How I Spend My Life

I spend my life on a love that cannot be described only known; a love that is felt but goes deeper than the soul; a love that shares everything that makes me who I am and shares with me everything He is.  I spend my life on you, Jesus.  I may have a long way to go in the perfecting process, but all I know is that I light up when you enter the room, my heart is stirred when you speak, and my life is changed when I open your Word.  The Holy Spirit may have a long road ahead of Him in me, but all I know is that you light up when I come into your room, your heart is stirred when I speak, and your life was changed forever when I said, "Yes."  I spend my life on a Love that can never be quenched.  The Light came into my life and the darkness cannot and will never put it out, but must part and be dispersed and broken.  Everything in me must bow to my Lord, my Lord.

Rhema

"For God so loved the world He gave...." 

"Give me your heart for I have already given you mine.  Salvation does not come from holding on to truths, but letting go of lies.  The truth is already there, but you can't see it until you let go of the lies.  My Word has never changed, its just taken all of these years for my people to let go of the lies of the enemy and religion to finally be able to see the truth of my love.  From the first moment of history I LOVED.  And, I have NEVER stopped.  But until you turn your affections toward me and 'Love me with all of your heart, soul, and strength' you will always fight with the lie that I hate you or I am displeased with you in some way or another.  You may not use the word, 'hate.'  Instead you call it conviction, condemnation, judgement, curse, or worse yet wrath.  I ONLY HATE THAT WHICH GETS IN THE WAY OF YOU RECEIVING MY LOVE IN ITS FULLNESS.  Sin is real.  And, I will fight it until it is totally eradicated because sin is the enemy of my Love.  For as long as you sin you disconnect yourself from my Love.  And, without my Love you are powerless to fight the lies.  Seek me until you find me,  ask me until you know, knock until its opened up to you.  Why do you quit half-way there.  STOP QUITTING!  STOP MAKING EXCUSES!  STOP RE-WRITING MY SCRIPTURES!  If what your experiencing IS NOT Love then ITS NOT ME!  I so loved the world (Those DEAD in sin) that I gave my BEST!  It does NOT read, 'I so loved the world that I judged, condemned, and poured out my wrath upon them until they repented.'  It does NOT read, 'I so loved the world that I took and punished.'  IF IT DOESN'T TAKE FAITH THEN ITS NOT OF ME!  Praying, 'If it be your will....' DOESN'T TAKE FAITH.  Praying, 'Let your will be done on Earth as it is in Heaven....' now THAT takes faith.  Figure out what Heaven looks like to you and start asking for it, start seeking for it here in the Earth, and start knocking on doors 'till you find it.  Give me your heart, so you can experience the FULLNESS of my heart in you.  AMEN!"

God’s Will For Our Lives

How do we know what someone is thinking? We can only know someone’s thoughts when they decide to speak their mind. Why do we say it’s hard to know what God is thinking or what His will is for our lives when He has been speaking His mind for almost 6,000 years and His thoughts have been recorded in a book we like to call THE BIBLE? If anyone would like to know what the will of God is for their lives here is the basic outline that is the foundation for everyone’s specific journey:

I. To forgive ALL your iniquities (Iniquities mean crooked ways, not just the sin but the root cause to the sin)

A. It’s ALWAYS God’s will to forgive

B. He forgives you of your sin

C. He sets you free from the bondage of that sin

II. To heal ALL your diseases & infirmities

A. It’s ALWAYS God’s will to heal - Physically, emotionally, and spiritually

B. Don’t let the Thief, the Destroyer, or the Killer come as an Angel of Light and talk you out of your healing through false doctrine and bad theology

C. Who are you going to believe - The Word of God -or- the word of man?

III. To redeem your life from destruction

A. It’s ALWAYS God’s will to redeem -or- save

B. Galatians 6:7-8: “Do not be deceived: God cannot be mocked. A man reaps what he sows. Whoever sows to please their flesh, from the flesh will reap destruction; whoever sows to please the Spirit, from the Spirit will reap eternal life.”

C. Destruction in our lives comes from two sources - our sin & the sin of others

D. From Genesis through the end of Revelation God could not be more obvious with His will to redeem and save us from our own destruction

E. Destruction is the result of sin, just like hitting the ground is the result of jumping off of a building. Destruction from our sin is no more God’s will for our lives as dying from falling off of a building.

IV. To crown you with lovingkindness and tender mercies

A. It’s ALWAYS God’s will to show you His Love, Kindness, and Mercy

B. GOD IS LOVE (1 John)

C. Everything God does is based on the foundation of Love

D. If it doesn’t resemble Love as laid out in 1 Corinthians 13 then IT IS NOTGOD!

V. To satisfy your mouth, your life, your years with good things

A. It’s ALWAYS God’s will to satisfy

B. We don’t need to pursue satisfaction and happiness in our own strength and toiling because it’s God’s will to satisfy us and give us joy

C. James 1:17: “Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and comes down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shadow of turning.”

D. 1 Timothy 6:17: “Teach those who are rich in this world not to be proud and not to trust in their money, which is so unreliable. Their trust should be in God, who richly gives us all we need for our enjoyment.”

VI. To renew your youth and strengthen you

A. It’s ALWAYS God’s will to renew and strengthen

B. Romans 12:2: “Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewingof your mind, so that you may prove what the will of God is.”

  

GOD WANTS US TO KNOW HIS WILL! Psalm 103:1-5 is God’s will for EVERYONE. If it is not manifesting in your life then you need to ask God WHY, and be willing to hear His answer.

Lord, Help me!

Matthew 15:25 (AMP):  "But she came and, kneeling, worshiped Him and kept praying, Lord, help me!"

Lord, help me!  Lord!  Lord!  Who is Lord, but you oh my God, my Saviour, my Jesus the Only Help.  Lord, help me!  Sometimes, I just want to let it all out, but I don't even know what I'm letting out.  Such love, such thanksgiving, such hope, such peace, such joy, and yet, yet I NEED YOUR HELP, ALWAYS!  Lord, help me!  My life can be summed up by one help from you after another -  a series of helps from my King, my Brother and in this, in this I find such comfort that you came to give us help.  Lord, help me!  Help me when I wake-up tomorrow to acknowledge you first.  Help me be the support and love of my wife.  Help me at work to work hard for my employer and not complain.  Help me to stand for righteousness and walk away from gossip and strife.  Help me to be a light and hope to those around me.  Help me to do the right thing even when its not easy.  Help me to pray with those around me who need a touch from you.  Help me to be generous with your Love.  Lord, help me!  Oh, how I need your help more and more every day.  Oh, Lord, help me to walk in your light and to walk close to your heart; help me never to become dull to your voice or weak in my voice for you.  Lord, help me!  I want my life to be an experience for you of worship that touches the most inner-parts of your heart - I want to take your breath away...like you've taken mine, my God - my Jesus.  Lord, sometimes I feel weak in my walk with you because of all the help I need, I look at those around me in the faith, and I say how I wish I had it together like them.  But, then, in your great Grace you remind me with your Scripture that you're not looking for people who have it all together, instead, you're looking for people who know how much they need your help.  Lord, help me to ALWAYS ask for your help.   In everything from breathing, to eating, to sleeping, to praying, to witnessing, to loving, to serving, to being served, to giving, to receiving - LORD, HELP ME, HELP ME!

Matthew 5:3-5, 8 (NLT):  "God blesses those who are poor in spirit and realize their need for him, for the Kingdom of Heaven is theirs.  God blesses those who mourn, for they will be comforted.  God blesses those who are humble, for they will inherit the whole earth....God blesses those whose hearts are pure, for they will see God."

Psalm 51:16-17 (NIV):  "You do not delight in sacrifice, or I would bring it; you do not take pleasure in burnt offerings.  My sacrifice, O God, is a broken spirit; a broken and contrite heart you, God, will not despise." 

Psalm 91:14-16 (AMP):  "Because he has set his love upon Me, therefore will I deliver him; I will set him on high, because he knows and understands My name [has a personal knowledge of My mercy, love, and kindness--trusts and relies on Me, knowing I will never forsake him, no, never].  He shall call upon Me, and I will answer him; I will be with him in trouble, I will deliver him and honor him.  With long life will I satisfy him and show him My salvation."

Matthew 11:25-26, 28-30 (NLT):  "At that time Jesus prayed this prayer: 'O Father, Lord of heaven and earth, thank you for hiding these things from those who think themselves wise and clever, and for revealing them to the childlike.  Yes, Father, it pleased you to do it this way!'  Then Jesus said, 'Come to me, all of you who are weary and carry heavy burdens, and I will give you rest.  Take my yoke upon you.  Let me teach you, because I am humble and gentle at heart, and you will find rest for your souls.  For my yoke is easy to bear, and the burden I give you is light.'"

John 8:28 (NLT):  "So Jesus said, 'When you have lifted up the Son of Man on the cross, then you will understand that I AM he.  I DO NOTHING on my own but say only what the Father taught me.'"

Son, every step I took I took with the help of my Father.  It was by His anointing and His anointing alone that I did anything according to His plan.  The more you know how much you need my help the more you look like me in this life. 

Hebrews 13:5-6 (NLT):  "For God has said, 'I will never fail you.  I will never abandon you.'  So we can say with confidence, 'The LORD is my helper, so I will have no fear.'"

PRAISE GOD!

I hate....

The devil and his puny wanna-be's (That's what they are, you know?  They want to be us - like God, but they can't and never will be.  We were made just a little lower than God, but ABOVE the angels.  We will be the ones judging the angels in the end - I'm sure the devil's looking forward to that day ;)) - back to the devil and his puny wanna-be's, they are after our joy, our peace, our faith, our love; if they can't keep us out of Heaven then they at least want to keep us as defeated and useless in this life as possible.  DON'T LET THESE LIGHT AND TEMPORARY TRIALS AND AFFLICTIONS GET YOU DOWN!  The devil hates you, because he knows the potential IN YOU to damage his kingdom and plans in this Earth.  It might feel like your going through hell on Earth right now - trust me, the devil's not about to stop - if he sees that he can get to you he'll only make IT WORSE!  But GOD!  But God in His great Grace has given you the ability to face all kinds of trials and temptations and persecutions for in you resides the ability to GIVE THANKS!

Ephesians 5:20 (AMP):  "At all times and for everything giving thanks in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ to God the Father."
1 Thessalonians 5:16-19 (NIV):  "Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.  Do not quench the Spirit."

Let it be made clear: There is only ONE thief, murderer, and destroyer - SATAN, the enemy of God!  God has NEVER and will NEVER partner with the devil to teach you, strengthen you, or discipline you.  God will never bring tragedy, sickness, troubles, pain, or suffering to make you a better Christian.  But, when these things come, because the DEVIL hates us, let us not quench the work of the Holy Spirit in us during these trials by grumbling; by getting discouraged; or by finding comfort in the world's arms through misguided friends, T.V./entertainment, commiserating, and self pity.  But instead -

FALL INTO THE ARMS OF THE ONE TRUE COMFORTER!  And let the devil and his puny wanna-be's know how you truly feel about their vain, futile, and idiotic attempts to defeat you and make you ineffective -

REJOICE AND GIVE THANKS to God for this opportunity to grow CLOSER to Him!  Let not your trials push you from God, but instead let the devil press you INTO God!

Romans 5:3-5(NASB):  "And not only this, but we also exult in our tribulations, knowing that tribulation brings about perseverance; and perseverance, proven character; and proven character, hope; and hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out within our hearts through the Holy Spirit who was given to us."
James 1:2-6 (NLT):  "Dear brothers and sisters, when troubles come your way, consider it an opportunity for great joy.  For you know that when your faith is tested, your endurance has a chance to grow.  So let it grow, for when your endurance is fully developed, you will be perfect and complete, needing nothing.  If you need wisdom, ask our generous God, and he will give it to you.  He will not rebuke you for asking.  But when you ask him, be sure that your faith is in God alone."
James 1:12-13 (NLT):  "God blesses those who patiently endure testing and temptation.  Afterward they will receive the crown of life that God has promised to those who love him.  And remember, when you are being tempted, do not say, 'God is tempting me.' God is never tempted to do wrong, and he never tempts anyone else."

How did Jesus crush the devil's skull?  By finding the JOY set before Him when He went to the ultimate trial - the cross.  Do you want to kick the devil in the head?  Then find your JOY and give THANKSGIVING despite life and its trials.

We overcome the enemy by the Blood of the Lamb - by putting our faith in the COMPLETED work of Jesus; by the word of our testimony - by confessing day and night God's promises over us; and not loving our lives even unto DEATH - that is praising God in ALL circumstances and at every opportunity giving THANKS!

Philippians 4:4 (NIV):  "Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice!"      

"This place is trying to break my belief, but my faith is bigger than all I can see, and what I need is redemption, and what I need is for You to put me back on my feet."  
D. Crowder

Steve H. 
(This post was inspired by friends from church and the prayer of a dear friend in my homegroup/Bible study) 

Logos

Job 23:3-5:  "Oh, that I knew where I might find Him, that I might come even to His seat! I would lay my case before Him… I would know what He would answer me and understand what He would say to me."

John 17:3:  "And this is eternal life: To know - perceive, recognize, become acquainted with, and understand You, the only true and real God, and likewise to know Him, Jesus as the Christ - the Anointed One, the Messiah, Whom You have sent."

- How many of us have prayed Job's prayer, that we might know God, that we might find Him, come to Him - that He would hear us and answer us plainly, that we would understand Him and His ways?  If only Job lived a few thousand years later he could have had his prayer answered.  Our answer is found in one word:  "JESUS!" 

Romans 10:13:  "For whoever calls on the name of the Lord shall be saved."

Happy Birthday

I love God because He first loved me.  He loved me when he gave me a dad full of love and integrity.  He loved me when he gave me a mom full of joy and hope.  He loved me when He wrote my story before time.  He loved me when He created my plan of redemption before I ever sinned.  He loved me when He chose the cross for my rebellion, hell for my wickedness, and resurrection for my weakness.  He loved me when I was little by never leaving my side.  He loved me when I was young by giving me faith even though I didn’t have understanding.  He loved me as an adult even though I didn’t know how to love Him.  He loved me when He opened my ears that I might finally hear His true voice.  He loved me when He called me to reign with Him. 

I love God because He first loved me. 

He loved me when he gave me Emily.  She is the perfect picture of His love in my life.  She stood for us when there was nothing to stand on but faith.  She believed in me when there was nothing to believe in but hope.  She loved me when there was nothing lovable.  I love my wife.  For many years I could not see clearly, I could not love like my heart wanted to.  But today, because of HIS GREAT LOVE, I am able to see more clearly and I am able to love my wife like I’ve always wanted to.  THANK YOU JESUS, THANK YOU FOR SAVING ME UNTO YOUR GRACE, THANK YOU FOR SAVING THIS FAMILY UNTO YOUR GRACE, THANK YOU FOR MY WIFE - MY BEAUTIFUL WIFE. 

Emily, you will never know the depth of my gratefulness to God and to you for your great love over me.  I AM SO BLESSED!  You are so beautiful, so beautiful - I love thinking about you.  I have peace I never thought possible, joy unspeakable, desire only you can quench; you satisfy my heart, when I am with you there is rest.  You don’t have to do anything but be in the same space and I sense the presence of God’s love.  I love you, Emily, for the rest of eternity, I love you.  HAPPY BIRTHDAY, MY LOVE, HAPPY BIRTHDAY!

Steve H.

Rhema

Justification (Christ Says):  "When I see you I don't see a series of mistakes that need repairing - I see a man surrendered who I can use where ever I need Him.  Where you are today, in me, you are because I put you there, not because your failures put you there.  Trust my redemption."  Romans 3:23-26
- Recorded 1/22/12

My Hero

With all to lose - He gave His life; He gave His everything knowing that I could simply walk away.  My Hero, with everything to lose gave His all for me - to know me, to walk with me, to laugh with me, to cry with me; to strengthen me, to hold me, to save me, to love me.  My Hero laid it all down that He might pick me up.  He saw me more important than all of Heaven.  My Hero called Heaven and Earth to witness my salvation the day He hung on that cross and called me by name through the ages.  My Hero broke the chains of lust, depression, deception, and death off of me when He broke through Hell and destroyed the grave.  My Hero set me on high with Him, He gave me His crown, He gave me His Name, He gave me His Father - the day He ascended, sat down at the right hand of Mercy & Righteousness, and sent His Holy Spirit on us all.  My Hero, My Hero gave all, risked all, died to all for my all!  I give my all to my Everything - to MY HERO!

Rhema

Thank you, Father for the Holy Spirit; thank you, Jesus for coming that we, that I should be filled with the same power that raised you from the grave.  Thank you, Holy Spirit for engrafting yourself into me - to my every cell - that I would never be separated from my Father, from the Love of my Father.  Oh, Holy Spirit take me to new heights, new challenges, new faiths, new understandings; Oh, Holy Spirit take me to my Lord, my Father, your call.

- Father God:  "I'm proud of you, son.  Its not that you won't make mistakes, but what you'll do after making the mistake.  Greater sensitivity, greater obedience.  I'm proud of my son."
- Recorded 12/18/11

Logos

John 10:27 (NKJV):  "My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me."

A quote worth repeating

"There is no abundant life apart from hearing the voice of the Good Shepherd."
- J. Pearsons (John 10)

The other day....

I took my grandmother to a library in Northwest D.C. last Friday.  As we pulled into the handicap parking spot I saw a homeless person sitting in a small alcove, hidden from the street, with there back to the building, strategically blocking them self from the bitter wind that day.  This person was bundled up with a heavy coat buttoned up to their nose, and their feet covered with dried leaves.  They never looked up to catch my eyes.  There were some used sports drink containers and a couple of paper bags around them.  The weather was cold, dry, and unforgiving that day.  When I saw this individual my heart broke, for two reasons: One - their suffering and two - I wanted to do something, I just didn't know what.  I had three $20's and a couple of $1's.  I had a small Gospel of John for evangelism distribution.  But, certainly $2 seems like a spit in the face as I would climb into my nice warm car and I just don't know if I could part with $20 - that just seems extreme; plus you're not supposed to give cash to the homeless right?  I couldn't just give them a Gospel without accompanying it with something of comfort or necessity - its like saying, "The Lord bless you" and then leaving them to freeze to death.  There was a Starbucks across the four lane highway and a restaurant that I could have gotten some soup or chili, but then again my grandmother was waiting for me in the car.  This was my reasoning with God as I went into the library to look-up, find, and check-out a book for my grandmother.  The whole time completely distracted with what I was going to do when I got back around to my car.  I exited the library and came around towards my car, I could not yet see the homeless person, and I stopped right in my tracks.  By the Holy Spirit and God's grace I made a decision right there I was going to do SOMETHING before getting back into my car.  I pulled out a Gospel of John, and I opened my wallet.  I knew what I had to do.  What is $20 in comparison to Jesus hanging on a cross?  And, maybe by giving a bit more than they might be used to receiving they might just be a little more open to reading that small book.  I folded up the bill so you couldn't see the amount, but pushed it up enough to see there was money inside.  I found peace with God, finally.  I knew I was following the Holy Spirit.  As I approached the individual they slowly looked up to me, and as I reached out my hand they reached out theirs.  When they took hold of the Gospel all I could say was, "God loves you."  Sounds so simple, almost flippant, but in my heart I wanted to weep for them.  I became weak in my breathing and in my knees, not because I was nervous, but because Compassion overwhelmed me at that moment.  It was a very brief transaction, with soberness they replied with a "Thank you" and immediately started looking at the book.  Of course it opened up to the money, but when I looked back they were more interested in the book than the money!  God knew what He was doing.  After a brief visit with my grandmother in her apartment, I headed home to Frederick.  Fighting my way through rush-hour, beltway traffic I listened to some worship music and Compassion led my thoughts back to the person trying desperately not to freeze to death on this wintery day.  I began to weep for them.  I wept for their heavenly salvation, I wept for their earthly salvation, and then I just wept.  I don't tell this story to boast of myself or boast of how much I gave, or boast of my big heart -because for this one homeless person there are a thousand more that I have walked by turning my face from theirs for fear that our eyes would meet and I wouldn't know what to say or do. 

- Father God, help us in these moments to allow our hearts to break for the hopeless, helpless, the homeless and give us wisdom in each instance to know what to do.  For anyone without Christ is homeless, they don't have to be freezing on the street corner - let compassion take over, not pity but compassion.  For Pity says, "That's awful" while compassion says, "I need to do something about it."  And in everything let our sacrifice be just that - A SACRIFICE!  AMEN  (Amos 5:24)

Logos

Luke 6:27-28 (NASB):  "But I say to you who hear, love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, pray for those who mistreat you."

- Lord Jesus, I repent; I repent for everything evil I said tonight about certain co-workers.  I repent for aligning myself with the accuser and coming into agreement with those who had similar feelings and attitudes of rebellion and frustration.  I did not represent Love today, and for this I am truly sorry.  Holy Spirit, help me to walk in forgiveness and Love towards co-workers that can so easily exasperate me; I really got frustrated tonight and gave into my flesh - I DO NOT want this to happen again.  Thank you for filling me with your Joy and helping me to keep my eyes and thoughts on things above and not things below.  Honestly, the candy jar is just not that important.  AMEN

Rhema

Lord Jesus:  "Worship me like your heart just exploded and you can't catch your breath!  Look to me for everything - EVERYTHING!  Your very breath does not belong to you - let me have it ALL!  For in this sacrifice, in this humility - YOU SHALL TRULY LIVE!  LIVE SAINTS, LIVE!"
- Recorded 1/22/12

A quote worth repeating

"It costs you nothing to dream, but everything not to!"
- D. Phillips

It all started....

In 2006 God called me to be honest with myself, with Him, and with my wife.  Honesty is not always easy, but its ALWAYS freeing.  "You shall know the TRUTH and the TRUTH shall set you free!"  The life I now live is a life of freedom.  Before 2006 I was entrapped and imprisoned by lies, deceit, and absolute confusion.  But today I am free!  I AM FREE INDEED!  Not everyone will understand my language, my calling, or my relationship with God, but it's not about who "they" say I am, it's ONLY about who He says I am.  I welcome you to come with me on my journey with the King of Kings; allow me to introduce you to Jesus, and I hope above all else that you would be encouraged to take your own journey - your own journey with the Great Lion Himself.    -Steve H.