God Alone Sanctions…We Are To Serve

On By tgifmastermindsIn How To Witness To Others, Uncategorized2 Comments

“Wow! What is he talking about! I would never do that! And I thought he was a Christian.”

“Sssphew! These two are really way out there. And I thought they were born-again Christians!”

Have you ever realized that most people just don’t think or talk like you do. You say potato, I say potahto! You say tomato, I say tomahto! Potatoe, potahto, tomato, tomahto…let’s call the whole thing off!

STOP IN THE NAME OF LOVE! YOU DON’T WANT TO DO THAT!

God’s message to the energetic person who is witnessing to new converts, seasoned Believers or total strangers is to think BEFORE you speak:

Several places in the New Testament we can read of the two greatest commandments God gave to the world: ‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength. The second is this, love your neighbor as yourself.’ Those two commandments are what is called a divine sanction. (Luke 10:27)

It means to convey a legalistic term (used in church law) the idea that mankind is ultimately answerable to God for his or her actions while here on earth. So, as a suggestion to those of you who take on the role of a missionary, it may not be necessary for you to impose your own examples or reasons why you perform some of God’s edicts the way you do. Your references or examples should always be WWJD…What Would Jesus Do!

Let’s say you are witnessing to either new believers or seasoned saints on the subject ‘Cultivating Good Relationships’ which the Apostle Paul is referring to in Romans 14:1. You are expressing your strong opinion on what foods you eat. Your choices of the intake of foods are totally different from the people you are witnessing to. You realize that this discussion is going no where, yet, you continue. Paul suggests that due to the fact that multiple backgrounds might be at play, certain meats and/or vegetables may be hindering obtaining a mutual understanding about the matter…which should be about surrendering to Christ!

What’s important in all of this is the fact that God should receive the glory at the end of the conversation and not the personal thoughts and preferences of either the speaker or the listeners. Why? Because both parties are the guests of God at his table. And God knew before he invited you both to dine with him what your food preferences were. After all, just where does that leave you if you have to condescend to another. You may look pretty silly. For it is also written in Romans; “‘As I live and breathe,’ says the Lord, every knee will bow before me; and every tongue will tell the honest truth that I and only I AM God,'” (The One Who Sanctions)

Now, please allow me to share a personal example with you…

In the past, I have been criticized for naming this blog, “Conversations With God Using Scripture”. It is difficult for some people to comprehend that the Holy Spirit engages me in conversations. As you know, there are numerous books out there on the subject of conversations with God. Most of them are nonfiction literature based on data collected from persons who have experienced some sort of an encounter with the Master.

I refer to these people as seekers of divine revelations. Some received a heavenly response, while others sought an explanation to their query from a friend or an acquaintance. It was the title of these books that peeked my curiosity. For, rarely do you find a book with the title embracing conversations with God actually using God’s word to speak for him. Generally, it is the author’s interpretation.

It was my desire to compose the entries for my blog posts to be a totally accurate and bold approach to use to record divine messages I was blessed to receive from on High. Hopefully, it is obvious that exhaustive research of the scriptures was necessary to compile the dialog exchanged herein. Also, one can surmise that the composer of these blogs would have to have the aid of the Holy Spirit in order to retain and or recall matching scriptures to validate what was written.

You can also imagine that as I internalized these criticisms, concerning my personal relationship with God, I began to feel low and unworthy. But then, the Holy Spirit whispered in my ear and said…WWJD? Prayerfully, I begin to reread many of my blog posts I have written in the past. While taking this stroll down memory lane, I was lifted unto heights resembling the 3rd Heaven that Paul viewed on one of his divine journeys. And I said to myself…’IF NOT ME…THEN WHO, MY LORD?’

God’s response was…My child, is not my grace sufficient? Forget about deciding what is right. Here is what you need to be concerned about: that you do not put a stumbling block in another’s path, nor make another’s life more difficult than it already is. Be more concerned about your service unto the Sovereign God and how I AM using your life to bless others as I set it right, put it together, and complete it with great joy. Keep on keeping on attending to your services for my kingdom.

My Prayer for you…

Dear Heavenly Father, I pray that You will give us a pure heart for those in need and clean hands that will offer them help and hope so that we will be merciful as You are merciful. May the message we relay to others always be true, helpful, inspiring, necessary and kind. In Jesus’s Name I pray…Amen!

Scripture Lesson: “Since we have these promises, dear friends, let us purify ourselves from everything that contaminates body and spirit, perfecting holiness out of reverence for God.” 2 Corinthians 7:1

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God Commissioned The Apostle Paul To Leave Us A Legacy of Golden Wisdom

On By tgifmastermindsIn How To Witness To Others4 Comments

It was not always what the Apostle said that was more precious than gold…but when he witnessed to others, it was what he didn’t say that you could take to the bank!

Many, many, many years ago, the Holy Spirit impressed upon my heart to strive to get an understanding about the divine information that He was about to impart to me. The Holy Spirit was acutely aware of the fact that in my adolescence years, I was labeled as an extremely gullible child. And this character trait often made me the butt of school yard bullies’ jokes. Yes, I was very naive and trusting of others, and could easily be persuaded to believe something that wasn’t true. Even my own siblings often teased me.

Another characteristic that I had was my ability to remember and recite my dreams which often got me into trouble. Probably because in my dreams I was someone who was accomplished…like a famous movie star, or a world traveler, or a gifted teacher, or a notable writer or poet, or a lady of means. And you guessed it…no body believed me or encouraged me to pursue my dreams.

But God knew my destiny and guided me all the way..

During my ensuing years, I did began to walk in my own destiny. As a young woman, I adopted my epitaph from Proverbs 4:7; “Wisdom is the principal thing; therefore get wisdom: and with all thy getting get understanding.” Longevity of 22 years of gainful employment with a fortune 500 company, afforded me numerous promotions. Initially, I rose from a lowly job in the typing pool, to becoming an Executive Secretary, and after time, finally achieved the title of Building Office Manager of the company’s remote central office in another city. While in that position, I mimicked my superiors investment strategies and learned how to invest in real estate and bank securities. To memorialize my life’s journeys, which had taken so many turns, I began to write a weekly blog on a platform called WordPress. And as the Lord would have it, during my first 10 years of retirement, His spirit prompted me to become engaged in international missionary work. This calling allowed me to travel to many countries all over the world. So, needless to say, this gullible, naive and adventurous girl has lived out her destiny under the influence of her dreams and with the power and guidance of the Holy Spirit.

Now, let me share what the Apostle Paul deposited in my bank account…

Along my journey, the Holy Spirit continues to softly and tenderly speak to me. His message is for me to always present myself in a godly manner, for the Good Lord has much work for me to do in His vineyard. Examine your interactive virtues with others and do not allow your meek and mild personality to be overrun by boisterous and animated dialogue. Consider the Apostle Paul’s messages in at least four gospel letters in the New Testament:

  • “Walk in a manner worthy of the calling to which you have been called.” (Ephesians 4:1)
  • “Let your manner of life be worthy of the gospel of Christ.” (Philippians 1:27)
  • “Walk in a manner worthy of the Lord.” (Colossians 1:10)
  • “Walk in a manner worthy of God.” (1 Thessalonians 2:12)

What are the two take-a-ways from these holy scriptures…

The first lesson to be learned is that the deposit slip says it all and the precious message written therein to us all is the equivalent to gold nuggets and is simply this: Always be mindful when we witness to others, to relate incidents that will come across as a duplicable task…if God did it for me, He can surely do it for you. Especially if you want to relate a supernatural experience, you must tell it the way Paul did in 2 Corinthians 12:1-10. Paul presented that event as if it happened to someone else that he knew, instead of inundating the egotistical pronoun “I” repetitively.

Paul’s wise wisdom recorded in verses 6-7 helps us to understand why…”I have plenty to boast about and would be no fool in doing it, but I don’t want anyone to think more highly of me than he should from what he can actually see in my life and in my message. I will say this: because these experiences I had were so tremendous, God was afraid I might be puffed up by them: so I was given a physical condition which has been a thorn in my flesh, a messenger from Satan to hurt and bother me and prick my pride.”

The second lesson to be gleaned from Paul’s teachings is although he was a great orator, disciple, church planter and did much more to further the kingdom of God, he had a big problem. He had a defect in his body and mind. He had an impediment. And in all of Paul’s “getting”, he had not gotten an understanding about Who imposes afflictions. (Paul identified his handicap as coming from a messenger from Satan.) Paul thought he had nothing further to deposit in his bank account, so he prayed for God to withdraw it. To Paul’s deposit slip, God added His grace and told Paul that was sufficient for him to take to the bank.

God’s message to Paul and to us is to always speak modestly and not boastfully when attempting to convert nonbelievers. Allow the workings of Jesus Christ to break the bank! Why? Because if anyone should stumble on the way to the bank and misplace a nugget or two, Christ Jesus can relocate it or replace it with another gold nugget for His edification.

Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me. That is why, for Christ’s sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong. 2 Corinthians 12:9b, 10

My prayer for you…My Lord, thank You for hearing our prayer. We ask You to please protect us from becoming so used to the message of salvation that we will neglect to accept it for ourselves. I beseech thee to instill in us a belief in You and not our enemies; to speak of our faith spontaneously and not in a puffed up way; to adhere to the fact that it was through Your crucifixion that You made it possible for us to be reconciled with God. Please help us to carry out these golden nuggets of truth as we proclaim Your message and take it to the bank and not keep it to ourselves. In the Precious Name of Jesus…Amen!

Scripture Lesson: “When the Gentiles heard this they were glad and honored the word of the Lord; and all who were appointed for eternal life believed. The word of the Lord spread through the whole region.” Acts 13:48-49.

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

God Wants Us To Yield Not To Temptation

On By tgifmastermindsIn Prayers For Life Changes, Prayers For New Beginnings, Prayers For Spiritual Growth

Wow…wait a minute. Let me make myself clear. God is not talking about a famous singing group ‘back in the day’, called The Temptations, of Motown Studio, located in Detroit, Mi. He is speaking to you and me, in a cautiously way. It is God’s intent to warn us to avoid taking or making risky choices in our lives, that can lead to damnation.

But first, I thought you might like to reminisce a little. Take a listen to the video below by clicking the website under the picture. Instructions: Skip the commercials; notice who produced the Temptations’ record; listen to a bit of the music; then come back to my blog post to receive a biblical message.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eepLY8J4E6c

The ‘tempter’ of Jesus’ day was ‘Ole Slewfoot’;…the devil himself!

According to Biblical Scriptures in the NT Book of Matthew 4, Jesus was tempted by the Devil at least 3 times: through physical persuasion, 4:3-4; through emotional inquiry, 4:5-7; and through attempting to control Jesus’ actions, 4:8-10. Satan was defeated by Jesus, nevertheless, he fled from Him for a while. Not so with mortals! We are tempted by Satan on a continuous daily basis.

Real life confessions…

In order to yield NOT to temptation, we as Believers have to recognize, perceive or participate in an act that would require confessing it privately to God and/or in a corporate setting. And after we have repented, solicit others to pray for you. Remember, if Jesus was under the guidance of the Holy Spirit when Satan approached Him in the wilderness and attempted to undermine Him, how much more will Ole Slewfoot challenge us? (Especially if we are out of the arch of Safety.) Jesus refused to submit to His adversary and was so steadfast and unmovable in His allegiance to His Father, that God sent Angels to comfort Him after His ordeal. And if we mimic Jesus’s teachings, God will do the same for us!

A word from another wise saint…

Another man, Saint Augustine, who was born in 397 A.D., and who was 47 years old when he wrote his famous book entitled, “The Confessions“. Within the book’s pages Augustine confessed a few of his sinful acts as a young man, and what he believed were the motives for his doing so. Following are 2 quotes from the book’s page verses: (Source of information from Google Search.)

“It was not the takings that attracted me but the raid itself, and yet to do it by myself would have been no fun and I should not have done it. This was friendship of a most unfriendly sort, bewitching my mind in an inexplicable way. For the sake of a laugh, a little sport, I was glad to do harm and anxious to damage another; and that without the thought of profit for myself or retaliation for injuries received! And all because we are ashamed to hold back when others say ‘Come on! Let’s do it!'” (v. 2.9).

“And in the games I played with them I often in order to come off the better, simply because a vain desire to win had got the better of me. And yet there was nothing I could less easily endure, nothing that made me quarrel more bitterly, than to find others cheated them. All the same, if they found me out more and blamed me for it, I would lose my temper rather than give in.” (v.1.19)

So, what methods can be employed to help someone not yield to temptation?…

Saint Augustine suggests that we apply some practical applications: (Paraphrased)

1.  Perhaps you might consider sharing your faults with a mentor, clergy, Sunday School teacher or a friend.

2.  It is a foregone conclusion that mischief metastasizes in the dark as well as in the light.  And when confession is made, it exposes the dark sin in the light and aides in its purification.  Try it!

3.  Odds are that we have already confessed our sin to a close friend, family member or other confidant, so why not have a conversation with the Holy Spirit who can actually help you process it and build resistance against it?
Today’s hymn is “Yield Not To Temptation”. YouTube TheNCrew – Sept. 2, 2020

PREVIEW (Click to hear this hymn.)

2:57

My prayer for you…

Dear God: I humbly ask that you do a new work in me and others who have decided to follow your Son, Jesus Christ. But first, I want to thank you for your creative work as recorded in the Holy Bible. For I know that you are able to perform all things in the atmosphere, especially on earth and also within mankind. So, with sincere pleadings, please teach us how to harness our thoughts and actions. Make them afresh so that we will not only be a new person, but will also think and act in a new way. In other words, lead us not into temptation for yielding only brings about sin.

From now on, Lord Jesus, we want to be like someone who lives only for You. We desire to reach for those things that are above and not beneath. We want to excel to the highest heights where You reside, so that one day we will have sufficient treasures in heaven where we will study want no more. We ask all these things in the Precious Name of Jesus…Amen and Amen!

Scripture Lesson: “Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things. For you died, and your life is now hidden with Christ in God.” (Colossians 3:2)

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

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God’s Montra: Be Anchored In The Lord

On By tgifmastermindsIn Uncategorized7 Comments
How can this be done?…By allowing your life’s walk to be anchored in the Lord!

Starting from childhood, to be anchored in the Lord, you can become empowered by meditating on His Word!

…And continue meditating on God’s holy Word as you grow into adolescence and later into manhood.

Let’s look at what Biblical meditation is not…

Biblical meditation certainly is not sitting in a lotus position and chanting, humming, rocking, forming circles with your fingers or washing your mind clean from all thoughts. No sir e bob!!! Neither do you need to rush out and purchase a stack of candles, incense, a mat, ear plugs and various CDs by famous gurus. (Just begin your time with the Holy Spirit (your Teacher) by reciting Psalm 19:14: “Dear, Holy Spirit, let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable in your sight, O LORD, my rock and my redeemer. Amen”

OK, now that you’ve been enlightened on what meditation is not…let’s look at what meditation is…

Biblical meditation is first and foremost simply focusing on God through prayerfully contemplation on his Word. First, you’ll want to quiet your spirit with a prayer of invitation for the Holy Spirit to come into your heart and ‘dine’ with you. Choose a scripture from your memory, recite it aloud a couple of times and audibly inquire of the Holy Spirit if your interpretation of meditating on that scripture is pleasing to Him. (You can do this by applying and reciting Psalm 104:34: “Lord, may my meditation be pleasing to him (You), for I rejoice in the Lord.”

You may want to continue your conversation (prayer) with the Holy Spirit by incorporating several additional scriptures that reference meditating.

Additional scriptures expressed in your own words, such as…

Psalm 63:6 “When I remember you upon my bed, and meditate on you in the watches of the night…”

Psalm 1:1-2 “Blessed is the man who walks not in the counsel of the wicked, nor stands in the way of sinners, nor sits in the seat of scoffers; but his delight is in the law of the Lord, and on his law he meditates day and night.”

Psalm 119:97 “Oh how I love your law! It is my meditation all the day.”

Psalm 143:5 “I remember the days of old; I meditate on all that you have done; I ponder the work of your hands.”

And in conclusion, let us remember…

In the Book of Joshua 1:8, it teaches us the “why” of Christian meditation. It goes like this: “Study this Book of Instruction continually. Meditate on it day and night so you will be sure to obey everything written in it. Only then will you prosper and succeed in all you do.”

Scripture Lesson: “My mouth shall speak wisdom; the meditation of my heart shall be understanding. Psalm 49:3

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God Allowed Me To Experience Life Eternal

On By tgifmastermindsIn Heaven Is For Real, Prayers About God and Me1 Comment

“For a good tree does not bear bad fruit, nor does a bad tree bear good fruit. For every tree is known by its own fruit. For men do not gather figs from thorns, nor do they gather grapes from a bramble bush.” Luke 6:43-44

This week’s blog is a page from one of my numerous prayer journals that was experienced and recorded more than eighteen years ago. At that time, I was a Sunday School teacher in the church I attended. It is my hope that the retelling of this odyssey will bless your soul just as much as it has blessed mine during my walk and communications with the Holy Spirit.

Ahh…for a good night’s rest I thought after prayerfully studying my Sunday School lesson…

The Holy Spirit awakened me about 4:30 a.m. on that divinely appointed night. I knew it was Him. He instructed me to go get my paper-back book entitled Chicken Soup For The Christian Soul. So, I quietly slipped out of bed and turned on my night light and retrieved my book. In it I found a short story relevant to my Sunday School lesson. It was very appropriate for my third graders.

I said to myself, it would really be nice if I could find a short story directly related to the book of Luke. After leafing through the book, I found the perfect story and it referenced Luke 6:33, a section on giving.

After I finished reading the story, I was smiling and thanking God for awakening me and putting the finishing touches on my Sunday School lesson. I said, oh, Lord, if I had my druthers, heaven would be one long eternal night instead of a place of eternal day. I made that comment because for me and most people I know, God engages us in the most revealing conversations at nighttime or at least in the early dawn while it is still dark outside.

Immediately, my Lord responded. “Daughter, My beloved,” He whispered, “turn to Revelations where I speak of the fact that heaven will have neither sun nor moon.”

           "The city had no need of the sun or of the moon to shine in it, for the
           glory of God illuminated it.  The Lamb is its light."   Rev. 21:23

Don’t you see my child, heaven will have neither sun nor moon. There will be no concept of day or night there. I AM IT! When I awaken you at night to speak to you, I am treating you as I treat Myself. I never sleep! So why should you? I’ll say to you like I said to Jeremiah; ‘Do you want to run with the horses?’. Well, I Am the Horse. Wake up, my beloved! Allow me to turn your night into day.

If you want to walk with Me, know that there are no inhibitions that hinder Me. No walls contain Me. No doors are shut against Me. No gulfs divide Me from anything. No restraints bind Me. No insults effect Me. No regiment of time constrains Me. But most of all, no weapon formed against Me shall prosper. I say to you, come to the realization of how awesome it is to be more than a conqueror. Come! I invite you to join Me and experience eternity!!!

So now you, too, know not to curse the sudden awakening from sleep in the night. God just might be turning your nights into days. HALLELUJAH!!!

Scripture Lesson: “I (Jesus) say emphatically that anyone who listens to my message and believes in God who sent me has eternal life, and will never be dammed for his (her) sins, but has already passed out of death into life.” John 5:24

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

God’s Desire Is For Us To Know Him Intimately…So What’s In A Name?

On By tgifmastermindsIn How To Pray For Others, Prayers About God and Me, Prayers For Understanding, Uncategorized7 Comments
“Please hold my hand, Lord. For I am a sinner, saved by Your grace! I yield!“

Webster defines “conversation” as having an oral exchange of sentiments, observations, opinions, or ideas. So, what does it mean to know God intimately? Well, for me, I have come to realize that my conversations with God are very personal and private. Our relationship is one that allows us to laugh together, cry together, come to a mutual understanding especially after I have thought about the situation carefully and/or studied it prayerfully. The Holy Spirit has also made known to me my epitaph inscription; “In all thy getting, get an understanding”. (Proverbs 4:7b KJV)

Now I have a question for you…

Which would you rather have been given; a name at birth that distinguished you from other people, or a name at birth that referenced your inner most being?  I realize that’s a tough question because as we grow, our character changes.

Unlike the Native American societies, at birth, infants receive names that are descriptive that can be changed as they go through life, according to what their experiences and accomplishments are.  The vast nomenclatures for God are like that…or should I say ought to be like that as you grow more intimately in Him.

Your Christian walk and desires should be one of learning how to become more mature in grace and obedience because of a Wondrous working God.  Your prayer life could be strengthened every time you called on Him if you substituted the word “God” for one of His names (below) from Scripture that addressed your need.  Why?  Because we know with assurance, God has already shown himself worthy of that title. (Below are four examples of titles.)

“God of Heaven” “Prince of Peace” “Deliverer ” “Righteous One” ”
When prayingPray for waring nations,Pray for Kings,Praying for
for weatherPeople, Governments, andPresidents, AllJustice, Sinners,
(nature) conditions.Societies, etc.Leaders, Parents, andAll Knowledge, and
Care Givers.Jesus’ position as
the Son of God.
The Names above are to be used in prayer in place of God in order to take the focus off of yourself!

Now, perhaps you can answer my question…

Because most of us at birth were given names that merely distinguished us from other people, we are not recognized by any attainable goals or notable accomplishments. On the other hand, every time we call on the Name of the Lord in prayer by one of His descriptive Names in Scripture that actually addresses our needs, we can shout hallelujah because we know He is able, ready and willing to respond.

My prayer for you…

Dear Jehovah Jireh, my Provider and Maker of Heaven and Earth, we want to thank You very much for making us joyful and happy. We want to make our thoughts obedient to You, and in all things we sincerely ask that You help us to focus on all things that are beautiful and good and right so that our conversations and interactions with You will reflect Your peace and understanding. We ask these blessings in your Son’s Name, Jesus the Christ. Amen

Scripture Lesson: “Brothers (and Sisters), stop thinking like children. In regard to evil be infants, but in your thinking be adults.” (1 Corinthians 14:20 NIV)

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

God’s  Five Favorite Recipes From His Pulitzer Prize Winning “Cook” Book

On By tgifmastermindsIn Uncategorized4 Comments

Here is a piece of trivia:  Human history records that in 1795 a French chemist invented a canning method for preserving food which was later used by Napoleon’s army.

BUT, did you know that eating is not just about satisfying hunger pains?

For Christians, “eating” should also be about consuming God’s Word.  Why?  Basically, because eating food and eating the Word are soul mates!

God created our bodies with mortal cell materials with a shelf life that will eventually expire.  Consequently, mankind’s life existence greatly depends upon how well he or she is ‘watching’ their diet.

Nutrients from both the food one eats and the Word one ingest provides the foundation for replenishing good cells for those bad cells that have expired.  Thus, restoring the structure, integrity and function of our body, skin, hair and muscles; in addition to regenerating the manifestation of the Shekinah glory that is revealed in our appearance as we ‘dine’ at the “Oh, Taste And See” restaurant with our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.

In Psalm 34:8, Our Maker invites us to:  “Oh, taste and see that the Lord is good; blessed is the one who takes refuge in him”.  (Unlike the followers of Napoleon  who took refuge in his army.)

To enlighten you further on what I am saying, I have taken the liberty of selecting just 5 of God’s favorite recipes from his award-winning cook book, the Bible.  If you are hungry for more, let me know by leaving a comment.

I will also leave it up to you to dust off your Grandmother’s favorite recipe book to stir up your most flavorful agricultural dish for physical nourishment.

Chef’s warnings:  See if you can discern which recipe below belongs in which category.

  1.  Too much of a good thing can be fattening.
  2.  Stealing food from God’s grocery store can be fatal.
  3. Not picking the right ingredients can cause spoilage and indigestion.
  4. Using a charge card instead of paying with cash can cause your bank account to be overdrawn.

​

                 Ba-Manna-Bread

Set oven to “OFF”.  No heat necessary.  This bread is rained down from the sky.  It is fashioned from the residue of the morning dew.  Make only enough for one meal at a time.  If it is not all eaten, it will melt.  After it is baked, it will appear white in color with coriander seed and taste like honey wafers.

 

Question:  What is the real name for this bread from heaven and in what Bible Book is it found?

 

 Blog - God's Menue for Manna:Angels.jpg

Angels preparing the dough for                               Ba-Manna-Bread

 Ex 16:4, 13, 14, 21, 31  Then the Lord said to Moses, “I will rain down bread from heaven for you.  That evening quail came and covered the camp, and in the morning there was a layer of dew around the camp.  When the dew was gone thin flakes like frost on the ground appeared on the desert floor.  Each morning everyone gathered as much as they needed and when the sun grew hot, it melted away. The people of Israel called the bread manna.  It was white like coriander seed and tasted like wafers made with honey.
                  Fried Fish Sticks

 

Go down to the Nearest River and catch some fish (people) with your mouth.  Place the fish on the rocks in the desert.  The heat from the sun will fry the fish.  (Ask them how’s their life been going lately.)  Be careful not to become over heated and succumb to a heat stroke.  (Don’t be almost persuaded to succumb to their foolishness.)  For then you might become a meal for the beasts.  (And you know where the beasts are located.)

Question:  What is the title of the great monster ruler in this recipe.  Which Book of the Prophets is it recorded. What idiom was assigned to him?

 

 

 

 Blog God's Recipe Catching Fish.jpg

Pharaoh king of Egypt and that great monster, fishing

Ezekiel 29:3b-5  You say, “The Nile belongs to me; I made it for myself.” 

But I, the Sovereign Lord says, I will put hooks in your jaws and make the fish of your streams stick to your scale.  I will pull you out from among your streams, with all the fish sticking to your scales.  I will leave you in the desert, you and all the fish of your streams.  You will fall on the open field and not be gathered or picked up.  I will give you as food to the beasts of the earth and the birds of the sky.
  

          Southern Pot-Roasted Quail

You will need cups of some east and south winds from Heaven’s grocery store.  Next, gather hundreds of the fallen feathered fowls that the winds blew in. The cooking aroma will delight the neighborhood. Prepare enough food for a number of greedy people.  Warn the obese ones to chew their food thoroughly lest they choke.  Needless to say, you may still have to call EMS….Emergency Missionary Services.

Question:  Where were the people when this “picnic” takes place.  Was this a family reunion or a “divine ruse”.

 Blog God's Recipe Birds flying.jpg

Quail birds flying in from the southeast 

Psalm 78:26-33  He (God) caused an east wind to blow in the heaven; and by his power he brought in the south wind.  He rained flesh also upon them as dust, and feathered fowls like as the sand of the sea.  And he let it fall in the midst of their camp, round about their habitations; they were not estranged from their lust.  But while their meat was yet in their mouths, the wrath of God came upon them, and slew the fattest of them, and smote down the chosen men of Israel.
             How to Can Preserves/Jams

Discretely assemble 6 glass canning jars with pressure lids and rings. Place uprightly on the stove a large pot filled with water that will cover the jars by 2 inches.

To insure the integrity of the glass jars when filled with the hot jam mixture, allow the empty jars only (not the lids and rings) to simmer in the hot water until ready to be filled.

Preserves and Jams should only be made with fresh fruits and in small batches, about 6 cups at a time, so that contamination wont set in.  Faithfully, assemble all of your other cooking utensils and ingredients.

With a potato masher, mercifully crush up the fruit when making jams.  However, leave the fruit whole if making preserves.

The principal thing is to truthfully follow the recipe exactly, especially when adding the sugar and pactin, a preservative.  This is the key to canning perfect preserves and jams when using God’s recipes.

When you serve the preserves and jams, lovingly remind the people that they really are what they eat!

 Blog God's recipes red jam.jpg 

(Pretend like this is a ‘clay’ jar sitting on The Potter’s wheel.”)

Proverbs 2:11  Discretion shall preserve thee.

Proverbs 20:28 Mercy and truth preserve the king:  and his throne is upholden by mercy. 

Psalm 25:21 My integrity and uprightness preserve me, for I wait for thee.  

Psalm 40:11 Do not thou, O Lord, withhold thy mercy from me, let thy steadfast love and thy faithfulness ever preserve me!
 Question:  What does Proverbs 4:7 say is the key thing to get that will preserve you?
           Lake Fish Sovereign Bank

Making a withdrawal from a bank is easy.  First, you must not forget to have with you your identification and/or your pass word, and your bank account number. 

 In todays world, banking God’s way can be done from just about anywhere, any location or vintage point.   Namely, at a brick and mortar building, an electronic device, a computer, a merchant, a Tilly-the-teller, or from a good resourceful friend. 

 What you may not know is there is a secret place where a person can withdraw money.   The name of this recipe is the bank named in the title. 

 Get the name of your nearest stocked lake.  (That’s the group of non-believing family members and friends.)

Borrow your little brother’s fishing rod.  (That’s his Children’s Bible.)

Pick up some bait.  (That’s your faith.)

Head to the lake and catch some fish.  (That’s when you start enlightening folks about God’s Word.)

Open its mouth and retrieve the cash.  (That’s when you shout hallelujah and when they shout, Lord, I yield. Help my unbelief.) 

 Blog God's recipes Pink Piggy bank Coins.jpg

Jesus said to retrieve the coin from a fish not a pig! 

Matthew 17:27  “…go thou to the sea, and cast an hook, and take up the fish that first cometh up; and when thou hast opened his mouth, thou shalt find a piece of money:  that take and give unto them for me and thee.”
Question:  Do you know the difference between a fish and a pig?  What two men  are having this conversation?

Scripture Lesson:    Jesus answered, “It is written (Deut. 8:3):  Man shall not live by bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God.” Matthew 4:4

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

God Speaks While We Muse…Our Thoughts Matter!

On By tgifmastermindsIn Uncategorized6 Comments
Speak, Lord. Thou servant is listening.

What an odd thought, I said to myself.  Where did that come from? I know what ‘muse’ means, Lord.  What is it You want to converse with me about this evening?

Don’t you know, my child, that I can read your thoughts, was His reply.  I can also feel your pain and sadness.  Yes, I see what is going on down there on earth with an all-seeing eye.  And, yes, it’s very sad and alarming to the masses.

Dear readers, before I begin to write my blog for this week, please allow me to define for you the meaning of the word ‘muse’.  The dictionary defines this word as; to turn something over and over in the mind meditatively and often inconclusively.  To wonder or marvel over a situation.

For months, now, I have been praying about the devastating wake of Covid-19.  And now, because of the unlawful assault on the Capitol Building in the USA seat of government, Washington, DC., I have piled on a new situation of burden bearing in my heart and in my psyche.

As I sat in my office chair, holding my head in my hands, I felt the Holy Spirit’s breath of comfort envelop me.  Hold on, He whispered.  Communicate with a prayer for understanding, for your musings are resounding loud and clear up here in Glory.

So, after a few seconds I began praying…

Dear Heavenly Father, I thank You for just being You.  I praise You for being Omnipotent…all knowing and all caring.  I praise You for sending the Holy Spirit to comfort us and to lead us onto the right path.  In my search for peace, Lord, in the days ahead, may You allow Your relentless and abundant love to envelope me and lift me out of this deep despair.  

As the coronavirus mutates, and people become more cruel and more careless and more opinionated, may You become just that much more loving and discerning towards your people. Teach me and my fellowman, Oh Lord, to become more dependent on You, and open up our understanding of Your ways, so that our faith may increase as despair creeps in. 

Bless me, Lord Jesus, so that my mouth and heart speak with precision; so that I might pray with power and conviction.   And above all, to stand with courage and in hope.  For I know, now, that my meager life and thoughts do matter to You and that You hear and answer my prayers.   I pray this prayer in the precious Name of Jesus…Amen and Amen.

Scripture Lesson:  “When she speaks, her words are wise, and she gives instructions with kindness.”  Proverbs 31:26  

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

Note: While on vacation, The author of “Conversations” has re-blogged one of her old blog messages for your review.

God Provides Innovative Ways To Spread The Gospel

On By tgifmastermindsIn UncategorizedLeave a comment
Blog God provides innovative ways dollar bill 2
Blog dollar bill back side

 The U.S. Dollar is the most powerful currency in the world

Who doesn’t love money?  Who, in their life time, will not handle or spend money?  Who hasn’t talked about, invested, lost, earned, saved, deposited, exchanged, buried or stole money?  Need I say…Nobody or Everybody!!

Well, who would have thought that God would use the design of the American dollar bill to make it possible to proclaim the Good News of Jesus Christ.

“And we know that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose.”  Romans 8:28

God did this by first using the intellect of the founding fathers of this nation to commission the design for the Great Seal of America.  As you may know, the Great Seal has infused within its design many magical symbols.  Some historians and others believe that the reasoning for this was because several members of the founding fathers were Freemasons (or of similar persuasions) and subscribed to this school of thought.

Great Seal of the United States (obverse).svg

The Great Seal of the United States:  Front and Back Imprints

But I believe that because the Great Seal of America was used as a pattern to design the dollar bill some centuries later, the tradition of using magical symbols to depict the destiny of America was incorporated.  And that’s where God stepped in.

Blog Dollar Sign

First, let’s examine the official symbol for the dollar.  As you converse with others about the Good News, your reference comes from Numbers, chapter 21 in the Bible.  The Israelites who began to speak against God were severely punished.  God sent fiery serpents to bit them.  Then God instructed Moses to make a fiery serpent image and place it on a pole.  Anyone who looked upon the pole would be cured.  Later, the design reference for the official symbol for the dollar, included the fact that our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, was placed on a pole and all those who looked upon Him would receive eternal life.

Next, notice the Greek alphabet letter above which means “Omega”…in Christianity it means the end of things.  God is the beginning and ending (Alpha and Omega) of things.  God alone holds the past, present and future for the American nation…NOT George Washington.  Please note that it is Ole George’s portrait that is placed within the image of the Omega alphabet sign on the face of the dollar bill.

On the reverse side of the dollar bill there are 7 words written beneath the two roundels (circles):  “The Great Seal…Of The United States.”  Also, the English word ‘One’ appears 6 times and 1 time in Latin (unum, on the eagle’s upper wing) for a total of 7.  And as you know, the number seven is held extremely sacred in the Christian religion.  Seven denotes the completion and triumph of Spirit (3) over matter (4).

By now, I hope you are experiencing  the joy and excitement one can receive when holding a dollar bill and explaining it’s origin and design to a wayward traveler, family member of friend.  For me, I just want to shout the written words, “In God We Trust”, after I carryout this godly assignment of conversing with Him and others.

The last bit of information I want to leave with you is for you to take a look at the unfinished pyramid.  Examine it closely with a magnifying glass.  Not only is it unfinished, but there is famine vegetation growth in front and plenteousness vegetation at the rear.  This represents the present state of the world now.  And feast and famine will continue to reign until the return of Christ Jesus…the ‘all seeing’ Eye within the tip of the pyramid.

There are many more signs and symbols depicted on the face of the American dollar bill, but those explanations will have to wait until another blog post.  Research and explore the dollar bill for yourself…you just might learn something and be blessed as you have your own conversations with God using Scripture.

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Plant seeds by using innovative ways to spread the Good News!

Scripture Lesson:  Preach the word of God; be prepared in season and out of season; rebuke and encourage–with great patience and careful instructions.  2 Timothy 4:2

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

God Calls All Of Us…But Will We Answer?

On By tgifmastermindsIn Prayers About God and Me, Prayers For Life Changes5 Comments
Have you availed yourself to the Almighty? Have you proclaimed, ‘Here I am, Lord, send me?’

From the beginning, God has a call on all our lives. He sought me out from birth. I know this because I asked Him. One evening through prayer, I was led to claim His words that say “…and you shall be called Sought Out.” (Isaiah 62:12a) This name was capitalized right there on the page of the Bible. And I claimed it!

Although God called me at an early age, like most of you, I turned a deaf ear to His voice. I allowed the voices of Mr. and Mrs. Excuse, Aunt and Uncle Procrastination, and my favorite cousin, Self-willed Willie to have control over my life. They took turns distorting my hearing, understanding, mind, heart, time, talents and my treasures. Enough, all ready!

Are you listening to gossip, back-biting, false accusations, lies, and malicious conversations?

If the truth was told, we all have bodies that come designed with a myriad of voices. Did you know that your persona reflects which voice you are listening to at any given time in your life? At present (and I hope from this point forward), my persona reflects a contented sheep because the voice I am listening to is that of the Shepherd.

So, when I came to myself, I repented and prayerfully asked the Lord to forgive me for procrastinating in compiling my thoughts into a book that I have penned, entitled “Conversations With God Using Scriptures, Telling It Like It Is”. I have also thanked Him for silencing every negative voice that previously had dominion over me. For I once was young but now I am in my senior years and am privileged to see just Who it was that rescued me from the snares of life. Thank God for those of you whose eyes were opened in your youth.

But no matter what your age, begin seeking Him today. Start recognizing the extraordinary methods of operation He is performing in your lives. In my situation, He turned my personal Bible study quiet time into an interactive, stimulating and intimate conversational time with Him.

Always remember that God is calling you twenty-four hours a day; seven days a week; and 365 days a year! It is your choice to mentally leave your domain, your comfort zone, your place of many voices, and answer His call. He is the One with the still small voice. He is the Comforter. When you are ready to obey and yield, just say, “Speak Lord, thy servant is listening.”

My prayer for you…

Dear Heavenly Father, Master of the universe, we are so sorry that we constantly worry about the negative things that are happening at the moment in the world and, yes, in our own lives, too. We thank You that the hard times that we experience cause us to hear Your voice. We now want to open our lives to you and to turn away from voices spreading false hope. Please help us to look away from the reigning crime and violence and wholeheartedly surrender our lives to You with the certain knowledge that You will care for us individually and collectively for the rest of our lives. We humbly ask that you, Lord, also still those negative voices that fill our heads with doubts and fears. And we all promise that with the help of the Holy Spirit we will listen for Your call and proclaim like little Samuel and the prophet Isaiah. We will answer and say: “Here I am, Lord, send me”. Amen!

Scripture Lesson: “Fear not, for I have redeemed you; I have called you by name; you are mine”. Isaiah 43:1

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