3-24-2024 Spring into New Changes

                            

It’s spring and Father is bringing changes, not just for this month, not just for this year but for the next several years as He delves deeper into this season of Spiritual Explosion.

Let’s look at our own lives.  How much have “I” grown over the past year?  I don’t mean in getting more words from the bible into our mind (memorizing), but how much more has the bible been ‘becoming alive’ for ‘me’?  Seeing scriptures in a new light.  A deeper light.  A deeper understanding of what Father has truly been saying?

Father has been using our pastor (Loretta) over the past few years honing our Spiritual ears, eyes and heart for this ‘season’ in which we are now. 

Think!  Father has been growing our heart and our Spiritual thinking as He prepares us for what is now quickly approaching for some, for others even now is and for others yet to come.  How many of us actually know what gifts are Father has given us within which we can successfully operate?  Has one of those gifts been reaching out, slapping us in the face (so to speak) to get our attention?

Understand, the gift(s) Father has given us is to equip us to do the work for which He is calling us.  As we understand our gifts (talents, and abilities), we should be asking ourselves ‘Why has God equipped me like this?”  If we haven’t been asking, we should be. 

Father has equipped us so we can fulfill the ‘calling’ He has placed upon us.  That is edifying and the growth of the church, His body, as a whole (Eph. 4:11-15).  Just as there are many parts of the body, there are many tasks within that body which need fulfilling.  And the body of Chris is located (physically) in more than one place.

So, just what are our gifts, talents and/or abilities?

Gifts

Every man receives the gift to minister one to another as good stewards of the manifold graces of God.  Let him minister with the ability God has given him that everything might be glorified through Jesus Christ … (1 Peter 4:10-11).  The Greek word used for gift in 1Peter is charisma (G5486), which is to be delivered from danger, an endowment (spiritual), a qualification (religious) or something miraculous (being able to do something unique).  We consider charisma to be something as that which sets us apart from the crowd.  We usually associate charisma with ‘that magnetic personality’ which draws us to an actor, singer or some other person, famous or not.  If you will, charisma is what makes ‘us‘ special. 

            Talents

A talent is a natural endowment or a special creative or artistic aptitude.   A talent is something which we can do very well.  It separates us from others.  We generally think of singing, acting, painting, managing a business or even wiggling one’s ears as a talent.  It is an ‘inborn’, natural way through which we are able to do something.  And it is God-given.  We can grow our talent, honing it to a finer ‘tune’, but it is something, still, which we are born with.

            Abilities

This is having the competence to be able to ‘do’ something.  That is having an aptitude or proficiency in doing something (whatever) reasonably well.  I know how to make things out of wood but when my son makes things out of wood (shelving, cabinet, whatever), his creation looks pretty good.  When I do it, it looks like a bunch of wood nailed together.  It may serve its purpose, but my ‘grass hut’ is nothing compared to my son’s ‘Buckingham palace’.  Get the drift?    

Calling

And, then, there is a calling.  That is, having a strong inner impulse towards a certain vocation, profession, etc. which can be (or should be) influenced by ‘divine intervention (God).  For us, it would be that to which Father has been (or is) calling ‘us’ (me)?  It is that ‘something’ that we are fascinated with or seem to be always drawn to, or continually drawn back to.   

How do I know what God is calling me to do?

Gifts are given without repentance (Rom. 11:29), that is whether we know Jesus or not, but knowing him sure helps.  These are the things which we may not have any ‘special’ training for but we seem to have that ‘natural’ knack for doing.   What are the things we ‘enjoy’ doing, or even, perhaps, would like to try (with or without proficiency)?  This is not just our inner desires (not that tutti fruiti ice cream cone), but this something we just can’t seem to shake and it will require some ‘real’ work (ability & talent) so we can implement it into our own lives.

            What’s in a name?

Most of us assume mom and dad just picked our names ‘out of the blue’ or perhaps we are carrying on the tradition of being named after a relative (dad, mom, grandpa, grandma, uncle, aunt, etc.).  But, in fact it is our heavenly Father who has influenced our parent’s choices (believe it or not).  He says “Before I formed you in the belly (your mother’s womb), I knew you. Before you were born, I sanctified you … (Jer. 1:5).  Father does have specific intentions (or plans) for each one of us.  Father says “I know the thoughts I think towards you …” (Jer. 29:11).  In case you missed it, Father’s knows us before we are conceived. He gives us gifts, talents and/or abilities before we are born. All designed for us because He has intents for each one of us!  A plan!  A task! 

Using myself as an example:

            What’s in a name

William Carter (Buck) Ledford (Buck is a nickname)

 William                Helmet, a desire to protect

Carter                   Transporter of materials

Ledford                                Noisy stream crossing

Buck                      Stag, male deer (spirited young man)

To get a deeper understanding, I looked up the root words for each name and checked its ethnic origins.  Sometimes, the name may have multiple implications, if so, ask Father which one fits best.  Which one is really me?  Ask and receive, He will tell us (John 14:13-14).  Sometimes names have both a positive and a negative indication.  As we grow we have a choice as to which indication we follow.

                What about birthdays?

Now, have you ever wondered why some babies are born close to their ‘due dates’ , while some are born ‘early’ (according to due date) and others come later?  I was born (I’ve been told) about a month before my due date (sorry, I can’t remember that far back), nonetheless making me a December baby.  My son was born about a month late, not quite making it into December but becoming a November baby.  Think about it.  I was born on 12/3, my youngest grandson on 12/4, my son on 11/29, my middle grandson on 11/27 and my eldest grandson wanted to be different so he arrived on 2/9.  The dates do have meaning and there are Christian based charts which can help us.

As with our name, our birthdays also play a role in our basic make-up.  The numbers - the day, month and year - on which we are born all have unique ‘Christian’ meanings.  They give us further clues as to the gifts, talents and abilities God has given us from birth.  In our walk with the Lord, Father tells us that the work we do, do as unto Him (we work for God, not man Col. 3:23-24).  He will perform the task He has given us until He calls us home (Phil. 1:6).  And He will equip us to do that work (Luke 10:17-20, Heb. 13:20-21).   Again, our gifts, talents and abilities equip us to accomplish the work to which Father has intended for us. 

Now, let’s look my birthday as an example:

Dec 3, 1945

December , the 12^th month 

12   (Luke 9:1 - He (Jesus) called the 12 & gave them power & authority over all devils and to cure diseases). This number represents Governmental perfection. The authority to go out in His (God’s) power.

3      The third (3) day

 (Col. 2:9-10 – In Him, the fullness of the Godhead dwells bodily.  You are compete in Him who is the head of all principality and power – Jesus).  3 represents Divine completeness, Faith or Perfection.  Maturing and seeing things to the end, completion.  Father is the Godhead which is three – Father, Son and Holy Ghost, yet one.  Complete means fully equipped, lacking nothing.  In Christ Jesus, in whom we are complete.  Maybe not matured yet, but complete.

The year, 1945

There is no ‘Christian designation’  specifically for 1945 so Father had me split it into two segments.

19   (1 Corinth. 13:9-13 – … now, things are hazy when I look through the glass, but later I shall see face to face) 19 is ivine is completeness or fullness, perfection, faith (10 + 9 - Testimony; Law & responsibility, Divine Order).  Now, are we starting to get an idea as to what is being completed?

45   (Psalm 121:7, Exod. 20:20) 45 is preservation, (40 + 5 - Trials; Probation; Testing & Grace; Favor; God's goodness; Pentateuch (first five books, the law).  Again, more depth into our calling.

If one is adventurous, the year can be broken down even further to discover deeper meanings, but Father had me break mine down as shown here.

Now, I do want you to understand something about the numbers.  Numbers do not dictate the qualities, rather the qualities dictate the numbers.  That is God gives us the qualities, then the numbers reflect our God-given qualities.

The Calling

What has Father, specifically, been calling ‘me’ to do?

Father gave me two scriptures in which He identified as the calling He has placed upon my life.   Jeremiah 1:1-10, the calling of Jeremiah & Ezekiel 37:1-14, the valley of the dry bones, the task presented before Ezekiel (rebuilding of the church, that is in part, which He has entrusted to me).

Interestingly, Father showed me Ezekiel first, the task which He has laid before me, then in Jeremiah, the fact that He has placed ‘this’ calling upon my life.

For me, part of my calling is being accomplished in the blog, ‘www:homecoming-a-spiritual-re-awkening.net’. 

It took me about six months to get the blog up and running (9/2014 – 3/2015) and another six years to bring it into today’s perspective (Okay, I’m slow).  That is to make it relevant to the season we are currently in.  He has been preparing me to do His work, waiting for me to be best prepared so I might  be fully effective.   And Father keeps telling me that there is yet, more to come (beyond where He has me today).

I’ve shared how Father declared the calling He has placed upon me through the scriptures.  Understand that gifts, talents and abilities reflect how Father enables us to do His work.  The calling defines that task to which He has called us. 

So, how do I know my calling? 

A pastor, prophet, or some other prophetic person may speak a Word from God into our ear.  If so, God will confirm it through scripture (or speaking to us personally).  Or as with me, He may show us the scripture first, then confirm through a prophetic person or even things (the world) round us.  Do we have the ears to hear and eyes to see (Prov. 20:12, Matt. 16:13) when Father speaks?  Understand, the point is not which comes first, prophecy from the scriptures or prophecy through a prophetic person, or even into our own heart, but the fact will be that all will be in agreement.  Things are established by two or more witnesses (Matt. 18:19).  A prophetic word through another person and/or scripture and through our heart,  (Father speaking to us through the Holy Ghost) make three witnesses, thereby establishing our calling. 

So, Father knows us from before we are conceived.  Before we are born into this world, He has already given us gifts, talents and abilities to accomplish the plans He has designed for our lives.  As we grow, naturally, we should notice different things which attract our attention.  Things we like.  We should discover some things we like to do over doing other things.  We need to be listening to our heavenly Father, as well as our parents, those around us as and well as observing and being aware of the world around us.  Father speaks through His Word, people around us and even nature, itself.  What do we see?  What are we hearing?  To what is our focus drawn?

In short, Father has called me to be a part of the reconstruction of His body so we can learn to truly live in His love and abide in His safety.

I’ve attached a copy of the “Watchman” so you can get a better look at how Father developed that with me.  We are all different and unique so Father does not always deal with everyone the exact same way but the components should still be there.

My prayer is that this will help us all to come to an understanding of the task  which Father has given each of us and that He is guiding us and protecting us as we discover, mature and abide in His love and His will (John 14:10-21).  He will reveal His will for us!  AND He will never leave us on our own (Heb. 13:5).  Father is on our side.  Let’s be bold and press forward.

Let it be so!

 

The prophecy for the Church – The Watchman

Dates are significant

September         Is the ninth month and represents completeness from the Father.  It has been decreed in heaven, we now just wait for the manifestation or the accomplishment of it.

24^th                         Priesthood.  We are a royal priesthood before God Almighty, designated to bring God’s redemption to the world, in His timing through creative works.  We will experience a break with tradition and Father will provide new methods of reaching the ‘lost’.

26^th                         Redemption.  In God’s perfect timing and even through, and maybe because of man’s weakness, the Gospel of Jesus Christ will bring redemption not just to the lost but the church as well.

30^th                         Commitment.  There is a new responsibility to God’s Law.  Not just the 10 Commandments (as such) but His Law of Love.  Those who are truly washed in the blood of Jesus Christ will find a new dedication in serving God.  We need to push forward and not falter.

The prophecy

24^th The watchman stands watch.  For what does he watch?  For danger that approaches the city to cry out to the people so they can prepare for battle.

                Up on the ramparts we look out over the land.  What do you see?  The enemy encamped all around and about.  What do you feel?  We are lost.  There are too many.  Look again beyond the enemy and what do you see?  I see a host far greater than the enemy poised to do battle.  And what do you feel?  Encouraged because we now far outnumber our foe.  (2 Kings 6:15-17).

                My children.  Did I not send Gideon with just a handful to set the enemy to flight?  Did I not send Elijah alone against the prophets of Baal (1 Kings 18:20-40)?  Gideon with his candles and Elijah by fire all overcame seemingly impossible obstacles yet by My hand did I not give them victory?  Put your complete trust in Me and as with the walls of Jericho, watch the wall crumble (Josh. 6”1-27).  Watch the enemy become confused and flee.  Watch My glory humble those who resist Me (Judges 7:7-8, 16-21).

                I make a way where there seems to be nothing.  I overcome many with a few.  Those who glorify My Name will taste the fullness of victory.  Put your hand to the plow and begin to plow and hang on as I work My work for My glory (Phil. 1:6).  The season is nigh, even at the door for many things to be manifested.  My children are you ready?  Prepare your hearts.  Prepare your souls.  Don My armor and prepare to step out.                               

                The Lord spoke to my heart and said that his is not just for Wellspring.  He has been preparing many children for this time and the time is near, nearer than we might think.  In case you’re confused this doesn’t mean the ‘rapture’.  It does mean taking a deliberate stand for and in Jesus with our very beings.  It is time to walk the walk, talk the talk and put up the ‘good’ fight.  To do all that God has been telling us to do, individually and collectively.  Don’t fear the closed doors.  Take the knob and turn it, the door will open for our Father has ordained it.                               

26^th As I was praying (in the morning)

                I have more to share.

                OK, Father.

                Remember the watchman?

                Yes, Father.

                Look out there.  What do you see? (I looked out my front window at the sky darkened with storm clouds).

                I see a world in turmoil.

                And so it is.  What else do you see?

                I see that you have shown us rays of sunshine in the midst of all that darkness.

                Remember Elijah and his loneliness?

                Yes, Lord.

                And what did I say to My servant?

                7000 had not bowed their knees to other gods.

                I have My number.  I always have My  number of those who truly love Me and serve me and who will not turn their hearts away from Me towards the world so man will still have his beacon, his lighthouse. 

                Consider, My son, the gifts I have given man are merely tools to comfort and guide him until I return.  They are tools to help man come back into My fellowship.  They are tools to learn how to live in My love.  Seek My Holy Spirit within.  Use those tools well.  Don’t quench the Spirit (1 Thess. 5:19) but rather yield to Him so He (the Spirit) can work My work through you.

                I have an army.  I’ve always had an army but I want My children to live in My love so they can truly be the offspring of their Father.  I want the world to see My love so that their hearts might be convicted.  I want the world to see My love that their hearts might be ashamed.  I want the world to see My love and even though many will wax colder some might come into My Kingdom because their hearts have melted.  The gifts are good but yet they are only tools to express My love to the world.  Live in My love.

30^th I AM the Lord God who created the heavens and the earth.  I have set all things in their respective places at My good pleasure.  I know the beginning and I know the end.  I have established the beginning yet I have given man a choice.  Man can choose to follow Me or go his own way.  To choose to go his own way, man opens himself up to the promptings and temptations of the Evil One, to fall into his snares, the end of which is man’s own destruction. 

                What is destruction, My children?  Separation from Me and My love – forever.  Have you considered forever?  Consider pain and torment.  Consider lusting after something and never being able to attain it or never to be satisfied or fulfilled.  All to which there is no end.

                What is eternal life, My children?  Living in Me and in My love.  Being always satisfied, never wanting.  And because you abide in My will, freedom – to do what you will because you abide in My will, which is My love. 

                As you consider the well-being of others, I will lift you up before them (in this world and in Mine).

                I AM – all that you ever need, all that you should truly desire.  I know your hearts and I will open My storehouses of blessings unto you, My children because of your obedience.

                Let My angels guide you.  Let My angels serve you.  I have set them about you, let them perform their appointed tasks.

   3-9-2024    Extraordinary Wisdom

                        

My pastor has just released a book entitled “Extraordinary Wisdom, the 31 Day Devotion”.

The book helps us to understand how to apply the book of Proverbs into our own lives.

As many of you may know, especially for some who don’t, the book of Proverbs is a collection of writings from the Hebrew King Solomon.  Traditionally, Solomon is considered the wisest man who ever lived.

According to the world History Encyclopedia, Solomon was probably born around 1010 BC (Wikki lists it as between 970-931 BC).  Both are estimates.  Remember that ‘BC’ (BCE) precedes Jesus’ birth and ‘AD’ (ACE) is after or since.  In case you are wondering, the ‘CE’ (Common Era) is a modern attempt to remove references to Jesus from our dating system. 

If you remember the story of David and Bathsheba, the first child they birthed died shortly after birth (2 Sam. 12:1-23) and Solomon was born later (2 Sam. 12:24).  He was the first surviving son for David and Bathsheba.

Though David had other sons (other than with Bathsheba), Solomon was who followed David onto the throne of Israel (1 Kings 1:32-35, 46-48, 2:12).  God was pleased with Solomon so He visited Solomon in the night and offered him anything which he desired.  Solomon then asked for wisdom to know how to rule the people so his kingdom would do well (2 Chron. 1:10) and God obliged him because he didn’t ask for wealth, riches or honor or even the lives of his enemies (1 Chron. 1:11) God honored that request AND gave Solomon riches wealth and honor. 

Knowing how to deal with anything and everything that comes our way is the greatest gift any of us could ever receive.  As with Solomon, wisdom will generate any appropriate reprimand and/or appropriate blessings from God.  Amen?  The book of Proverbs reflects on how God shows what would bring His blessings into our lives and how His correction would, would, also turn into blessings. 

In ‘Extraordinary Wisdom’, our pastor provides an intro to each chapter to so we can have an idea of what to expect in that chapter.  Our job, then, is to ask God (Father) to open our mind and our heart and teach us what He wants us to learn, then read the chapter.  Then write what the Holy Spirit has shown us, from that chapter, in the space provided at the end of each chapter - our revelation.  That is, what has Father shown us. 

Hint, when you read the chapter, don’t read it just once.  Father has shown me that through a second pass (or more) through any passage, different aspects will pop out at me.  You don’t have to stop at two readings. These are things Father wants us to pick up and learn, at this time.  As Father has shown me, even later in life, as I grow in the Holy Ghost, the depth of the passage (whatever I am reading), Father will take me into deeper understanding of the words l which  I have been reading.  Yes, I use my “Strong’s Concordance” a lot as I look up the Greek and Hebrew meaning of the words which I’m not sure about.  But, be careful.  Some words may carry a different slant (meaning) than what we may be familiar with.  As translated, may not be exactly what God intended.  Usually in the ballpark (close) but may be arguable.  Father has also shown me that we may have to look at the ‘verses’ around the word we are trying to understand or perhaps, even the whole chapter.  And even then, in our concordance, check any root words associated with the word we are researching.   This is how we should get a clearer understanding of what Father is trying to say to us.  If He’ll do it for me, He’ll do it for you.

Solomon is considered the wisest man ever (ask God).   He is attributed as the author of Proverbs. 

“Extraordinary Wisdom” by Loretta Yarbro McFarland, through Vision Birthers Self-publishing Services, Distributed by Amazon KDP, can be ordered on Amazon. It will help remove things which may not be so clear and help us with a better understanding of the book of Proverbs and how we can apply it into our own lives. 

Remember, this book is a devotional, not an explanation.  Explanation comes through our reading the book, anticipating what God will show us then listening to the Holy Ghost so He teaches us. 

When this book is properly used, the intro provides the anticipation, the passage provides the words and the space provided (at the end of the chapter) is where we can jot down our reflection of what Father shows us at the time of our reading.  When properly used, it is a ‘total package’ for learning. 

Be blessed.

Amen

Yes, this is a plug for my Pastor’s book, but I think that if one prayerfully ‘dives in’, they will find it most rewarding.

BTW, if you are interested and in the Hagerstown, Md. area on March 16^th, our Pastor will be signing copies of the book which you have purchased, between 1:30 to 3:00 PM.  We’re located at 363 S. Cleveland Ave. Hagerstown, Md., suite 101 (around back, bottom floor).

Amen and Amen

2-24-2018  For the Love of God

    

I’ve addressed the question before “Really, Who is God?” and, at that time, I shared three main spiritual events in my life.  I talked about how these experiences impacted my life but I didn’t really talk about how they came into being.  And that’s what I want to talk about today.  These, and all the other things I have experienced in my Life wouldn’t have happened if it weren’t for the LOVE GOD has for me.”

Communication with Father (or anyone else, is a two way street.  So is God’s love – He communicates with us, then we need to communicate with Him.  Communicate = talking.

First, God so loved me that He gave His only begotten Son that should I accept His Son (Jesus) into my life and through my commitment to Him, I would enjoy eternal fellowship with the Father through the Son forever (John 3:16).

Second, I discover that if I love God I will live according to what Jesus said because it is a demonstration of my love for Him.  Jesus said “If you love Me, keep My commandments (John 15:10-12).  His commandments are actually a single commandment – to Love.  But love moves in two directions – up and outward. God’s concept of love is to truly care about Father (the great I am), who He is and just what does He mean to me, then to care about those around me.  

Truly caring about our relationships is LOVE!    

Thirdly, God’s ultimate desire for me to have a relationship with Him through my love for Him (He loved me first).

What I want you to take away from this is about how Father loves me and then how I can return that love to him.  And, keep in mind, this isn’t just about me, it’s also about you.

Jesus says that whatever you’ve done to the least unto those in My kingdom, you’ve done unto me (Matt. 25:31-46).  He watches over us and stands beside us when we n need His help.  He is the first of many brothers of those who seek the Lord (Rom. 8:29).  Jesus IS our ‘big’ brother! 

Basically, I grew up in a Southern Baptist Church.  In my youth, I faithfully attended Sunday School and, as a group, the boys in my class and I attended services afterward.  After High School, I drifted away from attending church on a regular basis.  Several years later, I met the woman I wanted as my wife, who was also Southern Baptist, so we went to my old church to see if the pastor would perform the ceremony.  There was a new pastor (less than a year, I think) and he agreed to do our ceremony but he required one condition – that for the marriage to succeed, Jesus must be involved in our lives.  He explained how things would work then he turned specifically to me.  He asked me if I knew Jesus as my personal Savior.  I replied that I attended Sunday School in my youth.  “That’s not what I asked you” he said.  I responded to his next question with “I’ve never done anything really bad and try to treat people nice.”  Again, he said “that’s not what I asked you.  We exchanged thoughts then He asked me one final time “Have you ever received Jesus into your heart?”  At that moment, I felt a tugging deep down inside and admitted “No” and then the pastor asked me if I would invite Him into my life.    I said “Yes.”  Iprayed to let Jesus into my heart and immediately I felt a huge, very heavy burden literally lifting up off my being.  In reflection, at the moment I realized that, that was when, Jesus had become my big brother!  God, the Father, was now with me and in me!

While I was yet a sinner Christ died for me (Rom. 5:8).  I had the ‘audacity’ to ask Him into my life and, in spite of who I was.  He did not refuse.

Again, at that moment, I knew that while yet a sinner, Jesus had exchanged His life for mine 2000 years ago.  Also, in reflection, I’ve come to realize that was just the first step.  I’ve spent all my life learning, continually, how to walk more closely with my Lord.  Over the years, I’ve learned the depth of what ‘keeping His commandments means and, more so, what giving my love to Him truly means.

When I confess and repent my sins, He is faithful to forgive and forget them (Rom. 10:9, 1 John 1:9, Isaiah 38:17, Micah 7:19).

As I’ve lived my life, too many times I’ve fallen short of Father’s expectations for me and time and again, I’ve had to repent things which I have done.  It took years for Father to finally get into my thick skull to take care of business up front and not to put things off.  As with King David, when the prophet Nathan reminded him of the sin he had committed with Bathsheba which resulted in a little baby who died.  Through Nathan’s confrontation, David repented because he had come to realize what he had done (2 Sam. 12:1-18).  Father has impressed upon me that when I’ve “messed up”, as soon as I realize what I have done – that is the time to repent, not days, weeks, months, etc. later.    That is admit my guilt, confess my sin and turn away from it.  God forgets our sins (Micah 7:19, Isa. 38:17) and so should we.

Should I sin (after salvation) I do have an advocate with Father as long as I repent (1 John 2:1).

What more can be said here?  I remember, as I truly confess my sin, God puts that repented sin behind His back and it slides into the sea and is forgotten (thank you for the reminder  Micah and Isaiah?

Father loves me and I do my best to show my love for Him.  Let me share a couple of situations where God has shown His love for me.  Now, grant it, other people may have experiences more dramatic or traumatic than my situations, but these are a couple of mine.

Baltimore/Washington Parkway connects Baltimore Md. With Washington DC (no brainer).  My home was just a few miles outside the DC line and my sister was about fifteen miles closer to Baltimore.  The Parkway was the quickest route between the two points.  When I was in my early twenties, I rode a Triumph 250cc dirt bike.  I was coming from my sister’s, on the parkway and about a mile from my exit was a ninety degree turn in the road (OK, about 90 degrees), in the direction I was headed.  I was coming out the back side of that curve and as soon I had a clear view of the traffic ahead, it was stopped – dead!  The speed limit was 65 mph then and the closest car to me was maybe thirty yards.  I thought to myself ‘hit the brakes and lay the bike down.  Minimum damage I get severe road burn but I should live, maximum damage I slide under the car in front of me and suffer greater damage to myself as well as the bike.  Then I heard a small voice ‘get off the throttle and steer onto the shoulder’.  It was a gravel shoulder, but I did it.  I was able to safely slow the bike down to a controllable speed and safely survived what could have been one very nasty incident.  The Holy Ghost gave me direction.  God was watching out for me!  And, yet, at that time, I had not yet given my life to Him so I wasn’t appreciative as I should (or could) have been.  I didn’t even really know Him then.  If that isn’t love?  Not me!  The Lord!

The other experience I’d like to share was on my job.  Except, for a little under two years, I was a ‘federal’ employee ‘lifer’.  I worked for the US government, CIA, GSA and FDA.  Yup, that’s the Central Intelligence Agency, the General Services Administration and I retired from the Food and Drug Administration.  While at FDA, about five years after I had given my life to Him, I experienced God’s love for me, in my  finances.  I was a documents clerk with the FDA for the Center for Drug Evaluation and Research (CDER) specifically Office of Generic Drugs (OGD), under CDER, all under FDA).  I received, and coded documents then forwarded them for drug approval and resourced them to the appropriate discipline reviewers, aka chemist, medical doctors, pharmacologist, etc.  Not all the drug companies followed standard procedures by declaring what issues the document was addressing, fortunately they did file it to the appropriate drug application.  I processed various types of documents which would pertain to formula changes, packaging changes, expiration date extensions, manufacturing changes, quantity changes and the like and of course they all submitted an annual report reflecting all of the year’s activity for that application.  One day, I sat at my desk grumbling (to myself) about processing ‘easier’ documents versus more involved documents.  Annual reports were the easiest and it was a pain (oft times) trying to figure out just what the companies were doing with other documents.  While I sat grumbling, I heard a small voice say  “Give Me the job.”  I looked up and around then said “OK, it’ Yours.”  I knew Jesus by this time.  I believe, at that time, I was a GS4 but I might have recently been promoted to GS5, the ceiling of the pay scale for my position.  About two years later, we were told that our position was being upgraded to a GS7.  Still working within OGD.  Several years later, my supervisors told me a position was opening up as a contract Liaison which would go to a GS9.  CDER had sixteen review divisions (each dealing with a different drug type, heart, lung, kidneys, etc.) The liaison position meant that I would be training contractor staff to do the same job I had been doing (for about ten years) and I would also be dealing (as a liaison) with issues between the contractor and the government, as well as writing procedures for the contractor and explaining the impact for both contract and government staff.  After a few years, my GS9, then the top level of my position, was also upgraded to a GS11.  After a while, I was told that one of my co-workers would soon be retiring and my supervisors wanted me to replace him.  He retired and I did take his position which was a  GS12 slot and that’s the position from which I retired.  Generally, GS 10 and above positions, in the government, required college education.  I thanked God for giving me the ingenuity and the availability to attain that GS12 with only a high school diploma.  Father showed His love towards me through my paycheck. 

Other situations showing God’s love for me and how He protected me would be reflected in the near accident when I first bought that Triumph 250, or on the roof of the hotel in Saigon or when, the day before one of my coworkers and I were scheduled to check out of country (Vietnam) and catch a plane back to good ole USA  and during which we encountered a helicopter ride to the middle of nowhere, yet, we did make our flight the next morning. 

Over the years, I have always given ‘something back to God, but I haven’t always been a ‘tither’. Later in my life I have made sure Father has that which is holy to Him (Lev. 27:30).  And even through my failings in those years, Father has always given me direction and made sure I always had what I needed to meet my needs.  Yes, there were lessons in the process, but Father kept showing His love for me.

Over the years, He has continually grown me in knowledge of the bible AND drawn me into a closer relationship with Him. 

Has Father blessed me?  Definitely!  Has He shown His love towards me?  How can I count the all the blessings and situations He has pulled me through?

I can never, ever, fully repay Father for what He has done for me, but I do my best by learning what He has taught me and doing my best to be faithful and obedient in His will.  I give Him praise and glory by singing songs back to Him, which He has given me as well as singing along with recordings from professional artists.  I enjoy singing those songs for as I do, I feel His presence in my life.  Some songs, He has given me, even reflect those ‘physical’ feelings I have when I am in His presence.

I may not be like Daniel, who prayed every morning, noon and night but I do set a significant amount of time each day to spend with my Lord.  I like to know what Father and I talk about, but He has also impressed upon me that there are times I just can’t express myself in the way He likes, so yes, I also pray in the Spirit, that is the heavenly language Father has given me,  tongues (1 Corinth. 14:13-15, 39-40).

What I do doesn’t compare to what He has done for me, but I am still trying.  Before Father took her home, I used to tell my wife that “I was trying”.  She would look at me, get a slight smile upon her lips and say “Yes, I know.  Very.”  How often must Father look at me with that similar, subtle smile?  I thank God that He loves me.

I love the Lord with all my heart and He has shown me, over the years how He loves me.  Without going into greater detail, what more can I say?

Father does things for us and all too often we are not even aware of His presence or even consider His involvement in what happens in our lives.  Sooooo

Now, how about you?

Amen

            2-10-2024        Unity of and with God

            

This Tuesday AM, I was still pondering what to put in the blog and Father said “try this for size”:

Over the years, Father has shown me the unity of the Godhead and recently He has shared a couple of eye-openers (at least for me).

In the Book of Deuteronomy chapter 32, Moses explains to Israel that God is their “Rock” (more specifically Deut. 32:15).  Jesus is the “rock” in the New Testament (1 Corinth. 19:1-5).  Do we see a connection?  Is there a unity here?

Now, in Exodus, in reference to bring Israel out of Egypt, Moses asks God “Whom shall I say has sent me?”  And God responds “I AM that I AM.  Tell them that I AM has sent you.”  In the Book of Revelation, John, while on the island of Patmos and ‘in the Spirit’, hears a voice and turns to see one like the Son of man in the midst of seven candlesticks.  His hair was white, like wool or snow, His feet were like brass and His eyes like the flame of a fire.  So, what caused John to turn and look?  The voice said “I AM Alpha and Omega, the first and the last ….” (Rev. 1:10-16).  Hmmm.  Are both Father AND Jesus claiming to be I AM?  Are there two I AMs?  Or just one?

Father reminded me that the fullness of the Godhead dwells in Jesus (Col. 2:9-10).

He also reminded me that in the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God and the Word was God (John 1:1).  And the Word was made flesh and lived in our midst, the only begotten of the Father (John 1:12-14).  Here’s a unity, a oneness, that’s hard to overlook.  And yes, Luke says that Jesus is the ‘supposed’ son of Joseph (who through many generations) was the son of Adam who is the son of God (Luke 3:38).  Consider that Adam was not ‘begotten’ of the Father, but God created by Him.  Jesus was ‘begotten’ through a human (Mary Matt. 1:22-25, Luke 1:28-35, 38) with no ‘human’ Father.  The angel told Mary that the Holy Ghost would come upon her.

Biblical situations declaring that both Father and Jesus (Son) ae indicated as thee ‘Rock’ and ‘I AM’. 

Now, not in the scriptures, but on a personal note.  Over time, I asked Father about His unity, more than once.  From ‘man’ I have heard ‘three persons but one in nature’, implying that there are three Gods, but all three are one, that is the same in thought.  But my response (to myself) was that, then, makes us polytheistic, not monotheistic.  Poly meaning more than one and mono meaning, literally one. 

So Father told me this (you can believe this if you want, the choice is yours) that He is Spirit and we must worship Him in Spirit and truth (John 4:24).  Then consider that when He created all that is, He spoke it into existence (Gen. 1:1-31).  The words ‘God said’ appear nine times in Genesis chapter one.  In case you are wondering, according to biblical numbers, nine means God’s completeness.  So God ‘said’ and it was so. 

So what did God say?  No, not the “let there be”, but what do these letters spell?  Words!  God spoke Words to create all that is.  Who is the lving Word of God?  Jesus (John 1:14).

Okay, how did those words ‘go forth’?  What does Genesis say? “… The Spirit of God moved upon the face of the waters.”  What is the ‘Spirit’ God?  The Hebrew word here is ruwach (H7307) which is translated ‘ breath’. 

So, in creating all that is, God (the essence) spoke (Words) and His Spirit (breath) carried those words into action, creating whatever God spoke!

Father has given us a similar capacity.  When we speak, what happens?  We (our essence) says something (our words) and then our breath carries those words into the world by ‘shifting the atmosphere’ around us.  Shifting?  Shifting?  What do I mean by shifting?  Our breath stimulates the air around us and the sound of our voice carries for a distance.  How loud we speak determines how far our words travel.  When you are within my range (here’s science) those air waves, (which carry my voice) stimulates the ear drum, anvil and stirrup in your ear so you can hear what I say.  As long as we speak the same language, then, you can understand what I have just said.  Get the idea? 

Essence, words, breath – Father, Son and Holy Ghost (Spirit), then body soul and spirit (us).

God is a three part entity and so are we!  We are made in God’s image? 

Made in God’s image can involve several aspects.  One, as a three part being as just cited.  Two, does God have a head, arms, legs, feet and hands like we do?  Jesus did.  He was born into humanity.  God sent His Son, made (born) of a woman, under the Law to redeem us so that we might also become sons so that we might also declare God as Abba (Father) (Gal. 4:4-6).  And Three – love.  God is love (1 John 4:8).  God loves us so much, He has given us the capacity to love Him in return (1 John 4:10).  So if God loves us so much shouldn’t we love Him with the same fervor and one another in the same capacity (1 John 4:11)?  What did Jesus tell us was the greatest commandment?  Love the Lord our God with all our heart, mind, soul and strength which is the first commandment (Mark 12:29-30) and the second is to love our neighbor as ourselves.  There is no greater commandment than to love (Mark 12:31).  Why?  Because the Law and the prophets hang (rely, support, based on) these commandments of love (Matt. 22:40).

So, we‘ve seen the unity of the Godhead AND the relationship to us.  Yes?

Father gives us the promise of everlasting life with Him (John 3:16) when we accept that final blood sacrifice Jesus gave for us.  Scripture tells us that Father is not really impressed with the offering and sacrifice of animals, but Jesus has come to offer Himself, once and for all, taking our sin upon Himself (1 Peter 2:24) and is now sat down (or is standing) at the right hand of God (Heb. 10:1-12). 

Think about this.  My son, my only son, is the true banner carrier of my (surname – last) name.  Yes I have an uncle, who also has a son and I don’t know how many uncles and cousins beyond that, but my son carriers that banner for this part of the family.  My son carries my genes (as well as his mother’s) and he has passed that on to his sons (yes plural).  My son was not created but born through the union between my wife and myself.  As I said, he carries my side of the ‘family tradition’. 

In the beginning, there was nothing through which God could work –.  No sky, no air, no water, to dirt, no nothing!  He spoke it all into existence.  Then, Adam was created from the dust of the earth (Gen. 2:19).  Jesus was born with the union of (wo)man, not with a man (male) but by the  Father through the Holy Ghost (Luke 1:35).  Now, remember how God created all things!  He spoke all things into existence.  Father spoke, the Holy Ghost carried His Word and Mary brought forth Jesus (again Luke 1:35).

One last passage here.  Look at Jesus’ words “Neither do I pray for these alone but those who believe on Me through their word.  that they may be one, Father, as You are in Me and I in You that they also may be one with us, that the world may believe You have sent Me.  The glory You have given Me, I have given them that they may be one as We are one.  I in them, You in Me that they may be made perfect in one and that the world will know that You have sent Me and have loved them as You have loved Me. (John 17:20-23).

Through our ‘salvation’, we are adopted into the family of God and Jesus is our big brother (Eph. 1:4-5), but is He ‘just’ our big brother?  Of course not.  We have obtained our eternal existence through Him and His sacrifice of love He showed towards us. 

Hopefully, we have seen the unity of the Godhead, Father, Son and Holy Ghost.  God, the Father, is ONE God and through His love for us, He desires us to become one with Him, through Jesus (His only begotten son).  That is one with the Creator of all things.

Amen             

1-13-2024   Do we really know what we see or hear?

 

Matt. 13:1-10 (Parable of the sower).  Jesus relates the reality of how God’s Word is ministered.  The sower sows seed upon the ground, some fall by the wayside, some among the thorns, some among the stones and finally some upon good soil.  The Israelites were mostly farmers so they understood what would happen to seed under each of these conditions, not grow at all, grow but eventually wilt or produce good fruit.

Matt. 13:11-23 (what it really says).  Then, Jesus explains to His disciples how this applies to us spiritually.  Where there is no solid foundation and/or no proper nurturing, our spiritual seed fades off into the sunset.  But, as we are nurtured (reading God’s Word and receiving input from other resources which declare God’s love, we grow and become the person God has intended.

1 Corinth. 2:1-16 (power of knowing)

When we read a passage in the bible, do we read only the words presented in the text, or in a specific passage then go with what ‘our’ own understanding of what that word means? 

We, generally gain our knowledge of the bible by what our pastor says, what tele-evangelists or other noted preachers say or maybe even from people around us.  Yet, if you haven’t discovered it, there is a fourth source we should consider.  The Holy Ghost!  The Holy Ghost will lead us into all truth (John 14:16-17 and understanding (1 Corinth. 2:7-16). 

When we hear a word from or by another person, do we accept it as gospel without question?

Even Satan, or his emissaries, can appear as an angel of light, thus they may be ministers who can be deceiving (2 Corinth. 11:14-15).  It can look good, sound good but does it stop halfway through the truth?  We need to weigh what we hear against the Word of God as led by the Holy Ghost.  Is it in agreement with God’s being – love?  Satan tried to deceive even Jesus in the wilderness.  Turn stones into bread, jump, the angels will catch you and ‘I’ll give you all this, just bow down and worship me (Mat. 4:1-11).  Jesus put Satan in his place by presenting the full and complete truth of God – man does not live by bread alone but every word that proceeds from the mouth of God, don’t tempt God and worship God and serve only Him.

I use Strong’s ‘Exhaustive Concordance’ to look up the meaning of words used in both the old and new testaments.  I find this a huge help in understanding the bible.  With Strong’s, I can not only look up what a word ‘means’ but can then check out associated root word to discover the deeper understanding of what that word involves.  Then I ask the Holy Ghost to help me understand what I need to know.  I’ve also discovered that the NIV version of a particular reference may not be the same reference numbers as the King James.  However, if one checks it out, the reference numbers may differ but the word and meaning are the same.

What am I talking about?  Let’s take a look at Paul’s letter to the Corinthians.

Paul came to the Corinthians in humility proclaiming only Jesus (1 Corinth. 2:1-3). 

He didn’t come to impress people with big, flowery words but to show the power of the Spirit of God so that their faith would be rooted in the power of God (1 Corinth. 2:4-5).

Paul declares that he doesn’t speak with the wisdom of this world or of men of authority which comes to nothing, but the wisdom of God which is a mystery which God has hidden from before the world (was made) (1 Corinth. 2:6-7).  And God’s word lasts forever (Matt, 24:34-35).

Had the authorities known and recognized the truth, they wouldn’t have crucified the Lord of Glory (1 Corinth. 2:8).

It is written ‘eye has not seen, nor ear heard, nor has it entered into the heart of man the things which God has prepared for those who love Him (1 Corinth. 2:9).

But God has revealed these things to us by His Spirit, because the Spirit searches all things, even the deep things of God (1 Corinth. 2:10). 

The only way we know the things concerning man is because we have the spirit of man which resides in us.  Likewise, no man knows the things of God except by the Spirit of God (1 Corinth. 2:11).  And yet, man keeps trying to explain God using man’s own wisdom.

Now, we have not received the spirit of the world, but the Spirit which comes from God that we may freely know the things given to us by God (1 Corinth. 2:12).

So we don’t speak the words which the wisdom of man teaches but that which the Holy Ghost teaches for He compares spiritual things with Spiritual things (1 Corinth. 2:13).  In other words, the Holy Ghost (as Jesus) teaches by sharing with us what Father has given Him (John 12:49-50) and He then has passed on to us.

The natural man cannot receive the things from the Spirit of God because they are foolishness to him nor can he understand them for they are Spiritually discerned (1 Corinth. 2:14).  Restated, because we don’t understand what God says, we have the tendency to dismiss it and wind up leaning on our own understanding.

But, he who is spiritual judges all things but is judged by no man (1 Corinth. 2:15).    

For who has known the mind of God that we may teach Him?  Yet, we have the mind of Christ (1 Corinth. 2:16)!  Through Jesus, we can know what God thinks about things.  But then, we have to know God.

And as in the gospel of John, the mind of Christ is submission to the Father.

So what does this actually mean?  If we truly want to get to know God, we have to meet Him on His terms, not our own.  And to understand God’s terms, we need to read material reflecting God’s love as we ask Father to give us understanding.  As I said earlier, the Holy Ghost will teach us.  We just have to ask, then listen.  When we are on the right track, the Holy Ghost will confirm what we have learned within our own heart.  OR, He may show us the reality of what He’s teaching us in the things around us.  As an example:  in Sept. 2014, Father gave me what He called the ‘Prophecy of the Watchman’.  I thought about and eventually I asked “Is this really for me?”  Father spent the next three months exposing me to what various preachers were saying.  I even went to a prophetic conference in which there were not one but three prophetic preachers.  Occasionally I felt the ‘urge’ to turn on one (any) of the tele-evangelists.  And even my pastor.  I suffered through three months waiting for God to have someone say me “Buck, Father told me to tell you …”  That didn’t happen so in January 2015 I approached Father again “Lord, I thought you were going to confirm what you told me last Sept.?”  Father’s response “All these people I’ve set before you, what were they talking about?”  I sat and thought for a minute “Uh, what you told me in the Watchman?”  I could almost feel Father looking down at me, I could almost feel a subtle little smile parting His lips, the He said “How much confirmation do you need?!”  Between my pastor, the conference I attended and maybe a half dozen or so preachers on TV and otherwise, Father was confirming what He had told me.   We have to seek Father, listen to Him.  Then do what He says!  Amen?

Did I learn my lesson?  Not completely.  For the last several years, the blog Father had me start in 2015, has been very pointed on what Father wants said – getting His church back on the right track.  So, what have I been saying since then?  “Father, I understand what we are doing with the blog, but You have said that there is more to come.”  At first, Father said “Later” but more recently, He has changed that to “soon”.  I’m waiting to see when what He has shown me unfolds.

Father is God Almighty, I AM that I AM, whose essence and being is love.  Father manifested that love to us 2000 years ago when Jesus became that manifestation of that love and walked among us, giving us the example Father desires us to follow.  Jesus sanctifies us through God’s truth that we may be one with Him as He is with Father and that we all may be one (John 17:19-23).  Get the picture?    

Do we want to know the truth about what we see and hear?  The truth flows out from God.  We have to know who God is before we can hear Him.  The bible is our initial source for learning who God is, but then we need to listen to God for confirmation of that truth.  Samuel learned to hear from God through instruction form his mentor Eli.  Samuel heard a voice, thinking it must have been Eli, he ran to his mentor.  Three times Eli sent the boy back to his bed, but finally Eli got the message and told Samuel how to respond.  The fourth time Samuel heard the voice he said “Speak, your servant hears” 1 Sam. 3:3-10). 

Father will also use things around us to speak to us.  One morning in my prayer session with the Lord, He drew my attention so some black birds in the yard across the street.  The ground had not yet completely thawed and the birds were pecking to get what they could find.  Father said “My children are searching for food, feed them.”

Our relationship with Father grows through reading the bible and our prayer time with Him (not to exclude other viable resources).  He uses nature and the things around us to get our attention and hen explains why He has done this.  Are we listening?  

So, when we receive input into our lives (from any media), do we weigh it with God’s love?  Or do we just accept it as said?

To know God’s voice we have to first know Him.  Then we need to weigh whatever we see or hear against His love and the Holy Spirit will confirm in our heart what is right.

Hopefully, we have learned how to recognize what Father is saying to us.

Amen