"if you will bow down and worship me."

Matthew 4:9 "All this I will give you," he said, "if you will bow down and worship me."

10 Then Jesus said to him, “Away with you, Satan! For it is written, ‘You shall worship the LORD your God, and Him only you shall serve.’”

Do you receive Him... or do you receive him? If it not one, its the other- thats just the cold hard truth, knowing or not knowing.

This world has its ways is drawing people to its lies... but the main focus is whom is telling those lies to you. Who is tickling your ears to encourage you to live in your pride and self-righteousness? Are you indeed bowing down to the anti-christ? He has been given limited authority in all that has been given to him (satan), he is the prince of the earth.

John 12:31 Now there is a judging of this world; now the ruler of this world will be cast out.

We as a people, sin in every way and turn a blind eye as society has so accepted it. We drink and smoke, steal, want everything. Thats not to say that we shouldn't desire to do our best in our lives, its saying that sometimes we get out of control in our way of living and satan is here to ensure that we hold that course, bowing down and worshiping the things of this earth.

Well, this isn't our home. We are merely sojourners... on temporary assignment- if you will. We are given free will to do as we please. I still want to enjoy life. To golf, play hockey, watch hockey, watch baseball, play with my kids and family, fish, etc. But, in doing so, worshipping God and spending time with Him.

The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not want...... the things of this world and only that of which the good shepherd provides. He knows our needs, our thoughts, our pain. He is there, waiting for us to call out to Him as a daughter cries out to her daddy- even then I point my daughters to Christ.

Its okay to have possessions- computers, trucks, 4-wheelers... what-have-you. I just encourage you not to get captivated in the way that this... world-order provides. Have some respect for our creator- just because society has accepted sin... its still wrong before God.

(I don't want to come off as cracking the whip on you- because I am a sinner. But that doesn't mean that we shouldn't try and do our best before God. I have been down the road of many people in the bible, through the same trials. Perhaps you may be going through something tough yourself. I am here to bear your burdens and to exhort your efforts in achieving victory in you life- thats whom God has intended for me to be used for.)

Why do you labor in vain?

I have been struggling recently. I have many desires and problems that I have been nourishing. I didn't see it, but I knew it.

Jesus was tempted in the same way. Desires of having the entire land that was given to satan. Tempted to be King of all the people in the land. In all ways we are tempted, He has been tempted.

It is natural for us to be in want... how ever, The Lord is my Shepherd, I shall not want........ the things of this world that I do not have.

iPhone
Truck and trailer
Boat
Golf clubs
Fishing gear
Etc.

The Lord has given many things for me to enjoy, shouldn't I be rejoicing in that of which He has given... and that of which He will provide?

I have been taken to lunches- many times.
I have been taken to Blue Man Group.
I have been given opportunities to work and rewarded bountifully.
I have a home, clothing and food- which I have not paid for directly.

I have been given many things... but I still want more??? Well, I renounce those desires in the name of Jesus. He is my provider. He is my Author. He is the one that has been given ALL things... He paid the price for it.

I am very thankful for what has happened, the good and the bad. I rejoice in Him who directs me in the path He has set before me. I fully depend on Him and will serve Him. I cannot let the things that belong to this world effect the great plans He has for my life. THE LORD IS MY SHEPHERD, I SHALL NOT WANT.


Its... kinda like a Railroad engineer. The engineer... at least in the old days, shoveled coal into the engine to feed the fire. It was pretty dirty work and very labor intensive. But he was driven to keep the fire burning intensely. But the Lord told me that I do not have to feed the fires before me... and to relax and enjoy the fire that He has put in me. When people attack me verbally (its more... wrongful misperception on my part) or being impatient before everyone... I am the one feeding the fire of my desires unrighteously. I give into the hatred that I love so much... and we all know how things turn out- it just hurts people.

So, why do I labor in vain- why am I picking up a shovel and feeding the fire into an intense fur-no? Why not rest in roast up a few cosy marshmallows and kick my feet up. Do not be hasty in the way that you carry your day. Respond lovingly- no one likes to be talked to in hatred! Be patient as God is with us- He is slow to anger... we should be too.

When a fire arises before you, do not feed it. Apologize if you have upset someone- you were the one that did it, whether directly or indirectly. Respond in Truth, Righteousness, Salvation, in the Gospel, by Faith and by His word. Be humble. Ask for His help to change you. To strengthen you. To teach you. To guide you. All you are doing is acknowledging your ways before Him so He can make you path straight. He wants you to rely on Him in all aspects of your life- not to be thrown in the corner and ignored. He calls you friend and wants to be your best friend. He is Lord. He speaks to us EVERYDAY, do you give an ear to Him... do you check in with Him to see what He wants to share with you? This is the day the Lord has made, find out what His glory means to you this day.

Lord, forgive me for giving into the desires of my heart. For looking for what I cannot have, rather seeking what You will provide. I have nothing and am nothing, but that of which you give. It is no long I who live, but You who live in me. I renounce covets of my heart. Help me to return your Love for the evil. I thank and praise You for this teaching and pray to share this to those whom You bring across my path. In Jesus name I ask Father, Amen.

Dancing in the rain

Though I cannot see the sun today, I know its there. The world is a 'lil darker today and not as warm. But I am well equipped and prepared to face this days path with proper attire. I look forward to the light when it comes as it always does. I know the clouds will dissipate and be no more if I wait long enough. I go to bed and await for it the next day and do not partake in the darkness of night. I live in the light witch promotes growth to many things, without it many things parish. I know I certainly cannot live without it. The more I get of it, the more I want of it. But, I fully understand there is a cycle of how things work- its not always perfect weather. In fact, as the trees have begun to bud and produce leaves, I welcome the rain- as it is good despite all the complaints to the weather person.

Are you prepared for the storms of this life? Do you have to put a string to latch down the window from the winds. Maybe you gotta fix that leaky roof. Regardless, sometimes the elements find their ways to penetrate our homes. I encourage you to take Shelter in the storms that comes across our path... even when the rains comes, you'll find me dancing in the streets.

Servanthood

What does it mean to serve? And who, how, when, where, why?

Christ did not serve Himself... He served others the glory of God, which He obtained through prayer and spending time w/ God... seeking the Will of God.

Matthew 7:21 “Not everyone who says to Me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ shall enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father in heaven.

Christ did not come on His own authority, nor did He conduct His own agenda's in all the work God assigned to Him. There are many times in the bible where Jesus prayed, much upon the mountains, away from the busyness of the cities. He had to submit Himself before God, due to living in our fleshy nature. He prayed... living by faith, not by sight. There was a time when people were coming after Him so they could make Him king, but Christ departed... being tempted to become king over the land by the miracles He was conducting on behalf of God. He departed to come before God... to let go of the temptations of this world, to ask for strengthening during the time when He sent the disciples across the lake to the other side. And look what happens... Jesus walks on water, catching up to them as they were rowing against the wind.

His attention was fully dependent upon God. He was sent to serve us according to the glory and riches that God has for our lives.

But, what does that mean for us. There have been many of times where I have served myself, and not those around me. He was humble. I have to be more humble before others- regardless of how they speak to me. Serve them.

Its like having a platter in our hands... do I serve what I put on it to others? Or do I serve... in a form of response... a platter of love to the person who is frustrating me.

Joshua or Jacob served Laban for 14 years... being obedient to God as he served Laban- despite how He was treated.

So how do I do it? I cannot do it on my own- that just is guaranteed to lead to destruction. I need to pray to God for the wisdom and strength to take the brunt of this world, and in return... by His mercy and grace that is freely given... I can share that mercy and grace to those around me... as best I can.

Rodney & Adonica Howard-Browne Therefore we also, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, 2 looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. Hebrews 12 verse 1 - 2

1. The Race for the Prize.

1 Corinthians 9 verses 24 - 27

27 Do you not know that those who run in a race all run, but one receives the prize? Run in such a way that you may obtain it.
25 And everyone who competes for the prize is temperate in all things. Now they do it to obtain a perishable crown, but we for an imperishable crown.
26 Therefore I run thus: not with uncertainty. Thus I fight: not as one who beats the air.
27 But I discipline my body and bring it into subjection, lest, when I have preached to others, I myself should become disqualified.

2. Perseverance and persistence will gain you the prize.

2 Timothy 2 verses 3-13

3 You therefore must endure hardship as a good soldier of Jesus Christ.
4 No one engaged in warfare entangles himself with the affairs of this life, that he may please him who enlisted him as a soldier.
5 And also if anyone competes in athletics, he is not crowned unless he competes according to the rules.
6 The hardworking farmer must be first to partake of the crops.
7 Consider what I say, and may the Lord give you understanding in all things.
8 Remember that Jesus Christ, of the seed of David, was raised from the dead according to my gospel,
9 for which I suffer trouble as an evildoer, even to the point of chains; but the word of God is not chained.
10 Therefore I endure all things for the sake of the elect, that they also may obtain the salvation which is in Christ Jesus with eternal glory.
11 This is a faithful saying: For if we died with Him, We shall also live with Him.
12 If we endure, We shall also reign with Him. If we deny Him, He also will deny us.
13 If we are faithless, He remains faithful; He cannot deny Himself.

3. We have to press in toward the mark.

Philippians 3 verses 12-14

12 Not that I have already attained, or am already perfected; but I press on, that I may lay hold of that for which Christ Jesus has also laid hold of me.
13 Brethren, I do not count myself to have apprehended; but one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind and reaching forward to those things which are ahead,
14 I press toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.

2 Corinthians 4 verse 16-18

16 Therefore we do not lose heart. Even though our outward man is perishing, yet the inward man is being renewed day by day.
17 For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, is working for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory,
18 while we do not look at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen. For the things which are seen are temporary, but the things which are not seen are eternal.

2 Timothy 4 verses 6-8

6 For I am already being poured out as a drink offering, and the time of my departure is at hand.
7 I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith.
8 Finally, there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will give to me on that Day, and not to me only but also to all who have loved His appearing.

James 1 verses 12-17

12 Blessed is the man who endures temptation; for when he has been approved, he will receive the crown of life which the Lord has promised to those who love Him.
13 Let no one say when he is tempted, “I am tempted by God”; for God cannot be tempted by evil, nor does He Himself tempt anyone.
14 But each one is tempted when he is drawn away by his own desires and enticed.
15 Then, when desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and sin, when it is full-grown, brings forth death.
16 Do not be deceived, my beloved brethren.
17 Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and comes down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shadow of turning.

1 Peter 5 verses 1-4

1 The elders who are among you I exhort, I who am a fellow elder and a witness of the sufferings of Christ, and also a partaker of the glory that will be revealed:
2 Shepherd the flock of God which is among you, serving as overseers, not by compulsion but willingly, not for dishonest gain but eagerly;
3 nor as being lords over those entrusted to you, but being examples to the flock;
4 and when the Chief Shepherd appears, you will receive the crown of glory that does not fade away.

Revelation 2 verse 10

10 Do not fear any of those things which you are about to suffer. Indeed, the devil is about to throw some of you into prison, that you may be tested, and you will have tribulation ten days. Be faithful until death, and I will give you the crown of life.

Revelation 3 verses 10-11

10 Because you have kept My command to persevere, I also will keep you from the hour of trial which shall come upon the whole world, to test those who dwell on the earth.
11 Behold, I am coming quickly! Hold fast what you have, that no one may take your crown.

Any Comments ..................................

Fruits of His labor

I just want to share what God has shown me, the fruits of His labor in me.

Many times He speaks to us through dreams, and that is the case with me at times. Its amazing how He speaks to us through anything in this world. Seeking Him, investing time with Him, bonding with Him... just as He seeks you, invests in you, bonds with you.

I had a dream las week where I walk upon a table... somewhere I don't know. I looked upon the table and seen small paper drinking cups with a flowery pattern on them. But I found in amazement were large sprouts, in full rich colors... from the green stems... to some buds. The stems were beyond the normal growth, but were thick and healthy. There were many on this table... possible 30-40. Someone prepared these and I was amazed.

Later that morning, I was reading the paper. In the sports section there was a gardening article that was stating to plant 2 different vegetables at this time. Then it came to me in clear understanding...

God spoke to me showing me the fruits of His labor in me. He was showing me a portion of His Glory of the work that He has given responsibility to me to do. Through obedience, I have been sowing seeds... that it. I try my best to do what has been shared w/ me... as God speaks to those whom has brought across my path.

I did not know any of the specimens that were on the table, I only seen that they were in full bloom. These sprouts are being nourished and someone did the sowing.

His word never returns to Him empty. Whatever I share, or others, go out to minister to those who has an ear. To me, it doesn't matter who hears it... many will reject it. But it is up to God to minister to those who it is intended.

Thank You God for sharing Your provision... only through the Lord Jesus Christ. Amen

Jesus could not do it on His own

He was fully man when He was here. He grew hungry, tired, weeped, deeply distressed.

The Prayer in the Garden


Mark 14:32 Then they came to a place which was named Gethsemane; and He said to His disciples, “Sit here while I pray.” 33 And He took Peter, James, and John with Him, and He began to be troubled and deeply distressed.

There are many things in this life that we experience that we become fearful... or distressed... anxious... hurtful... and those natural reactions sink us. There are times when God lets me go into this world alone... to test my obedience to the things He has put before me. I experience the feelings mentioned before- but the Holy Spirit comes and 'checks' my spirit and points me to Jesus... in the way that I should react. It is at that time that I repent and ask for forgiveness. Its a learning process to react in a Holy manner.

The natural desires that we have often try to come to the surface and sometimes we react according to its ways. The main thing here is that I cannot do it w/out Jesus in my life. Through Him, I can do all things. Through Him, I am reconciled w/ God. Through Him, I am strengthened. Through Him, I can ask for forgiveness.

Jesus was the same way. In the garden of Gethsemane, He was being persecuted by satan not to go through all the pain and agony. Jesus, fully man as we are, knows what we go through... because He went through it all.

When Peter asked the Lord to come out onto the water that Jesus was walking on, He couldn't do w/out Jesus- but knowing who Jesus was- He had the faith to ask. But when the winds and water became turbulent, in fear Peter began to sink.

Its the fear that we give into that diminishes the Glory of God. God granted Peter to walk on water, but fear sank Him. People fear many things in this life... and they are diminishing and putting aside the Glory of God. Peter was walking by faith, but when his focus turned to what he was seeing and not keeping his eyes upon Jesus, who he was walking to... he began to sink.

When Sunday comes around and the offering bags come around, I might have 20 bucks in my wallet... I was given $150.... I still gotta give my fifteen... I don't know when I am going to get more gas money to take my girls to school! I have gone through fear and frustrations in my finance dept... how many people give 'til it hurts... ya just gotta do it by faith and He still provides me gas money... but it was those times when I got angry.... for what? For nothing.

The bottom line is this in my life... ... .... I'm a failure. I've tried changing. Can't do it. Thats who I am. BUT, by Him, through, Him, for Him... I CAN DO ALL THINGS.

One of my favorite scriptures is... it is no longer I who live... but He who lives in me.

I can't help to say that the times that I have gone through.... have been nasty. I have been on depression meds twice, financially troubled, fully dependent upon other people- its not easy what I have gone through. Certain things have had to come to pass for me to get to this point in my life where I am at! I have trusted all that He has shared w/ me. I know that He will bless me and glorify Himself in my life... if I wait for Him. Look what Jesus got... He got ALL AUTHORITY! God blessed Him for what God put Him through... and really, it was for us... because God Loved us so much that He sent His ONLY begotten Son. What is going to be the prize for us to wait and trust in Him... ultimately- eternal life.

Chances are that He is going to do something in your lifetime here on earth that is going to glorify God. When satan is persecuting you... its God severely chastening you... so that you may learn. But you can't do it on your own... you gotta helper- the Holy Spirit whom God sends by the petition from Jesus Christ... you can't do it w/out Jesus.