Tag: earthly things

Battle Tactics From Nehemiah

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What an excellent book to be reading at this time, the book of Nehemiah! Today, I am using the NIV, reading in chapter 4. Join me as I lead you through.

The Enemy Taunts

In Nehemiah 4:1-3, Sanballat and Tobiah the Ammonite, in the presence of the army of Samaria, were taunting the Jews… “Even a fox climbing up on it would break down their wall of stones!”

Is anyone taunting you? Despising you?

The godly pray

The Godly Pray

Nehemiah prays, “Hear us, our God, for we are despised. Turn their insults back on their own heads.” (4:4)

Note: Jesus tells us to do good to our enemies, bless and do not curse. These days, we hear testimony of how taunting captors surrender to Jesus through prayer and love.

Angry Plots

After Nehemiah prayed, the Israelites worked with all their hearts.  Sanballat, Tobias, the Arabs, the Ammonites, and the people of Ashdod heard the repairs continued. They became very angry, plotting together to fight and stir up trouble against Jerusalem.

Is anyone trying to stir up trouble, angry with you, or plotting against you?

Pray And Guard

Nehemiah tells us, “We prayed to our God and posted a guard day and night to meet this threat.”

Oh, that we may pray to God, our help and our salvation, and do our part to guard what belongs to us as His children.

Discouragement

Meanwhile, the people of Judah were discouraged.  “The strength of the laborers is giving out, and there is so much rubble that we can not rebuild the wall.”  On top of this, the Jews living near, ten times over, said, “Wherever you turn, they will attack us.” This hopelessness reminds me of Job’s wife telling him, “Curse God and die!”

What or who is causing you to despair?

Our children, our children’s children, their children’s children…

Remember God/Generations

Nehemiah posted families with weapons at the most exposed places. Then, after looking things over, he said,“Don’t be afraid of them. Remember the Lord, who is great and awesome, and fight for your families, your sons and your daughters, your wives and your homes.”

Currently, the Sprit is putting emphasis on the generations and our responsibility towards those coming after us. Discern your vulnerable places and don your Spiritual weapons. Let faith and love keep your fear away. As Pastor Josh Gmmiter said in his sermon October 18 & 19, we should fear the Lord God Almighty more than we fear anything else!

Be Aware & Prepare

Their enemies heard that they were aware of them and that God had frustrated their plot. The people returned to work, half of them building and half guarding. Those who were carrying materials worked with one hand and held a weapon with the other.

Identity In Christ

How do we go about our day? Do we realize the war that’s raging in the spiritual world as well as the natural? Daily putting on our godly armor will equip us for what’s ahead. Wisdom is discerning who we are in Christ and who He truly is to us – relationship!

Sound The Trumpet

Nehemiah kept the trumpeter at his side because “the work is extensive and spread out, and we are widely separated from each other along the wall. Wherever you hear the sound of the trumpet, join us there. Our God will fight for us!”

Our work is also extensive, and we are also widely separated. Let’s sound the unifying Trump of the Lord. Remember, our God still fights for us! We are to work faithfully to spread the glory, love, and salvation this world truly needs.

Here’s an interesting quote by D. L. Moody, that’s on my calendar: ‘”Every great movement of God can be traced to a kneeling figure.” Lord, thanks for Praying Hyde and Father Nash, two praying saints behind previous moves of God that come to mind.

Pastor Josh Gmmiter, October 18th & 19th,
ACF Church

God, What Are You Doing???

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I visited Smithville Baptist church the Sunday they hosted Jesus in the Passover. Laura Barron, from Jews For Jesus, presented excellent visuals as she explained what goes on in the Jewish household for Passover and how it relates to what we have in Jesus. 

This connection with Laura connected me with Karol Joseph, who is working with Laura on sharing Yeshua with Haredi women. [Strict version of Judaism].

Well, Karol offered a study she wrote: Counting The Omer Journey. This is the 50-day time between Passover and Pentecost, following the Israelites’ journey from Egypt toward the Promised Land. I get each week’s study in my email and print it off.

Karol takes me into the story, encouraging me to identify with the Israelites and how it relates to my own life story.

Exodus 13:17 When Pharoah let the people go, God did not lead them [the Israelites]by way of the land of the Philistines, although that was near. For God said,”Lest the people change their minds when they see war and return to Egypt. “

Three weeks into the journey, God has told Moses to have the people double back to encamp near the Red Sea. God said He was going to bring glory, but no one knows how yet.

Photo by Pixabay on Pexels.com

In Exodus 14, the people went out boldly, buoyed by the miracles God had done to release them.  Pharoah hardened his heart and gathered all his choicest military might to go and drag them back into slavery.

Exodus 149 The Egyptians pursued them, all the horses and chariots of Pharaoh, his horsemen and his army, and overtook them camping by the sea beside Pi Hahiroth, before Baal Zephon.

When the Israelites see this great army, they turn on God and on Moses. Forgetting that God is stronger than the might of Pharaoh, they are sure they will die on the shore.

We all know the great miracle God did. I encourage you to read chapter 14 of Exodus to get into this miracle our Lord orchestrated to show His great glory.

What about us in this era? The enemy is rattling its sabers and the world seems to have gone crazy! Can we trust our monetary system? Our government? Our vote and advocacy make some difference,  but ultimately,  if God does not do a miracle, all is lost.

Will we be like our ancestors in the wilderness and despair? Will we look to the arm of flesh and worldly comfort? Will we choose to remember the  LORD and in Him our confidence place?

We see from their example that we can not lean on ‘Egypt’ and go back to the leeks, onions, and flesh pots. Manna, the food of angels in heaven, is a perfect food. It’s just not as appealing to the senses as what they had in Egypt.

The slave mentality had its advantages because they were used to being told what to do and being provided for. But, complaining and unbelief kept them in the wilderness.  How much have we been enslaved by our culture? Our schools, our media? Our outlook on life is a major thing. Our abundance and comfort lull us and can make us forget where these blessings come from.

Photo by Aleksandar Pasaric on Pexels.com

This study I’m doing makes me wonder how God is going to save us by His mighty right arm this time. How much longer will the enemy rage? How much of it is our part? How much hangs  on our faith, our prayers, our actions to walk, in the light and love, of Christ?

Let us recount the great miracles we have read about. Also, ask the Holy Spirit to bring to mind the great things He’s done in your own life. It is our obligation to share our testimony and encourage others in faith.

Remember, mighty angels are waiting for us to tell them what to do! Use your power and authority in Jesus!

Earth and Heaven

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Welcome faithful readers to another musing. This has been a week of much reading; mostly the Christian romances in Love’s Treasure Limited Edition. It’s $9.99 for the Kindle edition, or free with Kindle Unlimited if you want to delve into an excellent, varied group of relationship stories. It has definitely helped me appreciate my husband more and contemplate other relationships I’m involved in. I’m also enjoying different venues and some British and Aussie settings as well.

Love's Treasure - A Christian Romance Collection: Limited Edition by [Juliette Duncan, Marion Ueckermann, Autumn Macarthur, Joy Ohagwu, T.K. Chapin, Lorana Hoopes, Elizabeth Maddrey, Evangeline Kelly, Valerie Comer, Naomi Rawlings, Valerie M. Bodden, Melissa Tagg, Mandi Blake, Carol Moncado]

This week, we have been amid frequent rain showers and yesterday a touch of hurricane winds and rain. This means I spent one day reading and playing MahJong, was glad to be inside doing my weekly cleaning for my friend the next day, and John and I spent yesterday running errands, searching for a new printer, donating blood, and dinner at Red Lobster with friends. It was good to get out together, even on a rainy day. This is the first time John has donated blood in many years, but he’s right back into the swing of things; he pre-registered for the next donation before I did! He’s glad he had time to get a haircut amid our errands. We also hadn’t eaten at Red Lobster in a couple years and had a great time with a couple we just met a month ago, getting to know more about each other as we shared a delectable meal; including dessert!

Image result for Old People Eating Clip Art

On the heaven end, I’ve been thinking about some things on earth we won’t have use for in heaven. I’ve had a passion for books and videos about people who have seen heaven for many years. The newest revelator I’ve met was on Elijah Streams recently, Kim Robinson. As with Kat Kerr, the Lord has taken her to see heaven multiple times. God really wants us to know what’s being prepared for us, adding to what the Holy Spirit inspired people to write in the Bible. As the Apostle John said at the end of his book:

John 21:24 This is the disciple who testifies of these things, and wrote these things; and we know that his testimony is true.

25 And there are also many other things that Jesus did, which if they were written one by one, I suppose that even the world itself could not contain the books that would be written. Amen.

Well, to begin, there is no fear in heaven. Imagine being able to do things on earth without any fear of injury, failure, loss of life… not possible with gravity, as well as evil being involved. There are stories from revelators of babies playing with wild animals, out of this world rollercoasters, flying like Superman…no fear of drowning in the River of Life, no fear of losing a loved one, no car accidents or people with evil intent. Death is conquered; our biggest reason to fear here on earth!

How about a body that has no need for elimination of wastes? From eyewitness accounts, they make all things in heaven from air; not the dust of the ground. You can eat to your heart’s content with no food allergies, no weight gain, no cleanup. There are no toilets in heaven! Yes, there are vehicles, but no need for gas. You won’t have to brush your teeth either. You don’t have to change baby diapers or clean litter boxes or walk your dog with a poop scoop and trash bag.

I wonder what will replace my love of changing diapers and cleaning people’s houses? As I muse on that, I realize I like the interaction with the child or the homeowner while I’m cleaning. I’m sure I’ll still love on all types, sizes and ages of people throughout eternity, even if I don’t need to clean!

1 Corinthians 2:9 But as it is written:

“Eye has not seen, nor ear heard,
Nor have entered into the heart of man
The things which God has prepared for those who love Him.”

10 But God has revealed them to us through His Spirit. For the Spirit searches all things, yes, the deep things of God.

Many people are skeptical of these “revelators”, but for me, they fill in gaps in my understanding of what’s in the Bible and agree with what I’ve read. Notice, in these days we have access to the Holy Spirit of God, so for us, these things are no longer great mysteries. The Bible says it’s the glory of God to conceal a matter and the glory of kings to search it out. Use your sanctified imagination and let the Holy Spirit reveal things you have wondered about for years. Happy Holy Ghost exploring!