Wonderful Jesus!

Tag: encouragemnt

• His Name is Prince of Peace!

  Posted at 10:00 am by wonderfuljesus8, on October 1, 2020

  Isaiah 9:6 – “For unto us a Child is born, Unto us a Son is given; And the government will be upon His shoulder. And His name will be called Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.” NKJV

  

  his-name-is-prince-of-peace.mp3

  On the day of His birth, the angels announced,

  “Glory to God in the highest, And on earth peace, goodwill toward men!” Luke 2:14 -NKJV

  The Prince of Peace had come to the earth and it was simply glorious! The angel was speaking with the shepherds, telling them of the Child that was born. The One who was named, Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, and Prince of Peace had arrived! They were listening in awe and fear, when as soon as the angel told them where to find the Child, the host of heavens burst out with praise! They couldn’t hold it any longer! Peace had been deposited on earth! Not one who had peace, but One who was, and is Peace. Jesus, the Prince of Peace! If they were afraid after seeing the angel, they must have almost passed out when the hosts arrived on the scene!

  He also killed the bull and the ram as sacrifices of peace offerings, which were for the people…Then the glory of the Lord appeared to all the people, and fire came out from before the Lord and consumed the burnt offering and the fat on the altar. When all the people saw it, they shouted and fell on their faces. Leviticus 9:18,23-24 NKJV

  In the Old Testament, God instituted the peace offerings. This peace offering was said to be for the people. The sacrifice provided the meat for a communion meal for the people, after they had performed the sin offering, and the atonement offering. It is special to note, that after we repent of our sins, and are cleansed by His Blood, we have the ability to rest in His peace and have communion with the Father! The peace offering, was in fact, representative of what the Prince of Peace came to the earth for; to restore peace between God the Father and mankind, that we might have sweet communion with Him. After this particular peace offering, the glory of God filled the place, as it did when the Prince of Peace had come! Wonderful Jesus!

  The way He came, is the way He left, with an announcement of peace. Before He was crucified, He told His disciples:

  Peace I leave with you, My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid. John 14:27 NKJV

  The Prince of Peace left His peace for His disciples. He said His peace was not of this world and that we are not to allow our hearts to be troubled or to allow it to be afraid. How can we live daily, with all that goes on around us, and not be troubled, and sometimes afraid? He told us it’s possible because He is our peace!

  We sing the chorus:

  This peace I have, the world didn’t give it to me,
  This peace I have, the world didn’t give it to me,
  This peace I have, the world didn’t give it to me,
  the world didn’t give it and the world can’t take it away!

  Yet, all too often, we do allow the world to take it away from us. Financial crisis, health crisis, pandemic, marital issues, relationship issues, work issues, and the list can go on and on. However, this simple chorus echoes Jesus message to us: “Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid!” Why?

  For He Himself is our peace…Ephesians 2:14 – NKJV

  David said,

  I will both lie down in peace, and sleep; For You alone, O Lord, make me dwell in safety. Psalm 4:8 – NKJV

  Isn’t that something? He said that he was going to lie down in peace, and get a good night’s sleep. How? Because the Lord made him to dwell in safety, and the Lord was his peace! Oh, that we can come to such a place in Peace, that we can lay down and get some good sleep. Have you been missing out on sleep lately? Are you restless and can’t seem to enjoy life? Are you worried to the point of staying up til the wee hours of the morning? No sleep, no peace! Know Peace, know sleep!

  This “mini-series” has been to remind us of who Jesus is to us! Sometimes we can get focused on all that is going on around us, and forget the awesomeness of the One we call Lord. As I sit here blogging, thinking of this verse, I rejoice in the One called Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, and Prince of Peace!

  I leave you with Jesus, the Prince of Peace, words:

  These things I have spoken to you, that in Me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world.” John 16:33 NKJV

  We can have peace, because He, Prince of Peace, is our Peace! Wonderful Jesus!

  Posted in His Name, Jesus, Peace | 3 Comments | Tagged Attitude, encouragemnt, Handling difficulties, Jesus, Peace, praise, relationships, sacrifices, the Glory of the Lord

• Wonderful Jesus!

  Posted at 10:00 am by wonderfuljesus8, on September 22, 2020

  Isaiah 9:6 – “For unto us a Child is born, Unto us a Son is given; And the government will be upon His shoulder. And His name will be called Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. NKJV

  

  wonderful-jesus_.mp3

  Many years ago I began answering my phone, “Wonderful Jesus”! At first, this was a shock to people’s ears, causing many to stop and ask me, what was it that I had said? Okay, in all honesty, people still do! I’m not sure at what point I started this, but I remember thinking that many people I knew answered their phone with “Praise the Lord” and I didn’t want to be a copy cat! Therefore, I had to come up with something a little more original.

  One of my favorite songs as a young believer was sung by Larnelle Harris and Sandi Patti, “More Than Wonderful”. I still love this song today! Many days, while folding laundry in my basement, I would sing this song, and I guess the phrase just took root in my heart. I believe that Jesus is wonderful! On my answering service I even go so far as to say, “And He is truly wonderful”! Now, I am greeted by many people with this same phrase, because it is a true testament of how we see Him in our heart!

  “And His name will be called Wonderful”! Some versions of the Bible have the comma after Counselor, as if He will be called Wonderful Counselor, but I agree with the Young’s Literal Translation that Wonderful is His Name!

  • I call Him Wonderful because He saved me from eternal damnation and has given me eternal life!
  • I call Him Wonderful because He took my grief laden heart and turned it into rejoicing!
  • I call Him Wonderful because He healed my body of encephalitis and gave my legs strength to walk again!
  • I call Him Wonderful because He kept me from so much junk!
  • I call Him Wonderful because He first loved me!
  • I call Him Wonderful because He loves me for who I am, not for who I can be, or ought to be!
  • I call Him Wonderful because He watches over my family!
  • I call Him Wonderful because He chose an amazing man for me to spend my life with!
  • I call Him Wonderful because my husband and our daughters call Him Lord!
  • I call Him Wonderful because He has healed so many people!
  • I call Him Wonderful because He is so good to me!
  • I call Him Wonderful because He is God!
  • I call Him Wonderful because He allowed me to partner with Him in His kingdom!
  • I call Him Wonderful because, because, because, because!

  Every single day of my life I call Him Wonderful! However, He isn’t just Wonderful to me! He’s Wonderful to all of those who call Him Savior! Everyday people are being saved from the clutches of the devil! Isn’t that just Wonderful? Everyday people are finding the strength to overcome! He’s Wonderful! Everyday people are gaining new insight into the kingdom and understanding Him better! That’s Wonderful! And every single day He keeps loving, forgiving, teaching, nurturing, saving, healing, and delivering! It’s easy to see why He is called Wonderful!

  A song I learned as a kid has these words:

  Isn’t He Wonderful, Wonderful, Wonderful?
  Isn’t Jesus, my Lord, Wonderful?
  Eyes have seen, ears have heard,
  It’s recorded in God’s Word,
  Isn’t Jesus, my Lord, Wonderful?

  Sometimes I just need to take a break from information and share a little inspiration. Take a few minutes today and think about all the times He has revealed Himself to you as, Wonderful! Then share them with Him or someone you love. It could be your psalm of praise to the One who has been Wonderful to you! Wonderful Jesus!

  Posted in Jesus | 8 Comments | Tagged encouragemnt, His Name, Isaiah 9:6, Jesus, testimony, Wonderful

• God’s Requirements!- Part 2

  Posted at 10:00 am by wonderfuljesus8, on September 3, 2020

  Micah 6:8 – “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?” NKJV

  

  gods-requirements-2-1.mp3

  In my previous post, I left out a very important insight. Micah starts this verse by writing, “He has shown you, O man, what is good”. This is really key and should not have been overlooked. I apologize. For the thing that God is requiring of us, He has already demonstrated it to us. My last post referenced how God requires that we act justly. The thing I forgot to mention is that He requires it because He is a just God. He gave us laws, judgements, testimonies, statutes, or whatever you choose to call them; in which we are to live by. He added blessings and consequences to those. He demonstrated how He is just, and then He required it of us. That brings us to tonight!

  His second requirement is that we are “to love mercy”! This is pretty easy to receive, but often times harder to give. Yet, He, being our first example, is the God of mercy. I like the song Alvin Slaughter sang years ago, “Mercy Refused”, written by David Baroni. In the song it states:

  Justice demanded satisfaction, the law had been broken again and again. Judgement required immediate action, death wanted payment for sin. Mercy refused, and love took my place; there on the cross, where justice met grace. Mercy refused to let me die, Jesus the Lamb was crucified, though rightfully, death wanted me, Mercy refused!

  How adequate the words of this song describes the mercy of God towards mankind! In explaining the difference between grace and mercy to my children, or in a Bible class, I like to say that “grace is getting what we don’t deserve, while mercy is not getting what we do deserve”.

  Just recently, someone called me from her job. She had forgotten to pay the meter and had been at work for almost the entire shift when she realized it. As she went between worry over a ticket and praying she didn’t get one, I just came in agreement with her that she wouldn’t get it. I stayed on the phone with her as she walked back to her car. When she arrived at the car, the ticket that should have been on it, wasn’t there! Was she ever grateful and excited! God’s mercy! It could have even been His mercy through an individual. Nonetheless, that person, by law, deserved a ticket, but received mercy instead!

  As I laid in bed the other night, thinking about the first blog on God’s requirement, the Spirit whispered this word to me, “chesed”. I am not a student of the Hebrew or the Greek language, but I knew that was the word for mercy. It was as if He was approving my topic, and leading me. The word “chesed” is not only translated to mean mercy, but it also means steadfast love, kindness, faithfulness, and loyalty. God makes it plain to us that He requires that we demonstrate kindness, mercy, steadfast love, faithfulness, and loyalty one to another.

  In the book of Zechariah 7:9, it is written,

  “Thus says the Lord of hosts: ‘Execute true justice, show mercy and compassion, everyone to his brother.”

  This verse is similar to Micah, in that it mentions both justice and mercy are to be shown to everyone. In the Message Bible it reads like this:

  “Well, the message hasn’t changed. God -of-the-Angel-Armies said then and says now: “‘Treat one another justly. Love your neighbors. Be compassionate with each other. Don’t take advantage of widows, orphans, visitors, and the poor. Don’t plot and scheme against one another—that’s evil.’

  Isn’t that it in a nutshell? We are not to take advantage of one another, we are not to scheme against one another, it’s not right! It’s not godly! It doesn’t get any plainer than that! We are to treat one another right! We are to treat one another with love and demonstrate compassion. In our present climate in America, it won’t always be easy, but it is the right thing to do, because God requires it of us!

  I couldn’t help but think of David and Saul. In 1 Samuel 24, David is in a cave with his men when Saul goes in to relieve himself. David’s men tell him that God had delivered his enemy, Saul, into his hands. David cuts off a corner of Saul’s robe, and then he gets a check in his spirit, that let’s him know he is not to touch Saul, nor allow his men to touch Saul. After Saul leaves the cave, David comes out of the cave and let’s Saul know that if he wanted to kill him, as some said, he had the perfect opportunity to do so. David would have been justified in killing Saul, since Saul pursued him so diligently for that same reason. But the case of justice and mercy once again clashed. While it may have been okay to kill Saul, since “all is fair in war”, so to speak; it wasn’t God’s heart. God required of David, to extend mercy. Was it easy? Maybe not! Yet, in doing so, David pleased God!

  Proverbs 3:3-4 – Let not mercy and truth forsake you; bind them around your neck, write them on the tablet of your heart, and so find favor and high esteem in the sight of God and man. NKJV

  Are you looking for favor and high esteem? The Bible tells us not to forsake mercy and truth. As a matter of fact, we are to wrap it around our neck and write them in our heart. In other words, they are to be important to us! Living God’s truth and walking in mercy pays greater dividends, then trying to please man. That’s what David did. He had hidden the truth of God’s word in his heart and knew mercy was required of him. Just because we have a right to be angry, or a right to get somebody back, doesn’t mean we should. Do what God requires by extending mercy, and He will give you both favor and high esteem with Him and with man!

  One last important verse on mercy that I just have to share:

  He who follows righteousness and mercy, finds life, righteousness, and honor. Proverbs 21:21 NKJV

  Wow! Isn’t that something to ponder on? When we are kind and show mercy as a way of life, we find life, right standing with God, and honor! We shouldn’t just be following facebook, Twitter and Instagram! We should be following righteousness and mercy! Then we will find life! I don’t know about you, but I am going to do a better job with acting justly and showing mercy. In one scripture, the Bible says that it is good for us! Aren’t you ready for some good in your life? I just told you how to get! Fall in love with demonstrating mercy to others! Stay tuned for what God has to say to us about this last requirement! Wonderful Jesus!

  Posted in God, Justice, love, Mercy | 0 Comments | Tagged Attitude, blessings, consequences, encouragemnt, esteem, favor, God, kindness, love, Mercy, Micah, obedience, righteousness, will of God

• Proud to Be Bitter!

  Posted at 10:00 am by wonderfuljesus8, on August 27, 2020

  Ruth 1:19-20 – Now the two of them went until they came to Bethlehem. And it happened, when they had come to Bethlehem, that all the city was excited because of them; and the women said, “ Is this Naomi?” But she said to them, “Do not call me Naomi; call me Mara, for the Almighty has dealt very bitterly with me.” NKJV

  

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  In my last post, I wrote about the children of Israel stopping at a place called Marah. Today I want to continue my discussion of the sin of bitterness. I sensed a need to “update” this “series” from my first year of blogging.

  Naomi and her husband went to the land of Moab with their sons to avoid the famine in Bethlehem. After they got to Moab, her husband died. Her two sons had married Moabite women and after a time, her sons died. Around this time, Naomi hears that there is food in Bethlehem, and she decides to return to the land that she had come from. Her daughters-in-law wanted to go with her; but in the end, Ruth was the only one to travel with her to Bethlehem.

  It’s been at least 10 years since Naomi and her family departed from Bethlehem, maybe longer. For some reason, the women of Bethlehem ask “Is this Naomi?” It could have been the shock of seeing her again, or of seeing her alone, or she could have changed in some way. Whatever the reason, they were unsure that it was her.

  Naomi immediately tells the women that they are not to call her Naomi, which means pleasant, but they are to call her Mara which means bitter. She continues to explain why she wants to change her name:

  • The Lord has dealt very bitterly with me, she said!

  • I went out full (with a husband and two sons).

  • And the Lord has brought me home again empty; which wasn’t completely true, because she had a daughter in Ruth!

  I’m not judging Naomi, but it’s pretty obvious here that she is making it plain that she is bitter and has a right to be bitter. She is so bitter, that she believes the Lord has dealt very bitterly with her. I can only imagine the devastating heartache that would accompany the loss of both a husband and your children. So I get that she is hurting! What I don’t understand is why she feels she has a right to be bitter!

  In Naomi telling the women, “Call me Mara” she sounds as if being bitter is a badge of honor. It is not! Then she goes on to list all of her issues as if she has earned the right to be bitter. She has not! God wasn’t responsible for the things that caused her bitterness, and He isn’t responsible for any bitterness that we may harbor in our heart.

  The Bible doesn’t elaborate on how her husband and sons perished, but whatever caused their deaths, she laid the blame at God’s door, and that’s not where it belongs!

  In Jeremiah 4:18, God shares insight into bitterness:

  “It’s the way you’ve lived that’s brought all this on you. The bitter taste is from your evil life. That’s what’s piercing your heart.” Jeremiah 4:18 MSG

  In other words, God is saying that the bitterness isn’t from His hand. He wasn’t piercing Naomi’s heart, life was! He isn’t piercing your heart, life is! Maybe not your life, but maybe the life of a loved one lived without God, and your heart is pierced. It’s not His fault! Things happen to the just and the unjust! When stuff happens to the just, we are not to react like the unjust. The unjust have no hope for they are without God; but we have the promise of deliverance, from the Great Deliverer!

  Peter, in addressing Simon the diviner realized that he was a bitter man and said this:

  For I see that you are poisoned by bitterness and bound by iniquity.” Acts 8:23 NKJV

  Bitterness is poison to the soul. It is deadly and capable of causing many physical issues in your life. It’s not worth holding on to!

  In the book of Hebrews, it is written:

  “Looking carefully lest anyone fall short of the grace of God; lest any root of bitterness springing up cause trouble, and by this many become defiled;” Hebrews 12:15 NKJV

  The writer of Hebrews encourages us to be careful unless we allow a root of bitterness to spring up and bring trouble in our lives and cause many people to be defiled. When we are bitter we have a tendency of defiling ourselves and others. Our bitterness becomes the lens in which life and relationships are processed.

  When I got married, several divorced women told me that all men were dogs. Others told me to watch out for the seven year itch. These things were said by women who had become embittered towards the institution of marriage and men. Probably with great cause! These words could have defiled me and my marriage had I listened to them! But I didn’t! I considered my source!

  James said:

  But if you have bitter, envy, and self-seeking in your hearts, do not boast and lie against the truth. James 3:14 NKJV

  James is letting us know that there is nothing to boast about when we are bitter. As a matter of fact when we boast, we lie against the truth! Our situations, our pain, and eventually our bitterness makes us feel like we have a right to feel the way we feel, and say the things we say, which results in us lying against the truth of God’s word!

  In my opinion, bitterness short-circuits a heart of gratefulness. Naomi was still alive! Ruth had come with her to help provide for her and to take care of her. They had made it back to Bethlehem without any trouble. She had much to be thankful for. But she wasn’t concerned about anything except the fact that she had loss so much! Ruth was also a widow and we don’t get any vibes that she was bitter. Naomi’s bitterness was so deep that she could only see her pain and her losses, and was blind to the goodness of God. Rightly she said that she should be called bitter because she was a very bitter woman.

  But Naomi had a loving Father. One who doesn’t easily offend. One who knows we are imperfect beings. One who understands. And even though she couldn’t see Him working things out to bless her, He was doing exactly that! And thankfully, if you are born again, your Heavenly Father is wanting you free of bitterness because the poison is destroying the blessings He is bringing in your life!

  Life is tough! For some it seems to be down right unbearable. But, it is not an excuse for bitterness, or a need to boast in it! Bitterness says I will never do this, or I will never do that, because of what happened to me! Bitterness says that no one has the right to tell me how to feel until they have walked in my shoes! Bitterness says I will never trust another person as long as I live! All these emotional statements stem from a root of bitterness!

  Stop boasting in your bitterness! Get rid of it! A willing and repentant heart is all God needs to start the process of healing! Instead of blaming Him, try trusting Him! Instead of living with bitterness, try living without it! Let it go! It’s only making you sick! Wonderful Jesus!

  Posted in Attitude, Bitterness, hard times | 0 Comments | Tagged Attitude, Believer, encouragemnt, freedom, hard times, Healing, Naomi, offense, Ruth, trust in God, victory

• It’s Not For Drinking!

  Posted at 10:00 am by wonderfuljesus8, on August 25, 2020

  Exodus 15:23 -Now when they came to Marah, they could not drink the waters of Marah, for they were bitter. Therefore the name of it was called Marah.

  

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  The children of Israel found themselves in an unwelcome place. They had been wandering in the desert for three days unable to find water. And when they finally find water, it is undrinkable! It’s bitter! Can you imagine how frustrating this could be? Maybe you haven’t been looking for water, but maybe you have been looking for something else, and when you found it, it was not what you expected! Some women spend a lot of time looking for a husband, and in desperation they find one, but it wasn’t what they were expecting. Some look for a high paying job, and when they get it, it wasn’t what they were expecting! It happens to the best of us!

  If you read the fourteen chapters before this verse, you can well understand that for the people of Israel, this is just another disappointment in a whole list of disappointments. Have you ever been there? Have you ever felt this way?

  They were slaves for over 400 years under Egyptian rule and hard taskmasters. When Moses came to deliver them, instead of things getting better, they got worst. When they got to the Red Sea, the Egyptians came up behind them and they were sure they would be slaughtered. And typical of human nature, they were probably feeling “If it’s not one thing, it’s another”. Can you relate? I’m sure that you can! I know I can relate to this on a couple levels!

  But God! In the midst of their situations, God was mindful of them and working things out for their good. They couldn’t see it at the time, but it was happening nevertheless. And guess what, I can testify to that truth, that in those frustrating moments, those times of disappointment, He was working on my behalf, and He is probably working on yours!

  While they were in bondage, Moses was born. And even though it took him 80 years to get to the place where God could use him, God was still working on the deliverance of His people! They didn’t see it! They didn’t know freedom was on the way, but God was working towards their deliverance!

  While Pharaoh was constantly saying no to Moses and God; God was demonstrating His power to deliver; and when He did, they came out of Egypt with great wealth. The tables had turned. The ones who had mistreated them so severely was severely dealt with by God! The ones who had labored and received no wages in return, left with the spoils of Egypt. When I read the Word of God and see this type of thing, I am encouraged, because I know that if I trust Him with my disappointments, He will turn them around for my benefit!

  When they got to the Red Sea, (after having been led by a pillar of cloud by day and a pillar of fire by night) God parted the Red Sea and they crossed over on dry land. How spectacular is that! I can’t help but think that at this point they should have been fully persuaded that God was on their side. At this point, after being led by a cloud by day, fire by night, and having the Red Sea opened for them, they should have been able to trust Him for something as simple as water. But that was not the case!

  When they arrived in the Wilderness of Shur, and for three days they couldn’t find water, they were not happy! They were upset!! Doesn’t that just sound like people. No matter what God does for us, if He doesn’t do that “one” thing, we can get an attitude with Him real quick!! Instead of remembering His goodness towards us, we can only concentrate on our disappointments and hurts, just like the people of Israel!

  Exodus 15:24 – And the people complained against Moses, saying, “What shall we drink?”

  Wouldn’t you think that after all of the miracles before the Exodus and the latest miracle of crossing the Red Sea, that coming to bitter water would cause them to look forward to what God was about to do instead of complaining? Hind sight is twenty twenty!

  How many times have you and I seen the hand of God move on our behalf? For me, I have been healed of paralysis, one of our daughters was healed of abnormal seizure activity, another was healed of larynx Malaysia, while yet another was healed of “the issue of blood”, to name a few. Many times He has provided finances, jobs at just the right time, favor in a situation, protection from an incident or accident… and the list of His faithfulness to us can go on and on! How about you? What has He done for you through the years? Any healings? Any financial breakthroughs? Any protections?

  And yet, just like the children of Israel, when something happens contrary to what we expect, we find ourselves dealing with bitter waters. I know, we don’t like to admit that we can become bitter with the Heavenly Father, but it happens all too frequently.

  Bitterness is a terrible place to camp out at. The bitter water was good for nothing, and so are bitter people. Life can at times be filled with disappointments, setbacks, and even heartaches. God knows this! And so does Jesus. Didn’t He say in John 16:33-“ In this world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world”? Jesus didn’t say, we would have tribulations and at this time He understands how we can become embittered. Nope! He said, “be of good cheer”! What kind of advice is that? That’s the kind of advice One gives when He knows the Father!

  In other words, we are not to allow these things to stump us, to cause us to become bitter. We are to understand that He overcame that we might overcome! We are to realize that the One who delivered us before can deliver us again. We are to trust that the One who provided will provide again! There is no situation that is too big for the God we serve. There is no problem that He cannot solve! There is no circumstance that He cannot overcome! He is God! He has not lost His ability to bring about a miracle in our life!

  If you are stuck at the waters of Marah, feeling bitter about life, it is time to change your location. Time to move from this place of bitterness to your oasis. Bitter water is not for drinking, so don’t drink it! Repent of your bitterness and ask God to give you life giving water, so you’ll never thirst again! Then watch Him do it! Wonderful Jesus!

  Posted in Attitude, Bitterness, Deliverance, God | 0 Comments | Tagged Attitude, Bitterness, children of Israel, Deliverance, disappointments, encouragemnt, freedom, hard times, Healing, hurts, Marah, Moses, the Exodus

• A Prepared Table

  Posted at 9:00 am by wonderfuljesus8, on May 14, 2020

  Psalm 23:5- “You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies…” NKJV

  

  Years ago, I was stationed in Italy, while in the Navy. I lived on base and I had my own room. In the room I had a set of bunk beds, a table, a couple chairs, and a refrigerator. I didn’t do a lot of cooking, but I had set my table, prepared at any moment to eat alone, or with a guest. After washing dishes, they would go back on the table and I would be ready once again. I’m not sure where I got that from, but I’ve always loved looking at a table that was set for company or a special meal.

  As I mentioned before, the 23rd psalm is a favorite of mine. I remember a few years ago that I was invited to God’s table, prepared just for me. Here’s how: I was in the midst of some challenging situations and I was spending hours in prayer to keep from walking in my flesh! As I would read the word and pray, I would always find myself hovering around this psalm. Then one night as I slept I had a dream!

  In the dream, I was driving down a street when I saw a man standing on the steps of a church. He began waving at me to come over. I stopped and walked to the church. As he ushered me in the church I realized that I was in a fellowship hall. There was a long beautifully set table. I was escorted to the table that had looked empty when I entered, but was now heavy laden with all types of bread, freshly baked bread. A chair was pulled out and I was invited to sit. It was just me at the table with all this bread. And I knew in my spirit that a table had been prepared for me. Peace flooded my soul and I woke up. Nothing had changed in the natural, but I had a peace that God had prepared a table for me and that He was pleased to my response to what was going on around me.

  God prepared a table for David and anointed him king. He was out in the field with the sheep and a banquet was going on to which he had not been invited. But they didn’t understand that the banquet was in his honor. God had sent Samuel for him, and as the banquet was being prepared no one knew it had been prepared for David.

  It is said that eating and drinking at someone’s table creates a bond of mutual loyalty and could be a culminating token of a covenant, as in the Passover meal that Jesus had with His disciples. It is also said, to be an invited guest of the Lord’s is to suggest that you are more than an acquaintance for a day for it is an invitation to dwell with Him. (Logos)

  David had been talking in metaphorical language about the Lord as his shepherd. Now he is referring to the Lord as his friend. It is an honor to have Jesus as your shepherd, for as such, He provides protection, provision, and healing. To have Him as your friend is an even better position. Friends share with one another, what they wouldn’t just share with everybody. Friends like just being together. Friends are hard to separate, hard to break apart. Friends can be closer and tighter than family. The Bible talks about a friend that sticks closer than a brother. Every one needs one!

  In that difficult season of my life when I was really going through, He invited me to sit at His table and enjoy fellowship with Him over bread. He is the Bread of Life, and bread represents life in dream symbols books. He also told us to pray “give us this day our daily bread”. And here I was at this challenging place in my life and I am being offered bread at a table that has been set, just for me by my Friend.

  Life isn’t always pretty. It isn’t always easy; but Jesus makes it worth the living. He knows what we need and how to provide it. I could not have articulated what I needed at that moment, but He visited with me in a dream that felt so real I smelled the fresh bread. It was as if He had taken leave from His seat by the Father and come for a visit. It was beautiful!

  I have had so many times in my life when I have had similar experiences with Jesus. I get David. His relationship wasn’t about doing stuff as much as it was about time with Jesus. This pandemic has put all of us in a place where we can develop our friendship with Jesus. We certainly have the time! It may start off feeling a little funny, or even a little forced, but the more you take the time to be with Him, He will make the time to be with you. This dream has been on my heart this week and I thought that I would share it with you. My prayer is that you are having these special times with Him already; but if you are not, then I pray that you will begin to pursue that relationship with Him. And one day, you will be invited to sit at the table that has already been prepared for you. Wonderful Jesus!

  Posted in Fellowship with God, Psalm 23 | 4 Comments | Tagged bread, David, encouragemnt, God, hard times, Jesus, love, Prayer, protection, provision, Psalm 23, word of God

• You Are God’s Garden!

  Posted at 9:00 am by wonderfuljesus8, on April 16, 2020

  1 Corinthians 3:9 -For we are God’s fellow workers [His servants working together]; you are God’s cultivated field [His garden, His vineyard], God’s building. AMP

  

  The phrase, “you are God’s garden” has been turning over in my mind for the past few days; and you’ve guessed it, I had to blog about it.

  In verse 6 of this same chapter, Paul wrote, “I did the planting, Apollos did the watering, but it was God who gave the increase”.

  Look at the image of the garden! It’s gorgeous! I wouldn’t want the responsibility of it, but I would love to view it every day. That’s an image of you, from heaven’s point of view. It’s how He sees you! Growing more beautiful every day, with vibrant colors, and a variety of flowers, you are a God’s garden!

  Who decides what is planted in this garden? Paul said that he did the planting. Paul was the one who sowed the seed of God’s word to the Corinthian believers. God’s word, His promises, are the seed for your garden. The planting in your garden is based on the word that you hear, read, study, or embrace. Although He sees the end product, beautiful, luscious, vibrant, and well groomed, ultimately, you are responsible for the seed that is planted in your garden. Remember, Jesus said that the seed sown was the word of God.

  Another important ingredient to the well being of a garden is water. Paul said Apollos watered. Apollos came after Paul and watered that seed that Paul had planted. This analogy was based on the ministry they were cultivating in Corinth; but for us, it’s about our own personal garden, our heart. So your garden needs water. This is where you allow the Holy Spirit to help you in the growth of the word. As you meditate on the word of God, rehearse, pray it, sing it, rejoice over it, you are watering your garden. David loved God’s word! He was always watering his garden with the word, “oh how I love your law, it’s the meditation of my heart, thy word have I hid in my heart, your word is forever settled in my heart.”

  When you plant God’s word in your heart, His promises, you need to water that seed to see it produce what you are expecting and believing Him for. The word for healing could be, “Father, you wounded Jesus for my transgressions and with His stripes I was healed. I’m so grateful for that. I rejoice in that truth and accept that truth over my symptoms! Thank you! Thank you for driving sickness and disease away from me. Thank you for saying healing is my bread! You are so wonderful to me like that! I receive your medicine, oh God, and I know it is done!”

  Then, God gives the increase! When we are cultivating the word of God in our hearts, and watering it with praise, thanksgiving, and meditation, that’s the end of our responsibility. Now, you trust God to bring increase into your garden. Healing, peace, blessings, favor, mercy, whatever you are believing for! He watches over His word to perform it!

  Right now, you don’t see the beautiful garden of your heart, that God sees. You may only see a dry and parched land. But it’s not too late to begin sowing seed and pouring water into your garden. Trust the Holy Spirit to assist you in the redesigning of your garden. Let Him help you pick out your plants: healing, peace, deliverance, love, joy, and whatever else that will cause your garden to be something that others will enjoy! That you will flourish within!

  You! Are! God’s! Garden! Work with Him to make you something that will last for all eternity! Wonderful Jesus!

  Posted in Believers, Healing, the Word of God | 0 Comments | Tagged 1 Corinthians 3:9, encouragemnt, God’s garden, Healing, Holy Spirit, praise, trust in God, word of God

• A Special Occassion

  Posted at 7:00 am by wonderfuljesus8, on March 21, 2020

  John 2:7-8,10-11 – “Jesus said to them, “Fill the waterpots with water.” And they filled them up to the brim. And He said to them, “Draw some out now, and take it to the master of the feast.” And they took it…And he said to him, “Every man at the beginning sets out the good wine, and when the guests have well drunk, then the inferior. You have kept the good wine until now!” This beginning of signs Jesus did in Cana of Galilee, and manifested His glory; and His disciples believed in Him.”
  NKJV

  Have you ever stopped and wondered why Jesus’ first miracle was turning water to wine at a wedding? I remember when our children were younger they watched the Superbook cartoons. I believe in one of the episodes they portrayed Jesus and His disciples at the wedding in Cana; the bride and groom was upset about not having enough wine, and Mary went to Jesus. Then He turned the water to wine and the first miracle happened.

  I don’t know if any of that really happened, but I do know that since this was the first miracle that Jesus performed and that this miracle is a sign that points to Him being the Son of God, that something else was going on. As I was thinking about this miracle, I had a thought that I want to share.

  First, let’s begin with the miracle, water was turned to wine. Mary told Jesus of the need and He remarked that His time had not yet come, and what did this have to do with Him? (In my blog, “Faith is a Time Changer” I expound a little more on this). Mary responded by turning to the servants of the wedding and telling them to do whatever He tells them to do. This seems to be one of the first steps in getting a miracle. When you ask for a miracle, listen for instructions from Him, then obey them!

  We are told that there are 6 water pots, each capable of holding about 30 gallons of water. Jesus told the servants to fill the water pots with water. They obey Him, filling the pots to the brim. He then tells them to dip water and take it to the master of the feast. (By the way, they have been celebrating for about a week already). From the time the water is dipped out of the pot to the tasting of the water, it becomes wine. Not only the water in the dipper, but in all the pots. A miracle has happened. No one has duplicated this miracle. If you want wine, you need grapes, not water!

  However, I did hear a testimony of a missionary who was driving through some dangerous terrain when he ran out of gas. While praying about the situation he saw water nearby and the thought came to him that if God could turn water into wine, He could turn water into gasoline. He got out of the car, got the water and poured it into his tank! And voila! His car started and he made it safely to his destination! Please don’t do this without His instructions!!

  The success of this miracle was in the obedience of the servants. Jesus gave instructions and they were followed to the letter. We don’t know why they obeyed Him, but we do know that they didn’t add to or take from His instructions. Neither did they stop to figure out why Mary asked for wine, and why He was telling them to get water. (Like some of us would gripe and complain about)!

  Why a wedding for the first miracle? I was thinking about that when God reminded me of an assignment I had in Bible School. I was given an assignment to write about the motifs of the Bible. Of course, I was clueless to what a motif was and google was yet to be discovered. I waited until a few days before the assignment was due and approached my professor. (I am still a little put out with him for giving me a grade of a D, then writing on the assignment that it was because I procrastinated. Humm, my principal would have my head)!! Anyway, he explained to me that a motif is a theme or a pattern that is in the Bible.

  When the Holy Spirit reminded me that He works in motifs I saw where He was going with that. Jesus started with a wedding because all that He did will end with a wedding. The wedding of the Bride of Christ! I have absolutely never thought of this before, so I will have to say I received revelation on this last night as I was thinking about this blog! And when you think about new wine, it is symbolic of the Holy Spirit! He provided new wine in abundance as He would release His Spirit in abundance upon His Bride! And water is symbolic of the word, Jesus! He can be so deep! All of this beautiful imagery of God the Father in what seems to be a simple answer to a need in someone’s life! Amazing!

  This is why I believe that the first miracle, which points to Jesus as the Son of God happened at a wedding! Why did Mary have to say anything? I don’t know for sure, but I do know that she pondered every thing that she was told about her son! I believe that she recognized that it was His time and it was up to her to use her faith to help and push Him into His purpose.

  This coronavirus is a terrible pandemic. What is going on around the world is hard to take in. But I believe that this is also a time of destiny for the Body of Christ. I believe that God will use all that is happening to strengthen His Bride in these last days. I also believe that for some of us, it is our time to step into our destiny for the time is getting short. If not now, then when? When we will begin to dare to believe in the Savior who gave so much for us? When will we step out into the unknown realm and dare to believe that a miracle is waiting on the other side!

  I just made that leap of faith and have officially started a teaching ministry, Wonderful Jesus Ministries! The funny thing about the name is that I meant to put Ministry instead of Ministries. I had to laugh at myself and say to the Lord, “How did I make that mistake? I don’t have a ministry let alone, ministries!” Anyway, during this time off I am using it for good, to identify what I am being called to do with this ministry, to spend time in prayer and fasting about it, and to send out words of encouragement and teachings to those of you who read my blog. Thanks for your continued support and know that I covet your prayers for this ministry! Wonderful Jesus!

  Posted in Believers, Christian, Faith, Jesus, John 2, miracle | 4 Comments | Tagged Believer, Christian, coronavirus, encouragemnt, Faith, Holy Spirit, Jesus, miraculous, obedience, supernatural, water turned to wine

• His Ardent Desire!

  Posted at 3:50 am by wonderfuljesus8, on March 1, 2020

  Psalm 27:13 – I remain confident of this: I will see the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living. NIV

  In the church we have a saying, actually an echo: “The Lord is good, all the time! And all the time, the Lord is good!” Some of us have even taken to saying, “The Lord is good on purpose, and the Lord is good to me!” At least, that’s what I have begun to say!

  David had the right attitude about God! He wasn’t waiting for the time that he would die and be with God to experience God’s goodness! He was confident that God’s goodness would be a reality in his life on the earth. As a matter of fact, he said he would have given up on life if he couldn’t expect the goodness of God to be a part of his life. That’s’ how good God was to Him!

  David was so conscious of the goodness of God that he said that God’s goodness would follow him all the days of his life. (Psalm 23)! He knew that God’s goodness went far beyond a statement or a cliche. In Psalm 33, David stated that the earth was full of the goodness of the Lord and His goodness endures forever (Psalm 52). He not only knew of God’s personal goodness to Him, but he simply believed that God was just plain ole good to everybody and that He would never stop being good!

  So what is God’s goodness? God’s goodness is His mercy, His favor, or His kindness extended to us. The Hebrew word “chacad” literally means to “bow from the neck only in courtesy to an equal”. This renders the picture of God nodding in our direction, His favor, as if we are somehow on His level! Just His nodding in our favor is enough! And in the Hebrew-Chaldee Lexicon it also is noted to have a meaning of being “an eager and ardent desire by which any one is led”. So not only is God’s goodness His nod in our direction, but His heart is one of eagerness and of an ardent (passionate) desire that leads Him in how He deals with us!

  We are so unaware of just how much God wants to bestow His goodness in our lives. We go through this life thinking that anything good that happens to us is miraculous or unexpected, but we serve an amazing God who loves us and passionately desires to favor us. Can you imagine that? All of our lives we may have been taught that we have to be good, read the Bible, beg God for things, or hope for the best in life, when David discovered long ago that God’s ardent desire is to nod towards us! It’s simply how He flows!

  Tonight as I am writing this blog, I have gotten excited myself. I know of God’s favor and have experienced it a lot in my life. Some call me blessed, some call me lucky, but God the Father favors me in ways that only He can fathom. And even in that, I can easily forget how willing He is to nod towards me.

  On our wedding day, it rained cats and dogs. But God gently told me that is was just symbolic of how He would bless our marriage. And after 33 years of marriage, there is no denying that He followed through. I had to quit college for a lack of funds and it nearly broke my heart, but He spoke to me and said that I would have several degrees, and I do. He worked it out! I was upset one day because I felt like I was working hard, but I wasn’t getting a lot of money for my effort. He spoke to me and said, your check will become your tithe. And that has happened, and more than that!

  But He isn’t just good to me. He’s good to us all. Every day is a day He favors us. He wakes us in our right mind, He keeps watch over us in the night, He protects us so much we take our safety for granted, and He provides for us so well, we think we are doing it. He is passionate with His goodness to mankind, but more especially to His people. So today, or tomorrow (depending on when you read this blog), remember to thank Him for His goodness and then begin to live like you know the King of kings has nodded in your direction and the blessings are going to flow in your life like never before! He’s good on purpose and He is good to you! Wonderful Jesus!

  Posted in Believers, Christian, God’s Blessings, Psalm 27:13 | 4 Comments | Tagged Believer, blessings, David, encouragemnt, God’s goodness, Psalm 27:13, testimony

• The Shout of Victory!

  Posted at 7:00 am by wonderfuljesus8, on February 11, 2020

  Joshua 6:16 – And the seventh time it happened, when the priests blew the trumpets, that Joshua said to the people: “Shout, for the Lord has given you the city!

  You would be hard pressed today to find someone who has not heard of the battle of Jericho. Songs and movies have been made about this great victory; but just in case you are one of the few who have not heard, I will give you an abbreviated account.

  The children of Israel had arrived at the Jordan. It was time to go across into the land of Canaan to take possession of their promised land, their inheritance. Joshua sent two spies to check out the land, and while they were doing reconnaissance they met Rahab. She hides the spies, lies to her countrymen, then makes a deal for her life and the lives of her family members (chapter 2).

  Then the children of Israel arrives at the Jordan and again God parts the waters as He did with the Red Sea. Do you think the people of Canaan was oblivious to this parting of the river? I don’t think so! I think this only heightened their fear of Joshua and the children of Israel. Sometimes when we are in a battle, all we see is the obvious; but we have to realize that God is strategically handle the situation on our behalf. The Canaanites were already afraid of the God who parted the Red Sea and now He is parting the Jordan! This was no coincidence!

  After they cross over the Jordan, the manna ceased. The interesting thing to note about the manna is that God had miraculously supplied manna for them while in the wilderness, but in the promised land, provision was waiting and they had no more need of manna. Some say they no longer needed a miracle so it stopped! I think that the possessing of the land was quite miraculous and the miracles didn’t stop, they took on another form!

  The city of Jericho was on lockdown! There was no natural way to get inside the city without assistance. Archaeologists have proven that the city was surrounded by two walls and that houses were built in the walls. They also discovered that the Canaanites could have lasted for years under siege because they had a great water supply and had stored up many provisions. This was probably known to the spies and told to Joshua, Joshua didn’t know how he was going to win this battle, he just knew that he would!

  God gave Joshua some unusual instructions for attacking Jericho! Joshua was told that they were to march around the city once for six days. When they marched, the procession was to be led by the men of war, followed by seven priests playing seven trumpets in front of the ark (continuously), and behind the ark bearing priests there were to be more men of war. Not a sound was to be made otherwise! Then they returned to the camp. I can just imagine the look on the faces of the people of Canaan. They had to be wondering what in the world were the children of Israel doing? What kind of battle strategy was this? Why do they keep blowing that horn? And the sounds of the feet marching was probably magnified to them inciting fear beyond reason! What were they waiting for? What did they hope to accomplish with all of this marching? Simple instructions and frightening at the same time.

  However, on the seventh day the instructions changed. They were to march around the city seven times and when they heard the sound of the trumpet, all the people were to shout with a great shout, then the walls would fall flat! Can I just stop here to say that I wonder what Joshua was feeling at these instructions? Joshua, a mighty warrior, who have fought several battles with the Lord, is being told that his strategy for his first major war as leader of Israel is to march around the city?! Whatever he was feeling, he obeyed God! That’s a lesson all by itself!

  I remember reading a testimony of a person who was told by God to hit someone with a banana and they would be healed. Of course, the person thought that this was pretty ridiculous and couldn’t possibly be from God. Later that day, I think he was at a conference, the speaker said something like, “If God tells you to get a banana and hit someone with it, you need to obey God!” He instantly knew he was being rebuked, but moved to obey God and saw a miracle! Joshua needed no such confirmation! He trusted that this strategy would get the job done! There is no record of a discourse like Moses had with God at the burning bush when he said he couldn’t speak! No, Joshua simply obeyed God and the walls came tumbling down!

  Battles are tough! But they don’t always have to be. One word from God can turn your entire situation around. That’s why I love reading about the battles in the Old Testament. They help me to understand that God’s instructions are as unique as the situations. He is no cookie cutter God and what He told Bertha to do to win her battle, may not be what He tells you! Some battles are won with much fasting and prayer! Some are won with speaking the word! But some are won with a shout! Joshua understood that his sure victory was in hearing from God! And that’s the lesson I take from this battle! If you are facing a battle or in the midst of a battle, your victory will depend on your battle plan! Make sure it’s the one the Lord is backing! Shout,for He has given you the city! Wonderful Jesus!

  Posted in Battle plans, Believers, Christian, Victorious Living | 1 Comment | Tagged encouragemnt, Joshua, miraculous, Prayer, provision, testimony, trust in God, Victorious Living, victory

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