Posted in Exhort Pray Praise...

The God of Peace Be With You

 Phillipians4:4Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, rejoice. Let your reasonableness be known to everyone. The Lord is at hand; do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. 7 And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

Have you witnessed the peace that passes understanding? Those who have had husbands, wives, children die and they quote scripture and speak of the joy the loved one is experiencing, and the day of being reunited. The one with a terminal disease who is more hopeful and joyful than you, (whose only complaint today is too long a wait at the grocery store). Have you wondered on, or even criticized another for their lack of distress at the loss?  The world tells us we should wail, and beat our chests. We should stop eating, singing laughing, living, when we have trials. The world says we should be overcome by this world that comes against us. Yet God tells us to rejoice in the Lord.Always.

26 years ago between  September and December of 1989 my reasonableness was questioned.

September 23, our third son was born with Pierre Robin Sequence. In Midland they were clueless as to what to do with him choking on his tongue when he cried, so they decided to tie his tongue down. Turns out the surgeries they did in the first 2 days of his life actually did him more harm than the tongue in the way did.E with button

Our second son, who was 5 ,at this time was having what we called attacks, he had been having these since he was 2. He would go pale, his heart would race and pound so hard you could see it in his little chest. He would not be able to move for a few hours, for the pain. (5 years later found it was esophagus spasm aggravation from Celiac disease) Every 2 weeks we would race to the ER to meet the pediatrician who would scratch his head and send us home till the next time.   Scan 127

The Midland doctors insisted we gavage feed Evan, running a tube through his nose and pump in the milk.  Not being able to breast feed, I pumped, for about 5 weeks, until I realized the big boys needed mom time more than Evan needed breast milk.

Evans specialist/surgeon was in Dallas, a 5 hour drive from home. He was an excellent doctor, and probably reason Evan still here today, but ….. The instruction he gave us on the care of Evan,when he untied the unnecessary tongue adhesion.  Until his chin grew and he became strong enough for cleft surgery “ Lay him on his stomach, so he does not choke on that(tongue) and hope he keeps breathing.”

Keith worked graveyard shift at the Post office. Leaving me each night to put everyone to bed, and wake too often alone to see if the baby was still breathing.

Just after delivering the baby, while still in the hospital I had my tubes tied. The last trimester of the pregnancy I had a HORRIBLE chest cold and cough. The air they pumped in during surgery put too much pressure on my ribs that had been weakened from the coughing. I sneezed and cracked a rib, the week after I delivered.

Then, six weeks after Evan was born, on November 1, my brother, Kirk, fell in his driveway and hit his head. He died 2 days later. We dropped our older boys off at a friends house, and drove to Austin, sat in the waiting room of ICU for 2 days, with family and friends, and Evan laying on his stomach in a stroller.  We said goodbye, until we meet again,  to Kirk on November 3, drove home to get boys and drive to funeral ‘at home’ in Lubbock. Scan 13

We moved to a new home by Christmas and hosted that for all the family. Mom and Dad and brother Mike and Kirk’s fiance. Evan was not thriving well, he could not eat and breath at the same time, and burned everything he took in trying to breath. I stupidly agreed to his first immunizations, and he had a horrible reaction the the DPT and MMR-

Scan 128

A couple of days after Christmas, the boys were playing with a new friend across the street, Lee came running in the house screaming Brian was hurt, bad. A little Tikes car had fallen on him.He had a compound fracture of his arm- both bones. (he had weak bones from that damned undiagnosed celiac)

Sometime during this time of tribulation, I was in conversation with my still mourning mom, she voiced a concern my cousin had for me. My cousin herself had been through some stress, a divorce, a move, a job change, and per some counseling advice and a Readers Digest article, I was due a nervous breakdown  According to the experts having more than 3 major life changes, good or bad, you were in danger. I had at least 10, mostly bad, which got you more points.

I look back at this time, and about a year beyond of a bit more and remember the sadness, but not despair. I remember the loss of dreams, and even some hope, but not faith. I know I prayed for healing of my brother, and cried the healing was not for us to experience. I remember my concern for my children’s health even the fear of losing them, yet never afraid. I cried, I sobbed, I questioned why. I prayed.  Yet I never panicked. Never did I lose my mind, my heart, my strength. I was actually stronger then,than I think I ever was. I had THAT peace.

Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things. What you have learned and received and heard and seen in me—practice these things, and the God of peace will be with you.

Evan has something about him that blesses those who know him. IMG_4723Celiac is EASY to fix, just don’t eat wheat and we are healthy. All of grandchildren who have Celiac have not had to endure the illness and damages from undiagnosed Celiac, as Brian did.  DSCF3431

Brian is a healthy strong brilliant godly husband and father. DSCF3418 Bones heal.DSCF3144Heck, all my boys are Godly Men!

Kirk’s daughter is a gorgeous successful mother of 2 daughtersimage_6.

Evan choked on food when he was  10 months,  and because I had gavage fed him I was able to assist the paramedics in finding his airway, when they could not. Scan 67

Evan was almost 9lbs when he was born, this weight sustained him during the time he could not eat well.

I am an expert on gluten free living, and have somewhat of an income from that.  i do

In all things, even the most heartbreaking, I can rejoiceDSCF3138. Tribulation is for a moment, and that peace that passes human understanding is eternal in Him.   DSCF3058

John 16:33 I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world.”If you don’t have that peace, it is not hard to get– It is a gift.

Ephesians 2:8 For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God,DSCF3014

 

Posted in 1 Corinthians

1 Corinthians 16 -DONE

I am getting er done!! Obviously I am the only one that enjoyed this study, since only I participated, it really was fun! 

This all began with Paul having to straighten out the WRONG WRONG WRONG thinking of the Corinthians, now he is closing the letter, taking care of the regular business as if they were not screwing up.  16 Now concerning the collection for the saints, as I have given orders to the churches of Galatia, so you must do also:2 On the first day of the week let each one of you lay something aside, storing up as he may prosper, that there be no collections when I come. 3 And when I come, whomever you approve by your letters I will send to bear your gift to Jerusalem. 4 But if it is fitting that I go also, they will go with me.   Take up offerings now so we don’t have to do it when I get there. 5 Now I will come to you when I pass through Macedonia (for I am passing through Macedonia). 6 And it may be that I will remain, or even spend the winter with you, that you may send me on my journey, wherever I go. 7 For I do not wish to see you now on the way; but I hope to stay a while with you, if the Lord permits.  Travel plans 8 But I will tarry in Ephesus until Pentecost. 9 For a great and effective door has opened to me, and there are many adversaries.10 And if Timothy comes, see that he may be with you without fear; for he does the work of the Lord, as I also do.11 Therefore let no one despise him. But send him on his journey in peace, that he may come to me; for I am waiting for him with the brethren.  Be nice to Timothy, don’t run him off. 12 Now concerning our brother Apollos, I strongly urged him to come to you with the brethren, but he was quite unwilling to come at this time; however, he will come when he has a convenient time. Apollos won’t come visit, and I assume he does not want to associate with such a messed up group of people, his choice, and seems Paul agrees with him. 

13 Watch, stand fast in the faith, be brave, be strong. 14 Let all that you do be done with love.15 I urge you, brethren—you know the household of Stephanas, that it is the first fruits of Achaia, and that they have devoted themselves to the ministry of the saints— 16 that you also submit to such, and to everyone who works and labors with us.  I think Paul is telling them yet again BE NICE because they have a tendency not to be. 17 I am glad about the coming of Stephanas, Fortunatus, and Achaicus, for what was lacking on your part they supplied. Lacking on your part seems to be pointing out that where they are failing spiritually to build up and help these others did so. 18 For they refreshed my spirit and yours. Therefore acknowledge such men.19 The churches of Asia greet you. Aquila and Priscilla greet you heartily in the Lord, with the church that is in their house.20 All the brethren greet you.Greet one another with a holy kiss.21 The salutation with my own hand—Paul’s.22 If anyone does not love the Lord Jesus Christ, let him be accursed.O Lord, come! Pretty black and white. 23 The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you. 24 My love be with you all in Christ Jesus. Amen.

Gods Word is alive today, it pertains to today.  Hebrews 4:1212 For the word of God is living and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the division of soul and spirit, and of joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.The Corinthians were full of pride and had changed the Word of God to meet their needs and to dismiss those they did not approve of. I do not know if all the Corinthians were believers. I don’t think so. I do not think all who ‘practice’ Christianity are believers.   Today is not different than the day Paul wrote the letter. Ecc. 1:19 That which has been is what will be, That which is done is what will be done, And there is nothing new under the sun.   It would do us all well to abide to God’s Word, lest we be accursed. 

 
Posted in 1 Corinthians

1 Corinthians 15

This Bible ‘study’ has not progressed as I intended. I have not stuck with it weekly as I intended. I am sorry.  And I had  hoped there would be more (some)discussion between myself and my followers, but  nooooooooo. I have had a few likes and some follows, following each Corinthians post, so maybe my hopes don’t align with God’s plan.  After 15, there is just one more book of 1 Corinthians, so this will end this ‘study’.  I do have another in plan, but more on that when it comes! Thanks for hanging with me here!!

In 14 Paul was explaining to the ‘believers’ ‘church goers’ how to have productive services. The service is not about them and how much they know or think they know. Chapter 15 he seems to be telling specifically what the purpose of church meetings is. 

15 Moreover, brethren, I declare to you the gospel which I preached to you, which also you received and in which you stand, 2 by which also you are saved, if you hold fast that word which I preached to you—unless you believed in vain.  There is no need to discuss whose gift is better, if someone more important than another, when you have The Gospel of Christ to discuss.  Paul never runs out of ‘material to teach on, it is THE GOSPEL. That is what believing is about, that is why believers gather together . Christ. His life. His Death. His Resurrection. His purpose.  IF this is not why you gather, you believe then you missed the point, and possibly the boat 😉 T

3 For I delivered to you first of all that which I also received: that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, 4 and that He was buried, and that He rose again the third day according to the Scriptures, 5 and that He was seen by Cephas, then by the twelve. 6 After that He was seen by over five hundred brethren at once, of whom the greater part remain to the present, but some have fallen asleep. 7 After that He was seen by James, then by all the apostles. 8 Then last of all He was seen by me also, as by one born out of due time.  A quick Gospel, reminder of what it is they should be focusing on.  What they should be sharing with ALL others.

9 For I am the least of the apostles, who am not worthy to be called an apostle, because I persecuted the church of God.10 But by the grace of God I am what I am, and His grace toward me was not in vain; but I labored more abundantly than they all, yet not I, but the grace of God which was with me. 11 Therefore, whether it was I or they, so we preach and so you believed.  Paul is not one of the 12 apostles that walked with Jesus in the flesh. Yet he does the work of the apostles and Jesus, bringing all the Good News, transforming lives. Paul admits he is not the same as one of the 12, that he actually has little right to call himself that because of his own persecution of Christians. (He held the cloaks of those who stoned Stephen). Paul proclaims the miracle of God’s grace, the intervention that turned Paul into a possibly ‘louder’ voice than any of the 12 ever were for Christ. 

12 Now if Christ is preached that He has been raised from the dead, how do some among you say that there is no resurrection of the dead?  Some Sadducees must have infiltrated the Corinthians. 13 But if there is no resurrection of the dead, then Christ is not risen. 14 And if Christ is not risen, then our preaching is empty and your faith is also empty.  15 Yes, and we are found false witnesses of God, because we have testified of God that He raised up Christ, whom He did not raise up—if in fact the dead do not rise. 16 For if the dead do not rise, then Christ is not risen. Paul is arguing that they can not have both beliefs, dead not resurrected and Christ resurrected because it is not logical. 17 And if Christ is not risen, your faith is futile; you are still in your sins! Mans false doctrine is interfering with the Truth.  18 Then also those who have fallen asleep in Christ have perished. 19 If in this life only we have hope in Christ, we are of all men the most pitiable. Christ’s resurrection is a necessary of Gods plan for us

20 But now Christ is risen from the dead, and has become the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep. 21 For since by man came death, by Man also came the resurrection of the dead. 22 For as in Adam all die, all man dies physically and spiritually because of sin. even so in Christ all shall be made alive. In the resurrection of Christ, His ‘making’ it happen, allows for those that believe in that to ‘BE’ that.

 

CONFUSING!!! : The ‘But’ belongs to all(believers) shall be made alive23 But each one in his own order:  I think this is a list of the ‘order’.

1)Christ the first fruits, afterward those who are Christ’s at His coming. 

2) 24 Then comes the end, when He delivers the kingdom to God the Father, when He puts an end to all rule and all authority and power. 

3 )2 For He must reign  till He has put all enemies under His feet. A5ll those that are against Him/God are enemies, unbelievers, demons, Satan.

4)  26 The last enemy that will be destroyed is death. Physical death and eternal separation from God

27 For “He has put all things under His feet.”But when He says “all things are put under Him,” it is evident that He who put all things under Him is excepted. 28 Now when all things are made subject to Him, then the Son Himself Jesus will also be subject to Him God who put all things under Him Jesus, that God may be all in all.

29 Otherwise, what will they do who are baptized for the dead, if the dead do not rise at all? Why then are they baptized for the dead? I think he is pointing out the inconsistency of their beliefs/doctrine. IF there is no resurrection, then Christ can’t be salvation. And if dead don’t resurrect why are you doing this ritual of being baptized for those who have died and were not baptized before death. If you believe no resurrection it does dead not good.   30 And why do we stand in jeopardy every hour? 31 I affirm, by the boasting in you which I have in Christ Jesus our Lord, I die daily. 32 If, in the manner of men, I have fought with beasts at Ephesus, what advantage is it to me? If the dead do not rise, “Let us eat and drink, for tomorrow we die!” This is a bit like my argument against the new(old) universalist thinking, IF everyone eventually believes and is reunited with God, even after physical death, what is the point of telling Gospel and living a righteous life? “Eat drink be merry, die and get a bit burned in hell but you get out so go for it”….

33 Do not be deceived: “Evil company corrupts good habits.” 34 Awake to righteousness, and do not sin; for some do not have the knowledge of God. I speak this to your shame.  Don’t listen to the lies!! Don’t associate with those who are false teachers, elders included. You don’t become like those you don’t hang around with. 

35 But someone will say, “How are the dead raised up? And with what body do they come?” What if someone is cremated? 36 Foolish one, what you sow is not made alive unless it dies. 37 And what you sow, you do not sow that body that shall be, but mere grain—perhaps wheat or some other grain. The seed of an apple is basically from a ‘dead’ fruit, and it produces a massive tree. 38 But God gives it a body as He pleases, and to each seed its own body.  What I become after physical death will be what ever God makes me to be- I will be awesome!

39 All flesh is not the same flesh, but there is one kind of flesh of men, another flesh of animals, another of fish, and another of birds.40 There are also celestial bodies and terrestrial bodies; but the glory of the celestial is one, and the glory of the terrestrial is another. 41 There is one glory of the sun, another glory of the moon, and another glory of the stars; for one star differs from another star in glory.  Biology, spiritology, science. God created all, in their own form

42 So also is the resurrection of the dead. The body is sown in corruption, it is raised in incorruption. 43 It is sown in dishonor, it is raised in glory. It is sown in weakness, it is raised in power.  Man is flawed by sin of this world, our ‘new’ selves will be glorious 44 It is sown a natural body, it is raised a spiritual body. There is a natural body, and there is a spiritual body. 45 And so it is written, “The first man Adam became a living being Human/Man the top of the family tree.” The last Adam Christ became a life-giving spirit.

46 However, the spiritual is not first, but the natural, and afterward the spiritual. 47 The first man Adam was of the earth, made of dust; the second Man Jesus is the Lord from heaven. 48 As was the man of dust, so also are those who are made of dust; and as is the heavenly Man, so also are those who are heavenly. 49 And as we have borne the image of the man of dust, we shall also bear the image of the heavenly Man. 50 Now this I say, brethren, that flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God; nor does corruption inherit incorruption. Our sinful selves don’t get to ‘be’.  51 Behold, I tell you a mystery: We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed— 52 in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet. For the trumpet will sound, and the dead will be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed. 53 For this corruptible must put on incorruption, and this mortal must put on immortality. 54 So when this corruptible has put on incorruption, and this mortal has put on immortality, then shall be brought to pass the saying that is written: “Death is swallowed up in victory.”  Those who believe in Christ, His birth, His death His resurrection His purpose. Get to ‘BE” made new and continue with God. At the second coming those believers will not experience physical death

55 “O Death, where is your sting?
O Hades, where is your victory?”

56 The sting of death is sin, and the strength of sin is the law.  57 But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.58 Therefore, my beloved brethren, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that your labor is not in vain in the Lord.

Our spirits/souls exist forever. It is where that forever is spent that we must decide. Do we go our own way, choose our own path, ignore the truth or change it to fit our comfort zone? Deny Christ and His resurrection and be stung by Death and reside in Hades? Or do we choose God, His Way, His Light, knowing that Jesus’ victory over death is ours for eternity with Him. 

Posted in 1 Corinthians

1 Corinthians 13 -Love love love…..

1 Corinthians 12 :27 Now you are the body of Christ, and each one of you is a part of it. …….. 31 Now eagerly desire the greater gifts.

The greater gifts- faith, hope LOVE.  To be had, to be achieved. To be used. To be only through God

13 Though I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I have become sounding brass or a clanging cymbal. And though I have the gift of prophecy, and understand all mysteries and all knowledge, and though I have all faith, so that I could remove mountains, but have not love, I am nothing. And though I bestow all my goods to feed the poor, and though I give my body to be burned, but have not love, it profits me nothing.  First ,Paul IS NOT saying he does speak in language of angels, nor understand all mysteries or have all knowledge or is able to move mountains with his faith. He has sacrificed his needs for his ministry, but that is not the point.  What Paul is saying is if he was the clone of Jesus Christ all he ‘did’ would be worthless if he did not have ‘love’. Love is God. God is love. Then to the ‘works’ of ministry it is all for naught, if it does not come from the Spirit of Love- Christ.  

Love suffers long and is kind; love does not envy; love does not parade itself, is not puffed up; does not behave rudely, does not seek its own, is not provoked, thinks no evil; does not rejoice in iniquity, but rejoices in the truth;bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things.    1John 4:16  God is love, and he who abides in love abides inGod, and God in him.  1John 4:8He who does not love does not know God, for God is love.  Philippians 4:13 I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.   1 Peter 4:11 If anyone speaks, let him speak as the oracles of God. If anyone ministers, let him do it as with the ability which God supplies, that in all things God may be glorified through Jesus Christ, to whom belong the glory and the dominion forever and ever. Amen.   Man on his own is incapable of having, doing, living, knowing ‘Love’ unless he is possessed with ‘Love’ – God,Jesus Christ-Holy Spirit. We can not be without envy. We are prideful. We are rude. We seek to serve ourselves before others, we are selfish. We react with anger, defensively. We contemplate murder and thievery. We are drawn to the muck of the world, Vegas Baby!.  Without Love/God we are incapable of withstanding the death and hurt and illness and attacks from this world. There is no hope, with out God/Love. With Love/God we do endure, beyond human ability. 

Love never fails.  God NEVER fails. But whether there are prophecies, they will fail; whether there are tongues, they will cease; whether there is knowledge, it will vanish away. For we know in part and we prophesy in part.  Everything MAN does even if the man be a prophet of God, it will eventually fail, or end, because it is at least ‘tainted’ by man.  1But when that which is perfect has come, then that which is in part will be done away.  Christ has come and someday, all the ‘man’ mistakes will be gone

11 When I was a child, I spoke as a child, I understood as a child, I thought as a child; but when I became a man, I put away childish things. 12 For now we see in a mirror, dimly, but then face to face. Now I know in part, but then I shall know just as I also am known.  We have no idea how little we know, how far we have to go.As a believer we learn more, get better vision of what we are to be everyday.  When we are with God, we will have all understanding.  We don’t need to MAKE it happen now, because we can not.

13 And now abide faith, hope, love, these three; but the greatest of these is love.  Abide: stay,continue, dwell, be present, remain, stand- with faith,and hope love– A choice to have. 

We read chapter 13 at weddings, this is the LOVE chapter.  The perfect recipe on loving each other. People use this Love ‘is’ patient, forgiving,not rude, not proud and say rebuking and confronting, disagreeing with others, especially fellows in church is being unloving. Many use these verses to say the only way to be ‘loving is to accept anything and everything others do, turn the other cheek, always. Many say love God, love others, meaning be ‘accepting’ of everything from everyone to show your love for God.   I think we miss the point Paul was trying to make about ‘love’. 
Remember how Paul started this letter, the reprimand, the revealing of the sins, the misconduct, the pious attitude these ‘believers’ at Corinth have.  Paul spoke earlier in this same letter of their removing a man or members from their fellowship for not abiding, for being WRONG with God. Where is the ‘love’ in that? Or what WE define love to be?
I say we can not love others without the LOVE/ God in us. We cannot love with out God.  
What we define as ‘love’ is NOT the love of God. God’s love is truth. God’s love hates evil. Psalm 97:10 you who love the Lord, hate evil!God’s love condemns evil eternally away from Him. God’s love has no fear. 2 Timothy 1:7 For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind  God’s love does not compromise. God’s love is unconditional. God is love.  The love Paul is speaking that we must have is God. We do rebuke, confront, exhort, chastise, minister,give, judge,disagree, oppose evil/wrong all in the name of God/Love. 2 Timothy 2:24 And ca servant of the Lord must not quarrel but be gentle to all, able to teach, patient, 25 fin humility correcting those who are in opposition, gif God perhaps will grant them repentance, so that they may know the truth, 26 and that they may come to their senses and escape the snare of the devil, having been taken captive by him to do his will. To tell someone they are wrong, they are going the wrong way is love. God tells us that all through His word God loved David and let him suffer the consequence of his disobedience to God, David’s child died because of his disobedience. God loved Moses and Moses did not enter the promised land a consequence of letting his anger trump God’s commands.
God’s love is NOT in every person  John 5:39 You search the Scriptures, for in them you think you have eternal life; and these are they which testify of Me. 40 But you are not willing to come to Me that you may have life.41 “I do not receive honor from men. 42 But I know you, that you do not have the love of God in you.  Paul warns to disassociate with false teachers with those in fellowship who are actually not believers but have come to destroy. These are people within the ‘church’ . It is NOT loving, it is NOT of God to associate with evil.  2 Thessalonians 3:14 14 And if anyone does not obey our word in this epistle, note that person and do not keep company with him, that he may be ashamed.
Posted in 1 Corinthians

1Corinthians 12

12 Now concerning spiritual gifts, brethren, I do not want you to be ignorant: Ignorant is not knowing. You are an idiot if you choose to stay ignorant after told the truth.  You know that you were Gentiles,  unbelievers and or uneducated of the TRUE God carried away to these dumb idols, however you were led. Therefore I make known to you that no one speaking by the Spirit of God calls Jesus accursed, and no one can say that Jesus is Lord except by the Holy Spirit.   Today we have ‘maybe’ believers being led away by dumb idols, who are men/preachers/false prophets (i.e. Dallas Willard, Rob Bell,Leonard Sweet )who think they have a better ‘way’ other than the ONLY WAY to eternal life with God. Many now say, if we,mere men, love people enough, we can ‘save’ people with our perfect love from God. WE ,mere men, can excuse all the sins, because we love, love ,love the ‘unbeliever’.The unbeliever will be saved eternally, even without his believing in Jesus as the ONLY Way, because after physical death, their ‘Aha’ moment of seeing believer’s with God eternally, will save them. The dumb idols have also figured out that a loving God would not ever condemn sin. Mere men have redefined God and His word, His TRUTH, so that no one will ever be excluded from God eternally. These dumb idols have called Jesus accursed, by His sacrifice not being needed  for eternal life with God. Man just loving and being loved by God is enough.  By this scripture those that speak this heresy, are not speaking by the Holy Spirit. It is NOT for me to say, nor interpret,  that the dumb idols, or even those who believe the dumb idols, are not believers and the Holy Spirit is not with them, only that when they believe anything other than the Truth, they are not following the Holy Spirit, they are not abiding. 

There are diversities of gifts, but the same Spirit. There are differences of ministries, but the same Lord. And there are diversities of activities, but it is the same God who works all in all. No one person is used the same by God. But the same God is the ruler of all. But the manifestation of the Spirit is given to each one for the profit of all: for to one is given the word of wisdom through the Spirit, to another the word of knowledge through the same Spirit,  12:8

The word of wisdom -From   A power of understanding and explaining the  wisdom of God in the truth of gospel salvation.

The word of knowledge – different from ‘wisdom’, maybe the  ability to understand and explain and apply the Old Testament types and prophecies.

to another faith by the same Spirit, ultimate trust in God in ALL circumstances, knowing in the end God is there, nothing to fear, even physical death. 

to another gifts of healings by the same Spirit, not just healing diseases with a word or a touch as Jesus and disciples did, but  also apply to those physicians, nurses,(Clara Barton) mothers ;), gluten free queens (Me), scientists,(Pastuer), midwives (Sandy)  that seem to ‘know , where natural remedies are applied; and it maybe this blessed gift, not superior skill, which makes some more ‘healing’ than others.

10 to another the working of miracles, removing demons, moving mountains killing fig trees, water from rocks, God does all, and still does, He just does them all by himself now, everyday.

to another prophecy, NOT predicting the future like ESP, but interpreting God’s word, His actions to explain what God intends to bring about.

to another discerning of spirits,  the ability to know  if men are acting from God’s spirit, and evil spirit or a human spirit. To be able to distinguish between the truth of Scriptures and deceptive doctrines.  

different kinds of tongues, to another the interpretation of tongues.  Given ability to speak in different language to those who need to hear The Word in their language, and ability to hear someone who speaks different language inquiring of God’s word. 1

But one and the same Spirit works all these things, distributing to each one individually as He wills.  God gives these gifts through the Holy Spirit, and as God decides. I believe every believer receives the Holy Spirit and thus gifts. Gifts are not magical powers, they are abilities God gives us to do his work. I think we may receive one specifically, but all as needed, in our ‘race’ to the goal. 

12 For as the body is one and has many members, but all the members of that one body, being many, are one body, so also is Christ. 13 For by one Spirit we were all baptized into one body—whether Jews or Greeks, whether slaves or free—and have all been made to drink into one Spirit. 14 For in fact the body is not one member but many.  All believers are of the ‘body’ of Christ, we become ‘attached’ by the Holy Spirit, Christ is our head.  15 If the foot should say, “Because I am not a hand, I am not of the body,” is it therefore not of the body? 16 And if the ear should say, “Because I am not an eye, I am not of the body,” is it therefore not of the body? 17 If the whole body were an eye, where would be the hearing? If the whole were hearing, where would be the smelling? 18 But now God has set the members, each one of them, in the body just as He pleased. 19 And if they were all one member, where would the body be?  This is a finger wagging also, remember how Paul already reprimanded some of them of thinking they were better than because of prestige, baptism regions etc?  No gift is of more importance. All are under the head. Wrist bone is connected to the arm bone arm bone is connected to the elbow, etc. 20 But now indeed there are many members, yet one body. 21 And the eye cannot say to the hand, “I have no need of you”; nor again the head to the feet, “I have no need of you.” If the eye sees a danger it withdraws the hand. If the hand becomes angry with the eye and want’s it removed for pointing out a danger, should the eye be plucked or the hand cut off? 22 No, much rather, those members of the body which seem to be weaker are necessary. They say we lose all balance if the big toe is cut off 23 And those members of the body which we think to be less honorable, on these we bestow greater honor; and our unpresentable parts have greater modesty, 24 but our presentable parts have no need. But God composed the body, having given greater honor to that part which lacks it, 25 that there should be no schism in the body, but that the members should have the same care for one another.  Paul is emphasizing there is no one greater, in the body. If an important part has issue with what is considered unimportant it is to be assumed the ‘unimportant’ is probably right, and NOT the important . 26 And if one member suffers, all the members suffer with it; or if one member is honored, all the members rejoice with it. Pretty self  (or non self) explanatory  27 Now you are the body of Christ, and members individually. We are a body WITH Christ. BUT we are also individuals, responsible for our actions.

28 And God has appointed these in the church:  Paul now gives the ‘jobs’ of the church, to go with the 9 gifts previously spoken of.  One not more important than the other. I still see a bit of finger wagging. All positions in the church are necessary and none any more important. An apostle needs a teacher.

first apostles,- Men sent to preach the Gospel they have ‘Wisdom’. But aren’t we ALL called to preach the Gospel? So those that discern, help, heal, etc. their gifts allow them to posses, for a bit, the gift of Wisdom, to preach. 

second prophets,- Speak words given by Holy Spirit, to explain God’s word, to apply it to today and tomorrow. To Prophesy.  Knowledge. Discern. 

third teachers,- To teach the truth, -Discern and explain the Truth , Knowledge of the scriptures. Wisdom of The Word.

after that miracles,- to’work’ God’s miracles. Healing, Faith of, helps

then gifts of healings, – To heal, to teach of healing. Helps,Faith,Discern

helps,- Faith, Healing,miracles,

administrations,  – Discernment, wisdom, knowledge 

varieties of tongues.- speaking and interpreting tongues. Knowledge, wisdom discernment.

29 Are all apostles? Are all prophets? Are all teachers? Are all workers of miracles?  30 Do all have gifts of healings? Do all speak with tongues? Do all interpret?  Not all who discern teach, and not all who have faith help etc. Your gift does not box you into a certain ‘job’ for the Lord. Each individual is blessed to use their gift in what ever ministry they are called to.  Sorry Tim, Herman,Fred, I disagree with doing only what my ‘Rainbow’ tells me to. I discern so I actually do know 😉31 But earnestly desire the best gifts.Want for ALL the gifts and these to come. WANT Choose.  And yet I show you a more excellent way.– There are BETTER gifts than mentioned and WE are to desire, to possess— Next chapter

Posted in 50 in 50 days

Mamie- One of My Moms-3 Days to 50

50 years ago God brought me in this world and  saw that I needed some help.. He knew two of my mothers just could not, or would not, be what He needed them to be, for me. 1. BioMom. 2.Mom. So he gave me two more ‘Mom’s’ Mamie and Mamaw (my Mom’s mother)– This is the story of Mamie.

My dad was a football coach the first five years of my life,  in De Leon. Dad retired coaching and went into his ‘masters’ and taught math and principled, and we left DeLeon.  My mom taught grade school .  I was pretty much ‘raised’ by others, except in the summers.  I was adopted in April, and I believe my grandmother took care of me until the end of the school year in May, then we moved from Borger to DeLeon. Mom and Dad, had me my first summer of 63 ,and all the summers of my life. I think Mom may have had a perforated ulcer that summer, or maybe just before, so she was probably convalescing during that time and not doing a lot of ‘bonding’.

Mom was not the ‘motherly’ type, not the housewife type, not the submissive wife type.  Mom did not cook breakfast, ever, that I recall. Lunch was sandwiches. Dinner was ‘Supper’ during the week, and it was probably out of a can, or a T.V dinner or another sandwich. We did have Sunday dinner, either canned ham, or meatloaf, or BBQ chicken(chicken with bbq sauce poured over it and put in oven) These meals are remembered AFTER De Leon. I honestly do not remember any meals in my De Leon home . Pretty sure I ate, but I can’t promise anything.  I only have 3 real memories of myself in the house in DeLeon- Sitting in the sandbox outside, watching Dad pick peaches off of a tree. Being stuck to the carpet by a wire doll necklace that was piercing my finger, everyone had gone outside, I thought I would bleed to death ;). Sitting in the hall by the back door looking through my toy box for my favorite doll, and Mom telling me she threw it away, cause it was dirty.

Most of my first five years were spent at Mamie’s house. Mamie Wilkerson was my baby sitter, my care giver, my nearly Mom. I spent September through May, Monday through Friday, 7 AM to 5PM with her. When I was an infant I spent some Friday nights with her, while my Dad coached, my Mom supported, my Kirk ran the bleachers, and my Mike played the tuba. Mamie had me 10 hours a day, 5 days a week. I learned to walk with Mamie, learned to talk with Mamie. Mamie’s husband, ‘Pop’ died just after I turned 2, so I don’t remember him, Mamie said I would sit in his big chair with him and he would sing me songs and blow smoke rings and count them.  Toddler antic stories of me are from Mamie. Pulling toilet paper through out the house, me in my walker.Going to help Mamie pull down the laundry ,in the snow, me putting on my own coat and zipping it up, but forgetting to put on my shoes.  Mamie fed me breakfast, lunch and sometimes dinner. Cooked eggs. Snapped green beans, made a pot for lunch. Mamie would make a batch of peanut brittle every week (De Leon is peanut country), grease up the linoleum table with butter and pour the hot liquid out onto it, and when it cooled would have DeWayne (her great-nephew, who some times stayed) and I break it up. Sometimes the sugar shards would poke my fingers and make them bleed. I learned to cook from Mamie. Mamie and I would walk downtown to the store for groceries. Mamie did not drive, but really did not need to. I learned to do, to make do, to do for yourself.  If she needed to go further, she would call her daughter and she would take us. Mamie worked in the nursery at the Baptist church, sometimes I would go with her, if my parents had some school event or ?. In the front room of Mamie’s house was this picture.51FcTqe1xLLIt kind of scared me, the darkness and the children being alone, Mamie found me crying about them one afternoon at nap time. Mamie is who taught me no matter how dark things get, and they will get dark, or how alone I feel, I am protected, I am not alone, ever.  My up to 5 memories are at Mamie’s with Mamie.

Scan 197
Don’t know her, Kirk,Mike, DLana,Dwayne,Me
Scan 196
DWayne,Mamie,Me

I have pictures of birthdays 1,2,3,4,5  , but the only birthday party I actually remember, prior to moving to Abilene is with Mamie. In her house. My family was invited ;). Bill, Mamies son,  his wife Shirley, Mamie’s granddaughter DLana, and grandson , who was also Kirks best friend ,Marnie were there, and of course DWayne. I wore my favorite short suit, denim mid drift with red bandana ruffle and matching shorts. I remember swapping between Dad and ‘Uncle’ Bill’s laps and watching the water condense on the outside of the metal tea glasses, as everyone sat around and talked and laughed. I learned to be a hostess,and to enjoy family times.

I looked up Mamie on Find a Grave.com- I found some details I did not know about her. Mamie was 15 when she married to Riley, who was 30. I know now why he died, it was time for him. Mamie was 61, when she started caring for me, grandmother age, she kept me till she was 66. Details, that don’t change the impact she made on my life. Details that do show me education, money, genetics, prestige, refinement,age, those are not what matters. It is the heart, it is the soul, it is the want to love and care, and instill character for a child, even one that is not your own, that makes a mother.   Everything I needed to know I learned before Kindergarten with Mamie. 😉

Posted in 50 in 50 days, Exhort Pray Praise...

April Fool? 5 days to 50

It is April Fools day- Which to me always means my birthday is just around the corner– YIPEEEEEE.

I have survived a few foolish things in my 50 years.  More than I remember. I have made unwise choices. >Things are Happenin...

Those foolish decisions I recall brought me injury. Physically and mentally. I have slide down driveways, skidded across a road in a bikini, had little leaches ALL over my body, bounced around in a rolling Pacer, had stitches from toe to heel, broken my wrist, lost my favorite white pants suit, spent the night cleaning up my best friends Jack reeking puke from my parents bedroom, said yes when I should have said no, said no when I should have said yes, sacrificed my integrity all to ‘belong’, trusted in man instead of God, said things out of anger, had 1,2,3,4 too many. ignored wise counsel, put it off till tomorrow, left the gate open, spoken when I should have kept quiet, been quiet when I should have spoken, got fat, flown across the room with greatest of ease, pet the wrong cat, taken a wrong step…….. I have been the fool.

Some of the foolishness I still deal with- The weight, the aches and pains from the breaks, those I have hurt with my words remember, I have scars from being a fool.

It has been said that to call someone a fool will send you to hell :

Matthew 5:22  But I say to you that whoever is angry with his brother without a cause shall be in danger of the judgment. And whoever says to his brother, ‘Raca!’ shall be in danger of the council. But whoever says, ‘You fool!’ shall be in danger of hell fire.

Those that use this scripture this way are wrong, fools.  Jesus is basically telling everyone to go the extra mile here. The Law still stands, still should be practiced, but not just to get brownie points. Not only do we not murder because the Law says, we love others, we curb our anger, our judgement, because we are lead by the Holy Spirit, because we believe in Jesus Christ as our Savior.

IF Burning in hell were the result of all who pointed out the foolishness of others, then David, Solomon, Peter, Paul and even God would all get scorched.

Psalm 14:1The fool says in his heart, “There is no God.” They are corrupt, their deeds are vile; there is no one who does good

Psalm 74:22Rise up, O God, and defend your cause; remember how fools mock you all day long

Psalm 92:6Senseless people do not know, fools do not understand

Proverbs 1:7The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge, but fools despise wisdom and instruction.
Proverbs 10:18Whoever conceals hatred with lying lips and spreads slander is a fool.

Proverbs 13:19A longing fulfilled is sweet to the soul, but fools detest turning from evil.

Proverbs 14:7Stay away from a fool, for you will not find knowledge on their lips.

Proverbs 15:7The lips of the wise spread knowledge, but the hearts of fools are not upright

Ezekiel 13:3This is what the Sovereign Lord says: Woe to the foolish prophets who follow their own spirit and have seen nothing!

Isaiah 32:6For fools speak folly, their hearts are bent on evil: They practice ungodliness and spread error concerning the Lord; the hungry they leave empty and from the thirsty they withhold water

Matthew 23:17You blind fools! Which is greater: the gold, or the temple that makes the gold sacred?

Luke 12:20“But God said to him, ‘You fool! This very night your life will be demanded from you. Then who will get what you have prepared for yourself?’

Galatians 3:1You foolish Galatians! Who has bewitched you? Before your very eyes Jesus Christ was clearly portrayed as crucified.

1 Peter 2:15For it is God’s will that by doing good you should silence the ignorant talk of foolish people.

1 Corinthians 15:36How foolish! What you sow does not come to life unless it dies

If I continued to choose foolishly, to not abide to my God, to stay stupid, to choose the world, MY way- I would be the condemned fool. If I did not know what a fool I am without Jesus Christ-My eternity would be HOT.