“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

“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

“According to your faith be it done unto you” (Matthew 9:29)

Heaven’s economy works by two things, faith in the word and obedience which is acting on the word.

“Then He (Jesus) touched their eyes, saying, 'According to your faith and trust and reliance [on the power invested in Me] be it done to you; '"(Matthew 9:29 (AMP)

Faith is a religious term which means to believe God when He says something. This is far deeper than believing in God’s word.  Faith is; trusting in who Jesus is, His authority, His love and desire to give you His best. Obedience is acting on that word.

For the two blind men to be healed, in Matthew 9:29, they had to #1. Come to Jesus. When we come to Jesus admitting we need His help, this is humbling ourselves before God.

#2. Then, they believed Jesus could and would heal them.

These blind men had heard of Jesus so they sought Him for their healing. Notice, they sought Him. We must find Jesus before He can do anything for us.

Seeking Jesus as our Savior and healer, believing He is the only One who can heal us or take care of our situation is putting actions to our faith. There is no plan B.

(Mark 9:23 AMP) “Jesus said to him, “[You say to Me,] ‘If You can?’ All things are possible for the one who believes and trusts [in Me]!”

Look at I John 5:14-15 (AMP). “This is the [remarkable degree of] confidence which we [as believers are entitled to] have before Him: that if we ask anything according to His will, (His word) He hears us. And if we know [for a fact, as indeed we do] that He hears and listens to us in whatever we ask, we [also] know [with settled and absolute knowledge] that we have [granted to us] the requests which we have asked from Him.”

Whatever you are facing today come to Jesus in faith, believing He will do what He says He will do. Then ask Him for what you need, believing He hears your prayers and will answer them. Allow Him to do it His way and in His time. Trust Him as He works all things out for your good and His glory. (Romans 8:28) Amen!

Blessings on your day!

Karen

The Lord is my shepherd (Psalm 23)

This morning the Lord woke me to this Psalm encouraging me to read it in other translations. This one is from the Contemporary English Version. I encourage you to read it out loud.

“You, LORD (JESUS), are my shepherd. I will never be in need. You let me rest in fields of green grass. You lead me to streams of peaceful water, and you refresh my life.

You are true to Your name, and You lead me along the right paths. I may walk through valleys as dark as death, but I won’t be afraid. You are with me, and Your shepherd’s rod makes me feel safe.

You treat me to a feast, while my enemies watch. You honor me as your guest, and you fill my cup until it overflows. Your kindness and love will always be with me each day of my life, and I will live forever in Your house, Lord.”

It is all about learning to put our total trust is Jesus knowing His ability and will is to take care of us.

Proverbs 3:5-6 (CEV) instructs us, “With all your heart you must trust the Lord and not (trust) your own judgment. Always allow Him to lead you and He will clear the road for you to follow.”

We have been taught, “If you want something done right, do it yourself.” When we do this we are trying to make ourselves our god.

To learn to trust God in every area of our life takes renewing our minds to God’s ways of doing things. We do this by following Matthew 6:33, more than anything else seek God and His presence first. Listen for His instruction. This is His righteousness. Then the other things will come to us when we do what He says no matter how strange it may sound.

Recently I was seeking Him on a matter I thought needed an immediate answer. He replied with, “Wait upon the Lord.” I had peace in Christ and I let it go. When and if I need to respond on this matter, I am trusting He will let me know and then I will act on it.

As you join in communion with Christ today, rejoice in His love and care. No matter what happens or how hopeless things may seem, allow Jesus to walk with you through your darkness or shadow that looks like death. It is only a shadow when Christ is with you. Amen!

Blessings on your day!

Karen

They overcame him by the blood of the Lamb and the word of their testimony (Rev. 12:11)

We have been studying about how life and death is in the power of our tongue from Deuteronomy 30:19-20 and Proverbs 18:21.

As I was meditating on our study I kept hearing Revelation 12:11 (AMP). “And they overcame and conquered him (the enemy) because of the blood of the Lamb and because of the word of their testimony, for they did not love their life and renounce their faith even when faced with death.”

We overcome and conquer the enemy by speaking the Word, the logos, the written word of God. As we decree and declare the word of God over us, our family and our situation, we are testifying, proclaiming and prophesying the Word of God over us. This is a prayer of faith. (Job 22:28)

(Deuteronomy 30: 19-20 AMP) “I (God) call heaven and earth as witnesses against you today, that I have set before you life and death, the blessing and the curse; therefore, you shall choose life in order that you may live, you and your descendants, by loving the Lord your God, by obeying His voice, and by holding closely to Him; for He is your life [your good life, your abundant life, your fulfillment] and the length of your days, that you may live …”

Jesus is the Word of God. He is life. Therefore; to choose life, we choose to speak His words just as Jesus spoke only what He heard the Father say.

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

In other words, you get what you say, even if it takes a while to come about. Listen to yourself! It may surprise you to hear what you are really saying.

Then we seal it by faith with the blood of Jesus. If this sounds strange to you, just say something like, "I seal this word with the blood of Jesus." 

You may ask, why would you do this? We learned from the first Passover in Exodus that when the believers put the blood of the lamb over the doorpost and lentils of their houses God rebuked the devour-er. 

Our bodies are His temple. Jesus gave us that same authority to speak into being when He gave us His name. 

(John 14:14) “If you ask (call forth of) Me anything in My name, I will do it.”

Finally, we take a stand on the word. We refuse to renounce our faith or speak against the word (death or curse words) even when faced with death or hardship, or when things do not look like we’ve conquered the situation, the sickness or disease. 

Let it soak in. This is powerful! This is the Word of God! 

James 3:4-6 NIV) shows us how to steer our life. "Or take ships as an example. Although they are so large and are driven by strong winds, they are steered by a very small rudder wherever the pilot wants to go. Likewise, the tongue is a small part of the body, but it makes great boasts…sets the whole course of one’s life ...”

Thank Jesus today in your time of communion for being the powerful word of God. Declare that you will only speak life, His life words from this day forward.

Blessings on your day!

Karen

Bless the Lord, O my soul. (Psalm 103:1)

Have you ever wondered how to bless the Lord? 

I believe I have found an answer.

Sunday I taught the lesson from Acts 12. The story takes place following Passover, during the Feast of Unleavened Bread.

After showing the class Matzo (unleavened bread), I quoted the prayer Jesus said over the Last Supper when He took the bread and blessed it.

According to Jewish tradition He would have prayed “Praised (or blessed) are You, Lord our God, Sovereign (or Creator) of the universe, who brings forth bread from the earth." 

This was a prophetic prayer referring to how God would raise the Messiah from the dead.

This morning the Lord pointed out to me that Jesus did not bless the bread. He blessed the giver of the bread. This had never occurred to me.

I believe that to bless the Lord means to give Him praise and thanksgiving for the things He has done. In doing so, we are acknowledging God for who He is and giving Him honor, praise and thanksgiving for all He has done for us.

Psalm 92:1 begins with, “It is a good thing to give thanks unto the Lord, and sing praises unto Your name, O most High.”

Many of the Psalms begin by exalting the name of God and extolling what He has done.

Let us bless the Lord today for raising Jesus the Christ from the dead. He lives! Amen!

Blessings on your day!

Karen

His Mercies Endure Forever (2 Chronicles 5:13)

Find Jesus and you will find His mercy.

The Lord has placed a person on my heart who has been involved in drug addiction, alcohol, maybe prostitution and other things. 

This is a great source of stress, frustration, anger,  fear and heartache for his parents.

As I sought the Lord, He showed me His great mercy that endures for ever. 

While listening for the Holy Spirit's guidance, Jesus gave me this word for him, “I am not angry with you. I am not disappointed in you. I still love you. I want you to come to Me and allow Me to love you and heal your soul.”

Growing up in a domination that preached Hell, fire and damnation, I believed that I was a sinner beyond redemption. If I could not get it right I believed Jesus would not forgive me and that God was waiting to send me to Hell. 

 I had to have a major paradigm shift in order to begin thinking that Jesus truly loved me and was wanting to set me free from all this condemning  thinking.

The lies I had heard preached all these years caused guilt, shame and fear. However; the Word clearly says otherwise. Jesus died for my sins. The moment I accepted Him as my Lord and Savior, I was forgiven, changed into His new creation. I have been born again. This time I was born into the family of God. I am God's beloved child. 

When the Word tells us that if we believe in our heart and confess with our mouth that Jesus Christ is Lord to the glory of God our Father, we are saved (forgiven, healed, delivered, He will never leave us, set free from the law of sin and death) and He means it. 

Every time I see in the Word that Jesus bore my sins, I believe Jesus accomplished it on the cross. I confess Christ’s forgiveness with my mouth, and with taking communion I proclaim His death and all He accomplished on the cross until He comes again. 

This means I am forgiven and set free, restored to a right relationship with my heavenly Father to the glory of God. 

My loving heavenly Father is not sitting on His throne with a whip ready to beat me each time I miss the mark. He loves me and guides me on the level I am ready to believe. He meets me where I am. His mercies (love, kindness and forgiveness) endures forever. His mercy is available to all who come to Christ.

If you struggle with these condemning thoughts of guilt, and shame, come to Jesus. According to Romans 8:1 there is no condemnation for those who belong to Jesus and walk in His ways.

If you have Jesus in your heart, rejoice! Praise Him and thank Him for setting you free. You are forgiven. Glory to God! Amen.

Blessings on your day!

Karen

Romans 8:6 “For to be carnally minded is death; but to be spiritually minded is life and peace.”

Are you carnally minded or spiritual minded?

To be carnally minded, according to the Greek Lexicon, is going after strange flesh, immorality, the corrupt nature of man, subject to filthy appetites and passions.

To be spiritually minded is to seek the God kind of life, Zoe. This is only brought about by God’s mercy, granting deliverance and freedom from all the distresses that are experienced as a result of sin.

This is the Messianic blessing that comes through the grace and mercy of God where the stresses of life caused by sin are removed. Hence, the message of salvation is called the Gospel of peace, the peace He gives, the peace of God. It is the peace that is only found in Christ. Do you know Him as your peace?

(John 14:27 AMP) Jesus said, “Peace I leave with you; My [perfect] peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Do not let your heart be troubled, nor let it be afraid. [Let My perfect peace calm you in every circumstance and give you courage and strength for every challenge.]”

1 Peter 5:7 tells us that it is by “casting all your cares [all your anxieties, all your worries, and all your concerns, once and for all] on Him, for He cares about you [with deepest affection, and watches over you very carefully]."

God is on your side. Trust Him to take care of your situation, your family, business, your church, or whatever your needs are. .

Partake of communion today giving all your cares to Jesus. He can handle both the big stuff and the small stuff if you will just give it over to Him.

Blessings on your day!

Karen

God our Father, our Daddy (Matthew 6:9)

Jesus introduced us to Abba Father or Daddy in the Lord’s Prayer when Jesus said to pray “Our Father which art in heaven...” 

He used the Greek word Patera, meaning daddy or papa.

Many of us have not known what it means to have a loving, caring father. The word father to me is formal and distant. But Daddy indicates to me someone who loves me. I’m a daddy’s girl. He thinks I’m the greatest. I feel loved, protected and cared for. It reminds me of being a little girl in my daddy’s arms.

Today I encourage you to meditate on God as your Daddy. As believers we are Daddy’s beloved children. 

This is the first word Hebrew children learn. It is a wonderfully affectionate, intimate name we use to embrace our loving and adoring Father. 

(Mark 10:13-16) Just as Jesus wraps His arms around the little children and rebukes His disciples for trying to shoo them away, our Daddy will do the same for us as we come to Him.  He will not allow anyone to push us away.

Each of us has a child-like-place within us that only our loving Father can satisfy. It’s that vulnerable part where we long to be held and hugged as we lay our head on His shoulder.

While meditating on your Heavenly Daddy bring the child in you to Him and cry out for His affection. (Ephesians 3:14-20) Cling to Him as a child holds onto their father when needing the assurance of love and security.

Our Heavenly Daddy is the One our hearts yearn for and nothing or no one else can ever fill this longing that is deep within our souls.

Bring out the child inside of you. Sing Him a love song or make Him a picture. Embrace Him as your loving Daddy.

Daddy is the language of sons and daughters. If you did not have a loving father you may have a feeling of abandonment or have felt like an orphan. If so, allow your Heavenly Daddy to heal those deep wounds. Feel secure in His arms.

During communion today thank Him for sending Jesus so that we can have this intimate love relationship with our Heavenly Daddy. Amen!

Blessings on your day!

Karen

Nothing can separate us from the love of God. (Romans 8:38-39)

Romans 8:38 begins with “I am convinced…” Convinced: means to be completely certain about something. When we are convinced about something, nothing will change our mind.

“For I am convinced [and continue to be convinced—beyond any doubt] that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor things present and threatening, nor things to come, nor powers, nor height, nor depth, nor any other created thing, will be able to separate us from the [unlimited] love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.” (Romans 8:38-39 AMP)

Recently we buried a beloved aunt. She was always kind and her faith was steadfast, no matter what she went through. I miss her, but my memories of her are precious and reassuring that I will see her again one day.

Her grandson preached her funeral from Romans 8:38 reminding us that if we belong to God through Jesus the Christ, then nothing will ever separate us from our love-relationship with our loving Father.

God’s love reaches each of us through the cross of Christ. This love is unfathomable and can only be received through believing in Jesus and the finished work He accomplished on the cross. (John 3:16-18) It is never-ending. He never withdraws His love because we mess up. He loves us because He chooses to love us, not because we are good enough.

If you are in need of love today, Jesus’ love will fill you in ways no man or woman can. Just ask Him.

If you already know Him, take some time and ask Him to fill you with more of His love. Sometimes we just need a special hug from someone who loves us to remind us that we are loved.

His unearned love is freely offered to everyone who will believe and receive Jesus as Lord and Savior.

If you do not know Jesus as your savior, I encourage you to invite Him into your heart and celebrate the eternal love-life He gives you when you receive Him as Savior.

Communion is like that. It is when we take time to communicate with the lover of our soul. We love on Him as He loves on us.

Blessings on your day!

Karen

Jesus is our advocate with the Father (1 John 2: 1)

Today we meet Jesus as our advocate.

 “My little children, these things write I unto you, that you sin not. And if any man sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous:” (1 John 2:1)

Advocate means "intercessor." He comes along side of us as our lawyer and presents our cause to The Honorable God, and Judge.

Imagine yourself entering the courtroom of heaven. There is splendor and great beauty. The minute you walk in you since awe and power. You understand your life hangs in the balance and Almighty God determines your out-come, you fate.

This is overwhelming and you understand that in yourself you do not have a chance of being acquitted. You need your lawyer. You need Jesus.

What is your cause and what is your evidence? 

Your cause is what you are asking, or expressing as your need?

Your evidence is your faith, (Hebrews 11:1) “Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.”

Another word for evidence is confidence. When we are confident that God will perform His Word, we have faith in Him, and in His word. This is our evidence. How persuasive is your evidence?  According to James 1: 6-8, if you are double-minded, you can not expect to receive from God.

 “But let him ask in faith, nothing wavering. For he that wavers is like a wave of the sea driven with the wind and tossed. For let not that man think that he shall receive anything of the Lord. A double minded man is unstable in all his ways”.(James 1:6-8)

So, when you are in need or have a problem, come to God by entering the courts of heaven with praise and thanksgiving in the name of Jesus and allow Jesus to present your case before Almighty God along with your evidence.

This is a prayer of supplication.  (Philippians 4:6) “Be careful for nothing; but in everything by prayer and supplication (petition) with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God.”

Psalm 100:4 tells us to “Enter His gates with thanksgiving and His courts with praise; give thanks to Him and praise His name.”

We are not allowed access into His courtroom by just wondering into His presence.  Think about going to the local courthouse. The gates are guarded. You have to pass inspection before entering.

He is our Holy God. Honor His name, His presence. Reverence Him. Hallow His name. Show Him the greatest respect.

During your time of communion today praise and thank God for giving you Jesus, your advocate. Then thank Jesus for being your advocate.

Find scripture that says Jesus has provided what you need and go to God with His word and your confidence in His word.  

(Isaiah 55:11) “So My Word which goes from My mouth will not return to Me empty. It will do what I want it to do, and will carry out My plan well.” 

Send His word back to Him. Then rejoice in Jesus as your advocate as He presents the evidence for your case to the Honorable Judge, your God. Be confident of the outcome that is according to His word. His word is His promise and all His promises are yes and so-be-it. Amen!

Blessings on your day!

Karen

Jesus, the name above all names (Philippians 2:9)

Today we begin studying the names of Jesus. Just as the names of God reveals His nature, character and attributes, so too the names of Jesus reveal the Messiah to us.

The lyrics to the song Jesus, Name Above All Names says it well. Take a few moments and meditate on these proclamations of Jesus.

Jesus, name above all names

Beautiful Savior, glorious Lord.

Emmanuel, God is with us.

Blessed Redeemer, Living word

Father God bestowed the name of Jesus (Yeshua, in Hebrew) with its meaning of “the Salvation of God” on His beloved Son. Jesus is His name, and this name is the person of Jesus Himself. He is the Word of God, and He is the written Word of God. They are inseparable. Think on this. It may be deeper than you first think.

In Philippians 2:9-11 (AMP) Paul tells us that “He (Jesus) humbled Himself by becoming obedient [to the Father] to the point of death, even death on a cross. For this reason also [because He obeyed and so completely humbled Himself], God has highly exalted Him and bestowed on Him the name which is above every name, so that at the name of Jesus every knee shall bow [in submission], of those who are in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and that every tongue will confess and openly acknowledge that Jesus Christ is Lord (sovereign God), to the glory of God the Father.”

Jesus is the most powerful name in all existence. At His name all the angels in heaven, all the demons in hell and every creature, man or beast will bow to the King of kings.

Many say they will not bow to Jesus the Christ, but there will come a time where there will be no choice. His Kingdom is being established on the earth, but at His return it will be completely fulfilled.

As you partake of communion today ponder these things in your heart. Then praise Him and celebrate His name.

As a believer in Jesus, He has given us His name. Our name belongs to Jesus and His belongs to us. The more we know and experience Jesus, the more we become like Him. Amen!

Blessings on your day!

Karen

Jehovah-Nissi, the Lord is my Banner (Exodus 17:15)

This morning we meet God as Jehovah Nissi. 

This name of God is first introduced in Exodus 17:15, “And Moses built an altar and called its name, The-Lord-Is-My-Banner”.

Jehovah is derived from the Hebrew word “Havah” meaning "to be," "to exist," and suggests "to become" or specifically "to become known." He never changes and He wants us to know Him by name. (See Psalm 91:14)

 The Lord is my banner probably referred to lifting up of the rod of God as their standard, believing the presence and power of Jehovah would go before them in battle with the conviction that the Lord God would given them the victory.

In Psalm 91:2 “…the Lord is my refuge (banner),” we learn we are covered by El Shaddai and we declare and decree the battle is won because God is our Jehovah Nissi, our banner. 

Banner also means standard or rallying point. This is a military term. The definition of standard is the morals, ethics, and acceptable behavior established by those having authority. 

When we go to battle we align ourselves with the standards of God always remembering who we are fighting, “For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, [contending only with physical opponents], but against the rulers, against the powers, against the world forces of this [present] darkness, against the spiritual forces of wickedness in the heavenly (supernatural) places.” (Ephesians 6:12 AMP)

In the Song of Songs 2:4 (AMP) God tells me that “He has brought me to His banqueting table,

And His banner over me is love [waving overhead to protect and comfort me].”

Jehovah Nissi is the One we go to as our place of refuge, our hiding place.

Do you need protection, comforting, direction and love today? Go into the secret place, the presence of God, and call on Jehovah Nissi. (See John 14:26, the characteristics of the Holy Spirit)

Rrejoice in communion today as you come to His banqueting table because Jesus has given us complete access to our God as Jehovah Nissi. Amen!

Blessings on your day!

Karen

Jehovah-Sabaoth, the Lord of host, the Lord of Powers (1 Samuel 1:3)

Today we meet Jehovah Sabaoth - The Lord of Hosts: Mightiest warrior and all powerful King. He is first introduced as the Lord of host in 1 Samuel 1:3. “This man (Elkanah) went up from his city yearly to worship and sacrifice to the Lord of hosts in Shiloh…”

Elkanah’s wife desperately wanted a baby and prayed to the Lord of host, Jehovah-Sabaoth. He hears her and gives her a boy child, Samuel who becomes a major Hebrew prophet and priest.

Jehovah - Sabaoth is used as God’s name over 285 times., and is the most frequently used in Jeremiah and Isaiah, but we can see His hand through out the Old Testament as He delivers His people from their enemies.

He is the Almighty God over the "armies" or " angelic hosts.” 

Jesus said He could have called ten thousand angels to rescue Him.  

In Revelation 5:11 John says, “Then I looked, and I heard the voice of many angels around the throne and the living creatures and the elders; and the number of them was myriads of myriads, and thousands of thousands,”

Perhaps the most often told story in Old Testament scriptures giving God the name of Jehovah-Saboath is in 1 Samuel 17:45 when David, a young shepherd boy, confronts Goliath with, “…You come to me with sword and spear and javelin, but I come to you in the name of  Jehovah-Sabaoth, the Elohim (creator) of the army of Israel, whom you have insulted.”

David knew he was in covenant with Jehovah-Saboath. He knew His God by name. (Psalm 91)

In Daniel 3:28 we see where Jehovah-Sabaoth sent an angelic messenger to deliver Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-nego from the fiery furnace.

To me the most interesting scripture  regarding the heavenly host is found in Luke 2:13-14 at the birth of Jesus. “Then suddenly there appeared with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host (angelic army) praising God and saying, “Glory to God in the highest [heaven], and on earth peace among men with whom He is well-pleased.” God sent His angelic warriors to protect the birth of His Son.

The Lord of Hosts is the King of all heaven and earth. (Psalm 24:9-10; Psalm 84:3; Isaiah 6:5). He is all powerful and has at His command myriads of warrior-angels. 

What are your problems today? Give them to Jehovah-Sabaoth. He can handle them. He is all powerful and has all power at His disposal.

As we come to the communion table today celebrate, and honor the name of God as Jehovah-Sabaoth who has delivered us from evil through Jesus’ sacrifice on the cross. It is on the cross Jesus defeated the enemy of our God, and the enemy of our soul. 

Instead of praying “deliver us from evil” we can now declare we have been delivered from the evil one by Jehovah-Sabaoth through Jesus the Christ. Amen!

Blessings on your day!

Karen

Taking communion unworthily (1 Corinthians 11:26-30)

In 1 Corinthians 11:26-30, Paul talks about taking communion "unworthily" and "not discerning the Lord's body."  He was admonishing the church in Corinth because they were coming together without having a reverence for communion or respect for one another.  

They were getting drunk, fighting among themselves, and eating all the food before others arrived. This led to sickness and early death.

Taking communion "unworthily" does not mean that you are a worthless person. It means you are partaking of it in a casual, flippant, selfish manner instead of seeking the true meaning of Jesus' sacrifice.

When Paul says, "examine yourselves", he was not saying examine yourselves to see if you have sin. We have all sinned.(Romans 3:23) If sin would keep us from coming to Jesus to receive the covenant meal (His body and His blood), everyone would be disqualified!

Once we receive Jesus as our Savior, God sees us spotless through the blood of Christ. Jesus qualified us.

So as we take communion, let’s take a moment to understand, deep within our being, the whole of Salvation: Eternal life, deliverance, victory, welfare, health, prosperity, delivered from distress, our present help in times of trouble, kept safe from our enemies, and catastrophes, kept from plagues, famine or sickness. (#3444 in the Hebrew Lexicon) We can see this in Psalm 91 where God is showing us His Salvation, and again in 3 John 2.

It means that Jehovah is the God of our Salvation and Satan is defeated in our lives through Jesus' work on the cross. 

This is how we "discern the Lord's body", and take communion "worthily.” It is all about Jesus and all He accomplished for each of us on the cross.

As we eat and drink of communion today, let us rejoice in all of Salvation that has been accomplished for us on the cross.

Blessings on your day!

Karen

Dwelling in the Love of Christ (John 15:9)

In John 15:9 Jesus directs us to a new level of love, His level, “As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you. Now remain in My love.”

Dwelling or living in the love of Christ is not automatic and usually not easy. 

In John 15:10-11 Jesus said, “If you keep My commands, you will remain in My love, just as I have kept My Father’s commands and remain in His love. I have told you this so that My joy may be in you and that your joy may be complete.”

Jesus continues in verse 12, “My command is this: Love each other as I have loved you.”

The Greek word used here for love is Agape. It means to give someone what they need, not necessarily what they want. It is the God kind of love. 

The Jews wanted another King David type of savior to free them from the oppressive Roman rule. God sent Jesus, His Son to save us all for eternity.

How did Jesus show His love? He offers us forgiveness without condemnation. He healed all that came to Him, calmed the storm, fed the hungry, raised the dead, had compassion, loved the unlovable, gave His life for us, carried our sins into Hell, and stands ready to enter our lives at anytime we choose to open the door and invite Him in. However; we have to do the inviting.

Some of this I know I can do. I may not accomplish for others all of the ways Jesus chose to love me, but I can do something whether it is taking food to the homeless shelter or to a shut-in, show love to someone that is acting unloving, forgive everyone of everything- large or small, and ask Jesus into my heart each day. Sharing His love must become a conscious part of our everyday life.

I find asking for and receiving a daily infilling of His love is vital before I am capable of showing His love to anyone else. Without coming to Him first I am trying to accomplish sharing His love on my terms which leads to sharing from a deficit and it runs out quickly. I’ve tried this many times and always fail, then I wonder what went wrong.

Jesus has asked us to partner with Him to accomplish His will on earth just as it is in heaven. He is the head and we are His body. The body does not function without the head. 

At best we are like a chicken that has just had its head cut off. It is a crazy sight to see. I watched my daddy do this one time when I was a child. I thought the chicken was looking for it's head. It ran all over the chicken yard. 

I can do nothing without Christ's love infilling me. Today was one of those days I needed to soak in His love. So as I ate and drank of the matchless love He offers me,  I savored my time in His presence. There is always more than enough and it will never end. Amen!

Blessings on your day!

Karen

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

“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

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

“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