Friday, April 15, 2016

Little Talks with Jesus: Healing belongs to the children of God (Matthew 15...

Little Talks with Jesus: Healing belongs to the children of God (Matthew 15...: Once there was a Canaanite woman who came to Jesus asking Him to heal her daughter.  Jesus “answered saying, `It is not good to take ...

Healing belongs to the children of God (Matthew 15:26)

Once there was a Canaanite woman who came to Jesus asking Him to heal her daughter. 

Jesus “answered saying, `It is not good to take the children's bread, and to cast to the little dogs.'”

Dog was a derogatory term used for gentiles. This Canaanite woman was a gentile.

Psalm 107:20 (GNT) says, “He healed them with His command [word] and saved them from the grave.”

Jesus is the word made flesh (John 1:14). He came to heal us and to save us from eternal Hell.

Jesus is the Bread of the Communion. He is your healer.

As you partake of Holy Communion today place your mind on Christ and ingest Him as your healing bread.

The Blood, described in the first Passover, was placed on the door post and lintels. Jesus is that door. (John 10:9) This caused the death angel to pass over that house where it was to destroy the first-born of every house that was not covered with the blood of the lamb.

The first born represents your future as well as your future generations. God has provided the way to save you and your generations. His name is Jesus the Christ.

John 10:10 tells us that this destroyer is the thief that comes only to kill, steal and destroy.

In Leviticus 17:11 the word says that "life is in the blood". Again in John 10:10 Jesus tells us that He came that we might have abundant life. This abundant life is found only in His blood.

As you drink of the Blood in His Covenant, demand the destroyer to pass over you and decree that you have received the abundant life of Christ. Jesus paid for it in full. As a believer it is your inheritance.

I encourage you to finish your time with the Lord today by decreeing health, healing and life belongs to you through the body and the blood of Jesus. You might like to quote some healing scriptures over yourself. Here are just a few: Psalm 34:17-20; 103;1-3; 91; 1 Peter 2:24; Romans 12:1, John 11:25-26 and James 5:14-15.

Know that Jesus came, died and rose again to give you healing. It is yours. Take it by faith. You may need to chew on this a bit, so chew away. Amen!

Blessings on your day!

Karen

Wednesday, April 13, 2016

Little Talks with Jesus: “My grace is sufficient for you.” (2 Corinthians 1...

Little Talks with Jesus: “My grace is sufficient for you.” (2 Corinthians 1...: “And lest the greatness of the revelations should exalt me above measure, there is given to me a thorn in the flesh, a messenger of Satan...

“My grace is sufficient for you.” (2 Corinthians 12:9)

“And lest the greatness of the revelations should exalt me above measure, there is given to me a thorn in the flesh, a messenger of Satan to buffet me, lest I should be exalted above measure. For this thing I besought the Lord three times that it might be taken from me.And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee.” (2 Corinthians 12:7-9a (JUB)

Have you ever wondered about Paul’s thorn in the flesh? I’ve heard preachers and scholars say it was bad eye sight, and various other aliments. However; the scriptures clearly tell us Paul struggled with pride due to his great revelations on the Word of God. Then a messenger of the devil attacked him.

Proverbs 16:18 says, “Pride goes before destruction, and a haughty spirit before a fall.”

According to the Holman Bible Dictionary, pride is undue confidence in and attention to one's own skills, accomplishments, state, possessions, or position. Some synonyms for pride include arrogance, presumption, conceit, self-satisfaction, boasting, and high-mindedness. It is the opposite of humility,

This sin of pride opened the door for an evil spirit to buffet or wear him down.

God’s answer was, “My grace is sufficient for you.”

In Ephesians 2:8-9 (AMP) Paul tells us that God’s grace is. “... [God’s remarkable compassion and favor drawing you to Christ] that you have been saved [actually delivered from judgment and given eternal life] through faith. And this [salvation] is not of yourselves [not through your own effort], but it is the [undeserved, gracious] gift of God; not as a result of [your] works [nor your attempts to keep the Law], so that no one will [be able to] boast or take credit in any way [for his salvation].”

God’s grace is His Salvation offered to us and can only be received through faith in the finished work of the cross. It is so much more than favor. It is all that God offers us through Christ’s completed work on the cross received by faith. It includes deliverance, salvation, rescue, welfare, safety, prosperity, eternal salvation and victory over everything that comes against us, whatever our thorn in the flesh might be.

God’s grace (salvation) has been made available to everyone, but not everyone will choose to receive Him (Jesus).

So, how does a believer get rid of sin? “If we [freely] admit that we have sinned and confess our sins, He is faithful and just [true to His own nature and promises], and will forgive our sins and cleanse us continually from all unrighteousness [our wrongdoing, everything not in conformity with His will and purpose].” (1 John 1:9 AMP)

When we confess our sins, He is faithful to forgive our sins and then Jesus leads us back into a right relationship with our heavenly Father. Our attitude/heart comes into alignment with God’s heart. This is righteousness. By our confessing our sins we come into submission to our heavenly Father, commanded in James 4:7 (KJV), “Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.”

It is at this time we have the authority, given to us by Jesus, to cast out the evil spirit that is coming against us because the evil spirit no longer has a hold over us. He must flea in the name of Jesus.

This is not just about pride. It is about any sin that binds us: wrong attitudes, hate, anger, unforgiveness, trauma, fear, or any other soul wound caused by sin brought on by ourselves or someone else.

I have been working with many issues in my life through this process. The more I submit myself to God in each area of my life the more the healing comes.

My prayer is “Search me, O God, and know my heart: try me, and know my thoughts: And see if there is any wicked way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting.” (Psalm 139:23-24) 

As I repent, I find His grace (Salvation-Jesus) is truly sufficient for overcoming any thorn the evil one uses to buffet me. I recognize this through my emotions: when something makes me cry, or angry, come into fear, etc.

As you spend time with the Lord today I would like to encourage you to submit yourself, every part of your being, to God, to His Word. Then thank Him and praise Him for His marvelous grace, His Salvation that is sufficient for all your thorns. Amen!

Blessings on your day!

Karen 

Monday, April 4, 2016

Little Talks with Jesus: “…But to whom little is forgiven, the same loves l...

Little Talks with Jesus: “…But to whom little is forgiven, the same loves l...: In the story of the woman who washed Jesus’ feet with her hair, Jesus says of her, “Therefore I say to you, her sins, which are many, a...

“…But to whom little is forgiven, the same loves little.” (Luke 7:47)

In the story of the woman who washed Jesus’ feet with her hair, Jesus says of her, “Therefore I say to you, her sins, which are many, are forgiven, for she loved much. But to whom little is forgiven, the same loves little.” (Luke 7:47)

Jesus had been invited to the home of a Pharisee who believed he was in right standing with God because he was a religious person. 

This is the position many of us have taken who’ve attended church regularly, don’t cus, don’t chew or go with those who do, as the old saying goes.

We must realize that God does not have a permissive will! The truth is, God is merciful, patient and kind. He waits for each of us to realize our sins, confess them and receive forgiveness. (1 John 1:9) 

However; there is a caveat to being forgiven. We must forgive first or we tie the hands of God. Look at the following scriptures.

In the Lord’s Prayer that is prayed every Sunday in many churches (Matthew 6:12) Jesus tells us, "And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors.”

Matthew 6:14-15 NIV: For if you forgive men when they sin against you, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. But if you do not forgive men their sins, your Father will not forgive your sins.

Ephesians 4:31-32 NIV: Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice. Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ, God forgave you.

Matthew 18: 21-22: Then Peter came to Jesus and asked, “Lord, how many times shall I forgive my brother when he sins against me? Up to seven times? “Jesus answered, “I tell you, not seven times, but seventy times seven..”

According to Matthew 5:23-24 (NIV) even our offerings are not accepted if we hold onto unforgiveness.: “Therefore, if you are offering your gift at the altar and there remember that your brother has something against you, leave your gift there in front of the altar. First go and be reconciled to your brother; then come and offer your gift.”

Luke 6:37 NIV: "...Forgive, and you will be forgiven."

Luke 23:34 NIV: Here we witness Jesus’ last act to us on the cross, “Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing.”

Jesus stands ready to forgive us of much. Are you ready to receive His forgiveness by confessing your sins and forgiving every person who has sinned against you?

It is a decision, not a feeling. If you need help, Jesus is here to help you. Ask!

Psalm 66:18 (KJV) says, “If I regard iniquity in my heart, the Lord will not hear me:”

Jesus made the way on the cross for us to be forgiven. This covenant is two sided. Jesus forgives us as we forgive. 

Blessings on your day!

Karen



Wednesday, March 16, 2016

Little Talks with Jesus: Our body is the temple of the Holy Spirit (1 Corin...

Little Talks with Jesus: Our body is the temple of the Holy Spirit (1 Corin...: “Do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit who is within you, whom you have [received as a gift] from God, and that y...

Our body is the temple of the Holy Spirit (1 Corinthians 6:19)

“Do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit who is within you, whom you have [received as a gift] from God, and that you are not your own [property]?” (1 Corinthians 6:19)

I have heard this often along with, “Be holy, for I am holy.” (1 Peter 1:16).  

How on earth am I supposed to accomplish this?

As I was seeking the Lord on this matter He took me to the Old Covenant. by way of Hebrews 9:19-20 “…he (Moses) took the blood of the calves and goats [which had been sacrificed], together with water and scarlet wool and with a bunch of hyssop, and he sprinkled both the scroll itself and all the people, saying, “This is the blood of the covenant [that seals and ratifies the agreement] which God ordained and commanded [me to deliver to] you.” And in the same way he sprinkled both the tabernacle and all the containers and sacred utensils of worship with the blood.”

This sprinkled blood sanctified the temple and made it holy to be used in the service of the Lord. This is how we are made holy, by the blood of Jesus, our High Priest.

As we partake of Communion we are sprinkling the hearts and lives of our sanctuary, cleansing and making us holy vessels to be used in the service of our Lord.

In an article written by Andrew Murray he says, “"I must have the Holy Spirit sanctifying my whole inner life if I am really to live for God's glory." He goes on to say that we need to make a daily habit, to seek being filled with the Holy Spirit.” (Rapture Ready, Chapter 2)

In my time today I commit myself to being submitted to the leading of the Holy Spirit, sanctified by the blood of Jesus, cleansed and made ready for service to my God. 

Won't you join me as we walk daily, cleansed and being ready to be used by the Holy Spirit  in the service of our Lord through the blood of Jesus? Amen!

Blessings on your day!

Karen

Saturday, March 12, 2016

Little Talks with Jesus: “Restore to me the joy of Your salvation...” (Psal...

Little Talks with Jesus: “Restore to me the joy of Your salvation...” (Psal...: “Restore to me the joy of Your salvation and sustain me with a willing spirit.” (Psalm 51:12 AMP) It seemed as if joy had left me. I ...

“Restore to me the joy of Your salvation...” (Psalm 51:12 AMP)

“Restore to me the joy of Your salvation and sustain me with a willing spirit.” (Psalm 51:12 AMP)

It seemed as if joy had left me. I was trying to work things out, and it just did not seem to work. Life was becoming drudgery.

I began to seek the Lord for answers asking Him to restore to me the joy of my salvation. While seeking Him, I was asking questions like, “What do I need to do?” “Are you through with me on this earth?” “Do you have a purpose for me?’ The more I asked, the more depressed I became.

Early this morning as I was listening to the Lord, He said, “It is a gift.”

Suddenly the depression lifted and joy filled my soul. Life was not about how mush I accomplished on earth. Despite the many sermons I have heard about “doing” and feeling guilty for not “doing” enough, joy and peace filled my being and transformed my whole perspective.

A gift is given to be enjoyed. When I give a gift, I do not expect anything in return. It is my hope that the person will enjoy the gift. The person does not earn it. That would be a wage. 

Life in Christ Jesus is a gift. “For it is by grace [God’s remarkable compassion and favor drawing you to Christ] that you have been saved [actually delivered from judgment and given eternal life] through faith. And this [salvation] is not of yourselves [not through your own effort], but it is the [undeserved, gracious] gift of God;” (Ephesians 2:8 AMP)

The Lord has been trying to get me to understand this for a long time. Praise God! I finally got it!

Now I can truly declare, “This [day in which God has saved me] is the day which the Lord has made; I will rejoice and be glad in it.”

Join me today and rejoice in the outstanding day the Lord has given to us to live and rejoice (enjoy) in it. It’s given to us as a child of God, no strings attached. Amen!

Blessings on your day!

Karen


Tuesday, March 8, 2016

Little Talks with Jesus: “...God resist the proud, but gives grace to the h...

Little Talks with Jesus: “...God resist the proud, but gives grace to the h...: As I was growing up I often heard the scripture “Pride goes before destruction, And a haughty spirit before a fall” (James 16:18 ) ...

“...God resist the proud, but gives grace to the humble.” (James 4:6)

As I was growing up I often heard the scripture “Pride goes before destruction,
And a haughty spirit before a fall” (James 16:18)

Pride was then interpreted as being conceded and that God really hated people that were conceded. This did not make a lot of since to me since I was also told that God loves everyone.

Then the Lord began to teach me that pride believes that one could do anything on their own. They did not need God or anyone else.

Then the Lord went on to show me that humility was just the opposite. Humility is coming to God, asking for His help, knowing that one could not do things in their own strength. In other words, pride is when one makes themselves their own god.

Here is where I had to ask myself, “How often have I thought I could do things on my own?” The answer was, “Way too many times.” I had to confess this and repent. Thank God for His merciful forgiveness.

Recently I heard an old preacher’s joke that told of a congregation that said, “Lord, You keep him (preacher) humble and we will keep him poor.”

Sadly this used to be the opinion of many churches. I do pray this is no longer the case.

Unlike many sermons I have heard, Jesus was not poor. He knew where the fish were. He knew how to multiply little to become more than enough. He and His disciples had enough money that they needed a treasurer. Remember Judas? When Judas, the treasurer, left the Last Supper, the disciples thought he was leaving to help someone. This was their norm.

So let us debunk the wrong teaching that Jesus was poor. Also, humble as we have learned, is not “poor, pitiful me.” It is, “I can do all things through Christ who strengths me.” (Philippians 4:13)

The great news today is that Christ is always with us. As we need help, He is ready, willing and waiting. We only have to ask.

I invite you to spend some time with the Lord today thanking Him and praising Him that because of His finished work on the cross, we have the privilege of coming to Him at anytime day or night to seek His face and ask for His help. Amen!

Blessings on your day!

Karen

Thursday, March 3, 2016

Little Talks with Jesus: “If My people who are called by My name…” (2 Chron...

Little Talks with Jesus: “If My people who are called by My name…” (2 Chron...: “If my people, which are called by My name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek My face, and turn from their wicked ways; then wi...

“If My people who are called by My name…” (2 Chronicles 7:14)

“If my people, which are called by My name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek My face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land.”(2 Chronicles 7:14)

This morning as I was listening to the Lord I was meditating on the state of our nation. At this time we are a divided people who are being taught morals by Hollywood, distorted Bible through movies and Humanism through our schools.

Politicians spend their time trying to destroy the reputations of each other and sugar-coating real issues.  We are in a mess!

However; our God is able to change everything around us if we come to Him in His way, through Jesus. We are the ones who need to repent of our ways, change our own behavior and seek the presences of God Almighty. It is not about THEM. It is about US.

We are His people. His call is “come to Him.” Allow Him to show us the areas of our lives that need to be submitted to Him. As we surrender to His will, His Word, then He will change our nation.

So, if you are one of the many who sees our nation in trouble, join with me and seek God through Jesus Christ. Allow Him to change us and then the things and people around us will reflect it.

If you recall, when Adam sinned, God said that because you sinned, the ground is cursed. God did not curse the ground. I believe the same is still true. Our land reacts to our righteousness or our sins.

This is not a time of beating ourselves up. It is a time to confess our sins and be forgiven. Then change our ways and continually seek the God of our Salvation! Amen!

Blessings on your day!

Karen


Wednesday, February 24, 2016

Little Talks with Jesus: “Oh, taste and see that the Lord is good!” (Psalm ...

Little Talks with Jesus: “Oh, taste and see that the Lord is good!” (Psalm ...: This morning the Lord reminded me that the part of the Passover Feast we celebrate as Holy Communion comes at the place of dessert, after ...

Little Talks with Jesus: “Oh, taste and see that the Lord is good!” (Psalm ...

Little Talks with Jesus: “Oh, taste and see that the Lord is good!” (Psalm ...: This morning the Lord reminded me that the part of the Passover Feast we celebrate as Holy Communion comes at the place of dessert, after ...

“Oh, taste and see that the Lord is good!” (Psalm 34:8)

This morning the Lord reminded me that the part of the Passover Feast we celebrate as Holy Communion comes at the place of dessert, after the meal.

Then I heard the following scripture. “Oh, taste and see that the Lord is good; blessed is the man who trusts in Him!” (Psalm 34:8)

Over the years of partaking of morning communion as I fellowship with the Lord over His word, I have come to realize how the scriptures point to the death, burial and resurrection of Christ. 

He accomplished everything it takes to bring me back into full fellowship with my Heavenly Father. This is what atonement does.

In the Old Covenant the blood of the animals only covered sin. Jesus’ blood washes away our sins. We are made completely new creations in Christ Jesus. He is truly the dessert, the best and the sweetest love we will ever experience.

As I come to communion - fellowship with Jesus today I am meditating on the sweetest and most precious gift of my Heavenly Father: Jesus the Christ.

As I eat of the bread and drink of the wine I can see Jesus’ body saturated with His blood. O that I may be saturated in the life-giving blood of the Lamb of God who takes away my sin. 

“O taste and see that the Lord is good!” Trust in Him and be blessed. Amen!

Blessings on your day!

Karen

Monday, February 22, 2016

Little Talks with Jesus: His mercies are new every morning. (Lamentations 3...

Little Talks with Jesus: His mercies are new every morning. (Lamentations 3...: This morning as I was meditating on the blood of Jesus I saw Isaiah 53:4-5 before my mind’s eye. “But [in fact] He has borne our griefs...

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

This morning as I was meditating on the blood of Jesus I saw Isaiah 53:4-5 before my mind’s eye.
“But [in fact] He has borne our griefs, and He has carried our sorrows and pains; … He was wounded for our transgressions, He was crushed for our wickedness [our sin, our injustice, our wrongdoing]; the punishment [required] for our well-being fell on Him, and by His stripes (wounds) we are healed.”

Then I was reminded that His mercies are new every morning. (Lamentations 3:22-23)

As I continued to drink of the cup of the New Covenant in His blood I decreed that my sins are washed away each and every time I receive the blood of Jesus.

(Mark 11:24-25). “Believe that you receive…” 

I believe I have received, and I have His forgiveness. 

If you are struggling with sin consciousnesses, spend some time with the Lord. Receive His loving forgiveness as you confess them before the Lord this day. He stands ready to forgive you every day, if you will only come to Him. 

Remember, when we mess up, He still loves us and wants to forgive us. However; we must allow Him in.  "Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear My voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with Me." (Revelation 3:20 KJV) Amen!

Blessings on your day!

Karen


Wednesday, February 10, 2016

Little Talks with Jesus: “He who believes in Me, ...out of his heart will F...

Little Talks with Jesus: “He who believes in Me, ...out of his heart will F...: I had been reading a small book on releasing your angels to minister to you and for you. He took me back to Proverbs 18:21 , “Death and l...

“He who believes in Me, ...out of his heart will Flow Rivers of living water.” (John 7:38 NKJV)

I had been reading a small book on releasing your angels to minister to you and for you. He took me back to Proverbs 18:21, “Death and life are in the power of the tongue, and those who love it will eat its fruit.”

The words we love are the words that come from our emotions, out of our belly. We can decree all day long, but until they come out of our heart they do not produce.

In this book the author shows in Psalm 103:20 (NKJV), “Bless the Lord, you His angels, who excel in strength, who do His word, heeding the voice of His word.

The angels of God respond to His word. When we decree His word from our heart we release God’s angels over us to work for us and through us.

Next,  the Lord began to teach me another truth from His word. Satan is always trying to imitate God. He disguises himself as an angel of light. When Moses was before Pharaoh, the first several demonstrations of God’s power were imitated by the devil’s magicians. God’s power always prevailed over the magicians. But the devil is still trying to deceive us with his magic tricks.

When the Lord showed me this He told me that when we speak death and curse words we are releasing the demons from hell to work their magic.

Remember Deuteronomy 30:19 where God says, “I call heaven and earth as witnesses today against you, that I have set before you life and death, blessing and cursing; therefore choose life, that both you and your descendants may live;”

It is here the devil gets the right to move on our negative words.

Another word the Lord reminded me of is, Luke 4:18 a, “The Spirit of the Lord is upon Me, because He has anointed Me to …heal the brokenhearted…”

Scripture tells us that our heart is in our belly and out of it flows a river of life. (John 7:38) 

By this we can also surmise that out of it can also flow rivers of death. Therefore it is imperative that our hearts be healed in order for us to choose life with our words, (Deuteronomy 30:19) because out of our hearts we speak.

Our heart is ruled by our emotions; grief and sorrow (John 14:1, joy (John 16:22), desires (Matthew 5:28), affections (Luke 24:32), perceptions (john 12:40), thoughts (Matthew 9:4), understanding (Matthew 13:15), reasoning (Mark 2:6), imagination (Luke 1:51), conscience (Acts 2:37), intentions (Hebrews 4:12) purpose (Acts 11:23), will (Romans 6:17) and faith (Mark 11:23). 

These can only be holy if we submit them to the leadership of the Holy Spirit. We do this in prayer allowing the Holy Spirit to search our hearts and confessing the sin He reveals to us.

I encourage you today to open up your heart to the Lord asking Him to search your heart. In this we are examining ourselves before partaking of communion. This is judging ourselves, lest we be judged. It is not beating yourself up. It is allowing the Holy Spirit to reveal areas of your life that you have not submitted to His Lordship.Once you repent you are worthy to receive His body and His blood without condemnation.

Then spent time praising God for His marvelous love and mercy for bringing you into covenant with Him through Christ. Praise God and celebrate all God has done for you. Amen!

Blessings on your day!

Karen

Tuesday, February 2, 2016

Little Talks with Jesus: “He (God) accounted it to him (Abraham) as righteo...

Little Talks with Jesus: “He (God) accounted it to him (Abraham) as righteo...: It was counted to him as righteousness (Genesis 15:6) This morning God took me on a spiritual journey to teach me how to seek His right...

“He (God) accounted it to him (Abraham) as righteousness. (Genesis 15:6)

It was counted to him as righteousness (Genesis 15:6)
This morning God took me on a spiritual journey to teach me how to seek His righteousness. 

He began by reminding me that Abram, later named Abraham, who is considered the father of faith was considered by God as righteous because Abraham believed God.(He took God at His word.)

“Abram believed the Lord, and He credited it to him as righteousness” (Genesis 15:6 MEV)

Next the Lord took me to Genesis 3:1 where the old serpent asked Eve, “Has God said, ‘You shall not eat of any tree of the garden’?” 

Here God showed me that Adam’s fall was because he and Eve made the choice to not believe what God’s had told them.  Hence, Adam became unrighteous.

Also, the name Adam means mankind. This is where we too become unrighteous when we make the choice not to take God at His word.

Righteousness means faith, or believing every word God says. However; faith must have action or it is dead. (James 2:17) “Thus also faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead.”

Who and what we believe and act on determines where we place our faith.Where we place our faith makes either righteous or unrighteous.

Matthew 6:33 tells us to, “… seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added unto you.” (The benefits of Psalm 103:3)

Colossians 1:13 says the moment we accept Jesus as our Savior, God takes us out of the kingdom of darkness and places us unto the Kingdom of Jesus. However; just as the Children of Israel struggled in the dessert learning to listen, trust and act on what God said, we too fall into this very problem. 

When I say “believe His word”, I mean you come to the place you really believe He will do exactly what He says He will do, whether you see it or not, and we act on what He has told us to do. Acting in faith is what makes our faith alive.

God never reacts to our whines, cries or the desperation of our circumstances. He acts on our faith (trust and belief) in His word. 

When God inspired John to write 3 John 2, God calls us His beloved, He means it. He goes on to say, “I wish, above all things, that you prosper, be in health as your soul prospers,” He really means it. He is pulling for us to come to Him, believe and receive.

Our soul consists of our mind, our will and our emotions. Our emotions need healing. This comes through forgiveness and changing our old ways of thinking to having the mind of Christ. Having His mind is thinking the way Jesus thinks. It only comes from knowing, in an intimate way, God’s deep love for us and listening for His directions. 

We see this love through Christ on the cross. Jesus took on His body every sickness, every disease, hurt, heartache, pain and sorrow we will ever experience so that, if we desire, we can give them to Him in faith.

Jesus took the chastisement (severe criticism; rebuke or strong reprimand, corporal punishment; and beatings) whether deserved or not, so that we can receive His peace.

He took my poverty away and has given me access to His riches- all the cattle on a thousand hills, all the silver and all the gold is mine to access through faith, if I can trust Him to be my Jehovah-jireh (the Lord who provides our needs according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus), He will show us where to cast our nets even if we’ve fished there before and found nothing.

Jesus also took my sins, both known and unknown, and paid the price.

Sin is high treason against the Crown. It is punishable by death. He took the death sentence in my place.

As you search the scriptures, you will find more of this divine exchange in the covenant we have entered into with Christ.

The New Testament puts it this way, “. . . For they know His voice. And a stranger will they not follow, but will flee from him: for they know not the voice of strangers” (John 10: 4b-5). When we hear, believe and act on the voice of Jesus we become the righteousness of God in Christ Jesus.

As Jesus' sheep we will not follow the steps of the first Adam when we make this most important decision to believe and live by every word that proceeds out of the mouth of God. They are written in the Holy Bible. 

This is living Proverbs 3:5-6, "Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to Him, and He will make your paths straight."

Mostly, He tells us to walk in love and forgiveness, being kind to one another, knowing we all have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God. Salvation comes to each of us through our belief and acceptance of Christ's love on the cross, and asking Him to forgive us of our sin.

As you take time to commune with the Lord today, meditate on all that He has done for you because He loves you with His whole heart. 

Search the scriptures to find out what He has to say about your situation. Believe Him and stand on His word. It takes practice to hear the spoken word of God in your heart. Open your heart and listen. He still speaks today. He has not changed. Amen!

Blessings on your day!

Karen


Friday, January 29, 2016

Little Talks with Jesus: I have come that they may have abundant life. (Joh...

Little Talks with Jesus: I have come that they may have abundant life. (Joh...: As I was meditating on John 10:10 I saw a vision. There was a great division between the first part and the second part of this scriptur...

I have come that they may have abundant life. (John 10:10b)

As I was meditating on John 10:10 I saw a vision. There was a great division between the first part and the second part of this scripture. Within this division I saw the cross.

“The thief does not come except to steal, and to kill, and to destroy. ////////////// I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly.” (John 10:10)

The first part comes as we walk in the kingdom of darkness and the second part comes as we learn to walk in the Kingdom of Light.

Along with this vision I began to hear a phrase of a song, “I will not bow my knee to another.”

After seeking the Holy Spirit to interpret the vision I began to realize that by speaking about the things the devil has tried to steal, kill and destroy in my life, I was bowing to the words of the thief. I was speaking curses.

In Deuteronomy 30:19 God decrees a law, “I call heaven and earth as witnesses today against you, that I have set before you life and death, blessing and cursing; therefore choose life, that both you and your descendants may live;”

Luke 17:21 tells me “the kingdom of God is within you.”

Proverbs 18:21 tells me that “Death and life are in the power of the tongue: and they that love it shall eat the fruit thereof.”

So, since Jesus came to give us abundant life and this life is in my tongue, I must learn to speak the life of Christ; blessings. "Bless those who curse you, and pray for those who spitefully use you." (Luke 6:28) 

Blessing someone is to speak into their lives your desire for them to become as Jesus created them to be.

Our choice is the one we make with our tongues; blessing or cursing, the Kingdom of God or the kingdom of darkness.

Matthew 6:33 says to seek first the Kingdom of God and His righteousness. Each of these kingdoms are within us. We choose the kingdom by what we allow out of our mouth.

“For out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks.” (Matthew 12:34 NKJV) 

So, if I find myself having trouble choosing to speak blessings, I ask the Holy Spirit to do a heart check. He is faithful to show me feelings of anger, bitterness, mistrust, etc. that is in my heart. I confess it, yielding to the Lord, cast it out in the name of Jesus and ask the Lord to heal me in that area of my soul.

Fellowship with Jesus today! It is in His mighty loving, presence we find His peace and His righteousness. His right way of speaking and right way living. Amen!

Blessings on your day!

Karen

Friday, January 22, 2016

Little Talks with Jesus: Behind the veil (Matthew 27:51)

Little Talks with Jesus: Behind the veil (Matthew 27:51): “Then, behold, the veil of the temple was torn in two from top to bottom; and the earth quaked, and the rocks were split,” (Matthew 27:51...

Behind the veil (Matthew 27:51)

“Then, behold, the veil of the temple was torn in two from top to bottom; and the earth quaked, and the rocks were split,” (Matthew 27:51 NKJV)

In Leviticus 16:2-34 we find that behind the veil was the Holy of Holies (the heart of God.). It is also know as the throne of grace.

The Ark of the Covenant resides here signifying God’s unbreakable covenant with His people.

On top is the mercy seat, not the judgment seat.

When I looked up the definition of mercy in the Lexicon, I discovered it is God’s compassion on us for the havoc sin has caused in our lives; sickness, curses, poverty, loss of relationship with friends, family and God. These include everything the thief came to steal, kill and destroy in our lives (John 10:10). However; Jesus came to get it back for us.

The difference between mercy and sympathy is sympathy is pity and says, “I’m sorry. I hope things get better for you” 

Mercy takes steps to rectify the situation such as give someone a coat when he has none. 

Hebrews 4:16 tells us that now we are to, “… come boldly to the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need.”

The Holy of Holies is the place where the Great and Mighty Jehovah-___________ (Jireh, Shammah, Sabaoth, etc.) acts on His compassion for us. This is the place where His power and presence resides and it is now available to all who come to the Father in the name of Jesus because Jesus, on the cross, ripped the veil from top to bottom.

The Holy of Holies is opened to you if you have received Jesus as your savior. Come to the Father. Seek His face and receive His mercies. They are new every morning. Hallelujah! What a Savior!

In Communion today I greatly rejoiced as I came boldly to the throne of grace and found my Father’s mercy. You are invited to join me. Won't you come?

Blessings on your day!

Karen

Friday, January 15, 2016

Little Talks with Jesus: “Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shad...

Little Talks with Jesus: “Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shad...: “Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they c...

“Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil...” (Psalm 23:4)



“Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me.” (Psalm 23:4 KJV)

I was meditating on the 23 Psalm one morning when the Lord began to show me a picture of a shadow puppet making all kinds of scary images on the wall. If I had not known the images were not real they could have been frightening.

The Lord told me these “shadows that looked like death” are being made by the devil making shadows to frighten us. The shadows can not harm us. Not only that, the 23 Psalm reveals to us that when we are walking with Christ, He protects us.

In John 14:16 Jesus designated the Holy Spirit to be our Parakletos, the One who will come along side of us. He is the One who pleads our cause before God. 
Just as Jesus became Emmanuel as He walked on the earth, His Spirit is Emmanuel, God with us that God sent at Pentecost and is forever with us

It is a good idea to get to know the Lord Jesus in the good times so that you know how to listen to Him during the dark times. He would like to talk with you each day.

Yield yourself to the Lord Jesus each and every day through prayer, listening for His still small voice and Bible study. Invite Him to come along side of you and guide every step.

If you are not used to listening for His leading you might need to calm your spirit and open your ears to hear His voice. Jesus tells us that His sheep know His voice and will follow no other. (John 10:27)

In Revelation 3:20 Jesus tells us, “Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hears My voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with Me.”

Jesus desires to fellowship with each of us daily. According to Revelation 3:20, we must open the door.

If this is the desire of your heart, I invite you to pray this prayer with me.

Dear Lord Jesus,

I invite You to come into my life and become the Lord of my life. I yield my spirit, soul and body to You to guide and direct me in the way I should go.

I open my ears to hear what the Spirit says and I commit myself to following the leadership of Your Spirit within me.

Thank You Jesus for answering my prayer. Amen!

Blessings on your day!

Karen

Tuesday, January 12, 2016

“You’re all together lovely” Song of Songs 4:7

In studying Song of Songs I have begun to understand that the Lord Jesus says I am worthy to receive Him and all He has. He chose me before time began.

In Colossians 1:13 I’ve learned that the moment I accepted Jesus as my savior, He brought me into His Kingdom as His bride.

As I learned in the book of Esther, I have to prepare myself to come before the King. When I first arrived into the Kingdom I did not understand that the economy of heaven is faith and the power of His Kingdom is love. I had much to learn.

When Jesus first brought me into His Kingdom He hid me in the clefts of the rock, Himself, His secret place. This is the place where I find His peace, His joy and His love. It is the place that I learned just how magnificent He is and began to fall in love with Him. (Psalm 91:1)

As I partook of Communion I learned that this is a rehearsal for our Wedding Banquet to remember Him and His vows to me. You see, at this point we are married although the marriage has not been consummated.

He has placed His banner of love over me because He has bought me with His love. (John 3:16)

However; there are times when I do not see or feel His presence. He’s promised me He will never leave me, not forsake me. But, where is He? Things can get hard and dark, especially when it’s the dark night of my soul. I continue to search for my beloved.

Chapter 3 shows me I am in a time of testing. How will I respond to the hard times? Will I continue to believe He is near me? Or will I turn back to the ways of the world? Have these hard times choked my love for my beloved?

Jesus hides and waits in anticipation of my response.

The Shulamite woman teaches me to continue searching. She seeks the religious leaders (the watchmen), and local people, the self-help groups, preachers, “Have you seen my beloved?”

As I search, Jesus continues to expound upon how He loves me and thinks I am beautiful in every way. My lips are kissable. I am His desire.

As I remember Him I only speak words of kindness as my words are producing the Fruit of His Spirit in me. (Galatians 5:22-23). As I speak His love-words it reminds Him of Himself. “Ah! She is becoming more like Me.”

My response to these trials become my testimony. Revelation 12:11 tells me that I overcome the devil by the blood of Jesus and the word of my testimony.

Jesus sees me as flawless, perfect in every way. Worthy of His eternal love.

He has qualified me by calling me His sister and His spouse. I've been changed into His new creation. I am now of royal blood, His own DNA. It no longer matters who my natural parents were. It doesn’t matter if I was born on the wrong side of the sheets, the wrong side of the tracks, the right side of the sheets or the right side of the tracks,  I am now born anew in the Kingdom of God and have become joint heirs with Jesus Christ. I’ve taken on His love-identity producing the Fruit of His Spirit.

Now that I know Whose I am, the persecution begins. The devil has gone to war against me. This often comes from the religious people, the ones who persecuted Jesus. 

"She is too spiritually minded to be of any earthly good. Who does she think she is? I know where she came from. She's no better than I am. God can't use someone like her."

But the Shulamite woman shows me how to stand. She begins to remind herself of her beloved. She sets her affections on Him. "He is radiant, the greatest over all the others, He is all together lovely. He smells like the sweet prayers of the saints. His eyes are like doves, and His heart is as pure as ivory overlaid with sapphires." She declares, “This is my beloved and He is mine.” 

We are becoming one.

In Chapter 6 Jesus tells me that He could choose anyone He wanted; queens, second wives or many maidens, but He chooses me over all the others. Then He continues in chapter 7 expounding upon how beautiful I am, His bride. He thinks I am gorgeous.

This is how He thinks of you as well. Believe Him when He says,"You are beautiful, My darling. There are no flaws in you."


By now, I am so in love with Jesus that I cry, “Set me as a seal upon Your heart…for love is as strong as death.” True love is forever.

No matter who you are or how sinful you have been, Jesus is still calling you to be His own. He is waiting on you to make Him your choice. He has already chosen you. If you have said yes, will you prepare yourself to be His bride?

Be encouraged in the Lord Jesus today. Experience His magnificent love. You will never be the same. Amen!

Blessings on your day!

Karen

Saturday, January 9, 2016

Little Talks with Jesus: “Arise, My love, My fair one, and come away with M...

Little Talks with Jesus: “Arise, My love, My fair one, and come away with M...: Recently I have been studying Song of Songs and Song of Songs 1:13 always draws me to Christ. One time I was going through a terrible...

“Arise, My love, My fair one, and come away with Me.” (Song of Songs 1:13)

Recently I have been studying Song of Songs and Song of Songs 1:13 always draws me to Christ.

One time I was going through a terrible time praying for direction as to whether to leave my position at a church or stay and try to hang in there until the situation changed.

In answer to my prayers the Lord took me to this verse. “Arise, My love. My fair one, and come away with Me.”

I was broken. My soul was in great need of repair. Sensing this was my answer, I left that position and took time off to be with the Lord. I had lived through a dark night of the soul. The wounds were great, too great for me to overcome by myself.

For the next few months I spend many hours in His presence. I was so broken that sometimes the best I could do was to put on praise and worship music and lay in His arms. As I allowed His love to cover me I began to heal, forgive and be restored to life. He renewed my life. He gave me a reason to live again!

It is during these dark times I run to Him and hide under the shadow of  Almighty God, my Father, my Daddy. (Psalm 91:1) As I draw closer to my loving heavenly Father, He draws closer to me. For it is in Him that I live and breathe and have my being.(Acts 17:28)

If you are going through a dark night of your soul, Jesus offers you the same invitation He offered me. “Arise, My love. My fair one, and come away with Me.” Come to Jesus knowing He loves you. He adores you and wants the best for you. He even knows that He is the only One who can bring life back into your being. He’s waiting. Will you come? Amen!


Blessings on your day!

Karen

Wednesday, January 6, 2016

Little Talks with Jesus: “Decree a thing and it shall come to pass.” (Job 2...

Little Talks with Jesus: “Decree a thing and it shall come to pass.” (Job 2...: Have you made your New Years resolutions? I have found them to be a total waste of time because it is something we try to do in our own e...

“Decree a thing and it shall come to pass.” (Job 22:18)

Have you made your New Years resolutions? I have found them to be a total waste of time because it is something we try to do in our own effort. Then fail.

However; when we delight ourselves in the Lord God Almighty, according to Job 22:28, we can declare a thing and it will be established!

“You will also declare a thing, and it will be established for you; so light will shine on your ways.” (NKJV)

So, in light of the Word of God, why not find scripture promises that meet your goals and decree them in the name of Jesus. He has promised to shine His light on the path to make it happen.

For example: If I need finances I will choose scriptures like Genesis 22:14 or Philippians 4:19 (NIV) which says, “And my God will meet all your needs according to the riches of His glory in Christ Jesus.”  Or I may choose Proverbs 10:22 (NKJV) which promises, “The blessing of the Lord makes one rich, and He adds no sorrow with it.”

After finding these promises, then declare out loud each day something like: I declare that God will provide everything I need according to His riches in Glory. The Lord is my provider. He is my source. It does not matter what things look like in the natural, I am standing on the Word of God and He can’t lie. So I decree that my debt is paid in full by Jesus on the cross. I claim the promises of God in Christ Jesus because I am a blood-bought child of the Living God.

Proverbs 3:5-6 tells me to, “Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct your paths.”

Sometimes following God can seem like the most illogical thing ever. That is why He calls it faith.

What changes do you want to happen in your life this year? Is this a promise in the Word? If so, find it and decree it over your life in the mighty name of Jesus and it will be established according to His Word.

Spend time with the Lord each day seeking His direction for this path. This is communion. 

I heard Kenneth Copland once say to the Lord, “I am Yours to command. Sir!”

Give God full reign. Listen to His instructions and then obey Him no matter how strange it may sound. Amen!

Blessings on your day!

Karen