The Road to Damascus Journey…Day Fourteen …malak

The Road to Damascus Journey…Day Fourteen …malak

I last posted on December 8, 2009.  The Word was “dma’ot” meaning tears.  At that time the Lord also gave me the Word “malak” (Hebrew) – to reign; inceptively to ascend the throne; causatively to induct into royalty; (make, set a, set up) king, be (make) queen, (begin to, make to) reign (Strong 4427).

If you read the last post you read about the occurrence last Tuesday.  Just a recap:

I was preparing to go to a doctor’s check-up, and was conversing with God about people’s frustrations and points of their personal grief.  I asked God for wisdom and understanding, and words of comfort that I might offer these people. I asked God, “What can I say to them in the midst of their personal deserts, their battles, when these people are worn and weary, and cannot see ahead for the weariness in their souls, and loved ones have been taken away or things they hold dear have been lost, how do they believe?” 

I don’t know why, but I jumped when I heard God answer me.  He said, “ask, how big do they think my throne is?  How far does it extend? What does it cover?”  In awe and greatest humility, I bowed, because his presence was so strong. I answered, “Your throne extends from the eat to the west, from the north to the south, across the firmament. Your throne is as big or as little as we see it.”  Malak – to reign; reign upon a throne. Hmm. 

On that last post, I wrote: “I live aware of God’s “bigness”. I have personal knowledge, just as you must have, of His vast love, and unlimited mercy that descends down to us from His Throne of Grace.”

Sometimes you don’t know that a Word for someone else is your Word too!  My family came to know just how great God’s throne is, when this last Friday, my mom became ill.  There had been spiritual preparation for this day. 

This is what happened on December 11, 2009:

My mom was restless during the night, and we got up many times to go to the bathroom.  I was getting worried because she could hardly move her feet, and was really making an effort to drag herself.  Just about 6:00am, I decided that she was not strong enough to make another trip to the bathroom, and that we should just wait to feel better.  As I looked at her she was very pale and chalky-looking. We sat awhile and talked, and I had my arm around her shoulder, and was explaining that maybe just “to check things out” we should go to the emergency room, and had called my brother into the room. She laid her head on my shoulder, and then suddenly went limp to one side, her tongue came out of her mouth, and it hung sideways out of her mouth, her eyes rolled back, and she went limp backwards, while dark brown blood gushed out of her mouth, gushes and gushes, all over the bed, blankets, and other clothing. I tried rolling her on her side, but she was too heavy for me, but at the same time my brother had also rushed toward us, and was able to place her on her side, so that she would not choke on her own blood. She came too, but not coherent, and blood kept oozing out of her mouth.  My brother went straight into prayer over her, while I ran to the phone to get the paramedics, tie-up the dogs, and make access way for the paramedics.

I rode with her in the ambulance, with the whirling siren to the hospital, and she was still gushing blood, and she was not looking well. 

My brother (the eldest), my sister-in-law, and my nephew Jason, were the first to arrive at the hospital.  I met them and updated them on the severity of her condition. They could not stop the internal bleeding. I was called away to give her history and details to the nurses, and then re-united with them to wait. The minutes seemed endless.  We all whispered prayers as we paced back and forth, and made calls in-between to family members.

At one point, a frantic nurse rushed into the emergency room, and told us that she had coded, that she had suffered respiratory failure, and what did we want done.  The four of us rushed down the hall toward the area she was in, and I called out that I had her “Advanced Directive” which authorizes me as her health representative to make medical decisions for her, including life and death decisions. There was a circle of about 9 to 11 people around her bed, and they were waiting for instructions. Again, I called out, “do everything you have to do to keep her alive, everything and anything.” They started working on my mom to bring her back, and let us stay in the corner of the room, but I grabbed my weeping sister-in-law, brother and nephew and said, “they will do everything they can, but we have to go into prayer.”  The Security guard and a nurse, said, “no you can stay”, but I answered, “we have to pray.”

We gathered just outside the room, and joined hands, I remember telling myself, more than anyone, “I’m not giving up hope, I’m not losing her yet, not like this.”  We prayed and we thanked God for her life, and we thanked God for His mercy, and then we thanked God for giving the medical staff wisdom.  As we prayed, I opened my eyes upward and as we prayed, I saw people with other sick loved ones, with their heads bowed, and in prayer. I then saw the nurses, joining us in prayer, and their hands were upon our shoulders, and they had tears in their eyes. We prayed with authority and with a heart of thanksgiving.  We did not stop praying until we heard the monitors beeping signaling sustaining life.

The doctor came over and told us that they were doing everything they could to keep her alive.  She was bleeding internally and blood had gone into her lungs, and her blood pressure had dropped, and she had lost a lot of blood at home, and on the way. They could not stop the bleeding. I kept telling the physicians that she had all kinds of allergies and sensitivities and told them various times of her medications, and that she had undergone a transfusion years ago, that made it necessary to filter the blood, before any transfusions, and they had to check the national red cross bank for data.

Hours passed as family and friends gathered at the hospital.  We took over the emergency room, hallways and parking lot.  We lost her a second time, and again she was revived. There were countless Pastors, Ministers, Women Ministry groups and churches in active intercession across the nation, and across the World, as people posted on the internet on Church websites and such.  My mother’s pastor and church, as well as my own pastor and church were of great comfort.  Family members from up and down California and Arizona responded with love and prayers.

Even as we paced about, I remembered “How big is my throne?”   I whispered back, “it is big enough to restore my mother.”  They started a transfusion while in the emergency room, but her body rejected it, and the respirator was breathing for her, and her heart was being regulated.

We were allowed to see her two by two in a room off the emergency room. I saw the nurses whisper, and give long looks at us, and weak smiles. I stayed encouraged, and although I knew my mom was ready to go with the Lord, I knew it was not her time, because I knew that her work here on earth was not finished.  Nevertheless, seeing her suffer, was heart-wrenching.  

Sometime in the late afternoon, she was moved to Intensive Care and was still unstable.  We began to pray with specifics as to blood transfusions and stopping the internal bleeding.  I was the first to see her as she was transferred and the assigned physician introduced himself, and recapped her medical condition.  My sister-in-law was with me, and he told us that they could not stop the bleeding, and he did not know why.  I said “doctor has anyone mentioned to you that she is on “Plavix”.  It a blood thinner.  The doctor grabbed his head with both hands, and I heard him shouting out commands, one of them being coagulant.  Within 30 minutes the internal bleeding had stopped.  Within 60 minutes they were able to start transfusions.

Friends and family had stuck with us the whole day and had ministered to our hearts and bodies.  We went home tired that night.

My sister’s boys helped clean-up the bloody blankets, bed linens and clothing where my mother had almost bled out that morning.  My precious brother-in-law did all that laundry and went trough the mess to get things restored back to normal.

I wearily took a shower and slept two hours out of sheer exhaustion. I prayed myself to sleep, and was grateful for the many intercessors holding us up in prayer. My sister-in-law, and my sister, and I were back at our posts before the procedures the next morning. I remember going in to see my mom before 7:00am, and looking at the frail little lady who lay amidst all the machines and tubing. 

I held her almost cold hand and whispered that I knew she was suffering, and this was the toughest fight we had yet faced.  I spoke to her of all the things that she had suffered as a child, and the trials she had seen in her lifetime.    I then did one of the hardest things I have ever had to do, again. I told her I understood that she was tired, and understood if she wanted to go to be with her Savior and her loved ones in heaven.  I told her I knew she was ready and had fought the good fight, and without a doubt her crown was waiting in heaven. I told her of the beautiful things that she would see, and the celestial city, and how the Lord would meet her.  I told her that if she stayed, we could wait and see the Lord together when He returned for us in the clouds on that glorious day. I reminded her of the promises that she had shared with me that God had given her, and those things had not yet been fulfilled in our family. We were still praying on those things.  Then I reminded her of God’s goodness, and read her favorite scriptures to her (Psalm 91 and 121). I left her with peace in my heart, but better than that, her semblance had a tinge of color.

We spent much of that Saturday as we had the day before, watching and waiting, with no real change in her condition.  Somewhere between 8:00 and 8:30pm my nephews took their turn to see “Ita” (that’s what the grandkids call grandma), and then I saw one of them return for my sister with some urgency. My sister was gone about 30 minutes. She returned, and said “ I have an announcement!” She proceeded to tell us how her boys had gone in to see my mother, and she was awake, and alert, and was pointing to the door, and moving her eyes to indicate that they call their mom. When their mom (my sister) arrived, my mother was restless, and distressed. So my sister took action, called her boys into prayer, and they lay hands on mom. My sister states that she placed her hand over my mother’s head, and soon felt radiant heat on the palm of her hand, so much so that she felt her hand burning, and the top of my mom’s head hot. My mother grew peaceful.  Within 30 minutes my mother’s vitals and her numbers all came together, and for the first time, she was pronounced stable. My sister was announcing the work of the Holy Spirit. We were all encouraged and knew God’s hand was at work.  This is the first of what many people called miracles.

I will continue on another post.  Blessings and thank you mighty intercessors and prayer warriors.

Again, the Word “malak” (Hebrew) means – to reign; inceptively to ascend the throne; causatively to induct into royalty; (make, set a, set up) king, be (make) queen, (begin to, make to) reign (Strong 4427).

He reigns.  He is on the throne.  Hebrews 4:16 stirs within me, and it reads: “Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need.”

“Umbrella” By The Isaacs from hoover4000

 

 

¡¡¡¡¡¡Supe que me amabas–Marcela Gandara!!!!!! From jcgh64

The Road to Damascus Journey Day Thirteen – dma’ot

 

The Road to Damascus Journey…Day Thirteen…dma’ot

I was to wait to post until today. I thought it was another post, but even as I prepared to post, the Holy Spirit stopped me, and dropped into my heart this post, which I had saved until it was “primed” by the Holy Spirit.

As I opened this post to prepare it, the Word came to me, and I knew the Holy Spirit was aware of this day. The Word:  dmaot.  Doesn’t look like a Word to me, but when I reference the spelling I find “dma’ot” meaning tears.

Tears.  Jesus wept. Hmm. Not only are they Words, these two words form the shortest verse in the Bible, John 11:35.  Normally, the different English versions in the Bible read differently, but this verse reads the same in the King James version, the Amplified version, the New International version, the New American Standard Bible version, the English Standard version, New King James version and American Standard version.

We find this verse in the telling of the death of someone dear to Jesus, his friend Lazarus.  He came and spoke to two grieving sisters.  He came to troubled family and friends.  Jesus came to the resting place of Lazarus and He wept.

I recall my brother Jesse sharing an experience with me. He came over to visit, and he kept telling me I have to share something with you, I must share something with you. He tried to tell me various times, and the buzziness of life just kept coming up, finally he said, “please you just have to listen to this.”

He spoke of something that has happened twice in his life. He said that it was right before father’s day, and he woke up, saying, “oh, I forgot to get something for my father and it’s father’s day, aagh”  Then in the next moment he realized my dad has been gone these many years (December 8, 1987).  Jesse said that this happened before.

I can relate as I through the years have had recurrent dreams of deep sorrow, that seem so real, and when you awaken, you are worried about that one thing, and then you realize, oh my God, it’s just a dream.

Jesse related that this made him recall something that is implanted in his mind and engrained in his spirit.

You, the friends of KairosKingdomWomen, might have read the posts I have written about my Dad and his Journey into Christ’s arms.  You can find it in the 1^st Newsletter under the right hand column, and also under the date of December 8, 2007.  I “talk” about our Dad’s death and the bedside prayer of our family as we released him into eternal life.

On that long ago day, December 8, 1987, that seems like yesterday in my heart, I was by my father’s feet, my hands curled around his toes. I remember looking up as we prayed, but Jesse was at the head of the bed, looking into my father’s face. He said that if he had looked away or blinked, he would have missed it. He says that as we finished the prayer, one last tear fell from my father’s closed eyes.  One single tear drop.  “dma’ot”

You can call it “Death’s Last Tear”  or “Tear of Death” but in the end, it is still “One Tear.  It is finished. The body has performed its last function. 

Take a look at this excerpt: “LACRIMA MORTIS: THE TEAR OF DEATH” From Science Frontiers #94, JUL-AUG 1994. © 1994-2000 William R. Corliss. I found it at:

http://www.science-frontiers.com

“It must be a heart-wrenching experience to see a single tear roll down the cheek of a person at the moment of his or her death. I. Lichter, medical director of the Te Omanga Hospice, in New Zealand, wondered how often this phenomenon occurred and why. Working with the Hospice nursing staff, Lichter followed 100 patients nearing death.”

“The results showed 14 patients shed a final tear at the time of death, and a further 13 within the last 10 hours of life.

“In 21 of the 27 cases, the dying person was unconscious at the time of the l”ast tear. And in all but one case the tear was shed by patients whose death was expected rather than sudden.”

“Lichter and colleagues wondered if the death-bed tears were emotional in origin or perhaps caused by a reflex action. Notes made by the nursing staff were inconclusive on this matter. Lichter thought of chemically analyzing some of the last tears, because emotional tears have a different chemical composition from those produced by irritation. Unfortunately, a single tear was insufficent for the analysis. “

(Morrison, Alastair; “The Mystery of the Death-Bed Tear,” Wellington Dominion, August 11, 1993. Cr. P. Hassall)   From Science Frontiers #94, JUL-AUG 1994. © 1994-2000 William R. Corliss.

Science can call it what they want.  But this last function of the body fulfills the scripture in Revelations 21:4:  “He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away.”

The Holy Spirit brings to my mind an occurrence last Tuesday.  I was preparing to go to a doctor’s check-up, and was conversing with God about people’s frustrations and points of their personal grief.  I asked God for wisdom and understanding, and words of comfort that I might offer these people. I asked God, “What can I say to them in the midst of their personal deserts, their battles, when these people are worn and weary, and cannot see ahead for the weariness in their souls, and loved ones have been taken away or things they hold dear have been lost, how do they believe?” 

I don’t know why, but I jumped when I heard God answer me.  He said, “ask, how big do they think my throne is?  How far does it extend? What does it cover?”  In awe and greatest humility, I bowed, because his presence was so strong. I answered, “Your throne extends from the east to the west, from the north to the south, across the firmament. Your throne is as big or as little as we see it.” 

I live aware of God’s “bigness”. I have personal knowledge, just as you must have, of His vast love, and unlimited mercy that descends down to us from His Throne of Grace.  I began to praise Him. Then I heard Him say something, that I needed to hear, I just didn’t know it. I know it was said for more than just me, but for many of the readers who followed these Journeys.  I heard, “Topi, Yolanda and your Father received their ultimate healing when I met them and received them beside the Tree of Life.”

Revelations 22: 1-5 (NIV) reads:

1Then the angel showed me the river of the water of life, as clear as crystal, flowing from the throne of God and of the Lamb 2down the middle of the great street of the city. On each side of the river stood the tree of life, bearing twelve crops of fruit, yielding its fruit every month. And the leaves of the tree are for the healing of the nations. 3No longer will there be any curse. The throne of God and of the Lamb will be in the city, and his servants will serve him. 4They will see his face, and his name will be on their foreheads. 5There will be no more night. They will not need the light of a lamp or the light of the sun, for the Lord God will give them light. And they will reign for ever and ever.

Amen, the blessed assurance of the redeemed soul.  No more tears.

The scriptures also tell us this about tears:

Revelation 21:4 (KJV)
And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes;
and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow,
nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain:
for the former things are passed away.

Psalms 126:5 They that sow in tears shall reap in joy.

Revelation 7:17 For the Lamb which is in the midst of the throne shall feed them, and shall lead them unto living fountains of waters: and God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes.

The loveliest portion of a verse that touches my heart is:

He will swallow up death in victory: and the Lord God will wipe away tears from off faces, … (Isaiah 25:8)

You know Psalm 56:8 reads: ”You number and record my wanderings; put my tears into Your bottle–are they not in Your book?” HE sees the tears when you are hurting, when you have been wrongly accused, and your words have been misunderstood, and lies and gossip are perpetuated, and you feel broken. He keeps those tears in a bottle, because you and I are precious to Him. HE has remembrance of us. Just think of it, how many of you “collect” a token of preciousness of and from your child?  It could be a lock of hair, the first tooth, etc.  These things were precious enough, important enough for you to “collect” into a special place, a little box or envelope. Well God collects our precious tears in a bottle. What a collection He must have! 

Psalms 126:5 reads” “They that sow in tears shall reap in joy.” That brings to mind Isaiah 61:3 - To appoint unto them that mourn in Zion, to give unto them beauty for ashes, the oil of joy for mourning, the garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness; that they might be called trees of righteousness, the planting of the LORD, that he might be glorified.

Amen.  My friend, will your tears be wiped away? Will that one last tear flow on this earth, as you enter into the fullness of joy and complete Shalom? 

Another Time, Another Place – Avalon from torcedorfiel

 

I Bowed On My Knees” By Michael English (FULL) From: hoover4000

CARMAN (HD) THE THIRD HEAVEN from KAIROS777MARANATHA

 

 

The Road to Damascus Journey…Day Twelve.. Necoshet

 

The Road to Damascus Journey…Day Twelve.. Necoshet

I received this Word at the beginning of this Word Journey, but did not know how it would be used, or what the Lord would show me.

I receive this Word:

nechoshet  (Hebrew) meaning bronze (a mineral)

I did a Word study while I waited for the Lord to speak to me. I found the references in the bible as follows:

• 137 references in the NASB for the word “Bronze”
• 138 references in the NIV and Amplified for the word “Bronze”
• 146 references in the NLT for the word “Bronze”

Little did I know that there would be one verse that would capture my attention.  That Word “Necoshet” came alive last Tuesday, November 24, 2009. You see my mother suffered her third fall on that day.  The other two falls occurred during other “Word” Journeys. 

I was sharing with friends and family, that the Holy Spirit had warned me to “watch” my mother extra carefully. I had been “watching” for two days, when the fall occurred. 

You see despite her limitations, my mother is quite independent. She refuses to sit and “do nothing.”  She becomes restless and anxious. So we have worked it out, that as long as she is within watching distance, and uses her walker, and follows the safety guidelines for herself, and lets me know when she tires of the activity, then she can do her activities. Most of the time, my mom pushes the limits and boundaries. 

I can understand that she needs to do these things to have a measure of self-esteem and self-worth, and dignity, and she feels a purpose to her days.  As co-caregiver with my sister and one of my brothers, we worry, and fret, and feel the strain of caring for a parent.  All of that is well-worth the cost to have our mom, with a sound mind and body. As long as she has breath, she does indeed have a purpose in God.

Yet, there are days, when she sees me as “her jailer”, and challenges decisions and activities.  I confess that there are days and moments when I am not as gracious as I could have been, and feel exasperated.  For all those who are care-givers of their parents you can understand exactly what I am saying.  We act as their extended hands and feet, and we stand in the gap in more ways than one.

Well this was one of those days, when my mother refused to take “I don’t think so” for an answer, and wanted to do “a bit of gardening.”  Finally, seeing that she was getting worked up, and in order to keep the peace, I relented, but it was such a busy workday for me, that I told her that I would watch her from the other side of the window, while she stayed in the designated patio area, and if she needed me to reach something or move a pot, then she should tell me, we have worked it out before.  We were separated by about ten feet, she on the outside of the house, and I on the inside.

I sat at one of the computers and worked away, and could see her with my peripheral vision. I would call out, and ask her, “are you okay?” and she would respond “I’m fine” and soon grew tired of me asking her, and told me to stop asking. I kept asking anyway.

I went to the kitchen to heat up my cup of coffee, and was fussing with the microwave, which was refusing to heat up my cup of coffee, and when I turned around, the doggies were anxiously pacing behind me, and looking away with a whimper. My heart dropped, and I ran to the window, and there were no signs of my mom, so I called out, and I heard a weak “Alma, come”.  I had stepped away for less than five minutes, and my mom had gone out of the designated area, tripped on a brick, and flew about ten feet into the yard.  She felt that an hour had gone by as she lay there, but of course, it was less than five minutes.

I could not see her from the window, and as I flew into the front room, and placed my coffee on the fireplace, and as I ran to the door, I suddenly saw these huge bronze arms, from the shoulders to the fingers locked in an embrace. It stopped me in my tracks for a minute, because I did not expect to see these massive arms of bronze, and then they were gone, and I kept on running, not giving it a second thought.

I found my mom, in a sitting down position on the grass and on the small path outside.  As I reached her, she fell back against me. She was so relieved, and I immediately did the check, I have grown accustomed to do, checking her head, arms, legs, eyes, and asking her questions as to time and person. She was just shaken up. I saw where her walker was stationed, and the overturned brick, and the broken branches that cushioned her fall. I could not even reprimand her because I was so relieved that she was able to move, and nothing seemed broken. However, I could not lift her up, she was dead weight on the ground. I tried a couple of times, and pulled my back, shoulders and wrists. So I ran to get the phone, and my mom flew into an anxiety fit, since she is afraid the paramedics will come and take her away, and she will not return home.

In order to quiet her, I had to promise to not call the paramedics or firemen.  I looked up and down the neighborhood, and not even a squirrel appeared. I called my family members and my sister and sister-in-law and nephews and friends showed up. My sister-in-law (God bless her soul, picked up my mother as if she was a feather. She has a back problem too, but God strengthened her to be able to this, and just as she had her on her feet, the other “angels” showed up and everyone escorted my mom inside.

Once my mom was inside, my legs grew weak, as I recognized the tragedy we had just averted. I remembered the bronze arms, and as I related that to my mother, she said, “ of course, I called out to God, “Jesus, catch me.”      

It was then that the one word and verse captured my attention.  That Word “Necoshet” and Daniel -Chapter 10 – (Amplified Version):

1In the third year of Cyrus king of Persia a word was revealed to Daniel, who was called Belteshazzar. And the word was true and it referred to great tribulation (conflict and wretchedness). And he understood the word and had understanding of the vision.(A)

    2In those days I, Daniel, was mourning for three whole weeks.

    3I ate no pleasant or desirable food, nor did any meat or wine come into my mouth; and I did not anoint myself at all for the full three weeks.

    4On the twenty-fourth day of the first month, as I was on the bank of the great river Hiddekel [which is the Tigris],

    5I lifted up my eyes and looked, and behold, a man clothed in linen, whose loins were girded with pure gold of Uphaz.

    6His body also was [a golden luster] like beryl, his face had the appearance of lightning, his eyes were like flaming torches, his arms and his feet like glowing burnished bronze, and the sound of his words was like the noise of a multitude [of people or the roaring of the sea].(B)

    7And I, Daniel, alone saw the vision [of this heavenly being], for the men who were with me did not see the vision, but a great trembling fell upon them so that they fled to hide themselves.

    8So I was left alone and saw this great vision, and no strength was left in me, for my fresh appearance was turned to pallor; I grew weak and faint [with fright].

    9Then I heard the sound of his words; and when I heard the sound of his words, I fell on my face in a deep sleep, with my face [sunk] to the ground.

    10And behold, a hand touched me, which set me [unsteadily] upon my knees and upon the palms of my hands.

    11And [the angel] said to me, O Daniel, you greatly beloved man, understand the words that I speak to you and stand upright, for to you I am now sent. And while he was saying this word to me, I stood up trembling.

    12Then he said to me, Fear not, Daniel, for from the first day that you set your mind and heart to understand and to humble yourself before your God, your words were heard, and I have come as a consequence of [and in response to] your words.

    13But the prince of the kingdom of Persia withstood me for twenty-one days. Then Michael, one of the chief [of the celestial] princes, came to help me, for I remained there with the kings of Persia.

    14Now I have come to make you understand what is to befall your people in the latter days, for the vision is for [many] days yet to come.

    15When he had spoken to me according to these words, I turned my face toward the ground and was dumb.

    16And behold, one in the likeness of the sons of men touched my lips. Then I opened my mouth and spoke. I said to him who stood before me, O my lord, by reason of the vision sorrows and pains have come upon me, and I retain no strength.

    17For how can my lord’s servant [who is so feeble] talk with this my lord? For now no strength remains in me, nor is there any breath left in me.

    18Then there touched me again one whose appearance was like that of a man, and he strengthened me.

    19And he said, O man greatly beloved, fear not! Peace be to you! Be strong, yes, be strong. And when he had spoken to me, I was strengthened and said, Let my lord speak, for you have strengthened me.

    20Then he said, Do you know why I have come to you? And now I will return to fight with the [hostile] prince of Persia; and when I have gone, behold, the [hostile] prince of Greece will come.

    21But I will tell you what is inscribed in the writing of truth or the Book of Truth. There is no one who holds with me and strengthens himself against these [hostile spirit forces] except Michael, your prince [national guardian angel].

Whoa. First of all, that is such a striking passage from the Word of God. Three things stood out to me:

• Daniel received a Word
• He saw a heavenly being with bronze arms
• Daniel had this vision 21 days into his journey seeking God

 The Holy Spirit prompts me to go back and read verse 12:

“12Then he said to me, Fear not, Daniel, for from the first day that you set your mind and heart to understand and to humble yourself before your God, your words were heard, and I have come as a consequence of [and in response to] your words.”

Now please understand this, that although this post is written as the 12^th Damascus Day, it is actually 21 days from the day I started this journey. I too had to contend with spiritual warfare with computer problems and such, and that had placed me behind in posting, or so I thought, but it was the Kairos time, appointed time.

I have another Word – eyt, and when I reference the Word, I find it is Hebrew for “an appointed season or point in time. Ah yes, it is the Hebrew Word for Kairos (Greek) – an appionted time by God – an opportune moment in God’s time.  Thank you Lord for the confirmation and for the spiritual preparation.

In the Bible, bronze signifies strength, stability and judgement.  Indeed it was His strength that caught my mother’ feet, and delivered her just as Psalm 91 verse 11 and 12 (her favorite Psalm) promises: 11For He will give His angels [especial] charge over you to accompany and defend and preserve you in all your ways [of obedience and service]. 12They shall bear you up on their hands, lest you dash your foot against a stone.

I asked the Lord about bronze also meaning judgment. The Holy Spirit prompts me to take a closer look at Daniel’s prayer and vision. Daniel was praying for God’s chosen people. Revelation 1 speaks of John’s vision of “polished brass”, and the judgment of sin.   His Word speaks to me of spiritual warfare as we intercede for God’s people.  Paul tells us in Ephesians 6:12 (KJV) “For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.”

Daniel’s vision also spoke of the last days, and Paul’s message in Romans 11 also speaks of the gentiles and God’s chosen people (Israel) in the last days.  It also speaks of the hardships of those who remain through the tribulation, and have to bow to the evil one or give their life for the One True God.

The Holy Spirit reminds me again, as to what is the Kairos message, and as I have written in many of these posts, it is to urge us forward until the return of Christ, and that we not miss the message of the cross, death, burial and resurrection, and Salvation through Jesus Christ our Lord.

Stay in His Word, Seek Him, Call out to Him to Catch You.  Hang on to the things from up above.

In Christ Alone Worship Video with Lyrics from drenton72

 

 Kathy Troccoli: Call Him Love from LifeTodayDotOrg

 

Safe from koolchristiangirl

 

The Road to Damascus Journey…Day Eleven.. VISIONS

 

The Road to Damascus Journey…Day Eleven.. VISIONS

As I previously shared, the Holy Spirit has been showing me things, some to share at this time, and some things to be shared at a later appointed time.  As I contemplated these things, and awaited which post came next, I receive this Word.

ra’ah (Hebrew) meaning appear, visions, view, consider, discern

Hmm. It is brought to mind the “Stars of David” which I saw three separate times (three different days). While in prayer, I saw multitudes of “Stars of David” lit up by Sapphires, and coming forward in the atmosphere (like the deep solar system), and as they came forward, the stars grew larger and they whirled past me. I saw a Cross (also in Sapphires), in the middle of the Star of David, and they came faster and larger, and were finally followed by the profile of a man, a beautiful man with a brownish red beard. He was at a ¾ angle profile, and I saw Him only from His head to His shoulders. He wore a blue and white Tallit with Golden embroidery.

The Hebrew term for Sapphire is Sappir.  I have the Word Isaiach which is how Isaiah is shown in the Torah. Isaiah 54:11 reads: “I will lay thy foundation with sapphires.”

The Apostle Paul wrote in (1 Corinthians 3:10 and11) “According to the grace of God which is given unto me, as a wise master-builder, I have laid the foundation, and another builds thereon. But let every man take heed how he builds thereupon. For no other foundation can no man lay than that is laid, which is Jesus Christ.”

The Holy Spirit prompts me to recall Paul, the Messianic Jew, and the “visions” and “appearances” he experienced.  Paul had an encounter with Jesus on the road to Damascus (Acts 9 – Saul’s conversion).  He again had a Jesus experience in Acts 18: 9 and 10 (NIV) -9One night the Lord spoke to Paul in a vision: “Do not be afraid; keep on speaking, do not be silent. 10For I am with you, and no one is going to attack and harm you, because I have many people in this city.” We see the Lord “stood” near Paul in Acts 23;11 – NIV –  11The following night the Lord stood near Paul and said, “Take courage! As you have testified about me in Jerusalem, so you must also testify in Rome.”

Lay the foundation, Jesus Christ, and the message of Salvation, for Jew and Gentile, and the return of our Lord, Jesus Christ.  Just as we try to win the lost to Christ. Paul says the following: 1 Corinthians 9:19-23 (NIV): “19Though I am free and belong to no man, I make myself a slave to everyone, to win as many as possible. 20To the Jews I became like a Jew, to win the Jews. To those under the law I became like one under the law (though I myself am not under the law), so as to win those under the law. 21To those not having the law I became like one not having the law (though I am not free from God’s law but am under Christ’s law), so as to win those not having the law. 22To the weak I became weak, to win the weak. I have become all things to all men so that by all possible means I might save some. 23I do all this for the sake of the gospel, that I may share in its blessings.”

Hmm. It reminds me of my precious little niece Emma, she tells our little chocolate poodle Cookie, “OPEN YOUR EYES COOKIE.” She’s got it right. Keep your eyes on the message.

Let’s open our eyes and be a witness to our fellow believers and a witness to the unsaved. May our eyes be open to the things of the Lord, and may we continue to be amazed by God, as we lay Jesus Christ as our foundation.

Dame tus ojos, Marcela Gandara from YaninaMandarina

 

Marcela Gandara – Dame Tus Ojos (English translation / traduccion en ingles) from airchungi

The Road to Damascus Journey…Day Ten.. DRAW ME

The Road to Damascus Journey…Day Ten.. DRAW ME

On this day a vision came before the Word and scripture.  The Holy spirit has been showing me things, some to share now, and some things in a holding pattern. 

On one of the days of this journey, I “saw” a woman, and the “Narrator” (Holy Spirit) in the vision said “woman at the well” and as she took a few steps backward, she sat on a wall (“made of Jasper”). She was clothed in deep purple garments and the veil upon her head was sheer. She extended her hands and each hand contained sapphires. With one hand she was “drawing and receiving” sapphires to herself, and with the other “dispersing” sapphires.

As I prayed about this vision, I received this scripture – Isaiah 54:11-12 (NIV):

 11 “O afflicted city, lashed by storms and not comforted,
       I will build you with stones of turquoise,  
       your foundations with sapphires.

 12 I will make your battlements of rubies,
       your gates of sparkling jewels,
       and all your walls of precious stones

Again, I committed these things to the Lord and asked for his understanding in sharing a “Word” here at this post.

In Revelations 21:18 to 20 – the following is noted:

The wall was of jasper: and the city [New Jerusalem] was pure gold, like unto clear glass. The foundations of the wall of the city were adorned with all kinds of precious stones: the first foundation was jasper, the second sapphire, the third chalcedony, the fourth emerald, the fifth sardonyx, the sixth sardius, the seventh chrysolite, the eighth beryl, the ninth topaz, the tenth chrysoprase, the eleventh jacinth, and the twelfth amethyst. Rev 21.18-20

Next, I received a Word.  The Word is Sha’ab (Hebrew) meaning to “draw (water)”.

As I sit back and contemplate these things, I am drawn to consider “The Woman at the Well” which we read about in the Book of John Chapter 4. Please take time to read it. It is about a woman of Samaria who comes to the well to draw water and has an encounter with Jesus. 

Jesus meets woman at a well from guiley2

Let’s consider the scenario. A very tired Jesus stops to rest at a well, and when a Samaritan woman approaches, Jesus speaks to her and asks her for a drink of water. The very fact that Jesus, a Jewish man, would lower Himself to speak to a woman who is alone (without a father or husband) was already a Kairos moment, and on top of that, she was a Samaritan. Samaritans were not accepted by the Jewish people. However, Jesus did not limit who He would speak with, or reach out to, or be biased or have prejudice. He spoke truths to this woman without accusing her. He offered to quench the thirst in her soul with refreshing living water. The Living Water that has healing properties, and acts as a balm for all wounds and hurts.

In her shame, that Jesus could read her soul, she turns the conversation to religion. Isn’t that a picture of what happens when we witness to those who need Christ? As a self-defense mechanism to resort to, countering the truth we share with religion.  It is not about religion, but about the need for forgiveness and the gift of salvation through Jesus Christ. Just like the Samaritan woman, it is difficult when our “truths” are exposed.  The Samaritan woman had a moment which altered her life, but first she had to face the truth, and respond with truth, before she could be healed on all levels. She found the One who could love her soul.

It is so necessary that we respond as the Samaritan woman did. Her heart looked past the shame of her guilt-ridden mind, and her thirsty soul grasped the message and the moment.  She recognized the need to trust and believe, and leave the sins and disappointments from the past, there at the base of the well.

Jesus revealed Himself to her, “I Who speaks to you am He.”  He says the same word to you and me today.

Her life changing moment, gave her the necessary faith to take that same message of mercy and love back to her people, to her sphere of influence. I am sure that she held her head a little bit higher as she entered her village. Those condemning glances did not quench the joy, she knew what she was carrying inside. She had a message of forgiveness, of mercy, of healing, of new life, and a new perspective in spirit, mind, and body. She had come to know the constant source of the flowing living water. I can only imagine, that she wanted to share that happiness, that kind which is joy overflowing.

The Apostle Paul came to know the Source of Living Waters in his Damascus journey. He also had a life altering encounter. He experienced John 7:38 – “He that believeth on me, as the scripture hath said, out of his belly shall flow rivers of living water.”  In 1 Corinthians 10:4 (KJV), Paul speaks of the Children of Israel in Moses’ time, and recognizes the “Living water” when he says, “… And did all drink the same spiritual drink: for they drank of that spiritual Rock that followed them: and that Rock was Christ.”

The Holy Spirit prompts me to consider the Word Sha’ab (Hebrew) meaning to “draw (water)”.  Let’s not miss the moment, of which James speaks in James 4:8 and 9 – Come close to God and He will come close to you. [Recognize that you are] sinners, get your soiled hands clean; [realize that you have been disloyal] wavering individuals with divided interests, and purify your hearts [of your spiritual adultery]. As you draw near to God] be deeply penitent and grieve, even weep [over your disloyalty]. Let your laughter be turned to grief and your mirth to dejection and heartfelt shame [for your sins].

I think of John, the beloved disciple, who yearned to “draw close” to Jesus.” I found this excerpt, “While the other disciples asked ‘Is it I?’ John asked ‘Who is it?’ The disciple who leaned on Christ’s bosom was bathed in such a consciousness of Christ’s love that treason against it was impossible. He, alone of the Evangelists, records his question, and he tells us that he put it, ‘leaning back as he was, on Jesus’ breast.’ For the purpose of whispering his interrogation, he changed his attitude for a moment so as to press still closer to Jesus. How could one who was thus nestling nearer to that heart be the betrayer? The consciousness of Christ’s love, accompanied with the effort to draw closer to Him, is our surest defence against every temptation to faithlessness or betrayal of Him.  (From “Expositions of Holy Scripture: Mark by MacLaren, Alexander – “Is It I?”) (From public domain files at Christian Classics Ethereal Library Website)

Are you like the Samaritan woman, who was deeply wounded, and carrying a shameful burden?  Then come, and drink of the Well of Living Water. Let the miraculous happen to you!  I pray that you allow Jesus to reveal Himself to you.  Can you hear Him? He is saying, “I Who speaks to you am He.”  Have that conversation with Him, today.

Broken Oaks, Woman at the Well [Gospel of John] from julieannadevine

Friend of a wounded heart from adminallen

The More I Seek You from CFNMusic

Have a Blessed Thanksgiving

 

The Divine Invitation

“Behold, I have made ready my dinner. All things are ready. Come to the marriage.” -Matthew 22:4.

Let the King of Heaven and Earth say this to you. In honor of His Son He has prepared a great supper. There the Son bears His human nature. There are all the children of men, dear and precious to the Father, and He has caused them to be invited to the great festival of the Divine love. He is prepared to receive and honor them there as guests and friends. He will feed them with His heavenly food. He will bestow upon them the gifts and energies of everlasting life.

O my soul, thou also hast received this heavenly invitation. To be asked to eat with the King of Glory: how it behooves thee to embrace and be occupied with this honor. How desirous must you be to prepare yourself for this feast. How you must long that you should be in dress and demeanor, and language and disposition, all that may be rightly expected of one who is invited to the court of the King of kings.

Glorious invitation! I think of the banquet itself and what it has cost the great God to prepare it. To find food for angels: for this only one word was necessary. But to prepare for man upon this accursed earth a banquet of heavenly food-that cost Him much. Nothing less than the life and blood of His Son, to take away the curse and to open up to them the right and the access to heavenly blessings. Nothing less than the body and the blood of the Son of God could give life to lost men. O my soul, ponder the wonders of this royal banquet.

I think of the invitation. It is as free, as wide as it could be, “without money and without price.” The poorest and the most unworthy are called to it. And so urgent and cordial is it. Not less cordial is the love which invites to it, the love which longs after sinners and takes delight in entertaining and blessing them.

I think of the blessing of the banquet. The dying are fed with the power of a heavenly life, the lost are restored to their places in the Father’s house, those that thirst after God are satisfied with God Himself and with His love.

Glorious invitation! With adoration I receive it, and prepare myself to make use of it. I have read of those who hold themselves excused because they are hindered, -one by his merchandise, another by his work, and a third by his domestic happiness. I have heard the voice which has said, “I say unto you, that none of these men which were bidden shall taste of My supper.” Under the conviction that He who so cordially invites me is the Holy One, who will not suffer Himself to be mocked, I will prepare myself to lay aside all thoughtlessness, to withdraw myself from the seductions of the world; and with all earnestness to yield obedience to the voice of the heavenly love. I will remain in quiet meditation and in fellowship with the children of God, to keep myself free from all needless anxiety about the world, and as an invited guest, to meet my God with real hunger and quiet joy. He Himself will not withhold from me His help in this work.

PRAYER

Eternal God, I have received the good tidings that there is room also for me at the table of Thy Son. With grateful thanks I receive thy invitation, God of all grace. I hunger for Thy bread, O Lord. My soul thirsts for God. For the living God my flesh and my heart cry out. When shall I enter and appear before the face of God?

Lord, graciously bestow upon me this week a real blessing in the way of preparation. Let the sight of my sinfulness humble me deeply and take away from me all hope in myself. Let the sight of Thy grace again encourage me and fill me with confidence and gladness. Do Thou Thyself stir up within me a mighty desire for the Bridegroom, for the precious Jesus, without whom there could be no feast. And may it be manifest in me this week that I am full of the thought that I have an invitation to eat bread in the house of my God with his only-begotten and well-beloved Son. Lord, grant this for Jesus’ sake.

Lord Jesus, thou hast taught me: “God is a spirit, and they that worship Him must worship Him in spirit and in truth.” Lord, spiritual worship we cannot bring: but Thou wilt bestow upon us Thy Spirit. I entreat thee, Lord, to grant the working of the Spirit. The blessing of the Supper is a high spiritual blessing. The invisible God will there come very near to us and will very mightily impart the gift of eternal life to those who have the spiritual capacity for it. Only the spiritual mind can enjoy the spiritual blessing. Thou knowest how deeply I fail in this receptiveness for a full blessing. But grant, I pray thee, that the Holy Spirit may this week dwell and work in me with special power. I will surrender myself for this end to Him and to His guidance, in order that He may overcome in me the spirit of the world and renew my inner life to inherit from my God a new blessing,. Lord, let Thy Spirit work mightily within me.

And as I thus pray for myself I pray also for the whole congregation. Grant, Lord, in behalf of all thy children an overflowing outpouring of Thy Spirit, in order that this Supper may really be for all of us a time of quickening and renewal of our energies. Amen.

From THE LORD’S TABLE
A Help to the Right Observance of the Holy Supper
by Andrew Murray

Public domain – copy freely
Copyright 1897

Thanksgiving Video Sharefaith from FaithClipart

Katinas-lyrics video-Thank you from likewootwootmypeeps

 

The Road to Damascus Journey…Day Nine.. dor v’dor

 

The Road to Damascus Journey…Day Nine.. dor v’dor 

Thank you for bearing with me during these “silent’ days, however the Holy Spirit has not been silent.  

There is no doubt that God is generationally minded. The Holy Spirit gives me these Words.

• dorot (generations)
• hador hazeh (this generation)
• krovim (relatives)
• toldot (genealogies)
• yerushah (inheritance)
• dor v’dor(generation to generation, throughout every generation)

Okay.  I get the picture – generations.  As I meditate upon His Word, He speaks to me of a previous post, of an interview with a faithful woman, who has prayed for several generations.  She is my Aunt (Tia Esperanza).

This was posted January 9, 2009, and posted previously in one of the “newsletters” before starting this blog. 

Her “life in Christ” began 56 years ago, the 20th of November (1953).

My Aunt’s testimony

I had the privilege of interviewing my Aunt Esperanza.  As I translated this story, I could no keep the tears from flowing.  Tears of gratitude.  Tears because this is the woman who believed for all of us in my family.  My family being her children, her grandchildren, the children of her brother, and the children of her sisters, aunts and uncles, cousins, nieces, nephews, and so forth.  Those in my family (meaning all of the above, including in-laws to all of the above), are the result of the promise given to a woman who dared to believe in God’s promise, and fifty-four years later, I have the great honor to share this story with you.

Alma:  Tia (means Aunt in Spanish) tell us in what year you came to know the Lord and how you came to know him?

Tia Esperanza: It was in 1953, the 20^th of November, a Sunday night, that the Lord saved me.  That day was the most glorious of all my life.  I did not want anything to do with Christians. I hated Christians.  But one day, I woke up with this feeling of desperation and I felt that way all day. Well the next day, I still had that feeling of desperation, and I felt as if I wanted to go outside, and run.  Later that night, I went to my bedroom to pray, and in that bedroom, I had some statues of saints.  As I entered my bedroom, I heard a voice say: “Go to the Temple of Refuge”, which was a Christian Church.  Well I thought I was hearing this due to the great desperation I felt.  I stayed quiet for awhile, and then again the voice said to me in a clearer voice, “Go to the Temple of Refuge.” 

Well I could not disobey, and I got ready and went to see a neighbor friend and asked her to take me to the church.  You Esperanza?, she questioned.  Listen, I said, don’t ask questions, just please take me.  Well, she took me to the church, and I sat in the furthest seat in the back of the church.  While seated there, I asked myself within, ‘What are you doing here?”  “Why did you come to this place”? “I don’t like it, I don’t like the church, and I don’t even like these people.” 

While there, I was being careful that no one touched my young children who were seated with me. Three of which were on the same bench and one that was cradled in my arms.  ‘What was I thinking?, I asked myself. Well that is the last thought I had, and that was about (9:00 p.m., that night), and when I opened my eyes I was at the foot of the altar, and it was midnight.  There were rays of light surrounding me, pink in color, in fact they covered me, they covered all of me, all of my body.  I could hear a choir of angels from on high, and I did not want to rise up from that place.  When I finally got to my feet, I felt as if I were not the same Woman.  I felt something so beautiful inside me.  I looked at the brothers and sisters in the Lord who surrounded me, and there faces were that as of porcelain dolls, whereas before when I looked at them, I would see frogs and toads.  They were beautiful now. I wanted to hug each one, and they were all hugging and crying because this rebellious woman had been saved. 

The next day, the trees seemed greener, the sun more bright, and everything looked so beautiful to me.  I had gotten up early, and went to the fence outside my house, and I stood there.  At that time, I knew little English, almost nothing, but I stood there.  At that time my neighborhood was composed of many races, and as people passed, I would not hesitate, and I would tell them, “ I happy”, “ I happy”!  The people would just look at me and they surely thought I was a mental case, but I could not contain this joy inside of me. To everyone that passed, I said, “ I happy” “I Happy”, but they did not understand.  I want to tell you that from that glorious day, I have lived a new life, and I can tell you that now I am an older person, but I still feel that same joy I felt that day.

Alma:  Tia, what promise did God give you for the salvation of your family?

Tia Esperanza:  There is a verse in the Book of Acts, Acts 16:31- “(Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved, you and your household.”  Well I clung to that verse, and still to this day, because I Knew and know that what HE promises, that HE will do.  The bible says in Numbers 23:19 – “God is not a man, that he should lie, nor a son of man, that he should change his mind. Does he speak and then not act? Does he promise and not fulfill?”

When three months had passed of my having accepted the Lord, I was going through some big difficulties, and it was about two or three in the morning, and I did not yet know much about God’s word,  and as I was weeping, I head a voice say, “Do not fear, for I am with you”.

Alma: Tia, what did you feel when you saw and continue to see God’s promise being fulfilled in your family, in your sister, my mother, and all that have come since then?

Tia Esperanza:  For me, it has signified what he promised, and I believed in that verse in the Book of Acts, for my household.  I know the Lord never fails.  I know the promises he has given me, and up to this moment, and in every day that passes, I am closer to the Lord, and he has done great things in my life. (I, Alma, take the liberty to insert this verse here, Psalm 37:25 – I was young and now I am old, yet I have never seen the righteous forsaken or their children begging bread). Amen.

Tia Esperanza continues:  What he has promised, sooner or later, comes to pass.  Those words that I heard, the voice that said, “Do not fear, for I am with you”, I will not forget them.   I knew I had the joy, and I had the peace, and I had something beautiful in my heart.  He has been real in my life, and to this moment, he has been so good to me, so merciful, and I know that he shall continue to be.

Dear Readers, without my Aunt, this newsletter (blog) would not have a voice.  The promise was fulfilled, and her reward for her faithfulness continues today. 

Isaiah 55:11 (King James Version) – So shall my word be that goeth forth out of my mouth: it shall not return unto me void, but it shall accomplish that which I please, and it shall prosper in the thing whereto I sent it.

I can remember that she always asked what is the condition of your heart?  For 56 years, she has believed for us, a light and inspiration. I can remember admiring her because she did not sway in her beliefs. I have witnessed years of faithfulness and grace.  That was so striking.  How many sorrows, how many put downs has she had to endure?  Countless.  I can remember her being ostracized from the family, more than once.   It has not been easy, but pursuing a vision never is. She has lived her life with a purpose: to one day see God, and for those she loves, to see God also.

Dear friends and family, please realize that our today’s are the harvest of what someone sowed yesterday.  Our today’s can determine someone else’s’ tomorrows.  Let this inspire you to believe for yours, as she continues to believe for all of hers to be joint heirs in Christ. She has lived her life with an eternal perspective.

Her promise is also for her children, her grandchildren and children of the grandchildren.  She continues her ministry. I pray that if the enemy has taken anything that God has faithfully promised her, I pray that we “take it back” for her and ourselves. 

One last thought: her name is Esperanza, meaning hope. Clearly God has called her by name in more ways than one.

“And we pray this in order that you may live a life worthy of the Lord and may please Him in every way: bearing fruit in every good work, growing in the knowledge of God, being strengthened with all power according to His glorious might so that you may have great endurance and patience, and joyfully giving thanks to the Father, who has qualified you to share in the inheritance of the saints in the kingdom of light” (Colossians 1:10-12).

Dear ones, this post reminds me of other faithful women.  My mother for one, who has also prayed in agreement with my Aunt for these “krovim” (relatives) from “dorv’dor” (generation to generation, throughout every generation). Relatives includes brother, sisters, husbands, children, grandchildren, in-laws, cousins, nieces and nephews and friends by association.

Of course, the Holy Spirit brings to mind two other faithful women who have passed – our Dear Topi, and Yolanda, of whom, I have shared in this post.  Their lives are a testament to you (and me), that your prayer will out live you.  God’s faithfulness does not have a timeline. Once a seed has been planted, the futures of our loved ones are God’s destined purpose.

Remember the words spoken by the Apostle Paul in Romans 11.  There is richness in the text found here.  Ask God to speak to you through His Word.

Romans 11 (New Living Translation)

 ¹ I ask, then, has God rejected his own people, the nation of Israel? Of course not! I myself am an Israelite, a descendant of Abraham and a member of the tribe of Benjamin.

 ² No, God has not rejected his own people, whom he chose from the very beginning. Do you realize what the Scriptures say about this? Elijah the prophet complained to God about the people of Israel and said, ³ “Lord, they have killed your prophets and torn down your altars. I am the only one left, and now they are trying to kill me, too.”^[a]

 ⁴ And do you remember God’s reply? He said, “No, I have 7,000 others who have never bowed down to Baal!”^[b]

 ⁵ It is the same today, for a few of the people of Israel^[c] have remained faithful because of God’s grace—his undeserved kindness in choosing them. ⁶ And since it is through God’s kindness, then it is not by their good works. For in that case, God’s grace would not be what it really is—free and undeserved.

 ⁷ So this is the situation: Most of the people of Israel have not found the favor of God they are looking for so earnestly. A few have—the ones God has chosen—but the hearts of the rest were hardened. ⁸ As the Scriptures say,

   “God has put them into a deep sleep.
   To this day he has shut their eyes so they do not see,
      and closed their ears so they do not hear.”^[d]

 ⁹ Likewise, David said,

   “Let their bountiful table become a snare,
      a trap that makes them think all is well.
   Let their blessings cause them to stumble,
      and let them get what they deserve.
 ¹⁰ Let their eyes go blind so they cannot see,
      and let their backs be bent forever.”^[e]

 ¹¹ Did God’s people stumble and fall beyond recovery? Of course not! They were disobedient, so God made salvation available to the Gentiles. But he wanted his own people to become jealous and claim it for themselves. ¹² Now if the Gentiles were enriched because the people of Israel turned down God’s offer of salvation, think how much greater a blessing the world will share when they finally accept it.

 ¹³ I am saying all this especially for you Gentiles. God has appointed me as the apostle to the Gentiles. I stress this, ¹⁴ for I want somehow to make the people of Israel jealous of what you Gentiles have, so I might save some of them. ¹⁵ For since their rejection meant that God offered salvation to the rest of the world, their acceptance will be even more wonderful. It will be life for those who were dead! ¹⁶ And since Abraham and the other patriarchs were holy, their descendants will also be holy—just as the entire batch of dough is holy because the portion given as an offering is holy. For if the roots of the tree are holy, the branches will be, too.

 ¹⁷ But some of these branches from Abraham’s tree—some of the people of Israel—have been broken off. And you Gentiles, who were branches from a wild olive tree, have been grafted in. So now you also receive the blessing God has promised Abraham and his children, sharing in the rich nourishment from the root of God’s special olive tree. ¹⁸ But you must not brag about being grafted in to replace the branches that were broken off. You are just a branch, not the root.

 ¹⁹ “Well,” you may say, “those branches were broken off to make room for me.” ²⁰ Yes, but remember—those branches were broken off because they didn’t believe in Christ, and you are there because you do believe. So don’t think highly of yourself, but fear what could happen. ²¹ For if God did not spare the original branches, he won’t^[f] spare you either.

 ²² Notice how God is both kind and severe. He is severe toward those who disobeyed, but kind to you if you continue to trust in his kindness. But if you stop trusting, you also will be cut off. ²³ And if the people of Israel turn from their unbelief, they will be grafted in again, for God has the power to graft them back into the tree. ²⁴ You, by nature, were a branch cut from a wild olive tree. So if God was willing to do something contrary to nature by grafting you into his cultivated tree, he will be far more eager to graft the original branches back into the tree where they belong.

God’s Mercy Is for Everyone

 ²⁵ I want you to understand this mystery, dear brothers and sisters,^[g] so that you will not feel proud about yourselves. Some of the people of Israel have hard hearts, but this will last only until the full number of Gentiles comes to Christ. ²⁶ And so all Israel will be saved. As the Scriptures say,

   “The one who rescues will come from Jerusalem,^[h]
      and he will turn Israel^[i] away from ungodliness.
 ²⁷ And this is my covenant with them,
      that I will take away their sins.”^[j]

 ²⁸ Many of the people of Israel are now enemies of the Good News, and this benefits you Gentiles. Yet they are still the people he loves because he chose their ancestors Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. ²⁹ For God’s gifts and his call can never be withdrawn. ³⁰ Once, you Gentiles were rebels against God, but when the people of Israel rebelled against him, God was merciful to you instead. ³¹ Now they are the rebels, and God’s mercy has come to you so that they, too, will share^[k] in God’s mercy. ³² For God has imprisoned everyone in disobedience so he could have mercy on everyone.

 ³³ Oh, how great are God’s riches and wisdom and knowledge! How impossible it is for us to understand his decisions and his ways!

 ³⁴ For who can know the Lord’s thoughts?
      Who knows enough to give him advice?^[l]
 35 And who has given him so much
      that he needs to pay it back?^[m]

 ³⁶ For everything comes from him and exists by his power and is intended for his glory. All glory to him forever! Amen.

Dear ones, it is the same God but a different generation. It is the same message to multiple generations.

I encourage you to stand in faith for your loved one. 

God we just believe for those standing in the gap for family members who are not walking a committed life  or those who have not confessed Jesus as their Savior.  We are building up the wall.  We like Nehemiah confess, repent, and are repairing, raising up and taking back our loved ones.  Restoration begins here….

Grace and Peace…Alma for KairosKingdomWomen 2009

Who am I? (Video with lyrics) from airwolfdls

Wayne Watson – For Such A Time As This from CompuPawn

 

 

Posting issues…

Hi everyone, thanks for bearing with me!  I have had posting issues and a conflict with my anti-virus program. We all know how that goes. I will be posting this weekend. Thank you Jesus.

 

The Road to Damascus Journey…Day Eight..The Throne Room

 

The Road to Damascus Journey…Day Eight..The Throne Room

I received a Word last night for this post:

Lodebar: a dry place; a place without pasture; a barren land 

I am writing to you today from a place of grace. I went to sleep thinking about the past years, and how God has brought me through.  The experiences of this past year have taught me to seek Him and to live to dwell in His presence.  He has mercifully allowed me to come into His Throne Room, a place of grace, and a place to experience God’s kindness.  I have lived Psalm 103 – “who crowneth thee with lovingkindness and tender mercies….”

http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Psalm+103+&version=KJV&src=embed

I woke up this morning and stretched my arms out upward, and said, “I step into your grace this morning. I walk in your uncommon favor. You are my point of connection where grace abounds.”

The Holy Spirit brings to mind the following account in the Bible (2 Samuel Chapter 9): the story of his beloved friend’s (Jonathon’s) son, the grandson of King Saul, Mephibosheth.

http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=2+Samuel+9+&version=KJV&src=embed

Let’s take a closer look at the passage. A word study shows that:

• Lodebar means “a Dry place; a place without pasture; a barren land”
• Mephibosheth means “shame”

You know this is a story of divine favor, kindness and mercy, a reflection of God the Father’s love. The account tells us that Mephibosheth, was hidden away for years, thinking it was over for him. But the King (David) found out about him, and asked (“where is he?”) 

Mephibosheth had a breakthrough when the King asked for him. Our King asks, “where is he, where is she?”    Can you hear him calling? He wants to get us to a better place. Then we like Mephibosheth, need to fall on our face before the King.  Is your destiny yet waiting to be uncovered? Have you been in a dry place?  Have you been crippled (incapacitated)?   Are you in the midst of a breakthrough?

Let’s look at what the Apostle Paul tells the Ephesians in Chapter 2; verses 4 to 7 (Amplified Version) reads: 

4But God–so rich is He in His mercy! Because of and in order to satisfy the great and wonderful and intense love with which He loved us,

5Even when we were dead (slain) by [our own] shortcomings and trespasses, He made us alive together in fellowship and in union with Christ; [He gave us the very life of Christ Himself, the same new life with which He quickened Him, for] it is by grace (His favor and mercy which you did not deserve) that you are saved ([a]delivered from judgment and made partakers of Christ’s salvation).

6And He raised us up together with Him and made us sit down together [giving us [b]joint seating with Him] in the heavenly sphere [by virtue of our being] in Christ Jesus (the Messiah, the Anointed One).

7He did this that He might clearly demonstrate through the ages to come the immeasurable (limitless, surpassing) riches of His free grace (His unmerited favor) in [His] kindness and goodness of heart toward us in Christ Jesus.

Dear one, God is waiting to show us His kindness, His mercy and divine grace.  He restores us as sons (and daughters).   I know of what I speak. Just like David restored unto Mephibosheth that which belonged to Saul the King (his grandfather), so too we are restored to the Kingdom. We are restored to God and everything in it.  Come, my friend, let’s eat from the King’s table, continually, as it says in his Word.  It is a place of honor, a place of grace.

Were It Not For Grace from Kloudes

 

Maurette Brown Clark – It Ain’t Over from DJSkelly777

The Road to Damascus Journey…Day Seven..Garden Dweller

 

The Road to Damascus Journey…Day Seven.. GARDEN DWELLER

I have a series of Words that lead me to think about a book I read in my younger days, and years later saw a movie, and a series. It is called “The Secret Garden.”

The words are:

• Moshab (Hebrew): Dwelling place, dwelling, dwellers, a seat, assembly
• Saketa (Hebrew): meaning to place a hedge round about
• Seter (Hebrew): meaning a hiding place

These Words speak to my soul of The Master Gardener and a place of intimacy with God.

Let’s look at some of the references in the Word of God:

• Psalm 32:7 – You are my hiding place; You preserve me from trouble; You surround me with songs of deliverance.
• Psalm 17:8 – Keep me as the apple of the eye; Hide me in the shadow of Your wings.
• Psalm 91:1 – He that dwelleth in the secret place of the most High shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty.
• Psalm 27:5 For in the day of trouble He will conceal me in His tabernacle; In the secret place of His tent He will hide me; He will lift me up on a rock.

There is a Sermon Preached by Smith Wigglesworth in 1921, titled “The Secret Place”. You can find it at: http:// www.nemontel.net/~word1/secret_place.htm

“Public Domain – Copy Freely.”  Psalm 91 is noted in the discourse. He goes on to say: “There are men of God, but there are also men who are God’s men. There is a place where you take hold of God, but there is a better place where God takes hold of you.  Psalm 91:1 says, “He that dwelleth in the secret place of the most High shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty. ” Do YOU know the presence of the Almighty? It is wonderful. It is a surety, with no wavering, no unbelief, no unrest there. It is perfect!”

Another excerpt reads: “Fellowship with God, peace, and power — this is God’s will for us, so don’t fear that it isn’t. No price is too great to pay to have it. It is our inheritance. Christ purchased it for us. Through Him we have the covering of the presence of the Almighty. What a covering the unfolding of His will is!”  The secret place of the Lord is with those who fear Him in the second way: with respect and honor. Moses knew something about it. He feared God and said to Him, “If thy presence go not with me, carry us not up hence” (Exodus 33:15 ).

Oh, to dwell in the secret place, His presence! What will this presence do? It will dare us to believe all God says; assisting us to lay hold of the promises. We will have God so indwelling us that we will become a force, a power of God’s abiding, until the time death is swallowed up in victory!

We have a great salvation filled with inspiration. It has no limitations; it makes known the immeasurable wonders of God.

Wigglesworth continues: “If you are in the experience of verse 1, here is an added substance of faith for you. (It is a fact. And you need to have facts, inward facts, instead of “fearings” or feelings, because you will be beyond anyone’s argument when you have them.)”

“There are those who proclaim, “I will say of the Lord, he is my refuge and my fortress: my God; in him will I trust” (Psalm 91:2 ). Who will say it? He that abideth! He who abides in the Lord knows he can trust in the Lord to protect him from harm.”

Abide under the shadow of the Almighty. Don’t change your position, but always have the presence of God, the glory of God. Pay any price to abide under that covering, for the secret of victory is to abide where the Victor abides.”

Higher, higher, nothing dreading
Never, never let me stop;
In thy footsteps keep my treading
Give me strength to reach the top.

“Jesus has become the Author and the Finisher of your faith. Through faith in Him, you came to the Father, “For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation: (Romans 10:10 ). Your life is hid with Christ in God. You have no limitation when the holy breath blows an inward cry after Him.”

Wigglesworth asks: “Oh, do you know His Name? If you do, God will set you on high (Psalm 91:14 ). And you can ask what you will — communion with Jesus, fellowship divine — and it shall be given to you! It comes through knowledge of Jesus’ Name, not just by whispering it now and then. Call upon the lord, and he will answer you (Psalm 91:15). Feed upon His Word. To those who do, God hath said, “With long life will I satisfy him, and shew him my salvation” (Psalm 91:16). Amen.

(Published originally in August 1921, now Public Domain, Copy Freely)

There are levels of approaching God to get us from the outer court to the inner court where the Holy of Holies dwells.   Isn’t it true that depending on your relationship with the host of the house determines how far into the dwelling you can enter? It determines the level of your fellowship.  

Have you ever had a thirst and hunger for time with God? Praying in the morning is inviting God into the order of our day. It is recognizing God in the middle of our day.  It is letting God determine every detail in our lives. 

I want to encourage you to love the Lord with all of your heart. To encourage you to seek God in prayer and determine in your heart that you will not get up from the Lord’s dwelling place without feeling His word and Spirit rooted deep in you.  There is nothing like getting up with your time with the Lord and knowing that he has visited those deep places of the heart. Knowing that the Word of God and His Spirit is a wall of protection, a hedge, a hiding place. The greatest presence of God has been alone in my “prayer closet” or time spent “in the garden”.  It is time spent soaking up Divine Grace. I want to be a sponge in the things of the Lord, capturing what is a sweet fragrance to Him.

In an excerpt from Beyond the Veil published by Regal Books (October 1997), we find an excerpt titled “The Journey Toward Intimacy” by Alice Smith. 

You can find it at: http:// www.nemontel.net/~word1/journey_toward_intimacy.htm

The Author writes the following: :Approaching the heavenly Bridegroom on the wings of love will happen as we take the following steps:”

Step 1: Sit quietly before the Lord. Learn to read aloud intimate passages of the Word of God. (See Ps. 46; 51; 119; Song of Songs.) Speak them slowly and with expression. Tell the Lord you love Him repeatedly throughout the day.

Step 2: Choose to maintain an attitude of gratitude. (See Ps. 95:2; 100:4; Phil. 4:6; Col. 4:2; 1 Pet. 1:8; Rev. 7:12.)

Step 3: Ask the Lord for direction during the day. Do not fill the day with busyness, but focus on loving people. Be attentive to the Holy Spirit, allowing Him to speak to your heart about specific assignments. Be sure to ask Him for confirmation until you can recognize the voice of God. (See Ps. 19:7; 52:7; Isa. 26:3; Heb. 7:19; Jas. 1: 25,26; 1 John 4: 18,19.)

She also notes:

“What is motivating you? Would you like to be “crucified” so that you will reflect Christ in all of your words and actions? Let’s look together at the steps you will need to take.

Step 1: Sit quietly before the Lord. Ask the Lord to break, to divide, your outward man daily. (See Rom. 1:9; 8:4-8; John 4:23,24; 12:24; 1 Cor. 2:11-14; 2 Cor. 3:6.)

Step 2: Study the Scripture from a relational point of view. Tell the Lord how much you want a close relationship, instead of cognitive knowledge of Him. Read passionate verses aloud. Free you mind while in prayer, by keeping a pen and notebook handy to write down the thoughts that clutter your mind constantly. (See Ps. 63:3-11; 86; Phil. 2:1-7; 1 Tim. 6:7-11; Jas. 2:3-8; Rev. 12:11.)

Step 3: Be real. Refuse to hide behind the prideful walls of intellectualism. Realize that love is more important to God than human reasoning. (See Mark 12:33; John 8:32,36; 1 Cor. 13: 1 Pet. 1:22; 3 John 1:4.)

The Apostle Paul says it best in Philippians 3:10 – 16 (Amplified Version) -

10“[For my determined purpose is] that I may know Him [that I may progressively become more deeply and intimately acquainted with Him, perceiving and recognizing and understanding the wonders of His Person more strongly and more clearly]…”, and that I may in that same way come to know the power outflowing from His resurrection [[b]which it exerts over believers], and that I may so share His sufferings as to be continually transformed [in spirit into His likeness even] to His death, [in the hope]

11That if possible I may attain to the [[c]spiritual and moral] resurrection [that lifts me] out from among the dead [even while in the body].

    12Not that I have now attained [this ideal], or have already been made perfect, but I press on to lay hold of (grasp) and make my own, that for which Christ Jesus (the Messiah) has laid hold of me and made me His own.

    13I do not consider, brethren, that I have captured and made it my own [yet]; but one thing I do [it is my one aspiration]: forgetting what lies behind and straining forward to what lies ahead,

    14I press on toward the goal to win the [supreme and heavenly] prize to which God in Christ Jesus is calling us upward.

    15So let those [of us] who are spiritually mature and full-grown have this mind and hold these convictions; and if in any respect you have a different attitude of mind, God will make that clear to you also.

    16Only let us hold true to what we have already attained and walk and order our lives by that.

I repeat the question Wigglesworth asked: “Oh, do you know His Name?” 

I add, “Do you know his presence?”  I would like to say like Paul in Philippians 3:10 (Amplified Version) – “For my determined purpose is] that I may know Him that I may progressively become more deeply and intimately acquainted with Him…”

 Grace and Peace…Alma for KairosKingdomWomen 2009

In the garden with lyrics from Deesrickchevrolet

I want run deep into ur presence from vijai97

 

Don Moen – Dwelling Places from katesg

How lovely is your dwelling place. Maranatha Music from everflowinglife

 * NOTE* -  FOR MORE WORSHIP – ACCESS THE LINK ON THE SIDEBAR TITLED:

• SECRET PLACE – INTIMATE WORSHIP
• RAINING PRESENCE / SOAKING ROOM