"The Spirit of the Sovereign LORD is on me, because the LORD has anointedme to preach good news to the poor. He has sent me tobind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim freedomfor the captives and release from darkness for the prisoners, to proclaimthe year of the LORD's favorand the day of vengeance of our God, to comfort all who mourn, and provide for those who grieve in Zion — to bestow on them a crown of beauty instead of ashes, the oil of gladness instead of mourning, and a garment of praise instead of a spirit of despair."~fromISAIAH 61 Bible verse for this Blog
APOLOGY to READERS who followed a SEARCH to HERE & didn't find it
On July 18, 2017, I drafted almost 3000 blog posts that I had published since 2008 when I began blogging, rather than edit each one. So if you clicked here from somewhere else and ended up with the post unavailable or error, I am sorry but this is why. It'd be too much work for me to go back and fix them. There's an explanation on7/19/17as I'm still learning.
" ... those who drink the water I give will never be thirsty again. It becomes a fresh, bubbling spring within them, giving them eternal life.” John 4:14 NLT
" ... I offer water that will become a wellspring within you that gives life throughout eternity. You will never be thirsty again. John 4:14 (The Voice)
{although that Scripture verse does not have the One Word AUTHORITY in it}
but 2 Corinthians 10:8 does
However, there are two verses that come to my mind & the third one, I don't like much:
Matthew 28:18
(spoken by Jesus to His disciples)
Luke 10:19
(again Jesus speaking)
Romans 13:1-2
(written by Paul to Gentile believers in Rome)
I guess I don't really like "snakes and scorpions" either, nor what the represent.
And I agree what Paul has written, I just think too many are misusing this in recent times.
Yet, it is meant to describe that we, as Christians live under the
AUTHORITY of our government authorities.
Here in our country, that used to make more sense.
But think about if you live in another country, not governed fairly.
A dictatorship, for example. A corrupt governing body.
I guess this is when we use Luke 10:19. (lol)
This is not so far fetched right now in our own country
- our democracy is in great peril -
I am greatly saddened by the direction of our governing bodies
or lack of direction and the AUTHORITY that they think they now have or will;
I can't even begin to get into this, but I really should.
Believe me, I am praying relentlessly to God
and for God's AUTHORITY over these governing authorities
here and in other countries, especially those persecuting Christians.
I am sure that we never even imagined ourselves living under persecution.
Too many of us have taken for granted the freedoms we have been afforded;
so blessed to be given and have, just because of where we were born.
I beg God to have mercy on us!
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This was not the topic of the devotion, but I can't stop myself from those above thoughts.
I love this statement at the end of this devotion on
AUTHORITY
"... The way to operate in our God-given AUTHORITY is to reframe our perspective based on Him, not on us. Hand in hand, bringing heaven to earth."
If those in AUTHORITY did this, we'd have much less to be concerned about in our
government leaders, that are more and more less like God or Jesus' teaching.
And not even close to being leaders!
Thank God for His AUTHORITY!
I do realize that this verse says that God establishes our leaders
but the purpose is not for their own purposes or power
BUT GOD'S
taking control or controlling or refusing to submit to God
seems to be the current dilemma
"Generally speaking,
human government serves to rein in & punish evil."
I'm seeing too much evil, out of control, because of power thirsty governmental leaders.
As I've stated, we are in an impending and disastrous spiral of evil & peril -
out of fear, and need to be in power over others & their freedoms.
There are too many lies being projected repeatedly so they're believed,
we are being deceived sadly and duped by
"snakes & scorpions"
indoctrinated in false statements.
May God save us & wake up His Church to His Truth!
As you can tell, I care deeply and am passionate about the perilous direction of our country. It is hard for me to not say something. And I have spoken (written) too much and not enough. I am finding it difficult to write further on this blog post without alerting as many as I can to the times in which we live and the importance of God's AUTHORITY, our obedience and our responsibility as true believers of Jesus Christ ... not ones who are bowing to human entities, or supremacies of any human. We are all created in God's image equally, no one is supreme over another, no race or ethnic group is supreme. We are surrendering the power given to us in Jesus, for a false human power, not one by the Spirit - not of might nor of the Spirit's power. Please open your spiritual eyes and hearts to what the teaching of Jesus says and His Word warning us to beware; even of those in the Church. Too many lack the character of Jesus in these days and are leading us to save their own skins, at a high cost to us.
Trust me when I began this post, I had no idea that I would head off in this direction from this One Word. Before I loose too many of you, and some of you might have stopped reading this even before now, I will continue with the other One Words for each day this week - rather than continue, but I won't delete what I have poured out, or expound any further. I'm hoping my words were/are Spirit led as I do pray before I begin for exactly this - that the Holy Spirit would take control of what I am about to share in this blog post. Sometimes we never know where this may lead us. I pray that I have not offended you, but I do hope that I have jolted you into seriously coming to Jesus about all decisions especially in regards to the direction of our nation and the importance of your diligence to turn your heart to Jesus only; surrender is only to Jesus, and Jesus' AUTHORITY in you is more powerful than anything this world is offering. Use with godly caution & principles. I must leave this thread but it's very hard for me.
23. UNFAIR - Ezekiel 18:25-29 CSB (video) 24. BLESSING - Genesis 12:2 (video) 25. MERCIFUL - Joel 2:13 26. FREE - John 8:31-32 27. SIN - 1 John 1:8 28. ENEMIES - Matthew 5:44-45 {not the Enemy}
[More below the <><><> on these]
{I linked this to the beginning blog post of all the One Words, so you know I did not change or choose these One Words to go along with my previous thoughts - nor did I look ahead to these before adding them here or writing as I did above.}
In case you do see a correlation, it was not designed by me. If you don't see one, you might look closer at how these One Words connect to my thoughts above about the One Word for this week. As forewarned, I'm having a hard time leaving my thoughts behind on AUTHORITY .
We must stand in Jesus' AUTHORITY, not to overpower people with violent rhetoric & actions, but according to the author of "FOCUS" in the devotion where she states so powerfully that ...
"Jesus is pleading with us to stand in His AUTHORITY, and really get it this time" ...
"The enemy has had way too much say when it comes to how we reflect, view and dream for our lives. His goal in self-evaluation is always shame; he's terrified of our potential. He doesn't want us to realize the AUTHORITY that we have in the Name of Jesus." from Cleere Cherry Reaves, FOCUS ...
AMEN! Great message and words that I just had to quote because as she points out before this how God is for us and that we never fight a battle without Him; whereas the enemy of our souls "has had way too much say"! WOW, how I agree! Or possibly I'm reading this wrong, but I believe strongly that we fight "not by power, nor by might, but by His Spirit" says the Lord of Hosts (Zephaniah 4:6). Too many are fighting in their own power & not at all through God's Spirit; using words with actions that do not represent Jesus at all. In fact, there are people, who are far from representing what I believe is Jesus' character or principles, leading others to their way of thinking, blinding them from the truth and repeating lies so many times that the people believe them, without testing the spirit of truth in their words. I am appalled at all this.
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Further explanation of the daily One Word Pauses (days 23-24)
I chose UNFAIR (Word 10) and BLESSING (Word 12) from the videos of "40 Words for the Journey of Lent" without knowing that Father Laguerta was from the Philippines (& speaks both English & their language in these videos). Regardless, I wish that I had stayed with just one set of One Words and not tried to compile from the various ones that I encountered, all of which are good One Words for Lent and the list & sources are good, but now going back & trying to find where I got the different Words, makes this a hard task. And watching the videos to catch the scripture chosen is not so easy. I found the One Word UNFAIR in the Christian Standard Bible, other versions used other similar words like not fair and not right, but also unjust. The Catholic priest, Father Laguerta chose this from the second reading and he speaks in both English and the dialect of the Philippines. The video on the One Word BLESSING is at Mount Sinai. There are many verses available to us of the One Word "BLESSING" but of course, the Beatitudes are filled with "Blessings" or "Blessed ..." more specifically "Happy ..." and the first Scripture that comes to my mind is where we got the song "The Blessing" (Kari Jobe & Cody Carnes) Numbers 6:24-26. The other One Words are found in the book "Pauses for Lent" (for days 25-28).
"...One of the most difficult challenges for a Christ-follower is loving" our enemies. And our first step in loving them is to pray for them. Not only did Jesus do this but He wants us to do this also. So if I've made any new (or old) enemies today by what I've written (or said) please forgive me and pray for me. I thank you. May our prayers help us to grow spiritually and change our attitudes, discouraging any one of us (especially in the social media sites, in our comments) from saying or doing anything disrespectful and often, just down right nasty to those we dislike or consider to be opposing our own views to treat others as we would like God (and others) to treat us. {Thankfully, I don't participate in other social media sites.} but... C'mon people now, smile ... , be a lot more friendly and kind AND frankly be human, which is also humane toward one another. Jesus calls this LOVE! God is LOVE and let me tell you, too many have forgotten this measure that Jesus has given His very life to give us ... just show a little love - no, actually show a LOT MORE LOVE like JESUS! Compassion is the way Jesus treats others and shows empathy to them as well. Let's show more BE ATTITUDES and less selfish ones and selfish ambition and the evil selfishness rearing its ugly head among us. Let us BLESS one another & stop cursing others in Jesus' beautiful & precious (selfless) Name!
"When I live believing my life is the only life that matters, God, remind me that the faces of others reflect your face, the struggles of others bring your liberation to my life, and the kindness of others speaks your grace into my soul. Amen."
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Perhaps the rest of this should be another blog post, but I needed to share on Sunday😇
I have two church services that I'd like to share (now a week later)
17. TREASURE - Matthew 6:21 18. LISTEN - James 1:19 19. POOR - Luke 4:18 20. FORGIVE(N) - Luke 5:20 21. PEACE(MAKER) - John 14:27 22. REST - Matthew 11:28
After the the 4 FOCUS Weekly Words, there is a section called "Taking Inventory" and then a "Prayer". After the 2nd Week's 4 Words, I've decided that I really should be doing the part of "taking inventory" during the week that I do each One Word - it is a good review, but I think it
would help my FOCUS for that One WORD during the week that I'm focusing on that Word. The 'Inventory' contains 3 questions or thoughts for each Word. And the Prayer is absolutely wonderful at tying all those 4 Words together.
So this week, I'm looking ahead to the 'Inventory' for ANTICIPATE, after checking out the definition:
"Biblically to “anticipate” is “to be driven by the Spirit of God” to “foresee,” and “act in advance” to “what is being brought to your attention.”
I was thinking that I was going to say that I can't ANTICIPATE what the 'Inventory' will be for this One WORD(I guess, that doesn't fit the first part of the definition - but perhaps "foresee").
My next thought was to see if perhaps there might be a thread between the
FOCUS
weekly One Word
and the LENT Words
for each day
Yet during LENT, I am sensing that all of these PAUSES are meaningful apart & together. Because if you ANTICIPATE that the Spirit of God is moving in your life, it's important to what HE is speaking to you & bringing special Words to your attention for a reason.
Let's just take a moment, looking ahead to the 'Inventory' part:
"1. What have you learned from detours in your life?" "2. Were you able to focus on anticipating God's next move instead of the roadblocks in front of you?" "3. In what ways did you sing during the wait?"
Now, my intent of sharing the 'Inventory' isn't for me to publicly answer them
but I will make some comments about them.
First off, it's clear that we all face detours in our lives, obstacles & roadblocks -
then God moves, often in a total different direction then we anticipate(d).
At least that's how it's been for most of my life.
God is full of surprises!
God loves to turn something completely around.
I think that the reason some of the "detours" in my life seem to return; or I guess I never learned from them what I needed to learn so they had to be repeated in another way,
in hopes that I would finally get it and learn.
So I have nothing (at least no profound lesson) that I have learned to pass on
from the detours in my life.
As you can tell, I did not ANTICIPATE God's next move.
I probably was too focused on the roadblock & the detour in front of me.
But so thankful when God brought me through and His next move was totally
appreciated that HE would redeem me from the situation
far beyond what I could imagine or anticipate.
God is so good!
His plan is so good for me!
God cares for me!
This gives me plenty to sing about during the wait.
Except more than likely, I didn't wait as I should have.
I totally love that 3rd question of the 'Inventory'!
Actually
I see that as a fantastic suggestion
"To SING during the WAIT"
I'm guessing singing praise & thanks during the detour or roadblock is a much better choice!
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I TREASURE God's Heart for us
and I'm learning to LISTEN
first to Him and hopefully better to others.
I really need to be "slow to speak" so I'm intent on listening.
I hope that I have given & will give
"good news to the POOR"
and the best news is Jesus!
Many just don't want to LISTEN.
I am beyond thankful
that I have been FORGIVEN
and so I need to freely forgive others.
Forgive to be forgiven.
(so much to sing about)
Yet my very favorite would be
PEACE & REST!
My wish for each of us.
The Peace that Jesus gives us and the Rest
when we come to Him when we're
weary or burdened.
I've had plenty of detours that have brought me to Jesus,
seeking His Peace and His Rest for my soul.
This must be the reason
that
I'm so easily drawn to
CALM
for my 2024 One Word
but first it looks like I need to
FOCUS
and
REFOCUS
in His Word.
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Right now, I ANTICIPATE the time I get to have morning & evening & throughout the 24/7 that I have with Jesus, in His Word, and the Peace & Rest that Jesus brings me, as His Holy Spirit fills me and brings CALM into my every breathe and I ANTICIPATE my last breath here will be my first breath in His Presence, so I can't wait. However, meanwhile I believe HE has called us to "act in advance"; pay attention to where the Spirit may be directing and calling you for your next step, avoid those detours and obstacles while we press on toward our ultimate goal.
I'm ANTICIPATING how full my life will be as I FOCUS and PAUSE on these One Words this week. With hope, I hang on to my faith and looking forward to the songs of spring coming & the celebration of RESURRECTION SONday! Jesus' triumph over sin and death! Yet I need to complete the 40 days of Lent still ... but with the Word ANTICIPATE this week - there's so much we can hope for as we ANTICIPATE! Praise God. (right?)
{this was my own little pep talk that was much needed as I typed out this blog post and muddle through life's detours (and mud) outside and around me} Hope that you're not muddling ... Week 3's "Faith that Will Not Fail" was "The Practice of Humility" - hard one but the faith builder was really needed from Matthew 5:3. Whew! We're already beginning March.
Matthew 6:20 ESV "... but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal."
[once again this chosen verse does not have the One Word]
I found an interesting Word for Today, short devotion by Bob & Debby Gass on "What God Has Invested in You" from the scripture Ephesians 1:18 to "understand the 'riches' God has INVESTed" in believers and called us to do - well worth the read & thinking about. Of course, when thinking of INVEST, most of us think of a financial INVESTment.
The following words from the FOCUS devotional for this week ties together their thought of using the One Word INVEST, the key idea for me, and this verse:
"... where we choose to INVEST will determine how much fulfillment we experience. ... Yearning for heaven, we are meant to INVEST our time on earth wisely, putting our time, energy and resources into sharing God's love with others."Cleere Cherry Reeves, author of Focus.
One of the purposes of LENT is to focus on Giving
(besides Prayer and Fasting)
Giving is not always just financially. It's in all of the ways listed in the boxed quote
"- how we INVEST our time on earth - "
I recall another poem written called "The Dash" (if you haven't read it, you should)
"The Dash" - illustrates the importance of the 'dash' that represents the time
As I read through the definitions, searching for "seek" or "reaching out & finding" once again I don't find any word indicating "notice" or others in this verse. But the first definition shows "an act of noting" for notice - with just similar roots. I guess that seeking, reaching out & finding Him are ways (or acts) of noting - thus "noticing" Him. I am sure that after reading the devotion, I will grasp the connection even better. Because for me, I am clearly aware of God's very existence as I draw close to Him, especially after spending time with Jesus (all of 2023 as my One Word) and in specific prayer since the end of last year (I'm always in prayer), seeking more of Him; but there are many who aren't even looking, much less noticing Him, even when He is not far ... with all that is happening in the world, it's difficult to "notice" Jesus, if we His people are not shining & showing others that He is here, He is among us, He is with us - not far even when we can't see Him, we should be seeking Him and reaching out for Him, in helping others reach and find Him. We need to reflect Jesus. When you find yourself in the mundane ordinary of your life this week, look around you and "notice" God. I know I will ...
"Jesus, help me to
NOTICE
You!
I know You're everywhere."
Psalm 144:3 NLT
James 1:17 ESV
Genesis 28:16
Psalm 26:3
After "noticing" God throughout my week by focusing on my main One Word for the week, I'll continue with my special LENT One Words, one for each day, as noted back in this blog post from the book or video. I will "Pause" with the following words for this week - one each day:
STILL
LOVE
LIGHT
"ASK, SEEK, KNOCK"
REBUILT
OBEDIENCE
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The reading for this First Sunday of Lent is from the gospel of Mark; chapter 1; verses 12-15.
The key words or One Words that I am focusing on from this Bible reading are:
Kingdom, Repent and Trust
Each One Word can and will transform our lives, as we focus and take notice!😉
seeking these key words in His Word
"Thank You God that in the Cross we experience Your power to save. When we could not save ourselves, You saved us (willingly). Thank You for Your incomprehensible love for all creation." from "Gathered into One" *
*Continuing into 2 Corinthians this week
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Also I'll be in Week 2: The Purpose of Lament from Michele Cushatt's book:
"A Faith that Will Not Fail"
I'm finishing with Prayers for Revival and the Psalms
