Now is the time to hold on and don't let go!

I have an urgency in my spirit to let the Body of Christ know that now is the time to hold on and don't let go, maybe you have had the same urgency and this is just confirmation but nevertheless I am exhorting all to hang on!

Through out scriptures I read passages that exhort us to endure, be steadfast, hang on, don't give up, stay confident. This can be really hard to do when it seems like all hell is breaking loose in our lives. We grow weary and exhausted. Affliction and suffering can come in like a flood pulling us under it's currents and we struggle trying to get a breath. Sorrow hits our hearts like heavy anvils, making us feel abandoned and lonely. We find ourselves growing weary don't we?

At this point we can give up or take hold of faith. I choose to take hold of faith and hang on! The scripture's read that after we have endured for a while we have need of patience and then the promised reward comes, so pick up the shield of faith and quench all the fiery darts of the wicked. Take up the sword of the Spirit which is the Word of God and stand strong in God's promises, and in confidence proclaim them. The sufferings here is nothing to be compared with the glory and joy that we will behold in the presence of Christ Jesus for all eternity.

God is not slack concerning his promise, but He wants none to perish, so now is not the time to begin back peddling, now is the time to move forward in the strength and power of the Holy Spirit. Now is the time to rise-up and lift up our eyes for our redemption draweth near. Now is the time to lift the banner, speak the Word and be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might! We must not look around but look up! Now is the time to embrace hope, faith and love. Now is the time to walk in the fullness of God. We must look to Him and set our face like a flint for the glory of the Lord has risen upon us!

I have heard it said that when you find yourself at the end of your rope tie a knot in it and hang on. When you have stood and done all that you know to do then keep STANDING and stand strong. God is Faithful, His Word is True. When everything else perishes God's Word will stand sure and that is what we want to be standing on when everything else collapses for that is our Hope and our Faith!

Now is the time to make sure that we have on the full armor of God and hold on and don't let go!

Are you ready?

Mt. 25: 1-13 (1) Then shall the kingdom of heaven be likened unto ten virgins, which took their lamps, and went forth to meet the bridegroom.

(2) And five of them were wise, and five were foolish.

(3) They that were foolish took their lamps, and took no oil with them:

(4) But the wise took oil in their vessels with their lamps.

(5) While the bridegroom tarried, they all slumbered and slept.

(6) And at midnight there was a cry made, Behold, the bridegroom cometh; go ye out to meet him.

(7) Then all those virgins arose, and trimmed their lamps.

(8) And the foolish said unto the wise, Give us of your oil; for our lamps are gone out.

(9) But the wise answered, saying, Not so; lest there be not enough for us and you: but go ye rather to them that sell, and buy, for yourselves.

(10) And while they went to buy, the bridegroom came; and they that were ready went in with him to the marriage: and the door was shut.

(11) Afterward came also the other virgins, saying, Lord, Lord, open to us.

(12) But he answered and said , Verily I say unto you, I know you not.

(13) Watch therefore, for ye know neither the day nor the hour wherein the Son of man cometh.
Are you ready? Are you prepared? Do you have plenty of oil for your lamps? What does this mean some may ask? In the Word of God, lamps/light is symbolic of God's Word. His Word is a Lamp unto my feet and a Light unto my path. Oil is symbolic of the Holy Spirit. If you do a study on oil in the old and new testament you will find that it's purpose was for anointing and consecrating. Oil was used to anoint as to dedicate something or someone to a service or goal. Oil was used to make or declare sacredness. Oil was also used for medicinal purposes as to bring healing. By the Power of the Holy Spirit in us we are anointed, dedicated, sacred and even healed.
If a lamp is shining long and bright that means that it has plenty of oil. This is the same with us spiritually speaking. The Word of God in us can only burn brightly if we are full of the Holy Spirit, sanctified set apart and anointed. Oil (Holy Spirit) brings forth the Light (Word), the Light in turn will shine forth from our lives for all to see.
You are the light of the world a city upon a hill, men will see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven. Jesus is the Light within us and it is by His Spirit that we burn brightly. Hide not your light under a bushel. Let it shine forth for all to see.
The foolish virgins did not have enough oil and their lamps went out. They were not prepared. They slumbered, they slept, they became lax in their waiting for the bridegroom. Their connection and their communion with their bridegroom was void and on empty. They had no oil. Now they wanted a quick fix. "Give us some of your oil" they told the wise virgins. They thought they could conveniently ride the coat tails of the wise virgins in requesting the use of some of their oil. But the wise virgins being wise as they were said "NO."
We are all accountable for ourselves to be ready for Christ's return. No one can ride someone else's coat tails into the chamber room of Christ (the bridegroom). To be His Bride ready and prepared takes having an intimate relationship in communion with Him for your own sake by and through the power of His Holy Spirit in your own life.
Always be ready and prepared. Keep filled with the oil of His Holy Spirit. Watch therefore for ye know neither the day nor the hour wherein the son of man cometh. The wise virgins had plenty of oil in their lamps.
Are you filled with the Holy Spirit? Is the Light of Christ/His Word, His love, His Truth burning brightly in your life? To know God's Word, and to know His Son Christ Jesus His Spirit must live within us. Our communion with God only comes through the Holy Spirit of Christ Jesus in us. Christ Jesus in us the hope of glory. If you are not filled with the Holy Spirit your light is not burning, which means that there is no communion/connection with Christ in your life. Don't be like the foolish virgins that was not prepared and came to late knocking on the Bridegroom's door only to hear Him say, "I know you not." If you have His Spirit you will be known by Him and will know Him and to know Him is to love Him and love Him is to know Him!
The Spirit and the Bridegroom say COME. The Spirit and the Bridegroom is calling to His Bride. Don't close your ears and eyes to His calling. AWAKE! Bride of Christ. May you long to know Him more intimately through the power of His Spirit and be filled, ready, and prepared for His coming!

JESUS is the WORD

I hear this much to often, "I believe in Jesus, I'm a Christian." But when it comes to the Word many will say, "Oh! that's not for today and you can't believe everything you read in there". Wait a minute now, maybe you don't understand, Jesus and the Word are One, and they cannot be separated for you see JESUS IS THE WORD! So how can you say that you believe in Jesus but not the Word? How can you say that you are a Christian (meaning Christ within) and not believe what the Word of God says?

Jn.1:1- In the beginning was the WORD and the WORD was with God, and the WORD was God.
Jn.1:14- And the WORD was "made flesh" and "dwelt among us", (and we beheld His glory, the glory of the ONLY BEGOTTEN of the Father), full of grace and Truth.
Jn.3:16- For God so loved the world that He gave His ONLY BEGOTTEN Son that whosoever believeth in Him shall not perish but have everlasting life.

Do you see the similarities in those verses. If you truly believe in Jesus then you will believe the Word, because they are the same. I am not being judgemental nor am I condemning anyone I am only sharing God's Word and what it says. I am truly concerned for those who call themselves Christian but toss the Word aside. And sadly many throw parts of the Bible out just so they can continue living a life in sin, because it's easier that way and they don't feel convicted. The Bible says that we are to examine ourselves to see if we are truly in Christ or not. How do we do this you may ask? Well, by simply believing in Jesus/The Word, and believing that He/Jesus and He/The Word is indeed Truth and for us to live by. Jesus/Word is the Way the Truth and the Life.

Sometimes I think it is easier to grasp truths in poetry. So I have a poem to share concerning this subject.

JESUS IS THE WORD

We have lifted our voices and your Truth we proclaim

We have even loved others in Jesus mighty name

But hearts are so cold and hardened to thee

That your Word they reject and from their sins they won't flee

Oh! they say they believe and on your Word they do stand

But when put to the test they fulfill their own plan

They walk their own path and justify their sin

As if your Word means nothing and doesn't pertain to them

They honor you with their lips, just words that is all

For their heart is far from you and to the world they do call

What's going to be sad, is on that final day

When they come knocking at your door and you turn them away

"Depart from me" those words will ring true,

"You workers of iniquity for you I never knew"

"For me to know you and you to truly know me

A love for my Word must be your heart's plea"

"I cannot know you if you toss my Word to the side

For you see it's in me (MY WORD) you abide"

"It's my Spirit that binds us (my Word in your heart)

Which brings us together and never apart"

"For I am the Word and Jesus Christ is my name

And we cannot be separated for we are ONE in the same."

Tamela Greenwell

Been thinking about some things

I have been thinking about some things, so I thought I would share with you some of my thoughts. Maybe you might have some insight or revelation that you can share with me.

I've been thinking about Jesus and when He was in the garden praying and He asked the disciples to keep watch with Him but they all fell asleep instead. Each time when Jesus returned from praying He would find the disciples sleeping soundly. He asked them, "could you not watch with me for one hour?" Jesus was going through a very stressful time so much that while He was praying He was sweating great drops of blood. There is medical/scientific name for this condition which can indeed happen when someone is under a great amount of stress. I can't think of the medical term for this right now, I will search it out, but if you know what it is please let me know. Here is the one time that Jesus really needed some support and only for one hour, but they all fell asleep on Him. Evidently the disciples didn't seem to take this as more important than getting their sleep. If you have a servant's heart then you might be able to relate a little to the heart of Jesus and His desire for them to keep watch with Him. Jesus said that whoever is chief among you will be servant of all. True servants are leaders, they will support, lead, guide, protect, comfort, encourage, stand alongside and help carry the burdens of others, they will sacrifice their own comforts for the comfort of another. Others may perceive a true servant as a strong independent leader who doesn't need the support/comfort or encouragement from others, but this is far from the truth! If anyone needs to be comforted at times it is those who have a servant's heart. Why does it seem that when a servant is in time of need and or in distress everyone that he has served has now gone to sleep on him? They might think to themselves, "he will be alright, after all he is strong and will be fine." Even though the servant has specified his need for some comfort and support they will ignore him and continue to do what they desire for themselves. Jesus in all of His love and grace didn't hold this against the disciples but only questioned their lack of concern for Him. This made me sad as I thought about Christ's love for the disciples but their lack of concern for Him. That is one thing that I have been thinking about. What are your thoughts on this?

Here is something else that I have been thinking about. "Being still" in other words having a peace of mind and not fretting about things and placing our trust in God for our lives. After all the praying, asking and wondering why, doesn't there come a time when we just need to be still before the Lord and know without doubt that He has heard our prayers and knows our condition and now the time has come to trust Him with our lives? What are your thoughts?

More thoughts: Have you ever wondered what the future holds for your own personal life here in this world? Have you often wondered if things are going to get better or if things are going to get worse? And if things are only to get worse then why must the misery here be prolonged, what good does it do? Maybe it keeps our hope and desire alive to long for a better home? Even if things were grandiose here I truly believe that I would still be a witness of a better home and a far better place to come. Whether things are bad or whether things are good I still know and realize that there is a far better place that I will one day call home and I will continue to tell others of this place as well. So why am I still here? This brings me to my next question of thought. Is perhaps the only reason we are still here is because we are a benefit to others in being a witness of Christ Jesus? So if I stop making myself available to others as to be a witness or helper of some sort would I then be taken out of this world?  What are your thoughts?

Some more thoughts. I don't understand why many people/Christians will say that it takes suffering for them to draw close to the Lord. What this says to me is that they are only drawing close to the Lord when they are in need of something. Isn't this selfish of them, because when things are going well they say that they do not draw close to the Lord, but as soon as things take a turn for the worse  they begin to draw close to the Lord. How does this make the Lord feel? Shouldn't we be praising, thanking and drawing close to the Lord when things are going well? If my children didn't rejoice in my goodness toward them and thank me for my love and grace in the joys of life, this would make me feel very sad, because after all I enjoy seeing them rejoicing in my love and gifts of blessings. If they only came to me when things were bad this would make me feel used. I would desire them to come to me in the midst of their heartaches of course but not to forget me in the midst of their joys. What are your thoughts?

Well that's about it, there are some of the things that I have been thinking about, give me your thoughts.

Chasing Rabbits

In Arizona are some of the biggest Jack rabbits that I have ever seen. For the life of me I cannot figure out what they eat around here that makes them grow so big. You will see them running around in the open fields where only scrub grows. I am assuming that must be what they eat, and we have plenty of that so maybe this is why they are so big!

We have one of those fields right across the street from our house and everyday we take our dog Frissee over there for her daily run. When we ask her if she's ready to go chase a rabbit, she knows exactly what we are talking about and she gets all excited with anticipation in hopes of seeing the rabbit. Of course she could never catch one, they are super fast and would leave her in the dust every time. That doesn't matter to Frissee though she just enjoys seeing the rabbit and getting the opportunity to chase it a little while. The rabbit is a master escape artist, it will zigzag while it is running and then before you can blink an eye it has made a hard turn and off it goes disappearing into the brush. It is so funny watching Frissee, just as she is going full throttle seeming to be on the rabbits heals, bam it turns hard and Frissee will begin to slow down and then stand there puzzled wondering where in the world did that rabbit go? LOL!

My animals have taught me so many life lessons, especially my dogs, it is amazing how they excitingly anticipate each new day. Even though Frissee has never caught the rabbit that doesn't matter to her, after all it was a great chase and she will sport herself as if she has accomplished the greatest joy of the day. What makes her excitement for the chase even more amazing to me is that most of the time when we take her to the field we never even get to see the rabbit. Weeks even months can go by before she gets to see the rabbit again. But that doesn't matter to Frissee because she anticipates each day as if she will get to chase the rabbit, and sometimes her anticipation pays off. Each day Frissee will enter that field with expectations that today will be the day of the "CHASE"

Watching Frissee made me do some self-examination. Do I look forward to each new day with excitement and anticipation of what the day has in store? What if that prayer still isn't answered? What if today isn't the day of that financial blessing? What if I don't get to chase the rabbit today? Do I still make the best of the day as my dog Frissee does? Did I still rejoice in the day? Did I decide to just give up hope today and never hope again? Afterall it has been weeks, months, maybe even years and there has been no rabbits to chase. No adventure, nothing has changed. It is still the status quo or even worse!

Do you find yourself growing weary and losing heart? I have at times. But I am reminded of scriptures to Hope thou in God, to not grow weary in well doing for you will reap if you faint not, and that His plans for me are good.

Do you know that our hope should go beyond this world? Really now, just think about that for a moment. Our Hope should go beyond this world but a lot of times we can't seem to see past what is in front of us. We limit our hope by keeping it held close to our hearts to only be used for here and now. When we can look beyond this world and hold hope in our heart for the eternal things a supernatural peace and rest will invade our souls, because at this point we will begin to see that the suffering that we go through here is nothing to be compared to the glorious day that awaits us. Understanding that will lift the heavy burden of this world off your shoulders! (Come unto me all ye that are weary and heavy laden and I will give you rest)

When we can get a glimpse of the finish line and the reward that awaits us it makes the chase an enjoyable one. And unlike chasing rabbits this chase will end with apprehending the goal! So in the meantime may we anticipate each new day with great expectations!

1 Cor. 15:19 If we who are [abiding] in Christ have hope only in this life and that is all, then we are of all people most miserable and to be pitied.

The Harder the Times the Closer He Gets!

The Harder the Times the Closer He Gets
James McDonald
Consequently, he is able to save to the uttermost those who draw near to God through him, since he always lives to make intercession for them. For it was indeed fitting that we should have such a high priest, holy, innocent, unstained, separated from sinners, and exalted above the heavens. He has no need, like those high priests, to offer sacrifices daily, first for his own sins and then for those of the people, since he did this once for all when he offered up himself. - Hebrews 7:25-27When you're going through hardship, or when you're heavyhearted and burdened, God rolls up His sleeves and moves toward you like at no other time. When you are His child, He is with you in a way that is different from what an unbeliever experiences. The harder the days get, the closer He moves in.
Sometimes it feels like God backs away from you when you hit hard times, but that's not true. It doesn't matter if you see Him working. It doesn't matter if you feel any differently. It's the truth—God is right there with you.
Psalm 34:18 says, "The LORD is near to the brokenhearted and saves the crushed in spirit." Is your heart breaking today? God is rushing toward you. He stands with you in the fire.
Scripture assures us that Jesus Himself is praying for you. This minute. Hebrews 7:25 makes this amazing statement: "Consequently, [Jesus] is able to save to the uttermost those who draw near to God through him, since he always lives to make intercession for them." Jesus lives to intercede for you. Amazing! Before you ever kneel down to pour out your heart to God, Jesus Christ has already called out to His Father on your behalf. Even before you ask, He knows from firsthand contact what you need—because He's with you.
I remember this quote from my college years: "If you could hear the Lord praying for you in the next room, you would not fear a thousand enemies."Right where you are this moment, think of the Lord Jesus as in the next room, on His knees in front of the couch or a chair. His nail-pierced hands are held out and He's lifting you and your need to His Father. He knows your exact situation. He's asking His Father to "Give her strength, Lord." "Give him wisdom, God." "Give them patience. They're going to wreck it on their own, Lord. Give them faith that will overcome their fear!"
It's an incredible assertion throughout Scripture that Jesus Christ is not only with you, He's actually interceding for you. With even more assurance, you can be certain that God listens when His Son is praying!

Doubt-vs-Faith

I received a devotional written by James McDonald via e-mail and thought it worthy to share.

Doubt vs. Faith
James McDonald
Hebrews 11:6 Without faith it is impossible to please [God]. Christians don't generally set out to doubt God. They don't bring their faith into question without reason. For most of us, life's pain simply catches us off guard. The reality of hardship trips us up. We spiral fast when we're left on our own to entertain doubting questions and stir our circular reasoning--or even worse, when we're left alone in the company of other doubters or bitter people.
Someone has said that doubt is cancer of the soul. Like a machete to your garden, and like a match to your house, doubt is the toxin that eats away at the fabric of the most important thing about you--what you believe about God.
However, if in times of doubt we take our questions directly to the Lord, our faith increases. God's Word and God's character can stand under the most microscopic scrutiny. When you say, I don't know exactly what God is doing, but I know He's doing something for my good -- that's the unseen evidence of trusting Him. Don't feel foolish waiting upon God to meet your needs. I certainly don't. God has proven Himself faithful to keep His promises.
Doubt is a lack of confidence or assurance that God will keep His promises. Faith is an active confidence in God. Faith is substance. Faith is evidence. Faith is the power of a vibrant spiritual life. In fact, "without faith it is impossible to please him" (Hebrews 11:6).So is "having faith" the important thing in life? Contrary to the opinion of a lot of sincere people--no. Faith for faith's sake doesn't go anywhere. Faith doesn't have any magic. Faith in itself doesn't save you; it can't help you; it doesn't give you anything you need to overcome trials. But faith is the thing that gets you to God -- and not faith in His promises, but faith in Him.I love the song we sing as a church called, "All Things Are Possible." A while back, a man came to me and said, "You know that 'all things are possible' song? People just get too rowdy when they sing that song. If you don't stop singing that song, I'm going to have to leave the church." And I was sorry to see him go. I don't think any of our problems are that we're too fired up about the promises of God as it relates to our faith. I don't think God looks down on us and says, "Tsk, tsk, tsk, you guys are just a little too excited about Me."
Put your doubts aside. All things are possible in Christ. Oh loved ones, if we would lay hold, even for a moment, of all that He would like to do for us if we would just believe Him.