Stuff We Learn from Jehoshaphat

Text: 2 Chronicles 20:1-30

Jehoshaphat was the fourth king of Judah and the son of Asa. As one of David's descendants, he had a lifestyle of devotion to God, seeking God, crying out to God, and instructing people in the ways of God. 2 Chronicles 17:3-6, 18:4, 31, and 19:9, 10 give glimpses of this.

Here are seven things we learn from Jehoshaphat's life, particularly during an impending war described in 2 Chronicles 20:1-30.


1. WAR WILL ALWAYS COME UPON YOU (v. 1-2)

Life is a battlefield between two kingdoms -- the kingdom of darkness and the kingdom of God. Whether you seek it or not, ask for it or not, expect it or not, some other "kingdom" will always want to come and invade your life.


2. MAKE A HABIT OF GOING TO GOD FIRST (v. 3-4)

Jehoshaphat made a lifestyle of seeking God and inquiring of Him, which is a good thing to do because He knows the best way out of a tight situation.


3. MAGNIFY GOD, NOT YOUR PROBLEM (v. 5-12)

When Jehoshaphat started praying to God, he recalled all the mighty things the Lord had done for him and his people in the past. He focused on the size of his God, not the vastness of the army coming to attack him.


4. WHEN YOU SEEK GOD, YOU WILL FIND HIM (v. 14-17)

The king called a fast over the nation and they sought God. The Spirit of the Lord filled the prophet Jahaziel and he spoke the Lord's counsel over the nation. They got instructions from God because they asked for it. When we pray and asked the Lord for wisdom, guidance, etc, we should have expectant hearts to receive His answer.


5. WHEN YOU GET A WORD FROM THE LORD, YOU WILL BE EMBOLDENED TO MOVE FORWARD (v. 20)

Getting a word from the Lord, especially a word of instruction, gives us courage to go forth and do what it is that God calls us to do. In this case, God's counsel gave Jehoshaphat the boldness to encourage his army and go to the battlefield.


6. WHEN YOU TRUST AND OBEY GOD, HE WILL TAKE CARE OF YOUR ENEMIES. (v. 22-24)

God keeps His promises. Always. He promised the people of Judah they won't have to fight this battle and that they will see their deliverance; He did just that. He took care of their enemies and He will take care of our enemies if we put our trust in Him and obey His commands and instructions.


7. THE VICTORIES GOD GIVES YOU, PAVES THE WAY FOR HIS NAME AND FAME TO BE KNOWN (v. 27-30)

When God delivers you and takes you through your battle, reports of it point the glory to God and lifts up faith in others.

Breaking Through Into A New Thing

from the Elijah List


John Belt: "Breaking Through Into A New Thing"

Isaiah 43:18-19, Remember ye not the former things, neither consider the things of old. Behold, I will do a new thing; now it shall spring forth; shall ye not know it? I will even make a way in the wilderness, and rivers in the desert.

The Number Three

Three is a very significant number in Scripture. Three times is fullness. Three times represents completion. The Godhead—Father, Son and Spirit, is the fullness of God. We are composed of spirit, soul and body. There is completeness as all of these function together in unison in worship to God.

It was three days when Jesus came forth from the grave. The third day represents resurrection, a divine release of the Spirit and power, for it was the Spirit that raised Jesus after three days. Jesus was tempted three times by the devil, then He was released into His power ministry on the earth. Because Jesus walked out a life of faithfulness to His Father He was launched into the new place of power ministry. As we have been faithful to the Lord, He is taking us and causing us to break through into a new season. God has new things in store. His timing is perfect. He is ready to release a fresh wind and glory of His Spirit.

1 Samuel 2:35, And I will raise Me up a faithful priest, that shall do according to that which is in Mine heart and in My mind: and I will build him a sure house; and he shall walk before Mine anointed for ever.

New Shoes to Run

Hebrews 12:1-2, Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us, Looking unto Jesus the Author and Finisher of our faith...

God is giving us new shoes to run for His purposes. There is work to be done for the Kingdom of God. For the next round of obedience new shoes are being given. There is something about a nice new pair of tennis shoes. I love the fresh smell of them. There is a nice bounce from a pair that has not been worn. God is ready to put a bounce in our step as we obey Him, forerunning for His purposes without compromise. As we do, His glory will be released, His Kingdom will be expanded, and His Church will be built.

Warriors, Defenders, Purity and Revelation

God takes us on a journey to come to a place of purity, revelation and glory. He is now releasing those who have been prepared as warriors and defenders of the faith. We are to be continually taking ground for the Kingdom of God as we position ourselves in the place that He has called us to. It is a time to be sober, diligent, given to excellence, walking in Godly character, shunning manipulations and corrupt motives of the heart, being filled with grace and walking in the light of His love and goodness.

The pure in heart shall see God. Those who love the pure Word of God, His promises and His Presence, will be those He can trust with the riches of His glory and power.

Psalm 24:3-6, Who shall ascend into the hill of the Lord? or who shall stand in His holy place? He that hath clean hands, and a pure heart; who hath not lifted up his soul unto vanity, nor sworn deceitfully. He shall receive the blessing from the Lord, and righteousness from the God of his salvation. This is the generation of them that seek Him, that seek Thy face, O Jacob. Selah.

As our hearts are washed in His pure waters the revelation of His goodness, blessing and grace will rest upon us as we continually experience His person, opening our eyes to see from His heavenly perspective.

Revelation 1:10-11, I was in the Spirit on the Lord's day, and heard behind me a great voice, as of a trumpet, saying, "I am Alpha and Omega, the first and the last..."

Glory

The glory of the Lord will fill the earth as the waters cover the sea. We are the vessels of His glory. As His glory, the manifested presence of God fills us, and we act as conduits of the substance of Heaven wherever we go.

2 Peter 1:17-18, For He received from God the Father honour and glory, when there came such a voice to Him from the excellent glory, "This is My beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased." And this voice which came from Heaven we heard, when we were with Him in the holy mount.

With the weapons of worship and wielding the Word of His authority, we will war in the spirit to accomplish the purposes of God. He gives us all the backing we need as we place Him first in our heart without common ground with the enemy. It is in this place that we will obtain the victory in our hearts, and then into the earth where He will draw men to Himself. It is all for His plan, Kingdom and glory—that Jesus Christ would be magnified in the eyes of all.

For His Glory!


John Belt
Live In His Presence Ministries
Email: admin@liveinhispresence.com

NASA and the Bible

From a forwarded email.


I thought this was pretty amazing and interesting.

For all the scientists out there, and for all the students who have a hard time convincing these people regarding the truth of the Bible, here's something that shows God's awesome creation, and that He is still in control.

Did you know that the space program is busy proving that what has been called A 'myth ' in the Bible is true?

Mr. Harold Hill, President of the Curtis Engine Company in Baltimore, Maryland, and a consultant in the space program, relates the following development

I think one of the most amazing things that God has done for us t today happened recently to our astronauts and space scientists at Green Belt, Maryland .

They were checking out where the positions of the sun, moon, and planets would be 100 years and 1,000 years from now. We have to know this so we won't send up a satellite and have it bump into something later on in its orbits.

We have to lay out the orbits in terms of the life of the satellite and where the planets will be so the whole thing will not bog down.

They ran the computer measurement back and forth over the centuries and it came to a halt. The computer stopped and put up a red signal, which meant that there was something wrong with either the information fed into it or with the results as compared to the standards.

They called in the service department to check it out and they said, "What's wrong?" Well, they found there is a day missing in space in elapsed time.

They scratched their heads and tore their hair out. There was no answer.

Finally, a Christian man on the team said, "You know, one time I was in Sunday School and they talked about the sun standing still." While they didn't believe him, they didn't have an answer either, so they said, "Show us." He got a Bible and went to the book of Joshua where they found a pretty ridiculous statement for any one with 'common sense.' There they found the Lord saying to "Joshua, Fear them not, I have delivered them into thy hand; there shall not a man of them stand before Thee."

Joshua was concerned because he was surrounded by the enemy! And if darkness fell, they would overpower them. So, Joshua asked the Lord to make the sun stand still! That's right.. 'The sun stood still and the moon stayed and lasted not to go down about a whole day!' (Joshua 10:12-13)

The astronauts and scientists said, "There is the missing day!" They checked the computers going back into the time it was written and found it was close but not close enough. The elapsed time that was missing back in Joshua's day was 23 hours and 20 minutes, not a whole day.

They read the Bible, and there it was about (approximately) a day. These little words in the Bible are important, but they were still in trouble because if you cannot account for 40 minutes, you'll still be in trouble 1000 years from now.

Forty minutes had to be found because it can be multiplied many times over in orbits. As the Christian employee thought about it, he remembered somewhere in the Bible where it said the sun went BACKWARDS.

The scientists told him he was out of his mind, but they got out the Book and read these! Words in 2 Kings that told of the following story: Hezekiah, on his deathbed, was visited by the prophet Isaiah who told him that he was not going to die. Hezekiah asked for a sign as proof. Isaiah said, "Do you want the sun to go ahead 10 degrees?"

Hezekiah said, "It is nothing for the sun to go ahead 10 degrees but let the shadow return backward 10 degrees."

Isaiah spoke to the Lord, and the Lord brought the shadow ten degrees BACKWARD!

Ten degrees is exactly 40 minutes!

Twenty-three hours and 20 minutes in Joshua, plus 40 minutes in Second Kings make the missing day in the universe! Isn't it amazing?

References: Joshua 10:8, 12, 13 and 2 Kings 20:9-11.

Forward this to as many people who you believe would think this is equally as cool.

If God could do this then, how much more can he do for us today if we only believe in his word?

Discipline + Correction = Life

Proverbs 10:17
Pick your translation; the principle remains the same.


(New International Version)
He who heeds discipline shows the way to life, but whoever ignores correction leads others astray.


(New American Standard Bible)
He is on the path of life who heeds instruction, but he who ignores reproof goes astray.


(The Message)
The road to life is a disciplined life; ignore correction and you're lost for good.


(Amplified Bible)
He who heeds instruction and correction is [not only himself] in the way of life [but also] is a way of life for others. And he who neglects or refuses reproof [not only himself] goes astray [but also] causes to err and is a path toward ruin for others.


(New Living Translation)
People who accept discipline are on the pathway to life, but those who ignore correction will go astray.


(King James Version)
He is in the way of life that keepeth instruction: but he that refuseth reproof erreth.


(English Standard Version)
Whoever heeds instruction is on the path to life, but he who rejects reproof leads others astray.


(Contemporary English Version)
Accept correction, and you will find life; reject correction, and you will miss the road.


(New King James Version)
He who keeps instruction is in the way of life, but he who refuses correction goes astray.


(New Century Version)
Whoever accepts correction is on the way to life, but whoever ignores correction will lead others away from life.


(21st Century King James Version)
He that keepeth instruction is in the way of life, but he that refuseth reproof erreth.


(Darby Translation)
Keeping instruction is the path to life; but he that forsaketh reproof goeth astray.


(Holman Christian Standard Bible)
The one who follows instruction is on the path to life, but the one who rejects correction goes astray.


(New International Reader's Version)
Anyone who pays attention to his training is on his way to life. But anyone who refuses to be corrected leads others down the wrong path.

NLSC Notes on Gifts to Believers

Notes on the Bible study on the Gifts of Christ to Believers
held during the New Life Sounds Choir practice, July 25, 2009

1. Rest - Mt. 11:28

2. Keys of the Kingdom - Mt. 16:19

3. Power over evil spirits- Luke 10:19

4. Living Water- John 4:14

5. Bread of Heaven - John 6:51

6. Eternal Life - John 10:28

7. Legacy of Peace - John 14:27

We must get a hold of these gifts and act and speak as believers.

Read Your Bible [and Pray Everyday] and You'll Grow, Grow, Grow

"I believe in our day we need to practice the Word of God or to practice God’s principles outlined in the Word. We need to practice what we have been taught from the pulpit, from ministry programs, from teaching tapes and videos. We need to prove the Word of God in our lives in times of little stress so we can be better prepared when the times of pressure, the times of need are at hand.

As with all things that we practice, initially, we might not be very good at what we are practicing, i.e. piano, painting, etc. We miss the correct keys, we paint outside the lines, we falter, we fade, we fail. But it is only through our practice that we can become proficient at anything.

So it is with the Word of God; we initially might not be successful at the Word which we practice, but as we keep trying, as we grow in understanding of Bible principles, we become stronger and our practice more sure. Then our success in the Word becomes greater and greater, and our faith becomes stronger and stronger."


-- Roberta Palmer Grummond, author of the self-published book Practicing the Word of God

Sunday Notes: JBD on Faith

notes from Pastor Joseph DiSarno's preaching on FAITH
July 12, 2009
[with some personal revelations]


- do not live your Christian life through the flesh because that will bring you to legalism

- NO SPIRIT = NO POWER to live the WORD out

- God CREATED the NEED so that we would SEEK the SUPPLY

- when you take a step of faith and there's nothing under your feet, GOD WILL PLACE SOMETHING UNDER IT

- WHAT YOU HEAR in the SPIRIT becomes WHAT YOU SEE in REALITY

- "you shall have whatever you see"

- John 15:7-8 = If you remain in me and my words remain in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be given you. This is to my Father's glory, that you bear much fruit, showing yourselves to be my disciples.

- ingredients to faith: (1) ABIDE IN HIM + (2) LET HIS WORDS ABIDE IN YOU

- DESIRE has a definitive power

- channel your passion TOWARD GOD

- we need to have a DEFINITE, BURNING, PERSISTENT desire FOR GOD
+ a DEFINITE desire keeps you CERTAIN
+ a BURNING desire keeps you FOCUSED
+ a PERSISTENT desire keeps you DETERMINED

Walk Into Your Future

Carol Kelley: "Walk Into Your Future and Your Promises"
[from the Elijah List website]

"It's Time to Walk Into Your Future"

I had a dream recently about being back in different houses that my husband Dave and I and our kids had lived in over the years. There were various homes and geographical locations represented from different phases in our lives. I realized that I couldn't go back and live in any of these houses again, or try to recreate any of the situations. There was a sense that I needed to commit these past situations, both positive and negative, into the Lord's hands so that I could move forward into what was ahead.

Then the scene shifted to the future. There was an enormous, new bridge spanning across a river. We crossed over and traveled on new highways which had also recently been built. There were new inventions and new ways of doing things in this glimpse of the future.

I woke up and heard the Lord say, "It's time to walk into your future." I knew in the dream that the bridge represents God's provision and direction to cross over into the future. The bridge is the link or the transition between the past and the present. The Lord is at work building new structures—the bridge and highways—to move His people to where they need to be.

Then He had more to say: "Leave behind your past (Philippians 3:13); I am showing you new things, and leading you into your future. Old ways and old patterns won't work any longer. I have a new thing for you (Isaiah 43:19). Move into My 'new,' for I make all things new (Revelation 21:5). Move into the new with confidence and boldness (Joshua 1:6-7, 9, 18) and grace (Ephesians 2:8-9). As I was with Moses, I will be with you (Joshua 1:5); only do not fear (Joshua 8:1). Come before Me boldly (Hebrews 4:16). Claim My promises to you.

"You are My warrior, clothed in the armor of My righteousness (Ephesians 6:14), not your own righteousness (Philippians 3:9). Fight the battles I show you to fight (2 Timothy 4:7); leave the rest for Me to fight (2 Chronicles 20:17).

"Do not fear or look anxiously about you; I am your God (Isaiah 41:10). Peter asked about John, 'Lord, what about this man?' (John 21:20-22). I have a unique plan and purpose for YOU. Persevere and don't give up. Walk into your future, a step at a time. I will show you what steps to take, and where to walk (Isaiah 30:21). I will direct and counsel you, with My eye upon you (Psalm 32:8).

Every place where the sole of your foot treads I will give you (Deuteronomy 11:24; Joshua 1:3). I have stationed angels around you (Psalm 34:7; 91:11). My glory is your rear guard (Exodus 14:19; Isaiah 52:12; 58:8). Do not fear, for I am with you (Isaiah 43:5).

"Sing a song of praise to Me (Psalm 40:3). Raise a shout of victory. Sing a new song to Me (Psalm 33:3; 96:1; 98:1), the song of the Lamb (Revelation 15:3). I am the One who overcomes (John 16:33; Revelation 5:5). You also can overcome in My name through faith (1 John 5:4-5; Revelation 3:21; 12:11).

"I am making strategic alignments for you. Walk into them at the time that I show you. I do not intend for you to be alone (Genesis 2:18; Ecclesiastes 4:9-11; Hebrews 10:25).

"I have a place for you, a place of fullness, joy and blessing. You are not being 'put in your place' (demotion), but are being raised up to your place (promotion and favor). Don't live in a narrow place (2 Kings 6:1; Isaiah 49:20), but in the broad place I have for you (Psalm 18:19).

"Walk into your future. Forget the former things (Isaiah 43:18); I will do something new!"

Promises, Promises

When I woke up another night not long ago, the clock read "6:33." I had a sense the Lord wanted to communicate something to me through this, and so asked Him what it was. He showed me two things:

(1) Matthew 6:33 – "Seek first His Kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be yours as well."

(2) The number 600 represents warfare, and 33 represents "promise."

Then He started speaking to me: "Claim My promises in every area of your lives. Seek My Kingdom first of all; allow Me to purify you, and fill you with My righteousness. I am constantly at work, transforming you into the image of My Son (Philippians 3:21). I will bring My good work in you to completion (Philippians 1:6).

"You can trust Me with all the things you worry about! Commit them into My care. I love you and will help carry your burdens (Matthew 11:28-30). I will do what I promised; I will not disappoint you (Romans 5:5). You will not be disappointed in Me (Romans 10:11) or in My plans for you, because My plans for you are for good, not for evil (Jeremiah 29:11).

"Yes, there has been a season of warfare. There is a time for war and a time for peace (Ecclesiastes 3:8). I will keep My promises to you; I will not fail you or forsake you (Joshua 1:5; Deuteronomy 31:6, 8; Hebrews 13:5). I have a call on your life, which I am confirming to you. My gifts and calling are irrevocable (Romans 11:29). My promises do not fail (Joshua 21:45; 23:14; 1 Kings 8:56).

"I will do what I have promised!"

Carol Kelley
Email: opendoor2009@gmail.com

About Carol Kelley: Carol and Dave Kelley are prophetic leaders in Newberg, Oregon, teaching prophecy classes and mentoring younger prophets. They received a call from the Lord in 1985 to minister prophetically, and have a vision for active schools of prophets to emerge within the Body of Christ. Their passion is to help others hear and recognize God's voice. Carol, a musician, published composer, teacher and sixth-generation Oregonian, has a heart to intercede prophetically for Oregon and the Northwest, as well as cities and nations. Dave is Assistant Vice President of Finance at George Fox University, moving in an apostolic anointing to help God's people become empowered as conduits of financial blessing. Dave and Carol are the parents of two sons, two daughters, and a daughter-in-law.

Choose Life

Bobby Conner: Follow the Helper—and Choose Life!"
[from the Elijah List website]

"There is therefore now no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus, who do not walk according to the flesh, but according to the Spirit."—Romans 8:1

Life is filled with choices! Studies report that we make more than 2,500 choices every day! Imagine just the first ten minutes of your day. What do you choose to think as soon as you wake and your eyes open? What do you choose to do as soon as your feet hit the floor?

Without question, we determine the quality of our lives by the quality of our decisions. This is an immense responsibility, yet we are not left alone in this matter of choice: God has offered us great wisdom in understanding how to make quality choices and empowering us to make them!

Meditate on one of the most important invitations given to us by God:

"I call Heaven and earth to record this day against you, that I have set before you life and death, blessing and cursing: therefore choose life, that both thou and thy seed may live."—Deuteronomy 30:19

This is the law of the universe: God has set before us blessing if we choose life. But what does it mean to "choose" life?

The Most Important Decision You Can Make

This Hebrew verb translated choose is a profoundly important verb for us to understand. This verb, as often as we seem to use it, does not suggest a mundane, dispassionate choice as if we were choosing between having our eggs scrambled or hard-boiled. This is not the verb used to describe a choice to turn right because the road to the left is blocked by traffic.

Not at all! The Hebrew word bachar has three significant meanings—all of them suggesting a relationship with the choice. The first meaning of bachar suggests the action of rubbing on a "touchstone"—or the gesture of dividing and examining, as if proving to oneself the truth of a matter. When we choose, according to this verb bachar, we are affirming that we have examined our choice and found it to be true.

The second overtone of this marvelous Hebrew verb is to approve of, as one approves of a beloved—one whom we have chosen because the choice is excellent, surpassing all others! As we "choose life," then, we are declaring that we love life, approving life as surpassing all other options.

In fact, the third translation of the Hebrew bachar actually means to love, to delight in any thing. This is the same verb for choose that we find in Isaiah 14:1, when God declares His profound love for Israel: "For the LORD will have mercy on Jacob, and will yet choose Israel, and set them in their own land..." Young's Literal Translation renders the verse thus: "Because Jehovah loveth Jacob, and hath fixed again on Israel, and given them rest on their own land..."

To choose life is to fix ourselves on life with a passionate love! To choose life is to examine and prove the truth of life as a surpassing, excellent choice. To choose life is to love life as we love a person, to take great delight in life as the Lord Himself delights in His people Israel—fixed on them, without shadow of turning. But in John 14:6, didn't the Lord Jesus say, "I am the way, the truth, and the life"? John 1:4 explains that "In Him was life..."

Choosing life is indeed choosing to "live and move and have our being" in Christ (Acts 17:28). As one, we affirm and prove to be true as our Beloved, who surpasses all others, is the One and only in whom we delight!

This is how the Lord empowers us to make quality decisions during the day. As we continue to choose Life, delighting ourselves in Christ, we will "walk according to the Spirit." We will be moved and directed in our other choices by the Spirit of Christ because we have an intimate relationship with Life itself.

This relationship of abiding in Christ, choosing Him moment by moment, is vital, imperative and necessary. We must be prompted by the Holy Spirit continuously, for that is the only path of blessing. We must allow the Word of God, who is Christ Himself, to influence and direct every choice.

Consider the consequences of choosing anything or anyone other than Christ or not following the Word. Deuteronomy warns us that choosing "death" leads to curses. Read the entire chapter of Deuteronomy 28 to gain a deep understanding of the life that is blessed and the life that is cursed. Make no mistake: choosing Life, choosing to live following the Spirit of Christ and the Word, is the most important decision you can make.

How Exactly Does this Precious Spirit of Christ Speak to Us and Prompt Us to Make Quality Decisions?

In 1 Kings 19, Elijah, the mighty prophet of God, listened for the voice of the Lord in an earthquake and the fire—but could not hear Him, despite the volume of natural sound. Meditate for a moment on this life-changing lesson: the Spirit speaks to us as a Friend speaks with a friend, walking with us in the cool of the day—not shouting to us like a deafening bullhorn (unless we're in grave danger and aren't paying attention)!

One day, the Lord confided this truth to me: He may shout His truths to strangers, but He whispers His secrets to His friends. He is an ever-present help, a constant Companion and the Lover of our soul! One important way God speaks to us is through our spirit. His whispered voice inside of us prompts us when we should or shouldn't do something.

Consider the almost imperceptible reminder, for example, to take your keys or to pack an umbrella! The Maker of the Universe knows when you might be locked out or rained upon. Believe with all your heart that there is nothing, absolutely nothing, too insignificant for His care. He is concerned with every single choice and situation, no matter how minor, from the time we awake to when we sleep. If we turn to the Beloved Counselor, Guide and Teacher, the Holy Spirit of Christ, He will, without fail, lead us into all truth. His name is the "Spirit of Truth"!

Having this inner Counselor is a gift beyond compare. He is the treasure of Whom Jesus said, "Nevertheless I tell you the truth. It is to your advantage that I go away; for if I do not go away, the Helper will not come to you; but if I depart, I will send Him to you" (John 16:7). It was to our advantage that Jesus departed this earth in the flesh—because we now have His wonderful Spirit within our very being!

This Spirit, this Helper, is the parakletos of God. Meditate on all this beautiful name Paraklete suggests: He is One who is summoned, called to our side and present to aid, the counsel for our defense, an assistant, an advocate, an intercessor, a pleader.

When we choose to obey God's leading—His inner prompting—we will always, without question, make the right choice because we have the Helper guiding us.

Remember, there is a way that may seem to be right, but that way will be harmful to us, bringing curses and death. We must choose God's ways, as they are always the best ways. God's ways are always higher and lead us into paths of peace (see Isaiah 26:3).

Are There Any Conditions to this Walk? What Other Choices Must We Make?

Above all, we must choose to keep our thoughts pure and upright (see Philippians 4:8). With holiness and the fear of the Lord, we will be free from guilt and shame—fearing God and not man, pleasing God and not man. We will be fearless to make the right choices, no matter the consequences.

Choosing to keep our conscience clear, in fact, is the only way to maintain this clear communication with our Beloved Heavenly Father. In 1 John 3:21, we read that guilt robs us of this communication. We must repent—and repent quickly—as soon as we feel the conviction of the Holy Spirit and realize we have made a mistake.

"If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness."—I John 1:9

Finally we must remember Jeremiah 29:11. The LORD Almighty, King of the Universe, promises that He has great plans in store for us when we choose to follow His leading: "For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, says the LORD, thoughts of peace and not of evil, to give you a future and a hope."

This word "future" in this verse is also translated "expected." The word is translated from a Hebrew root qavah, which means to twist or bind together, as with a rope! The Lord will literally "rope us" to His future plans for us, binding us to Himself and the blessings He has ordained through Christ—as we choose Life and walk according to the Holy Spirit of Truth.

He Will Guide Us on a Path of Victory in Every Area of Our Lives

You are born to win, fulfilling the great plans and purposes that God created for you before the very foundations of the world (see Ephesians 2:10). In fact, you are more than a winner—you are an overcomer!

"But in all these things we overwhelmingly conquer through Him who loved us."—Romans 8:37, NASB

Pray with me today: "Precious Heavenly Father! Thank You for Life in Christ. I choose Life today. I choose to follow the Holy Spirit today. Thank You for Your promises to lead and guide me by Your Spirit. I ask You to teach me to hear Your Spirit within my spirit—distinctly and clearly—and the grace to obey with all my heart. I quiet my heart to hear Your still, small voice and trust that You will guide me as my Shepherd. I shall not want. Thank You for setting me free to walk in the power and victory of Your Spirit today!" Amen! So be it!

Many Blessings!

Bobby Conner
EaglesView Ministries
Email: manager@bobbyconner.org

Listen. Because He Speaks.

Job 5

1 Call now; is there anyone who will answer you? To which of the holy ones will you turn?

2 Surely vexation kills the fool, and jealousy slays the simple.

3 I have seen the fool taking root, but suddenly I cursed his dwelling.

4 His children are far from safety; they are crushed in the gate, and there is no one to deliver them.

5 The hungry eat his harvest, and he takes it even out of thorns, and the thirsty pant after his wealth.

6 For affliction does not come from the dust, nor does trouble sprout from the ground,

7 but man is born to trouble as the sparks fly upward.

8 As for me, I would seek God, and to God would I commit my cause,

9 who does great things and unsearchable, marvelous things without number:

10 he gives rain on the earth and sends waters on the fields;

11 he sets on high those who are lowly, and those who mourn are lifted to safety.

12 He frustrates the devices of the crafty, so that their hands achieve no success.

13 He catches the wise in their own craftiness, and the schemes of the wily are brought to a quick end.

14 They meet with darkness in the daytime and grope at noonday as in the night.

15 But he saves the needy from the sword of their mouth and from the hand of the mighty.

16 So the poor have hope, and injustice shuts her mouth.

17 Behold, blessed is the one whom God reproves; therefore despise not the discipline of the Almighty.

18 For he wounds, but he binds up; he shatters, but his hands heal.

19 He will deliver you from six troubles; in seven no evil shall touch you.

20 In famine he will redeem you from death, and in war from the power of the sword.

21 You shall be hidden from the lash of the tongue, and shall not fear destruction when it comes.

22 At destruction and famine you shall laugh, and shall not fear the beasts of the earth.

23 For you shall be in league with the stones of the field, and the beasts of the field shall be at peace with you.

24 You shall know that your tent is at peace, and you shall inspect your fold and miss nothing.

25 You shall know also that your offspring shall be many, and your descendants as the grass of the earth.

26 You shall come to your grave in ripe old age, like a sheaf gathered up in its season.

27 Behold, this we have searched out; it is true. Hear, and know it for your good.

The FRUIT of the Spirit

A friend of mine and I were exchanging email correspondences last week and she asked me if a person can be considered Spirit-filled if they do not have the nine fruits of the Spirit, as mentioned in the book of Galatians. It was an interesting question that made me go back to that passage of scripture and study and meditate on it.

I told her the following through my email reply:

- - - - -

"But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law." -- Galatians 5:22-23

Since the Bible uses the term FRUIT for all nine, I think it is an all-or-nothing deal. They are part of a package that I believe Holy Spirit gives to us once we receive Him. But like the fruit of earthly plants, some take more time to ripen than others.

So, I believe that we get the FRUIT of the Spirit [all nine of them] when we are baptized with the Holy Spirit, with some of the nine maturing faster and manifesting earlier than others. You are a Spirit-filled Christian even if some of the nine aspects of the FRUIT, which I believe are already in you, have not matured yet. You are Spirit-filled because you are filled by the FRUIT of the Spirit, though maybe wa pa lang ni ripen ang tanan.

Remember, we are a work in progress. But God has already given us everything we need for life and godliness [2 Peter 1:3-11]. So that means it's all there already but we just need to cooperate with God to perfect what He has already deposited in us. That's why that passage in 2 Peter encourages us to "make every effort".

Some people may have already matured in the area of patience but may lack the manifestation of joy. That doesn't make them not filled with the Spirit. It just means they need more work in the area of joy. The fruit of joy is in there but perhaps it just needs to mature more.

- - - - -

All of us seriously need to mature in the fullness of the Spirit. It takes time for the FRUIT to mature but if we cooperate with God and allow Holy Spirit to do what needs to be done, we'll get there much faster.

In Every Season, Things Will Be Alright

Chuck Pierce: "It Will Be Alright"

"Times might be dark but I say, 'It will be alright!' You have eyes to see light, so it will be alright! You have been up and down and all around because I am stretching you to use you in a new way. Even though your emotions have been ruling you, hear the sound of Heaven. I am stretching out the emotional structure that has been ruling you in the past so I can use you in days ahead.

"I have a larger bow to string you on, so I have needed to allow stretching times to occur. You will be MY bowstring that shoots forth in days ahead. You will hold the arrow and withstand the stress of the seven years ahead because you endured the stretching this year. This stretching will come to an end, and though you've been unstrung, watch Me string you again.

"Come up higher! I have a place of sacrifice that you have not known. Come up to My throne and you will rule the thrones that have been rising around you and contending for the blessings that are yours.

"There is a rumbling in the earth and there is an eruption on the way. Watch the eruptions that come forth. I have held up much in the past seasons, but there is an eruption that is brewing. Many things in the government will erupt and blow up now. Many structures are vying and contending in the earth, but I tell you I can go to the core of things. I can go deeper than any other structure to shake the depth of an issue. I am going to blow some things fully loose and into a new place.

"What you have seen in California is going to cause an eruption in this nation. I am allowing My covenant to be tested in this land. In the midst of My covenant tests, watch the lands that realign. Lands and peoples that resist My covenant plan will have an eruption and shake!"

Chuck D. Pierce
Glory of Zion International Ministries

Cindy Trimm: "What God is Saying to Us Now"

We are living in a prophetic hour where I believe the earth is groaning and travailing for the real sons of God to stand up according to Romans 8:22: "For we know that the whole creation groaneth and travaileth in pain together until now."

God is birthing you out on purpose into purpose. It is my prayer that in this season you will be able to find your purpose and prophetic coordinates. Ecclesiastes 3:1 states, "To every thing there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the Heaven." In the natural there are four seasons, but in the supernatural there are five. Since every season was created by God all seasons are good.

The Winter Season

Winter: This is a prophetic season when God gives inspirational thoughts, visions and dreams. This is the season when you should drive your spiritual roots deep through prayer, meditation, worship and praise. This is also a season of rest from the old season and preparation for the next seasons.

I pray that your visions will be solidified and your roots will go deep. If this is the current season you are in, I pray that you will reflect on the past, adjust, and prepare yourself to move on to all God has in store for you. This is a season you will be enrolled into the School of the Holy Spirit.

The Spring Season

Spring Season: This is a season of seedtime: plowing, planting and cultivating your seeds (ideas, visions, financial, relational, ministerial investments, etc.). Make certain you get enough seed in good ground. In this season you will have to fight the enemies of prosperity, and de-weed the fields you are cultivating. You will also have to war against the spirit of abortion designed to prevent purpose in your life from being realized. This is the season for seed-time.

The Summer Season

Summer Season: This is a time of favor; it is a time of birthing, harvesting, sweating, labor and great exposure. Do not fear in this season; do not look to the right or the left, but make up in your mind to PUSH. Push through doubt, push through ill-spoken words, push through the unseen, push through trials, you have to PUSH!

Proverbs 6:6-11 gives us an invaluable lesson on the ant and reminds us that the ant stores up for the winter months in the summer and beginning of fall.

The Fall Season

Fall Season: This is a time when you need grace; you may become discouraged as there will appear to be a reduction of resources. This is a season of clearing away, purging, and getting rid of some things; a season of great sacrifice; a season where you will be required to give up your "Isaac." It is a season for a Job experience—but, I am happy to announce that you will come out and you will come out with more—double.

Due Season

Due Season: This is the season when the harvest from seeds that have been planted in other seasons will be payable on demand! This is a season of decreeing and declaring! A time when you will be synchronized and syncopated to the prophetic will of God. May the anointing of the Sons of Issachar descend upon you this day, empowering you to accurately determine and walk in the timing and season of the Lord.

"Be not weary in well doing, for in due season, you shall reap if you faint not"—Galatians 6:9

Blessings,

Dr. Cindy Trimm
Cindy Trimm International
Email: info@cindytrimm.com

- - - - -

From the Elijah List website.

Neverending Promises: June 2-09

Isaiah 54 [NIV]

1 "Sing, O barren woman,
you who never bore a child;
burst into song, shout for joy,
you who were never in labor;
because more are the children of the desolate woman
than of her who has a husband,"
says the LORD.

2 "Enlarge the place of your tent,
stretch your tent curtains wide,
do not hold back;
lengthen your cords,
strengthen your stakes.

3 For you will spread out to the right and to the left;
your descendants will dispossess nations
and settle in their desolate cities.

4 "Do not be afraid; you will not suffer shame.
Do not fear disgrace; you will not be humiliated.
You will forget the shame of your youth
and remember no more the reproach of your widowhood.

5 For your Maker is your husband—
the LORD Almighty is his name—
the Holy One of Israel is your Redeemer;
he is called the God of all the earth.

6 The LORD will call you back
as if you were a wife deserted and distressed in spirit—
a wife who married young,
only to be rejected," says your God.

7 "For a brief moment I abandoned you,
but with deep compassion I will bring you back.

8 In a surge of anger
I hid my face from you for a moment,
but with everlasting kindness
I will have compassion on you,"
says the LORD your Redeemer.

9 "To me this is like the days of Noah,
when I swore that the waters of Noah would never again cover the earth.
So now I have sworn not to be angry with you,
never to rebuke you again.

10 Though the mountains be shaken
and the hills be removed,
yet my unfailing love for you will not be shaken
nor my covenant of peace be removed,"
says the LORD, who has compassion on you.

11 "O afflicted city, lashed by storms and not comforted,
I will build you with stones of turquoise,
your foundations with sapphires.

12 I will make your battlements of rubies,
your gates of sparkling jewels,
and all your walls of precious stones.

13 All your sons will be taught by the LORD,
and great will be your children's peace.

14 In righteousness you will be established:
Tyranny will be far from you;
you will have nothing to fear.
Terror will be far removed;
it will not come near you.

15 If anyone does attack you, it will not be my doing;
whoever attacks you will surrender to you.

16 "See, it is I who created the blacksmith
who fans the coals into flame
and forges a weapon fit for its work.
And it is I who have created the destroyer to work havoc;

17 no weapon forged against you will prevail,
and you will refute every tongue that accuses you.
This is the heritage of the servants of the LORD,
and this is their vindication from me,"
declares the LORD.

Light of the Word

Last night's revival service confirmed what the Lord has been repeatedly yet gently speaking to me. Psalm 119:105 says "Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light for my path." Several times before last night, God has been impressing on my heart the importance and urgency of having a daily intake of His word.

Pastor Joe stated that without the guidance of the Word in the church and in one's personal life, it is so easy to stray -- and stray far -- from the truth. This confirmation shook me awake from my insufficiency in the area of voraciously consuming the Word on a daily basis. Yes, I read the Bible and hear on my iPod, but I realized I don't do it deliberately enough. Changes are going to be implmented, by God's grace.

I now feel a greater sense of urgency to really immerse myself -- and the guys in the cell group with me -- in the Word. So help me God.

The Bible is our daily bread, our source of joy and strength, our light, our guide, and without it, living life would be like using a technically complicated equipment without reading the manual.

2 Kings 23:2 says that King Josiah, when he found the Book of the Covenant and realized how far off the nation was from God's standards, read the Book of the Law to all the people "in their hearing all the words of the Book of the Covenant." When they learned of what God said was right, they made restitution -- they repented, stopped sinning and took corrective action. We who read the Bible now should have the same response.

God's Word IS a lamp unto our feet and a light unto our path. Why stumble through the darkness of ignorance, uncertainty and sin when we can shine His truth on our lives and live in perpetual brightness?

TKB Notes on Humility

Notes on the [The Kingdom Builders] cell group discussion on humility.

- - - - -

+ The quality or condition of being humble, meek, subdued, modesty, lowliness


+ Just like faith, humility is attractive to God. If faith moves the hand of God on our behalf, I believe humility turns the face of God toward us. Several passages in the Bible show the appeal humility has on God.


+ The attitude of humility has turned God away from His anger.

2 Chronicles 12:7 – When the LORD saw that they humbled themselves, this word of the LORD came to Shemaiah: "Since they have humbled themselves, I will not destroy them but will soon give them deliverance. My wrath will not be poured out on Jerusalem through Shishak.

2 Chronicles 12:12 – Because Rehoboam humbled himself, the LORD's anger turned from him, and he was not totally destroyed.


+ Humility in God’s people has caused Him to turn His ears to their prayers.

2 Chronicles 7:14 – If my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then will I hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and will heal their land.

2 Chronicles 34:27 – Because your heart was responsive and you humbled yourself before God when you heard what he spoke against this place and its people, and because you humbled yourself before me and tore your robes and wept in my presence, I have heard you, declares the LORD.


+ God finds humility a very desirable character in a man and as a result, He does the following for those who are humble hearted:

God saves them
2 Samuel 22:28 – You save the humble, but your eyes are on the haughty to bring them low.
Psalm 18:27 – You save the humble but bring low those whose eyes are haughty.

He guides them
Psalm 25:9 – He guides the humble in what is right and teaches them his way.

He sustains them
Psalm 147:6 – The LORD sustains the humble but casts the wicked to the ground.

He crowns them with salvation
Psalm149:4 – For the LORD takes delight in his people; he crowns the humble with salvation.

He gives grace to them
Proverbs 3:34 – He mocks proud mockers but gives grace to the humble.

He esteems them
Isaiah 66:2 – This is the one I esteem: he who is humble and contrite in spirit, and trembles at my word.

He makes them greatest in the Kingdom
Matthew 18:4 – Whoever humbles himself like this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven.

He exalts them
Matthew 23:12 – For whoever exalts himself will be humbled, and whoever humbles himself will be exalted.

He lifts them up
Luke 1:52 – He has brought down rulers from their thrones but has lifted up the humble.
1 Peter 5:6 – Humble yourselves, therefore, under God's mighty hand, that he may lift you up in due time.


+ Other benefits of humility include:

Wisdom
Proverbs 11:2 -- When pride comes, then comes disgrace, but with humility comes wisdom.

Honor
Proverbs 15:33 – The fear of the LORD teaches a man wisdom, and humility comes before honor. (First you learn humility, then you experience glory.)

Proverbs 18:12 – Before his downfall a man's heart is proud, but humility comes before honor.

Wealth and life
Proverbs 22:4 – Humility and the fear of the LORD bring wealth and honor and life.

Reconciliation Favor Peace Security


+ We can see the importance of humility throughout the Bible when God’s word instructs us to:

Seek it
Zephaniah 2:3 – Seek the LORD, all you humble of the land, you who do what he commands. Seek righteousness, seek humility; perhaps you will be sheltered on the day of the LORD's anger.

Serve the Lord with it
Acts 20:19 – I served the Lord with great humility and with tears, although I was severely tested by the plots of the Jews.

Matthew 20: 26-28 – Whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant, and whoever wants to be first must be your slave – just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.

Treat others in that attitude
Philippians 2:3-4 – Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in humility consider others better than yourselves. Each of you should look not only to your own interests, but also to the interests of others.

Clothe ourselves with it
Colossians 3:12-13 – Therefore, as God's chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. Bear with each other and forgive whatever grievances you may have against one another. Forgive as the Lord forgave you.

1 Peter 5:5 – Young men, in the same way be submissive to those who are older. All of you, clothe yourselves with humility toward one another, because, "God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble."

Show it to all
Titus 3:1-2 -- Remind the people to be subject to rulers and authorities, to be obedient, to be ready to do whatever is good, to slander no one, to be peaceable and considerate, and to show true humility toward all men.


+ Humbling situations are a test of what’s in our hearts

Deuteronomy 8: 2-3 – Remember how the LORD your God led you all the way in the desert these forty years, to humble you and to test you in order to know what was in your heart, whether or not you would keep his commands. He humbled you, causing you to hunger and then feeding you with manna, which neither you nor your fathers had known, to teach you that man does not live on bread alone but on every word that comes from the mouth of the LORD.


+ God has the ability and the authority to humble and lift up his people

1 Samuel 2:7-8 – The LORD sends poverty and wealth; he humbles and he exalts. He raises the poor from the dust and lifts the needy from the ash heap; he seats them with princes and has them inherit a throne of honor. "For the foundations of the earth are the LORD's; upon them he has set the world.

The Kingdom Builders

Introduction to the new name of our cell group.

- - - - -

--- Why are we changing the name the cell group?
The Lord has been speaking to me about the group’s direction in the last few months and I believe the time is right to rename the cell group even as we have entered into a new season in the Spirit. This name change to The Kingdom Builders is a natural progression from where the group started last year – as the Davidic Generation – now going on with more emphasis on bringing the rule and reign of God into our lives.

The focal point of Jesus' ministry on earth was the preaching of the good news of the Kingdom of God and the demonstration of the reality of the kingdom (Matt. 4:23 / Matt. 9:35 / Luke 4:43 / Luke 8:1). This is echoed in one of the main visions and missions of the Maranatha Christian Fellowship – to be able to take part in the proclamation of the good news of the Kingdom of God in the power the Holy Spirit to our generation.

So in essence, we are merely stepping further into our identity as individuals by defining and aligning the group's identity to the vision of the congregation.


--- What does it mean to be a Kingdom Builder?
Being a Kingdom Builder is reflective of the Davidic Generation. Each one of us is anointed to be a priest, prophet and king with a mandate to build and establish the God's kingdom in our personal lives, our families, our communities, our generation and every area of influence that God puts us in.

In the Old Testament, David is our main reference of what a Kingdom Builder is like. Through David's life, God built His kingdom, shaped His people into a powerful nation, cut off their enemies, and enabled them to live peacefully in the land He had promised to His people.

In the New Testament, Jesus is the model of a Kingdom Builder. He was the perfect example of one who walked in the authority and reality of heaven. Jesus is a King, a Priest and a Prophet and He used these anointings to establish the Kingdom of God on earth.


--- What passage of scripture are we using as the basis for the cell group's new name?
I feel strongly led by the Spirit that Matthew 6:33 should be the group's identifying scripture. This will also serve as our vision and guiding principle not just in our life together as a group, but more importantly in our lives as individual men of God. The following translations should paint a clearer picture of what each one in this group is called to be and do:

[The Message] Steep your life in God-reality, God-initiative, God-provisions. Don't worry about missing out. You'll find all your everyday human concerns will be met.

[Amplified Bible] But seek (aim at and strive after) first of all His kingdom and His righteousness (His way of doing and being right), and then all these things taken together will be given you besides.

[New Living Translation] Seek the Kingdom of God above all else, and live righteously, and he will give you everything you need.

[New King James Version] But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you.

--- How are we to build and establish the Kingdom of God?
First of all, as the above scripture clearly states, we build the Kingdom of God by seeking Him first. This means that every decision, every desire and every plan we have must be placed in submission to the authority of God by asking for His will to prevail. Simply put, it is asking the King what He wants to do with what He owns. A lifestyle of intimacy, humility, submission, sacrifice and obedience to the sovereignty of Jesus Christ as Savior and Lord is necessary in establishing the Kingdom of God in our lives.

Secondly, we are to build the Kingdom of God from the inside out. We are to first start establishing the rule and reign of God in our lives, attitudes, and character. We do this by allowing the Word of God and the Spirit of God to place in us Kingdom truth and power to not only grow in godliness but also to overcome the influence of the devil in our lives.

Thirdly, we build God’s Kingdom by influencing others to live godly lives after exemplifying a godly lifestyle in our own lives. We are to bring the lordship of Jesus to our families, our friends, our communities and our areas of dominion by preaching and demonstrating the power and reality of the Kingdom of God.


--- Are we equipped to be Kingdom Builders?
Yes, we are. The Bible says that God has given us everything we need for life and godliness (2 Peter 1:3) and that He will supply our needs according to His glorious riches in Christ Jesus (Philippians 4:9). It also says that He has given us the authority to overcome all the power of the enemy (Luke 10:19). Jesus also commanded us to work for the expansion of His Kingdom in Matthew 28:16-20.


--- So now what?
Now, we go and do what God called us to do; what He filled us with His Spirit for – establish His Kingdom on earth in the leading and power of the Holy Spirit. We live out our lives as the Kingdom Builders that God sees us to be – like David and Jesus before us.

His Promise of Peace

Isaiah 33

Distress and Help

¹ Woe to you, O destroyer,
you who have not been destroyed!
Woe to you, O traitor,
you who have not been betrayed!
When you stop destroying,
you will be destroyed;
when you stop betraying,
you will be betrayed.

² O LORD, be gracious to us;
we long for you.
Be our strength every morning,
our salvation in time of distress.

³ At the thunder of your voice, the peoples flee;
when you rise up, the nations scatter.

⁴ Your plunder, O nations, is harvested as by young locusts;
like a swarm of locusts men pounce on it.

⁵ The LORD is exalted, for he dwells on high;
he will fill Zion with justice and righteousness.

⁶ He will be the sure foundation for your times,
a rich store of salvation and wisdom and knowledge;
the fear of the LORD is the key to this treasure.

⁷ Look, their brave men cry aloud in the streets;
the envoys of peace weep bitterly.

⁸ The highways are deserted,
no travelers are on the roads.
The treaty is broken,
its witnesses are despised,
no one is respected.

⁹ The land mourns and wastes away,
Lebanon is ashamed and withers;
Sharon is like the Arabah,
and Bashan and Carmel drop their leaves.

¹⁰ "Now will I arise," says the LORD.
"Now will I be exalted;
now will I be lifted up.

¹¹ You conceive chaff,
you give birth to straw;
your breath is a fire that consumes you.

¹² The peoples will be burned as if to lime;
like cut thornbushes they will be set ablaze."

¹³ You who are far away, hear what I have done;
you who are near, acknowledge my power!

¹⁴ The sinners in Zion are terrified;
trembling grips the godless:
"Who of us can dwell with the consuming fire?
Who of us can dwell with everlasting burning?"

¹⁵ He who walks righteously
and speaks what is right,
who rejects gain from extortion
and keeps his hand from accepting bribes,
who stops his ears against plots of murder
and shuts his eyes against contemplating evil-

¹⁶ this is the man who will dwell on the heights,
whose refuge will be the mountain fortress.
His bread will be supplied,
and water will not fail him.

¹⁷ Your eyes will see the king in his beauty
and view a land that stretches afar.

¹⁸ In your thoughts you will ponder the former terror:
"Where is that chief officer?
Where is the one who took the revenue?
Where is the officer in charge of the towers?"

¹⁹ You will see those arrogant people no more,
those people of an obscure speech,
with their strange, incomprehensible tongue.

²⁰ Look upon Zion, the city of our festivals;
your eyes will see Jerusalem,
a peaceful abode, a tent that will not be moved;
its stakes will never be pulled up,
nor any of its ropes broken.

²¹ There the LORD will be our Mighty One.
It will be like a place of broad rivers and streams.
No galley with oars will ride them,
no mighty ship will sail them.

²² For the LORD is our judge,
the LORD is our lawgiver,
the LORD is our king;
it is he who will save us.

²³ Your rigging hangs loose:
The mast is not held secure,
the sail is not spread.
Then an abundance of spoils will be divided
and even the lame will carry off plunder.

²⁴ No one living in Zion will say, "I am ill";
and the sins of those who dwell there will be forgiven.

Like Now

Jabez cried out to the God of Israel, "Oh, that you would bless me and enlarge my territory! Let your hand be with me, and keep me from harm so that I will be free from pain." And God granted his request.

1 Chronicles 4:10

DGen Lesson: Adding and Increasing [Part 3]

[…continued from this post; part three of this series…]


...and to self-control, perseverance;...
+ Perseverance – related to endurance, patience and long-suffering – comes after one learns (and continuously receives grace) to exercise restraint in several, if not all areas of life. That should be the case because it takes a lot of discipline to endure hardship, continue in the midst of trials, and move forward when everything in life pounces on you and screams at you to quit.

Perseverance entails consistency, constancy and commitment. All other characteristics in Peter’s list will amount to nothing if perseverance is not combined with faith, goodness, knowledge, self-control, godliness, brotherly kindness and love. This ingredient is important in the recipe of making every effort to grow. All will become useless if we lose perseverance and give up pursuing God.

...and to perseverance, godliness;...
+ Josiah pointed out that the addition of godliness in Peter’s list serves as a goal, an end that the character of perseverance aims for. We need to persevere toward godliness. But I added that we also need godliness in order to persevere… toward godliness [yes. It is paradoxical but I believe that’s how it works].

The pursuit of godliness in our lives gives us focus on what is really important – knowing God and being conformed to the image of His Son. Godliness is the vertical component of our life, relating to God, spirit to spirit.

...and to godliness, brotherly kindness;...
+ Of course, loving God should not just be manifested in our personal relationship with Him. Peter puts brotherly kindness in the mix so that the overflow of our love relationship with the Father is evidenced by our love for our fellow man. Brotherly kindness – when we relate to those around us the way the Lord would have us do – is the horizontal component of our life.

In the same way that godliness should not be a stand-alone character in a Christian, brotherly kindness should not be a separate trait in those who profess to follow Christ. Living totally for the Lord without the benefit of receiving and giving love to others would be incomplete if we don’t live for others and love others out of our love for God.

I found it funny, nay amusing, that on one of my one-on-one sessions a particular Famoso Guerrero was caught speechless, rather tight-lipped, when we discussed this part of the passage. In fact, his silence said more than what little he spoke at the time. But I continued to tell him that brotherly love should not be limited to those who are biologically connected to us (our siblings) but also to rest of mankind, who are our brothers and sisters in God's huge family.

Perhaps Guerrero was getting some insights from the Lord at that time about a particular brotherly (or sisterly???) relationship. I'll never know. He wouldn't tell me... even to this day.


… to be continued …

DGen Lesson: Adding and Increasing [Part 2]

[...continued from this post...]


...and to knowledge, [add] self-control;...
+ You know the Spider-Man adage that goes, "with great power, comes great responsibility"? Well, if knowledge is power, then one needs to exercise great responsibility in the form of self-control when handling knowledge.

As with any other form of power, knowledge -- the acquisition and application of it -- can be abused and misused. It can give a person a puffed up ego [1 Corinthians 8:1]. It can be a source of pride and can therefore lead to one's downfall.

The exertion of self-control over our accumulated information, facts and learning is intended to keep us sober in our estimation of ourselves. We are not the source of knowledge after all but merely conduits of it. And it is God who gives us the ability to receive wisdom, understanding and knowledge.

I believe Peter also urges us to practice self-control in other areas of our lives, not just in handling knowledge. There is a serious need to practice self-control in our speech, in our conduct, in our thoughts, in the way we filter what comes into our minds and what goes out of mouths. Without self-control there is no order in one's life.

As Christians -- as followers of Christ -- we can't just do whatever pleases us and still represent Jesus. If we truly want to let our light shine, we have to have control or exercise control of what little darkness there is left within us. God's word helps us stretch our self-control muscles. The Bible shows us how to do that.

We need to read the Bible -- everyday -- to have the knowledge needed to control our wayward human nature.

This is why adding self-control to knowledge keeps us from abusing what we know, and adding knowledge to self-control makes us better at keeping the bad stuff at bay.


...to be continued...