Jesus Died For You Too

This is the very first poem I ever wrote. It was written in February of 2007. I guess I was kind of a late bloomer as far as poetry goes, but I merely tried to follow the leading of the Holy Ghost in my writing.

"Father forgive them," I heard Him say

He hung on the cross, on this dreary day

The blood He shed, fell down to the dust

To pay for our sins His death was a must.

"They know not what it is that they do"

As He gave up the ghost for me and you

As darkness swept above all the land

His Father in heaven... held back His hand.

And after the earth began to quake

They still mocked Him as their heads they did shake

I stood and watched as He died that day

Desired to stop it no words did I say.

One thing I know that happened this day

He died for the sheep that had gone astray

Now I know why He had remained true

Glory to God! Jesus died for you too.

What will you do, when He comes again

And He sees that you, are still in your sins?

Repent at that time?...Hide in your shame?

Praise God! Now you know it isn't a game?

Trust in Him now while time is still here

Repent of your sins, and shed many tears

He loved you so He died on a tree

Our sins on His back for you and for me.

The time is here repent of your sins

To be lost no more NO! not ever again

Nothing can remove us, from His hand!

As His love spreads throughout all of the land.

Joh 19:30 Then when Jesus had received the sour wine, He said, It is finished! And He bowed His head and gave up the spirit.

Judge Not Lest Ye Be Judged

He That is Without Sin

A phrase that has been used consistently lately by many people is the phrase, "(Mat 7:1 Judge not lest ye be judged.)" It is as common as written words lately. Much of the time it is used when someone has been told they believe wrong, speak wrong, etc. . . So how are Christians supposed to act or say when someone is believing wrong things or teaching wrong things? Are we to allow people to believe every wind of doctrine even though it may take them into hell?

Another verse of scripture that is overused is (Joh 8:7 So when they continued asking him, he lifted up himself, and said unto them, He that is without sin among you, let him first cast a stone at her.) Two scriptures here that seem to be very direct and in fact were spoken by Jesus himself. There is a problem in the way they are used, however. If they stood alone with no other verses around them, then yes they would mean exactly what they say. In order to truly understand them, one must read more than just the two verse. The surrounding verses must also be read. The full context of what is being said must be read and understood.

Let's first take a look at John 8:7. The Pharisees had brought a woman out to Jesus and accused her of committing adultery, of which she was indeed guilty. They brought the woman to Jesus and put her in the center telling Jesus of her heinous act. They demanded that she be judged according to the law. A few things come to my mind. Where was the man with whom she committed adultery? How did so many Pharisees find out about the act?

It makes me wonder if they were watching or maybe even set her up in some way. They were also testing Jesus hoping to find some way of accusing Him of heresy. If Jesus had told them to stone her, He would have had them stoned also for participating in the act. He also would have asked for the man to be brought and stoned also. Jesus didn't actually say, "Don't stone her." He knew what the law required. He simply said to them, "If you are without sin, cast the first stone."

They all knew they were guilty. He knew what they were up to when they first brought the woman out to Him. One must also keep in mind that these are the same people who had tried many times to trap Jesus. They were snakes in the grass so to speak and could not be trusted. Their word was not reliable. (Joh 7:25 Then said some of them of Jerusalem, Is not this he, whom they seek to kill? Joh 7:26 But, lo, he speaketh boldly, and they say nothing unto him. Do the rulers know indeed that this is the very Christ? ) Many fail to realize that earlier Jesus made another statement. (Joh 7:24 Judge not according to the appearance, but judge righteous judgment.) We are to judge but only judge in righteousness. Sort of like seeing a man who is filthy and dirty. If we judge him by his filthy and dirty appearance only, we have judged him wrongly. he may be a man who works at a job in which filth and dirt is a part of life. Coal miners who work underground can't help but get filthy during their shift at work.

Judge Not

In addressing Matthew 7:1, it must be taken in context just as John 8:7. Let's read more than one scripture.( Mat 7:1 Judge not, that ye be not judged. Mat 7:2 For with what judgment ye judge, ye shall be judged: and with what measure ye mete, it shall be measured to you again. Mat 7:3 And why beholdest thou the mote that is in thy brother's eye, but considerest not the beam that is in thine own eye? Mat 7:4 Or how wilt thou say to thy brother, Let me pull out the mote out of thine eye; and, behold, a beam is in thine own eye? Mat 7:5 Thou hypocrite, first cast out the beam out of thine own eye; and then shalt thou see clearly to cast out the mote out of thy brother's eye. ) We are exhorted to make sure we are right with God before judging anything. This is about removing the beam from your own eye first. Then we can make sound and righteous judgments.

We are to judge, but judge carefully and righteously. we must always remember, there is a soul at stake. We cannot judge in a hypocritical manner and be right with God. Jesus made judgments all through the gospels.( Mat 7:15 Beware of false prophets, which come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves. Mat 7:16 Ye shall know them by their fruits. Do men gather grapes of thorns, or figs of thistles? ) Jesus made judgment in these two scriptures. Can we be like Christ if we do the opposite of what He did?

In Conclusion

We must look at more scriptures. We are to have nothing to do with darkness other than to expose it where it manifests itself. ( Eph 5:11 And have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather reprove them. Eph 5:12 For it is a shame even to speak of those things which are done of them in secret. ) We must do the commands that God gave us through His only begotten Son, Jesus Christ.

War Between Flesh and Spirit

Introduction

In our walks with Christ we are constantly at war. The flesh is against the spirit and the spirit is against the flesh. We fluctuate from spirit to flesh and vice versa. In order to gain a spot in the Kingdom of God we must be holy and acceptable to the Lord. Sin cannot enter into God's kingdom. Blameless, spotless and perfect in every way is what is required of us. Until we get our flesh under subjection, we cannot be perfect in the Lord. To walk by faith and not by sight means to walk in the Spirit.

Adam

Adam was the first man created by the hand of God. Everything else, God spoke into existence, but Adam was formed by God's own hand. God molded and shaped him completely from head to toe. I can imagine God working like an artist sculpting out a statue. Massaging and rubbing getting everything perfect. His head and face created in the image of God. His body in the likeness of God. We must understand that God is spirit. He has no fleshly form as we do. Man likewise at the time had no fleshly form as we have.

Adam also warred against the flesh after he sinned in the sight of God. His sin caused flesh as we know it to come upon him and opened his eyes so that he no longer saw in the spiritual realm, but in the flesh. Knowledge of good and evil came upon him and cause him to be ashamed. He tried to hide from God because of his nakedness. This is the beginning of the war between flesh and spirit.

Cain

Cain murdered his own brother because of jealousy. His sacrifice was not acceptable to God. Some say it is because it was not a blood sacrifice. I can understand what they mean, but I am not sure that is the reason. The Bible states that without the shedding of blood there is no remission. God said to Cain, "Sin lies at the door." Sin was there and Cain had every opportunity to deal with his sin. He chose not to deal with it but to give in to it.

Samson

Samson was a strong man. The spirit of the Lord would come upon him and shake him causing him to have enormous strength like no other man ever had. He did many mighty works against the enemies of God. God had ordained him from birth to be a prophet. With the spirit of the Lord working so strongly in him, Samson still warred against the flesh. Many times the flesh won and eventually became his downfall.

King Saul

Samuel anointed Saul to be the first king over Israel. He followed God's instructions in doing so and Saul was a good king up to a point when he tried to do something that was not his calling to do. Saul failed in walking in the spirit at that time. The flesh has won again.

King David

David was a man after God's own heart. The Bible states that David was the apple in God's eyes. He was a mighty man of war against the enemies of God and worshipped God in spirit and in truth. Even with all that David did for the Lord, he still warred against the flesh and the flesh did win. he saw a married woman bathing from his rooftop one day and gave in to the desires of the flesh.

Simon Peter

Peter was a fisherman whom the Lord called to follow Him. There is no doubt that Peter loved Jesus but many time Peter failed to walk in the spirit. He walked on the water to meet Jesus but became afraid and when the flesh took over, he began to sink. When Jesus was arrested, Peter ran away but followed from a distance. He ended up denying knowing Jesus three times and each time the flesh was prevalent.

Grace of God

Even in our failures, God's grace is sufficient. His mercy endures forever and never ends. God claims in His Word that He will have mercy upon whom He will. In order to stop fulfilling the lusts of the flesh we must get closer to God. The only way to get close to someone is to get to know them personally. This is the essence of a relationship between two people. If there is no communication, there is no relationship. God always speaks in a still small voice and that voice is like a whisper. A whisper cannot be heard by a person who is distant from the whisperer. We must be close to God to hear His voice.

Once we get close enough to God to hear His voice, we must then be obedient to Him. (1Sa 15:22 And Samuel said, Hath the LORD as great delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices, as in obeying the voice of the LORD? Behold, to obeyis better than sacrifice, and to hearken than the fat of rams. .) Jesus said, "My sheep know my voice and a stranger they will not follow. " How many times have we followed the wrong voice? When Peter walked on the water then began to sink it was because he became fearful. He doubted that he was able to walk on water. This is what caused him to sink. His faith failed him and he started walking by sight. What he saw was not pretty but scary indeed to the flesh.

Until we bring our flesh under subjection to the spirit, we will continue to fluctuate between spirit and flesh. it is like being double minded. The book of James states that a double minded man is unstable in all his ways. What it means is that a man can't make a decision. Why do you hesitate between two decisions?

Make a decision right now whom you will serve and serve him with all your heart, mind, body and soul. (Rom 12:1 I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service. Rom 12:2 And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God. ) We must renew our way of thinking. We must be conformed to what God wants us to be. This is how we can put on holiness without which we cannot see God.

Poems about Mom

Dread

She found the lump on her breast one day

Didn't go to the doc, nothing to say

Passing it off like nothing matters

Until that day our hearts were shattered

Sick and defeated she died in her bed

Burying mother is what I would dread

I recall all the times she was happy and free

My dear Lord please, don't let this thing be

Then I heard a voice so still and small

Be of good cheer my child she is in awe

She lives with me now praising my name

Just wants you to know life isn't the same

She made her choice to live life for me

Decided to not get help and be set free

Make wise choices as through life you go

Get the help you need and don't tell me no

The doctors use the wisdom I gave

So cancer cannot make you its slave.

Mothers Day- an acrostic poem

Pro 31:10 Who can find a virtuous woman? for her price is far above rubies.

Mom invariably loves her children.

Often giving, when she should be

Taking privileges, for punishment.

Having inner strength,

Even when they had been licentious.

Resisting temptations to bruise,

So she can then regenerate them,

Distributing unconditional love equally to them,

As they thank her for the virtuous times,

Yet to be discovered.

My mother passed away in 1998, after battling the dreadful disease of cancer. She fought long and hard, but was eventually called home to be with the Lord. I dedicate this poem in her honor. I still miss her, even today.

How to Live a Life Devoted to God

Introduction

Are you devoted to God according to His Word?

God has always been concerned with the affairs and state of those who follow Him. This concern for direct focus upon Him is revealed in the first commandment. (Exo 20:3 Thou shalt have no other gods before me.) The same focus was affirmed by the Lord Jesus Christ. (Mat 6:33 But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you. ) If you want to know where your focus is, examine how you spend money. What you spend money on is where your focus really is. If you spend money to buy things that are not needed but only desired, maybe your focus is on the wrong things.

Can Riches Bring Happiness?

Many people have gained riches beyond anything they will ever need. They always seem to want more and more. They like the power that money brings and they like the respect they get from others who look up to them. Even with these riches, they are not happy. I am reminded of Uncle Scrooge. he had riches and kept them locked up in a giant vault. Even with his riches he wasn't really happy. he worried all the time that someone might come and get some of his money. This caused him to check his vault constantly making sure it was all still there.

Now I ask you, where is your focus? Do you buy things just to have something to play with? Do you hoard up your money to try to gain power and respect from others who have less? You do not have to answer these questions in comments. Just answer yourself with an honest heart.

Psa 119:1 ALEPH. Blessed are the undefiled in the way, who walk in the law of the LORD.

The word blessed in this verse and other verses throughout the Bible means happy. The word walk suggests moving toward something. Undefiled means clean in every possible way. It means unpolluted in any way. I wrote above that money is sought after by many in the world today. They seek happiness by gaining money which in turn brings power and respect. The power and respect gained by being rich are both false. The respect is not for the one who is rich, but for the money the rich has. The power will only last temporarily because money will eventually fade away. (1Ti 6:10 For the love of money is the root of all evil:)

Does Fulfilling Desires of the flesh Bring Happiness?

Others think fulfilling pleasures of the flesh will make them happy. They do anything they want to do in the hope of fulfilling their carnal desires. The things we think will make us happy often have the opposite affect upon us. Only a life devoted to God completely will bring happiness to us. We must give Him all that we are able to give and hide His Word in our hearts. Living a life of integrity and abstaining from potential defilements which could bring us pain and anguish.

God requires us to walk in HIs ways and abandon selfcenteredness and sensual indulgences.

Psa 119:2 Blessed are they that keep his testimonies, and that seek him with the whole heart.

To keep His testimonies means we walk in His Word completely. These testimonies are often considered restricting and negative. The Psalmist says they bring blessings (happiness). Can happiness be restricting or negative? In order to keep His testimonies, we must study, understand, and hide the Word of God in our hearts. (Psa 119:11 Thy word have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against thee. )

Why are so Many Unhappy?

Failure to read the Word of God makes it impossible to know the Word of God. It is possible to know the words of the Bible and still not know the meanings.

Understanding doesn't come in an instant. It is a process which takes time, not because God is lacking but because we lack the ability to absorb everything that God has given us. ( Eph 1:18 The eyes of your understanding being enlightened; ) Understanding comes as we are enlightened by the Word of truth. it takes time to understand. It is like a child in school. Most first grade students can't do high school algebra. Some will not get it even when they go to high school. Others will get it when the time is right (but then only if they desire to get it).

Happiness

 We must love His testimonies. If we do not love the Word of God, we will never understand it. When we understand that the Word of God comes from a God who loves us and wants to give us His best, we can then be happy and we will love His ways. It is impossible to love God and reject His Word. We read about many who say they love God, but yet they refuse to accept His Word. Let's not be like those who have no understanding. Let's be more like Lazarus who died and was comforted instead of being like the rich man who died and was in torment. Let us not be like the prodigal was before he realized where he was and who he was. It wasn't until he came to himself and realized his position in life, that he was able to come home to his father.

Finally, keeping His testimonies means to obey Him. His Word does more than just teach the mind. His Word also gives guidance and direction in life bringing us to a place where we can find peace and happiness. It isn't enough to only know His Word, but it is essential to also do His Word.

What is The Essence of Love?

You Can Call Me Ishi

Hos 2:16 And it shall be at that day, saith the LORD, that thou shalt call me Ishi; and shalt call me no more Baali.

The word Ishi means husband. What Hosea is saying to Gomer is that she can call him her husband. This marriage was a prophetic marriage and was ordained of God. The marriage wasn't a bed of roses for Hosea because Gomer had been a prostitute.

As we read more of the book of Hosea, we find out that after they were married, she had children by other men. She had gone back to her old ways even after she and Hosea were married.

Hos 2:5 For their mother hath played the harlot: she that conceived them hath done shamefully: for she said, I will go after my lovers, that give me my bread and my water, my wool and my flax, mine oil and my drink.

Even with all that Gomer put him through, Hosea still loved her very much. To paraphrase, she slipped back into the old part of her life to do what she had formerly done. She became a harlot again after being married and had children by some of those she slept with.

A Greater Love?

Can a greater love be shown to anyone? Hosea cared for the children of Gomer, even though he did not sire them. She was out drinking and partying while he was cooking, cleaning and putting clothes on her children. Through it all, he never complained or gave up.

Hos 2:8 For she did not know that I gave her corn, and wine, and oil, and multiplied her silver and gold, which they prepared for Baal.

Gomer hadn't realized that Hosea had given her so much that she had longed for and went back to. The most precious thing he gave her was love. His love for her was unconditional and complete. Nothing could keep him from loving her. Even as she had sex with so many strangers, he still loved her.

Come to Take you Home

Hos 3:2 So I bought her to me for fifteen pieces of silver, and for an homer of barley, and an half homer of barley:

Hosea ended up having to buy her at a slave auction. I can imagine her sitting on the slave table and many around her poking her with sticks and making fun of her, her clothes tattered and ripped, bruised and beaten she may have even been completely naked. Hosea bought her and had every right to kill her on the spot. She was already his by marriage.Hosea still loved her and told her, I have come to take you home.

His love for her is unheard of in this day and time we live. It is a love that Gomer had never known before and didn't realize that he had for her, until this time.

The Love of God

The same love that Hosea had for Gomer, God has for us also. We have played the harlot as Gomer did. We have strayed from the One who loves us more than anything else in this world. It is for this cause that Jesus died for us. Hosea gave everything he had to buy Gomer back and take her home with him. God has done the same,. He gave everything to buy us back from the one who had us bound.

When Jesus died on the cross, He said, "It is finished." Every sin was paid for and every person redeemed. He came to take us home. He does not force anyone to come home but leaves the decision to us. It is by choice that we come to Him. He made the provisions for everyone.

John 3:16 For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.

What the Cross Means to Me

The cross to me is a symbol of death and torment. Jesus was nailed to the cross and died the death of murderers and thieves. He said we should pick up our crosses and follow Him. To do this we must go through all that Jesus went through. We must die the death reserved for murderers and thieves. This is not a literal death as in dying of self-inflicted wounds. It is the death of the ungodly desires of the flesh.

I must carry my own cross at all times and make sure that my flesh is under subjection to the spirit. This is what the cross is for. We hang our sinful desires on the cross and crucify them. Jesus became sin so that we would not have to die a literal death. Paul wrote about carrying this old body of death. We do that daily. We can be as spiritual as anyone, but we still carry the body of death with us.

This is all personal to me. It is how I see things myself. All believers must carry their cross with them wherever they go. To hang your flesh on the cross is to be like Jesus. We are the body of Christ and should have the mind of Christ in us. Christ went to the cross willingly and we should do the same.

The cross means salvation has come to any and all who will accept the offering of Jesus for their sins. It is freely given, though it cost Jesus His life.

He's Alive

Introduction

 This is the second poem I ever wrote. The first one is titled Jesus Died for You Too. I have written a few poems, but this is one of my favorites. It was written to encourage all believers who are bombarded daily by those who believe Jesus to still be dead.

I hope you enjoy this poem. It certainly is a blessing to me.

He is risen

“But now is Christ risen from the dead.”
- 1Co_15:20

You can find His grave and look inside but He is not there. You can go to the cross and seek Him there but He is not there. You can search high and low for His body and will not find it.

Jesus told the pharisees, "Tear down this temple and in three days, I will raise it back up." He is alive and behold He is alive forevermore. His place is in eternity never to be removed again. Because he lives, we can live also and no longer have to walk in death. We are no longer bound by the cuffs of the devil. Whom the Son has set free is free indeed.

He's Alive

The room is cold and dark,

Sealed with a mighty stone

You think you'll find nothing,

But you enter alone,

The stone was rolled away

Was removed from it's place,

You peer into the dark

Your heart. . . begins to race,

Not knowing what you'll see

You enter the room,

To see a stack of clothes

All you can feel is gloom.

You know that He's alive,

You run back out the door

You spread the word to all,

Spread it even more.

Nothing can stop this man

Not death and the grave

He is risen above

All of what Satan gave

To defeat Satan, one

Must follow Jesus' lead

All the way to heaven

To Him you must concede

Everything you have done

Will all be cast away

Forever forgotten

Our sins they cannot stay

Why do you not accept

The offering of Jesus?

Everything that He did

So we could be sinless.

He lives still this day

Convicting of your sins,

Sitting at God's right hand

Giving us all. . . the win.

Luk 24:5 And as they were afraid, and bowed down their faces to the earth, they said unto them, Why seek ye the living among the dead?

Luk 24:6 He is not here, but is risen: remember how he spake unto you when he was yet in Galilee,

Luk 24:7 Saying, The Son of man must be delivered into the hands of sinful men, and be crucified, and the third day rise again.

How to follow Jesus?

Conviction of Sin

Before a person can accept Jesus as their Savior and convert to Christianity, he/she must realize that he/she is a sinner in need of salvation. For all have sinned and come short of the glory of God. There isn't a man, woman or child who hasn't sinned against God.

From the beginning when sin entered into man, God has always a required a sacrifice for sin. The sacrifices are called sin offerings. The blood of the offering is shed to atone for the sin(s) committed.

God can Heal a Broken hHeart

Once Sin is Realized

Once a person realizes there is sin in their life, guilt and shame will come. Their heart will be broken unless the person resists, then their heart will be hardened. Jesus want to heal the brokenhearted. God is the One who made the way for man to come back to Him.

Once a person decides to give his/her life to God they would then repent of their sins and ask for forgiveness. They will have to believe that Jesus died for them and that God raised him from the dead.

Rom 10:9 That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved.

Rom 10:10 For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.

God didn't make it hard for men to come back to Him. Man makes it hard and complicated, but as you can see it is really rather simple. It is a free choice of each and every person to receive or deny God through Jesus Christ.

What Are we Saved From?

For this part I am going back into the Old Testament. The book of Ezekiel has a great reference to the condition of men before Jesus comes into their lives.

Eze 16:5 None eye pitied thee, to do any of these unto thee, to have compassion upon thee; but thou wast cast out in the open field, to the lothing of thy person, in the day that thou wast born.

Eze 16:6 And when I passed by thee, and saw thee polluted in thine own blood, I said unto thee when thou wast in thy blood, Live; yea, I said unto thee when thou wast in thy blood, Live.

God spoke only one word to Jerusalem in these passages. He must only say that Word and a person can then live. God compared Jerusalem to a child being born and cast into a field with the placenta still attached. The baby wasn't washed and was in it's own blood even. This is how all of us are before we are saved. We are in our own filth, but then God speaks a Word to us, (live), and we are no longer dead in our filth and blood.

What Comes Next?

After accepting Jesus' offer of salvation and repenting of your sins, you must follow Jesus. Read the bible on a daily basis, find a church and go there. It is best not to run around to different churches. A tree cannot grow roots if it is moved constantly. Be sure and listen to what God has to say to you. He will lead and guide you, but He will not force you to do anything.

You will grow in knowledge and grace, much like a baby grows and learns as he goes through life.

Joh 8:36 If the Son therefore shall make you free, ye shall be free indeed.

Lame Loser of Lodebar

Introduction

2 Samuel 9

1. And David said, Is there yet any that is left of the house of Saul, that I may shew him kindness for Jonathan's sake?

2. And there was of the house of Saul a servant whose name was Ziba. And when they had called him unto David, the king said unto him, Art thou Ziba? And he said, Thy servant is he.

3. And the king said, Is there not yet any of the house of Saul, that I may shew the kindness of God unto him? And Ziba said unto the king, Jonathan hath yet a son, which is lame on his feet.

4. And the king said unto him, Where is he? And Ziba said unto the king, Behold, he is in the house of Machir, the son of Ammiel, in Lodebar.

This was a time when David had taken the throne of Israel. David, remembering the promise he had made to Jonathan, inquired about the house of Saul looking for someone who he can honor for Jonathan's sake. Jonathan had a son named Mephibosheth. We see in the scriptures that Mephibosheth was "lame on his feet", meaning he couldn't walk on his own power. Someone had to carry Mephibosheth everywhere he went.

Mephibosheth

Sending for Mephibosheth

5. Then king David sent, and fetched him out of the house of Machir, the son of Ammiel, from Lodebar.

6. Now when Mephibosheth, the son of Jonathan, the son of Saul, was come unto David, he fell on his face, and did reverence. And David said, Mephibosheth. And he answered, Behold thy servant!

7. And David said unto him, Fear not: for I will surely shew thee kindness for Jonathan thy father's sake, and will restore thee all the land of Saul thy father; and thou shalt eat bread at my table continually.

David sent for Mephibosheth to have him brought to his house. Mephibosheth in honor of being in the presence of the king of Israel showed respect for David according to David's position as king. Just imagine the king has sent for you and you have come to his presence.

David, being a righteous man of God, told Mephibosheth to sit at his table and eat "continually". This means eat at the king's table forever. Not only that but David also gave Mephibosheth all that had belonged to Saul before his death.

I can sit and imagine how badly Mephibosheth would have felt, being from Lodebar (pastureless), and not only that but being a cripple also. Imagine how he may have felt when David's sons came into the dining room to eat and Mephibosheth needed someone to carry him to the table. But then something Mephibosheth sees. When they are all sitting at the table, his infirmities were hidden up under the table. He looked the same as everyone else. There was no difference between them.

Conclusion

The King's table is spread and waiting for us all to come and eat. No matter what you may have wrong with you King Jesus wants us to come and dine. You may be weak spiritually, Jesus wants us to come and eat. Maybe you are sick with cancer or some other terrible disease, Jesus wants you to come and dine.

You may be an alcoholic, a drug addict, or have any number of other addictions in your life. No matter what problems we are facing we are all invited to come sit and eat at the King's table. The table is always spread, food is always fresh. What we ate yesterday isn't doing any of us much good today is it? Lets get some fresh meat in us. Let's sit at the King's table and eat our fill.

Matthew 10: 13. But go ye and learn what that meaneth, I will have mercy, and not sacrifice: for I am not come to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance.

Psalms 23:5. Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies: thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over.

God, Do You Really Hear me?

God does indeed hear the cries of those who pray in the Spirit. Many would want God to answer and hear a prayer merely because He has the ability to give them anything their heart desires. They try to use God like a credit card with no limit and no expiration. They think Him to be a bank who gives and gives as they make their requests.

God will answer prayers. Sometimes the answer is obvious, sometimes not so obvious. God will only hear those prayers made to Him if they are made in the way He has shown us to make them. In other words, He showed us how to pray and expects us to pray that way. If we pray according to our fleshly desires, why should He heed our requests? God is Spirit and must be prayed to and worshiped in Spirit.

King David wrote about how God hears the cries of His people. God's ear is attentive to our cries and requests we make of Him. But as stated above, we must pray in the right way. Jesus showed the disciples how to pray. He said pray after this manner. Our Father, which art in Heaven, hallowed be thy name. The word Hallowed in this context means; Holy and sacred. HOLY and SACRED be thy name, could be used in place of Hallowed. We must reverence God first in our prayers. If we do not reverence Him, we merely make noise that reaches only our own ears.

We must put forth the effort that God requires of us to have our prayers answered. Sometimes the answer isn't instant, and it may seem it is taking forever, but the answer will come to you.

God Judges Sin

God judges those who refuse to repent.

Ezekiel 6:6. In all your dwellingplaces the cities shall be laid waste, and the high places shall be desolate; that your altars may be laid waste and made desolate, and your idols may be broken and cease, and your images may be cut down, and your works may be abolished.

7. And the slain shall fall in the midst of you, and ye shall know that I am the Lord.

God is the Creator, and the whole creation is responsive to God. By His rights as Creator He can do whatever He wills with all people and all things He has created. Good is not capricious (impulsive, irrational) in the use of His power, and He can do no evil, but He has the absolute right to rule as judge over His creatures, to reward righteousness and punish evil as He sees fit.

God, because He is God, has an absolute right to our ultimate devotion. God's hatred of idolatry (and all other sins) is in direct proportion to His love for us and His desire to have us be all we can be as His creatures. God hates idolatry because He alone is God, and only by having a relationship with Him can we, His human creatures, reach our full God-given potential.

When we say God is sovereign, we mean that by virtue of His being the only God, He rules over the whole creation with supreme power and authority to do whatever He wills to do. As the sovereign Lord of the whole creation, God is also the judge of all His creatures.

When people deny God is the creator, there is doubtlessly involved in this a deep seated desire to be free from the accountability to God. God is the creator, we are accountable to Him, and He has the right to tell us what is right and wrong and also to judge us for wrongdoing.

Why does the fact that God is the only God give Him the right to our devotion, and the right to judge us if we are not devoted to Him?

One hundred and thirty- five years passed between the fall of the northern kingdom of Israel to the Assyrians in 721 B.C. and the fall of Jerusalem in 586 B.C., the first Jews were deported to Babylon. Over the next 20 years, more Jews were deported to Babylon. The final day of God's judgment on ancient Israel was long in coming-so long in coming that many believe it would never come.

King Solomon wisely observed, "Because sentence against an evil work is not executed speedily, therefore the heart of the sons of men is fully set in them to do evil." (Ecclesiastes 8:11). Because God is long suffering toward sinners, not desiring that any should perish in sin, it becomes easy for many to think a day of reckoning will never come. Slowly but surely it became evident to the Jews of the captivity that the day of reckoning had arrived for them, and God was repaying them for their centuries of idolatry.

According to Scripture there will be a final Day of Judgment at the end of the age. (Revelation 20:11. And I saw a great white throne, and him that sat on it, from whose face the earth and the heaven fled away; and there was found no place for them.12. And I saw the dead, small and great, stand before God; and the books were opened: and another book was opened, which is the book of life: and the dead were judged out of those things which were written in the books, according to their works.) However, we need to be mindful that the days of judgment come continually to nations and individuals, whenever and wherever God puts an end to evil.

A Final Thought

 We live in a time when many give no serious thought to the fact God will judge sin. Others think God is "too good" to judge sin.

From Nobody to Somebody

Gen_6:8 But Noah found grace in the eyes of the LORD.

Who was Noah? Was he a great man that everyone looked up to and revered? Noah was a "nobody" that was never heard about until the time that God is preparing to destroy the face of thee earth with a great flood. Why did God choose Noah to build the ark? Was there something special about Noah? Why didn't God choose someone else to build the ark?

Let's Look at some other "nobodies".

Gen_12:1 Now the LORD had said unto Abram, Get thee out of thy country, and from thy kindred, and from thy father's house, unto a land that I will shew thee:

Who was Abram? Was there something really special about him that God would call him out of all the people that were living at the time? Why didn't God call someone else out instead of Abram? There are many many others that have been called from being "nobody" to being somebody. The Bible illustrates one after another that shows us this.

Joseph, Moses, Joshua, Samson, Gideon, David, Solomon, were all "nobodies".

The disciples that Jesus called were "nobodies" also. Peter was a fisherman along with his brother Andrew. James and John the sons of Zebedee. Philip and Bartholomew. Matthew and James the son of Alphaeus. Simon the Canaanite and Judas Iscariot. Twelve nobodies that have not been heard of before have been called out by Jesus.

These "nobodies" went on to do mighty works for the Lord in spreading the Gospel of Jesus Christ. They went so far not only as to spread the Gospel, but most of them also died in service for the Lord.

These are only a few of the "nobodies" mentioned in God's Word. There is one "nobody" that is mentioned very little but the work that he did was one of the greatest works that a man could be called to do.

Mat_27:32 And as they came out, they found a man of Cyrene, Simon by name: him they compelled to bear his cross.

Mar_15:21 And they compel one Simon a Cyrenian, who passed by, coming out of the country, the father of Alexander and Rufus, to bear his cross.

Luk_23:26 And as they led him away, they laid hold upon one Simon, a Cyrenian, coming out of the country, and on him they laid the cross, that he might bear it after Jesus.

Seems rather simple doesn't it. This man Simon had to carry the cross of Jesus. Doesn't look like much of a work on the surface does it. But think deeply about this. Was it only a cross of wood that Simon had to carry? Is this all we have to say about this man? Let's go back in time to the Old Testament for a bit.

Lev_4:7 And the priest shall put some of the blood upon the horns of the altar of sweet incense before the LORD, which is in the tabernacle of the congregation; and shall pour all the blood of the bullock at the bottom of the altar of the burnt offering, which is at the door of the tabernacle of the congregation.

Part of the blood of the sacrifice is put onto the horns of the altar. The horns of the Altar had a significant purpose. The blood was put on the horns of the Altar. The horns also held the sacrifice on the Altar to keep it from sliding off.

Now when Simon the Cyrenian carried the cross of Jesus he carried the Altar of the sacrifice. Jesus was the sacrifice for the sins of the world and the nails were the horns of the Altar that held Him in place top keep Him from sliding off the Altar. Simon the Cyrenian went from being nobody to being somebody. Why was it Simon that had to carry the cross? Surely God could have called out anyone to do this small task. God chooses whom He will.

I once was a "nobody". Who has God called? God has called everyone to repentance.

2Pe_3:9 The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance.

Why don't you think about it? Meditate upon the fact that God has called you, a "nobody", to be somebody. I know that I have many faults, but I also know who I am in Christ. I used to be a "nobody", but now I am somebody in Jesus Christ. You have the opportunity right now to become somebody. Will you let this moment slip by? Will you let the devil talk you out of the greatest blessing anyone can receive? Jesus waits for you with arms open wide. He loves you so much that the nails weren't really needed to hold Him on the cross. His love for you held Him there.

Lessons From the Beatitudes

The Beatitudes

The Beatitudes were taught by Jesus when He came back from the wilderness after fasting for forty days an being tempted of the devil. Matthew wrote them in the gospel which he wrote.

Matthew 5;1. And seeing the multitudes, he went up into a mountain: and when he was set, his disciples came unto him:

2. And he opened his mouth, and taught them, saying,

Blessed are the poor in spirit: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

Poor in spirit to me means those who are broken, beaten down, bruised, etc. . . Not because of how they live, but because of their belief in Jesus Christ. Those who believe in Jesus will be broken and bruised by those who do not believe.

They are blessed because they are believers in Jesus Christ. He is the Way, the truth and the Life. He is the only one who brings the kingdom of God to men.

Blessed are they that mourn: for they shall be comforted.

Anyone who mourns will be comforted, but only if they know Jesus and receive Him according to the Word of God. Many try to make their own way and in doing so, they're actually saying their way is better than God's way.

Jesus told His disciples just before He went up to meet the cloud, to go into the upper room and wait there until the Comforter comes and endues them with power. There is comfort in the Holy Ghost, just as there was comfort in Jesus before he ascended back into heaven.

Blessed are the meek: for they shall inherit the earth.

Meekness to me means quiet strength. This is one subject I really fall way short on. I have trouble at times keeping my mouth shut and it causes problems much of the time.

From this we can learn to be quiet. Silence is something that cannot be misquoted. Jesus stood seemingly helpless and weak before Pilate. Strength is not in overpowering another person, it is overcoming the agony, fear and pain of death.

Jesus taught self denial, and denied Himself by keeping His mouth shut while they judged Him a sinner.

Blessed are they which do hunger and thirst after righteousness: for they shall be filled.

Righteousness is the faithfulness of God concerning His children. It is the justification of all who do accept God on His terms. It is of God and Him alone. There is no righteousness outside of God.

We must long for the righteousness of God so much so that we feel that we may not make it without it. This is the hunger that we need to have each and everyone of us. Without it, we will simply just dry up.

Eating disorders are commonplace in the time that we now live. People with Anorexia and Bulimia are among the most talked about. Bulimia is the act of causing one to regurgitate food after eating. Usually it is done after binge eating.

Anorexia is caused by starvation of oneself. Most of the time it is due to the fact that the person thinks they are fat. The image stays with them even after they are down to skin and bones. There is a line where a person with Anorexia is unable to eat or hold anything down. If they do not go into a hospital they will just starve to death.

What I learn from this verse of scripture is that I must long for righteousness and the goodness of God. If I stop hungering after Him, I will dry up and die spiritually.

Blessed are the merciful: for they shall obtain mercy.

Have mercy upon me my Lord!!! God is merciful. In fact His mercy endures forever. A christian must be merciful in order to receive mercy from God. Many have different ideas of what mercy really is.

Mercy is showing compassion upon someone who in actuality doesn't really deserve it. Jesus had compassion upon many who were undeserving of compassion. I, myself, am one of those many.

There also were some who don't receive the compassion or mercy of God. Mercy can be given, as it can also be rejected.

Blessed are the pure in heart: for they shall see God.

Pure in heart is impossible for man to be on his own. The heart of man is deceptive, dark, full of micheif and evil. It takes God to make one pure in heart. It is the only way to be pure in heart actually.

Blessed are the peacemakers: for they shall be called the children of God.

There is a peace that surpasses all understanding. It is the peace of God that is upon those who receive Him. True peace cannot come about by man's own strength. There can be an image of peace, but not real peace.

Blessed are they which are persecuted for righteousness' sake: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

Persecutions come and go constantly agsainst the Church of God. Sometimes I get persecuted but there is always someone somewhere being persecuted simply because they believe God and have received Him.

Blessed are ye, when men shall revile you, and persecute you, and shall say all manner of evil against you falsely, for my sake.

I am reviled by many. I am hated just as the world hates Jesus. I cannot overcome these feelings I have at times on my own. It is hard to sit back and let people talk evil about you.

When all is done.

After everything is finished, it comes down to one single point. Submission to the will of God. One cannot be any of these things until their heart is given completely to God through acceptance of Jesus Christ.

Joh 1:12 But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name:

One must receive Jesus in order to be called a Son or daughter of God. I have received Him personally. I am not all of the things which are listed above, I have merely begun my journey to become them. I am reminded daily to take it all slowly and diligently. One day at a time just as the song says.

One day I will be able to say say that I am perfect in the Lord Jesus Christ. Until that day, I will be a perfect example of imperfection.