12-30-2023         What is love?  Again

Almost a year ago I posted “What is Love” (1/14/2023).  I’d like to revisit this post, perhaps even with a few adjustments.

1 John 4:8b      GOD IS LOVE!

Since 9/24-2022, we’ve been talking about who God is, which, of course, is  love.  The unity of the Godhead, Father, Son & Holy Ghost.  That fact that we desire eternal fellowship with the Father.  Through Jesus Christ, we seek ‘salvation’ and once we’ve given our hearts to Him, we learn what God expects from us.  And, of course, a seventh item of ‘how the church could and should grow.  It is ALL based in love.  God’s love.  If you will – ‘agape love’.  That unconditional love that seeks and does that which edifies others.

In the last entry of 2022 (12/31/2022), ‘A New Year’, we closed saying that this love has to begin at home - With us.  And it does!  But love truly begins with Father, YAWEH, Jehovah, the eternal I AM who sheds His love into our lives and hearts.     

Again, this year, I say ‘let’s make it personal’.  Let each one of us say “with ME”.

God is love.  Because we confess God with all our heart and through our spirit, we are able to reflect God’s love.  That is, through the Holy Ghost in us (John 20:22-23, Acts 1:8).   John tells us that if we don’t know God we can’t love with God’s love, but because we do know Him, through His Spirit in us, we can truly love (1 John 4:4-12).    

The closer we walk with the Lord, the more His love will shine in and through our lives because we are seeking to do His will and to please Him.  This doesn’t mean we hide out in our closets and just feel good as we bask in His presence.  We can do that, but Father wants us to also extend that love and good will towards those who are close to us, around us and then to those whom we encounter.  after all, Jesus did say that the Holy Ghost gives us power and the ability to be witnesses for Him and to take His Word to the uttermost parts of the earth (Matt. 28:18-20, Acts 1:7-8).  We do have to get up off our duffs and do something!  Faith without works is dead (James 2;14-26).  Yes? 

Love.  I’m not talking about a ‘pasted on smile’, but having a genuine concern and compassion for other people.  Truly caring about them and, whatever even small part, we may have in edifying them, so that they may become ‘better’ people, walking closer with the Lord.

Do we fall all over people trying to please them?  Of course not.  We have to understand and be confident in our own relationship with the Lord, then learn where our talents and gifts are so we can interact with others appropriately.  We need to understand the depth and breadth of the gifts Father has blessed us with and in which level are we currently operating.  Yes, we can do all things through Jesus Christ (Phil. 4:13), but also we need to also consider the two previous verses in that passage, “I don’t speak out of my need for I have learned to be content in whatever state I find myself (says Paul).  I know how to live with little and I know how to live when having more than enough.  I know hunger and how to be full.  I know how to live having plenty or to be in need” (Phil. 4:11-12).  Whatever our state, we don’t brag or complain but we can be content knowing that God is always with us and with His guidance, we can deal appropriately with that which comes before us.  God is always with us (Heb. 13:5)!  The Holy Ghost will let us know how far to go in a given situation (Luke 12:11-12). 

God is my shepherd!  He satisfies my needs and gives me rest.  He refreshes me as He guides my steps down His pathways (of course, I have to listen to His direction).  Though trouble may be all around me, I will not be fearful for my God comforts me.  He gives me peace in my troubles.  He anoints my head with oil and blesses me.  He prepares my table before those who don’t like me.  I know His goodness and mercies are with me no matter what I do or wherever I go.  I will follow His direction, always, with all my heart, mind, soul and strength (Psalms 23, Mark 12:28-34).  God will bless us as we are obedient in His love (Deut. 28:1-14, 30:16-20).

I know who I am in Christ Jesus so I am not overbearing towards others, but neither am I a doormat.  I follow Jesus’ example of love.  Jesus is the true example of being assertive.  So, as with Jesus, I am tender with those who truly seek Jesus (Matt. 9:20-29) but carry a sharp, two-edged sword for those who truly defy Him (Matt. 23:23-28). 

Living in God’s love is the key to our success in this world.  Living in His love means being obedient to what He tells us and then treating others as Father treats us – in His abiding and caring love.

Yes, He reprimands us when we get off track but that reprimand brings us back into proper alignment in His will.  As our heart lines up with Father’s will, that’s when He will give us our heart’s desire (Psalm 37:4, Matt. 6:31-34).

Jesus tells us that love fulfills the law and the prophets (Matt. 22:36-40).  Starting with the Ten Commandments (Exod. 20:3-17), God describes His love towards us.  Then, through the actions of forty-two prophets mentioned in the bible (not all have their own book), how He guides and directs us, provides for us, saves us from peril and even reprimands us when we get off track.  He loves us when we abide in HJIs will – and even when we don’t.  Even in that final separation, God never stops loving us.  However, depending on how we love, too many will not enjoy His fellowship throughout eternity.  The gate to eternal life is straight and narrow (Matt. 7:13-14) even though Father desires that none perish (2 Peter 3:9), nota all will enter in.     

From Genesis through Revelation we get a pretty good picture of how God’s love works.  Yet, understand, no matter how much bible we know, Father has still not shown us all about His love.  personally, every time I read a given passage in the bible, Father shows me something deeper. 

Remember, even before THE birth of Jesus, the angel of the Lord came to Joseph and said that the child should also be called Emmanuelle (God is with us – Matt. 1:23) and He is the Word (Jesus).  So, in the beginning, was the Word, the Word was with God and the Word was God (John 1:1).  God, the Father, came into this world, Himself, in the person of Jesus, to redeem us from our sins and reconnect us back with Himself – forever (John 3:16). 

There is no greater love that one can demonstrate towards another than to give his life for him (15:13).  Yes, there have been martyrs for God over the ages and we are appointed to die once, the natural death (Heb. 9:27), thank you Adam and Eve (Gen. 2:17).  Yet, we all don’t die for Jesus, literally (in the flesh).  Once we’ve accepted Him into our heart, we do crucify the old man and allow the new man (now in us) to live for Him (Rom. 6:6-9).  If you will, the old man dies in Christ and the new man lives in God’s love, in this life and he next. 

Be aware that there are basically five types of love.

Agape (Gr 26) or dowd (Heb 1730) love is having affection or benevolence towards another, considering their well-being.

Philoteknos (Gr 5388) is the type of love we have for our children, eg. “a mother’s love”.

Philandros (Gr 5362) or ahab (Heb 157) is the type of love a husband and wife share.

Philadelphia (Gr 5360) is a brotherly love.

Phileo (G5368) having sentiment towards another person or even a ‘thing’.  (Look at that poor doggie.  He’s hurt.)

Now, I don’t mention eros (also from the Greek).  This coincides with plhilandros but is not specifically mentioned in the bible.  We may get an insight by reading the “Song of Soslomon” in the Old Testament.

So what is love?  Jesus tells us that when we do something to/for any of His brothers, we’ve done it unto Him (Matt. 25:40).  We receive Jesus into our heart allowing His love to abide in our heart and allowing Him to work in us and through us via our speech and our actions.  Again, faith without works doesn’t amount to much.  Yet, all this is possible because the Holy Ghost has taken up residence within our heart and enables us to love our fellow man as Jesus loves us.  We don’t ‘get saved’ because we do works but rather our being saved produces God’s works in us and through us. Thus, we return our love to Jesus by expressing that love for others.  Caring about their well-being. 

 Truly loving because the Creator has first loved us.

Amen

12-16-2023         I AM

   

Moses asked God “whom shall I tell them sent me?”  And God replied “I AM that I AM, tell them that I AM sent you” (Exod. 3:13-14).

“I AM the first and the last, and there is no other god beside Me.” (Isa. 44:6) 

John was on the isle of Patmos when he received his revelation.  “I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the ending” (Rev. 1:8), “I AM ‘Alpha and Omega, the first and the last …” (Rev. 1:11).  And who was speaking to John?  In the midst of seven golden candlesticks was one like unto the Son of man.  He wore a garment down to His feet with a golden girdle.  His hair was white as wool, as white as snow and His eyes were like the flame of a fire.  His feet were like finely polished brass out of the furnace and His voice was like many waters.  He held seven stars in His right hand, a two-edged sword proceeded from His mouth and His countenance was like the sun at it brightest (Rev. 1:12-16, Ezek. 1:25-28, 43:2).  Who is the ‘living Word of God’ (John 1:1, 6:51) and the Word of God is a two-edged sword (Heb. 4:12)!  Does this description suggest anyone in particular?

The Word of God is a two-edged sword (Heb. 4:12).  Daniel had been fasting for three weeks when he saw:  a man clothed in linen girded with gold.  His body was like beryl and His face appeared as lightening, His eyes were like fire and His feet like polished brass and His voice was like a multitude (Dan. 10:2-6).  How about now?

In the beginning was the Word and the Word was with God and the Word was God (John 1:1).  Jesus desires us to be one with Him as He is one with the Father (John 17:1-21).

We are adopted into God’s family through Jesus (Eph. 1:5, 2:19, Rom. 8:15-16).  We are joint heirs in Christ Jesus (Rom. 8:17)!

Jesus was born of a virgin so when we cry to God “You just don’t understand!”  God does!  Jesus was born of a young, virgin, Jewish girl.  Why a Jewish girl?  Because God selected the Jews to be His ‘chosen people’ (Deut. 7:6, Isa. 44:1).  Chosen is the Hebrew word bachar (H977) which means selected.  They were to be His beacon, an example to the sinful world.  And God gave His Law to the Jews (Ezek. 26:21-26, Heb. 8:10-11).

Okay, so why a ‘virgin’ woman?  The woman could not have had sexual relations with a man, otherwise people would say that Jesus was ‘just another man’, He would have had an earthly father.  No doubt Jesus is the ‘son of man (born of a woman) (Acts 7:56, Heb. 2:6, Rev. 1:13) but to be the ‘Son of God’?  He had to be conceived in a supernatural way, the Holy Ghost (Luke 1:35).  Father confirmed His Sonship (Matt. 3:16-17).  Born of woman to show that man can keep God’s law in a sinful world but born again (John 1:3-6), from above (the Holy Ghost) demonstrating that our power to live for God, comes from God (Acts 1:4-8). 

Born again, born of the Spirit.  Being born of a man and living as a man Jesus prepared Himself to be our final, blood sacrifice, cleansing us from our sin.  And, yes, He died on the cross (Matt. 27:33-60) and praise God, He rose from the grave on the third day (John 20:1-13), victorious over sin and death, showing us what we also can do and should expect (1 Corinth. 15:55-58).  And, praise God, Jesus didn’t stop there.  He ascended back into heaven to make sure there was a place for us (John 14:1-4) so we could be with Him forever!                            

So, just what else does God do for us?

In the beginning, Father establishes that there is no forgiveness of sin without the shedding of blood (Lev. 4:1-35).  Leviticus chapter four gives guidelines for what one must do to be cleansed from his sin.

Understand that when Adam and Eve sinned and God cast them out of the garden, Father also made them coat from animal skins (Gen. 3:21).  That means the blood of an animal was shed so He could cover man, covering his sin.  The procedure described in Leviticus chapter four tells us that the blood is the life (of the creature) and makes atonement for souls (Lev. 17:11).  For this reason Israel offered the blood of a bull, goat or lamb as a ‘sin’ sacrifice (Lev. 16:1-22).  Is not Jesus the Lamb of God (John 1:29)?  Jesus shed His blood for us through the scourging before the cross and then the piercing by the spear at His death upon the cross (John 19:1-3, 33-34).  The book of Hebrews reminds us that there is no forgiveness for sin without the shedding of blood (He. 9:22).

So Jesus becomes our final sacrifice for sin.  They took Him to Calvary (Golgotha) and crucified Him (Luke 23:33-43).   In His last hours, Jesus commended His Spirit to Father (Luke 23:46), there was darkness over all the earth for about three hours (Luke 23:44), the sun was darkened and the veil in the temple was torn (Luke 23:45).  The veil torn?  Why?  Consider that when the Jews came to the priest for forgiveness of sin,  only the priest could enter the Holy of Holies with an offering for the people’s sin (Lev. 16:1-34, Heb. 9:7).  The torn veil means that access to the Holy of Holies was no longer limited to the priest, concealed from man, but now through Jesus, we no longer have to go through the priest to access God, but as we are cleansed from our unrighteousness, iniquity and sin through Christ Jesus, we now have direct access to Father through Jesus!  the veil is gone!

Jesus washed us from our sin with His own blood (Rev. 1:5)!  No more animals, but He is the final sacrifice for our sin!

Praise God, Jesus didn’t stop there.  On the third day He arose from the grave (Matt. 28:1-6, Mark 16:1-6, Luke 24:1-8, John 20:1-8), walked with His disciples for forty more days teaching them more about the kingdom of God (Acts 1:2-3), and assuring us that we do, indeed, have eternal life in Him (1 John 4:10-13, 5:13).  What did Jesus explain?  More of living in God’s love through Jesus Christ, our Lord.  Jesus is coming back for us (John 14:1-3).

Cool! What else?

Jesus tells us that whatsoever we ask, in His name, He will do so Father will be glorified  (John 14:13-14).

Isaiah tells that through the scourging Jesus suffered, by His stripes, we are healed (Isa. 53:5).  

Jesus assures us that after He leaves (has left) the world, He gives us another comforter (the Holy Ghost), to be with us and to console us, (John 14:16-18).

This same Holy Ghost will guide us into all truth (John 16:13-15), give us wisdom and understanding (1 Corinth. 2:6-16).

Help us to speak what we need and when we need to know it (Mark 13:11). 

Jesus helps us to become one in Him, in the Father so that we all are one (John 17:15-23).   

Father supplies whatever we need out of His riches in glory (Phil. 4:19) and even, as we seek Him, will give us our heart’s desire (2 Peter 1:1-8)

What more could we need or want?

Did you notice the obligation?  “Seeking Him”.  So, just what obligations do we have?

To receive fully from Father we need to continually seek Him with all our heart, mind, soul and strength and to love our neighbor as ourselves (Mark 12:29-31).  So we abide in God’s love (John 15:9-12) we need to practice what we know and share it (preach) (James 2:26).

Why?  Because love is the foundation of His law, prophets and His commandments (Matt. 22:40).

The Ten Commandments are a brief explanation of God’ love (Exod. 20:3-17) and the full Law brings it into a deeper understanding.

And as the apostle Paul recommends that we ‘run the race’, in this life as though we expect to win (1 Corinth. 9:24).  That is with all our strength and energy.  Crossing the finish line first is not the goal for many have already crossed it, but we strive to cross that finish line – period - to have lived our lives fully in and through Christ Jesus, our Lord.  That is our victory in this world.

So, is God I AM?  Let each one of think and remember all that Father has done for us.  Has He provided nourishment when we were hungry (we’re still here, aren’t we?).  How many problems have we face and ‘suddenly’ the answer comes (with or without much deliberation)?  Through how many sad moments has He given us comfort and brought joy back into our hearts?  Father reminds Israel that it is He who brought them out of the bondage of Egypt (Micah 6:4).  How many times has He delivered us out of our bondage?

So, Is Father all that we need?  Is He Jehovah Jireh, our God who ‘sees to it’, our provider  (H3070)?  Because He is and does all this for us and more and all He asks from us is to put Him ‘numero uno’ (first)  in our lives. 

So, is He I AM?

Amen

12-2-2023 Why am I Here?

            

Growing up, Jesus had favor before God and man (Prov. 3:3-4, Luke 2:52).  As He grew in the natural, He also grew in the Spirit, exampled when He wowed the doctors in the temple at age twelve (Luke 2:42-47).  They were amazed at the knowledge of this twelve-year old boy.

John the Baptist was preaching around the Jordan River. Having baptized many, he shared about the coming Messiah (Matt. 3:1-12).  Then Jesus approached and was baptized by John.  This was necessary for Jesus to fulfill all righteousness (Matt. 13-17).  At this time, Jesus was about thirty years old (Luke 3:23).

After His baptism, Jesus was then whisked away into the wilderness where He was confronted by the devil.  Luke says that Jesus was tempted during that period of time for all forty days (Luke 4:2) which culminated in (both Matthew and Luke) with the final temptations.  Satan tempted Jesus with “eat”, that is food for the body, “jump”, or do You truly trust God and finally, “bow down before me”, or “is Jesus truly dedicated to Father” (Matt. 4:1-11), body, soul and Spirit).  Obviously Jesus passed with flying colors: Man shall live by every word that proceeds from the mouth of God; don’t tempt the Lord God; we shall worship only God (Creator of all things) and serve only Him (Matt: 4:4, 7:10).

Jesus was then ready to minister to us and did so for over three years culminating in the crucifixion (Matt. 27:27-50), resurrection (Mark 16:1-18) and ascension (Acts 1:1-11). 

Paul declared himself to be a Pharisee and the son of a Pharisee (Acts 23:6).  Understand that a Pharisee, in Strongs’s Concordance, is pharisaios or separated one (G5330).  That means he was a part of the most influential religious-political party at that time.  Pharisees studied and interpreted the Law (Holman Illustrated Bible Dictionary).  Experts?

After holding the coats of those who stoned Stephen (Acts 7:57-60), Saul, a devout Pharisee, considered the “Christians’ to be a heresy so he persecuted them with all his energy and the church gave him the authority to pursue his desire (Acts 8:1-3).  But, as he was doing so, something happened!  He encountered Jesus as he proceeded to Damascus to carry out ‘his’ mission and he lost his sight, physically (Acts 9:1-7).  Ananias was in Damascus when God told him to go pray for one Saul for he was a chosen vessel to go to the Gentiles.  So, Saul was three days in Damascus when Ananias came to him to receive his sight.  We see that Saul has also been called Paul (Acts 13:9).  Paul then continued his mission to the Gentiles.  Interesting, Paul may have been about three years younger than Jesus.  According to    https://christianity.stackexchange.com/, Paul’s encounter with the Lord was about three years after the crucifixion and resurrection of Jesus.  Side note:  whether we acknowledge Anno Diem (A.D.), ‘the ‘year of our Lord’ or ‘after the common Era’ (ACE), they both have the same base beginning time or about ‘0’ AD, or the accepted time of the birth of Jesus.  (no extra charge for this little tidbit – lol).  So, Paul may have been about thirty of age when he started his ministry.

 Consider that Paul/Saul and Jesus lived “normal’ lives leading up to their ministry.  Then, in the eyes of the world, their lives changed dramatically, as did the world.  I wish I could say the same about me.  Welllll, I could say it, but it wouldn’t be true (lol).

Understand that Jesus and Paul led ‘normal’ lives until they were released into their God-given ministry.  Jesus, being God come into this world in the flesh (John 1:1) knew His ministry.  God told Moses that “I AM” sent you (Exod. 3:13).  The apostle John turned to see who was speaking to him and what he saw was like the Son of man who said “ I AM Alpha and Omega …” (read it all Rev. 1:1-18).  And after his encounter with Jesus, Paul discovered the ministry which God had given him.

Now, the prophet Samuel was dedicated to God by his mom as she had been barren and asked for a son.  She promised God that if He gave her a son, she would give him back to God (1 Sam. 1:11, 1:24-27).  And she did, under the care of Eli.  Later, Samuel had his encounter with God and came t know God’s voice (1 Sam. 3:1-10).  Note that three times Samuel thought his mentor, Eli, had called him and it also took Eli three times to realize what was going on so the fourth time God came to him, Samuel said “Speak, for your servant hears You.” (1 Sam. 3:1-10).  Many thoughts (voices) come into our heads yet we, too, have to learn to recognize Father’s voice.

Note that Jesus, Saul and Samuel all had encounters with Father.  Father publicly acknowledge Jesus when He said this is My beloved Son (Matt. 3:17).  Paul on the road to Damascus and Samuel who ran back and forth to Eli before He responded and acknowledged God.

So, “Why am I here?”  Do I have a calling on my life?  How do I know?

These cited examples are shared that you might have an idea how God interacts with us.  May I share how Father has dealt with me.  First of all, no, I’m definitely not comparing myself to Paul but as Paul, I try to emulate the qualities and character of Jesus – abide in His love, the best that I can. 

My story

As a young boy (under 10), I have a vague memory of attending a Presbyterian church a few blocks from the house in which I grew up.  One of my neighbors even took me, occasionally,  to their Catholic church.  There was also a nearby Southern Baptist Church,  to which another neighbor took me with her family.  Between high school and the time I married, I did not attend any church regularly.  My wife and I attended the So. Baptist church for a couple of years then, we moved out of the immediate area and that started our search for another church.  We slipped in and out of a couple different Baptist churches, Presbyterian, and then after our ‘baptism in the Holy Ghost, we attended the Church of God, Assemblies of God and a host of independent Pentecostal churches which included United Pentecostal.  We had moved several times and finally ended up in a town, just at the panhandle in Maryland just a couple of miles short of the Pa. state line.  A priest in a Catholic church in that town, helped my wife in a most6 difficult time so we even attended the Catholic church for a while.  My wife went to be with the Lord in 2005 and, as of this sharing, I’m still in that town. 

As Father was growing me, It seemed as though we had a hard time stabilizing in any specific church yet, several years after my wife’s passing Father introduced me to a Full Gospel, prophetic, church where I still am today.  I’ll be honest, I attended this church for several months when I was thinking about bailing out – again.  Then Father clearly said to me “Buck, this is where I want you!”  No doubt in my mind.   Since that time, Father has continued growing me into a deeper understanding of His Word and my relationship with Him.  I’ve stayed put!

Now, through all those years, even though my relationship with Father hadn’t always been the best.  I had freedom of choice and I exercised it but He always kept a thread about my ankle.     

In September 2014 Father told me to go to Ezekiel 37 verses 1-14, the valley of dry bones.  He said “this is your task to come”.  Then He took me to Jeremiah 1:1-4 and said “I will equip you”.  But, as with Jeremiah and Ezekiel, Father obviously did not want me to go to Israel so He told me that today’s church is in the same boat as Israel was back then.  Full of dry bones an needing help.  Again, Father had given me two specific scriptures and said that they were for me.  Somewhere in that time frame, I don’t remember exactly, a little before or a little after that September, Father told me to look up the meaning of my full name, first, middle and last.  Then He told me to check out the ‘Christian based’ meaning of numbers – my birthday.  He told me that my name and my birthday revealed the qualities of my nature, my natural gifts, talents and abilities which He ‘intended’ for me.

I found several lists of numbers but I focused those claiming a biblical base.  Two lists that I found were Biblenumbersforlife.com and  http://www.gods-kingdom ministries.net/teachings/ books/secrets-of-time/appendix-e-the-biblical-meanings-of-numbers/.  To give you an idea let’s take a look at three numbers: #1- unity; primacy, new beginnings, oneness of God, #4- creative works and #7- resurrection; Spiritual completeness; Father’s (or Spiritual) perfection.  I suggest to examine several lists on your own and not depend on just one.

Look up your name.  Baby lists, meaning of names, etc. for they can shed light on your name’s ethnic origins and what they mean as well as qualities and characteristics, but again don’t limit yourself to the first list you find.  Check out several. 

As Father told me, this gives you an idea of our God-given gifts, talents and abilities.

I am persuaded that when Father has a specific calling on your life, He will also give you a specific scripture (or more) to back it up.  As I said, the ‘valley of dry bones in Ezekiel and Jerimiah’s calling were two that He showed me.

Once you have gathered the information, its prayer time.  Ask Father to put it all together for you.  ‘What does all this mean to me, Lord?’  He will tell you.  It could be one sentence or maybe even several, but it will a be logical, understandable composition. 

For me, once all this was done, I asked Father for confirmation, that I was truly hearing from Him.  I searched from the end of that September through the end of the year, Dec. 31^st  2014,  but no confirmation.  I was getting pretty discouraged so in January I challenged Father was He really calling me.  Spiritually, Father set me down on my keester (bottom) and said “You ask why I haven’t confirmed what I told you in September?”  He then proceeded to show me how through special events I attended, the sermons my pastor preached, what I heard from TV ministers, what I saw in magazines, etc.  then He asked me what were all these people talking about?”  Then I realized and replied ‘what You told me back in September.  I was expecting to get a word from all those prophetic people I was exposed to and I thought surely someone would have said “Buck, the Lord said to tell you ….”  And, of course, no one ever did.  Father then said “How much confirmation do you need?”  He gave me three months worth of confirmation. 

Bottom line is, Father gives us a calling, great or small, and He will confirm it.  Of course we have to listen with both our ears and be aware with our eyes.

You may ask “So, what are you doing about it now?”  In the spring of 2015 Father said to start a blog – and I did.  I’ve continually asked Him for guidance as to what I put in it.  I admit, at first it was probably very boring.  In part, I was establishing who I was but the past several years Father has been more and more pointed in what we have put out.  More specific to His calling on my life.  More specific what He want His children to understand.  These last two years He has been very specific.  And, even today, Father continues to show me how many ministers are focusing on a closer relationship with God AND Father has shown me some have been very pointed in how to accomplish this.  He’s still confirming in me that I, indeed, am still on the right track as I am still learning! 

It’s taken me many years, okay decades, for Father to get where I am now, but He has shown me it is for purpose.  As He has  patiently waited for me to catch up.  I had to reach one level before He could take me to the next.  He has been continually showing deeper things in scripture that He wants me to know and it has been awesome!  Have I arrived yet?  Hardly.  I know that I will continue to grow until He calls me home.   

A word of encouragement.  I have been a ‘federal government’ employee all my life.  I started with the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA), General Services Administration (GSA) and I retired fromr the Food and Drug Administration (FDA).  While at FDA I gave my job to the Lord.  Father blessed me by promoting me from a documents clerk to a ‘contract liaison’ where I trained contract personnel, wrote operational procedures and mediated ‘differences’ between the government and the contractor.  Father elevated me from (on the government scale) a GS5 to a GS12 – with no formal college.  PTL!

We all have a calling on our life – great or small.  Not everyone is going to be a great speaker, singer, or artist, etc.  but God has given each of us a gift, a talent or ability (or all three) within which we can operate.  That calling could be a stock boy, clerk, secretary, supervisor, CEO, whatever.  But whatever God calls us into we should always do with all our heart as if we are doing it or our Lord.  Because we are.  In whatever ‘job’ we function, our beginning prayer should always be “Lord, I give this job to You.  Help me to be the best that I can be while I am here.”

Why am I here?  Ask the Lord, He will show you.  Then pursue whatever that calling may be with all your heart as you live for and in Jesus Christ.

Amen