JanMary

1. I think it starts with early childhood training to take responsibility for ourselves and our work, and to have a good work ethic we are to work hard. (All of that good and necessary for development into responsible adults) But it can become a matter of pride and that "can-do" spirit that we are strong or intelligent or self sufficient or ambitious or all of those which when carried into our Christian faith becomes a stumbling block of efforts in the flesh producing "wood, hay and stubble" to be burned up in the Kingdom. 2 and 3. To me it means when I surrender my efforts or assignments to Him, His Spirit supplies the might and power to accomplish kingdom purposes, I show up and participate and do what He asked for my part, and He gets the glory for the successful outcome and somehow in His grace a reward awaits me in Heaven for what He accomplished! Amazing! Just a note re: the flying banner: I remember a Christian television ministry sharing in amazement that after they launched a satellite to carry the gospel to the nations they realized after the fact that the satellite had the exact same measurement as this flying scroll in the Bible. The Lord is always at work amazing us with His details.

1. Sin, Iniquity, lifestyle, character. 2. God (The Angel of the Lord, the Pre-incarnate Christ) rebuked Satan, the accuser of the brethren who was accusing Joshua and who accuses us before God's throne. He then had those around Joshua take away his filthy garments, then said "I have caused your iniquity to pass from you and will clothe you with rich apparel. He called Joshua a "brand plucked from the fire"....or a rescued or "saved one" God Himself rescued or pulled from the fire. (hell) 3. We cannot remove our own sin or provide our own righteousness. God Himself must put a clean "turban" (helmet of salvation) and a" robe of righteousness" on us, which He alone can provide through the sacrifice of His Son. He is a God of forgiveness and restoration. 4. It may mean to confess their sins one to another (James 5:16), since Joshua was surrounded by those who could assist in his restoration. If so, his sin is not swept under the rug, is repented of and confessed to those who can pray for him and encourage him and hold him accountable in the fellowship of Christian brothers or sisters, where we are all on equal ground at the foot of the cross.

1. He is a HOLY GOD...stop. Close your mouth. Quiet your minds. Stand in silent AWE and WONDER! There are no words to describe our magnificent and Holy God! He has arisen. Watch now and see that He is on the move. 2. He is the ONLY ONE Who has anything to say. Our speculation is of no value. Watch in silence as our Mighty God moves on our behalf! 3. That awesome and fearful silence just before the storm breaks over their heads. That pause after loud peals of thunder while the seconds pass before lightening strikes It represents their defeat and powerlessness over the King of the Universe. 4. Awe, respect, devotion. A position of openness to Him and to what He has to say or to convey. When He tells me to be still it's to KNOW THAT HE IS GOD. The first time He said that to me, I took that promise from Psalms 46:10 "Let be, and Be still and know that I AM GOD" one phrase at a time to see what He was asking of me. LET BE: Stop and leave everything that concerns you and that you are thinking and doing. Lay it at MY feet. SURRENDER to ME. . BE STILL: Cease the chatter and confusion in your mind. Close your eyes and shut out the world around you and FOCUS on ME. Quiet your body to stillness. Listen to what I AM about to say. AND KNOW: Evaluate: Do you truly believe that I AM in control of EVERYTHING? Do you truly TRUST ME? Is there anything hindering you from hearing ME? Acknowledge what you believe! THAT I AM GOD: I AM SOVEREIGN. I LIVE IN YOU. I AM FOR YOU. I AM YOUR SHIELD AND STRONG TOWER. I HAVE YOUR BACK. I LOVE YOU. NOTHING CAN TOUCH YOU WITHOUT MY PERMISSION. NOW REST IN ME AND I WILL TAKE CARE OF YOU AND WILL PERFECT THAT WHICH CONCERNS YOU.

1. We cannot truly follow Jesus and try to straddle the fence with sin. We will not or cannot truly be born again unless we admit that we are sinners in need of a Savior. Sin is what separates us from God, before we are born again, and if we continue "winking" at our sinful ways after we come to Jesus we erect a barrier of fear, guilt and condemnation which destroys intimacy and fellowship with Him. He desires an honest relationship with us...not a fake plastic one with a nod in His direction while in church. 2. To remove repentance from the core message of Jesus, is to nullify the purpose Jesus came to live, die for our sins, be resurrected and return to the Father and to send the Holy Spirit to live in us. Christianity isn't a club or secret society or religion we join so we look and feel acceptable and accepted. It is a full on dive into the deep end of the pool of His love and shed blood, recognizing that without doing so, we are on a fast track to an eternity in hell. To remove repentance from the Gospel makes for an empty, feel good, heretical and false religion like all the rest of them which abound. 3. Known sin which persists without repentance causes shame and guilt which results in a huge blockage in our relationship with Him, and most likely in our other relationships. I love the verses which tell us to make straight the highways of our hearts for Him. It's a visual "picture" for me. Known sin puts up a "ROAD BLOCK...DO NOT ENTER" for Him. DIVIDED HIGHWAY signs tell Him we have other priorities which don't include Him. DIP IN THE ROAD tells Him we're needing to be comforted or carried through a difficult or low time. DETOUR signs tell Him to take a hike. THROUGH TRAFFIC signs welcome His full participation in our heart and life. ROAD NARROWS AHEAD: Tells Him we're slowing down to spend more time with just Him to focus on His Word and to meditate on it. While NO U TURN signs tell Him we acknowledge His promise to never leave us nor forsake us and we are a straight way for Him to travel in and through us wherever He wants to take us.

1. This is encouragement for that time and also prophecy for the distant future. Telling Zerubbabel that he is God's chosen signet ring declares that through him God will renew His Covenant through David's line to Messiah. It was a powerful declaration of Zerubbabel's place and authority to continue rebuilding the temple with the knowledge that God was with him to complete the work. 2. A signet ring signifies delegated authority to act on behalf of the one who gives the ring. (As in Pharaoh's signet ring to Joseph which empowered him to "act as if" he were pharaoh himself in nearly every respect.) The authority to have dominion over every thing on earth which was given to Adam and Eve, and was then forfeited by their fall into sin and disobedience, (bringing in diseases, poverty, strife, pain, loss and death) was reclaimed through Jesus' death and resurrection. The original dominion is now given to the saints....God's born again sons and daughters. 3. As I listen to His Spirit, I'm enabled, encouraged and authorized to go and do and say and pray whatever He gives me to say, do, pray and, go on His behalf in obedience to His leading and direction. What privilege has been given to us as His sons and daughters to be able to act on His behalf with His authority and without fear of our enemy! 4. The Holy Spirit has "marked me" as God's own daughter, and delegated His authority to me to pray in Jesus' Name and to declare His Word, lay hands on the sick, to drive out demons (Mark 3:15) and to minister to whomever He sends me as I listen to His Spirit, making disciples for Him or however He directs me. He has delegated His authority to flow through whichever gifts He chooses to manifest through me to others, be it prophecy, encouragement, evangelism, mercy, service, administration, teaching, and so on. (Romans 12) The gifts of manifestation are available to every believer as Holy Spirit works in the moment through each of us as we yield to Him.

1. Rebellion, intentional stubborn unrepentant sin. Indulging in behavior which our culture embraces which dishonors our Lord. 2. The danger is denial which blinds us to the truth that His blood alone makes us holy! But discipline by our loving Father, will bring us out of denial that "good works somehow negate sin" and through His kindness will lead us to repentance. (He poured out all of His wrath for sin on Jesus on the cross, so that His children need not fear His anger. If discipline is needed He will do that in love, not anger) (Rom 2:4) Are you unmindful that God's kindness is intended to lead you to repent, to change your mind and inner man to accept God's will?" I'm reminded of John 2:21 in that church "work" or any work done in wrong motivation is wood, hay and stubble to be burned up as chaff when our works are judged, rather than what we do in the light which is "wrought with God "divinely prompted, done with God's help and in dependence upon Him." 3. Acknowledge the sin, confess it to the Lord and for accountability, to another believer. (James 5:16) Confess your sins one to another and pray for one another. (This brings us all together at the foot of the cross...equal in our need for Him and for forgiveness as we extend grace to one another.)

1. God said to "be strong, alert and courageous." 2. He said: "For I AM with you" says the Lord of hosts. 3. The very same words comfort and encourage me if I panic when hit with a fiery dart from the enemy. 4. To implement them I would read them, and write them on a piece of paper to keep handy...memorize them. And quote them aloud like a prescription, "as needed." I remember from a Beth Moore study on "Breaking Free", that the lies we've believed which beset us are like "wallpaper on our minds." We need to change the wallpaper by replacing it with the truth of Gods' Word, in order to tear down the stronghold. She said in really serious times she carried a notecard with scripture verses in her purse and had been seen reading them aloud as she grocery shopped. I've never done that, but I did ask the Lord to give me specific scriptures for each of the many strongholds I discovered during the study, wrote them in a little notebook (which I still keep handy because strongholds can be STRONG and can crop up when we're not expecting them to) and I read the scripture "prescription" He gave me during that time. I've also been learning about tearing down strongholds! 5. This verse isn't one that I'd written down but now have it handy to deal with a lie I was told as a child regarding health, which just cropped up to terrify me. When fear or real discouragement come, my default mindset goes back to when I was very young and " I was all alone, with no one to help me and I had no resources." Just the reminder in WRITING, I AM with you, comforts me and reminds me that what was true back then, is no longer true now that I'm His beloved daughter.

I partly answered this in Q1 in the words He whispered to me this week, having not read this first. But to enlarge on reasons for hardship that I've experienced: To teach and to train me in righteousness, to weave Perseverance into my life, to lead me in paths of righteousness, to shape my will to His will, to crucify my flesh and refocus my priorities to His priorities. He "tests" our character and our faith in order to strengthen both. His tests are always pass or retake, until He's satisfied that we are growing in faith, character and obedience. His desire is for me to be dependent upon Him in order to fulfill His plans, purpose and destiny for me.....and waiting, temporary lack, and hard circumstances drive me to Him to supply "all my need according to His riches in glory in Christ Jesus." And as Charles Spurgeon said so eloquently God shapes His soldiers (of the cross) through hard marches, deprivation, and sleeping on hard ground, not on feather mattresses then goes on to say that most of his own shaping has been through God's tool box of hammer, chisel, and rough file. I can relate to his wisdom and words and agree, and appreciate all of the time and love He takes in perfecting us as He conforms us into the image of Christ. (Phil 1:6 and Romans 8:28 & 29) The Lord showed Joseph his destiny in 2 dreams when he was 17, but before he could be trusted with all that was planned for his future, he was "chiseled and hammered and filed" when he was thrown into the dry well, betrayed by his jealous brothers, sold on the auction block of slavery, lied about by Mrs. Potiphar, years in prison, forgotten and bound by chains "until the iron had entered into his soul" (Psalm 105) and his character brought glory to his God. Then he was ready to be second in command to Pharaoh in Egypt. 1 Peter 1:7, ESV: "so that the tested genuineness of your faith—more precious than gold that perishes though it is tested by fire—may be found to result in praise and glory and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ."

1. Interesting Question. I just asked Him because I have no idea. I am serving Him deliberately and joyfully. My life has been filled with grief and tragedy and sadness. Perhaps that is why He almost daily speaks words of comfort, love and tenderness to me. This week as I read my devotions and chapters in John, and some psalms I wrote down the things he whispered: I AM: supplying you with one grace upon another, spiritual blessing upon spiritual blessing, favor upon favor, and gift heaped upon gift. (John 1:16) I AM: always welcoming you to come into My Presence joyfully and confidently. I AM: Preparing you to receive as much joy and love as you can hold! I Am: Growing you under the load of your cross. My cross is to lean on, not to stumble you or cast you down. I Am: Drawing you close to ripen your wisdom, deepen your peace, increase your courage, augment your power in order to increase your service to others. I AM: Shaping your hard times to be healing times. I AM: Pleased when even the most routine part of your day becomes an act of worship. I AM: Perfecting that which concerns you. (Psalm138:8) I AM: enlarging you by the binding of sorrows chain. One day when I felt defeated, He whispered : I AM your biggest fan and cheerleader. What a wonderful, tender and loving Father He is Who has chosen us and gifted us to His Son Who loves us so much that He gave up Heaven to come down and die for each of us in order to give us back to His Father as His love gift! We are held tightly in His arms in that circle of love.

1. Repentance for me means acknowledging my sin, asking the Lord for forgiveness, and with the conviction to "turn around" & change sinful behavior ...to go in a "different direction" (In the Old Testament I would have to provide my own sacrifice and take it to be killed by the priest to cover my sin, and in some cases I would have to kill the animal or bird myself, whereas the blood of Jesus REMOVES my sin, continuously so that I now live in a state of continuous grace) 2. Separation for me means that I love the people but abstain from their culture, mores and pursuits, instead following in Jesus' footsteps according to His Word and the grace He has given me. It means I'm not bound by political correctness which says that "we can't talk about our faith because someone may be offended". When I feel the leading of Holy Spirit, I'm free to follow His lead rather than society's rules. Jesus called us to "invade" enemy territory, but the enemy has instead "invaded" the Church until it's so watered down with political correctness that we are impotent and irrelevant in today's world. 3. Communion: This changed my life when I learned this: In Bible times the father of the groom chose his bride. At the marriage supper, the father would rise and holding a cup of wine, would ask "Son, do you take the bride I've chosen for you?" If he said "Yes, I will take her" they would drink from the 3rd cup of redemption. Then the couple would go through a promise ceremony at the brides' house where they officially became betrothed or married. Then the groom went home and prepared and built a house for them. The father, when he saw that his son had prepared a place said "Son, go and get your bride" He would surprise her so she had to be always ready and watching for him to come for her. (type of the rapture when the trumpet is blown and He will call His bride to come to His house.)Then they went to the father's house and celebrated the consummation of the marriage for 7 days. with a huge celebration with friends and family.(type of the Marriage supper of the Lamb after the bride is raptured celebrated in Heaven for 7 years while the tribulation is poured out upon the earth and all who rejected His gift of salvation) The third cup of redemption is the type and shadow of Communion. The father chose us before the foundation of the world and gave us to His Son as His love gift. In the fullness of time Holy spirit wooed us and introduced us to the Son, Jesus, Who when we said "Yes!" redeemed us with His blood and gave us back to His Father as His love gift. (John 14 &17) We have been redeemed and the cup reminds us of all He has done to rescue and bring us into His family...It's a time of deep gratitude! Communion to me now, is usually teary as I remember that Jesus said "Yes" to His Father Who chose me. When I drink the cup I do so in gratitude that Jesus paid the bride price in His precious shed blood to purchase me back from the devil, and I'm saying "Yes, I'm yours and You are mine. Thank you that I am now pure, cleansed and holy through your sacrifice". The bread represents Jesus' body which was broken, whipped, torn, abused and pierced for me that my body is" healed by His stripes" (Isaiah 53) (Remembrance of His provision to make me whole and restored. I believe the crown of thorns pressed into His scalp was blood shed specifically for healing my mind and emotions. Communion is a celebration of worship and remembrance of all that He has done and continues to do for me each day...a time of rejoicing and gratitude) 4. Because I'm righteous and holy in His sight according to His Word, my service is rendered in that spirit...surrendered to Him and with the desire that He will be glorified. (If I wait till I "feel" holy I'm not sure how much service would be accomplished through me on some days.)

1. I was really thinking about this question because I'm one who is easily discouraged! Then I remembered that Perseverance is a fruit of the Spirit...and that it is only cultivated through long, painful trials and testing. Since it takes years to become woven into a believers life, the "in between" years are vulnerable to discouragement and "a fainting spirit and "weakening knees" that Isaiah speaks about. I think some of us are more easily discouraged than others based on how we were nurtured (or not, as in my case) in childhood. If children are encouraged and reassured when facing a daunting situation they have more resilience than those who are left on their own to struggle through life. Children who grow up in a Christian home with love and support seem more likely to thrive when challenged in life. I came late to faith, but my Heavenly Father is a wonderful cheerleader, champion and advocate for me! We're facing daunting situations on several fronts right now. Just last night my "knees were weakening" and my spirit was sinking in discouragement (in spite of the hundreds of times He has faithfully delivered us and provided for us!!!). I asked "What would you say to me tonight Papa?" Before I finished the sentence I heard "I am perfecting that which concerns you" Immediately I was reassured, courage returned, and peace prevailed. 2. I can only imagine what the characteristics are for this question, because though having much faith in many situations, I'm lacking "robust faith" in impossible situations, but I'm so thankful for the One who holds me up and walks with me in my weaknesses and Who has promised to see me safely Home one day. Jesus is a "weakness magnet"....coming in like a flood to support us with His strength and power. How I thank you Jesus for your faithful love and care and that when I am weak, you are ALWAYS strong and ALWAYS available to uphold me, ALWAYS loving me unconditionally! (I just saw In my minds eye, a picture of a mother cat carrying her kitten in her mouth. That's how I feel sometimes...that He carries me by the scruff of my neck to a safe place.

1. The church we're now attending experienced this co-opting years ago. The Holy Spirit was welcomed into what had become "dry" ground. When He showed up and worship became true worship (versus just singing a few catchy choruses) 200 people said "We're outta here! We like the old" (code for dead, plastic, totally preplanned with a printed bulletin scripting exactly what to expect at every moment). Those 200 had gradually co-opted the church over time, filling key positions...deacons, elders, teachers....and their voice and opinions drove out several pastors, before the new one came in with the desire to allow Holy Spirit freedom, (not chaos because Holy Spirit does not create confusion, but people can be "messy" when they experience His Presence). The "old guard" wanted the comfort of control (major symptom of dysfunction and deadly in all relationships, including and especially in church). After they left in anger and hostility, the church suffered and struggled but eventually recovered but with scars. 2. Innovation must follow the leading of Holy Spirit, and the guidance of scripture. Paul had great advice for handling the unruly and selfish Corinthians who were babes in the faith and had no idea how to worship and participate in this new thing called CHURCH. If innovation leans toward gratifying flesh it's on the wrong track. Too much innovation in another local church is a leader in this gratification. A large coffee shop with large T.V. screens is adjacent to their sanctuary where one can "view" the service while chatting and enjoying a latte and snack with feet up on another chair, as voyeurs rather than participants in "worship" . This "stuff" has almost wiped out reverence for the Lord in our day in many churches. Another church we visited while searching for a church in the area, actually had one of those crystal balls on the ceiling which rotated and sparkled when the lights were dimmed. The bulletin said This is what to expect at our church: Someone will come out and welcome you, then there will be loud music, someone else will come out and give a talk, and when you see people leaving you'll know it's time to leave. It had a night club atmosphere with coffee and donuts brought into the service (lots of coffee stains on the carpet...) Surprisingly there were quite a few in attendance. We were not greeted or welcomed and no one spoke to us during our one time only visit. Their website said they feature: "Intentional fellowship" whatever that means, but showed lots of people gathered around various tables eating. I can't recall who the wise person was who said something to the effect of: "Whatever is used to attract them must continue in order to keep them". Gratifying the flesh may attract some but the flesh is never satisfied and always wants more and more, so here we are in many churches today with no idea what a disciple is, what true worship is, what holiness means, the importance of God's Word in each life, what reverent awe of the Lord is, and political correctness has replaced Christian love.

1. I'm growing in worship but no, it's not what I want it to be. I love worship in the congregation! I love worship music. I spend several hours every morning studying and praying. The other morning I heard "I'm the gate. I Open with worship and praise". On my own I don't usually sing praises. I keep a gratitude journal and write what I'm thankful for every day....but it can become just getting the check mark in the box of things to do, as I was reminded this morning when I read Psalm 100:4: Be thankful AND SAY SO TO HIM...(amplified) So that's my challenge for now. To not just write what I'm thankful for, but to stop and "bless and affectionately praise His Name" (the rest of V 4) I know that's just one part of worship, but for some reason it doesn't come as naturally, as I'd like it to be. 12/2/19 (forgot I did this study...so here's where I am 2 years later: I've learned that Silence before Him is worship (Ps 46:10 "Be still and KNOW that I Am God". Obedience is worship. (Those were totally new ideas for me!) I do those fairly well. My new prayer is from Hebrews 1:9 to be "Anointed with the oil of extravagant Joy and gladness!" My childhood was enforced stoicism...we were not allowed to show emotion. No crying, no silliness, (so no childish laughter) We had to act like zombies, for the most part) So when I read Hebrews 1:9 I realized that the stifled emotions had left a part of me crippled...When something wonderful happens all I've felt is a pressure in my chest....so I went forward for prayer on Sunday for this anointing so the joy can be felt and released as praise/thanks to my Abba Father! I experienced jolts of Holy Spirit electricity all over my body, so I know my emotions have been set free. Right after the prayer, someone I've been praying would find an excellent job after nearly a year of unemployment, came and told me he found a wonderful job! I started to cry tears of joy! Then a lady I prayed for a month or so ago, came and said "Holy Spirit let me know to come and tell you that when you prayed for me, a painful hip condition I've had for 9 years was healed! I've joined a gym!" This time I felt the exultant joy and gladness !!! Thank you Lord for a new and delightful healing in me, and a new joy in worship!

1 a. God touched the heart of Cyrus first to set them free to leave, and then touched others with a longing to go. Those not touched by God, had no desire to leave with the others. b. I think the ones who returned had a pioneer spirit, a sense of adventure, and a passion to see their homeland and temple restored and the wall rebuilt. They may have been more devout in the faith and possessed that "Can Do" attitude. Those who stayed behind were content and settled in for the long haul. They probably had a love for the land and farming and had no desire to start over from scratch. The "Bird in the hand is better than two in the bush" mentality. Stick with what is known and familiar. (The former sound like the brave missionaries of modern times, willing to leave family, home and country to go across the world to preach the gospel.) I don't have that pioneer spirit, but 50 years ago the Lord answered a prayer for me regarding a job for my husband. I wasn't born again, and prayed: "God if you're there...." Three weeks later a job opportunity had come "out of the blue" and we were packed and moving to another state, with no idea where we would find a place to live, and with our 9 month old baby. I knew that job was answered prayer so it was easy to leave family and all that was familiar. We were young. Now? The Lord would have to do some coaxing to move me. So, age may have played a factor in those who stayed behind...change is more difficult the older we get, and for young parents with very young children it would be daunting to travel in those days. c. Jesus called it "Soil condition"..( believers). Mt.13:3-9. The seed fell on the roadway (hard packed "hearts"), rocky ground (shallow soil lots of other priorities), soil choked with thorns (no room for Jesus and His Lordship), and good soil (whole hearted and open to Jesus). d. As far as non believers, they've rejected His call and gift of salvation and prefer to live the way they want to live without Him. e. A disciple is one who is devoted to Jesus, seeks intimate relationship with Him, is hungry to read, study and learn God's Word, willing to have his/her heart changed to allow the fruit of the Spirit to flourish and to nourish those around him/her, and to reflect Jesus in their lives. One who knows he/she is loved unconditionally, is forgiven, washed clean and wearing His "ermine" robe of righteousness, secure in His strong arms knowing he/she will never be let go or rejected. (good heart soil: surrendered to the Lord's will and call on ones life, and who is a loving ambassador for Jesus....a love letter written on a heart of flesh, not on stone.)