SWEET SLEEP

SLEEP IS IMPORTANT TO OUR DAILY HEALTH.

OUR BODIES CAN GO  JUST SO MANY HOURS WITHOUT IT, THEN MAJOR PARTS OF OUR BODIES BEGIN TO BE FATIGUED  AND OR EMOTIONS BECOME ALL OUT OF SORTS; WE CAN’T THINK CLEARLY, AND OTHERS AROUND US ARE AFFECTED.

IT WAS EASIER FOR US TO GET A GOOD NIGHT’S REST WHEN OUR EMPLOYMENT WAS FARMING AND PHYSICAL LABOR; BUT NOW, WE ARE BOMBARDED WITH MUCH MENTAL STRESS: ON THE JOB AND AT HOME. WE HAVE MACHINERY AND ALL KINDS OF APPLIANCES NOW, THAT ARE SUPPOSED TO MAKE OUR WORK EASIER BUT WE JUST SEEM TO “ADD-IT-ON” INSTEAD OF REST WHILE WE CAN.

SOME YEARS BACK, I HAD AN ILLNESS, THAT REQUIRED MUCH REST AND SLEEP.  I QUICKLY NOTICED HOW THE NAPS I WAS TAKING WERE HEALING. IWAS WEARING OUT MY BODY AND WAS ALL STRESSED-OUT.

SLEEP IS DEFINED AS A STATE OF COMPLETE OR PARTIAL UNCONSCIOUSNESS.

IN THE SCRIPTURES, THERE ARE APPROXIMATELY 21 REFERENCES, AND MAYBE MORE, REFERRING TO SLEEP OR THE LACK OF IT.

SLEEP IS DESCRIBED AS SLUMBER IN PROVERBS 6:4,10.          PROVERBS 3:24, IT IS DESCRIBED AS SWEET – WHEN THOU LIEST DOWN, THOU SHALT NOT BE AFRAID: YEA, THOU SHALT LIE DOWN, AND THY SLEEP SHALL BE SWEET. HERE, IT SAYS…THOU SHALT NOT BE AFRAID…

SO WE MUST ASSUME, FEAR KEEPS SOME FROM HAVING SWEET SLEEP.

VERSE 25 – BE NOT AFFRAID OF SUDDEN FEAR , NEITHER OF THE DESOLATION OF THE WICKED, WHEN IT COMETH; AND VERSE 26 READS –  FOR THE LORD SHALL BE THY CONFIDENCE, AND SHALL KEEP THY FOOT FROM BEING TAKEN.

MANY PEOPLE ARE PARALIZED WITH FEAR, AND FEAR BRINGS WITH IT TORMENT. WE ARE TOLD IN THE BIBLE, THAT FEAR IS A SPIRIT; IT IS A HARASSING DEMON THAT KEEPS PEOPLE FROM BEING AT PEACE SO THEY CAN’T ENJOY A GOOD NIGHT’S SLEEP.

SOMETIMES GOD USES THE LACK OF SLEEP FOR HIS PURPOSE:               IN DANIEL 8:18, DANIEL WAS GIVEN A PROPHETIC VISION IN HIS SLEEP: – NOW AS HE WAS SPEAKING WITH ME, I WAS IN A DEEP SLEEP ON MY FACE TOWARD THE GROUND: BUT HE TOUCHED ME ND SET ME UPRIGHT  ( OR MADE ME STAND UP).

IN DANIEL 2:1, WE SEE WHERE THE INABILITY TO SLEEP IS CAUSED BY WORRY NEBUCHADNEZZAR DREAMED DREAMS…WHEREIN HIS SPIRIT WAS TROUBLED, AND SLEEP BROKE FROM HIM (HE COULD NOT SLEEP). WORRY CAN CAUSE ANY OF US TO HAVE INSOMNIA. IN ESTHER 6:1, THE KING COULD NOT SLEEP BECAUSE GOD WANTED HIM TO READ THE BOOK OF CHRONICLES.

INTERCESSORS AND MINISTERS OF THE GOSPEL, CAN’T SLEEP BECAUSE GOD HAS A PURPOSE IN MIND: MOSTLY, SO THEY CAN PRAY AND INTERCEDE ABOUT SOMETHING OR FOR SOMEONE.

PETER WAS FAST ASLEEP IN A PRISON (DUNGEON). JAMES HAD ALREADY BEEN BEHEADED FOR THE CAUSE OF THE GOSPEL, AND PETER WAS NEXT IN LINE: ACTS 12:1-11 – NOW ABOUT THAT TIME HEROD THE KING, STRETCHED FORTH HIS HANDS TO  VEX CERTAIN OF THE CHURCH. AND HE KILLED JAMES THE BROTHER OF JOHN WITH THE SWORD. AND BECAUSE HE SAW IT PLEASED THE JEWS, HE PROCEEDED FURTHER TO TAKE PETER ALSO. (THEN WERE THE DAYS OF UNLEAVENED BREAD).  AND WHEN HE HAD APPREHENDED HIM , HE PUT HIM IN PRISON, AND DELIVERED HIM TO FOUR QUATERNIONS OF SOLDIERS TO KEEP HIM; INTENDING  AFTER EASTER (PASSOVER) TO BRING HIM FORTH TO THE PEOPLE. PETER THEREFORE WAS KEPT IN PRISON; BUT PRAYER WAS MADE WITHOUT CEASING OF THE CHURCH UNTO GOD FOR HIM. AND WHEN HEROD WOULD HAVE BROUGHT HIM FORTH, THE SAME NIGHT PETER WAS SLEEPING BETWEEN TWO SOLDIERS BOUND WITH TWO CHAINS: AND THE KEEPERS BEFORE THE DOOR KEPT THE PRISON.

     AND BEHOLD, THE ANGEL OF THE LORD CAME UPON HIM, AND A LIGHT SHINED IN THE PRISON: AND HE SMOTE PETER ON THE SIDE, AND RAISED HIM UP, SAYING, ARISE UP QUICKLY. AND HIS CHAINS FELL OFF FROM HIS HANDS. AND THE ANGEL SAID UNTO HIM, GIRD THYSELF, AND BIND ON THY SANDELS. AND SO HE DID. AND HE SAITH UNTO HIM, CAST THY GARMENT ABOUT THEE, AND FOLLOW ME. AND HE WENT OUT, AND FOLLOWED HIM; AND WIST NOT THAT IT WAS TRUE WHICH WAS DONE BY THE ANGEL; BUT THOUGHT HE SAW A VISION. WHEN THEY WERE PAST THE FIRST AND SECOND WARD THEY CAME UNTO THE IRON GATE THAT LEADETH INTO THE CITY; WHICH OPENED TO THEM OF HIS OWN ACCORD. AND THEY WENT OUT, AND PASSED ON THROUGH THE STREET; AND FORTHWITH THE ANGEL DEPARTED FROM HIM. AND WHEN PETER WAS COME TO HIMSELF, HE SAID, NOW I KNOW OF A SURETY, THAT THE LORD SENT HIS ANGEL, AND HATH DELIVERED ME OUT OF THE HAND OF HEROD, AND FROM ALL THE EXPECTATION OF THE JEWS.

THIS WAS A TRYING TIME IN OUR HISTORY WHERE THE CHURCH WAS GOING THROUGH HARASSMENT AND PERSECUTION. WE FIND PETER FAST ASLEEP IN A PRISON.

BECAUSE HEROD, THE KING, SAW HOW IT PLEASED THE JEWS TO WATCH JAMES BE KILLED BY THE SWORD, THAT HE DECIDED PETER WOULD BE NEXT: AFTER THE PASSOVER.

SOMETIMES WE FIND IT HARD TO SLEEP AFTER WE HAVE PASSED THROUGH A TRIAL DURING THE DAY OR WE ATE PIZZA LATE IN THE EVENING.

THIS STORY OF PETER AMAZES ME BECAUSE PETER KNEW WHAT WAS TO TAKE PLACE THE NEXT MORNING, YET WE FIND HIM THE NIGHT BEFORE WHE WAS TO BE EXECUTED, AN A DEEP SLEEP, CHAINED BETWEEN TWO SOLDIERS, AND GUARDED WELL.

HEROD’S GREAT DESIRE TO PLEASE THE PEOPLE BY GIFTS AND SHOWS OF BLOOD TO WIN THEIR FAVER, HAD BEEN FOILED. HE WAS PLANNING TO BRING PETER UP ONTO A STAGE OR SOME HIGH GROUND WHERE ALL THE PEOPLE COULD SEE HIM CONDEMNED WHICH WOULD BE AS GOOD THEM AS A GLADIATORIAL SLAUGHTER TO A ROMAN AUDIENCE.

THIS IMPOSSIBLE SITUATION WAS JUST THE RIGHT TIMING FOR A MIRACULOUS EVEN IN THE HISTORY OF THE CHURCH. WHEN THE BATTLE SEEMS THE HOTTEST, THE VICTORY IS USUALLY THE SWEETEST.

SUDDENLY, THE LIGHT SHOWN IN THE PRISON! THE ANGEL HAD TO AWAKE PETER OUT OF A VERY DEEP SLEEP AND RESCUE HIM AS THE SOLDIERS SLEPT ON DUTY. THIS, BY THE WAY, IS AN UNFORGIVABLE ACTION OF A SOLDIER. THIS WAS HIS DEATH WARRENT.

WHY DID PETER HAVE SUCH A CALM DEEP SLEEP ON THE NIGHT BEFORE HIS INTENDED DEATH? BECAUSE HE KNEW HE WAS IN THE PERFECT WILL OF GOD, AND KNEW IT EVEN THOUGH THERE WAS A BATTLE GOING ON FOR HIS LIFE. PETER LIVED WHAT HE TAUGHT THE CHURCH.

WE LEARN SWEET SLEEP AND REST FROM THESE GREAT SOLDIERS OF THE CROSS; BUT THERE IS ONE MORE WAY WE LEARN: AND THAT IS THROUGH EXPERIENCING GOD’S PROMISES THROUGH OUR BEING TESTED.

LAST NIGHT I WAS STUNG IN THREE PLACES ON MY BODY BY A SCORPION IN BED DURING MY SLEEP. THE LAST TWO STINGS CAUSED ME TO JUMP OUT OF BED AND TURN ON THE LIGHT. THERE HE WAS, A BROWN SCORPION, READY TO STING AGAIN. MY HUSBAND SOON CAPTURED MY LITTLE ENEMY, AND I WENT BACK TO BED, AFTER CHECKING FOR MORE OF HIS LITTLE SCORPION FRIENDS. —-DID THIS KEEP ME AWAKE? NO! —-I WENT BACK TO SLEEP, LEAVING MYSELF IN THE HANDS OF THE ONE WHO IS FAITHFUL: MY LORD AND SAVIOR JESUS CHRIST. 

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APPEARANCES

I ASK YOU TO READ THIS MESSAGE WITH AN OPEN MIND AS I, AS AN OLDER WOMAN, TEACH YOU WHAT GOD HAS LAID ON MY HEART TODAY.

IN SCRIPTURE, WE ARE TOLD TO ABSTAIN FROM CERTAIN THINGS AND ACTIONS, SUCH AS: FORNICATION (I THESSALONIANS  4:3); ALL APPEARANCES OF EVIL (I THESSALONIANS 5:22); AND FLESHLY LUSTS (I PETER 2:11).

GIRLS (AND GUYS), GOD HAS GIVEN A BEAUTIFUL BODY TO REJOICE IN.

ALL OF US ARE …FEARFULLY AND WONDERFULLY MADE…(PSALM 139:14).

WHEN GOD CREATED WOMAN, HE FORMED HER FROM ONE OF ADAM’S RIBS; WHICH WAS THE FIRST RECORDED SURGERY. GENESIS 2:21-23 – AND GOD CAUSED A DEEP SLEEP TO FALL UPON ADAM, AND HE SLEPT: AND HE  TOOK ONE OF ADAM’S RIBS, AND CLOSED UP THE FLESH INSTEAD.

          AND THE RIB WHICH THE LORD HAD TAKEN FROM MAN, MADE HE A WOMAN, AND BROUGHT HER TO THE MAN. WOMAN MEANS: “AT LAST THIS ONE.” WHY DID ADAM CALL HER “AT LAST THIS ONE?” BECAUSE ALL THE ANIMALS CREATED HAD A MATE.—-…AND THE LORD GOD SAID, IT IS NOT GOOD THAT MAN SHOULD BE ALONE; I WILL MAKE A HELP MEET FOR HIM (ONE SUITABLE TO HELP HIM) (GENESIS 2:18).

SO HERE WE GO! IT IS GOD’S PLAN THAT MAN IS ATTRACTED TO WOMAN, AND WOMAN TO MAN.

IN GENESIS 4:1, WE SEE …AND ADAM KNEW EVE HIS WIFE; AND SHE CONCEIVED…

SEX BEGAN.

BEFORE THE FALL, AND RECOGNITION OF GOOD AND EVIL, THERE WAS NO NEED FOR ONE MAN ONE ONE WOMAN TO BE CLOTHED IN GARMENTS. THEY WERE CLOTHED IN THE LIGHT OF GOD, IN THE GARDEN OF EDEN WHERE THERE WAS NO SIN OR CORRUPTION. ALL WAS PURITY AND PEACE. THERE WAS NO SEXUAL CONTACT BETWEEN ADAM AND EVE BECAUSE THEY WERE IN A PLACE OF HOLY COMPANIONSHIP.

DID GOD KNOW THEN THAY WOULD FALL AND SIN? YES, BECAUSE THE SCRIPTURES SAY IN REVELATION 13:8b – …THE LAMB SLAIN FROM THE FOUNDATION OF THE WORLD…SO WE SEE, GOD MADE PROVISION FOR OUR SINS BEFORE THE FOUNDATION OF THE EARTH, BEFORE CREATION. GOD KNEW THE CHOICES OF MAN TO COME, AND GAVE US A SAVIOR THROUGH HIS SON, JESUS CHRIST. IT WAS GOD’S DIVINE PLAN THAT HIS SON WOULD DIE FOR US, AND RISE AGAIN ON THE THIRD DAY, AND ASCEND BACK TO HEAVEN TO PREPARE A PLACE FOR US. WHOSOEVER WILL MAY COME TO JESUS. COME TODAY.

AFTER GOD PRONOUNCED THE CONSEQUENCES OF SIN, IT IS RECORDED THAT HE CLOTHED ADAM AND EVE, AND AS HIS WIFE, SHE CONCEIVED A CHILD.

OUR AGE IS NOW CALLED A SEXUAL REVOLUTION: WITHOUT RESTRAINT, PORNOGRAPHY, FREE SEX, HOMOSEXUALITY OT OF THE CLOSET, EXPOSING ONE’S BODY, AND EVERYTHING GOES.

NOW, INSTESD ABSTAINING FROM ALL APPEARANCES OF EVIL, IT IS TO BE TOLERANT OF EVIL; DO YOUR OWN THING; MAKE YOUR OWN CHOICES! —-WE ARE FREE TO CHOOSE, BUT TAGGED-ON ARE THE CONSEQUENCES, OR COULD WE SAY, THE HARVEST OF OUR CHOICES.

TAKE THE CHOICE OF FORNICATION OF WHICH THE DEFINITION IS: SIN, ADULTRY, INFIDELITY, EXTRAMARITAL AFFAIR (ACTUALLY IT MEANS ANY TYPE OF SEXUAL PERVERSION, EVEN CHILD SEXUAL ABUSE. 

LOOK AT I THESSALONIANS 4:3-5– FOR THIS IS THE WILL OF GOD, EVEN YOUR SANCTIFICATION, THAT YE SHOULD ABSTAIN FROM FORNICATION:

          THAT EVERYONE OF YOU SHOULD KNOW HOW TO POSSESS HIS VESSEL IN SANCTIFICATION AND HONOR;

          NOT IN THE LUST OF CONCUPISCIENCE (PERSONAL DESIRE), EVEN AS THE GENTILES (HEATHEN) WHICH KNOW NOT GOD. 

WHEN THE CHOICE TO FORNICATE IS MADE, THERE ARE MANY CONSEQUENCES THAT EVOLVE. IT OPENS THE DOOR TO AIDS, VENEREAL DISEASES, HEARTACHE FOR YOU AND YOUR FAMILY, UNWED PREGNANCY, ABORTION, AND THE LIST GOES ON; NOT TO MENTION DOSOBEDIENCE TO,  AND CHASTISEMENT OF GOD. MOST SAY GUILT IS THE HARDEST TO OVERCOME.

WHAT ABOUT OUR APPEARANCE, WHICH INCLUDES CHOICE OF CLOTHING, OUR ACTIONS; WHO WE TRY TO IMITATE; ANYTHING THAT WOULD GO UNDER THE APPEARANCES WE WANT TO REVEAL TO OTHERS WHO ARE WATCHING OUR LIVES?

ABSTAIN FROM ALL APPEARANCES OF EVIL  (I THESSALONIANS 5:22).

I WAS TOLD BY AN ACQUAINTANCE OF MINE, WHO CONFESSED TO BE A CHRISTIAN, “IT DOESN’T MATTER THAT I AM LIVING WITH A MAN TO WHICH I AM NOT MARRIED. WE DON’T SLEEP TOGETHER.”

I KNEW THE CONSEQUENCES SHE COULD FACE BECAUSE A MAN AND WOMAN LIVING IN AHAOUS TOGETHER, ALONE, WHO ARE ATTRACTED TO EACH OTHER, SPELLS FORNICATION.

I SAID TO HER, “WE ARE TOLD TO ABSTAIN FROM ALL APPEARANCES OF EVIL.” SHE GOT VERY QUIET AND CONVICTION SET IN. PRAISE GOD, THROUGH A DANGER TO HERSELF, SHE GOT OUT OF THAT SITUATION. FROM THAT DAY SHE STAYED CLOSE TO THE LORD, AND SHE WENT TO BE WITH THE LORD TWO YEARS AGO.

WHAT ABOUT MODESTY?  I PETER 2:11 – DEARLY BELOVED, I BESEECH YOU AS STRANGERS AND PILGRAMS, ABSTAIN FROM FLESHLY LUSTS (DESIRES) WHICH WAR AGAINST THE SOUL;

STUDIES SHOW THAT MALES TEND TO BE MORE VISUALLY ORIENTED THAN FEMALES WHEN IT COMES TO SEXUAL AROUSAL. CHRISTIAN WOMEN, THEREFORE, HAVE A RESPONSIBILITY NOT TO TEMPT MEN BY THE WAY THEY PRESENT THEMSELVES. WE MUST KEEP THAT IN MIND WHEN WE EXAMINE PAUL’S INSTRUCTION TO TIMOTHY THAT WOMEN’S CLOTHING SHOULD BE MODEST, DECENT, AND PROPER. I TIMOTHY 2:9a,10 – IN LIKE MANNER ALSO, THAT WOMEN ADORN THEMSELVES IN MODEST APPAREL, WITH SHAMEFACEDNESS (REVERENCE TOWARD GOD, AND DECENCY; RESPECT) AND SOBRIETY (OR SELF CONTROL, SOUNDNESS OF MIND) …WHICH BECOMETH WOMEN PROFESSING GODLINESS) WITH GOOD WORKS.

THIS IS NOT THE DO’S AND DON’T”S—-IT IS ABOUT POWERFULLY COMMUNICATING OUR INDIVIDUAL VALUE AS WOMEN AND RESPECTING THE VALUE OF MEN. JUST LIKE EVERYTHING ELSE IN THE KINGDOM, MODESTY ISN’T ABOUT RULES AND REGULATIONS—-IT IS BORN IN THE REALM OF MOTIVES OR ISSUES OF THE HEART.

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THE MEANEST AND THE BADEST

THE SCRIPTURES RECORD MANY WHO WERE DEMON POSSESSED AND HAD ALL KINDS OF DISEASES THAT ARE INCURABLE, BUT ALL OF THESE ARE NO MATCH FOR JESUS. HE SOUGHT AFTER THEIR SOULS.

MANY CHRISTIANS ARE BOUND-UP WITH THINGS THAT KEEP THEM FROM GOD’S BEST FOR THEM. 

JOHN 4:9-14 – THUS SAITH THE WOMAN OF SAMARIA UNTO HIM, HOW IS IT THAT THOU BEING A JEW, ASKETH DRINK OF ME, WHICH AM A WOMAN  OF SAMARIA? FOR THE JEWS HAVE NO DEALINGS WITH THE SAMARITANS.

THIS WOMAN KNEW NOTHING ABOUT JESUS, SHE JUST KNEW HE WAS A MAN, ALTHOUGH SHE DID BELIEVE THE MESSIAH WAS TO COME. BEING A SAMARITAN, SHE DIDN’T UNDERSTAND WHY A JEW  WOULD HAVE ANYTHING TO DO WITH HER, MUCH LESS TALK TO HER.

JESUS HAD A PLAN IN MIND. HE DELIBERATELY WENT THROUGH SAMARIA FOR THIS REASON; TO TALK TO HER. HE WAS ALWAYS AT THE RIGHT PLACE AT THE RIGHT TIME, EVEN IN HIS DEATH.

HE COULD HAVE GONE ANOTHER ROUTE WHICH WOULD HAVE BEEN BETTER FOR HIM, BUT HE HAD A DIVINE APPOINTMENT UP THE ROAD.

THERE WAS A GREAT CONFLICT BETWEEN THE JEWS AND THE SAMARITANS CONCERNING WHERE THEY SHOULD WORSHIP.

BUT JESUS HAD A GREATER MISSION THERE THAN JUST ONE WOMAN. HE KNEW WHAT IT WOULD TAKE TO BRING REVIVAL TO THE PEOPLE OF SAMARIA.

HE WAS ABOVE ALL PREJUDICE.

HE WAS NOT INTERESTED IN WHERE TO WORSHIP, AS WHERE THE JEWS AND SAMARITANS, BECAUSE THE WORSHIP WAS ABOUT TO CHANGE. IT WOULD BE IN THE HEARTS OF THE BELIEVERS: THE JEW FIRST, AND THEN THE GENTILES.

MANY TIMES WE DON’T FEEL COMFORTABLE CROSSING OVER HE PREJUDICE BARRIERS TO WITNESS JESUS TO THOSE WE CONSIDER OUR ENEMY, OR DIFFERENT FROM US. THEIR CUSTOMS SOMETIMES TURN US OFF, AND WE ARE SOMETIMES INDIFFERENT TOWARDS THEM, MAYBE EVEN AFRAID OF THEM.

JESUS BEGAN TO TELL THE WOMAN ABOUT HER LIFE THROUGH THE WORD OF KNOWLEDGE. SHE HAD A BAD REPUTATION, AND ONLY THE MEN WOULD TALK TO HER.

HOW DO I KNOW THAT? SHE CAME TO THE WELL ALONE, NOT LIKE THE CUSTOMARY TIME OF THE DAY WHEN THE WOMEN GATHERED TO DRAW WATER.

JESUS GAVE HER THAT LIVING WATER THAT DOES NOT COME FROM THE WELL, IT WAS EVERLASTING LIFE!! SHE WENT AWAY WITHOUT HER WATERPOT, AND BROUGHT OTHERS TO THAT WATER THAT WAS NOT FROM THE WELL, AND THEY CAME TO JESUS AND RECEIVED SALVATION.

WE AS BELIEVERS ARE TOLD IN MATTHEW 28:19, TO …GO YE THEREFORE AND TEACH ALL NATIONS… BUT SOMETIMES WE SHUN THOSE OF WHICH GOD REALLY WANTS US TO WITNESS.

THE MOST UNLIKELY ONE’S ARE THOSE WHO ARE THE BIGGEST CATCH IN GOD’S KINGDOM.

HERE, I AM REMINDED OF A MISSIONARY TRIP, WHEN BEFORE GOING, I PRAYED, “GOD, GIVE US THE SOULS OF THE ‘MEANEST AND BADEST’ (WHICH IS NOT VERY GOOD ENGLISH, BY THE WAY), BUT NEVERTHELESS, THAT’S THE WAY I PRAYED. 

WE WERE HAVING A TENT REVIVAL IN SOTO, A VILLAGE IN THE DOMINICAN REPUBLIC.

THE SERVICES WERE GOING WONDERFUL. GOD WAS MOVING.

THEN, ALL OF A SUDDEN!!  – THERE WAS A LOUD COMMOTION. I DIDN’T KNOW WHAT WAS GOING ON, I WAS ERNESTLY PRAYING FOR A LADY WHO WANTED TO GET SAVED  AND WANTED PRAYER FOR HER HURT LEG.

I WAS STILL PRAYING FOR HER LEG WHEN MY HUSBAND AND BILL POSEY YELLED TO US TO GET OUT OF THE TENT AND RUN INTO THE FIELD  BEHIND THE TENT.

ROCKS WERE SAILING INTO THE TENT WITH MIGHTY FORCE!!

SOME OF OUR FRIENDS HAD COME TO THE REVIVAL WITH THEIR CARS AND TRUCKS. THEIR WINDSHIELDS GOT IN THE LINE OF FIRE, AND WERE CRASHED AND SHATTERED.

SOME OF THE YOUNG MEN FIGHTING, WERE INTOXICATED.

WE FOUND OUT LATER FROM MISSIONARY MITCH MARTINEZ, THEY WERE TWO FACTIONS ROCK BATTLEING, AND WE JUST SEEMED TO BE IN THEIR CROSSFIRE.

THE WOMEN AND CHILDREN WERE RUSHED INTO VEHICLES AND SPED OFF, AWAY FROM DANGER.

I NOTICED MY HUSBAND, ROY PORTER, BILL , JERKED OUT TWO TENT POSTS, AND WERE READY FOR CONFRONTATION IF NEEDED BE.

THE NEXT NIGHT, ONE OF OUR FRIENDS, MIRIAM SANCHEZ, WENT TO THE POLICE AND ARRIVED WITH THREE POLICEMEN. ONE OF THEM WAS VERY BIG AND HAD KILLED SOME PEOPLE, SO HIS REPUTATION WAS WELL KNOWN AMONG THE PEOPLE.

EVERYTHING WENT WELL THAT NIGHT, AND THE POLICEMEN GOT SAVED.

THE THIRD NIGHT, WE HAD NO POLICEMEN. I GUESS THE POLICE THOUGHT WE DIDN’T NEED ANY BECAUSE THE NIGHT BEFORE WAS QUIET.

MY HUSBAND SPOTTED SOME OF THE ROCK THROWERS GATHER AROUND IN VARIOUS PLACES, SPREADING-OUT,  HE HAD NO GUN, SO HE ASKED THE MISSIONARY FOR THIS WOODEN BRUSH. HE WRAPPED A HANKIE AROUND IT, AND STUFFED IT INTO HIS POCKET. IT REALLY DID LOOK LIKE A GUN.

THE WORD GOT AROUND, “THE PASTOR HAS A GUN.”

SOME SAID, “THE PASTOR????

HE ASKED SANDRA SLIGH TO PREACH FOR HIM, SO HE COULD KEEP AN EYE ON THINGS AND I WAS TO GIVE THE ALTER CALL IN WHICH ONE OF THE FACTION WHICH WAS INTOXICATED, GAVE HIS HEART TO CHRIST.

SOON AFTER, I SAW MY HUSBAND WITH TWO MORE. HE SAT THEM DOWN IN CHAIRS AND BEGAN TO TALK TO THEM, AS THE HOLY SPIRIT WAS DEALING WITH THEIR HEARTS.

BOTH YOUNG MEN GAVE THEIR HEARTS TO JESUS, AND SHORTLY AFTER, ONE OF THEM PULLED OUT A BUTCHER KNIFE AND HANDED IT TO ROY.

HE STILL TODAY HAS THAT BRUSH AND KNIFE IN HIS STUDY.

SEVERAL OF THE ROCK THROWERS GOT SAVED, AND STARTED A BASEBALL TEAM. I’M SURE YOU KNOW WHAT FABULOUS BASEBALL PLAYERS THE DOMINICANS ARE!

THE NEXT YEAR WENT THERE, AND PRESENTED THOSE GUYS A BOX OF BASEBALLS, AND THEY, IN TURN, PRESENTED ROY WITH A BASEBALL OF ALL THEIR SIGNATURES, WHICH STILL IS A PRIZED POSESSION OF HIS.   NOTHING IS IMPOSSIBLE WITH GOD!!! 

 

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PURPOSE AND WAITING

THERE IS A PURPOSE FOR ALL GOD HAS DONE, IS DOING, AND WILL DO IN YOUR LIFE.

WE ARE ALL BORN WITH INTO THIS WORLD WITH A DESTINY OF GOD’S PURPOSE.

SOME OF US HAVE GONE OUR OWN WAY SO LONG, IT IS HARD FOR US TO IMAGINE GOD HAS A BEAUTIFUL PLAN IN MIND FOR US.  

GOD USES PEOPLE TO ACCOMPLISH HIS PURPOSES; AS WELL AS MINISTERING SPIRITS, WHICH HE ALSO CREATED FOR A CERTAIN PURPOSE.

WE ARE HIS CREATION AND WE BELONG TO HIM.

IN ECCLESIASTES 3:1 WE READ –    TO EVERYTHING THERE IS A SEASON, AND A TIME TO EVERY PURPOSE UNDER HEAVEN:

SO BY THIS SCRIPTURE, WE SEE THERE IS A SEASON AND A TIME TO EVERY PURPOSE; SO THIS MUST MEAN THERE IS A TIME FOR US TO BE BORN AND A PURPOSE IN THE MIND OF GOD FOR US TO BE BORN AT THAT APPOINTED TIME.

PURPOSE IS DEFINED AS: END OR AIM DESIRED; DESIGN; SETTLED INTENTION.

GOD CHOSE THE FAMILY INTO WHICH YOU WERE BORN.

YOU WERE NEVER A MISTAKE.

HAVE YOU FOUND YOUR PURPOSE?

ARE YOU STILL FLOUNDERING AROUND WITH THE CALL OF GOD ON YOUR LIFE?

HAVE YOU, AS YET, NOT FOUND YOUR PLACE IN THE BODY OF CHRIST?

MANY HAVE FELT THE CALL OF GOD ON THEIR LIFE, AND HAVE NOT FOUND THEIR PLACE AS YET; BUT THAT DOESN’T STOP THEM FROM “BLOOMING” WHERE THEY ARE PLANTED NOW, EVEN IF THEY HAVE BEEN PLANTED BY NO CHOICE OF THEIR OWN.

THEY DO THE WAITING GAME. THEY WAIT ON GOD TO LEAD, AND THEY JUST FOLLOW, KNOWING THAT HE HAS THE RIGHT ROUTE FOR THEM TO TAKE AHEAD OF THEM. 

HE KNOWS WHEN IT IS THE RIGHT TIMING, AND THE THE RIGHT CROSSROAD WHEN WE CROSS OVER INTO THE BEAUTIFUL PLAN TAILORMADE JUST FOR YOU.

SO HOW DO WE KNOW IT IS THE RIGHT PLAN WHEN WE ENTER IT?

WE ARE TO SEEK GOD FOR IT, TO RECOGNIZE IT WHEN IT ARRIVES.

MATTHEW 6:33 –  SEEK YE FIRST THE KINGDOM OF GOD AND HIS RIGHTEOUSNESS, AND ALL THESE THINGS SHALL BE ADDED UNTO YOU

WE ARE COUNSELED TO ASK, SEEK, AND KNOCK THROUGH PRAYER.

I HAVE FOUND, BY EXPERIENCE, THAT WAITING IS PART OF THE CALLING.

MANY DON’T LAST THROUGH THE WAITING PERIOD, THEY PROCEED AHEAD IN THEIR OWN WILL, AND I AM SORRY TO SAY, SOME FALL BY THE WAYSIDE. THEY REFUSED THE WAITING PERIOD OF THEIR CALLING OR APPOINTMENT.. 

I HAVE FOUND THE BEST THING TO DO WHEN YOU DON’T KNOW, IS TO REST AND WAIT.

ALSO, THERE ARE  THOSE AROUND YOU WHO NEED YOU. FAMILY. MINISTER TO THEM WHILE YOU ARE WAITING. 

BUT THEY THAT WAIT UPON THE LORD SHALL RENEW THEIR STRENGTH; THEY SHALL MOUNT UP WITH WINGS AS EAGLES; THEY SHALL RUN AND NOT BE WEARY; AND THEY SHALL WALK AND NOT FAINT.  ISAIAH 40:31

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PEACE TO THIS HOUSE

HOW CAN WE BE THE CHRISTIAN AND MINISTER GOD WANTS US TO BE, IF THERE IS NO PEACE WITHIN?

IN MY TIME WITH THE LORD, HE SPOKE TO MY HEART, “I AM GOING TO BRING PEACE TO THIS HOUSE.”

I THOUGHT, THERE IS NO TROUBLE IN MY HOUSE. MY HUSBAND HAVE BEEN MARRIED OVER 4O YEARS, AND WE GET ALONG GREAT. THERE IS NO ONE ELSE IN THE HOUSE BUT THE TWO OF US.

THEN I REALIZED, OUR LORD WAS TALKIING ABOUT HIS TEMPLE WITHIN ME.

WE ARE THE TEMPLE OF THE HOLY SPIRIT, I CORINTHIANS 6:19 –  WHAT?  KNOW YE NOT THAT YOUR BODY IS THE TEMPLE OF THE HOLY GHOST WHICH IS IN YE HAVE OF GOD, AND YE ARE NOT YOUR OWN?

IF HE WAS GOING TO BRING PEACE TO MY HOUSE THERE MUST BE A LACK OF IT. I WAS TROUBLED ABOUT TOO MANY THINGS: MINISTRY, PEOPLE.

I KNEW I NEEDED TO HAVE PEACE WITHIN, SO I COULD BE MY BEST FOR GOD AND HIS KINGDOM.

WORRY IS NOT JUST A LACK OF FAITH, IT IS SIN. IT CAUSES A LACK OF PEACE OF MIND AND HEART.

PHILIPPIANS 4:5-7 – LET YOUR MODERATION (SELF CONTROL) BE KNOWN UNTO ALL MEN, THE LORD IS AT HAND (THE LORD IS COMING; THE LORD IS IN CONTROL).

BE CAREFUL FOR NOTHING  (DO NOT BE WORRIED ABOUT ANYTHING; OR DO NOT BE ANXIOUS); BUT IN EVERTHING BY PRAYER AND SUPPLICATION WITH THANKSGIVING LET YOUR REQUESTS BE MADE KNOWN UNTO GOD.

AND THE PEACE OF GOD, WHICH PASSETH ALL UNDERSTANDING, SHALL KEEP (GUARD LIKE A WARRIOR ON DUTY) YOUR HEARTS AND MINDS THROUGH CHRIST JESUS.

GOD GIVES US PEACE THROUGH JESUS CHRIST. JESUS IS CALLED THE PRINCE OF PEACEIN ISAIAH 9:6 – FOR UNTO US A CHILD IS BORN, UNTO US A SON IS GIVEN: AND THE GOVERNMENTSHALL BE UPON HIS SHOULDER: AND HIS NAME SHALL BE CALLED WONDERFUL, COUNSELOR, THE MIGHTY GOD, THE PRINCE OF PEACE.

MANY HAVE INTERRUPTED SLEEP, BECAUSE OF THE LACK OF PEACE: PSALM 4:8 – I WILL BOTH LAY ME DOWN IN PEACE, AND SLEEP: FOR THOU, LORD, ONLY MAKEST ME DWELL IN SAFETY.

WE SEE IN THIS VERSE, ONLY THE PRINCE OF PEACE CAN BRING PEACE.

YOU MAY BE THE ONE WHO IS NOT SLEEPING WELL BECAUSE YOU HAVE SOMETHING IN YOUR LIFE THAT SEPARATES YOU FROM GOD’S BEST FOR YOU. YOU LIE AWAKE, KNOWING, JESUS IS COMING BACK SOON, AND YOU ARE NOT READY. YOU CALL IT THE END OF THE WORLD, BUT FOR A BELIEVER IT IS OUR REAL LIFE, AND NEW GLORIOUS BEGINNING.

THOSE DREAMS YOU HAVE BEEN HAVING, TROUBLE YOU. YOU WAKE UP IN A COLD SWEAT, SAYING, “WHAT’S WRONG WITH ME?”

THOSE OF YOU WHO ARE NOT BORN AGAIN, WILL NEVER FIND PEACE UNTIL YOU GIVE YOUR LIVES TO JESUS CHRIST , AS YOUR LORD AND SAVIOR.

GIVE YOUR HEART AND LIFE TO JESUS, HE IS CALLING YOU TO HIS LOVE AND FORGIVENESS.

SOME NEED TO GIVE UP THAT THING THAT IS COMING BETWEEN YOU AND YOUR LORD: OF YOU DON’T, YOU WILL END UP LOOSING THAT THING, AND ALSO THE ONE WHO DIED FOR YOU.

YOUR CHILDREN NEED PEACE OPERATING IN YOUR LIFE. THIS WILL HELP THEM TO FIND PEACE IN THEIR LIVES.

YOU MIGHT SAY, “I’M DOING THE BEST I CAN, BUT MY CHILDREN A DRIVING ME CRAZY.”

TAKE INVENTORY, DO YOU HAVE PEACE WITH GOD?

DOES YOUR CHILD EXPERIENCE PEACE AND LOVE AT HOME? OR IS THERE ALWAYS TERMOIL, AND A LOT OF YELLING AND SOMETIMES, EVEN FIGHTS BREAK OUT?

SOMETIMES CHILDREN CULTIVATE THIS KIND OF BEHAVIOR IN THEIR LIVES, AND BECOME ANGRY AND REBELLIOUS; AND DON’T EVEN UNDERSTAND WHY THEY ACT THAT WAY, AND FEEL THE STRESS OF LIFE.

IF YOU CULTIVATE A TRUST IN GOD TO TAKE CARE OF EVERYTHING, AND YOU DO YOUR BEST, GOD WILL SEE AND HEAR FROM HEAVEN AND HEAL YOUR LIFE.

WHEN WE AS BELIEVERS DON’T HAVE PEACE, I BELIEVE WE ARE NOT REALLY ABIDING IN HIM. I KNOW HOW THE BALLTES COME TO TRY AND STOP US FROM TRUSTING GOD WITH EVEYTHING THAT COMES OUR WAY, BUT I ALSO KNOW GOD DECLARES THAT THE BATTLE IS HIS.

I HAVE PRAISED MYSELF OUT OF MANY SITUATIONS, WITH PRAYER AND SUPPLICATIONS (SUGGESTS PRAYER TO AVOID ALL EVIL) I LET MY REQUEST BE KNOWN UNTO GOD.

HE ALREADY KNOWS, HE JUST WANTS YOU TO INTIMATELY SHARE IT WITH HIM.

AND ONCE YOU GIVE IT TO HIM, IT’S HIS.

IF WE ASK GOD TO HELP US WALK IN THE SPIRIT AND NOT IN THE FLESH, WE WILL SEE A DIFFERENCE IN OUR DAILY WALK WITH HIM.

THE PEACE THAT GOD GIVES, FLOWS FROM THE SENCING OF HIS MOST GRACIOUS PRESENCE, AND CONSISTS IN CHILD LIKE CONFIDENCE AND TRUSTFUL LOVE.

THIS PEACE PASSES ALL UNDERSTANDING; IT’S CALM BLESSEDNESS GOSES FARTHER THAN THE REACH OF HUMAN THOUGHT; IT CAN BE ONLY KNOWN BY THYE INNER EXPERIENCE OF THE BELIEVER.

HE IS ABLE TO DO EXCEEDINGLY ABUNDANTLY ABOVE ALL THAT WE ASK OR THINK (EPHESIANS 3:20).

PHILIPPIANS 4:7b – …SHALL KEEP YOUR HEARTS AND MINDS THROUGH CHRIST JESUS… THE PEACE OF GOD IN THE HEART IS A SURE AND RELIABLE MILITARY FORCE, GUARDING IT SO THAT THE EVIL SPIRIT, ONCE CAST OUT, CANNOT RETURN.

HAVE YOU EVER NOTICED THE FREEDOM YOU FEEL WHEN SOMETHING BOTHERING YOU KEAVES?

IN CHRIST JESUS, TRUE ABIDING BELIEVERS, UNDERSTAND HIS PROMISE, PEACE I LEAVE WITH YOU, MY PEACE I GIVE UNTO YOU, LET NOT YOUR HEART BE TROUBLED, NEITHER LET IT BE AFRAID (JOHN 14). WE SEE HERE, JESUS GIVES US PEACE, AND THE HOLY SPIRIT ALSO GIVES US PEACE: GALATIANS 5:22 – BUT THE FRUIT OF THE (HOLY) SPIRIT IS LOVE, JOY, PEACE, LONG-SUFFERING, GENTLENESS, GOODNESS, FAITH…

SO WE UNDERSTAND THAT PEACE COMES FROM THE FATHER, THE SON, AND THE HOLY SPIRIT     

 

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BRING EVERY THOUGHT TO THE OBEDIENCE OF CHRIST

AS I WAS IN MY TIME WITH THE LORD, HE BEGAN TO SPEAK:

     “NEVER BE AFRAID TO DO ANYTHING I GIVE YOU. ALWAYS PLACE IT INTO MY HANDS.

THIS IS A TIME OF VICTORY AND PEACE FOR YOU.

NOTHING WILL PULL YOU AWAY FROM MY FUTURE FOR YOU. 

YOU ARE TO BE AFRAID OF NOTHING. YOU ARE TO SERVE ME WITH ALL YOUR HEART, AND BE READY TO OPERATE IN MY KINGDOM THE WAY I HAVE PLANNED FOR YOU. 

YOU WILL NEVER BE CURSED WITH THE DISEASES OF YOUR FATHERS, BECAUSE YOUR HEAVENLY FATHER HAS NO DISEASE.

YOU ARE IN MY FAMILY AND YOUR DNA HAS CHANGED FROM THE EARTHLY TO THE HEAVENLY. 

NOW, GET THIS THOUGHT OUT OF YOUR MIND. BRING EVERY THOUGHT TO THE OBEDIENCE OF CHRIST.

THERE ARE THOUGHTS THAT SHOULD NEVER BE GOING THROUGH YOUR MIND. WHY DO YOU THINK MY WORD SAYS, CASTING DOWN EVERY IMAGINATION?

I DIDN’T PUT THOSE THOUGHTS THERE, SO WHO DID? THOSE DISOBEDIENT AND LYING THOUGHTS COME FROM SATAN. 

THEY ARE LYING THOUGHTS AND HAVE TO BE DELETED FROM YOUR MIND.”

 

**THE LORD GAVE ME THIS WORD WHEN I WAS PONDERING IN MY MIND CONCERNING A TERRIBLE DISEASE MOST OF MY DADDY’S BROTHERS AND SISTERS AND OTHERS PASSED AWAY WITH. I BROKE THIS OVER MY FAMILY THROUGH PRAYER BUT STLL, IT HAUNTED ME. 

  

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LYING THOUGHTS

THIS MESSAGE TODAY INVOLVES EVERY PERSON ON THE PLANET EARTH.

AS THIS MESSAGE UNFOLDS, YOU WILL BEGIN TO UNDERSTAND THAT GOD’S THOUGHTS ARE NOT OURS, BUT THEY SHOULD BE.

THE WORD THOUGHT IS DEFINED AS THE REASONING OF THE MIND; LYING, AS THE MANIFESTATION OF UNTRUTH.

SO, LYING THOUGHTS COULD BE EXPLAINED THIS WAY: MANIFESTATIONS OF UNTRUTHS BY THE REASONING OF THE MIND. OUR MINDS SEEM TO BE INVOLVED IN EVERYTHING WE SAY OR DO.

IN ROMANS 12:1,2 WE ARE TOLD TO PRESENT OUR BODIES A LIVING SACRIFICE, HOLY, ACCEPTABLE UNTO GOD, AND NOT TO BE CONFORMED TO THIS WORLDS WAY OF THINKING, BUT TO BE TRANSFORMED BY THE RENEWING OF OUR MINDS: THAT WE MAY DEMONSTRATE WHAT IS  …THAT GOOD, AND ACCEPTABLE, AND PERFECT WILL OF GOD.

SO TO STOP THINKING LYING THOUGHTS, WE HAVE TO RENEW OUR MINDS TO THE WORD OF GOD, AND NOT HOW THE WORLD THINKS.

 II CORINTHIANS 10:4,5 –   (FOR THE WEAPONS OF OUR WARFARE ARE NOT CARNAL, BUT MIGHTY THROUGH GOD TO THE PULLING DOWN OF STRONGHOLDS;)

     CASTING DOWN EVERY IMAGINATION, AND EVERY HIGH THING (OR PROUD THING) THAT EXALTETH ITSELF AGAINST THE KNOWLEDGE OF GOD, AND BRINGING INTO CAPTIVITY EVERY THOUGHT TO THE OBEDIENCE OF CHRIST.

A THOUGHT STARTS OUT AS A SEED, AND BECOMES IMAGINATION; AND THEN A STRONGHOLD OF THE MIND. THIS NEGATIVE SEED IS PLANTED BY THE ENEMY, SATAN.

IF WE CAN CONTROL THE SEED STAGE, HE CAN CONTROL THE HARVEST.

WE HAVE A CHOICE IN THE MATTER: WE CAN ALLOW THE THOUGHTS TO STAY, OR FIND OUT WHAT THE WORD SAYS, AND THINK ON THOSE THINGS.

PHILIPPIANS 4:9 –   THOSE THINGS, WHICH YE HAVE BOTH LEARNED, AND RECEIVED, AND HEARD AND SEEN IN ME (PAUL) DO: AND THE GOD OF PEACE SHALL BE WITH YOU.

WHAT WE ALL NEED IS PEACE.

WE ARE TOLD TO THINK ON THESE THINGS IN PHILIPPIANS 4:6-8: WHATSOEVER THINGS ARE TRUE, HONEST, JUST, PURE, LOVELY,  OF GOOD REPORT; AND IF THERE BE ANY VIRTURE OR PRAISE …AND THE GOD OF PEACE SHALL BE WITH YOU.

SO, ANY THOUGHT THAT DOESN’T MEASURE-UP TO THESE VERSES, HAVE TO BE LYING THOUGHTS.

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WHAT DOES GOD THINK?

WHAT DOES GOD THINK?

BETTER STILL, WHAT DOES HE THINK ABOUT US?

PSALM 139:17 –  HOW PRECIOUS ALSO ARE THY THOUGHTS UNTO ME, O GOD! HOW GREAT IS THE SUM OF THEM.

SHOULD WE THINK LESS OF OURSELVES THAN GOD DOES?

VERSE 18 –  IF I SHOULD COUNT THEM, THEY ARE MORE IN NUMBER THAN THE SAND: WHEN I AM AWAKE, I AM STILL WITH THEE.

DAVID KNEW HIS THOUGHTS WERE NOT GOD’S THOUGHTS, AT TIMES, SO HE PRAYED THIS PRAYER IN VERSE 23,24 —SEARCH ME , O GOD, AND KNOW MY HEART: TRY ME AND KNOW MY THOUGHTS: AND SEE IF THERE BE ANY WICKED WAY IN ME, AND LEAD ME IN THE WAY EVERLASTING.

LORD, HELP ME NOT TO THINK OF THOSE THINGS THAT ARE NOT PLEASING TO YOU. LET NO SEED COME INTO MY MIND THAT DOES NOT LINE UP WITH YOUR WORD, AND WHAT YOU THINK ABOUT ME. 

THANK YOU FOR YOUR LOVE FOR ME; AND MY DESIRE IS TO FIT INTO YOUR PLAN FOR MY LFE. 

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LISTEN

MANY OF US HAVE MUCH TO SAY; SOME MORE THAN OTHERS.

WE WANT TO BE HEARD.

LORD, HELP US TO LISTEN; HEAR WHAT YOU ARE SPEAKING TO US, AND REALLY HEAR WHAT OTHERS HAVE TO SAY.

WHEN SOMEONE IS TRYING TO SHARE THEIR HEART WITH US, WE SOMETIMES RATTLE-ON, GIVING ADVICE, WHEN WE ARE NOT REALLY HEARING WHAT THEY ARE SAYING.

GUILTY? WELL, SO AM I.

WE WANT TO SOLVE THEIR PROBLEMS FOR THEM.

IN COUNSELING, WE ARE TOLD NOT TO MAKE A QUICK JUDGMENT THE FIRST TIME SOMEONE DISCUSSES THEIR PROBLEMS WITH US. LET THEM HAVE TIME TO HEAR THEMSELVES SPEAK IT OUT.

SOMETIMES, WHAT THEY HEAR FROM THEIR OWN MOUTH SOUNDS SILLY TO THEM AFTER THEY PUT IT IN WORDS. OCCASIONALLY, THEY SOLVE THEIR OWN PROBLEM BY WHAT THEY HEAR.

WE ARE TO LISTEN, SO WE CAN UNDERSTAND THEIR HEART IN WHAT THEY ARE  REALLY WANTING TO SAY WITHOUT STATING IT.

SOMETIMES, IT IS SO HARD TO SPEAK IT OUT.

A LISTENING EAR IS OF GREATER IMPORTANCE THAN A THOUSAND WORDS UTTERED TO THE PERSON DESIRING COUNSELING.

IF WE LISTEN, WE WILL HEAR.

EVERONE NEEDS A LISTENING EAR AT SOME POINT IN THEIR LIFE.

I BELIEVE IF PARENTS WOULD LISTEN INSTEAD OF LECTURING THEIR TEEN, THEY WOULD LEARN A GREAT DEAL FROM WHAT THEY ARE NOT SAYING. THEY WILL BEGIN TO OPEN-UP AND SHARE THEIR HEART, AND FEARS WITH YOU.

DON’T GET SO BUSY THAT YOU CAN’T HEAR THEM. IF THEY OPEN-UP TO YOU, YOU WILL ALWAYS BE ABLE TO GUIDE THEM IN THE RIGHT DIRECTION.

TEENS REALLY DO WANT THEIR PARENT’S APPROVAL; AND EVEN IF THEY SAY THEY DON’T WANT ATTENTION, THEY ARE ACTUALLY SAYING TO YOU, “I WONT ASK FOR IT, BUT I WILL DO ANYTHING I HAVE TO DO TO GET IT!”

MOST PEOPLE DON’T WANT TO HEAR WHAT YOU HAVE TO SAY ABOUT A MATTER; THEY JUST WANT TO HAVE THE OPPORTUNITY TO TELL SOMEONE WHO WILL LISTEN.

AT TIMES, THEY HAVE THEIR MINDS MADE UP PREVIOUSLY, ABOUT WHAT THEY ARE GOING TO DO BEFORE THEY GET THERE, THEY JUST WANT TO SHARE IT WITH SOMEONE.

WHAT THEY ARE WANTING TO SAY, COMES OUT AFTER A WHILE, OR AFTER A FEW TIMES OF TALKING ABOUT IT. THEY START TO FEEL AT EASE WITH YOU AND SHARE WHAT IS ON THEIR HEART.

HAVING SOMEONE TO LISTEN IS OF GREAT VALUE TO A TROUBLED SOUL. IT COULD BE THE DIFFERENCE IN SOMEONE COMMITTING SUICIDE, AND NOT COMMITTING SUICIDE

WE JUST DON’T KNOW HOW IMPORTANT IT IS TO LISTEN.

TRY THIS EXPERIMENT: WHILE CARRYING ON A CONVERSATION WITH SOMEONE; STOP TALKING, AND LISTEN.

THE WORD LISTEN IS USED ONLY ONCE IN THE HOLY SCRIPTURES, IN ISAIAH 49:1. IT IS A HEBREW WORD: SHAMA (SHAW-MAH’), WHICH MEANS TO HEAR INTELLIGENTLY, CAREFULLY, ATTENTIVELY. IT ALSO IMPLIES OBEDIENCE.

IN FIRST KINGS 8:30 – SOLOMON ASKED GOD, …AND HARKEN THOU TO THE SUPPLICATION OF THY SERVANT, AND THY PEOPLE, ISRAEL, WHEN THEY SHALL PRAY TOWARD THIS PLACE: AND HEAR THOU IN HEAVEN THY DWELLING PLACE: AND WHEN THOU HEAREST, FORGIVE. SOLOMON USED: HEARKEN, HEAR,HEAREST.

ALL THREE WORDS ARE DEFINED THE SAME AS THE WORD, LISTEN: TO HEAR CAREFULLY, INTELLIGENTLY, AND ATTENTIVELY. SO, LISTEN AND HEAR MEAN THE SAME IN THE ORIGINAL LANGUAGE, AS WELL AS OUR MODERN LANGUAGE.

SO STOP TALKING, AND LISTEN, AND YOU WILL SEE GREAT RESULTS.

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