Boat of Life

Boat of Life
by Judy Furniss

"Get in the boat," He said to them.
"Head for the other side."
"Yes, O Lord, we'll go with you,"
Excitedly they cried.

The little boat went sailing on
And Jesus , weary, slept.
A storm arose so powerful
That all the people wept.

"Jesus, don't you care for us?
Please help us lest we drown!
The water's rising in the boat,
The storm winds all around."

Jesus rose; surveyed the lot
To the storm He said,"Be still."
The wind and seas at once were hushed;
The men with wonder filled.

"Who is this Man who speaks a word
And wind and sea obey?"
Oh faithless men! Why did they think?
He did not know their fate?

But we, as they, when storm winds come
Cry out to Him in fear.
We do not put our trust in Him
Though our destination's clear.

He has not promised cloudless days.
He says He will abide.
He'll safely take us through the storm
And to the other side.

Lord, help us to remember that no matter how strong the winds and how fierce the storms, we have only to trust you to hold us in the center of Your will as in the shadow of your wings where we are safe. Amen





Mark 4:35-41 (King James Version)
35And the same day, when the even was come, he saith unto them, Let us pass over unto the other side.
36And when they had sent away the multitude, they took him even as he was in the ship. And there were also with him other little ships.
37And there arose a great storm of wind, and the waves beat into the ship, so that it was now full.
38And he was in the hinder part of the ship, asleep on a pillow: and they awake him, and say unto him, Master, carest thou not that we perish?
39And he arose, and rebuked the wind, and said unto the sea, Peace, be still. And the wind ceased, and there was a great calm.
40And he said unto them, Why are ye so fearful? how is it that ye have no faith?
41And they feared exceedingly, and said one to another, What manner of man is this, that even the wind and the sea obey him?

Down at your feet

MY SWEET DAUGHTER - COME TO THE WELL

Your journey with Me has been so very sweet.
You take My Glory to everyone you meet.

You are My outstretched arms
to show your walk with Me will bring no harm.

You are My voice to console and teach,
You put the hunger in hearts that causes them to seek.

You are My smile that brightens each day.
It gives my message - Come I'll show you the way.

You are My eyes that looks into the heart.
You bring My message of how easy it is for a fresh new start.

You are my ears to listen and to hear.
You show them "walk with Me and have no fear."

You are always ready to accept My Will.
My Spirit is always there for you to fill.

My Glory shines down upon you My precious One.
Every one I place in your path - I can now say "Well Done."

My Daughter, your steps are always beside mine.
Hand in Hand you will be fine.

Sweet One the Well is always there for you - come take your fill.
Rejoyce, refresh and wait upon My Will.

@By Sharon Lambkin

WOMAN AT THE WELL

WOMAN AT THE WELL by Doug Fortune

Now Jacob's well was there... There cometh a woman of Samaria to draw water: Jesus saith unto her, Give me to drink." (John 4:6-7) I believe there's still a 'woman' at the well...

In Biblical symbolism, the 'woman' speaks of the SOUL. Thayers Greek Definitions defines the word most often translated as soul, which is psuche in Greek, as "the seat of the feelings, desires, affections, aversions (our heart, soul etc.)", or as we have so often heard it, the mind, will and emotions. There are also a couple of words translated as 'life' in the New Testament, one of which is psuche in Greek and the other is zoe in Greek. First, let me say that the soul is NOT intrinsically bad. Father gave you your soul! What is bad is when the 'life' that originates from the SOUL dominates the Life that originates from the Spirit, or the 'zoe life'. Jesus said He came to give us Life 'more abundantly', and that Life is the 'zoe life'; "I am come that they might have LIFE (zoe in Greek), and that they might have it more abundantly." (John 10:10)


There is a 'woman' at the well, looking for something deeper, looking for something that will satisfy her thirst. The soul of man knows that there has to be something beyond just the surface of things, something deep that will bring refreshing. However, so often she finds herself at 'Jacob's well'.

Jacob's well is located at the entrance to the valley between Ebal and Gerizim, south-east of Sychar, also called Shechem. Jacob's well still exists today, and even though after much rain it contains a little water, it is now usually quite dry. We can gain some insight from the location of Jacob's well between Ebal and Gerizim; "And thou shalt write upon the stones all the words of this LAW very plainly... Thou shalt therefore obey the voice of the Lord thy God, and do his commandments and his statutes, which I command thee this day. And Moses charged the people the same day, saying, These shall stand upon mount Gerizim to BLESS the people... And these shall stand upon mount Ebal to CURSE..." (Deuteronomy 27:8, 10-13)

Indeed, 'Jacob's well' still stands between 'Ebal and Gerizim', between blessing and cursing based upon religious performance. This religious mentality goes something like this: "If I do enough good stuff for God, maybe I'll be blessed. But I know that He's really waiting for me to mess up, so He can punish me." The book of Hebrews deals with this mentality; "Sacrifice and offering Thou wouldest NOT, but a BODY hast Thou prepared Me... Sacrifice and offering and burnt offerings and offering for sin Thou wouldest not, neither hadst PLEASURE therein; which are offered by the LAW..." (Hebrews 10:5, 8) Father is not interested in a LAW-based relationship based upon performance, rather He is looking for a BODY that is prepared for Him, a mature son that delights to do His will. What Father is looking for is someone who will say, I come to do thy will O God! "Then said he, Lo, I come to do thy will, O God. He taketh away the FIRST, that he may establish the SECOND. By the which will we are sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all." (Hebrews 10:9-10) As we read the context in Hebrews 10:5 ("Sacrifice and offering Thou wouldest NOT, but a BODY hast Thou prepared Me...), verses 9-10 declare plainly that indeed Father is taking away the FIRST- sacrifice and offering, a LAW-based relationship based upon performance. He is establishing the SECOND- a BODY that is prepared for Him, a mature son that delights to do His will. This happens as we gain the understanding that we are sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ ONCE FOR ALL. We are not sanctified based upon our performance, but rather through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ ONCE FOR ALL. My friend, 'Jacob's well' of religious performance is dried up today, you won't find any water there.

We also know that Jacob's well was in a town called Sychar, also called Shechem; "...He arrived at a Samaritan town called Sychar, near the tract of land that Jacob gave to his son Joseph." (John 4:5 Amplified Bible) According to Thayers Greek Definitions the word translated as Sychar means DRUNKEN. 'Jacob's well' is still in 'Sychar'. In Biblical symbolism drunkenness often portrays the religious mentality. The book of the Revelation speaks of this; "And there came one of the seven angels which had the seven vials, and talked with me, saying unto me, Come hither; I will shew unto thee the judgment of the great whore that sitteth upon many waters: With whom the kings of the earth have committed fornication, and the inhabitants of the earth have been made DRUNK with the wine of her fornication... And upon her forehead was a name written, Mystery, Babylon the Great, The Mother of Harlots and Abominations of the Earth. And I saw the woman DRUNKEN with the blood of the saints..." (Revelation 17:1-2, 5-6) Indeed, the 'great whore' sitting upon the many waters of the unregenerate is Babylon, she is 'religion', man's approach to God based upon performance. She makes men drunk and she is drunk with their 'blood', she is drunk with their soulish carnality. When you are drunk, you think you are wonderful and charming when you are not. Drunk people think they can do all sorts of things they are not capable of, perhaps that's why most karaoke happens in bars. Drunkenness produces an illusion that all is well and wonderful when it is not. This is what religion produces as we busy ourselves with our programs and activities, an illusion that all is well and wonderful and that we are making a difference when in reality it is not well and wonderful and we are not making a difference. Perhaps that is why the 'woman' at the well is still thirsting for something deeper...

We don't often read of Jesus being weary, but I do find it of interest that John records, "Now Jacob's well was there. Jesus therefore, being WEARIED with his journey, sat thus on the well: and it was about the sixth hour." (John 4:6) Perhaps this is merely my opinion, but I believe that Jesus is still weary with 'Jacob's well'. "There cometh a woman of Samaria to draw water: Jesus saith unto her, Give me to drink." (John 4:7) You just never know who Father is going to have you ministering to when you are sensitive and obedient. A 'Samaritan woman' is not where most of us would begin our 'church growth' campaign.

Just to give us a bit of the context here, remember that the Samaritans were quite a 'mixed bag' ethnically and not exactly desirable to the Jews; "And the king of Assyria brought men from Babylon, and from Cuthah, and from Ava, and from Hamath, and from Sepharvaim, and placed them in the cities of Samaria instead of the children of Israel: and they possessed Samaria, and dwelt in the cities thereof." (2 Kings 17:24) Upon the return from Babylonian Exile, the Jews refused the Samaritans participation with them in the worship at Jerusalem, so the Samaritans separated from the Jews altogether. The Samaritans even built a rival temple for themselves on Mount Gerizim, although their temple was razed to the ground by a Jewish king in 130 B.C. Also a system of worship was instituted similar to that of the temple at Jerusalem. Therefore the bitter enmity between the Jews and Samaritans continued in the time of Jesus, as it is recorded that "...the Jews have no dealings with the Samaritans." (John 4:9)

It is into this context that Jesus thrusts us as He speaks to the woman saying, "Give me to drink." (John 4:7) The spiritual application for us in this is that we may have to lay down some of our exclusive and judgmental Christianized thinking and start actually asking questions of those who are of different belief than we are. It seems that so often we view unbelievers and those of different spiritual background as threatening. And we certainly wouldn't want to ask them any questions about their beliefs! It's like we are afraid they might talk us into something. We are quick to pull out our Four Spiritual Laws tract and begin our prepared 'evangelism talk'. Perhaps, like Jesus, we need to start asking them, Give me to drink... tell me what is in the 'well' you are drinking from? Granted, many today are drinking from some pretty polluted 'wells' as their spiritual thirst seeks to be satisfied. However we have nothing to fear, for we live in a higher realm, the third heaven, and are not subject to any kind of spiritual influence from the second heaven realm of principalities and powers. The 'woman' at the well is not a threat, she just needs Jesus. Let us make sure we have 'Living Water' to offer her.

I find the next exchange between Jesus and the woman quite enlightening, "Jesus answered and said unto her, If thou knewest the gift of God, and who it is that saith to thee, Give me to drink; thou wouldest have asked of Him, and He would have given thee living water." (John 4:10) Do we really know the Gift of God that is within us, and Who is really speaking to the 'woman' at the well? Let this sink in a moment- If thou knewest the gift of God, and WHO IT IS that saith to thee, Give me to drink...
If it is merely US ministering to the 'woman' at the well, we will have limited results. Now then, there is nothing wrong with memorizing some Scriptures and being prepared, however it cannot merely be US doing the talking! We must understand the Gift of God, the fullness of Christ that is within us, and allow Him to minister THROUGH us. Our words and actions must originate from the Christ within! He is the Hand that does the ministering, we are simply the glove. His are the Words that do the ministering, we are simply the mouthpiece.

We must have it absolutely settled in our hearts exactly WHO we have within us and the extent of His power to minister to the 'woman', for she will surely ask questions; "The woman saith unto him, Sir, thou hast nothing to draw with, and the well is deep: from whence then hast thou that living water? Art thou greater than our father Jacob, which gave us the well, and drank thereof himself, and his children, and his cattle?" (John 4:11-12) In other words the 'woman' at the well may say, You don't necessarily LOOK like anything special, what makes you so sure that what you have is greater than what I already have? Our response is to be the same as the Master's response, "Jesus answered her, All who drink of this water will be thirsty again. But whoever takes a drink of the water that I will give him shall never, no never, be thirsty any more. But the water that I will give him shall become a spring of water welling up (flowing, bubbling) [continually] within him unto (into, for) eternal life." (John 4:13-14 Amplified Bible) This response cannot merely be a declaration of doctrine, an announcement of our mental ascent to a spiritual concept... it must flow from our life EXPERIENCE. The 'woman' at the well can see through our religious veils, she is looking for something REAL and experiential.

I love the way that Jesus then begins to speak prophetically into the woman's life; "Jesus saith unto her, Go, call thy husband, and come hither. The woman answered and said, I have no husband. Jesus said unto her, Thou hast well said, I have no husband: For thou hast had five husbands; and he whom thou now hast is not thy husband: in that saidst thou truly. The woman saith unto him, Sir, I perceive that thou art a prophet." (John 4:16-19) Firstly, in a purely natural sense we see that as He speaks to her, there is no condemnation. He realizes that the woman is longing for intimacy, but just like the old Country Western song goes, she has been "Looking for Love all the Wrong Places." Here, once again, I believe that this is a model for us as we must lay down our judgmental religious mindsets if we are to truly minister to the 'woman' at the well. Too many of us are offended when sinners sin... duh! Sinners sin because that is their nature. Jesus does not bring condemnation because of the woman's actions, for He knows she is only doing what she knows to do. I love what Jesus says about this woman, as I believe He is looking beyond her actions and her current circumstances; "Jesus said unto her, Thou hast well said, I have no husband: For thou hast had five husbands; and he whom thou now hast is not thy husband." Now then, we are going to dig beneath the surface of these words of Jesus and see a spiritual truth that is laid open before us. Remember that the Bible is first and foremost a spiritual book written in spiritual language to spiritual people; "And we are setting these truths forth in words not taught by human wisdom but taught by the [Holy] Spirit, combining and interpreting spiritual truths with spiritual language [to those who possess the Holy Spirit]." (1Corinthians 2:13 Amplified Bible)

Five, the number of GRACE... that's how many husbands the 'woman' at the well had previously. I believe this speaks of the measure of GRACE that Father extends to the soul earnestly looking for something deeper, those looking for something that will satisfy their thirst, and yes, even those "Looking for Love all the Wrong Places." Now then, I am NOT saying that 'all paths lead to God' or anything remotely like that, for the Bible is clear when it says, "Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but BY ME." (John 14:6) Jesus also said, "I am the door: BY ME if any man enter in, he shall be saved, and shall go in and out, and find pasture." (John 10:9) However, I sincerely believe that Father extends a measure of GRACE to the soul that is earnestly searching for something deeper. "But if from thence thou shalt seek the Lord thy God, thou SHALT FIND Him, if thou seek Him with all thy heart and with all thy soul." (Deuteronomy 4:29) Just as with the 'woman' at the well, He will make Himself known to those who earnestly seek truth.

Jesus then makes such a freeing proclamation over this 'woman' at the well, "he whom thou NOW hast is NOT thy HUSBAND: in that saidst thou truly." She had previously had five husbands, but the sixth man was NOT her husband, she was NOT bound to him. Six is the number of carnality, it is the number of the earthly Adamic man. Friend, the spiritual truth that is being unveiled here is that the 'woman' at the well is NOT bound to the Adamic carnal nature! She is NOT married to him! Yes, she is living with him but there is no permanent bond. She is free to separate herself from the 'sixth man' and be married to the 'Seventh Man', which is Jesus Christ!

Remember, this 'woman' is a seeker, she's no dummy, she is at the well looking for something deeper, and she has lots of questions; "Our fathers worshipped in this mountain; and ye say, that in Jerusalem is the place where men ought to worship." She is spiritually oriented, she understands there is a 'high calling', thus she shifts the conversation to mountains (a high calling) and worship. Genuine seekers of truth understand that there is a 'high calling', a greater purpose, that it is really NOT all about them in life. Friend, THESE are the very people that we want to bring into the Kingdom! Yes, they might appear to be a bit more intimidating than those who are attracted by a 'needs oriented' gospel, but they are worth the effort.

So the conversation has now shifted to mountains- Our fathers worshipped in THIS mountain, you say THAT mountain is the place to worship! Remember that Jacob's well was located at the entrance to the valley between Mount Ebal and Mount Gerizim, so the mountain she is speaking of is Mount Gerizim. This speaks of a LAW-based relationship based upon performance- blessed if you keep the law, cursed if you don't. Zion was the mountain where the Jews worshipped. It seems that in life there are always two mountains where we can worship. One is born of a LAW-based relationship, the other is born of intimate relationship and covenant. "But ye are come unto mount Sion, and unto the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem... To the general assembly and church of the firstborn, which are written in heaven..." (Hebrews 12:22-23) One is a mountain of WORK, the other is a mountain of REST.

I love this visual imagery of mountains, it is so easy to understand. A mountain simply speaks symbolically of those places that we lift up high in our lives, those things of the greatest importance, those things we worship. The Old Testament is filled with references to the 'high places' where people worshipped. Now don't forget our context of the encounter with the 'woman' at the well, but come with me to a mountain we find in the book of Genesis; "And the ark RESTED in the seventh month, on the seventeenth day of the month, upon the mountains of Ararat." (Genesis 8:4) We tend to think of the flood of Genesis in negative terms, we think of God's judgment upon the earth. In reality, it was God's judgment upon carnality. In reality, it was God cleansing the earth... that is a good thing, not a bad thing. It was Father providing a new beginning, bringing forth a new creation of sorts.

The 'ark' serves as a type of Christ, and only that which was WITHIN THE ARK survived God's judgment upon carnality. And so it is for us, as the only things in our lives that survive God's judgment upon carnality are those attributes of the character of Christ, or that which is IN Christ. So it is within the context of Father providing a new beginning, bringing forth a new creation that we read, "And the ark RESTED in the seventh month, on the SEVENTEENTH day of the month, upon the mountains of Ararat." (Genesis 8:4) The timing of the ark finding its' resting place is significant- the seventeenth day of the seventh month. Now then, years later the Feast of Tabernacles would begin on the FIFTEENTH day of the seventh month; "Speak unto the children of Israel, saying, The fifteenth day of this seventh month shall be the feast of tabernacles for seven days unto the Lord." (Leviticus 23:34) So the ark RESTED on the THIRD DAY of what would become the Feast of Tabernacles! Is this a spiritual picture for us or what?! Remember that Father is outside and beyond the confines of our time and space continuum. He sees the end from the beginning. He planned the Feast of Tabernacles long before the flood ever happened, and He planned that the ark would REST on the THIRD DAY of the Feast of Tabernacles! I believe that this is a picture of the very time we are living in now, as Father is bringing forth a new creation in the earth in this prophetic millennial THIRD DAY; "But, beloved, be not ignorant of this one thing, that ONE DAY is with the Lord as a THOUSAND YEARS, and a thousand years as one day." (2 Peter 3:8), "After two days will He revive us: in the THIRD DAY He will raise us up, and we shall live in His sight." (Hosea 6:2)

The ARK is RESTING on the THIRD DAY of the Feast of Tabernacles! And on what mountain is the ark resting?... "upon the mountains of Ararat." Now get this, the Hebrew word Ararat means, "the CURSE REVERSED." Did you catch that?... the CURSE REVERSED!

Father is providing a new beginning, so that all who are truly IN Christ (the ARK), are RESTING in the Finished Work on the THIRD DAY of the Feast of Tabernacles because the CURSE is REVERSED! This is exactly what was happening with the 'woman' at the well, as the curse of 'many husbands', the curse of the 'sixth man'- carnality, was being reversed. Jesus was providing a new beginning, so she could REST in Him. This woman knew ABOUT Christ, but until then did not yet have a 'revelation' of Christ; "The woman saith unto him, I know that Messias cometh, which is called Christ: when he is come, he will tell us all things." (John 4:25) Then Jesus REVEALS Himself to her, "Jesus saith unto her, I that speak unto thee am He... The woman then left her waterpot, and went her way into the city, and saith to the men, Come, see a man, which told me all things that ever I did: is not this the Christ?" (John 4:26, 28-29)

As soon as the woman got a 'revelation' of Christ, the many questions stopped and she "left her waterpot" (John 4:28), she left her old way of satisfying her thirst behind. She left the 'sixth man'- carnality behind. She left Mount Gerizim behind. So it is for us, as the 'woman' at the well gets a 'revelation' of Christ, she will leave her old way of satisfying her thirst behind, she will leave carnality behind, she will leave Mount Gerizim (a LAW-based relationship based upon performance) behind. She will REST in the Finished Work on the THIRD DAY of the Feast of Tabernacles because the CURSE is REVERSED!

And WHERE will the 'woman' at the well get a 'revelation' of Christ? "Thus saith the LORD... men of stature, shall come over unto THEE, and they shall be THINE: they shall come after THEE; in chains they shall come over, and they shall fall down unto THEE, they shall make supplication unto THEE, saying, Surely GOD IS IN THEE; and there is none else, there is no God. Verily thou art a God that HIDEST Thyself, O God of Israel, the Saviour." (Isaiah 45:14-15) Indeed, He is the God Who hides Himself, and Paul tells us both WHERE He hides Himself and WHERE the 'woman' at the well will get a 'revelation' of Christ; "...Christ IN YOU, the hope of glory!" (Colossians 1:27) Yes, my friend, this is the day Christ is being glorified and admired IN His people; "When He comes to be glorified IN His saints [on that day He will be made more glorious IN His consecrated people], and [He will] be marveled at and admired [in His glory reflected] IN all who have believed..." (2 Thessalonians 1:10 Amplified Bible)

The 'woman' at the well is looking for something deeper, looking for something that will satisfy her thirst. Let us not leave her at 'Jacob's well', pursuing a LAW-based relationship based upon performance. Let us take her to a different 'Well' that Jesus introduces us to in the Feast of Tabernacles; "He who believes in Me... as the Scripture has said, From his innermost being shall flow [continuously] springs and rivers of living water." (John 7:38 Amplified Bible) Our passage ends with the woman at the well making an announcement that is more of a declaration than a question, "...is not THIS the Christ?" (John 4:29) I believe this too shall be the declaration of the 'woman' at the well as she gets a 'revelation' of Christ glorified IN His people, "...is not THIS the Christ!?" Or in other words, Is not THIS just what and Who we have been searching for? Friends, this is the day that all who are truly IN Christ (the ARK) are RESTING in the Finished Work on the THIRD DAY of the Feast of Tabernacles because the CURSE of Adamic carnality is REVERSED!

Source: www.InChristInternational.com

A WOMAN AFTER GOD'S OWN HEART

A WOMAN AFTER GOD'S OWN HEART

Author: Darlene Zschech

Zephaniah 3:14-17 "Sing, O Daughter of Zion; shout aloud, O Israel! Be glad and rejoice with all your heart, O Daughter of Jerusalem! The Lord has taken away your punishment, He has turned back your enemy. The Lord, the King of Israel, is with you; never again will you fear any harm. On that day they will say to Jerusalem, 'Do not fear, O Zion; do not let your hands hang limp. The Lord your God is with you, He is mighty to save. He will take great delight in you, He will quiet you with His love, He will rejoice over you with singing."

Not long after the release of Hosanna Integrity's Shout to the Lord album. I was interviewed for a Christian magazine and asked the question, "What's it like being a female worship leader?" "Well" (what a strange question I thought). "I have never been a male worship leader", I replied, "so I have nothing to compare it to." It seemed, in the interviewer's mind, that for God to use a woman was almost too much to get his head around (and a blonde one at that)! Well, the good news is, the Bible is filled with great examples of women who, through devotion to their King, were able to bring great change and have great influence in their lifetimes. I call them worshipping women. For example:

* · Hagar in Genesis - After the Lord granted her a son, she praised God by calling Him the God who sees me! - A Woman of Worship knows that GOD HEARS HER CRY. ·
* Miriam in Exodus - She led the Israelite women in grateful worship… after God destroyed the Egyptian army. - A Woman of Worship knows the POWER OR PRAISE AND TRUSTS THE POWER OF GOD. ·
* Deborah in Judges - She and Barak sang a song of praise to the Lord after He used them to deliver Israel from the Cananites. - A Woman of Worship is BOLD, COURAGEOUS, DILIGENT AND DETERMINED. She knows how to get a job done. ·
* Mary, Mother of Jesus… CHOSEN because God knew her desire was to please the Father. In Luke, Mary praised God for remembering His people and honouring her with this high calling. - A Woman of Worship KNOWS WHEN GOD IS SPEAKING and KNOWS HOW TO SAY YES TO THE FATHER. (Be still and know that I am God). ·
* Mary - Martha's sister - She anointed Jesus feet with costly perfume… vividly displaying COSTLY worship. - A Woman Of Worship is NOT AFRAID OF WHAT PEOPLE THINK OF HER DEVOTION. ·
* Tabitha in Acts - A Worshipper who displayed her love of God through her acts of charity and good deed. - A Woman of Worship is GENEROUS TO THE CORE. ·
* Lydia in Acts - Radical worshipper and her and her family were the first believers in Phillipi. - A Woman of Worship knows how to be bold and BIRTH A NEW DAY FOR THE NEXT GENERATION.

Here are a few thoughts on what I see a woman of worship to be…

She knows how to come before her Saviour with such genuine thankfulness and enthusiasm that the Father, Son and Holy Spirit are compelled to receive the song of this adoring heart.

She knows how to approach the King… with awe, reverence… and yet a pure and honest familiarity, allowing her to express the depths of praise erupting from her life.

Her extended hands invite those in her world to come and adore Him…

She has confidence in God's promises, that her times are in His hands. She fears no evil.

She is tender… yet strong, allowing the Lord to touch and heal the dark, broken places of her heart… sharing things with God that she'd never tell another soul.

She understands grace, and stands confidently, not arrogantly, in the shadow of His wings.

She trusts in the Lord with her whole heart, knowing that a song in the night season is far greater than no song at all.

So how do you become this woman of worship? I can testify that it is a process… a journey that I'm still travelling, and the only baggage allowed on this trip is a heart that is desperate to connect with the Father.

- Come to KNOW Him. Not just about Him. Not just in your intellect… but in your heart of hearts. Acts 2:25 "I saw the Lord always before me. Because He is at my right hand, I WILL NOT BE SHAKEN." Job 19:25 "But as for me, I KNOW that my Redeemer lives, and that He will stand upon the earth at last." True relationship with God takes time and devotion…

- Have Faith. Worship is more than ceremony. It starts with an act of faith and a decision of your WILL. Remember, without faith… it is impossible to please God.

- Adore Him. The essence of worship is just being in love… Psalm 63:1-5: O God, you are my God, earnestly I seek you; my soul thirsts for you, my body longs for you, in a dry and weary land where there is no water. I have seen you in the sanctuary and beheld your power and your glory. Because your love is better than life, my lips will glorify you. I will praise you as long as I live, and in your name I will lift up my hands. My soul will be satisfied as with the richest of foods; with singing lips my mouth will praise you.

- Learn the art of appreciation… how to say thank you. True Praise… Psalm 34 - I will praise at all times!

- Bring a song. Psalm 33 - Let the Godly sing with joy to the Lord. Psalm 150:6

- Let everything that LIVES - sing praises to the Lord. So, I encourage you… allow the gift within you COMPEL you to come before the King… and let ALL that is within you, BLESS HIS HOLY name… More than music and song… all designed to carry His presence, yet a true woman of worship will allow her entire life to be an 'I ADORE YOU' to her Lord.

Becoming a Man or a Woman after God’s Own Heart

Becoming a Man or a Woman after God’s Own Heart
by Charles R. Swindoll

When God scans the earth for potential leaders, He is not on a search for angels in the flesh. He is certainly not looking for perfect people, since there are none. He is searching for men and women like you and me, mere people made up of flesh. But He is also looking for people who share the same qualities He found in David. God is looking for men and women “after His own heart” (1 Samuel 13:14).

What does it mean to be a person after God’s own heart? It means your life is in harmony with the Lord. What is important to Him is important to you. What burdens Him burdens you. When He says, “Go to the right,” you go to the right. When He says, “Stop that in your life,” you stop it. When He says, “This is wrong and I want you to change,” you come to terms with it because you have a heart for God. That’s bottom-line, biblical Christianity.

When you are a man or woman after God’s heart, you are deeply sensitive to spiritual things. Second Chronicles 16:9 explains it this way: “For the eyes of the LORD move to and fro throughout the earth that He may strongly support those whose heart is completely His” (emphasis added).

What is God looking for? He is looking for men and women whose hearts are His—completely. That means there are no locked closets. Nothing’s been swept under the rugs. That means that when you do wrong, you admit it and come to terms with it. You long to please Him in your actions. You care deeply about the motivations behind your actions. God is not looking for magnificent specimens of humanity. He’s looking for deeply spiritual, genuinely humble, honest-to-the-core servants who have integrity.

Listen to some of the synonyms for this Hebrew word thamam, translated “integrity”: “complete, whole, innocent, having the simplicity of life, wholesome, sound, unimpaired.” It’s what you are when nobody’s looking. We live in a world that says, in many ways, “If you just make a good impression, that’s all that matters.” But you will never be a man or woman of God if that’s your philosophy. Never. You can’t fake it with the Almighty. He is not impressed with externals. He always focuses on the inward qualities, like the character of the heart . . . those things that take time and discipline to cultivate.

A Marriage Prayer

A Marriage Prayer

Lord, be in this marriage
In a special way,
May we feel Your presence
Each and every day.

Grant us both good humor
To surpass our coming years;
May there always be much laughter,
May there always be less tears.

Give us strength and courage
To follow in Your will,
To trust You in the valley
As we do upon the hill.

Give us both the eyes of love
So we'll always see
The goodness in each other,
Secure us, Lord, in Thee.

Give us words of kindness, Lord,
Help us both to live
So our lips are ever quick
In saying, "I forgive."

Give us hearts that beat as one,
Bind us ever near;
May our love grow deeper, Lord,
With each passing year.

Lord, be in this marriage,
Keep our love brand new;
May we love each other, Lord,
The same way that *You* do.

@by Connie Hinnen Cook

"What therefore God hath joined together,
let not man put asunder."
(Matthew 19:6b, KJV)

A Marriage Prayer

A Marriage Prayer

"Thank you Lord for teaching us how to make You the center of our marriage. Humble us to grow beyond our ego, pride and past hurts. Help us to establish and grow the love Christ in us to show each other kindness, trust, patience, forgiveness and divine love. Help me Lord to honor the qualities of my mate. Teach me how to pray for my spouse.

Empower me with courage to speak up for anything out of order in our relationship. Soften my tongue and heart where it has become like stone. Strengthen my flesh and self-esteem where it has become weak.

Whenever we lose the gratitude and passion for each other, guide us in ways to relight the candle of passion that can burn out from stress and time. Bless us to not only see, but honor one another. Help us to not only listen, but hear each other. Bless us to not only cherish one another, but nourish each other's dreams and spiritual gifts.

We surrender our marriage and our personal power struggles to You. Teach us to be less controlling and more collaborative in our decisions and problem solving skills. Quicken our minds so we may know how to please, protect and provide for each other. Bless our union to grow stronger, wiser, peaceful and committed. Bring into our circle of friends, examples of healthy committed marriages. Let our children, family and friends see Christ through our example.

Thank you Lord for covering our home with your grace, mercy and favor. Today is a new day that I choose to love, respect and serve my spouse. Give us both the wisdom, patience, love and faith not to give up on each other."

@by Jewel Diamond Taylor

PRAYER FOR THE BROKEN

The LORD is near to the brokenhearted, and saves the crushed in spirit.
Psalm 34:18.

He heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds.
Psalm 147:3.

Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our tribulation, that we may be able to comfort those who are in any trouble, with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God.
2 Cor. 1:3-4.

Lord Jesus, I give you my scars and my tears.
I give you my heart which has been broken again and again.
I give you my longings and dreams which have never been fulfilled.
Dear Jesus, I know that only in your hands can my brokenness be changed into blessing.
In my hands, Lord Jesus, it only leads to deepest despair.

I thank you, Lord, for being broken for me.
I thank you that you loved me so deeply you were willing to suffer such pain and agony so that you could save me and make me whole again.
I thank you that I can trust my broken pieces to such unfathomable love.
Lord Jesus, how I do thank and praise you with all of my heart for this!
GLORY TO YOU HOLY NAME
I thank you in Jezus Name
AMEN

I have found Jesus the love of my life

My heart was broken, and I thought beyond repair.
I had so many sorrows, I have cried so many tears.
All I thought I had left was just wasted years.
I didn't know what I was going to do.
I thought of ending it all, for I felt my life was through.
I just couldn't take any more of this pain.
I felt I had nothing left, nothing more to gain.
All I could see was darkness, surrounding me, getting darker everyday.
The fear was so intense at times,I just couldn't breathe.
But somehow through the darkness a light came shining through.
When I had thought all hope was gone.
When I was thinking maybe I should.

Then I heard a voice spoke softly calling out my name.
" My child I know you are afraid, but if you give your life to Me,
I will show you a better way.
I will take all your fear and pain away.
I will will fill your life with peace and everlasting joy.
I will give you a life you had never hoped to find.

Give your heart to me, for my love for you is true.
I will never leave you,
I will always see you through".

As I listened to His voice so sweet and gentle,
tears filled my eyes.
For I knew I had nothing to loose.
For all I had was brokenness and pain.
So I decided in my heart the only thing to do,
was to give my life to Jesus,
for He promised to be true.
So I held out my heart to Him and gave all that I had to give.
He forgave all my sins and gave me new life within.
Now he holds my heart in the palm of His hand.
He see's me through, even when I do not understand.
For each day I learn to trust Him more.
I am so glad I have found a better way.
For His light shines brightly in my heart to stay.
For I have found true love, my hearts desire.
I have found Jesus the love of my life

You are not Alone ...

Trust the Lord

In Through the Vei

In Through the Veil

In through the veil now we enter
Boldly approaching Your throne
Bearing a sacrifice of fragrance sweet
The fruit of some seeds You have sown
From our lips we offer these praises
May You be blessed as we sing
Lord, we adore You, like incense before You
Our worship ascends to the King
Welling up within our hearts
Is a song of praise to You
We lift up our hands with our voice
Blessings and honour
Glory and power be unto You
Let us rejoice, rejoice
Blessings and honour
Glory and power be unto You
Let us rejoice

@Words and Music by Bruce Clewett

I am a daughter of The King

I am a daughter of The King,
The Master & Creator of everything,

I am a Princess through God’s Royalty,
Crowned with His jewels is my reality,

I am more precious than the Lily of the field,
Adorned with loveliness & wrapped in God’s shield,

I am a joint heir with Jesus,
Through Whom I am Holy & Righteous,

I am the light of the world,
For in me is Jesus’ light all shiny & pearled,

I am Jesus’ dear & precious friend,
My heart on Him doth depend,

I was chosen by God, holy & dearly loved,
Chosen to do His work through His leading from above,

My body is a temple of God - His dwelling place,
And a member of Christ’s body upon Him I embrace,

I am a new creation, born of The King,
Made of His workmanship to Him I cling,

Of this world I am a stranger,
For my citizenship is in Heaven without danger,

I have fellow citizenship with The Family of God,
Fellowshipping & serving while walking this sod,

I am a saint through His Righteousness,
An expression of the life of Christ Jesus,

Born under God’s protective royalty,
The devil, my enemy, cannot touch me,

I am one in Spirit with God, One in Christ Jesus,
Therefore resembling Christ when He returns for us,

Thank You, Father God, for these privileges are in You,
Thank You, Father, for loving me so very true !

T. D. Channell

A Prayer

A Prayer

Relax and let God be the only Person on your mind while you read this Prayer. If we can take the time to read long jokes, stories, etc., we should give the same respect to this prayer. Friends that Pray together, stay together. Please join with me in prayer.

Let's pray...

Dear Lord,

I thank You for this day. I thank You for my being able to see and to hear this morning. I'm blessed because You are a forgiving God and an understanding God. You have done so much for me and You keep on blessing me.

Forgive me this day for I have sinned. I ask now for Your forgiveness.

Keep me safe from all danger and harm. Let me start this day with a new attitude and plenty of gratitude. Let me make the best of each and every day and give my best in all that is put before me.

Clear my mind that I can hear from You. Broaden my mind that I can accept all things. Let me not whine and whimper over things I have no control over. Let me continue to see sin through God's eyes and acknowledge it as evil. And when I sin, let me repent, and confess with my mouth my wrongdoing, and receive the forgiveness of God.

And when this world closes in on me, let me remember Jesus' example, slip away and find a quiet place to pray. It's the best response when I'm pushed beyond my limits. I know that when I can't pray, You listen to my heart.

Continue to use me to do Thy Will. Continue to bless me that I may be a blessing to others. Keep me strong that I may help the weak and unsaved. Keep me uplifted that I may have words of encouragement for others.

I pray for those that are lost and can't find their way. I pray for those that are misjudged and misunderstood. I pray for those who refuse to share a word from You. I pray for those who don't know You intimately. I pray for those that will only read this and not speak this aloud in their own lives. I pray for those that will bypass this prayer without sharing it with others. I pray for those that don't believe. But I thank you that I believe.

I believe that God changes people and God changes things. I pray for all my sisters and brothers. For each and every family member in their households. I pray for peace, love and joy in their homes, that they are out of debt and all their needs are met.

I pray that every eye that reads this knows there is no problem, circumstance or situation greater than God. Every battle is in His hands for Him to fight. I pray that these words be received into the hearts of every eye that sees them and every mouth that confesses them willingly.

This is my prayer.

In Jesus' Name,

Amen.

Remember: Wherever you go, God is already there.

Make me a Servant

Make me a servant Humble and meek.

Lord, let me lift up those who are weak.

And may the prayer of my heart always be.

Make me a servant.

Make me a servant today

I strive to have a Servant's Heart
That will heed my Fathr's call
To do the thinks He ask of me
Be it big or be it small
It doesn't matter what it is
If He ask I will respond
With cheerfulness I'll do the task
Giving up myself above all beyond
You see, my Father knows what best for me
He would never lead me wrong
So I could put my totl trust in Him
For to Him my lifes belongs
I find JOY when serving and doing His WILL
It gives me PEACE and comforts me
No matter what things may look like, feel or apear
Whith Him I have nothing to fear
So I'll put Himj first in all i do
Serving Him with my hwole heart
When I think of all He done for me
It's easy to serve Him with A SERVANT'S HEART

Arise and Shine

Better is One day in Your Courts

Jesus lives

HE IS THE FIRST AND LAST, THE BEGINNING AND THE END! HE IS THE KEEPER OF CREATION AND THE CREATOR OF ALL! HE IS THE ARCHITECT OF THE UNIVERSE AND THE MANAGER OF ALL TIMES. HE ALWAYS WAS, HE ALWAYS IS, AND HE ALWAYS WILL BE......

UNMOVED, UNCHANGED, UNDEFEATED, AND NEVER UNDONE!

HE WAS BRUISED AND BROUGHT HEALING! HE WAS PIERCED AND EASED PAIN! HE WAS PERSECUTED AND BROUGHT FREEDOM! HE WAS DEAD AND BROUGHT LIFE!

HE IS RISEN AND BRINGS POWER! HE REIGNS AND BRINGS PEACE! THE WORLD CAN'T EXPLAIN HIM, THE ARMIES CAN'T DEFEAT HIM, THE SCHOOLS CAN'T EXPLAIN HIM, AND THE LEADERS CAN'T IGNORE HIM.

HEROD COULDN'T KILL HIM, THE PHARISEES COULDN'T CONFUSE HIM, AND THE PEOPLE COULDN'T HOLD HIM! NERO COULDN'T CRUSH HIM, HITLER COULDN'T SILENCE HIM, THE NEW AGE CAN'T REPLACE HIM, AND DONAHUE AND OPRAH CAN'T EXPLAIN HIM AWAY!

HE IS LIGHT, LOVE, LONGEVITY, AND LORD. HE IS GOODNESS, KINDNESS, GENTLENESS AND GOD. HE IS HOLY, RIGHTEOUS, MIGHTY, POWERFUL, AND PURE.

HIS WAYS ARE RIGHT, HIS WORD IS ETERNAL, HIS WILL UNCHANGING, AND HIS MIND IS ON ME. HE IS MY REDEEMER, HE IS MY SAVIOR, HE IS MY GUIDE, HE IS MY FRIEND, AND HE IS MY PEACE! HE IS MY JOY, HE IS MY COMFORT.

HE IS MY LORD, AND HE RULES MY LIFE! I SERVE HIM BECAUSE HIS BOND IS LOVE, HIS BURDEN IS LIGHT, AND HIS GOAL FOR ME IS ABUNDANT LIFE. I FOLLOW HIM BECAUSE HE IS THE WISDOM OF THE WISE, THE POWER OF THE POWERFUL, THE ANCIENT OF DAYS, THE RULERS OF RULERS, THE LEADER OF LEADERS, THE OVERSEER OF THE OVER COMERS, AND THE SOVEREIGN LORD OF ALL THAT WAS AND IS AND IS TO COME.

AND IF THAT SEEMS IMPRESSIVE TO YOU, TRY THIS FOR SIZE.

HIS GOAL IS A RELATIONSHIP WITH ME! HE WILL NEVER LEAVE ME, NEVER FORSAKE ME, NEVER MISLEAD ME, NEVER FORGET ME, NEVER OVERLOOK ME, AND NEVER CANCEL MY APPOINTMENT IN HIS APPOINTMENT BOOK!

WHEN I FALL, HE LIFTS ME UP!

WHEN I FAIL, HE FORGIVES!

WHEN I AM WEAK, HE IS STRONG!

WHEN I AM LOST, HE IS THE WAY!

WHEN I AM AFRAID, HE IS MY COURAGE!

WHEN I STUMBLE. HE STEADIES ME!

WHEN I AM HURT, HE HEALS ME!

WHEN I AM BROKEN, HE MENDS ME!

WHEN I AM BLIND, HE LEADS ME!

WHEN I AM HUNGRY, HE FEEDS ME!

WHEN I FACE TRIALS, HE IS WITH ME!

WHEN I FACE PERSECUTION, HE SHIELDS ME!

WHEN I FACE PROBLEMS, HE COMFORTS ME!

WHEN I FACE LOSS, HE PROVIDES FOR ME!

WHEN I FACE DEATH, HE CARRIES ME HOME!

HE IS EVERYTHING FOR EVERYBODY, EVERYWHERE, EVERY TIME, AND EVERY WAY. HE IS GOD, HE IS FAITHFUL. I AM HIS, AND HE IS MINE!

MY FATHER IN HEAVEN CAN WHIP THE FATHER OF THIS WORLD. SO IF YOUR WONDERING WHY I FEEL SO SECURE, UNDERSTAND THIS......

HE SAID IT AND THAT SETTLES IT. GOD IS IN CONTROL, I AM ON HIS SIDE, AND THAT MEANS ALL IS WELL WITHIN MY SOUL. AMEN!!!!!

Blessed are the Peacemakers

Why God Created Woman from Man’s Rib

It’s amazing how God made man, and so beautiful how he made woman!

Why did God create Woman from Man’s rib, when He could
have simply created her from dust, as He did Man? This
is a story that puts a beautiful touch on the
reasoning:

“When I created the heavens and the earth, I spoke
them into being. When I created man, I formed him from
the dust of the Earth and breathed life into his
nostrils. But you, woman, I fashioned after I breathed
the breath of life into man because your nostrils are
too delicate. I allowed a deep sleep to come over him
so I could patiently and perfectly fashion you. Man
was put to sleep so that he could not interfere with
the creativity. From one bone I fashioned you. I chose
the bone that protects man’s life. I chose the rib,
which protects his heart and lungs and supports him,
as you are meant to do.”

“Around this one bone I shaped you. I modeled you. I
created you perfectly and beautifully. Your
characteristics are as the rib, strong yet delicate
and fragile. You provide protection for the most
delicate organ in man, his heart. His heart is the
center of his being; his lungs hold the breath of
life. The rib cage will allow itself to be broken
before it will allow damage to the heart. Support man
as the rib cage supports the body.”

“You were not taken from his feet, to be under him,
nor were you taken from his head, to be above him. You
were taken from his side, to stand beside him and be
held close to his side. You are my perfect angel. You
are my beautiful little girl. You have grown to be a
splendid woman of excellence, and my eyes fill when I
see the virtue in your heart. Your eyes: don’t change
them. Your lips: how lovely when they part in prayer.
Your nose so perfect in form, your hands so gentle to
touch. I’ve caressed your face in your deepest sleep;
I’ve held your heart close to mine. Of all that lives
and breathes, you are the most like me.”

“Adam walked with me in the cool of the day and yet he
was lonely. He could not see me or touch me. He could
only feel me. So everything I wanted Adam to share and
experience with me, I fashioned in you: my holiness,
my strength, my purity, my love, my protection and
support. You are special because you are the extension
of me.”

“Man represents my image, woman - my emotions.
Together, you represent the totality of God. So man:
treat woman well. Love her, respect her, for she is
fragile. In hurting her, you hurt me. What you do to
her, you do to me. In crushing her, you only damage
your own heart, the heart of your Father and the heart
of her Father. Woman, support man. In humility, show
him the power of emotion I have given you. In gentle
quietness show your strength. In love, show him that
you are the rib that protects his inner self.”

I am a rose of Sharon, A lily of the valleys

I am a rose of Sharon, A lily of the valleys

Like a lily among thorns, is my darling among the maidens.

In the valley of Sharon does the lily blossom in great beauty – smell her lovely fragrance.

She, the beauty, the lovely one, blossoming in an unusual place, she is the only lovely flower in a field of thorns.

Slowly I find myself walking closer; I am surprised to see tears of sorrow and pain in the eyes of the lily.

“Lily”, I ask “Why are you in all your beauty so full of pain and sorrow?”

“You, you also,” she shouts, full of hurt, “the next one that speaks only lies. Do you not have eyes to see, to see that there are only thorns growing here? Do you really think I am different? NO, I am just a thorn among thorns.”

“No you are not,” I say, “you are really different, you are a beautiful lily.

I am sure you are the Creator’s lovely lily, he loves you with all his love.”

“No”, speaks the lily once again;” the Creator loves beauty and lovely fragrance; I am nothing more than a stinging, worthless, thorn, just as the others here.

Go away, I do not and will not trust you; what do you want from me anyway?”

I went to Wisdom, He who knows all the questions and all the answers.

“Wisdom”, I spoke in a hurry, with tears in my eyes,”why does the lily not see and why does the lily not know that she is different than the thorns? How can she learn to see, learn to know?”

“Calm, calm now” speaks Wisdom with a gentle smile ringing in His voice, “one question at a time please.”

Wisdom speaks: “You know, the lily is brought up amongst thorns - in the eyes of the Creator she was always a lily, beautiful and lovely. But she has only thorns in her field of life, and she started to think she is one of the. She has gone through much pain you know.”

“Is there no mirror to show her how beautiful she really is,” I asked Wisdom?

“No, there are no mirrors in this valley, as you know them,” says Wisdom, “but that does not say there is no mirror, that’s the riddle.”

“Please, I say, tell me so that I can help the lily.”

“You, you cannot help her My son, you can only be the messenger of the Helper, tell her in peace and with a gentle voice what I tell you.”

“You know the Eagle, the one that sees and knows all there is to see and know, full of Awesome power?” was what Wisdom asked.

“Yes, I know Him, He helped me many times to see the perspective of the Creator from heights above height,” I answered. “He is so huge, His eyes like piercing fire, that I fear Him even though I know He is part of the Love, three in one, one in three.”

“Yes, that’s right” Wisdom says, “But the lily fears Him many times more than you, because she thinks she is not worthy- a thorn that would find no approval in the fire piercing eyes. She is afraid for the strength of the wind, the Ruach caused by His wings. She is afraid that she will be blown away to a place called darkness, if he comes too close.”

“Still, the eagle holds the answer,” are the words of Wisdom. “Tell the lily that complete, unconditional love, drives out all fear. Tell her that it needs only one trust step, one step to say; ‘Eagle, I can not, but I still want to trust you as part of Love complete.’

If she says: ‘Take my spirit on thy wings, Oh Eagle’, then will her spirit fly, carried on Eagles wings, the Creator’s Spirit, and she will see and know again the perspective of the Creator.

She will see from heights above height that she is standing as a lily among thorns. The Eagle will carry her to Me,” says Wisdom,”I am also the Creator’s Spirit. I will teach her further, so that she will see and know forever and evermore, that it is the Creator, that it is Yeshua who laid down His life for her, that says:

Like a lily among thorns

Is my darling among the maidens.”

And she will no longer answer; “No, go away, I am a thorn among thorns, stinging and worthless. Instead, she will dance, shout, swirl around and around, full of excited joy and shout – yes, shout with force:

I am a rose of Sharon, A lily of the valleys!!”

So, I went and told the lilies all that Wisdom had said…


Mark Pranger

The man You Are

THE MAN YOU ARE

God knew you when you were in your mother's womb
You are fearfully made.
You're specially created, so don't feel deflated.
You're not defeated.
Don't blame others by the way you've been
Mistreated.
You can be treated with respect.
You are a man, who should live by faith in God,
And not by what you see.
You are a man who should follow after God's heart
Search your heart and make a new start.
The experiences you've had should not make you sad.
You're not bad, so rejoice and be glad.
You've been knocked down but not knocked out.
You should live life without a doubt.
You are here for a purpose.
You are a man of vision
A man of greatness
A man of wisdom
A man of clear direction
A man of stature
A man of truth
A man of good character
A man of good repute
A man of his word
A man of integrity
A man of honour
A man of valour
You are a man who is the head of his home
A man with order in his life.
A man who understands instruction
A man who loves his family
A man of ambition with no inhibitions
The man you are is a MAN OF SUCCESS.
Don't you know that you are BLESSED.


© 2006 Maureen Morgan.

Delight yourself in the Lord

"Delight yourself in the Lord and He will give you the desires of your heart."(Psalm 37:4)

…He has our best interest at heart…He is always with us…He never fails us…Delight yourself in the Lord…He will lead you…He will guide you…He will direct you…He will enlightened you…"In all your ways acknowledge Him and He shall direct your paths."(Prov.3:6)…If you are looking for direction in your life…acknowledge Him…He gives good counsel…God is our delight…He loves us…He protects us…If you are going through a rough place…call on Him…don't aimlessly seek direction…call on Him…don't dwell on hurts…dwell on the all encompassing power of God…choose to be happy…make it a definite choice…dwell on His provision…dwell on His help…dwell on His promises…delight yourself in Him…Let these thoughts sink into your being…remember He is on our side…rejoice…we can not lose..He sees us through…When you feel a wave of despair approaching…call on Him…He will lift you up…whenever you are afraid…put your trust in Him…Jesus is able to turn things around…He tells us over and over again in His word to fear not…He tells us He is with us…He tells us the enemy can't triumph over us…God is our defense…Trust God with your life…watch what He is doing in your life…You will cry as the psalmist did in Psalm66:5 "Come and see the works of God,He is awesome in His doing towards the sons of men."…Nothing is to hard for the Lord…His power is truly awesome…Amen

Wash One Another’s Feet

Wash One Another’s Feet

Servant and leader – the two words seem not to go together, at least in this falen world. Jesus demonstrated a different way of leading. He told his disciples that they were not to lead like the Gentiles did by lording it over others. Real leader in his Kingdom were servants of all.
Jesus faced a dilemma. Even though he had taught this to his servants over and over, they still didn’t get it. They continued to jockey for position. They were concerned about who would sit on the right and the left of Jesus in the Kingdom. They argued about who was the greatest disciple. And on the night before his death, they entered the upper room with dirty feet because not a single one of the disciples of Jesus were willing to be servants. Incredible! Enter Jesus. He knew who he was, the Son of God. He knew that he was getting ready to give his life for the sins of the world. He knew where he was going. He must have taken one look at those guys sitting there with dirty feet and started shaking his head.
He took off his outer garment, wrapped a towel around himself and started washing feet. Just imagine the shock and consternation of the disciples. How uncomfortable they must have felt. The Son of God, the Messiah, was washing their dirty feet!
Peter drew back his feet and exclaimed, “Never!” Jesus simply said to him that if you really want to be a part of what I am doing, then you must allow me to wash your feet. Peter relented and Jesus finished.
“Do you understand what I have done for you?” Jesus asked. I really don’t think they did. In fact, it might have never really occurred to them until after his ascension into heaven. Jesus demonstrated a new way to lead. These men were to be the leaders in the Kingdom. Jesus opened a new door dominated by love.

Matthew 20:20-28

Greatness Is Serving

20 Then the mother of Zebedee’s sons came to Him with her sons, kneeling down and asking something from Him.
21 And He said to her, “What do you wish?”
She said to Him, “Grant that these two sons of mine may sit, one on Your right hand and the other on the left, in Your kingdom.”
22 But Jesus answered and said, “You do not know what you ask. Are you able to drink the cup that I am about to drink, and be baptized with the baptism that I am baptized with?”[a]
They said to Him, “We are able.”
23 So He said to them, “You will indeed drink My cup, and be baptized with the baptism that I am baptized with;[b] but to sit on My right hand and on My left is not Mine to give, but it is for those for whom it is prepared by My Father.”
24 And when the ten heard it, they were greatly displeased with the two brothers. 25 But Jesus called them to Himself and said, “You know that the rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and those who are great exercise authority over them. 26 Yet it shall not be so among you; but whoever desires to become great among you, let him be your servant. 27 And whoever desires to be first among you, let him be your slave— 28 just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life a ransom for many.”


John 13:1-17; 34, 35

John 13
Jesus Washes the Disciples’ Feet
1 Now before the Feast of the Passover, when Jesus knew that His hour had come that He should depart from this world to the Father, having loved His own who were in the world, He loved them to the end.
2 And supper being ended,[a] the devil having already put it into the heart of Judas Iscariot, Simon’s son, to betray Him, 3 Jesus, knowing that the Father had given all things into His hands, and that He had come from God and was going to God, 4 rose from supper and laid aside His garments, took a towel and girded Himself. 5 After that, He poured water into a basin and began to wash the disciples’ feet, and to wipe them with the towel with which He was girded. 6 Then He came to Simon Peter. And Peter said to Him, “Lord, are You washing my feet?”
7 Jesus answered and said to him, “What I am doing you do not understand now, but you will know after this.”
8 Peter said to Him, “You shall never wash my feet!”
Jesus answered him, “If I do not wash you, you have no part with Me.”
9 Simon Peter said to Him, “Lord, not my feet only, but also my hands and my head!”
10 Jesus said to him, “He who is bathed needs only to wash his feet, but is completely clean; and you are clean, but not all of you.” 11 For He knew who would betray Him; therefore He said, “You are not all clean.”
12 So when He had washed their feet, taken His garments, and sat down again, He said to them, “Do you know what I have done to you? 13 You call Me Teacher and Lord, and you say well, for so I am. 14 If I then, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also ought to wash one another’s feet. 15 For I have given you an example, that you should do as I have done to you. 16 Most assuredly, I say to you, a servant is not greater than his master; nor is he who is sent greater than he who sent him. 17 If you know these things, blessed are you if you do them.

34 A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another; as I have loved you, that you also love one another.

35 By this all will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another.”

A servant of God

A servant of God does not live to please self but to please only God, as Jesus Christ did (Rom. 15:1-3; Phil. 2:7-8; Matt. 20:26-28). A servant of God is one who serves others in need, for God, and in so doing, imitates God daily (Matt. 19:21; Col. 3:17; 1 John 3:17-18; Luke 6:36; Eph. 5:1).

God is glorified by good works done for His glory. This is how you let your light shine (Matt. 5:16). People notice you because you are so peculiar and unusual (Titus 2:14; 1 Peter 1:12)!

A servant of God does not serve the flesh (Rom. 6:4-13). God’s servant lives to the Spirit daily and thus puts the evil desires of the flesh to death (Gal. 5:16, 19-21; 1 Peter 3:18; Rom. 8:12-14). God is the Spirit, and constantly living to please God by serving others is how you worship Him in spirit and in truth (John 4:23-24).

A true servant of God visits people in hospitals and gives clothing to those he knows need it. He is always ready to help those who are needy. He helps those who need food by providing what they need (Eph. 4:28). If anyone needs lodging, God’s servant takes care of the need (Matt. 25:33-40). God’s servant has a humble attitude when serving these people, as Abraham and Lot did (Gen. 17:3; 18:2). A servant of God lifts people’s spirits with his words of love, hope and joy (Heb. 10:24; 1 Thess. 5:11; Eph. 4:29). A servant of God spreads good will with his words.

A servant of God does all his good works in the name of Jesus Christ, as he has been commanded to do by Jesus Christ (Col. 3:17). A servant of God keeps God’s word by practicing righteousness (1 John 3:7; 2:29). This is how he practices his faith, and it works because it is a faith of works (James 2:14-26). The person who does not practice righteousness daily is not a servant of God (Rom. 10:5-6, 10; 1 John 3:10). Are you a servant of God as defined by God’s word? Will you become one?