" THANKFULNESS is an Attitude "

   

  HAPPY THANKSGIVING TO ONE AND ALL !!!  I held off doing my blog until I had a sense of what the LORD wanted me to write about. I should have known that Thankfulness would be a good subject for this holiday. There are many places in scripture that give us a look into what GOD thinks about HIS children being thankful and I thought I would start in Psalms and then move into the New Testament...........

Psalm 100  Make a joyful shout to the LORD, all you lands ! Serve the LORD with gladness; Come before HIS presence with singing. Know that the LORD, HE IS GOD; it is HE who has made us, and not we ourselves; We are HIS people and the sheep of HIS pasture. Enter into HIS gates with thanksgiving, and into HIS courts with praise. BE THANKFUL TO HIM, and bless HIS name. For the LORD is good; HIS mercy is everlasting, and HIS truth endures to all generations.

Psalm 140:12 & 13  I know that the LORD will maintain the cause of the afflicted, and justice for the poor. Surely the righteous shall give thanks to YOUR name; the upright shall dwell in YOUR presence.

Ephesians 5:15 thru 21  See then that you walk circumspectly, not as fools, but as wise, redeeming the time, because the days are evil. Therefore do not be unwise, but understand what the will of the LORD is. And do not be drunk with wine, in which is excess; but be filled with the SPIRIT, speaking to one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the LORD, giving thanks always for all things to GOD the FATHER in the name of our LORD JESUS CHRIST, submitting to one another in the fear of GOD.

Philippians 4: 4 thru 7  Rejoice in the LORD always. Again I will say rejoice ! Let your gentleness be known to all men. The LORD is at hand. Be anxious for nothing, but in everything, by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to GOD; and the peace of GOD, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through CHRIST JESUS.

1st.Thessalonians 5:12 thru 22  And we urge you brethren to recognize those who labor among you and are over you in the LORD and admonish you, and to esteem them very highly in love for their work's sake. Be at peace among yourselves. Now we exhort you, brethren, warn those who are unruly, comfort the fainthearted, uphold the weak, be patient with all. See that no one renders evil for evil to anyone but always pursue what is good both for yourselves and for all. Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, in everything give thanks; for this is the will of GOD in CHRIST JESUS for you. Do not quench the SPIRIT. Do not despise prophecies. Test all things; hold fast what is good. Abstain from every form of evil.

     Thankfulness, like many other actions, are done or given out of a grateful heart attitude, or at least it should be. Many times a day people say thanks, rather carelessly and without much real thankful-
ness. For the truly Born Again Believer, an attitude of thankfulness should not only be on the tip of our tongues but a heartfelt way of life. We have been given the greatest gift of forgiveness through our LORD and SAVIOR JESUS CHRIST's death on the cross to pay for our sins. Being haughty or prideful should never be  part of a True Christians attitude, because we have nothing of which to boast, except in the cross of CHRIST. Even the great Apostle Paul said that he was a Pharisee of the Pharisee's, he was a Hebrew of the Hebrew's. In other words he was at the top of the heap in his pre-Christian life, people looked up to him, he could get the front row seat anywhere he went.  But as he said, " he counted all that as dung for the excellency of CHRIST. All of our old life, done outside of the LORD, is counted as rubbish. We have nothing in which to boast of either.

     But thankfulness is an attitude of the heart. If you don't have any real sense of thankfulness, toward GOD through our LORD and SAVIOR JESUS CHRIST, then I would check to see if you truly are saved. Even in the middle of trials, which everyone has, we should see the hand of GOD teaching us through the trial. Just think of it, the GOD of Heaven, the all HOLY and RIGHTEOUS GOD cares so much for you that HE does the teaching through the times of trials that only HE allows in our lives. HE is a GOD that is involved, HE is not a GOD that is aloof or stands back uninterested in us.

     Maybe you're not saved. Maybe you have doubts about being a Christian, or maybe you know in your heart of hearts that you have never truly been saved. GOD says in HIS WORD that " today is the day of salvation ."  We have no assurance of another chance. Bow your head in prayer. Admit your need of a SAVIOR to pay the price of your sins. Ask JESUS to come into your heart and life and save you. HE WILL and then the thankfulness will be that heartfelt attitude that GOD looks for in HIS children !!!
Your servant in CHRIST,
Julie

" REJOICE !!! "

    Rejoicing is something that every Christian should express on a daily, if not, moment by moment basis. I know, it seems highly unlikely that a person, even a Christian could rejoice every moment of the day. But I am not talking about an outward hysteria or jovial animated look on our faces at all times. I am speaking of an inward spiritual rejoicing that comes from a knowledge that we, as GOD's children, have GOD's blessings when our lives are lived in accordance with HIS will. Once saved, we can rejoice in HIS gift of Salvation, HIS divine protection, HIS truth and instruction thru HIS HOLY WORD, the Bible
     Rejoicing can also be an outward display of joy and happiness thru singing praises or quiet meditation on HIS WORD and way. Let us look into HIS WORD for some specific places and reasons for GOD's children to REJOICE !!!!

     Exodus 18:9 - Then Jethro rejoiced for all the good which the LORD had done for Israel, whom HE had delivered out of the hand of the Egyptians...........This is an obvious kind of rejoicing. Israel had been enslaved by the Egyptians for 400 years and they finally got tired of living that way and they cried out to GOD to deliver them from their taskmasters, the Egyptians, and HE did by the hand of Moses and after Moses, Joshua.

     Psalms 105:1 thru 5 - OH, give thanks to the LORD ! Call upon HIS name; make known HIS deeds among the peoples. Sing to HIM, sing psalms to HIM: talk of all HIS wondrous works, glory in HIS holy name; let the hearts of those rejoice who seek the LORD. Seek the LORD and HIS strength; seek HIS face evermore. Remember HIS marvelous works which HE has done, HIS wonders, and the judgments of HIS mouth........... This is more of a spiritual and singing form of rejoicing. Actually this is part of a larger Psalm that is in 1st.Chron.16 when the Ark of GOD was brought back to the City of David. In 1st.Chron.15:27 & 28 it states - David was clothed with a robe of fine linen, as were all the Levites who bore the ark, the singers, and Chenaniah the music master with the singers. David also wore a linen ephod. Thus all Israel brought up the ark of the covenant of the LORD with shouting and with the sound of the horn, with trumpets and with cymbals, making music with stringed instruments and harps........... The ark had been away from the City of David for a long time and when it was returned their hearts were so happy that they could not contain themselves and wanted to praise GOD for this great blessing

     Psalm 21:1  -  The king shall have joy in YOUR strength, O LORD; And in YOUR salvation how greatly shall he rejoice.  Psalm 63:7  -  Because YOU have been my help, therefore in the shadow of YOUR wings I will rejoice........... The rejoicing that is noted here is by the leader of a nation whose GOD is the LORD and he rejoices in strength and salvation and help that only comes from a relationship with the ONE TRUE GOD.

     Habakkuk 3: 17 thru 19  -  Though the fig tree may not blossom, nor fruit be on the vines: though the labor of the olive may fail, and the fields yield no food; though the flock be cut off from the fold, and there be no herd in the stalls--Yet I will rejoice in the LORD, I will joy in the GOD of my salvation. The LORD GOD is my strength; HE will make my feet like deer's feet, and HE will make me walk on my high hills........... This is the kind of spiritual rejoicing that a Child of GOD does when times are tough and things may not be going well. Money is tight but you know in your heart of hearts that GOD is doing a work in your life, teaching you patience to wait on HIM to provide the need. You rejoice internally and even externally that HE loves and cares for you enough to personally want only your best and will work all things out for your good ( Romans 8:28 ).

     Rejoicing, as I said, is something that all TRUE BORN AGAIN Christians should do on a regular basis. There is nothing that should interfere with a heart of joy, " Rejoice in the LORD always. Again I will say rejoice !" (Phil.4:4) Even the Apostle Paul, and all he went through for the furtherance of the GOSPEL penned the above words from the book of Philippians and later in chapter 4 he wrote, But I rejoiced in the LORD greatly that now at last your care for me has flourished again; though you surely did care, but you lacked opportunity. Not that I speak in regard to need, for I have learned in whatever state I am, to be content. (Phil.4:10 & 11).  He suffered much for the cause of CHRIST but he also rejoiced that the LORD would use the " Chiefest of Sinners " to bring glory to GOD through the preaching of the GOSPEL of his LORD and SAVIOR JESUS CHRIST.
     If you aren't rejoicing in the LORD, right now, it may be because you are not one of HIS children. Has there ever been a time that you, a sinner just like all of us, went to the LORD in prayer, asking HIM to forgive you of your sin and to come into your heart and life and save you. HE WILL, HE longs to save those who come to HIM by faith and then you too can REJOICE WITH JOY INEXPRESSIBLE AND FULL OF GLORY !!!
Your servant in CHRIST,
Julie

" CHRISTlikeness, a Lifetime of Learning "

     There are many people, Christians and non-Christians alike that have a problem with our current crop of so-called Believers. Even I am guilty of being hard on those who state that they are True Born Again Believers, because their lives do not live up to what seems to be expected of them. When CHRIST went back into heaven HE gave the " Great Commission " that Christians were to go out into all the world and preach the Gospel to every creature or every nation and to make disciples of them. But how do you do that, how do you give out the Gospel ? One way is obvious, verbally give your testimony of what CHRIST has done for you and how HE saved you from a life of sin. But the other way is not so easy and it is where the rub is as far as living the Christian Life before others. This is where the rubber meets the road, walking the walk and not just talking the talk.

     Before CHRIST went back up into heaven HE said to HIS disciples in Acts Chapter 1 verse 8 - "But you shall receive power when the HOLY SPIRIT has come upon you: and you shall be witnesses to ME in Jerusalem (your home and neighborhood), and in Judea (your city or state) and Samaria (the nation) and to the end of the earth (to the whole world)."  The power HE was talking about was the giving of the HOLY SPIRIT at Pentecost.  When someone comes to JESUS by faith and believes that HE died for their own personal sins and asks JESUS to come into their heart and save them, HE does just that but HE also seals the new Believer with the GUARANTEE or GOD the HOLY SPIRIT. From this moment on the life of the new Believer is either slowly transformed or vigorously transformed into the image of CHRIST, it is all up to the new Believer and how much he is committed to his new way of life.

     GOD's WORD calls the new Believer " a Babe in CHRIST " in many places. As a new Believer we need to grow in GOD's WORD but many new Believers seem to stop there, as Babes, only occasionally feeding on the WORD or going to a good Bible believing or Bible preaching church, when they feel like it. Discipling these new Believers is crucial and needful for them or Satan will pull them away to stay Babes in CHRIST and not allow them to grow and mature in their new faith. The LORD gives gifts to HIS children and these gifts need to be exercised so that they can be used fully for the glory of GOD and to fulfill their place in the body of Believers in the local godly church.
     In the book of Romans Chapter 8:1 thru 17 the Apostle Paul, under the inspiration of GOD, gives Believers insight into what the HOLY SPIRIT does in the life of a Believer.......

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. For the law of the SPIRIT of life in CHRIST JESUS has made me free from the law of sin and death. For what the law could not do in that it was weak, through the flesh, GOD did by sending HIS own SON in the likeness of sinful flesh, on account of sin; HE condemned sin in the flesh, so that the righteous requirement of the law might be fulfilled in us who do not walk according to the flesh but according to the SPIRIT. For those who live according to the flesh set their minds on the things of the flesh, but those who live according to the SPIRIT, the things of the SPIRIT. For to be carnally minded is death, but to be spiritually minded is life and peace. Because the carnal mind is at enmity against GOD; for it is not subject to the law of GOD, nor indeed can be. So then, those who are in the flesh cannot please GOD. BUT you are not in the flesh but in the SPIRIT, if indeed the SPIRIT of GOD dwells in you. Now if anyone does not have the SPIRIT of CHRIST, he is not HIS. And if CHRIST is in you, the body is dead because of sin, but the SPIRIT is life because of righteousness (HIS not ours). But if the SPIRIT of HIM who raised JESUS from the dead dwells in you, HE who raised CHRIST from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies through HIS SPIRIT who dwells in you. Therefore, brethren, we are debtors-not to the flesh, to live according to the flesh. For if you live according to the flesh you will die; but if by the SPIRIT you put to death the deeds of the body, you will live. For as many as are led by the SPIRIT of GOD these are sons of GOD. For you did not receive the spirit of bondage again to fear, but you received the SPIRIT of adoption by whom we cry out, "Abba, FATHER."  The SPIRIT HIMSELF bears witness with our spirit that we are children of GOD, and if children, then heirs-heirs of GOD and joint heirs with CHRIST, if indeed we suffer with HIM, that we may also be glorified together. Romans 8:1 thru 17

     Also in 2nd Corinthians 3:18 Paul states - But we all, with unveiled face, beholding as in a mirror the glory of the LORD, are being transformed into the same image from glory to glory, just as by the SPIRIT of the LORD.  And in 2nd Cor.5:15 Paul states -  And HE died for all, that those who live should live no longer for themselves, but for HIM who died for them and rose again.  The book of Galatians Chapter 5 talks of Christian Liberty and the conflict between walking in the SPIRIT and walking in the flesh, pay special attention to verses 16,17,24 & 25  -  I say then, "Walk in the SPIRIT, and you shall not fulfill the lust of the flesh. For the flesh lusts against the SPIRIT, and the SPIRIT against the flesh; and these are contrary to one another so that you do not do the things that you wish." And those who are CHRIST's (True Believers, Christians) have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. If we live in the SPIRIT, let us walk in the SPIRIT.
     In the book of 1st.John 2:28 thru 3:3 John, through the inspiration of GOD writes - And now, little children, abide in HIM, that when HE appears we may have confidence and not be ashamed before HIM at HIS coming. If you know that HE is righteous, you know that everyone who practices righteousness is born of HIM. Behold what manner of love the FATHER has bestowed on us that we should be called children of GOD. Therefore the world does not know us because it did not know HIM. Beloved, now we are children of GOD: and it has not yet been revealed what we shall be but we know that when HE is revealed, we shall be like HIM for we shall see HIM as HE is. And everyone who has this hope in HIM purifies himself, just as HE is pure.

     So what does all this mean ? Basically, boiled down - STAY IN GOD'S WORD, PRAY THAT THE SPIRIT WILL TEACH YOU AND BE OPEN TO WHAT THE SPIRIT IS TEACHING YOU, FIND A GOOD BIBLE BELIEVING, BIBLE PREACHING CHURCH AND GO FAITHFULLY, LEARN WHAT GIFTS YOU HAVE BEEN GIVEN AND USE THEM FOR GOD'S GLORY, FIND YOUR PLACE OF SERVICE IN THE CHURCH AND DO THE WORK GOD GAVE YOU TO DO.  As a Believer/Christian we must not stay Babes but we need to mature in the Faith of our LORD and SAVIOR JESUS CHRIST to the glory of GOD the FATHER.
     We will never be perfect on this side of heaven, but with the SPIRIT's teaching and a teachable spirit, we can learn to be more like JESUS each day til HE comes.
Your servant in CHRIST,
Julie

" The REAL LORD's Prayer "

    PRAYER, have you ever given this subject real earnest thought ? When I taught the older class of kids at our church in PA, I used to ask them this question:  If you have a best friend, someone who you would never think of not talking to, at least every day, and this friend felt the same way, actually they loved you as a brother or sister and you just stopped talking to them, how do you think that would make them feel about your relationship with them ?  Well these would be human friends that would not understand why you were no longer talking to them as you once did and I am sure they would get to the bottom of why your friendship seemed to be on the rocks.  In some ways it is the same way with GOD through our LORD and SAVIOR, JESUS CHRIST.

     In the book of Luke Chapter.11: 1 thru 4, JESUS was in a certain place praying and when HE was finished one of HIS disciples asked HIM to teach them to pray. Now many people consider this the LORD's Prayer and you will find it many places on plaques, pictures, cups etc. But actually if you study where HE gives this in the other gospel records, it is to be only a model or an outline of content of what our prayers should include, when we pray.
          Our FATHER ( to whom ) which art in heaven,
          Hallowed be THY name ( praise and worship ),
          THY kingdom come, THY will be done ( HIS will not ours ),
          On earth at it is in heaven ( everywhere ),
          Give us this day our daily bread, ( each days needs )
          And forgive us our debts as we forgive our debtors     (forgiveness),
          And lead us not into temptation ( lead us daily ),
          But deliver us from evil ( deliver us daily ),
          For THINE is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory
          forever. ( All is HIS )   AMEN ( a strong assurance )
If you wanted to give the above model or outline an actual name, it could be titled, the " Disciples in Training Prayer ".  Each of the lines above have an aspect of humility, praise and worship along with an acknowledgement that HE is the provider of our daily needs, forgiveness, and the strong assurance that ALL is HIS and HE is in complete control, not to worry or fear no matter where we are as HIS child, HE is there. The closer you walk with HIM in prayer, the closer you will be as a loving FATHER to HIS sometimes wayward child. HE knows us better than we know ourselves, because HE was there before you were even created...Psalm 139....but the name of this post is the REAL LORD's Prayer, so let's get to that.

     In the book of John Chapter 17, which happens to be one of my favorite places to read, is the REAL LORD's Prayer. If you read in chapters 13 thru 16, the LORD was giving HIS disciples a lot of info, some of which was hard for them to hear and understand and the LORD wanted them to have a part in the 26 verses of Chapter 17. Not only did HE pray for HIMSELF in verses 1 thru 5, but HE prayed for the disciples in verses 6 thru 19 and what is truly amazing, HE prayed for you and me ( future believers ) in verses 20 thru 26. Let me give you the 17th Chapter of John... " The REAL LORD's Prayer " ---

          JESUS spoke these words, lifted up HIS eyes to heaven, and said:
"FATHER, the hour has come. Glorify YOUR SON, that YOUR SON also may glorify YOU, as YOU have given HIM authority over all flesh, that HE should give eternal life to as many as YOU have given HIM. And this is eternal life, that they may know YOU, the only TRUE GOD, and JESUS CHRIST WHOM YOU have sent. I have glorified YOU on the earth. I have finished the work which YOU have given ME to do. And now, O FATHER, glorify ME together with YOURSELF, with the glory which I had with YOU before the world was.
          I have manifested YOUR name to the men whom YOU have given ME out of the world. They were YOURS, YOU gave them to ME , and they have kept YOUR WORD. Now they have known that all things which YOU have given ME are from YOU. For I have given to them the words which YOU have given ME; and they have received them, and have known surely that I cam forth from YOU; and they have believed that YOU sent ME. I pray for them. I do not pray for the world, but for those whom YOU have given ME, for they are YOURS. And all MINE are YOURS, and YOURS are MINE, and I am glorified in them. Now I am no longer in the world, but these are in the world, and I come to YOU. HOLY FATHER, keep through YOUR name those whom YOU have given ME, that they may be one as WE are. While I was with them in the world, I kept them in YOUR name. Those whom YOU gave ME I have kept; and none of them is lost except the son of perdition (Judas Iscariot who betrayed JESUS) that the Scripture might be fulfilled. But now I come to YOU, and these things I speak in the world, that they may have MY joy fulfilled in themselves. I have given them YOUR WORD; and the world has hated them because they are not of the world, just as I am not of this world. I do not pray that YOU should take them out of the world, but that YOU should keep them from the evil one. They are not of the world, just as I am not of the world. Sanctify them by YOUR TRUTH, YOUR WORD is TRUTH. As YOU sent ME into the world, I also have sent them into the world. And for their sakes I sanctify MYSELF, that they also may be sanctified by the truth.
          I do not pray for these (the disciples) alone, but also for those who will believe in ME through their word; that they all may be one, as YOU FATHER, are in ME, and I in YOU; that they also may be one in US, that the world may believe that YOU sent ME. And the glory which YOU gave ME I have given them, that they may be one just as WE are one; I in them, and YOU in ME; that they may be made perfect in one, and that the world may know that YOU have sent ME, and have loved them as YOU have loved ME. FATHER, I desire that they also whom YOU gave ME may be with ME where I am, that  they may behold MY glory which YOU have given ME; for YOU loved ME before the foundation of the world. O righteous FATHER ! The world has not known YOU, but I have known YOU; and these have known that YOU sent ME. And I have declared to them YOUR name, and will declare it, that the love with which YOU loved ME may be in them, and I in them."  John 17:1-26

     Once HE was done with HIS prayer, JESUS went to the Mount of Olives where HE was first kissed by HIS betrayer, Judas, and then arrested. The REAL LORD's Prayer was prayed for HIMSELF, for HIS disciples and for those who would believe in HIM in the future.  JESUS knew that Judas was in the process of betraying HIM. HE was not concerned for HIS own life, but as always HE was praying for others-HIS friends in whom HE loved and " sticks closer than a brother" (Proverbs 18:24). HE was praying to bring glory and honor to HIS FATHER through the final work that GOD the FATHER had given HIM to do. JESUS's work on the cross was nothing short of awe inspiring, miraculous and the greatest show of love that anyone could ever show to filthy sinners like us. That's right, while we were yet sinners, CHRIST died for us. HIS love has no bounds, no limits, no end EXCEPT by time.  In this life only are we given the chance and the choice to say YES to HIS wonderful gift of Salvation. If you're not sure or if you have never asked HIM into your heart to become your SAVIOR - do it now, because HE said that " today is the day of Salvation ". Bow your head in prayer, admit to JESUS that you know that you are a sinner in need of HIS forgiveness, ask HIM into your heart to save you, and HE will -- REMEMBER HE has already prayed for you to come to HIM, all you have to do is answer HIM in prayer !!!
Your servant in CHRIST,
Julie

    

    
         

" Feet, Where does yours take you ? "

      You may think that the subject of "feet" may be a strange subject to talk about in relationship to GOD and HIS WORD. But as you will see, "feet" are one of HIS created parts for man that we cannot do without in our Christian walk.  Whether we are talking about physical or spiritual "feet", both have an important place in Scripture.  Let's get started.
     Physically our "feet" take us anywhere we want to go, and to those who have no physical feet, but prosthetic feet, we mean you too. Have you ever given it a thought as to where your "feet" take you ? If you are a True Born Again Christian, I certainly hope that you think about it every time you go anywhere. A Christian should think about it like this, where I am going, is it a place that I would want to take JESUS ? Since every True Believer or Saint, as GOD's WORD calls us, is indwelt with GOD the HOLY SPIRIT, where we go HE goes !

     Before Apostle Paul was saved and GOD changed his name from Saul to Paul, he was what you would call a "Bounty Hunter" for the Jews. His job was to " enter every house and drag off men and women (who had put their faith and trust in the LORD JESUS CHRIST) committing them to prison." Acts 8:3 Now what does this have to do with "feet" ? In Acts Chapter 7 Stephen, a Christian, was preaching to the council of the High Priest, Scribes and Pharisees. Please read this chapter in its entirety, Stephen's testimony of faith is so compelling that you can almost hear the councils anger building by the time you get to verses 54 thru 60.  There is a small phrase in vs.57 - and they cast him out of the city and stoned him. And the witnesses laid down their clothes at the "feet" of a young man named Saul. Yes, one in the same, our now beloved Paul was condoning to the murder of the Christians before he was confronted by JESUS on the road to Damascus in Acts 9:4-5.  The day that Stephen was stoned by the council and the witnesses, Saul was the one standing by and watching over the cloaks that the men had taken off so they would not get the blood on them of this martyred Saint. And by his actions of protecting the garments, he was just as guilty of murdering Stephen as those who actually threw the stones that killed him.  Saul's "feet" were not where they should have been but they were doing what he thought was correct. Later he calls himself the "chiefest of sinners" for persecuting "the Way".  But Paul would later be converted by a man named Ananias, who in Acts 9:10 thru 17 was called by the LORD to go ( "feet") to a certain place and touch Saul's eyes so that he could receive his sight back. Ananias was afraid but used his "feet" to go and give Saul the Gospel and return his sight back to him. His "feet" were used for GOD's glory and the salvation of a man that the LORD would use mightily in writing nearly two thirds of the New Testament.

     In Romans Chapter 10:14 thru 15 says - How then shall they call on HIM in whom they have not believed ? And how shall they believe in HIM of whom they have not heard ? And how shall they hear without a preacher ? And how shall they preach unless they are sent ("feet") ? As it is written:
          " How beautiful are the "feet" of those who preach the Gospel
          of peace, who bring glad tidings of good things !"
In the book of Ephesians Chapter 6 it gives us a picture of the Christians suit of armor, and in vs.15 it says - " and having shod your "feet" with the preparation of the Gospel of peace;"  Also in the book of Hebrews Chapter 12:12 thru 17 it says - Therefore strengthen the hands which hang down, and the feeble knees, and make straight paths for your feet, so that what is lame may not be dislocated but rather be healed. Pursue peace with all men, and holiness, without which no one will see the LORD; looking diligently lest anyone fall short of the grace of GOD; lest any root of bitterness springing up cause trouble, and by this many become defiled; lest there be any fornicator or profane person like Esau, who for one morsel of food sold his birthright. For you know that afterward, when he wanted to inherit the blessing, he was rejected, for he found no place for repentance, though he sought it diligently with tears.

     As True Born Again Christians, our "feet" are to take us where JESUS would want us to go. So the next time you want to go dancing, would the LORD JESUS CHRIST be glorified ?  The next time your "feet" stand in line for lottery tickets, is this being a "Good Steward" of what the LORD has blessed you with ? The next time your " feet " get up to look at scantily clad men or women, either on TV, Movies, Internet or even outside your door or wherever you may be "walking", is this what the LORD would want you to be doing or seeing ?  As a True Born Again Christian, we should not just be talking the talk, but " walking the walk with our feet, everyday " !!!
     Now as for the unbelieving "feet", GOD has a few WORD's about them as well. In Romans Chapter 3:9 thru 18 is says - What then ? Are we better than they ? Not at all. For we have previously charged both Jews and Greeks(Gentiles) that they are all under sin. As it is written:
          There is none righteous, no not one;
          There is none who understands;
          There is none who seeks after GOD.
          They have all gone out of the way;
          They have together become unprofitable;
          There is none who does good, no not one.
          Their throat is an open tomb;
          With their tongues they have practiced deceit;
          The poison of asps is under their lips;
          Whose mouth is full of cursing and bitterness.
          Their "feet" are swift to shed blood;
          Destruction and misery are in their ways;
          And the way of peace they have not known.
          There is no fear of GOD before their eyes.
The unbelievers "feet" takes them to places that get them into trouble. The unbelievers "feet" takes them, like sin, farther than they ever wanted to go and it will cost them more than they ever wanted to pay !!! The unbeliever should think of himself this way, Satan is the puppeteer and the unbeliever is the puppet. Satan twists and turns you any way he wishes and you, the unbeliever, have no power to resist his temptations. Satan is called the "prince of the power of the air" he is also known as the "great deceiver" and the "accuser of the brethren(Christians)."

     UNBELIEVER, if you are counting on anything other than the LORD JESUS CHRIST and HIS death on the cross as the blood bought payment for your sins, then you are an unbeliever. GOD's WORD says that " NOT by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to HIS mercy HE saved us, through the washing of regeneration and renewing of the HOLY SPIRIT, WHOM HE poured out on us abundantly through JESUS CHRIST our SAVIOR, that having been justified by HIS grace we should become heirs according to the hope of eternal life. Titus 3:5 thru 7.  Christianity is not a "religion", it is not a "liturgy", it is not by "works", it is not by any amount of repetitious prayers to those Saints who have gone on before us to be with the LORD.  NO man can declare you a Saint, NO man can absolve you of your sin, NO man can do anything or require anything to pay your way out of sin !!!

     Man's debt for his sin has already been paid, in full, by the death of our LORD and SAVIOR JESUS CHRIST on the cross of Calvary, and HIS resurrection from the dead. ONLY A "RELATIONSHIP" WITH THE LORD JESUS CAN SAVE YOU FROM YOUR SIN AND AN ETERNITY IN A DEVIL'S HELL !!!  Take those dirty, sin stained "feet" to the SAVIOR, bough your head in prayer and repent of your sin and ask JESUS to come into your heart and make you clean and saved. As GOD, JESUS cannot lie, so when HE said that " whomsoever shall call on the name of the LORD shall be saved " it can only be WORDS OF TRUTH from the SAVIOR. Do your "feet" a favor and join in this GREAT RELATIONSHIP with the LORD. Your "feet" and the rest of you will never be sorry when the LORD walks with you wherever you GO !!!
Your servant in CHRIST,
Julie

" JESUS, the AUTHOR and FINISHER of our Faith "

   What is faith and where does it come from ?  GOD's WORD has a great definition for faith in the book of Hebrews Chapter 1 vs.1& 2 - Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not yet seen. For by it (faith) the elders obtained a good testimony.
     Without faith, in our everyday lives, we could not exist. Think about all the things that you just take for granted, everyday, that just work. You sit on human made chairs and by faith you plop down on them never giving it a thought that they may collapse under your weight. You drive over bridges, also man made, and never give it any thought that the bridge may collapse under your car. I'm not a person that likes heights. Now I have flown from PA to LA and back, in beautiful weather, and I was blessed to get the window seat during certain parts of the flight. My nose was glued to the window. I thought I would be afraid to be up that high, but the sun and the clouds were so beautiful, I couldn't take my eyes off of them. Coming home, I landed in Phila.at night and as we circled to land the first thing I thought of was that Phila.looked like a huge Christmas Tree from the air. The lights of the city from that height was breathtaking.  But I have an awful fear of going up in a skyscraper, you know, one of those with the windows that go all the way from the floor to the ceiling. I can sit here, in my chair, and think about walking up to the window, with the toes of my shoes touching the window, and looking down I start to break out in a sweat and get dizzy, just thinking about it. So faith is a part of every ones daily life.

     Now I would love to give you the entire 11th Chapter of Hebrews, it is rightly called the Great Faith Chapter, but instead I am going to give you the highlights and let you read the rest for yourself. Of course I gave you the definition of faith in Hebrews 1:1 & 2 and I also want you to know that GOD says in vs.6 - But without faith it is impossible to please HIM, for he who comes to GOD must believe that HE is, and that HE is a rewarder of those who diligently seek HIM.   So without faith we cannot please GOD and without faith we cannot be saved. The book of Ephesians Chapter 2 verses 8 & 9 says - For by grace (GOD's) you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of GOD, not of works lest anyone should boast.  This says that even our faith in GOD is not of ourselves, but that GOD gives us the gift of faith to believe in HIM and in the gift of HIS SON, JESUS CHRIST.

     If you read the 11th.Chapter of Hebrews, nearly every verse starts with the phrase " By faith " and then it mentions a name of one of the Old Testaments great pillars of the faith. Now none of those mentioned were perfect, far from it, they were all sinners in need of Salvation. Jacob, Gideon and Samson were all too human and even Father Abraham slipped up quite a few times, but they all had one thing in common, their faith in the ONE TRUE GOD and HIS promise of the MESSIAH, the LORD JESUS CHRIST.
     As I said above, we all have a type of faith, but not the godly type of faith. GOD knows all of time at once. HE can see Adam and Eve in the Garden of Eden at the same time HE can see Samson pushing down the pillars of the Colosseum of those who had poked out his eyes and made him a slave. GOD can see you right now where you are and 20 years from now HE knows what you will be doing and with whom. HE can also see the LORD JESUS CHRIST coming back for HIS Bride, the Church, and Satan being thrown into the Lake of Fire.  GOD's ability to see all of time at the same time also enables HIM to see who will come to the faith and believe. HE knew when Moses brought the children of Israel and others out of Egypt, that Pharaoh would never believe. No matter how many miracles Moses performed in front of Pharaoh, he would lie to get the plagues stopped, but refused to believe in the ONE TRUE GOD. So GOD used Pharaoh to get the children of Israel out of Egypt, to show Israel that their GOD was the only way they were ever going to get to the promised land.

     The same goes for us today. GOD knows the heart of them who will believe. HE expects us to give out the Gospel to every tribe, tongue and nation, but HE knows who will believe and who will not. When a person is asked to go to church by a friend, a believer, and that person goes, he sits there and listens to the Preacher giving out the WORD of GOD. All during the service, GOD the HOLY SPIRIT is trying to get the persons attention, trying to break through the years of hard heartedness, the callous that has grown across the heart of the unbeliever. Also, a tract is given to someone, they put it in their pocket or purse. It is forgotten, until the jeans are washed or the purse is cleaned out, the HOLY SPIRIT again is working to soften the unbelievers heart.
     A seed begins to grow, a thought comes to the mind of the unbeliever, what if this is true, what if I am this awful sinner that this tract is talking about or this Preacher is talking to. The heart breaks, faith begins to bloom and they pray to GOD, through the LORD JESUS CHRIST for forgiveness and to be saved.  So even our faith comes from the ONE WHO loves us the most. Those mentioned in the 11th.chapter of Hebrews were - stoned, they were sawn in two, were tempted, were slain with the sword. They wandered about in sheepskins and goatskins, being destitute, afflicted, tormented - of whom the world was not worthy. They wandered in deserts and mountains, in dens and caves of the earth. And all these, having obtained a good testimony through faith, did not receive the promise, GOD having provided something better for us, that they should not be made perfect apart from us Hebr.11:37 thru 40.

     Since the LORD JESUS CHRIST is the author and finisher of our faith as Hebr.12:2 & 3 states - Looking unto JESUS, the author and finisher of our faith, WHO for the joy that was set before HIM, endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of GOD. For consider HIM who endured such hostility from sinners against HIMSELF, lest you become weary and discouraged in your souls. What was the joy that JESUS could see, that was set before HIM, when HE was nailed to the cross, after HE had already been whipped nearly to death ?  IT WAS YOU !!!  HE saw you and me and all those who would believe and put their faith in what HE was going through on the cross..... For GOD so loved the world that HE gave HIS only begotten SON, that whosoever believes in HIM shall not perish but have everlasting life.....the blood that HE would shed for the sin of all mankind. No amount of works or liturgy could ever save so much as a single hair of our heads.
     So take the faith that GOD is giving you right now at this moment, don't delay, for today is the day of salvation. HE has not promised us any more than the breath we are taking right at this moment. Bough your head, confess to GOD through JESUS CHRIST, that you are a sinner in need of the SAVIOR, ask HIM to come into your heart and save you. HE will, HE saw you while HE was on the cross !!!
Your servant in CHRIST,
Julie

" Circumcision is that of the Heart "

    I don't know about you but I used to wonder why there was the designations of Jew and Gentile to refer to people. If you were not a Jew then you were a Gentile. The word Jew or Jews, per GOD's WORD, represents the Hebrew Nation per verses in the book of Esther Chapt.3:6 & 13 and the book of Ezra Chapt.5: 1 & 5, where you first find the actual word Jew or Jews. Of course, those who are familiar with the beginnings of the nation of Israel ( the Jews ) know that it started when GOD called out Abram ( later to become Abraham ) and Sarai ( later to be called Sarah ), his wife, from his country and his kindred to a land that GOD would later give to the nation of Israel ( the Jews ) in the book of Gen.Chapt.12: 1 thru 3. When Abraham and Sarah had their child of promise, Isaac, the child that GOD promised them would be born in their old age ( Abraham was 100 and Sarah was 90 ). Abraham had a son born about 13 years earlier that Abraham and Hagar ( Sarah's Egyptian maid ) had together, outside the promise that GOD had given to Abraham and Sarah.  In Gen.17:9 thru 14, GOD instituted the covenant of circumcision for all the males either directly related to Abraham or born in his household. All males were to be circumcised.

     Now this was a fleshly circumcision and Isaac, Abraham's son of promise was part of this covenant of circumcision. Now over a period of time, Isaac grew and also had 2 sons, twins, Esau and Jacob.  Esau was the oldest so he should have been the son who would inherit the blessings and most of his fathers inheritance, but Esau despised his birthright and so Rebekah, Isaac's wife made a plan to deceive her husband and get her favorite son, Jacob, the birthright and the blessing. To make a long story short, Isaac's eyes were dim from age and he could not see so Rebekah dressed Jacob up to look, feel and smell like Esau. The trick worked and Jacob got the blessing over his older son Esau. Now the name Jacob means deceiver or surplanter and after many years of ups and downs Jacob came to a point in his life where he understood that he was not worthy of any of the blessings that the GOD of Abraham and Isaac, his father, had bestowed on him. So in Gen. 32:24 thru 30 Jacob wrestled with the pre-incarnate CHRIST until the breaking of day and in verse 28 the LORD changed Jacob's name to Israel, which means Prince with GOD, for Jacob had struggled with GOD and with men and had prevailed.  So this is the root of the nation of Israel as we know it today.

      We as Christians know that we are to pray for the peace of Israel ( as a nation ) and to witness to them as instructed by their MESSIAH, our LORD and SAVIOR JESUS CHRIST before HE left to go back into heaven. Israel has been set aside for the " time of the Gentiles " to be fulfilled and scripture is quite clear that they have to come to GOD the same way the Gentiles come to GOD, through HIS only begotten SON, JESUS CHRIST. The book of Romans's Chapters 2 thru 4 deals a lot about what is currently happening to Israel as far as their salvation as a nation and as individuals.  Let me give you some of what it says in Romans 2:11 thru 3:20 as a portion of what GOD's WORD says about Jew and Gentile salvation :

    

    " For there is no partiality with GOD. For as many as have sinned without law will also perish without law, and as many as have sinned in the law will be judged by the law, ( for not the hearers of the law are just in the sight of GOD, but the doers of the law will be justified; for when Gentiles, who do not have the law, by nature do the things contained in the law, these, although not having the law, are a law to themselves, who show the work of the law written in their hearts, their conscience  also bearing witness, and between themselves their thoughts accusing or else excusing them ) in the day when GOD will judge the secrets of men by JESUS CHRIST, according to my Gospel.
     Indeed you are called a Jew, and rest on the law, and make your boast in GOD, and know HIS will and approve the things that are excellent, being instructed out of the law, and are confident that you yourself are a guide to the blind, a light to those who are in darkness, an instructor of the foolish, a teacher of babes, having the form of knowledge and truth in the law.  You, therefore, who teach another, do you not teach yourself ? You who preach that a man should not steal, do you steal ? You who say, " Do not commit adultery," do you commit adultery ? You who abhor idols, do you rob temples ?  You who make your boast in the law, do you dishonor GOD through breaking the law ? For " The name of GOD is blasphemed among the Gentiles because of you ( the Jews )," as it is written. For circumcision is indeed profitable if you keep the law; but if you are a breaker of the law, your circumcision has become uncircumcision. Therefore, if an uncircumcised man keeps the righteous requirements of the law, will not his uncircumcision be counted as circumcision ? And will not the physically uncircumcised, if he fulfills the law, judge you who, even with your written code and circumcision, are a transgressor of the law ? For he is not a Jew who is one outwardly, nor is that circumcision which is outward in the flesh; but he is a Jew who is one inwardly, and circumcision is that of the heart, in the SPIRIT, and not in the letter; whose praise is not from men but from GOD.

     What advantage then has the Jew, or what is the profit of circumcision ? Much in every way ! Chiefly because to them ( the Jews ) were committed the oracles of GOD. For what if some did not believe ? Will their unbelief make the faithfulness of GOD without effect ? Certainly not ! Indeed, let GOD be true but every man a liar. As it is written:
          " That YOU may be justified in YOUR words,
          and may overcome when YOU are judged."
But if our unrighteousness demonstrates the righteousness of GOD, what shall we say ? Is GOD unjust who inflicts wrath ? ( I speak as a a man.) Certainly not ! For then how will GOD judge the world ? For if the truth of GOD has increased through my lie to HIS glory, why am I also still judged as a sinner ? And why not say, " Let us do evil that good may come "? - as we are slanderously reported and as some affirm that we say. Their condemnation is just. What then ? Are we ( Gentiles ) better than they ( Jews ) ? Not at all. For we have previously charged both Jews and Greeks ( Gentiles ) that they are all under sin. As it is written:
"  There is none righteous, no not one; there is none who
understands; there is none who seeks after GOD.
They have all gone out of the way; they have together
become unprofitable; there is none who does good, no not one."
" Their throat is an open tomb; with their tongues they
have practiced deceit "; " The poison of asps is under their lips ";
" Whose mouth is full of cursing and bitterness."  " Their feet
are swift to shed blood; destruction and misery are in their
ways; and the way of peace they have not known."
" There is no fear of GOD before their eyes."
     Now we know that whatever the law says, it says to those who are under the law, that every mouth may be stopped, and all the world may become guilty before GOD. Therefore by the deeds of the law no flesh will be justified in HIS sight, for by the law is the knowledge of sin. "

     Jew or Gentile, we are all in the same boat as far as Salvation goes. For the Jew, he has to come to the realization that their MESSIAH came in the form of GOD's only begotten SON, JESUS CHRIST. The Jew and Gentile both have to come to the realization that we are all born sinners and that nothing we do, no law, no works, no church ritual or liturgy will endear us to an all HOLY GOD. JESUS came to earth, born of a virgin, born under the law. HE did all the things that were required, under the law. HE fulfilled each prophetic scripture that was written about HIS coming and HIS manor of death on the cross. HE came and died, not for HIS own sin, because HE was the sinless SON of GOD. The only ONE WHO could pay the price that GOD the FATHER required, for the sin of all mankind.  TODAY is your day of Salvation !!! GOD's HOLY SPIRIT is talking to you thru this post. If you have never thought about eternity, it could only be a few moments from now !!! We are not promised anymore time than the few breathes that we are now breathing !!! A car accident may take your life tomorrow, or you may not see the sun rise in the morning.  Take time now to bow your head in prayer, admit to GOD that you are a sinner and you believe that HIS SON, JESUS CHRIST came to die and pay the price for your sin. Ask HIM to come into your heart and save you, HE IS WILLING AND ABLE, remember that circumcision is that of the heart for Jew or Gentile !!!
Your servant in CHRIST,
Julie

" Let's Stir Up Your Mind to Remember "

     If you are like me sticky notes have become a way of life. My calendar also is full of reminders of things I have to do, birthdays, Dr. appointments, dog grooming appointments and the like. I'm sure most young people reading this cannot identify with the use of sticky notes or calendars as reminder tools because they are so well versed in Smart phones, I-Pads or I-Pods.  My husband and I are "Old School" and we do just fine without the most updated methods used by others and by what I have heard we save a ton of cash by not having or using them !!!
     GOD in HIS great wisdom also knew that we would need a lot of reminding when it came to the "last days" that we are currently in. There are many places that identify as " written to stir up your pure minds by way of reminder," but we are going to start in 2nd Peter 3:1 thru 14 wherein Peter, inspired by the HOLY SPIRIT, reminds fellow Christians, True Born Again Believers, of the mockery that would go on in these last days. --

     Beloved, I now write to you this second epistle (in both of which I stir up your pure minds by way of reminder), that you may be mindful of the words which were spoken before by the holy prophets and of the commandment of us the apostles of the LORD and SAVIOR, knowing this first that scoffers will come in the last days walking according to their own lusts and saying, "Where is the promise of HIS coming ? For since the fathers fell asleep, all things continue as they were from the beginning of creation."  For this they willfully forget that by the WORD of GOD the heavens were of old, and the earth standing out of water and in the water, by which the world that then existed perished, being flooded with water.  But the heavens and the earth which now exist are kept in store by the same word, reserved for fire, until the day of judgement and perdition of ungodly men.  But, beloved, do not forget this one thing, that with the LORD, one day is as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day. The LORD is not slack concerning HIS promise, as some count slackness, but is longsuffering toward us, not willing that any should perish but that ALL should come to repentance. But the day of the LORD WILL COME as a thief in the night, in which the heavens will pass away with a great noise, and the elements will melt with fervent heat; both the earth and the works that are in it will be burned up.  Therefore, since all these things will be dissolved, what manner of persons ought you to be in holy conduct and godliness, looking for and hastening the coming of the day of GOD, because of which the heavens will be dissolved being on fire, and the elements will melt with fervent heat ?  Nevertheless we, according to HIS promise, look for a new heavens and a new earth in which righteousness dwells. Therefore, beloved, looking forward to these things, be diligent to be found by HIM in peace, without spot and blameless.... 2nd.Pet.3:1- 14

     In the book of Hebrews Chapter 11, the beloved chapter of faith, it reminds us of what other Christians and their families endured. Heb.11: 32 thru 12:3 reminds us - And what more shall I say ? For the time would fail me to tell of Gideon and Barak and Samson and Jephthah, also of David and Samuel and the prophets; who through faith subdued kingdoms, worked righteousness, obtained promises, stopped the mouths of lions, quenched the violence of fire, escaped the edge of the sword, out of weakness were made strong, became valiant in battle, turned to flight the armies of the aliens. Women received their dead raised to life again. And others were tortured, not accepting deliverance, that they might obtain a better resurrection. Still others had trial of mockings and scourgings, yes, and of chains and imprisonments. They were stoned, they were sawn in two, were tempted, were slain with the sword. They wandered about in sheepskins and goatskins, being destitute, afflicted, tormented - of whom the world was not worthy. They wandered in deserts and mountains, in dens and caves of the earth. And all these, having obtained a good testimony through faith, did not receive the promise, GOD having provided something better for us, that they should not be made perfect apart from us.  Therefore we also, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight , and the sin which so easily ensnares us, and let us run with endurance, the race that is set before us, looking unto JESUS, the author and finisher of our faith, WHO for the joy that was set before HIM, endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of GOD. For consider HIM, WHO endured such hostility from sinners against HIMSELF, lest you become weary and discouraged in your souls.

     In the book of 1st.Thes.Chapter 4 & 5 GOD wants us to understand what happened to those who have died before us and what will happen to them and us at HIS coming for HIS Bride, the Church. I will not give you these 2 chapters verbatim in this blog, but will teach on this subject in another blog at another time.  But there is a theme of reminder in two verses ( 4:18 & 5:11)... Therefore comfort one another with these words.   Therefore comfort each other and edify one another, just as you also are doing.

     GOD's WORD is full of reminders, encouragements, warnings, and comforts that help the world weary Christian stay on track in his pilgrimage from this life to the next.  Wonderfully, GOD's WORD also gives hope, peace and love to those who, currently, are enemies of GOD, who do not, personally know HIS SON, the LORD JESUS CHRIST as their SAVIOR.  When GOD the FATHER sent GOD the SON, JESUS CHRIST to earth as a lowly baby, to grow and mature, still 100% GOD but also 100% man, HE required a perfect, sinless sacrifice to pay the final price for the sin of all mankind.  We are sinners !! We are not sinners because we sin, but we sin because we are sinners, and JESUS loved us so much that as the verses above from Hebrews state - HE endured the cross, despising the shame. And in John 3:16, HE wrote, " For GOD so loved the world that HE gave HIS only begotten SON, that whosoever believes in HIM shall not perish but have everlasting life."

     So if you're a Christian, take courage, keep reading HIS WORD's of reminder to you and if you're not one of HIS children, bow your head in prayer and take responsibility for your sin and ask JESUS to come into your heart and save you, that you believe with your heart that HE died for your sins.  HE will, HIS forgiveness has no limits, just like HIS love !!!!
Your servant in CHRIST,
Julie