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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 from toiling 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! They knew who he was 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, worshipping the 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

PSALM 18:2
The Lord is my rock, and my fortress, and my deliverer; my God, my strength, in whom I will trust; my buckler, and the horn of my salvation, and my high tower (lofty, inaccessible place) (Strong's, H4809). (KJV)

I have been wanting to write about the “Peace of God” for some time now. I don’t always live in that reality, but God is teaching me. I am thankful that he has placed a passion for his Word and the desire to write inside of my heart. His Word is my Literal Lifeline. I pray that when I stand before him my gifts will be well accounted for.

I woke up this morning with this in my heart, “Pursue Peace, and Rest on Purpose”. I can see now more than ever before the importance of living like this. It is vital for our Health, Happiness, and our ability to live in our God given Purpose.

The Peace of God has nothing to do with what is going on around us. It is about what is going on within us. It’s about walking in his will. I have realized that in the pursuit of Peace there is a necessity of change. While there are areas in my life where I am seeking guidance (making changes), I am Practicing Resting on Purpose. I can honestly say that in these hardest storms of my life I am thinking more clearly and experiencing more peace than ever before.

Last month I was reading Ezekial 22. I was excited about God’s reference to the lies of false prophets as “walls built with untampered mortar”. I started thinking about the lies that the enemy has spoken to me, and how I have inward walls that have been built on those lies. It was a good understanding, because I know the God who tears walls down (Ezekial 13:14). Amen

Today as I read Ezekial 13:19-20 I see these walls with a different understanding. God said to these false prophets who were polluting his people for greedy gain, “I am against your pillows” (cushions) (Strong’s, H3704). “Your kerchiefs (veils) (Strong’s, H4555) also will I tear”. My understanding of this is their “pillows” are a representation of words of comfort that held no truth, and that he would tear their “veils,” exposing them and opening the spiritually blinded eyes of his people.

I can relate so much of that to this present age. Many people are being taken for greedy gain, because they have itchy ears (2 Timothy 4:3-4). They just want that “feel good gospel”. The problem with that is, there is no peace in false doctrine. David said, “Even in old age, there is strength, labor, and sorrow”(Psalm 90:10).

God called the children of Israel (a nation, great in number) to cross over the Jordan River into the Promised land. It was harvest time, and the Jordan River was out of its banks (Joshua 3:15). Life is like that sometimes. When the waters of this life feel like a flood, he requires us to move forward in his Promises, and to Live in His Peace, “God Is Our Dwelling Place” (Psalm 90:1).

Jesus said, “Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid”(John 14:27).

Works Cited

Strong, James. Strong’s Exhaustive Concordance of the Bible. World Bible Publishers, 1992.

Psalm 68:4
"Sing unto God, sing praises to his name: extol him that rideth upon the heavens by his name JAH (the Lord most vehement), and rejoice before him"(Strong's H3050). (KJV)

A person would wonder what the photo above could have to do with the subject of this post (The Lord Most Vehement). It is because one day as I stood in my kitchen looking at my mostly empty living room, I made my request known to God. I said, “Lord I know that you know my needs before I ask, but your word says that I have not because I ask not, so I am asking. I am so thankful for this home that you have provided for me. Although my rocker and recliner are just fine, I would really love to have a tan couch with mauve flowers and green leaves on it. Something that would be the perfect size. I can just see how it would look so beautiful sitting right there.” In less than a week my granddaughter contacted me to see if I wanted the one pictured above. She saw it on-line and thought that I would like it. This was Absolutely God! I didn’t even mention it to her. Her husband used his day off and barrowed a trailer to move it with. They loaned me the money for it, and delivered it to me.

It’s not the material things in this world that make us rich. It’s the journey. I can look back on the Many great things that the Lord has done for me, and it gives me the faith to go on. Sometimes we all get into a bad place. We are just people, but he is Always Faithful. I could actually write a book on how Faithful that he has been to me, but like a child, sometimes I still forget. I am so thankful that he remembers that I am just dust. He pities me, as a Father pities his child (Psalm 103:13-14), and he Always Blesses me in the things that matter the most.

The Word of our Lord really is Alive! It’s Quick (living and operative), Powerful, and Sharper than any two-edged sword (Hebrews 4:12). As I read about Asa (king of Judah), his great acts, and how his heart was perfect before the Lord all of his days, I overlooked his frailty. Then I got to verse twenty-three where I read that all of his acts and all that he did, and the cities that he built were written in the book of the chronicles of the kings of Judah (Scofield, 1917). (1Kings 15:9-24)

I read about Zerah the Ethiopian who came out against Judah with his army of a million. Asa only had five hundred and eighty thousand men of valor to fight, So He Prayed. The Lord smote the Ethiopians until they fled. Asa and his army pursued after them unto the city of Gerar, where they conquered it and all of the cities around it. The spoil was very great (2Chronicles 14:9-15).

In the sixteenth year of king Asa’s reign Baasha, king of Israel came up against Judah. King Asa then sent gifts to Ben-hadad, the king of Syria, and asked him to fight for him. God was not pleased:

2 Chronicles 16:9

For the eyes of the Lord run to and fro throughout the whole earth, to shew himself strong in the behalf of them whose heart is perfect toward him. Herin thou hast done foolishly: therefore from henceforth thou shalt have wars.

2Chronicles 16: 12-13

12 And Asa in the thirty and ninth year of his reign was diseased in his feet, until his disease was exceeding great: yet in his disease he sought not to the Lord, but to the physicians.

13 And Asa slept with his fathers, and died in the one and fortieth year of his reign.

I could look at Asa and wonder how he could be so faithless, but I am just as human as he was. I do this same thing. Sometimes I worry and fret instead of remembering all that the Lord has done and simply taking things to him in prayer. See what happens when we just talk to the Lord? Not only did he give me Specifically what I asked for, but it was even better than I imagined, and it came with a loveseat and a coffee table!

This is our God! The God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob (Exodus 3:15)! He is a Mountain Mover (Psalm 68:8)! He is God Vehement (Psalm 68:4)! He hears, He sees, and He moves on our behalf, and there’s not a force in hell that can stop Him (Isaiah 43:13). He is the first and the last. He is Alive for evermore. He has the keys of hell and death (Rev. 1:17-18). There are no gods beside Him, I know not any (Isaiah 44:8). Amen

I Am That I Am is His name for ever, and His memorial (commemoration) to all generations (Strong’s H2143). (Exodus 3: 14-15)

References

Strong, James. Strong’s exhaustive Concordance of the Bible. World Bible Publishers,1989

The Scofield Reference Bible, KJV. (1917)

1 Corinthians 9:24
Know ye not that they which run in a race run all, but one receiveth the prize? So run, that ye may obtain. (King James Version)

About three months ago I wrote about The Acts 1-7. I finally finished the rest of the Book a few days ago. There is no way to touch on so many great things in one post, so this entry is the sum of what is Burning in My Heart. I see myself coming closer to the finish line. Just like a foot race, it’s my goal to pick up speed. Paul ran an awesome race.

Paul (formerly Saul) was a Pharisee and a persecutor of Christians (Philippians 3:1-5), yet he was a chosen vessel unto God. He suffered many things for preaching Jesus (Acts 9:15-16). He was beaten by the Jews five times, receiving thirty-nine stripes each time, stoned once, shipwrecked three times, and had many perilous journeys in which he suffered pain, hunger, weariness, and cold, besides all of that, he had the care of all of the churches (2 Corinthians11: 24-28). As I read about these events it pricked my heart because he was a man that had undoubtedly left the comforts of This Life considering them dung that he would win Christ (Philippians 3:8), yet I am so easily distracted by the cares of this world.

I wondered why Paul was so insistent on going to Jerusalem when he was warned of the Holy Ghost of what he would suffer there (Acts 21:10-14). It seems that his motive was to Bless the poor saints at Jerusalem with the gifts collected from the Gentile churches (Romans 15:25-28) (Acts 24:17). It is mentioned that Paul wanted to be at Jerusalem by the day of Pentecost, which is the second of three great annual festivals. It is called (1) the feast of weeks (Exodus 34:22), because it was celebrated seven complete weeks, or fifty days after the Passover. (2) the feast of the Harvest, because it concluded the harvest of latter grains (barley) (Exodus 23:16), (3) the day of the first fruits (Numbers28:26), because the first loaves from the new grain (wheat) were offered on the alter (Leviticus 23:17), (Unger and Harrison. “Pentecost” The New Unger’s Bible Dictionary”. 414.). God chose this day to send the Gift of the Holy Ghost, and man became His Tabernacle (Acts 2:1-2). He has empowered us not only to live a Godly life, but to work in His field.

Jesus said, “Lift up your eyes, and look on the fields; for they are white already to harvest” (John 4:35). “The harvest truly is plenteous, but the laborers are few: Pray ye therefore the Lord of the harvest, that he will send forth laborers into his harvest” (Matthew 9:37-38).

This is our calling. This is our race. This world needs Jesus! If you have a gift, it’s time to use it. If God put something inside of you, use it for his glory. If the world didn’t give it to you, then the world can’t take it away. If you have a prayer of faith, pray it. If you have a song, sing it. If you have a victory shout, shout it. If you have a dance, dance. Just let God be God! Give Him Glory, Amen.

2 Timothy 4:1-8

4:2 Preach the word; be instant in season (no definite fixed hours); reprove, rebuke, exhort with all longsuffering and doctrine. (Charles Ellicott Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers)

4:7 Fight a good fight. Finish your course. Keep the faith.

References

Unger, Merrill F., and R.K.Harrison, editors. The New Unger’s Bible Dictionary. Moody Publishers, 2006

Ellicott, Charles. Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers. Bible Hub, Accessed November 24, 2025. Bible Hub.”.

Joshua 5:9
And the Lord said unto Joshua, This day have I rolled away the reproach of Egypt from off you. Wherefore the name of this place is called Gilgal (A rolling) unto this day. (King James Version)

Pictured above are the steps that I walked up and down daily when I was eight years old. I wish that someone could sit one of them in my front yard and engrave the name “Gilgal” on it as a Daily reminder that God has rolled Egypt off of me. I Don’t Live There Anymore! Just Let It Go!

I read the Book of Joshua yesterday, then I was overtaken with depression. I wondered how that could be. As I thought about Joshua, I realized how God uses his Word to heal us. The Lord knew what I was facing before I even saw it coming.

Joshua was born into slavery in Egypt. He was not only in the wilderness for forty years, but a slave for more than forty years. He was Approximately eighty-two years old when they crossed over to the Promised Land where he ruled for twenty-eight years (Ussher qtd. In Scofield,259) and died at one hundred-ten years old. His life was not an easy one. It brought to my mind the squeezing of the olive to produce the Oil (The Anointing).

Joshua was commissioned by the Lord to go out and Possess the Land (As We Are). Here we read about Rahab the harlot hiding the two spies because the fear of Our God had melted the hearts of men (Josh. 2:11). Oh, My Goodness!! On the seventh day, and the seventh time marching around the walls of Jericho, they All came down With a Shout, Amen (Josh. 6:15-20).

This is a Power Packed Book for sure! Joshua 3:10 And Joshua said, Hereby ye shall know that the Living God is among you, and that He Will Without Fail drive out from before you the Canaanites, and the Hittites, and the Hivites, and the Perizzites, and the Girgashites, and the Amorites, and the Jebusites.

How I Love That! We can replace those words with our own enemies, such as depression, anxiety, sickness, worry, stress, unforgiveness, and Heaviness in general. Sometimes my yesterdays are heavy, and I just need to lay them down (Let God roll Egypt off of me).

It came to pass that when these enemies had heard of all the things that Our God had done, they came out against the children of Israel in Multitudes, even as the sand is on the seashore (Josh. 11:1-8). Well now, doesn’t that sound familiar? Maybe they didn’t hear about the five kingdoms that rose up, and how Our God took out more men with hailstones than were slain by swords (Josh 10:11).

In the words of Joshua:

23:14 And, behold, this day I am going the way of the earth: and ye Know in All your Hearts and in All your Souls, that Not One thing hath failed of All the Good things which the Lord Your God Spake Concerning You…….

24:14-15 Now therefore fear (reverential trust) the Lord, and serve Him in Sincerity and in Truth: and put away the other gods which your fathers served on the other side of the flood, AND in Egypt: and Serve ye the Lord. 15…………….Choose this day who you will serve:……………. As for me and my house we will serve the Lord. Amen

Works Cited

The Bible, Scofield Reference Edition, edited by Cyrus I. Scofield, Oxford University Press, 1917

2 Corinthians 11:3
But I fear, lest by any means, as the serpent beguiled Eve through his subtilty (craftiness), so your minds should be corrupted from the simplicity in Christ. (King James Version)

This entry will be different because I have been on a Spiritual journey which has brought me out different on the other side of it. The picture above is special to me because it is a picture of my bedroom, my Peaceful place, and my homemade curtains, where my revelation began.

I have recently moved, and I was looking for some bedroom curtains. I used my last forty-two dollars to purchase four eighty-four-inch-long panels, in hopes that I could make enough curtains to cover all of the windows. I usually go for more plain things, but my life was feeling like death, and the budding branches on these panels reminded me of life.

I was physically, mentally, emotionally, financially, and spiritually exhausted as I laid on my bed admiring my curtains, when I heard God speak to my heart, “Are you bearing any fruit today?” I wondered how I could bear fruit in this desert place.

I can’t go into every detail of my journey, but I can tell you that I lost someone dear to my heart. God was Mighty in suppling my needs on a two-week journey that left me emptier than I wanted to be, and fuller than I could ever have imagined. Now each day when I admire my curtains, they remind me that God wants me to be a fruit bearing branch. As I look back on it now, I can see that some of our most precious fruit is born in a desert place, and only possible when we are Connected to The Vine.

Many times, I have wondered why some people are very prosperous and others barely get by. Through the many things that I have gone through in the last few years, God has taught me that I am Complete in Him. He has done Great things! I have family members who are still here with me when the Dr.’s had given us no hope, But God saw my tears in the night. Now I wake up in my peaceful place with a New understanding of these words in my heart, “And he lifted up his eyes on his disciples, and said, Blessed be ye poor: for yours is the kingdom of God” (Luke 6:20-26). I had read this many times before, but about a week ago it sunk into my spirit that Jesus was talking to his disciples.

I’m not saying that it is wrong to prosper. God blesses his people, but we are to be channels, not reservoirs. He is our provider and ever-present help in times of trouble, Amen. What I am saying is that the “prosperity preaching” of the age is being used to exploit and corrupt the minds of Christians. Not everybody is called to be wealthy. It’s not about planting a seed and reaping a harvest. God is not a slot machine. We give because we love. We are called daily to plant an uncommon seed. It is called Love Unfeigned, which is sincere and without hypocrisy. It gives of itself.

Galatians 6:8-9

8 For he that soweth to his flesh shall of the flesh reap corruption: but he that soweth to the Spirit shall of the Spirit reap life everlasting. 9 And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not.

Jesus’ words on reaping the harvest were these; “The harvest is plenteous, but the laborers are few”. (Matt. 9:37-38)

In the words of Paul, “but godliness with contentment is great gain”. (1Timothy 6:3-12)

As I pondered on these things this morning it occurred to me that it was in the desert that God sent water from the rock. As I read in my Bible about all of these stiff-necked rebellious people, I realize that I am one as well. I am so thankful that from Jesus Christ, the Chief Cornerstone, and The Rock of Our Salvation flows an endless supply of Living Water, Amen

Revelation 22:17

And the Spirit and the bride say, Come. And let him that heareth say, Come. And whosoever will, let him take the water of life freely.

Acts 4:10

Be it known unto you all, and to all the people of Israel, that by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom ye crucified, whom God raised from the dead, even by him doth this man stand here before you whole. (King James Version)

I have learned that Luke is the author of the book of “The Acts”, and it is widely considered to be a sequel to the Book of Luke (Acts 1:1-4). The Book of Luke depicts the life of Jesus. The Book of Acts records Jesus’ ascension, the infilling of the Holy Ghost, the Actions of the apostles, and the expansion of The Faith. As Jesus exalted and revealed the Father in the Book of Luke, the Spirit exalts and reveals Jesus in the Book of Acts (Scofield, 1909).

The Book of Acts consists of twenty-eight chapters. I have read it in its entirety, but this time after I read the first seven chapters I felt like it was a good place to stop and reflect. It just felt like the ending of the first chain of events to me.

I learned that a sabbath day’s journey is approximately a half of a mile. While they were in the upper room, continuing in prayer, Matthias was numbered with the eleven, replacing Judas. I find it interesting that at the time of Judas’s death All of his bowels gushed out (Acts 1:18). Now there is something to think about!

Though the world will try to say the baptism of the Holy Ghost is not for today (Acts 2), they will be sadly mistaken. Nowhere in the Bible does it say that. With all humility I can tell you that I pray with the Spirit and the understanding also (1 Cor. 14:14-15). It is the gift of God, yet the Bible makes it clear that if we don’t know the Language of Love, we are just making noise (1 Cor. 13:1).

I will forever remember that the first apostolic miracle was the lame man who was laid at the gate of the temple, and that from that time forward they were commanded not to speak At All or to Teach in the Name of Jesus. I can still hear the voice of my preacher quoting their prayer, “And now, Lord, behold their threatenings and grant unto thy servants, that with all boldness they may speak thy word, By stretching forth thine hand to heal; and that signs and wonders may be done by the name of thy holy child Jesus” (Acts 4:29-30).

God honored that prayer insomuch that they were laying people in the streets hoping that Peters shadow would pass over them. There were multitudes of people sick and vexed with evil spirits: and they were healed Every One Of Them (Acts 5:15). The apostles faced imprisonment and were beaten, for which they rejoiced being found worthy to suffer for His Name. They ceased Not to teach and preach Jesus Christ. (Acts 5:41:42)

As for the Sadducees being grieved at the preaching of the resurrection from the dead. That same preacher told me once, “That’s why their sad you see”?

The stoning of Stephen (who was full of faith and power) was the third persecution, and Stephen was the first martyr. They were not able to resist the wisdom and the spirit by which he spoke (Acts 6:10). He expounded the Faith from the time of Abraham. He called them stiff-necked, uncircumcised in the heart and ears, and resisters of the Holy Ghost, just like their fathers (Acts 7:51). Here again, they were cut to the heart. (Acts 5:33, 7:34)

I love what Stephen said in Acts 7:39 speaking of the years in the wilderness, within their hearts they had turned back to Egypt. Wow!

For some reason it was in my mind that Stephen saw the heavens open as he was being stoned, but he beheld the glory of God, and Jesus standing at God’s right hand before the stoning had begun (Acts7:54-56). When Stephen spoke of this they cast him out of the city and stoned him (Acts :58). They stoned him as he prayed. I wonder if this is why God gave him the vision of the heavens being opened. This reminds me of Psalms 23:5, “Thou preparest a table for me in the presence of mine enemies”.

“And they laid down their clothes at a young man’s feet whose name was Saul” (Acts 7:58), whom God had predestined to become the Apostle to the Gentiles (Acts 9:15). Which in my mind begins the next chain of events.

Conclusion:

This world is still fighting against the Name of Jesus, but to no avail. ” Wherefore God also hath highly exalted him and given him a name: That at the at the name of Jesus every knee shall bow, of things in heaven, of things in earth: And that every tongue shall confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father” (Phil. 2:9-11). There is still only one Gospel. It is the Gospel of Jesus Christ.

The Gospel when preached in the power of the Spirit convicts or enrages. (Scofield, 1909) (Acts 2:37)

References:

Scofield Reference Bible, King James Version (1945). Oxford University Press

Galatians 5:14

For all the law is fulfilled in one word, even in this; Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself.

The Book of Galatians consists of six power packed chapters. Although we can never reach the full richness of the Word of God, for this day, this is what I have taken from this Awesome Book. It was written by the Apostle Paul, a sinner saved by Grace through Faith, Amen.

If I mix the Traditions of men into the Gospel of Grace, then I have perverted the Gospel of Christ, putting Him to death in vein. (Galatians 1:7, 1:14, 2:21). (King James Version)

Paul (Apostle to the Gentiles) was previously a zealous Jew. He was deeply rooted in the Traditions of his fathers. When God called him by GRACE, he did not confer with flesh and blood, but he received the Gospel of Christ through revelation. After three years he went to Jerusalem and spent fifteen days with Peter (Apostle to the Jews) (Gal.2:8). At that time, he saw no other apostles besides James (Jesus’s brother). He spent the next fourteen years preaching the Gospel of Grace among the Gentiles. After fourteen years, he went to Jerusalem by revelation (Acts 16:9).

I need to stop here, and reflect; This says to me that if I want to be led by the Spirit, I need to spend time with the Lord. I am absolutely guilty of conferring with others for the comfort and direction that Only the Lord can give.

I also found it noteworthy that false brethren had crept in to spy out the Liberty of the Gospel of Christ. It appears that “these people” seemed to be something Special, but Paul makes it clear that God accepts No mans Person.

I can’t count the times that I have marveled at the thought of heaven, where all of us are actually regarded equally! If I could only remember Who I am in Jesus I could live in that reality on this side of life, and why do we marvel when false brethren are among us? It’s nothing new. They have always been slipping in with some prestigious appearance to pervert the Gospel of Christ. Discernment is also found at the feet of Jesus, Amen.

Paul does Not teach us that Grace allows us to live an ungodly lifestyle (Romans6:1-4, Ephesians 41-5), yet he lived by grace each day. There’s some depth here! Consider Paul’s “Thorn in his flesh” (which I believe was Ophthalmia) (Gal. 4:15,6:11); In the Jewish religion it would have deemed him useless for Priestly duties, but not only did God Almighty choose him to preach the Gospel of Jesus Christ, I think that He gave him that “Thorn” to save Paul from that ugly thing that we all fight with called Self (Acts 9) (2Cor. 12:8)). Amen!

We are the children of God by Faith in Christ Jesus (Gal. 3:26). The law cannot disannul the Covenant that God confirmed in Christ four hundred and thirty years before it was even written (Gal.3:17). No man is justified by the law in the sight of God, it is evident: for, The just shall live by faith (Gal.3:11).

Now Abraham had two sons, one by a bondmaid, and the other by a free woman. The son born of the bondmaid was born after the Flesh; but the son of the free woman was a child of Promise. These are an allegory: for these are the two Covenants; the one from Mount Sinai which genders bondage is Agar, but we as Isaac, are children of Promise (Gal.4:22-31).

The Word makes it clear to us, “Cast out the bondwoman and her son”(Gal.4:30)! We have fallen from Grace if our Faith is justified by the works of the flesh (Gal. 5:4). Let’s take this scripture into context here; a little leaven leavens the whole lump (Gal5:9).

I can still hear Pastor Don Dwyer quoting Galatians 5:7 Ye did run well; who did hinder you that you should not obey the truth?

Why would we be so foolish to justify ourselves by our traditions, and not take into consideration the works of the flesh or the fruit of the Spirit (Gal. 5:17-26)? Would not the world in which we are to be a light, consider us to be as whitewashed tombs full of hypocrisy?

Let us Cast out the bondwoman and Freely open our hearts to Jesus Christ our Lord and Savior, for we are saved through Faith: and that Not of ourselves: it is the Gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast (Eph. 2:8-9).

With God it’s Always been about the Heart, Amen

John 3:16

For God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish but have everlasting life.

In the words of Scofield, “The four Gospels record the eternal being, human ancestry, birth, death, resurrection, and ascension of Jesus the Christ, Son of God, and Son of Man. They record also a selection from the incidents of His life, and also from His words and works. Taken together, they set forth, not a biography, but a Personality.” I Love That! (The Scofield Reference Bible, KJV)

The book of John (The Love Book) is one of my favorites. I cry every time I read it. Until now, I never really thought about why it touches me so deeply. I think it is because it speaks to my heart about the depth of a personal relationship with Jesus.

Although the book of Acts (Acts of the Apostles) follows it, the book of John is the only one of the four Gospels that does not record Jesus’ commissioning the twelve Apostles, however John does mention “the twelve” (John6:67). I find it quite fitting that it was the last of the four Gospels written, because it is centered more on relationship. Without a personal relationship with Jesus, our works (Acts) are dead (John 15:5).

It has been debated whether or not John was one of the “two disciples” (of John the Baptist) that followed Jesus, and if he wrote the book of John. Because John refers to himself as “the disciple that Jesus loved”, I find it probable that he would also refer to himself as one of “the two” disciples according to John 1:34. I think that John makes it clear that he is author of the book in John 21:24.

The calling of Peter, Andrew, James and John are recorded in the book of Mark (1:16-20), so in reading John 1:35-49 I know that Andrew and Peter already knew who Jesus was. They abode with him for the day (John 1:39). At times when my faith runs thin it would behoove me to remember that Jesus KNEW Peter before he called him! The first time that Jesus laid eyes on him he called him Cephas (a stone) (John 1:42). It is no coincidence that at Peter’s revelation that Jesus is the Son of the living God, that Jesus said, “Thou art Peter (a small stone), and upon this rock will I build my church: and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it” (Matt. 16:18). I also find it interesting that when Jesus ordained “the twelve”, he surnamed James and John (Boanerges) (The sons of thunder) (Mark 3:17). When a village of Samaritans would not receive him, they asked Jesus if he wanted them to call down fire from heaven to consume them (Luke 9:54). HE KNOWS US!

After Jesus called Phillip, Phillip went to get Nathaniel. Phillip called Jesus “the son of Joseph”(man), but because Jesus KNEW Nathaniel, Nathaniel said, you are “the Son of God“(John 1:43-49).

When Jesus taught in the synagogue at Capernaum that he is the bread of life, many of his disciples were offended. From that time, they went back and walked with him no more (John 6:66). This is noteworthy because my heart sank within me when Jesus said to “the twelve”, Will you also go away (John 6:67)?

It is my feeling that John is also the disciple that went into the palace with Jesus and came back to get Peter who was standing outside the door (John 18:15-16). Scripture then tells us that Peter denied the Lord three times. The Gospel of Luke says that Jesus turned, and looked upon Peter, who then went out and wept bitterly (Luke 22:61-62).

At the crucifixion:

John 19; 26 When Jesus therefore saw his mother, and the disciple standing by, whom he loved (John), he said unto his mother, Woman behold thy son! 27 Then said he to the disciple, Behold thy mother! And from that hour that disciple took her unto his own home. RELATIONSHIP!

After the resurrection:

Jesus appeared to the disciples: Thomas not present

He stood in the midst of them and showed them his hands and his side. He said, “Peace be unto you: as my Father hath sent me, even so send I you” (John 20:19-21).

And when he had said this, he breathed on them, and said unto them, Receive ye the Holy Ghost:

I CRIED

John 25 (Thomas) “Except I see in his hands the print of the nails, and put my finger into the print of the nails, and thrust my hand into his side, I will not believe.”

John 20:26-28

26 Again after eight days his disciples were within, and Thomas with them: then came Jesus, the doors being shut, and stood in the midst, and said, Peace be unto you. 27 Then saith he to Thomas, reach hither thy finger, and behold my hands; and reach hither thy hand, and thrust it into my side: and be not faithless but believing. 28 Then Thomas answered and said unto him, My Lord and my God.

I CRIED

John 21 (last chapter)

Here again, John has referred to himself as “one of the two” other disciples. Here again, I wept as I pictured Jesus calling out to them from the shore. They had caught nothing all night, but at his command they let down their net down on the right side. It was completely full, but it did not break. When the disciple that Jesus loved (John) said to Peter, “It is the Lord” I was again moved to tears. When Peter heard that it was the Lord, he put his fishers coat on and jumped overboard to meet him. As soon as they had come to land, they saw a fire of coals with fish and bread prepared. Jesus saith to them, “Come and dine”.

15 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. 16 He saith to him again the second time, Simon, Son of Jonas, lovest thou me? He saith unto him, Yea, Lord; thou knowest that I love thee. He saith unto him, Feed my sheep. 17 He saith unto him the third time, Simon, Son of Jonas, lovest thou me? Peter was grieved because he said unto him the third time, Lovest thou me? And he said unto him, Lord, thou knowest all things; thou knowest that I love thee. Jesus saith unto him, Feed my sheep.

Jesus then tells Peter that when he is old, he will be bound and carried to a place that he would rather not go (speaking of what death he would glorify God). He instructs him, “Follow me”. Then in Peter’s humanness, he asked Jesus what John would do. Jesus told Peter that Johns calling was none of his concern, and again instructed him, “Follow thou me”. RELATIONSHIP

This book is so wonderful that I am finding it difficult trying to keep my scope within context! There is a scripture that means so much to me that I have to include it. When Judas brought the band of soldiers to take Jesus, when Jesus said “I am he” they All fell down backwards to the ground (John 18:6). The first time that this hit my spirit, I thought that I might shout my house down! When Jesus speaks, they All fall down! He forever stands on the shoreline of my life calling unto me, “Come and Dine”. RELATIONSHIP

In conclusion Jesus has reminded us that we will face persecution as he did. The servant is not greater than his Lord (John 15:20). He has commanded us to love one another as he has loved us (John 13:34). By this shall all men know that you are my disciples, if ye have love one to another (John 13:35).

John 4:35 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 and already to harvest.

LOVEST THOU ME?