SUPERNATURAL GRACE

Do you define Grace as something you have personally known, or in terms of what you have read or been taught by a human? Understanding what grace is requires a listening heart, that has been imploded with the Presence and power of God.  Holding oneself to a standard of GRACE, requires the supernatural GRACE bestowed by the indwelt Holy Spirit. Ask Jesus to reveal who God is and learn GRACE from the Messiah who is full of GRACE. "From the fullness of His grace we have all received one blessing after another."  John 1:16 -- "No one knows the Son except the Father, and NO ONE knows the Father except the Son and those to whom the Son chooses to reveal Him" Matthew 11:27---Paul writes "The GRACE of our Lord was poured out on me abundantly, along with FAITH and love that are IN Christ Jesus." 1Peter 1:14--Therefore it is wise to surrender all we know and allow the GRACE of Jesus to replace what we have previously believed ....with the TRUTH of what GRACE actually is. IF we admit our need of a better way, ....Jesus will give us new life. “My food,” said Jesus, “is to do the will of Him who sent Me and to finish His work." John 4:34 ~ Jesus is the Author and Finisher of our faith.  "The very works that I am doing—testify that the Father has sent Me. And the Father who sent Me has Himself testified concerning Me. You have never heard His voice nor seen His form,  nor does His word dwell in you, for you do not BELIEVE (trust) the One He sent. You study the

Scriptures diligently because you think that in them you have eternal life. These are the very Scriptures that testify about Me, yet you refuse to come to Me (the Messiah) to have life." John 5: 36 ~ MORE TRUTH: "His eyes are like blazing fire, and on His head are many crowns.  He has a name WRITTEN on Him that NO ONE knows but He Himself.  He is dressed in a robe dipped in blood, and His name is the Word of God."  Revelation 19:12-14 NIV -  The eyes of Jesus blaze like fire as He pierces the soul and knows each heart. Jesus wears many crowns, the Father is in Him, and He is in the Father, and He is the promised Holy Spirit whom shall never forsake, mislead, or misinform those who fully submit to His grace, His wisdom, His power, His authority over all knowledge gained aside from His. Jesus issues supernatural GRACE.  Jesus as God does NOT possess love, or have love in His heart, He is Love, He is compassion, He is grace. God loved us first and His

greatest command is for us to love ourselves and one another as our Father, Son, and Holy Spirit loves us ~ full of grace, consistent in compassion, understanding, patience and mercy.  He who knows all, Who knows the hearts of each man, Jesus Christ asks us "Do you love me?" If you love Me, follow Me. Submit to Me alone and be humble and care more for what I say than the scholars.  Feed the hungry hearts the truth as I reveal it to you. Do not hide the Light within you. Be patient, be kind, be merciful.  Jesus asked Peter three times "Do you love Me?"  Do you love Jesus above your academics, accomplishments,  more than your pet, your team, your parents, your work, your friends?  Do you accept that Jesus died so that you could spend eternity in heaven with Him?  Can you love somebody you do not know?  Do you believe and have faith in the unseen  Jesus? Do you believe that the Person of the Holy Spirit is just like Jesus?  Truth is: God in the Person of

Jesus came down to earth to walk and talk to those who had a hard time believing in an unseen God.  Jesus told us the truth, that He had to die, then rise again so that the Holy Spirit could come and be with everyone, everywhere, at the same time. Then Jesus told them, "You are going to have the light just a little while longer. Walk while you have the light, before darkness overtakes you. Whoever walks in the dark does not know where they are going. Then Jesus cried out, "Whoever believes in Me does not believe in Me only, but in the one who sent Me." John 12:44 ~ "Take the (mind of Christ) helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God."  Ephesians 6:17 ~ The Sword of the Spirit is the living Word of God.  The first CHURCH - a group of people who followed Jesus, who watched him perform miracles, a band of twelve disciples walked, talked and lived with Jesus for three years.  The followers of Jesus, those who properly feared and respected the Lord,  these believers were greeted by Him when He suddenly appeared in His glorified, resurrected body ~ saying "Peace be with you", these men gathered along with a group of people that spoke various languages...for His mighty high purpose.

Acts 2:1- "When the day of Pentecost came, they were all together in one place.  Suddenly a sound like the blowing of a violent wind came from heaven and filled the whole house where they were sitting. They saw what seemed to be tongues of fire that separated and came to rest on each of them. All of them were filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues as the Spirit enabled them." " how is it that each of us hears them in our native language? AMAZED and perplexed, they asked one another, "What does this mean?" Some, however, made gun of them and said, 

"They have had too much wine....Peter stood up with the eleven, raised his voice and addressed the crowd: Fellow Jews and all of you who live in Jerusalem, let me explain this to you; listen carefully to what I say. These people are not drunk, as you suppose. It's only nine in the morning! No, this is what was spoken by the

prophet Joel: ‘In the last days, God says,  I will pour out my Spirit on all people. Your sons and daughters will prophesy,  your young men will see visions, your old men will dream dreams. Even on my servants, both men and women,  I will pour out my Spirit in those days ...And everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.' Jesus of Nazareth was a man accredited by God to you by miracles, wonders and signs, which God did among you through Him, as you yourselves know. This man was handed over to you by God's deliberate plan and foreknowledge; and you, with the help of wicked men, put him to death by nailing him to the cross. But God raised him from the dead, freeing him from the agony of death because it was impossible for death to keep its hold

on Him."  Acts 2:1-17 ~ Jesus our Lord, King of Kings, and blessed Savior, defeated death.  He walked out of the tomb and appeared before eleven disciples.  Peter who had denied Jesus three times was struck speechless and silently left to go fishing and think about what he had just saw!  A risen Christ, the Messiah, his friend for three years, the one Peter remorsefully denied following or ever knowing. A few weeks after Pentecost (the Hebrew translation of Pentecost is a new beginning) a follower of Jesus named Stephen was stoned to death because he would not deny Jesus as Lord.   Acts 7:58-60 Jews who believed in God stoned a man named Stephen. Stephen "calling upon God, and saying, Lord Jesus, receive my spirit. And he knelt down, and cried with a loud voice, Lord, lay not this sin to their charge. And when he had said this, he fell asleep."  Saul was a

respected student of the Old Testament, the Word of God. By divine design, Saul heard Stephens last words, his cry out for God to forgive the spiritually blind men who were killing him. Stephens faith in Jesus Christ impacted Saul. Soon after Stephens death, Paul had a personal encounter with the living Word of God, Jesus Christ. Acts 9:3  " suddenly there shone from heaven a great light round about me."  The highly respected student of the living Word, Saul was then struck physically blind.   Acts 22:7-9 "I fell to the ground and heard a voice say to me, ‘Saul! Saul! Why do you persecute me?' "‘Who are you, Lord?' I asked. 'I am Jesus of Nazareth, 

whom you are persecuting,' He replied. (keep reading Acts) My companions saw the light, but they did not understand the voice of Him who was speaking to me." ‘What shall I do, Lord?'  "Get up, the Lord said and go to Damascus. There you will be told all that you have been ASSIGNED to do." Paul fasted and prayed. Acts 22:15-16 "You will be His witness to all people of what you have seen and heard.  And now what are you waiting for? Get up, be baptized and wash your sins away, calling on His name.' Acts 9:18 ~ " Immediately, something like scales fell from Saul's eyes, and he could see again. He got up and was baptized."  Paul, the converted Jewish leader preached in synagogues in Damascus, in Arabia, in Jerusalem, Taurus, and Antioch, that Jesus Christ is the Messiah, that He is God.  "Paul, an apostle—sent not from men nor by a man, but by Jesus Christ and God the Father, who raised him from the dead—  and all the brothers and sisters with me.....I am astonished that you are so quickly deserting the one who called you to live in the grace of Christ and are turning to a different gospel—  which is really no gospel at all. Evidently some people are throwing you into confusion and are trying to pervert the gospel of Christ. But even if we or an angel from heaven should preach a gospel other than the one we preached to you, let them be under God's curse!  As we have already said, so now I say again: If anybody is preaching to you a gospel other than what you accepted, let them be under God's curse!  Am I now trying to win the approval of humans, or of God? Do I live to obey people or God? Paul said  "I want you to know,

brothers and sisters, that the gospel I preached is NOT of human origin. I did not receive it from any man, nor was I taught it; rather, I received it by revelation from Jesus Christ." Then after 3 years, I went up to Jerusalem to get acquainted with Peter and stayed with him 15 days. I saw none of the other apostles—only James, the Lord's brother.  I assure you before God that what I am writing you is no lie." Galatians 1:1-21 ~ "This is how we know that we live in him and He in us: He has given us of His Spirit. And we have seen and testify that the Father has sent his Son to be the Savior of the world. If anyone acknowledges that Jesus is the Son of God, God lives in them and they in God. And so we know and rely on the love God has for us. God is love. Whoever lives in love lives in God, and God in them. This is how love is made complete among us so that we

will have confidence on the day of judgment: In this world we are like Jesus. There is no fear in love. But perfect love drives out fear, because fear has to do with punishment. The one who fears is not made perfect in love. We love because He first loved us. Whoever claims to love God yet hates a brother or sister is a liar. For whoever does not love their brother and sister, whom they have seen, cannot love God, whom they have not seen. And he has given us this command: Anyone who loves God must also love their brother and sister." 1  John 1:13-21 ~ Who do you pray to? Who is this Jesus?   Remember that his name is "the Word of God." And remember that His Beloved Disciple John penned under the inspiration of the HOLY Spirit "In the beginning was the Word, and the was with God, and the Word was God.  He was with God in the beginning.  Through Him all things were made; without Him nothing was made that has been made.  In Him was life, and that life was the Light of men."  John 1:1-5 and then John penned Revelation 19:16 "On his robe and on his thigh he has this name written: king of kings and lord of lords." ~ "My goal is that they may be encouraged in heart and united in love, so that they may have the full riches of complete understanding, in order that they may know the

mystery of God, namely, Christ" Colossians 2:2   "The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the one and only Son, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth."  John 1 ~ Jesus said “Very truly I tell you, whoever hears my word and believes him who sent me has eternal life and will not be judged but has crossed over from death to life." John 5:24

Lesson of a Hussie

The Scarlett Letter of love contained in God's living Word, is what brands us all with a bond of precious blood. Who signed His name to the letters in the Bible? In chapter 19 in the last revelation of the Bible, it uncovers His name as "The Word of God".  The Godhead encompasses our Father, our Savior Jesus, and the Holy Spirit.  When God spoke and created all that is, His love letter to His creation was for His good purpose. Each Word God dictated through His chosen scribes is Spirit packed!  With great precise intention, it is like a flaming arrow that  pierces and targets the heart, mind an soul. God's Word is purpose filled and divinely directed to strike us where ever we are. IF we are tuned in, IF we are listening for our Father's voice, IF we seek, knock and ask for His advice ~ His Word will stop us from being foolish.  "Come to Me" turn around, and trust in Me and I will lead you and encourage you to..."Walk this way"...Our Father disciplines those He loves.  He restores, refreshes, counsels, and comforts.  He personally knows our name, and He empowers us to change the most stubborn beliefs to conform to His truth,  for His glory and pleasure.  As we surrender more of our mind, our beliefs to the trustworthy care of our Father, we become useful to our Creator, our God, our blessed Savior. This day I woke up in desperate NEED for a heaping portion of God's FRESH mercy. Struggling in my spirit, I was constipated with remorse and I was compelled from within to confess my hypocrisy, my pride, my greed, my disobedience. What keeps me from feeling lost without hope? Because of the Lord's great love, I am NOT consumed with guilt, nor will I perish in the flames of self-deception.  Oh Lord,  I thank You for how You forgive - as far as the East is from the West, my God forgives and forgets. God never brings up my past foepaws, goofups, or poor choices again. Oh Lord, help me forgive myself as I have been forgiven. 

Grace descends from heaven every time we humble ourselves before God, and trust Him like a child does with our cry's for help. Knowing that Jesus intercedes for me at the mercy seat, I feel safe from ever being separated from God. Our Father warns us to get ready because when Jesus returns, He will be quick to testify AGAINST those who deprive justice for the aliens, for God loves all peoples, regardless of country.  Man has border controls, God does not. Woe to those who turn their backs on orphans and widows,  and those who do not forgive as they have been forgiven. God asserted "I the Lord do NOT change...Return to Me, and I will return to you." Malachi 3:6-7 and a lovely Word from Lamentations 3:22-23 -- The truth is that I am human, and I fall from GRACE at the wise old age of 62 more times that I ever fell down trying to walk at the prime age of two. But because of my Father's unwarranted mercy, my life can be in a chaotic crisis, in the midst of crazy circumstances that are terribly tangled and tarnished by rusty old sins...but when I awake and surrender my desperate situation to Jesus and proclaim my need for His unsurpassed mercy, He quickly crushes me with unrelenting grace and indisputable forgiveness. Instantly, after He has listened to the unspoken needs of my heart, along with my profession of remorse for my ways, for how I think I offended Him, or did wrong...He literally transforms my chaos moment on my knees into a marvelous message to be TOLD. My Father's enduring love is for everyone. All of us sin daily, and our Father knows we should all be wearing a Scarlet Letter to keep us from ever feeling superior to anyone. Today in my

study of Malachi by Lisa Harper, she points us to a Word in Nehemiah 13:15-31 – What is this wicked thing you do?  Is it GREED? Placing your passion on hoarding money, and withholding your first earnings from God? Is your wickedness DISOBEDIENCE? Adultery, or getting married to a foreigner, someone who does not hold your beliefs?  Is it your PRIDE for what you have accomplished on your own? What IF your transgressions were known to all in your small town and you were forced to wear  the RED letter of G for greed, or a P for pride…on your daily apparel? IF we all had to wear red letters that identified our weaknesses, we would probably be more likely to NOT cast the first stone, or to condemn others for their rotten choices. Hester acted by Demi Moore arrives overseas from England. As Hester waits for her husband - who is due to follow shortly after - she falls for a young minister, Arthur played by Gary Oldman.  Finding herself pregnant with Arthur’s child, Hester is imprisoned. Hester is sentenced to wear a scarlet "A" for Adulteress.    Did not Jesus forgive the prostitute. How about Joshua 6:25?Hester is shamed by having a drummer boy follow her whenever she walked in town. Meanwhile, Hester's husband acted by Robert Duvall resurfaces from war prison. Learning of the scandal, he fraudulently presents himself as a doctor. Doctor Roger begins seeking his revenge.  Dr Roger eventually murders an innocent male leaving his wife Hester's home. The doctor scalps the man to implicate the Indians.  Infuriated by this atrocity, the colonists declare war on the Indians and Roger, distraught by the severe consequences of his action, promptly commits suicide.  Hester is nearly hanged, but the minister Arthur saves her neck by confessing that he is the father of her child.  Arthur takes Hester’s place on the gallows. We all NEED to be honest and confess our dark secrets, and be FREED by Jesus, just like the thief on the cross.  AMEN

"His eyes are like blazing fire, and on His head are many crowns.  He has a name WRITTEN on Him that NO ONE knows but He Himself.  He is dressed in a robe dipped in blood, and His name is the Word of God."  Revelation 19:12-14 NIV  ---The eyes of Jesus can see our souls. He knows the content of our heart more clearly than we do. Our Creator knows our needs before we can even begin to articulate them to Him.  Jesus wears many crowns, the Father is in Him, and He is in the Father, and He is the promised Holy Spirit who came upon us, to be with us always. We will NEVER be forsaken, mislead, or

misinformed by God. When we fully submit to His mercy, grace, wisdom, power, and authority ---over all knowledge gained aside from His, then Jesus delivers personal, supernatural understanding.  Jesus as God does NOT possess love, or have love in His heart, He is Love, He is compassion, He is mercy, He is grace. God loved us first and His greatest command is for us to love ourselves and one another as our Father, Son, and Holy Spirit loves us ~ full of power, authority, grace.  He is consistent in compassion, understanding, patience and mercy. Jesus Christ asks us "Do you love me?" If you love Me, follow Me. Submit to Me alone and be humble and care more for what I say than the scholars.  Feed upon My Word, quench your thirst to know if you are loved as you are, I will give you the truth, I will satisfy your hearts desires, I am sufficient to fulfill all your needs. Come to Me when you feel heavy with burdens, and I will give you rest.”  Are you listening to what the Spirit is saying?  One Word from Him, and your life will be changed day, by day throughout eternity. A wise Word from Proverbs 28:13 "Whoever conceals their sins does not prosper, 
but the one who confesses and renounces them finds mercy." 

The VALUE of WISDOM

Thomas Jefferson, a student of politics, and a highly esteemed man, is remembered well for the many great things he accomplished. During the 2014 banking crisis in the USA this 1802 QUOTE is worth repeating:  "I believe that banking institutions are more dangerous to our liberties than standing armies.  If the American people ever allow private banks to control the issue of their currency, the banks and corporations that will grow up around the banks will deprive the people of all property - until their children wake-up homeless on the continent their fathers conquered."   Thomas Jefferson was a Republican. He wisely studied the previous failed attempts of the two previous presidents.  He understood actual history, the nature of God, and God’s authority above any man-made law, and the nature of man to betray the truth for his own interests. Jefferson’s resume:  At the age of 9, Thomas Jefferson studied Latin, Greek and French.  At age 16 he entered the college of William and Mary. He was known to muse his friends while....

writing Greek with one hand, and Latin with the free hand.  At age 19, Thomas studied law for 5 years under George Wythe. At age 23 he started his own law practice. At age 25, Thomas was elected to the Virginia House of Burgesses.  At age 31 he retired from his law practice and wrote the widely acclaimed article “Summary review of the rights of British America”.   At age 32 he was a delegate at the 2nd Continental Congress of the United States.  At age 33, Thomas wrote the Declaration of the Independence.  He also revised Virginia’s Legal Code and wrote a Public Education bill and a statute for Religious Freedom. At age 36 he was elected as the 2nd Governor of Virginia succeeding Patrick Henry. At age 40 he served the United States Congress for two years. At age 41 Thomas was the American Minister to France and negotiated commercial treaties along with Benjamin Franklin and John Adams.  At age 53, Thomas Jefferson was the United States Vice President.  At age 55 Thomas became the acting head of the Republican Party. At age 57, Thomas Jefferson was elected as the President of the United States.  At age 60 he obtained the Louisiana Purchase, and the USA doubled in size. At age 65 he retired to Monticello.  At age 80 he helped President Monroe shape the Monroe Doctrine.  At age 81, Thomas single handedly created the University of Virginia.

At age 83 Thomas Jefferson died on July 4th on the 50th anniversary of signing the Declaration of Independence.  Let us listen to what the spirit of God is saying before we vote, cast our opinions, or discount a person because of the political party they represent.  At a White House dinner hosted by a democratic President for a group of the brightest minds in the nation at that time. President John F Kennedy made this statement: "This is perhaps the assembly of the most intelligence ever to gather at one time in the White House with the exception of when Thomas Jefferson dined alone." Thomas Jefferson (1743-1826), author of the Declaration of Independence and the third U.S. president, was a leading figure in America’s early development. During the American Revolutionary War (1775-83), Jefferson served in the Virginia legislature and the Continental Congress and was governor of Virginia. Jefferson, believed that the national government should have a limited role in citizens’ lives. During his two terms in office (1801-1809), the U.S. purchased the Louisiana Territory and Lewis and Clark explored the vast new acquisition. Although Jefferson promoted individual liberty, he was also a slaveowner. Obviously Jefferson relied on his intellect, not on the Holy Spirit to rightly discern the living Word of God. It seems he valued his intellect more highly than God's wisdom. God warns us that the heart is deceitful above all else, so we are best advised to invite and allow the Holy Spirit to give us understanding as He increases our faith in God, not the almighty dollar.  

THE WIND OF TIME

TRUTH: Grey hairs are flourishing under my colored lengths. The wind of time blows and my life is but a twinkling grain of sand on a Son lit seashore of souls.  I am not precisely a girl, yet I am in-between a mature woman and the winsome youth I once was. I know fear, friendship and how time persists like the wind, pushing me forward while wrinkling and eroding my flesh. Our Father who has no beginning and no end, He who lives outside of time, the Captain of my ship increases my faith in the unseen, unknown will of God as we journey together, not alone. While the winds of faith blister my face, I am stilled without angst for my appearance or my future.  I consider the purpose of His voyage aboard my creaking ship, this body and I am humbled.  A few years ago I would have pronounced with electric enthusiasm that it was God's will to fit me for a position of responsibility to harvest many souls. I began my voyage of faith in Jesus Christ in 1985 with childlike perceptions undistorted by the emotion of experience, I was not expecting so much rejection. Bathed in the blissful objectivity of ignorance,  I surrendered with a naive willingness to be led into a glorious future without strife. "Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed for I am your God. I will strengthen you."  Isaiah 43:10 His promises are many, and in His wonderous way, ever kept. His will be done not mine. AMEN -

Today I marvel at the overwhelming subjectivity that relentlessly proceeds out of my inherent nature to judge all things as I would have it, and NOT in His will, wisdom or superior, often surprising ways.  All knowledge obtained belongs to the thinking subject, which is me ~ This day, I am quick to admit my insufficiency apart from God.  Against all manner of human rationale, a formidable HOPE rises within me during my weakest moments. The noble thoughts of God alone are worthy of recitation.  Nothing I have said, written or done will ever come close to the reality of His unseen, but very steady, unchanging guidance and ever sufficient Word.  The criminal element within our regal, yet wasting human society in this century can be compared to the eloquent dependence God knows we shall ever need, for days gone by, and for the days ahead.  All knowledge obtained in school, university or seminary lacks any pertinence if one has not forgiven one wretched drunk, prostitute or thief.  If we have seen with the eyes of God, if we have perceived a soul's poverty with compassion, mercy and grace, we have walked with Jesus among the homeless and hopeless and been His light. Oh Lord, I thank You for each person who has walked in faith before me and I rejoice in my weakness, in my vulnerable human frailty, for You are in my midst giving me strength to face the change that is yet to come.   Jesus reassures me with the truth. We have no need for a particular priest, as we are all priests.  A mix of feelings blows through my sail as the wind of change whips my vessel into submission. All concerns, fears and reluctance to follow my Captain are decimated by His mighty Presence.  My hope is sure because I know that I shall arrive at my final destination in His good and perfect time.

He placed His robe of Righteousness on me

 "Give unto the Lord the glory due to His name; worship the Lord in the beauty of holiness." Psalm 29:2 "Though you have not seen Him, you love Him; and even though you do not see Him now, you believe in Him and are filled with an inexpressible and glorious joy." 1 Peter 1:8  ~ My Lord has spoken His words and I listen carefully to what the Spirit is saying.  Encouraged by the power of His robe, all is well within my soul.  I put off my perceptions, my preconceived ideas, my substantial experience, my obtained worldly

views and I put on my armor, my robe of righteousness and I wear my helmet of salvation with honor.

I shall not subscribe to the furious fears of man nor the waves of contempt against God in times of trouble.  "Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds." James 1:2 ~ He searches my heart and makes me face the truth of my prejudices, and the pride that is inherent in my selfish nature. With ready confession I admit my weakness and He fortifies me and challenges me to speak with clarity all that He has accomplished by my departure from denial that I need God desperately, ever hour of each day.  With a compassionate heart I accept the frailty of man without thinking myself superior in any way. I am humbled in the awareness that He chose to use a wretch like me.  Thank You Father for throwing me the life preserver, Jesus Christ, my Savior.  "And he said to me, 'My grace is sufficient for you, for power is perfected in weakness." 2 Cor 12:9 ~ "But You remain the same, and Your years will never end." Ps 102: 27

AUTHENTICITY

A transparent, contrite heart is what God longs to hear from. To authentically love God, or another, we must speak the truth, we must be willing to open up and pour out our hearts to Him, and to those we love. If we love God, we listen and obey God. If our relationships are authentic, then the contents of our heart, our hearts cry, our invisible, unspoken motives match up with our visible actions. All talk and no action does not please God. “Let my heart be broken by the things that break the heart of God.” The test of a true religion is when our heart breaks for what breaks the heart of God. When our hearts are convicted to DO something for people that have no way of repaying us for what we do, we are giving with a pure heart. "Test my heart O God, and reveal to me that which needs to change." The brother of Jesus did not believe that Jesus was God in the flesh until the resurrection.

James 1:27 "Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress and to keep oneself from being polluted by the world." God hates religion that is merely an outward appearance. He calls those who sit in church for show, white washed tombs. God hates pride. A person who reads the bible but never cares for the alien, the widow, or the orphan is seen by God as a hypocrite. God loves a pure, transparent heart that obeys His word and makes His love known in the world by compassion and kindness. In the Old Testament we find a special trinity of what concerns the heart of God. Our holy Father repeats His concern for the “alien, the widow and the orphan.” The alien is a person not of our culture, a Mexican. The widow is a person without a helpmate. The orphaned child survives believing they are unwanted.

God desires that we, His chosen, make known by our actions, not just our words, that the alien, the widow, and the orphan are wanted, cherished and loved by God. Our Father commanded the nation of Israel in how they were to treat the forgotten members and what would happen if they chose to neglect them. Because God has a special place in His heart for all of us, He promises to:  vindicate them  rescue them  deliver them  hear them  lift them up  be their father  meet their needs  maintain their cause… READ Matthew chapter 25:36-37 A contrite heart does not simply visit the forgotten, but that a pure heart hurts to see others in need:  you hang out and visit and show compassion  you nurture, you hug  you authentically care by raking leaves, doing dishes  you loved by bringing groceries  you provide encouragement and a good listening, compassionate ear. It is actually reaching out to someone and truly caring, and taking care of their needs. The mark of a true AUTHENTIC believer is their

unselfish love for someone else. 1 John 3:10-11, 16-18. Why single out Orphans and widows? Jesus’ mother was a widow and He showed us His concern for her well-being. John 19:26-27 Communicating love requires that we embody Love, that our hearts are pure and that we speak out of that overflow of God's love. Being transparent like Adam and Eve before the fall, is to be pure hearted, naked and unashamed. (Genesis 2:25) To be without disguise or a need to hide or cover up anything is to be transparent with God, and with those you care about. After the fall people hid their insecurities, their doubts and fears with half-truths, deceit, lying, and hatred. The fear of rejection keeps people from being real, from opening up, from admitting their weaknesses. To be authentic, we must be bold, and NOT afraid. When we present our authentic, vulnerable self to another, they respond, they open up, and they receive the message "God loves you, just the way you are, and He sent me here to love you by meeting a few basic needs."

CHARACTER COUNTS

Great CHARACTER is known by the desires of our heart, by our hope in the unseen, by our reliance on help from God and by our request for discernment and wisdom.  Character accounts the sum of our values lived out fearlessly. As we become less interested in how we are perceived and more interested in how Jesus is perceived, we consider each word spoken, each action taken...with a hope to glorify God.  Without the shadow of our image, we can clearly reflect, as in a looking glass, more of Him and less of us.  The character of God is unchanging, unchallenged, undisputed, unmatched, and never undone by our choices.  What about our personal legacy? How will our life, our imprint, our contribution best linger? Like Solomon, will we be remembered because of our reflections and our praise of God for the times we witnessed God work miracles through ordinary people? 1 Kings 3:1-15 The Message: Solomon arranged a marriage contract with Pharaoh, king of Egypt. He married Pharaoh’s daughter and brought her to the City of David (Jerusalem) Meanwhile, the people were worshiping at local shrines because at that time no temple had yet been built to the Name of God. Solomon loved God and continued to live in the God-honoring ways of David his father, except that he also worshiped at the local shrines, offering sacrifices and burning incense. (God chose Solomon, He knew his heart, and his intent to honor God by his style of worship) The king went to Gibeon, ( 7 miles away from Jerusalem) the most prestigious of the local shrines, to worship. He sacrificed a thousand

Whole-Burnt-Offerings on that altar. That night God appeared to Solomon in a dream: God said, “What can I give you? Ask.”  Solomon said, “You were extravagantly generous in love with David my father, and he lived faithfully in your presence, his relationships were just and his heart right. And you have persisted in this great and generous love by giving him—and this very day!—a son to sit on his throne.  “And now here I am: God, my God, you have made me, your servant, ruler of the kingdom in place of David my father. I’m too young for this, a mere child! I don’t know the ropes, hardly know the ‘ins’ and ‘outs’ of this job. And here I am, set down in the middle of the people you’ve chosen, a great people—far too many to ever count.  “Here’s what I want: Give me a God-listening heart so I can lead your people well, discerning the difference between good and evil. For who on their

own is capable of leading your glorious people?”  God, the Master, was delighted with Solomon’s response. And God said to him, “Because you have asked for this and haven’t grasped after a long life, or riches, or the doom of your enemies, but you have asked for the ability to lead and govern well, I’ll give you what you’ve asked for—I’m giving you a wise and mature heart. There’s never been one like you before; and there’ll be no one after. As a bonus, I’m giving you both the wealth and glory you didn’t ask for—there’s not a king anywhere who will come up to your mark." One person's wise choice can and has changed a whole nation. Ruth, Joshua, Esther, David, Solomon, Jesus. Do you count on God to use you to positively influence your mate, child, neighbor, co-worker, or friends? When we FEEL His presence, are we convicted by His Holy Spirit to be a Godly example when faced with choices that could possibly compromise our faith?  As citizens of heaven, we are here on a mission, chosen by God, and equipped by the Holy Spirit to make a difference for His kingdom. When we are convicted to HOLD on to GOD, we stand upon a certain BELIEF in Jesus Christ as Lord, and in the inspired whole Word of God.  

Charles Baker was raised in a small town in Texas. As he shared a message on character, Charles reflected on his dads trustworthy character. His dad owned a store and the people of this small town signed their name to a book for goods purchased. His dad trusted the people of his town to be honorable and PAY their debt. Amazingly, the old ranchers did. Our character is built upon the promises we give and keep.  Our character is defined by our choices to trust in God, no matter the circumstance, challenge or criticism. Our character is more than a reputation, it is based upon the relationships that we  treasure. Who is worthy of your ear? Who is more worthy of your lingering gaze?  Is it a sports writer, a politician, a great orator, actor, singer or Jesus Christ?  Character building moments are when we face the choice to NOT act like the majority, but to separate ourselves and honor God with our every request for His help, His assistance, His presence, His wisdom.  Choosing what we watch on TV, who we listen to, and what person we select  as our friend, these choices measure our character.  Daniel is a great example of a man who lived according to his strong relationship with a trustworthy Holy God. Daniel's choice to not eat meat, to not drink wine positively influenced his friends to do the same.  His conviction to trust God could have cost him his life, but in the end, Daniel a foreigner to Babylon, became the adviser to the King. 

Who is watching you?  Are you being a godly example?

A. Daniel chose to keep the Law of Moses when he was a teenager.

B. Daniel's choice to live in obedience to the Lord set an example for other Jewish youths. 

C. Daniel's confidence in God gave him the boldness to risk a different diet.

D. Daniel committed to being true to the Word of God. King Nebuchadnezzar had an alarming dream, the Lord gave Daniel the interpretation and Daniel told the king the truth.

E. Daniel's honest relationship with God gave him courage and the conviction that he was not going to bow down to any other god. When Nebuchadnezzar made an image of himself and commanded all the people to bow down to it, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego refused, even though they faced being thrown into a burning furnace.

F. Daniel could not be persuaded by the threat of death to deny God. 

     G. Daniel was taught by his parents to stand firm and obey the law no matter what. 

H. Daniel studied the Word of God, he knew God would do what He promised. 

I.  Daniel loved the Lord, he was devoted to God. The Word of God empowered him. 

J. Daniel committed to obey God and he proved it with his actions and choices. 

    1) Daniel won his first battle when he refused to defile himself with the king’s food. His companions followed his example and trusted God for their safety in a foreign place. 

     2) Because Daniel was a person of high standards and moral character, his obedence opened doors for him to counsel and influence kings to listen to the one true God.

     3) God gave him favor with the kings. Although Daniel was a foreigner who held firmly to his Hebrew beliefs, he was promoted to the highest places of authority by every king he served. Instead of persecuting him for speaking the truth, they raised him up.

    4) God endowed Daniel with one of the most important prophecies in His Word. Because Daniel had remained a trustworthy and obedient servant in the midst of the Babylonian culture, the Lord entrusted him with amazing prophecies about future events.

God is looking for followers of Christ, doers of His word. In the face of threat or temptation to compromise for pleasure, ease or profit ~ are you ready to answer WHY you believe? 

A. What convictions guide your conduct?  Write them down.

B. What convictions are you unwilling to compromise? No negotiation! 

C. Are you firm when faced with losing comfort, money, the familiar or a friend? 

Dr Charles Stanley's Conclusion: "Godly character is a quality that is worth far more than anything you could gain or lose. If we are Ambassadors for God, we must not give in to fear of criticism, rejection, failure, or loss. One strong, uncompromising, obedient child of God is a powerhouse of influence, who—like Daniel—can impact a nation."  Let us be mindful of our impact for our wonderful Savior Jesus Christ.

HELP IN TIME OF TROUBLE: God knows the Christian life is not easy. And it never will become easy, no matter how long we live. In this world, we will face opposition, both from the world and from the enemy of our souls, the devil. Jesus told us, “In the world you have tribulation” (John 16:33).

As foreigners, we are constantly surrounded by opposition, by the enemy who plots to destroy our mission on earth. To live in a way that pleases God,  we must be subject to His will, we must surrender our inferior ways and develop endurance. The saints before us endured stoning, rejection, mockery, prison, and fierce opposition to their work.  Hebrews 11, is called the “Hall of Faith,” our heroes of faith.

We develop needed endurance by:

Receiving encouragement from God in His word and from others. The writer of Hebrews encourages us to ponder the lives of those he lists in chapter 11. He refers to them as “a cloud of witnesses” (Heb. 12:1). We cannot see this great cloud of witnesses, but we can read about them in God’s Word and glean from their inspiring stories of endurance. Then among your friends of the faith, who do you know that has received a miracle healing, surprising open door, a changed heart?

Getting rid of hindrances. “Let us also lay aside every encumbrance and the sin which so easily entangles us” (12:1). This means we need to identify those things that could slow us down, including any wrong food, old habit of thinking the worst, or sin that God brings to our attention.

Running the race. Hebrews 12:1  “Let us run with endurance the race that is set before us.” When the going gets rough, we don’t run away, but we persist, we press on. Our character is boosted as we act in confident trust, and the longer we persevere, the stronger our faith, our belief, our reliance on Jesus becomes. We depend on His strength to give us the endurance we require to finish well, not quit.

Fixing our eyes on Christ. Hebrews 12:2 advises “fixing our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith.” Nothing helps us endure like seeing the final prize before us—and that prize is Christ Himself. Do you want the prize? Then you must endure. And Jesus promises to help you.

Two Books to Read for November

Ladies we have two months to read one or both of these different books before the Lakeside Book Club meets again. We have many who will be traveling so we will meet again on Thursday November 12, 2015.  Mark your calendars and also expect a reminder email in November. Our group was asked to email recommendations and here are two that came in that hold great reviews. The Nightingale: by Kristin Hannah  available on AMAZON at $12.99 for a kindle download with 12,670 five star reviews - As a New York Times Best Selling book, the author exposes the horrors of World War II in France. She uses the small town of Carriveau as a main setting that dramatically contrasts with the evil that is about to come to a country that has surrendered to the Nazis, and is now being occupied. The novel also develops the story of two courageous sisters who, ironically, get to come together to join forces in a time when hope, faith, and unity are lost. In love we find out who we want to be. In war we find out who we are.  This historical fiction book is set in France in the year 1939.  . It is the period when the country surrenders to the Germans, and the Nazi regime begins its occupation. While the city of Paris takes in most of the heat, the quiet village of Carriveau is on the brink of changing forever. The once peaceful and bucolic town has turned into a horrific show of airplanes, war tanks, bombs, and the scary sight of Nazis

from the SS, the Gestapo and the regular Wehrmacht all over.  In the quiet village of Carriveau, Vianne Mauriac says goodbye to her husband, Antoine, as he heads for the Front. She doesn't believe that the Nazis will invade France...but invade they do, in droves of marching soldiers, in caravans of trucks and tanks, in planes that fill the skies and drop bombs upon the innocent. When a German captain requisitions Vianne's home, she and her daughter must live with the enemy or lose everything. Without food or money or hope, as danger escalates all around them, she is forced to make one impossible choice after another to keep her family alive. Vianne's sister, Isabelle, is a rebellious eighteen-year-old girl, searching for purpose with all the reckless passion of youth.  The Lakeside Book Club ladies may also prefer the second rare write over the above historical fiction.  The Lovely Bones was also made into a movie.  

The Lovely Bones by Alice Sebold    AMAZON $6.99 with 3,892 four star reviews.  ~ It is a unique novel that apparently tapped a vein of universal human experience.  It resonates with readers of all ages and it remains a phenomenal #1 bestseller. It is celebrated for its narrative artistry, its luminous clarity of emotion, and its astoniishing power to lay claim to the hearts of millions of readers around the world. The story was made into a movie starring Mark Walberg. It is a haunting and heartbreaking tale that unfolds from heaven, where "life is a perpetual yesterday" and from where the deceased narrates from above.  The author fashions it from the perspective that everyone has his or her own version of heaven.  The author supports the imagination of a child as heaven resembles athletic fields and the landscape of a suburban high school. “A heaven of her "simplest dreams," where "there were no teachers.... We never had to go inside except for art class.... The boys did not pinch our backsides or tell us we smelled; our textbooks were Seventeen, Glamour a and Vogue." This heaven placed child named Susie struggles to accept her death while still clinging to the lost world of the living. Her family disintegrates in their grief: her father becomes determined to find her killer, her mother withdraws, her little brother Buckley attempts to make sense of the new hole in his family, and her younger sister Lindsey moves through the milestone events of her teenage and young adult years with Susie riding spiritual shotgun. Random acts and missed opportunities run throughout the book.  Though sentimental at times, The Lovely Bones is a moving exploration of loss and mourning that ultimately puts a preference on living. The author spins a surprising finish, which may tend to tidy up a little too well for everyone in the end, however, no matter our thoughts about heaven, we certainly all hope that heaven is indeed a place filled with incredibly happy endings.