For Such a Time as This … Are You Being Called To Act or Grow?

Posted on March 26, 2014 by Julie Sunne — 6 Comments

Sometimes we get ahead of ourselves. More accurately, we get ahead of God’s plan for our lives.
Sometimes God gives us a vision for the future, and in our impatience we claim it for now. [←Tweet this.]

The Lord may place passion for a ministry in our hearts long before He gives us the means or the okay to pursue it. He often calls us before equipping us.
Like His ordination of David as King while just a boy (Samuel 16), God wants us to grow into that calling. To hone our skills and understanding.
But we often get impatient in the interim and want to act, not grow. 

A Season to Embrace and Grow

I’m in a season right now where my family still needs a big chunk of my time.  In fact, activity-wise we operate in the busiest period. However, I’ve felt a draw for a few years now to reach outside my home and minister encouragement. So in August 2011, I began this blog.
Yet my desire to reach farther outside the home is growing and becoming harder to contain. I see others’ circle of influence expanding in leaps and bounds while mine grows in tiny increments. And I pull against the bit holding me back.
But then God reels me in.  I plan one more “last” event in my son’s senior year, and my priorities smack home. I have my children for such a very short time.
For now the majority of my time and energy needs to be spent on my family as God fertilizes and waters those attributes I’ll need for any future ministry. 
 So, for such a time as this…

• I need to be present in my current calling.  This means with my kiddos. In 5 short years I’ll be empty nesting–next year half our children will be gone to college.
• I need to savor where God has me now before that time blows away in the winds of change.
• I need to demonstrate God’s love to whoever I reach: being fully present, fully loving, fully guiding.
• I need to let God grow me into His vision for my future.

It’s difficult. Patience isn’t easy. Often more acknowledgment and encouragement is found outside the home than in. A future ministry may garner more accolades.
But God has been reminding me that for now I’m raising disciples, His children, and that is a job no parent should take lightly.

The period of expanding my circle of influence may come. But it needs to be in God’s timing, according to His plan for me.

So for now, I’m working on being content with writing and speaking on a smaller scale. To grow more than act. 
I’m learning to treasure my current call, instead of yearning for the one to come. 

Is It Time for You to Act or Grow?

Are you longing to do something but don’t have the time to pursue it? What does your heart burn to do, but you feel shackled by obligations  and closed doors? 
Don’t become disheartened. It may be that God is calling you to patience. Perhaps He has you in a place of preparation and growth.
Embrace the now and eagerly anticipate the tomorrow. They are both gifts to treasure. 

“For everything there is a season, and a time for every matter under heaven” (Ecclesiastes 3:1)

Reflection: Has God ever given you a vision only to call you to wait on it? How did you know it was a time to grow not act? 

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Yours in grace ≈

Julie

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A prayer for the Lost Souls...and Everyone in Need of Prayer
Dear Heavenly Father, I come to your throne and confess my sins unto you. For the bible says..." For all have sinned and fall short of God" Romans 3:23. God you promise eternal life to those who confess and forsake their sins and place their faith in alone to save them. by willing to repent ( turn away from our sins) and put our complete faith in as savior and our Lord. The Bible says" Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, thou shalt be saved" Acts 16:31. " If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us"...1 John 1:9. " While we were yet sinners, Christ died for us"...Romans 5:8.... "He that believeth on the Son (Jesus) hath everlasting life..." John 3: 36.....Father, I pray for all the lost souls out there, that they will come to know you through your only Son:jesus-sign:who died for our sins. Jesus paid the penalty for all our sins by dying on the cross . He then defeated death by rising from the dead three days later. " For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believes in him should not perish, but have everlasting life"...John 3:16. " For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith- and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God- not by work, so that no one can boast."Ephesians 2:8-9.......Father your Words are true and I thank you for your loving Grace and Mercy. I Thank you Jesus, for dying on the cross, for our sins...that's how much you love us. I pray that every lost soul will make his/her choice to follow you and will come to the cross and will surrender their hearts to you and ask for your forgiveness.
Lord, there are so many hurting people in this world, that are crying out for help... My heart goes out to all and this is my prayer for all, many are stuck in false religions and cults and are under bondage from the enemy. Father Set them free, lift up the veil from their own eyes, so they can see the truth in Jesus Christ. Open up their hearts and mind to the only truth, and that they will trust in Christ ALONE for their salvation. " Jesus Said : I am the way, the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me. John 14:6... I pray that they will have a relationship with you, not a Religion. Father God, I pray that you will draw them close to your Son, so they can be set free in Christ and experience the Love and Joy and be filled with the Holy Spirit. And celebrate their new life in Christ.
Father, I pray for all here on this site and everywhere that needs healing, salvation, deliverance... and protection from the enemy, help many with their finances. Open up doors and bring comfort and relief. Give them peace that they are in need for. All according to your will. Thank for your loving Grace upon us and your longsuffering and patience.
Father, I would like to pray for your people in Israel and the Gaza strip. Israel has security needs: humanitarian needs: Father I pray you will give them wisdom for everyone that is involved and bring peace, salvation.... and I pray that the Love of will flow to Israel and for all people. I pray for the Nation of Israel that are Not saved , will come to the saving knowledge of your Son Christ Jesus. (Jesus saves).....
We pray for all the orphans, widows that God's love will provide shelter, care and food and the true Gospel of . As we pray for all in the mission field that are providing care for the needy. Lord, Place your protection and blessings on your children.
Hebrews 4:16..."Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in the time of need"...
Thank you Father for hearing our prayers. We thank you with Thanksgiving and Praise with Honor and ALL FOR YOUR GLORY. We love you "Praise your Holy name" You are Jehovah -Jireh....I pray in Jesus Name....Amen

Selections from Several Stories of Fortolds

Worm Wood-Part One
The Seal has been Broken-Chapters One
Masada-This Generations Last Stand-Chapter OneChapter-Two
The Seal has been Broken, How many more to Come
Wormwood Part 1 & 2

Worm Wood-Part One

There had been strange rumblings
This for quite a long while
Those in power new that something was coming
When asked were from, they all pointed, fingers pointing straight up into the ski

Now there had always been talk
That perhaps some day a near miss
And one for sure they knew off, some say perhaps more
Well they say they new one wiped out all those dinosaurs

But this is just talk, science fiction at best
Doomsday scenarios with all the best technical effects
Yet was this not read, in the Book of Life?
A star would fall from the heavens, destroying on third of all its inhabitants, one third of all human life

Destroying one third of all the fresh waters
Destroying one third of all plant and animal life
This planet Earth as we knew it
All this once created would lose its cohesion in just one plight

We had all been warned
For it had been written in the ancient texts
That Mother Earth would be smitten
By this evil from the black heavens on an unknown night

For the name was even given
Words of horror and grief
So much of this so called human kind
In but one day would now be deceased



We are now entering turbulent and dangerous times. And never as before are we so unsure of what our tomorrow’s will hold. Yet we have been foretold these things to come. Watch for the time is nigh, watch and be prepared.

Page #50

　

　

The Seal Has Been Broken-Chapter One

The Seal has been Broken-Chapters One

This parchment
Deeply yellowed with great age and weight
Written from ancient times so very long ago
Edges worn and cracked from great ages past

The parchment lay open upon the dried earth
Seal of wax broken in two crimson pieces
Words written in that of an ancient unknown language
Had these words been spoken

Had there been herd a great sigh
When these written words had been uttered
Sealed so long from the ears of mankind
When first read out loud, did the reader cry out

Wow to this human kind
There will begin great turmoil now to be known
For what was once, will now cease to be
For even with all of mans great knowledge, he will fail

When the seal had been broken
The very words of prophecy now have become very fact
The change at first appeared to be subtle
In the end, the very end it has become very fact

We as humans
We could not see that the change had begun
The very foundations of mankind would now be shaken
Man will have been brought to the very ground

We had drifted to much away from were we had come from
We walked away from our Father God
This we gave up in the name of
Page #51

Civilization


How eager we were to leave
Our Father God we had so loved
Walked away from This Written Word
So very many of us new as His love

As foolish children
We thought we knew it all
How deep, how sad, we humans, how hard we had to fall
Fall away from the Truth that was our very Father's All








Has the first seal been broken? Some say yes, it has begun. Prepare my children, for truly the time has come.

　

　

　

　

　

　

　

　

　

　

　

　

　

　

　

　

　

　

　

　

Page #52

　

Masada-This Generations Last Stand-Chapter One

Masada
This generations Last Stand-Chapter One

For we are at One, One Nation once more
For this time, will be our last time
We as a People, a Nation of Souls will fight
No more will we be dispersed among the nations any more

We once The People of a Great Nation
Dispersed among all the nations
For a call has come out from Israel
Our Mother has called all of Her Children to come Home

Israel, O' Israel
Calling all your Children once more to come Home
This will be Our Greatest Glory
We will rebuild The Third Temple, never to be destroyed any more

For we are an Ancient Peoples
For we have preserved The Written Word and Traditions of our God
For we are a Chosen people
First but not the least of His children of our Father God

For Us, this very Generation
Yes, we can feel it deep, rising in the blood
For it is this Generation, O' Israel
For it is We that Speak, Never again, Never again will We back down




A Generation, This Generation, Never again will they be taken away from their beloved Israel. Like Masada this generation will fight to the death rather than to ever be forced to leave there God given Home. God Bless You O ‘Israel

　

　

Page #53

　

　

The Seal Has Been Broken Chapters 1 & 2
© By: Carl Coglianese Masada-This Generations Last Stand-Chapter One

The Seal has been Broken-Chapters One

This parchment
Deeply yellowed with great age and weight
Written from ancient times so very long ago
Edges worn and cracked from great ages past

The parchment lay open upon the dried earth
Seal of wax broken in two crimson pieces
Words written in that of an ancient unknown language
Had these words been spoken

Had there been herd a great sigh
When these written words had been uttered
Sealed so long from the ears of mankind
When first read out loud, did the reader cry out

Wow to this human kind
There will begin great turmoil now to be known
For what was once, will now cease to be
For even with all of mans great knowledge, he will fail

When the seal had been broken
The very words of prophecy now have become very fact
The change at first appeared to be subtle
In the end, the very end it has become very fact

We as humans
We could not see that the change had begun
The very foundations of mankind would now be shaken
Man will have been brought to the very ground

We had drifted to much away from were we had come from
We walked away from our Father God
This we gave up in the name of
Civilization

Page #54

How eager we were to leave
Our Father God we had so loved
Walked away from This Written Word
So very many of us new as His love

As foolish children
We thought we knew it all
How deep, how sad, we humans, how hard we had to fall
Fall away from the Truth that was our very Father's All


Chapter-Two
The Seal has been Broken, How many more to Come


This creation called mankind
How hard do they fight to exist?
Do they not yet realize?
That what little time they will have to make this a finale peace

Seven Seals that must be broken
Each carries an arrow and a tear
A young mother for here unborn children cries
While a red-hot arrow tip splits the skin

We had all been warned
For there is not one excuse
We can not rest on what was once done yesterday
For in the now is all we can do

Say your prayers, my dear children
For all that is said, will all this come to truth
For the ski will have fallen, it's name is Wormwood
Say your prayers my dear children

For it has been written
For you all know this to be true
For it has been written in The book of Life
Please look for yourself, it is fact and it is truth

page #55

Wormwood Part 1 & 2
© By: Carl Coglianese

Worm Wood-Part One

There had been strange rumblings
This for quite a long while
Those in power new that something was coming
When asked were from, they all pointed, fingers pointing straight up into the ski

Now there had always been talk
That perhaps some day a near miss
And one for sure they knew off, some say perhaps more
Well they say they new one wiped out all those dinosaurs

But this is just talk, science fiction at best
Doomsday scenarios with all the best technical effects
Yet was this not read, in the Book of Life?
A star would fall from the heavens, destroying on third of all its inhabitants, one third of all human life

Destroying one third of all the fresh waters
Destroying one third of all plant and animal life
This planet Earth as we knew it
All this once created would lose its cohesion in just one plight

We had all been warned
For it had been written in the ancient texts
That Mother Earth would be smitten
By this evil from the black heavens on an unknown night

For the name was even given
Words of horror and grief
So much of this so called human kind
In but one day would now be deceased



Worm Wood Part Two
This Planet is dying

For this Earth so rumbled
Mighty winds blown across these lands
Very mountains crumble down to mere pebbles in minutes
This great earth shakes so very hard, but for that of but another moment it will end


For this had never happened
For at least since any records had been kept
Even the very islands
Slipped into the waters, these shaken waters did not relent

For every raised surface had been shaken
As never before had there ever been such an event
Not one high place would be standing
For not any low or high places would there be left

An entire civilization
All that would have been called the very best of man
All shaken to their very foundations
All once built upon rock has turned into sand

Have we been caught unguarded?
Were we not aware of such an event?
Was it not written in the very Book of the Heavens?
Were not the words, the Truth God sent

The only word that I may leave you
Please make sure you always say your prayers
For there is one that hides in the shadows
Whose day has yet to be known, for he has been watching for years

the name of the star is Wormwood

Revelation 8:11
the name of the star is Wormwood. A third of the waters turned bitter, and many people died from the waters that had become bitter.
Revelation 8:10-12 (in Context) Revelation 8 (Whole Chapter) Other Translations

　

Revelation 8

New International Version (NIV)



The Seventh Seal and the Golden Censer

8 When he opened the seventh seal, there was silence in heaven for about half an hour.

2 And I saw the seven angels who stand before God, and seven trumpets were given to them.

3 Another angel, who had a golden censer, came and stood at the altar. He was given much incense to offer, with the prayers of all God’s people, on the golden altar in front of the throne. 4 The smoke of the incense, together with the prayers of God’s people, went up before God from the angel’s hand. 5 Then the angel took the censer, filled it with fire from the altar, and hurled it on the earth; and there came peals of thunder, rumblings, flashes of lightning and an earthquake.



The Trumpets

6 Then the seven angels who had the seven trumpets prepared to sound them.

7 The first angel sounded his trumpet, and there came hail and fire mixed with blood, and it was hurled down on the earth. A third of the earth was burned up, a third of the trees were burned up, and all the green grass was burned up.

8 The second angel sounded his trumpet, and something like a huge mountain, all ablaze, was thrown into the sea. A third of the sea turned into blood, 9 a third of the living creatures in the sea died, and a third of the ships were destroyed.

10 The third angel sounded his trumpet, and a great star, blazing like a torch, fell from the sky on a third of the rivers and on the springs of water — 11 the name of the star is Wormwood.[a] A third of the waters turned bitter, and many people died from the waters that had become bitter.

12 The fourth angel sounded his trumpet, and a third of the sun was struck, a third of the moon, and a third of the stars, so that a third of them turned dark. A third of the day was without light, and also a third of the night.

13 As I watched, I heard an eagle that was flying in midair call out in a loud voice: “Woe! Woe! Woe to the inhabitants of the earth, because of the trumpet blasts about to be sounded by the other three angels!”

Footnotes:
Revelation 8:11 Wormwood is a bitter substance.


　
　
　
　
　

Revelation 8

New King James Version (NKJV)

Seventh Seal: Prelude to the Seven Trumpets

8 When He opened the seventh seal, there was silence in heaven for about half an hour. 2 And I saw the seven angels who stand before God, and to them were given seven trumpets. 3 Then another angel, having a golden censer, came and stood at the altar. He was given much incense, that he should offer it with the prayers of all the saints upon the golden altar which was before the throne. 4 And the smoke of the incense, with the prayers of the saints, ascended before God from the angel’s hand. 5 Then the angel took the censer, filled it with fire from the altar, and threw it to the earth. And there were noises, thunderings, lightnings, and an earthquake.

6 So the seven angels who had the seven trumpets prepared themselves to sound.



First Trumpet: Vegetation Struck

7 The first angel sounded: And hail and fire followed, mingled with blood, and they were thrown to the earth.[a] And a third of the trees were burned up, and all green grass was burned up.



Second Trumpet: The Seas Struck

8 Then the second angel sounded: And something like a great mountain burning with fire was thrown into the sea, and a third of the sea became blood. 9 And a third of the living creatures in the sea died, and a third of the ships were destroyed.



Third Trumpet: The Waters Struck

10 Then the third angel sounded: And a great star fell from heaven, burning like a torch, and it fell on a third of the rivers and on the springs of water. 11 The name of the star is Wormwood. A third of the waters became wormwood, and many men died from the water, because it was made bitter.



Fourth Trumpet: The Heavens Struck

12 Then the fourth angel sounded: And a third of the sun was struck, a third of the moon, and a third of the stars, so that a third of them were darkened. A third of the day did not shine, and likewise the night.

13 And I looked, and I heard an angel[b] flying through the midst of heaven, saying with a loud voice, “Woe, woe, woe to the inhabitants of the earth, because of the remaining blasts of the trumpet of the three angels who are about to sound!”

Footnotes:
Revelation 8:7 NU-Text and M-Text add and a third of the earth was burned up.
Revelation 8:13 NU-Text and M-Text read eagle.




New King James Version (NKJV)


　

Revelation 9

New King James Version (NKJV)

Fifth Trumpet: The Locusts from the Bottomless Pit

9 Then the fifth angel sounded: And I saw a star fallen from heaven to the earth. To him was given the key to the bottomless pit. 2 And he opened the bottomless pit, and smoke arose out of the pit like the smoke of a great furnace. So the sun and the air were darkened because of the smoke of the pit. 3 Then out of the smoke locusts came upon the earth. And to them was given power, as the scorpions of the earth have power. 4 They were commanded not to harm the grass of the earth, or any green thing, or any tree, but only those men who do not have the seal of God on their foreheads. 5 And they were not given authority to kill them, but to torment them for five months. Their torment was like the torment of a scorpion when it strikes a man. 6 In those days men will seek death and will not find it; they will desire to die, and death will flee from them.

7 The shape of the locusts was like horses prepared for battle. On their heads were crowns of something like gold, and their faces were like the faces of men. 8 They had hair like women’s hair, and their teeth were like lions’ teeth. 9 And they had breastplates like breastplates of iron, and the sound of their wings was like the sound of chariots with many horses running into battle. 10 They had tails like scorpions, and there were stings in their tails. Their power was to hurt men five months. 11 And they had as king over them the angel of the bottomless pit, whose name in Hebrew is Abaddon, but in Greek he has the name Apollyon.

12 One woe is past. Behold, still two more woes are coming after these things.



Sixth Trumpet: The Angels from the Euphrates

13 Then the sixth angel sounded: And I heard a voice from the four horns of the golden altar which is before God, 14 saying to the sixth angel who had the trumpet, “Release the four angels who are bound at the great river Euphrates.” 15 So the four angels, who had been prepared for the hour and day and month and year, were released to kill a third of mankind. 16 Now the number of the army of the horsemen was two hundred million; I heard the number of them. 17 And thus I saw the horses in the vision: those who sat on them had breastplates of fiery red, hyacinth blue, and sulfur yellow; and the heads of the horses were like the heads of lions; and out of their mouths came fire, smoke, and brimstone. 18 By these three plagues a third of mankind was killed—by the fire and the smoke and the brimstone which came out of their mouths. 19 For their power[a] is in their mouth and in their tails; for their tails are like serpents, having heads; and with them they do harm.

20 But the rest of mankind, who were not killed by these plagues, did not repent of the works of their hands, that they should not worship demons, and idols of gold, silver, brass, stone, and wood, which can neither see nor hear nor walk. 21 And they did not repent of their murders or their sorceries[b] or their sexual immorality or their thefts.

Footnotes:
Revelation 9:19 NU-Text and M-Text read the power of the horses.
Revelation 9:21 NU-Text and M-Text read drugs.
<<
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Revelation 10

New King James Version (NKJV)

The Mighty Angel with the Little Book


10 I saw still another mighty angel coming down from heaven, clothed with a cloud. And a rainbow was on his head, his face was like the sun, and his feet like pillars of fire. 2 He had a little book open in his hand. And he set his right foot on the sea and his left foot on the land, 3 and cried with a loud voice, as when a lion roars. When he cried out, seven thunders uttered their voices. 4 Now when the seven thunders uttered their voices,[a] I was about to write; but I heard a voice from heaven saying to me,[b] “Seal up the things which the seven thunders uttered, and do not write them.”

5 The angel whom I saw standing on the sea and on the land raised up his hand[c] to heaven 6 and swore by Him who lives forever and ever, who created heaven and the things that are in it, the earth and the things that are in it, and the sea and the things that are in it, that there should be delay no longer, 7 but in the days of the sounding of the seventh angel, when he is about to sound, the mystery of God would be finished, as He declared to His servants the prophets.




John Eats the Little Book


8 Then the voice which I heard from heaven spoke to me again and said, “Go, take the little book which is open in the hand of the angel who stands on the sea and on the earth.”

9 So I went to the angel and said to him, “Give me the little book.”

And he said to me, “Take and eat it; and it will make your stomach bitter, but it will be as sweet as honey in your mouth.”

10 Then I took the little book out of the angel’s hand and ate it, and it was as sweet as honey in my mouth. But when I had eaten it, my stomach became bitter. 11 And he[d] said to me, “You must prophesy again about many peoples, nations, tongues, and kings.”

　

　

Footnotes:
Revelation 10:4 NU-Text and M-Text read sounded.
Revelation 10:4 NU-Text and M-Text omit to me.
Revelation 10:5 NU-Text and M-Text read right hand.
Revelation 10:11 NU-Text and M-Text read they.

Revelation 11

New King James Version (NKJV)

The Two Witnesses


11 Then I was given a reed like a measuring rod. And the angel stood,[a] saying, “Rise and measure the temple of God, the altar, and those who worship there. 2 But leave out the court which is outside the temple, and do not measure it, for it has been given to the Gentiles. And they will tread the holy city underfoot for forty-two months. 3 And I will give power to my two witnesses, and they will prophesy one thousand two hundred and sixty days, clothed in sackcloth.”

4 These are the two olive trees and the two lampstands standing before the God[b] of the earth. 5 And if anyone wants to harm them, fire proceeds from their mouth and devours their enemies. And if anyone wants to harm them, he must be killed in this manner. 6 These have power to shut heaven, so that no rain falls in the days of their prophecy; and they have power over waters to turn them to blood, and to strike the earth with all plagues, as often as they desire.




The Witnesses Killed


7 When they finish their testimony, the beast that ascends out of the bottomless pit will make war against them, overcome them, and kill them. 8 And their dead bodies will lie in the street of the great city which spiritually is called Sodom and Egypt, where also our[c] Lord was crucified. 9 Then those from the peoples, tribes, tongues, and nations will see their dead bodies three-and-a-half days, and not allow[d] their dead bodies to be put into graves. 10 And those who dwell on the earth will rejoice over them, make merry, and send gifts to one another, because these two prophets tormented those who dwell on the earth.




The Witnesses Resurrected


11 Now after the three-and-a-half days the breath of life from God entered them, and they stood on their feet, and great fear fell on those who saw them. 12 And they[e] heard a loud voice from heaven saying to them, “Come up here.” And they ascended to heaven in a cloud, and their enemies saw them. 13 In the same hour there was a great earthquake, and a tenth of the city fell. In the earthquake seven thousand people were killed, and the rest were afraid and gave glory to the God of heaven.

14 The second woe is past. Behold, the third woe is coming quickly.

　

　

　

　




Seventh Trumpet: The Kingdom Proclaimed

　


15 Then the seventh angel sounded: And there were loud voices in heaven, saying, “The kingdoms[f] of this world have become the kingdoms of our Lord and of His Christ, and He shall reign forever and ever!” 16 And the twenty-four elders who sat before God on their thrones fell on their faces and worshiped God, 17 saying:

“We give You thanks, O Lord God Almighty,
The One who is and who was and who is to come,[g]
Because You have taken Your great power and reigned.

　


18 The nations were angry, and Your wrath has come,
And the time of the dead, that they should be judged,
And that You should reward Your servants the prophets and the saints,
And those who fear Your name, small and great,
And should destroy those who destroy the earth.”

　

19 Then the temple of God was opened in heaven, and the ark of His covenant[h] was seen in His temple. And there were lightnings, noises, thunderings, an earthquake, and great hail.

　

　

　

Footnotes:
Revelation 11:1 NU-Text and M-Text omit And the angel stood.
Revelation 11:4 NU-Text and M-Text read Lord.
Revelation 11:8 NU-Text and M-Text read their.
Revelation 11:9 NU-Text and M-Text read nations see . . . and will not allow.
Revelation 11:12 M-Text reads I.
Revelation 11:15 NU-Text and M-Text read kingdom . . . has become.
Revelation 11:17 NU-Text and M-Text omit and who is to come.
Revelation 11:19 M-Text reads the covenant of the Lord.

This Robe That Mother Mary Created

This Robe That Mother Mary Created

Written by Ephraim Caleb

Your robe was white

Created of one accord

Made of the finest of wool, White and unspoiled

What a carpenter named Joseph’s wife Mary could afford

It was given to you

Out of a mothers purist love

Given by both your earthly parents

Perhaps for a special occasion, allowed to be worn

Made by a mothers hand

A labor of so many hours

For in this one months have passed

Then to be given in honor to a most wonderful I st born Son

　

Perhaps,

even touched by tears

From your mothers weary eyes

Tears of not sadness, Love in your mothers eyes

Mary knew in her heart

That this Robe that she made was to be his last

It was to be worn through Jesus’ ministry

Perhaps Mary even knew it would be His last.

　

　

Greed, and the Death of the American Dream

Greed, and the Death of the American Dream

What has happened?

Why has the American Dream indeed, the very way of American life die?

In one very chilling, destructive word, (Greed). Yes, the reality is the American Dream, the American lifestyle was destroyed by Greed.

To work hard, to save, to budget, to work towards goals and dreams, To make sacrifice was somehow replaced by uncontained promises by loan & mortgage companies, real-estate moguls and an out of control housing market gone quite mad.

The Bubble just had to explode someday and we all could see it. We saw it coming and still blindly fell into it most seductive bindings of such promised out of control greed that led to unfathomed wealth. We ended up mortgaging our very souls to the so called Company store so to speak. How did it all end, it ended The American Dream?

　



The Holy Spirit

The Holy Spirit

Alive and well in the 2014

　

　

　

　

i have written alot on the Holy Spirit, i talk about Him all the time, but i have not sat down and devoted a complete sermon to this very important subject. Before you read this message you may want to read Gifts of the Spirit. Not all gifts are for all believers. We are diverse. The Holy Spirit fellowships with us as individuals, one to one. Once you have read that, and searched out the Scriptures quoted, come back and let me introduce you to the closest friend i have in this world...

John 14:16-17 "And I will pray the Father, and he shall give you another Comforter, that he may abide with you for ever; Even the Spirit of truth; whom the world cannot receive, because it seeth him not, neither knoweth him: but ye know him; for he dwelleth with you, and shall be in you."

John 14:26 "But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you."

John 16:12-14 "I have yet many things to say unto you, but ye cannot bear them now. Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth: for he shall not speak of himself; but whatsoever he shall hear, that shall he speak: and he will show you things to come. He shall glorify me: for he shall receive of mine, and shall show it unto you."

Now if you are not Saved by Grace, or are not absolutely sure of your salvation, this message is not going to make alot of sense to you. First you must know Jesus. There are some seeds of salvation here, but this is a Word more toward believers. You may want to read the sermon on Salvation first, then jump right in here.

To start off, let me clear up some theological points. First of all, the Holy Spirit did not have some short term mission in Judea. He is pre-existent with the Father. Genesis 1:2 "And the earth was without form, and void; and darkness was upon the face of the deep. And the Spirit of God moved upon the face of the waters." The words there are ruwach 'elohiym, literally the breath of GOD. He didn't just show up at Pentecost. There are many examples of His activity in the Old Testament Scriptures. King David was filled with the Holy Spirit, and danced before the whole assembly. In the Gospels, John the Baptist lept in his mothers womb and she was filled with the Holy Spirit as Mary approached. Nor did He leave us and return to Heaven some time in the first century after the Church was established. The Holy Spirit has been active in this world from before its creation, right up until this day, and will remain until the end. He is from everlasting to everlasting. He is God. But He is not the Father...

That brings up another point that must be addressed. The Trinity. This is a hard one for any mortal mind to understand, but we are no longer mortal, we have life everlasting in Jesus Christ, so lets give it a shot. Deuteronomy 6:4 "Hear, O Israel: The LORD our God is one LORD:" (yehovah 'elohiym 'echad yehovah) GOD is GOD! There is no other, none with whom HE must share. HE is our Father, our Creator, our LORD, our Master, our Salvation, our Judge. I AM . That says it all. Jesus is the Son of GOD. The only begotten of the father, King of King, Lord of Lords. But Jesus said "Ye have heard how I said unto you, I go away, and come again unto you. If ye loved me, ye would rejoice, because I said, I go unto the Father: for my Father is greater than I."

All Jesus is, all Jesus said and did, was by the will of His Father. Yes He is God and yes He is equal to GOD (the Father) but only because GOD said in Psalms 110:1 "Sit thou at my right hand, until I make thine enemies thy footstool." Jesus is God, and worthy of our praise and worship, because GOD the Father wills it to be so. And in the will of the Father, Jesus too is from everlasting to everlasting. John 1:1 "In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God." But the Spirit of Christ is not the Holy Spirit (ruwach 'elohiym), the Holy Spirit descended on Him in the form of a dove at His Baptism, nor is either the Father, GOD spoke at that time "This is my beloved son, in whom I am well pleased." So the three are not singular, nor are they ultimately equal. (though from our limited human perspective they are) GOD is GOD and both Jesus and the Holy Spirit acknowledge HIS ultimate preeminence.

But i digress, i could do a whole series of sermons on the Trinity. But lets get back to the Holy Spirit. Ruwach 'elohiym, the very breath of GOD. He is the force of Life in the universe. All things are ordered and held together by Him. It is by the power of the Holy Spirit that angels fly, that a child is formed in its mothers womb, that atoms bind together to form a star, and by His power that light streams across the universe to become a twinkle in the eye of a child. The Holy Spirit flows through all things, bringing order and life to GOD's creation. Jesus called Him the "Comforter". And promised that in the Name of Jesus, we would have a personal relationship with Him. He (the Holy Spirit) would lead us to all knowledge and truth. He would give us power and life. Once we received the Holy Spirit Jesus said "and greater works than these shall (we) do;"

i hope we all agree on the Divinity and Authority of GOD, the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. So lets focus on the relationship we have with the Holy Spirit. First, He is in us, around us, as He is in everything. We would not have life without Him. But, as the Word says "the wages of sin is death" and "all have sinned" so our life is forfeit. When we confess our sinful nature and fall on GOD's grace through Jesus Christ we are quickened and the Holy Spirit brings Life. We are "Born Again", born of the Spirit. We are alive, truly Alive for the first time.

We are Baptised in the Holy Spirit and the spark of life, only possible through the Breath of GOD (ruwach 'elohiym), begins to grow within us. But that is a gift not a relationship. We are promised a relationship with the Holy Spirit. Yes He is with us, giving us new life, eternal life, and He guides us and speaks to us, but our salvation is perhaps more like conception than birth. We are alive, but there is so much more.

As a child, cradled in its mothers womb, we live. We even experience some stimuli from the world beyond, hearing the muffled sound of voices, our mothers strong heartbeat. But there is a greater reality, and bit by bit we are drawn beyond our safe world into that greater life. To be 'born' we must give up all, release ourselves to a will beyond our will. Trust the Spirit beyond all reason, against all logic, that He will lead us on a journey we are unable to take alone, to the arms of our Father. We must be willing to die, to cast away all we know and hold dear, to throw ourselves without reserve in the hands of the Holy Spirit. When we were saved, we acknowledged our inability to save ourselves and our need for Jesus as our Savior.

Through Jesus Christ we are washed of our sin and justified before our Father, we are given Life and the Holy Spirit as our Guide and Comforter. When we are truly Born of The Spirit we enter a new form of being, old things are passed away and all things are made new. We are no longer simply cradled in the Spirit or even Baptised in the Spirit, we are Filled with the Spirit, shaken, pressed down, and overflowing. Every cell in our body shines in the light of redemption. We are a new creation in Jesus Christ. Totally sold out to GOD. Everything in our lives now take on a new perspective, a Spiritual perspective. We see things in the light of eternity, not the mundane cares of this world. Not to say we become super saints or free from sin, the flesh is still alive and kicking, but if we sin, we are not in fear of punishment, but deeply saddened by our own weakness and our failure to GOD. Our "religion" becomes a lifestyle and an intimate relationship with our Heavenly Father.

Now comes the controversy. What is being Filled with the Spirit? Many deny anything beyond salvation. They maintain that we receive the Holy Spirit when we are saved and that is the end of it. Either you are saved or not, either you have the Spirit or you don't. Some go to the other extreme, yet come to the same conclusion. They say you are not truly Saved unless you are Spirit Filled. Some demand you display Spiritual Gifts as evidence of your salvation, while others deny those Gifts are still available. As i said at the beginning, if you are not saved, all this is not going to make alot of sense. If you are not filled with the Spirit, it is hard to imagine the possibilities. When we are saved it is hard to believe there could be anything more wonderful. We have a relationship with Jesus Christ, the Holy Spirit guiding us, giving us life. We were dead and in a twinkling of the eye we are alive. But there is more...

The Holy Spirit is as active now as when He moved across the primordial chaos. Yes, if you are saved by Grace the Spirit is with you, guiding you, leading you to GOD. But if you let go, if you forget the cry of ego, the needful morning of the flesh, the constant clamor of self, and look into the eyes of GOD; with no strings... no preconceptions... no thoughts of punishment or reward... only love and a burning desire to do HIS WILL... then the Holy Spirit, the ruwach 'elohiym, the very BREATH of GOD, will fill the void that once was your SELF. We are saved within our own selflishness. We don't want to die, we don't want to go to hell. So we seek forgiveness, salvation. But when we go beyond that selfishness, life and death, heaven and hell, have no desire or fear. There is only GOD and HIS will. Then we follow Jesus up the hill of Golgotha and say "nevertheless not my will but thine be done". We have at last become the Children of Obedience, the later fruit.

Spiritual gifts are another subject left for another sermon. But they too are active today as Jesus promised. They didn't end with the beginning of the "Church Age". Jesus promised we would do greater works. But again, when you experience the infilling of the Holy Spirit, that is not important except in how it can further the Gospel and serve GOD. We are given the Gifts we need to complete GOD's will for our life. If we need to speak in tongues, we will speak in tongues, if we need to prophecy then prophecy. But gifts are not evidence of your salvation nor evidence of being filled with the Spirit. GOD can and will work through you even if you kick at the goads. They can be used as evidence to the unsaved, bringing them to repentance, but they can be used without being filled with the Spirit. Many speak of the "Annointing" of the Holy Spirit and if you have experienced that then you have had a taste of being filled. Let go... Let GOD take control... Sink into the Holy Spirit and lose yourself in the greater reality of GOD's WILL.

Some who read this will silently Amen, others will possibly take offense. Don't listen to me, Listen to GOD. Open yourself to the Holy Spirit, put aside you own thoughts, fears, desires. Lay yourself bare before GOD and let HIM breath into your nostrils the Breath of Life. Forget all the coverings you have made for yourself, there is only One covering, Jesus. Cast away your will, it's what got you in trouble to start with. Just ask HIM to take control. You've accepted the Gift of Life through Jesus, accept the Comforter He sent. He is not some dusty old relic of the pre-church age who just splashes you once when you get saved. He is active right now, ready to take the lead and usher you into the throne room of GOD. Get to know Him.

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Sermon from The Mojave Desert #8

It’s All A Matter Of Faith

Sermon from The Mojave Desert #8

Definition of faith: The Biblical Definition Of Faith


Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen (Hebrews 11:1, KJV).

Hebrews 11:1 is probably the most concise definition of faith found in the Bible. It is considered the classical definition of faith. Faith is both the substance of things hoped for and the evidence that things exist that are not yet perceived with the senses.


1. Faith Is Substance
The New Testament was written in Koine [common] Greek. The Greek word translated "substance in Hebrews 11:1 is hypostasis, literally, "that which stands under." The derived meaning is "that which has real existence, the basic essence, the actual reality, the substance of something" [Hobart E. Freeman, ThD, Faith (Claypool, IN: Faith Publications, n.d.), p. 3]. It is a condition of the human heart that is as real to God as the thing we asked for will be to us when we receive it. It is the exact image of the thing for which we ask (hypostasis is translated "image" in Hebrews 1:3). When we receive what we have prayed for the image is replaced by the actuality.


2. Faith Is Evidence
The Greek word translated "evidence" is elegchos, which basically means "conviction." John writes,


And this is the confidence that we have in him, that, if we ask any thing according to his will, he heareth us: And if we know that he hear us, whatsoever we ask, we know that we have the petitions that we desired of him (1 John 5:14-15, KJV).
The existence of the God-kind of faith in the human heart is the evidence that what we have prayed for exists. Faith, based on the Word of God, is the evidence—not what we see or don't see—not good or bad circumstances. Faith is not based on human feeling but rather it is based squarely on the fact of what God says. The evidence is not found in the feeling, rational, visible or sense realm.


3. What Faith Is Not
Faith is not mere human hope. Faith is based on the Word of God alone. Human hope may be based on the sands of wishful thinking or human desire, rather than on the rock of the Word of God. Doubt and hope raise the question, "What shall I do?" Faith says, "I have done!" The common phrase, "I am hoping and praying" is incorrect. "I have prayed and am believing" is more scriptural.


Faith is not natural human faith. In order to function in life, we must exercise a natural faith. We have faith in natural laws such as gravity and inertia and assume that they will work the same every day. If the universe were unpredictable and untrustworthy, chaos would reign and life as we know it would be impossible. We trust inanimate machines. By turning an ignition key, flipping on a light switch, boarding an aircraft, we exercise faith in machines. We trust vegetables and animals—we assume they will perform according to our past experience. We trust other human beings. We trust our surgeon, our spouse, our pilot, etc. However, faith in God is supernatural—a gift from God. We will examine the nature of faith in God in the next chapter.


Faith is not mental assent. John Wesley warned in his time that there was a dangerous substitute for faith that he called "mental assent." He was caught in this dangerous trap and only escaped after failing as a missionary in America. Faith is of the heart (human spirit) and not merely the head (human reason). Simply agreeing that God exists and that his Word (the Bible) is true is not Biblical faith. James states that demons believe in this manner and tremble in fear of judgment:


Thou believest that there is one God; thou doest well: the devils also believe, and tremble (James 2:19, KJV).
Faith is not a psychological attitude. Mere positive thinking may have some good results, but it is not Biblical faith.


Faith is not sight. Faith is not based on mere sensory perception or human reasoning. Paul says,


We live by faith, not by sight (2 Corinthians 5:7, New International Version).
4. Attributes of Faith
Faith thanks God beforehand. If a husband tells his wife that he has placed a hundred dollar bill in her purse for her birthday, she thanks him immediately. Why? Because she trusts him. She knows it is hers before she sees it. Jesus says,


Therefore I tell you, whatever you ask for in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours. (Mark 11:24, New International Version).
God does not answer biblical prayer with "No" or with substitutes. Paul says,


For no matter how many promises God has made, they are `Yes' in Christ. ... (2 Corinthians 1:20, New International Version).
Faith will endure to the end. Abraham waited 25 years for Isaac to be born. Caleb waited 40 years for his land. Noah waited 120 years for his physical salvation. Faith does not look at the calendar, but to Christ. Hope may last a few minutes or a few months. Faith will endure until it is replaced by the thing for which we are believing. D. L. Moody said,


Faith that fizzles out at the finish, had a flaw in it from the first.


Conclusion: Dr. Freeman concludes:
Faith is not hope. Faith is the means by which we receive those things we hope for. Neither is faith sight. Faith is the evidence of things not seen. Faith can only operate in the realm of the invisible concerning those things we hope for and do not yet see. Faith cannot exist in the visible realm. When the things we hope for are manifested to our sight, then faith, the invisible "substance," having done its work, is supplanted by the visible substance, that is, the things we hope for. When the actuality comes into view, then the image (faith) vanishes. (Hobart E. Freeman, Faith, p. 4).
Biblical faith is an absolute requirement for answered prayer. The writer of Hebrews states,


But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him (Hebrews 11:6, KJV).

Know as you can see the biblical definition of faith is very extensive yet in the very first sentence it really says it all. Lets reread that sentence and expand it from there in its most wonderful and loving explanation that I have learned over these many years off growth and exploration into the Word and Love of our father God….

Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen (Hebrews 11:1, KJV).
Now let us begin from here…..

When I was but a very small child, I went to a Catholic grammar school called Saint Mary’s of Mount. Carmel Catholic School in Chicago Il. I lived just 3 house from school same block. 6741 South Wood Street. The very first numbers I learned in first grade there were my address.

In first grade we were taught how to read and it was also our first instructions concerning this wonderful Personage known to us as God the Father. I for some reason, not even to this day, for the first time realized that somehow I always new in some sense this wonderful creator they called Father God. Please, do not think for one moment that I am claiming to be or thought I was special to have known this personage of God. Oh no not in any sense. What I am saying is Father God knew my soul even before I was born, since after all He created me in the first place? No?

　

Ephriam

Sermon From The Mojave Desert #7

Sermon From The Mojave Desert #7

　

I woke up at 2.30 am this fine Wednesday mourning. I realized just how important family and close friends are in this very shaky and stressful place called the world. I remember that being Christians that we are no longer of this world. I know the feeling of not even wanting to be here, in this place that mankind had so created. I feel such a great loss of being a fallen soul thanks to our Mother and Father Adam and Eve. I just wish so very deep in my soul we just Trusted our Father God and just told that serpent, No!

Well, we are here know and as Children of God we are called out of this world but still exist in the world never the less. In these times of great stress we need not only put on the Armoire of God thus shielding ourselves in the Word of God, to have complete trust in The Holy Spirit of God that indwells within each and every child of our Father God. We need to be strong and help and love one another as if these are the Last Days. In reality they are my Children of God, they really are.

Please do not point fingers at one another and never , ever judge any one, unless you be judged. Love one another as Jesus has taught us. Today, this day, ask Father God, Lord and King Christ Jesus, and The Most Holy Spirit to guide your heart and soul. Pray each and every day as if it were your last. Pray for God to forgive our most beloved America. Ask Father God to save this country from those that wish to destroy what it was always meant to stand for. One Nation under God.

I am asking this as a child of our Father God, as a subject of our Lord and King Christ Jesus, as a vessel of The Holy Spirit. Pray ye children of God, pray for not only for the body of Christ, The Church, but for the Salvation of this our most beloved country America. Amen, by Ephriam Caleb

　



Sermon in the Mojave Desert #6

Sermon in the Mojave Desert #6

By Ephraim Caleb

Back-Sliding-Even for One Day

Back-Sliding even for one day can make you feel so dis-located from our Father God. Can you imagine being separated from Father God, our Lord & King Jesus, and The Holy Spirit. Even for one day?

You will feel this separation in the most disturbing of ways. You will be the one that has chosen to be separated from our Father God. God had not chosen to be separated from you. In reality Father is still with you, however when you chose to back-slide it was you that whether out of shame, embarrassment, you moved away from God, Jesus, as well as the Holy Spirit. That my friend is such a horrible and lonely feeling. Ever been there before? I have and I just cannot bare that separation for more than a day and as I am older in the Faith, even an hour seems like an eternity.

We all have sinned and have fallen short. So many times in the Christian walk, a long and narrow walk, we have fallen so short. The main thing to remember is that no matter how ashamed you are, how crevice the sin was, please to not ever pull back from seeking out our Father God. Never back away no matter how horrible you are feeling. If you are truly sorry, God will forgive you. The biggest mistake is that we pull away because of our shame. Never pull away, go to our most beloved Father, confess your back-slide and embrace Him. Father God will forgive you and you learn it is ok to forgive yourself also.

God Bless you all, in the Name and Blood of our most Excellent and Loving Father God, Lord and King Christ Jesus, and our most Awesome Holy Spirit, Amen