing basketball on an indoor court when he suffered an injury to his face. That injury opened his body to the attack of a flesh eating disease. During his struggle to survive, he died. During his death, he lived...with God. That's been told. Many people have told us that they've seen God. But this little boy is the first one that I believed and had no doubts of what he saw/experienced. Why? Because, I've been in the presence of the Holy Spirit many times and never once was I able to stop weeping with joy. I had more joy in those moments then any other in my entire life. I've experienced a lot of "sensations" in the natural but none ever flooded my soul with peace and joy. The Holy Spirit is that. So, I know that when someone talks of being with God there's usually an outward manifestation of that glory left behind. Weeping, laughing, glowing of the face, just sheer joy! This child, as he recounts his story, without ever making a facial expression, begins to weep. This is a 10 yr old boy (the age at the time he recounted the story). A normal, healthy, athletic, boy. Here's what most of us know about a 10 yr old. They don't cry unless necessary. They don't get mushy. They're in the beginning stages of asserting authority over their world as young men coming into puberty. Most are tough guys if possible. This young man was a normal 10 yr. old who loved throwing rocks on the water and playing basketball. A boy. A non-mushy boy. And yet, as he told the story, not a tear UNTIL he spoke of God and meeting him. He began to weep and I KNEW he had truly been in the presence of God and the glory was still upon him. Years later. I knew it was years before that he had the battle for his life. So, here he is, it's been years since he met God, and now he's even older, tougher, and less apt to cry in front of people..and he's weeping as he tells the whole world that he was in the presence of the Lord. There's just no way, in my mind, having raised two 10 yr .olds, that this young man with his athletic sense and true boy ways, is gonna cry about something like this in front of strangers, his mother, HIS DAD!! I know it's possible that he's just a sensitive child. I get that! But why didn't he cry about the other parts of the story? Like his mom's pain, or his face being messed up? He didn't even have expression when he began to weep in the first place. It wasn't an emotion he was expressing. It was the manifestation of a soul print...an abundance of joy left on his soul by the touch of God. It was an outward manifestation of the glory he had been within. The same joy began flooding my soul as well. I knew that somehow, I was in the presence of the Holy Spirit through this child and through the television. I expect readers to gasp in disbelief at how crazy that sounds. Well, there's no time, space, or walls with God. If human kind can create a wire that transfers sound and image, then God can traverse the same lines. It's not that crazy to think. So, it's been a year or two since I watched that program and I still see that little boy's precious face (albeit contorted and horribly scarred by the bacterial attack), his eyes filling with tears as he relives...not remembers....relives that experience with God. God uses these times and these people to remind us that He's there. It's like He (God) occasionally finds Himself someone He knows will tell the world what happened, so we can know too, that God is there!

ONCE SAVED ALWAYS SAVED OR NOT?

Recently I had a discussion about "once saved always saved" with a dear sister of the faith. This discussion really opened my heart to search to greater depths for this Truth. Although there's often 2 interpretations when 2 people discuss biblical things, one Truth can easily be found. I began in a mindset that we can lose our salvation. Well, true but false. Here's what I now believe based on scripture and not of my opinion. We can lose our salvation, but it's not because He takes it away. It's because we choose to leave it behind. I suppose one could call that "losing your salvation." It is something lost. So, first I found this little pamphlet at the doctor's office that explained how good God is and how he uses certain disciplinary measures to keep us in line and close to Him, like a good parent. The author of that pamphlet, a preacher, used Hebrews 12:5-6 to explain that God "chastens," "scourges," and "rebukes" (using His word [the Bible]) to discipline His children. And instead of just casting us off, He first uses these measures to keep us where we are supposed to be. But then, there's those who "fall away." This is the "losing of the salvation." Yes, it can be lost by us. God will hold us and love us, and discipline us, if necessary. But He won't force us to stay with Him and His beautiful family. It's hard to beleive that there's those out there who would walk away from Him but they do. In the event that a saved person chooses  to give up the "good fight of faith" and walk away from it, that's it. Back into the world they go, lost and undone once again. How do I know? God told me through His word. "For it is impossible for those who were once enlightened, and have tasted of the heavenly gift, and were made partakers of the Holy Ghost, (v.5) and have tasted of the good word of God, and the powers of the world to come, (v.6) if they shall fall away, to renew them again unto repentance; seeing they crucify to themselves the son of God afresh, and put him to an open shame." Hebrews 6:4-6. See, however, it doesn't imply that God casts us off, but that WE cast Him off. I think this is where the church fails to teach the Truth. The churches I've been in don't teach this scripture, they teach St. John 10:28, "I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand." I, too, have quoted this particular verse in reference to being saved always. But this is not for those who "fall away" or "walk away" or "return to the worldly ways." This verse is for those who are steadfast in the faith. Unwavering. Immovable. We shall never be plucked from His hand. But God's nature isn't to put a noose around our necks and hold us despite our protests to go free. He will, indeed, release you..immediately. Nobody wants to be with someone who doesn't want to be with them. God epitomizes this. Personally, I'm finally at rest about this subject. The Lord wanted me to know the Truth and He wasted no time in teaching me. He says to me, "Yes, I save you forever daughter. But if this gift isn't wanted by you, then I'll take it back as you offer, but it can't be returned to you once you've given it back." He's wise and all-knowing and who are we to question One such as He?

IDOLS

Tonight, I was instantly intrigued by Psalm 96:5 which states, "all the gods of the nations are idols..." It's almost explosive in my spirit the way the Lord leads me into thought on a subject. Of all of the scripture that I read before that and after it, those few words had the most impact. Not because I'm an idol worshipper but because some people are. He wants me to ponder this. He wants me to know what an idol worshipper is and what it means. Many things began swirling around in my mind about it. One thing that stood out is how the devil has gotten into so many people these days and steered their paths towards idols. Even going as far as creating a show called "American Idol." Why do I notice this? Besides the afore mentioned reason? Because it's mentioned many times in the Bible. The Lord takes great offense to idol worshipping. And rightly so. If I were the "one true living God" I'd be offended too. After all, what is an idol? It's something. It takes place in a person's life. It takes too much place. It gets put in front of everything else. It takes precedent over priorities. It gets special attention. It gets spoken to in some cases. It gets prayed to. It gets people's expectations. It gets offerings. It receives sacrifice of ones self. It's shocking what some people will do for their idols a.k.a. "gods." In some countries they pour milk on giant golden cows. In some countries they pray to dead people at the doors of their crypts. In some countries they pray to sun, moon, stars. In other countries they idolize their beasts. In some places (and we know where) cows are allowed to roam the streets without fear of slaughter. In other places, the temples are opened to monkeys because they're thought to be "sacred," even though they'll attack or steal from their hosts. In some countries an idol is a tree adorned with prayer packets.  In America, the idols have become quite extensive. Cars, drugs, sex, sports, movie stars, food, ones own self. But my main focus is on the countries that idolize gods made by man. They are but mere tokens. Images of what comforts the worshipper. Things that the builder builds.  I would love to say to an individual who doesn't know my Lord and Savior Jesus Christ..."what makes you choose that thing as your god, knowing that it needs you? It can't stand on it's own. It didn't decorate itself or adorn itself. It can't provide for itself without your hands, and the work thereof?" The Bible says this about them, "They have mouths but they speak not: eyes have they, but they see not: they have ears, but they hear not: noses have they, but they smell not: They have hands, but they handle not: feet have they, but they walk not: neither speak they through their throat. They that make them are like unto them; so is every one that trusts in them." Psalm 115:4-8. So, how does one expect it to do anything for you? That's the ignorance the Bible tells us of. I don't mean that in a disrespectful way. Ignorance is the lack of knowledge. I wish I could convince just one idol worshipping individual of the Truth. The truth is that anything made by man cannot give back what has been given to it. It can't provide, it can't bless, it can't see, or hear. It's a "dumb" thing. There again, no disrespect meant. I'm almost desperate for the peoples and tribes of the nations to know that their handmade idols are just wood and stone or mineral. They have no ability to do anything. So, why worship a "dumb" thing? How this must hurt our Father. As He sits on His throne with the willingness to touch and bless and love us, He's rejected. Traded. Forgotten. Ignored. His value is as nothing to people because they choose these tangible things of the natural world. It's as if people can't bring themselves to trust in what can't be seen. Accept that, He can be seen. He's all around us. His fingerprints are on all creation. He's seen by those who look. My question has always been, why isn't the world leaning towards Buddhism like they lean towards God in heaven? Buddha doesn't have worldwide disciples taking him anywhere. Giant golden cows covered in milk aren't popping up in the Amazon tribes. That's because they're "dumb" things that can't move or command. They just sit and look golden. So, that's it. My view on the idols and gods of the nations. I say, Praise be to the One True Living God!!! 

ONE NAME~TWELVE REVELATIONS

• "In the beginning God created the heaven and the earth." Genesis 1:1. That gave Him the name of Elohim~The Creator.
• "And the Lord God formed man of the dust of the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life; and man became a living soul." Genesis 2:7. That gave Him the name of Jehovah~My Lord God.
• "My God shall supply all thy need according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus." Philippians 4:19. That gave Him the name of El Shaddai~My Supplier.
• "My Lord, if now I have found favor in thy sight, pass not away, I pray thee, from thy servant:.." Genesis 18:3. That gave Him the name of Adonai~My Master and Lord.
• "...and behold, behind him a ram caught in a thicket by the horns." Genesis 22:13 (referencing the sacrifice that God provided for Himself in place of Abraham's son), and this gave Him the name Jehovah Jireh~My Provider.
• "...I will put none of these diseases upon thee, which I have brought upon the Egyptians: for I am the Lord that healeth thee." Exodus 15:26. This gave Him the name Jehovah Rophe~My Healer.
• "Thus saith the Lord unto you, Be not afraid nor dismayed by reason of this great multitude; for the battle is not yours, but God's." II Chronicles 20:15<>"Ye shall not need to fight in this battle: set yourselves, stand ye still, and see the salvation of the Lord with you..." II Chronicles 20:17. This gave Him the name Jehovah Nissi~My Banner and Victory.
•  "I am the Lord which sanctify you." Leviticus 20:8. This gave Him the name Jehovah Mikkadesh~My Sanctifier.
• "Behold, the days come, saith the Lord, that I will raise unto David a righteous Branch, and a King shall reign and prosper, and shall execute judgment and justice in the earth. In His days Judah shall be saved, and Israel shall dwell safely: and this is His name whereby He shall be called, THE LORD OUR RIGHTEOUSNESS." Jeremiah 23:5-6. This gave Him the name Jehovah Tsidkenu~My Righteousness.
• "And the Lord said unto him, Peace be unto thee; fear not: thou shalt not die. Then Gideon built an altar there unto the Lord, and called it Jehovah shalom." Judges 6:23-24. This gave Him the name Jehovah Shalom~My Peace. 
• "The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want." Psalm 23:1. This gave Him the name Jehovah Rohi~My Shepherd.
• "It was round about eighteen measures: and the name of the city from that day shall be, The Lord is There." Ezekial 48:35. This gave Him the name Jehovah Shammah~My Abiding Presence, The Lord is There. 

ALL NEEDS MET

As I studied Matthew Chapter 14, I thought of the nature of our Lord Jesus Christ. I came to realize what a very long day He had in that chapter and how He dealt with the issues that arose. The day pretty much began with the news of His friend John's beheading by Herod the tetrarch. It tells us in verse 13 that, "When Jesus heard of it, He departed thence by ship into a desert place apart." I interpret His actions to be that He needed to get alone (or try) and process this heartbreak. Then began the healing of some 5,000 people, or at the very least, 2,000 of that number (as stated in verse 21). Then, the disciples suggest to Him that He end the day's activities because, "the time is now past," verse 15. But instead, Jesus differs with them and suggests that they feed the people with their own food supply. In verse 19 "...He blessed , and break, and gave the loaves to His disciples, and the disciples to the multitude." That's 5,000 people. Stop a moment and imagine that many. Now remember, in verse 14, "...He saw a great multitude and was moved with compassion toward them, and He healed their sick." So, now He's spent the time it took to heal the multitudes one by one, and feed them one by one. Finally, it tells us in verse 23, "He went up into a mountain apart to pray." So, now He's climbed a mountain. Mind you, that strength and energy comes from somewhere other than within Himself. I gave thought to the time it took to heal that many, then to feed that many, and all with the heavy heart of losing a friend and a brother. Fast forward and it says in verse 25, "In the fourth watch of the night Jesus went unto them (disciples)..." I figure the fourth watch to be around 3-6 a.m. Now, He's confronted with the ship's dilemma as it's being "..tossed with waves for the wind was contrary," verse 24. This is where I got the revelation of it all. The needs. The people and their needs and how He met them all, where they were, in the middle of the needs each had. There wasn't a "meeting place" or a special building. He was in the midst of it all as it happens and where it happens. Isn't that just like life? I don't wait until Sunday to have a dilemma so He can meet me there and resolve it. Or Saturday, whichever you prefer. So, in this chapter I count 3 obvious needs. Healing, hunger, deliverance. But there's underlying needs such as comfort, rest, peace of mind, the gift of love. To name a few. I like when the disciples tell Him to end His activities with the people so, "they can go into the villages and buy themselves victuals (supplies or food)" verse 15. However, Jesus insists on meeting their needs with His own supply. Note: Verse 20 says, "They did all eat and were filled: and they took up of the fragments that remained 12 baskets full." More than enough, as it says in Ephesians 3:20, "...Him that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think,..." What about the desperation and fear that Peter experiences as he began to sink from the surface of the water, which only happened when he took his eyes off of Jesus and began seeing the storm around him. This symbolizes us in this life. When we take our eyes off of Christ, we begin to sink. Notice however what Jesus did when Peter begins to cry out for Jesus to help him. Peter says, "Lord, save me," verse 30. It says, "And immediately Jesus stretched forth His hand, and caught him..." verse 31. Hallelujah!!!! If you cry out to Him today, now...expect the strongest hand to grab hold of your life and pull you from the dangerous waves. You'll find the prayer at the end of this page. I hope you'll go.