the battle within

Speak to my heart Holy Spirit, give me the words that will bring new life, words on the wings of the morning the dark night will fade away; if you speak to my heart now. This song woke me this morning resonating in my mind; the words so poignant stirring a need to pray. The daily grind of life brings distractions from the only source that gives renewal and strength to fight the battles within us. The message of love we need to chase away the uncertainties and doubt that causes stagnation.

The mind is the battles ground the enemy of mankind desires to capture and enslave; Romans 6:16 states “Don’t you know that when you offer yourselves to someone as obedient slaves you are slaves of the one you obey, whether you are slaves to sin which leads to death or to obedience which leads to righteousness. It is by our choices we are bound to whichever we choose. If we open our hearts to the love of the Father Creator His Holy Spirit will guide us in the direction the Father desires we travel.

However, man’s nature is to lead and not follow, this what the enemy uses to interfere and disrupt Gods plan for mankind. We came into this world with fallen natures prone to do what is contrary to the will of our Father; it is His transforming love that brings us into alignment with His plan for our lives. Daily communication with the Father in prayer fortifies the mind, body and spirit leaving no room for the enemy to enter. We must choose to fight the battle raging within constantly yielding each moment of the day to the Holy Spirits leading.

Isaiah 5:20 tells us “woe to the perverters: against those who call evil good and good evil, and light darkness”. This is our world today, we are living in chaos and it seems those who govern refuse to see the consequences of their actions. The enemy has pulled out every weapon he has to create battles within; battles in the mind, the heart, the family, the educational system, the church and the nations. As indicated by the song only when God speaks to the heart can change come. When He speaks we are encouraged and all despair is lifted by His message of love.

When we yield everything to Him, He will guide us safely to a resting place where no pain or problems can invade, the enemy can’t distract and we are strengthen in our inner man to withstand his temptations. we must give all our battles to Him, they are not ours to fight; He stands ready to carry our heavy burdens and give us His light burdens, but first we must make the choice to give Him control of our lives.

My revelation as I sit by the pool of grace

A Sabbath Prayer for peace

More than 2000 years ago you came into the world to show mankind how much love you had and how much you wanted them to be reunited to the Father creators love. A Father who sacrificed all He had for earthly children who had forgotten who He was, forgotten how to love each other, and excepted the lie of the enemy; they were unworthy of forgiveness. This world is so in need of You, we are lost in the darkness of decay; the light of love seems with each day to be dwindling farther away.

Chaos has enveloped every shore and nature is revolting against the carelessness of mankind. Children are living in the rubble of powerful men’s greed and thirst for more power, their parents the victims of useless wars. Each generation has been given the chance to remember your love has always been the solution,yet; each failing to realize their need for that love. Willingly giving their hearts to false worship of idols that can’t see or hear or talk. I’m one who still calls upon your name knowing you hear and see the state of this world you made.

I am trusting your word which says you will come again, eliminate the stain of sin and darkness will never rise again. All war will end and peace will reign, the lion will lay down with the lamb. Peace and love will rule the land and every voice will lift in praise to the great I AM . No more pain, no more tears, no fear or unbelief will remain; the world of darkness eradicated and light will shine again. The world as in the beginning will be once more, just more beautiful than before. As another year draws to a close I am lifting my voice to say please come Lord Jesus come, change the hearts of mankind and chase the darkness away.

Bring peace and love in your warm embrace and give the world the hug it needs to realize you are the ONLY way. As a New Year dawns please help mankind keep their hearts and minds lifted to your throne of grace, the only place where true peace waits. Happy and Blessed New Year

My revelation as I sit by the pool of grace

a song for the world

Then the sky was filled with an Angelic host, voices ringing out with clarity; joy to the world peace and goodwill to all men. The announcement was made the greatest gift mankind could receive was given wrapped in the smile of a babe. For 33 years love walked among mankind singing it’s love song to the world, a song of healing, understanding, forgiveness, compassion, and peace. Loves melody found a place in the hearts of many changing the way mankind saw itself as it began to follow loves example.

With each new generation the beautiful melody that once rang throughout the halls of time seemed to be fading and love seem to be a distant whisper trying to find it’s way back into the hearts of mankind. The great disrupter had interfered with the frequency on which love travels, however; each man who’s heart is filled with the melody of love can reach out to touch the heart that is close to him or her and share the love inside of them until the earth is again filled with love’s song to the world.

The stronger love grows the more the darkness will cease to exist and joy to the world, peace and goodwill must return to all mankind. As we reminisce on the greatest gift given to the world, allow the love song that dwells in you reach out to touch those around you with the love you received from the greatest love that ever walked on the earth; the love of Jesus the Christ, the babe born to save the world from the wages of sin; which is death.

When the love of Christ is embraced the heart is regenerated, hate is eradicated and darkness is dispelled; this Holiday season spread the love and joy of Jesus everywhere you travel, with everyone you meet and every helping hand you give to another; let the song in your heart ring out as the Angels did that night so long ago, a song for the world. Have a blessed holiday season.

My revelation as I sit by the pool of grace

tis the season

The song says” Deck the halls with bought of holly, tis the season to be jolly; don we now our gay apparel, troll the ancient yuletide carol; just these few lines indicate celebration and joyous times are coming. Yet, our world is filled with so much sadness, pain, and hatred. For most of us preparations are being made to enjoy the holiday season; Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Years. Each of these have their own reason for celebration; Thanksgiving was a celebration of conquest by colonist over the native peoples who occupied the land when the settlers landed on their shores, shrouded in compromise and bloodshed.

It was made a national holiday in 1863 by then president Abraham Lincoln. Christmas is well known as a celebration of the birth of Jesus the Christ who died for the sins of the world, but; we fail to recognize it’s beginnings came from pagan and roman roots. December 25th was the Roman festival of the Sun and aligned with the Winter Solstice. The church chose to Christianize existing pagan practices rather than eliminate them. The traditions practiced by pagan worship were redirected to honor Christ’s birth with gift-giving and feasting.

Finally, the New Year celebration began about 4000 years ago with the Babylonian’s, this was a 11 day festival around the Spring Equinox held in late March; the Julian calendar established Jan. 1 as the day of celebration to honor Janus the god of new beginnings; a Roman god. In 1582 the date was adopted and officially established in the Gregorian calendar. Throughout the years we have all celebrated theses holidays by gathering together with family and friends; feasting, gift giving, and sharing stories of life. Many will be traveling across the country to be with their loved ones during this season of celebration.

Unfortunately, some will be alone and some will have no idea what the season will bring for them. Luke 12:48 states ” for everyone to whom much is given, from him much will be required”; we are blessed to be a blessing to others, it is important that we set aside selfishness. Sharing what we have with others should be our goal for the season, whatever we have whether more or less we have enough to share; if we place the little we have in the hands of the Master giver much can be accomplished. So as you plan your celebrations this holiday season invite someone to share your home, table and love.

My revelation as I sit by the pool of grace

string of pearls

The Kingdom of Heaven is like unto a merchant man seeking goodly pearls; who when he had found one pearl of great price, went and sold all that he had and bought it. Math,13:45-46. What does this mean to you, me, and those we love? 1Cor. 2:9 says “but as it is written no eye has seen, no ear has heard, and no mind has imagined the things that God has prepared for those who love Him.” We were created and mandated to populate the earth; in the image of our Creator we were created. He desired to be in relationship with His creation, but; disobedience separated them from each other.

This separation brought sorrow to the earth and heartbreak to the Fathers heart; the string broken and His pearls shattered. Each of us a pearl of great price on the Father’s string of pearls; He searches for each pearl with love that has not diminished. Each pearl found and reclaimed brings joy slowly mending the Fathers heart. His determination to redeem each pearl is not detected by the condition they may be in, He is willing to clean them with His love restoring their brilliance and placing them in their assigned positions on the string. Unfortunately, many of us fail to see the value God the Father has placed on us not realizing we are a great pearl in His sight.

We have been convinced we are to dirty to be cleaned and accepted having strayed so far from the jewelry box of heaven. Romans 8:33 reminds us Who dares accuse us whom God has chosen for His own? No one, for God Himself has given us right standing with Himself. Through Juses the Christ we are assured that nothing can separate us from the love of the Father; there is nothing we can do that would make void the sacrifice of blood Jesus shed that we could be restored to our position on the string of pearls. The search is exhaustive, but; the Father is not willing that any should remain lost. He sent Jesus that those who were blinded by darkness could see their beauty through His eyes and realize they were one of the great pearls missing from the Fathers string of pearls and He is still searching for them.

The heavenly jewelry box still has room and God’s string of pearls has a place for you; just choose to accept the gift Jesus has already provided when, you choose Him.

My revelation as I sit by the pool of grace

who will carry you through the storm?

There’s a song that rings in my mind which says, though the storms keep on raging in my life and sometimes it’s hard to tell the night from day; have you ever been in a place in your life where you feel you’re at the end of your rope? Everywhere you look turbulence is there. Chaos surrounds you like a garment and no sunlight can be seen in your sky. For many this is a foreign concept they seem to have it all together, no worries; they appear to lead stress free lives. These are the ones that are caught off guard when the storms finally come.

Life holds no real guarantees that there will be no storms or trials along this journey, often times the waters of life are so smooth we forget the possibility of turbulence that could be waiting just around the river bend. The journey can be very unpredictable and surprising when we are not prepared for the unexpected, but; how do we prepare for the unknown? This was the dilemma that confronted 12 men in a boat when traveling on the sea of Galilee, suddenly the clear sky turned and they found themselves in the middle of a fierce battle with nature; the quiet sea had become life threating.

They struggled with the waters consuming the boat until they remembered their teacher sleeping peacefully as the storm raged against them. In fear and exhaustion they wake Him seeking His help to control the boat as the sea roared, awaken from peaceful rest He quieted the storm with 3 words; “peace be still”. The storm ceased as quickly as it had appeared, can you imagine the look on the faces of the 12 men and how amazed they must have been. Who was this man that even nature yielded to His voice? Some called Him teacher, others messiah and others Yeshua; but, today we call Him Jesus.

Heb 13:8 states Jesus the Christ the same yesterday and today and forever, the same man who carried those 12 men through the storm is available to assist us today in the time of storm when we trust our journey to Him. He is no respecter of person to Him the rich and the poor stand equal before Him, He loves all the same and gave His life that all who desire can be free from the bondage of sin. As He was with the 12 men in the boat; He will be with us when we choose to allow Him to walk along side us on life’s journey. He will say “peace be still” to the storms we encounter.

John 16:33 says “I have told you this so that through me you may have peace. In this world you’ll have trouble, but be courageous; I have overcome the world.” We can struggle on our own in the dark clouds of this world or we can walk with Him who will carry us through the storm. The question is which will you choose?

My revelation as I sit by the pool of grace

two choices

There is one destination we will all come to on this journey called life. It is inescapable, a door way we must all pass through; each one of us will enter in different ways and at different times on our journey, but; have no doubt all will enter. I’m sure some of you realize the door is death, most of us find this an uncomfortable subject to discuss. They don’t want to think about separation from those thy love, the loneliness, heartbreak, and sometimes chaos that comes with death.

We fail to see death as the other side of the coin of life. The enemy of mankind uses death to cause dissention, to cast dispersions on the love of God, deceive and destroy family bonds. He who has caused the sentence of death to fall on humanity is like someone who throws the rock and hides their hands. It is at the time of loss when the heart is vulnerable this deceiving spirit attacks leading the human instincts toward pride and greed and away from peace.

We have the weapon needed to combat this threat, we have been given choice; the ability to choose. We must decide between two choices, each will determine what happens after death. I know many of us think death is the end, however; Psalms116:15 states and I paraphrase, precious in the sight of the Lord is the death of His saints. John 5:24 says he that hears my words and believe Him that sent me hath everlasting life and shall not come into condemnation but is passed from death unto life.

In John 5:28-29 tells us marvel not at this for the hour is coming in which all that are in the graves shall hear His voice and come forth; they that have done good unto the resurrection of life and they that have done evil unto the resurrection of damnation. Jesus the Christ is the door that leads to eternal life, all other doors lead to destruction. Seek the redeeming love of Christ while there is still time, turn away from this world and join the family of God through His Son; don’t allow the enemy to ensnare you in the darkness of this world, make the right choice; death is not the end.

My revelation as I sit by the pool of grace

who is the real judge?

A warning comes to us who profess to follow Christ from the past; “for I know this that after my departure shall grievous wolves enter in among you not sparing the flock, also of your own selves shall men arise speaking perverse things to draw away disciples after them” Acts20:29-30. For many of us who claim the title Christian; we are losing sight of the character of Christ who we profess to follow. God adorned Himself in humanity to make clear to the world His heart; a heart filled with love, compassion, understanding, patience, forgiveness and inclusion. From creation He gave mankind a gift that the beast of the field, birds of the air nor things in the waters didn’t have; the gift of choice.

Unfortunately, there are those who try to usurp the authority of the Creator by limiting or totally denying this right. In our fractured world men glorify themselves; they applaud hate and speak the hidden thoughts of their hearts. They fail to see the content of character which is unlike Christ excepting the deception spoken through ideology cloaked in light when no light is in it. The example left to the world by Jesus was without blemish, no confusion was in His message; “Love your God with all that you are and everyone else as you love yourself”. Only the Father knows the intent of the heart only He can read the unspoken thoughts and only He will judge each mans character or lack there of.

While it maybe easy for one man to deceive another no deception will stand before the Creator. In this politically charged world in which we live, as followers of Christ we are allowing ourselves to be drawn into the madness of this world failing to see the hand of the enemy at work. Confusion and differences of opinion is causing judgement between sisters and brothers when we should be unified in our desire to be like Christ, not like the world. We are losing the picture of a Christ like character and drifting toward assimilating the culture we are surrounded by. Romans 18:11 tells us it is time to wake up from our slumber because our salvation is nearer now than when we first believed.

The signs are rapidly manifesting and soon Christ will return. Everyman will stand before the Real Judge to account for his or her life; every hidden sin revealed, every harsh word spoken, every evil act and every opportunity rejected to repent. The cry is heard” come out of her my people that ye be not partakers of her sins and ye receive not of her plagues” Rev.18:4 Who is listening to the cry? Who will make the right choice? “Be not deceived; God is not mocked, whatsoever a man soweth that shall he also reap.” Gal 6:7 If you send forth hate, hate will return to you; if you send forth love, love will return to you. The choice is yours above all be true to yourself, you will not stand in a crowd before the True Judge, but one to one; think about it and choose wisely. We will all face the consequences of our action, nothing is hidden from the eyes of the Lord God Almighty.

My revelation as I sit by the pool of grace

a day for rest

We just celebrated labor day, a day set aside to honor working people; born from demands of workers for better working conditions and shorter work weeks. The first celebration was held in New York City on September 5, 1882 and made a Federal holiday in 1884 during Grover Cleveland’s presidency. A day of rest from ones labors, yet; many years before the Earth was contaminated by disobedience the Creator of all things completed His creative work and rested on the 7th day of creation week. In 6 days He created in perfection all that we enjoy on the Earth; His final creation being humankind, man and woman. Having completed His work He rested and made the 7th day a Holy day setting it aside from the other days for rest from labor and communication with Him; mans first day of being was spent in companionship with His Creator.

This was the example that was to be followed by every creation before perfection was marred by disobedience. During Earths history mankind has become prideful, increased in knowledge, self exalting and has negated the Creator as well as His Holy day of rest; the Sabbath. Many today do not believe there is a God who created all the worlds; the big bang theory is accepted by many and Darwin’s theory of evolution by others. Voices from the past retelling the stories of a people who lived the experience of personal interaction with the Creator; they eat from His hands the bread and fish, some received sight and some were made to walk, they heard words of love from His lips and many sit in the synagogue with Him to worship on the 7th day; the Sabbath. A special few had privilege’s to enjoy His presence daily, eating and sleeping where He was.

They were in the garden with Him, then at the cross; the faithful watched Him take His last breath. The sorrow that consumed their hearts was removed on the third day after Carvery, He was alive; they saw Him again, heard His voice and touched Him. There were many witness of His resurrection, it is their stories handed down from generation to generation for a witness to us of the Creative power of God and the sacrifice of His son; God with us through Jesus the Christ. The time is short, renewal is necessary; reclaim the gift given so freely to every created being to come aside and meet your Creator on the day of rest He ordained at creation. The fool has said in his heart there is no God. They are corrupt and their actions are evil; even the demons acknowledge God’s existence and authority and they tremble. The time to awake from sleep is now, the end is coming.

My revelation as I sit by the pool of grace

the journey

When we think about the word journey, we imagine traveling by a designated means from one place to another; however, there are many types of journeys, the most important being the journey of life. You step into the elevator on the level called birth, so unsure of what may unfold before you. Slowly you become aware of emotions stirred by the environment you realize you have been planted in to facilitate growth. If you have ever tried to grow anything you know the soil is important, the water is important, and the sunlight is important. To reap success the proper foundation must be laid, unfortunately; some foundations are built on shaky ground which cause instability.

The foundation determines how prepared we are for the next progression. As with the elevator; life has its ups and downs, its unexpected dilemmas and its moments of great uncertainty’s; bad health diagnosis, divorce after years of marriage, and death. There maybe times you find yourself looking into the unknown wondering; where do you go from here? The answer comes from unexpected sources, a call from a friend you haven’t spoken to for a long time bringing the encouragement needed to motivate you into taking the next steps along the pathway of life. A smile from a stranger makes you realize with all your problems; you are still breathing, have clarity of thought and mobility of your limbs.

It was just there on the seat, you rode this bus everyday for weeks, but; today when you feel your heart is shattered there it was; a little booklet which asked the question ” Do you know God loves you?” From its few pages you find answers for a worry free journey. It explained you came from the heart of God; He created you for His glory and purpose, for companionship and a example of love. He thought you were important enough to die for, He promises never to leave your side if you trust Him, and He would carry you through rough parts of the journey as long as you hold on to His hands. He has given an assurance you don’t have to fear what might happen along the journey as long as you stay in His presence.

With every progression you will grow closer to becoming who He desired you to be when He whispered your name into existence. Some journeys are short and you may wonder if the traveler reached their potential; what obstacles did they overcome during their short sojourn. Some journeys are filled with many ups and downs, road blocks and detours, rocky roads and deep valleys, yet; the traveler stays the course not turning from their assigned path. They smile through the rain, laugh when the odds seem impossible, and they carry their burdens as if the load weighed nothing. The love that permeates their lives indicates a continued yielding to Gods will for them, constantly basking in His presence.

We all travel along the pathway of life, the question to be answered is how you choose to travel; are you alone stumbling in the darkness of this world or guided by the light of the world? At the journeys end the pathway should lead to the Fathers house where He is waiting to welcome you home, but; the choice is yours to make. The Fathers heart aches for His children who have lost their way, He loves them very much; He sees their struggles and heartaches but will not interfere with their choices or force them to come home; they must choose.

My revelation as I sit by the pool of grace