Wonderful Jesus!

Who Would Have Thought?

Acts 9:11-12- So the Lord said to him, “Arise and go to the street called Straight, and inquire at the house of Judas for one called Saul of Tarsus, for behold, he is praying. And in a vision, he has seen a man named Ananias coming in and putting his hand on him so that he might receive his sight.” NKJV

God has a way of bringing people into our lives that become lifelong friends. Some of those people we would have never imagined that we would talk with, let alone call our friends. Such was the case with Ananias and Saul.

Ananias lived in Damascus. Damascus had become home to many new believers. As one of the oldest cities in the Middle East, it was strategically located for commerce and protection, and many Jews found their way there for a new life.

Paul was headed to Damascus to look for believers, that he might arrest them and have them prosecuted for their faith in Jesus.

Then Saul, still breathing threats and murder against the disciples of the Lord, went to the high priest and asked letters from him to the synagogues of Damascus, so that if he found any who were of the Way, whether men or women, he might bring them bound to Jerusalem.
Acts 9:1-2 NKJV

However, things didn’t go as Saul planned them to go. Instead of going into Damascus and terrorizing the believers, he had an encounter with the Lord!

As he traveled he approached Damascus, and suddenly a light from heaven flashed around him [displaying the glory and majesty of Christ];and he fell to the ground and heard a voice [from heaven] saying to him, “Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting and oppressing Me?” And Saul said, “Who are You, Lord?” And He answered, “I am Jesus whom you are persecuting,now get up and go into the city, and you will be told what you must do.”
Acts 9:3-6 AMP

I find it interesting that as soon as Saul sees the light from heaven, and hears the voice from heaven, he recognizes that the Lord has interrupted his journey. But he doesn’t know who the Lord is! So Jesus tells Saul that He, Jesus is Lord, and He’s the One whom Saul is oppressing and persecuting. Side note- when people are harassing us, persecuting us, attacking us for the sake of the gospel, it is really Jesus whom they are attacking. If we learn to trust Him to vindicate Himself (and I say “we”), then we can experience greater times of victory!

Anyway, Jesus told Saul to continue on his journey to Damascus, and there he will find out all that he needs to know moving forward. So Saul arrives in Damascus, without sight, and in need of someone to guide him to a place to stay. While Saul is there, he is fasting and praying, and he does so for three days and nights. He then has a vision, and in the vision, he sees a man named Ananias who will come to him and lay hands on him that he might receive his sight.

Ananias was a godly man. An obedient disciple of Jesus. I know this because Jesus gave him the assignment of going to Saul to pray for him.

…And the Lord said to him in a vision, “Ananias.” And he answered, “Here I am, Lord.” And the Lord said to him, “Get up and go to the street called Straight, and ask at the house of Judas for a man from Tarsus named Saul; for he is praying [there], and in a vision he has seen a man named Ananias come in and place his hands on him, so that he may regain his sight.”
Acts 9:10-12 AMP

Jesus gives Ananias specific details about where he is being sent and to whom he is being sent. Jesus told him to go to the street called Straight. He told Ananias that a man named Judas lived on that street, and he had a house guest, Saul of Tarsus. Jesus tells Ananias that Saul is in prayer and has had a vision that someone named Ananias will come and pray for him that his sight might be restored.

Then Ananias answered, “Lord, I have heard from many about this man, how much harm he has done to Your saints in Jerusalem. And here he has authority from the chief priests to bind all who call on Your name.”
Acts 9:13-14 NKJV

Ananias is greatly concerned about this assignment, and I can understand Ananias’ position. It’s almost like he felt a need to tell Jesus about Saul, in case Jesus didn’t know! He reminds Jesus that this is Saul who has done a lot of harm to His people in Jerusalem. He informs Jesus that he has heard all about Saul! And he tells Jesus that he heard that the only reason Saul came to Damascus was to do the same thing in Damascus that he had done in Jerusalem, persecute the believers! But Jesus knew exactly who he was sending Ananias to pray for.

But the Lord said to him, “Go, for he is a chosen vessel of Mine to bear My name before Gentiles, kings, and the children of Israel.
Acts 9:15 NKJV

So Ananias went to visit Saul as Jesus had instructed. But what he knew of Saul, and what he saw and learned when he met Saul contradictory one another. For Saul headed towards Damascus as an enemy of the people of God but arrived as one having had an encounter with Jesus! Ananias talked with Saul, prayed with Saul, and baptized Saul. But Jesus saved Saul, delivered him from himself and religion, and filled him with His precious Spirit. And Saul immediately began proclaiming Him in the city!

Ananias was instrumental in Saul’s acceptance in the city of Damascus. Like him, others knew of Saul of Tarsus and why he had come to Damascus. So Ananias had to take Saul around the believers and give him an opportunity to share his testimony, validating it by sharing how Jesus sent him to pray for Saul. Two men who would have been at odds have now become brothers and friends in Christ. For when Jesus brings you together, you have to accept that He knows what He is doing.

But when it pleased God…to reveal His Son in me, that I might preach Him among the Gentiles, I did not immediately confer with flesh and blood, nor did I go up to Jerusalem…but I went to Arabia, and returned again to Damascus. Then after three years I went up to Jerusalem…
Galatians 1:15-18 NKJV

Saul speaks of receiving the revelation of Jesus. That happened on the road to Damascus. He was then led to Damascus, where he and Ananias became friends. Then he went to Arabia for a period of time but returned back to Damascus. Three years later, he went to Jerusalem. What’s my point? He had a friend and brother in Damascus named Ananias. After his time in Arabia, he went back to spend time in Damascus with Ananias and the believers. It appears he was there for at least three years. They had bonded as brothers, and they had become friends.

Jesus has a way of bringing the strangest of people together as friends. I have experienced meeting someone I initially didn’t want to have anything to do with, and later they became dear to my heart. Or where someone took offense with me immediately without really knowing me and later became a dear friend.

Sometimes we have the facts right about people, as Ananias did regarding Saul. And sometimes, we have it all wrong. The point is, I have learned that in Jesus, some of the strangest people you can meet, can indeed become a dear friend, and they will have you asking, who would have thought?

We need to keep our hearts and ears open to Jesus when dealing with people, especially when sharing our faith in the Lord Jesus. In doing so, you may run into a Saul and Ananias experience that can change both of your lives forever! Wonderful Jesus!

A Beautiful Portrait!

Ephesians 5:32-33- This is a great mystery, but I speak concerning Christ and the church. Nevertheless let each one of you in particular so love his own wife as himself, and let the wife see that she respects her husband. NKJV

Photo by Gantas Vaiu010diulu0117nas on Pexels.com

Leonardo Da Vinci is the famed artist of the Mona Lisa. The Mona Lisa is considered to be the most famous portrait in the world. The mystery surrounding the identity of the woman who sat for the portrait adds to the allure of the painting. Whether you like paintings or not, the Mona Lisa is definitely at the top of world class paintings.

Marriage is a portrait! When we read Paul’s description in Ephesians about the relationship between a husband and his wife, he tells us that the institution of marriage is a portrait of Christ and His bride. I have to admit, until today, I never thought about where Paul got his analogy. When he spoke of the armor, he used a Roman soldier’s armor to describe the armor of God. When he spoke of marriage, it makes me wonder if he was thinking of his two dear friends: Aquila and Priscilla!

The Bible tells us that Aquila was born a Jew and he lived in Asia Minor. For those of us who struggle with geography, Asia Minor covers most of modern-day Turkey. Pontus, the city Aquila was from, was located on the Black Sea. We are not given much information about where Priscilla lived, but by the time we meet them in the scriptures, their home was Rome.

While living in Rome, both Aquila and Priscilla gave their lives to the Lord. In AD 49, the emperor, Claudius, banished all Jews from Rome. At this point, both Aquila and his wife leave Rome and move to Corinth. It is in Corinth that they meet Paul.

After these things Paul departed from Athens and went to Corinth. And he found a certain Jew named Aquila, born in Pontus, who had recently come from Italy with his wife Priscilla (because Claudius had commanded all the Jews to depart from Rome); and he came to them.
Acts 18:1-2 NKJV

Luke mentions that Aquila was a Jew, but not Priscilla, which leads me to believe that she was a Gentile. Aquila and Priscilla worked together to make tents. When Paul meets them and discovers they are tentmakers, we find out that he also knows how to work with leather to create tents.

So, because he was of the same trade, he stayed with them and worked; for by occupation they were tentmakers.
Acts 18:3 NKJV

We find this couple sharing every aspect of their lives together. That’s not possible, nor required in today’s society, as we each have our own gifts and talents, but their togetherness is a beautiful thing to witness. When they invited Paul to live and work with them while he was in Corinth, they had to be pretty confident in the strength of their marriage and their commitment to Jesus. Otherwise, it would have been an uncomfortable visit with an astute visitor.

The three of them became good friends and co-laborers for Christ. Paul even noted that Aquila and Priscilla risked their lives to save his life. We don’t know in what way, but we do know that they had established a strong bond with each other.

Greet Priscilla and Aquila, my fellow workers in Christ Jesus, who risked their own necks for my life, to whom not only I give thanks, but also all the churches of the Gentiles.
Romans 16:3-4 NKJV

We know that Paul conducted ministry while in Corinth. Therefore, we can assume that meetings were held in the home of Aquila and Priscilla since Paul lived with them. What we also learn about them is that they both taught the word of God. Since Paul refers to them as co-laborers, we know that they weren’t just hosts in these meetings, but were also instrumental in ministering to those in attendance.

When Paul left Corinth for Ephesus, Aquila and Priscilla left their home and accompanied him. When Paul left Ephesus, they remained with the church that was there. While in Ephesus, they met Apollos, a Jewish believer.

Now a certain Jew named Apollos, born at Alexandria, an eloquent man and mighty in the Scriptures, came to Ephesus. This man had been instructed in the way of the Lord; and being fervent in spirit, he spoke and taught accurately the things of the Lord, though he knew only the baptism of John.
Acts 18:24-25 NKJV

Apollos was from Alexandria, which was located in Egypt. He was a Hellenistic Jew who had become a believer in the Lord. But he only knew of the baptism of repentance that John the Baptist had taught. On fire for the Lord, he was very charismatic and taught with accuracy, yet something was lacking!

So he began to speak boldly in the synagogue. When Aquila and Priscilla heard him, they took him aside and explained to him the way of God more accurately.
Acts 18:26 NKJV

Apollos understood that Jesus is the Christ, but he didn’t understand other things that were foundational to his growth in God. Especially since he was boldly preaching the word, leading others to Christ!

The Bible doesn’t tell us a lot about Aquila and Priscilla, but we do know that Paul spent a lot of time with them. And because of that, we know he saw what a great marriage looked like! Not being married himself, he had to admire the companionship and love that he witnessed between his friends. He had to see the respect Priscilla had for her husband and how her husband loved her sacrificially. He had to come to the conclusion that their marriage was a picture of a godly marriage!

Husbands, love your wives like Christ loved the church and sacrificed His life for her. Love your wives like you love yourself, cherish her! Wives respect your husband! Submit to each other, and wives understand that you are to submit to your own husband!

That’s what I see in the marriage of Aquila and Priscilla! They worked well together! They respected each other in their marriage relationship, in their business relationship, and in their kingdom relationship. It is apparent that Paul respected them both, calling them both co-laborers and friends. It is apparent that he respected their marriage.

I’ve done some reading on the culture of early church believers. Their relationship was not necessarily the norm. Their marriage was a great witness when they were living, and stand today as a powerful witness for marriages today. Especially for those in ministerial positions and places of leadership. Each submitting to the other. Each demonstrating love and respect for each other. Working and serving in the kingdom as one! What an absolutely beautiful portrait of a marriage!

Many years ago we were looking for a new church home. We visited a church whose pastor was truly a gifted teacher of the word. But that morning he said something to his wife that rubbed us the wrong way. We did not join that ministry, although we did get to know them better. And we still didn’t care for the way he treated his wife!

People are always watching. They especially want to see a marriage that truly represents Christ and His bride. While we are imperfect in our natural state, there can still be something truly beautiful about the picture we paint of marriage as believers. I think Aquila and Priscilla painted a lovely portrait, and I am thankful for their example. Wonderful Jesus!

A Hard Assignment!

Micah 1:1 – The word of the Lord that came to Micah of Moresheth in the days of Jotham, Ahaz, and Hezekiah, kings of Judah, which he saw concerning Samaria and Jerusalem. NKJV

It’s good to be back! Thanks to all of you who continued to visit the site. With the celebration of Dr. King’s birthday earlier this week, I wanted to add my reflections to the conversation, while highlighting someone from the Word.

Micah starts his book with the phrase, “the word of the Lord,” which is key to understanding what is happening in the book. So before he begins to share anything with his readers, he wants them to understand that he is only sharing what God has given him to share.

It’s important that Micah makes this distinction at the beginning because his assignment from God is to warn Jerusalem and Samaria of impending judgment from God based on the past and present actions, which includes leadership that has fallen into corruption.

The hometown of Micah was identified as Moresheth Gath and was considered to be an agricultural center, therefore, he was probably a farmer. According to our key text, he prophesied during the realm of three different kings: Jotham, Ahaz, and Hezekiah.

Throughout the book of Micah, we see a man who was greatly concerned for the well-being of the people. Repeatedly he spoke out against the injustices he saw in Judah and the righteous judgments of the Lord! He spoke of the legal system that was corrupt. He spoke of fields being seized from landowners because others wanted them, the stronger overcoming the weaker. He spoke of those who refused to repent because they felt competent in their own strength and power. Micah saw a society in need of social reform.

“Hear now, O heads of Jacob, and you rulers of the house of Israel: Is it not for you to know justice?You who hate good and love evil; who strip the skin from My people, and the flesh from their bones;
Micah 3:1-2 NKJV

Micah speaks out against the leaders, religious and secular, who were unconcerned about the well-being of the people. Micah pointed out that they were the ones who should have understood what justice was all about and should have been responsible for making sure that it was carried out. Yet, they seemed to love evil and to hate good, while they were tearing the people apart! Literally! It is suggested that they had allowed cannibalism in their cities.

Now hear this, you heads of the house of Jacob and rulers of the house of Israel, who despise justice and twist everything that is straight, who build Zion with bloodshed, and Jerusalem with malice.
Micah 3:9-10 NASB

Micah wasn’t afraid to speak out against those in authority who despised justice and twisted everything to their advantage. Micah recognized that they were exploiting the people for their personal gain. People’s rights were being overlooked, violated, and God had enough! However, Micah understood that they weren’t interested in what he had to say, yet he kept on sharing God’s heart for His people! Micah was the man for the job and he knew it!

But truly I am full of power by the Spirit of the Lord, and of justice and might, to declare to Jacob his transgression and to Israel his sin.
Micah 3:8 NKJV

Micah was an Old Testament prophet for social justice. The most important verse in the book of Micah, or at the very least, the key verse for the book is found in chapter 6.

He has shown you, O man, what is good; and what does the Lord require of you but to do justly, to love mercy, and to walk humbly with your God?
Micah 6:8 NKJV

As he spoke God’s word against the religious and political leaders who oppressed the people, exploiting the powerless, Micah was mindful of the truth that God required His people to be a just people. He understood that mercy was what we all needed from God, and therefore, all should be willing to show mercy to others. But that was not the case! He spoke against the pride that was evident in their lives and their refusal to heed the words of God! He was God’s voice for the societal ills amongst His people!

Martin Luther King, who was originally named Michael King became the voice of God during the civil rights era. A modern-day Micah! Entering college at the age of 15, King was not interested in being a preacher, although he came from a family of preachers. His degree from Morehouse College was in sociology. However, Benjamin E. Mays, a theologian, inspired him to enter the ministry; and in 1955, he received his doctorate in systematic theology. This area of theology is defined as being able to take the principles of the Bible and make them applicable to the times in which we live. That was the platform of his non-violence stand for social reform.

“Power without love is reckless and abusive, and love without power is sentimental and anemic. Power at its best is love implementing the demands of justice, and justice at its best is power correcting everything that stands against love.”
Dr. Martin L. King, Jr.

Doesn’t this quote remind you of Micah 6:8? Dr. King, a man with a passion for the people of God, and the God he served found himself troubled by what he saw happening every day to Black people. Men hung for looking at someone the wrong way. People cheated out of their hard-earned money, little though it was. Rights being denied to Blacks that were freely given and fiercely protected for the whites. A country that had yet to recognize that what was happening to his (King’s) congregants and others in the South was not indicative of a country that declared they were under God.

“Freedom is never voluntarily given by the oppressor; it must be demanded by the oppressed.”
Dr. Martin L. King, Jr.

Micah told the leaders of Judah that God demanded that they treat His people fairly. He warned them that as long as they resisted this path of social reform, God would not be pleased and judgment was sure to come. He understood that without his declarations of judgment, they would see no need to turn from their ways. And yet, they still did not!

Dr. King spoke out against the injustices, using every avenue available except violence. His non-violence approach touched the hearts of Americans, both blacks and whites. His talk of love and not hate, forgiveness and not bitterness, all stemmed from his understanding of his relationship with God.

“There comes a time when one must take a position that is neither safe, nor politic, nor popular, but he must take it because conscience tells him it is right.”
Dr. Martin L. King, Jr.

Micah was probably fine with what appeared to be the course of his life. But one day God called him and gave him a message that demanded social justice for His people. Dr. King had no interest in being a preacher, and when he said yes to the call, that was all he was saying yes to. Yet, as he prepared to be the best preacher he could be, he was drawn into the civil rights movement. As the spokesman for the movement, he understood that God was asking him to do that which was not popular or safe, but that which was right!

“Yes, if you want to say that I was a drum major, say that I was a drum major for justice, say that I was a drum major for peace, I was a drum major for righteousness, and all the other shallow things will not matter.”
Dr. Martin L. King

People of faith are found in the word of God, like Micah. But they are also found in our world, in our lives, like Dr. King. Sometimes we are asked to do the thing that will make us look different, or cause us to stand alone because God knows that we can handle it. It may not be popular, it may not be safe, it may be extremely hard on us, but if we trust God in it, we can know that things will work out somehow! Wonderful Jesus!

Taking a Break!

Isaiah 28:12- To whom He said, “This is the rest with which You may cause the weary to rest,” and, “This is refreshing,” yet they would not hear. NKJV

There comes a time when we all need a break! That time has come for me! I’m listening, Lord! I have been blogging with little to no time off for four years because I love sharing God’s words of hope with you. But now, I am in need of a break!

Thank you so much for your faithfulness in reading my blogs. You can still enjoy them by visiting the archives, where over 400 posts are waiting to be read. I am only taking a week and look forward to returning after some time of refreshing!

May God’s favor and love surround you! Wonderful Jesus!

Painful Regrets!

Genesis 34:1- Now Dinah the daughter of Leah, whom she had borne to Jacob, went out to see the daughters of the land. NKJV

It’s interesting to me how one simple choice or decision can change your life forever! Such was the case with Dinah.

Dinah was the seventh child of Jacob and Leah and their only daughter. As such, she was probably spoiled and sheltered by her family. I won’t stereotype her except to say that she probably didn’t have a lot of female interaction, being surrounded by so many brothers. Living next to Shechem, a city with families, with women, had to be a real draw for her. She decided to go looking for the females in the cities.

This seems like a normal thing for a young woman to do if she lives in today’s culture, but not during Dinah’s lifetime. Maybe she had begged her parents to take her to meet other young ladies, and they had refused to take her. Maybe her brothers were equally as stubborn in their refusal to introduce her to the women of the city. Whatever was the case, she went out on her own.

While she’s scoping out the land and looking for a way to interact with other females, Shechem sees her.

And when Shechem the son of Hamor the Hivite, prince of the country, saw her, he took her and lay with her, and violated her.
Genesis 34:2 NKJV

Shechem was a man probably used to getting what he wanted. Dinah was a young woman tired of being smothered by her parents and big brothers. It was a recipe for disaster! Some commentaries make it appear as if it was some type of rendevous, for they had to have known each other prior to this incident. We don’t know! But what we do know is that a visit to the city turned into a disaster for Dinah.

Shechem took Dinah into his bedchambers. The Hebrew rendering of the word suggests that it was by force. I am sure she was surprised at this turn of events, whether she knew him or not. True, he wasn’t a complete stranger to her and her family. Her father had done business with them, purchasing his land from Hamor, Shechem’s father. So she may have felt relatively safe venturing out amongst them. But when Shechem saw her unescorted, he took her. Then he sexually assaults her, as if she is a woman of ill repute and not the cherished daughter and sister he knew her to be. I doubt this was what she had gone looking for. One simple decision that seemed harmless has turned into a life-changing situation.

His soul was strongly attracted to Dinah the daughter of Jacob, and he loved the young woman and spoke kindly to the young woman. So Shechem spoke to his father Hamor, saying, “Get me this young woman as a wife.”
Genesis 34:3-4 NKJV

The Bible states that Shechem loved the young woman. Maybe he had seen her during transactions and his interest in her developed. Maybe he even began to think that he was in love with her. But his decision to take her into his bedchamber and to have his way with her were not actions of a man in love. If he had thought about all that he was doing, of the potential harm to her or his family, he would have sought another way. But there are times when we are presented with something and we react with no real thoughts to the consequences. Two young people. Two rash decisions. Events are spiraling out of their control and Shechem decided to come up with a plan to fix it.

Word got back to Jacob that Shechem had defiled his daughter. We are told that Jacob held his peace, waiting on his sons to return from the fields. What? No gathering of the troops to get her back? No calling his sons from the fields to deal with this situation immediately? While he is pondering this in his heart, Hamor shows up to ask that Shechem be allowed to keep her as his wife.

“The soul of my son Shechem longs for your daughter. Please give her to him as a wife. And make marriages with us; give your daughters to us, and take our daughters to yourselves. So you shall dwell with us, and the land shall be before you. Dwell and trade in it, and acquire possessions for yourselves in it.”
Genesis 34:8-10 NKJV

A wrong has been done towards Jacob’s daughter and they want to make a deal with him to cover it up. Give your daughters to us, they suggest, and take our daughters to yourselves. Dwell in our land and trade with us. Acquire possessions for yourselves. In other words, this can work out for all of our benefits!

But Jacob’s sons were furious! As Jacob should have been! This was a disgraceful thing that Shechem had committed to Dinah, and it should not have happened! How did it happen? Why did it happen?

Shechem obviously attended this meeting with Hamor, his father, because he jumps into the negotiations.

“Let me find favor in your eyes, and whatever you say to me I will give. Ask me ever so much dowry and gift, and I will give according to what you say to me; but give me the young woman as a wife.”
Genesis 34:11-12 NKJV

The brothers come up with a plan, with the intent to pay them back for what happened to Dinah. They tell Shechem and his father that they cannot give Dinah’s hand in marriage to someone who is not circumcised. So Hamor and Shechem agree to become circumcised and convince the men in their town that it would be advantageous to them all to do the same. When they are in pain from the circumcision, Dinah’s brothers, Simeon and Levi, go in and kill all of them! And they take her home. And that’s the last we hear of her.

Dinah’s decision to go and visit the women in the city resulted in her being raped, and her brothers murdering the men in that town. Had she been able to see into the future, she probably would have stayed in the tent that day! Shechem’s decision to take her resulted in his death, and the deaths of his family and countrymen.

How many times have you heard a similar story, or experienced a similar situation? Some spur-of-the-moment decisions can reap blessings, but more often than not, they can wreak havoc on our lives. An innocent conversation at work leads to an affair, and that affair leads to the destruction of a family. A response to a friendly person online can lead to a situation like Dinah’s. An investment that looks like a sure thing can bring a loss of finances, causing financial hardship where there was security. And the list can go on and on.

How do we avoid these devastating moments in life? How can we be sure that we are not making the worst decision possible, even if it looks harmless? Solomon said it like this:

Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding;in all your ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct your paths.
Proverbs 3:5-6 NKJV

We are not wise enough to see the end results of all of our choices and actions, but God is. He knows how to lead us away from things that can devastate our lives. If we will pray before we make a decision and wait for His guidance, He will provide it. It’s His promise to us!

The Bible has many lessons that others have learned so that we don’t have to learn them. I’m all for learning from others’ mistakes, without having to make them myself! Take time to seek God about all of your decisions, big and small, so that you don’t have to live with regret for the rest of your life. Wonderful Jesus!

In This Thing!

Psalm 27:3 -Though an army may encamp against me, my heart shall not fear; though war may rise against me, in this I will be confident. NKJV

Have you ever stopped to think about the thing that you really believe about God? David sure did! David decided early on that he would not walk in fear because of His relationship with God; and the Bible records many instances of that truth!

The Lord is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? The Lord is the strength of my life; of whom shall I be afraid?
Psalm 27: NKJV

David wrote that the Lord was his light, salvation, and the strength of his life. Knowing this to be his truth, David wondered who could cause fear to erupt in his heart? When he was a shepherd and predators would come after his sheep, David described how he handled the situation in a conversation with Saul:

But David said to Saul, “Your servant used to keep his father’s sheep, and when a lion or a bear came and took a lamb out of the flock, I went out after it and struck it, and delivered the lamb from its mouth; and when it arose against me, I caught it by its beard, and struck and killed it.
1 Samuel 17:34-35 NKJV

Wow! You have to be pretty courageous to go against a wild animal and take your sheep out of its very jaws. Then when it turns on you, grab it by the beard and kill it. David could have easily said, there will always be loss of sheep in the sheepherding business. The lion got what he wanted, the bear got what he wanted, and it is what it is. But that’s not what he said. David had a warrior’s heart! Mess with me and you’ll not mess with anyone else! Neither the lion or the bear got to enjoy their meal of the sheep, and they didn’t live to try again!

When evil men come to destroy me, they will stumble and fall! Yes, though a mighty army marches against me, my heart shall know no fear! I am confident that God will save me.
Psalm 27:2-3 TLB

When evil men come to destroy me, they will stumble and fall! Who was David thinking about when he penned these lines? Maybe it was Goliath!

So it was, when the Philistine arose and came and drew near to meet David, that David hurried and ran toward the army to meet the Philistine. Then David put his hand in his bag and took out a stone; and he slung it and struck the Philistine in his forehead, so that the stone sank into his forehead, and he fell on his face to the earth.
1 Samuel 17:48-49 NKJV

Goliath thought that he had a sure win against David. He had counted David as an unworthy adversary. But the truth was, David had counted him an unworthy adversary and not only expected a win, but obtained a mighty victory! He rushed towards Goliath in confidence, believing that the end would happen as he saw it! And it did! He even cut off Goliath’s head with his own sword! Pretty bold for a ruddy youth!

Though an army march against me, David declared, I will not fear!

And David and his men went to Keilah and fought with the Philistines, struck them with a mighty blow, and took away their livestock. So David saved the inhabitants of Keilah.
1 Samuel 23:5 NKJV

David was a warrior! He fought many wars and won them. The women of Israel sang songs about David and his many conquests, attributing tens of thousands of soldiers slained by him! But he didn’t do these things in his own strength. He tells us how he was so victorious!

Then David said to the Philistine, “You come to me with a sword, with a spear, and with a javelin. But I come to you in the name of the Lord of hosts, the God of the armies of Israel, whom you have defied.”
1 Samuel 17:45 NKJV

David’s courageous attitude was in God! Even in Psalm 27 David’s focus was in God and not in himself! David said that he was confident in God!

My favorite testimony involving David was Ziklag! The Amalekites had come to his camp while he was out to battle. They burned it with fire and took all of the people who were in the camp. When David and his men saw this, their hearts were broken and they cried until they couldn’t cry anymore. Then the men started talking about stoning David. David was just as heartbroken as they were. Just as stunned about this turn of events as they were. Then David did what he knew best!

But David strengthened himself in the Lord his God.
1 Samuel 30:6 NKJV

David turned to the Strength of his life! He sought the for the Light in the midst of the darkness! He sought salvation in the only place he could find it! Then he asked the Lord what to do?

And He answered him, “Pursue, for you shall surely overtake them and without fail recover all.”
1 Samuel 30:8 NKJV

David’s battle against the Amalekites lasted through the night and most of the next day! Nothing was easy about it! But he was victorious!

This got me to thinking! What thing am I absolutely certain about in regards to God? What causes faith to rise big in my heart? What can I look over my life and say I have great confidence in God about? I have several, but for today, I will choose the one that popped in my head, money!

Bring all the tithes into the storehouse, that there may be food in My house, and try Me now in this,” says the Lord of hosts, “if I will not open for you the windows of heaven and pour out for you such blessing that there will not be room enough to receive it.
Malachi 3:10 NKJV

I was a teenager when I first heard a message preached from this scripture. But I was a young woman when it made a believer out of me. I began tithing as soon as I started working. It’s never been a struggle for me. But one day, in prayer, I tried God based on the tithe!

I was spending time in prayer when suddenly I had a great desire to cry out to God for a husband. I spoke words similar to these:

Lord! You promised me in your word that if I would tithe and make sure that your house was taken care of, that you would bless me to where I would not have room to receive it. Lord, where is my blessing? I still have room!
August, 1986

About a year before this incident, I had met my husband in an airport in Sicily. We talked for several hours and went our way. I remember thinking that I had just met the man that I could spend the rest of my life with! Several months later he called me on a whim at my base. I just happened to be passing the phone when it rang, and it was him. We talked for a few minutes and he shared with me that he was returning to the states and would be stationed in Florida!

So here I am crying out to God! Where is my blessing, Lord! I still have room to receive, Lord! I heard Him speak to my spirit as he told me to call my husband! We married in Jaunuary of 1987! I don’t have the space to go into all of that right now, but suffice it to say, 35 years later, my cup overflows!

As we have been committed to tithing, we have seen God’s hand on our finances, on our lives, on our children’s lives! David’s confidence in God helped him to be both warrior and king! Our confidence in God regarding money has taught us to trust Him with the 90%! What is it that you absolutely trust God in? It’s something to think about! Wonderful Jesus!

Spiritual Release-God’s Way!

Daniel 10:2-3-In those days I, Daniel, was mourning three full weeks. I ate no pleasant food, no meat or wine came into my mouth, nor did I anoint myself at all, till three whole weeks were fulfilled. NKJV

This is a repost from “How to Bring Spiritual Release”! For some reason, this is my most popular post. At the beginning of the year, in most churches, they call a time of fasting and praying, and since this is read so much throughout the year, I decided to repost it.

I was asked to do a teaching on the rewards of fasting. I can tell you now, I was not thrilled with the topic. Although I have seen some amazing things happen as a result of fasting and praying, lately, I had just lost my focus on this particular discipline.

I know in part it is because we would fast every year for 21 days in January and I celebrate both my birthday and my anniversary during that time. At first, it was not a big deal, but as the years have passed, I lost my inspiration for fasting and it had become something that I did because I was in leadership. Unless of course, I had a situation that I knew would only change with fasting and prayer. (So all hope and inspiration weren’t gone!)

What charged my soul was the revelation that “physical obedience brings spiritual release!” Now I didn’t get this on my own. I heard Jentezen Franklin preach on fasting and praying and he mentioned it in his sermon. Then I studied it out and came away from it charged and delivered from the “bah humbug” of fasting and praying.

Fasting and praying are first physical, then spiritual. When we fast and pray we are physically involved in the activity. My physical body is involved in eating, so it is also involved in not eating. My physical body is needed to pray as I use my mouth to commune with God, or even walk and pray. But the Bible also speaks of the power of physically obeying God and getting spiritual results. In this blog, we’ll briefly look at both!

In the book of Exodus, Moses was told by God to go to a rock, strike it with the rod, and water would come forth!

And the Lord said to Moses, “Go on before the people, and take with you some of the elders of Israel. Also take in your hand your rod with which you struck the river, and go. Behold, I will stand before you there on the rock in Horeb; and you shall strike the rock, and water will come out of it, that the people may drink.”
Exodus 17:5-6 NKJV

Moses obeyed and water came forth! Not just a fountain of water but a spring of water that provided enough water for the people, their animals, cooking, bathing, laundering, and whatever else they needed it for at the time. Now if you don’t agree that was a spiritual release, go and strike a rock and see if you get water! Had Moses failed to believe that striking the rock would bring water, he would not have struck it. And of course, there would have been no spiritual release of the flow of water.

This situation in the Old Testament was a type and shadow of a New Testament event. Jesus’ crucifixion. He was struck on the cross and the living water that flows from Calvary today is truly a spiritual release. In Philippians 2:7-9, Paul wrote,

“But (He) made Himself of no reputation, and took upon Him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men; and being found in fashion as a man, He humbled Himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross. Wherefore God also hath highly exalted Him, and given Him a name which is above every name.”
Philippians 2:7-9 NKJV

Note: I added the (He) for clarity’s sake.

Jesus’ act of physical obedience of dying on the cross brought spiritual release to mankind; it brought our salvation. But it also caused Him to be highly exalted and given a name that is above every name. That act of obedience changed the course of mankind providing spiritual release even today.

Another example of physical obedience bringing spiritual release is found in Peter’s interaction with Cornelius.

While Peter thought about the vision, the Spirit said to him, “Behold, three men are seeking you. Arise therefore, go down and go with them, doubting nothing; for I have sent them.”
Acts 10:19-20 NKJV

Peter was Jewish to the marrow of his bone. In a vision, God told him to eat meat that was unclean, and he refused to eat. Then God told Peter that what He had called clean, Peter was not to call unclean. This was done to prepare Peter to go to Cornelius’ home.

Peter obeyed God and went to see Cornelius. The spiritual release that took place was the salvation of Cornelius and his entire household, and the release of the baptism of the Holy Spirit with tongues.

Not only was this great spiritual release a result of Peter’s obedience, but it was also a result of Cornelius’ fasting and praying.

So Cornelius said, “Four days ago I was fasting until this hour; and at the ninth hour I prayed in my house, and behold, a man stood before me in bright clothing, and said, ‘Cornelius, your prayer has been heard, and your alms are remembered in the sight of God.
Acts 10:30-31 NKJV

Cornelius had spent time fasting and praying. As a result, he and his entire family not only received salvation, but they had their personal Pentecost in his Gentile home.

Another example of fasting and praying bringing spiritual release is found in Daniel. In Daniel 10 we learn about what we call the “Daniel Fast”. Daniel fasted for 21 days, eating nothing pleasant.

I ate no pleasant food, no meat or wine came into my mouth, nor did I anoint myself at all, till three whole weeks were fulfilled.
Daniel 10:3 NKJV

The Hebrew word for pleasant in this verse is “hamad”. In verse 11, the angel calls him “Daniel, a man greatly beloved”.

And he said to me, “O Daniel, man greatly beloved, understand the words that I speak to you, and stand upright, for I have now been sent to you.” While he was speaking this word to me, I stood trembling.
Daniel 10:11 NKJV

This word beloved in Hebrew is the same word “hamad” that Daniel used when he said he ate no “pleasant” bread.

Daniel’s physical obedience of fasting, and we infer praying based on his lifestyle, caused a spiritual release in his life. As he gave up that which was pleasant, he became pleasant to the Heavenly Father. For me, this was a powerful eye-opener.

It’s not as if I didn’t know the power of fasting and praying, but for some reason, the connection that Daniel gave up that which was pleasant and was regarded by God as beloved, or pleasant, spoke to my heart. Not only did God call Daniel pleasant, but He sent an angel with a message for him about his prayer concerns. That’s a spiritual release!

One example in my personal life of fasting and praying, that I didn’t mention in my teaching happened several years ago and I have never forgotten it. As I was seeking the Lord because I just wanted more of Him, He manifested Himself to me. I was asleep and I dreamed. In the dream, I was worshipping Him when His Glory filled the place I was in. The cloud was so thick that I could hardly see myself in the midst. In the dream, He said, “I have anointed you.” I woke from the dream and I was truly in the Presence of the Lord. His Presence was so thick I got up from my bed and went to worship Him. This dream impacted my life.

Fasting and prayer can be a religious experience for us. It’s easy to just do it! But when we fast and pray God’s way, we see Him release spiritual power that cannot be denied! Wonderful Jesus!!

Happy New Year!!

Numbers 6:24 -26- “The Lord bless you and keep you; the Lord make His face shine upon you, and be gracious to you; the Lord lift up His countenance upon you, and give you peace.” NKJV

This is my prayer for you and your family in the year 2022! I look forward to all that He has for us in this new season of our lives! God bless you! Wonderful Jesus!

Stop Grieving the Past!

Joshua 1:1-2- After the death of Moses the servant of the Lord, it came to pass that the Lord spoke to Joshua the son of Nun, Moses’ assistant, saying: “Moses My servant is dead. Now, therefore, arise, go over this Jordan, you and all this people, to the land which I am giving to them” NKJV

When addressing the subject of grief, there has to be a sensitivity involved to not be offensive. I place my disclaimer at the beginning of this blog: My objective in this blog is not to tell you to stop grieving a loved one. My intent is to respond to what God spoke to my spirit today about grieving the past. Please accept my sincere apologies if, for you, they are one and the same. May God’s comfort and love be with you, continue to strengthen you, and bring you hope for today and all your tomorrows!

This morning during my time with the Lord, I heard these words, “Stop grieving the past, and embrace the future!” Since I was seeking the Lord about today’s blog, I felt that it was what I am to write about! Not that it wasn’t a personal message to me, because I received it as such, but in the receiving, I want to share it!

The children of Israel experienced great sorrow over the loss of Moses. For thirty days they mourned his death. Moses was quite the leader of Israel. Deuteronomy concludes with these words:

But since then there has not arisen in Israel a prophet like Moses, whom the Lord knew face to face,in all the signs and wonders which the Lord sent him to do in the land of Egypt, before Pharaoh, before all his servants, and in all his land,and by all that mighty power and all the great terror which Moses performed in the sight of all Israel.
Deuteronomy 34:10-12 NKJV

While they were mourning, the new leader, Joshua, was also mourning. He had been with Moses since they departed Egypt. When the Amalekites attacked Israel, Moses told Joshua to choose some men to take with him to fight against the Amalekites. When God said that He was going to wipe out the Amalekites and that Moses was to write it in the book, He also told Moses to share it with Joshua.

Joshua was Moses’ assistant, and wherever Moses was, Joshua was near. Except for the tabernacle. When Moses left the tabernacle, Joshua remained. Moses sent out 12 spies to check out the promised land and Joshua was one of the spies. Moses relied heavily on Joshua, and Joshua relied heavily on the leadership of Moses. Now God is saying to Joshua, “Moses my servant is dead!”

Joshua was now responsible for the children of Israel, because of the fact that Moses was dead. Moses had already transferred the responsibility of leading the children of Israel into the promised land to him.

Then Moses called Joshua and said to him in the sight of all Israel, “Be strong and of good courage, for you must go with this people to the land which the Lord has sworn to their fathers to give them, and you shall cause them to inherit it. And the Lord, He is the One who goes before you. He will be with you, He will not leave you nor forsake you; do not fear nor be dismayed.”
Deuteronomy 31:7-8 NKJV

The problem wasn’t that Joshua didn’t know that Moses was dead, it was that while he was grieving, he was grieving the past. Some people can’t wait for their mentors to get out of their way so that they can lead, but there are others who are content with being in the shadow of their mentors. Joshua appears to be content to work for Moses and with Moses. So Moses death hits him really hard, although he knew it was imminent.

Not only that, Moses had some pretty big shoes to fill. He brought down plagues upon Pharaoh and the Egyptians. The Red Sea parted before him. Water came gushing out of rocks and a host of other supernatural things happened under Moses’ leadership. What can Joshua possibly do to become the leader God wants him to become when he has to follow Moses?

After the death of Moses the servant of the Lord, it came to pass that the Lord spoke to Joshua the son of Nun, Moses’ assistant, saying: “Moses My servant is dead. Now, therefore, arise, go over this Jordan, you and all this people, to the land which I am giving to them”
Joshua 1:1-2 NKJV

God told Joshua to get up! Moses is dead and that’s in your past. The Jordan is in your future! Now go over the Jordan into the land that is yours! Doesn’t God know and understand the pressure that Joshua is under? Yes, He does! Doesn’t God realize that Moses was like a father to Joshua and it hurts to know that he is gone? Yes, God knows! But God’s word to Joshua was to get up and embrace his future!

Embracing the unknown of your future when you don’t want to let go of your past is hard to do. When a person gets a divorce, there is a grieving process. It is equated to the loss of your spouse through death! Maybe even worst, because the person isn’t dead, the relationship is dead. And sometimes, it is difficult to get up and embrace a future that is different from the one you had planned. But God is saying that in 2022, it’s time to realize that the marriage is dead, and you need to embrace your future. For the sake of you and your children (if you have children), it’s time to move on!

Once, a young lady asked me to pray with her, that her husband would come back to her. I prayed fervently, only to discover later that he had moved on and remarried. That relationship was dead, and it was time to move on and embrace her future.

Maybe it’s someone you were dating. You thought the relationship would end in marriage, but instead, it ended in heartbreak. That relationship is dead, embrace your future!

Is it a promotion you lost? A job you didn’t get? A raise that never came? An opportunity that keeps eluding you? A failed ministry? A business that dried up and died? Whatever it was, whatever it is, it is time to let go of the grief of the past over that person, situation, or circumstance, and time to embrace your future.

Have you not known? Have you not heard? The everlasting God, the Lord,
the Creator of the ends of the earth, neither faints nor is weary. His understanding is unsearchable. He gives power to the weak, and to those who have no might He increases strength.
Isaiah 40:28-29 NKJV

I love these verses! They remind me that the God we serve is a mighty God! Isaiah speaks of His unsearchable understanding! God has a knack for understanding! He’s skilled in His understanding! So He understands your loss, your pain, your suffering better than anyone else can possibly understand. He even understands you!

And if you are feeling weak, vulnerable, worthless, or devalued, Isaiah says it’s ok because God gives power to the weak, and to those without strength, He increases their strength. God is not asking you to let go of your past in your own ability, any more than He asked Joshua to move forth in his own ability. God is not asking you to embrace your future with your strength, He’s offering you His strength!

Moses told Joshua:

And the Lord, He is the One who goes before you. He will be with you, He will not leave you nor forsake you; do not fear nor be dismayed.”
Deuteronomy 31:8 NKJV

God hasn’t changed! He isn’t sending you or me into 2022 without assistance. He will be there!

And lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.”
Matthew 28:20 NKJV

These are Jesus’ words! He’s with you! Always and forever! Decide today that you aren’t going to live in the past of “what ifs” and you will embrace the future of all that is possible with Him! Wonderful Jesus!

O Come Let Us Adore Him!

Matthew 2:1-2- Now after Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea in the days of Herod the king, behold, wise men from the East came to Jerusalem, saying, “Where is He who has been born King of the Jews? For we have seen His star in the East and have come to worship Him.” NKJV

The narrative of the birth of Jesus did not end that night in Bethlehem. Nor did the first announcement of His birth occur on that night. Isaiah and others prophesied about the coming Messiah. These writings were not all kept in Israel. Some of these writings were left behind in the places of their captivity.

Recently, I was watching a documentary about Bible Hunters, and I was amazed that the majority of the writings of Scriptures were discovered in Egypt. I am confident that archaeologists can search any area mentioned in the Scriptures and locate evidence of God.

Such, I believe was the case of the magi who were looking for the King. They arrived in Jerusalem after a long journey from the east. We are not told how many magi came, just that they came. Many have adopted that it was three wise men because of the gifts they brought with them, but that is not validated in the Scriptures.

The East is referred to as Persia, Arabia, or even Mesopotamia. Mesopotamia is known as the cradle of civilization and could be the place of origin. However, somewhere in Persia seems most likely because of the captivity of Israel by Persia. I believe writings were found by them that told of His birth!

The magi were later given names and countries in Catholic history, but again, this is not grounded in Scriptures. What is biblically sound is that a star appeared in the sky at some point that caught the attention of the magi. (It is believed that they were possibly astronomers). As they wondered about the star, the revelation that the star announced the birth of the King of Jews came to them and they decided to follow the star to see where it would lead them.

“Where is He who has been born King of the Jews? For we have seen His star in the East and have come to worship Him.”
Matthew 2:2 NKJV

Apparently, when they arrived in Jerusalem, the star was no longer in the sky. They had made it close enough that they now felt they could make inquiries as to where the King had been born, for surely the Jews would know where to find their King.

This caused quite a stir in Jerusalem. King Herod was not happy to hear that an entourage had come from the east to worship the newborn King of the Jews, for he was the king of Jews and no heir had been born to him. The Jews in Jerusalem were concerned because they didn’t know what was going on, yet, men from the east had arrived to worship their King.

And when he had gathered all the chief priests and scribes of the people together, he inquired of them where the Christ was to be born.
Matthew 2:4 NKJV

Did you catch that? Herod understood that the magi had come to see the Messiah. The chief priests and scribes knew he was asking about the birthplace of the Messiah. Yet, none of them hastened to worship Him.

Then Herod, when he had secretly called the wise men, determined from them what time the star appeared. And he sent them to Bethlehem and said, “Go and search carefully for the young Child, and when you have found Him, bring back word to me, that I may come and worship Him also.”
Matthew 2:7-8 NKJV

Herod was up to no good when he called the wise men secretly to a meeting. He wanted to know when the star had first appeared to them. He encouraged them to go and learn all they could about the child and then to come back and let him know of His whereabouts so that he could also go and worship Him.

I’m surprised the wise men didn’t think that something was fishy about this. Hindsight may be assisting me right now, but it seems suspicious that the King of the Jews was born and the Jews were unaware of it. It’s also telling that they needed the wise men to come back and to tell them about the King. I’m sure this seemed a little strange to the wise men, also.

When they heard the king, they departed; and behold, the star which they had seen in the East went before them, till it came and stood over where the young Child was. When they saw the star, they rejoiced with exceedingly great joy.
Matthew 2:9-10 NKJV

Here’s biblical proof that the star had stopped leading when they arrived in Jerusalem, for as they left Jersualem to continue on to Bethlehem, the star reappeared and they rejoiced with great joy! To our knowledge, we are not certain that these men are Jews. We know they came from the east and were magi, astronomers, or wise men; we assume they were Gentiles. Yet, here we see them with great joy over the realization that they have found the King!

And when they had come into the house, they saw the young Child with Mary His mother, and fell down and worshiped Him. And when they had opened their treasures, they presented gifts to Him: gold, frankincense, and myrrh.
Matthew 2:11 NKJV

Tradition has this event taking place at the manger, but here we clearly see that the wise men visited Jesus in a house. Here’s also where tradition gets the idea of the three wise men; they brought three different types of gifts, gold, frankincense, and myrrh. Tradition can soon become a sacred cow if we are not careful.

Much ado has been made over the wise men; giving them names, attributing sainthood to them, etc. The significance of their appearance in this narrative is easy to see! They came from afar to worship Him. They were drawn by the star that had appeared possibly two years before His birth, yet, in all that time, their hearts anticipated the moment when they would behold the King of the Jews! And so when they finally see Him, they worship Him!

Being warned in a dream, they did not return to Herod. They went home a different route. Joseph got a similar warning in a dream to move to Egypt. Those gifts were probably a blessing to Joseph and Mary while they were there! Then Herod’s true motive for the whereabouts of the King was unleashed on the children in Bethlehem. Instead of being drawn to worship Him, Herod wanted to destroy Him!

Worship is still expected from those who want to be in His presence. Our praise and adoration is a sweet aroma to the King, and as we worship and adore Him, He inhabits our worship. Take a few moments and enjoy Tasha Cobbs’ rendition of “O Come All Ye Faithful!” Wonderful Jesus!