Friday, August 28, 2015

His mercies are new every morning. (Lamentations 3:22-23)

The other day I was asked to pray for someone to be set free from sexual sin. As I prayed I asked the Holy Spirit to direct me, and He revealed to me this person greatly needed to know the love of a father. So I prayed for this and that he be set free from the entire trauma brought on by the lose of his father’s love.

However; I sensed God wanted to teach me more. So this morning as I lay before God, He reminded me that in the Old Testament He instructed the priest to cleanse the temple with the blood. (2 Chronicles 30) 

Also, I was reminded that immorality is sin against the temple of God

I Corinthians 6:18 instructs us to “Flee from sexual immorality. All other sins a man commits are outside his body, but he who sins sexually, sins against his own body.  Do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own; you were bought at a price. Therefore honor God with your body.”

Anything we do that destroys this temple is a sin against the dwelling place of the Almighty. It is restored to purity by the blood.

When we are involved in over eating, drugs, sexual sin, pornography, been molested, raped, or in any other way not taking care of this body we cause our temple, the temple of God, to become defiled.

Taking Communion  cleanses this temple with the Blood of Jesus. Most of the time I need a daily cleansing, because I desire the Lord's presence and want Him to feel welcomed in this place. 

When we repent, the Lord takes away the sin. And when we receive the Blood, it restores our temple as the Holy dwelling place of God.

Today I ate of the destroying of the things that have defiled my temple and its restoration by the stripes of Jesus.


I drank of the cleansing blood of Jesus in preparing of this temple anew for worshiping of the Lord, and to invite Him to come in and live.

We are not defeated or condemned. It is a time of new beginnings. His mercies are new every morning. (Lamentations 3:22-23)

Blessings on your day!

Karen

Little Talks with Jesus: Kinsman Redeemer (Ruth 4)

Little Talks with Jesus: Kinsman Redeemer (Ruth 4): This morning the Lord showed me a picture of a homeless woman holding tightly to her shopping cart, dressed in a shabby old coat eating a...

Kinsman Redeemer (Ruth 4)

This morning the Lord showed me a picture of a homeless woman holding tightly to her shopping cart, dressed in a shabby old coat eating a piece of dumpster pizza.

A rich man offered her a new coat, a banquet of food, and a home.

She was afraid and held tightly to her cart thinking; “What if he doesn’t give these things to me? If I give up my old coat and cart and he doesn’t do as he said, I will have nothing.”


I realized this is our condition. We are afraid to give up the rags we are holding as our security instead of receiving what Christ is freely offering.

The story of Boaz and Ruth is a beautiful picture of redemption.. Boaz was Ruth’s kinsman redeemer. He married Ruth, took her out of poverty, gave her a place of honor and in the process restored Naomi’s (Ruth's mother-in-law) generations to their rightful inheritance.

Jesus is our kinsman redeemer. Our covenant marriage restores our earthly and spiritual inheritance, not only for me, but also for my generations.

My Covenant Marriage to Christ restores my earthly and spiritual inheritance, and that of my entire family. Remember when the jailer asked, “What must I do to be saved?” Paul and Silas replied, “Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and you will be saved—you and your household.” (Acts 16:31)

This promise of Salvation (Yeshua/Jesus, the Salvation of God) includes health, wealth, and restored relationship with our heavenly Father.

We see it again in 3 John 2, "Beloved, I pray that you may prosper in every way and [that your body] may keep well, even as [I know] your soul keeps well and prospers."


" Psalm 37:25) “I was young and now I’m old, but I have never seen the righteous forsaken, [and] have never seen their children begging for bread.”

Today I ate and drank of our New (Marriage) Covenant. It is the finished work of the cross and God hates divorce so He will never leave me or my family and He will never forsake us. Amen!

Blessings on your day!

Karen

Wednesday, August 26, 2015

Little Talks with Jesus: Little Talks with Jesus: Are you like the dog sett...

Little Talks with Jesus: Little Talks with Jesus: Are you like the dog sett...: Little Talks with Jesus: Are you like the dog settling for the crumbs under... : As I lay the communion elements on the table this morning I...

“Not my will, but Thine be done…” (Matthew 6:10)

Many times we can ascertain God’s will from His word, and pray His word with confidence knowing we are praying His will. However; there are other times we can not.


This has been on my mine since the recent protest in Charlotte, NC over a policeman’s trial. Many times I heard people say, “We are trusting God that justice will be done.”


When the verdict ended in a mistrial, protesters were in front of the court house along with their signs and protesting that justice had  indeed not been done.


This reminded me of many of my own prayers when I believed I was turning things over to God, but became upset when things did not work out as I wanted.


In truth, my mouth was saying, “Let Your will be done,” while my heart was crying, “Let my will be done.” In this I was wavering like a storm upon the ocean. How dare I try to dictate to God what I wanted to happen and then hold Him responsible for the outcome!


Luke 9:54 tells us the disciples felt the same way. They wanted to call down fire from heaven and destroy Nineveh when the people rejected Jesus.


In verse 55 Jesus rebuked them saying, “…You do not know what manner of spirit you are of,” and this spirit was not the Holy Spirit.


Again we can see in the story of Jonah how God asked him to go to Nineveh to people he hated and wanted them to be removed from the face of the earth. His assignment: preach repentance, return to God and be saved.


Jonah, the prophet of God, rebelled against God and ran the other way. Then through his encounter with the belly of the big fish he repented and the fish spit him out. He obeyed the Lord, although begrudgingly and Nineveh was saved.


God’s ways are not our ways. His goals are higher and very different from our ways of thinking and acting. In sending Jesus to die for our sins and restore us to Himself we see His will is always about repentance, salvation and restoration.


In Matthew 5:11 Jesus tells us “Blessed are you when men shall revile you and persecute you and shall say all manner of evil against you falsely for my sake.” (Matthew 6:9-13)


This does not sound like a blessing. However; blessed means empowered to succeed. Who does the empowering? God does. 


In Romans 12:19 Jesus reminds us, “Dearly beloved, avenge not yourselves, but rather give place unto wrath: for it is written, Vengeance is mine; I will repay, saith the Lord.” 


God's got us even when it does not look like things are going as they should. This is where faith comes in. It isn't over until it is over. God is working things out for our good and His glory. (Romans 8:28)


Today I ate of His word, His body that shows me just how much I need Jesus in every situation in my life, and He is here.


I drank of His blood that heals my soul and restores righteousness within my heart. 


May your soul be restored as you eat and drink of the blessed One today!

Blessings on your day!

 

Karen


 

Tuesday, August 25, 2015

Little Talks with Jesus: Are you like the dog settling for the crumbs under...

Little Talks with Jesus: Are you like the dog settling for the crumbs under...: As I lay the communion elements on the table this morning I asked the Lord how He would like for me to celebrate this time with Him. ...

Are you like the dog settling for the crumbs under the table? (Mark 7:24-30)


As I lay the communion elements on the table this morning I asked the Lord how He would like for me to celebrate this time with Him.


After blessing the communion elements I broke the cracker and the crumbs spilled onto the table.


Looking at the crumbs reminded me of the story of the Syro-Phoenician woman (Mark 7: 24-30) who came to Jesus asking Him to heal her daughter.


Jesus responds that it was not right to give the children’s bread to the dogs (non-covenant people).


She replies with, "Even the dogs eat the crumbs from under the table."


As a believer in Jesus, I am a covenant child and no longer have to settle for the crumbs of pleading, begging and hoping Jesus will hear my prayers. I have been given the bread of life from His table and need to partake of what He has laid before me.


As I ate from His table, I celebrated His broken body that gives healing for my body.



The Old Testament tells us that the life of the body is in the blood. (Leviticus 17:11) The new life that I now live is because of Jesus' life’s blood poured out for me So, I drank of His life in me, the life found only in His blood. Amen!


Blessings on your day!

Karen

Monday, August 24, 2015

The blood of the lamb vs The Blood of The Lamb

In the Old Testament the blood of the lamb was sacrificed for the sins of the nation year after year. It was the blood that temporarily paid the price for their sins, if both the High Priest's sacrifice and the lamb were accepted as being without spot or blemish (without sin). 


The Blood of The Lamb that takes away the sin of the world (John 1:29) once and for all, was received by our High Priest who is without sin, and He and His Blood have been accepted as total payment for all of our sins by Father God.


There is no sin allowed in heaven. This is why we must accept the finished work of Christ in order to receive eternal life. (John 3: 16-18) For without Christ as our Savior and His Blood, there is no eternal life.


In Exodus 12:13, the Lord said, “…When I see the blood, I will pass over you…” He is the same yesterday, today and forever.


When we apply the Blood of Jesus to the situations of our lives, the Lord rebukes the devour-er (the death angel). We are under a new and better covenant, the covenant in His Blood. If He did this in the Old Covenant, He will do it for us today and even more.


In John 10:10 Jesus tells us that the thief comes to steal, kill and destroy, but Jesus came that we may have abundant life. This is zoe, the “heaven on earth” life.


So when the thief (the death angel) comes to steal, kill or destroy any area in our lives we have The Blood of The Lamb to apply to the door post of our heart.


So by faith, apply The Blood of Jesus from the cross to your situation, because it is by The Blood we receive the abundant life Christ came to give those who will receive Him.


This is our mark as believers. It is seen by God Himself. Remember He says, “…When I see the blood, I will pass over (protect) you…”


Today we eat of His body that brought total healing during Passover, believing it will bring total healing to us today.

We drink of The Blood of The Lamb that takes away our sins and marks us as belonging to Jesus.


Blessings on your day!


Karen

Friday, August 21, 2015

“There is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.” (Romans 8:1)

Last night was a rough night, coughing and up every hour. I was dreading just getting out of bed thinking of how I felt.


Suddenly, in my spirit I saw and heard a beautifully robed choir joyfully singing, clapping and moving to the song, “O Happy Day.” I kept hearing “O happy day, He washed my sins away.”


As my spirit joined in I knew I was totally and forever forgiven and set free.


Getting out of bed became a time of rejoicing, singing and praising God. The Great I AM has forgiven me!


This was my first time experiencing the joy of the Lord that resulted in shouting and singing praises. Having been raised in a denomination where preaching was about “sin, shame and condemnation”  I had the idea that I could never measure up or be good enough. 


Even though I received Christ as my Lord and Savior when I was seven, the lies of condemnation continually preached had deeply penetrated my soul .


I could quote forgiveness, preach and declare it, but the continual lies had added doubt and fear. We were supposed to show humility by saying things like, “I’m not worthy. I can never be good enough.” 


The truth is, I have been made good enough in Christ. I am made worthy in Christ. I can now say with all confidence, “There is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus,” (Romans 8:1) because I am in Christ Jesus. Praise God!


Remember the words of the song, “He Touched Me." This morning He (did) touched me and Oh the joy that flooded my soul. 


Once we understand that it is Christ who makes us whole and worthy to become children of the living God, real joy and peace fills our hearts and floods our souls (our mind, will and emotions).


Today I ate of the words of Psalm 103:1-5. “Bless the Lord, O my soul: and all that is within me. Bless His holy name. Bless the Lord, O my soul, and forget not all His benefits: Who forgives all my iniquities (sins); who heals all my diseases; Who redeems my life from destruction; who crowns me with loving kindness and tender mercies (compassionate love); Who satisfies my mouth with good things; so that my youth is renewed like the eagle's.”


Today I ate of His Word that sets me free from guilt and shame, and I drank of the blood of His total forgiveness as the reality of being completely and forever forgiven  filled my very being. 


Blessings on your day!


Karen

Wednesday, August 19, 2015

Little Talks with Jesus: Banner of Love Song of Solomon 2:4

Little Talks with Jesus: Banner of Love Song of Solomon 2:4: Song of Solomon 6:3 “ I am my beloveds and my beloved is mine; ...” (8:6) “ Place me like a seal over your heart, like a seal on yo...

Tuesday, August 18, 2015

Banner of Love Song of Solomon 2:4


Song of Solomon 6:3 I am my beloveds and my beloved is mine; ...”

(8:6) Place me like a seal over your heart, like a seal on your arm; for love is as strong as death, its jealousy unyielding as the grave. It burns like blazing fire, like a mighty flame.”

(1:2) Let him kiss me with the kisses of his mouth—for your love is more delightful than wine.”

(2:4, 13 b) Let him lead me to the banquet hall (His banquet table of our wedding celebration), and let his banner over me be love.” “Arise, come, my darling; my beautiful one, come with me.”

I belong to the One who loves me with an everlasting love. He has sealed me to His heart with His blood and leads me to feast with Him at our wedding banquet.

Each time I take communion I am having a rehearsal dinner for our heavenly wedding banquet. It is a time to remember all my beloved believes about me. To Him I am beautiful, altogether lovely. The words He speaks over me are Love, Love, and Love.

Today I eat of His provisions provided by His broken body that sustains me until I eat with Him at our wedding banquet. (Matthew 26:29). I tell you, I will not drink from this fruit of the vine from now on until that day when I drink it new with you in my Father’s kingdom.”

Today I eat of His provisions and I drink of His love knowing His blood seals me to Him forever. I am sealed upon His heart and His banner over me is LOVE. 

"...I’m standing at the door, knocking." Revelation 3:20

 
Here, I’m standing at the door, knocking. If someone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and eat with him, and he will eat with Me.” Revelation 3:20 (CJB)


Breaking bread" is a time to experience fellowship with the Lord and one another in great joy and gratitude for all the Lord has done for us. .

It is the meal that seals the covenant and makes it unbreakable when eaten before and with the Lord to honor Him and confirm the covenant in His blood.

In a wedding ceremony, we make a covenant with one another and God. “What God has joined together, let not man put asunder.” Then the wedding is celebrated with a meal of some kind. A  covenant is meant to be  broken only by death. 

The "table" represents peace, union, fellowship, reconciliation and family. We see this in Exodus 24:11, at the climax of the sealing of the covenant between God and Israel. After Moses offered the sacrifice, sealing it with the "blood of the covenant", he, the elders, Aaron and his sons went into the presence of God on the mountain where they "beheld God and they ate and drank."

The ancient meals following the sacrifices were times of  fellowship, celebration, praise, and rejoicing of their  relationship and union with God. These meals were to be eaten "before the Lord your God." (Dt. 12:7, 18; 14:23, 26; 15:20; 27:7; cf. Ex 18:12) as victory meals.


In Revelation 3:20, Jesus says, Here, I’m standing at the door, knocking. If someone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and eat with him, and he will eat with Me.”


Jesus is waiting to be invited into the intimate part of our lives, at the core of our being.

Since we have spent most of our time taking Communion in a church setting, we have come to expect the Lord’s sample instead of the Feast of the Lord. He is in this wholeheartedly.Are we? "Drink ye all of it."

Even when Jesus celebrated the “Last Supper” with His disciples, they celebrated with a feast. This fellowship meal lasted for hours as a celebration with Jesus before the Lord God. The disciples and Jesus verbally walked through each part of God’s deliverance out of Egypt. After the meal was over, they sang roaring songs of the Messiah’s return.

I heard a Jewish believer say the one thing he missed most about the Feast of Passover was the joy in the celebration. 

We have even more to celebrate because our risen Lord has returned and He is coming again! So, instead of having Jesus’ funeral again and again, why not celebrate the victory He has bought us and the excitement of His glorious return.

Rejoice! The Kingdom of God has come!

As we come to the table today, let’s open the door and invite Jesus into our lives anew.

Jesus gave His body and His blood for you and me. This is His love poured out for all who will receive Him. Amen!

Blessings on your day!

Karen


Monday, August 17, 2015

Romans 5:3-4 “…We rejoice in our sufferings..."

Being extremely frustrated that my spiritual life was growing TOO slow, last night I cried out to the Lord, 

“What is taking so long? Why can’t I seem to get the revelation of Your Word? What am I missing?”

Early this morning my mind was taken to the butterfly. The most critical time in the butterfly’s life is when it is trying to get out of the cocoon.

Years ago I read a story of how someone was troubled by watching the butterfly struggle to get free of the cocoon and took some scissors, made a snip and the butterfly was free. The butterfly emerged crippled and could not fly. For it is in the struggle the butterfly develops the strength it will need to fly.

This is true with us as well. It is in the struggles our faith is strengthened for the journey ahead. If God allowed us to forgo the struggles we would not become strong enough to complete the journey.

2 Thessalonians 3:13 “As for you, brothers, do not grow weary in doing good.”

Romans 5:3-4 “...We rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance, and endurance produces character, and character produces hope,”

Hebrews 10:36 “For you have need of endurance, so that when you have done the will of God you may receive what is promised.

James 1:12 “Blessed is the man who remains steadfast under trial, for when he has stood the test he will receive the crown of life, which God has promised to those who love Him."

James 1:2-3 “Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness.”

God does not bring the trials and temptations to us. However; as we encounter them He will walk with us through them if we invite Him into our situation. Then, we will emerge victorious.

Today we celebrate Jesus and His finished work on the cross as we partake of communion.
We eat of the wisdom of God both in His word and His steadfastness. 
We drink of His love and mercy given through the blood of Christ.

Blessings on your day!

Karen




Saturday, August 15, 2015

“I am the bread of life.” (John 6:48)


“I am the bread of life. Your ancestors ate the manna in the wilderness, yet they died. But here is the bread that comes down from heaven, which anyone may eat and not die. I am the living bread that came down from heaven. Whoever eats this bread will live forever. This bread is my flesh, which I will give for the life of the world.” (John 6:48-51)

The Greek word for communion is koinonia (koy-nohn-ee'-ah). And it means intimate partnership and fellowship. 

This is a description of the covenant we have entered into, the right to exchange all that He has, and all He is for all we are (sinful) and receive all we are to become in Christ (His righteousness)! In true covenant understanding, we understand Jesus has already provided all of this on the cross. The decision has already been made. All we need to do to access it is to receive it by faith (believe it.).

Jesus said, “I am the way, the truth and the life!” (John 14:6) Then He said in John 10:10b, “I have come that you might have life and that you might have it more abundantly!”

Greek for life in both verses is Zoe (zo-ay'), meaning growing in the life that is the highest and best of which Christ is, the life of Jesus in us.

Jesus is telling us that He came to give each of us the best of who He is. His will is that we experience His life to the full.

As we take communion, keep this in mind. I pray this Holy Communion will become alive for us, because we are growing in a deeper understanding of this blood-covenant meal that seals the covenant.

Communion is so powerful Paul describes it in 1 Corinthians 10:16 as “The cup of blessing which we bless, is it not the communion (mixing) of the blood of Christ? The bread which we break, is it not the communion (mixing) of the body of Christ?” 

Communion is the joining of our body and blood to His. We are born again (a new birth) with His DNA instead of the DNA of Adam.

The cup of blessing! In both the Hebrew and the Greek, blessing means: empowerment for success, great prosperity and an attitude of joy because of it.
Let us celebrate Jesus and His finished work on the cross as we partake of communion today.

Blessings on your day,

Karen


Wednesday, August 12, 2015

“Enter His gates with thanksgiving…” Psalm 100:4


Preparing our table for communion includes preparing our hearts.


The first step is seeking the presence of the Lord according to Psalm 100:4 is to come with a thankful heart.


At first this seemed foreign to me. I had to ask the Holy Spirit for His help. Then I read James 1:17 (VOICE) “Every good gift bestowed, every perfect gift received comes to us from above, courtesy of the Father of lights. He is consistent. He won’t change His mind or play tricks in the shadows.”


As I meditate on the fact that every good thing in my life is a gift from my heavenly Father, I begin to count my blessings, as the old hymn says; the love of my family, home, provisions, sunshine, grass, trees, birds, fresh air, etc. Then, I remember the love that never ends and is freely given for this one, who felt like a failure, love that has healed a wounded soul, love that offers me eternal life. And it is all because Jesus went to the cross for you and me. He paid for my sin and yours. Our sins are considered  high treason against the Kingdom of God and deserves the punishment of death.


It only takes a moment to prepare my heart with thanksgiving for the presence of a Holy God.


Today I celebrate this holy time of communion with my beloved knowing that by His love and sacrifice on the cross, He is mine and I am His. Amen!



Blessings on your day!

Karen

Tuesday, August 11, 2015

“My peace I leave with you.”


1 Corinthians 14:33a (AMP) “For He [Who is the source of their prophesying] is not a God of confusion and disorder but of peace and order.”


I was struggling with whether to continue taking an antibiotic this morning because of their side effects, or to trust God to heal me without it.


I decided to take the advice given in the book Seven Secrets to Power Praying by Jane Glenchur to make a decision and then give God the right to change my mind.

As soon as I made the decision to take the medication His peace filled me. There was no confusion or since of condemnation.


Today I celebrate John 14:27. (AMP) “Peace I leave with you; My [own] peace I now give and bequeath to you. Not as the world gives do I give to you. Do not let your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid. [Stop allowing yourselves to be agitated and disturbed; and do not permit yourselves to be fearful and intimidated and cowardly and unsettled.]”


Jesus said in 1 Corinthians 11:24,26 “And when He had given thanks, He broke [it] and said, Take, eat. This is My body, which is broken for you. Do this to call Me [affectionately] to remembrance… For every time you eat this bread and drink this cup, you are representing and signifying and proclaiming the fact of the Lord’s death until He comes [again].”  



As I partake of communion today I proclaim Jesus’ victory over sin and death in my life. I proclaim the peace He has given me through His body and blood. Amen!

Blessings on your day!

Karen

Monday, August 10, 2015

Daily Communion on Psalm 23

“And they continued daily…breaking bread from house to house.” (Acts 2:46)

Set aside a time each day to spend with the Lord in His word and communion or fellowship with Jesus. You do not have to be in a church or have a pastor preside over the elements. You are the temple of God and a priest under your High Priest, Jesus the Christ. His death, burial and resurrection was for you, and for each of us.

I suggest that you set up your table with juice and a cracker or Matzo bread. Bless them to become the body and blood of Jesus.

Before you partake of them read and meditate on Psalm 23 as you see the body and blood of Jesus in front of you.

Think about how Jesus is our Shepherd. We belong to Him. He provides everything we need; love, food, shelter, and a new beginning each morning filled with His mercies. We get a new start each and every morning. Praise God!

When we use the authority of His name, and receive the power of His Spirit, the warring angels of heaven back us up. If we will walk with Him, He will lead us through the dark places of our soul.

In the mist of our darkest times we are invited to His table to commune with Him and to seek His direction. Then we can rest in His presence knowing the enemy has already been defeated.

This Psalm promises His goodness and mercies will come. Watch for them!

Take Communion: today we eat of His body that has been broken for us. By His stripes we are healed. His internal bruising became the payment for healing and depression. His forgiveness on the cross released us from eternal punishment. This is the great exchange. Give Him your problems and receive His mercy.

We drink of His blood that washed away our sin and made us into His new creation. This blood paid the price for us to become sons and daughters of the living God.


This is a good time to finish with a prayer of thanksgiving as we have become partakers of the unbreakable covenant in His blood. Amen!

Blessings on your day!
Karen