" Go in the STRENGTH of the LORD GOD "

Psalm 71   " In YOU, O LORD, I put my trust; let me never be put to shame. Deliver me in YOUR righteousness, and cause me to escape; incline YOUR ear to me, and save me. Be my strong habitation, to which I may resort continually; YOU have given the commandment to save me, for YOU are my rock and my fortress. Deliver me, O my GOD, out of the hand of the wicked, out of the hand of the unrighteous and cruel man. For YOU are my hope, O LORD GOD; YOU are my trust from my youth. By YOU I have been upheld from my birth; YOU are HE WHO took me out of my mother's womb. My praise shall be continually of YOU.

I have become as a wonder to many, but YOU are my strong refuge. Let my mouth be filled with YOUR praise and with YOUR glory all the day. Do not cast me off in the time of old age; do not forsake me when my strength fails. For my enemies speak against me; and those who lie in wait for my life take counsel together, 'saying GOD has forsaken him; pursue and take him, for there is none to deliver him.'  O GOD, do not be far from me; O my GOD, make haste to help me !

Let them be confounded and consumed who are adversaries of my life; let them be covered with reproach and dishonor who seek my hurt. But I will hope continually, and will praise YOU yet more and more. My mouth shall tell of YOUR righteousness and YOU Salvation all the day. For I do not know their limits. I will go in the strength of the LORD GOD; I will make mention of YOUR righteousness, of YOURS only. O GOD, YOU have taught me from my youth; and to this day I declare YOUR wondrous works. Now also when I am old and gray-headed, O GOD, do not forsake me, until I declare YOUR strength to this generation. YOUR power to everyone who is to come.

Also YOUR righteousness, O GOD, is very high, YOU WHO have done great things; O GOD, who is like YOU ? YOU, WHO have shown me great and severe troubles, shall revive me again and bring me up again from the depths of the earth. YOU shall increase my greatness, and comfort me on every side. Also with the lute I will praise YOU--And YOUR faithfulness, O my GOD ! To YOU I will sing with the harp, O HOLY ONE of Israel. My lips shall greatly rejoice when I sing to YOU, and my soul which YOU have redeemed. My tongue also shall talk of YOUR righteousness all the day long; for they are confounded, for they are brought to shame who seek my hurt. "

     Going in the strength of the LORD, what does that really mean ?  If you notice in the Psalm above, strength is spiritually given when we stop trying to do things in our own strength, our own way. See also Psalm 138:3 which reads - In the day when I cried out, YOU answered me, and made me bold with strength in my soul.........and also in Ephesians 3:16 states - that HE would grant you, according to the riches of HIS glory, to be strengthened with might by HIS SPIRIT in the inner man.........and also in 2nd.Timothy 4:17 states - But the LORD stood with me and strengthened me, so that the message might be preached fully through me, and that all the Gentiles might hear. And I was delivered out of the mouth of the lion....... and we cannot ignore the Apostle Paul's plea for the " thorn in the flesh to be taken away in 2nd.Corinthians 12:9 & 10 which states - And HE said to me, "MY grace is sufficient for you, for MY strength is made perfect in weakness." Therefore most gladly I will rather boast in my infirmities, that the power of CHRIST may rest upon me. Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in needs, in persecutions, in distresses, for CHRIST's sake. For when I am weak, then I am strong.

     Once we have been Truly Born Again by GOD's SPIRIT, WHO then indwells the new Believer / Christian, we have access to a strength and power that few understand or rely on.  As a Christian, we have been saved by GOD's grace, and by HIS strength and power alone, we live the Christian life.  Yes, we can be a Christian and live without ever accessing this power and strength, but we live as weak, non-effective, carnal Christians always trying to do the work the LORD has for us to do, but impotently, in our own strength. How do we access this kind of strength to do the work GOD has given us to and do it HIS way ? PRAYER, PRAYER, PRAYER, PRAYER.......everything that GOD gives us to do, HE will give you the means, strength and ability to do it, but you have to give it over to HIM in prayer. When you get up in the morning, ask HIM that whatever HE has for you to do that day, whether at work, in the grocery store, caring for that elderly or sick family member, or even doing a blog about the wonders of HIS WORD, give it over to HIM. I used to work for a company that was very exasperating to say the least. The work was not hard but I am a perfectionist when it comes to working for someone, and you know what I would run into if you have ever worked outside the home for even a week. I worked for the same company twice, the first time I was not saved, did not have the LORD in my life and I was able to stay about 10 years. I always tell people that I took an 11 year sabbatical and then started working for them again, this time I was living for the LORD and looked at the job with different eyes.  On the days that I talked to HIM before starting my day, the days went well but on the days I was in a hurry, my old sin nature reared its ugly head and I did not reflect my SAVIOR as I should have.

     GOD never intends that HIS children live the Christian life outside HIS will or HIS strength, because to do so is a life lived nearly fruitless, spiritually.  But now, to those who are not Christians, who have never accepted or believed the fact that you as a sinner have NO CHANCE at an eternity outside of a devils hell.  I give you a gift, a gift called the GOSPEL.  We are ALL born sinners, we sin because we are born sinners and as sinners we are completely separated from the GOD of all creation. Only forgiven, blood washed people have a place reserved for them in heaven (John 14).  We just celebrated the birth of our LORD and SAVIOR JESUS CHRIST, who as GOD the SON, came to earth in the form of a human baby.  HE was the only completely sinless baby who was born for one reason and one reason only, to die on a Roman cross to pay the price for YOUR sin and for mine. This HE did willingly, because HIS love for us was greater than the shame and humiliation of dying on a Roman cross. After HE gave up HIS SPIRIT, they buried HIM in a tomb(cave)and on the third day HE arose from the dead. HE had to raise from the dead to show that HIS FATHER was satisfied by HIS SON's sacrifice for our sin. Now you have 2 choices - 1.) You can ignore what I just wrote and go about your life anyway you want & die and go to a devils hell to be tormented for all eternity because you refused the GREATEST GIFT that GOD the FATHER could give to pay for your sin and redeem you to HIMSELF, HIS ONLY SON, the LORD JESUS CHRIST. or 2.) You can bow your head in prayer to the LORD JESUS and admit to HIM that you know that you are a sinner and that you know and believe that HE died and rose again to pay the price for your sin, and ask HIM to come into your heart and life to save you - AND HE WILL !!!  HIS WORD says that TODAY IS THE DAY OF SALVATION,  you may not have another chance except the one you are now reading. PLEASE accept HIS most precious GIFT OF SALVATION today !!!
Your servant in CHRIST,

Julie

" ONCE "

Free from the law O happy condition ! JESUS hath bled,

               and there is remission, Cursed by the law and bruised by the fall,
               Grace hath redeemed us ONCE for all.
               ONCE for all O sinner receive it! ONCE for all O brother believe it !
               Cling to the cross, the burden will fall, CHRIST hath redeemed us
               ONCE for all !

     For those of you who do not know the above quote is actually the first line of a hymn by Phillip Bliss. When I was working on and waiting for the LORD to impress upon me what to Blog about this week, the word ONCE kept standing out in my readings and so did the above hymn. How many things in our life do we have to do over and over and over again. Go to work, do the dishes, dust, laundry, chores of all kinds. We have a never ending list of things that we have to do over and over again. But there was something that JESUS did that was done ONCE and would never have to be repeated. This great and wonderful accomplishment was so horrible to endure, so degrading for our most HOLY SON of GOD, and yet HE did it willingly and without hesitation. Hebrews 12:2 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.

     We as humans, in our finite minds, cannot even come close to grasping how horrible it was for the SON of GOD to take upon HIMSELF, like a cloak, the sin of every man, woman and child who ever existed and who will ever exist. Go ahead think about some of the most criminally hearted men that have walked this earth - Hitler, Stalin, Nero, Henry the 8th., Son of Sam serial killer, Jeffrey Domer also a serial killer,  and YOU and ME.  We say our sins are not as bad as those listed, but to an all HOLY GOD, sin has separated us from HIM, whether a white lie or a murder, all is sin and must be paid for, and that is where JESUS's one time gift comes in.

     In the book of Hebrews it talks of JESUS as our HIGH PRIEST. Heb.7:26 thru 27 states - For such a HIGH PRIEST was fitting for us, WHO is holy, harmless, undefiled, separate from sinners, and has become higher than the heavens; WHO does not need daily, as those high priests, to offer up sacrifices, first for HIS own sins and then for the people's, for this HE did ONCE for all when HE offered up HIMSELF........Then again in Heb.9:11 thru 12 and 24 thru 28 states - But CHRIST came as HIGH PRIEST of the good things to come, with the greater and more perfect tabernacle not made with hands, that is, not of this creation. Not with the blood of goats and calves, but with HIS own blood HE entered the MOST HOLY PLACE, ONCE for all, having obtained eternal redemption.     For CHRIST has not entered the holy places made with hands, which are copies of the true, but into heaven itself, now to appear in the presence of GOD for us, not that HE should offer HIMSELF often, as the high priest enters the MOST HOLY PLACE every year with blood of another-HE then would have had to suffer often since the foundation of the world; but now ONCE at the end of the ages, HE has appeared to put away sin by the sacrifice of HIMSELF. And as it is appointed for men to die once, but after this the judgment, so CHRIST was offered ONCE to bear the sins of many. To those who eagerly wait for HIM, HE will appear a second time, apart from sin, unto salvation.......... And lastly in the book of 1st.Peter 3:18 it states - For CHRIST also suffered ONCE for sins, the just for the unjust, that HE might bring us to GOD, being put to death in the flesh but made alive by the SPIRIT.

     Now to those of us who are Truly Born Again Believing Christians, the above hymn goes on like this:
               Now are we free there's no condemnation ! JESUS provides a perfect
               salvation, Come unto ME O hear HIS sweet call ! Come and HE saves
               us ONCE for all.

To those who have never come to JESUS or have heard HIS WORD before and continue to turn away, HE says to YOU that, " today is the day of salvation ". As a sinner, bough your head and pray to the LORD JESUS that you know that you are a sinner, in need of a SAVIOR. Tell HIM that you know that HE died for you and rose again on the third day as the Scriptures has said. That you believe in HIM and ask HIM to come into your heart and life to save you.  HE WILL !!!   If you truly come to HIM in repentance and for salvation, this is something that you will only have to do ONCE and you will be HIS forever !!!   AMEN & AMEN !!
Your servant in CHRIST,
Julie

" WHO Instructs You ? " From Psalm 94

O LORD GOD, to whom vengeance belongs --
O GOD, to whom vengeance belongs, shine forth !
Rise up, O JUDGE of the earth, render punishment to the proud.
LORD, how long will the wicked, How long will the wicked triumph ?

They utter speech, and speak insolent things;
All the workers of iniquity boast in themselves.
They break in pieces YOUR temple, O LORD, and afflict YOUR heritage.
They slay the widow and the stranger, and murder the fatherless.
Yet they say, "The LORD does not see, nor does the GOD of Jacob understand."

Understand you senseless among the people; and you fools, when will you be wise ?
HE who planted the ear, shall HE not hear ?
HE who formed the eye, shall HE not see ?
HE who instructs the nations, shall HE not correct, HE who teaches man knowledge ?
The LORD knows the thoughts of man, that they are futile.

Blessed is the man whom YOU instruct, O LORD, and teach out of YOUR law.
That YOU may give him rest from the days of adversity, until the pit is dug for the wicked.
For the LORD will not cast off HIS people, nor will HE forsake HIS inheritance.
But judgement will return to righteousness, and all the upright in heart will follow it.

Who will rise up for me against the evildoers ?
Who will stand up for me against the workers of iniquity ?
Unless the LORD had been my help. my soul would soon have settled in silence.
If I say, "My foot slips," YOUR mercy, O LORD, will hold me up.
In the multitude of my anxieties within me, YOUR comforts delight my soul.

Shall the throne of iniquity, which devises evil by law, have fellowship with YOU ?
They gather together against the life of the righteous, and condemn innocent blood. 
But the LORD has been my defense, and my GOD the ROCK of my refuge. 
HE has brought on them their own wickedness; the LORD our GOD shall cut them off.      Psalm 94:1-23

     Teaching or giving instruction in anything is an awesome responsibility, especially when it is the WORD of GOD. GOD gives gifts to all of HIS children. In Eph. 4: 11 thru 12 - And HE HIMSELF gave some to be apostles (no longer applies to this church age), some prophets (also no longer applies to this church age), some evangelists, and some pastors and teachers, for the equipping of the saints, for the work of ministry, for the edifying of the body of CHRIST....... There are many other gifts that GOD gives but I am focusing in on the teaching / instruction in GOD's WORD.

      There is nothing that GOD HIMSELF cannot teach us, but the way HE teaches and by whom may change.  Of course HIS wonderful WORD is our main and inerrant single source of all truth. And HE says also that there is no private interpretation of GOD's WORD. When JESUS CHRIST went back into heaven at the beginning of the book of Acts, HE did not leave us orphans. On the day of Pentecost, the blessed HOLY SPIRIT was deployed to permanently indwell the new church age believers.  The SPIRIT gives us the final and only interpretation of GOD's WORD.

     HE, the SPIRIT of truth, helps Pastors and Teachers to give instruction in GOD's WORD.  The believers spirit listens to what is being taught and the HOLY SPIRIT testifies with our spirit that what is being said is true. In the book of Acts there was a group of people called the Berean's who took no ones instruction at face value but would search the Scriptures to make sure that what was being taught was true.

     In the book of 2nd Timothy 4:2 thru 5 - Preach the WORD ! Be ready in season and out of season. Convince, rebuke, exhort, with all longsuffering and teaching. For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine, but according to their own desires, because they have itching ears, they will heap up for themselves teachers, and they will turn their ears away from the TRUTH, and be turned aside to fables. But you be watchful in all things, endure afflictions, do the work of an evangelist, fulfill your ministry..........GOD's WORD says that in the last days that many will heap up for themselves teachers that will not teach the whole truth of GOD's WORD, but they will listen only to those that will make them feel good;  that will leave them alone in their sin that they so much enjoy.

     What kind of church do you go to ? Does the Pastor ever preach against sin ?  Does he preach on the blood of CHRIST that can wash away your sin ? Have you ever been told that you are a sinner on your way to a devils hell ? Has there ever been a time or place that you have come to GOD in prayer through the LORD and SAVIOR JESUS CHRIST and ask HIM to come into your heart and life and save you ?   WE ARE ALL SINNERS and NEED THE ONE and ONLY SAVIOR, JESUS CHRIST.   When I asked JESUS to come into my heart and life and change me, HE did.  I used to have a "pottie" mouth. I swore, told dirty jokes and anything else that sinners do or say. But when JESUS came into my heart, HE changed me, slowly at first, but the swearing and the dirty jokes stopped immediately.  HE has taught me so many things and I am still sitting at HIS feet, ever ready to learn more. I know that a single lifetime will not be enough time to learn all HE has for me, but I think eternity may give me all the time I'll need, and it is all because of HIS love for me AND FOR YOU !!!
Your servant in CHRIST,
Julie

" What Is In Your Mouth ? "

     Have you ever listened to peoples conversations. I don't mean that you purposely eavesdrop but you randomly hear conversations in restaurants or waiting in line or just about anywhere you happen to be these days. If you are like me you've noticed that there is a lot of unhappy and unkind people talking into their hands....OOPS !!! I mean their Smart phones. I don't have one of those things because I have enough trouble just maneuvering around on this laptop !!! But it amazes me what tiny, insignificant things seem to get under the skin and eventually out through the mouth of people. I suppose if it were happening to me I wouldn't be so glib about these annoyances. But of all those conversations that I have been privy to, there is only one person that I know of, from HIS conversations HE was gracious, loving and straightforward with HIS hearers.
     In 1st.Peter 2:18 thru 25 Peter was inspired by the HOLY SPIRIT to pen these words to those who have to deal out in the world of business, and I think that is just about any True Born Again Christian these days.............. Servants, be submissive to your masters with all fear, not only to the good and gentle, but also to the harsh. For this is commendable, if because of conscience toward GOD one endures grief, suffering wrongfully. For what credit is it if, when you are beaten for your faults, you take it patiently ? But when you do good and suffer for it, if you take it patiently, this is commendable before GOD. For to this you were called, because CHRIST also suffered for us, leaving us and example, that you should follow HIS steps:

          Who committed no sin,
          Nor was guile found in HIS mouth.

WHO when HE was reviled did not revile in return; when HE suffered, HE did not threaten, but committed HIMSELF to HIM WHO judges righteously; WHO HIMSELF bore our sins in HIS own body on the tree, that we, having died to sins, might live for righteousness--by WHOSE stripes you were healed. For you were like sheep going astray, but have now returned to the SHEPHERD and OVERSEER of your souls.
     Now no guile was found in our LORD and SAVIOR's mouth and I am pretty sure that is what is being taught here to us who are HIS followers. James was also inspired to write about the tongue, which is part of your mouth, in James 3:1 thru 12 that it is full of deadly poisons and cannot be tamed. Here is a portion from 5 thru 12............ Even so the tongue is a little member and boasts great things. See how great a forest a little fire kindles ! And the tongue is a fire, a world of iniquity. The tongue is so set among our members that it defiles the whole body and sets on fire the course of nature and it is set on fire by hell. For every kind of beast and bird, of reptile and creature of the sea, is tamed and has been tamed by mankind. But no man can tame the tongue, it is an unruly evil, full of deadly poison. With it we bless our GOD and FATHER, and with it we curse men, who have been made in the similitude of GOD. Out of the same mouth proceed blessings and cursing's, MY brethren these things ought not to be so. Does a spring send forth fresh water and bitter from the same opening ? Can a fig tree, MY brethren, bear olives, or a grapevine bear figs ? Thus no spring can yield both salt water and fresh.

     As Christians, I know that it is sometimes hard to hold our piece, but if we do, HE will give us HIS gracious and wise words at the proper time. HE even said that we are not to worry about what to say if and when we are persecuted for the faith.  The SPIRIT will give us the WORDS and the power in which to use them when the time is right. Our LORD and SAVIOR JESUS CHRIST was absolutely the most gracious user of HIS mouth. HE looked down from the cross and gave instructions to John about the caring of HIS Mother after HE was gone back into heaven. From the cross, HIS mouth was full of forgiveness not only for one of the thieves who admitted his need of forgiveness but also to all, FATHER forgive them for they know not what they do.
     Now I also know that the LORD was an advocate for " Righteous Anger " which HE displayed in the Temple, when the moneychangers and the sellers of sacrificial animals were doing so in the Temple area and not outside. Of course they were also price gouging the people who traveled from afar and had to buy their animals or birds there instead of bringing them from home. But even in HIS "Righteous Anger",  HIS WORDs were truthful and to the point. GOD the SON loved GOD the FATHER and the men had made HIS FATHER's House into a den of thieves, and this should not have been allowed. It actually was a condemnation of the Temple leaders. They knew the law and the purchasing of the sacrificed animals was to be done in the Marketplace not in the Temple area. But this type of anger is only called for in certain instances and if you are clean and open to the SPIRIT's leading, HE will give you the WORD's to say and at the proper time.

     Now this info is for the Believer, the Truly Born Again Christian and not for one who has never accepted the LORD JESUS CHRIST as his personal SAVIOR.  Now to you I speak, GOD's WORD says that today is the day of Salvation. YOU ARE A SINNER, so am I but I, through the SPIRIT of GOD's leading, recognized that I was a sinner, condemned to a Devils Hell, without hope, nor was I able to DO anything to get myself into heaven or DO anything to pay for my sins.  But THANKS BE TO GOD FOR HIS GREAT GIFT OF SALVATION.  John 3:16 still sums it up best...... For GOD so loved the world that HE gave HIS only begotten SON that whomsoever believes in HIM shall not perish but have everlasting life.
Bow your head, call on the LORD JESUS, admit you are a sinner in need of a SAVIOR, believe that HE died for you personally and rose again, ask HIM into your heart and life to save you, HE WILL, and then the words coming out of your mouth will be in a song of PRAISE HIM, PRAISE HIM, JESUS our blessed REDEEMER, for our sins HE suffered and bled and died, JESUS SAVIOR reigneth forever and ever, crown HIM, crown HIM, JESUS the crucified !!!!!
Your servant in CHRIST,
Julie

" 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