.........................ALONG CAME A SPIDER.........................

Passage Proverbs 30:24-28
24. There be four things which are little upon the earth, but they are exceeding wise:
25. The ants are a people not strong, yet they prepare their meat in the summer;
26. The conies are but a feeble folk, yet make they their houses in the rocks;
27. The locusts have no king, yet go they forth all of them by bands;
28. The spider taketh hold with her hands, and is in kings' palaces

WE ARE GOING TO LOOK AT THE SPIDER. THE SPIDER KEEPS WORKING.. KEEPS PRESSING ON. KEEPS PRODUCING. THE SPIDERS WEB IS PRODUCED FROM WITHIN AND PUSHED OUT. THE SPIDER HAS EVERYTHING IT NEEDS WITHIN IT'S SELF TO MAKE IT IN THIS WORLD. GUESS WHAT IF WE KEEP PUTTING THE WORD OF GOD IN OUR HEART WE HAVE EVERYTHING WE NEED WITHIN US TO MAKE IT IN THIS WORLD. WE GRASP IT IN OUR HEART AND BIRTH IT INTO THE WORLD BY FAITH.

1 JOHN 4:3-4

3. And every spirit that confesseth not that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is not of God: and this is that spirit of antichrist, whereof ye have heard that it should come; and even now already is it in the world.
4. Ye are of God, little children, and have overcome them: because greater is he that is in you, than he that is in the world.

Proverbs 4:23 Keep thy heart with all diligence; for out of it are the issues of life.

Psalm 119:11 Thy word have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against thee.

THE SPIDER IS CONSISTENT. THAT IS HOW WE SHOULD BE. AS LONG AS THE SPIDER IS ALIVE HE IS UNSTOPPABLE. YOU CAN KNOCK HIS WEB DOWN AND HE IS NOT PHASED. HE DOESN'T STOP, CRY, WHINE, GO INTO A DEPRESSION, OR GIVE UP.

HIS WEB IS GONE, BUT HE STILL HAS IT IN HIM TO KEEP ON PRODUCING AND HE MAKES ANOTHER WEB.

KEEP ON KEEPING ON

13. Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.

HAVING DONE ALL TO STAND...STAND THEREFORE.

YOU CAN KNOCK THE SPIDER OFF HIS WEB AND AS HE IS FALLING HE KEEPS DOING WHAT HE KNOWS. HE PUSHES A THREAD OF WEB OUT AND IT SLOWS AND BREAKS HIS FALL SO THAT HE ISN'T HURT. THE SPIDER HAS EIGHT EYES , HOWEVER HIS EYESIGHT IS POOR. HE IS A GOOD HUNTER NOT BECAUSE HE SEE WELL BUT RATHER BECAUSE HIS LEGS ARE COVERED WITH FOLLICLES THAT SENSE MOVEMENT OR THE VIBRATIONS FROM MOVEMENT.

THE LESSON OF THE SPIDER IS THIS....THE WORD OF GOD, AND GOD HIMSELF IN YOU IS EVERYTHING YOU NEED TO OVERCOME ANYTHING IN THIS LIFE. KEEP WORKING AND DOING WHAT YOU KNOW. LEARN TO BE A DISCERNING SPIRIT RATHER THAN TRUSTING WHAT YOU SEE WITH YOUR EYES.

2 COR. 5:7 ( FOR WE WALK BY FAITH, NOT BY SIGHT)

Ecclesiastes 8:5 Whoso keepeth the commandment shall feel no evil thing: and a wise man's heart discerneth both time and judgment.

TIME: APPOINTED TIME

JUDGEMENT: DETERMINATION

THERE IS A TIME AND A PLACE FOR EVERYTHING AND WE ARE TO BE ABLE TO DISCERN IT FROM OUR HEART.

Hebrews 5:14 But strong meat belongeth to them that are of full age, even those who by reason of use have their senses exercised to discern both good and evil.

THE WORD SENSES HERE IN THE GREEK IS A WORD THAT MEANS: THE CAPACITY FOR SPIRITUAL APPREHENSION.

THAT IS WHY YOU MIGHT MEET SOMEONE AND THEY LOOK PERFECT, SO PRIM AND PROPER. THEY MIGHT TALK THE TALK, AND SAY ALL THE RIGHT WORDS, BUT SOMETHING INSIDE SAYS THIS ISN'T RIGHT. DON'T KNOW WHY, DON'T KNOW THE REASON, BUT KNOW SOMETHING IS WRONG. THAT'S YOUR SPIRITUAL DISCERNMENT. ON THE OTHER HAND THINGS MAY LOOK ALL WRONG BUT INSIDE GO HAVE A GREEN LIGHT THAT SAYS THIS IS ALRIGHT. THEY CAN LOOK GREAT AND BE GREAT AND YOU KNOW THEY ARE OK. THAT'S YOUR SPIRITUAL DISCERNMENT. IT IS COMING FROM THE HEART AND NOT THE HEAD. HOW YOU EXERCISE THAT DISCERNMENT IS TO ACT ON IT.M WHEN SOMETHING GETS IN A SPIDERS WEB HE IS ON IT, NOT BECAUSE HE SAW IT BUT RATHER BECAUSE HE SENSED IT. A SPIDER DOESN'T HAVE A SPIRIT AND HAS TO RELY ON VIBRATIONS FELT THROUGH THE FOLLICLES ON HIS LEGS. WE ARE TO DO THAT THROUGH OUR SPIRIT. THE SPIDER SENSES THROUGH PHYSICAL SENSES BUT WE ARE TO DO IT THROUGH OUR SPIRITUAL SENSES. HAVE YOU EVER SENSED SOMETHING WAS COMING ? GOOD OR BAD ... RIGHT OR WRONG.. NOT BECAUSE YOU SAW IT, YOU JUST KNEW.

EVER GET A COBWEB ON YOU? IT STICKS, AND IS HARD TO GET OFF. WHAT IS A PROBLEM TO FLIES, BUGS, AND ANYTHING THAT TOUCHES IT, IS NO PROBLEM FOR THE SPIDER. HE GLIDES OVER IT WITH EASE. THE SPIDER PRODUCES AN OIL THAT KEEPS IT FROM STICKING TO THE WEB. WE ARE TO BE LIKE THE SPIDER. WE HAVE THE HOLY SPIRIT ANOINTING. THE HOLY SPIRIT IS COMPARED TO OIL IN THE WORD. WE ARE ANOINTED BY THE OIL OF THE HOLY SPIRIT TO DISCERN AND KNOW AND SEE AND GO RIGHT THROUGH THE STICKY THINGS OF LIFE THAT OTHERS GET STUCK IN AND BOGGED DOWN WITH. WE WHO HAVE TAKEN A LESSON FROM THE SPIDER AND PUT GOD'S WORD IN OUR HEARTS, PRODUCE FROM WITHIN AND PUSH OUT THE ANSWER, AND WALK BY THE DISCERNMENT OF THE SPIRIT, AND NOT BY SIGHT, AND HAVE THE OIL OF THE HOLY SPIRIT IN OUR LIVES ARE ANOINTED TO GLIDE THROUGH AND OVERCOME THE PROBLEMS OF THIS WORLD.

.....................THE REF........................
In sports you have a coach, a play book. Team mates, and opponents. The game has structure, rules, and regulations. It has penalties if you break a rule. Every play is designed to reach a goal. Every play of your opponent is designed to stop you.
The bible is God’s play book. In it is his general game plan. Every game has referee’s. God has a referee also.
In Colossians chapter 3 we find some great truths and instruction as to things we should not get into and some things to put on or do. Let’s read it.
Passage Colossians 3
1. If ye then be risen with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God.
2. Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth.
3. For ye are dead, and your life is hid with Christ in God.
4. When Christ, who is our life, shall appear, then shall ye also appear with him in glory.
5. Mortify therefore your members which are upon the earth; fornication, uncleanness, inordinate affection, evil concupiscence, and covetousness, which is idolatry:
6. For which things' sake the wrath of God cometh on the children of disobedience:
7. In the which ye also walked some time, when ye lived in them.
8. But now ye also put off all these; anger, wrath, malice, blasphemy, filthy communication out of your mouth.
9. Lie not one to another, seeing that ye have put off the old man with his deeds;
10. And have put on the new man, which is renewed in knowledge after the image of him that created him:
11. Where there is neither Greek nor Jew, circumcision nor uncircumcision, Barbarian, Scythian, bond nor free: but Christ is all, and in all.
12. Put on therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, bowels of mercies, kindness, humbleness of mind, meekness, longsuffering;
13. Forbearing one another, and forgiving one another, if any man have a quarrel against any: even as Christ forgave you, so also do ye.
14. And above all these things put on charity, which is the bond of perfectness.
15. And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to the which also ye are called in one body; and be ye thankful.
16. Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom; teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord.
17. And whatsoever ye do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God and the Father by him
IN VERSE 15 WE FIND GOD’S REFEREE. LET THE PEACE OF GOD RULE IN YOUR HEARTS. " RULE" A MORE LITERAL TRANSLATION IS " BE THE REFEREE". WHEN THE REF BLOWS THE WHISTLE AND THROWS A FLAG IT MEANS A FOUL HAS BEEN COMMITTED. a RULE HAS BEEN BROKEN AND A PENALTY IS ENFORCED. THE PEACE OF GOD I S OUR REF AND WHEN WE DON’T HAVE PEACE IN OUR HEART WE NEED TO STOP AND SEEK GOD’S GUIDANCE AND FIND OUT WHAT WE NEED TO DO. GOD’S REF TRIES TO WARN US BEFORE WE MAKE A WRONG MOVE OR DECISION AND KEEP US ON TRACK. REMEMBER YOU WILL NEVER LOSE GOD’S PEACE BECAUSE OF WHAT OTHERS DO, IT WILL BE BECAUSE OF WHAT YOU DO. GOD’S PEACE IS THERE TO STOP YOU SO THAT YOU DON’T MAKE THE WRONG MOVE AND TO KEEP YOU WALKING IN VICTORY.

.......................CHECK MATE....................
While reading one day I came across a section where the author was describing a painting in a French museum. This painting was called " CHECKMATE ". In it was chess board and the black rook and black queen were close to the white queen and white king. A man was sitting at the board with his head hanging forward cupped in his hands. On the other side was the devil laughing at him.
This piece of art speaks volumes. It has many layers of truth. To me the chess game represented life. The moves it took too get to where the playing pieces were at were choices made when the devil or simply life’s problems arose, or choices made in following the steps made in following the call of God on our lives.
In chess your opponents goal is to put your king in what is known as checkmate. Giving your king no outs and any move would result in him still being in checkmate. And your goal is the same against him. In life just as in this painting it is not people, places, or things that are our enemy, but rather the spirit that drives them. ( the devil )
The board has 64 squares in which you may choose to move your playing pieces. To me these squares represent choices that we make to take ground and neutralize the enemies advance into our lives, or choices we made that gave ground because we didn’t see a trap of the enemy.
One day as a tour was going through the museum and going on after looking at the Checkmate painting one person stayed behind studying the painting. After a while the tour guide came back and ask if there was a problem. The person said, "I am a chess champion, and as I look at this painting I think they need to change the name." " Why, " ask the guide. " Because you see the king still has one more move.
The artist painted it this way to get us to think. The man in the painting as well as in life at times thought or perceived he was checkmated. He was deceived by his own eyes. He still had options. His king still had one more move.
Example.. Have you ever been getting dressed and you looked to see which was the front and back of what you were putting on and after you got it on you discovered it was on backwards or inside out . Our senses can fool us. They can give us a false perception. We can not trust our senses.
2 Corinthians 5:7:
(For we walk by faith, not by sight:)
FAITH : truthfulness, conviction, consistency
SIGHT : exterior appearance, that which is exposed to view, that which strikes the eye.

How you perceive or the perception you have can put you in bondage or set you free....
Your perception is formed by what you give yourself too. The worlds way or God’s Way. The world will always oppose God’s way.. You can tell how much of the worlds way of thinking is in the church by simply saying what God says and stepping back and seeing if they agree or disagree. It is very important what you spend time looking at and listening to.
What you give yourself to will get into your heart. From your heart is where the issues of life are dealt with. What you perceive in your heart is what you will believe and act on From the heart you create your world...

Passage Proverbs 23:7:
For as he thinketh in his heart, so is he: Eat and drink, saith he to thee; but his heart is not with thee.
This scripture is telling us that a person can tell us something and not be telling us what they truly believe. Ever hear a sportscaster say about an athlete, " His heart isn’t in it today"? That athlete has in his heart perceived he can not do it and has given up. When an athlete is so far behind there is no way to catch up, but he keeps on giving it his all, they say he sure has heart.
In proverbs 23:7 the word thinketh mean to estimate; to form an approximate opinion of( as to size, amount, number, etc) to form an approximate opinion about, a rough calculation based on incomplete data.
You are to study the word and as you do you will gather more data of who you are in Christ and what you can do and believe for and your perception and opinion or what you think in your heart will change, and you will be that.
The devil will try to work through circumstances and problems or people to cause you to form opinions and perceptions of yourself as worthless and useless. He will try to get you to perceive that you will never overcome.
As we grow in the Lord and listen to His Spirit as he gives guidance we will make the correct choices from the heart. Never give up always look up.
Let’s look at the of the chess board of life in the life of Elijah and the life of a widow woman that God sent him too.
Several times the widow woman was in a place she felt checkmated ( no way out ) but the Lord had one more move each time.. We have a king and he is the KING OF KINGS and he can never be checkmated
When ministering this lesson I used a large cardboard chess board with the squares being four inches square. I took a sheet of white and a sheet of black foam board and cut out thirty-two 4 inch squares of both. These squares would represent events, and choices made in life. I took First Kings Chapter 17 and broke it down into 19 squares of events and choices or moves made in life as in a chess game. This chapter is about a time in the lives of Elijah and a widow woman and I added things we face in our own lives and answers we can choose on the rest of the squares. If we truly believe and trust the Lord we will never be in checkmate. We will always through our King have One more move.
1 Kings 17
SQUARE ONE
1. And Elijah the Tishbite, who was of the inhabitants of Gilead, said unto Ahab, As the LORD God of Israel liveth, before whom I stand, there shall not be dew nor rain these years, but according to my word. 2 .And the word of the LORD came unto him, saying, 3. Get thee hence, and turn thee eastward, and hide thyself by the brook Cherith, that is before Jordan. 4. And it shall be, that thou shalt drink of the brook; and I have commanded the ravens to feed thee there.
SQUARE TWO
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.
SQUARE THREE
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.
SQUARE FOUR
7. And it came to pass after a while, that the brook dried up, because there had been no rain in the land.
SQUARE FIVE
8. And the word of the LORD came unto him, saying,
9. Arise, get thee to Zarephath, which belongeth to Zidon, and dwell there: behold, I have commanded a widow woman there to sustain thee.
SQUARE SIX
10So he arose and went to Zarephath. And when he came to the gate of the city, behold, the widow woman was there gathering of sticks: and he called to her, and said, Fetch me, I pray thee, a little water in a vessel, that I may drink.
SQUARE SEVEN
11. And as she was going to fetch it, he called to her, and said, Bring me, I pray thee, a morsel of bread in thine hand.
SQUARE EIGHT
12. And she said, As the LORD thy God liveth, I have not a cake, but an handful of meal in a barrel, and a little oil in a cruse: 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.
SQUARE NINE
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 saith 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 sendeth rain upon the earth.
SQUARE TEN
15And she went and did according to the saying of Elijah: and she, and he, and her house, did eat many days.
SQUARE ELEVEN
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.
SQUARE TWELVE
17. And it came to pass after these things, that the son of the woman, the mistress of the house, fell sick; and his sickness was so sore, that there was no breath left in him.
SQUARE THIRTEEN
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?
SQUARE FOURTEEN
19. And he said unto her, Give me thy son. And he took him out of her bosom, and carried him up into a loft, where he abode, and laid him upon his own bed.
SQUARE FIFTEEN
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?
SQUARE SIXTEEN
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 into him again.
SQUARE SEVENTEEN
22. And the LORD heard the voice of Elijah; and the soul of the child came into him again, and he revived.
SQUARE EIGHTEEN
23. And Elijah took the child, and brought him down out of the chamber into the house, and delivered him unto his mother: and Elijah said, See, thy son liveth.
SQUARE NINETEEN
24. And the woman said to Elijah, Now by this I know that thou art a man of God, and that the word of the LORD in thy mouth is truth.
As we look at these nineteen squares of the Chess Board of the lives of Elijah and the widow woman. Moves of the enemy were made to try to cause them to think Check Mate. It’s over no way out. And we see the Lord had one more move each time. The people had to obey and make a move and then the answer opened up. Elijah was Ask to hide by the brook. He had to go and do this, and the Ravens brought the food..
When the brook dried up he had a choice. God said to go to the widow woman. He could have thought check mate it’s over and stayed there and died. He went and when he found the widow she was in a mind frame of check mate. She had a small amount of meal and was going to fix it for her and her son and eat it and die. The Lord had one more move. He told the prophet to ask her for a cake first and then she and her son could eat and her barrel of meal wouldn’t waste nor the cruse of oil fail until it rained on the earth again. She had to make a choice. She had to make a move. She did and meal and the oil never ran out.
We come to many choices every day. The enemy is working to neutralize us and wants us to give up. He wants us to think there’s no way out.. CHECK MATE Jesus has overcome the world and greater is he that is in us than he that is in the world. In Jesus our King we always have one more move. God is always presenting us with a choice as he directs our steps.. He never asks us to do anything that he hasn’t equipped us to be able to do. We must choose too step out and obey and put the enemy in check mate in our lives.
I was watching an episode of the show House tonight and he was playing a game of chess against a boy. The boy spoke up and rattled off a series of moves and counter moves and said to house you are going to lose so just turn the king over and accept it now.. House laid his king over. He kept the board as it was and studied it and found out he could have won. He told the boy this and the boy said I know I was bluffing. House took what he heard and formed a perception that he was going to be check mated and gave up.. That is what the devil tries to do to us. He tries to push us down and into believing that we just can’t make it but God always has a way. You can not check mate God. Life is series of choices. Never think there is no way out. Always choose God and his way. He has the answers for anything that is wrong in your life.

.........UNITY........
HOW DO WE ACT TOWARDS OTHER THAT ARE DIFFERENT FROM US? DO WE SEE HOW THEY FIT AND COMPLEMENT US AND MAKE US MORE COMPETE, OR DO WE SAY THEY NEED TO GO BECAUSE THEY ARE NOT JUST LIKE US?
EPHESIANS 4:11-16
11. And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers;
12. For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ:
13. Till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ:
14. That we henceforth be no more children, tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men, and cunning craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive;
15. But speaking the truth in love, may grow up into him in all things, which is the head, even Christ:
16. From whom the whole body fitly joined together and compacted by that which every joint supplieth, according to the effectual working in the measure of every part, maketh increase of the body unto the edifying of itself in love.

JESUS IS THE HEAD AND WE ARE THE BODY. WE ALL ARE DIFFERENT BUT MAKE UP THE COMPLETE BODY. ON A BODY THE NOSE IS DIFFERENT FROM THE MOUTH, HOWEVER THEY BOTH ARE NEEDED. THEY ARE DIFFERENT IN LOOKS AND FUNCTION. PEOPLE ARE THAT WAY ALSO. EACH OF US IS GIFTED FOR A CERTAIN TASK. NOT EVERYONE HAS TO BE JUST LIKE YOU OR ME. WE MUST HELP SUPPLY EACH OTHER IN THE BODY JUST AS THE ARTERY SYSTEM IN OUR PHYSICAL BODY MOVES NUTRIENTS AND OXYGEN AND FUEL TO ALL THE PARTS OF OUR BODY. ALL THE MUSCLES, BONES, TENDONS, AND JOINTS WORK TO THE BENEFIT OF THE WHOLE BODY. WHEN WE REJECT OTHER FOR WHAT EVER REASON WE ISOLATE OURSELVES FROM THE MINISTRY AND GIFT THAT THEY BRING TO THE BODY. WE THEN CAN NOT FUNCTION AS WE SHOULD, AND BECOME A USELESS JOINT. WE BECOME LIKE AN ARTHRITIC JOINT ALL BENT AND TWISTED AND UNABLE TO DO AND FUNCTION AS WE SHOULD.

ARNOLD PRATER HAS SOME GREAT BOOKS OUT THERE. IN ONE OF HIS BOOKS HE MAKES PARABLES OUT OF BIBLE TEACHINGS. HE TOOK THIS SET OF SCRIPTURES AND CAME UP WITH THIS PARABLE.
ONCE UPON A TIME, HE SAYS ALMOST EVERYBODY WAS AN EAR. ALL THE EARS HAD A CONVENTION AND WERE HAVING A WONDERFUL TIME WHEN A NOSE AND A MOUTH WALKED IN, SAT DOWN ON THE BACK ROW, AND WERE VERY QUIET. BUT SOON THE SARGENT-AT-ARMS WALKED OVER AND TOSSED THEM OUT BECAUSE THEY WERE NOT EARS. BUT AFTER A WHILE THE CONVENTION HALL CAUGHT FIRE AND DESTROYED ALL THE EARS BECAUSE NO NOSES WERE THERE TO SMELL THE SMOKE AND NO MOUTHS WERE THERE TO WARN THEM THE PLACE WAS ON FIRE.

A PERSON THAT LOSES THE SENSE OF SMELL SUFFERS. A PERSON THAT LOSES HIS OR HER SIGHT HAS A MUCH DIFFERENT VIEW POINT. THE SAME IS TRUE OF THE MEMBERS OF THE BODY OF CHRIST, THE CHURCH. EVERYONE OF US IS ESSENTIAL. EVERYONE IS INDISPENSABLE.

part 2. OUR GREAT SUBSTITUTIONARY SACRIFICE AND THE PRESENT DAY MINISTRY OF JESUS
Passage Acts 4:12:
12. Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved.
JESUS CAME AND FULL FILLED HIS MINISTRY TO BECOME THE SAVIOR OF THE WORLD, AND BRING LOST MANKIND BACK INTO FELLOWSHIP WITH THE FATHER.

HE IS NOT SITTING AND WAITING TO COME BACK, BUT HE HAS A PRESENT DAY MINISTRY THAT IS NEEDED IN ORDER TO RECEIVE HIM AS SAVIOR AND MAKE HIM LORD AND LIVE IN THIS WORLD AS KINGS AND PRIESTS TO GOD.

JESUS HAS MINISTRIES THAT HE IS DOING TODAY. HE IS NOT JUST SITTING AND WAITING. HE HAS A PRESENT DAY MINISTRY.
HE IS OUR MEDIATOR.. A GO BETWEEN FOR MAN AND GOD.

HEB. 8:6
But now hath he obtained a more excellent ministry, by how much also he is the mediator of a better covenant, which was established upon better promises.

1 TIM 2:5
For there is one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus;

JOB 9:33
Neither is there any daysman betwixt us, that might lay his hand upon us both.
JOB SAW THE NEED FOR A MEDIATOR TO GO BETWEEN GOD AND MAN

JOHN 14:6
Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.
A LOT OF PEOPLE SAY WE ARE ALL HEADED TO THE SAME PLACE, JUST TAKING A DIFFERENT WAY. THERE IS ONLY ONE WAY, ONLY ONE MEDIATOR, ONLY ONE TRUTH, AND THAT IS JESUS

AN OTHER MINISTRY OF JESUS TODAY IS THAT HE IS OUR INTERCESSOR
HEB. 7:24-25
24. But this man, because he continueth ever, hath an unchangeable priesthood.
25. Wherefore he is able also to save them to the uttermost that come unto God by him, seeing he ever liveth to make intercession for them.
INTERCESSION:prayer, petition, or entreaty in favor of another
JESUS IS INTERCEDING FOR US TO OUR BENEFIT.
JUST AS HE INTERCEDE OR PRAYED FOR PETER, HE DOES THE SAME FOR US.
LUKE 22:31-32
31And the Lord said, Simon, Simon, behold, Satan hath desired to have you, that he may sift you as wheat:
32But I have prayed for thee, that thy faith fail not: and when thou art converted, strengthen thy brethren.
HE IS NO RESPECTER OF PERSONS, AND IS INTERCEDING ON BEHALF OF US ALL.

HE IS OUR ADVOCATE- LAWYER THIS IS AN AWESOME PART OF HIS MINISTRY TODAY.
1 JOHN 2:1
My little children, these things write I unto you, that ye sin not. And if any man sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous:
EVER SEE A MOVIE WHERE A RICH KID GETS IN TROUBLE AND THE Family lawyer shows up. JESUS IS OUR LAWYER. SATAN IS THE ACCUSER. IF WE DO SIN AND WE REPENT THEN IT IS ERASED AND OUR LAWYER JESUS IS THERE TO BACK UP THE WORD AND SEND THE DEVIL PACKING. JESUS PLEADS OUR CASE.
Heb. 9:24 he loves us.
For Christ is not entered into the holy places made with hands, which are the figures of the true; but into heaven itself, now to appear in the presence of God for us.
HE DID IT ALL FOR US.
Heb 4:14-16
Passage Hebrews 4:14-16 HE IS OUR HIGH PRIEST
14. Seeing then that we have a great high priest, that is passed into the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our profession.
15. For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin.
16. Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need.

We have a high priest, a mediator, an intercessor, an advocate, a lover of our souls. He is sitting in the highest seat of authority in the universe. His father that loved and sent him to take our place sits on the throne of grace. Jesus who loves you is seated at is right hand. They bid you to come boldly to the throne of grace.
Romans 8:31
What shall we then say to these things? If God be for us, who can be against us?
Heb. 7:22
By so much was Jesus made a surety of a better testament.
GOD IS FOR US, AND JESUS IS OUR SURETY.
HEBREWS 9:16-17
16For where a testament is, there must also of necessity be the death of the testator.
17For a testament is of force after men are dead: otherwise it is of no strength at all while the testator liveth.
JESUS CAME AND BROUGHT US A NEW AND BETTER TESTAMENT AND THEN DIED SO IT COULD GO INTO FORCE AND THEN RAISED FROM THE DEAD TO MAKE SURE IT WAS IN FORCED.
JESUS IS THE SURETY OF EVERY WORD FROM MATT. 1:1 T0 REV. 22:21
Surety: Personal Guarantee

part 1. OUR GREAT SUBSTITUTIONARY SACRIFICE AND THE PRESENT DAY MINISTRY OF JESUS
The Lord of Glory Himself came and redeemed us. He took my place, he took our place, he took your place, and all our punishment was put upon Him.
The Great Subsitutionary Work, and His work in the new creation would be of no value if He did not take care of and protect this new creation.
The church celebrates the birth of Jesus every Dec. 25th . They celebrate His death, burial, and resurrection every Easter. Way to many think that was it, and Jesus retired to sit at God’s right hand and wait for the word to go get the family. His death and burial and resurrection was the physical thing His body went through, however that was not all He was doing in those 3 days and nights. His spirit went and paid the claims of justice in the spirit. The sacrifice was not yet completed. More was to be done even after the resurrection.
Passage John 19:30:
30. When Jesus therefore had received the vinegar, he said, It is finished: and he bowed his head, and gave up the ghost.
Finished: to accomplish to a point, not necessarily finished
What was finished? Most preachers I've heard say it was the Old Covenant and redemption was now here. Well redeemption wasn't here yet more had to be done. The word use and translated finished did not mean totally finished. It meant finished up to a point and not necessarily finished. Jesus still had to go satisfy the claims of justice in the spirit. He went to sheol or hell and took our punishment. Some say Jesus never went to hell , however if he didn't then you still have to go. He took my place in all things and that means all.
Luke 16:19-26
19. There was a certain rich man, which was clothed in purple and fine linen, and fared sumptuously every day:
20. And there was a certain beggar named Lazarus, which was laid at his gate, full of sores,
21. And desiring to be fed with the crumbs which fell from the rich man's table: moreover the dogs came and licked his sores.
22. And it came to pass, that the beggar died, and was carried by the angels into Abraham's bosom: the rich man also died, and was buried;
23. And in hell he lift up his eyes, being in torments, and seeth Abraham afar off, and Lazarus in his bosom.
24. And he cried and said, Father Abraham, have mercy on me, and send Lazarus, that he may dip the tip of his finger in water, and cool my tongue; for I am tormented in this flame.
25. But Abraham said, Son, remember that thou in thy lifetime receivedst thy good things, and likewise Lazarus evil things: but now he is comforted, and thou art tormented.
26. And beside all this, between us and you there is a great gulf fixed: so that they which would pass from hence to you cannot; neither can they pass to us, that would come from thence.

Abraham's bosom was a place that had two compartments divided by a huge gulf. The upper was the place of comfort where the old testament saints went to await the promise of the messiah. The other was a flame of fire and torment or hell. Lazarus was in the comfort side and the selfish rich man was in the torment side.
Ephesians 4:8-9 KJV
8Wherefore he saith, When he ascended up on high, he led captivity captive, and gave gifts unto men.
9(Now that he ascended, what is it but that he also descended first into the lower parts of the earth?
After he paid the price in hell he bridged the gap and preached to the spirits in Abraham's Bosom and lead the out and right in to heaven.

Passage Acts 2:24 KJV
24Whom God hath raised up, having loosed the pains of death: because it was not possible that he should be holden of it.
This shows us where Jesus went because death had no pain except in the lower part or hell.

John 20
1. The first day of the week cometh Mary Magdalene early, when it was yet dark, unto the sepulchre, and seeth the stone taken away from the sepulchre.
2. Then she runneth, and cometh to Simon Peter, and to the other disciple, whom Jesus loved, and saith unto them, They have taken away the LORD out of the sepulchre, and we know not where they have laid him.
3. Peter therefore went forth, and that other disciple, and came to the sepulchre.
4. So they ran both together: and the other disciple did outrun Peter, and came first to the sepulchre.
5. And he stooping down, and looking in, saw the linen clothes lying; yet went he not in.
6. Then cometh Simon Peter following him, and went into the sepulchre, and seeth the linen clothes lie,
7. And the napkin, that was about his head, not lying with the linen clothes, but wrapped together in a place by itself.
[ THE NAPKINS IS VERY IMPORTANT. YOU MUST UNDERSTAND JEWISH CUSTOMS TO UNDERSTAND THIS. IT WAS NOT WITH THE GRAVE CLOTHES, BUT WRAPPED OR FOLDED TOGETHER IN A PLACE BY ITSELF. IN JEWISH CUSTOM WHEN YOU WENT INTO AN OTHERS HOUSE AND THEY FEED YOU AND FELLOW SHIPPED WITH YOU AND YOU WERE DONE. IF YOU ENJOYED THE VISIT AND PLANNED ON COMING BACK YOU FOLDED YOUR NAPKIN AND PLACED IT AWAY FROM EVERYTHING ELSE IN A SEPARATE PLACE ON THE TABLE. THIS SIGNIFIED THAT YOU ENJOYED THE VISIT AND WOULD RETURN.]
8. Then went in also that other disciple, which came first to the sepulchre, and he saw, and believed.
9. For as yet they knew not the scripture, that he must rise again from the dead.
10. Then the disciples went away again unto their own home.
11. But Mary stood without at the sepulchre weeping: and as she wept, she stooped down, and looked into the sepulchre,
12. And seeth two angels in white sitting, the one at the head, and the other at the feet, where the body of Jesus had lain.
13. And they say unto her, Woman, why weepest thou? She saith unto them, Because they have taken away my LORD, and I know not where they have laid him.
14. And when she had thus said, she turned herself back, and saw Jesus standing, and knew not that it was Jesus.
15. Jesus saith unto her, Woman, why weepest thou? whom seekest thou? She, supposing him to be the gardener, saith unto him, Sir, if thou have borne him hence, tell me where thou hast laid him, and I will take him away.
16. Jesus saith unto her, Mary. She turned herself, and saith unto him, Rabboni; which is to say, Master.
17. Jesus saith unto her, Touch me not; for I am not yet ascended to my Father: but go to my brethren, and say unto them, I ascend unto my Father, and your Father; and to my God, and your God.
JESUS HAD MORE TO DO AFTER HIS RESURRECTION. THE REDEMPTIVE PLAN WASN'T COMPLETED YET. HE TOLD MARY TO TOUCH HIM NOT FOR HE NOT YET ASCENDED TO HIS FATHER.
JOHN 20: 26-31
26. And after eight days again his disciples were within, and Thomas with them: then came Jesus, the doors being shut, and stood in the midst, and said, Peace be unto you.
27. Then saith he to Thomas, Reach hither thy finger, and behold my hands; and reach hither thy hand, and thrust it into my side: and be not faithless, but believing.
28. And Thomas answered and said unto him, My LORD and my God.
29Jesus saith unto him, Thomas, because thou hast seen me, thou hast believed: blessed are they that have not seen, and yet have believed.
30. And many other signs truly did Jesus in the presence of his disciples, which are not written in this book:
31. But these are written, that ye might believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God; and that believing ye might have life through his name.
SOMETHING HAPPEN BETWEEN WHEN HE SAW MARY AND THIS MEETING FOR HE NOW SAID TO THOMAS THRUST YOUR HAND INTO MY SIDE. HE COULD NOW BE TOUCHED SO HE HAD GONE TO THE FATHER AND BACK. HE HAD TO FINISH THE REDEMPTIVE WORK BY GOING TO HEAVEN AND PRESENTING HIMSELF AND HIS BLOOD AS THE SUPREME SACRIFICE IN HEAVEN, AND CLEANSE THE HEAVENLY HOLY OF HOLIES AND SPRINKLE HIS BLOOD ON THE HEAVENLY MERCY SEAT. HE COULD NOT LET MARY TOUCH HIM FOR IT WOULD HAVE TAINTED THE PURE SACRIFICE HE HAD TO YET DELIVER TO HEAVEN BEFORE GOD.

Passage Hebrews 9:12-26:
12. Neither by the blood of goats and calves, but by his own blood he entered in once into the holy place, having obtained eternal redemption for us.
13. For if the blood of bulls and of goats, and the ashes of an heifer sprinkling the unclean, sanctifieth to the purifying of the flesh:
14. How much more shall the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered himself without spot to God, purge your conscience from dead works to serve the living God?
15. And for this cause he is the mediator of the new testament, that by means of death, for the redemption of the transgressions that were under the first testament, they which are called might receive the promise of eternal inheritance.
16. For where a testament is, there must also of necessity be the death of the testator.
17. For a testament is of force after men are dead: otherwise it is of no strength at all while the testator liveth.
18. Whereupon neither the first testament was dedicated without blood.
19. For when Moses had spoken every precept to all the people according to the law, he took the blood of calves and of goats, with water, and scarlet wool, and hyssop, and sprinkled both the book, and all the people,
20. Saying, This is the blood of the testament which God hath enjoined unto you.
21. Moreover he sprinkled with blood both the tabernacle, and all the vessels of the ministry.
22. And almost all things are by the law purged with blood; and without shedding of blood is no remission.

[23. It was therefore necessary that the patterns of things in the heavens should be purified with these; but the heavenly things themselves with better sacrifices than these.
24. For Christ is not entered into the holy places made with hands, which are the figures of the true; but into heaven itself, now to appear in the presence of God for us:
25. Nor yet that he should offer himself often, as the high priest entereth into the holy place every year with blood of others;
26. For then must he often have suffered since the foundation of the world: but now once in the end of the world hath he appeared to put away sin by the sacrifice of himself.]
THE TABERNACLE ON EARTH WAS ONLY A COPY OF THE TRUE ONE IN HEAVEN. JESUS ENTERED IN AND CLEANSED THE TRUE TABERNACLE WITH HIS OWN BLOOD THUS COMPLETING REDEMPTION. HE COULD NOW GO BACK AND BE SEEN AND TOUCHED ON EARTH. THAT IS WHAT HAPPENED BETWEEN WHEN MARY SAW HIM AND WHEN HE TOLD THOMAS TO THRUST HIS HAND INTO HIS SIDE.
IN PART 2 WE WILL TALK ABOUT THE PRESENT DAY MINISTRY OF JESUS. HE IS NOT SITTING AT GOD'S RIGHT HAND JUST WAITING FOR THE WORD TO GO AND GET THE FAMILY. HE HAS MINISTRIES THAT HE IS DOING FOR US.

I was tagged to a music meme. Asked to give a list of seven of my favorite songs. I don't know a anyone to tag but I'll give my list.

My list may change from day to day but right now this is it.

1. Before the next Teardrop falls... Freddy Fender. shows a very caring heart full of compassion.

2. He stopped Loving Her Today.. George Jones.. Awesome words can't explain.

3. Imagine... John Lennon..

4. Country Bumpkin.. Cal Smith...... this song touched my heart

5. Solitare... Neil Sedaka

6. Without You.. Harry Nilsson

7. Maggie May ... Rod Stewart

I have some that I hold higher than these but no one out there would know them, because my wife wrote them so I'll leave you with these.

......THE CARE GIVER OR THE CARE TAKER............

IN GOD THE WORD CARE MEANS.... CHARGE OR GUARDIANSHIP.. CUSTODY OR SUPERVISION

THROUGH SATAN THE WORD CARE MEANS.. A FEELING OF ANXIETY OR CONCERN; WORRY

IN GOD CARETAKER MEANS TO TAKE CARE OF.

THROUGH SATAN CARETAKER MEANS TRYING TO GET YOU TO TAKE CARES ON YOURSELF. JESUS SAID THE CARES OF THE WORLD CHOKE THE WORD AND MAKE IT UNFRUITFUL.

AS A PERSON YOU CAN NOT TRULY BE A COMPLETE CARE GIVER OR CARETAKER FOR ANOTHER PERSON. AT BEST YOU CAN ONLY BE A CARE ASSISTANT, EVEN THOUGH YOU OR OTHERS MAY CALL YOU A CARE GIVER. WHEN YOU TRY TO GO BEYOND THE ASSISTANT PHASE INTO BEING A CARE GIVER IT BECOMES TOO MUCH, AND MOST OF THE "CAREGIVERS" DIE BEFORE THE ONE THAT NEEDS CARE. IT IS LIKE THE FROG IN A POT OF COLD WATER. IF YOU TURN UP THE HEAT ONE DEGREE AT A TIME SLOWLY, THE FROG WILL SIT THERE AND BOIL TO DEATH NOT REALIZING THE HEAT IS GROWING. SO IT IS WITH PEOPLE NEEDING HELP. IT STARTS OUT BEING NOT SO MUCH, BUT AS THE NEEDS GROW, THE CAREGIVER KEEPS ON ADDING TO WHAT THEY ARE HELPING WITH UNTIL IT CONSUMES THEY SLOWLY LIKE THE FROG BOILING. IF YOU TOSS A FROG INTO HOT WATER IT WILL REALIZE IT AND JUMP OUT. IF YOU COME INTO A SITUATION WHEN A PERSON NEEDS A TREMENDOUS AMOUNT OF HELP A CAREGIVER WILL REALIZE IT IS TOO MUCH FOR ONE PERSON TO HELP WITH. BUT LETTING IT SLIP UP ON THEM A LITTLE AT A TIME AS TO WHAT A PERSON NEEDS HELP WITH, EVENTUALLY WILL CONSUME THE CAREGIVER. SOON THEY WILL NOT BE ABLE TO GO ANYWHERE OR DO ANYTHING WITHOUT THINKING ABOUT HOW IT WILL EFFECT THE ONE THEY GIVE CARE TO, AND THEY WILL HAVE TO KEEP CHANGING THEIR LIFE IN ORDER TO TAKE CARE OF THE PERSON NEEDING HELP. SOON THE CARE GIVER IS TOTALLY CONSUMED AND HAS NO LIFE OF THEIR OWN. THAT IS WHY WE HAVE ASSISTED LIVING FACILITIES AND NURSING HOMES, AND WHY THEY HAVE A STAFF OF PEOPLE AND SHIFTS AROUND THE CLOCK. BECAUSE IT TAKES MORE THAN ONE PERSON TO DO THE JOB, AND CARE GIVERS NEED TIME FOR THEIR OWN LIVES.

I SAID ALL THAT SO I COULD GET TO WHAT I HAVE TO SAY NEXT.

THERE IS ONLY ONE THAT CAN GIVE 100% CARE .. 24/7 .. EVERY DAY OF THE YEAR,,
THERE IS ONLY ONE THAT CAN DEVOTE THEMSELVES 100% TO YOUR EVERY NEED.
THERE IS ONLY ONE TRUE CARE GIVER.

HEBREWS 13:5
LET YOUR CONVERSATION BE WITHOUT COVETOUSNESS; AND BE CONTENT WITH SUCH THINGS AS YE HAVE; FOR HE HATH SAID, I WILL NEVER LEAVE THEE, NOR FORSAKE THEE.
FORSAKE: LEAVE BEHIND, ABANDON, LEAVE IN STRAITS, OR HELPLESS.

HE IS ALWAYS GOING TO BE THERE TO HELP.

HEBREWS 4:15-16
15. FOR WE HAVE NOT AN HIGH PRIEST WHICH CANNOT BE TOUCHED WITH THE FEELING OF OUR INFIRMITIES; BUT WAS IN ALL POINTS TEMPTED LIKE AS WE ARE, YET WITHOUT SIN.
16. LET US THEREFORE COME BOLDLY UNTO THE THRONE OF GRACE, THAT WE MAY OBTAIN MERCY, AND FIND GRACE TO HELP IN TIME OF NEED.

THE WORD HELP IN THIS SCRIPTURE IS AN INTERESTING WORD.
IT MEANS FRAPPING. FRAPPING IS A SAILING TERM. IT IS ROPES OR CHAINS THAT SAILORS WRAP AROUND THE BOAT TO UNDER GIRD IT IN A STORM, TO PREVENT IT FROM DEMISE.
JESUS IS THERE TO UNDER GIRD US IN THE STORMS OF LIFE, AND KEEP US INTACT AND FROM DESTRUCTION.

PSALMS 33:20
OUR SOUL WAITETH FOR THE LORD: HE IS OUR HELP AND OUR SHIELD.
PSALMS 46:1
GOD IS OUR REFUGE AND STRENGTH, A VERY PRESENT HELP IN TROUBLE.
Psalm 23(KJV)
1. The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want.
2H. e maketh me to lie down in green pastures: he leadeth me beside the still waters.
3. He restoreth my soul: he leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name's sake.
4. Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me.
5. Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies: thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over.
6. Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life: and I will dwell in the house of the LORD for ever.

RESTORETH: RECOVER
ROD: A TOOL OF A SHEPARD OR TEACHER.... IT MEANS AUTHORITY
ALSO USED TO DEFEND.
STAFF: SUPPORT: SUBSTANANCE; SUSTAINING LIFE
THE LORD IS ALWAYS THERE TO HELP AND PROTECT US.
WE AS SHEEP HAVE A PART TO DO ALSO IN ORDER FOR THIS HELP AND PROTECTION TO WORK IN OUR LIVES. WE MUST STAY CLOSE TO THE SHEPARD. AND WE MUST FOLLOW HIS INSTRUCTION AND GUIDANCE. WE TEND TO THINK GOD WILL DO IT ALL, BUT WE HAVE A PART ALSO.
THERE WAS A LADY THAT ALWAYS PRAYED FOR PROTECTION. SHE SPOKE THE SCRIPTURES OF THE 91st PSALM ALL THE TIME. ONE DAY SHE WAS GOING TO GO INTO THE REAL BAD PART OF TOWN. SHE SPOKE THE WORD AND PRAYED FOR PROTECTION. A VOICE FROM DEEP INSIDE TOLD HER TO NOT GO. SHE WENT ANY WAY AND GOT MUGGED. SHE WENT TO SEE HER PASTOR. A MAN NAMED KEITH MOORE. SHE ASK HIM, "WHY DID I GET MUGGED WHEN I SPOKE THE WORD AND PRAYED FOR PROTECTION?" HE SAID LETS SIT AND TALK ABOUT THAT DAY. HE ASK HER TO EXPLAIN WHAT HAPPENED THAT MORNING. SHE TOLD HIM HOW SHE PRAYED AND SPOKE THE WORD FOR PROTECTION. THEN SHE SAID THE LORD TOLD ME NOT TO GO. AND SHE SAID I WENT ANYWAY BECAUSE I'M A FAITH PERSON. KEITH SAID, WAIT A MINUTE YOU PRAYED AND ASK FOR PROTECTION AND THE LORD SAID DON'T GO AND YOU WENT ANY WAY. YES SHE SAID. WHY WERE YOU GOING TO THAT PART OF TOWN? "I JUST WANTED TO," WAS HER REPLY. KEITH SAID THERE IS YOUR ANSWER. PROTECTION ISN'T ALWAYS GOD MOVING EVERYTHING OUT OF YOUR WAY. IT SOMETIMES IS YOU MOVING OUT OF HARMS WAY. GOD TOLD YOU TO NOT GO AND YOU DISOBEYED AND WENT AND WALKED RIGHT INTO THE THING GOD WAS PROTECTION YOU FROM, HAD YOU OBEYED. SEE WE MUST FOLLOW THE GREAT SHEPARD'S DIRECTION.

PSALM 32:5-9
5. I acknowledge my sin unto thee, and mine iniquity have I not hid. I said, I will confess my transgressions unto the LORD; and thou forgavest the iniquity of my sin. Selah.
6. For this shall every one that is godly pray unto thee in a time when thou mayest be found: surely in the floods of great waters they shall not come nigh unto him.
7. Thou art my hiding place; thou shalt preserve me from trouble; thou shalt compass me about with songs of deliverance. Selah.
8. I will instruct thee and teach thee in the way which thou shalt go: I will guide thee with mine eye.
9. Be ye not as the horse, or as the mule, which have no understanding: whose mouth must be held in with bit and bridle, lest they come near unto thee.

DAVID TELLS US THAT GOD IS OUR HIDING PLACE AND SHALL KEEP US FROM TROUBLE. VERSE 6 TELLS US THAT THE LORD WILL INSTRUCT AND TEACH AND GUIDE US WITH HIS EYE. HE SEE'S WHAT IS AHEAD AND DIRECTS US IN THE BEST WAY TO AVOID IT. WE MUST FOLLOW HIS INSTRUCTION OR WE ARE TO BLAME FOR WALKING INTO TROUBLE.

Amplified Bible (AMP)Passage 1 Peter 5:7
7. Casting the whole of your care [all your anxieties, all your worries, all your concerns, once and for all] on Him, for He cares for you affectionately and cares about you watchfully.
WE MUST GIVE ALL OUR CARES TO THE LORD AND LET HIM WORK THEM OUT.
TO MANY OF US SAY HERE LORD TAKE THESE CARES AND THEN WE PICK THEM BACK UP AND CARRY THEM OFF WITH US. NO HE CARES FOR US AND WANTS US TO BE CARE FREE. HE IS OUR CARETAKER.

ARE YOU A MARTHA OR A MARY?
Amplified Bible (AMP)Passage Luke 10:38-42
38. Now while they were on their way, it occurred that Jesus entered a certain village, and a woman named Martha received and welcomed Him into her house.
39. And she had a sister named Mary, who seated herself at the Lord's feet and was listening to His teaching.
40. But Martha [overly occupied and too busy] was distracted with much serving; and she came up to Him and said, Lord, is it nothing to You that my sister has left me to serve alone? Tell her then to help me [to lend a hand and do her part along with me]!
41. But the Lord replied to her by saying, Martha, Martha, you are anxious and troubled about many things;
42. There is need of only one or but a few things. Mary has chosen the good portion [that which is to her advantage], which shall not be taken away from her.

GIVE YOURSELF TO THE WORD (JESUS) AND THE WORD (JESUS) WILL CARE FOR YOU. MARTHA WAS CUMBERED (DRAWN AWAY, DISTRACTED, BEING OVER OCCUPIED ABOUT A THING, WORRIED ) WITH THE SERVING. GETTING THE DINNER READY. BUT THIS WAS HER OWN IDEA NOT THE LORDS. JESUS DIDN'T ASK HER TO FIX ANY DINNER. SOMETIMES WE HAVE AN IDEA AND PURSUE IT AND IT IS NOT THE THING WE SHOULD BE DOING. MARTHA TOLD JESUS TO TELL MARY TO HELP HER. JESUS TOLD MARTHA THAT MARY HAD CHOSEN THE GOOD PORTION..THAT WHICH WAS TO HER ADVANTAGE, AND IT WOULD NOT BE TAKEN AWAY FROM HER. ALWAYS CHOOSE THE WORD, AND MAKE IT FIRST PLACE IN YOUR LIFE. JESUS SAID IT WILL BE TO YOUR ADVANTAGE. MARTHA DIDN'T NEED TO WORRY ABOUT DINNER. JESUS JUST FEED 5000 MEN AND THEIR FAMILIES WITH 5 LOAVES AND 2 FISH AND HAD 12 BUCKETS FULL OF LEFT OVERS. WE LIMIT GOD WITH OUR THINKING IF WE DON'T WATCH IT. TAKE THE LIMITS OFF AND LET THE LORD CARE FOR US.

................" TELL JOHN "......................

SOME TIME AGO I WAS IN CHURCH, AND DURING THE PRAISE AND WORSHIP I HEARD THESE WORDS COME FROM MY HEART,"TELL JOHN".
THE WORDS CAME AGAIN AND I SAID TELL JOHN, TELL JOHN WHAT? THE WORDS TELL JOHN CAME AGAIN WITH AUTHORITY AND FORCE AND I REMEMBERED THE WORDS TELL JOHN IN THE NEW TESTAMENT AND I SAID I UNDERSTAND TELL JOHN. I WILL SHARE WHAT I LEARNED FROM THAT .
Hebrews 2:1 (KJV)
1. Therefore we ought to give the more earnest heed to the things which we have heard, lest at any time we should let them slip.
EARNEST: MORE EXCEEDINGLY
HEED: PAY DEVOTION OF THOUGHT AND EFFORT TO DO A THING - TO HOLD THE MIND TO - TO ADHERE TO..
SLIP: TO FIND ONE'S SELF GLIDING, OR PASSING BY WITHOUT GIVING DUE HEED TO A THING. LIT. TO FLOW PAST, OR GLIDE BY.

EXAMPLE.. A RIVER WITH A PIECE OF DRIFT WOOD FLOATING IN THE CURRENT, AND WE WATCH IT SLIP ON BY WITHOUT PAYING ANY ATTENTION. ( THAT WOULD SEEM TO BE WHAT THIS SCRIPTURE IS SAYING, BUT IT IS SAYING JUST THE OPPOSITE. WE WILL MISS THE POINT IF WE DON'T REALIZE THAT. ) YOU TAKE THE PLACE OF THE DRIFT WOOD. SAY YOU ARE FLOATING IN A BOAT DOWN THE RIVER. WHATEVER IS ON THE BANKS OF THAT RIVER IS SOLID, IT IS TRUE, IT'S THERE TO BE SEEN AND ENJOYED. BY NOT PAYING ATTENTION, NOT GIVING EARNEST HEED TO WHAT IS ON THE BANKS, YOU FLOAT ON BY MISSING THE BEAUTY OF THE LAND, PEOPLE, PICNIC AREAS, AND WILDLIFE. WHEN ASK WHAT YOU THOUGHT ABOUT THAT HUGE BOULDER THAT LOOKED LIKE A MAN'S FACE, YOU WOULD SAY WHAT BOULDER. WHILE OTHERS FLOATING DOWN THE RIVER MAY PADDLE IN TO EVERY INTERESTING THING THEY SEE. UPON CLOSE EXAMINATION THEY MAY SEE THINGS THAT OTHERS CAN'T SEE FROM OUT IN THE RIVER. THEY MAY TAKE PICTURES SO THEY CAN RE-VISIT IT ONCE AGAIN WITHOUT PHYSICALLY BEING THERE. WHEN ASK ABOUT A PLACE OR THING ALONG THE RIVER THEY CAN TELL YOU ABOUT IT, AND EVEN SHOW YOU BECAUSE THEY WERE PAYING EARNEST HEED TO THE THINGS THEY SAW AND DOCUMENTING IT. THEY MAY EVEN KNOW MORE THAN THE PERSON ASKING.
THAT IS WHY IN A CHURCH SERVICE SOME PEOPLE CAN NOT TELL YOU WHAT IT WAS ABOUT, WHILE OTHERS CAN TELL YOU WHAT WAS SAID AND EVEN GO DEEPER. BECAUSE THEY WERE PAYING EARNEST HEED,AND THE LORD COULD TAKE THEM DEEPER THAN THE MINISTER WAS PRESENTING.
..... SO PAY EARNEST HEED TO THIS THAT YOU HEAR TODAY.......
........................................... " TELL JOHN "...............................................
YOU CAN PUT YOUR NAME IN JOHN'S PLACE. IN FACT YOU MUST PUT YOUR NAME IN JOHN'S PLACE. AS WE LOOK AT JOHN THE BAPTIST YOU WILL SEE WHY THE TITLE " TELL JOHN ". AND YOU WILL SEE WHY YOU MUST PUT YOURSELF IN HIS PLACE, IN ORDER TO LEARN THIS LESSON. YOU CAN SLIP ON BY WHAT GOD IS SAYING TO YOU BECAUSE YOU DON'T PAY EARNEST HEED TO IT OR YOU PAY HEED TO THE WRONG THING AND BECOME OFFENDED AND MISS THE POINT BECAUSE YOUR FOCUS WAS NOT WHERE IT SHOULD HAVE BEEN.
BEFORE WE GET TO JOHN THE BAPTIST LET'S GIVE AND EXAMPLE OF GIVING IN TO OFFENCE AND LOOSING FOCUS AND NOT GIVING EARNEST HEED TO WHAT WE SHOULD, AND THE RESULT OF THIS DISPLACED FOCUS.

Mark 6:1-6 ( KJV )
1. And he went out from thence, and came into his own country; and his disciples follow him.
2. And when the sabbath day was come, he began to teach in the synagogue: and many hearing him were astonished, saying, From whence hath this man these things? and what wisdom is this which is given unto him, that even such mighty works are wrought by his hands?
3. Is not this the carpenter, the son of Mary, the brother of James, and Joses, and of Juda, and Simon? and are not his sisters here with us? AND THEY WERE OFFENDED AT HIM.
4. But Jesus, said unto them, A prophet is not without honour, but in his own country, and among his own kin, and in his own house.
5. And he could there do no mighty work, save that he laid his hands upon a few sick folk, and healed them.
6. And he marvelled because of their unbelief. And he went round about the villages, teaching.

THESE PEOPLE DID NOT PAY EARNEST HEED TO WHAT THEY HEARD, INSTEAD THEY SAT IN JUDGEMENT AND PAYED HEED TO SOMETHING THAT DIDN'T MATTER AND BECAME OFFENDED AND THEY SLIPPED ON BY THE TRUTH THAT STOOD BEFORE THEM, AND THEY COULD NOT RECEIVE ANY MIGHTY WORK BECAUSE THEIR FOCUS TOOK THEM TO OFFENCE. AND THAT OFFENCE TOOK THEM TO UNBELIEF. THEY SLIPPED AWAY FROM THE IMPORTANT THINGS.

NOW LET'S LOOK AT JOHN THE BAPTIST

Matthew 3:1-3 (KJV)
1. In those days came John the Baptist, preaching in the wilderness of Judaea,
2. And saying, Repent ye: for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.
3. For this is he that was spoken of by the prophet Esaias, saying, The voice of one crying in the wilderness, Prepare ye the way of the Lord, make his paths straight.

JOHN WAS SENT TO PREPARE THE WAY OF THE LORD CONCERNING HIS FIRST COMING. WE ARE SENT TO PREPARE THE WAY OF THE LORD CONCERNING HIS SECOND COMING.

MATTHEW 3: 11-17 (KJV)
11 I indeed baptize you with water unto repentance. but he that cometh after me is mightier than I, whose shoes I am not worthy to bear: he shall baptize you with the Holy Ghost, and with fire:
12. Whose fan is in his hand, and he will throughly purge his floor, and gather his wheat into the garner; but he will burn up the chaff with unquenchable fire.
13. Then cometh Jesus from Galilee to Jordan unto John, to be baptized of him.
14. But John forbad him, saying, I have need to be baptized of thee, and comest thou to me?
15. And Jesus answering said unto him, Suffer it to be so now: for thus it becometh us to fulfil all righteousness. Then he suffered him.
16. And Jesus, when he was baptized, went up straightway out of the water: and, lo, the heavens were opened unto him, and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove, and lighting upon him:
17. And lo a voice from heaven, saying, This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.

JOHN STARTED TO GET OUT OF STEP WITH HIS CALLING. WHEN JESUS CAME TO HIM TO BE BAPTIZED HE FORBADE JESUS AND SAID I HAVE NEED TO BE BAPTIZED OF YOU. YOU SEE JESUS WAS THE SACRIFICE, THE SACRIFICIAL LAMB OF GOD, AND HE NEEDED JOHN TO TO PRESENT HIM AS THE SPOTLESS SON OF GOD TO FULFILL ALL RIGHTEOUSNESS. EVERY SACRIFICE HAD TO PRESENTED BY THE PRIESTHOOD AND THE PRIESTHOOD OF THAT DAY THOUGHT OF JESUS AS A SPOT,BLEMISHED, AND WRINKLED. John WAS OF THE LINEAGE OF THE PRIESTHOOD AND HE ALONE WAS THE ONE WHO KNEW AND COULD PRESENT JESUS AS THE SPOTLESS SON OF GOD. JESUS TOLD HIM IT MUST BE SO FOR NOW THAT JOHN BAPTIZE HIM. THIS GOT JOHN BACK ON TRACK.

WE ALL HAVE A PLACE AND A PURPOSE IN THE MASTER PLAN.

JOHN 3:22 - (30 ) - 36 (KJV)

Passage John 3:22-36:
22After these things came Jesus and his disciples into the land of Judaea; and there he tarried with them, and baptized.
23And John also was baptizing in Aenon near to Salim, because there was much water there: and they came, and were baptized.
24For John was not yet cast into prison.
25Then there arose a question between some of John's disciples and the Jews about purifying.
26And they came unto John, and said unto him, Rabbi, he that was with thee beyond Jordan, to whom thou barest witness, behold, the same baptizeth, and all men come to him.
27John answered and said, A man can receive nothing, except it be given him from heaven.
28Ye yourselves bear me witness, that I said, I am not the Christ, but that I am sent before him.
29He that hath the bride is the bridegroom: but the friend of the bridegroom, which standeth and heareth him, rejoiceth greatly because of the bridegroom's voice: this my joy therefore is fulfilled.

30He must increase, but I must decrease.

31He that cometh from above is above all: he that is of the earth is earthly, and speaketh of the earth: he that cometh from heaven is above all.
32And what he hath seen and heard, that he testifieth; and no man receiveth his testimony.
33He that hath received his testimony hath set to his seal that God is true.
34For he whom God hath sent speaketh the words of God: for God giveth not the Spirit by measure unto him.
35The Father loveth the Son, and hath given all things into his hand.
36He that believeth on the Son hath everlasting life: and he that believeth not the Son shall not see life; but the wrath of God abideth on him.

JOHN KNEW HE WOULD HAVE TO STEP BACK AND JESUS WOULD STEP UP. HE KNEW JESUS WAS GOING TO INCREASE AND HE MUST DECREASE. JOHN DIDN'T HAVE TO DIE TO DECREASE, THAT WAS HIS OWN DOING. HE GOT INTO TROUBLE THE SAME WAY WE DO IF WE DON'T WATCH IT, WITH OUR MOUTHS. WE WILL TALK ABOUT THAT SOME MORE A LITTLE LATER ON.
FOR NOW WE NEED TO SEE THAT WE ALL HAVE A PLAN AND PURPOSE IN THE KINGDOM OF GOD.

Passage Ephesians 4:11-16 (KJV)
11. And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers;
12. For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ:
13. Till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ:
14. That we henceforth be no more children, tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men, and cunning craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive;
15. But speaking the truth in love, may grow up into him in all things, which is the head, even Christ:
16. From whom the whole body fitly joined together and compacted by that which every joint supplieth, according to the effectual working in the measure of every part, maketh increase of the body unto the edifying of itself in love.

WE ARE THE BODY OF CHRIST, AND WE ARE ALL FITLY JOINED TOGETHER. EVERY ONE OF US SHOULD BE SUPPLYING TO OTHER PARTS OF THE BODY.

EVERYONE MUST DO THEIR PART.

1. KNOW YOUR PLACE

2. KNOW YOUR PART

3. KNOW YOUR GIFT AND CALL AND WALK IN IT.

4. DON'T SEEK TO WALK IN ANTHER'S PLACE.

WE ARE GOING TO READ FROM LUKE CHAPTER 7 . JOHN IS IN PRISON AT THIS TIME. HE IS NOT THERE BECAUSE IT WAS GOD'S WILL OR PLAN. HE IS THERE BECAUSE OF HIS MOUTH AND ATTITUDE. HE GOT INTO TROUBLE THE SAME WAY WE DO AND HE STARTED TO BLAME GOD JUST LIKE WE DO IF WE ARE NOT WATCHFUL. HE STARTED TO BECOME OFFENDED AT JESUS. LET'S LOOK AT THIS CHAPTER AND HAVE OUR EYES OPENED.

Luke 7 :1-23 (KJV)

1. Now when he had ended all his sayings in the audience of the people, he entered into Capernaum.
2. And a certain centurion's servant, who was dear unto him, was sick, and ready to die.
3. And when he heard of Jesus, he sent unto him the elders of the Jews, beseeching him that he would come and heal his servant.
4. And when they came to Jesus, they besought him instantly, saying, That he was worthy for whom he should do this:
5. For he loveth our nation, and he hath built us a synagogue.
6. Then Jesus went with them. And when he was now not far from the house, the centurion sent friends to him, saying unto him, Lord, trouble not thyself: for I am not worthy that thou shouldest enter under my roof:
7. Wherefore neither thought I myself worthy to come unto thee: but say in a word, and my servant shall be healed.
8. For I also am a man set under authority, having under me soldiers, and I say unto one, Go, and he goeth; and to another, Come, and he cometh; and to my servant, Do this, and he doeth it. 9. When Jesus heard these things, he marvelled at him, and turned him about, and said unto the people that followed him, I say unto you, I have not found so great faith, no, not in Israel.
10. And they that were sent, returning to the house, found the servant whole that had been sick.
LUKE 7:1-10 THIS WAS A LESSON ON AUTHORITY AND FAITH AND HEALING.

11. And it came to pass the day after, that he went into a city called Nain; and many of his disciples went with him, and much people.
12. Now when he came nigh to the gate of the city, behold, there was a dead man carried out, the only son of his mother, and she was a widow: and much people of the city was with her.
13. And when the Lord saw her, he had compassion on her, and said unto her, Weep not.
14. And he came and touched the bier: and they that bare him stood still. And he said, Young man, I say unto thee, Arise.
15. And he that was dead sat up, and began to speak. And he delivered him to his mother.
16. And there came a fear on all: and they glorified God, saying, That a great prophet is risen up among us; and, That God hath visited his people.
17. And this rumour of him went forth throughout all Judaea, and throughout all the region round about.

LUKE 7:11-17 IN THAT SET OF SCRIPTURES WE SEE JESUS RAISE THE DEAD.

VERSE 16 THE FEAR THAT IS SPOKEN OF HERE IS A REVERENTIAL FEAR. IT IS NOT A FEAR OF HIM OR HIS POWER, BUT RATHER A DREAD OF DOING SOMETHING DISPLEASING IN HIS SIGHT.

VERSE 17 SAID THIS RUMOUR OF HIM WENT FORTH.

THE WORD RUMOUR TO US IN THIS DAY AND TIME MEANS UNVERIFIED HEARSAY SPREAD MY WORD OF MOUTH, TRUE OR NOT , TOLD AS FACT. RUMOUR IN THE TIME THIS WAS WRITTEN SIMPLY MEANT TO GIVE AN ACCOUNT OF.

18. And the disciples of John shewed him of all these things.
19. And John calling unto him two of his disciples sent them to Jesus, saying, Art thou he that should come? or look we for another?
20. When the men were come unto him, they said, John Baptist hath sent us unto thee, saying, Art thou he that should come? or look we for another?
21. And in that same hour he cured many of their infirmities and plagues, and of evil spirits; and unto many that were blind he gave sight.
22. Then Jesus answering said unto them, Go your way, and tell John what things ye have seen and heard; how that the blind see, the lame walk, the lepers are cleansed, the deaf hear, the dead are raised, to the poor the gospel is preached.
23. And blessed is he, whosoever shall not be offended in me.

IN VERSES 18-23

JOHN'S FOLLOWERS CAME AND TOLD JOHN THE EVENTS THAT HAD BEEN HAPPENING WITH JESUS. JOHN SENT THEM TO ASK JESUS IF HE WAS THE ONE OR SHOULD THEY SEEK ANOTHER. JOHN WAS IN PRISON. IT WAS OF HIS OWN DOING. HE WAS THINKING LIKE A LOT OF US. IF I'M A CHRISTIAN THEN WHY AM I IN THIS PROBLEM. WE BLAME GOD. IT'S US WHO CAUSE THE PROBLEM. JOHN GOT IN HEROD'S FACE AND TOLD HIM IT WAS NOT LAWFUL TO HAVE HIS BROTHERS WIFE. THIS WAS NOT THE THING YOU DID IN THOSE DAYS. YOU ONLY SPOKE TO LEADERS WHEN THEY CALLED ON YOU. WHAT JOHN SAID WAS TRUE BUT IT WAS SAID OUT OF ORDER AND IT GOT HIM INTO TROUBLE. JOHN LET HIS MOUTH GET HIM INTO A PREDICAMENT THAT LEAD TO HIS DEATH. JUST BECAUSE WE ARE FOLLOWERS OF CHRIST DOESN'T PROTECT US FROM OUR OWN UNDOING. IF WE WALK OUTSIDE THE WORD WE WALK OUTSIDE OF PROTECTION, WE LOCK GOD OUT THEN WE BLAME HIM. IF YOU ARE SAYING WHY DID GOD LET THIS HAPPEN TO ME.. WHY?.. IT'S NOT GOD THAT CAUSED YOUR PROBLEM IT'S YOU.

JOHN WAS STARTING TO BECOME OFFENDED AT JESUS. QUESTIONING ARE YOU THE ONE OR SHOULD WE SEEK ANOTHER? PEOPLE TODAY THAT GET THEMSELVES INTO TROUBLE, AND BLAME GOD, AND EVEN GET OFFENDED AT HIM. WHEN HE ISN'T THE PROBLEM. HE IS THE ANSWER TO THE PROBLEM AND THE ANSWER TO NOT GETTING INTO THE PROBLEM TO START WITH.

YOU MIGHT THINK HOW COULD JOHN ASK HIS DISCIPLES TO ASK JESUS IF HE WAS THE ONE. THIS JOHN KNEW JESUS WAS THE ONE. HE HEARD GOD'S VOICE SAY THIS IS MY BELOVED SON IN WHOM I AM WELL PLEASED. YOU MIGHT SAY HOW COULD JOHN ASK THAT.

CHRISTIANS DO IT ALL THE TIME. THEY LET THEIR MOUTH GET THEM INTO TROUBLE. THEN THEY BLAME GOD FOR THE TROUBLES. BLAME LEADS TO OFFENCE, OFFENCE LEADS TO UNBELIEF, AND UNBELIEF LEADS TO DOUBT.

WHEN PAUL GOT BIT BY THE VIPER HE DIDN'T WHINE AND CRY WHY DID GOD LET THIS HAPPEN TO ME. IT WAS HIS FAULT FOR PICKING UP A LOAD OF STICKS WITHOUT CHECKING FOR SNAKES FIRST. WHEN HE GOT BIT HE SHOOK IT OFF AND WENT ABOUT HIS BUSINESS. IT WAS ALREADY SETTLED IN HIS HEART THAT NO DEADLY THING COULD HARM HIM. HE COULD HAVE FREAKED OUT AND DIED, BUT HE HAD THE WORD SETTLED IN HIS HEART AND FOLLOWED IT INSTEAD.

WHAT WOULD YOU HAVE DONE?

IF PAUL WAS LIKE A LOT OF US HE WOULD HAVE CRIED WHY ME? I'M PAUL.. CALLED OF GOD.. SENT BY GOD TO THE GENTILES.. FULL OF REVELATION.. FULL OF PURPOSE.. WHY?... TO THINK IT ALL ENDS HERE OUT IN THE BOONDOCKS BITTEN BY A VIPER.

NO HE HAD THE WORD IN HIS HEART.. YOUR HEART DEALS WITH THE ISSUES OF LIFE.. BUT YOU MUST HAVE IT FULL OF THE WORD TO FOR THE RIGHT THINGS TO COME OUT.

IF YOU HEAR WORDS COMING FROM YOUR MOUTH THAT ARE SAYING,"WHY DID YOU LET THIS HAPPEN, OR WHY ME." AND YOU ARE BLAMING GOD, YOU ARE ON THE WRONG TRACK, OUT OF STEP, AND NEED TO GET BACK ON TRACK.

YOU NEED TO GO BACK AND READ OUT LOUD LUKE 7:21-23 AND PUT YOUR NAME IN PLACE OF JOHN'S.

LUKE 7:21-23
21. And in that same hour he cured many of their infirmities and plagues, and of evil spirits; and unto many that were blind he gave sight. 22. Then Jesus answering said unto them, Go your way, and tell John what things ye have seen and heard; how that the blind see, the lame walk, the lepers are cleansed, the deaf hear, the dead are raised, to the poor the gospel is preached. 23. And blessed is he, whosoever shall not be offended in me.

VERSE 23 WAS FOR JOHN VERSE 23 IS FOR US WHEN WE START TO LOSE SIGHT OF WHAT IS GOING ON. TELL JOHN.. TELL MIKE.. TELL VICKIE.. TELL GLORIA.. TELL WHO EVER NEEDS TO HEAR IT, THE BLIND SEE, THE LAME WALK, THE LEPERS ARE CLEANSED, THE DEAF HEAR, THE DEAD ARE RAISED THE POOR ARE BEING PREACHED THE GOSPEL, AND BLESSED IS HE THAT IS NOT OFFENDED IN ME.

ALL THINGS ARE POSSIBLE
It is not God that you must convince.... It I is you that you must convince.
God knows He loves you. You must know and believe He loves you.
God knows health and healing is already paid for and settled.
You must know that as well.
God has done His part in all areas.
And we must do our part.

God is a miracle working....... need supplying....... healing.....Restoring
Delivering... Peace giving........ care taking....... yolk destroying ......
Everything you will ever need..... GOD
IS THAT TRUE ?
YES IT IS
THEN WHY ARE WE NOT SEEING MORE OF THOSE THINGS THAN WE DO?
WE HAVE BECOME SO SELF- MINDED INSTEAD OF GOD MINDED
Passage Philippians 2:3-8:KJV.
3. Let nothing be done through strife or vainglory; but in lowliness of mind let each esteem other better than themselves.
4. Look not every man on his own things, but every man also on the things of others.
5. Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus:
6. Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God:
7. But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men:
8. And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross.



King James Version (KJV)Passage Romans 12:1-2:
Romans 12
1I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service.
2And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.


MARK 9:23
Young's Literal Translation (YLT)Passage Mark 9:23:
23And Jesus said to him, `If thou art able to believe! all things are possible to the one that is believing;'
King James Version (KJV)Passage Mark 9:23:
23 Jesus said unto him, If thou canst believe, all things are possible to him that believeth

The reciprocal of that is if you can’t believe nothing is possible..

DON’T YOU THINK JESUS WOULD KNOW WHAT HE’S TALKING ABOUT.
King James Version (KJV)Passage Matthew 6:9-10:
9. After this manner therefore pray ye: Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name.
10. Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven.
ARE WE BRINGING THE WILL OF GOD TO PASS ON AND IN THE EARTH , OR ARE WE BRINGING SOMETHING ELSE TO PASS AND CALLING IT GOD’S WILL.

King James Version (KJV)Passage 3 John 1:2:
2. Beloved, I wish above all things that thou mayest prosper and be in health, even as thy soul prospereth.
Prosper: succeed, prosper, gain
ARE WE A BILLBOARD FOR GOD OR THE WORLD
Darby Translation (DARBY)Passage Psalm 92:11-14:
11. And mine eye shall see [its desire] on mine enemies; mine ears shall hear [it] of the evil-doers that rise up against me.
12. The righteous shall shoot forth like a palm-tree; he shall grow like a cedar on Lebanon.
13. Those that are planted in the house of Jehovah shall flourish in the courts of our God:
14. They are still vigorous in old age, they are full of sap and green;

King James Version (KJV)Passage Psalm 92:11-14:
11. Mine eye also shall see my desire on mine enemies, and mine ears shall hear my desire of the wicked that rise up against me.
12. The righteous shall flourish like the palm tree: he shall grow like a cedar in Lebanon.
13. Those that be planted in the house of the LORD shall flourish in the courts of our God.
14. They shall still bring forth fruit in old age; they shall be fat and flourishing;
FAT: RICH, FERTILE
FLOURISH: GREEN FLOURISHING, PROSPEROUS
PSALMS
7. For we [the Israelites in the wilderness] are consumed by Your anger, and by Your wrath are we troubled, overwhelmed, and frightened away.
8. Our iniquities, our secret heart and its sins [which we would so like to conceal even from ourselves], You have set in the [revealing] light of Your countenance.
9.For all our days [out here in this wilderness, says Moses] pass away in Your wrath; we spend our years as a tale that is told [for we adults know we are doomed to die soon, without reaching Canaan].
10. The days of our years are [a]threescore years and ten (seventy years)--or even, if by reason of strength, fourscore years (eighty years); yet is their pride [in additional years] only labor and sorrow, for it is soon gone, and we fly away.
11. Who knows the power of Your anger? [Who worthily connects this brevity of life with Your recognition of sin?] And Your wrath, who connects it with the reverent and worshipful fear that is due You?
12. So teach us to number our days, that we may get us a heart of wisdom.
13. Turn, O Lord [from Your fierce anger]! How long--? Revoke Your sentence and be compassionate and at ease toward Your servants.
14. O satisfy us with Your mercy and loving-kindness in the morning [now, before we are older], that we may rejoice and be glad all our days.
15. Make us glad in proportion to the days in which You have afflicted us and to the years in which we have suffered evil.
16. Let Your work [the signs of Your power] be revealed to Your servants, and Your [glorious] majesty to their children.
17. And let the beauty and delightfulness and favor of the Lord our God be upon us; confirm and establish the work of our hands--yes, the work of our hands, confirm and establish it.
Footnotes:Psalm 90:10 This psalm is credited to Moses, who is interceding with God to remove the curse which made it necessary for every Israelite over twenty years of age (when they rebelled against God at Kadesh-barnea) to die before reaching the promised land (Num. 14:26-35). Moses says most of them are dying at seventy years of age. This number has often been mistaken as a set span of life for all mankind. It was not intended to refer to anyone except those Israelites under the curse during that particular forty years. Seventy years never has been the average span of life for humanity. When Jacob, the father of the twelve tribes, had reached 130 years (Gen. 47:9), he complained that he had not attained to the years of his immediate ancestors. In fact, Moses himself lived to be 120 years old, Aaron 123, Miriam several years older, and Joshua 110 years of age. Note as well that in the Millennium a person dying at 100 will still be thought a child (Isa. 65:20). Cross References:
KJV PSALMS 90:9-10
9. For all our days are passed away in thy wrath: we spend our years as a tale that is told.
10. The days of our years are threescore years and ten; and if by reason of strength they be fourscore years, yet is their strength labour and sorrow; for it is soon cut off, and we fly away.
PEOPLE AND PREACHERS HAVE STATED THAT THIS IS THE YEARS OF OUR LIFE SPAN.. NO IT IS NOT IT IS THE CURSE THAT WAS ON THE DISOBEDIENT CHILDREN OF ISRAEL. IF YOU SAY IT IS YOUR LIFE SPAN THEN YOU ARE OPENING YOURSELF UP TO THE CURSE AND A VERY HARD BAD LIFE. THE DEVIL WILL COME IN AND CAUSE YOU MUCH PAIN AND SORROW AND YOU WILL GIVE THE CREDIT TO GOD WHO HAD NOTHING TO DO WITH IT.
GENESIS 6:3 TELLS US WHAT OUR YEARS CAN BE.
3And 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
PSALMS 90 HAS BEEN PREACHED AS THE LIFE SPAN OF MAN AND PEOPLE HAVE BELIEVED IT. THAT IS WHY THERE ARE SO MANY SICK AND WASTED AWAY IN BODY CHRISTIANS IN THE WORLD. WE NEED A CALEB MENTALITY TO BELIEVE GOD AND BE READY TO GO OUT TO WAR AT 85 INSTEAD OF BEING BROKEN DOWN IN BODY. IT ALL COMES DOWN TO SEEING WHAT GOD IS REALLY SAYING AND NOT WHAT ANY MAN SAYS. BE A DISPLAY FOR GOD. SHOW THE WORLD THERE IS A DIFFERENCE AND A BENEFIT TO SERVING THE LORD.

As A Man Thinketh In His Heart Part 2

WE MUST CONTROL OUR SENSES OR THEY WILL CONTROL US. IN THE FIRST PART OF THIS TEACHING I MENTIONED THE LADY WHO SAT BEHIND MY WIFE IN THE SIMULATOR, AND HOW IT SIMULATED SOMETHING THAT SHE FEARED AND IT BECAME SO REAL TO HER THAT SHE WAS ON THE EDGE OF A CARDIAC ARREST UNTIL MY WIFE BROKE INTO HER THOUGHTS AND BROUGHT HER BACK TO THE TRUE REALITY.
THE DEVIL CAN ONLY USE THINGS COMMON TO MAN.
King James Version (KJV)Passage 1 Corinthians 10:12-13:
12Wherefore let him that thinketh he standeth take heed lest he fall.
13There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it.
THIS IS ONE OF THE MOST MIS-QUOTED SCRIPTURES OF ALL TIME. PEOPLE HAVE MADE IT TO SAY THINGS IT DOES NOT SAY. THE MOST FAMOUS IS," GOD WON'T PUT ON YOU MORE THAN YOU CAN BEAR."
FIRST GOD DOESN'T PUT HARD ,HEAVY ,HURTFUL ,STEALING ,KILLING ,OR DESTROYING THINGS ON YOU.
SECOND WHEN A TEMPTATION, TEST, OR TRIAL COMES GOD HAS A WAY OF ESCAPE FOR YOU.
THIRD THIS SCRIPTURE IS A STOP LOCK ON THE DEVIL. HE CAN NOT USE ANYTHING TO ENTICE AND TEMP YOU, BUT THINGS COMMON TO MAN. AND HE CAN NOT GO ABOVE YOUR ABILITY TO ESCAPE IT.
FOURTH IT IS THE DEVIL WHO IS THE TEMPTER.
FIFTH EVERY ONE IS TEMPTED WHEN HE IS DRAWN AWAY OF HIS OWN LUSTS.
JAMES 1:12-17 12Blessed is the man that endureth temptation: for when he is tried, he shall receive the crown of life, which the Lord hath promised to them that love him.
13Let no man say when he is tempted, I am tempted of God: for God cannot be tempted with evil, neither tempteth he any man:
14But every man is tempted, when he is drawn away of his own lust, and enticed.
15Then when lust hath conceived, it bringeth forth sin: and sin, when it is finished, bringeth forth death.
16Do not err, my beloved brethren.
17Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and cometh down from the Father of lights, with whom is no variableness, neither shadow of turning.

LUSTS: WANTONNESS, PERSONNEL INCLINATIONS, DESIRES
ENTICE: to attract artfully or adroitly(having or showing skill, cleverness, or resourcefulness in handling situations ) or by arousing hope or desire.
ENTICE IS A FISHING TERM IT MEANS TO LURE. SATAN WILL LURE YOU AND ENTICE YOU WITH THINGS THAT ARE YOUR WEAKNESS. SUCH AS A RUBBER WORM LURES A FISH TO TAKE THE BAIT. IT HIDES THE HOOK, THE PAIN, THE TRAP. HE TRIES TO BAIT US INTO A TRAP FULL OF PAIN AND HURT. WE HAVE TO RID OURSELVES OF ANY WEAKNESS AND BE STRONG IN THE LORD.
IT IS VERY IMPORTANT THAT YOU FEED YOUR FAITH AND STARVE FEAR OUT OF YOUR LIFE. WHAT YOU FEED IS WHAT GROWS STRONG IN YOU. YOU MUST TRUST AND BELIEVE THAT GOD IS STRONGER THAN ANYTHING, AND THAT HE IS YOUR PROTECTOR. WE ABSOLUTELY CAN NOT WALK BY SIGHT ( OUR SENSES ) FOR EVERYTHING YOU SEE IS COMMON TO MAN. THE DEVIL WORKS THROUGH THINGS COMMON TO YOU. HE WILL EXPLOIT YOUR WEAKNESSES. HE WILL WORK FOR YEARS TO SET UP A SITUATION THAT WILL BRING YOU DOWN. YOU MUST FEED FAITH AND DESTROY WEAKNESS IN YOURSELF AND GIVE THE DEVIL NO ROOM TO WORK. THOSE WHO WALK BY SIGHT CAN GET INTO A SIMULATOR AND THE DEVIL CAN HAVE A SURPRISE WAITING FOR THEM. HE CAN HAVE THE THING THEY GREATLY FEAR WAITING FOR THEM. JUST AS THE LADY THAT SAT BEHIND MY WIFE IN THE SIMULATOR WAS ABOUT TO DIE FROM FEAR. SHE LET HER SENSES TAKE HER TO A PLACE THAT WASN'T REAL. BUT HER FEAR MADE IT SEEM REAL TO HER. YOUR SENSES WILL LIE TO YOU. THEY WILL AMPLIFY EVERYTHING AND MAKE THE PROBLEM SEEM SO MUCH LARGER THAN IT IS.
THE LORD WILL WORK FOR YEARS TO GET YOU TO THE PLACE YOU SHOULD BE. HE WILL WORK FOR YEARS TO GET EVERYTHING INTO PLACE FOR THAT MOMENT TO ELEVATE YOU INTO VICTORY. WE NEED TO LISTEN FOR HIS INSTRUCTION AND OBEY OR WE WILL MISS WHAT WE SHOULD BE WALKING IN.
SOME TIME AGO THE LORD IMPRESSED ON ME A TEACHING WHICH HE CALLED
" INTERSECTIONS ABRAHAM AND THE RAM" IT FITS SO GOOD HERE AND I AM GOING TO SHARE IT WITH YOU.
DIVINE CROSSROADS OR INTERSECTIONS. WHERE YOU MEET WHAT YOU HAVE BEEN BELIEVING FOR. IF YOU MISS THE INTERSECTION GOD HAS TO START WORKING A NEW INTERSECTION FOR YOU. THAT IS WHY WHEN YOU MISS IT AND GET BACK ON TRACK IT TAKES TIME TO GET BACK TO THE ANSWER YOU NEEDED.
THE SUBJECT OF ABRAHAM AND THE RAM WAS YEARS IN THE MAKING. IF YOU LEAN TOWARDS FEAR AND WEAKNESS YOUR CONVERSATION WILL GIVE YOU AWAY. THE DEVIL WILL LISTEN AND LEARN YOUR WEAKNESS AND FEARS AND WORK FOR YEARS TO BRING THAT TO FRUITION IN YOUR LIFE. THESE MIRACLES IN OUR LIVES THAT THE LORD WORKS SHOULD BE AND EVERYDAY LIFESTYLE. WE TEND TO LOOK AT THEM AS EVENTS. WE TEND TO LOOK AT ABRAHAM AND THE RAM AS AN EVENT BUT IT WAS AN PART OF EVERYDAY OBEDIENCE TO THE LORD FOR ABRAHAM. A LIFESTYLE.
Genesis 22
1And it came to pass after these things, that God did tempt Abraham, and said unto him, Abraham: and he said, Behold, here I am.
TEMPT: TEST PROVE ASSAY
ASSAY:examination and determination as to characteristics
2And he said, Take now thy son, thine only son Isaac, whom thou lovest, and get thee into the land of Moriah; and offer him there for a burnt offering upon one of the mountains which I will tell thee of.
3And Abraham rose up early in the morning, and saddled his ass, and took two of his young men with him, and Isaac his son, and clave the wood for the burnt offering, and rose up, and went unto the place of which God had told him.
4Then on the third day Abraham lifted up his eyes, and saw the place afar off.
5And Abraham said unto his young men, Abide ye here with the ass; and I and the lad will go yonder and worship, and come again to you.
6And Abraham took the wood of the burnt offering, and laid it upon Isaac his son; and he took the fire in his hand, and a knife; and they went both of them together.
7And Isaac spake unto Abraham his father, and said, My father: and he said, Here am I, my son. And he said, Behold the fire and the wood: but where is the lamb for a burnt offering?
8And Abraham said, My son, God will provide himself a lamb for a burnt offering: so they went both of them together.
9And they came to the place which God had told him of; and Abraham built an altar there, and laid the wood in order, and bound Isaac his son, and laid him on the altar upon the wood.
10And Abraham stretched forth his hand, and took the knife to slay his son.
11And the angel of the LORD called unto him out of heaven, and said, Abraham, Abraham: and he said, Here am I.
12And he said, Lay not thine hand upon the lad, neither do thou any thing unto him: for now I know that thou fearest God, seeing thou hast not withheld thy son, thine only son from me.
13And Abraham lifted up his eyes, and looked, and behold behind him a ram caught in a thicket by his horns: and Abraham went and took the ram, and offered him up for a burnt offering in the stead of his son.
14And Abraham called the name of that place Jehovahjireh: as it is said to this day, In the mount of the LORD it shall be seen.
15And the angel of the LORD called unto Abraham out of heaven the second time,
16And said, By myself have I sworn, saith the LORD, for because thou hast done this thing, and hast not withheld thy son, thine only son:
17That in blessing I will bless thee, and in multiplying I will multiply thy seed as the stars of the heaven, and as the sand which is upon the sea shore; and thy seed shall possess the gate of his enemies;
18And in thy seed shall all the nations of the earth be blessed; because thou hast obeyed my voice.
IN VERSE 1 THE WORD TEMPT WHICH ALSO MEANS TO TEST ALLOWS THE MIND TO RACE WITH ALL KINDS OF MEANINGS. WHICH MOST ARE NEGATIVE AND WRONG. THE TRUE MEANING IS TO PROVE. IN SCHOOL A TEST SHOWS YOU WHERE YOU ARE AND WHERE YOU NEED TO IMPROVE. IT'S LIKE A JOB INTERVIEW IN WHICH YOU TAKE A TEST SUCH AS TYPING. IT SHOWS YOUR CAPABILITY. IT DOES YOU NO HARM.
WHAT THE LORD ASK ABRAHAM TO DO SHOWED HIS TRUST IN THE LORD. THERE WAS NO HARM COMING TO ISAAC. IT WOULD SHOW ABRAHAN'S TRUST OR LACK THERE OF.
EITHER ABRAHAM WOULD SAY NO AND NOT FOLLOW GODS INSTRUCTION OR HE WOULD SAY YES AND FOLLOW. THE ANGELS WERE THERE TO STOP ANY HARM SHOULD ABRAHAM BE WILLING AND OBEDIENT TO FOLLOW GODS DIRECTION.
AS SOON AS ABRAHAM WAS WILLING TO SACRIFICE ISAAC WAS EVIDENT THE LORD STOPPED ANY HARM FROM COMING TO ISAAC.
ABRAHAM HAD TO LISTEN AND OBEY. THE LORD TOLD HIM WHERE TO GO AND WHAT TO DO. THE PLACE HAD BEEN PREPARED AND THIS TOOK YEARS. THE BUSH HAD TO GROW AND BE STRONG ENOUGH TO ENTANGLE THE RAMS HORNS AND HOLD HIM. THE RAM HAD TO BE BORN AND GROW IN THE AREA. PLANTS HAD TO GROW THAT WOULD CAUSE STRONG HORNS TO GROW ON THE RAM. PLANTS THE RAM LIKED TO EAT WOULD HAVE TO GROW IN THE AREA AND IN THE BUSH CAUSING THE RAM TO STICK HIS HEAD IN THE BUSH. ABRAHAM HAD TO GO TO THE RIGHT MOUNTAIN OR HE WOULD BE IN THE WRONG PLACE. HE HAD TO BE WHERE GOD TOLD HIM OR THE RAM AND ABRAHAM WOULD BE IN DIFFERENT PLACES AND ABRAHAM WOULD MISS HIS INTERSECTION WITH GOD.
ABRAHAN'S OBEDIENCE WAS YEARS IN THE MAKING. LISTENING AND OBEYING GOD AND SEEING HIS FAITHFULNESS. GOD PREPARED THE RAM WHICH WAS YEARS IN THE MAKING SO IT WOULD COME DOWN THAT PATH THAT DAY.
IT IS ALL ABOUT WALKING BY FAITH, TRUST, LISTENING, AND OBEDIENCE. NOT WALKING BY OUR SENSES.
SO IF WE MISS OUR INTERSECTION WITH GOD WE WILL HAVE TO REPENT AND START OVER AND GOD WILL HAVE TO START WORKING IT ALL OUT AGAIN. IT MAY TAKE SOME TIME TO GET US BACK TO WHERE WE SHOULD BE. SO LET'S WORK AT OBEYING AND BEING IN THE RIGHT PLACE AT THE RIGHT TIME SO WE DON'T MISS OUR DAILY PLACE AND TIME FOR GODS INTERSECTIONS IN OUR LIVES.
IT'S ALL ABOUT TRUST AND OBEDIENCE AND WALKING BY FAITH AND NOT BY SIGHT.

AS A MAN THINKETH IN HIS HEART SO IS HE. PERCEIVE - PERCEIVING - PERCEPTION

HOW YOU PERCEIVE A THING CAN PUT INTO BONDAGE OR SET YOU FREE. PERCEIVE: TO BECOME AWARE OF SOMETHING THROUGH THE SENSES...... SIGHT, HEARING, FEELING, TASTING, OR SMELLING. IT IS VERY IMPORTANT WHAT YOU SPEND TIME LOOKING AT AND LISTENING TOO. THERE WAS AN EXPERIMENT DONE WITH A PIRANHA FISH PLACED IN A SMALL GLASS CUBE AND SET IN THE MIDDLE OF A BIG AQUARIUM. THE AQUARIUM WAS FILLED WITH GOLDFISH. THE PIRANHA WOULD START TO GO FOR A FISH AND BUMP INTO THE GLASS CUBE SIDE . AFTER A FEW TIMES THE PIRANHA STOPPED TRYING BECAUSE HE REALIZED HE COULD NOT GET TO THE GOLDFISH. THE CUBE WAS REMOVED FROM AROUND THE PIRANHA AND HE WAS FREE TO ATTACK THE GOLDFISH AT WILL. HE DID NOT ATTEMPT EVEN ONCE TO GO FOR A GOLDFISH. HE STAYED IN HIS SPOT AS THOUGH THE CUBE WAS STILL AROUND HIM. HE DIED OF STARVATION IN A TANK FULL OF FOOD BECAUSE HIS PERCEPTION WAS THAT HE COULD NOT GET TO THE FOOD AND HE GAVE UP TRYING. NEVER GIVE UP TRYING BECAUSE YOU WILL BUMP UP AGAINST A WALL WHEN YOU START TO WALK BY FAITH IN AN AREA AND UNTIL YOU BECOME SETTLED IN YOUR HEART THAT GODS WORD IS TRUE AND TOTALLY BELIEVE AND TRUST HIM IT WILL BE LIKE THE PIRANHA IN THE CUBE. ONCE FAITH IS SOLID IN YOU IT WILL REMOVE THE CIRCUMSTANCES AND YOU WILL BE ABLE TO OBTAIN YOUR GOAL. NEVER GIVE UP. EVEN THE DEVIL FALLS FOR THIS. HE GAVE UP ON ATTACKING JOB. JOB HAD GOTTEN INTO FEAR AND HIS PROTECTING HEDGE WAS DOWN. THE DEVIL HAD TRIED SO MANY TIMES TO GET TO HIM AND COULDN'T THAT HE GAVE UP. HE TOLD THE LORD JOB HAS A HEDGE AROUND HIM, BUT IN REALITY IT WAS NO LONGER THERE BECAUSE JOB HAD GOTTEN INTO FEAR AND OUT OF FAITH. 2nd COR. 5:7 FOR WE WALK BY FAITH NOT BY SIGHT FAITH: TRUTHFULNESS, CONVICTION, AND CONSISTENCY SIGHT: EXTERNAL APPEARANCE, THAT WHICH IS EXPOSED TO VIEW, THAT WHICH STRIKES THE EYE. WHAT IS YOUR REALITY? THAT WHICH STRIKES THE EYE. THAT WHICH IS EXPOSED TO VIEW. YOU CAN CHANGE SEEN THINGS BY BELIEVING IN THINGS NOT SEEN. WHAT YOU PUT INTO YOUR HEART WILL BE WHAT YOU BRING INTO EXISTENCE IN THIS WORLD. GOOD OR BAD. PROVERBS 23:7 AS A MAN THINKETH IN HIS HEART SO IS HE. THINKETH: ESTIMATES: TO FORM AN APPROXIMATE OPINION OF ( SIZE, AMOUNT, NUMBER, ETC. ) TO FORM AN APPROXIMATE OPINION ABOUT, A ROUGH CALCULATION BASED ON INCOMPLETE DATA. YOU CREATE YOUR WORLD FROM YOUR HEART AND WHAT IS IN IT. THAT IS THE WAY GOD MADE YOU. AS A MAN ESTIMATES IN HIS HEART FROM INFORMATION GATHERED WHETHER RIGHT OR WRONG IT WILL FORM A PERCEPTION OF HIMSELF, AND HE WILL MOVE TOWARDS THAT AND IT BECOME A REALITY IN HIS LIFE. WHEN THE 12 SPIES OF ISRAEL WENT INTO THE PROMISED LAND TO SCOUT IT OUT, THEY HAD WHAT THE LORD HAD SAID WHICH WAS TO GO IN A POSSESS IT FOR THEY WERE WELL ABLE. AS THEY WENT IN THEY GOT DISTRACTED BY THE SIZE OF THE PEOPLE THAT LIVED THERE WHICH WERE GIANTS. THEY ALLOWED WHAT THEY SAW TO EFFECT THEIR JUDGEMENT. THEIR PERCEPTION WAS THAT THEY WERE AS GRASSHOPPERS IN THEIR OWN SIGHT SO THEN WERE THEY IN THE GIANTS SIGHT. AND THIS DEFEATED THEM. NEVER WALK BY WHAT YOU SEE FOR IT IS ONLY A CIRCUMSTANCE AND SUBJECT TO CHANGE. WHAT THE LORD SAYS WILL CHANGE THE REALITY OF THE WORLD WE LIVE IN SHOULD WE CHOOSE TO BELIEVE AND STAND ON IT. PROVERBS 4:20-27 NEW LIVING New Living Translation (NLT)Passage Proverbs 4:20-27: 20 My child, pay attention to what I say. Listen carefully to my words. 21 Don’t lose sight of them. Let them penetrate deep into your heart, 22 for they bring life to those who find them, and healing to their whole body. 23 Guard your heart above all else, for it determines the course of your life. 24 Avoid all perverse talk; stay away from corrupt speech. 25 Look straight ahead, and fix your eyes on what lies before you. 26 Mark out a straight path for your feet; stay on the safe path. 27 Don’t get sidetracked; keep your feet from following evil. VERSE 23 SAYS THAT WHAT IS IN YOUR HEART DETERMINES THE COURSE OF YOUR LIFE. ONE DAY A FEW WEEKS AGO I WAS IN THE KITCHEN AND THE LORD STARTED TALKING TO MY HEART. HE ASK ME ABOUT SOMETHING THAT I HAD NOT THOUGHT ABOUT FOR MANY, MANY YEARS. HE SAID,"DO YOU REMEMBER THE SIMULATOR AT THE MALL IN KANSAS CITY?" I SAID,"I SURE DO." HE WANTED TO SHOW ME SOME THINGS ABOUT AN EXPERIENCE WE ALL HAD THAT DAY AND HOW EASY IT IS TO LET OUR SENSES RULE OUR WORLD AND CHANGE THE REALITY WE LIVE IN. THIS IS THE STORY THAT HAPPENED TO US THAT DAY AT THE MALL. MY WIFE AND DAUGHTER WENT SHOPPING IN THE STORES THAT THEY LIKED, AND THE 3 BOYS AND I WENT LOOKING AROUND. WE CAME UPON A SIMULATOR. IT WAS A BIG RECTANGLE SHAPED BOX. KINDA LIKE A SMALL MOBIL HOME SETTING ON A STAND WITH HYDRAULIC CYLINDERS AND CABLES AND WIRING HOOKED TO AND COMING OUT OF IT. THESE CABLES WERE LINKED TO A COMPUTER SYSTEM THAT CONTROLLED THE HYDRAULICS AND THE ELECTRONICS IN THE SIMULATOR. WE PAID 5 DOLLARS AND GOT INTO THE SIMULATOR. IT HAD A VIDEO SCREEN AT THE FRONT AND A BUNCH OF SEATING WITH A CONSOLE THAT HAD OPENINGS FOR AIR FLOW IN AND AROUND EACH SEAT. I GOT ON THINKING ..." MAKE ME THINK I'M REALLY IN THE SITUATION THEY WERE SIMULATING. " OTHERS GOT ON WANTING TO GET LOST IN THE NEW REALITIES THAT THE SIMULATOR WOULD PROVIDE. OTHERS DIDN'T HAVE A CLUE AS TO WHAT WAS ABOUT TO HAPPEN. AS THE PICTURE APPEARED ON THE SCREEN IT WAS FROM THE EYE VIEW LIKE YOU WERE SEEING IT FROM YOUR OWN EYES. WE WERE ON A ROLLER COASTER AND THE SIMULATOR WAS ROCKING AND ELEVATING AND DROPPING TO THE PICTURE OUR EYES WERE VIEWING. FANS WOULD PUFF AIR ON US FROM DIFFERENT DIRECTIONS TO MATCH WHAT WE WERE SEEING. SOON IT BECAME SO REAL ALL THE FEELINGS A PERSON WOULD NORMALLY HAVE IN THAT SITUATION FLOODED MY BODY AND MIND. THE COASTER AS IT FLEW UP A HILL CAME OFF THE TRACKS AND THE FEELING WAS SO INTENSE JUST LIKE BEING THROWN OUT INTO THE AIR AND AS YOU WERE STARTING TO FALL IT WENT INTO THE COCKPIT OF A SMALL PLANE AND YOU FELT JUST LIKE YOU WERE THERE FLYING. IT BECAME SO REAL IF YOU DIDN'T CONTROL YOUR THOUGHTS YOU WOULD GET LOST IN THAT REALITY AND FEEL ALL THE SENSATIONS OF REALLY BEING IN WHAT WAS SIMULATED. YOU HAD TO THINK OUTSIDE THE BOX TO KEEP A FOCUS ON WHAT WAS REAL. THE TRUTH IS IT WAS A BOX AND WIRES AND HYDRAULICS AND VIDEO AND COMPUTERS. WHEN WE GOT OFF AND MY WIFE AND DAUGHTER SHOWED UP WE GOT THEM TO GO ON IT. IN THE BOX WAS NOT TRUE REALITY. AS THE SIMULATOR STARTED WE WERE WATCHING FROM OUTSIDE. THE BOX DIDN'T MOVE MORE THAT A FEW FEET ELEVATION AT THE FRONT AND MOST OF THE TIME ONLY INCHES. WE HEARD SCREAMS COMING FROM INSIDE THE BOX. I HEARD MY WIFE SCREAMING IT'S NOT REAL, IT'S NOT REAL. WE DIDN'T KNOW WHAT WAS GOING ON INSIDE THE BOX ONLY WHAT WE COULD HEAR. GETTING IN A SIMULATOR YOU MAY NOT KNOW EVERYTHING THAT IS GOING TO BE SIMULATED. SOME PEOPLE WHO ARE DEATHLY AFRAID OF THINGS MAY COME ACROSS THAT VERY THING IN THE SIMULATION. YOU CANNOT GET UP AND RUN. IF YOU GET LOST IN THE SIMULATION IT CAN BE VERY BAD FOR THAT PERSON. MY WIFE SAID THE LADY BEHIND HER WAS VERY AFRAID OF ROLLER COASTERS AND EVEN THOUGH IT WASN'T REAL .. IT BECAME REAL TO HER THROUGH THE DECEPTION OF HER SENSES. SHE WAS GOING INTO A CARDIAC ARREST UNTIL MY WIFE BROKE IN AND BROUGHT HER BACK TO THE TRUTH.. IT IS NOT REAL. ALL THE THINGS IN THE BOX WERE REAL BUT THEY WERE NOT THE TRUE REALITY OF WHAT WAS HAPPENING TO YOU. BUT YOUR SENSES LEFT UNCHECKED CAN DECEIVE YOU INTO BELIEVING THAT IT IS YOUR STATE. THAT IS WHY WE WALK BY FAITH AND NOT BY SIGHT. WHEN A SICKNESS OR WHATEVER IS APPEARING ON YOUR BODY OR IN YOUR BODY IT IS TRUE THAT IT IS THERE, BUT THE TRUTH IS JESUS TOOK A BEATING FOR YOUR HEALING AND BY HIS STRIPES YOU ARE HEALED. YOU MUST BELIEVE THE WORD OVER WHAT YOU SEE IN ORDER TO CHANGE THE REALITY THAT YOU HAVE. IF YOU EVER WANT TO CHECK AND SEE HOW MUCH YOU ARE LEANING ON WHAT YOU SEE JUST GET INTO A SIMULATOR AND YOU WILL FIND OUT. JOEL OSTEEN TOLD OF A MAN THAT WORKED ON RAIL CARS. THEY WERE WORKING ON SOME REFRIGERATOR CARS AND AT THE END OF THE DAY SOME HOW HE GOT LOCKED INSIDE ON OF THEM. HE GOT SO FREAKED OUT HE CLAWED THE INSIDE OF THE RAIL CAR TRYING TO GET OUT. HE HAD SCRATCHED A NOTE ON THE WALL. IT SAID THE CAR WAS TO COLD TO SURVIVE AND THAT HE WAS FREEZING TO DEATH. WHEN THEY OPENED THE CAR THE NEXT DAY HE WAS DEAD. THE AUTOPSY REVEALED THAT THE MAN HAD FROZE TO DEATH. THE PROBLEM WAS THAT THE CAR WASN'T FUNCTIONAL AND THE REFRIGERATOR WASN'T WORKING. THE TEMPERATURE IN THE CAR WAS 62 DEGREES. THIS MAN BELIEVED IN HIS HEART AND MIND THAT IT WAS WORKING AND THAT HE WAS FREEZING TO DEATH AND HE DID EVEN THOUGH THE TRUTH WAS TOTALLY DIFFERENT . WHAT YOU TRULY BELIEVE YOUR HEART AND MIND PREPARES YOU TO RECEIVE. WHEN JESUS WALKED ON THE WATER AND PETER SAID LORD IF IT IS YOU BID ME TO COME. JESUS SAID COME. PETER GOT OUT OF THE BOAT IN THE STORM AND WALKED TOWARD HIM. HE WAS WALKING BY FAITH IN THE WORD JESUS SPOKE. AS HE WALKED HE WAS DISTRACTED BY THE WAVES AND THE WIND AND GOT FOCUSED ON THAT AND BEGAN TO SINK. YOUR SENSES WILL AMPLIFY THE PROBLEM TO THE POINT THAT THE PROBLEM IS ALL YOU SEE IF YOU LET THEM. THE WAVES AND THE WIND DIDN'T MATTER. IT WAS WINDY AND HUGE WAVES WERE THERE WHEN HE STEPPED OUT. HE PERCEIVED HE COULD WALK ON WATER BECAUSE JESUS SAID COME. HE DIDN'T SINK UNTIL HE ALLOWED HIS SENSES TO SPEAK LOUDER AND LET FEAR AND DOUBT IN. WE MUST NOT LET OUR SENSES CONTROL WHAT WE BELIEVE.