Made Alive

Every Friday afternoon I meet with some dear friends for Bible study. We are studying Ephesians. We go through each chapter taking a few verses at a time and reading and studying them to hear from the Lord. I Love how the Holy Spirit teaches us from the Word. This passage of Ephesians really touched and ministered to me. Here are my notes on Ephesians 2:1-10 using the NKJV, NLT and the Amplified Bible:

As I read through this portion of scripture I was refreshed as to my condition before Jesus and then after Jesus. I have often thought that I was not ‘evil’ before Jesus but I was a sinner. I did not do all that the Lord wanted me to do. I know I rebelled against my parents instructions; I know I did not always say nice things to others but I also know that I already had a love for others and wanted to help them. I guess you could say I was a normal little girl. I do not remember being mean or ugly or hitting people or hurting them. I did not cuss or talk bad about people; at least I don’t think I did but I did need a Savior. I was singing in the junior choir and I came under conviction. I needed Jesus in my life. I told the pastor and he helped me pray the sinner’s prayer. I was so excited and wanted to tell everyone! I knew things were different in my life. I don’t know why but somehow fear got instilled in my life and I lived for over 40 years in fear. Fear of doing wrong rather than a healthy relationship and love of Jesus, of God. I did not grow in my relationship with Him. I am forever grateful my mom took me to church where I heard the Word of God taught and preached but I still had trouble reading the Bible for myself. I just did not understand it. I knew I had to be good! I am so glad that knowing Jesus MADE ME ALIVE WHEN I HAD BEEN DEAD.  I was much older before I realized that I couldn’t be good enough to get into heaven.  

All these scriptures in Eph. 2:1-10 brought all my memories back. As a young wife I went to the altar several times but just did not feel saved; I did not have the assurance I needed. At one point I did get that peace and I did not question my salvation again. I began to grow in my relationship with the Lord when I began teaching the oldest ladies class of Senior Adults. What a privilege but a bit scary too! They had lived so long with Jesus and here I was so new in the Lord. They loved me and listened to my lessons always being encouragers and speaking blessings over me. Through my studies I began to understand (with the Holy Spirit’s help) the scriptures.

What stood out to me in verses 1-10:

V4 God is so rich in mercy, because of and in order to satisfy the great and wonderful and intense love with which He loved us.

V5 God gave us the very life of Christ Himself, the same new life with which He quickened Him. By Grace, God’s unmerited favor (we did not deserve it) that we have been saved (delivered from judgment).

V6 God raised us up together with Jesus and made us sit down together, we have joint seating, we are joint heirs with Jesus in the heavenly sphere in Christ Jesus, the Messiah and the Anointed One.

V7 He demonstrated by this act the immeasurable (no limit) riches of His free grace.

V8 It is by God’s unmerited favor that we are saved (delivered from judgment and made partakers of Christ’s salvation through faith). This salvation is a gift from God. We can’t earn it. We can’t strive for it. Works won’t make it happen.

V10 We are God’s handiwork (His workmanship) born anew in Christ Jesus that we may do those good works which God planned before hand for us, taking paths that He prepared before. Living the good life which He prearranged and made ready for us to live.

Wow, I look back and see how His hand of protection was over me and He guided my steps to meet Charley at His appointed time for us to join our lives and anointing together for His honor and glory, even when we were not spiritually sensitive to know it was God’s perfect plan.

But it was and it IS God’s perfect plan! Praise the Lord! Praise His Holy Name!

What Does the New Year Hold for You?

We have learned after many years living this life of service to our Lord Jesus not to worry about the new year but to lay our life before the Lord and let Him lead and guide us in the New Year! Only He knows the plans for the year! Each year in our house church we pray and ask the Lord for 'our words for the year' and He will give us a word or phrase that will give encouragement and bring expectation for all the Lord has for us.  This year the Lord gave us 3 words between us.  He gave Charley the words: Restoration and Provision.  Father gave me the words: Restoration and Anticipation.  That was so amazing that personally without a word to each other, Father gave us the word Restoration. Now we have no idea how that will manifest in our lives this new year but it excites us greatly to think all the ways that restoration can take place.  So below are my notes from studying what these words mean. I pray my study will encourage and bless you. 

Restoration: Refurbishment, Renovation, Renewal  – Joel 2:25-27

^25-27    The LORD says, “I will give you back what you lost to the swarming locusts, the hopping locusts, the stripping locusts, and the cutting locusts. ^£It was I who sent this great destroying army against you.  Once again you will have all the food you want,

        and you will praise the LORD your God, who does these miracles for you. Never again will my people be disgraced. Then you will know that I am among my people of Israel, that I am the LORD your God, and there is no other. Never again will my people be disgraced.

Provision:  Delivery, Endowment, Establishment – Philippians 4:19

¹⁹For I know that as you pray for me and the Spirit of Jesus Christ helps me, this will lead to my deliverance. 

Anticipation: Hope, Expectation, Eagerness, Looking Forward

 1 Cor. 3:11 ¹¹For no one can lay any foundation other than the one we already have—Jesus Christ. 

Romans 3:21-23  ²¹But now God has shown us a way to be made right with him without keeping the requirements of the law, as was promised in the writings of Moses^£ and the prophets long ago. ²²We are made right with God by placing our faith in Jesus Christ. And this is true for everyone who believes, no matter who we are.²³For everyone has sinned; we all fall short of God’s glorious standard. 

Charley's favorite song is below! Let the words bless and touch your heart and life! 

My Hope Is Built on Nothing Less
By: Edward Mote

My hope is built on nothing less
Than Jesus’ blood and righteous;
No merit of my own I claim
But wholly lean on Jesus’ name.
On Christ, the solid rock, I stand;
All other ground is sinking sand.

When darkness veils his lovely face,
I rest on his unchanging grace;
In every high and story gale
My anchor holds within the veil.
On Christ, the solid rock, I stand;
All other ground is sinking sand.

His oath, his covenant, his blood
Sustain me in the raging flood;
When all supports are washed away,
He then is all my hope and stay.
On Christ, the solid rock, I stand;
All other ground is sinking sand.

When he shall come with trumpet sound,
Oh, may I then in him be found,
Clothed in his righteousness alone,
Redeemed to stand before the throne!
On Christ, the solid rock, I stand;
All other ground is sinking sand.

Hymn # 368 from Lutheran Worship
Author: John Stainer
Tune: Magdalen
1^st Published in: 1836

Whom Will You Serve?

  I am in a season now where Father’s promises are being fulfilled that He spoke to us many years ago.  We have encouraged each other to trust the Lord with all our heart and to walk in His ways daily being a testimony of His truths and His faithfulness.  No matter what is happening in our lives, He is Lord! His truth never fails, His Word never fails, His love is unconditional and His peace passes understanding.  During our last trip, I knew I was a bit anxious to be traveling again.  We had not traveled since last fall.  During May the weather is a bit unpredictable especially in Colorado.  I remember many times arriving at our destination on dry roads in the mountains and waking the next morning with 4 inches of snow on the ground and the most beautiful pristine world to see and enjoy! Well, this time it didn’t happen quite like that but we did have 2 blizzards while there. In one day the weather changed 4 times!! Amazing!! BUT GOD!! 

  We saw a miracle take place (we see them daily) and this one was unmistakable.  On our way out of the mountains we had a 10 foot long about 30 foot wide patch of MUD across the road that we had to cross.  Charley stopped the car, assessed the situation, ask Father for help, hit the gas and we flew across the mud WITHOUT sinking in a hole. It was as if there were two LONG boards across the mud pit and we drove across on the boards.  Well, Jesus walked on water and so did Peter.  We didn’t look at the pit but we said, Jesus HELP and HE DID!! That is the only explanation for us making it in our mountain goat car over the mud pit. Later we heard that the mud pit was knee deep and two cars got stuck in it. BUT GOD!! We rejoiced the whole way down the remainder of the road.  And that is just one miracle! We saw many lives impacted by Jesus on our 3 week journey.

  Our God is so faithful!! He knows the needs better than we do and all we do is say, Help us Lord as we make ourselves available to Him for His Kingdom Work.  We are no different than you!  When Jesus is your Savior, the Holy Spirit resides in you; He will use you too for His honor and glory!! Surrender your lives today to the amazing Jesus Christ, Son of God and Savior of the World. People are dying around the world because they will not renounce Jesus as Lord.  What would you do if confronted with death if you didn’t renounce Jesus?  Believe me I have thought a lot about this!  I choose this day to serve the Lord Jesus and just as the 3 Hebrew children said when confronted with the fiery furnace: “Shadrach, Meshach, and AbedNego answered and said to the king, O Nebuchadnezzar, we have no need to answer you in this matter. If that is the case, our God whom we serve is able to deliver us from the burning fiery furnace, and He will deliver us from your hand, O king. But if not, let it be known to you, O king, that we do not serve your gods, nor will we worship the gold image which you have set up.” Daniel 3:16-18  “AND Then King Nebuchadnezzar was astonished; and he rose in haste and spoke, saying to his counselors, did we not cast 3 men bound into the midst of the fire? They answered and said to the king, True, O king. Look! He answered, I see four men loose, walking in the midst of the fire; and they are not hurt, and the form of the fourth is like the Son of God.” Daniel 3:24-25 

Mentoring by Example

This week we had an awesome opportunity to share on radio about the ministry and our walk with Jesus.  We were asked to share how the Lord uses us to touch people’s lives in our day to day walk.  We shared about ministering to pastors, leaders and missionaries as we encourage, love and bless them. Then we shared about going to the restaurant, store and gas station. We didn’t talk about church or evangelism or preaching but about the people we meet daily in various walks of life. I have to say we enjoyed it immensely.  What was so special was being able to share open and free what the Lord is doing each day through our speech and attitude.

In my last blog I spoke about the persecution that has come upon many Christians around the world.  The persecution continues.  What people do not hear though is how the Kingdom of God is flourishing IN THE MIDST of persecution. Read the Word of God, this has happened all through history.  God’s Word is truth and it prevails though all hell breaks loose, God is still on His throne and His Kingdom knows no end.  For years we have sung the song, One Day at a Time sweet Jesus that’s all I’m asking of you!!  We have prayer time each morning and we do not have a list written down of the folks we pray for but we do have it in our mind as Father gives it to us.  We always pray for our children and grandchildren and then Father gives us people to daily speak their name into His presence. We pray Proverbs 3:5-6, the Prayer of Jabez (1 Chronicles 4:10) and the Lord’s Prayer (Matthew 6:9-13) also. Our hearts are so full as we speak their names and release them into Father’s hands. We KNOW that He hears, He answers, He knows their needs and He knows His perfect will for them.  Then in the evenings we have a written prayer list of over 3000 that we do the same way.  Father knows the intricate details of their lives.

In these days, Father is digging us deeper into prayer and the desire of our heart is to see all believers be people of prayer. It is not about going to church  and hearing people pray, but it is about being people of prayer every moment of the day all week long.  I can’t emphasize this part of our faith walk enough.  Do you believe prayer works? Do you know that our Father hears and He answers?  Oh dear saints of God, focus your eyes on Jesus.  Let this be your lifestyle from this day forward.  Be the CHURCH, BE the PEOPLE OF GOD; mentor others by example. Let the Fruit of the Spirit operate in your life and flow out to everyone you meet. They will KNOW we are Christians by our love! Let it be so!    Galatians 5:22-25: But when the Holy Spirit controls our lives, He will produce this kind of fruit in us: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. Here there is no conflict with the law. Those who belong to Christ Jesus have nailed the passions and desires of their sinful nature to His cross and crucified them there. If we are living now by the Holy Spirit, let us follow the Holy Spirit’s leading in every part of our lives.” NLT

We Believe

How many of us truly know what we believe as we go to church, speak the name of Jesus and walk each day trying to be faithful to the cause of Christ. The news is so full of Christians being persecuted, but one story has really captured my heart and mind.  It is a story from Iraq and a story of families torn apart because they teach their children and others about the good news of Jesus.  The story I read told of children being asked to renounce their faith in Jesus and when they refused they were killed but the parents were left alive.  If a little child is not willing to turn their backs on Jesus to save their lives, what would we do? We have never really been faced with that choice in our western world.  Yes, I know you read about people being asked not to pray in public places or churches being attacked but these are all random acts.  I know that our leaders in government are trying to make laws that are prejudiced against Christians but these are not life and death situations.  What about the reality of what is happening in Iraq, Afghanistan, Syria, Ukraine, Africa and many other nations.  They are experiencing life and death choices and many are choosing death over renouncing their faith and trust in Jesus. Heaven is their home when they die.  Praise Jesus!! The Lord has had us praying for the persecutors.  Have you thought about that?  We know that it is Father’s desire that ALL be saved!  So while we pray for those being persecuted, we pray also for the persecutors!! We pray for truth to be revealed and deception uncovered and God’s justice, God’s justice happen!  Several weeks ago we attended a local church and heard for the first time a song that has captured our hearts because it is what we believe and we proclaim it to the rooftops.  The precious worship leader leads us with great passion and truth and we watch people around the auditorium lift their voices in admission of what they believe.  Now I cannot promise you that when they walk out the doors of the church they live what they believe in their daily lives but during that moment on Sunday morning with like believers around them, they lift their hearts, lives and voices to make a statement of what they believe.  I can only pray that if faced with a soldier holding a machine gun or a guillotine ready to be used, that I along with every believer in the world would do what those children done and say NO, I WILL NOT RENOUNCE MY JESUS!! HE IS MY SAVIOR AND LORD! Below I have the link to the song WE BELIEVE!! 

Please listen and worship the King of Kings and Lord of Lords, Jesus Christ, the SON OF THE LIVING GOD JEHOVAH.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FtPmX7e_Rpw

Loving you and praying for you,

Charley & Karen

Heritage

Heritage – anything transmitted from the past or handed down by tradition, something inherited at birth, such as personal characteristics, status, and possessions. (World English Dictionary)

  So much has happened since my last posting.  I will attempt in our ’we love pastors blog’ to update you on our personal journey as well as our ministry journey.  The two are pretty well inseparable at this point in our lives as you will find out the older you get.  I believe the Lord desires I share with you a personal experience we had this weekend.  We know a precious family who began a family tradition of honoring their children when they reach their 16^th birthday. So far they have done this for 9 of their children.  They have 12 so only 3 more to go but we have had the privilege to be a part of several of these ‘coming of age’ birthday parties.  Each one has been unique and special as each child is also very special, gifted and anointed by the Lord for His purposes.  We are asked to pray and ask the Lord what to share with each child.  The most recent son brought forth the message of Heritage.  This young man has a Godly heritage but that is not always the case.  I want to share part of what we wrote and read over the young man being honored.

  Every person in the world has a heritage that comes from their family and they must choose whether to continue this heritage or change it.  Because we know this family, we know that they have chosen a Godly heritage based on Father’s Holy Word not only for the mom and dad but for them to pass on this Godly heritage to their children.  This son is at a place in his life where he must choose for himself. His mom and dad have chosen that ‘As for me and my house, we will serve the Lord ‘(Joshua 24:15). We asked him ‘What are you going to do with your freedom of choice?’ Are you going to choose to continue the heritage from God and your family that has been placed before you or are you going to change? We, Charley and I, made a decision on this day to continue to pray for this young man that he will seek the Lord with all his heart, lean not on his own understanding, in all his ways acknowledge Him that He shall direct his paths (Proverbs 3:5-6).  As he follows this direction, he will continue the heritage that has been set before him.  He will hear God’s voice and God’s blessings will overtake him (Deuteronomy 28:1-2).

  Take a moment for yourself to read these scriptures and reflect on the heritage you have enjoyed through your life and choose you this day who you will serve.  This opportunity to share this with this young man who has turned 16 gave us a moment to reaffirm our own commitment to provide and pass on a Godly Heritage to our own children and grandchildren.  That has been our joy through many years but today, June 9, 2014 we choose to continue that lifestyle of telling not only our family about Jesus but others about His amazing love for them.

 

Implanted Word

James 1:21-25 says: “So get rid of all the filth and evil in your lives, and humbly accept the message God has planted in your hearts, for it is strong enough to save your souls. And remember, it is a message to obey, not just to listen to.  If you don’t obey, you are only fooling yourself.  For if you just listen and don’t obey, it is like looking at your face in a mirror but doing nothing to improve your appearance.  You see yourself, walk away, and forget what you look like. But if you keep looking steadily into God’s perfect law-the law that sets you free-and if you do what it says and don’t forget what you heard, then God will bless you for doing it.” NLT

While reading the book of James and discussing this passage of scripture during our house church one evening, I found myself reflecting on the garden I used to plant years ago.  I remember the process that happened when we tilled the soil, prepared the ground (hoeing and raking, removing the rocks and weeds) and made the rows for the seeds.  I remember also the waiting and watering that took place so that the precious seeds would germinate and grow.  When they first peeked from the ground the whole family got excited! Soon we would have beans, corn, onions, squash and tomatoes and our table would be filled with bounty.  But it is a process of preparation and growth.  The seeds had to be planted before the growth process could happen.  So it is with the Word of God, the message of the Gospel of Jesus, the TRUTH.  In verse 21 we are told that we must get rid of all the filth and evil in our lives (rocks, weeds, grass, etc) and humbly accept (receive) the message God has planted (the seeds planted) in our hearts.  That message is strong enough to save our souls.  It has grieved my heart for years to see people sitting in a service listening to the pastor feed the Word of God to them, seek to plant the Word in their life and hearts and then to watch them walk out the door and not do anything with it.  It truly was not planted for what is planted will grow and mature as it is nurtured, watered, fed the nutrients of a life lived for Christ, obeying His Word, studying His Word and acting out His Word through works of love and compassion.  I lived this way for years so I know how it feels to hear the Word but not do the Word.  What is faithful about that?  Our God is faithful! He does what He says He will do in our lives if we will seek Him with our whole heart.  If the Word is planted deep within our heart, it will come forth in our words and actions.  Do we live like believers in Jesus or do we live like the world?  Charley has told people for years, look at the Fruit of the Spirit and the Acts of the Flesh listed in Galatians 5.  Your life will line up with one of these.  Where are you today in your relationship with the Lord?  Jesus is coming soon to get His Bride, the Church.  Will you be with Him in Glory or will you be left behind?  Seek the Implanted Word in your heart and walk out each day with Jesus.  If you are going to talk the talk you must walk the walk. 1 John 2:6 says: “He who says he abides in Him ought himself also to walk just as He walked.” NKJ Walk, live, conduct yourselves daily, as Jesus walked.    

Pursue Me! Come Into My Presence!

Welcome to the New Year of 2013!  Goodness it has been fast paced since January 1! We knew this year would be exciting because of all the Lord has shown us.  Each year we ask the Lord what His focus is going to be for us. This year He told Charley: Pursue Me!  Then He also told me: Come into My Presence!  Wow!  We shared these messages with each other and then took His words to Him in prayer surrendering all we are into His hands.  We want to see these words manifested in our lives during this year.  So far every devotional I have read points me to His Presence and we are Pursuing Him deeper and more eagerly than ever before. Our responsibility in this world as children of God is to give witness of the truth of His Word.  In the Word is wisdom and the answers to all the questions we will ever have.  Read the story of David and Saul.  Saul was God's anointed and chosen King.  He was not following God.  He was behaving in a manner contrary to God.  He had tried to kill David many times.  David had many opportunities to kill Saul but he would not touch God's anointed.  We must do all things according to the Word of God.  We must seek His face, believe that He will hear, obey what He tells us and trust that He knows what He is doing.  You are on a faith walk for you.  Where will you stand?  With God and His Word or with people and their ideas.  Be sure you are acting under God's direction before you take a step.  He will lead and guide you.

Psalm 91, Galatians 5, 2 Chronicles 7:14

Take a deep breath of His Spirit and know that He will give you the strength, wisdom, direction, purpose, comfort, peace and everything else that you need for each moment of the day!

May the Lord encourage and bless you as you Pursue Jesus and spend time in God's Presence. 

Charley & Karen Tackett

chasnkt44@att.net

The Priority of Prayer

A major part of our ministry is prayer.  We pray for over 2800 people every evening.  We also have a joint prayer time each morning for our immediate family and many extended family.  Father gave us this mantle and it has not been a burden to carry but a joy!  These past few months a lot of our prayer focus has been on Colorado and other areas of this country experiencing fires.  In Colorado they have had numerous fires burning many thousands of acres of land, forests, and homes.  Smoke has been in the air constantly in different areas of Colorado for most of this year.  As we prayed over family and friends in the path of these fires, Father showed us His protective hand over those we were praying for.

What an awesome responsibility some might say but we look at it as a privilege to lay our loved ones at Father’s throne and to trust Him with them.  The scriptures we also pray daily are Proverbs 3:5-6, the Prayer of Jabez (1 Chronicles 4:10) and The Lord’s Prayer (Matthew 6:9-13).  As we pray we rest in Father’s total and complete care of those whose names we speak into His presence.  I wrote about prayer last year in March and I could not get away from Father’s instructions to speak about prayer again now.  Why?  Didn’t I say it all last year!  Not at all!  So much has happened in this past year to focus our attention on the need for prayer, those on our prayer list and the power of prayer.  We have seen lives changed by prayer.  We have seen healing of physical bodies, healing of marriages and hearts, healing of emotions and the spirit and we have seen families restored. We see the effects of constant, consistent, faithful, unyielding, confident prayer.  We add new names to our prayer list almost daily and Father knows that no one is exempt from our prayers.  When He gives people to us, they are on the list and we pray for them until HE tells us to remove them or they go home to be with HIM!  Of course that is the ultimate healing and restoration!

One day He will come for us and we will be with Him forever but for today, for now, He has a plan and a purpose for our prayer ministry.  I cannot tell you the excitement when we get that call or email and we hear how our prayers have been answered. Our hearts are lifted, our spirits soar, our lives are enriched beyond words just to pray and trust Father with the dear ones He has given us.  How is your prayer life?  I am reading an amazing book sent to us by a dear friend that tells about praying for strangers.  When our friend told us she was sending the book, she said, this is YOU! As I read though the book and listen to the stories of the author’s encounters for prayer, I am in awe that our Father works in such miraculous amazing ways to draw people to those willing to pray.  We have experienced it ourselves but reading about the author’s encounters has refreshed me again to all that has happened over the past 13 years of CKM. 

May you be encouraged to make prayer a priority in your life!  The Word of God is full of scriptures about prayer.  Pray believing and expecting and you will see the Glory of God manifested through your prayer life and the answers to your prayers.  Our God hears and He answers!  We have confidence and assurance! We pray and leave the results in Father’s hands!

Prayer is our responsibility to God.  It is addressing God in word or thought involving these:  praise, thanksgiving, confession, petition and intercession.  Father wants to fellowship with us.

Prayer is the means by which believers communicate with God and receive guidance for their lives.  Effective prayer depends on faith and a right relationship with God.”  Faith is essential to prayer. “Asking for oneself and for others (intercessions) is an important aspect of prayer.”

Intercession – seeking the presence and hearing of God on behalf of others.

Meaning of Prayer and Intercession: “Therefore I exhort first of all that supplications and prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks be made for all men, for kings and all who are in authority, that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and reverence.  For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Savior” 1 Timothy 2:1-3

Prayer of believers for believers: “For this reason I bow my knees to the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ from whom the whole family in heaven and earth is named, that He would grant you, according to the riches of His glory, to be strengthened with might through His Spirit in the inner man, that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith; that you, being rooted and grounded in love, may be able to comprehend with all the saints what is the width and length and depth and height—to know the love of Christ which passes knowledge; that you may be filled with all the fullness of God.” Ephesians 3:14-19

Prayer for Healing: Is anyone among you sick? Let him call for the elders of the church, and let them pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord. And the prayer of faith will save the sick, and the Lord will raise him up.  And if he has committed sins, he will be forgiven. Confess your trespasses to one another, and pray for one another, that you may be healed.  The effective, fervent prayer of a righteous man avails much.” James 5:14-16

Prayer for the Lost (Salvation): “Brethren, my heart’s desire and prayer to God for Israel is that they may be saved.” Romans 10:1

Intimacy with Christ

What an amazing year this has been! I say that every year, at least it seems so, but this year bounded in with so much potential and yet great struggle. Why is that so? The world is in chaos, well, some don’t think so but we know that the world is in chaos, just look at the news. There are many interruptions in health, weather, finances, and even religion. Who is speaking to us today? We are hearing lots of voices and many are trying to sway us from our designated path of faith. They have some good arguments but they also promote lots of lies. The truth is not in them. The Lord told us that we would have many false teachers in the last days. Well, all that the Word has spoken about the last days is happening right now. On Friday mornings I am in a ladies Bible study and we are reading through the book of Isaiah. Oh my goodness how revealing this has been! Isaiah spoke as if he lived in this century, at this hour. He was speaking of Israel and all that the people of God were experiencing but you can see this country all through the message. I want to share some scriptures from that study and also encourage all of us to draw close to the Lord. That is where our strength, courage and great faith will abound because the days ahead will be challenging. We must develop an intimate relationship with Jesus. A deep abiding personal relationship where we hear Him and He hears us and we communicate on a deeper level than we have ever done. It is so needed for us to walk in victory through the last days. I am reminded of the need I had when I met Charley and we began talking about spending our lives together. I wanted to know him, his likes, his dislikes, his desires for the future, his goals, his hurts and his challenges. As we progressed in our relationship we began to see what made each other tick and how to interact with each other. After we married then we began to know each other in an intimate deep abiding and personal way. That has grown over 44 years of marriage, valleys and mountain tops and it continues to grow. How do you learn all of this? By communication! He talks and I listen. I talk and he listens. We share our deepest thoughts and ideas. That is how we have an intimate relationship with our Lord Jesus. We talk and He listens. He talks and we listen. We read His Word, His messages to us, from Genesis to Revelation, His message to us is powerful, cutting into our heart and taking out all the impurities and leaving us with refined silver and gold. That is how I see it and that is how it is with me. I want to have that purification process happen within my life. The scriptures I wanted to share are to encourage and bless you. Please go and read them for yourself. Time spent in God’s Word is never wasted time but so important for building the foundation that you will stand on for eternity. Praise God!!!

Isaiah 5:20-21 Woe to those who call evil good, and good evil; who put darkness for light, and light for darkness; who put bitter for sweet, and sweet for bitter! Woe to those who are wise in their own eyes, and prudent in their own sight!

And this passage that means so much to us!

Isaiah 6:1-8 In the year that King Uzziah died, I saw the Lord sitting on a throne, high and lifted up, and the train of His robe filled the temple. Above it stood seraphim; each one had six wings with two he covered his face, with two he covered his feet, and with two he flew. And one cried to another and said: Holy, holy, holy is the Lord of hosts; the whole earth is full of His glory!” And the posts of the door were shaken by the voice of him who cried out, and the house was filled with smoke. So I said: “Woe is me, for I am undone! Because I am a man of unclean lips, and I dwell in the midst of a people of unclean lips; for my eyes have seen the King, the Lord of hosts.” Then one of the seraphim flew to me, having in his hand a live coal which he had taken with the tongs from the altar. And he touched my mouth with it, and said: “Behold, this has touched your lips; your iniquity is taken away, and your sin purged.” Also I heard the voice of the Lord, saying: “Whom shall I send, and who will go for Us?” Then I said, “Here am I! Send me.”

Isaiah 33:5-6 The Lord is exalted, for He dwells on high; He has filled Zion with justice and righteousness. Wisdom and knowledge will be the stability of your times, and the strength of salvation; the fear of the Lord is His treasure.

Isaiah 35:1-4 The wilderness and the wasteland shall be glad for them, and the desert shall rejoice and blossom as the rose; it shall blossom abundantly and rejoice, even with joy and singing. The glory of Lebanon shall be given to it, the excellence of Carmel and Sharon. They shall see the glory of the Lord, the excellency of our God. Strengthen the weak hands, and make firm the feeble knees. Say to those who are fearful-hearted, “Be strong, do not fear! Behold, your God will come with vengeance, with the recompense of God; He will come and save you”.

Happy Thanksgiving and Merry Christmas

Hello dear friends! It is Thanksgiving week and the Christmas season! Oh how I truly love this time of year and not necessarily because of the Christmas tinsel and songs but because the whole world is focusing on Jesus whether they know Him as Savior or not, He becomes the reason for the season for many. The banter is always interesting about nativity scenes and Christmas carols in the stores. We had a sales clerk tell us Happy Holidays last week and we immediately said Merry Christmas. She wished us a Merry Christmas too!! We go with the joy of the season and the joy of the Lord wherever we go but this time of year we want people to know who we serve and love. Over the past month many of our friends on Facebook have been posting daily what they are thankful for and quite a few have put scriptures online. I wanted to share some of the scriptures I put on my page with all of you. May you be blessed and encouraged that we have so much to thank our Lord for and Jesus IS REALLY the reason for the season.

Ephesians 3:14-19 For this reason I bow my knees to the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, from whom the whole family in heaven and earth is named, that He would grant you, according to the riches of His glory, to be strengthened with might through His Spirit in the inner man, that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith; that you, being rooted and grounded in love, may be able to comprehend with all the saints what is the width and length and depth and height-to know the love of Christ which passes knowledge; that you may be filled with all the fullness of God.

Ecclesiastes 3:1-8 To everything there is a season, a time for every purpose under heaven: A time to be born, and a time to die; A time to plant, and a time to pluck what is planted; A time to kill, and a time to heal; A time to break down, and a time to build up; A time to weep, and a time to laugh; A time to mourn, and a time to dance; A time to cast away stones, and a time to gather stones; A time to embrace, and a time to refrain from embracing; A time to gain, and a time to lose; A time to keep, and a time to throw away; A time to tear, and a time to sew; A time to keep silence, and a time to speak; A time to love, and a time to hate; A time of war, and a time of peace.

Psalm 95:1-2 Oh come, let us sing to the Lord! Let us shout joyfully to the Rock of our salvation. Let us come before His presence with thanksgiving; let us shout joyfully to Him with psalms.

2 Corinthians 9:15 Thanks be to God for His indescribable gift!

Psalm 121:1-2 I will lift up my eyes to the hills-from whence comes my help? My help comes from the Lord, who made heaven and earth.

Philippians 4:19 And my God shall supply all your need according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus.

James 1:5-6 If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all liberally and without reproach, and it will be given to him. But let him ask in faith, with no doubting, for he who doubts is like a wave of the sea driven and tossed by the wind.

Each day as I have voiced my thankfulness, I have been thankful for my precious husband, my children, all the many prayer warriors, my dear friends, Father’s beautiful world, the air we breathe and the voice we have to praise and adore our Lord, my wonderful sisters in the Lord, and for Jesus our Lord and Savior.

Happy Thanksgiving Everyone and a Very Merry Christmas too!!

Freedom in Christ

We have just experienced another July 4^th, Independence Day, with all the picnics, family gatherings and fireworks. For most folks it is a very exciting holiday because they enjoy the festivities but do they really understand the reason for the celebration. Most people probably have an idea what it is about but I just read a really good book that gives the history of our country keying on the role prayer has played in the founding of our nation. Our country separated from England and on July 4, 1776 the Declaration of Independence was adopted. I read the prayers given by our country’s leaders and the truly heartfelt patriotism that was shown. We have experienced this over the years as we have celebrated over 60 years of Independence Days. This year though I have another thought. That thought is about Freedom. Our son spent 20 years in the Marine Corps fighting for the freedoms we enjoy daily as we go about our life. There is another part of freedom that most folks don’t really think about. That is our Freedom in Christ. Some people think being a Christian and loving Jesus is restrictive. I disagree wholeheartedly! I love the fact that because of His great love for us we have the freedom to be who God wants us to be, live where He wants us to live and love who He wants us to love. That is the ultimate freedom because our Father through His Son Jesus and His Holy Spirit want only good and perfect gifts for His children. I am a child of God! When I received Jesus as my Savior and Lord, I gained all the promises that are in His Word, The Bible! What are the freedoms that we enjoy? Let’s see: “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.” Philippians 4:13

Psalm 37:40 And the Lord shall help them, and deliver them; He shall deliver them from the wicked, and save them, because they trust in Him.

Psalm 27:1 The Lord is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? The Lord is the strength of my life; of whom shall I be afraid?

Proverbs 28:26 He who trusts in his own heart is a fool, but whoever walks wisely will be delivered.

John 6:35 And Jesus said to them, I am the bread of life. He who comes to Me shall never hunger, and he that believes in Me shall never thirst.

Acts 16:31So they said, Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and you will be saved, you and your household.

Deuteronomy 33:12 The beloved of the Lord shall dwell in safety by Him, who shelters him all the day long; and he shall dwell between His shoulders.

Romans 8:15 For you did not receive the spirit of bondage again to fear; but you received the Spirit of adoption by whom we cry out, Abba, Father.

John 3:16 For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.

Psalm 146:7 Who executes justice for the oppressed, who gives food to the hungry. The Lord gives freedom to the prisoners.

Matthew 6:33 But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you.

Psalm 37:3-5 Trust in the Lord, and do good; dwell in the land, and feed on His faithfulness. Delight yourself also in the Lord, and He shall give you the desires of your heart. Commit your way to the Lord, trust also in Him, and He shall bring it to pass.

John 8:32 And you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.

Seek the truth today.

Charley & Karen

Life and Living

Life and Living - John 5:24-30

“Most assuredly, I say to you, he who hears My word and believes in Him who sent Me has everlasting life, and shall not come into judgment, but has passed from death into life. Most assuredly, I say to you, the hour is coming, and now is, when the dead will hear the voice of the Son of God and those who hear will live. For as the Father has life in Himself, so He has granted the Son to have life in Himself, and has given Him authority to execute judgment also, because He is the Son of Man. Do not marvel at this; for the hour is coming in which all who are in the graves will hear His voice and come forth-those who have done good, to the resurrection of life, and those who have done evil, to the resurrection of condemnation. I can of Myself do nothing. As I hear, I judge; and My judgment is righteous because I do not seek My own will but the will of the Father who sent Me.”

Harper's Bible Dictionary defines life as:

In the Old Testament - the gift of God is life. God breathed into Adam's nostrils the breath of life.

Gen. 2:7 And man became a living being.

Psalm 36:9 For with you is the fountain of life. In Your light we see light.

In the New Testament - Life has spiritual meaning

Matthew 6:25 Life is more than food

Matthew 16:26 Life has more value than the whole world.

Jesus regarded each human life as precious. In John's gospel - Life is a major word used for real or spiritual life lived in fellowship with God now and hereafter. Jesus is Life!

The American College Dictionary defines life as:

Life - growth, reproduction, adapt to environment

Synonym: vivacity, spirit, sprightliness

Living - alive, active, strong as in a living faith

Burning or glowing as a coal

Flowing freely as water - living water

Synonym: quick, vigorous

How are men saved to experience eternal life?

By hearing the Word of God - Making a commitment and obedience to the Word.

By believing God - John 3:16, Romans 5:8

What is the result of salvation? Eternal Life - Life with Jesus forever and ever.

Do we have to wait? No

What is eternal life? John 3:36, John 5:25-26, John 20:31

We pass from death to life

We pass from condemnation to justification

We pass from unrighteousness to righteousness

Contrast 2 ways of life - Psalm 1

Jesus is our Life Source - God has life with Himself and He has given the same energy of life to His Son

Jesus has the Power to give everlasting life to those who hear Him and believe.

Colossians 2:13 You who were dead, He has made alive

1 Corinthians 15:45 A life giving spirit

More Scriptures about Life

Deuteronomy 30:19-20 Choose life that both you and your descendants may live

Job 33:4 The breath of the Almighty gives me life

Psalm 27:1 The Lord is the strength of my life

John 1:4 In Him was Life, and the life was the light of men

John 10:10 I have come that they may have life – abundant, plentiful

John 11:25 Though he may die, he shall live

John 14:6 Jesus said, I am the Way, the truth, the life

John 12:49-50 I know that His command is everlasting life

John 8:12 Jesus said, I am the light of the world, light of life

John 8:31-32 If you abide in My word, you are My disciples indeed.

John 8:51 Keep His Word and never see death

John 10:28-29 Eternal life is given by Jesus, we shall never perish

1 John 5:12 He who has the Son has life, no Son of God no life

Who is a Christian? A person who is exercising and practicing the salvation God has provided. Father gives us the desire and strength to do what pleases Him.

Do you have life? Are you living in that life? Are you walking in that life?

Prayer Needed in Our World Today

Many people are spending much of their waking hours glued to the TV watching the videos of the earthquake and tsunami that hit Japan on March 11. While it is important to know what is happening in our world, many, some of our dear friends, are being anxious and fearful just from watching so much of the news. Right now around our country and abroad prayer meetings are being held to bring the Japanese people before the Lord and ask for His help in the issues facing this country today. The stories of miracles are coming forth quickly. Much devastation has occurred and many are dead but many are also alive and helping the others with life and death issues. How precious the love that is being shown around Japan but also how precious the love being shown through supplies and prayers from all over the world. Any time something like this happens it affects everyone. What happens in Japan also affects our country through the economy and also through families. Many people live in the US who have family living in Japan.

What can we do? We are only one person and we can feel very insignificant in the aftermath of such a catastrophic happening. Be of good cheer dear ones. You have a very important role to play. We cannot stress enough the power of prayer. Pray without ceasing! Take each person in Japan, in the spirit, and lay them at Father’s throne and allow Father to do His work in their life. Only He knows their immediate need. Only He knows His perfect plans for them. Take each of the leaders of Japan and lay them at Father’s throne. Only He knows the stress and pressure brought to bear on these people who lead this huge country in such chaos. What do we know about prayer?

Prayer is the means by which believers (those who have accepted Jesus Christ as Savior and Lord) communicate with God and receive guidance for their lives. Effective prayer depends on faith and a right relationship with God.” Faith is essential to prayer. “Asking for oneself and for others (intercessions) is an important aspect of prayer.” Prayer is our responsibility to God. It is addressing God in word or thought involving these: praise, thanksgiving, confession, petition and intercession. Father wants to fellowship with us through prayer. Our God hears our prayers when we are in right relationship with Him and He answers. We pray daily with confidence for over 2000 people and now over the nation of Japan and all of the people. That is the way we can touch each one with God’s love, His provision and His care. Many Christian organizations are offering to send help into the worst areas of destruction. As the Lord leads join with these organizations either through supplies or finances to help the Japanese people.

1Timothy 2:1-4 says “Therefore I exhort first of all that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks be made for all men, for kings and all who are in authority, that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and reverence. For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Savior who desires all men to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth.”

Ephesians 3:14-21 “For this reason I bow my knees to the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, from whom the whole family in heaven and earth is named, that He would grant you, according to the riches of His glory, to be strengthened with might through His Spirit in the inner man, that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith; that you, being rooted and grounded in love, may be able to comprehend with all the saints what is the width and length and depth and height—to know the love of Christ which passes knowledge; that you may be filled with all the fullness of God. Now to Him who is able to do exceedingly abundantly, above all that we ask or think, according to the power that works in us, to Him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus to all generations, forever and ever. Amen.”

Let us join together as Christ Ones to pray for the nation of Japan, the leaders of Japan, the people of Japan and for the mercy, power and love of God to be manifested.

Karen

Abiding In Jesus

These past few months it seems that all I read about is staying in God’s presence, power and walking in total submission to Him. One of my favorite scriptures is John 15. In this scripture we read about how to abide in Christ and for Him to abide in us.

Jesus says:

V4 Abide in Me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in Me.”

What does abide mean? It means to be sure, to remain in place, to stand, to endure, to dwell, to sojourn, to be firm, and to stay. Are you getting the picture? How secure and stable is abiding? Well, the way I look at this definition and the Word of God, it is mighty secure and stable. Oh how I want to dwell in God’s presence no matter what is happening around me. It is not dependant on feelings or attitudes. It is not dependent on the circumstances of life. It is a matter of belief, trust and total surrender to the truth of the gospel, who Jesus is and who He is in my life.

It is a choice that we make. If I live daily in His Presence and under Father’s protection nothing can harm me, nothing can touch me, and He is my refuge, my hiding place. Yes, life happens. Tragedies happen but imagine yourself being held in Father’s cupped hands. I have seen myself there so many times and I have literally felt His hands holding me safe and secure even in the midst of the storms of life. I love that sense of His abiding presence. He has said He will never leave me nor forsake me. I also feel His arms around me, holding me tenderly and comforting me. He is telling me, focus on Me, trust Me, rest in Me. We know of several people right now who are resting in Jesus in the midst of a very big storm and nothing can harm them.

V5 I am the vine, you are the branches, He who abides in Me, and I in him, bears much fruit; for without Me you can do nothing.

Without Him I can do nothing. Oh how true that is! I want to bear His fruit but I cannot do that without abiding in Him. I can go through the motions and get something done but what quality of fruit am I producing. I want good quality fruit to be produced.

Here are 4 Keys to Effective Christian Living

1. Abiding - to live, to stay, to continue in a permanent state, to dwell, to endure.

2. Fruit Bearing - producing something in abundance, ministry, helping others.

3. Obey - to carry out or fulfill the command or order.

4. Love - Spiritual love - 1 Cor. 13 Unselfish, unconditional

Because you set your love upon God, He will deliver you. He will exalt you or lift you up because you have known the name of the Lord. You pray and He will hear and answer. He will be with you in trouble. He will deliver you and honor you. With long life, we will see His salvation and His glory.

Karen

What's Happening?

Interesting times we are living in. The earthquake that has hit New Zealand is another reminder of how the earth is quaking and shaking. There is great turmoil in our country and the world. The Lord has had us praying daily about the disasters that have hit our country and the world from Haiti, New Orleans, to New Zealand. The Lord has also told us to continue to focus on Him and not on our circumstances but He does care about the world we live in and the people around us who are hurting. So He has placed the burden of prayer on our hearts and then He goes about working in the midst of the turmoil, disasters and tribulations of life. My weekly Bible study is from the book of John. Today I read in John 16:33, “these things I have spoken to you, that in Me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world.” Oh what good news! He is the answer to the issues of life! Praise God!! Psalm 121 says “I will lift up my eyes to the hills—from whence comes my help? My help comes from the Lord, who made heaven and earth. He will not allow your foot to be moved; He who keeps you will not slumber. Behold, He who keeps Israel shall neither slumber nor sleep. The Lord is your keeper; the Lord is your shade at your right hand. The sun shall not strike you by day nor the moon by night. The Lord shall preserve you from all evil; He shall preserve your soul. The Lord shall preserve your going out and your coming in from this time forth, and even forevermore.” Oh how I love that message! We must focus on Jesus. We must praise and worship His Holy Name and we must trust Him in the midst of the trials and tribulations of life, the disasters, the shaking and the rumbling taking place within our boundaries and beyond. Our God is on His throne of Grace and He cares about you!! Read His Word! I would suggest you begin reading in John. I have so much more to share and I will as often as Father gives me utterance.

Karen