stream of water

Yesterday I came home to find our garage floor full of water. After much searching with my daughter, we found a pin hole leak in a pipe. It was putting out a tiny stream of water, but in a day or two it put an inch of water on our garage floor.  

We are to be flowing with  Living Water from God's Spirit. Imagine if you will the Spiritual flood from Living Waters? No garage could contain this, no vessel. We are the vessels of God, not meant to be wells of Spiritual water, but Springs of Living Waters poured out to the world, how so?    

In our way of life showing the fruit of God's Spirit.  

Gal 5:22  But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith,
Gal 5:23  Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law.
Gal 5:24  And they that are Christ's have crucified the flesh with the affections and lusts.
Gal 5:25  If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit.  

In our witnessing.  

Rom 1:16  For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek.
Rom 1:17  For therein is the righteousness of God revealed from faith to faith: as it is written, The just shall live by faith.   In our gifts   Acts 3:6  Then Peter said, Silver and gold have I none; but such as I have give I thee: In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth rise up and walk.
Acts 3:7  And he took him by the right hand, and lifted him up: and immediately his feet and ankle bones received strength.
Acts 3:8  And he leaping up stood, and walked, and entered with them into the temple, walking, and leaping, and praising God.

In all that we say and do  

Luke 6:43  For a good tree bringeth not forth corrupt fruit; neither doth a corrupt tree bring forth good fruit.
Luke 6:44  For every tree is known by his own fruit. For of thorns men do not gather figs, nor of a bramble bush gather they grapes.
Luke 6:45  A good man out of the good treasure of his heart bringeth forth that which is good; and an evil man out of the evil treasure of his heart bringeth forth that which is evil: for of the abundance of the heart his mouth speaketh.
Luke 6:46  And why call ye me, Lord, Lord, and do not the things which I say?
Luke 6:47  Whosoever cometh to me, and heareth my sayings, and doeth them, I will show you towhom he is like:
Luke 6:48  He is like a man which built an house, and digged deep, and laid the foundation on a rock: and when the flood arose, the stream beat vehemently upon that house, and could not shake it: for it was founded upon a rock.

Psa 51:10  Create in me a clean heart, O God; and renew a right spirit within me.
Psa 51:11  Cast me not away from thy presence; and take not thy holy spirit from me.
Psa 51:12  Restore unto me the joy of thy salvation; and uphold me with thy free spirit.
Psa 51:13  Then will I teach transgressors thy ways; and sinners shall be converted unto thee.
Psa 51:14  Deliver me from bloodguiltiness, O God, thou God of my salvation: and my tongue shall sing aloud of thy righteousness.
Psa 51:15  O Lord, open thou my lips; and my mouth shall show forth thy praise.
Psa 51:16  For thou desirest not sacrifice; else would I give it: thou delightest not in burnt offering.
Psa 51:17  The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit: a broken and a contrite heart, O God, thou wilt not despise.

Luke-What do others say?

Luke 9:18  And it came to pass, as he was alone praying, his disciples were with him: and he asked them, saying, Whom say the people that I am?  

Following the feeding of the five thousand, Jesus and his disciples were alone and praying. I imagine them up on a mountain, it is late and the crowds are sleeping. Perhaps they were warming by a fire praying and sharing of the apostles experiences amidst the people, witnessing and healing. I can see Jesus lying on his back, looking up at the stars, all were now reclining. Jesus asked them a question. Whom say the people that I am? Do they know Jesus and why he came and who he was? I myself ask this question as a beginning to witnessing to someone seeking God. Are you seeking? Have you heard of Jesus and do you know why he came?

Luke 9:19  They answering said, John the Baptist; but some say, Elias; and others say, that one of the old prophets is risen again.  

The people did not know, they thought Jesus was a resurrected prophet. So many do not know today who Jesus is. They know that he is not welcome in our cities and our government, but they do not know the spiritual reason, Jesus is Lord and the world serves the devil.

Luke 9:20  He said unto them, But whom say ye that I am? Peter answering said, The Christ of God.  

Each must answer this question. Who do you think Jesus is? Luke briefly mentions that Peter answered correctly. Matthew tells us more;  

Mat 16:18  And I say also unto thee, That thou art Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.
Mat 16:19  And I will give unto thee the keys of the kingdom of heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt bind on earth shall be bound in heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven.

I believe this is the only one place where Peter is called the rock. Was Peter called the rock? Everywhere else, God is the Rock, Jesus is the Rock. Jesus is the foundation of the church. Jesus is the head of the church. Never in any other place is Peter spoken of as the one with all the power from heaven. Jesus gave all power and authority to his disciples for ministry, especially after the Holy Ghost was given.  

Mat 28:18  And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth.
Mat 28:19  Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost:
Mat 28:20  Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen.  

 It is our relationship to Jesus that brings to us God's power.  His power works in us to do his will. We are not to be like those of the world, using our power to rule over people. God's power rules over satan and his powers. Our manner of life is to be as a servant to others.  

Mark 10:44  And whosoever of you will be the chiefest, shall be servant of all.   Earlier, when the multitude gathered and it was late, the disciples told them to go. Jesus said feed them, meet there needs. Jesus showed miracles, but he also showed a servants heart. He put the needs of the crowd above his own needs of rest and fellowship. All power is given unto Jesus and he was meek and gentle, a servant giving himself for us. Jesus is the Lord of peace, our best friend.

Luke 9:21  And he straitly charged them, and commanded them to tell no man that thing;  

 He commanded the disciples not to  tell others that he was the Messiah, the savior from God. His time was not yet come.   What do others say? Does it matter if people do not see you and I as a person of God's power, a child of God? It is best to be a humble servant, not seeking to have prominence. Perhaps then they will see Jesus, not us. Jesus knew who he was and why he came. All need to know Him, He is the hope of eternal life. Eaglewings Daily Bible

Luke-Loaves and Fishes

    Luke 9:13  But he said unto them, Give ye them to eat. And they said, We have no more but five loaves and two fishes; except we should go and buy meat for all this people.   Jesus commands them to feed the people. They looked at what they had, not much, 5 loaves of barley bread and two fish. We need to buy more food. Often we just do not know how to do something, we are limited, but God is not limited, if he requires something from us, he will provide.
Luke 9:14  For they were about five thousand men. And he said to his disciples, Make them sit down by fifties in a company.   Five thousand people to feed and so little food. Now Jesus commands them again. Have them sit in groups of fifties. God is a God of order. If left as a big mob of people the strong would rush forward and the weak ones would go without food. I strong man could take the whole five loafs and two fish.
Luke 9:15  And they did so, and made them all sit down.
Luke 9:16  Then he took the five loaves and the two fishes, and looking up to heaven, he blessed them, and brake, and gave to the disciples to set before the multitude.   Jesus blessed the food, giving thanks to the Father. He broke the food up and gave them to the disciples to serve.
Luke 9:17  And they did eat, and were all filled: and there was taken up of fragments that remained to them twelve baskets.   A great miracle. God uses what we have if we trust him and he multiplies it for his purpose. Twelve baskets of fragments were left over. Nothing was wasted and there was a basket for each of the disciples, for their own meal. The servants of God are provided for, even though they seek no personal gain.   What can be said that you have not heard about this story? Just remember, that God will use whatever you give him, if he requires it of you. He also will use your obedience to glorify God and give you an increase. I like that.

Salvation and falling away

 

If we belong to Jesus, we will follow him. He keeps us and we know his voice. If we do our own thing in his name without submitting to Jesus, and hearing his voice we are in danger of being thrown out. If we are his he keeps us in his hand.

Many claim to be Christians. Those who do his will show the evidence that they hear his voice. This was a lead in to the verse where Jesus said:  

Mat 7:21  Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven.
Mat 7:22  Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works?
Mat 7:23  And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity.
Mat 7:24  Therefore whosoever heareth these sayings of mine, and doeth them, I will liken him unto a wise man, which built his house upon a rock:  

Jesus never knew them. They were doing things by their flesh, the works were not of Jesus, but another spirit.  Note the Many in verse 7:22, Prophesying leads the list of their doings. How many today claim to prophesy? Many will say to me...They claim these things, but were they in truth? Jesus will not deny himself, they were deceived, liars.  

2 Tim 3:13  But evil men and seducers shall wax worse and worse, deceiving, and being deceived.

Mat 24:11  And many false prophets shall rise, and shall deceive many.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~    Yes, I believe Our Father keeps us if we fall away, but I believe there comes a point when some1 can harden their heart towards HIM & decide 2 live in continual sin & completely fall from faith.. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Eternal life is by believing, then we are sealed with his ownership seal of the Holy Ghost. The Holy Ghost changes us from men who make decisions, to children of God, translated into his kingdom. This was the finished work of the cross, assuring our salvation. We are with Jesus in Spiritual places. It is a done deal.  If I get old and forget who I am, the Holy Spirit person  still belongs to Jesus.   This is how the scripture speaks to me.  Salvation is of God. We do not choose and unchoose, if we are rooted in the faith and filled with His Holy Ghost of promise. Salvation is the completion we have in Jesus, being totally complete when we are with him in Glory.

We are to be as the seed that fell on good ground.  

Mat 13:23  But he that received seed into the good ground is he that heareth the word, and understandeth it; which also beareth fruit, and bringeth forth, some an hundredfold, some sixty, some thirty.
  Gary

Our Covering

  I returned from a day of work, it was now in the night. Peace and calm were in the air as I drove to our nearby park. I wanted to be alone with God to thank him for covering me up. He covers my failures and makes things turn out good. Our mistakes. our errors in judgement, our shorter and shorter memory. He reminds me of things overlooked or left undone. He is there to strengthen me and carry my burdens; to inspire, to pull me through difficult places; He is my Comforter.  

I stumbled in the night down a rooted embankment to the rocks by the quiet river. As I looked across the moving waters in the light from a distant park light, suddenly a flash of lightening brought my attention to a distant storm. The quiet, calm, pleasant evening was alive by distant flashes, as if the Lord were saying, "I am here, I am here," the light that overcomes the darkness. The light of remembrance of past storms, past failings, past regrets, always covered by His grace. The distant lights changed positions, God is not always in one place, he moves about, but always near. Lord I want to know your presence always. In the dim light of the river last night I saw an owl, a large bird flying from across the river, above, into a  tree. There is life, movement, shelter. I prayed prayers of thanksgiving and praise and then returned to the car. At last I was home, greeted by welcome home and the much needed words; "I prayed for you that all would go well." Yes, all is well the Lord covers us with His presence, his strength, His love.  

When the night comes when we shall fly across the river to our new home? Angels guide us, we are not forgotten, we are not alone. No, never are we alone. Pain, sorrows, mistakes of the past are left behind on that night we meet our Lord, across the river in that distant light, now our home. I hear his voice; "I prayed for you, welcome home."  

Until then, continue in His love, Gary

Luke-Herod

    Luke 9:7  Now Herod the tetrarch heard of all that was done by him: and he was perplexed, because that it was said of some, that John was risen from the dead;  

 Herod was governor of that region of the Roman empire. He heard of the works of Jesus and was perplexed, he was unable to understand what was happening. Some were saying that this was John the Baptist, risen from the grave.

Luke 9:8  And of some, that Elias had appeared; and of others, that one of the old prophets was risen again.  

Some were saying that Jesus was Elijah the prophet and others; a prophet of old was risen again. Interesting how many people were quick to say that Jesus was someone else, risen from the dead, and yet so few would believe him when he told them that he would go to the cross, die, and be risen again on the third day. People are willing to believe any story but the truth of who Jesus is and what he came to do. Perhaps because satan controls the people and Jesus came to destroy the power of satan and set them free. Satan does not want you or them to know this. He controls by lies.  

John 8:31  Then said Jesus to those Jews which believed on him, If ye continue in my word, then are ye my disciples indeed;
John 8:32  And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.

Luke 9:9  And Herod said, John have I beheaded: but who is this, of whom I hear such things? And he desired to see him. 

Mat 14:3  For Herod had laid hold on John, and bound him, and put him in prison for Herodias' sake, his brother Philip's wife.
Mat 14:4  For John said unto him, It is not lawful for thee to have her.
Mat 14:5  And when he would have put him to death, he feared the multitude, because they counted him as a prophet.
Mat 14:6  But when Herod's birthday was kept, the daughter of Herodias danced before them, and pleased Herod.
Mat 14:7  Whereupon he promised with an oath to give her whatsoever she would ask.
Mat 14:8  And she, being before instructed of her mother, said, Give me here John Baptist's head in a charger. 

Now Herod was curious to meet this one they call Jesus. Perhaps he would do a miracle for him to see? The miracle of God is that he has come to be the sacrifice so that whosoever will believe in him may receive everlasting life. The miracle of a new birth into God's kingdom. With sins forgiven we are made the righteousness of Christ. That is the miracle that all must see and believe.

Luke-Power and authority

The Journal has had 1000 vistors since December, way to go, may our Lord receive honor and glory.

Luke 9:1  Then he called his twelve disciples together, and gave them power and authority over all devils, and to cure diseases.  

This was the will of the Father, for Jesus on earth was to do nothing apart from the Father's will. This was a special anointing for service. Two things from this I see. First, Jesus gives us special anointings for the work he has called us to do. If he asks us to do something, he will supply what is needed. Secondly, this was the power of the Holy Ghost, but it would not be permanent until after Pentecost, when the Holy Ghost was given to believers.   Peter was an example of a disciple who wished to serve God, but he was not yet converted. He had not yet the permanent indwelling of God's Holy Spirit.  

Luke 22:31  And the Lord said, Simon, Simon, behold, Satan hath desired to have you, that he may sift you as wheat:
Luke 22:32  But I have prayed for thee, that thy faith fail not: and when thou art converted, strengthen thy brethren.  

We are not of Jesus until we receive his Holy Spirit. You may be earnest in your religion, but without the anointing from God to have power from him, you are not his.  

Rom 8:9  But ye are not in the flesh, but in the Spirit, if so be that the Spirit of God dwell in you. Now if any man have not the Spirit of Christ, he is none of his.

Luke 9:2  And he sent them to preach the kingdom of God, and to heal the sick.  

First they were to preach the gospel of the kingdom, then with signs following. They were to heal the sick and cast out demons.

Luke 9:3  And he said unto them, Take nothing for your journey, neither staves, nor scrip, neither bread, neither money; neither have two coats apiece.  

Take nothing for your journey, including the normal necessities; staves, a rod or staff, scrip, a wallet for money. No bread, no money; only one coat. The Lord would provide, but don't neglect the necessary coat, as the weather required this.  

Luke 9:4  And whatsoever house ye enter into, there abide, and thence depart.  

The homes who received them would meet there needs.  

Mat 10:40  He that receiveth you receiveth me, and he that receiveth me receiveth him that sent me.
Mat 10:41  He that receiveth a prophet in the name of a prophet shall receive a prophet's reward; and he that receiveth a righteous man in the name of a righteous man shall receive a righteous man's reward.
Mat 10:42  And whosoever shall give to drink unto one of these little ones a cup of cold water only in the name of a disciple, verily I say unto you, he shall in no wise lose his reward.  

Mat 10:13  And if the house be worthy, let your peace come upon it: but if it be not worthy, let your peace return to you.

Luke 9:5  And whosoever will not receive you, when ye go out of that city, shake off the very dust from your feet for a testimony against them.  

 The Jews would shake the dust off of their feet after returning from Gentile land. The disciples were sent to the people of Israel, but those who would not receive them were to be considered as outside of the will of God, infidels.   Mat 10:15  Verily I say unto you, It shall be more tolerable for the land of Sodom and Gomorrha in the day of judgment, than for that city.
 

 Luke 9:6  And they departed, and went through the towns, preaching the gospel, and healing every where.  

 They obeyed the Lord's command. This is important, for we are to believe and obey. As the hymn goes, we are to trust and obey for there is no other way to be happy (blessed) in Jesus, but to trust and obey. They believed and did as they were commanded. Do we believe God's word for us? What should we be doing to be blessed of God?