BLOOD ON ANGEL’S WINGS

12 Sep

Blood on Angel's wings

Thinkest thou that I cannot now pray to my Father, and he shall presently give me more than twelve legions of angels? Matthew 26:53 (KJV)

We have a big beautiful porch on the front of our home.  It faces south and it’s a beautiful view down into the valley.  When weather permits, I have my devotional and Bible Study time in my rocker, out on the porch. I thank God every day for allowing me to live there and enjoy the beauty set before me.

Last year we noticed the wood railing was showing signs of sun and rain wear – it was time to stain and water-seal the wood.  Out we went, the two youngest boys and I – gloves, rags, newspapers, paintbrushes and stain.  We each took a section and went to task.  Stain was flying everywhere.  I tried to convince them to keep the stain off the concrete floor – well!!

It seemed like it took forever, and the stained concrete will probably fade away with age.  It looked so much nicer.

A week or so later, during devotional time, I noticed something on one of my 3’ angels that stood in the flowerbed by the porch.  I walked up to get a better view and it took my breath away.  A careless sling of a brush had splashed the angel with what looked like large drops of blood.  “Jesus, Your Blood.”

My mind went back to that fateful day, when my Lord hung on the cross.  His blood pouring from His head, His back, His sides, His hands and His feet.  Were there angels at the foot of His cross?  Did they wait, hoping that the Father would speak and stop what was about to happen as he did with Abraham and Isaac?  Did they encamp around Him to be sure the will of the Father was done – weeping with sadness at the pain and torture of the Son?  Did His blood drip down on their wings as they waited for those final words, “It is finished?”  Did they carry His Spirit to Heaven when the earth shook and the sky darkened?  Did the Blood turn to Oil as they moved between the Heavens?

I know that angels encamp around us every day; watching, protecting, guiding.  They are one of the wonderful gifts God surrounds us with.  They comfort us, wrapping their arms around us when we cry.  When we celebrate with joy, they dance along with us.  They sit and watch over us when we are ill.  They wait for a Word from the Father.

I wonder, did one of the angels that guides me every day – kneel at the foot of the cross?

Written by Linda J. Humes

8-4-2008

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One Hope

5 Sep

“There is one body, and one Spirit, even as ye are called in one hope of your calling; One Lord, one faith, one baptism, One God and Father of all, who is above all, and through all, and in you all.” Ephesians 4:4-6 (KJV)

Our scripture reference states: “There is one body, and one Spirit, even as ye are called in one hope of your calling; One Lord, one faith, one baptism, One God and Father of all, who is above all, and through all, and in you all.”

There is “One Body,” the Body of the Church of God. We are all one, each with our own special gifts and callings, fitting together with each other to complete the needs of that body. We are all important, critical, and melded together for the purpose of sharing the Gospel to the hopeless. When one person moves away from the body it creates an empty spot. The Body will compensate and fill gaps, but it will never be the perfectly planned Body God intended until every person stands faithfully in their spot.

There is One Spirit, the Holy Spirit that came after Jesus ascended to Heaven (Acts 1:9-12), after spending time with the Disciples to prepare them for the journey that they were about to take. In the Second Chapter of Acts (Acts 2:1-4) the story explains of the first time the Holy Spirit descended upon the disciples and filled them with spiritual fire and a language we call Tongues. This new language was what the Disciples used when they prayed, which we continue to use today, the Heavenly Language of Angels. It is difficult to explain the intellectual and emotional feeling a person has when praying in Tongues, but once you have received that gift, walking away from it is very difficult.

There is One Hope of your Calling. Scripture tells of the many callings (1 Corinthians 12:27), administrations, and gifts in the Body of Christ. Some are major callings to the faith (Ephesians 4:8-12), and some are not (Galatians 5:22-23, Romans 12:6-15), but all are critically important to the Body of Christ. No two people exhibit those gifts in the same way; each reaches another person in a different way based on the gift they are best at.

There is One Lord, One God and creator of the entire universe, which includes every person. Scripture says that God knew us before the world was created. He had a specific plan for each and every person born to this world (Ephesians 1:4). Scripture says that when we were yet in our Mother’s womb He knew us (Jeremiah 1:5). He had a plan for us to fulfill, each and every one. He chose our parents and the environment in which we would live and grow. He chose for some of us to have physical challenges, mental challenges, and emotional challenges that would mold and build us into an integral part of the Body of Christ. Some of us may have only been brought to earth to stay a short time, and during that time we are called to impact the lives of many, many others. There were no errors, there are no errors, we are what He called us to be. Yes, man’s permission of Free Will can change our direction, but our end result will be God’s expected end.

There is One Faith, the Gospel of Jesus Christ (Romans 1:17). The Gospel directs us to live a life of holiness, bound in love, caring for others with compassion and sacrifice (Romans 12:10, Ephesians 4:32, Ephesians 4:2). We are to live honestly, with humility, causing no harm to others, caring for the widows, orphans, and the poor. We are to be the hands and feet of Jesus on earth. Through that faith, we believe that Jesus died for our sins and by believing on Him and His Gospel we will live with Him in eternity (John 3:16-17). No other faith is based solely upon forsaking self and living for the betterment of others.

There is One Baptism, the immersion of the believer in water as they proclaim their faith in God the Father, God the Son and God the Holy Ghost; sealed in the Name of Jesus. Baptism represents the burying of the person’s sins with Jesus Christ, cleansing them from their past lives. They become spiritually clean, receiving salvation and becoming a new creation.

There is One God and Father of all, who is above all, and through all, and in you all. It is God the Father who created all things and lives in Heavenly places. He resides in all things, including every human being, who is created in His image (Genesis 1:26-27), His image is the very compassion and spirit that brought the world into being. He is the essence of Love, Compassion, Reason, Anger, Fellowship, Relationship, and so much more. We are to worship Him and only Him (Exodus 20:3-5, Exodus 34:14, Isaiah 45:5). However, even though He has placed His image and attributes inside of each and every one of us, He has also given us the free will to follow Him or to completely reject Him – and choose to become a Pagan or any other religion that is against His teaching and will.

We choose, no one chooses for us. We decide whether we want to receive that precious gift of an amazing life, or the life of darkness and strife. We choose to remain in that darkness, or to walk away from it. The amazing thing is, if we choose the life of darkness, even after following the ways of truth, we only have to call out to God the Father in repentance, asking for forgiveness, and we are once again welcomed back into the life God designed for us at the beginning of the world. God the Father welcomes us back with open arms. What a remarkable gift. What an amazing God.

**A Journey Through Ephesians – Chapter 4, Part 2

Written by Linda J. Humes

4-24-2017

Exceedingly Abundantly Above

3 Sep

abundantly

“Now unto him that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that worketh in us, Unto him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus throughout all ages, world without end. Amen.”      Ephesians 3:20-21 (KJV)

Imagine something, anything, the biggest imagine that you have ever imagined.  God can do it.  In fact, God can do Exceedingly (“exceedingly; very; greatly; highly”), Abundantly (“an exceeding measure, something above the ordinary”), Above (“of place, above, beyond, across, or causal, for the sake of, instead, regarding; with the accusative superior to, more than”) anything that you can possibly imagine.  That’s huge!!

When I think about that, “Exceedingly Abundantly Above All That We Ask or Think,” I wonder how often we limit God in our prayers.  Our prayers are our direct connection to the Father, our personal relationship with Him, and how often are we holding back (Philippians 4:6)?  How often do we think, “Well, there are others who need His help more,” or “I don’t want to bother Him with something so small or trivial,” or “I’m not worthy of His personal attention.”  If that were the case why would this scripture be in the Bible for us to read and meditate on (1 Peter 5:7).  What if Hezekiah had decided that his desires weren’t worth of prayer (Isaiah 38:5), he would have missed out on 15 amazing years of life.

Can you imagine how spiritually powerful we would be if we addressed every need we have with this passage (James 5:16)?  Every prayer we send forward would reach the throne of God with power and confidence and expectancy.  Imagine the pleasure of the Father knowing that His children are stepping into His will and His realm to attack and issue that He can easily address (Matthew 21:22).

I remember hearing a story where a Pastor in Africa was praying for a Bicycle.  He prayed and prayed but nothing happened.  One day in prayer he asked God why his prayer had not been answered.  He heard God say, “You haven’t told me what kind you want.”  The Pastor then became very specific in the model and style and color of the bike he wanted, thinking previously that it was brash to be so specific.  Within a week God had put this Pastor on the heart of someone who bought the exact make, model and color that the Pastor had asked God for, including a basket on the front and a bell on the handlebars!!

God could have sent a rusty old bike that still worked, but He wanted to ”abundantly exceedingly above” bless the Pastor.  He was waiting for the Pastor to recognize that God was big enough for specifics.  He wanted the Pastor to believe that he was loved beyond measure.

Do we limit God?  Do we only ask for the minimal, expecting to receive just the basics of what we need?  Do we believe that God loves us more than we can even imagine and wants to bless us with the desires of our heart, not just the needs of the day (Psalm 37:4)?  Do we believe the promises of the Bible are for other people, important people, strong people of faith, but not a simple believer?

Scripture says to pray without ceasing (1 Thessalonians 5:16-18) and if you don’t know how to pray for your specific need, to pray in the spirit and your requests will reach the Father (Romans 8:26-27).

Put Him to the test.  Pray with a humble heart and watch God bring you more than you could have ever imagined.  It is for you.  It is for today.  “To Him Be The Glory.”  Amen!

** A Journey Through Ephesians – Chapter 3, Part 8

Written by Linda J Humes

12/19/2016

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Grounded In Love

2 Sep

love

“That Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith; to the end that ye, being rooted and grounded in love, may be strong to apprehend with all the saints what is the breadth and length and height and depth, and to know the love of Christ which passeth knowledge, that ye may be filled unto all the fulness of God.”  Ephesians 3:17-19 (ASV)

To fully understand the depth of the love of God is probably one of the most difficult things for a Christian, or anyone for that matter.  We sing songs of how He loves us, read scriptures about His love and stand on the promises of His love and compassion for us, but we really don’t understand the depth.  How can we?  How can we know a love so deep, so pure, or intense, that God sent His son to earth to teach us His perfect ways, knowing full well that His son would be tortured and killed?  Not just “killed,” but stripped naked, forced to carry His own device of death through crowds of angry, screaming people, put up on a cross on the hill called Golgatha, and left in the sun to die a death that we cannot even imagine the pain of.  God did that for us.  He did that for me.

I often tell my children that I love them more than they can understand or will understand until they have children of their own.  There is a depth of love between a parent, especially a mother, and a child, that can’t be explained in words – but I don’t think that I could love a group of people enough to take one of my children and commit them to torture and death so that the others could live.  Could you?  God did.

Scripture says that God knew us before the foundation of the world (Eph 1:4).  He knew the mistakes we would make, the doubts we would feel, the anger and people we would hurt, the moments that we would scream and curse at Him when things didn’t go well in our lives, and yet He loved us.  He didn’t just “love us,” He loved us with a love “which passeth understanding” (Phil 4:7).  That completely overwhelms me.

When I don’t spend time studying the Word, or on my knees in prayer, He sends His love in a cool breeze on a warm day, and a sky filled with beautiful stars on a dark night.  When I have moments of doubt in the foundations of my faith, He whispers words of peace and love in the night hours.  When I feel alone and lost, He shows me that He is always near me, guiding me, teaching me, setting my steps, never leaving me (Heb 13:5).

It is that love, that deep piercing love, that helps me get back on track.  It is that love that strengthens me after a trial and gives me the ability to reach out and help others that struggle in their own lives.  It is that love that helps me to “run with patience the race that is set before” me (2 Tim 12:1-2), the race of life, sharing the gospel while encouraging and strengthening the children of God.

It is the kind of love that people have for each other where you can’t spend enough time together, and when your loved one speaks, you sit perfectly still so that you don’t miss one word of what they have to say.  Yes, it is that kind of love.  Not a one-sided loved, but where God hangs onto my words and thoughts and feelings and desires, just as much as I hang onto His.  Yes, it is that kind of love, where we are “filled unto all the fulness of God.”  It is that kind of love.

** A Journey Through Ephesians – Chapter 3, Part 7

Written by Linda J. Humes

11-27-2016

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The Inward Man

1 Sep

Dove and hands

“For this cause I bow my knees unto the Father, from whom every family in heaven and on earth is named, that he would grant you, according to the riches of his glory, that ye may be strengthened with power through his Spirit in the inward man;”   Ephesians 3:14-16 (ASV)

I can’t remember a time when I didn’t know about God and Jesus.  I don’t know where I learned about them.  I don’t remember going to Sunday school, except when my paternal grandmother came to visit, until I was a teenager and my brother and I decided to go to different churches that we could walk to.  I don’t remember asking God into my heart or making a confession for Him to be my savior, it is possible that it happened and I just don’t remember, but I doubt it.  I do know one thing, from as young as I can remember, I talked to God and He talked back to me.

The reason I don’t think I said the sinner’s prayer as a child is because of how powerful the feeling was when I made that decision at the age of 38 at a Mario Murrillo Crusade.  It was an overwhelming and emotional event that swept over and through me like something that I have never felt before.  Peace, rest, knowledge, release, fire and a feeling that every trial that I had been through, and was currently going through, was all completely taken away and resolved.  The burden was no longer mine, but that of a big God who had all of the answers and was giving me the way to resolve the problem and deal with any lingering challenges through peace.  It was so different from the stress, fear and worry of all the years before.

My relationship was strong with God, but it didn’t become the strong force that it is today until after I received the Baptism of the Holy Spirit.  That day, that receiving, completely changed my life and opened my mind, body and soul to a whole new spiritual realm that I cannot explain to another; it is truly something that must be experienced.  Scripture came to life.  The confusion of the King James Language was gone and the words easy to read and understand.  Bible study was a joy and I spent most of my waking hours in the Bible and in study books, helping me understand how the Old Testament and the New Testament came together.  Types and Shadows.  The history of the Old Testament and how the lives of the Patriarchs became the basis and foundation of the life of Jesus, the Disciples, and Apostles that followed Him.

The Inward Man.  The place where the Spirit dwells, once we invite Him in. It is also the place where free will rests.  It is a holding ground of potential, and it is a place where only we can open up to outside influences, both good and bad.  I suspect that my Inward Man was protected by the many prayers of my grandmother, aunts and uncles during the time when I didn’t know any better.  It was the place that called to my brother and I to look for a place to worship and seek God.  It was a fallow ground that needed to be prepared for my decision to be a pastor and share the gospel.

Many do not make the same decision that I did, they fill their Inner Man with self-love, greed, addictions, and occultic activities, those become their soul foundation.  Their chosen Inward Man pulls them into things that keep them from peace, rest and true love.  I suspect that there are times, as we grow up, that we all fill our Inward Man with things that should not be there, things that we need to release.  The wonderful thing about our Inward Man, is that we have the ability to cleanse what should not be there and refill it with the things God meant for us to have.  We can, if we will.

The Apostle Paul’s prayer of this scripture is that we would make the choice to follow the Father, cleansing out any poor choices that we have made in the past, and receive the “riches of glory” through the acceptance of the Holy Spirit into our lives, strengthening our Inward Man.  What a powerful prayer that so many have received and walked in.  I cannot explain the difference of having the Baptism of the Holy Spirit.  I comes with signs and wonders.  It comes with miracles and answered prayers.  It comes with peace, joy and understanding.  It comes with a little bit of Jesus living inside of us.  It comes with Love!

** A Journey Through Ephesians  –  Chapter 3, Part 6

By Linda J. Humes

Written 5-18-2016

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Your Glory

31 Aug

Worn Out Tires

Wherefore I ask that ye may not faint at my tribulations for you, which are your glory. Ephesians 3:13

Tribulations are not something new.  Tribulations have been around as long as man was created.  Adam and Eve faced tribulations after being removed from the Garden of Eden, after they disobeyed the instructions of God.  Tribulations can be many things, and may be completely different to each individual person.  To one person a tribulation may be a sickness, drugs, poverty, a learning disability, or something that greatly impacts their immediate everyday life.  To a nation Tribulations could be wars, natural disasters, or the potential of devastating decisions to be made.  One year, for me, it was a limited income and a car in desperate need of tires.

I went out one day and found my back tire completely flat.  After one of the boys put my spare on I headed in to work, realizing that the poor tire that had just been taken off was in no shape to go back on.  The metal bands were worn through the rubber, and nothing could be done to convince it to hold air again.

A few days later I went to the local tire shop and asked them to look at the tire, as well as the others, and assess the problem.  I knew my checkbook did not hold enough for a new tire, the spare would have to do for a while, but I wanted to know what the cost was going to be to replace all of them, as soon as I had enough money to make the purchase.  My goodness, I wasn’t prepared for the cost of tires.

They put the worse tire on the back, opposite the spare.  I told them I would be back as soon as I could to replace it.  They encouraged me to come back as soon as possible because they were concerned about it blowing out on my hour trip to or from work each day.  I also told them that as soon as I could I would replace the front tires which were in bad shape as well.

I went back a few weeks later and purchased one back tire, then a few weeks later I purchased another back tire and put the spare back into the trunk.  I told them that I would not be able to buy another tire for at least a month.  They thought, if I was very careful, that I might be able to drive on the front 2 for a month, but not any longer.  Four months later I returned and purchased the last 2.  I sat and waited in their customer area and when the car was complete I went up to the cash register to complete my transaction.  There were 4 people watching me.  I greeted them and one of them asked what I did every day when I drove my car.  I told them that when I got into my car every day I thanked the Lord for the blessing of the car and asked for grace to get to work and home again without a problem.  I asked them why they wanted to know and the same man stated, “Because there is no way that those tires should have been holding air.  We are completely shocked that you were able to drive in here!”  All of the rest nodded in agreement.  “I serve a wonderful and miraculous God,” I told them, “and I am forever grateful for what He does for me every day.”

They watched me leave the building and get into my car.  I thanked God for the blessing of my car, and I thanked Him for the miracle that kept me on the road until I had the money to replace those old worn out tires.  The tribulation became my “glory” because I never gave up.  John Wesley said that your glory is “Not fainting” when things become tough.  Glory means beauty, ornament, distinction and pride.  Our standing in faith, taking everything to prayer:  “Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints;” Ephesians 6:18 (KJV), gives God a sense of pride over our trust and faithfulness.

I certainly don’t recommend living recklessly and expecting God to get you out of situations that you could have avoided.  There’s a scripture about that, it says:  Ye shall not tempt the LORD your God, as ye tempted Him in Massah.”  Deuteronomy 6:16 (KJV).  But when you have no other means of solving a problem, leaning on God through prayer and supplication will have profound and amazing results.  Our God is mighty to answer in ways that can only be done by Him.

Lord, I thank You that You are always with me, listening to my joys, fears, pain, and desires.  I thank You that when I am in situations that I cannot control, You are there to keep a watchful eye and bring miracles when they are needed.  I can never thank You enough for all you do.  I can only promise to do my best to make myself available for anything You ask me to do.  I am forever Yours.

(stock photo, not actual tire)

 ** A Journey Through Ephesians – Chapter 3, Part 5

Written by Linda J. Humes

4-17-2016

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The Manifold Wisdom of God

30 Aug

“to the intent that now unto the principalities and the powers in the heavenly places might be made known through the church the manifold wisdom of God, according to the eternal purpose which he purposed in Christ Jesus our Lord: in whom we have boldness and access in confidence through our faith in him.” Ephesians 3:10-12 (ASV)

When I read this scripture I had a hard time understanding what it was saying.  I felt the key was the Manifold Wisdom, but the true key was the Principalities and Powers.  How many times do we read through something and miss the true point?  We pick up on the flash and leave the foundation.  But God, in His infinite wisdom, can redirect and enlighten us to what He is truly saying.  Please read the reference above again.  Principalities and Powers in HEAVENLY PLACES.

Have you ever thought much about Angels?  We are surrounded by angels constantly.  Angels of light, guiding us toward our call, toward understanding, and away from danger.  Angels of darkness, tempting us toward things we have a weakness for, leading us toward destruction.  Angels, waiting for our prayers to direct them, to release them, to banish them.  Ever present, ever ready.

I didn’t understand the full extent of their power until I grasped this scripture last night.  The Principalities and the Powers in Heavenly Places (Angels of Light) are to be known through the Church (of Jesus Christ) the Manifold (many, multifaceted, multifarious) Wisdom OF GOD.  They hold the unfathomable wisdom of God, given to them to help us walk our path every day.  They were given the wisdom to help us to our Eternal Purpose (salvation unto eternal life) as was purposed in Christ Jesus our Lord (given to us through His crucifixion at Calvary), in whom we have Boldness and Confidence through our Faith in Him.

Immediately I see the Heavenly Host of Angels surrounding the Virgin Mary, her husband Joseph, and the tiny baby in the manger, Jesus Christ our Lord.  The Angels guided Mary and Joseph along their path to Bethlehem (Matt 2:13-15) and to the Inn that had no more rooms.  They guided them to a humble, yet secure location to birth the fragile and innocent babe.  The Angels called to the Shepherds to come and see, and called to the Wise Men months before the birth, and then guided them with a Star as they drew closer (Luke 2:8-20).

Jesus speaks of the Angels that surrounded Him and that could remove Him from the cross and bring destruction to those who chose to do Him harm (Matt 26:53).  Angels that walked with Him every day from the moment He was placed in Mary’s womb (Luke 1:26-38).  Angels that guarded and protected Him in the manger.  Angels that taught Him and guided Him as He grew in wisdom and bantered with the Priests and Pharisees in the temple when He was just a child.  Angels that ministered to Him after his 40 days in the wilderness while tempted by Satan (Matt 4:11).  Angels that walked every step with Him in His earthly Ministry, in His beatings and torture.  Angels that surrounded Him as he hung on the cross, waiting for any word from Him to change the circumstance.  Angels that watched the tomb He was placed in and explained His absence after the stone had been rolled away (John 20:12).

I don’t worship Angels, no one should.  I am thankful that Angels have been in my life helping me to find the way to Jesus, helping me learn the scriptures and to reflect the fruits of the Spirit.  Angels still surround me and my daily life, but my teachings and guidance comes from the Holy Spirit.  I wonder if they rejoiced when I received the Baptism of the Holy Spirit.  I expect they did.  I expect that every time I have a spiritual breakthrough they rejoice again.

I thank God for giving us Angels to watch over and guide us as He draws us closer and closer to Him.  I am thankful that we have the free will to choose which Angels we will follow, and that God gives us the strength to decide His path, even in times of great temptation.  I am thankful that we grow in boldness and confidence in our faith each and every day, through our relationship with God.

Please God, never let me forget that every person I may meet could be an Angel (Heb 13:2), and that my words and actions toward them could be to honor or to dishonor You.  I choose honor.  I choose You.

** A Journey Through Ephesians:  Chapter 3, Part 4

Written by Linda J. Humes

12-18-2015

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The Unsearchable Riches of Christ

29 Aug

riches-gold-coins-chest 

“whereof I was made a minister, according to the gift of that grace of God which was given me according to the working of his power. Unto me, who am less than the least of all saints, was this grace given, to preach unto the Gentiles the unsearchable riches of Christ; and to make all men see what is the dispensation of the mystery which for ages hath been hid in God who created all things;”   Ephesians 3:7-9

Riches.  There’s a tricky and intriguing word.  Riches means many different things to different people.  To an orphan in Haiti it could mean a meal on the table 3 times a day. To a tribesman in Africa it could mean a goat, a half-dozen chickens and a small vegetable garden.  To a homeless families on the streets of New York it could mean a place to live with running water, bed, blankets, electricity, food in the refrigerator and clean clothing.  To a businessman in California it could mean a six-figure job, a large house, a new car and money to travel and play.

Most kids dream of growing up and being rich.  I did.  My idea of being rich was that I was going to have 10 cats and a big house and every cat was going to have its own room AND I was going to have a full-sized popcorn wagon in my living room so I could have fresh popcorn any time I wanted.  I had it ALL figured out.

Thankfully, my dream did not come true.  I have 3 cats, none of which I chose to be part of the family, and I make popcorn on the stove in a big skillet; the best popcorn in the world.  It seems like kids dreams of riches hit reality right about 2nd to 3rd grade and our priorities change with circumstances.  That’s because at that age all that they can really grasp is physical realities of riches.  There is so much more.

My definition of rich changed repeatedly over a course of many years, seasoned with life challenges.  I always felt rich when I had my children, a home, the resources to care for them, and a car that always started.  Rich was “I Love You” at bedtime and hand-drawn pictures on the refrigerator.  Rich was being wanted and needed.  Then I met Christ.

How can we express or explain the “Riches of Christ?”  In Ephesians 3:8, KJV says the “Unsearchable Riches.”  The Message calls it the “Inexhaustible Riches and Generosity” of Christ.  NLT says the “Endless Treasures” of Christ.  Something so big, so vast, so “Rich” that it can hardly be explained in words.  It is something tangible, but it is also something that can only be felt and experienced.  It is something so pure, so true, so unexplainable, that we often fail to recognize it as a “Richness.”  “Richness” is a gift given to the believer that has surrendered his life to Christ, it is all of the promises of God (Phil 4:19, Prov 10:22, 2 Cor 9:8).

Ephesians 1:18 (KJV) says “The eyes of your understanding being enlightened; that ye may know what is the hope of his calling, and what the riches of the glory of his inheritance in the saints,”  God wants us to understand what the gifts are that He has placed before us.  Every gift is written clearly in the scriptures.  God gave us everything we need to understand and receive these precious gifts.

Isaiah 45:3 says we have hidden “Riches” in the secret places.  These would include peace, rest, grace, mercy, and pardon.  In Luke, God sent the Holy Spirit (to lead and guide us) and a promise of our Daily Bread (food for the soul).  Jesus brought healing (body, soul, spirit) and left the healing gifts to be continued by the Apostles and on to the saints of today.  In 2 Chronicles he brought us wisdom, knowledge and salvation.  God says He will cleanse us whiter than snow (Isaiah 1:18).  We were given the gift of prayer and the answer to those prayer (Hebrews 8:26).  And the most valuable gifts of all, the gifts of Salvation and Eternal Life (John 3:16-17).  We were given these gifts of God (Ecclesiastes 5:19), the Riches of Christ, for the price of faith and belief.  Nothing more.

So, what is my definition of being Rich today, since I have lived a life dedicated to Christ?  I would say being Rich would be having a strong faith, good health, loving children, daily provision, and the knowledge, wisdom and understanding of the scriptures as they apply to my life.  I think being Rich is also being able to share those Riches with other people.

** A Journey Through Ephesians, Chapter 3, Part 3

Written by Linda J. Humes

11-13-2015

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The Promise In Jesus Christ

28 Aug

Mystery

(The Mystery) “which in other generation was not made known unto the sons of men, as it hath now been revealed unto his holy apostles and prophets in the Spirit; to wit, that the Gentiles are fellow-heirs, and fellow-members of the body, and fellow-partakers of the promise in Christ Jesus through the gospel,” Ephesians 3:5-6

We all love a good mystery. We are given a certain set of facts and circumstances and we try to figure out why and how something “did” happen, or is “about” to happen.

I was late in dedicating my life to God and the ministry. I always knew about God, I prayed all the time, I talked to Him and He talked to me, but I never made the personal commitment and dedication of my life to study and ministry until I was 38 years old.

Nine months after my commitment, I made the decision to leave my job of 19+ years, work part time, and dedicate my time to Biblical study and Kingdom Ministry. I worked from home and learned to balance my schedule which included my 5-year-old son, work, study, and prayer. Unfortunately, my income barely covered my bills. Trips anywhere were carefully calculated and groceries purchases were tough. God provided for us in very unusual and “mysterious” ways.

One day, my next door neighbor came by with several big boxes of dented cans; no labels. He had heard that we were struggling and wanted to help. He wasn’t sure what was in each can, only that it was food. We gratefully thanked him and started our new adventures of “mystery meals!” My son would choose 2 cans every night and whatever was inside was dinner. We had many good laughs over green beans and peaches, or spinach and pears.

One day a friend brought us several packages of deer meat from his previous year’s hunt as he had just been successful in the current year hunt and needed the freezer space. Mystery dinner with a deer roast!

I remember sitting at the table, finished blessing the food, and took a bite of the roast. It was wonderful. Then the big smile on my face quickly turned to tears as I said, “Lord, forgive me, I’m eating Bambi!” For the first time I heard God laugh. It wasn’t a little snicker or chuckle, it was a full belly laugh. I figured that must have meant that it was okay to eat, we enjoyed that meal for days. A “mystery” with a delightful blessing.

I find it odd that they call the acceptance of all people into God’s family as a Mystery (Col 1:26). God created all men and women. There are examples of non-Jews all through the Bible that found favor with God as they followed His ways and blessed His servants. All people were born from the lineage of Eve (Gen 3:20). All came from the lineage of Noah (Gen 9:1, 18-19). Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, the Tribes that became Jerusalem, all started from the same lineage.

The question I struggle with is, how did everyone and everything get separated out to begin with? People made decisions, choices and cultures based upon their physical locations. Circumstances and events separated them, and somehow the nations and “religions” changed with it (Gen 10:5). One bad decision led to another, a door was opened to evil, father-son-mother-daughter at war within the family and with others in their country. Boom, the divisions occurred – Jews and Gentiles. It was never meant to be that way. It was a condition of the heart. It was a condition of the soul. It was the consequence of free will.

In Ephesians, the Apostles are trying to explain how all people, Jew and Gentile, were God’s children and all have the opportunity at eternal life, with their acceptance of Jesus Christ. ALL PEOPLE. No preferences of peoples or tribes. No more divisions. Back to the way God intended it to be from the beginning. Mystery solved.

Thank you for loving us and tucking us back under Your wings when we stray (Ps 91:4). Thank you for the mysteries in life and the abilities You give us to solve them and move past them. Thank you God for believing in me and breaking down the walls men put up, so many years ago, as I was born a Gentile, but grafted back into Your kingdom by grace.

** A Journey Through Ephesians – Chapter 3, Part 2

Written by Linda J. Humes

11-7-2015

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A DISPENSATION OF GRACE

27 Aug

Grace

“For this cause I Paul, the prisoner of Christ Jesus in behalf of you Gentiles,– if so be that ye have heard of the dispensation of that grace of God which was given me to you-ward; how that by revelation was made known unto me the mystery, as I wrote before in few words, whereby, when ye read, ye can perceive my understanding in the mystery of Christ;”  Ephesians 3:1-4 (ASV)

To say that I’ve had memory issues over the last 7 months would be an understatement.  The day-to-day activities became day-to-day challenges. Luckily, when I was working, I was so organized in my responsibilities that the deficiency wasn’t as noticeable.  At home, not so much.

Just this last week I was shocked to receive alerts from my bank that I had overdrawn my account, something that has not happened in so many years that I can’t recall the last time it happened.  I have always been very diligent in making sure that I had enough in the account to make it through the month, not with a wide margin, but a safe one.

When I checked with the bank it was clear what I had done . . . . eeerrr, not done.  I had paid 2 medical bills that I forgot to log into my register.  Goodness.  I was so frustrated with myself and my memory issues.  On top of the checks, the bank charged an overdraft fee (adding insult to injury!).  I was beside myself.  I knew that I could not cover these expenses.

I called the bank and explained the problem.  I had sent my son to the bank with what cash I had, it covered the overage, but not the bank fee.  I asked the bank if there was any way to waive the fee since I had a deposit in prior to the overdraft charge going against my account.  They said they would talk it over and call me back.  It was now in the hands of the bank. I said a prayer.

A few hours later I received a call from the bank.  Grace!  They had given me a one-time waiver for the bank fee.  I had received grace at the hands of strangers.  I didn’t deserve it, I made the error, it was completely my fault.

Grace.  If the bank had not honored my request my account would have gathered additional charges every day for another 6 days.  My banking account would have been seriously jeopardized and I likely would not have been able to meet all of my obligations the following month.  Grace.

God’s grace makes this wonderful event pale by example.  God’s grace covers the sins of a murderer, at the moment of repentance, forgiving the horrendous and accepting the person into eternal life.  God’s grace forgives the sins of a nation that has forsaken Him, when only a handful stand in repentance for their land, protecting them against the attacks of the enemy.

God’s grace took ALL people, Jew and Gentile, and made them equal in His eyes, by their acceptance of His Son, Jesus Christ – the great “Mystery.”  Such a simple concept.  Grace.  How can we ever thank Him enough?

** A Journey Through Ephesians – Chapter 3, Part 1

Written by Linda J. Humes

10-25-2015

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