Embrace His Grace

We are, too often, just taking the grace of God for granted. I like what the Message Bible says about grace upon grace, in John 1:16, it is translated as gift upon gift. And the verse I have so come to love and depend on is John 14:27, about His peace, and that too is a gift.

So many verses will tell you about grace but do we really see them and embrace them as gifts. There are fruits of the Spirit, Galatians 5:22,23 and they are gifts, the gifts of the Spirit, 1 Corinthians 12, and so many more. Are gifts and grace one in the same or two separate, I can see both points.

Salvation is a gift from God, Ephesians 2:8, and it is by grace. It’s nothing that we deserve or earn only that we repent and ask for His forgiveness, believing in His love by sending and sacrificing His beloved Son.  If it wasn’t for grace, we would not be saved at all, and if it were not that He sends sufficient grace to endue as He told Paul, we wouldn’t make it either.

I read a commentary suggesting that graces are for everyone while gifts are apparently for a few. Many signs and wonders were necessary to draw believers to God but they are still around. True, we are all under grace as believers, but I can see how they are both gifts and graces. However, I did agree that both are divine and from God, but I realize that they are according to a person’s will, and that the Spirit also gives as He sees fit as we grow in grace. Many people never mature or bear fruit.

Not everyone will get this concept but that’s alright, The main idea is not to cheapen or disrespect the grace of God. Not everyone is willing to love like Jesus, even as a believer. Not all believe in spiritual gifts or miracles, healing or tongues, but they do exist. I see way too much in the way of tempers flaring even in the body of Christ, let’s not forget that we are expected not only to embrace His grace but respect it, cherish it.

But grace was given to each one of us according to the measure of Christ’s gift. Ephesians 4:7 English Standard

But even greater is God’s wonderful grace and His gift of righteousness, for all who receive it will live in triumph over sin and death through this one man, Jesus Christ. Romans 5:17 New Living

It is the same today, for a few of the people of Israel have remained faithful because of God’s grace—his undeserved kindness in choosing them.  And since it is through God’s kindness, then it is not by their good works. For in that case, God’s grace would not be what it really is—free and undeserved. Romans 11:5,6

In His grace, God has given us different gifts for doing certain things well. So if God has given you the ability to prophesy, speak out with as much faith as God has given you. Romans 12:6 New Living

But He gives more grace. Why he said, God resists the proud, but gives grace to the humble. James 4:6

A lot of people, like myself, find themselves being more of a giver, than receiver. But we are to freely receive His grace and have great admiration and respect for this gift. Have you ever had someone offer to pay for lunch and refuse, or say that gift is ” too much “, or ” You shouldn’t have! ”

Well, God shouldn’t have, didn’t have to but He loved us enough to send Jesus. And what if He had not? Where would we be? We had to receive and love Him and allow Him to love us and teach us wisdom and grace. We did cost Him too much but He thought we were worth it. Let’s look at a couple of examples of how Jesus exemplified humility and grace, and how different the responses were from a man, religious, and a woman, once a sinner.

In John 13, Jesus washes the feet of His disciples. He humbles Himself before them. Washing feet was a servant’s task. Peter refused, but Jesus called Him out on it and He changed His mind. Perhaps, He thought it was too lowly a thing for Jesus to being doing or just that he wasn’t accepting such a token as a gift of love and grace. Like Peter, a lot of us speak before thinking it through.

And in one of my favorite stories, just two chapters before, Mary of Bethany came to anoint Jesus with and expensive perfume from her broken alabaster box. While Jesus was brought low before the disciples, Mary was humble before Him, she even wiped His feet with her hair as opposed to Jesus and His towel.

Both were submissive, Jesus to the Father, and Mary to Him. Jesus was cleansing them in a ritual sense but they were already clean from the spoken words He had said. He was girded with a towel, as an apparent covenant, a sort of covering.

Mary used her hair, which is also a covenant or covering in it made her a glorified woman in church history. Jesus said she anointed Him for death but He has anointed us for life. And it is time to embrace His gift of it, and to embrace His grace.

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Washed In The Water Of The Word

I took lots of baths as a child, but as I got older, getting clean became a hurried routine. I really never was a woman who got to lounge in the tub for very long. I  was even fortunate to soak my feet, I was always on the go. And I needed His rest. Not just sleep, that too, but spiritual rest.

But what does it mean to washed in the water of His Word? Well, it is a lot more than knowing it or reading it. It is letting it soak into  your spirit, past that flesh that longs for bubbles and perfumes, and quiet luxuries. We all like write about what pertains to women and how to apply it to our lives, and yes, there are cute sayings and positive affirmations of faith, but while we are striving to deal with the cares of the world, Jesus has already performed that ritual bath.

Without getting into detail or Hebraic study, Jews were required to be clean, a scribe had to be in order to write, a mistake meant starting over. There were ritual baths. Lepers were considered unclean, for instance, and the woman with the issue of blood, and certainly sinners were. There were requirements under the law that Jesus fulfilled under grace. He touched and healed the unclean, spoke to sickness and unclean spirits to leave. He spoke life to death, fear to love, and  yes, even though we may not always look or act like it, sinner to saint.

People here in the south are always talking about once saved, always saved, and I do agree. If you are truly saved you might wander but you are no longer a willing sinner, which is how we are to know or rather, recognize believers from those who just call themselves Christians. God’s love is pure and Christ sanctifies us. Grace is by not any means cheap, it cost Jesus dearly, yet people cheapen it daily with their own thoughts, words and ways. Can you backslide, go astray or even sin? Yes, which is why believers should keep a repentant heart. But you are washed in His Word, so keep them in your mind and heart, and in your mouth.

Salvation is a gift, freely given and we can’t brag about it, Ephesians 2:8, only what He has done for us. I heard a minister say that if we could lose our salvation we all would have by now, we are human, He isn’t. That is still not a license to sin. Let’s look at how Jesus has cleansed and sanctified us b washing us with the water of the Word.

You are already clean because of the word which I have spoken to you John 15:3 New King James

For husbands, this means love your wives, just as Christ loved the church. He gave up his life for her to make her holy and clean, washed by the cleansing of God’s word. Ephesians 5:25,26 New Living

Some of you were once like that. But you were cleansed; you were made holy; you were made right with God by calling on the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and by the Spirit of our God.1 Corinthians 6:11 New Living, previous verses list the sins…

Vessels were washed, sacrifices were washed but Jesus is our mediator to heaven, so He has cleansed us and sanctified us. He loves the church like husbands should love their wives and wives their husbands, and there are just lines that are not to be crossed or confused. The blood and water flowed from His side and is not to be taken lightly, but He is our High Priest and we can go before Him in prayer as even Levitical priests could not.

….let us go right into the presence of God with sincere hearts fully trusting him. For our guilty consciences have been sprinkled with Christ’s blood to make us clean, and our bodies have been washed with pure water. Hebrews 10:22 New Living

I hope this helps you to understand why soaking in His Word and His presence is so necessary in these times, in order for the Spirit to help us discern, like we bathe our bodies, we must keep our spirits refreshed and renewed, so we know that we are washed in the water of His Word.

Thoughts On The Eclipse

A lot of people are interested in the eclipse of the sun tomorrow. Or maybe you got to see it. And it is very interesting, both from the scientific and Biblical point of view. You can’t look directly at it with out protecting your eyes, but how about protecting our hearts? We don’t need to be too focused on the heavens and not enough on the reality of heaven. And it is a difficult time we are in but also a blessed one for believers.

In Bible days, the people told times by signs and seasons, as told in Genesis. It was how crops were planted and the fields were to not be furrowed as a rest, the seventh year. It was how the Levitical priests kept the calendar. It was Nimrod who corrupted astronomy into astrology. It is just like God using numbers and symbols, but it can be misused in numerology and other ways. A lot of people ascribe human behavior to the moon and tides, and it is true that there are times that crime is higher, but spiritual warfare occurs at certain times as well, it often coincides with occult celebrations, and some of those are in the same time frames of Christian holidays.

Just like God works in cycles and seasons, the enemy always attempts to copy Him. But he fails, completely. Especially, when we are aware of the devices in his arsenal. Does the eclipse have any bearing on a season. It certainly could. We have had blood moons and then there is this verse, how else would a prophet, who doesn’t know the word eclipse describe them? Joel 2:31. Amos 8:9, Isaiah 13:10, for instance. But here’s what Jesus said using their term, about the days after the Great Tribulation. So, isn’t it interesting that we are getting a glimpse already?

Immediately after the tribulation of those days the sun will be darkened, and the moon will not give its light, and the stars will fall from heaven, and the powers of the heavens will be shaken. Matthew 24:29

This is shortly before His Second Coming, remember, when He Raptures the church, or catches it away. I believe the ” stars and powers ” He refers to are fallen angels, demons, principalities and powers. ” These spirits are real whether or not people believe it and affect an already fallen world that God has  planned to redeem by sending Jesus.

But when studying Revelation it is necessary to familiar with symbols and numbers, and have some knowledge of ancient history. No one knows when He is coming, not the day or hour. Jesus hints at the fall, but even He doesn’t know until God tells Him. When the evil has reached a peak and the last soul is saved, He will come, and when you’re not expecting Him! That’s why I do my best not to get lost in the shuffle of day to day, problems, politics, diseases, terrorists. The general chaos and confusion that surrounds us as we await the Lord.

Does the sun or moon have a bearing on behavior? I suppose it depends on the person and their practice and beliefs. As for the total eclipse of the sun, you need special glasses, and can only remove them when it is totally eclipsed, but just for a moment. It will be photographed enough, and scientists are study it all, there are even planes that will be able to get into the ionosphere. The sun’s corona, the ring around it will be all that is visible.

And even that is interesting. The Latin word for  crown or halo, is corona. Does the eclipse signal another outbreak? It is possible that the world will see another pandemic in the end of the age. It is the enemy of God that is behind the diseases that plague humanity in a fallen world, and God allows only so much before He steps in, one of the strains of Covid is Sars, the word sar means prince. Jesus described the devil as the prince of this world, but the Prince of Peace has defeated him and is with us.

So, we can be interested in the eclipse, and what goes on with the moon and sun, even stars. But like those, He calls us by name and I prefer to be more interested in the Son.  Does it have a bearing on God’s timetable and the coming events of history and eternity, we will see. And one day soon we will see Him coming in His glory.

https://science.nasa.gov/eclipses/future-eclipses/eclipse-2024/what-to-expect/

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How To Walk With God

Of all the things I have learned in  my life, I never thought I would have to learn to walk all over again, but I have had to after a long hospital stay and several leg surgeries. It is something we take for granted. Though I was never really a walker,  I didn’t expect to actually need one. And though not a jogger or runner, I knew some who were, people who ran in races, like our Peachtree Road Race in July. One of them once wrote that God told her, that at her height and weight, that He was in charge of her. She was overdoing it.

I liked to walk at antiques fairs, and the mall, even though I tended to tire. When women I knew went walking I never really could keep up. The slant of the road and cu de sac were too much for me. Even when I went to a charismatic convention, because I was studying and in need of healing, I remember a lady asking me why I was running, ” To get a seat! ” I replied. Though I couldn’t run as fast as most, and had nearly been pushed through a plate glass window, I was trying. Christians should not be stepping on or over each other, should they? Literally or figuratively. Jesus was thronged by crowds, but His power went a lot further than that, as it does today. He can heal you anywhere you are!

So, I started thinking about the best way to walk with God and I am leaving a few verses at the end of the post to meditate on.  We are to be an example, redeeming the time, but really, I believe that He is doing that for us. We have missed out on a lot because of attacks, wrong teaching, fear, worry, and lack of knowledge. We should walk worthy and in white, like the brides of Christ we were meant to be, and not abuse His grace.

I could give you a lot of examples of men and women in the Bible that walked with God and Jesus is the best example of that. Joseph has always been a favorite of mine, he talked about his walk and it angered the family. I can relate in some ways, it happens to all who choose to follow Him, they may lose friends or family over their decision to let Jesus be Lord. But a personal relationship with Him is worth it, it is eternal.

The one person that came to mind is Enoch. The Bible says that he walked with God and was not because God took him. So, Enoch never died. Now, I believe that he is one of the two witnesses that will die and lay in the streets of Jerusalem in Revelation, along with Elijah. Why? They never died but lived in a time when they would have had to, unlike those of us who are alive and remaining when the Rapture or catching away of the church comes. Jesus even spoke of a wicked generation that wanted a sign, what He called the sign of Jonah, referring to His death and resurrection is a sign that the Jews would understand about the prophets then, Matthew 12:39.

I have a book that includes some lost texts of the Bible. The book of Enoch is in it. Actually, I never read it all. I am somewhat skeptical of old manuscripts, they may or may not be authentic. A lot of them may have been copied and just signed with that name. The Bible mentions the book of Jasher, and Josephus was a Roman historian who recorded a lot of Jewish exploits. I encourage readers to study but to let the Holy Spirit be the best teach and help to discern.

For instance, I have heard that many believe the two witnesses are Moses and Elijah, but Moses dies and was buried by God, no one knows the location, though some claim to. The Bible is an accurate historical text, since it is the Word of God, we know the Holy Spirit directed what was to be in it, it contains all that is necessary to be saved. And it interprets itself and might appear to contradict, but that isn’t so. We learn more and more, and one day will know all the answers in heaven.

But what about Enoch? Well, he is mentioned in Genesis 5:23 and Hebrews 11:5, as well as few other verses, Enoch was the seventh from Adam and also the father of the oldest man, Methusaleh. It is believed that he walked in God’s rest, a place of perfection not seen since the fall. In the next chapter before the flood, Noah also walked with God, before the flood.

Enoch was also a prophet and saw what was coming, perhaps, even the falling of angels and the latter days before the coming of Christ. We might have clues to what happened and is about to, in the heavens and on earth.  Let’s read it.

Enoch, who lived in the seventh generation after Adam, prophesied about these people. He said, “Listen! The Lord is coming with countless thousands of His holy ones ( angels ) to execute judgment on the people of the world. He will convict every person of all the ungodly things they have done and for all the insults that ungodly sinners have spoken against Him. “

These people are grumblers and complainers, living only to satisfy their desires. They brag loudly about themselves, and they flatter others to get what they want. Jude 1:14-16, you may want to read the chapter.

I am not here to speculate and whether you agree or disagree is not a problem. But I think that our walk with God can be half hearted or whole hearted, or even non existent. There is a lot of deception. Grace is not one but it is being abused. Perhaps, we should rethink our own walk and reflect on His mercy and hope to live like Enoch, contemplative, conveying divine completion and rest, God knows we are not perfected but His love is all that will ever perfect humanity. And many will not believe.

I therefore, a prisoner for the Lord, urge you to walk in a manner worthy of the calling to which you have been called, with all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another in love, 3eager to maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. Ephesians 4:1,2

So I say, let the Holy Spirit guide your lives. Then you won’t be doing what your sinful nature craves. Galatians 5:16 New Living

And so, from the day we heard, we have not ceased to pray for you, asking that you may be filled with the knowledge of His will in all spiritual wisdom and understanding, so as to walk in a manner worthy of the Lord, fully pleasing to Him: bearing fruit in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of God…Colossians 1:9,10

So we are always of good courage. We know that while we are at home in the body we are away from the Lord, or we walk by faith, not by sight. 2 Corinthians 5:6

But if we walk in the light, as He is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus, His Son cleanses us from all sin. 1John 1:7

There are many other verses about our walk or walking with God or His ways. Why not do your own study. And really, ” walk ” translates to how we live. So, let’s pray to walk worthy, we are in evil times and only God can truly redeem us, He loved us enough to send His Son. And He’s coming again for believers, then all the way to earth in the Second Coming to ultimately destroy that enemy, the devil.

Look carefully then how you walk, not as unwise but as wise, making the best use of the time, because the days are evil. Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the will of the Lord is. Ephesians 5:17

We can keep Him in our thoughts, walk with God and like Enoch, be taken when Jesus comes.

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All verses from English Standard Version unless noted.

Where Have We Laid Him?

I was actually starting to do laundry and the thought hit me, the words that Mary Magdalene to Jesus thinking He was the gardener or groundskeeper. In tears, at the Lord’s absence from the tomb she asked, ” Where have they laid Him? “

She knew the tomb was donated and thought they may have moved Him, or that perhaps, the disciples or family had. It was pretty obvious that she was surprised when He made Himself known to her, so much so that she went to embrace Him and He replied that she should not touch Him for He had not ascended to the Father yet. That was early in the morning, and the time that Jewish tradition says that God visits the earth.

What a glimpse and insight into history and heaven this once wicked woman received. Proof of His love, forgiveness and sacrifice. It is also of her deliverance, for seven devils left her. And yet, she carried the good news of the resurrection to the frightened disciples.

Mary Magdalene may have heard of the resurrection, of Lazarus, or even others but she was witness to the Lord, Himself, moments after He we was raised from the dead. So my mind raced to the question, ” Where have we laid Him? ” Are we too often leaving Him on the cross or in the tomb, or even far away in heaven when He is so near us? Do we mistake Him for someone else? I have found that appearances are deceiving, aren’t they? It is why we must have a pure heart for Jesus, and not lay our faith aside,

There were clothes on both the washer and dryer. We lay things everywhere sometimes, until we get them put away, mail, groceries, etc. I leave a lot more lying around than I used to as I have had to learn His rest. And I had misplaced my glasses the other day and searched frantically for them, I even prayed to find them, I did not have a spare pair. It was beginning to get to me, so I laid on my bed to pray once more. In a moment of quiet clarity, though I had searched my room thoroughly, I felt Him telling me that they were close by and that I was just missing them. So I started looking again and shook a purple blanket. ” Crack! ” They slid across the floor unbroken.

Oh, I had already shaken the blanket, and not just me, my mother came to search as well and she shook it too. The point is that we are sometimes looking for Jesus and miss Him. He may be like the gardener to us, if we keep Him in a Bible on a shelf, on a cross around our neck, or just in a church service. He is not in the linens, either.

Unlike Mary Magdalene, we are able to touch a resurrected Lord, and He is nearby. Not in the chaos or the crowds, He moved through them and overcame the world for us to have eternal life, He is in the quiet of the morning sunrise, the late afternoon nap, the evening walk in the garden or by the sea. I believe that it was God that walked in the Garden of Eden in the form of Jesus. Now, He walks with us in the Holy Spirit, and we have to discern His voice above others.

He is in the songs we sing and the prayers we pray, the praise we offer to Him. He is in us and we in Him in Spirit. And He is our resurrection and life, even in this life, our springtime, our Passover and our peace.

” Where have we laid Him? ” My glasses were on the bed beside me, though usually there are in a case or in my hand. They got wrapped up in a blanket. It took some effort for them to come out. It took the power of the Spirit to free Jesus from grave clothes, there was no room at the inn when He was born, a parallel to His death. There was no room in the tomb! And I am so glad of that!

The Spirit shook Him from the grip of death, and now, it is we that are in the palm of His hand. I hope you have a blessed holiday weekend, and remember that Jesus is not misplaced and neither is our faith in Him. No matter how lost we were, He found us, saved us, keeps us close. May we all be blanketed in His love and joy know the tomb is still empty but He fills us joy!

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As a side note: Jews kept time in twelve hour shifts, day, night, though we celebrate Good Friday and the Resurrection on the first day of the week, Sunday, Saturday being the Sabbath. It does appear likely that He was crucified on Thursday during Passover that year, for Him to have been entombed three days, Friday, Saturday, Sunday and nights, Thursday, Friday, Saturday. Whatever it was, God has His time and its perfect.

How The Word Heals

In the book of John, my favorite gospel, Jesus is described as being the Word, sent by God, made flesh. Even back in the days before He came, healing is mentioned as being sent and spoken by God. Psalm 103:20 is a prophetic word about the coming of the Messiah, He sent His Word and healed them. And He did! And He does!

I really think that with Resurrection Sunday approaching we should not only remember the cross, but even go beyond it. What do I mean by that? God healed before He sent Jesus, He sent Jesus as the Living Word to heal and deliver. And He was walking the the full measure of the Holy Spirit with God’s complete power and authority. No wonder we fall short of glory, thank God for grace. And no wonder that we also are weak, but strong because the greater one is in us, 1 John 4:4.

Healing, no matter what anyone tells you, comes from within. It comes from your faith, your heart and mind, your very being and essence of your soul as you draw near to Him, He is drawing near to you, James 4:8. And fear does get in the way, but He is greater than fear. And we can approach the throne of grace with confidence, Hebrews 4:16. A lot us of believe we are unworthy, and we are but He made us worthy on the cross.

Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness and people were healed of actual bites. Jesus was lifted on a cross in the same manner and people are healed and delivered of everything. The serpent in Moses day was made of brass. It was abundant in Canaan and used in the temple, it is strong and hard and can be polished. It was used for heavy gates and doors as well as other other vessels.

Brass can also signify obstinance and sin, a hard heart. The medical emblem in use, even now, is still entwining serpents on a staff. And what about the red cross? Yes, the Word was made flesh also died to bring healing and salvation to more people of all nationalities. Now, He has sent His Spirit to teach believers.

For God made Christ, who never sinned, to be the offering for our sin, so that we could be made right with God through Christ. 2 Corinthians 5:21 New Living Read the whole chapter.

The only one who never sinned, was allowed to become sin in order to save us. So, we need to reverence and respect that cross, and never forget His sacrifice but we want to grow in grace beyond a crucified Lord to a risen and coming again one. And He is coming, there is far to much opposition coming against believers. He healed sinners, even raised the dead and Himself to show His power, should He not heal believers?

He is still sending His word to heal, in many ways. From study the Word of God and speaking and praying it over ourselves and loved ones, praying in tongues,  to the laying on of hands or Holy Communion. We are touching the hem of His garment still.

While many see death as the ultimate in healing, and certainly, believers are freed and healed and in His presence. Many will be alive and remaining when He comes, they too will be healed and changed in an instant and I believe He wants us to see how God sent His Word and healed them even before then and believe it.

Death was only on the cross, so Jesus could defeat it! You don’t have to die to receive salvation, or His peace, it is a gift, John 14:27. I realize many people tire of the battle but it the Lord’s in any case and believers are victorious. We are all beneficiaries to His will and testament as believers.

But we see Him who for a little while was made lower than the angels, ( human ) namely Jesus, crowned with glory and honor because of the suffering of death, so that by the grace of God He might taste death for everyone. Hebrews 2:9 English Standard

Notice the phrase ” by the grace of God “, He was very much all man and yet by the Spirit, all God. Salvation is a gift, Ephesians 2:8, and only by grace. We can’t earn it, we didn’t and perhaps don’t deserve it. Though He made good plans for us, we may not fulfill them as thoroughly as He would like. But He loves and He is still the Word, glorified and among us, and still healing.

I was reminded of the man at the pool of Bethesda, a ritual bath near the temple. When an angel stirred the waters, people rushed to be healed. Jesus cleanses us when we believe. When asked if he wanted to be healed, the man said he had no one to help him into the water. Jesus didn’t say he would help him, he told him to take up his mat and walk.

Now, the mat represented rest. Jesus is our rest. He has already provided the sacrifice and we remember that not only this season but everyday. Isaiah looked forward to the cross, but Peter back to it and he was there, it went from by His stripes or wounds we are healed to were healed in 2 Peter 2:24.

Maybe, you’re  feeIing that you have no one to help, I know that all too well. And maybe, you really don’t. Caregivers get tired, insurance runs out or is a hassle, friends and family walk away. But Jesus doesn’t, He says rest in Him, don’t worry or fear, believe. I don’t want you to look back but forward, past the crucifixion, to the risen and coming Lord and rest in the promise, that He sent His Word and healed.

It is the same ( as  water ) with my word. I send it out, and it always produces fruit. It will accomplish all I want it to, and it will prosper everywhere I send it. You will live in joy and peace. Isaiah 55:11 New Living

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Esther Or Jesus?

Many of you may not realize that the Feast of Purim is this weekend. If you know the story of Esther or Hadassah, as she was known, you no doubt know about how she became the Queen of Persia, which is modern day Iraq.

Upon Queen Vashti’s refusal to be paraded before a drunken crowd, she was banished and the king decided to choose a new queen. Hadassah, who lived with her uncle Mordecai, was likely an orphan or taken in by someone who was simply referred to an uncle. However it was, his place in the palace was advantageous to her in becoming queen, though what she thought of it we can only guess. She was probably young.

The feast is to commemorate Esther’s decision to have faith and God’s plan to save the Jews from Haman, who was bent on their destruction. Not knowing about her being a Jewess was certainly his undoing. Like I said, we are familiar with the story. The Jews have faced lot of Hamans and no doubt are facing him again. Many countries and groups have made clear that they want Israel annihilated. And the talk of two states and peace is right in line with prophecy.

In Haman’s day, they cast lots. Much like the Jews would consult the high priest whose breastplate often decided who would go to war. While leaders may not do this now, they do consult leaders, politicians, and the military. And even some have still sought worldly advice and even astrologers, which is a bad idea. People are given to many diverse religions and practices, a lot of which are false and will mislead some who will wind up like Haman, and cause the destruction we have seen and what we hope not to see, the deaths of innocents, cruelty and famine, but the Bible says it is coming. I am not calling for anyone’s destruction but as long as there are wars there will be just that, I believe, until Jesus comes.

So, the question is, ” Does Israel need Esther or Jesus this Purim? ” Esther fasted and prayed and made her wish known to the king that her people be saved. And that was an earthly king not of her faith, he had a harem and wild parties, but God and Esther swayed him and he spared her people, and later he allowed the Jews to live in peace and even the walls of the city would be rebuilt. What would it be like for Jewish people to rethink Jesus as the Messiah, their heavenly king? Isn’t He the one who came to seek and save people from all walks of life, from different nations, if they would believe?

Perhaps, you aware of this prophetic word, I recommend reading the chapter.

Then I will pour out a spirit of grace and prayer on the family of David and on the people of Jerusalem. They will look on me whom they have pierced and mourn for Him as for an only son. They will grieve bitterly for Him as for a firstborn son who has died. The sorrow and mourning in Jerusalem on that day will be like the great mourning for Hadad-rimmon in the valley of Megiddo. Zechariah 12:10,11 New Living

Zecheriah and his contemporaries all lived in the same time or close together, there were many prophetic words, and the Jews were returning from captivity in Babylon but look what John says about Jesus. And He too, fasted and prayed, even wept over Jerusalem.

He came to His own, and His own people did not receive Him. John 1:11 English Standard

Megiddo is a battlefield from the Old Testament mentioned in Revelation 16:16 as once again the place of battle. Jerusalem is not a big city in comparison to some but was and is a place of diverse people, it is also in a very divided land. And the Bible says that a house divided will not stand, Matthew 12:25. The belief in Christ also divides people, but He was the one who conquered death on the cross and said He would return.

It is everyone’s choice whom they will believe in. Haman was the enemy then and the one who comes to steal, kill and destroy, which is the devil, John 10:10 is the real enemy of all. Jesus defeated him on the cross and one day, He will reign, the Prince of Peace and over a house and city of peace.

Esther

Healing Wings

“But for you who fear my name, the Sun of Righteousness will rise with healing in his wings. And you will go free, leaping with joy like calves let out to pasture. ” Malachi 4:2 New Living

This is a prophetic word for Israel, back in the day, after captivity. The verse specifies that the promise is not for everyone, but those who fear, reverence and respect God, who has many names, Jehovah Rapha for healing, for instance, Jehovah Maphalti, my deliverer. Healing and deliverance often go together, so we should not return to the problem we are delivered of, and He sent Jesus empowered with all the names.

While I never want to cause fear in anyone, there is good reason to be afraid if you are uncertain of eternity and it is ever closer. Let’s look closer at the verse. The sun is actually a feminine term in Hebrew, and yes, He represented as male but with qualities that are maternal to His children. Still, He set forth boundaries, for men and women. It is not my place to judge or confuse.

Then, we see Mary described as clothed with the sun in Revelation, He was telling them to turn back to Him, reverence His name and not the idolatry taught in Babylon. He was telling them that the Messiah was coming.

We know from history that Jesus was rejected and crucified, yet, the Son of righteousness came with healing in figurative and literal rays of light that surrounded Him in God’s glory, the wings of the dove of the Spirit had descended on Him and healing poured from Him.

We are going to talk a little more about healing as we come into the spring season. Though the cross is vital in the teaching of salvation and Christ’s sacrifice monumental and horrific, I believe He wants us to see Him as risen, He rose from the dead, lifts us out darkness. He came as the light of God into a dark world and paid the price for anyone who would truly believe.

Mary may have carried Him, but it was God who carried her through, to give birth to the truly righteous and worthy one that will rise again to show Himself to Israel as the Messiah. Many are falling away from faith, and many more will be deceived by a false Christ during the Great Tribulation. One who will allow false religion and lawlessness to rule, until Jesus’ Second Coming.

There are those, even now, who present a false image of Him. And I don’t mean the teaches of grace or healing, for both are very real. But God does not see as we do, Samuel said He looks at hearts. The Spirit discerns every motive and intent. It is not about having money or prosperity. God wants us to prosper. But He does not want us to abuse the grace message with willing sin or discount healing as many do as something that went out long ago.

I am sure a lot of people have read Acts 3, and not understood that He remains in heaven until the restoration all things. To me, that means He will catch up believers in the air, 1 Thessalonians 4:17, and return to defeat the Antichrist. While He restores heaven and earth later, we that remain are restored in the twinkling of an eye.

So, maybe, you have seen how the crippled drag their treasure out of captivity in the Ten Commandments movie. It was good, but not accurate, there was not one feeble among them, Exodus says they were led out like an army and then there is this…

Then He brought out Israel with silver and gold, and there was none among His tribes who stumbled. Psalm 105:37

So what happens when Jesus comes. He will take us to heaven, healed and with abundance where we have faced lack, and He will be the sun, in a sense, that He will return one day to rule and reign. There is no darkness in Him, 1 John 1:5. Who needs the sun when He is around, Revelation 21:23? Though the sun and moon are darkened, it could be eclipses. He is definitely the light, but would He create a new heaven and earth with no sun, moon and stars? I won’t speculate. He is the Son of righteousness, and when know His name, reverence and worship Him as Lord and healer, there is Healing in His wings.

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Healing Truths

I would like to tell you the truth about healing. Many believers are still unaware that it is a benefit of salvation, or that it is God’s will and that Jesus still heals. Let’s look at some truths and debunk the lies of the enemy. That said, I know all too well it can be difficult to believe if you have lost someone or are seriously ill yourself. Still, His truth remains, if we can be still and pay attention to His healing words, and accept that He is wiser than we are, and that He finished His work on the cross, and we are really on the other side of it, He is a gentle healer.

Healing went out with the disciples, when Jesus was here.

Jesus Christ, the same, yesterday, today and forever. Hebrews 13:8

He healed then, now and forever because we will be with Him forever as believers. I have seen miracles, consider myself one, but I have also seen those who have tired of the illnesses or attack and I do know of instances when a person hurt very badly chose to go to heaven. Healing, like salvation and our relationship with Christ is personal, and different people make different choices, even to not believe in it.

It is not His will to heal everyone.

This is what He said to a leper, who was virtually a walking dead man, who asked if He was willing. So, if He healed a leper, who was unclean and ostracized from society, why not us. I heard and Australian minister tell how a blind dog was prayed for and healed, in his Aussie accent, he said…” If He will heal a blind bulldog, He will heal you! ” I had a similar experience with a poodle who swallowed a huge chunk of an apple and was choking.

I am not being facetious, healing is serious and the souls that suffer are precious to God. Cancer is not harder for Him than a headache, His name is over it all. I have seen bones heal, immediately and one in two weeks rather than six, to a doctor’s amazement. It is His will, His perfect will, but He allows us to choose to believe, and we are often at varying degrees of faith, growing in grace and living in or remaining in a permissive will, ours, if not His allowing our faith to be tested. He never puts it on us.

Jesus reached out and touched him. “I am willing,” He said. “Be healed!” And instantly the leprosy disappeared. Matthew 8:3 New Living

Jesus healed everyone. Yes, the Bible says in the gospels that He healed them all, even Psalm 107:20 alludes to healing and Jesus as the Word, John 1. But see what happened in Nazareth.

And so He did only a few miracles there because of their unbelief. Matthew 13:58

Many people simply don’t understand that healing and deliverance is often together and yet, can be different or separate also. And some instances are recorded, the boy who threw himself into the fire, while there are seizures, there are also spirits that cause illnesses. The woman bent over, yes, there are bone diseases and this is described as a spirit of infirmity, which kept her bound eighteen years. Like the spirit that buffeted or struck Paul, it was from the enemy. And look at the madman in the tombs, who was possessed by a legion of demons.

You may remember that the disciples could not cure the boy and no one could stop the madman. Jesus explained that some things required prayer and fasting, and also that spirits will return with seven worse. So this explains why healing can sometimes appear to come and go, a return to sin and disobedience will do it too. He once healed ten and only one appeared grateful.

Often there is not discernment, in the person praying or the one receiving. Personally, I think there are some things that only Jesus can do, though He said we could do “greater works “, as believers, John 14:12, it is He who works through us and in us, how else could we do it? And He expanded His kingdom to greater regions of the world.

The woman with the issue of blood is one of my favorite passages, and then there is the man at the pool of Bethesda. Jesus asked him if he wanted to be healed and he said he had no one to help him in the pool. Unfortunately, he did not realize the Messiah was right there. An angel stirred the water of the ritual bath at times, much like we would think of Lourdes, while it was necessary to be cleansed before entering the temple then, He does that for us at salvation. We too, take take up our mats or figuratively, His rest, He is there all along. Another time He actually created eyes for a man that was blind.

Some people are not interested in ” faith healers “. I don’t like that term at all, James 5:14 states clearly that we can lay hands on the sick, however, 1 Timothy 5:22 tells us not to be too quick about it. People should study and be familiar with the processes, laying on of hands, anointing with oil and cloths, speaking in tongues, and Holy Communion, all ways we can be healed. I would use caution as to who prays for me, some beliefs may not mesh, and I hear too many pray, ” if it is His will. “

The Holy Spirit is also transferred by the laying on of hands, the gift of tongues is evidence of a powerful gift. There are gifts of the Spirit that discern spirits, and even work miracles but not everyone has them or uses them, most people rely on prayer, and like salvation, healing has to be received. I like to tell my readers that we live in a fallen world, and salvation, which includes many gifts, is a lifelong and ongoing process.

At one point, I thought I did not have the faith to be healed. I knew I was supposed to call it into existence, like God does, Romans 4:17 by speaking healing words and prayers and I did. It drew criticism from other believers, but I stood on faith. Admittedly, I was reluctant to take medicine, when I was younger, but I knew I needed it. It was not a lack of faith, Jesus certainly understands. The more faith you have, the more spiritual warfare you can also have.

Healing is physical, mental and spiritual, and all of them coming together certainly gives us peace and makes us whole. We are so used to not resting in Him but relying on ourselves, diet and exercise, vitamins. And even doctors and nurses, to an extent. And we should take advantage of medicines and people He sends, but it should not be our total source of faith.

When we begin to understand a healing Jesus and the price He paid as described in Isaiah 53, the Word made flesh in John enters our hearts and minds, and the enemy would steal it if he could, which is why we remain diligent and love a faithful God, who is Jehovah Rapha, the healer.

Jesus said to the woman, “You are now well because of your faith. May God give you peace! You are healed, and you will no longer be in pain.

Mark 5:34

I look forward to His total healing, and I believe He is coming to heal and deliver us soon. I know I say that with ongoing situations in my life, and people and love I know suffering and being oppressed. There are some in pain, in the hospital, hospice, He sees you, and that is a healing truth.

And you know that God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and with power. Then Jesus went around doing good and healing all who were oppressed by the devil, for God was with Him. Acts 10:38 New Living

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Am I Easily Deceived?

I wonder how many women have actually asked themselves that question? And more importantly was it answered truthfully and in the light of God’s Word? I know that I have been thought of as gullible, naïve, and even a little foolish sometimes for holding close to my faith. I am not easily deceived like I have been in the past. I try to look at me through His eyes and not those others that are prone to condemnation, there is none in Him, Romans 8:1.

I know I did not win a sweepstakes I never entered, I don’t believe in luck, nor did I ever play the lottery, but I always believed Jesus. Though some people think that God answers no, the only time I got that reply was when I was so very ill that I thought I would not make it, in fact, I was willing to go, that’s when He said no to me. And this was not my most recent experience, either.

Believing in healing is not a deception and I am going to write more about that later, we know that’s God’s promises are yes, and amen, but He can only amen what He knows is in our best interest, 2 Corinthians 1:20.  And He had His time, just read Ecclesiastes 3.

We are living in a time of deception, like a magic show that we realize is just a bunch of parlor tricks, spirits are trying to pass themselves off legitimate thoughts and ideas, and a lot are being bought into by both men and women. But often, even believers are not wise to them but God is. Many of us have had some ” Kodak moments ” when we someone’s true colors come shining through and often it is not a pretty picture.

There are truly beautiful women who are ugly and wicked inside. And men that are  certainly given to falling into Adam’s blame game. While she was deceived, he was a willing sinner, and yes, women are too. And yes, men are deceived, even easily by a pretty face and fabulous figure, and women can fall for the flattery, too.

Jesus gives us His Spirit to discern. There are ways to protect ourselves in the natural but we must be aware of the supernatural as well, and He has angels and His presence to protect us. Don’t be deceived, God is not going to mocked, He allows us to reap what we sow, Galatians 6:7 says.

Just go back and read how Jesus was mocked, scorned and ridiculed by the soldiers as He was crucified, and the religious were a part of the crowd, and they too played their part in His arrest and betrayal, and yet, it was He who willingly gave His life, they could not have crucified Him otherwise. What great lengths He went to for people to be rebellious, irreverent and deceitful.

People are being deceived about so many things theses days, even about what love really is and they even ignore the best example, Christ. All religions are not the same, even if they have some truths in them. Love is not  accepting  everything at face value, it is not always what it appears to be. What causes hate and fear, violence and what keeps you awake at night and troubles your soul is very possibly some deception, a tormenting spirit that gnaws away at you to keep you from knowing Jesus.

He uses dreams and visions, spiritual gifts but most people are not as adept at understanding what spiritual warfare even is. But He knows, so give Jesus a chance. Don’t deceive yourself that you cannot be saved, but we are running short on time. Don’t believe that He doesn’t love you or will accept you with a repentant heart, He hears you. He created you and He can deliver you from the evil one, who roams about deceiving people with drugs, the occult and immorality.

Don’t fall prey to deceptions and lies, here are some verses to help.

Now as He sat on the Mount of Olives, the disciples came to Him privately, saying, “Tell us, when will these things be? And what will be the sign of Your coming, and of the end of the age?”

And Jesus answered and said to them: “Take heed that no one deceives you. For many will come in My name, saying, ‘I am the Christ,’ and will deceive many. And you will hear of wars and rumors of wars. See that you are not troubled; for all these things must come to pass, but the end is not yet. For nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. And there will be famines, pestilences, and earthquakes in various places. All these are the beginning of sorrows. Matthew 24:3-8 New King James

You may want to read Ephesians 5 about deception and foolishness in order to discern what is real foolishness and to understand the next verse.

Let no one deceive himself. If anyone among you thinks that he is wise in this age, let him become a fool that he may become wise. 1 Corinthians 3:18 English Standard

Many people may think that being a true believer in Christ makes you hate or is foolish, but I believe it is love to at least tell them the truth, and then it is their decision, but I’d rather be foolish for Christ, 1 Corinthians 4:10, than to perish into a hellish eternity.

You should know this, Timothy, that in the last days there will be very difficult times. For people will love only themselves and their money. They will be boastful and proud, scoffing at God, disobedient to their parents, and ungrateful. They will consider nothing sacred. They will be unloving and unforgiving; they will slander others and have no self-control. They will be cruel and hate what is good. They will betray their friends, be reckless, be puffed up with pride, and love pleasure rather than God. They will act religious, but they will reject the power that could make them godly. Stay away from people like that! 2 Timothy 3:1-5 ( New Living,  Read the entire chapter. )

Revelation 9:21 tells what happens to those who don’t repent, though I believe the Lord will have come for His own by then and this is part of the Great Tribulation, what they are guilty of is going on now, and will obviously get worse, don’t wait and be easily deceived. One day, it will be too late, when the Antichrist appears, He will mock what is holy and sacred and deceive many, and 2 Thessalonians 2:12 says,  ” Then they will be condemned for enjoying evil rather than believing the truth. ”

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