This is my first post, and I am very excited to have a space to share the strength, excitement, joy, and peace that I find in reading the word of God. It is my heartfelt hope that others may find encouragement in these words.
I have been told that I am a pillar of strength. I feel quite the contrary. People that know me well, are amazed that my elevator still goes up, and the lights are still on. The truth is, the word of God has rescued me. It is like fire shut up in my bones. This reminds me of a passage in the book of Luke, where Jesus speaks of a reed shaken in the wind. This is a representation of someone who is dense (dimly lit), and spiritually weak. It was not a representation of John, and it is not a representation of me. John 6:63 “It is the spirit that quickeneth; the flesh profiteth nothing: The words that I speak unto you, they are spirit, and they are life.” What did they think that they would see?
Ecclesiastes 12:13 Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter: Fear God, and keep his commandments: for this is the whole duty of man. (King James Version)
For approximately three years now God has been thumping my heart about Christian behavior. It seems to pop out at me in every book of the Bible. I am thankful to be a work in progress. The potter’s wheel is not a comfortable place, but it is a necessary one. I hear the still, small voice of God speaking loudly to my heart (1 Kings 19), as He is shaping me into a vessel that is fit for His use (Jeremiah 18:6).
I have always admired gentle, easy-going people because it is not my nature. The realization that I was far from measuring up started one day as was reading Galatians 5. I realized that things like wrath, strife, and envy are mentioned along with some of the more conspicuous works of the flesh that bar us from heaven.
Lately, I have decided to read the book of James more often in remembrance of who I ought to be in Christ. For as the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without works is dead (James 2:26). That Is Powerful! To me this is saying that faith produces works (Achange in us). As God is holy, so should we be in our conduct (1Peter 1:15). It’s not about what we gain, but what we leave behind (example). The photo that I created above is a representation of a heart that has been tried and purified in the Fire of God. As life has ended in a vapour, the soul returns to God, leaving behind memories that remain like precious gold glimmering in the dust.
Ecclesiastes 12:7 Then shall the dust return to the earth as it was: and the spirit shall return unto God who gave it.
James 4:14 Whereas ye know not what shall be on the morrow. For what is your life? It is even a vapour, that appeareth for a little time, and then vanisheth away.
Taking into consideration the whole duty of man (Ecclesiastes 12:13), It is impossible to overlook the first and second Greatest Commandments of all; that is to Love God with All of our heart, soul, and mind, and to Love our neighbor as ourselves. On these two Commandments hang all the law and the prophets (Matthew 22; 26-40).
Colossians 3:14 And above all of these things put on charity (Love), which is the bond of perfection (maturity).
It is a powerful reality that Love is the bond of perfection that holds us together. If we lose our witness to the works of the flesh, we are no longer effective as glue or salt in this world. Those works are; adultery, fornication, uncleanness (physical or moral impurity, G167), lasciviousness (filthy wantonness, G766), idolatry, witchcraft, hatred, variance (contention, debate, strife, G2054), emulations (jealousy, malice, G2205), heresies, envyings, murders, drunkenness, revellings (rioting, G2970), and such like (Galatians 5: 17-21). (James Strong, 1992)
Galatians 5:22-26 22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith. 23 Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law. 24 And they that are Christ’s have crucified the flesh with the affections (emotions, G3804) and lusts. 25 If we live in the Spirit, let us walk in the Spirit. 26 Let us not be desirous of vain glory, provoking one another, envying one another. (James Strong, 1992)
Jesus told us that we would face tribulation in this world (John 16:33). Paul said that they had no rest. They were troubled on every side; without were fightings, within were fears (2 Corinthians 7:5). We all go through trials, and I have had my fair share. This world has taught me how to fight. Jesus is teaching me how to love. It’s easy to see how far that he has brought me when I am at peace, but it is my behavior in the storm that is going to make the difference.
One morning as I was sitting in my bed tangled up in the worries of this life, (which provokes bad behavior) I prayed. God gave me the Sweetest Peace in Ecclesiastes 12: 7, 12:13, and James 4:14 (listed above). “Life is but a vapour. The body will return to dust, and the spirit will return to God, who gave it. The only important thing is Loving the Lord and keeping his commandments. That is thewhole duty of man. He will take care of the rest.” That was my inspiration for this post.
Prayer: Lord, I pray that you will help us to run with certainty, keeping our bodies under subjection, fighting a good fight. Don’t let us become ineffective cast aways swinging into the air with our poor conduct (1 Corinthians 9:26-27). Empower us to turn the other cheek and to forgive with our whole heart. Teach us to endure hardness as good soldiers of Jesus Christ, not becoming tangled up in the affairs of this present life (2Timothy 2:3-4), In Jesus Name I Pray, Amen.
References
James Strong, S.L. (1992). Strong’s Exhaustive Concordance Of The Bible. World Bible Publishers, Inc.
So, when they had dined, Jesus saith to Simon Peter, Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou me more than these? He saith unto him, Yea, Lord: thou knowest that I love thee. He saith unto him, Feed my lambs (John 21:15). (King James Version)
Have you ever noticed that of all the good deeds done, people still have a tendency to define one another by their failures? Sadly enough, the denial of Jesus is what many people remember the most about the Apostle Peter.
I noticed as I was studying about Peter that he was part of Jesus’ inner circle. When Jesus raised Jairus’ daughter from the dead he didn’t allow anyone in except for her parents, Peter, James, and John (Luke8:51). These three were also taken apart to the “Mount of Transfiguration” (Matthew 17:1), and at the Garden of Gethsemane Jesus took Peter, James, and John on further with him to keep watch as he prayed (Matthew 26:36-38).
Peter was the impulsive one who cut off the soldier’s ear (John 18:10). The one who spoke out of turn at the Mount of transfiguration. The one who was quick to answer (John 6:67-68), and the Only one besides Jesus who walked on the water (Matthew 14:26-). “Let that sink in.” He did start to sink, but he was just a man (Acts 10:26).
The Catholic church teaches that when Jesus named him Peter (The Rock) that he was making him some kind of a chief steward or Prime Minister (first Pope), but in reality, Peter’s revelation of Jesus being Christ is the Rock that the church is built upon, and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it, Jesus himself being the chief cornerstone (Matthew 16:15-18), Amen.
As I was reading John 6, it stirred my spirit. Many of Jesus’ disciples went back because of his doctrine, then he said to the Twelve, “Will ye also go away”? Then Simon Peter said, “Lord, to whom shall we go”? (John 6:60-71) I Love That! In reality All of the disciples vowed that they would not deny Jesus, but they All forsook him in the garden (Mark 14:31,14:50).
I for one will remember Peter as “the one who loved Jesusmore.” It is a beautiful thought that John sees himself as “the one who Jesus loved”, but as I read John 21:15 it occurred to me that Peter thought that he was “the one who loved Jesus more.” Some days I feel like Peter, other days I feel more like John.
Peter was passionate. He called for the replacement of Judas (Acts 1), Preached the first sermon proclaiming Jesus as Lord and Christ (Acts 2:36), and gave us the beautiful words, “Silver and gold have I none: but such as I have give I thee: In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth rise up and walk” (Acts 3:6). The sick were brought into the streets hoping that at least Peter’s shadow would pass over them (Acts 5:15), and Tabitha was raised from the dead (Acts 9:40).
Through his trials, failures, and triumphs Peter learned how to take joy in suffering, and victory over it. He teaches us the importance of humility, Christian behavior, and tells us to “Grow in Grace” which he did (Acts 5:41, 1Peter, 2Peter). He was filled with the Holy Ghost, and Jesus called him to feed us, the sheep (Acts 4:8, John 21:15). It never was about Peter, and it’s not about us.
People are watching our walk. Humility and Christian behavior are fruits of the Spirit. We are all a work in progress; I pray that we remember the good in one other, and as we face life’s trials and fall short at times, that we can remember to “Give Peter a Break”, and “Grow in Grace”, Amen.
Wherefore gird up the loins of your mind, be sober, and hope to the end for the grace that is to be brought unto you at the revelation of Jesus Christ. 1 Peter 1:13 (King James Version)
When it comes down to it, war is a power struggle. If you feel that you are frequently in spiritual warfare it is because you are a danger to the enemy. He wants to take you out because you have a Purpose.
In my own life I have wondered when it really began. Many times, when I am talking the Lord, I remember being a four-year-old little girl who saw the big stained-glass window of Jesus holding the sheep. I knew we came for him. I knew that he loved me. Sometimes I still tell him, “It’s me Jesus”.
I also remember a recurring nightmare that I had when I was approximately five years old. I think the house that we lived in was a wicked domain. Every night it sounded like someone was hopping up the basement stairs. In my dream I was out in the yard, when men made out of wax would form a circle around me and strike me repeatedly with their crutches. They had the appearance of eighteenth-century military men. I believe that their crutches were meant to cripple me, butJesus breathed on me with a fire that melts wax, Amen.
As I look back on my life, I truly believe that was spiritual warfare. I believe that they were demons sent to strike me with oppression, depression, anxiety, poverty, abuse, hopelessness, and many other such things.
Although I have lived through many of these things, I consider myself as Blessed and highly favored (grace). We all have our battle scars. Lately I have learned something, “the enemy knows our weak spots”. He is crafty so we must learn spiritual warfare (2 Corinthians 10:3-5).
If we come to the Lord with an open heart, he will heal us and teach us to fight (Psalm 144:1). I don’t know about anyone but myself, so I will share as much as I can about something that I went through recently. Hopefully, I won’t give too much of myself away.
I was listening to secular music that would seem harmless to a lot of people. To me it was not! Before I knew what hit me, I was feeling bad physically and spiritually. Actually, I was feeling Lousy! As I sat in my quiet place talking to the Lord I cried out, “LORD, WHAT IS WRONG WITH ME”? I just kept on waiting to snap out of it.
A day or two later I was watching my favorite preacher, and he introduced me to a word that I had never heard of before, “Limerence”. When I studied up on it, I could see that God was answering my question. The secular music was causing me to obsess about someone that I had been talking to. It was in my way.
I am not going to go in depth about Limerence, but I can tell you that unresolved trauma and childhood scars make people more vulnerable to it. It can also affect serotonin and dopamine levels. Many people go to therapy for treatment, but I am thankful that God is my Counselor.
I have often wondered why the fight is so hard. I don’t know who needs to hear this, but I have finally found my Purpose. I am a blogger. I write about my Love for the Word of God. It goes where God sends it. If it touches one person, then I am living my Purpose. I can’t give what I don’t have, so God has to be the center of my life. I can’t be a good soldier for Christ if the weapons of my warfare have become tainted by the world.
I have also realized the importance of Living in the Peace of God. It is one of our greatest weapons, and I never understood that until now. It’s hard to bear fruit when your life is in chaos, and you don’t have clarity of mind. It’s hard to be a good witness when you’re at your wit’s end. THE ENEMY IS AFTER OUR PEACE! Jesus tells us not to lose our peace worrying about tomorrow. One day at a time is enough. Life is more than food, and the body is more than raiment. God knows what we need (Matthew 6:25-34).
If you are a soldier in the army of the Lord, know that you are a force to be reconned with, and the enemy knows it. Watch your triggers (music is one of mine) and Guard your Peace. If you find yourself having a battle within, come boldly to the throne of grace (Hebrews 4:16). Our God fights for us.
2 Samuel 22:7-8
In my distress I called upon the Lord, and cried to my God: and he did hear my voice out of his temple, and my cry did enter into his ears. 8 Then the earth shook and trembled: the foundations of heaven moved and shook, because he was wroth.
Say not ye, There are yet four months, and then cometh harvest? behold, I say unto you, Lift up your eyes, and look on the fields; for they are white already to harvest (John 4:35). King James Version
Yesterday was Easter. We had a wonderful time at church, but sickness ruined our evening family plans. By the end of the lonely day, I was feeling quite sorrowful. I was weighed down with the cares of this life, and as shameful as it is, I was feeling like “I don’t live, I just exist”.
A dear friend of mine sent me a message requesting prayer. The minute that I started reading the message I could feel God all over me. As I prayed for her the Lord restored me! When she thanked me for praying, I just wanted to return that thank you to her for the “call to prayer”. The body of Christ is knit together in love, and we need each other.
I woke up this morning with a new perspective on life and a grateful heart. I sat in my bed having my coffee and spending time with the Lord (that’s our meeting place). As I talked to the Lord about these things I started laughing in the Spirit, then I was laughing and crying at the same time (Romans 8:26-27). I said out loud, “The joy of the Lord is my strength” (Nehemiah 8:10). I asked him for his Word and opened my Bible to Romans 8.
As I concluded reading the chapter and writing in my journal, I was inspired to post this blog entry. God knows exactly what we need! While the enemy would like to convince me that I “only exist”, God showed me that I am here “For such a time as this” (Esther 4:14). The fields are white and ready to harvest. While the enemy was screaming loneliness in my ears, God was whispering INTIMACY, Amen.
It is when we see through our spiritual eyes that we can Live in the Peace of God (Romans 8:6), for we have not received the spirit of fear (Romans 8:15). In All things we are More than Conquerors through him that loved us (Romans 8:37). All things work together for good to those who love God and are called according to his purpose (Romans 8:28).
As I thought about my life journey, I can see that God was preparing me “For such as time as this.” When I started college at fifty-years old the only thing that I knew about a computer was how to turn one on. I earned an associate’s degree in accounting, but life took an unexpected turn, and I have never used it. I have always enjoyed writing, and all of the mandatory written reports helped to improve my writing skills. What a privilege, joy and honor to be able to share my love for the Word of God, but the Greatest gift of all is to share Jesus.
The fields are white, and the harvest is ready.
Nothing can separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord (Romans 8:39).
And God made two great lights; the greater light to rule the day, and the lesser light to rule the night: he made the stars also (Genesis 1:16). King James Version
Notice in the photo above the “Earth to Scale”. It is a lot for my human mind to understand that God is so big that he holds the world in his hands, and he knows the number of hairs on every head (Matthew 10:30). When I take into consideration the sun and stars, I am like King David “Such knowledge is too wonderful for me; it is high, I cannot attain unto it”(Psalm 139). If I could, then my prayers would most certainly be bigger!
This Easter I want totake in the fact that Jesus humbled himself and came into the world that he created (John 1:10) (Ephesians 3:9). His love is as unsearchable as his creative power! “It is high, I cannot attain unto it.” He was laid in a lowly manger (Luke 2:7) and raised as a carpenter’s son (Matthew 13:55). He taught by example as he washed the disciple’s feet (John 13). He conquered death, hell, and the grave, yet he was gentle and humble in heart. Oh, what a Savior!
Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek (gentle) and lowly (humble) in heart: and ye shall find rest for your souls (Strong’s 4239, 5011).
Ephesians 2:9-11
9 Wherefore God hath highly exalted him, and given him a name which is above every name: 10 That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth; 11 And that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the Glory of God the Father.
I am not a carnal man on a spiritual journey. I am a spiritual man on a carnal journey. This world is not my home. In Ephesians 5:19-20 my Bible describes “The inner life of the Spirit filled believer,” and it is All because of Jesus! He breathed on them and told them to receive the Holy Ghost (John 20:22). I Love That! Breath on me, Jesus, please Breath on me, Amen.
Ephesians 5:19-20
19 Speaking to yourselves in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord: 20 Giving thanks always for all things unto God and the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.
Those scriptures remind me of the song that is in my heart today. It’s called Gratitude (Brandon Lake). “Come on my soul, don’t you get shy on me. Lift up your song, cause you got a Lion inside of those lungs. Get up and praise the Lord.”
Revelation 5:5
And one of the elders saith unto me, Weep not: behold, the Lion of the tribe of Juda, and the Root of David, hath prevailed to open the book, and to loose the seven seals thereof.
He is Risen!
My Easter prayer:
Lord, please soften my rough edges. You have created all things, and you call the stars by name (Isaiah 40:26). There Is None Like You, yet you are Gentle and Humble in Heart. Please, help me to grasp that reality! Let my life be pleasing in your sight. I love you, Lord! In Jesus name I pray, Amen (So Be It).
Works Cited
Strong, James. Strong’sExhaustive Concordance of the Bible World Bible Publishers [1992]
2 Kings 19:20 Then Isaiah the son of Amoz sent to Hezekiah, saying, Thus saith the Lord God of Israel, That which thou hast prayed to me against Sennacherib king of Assyria I have heard. (King James Version)
As I read these scriptures I could relate to the message that Hezekiah (King of Judah) sent to the prophet Isaiah, “This is a day of trouble, and of rebuke, and blasphemy: for the children are come to birth and there is not strength to bring forth”.
There is not a doubt in my mind that everyone feels this same way sometimes. We get in desperate places in our lives where all that we can hear is the enemy spewing out threatening’s, and filthy lies. In our own selves we do not have the strength to deliver.
The Assyrian’s had taken all of the fenced cities of Judah, so king Hezekiah tried to appease Sennacherib (king of Syria) with silver and gold from house of the Lord, and from his own treasury. The lesson here is that “We can’t strike a deal with the enemy”.
I can see it in my mind, A great host of the Assyrian army surrounding the city of Jerusalem. The Jews wanted Rabshakeh (Assyrian chief officer) to speak to them in the Syrian language so the men on the wall (warriors) would not understand, but the enemy doesn’t work that way. Fear is his weapon. He stands outside of the walls our lives trying to make us think that he has the power to make us drink our own piss and eat our own dung (2 Kings 18:26-27).
The Power of Prayer came alive to me as Hezekiah sought the Lord and sent a message to Isaiah the prophet asking for prayer that God would intervein on their behalf (2Kings 19:1-5). I love God’s answer, “Be not afraid of the words which thou hast heard, with which the servants of the king of Assyria have blasphemed me. Behold, I will send a blast upon him, and he shall hear a rumor; and shall return to his own land; and I will cause him to fall by the sword in his own land” (2Kings 19:6-7).
The enemy doesn’t give up easily. Hezekiah was standing on the Word of the Lord, so the next threat came in the form of a written letter. Here again, I see the Power of Prayer. Hezekiah took the letter to the house of the Lord and spread it out before the Lord (2 Kings 19:10-14). How Awesome a Privilege to be able to go into our prayer closets and just lay everything out in front of our Lord!
This is not just a story from some random book. It is the written Word of God. It is food for the soul, and strength for the inner man. Make no mistake, this is spiritual warfare (this journey). When James said, “Faith without works is dead” he was saying that we still have to Walk in Covenant with God (lifestyle) (James 2:17) (2Kings 18:11-12). When God’s people pray, he listens (James 5:16). He is the Only one who has the Power to Deliver, and His Word Always Stands (2Kings 19:7) (Kings 19:36-37). The same God who killed 185,000 Assyrians in the middle of the night because he heard king Hezekiah’s prayer is still on the throne, and We Win! Amen
REVELATION 2:17 He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches; To him that overcometh will I give to eat of the hidden manna, and I will give him a white stone, and in the stone a new name written, which no man knoweth saving he that receiveth it. King James Version
Approximately eighteen years ago, I was standing beside of my refrigerator when I heard God’s voice. He said, “He doesn’t love you, but I do”.
That is the first and the last time that I Literally heard God speak directly to me! That was the Turning Point of my Life. I had been living in a backslidden condition, and one day out of nowhere God spoke to me. I have much in common with the woman at the well and like her, “He must needs go through Indiana” for me (John 4). Oh, how I Love Jesus! One who is forgiven much, loves much (Luke 7:47).
A few years later I was driving a bus route and talking to the Lord. I was thinking about him calling James and John the “Son’s of Thunder”. Was this because of their zeal or because they asked if Jesus wanted them to call down fire from heaven on a village of Samaritans (Luke 9:54)? I asked out loud, “Lord, what would you call me, Hard Head”? The name Orpah just popped into my head. I wondered if this was God, or was it just me? I didn’t have any passengers at the time, so I pulled over and looked up the meaning of Orpha. Sure enough, it was mane fem. of back of the neck (stiff) neck (Strong’s 6203,6204). I had to laugh; you can’t tell me that God doesn’t have a sense of humor, even if it was the truth.
I like Ellicott’s reference to the “white stone” as tessera hospitalis (a pebble of friendship). It was a token of hospitality from the one who gave it. The stone is precious, not white in color, but it is shining, glistering white (Ellicott, 2004 – 2026). Jesus has called us friends (John 15:15). I imagine that everyone attending the wedding supper of the Lamb will have received a white stone with his new name written in it (Revelation 19:7-9).
I don’t claim to have absolute understanding of the Word of God. It is, however, my passion. When I read Revelation 2:17 I see it on a personal level. I have had such a real experience in walking with the Lord that I dream as a child. Is the “white stone” going to be part of my heavenly apparel? As God called Jacob Israel, will my new name hold the story of the me that only Jesus knows? I look forward to that day, but for now I am so thankful to be called The Woman at the Refrigerator, “For he must needs pass through Indiana” for me. It is a constant reminder that it never was about me. He Is Faithful! Amen
Works Cited
Ellicott, Charles John. “Commentary on [Revelation] [2].” Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers, Bible Hub app, BibleSupport.com, [2004 -2026]
Strong, James. Strong’s Exhaustive Concordance of the Bible World Bible Publishers [1992]
2 SAMUEL 6:14-15 And David danced before the Lord with all his might: and David was girdedwith the linen ephod. So David and all the house of Israel brought up the ark of the Lord with shouting, and with the sound of the trumpet. (King James Version)
I have heard it preached that King David danced so hard before the Lord that he danced his clothes off in the street. As I read this passage this morning, I realized that was not the case. It was so much more! I believe that he stripped himself of his kingly robes as an act of humility. The garments that King David was wearing that day were not part of his regular wardrobe. They were actually priestly attire, not undergarments (1Chronicles 14:27). He had laid down his purple and gold because his heart was set on worshipping the Lord.
When I read “he danced with all of his might” I said to the Lord, “I want to do that”! “I want to do that!” If King David worshipped like that being under the law, why shouldn’t we even more so who are Born of the Spirit?
Philippians 3:3 For we are the circumcision, which worship God in the spirit, and rejoice in Christ Jesus, and have no confidence in the flesh.
David was “a man after God’s own heart” (Acts 13:22). He prayed “Let thelifting up of my hands be as the evening sacrifice” (Psalm 141:2). In reality the lifting of our hands is an act of humility and worship. God see’s us even in our prayer closets. How can we believe for miracles when we don’t even have the faith that it takes to lift our hands?
I love the Apostle Paul’s prayer in Ephesians 3:14-16.
14for this cause I bow my knees unto the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, 15 Of whom the whole(every) family in heaven and earth is named. 16 That he would grant you, according to the riches of his glory, to be strengthened with might by his Spiritin the inner man.
Zechariah 4:6
Then he answered and spake unto me, saying, This is the word of the Lord unto Zerubbabel saying, Not by might , nor by power, but by my Spirit saith the Lord of hosts.
God prefers obedience over sacrifice (1 Samuel 15:22). To me that says that God prefers Relationship, not religion. It was not possible that the blood of bulls and goats could take away our sins or perfect our hearts, so he did away with the Old Covenant (Hebrews 10).
John 1:11-12
11 He came unto his own, and his own received him not. 12 But as many as received him, to them he gave power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name: (New Covenant)
In all of these passages I have read nothing about the power of religion. It’s Always been about Relationship over Religion with our Lord. We can read the word of God by the letter, but without the Spirit of God living inside of us we are spiritually blind (2 Corinthians 3:6), weak, and powerless. Until we are willing to lay self aside, and seek the Lord with all of our hearts, we will miss out on the dance!
Mark 6:56 And withersoever he entered, into villages, or cities, or country, they laid the sick in the streets, and besought him that they might touch if it were but the border of his garment: and as many as touched him were made whole. (King James Version)
I read Mark 6 and I was so deeply moved that I had to write about it! The chapter starts off with Jesus doing no mighty works in his own country because of their unbelief. He sent out the twelve disciples two by two; and gave them power over unclean spirits.
Mark 6:12-13
12 And they went out, and preached that men should repent. 13 And they cast out many devils, and anointed with oil many that were sick, and healed them.
When they gathered themselves back to where Jesus was, he told them to come apart unto a desert place and rest a while. I Love that! We all need a peaceful place to rest sometimes.
When I got to Mark 6:32 my heart could not be still! The people saw Jesus departing, and they ran afoot out of the cities, and out went them, and came together unto him. When Jesus came out of the ship and saw them, he was moved with compassion. Oh, my Goodness! When we Run to Him, He is Moved with Compassion! He will feed us. It was then that he fed the five thousand with five loafs and two fish.
Jesus Sent the twelve ahead by ship. Then he sent the people away and went into a mountain to pray. When the evening had come the ship was in the middle of the sea. He saw them rowing and toiling in the wind. It was in the fourth watch of the night (around three o’clock in the morning) when they saw Jesus walking on the water. Sometimes he sends us into the storm.
Verses 6:51-52 spoke to my heart as never before! When Jesus entered the ship the wind ceased, and they were amazed. Their hearts were hardened fromtoiling in the wind, so much as they had completely forgotten about the five loaves and the two fish. Why would they be amazed that Jesus could walk on the water and control the wind? These were the twelve disciples, but they were still just human. This is our nature. I know that my heart has been hardened when I have been toiling in the storms of this life. In my despair I have lost sight of all of the great things that the Lord already done, but he sees me.
From Mark 6:54 to the end of the chapter I got so happy that I was shouting and shedding tears of joy! Theyknew who hewas as soon as he came out of the ship. Throughout the whole region People started carrying their sick to wherever he was. I could just envision this in my mind!
Mark 6:56
And whithersoever he entered, into villages, or cities, or country, they laid the sick in the streets and besought him that they might touch if it were but the border of his garment: and as many as touched him were made whole.
There is so much to process right there! What if we were to run after Jesus (6:33)? I can see it now, people running from place to place, yelling in the streets that “Jesus is Coming”! Jesus didn’t anoint them with oil. He was the oil!
My closing thought is that they laid the sick in the streets, but they still had to reach out for themselves. Jesus is still passing by. He is still the oil, and we still have to reach out for ourselves.
Lord, give me a heart that runs after you, and encourage me to lay my loved ones at your feet in prayer. Help me to remember that you still walk on the water, In Jesus Sweet Name I Pray, Amen
2 Chronicles 20:26 And on the fourth day they assembled themselves in the valley of Berachah; for there they blessed the Lord: therefore the name of the same place was called, The valley of Barachah, unto this day. (KJV)
I love King Jehoshaphat’s prayer, “we have no might against this big company that is coming against us, and we don’t know what to do: but our eyes are upon thee” (2 Chronicles 2:12).
The Lord said not to be afraid or dismayed, because the battle is not yours, but God’s. Stand still and see the salvation of the Lord with you (2 Chronicles 20:14-17).
2 Chronicles 20:18-19 And Jehoshaphat bowed his head with face to the ground: and all Judah and the inhabitants of Jerusalem fell before the Lord, worshippingthe Lord. 19 And the Levites of the children of the kohathites, and the children of the Korhites, stood up to praise the Lord God of Israel with a loud voice on high.
In this present age we are scorned and ridiculed for worshipping the Lord freely, while getting radical at sporting events is totally acceptable behavior. That’s what the enemy wants, because he knows that praise brings the victory.
2 Chron. 20:22 And when they began to sing and to praise, the Lord set ambushments against the children of Ammon, Moab, and mount Seir, which were come against Judah; and they were smitten.
After the battle it took them three days to gather the spoil (2 Chron 20:25). And on the fourth day they assembled themselves in the valley of Berachah; for there they blessed the Lord: therefore the name of the same place was called, The valley of Berachah, unto this day.
This reminded me of when Jesus healed the ten lepers. Only one came back to worship him, he then said, “where are the nine” (Luke 17:11-19). God does such Great things! I will stand to praise him. I will praise him with a shout, and with lifting of my hands. I will worship at his feet with my face to the ground.
Exodus 14:13 And Moses said unto the people, Fear ye not, stand still, and see the salvation of the Lord, which he will shew to you to day: for the Egyptians whom ye have seen to day, ye shall see them again no more for ever.
When God brought his people out of Egypt, he said that they were not coming out empty handed (Exodus 3:21). Seventy souls went into Egypt (Exodus 1:1-5), and four hundred and thirty years later, more than six-hundred thousand came out with a great spoil (Exodus 12). You just can’t stop the hand of God! The more they afflicted God’s people, the more that they multiplied (Ex. 1:12).
HE IS THE I AM (Ex.3:13)
The earth is the Lords (Exodus 9:29). He removes kings and sets up kings (Daniel 2:21). As for the Pharoah, he was raised up to shew God’s power (Exodus 9:16) (Romans 9:17-18).
As for God’s people, they were instructed to eat the Passover meal with their Loins girded, their shoes on, and their staff in their hand (Exodus 12:11). They were to be ready for the journey.
God has supplied the final sacrifice. Jesus is the spotless Lamb, and not one of his bones were broken (Exodus 12:46), (John 19:36). As no uncircumcised person was allowed to eat the Passover meal (Exodus 12:48), the uncircumcised in heart cannot sit at the Lord’s table in the Kingdom of God (Romans 2:28-29).
The salvation of the Lord is with us. I pray that we have our loins gird about with truth, our feet shod with the preparation of the gospel, and our staff in our hand when he calls us home to worship him forever more, Amen
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