Tag: answer

Articles, Jeanette Porter

TRUST

| Jeanette

THERE ARE THOSE WE TRUST, AND THERE ARE THOSE WE HAVE NO TRUST IN. MANY TIMES WE TRUST PEOPLE AND FIND OUT LATER THEY ARE NOT TRUST WORTHY. HOW CAN WE AS BELIEVERS KNOW THE DIFFERENCE?

MOST OF THE TIME IT’S THROUGH A PROCESS OF WAITING TO SEE IF THEY BETRAY OUR TRUST, OR HOLD TO THE TRUST WE PLACED IN THEM IN AN ADMIRABLE WAY.

TRUST IS FAITH IN ACTION. TRUST MEANS: TO PUT ONE’S CONFIDENCE IN.

IN THE WORD OF GOD, WE FIND INSTRUCTIONS IN WHAT NOT TO PUT OUR TRUST. I WILL LIST THEM: WEAPONS (PS. 44:6); WEALTH (PS.49:6,7); LEADERS (PS. 146:3); MAN (JER 17:5); WORKS (JER. 48:7); OUR RIGHTEOUSNESS (EZEK. 33:13).

THIS SHOWS US WE CAN’T PUT OUR TRUST IN THINGS, PEOPLE, NOR OURSELVES. WELL, THAT COVERS ALMOST EVERYTHING. EVERYTHING BUT GOD, THAT IS. 

WHY IS IT THAT PEOPLE, MUCH OF THE TIME, PUT THEIR TRUST IN THINGS, PEOPLE, AND THEMSELVES, BEFORE THEY PUT THEIR TRUST IN GOD?

BELOVED, THIS IS THE WAY OF THE WORLD. WEAPONS, WEALTH, LEADERS, MANKIND, OUR WORKS, AND EVEN OUR RIGHTEOUS- NESS CAN FAIL US AT ANY TIME.

THE WORLD DOES NOT RECOGNIZE GOD AS THEIR SOURCE OF TRUST, BUT WE AS CHRISTIANS TRUST GOD FOR EVERYTHING, EVERYDAY.

OUR TRUST IS TO BE PUT IN GOD’S NAME: PSALM 33:20-22 – OUR SOUL WAITETH FOR THE LORD: HE IS OUR HELP AND OUR SHIELD.

     FOR OUR HEART SHALL REJOICE IN HIM, BECAUSE WE HAVE TRUSTED IN HIS HOLY NAME.

     LET THY MERCY, O LORD, BE UPON US, ACCORDING AS WE HOPE IN THEE.

OUR TRUST IS TO BE PUT IN GOD’S MERCY: PSALM 52:8 – BUT I AM LIKE A GREEN OLIVE TREE IN THE HOUSE OF GOD: I TRUST IN THE MERCY OF GOD FOR EVER AND EVER.

OUR TRUST IS TO BE PLACED IN GOD’S WORD: PSALM 119:41 – LET THEY MERCIES COME ALSO UNTO ME, O LORD, EVEN OUR SALVATION, ACCORDING TO THY WORD.

     SO SHALL I HAVE WHEREWITH TO ANSWER HIM THAT REPROACHETH ME: FOR I TRUST IN THY WORD.

WHEN GOD’S FAVOR IS MANIFESTED TO US, WE CAN SUFFICENTLY ANSWER OUR ENEMIES WITH THE WORD. WE TRUST IN GOD’S WORD: WE TRUST IN HIS PROMISES THAT ARE CONTAINED IN HIS WORD, FOR HIS SERVANTS.

MATTHEW 12:17-21 – THAT IT MIGHT BE FULFILLED WHICH WAS SPOKEN BY ISAIAH THE PROPHET, SAYING,

     BEHOLD MY SERVANT, WHOM I HAVE CHOSEN: MY BELOVED, IN WHOM MY SOUL IS WELL PLEASED:

     I WILL PUT MY TRUST UPON HIM, AND HE SHALL SHOW MY JUDGMENT OT THE GENTILES.

     HE SHALL NOT STRIVE NOR CRY; NEITHER SHALL ANY MAN HEAR HIS VOICE IN THE STREETS.

     A BRUISED REED SHALL HE NOT BREAK, AND SMOKING FLAX SHALL HE NOT QUINCH, TILL HE SEND FORTH JUDGMENT INTO VICTORY.

     AND IN HIM SHALL THE GENTILES TRUST.

THIS IS DESCRIBING WHAT JESUS DID FOR OUR SALVATION; AND WE CAN PUT OUR TRUST IN HIM AND WHAT HE DID FOR US. ALL OF US, GENTILES AND JEWS ALIKE, CAN PUT OUR TRUST IN HIM FOR ETERNAL LIFE.

THIS BEING THE GREATEST OF THEM ALL, THERE ARE MORE WONDERFUL BENEFITS TO TRUSTING CHRIST: BENEFITS OF JOY: PSALM  5;11 –    BUT LET ALL THOSE THAT PUT THEIR TRUST IN THEE REJOICE: LET THEM EVER SHOUT FOR JOY, BECAUSE THOU DEFENDEST THEM: LET THEM ALSO THAT LOVE THY NAME BE JOYFUL IN THEE.

IT’S EASY TO HAVE JOY WHEN THINGS ARE GOING GREAT, BUT WHAT HAPPENS WHEN WE ARE STILL PUTTING OUT TRUST IN GOD AND THINGS ARE NOT SO GREAT?

I EXPERIENCED THIS ONE DAY A WHILE BACK, AND THE DAY BEFORE THAT.

FIRST, MY MOTHER HAD CANCER IN HER ARM, AND IT WAS REMOVED. THANK GOD, THE DOCTOR THINKS HE GOT IT ALL. THIS WAS HARD FOR ME AND MY SIBLINGS BECAUSE WE LOVE OUR MOTHER AND HAD ALREADY SEEN OUR DADDY, WHO WE LOVED DEARLY, PASS WITH LUNG CANCER BECAUSE OF SMOKING.

I DROVE BACK HOME TO BE COMFORTED BY MY HUSBAND WHO WAS WAITING FOR ME: AND ONE OF THE FIRST THINGS HE TOLD ME, WAS OUR PET, ROSIE, WAS VERY SICK AND SHE WAS TO BE PUT TO SLEEP THE NEXT DAY. I WAS CRUSHED. THIS WAS JUST TOO MUCH.

I WAS STILL DEALING WITH MY TRUST IN GOD TO TAKE CARE OF MY MOTHER, NOW THIS. ROSIE WAS OUR SPRINGER SPANIEL, WHO WAS QUITE A PERSONALITY, BUT VERY OLD AND WEAK. I LOVED HER SO MUCH.

I JUST HAD TO GET ALONE WITH GOD. I DIDN’T WANT MY HUSBAND TO DO THIS, BUT HIS MIND WAS MADE UP, AND IN THE END, I KNEW I HAD TO SURRENDER TO THIS. IT WASWHAT WAS BEST FOR ROSIE.

I CRIED AND CRIED, IT WAS SO HARD. I POURED OUT MY HEART TO THE LORD. HE BEGAN TO COMFORT ME WITH HIS WORD. THE SCRIPTURES BEGAN TO COME THROUGH MY TEARS. GOD INSTRUCTED ME WITH THAT STILL SMALL VOICE TO TURN TO PSALM 34 AND 44.  ALL OF IT MINISTERED TO ME, BUT ONE VERSE IN PSALM 34, VERSE 18, GAVE ME THE GREATEST COMFORT OF ALL – THE LORD IS NIGH UNTO THEM THAT ARE OF A BROKEN HEART; AND SAVETH SUCH AS BE OF A CONTRITE SPIRIT.

I WAS THINKING, WHAT IS CONTRITE? THE DEFINITION IN STRONG’S IS: CRUSHED, AND POWDER.

THIS BROUGHT ME BACK TO A SERMON, IN FACT IT WAS THE FIRST SERMON I HEARD TD JAKES PREACH. IT WAS CALLED “ASHES.” HE TALKED ABOUT HOW WE CAN COME TO THE PLACE THAT WE ARE SO CRUSHED THAT WE BECOME THE POWDER FROM THE FIRE, WE CALL ASHES.

AS WE SERVE THE LORD, AND CONTINUE TO TRUST HIM THROUGH THESE HARD PLACES. HE BEGINS TO ELEVATE OUR FAITH, BECAUSE WE KNOW, WITHOUT A DOUBT, WE WILL NEVER COME THROUGH THESE THINGS ALONE.

I CANNOT UNDERSTAND HOW PEOPLE WHO DON’T KNOW THE LORD, GET THROUGH THESE HARD TO UNDERSTAND THINGS. A DEATH OF A LOVED ONE, OR A LOSE OF A CHILD. THEY CAN’T GET HELP THEY NEED FROM THE WORLD THAT BRINGS JOY.

WELL, THIS IS EXACTLY WHAT HAPPENED TO ME: THE LORD RESTORED MY JOY AND GAVE ME PEACE AS I BEGAN TO WORSHIP HIM IN IT.

          * PART 2 COMING UP.

 

   

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Articles, Roy Porter

THE TEACHER

| Roy

John 14:26 – But the Comforter, which is the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in My Name, He shall teach you all things, and bring all things to to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you.

II Peter 1:3 – According as His divine power hath given unto us all things that pertain unto life and godliness, through the knowledge of Him that hath called us to glory and virtue:

Students attend school, they have a teacher who gives them books and teaches them out of those books, and the teacher gives her students homework.

The teacher gives them tests to see what they’ve learned.

This teacher has assistants.

The schoolhouse is the Church building.

The homework is our Bible study and prayer at home.

In prayer, we ask our Heavenly Father to help us understand what we are studying: and the Holy Spirit will give us the answer.

This book, the Bible, has many Books, It covers all things concerning life and godliness.

We are the students.

If we never open the Book or if we never go to school or Church we write our own book and make God whoever we want Him to be.

Like learning in school 2+2=4. That is correct math. This teacher (the Holy Spirit) says, Jesus is the Way, the Truth, and the Life, no man cometh to the Father but by Him (Jesus Christ). Jesus is grace and truth.

How do I have this knowledge? I learned it from the Teacher and His Book at Church and at home.

II Peter 3:18 – Grow in grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.  

 

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Articles, Roy Porter

RED SEA LOOSES POSITION

| Roy

EZEKIEL 36:22-28 – THEREFORE SAY UNTO THE HOUSE OF ISRAEL, THUS SAITH THE LORD GOD; I DO NOT THIS FOR YOUR SAKES, O HOUSE OF ISRAEL, BUT FOR MINE HOLY NAME’S SAKE, WHICH YE HAVE PROFANED AMONG THE HEATHEN, WHITHER YE WENT.

AND I WILL SANCTIFY MY GREAT NAME, WHICH WAS PROFANED  AMONG THE HEATHEN, WHICH YE HAVE PROFANED IN THE MIDST OF THEM; AND THE HEATHEN SHALL KNOW THAT I AM THE LORD, SAITH THE LORD GOD, WHEN I SHALL BE SANCTIFIED IN YOU BEFORE THEIR EYES.

FOR I WILL TAKE YOU FROM AMONG THE HEATHEN, AND GATHER YOU OUT OF ALL COUNTRIES, AND WILL BRING YOU INTO YOUR OWN LAND.

THEN I WILL SPRINKLE WATER UPON YOU, AND YE SHALL BE CLEAN: FROM ALL YOUR FILTHINESS, AND FROM ALL YOUR IDOLS, WILL I CLEANSE YOU.

A NEW HEART WILL I GIVE YOU, AND A NEW SPIRIT WILL I PUT WITHIN YOU: AND I WILL TAKE AWAY THE STONEY HEART OUT OF YOUR FLESH, AND I WILL GIVE YOU AN HEART OF FLESH.

AND I WILL PUT MY SPIRIT WITHIN YOU, AND CAUSE YOU TO WALK IN MY STATUTES, AND YE SHALL KEEP MY JUDGMENTS, AND DO THEM. 

AND YE SHALL DWELL IN THE LAND THAT I GAVE TO YOUR FATHERS; AND YE SHALL BE MY PEOPLE, AND I WILL BE YOUR GOD.

PROFANED – A HEBREW WORD, HALAL – A VERB, MEANING TO PIERCE. THE FIRST MEANING OF THIS WORD IS TO PIERCE OR WOUND, EITHER PHYSICALLY UNTO TO DEATH OR FIGURATIVELY UNTO DESPAIR.

THE OTHER MEANING IS TO PROFANE OR TO DEFILE, WHICH IS USED PRIMARILYOF CEREMONIAL OBJECTS OF WORSHIP.

GOD SHALL SANCTIFY HIS GREAT NAME BEFORE THE WORLD BY PERFORMING A GREATER MIRACLE THAN PARTING THE SEA. HE SCATTERED THE JEWISH PEOPLE AFTER THEY REJECTED AND PIERCED THEIR ONLY GIVEN WAY TO WORSHIP.

JOHN 4:21-26 – JESUS SAITH UNTO HER, WOMAN BELIEVE ME, THE HOUR COMETH, WHEN YE SHALL NEITHER IN THIS MOUNTAIN, NOR YET AT JERUSALEM, WORSHIP THE FATHER.

YE WORSHIP YE KNOW NOT WHAT: WE KNOW WHAT WE WORSHIP: FOR SALVATION IS OF THE JEWS.

BUT THE HOUR COMETH, AND NOW IS, WHEN THE TRUE WORSHIPPERS SHALL WORSHIP THE FATHER IN SPIRIT AND IN TRUTH: FOR THE FATHER SEEKETH SUCH TO WORSHIP HIM.

GOD IS A SPIRIT: AND THEY THAT WORSHIP HIM MUST WORSHIP HIM IN SPIRIT AND IN TRUTH.

THE WOMAN SAITH UNTO HIM, I KNOW THAT MESSIAS COMETH, WHICH IS CALLED CHRIST: WHEN IS COME,  HE WILL TELL US ALL THINGS.

JESUS SAITH UNTO HER, I THAT SPEAK UNTO THEE AM HE.

ANYONE WHO REJECTS THIS WAY OF WORSHIP PROFANES THE NAME OF GOD. JESUS IS THE WAY, T HE TRUTH, AND THE LIFE, NO WORSHIPS THE FATHER EXCEPT THROUGH THE SACRIFICE THAT WAS  OFFERED ON THE  CROSS BY JESUS. JEW OR GENTILE CAN ONLY WORSHIP THE FATHER THROUGH HIS CHOSEN SACRIFICE. IT IS PROFANE TO ATTEMPT TO WORSHIP GOD WITHOUT THE ONE THAT WAS PIERCED.

THERE IS A LAND COVENANT GOD MADE TO ABRAHAM. THERE IS A PEOPLE COVENANT GOD MAD TO ABRAHAM.  THE LAND IS ISRAEL, THE PEOPLE IS THE JEW.THIS COVENANT CANNOT BE BROKEN, GOD SAID I WILL BRING THE BACK TO THEIR LAND.

THAT IS THE FIRST PHASE, THE SECOND IS ONE DAY IN THE FUTURE, THE JEW WILL RECOGNIZE THEIR MESSIAH. THEN JESUS WILL ENTER INTO THEIR HEART AND THERE WILL BE A REBIRTH OF THEIR SPIRIT. A NATION IS REBORN AND THEN THEIR SPIRIT.

ON MAY 14 1948, GOD PERFORMED A MIRACLE GREATER THAN THE PARTING OF THE RED SEA, ISRAEL BECAME A NATION IN ONE DAY. THIS IS THE GREATEST SIGN THAT IT WILL NOT BE LONG UNTIL THEY RECEIVE  THE NEW BIRTH OF THE HEART.

JESUS IS COMING BACK TO JERUSALEM TO SET UP HIS KINGDOM, 144,000 JEWS WILL RECEIVE JESUS DURING THE FIRST  THREE AND ONE HALF YEARS OF TRIBULATION. ALL OF ISRAEL WILL BE SAVED AFTER JESUS RETURNS TO JERUSALEM.

ZECHARAIA 13:6 –  AND ONE SHALL SAY UNTO HIM,WHAT ARE THOSE WOUNDS IN THINE HANDS? THEN HE SHALL ANSWER, THOSE WITH WHICH I WAS WOUNDED IN THE HOUSE OF MY FRIENDS.

ROMANS 11:26 – AND SO ALL ISRAEL SHALL BE SAVED: AS IT IS WRITTEN, THERE SHALL COME OUT OF SION THE  DELIVERER, AND SHALL TURN AWAY UNGODLINESS FROM JACOB: 

     

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Articles, Jeanette Porter

WHAT HAPPENED TO INNOCENCE?

| Jeanette

I HAVE BEEN THINKING ABOUT VALUES AND OUR CHILDREN. EVERYONE OF US WOULD SHIELD OUR CHILDREN NOW, BUT WE CANNOT.—-WHY? WE ARE AFRAID IF WE DO NOT TEACH THEM ALL ABOUT LIFE, NOW, THEY WILL LEARN IT SOME OTHER WAY. AND THIS IS TRUE.

MEDIA, SCHOOLS, FRIENDS, NEIGHBORS, AND OTHER FAMILY MEMBERS: ALL INFLUENCE OUR CHILDREN. I”M SURE YOU ALREADY KNOW THAT; BUT ARE WE GOING TO SIT BACK AND SEE THIS CONTINUE TO HAPPEN?

MY MOTHER AND I WERE HAVING A MOTHER-DAUGHTER DAY YESTERDAY, AND AS-YOU-WILL, WE BAGAN TO TALK ABOUT FAMILY.

WE WENT HERE AND THERE, AND THEN MOTHER BEGAN TO TELL ME ABOUT THE BIRTH OF HER BROTHER AND SISTER WHO ARE TWINS.

I WAS AMAZED TO HEAR THE STORY.

SHE SAID, “IN MY DAYS, AS A CHILD, WHEN A BABY WAS COMING, THE OTHER CHILDREN IN THE HOME DIDN’T EVEN KNOW THEY WERE GETTING TO HAVE ANOTHER BROTHER OR SISTER.

THE PREGNANT MOM WOULD HIDE THE BABY CLOTHES AT A NEIGHBOR’S HOUSE, SO THEY WOULDN’T KNOW.”

I STARTED ASKING MOTHER, “WHY?”

THEN I REALIZED THE ANSWER—-THEY WANTED THE CHILDREN TO EXPERIENCE CHILDHOOD IN INNOCENCE, UNTIL THEY WERE OLD ENOUGH TO ASK QUESTIONS ABOUT SEX.

THE PARENTS WOULD NOT LIE TO THEM, SO THEY JUST KEPT QUIET ABOUT IT.

ANYWAY, GRANDMOTHER WAS ABOUT TO GIVE BIRTH, SO HER NEIGHBOR TOOK ALL THE CHILDREN HOME WITH HER, AND SNUCK BACK WITH THE BABY CLOTHES AND BLANKET.

THEN IT HAPPENED! OUT COME MILDRED!!

MOTHER SAID, “IN THOSE DAYS THERE WAS NO WAY TO KNOW IF YOU WERE GOING TO HAVE A BOY OR GIRL, OR EVEN IF YOU WERE EXPECTING MORE THAN ONE.”

I GUESSED THAT WAS WHY THEY PUT DRESSES ON BOYS AS WELL AS GIRLS; I DON’T  KNOW.

THERE WERE MANY GUESSES, TAKING INTO CONSIDERATION, WHETHER THE MOTHER WAS BIGGER IN FRONT, OR BIGGER FROM THE BACK VIEW. NO ONE KNEW FOR SURE BUT GOD HIMSELF.

MOTHER CONTINUED, “AS SOON AS THEY GOT MILFORD CLEANED-UP, WRAPPED-UP—-TO THEIR SURPRISE, OUT CAME MILFORD! TWINS!!

THERE WERE NO CLOTHES FOR MILFORD, SO GRANDMA’S NEIGHBOR HAD TO RUN QUICKLY BACK HOME TO GET A BLANKET.”

I LOVE THIS STORY. THIS WAS A STORY I NEVER HEARD BEFORE.

I ENJOYED IT, BUT IT GOT ME TO THINKING.

WHAT HAPPENED?

WHAT HAPPENED TO THE INNOCENCE OF OUR SMALL CHILDREN?

WHY HAVE WE ALLOWED FAMILY VALUES TO BECOME SO POLLUTED?

WHERE DID WE GO WRONG?

MANY OF OUR SMALL CHILDREN KNOW MORE THAN I DID WHEN I GOT MARRIED.

THERE SHOULD BE A TIME OF INNOCENCE—-UNDISTURBED.

I KNOW YOU ARE ASKING,”HOW CAN WE KEEP OUR CHILDREN FROM GETTING ABUSED IF THEY DON’T KNOW?”

I BELIEVE THE TIME TO TELL THEM SOMETHING IS WHEN THEY BEGIN TO ASK QUESTIONS. BUT YOU DON’T HAVE TO TELL THEM EVERYTHING: JUST ENOUGH TO SATISFY THEM.

LEAVE OFF THE “CABBAGE PATCH,” AND THE “STORK STORY,” AND TELL THEM THE TRUTH: JUST ENOUGH TO SATISFY THEIR CURIOSITY, BECAUSE TOO MUCH WILL ONLY CONFUSE THEM, AND CAUSE THEM TO ASK MORE QUESTIONS.

MEN AND WOMEN OF GOD, IF WE DON’T DO SOMETHING, THIS SPIRAL WILL CONTINUE DOWN HILL.

THE WORLD, AND EVEN SOME PSYCOLOGISTS, WOULD TELL YOU IT IS GOOD FOR CHILDREN TO EXPERIENCE SEX EARLY. THEY SAY IT WILL PREPARE THEM FOR ADULTHOOD.

THIS IS A LIE FROM SATAN.

I KNOW FROM EXPERIENCE, WHAT IT CAN DO TO AN INNOCENT CHILD TO BE VIOLATED AT AN EARLY AGE.—-IT CAUSES THEM TO FEEL INFERIOR, AND MANY END UP IN MENTAL INSTITUTIONS; OR THROUGH UNCONTROLLED ANGER, EVEN A CORRECTIONAL FACILITY. SOME END UP IN HOMOSEXUALITY.

THEY ARE NOT PREPARED FOR SUCH AN ADULT ACTION.

YOU MIGHT THINK MY GRANDMOTHER MORTON WAS TOO PRIMITIVE!

WELL, AT LEAST MY GRANDMOTHER AND GRANDFATHER WERE DOING SOMETHING!!—-THEY WERE TRYING TO KEEP THOSE LITTLE ONE’S INNOCENT, UTIL THEY ERE READY TO EXPERIENCE LIFE.

YOU CAN CALL IT TOO PROTECTIVE IF YOU WANT, BUT WHAT IS GOING ON NOW IS FAR OUT OF HAND.

OUR TEENS, ON THE AVERAGE, ARE EXPERIENCING ACTIVE SEX LIVES. WHEN THEY MARRY, MANY OF THEM WON’T EVEN REMEMBER HOW MANY PARTNERS THEY HAVE HAD SEX WITH ALREADY.

CHILDREN SEE SO MANY ADULT PROGRAMS, THEY WANT TO BE AN ADULT TOO FAST: TOO FAST FOR THEIR MINDS AND BODIES.

CHILDREN ARE DATING CHILDREN. WHEN PUBERTY BEGINS, NUMEROUS CHILDREN HAVE ALREADY SEEN MANY SEX SCENES ON TV AND INTERNET WITH NO FILTERING. 

THEY ACT OUT WHAT THEY SEE, NOT WHAT THEY ARE TOLD.

ALONG WITH SOME OTHER MINISTERS, I HELPED MINISTER DELIVERENCE TO A THREE YEAR OLD CHILD. HER STORY GOES LIKE THIS: SHE HAD VIEWED HER MOTHER AND MEN IN BED, AND SHE WAS TRYING TO HAVE SEX WITH HER DOLL REPEATEDLY.  THE GRANDMOTHER BEGAN TO NOTICE WHAT SHE WAS DOING, AND BROUGHT HER FOR HELP.—-SHE RECEIVED DELIVERANCE.

I HAD A SUSPICION, ALSO, SHE MAY HAVE BEEN MOLESTED.

I AM HORRIFIED, THAT WE AS ADULTS, HAVE ALLOWED THINGS TO GET SO FAR OUT OF HAND.

YOU MIGHT SAY, “I AGREE, BUT WHAT CAN I DO?”

WE NEED TO PRAY, AND ASK GOD FOR A PLAN. HE IS THE ONLY ONE WHO CAN CHANGE THE DIRECTION OF THIS DOWNWARD SPIRAL. WE NEED TO WATCH WHAT WE BRING INTO OUR HOMES. 

WE ARE RESPONSIBLE FOR THE EXAMPLE WE SET.

WE NEED TO STOP LETTING OUR CHILDREN START DATING BEFORE THEY ARE READY. 

WE NEED TO STOP RIDING OUR CHILDREN AROUND WITH THEIR DATES, BECAUSE THEY ARE NOT OLD ENOUGH TO DRIVE.

BELOVED, IF THEY ARE NOT OLD ENOUGH TO DRIVE, THEY ARE NOT MATURE ENOUGH TO DATE. SOMETIMES, I THINK PARENTS PUSH THEIR CHILDREN INTO DATING. 

YOUR CHILD IS NOT READY FOR WHAT THEY MIGHT EXPERIENCE. 

PEOPLE YOU TRUST MAY NOT PEOPLE YOU CAN TRUST.

WE NEED TO BEGIN AGAIN, AND TAKE CHECK ON OUR VALUES.

PROVERBS 7:7,8 – AND BEHOLD AMONG THE SIMPLE ONE’S, I DESCERNED AMONG THE YOUTHS, A YOUNG MAN VOID OF UNDERSTANDING, PASSING THROUGH THE STREET NEAR HER CORNER, AND HE WENT THE WAY OF HER HOUSE…

THIS IS DESCRIBING A YOUTH, NOT A MAN.—-SHE GOES ON TO TELL HIM THE MAN OF THE HOUSE IS GONE ON A TRIP AND NO ONE IS HOME. 

VERSES 21,22,27 – WITH HER MUCH FAIR SPEECH SHE CAUSED HIM TO YEILD, WITH THE FLATTERING OF HER LIPS SHE FORCED HIM. HE GOETH AFTER HER STRAIGHTWAY, AS AN OX GOETH TO A SLAUGHTER, OR AS A FOOL TO THE CORRECTION OF THE STOCKS; HER HOUSE IS THE WAY TO HELL, GOING DOWN TO THE CHAMBERS OF DEATH. (OR IF YOU WANT TO FIND THE ROAD TO HELL, LOOK FOR HER HOUSE.)

CHAPTER 2:17 – WHICH FORSAKETH THE GUIDE OF HER YOUTH, AND FORGETTETH THE COVENANT OF HER GOD.

SHE HAS FORSAKEN WHAT SHE WAS TAUGHT BY HER PARENTS, AND BECAME ARROGANT, AND TURNED HER BACK ON GOD. 

I THANK GOD FOR CHRISTIAN VALUES, MY PARENTS INSTILLED IN ME AS A SMALL CHILD. THEY TOOK ME TO CHURCH. THEY TAUGHT ME TO PRAY AND READ THE BIBLE EVERYDY. I LEARNED THAT AT HOME.

MANY WANT THEIR CHILDREN AND GRANDCHILDREN TO HAVE GOD AND HIS PEACE REST UPON THEM, BUT WE DON’T TO PAY THE PRICE OF DISCIPLINE.

TIS IS NOT TO BRING YOU TO CONDEMNATION, BUT TO SOUND AN ALARM.

PROVERBS SUMS IT UP THIS WAY (22:6)  WHEN I WAS A CHILD, I SPAKE AS A CHILD, I UNDERSTOOD AS A CHILD…

A CHILD UNDERSTANDS AS A CHILD AND SHOULD BE PROTECTED: DON’T FORCE THEM INTO ADULTHOOD.

THERE IS NO CHILD-CARE LIKE THE CARE OF A LOVING GODLY MOTHER AND FATHER (OR FATHER).

THE GREATEST ANSWER IS PRAYER: PRAY FOR ALL OUR CHILDREN.

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Articles, Jeanette Porter

CONTENTMENT

| Jeanette

JAMES 1:6-8 – BUT LET HIM ASK IN FAITH, NOTHING WAVERING. FOR HE THAT WAVERETH IS LIKE A WAVE OF THE SEA DRIVEN WITH THE WIND AND TOSSED.

          FOR LET NOT THAT MAN THINK THAT HE SHALL RECEIVE ANYTHING OF THE LORD.

          A DOUBLE MINDED MAN IS UNSTABLE IN ALL HIS WAYS.

PRAYER IS NOT REAL UNLESS IT IS THE EXPRESSION OF FAITH. IT MUST ISSUE FROM A “LIVING SOURCE WITHIN THE WILL,” AND BE INSPIRED BY PERFECT CONFIDENCE IN GOD’S READINESS TO HELP.

THERE IS SO MUCH UNBELIEF IN THIS DAY AND TIME ON THE SUBJECT OF PRAYER! THE SCIENTIFIC TONE-DOWN OF THIS AGE MERELY ALLOWS A MAN TO PRAY TO GOD , “IF THERE IS A GOD—–TO SAVE HIS SOUL,—– IF HE HAS A SOUL.”

AND THE FORCIBLE WORDS OF JAMES, IN THESE THREE VERSES, SUGGEST—-THAT STILL, IN THE CASE OF VERY MANY CHRISTIANS, AN IMPERFECT FAITH IN GOD’S READINESS TO RESPOND TO THEIR PRAYERS, IS ONE OF THE GREATEST DEFECTS OF THEIR SPIRITUAL LIVE.

WE OFTEN SPEAK OF EVIDENT ANSWERS TO PRAYERS AS UNUSUAL, AND —-WHEN THEY DO OCCUR—-AS REMARKABLE!!

THE GIFT OF WISDOM IS PROMISED ONLY TO HIM WHO ASKS IT WITH A STEADY FAITH, AND WHO MANIFESTS THE REALITY OF HIS FAITH BY A LIFE OF CONSISTENT PURPOSE.

GOD, OUR FATHER, DEMANDS THE CONFIDENCE OF HIS CHILDREN. “NOTHING DOUBTING” SHOULD BE THE CHRISTIAN’S MOTTO IN PRAYER. THE PETITIONS SHOULD NOT SHIFT BACKWARDS AND FORWARD BETWEEN FAITH AND DOUBT, LIKE A TUMBLING BILLOW OF THE SEA. HE MUST NOT SWING LIKE A PENDULUM BETWEEN CHEERFUL CONFIDENCE AND DARK SUSPICION. 

IT MUST BE FIXED PERSUASION THAT GOD IS, AND THAT HE IS A HEARER OF PRAYER. WE MUST EXPECT ANSWER TO OUR REQUEST.

IT IS THE MEN AND WOMEN WITHIN WHOM FAITH IS THE DOMINATE POWER WHO TAKE THE KINGDOM OF HEAVEN BY FORCE. GOD IS SIMPLICITY HIMSELF, AND HE GIVES WITH SIMPLICITY: SO HE HAS NO SYMPATHY WITH AN UNSTABLE DOUBLE MINDED SOUL. 

A MIND THAT IS “WISHY-WASHY” IN IT’S CHOICE, WILL BE PRONE IN THE END TO FAIL IN BOTH OF THE PURPOSES BETWEEN WHICH IT HAS HESITATED.

IT IS LIKE A “SPLIT PERSONALITY,” PART OF HIM WANTS TO BELIEVE, WHILE PART OF HIM DOES NOT. HE IS UNRELIABLE ABOUT EVERYTHING HE THINKS, FEELS, AND DECIDES (V. 8).

TEMPORARY EMOTIONS ARE NOT RELIGION OR GODLINESS.

STEADFAST FAITH,  AND THAT ALONE, WILL GIVE A MAN OR WOMAN, SINGLENESS OF EYE, MAKE HIM OR HER STRONG TO KEEP HOLD OF THE COVENANT, AND DRAW DOWN UPON HIM, THE RICHEST BLESSINGS  OF GOSPEL GRACE.

THERE IS A SECRET TO CONTENTMENT.  IT IS A RARE AND PRECIOUS CHRISTIAN GRACE. 

IT IS A QUIET RESTFULNESS IN THE MIDST OF ALL KINDS OF CHANGING EVENTS.

IT IS A GRAND ACCOMPLISHMENT TO BE ABLE TO ADAPT TO, AND BEHAVE ONE’S SELF IN EVERY STATE OF FULLNESS OR NEED.

CHRIST IS THE ONLY ONE THAT CAN BRING US TO THIS PLACE OF CONTENTMENT.

HE ENABLES US TO  LIVE IN FAITH, BELIEVING, THAT EVEN NOW, ALL THINGS ARE ORDERED WISELY AND KINDLY BY OUR HEAVENLY FATHER, THAT THEY ARE WORKING TOGETHER FOR GOOD NOT YET SEEN.

THEY ARE WORKING FOR US A MORE EXCEEDING AND ETERNAL WEIGHT OF GLORY, SO WE LEARN TO BEAR THE PRESENT MYSTERY OF TRIAL, IN HOPE OF THE FUTURE REVELATION OF BLESSEDNESS.

CHRIST LEADS US TO LIVE IN THE SPIRITUAL.

THIS IS THE REAL SECRET.

EXTERNAL CIRCUMSTANCES ARE CONSTANTLY CHANGING.

AT THEIR BEST, THEY WILL NOT SATISFY THE SOUL’S DEEP HUNGER.

WHILE WE LIVE IN THOSE CHANGES , WE ARE OFTEN DISAPPOINTED AND DISCONTENTED.

BUT BY RESTING IN GOD, WE WILL BE CONTENT IN EVERY VARIETY OF EARTHLY AFFAIRS.

PHILIPPIANS 4:19, 23 – BUT MY GOD SHALL SUPPLY ALL YOUR NEED ACCORDING TO HIS RICHES IN GLORY BY CHRIST JESUS.

          THE GRACE OF OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST BE WITH YOU ALL.  AMEN.

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As They Were Able To Hear It

| Jeanette

…AS THEY WERE ABLE TO HEAR IT.

 

Do you struggle with the question: What is my role in God’s kingdom?
“I desire to be the best I can be in every area of my life, But where are those older women who are supposed to teach me? I want to please God. I want to be a godly example in my home, Help me!
Well, this program was birthed by God, to do this very thing.
I will try to answer your questions.

Mark 4:33
And with many such parables spake He the Word unto them, as they were able to hear it.

After reading this verse of Scripture, I kept meditating on the last portion …as they were able to hear it (Or, as much as they were ready to understand).
You know how sometimes you are reading and all of a sudden a verse just jumps out at you?
Well, this is what happened.
So, I decided to do some homework.
I was impressed to search the Scriptures and commentaries for it’s fullest meaning.

The Bereans are called more noble than those in Thessalonica, because they received the Word and searched the Scriptures daily. (Acts 17:11).

Have you noticed How our the Holy Spirit teaches us things as we are ready to receive them? We are all on different levels with Him.
Some are not ready to receive some things from God yet, while others are like the Disciples in verse 34b …and when they were alone, He expounded all things to His Disciples.

The disciples were on another level with Him; and out of those twelve, there were three who seemed to be on a higher level than the others.
(Matthew 26:36,37 -Then cometh Jesus with them unto a place called Gethsemane, and saith unto the disciples, Sit ye here while I go and pray yonder.And He took with Him Peter and the two sons of Zebedee, and began to be sorrowful and very heavy (downhearted).
Now, look at Matthew 17:1,2 – And after six days Jesus took Peter, and James, and John his brother up into a high mountain apart,
And was transfigured before them: and His face did shine as the sun, and His raiment was white as the light.
John 13:23 – Now there was leaning on Jesus’ bosom one of His disciples, whom Jesus Loved.This is referring to John, to whom God gave the Revelation of Jesus Christ (Revelation 1:1a). We will also remember at His crucifixion, he put His mother into John’s care (John19:26,27).

The disciples were a chosen dozen, of whom Jesus chose out of His followers to a new level of communion with Himself. They stayed close to Him to stay in His presence, to grow in wisdom, knowledge and understanding about His kingdom, and He explained the parables to them privately. – Of course we know one of these betrayed Him. He knew the crowd wasn’t ready for it, and some of them were just following His teachings for the loaves and fishes; they really didn’t want to know Him or even understand the mysteries of the parables.
Some were even there to catch Him in something so they could have Him killed. Sounds like some of those today who feel like their calling is to police the true ministers of God.

I tell you, I have seen a lot of this!

How can we grow-in-the-Lord if we are always questioning the content of the messages of true men and women of God?
I am not talking about those who are in error, I am talking about what I call spiritual jealousy, where one is trying to prove how right they are and how wrong the other brother is.

Acts 5:38,39 – And now I say unto you, Refrain from these men and let them alone: for if this counsel (or message) be of men, it will come to naught (nothing): But if it be of God, ye cannot overthrow it; lest haply ye be found even to fight against God.
It’s like a war of Words; assassination in the ministry, when they don’t even know about the level the other man is on with God.
You could be wrong, you know.
You could be coming against the work of God.
Our battle is with the devil and demons, not with flesh and blood.
Trouble not the Father, with these emotional outbursts: you will damage your own ministry, and keep the flow between God and you hindered.

In John 16:12 Jesus told His disciples …I have many things to say unto you, but ye cannot bear (or grasp) them now.

Even the disciples had more to learn. Jesus knew they couldn’t grasp them at this time, but He would send the Holy Spirit to lead them into all truth.

I was growing in the Lord before I received the precious experience of the Holy Spirit Baptism.
I was so hungry and thirsty for all of God I could get.
I still am.
I didn’t really know what was to take place, because my teaching did not include this wonderful experience.

After I was filled, There was a greater understanding of the supernatural manifestation of the Holy Spirit, and His gifts.
This is what some who have not yet experienced Him, call “hype;” and other things that I will not repeat.
Believe me, He is real and will lead us into all truth.
Why should we settle for just a portion of God and not experience His fullness.

God began to open-up the Scriptures more and more to me and move me up to another level with Hi. And deliverances began to come into my life.
I had power to witness , like never before.

Believe me, there is a great difference in your understanding of the things of God when the Holy Spirit fills your life.
Growing is a process, and experiencing God is also a process of levels. We move from one level to another.
After we are free, there is no stopping us. We are so in love with Jesus and so hungry for God, we could eat the red print off the Bible.

Ask Jesus to fill you with the Baptism of the Holy Spirit. He will. You will experience more of God.
This is not a devil as some say.
I’ve never seen a devil that could make me love Jesus more.
All the devils had to leave.

We are all instructed to do something for God. We are saved for more than just a fire escape, or hell prevention. We are saved with a purpose for our lives.
As we grow in-the-Lord, He will reveal to us things in our lives that need to be gotten rid-of.
I can imagine it like a creek or stream of water, in which a whirlpool is circling in the midst. Have you seen what I’m talking about?
During my tom-boy years, I would go down to the creek behind my house and swing across it by holding on to a vine. You know, -like Tarzan.
One day I noticed a big swirl in the water and I kept watching as trash and debree began to surface.
This is how the Holy Spirit begins to work with us to get impurities out of our lives. He causes us to see and recognize in ourselves, as we are able to bear it: those thing that are not pleasing to Him.
If we don’ know they are there, how can we confess them?
We confess them and repent. And He, with His mighty power, reaches down and scoops them out of our lives.
Again and again, as we allow Him to do this, He brings us up to a new level with Him.
Ask Him to fill you with the Baptism of the Holy Spirit.
Search out the Scriptures in the book of Acts with an open mind.
Ask Him, and He will fill you.
This gift is for the believer only. It is free.

Pray this prayer with me:
“Father, I come to You in the name of Jesus. I ask You, if there is anything in my life that is not pleasing to You, please take it out. Expose it to me now. I confess it to You, and ask You to remove from my life any hindrances, any sins that keep me from by best with You. Forgive me, and fill me with the Baptism of the Holy Spirit. My desire is to go to the highest level with You that can be reached. Amen.”

We can stay free, if we stay out of things the Word of God shows us to leave alone. We also need to keep that personal relationship with God alive, by spending time with Him in that “secret place”.

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Articles, Jeanette Porter

LOVE YOUR HUSBAND

| Jeanette

LOVE YOUR HUSBAND

Woman of God, do you struggle with the question:
What is my role in God’s kingdom?
I desire to be the best I can be in every area of my life,
But where are those older women who are supposed to teach me?
I want to please God.
I want to be a godly example in my home.
Help me!
Well, this message was birthed by God, to do this very thing.
I will attempt to answer your questions.

I am only a woman myself, with your same desires.
God has dealt with me to write this message just for you.
You may not even be a Christian, but the Lord somehow prompted you to follow this site.

No marriage can work without God in the center of the home.

As we go through the Scriptures together,
I ask you to have your Bible open.

Today we will be studying Titus 2:4 –
That they may teach the young women to be sober, to love their husbands, to love their children.
I want to zero in on a portion of this verse.
…that they may teach the young women to…love their husbands…
Why would we have to be taught to love our husbands?
There must be some of us who have a problem in this area.
If not, it wouldn’t even be mentioned in the precious Word of God.

I feel we need to love our husbands in three areas:
Phileo (in the Greek) which is friendship love
Agape (in the Greek) which is the God kind of love
Awhab, (pronounced aw-hab’, in the Hebrew) Which is sensual or romantic love

In our hearts, we must have more love for our husbands than anyone on this earth, because we are supposed to love them in three areas
whereas we only love all others with two kinds of love.

The God Kind of LoveLadies, love that husband first with the God kind of love.

Begin to look at him as God sees him.
The way you get to this place, is to put God first in your life.
God requires time with you; and you can’t really be a woman of God without it.
My secret place with God is early in the morning, in the sunroom of our home. – I get my Bible, study material, and my journal and spend time with my Lord alone.
Sometimes I write prayers to God in My journal.
Many times things have come up during the day I would not have reacted to in the right way, except that God had given me a Scripture or inspiration that helped me to walk in the Spirit that day.

If we love the Lord our God with all our soul and all our might,
He will help us to love our husbands the way He planned in the beginning.
God will help us show respect to that man so our children will do the same.

The God kind of love is not selfish nor jealous.
The God kind of love can only come from our Creator.
So ask Him for it.

Friendship love
This kind of love should have been the love with which your relationship began; and should continue throughout your lives together.
Our husbands should be our best friend.
Treat him that way, he will warm up to it.
It is a proven fact that there is still a little boy inside every husband.

We should desire to be with them more than anyone else on this earth.
Many young women make the mistake of “switching friends” when the children come along. The children become our best friends and the husband feels pushed aside.
Girl, why did you marry that man in the first place?
Because you just couldn’t live without him. Well, what happened?
You who work outside the home, might say, “The children need all my attention when I get home.”
You that are stay-at-home moms say “I have been with these children all day, I don’t feel like giving my husband special attention when he gets home. I’m exhausted”.

Spending time with God each day can help you to put your priorities in order. Don’t forget, you chose that man to be your husband.

Romantic or Sensual Love
This kind of love is just as important as the other two because God sanctioned it for husband and wife together (only). Courtship before marriage is a time to learn things about each other and spend time with the one God has led to you.
It seems to me there is too much sexual contact experienced during the courting period in this day and time.
Sensual love is only to be experienced by husband and wife.
It is a gift a bride and groom give to each other after the wedding ceremony.
It is ordained by God and should be kept alive all the days of your lives together. It is wonderful and is worth waiting for.

I will sum-up this message today with these words.
Many women want to choose there own way of doing things, but I have found through trial and error, over the years, that the Word works.
Human intellect always thinks it’s right, but throughout the years, as man has come back to the Biblical point of view, they have found stability in it’s principles.
We know, as a woman of God, the power of the Word and the power of prayer, has brought us into a greater insight and revelation of the Lord’s intentions for us, which is always good: what is best for us.

God’s Word never fails.
His plan is to bring us to the place He wants us to be as wives.
He shows us the correct way, which cannot be improved upon.

Your own way might work for a while, but rebellion to God’s Word brings a curse with it every time. We can receive a curse or a blessing.
We all should desire God’s blessings.
This is my desire for you also — blessings!

My prayer for you is, that you will put into practice what you have learned today, with God’s help.

I speak blessings over you; spiritually, physically and financially.

The Word of God says:
Beloved, I wish above all things that thou mayest prosper and be in health, even as thy soul prospereth.” (3 John 2)
This is God’s will for you.

Let’s look at a bad marriage example
Laura is married to a young man she doesn’t even like.
When they were dating, he was very affectionate and attentive.
He also sent her gifts, but she knew nothing about him.
It happened so quick, she was swept off her feet.
They were married soon after they met,
but she really didn’t know him.

She began to see traits in him she had never noticed before.
He was jealous. He soon became violent and beat her many times.
She is trapped.
What happened?

We need to know more about those we become attracted to.
We should only become interested in a man of God,
not some one who only professes to be a man of God.
Ask questions before you get too interested.

You who are already married, don’t make the mistake of trying to change him to be what you want him to be.
That never works.
Ask God to do the changing each time you see something about him you don’t like.
Pray for him.
Maybe it’s you. Maybe you are too sensitive, so pray the same prayer for yourself.
“Father, I come to You in the name of Jesus. Help me and my husband to be the woman and man of God you created us to be.
Help our friendship to grow, that we might have a greater understanding of each other”.

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Articles, Jeanette Porter

FROM GOD TODAY

| Jeanette

Come close to Me today and know I am here. Here to comfort and cause you to see Me as the Lord of your life and the world to come. You see Me in a large way, but much more is to be learned by My own. Today I will show you a place of peace like you have never experienced before.There is a rest that only My own can know. Just watch Me as you are revealed a peace that no one can deny is Me and My peace. Come bathe yourself in My presence and keep your thoughts pure. It is up to Me,  not you, to flow like a river of life along with Me and My heart of love. The river is flowing and lives are being changed. How you know you are there, is that your mind and spirit feel it. Way in front of you I am able to make the storms calm and those who trouble you change into those who see Me as I am. Tell the world the answer is not in what you do, but what I do. Come, allow Me to part the waters and give you a stream that leads to My glory. Come, draw yourself close to Me and sing the songs of worship.

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Articles, Jeanette Porter

MOVER AND SHAKERS

| Jeanette

MOVERS AND SHAKERS

My husband has a name for those who get things done. He calls them “Movers and Shakers.” These are people who know what they have to do, and do it. Many are still waiting for lightening to strike, to get them going. I see those who wait for somebody to tell them what to do.
On the other hand, there are those who are always busy. These are the one’s you know you can depend on when the going gets rough.
These are the one’s, that can do just a little bit more when asked.
If you want somebody to do something, ask someone who is already doing something

Keep in mind, I am not criticizing those who move slow; it happens to be my nature too. A slow mover can move slow, but not be slow to move. This kind of mover can still be going at the end of the day, when the fast mover has run out of steam. We all know, though, some are just lazy. These are the one’s, who watch while someone else is doing it.

I never liked watching, I always wanted to get my hands into it.
Are you like that? Sometimes, people see this as taking over, but at least were doing something. The other evening, I was listening to a train horn blow near my home, I said to the Lord, “That train sounds so lonely.” The Lord answered me this way, “Well, it’s going somewhere, and it’s doing something”.

Turn with me to Mark 1starting with verse 16:
Today, we are going to be studying about some movers and shakers in the New Testament.
Now as He (meaning Jesus) walked by the sea of Galilee, He saw Simon and Andrew his brother casting a net into the sea: for they were fishers.
And Jesus said unto them, Come ye after Me, and I will make you to become fishers of men.
And straightway, they forsook their nets, and followed Him.

And straightway they forsook their nets…. Straightway is defined as immediately.
I can almost see them now, Simon and Andrew, busy, casting their nets into the sea for a catch. —- Jesus, who had just come out of His forty days of fasting and being tempted of the devil, in the wilderness, was on a mission, to collect some of the most rugged men, to follow Him, to be His companions for three years.

I don’t recall Jesus calling any who were not already doing something.
You might ask, “When is God going to call me, or give me something to do?”
My answer is, when you bloom where you are planted!
There is much to do in the kingdom of God. Get busy, take the initiative, find something to do. Ask.

Simon and Andrew were quick to respond. They left what they were doing, and followed Jesus, but not until they received the call, did they leave their business behind. Jesus had a plan for their lives and when the call came, they went, but they still had to be taught how to minister.

God has a plan for your life, but you need to stay busy, and seek Him daily, to find your intended place of service, your destiny.

In verse 17, Jesus said, … Come ye after Me….
Don’t take off and try to do it yourself; but …follow Me…and I will make you to become fishers of men. (I will shape you into, I will do construction on you, until you are fishers of men.)
I will teach you, and train you, I will spend time with you, and give you an opportunity to watch how I do it, and I will allow you “On-Hands experience”.

What would it be like if they decided to “go it on their own without the proper training? I can see them now—- Trying to do it by themselves: running here and there, exhausted, without much success.

Verse 19 —- And when He had gone a little farther thence, He saw James the son of Zebedee, and John his brother, who also were on the ship mending their nets.
James and John, had already pulled in their catch for the day, and were mending them, when Jesus arrived.
Verse 20 —- And straightway He called them: and they left their father Zebedee in the ship with hired servants, and went after Him.
There’s that straightway word again, which means immediately.
And immediately He called them.
Jesus knew, through fasting, and spending time with the Father, what His Father had instructed Him to do, and He wasted no time.
Jesus called His disciples immediately, and they responded immediately.

They must have said, “Dad, we’re out of this kind of fishing business; here are some men to help you. We know what our purpose is. We must follow Jesus.”

Now look at verse 21 —- And they went into Capernaum; and straightway on the sabbath day He entered into the synagogue, and taught.
Jesus had a ministry of His own, but He went to Church, He and His four disciples or learners went with Him.

Verse 22 —- And they were astonished at His doctrine (or teachings): for He taught them as one that had authority, and not as the scribes.
They were amazed at the knowledge of Jesus and His authority, and we know the anointing makes the difference, but what was
Mark talking about when he
wrote…not as the scribes…? There were several things that caused His teaching to differ from that of the scribes. There was no lack of self-assertion or self-assurance in their teaching; but their words did not carry weight. Their teaching was based chiefly on tradition; but neglected judgment and mercy and faith. Christ’s teaching, on the contrary, was eminently or completely spiritual. Also, He practiced what He taught, unlike the scribes. They had religion, Jesus Had relationship with the Father.

Verse 23 —- And there was in their synagogue a man with an unclean spirit; and he cried out,
Now, this was big-time. I can see these four new disciples, standing their amazed when this unclean spirit, who was the “strongman”, began to scream out.
Verse 24 —- Saying,… (now the demons are talking)…Let us alone; what have we to do with Thee, Thou Jesus of Nazareth? Art Thou come to destroy us? I know Thee who Thou art, the Holy One of God.
The strong-man, this unclean spirit, is the leader of the demons in this man. In verse 23 we read …an unclean spirit…singular; and then we read in verse 24, …Let us alone…plural, This proves

It shows the immediate effect of our Lord’s preaching. This man was possessed by these demons, and the anointing of our Lord caused the demons to manifest in His presence.
In real truth, the preaching of Jesus has already thrown the whole world of evil spirits into a state of excitement and alarm.
The powers of darkness are beginning to tremble. They feel that One greater than Satan has appeared, and they ask, …What have we to do with Thee?…Why are You trying to drive us out of our possession? We have a right to take possession of sinners.

Verse 25 —- And Jesus rebuked Him, saying, Hold thy peace, and come out of him.
Jesus didn’t toy with these demons like so many think they should now, He just told it to shut-up and get out of there.
This demon was fearful, but defiant.
Look at the next verse, verse 26 —- And when the unclean spirit had torn him, and cried with a loud voice, he came out of him.
He didn’t want to come out, but he had no choice, he had met a power stronger than his; much stronger;, no comparison; he had to come out, and he came out screaming. It no longer had control of this mans vocal cords; no longer could the demon talk.

Verse 27 —- And they were all amazed, insomuch that they questioned among themselves, saying, What thing is this? what new doctrine is this? for with authority commandeth He even the unclean spirits, and they obey Him.
They were actually saying, What is this new revelation?”
This gave more indication, or a sign, that this must be the promised Messiah, the true God; for He alone by His power could rule the evil spirits.
I believe, this is what they were discussing among themselves.
Verse 28 —- And immediately His fame spread abroad throughout all the region round about Galilee.
We could go on in this Chapter, in verse 31, where Jesus took Simon’s mother-in-law by the hand, lifts her up, and immediately the fever left her.
What follows is, healings and deliverance’s, every where He appears.

I read in a commentary, there are approximately 10 times where straightway or immediately is found in this first Chapter of Mark, but the most important event or outcome, is that we get a new revelation of what Jesus was like. There is no way we can know it all, but we can learn as we study and follow our Savior.

Until next week.

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