God Changed My Name

As you can see by the title of my blog post, I have confessed to the world that my God and I often have in depth conversations that are embellished by The Holy Spirit. This cherished relationship has gone on for decades…and I have loved and sought after it every awaking moment. The Guiding Light of His Presence has never failed me yet.

So, for this week’s blog, I decided to let my readers in on a very deep conversation I was blessed to engage in with the Holy Spirit around 5:00 a.m. on Thursday morning back on December 2, 2004. I was around 65 years old at the time and serving as a Deaconess and a member of the Board of Christian Education at a Baptist Church I belonged to at that time. Since my encounters with the Lord were coming so frequently, I always kept a pen and a pad of paper at my bedside along with my Bible.

Please allow me to share with you my entry into the ethereal…

I found myself in an extremely delicate and light and weightless place that seemed too perfect for this world.

Around 5:00 a.m. on Thursday morning, December 2, 2004, I was gently awakened, and for a moment, I just laid there.  My mind began to recall the stirring testimonies of the night before at our Wednesday night prayer meeting.  Passages from Ezekiel and Jeremiah were read during the closing and I began to reflect on them as I lay awake.

Out of no where I 'felt' a voice say, "My child, you have to become your title...Board of Christian Education."  At first, I was confused and had no idea why my mind spoke to me in that fashion.  Suddenly, my subconscious was at work and reminded me that ever since the last Board of Christian Education meeting in November, I had been asking the Lord to speak to me concerning the question put to the members by the president.  For the next fifteen days I had received nothing!  Then, finally, on that distilled morning (and in God's time), He decided to answer.

"Is that You, My Lord?" I said with excitement.  At that time, I immediately grabbed my Bible and turned to the book of Ezekiel.  As I re-read Chapter 2, the Lord spoke again...

"Ezekiel's life was a living parable or object lesson for the people.  And, Daughter of Education, I see you as I see Ezekiel.  A representative of Who is to come.  For I call Ezekiel, Ben Adam, which is when translated, Son of Man.

"Now, Daughter of Education, get up, wake up, get a pen and write.  I am sending you to the children of your church, a rebellious congregation, who has rebelled against Me.  They and their fathers have transgressed against Me to this day."

So when I heard Him, I grabbed  pen and a piece of paper and I began to write.  But then I said, "Oh, Lord, how have we rebelled against you?"  I did not hear or 'feel' anybody speak, but my spirit nudged me and caused me to have a fixation on the expression, 'eat the word!'

Then God said, "The Word I have for the Board of Christian Education is one of encouragement.  Persons on the Board are to see themselves as a Jeremiah and as an Ezekiel.  Both of these men's messages to My people were proclamations.  Their preaching was laced with future event happenings.  Both of these men's messages were warnings to the people, telling them to get ready for things to come.

"So, when their prophecies did not happen in the time frame that suited the people, they began to shut their ears and mock Ezekiel and Jeremiah and call them a bunch of names and hoped they would stumble in everything they did.

"Because My appointed and ordained priests were also human, their feelings were hurt and their personage was wounded.  Instead of getting angry at the people, they got angry with Me.  Jeremiah said, 'I will not make mention of HIM!'  Board of Christian Education, BEWARE!!!

"Listen My Child, you are to become Ben Christian Education.  For like Jeremiah and Ezekiel, your words will be a stumbling block and a proverb to My people.  The captors are coming and My people will be swallowed up, but My Word will ring true."


And so ended my conversation with God using Scripture. And I was returned to the solitude of my bedroom. But as I look over my life, I have been in a lot of situations where my prayerful remarks on biblical subjects have been a stumbling block for my comrades. However, sometimes the Holy Spirit has allowed me to witness that God was glorified in their lives. Yes, my feelings were often hurt, but I reminded myself of the precious words of John the Baptist…He must increase, I must decrease.

Dear Heavenly Father, thank You for hearing the prayers of the righteous and bringing comfort and relief where needed. We also thank you for the promise that You are a refuge and a shelter for us; a help in times of trouble. Please make it possible for us to be calm in the midst of trouble and to acknowledge that You are God and God alone. Amen.

Scripture Lesson: “Therefore we will not fear, though the earth give way and the mountains fall into the the heart of the sea. The Lord Almighty is with us; the God of Jacob is our fortress.” Psalm 46:2, 11

Click http://www.tgifmasterminds.com every Friday for a new post from the Master’s servant manager…ME! 

God’s Word Is Truth – Part 2

Dear Blogger Readers:

As you know, your assignment for Part 2 of this week’s blog was to find at least 30 Bible Book Titles hidden within the text content of God’s Word Is Truth – Part 1!

Well…did you find them all? If so…give yourself an “A” grade. If you also counted “Ruth” in the street sign; “Truth or Consequences” as number 31…then, give yourself an “A+”!

If your score was below 25…then, shame on you!

All in all, though, I hope you had fun.

Please let me hear form you by sending me a comment.

The answers (Bible Book titles) are highlighted below.

💕

Therefore, since I am on a self-imposed sabbatical, I am challenging you guys to educate yourselves for the next two weeks by reading the following blog post and finding 30 titles of books of the Bible hidden in the following paragraphs. Give yourself an A+ if you can find all 30 of them. Resume taking your memory enhancing vitamin pills if you miss more than 3. Start now.

This is a mos t   re  mark  able puzzle.  It was found by a gentleman in an airplane seat pocket, on a flight from Los Angeles to Honolu  lu, ke  eping him occupied for hours.  He enjoyed it so much; he passed it on to some friends.  One friend from Illinois worked on this while fishing from his john  -boat.  Another friend studied it while playing his ban  jo.  El  aine Taylor, a columnist friend, was so intrigued by it, she mentioned it in her weekly newspaper column.

Another friend   judges   the job of solving this puzzle so involving, that s  he brews   a cup of tea to help her nerv   es.  Ther  e will be some names that are really easy to spot.  That's a f  act.  S  ome people, however, will soon find themselves in a jam, es pecially since the book names are not necessarily capitalized.  T  ruth  fully, f  rom ans  wers we get, we are forced to             admi  t it us  ually takes a minister or a scholar to see some of the   m at the w  orst.  Research has shown that something in our genes is   responsible for the difficulty we have in seeing the books in these paragraphs.  During a recent fundraising event, which featured this puzzle, the Alpha Delta   Phi lemon  ade booth set a new sales record.

The local paper, The Chronicle, surveyed over 200 patrons who reported that this puzzle was one of the most difficult they had ever seen.  As Daniel Huma   na hum   bly puts it, "The books are all right here in plain view hidden from sight."  T  hose a   ble to find all of them will hear great lamentations from those who have to be shown.  One revelation that may help is that books like Timothy and Samuel may occur without their numbers.  Also, keep in mind, that punctuation and spaces in the middle may not be nor  mal.  A chi   pper attitude will help you to com  pete r  eally well against those who claim to know the answers.  Remember, there is no need for a mad exodus; there really are 30 books of the Bible lur  king s   omewhere in these paragraphs waiting to be found.  The End!


 

You have one week to resolve this Bible Quiz by finding 30 Names of Bible Books hidden therein. May the Heavenly Forces be with all of you.

Click http://www.tgifmasterminds.com every Friday for a new post from the Master’s servant manager…ME! 

God’s Word Is Truth – Part 1

Therefore, since I am on a self-imposed sabbatical, I am challenging you guys to educate yourselves for the next two weeks by reading the following blog post and finding 30 titles of books of the Bible hidden in the following paragraphs. Give yourself an A+ if you can find all 30 of them. Resume taking your memory enhancing vitamin pills if you miss more than 3. Start now.

This is a most remarkable puzzle.  It was found by a gentleman in an airplane seat pocket, on a flight from Los Angeles to Honolulu, keeping him occupied for hours.  He enjoyed it so much; he passed it on to some friends.  One friend from Illinois worked on this while fishing from his john-boat.  Another friend studied it while playing his banjo.  Elaine Taylor, a columnist friend, was so intrigued by it, she mentioned it in her weekly newspaper column.

Another friend judges the job of solving this puzzle so involving, that she brews a cup of tea to help her nerves.  There will be some names that are really easy to spot.  That's a fact.  Some people, however, will soon find themselves in a jam, especially since the book names are not necessarily capitalized.  Truthfully, from answers we get, we are forced to admit it usually takes a minister or a scholar to see some of them at the worst.  Research has shown that something in our genes is responsible for the difficulty we have in seeing the books in these paragraphs.  During a recent fundraising event, which featured this puzzle, the Alpha Delta Phi lemonade booth set a new sales record.

The local paper, The Chronicle, surveyed over 200 patrons who reported that this puzzle was one of the most difficult they had ever seen.  As Daniel Humana humbly puts it, "The books are all right here in plain view hidden from sight."  Those able to find all of them will hear great lamentations from those who have to be shown.  One revelation that may help is that books like Timothy and Samuel may occur without their numbers.  Also, keep in mind, that punctuation and spaces in the middle may not be normal.  A chipper attitude will help you to compete really well against those who claim to know the answers.  Remember, there is no need for a mad exodus; there really are 30 books of the Bible lurking somewhere in these paragraphs waiting to be found.  The End!


 

You have one week to resolve this Bible Quiz by finding 30 Names of Bible Books hidden therein. May the Heavenly Forces be with all of you.

Click http://www.tgifmasterminds.com every Friday for a new post from the Master’s servant manager…ME! 

God’s Son…Our Spiritual Physician

Many people mistakenly believe that one of the main purposes of Jesus’ sojourn here on earth was to heal those persons stricken with all sorts of sicknesses. I respectfully reject that notion. Why? Mainly because of the private teaching lessons Jesus conducted with his disciples; those twelve chosen men He ordained to carry on His work after His resurrection and ascension.

Let’s take a look at persons who are sick not only in their bodies but also who are sick mentally. It is recorded in Matthew 5:3-11, the following verses better known as “The Beatitudes”:

  • Beatitudes Wall Art Print, 11x14, Matthew 5 Sermon on the Mount Bible Quote, UnFramed Scripture Wall Décor, Christian Prayer Wall Art for Home or Office Decore, Inspirational Verse Poster for Spiritual

First of all, the “Sermon On The Mount” recorded in Matthew Chapter 5 is where “The Beatitudes” are recorded. And in Verses one and two they begin by describing just who Jesus is about to speak to:

“And seeing the multitudes, he went up into a mountain: and when he was set, his disciples came unto him: And he opened his mouth and taught them, saying,” Matthew 5:1-2

So you see where in this occasion, Jesus did not have a word for the multitudes. This particular teaching was for His disciples, only. And for the next 9 verses (5:3-11) Jesus’ teaching is specifically aimed at how the disciples are to encourage the negative thoughts of sick people by dwelling on the scriptures and not just solely on doctors and medicines! In other words…WWJD! What would Jesus do?

My encounter this week with the Holy Spirit…

I endured a health problem this week that required my hospitalization. Subsequently, I became anxious, forlorn and sad. This disposition affected my faith and attitudes towards other who were in attendance of me. I became ashamed of my actions and began to ask the Lord for His strength and reassurances. Immediately, the Holy Spirit stepped in and pointed my way towards The Beatitudes. My church family began to send me text messages which supported my innermost thoughts. The hospital staff seemed to appear to me as floating angels. Many of them prolonged their services to me just to relate an incident they had experienced where God stepped in and performed a miracle for them. That warm and comforting support seemed to be coming from on every side.

My prayer for you…

Dear Great Physician: Thank you profusely for stepping into my heart and encouraging my soul. I also pray this prayer for all those who will read this blog. For as You know my Lord, sicknesses, troubling diagnosis and pain can penetrate one’s faith and cause the strongest Believer to court with doubt. Forgive me My Savior. For this ‘storm’, too, will pass over. Amen

Scripture Lesson: “Rejoice and be exceeding glad: for great is your reward in heaven: for so persecuted they the prophets which were before you.” Matthew 5:12

Click http://www.tgifmasterminds.com every Friday for a new post from the Master’s servant manager…ME! 

Encourage My Soul (Worship Song) – YouTube Chicago Church of Christ

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3:08 (Click Here)

God Never Used The Expression “Should-a, Would-a, Could-a”

A beam of lighting shining through the clouds onto a calm lake

God’s creation speaks to Him through its natural display and natural assigned performance.

Our Heavenly Father endlessly and intentionally communicates with His creation. And His creation regularly communicates back to Him. I am not for sure if all of human kind understand that they do, too. Let us count the ways that mankind ‘speaks’. But first, please allow me to offer up a short prayer to God for allowing his Holy Spirit to plant my feet on higher ground and to place in my heart such an enlightening subject to blog about.

Oh Lord, my God, how excellent is Your Name in all the earth. It is with humility and homage I bow in awe at Your splendor depicted in Your creation. I thank You for allowing the Holy Spirit to lead and guide me through this awesome conversation on why You so enjoy communing with Your creation. So, please know I am grateful for your love and look forward to our time together now and forever more. Amen.

In the beginning, God created heaven and the earth (and populated it) to be in harmony and to function in the divine manner it was designed to do. But after ‘The Fall’ (See Genesis 3:1-24), everything changed and there was disharmony. Therefore, all of God’s creation needed to be ransomed from sin. And at a future time, returned to its original harmonious state.

Nevertheless, God never said: “I should-a, would-a, could-a!” God called for his Only Begotten Son to stand by.

Later, God deputize all Believers in his Son, Christ Jesus, to adhere to the following message proclaimed by the Apostle Paul: “Now then, we are Ambassadors for Christ, as though God was pleading through us: ‘We implore you on Christ’s behalf, be reconciled to God.'” (2 Corinthians 5:20) In other words, to get back in harmony with God.

So, as I engaged in prayerful conversation this week with The Holy Spirit, I was challenged to think about my entire life thus far as it related to the above scripture and I decided to blog about it. I was challenged to take a look at just how I communicate to God.

  • When I walked on dry ground was I focused…wavering…using a cane…lost…or just in the wilderness. What was my outcome. Did I decide to use a map, bank on others’ experiences or pray bout it?
  • When I was in hot water was I…being resuscitated, wading, floating, swimming, or drowning. Did I decide to take swimming lessons, use a lifejacket or seek spiritual guidance?
  • When I was climbing up a steep mountain was I equipped…remember to take my backpack, use a walking stick, rely on a compass, restock my First Aid Kit, register my GPS instructions with a friend, or call on the Name of the Lord.

DON’T YOU KNOW THAT YOUR LIFE AS GOD’S AMBASSADOR SPEAKS FOR YOU?

AND WITH ALL OF MY SHORTCOMINGS, GOD NEVER SAID “I SHOULD-A, WOULD-A, COULD-A!”

DON’T YOU KNOW WE HAVE BEEN BOUGHT WITH A ‘PRICELESS’ PRICE!

What message, my friends, are you able to relay to the lost souls that the Holy Spirit sends your way? No matter what your own circumstances might be. Are you a true representative or Ambassador for the Lord? What is your position on repentance? What measures have you taken to renew, revive and restore your fellowship with The Lord of lords and The King of kings?

I have asked myself all of those same questions and I have fallen short. But by the grace of God, I have been reassured by the Holy Spirit that God is not through with me yet. We all fall down sometimes, but, we get up! And by receiving nourishment from reading, applying and trusting in His Holy Word, all will be well with our souls. Trust me!

BUT MORE IMPORTANTLY…TRUST GOD!

Donnie McClurkin – We Fall Down But We Get Up – YouTube

YouTubehttps://www.youtube.com › watch

My prayer for you: Dear Lord, from now on we want to work for You so that even the most burdensome chores will become a joy and nourishment for our souls and all those You put on our pathways. Amen

Scripture Lesson: Whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Him. (Colossians 3:17)

Click http://www.tgifmasterminds.com every Friday for a new post from the Master’s servant manager…ME! 

God Declares That Our Circumstances Are To Be Enhanced For The Better By Him

This week’s blog invites you to do something.  Count your blessings extended to others and name them one by one.  Can you define your interactions and life’s experiences with God in a positive way as they relate to your walk with him?   In other words, have you walked by faith and not by sight since your conversion?

David the Good Shepherd, I King of Israel and Psalmist reflects in the Old Testament Book of Psalm 37:25; “I once was young and now I am old, yet, I have never seen the righteous forsaken or their children begging bread”.

Man is not God, so obviously mankind does not look at life’s experiences (through a positive lenses) the way God does.  Loosey-goosey (relaxed or indifferent) is more like it.  Or maybe mankind looks at life with less hope and doable expectations.  Consider the following explanation of a fictitious woman’s life experiences as she reflects on her multiple marriages:

“Two women saw each other for the first time since graduating from high school.   One asked the other, ‘You were always so organized in school.  Did you manage to live a well-planned life?’

“Yes,” said her friend.’  “My first marriage was to a millionaire; my second marriage was to an actor; my third marriage was to a preacher; and now I’m married to an undertaker.”

Her friend asked, ‘What does the circumstances of those marriages have to do with a well-planned life?’  The woman quipped, “One for the money, two for the show, three to get ready, and four to go!”

So, now you can see by that marriage illustration, that a human being’s outlook on life’s circumstances is most often gloom and doom.  Whereas God desires for all our life expectations to be based on the scripture recorded in Philippians 4:13: “I can do all things through Christ which strengthens me.”

So, the lesson learned is this:  Since none of us can confess that we have lived a sinless life and from birth we bore the imparted truth that all have sinned and fallen short of God’s glorious standard, and all need to be made right with God by his grace, which is a Free gift (*).  It is God’s foregone conclusion that we all need to be made free from sin (both omission and co-mission) through the blood, death and resurrection of Christ Jesus.

Following is how God demonstrated that our Circumstances are his enhances…Easter Happened! 

Suggested brazen genteel activities an adult could perform for others to show God that they understand:

  • Dress in a white sheet from head to toe. Place a long handle garden tool (i.e., rake, hoe, shovel, broom) across the shoulders. Stagger around the neighborhood block followed by other family members throwing small rocks, sticks and stones at him. Still others could just be yelling and shouting insults and accusations at him. (i.e., ‘Save yourself!’)
  • Family members parade around the neighborhood banging on metal pots and pans with metal spoons shouting, ‘Hallelujah, He is risen!’ ‘Hosannah in the highest!’
  • Distribute Easter cards to your family and friends.
  • Order carry out lunches (i.e., Pizzas or donuts) for your neighborhood weekly church staff workers, or public-school office workers, or hospital doctor’s appointment personnel. Be sure to call ahead to advice them of the luncheon treat.
  • Purchase plastic colorful Easter eggs and fill with wrapped candy. Place egg in neighbor’s mailboxes or on their front porch.

The 2nd Chapter Of Acts – The Easter Song (1974) – YouTube

YouTubehttps://www.youtube.com › watch

(*) NOTE:  GIFT OF SALVATION:  CHRIST’S DYING ON THE CROSS, HIS BURIAL AND ACENDENCE ON THE 3RD DAY!

My prayer for you:

“Dear Lord Jesus, we all want to break with our old, sinful habits and from now on live the life of a new person, who will be more like You every day. Please help us from now on to radiate Your glory and sensitivity towards others. For we still fall short when we measure ourselves against Your standards. Pretty please help us to recognize the wrong things in our lives and to let go of them in the Name of Jesus. Amen and Amen!”

Scripture Lesson: “Do not lie to each other, since you have taken off your old self with its practices and have put on the new self, which is being renewed in knowledge in the image of its Creator.” (Colossians 3:9-10).

Click http://www.tgifmasterminds.com every Friday for a new post from the Master’s servant manager…ME! 

God Says Lift Your Eyes And Open Your Ears, My Child

Once in a while, we all must stop…in the Name of Love…before we break our hearts! And Whose Name is Love? My Bible tells me that God is LOVE! Personified and Glorified!

So, let’s all get in the habit of finding hope, resolutions, confidence, encouragement, determination, victories, celebrations, and optimism. And the only way to do that is to live by and practice the holy principals recorded throughout the biblical scriptures recorded in God’s Word.

Walt Disney said, “If you can dream it, you can do it.!”

The Holy Bible says: “For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, to give you hope and a future. Then you will call upon me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you.” Jeremiah 29:11-12

I will both lie down in peace, and sleep; For You alone, O LORD, make me dwell in safety. Psalms 4:8

Judge Judy Sheindlin said, “Don’t pee on my leg and tell me it’s raining.”

The Holy Bible says: “The natural person does not accept the things of the Spirit of God, for they are folly to him, and he is not able to understand them because they are spiritually discerned.” 1 Corinthians 2:14

Benjamin Franklin said, “By failing to prepare, you are preparing to fail.”

The Holy Bible says: “And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and will take you to myself, that where I am you may be also.” John 14:3

Pastor Robert H. Schuller said, “Problems are not stop signs, they are guidelines.”

The Holy Bible says: “No temptation has overtaken you that is not common to man. God is faithful, and he will not let you be tempted beyond your ability, but with the temptation he will also provide the way of escape, that you may be able to endure it.” 1 Corinthians 10:13

Christopher Reeves said, “Don’t give up. Don’t lose hope. Don’t sell out.”

The Holy Bible says: “Unless the Lord builds the house, the builders labor in vain.” Psalm 127:4

Poet Khali Gibran wrote: “Your living is determined not so much by what life brings to you as by the attitude you bring to life; not so much by what happens to you as by the way your mind looks at what happens.”

The Holy Bible says: “But understand this, that in the last days there will come times of difficulty. For people will be lovers of self, lovers of money, proud, arrogant, abusive, disobedient to their parents, ungrateful, unholy, heartless, unappeasable, slanderous, without self-control, brutal, not loving good, treacherous, reckless, swollen with conceit, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God, having the appearance of godliness, but denying its power. Avoid such people.” 2 Timothy 3:1-5

Who do you trustand who do you serve…God or man?

4:26NOW PLAYING

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Scripture Lesson: “I lift up my eyes to the mountains— where does my help come from? My help comes from the LORD, the Maker of heaven and earth. He will not let your foot slip— he who watches over you will not slumber; indeed, he who watches over Israel will neither slumber nor sleep.” Psalm 121:1-4 NIV

Click http://www.tgifmasterminds.com every Friday for a new post from the Master’s servant manager…ME! 

God Introduced Me To Dr. Myles Munroe’s Wisdom Concerning Heaven Economics 101

Sometimes it’s good to sit under the tutelage of anointed men of God. Especially when prompted to do so by the Holy Spirit. I was introduced to Dr. Munroe by one of my WordPress ‘followers’ named Jerome on this WP blog site. Needless to say, I was truly blessed and decided to reblog Dr. Munroe’s message by passing it on to you guys.

So, take a sabbatical from reading one of my personal blogs for this week and keep an open mind for just ten minutes and learn a spiritual principal about why we sometimes do not have our prayers answered because we are praying amiss and/or undeserving. Perhaps your knowledge of God’s economic 101 plan will increase under Dr. Munroe’s private tutoring. Just click the ‘red’ website below. Be sure to leave a comment and be sure to engage the Holy Spirit…for ‘in all thy getting, get an understanding’.


(Reblogged)

HOW TO HAVE ALL YOUR NEEDS MET THIS YEAR – DR MYLES MUNROE [ POWERFUL TRUTH ]

https://www.youtube.com/embed/XxNcTwmSguA?version=3&rel=1&showsearch=0&showinfo=1&iv_load_policy=1&fs=1&hl=en&autohide=2&wmode=transparentIf you know how to make money and you lose money, you will know how to make it back. – Dr Myles Munroe


Let’s sign off with a bit of inspirational humor from Cal and Rose Samra’s book entitled, More Holy Humor.

“Fr. Richard Carton, associate pastor of St. Catherine of Siena Church, Mountain Lakes, New Jersey, was speaking to a group of second graders about the resurrection when one student asked, “What did Jesus say right after He came out of the grave?”

It was a question of great theological importance, but Fr. Carton had to explain, in words suitable to his young audience, that the Gospels do not tell us just what He said.

The hand of one little girl shot up. “I know what He said, Father,” she insisted.

“And what was that?” asked Fr. Carton.

“Taah-daah!” the girl exclaimed. (Submitted by Andy Fisher; Denville, New Jersey. P. 87)

Scripture Lesson:Whoever loves money never has enough; whoever loves wealth is never satisfied with their income. This too is meaningless.” Ecclesiastes 5:10

Click http://www.tgifmasterminds.com every Friday for a new post from the Master’s servant manager…ME! 

God Loves To Give Pet Names To His People – Go Figure!

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One Lost Sheep | God’s Story – YouTube

3:22

YouTubehttps://www.youtube.com › wat

Last Friday, the Holy Spirit inspired me to blog about God’s “Chicks”. (To review that blog, scroll down this page.) Guess what? This week, the Holy Spirit desires that I enlighten myself and my blog readers concerning why God also refers to his followers as “Sheep”. As quiet as it’s kept, I love to read about the metaphors and parables in the Bible. But before we get started, please take about three minutes to check out the YouTube video above. (Just click the red time 3:22 to view it.) Hopefully, it will set the stage and pique your interest about some very important information that you probably did not know concerning sheep.

Sheep get a bad rap…

Have you ever wondered why when the Holy Scriptures refers to the people of God we are called ‘sheep’ instead of ‘lambs’? And why Jesus Christ is referred to as the ‘Lamb of God’ instead of the ‘Sheep of God’? You might also ask are not sheep and lambs the same animal? The answer is a resounding ‘Yes!’ But, the two descriptive words for the same animal are not interchangeable and are never used synonymously. Suffice it to say, grammatically, between ‘lamb’ and ‘sheep’, the former word refers to a baby/young offspring of the latter. Another interesting fact about the word ‘sheep’ is that its singular and plural forms are the same.

Biblically, we are the ‘sheep’ of His pasture(*). (Notice, grammatically, it would be incorrect to put a ‘s’ at the end of ‘sheep’.) The descriptive word ‘sheep’ is the more mature form of a ‘lamb’. And the caretaker of the sheep (The Shepherd or herdsman) is a more distinguishing name than ‘Lamb-herd’, based on the fact that God cares for his little children (his sheep…us…as his offsprings).

Additional facts and myths concerning sheep are…

  • Sheep’s wool will grow forever around its body and become like a restraining sleeping bag if the herdsman does not regularly sheer it. This could cause the sheep to become cast; fall over on its back and is prevented from getting upright again. Thus becoming vulnerable to prey and death. The herdsman comes with his rod and staff or uses his hands to lift the sheep upright. Biblically, the ‘sheep’ of God’s pasture (humans) can also become so bogged down with cares of this world that we, too, can become ‘cast’ down and need the rod and the staff (literally a good licking) from our Savior to correct, comfort and lift us up again.
  • Because a sheep’s eye pupils are rectangular in shape instead of round like human beings pupils, they can see around corners without turning their heads. Although they cannot see all the way around to their back, their peripheral viewing range is between 270 and 320 degrees. Sheep also have a keen sense of smell and have special scent glands located in front of their eyes and between the digits of their hooves. Both features are of great advantage because sheep are animals of prey. These extrasensory perceptive features enables sheep to see and smell in a wide circumference range. According to Scripture (Psalm 139:14), mankind is aware that we, too, are fearfully and wonderfully made. And we should always give God the honor and the glory he rightfully deserves.
  • In biblical times, shepherds named each one of their sheep and knew the head count in his flock. The sheep recognized their names, their shepherd’s voice and each other (their mates). It is believed that sheep respond to different colors and can also discern between a person’s smile and a frown thus respond in an understanding mannerism. In other words, sheep discern how to react to the shepherd’s emotional state. What a blessing it would be if only mankind-sheep would trust in the Lord at all times and His praises would be continually in their mouths.
  • Click the red YouTube Title below to see what herdsmen do to right a cast sheep. And try to picture all the devoting ways God cares for us (especially John 3:16 and the significance of Easter).

YouTube·Caenhill Countryside Centre·May 13, 2021

(*) NOTE: Biblically speaking, every person (i.e., sheep) born into this world belongs to God, no matter what nationality, gender or faith. (Psalms 100:3) And because God so loves his created world that he gave, etc., etc. etc., (John 3:16). Some of his lambs have no desire to become his sheep, but God, never the less, sent his Son, Jesus Christ, into the world and commissioned Him to run hard after those lost sheep. Also to shed His atoning blood and to destroy the prey (Devil). Thus, in so doing, proclaim the righteous and upright those into Eternity who otherwise would have been cast down into eternal Hell. Amen

Scripture Lesson: But he was pierced for our transgressions, he was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was on him, and by his wounds we are healed. We all, like sheep, have gone astray, each of us has turned to our own way; and the Lord has laid on him the iniquity of us all. (Isaiah 53:5-6)

Click http://www.tgifmasterminds.com every Friday for a new post from the Master’s servant manager…ME! 

God Loves For His ‘Chicks’ To Crow About His Grace and Mercies

I’m sending out warm and cheerful ‘Greetings-cock-a-doodle-doo’ 🙂 to all my family members, cherished friends and blog readers all across the miles during this festive Easter (egg) 🥰 season in 2023.

So, what’s with the Rooster you may ask! Well, hopefully you feel the same way as I do about life’s events, episodes, and experiences we all have conquered during 2022, with the aide of our Lord and Master, Jesus Christ.

There is no doubt about it…it is time to rise and shine and give God the glory! So, if you haven’t heard the rooster crowing…just listen to its cackling now.

Personally, I am not only crowing, but rejoicing in the fact that the Lord has continually encouraged me to watch my diet and to keep my weight under control. For one of the ways we can represent God positively is by being in good health.

Furthermore, the Holy Spirit has reassured me that if I keep my mind stayed on Him, unspeakable joy and peace will be afforded me in years to come. Hallelujah!

Please allow me to take this time to cackle a bit more about God’s healing and comforting power and for answering prayers. You see, several of my family members, close friends and neighbors have endured sicknesses, deaths, job losses and weather catastrophes. And the saving grace of the Holy Spirit’s resources have delivered, comforted and strengthened them all…and right on time. Praise the Lord!

Thanks be to God for continually ordering all of our steps, our minds, and enlightening us by revealing hidden revelations in his Word. As far as I am concerned, crowing about growing in Christ is forever something to shout about.

And in my epilogue about crowing, everyday I am surrounded by young people of different nationalities, who harbor no shame in expressing their love and admiration for the King. Now, that’s really something to crow about!…don’t you think?

Jesus is not through with me yet, although I will be celebrating my 84th birthday this year…if the Lord says so. True, I haven’t embarked on an international mission trip for about six years, but the memories of traveling to so many foreign countries and ministering to such lovely people, orphan homes, villages, holy shrines and educational facilities, I will forever cherish and ‘crow’ about them all.

Please allow me to share with you some of the many places the Lord has gathered me under his wings and allowed me to visit and to help spread the gospel. I have travelled abroad with an international team with Buckner International Corp, located in Mesquite, Texas, USA. My eyes have witnessed God’s provisions in Lima, Peru; Addis Abba, Ethiopia; Bucharest, Romania; Amman, Jordan; St. Petersburg, Russia; North Hanoi, Viet Nam; The Dominican Republic; Nicaragua; Costa Rica; San Miguel De Allende, Mexico; The Holy Lands; Isle of Patmos; Egypt; Zambia and Zimbabwe, South Africa.

Finally, I want to crow about how the Holy Spirit continuously enlightens me with discernment into His holy word and provides numerous opportunities for me to share His goodness and faithfulness with everyone I meet. So, now it is your turn to send out ‘crowing’ messages to all of your acquaintances so that in turn, we all can rejoice with you in your miraculous triumphs while serving at the feet of Jesus.

Scripture Lesson: “He will cover you with His pinions, And under His wings you may seek refuge; His faithfulness is a shield and bulwark.” Psalm 9:4

“O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, the city that kills the prophets and stones those sent to her! How often I wanted to gather your children together, just as a hen gathers her brood under her wings, and you would not have it!” Luke 13:34

Click http://www.tgifmasterminds.com every Friday for a new post from the Master’s servant manager…ME!