Tag Archives: God

Into Every Hand

27 Nov

Into every person’s hand,

God brings life.

Sometimes they are the children of our passion;

Sometimes the children of our compassion;

Sometimes the hopes and dreams of our soul.

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And with the honor comes obligation;

to breathe truth, to breathe love,

to breathe hope, to breathe light,

into that life.

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With the guard of ministering angels, life can grow.

But tempted by the guard of the fallen,

they find anger, they find strife,

they embrace perversion.

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We choose their angels, in their toddler years;

They choose their angels, in their teens;

All choose again, in the maturing of life.

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Where have we sent them, these precious lives?

What have we shown them?

What example have we set?

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Do the angels of our light,

war with the angels of their darkness;

Or do the angels of our darkness,

strive to drive away the angels of their light?

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Into every hand, God places the gift of life.

Some are the children of our passion;

Some are the children of our compassion;

Some are the hopes and dreams,

of our soul.

Written By Linda J. Humes

10-11-98

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Dear Friends

25 Oct

”Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.” 2 Timothy 2:15 (KJV)

We all have memories; some wonderful, some good, some bad, some nightmare grade. We don’t dwell on those memories, unless we get together with family and friends and the “remember when\s” start up. Once in a while something triggers a memory that takes you back; a smell, a touch, a glance at something similar, or maybe a dream.

I was looking at my one bookcase of books and study materials that remain in my small home. Books have always been dear friends to me. They took me away on incredible adventures, or to a world I would never be able to see in person. They answered questions that no one nearby could reasonably explain. They helped me see into the heart, mind or soul of a person, place or event; some imaginary, some real. They inspired me to think!

If it was a story book or a poetry book, the pages had to stay clean and unwrinkled. No folded corners or marks, except for a date on the front page indicating when I had read it, and my name and address if I had loaned it out. If it was a study book, the pages would be highlighted and notes in the columns and sides of the page of thoughts to remember. Notes to teach from, notes to write from. Books – dear friends and precious teachers.

Those memories that I spoke of are the root of every writer’s story. The memory that started this piece was how much I loved the first day of school. Stepping through the classroom door and smelling the fresh coat of wax on the floor, the stack of freshly sharpened pencils, the inky smell of the tan/brown paper with stout royal blue lines, and a new textbook. The first thing I would do is open the book and put my face deep into the pages, breathing in the rich printing press smell. Dear friends that take me far away from the trials and the challenges of today and into a place of hope and promise. Dear friends that took me places I could not go to and taught me things I did not know.

A little over a year ago I moved into the smallest house I’ve had. I made the decision not to keep a library. I kept my one bookcase of materials to teach and counsel from. I have been on an incredible faith journey since March 1988, when I met Jesus in an intimate and personal way. Books have helped me along the way.

I thank you Lord, for the words you have placed in people’s hearts to share with the world. Words they may never realize made a difference in the lives of others. Words of a tale, words of a concept, words of history, or words of encouragement, helping us to step forward a little stronger every day. Thank you, I am truly grateful.

——– Update:

Since this writing in 2012 I have moved into a much smaller home – and rebuilt my library. Not as large as it once was, but delightfully larger, and hope to build bookcases in my second bedroom to accommodate these books and more to come!!!

Written by Linda J. Humes

10-21-2012

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The Gift of Christ

2 Oct

But unto each one of us was the grace given according to the measure of the gift of Christ. Wherefore he saith, When he ascended on high, he led captivity captive, And gave gifts unto men. Ephesians 4:7-8

In America gifts are a big thing – Christmas, Birthdays, Anniversaries, Easter, Mother’s Day, Father’s Day, Graduations, and so many others. As heartfelt as each of these gifts are they are often discarded, given away, or tossed out with time. Few remain as treasured heirlooms as cultures and tastes change. They are temporal.

My favorite gifts as a mom have come in a HUG, an “I LOVE YOU,” a smile, and a prayer. The blessings of love, deep from the heart. More precious than gold. My gifts came in chubby little fists from the front yard or a neighboring field – a dandelion, flowering weed, beautiful rock, a regifted toy car or a project made in school or Sunday school. Treasures of love, spilling over with pride. I still have nearly all of them! These are treasures from my family, but there are Gifts more precious, more valuable, that never fade with memory or time, they are eternal! These are the Gifts of Christ (Ephesians 4:7-8).

Each and every person who has received Jesus into their heart receives what are called Salvation Gifts. These are gifts from the Father for our individual lives, specifically designed for each person and the life they have lived. God gives each and every confessed believer: Access to Him, Adoption into the Kingdom, a Free Basic Life, a Church Family, Faith, Forgiveness, Grace, Healing, Heaven, Hope, Joy, Mercy, Motivation to do more, Peace, Power, Prayer, Purpose, Salvation, Sanctification, Separation from the world, a place to Serve, Sonship, Subjection to the benefits of the Kingdom, and Understanding of the Suffering of Christ. These aren’t earned gifts, these are freely given to every believer.

As wonderful as these gifts are they are only the beginning of what each believer can receive, if they choose to go further in their walk with Christ. Each and every person, whether they become a believer or not, have been called from birth to a Spiritual Gift and a Calling in the Kingdom, it is their choice whether they will accept Jesus and receive the Gifts and Callings awaiting them, working towards the skills necessary to receive them.

The gifts that follow the Salvation Gifts are received when we begin walking out our faith as requested by The Father. As we grow and understand our belonging in the Body of Christ we find ourselves living out the Fruits of the Spirit: Faithfulness, Forbearance, Gentleness, Goodness, Joy, Kindness, Love, Peace, and Self-Control (Galatians 5:22-23, John 15:16). We find our lives are being molded by the examples God gave to each an every one of us and we “gentle” in our thoughts and behaviors. As we walk out the Fruits of the Spirit we see a difference in how we perceive things, how we interface with others, a calm enters our lives and the strife of daily life seems to dissipate (Ephesians 4:1-6, Jeremiah 29:11).

If a believer chooses to go deeper into the study of God in their faith walk, and they choose to receive the Baptism of the Holy Ghost, they may receive one or more of the 9 Gifts of the Holy Spirit (1 Corinthians 12:7-11). These are assigned by God to individuals based upon the depth of their faith and their specific abilities to handle those powerful gifts and accomplish the assignment they are given for each individual they are sent to, when that individual is needing a specific deep touch of the Holy Sprit. There are 3 aspects of these 9 gifts, the Revelation Gifts, the Power Gifts, and the Inspiration Gifts. Within these Gifts are the Gift of Discerning of the Spirits (R), the Gift of Faith (P), the Gift of Tongues (I), the Gift of Healing (P), the Gift of Interpretation of Tongues (I), the Gift of Knowledge (R), the Gift of Prophecy (I), the Gift of Wisdom (R), and the Gift of Working of Miracles (P). These Gifts are given to a chosen group of people, not for their own benefit, but to help build up other church members when they in times of illness, turmoil and confusion.

Some believers are given the gift of a specific Calling, ordained before their birth, by God the Father. These are those called to the 5 fold ministry (Ephesians 4:11). These are those who will become: Apostles, Evangelists, Pastors, Prophets, and Teachers. These ordinations require deep study specifically in the arena of the ministries that they have been called to. The believer working towards this area of ministry must have a the strength, determination, and abilities fitted to the particular position they are working towards. These positions require the Baptism of the Holy Spirit and the manifestation of the Gifts of the Holy Spirit. These are the deepest Gifts and Callings of the body of the Church.

There are Gifts known as Callings. Positions that God has been preparing us to receive all of our lives, even though we may not have recognized them. Callings are positions in the church that meet the needs of every area of the church and the people of the community that the church witnesses too. These are the back-up support positions for the 5 Fold Ministry and serve as a critical foundation for all the 5 Fold Ministry is called to do. This could be a training arena for those who are called to the 5 Fold Ministry, but haven’t had the hands on experience to take a fulltime position. These Callings/Gifts include: Administrations, Apostleship, Celibacy, Charity, Craftsmanship, Evangelism, Exhortation, Giving, Hospitality, Intercession, Leadership, Martyrdom, Pastorship, Prophetic, Serving, Special Graces, Spiritual Writing, Teaching, and Witnessing.

What God has given to each and every believer, the Gifts of Christ, are gifts that give and give and give, becoming more and more valuable each day. They aren’t gifts that we keep, they are gifts that we give away through our every day workings in the body of the church. They aren’t tangible gifts, they are Spiritual gifts, sent through us to a specific person for a specific time and place, to encourage and enable them to take these particular gifts forward to another. Building up each other along the way (Romans 12:4).

These are Anointed gifts of Life, and Breath, and Hope, and Peace, and a Spiritual Assignment in the body and family of God. These are precious gifts that never deteriorate, never go out of style, never diminish or fade. These are gifts assigned by the Holy Spirit as we mature in our faith in Christ, given to us to help others receive their gifts and assignments “all these worketh the one and the same Spirit, dividing to each one severally even as he will.” (1 Corinthians 12:11). All Gifts and Callings, working together through the Holy Spirit, each person given a specific role, if they will receive it, to accomplish the works of God on this earth (Romans 11:29).

Pray to hear God’s Gifts and Callings for your life. Meet with your Pastor or Church Counselor to begin the steps of preparation for where God has called you to. Are you ready? Your Gifts are awaiting! (Isaiah 6:8-9, 1 Corinthians 7:17, 2 Peter 1:10)

The Damascus Road – A Journey Through Ephesians – Chapter 4, Part 3

Written by Linda J. Humes

9-27-2023

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LETTING GO

24 Sep

Linda's Bible 9-10-15

Cast thy burden upon the Lord, and he shall sustain thee: he shall never suffer the righteous to be moved.  Psalm 55:22 KJV

I have a big Bible, Giant Print.  The kind that is so easy to read that you spend all of your study time in it, but so big and bulky that you never it carry it to Church Services or study classes.  It’s the big lunky study Bible, with pages falling out, and bled through highlighting (often making it difficult to figure out which side of the page held the vast important Rhema message of the moment).  The Bible with the pictures of loved ones, their needs written on the back.  The Bible with the prayer lists from years back and notes from a special sermon, dog-eared and marked from hours of digging.  It’s the one with the family tree, the births and deaths, the baptism dates, salvation dates, and the day my son uttered in tongues for the first time.

The Bible I use as a pillow when I pray myself to sleep while walking through the valley.  The one with coffee stains made one excited morning when God met our need, when we once more stood high upon the mountain.  The one with every promise underlined and Psalm 23 in the upper left hand column of the right page.

You know which one I mean.  We all have one.  Mine has become so very special to me.  It is the first thing packed in my suitcase and the first thing removed when I arrive at my destination.  It’s the first thing I read in the morning and the last thing I read at night, no matter where I travel.

Recently I took it to a Woman’s Retreat.  Although it shared my study time in the chapel library and made a few trips to the pond, it didn’t go to the services.  It was much too important.  It holds, tucked carefully inside, my precious treasures.

As I was folding it up one morning, it slipped from my grip and dozens of papers fell out.  I carefully, gently, picked each one up and relived the emotions of the prayer requests or notes written thereon.  It was a wonderful lift in my faith as I realized that all but a few of those requests had already been fulfilled.  Years of requests ranging from what now seems so small, to what will always be overwhelming.  All needs and desires met by God’s mercy and grace.

When I had a request which seemed so large to my immediate circumstance, I wrote it down.  I told God that it was too big for me and I was tucking it in amongst His promises.  It was a time of humbling myself, admitting that I could not meet my own needs.  It was a time of letting go.

As I read through though those notes I saw where I had made notes and dates about when those needs were met.  Needs for groceries, met within a day.  Needs for a car, met within a month, free and clear.  Needs for a house, met within six months, free and clear.  Even the desire for fresh fruit when we had eaten food bank canned fruit for so long, met within an hour.  God knew just what to do.  He answered our needs exceedingly, abundantly above all I could have expected.

Is it a magic Bible?  A special prayer formula?  Special anointed paper?  An anointed pen?  NO!  It was stepping back and letting God fulfill the promises He so graciously gave us.  It was getting out of His way.  Our Blessed God who met all our needs, and a few simple desires  –  like the taste and texture of a fresh peach.  It was simply letting go.

Written By Linda J. Humes

6-30-1998

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Whose Flower

13 Sep

“. . . Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow; they toil not, neither do they spin:”   Matthew 6:28

I’m God’s favorite; I just know it.

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There it was, a beautiful purple Aster, growing all alone in a dry, brown field. Drought had hit Northern Arizona and the normally green fields and trees were brown and brittle. Yet there it was.

Its green leaves were brilliant against the brown. The purple flower faced diligently toward the sun, soaking in the warmth. I knew as I enjoyed its delicate beauty that God had sent it – just for me.

We had just moved to a small town, far from our church family of 10 years. I felt small in a large empty land; alone. All my years of ministry seemed to be sitting on a shelf and I was seeking God to know why He had planted us here and what He wanted us to do next.

There was His answer – in a barren field. Bloom where you’re planted. Become a flower in the desert with your eyes only on the Son. There I can use you to touch My hurting children.

Thank you Father, for never forgetting who we are. Thank you Father that you love your children so very much. Thank you Father for gifts, physical and spiritual – just when we need them. Thank you Father for planting me where You need me most. Let me always remain your humble servant.

My, My. Whose flower will I be?

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Written By Linda J. Humes

11/25/2002

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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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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 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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By One Spirit

25 Aug

flames of fire from angel

“And (Christ Jesus) came and preached peace to you which were afar off, and to them that were nigh. For through him we both have access by one Spirit unto the Father.” Ephesians 2:17-18

The Bible speaks of many aspects of “spirits” and events related to them. 1 John 4:1-3 tells us to test the “Spirit” to see if the words being spoken to you are of the “Spirit” of God, the “Spirit” of a false prophet or the “Spirit” of the antichrist. Mark 1:23-26 speaks of an unclean “Spirit” (demon) being cast out of a man by Jesus, and “tearing him” as it left. Matt 12:43-44 and Luke 11:24 speak of unclean “Spirits” (demons) being cast out of a person, but if the person does not fill their body, soul, and “Spirit” with the word of God and a clean living, those unclean “Spirits” will return with seven more and take back over the person.

1 Samuel 16:14 speaks of Saul. Saul had turned his back on God and had become very jealous of David (who would be King). Saul tried to destroy David on many occasions, only to fail. This scripture states “But the Spirit of the LORD departed from Saul, and an evil spirit from the LORD troubled him.” I find this passage to be very unsettling. Can a person be anointed by God to rule a land, or pastor a church, or care for a flock, with the “Spirit” of God leading them, and then fall so deep into deception that God removes His anointing and replaces it with an evil “Spirit?” Based upon this scripture the answer would be “yes.” No man, however powerful he may be, is untouchable by the hand of God. One day a King, the next day a mad man, filled with evil “Spirits.”

But, our hope is in the second chapter of Acts, the day of Pentecost. The day when the “Spirit” of God came down on the 12 disciples, praying all together in one accord, since the day of the crucifixion of Jesus. Acts 2:2-4: “And suddenly there came a sound from heaven as of a rushing mighty wind, and it filled all the house where they were sitting. And there appeared unto them cloven tongues like as of fire, and it sat upon each of them. And they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and began to speak with other tongues, as the “Spirit” gave them utterance.” After that day they became a mighty team, sharing the gospel, praying for the sick, and on that very day of Pentecost, by the powerful words working through them, they received the commitment to the Gospel of 3000 people, baptizing them in the Name of Jesus. Glory!

The group broke away into teams and traveled all over the kingdom to preach the gospel and share the ministry of Jesus. In our Ephesian passage, Paul takes us back to the works of Jesus and the gift we all have through Him. His powerful words give us strength to continue forward, knowing that God has our very interest in His hand.

And (Christ Jesus) came and preached peace to you which were afar off, and to them that were nigh. For through him (Jesus) we both have access by one Spirit (Holy Spirit) unto the Father (God). Ephesians 2:17-18

No matter how far we have strayed away, He will send someone to find us and show us the way back. If we are near to God but hurting, He will send someone with a word of comfort and strength. If we have allowed evil “Spirits” to enter out life, He will send the Holy “Spirit” to cleanse us and provide a new avenue through prayer, directly to the throne room. And through it all, no matter how far we have fallen away, if we pray, believing, the Holy “Spirit” will deliver our prayers directly to the ear of God.

A Journey Through Ephesians – Chapter 2, Part 8

Written by Linda J. Humes

6-21-2015

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