The Key of Knowledge

Today’s post hopefully will give us an idea of what the key of knowledge is. As usual, I’m reading from the ESV -English Standard Version. It is the most accurate translation to date. We’re studying based on (Luke 11:45-52) Verse 52: “Woe to you lawyers! For you have taken away the key of knowledge. You did not enter yourselves, and you hindered those who were entering.”

What, exactly, is the key of knowledge? Well, if you’ve been reading along, I’m pretty sure you could venture a good guess. A mother and father are priests in the home. We can see in God’s Word , that knowledge is a serious thing to God. We’re responsible for seeing to it that it stays true, and is passed on to the next generation. (Malachi 2:7) For the lips of a priest should guard knowledge, and people should seek instruction from his mouth, for he is the messenger of the LORD of hosts.

(1Cor. 13:1-3) If I speak in the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I am a noisy gong or a clanging cymbal. And if I have prophetic powers, and understand all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have all faith, so as to remove mountains, but have not love, I am nothing. If I give away all I have, and if I deliver up my body to be burned, but have not love, I gain nothing. -This tells us that love is vital, not only to being, but to being successful. Love always aims for a gain in understanding, reconciliation, growth, and progress. When we work it out this way, everyone wins. It also strengthens faith and empowers boldness/courage, dispelling fear and mistrust. (2Peter 1:5-10)

The way we gain the key of knowledge, is by knowing God the Father, and our Lord, Jesus. (Romans 3:10) For if while we were enemies we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son, much more, now that we are reconciled, shall we be saved by his life. (John 14:7) (Philippians 2:5-7) (1John 4:16) –God is love, and we are created in His image, after His likeness. (2Peter 1:3-4)) His divine power has granted to us all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of him who called us to his own glory and excellence, by which he has granted to us his precious and very great promises, so that through them you may become partakers of the divine nature, having escaped from the corruption that is in the world because of sinful desire. That divine nature gives us the power to understand things like love, peace, justice, mercy, and grace. Jesus said, “Go and learn what this means: I desire mercy and not sacrifice.” (Matt. 9:13) Yet, just like at Golgotha, there has to be a sacrifice to atone for the sin. Oh, yes, there does.

Do you remember when Jesus told the woman at the well that God seeks those who worship Him to worship in spirit and in truth? (John 4:23) (1John 4:10) In this is love, not that we have loved God but that he loved us and sent his Son to be the propitiation for our sins. Other versions use the word “sacrifice,” instead of “propitiation.” What do we sacrifice? We sacrifice our fatigue and the urge to say something that’s not edifying, but hurtful (God forgive me, please)-yes I have been there. We sacrifice a few minutes of time to make sure that child, or even that grown person, is okay, and to help clean up the mess, or correct whatever the error may be; or to just help that one with whatever he/she may need. We sacrifice our ego, our self, just like Jesus did. When we do that, we are building one another up in love rather than tearing each other apart. There are a few more scripture references below. PS -Be helpful to yourself too, by sacrificing the urge to indulge in that negative self talk and attitude of self-loathing. (James 3:17) (Luke 6:36) (2Cor. 6:6) (Heb. 12:11) (Romans 3:25)

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Declare It Every Day

Today’s message comes to us from Psalm 96, and I can tell you from personal experience, it is life changing.

Verses 1 & 2 are a key that empowers us to make those positive changes. “Sing to the LORD a new song; sing to the LORD, all the earth. Sing to the LORD, bless His name; proclaim His salvation day after day.”

Did you get that part about the new song? No more, “poor me, I can’t, I don’t know how, etc., etc., etc.” “I can do all things through Christ Jesus, who strengthens me,” is the new tune we’re singing. We can, and will proclaim His salvation day after day, by sticking to those standards and boundaries. We’ll proclaim it by making it (salvation from those old ways, etc.) a priority; top of the list.

Now we’re going to get to God’s sanctuary, and our sanctuary. We’ll find this in verse 6: “Splendor and majesty are before Him; strength and beauty fill His sanctuary.” Do you know that your space(s) is your sanctuary? Your home, your personal space-like your bedroom, your office cubicle, etc., are all your sanctuary. When we make those spaces like God’s sanctuary, we get the same effect-splendor, majesty, beauty, and strength. That splendor is the peace and joy within, resulting from knowing who and whose we are. The majesty is the authority we have over our spirit, and over the spirits; the authority we have over any and every circumstance, and over our personal spaces/sanctuaries.

This is why we strive to make our spaces strengthening, by keeping them orderly and clean, peaceful, and conducive to productivity and progress. And, in case you didn’t know this, progress is also destressing and taking that breather in your space, that helps you shift gears and get on to the next task. -Like that cup of Chai tea upon your arrival back at home from work. LOL

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Say To God; Bring It To Life

Today’s message comes to us from Psalm 66, and teaches us the importance of speaking things out.

Verse 3 tells us: “Say to God, “How awesome are your deeds! So great is your power that your enemies come cringing to you.” Do you see the “WOW, Dad!” in those statements?! We need more of this kind of communication with our Heavenly Father. Just like in any other relationship, communication is necessary. It builds knowledge of one another, builds confidence and trust, and solidifies relationship.

Verse 5 says, “Come and see what God has done: he is awesome in his deeds toward the children of man.” You can see what God has done for us just by looking out the window in the morning, listening to the birds, watching wildlife, taking in the beauty of the sunset colors, etc. I was discussing the early morning temperature with someone recently. I’d read somewhere that anywhere you go in the world, the temperature is always coolest between 3-5 a.m. I got to thinking about the desert heat. By 7 a.m. in June and July, it’s already unbearable. When you think about it, The sun coming up, were the temperature not 20 degrees lower, with a slow warm-up, would fry us by 5 a.m. That’s God protecting us.

Verse 9 assures us that God keeps us; and keeps us where we belong, too. I’m living proof; God will meet you at the gates of Hell and tell you to get your behind home! He does this by allowing us to feel the weight of our sin(s). Verses 11 & 12 tell us that. There’s mention made of men riding over our heads here. That made me think of Jesus’ words about how the rulers of this world lord it over one another. Look at some of the stuff you’ve had to do or tolerate, in order to support your sin and sinful lifestyle. The good news is that God always brings us from that place of lack (strength, truth and conviction, etc.) to a place of abundance. Plenty of room to stand firm, plenty of truth, love, peace, power, joy, and support. You only have to seek it. “Ask, and you will receive. Seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you.” (Luke 11:9)

Verse 13 had me laughing at myself. You know how you come running to God, ready to lay that thing at His feet-after it gets so heavy that it’s crushing you…and the thing isn’t really dead yet? Yeah, you know. It’s just playing possum with you; because you are not dead to that thing! You know that old saying, “It can’t hurt you if you don’t care about it?” That’s very true. (Romans 6:1-4)

Verse 18 tells us that God doesn’t listen as long as we’re cherishing that sin and sinfulness. He listens, but He won’t lift a finger to ease your misery. As I said above, it’s the weight of that thing that will bring you to your knees, . that will bring you to your knees before the truth; and before the Truth, the Life, and the Way. Yes, on your knees before Him. “No one comes to the Father except through me.” (John 14:6) And that’s when He can help you! You can’t help someone who doesn’t want to be helped, can you? Verse 19 tells us that God will meet you at your deepest, and greatest need (spiritual). He “attended to the voice (tone) of my prayer.” You know how Mom always knows if it’s really life or death, or just a hissy? Yes, DAD does too. Think in terms of the Great Physician. Just like a medic, God won’t ignore that deep gash in your head from which blood is pouring out profusely, and take care of your hang-nail first. Finally, God’s steadfast love is never removed from us! Rather, it is we who remove ourselves from it. So, if you feel like God’s not with you, it’s not because He left you. Start hollering, “DADDY, DADDY, DADDY,” just like that little lost kid in the department store.

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Stay Beneath Those Wings

Today’s message comes to us from Psalm 57. It reminds us of the safety and surety to be found beneath those wings. It’s easy to become fearful and panic in those storms. There’s good news! The longer you know and walk with the LORD/Lord, the harder it becomes to become fearful and panic. So, when those storms hit, make every effort to stay beneath those wings.

You’ll find all kinds of stuff coming at you in the storms. Yesterday’s message addressed how Satan tries to throw all that old stuff back into your lap. Right at the height of the storm is when you need to see it coming. The wind carries all kinds of debris from your old life with it (those are the old ways of coping, the past failures, and every insecurity driven reaction you used to have). The rain pelts you and soaks you. Fear and assails you, you’re second-guessing yourself again, and it gets harder and harder to keep going.

Verse 2 tells us that God’s Word spreads itself over and around you, though; to protect you. He fulfills his purpose for you. That lets us know that there’s a purpose for you in every storm! Got takes whatever’s meant for evil against us, and turns it to bring Himself, and us, glory. He will be exalted above the heavens. Here’s some more good news. You are seated at His right hand with Christ Jesus. It isn’t you who is hemmed in by the storm; it’s the enemy who is. Praise, as I’ve said before, activates that power that brings His glory down over all the earth. When I read the word “earth” here, I think of myself, my flesh. Yes, it really is in the hallelujah. The more we do that, the more powerful the hallelujah becomes.

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Let Him Encamp Around You

Today’s message comes to us from Psalm 53. It was written by King David. I have to wonder if it didn’t come to him the way it comes to all of us; after the fact. You know, you’re going through the storm, waves coming over the edge of the boat, wind tearing the sails apart…JESUS where are you?!!!!! All of a sudden, it’s over, and you don’t know how. And, here you are, still in one piece, still breathing, and the enemy is seen in the distance…limping away with his tail tucked between his legs. Praise God! That’s when it hits you: “O you of little faith…” And you realize just how awesome God is; how fiercely protective of you He is, and how swiftly and silently He can get the job done. He’s the original stealth bomber. LOL

As I read the psalm, I couldn’t help but look to time ahead, when there will be only a remnant left to deal with the evil. That remnant will be those who perhaps heard the gospel and came to believe when the church disappeared into thin air. As I think about that time to come, and the present darkness we live in now, I’m inclined to bow my head and pray even harder for those who will be left here. I’m also finding myself so very grateful for those who taught me about Jesus; from my grandmother, to the Sunday school teachers, Summer Bible Camp teachers, pastors, etc., and most of all, Jesus, Himself. Just think, if He hadn’t come and talked to us…If He’d only come and died for us…what we would be missing in terms of love, peace, power, and joy.

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Strengthen Me For Them, Lord

Today’s message comes to us from Psalm 51, and it’s a psalm King David wrote after the prophet Nathan came to him about his adultery with Bathsheba.

Verse 1 is David’s plea: “Have mercy on me according to your steadfast love, and your abundant mercy.” Blot out my transgressions. In terms of generational curses and life recovery, this is so crucial. Discipline coming from anger, frustration, even hatred, or self-loathing, is never, ever, effective. it’s destructive. Love builds up, these others tear down and tear apart. Love is merciful, and remembers the weakness and frailty of the soul. that’s why the first thing we do is make sure the person is alright, and assure him/her, reassure him/her that the world is not about to end. We need to do that with ourselves, our own souls, as well. Blotting out the transgressions is the act of not counting them against a person. (“This is the fifteenth time…,” “All you do is cause trouble and make messes…”) No, we wash that one from his/her iniquity (attitude about sin) through that reassurance and mercy. We cleanse that one from his/her sin by discovering the truth about the sin (motivation, what really happened, and how we can correct it). Verse 6 confirms that for us: “Behold, you delight in truth in the inward being, and you teach me wisdom in the secret heart. (ESV)

Verse 7 brings us a revelation: “Purge me with hyssop, and I shall be clean; wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow” I looked up Hyssop. {In the Old Testament hyssop was used to sprinkle blood as part of the Jewish Passover. Hyssop was mentioned in the Bible for its cleansing effect in connection with plague, leprosy and chest ailments and symbolically in cleansing the soul.- (arborgate.com) The word plague, when used as a verb, means to cause continual trouble or distress to. Does sin do that to us? -Yes, and to others in our lives, right? When I looked up leprosy, I found some symptoms that are common in sin and iniquity too: Symptoms include light colored or red skin patches with reduced sensation, numbness and weakness in hands and feet. (Mayo Clinic) I’ve spoken before about Jesus’ hands and feet being pierced by the nails. When you’re mind is hedged in (iniquity) your hands usually don’t achieve much-or not as much as you could. Your feet don’t get you nearly as far as you could go, and where they do lead you often, is into more sin. Those chest aliments can kill you. When it’s hard to breathe, it’s hard to live.

Verses 10-12 are the most important ones in this psalm. “Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a right spirit within me. Cast me not away from your presence, and take not your Holy Spirit from me. Restore to me the joy of your salvation, and uphold me with a willing spirit. When we deal with our loved ones, and ourselves in the admonition of the LORD/Lord, we are creating a clean heart, renewing a right, or steadfast spirit. The presence of a loved one is a powerful weapon; especially in troubled times. The memory of that one brings that power back to us. The Holy Spirit is ever present with us, and counsels, guides, comforts, encourages, and builds us up. In Verse 13 David tells us why that’s important: “Then I will teach transgressors your ways, and sinners will return to you.” We want those loved ones to come to us for help, rather than end up in the wrong hands with the wrong people.

Finally, in verse 17 we learn the importance of being ready and able to receive that correction and instruction. (Matthew 13:4-9) I remember well how many times I turned around and did the exact same thing I’d done the last time…and regretted it…until I finally regretted it enough to actually want to receive the truth, correction, and instruction…and make the needed changes! Thank you. Lord, for your fathomless mercy, grace, and patience!

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Saturday Silly – August 29, 2020

Today’s message from God Calling – A.J. Russell, bids us to breathe Jesus’ Name. That Name strengthens us and banishes all fear. Proverbs 18:10 is referenced: “The Name of the Lord is a strong tower; the righteous runs into it, and is safe.” As I thought about how many times I’ve run into it, in terror, in dejection, even in anger…and ended up holding my sides and laughing as I came out…

That leads me to this little treasure. On this day, August 29, 1964, Walt Disney’s Mary Poppins was released. It’s one of my favorite Disney movies! I’m posting the link to one of my favorite scenes below. It reminds me exactly of how strong we ladies really are…in all our own silly ways…and, yes, I’m pretty sure I, for one, give poor Jesus some good laughs…Just keep breathing His Name! That’s were we get that power, isn’t it? Oh, we’ve come a long way, Baby; haven’t we? LOL I hope you enjoy it as much as I do. Thank you, Disney, for sharing!

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Preparing The Soil

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Today’s message from God Calling – A.J. Russell, bids us to spend more time preparing the soil. Jeremiah 4:3 tells us to break up our fallow ground and don’t sow among thorns.

There are two things that come to mind when I read this scripture. First, fallow ground is unplowed. That means the seed won’t get into the soil because the ground is unpenetrable. If the seed doesn’t get into the soil, it doesn’t get the nourishment required for it to take root and grow. It will just lie on the surface of the ground and be blown away by the wind, or scorched by the sun. It’s important to create the right environment; one that will promote growth and success. This works in every aspect of life; breaking generational curses included. Secondly, we’re told not to sow among thorns. Those thorns represent nay-sayers, or unbelievers, those that keep pulling us back into destructive ways and things, etc. This, also, is very important when we’re breaking generational curses off, and/or breaking bonds of addictions and dysfunctions.

When we spend time preparing the soil, we’re sure to reap the blessings we were ordained to reap.

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He Cannot Fail You

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Today’s message from God Calling – A.J. Russell, reminds us that God has promised to provide all we need, every time we need, no matter what we need. (No, I’m not talking about that cold beer, the weed, speed, and what have you. He will provide a way for you to free yourself from the bondage of those things, because He loves you, though.

The Bible tells us that all God’s promises are yes and amen. The message tells us that Jesus, as our Lord, is sworn to protect and provide for us. It took me some time to learn this lesson. When we ask, it is promised that we will receive. However, God uses many channels, God knows what we need most (Father knows best, you know). God also has perfect timing. When I figured that out I realized that I was, either not ready to handle what I was asking for, being averted from a disappointment or disaster, or I was looking in the wrong places for it. Have you ever looked all over the house for your glasses, only to find them on your nose? Yeah, that would be me, if I had to wear them all the time.

The message tells us that we need only a grateful spirit and loving heart to unlock the vastness of God’s provision. I’m not just speaking of material needs. I’m also, and especially speaking of spiritual needs. I think those are even more critical to us, to our success in life. If you’re spirit is lacking in any way, that lack manifests itself in every part of your life. I’m not talking about religious things, here. I’m talking about your confidence, your knowledge, your peace within, your tenacity, your joy and love-of you, of your life, and of life in general.

Sometimes I make a little list of things I’m grateful for. I used to do that daily. Now, I do it when I’m needing a little lift, or when it’s something special that touches me. But, I do start my day with Thank you, Jesus. I have found that the prayers for this or for that, have become fewer, and the supply-especially in spirit, has become greater and greater. “And all these blessings shall come upon you and overtake you,
if you obey the voice of the LORD your God. … ” (Deuteronomy 28:22)

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You Can Be All of Them Too

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Today’s message from God Calling – A.J. Russell, reminds us that Jesus is all things to all men. He meets each and every one of us at our deepest and immediate needs. Did you need a comforter when you came seeking Him? He came as a comforter to you. Did you need strength? He came as your strength. Whatever it is, He fills the need. He is in all and is all. (Ephesians 4:6) Yes, He is; He said when we we’ve seen Him, we’ve seen the Father, right? So, we are encouraged to see Him and His provision in each and every need of our own.

“The weak need My Strength. The strong need My Tenderness. The tempted and fallen need My Salvation. The righteous need My Pity for sinners. The lonely need a Friend. The fighters need a Leader.” – direct quote from the message. Have you ever had to be strong for a friend or family member? Have you ever hugged someone that needed to be hugged so very much? How about being salvation to someone who’s had too much to drink or who is too ill or otherwise able to help themselves? You were that to the man who fell on the street and needed someone to stay with him until the ambulance arrived. Did you know that? I don’t like the word pity; I prefer grace and compassion. Sometimes that’s the hardest one, isn’t it? No judging, just loving them anyway and walking it out with them. I think you get the picture. You are so very much more to those around you than you realize at times. Don’t ever sell yourself short, because wait until Jesus shows you in Heaven all you were to the world you live in. And believe me, it does multiply like those fishes and loaves. Don’t be afraid to reach out, and never think you have nothing to give, or nothing of value to share. God put it all within you.

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