Motivated from the Gather Homecoming magazine, I sliced and diced pieces that spoke to me, and added my own thoughts.
We have our home lives, work life, community life, and our civic responsibilities as citizens and hopefully, some personal time for our own bodies, minds and spirits.
Most days do you feel like a walk on a balance beam?
My son, Rich needs a routine schedule, so he taught me it is easier to balance everything when our schedule is consistent. However, when we get busier than usual, life gets very hectic and out of balance. We love spending quality time together, but we also love our own individual private times of doing what we each want to do. His is making music for other people and mine is studying the Scriptures and journaling thoughts from G-d.
A balanced life is something we all strive for but achieving it can be tricky, being engulfed by your problems in the rat race of life. There are no free passes, no free lunches. The people who work hard, who have goals and are focused achievers are the ones who succeed.
Y’Shua is the key ingredient to juggling faith, family, career, and friendships.
Don’t you sometimes feel the pressure of ‘too much on your plate’?
Y’Shua was the best model, and discipline that we all need is important, but we all don’t like to acknowledge it. Our human nature is to take care of ourselves, to look out for ourselves, to want a little bit more, want everything for ourselves, and we’ve gotta get back, in this country, to G-d’s principles and sayings, “This is how G-d would want us to do things: to look out for others before your-self, to honor other people, honor your parents, but honor others as well!”
Our human nature is to selfish, to see what we can get out of things; but when you trust G-d and you feel that G-d is in control of your life, you don’t really have to worry about what you’re going to get. You can worry about how you can be a blessing to others and what you can do for other people, putting others before your needs and wants!
Do you feel like your losing your balance?
Maybe you need to say ‘NO’ to the things that rob you of what is truly important.
There is no such thing as multitasking! When you are performing multiple tasks at once, you are not giving one hundred percent of yourself to each specific task. You are simply giving a percentage of yourself to each. When I was younger I could do four things at one time, it was good concentration for the brain. But as I got into my ‘Golden years’, I found I can not even do two things at one time, now all my concentration if focused on one project, if Rich comes to talk to me, I must stop what I am doing.
It’s easy to get burned out on the monotony of life. But when I chose to put G-d first, family and friends are second, work third, balance somehow found its way into my life.
Monotony only comes when one does not have enough imagination to create their own atmosphere. It is also important to have a day of rest every week, that why G-d said to ‘honor the Sabbath’, I say you also need a ‘chill out day’ or at least one hour or so, for yourself to refresh your personal walk with the Father.
My only hope, my only steadfastness, is the Father and His Word. Without that fellowship divine, my life is shallow and shaken at best! I cling to Him, for without Him in me, I fail at everything that is important to Him and me!
When you get home at the end of the day, try turning off your cell phone so you do not beg distracted, separating work from home time is important.
Wisdom understands that life is tragedy and comedy, humor and pathos. Every moment contains the capacity for joy or for heartbreak.
Trying to walk through life without balancing life’s many demands can be risky. More and more, people today are having a difficult time finding balance in their lives. Because of the bad economic situation, many have to overwork and find it difficult to balance work with their family life, which robs children of their childhood. The demands that technology is placing on us and our need for peace and tranquility is becoming increasingly difficult. In our modern go-go-go digital world we are spending less time in prayer than ever!
In the midst of the worst times, we can know that world events are not tangled, confused, or perplexing to G-d. He said, “I am G-d, and there is none like Me, declaring the end from the beginning”, in Isa. 46:9-10. He is never caught off guard. He governs nature and the storms of our daily life. He cares about you so much that He has numbered the hairs on your head.
He is our balance; He holds the scales of life! His time is perfectly in order, no matter how imbalanced and stormy it may seem to us.
Preconceived Notions
Are you settling for the ordinary?
Are you running on empty and thirsting for more?
Do you live as if G-d doesn’t exist, even though you believe in Him?
Is your faith like ‘spiritual fire insurance’?
Are you missing the joy of grace? Many Christians criticize themselves, feeling perpetually guilty when they don’t measure up to G-d’s standard.
G-d loves you rags and all, accepting you for what your are, not for what you do.
Set aside your own agendas and see amazing possibilities for renewal of your spirit.
Life is like a game to follow, and a time limit. But because your own possessions, money, and power that won’t last forever, I challenge you to choose G-d’s riches.
Spiritual discipline sounds great in theory. But actually putting it into practice – that’s different!
How do you grow in godliness while avoiding the trap of legalism?
Where do you find the time?
Have you accepted and followed everything you have been taught about G-d’s Word?
Don’t you want to discover the great task and joy of becoming G-d’s best version of yourself?
How far have we’ve drifted from the truth?
Have you check it out what others say in the Scriptures for yourself? Experiencing the power of G-d in your life to do the things you wouldn’t be capable of doing on your own.
You can find G-d’s ‘grace places’ in the middle of painful circumstances! Life’s problems become fruitful affliction when you discover G-d’s divine surprises, including peace, compassion, and freedom.
Learn to let go of destructive anger and your relationship with G-d and others will be transformed! Many people live their entire lives trying to be something they’re not, don’t be one of them! Big houses, fancy cars, expensive vacations, jumbo plasma TVs, GPS gizmos – today’s culture is saturated with tempting pleasures, endless luxuries, and ever-changing technology. That’s happiness, Right? You’ll find new purpose and meaning for your own life. Learn to identify and resist lusts of the eye, sinful cravings, and empty boastings; pursue eternal godliness; and minister to a fallen world without being conformed by it.
Pride is the believer’s greatest enemy – humility, is your dearest friend. There is a deception of self-importance, you need to weed out the one and nurture the other, holding up Y’Shua as the example we should all follow.
Did you know that every time you utter the word ‘L-rd,’ you make a subtle yet profound declaration that G-d is your Master and you belong to Him?
What did Y’Shua mean when He said “Follow Me”? There is a cost of discipleship, and reinforces your conviction that there’s no eternal life in heaven without surrender to the lordship of the Messiah.
Begin a daily dialogue with Y’Shua! From your heart’s deepest cry to life’s joyful praises, learn to share everything with the L-rd of life.
Are you running on empty and thirsting for more?
Do you live as if G-d doesn’t exist, even though you believe in Him?
Is your faith like ‘spiritual fire insurance’?
Are you missing the joy of grace? Many Christians criticize themselves, feeling perpetually guilty when they don’t measure up to G-d’s standard.
G-d loves you rags and all, accepting you for what your are, not for what you do.
Set aside your own agendas and see amazing possibilities for renewal of your spirit.
Life is like a game to follow, and a time limit. But because your own possessions, money, and power that won’t last forever, I challenge you to choose G-d’s riches.
Spiritual discipline sounds great in theory. But actually putting it into practice – that’s different!
How do you grow in godliness while avoiding the trap of legalism?
Where do you find the time?
Have you accepted and followed everything you have been taught about G-d’s Word?
Don’t you want to discover the great task and joy of becoming G-d’s best version of yourself?
How far have we’ve drifted from the truth?
Have you check it out what others say in the Scriptures for yourself? Experiencing the power of G-d in your life to do the things you wouldn’t be capable of doing on your own.
You can find G-d’s ‘grace places’ in the middle of painful circumstances! Life’s problems become fruitful affliction when you discover G-d’s divine surprises, including peace, compassion, and freedom.
Learn to let go of destructive anger and your relationship with G-d and others will be transformed! Many people live their entire lives trying to be something they’re not, don’t be one of them! Big houses, fancy cars, expensive vacations, jumbo plasma TVs, GPS gizmos – today’s culture is saturated with tempting pleasures, endless luxuries, and ever-changing technology. That’s happiness, Right? You’ll find new purpose and meaning for your own life. Learn to identify and resist lusts of the eye, sinful cravings, and empty boastings; pursue eternal godliness; and minister to a fallen world without being conformed by it.
Pride is the believer’s greatest enemy – humility, is your dearest friend. There is a deception of self-importance, you need to weed out the one and nurture the other, holding up Y’Shua as the example we should all follow.
Did you know that every time you utter the word ‘L-rd,’ you make a subtle yet profound declaration that G-d is your Master and you belong to Him?
What did Y’Shua mean when He said “Follow Me”? There is a cost of discipleship, and reinforces your conviction that there’s no eternal life in heaven without surrender to the lordship of the Messiah.
Begin a daily dialogue with Y’Shua! From your heart’s deepest cry to life’s joyful praises, learn to share everything with the L-rd of life.
Life Without Limits
Today’s news is filled with jarring headlines, distressing analyses, and dire predictions concerning the world’s financial future. Did the Bible prophecy predict this catastrophe? Is the monetary collapse a sign of the end times?
Are you bound in a tomb of regret, fear, or self-condemnation? Y’Shua is calling you to come forth and step into a full, vibrant life! Shed the past; stepping out of your comfort zone and triumphant in your circumstances despite your less-than-perfect past by embrace G-d’s unconditional love, and experience resurrection and renewal.
Just think what you could do with your life if you completely emptied your heart of fear – and filled it with faith instead!
Whether you’re un-easy about layoffs at work, slowdowns in the economy, or flare-ups in the Middle East, anxiety can make life feel like a prison.
What would it be like to be free of worry, doubt, and terror? How would it feel?
Are you experiencing anxiety be-seekers alike who are experiencing anxiety because of family issues, the economic downturn, illness, or other serious challenges?
Are you struggling to fit into society’s view of ‘perfection’? You need to accept what you can’t control and focus on what you can! Fear, worry, and life’s daily cares can obscure your outlook.
Life is hard, even for Christians. Overwhelming crises can make you feel like you’re about to drown. But just as G-d parted the Red Sea and delivered the Israelites, He’ll protect you, too! Once you realize G-d’s intent for you and acknowledging the enemy while focusing on the L-rd. Acting only on what Y’Shua calls you to be and do, set some personal boundaries and experience a healthy and balanced life.
Liberate yourself from the bondage of busyness and negative thinking, and experience
G-d’s forgiveness and freedom!
Develop an attitude of gratitude an experience the joy of the L-rd! Choose to live a life of humble thankfulness; embracing intentional gratefulness can free you from bitterness so you can serve the Master and others.
Is talking to G-d just another thing to check off on your to-do list? So you have a need to forge a deeper connection with G-d? Discover Scripture’s life-changing words well embrace the joy of the L-rd.
Praying is the only thing that can stand against the tornadoes of life. Safeguard your marriage, protect your children, and fortify your family!
You need positive role models and friends to help you achieve your dream.
When life gets tough, that’s when you really need to begin your day with Scripture – and the encouraging words of a friend!
You can have a life with out limits, discover the joy when you focus your mind on finding G-d’s purpose for your life, and move toward it!
Are you bound in a tomb of regret, fear, or self-condemnation? Y’Shua is calling you to come forth and step into a full, vibrant life! Shed the past; stepping out of your comfort zone and triumphant in your circumstances despite your less-than-perfect past by embrace G-d’s unconditional love, and experience resurrection and renewal.
Just think what you could do with your life if you completely emptied your heart of fear – and filled it with faith instead!
Whether you’re un-easy about layoffs at work, slowdowns in the economy, or flare-ups in the Middle East, anxiety can make life feel like a prison.
What would it be like to be free of worry, doubt, and terror? How would it feel?
Are you experiencing anxiety be-seekers alike who are experiencing anxiety because of family issues, the economic downturn, illness, or other serious challenges?
Are you struggling to fit into society’s view of ‘perfection’? You need to accept what you can’t control and focus on what you can! Fear, worry, and life’s daily cares can obscure your outlook.
Life is hard, even for Christians. Overwhelming crises can make you feel like you’re about to drown. But just as G-d parted the Red Sea and delivered the Israelites, He’ll protect you, too! Once you realize G-d’s intent for you and acknowledging the enemy while focusing on the L-rd. Acting only on what Y’Shua calls you to be and do, set some personal boundaries and experience a healthy and balanced life.
Liberate yourself from the bondage of busyness and negative thinking, and experience
G-d’s forgiveness and freedom!
Develop an attitude of gratitude an experience the joy of the L-rd! Choose to live a life of humble thankfulness; embracing intentional gratefulness can free you from bitterness so you can serve the Master and others.
Is talking to G-d just another thing to check off on your to-do list? So you have a need to forge a deeper connection with G-d? Discover Scripture’s life-changing words well embrace the joy of the L-rd.
Praying is the only thing that can stand against the tornadoes of life. Safeguard your marriage, protect your children, and fortify your family!
You need positive role models and friends to help you achieve your dream.
When life gets tough, that’s when you really need to begin your day with Scripture – and the encouraging words of a friend!
You can have a life with out limits, discover the joy when you focus your mind on finding G-d’s purpose for your life, and move toward it!
Hijacked Church
Seasoned churchgoers feel at odds with praise bands, power point presentations, and mall-like meg-sanctuaries that many are dropping out. Changing to the world’s values does not always mean advancing G-d’s kingdom.
Too many modern congregations are rich in consumers who are poor on commitment and discernment. Reminding us that church isn’t a club, though it is fast turning that way; but a calling to live the godly life.
G-d hasn’t left our spiritual growth in the hands of ‘trained professional’. He uses His people – each one in need of refinement – to transfer another! Many seekers aren’t always comfortable in a church, with its unfamiliar rituals. But one on one there bottled up questions and your answers begin to flow. The informal, non-threatening get-together means the beginning of new life for attendees. Essential in doing this your need a well-rounded knowledge of Scripture! This sharpens your knowledge of G-d’s Work, while keeping you on your toes.
Since the very beginning, G-d has called His people to be ‘set apart’, different from the world. Why do we long to fit in and be accepted to the point of compromising our beliefs?
Teach your family about key Christen values based on G-d’s Word! Strengthen your family ties, practice compassion, faith and love in truth. Live your life by being a godly example! This will draw others to you to want what you already have, peace that passes all understanding.
Is the end of Christian America on the horizon?
Is Christianity becoming too ‘packaged’?
Is the leadership blocking you from moving forward?
Abortion, adultery, violence and homosexual activity seems the big sins that grab all the headlines. But what about jealousy, selfishness, greed, and ‘little’ faults we live with every day? Open your eyes to the spiritual dangers of ‘acceptable’ transgressions. Examine your life and turn away from subtle behaviors that can derail your Christian growth.
There was a time when the Bible was the most read book in the world. Now believers and non-believers alike are often ignorant of the foundational documents of the faith. There is a difference between knowing G-d and knowing about G-d. When you truly know G-d, you have energy in serving Him, boldness to share Him, and contentment in Him.
Viewed as G-d’s vessel, how would you, describe yourself? Chipped? Cracked? Broken? The Master Potter can shape and mold you into a useful servant, imperfections and all!
Search for significance. See your worth through G-d’s eyes, step off the ‘performance treadmill’. Build a closer relationship with the Father and allow Him to guide your footsteps.
Too many modern congregations are rich in consumers who are poor on commitment and discernment. Reminding us that church isn’t a club, though it is fast turning that way; but a calling to live the godly life.
G-d hasn’t left our spiritual growth in the hands of ‘trained professional’. He uses His people – each one in need of refinement – to transfer another! Many seekers aren’t always comfortable in a church, with its unfamiliar rituals. But one on one there bottled up questions and your answers begin to flow. The informal, non-threatening get-together means the beginning of new life for attendees. Essential in doing this your need a well-rounded knowledge of Scripture! This sharpens your knowledge of G-d’s Work, while keeping you on your toes.
Since the very beginning, G-d has called His people to be ‘set apart’, different from the world. Why do we long to fit in and be accepted to the point of compromising our beliefs?
Teach your family about key Christen values based on G-d’s Word! Strengthen your family ties, practice compassion, faith and love in truth. Live your life by being a godly example! This will draw others to you to want what you already have, peace that passes all understanding.
Is the end of Christian America on the horizon?
Is Christianity becoming too ‘packaged’?
Is the leadership blocking you from moving forward?
Abortion, adultery, violence and homosexual activity seems the big sins that grab all the headlines. But what about jealousy, selfishness, greed, and ‘little’ faults we live with every day? Open your eyes to the spiritual dangers of ‘acceptable’ transgressions. Examine your life and turn away from subtle behaviors that can derail your Christian growth.
There was a time when the Bible was the most read book in the world. Now believers and non-believers alike are often ignorant of the foundational documents of the faith. There is a difference between knowing G-d and knowing about G-d. When you truly know G-d, you have energy in serving Him, boldness to share Him, and contentment in Him.
Viewed as G-d’s vessel, how would you, describe yourself? Chipped? Cracked? Broken? The Master Potter can shape and mold you into a useful servant, imperfections and all!
Search for significance. See your worth through G-d’s eyes, step off the ‘performance treadmill’. Build a closer relationship with the Father and allow Him to guide your footsteps.
Disrespect
[Isa. 52:5] …..saith the LORD; and my name continually every day is blasphemed.[6] Therefore my people shall know my name: therefore they shall know in that day that I am he that does speak: behold, it is I.[Rom. 2:24 For the name of God is blasphemed among the Gentiles … as it is written.]
G-d looks down, and sees how the nations have treated G-d's people. Worse is than how they show their disrespect for the Father Himself, whom they blasphemed continually every day.
"I can abide with My name being blasphemed continually every day among the nations. Just let it be known and praised among My people."
It is bad enough that the world does not know or honor G-d; but it is far more tragic when His own people do not know or honor Him.
G-d had spoken through His Word. This is to be expected among the nations, but should never be so among G-d's people. Do you take the time to open the Book to hear from Him, yourself? Those that give nothing must expect to get nothing; however, G-d is a debtor to no man.
G-d will do something to vindicate His own honor, something for His great name; and His people, who have almost lost the knowledge of it, shall know it to their comfort and shall find it their strong tower. They shall know that G-d's providence governs the world, and all the affairs of it, that it is He who speaks deliverance for them by the Word of His power, that it is He who speaks deliverance for them by the Word of His power, that it is He only, who at first spoke and it was done. They shall know that G-d's Word, which Israel is blessed with above other nations, shall without fail have its accomplishment in due season, that it is He who speaks by the prophet; it is He, and they do not speak of themselves; for not one iota or tittle of what they say shall fall to the ground.
Have you been blasphemed and shown with disrespect? Be of good cheer!:
[John 15:18-21 If the world hate you, ye know that it hated me before it hated you. If you were of the world, the world would love his own: but because you are not of the world, but I have chosen you out of the world, therefore the world hates you.
Remember the word that I said unto you, the servant is not greater than his L-rd. If they have persecuted Me, they will also persecute you; if they have kept My saying, they will keep yours also.
But all these things will they do unto you for My name's sake, because they know not Him that sent Me.]
[John 16:33 These things I have spoken unto you, that in Me you might have peace. In the world you shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world.]
[Ps. 5611 In G-d have I put my trust: I will not be afraid what man can do unto me.]
[Lk. 12:4] And I say unto you My friends, Be not afraid of them that kill the body, and after that have no more that they can do.
[John 14:27 Peace I leave with you, My peace I give unto you: not as the world gives, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.]
For this cause I also, since the day I heard it, do not cease to pray for you, and to desire that you might be filled with the knowledge of His will in all wisdom and spiritual understanding!
G-d looks down, and sees how the nations have treated G-d's people. Worse is than how they show their disrespect for the Father Himself, whom they blasphemed continually every day.
"I can abide with My name being blasphemed continually every day among the nations. Just let it be known and praised among My people."
It is bad enough that the world does not know or honor G-d; but it is far more tragic when His own people do not know or honor Him.
G-d had spoken through His Word. This is to be expected among the nations, but should never be so among G-d's people. Do you take the time to open the Book to hear from Him, yourself? Those that give nothing must expect to get nothing; however, G-d is a debtor to no man.
G-d will do something to vindicate His own honor, something for His great name; and His people, who have almost lost the knowledge of it, shall know it to their comfort and shall find it their strong tower. They shall know that G-d's providence governs the world, and all the affairs of it, that it is He who speaks deliverance for them by the Word of His power, that it is He who speaks deliverance for them by the Word of His power, that it is He only, who at first spoke and it was done. They shall know that G-d's Word, which Israel is blessed with above other nations, shall without fail have its accomplishment in due season, that it is He who speaks by the prophet; it is He, and they do not speak of themselves; for not one iota or tittle of what they say shall fall to the ground.
Have you been blasphemed and shown with disrespect? Be of good cheer!:
[John 15:18-21 If the world hate you, ye know that it hated me before it hated you. If you were of the world, the world would love his own: but because you are not of the world, but I have chosen you out of the world, therefore the world hates you.
Remember the word that I said unto you, the servant is not greater than his L-rd. If they have persecuted Me, they will also persecute you; if they have kept My saying, they will keep yours also.
But all these things will they do unto you for My name's sake, because they know not Him that sent Me.]
[John 16:33 These things I have spoken unto you, that in Me you might have peace. In the world you shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world.]
[Ps. 5611 In G-d have I put my trust: I will not be afraid what man can do unto me.]
[Lk. 12:4] And I say unto you My friends, Be not afraid of them that kill the body, and after that have no more that they can do.
[John 14:27 Peace I leave with you, My peace I give unto you: not as the world gives, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.]
For this cause I also, since the day I heard it, do not cease to pray for you, and to desire that you might be filled with the knowledge of His will in all wisdom and spiritual understanding!
Purgatory
The Roman Catholic Church formulated her doctrine of faith on Purgatory especially at the Councils of Florence and Trent. If you are praying for loved ones you believe are in purgatory, you need to be aware that G-d didn't tell you they were there, a group of religious leaders did:
What makes this doctrine even more disturbing is that the Bible never indicates such a place exists. Neither does the Bible teach that further purification after death is necessary to earn going to heaven. On the contrary, G-d's Word declares that salvation is a free gift:
"For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord." Romans 6:23 "...by the righteousness of one (Jesus) the free gift came upon all men unto justification of life." Romans 5:18
Would an honest, loving G-d offer you eternal life as a free gift - then make you suffer to earn it - then lie about it in His Word?
If the Bible is to be believed, then there is no need for further purification for those who die in Messiah. They have already been justified by Y'Shua.
We are all given ‘free-will’ and by the time of our death we have made our choices. Once dead we can not change our choice; remembering the dead is a good thing but praying for them is in vain.
If we could change their choices to make sure they end up in heaven than there is no resend for ‘free-will’.
In Scripture when the men wanted to bury their dead they were told in Matt. 8:21-22 and Luke 9:60:
“And another of his disciples said unto him, Lord, suffer me first to go and bury my father. But Jesus said unto him, Follow me; and let the dead bury their dead”. Meaning: the spiritually dead would bury the dead loved ones; it was more important work to have been done at the time.
If the Bible is so clear on this subject, why did the Catholic Church institute a doctrine that has persuaded faithful members to give multiplied millions of dollars to the church to have prayers and Masses said on behalf of departed loved ones? You must answer that for yourself.
The Hebrew custom was to light a candle in ‘remembrance’ of their dead loved ones.Now, at least you know that the doctrine of purgatory was hatched from the minds of mortal men.
Unfortunately what we were taught as a child is not always right. And Scripture says in 2 Timothy 2:15 “to study to show thyself approved, onto God, rightly dividing the word of truth”. Don’t take my word at it, check it out for yourself. Fine out what is truth and what is tradition, it will be fully worth your time to follow the right path to take.
What makes this doctrine even more disturbing is that the Bible never indicates such a place exists. Neither does the Bible teach that further purification after death is necessary to earn going to heaven. On the contrary, G-d's Word declares that salvation is a free gift:
"For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord." Romans 6:23 "...by the righteousness of one (Jesus) the free gift came upon all men unto justification of life." Romans 5:18
Would an honest, loving G-d offer you eternal life as a free gift - then make you suffer to earn it - then lie about it in His Word?
If the Bible is to be believed, then there is no need for further purification for those who die in Messiah. They have already been justified by Y'Shua.
We are all given ‘free-will’ and by the time of our death we have made our choices. Once dead we can not change our choice; remembering the dead is a good thing but praying for them is in vain.
If we could change their choices to make sure they end up in heaven than there is no resend for ‘free-will’.
In Scripture when the men wanted to bury their dead they were told in Matt. 8:21-22 and Luke 9:60:
“And another of his disciples said unto him, Lord, suffer me first to go and bury my father. But Jesus said unto him, Follow me; and let the dead bury their dead”. Meaning: the spiritually dead would bury the dead loved ones; it was more important work to have been done at the time.
If the Bible is so clear on this subject, why did the Catholic Church institute a doctrine that has persuaded faithful members to give multiplied millions of dollars to the church to have prayers and Masses said on behalf of departed loved ones? You must answer that for yourself.
The Hebrew custom was to light a candle in ‘remembrance’ of their dead loved ones.Now, at least you know that the doctrine of purgatory was hatched from the minds of mortal men.
Unfortunately what we were taught as a child is not always right. And Scripture says in 2 Timothy 2:15 “to study to show thyself approved, onto God, rightly dividing the word of truth”. Don’t take my word at it, check it out for yourself. Fine out what is truth and what is tradition, it will be fully worth your time to follow the right path to take.
Whom Do You Fear?
[Isa. 51:12-13] I, even I, am he that comforteth you: who art thou, that thou shouldest be afraid of a man that shall die, and of the son of man which shall be made as grass; And forgettest the LORD thy maker, that hath stretched forth the heavens, and laid the foundations of the earth; and hast feared continually every day because of the fury of the oppressor, as if he were ready to destroy? and where is the fury of the oppressor?
G-d comforts those that are cast down; He delights in being so. Those whom G-d comforts are comforted indeed; His undertaking to comfort them is comfort enough to them.
He comforts those that were in fear; and fear has torment, which calls for comfort. The fear of man has a snare in it which we have need of comfort to preserve us from. He comforts the timorous by chiding them, and that is no improper way of comforting either others or ourselves: Why art thou cast down, and why disquieted? G-d, who comforts His people, would not have them disquiet themselves with amazing perplexing fears of the reproach of men or of their growing threatening power and greatness, or of any mischief they may intend against His people.
We ought to look upon every mankind as a man/woman that shall die. Those we admire, love, and trust to, are men that shall die; let us not therefore delight too much in them nor depend too much upon them. Those we fear we must look upon as frail and mortal, and consider what a foolish thing it is for the servants of the living G-d to be afraid of dying men, that are here to-day and gone tomorrow.
It is absurd to fear continually every day to put ourselves upon a constant rack, so as never to be easy, nor to have any enjoyment of ourselves. Now and then a danger may be imminent and threatening, and it may be prudent to fear it; but to be always in a toss, jealous of dangers at every step, and to tremble at the shaking of every leaf, is to make ourselves all our lifetime subject to bondage (Hebrews 2:15).
A timorous spirit is to apprehend the danger greater and nearer than really it is. Sometimes G-d is pleased at once to show us the folly of so doing: "Where is the fury of the oppressor? It is gone in an instant, and the danger is over ere thou art aware." Your heart is turned, or your hands are tied. What has become of all the furious oppressors of G-d's Israel, that hectored them, and threatened them, and were a terror to them? They passed away, and, lo, they were not; and so shall these.
Our inordinate fear of man is a tacit forgetfulness of G-d. When we disquiet ourselves with the fear of mankind we forget that there is a G-d above them, and that the greatest of men have no power but what is given them from above; we forget the providence of G-d, by which he orders and overrules all events according to the counsel of His own will; we forget the promises He has made to protect His people, and the experiences we have had of His care concerning us, and His seasonable interposition for our relief many a time, when we thought the oppressor ready to destroy; we forget our Jehovah-jirehs, monuments of mercy in the mount of the L-rd. Did we remember to make G-d our fear and our dread, we should not be so much afraid as we are of the frowns of men, Isaiah 8:12, 13. Happy is the man that fears G-d always, Proverbs 28:14, and LK.12:4-5.
Behold, I have taken out of thine hand the cup of trembling, I have covered thee in the shadow of mine hand. I will put it into the hand of them that afflict thee; which have said to thy soul, Bow down, that we may go over: and thou hast laid thy body as the ground, and as the street, to them that went over.
This is not only a proof of what God can do, but a resemblance of what he has done, and will do, for his people; he will find out a way to still the threatening storm, and bring them safely into the harbor.
When faith is weak mankind are in a dreadful hurry, but strong faith does not judge the L-rd to be slack concerning His promise. As G-d achieves His purpose with infinite leisure, He loves a faith that is patient and looks not for its reward this day or the next. 'He that believeth shall not make haste': that is to say, he shall not be ashamed or confounded by present trials so as to rush upon unbelieving actions. Faith leaves times and seasons with G-d to whom they belong.
G-d comforts those that are cast down; He delights in being so. Those whom G-d comforts are comforted indeed; His undertaking to comfort them is comfort enough to them.
He comforts those that were in fear; and fear has torment, which calls for comfort. The fear of man has a snare in it which we have need of comfort to preserve us from. He comforts the timorous by chiding them, and that is no improper way of comforting either others or ourselves: Why art thou cast down, and why disquieted? G-d, who comforts His people, would not have them disquiet themselves with amazing perplexing fears of the reproach of men or of their growing threatening power and greatness, or of any mischief they may intend against His people.
We ought to look upon every mankind as a man/woman that shall die. Those we admire, love, and trust to, are men that shall die; let us not therefore delight too much in them nor depend too much upon them. Those we fear we must look upon as frail and mortal, and consider what a foolish thing it is for the servants of the living G-d to be afraid of dying men, that are here to-day and gone tomorrow.
It is absurd to fear continually every day to put ourselves upon a constant rack, so as never to be easy, nor to have any enjoyment of ourselves. Now and then a danger may be imminent and threatening, and it may be prudent to fear it; but to be always in a toss, jealous of dangers at every step, and to tremble at the shaking of every leaf, is to make ourselves all our lifetime subject to bondage (Hebrews 2:15).
A timorous spirit is to apprehend the danger greater and nearer than really it is. Sometimes G-d is pleased at once to show us the folly of so doing: "Where is the fury of the oppressor? It is gone in an instant, and the danger is over ere thou art aware." Your heart is turned, or your hands are tied. What has become of all the furious oppressors of G-d's Israel, that hectored them, and threatened them, and were a terror to them? They passed away, and, lo, they were not; and so shall these.
Our inordinate fear of man is a tacit forgetfulness of G-d. When we disquiet ourselves with the fear of mankind we forget that there is a G-d above them, and that the greatest of men have no power but what is given them from above; we forget the providence of G-d, by which he orders and overrules all events according to the counsel of His own will; we forget the promises He has made to protect His people, and the experiences we have had of His care concerning us, and His seasonable interposition for our relief many a time, when we thought the oppressor ready to destroy; we forget our Jehovah-jirehs, monuments of mercy in the mount of the L-rd. Did we remember to make G-d our fear and our dread, we should not be so much afraid as we are of the frowns of men, Isaiah 8:12, 13. Happy is the man that fears G-d always, Proverbs 28:14, and LK.12:4-5.
Behold, I have taken out of thine hand the cup of trembling, I have covered thee in the shadow of mine hand. I will put it into the hand of them that afflict thee; which have said to thy soul, Bow down, that we may go over: and thou hast laid thy body as the ground, and as the street, to them that went over.
This is not only a proof of what God can do, but a resemblance of what he has done, and will do, for his people; he will find out a way to still the threatening storm, and bring them safely into the harbor.
When faith is weak mankind are in a dreadful hurry, but strong faith does not judge the L-rd to be slack concerning His promise. As G-d achieves His purpose with infinite leisure, He loves a faith that is patient and looks not for its reward this day or the next. 'He that believeth shall not make haste': that is to say, he shall not be ashamed or confounded by present trials so as to rush upon unbelieving actions. Faith leaves times and seasons with G-d to whom they belong.
Living for the Brand
The beginnings of a brand new country/western style church. They will take you a step back in time to when life was just a little less hectic and church was a delightful family experience.
Where country folks and country folks at heart, enjoy celebrating church with an easy going, down home, laid back atmosphere and a touch of real country charm.
Country and Cowboy churches don't take a 'shine' to formality, or fancy frills n' traditions ---God ain't impressed by those kinds of things---Jesus always had a way of keepin' things pretty simple.
The horse, rope, hat and spurs are optional. We come in all shapes, sizes, ages and every walk of life. Our goal is for everyone to know that accepting Jesus Christ as our Lord and Savior ain't about religion; it's a way of life!
Country churches have an easy-going, laid-back, down-home style that makes folks feel welcome. Where the church is like a family and they really care about one another.
Some folks are of the notion that a church building...or the denominational label they might wear is the church...but the fact is...the Bible says our bodies are His temple...not the building we might meet in. Jesus Himself held His meetings on hillsides & under trees, not in fancy man-made cathedrals!
Trail Boss:
Living for the Brand:
...the Bible is the inspired and only infallible and authoritative written Word of God
(2 Timothy 3:16)
...there is one God, eternally existent in three persons: God the Father, God the Son and God the Holy Spirit. (Deuteronomy 6:4, Matthew 28:19)
...the only means of being cleansed from sin is through repentance and faith in the precious blood of Christ. (John 14:6)
Mosey down the trail with me, as God leads me to my destiny! Who knows if some day I could start a country/western style church?
**With GOD the impossible IS possible!**Luke 1:37**
Where country folks and country folks at heart, enjoy celebrating church with an easy going, down home, laid back atmosphere and a touch of real country charm.
Country and Cowboy churches don't take a 'shine' to formality, or fancy frills n' traditions ---God ain't impressed by those kinds of things---Jesus always had a way of keepin' things pretty simple.
The horse, rope, hat and spurs are optional. We come in all shapes, sizes, ages and every walk of life. Our goal is for everyone to know that accepting Jesus Christ as our Lord and Savior ain't about religion; it's a way of life!
Country churches have an easy-going, laid-back, down-home style that makes folks feel welcome. Where the church is like a family and they really care about one another.
Some folks are of the notion that a church building...or the denominational label they might wear is the church...but the fact is...the Bible says our bodies are His temple...not the building we might meet in. Jesus Himself held His meetings on hillsides & under trees, not in fancy man-made cathedrals!
Trail Boss:
Living for the Brand: ...the Bible is the inspired and only infallible and authoritative written Word of God
(2 Timothy 3:16)
...there is one God, eternally existent in three persons: God the Father, God the Son and God the Holy Spirit. (Deuteronomy 6:4, Matthew 28:19)
...the only means of being cleansed from sin is through repentance and faith in the precious blood of Christ. (John 14:6)
Mosey down the trail with me, as God leads me to my destiny! Who knows if some day I could start a country/western style church?
**With GOD the impossible IS possible!**Luke 1:37**
Diana of Ephesians
[Acts 19:24-35] For a certain man named Demetrius, a silversmith, which made silver shrines for Diana, brought no small gain unto the craftsmen;The universal belief of the people was that they were gods, though the more intelligent regarded them only as habitations of Deity, and some, probably, as mere aids to devotion. It is exactly so in the Church of Rome.
So the masters of the poor Pythoness put forward the religious revolution which Paul was attempting to effect at Philippi, as the sole cause of their zealous alarm, to cloak the self-interest which they felt to be touched by his success (16:19-21). In both cases religious zeal was the hypocritical pretext; self-interest, the real moving cause of the opposition made.
The very appearance of a Jew (Paul) had the opposite effect to that intended. To prevent him obtaining a hearing, they drowned his voice in one tumultuous shout in honor of their goddess, which rose to such frantic enthusiasm as took two hours to exhaust itself.
Diana was a goddess of great renown amongst the Greeks. Her temple at Ephesus was a most magnificent structure. It was reckoned one of the wonders of the world. It was built about 550 B.C., of pure white marble, and though burned by a fanatic on the night of the birth of Alexander the Great, 356 B.C., was rebuilt with more splendor than before. It was four hundred twenty-five feet long by two hundred twenty broad, and the columns, one hundred twenty-seven in number, were sixty feet in height, each of them the gift of a king, and thirty-six of them enriched with ornament and color. It was constantly receiving new decorations and additional buildings, statues, and pictures by the most celebrated artists, and kindled unparalleled admiration, enthusiasm, and superstition. Its very site is now a matter of uncertainty. The little wooden image of Diana was as primitive and rude as its shrine was sumptuous; not like the Greek Diana, in the form of an imposing huntress, but quite Asiatic, in the form of a many-breasted female (emblematic of the manifold ministrations of Nature to man), terminating in a shapeless block. Like some other far-famed idols, it was believed to have fallen from heaven (verse 35), and models of it were not only sold in immense numbers to private persons, but set up for worship in other cities. What power must have attended the preaching of that one man by whom the death blow was felt to be given to their gigantic and witching superstition!
She is generally represented with many breasts, symbolizing the generative powers of nature and her ability to communicate fruitfulness in offspring. In the month of May, sacred to the goddess, immense numbers of models and shrines were sold to strangers, and thus carried all over the world. The Grecian goddess of the same name is not the Ephesian Diana; they differ in many respects.
Great is Diana of the Ephesians the civic cry of a populace so proud of their temple that they refused to inscribe on it the name of Alexander the Great, though he offered them the whole spoil of his Eastern campaign if they would do it.
They having caught Gaius and Aristarchus, it was in the house of Aquila and Priscilla that Paul found an asylum (1 Cor. 16:9), that would explain Romans 16:3, 4, where he says of them that "for his life they laid down their own necks".
They being certain of the chief of Asia, literally, "And certain also of the Asiarchs." These were wealthy and distinguished citizens of the principal towns of the Asian province, chosen annually, and ten of whom were selected by the proconsul to preside over the games celebrated in the month of May (the same month which Romanism dedicates to the Virgin). It was an office of the highest honor and greatly coveted. Certain of these, it seems, were favorably inclined to the Gospel, at least were Paul's "friends," and knowing the passions of a mob, excited during the festivals, "sent a message to him desiring him not to adventure himself into the theater.
[35] And when the townclerk had appeased the people, he said, Ye men of Ephesus, what man is there that knoweth not how that the city of the Ephesians is a worshipper of the great goddess Diana, and of the image which fell down from Jupiter?Jupiter was known as the father of light or of the sky. This deity is not referred to in the Old Testament, but is referred to in 2 Macccabees 6:2; and in the book of Acts.
We might get a glimpse of Barnabas and Paul’s physical characteristics from these deities since Jupiter, who the people applied to Barnabas was supposed to have been a large and age man. Mercury, who they thought Paul was, is pictured as a small, young man, and eloquent of speech. Jupiter and Mercurius (14:12), Jupiter was the supreme heathen divinity; and supposed to have absolute control over all idols and creation. Mercurius was the 'god of speech or eloquence,' and the special messenger of Jupiter. Hence Barnabas, probably because of his venerable appearance or supposed likeness to their god, was named 'Jupiter' by the Lystrians; and Paul, because of his speech, 'Mercurius.'
The Roman name for Artemis is Diana, at Ephesus there was a large cult of Artemis. The Biblical Text mentions the worship of Diana and the image that fell from Jupiter. It was a popular shrine that became a major tourist attraction and economic asset to the city. We can easily see why the silversmiths were angry with Paul preaching against making idols.
In the early Christian times some of Diana’s traditions were carried over to the Virgin Mary. Often, this same deity is worshipped in many areas as the divine power of reproduction under various names: Istare (Babylon), Astarte to the Greeks, Ashtoreth to the Jews, Iris to the Egyptians, Aphrodite to the Grecians, and Venus or Diana to the Romans.
Who are the idols in your life?
Exorcist have to be Believers
[Acts 19:13] Then certain of the vagabond Jews, exorcists, took upon them to call over them which had evil spirits the name of the Lord Y’Shua, saying, We adjure you by Y’Shua whom Paul preacheth.
A rebuke to the seven sons of Sceva, the hopeful Jewish exorcists. Then some of the itinerant Jewish exorcists took it upon themselves to call the name of the L-rd Y’Shua over those who had evil spirits, saying, "We exorcise you by the Y’Shua whom Paul preaches." And the evil spirit answered and said, "Y’Shua I know, and Paul I know; but who are you?" Then the man in whom the evil spirit was leaped on them, overpowered them, and prevailed against them, so that they fled out of that house naked and wounded. Was not this a proof that he derived his strength from the evil spirit that dwelt in him?
At that time, there were Jewish exorcists who practiced their "trade" with a lot of superstition and ceremony. Here, a group of itinerant Jewish exorcists try to imitate Paul's "formula" for success.
We exorcise you by the Y’Shua whom Paul preaches: The Jewish exorcists failed because they had no personal relationship with Y’Shua. They only know Y’Shua is the G-d of Paul, not their own G-d.
There are many people - many churchgoers - who will perish in Hell because they have no personal relationship with Y’Shua HaMashiach. They only know "the Y’Shua the pastor preaches" or of "the Y’Shua my spouse believes in" instead of the Y’Shua of their own salvation.
Do you have the "right" to use the name of Y’Shua? These sons of Sceva did not, because they had no personal relationship with Him. “Who are you?" The evil spirit knew exactly who Y’Shua was, and knew exactly who Paul was. But they didn't know who the seven sons of Sceva were. Apparently, evil spirits know who their enemies are, and don't waste their effort knowing those who aren't a threat to them.
The seven sons of Sceva had no real relationship with Y’Shua, they had no spiritual power against the evil spirit. They left the encounter naked and wounded. It was dangerous for them to take the reality of spiritual warfare lightly.
Many who had believed came confessing and renouncing, telling their deeds. Also, many of those who had practiced magic brought their books together and burned them in the sight of all. Ephesus was a stronghold of Satan. Here many evil things both superstitious and satanic were practiced. Books containing formula for sorcery and other ungodly and forbidden arts were plentiful in that city.
Many believers did not know they were involved in the demonic. They see their actions in a far more innocent light, until they knew the reality of the demonic.
These books and scrolls full of magic charms, amulets and incantations were well known in Ephesus, and they were valuable. The drachma was a silver coin representing about a one-fourth a day's wage, and if we estimate 300 working days a year, at an income of $25,000, this amount represented more than $1 million!
Christians must do this also today, removing books, tapes, records, statues, charms, games, or whatever else might have connection with demonic spirits. They should also destroy them so they are of no use to others.
You will have enough temptation in your own mind without going after these things. Is there any habit, any practice that you have got that defiles your soul? If the Messiah loves you, and you come and trust in him, you will make short work of it. Have done with it, and have done with it forever.
The end result will be obviously worth it all!!
A rebuke to the seven sons of Sceva, the hopeful Jewish exorcists. Then some of the itinerant Jewish exorcists took it upon themselves to call the name of the L-rd Y’Shua over those who had evil spirits, saying, "We exorcise you by the Y’Shua whom Paul preaches." And the evil spirit answered and said, "Y’Shua I know, and Paul I know; but who are you?" Then the man in whom the evil spirit was leaped on them, overpowered them, and prevailed against them, so that they fled out of that house naked and wounded. Was not this a proof that he derived his strength from the evil spirit that dwelt in him?
At that time, there were Jewish exorcists who practiced their "trade" with a lot of superstition and ceremony. Here, a group of itinerant Jewish exorcists try to imitate Paul's "formula" for success.
We exorcise you by the Y’Shua whom Paul preaches: The Jewish exorcists failed because they had no personal relationship with Y’Shua. They only know Y’Shua is the G-d of Paul, not their own G-d.
There are many people - many churchgoers - who will perish in Hell because they have no personal relationship with Y’Shua HaMashiach. They only know "the Y’Shua the pastor preaches" or of "the Y’Shua my spouse believes in" instead of the Y’Shua of their own salvation.
Do you have the "right" to use the name of Y’Shua? These sons of Sceva did not, because they had no personal relationship with Him. “Who are you?" The evil spirit knew exactly who Y’Shua was, and knew exactly who Paul was. But they didn't know who the seven sons of Sceva were. Apparently, evil spirits know who their enemies are, and don't waste their effort knowing those who aren't a threat to them.
The seven sons of Sceva had no real relationship with Y’Shua, they had no spiritual power against the evil spirit. They left the encounter naked and wounded. It was dangerous for them to take the reality of spiritual warfare lightly.
Many who had believed came confessing and renouncing, telling their deeds. Also, many of those who had practiced magic brought their books together and burned them in the sight of all. Ephesus was a stronghold of Satan. Here many evil things both superstitious and satanic were practiced. Books containing formula for sorcery and other ungodly and forbidden arts were plentiful in that city.
Many believers did not know they were involved in the demonic. They see their actions in a far more innocent light, until they knew the reality of the demonic.
These books and scrolls full of magic charms, amulets and incantations were well known in Ephesus, and they were valuable. The drachma was a silver coin representing about a one-fourth a day's wage, and if we estimate 300 working days a year, at an income of $25,000, this amount represented more than $1 million!
Christians must do this also today, removing books, tapes, records, statues, charms, games, or whatever else might have connection with demonic spirits. They should also destroy them so they are of no use to others.
You will have enough temptation in your own mind without going after these things. Is there any habit, any practice that you have got that defiles your soul? If the Messiah loves you, and you come and trust in him, you will make short work of it. Have done with it, and have done with it forever.
The end result will be obviously worth it all!!
School of Tyrannus
Acts 19:9] But when divers were hardened, and believed not, but spake evil of that way before the multitude, he departed from them, and separated the disciples, disputing daily in the school of one Tyrannus.
Paul was in Ephesus around 52 AD during his third missionary journey. Prior to having his discussions in the leture hall of Tyrannus, Paul had begun his ministry in a Synagogue, but when some were hardened and did not believe, but spoke evil of the Way before the multitude, Paul departed from them and withdrew the disciples, reasoning daily in the school of Tyrannus. (Tyrannus was a Gentile teacher), but why a school? The word used for school in the original Greek….schole….meant “leisure”. Not exactly my definition of school being an educator, but in Paul’s day discussions and debates were done during leisure time, and the word finally came to refer to a group of persons meeting for the purpose of having discussions or the place where the meeting was held. Schools during Paul’s time can be thought of as modern day literary or philosophy clubs. And this continued for two years, so that all who dwelt in Asia heard the word of the L-rd Y’Shua both Jews and Greeks.
The Greek manuscript of Acts, the Codex Beza, advises discussions were held between 11 am and 4 pm…..the part of the day when men were expected to be conducting leisure activities….not work. During those hours men pursued their hobbies, they rested, or they took part in great discussions in a lecture hall or school, as it were. This would have been the time most people were resting from work, including Paul, who worked to support himself while in Ephesus. These may have also been the "off hours" for the school of Tyrannus.
Paul taught in the alternative accommodation that must have required an enormous effort of endurance to continue, throughout the middle of the day in the heat, teaching for two whole years. As a result, however, all the interested Jews and Greeks of Asia benefited from a period of continuous teaching. This accounts for the sound foundation of the Seven Church in Asia, which later became known as the ‘seed-plot’ of Christianity in the time of John the Divine.
The School of Tyrannus in Northeast Texas, is named after the School the missionary Paul taught in for 2 years in Ephesus. This is meant to an international intensive Christian Dicsipleship School for those who are called to the ministry of the Gospel. It will be open to people from all over the world.
Do not despise small beginnings; see the ripple affects started by one.
Paul was in Ephesus around 52 AD during his third missionary journey. Prior to having his discussions in the leture hall of Tyrannus, Paul had begun his ministry in a Synagogue, but when some were hardened and did not believe, but spoke evil of the Way before the multitude, Paul departed from them and withdrew the disciples, reasoning daily in the school of Tyrannus. (Tyrannus was a Gentile teacher), but why a school? The word used for school in the original Greek….schole….meant “leisure”. Not exactly my definition of school being an educator, but in Paul’s day discussions and debates were done during leisure time, and the word finally came to refer to a group of persons meeting for the purpose of having discussions or the place where the meeting was held. Schools during Paul’s time can be thought of as modern day literary or philosophy clubs. And this continued for two years, so that all who dwelt in Asia heard the word of the L-rd Y’Shua both Jews and Greeks.
The Greek manuscript of Acts, the Codex Beza, advises discussions were held between 11 am and 4 pm…..the part of the day when men were expected to be conducting leisure activities….not work. During those hours men pursued their hobbies, they rested, or they took part in great discussions in a lecture hall or school, as it were. This would have been the time most people were resting from work, including Paul, who worked to support himself while in Ephesus. These may have also been the "off hours" for the school of Tyrannus.
Paul taught in the alternative accommodation that must have required an enormous effort of endurance to continue, throughout the middle of the day in the heat, teaching for two whole years. As a result, however, all the interested Jews and Greeks of Asia benefited from a period of continuous teaching. This accounts for the sound foundation of the Seven Church in Asia, which later became known as the ‘seed-plot’ of Christianity in the time of John the Divine.
The School of Tyrannus in Northeast Texas, is named after the School the missionary Paul taught in for 2 years in Ephesus. This is meant to an international intensive Christian Dicsipleship School for those who are called to the ministry of the Gospel. It will be open to people from all over the world.
Do not despise small beginnings; see the ripple affects started by one.
Perseverance against all odds
Heb 12:1 Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us.
1 Cor 9:24 Know ye not that they which run in a race run all, but one receiveth the prize? So run, that ye may obtain.
2 Thess. 1:4 So that we ourselves glory in you in the churches of God for your patience and faith in all your persecutions and tribulations that ye endure.
Rom. 5:3-5 we glory in tribulations also: knowing that tribulation worketh patience; And patience, experience; and experience, hope: And hope maketh not ashamed; because the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost which is given unto us.
Eph. 3:16 That he would grant you, according to the riches of his glory, to be strengthened with might by his Spirit in the inner man.
Eph. 3:19-21 And to know the love of Christ, which passeth knowledge, that ye might be filled with all the fulness of God.
Now unto him that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that worketh in us,
Unto him be glory in the church by Messiah Y’Shua throughout all ages, world without end. Amen.
Zeph. 3:8-9 Therefore wait ye upon me, saith the LORD, until the day that I rise up to the prey: for my determination is to gather the nations, that I may assemble the kingdoms, to pour upon them mine indignation, even all my fierce anger: for all the earth shall be devoured with the fire of my jealousy.
For then will I turn to the people a pure language, that they may all call upon the name of the LORD, to serve him with one consent.
Zeph. 3:17 The LORD thy God in the midst of thee is mighty; he will save, he will rejoice over thee with joy; he will rest in his love, he will joy over thee with singing.
Life getting you down? Do you feel all alone, stranded from everyone else? Maybe even the ‘church’ people not understanding you and your values.
Perseverance is a life skill. The Jewish people are great examples of knowing the value of perseverance and never forgetting those who struggled before them. We are surrounded by examples and reasons to face great challenges and to survive them.
Perseverance is a reminder that life will have suffering. Suffering is the reminder that life is not perfect. All our dreams will not come true.
Most of us love a good old perseverance, against all odds, pulling yourself up by your boot straps story. A ‘make do and mend’ mentality, persevering against the odds are admirable individual qualities.
In life many people give up too soon. They don't realize that those who persist are the ones who benefit. It's not enough to hold onto if we don't have something to hold on to.
Realize that the Almighty Creator is the One that endows you with the power to overcome any situation. My favorite affirmation is, "If G-d brings me to it, He will bring me through it!"
Everyday we are faced with challenges, big and small, that we must overcome. You have the power to persevere! G-d, the Almighty Creator, gives you that power. Discover this power within you, each and every day. Remember that, in the long run, perseverance always pays off! The power to persevere is what enables us to reach our goals.
Run the Race with perseverance, knowing that G-d has already guaranteed us the win! We run, not to “earn” the prize, but we run with joy-filled discipline because the Messiah has ran before us and won the prize. Therefore we are inspired and freed up to run the race of faith!
For as G-d’s Word states “… those who hope in the G-d will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.” Isaiah 40:31. Amen? Amen!
1 Cor 9:24 Know ye not that they which run in a race run all, but one receiveth the prize? So run, that ye may obtain.
2 Thess. 1:4 So that we ourselves glory in you in the churches of God for your patience and faith in all your persecutions and tribulations that ye endure.
Rom. 5:3-5 we glory in tribulations also: knowing that tribulation worketh patience; And patience, experience; and experience, hope: And hope maketh not ashamed; because the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost which is given unto us.
Eph. 3:16 That he would grant you, according to the riches of his glory, to be strengthened with might by his Spirit in the inner man.
Eph. 3:19-21 And to know the love of Christ, which passeth knowledge, that ye might be filled with all the fulness of God.
Now unto him that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that worketh in us,
Unto him be glory in the church by Messiah Y’Shua throughout all ages, world without end. Amen.
Zeph. 3:8-9 Therefore wait ye upon me, saith the LORD, until the day that I rise up to the prey: for my determination is to gather the nations, that I may assemble the kingdoms, to pour upon them mine indignation, even all my fierce anger: for all the earth shall be devoured with the fire of my jealousy.
For then will I turn to the people a pure language, that they may all call upon the name of the LORD, to serve him with one consent.
Zeph. 3:17 The LORD thy God in the midst of thee is mighty; he will save, he will rejoice over thee with joy; he will rest in his love, he will joy over thee with singing.
Life getting you down? Do you feel all alone, stranded from everyone else? Maybe even the ‘church’ people not understanding you and your values.
Perseverance is a life skill. The Jewish people are great examples of knowing the value of perseverance and never forgetting those who struggled before them. We are surrounded by examples and reasons to face great challenges and to survive them.
Perseverance is a reminder that life will have suffering. Suffering is the reminder that life is not perfect. All our dreams will not come true.
Most of us love a good old perseverance, against all odds, pulling yourself up by your boot straps story. A ‘make do and mend’ mentality, persevering against the odds are admirable individual qualities.
In life many people give up too soon. They don't realize that those who persist are the ones who benefit. It's not enough to hold onto if we don't have something to hold on to.
Realize that the Almighty Creator is the One that endows you with the power to overcome any situation. My favorite affirmation is, "If G-d brings me to it, He will bring me through it!"
Everyday we are faced with challenges, big and small, that we must overcome. You have the power to persevere! G-d, the Almighty Creator, gives you that power. Discover this power within you, each and every day. Remember that, in the long run, perseverance always pays off! The power to persevere is what enables us to reach our goals.
Run the Race with perseverance, knowing that G-d has already guaranteed us the win! We run, not to “earn” the prize, but we run with joy-filled discipline because the Messiah has ran before us and won the prize. Therefore we are inspired and freed up to run the race of faith!
For as G-d’s Word states “… those who hope in the G-d will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.” Isaiah 40:31. Amen? Amen!
Homemade Distilled Water
Distilled water is literally water that has been boiled, evaporated and condensed - leaving all chemicals, toxins and waste behind and creating pure, clean water. Distillation will remove bacteria, viruses, cysts, heavy metals, radionuclides, organics, inorganics, and particulates.
Distillation is literally the method seen in nature, whereby: the sun heats the water on the earth's surface, the water is turned into a vapour (evaporation) and rises, leaving contaminants behind, to form clouds. As the upper atmosphere drops in temperature the vapours cool and convert back to water to form water droplets. Then once the droplets fall as rain (precipitation) the cycle starts over again.
Water in the human body acts as a solvent, carrying nutrients to every living cell, and transporting waste material out of the cells for removal. Efficient absorption of nutrients and efficient elimination of wastes through the kidneys and liver is only possible when water, the transport medium, is clean. Distilled water removes poisonous substances and inorganic mineral matter from the human body. This process will be impeded if the water you drink is already contaminated.
Get two bottles, ideally one transparent, fill the transparent one with water then join the two together at the neck, or run a tube between them sealing any open places. Then position them so that the one with water in it is in the sun (so it heats up) and the other kept cool in the shade or covered and angled so that water will collect in the bottom. The heat causes evaporation of water in the filled bottle which then condenses in the cooler bottle and collects as distilled water in the bottom of the bottle.
1. Place water in a large pot, then put something like a steamer-inset with a heat-proof bowl in the middle. Don't let the bowl touch the pot's sides or bottom.
2. Cover the pot with a wok or a dome-shaped lid, with the concave side up. Put ice-water on the wok/lid.
3. Slowly bring the pot of water to a boil. Replace the ice-water as it gets warm.
4. Check under the wok/lid from time to time. The water should be condensing on the bottom of the wok and dripping into the pyrex bowl. Do not boil the pot dry. You can stop when you have enough water in the bowl.
For a purer result, discard the first 10ml in the bowl as this could contain impurities that boil below 100C i.e. first!
The process takes some time. It will take approximately 40 minutes to make one quart of distilled water.
If you place rose petals in your boiling pot of water, you can make rose water. Rose water is good for dry skin and has a wonderful fragrance.
Distillation is literally the method seen in nature, whereby: the sun heats the water on the earth's surface, the water is turned into a vapour (evaporation) and rises, leaving contaminants behind, to form clouds. As the upper atmosphere drops in temperature the vapours cool and convert back to water to form water droplets. Then once the droplets fall as rain (precipitation) the cycle starts over again.
Water in the human body acts as a solvent, carrying nutrients to every living cell, and transporting waste material out of the cells for removal. Efficient absorption of nutrients and efficient elimination of wastes through the kidneys and liver is only possible when water, the transport medium, is clean. Distilled water removes poisonous substances and inorganic mineral matter from the human body. This process will be impeded if the water you drink is already contaminated.
Get two bottles, ideally one transparent, fill the transparent one with water then join the two together at the neck, or run a tube between them sealing any open places. Then position them so that the one with water in it is in the sun (so it heats up) and the other kept cool in the shade or covered and angled so that water will collect in the bottom. The heat causes evaporation of water in the filled bottle which then condenses in the cooler bottle and collects as distilled water in the bottom of the bottle.
1. Place water in a large pot, then put something like a steamer-inset with a heat-proof bowl in the middle. Don't let the bowl touch the pot's sides or bottom.
2. Cover the pot with a wok or a dome-shaped lid, with the concave side up. Put ice-water on the wok/lid.
3. Slowly bring the pot of water to a boil. Replace the ice-water as it gets warm.
4. Check under the wok/lid from time to time. The water should be condensing on the bottom of the wok and dripping into the pyrex bowl. Do not boil the pot dry. You can stop when you have enough water in the bowl.
For a purer result, discard the first 10ml in the bowl as this could contain impurities that boil below 100C i.e. first!
The process takes some time. It will take approximately 40 minutes to make one quart of distilled water.
If you place rose petals in your boiling pot of water, you can make rose water. Rose water is good for dry skin and has a wonderful fragrance.
Holy Desperation
Great deception is afoot in the churches today, happening right before our very eyes. In fact, it may have already come to your church for it is running ramped!
We need to wake up and see the handwriting on the wall!
We have sugar-coated the Word so long it has gotten totally watered down!
Now preachers are afraid to speak the Word, for those that came ‘out of the closet’ are now putting ‘opposition’ in a closet!
If the Word had been spoken out freely, may-be just may be some would have been convicted and brought to repentance. Instead we are taught now, to show ‘grace & acceptance’ to the sinner. What happen to love the sinner but hate the sin?
Are we so worried about the ‘growth’ of the church that we don’t want to keep people so far away from the offering plate? Or has the definition of sin been changed?
We now call the drunkard ‘a disease’, sex out side of marriage ‘normal’, homosexuals ‘diversity’, abortion ‘legal’.
We are raising our children in deception of what the meaning of family (Mom & Dad) means.
Diversity is being taught in public schools, heading to private schools and will be demanded of home-schools. Are we going to sit back and allow it through like we did when they took prayer out of school?
America started its down-ward fall when we allowed attracts on families to win.
We need to be testing the spirits and bring believers back to obedience to Y’Shua the Messiah, the written Word from which all Christian doctrine and teaching should be derived.
2 Thess. 2:1-2. From the teachings of Y’Shu Himself to the writings of Paul, John, Peter, James, and Jude, that indicates that the end times will be times of great delusion and deception. G-d will send expressly for the purpose of separating true believers in Him from those who "have not a love of the Truth."
At any rate, we can expect to see more liberalism and more modernism, also referred to as Liberation theology or the social gospel, continue to invade and take over more mainline Christian institutions and denominations. We can also expect to see true Bible believing Christians come under more and more criticism and pressure to comply with the form of Christianity that will be promulgated by the media, the press, and the United Nations. It will be ecumenical, multicultural, tolerant of other faiths and religions, and quite conceivably enforced at gunpoint or through other coercive means.
Laws are being passed that will make it ‘illegal’ to teach the Biblical view when it comes to such issues as abortion and homosexuality. At some point soon, already in some places, many churches may be forced to make a decision between remaining free to preach the truth, or maintaining a tax exempt status. And this is just the tip of the iceberg and a shadow of things to come over the next decade.
It is apparent, if we recognize that Laodicea is a depiction of the end-time Charismatic movement that has prided itself in having more gifts, more power, more Spirit, more gospel (FULL gospel, REALLY!), more ministry (five-fold, don't you know), and more health and prosperity than any of the other churches around.
Holy Desperation to truth, is the only real protection the Bride will have will come in the form of an intimate knowledge and relationship of her True Beloved. It is important for all believers to begin to seek the face of the L-rd now, and to draw close to Him and press into Him so that they learn to recognize His voice. The day is soon coming when there will be many rival voices (Matthew 24:5) clamoring for the Bride's attention -- but she will respond to only one, the voice of her Beloved (Song of Solomon 2:8 and 5:2).
Do not be deceived G-d will not be mock!
We need to wake up and see the handwriting on the wall!
We have sugar-coated the Word so long it has gotten totally watered down!
Now preachers are afraid to speak the Word, for those that came ‘out of the closet’ are now putting ‘opposition’ in a closet!
If the Word had been spoken out freely, may-be just may be some would have been convicted and brought to repentance. Instead we are taught now, to show ‘grace & acceptance’ to the sinner. What happen to love the sinner but hate the sin?
Are we so worried about the ‘growth’ of the church that we don’t want to keep people so far away from the offering plate? Or has the definition of sin been changed?
We now call the drunkard ‘a disease’, sex out side of marriage ‘normal’, homosexuals ‘diversity’, abortion ‘legal’.
We are raising our children in deception of what the meaning of family (Mom & Dad) means.
Diversity is being taught in public schools, heading to private schools and will be demanded of home-schools. Are we going to sit back and allow it through like we did when they took prayer out of school?
America started its down-ward fall when we allowed attracts on families to win.
We need to be testing the spirits and bring believers back to obedience to Y’Shua the Messiah, the written Word from which all Christian doctrine and teaching should be derived.
2 Thess. 2:1-2. From the teachings of Y’Shu Himself to the writings of Paul, John, Peter, James, and Jude, that indicates that the end times will be times of great delusion and deception. G-d will send expressly for the purpose of separating true believers in Him from those who "have not a love of the Truth."
At any rate, we can expect to see more liberalism and more modernism, also referred to as Liberation theology or the social gospel, continue to invade and take over more mainline Christian institutions and denominations. We can also expect to see true Bible believing Christians come under more and more criticism and pressure to comply with the form of Christianity that will be promulgated by the media, the press, and the United Nations. It will be ecumenical, multicultural, tolerant of other faiths and religions, and quite conceivably enforced at gunpoint or through other coercive means.
Laws are being passed that will make it ‘illegal’ to teach the Biblical view when it comes to such issues as abortion and homosexuality. At some point soon, already in some places, many churches may be forced to make a decision between remaining free to preach the truth, or maintaining a tax exempt status. And this is just the tip of the iceberg and a shadow of things to come over the next decade.
It is apparent, if we recognize that Laodicea is a depiction of the end-time Charismatic movement that has prided itself in having more gifts, more power, more Spirit, more gospel (FULL gospel, REALLY!), more ministry (five-fold, don't you know), and more health and prosperity than any of the other churches around.
Holy Desperation to truth, is the only real protection the Bride will have will come in the form of an intimate knowledge and relationship of her True Beloved. It is important for all believers to begin to seek the face of the L-rd now, and to draw close to Him and press into Him so that they learn to recognize His voice. The day is soon coming when there will be many rival voices (Matthew 24:5) clamoring for the Bride's attention -- but she will respond to only one, the voice of her Beloved (Song of Solomon 2:8 and 5:2).
Do not be deceived G-d will not be mock!
Food & Body Comparisons
Avocadoes, eggplant and pears target the health and function of the womb and cervix of the female.
Today’s research shows that when a woman eats one avocado a week, it balances hormones, sheds unwanted birth weight, and prevents cervical cancers.
It takes exactly nine months to grow an avocado from blossom to ripened fruit.
There are over 14,000 photolytic chemical constituents of nutrition in each one of these foods.
A sliced carrot looks like the human eye.
The pupil, iris and radiating lines look just like the human eye … and science now shows carrots greatly enhance blood flow to and function of the eyes.
Celery, rhubarb and many more look just like bones.
These foods specifically target bone strength.
If you don’t have enough sodium in your diet, the body pulls it from the bones, thus making them weak.
These foods replenish the skeletal needs of the body.
Figs are full of seeds and hang in twos when they grow.
Figs increase the mobility of male sperm and increase the numbers of sperm as well to overcome male sterility.
Grapes hang in a cluster that has the shape of the heart.
Each grape looks like a blood cell and all of the research today shows grapes are also profound heart and blood vitalizing food.
Kidney beans actually heal and help maintain kidney function and they look exactly like the human kidneys.
Olives assist the health and function of the ovaries.
Onions look like the body’s cells.
Today’s research shows onions help clear waste materials from all of the body cells. They even produce tears which was the epithelial layers of the eyes.
Oranges, grapefruits, and other citrus fruits look just like mammary glands of the female and actually assist the health of the breasts and the movement of lymph in and out of the breast.
Sweet potatoes look like the pancreas and actually balance the glycemic index of diabetics.
A tomato has four chambers and is read, the heart has four chambers and is red.
All of the research shows tomatoes are loaded with lycopine and are indeed pure heart and blood food.
Walnuts look like a little brain, a left and right hemisphere, upper cerebrums and lower cerebellums.
Even the wrinkles or folds on the nut are just like the neocortex.
We now know walnuts help develop more than 3 dozen neuron-transmitters for brain function.
Today’s research shows that when a woman eats one avocado a week, it balances hormones, sheds unwanted birth weight, and prevents cervical cancers.
It takes exactly nine months to grow an avocado from blossom to ripened fruit.
There are over 14,000 photolytic chemical constituents of nutrition in each one of these foods.
A sliced carrot looks like the human eye.
The pupil, iris and radiating lines look just like the human eye … and science now shows carrots greatly enhance blood flow to and function of the eyes.
Celery, rhubarb and many more look just like bones.
These foods specifically target bone strength.
If you don’t have enough sodium in your diet, the body pulls it from the bones, thus making them weak.
These foods replenish the skeletal needs of the body.
Figs are full of seeds and hang in twos when they grow.
Figs increase the mobility of male sperm and increase the numbers of sperm as well to overcome male sterility.
Grapes hang in a cluster that has the shape of the heart.
Each grape looks like a blood cell and all of the research today shows grapes are also profound heart and blood vitalizing food.
Kidney beans actually heal and help maintain kidney function and they look exactly like the human kidneys.
Olives assist the health and function of the ovaries.
Onions look like the body’s cells.
Today’s research shows onions help clear waste materials from all of the body cells. They even produce tears which was the epithelial layers of the eyes.
Oranges, grapefruits, and other citrus fruits look just like mammary glands of the female and actually assist the health of the breasts and the movement of lymph in and out of the breast.
Sweet potatoes look like the pancreas and actually balance the glycemic index of diabetics.
A tomato has four chambers and is read, the heart has four chambers and is red.
All of the research shows tomatoes are loaded with lycopine and are indeed pure heart and blood food.
Walnuts look like a little brain, a left and right hemisphere, upper cerebrums and lower cerebellums.
Even the wrinkles or folds on the nut are just like the neocortex.
We now know walnuts help develop more than 3 dozen neuron-transmitters for brain function.
Beverages
Almond Milk
¾ almonds, soaked overnight and drained
2 c. distilled water
Blend until creamy, then strain before serving.
Chill
Makes 2 cups
Banana Shake
½ c. almonds
1 tsp vanilla
1 c. water
Blend until it looks like milk.
Add 4 bananas that have been peeled and frozen, cut into chunks
Add 5 drops living tangerine essential oil.
Blend until smooth.
Serves 2
Carrot Veggie Juice
Juice: Large bunch of spinach or parsley
Followed with a carrot
Alternate: 2 stalks celery, cut into inch lengths
6 peeled and cored apples
Finish up with the rest of the 6 lb. peeled carrots
Makes 8 cups
Un-Eggnog
2 c. almond milk
2 medium ripe bananas
½ tsp vanilla
Combine in blender and blend until smooth
Serve with a dash of nutmeg on top
Serves 3
¾ almonds, soaked overnight and drained
2 c. distilled water
Blend until creamy, then strain before serving.
Chill
Makes 2 cups
Banana Shake
½ c. almonds
1 tsp vanilla
1 c. water
Blend until it looks like milk.
Add 4 bananas that have been peeled and frozen, cut into chunks
Add 5 drops living tangerine essential oil.
Blend until smooth.
Serves 2
Carrot Veggie Juice
Juice: Large bunch of spinach or parsley
Followed with a carrot
Alternate: 2 stalks celery, cut into inch lengths
6 peeled and cored apples
Finish up with the rest of the 6 lb. peeled carrots
Makes 8 cups
Un-Eggnog
2 c. almond milk
2 medium ripe bananas
½ tsp vanilla
Combine in blender and blend until smooth
Serve with a dash of nutmeg on top
Serves 3
Requirements for Leadership
If a man desires a office he desires a good work and great boldness in the faith which is in Christ Jesus.
He must be blameless, the husband of one wife, having faithful children not accused of riot or unruly.
He then must be vigilant, sober, of good behavior, given to hospitality, apt to teach.
Not doubletongued, not given too much wine, not greedy of filthy lucre;
One that rules well his own house, having his children in subjection with all gravity; for if a man knows not how to rule his own house, how shall he take care of the church of God?
He must not be a novice, lest being lifted up with pride he fall into the condemnation of the devil.
Holding the mystery of the faith in a pure conscience.
Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ also loved the church, and gave himself for it;
That he might sanctify and cleanse it with the washing of water by the word,
That he might present it to himself a glorious church, not having spot, or wrinkle, or any such thing; but that it should be holy and without blemish.
So ought men to love their wives as their own bodies.
He that loves his wife loves himself.
For this cause shall a man leave his father and mother, and shall be joined unto his wife, and they two shall be one flesh.
Even so must their wives be grave, not slanderers, sober, faithful in all things, ruling their children and their own houses well.
Her desire shall be to her husband, and he shall exercise dominion over her.
Wives, submit yourselves unto your own husbands, as unto the Lord.
For the husband is the head of the wife, even as Christ is the head of the church: and he is the savior of the body.
Therefore as the church is subject unto Christ, so let the wives be to their own husbands in every thing.
Nevertheless let every one of you in particular so love his wife even as himself; and the wife see that she reverence her husband.
Let your communication be, Yea, yea; Nay, nay: for whatsoever is more than these cometh of evil.
Abstain from all appearance of evil.
Stand in the gap for one another to keep evil spirits from entering the premises.
Your priorities are to put G-d first, mate second (if they have made the Savior L-rd over them), children third, everything else comes after.
He must be blameless, the husband of one wife, having faithful children not accused of riot or unruly.
He then must be vigilant, sober, of good behavior, given to hospitality, apt to teach.
Not doubletongued, not given too much wine, not greedy of filthy lucre;
One that rules well his own house, having his children in subjection with all gravity; for if a man knows not how to rule his own house, how shall he take care of the church of God?
He must not be a novice, lest being lifted up with pride he fall into the condemnation of the devil.
Holding the mystery of the faith in a pure conscience.
Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ also loved the church, and gave himself for it;
That he might sanctify and cleanse it with the washing of water by the word,
That he might present it to himself a glorious church, not having spot, or wrinkle, or any such thing; but that it should be holy and without blemish.
So ought men to love their wives as their own bodies.
He that loves his wife loves himself.
For this cause shall a man leave his father and mother, and shall be joined unto his wife, and they two shall be one flesh.
Even so must their wives be grave, not slanderers, sober, faithful in all things, ruling their children and their own houses well.
Her desire shall be to her husband, and he shall exercise dominion over her.
Wives, submit yourselves unto your own husbands, as unto the Lord.
For the husband is the head of the wife, even as Christ is the head of the church: and he is the savior of the body.
Therefore as the church is subject unto Christ, so let the wives be to their own husbands in every thing.
Nevertheless let every one of you in particular so love his wife even as himself; and the wife see that she reverence her husband.
Let your communication be, Yea, yea; Nay, nay: for whatsoever is more than these cometh of evil.
Abstain from all appearance of evil.
Stand in the gap for one another to keep evil spirits from entering the premises.
Your priorities are to put G-d first, mate second (if they have made the Savior L-rd over them), children third, everything else comes after.
Follow Righteousness
[Isa. 51:1] Hearken to me, ye that follow after righteousness, ye that seek the LORD: look unto the rock whence ye are hewn, and to the hole of the pit whence ye are digged.
[5] My righteousness is near; my salvation is gone forth, and mine arms shall judge the people; the isles shall wait upon me, and on mine arm shall they trust.
[6] Lift up your eyes to the heavens, and look upon the earth beneath: for the heavens shall vanish away like smoke, and the earth shall wax old like a garment, and they that dwell therein shall die in like manner: but my salvation shall be for ever, and my righteousness shall not be abolished.
[7] Hearken unto me, ye that know righteousness, the people in whose heart is my law; fear ye not the reproach of men, neither be ye afraid of their revilings.
[8] For the moth shall eat them up like a garment, and the worm shall eat them like wool: but my righteousness shall be for ever, and my salvation from generation to generation.
[11] Therefore the redeemed of the LORD shall return, and come with singing unto Zion; and everlasting joy shall be upon their head: they shall obtain gladness and joy; and sorrow and mourning shall flee away.
“Seek it therefore from Me, who ‘bring it near,’ and that a righteousness ‘not about to be abolished’; look to Abraham’s faith, your father, as a sample of how righteousness before Me is to be obtained; I, the same G-d who blessed him, will bless you at last; therefore trust in Me, and fear not man's opposition. Have a want of oneness with heavens righteousness; develop a love and liking of it, and a vehement desire for it. Your what determines to an eager pursuit of it and its perfection, suitableness, and use: now such persons are called to hearken to Me; to My Word and to My ordinances, particularly to what is after said: ‘ye that seek the L-rd’, for life and salvation; for righteousness and strength; for more grace from Him; a greater knowledge of Him, and of doctrine from Him and more communion with Him; that seek His honor and glory in the world, and to be for ever with Him. Who seek affectionately and sincerely, carefully, diligently, constantly, and for everything they want. Once a believer gets eaten up with discouragement and unbelief it takes a great deal to shake him out of it. Those two emotions are the masterstrokes of Satan. So long as the child of Mine maintains an attitude of praise and trust, then he is invincible. Once the devil gets you discouraged, you are really going to take a knocking! The consideration of this should fill you with low thoughts of yourself and high thoughts of divine grace elevate Me! Righteousness is one of the synonyms for salvation and those who hunger and thirst for righteousness are bless. It requires daily repenting that you may come before Me with clean hands. There is no salvation without righteousness; and, wherever there is the righteousness of Me, there shall be My salvation. That this righteousness and salvation shall very shortly appear: My righteousness is near. It is near in time; behold, all things are now ready. This righteousness and salvation shall not be confined to the Jewish nation, but is extended to the Gentiles; My arms shall judge the people. Those that will not yield to the judgments of My mouth shall be crushed by the judgments of My hand. It is for ever; for the consequences of it shall be to eternity, and by this law of liberty men's everlasting state will be determined. This eternity of the gospel and the blessed things it brings in is illustrated by the fading and perishing of this world and all things in it. You shall obtain that joy and gladness in seeking righteousness, which you could never obtain in a vale of tears. In the world of changes it is a short step from joy to sorrow, but in My world sorrow and mourning shall flee away, never to return or come in view again. I am the Father that comforts those that are cast down; I delight in being so. Those whom I comfort are comforted indeed; My undertaking to comfort them is comfort enough to them. Follow after "righteousness"; seek it therefore, from Me, and you will not have far to go for it.”
[5] My righteousness is near; my salvation is gone forth, and mine arms shall judge the people; the isles shall wait upon me, and on mine arm shall they trust.
[6] Lift up your eyes to the heavens, and look upon the earth beneath: for the heavens shall vanish away like smoke, and the earth shall wax old like a garment, and they that dwell therein shall die in like manner: but my salvation shall be for ever, and my righteousness shall not be abolished.
[7] Hearken unto me, ye that know righteousness, the people in whose heart is my law; fear ye not the reproach of men, neither be ye afraid of their revilings.
[8] For the moth shall eat them up like a garment, and the worm shall eat them like wool: but my righteousness shall be for ever, and my salvation from generation to generation.
[11] Therefore the redeemed of the LORD shall return, and come with singing unto Zion; and everlasting joy shall be upon their head: they shall obtain gladness and joy; and sorrow and mourning shall flee away.
“Seek it therefore from Me, who ‘bring it near,’ and that a righteousness ‘not about to be abolished’; look to Abraham’s faith, your father, as a sample of how righteousness before Me is to be obtained; I, the same G-d who blessed him, will bless you at last; therefore trust in Me, and fear not man's opposition. Have a want of oneness with heavens righteousness; develop a love and liking of it, and a vehement desire for it. Your what determines to an eager pursuit of it and its perfection, suitableness, and use: now such persons are called to hearken to Me; to My Word and to My ordinances, particularly to what is after said: ‘ye that seek the L-rd’, for life and salvation; for righteousness and strength; for more grace from Him; a greater knowledge of Him, and of doctrine from Him and more communion with Him; that seek His honor and glory in the world, and to be for ever with Him. Who seek affectionately and sincerely, carefully, diligently, constantly, and for everything they want. Once a believer gets eaten up with discouragement and unbelief it takes a great deal to shake him out of it. Those two emotions are the masterstrokes of Satan. So long as the child of Mine maintains an attitude of praise and trust, then he is invincible. Once the devil gets you discouraged, you are really going to take a knocking! The consideration of this should fill you with low thoughts of yourself and high thoughts of divine grace elevate Me! Righteousness is one of the synonyms for salvation and those who hunger and thirst for righteousness are bless. It requires daily repenting that you may come before Me with clean hands. There is no salvation without righteousness; and, wherever there is the righteousness of Me, there shall be My salvation. That this righteousness and salvation shall very shortly appear: My righteousness is near. It is near in time; behold, all things are now ready. This righteousness and salvation shall not be confined to the Jewish nation, but is extended to the Gentiles; My arms shall judge the people. Those that will not yield to the judgments of My mouth shall be crushed by the judgments of My hand. It is for ever; for the consequences of it shall be to eternity, and by this law of liberty men's everlasting state will be determined. This eternity of the gospel and the blessed things it brings in is illustrated by the fading and perishing of this world and all things in it. You shall obtain that joy and gladness in seeking righteousness, which you could never obtain in a vale of tears. In the world of changes it is a short step from joy to sorrow, but in My world sorrow and mourning shall flee away, never to return or come in view again. I am the Father that comforts those that are cast down; I delight in being so. Those whom I comfort are comforted indeed; My undertaking to comfort them is comfort enough to them. Follow after "righteousness"; seek it therefore, from Me, and you will not have far to go for it.”
Chemical Free Alternatives
Chemical-free living is the embracing of a lifestyle that omits chemicals from as many aspects of life as possible, pretty much everything you buy from supermarkets these days is chemical based.
The more you make an effort to remove chemicals from your life though, the less work your sensitive organs have to do to pump the chemicals back out of your body. The more efficient your body is at getting rid of harmful toxins, the less likely you will have a toxic buildup in your body, and therefore the less susceptible you are to disease, cancer, a whole host of ailments!
Bathroom: Face cleanser: A mix of milk and oatmeal may sound like a hearty breakfast, but it's also a natural face cleanser for dry skin types. The milk moisturizes and nourishes the skin, and oatmeal acts as an exfoliating agent.
Hair dyes and highlights: Combine, Cup lemon juice with cup water and rinse your hair for a natural alternative to chemically-laden hair dyes and highlights. A little time in the sun will activate the lemon juice's bleaching properties.
Henna hair dyes (henna is a plant powder you mix with hot water to form a paste, and then apply to your hair as per normal.
Lemon Hair Bleach: Mix ½ cup lemon juice with 1 cup flour to form a paste. How to Use: Apply to damp hair, cover with shower cap and leave minimum 15 minutes up to 1 hour (for best results). Wash out. (Lemon accentuates the natural fairness in hair. The result is gentle golden highlights for dark hair and for lighter hair a gentle golden blonde affect. Lemon is mild bleach. It may be necessary to repeat the procedure a few times to achieve the necessary affect).
Talc in Recycled Jar: Pour rice flour into a clean small to medium sized jar with metal lid. For plain ‘talc’ leave as is. For scented ‘talc’ add essential oils, dried herbs or flowers. Pierce holes in lid to allow for easy sprinkling.
Toothpaste: A few drops of hydrogen peroxide mixed with baking soda makes a super cleansing toothpaste. Use this formula about once every 2 weeks as a natural tooth cleaner and whitener.
Soap: Leaves of the Soap wort or similar plant that will lather and clean similar to soap.
Sunscreens: Many natural skin care lines are creating chemical-free sunscreens that use zinc oxide and natural minerals, to shield UVA and UVB rays. These minerals reflect, rather than absorb, UV rays. Also look for sunscreens and sunblocks that contain inactive ingredients that will soothe skin and counteract free radical damage. Natural additives like shea butter, hemp, aloe, lavender, and green tea provides an amount of shielding from sun rays and provides cooling comfort for your skin.
For extra dirty pots squeeze half a lemon onto a few tablespoons of salt and get scrubbing.
Spray Deodorant Lavender Vinegar-based: Pour 10 ml cider vinegar into a suitably sized spray bottle. Add 80 ml water. Add 2-3 drops of lavender essential oil. Apply lid – shake well. Use 1-3 times daily as an underarm deodorant. This is a mild anti-bacterial deodorant that inhibits odor but does not reduce perspiration.
Homemade Rosemary Shampoo: To 2 cups of the soap jelly mix add 1 cup boiling water (or rosemary & lavender herbal infusion). Stir until the soap jelly has dissolved. Add two tablespoons of almond oil and a 5 drops each rosemary & lavender essential oils. Pour into a jar ready for use. No need to use a conditioner simply gives your hair a final rinse with spring or rain water!
Essential Oils are great for scenting rooms and toilet bowls. You can wipe with a damp cloth using a drop or two with any scent you like.
Raw Honey applied directly to wounds and nappy rash and fungal infections. It is also very soothing, can also be used on a horse that may have a large open leg wound. It has anti fungal and antibacterial properties. Plain untreated honey is just as good as the expensive honey. It soaks into the skin well and excess when changing dressings, plus can be washed off with water easily.
Household cleansers: Cornstarch is great for thickening up a stir-fry, but can also be used to clean windows, polish furniture, and starch clothes.
Lemon juice does more than jazz up ice-water! The citric acid it contains can deodorize, clean glass and disinfect cutting boards. Combine with 2 parts olive oil for a safe furniture polish.
Vinegar is a smelly, but handy cleaning tool. It can dissolve grease, remove soap and wax buildup or clean out the metallic taste in coffeepots. Be sure to dilute your vinegar solution with about 1/2 cup vinegar per quart of warm water.
Brass Polish: Worcestershire Sauce.
Mold and mildew: Borax is a naturally occurring mineral that may inhibit mold and mildew growth, boost the cleaning power of detergent and remove stains. Note: Boron compounds like those in Borax are also known to eliminate household critters, including dust mites!
Static Eliminator Re-Usable Dryer Sheets keep you and your dryer safe, giving you the benefits of dryer sheets without the buildup and harmful chemicals.
Oven Cleaner: Make a paste of baking soda and water and spread on oven interior. Leave overnight with oven door closed. Remove with sponge or nylon scrub pad. SOS pad can be used to remove stubborn bits.
Scouring Powder: 1 cup of baking soda, 1 cup of Borax, 1 cup of regular salt. Combine ingredients and keep in tightly closed container.
Silver Cleaner: Boiling water, baking soda, a piece of aluminum.
Stainless Steel Polish: 2 tablespoons cream of tartar, 1 quart of hot water.
Copper Cleaner: Rub with lemon juice; rinse and dry, Lemon juice and salt.
Clogged sinks; pour about ½ a cup of baking soda down a drain, followed by 1 cup vinegar. Let it sit for about 20 minutes and then flush with hot water.
Scouring powder: Baking soda is a wonderful tool for neutralizing acid, deodorizing, cleaning and polishing, as well as removing stains. Combine it with some dry table salt for a great scouring powder.
Stain remover: Sodium chloride, otherwise known as salt, can be combined with lemon juice to make a chemical-free stain remover for clothes and carpets. (Salt is famous for helping with red wine stains).
The more you make an effort to remove chemicals from your life though, the less work your sensitive organs have to do to pump the chemicals back out of your body. The more efficient your body is at getting rid of harmful toxins, the less likely you will have a toxic buildup in your body, and therefore the less susceptible you are to disease, cancer, a whole host of ailments!
Bathroom: Face cleanser: A mix of milk and oatmeal may sound like a hearty breakfast, but it's also a natural face cleanser for dry skin types. The milk moisturizes and nourishes the skin, and oatmeal acts as an exfoliating agent.
Hair dyes and highlights: Combine, Cup lemon juice with cup water and rinse your hair for a natural alternative to chemically-laden hair dyes and highlights. A little time in the sun will activate the lemon juice's bleaching properties.
Henna hair dyes (henna is a plant powder you mix with hot water to form a paste, and then apply to your hair as per normal.
Lemon Hair Bleach: Mix ½ cup lemon juice with 1 cup flour to form a paste. How to Use: Apply to damp hair, cover with shower cap and leave minimum 15 minutes up to 1 hour (for best results). Wash out. (Lemon accentuates the natural fairness in hair. The result is gentle golden highlights for dark hair and for lighter hair a gentle golden blonde affect. Lemon is mild bleach. It may be necessary to repeat the procedure a few times to achieve the necessary affect).
Talc in Recycled Jar: Pour rice flour into a clean small to medium sized jar with metal lid. For plain ‘talc’ leave as is. For scented ‘talc’ add essential oils, dried herbs or flowers. Pierce holes in lid to allow for easy sprinkling.
Toothpaste: A few drops of hydrogen peroxide mixed with baking soda makes a super cleansing toothpaste. Use this formula about once every 2 weeks as a natural tooth cleaner and whitener.
Soap: Leaves of the Soap wort or similar plant that will lather and clean similar to soap.
Sunscreens: Many natural skin care lines are creating chemical-free sunscreens that use zinc oxide and natural minerals, to shield UVA and UVB rays. These minerals reflect, rather than absorb, UV rays. Also look for sunscreens and sunblocks that contain inactive ingredients that will soothe skin and counteract free radical damage. Natural additives like shea butter, hemp, aloe, lavender, and green tea provides an amount of shielding from sun rays and provides cooling comfort for your skin.
For extra dirty pots squeeze half a lemon onto a few tablespoons of salt and get scrubbing.
Spray Deodorant Lavender Vinegar-based: Pour 10 ml cider vinegar into a suitably sized spray bottle. Add 80 ml water. Add 2-3 drops of lavender essential oil. Apply lid – shake well. Use 1-3 times daily as an underarm deodorant. This is a mild anti-bacterial deodorant that inhibits odor but does not reduce perspiration.
Homemade Rosemary Shampoo: To 2 cups of the soap jelly mix add 1 cup boiling water (or rosemary & lavender herbal infusion). Stir until the soap jelly has dissolved. Add two tablespoons of almond oil and a 5 drops each rosemary & lavender essential oils. Pour into a jar ready for use. No need to use a conditioner simply gives your hair a final rinse with spring or rain water!
Essential Oils are great for scenting rooms and toilet bowls. You can wipe with a damp cloth using a drop or two with any scent you like.
Raw Honey applied directly to wounds and nappy rash and fungal infections. It is also very soothing, can also be used on a horse that may have a large open leg wound. It has anti fungal and antibacterial properties. Plain untreated honey is just as good as the expensive honey. It soaks into the skin well and excess when changing dressings, plus can be washed off with water easily.
Household cleansers: Cornstarch is great for thickening up a stir-fry, but can also be used to clean windows, polish furniture, and starch clothes.
Lemon juice does more than jazz up ice-water! The citric acid it contains can deodorize, clean glass and disinfect cutting boards. Combine with 2 parts olive oil for a safe furniture polish.
Vinegar is a smelly, but handy cleaning tool. It can dissolve grease, remove soap and wax buildup or clean out the metallic taste in coffeepots. Be sure to dilute your vinegar solution with about 1/2 cup vinegar per quart of warm water.
Brass Polish: Worcestershire Sauce.
Mold and mildew: Borax is a naturally occurring mineral that may inhibit mold and mildew growth, boost the cleaning power of detergent and remove stains. Note: Boron compounds like those in Borax are also known to eliminate household critters, including dust mites!
Static Eliminator Re-Usable Dryer Sheets keep you and your dryer safe, giving you the benefits of dryer sheets without the buildup and harmful chemicals.
Oven Cleaner: Make a paste of baking soda and water and spread on oven interior. Leave overnight with oven door closed. Remove with sponge or nylon scrub pad. SOS pad can be used to remove stubborn bits.
Scouring Powder: 1 cup of baking soda, 1 cup of Borax, 1 cup of regular salt. Combine ingredients and keep in tightly closed container.
Silver Cleaner: Boiling water, baking soda, a piece of aluminum.
Stainless Steel Polish: 2 tablespoons cream of tartar, 1 quart of hot water.
Copper Cleaner: Rub with lemon juice; rinse and dry, Lemon juice and salt.
Clogged sinks; pour about ½ a cup of baking soda down a drain, followed by 1 cup vinegar. Let it sit for about 20 minutes and then flush with hot water.
Scouring powder: Baking soda is a wonderful tool for neutralizing acid, deodorizing, cleaning and polishing, as well as removing stains. Combine it with some dry table salt for a great scouring powder.
Stain remover: Sodium chloride, otherwise known as salt, can be combined with lemon juice to make a chemical-free stain remover for clothes and carpets. (Salt is famous for helping with red wine stains).
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