A Mustard Seed of Hope

I just want to start this blog out by saying, ALL PRAISE, GLORY, HONOR, POWER, DOMINION, WORSHIP and THANKSGIVING be to ABBA FATHER YAHWEH GOD!

It’s such a beautiful experience to see and behold Abba working in Ways that show forth His love and care for His children in our day to day lives. Many times we miss just how much He is putting things together where our physical eyes cannot see nor our ears hear. Especially if we have much of the world coming in with it’s loud noise and clatter from the tv, to the internet and whatever else seeks to enter in and blind us to His hand upon on our lives. When we come more and more into that place of being sanctified unto Abba by His Spirit in intimacy, allowing Him to teach and reprove us with His Word, shutting out the world, crucifying our flesh and fixing our gaze on JESUS throughout the day. Then we CANNOT miss just how wondrous and glorious our Abba is to reveal and show Himself strong in our weakness. For such is humility. To be made low by the very fact that we are weak (limited) and can’t do anything of our own accord and recognize and glory in Abba’s strength. What makes this union and fellowship with Abba so precious is when His own come together in the fellowship of the Spirit where we go beyond praying for ourselves to praying and ministering His Life to each other. 

Phil 2:3 

[Let] nothing [be done] through strife or vainglory; but in lowliness of mind let each esteem other better than themselves.

Unlike the social kind of gatherings we see in the churches that glory not in Abba Father, but in their own glory and fleshly appetites. Netty, Mike and I have been praying for some months now. We continue to be enriched, challenged and stirred in our spirit by  digging into His Word and prayer together. We not only pray for one another, but for our families, our brothers and sisters in Christ and whatever else Abba puts on our heart. This has always been the kind of fellowship with His Body I have longed and desired for that are in some of the songs given to me by the Holy Spirit.

Now onto “A Mustard Seed of Hope"........
I asked Netty to start this out so you can read how this all came together

Netty's Leading of Spirit: Abba put a burden on my heart to pray fervently for Billy. He showed me that He was going to be shaking Billy’s life violently, in both a spiritual and natural means. Comfort zones would be shaken and idols that had stood between he and God. Things that were filling a spiritual void.

There is more to this that is personal in nature, involving a man who does not understand the unconditional love of a “Father.”

I felt impressed that God wanted to reveal Himself in a very awesome way to Billy. After hearing of almost two months of him not catching any fish, the other evening Abba showed me that He was going to be dealing with this fishing idol, and the fishing of Billy was going to have a whole new perspective to it! God was going to take that idol, crush it, and begin to inhabit the throne room of Billy heart like never before.

This would begin with a mustard seed of “faith” and “hope.”

So it began! And Abba began to reveal to me two colors “green” and “reddish brown.” I was impressed that the color green was the key to this story, but in this human vessel we often hear in part. So the questions began on Skype as follows.

[4/15/2011 10:12:44 PM] Netty Daniel: How many poles or rods does Billy have? and does he have a green one?

[4/15/2011 10:15:26 PM] Netty Daniel: 8-)

[4/15/2011 10:16:16 PM] Linda: lol

[4/15/2011 10:16:34 PM] Netty Daniel: seriously, does he have a green fishing rod?

[4/15/2011 10:19:20 PM] Linda: I dont know

[4/15/2011 10:19:25 PM] Linda: he has several

[4/15/2011 10:19:32 PM] Linda: he doesnt either

[4/15/2011 10:19:40 PM] Linda: well more like 12 rods

[4/15/2011 10:19:47 PM] Netty Daniel: hmmm....

[4/15/2011 10:19:55 PM] Linda: why?

[4/15/2011 10:20:03 PM] Netty Daniel: let me know when you know...lolol

[4/15/2011 11:12:56 PM] Netty Daniel: You there?

[4/15/2011 11:13:19 PM] Linda: hey

[4/15/2011 11:13:29 PM] Linda: ((hug))

PERSONAL UNRELATED DISCUSSION REDACTED

[4/15/2011 11:16:27 PM] Linda: and to answer your first question

[4/15/2011 11:16:40 PM] Linda: no green fishing pole

[4/15/2011 11:16:46 PM] Netty Daniel: Okay.

[4/15/2011 11:16:56 PM] Netty Daniel: He has 12 though correct?

[4/15/2011 11:17:18 PM] Linda: at least 12

[4/15/2011 11:17:26 PM] Linda: probably more

[4/15/2011 11:17:32 PM] Netty Daniel: lol

[4/15/2011 11:17:34 PM] Linda: but I checked and no green

PERSONAL UNRELATED DISCUSSION REDACTED

[4/15/2011 11:31:24 PM] Netty Daniel: You sure you saw ALL of his fishing poles?

[4/15/2011 11:31:25 PM] Linda: yes

[4/15/2011 11:31:46 PM] Netty Daniel: Okay

[4/15/2011 11:32:17 PM] Linda: he has one with a little green, but it is mostly another color

[4/15/2011 11:32:29 PM] Netty Daniel: other color brownish?

[4/15/2011 11:33:57 PM] Linda: yeah

[4/15/2011 11:34:11 PM] Netty Daniel: tannish?

[4/15/2011 11:34:19 PM] Linda: lie a lighter color green

[4/15/2011 11:34:34 PM] Linda: well not tan but not dark brown either

[4/15/2011 11:34:43 PM] Netty Daniel: ((chuckle))

[4/15/2011 11:36:52 PM] Linda: like a yellow brownish color

[4/15/2011 11:37:02 PM] Netty Daniel: lol

[4/15/2011 11:37:08 PM] Linda: light burnt cienna

[4/15/2011 11:37:23 PM] Netty Daniel: YES cienna...redish tint?

[4/15/2011 11:37:38 PM] Linda: yeah

[4/15/2011 11:37:43 PM] Netty Daniel: ((chuckle))

[4/15/2011 11:37:52 PM] Netty Daniel: Is it set up?

[4/15/2011 11:38:11 PM] Linda: what do you mean?

[4/15/2011 11:38:24 PM] Netty Daniel: Does it have a reel and set up

[4/15/2011 11:38:28 PM] Linda: He hasnt been using it to salmon fish

[4/15/2011 11:38:32 PM] Linda: yes

[4/15/2011 11:38:38 PM] Netty Daniel: Why?

[4/15/2011 11:38:46 PM] Linda: I dont know

[4/15/2011 11:38:53 PM] Linda: maybe the reel isnt as good

[4/15/2011 11:39:05 PM] Netty Daniel: Well, he can switch reels

[4/15/2011 11:39:13 PM] Linda: yeah

[4/15/2011 11:39:32 PM] Netty Daniel: I am not crazy.

[4/15/2011 11:39:32 PM] Netty Daniel: lol

[4/15/2011 11:39:46 PM] Linda: but he may not like the rod for what he wants right now

[4/15/2011 11:40:06 PM] Netty Daniel: Cuz the other one is working so well?

[4/15/2011 11:40:10 PM] Netty Daniel: ((rofl))

[4/15/2011 11:40:47 PM] Linda: oops

[4/15/2011 11:40:49 PM] Linda: no reel

[4/15/2011 11:40:49 PM] Netty Daniel: I understand that there are differences in rods for different fishing...but...

[4/15/2011 11:41:13 PM] Linda: it is thinner I believe

[4/15/2011 11:41:19 PM] Netty Daniel: Put a reel on it if ya can and send it fishing.

[4/15/2011 11:41:42 PM] Netty Daniel: Is it too thin for salmon?

[4/15/2011 11:43:43 PM] Linda: well Billy says it would be harder to throw out and 8 to 12 oz wight with a skinnier rod

[4/15/2011 11:44:16 PM] Netty Daniel: I say take the rod fishing. Then he can call me a wacko later.

[4/15/2011 11:44:38 PM] Netty Daniel: Going to bed! See you tomorrow if you are on.

[4/15/2011 11:44:41 PM] Linda: Billy laughed

[4/15/2011 11:44:58 PM] Netty Daniel: I may have the last laugh Mr. Billy no fish

[4/15/2011 11:45:16 PM] Linda: H said he will take it out tomorrow an fish off the bank

[4/15/2011 11:45:26 PM] Netty Daniel: :*

[4/15/2011 11:45:35 PM] Netty Daniel: might take a camera

[4/15/2011 11:45:37 PM] Netty Daniel: ROFLMAO

[4/15/2011 11:45:46 PM] Netty Daniel: I may be eating crow too!

[4/15/2011 11:45:56 PM] Netty Daniel: I LOVE YOU :*

[4/15/2011 11:46:01 PM] Linda: awwww

[4/15/2011 11:46:10 PM] Linda: well he will give it a try

[4/15/2011 11:46:14 PM] Netty Daniel: off to bed...was up late last night

[4/15/2011 11:46:17 PM] Netty Daniel: LOLOL

[4/15/2011 11:46:23 PM] Netty Daniel: Good night

[4/15/2011 11:46:35 PM] Linda: I LOVE YOU SO MUCH NETTY

[4/15/2011 11:46:42 PM] Netty Daniel: |-) I LOVE YOU TOOOOO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

When I laid down that night I was led to pray for Billy’s fishing trip. And during this time of prayer Abba showed me what this was all about. It was about him heading to the river bank with something in his possession. A mustard seed of “hope”. He doesn’t know me, and he may in his natural mind think I’m a wacko; but God showed me that a seed of “hope” had been planted and that was the key to this lesson. Billy was going to learn what it was to approach a situation with hope or faith in God’s hand being present.

And....... so the story goes. The rod was not green, but the reddish brown color I saw, but green would be the key, as Billy grabbed for the “green” (flasher) in “hopes” of snagging his fish. When Billy returned home he was unable to open the door, his arms burdened with the fruit of his faith that would be the source of great rejoicing by Linda, me, Mike and a re-energized and regenerating Billy!

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

This is where I come in…. As Netty and I had this chat dialog going on , I relayed all this to Billy. Surprisingly he was open to what was being said. I went into the room where Billy keeps all his fishing poles and couldn’t find a green pole, but one that had some green with mostly reddish brown. When we both went into the room where his fishing poles were I was led to tell him about the scripture in Luke 5:3-7

³And he entered into one of the ships, which was Simon's, and prayed him that he would thrust out a little from the land. And he sat down, and taught the people out of the ship.

⁴Now when He had left speaking, He said unto Simon, Launch out into the deep, and let down your nets for a draught. (a current of water)

⁵And Simon answering said unto him, Master, we have toiled all the night, and have taken nothing: nevertheless at thy word I will let down the net.

⁶And when they had this done, they inclosed a great multitude of fishes: and their net brake.

⁷And they beckoned unto their partners, which were in the other ship, that they should come and help them. And they came, and filled both the ships, so that they began to sink.

The rod wasn’t a salmon rod, but he took it anyway the next day when he went fishing off the bank of the Rogue River. He wanted to fish in the morning, but was held back when he was at a friends house. In fact our friend Shawn was thinking of going fishing with Billy along with our daughter and Shawn’s daughter Jessie on the other side of the Rogue river where they live.. This of course did not happen. He ended up fishing in one of his favorite spots on our side of the river. At first he had a gold flasher on for a few hours. After one of his fishing buddies who was fishing next to Billy caught a fish with a green flasher, Billy thought about what Netty said about using “green” Not sure exactly what that meant, but it came to his mind about maybe that is the “green.” He did take the rod in faith, but used his reddish brown salmon rod to get his 12 oz weight as far out into the river as he could.

He couldn’t find a green flasher when he searched his tackle boxes. He then reached into his pocket. Guess what he pulled out??? That’s right, a “green” flasher! After he put on the green flasher he went into his truck. He was reading out of Revelation in the bible. A half hour went by and his rod was going crazy. With not much of a fight (his fishing buddy said this fish is really cooperating with you) He pulled in a 20 pound male salmon Springer. The first Springer he ever caught. He has caught salmon, but not a springer.

Springers are the best tasting of all the salmon and are harder to catch. They are called Springers because they are the first to come up the river in the spring to lay their eggs.

Because of obedience on my sister Netty’s part to pray for Billy, as was put on her heart by Abba to share with us that He wanted to bless Billy with a fish. And Billy obeying what might have seemed silly and crazy (in the physical) after a long season of not catching anything. Thus the miracle and provision was made by ABBA’S HAND!

The excitement Billy had in showing me the fish that was caught filled this house with such jubilation. Not just by the mere fact that he caught a fish, but how it came about. This “seed” of Hope Abba planted. Netty, Mike and I happened to be fellowhipping together around Abba’s Word when Billy walked in. Talk about a time of rejoicing!!! If you could have heard our prayer and the high praises to Abba in what HE has done to show Himself to Billy where he was able to receive. This is but the beginning of A Mustard Seed of Hope planted in Billy’s heart. Abba’s treble hook is getting deeper in

my husbands heart.

He puts up a real good fight, but I will tell you this much about Daddy’s nature. He is PATIENT and LONG SUFFERING! Billy is tiring out more from the run. ABBA WILL HAVE HIS WAY as we continue to PRAY. \0/

By Linda Rose and Netty Daniel

~Abba's Agape Love and Peace fill you within and without in the Name of His precious and priceless Son Yeshua Jesus!~

Why Suffering?

The Christian's Heaviness and Rejoicing

Wherein ye greatly rejoice, though now for a season, if need be, ye are in heaviness through manifold temptations.—1 Peter 1:6.

HIS VERSE TO A WORLDLY MAN looks amazingly like a contradiction; and even to a Christian man, when he understands it best, it will still be a paradox. Ye greatly rejoice, and yet, ye are in heaviness. Is that possible?

Can there be in the same heart great rejoicing, and yet a temporary heaviness? Most assuredly. This paradox has been known and felt by many of the Lord's children, and it is far from being the greatest paradox of the Christian life. Men who live within themselves, and mark their own feelings as Christians, will often stand and wonder at themselves. Of all riddles, the greatest riddle is a Christian man. As to his pedigree, what a riddle he is!

He is a child of the first Adam, an heir of wrath, even as others. He is a child of the second Adam: he was born free; there is therefore now no condemnation unto him. He is a riddle in his own existence. As dying, and behold we live; as chastened, and not killed. He is a riddle as to the component parts of his own spiritual frame. He finds that which makes him akin to the devil—depravity, corruption, binding him still to the earth, and causing him to cry out, O wretched man that I am; and yet he finds that he has within himself that which exalts him, not merely to the rank of an angel, but higher still—a something which raises him up together, and makes him sit together with Christ Jesus in heavenly places. He finds that he has that within him which must ripen into heaven, and yet that about him which would inevitably ripen into hell if grace did not forbid.

What wonder, then, beloved, if the Christian man be a paradox himself, that his condition should be a paradox too? Why marvel ye, when ye see a creature corrupt and yet purified, mortal and yet immortal, fallen but yet exalted far above principalities and powers—why marvel ye, that ye should find that creature also possessed of mingled experience, greatly rejoicing, and yet at the same time, in heaviness through manifold temptations.

I would have you this morning, look first of all at the Christian's heaviness: he is in heaviness through manifold temptations; and then, in the next place, at the Christian's great rejoicing.

In the first place, HIS HEAVINESS. This is one of the most unfortunate texts in the Bible. I have heard it quoted ten thousand times for my own comfort, but I never understood it till a day or two ago. On referring to most of the commentaries in my possession, I cannot find that they have a right idea of the meaning of this text. You will notice that your friends often say to you when you are in trouble, ' There is a needs be for this affliction; ' there is a needs be, say they, ' for all these trials and troubles that befall you. ' That is a very correct and scriptural sentiment; but that sentiment is not in the text at all. And yet, whenever this text is quoted in my hearing, this is what I am always told, or what I conceive I am always told to be the meaning,—that the great temptations, the great trials which befall us, have a needs be for them. But it does not say so here: it says something better; not only that there is a needs be for our temptations, but that there is a needs be for our heaviness under the temptation. Now, let me show you the difference.

There is a man of God, full of faith—strong; he is about to do his Master's work, and he does it. God is with him, and gives him great success. The enemy begins to slander him; all manner of evil is spoken against him falsely for Christ's name sake. You say, there is a needs be for that, and you are quite correct: but look at the man. How gallantly he behaves himself! He lifts his head above his accusers, and unmoved amidst them all, he stands like a rock in the midst of a roaring tempest, never moved from the firm basis on which it rests. The scene changes, and instead of calamity, perhaps he is called to endure absolute persecution, as in apostolic times.

We imagine the man driven out from house and home, separated from all his kindred, made to wander in the pathless snows of the mountains; and what a brave and mighty man he appears, when you see him enduring all this! His spirits never sink. All this can I do , says he, and I can greatly rejoice in it, for Christ's name's sake. For I can practice the text which says, rejoice ye in that day and leap for joy; and you will tell that man there is a needs be for his persecution; He says, ' Yes, I know it, and I fear not all I have to endure; I am not cowed by it. ' At last imagine the man taken before the Inquisition and condemned to die.

You still comfort him with the fact, that there is a needs be that he shall die—that the blood of the martyrs must be the seed of the church—that the world can never be overcome by Christ's gospel, except through the sufferings and death of his followers—that Christ stooped to conquer, and the church must do the same—that through death and blood must be the road to the church's victory. And what a noble sight it is, to see that man going to the stake, and kissing it—looking upon his iron chains with as much esteem as if they had been chains of gold.

Now tell him there is a needs be for all this, and he will thank you for the promise; and you admire the man; you wonder at him. Ah! but there is another class of persons that get no such honor as this. There is another sort of Christians for whom this promise really was intended, who do not get the comfort of it. I do admire the man I have pictured to you: may God long preserve such men in the midst of the church;

I would stimulate every one of you to imitate him. Seek for great faith and great love to your Master, that you may be able to endure, being steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord. But remember, that this text has not in it comfort for such persons; there are other texts for them; this text has been perverted for such a use as that. This is meant for another and a feebler grade of Christians, who are often overlooked and sometimes despised.

I was lying upon my couch during this last week, and my spirits were sunken so low that I could weep by the hour like a child, and yet I knew not what I wept for—but a very slight thing will move me to tears just now—and a kind friend was telling me of some poor old soul living near, who was suffering very great pain, and yet she was full of joy and rejoicing. I was so distressed by the hearing of that story, and felt so ashamed of myself, that I did not know what to do; wondering why I should be in such a state as this; while this poor woman, who had a terrible cancer, and was in the most frightful agony, could nevertheless rejoice with joy unspeakable, and full of glory. And in a moment this text flashed upon my mind, with its real meaning.

I am sure it is its real meaning. Read it over and over again, and you will see I am not wrong. Though now for a season, if need be, ye are in heaviness. It does not say, Though now for a season ye are suffering pain, though now for a season you are poor; but you are 'in heaviness; your spirits are taken away from you; you are made to weep; you cannot bear your pain; you are brought to the very dust of death, and wish that you might die. Your faith itself seems as if it would fail you.

That is the thing for which there is a needs be. That is what my text declares, that there is an absolute needs be that sometimes the Christian should not endure his sufferings with a gallant and a joyous heart; there is a needs be that sometimes his spirits should sink within him, and that he should become even as a little child smitten beneath the hand of God. Ah! beloved, we sometimes talk about the rod, but it is one thing to see the rod, and it is another thing to feel it; and many a time have we said within ourselves, ' If I did not feel so low spirited as I now do, I should not mind this affliction? And what is that but saying, ' If I did not feel the rod I should not mind it? ' It is just how you feel, that is, after all, the pith and marrow of your affliction. It is that breaking down of the spirit, that pulling down of the strong man, that is the very fester of the soreness of God's scourging— The blueness of the wound, whereby the soul is made better.

I think this one idea has been enough to be food for me many a day; and there may be some child of God here to whom it may bring some slight portion of comfort. We will yet again dwell upon it. Though now for a season, if need be, ye are in heaviness through manifold temptations.

And here let me for a moment or two try to explain why it is that there is an absolute needs be, not merely for temptations and troubles, but likewise for our being in heaviness under them.

In the first place, if we were not in heaviness during our troubles we should not be like our Covenant Head—Christ Jesus. It is a rule of the kingdom that all the members must be like the head. They are to be like the head in that day when he shall appear. We shall be like him, for we shall see him as he is. But we must be like the head also in his humiliation, or else we cannot be like him in his glory. Now, you will observe that our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ very often passed through much of trouble, without any heaviness.

When He said, ' Foxes have holes, and the birds of the air have nests, but the Son of Man hath not where to lay his head, ' I observe no heaviness. I do not think he sighed over that. And when athirst he sat upon the well, and said, ' Give me to drink,' there was no heaviness in all his thirst. I believe that through the first years of his ministry, although he might have suffered some heaviness, he usually passed over his troubles like a ship floating over the waves of the sea. But you will remember that at last the waves of swelling grief came into the vessel; at last the Savior himself, though full of patience, was obliged to say ' My soul is exceeding sorrowful, even unto death; ' and one of the evangelists tells us that the Savior began to be very heavy. What means that, but that his spirits began to sink?

There is a more terrible meaning yet, which I cannot enter into this morning; but still I may say that the surface meaning of it is that all his spirits sank within him. He had no longer his wonted courage, and though he had strength to say, ' Nevertheless, not my will, but thine be done; ' Still the weakness did prevail, when he said, ' If it be possible let this cup pass from me. ' The Savior passed through the brook, but he drank of the brook by the way; and we who pass through the brook of suffering must drink of it too.

He had to bear the burden, not with his shoulders omnipotent, but with shoulders that were bending to the earth beneath a load. And you and I must not always expect a giant faith that can remove mountains: sometimes even to us the grasshopper must be a burden, that we may in all things be like unto our head.

Yet again; if the Christian did not sometimes suffer heaviness he would begin to grow too proud, and think too much of himself, and become too great in his own esteem. Those of us who are of elastic spirit, and who in our health are full of everything that can make life happy, are too apt to forget the Most High God. Lest we should be satisfied from ourselves, and forget that all our own springs must be in him, the Lord sometimes seems to sap the springs of life, to drain the heart of all its spirits, and to leave us without soul or strength for mirth, so that the noise of tabret and of viol would be unto us as but the funeral dirge, without joy or gladness. Then it is that we discover what we are made of, and out of the depths we cry unto God, humbled by our adversities.

Another reason for this discipline is, I think, that in heaviness we often learn lessons that we never could attain elsewhere. Do you know that God has beauties for every part of the world; and he has beauties for every place of experience? There are views to be seen from the tops of the Alps that you can never see elsewhere. Ay, but there are beauties to be seen in the depths of the dell that ye could never see on the tops of the mountains; there are glories to be seen on Pisgah, wondrous sights to be beheld when by faith we stand on Tabor; but there are also beauties to be seen in our Gethsemanes, and some marvelously sweet flowers are to be culled by the edge of the dens of the leopards.

Men will never become great in divinity until they become great in suffering. ' Ah! ' said Luther, ' affliction is the best book in my library; ' and let me add, the best leaf in the book of affliction is that blackest of all the leaves, the leaf called heaviness, when the spirit sinks within us, and we cannot endure as we could wish.

And yet again; this heaviness is of essential use to a Christian, if he would do good to others. Ah! there are a great many Christian people that I was going to say I should like to see afflicted—but I will not say so much as that; I should like to see them heavy in spirit; if it were the Lord's will that they should be bowed down greatly, I would not express a word of regret; for a little more sympathy would do them good; a little more power to sympathize would be a precious boon to them, and even if it were purchased by a short journey through a burning, fiery furnace, they might not rue the day afterwards in which they had been called to pass through the flame. There are none so tender as those who have been skinned themselves.

Those who have been in the chamber of affliction know how to comfort those who are there. Do not believe that any man will become a physician unless he walks the hospitals; and I am sure that no one will become a divine, or become a comforter, unless he lies in the hospital as well as walks through it, and has to suffer himself. God cannot make ministers—and I speak with reverence of his Holy Name—he cannot make a Barnabas except in the fire. It is there, and there alone, that he can make his sons of consolation; he may make his sons of thunder anywhere; but his sons of consolation he must make in the fire, and there alone.

Who shall speak to those whose hearts are broken, who shall bind up their wounds, but those whose hearts have been broken also, and whose wounds have long run with the sore of grief? " If need be, then, ye are in heaviness through manifold temptations. "

Spurgeon

(Click on the audio link below )

Suffering in Gods will and out

A.W. Tozer

<3

Linda @->--

" My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me? "

Psalms 22:1

My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me? why art thou so far from helping me, and from the words of my roaring?

We here behold the Savior in the depth of His sorrows. No other place so well shows the griefs of Christ as Calvary, and no other moment at Calvary is so full of agony as that in which His cry rends the air- " My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me? " At this moment physical weakness was united with acute mental torture from the shame and ignominy through which He had to pass; and to make His grief culminate with emphasis, He suffered spiritual agony surpassing all expression, resulting from the departure of His Father's presence. This was the black midnight of His horror; then it was that He descended the abyss of suffering. No man can enter into the full meaning of these words. Some of us think at times that we could cry,

" My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me?" There are seasons when the brightness of our Father's smile is eclipsed by clouds and darkness; but let us remember that God never does really forsake us. It is only a seeming forsaking with us, but in Christ's case it was a real forsaking. We grieve at a little withdrawal of our Father's love; but the real turning away of God's face from His Son, who shall calculate how deep the agony which it caused Him?

In our case, our cry is often dictated by unbelief: in His case, it was the utterance of a dreadful fact, for God had really turned away from Him for a season. O thou poor, distressed soul, who once lived in the sunshine of God's face, but art now in darkness, remember that He has not really forsaken thee. God in the clouds is as much our God as when He shines forth in all the luster of His grace; but since even the thought that He has forsaken us gives us agony, what must the woe of the Savior have been when He exclaimed, " My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me?"





Charles Spurgeon

You are my Rock

This past Thursday when I was praying and singing to Abba He gifted me with a new song called, “You are my Rock.” This one was so sweet and soothing that flowed from above that it was like a healing balm to my soul. I can never take what He gives for granted, but I am in AWE and very thankful He would grace this vessel with the songs He gives when I least expect it. Abba always knows when to give me a song for what I am presently going through or just about ready to be thrust into. I couldn’t wait to sit down and record this one, but the circumstance was such that not only made it difficult, but a time where my heart was pained and grieving over a situation that happened the very next day.

We thought our dog of seven years bit Daniella’s young neighbor friend and were in much tears and beside ourselves with having to bring him to the shelter. Even though it is a no kill shelter, if a dogs bites someone they would send him to one that does put the dog down. Well the story and how everything played out is a very long and painful ordeal that I will not get into. What I will say is this. What was meant to be a disaster and painful loss turned out to be a blessing and miracle. We found out that our dog did not bite our neighbor who was teasing him in our home, but in fact was scratched on her cheek area by Bucks paw. Her mom insisted that we not bring our dog Buck to the shelter, but that we give him another chance. It’s times like these that can bring those of our neighbors closer together. The tears of joy over not losing a close family member at this time I will never forget.

Before I get back to the song I want to say that through all this I have been pondering much about what happened. What Father has been showing me is that we can NEVER take anything or anyone for granted in our lives. We are coming into a time where SO much has and will continue to dramatically change that can and will leave MANY of us not only disillusioned, but filled with much fear and hopelessness.

The only way any of us can survive what we are called to suffer for Him in this life is to trust Abba and His Sovereignty over everything that is happening to us and ALL those around us. Whether it be losing a loved one, a friend, where you live, those things in your life you hold dear and near to your heart. Whatever you have a hold of and or has a hold on you.

We are going to be shaken from everything that would bind us to this earth and our flesh. Those that are His of which we will NOT know till the end are going to be tried with fire, tested, revealed and made bare for who we really are and whose we are. What and who will sustain us through it all depends on who you put your complete trust in, where your faith and hope lies and who you serve and follow.

If it is Abba Father through His beloved Son when everything and everyone gets stripped and ripped away from your life, than He will NOT leave or forsake you, but will be with and in you till the very end. This is the victory that has overcome the world, even our faith. We shall not love our lives unto death. Blessed is the death of His saints. To live is Christ and to die is GAIN!

IF it’s a ministry, a “man or woman of God,” your tribe, your people, your religion, your dogma, your beliefs, your pride, ego and vanity, your loved ones, your friends and all the things you hold onto along with your very own life? You will be thrown into an endless abyss of despair, judgement, and Gods wrath that He will pour out on all the sons and daughters of disobedience.

Yes, we have heard that word change coming from the very mouth of our governmental leaders. Though they may be puppeted and controlled by the powers that be who are pulling the strings in this worldly beast system, ultimately ABBA FATHER GOD is in control! He is allowing everything we see being played out to bring about His judgement first to the apostate professing followers of Christ and a time of testing for those He has chosen as His Bride.

The judgement for those whose lips are near Him and yet whose very hearts are far from Him will be revealed for the tares they are. These many vessels of dishonor who have been among us since the beginning of time, will be the ones who will persecute and put to death those of us who have forsaken all for Yeshua Jesus. Those few followers who are being led to travel and be firmly fixed upon that long, hard and painful narrow road, which is the ONLY Way that leads to eternal Life in Christ Jesus our Lord.

The testing and fire that’s going to be turned up with great intensity is for the sole purpose of burning away all the spot, blemish, wrinkle, stench and rottenness of our flesh, the world, and every stronghold that has bound us throughout our lives. The "change" that is coming is what has been prophesied for thousands of years. It is a time of great sorrow and tribulation as we have never seen before. It will be so that if Abba had not shortened the days NONE of us would be saved!

Sobering thought, ey??? Think hard about that!! Don’t take it lightly!!! Ponder, pray earnestly, weep and repent concerning these things that are about to come with a vengeance upon the earth that you may be found worthy to endure and follow Him to the end. That you not perish along with many who will say on that day," Lord, Lord, have we not done ………. (fill in the blank) in Your Name? Do you want to take the risk of hearing Him say, "DEPART FROM ME, FOR I NEVER KNEW YOU! YOU WORKERS OF LAWLESSNESS!!!? If it is scarce for the righteous to be saved, what will become of those who do not believe?

Please forgive the lengthy diversion, but it’s not my call to stop what Abba wants these fingers to type. These are very serious soul searching come into His presence in repentance times, beloved. Let Abba do what it takes to deal with your rotten flesh which is self. All that caters to self in it’s various forms and tempting allures upon your daily life. Much of that allure and deception is coming right through the trance, trouble, traumatizing, teleporting you into the demonic dimension, hell of a tell `a’ vision we call tv.

It’s the beast SO MANY are worshiping and are being enterdetained by. It's lulling you all to sleep and catching you unaware of the reality that is beyond what you can see, hear, taste, touch and smell in the natural. Leading you away from Abba's abiding presence into utter chaos and destruction! We are called to look (sets our sights) on things (above where Christ is seated at the right hand of Abba Father) which are unseen, (faith is the assurance of things hoped for and the evidence of what we cannot see) not on the things that are seen. For what is seen is temporal, but what is unseen is eternal.

Now I will close out this blog with the words and music to the song, “You are my Rock.”

Your the Love of my life……. and the strength of my heart

Oh Lord, my God, my righteousness

You alone will I trust……. You make my heart to sing

Abba, Father, my everything

(Chorus)

Through all of my days, I will sing Your praise, Lord I fall on my knees. I'm begging You please. Put to death all my flesh, endure the trials and tests, it's in humility, You have called me to be / Oh Lord... My God....You are my Rock ~ Repeat/

In all of my ways,....... I'll acknowledge You Lord. My rest, my peace, my confidence

Take Your hot coals my Lord....cleanse these soulish lips. Godly, sorrow, repentance

(Chorus 2x's)

 

EXTRA, EXTRA, READ ALL ABOUT IT!

HOT OFF THE PRESS!!!

Comforted and Comforting

COMFORTED AND COMFORTING

Humdrum days can hum with praise,
lonely time becomes sublime
when, by God’s salvation blest,
Jesus comes to give me rest.

Come to me, my honored Lord,
Come my Savior, keep your Word.
Come to strengthen in the Way,
be my Comforter throughout the day.

Body frail, but Christ won’t fail.
May I cheer those who come near,
praying for the needs around,
for the grace in Jesus found.
(~ Rhiannon Weber ~) 


When doubt and worry come your way, 
break free in praise and don't delay.
turn self aside and fix your gaze,
on Christ alone our hands we raise.


Don't look to outward circumstance,
to troubles, cares of happenstance.
Give thanks to Yahweh in it all 
He's there to catch if you should fall
(~ Linda Rose ~)


Matthew 5:4

Blessed are they that mourn: for they shall be comforted.

John 14:15-17

If ye love me, keep my commandments. And I will pray the Father, and he shall give you another Comforter, that he may abide with you for ever; Even the Spirit of truth; whom the world cannot receive, because it seeth him not, neither knoweth him: but ye know him; for he dwelleth with you, and shall be in you.

Romans 15:3-5

For even Christ pleased not himself; but, as it is written, The reproaches of them that reproached thee fell on me. For whatsoever things were written aforetime were written for our learning, that we through patience and comfort of the scriptures might have hope.Now the God of patience and consolation grant you to be likeminded one toward another according to Christ Jesus

2 Corinthians 1:3-6

Blessed be God, even the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies, and the God of all comfort; Who comforteth us in all our tribulation, that we may be able to comfort them which are in any trouble, by the comfort wherewith we ourselves are comforted of God. For as the sufferings of Christ abound in us, so our consolation also aboundeth by Christ. And whether we be afflicted, it is for your consolation and salvation, which is effectual in the enduring of the same sufferings which we also suffer: or whether we be comforted, it is for your consolation and salvation.

(Consolation: The giving of hope and strength in times of grief, distress, or suffering.)

Do I Have Me a House?

This morning when I had my prayer time with Abba, I was led to read 2 Samuel 7 and 2 Chronicles 6

I will put up these scriptures that spoke to me as I was hearing Abba say, “do I have me a house?” Follow along and we will see how all this unfolds.

2 Samuel 7:5-10;12-14

Go and tell my servant David, Thus saith the LORD, Shalt thou build me an house for me to dwell in? Whereas I have not dwelt in any house since the time that I brought up the children of Israel out of Egypt, even to this day, but have walked in a tent and in a tabernacle. In all the places wherein I have walked with all the children of Israel spake I a word with any of the tribes of Israel, whom I commanded to feed my people Israel, saying, Why build ye not me an house of cedar? Now therefore so shalt thou say unto my servant David, Thus saith the LORD of hosts, I took thee from the sheepcote, from following the sheep, to be ruler over my people, over Israel: And I was with thee whithersoever thou wentest, and have cut off all thine enemies out of thy sight, and have made thee a great name, like unto the name of the great men that are in the earth.


Moreover I will appoint a place for my people Israel, and will plant them, that they may dwell in a place of their own, and move no more; neither shall the children of wickedness afflict them any more, as beforetime,

And when thy days be fulfilled, and thou shalt sleep with thy fathers, I will set up thy seed after thee, which shall proceed out of thy bowels, and I will establish his kingdom.

He shall build an house for my name, and I will stablish the throne of his kingdom for ever. I will be his father, and he shall be my son. If he commit iniquity, I will chasten him with the rod of men, and with the stripes of the children of men:

2 Chronicles 6:7-9; 18-21

Now it was in the heart of David my father to build an house for the name of the LORD God of Israel. But the LORD said to David my father, Forasmuch as it was in thine heart to build an house for my name, thou didst well in that it was in thine heart:


Not withstanding thou shalt not build the house; but thy son which shall come forth out of thy loins, he shall build the house for my name. But will God in very deed dwell with men on the earth? behold, heaven and the heaven of heavens cannot contain thee; how much less this house which I have built!

(It is quite the revelation that Solomon would make this declaration. If the heavens could not contain Him how much less a house for Him he was to build? Although this had been revealed he knew it was Yahweh’s will. His people needed something they can see and take hold of which would contain that of Abba’s presence in a tangible way. Unlike His followers today who have the deposit of His Spirit where our daily walk in Christ is one of faith, which is the assurance of things hoped for and the EVIDENCE of that which is unseen.)

Have respect therefore to the prayer of thy servant, and to his supplication, O LORD my God, to hearken unto the cry and the prayer which thy servant prayeth before thee: That thine eyes may be open upon this house day and night, upon the place whereof thou hast said that thou wouldest put thy name there; to hearken unto the prayer which thy servant prayeth toward this place. Hearken therefore unto the supplications of thy servant, and of thy people Israel, which they shall make toward this place: hear thou from thy dwelling place, even from heaven; and when thou hearest, forgive.

As you have read we see a HOUSE that David wanted to build for Yahweh and yet it was not for him to build but rather his seed and heir Solomon. We see a physical house that was build for Yahweh with His blessings. Much of what we see and read about in the Old Testament are the physical representation and blue print to what He purposed to bring about in Spirit. This was done through His only begotten Son Jesus Christ.

Matthew 12:5-7

Or have ye not read in the law, how that on the sabbath days the priests in the temple profane the sabbath, and are blameless? But I say unto you, That in this place is one greater than the temple. But if ye had known what this meaneth, I will have mercy, and not sacrifice, ye would not have condemned the guiltless.

Matthew 24:1

Jesus left the temple and was walking away when his disciples came up to him to call his attention to its buildings. “Do you see all these things?” he asked. “Truly I tell you, not one stone here will be left on another; every one will be thrown down.

Jesus also gave a clue as to how He wanted the temple of Yahweh to be.

Matthew 21:12-13

And Jesus went into the temple of God, and cast out all them that sold and bought in the temple, and overthrew the tables of the moneychangers, and the seats of them that sold doves, and said unto them. It is written, My house shall be called the house of prayer; but ye have made it a den of thieves.

Though this was a physical temple He went into we can see how this applies to our own temple. He had not yet died and risen for that which was physical to be a place not built with hands.

This is the hebrew word for house taken from 2 Chronicles 6

G3624

οἶκος

oikos

oy'-kos

Of uncertain affinity; a dwelling by implication a family; home, house (-hold), temple.

Just by it’s definition we see what Father’s purpose is to have such a house. And who is that house? The very body of Christ of which we are who do His will are a part of. A house, dwelling, home and temple not made by hands is the ultimate intention and eternal purpose for those whom He has called and fore ordained.

Acts 7:47-49

But Solomon built him an house. Howbeit the most High dwelleth not in temples made with hands; as saith the prophet, Heaven is my throne, and earth is my footstool: what house will ye build me? saith the Lord: or what is the place of my rest?

1 Corinthians 3:15-19

If any man's work shall be burned, he shall suffer loss: but he himself shall be saved; yet so as by fire. Know ye not that ye are the temple of God, and that the Spirit of God dwelleth in you? If any man defile the temple of God, him shall God destroy; for the temple of God is holy, which temple ye are. Let no man deceive himself. If any man among you seemeth to be wise in this world, let him become a fool, that he may be wise. For the wisdom of this world is foolishness with God. For it is written, He taketh the wise in their own craftiness.

2 Corinthians 6:15-17

And what concord hath Christ with Belial? or what part hath he that believeth with an infidel? And what agreement hath the temple of God with idols? for ye are the temple of the living God; as God hath said, I will dwell in them, and walk in them; and I will be their God, and they shall be my people. Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing; and I will receive you.

Ephesians 2:20-22

And are built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ himself being the chief corner stone; In whom all the building fitly framed together groweth unto an holy temple in the Lord: In whom ye also are builded together for an habitation of God through the Spirit.

So what can we conclude about what has been interpreted as the “church?”

Quote

The English language was first spoken on this planet as a Germanic dialect, known as Old English or Anglo-Saxon, which began to be spoken in northern England some years after the Anglo-Saxon conquest of that island starting in 449 AD. The earliest written Old English, however, did not appear until approximately 800 AD.


If we allow 50 years for the conquest to have its effect on England’s native dwellers, that means sometime around 500 AD, the people in northern England started referring to a building erected for worship as a cirice, later, chirche, and finally, a church.


It is extremely difficult to understand how this word which was not spoken anywhere on earth until 400 years after the New Testament was written and cannot be shown by a single citation to have been a word known to first-century people—how this word could be the definition of a first-century word, yet, that is what thousands of people today believe and teach! Asserting that "church" is not a building, we have teachers who continue to use the word " church," which designated the buildings of the people of northern England!

Premise 1: Most of us teach "we speak where the Scripture speaks and we are silent where the Scripture is silent."

Premise 2: The Scripture speaks the word "assembly, group, gathering." It is silent regarding the word "church."

Conclusion:


Those who teach the word "assembly, group, gathering" are honoring the Scripture’s voice and silence; those who teach the word "church" are rejecting the Scripture’s voice and silence and honoring in its place the voice of the 6th century people of northern England!

Three facts need to be realized:

(1) While the King James Version makes useof the word "church," the New Testament as written in the first century, uses that word nowhere at all on any one of its pages!

(2) Anyone who consults an English dictionary will see that the word "church" has several definitions, all of them different. That means the word is totally inadequate for expressing the nature or essence of a group of Christians who are functioning according to the first-century-pattern of teaching and worship.

(3) Since there are somewhere around twenty words used by Scripture, God must have thereby intended to emphasize the many-faceted nature of a community of Christians instead of restricting that nature by the use of one word; and wouldn’t it be logical to expect that those who are concerned about God’s way of doing things would adopt the same usage?

(This article by Don Reb first appeared in Firm Foundation, June 3, 1980).

(Comments)

We believe that the foregoing article has an important message that should be thoughtfully considered by those who wish to develop proper Scriptural concepts. One questionable part of the article, however, is its failure to recognize that many Bible students hold that the word ekklesia is not to be interpreted primarily in terms of its secular and political use by the Greeks. Rather, it is to be seen in light of the LXX or Septuagint (the Greek translation of the OT which was widely used by Jews in the Greco-Roman world), where it referred to Israel, the people of God. Just as the people of God in OT times were called the ekklesia, so the people of God in the first-century (the Christians) were called the ekklesia, or the community, of God.

We agree that since "church" has an ecclesiastical connotation today and fails to precisely reflect the meaning of ekklesia (thereby encouraging questionable concepts of the body of Christ), we might better translate the Greek term with such words as the following: assembly, congregation, company, gathering, group, or community. Notice the following expressions referring to God’s people, all of which use ekklesia in the original:

• " My community" (Matt. 16:18).
• " The assembly of God" (1 Cor. 1:2).
• " The company of the living God" (1 Tim. 3:15).
• " The congregations of Christ" (Rom. 16:16).
• " The assemblies of the saints" (1 Cor. 14:33).
• " The community of the first-born" (Heb. 12:23).

When we use these synonyms in place of "church" we can capture something of the meaning that the New Testament writers were trying to convey. There was nothing of sectarianism or denominationalism here. Other references to the body of Christ show that the New Testament writers freely used expressions that were not sectarian. Notice some of these:

• "the household of the faith" (Gal. 6:10).
• " the household of God" (1 Tim. 3:15; Eph. 2:19).
• " Christ’s body" (1 Cor. 12:27).
• " the body of Christ" (Eph. 4:12).
• " a temple of God" (1 Cor. 3:16).
• " the temple of the living God" (2 Cor. 6:16).
• " a holy temple in the Lord" (Eph. 2:21).
• " a spiritual house" (1 Pet. 2:5).
• " the people of God" (Heb. 4:9; 1 Pet. 2:10). " the brotherhood" (1 Pet. 2:17).

In each case, the term was not mean to be exclusive or sectarian, but simply descriptive of a relationship or position that believers enjoy. Nor were the terms given to officially denominate (give a proper name to) the people of God. The Lord’s body has no exclusive title as religious organizations do. Our Lord’s community is not "denominational" in nature!

Let others use " church" or any other term they wish. Let the " Lutheran Church," the " Catholic Church," the " Methodist Church," the " Presbyterian Church," and the " Pentecostal Church" use the term. Let the " Baptist Churches" and others employ it. But let us seek to be as Scriptural as possible and convey truth even in what we call ourselves!

Richard Hollerman

http://www.truediscipleship.com/bsub/subjects15.htm

So, what house are you? Do you connect your very temple in which Abba alone is to reside to that of a building ie a church? I don’t read anywhere in the new testament about the importance of a building or specific place where His people were called together to worship. What constitutes an assembly or gathering is this.

Romans 12:4


“For as we have many members in one body, and all members have not the same office:”

1Corinthians 12:12


" For as the body is one, and hath many members, and all the members of that one body, being many, are one body: so also is Christ.”


1Corinthians 12:13


“For by one Spirit are we all baptized into one body, whether we be Jews or Gentiles, whether we be bond or free; and have been all made to drink into one Spirit.”

Matthew 18:19-21

Again I say unto you, That if two of you shall agree on earth as touching any thing that they shall ask, it shall be done for them of my Father which is in heaven. For where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them

There may have been places where the first century believers gathered, but I don’t read it as being a particular place of worship. IN fact when they got too comfortable in one place Abba allowed persecution to arise which scattered His people for His Word to be spread throughout the regions and places where they were scattered. What I do read are those of His people who gathered together in each others homes, broke bread and shared all things in common.

No title or name just His Body who meet in so in so’s house in Corinth, Ephesus, Galatia, etc.

Romans 16:4-6 (King James Version)

Who have for my life laid down their own necks: unto whom not only I give thanks, but also all the churches (gatherings) of the Gentiles. Likewise greet the church (gathering) that is in their house. Salute my well-beloved Epaenetus, who is the first fruits of Achaia unto Christ. Greet Mary, who bestowed much labour on us.

1 Corinthians 1:10-12

Now I beseech you, brethren, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that ye all speak the same thing, and that there be no divisions among you; but that ye be perfectly joined together in the same mind and in the same judgment. For it hath been declared unto me of you, my brethren, by them which are of the house of Chloe, that there are contentions among you. Now this I say, that every one of you saith, I am of Paul; and I of Apollos; and I of Cephas; and I of Christ.

Colossians 3:15-17

And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to that which also ye are called in one body; and be ye thankful. Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom; teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord. And whatsoever ye do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God and the Father by him.

I sure don’t see this being practiced in the “churches,” do you?

Surely not! They are segregated having their own creed, doctrine and beliefs. This was not the spiritual blue print Abba had in mind for His people. Yes, we are called to SEPARATE, but what is that which we are called to separate from?

2 Corinthians 6:16-18

And what agreement hath the temple of God with idols? for ye are the temple of the living God; as God hath said, I will dwell in them, and walk in them; and I will be their God, and they shall be my people. Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing; and I will receive you. And will be a Father unto you, and ye shall be my sons and daughters, saith the Lord Almighty.

There are more of these I could put up, but you can do your own search.

I end with this question ---------> WHAT HOUSE ARE YOU?

<3

Linda @->--