The drums are beating strong, rhythmic, syncopated, echoing, drawing focal attention. Get ready.
The trumpeters blast a short, precise announcement. Get ready.
Multitudes of people are coming, dancing, shouting, singing.
Get ready.
The King is coming. THE KING IS COMING.
Prepare ye the way. Prepare ye the way of the Lord.
Palm Sunday followed by Easter are coming and the choir is already there while preparing the music that will assist people to prepare the way of the Lord.
Many are out buying new outfits, getting ready to worship the True King of Kings.
Get ready. The King is coming. He really is coming.
A voice cries in the desert:
Prepare the way of the Lord,
Make straight in the desert a highway for our God.
Every valley shall be lifted up, and every mountain and hill be made low;
The uneven ground shall become level,
And the rough places a plain.
And the glory of the Lord shall be revealed,
And all flesh shall see it together
For the mouth of the Lord has spoken.
Isaiah 40:3-5 (Old Testament – Surprised?)
How should we really get ready to meet the King? When it happens, none of the beautiful clothes, flowers, nor Easter egg hunts will matter.
First accept the King as Lord indeed over your soul, mind, body, and spirit.
If you confess with your lips that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you shall be saved.
Romans 10:9
I say to you that every one who is angry with his brother shall be liable to judgment; whoever insults his brother shall be liable to the council, and whoever says, “You fool” shall be liable to the hell of fire.
So if you are offering your gift at the altar, and there remember that your brother has something against you, leave your gift there before the altar and go; first be reconciled to your brother, and then come and offer your gift. Matthew 5:22
You have heard that it was said, “You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemies”. But I say, Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, so that you may be sons of your Father who is in heaven; for He makes His sun rise on the evil and on the good, and sends rain on the just and on the unjust. For if you love those who love you, what reward have you? Do not even the tax collectors do the same? And if you salute only your brethren, what more are you doing than others? Do not even the Gentiles do the same? You, therefore, must be perfect, as your heavenly Father is perfect. Mathew 5:43-48
Get ready. The King is coming. He really is coming.
You may say that you do not believe that there is a King. There is no judgment. There is no heaven to gain; no hell to avoid. This does not matter, for you are not the one who defines reality. What if you are wrong?
You can believe completely that you will not die. But your belief does not define Truth, only how you deal with it.
The drums are beating strong, rhythmic, syncopated, echoing, drawing focal attention. Get ready.
The trumpeters blast a short, precise announcement. Get ready.
Multitudes of people are coming, dancing, shouting, singing.
I hear them, don’t you?
Tuesday, March 16, 2010
Friday, April 10, 2009
Thursday, April 09, 2009
Last night I had an interesting dream that has significance.
I was visiting an increasing family of African Americans, starting with 5 or 6 and by the end was over 50. Everyone was in one accord with only one conversation going. They listened to me with kindness and acceptance. Since I was myself, I probably was a visitor, not a member, but I am unsure.
As we passed from one room to another, we say President Obama in a room with several people. He was sitting on the floor receiving instructions and writing them down. As I looked at him, I envisioned him as an innocent, attractive child with purity and goodness.
By time we arrived in the new room we were large in number. I shared my view of President Obama and requested that we pray for him together. We held hands and did not make a perfect circle. I started to pray, completing one sentence. Everyone seemed restless, moving individually, making the circle difficult. Everyone started talking amongst themselves, making prayer impossible. Everyone dropped hands and no longer was one in spirit.
This was the end of my dream. As I had my morning coffee I prayed for President Obama and then for the meaning of the dream.
The meaning of the dream is for the Church, especially for African American churches. Whether small or great we are meant to be one in spirit. WE MUST PRAY FOR PRESIDENT OBAMA.
Pray that he is:
Innocent of any evil intent
Childlike in his faith in Jesus Christ as his savior
Comely in the sight of God
Humble and able to receive wise counsel
Able to lead us as a nation to be a part of God’s Kingdom
PRAY FOR THE CHURCH wherever you are and around the world that we are:
Unified
Willing to pray together
Powerful for the Kingdom of God here on the earth
PASS this on to the leadership in your church and then to your friends to pass on to their leadership. Please understand it is very important that we pray in unison as the Church for leadership. Make a perfect circle; be united in spirit. Do not chatter, but pray in earnestness. Prayer changes things and is powerful.
Blessings to you and to your family in Jesus Christ, our only hope and salvation.
Last night I had an interesting dream that has significance.
I was visiting an increasing family of African Americans, starting with 5 or 6 and by the end was over 50. Everyone was in one accord with only one conversation going. They listened to me with kindness and acceptance. Since I was myself, I probably was a visitor, not a member, but I am unsure.
As we passed from one room to another, we say President Obama in a room with several people. He was sitting on the floor receiving instructions and writing them down. As I looked at him, I envisioned him as an innocent, attractive child with purity and goodness.
By time we arrived in the new room we were large in number. I shared my view of President Obama and requested that we pray for him together. We held hands and did not make a perfect circle. I started to pray, completing one sentence. Everyone seemed restless, moving individually, making the circle difficult. Everyone started talking amongst themselves, making prayer impossible. Everyone dropped hands and no longer was one in spirit.
This was the end of my dream. As I had my morning coffee I prayed for President Obama and then for the meaning of the dream.
The meaning of the dream is for the Church, especially for African American churches. Whether small or great we are meant to be one in spirit. WE MUST PRAY FOR PRESIDENT OBAMA.
Pray that he is:
Innocent of any evil intent
Childlike in his faith in Jesus Christ as his savior
Comely in the sight of God
Humble and able to receive wise counsel
Able to lead us as a nation to be a part of God’s Kingdom
PRAY FOR THE CHURCH wherever you are and around the world that we are:
Unified
Willing to pray together
Powerful for the Kingdom of God here on the earth
PASS this on to the leadership in your church and then to your friends to pass on to their leadership. Please understand it is very important that we pray in unison as the Church for leadership. Make a perfect circle; be united in spirit. Do not chatter, but pray in earnestness. Prayer changes things and is powerful.
Blessings to you and to your family in Jesus Christ, our only hope and salvation.
Sunday, February 22, 2009
Bloom Where You Are Planted
Bloom where you are planted
The Lord is my shepherd (my guide)
I have no needs because He takes care of me
He MAKES ME lie down in green pastures
He leads me beside the still water
He restores my soul.
Have you heard the saying “The grass is greener on the other side of the fence”? Things must be better in another job, another love relationship, another town. We all suffer the desire to escape and go eat the grass on the other side of the fence.
Most of the time the Good Shepherd tells us the grass is green where we are. If we go to the other field, the grass probably is not as good as it looks, and the Good Shepherd will not guide us to the best spots.
There will always be imperfections in this sinful world, but we have a guide who directs our paths of righteousness. He snags us back from going over dangerous cliffs with His staff. He prods us forward with His rod. We don’t always like these instruments of righteousness, but ultimately we have peace and comfort because of them.
You are here now. Bloom where you are planted.
The Lord is my shepherd (my guide)
I have no needs because He takes care of me
He MAKES ME lie down in green pastures
He leads me beside the still water
He restores my soul.
Have you heard the saying “The grass is greener on the other side of the fence”? Things must be better in another job, another love relationship, another town. We all suffer the desire to escape and go eat the grass on the other side of the fence.
Most of the time the Good Shepherd tells us the grass is green where we are. If we go to the other field, the grass probably is not as good as it looks, and the Good Shepherd will not guide us to the best spots.
There will always be imperfections in this sinful world, but we have a guide who directs our paths of righteousness. He snags us back from going over dangerous cliffs with His staff. He prods us forward with His rod. We don’t always like these instruments of righteousness, but ultimately we have peace and comfort because of them.
You are here now. Bloom where you are planted.
Sunday, February 8, 2009
Let’s Praise the Lord!
I chose this scripture because Shane preached his sermon from this passage this morning. Way to go, Shane!
Before I could get it pasted to publish, Jim started to talk about this scripture and Shane's message of love. I hope this simple blog will give you strength, hope, and peace today.
14For this reason I kneel before the Father, 15from whom his whole family[a] in heaven and on earth derives its name. 16I pray that out of his glorious riches he may strengthen you with power through his Spirit in your inner being, 17so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith. And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, 18may have power, together with all the saints, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, 19and to know this love that surpasses knowledge—that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God.
20Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, 21to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen.
This is the scripture from which Shane gave his message in church this morning. Way to go, Shane. This scripture is full of hope, strength, blessings, and direction in the absolute best direction towards worshipping God.
We bow humbly simply because God deserves our adoration.
He loves us so much that we are named after Him. In love my husband gave me his name, and thus I am Mrs. James Leasure.
Paul prays that the Ephesians are strengthened in the best way (through the Holy Spirit) and in the most important place (inside to out).
Christ comes to live with us through our faith in His redemptive power.
Rooted and grounded are solid, stable words, which our inner beings crave.
And we crave love, both to love and to be loved.
Love surpasses knowledge.
And He does do more than we can imagine.
Thus we praise Him and bow before Him.
I have this marked in my oldest and favorite Bible as a message given by an elderly, extremely wise man of God. I also remember the summer that I read Ephesians over and over and over.
I chose this scripture because Shane preached his sermon from this passage this morning. Way to go, Shane!
Before I could get it pasted to publish, Jim started to talk about this scripture and Shane's message of love. I hope this simple blog will give you strength, hope, and peace today.
14For this reason I kneel before the Father, 15from whom his whole family[a] in heaven and on earth derives its name. 16I pray that out of his glorious riches he may strengthen you with power through his Spirit in your inner being, 17so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith. And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, 18may have power, together with all the saints, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, 19and to know this love that surpasses knowledge—that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God.
20Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, 21to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen.
This is the scripture from which Shane gave his message in church this morning. Way to go, Shane. This scripture is full of hope, strength, blessings, and direction in the absolute best direction towards worshipping God.
We bow humbly simply because God deserves our adoration.
He loves us so much that we are named after Him. In love my husband gave me his name, and thus I am Mrs. James Leasure.
Paul prays that the Ephesians are strengthened in the best way (through the Holy Spirit) and in the most important place (inside to out).
Christ comes to live with us through our faith in His redemptive power.
Rooted and grounded are solid, stable words, which our inner beings crave.
And we crave love, both to love and to be loved.
Love surpasses knowledge.
And He does do more than we can imagine.
Thus we praise Him and bow before Him.
I have this marked in my oldest and favorite Bible as a message given by an elderly, extremely wise man of God. I also remember the summer that I read Ephesians over and over and over.
Sunday, February 1, 2009
Reincarnation and Early Christianity
Reincarnation and christianity
I read a book that in passing stated that the early church believed in reincarnation. Whoa! Stop. There must be something amiss here. Reincarnation, which says that we keep coming back over and over again until we get the experience of life done the right way, and salvation, completely to the uttermost forgiveness of sins, and righteousness offered through the blood of Jesus, are diametrically opposed to one another.
Hebrews 9:27 (Amplified Bible)
27And just as it is appointed for [all] men once to die, and after that the [certain] judgment.
I found out the reference in the book was due to the early heresy of Gnosticism, which took many forms from one extreme of beating the sinful body into submission to the other extreme that it just doesn’t matter what one does after the initial salvation experience. None of these were acceptable as the truth of the New Testament.
Revelation 2:6 (Amplified Bible)
6Yet you have this [in your favor and to your credit]: you hate the works of the Nicolaitans [what they are doing as corrupters of the people], which I Myself also detest
Irenaeus taught that Nicolatians were Gnostics who believed that once accepting the gospel truth, then actions no longer mattered. Please read this link to understand that salvation is the essential first step to a genuine relationship with Jesus Christ, but is ever active and demands our response in daily life
http://www.wordoftruthradio.com/questions/38.html
Hebrews 7:24-25 (Amplified Bible)
24But He holds His priesthood unchangeably, because He lives on forever.
25Therefore He is able also to save to the uttermost (completely, perfectly, finally, and for all time and eternity) those who come to God through Him, since He is always living to make petition to God and intercede with Him and intervene for them.
We are saved to the uttermost. Praise the Lord! There is no doubt of being part of God’s Kingdom. I have talked to many who just can’t believe that God is going to forgive the unspeakable, secret, and detestable deeds they have committed. And yet as we are broken in spirit from our unrighteousness, Jesus is before the Father interceding on our behalf. What can be more powerful than the blood of Jesus! Let us not take lightly the great gift of atonement.
This does not mean that we can sin presumptuously thinking that God will excuse anything since we’ve believed in Jesus. After all, even demons believe in the atoning work of Jesus’ death on the cross. A contrite and broken heart is central to forgiveness. Then there must follow activity that reflects the example of Christ, and testifies of the indwelling of the Holy Spirit.
Do not be fooled: do not believe in reincarnation. Jesus’ blood can atone for our sins to the uttermost. It is appointed man once to die and then the judgment.
Go Steelers!
I read a book that in passing stated that the early church believed in reincarnation. Whoa! Stop. There must be something amiss here. Reincarnation, which says that we keep coming back over and over again until we get the experience of life done the right way, and salvation, completely to the uttermost forgiveness of sins, and righteousness offered through the blood of Jesus, are diametrically opposed to one another.
Hebrews 9:27 (Amplified Bible)
27And just as it is appointed for [all] men once to die, and after that the [certain] judgment.
I found out the reference in the book was due to the early heresy of Gnosticism, which took many forms from one extreme of beating the sinful body into submission to the other extreme that it just doesn’t matter what one does after the initial salvation experience. None of these were acceptable as the truth of the New Testament.
Revelation 2:6 (Amplified Bible)
6Yet you have this [in your favor and to your credit]: you hate the works of the Nicolaitans [what they are doing as corrupters of the people], which I Myself also detest
Irenaeus taught that Nicolatians were Gnostics who believed that once accepting the gospel truth, then actions no longer mattered. Please read this link to understand that salvation is the essential first step to a genuine relationship with Jesus Christ, but is ever active and demands our response in daily life
http://www.wordoftruthradio.com/questions/38.html
Hebrews 7:24-25 (Amplified Bible)
24But He holds His priesthood unchangeably, because He lives on forever.
25Therefore He is able also to save to the uttermost (completely, perfectly, finally, and for all time and eternity) those who come to God through Him, since He is always living to make petition to God and intercede with Him and intervene for them.
We are saved to the uttermost. Praise the Lord! There is no doubt of being part of God’s Kingdom. I have talked to many who just can’t believe that God is going to forgive the unspeakable, secret, and detestable deeds they have committed. And yet as we are broken in spirit from our unrighteousness, Jesus is before the Father interceding on our behalf. What can be more powerful than the blood of Jesus! Let us not take lightly the great gift of atonement.
This does not mean that we can sin presumptuously thinking that God will excuse anything since we’ve believed in Jesus. After all, even demons believe in the atoning work of Jesus’ death on the cross. A contrite and broken heart is central to forgiveness. Then there must follow activity that reflects the example of Christ, and testifies of the indwelling of the Holy Spirit.
Do not be fooled: do not believe in reincarnation. Jesus’ blood can atone for our sins to the uttermost. It is appointed man once to die and then the judgment.
Go Steelers!
Monday, January 19, 2009
The Lord is My Shepherd
The Lord is my Shepherd
I have no wants
He makes me lie down in green pastures
He leads me beside the still waters
He restores my soul
Psalm 23 is my theme song for this year. It is probably the most read poem throughout history, written by an anointed king of a small kingdom a thousand years before Christ.
David could have composed this poem as a lad during the long hours watching his father’s sheep. Or he could have written it in reflection during his reign as king over Israel.
Sheep are stupid and are desperately in need of guidance. They need a shepherd to guide and to rescue them. Most of us recognize that we really don’t know the path in front of us, and we also are greatly in need of a loving shepherd to guide us. The Lord is my Shepherd.
I’ve had an issue lately that I have been wrestling with, robbing me of peace. Last night I wrestled with an angel during my sleep, asking for peace. Jim said I talked in my sleep all night. He thought I was arguing with him. After rebuking an evil spirit this morning, peace from God descended upon my being. I am still praising the Lord and feel calmness and direction.
I have no wants. I have so many wants and needs that I worry about. I don’t need anything but my Shepherd. He will take care of me and those around me.
He makes me lie down in green pastures. He leads me beside the still waters. I don’t always want to lie down in comfort in the meadows of spiritual food. I want to roam around, stumbling over rocks, taking a chance on going over a cliff. But the Good Shepherd makes me rest and to eat. He leads me to drink holy water.
He restores my soul. I feel so good, so at peace, that I am restored and ready for the day. My natural response is praise.
I have no wants
He makes me lie down in green pastures
He leads me beside the still waters
He restores my soul
Psalm 23 is my theme song for this year. It is probably the most read poem throughout history, written by an anointed king of a small kingdom a thousand years before Christ.
David could have composed this poem as a lad during the long hours watching his father’s sheep. Or he could have written it in reflection during his reign as king over Israel.
Sheep are stupid and are desperately in need of guidance. They need a shepherd to guide and to rescue them. Most of us recognize that we really don’t know the path in front of us, and we also are greatly in need of a loving shepherd to guide us. The Lord is my Shepherd.
I’ve had an issue lately that I have been wrestling with, robbing me of peace. Last night I wrestled with an angel during my sleep, asking for peace. Jim said I talked in my sleep all night. He thought I was arguing with him. After rebuking an evil spirit this morning, peace from God descended upon my being. I am still praising the Lord and feel calmness and direction.
I have no wants. I have so many wants and needs that I worry about. I don’t need anything but my Shepherd. He will take care of me and those around me.
He makes me lie down in green pastures. He leads me beside the still waters. I don’t always want to lie down in comfort in the meadows of spiritual food. I want to roam around, stumbling over rocks, taking a chance on going over a cliff. But the Good Shepherd makes me rest and to eat. He leads me to drink holy water.
He restores my soul. I feel so good, so at peace, that I am restored and ready for the day. My natural response is praise.
Tuesday, January 13, 2009
Read Your Bible Everyday
I have had the opportunity to teach teenagers and mature adults over the years, and my theme song has always been READ YOUR BIBLE EVERYDAY.
Thy Word is a lamb unto my feet and a light unto my path. Psalm 119:105
Someone reading these words may think that Amy Grant wrote them. Smile. She, like song writers over the centuries, used the Word of God, the Word of Truth. This makes her wise in this area.
Why should you read the Bible daily?
1. It is the Word of truth. When you pray or when you listen to words of advise from others, the Bible can tell you if the words you are hearing are within God’s vast Kingdom, or from the tiny kingdom of damnation.
2. You cannot be obedient unless you know what obedience is and what pleases God. Reading the Bible can help you avoid sin.
3. From His youth, Jesus studied and learned the scriptures. We as Christians should follow His path.
4. When talking to others, whether Christians or otherwise, we are responsible for truth. Sometimes we sound foolish when we act like we know the Word and our knowledge is spotty. We can lead others astray and permit gross heresies in ourselves.
What should you read? Of course, read all of it, both Old Testament and New Testament. Interpret the New from the Old. However, there is no time constraints, nor limits of times to read the Bible. There are new, fresh ideas continually as long as life lasts.
Here is a suggestion for starting: First get a bookmark and place it at the beginning of a book, such as Genesis, Matthew, I John, or Psalms. Take your time and read something, maybe only a few verses, everyday. It’s okay to read the same passage over and over for several days. You are not in a hurry. Ask the Lord of Truth to direct your mind as you read. Second, make an appointment daily to spend time in the Word. It will not happen unless you set aside time. Perhaps your time will be first thing in the morning, at lunch, or before you turn out the lights.
One night I got in bed and realized that I had failed to read my Bible. So I took my Bible into my closet so not to disturb my husband’s sleep with the light. God met me in that closet and revealed Himself in a most wonderful and personal way. That is another amazing story.
Please share with others what the Bible means to you. Tell how the Word has changed your life, perhaps a special story.
Blessings.
Thy Word is a lamb unto my feet and a light unto my path. Psalm 119:105
Someone reading these words may think that Amy Grant wrote them. Smile. She, like song writers over the centuries, used the Word of God, the Word of Truth. This makes her wise in this area.
Why should you read the Bible daily?
1. It is the Word of truth. When you pray or when you listen to words of advise from others, the Bible can tell you if the words you are hearing are within God’s vast Kingdom, or from the tiny kingdom of damnation.
2. You cannot be obedient unless you know what obedience is and what pleases God. Reading the Bible can help you avoid sin.
3. From His youth, Jesus studied and learned the scriptures. We as Christians should follow His path.
4. When talking to others, whether Christians or otherwise, we are responsible for truth. Sometimes we sound foolish when we act like we know the Word and our knowledge is spotty. We can lead others astray and permit gross heresies in ourselves.
What should you read? Of course, read all of it, both Old Testament and New Testament. Interpret the New from the Old. However, there is no time constraints, nor limits of times to read the Bible. There are new, fresh ideas continually as long as life lasts.
Here is a suggestion for starting: First get a bookmark and place it at the beginning of a book, such as Genesis, Matthew, I John, or Psalms. Take your time and read something, maybe only a few verses, everyday. It’s okay to read the same passage over and over for several days. You are not in a hurry. Ask the Lord of Truth to direct your mind as you read. Second, make an appointment daily to spend time in the Word. It will not happen unless you set aside time. Perhaps your time will be first thing in the morning, at lunch, or before you turn out the lights.
One night I got in bed and realized that I had failed to read my Bible. So I took my Bible into my closet so not to disturb my husband’s sleep with the light. God met me in that closet and revealed Himself in a most wonderful and personal way. That is another amazing story.
Please share with others what the Bible means to you. Tell how the Word has changed your life, perhaps a special story.
Blessings.
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Great Grandfather Humes
Great Grandfather, Charles Humes, started the family interest in trucks. He is in the center of the picture and Great Grandmother, Eva Humes, is to the left of him.
