A WELL-WORN BIBLE IS A WELL-FED SOUL

Jesus says, "I am that bread of life." John 6:48      

     

     Yesterday, my daughter-in-law happened to see my bible (image above), lying on the kitchen table. I had stayed at my eldest sons' home for about six days. As I was packing to leave, my daughter-in-law asked if I needed any help. She seen my bible and said, Oh, my goodness, is this your bible? She asked me if I got it wet or something? It is so worn out!" Laughingly, I said, "No, it's actually my fourth bible I purchased since I met Jesus at 28 years old." Her Mother who was standing there said, "It's actually a good thing it is all worn out like that." We chuckled. I immediately thought of that saying, "A well-worn bible is a well-fed soul." I didn't say it out loud that time. I just thought of it.

    Later on, I got home, unpacked, and finally sat down to relax. The Holy Spirit reminded me that my soul was "well-fed", and I needed to share what all he has fed me throughout the years. He revealed to me that I have allowed Satan to silence me more than what I used to be. Satan has tried many times to silence me by physically trying to take my life, or by people telling me to be quiet about my faith. I have been told to shut up all of my life, before and after I met Jesus.  Most I have been around even since I met Jesus don't want to hear about God or hear his Word. Satan will do whatever he can, he will use whoever he can to throw cold water on our fire for Jesus. He is constantly trying to trip us up or totally take us out of this race. We can't allow Satan to silence us in sharing what the Holy Spirit wants us to say to another to build their faith in Jesus. I am so glad my daughter-in-law said what she said about my bible, because God used that, to give me fresh fire. He used it to encourage me, once again. He gave me fresh fire for Jesus and a passion again for sharing the Word of God. He reminded me of my calling, "Go ye therefore and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost. 20. Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you, and, lo, I am with you always, even unto the end of the world. Amen."

     We need to be careful not to get complacent about sharing the Word of God with others. When we are surrounded by people who just don't want to hear about it, we can very easily allow Satan to silence us. Little by little it could happen. That is what was happening to me and the Holy Spirit revealed it to me yesterday. I got to thinking, I am not going to be scared to share my faith in the Word of God, or be scared I am going to aggravate or offend anyone. Jesus was always saying, "Blessed is he who is not offended in me." But he said what he needed to say anyway. I will not allow Satan to stop me from sharing this Word of God with others. Jesus Christ is the Living Word of God. The Holy Bible is the only book where the author is ever present. Jesus is this Bible. The Word of God is our food for our soul, and spirit. The Word of God should be our very life! The Word of God is our strength! It is our anchor. Jesus is the Bread of Life, and when we meditate and memorize on the Word of God and really get it into our hearts, and live it, we are so blessed! 

     My Mother was raised Catholic, but when we were little she started attending an Assembly of God church, which was Pentecostal. She took us every single time the doors were open, and didn't miss a service. I am so thankful for a church like that where we could feel the presence of God in that church. My brother and I went to the altar, I was 12, he was fifteen. We both asked Jesus into our hearts then. God started doing a work in me bringing me to the end of my "self". I really didn't understand until I became older at 28 when I did not want to live anymore. I came to the end. I did not want to go on any longer. I said to Jesus, "If you don't take my life, I will. I asked him to forgive me of my sins, and take over my life. I said, I want to go where you want me to go, say what you want me to say, be what you want me to be, and do what you want me to do." Jesus heard my cry, and reached way down to lift me up. I stepped out of darkness, and into light. I was so in love with Jesus, and still am! I want the world to know his love, and love him back. He is who this world needs! Jesus is the Savior of the World. 

     I am so thankful for Father God, quickening my spirit, and drawing me to Jesus, to the cross, by his precious Holy Spirit. The Word of God says, "No man can come to the Father unless he draws them." I am so thankful for God opening my eyes to the fact I was a sinner on my way to a devil's Hell, that wasn't created for me or us, but for Satan and his angels. I am so thankful God revealed to me that I needed Jesus! He was my only hope for salvation. At the age of 28, I asked Jesus to forgive me of my sins, and to come into my heart and save me, and to take control of my life, and he did! I truly met Jesus that day, September 29, 1991. He promised to never leave me nor forsake me. He has been with me ever since, and no, I have not been perfect but, I totally committed my heart, life, everything to Jesus that day! Two days later I went to another Assembly of God church like the one I grew up in, and I received the gift of the Holy Spirit, and yes, with the evidence of tongues.

     Everything living has an appetite. I began to be so hungry for the Word of God, because the Holy Spirit 'quickened (made alive) my spirit when I invited Jesus in, and received the gift of the Holy Spirit. I read my King James Version Bible, all of the time! The Holy Spirit would give me understanding of what the scriptures meant. They were all I needed! Father God, Jesus Christ, and the Holy Spirit! When you understand there is a trinity. That God is three in one, you will make it. The Holy Spirit will be your teacher, (just be teachable). As you yield to the Holy Spirit, you will grow spiritually into the same image. 2 Corinthians 3:17, 18 says, "Now the Lord is that Spirit; and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is 'liberty (freedom). 18. But we all, with open face beholding as in a 'glass (mirror) the glory of the Lord, are changed into the same image from glory to glory, even as by the Spirit of the Lord." What you look at mostly, you will become like. When you focus on Jesus who is that Living Word of God, you will be changed into the same image from glory to glory by the Holy Spirit of God. 

     I encourage you who are reading this, if you never met Jesus and received his love. I encourage you to receive him as your personal Savior, today. Just call on him. "Whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved." I encourage you to purchase a King James Version Bible and read it and memorize it, get it in your heart. Spend time alone with God, listening and speaking to him. Have faith that he hears every word you speak. He longs for a relationship with you! God is not pleased with "religion." He desires a "relationship" with you one on one. Which you won't get just by going to a church building. He likes our undivided attention in our prayer closet. Jesus says in Matthew 6:5,6 "And when thou pray, thou shall not be as the 'hypocrites (insincere) are: for they love to pray standing in the synagogues and in the corners of the streets, that they may be seen of men. Verily I say unto you, They have their reward. 6. But thou, when thou pray, enter into thy closet, and when thou hast shut thy door, pray to thy Father which is in secret; and thy Father which sees in secret shall reward thee openly."

     How many of us like to have someone "want" to spend time with us alone? We like it when someone goes to great lengths to spend time with us, don't we? God created us for fellowship, for a relationship with him. That's what pleases him. He is not pleased when people think it is all about going to a church building on Sunday which really is not the real Sabbath anyways. It is like they have done their duty. Made brownie points with the big man upstairs. But he is not pleased with religious traditions, sacrifices, or works. We wasn't created to have dead, dry, boring religion! We were created for God, to worship him, and please him. Revelation 4:11 says, "Thou art worthy, O Lord, to receive glory and honor, and power: for thou created all things, and for thy pleasure they are and were created." Don't forget you are here for a purpose!

     

     

     

Gordon Johnson

Genesis 6:8 "But Noah found grace in the eyes of the Lord."

Who was Noah?-

     In honoring our veterans of the faith, we definitely have to include Noah. This is part 2 of Noah. I encourage you to watch part 1, click here- https://sherylmariefranks.blogspot.com/2022/07/blog-post.html

Noah was the tenth in line behind Adam. Noah's Dad's name was "Lamech". His Dad gave him the name of Noah, saying, Genesis 5:29 says, "And he called his name Noah, saying, This same shall comfort us concerning our work and toil of our hands, because of the ground which the Lord hath cursed." Lamech prophesied to Noah when he gave him his name. He said This one will comfort us concerning our work and toil of our hands, because of the ground which the Lord hath cursed. See, when we go back ten generations to Adam, the ground was cursed because of Adam and Eve's sin. Because of the curse, a man had to work hard by the sweat on his brow. Genesis 3:17-19 "And unto Adam he said, Because thou hast hearkened unto the voice of thy wife, and hast eaten of the tree, of which I commanded thee, saying, Thou shall not eat of it: cursed is the ground for thy sake; in sorrow shall thou eat of it all the days of thy life; 18. Thorns also and thistles shall it bring forth to thee; and thou shalt eat the herb (plants) of the field; 19. In the sweat of thy face shall thou eat bread, till thou return unto the ground; for out of it was thou taken: for dust thou art, and unto dust shalt thou return." 

     Working hard and toiling by the sweat of your brow was under the curse. God chose Noah to be the one to change history back then. It took a hundred years to build that ark, but on God's appointed time, it happened. God washed them all away with the flood. All who didn't heed the warnings. God started over.

Could you imagine a hundred years of building, and to see the promise of God finally fulfilled? Here I am getting upset about waiting forty-three years. Of course, they had a hundred years, because back in those days they lived for what, 500, 800 years? So, forty years is like a hundred to us. To God be all the Glory, Honor, and Praise, for it was his faithfulness that kept Noah going, and he keeps us going, as well.

"He's Faithful"

Oh!, Jesus, you're so faithful.

I have to express my gratitude.

For your promises are true.

When I think of faithfulness,

Dear Lord, I think of you.

I can't be quiet for all you've done for me.

Everyone has to know, 

and the whole world has to see.

For if it wasn't for your faithfulness,

I don't know where I would be.

I thank you for your faithfulness,

for I could never do anything,

to make you love me less.

Thank you for your faithfulness

and washing me clean,

when I simply just confess. 

      God's faithfulness kept Noah afloat before he even finished with that ark. God just raised Noah and his family to a new level when he finally completed that ark. The people in Noah's day were already drowning, and didn't even realize it.

     Another thing that kept Noah going was that he couldn't wait to finish that boat. I am sure he probably could not wait to get away from the violence and perversion, from the people causing it! I can so relate to that, because every book I write, I write in hopes that this is  "the one" that takes off. So I can move and have the freedom to serve my Lord fully without hindrances or distractions. I am about done with another, and I believe it's going to be the "one" to help me get away from sinful people around me. Father God understands! He felt the same way. The fallen angels had children with the daughters of men, producing giants in those days. That created something that God did not create. Genesis 6:3 says, "And the Lord said, My spirit shall not always strive with man, for that he also is flesh; yet his days shall be an hundred and twenty years." In verses 5,6, it says, "And God saw that the wickedness of man was great in the earth, and that every imagination of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually. 6. And it repented the Lord that he had made man on the earth, and it grieved him at his heart."

     God saw that the wickedness was great in the earth, and every imagination of the thoughts was on evil continually. 8. But Noah found grace in the eyes of the Lord." In verse 13, God had had enough! " He has a little talk with Noah. See, that is what God wants with us. He wants us to "Have a Little Talk With Jesus." That is an old church song, and that is one of my favorites. Have you ever heard it? I will leave a link below. God just wants to fellowship with us and talk to us. He would have with any of those people on that day, if they had seen their sin and repented. God would have given them grace, as well. They had a hundred years to turn and be able to have that talk with him and Noah, but they mocked instead. Proverbs 28:13 says, "He that covereth his sins shall not prosper; But whoso confesses his sins, and forsaketh them shall have mercy." That's what God wants, but sin grieves him. God delights in mercy. "Mercy is a joy against judgment." Getting back to 6:13, "And God said unto Noah, 'The end of all flesh is come before me; for the earth is filled with violence through them; and, behold, I will destroy them with the earth."

     God said, 12. "The earth was corrupt, for all flesh had corrupted their way upon the earth." 

What does the word, corrupt mean? The Merriam Webster Dictionary: corrupt means: 1. to change from good to bad in morals, manners, and actions. Example: The officials were corrupted by greed. Example: was accused of corrupting the youth. 

2. Rot; Spoil

3. to subject (a person) to corruption of blood.

4. to alter from the original or correct form or version. Example- the file was corrupted.

 God says, "Give honor to whom honor is due." Noah deserves honor for his resilience, persistence, faithfulness, and long-suffering. Because of his obedience, we can endure, as well. Nothing is impossible with God.   

     

 

 

DO YOU WANT A HEAVENLY MARRIAGE?

     I must warn you that I am not writing this blog as someone who has ever experienced a heavenly marriage, because I haven't, yet. I say, yet, because I know beyond a shadow of a doubt God has the "right" one for me out there and on God's timing I will meet him and have a "Heavenly" Marriage! I want a marriage to where we have Heaven on earth and not a marriage where we have Hell on earth. I have had the latter and God has shown me what it takes to have one made in Heaven and I want to pass this onto you.

     1. Open the doors of your heart! This is first and foremost because you will never have a heavenly marriage with a closed heart! I believe God puts the desire in one's heart in the first place to want a "Heavenly" marriage and not just a dead one. In Philippians 2:13 the Word of God says, "For it is God which works in you both to will and to do of his good pleasure."

So many of you have been hurt and you have closed your heart to ever committing to someone again. You may have had a marriage that was definitely not made in Heaven! You may have had a marriage that was "arranged" by others, maybe your family, and they deceived you into thinking it was the "right" thing to do, maybe because of man-made religious traditions, I don't know, only God and you know. Some reason you may have shut your heart to ever being married again. You can't shut your heart because of the "wrong" one. God has the "right" one out there for you and that is why he removed the wrong one. There is a reason you are reading this now. Take that scripture verse above to heart. Let it in your heart again! Let true love in! Here is another verse to take to heart. David says in Psalms 24:7,8 "Lift up your heads, O ye gates; and be ye lift up ye everlasting doors, and the King of glory shall come in. 8. Who is this King of glory? The Lord strong and mighty, the Lord mighty in battle." If you want a heavenly marriage you have to be open to let Jesus in and let him who is the King of glory first place in your heart!

         Colossians 2:10 says, "And ye are complete in him, which is the head of all 'principality and power (rule and authority)."

This is God's plan for marriage. Jesus is the head. When the "man" looks up to Jesus and knows he is complete in Jesus and the "woman" looks up to Jesus and knows she is complete in Jesus, then they both come together as one! Just like this triangle. There are too many marriages when neither one is looking to Jesus. Notice how wide the space is between the man and to the woman when neither is looking up to Jesus. There is a long lonely space in between isn't there? When both the man and woman are looking at each other instead of Jesus individually to meet all their needs that is when they are unfulfilled and unsatisfied. The marriage is in trouble! 

Look at the above picture one more time, when people ignore Jesus as the head there is a wide space for many things to come in between each other. Such as money, other people, maybe family, work, members of the opposite sex, friends, religious traditions, many things can come in between. There will be a lot of "self-centeredness" in both parties when neither look to Jesus. 

2. Purpose- Realize that marriage is a covenant with God and he has a purpose in your marriage when he gives you your spouse. Marriage isn't just about having sex all of the time! Be open and willing to keep yourself pure before you get married and even before you meet your future spouse. You alone have to purpose it in your heart before you meet your future spouse while you are still single to not defile yourself before God. Daniel 1:8 "But Daniel purposed in his heart that he would not defile himself with the 'portion (ration) of the king's meat, nor with the wine which he drank: therefore he requested of the prince of the eunuchs that he might not defile himself." Daniel purposed it in his heart that he would not defile himself. Daniel was committed to keeping his heart pure before God. 

 

     2. The Right Foundation-  

If you want to build a happy marriage you can't just start a relationship on the wrong foundation to start with. You may ask, What do I mean by the "wrong" foundation? Too many people rush right into building a marriage before even planning how they want it built. People get in a hurry and confuse "lust" for "love" and some do not wait for the marriage covenant before they give their whole self to someone they are dating.

Stay Tuned For More   

 

Hans

1 Kings 17:22 "And the Lord heard the voice of Elijah, and the soul of the child came unto him again, and he 'revived (came to life)."

Elijah- A True Prophet of God

     One thing Elijah had was an Open Heaven. That means when Elijah prayed heaven heard and heaven answered. What he said came to pass. If you haven't read part 1 about Elijah I encourage you to read it. I think you will be blessed. I talked about how God provided for Elijah at the brook Cherith. God told him to drink from the brook and God told him he commanded the ravens to feed him there. In the process of time, the brook dried up, because Elijah spoke there would be no rain except according to his word. So there was a drought. When Elijah first came on the scene he was sent by God to the wicked King Ahab to tell him there would be no dew nor rain until Elijah said so. The brook dried up that Elijah was drinking from because there was no rain. We talked also about how God then instructed him to go to Zarephath. He told him he commanded a widow woman there to feed and sustain him. God blessed them there and the widow woman never ran out of food, during the drought. This is where I left off. After those days it came to pass that the widow woman's son became sick that there was no breath left in him. He died. She took her son to Elijah. 1 Kings 17:18 "And she said unto Elijah, What have I to do with thee, O thou man of God? art thou come unto me to call my sin to remembrance, and to slay my son?" Elijah took her son from her and carried him to a loft and laid him upon his own bed. v. 20. And he cried unto the Lord, and said, O Lord my God, hast thou also brought evil upon the widow with whom I sojourn, by slaying her son? 21. And he stretched himself upon the child three times, and cried unto the Lord and said, O Lord my God, I pray thee, let this child's soul come unto him again. 22. And the Lord heard the voice of Elijah, and the soul of the child came into him again, and he 'revived (came to life). Elijah came down out of the chamber and delivered him unto his mother and he said, See, thy son lives. Listen to what the woman says to Elijah. In verse 24 "And the woman said to Elijah, Now by this, I know that thou art a 'man (prophet) of God, and that the word of the Lord in thy mouth is truth."

John Hain

     

Image By Keith Clarkson

1 Kings 17:1 "And Elijah the Tishbite who was of the inhabitants of Gilead, said unto Ahab, As the Lord God of Israel lives, before whom I stand, there shall not be dew nor rain these years, but according to my word."

 

Give Honor to Whom Honor is Due-

     As I am writing this, I was pondering on the title I chose and I thought I wish I would have titled it, Honoring our Heroes of the Faith. I looked up the word veteran and one of the meanings is an old soldier with long service. And the meaning of the word hero is a person admired for achievements and noble qualities. And one who shows great courage. I prefer the word hero, but I guess both are sufficient. Either one helps us remember those who have gone before us and passed that torch of faith in God right to us! God says, "Give honor to whom honor is due." These people even though they have lived in a different time in history than we are, deserved to be honored and remembered. Yes, they have received their honorable discharge already, but I still thank God for them and honor them. I am so thankful when going through my trials of faith I can read about how they stood in faith and trusted God. This gives me hope! God worked miracles through these people who I am doing a series on in the upcoming blog posts. I don't know how many I am going to cover, but if you stick with me and read all of these I am sure you will be blessed. It will strengthen your faith and give you the courage to trust God, as it does me. Now, all of these people or heroes I am going to remember all had one thing in common. They had one and the same Commander-in-Chief, and that was God. I know people have chosen to call the president commander-in-chief, but I know our only Commander-in-Chief is our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. He is the only one that has the right to be called that. When we come to that knowledge we as individuals and countries are blessed. Last blog post I talked a little about Noah. I am going to go over more about him later. Today I want to remember good 'ole Elijah.

Good 'ole Elijah-    

     I thought it was interesting, actually kinda funny that we don't hear anything about Elijah until 1 Kings 17. Why I think it is funny is because all of a sudden Elijah comes on the scene and basically lays down the law to the wicked King Ahab right off the bat. The Word of God says in 1 Kings 16:33, "And Ahab made a 'grove (pagan shrine for pleasure), and Ahab did more to provoke the Lord God of Israel to anger than all the kings of Israel that were before him." Now let's read what Elijah says to him, in 1 Kings 17:1, "And Elijah the Tishbite who was of the inhabitants of Gilead, said unto Ahab, As the Lord God of Israel lives, before whom I stand, there shall not be dew nor rain these years, but according to my word." This is for you if you have been waiting on the Lord to bless your ministry, get ready. God is about to do a suddenly and bring you to the forefront. All of a sudden there you are going to be playing your part at such a time as this in history, in fulfilling "His Story."

     Elijah was bold and had the courage to all of a sudden come into the picture and tell Ahab there will be no rain but according to his word. Talk about trusting God. Elijah did! I was just thinking as I am writing this, where was Elijah before, and what was he doing before he went to Ahab? The Bible doesn't say anything about him up until then. I bet you he was being prepared all of those years before. He probably was being hidden by God. He may have been waiting on God to open the curtain and say, Hey, Elijah, it's your turn. Go to that wicked King Ahab and let him know he isn't in control, but I Am! Like God told Moses to say to the children of Israel, "I Am" hath sent me unto you.

 I Hear the Sound of Abundance-    

     Elijah was just as human as we are. He was a normal man but was chosen, called, anointed, and appointed by God. In James 5:15-17 he says, "And the prayer of faith shall 'save (heal) the sick, and the Lord shall raise him up; and if he has committed any sins, they shall be forgiven him. 16. Confess your faults one to another, and pray one for another, that ye may be healed. The 'effectual (unceasing) fervent prayer of a righteous man avails much. 17. Elijah was a man subject to 'like (the same) passions as we are, and he prayed earnestly that it might not rain, and it rained not on the earth by the space of three years and six months. 18. And he prayed again, and the heaven gave rain, and the earth brought forth her fruit." Remember right when Elijah came on the scene he told King Ahab that it was not going to rain until he (Elijah) said so? I love the story in 1 Kings 18:41-46 It rained not until three and a half years later. Now, it's about to rain. Let's read. 41. "And Elijah said unto Ahab, Get thee up, eat and drink; for there is a sound of 'abundance (much)of rain. 42. So Ahab went up to eat and to drink. And Elijah went up to the top of Carmel, and he cast himself down upon the earth and put his face between his knees. 43. And said to his servant, Go up now, look toward the sea. And he went up, and looked, and said There is nothing. And he (Elijah) said Go again seven times. 44. And it came to pass at the seventh time, that he said, Behold, there arises a little cloud out of the sea, like a man's hand. And he said, Go up, say unto Ahab, Prepare thy chariot, and get thee down, that the rain stops thee not. 45. And it came to pass in the meanwhile, that the heaven was black with clouds and wind, and there was a great rain. And Ahab rode and went to Jezreel. 46. And the hand of the Lord was on Elijah: and he girded up his loins, and ran before Ahab to the entrance of Jezreel." 

     Talk about having Faith, Elijah did! The first thing Elijah said was, There was going to be no rain until he called it. Three and a half years later he tells Ahab to go eat and drink there is going to be an abundance of rain. Ahab went up, I guess to Mount Carmel too. He went up to go eat and drink. Probably celebrate. And Elijah went up to Carmel to pray. Now, there wasn't even a cloud in the sky. Elijah and his servant went up to Mount Carmel. Elijah said an abundance of rain was coming, it was coming. Elijah told his servant to go look seven times. Sure enough, the servant came back to Elijah and said, There is a cloud the size of a man's hand. Elijah told his servant to go up and tell Ahab to prepare his chariot and get thee down to beat the rain. The heaven was black with clouds, wind, and great rain. Meanwhile, the hand of the Lord came upon Elijah and he outran Ahab's chariot and beat him to the entrance at the gate of Jezreel.

     I hear the sound of an abundance of blessings on you! Whoever you are reading this Blessings are overtaking you, now in the name of Jesus! Amen!

       

                             

Joseph J. Cotton

      

 Believe First then You Will See-    

     I love this story! When God promises you something, you can mark his words it is going to happen! You cannot go by what your circumstances look like. Your situation may look the total opposite of what the Lord says. That is what faith is- believing first and then you will see it come to pass. Take him at his word, and trust him! Thank God that it is already done what he told you he was going to do. It will manifest! We need to guard our tongues and make sure what we are speaking is in agreement with God. He has promised you something, keep thanking him for doing it, it is already done. Stay in agreement with God and it will show up.  

     I want to cover another story of Elijah. Wait, I just thought of something. What stories are people going to be telling of you, after you are gone? Do you have any signs you have faith in God? Jesus says those that believe signs shall follow them. They shall cast out demons. They shall take up serpents and no deadly thing shall harm them. They shall speak with new tongues. They shall lay hands on the sick and they shall recover. Let's go back to when Elijah first came on the scene "after" he told Ahab that it wasn't going to rain unless he said so in verses 2-7 1 Kings 17:2 says, "And the word of the Lord came unto him, saying, 3. Get thee 'hence (from here), and turn thee eastward, and hide thyself by the brook Cherith, that is before Jordan. 4. And it shall be, that thou shall drink of the brook; and I have commanded the ravens to feed thee there. 5. So he went and did according unto the word of the Lord, for he went and dwelt by the brook Cherith that is before Jordan. 6. And the ravens brought him bread and flesh in the morning, and bread and flesh in the evening, and he drank of the brook. 7. And it came to pass after a while, that the brook dried up because there had been no rain in the land." 

Are you being Hidden by God?-

     There are some good lessons in these stories of one of our awesome veterans of the faith, Elijah. Right after he gave the word of the Lord to that wicked King Ahab, the Lord gave him directions to go to Cherith. The Lord told him to hide there. I wonder why the Lord told him to hide there? Only God knows! You may be in a place like that right now. You may be wondering why doesn't anyone see my Youtube channel, my blogs, my books, or anything else that I have out there. You have even asked the Lord am I hidden, does anyone even see my stuff? Yes, you probably are hidden for a brief moment for your protection, while God is working again behind the scenes. 

Has Your Brook Dried Up?-

     Are you in a place as Elijah was? Has your brook dried up? You know the Lord sent you there, but now the provision has dried up. You are worrying yourself sick about how you are going to survive. Your means of providing for yourself just isn't there. Maybe you are on a job that you once enjoyed and now you can't stand to be there.  You feel like it is time to move on. God may be about to move you on to something better. Just listen for his voice. Maybe you have already heard him tell you to quit your job. Don't be scared or worried about how you are going to pay your bills. God knew that brook was going to dry up. God allowed it to dry up. God would have just kept water in it to keep sustaining Elijah. He didn't forget about him. The brook Cherith was only a temporary place for a season. If God ever told you to quit your job or you lose it somehow, don't worry, God can be trusted! Always remember this story of Elijah, how God "commanded" the ravens to feed Elijah. God also made the brook fresh water so Elijah could drink from it and not get sick. Never forget that it was God who created this world, and every living thing in it.

Hans

God is the same Yesterday, Today, and Forever-

     Yes, it appears in the natural that Elijah is in trouble. His provision dried up. Elijah knew the same God that told him to go to Cherith was the same God that was going to instruct him on what to do next and where to go now. He knew his God was not going to leave him high and dry. And sure enough, 1 Kings 17:8-16 says, "And the word of the Lord came unto him, saying, 9. Arise, get thee to Zarephath, which belongs to Zidon, and dwell there behold, I have commanded a widow woman there to 'sustain (feed) thee. 10. So he arose and went to Zarephath. And when he came to the gate of the city, behold, the widow woman "was" there gathering sticks, and he called to her and said, 'Fetch (bring) me, I pray thee, a little water in a vessel, that I may drink. 11. And as she was going to bring it, he called to her, and said, Bring me, I pray thee, a 'morsel (piece) of bread in thy hand. 12. And she said, As the Lord thy God lives, I have not a cake but a handful of meal in a barrel, and a little oil in a jar and behold, I am gathering two sticks, that I may go in and dress it for me and my son, that we may eat it, and die. 13. And Elijah said unto her, Fear not; go and do as thou hast said: but make me thereof a little cake first, and bring it unto me, and after make for thee and for thy son. 14. For thus says the Lord God of Israel, The barrel of meal shall not waste, neither shall the cruse of oil fail, until the day that the Lord sends rain upon the earth. 15. And she went and did according to the saying of Elijah: and she, and he, and her house, did eat 'many days (a full year). 16. And the barrel of meal wasted not, neither did the cruse of oil fail, according to the word of the Lord, which he spake by Elijah."

Alexa Pixabay Images
 

  

God Supplies All of our Needs-

     Check out how God supplied Elijah's needs. He "commanded" a widow woman to 'sustain (feed) him. This widow woman was special because the bible says, in Luke 4:24-26 "And he (Jesus) said,  Verily I say unto you, No prophet is accepted in his own country. 25. But I tell you of a truth, many widows were in Israel in the days of Elijah when the heaven was shut up three years and six months when great famine was throughout all the land. 26. But unto none of them was Elijah sent except unto Sa rep ti, a city of Sidon unto a woman that was a widow." Why was Elijah only sent to her out of all of the widows in that land? Jesus tells us in verse 24. No prophet is accepted in his own country. That one widow woman right there was special because God knew she was going to believe and accept that Elijah was a true prophet of God! We will read about that further on as we read more of how she told Elijah she knew now he was a true prophet of God, after the next story. But getting back to how faithful our God is in supplying our needs. Look how God ordered Elijah's steps to where he had already made provision. The word of God says, "The steps of a good man are ordered by the Lord, and he delighteth in his way." Elijah had a "relationship" with God, and he knew his voice. God instructed him to go to Cherith. God commanded the ravens to feed him there. The brook dried up and the Lord instructed him to go to Zarephath where he commanded a widow woman to feed him. In all my years of reading my bible, I never noticed until now as I am writing this, how God "commanded" the ravens and the widow woman to 'feed or sustain Elijah. Doesn't that release you of any worry or fear? God sees us every step of the way and he has gone before us preparing whatever we are going to need to do what he has called us to do! We do not have to worry and fear! He will have the right people supporting us and he is taking care of everything. We just have to get to know his voice and follow him. 

Prawny

No Need to Worry or Fear- 

     When the time comes and there is a famine on this land, you have no need to worry or fear. Read Psalms 91 KJV. We can look at all of these great men and women of the faith who have gone on before us. We can see how God brought them through some pretty scary situations. God is no respecter of persons. If we will have faith in God like these people he will do the same for us! Faith is what pleases God. Having a relationship with Father God and Trusting him is what these heroes of the faith had. They were willing to "go" when God told them to go. They were willing to "say" what God wanted them to say, even to kings. They were willing to "do" whatever God instructed them to do. They knew he had their best interests at heart, and he saw the whole picture. They were also ready to "be" what he said they would be. He told Abraham he was a father of many nations. Abraham believed. I want to be like Abraham, Noah, Elijah, and others. Don't you?

Part 2 coming soon!

My email is hopefulhappyandwhole@gmail.com

I would love to hear from you!

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

 

    Playing Hide and Seek-

     I have been waiting on something for quite a while now that Father God has promised me, and he said, "The time is now." Praise God! However, I feel nervous today, and anxious. I have been quoting the Word of God and Praising him while I am waiting, but I still feel ansy, (yeah, Grammarly, I know it is not a word.) If I want to say, "ansy", I will. It's ok! I feel as though I am standing in a dark forest, behind a skinny, tall pine tree, trying to hide. Have you ever tried to hide behind a pine tree,  a skinny one, while playing hide and seek? It doesn't work. I used to think my nose was sticking out. Today I felt like a soldier hiding behind a pine tree with enemies lurking all around me. I felt as though I am looking around the tree dodging this enemy and that enemy. While at the same time I was anxiously looking up to the sky for my Commander-in-Chief to send a helicopter to drop down my provision. I felt also, that God was being silent, but watching me. I know the teacher is always silent during a test. I know everything is in God's perfect timing, but I really need him to send provision or work a miracle somehow, like "yesterday".

Please, Hurry Lord!

     I personally with my natural eyes do not see any way except up for provision to happen. In the natural, I appear to be in trouble! I really need my Commander-in-Chiefs' (Jesus Christ), help right now! Not tomorrow, but today. So, with my eyes of faith, I know God is making a way or has a way already planned. I know that what he has promised me is already done! It's just got to manifest on this earth. I am celebrating and rejoicing, but it's like okay, please, hurry Lord. I know you aren't going to fail me. I Love you. I trust you, please, hurry! I know I am not the only one that has ever felt like this or been through this. You may even be going through this at the moment. Only you know, but rest assured God knows! He sees you! You are not alone! You have Father God, Jesus Christ, Holy Spirit, and Angels all around you. The Word of God says, "The angel of the Lord encamps round about them who fear him and delivers them." You have Heaven watching you and backing you up! They are cheering you on and encouraging you to keep believing and keep going. Have faith and don't give up. Father God is faithful! Jesus is not a man that he should lie to you. If he told you he was going to do it, he will do it. It's done!

Honoring our Heroes-

     We can take a lesson from all of those heroes of the faith who have gone before us. They stood brave and strong and fought the good fight of faith and didn't give up. They have been where we are right now in our journey. They are an example to us to keep standing in our faith and belief in God. They trusted God and he brought them out with a mighty outstretched arm. He made a way when the Israelites came up to the Red Sea with nowhere to go and the enemy coming fast up behind. He parted the Red Sea. He made a way out of no way. He delivered them from lions. God even brought provision down from the sky. So as we honor some of our heroes and veterans of the faith that have gone on before us, I would like to say, "To God Be All Of The Glory, Honor, and Praise!" We acknowledge that it was all him, but he does say, to give honor to whom honor is due. He does want us to be reminded of how they stood in faith and follow them. So without further ado. Let's honor some of our veterans of the Faith today!

Noah-

     Noah lived in a time probably pretty much like it is today! The Bible says in Genesis 6:5 "And God saw that the wickedness of man was great in the earth and that every imagination of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually. 6. And it repented the Lord that he had made man on the earth, and it grieved him at his heart." Let's look at what verse 11-13 says, "The earth also was 'corrupt (wasting) before God, and the earth was filled with violence. 12. And God looked upon the earth, and, behold, it was corrupt; for all flesh had corrupted his way upon the earth. 13. And God said unto Noah, "The end of all flesh has come before me; for the earth is filled with violence through them; and behold, I will destroy them from the earth." 

     God said that back then to Noah, what do you think he is saying to us today? When he looks on this earth right now in 2022, do you think he is saying the same thing, that the earth is 'corrupt (wasting) and filled with violence through them? I think so! It looks pretty much the same to me. If Noah could stand in faith in his day, we should be able to do, likewise. 

     There was one man that the Lord could count on out of all of them back then, and it was Noah. Genesis 6: 8,9 says, "But Noah found grace in the eyes of the Lord. 9. These are the generations of Noah: Noah was a just man and perfect in his generations, and Noah walked with God." 

     Think how Noah must have felt building that Ark. Do you think he thought, wow, this is taking longer than I thought? Or I wonder how he felt year after year the people ignored him. I am sure they mocked him, and they probably said he was crazy. I wonder also, if anyone said, Hey, Noah, why don't you get a "real" job? Or I wonder if they shook their head at him and thought he was wasting his time and he was delusional? Do you think people turned their nose down to him and thought they were better than "him" because he wasn't chasing money? Follow Me For More About This On Next Blog.

Image By: Coco Paris Sienne (Pixabay)

Here is my playlist on YouTube, As in the Days of Noah, click here https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_RQQau4PeVA&list=PL_lEJ-eRDMZGAmqcFOzjdtxXAnmubgQeX

 

Shall He Find Faith?

     Luke 18: 8 KJV "I tell you that he will avenge then 'speedily (at once). Nevertheless, when the Son of man comes, shall he find faith on the earth?"

1. The Devils Believe and Tremble - 

     If you think you are going to coast into Heaven, you are believing a lie. The Bible says the devils believe in God and tremble. What is it that sets people apart from just saying you believe in God like the devils do? It's Faith! Faith in Jesus! What "he" has done for you on the cross, personally. It's the kind of faith in him that moves you to really "know" him. Having a real relationship is what it is about. To where you commit your whole self to him. Where you love him with your all. It is more than just going to a church building and just saying, yes, I believe in God or yes, I believe there is a higher being somewhere. Or yes, I believe in the big man upstairs. Many, many souls are perishing on earth and in Hell already by just claiming they believe in God, but do not have a relationship with Jesus. Some say, isn't that all you got to do, is believe? What is the kind of faith that Jesus is wanting to see when he comes? Endure to the end with me, and we will see. 

2. Keep the Faith! - 

     I used to know someone who would say, "Keep the Faith", instead of saying goodbye. He would say that Keep the Faith. I didn't really know this person. He was an acquaintance and a friend of a friend of mine. Now I am not judging but this person didn't know Jesus and didn't want to know Jesus, but he would say, keep the faith. I would wonder why he would say that because he didn't have the true faith that matters, I mean you can say and think you are keeping the "faith", but if it isn't faith in Jesus, it's not going to matter. 

3. Faith and Works? - 

     Matthew 7: 21-23 Jesus says, "Not every one that says to me, Lord, Lord shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that does the will of my Father which is in heaven. 22. Many will say unto me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not 'prophecied (preached) in thy name? and in thy name have cast out 'devils (demons)? and in thy name done many wonderful works? 23. And then will I profess unto them, I have never knew you; depart from me, ye that work iniquity. 24. Therefore whosoever hears these sayings of mine and does them, I will liken him unto a wise man, which built his house upon a rock. 25. And the floods came, and the winds blew and beat upon that house; and it fell not; For it was founded upon a rock. 26. And every one that hears these sayings of mine, and does them not, shall be 'likened (the same as) unto a foolish man which built his house upon the sand. 27. And the rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew and beat upon that house, and it fell, and 'great (terrible) was the fall of it."

4. Faith that Moves You!

      When Jesus says, Shall I find faith on the earth when he comes, he is talking about the kind of faith in him that moves you to obey him. The faith that moves you inside to love him, to sacrifice, to please him. Faith that will move you to seek him with your heart, soul, spirit, and strength. Father God is seeking those who worship him in Spirit and in Truth. Read John chapter 4 KJV. Jesus is talking about the Faith that will make you worship him and nothing else! Jesus is talking about the Faith that will move you to endure to the end. Faith that will make you persistent! You ever heard that saying, "Have Bull Dog Faith?" A Bull Dog will hang on with everything it has in him. With all of his might. I encourage you to read Hebrews 11.

     Hebrews 11: 6 says, "But without Faith, it is impossible to please him. For he that comes to God must believe that he is and that he is a rewarder of them that seek him diligently seek him." Do you seek him? Do you cling to him for dear life? You know when you meet someone and fall in love, you want to know everything about that one. If you care about your relationship you want to spend time with them and know what pleases them, don't you? I hope! All the more we need to be like that with our relationship with Jesus.

5. Faith That Persists-

     We were reading Luke 18 earlier in that same chapter, verses 1- 8 Jesus says, "And he spake a parable unto them to this end, that men ought always to pray and not 'faint (lose heart). 2. Saying, There was in a city a judge which feared not God, neither regarded man; 3. And there was a widow in that city; and she came unto him, saying, 'Avenge me (help me against) mine adversary. 4. And he would not for a while but thought within himself, Though I fear not God, nor regard man; 5. Yet, because of this widow troubles me; I will avenge her, lest by her continual coming she weary me. 6. And the Lord said, Hear what the 'unjust (corrupt) judge say, 7. And shall not God avenge his own elect, which cries day and night unto him, though He bears long with them? 8. I tell you that he will avenge them 'speedily (at once). Nevertheless, when the Son of Man comes, shall he find faith on the earth?"

     This widow had persistence! She had that kind of faith that pleases God! She had the kind of faith that Jesus is talking about. Faith that persists and endures to the end. Jesus says, "Because sin shall abound the love of many shall wax cold, but he that endures to the end, the same shall be saved." This widow had faith that held on until she received her miracle! She held on until she was avenged of her enemy! Even by a judge that did not fear God, nor regard man. When you have this kind of faith, you do not have to see it first or have a sign. You just know that if you keep going, keep persisting, keep asking, keep seeking, keep knocking, that door will be opened! You will get a miracle! God can make some sinner out there give you what you need! When you persist and put your faith in Jesus, that he is a God of Justice to avenge you of your enemy, Satan, you will not be disappointed! When you do not give up because you know that God is a good God and He is Faithful, you will be rewarded! When you put your Faith and Trust in Jesus he will not fail you! 

6. Faith That Lifts Up Jesus!- 

     When we look around this world today, in these times we are in, how many do you see that have the kind of faith that lifts up Jesus alone? I see a lot of churches being built. I see many souls claiming to know God. Famous celebrities are "preaching" and going to church. Maybe you know who I am talking about. That is going to be another article or blog. However, I do not see too many who are lifting up Jesus! Some I have seen speak of "faith" but leave out Jesus, and lift up themselves. I have seen some businessmen who go to church just to "network". They say it is good for their business, However, God knows our hearts and he checks our motives whether what we do is for him or ourselves.

7. A New Age - A New Faith?

     I was talking about something to my 30-year old daughter, recently, something about me coming from the "old" school. She said, "I" need to get real, this is a New Age we are in, Mother, and things are different now than they used to be!" She proceeded to say that "her" generation does things differently than the "old" school. I kinda muttered under my breath, yeah, and your generation is causing confusion, chaos, and disorder! I didn't say it, though! I know there may be some her age reading or listening to this, but most of the younger generation that I have seen do not have a clue about putting their faith in Jesus, and the ones I have tried to talk too, are not teachable but are rebellious as they come! It breaks my heart! I hope and pray if you are of the younger generation that you do not get offended at what I said. My neck of the woods may be different than yours! I pray you are one of the few "teachable" ones of the younger generation. Jesus says, "Broad is the way that leads to destruction, and many there be that go in thereat. Straight and Narrow is the way that leads to life and few there be that find it." I pray you are one of the few that find life! In Jesus' name! Amen!

      This is why I have a blog called, "Passing On the Torch of Faith!" I am still here to Pass On the Torch of Faith to the next generation! You guys are "fighters"! But God, wants you to use that fire for him! He put you here for such a time as this! You are here for a reason, a purpose! God's Purpose!

8. Fight to Keep the Faith in Jesus!

     I have a Blog called, Passing On the Torch of Faith. A Website called, Inspirational eBooks- Home Improvement For The Times We Are In

https://www.homeimprovementforthetimeswearein.com/

 

I have a Podcast https://podpoint.com/it-s-all-about-jesus

I have a YouTube Channel (actually a couple of them). https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCSVuCtzoYOD7swmVMtgtTrQ

Also, books are out there! And the only reason I am saying this right now is definitely not to lift myself up, but to Give God All Of the Glory! This is why the devil hates me! This is why it takes me a while to write a blog post, or video, or podcast. I really battle with distraction! Not only that, the devil has tried to take my life many, many times. This is why I have to fight to keep my faith in Jesus! This is why Satan tries to steal my faith in Jesus! He tries! But has not succeeded! I will explain why next blog post! It is all because of  JESUS! Praise God! Watch for the next blog for Part 2 of this subject. God Bless You!