Begin again, again

Another birthday  - time to begin again ... February 20, 2020

May the God of hope fill us completely with all (great) joy and shalom (perfect peace) in believing [as we trust in Him and through the experience of our faith], so that we may abound in and be overflowing [bubbling over] with hope (expectation of and confidence in His promises) by the virtue [the life-giving energy, the power] of the Holy Spirit.
(See Romans 15:13)

... and my journey with HIM continues ...

Joy To The World

This was the first Christmas carol in a YouVersion Bible reading plan that a friend and I are doing together this month. Listening to renditions of this song by several different musical artists, I also "heard" (in my head) the song, I've got the joy, joy, joy, joy down in my heart. Then these Scriptures came to mind:

These things have I spoken unto you, that my joy might remain in you, and that your joy might be full.
John 15:11 KJV
https://bible.com/bible/1/jhn.15.11.KJV

And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people.  For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord.
Luke 2:10‭-‬11 KJV
https://bible.com/bible/1/luk.2.10-11.KJV

Looking in a hymnal (to see all the lyrics) revealed a reference to Psalm 98. Will read this (probably in multiple translations) while thinking about "The glories of His righteousness, And wonders of His love."

Now unto him that is able to keep you from falling, and to present you faultless before the presence of his glory with exceeding joy,  To the only wise God our Saviour, be glory and majesty, dominion and power, both now and ever. Amen.
Jude 1:24‭-‬25 KJV
https://bible.com/bible/1/jud.1.24-25.KJV

... and my journey (in joy!) with Him continues ...

Scripture as of late ...

So, here are some Scripture verses that have come up in my life repeatedly as of late - in devotionals, Bible studies, sermons, songs, etc., or just come to mind:

NKJV Psalm 18:30

As for God, His way is perfect; The word of the Lord is proven; He is a shield to all who trust in Him.

 

NKJV Psalm 46:10

Be still, and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth!

 

Psalm 1:1-3 King James Version (KJV)

1 Blessed is the man that walketh not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor standeth in the way of sinners, nor sitteth in the seat of the scornful.

² But his delight is in the law of the Lord; and in his law doth he meditate day and night.

³ And he shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water, that bringeth forth his fruit in his season; his leaf also shall not wither; and whatsoever he doeth shall prosper.

NKJV Romans 8:28

And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose.

  

Guess I'll take these back to the Lord and see where that takes me as I meditate on, study, confess and pray His Word ...

 

... and my journey with my wonderful God continues ...

Scripture Journey - A

I am so grateful for the technology that is available these days to aid in reading and understanding the Bible. Depending on the need, I appreciate the privilege I have to frequently visit websites www.biblegateway.com, www.blueletterbible.com, and / or www.bible.com (the last-mentioned often via the YouVersion app on my phone).

One feature that often brings me to the Biblegateway website is the ability to choose to see (and read) "all English translations" they have available from the display of a single verse. I sometimes use that functionality to combine language from some of the different translations to see (what is for me) another way to view or understand a particular verse (a practice I felt more comfortable doing for personal use after seeing and reading about The Expanded Bible by publisher Thomas Nelson).

Here is the first of these combination verses I plan to post, hoping that perhaps it may also be useful to others:

PSALM 18:30 (AMP, AMPC, CSB, CEB, CEV, ERV, EHV, EXB, GNV, GNT, JUB, LEB, NIRV, NLT, OJB)

As for God, His way [path] is / His deeds [ways] are blameless, perfect, without fault, uncorrupt! The word [promise, speech] of the Lord is tested and tried (in the fire), always proves to be true, faultless, pure, correct, dependable, precise, flawless, inerrant; He protects and is a shield [buckler] to all who take refuge and put their trust in Him, who run [go, look] to [Him] for help [safety, protection].

Some other translations:

What a God he is! How perfect in every way! All his promises prove true. He is a shield for everyone who hides behind him.  TLB

What a God! His road stretches straight and smooth. Every God-direction is road-tested. Everyone who runs toward him makes it.  MSG

As for God, His way has integrity; the word of the Lord is proven; He is a shield to all those who take refuge in Him.   MEV

The one true God acts in a faithful manner; the Lord’s promise is reliable; he is a shield to all who take shelter in him.  NET

As for God, His way is perfect. The Word of the Lord has stood the test. He is a covering for all who go to Him for a safe place.  NLV

What a God you are! Your path for me has been perfect! All your promises have proven true. What a secure shelter for all those who turn to hide themselves in you! You are the wrap-around God giving grace to me.  TPT

Everything God does is perfect; the promise of the Eternal rings true; He stands as a shield for all who hide in Him.  VOICE

My God, his way is undefouled; the speeches of the Lord be examined by fire; he is [the] defender of all men hoping in him. (My God, his way is undefiled; the words of the Lord be assayed by fire, that is, they be tried and tested, and found to be true; he is the defender of all who put their trust in him.)  WYC

… and my journey with my God continues …

Video journey ...

While praying the other day, I kept hearing the words, "Jesus, Jesus, You make the darkness tremble..." that I recognized as lyrics from a song.  I looked it up and found the song "Tremble" by the group Mosaic MSC on YouTube.  Of course, then there were all these other videos that showed up on the page - and of course I ended up viewing several ...

Tremble – Mosaic MSC (MultiTracks.com session)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Zy-3FBkcGng

Resurrecting – Elevation Worship (MultiTracks.com session)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zp39rPpeHsE

Resurrecting - Elevation Worship – Marky’s story

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ikcV874pCFg

O Come to the Altar - Elevation Worship (MultiTracks.com session)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WrlmXQpsEBs

Unstoppable God - Elevation Worship (LIVE performance on HIS Radio)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bsGoRAwDHd0

... and of course, all of this led to a "Selah (pause, and calmly think of that!)" moment and more prayer ...

... and my journey with my wonderful Savior continues ...



Beginning again ...

Three songs keep coming to mind today - in fits and starts, in pieces, with tunes, lyrics running and blending together and by themselves – being woven in my spirit into a new heart song:

CeCe Winans, Never Have To Be Alone

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zXUiaT0j4WQ

Isabel Davis, The Call

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7yrimCSVaV8

Todd Dulaney, Victory Belongs To Jesus

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wa78qxQCKgo

From different messages, I am sensing, “Repentance brings freedom to begin again” … so, after some time alone with The Lord, here I am again, receiving that freedom, beginning again.

… and my journey - with my loving, forgiving, encouraging, gracious, merciful

God and Father - yet continues …

Ash Wednesday 2017

Since you have been raised to new life with Christ, set your sights on the realities of heaven, where Christ sits in the place of honor at God’s right hand. Think about the things of heaven, not the things of earth.

Colossians 3:1‭-‬2 NLT

http://bible.com/116/col.3.1-2.NLT

Woke up this morning thinking of the song, Here As In Heaven, by Elevation Worship. Even before that, had been thinking about the "things of heaven" - and about mortality,  eternal life ... so grateful to have a Savior as I increasingly see how much I need One. 

Thank You, Lord, for all You have done and still do for me. I'm continually humbled by Your mercy and grace, and more and more appreciative of all of the facets and dimensions of Your love displayed and manifested in the earth. All for Your glory, amen.

Oh, that men would give thanks to the Lord  for His goodness, And for His wonderful works to the children of men!

Psalms 107:8 NKJV

http://bible.com/114/psa.107.8.NKJV

.. and my journey, by God's grace, continues ...

Election day 2016

Convicted, humbled and repentant after reading / praying from the following article:

http://www.desiringgod.org/articles/seven-ways-to-pray-on-election-day

Song: The Master's Calling, performed by Deborah Joy Winans (written by Thad Cockrell)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YNBDCAeOiWs

... and with You, dear Lord, only because of Your great mercy and grace, my journey continues ...

Beginning anew

Lamentations 3:22-25, AMP

²² It is because of the Lord’s lovingkindnesses that we are not consumed,
Because His [tender] compassions never fail.

²³ They are new every morning;
Great and beyond measure is Your faithfulness.

²⁴ “The Lord is my portion and my inheritance,” says my soul;
“Therefore I have hope in Him and wait expectantly for Him.”

²⁵ The Lord is good to those who wait [confidently] for Him,
To those who seek Him [on the authority of God’s word].

 

This is a new day in a new month with new mercies to begin again … a day for us to rejoice and be glad for God’s goodness leading us  - always in paths of righteousness for His Name’s sake - to His gracious, glorious gift of repentance. Hallelujah!

 

… and my journey with my graciously faithful and compassionate God continues …

Praise (song) break

Psalm 91:1 (AMP)

[Security of the One Who Trusts in the Lord. ] He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High Will remain secure and rest in the shadow of the Almighty [whose power no enemy can withstand].

“Who can stop The LORD Almighty?”  I stopped what I was doing, listening to these words being sung in my head, trying to remember the song to which they belonged. 

Proverbs 16:3 (AMP)

Commit your works to the Lord [submit and trust them to Him], And your plans will succeed [if you respond to His will and guidance].

Proverbs 16:9 (AMP)

A man’s mind plans his way [as he journeys through life], But the Lord directs his steps and establishes them.

Proverbs 19:21 (AMP)

Many plans are in a man’s mind, But it is the Lord’s purpose for him that will stand (be carried out).

Once again, I thanked God for the time in which I live and the technology to which He has provided access, because Google was available for me to search out this song. When I found it under the title “Lion and The Lamb” by Bethel Music, I proceeded to listen for a while on Youtube (there were multiple videos with different people leading), affirming with the singers the sovereignty and omnipotence of The LORD God Almighty.

Proverbs 25:2 (AMP)

It is the glory of God to conceal a matter, But the glory of kings is to search out a matter.

LORD, thank You for continuing to reveal Yourself … for Your mercy, love and grace that continually invites us to turn to you, to acknowledge You, to come ever closer to You in our everyday lives.  Amen.  Selah.

… and my journey with my God, The LORD Almighty, continues …

Pentecost thoughts, 2016

Acts 2:1-4

(CJB, MSG, NKJV, VOICE)
¹When the Feast Day (festival) of Pentecost came 50 days after Passover, the believers were all gathered together with one accord in one place.
²And suddenly, without warning, there came a sound from heaven, as the roar of a rushing (violent) mighty wind, and it filled the whole house where they were sitting.
³ Then they saw what looked like tongues of fire, which separated and came to rest on each one of them.
⁴ They were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak with other tongues [in different languages], as the Spirit prompted and gave them utterance [enabled them to speak].

Acts 2:14-21 (NKJV, CJB, AMPC)

¹⁴ Then Peter stood up with the Eleven and raised his voice to address them: “You Judeans, and all of you staying here in Jerusalem! Let me tell you what this means so that you will know and understand! Listen closely and pay attention to what I have to say!

¹⁵ “These people aren’t drunk, as you suppose — it’s only nine in the morning. ¹⁶ No, this is what was spoken about through the prophet Joel:
¹⁷ ‘And it shall come to pass in the last days, God declares, that I will pour out from My Spirit upon everyone (all flesh); your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, your young men shall see visions, your old men shall dream dreams.
¹⁸ Yes, even on My menservants and on My maidservants I will pour out from My Spirit in those days, and they shall prophesy.
¹⁹ I will show wonders and perform miracles in heaven above and signs in and on the earth beneath — blood and fire and thick vapor of smoke.
²⁰ The sun shall be turned into darkness and the moon into blood before the coming of the great and fearful and awesome Day of the Lord.
²¹ And it shall come to pass that whoever calls on the name of the Lord shall be saved.’
_______________________________________
Thinking of Pentecost this past weekend, and I kept hearing William McDowell's voice in my head singing, "Come like a rushing wind, come like never before ..."

Also thinking about Ezekiel 37 verses:

Ezekiel 37:1-14 (AMP)

¹ The hand of the Lord was upon me, and He brought me out in the Spirit of the Lord and set me down in the middle of the valley; and it was full of bones. ² He caused me to pass all around them, and behold, there were very many [human bones] in the open valley; and lo, they were very dry. ³ And He said to me, “Son of man, can these bones live?” And I answered, “O Lord God, You know.” ⁴ Again He said to me, “Prophesy to these bones and say to them, ‘O dry bones, hear the word of the Lord.’ ⁵ Thus says the Lord God to these bones, ‘Behold, I will make breath enter you so that you may come to life. ⁶ I will put sinews on you, make flesh grow back on you, cover you with skin, and I will put breath in you so that you may come alive; and you will know that I am the Lord.’”

⁷ So I prophesied as I was commanded; and as I prophesied, there was a [thundering] noise, and behold, a rattling; and the bones came together, bone to its bone. ⁸ And I looked, and behold, there were sinews on the bones, and flesh grew and skin covered them; but there was no breath in them. ⁹ Then He said to me, “Prophesy to the breath, son of man, and say to the breath, ‘Thus says the Lord God, “Come from the four winds, O breath, and breathe on these slain, that they may live.”’” ¹⁰ So I prophesied as He commanded me, and the breath came into them, and they came to life and stood up on their feet, an exceedingly great army.

¹¹ Then He said to me, “Son of man, these bones are the whole house of Israel. Behold, they say, ‘Our bones are dried up and our hope is lost. We are completely cut off.’ ¹² Therefore prophesy and say to them, ‘Thus says the Lord God, “Behold, I will open your graves and make you come up out of your graves, My people; and I will bring you [back home] to the land of Israel. ¹³ Then you will know [with confidence] that I am the Lord, when I have opened your graves and made you come up out of your graves, My people. ¹⁴ I will put My Spirit in you and you will come to life, and I will place you in your own land. Then you will know that I the Lord have spoken, and fulfilled it,” says the Lord.’”

LORD, thank You that in Your faithfulness, You watch over Your Word to perform it, and that You fulfill what You have spoken.  Amen. Selah.

... and my journey with my Faithful God continues ...

Whole Heart

I was a little late for the corporate prayer meeting at church, and a young man was already singing Hillsong’s “I Surrender” as I walked in and took my seat.  Several things said and prayed made me think of renewed consecration, rededication and recommitment (as well as surrender) to the Lord. At church service later that same day, a young lady shared that  the Lord had asked for her whole heart, and as a result, at the Lord’s direction and in His timing, she was being ”re-baptized” as a sign of her surrendering to Him anew - rededicating and recommitting her life to the Lord Jesus Christ.

“Whole heart” … today’s Bible verse on my phone – Psalm 119:2 - happened to display in a translation (ASV) that used this same phrase:

Blessed are they that keep his testimonies, That seek him with the whole heart.

 

This made me think of the song “Heart and Soul” (Full Gospel Baptist Fellowship Mass Choir, featuring BeBe Winans): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SA_fma5MhEo

… and God’s promises in Jeremiah 29:13 …

 

CJB      When you seek me, you will find me, provided you seek for me wholeheartedly;

NET     When you seek me in prayer and worship, you will find me available to you. If you seek me with all your heart and soul,

Looking at other “whole heart” Scriptures, I see Jeremiah 24:7 (AMP) …

I will give them a heart to know Me, [understanding fully] that I am the Lord; and they will be My people, and I will be their God, for they will return to Me with their whole heart.

… and Jeremiah 32:27, 36-41 (NKJV) …

²⁷ “Behold, I am the Lord, the God of all flesh. Is there anything too hard for Me?

³⁶ “Now therefore, thus says the Lord, the God of Israel, concerning this city of which you say, ‘It shall be delivered into the hand of the king of Babylon by the sword, by the famine, and by the pestilence’: ³⁷ Behold, I will gather them out of all countries where I have driven them in My anger, in My fury, and in great wrath; I will bring them back to this place, and I will cause them to dwell safely. ³⁸ They shall be My people, and I will be their God; ³⁹ then I will give them one heart and one way, that they may fear Me forever, for the good of them and their children after them. ⁴⁰ And I will make an everlasting covenant with them, that I will not turn away from doing them good; but I will put My fear in their hearts so that they will not depart from Me. ⁴¹ Yes, I will rejoice over them to do them good, and I will assuredly plant them in this land, with all My heart and with all My soul.’

As I seek the LORD to know Him, and deep calls unto deep, think I’ll look up other Scriptures about all of one’s heart, or an undivided, perfect, and/or whole heart and see what (else) the Lord will speak …

 

… and my journey with my Lord continues …

Changed by Love

Found myself agonizing over a situation – battling negative “coulda, shoulda, woulda” thoughts with words of faith most of the night.  Finally, “How Awesome is Our God” (by Israel Houghton & New Breed, featuring Yolanda Adams) started playing in my mind’s playlist, and I was able to find peace enough to drift off to sleep.  The next day brought comfort as well as a rebuke for my doubt, fear and unbelief, leading to repentance and renewed praise to God for His tender grace shown in and through the strong correction. Soon afterwards, news came that the situation I feared had not materialized.  In His goodness, God had been merciful once again.

Lamentations 3:22 (AMPC)

It is because of the Lord’s mercy and loving-kindness that we are not consumed, because His [tender] compassions fail not.

After running around with and for family most of the day, I was just getting ready to rest a bit (finally!) when I received a text asking for help – again.  I must confess that at that point I was not really in the mood (even as the thought came that "God loves a cheerful giver” [2 Corinthians 9:7 NIV]), but I nevertheless sought the Lord as to what He would have me to do.  Sensing that I was to allow the Lord to provide the requested assistance through me, I asked the Lord for His strength to do so.  My attitude changed as I remembered my gratitude for God’s gracious blessings in my life – specifically with regard to the aforementioned situation.  I thought of the verse, that to give to the poor [needy] is to lend to the Lord (Proverbs 19:17) as I went on my way (and now, even thinking of David’s statement in 2 Samuel 24:24 that he would not give to the Lord that which cost him nothing).

Colossians 2:6-7 (AMP, NIV, AMPC, VOICE)

⁶ Therefore as you have received Christ Jesus the Lord, continue to walk in [union with] Him [reflecting His character in the things you do and say—living lives that lead others away from sin], ⁷ having been deeply rooted [in Him] and now being continually built up in Him and [becoming increasingly more] established and strengthened in your faith, just as you were taught, and abounding and overflowing in it with gratitude and thanksgiving.

Once the task was accomplished, I was almost back home when “How He Loves” (by David Crowder Band) began playing on the radio.  I received the song as a gift, signaling God’s approval and acceptance of my actions.  I just smiled and thanked God again for the magnificent, penetrating brilliance and pervasive nature of His love to change a heart – even my heart.

… and my journey with my Lord continues …

Rescued!

"You came to my rescue, You came to my rescue ..."

Awakened today, hearing these lyrics (of the song as sung by Christy Nockels) ... and thought of Scripture I read the other day in a YouVersion Bible reading plan ...

Ephesians 1:3-14 VOICE

³ Blessed be God, the Father of our Lord Jesus the Anointed One, who grants us every spiritual blessing in these heavenly realms where we live in the Anointed—not because of anything we have done, but because of what He has done for us. ⁴ God chose us to be in a relationship with Him even before He laid out plans for this world; He wanted us to live holy lives characterized by love, free from sin, and blameless before Him. ⁵ He destined us to be adopted as His children through the covenant Jesus the Anointed inaugurated in His sacrificial life. This was His pleasure and His will for us. ⁶ Ultimately God is the one worthy of praise for showing us His grace; He is merciful and marvelous, freely giving us these gifts in His Beloved. ⁷ Visualize this: His blood freely flowing down the cross, setting us free! We are forgiven for our sinful ways by the richness of His grace, ⁸ which He has poured all over us. With all wisdom and insight, ⁹ He has enlightened us to the great mystery at the center of His will. With immense pleasure, He laid out His intentions through Jesus, ¹⁰ a plan that will climax when the time is right as He returns to create order and unity—both in heaven and on earth—when all things are brought together under the Anointed’s royal rule. In Him ¹¹ we stand to inherit even more. As His heirs, we are predestined to play a key role in His unfolding purpose that is energizing everything to conform to His will. ¹² As a result, we—the first to place our hope in the Anointed One—will live in a way to bring Him glory and praise. ¹³ Because you, too, have heard the word of truth—the good news of your salvation—and because you believed in the One who is truth, your lives are marked with His seal. This is none other than the Holy Spirit who was promised ¹⁴ as the guarantee toward the inheritance we are to receive when He frees and rescues all who belong to Him. To God be all praise and glory!

Selah.

... and my journey with my Lord continues ...

In Awe ...

So, I'm reading Psalm 119, and get to verse 120 (in the Amplified Bible):

¹²⁰ My flesh trembles and shudders for fear and reverential, worshipful awe of You, and I am afraid and in dread of Your judgments.

In my head, I hear, "I'm in awe of You, I'm in awe of You" - and recognize that what I'm hearing is from Chris Tomlin's song, At The Cross (Love Ran Red).  [Just occurred to me that the reason I was reading Psalm 119 was because of Passion City Church, where Chris Tomlin is a worship leader ... love God's sense of humor, the Way He brings all things together, working them for our good, for His glory ...]

... and my journey with Him continues ...

Playlist reminder: God Is Here

Isaiah 41:10 (AMP)
¹⁰ Fear not [there is nothing to fear], for I am with you; do not look around you in terror and be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen and harden you to difficulties, yes, I will help you; yes, I will hold you up and retain you with My [victorious] right hand of rightness and justice.

**********************************************

All week, The Lord reminded me through these songs, that He, The Eternal, Almighty, Omnipresent One, was with me:

• Here Now (Madness) – Hillsong United
• You Are Here – The Outsiders
• He is Here – Full Gospel Baptist Fellowship Mass Choir
• Already Here – Brian Courtney Wilson
• God is Here – Martha Munizzi
• Tu Estas Aqui – Jesus Adrian Romero featuring Marcela Gandara

Then my heart rejoiced and was encouraged as I read Scriptures regarding His Presence:
 

Exodus 33:14

And the Lord said, My Presence shall go with you, and I will give you rest.

1 Chronicles 16:27

Honor and majesty are [found] in His presence; strength and joy are [found] in His sanctuary.

1 Chronicles 16:11

Seek the Lord and His strength; yearn for and seek His face and to be in His presence continually!

Psalm 16:11

You will show me the path of life; in Your presence is fullness of joy, at Your right hand there are pleasures forevermore.

Psalm 21:6

For You make him to be blessed and a blessing forever; You make him exceedingly glad with the joy of Your presence.

Psalm 23:6

Surely or only goodness, mercy, and unfailing love shall follow me all the days of my life, and through the length of my days the house of the Lord [and His presence] shall be my dwelling place.

Psalm 27:4

One thing have I asked of the Lord, that will I seek, inquire for, and [insistently] require: that I may dwell in the house of the Lord [in His presence] all the days of my life, to behold and gaze upon the beauty [the sweet attractiveness and the delightful loveliness] of the Lord and to meditate, consider, and inquire in His temple.

Psalm 27:8

You have said, Seek My face [inquire for and require My presence as your vital need]. My heart says to You, Your face (Your presence), Lord, will I seek, inquire for, and require [of necessity and on the authority of Your Word].

Psalm 31:20

In the secret place of Your presence You hide them from the plots of men; You keep them secretly in Your pavilion from the strife of tongues.

Psalm 51:11

Cast me not away from Your presence and take not Your Holy Spirit from me.

Psalm 84:4

Blessed (happy, fortunate, to be envied) are those who dwell in Your house and Your presence; they will be singing Your praises all the day long. Selah [pause, and calmly think of that]!

Psalm 85:9

Surely His salvation is near to those who reverently and worshipfully fear Him, [and is ready to be appropriated] that [the manifest presence of God, His] glory may tabernacle and abide in our land.

Psalm 140:13

Surely the [uncompromisingly] righteous shall give thanks to Your name; the upright shall dwell in Your presence (before Your very face).

Isaiah 63:9

In all their affliction He was afflicted, and the Angel of His presence saved them; in His love and in His pity He redeemed them; and He lifted them up and carried them all the days of old.

Acts 2:28

You have made known to me the ways of life; You will enrapture me [diffusing my soul with joy] with and in Your presence.

Acts 3:19

So repent (change your mind and purpose); turn around and return [to God], that your sins may be erased (blotted out, wiped clean), that times of refreshing (of recovering from the effects of heat, of reviving with fresh air) may come from the presence of the Lord;

Acts 11:21

And the presence of the Lord was with them with power, so that a great number [learned] to believe (to adhere to and trust in and rely on the Lord) and turned and surrendered themselves to Him.

1 Corinthians 2:7

But rather what we are setting forth is a wisdom of God once hidden [from the human understanding] and now revealed to us by God—[that wisdom] which God devised and decreed before the ages for our glorification [to lift us into the glory of His presence].

2 Corinthians 2:17

For we are not, like so many, [like hucksters making a trade of] peddling God’s Word [shortchanging and adulterating the divine message]; but like [men] of sincerity and the purest motive, as [commissioned and sent] by God, we speak [His message] in Christ (the Messiah), in the [very] sight and presence of God.

2 Corinthians 4:2

We have renounced disgraceful ways (secret thoughts, feelings, desires and underhandedness, the methods and arts that men hide through shame); we refuse to deal craftily (to practice trickery and cunning) or to adulterate or handle dishonestly the Word of God, but we state the truth openly (clearly and candidly). And so we commend ourselves in the sight and presence of God to every man’s conscience.

2 Corinthians 4:14

Assured that He Who raised up the Lord Jesus will raise us up also with Jesus and bring us [along] with you into His presence.

2 Corinthians 12:19

Have you been supposing [all this time] that we have been defending ourselves and apologizing to you? [It is] in the sight and the [very] presence of God [and as one] in Christ (the Messiah) that we have been speaking, dearly beloved, and all in order to build you up [spiritually].

2 Corinthians 13:14

The grace (favor and spiritual blessing) of the Lord Jesus Christ and the love of God and the presence and fellowship (the communion and sharing together, and participation) in the Holy Spirit be with you all. Amen (so be it).

Galatians 5:22

But the fruit of the [Holy] Spirit [the work which His presence within accomplishes] is love, joy (gladness), peace, patience (an even temper, forbearance), kindness, goodness (benevolence), faithfulness,

Ephesians 2:21

In Him the whole structure is joined (bound, welded) together harmoniously, and it continues to rise (grow, increase) into a holy temple in the Lord [a sanctuary dedicated, consecrated, and sacred to the presence of the Lord].

Ephesians 3:19

[That you may really come] to know [practically, through experience for yourselves] the love of Christ, which far surpasses mere knowledge [without experience]; that you may be filled [through all your being] unto all the fullness of God [may have the richest measure of the divine Presence, and become a body wholly filled and flooded with God Himself]!

Colossians 1:22

Yet now has [Christ, the Messiah] reconciled [you to God] in the body of His flesh through death, in order to present you holy and faultless and irreproachable in His [the Father’s] presence.

James 4:10

Humble yourselves [feeling very insignificant] in the presence of the Lord, and He will exalt you [He will lift you up and make your lives significant].

1 John 3:19

By this we shall come to know (perceive, recognize, and understand) that we are of the Truth, and can reassure (quiet, conciliate, and pacify) our hearts in His presence,

1 John 5:18

We know [absolutely] that anyone born of God does not [deliberately and knowingly] practice committing sin, but the One Who was begotten of God carefully watches over and protects him [Christ’s divine presence within him preserves him against the evil], and the wicked one does not lay hold (get a grip) on him or touch [him].

Jude 1:24

Now to Him Who is able to keep you without stumbling or slipping or falling, and to present [you] unblemished (blameless and faultless) before the presence of His glory in triumphant joy and exultation [with unspeakable, ecstatic delight]—

Revelation 7:15

For this reason they are [now] before the [very] throne of God and serve Him day and night in His sanctuary (temple); and He Who is sitting upon the throne will protect and spread His tabernacle over and shelter them with His presence.

Thank You, Lord, for Your love, and for Your faithfulness to Your Word to never leave me nor forsake me!

1 Timothy 1:17 (KJV)

 

Now unto the King eternal, immortal, invisible, the only wise God, be honour and glory for ever and ever. Amen.

... and my journey with Him continues ...

God as Father

Luke 11:9-13   (NKJV)
⁹ “So I say to you, ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you. ¹⁰ For everyone who asks receives, and he who seeks finds, and to him who knocks it will be opened. ¹¹ If a son asks for bread from any father among you, will he give him a stone? Or if he asks for a fish, will he give him a serpent instead of a fish? ¹² Or if he asks for an egg, will he offer him a scorpion? ¹³ If you then, being evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to those who ask Him!”
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I found a bookmark from Derek Prince Ministries (www.derekprince.org), "God is my Father" - which had the following thoughts and Scripture:

 

John 1:12   (NKJV)

¹² But as many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God, to those who believe in His name.

I am a child of God.

1 Corinthians 12:27   (NKJV)

²⁷ Now you are the body of Christ, and members individually.

I am a member of the Body of Christ.

Ephesians 1:5   (NKJV)

⁵ [God] predestined us to adoption as sons by Jesus Christ to Himself, according to the good pleasure of His will.

I have been adopted as a child of God.

Deuteronomy 32:6   (NKJV)

⁶ Do you thus deal with the Lord, O foolish and unwise people?  Is He not your Father, who bought you?  Has He not made you and established you?

My Father has made me.

Ephesians 1:4-5   (NKJV)

⁴ … He chose us in Him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before Him in love, ⁵ having predestined us to adoption as sons by Jesus Christ to Himself, according to the good pleasure of His will.

In love, He has predestined me to be adopted as His child.

Matthew 6:8   (NKJV)

⁸ “Therefore do not be like them. For your Father knows the things you have need of before you ask Him.

My Father knows what I need, even before I ask Him.

Psalm 103:13   (NKJV)

¹³ As a father pities his children, So the Lord pities those who fear Him.

As a father has compassion on his children, so You, Lord, have compassion on me.

Romans 8:15   (NKJV)

¹⁵ For you did not receive the spirit of bondage again to fear, but you received the Spirit of adoption by whom we cry out, “Abba, Father.”

I did not receive a spirit that makes me a slave again to fear, but I have received the Spirit of sonship.  And by Him I cry, “Abba, Father.”

2 Corinthians 6:18   (NKJV)

¹⁸ “I will be a Father to you, And you shall be My sons and daughters, Says the Lord Almighty.”

The Lord Almighty says to me, "I will be a Father to you, and you shall be My child."

*********************************************************   Thank You, Lord, for being such a "Good, Good Father"! I love You - Happy Father's Day!

Songs: Good Good Father, by Housefires II
            No longer slaves, by Jonathan and Melissa Helser

                                           ... and my journey with Him continues ...

Please, come to Jesus NOW!!!

One Saturday morning at church, after corporate prayer had ended (with “corporate” pertaining to a united group of people), I just kept sitting in the room as music played.  I began praying in the Spirit and crying.  I wasn’t sad, and couldn’t think of why I was crying so much, so I asked the Lord what was going on. In my spirit, it was as if I heard, “I will do a thing you wouldn’t believe if I told you.”

Immediately I thought of Habakkuk and looked up the reference.  Verse 1:5 in the NASB version of the Bible says:

⁵ “Look among the nations! Observe!  Be astonished! Wonder!  Because I am doing something in your days—You would not believe if you were told.

As I read more of what God says to the prophet Habakkuk about the Chaldeans (in verses 1-11), I thought of the things that had been in the news lately concerning ISIS and Boko Haram:

¹ The oracle which Habakkuk the prophet saw.

² How long, O Lord, will I call for help,
And You will not hear?
I cry out to You, “Violence!”
Yet You do not save.
³ Why do You make me see iniquity,
And cause me to look on wickedness?
Yes, destruction and violence are before me;
Strife exists and contention arises.
⁴ Therefore the law is ignored
And justice is never upheld.
For the wicked surround the righteous;
Therefore justice comes out perverted.

⁵ “Look among the nations! Observe!
Be astonished! Wonder!
Because I am doing something in your days—
You would not believe if you were told.
⁶ “For behold, I am raising up the Chaldeans,
That fierce and impetuous people
Who march throughout the earth
To seize dwelling places which are not theirs.
⁷ “They are dreaded and feared;
Their justice and authority originate with themselves.
⁸ “Their horses are swifter than leopards
And keener than wolves in the evening.
Their horsemen come galloping,
Their horsemen come from afar;
They fly like an eagle swooping down to devour.
⁹ “All of them come for violence.
Their horde of faces moves forward.
They collect captives like sand.
¹⁰ “They mock at kings
And rulers are a laughing matter to them.
They laugh at every fortress
And heap up rubble to capture it.
¹¹ “Then they will sweep through like the wind and pass on.
But they will be held guilty,
They whose strength is their god.”

I wasn’t sure what to do with this, so again I asked the Lord because I sorely need His wisdom.  (James 1:5 NLT 1996 says, “If you need wisdom-if you want to know what God wants you to do-ask Him, and He will gladly tell you.  He will not resent your asking.” [pronoun capitalization mine])  The answer seemed to be in Acts 13:38-41-

³⁸ So let it be clearly known and understood by you, brethren, that through this Man forgiveness and removal of sins is now proclaimed to you;

³⁹ And that through Him everyone who believes [who acknowledges Jesus as his Savior and devotes himself to Him] is absolved (cleared and freed) from every charge from which he could not be justified and freed by the Law of Moses and given right standing with God.

⁴⁰ Take care, therefore, lest there come upon you what is spoken in the prophets:

⁴¹ Look, you scoffers and scorners, and marvel and perish and vanish away; for I am doing a deed in your days, a deed which you will never have confidence in or believe, [even] if someone [clearly describing it in detail] declares it to you.

It was as if I was to urge people to “come to Jesus NOW!” beginning with this blog entry.  As Paul said in 2 Corinthians 5:20 (NASB), I now say:

Therefore, as an ambassador for Christ, as though God were making an appeal through me; I beg you on behalf of Christ, be reconciled to God.

… and my journey with Him continues …