WITNESSES...DEFENDERS...STRUGGLERS & WRESTLERS

Greetings and Salutations O Ye Witnesses and Defenders of the Faith...


Well...have you proved your point yet? Have you justified your actions? Have you fully clarified your feelings about the matter? Have you been a witness after you received the Holy Ghost? Have you straightened out the crooked or crooked out the straight? Is your passion manifested in anger, rage, bitterness, vitriol as you put them in their place? Do you seethe as you ...
love to correct? Have you sacrificed you own peace as the one not at peace will not succumb to your wisdom and insights? Does the sin of others cause you to sin? Welcome to my world. In a world filled with those who deny the very existence of the one who I love...and those who say they love Him but appears to lean to the left and right of the political spectrum...causing my blood pressure to rise like a gaseous ball rising out of the darkness into the light of day...my choices are clear...for me.

"And so when they had come together, they were asking Him, saying, Lord is it at this time You are restoring the kingdom to Israel? He said to them, It is not for you to know the times or epochs (seasons) which the Father has fixed by His own authority (power...exousia...delegated authority); BUT YOU shall receive power (dunamis...dynamic ability) when the Holy Ghost has come upon you; and you shall BE MY WITNESSES (not witness...but BE)...both in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and even to the remotest part of the earth." (Acts 1:6-8)

"But God demonstrates (shows us how it is done)...His own LOVE toward (His love is directional) us, in that while we were YET sinners Christ died for us." (Romans 5:8)

"Brethren, even if a man is caught in any trespass, you who are SPIRITUAL... restore such a one (the trespasser) in a SPIRIT OF GENTLENESS...looking to yourselves, lest you to be tempted (in what you are correcting)." (Galatians 5:1)

"And who is there to harm you if you prove ZEALOUS FOR WHAT IS GOOD? But even if you should suffer for the SAKE OF RIGHTEOUSNESS, you are BLESSED. And do not FEAR THEIR INTIMIDATION...and do not BE TROUBLED...but SANCTIFY CHRIST IN YOUR HEARTS...always BE READY TO MAKE A DEFENSE to every one who asks you to GIVE AN ACCOUNT FOR THE HOPE that is in you...YET...with GENTLENESS and REVERENCE and keep a good conscience so that in the thing which you are SLANDERED...those who REVILE YOUR GOOD BEHAVIOR IN CHRIST...may not be PUT TO SHAME."
(I Peter 3:13-16)

THE STRUGGLE
Are you weary, struggling, worn down, haggard, discouraged, weak, have done everything, disgusted with people (non-Christians and Christians alike)? Do you just keep on punching...but the knock out punch just won't come? Do you feel as if people are pulling the old Mohammad Ali ROPE-A-DOPE (a tactic that Mohammad Ali used to lean back on the ropes...and cover up and allow his opponent to wear himself out with his punching) on you....and you end up looking like the dope? Are you punching at the wind or shadows...getting a good cardio workout but not connecting with the enemy. Maybe you are wrestling or  punching the wrong human beings.

"For our struggle (we wrestle not) is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the powers, against the world forces of this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of wickedness in the heavenly places." (Ephesians 6:12)


 NOTE: Read Ephesians 6:10-20 for how to be a witness of the D.B.R. in a dark and dying world.


Many times we share our faith to others...and they either just look at us as if we were crazy...or they just cannot comprehend how we could believe in such a fairy tale contrived of human beings to appease our feelings of guilt.


"And even if our gospel is VEILED, it is VEILED to those who are perishing...in whose case the god of this world (aka the d-evil) has BLINDED THE MINDS of the UNBELIEVING...that they might not see THE LIGHT OF THE GOSPEL OF THE GLORY OF CHRIST...who is the IMAGE OF GOD." (II Corinthians 4:3-4)


As you prepare for the fight...the first steps of your training...are like the Petra song...."Get on your knees...and fight like a man." Get prayed up, get filled up (with the Holy Ghost), get confessed up and forgiven up, forgive others, empty out all of your Pharisee attitude and fill up with the attitude (the beatitude...the attitude that we should be having) that Jesus had...as he humbled Himself.
Now get out there and fight the real enemy before you ever lash out at another human being.


FINAL THOUGHTS...FINALLY

Cue the Rocky Music


Love and Less Struggling Kisses
Rodney "Fighting The Real Enemy" Boyd

LOVE: THE NOUN & VERB FACTOR

Greetings Lovers In A Dangerous Time...


"Nothing worth having comes without a fight...you got to kick at the darkness and make it bleed daylight." (Bruce Cockburn Lovers In A Dangerous Time)




"What the world needs now...is love sweet love..." (Jackie Deshannon)



"All you need is love..." (The Beatles)




"The Beatles said all you need is love...and then they broke up." (Larry Norman)




"For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever would believe in Him would not perish but have everlasting life." (John 3:16)


"Whoever does not love does not know God, because God is love." (I John 4:8)


"I love hot dogs...I love my wife...I love God...not necessarily in that order." (R.L.B.)


Over the years...I have made an offer of $1000.00 to anyone who can find in the Gospels of Matthew, Mark, Luck and John...if they can find anywhere that Jesus said those three little words..."I Love You."  Only the use of translations and not paraphrases or some other obscure translations will be accepted.  Some have even tried a convoluted use of the Hebrew/Aramaic/Greek language to twist the words of Jesus into "I Love You"...but they were denied.  Actually...I have no money to give them...and my tongue is firmly placed in my cheek as I issue this challenge...but as of yet...no winners.


Jesus may have very well said those three words...but...as John states in his Gospel..."And there are also MANY OTHER THINGS which Jesus did, which if they were written in detail, I suppose that even the world itself would not contain the books which were written." (John 21:25)  I suppose that this would include things He said.  There is no doubt that He love the Father...and that He loves you... I just cant' find where He said it.


In this DANGEROUS TIME that we live...the word love is bandied around by people to the point where the word just does not mean anything.  One the positive side it is a noun that people express there emotional feelings towards one another...by saying I love you...and they really do mean it...whatever their concept of the word is for them.  On the negative side...the words are used to manipulate, shame, and generally get what they want.  Many times the word LOVE...means LUST.  The most obvious use of this word is a guy...trying to convince a girl to have sex with him...as she attempts to resist the temptation.  He looks her tenderly in the eyes...and says, "I love you baby" and at some point she melts because she wants to be loved...and she lets him have sex with her.  But his love is over as quickly as his pleasure has be satisfied.  Cause and effect kicks in way after he leaves...and the old rhyme begins to ring out loud..."Jack and Jill sitting in a tree...K.I.S.S.I.N.G... first comes LUST then comes desertion...now she is sitting with a baby from flirtation." 

In the Greek language...there are multiple words for this Crazy Little Thing called love...where in English...one word fits all.  Some of the words are;

• Storge':  Familial love, the love of a mother for a child.
• Phileo:   Brotherly love...love for mankind
• Eros:      Sensual love...not necessarily just sexual...but things that appeal to the senses
• Agape':  The kind of love that God IS and HAS and EXPRESSES.

"For God so AGAPED the world that He GAVE His only begotten Son, that whosoever believes in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life." (John 3:16)


It is this type of LOVE...the AGAPE' kind that we are called to have and EXPRESS via our SPEECH and out ACTIONS. 


I was talking with someone who was having an argument with someone and I posed the question..."Well...do you love her?"  We then began to talk about the various kinds of love...and that the storge', the phileo, and the eros...must be motivated out of the AGAPE' or they will be inward like an infected hair...and the love that you seek will be very, very, painful.  We then turned to I Corinthians 13...aka THE LOVE CHAPTER to see what love is...and how it is expressed.  LOVE IS:

• Patient
• Kind
• Not Jealous
• Does not brag
• Is not arrogant
• Does not act becomingly
• Does not seek its own
• Is not provoked
• Does not take into account a wrong suffered
• Does not rejoice in unrighteousness
• Rejoices with the truth
• Bears all things
• Believes all things
• Hopes all things
• Endures all things
• LOVE NEVER FAILS

When these things are in play...families, mankind, and our sensual love will not be DEFILED but IN PROPER ORDER.


Of course you can get discouraged because there are so many areas that we are not doing.  The reality is (1) You can't do it on your own (2) You never will if you do not purpose to do these things (3) If LUST IS LORD and not JESUS IS LORD...then you will never LOVE PROPERLY.
This love to others is hinged on your love for God.

"And he answered, "YOU SHALL LOVE THE LORD YOUR GOD WITH ALL YOUR HEART, AND WITH ALL YOUR SOUL, AND WITH ALL YOUR STRENGTH, AND WITH ALL YOUR MIND; AND YOUR NEIGHBOR AS YOURSELF." (Luke 10:27)


FINAL THOUGHTS...FINALLY
You can't love your neighbor as you love yourself...unless you love yourself...and the only way you can love yourself is realize how much you are loved by God...and your relationship with you loving the Lord you God with all your (1) heart (2) soul (3) mind (4) strength.  And you can't do anything without the HELP of the HELPER...THE HOLY SPIRIT.


The next time you tell someone..."I LOVE You"...filter it through THE LOVE CHAPTER...and then don't just say it...DO IT...after all LOVE is (1) a noun (2) a verb.

PRESSING MEMORIES

Greetings and Salutations those who remember....


One of the top ten favorite Elvis Presley songs for me is MEMORIES.  Back in 1968, Elvis had a Christmas special that came to be known as THE COMEBACK SPECIAL.  Elvis had not been on stage performing live in ten years.  He had been lost in a maze of movies and movie soundtracks and was about to return with a vengeance dressed in a black leather jumpsuit.  After a raucous and rowdy session of rock and roll...Elvis sat at the edge of the stage and sang MEMORIES.
MEMORIES

Memories, pressed between the pages of my mind
Memories, sweetened through the ages just like wine

Quiet thoughts come floating down and settle softly to the ground
Like golden autumn leaves around my feet
I touched them and they burst apart with sweet memories
Sweet memories

Of holding hands and red bouquets
And twilights trimmed in purple haze
And laughing eyes and simple ways
And quiet nights and gentle days with you

Memories, pressed between the pages of my mind
Memories, sweetened through the ages just like wine
Memories, memories

Of holding hands and red bouquets
And twilights trimmed in purple haze
And laughing eyes and simple ways
And quiet nights and gentle days with you

Memories, pressed between the pages of my mind
Memories, sweetened through the ages just like wine
Memories, memories, sweet memories, memories


THE PROBLEM WITH MEMORIES


Memories can be GOOD...BAD...or UGLY.  The problem is...when the memories don't become sweetened or softened with time...but be bitter and hard and calloused.  We have talked in previous Ruminator Ramblings about the makeup of human beings...being spirit, soul, and body.  The spirit being the core of who we are...and the place of communication and intimacy with the Creator of the universe.  Without the Lord...the spirit becomes a dark place void of His Spirit.  The body is the housing or carrier for the spirit/soul and is made up of flesh, blood, bones, etc.  It is the SOUL...the place of our mind (what we think), our will (what we freely choose) and our emotions (the gauge of feelings).  From the point of when we are born into this world (via leaving the womb)....and the point of when we leave planet earth...by being planted into the earth (aka a grave)...our EXPERIENCES will be a combination of GOOD...BAD...and UGLY.  How these experiences are handled...will determine the person that we will become...and how FREE or BOUND emotionally we will become.


I know people who handle whatever happens to them...based on these memories.  My brother in the Lord...Tom Cartwright JUST (hot off the presses) post a status update that underscores what we are talking about. 

"Because we have selective memories we often view our past through either rose colored glasses or a magnifying glass.  If we've been wounded, God not only wants to heal the wound, but go back beyond the wounding and capture the intent and purpose that he had for us before it took place...so we won't be stuck for seasons of our lives." (Tom Cartwright)


This distorted view of our memories....will transcend into a distorted view of our current life...and will skew our view and expectation (hope) of the future.


THE SOLUTION FOR MEMORIES
"Therefore...if any man/wo-man/hu-man...is IN CHRIST...he/she/they are NEW CREATIONS...the OLD THINGS past away...behold...NEW THINGS have come (and are constantly coming)."
(II Corinthians 5:17)


The THEREFORE in this verse refers to a previous thought....which is WHY II Corinthians 5:17 can happen.  It is all hinged on THE LOVE OF CHRIST.  The love of Christ becomes a controlling factor in our lives (instead of our memories).  We come to a conclusion that ONE (Jesus) died for ALL (the world).  He not only DIED...but He ROSE AGAIN...and because HE (Jesus) did this...WE (the world) has the opportunity to NOT be bound by PAST (memories) but can be CHANGED in the NOW and be poised for the FUTURE.  (II Corinthians 5:14-16)


THE STONE OF REMEMBRANCE
There is a phrase that is NOT found the Bible...but the concept rings out.  It is said that God "casts our sins into the sea of FORGETFULNESS. 

"He will again have compassion on us; He will tread our iniquities underfoot.  Yes, Thou will cast all their sins into the depths of the sea." (Micah 7:19)


In the Psalm where we find THE BENEFITS PACKAGE (Psalm 103:1-5)...we also find a verse that speaks of the circular nature of our sins never meeting.

"For high as the heavens are above the earth, so great is His loving-kindness toward those who fear him. As far as the east is from the west...so far has He removed our transgressions from us."
(Psalm 103:11-12)


In the book of I Samuel...there is reference to how we should remember things.  The Philistines were attacking...God was protecting.  After VICTORY in the BATTLE...and Samuel TOOK A STONE and set it between Mizpah and Shen...and named it EBENEZER (stone of help/remembrance), saying, "Thus far the Lord has helped us." (I Samuel 7:12)


This STONE (Jesus is the ROCK)...was a REMINDER...to help them REMEMBER the next time they face difficulties with enemies....that THE LORD HAS HELPED US...THUS FAR...and the implications is....that if He has helped us THUS FAR...he will CONTINUE TO HELP US.


FINAL THOUGHTS...FINALLY


Yes...our lives are shaped by our past experiences...and our past experiences are underscored by our memories....but NO we do not have to be dominated by our past memories...as we come to the Lord...and begin to RENEW OUR MINDS....CHANGE OUR WAY OF THINKING....DEVELOP A NEW MIND SET....and begin to LET/ALLOW OUR MINDS TO DWELL ON THE LORD. (Romans 12:1-2; Romans 8:5-8; Philippians 4:8-9)


Love and Sweet Memory Kisses
Rodney "Remembering The Stone" Boyd

DRINK...DRANK...GET DRUNK

Greetings and Salutations O Ye Drunkards, Present Drunkards...Former Drunkards...Future Drunkards...


Have ya been DRUNK lately?


DRUNK: methusko (meth-oos-ko)=to intoxicate-be drunk- to drink to intoxication, that is get drunk-drink well, make drunk-drunken.


I have had the honor of meeting and having my picture take with and received an autographed 8 x 10 glossy photo...of Hal Smith.  For those who are not fans of THE ANDY GRIFFITH SHOW...Hal Smith played Otis Campbell the town DRUNK.  Of course his character is played for laughs but in reality...a DRUNK is not funny...but in reality tragic.


Usually...the person who likes to drink alcoholic beverages (aka adult beverages)...in defense of their drinking they usually say..."the key is drinking in moderation.".  I do believe that...moderation in everything is prudent.  Be moderate in pot smoking...a little moderation eating at a buffet...moderation in intake of meth...moderation in cocaine and heroin....moderation is sexual immorality...moderation is the key to everything.


NOTE:  I do not believe that the Bible teaches being a teetotaler.  But the Bible does teach to not get DRUNK.


I personally...like to get DRUNK.  SAY WHAT!!!!  Hey...if sin was not pleasurable for the moment...nobody would sin.  That's the nature of socialization in an adult world (that children like to emulate).  Have ya ever noticed...that children...can't wait to be a teenager...so they can do teenager thinks...and then teenagers can't wait to turn 18...thinking they are adults...and they can start doing adult things.  Adult things is what they see on the movies...what their favorite recording artists do...what their friends are doing.  After all...the T.V. show FRIENDS shows how young adults live when they are off on their on.  Even Christian youth...when they get out from under the thumb of their church and parents...want to do adult things. NOTE:  Not all people Christian or non-Christian do these things.


For the "sophisticated...mature" Christians...we like to feel like we have FREEDOM to do things that other "less sophisticated...less mature" Christians can't control. NOTE:  Gary S. Paxton wrote a song many years ago called SOPHISTICATED SAVAGES.   Again, the idea of socialization with other like people lends to "social drinking".  Back in 1970...when I first became a follower of Jesus...I preached my first message that lasted maybe then minutes before I ran out of stuff to say.  I was young, a fresh Christian...and had no idea of what I was talking about.  The one line that I remember...was..."You will start out as a SOCIAL DRINKER...and end up a SOCIAL DRUNK."
My next message was entitled...DON'T BOIL THE BABY...but that is another story for another time.


Again...we have been set FREE...but we are encouraged to STAY FREE.


"It was for FREEDOM that Christ set us FREE...therefore...KEEP STANDING FIRM and do NOT BE SUBJECT AGAIN...to the YOKE OF SLAVERY." (Galatians 5:1)


"All things are lawful for me, but not all things are PROFITABLE.  All things are lawful for me, but I WILL NOT BE MASTERED BY ANYTHING."  (I Corinthians 6:12)


"Even so...consider yourselves to be DEAD TO SIN...but ALIVE TO GOD in Christ Jesus.  Therefore DO NOT LET/ALLOW SIN to reign (rule) in your mortal body, that you should OBEY ITS lusts." (Romans 6:11-12)


"For SIN shall NOT BE MASTER OVER YOU...for you are not under law...but grace." (Romans 6:14)


The YOKE that is being talked about...and the MASTER that is being talked about, and the SLAVE MASTER is SIN.


In connection with SIN...the FLESH...and the DEEDS OF THE FLESH...here are just a few of the things that Paul is warning CHRISTIANS...not non-Christians to beware of in Galatians 5:19-21:

• Immorality
• Impurity
• Sensuality
• Idolatry
• Sorcery (enchantment with drugs)
• Enmities
• Strife
• Jealousy
• Outbursts of anger
• Disputes
• Dissensions
• Factions
• Envyings
• Drunkenness
• Carousings
• And things like these.

I have found through personal experience...that when you let your GUARD DOWN...by doing certain things that I may have the freedom to do...before I know it...I am IN THE YOKE OF SLAVERY AGAIN.  SIN HAS ENTRAPPED ME AGAIN.  You can even get trapped again... when you are trying to do the right things.  I remember once witnessing to a guy at where I use to work...and one day...he invited me over to his house to teach him how to play the guitar.  I figured...it was another opportunity to share my faith.  He offered me a beer...and I reasoned...to be a witness, I did not need to appear a spiritual snob...so I had a beer....in the name of witnessing to him.  One beer led to another...and a six pack was down...and so was I...and so was my witness. This led to my "backsliding"...except...I did not slide on my back...but slid face forward into the muck and the mire of sin.  As a matter of fact...this guy threw me a bachelor party...where just me an him...went bar hopping from Murfreesboro to Nashville...drinking and getting DRUNK.  At one point...I hopped in his car...and drove around in circles while he chased after me to get control of the car.  In one bar...we went in...and man, it was a rough crowd.  I remember going over to a lady with jet black hair, ruby red lips, heavy eyeliner, smoking a cigarette and sitting at a table with her redneck boyfriend.  I asked him..."May I kiss your girlfriend?" He gave me to O.K. and I planted my firm but pliant lips on her ruby red lips.  My friend took me by the arm and led me back outside.  Why am I telling you this?  Because...all of this was done...just before I got married to Brenda...and after I was saved, baptized, been away to Bible School, baptized in the Holy Ghost.  WHAT HAPPENED?  I let my guard down...slowly at first but the sin breached the wall and flooded into my life.  The little foxes...that I allowed in...SPOILED MY VINEYARD. (Song of Solomon 2:15)


Some would say..."well yeah...you don't need to be drinking...but I can handle it...and I have the freedom to do it."  Yes you do...BUT...be careful.  Again, I am not against drinking...just against drunkenness...and not even against drunkenness...but against the affect that it will have on your life.

THE APPROVED DRUNKENNESS FOR CHRISTIANS


"Do not get DRUNK with wine...for that is DEBAUCHERY (excess)...but ever be FILLED (controlled) and STIMULATED with the (HOLY) SPIRIT. (Ephesians 5:18 The Amplified Bible)

Oh...I know, I know...Jesus turned the water into wine.  I know that the wine was potent...in Corinth...otherwise...how could they have got DRUNK on grape juice.  But to be filled, controlled, stimulated...and not stumbling, out of control, letting your guard down is so much better for you.  No hangover...no regrets of doing stupid stuff you don't remember doing...no little surprises like a little bundle of joy because you let your guard down and allowed some Neanderthal lie to you about love or believing some cute little thing lying to you about what a hunk you are...and both lying to you about PROVING YOUR LOVE with sex...in a drunken stupor.  NOTE: These things can happen when you are not in a drunken stupor...because lust is lust and sin is sin drunk or sober.


FINAL THOUGHTS...FINALLY


In the words of  the beer commercial that focuses on the imaginary most interesting man in the world...I don't write a Ruminator Rambling like this often...but when I do...I do it in love.  Be DRUNK in the Holy Ghost my friends.


Love and Non-Intoxicated Kisses
Rodney "Under the Influence of the Holy Ghost" Boyd

THE WORTHY WALK, TALK, THOUGHTS

Greetings and Salutations O Ye Walkers, Talkers, and Thinkers...




WORTHY WALK
Your WALK is defined as how you live your life out loud. Everyone has a walk...and there are people either on the walk with you (for good or bad) or they are walking in the opposite direction of your walk (Driving In England on the Santa Anna Freeway by The Swirling Eddies) or they are just watching your walk as you walk on by. The question is...how is our WALK. Well if you are a believer in the D.B.R....if you are a follower of Jesus...if you call yourself a Christian...how you walk is very, very, very... did I say very...very...important.

"I therefore, the prisoner of the Lord entreat you to WALK IN A MANNER WORTHY OF THE CALLING WITH WHICH YOU HAVE BEEN CALLED." (Ephesians 4:1)
Back in the day...I wrote a song called ARE YOU A CHRISTIAN. One line goes, "we may be the only Bibles, that others may read...if the pages are smudged and dirty...how can the others see. I know that we're not perfect, and that's why Jesus came...He died and He rose again...to Him we're all the same." (Are You A Christian off of the CD... Ruminator Unplugged)  Walk On.

WORTHY TALK


Your WALK is determined by your TALK which is linked to your THOUGHT. Of course this goes along with the quote..."Unrestrained THOUGHTS (think)...produces unrestrained WORDS (talk) resulting in unrestrained actions (walk)" It all comes down to a choice of how we think, talk, and walk. If you don't choose to think with a renewed mind and talk with renewed words and act with renewed actions you will default to the negative and go on automatic pilot. So...how do ...we TALK IN A WORTHY MANNER?

"Let no (don't allow it) unwholesome (rotten) WORD proceed from your MOUTH...but only such a WORD as is good for EDIFICATION (building up not tearing down)...according to the NEED OF THE MOMENT...that it (the word of edification) may give GRACE to those who HEAR it (the word of edification)." (Ephesians 4:29)


The things that would make the talk unworthy includes: falsehood, anger, giving the d-evil opportunity, bitterness, wrath, anger, clamor, slander, malice. (Ephesians 4:25-31
The things that would make the TALK WORTHY includes: truth, don't let the sun go down on your anger, don't give the d-evil opportunity, be kind, be tenderhearted, forgiving, do to others just as God in Christ has forgiven you. (Ephesians 4:25-32)

WORTHY THOUGHTS
Your THOUGHTS will either be renewed or un-renewed...and how your thoughts go...your talk goes...and your actions go. Your un-renewed thoughts will default to the flesh...and your renewed thoughts will default to the Spirit. It is all about MINDSET...where you SET your MIND.


"For the MIND SET on the FLESH is DEATH...but the MIND SET on the SPIRIT is LIFE and PEACE." (Romans 8:6)

"The steadfast of MIND Thou will keep in PERFECT PEACE...because it is STAYED on THEE." (Isaiah 26:3)


"If then you have been RAISED UP WITH CHRIST...KEEP SEEKING the things ABOVE, where Christ is seated at the right hand of God...SET YOUR MIND on the things above, not on the things of the EARTH. For you have died...and your life is HIDDEN WITH CHRIST IN GOD." (Colossians 3:1-3)


If I don't SET my alarm...guess what the cause and effect will be. That's right...it will not go off...and that will set a series of dominoes falling for my day. I sleep later...I get up later...I have to rush around in my morning routine and may leave things out. I will either gobble down breakfast or skip breakfast...run out of the house forgetting something I needed...rush to get to work...and get a speeding ticket. And that's just the first part of the day. BUT...IF...I SET MY ALARM...I'm up...got time to have morning devotions, prayer, a cup of coffee, nice long shower...etc. My day hinges on ALARM SET...and so is my life hinged on my MIND SET.


In a world of ANXIETY...we are promised a PEACE that passes UNDERSTANDING...and a promise of the PEACE OF GOD...guarding our HEARTS and our MINDS in Christ Jesus. The key to a MIND OF PEACE and a guarded HEART AND MIND is prayer, supplication with thanksgiving. Here is how you DEVELOP A MIND SET.
In Philippians 4:8 we see where our MIND should be DWELLING.


"Let your MIND DWELL ON THESE THINGS...WHATEVER IS:
1. True
2. Honorable
3. Right
4. Pure
5. Lovely
6. Good Report
7. Excellence
8. Anything worthy of praise
LET YOUR MIND DWELL ON THESE THINGS.


In Philippians 4:9 Paul encourages them to follow his example in this MIND DWELLING.
"The things you have (1) learned (2) received (3) heard (4) seen) in me...
PRACTICE THESE THINGS...and the GOD OF PEACE shall be with you."


IF your MIND is SET...DWELLING...and PRACTICING these things...I can assure you that your WORDS will follow and your CORRESPONDING ACTIONS...your works...what you do...your WALK will be in a MANNER WORTHY OF THE CALLING WITH WHICH YOU HAVE BEEN CALLED.




Love and Worthy Kisses
Rodney "Thinking...Talking...and Walking" Boyd

THE CHOSEN FAST (Man's versus God's) in ISAIAH 58:1-14

THE CHOSEN FAST (Man's versus God's) in ISAIAH 58:1-14
Have you ever noticed...that sometimes we do things that we believe that God desires...but we do them for all the wrong reasons?  Oh we are "working for the Lord"...but He does not desire the works with our attitudes.  Isaiah 58:1-5 speaks of man's version of the fast.  It reminds me of God's word to church in Revelation 2:1-5 or David's insight into true repentance in Psalm 51:16-17. 
God asks the question..."Is this not the FAST which I chose?"  The thing that jumps out at me about MAN'S FAST versus GOD'S FAST is that as a man...I need to SLOW down my FAST if I am going to do God's Fast...and not just speedily go head strong trying to do religious things.  Here are some of God's Chosen Fast:
1.  To  loosen  the bonds of wickedness
2.  To undo the bands of the yoke
3.  To let the oppressed go free
4.  To break every yoke
5.  Divide your bread with the hungry
6.  Bring the homeless person into your house
7.  Cover the naked when you see them
8.  Don't hide yourself from your own flesh
THE CAUSE AND EFFECT OF THIS TYPE OF FASTING
1.  Your light will break out like the dawn
2.  Your recovery will speedily spring forth
3.  Your righteousness will go before you
4.  The glory of the Lord will be your rear guard
5.  You will call and the Lord will answer
6.  You will cry and the Lord will say...here I AM
THE BIG IF
These things are hinged on your free will to choose to do these things:
1.  IF you remove the yoke from your midst
2.  IF you remove the pointing of the finger
3.  IF you remove the speaking of wickedness
4.  IF you give yourself to the hungry
5.  IF you satisfy the desire (furnish) the desire of the afflicted
AGAIN...THE CAUSE AND EFFECT OF CORRESPONDING ACTIONS TO YOUR FAITH IN FASTING
1.  Then your light will rise in the darkness
2.  Then your gloom will become like midday
3.  The Lord will continually guide you
4.  The Lord will satisfy your desire in scorched places
5.  The Lord will give strength to your bones
6.  You will be like a watered garden
7.  You will be like a spring of water whose waters do not fail
8.  You will be like rebuilding the ancient ruins
9.  You will raise up the age-old foundations
10.You will be called the repairer of the breach
11.You will be called the restorer of the streets in which to dwell
THE SABBATH CONNECTION (Shabbat Shalom)
1.  IF you turn your foot because of the Sabbath
2.  IF you turn your foot from doing your own pleasure on His Holy Day
3.  IF you call the Sabbath a delight...the Holy Day of the Lord...honorable
4.  IF you shall honor it (the Sabbath)
5.  IF you desist from your own ways
6.  IF you desist from seeking your own pleasure
7.  IF you desist from speaking your won word.
CAUSE AND EFFECT
1.  Then you will take delight in the Lord
2.  Then The Lord will make you ride on the heights of the earth
3.  Then the Lord will feed you with the heritage of Jacob your father
WHAT IS THE AUTHORITY FOR THESE THINGS TO HAPPEN?
"For the mouth of the Lord has spoken."  (Isaiah 58:14)


FINAL THOUGHTS...FINALLY


Well...if you are going to FAST...do SLOWLY and with PURPOSE.


Love and Supersonic Kisses
Rodney "Fasting As Slow As Possible" Boyd

THE TOP 20 THESSALONIANS THEREFORE FACTOR

THE TOP 20 THESSALONIANS THEREFORE FACTOR
"For God has not destined us for wrath...but for obtaining salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ...who died for us, that whether we are awake or asleep, we may live together with Him." (I Thessalonians 5:9-10)
Fellow Chewers of the CUD...As we walk in our DESTINY (which is not wrath but salvation)...we are called to LIVE together with Him. The choice is to (1) live together awake (alive) or live together asleep (dead). I Thessalonians 5:11-22 lays out the practical ways to LIVE TOGETHER WITH HIM while we are ALIVE on Planet Earth until He returns. THEREFORE:

1. Encourage one another
2. Build up one another
3. Appreciate those who diligently labor among you
4. Appreciate those who have charge over you in the Lord
5. Appreciate those who give you instruction
6. Esteem those very highly those in charge over you/give you instruction
in love because of their work
7. Live in peace with one another
8. Admonish the unruly
9. Encourage the fainthearted
10 Help the weak
11 Be patient with all men
12.See that no one repays another with evil for evil
13 Always seek after that which is good for one another and for all men
14 Rejoice always
15 Pray without ceasing
16 In everything give thanks (the giving of thanks in everything is the will
of God...not everything that happens to you...but the giving of thanks in
everything)
17 Do not quench the Spirit
18 Do not despise prophetic utterances
19 Examine everything carefully and hold fast to that which is good
20 Abstain from every form/appearance of evil
"Now...may the God of peace Himself sanctify you entirely/totally/wholly; and may your spirit (pneuma), soul (psyche) and body (soma) be preserved complete, and without blame at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ." (I Thessalonians 5:23)
Well...there ya go. If you are sitting around and wondering what you can do until the Lord comes back...start with these 20 actions...and when you have those down pat...we will talk about other things you can do.

RUMINATOR RAMLINGS: HEALING...GOD'S WILL OR A ROLE OF THE KARMA DICE. PART FOUR/4

Greetings and Salutations O Ye Chewers, Mooers and Doers of the SEED/CUD OF THE WORD OF GOD....
Throughout the Old Testament...there are many Messianic Prophecies...concerning the coming Messiah/Christ.  The expectation was this would be someone who will overthrow current governments with POWER and will establish a Kingdom in place of current kingdoms.  People tend to miss the Messiah because their expectation may not have included a SUFFERING MESSIAH.  But the coming KING...is going to be someone who would become a CURSE because He would allow Himself to be mocked, beaten, scourged to a bloody mess...IN OUR PLACE...as a SATISFACTORY SUBSTITUTE (propitiation) because of our (1) sinful nature (2) sins (plural...the out workings of that sinful nature).
  "The God of our fathers RAISED UP JESUS...whom you had PUT TO DEATH...by HANGING HIM ON A CROSS.  He is the one whom God exalted to His right hand as a Prince and a Savor, to grant repentance to Israel, and FORGIVENESS OF SINS." (Acts 5:30)


Of course...this study...is about IF the CROSS deals with both SIN and SICKNESS.  Does this CROSS deal with the cause and effect of DIS-obedience in the Garden with the results of DIS-ease, DYS-function and DIS-order?






NOTE:  Again, let me underscore that I am not negating current means of dealing with sickness...unless those current means are utilized to mask symptoms or propagate other problems with health.  Just watch any commercial about medications and listen to the warnings about possible side effects if you take the medications.  I believe that God has provide NATURAL means for healing including readjustments of the subluxation of impingement on nerves (where life to the body flows), essential oils, nutrition/diet changes, and other methods.  Of course this is not the focus on this study. We have been talking about the Will of God, the Nature of God as a Healer, the effect of the Cross on our spiritual and physical being.  We are talking of the cause and effect of God's SUPER on our NATURAL...inside and out.






ENTER ISAIAH 53


The question is..."Who has BELIEVED our message"? (Isaiah 53:1)  Isaiah has just wrote about the Lord's SERVANT in Isaiah 52:13.  The Lord's servant will:

• will prosper
• be high
• be lifted up
• be greatly exalted

So what's not to BELIEVE? 


"Just as many were ASTONISHED at you (Israel), My people...SO His APPEARANCE  was MARRED more than any man, and His FORM more than sons of men.  Thus He will sprinkle many nations, Kings will shut their mouths on account of Him; for what had not been told them they will see and what they had not heard they will understand." (Isaiah 52:14)


What they could BELIEVE and UNDERSTAND was a Messiah coming in glory and power looking stately like a KING SAUL...someone who looked the part.  But Jesus...descended from a position of power and glory...to planet earth in the form of a man...not a SUPERSAINT...and moved about in His last three years UNDER THE ANOINTING OF THE HOLY SPIRIT AND POWER...who went about DOING GOOD...and HEALING ALL WHO WERE OPPRESSED BY THE DEVIL. (Acts 10:38)  Jesus in this form...had an ATTITUDE.  According to Philippians 2:5-8 THE JESUS ATTITUDE was:

• He existed in the form of God
• He did not regard equality with God a thing to be grasped
• He emptied Himself
• He took the form of a bond servant
• He was made in the likeness of men
• He was found in appearance as a man
• He humbled Himself by becoming obedient
• This obedience was to the point of death
• The point of death was death on a cross

While He was humbled at one point...there will be a shift.


Thus He will sprinkle many nations, Kings will shut their mouths on account of Him; for what had not been told them they will see and what they had not heard they will understand." (Isaiah 52:15)


The cause and effect of being this humbled, marred, nailed on the cross man...was exaltation...from death...out of the grave...back into His Father's presence.  According to Philippians 2:8-11:

• God highly exalted Him (Jesus) 
• God bestowed on Him the NAME which is above EVERY NAME
• At the NAME OF JESUS every knee should bow
• Those who shall bow are: in heaven...on earth...under the earth
• Every tongue should confess that JESUS CHRIST IS LORD
• This will be to the glory of God the Father.
• A name is what we attached to a person, place or thing to IDENTIFY that person, place, or thing.

Jesus' NAME means GOD IS SALVATION.  His other name is IMMANUEL which means GOD WITH US.  The words THE CHRIST/MESSIAH means THE ANOINTED ONE. 

"You know of JESUS OF NAZARETH...how God ANOINTED Him...with the HOLY SPIRIT and with POWER (dunamis/dynamic ability)...and how He went about DOING GOOD and HEALING... ALL who were OPPRESSED BY THE d-evil...for GOD WAS WITH HIM." (Acts 10:48)




In Isaiah 10:27 we see that this ANOINTING is a powerful thing.




"So it will be in that day, that his burden (the Assyrians) will be REMOVED from your shoulders and his (the Assyrians) YOKE from your neck and the YOKE WILL BE BROKEN   because of fatness." (Isaiah 10:27)




It is said...that "the Anointing breaks the yoke."  This is what the ANOINTING does.  We like to say in the Ruminator Sunday School Class...




"The yoke breaking, burden lifting, oppression removing healing power of the Holy Ghost."


So we are back to the question, "Who has BELIEVED our message?" (Isaiah 53:1)  This question reverberates from Isaiah to Romans.




"However, they did not all HEED THE GLAD TIDINGS; for Isaiah says, 'Lord who has BELIEVED our report'"? (Romans 10:16)




NEXT TIME


We will look at THE MESSAGE...and THE MESSAGE'S relationship to SIN and SICKNESS.
Love and Glad Tidings Kisses
"Rodney "I Believe" Boyd

HEALING...GOD'S WILL OR A ROLE OF THE KARMA DICE. PART THREE

Welcome to the latest edition of the Ruminator Ramblings....


We are in the third of the series HEALING...GOD'S WILL OR A ROLE OF THE KARMA DICE.


What prompted this series was a post by a good brother in the Lord...feeling slightly guilty for utilizing Isaiah 53:5 as a basis for praying for healing.  His question was this verse only for in essences "spiritual sickness" aka SIN. 


We have seen that the PROBLEM is DEATH BY SIN.  We have also seen that the need is SALVATION...and the means of SALVATION is the D.B.R. and the INSTRUMENT of the PROPITIATION (satisfactory substitute) is THE CROSS.  The RESURRECTION sealed the deal...as He was RAISED in a act of CORONATION OF THE KING to be OBEYED.


As ruminate about this thing called GOD'S WILL...let us look at the PURPOSE of the coming of Jesus...in the flesh.


"And you know of Jesus of Nazareth (Jesus in the flesh)...how God ANOINTED Him with the Holy Spirit and with power and how He went about doing good and HEALING all who were OPPRESSED BY THE d-evil...for GOD WAS WITH HIM." (Acts 10:38).


"...The Son  of God appeared for THIS PURPOSE...that He might DESTROY THE WORKS OF THE d-evil." (I John 3:8)


"And the book of the prophet Isaiah was handed to Him.  And He opened the book/scroll, and found the place where it was written...The SPIRIT OF THE LORD is upon Me...because He ANOINTED ME to preach the Gospel to the poor, He sent Me to proclaim release to the captives, and recovery of sight to the blind, to set free those who are downtrodden, to proclaim the favorable year of the Lord, and He closed the book/scroll and gave it back to the attendant; and sat down; and the eyes of all in the synagogue were fixed upon Him.  And He began to say to them...Today this Scripture was fulfilled  in your hearing." (Luke 4:17-21; Isaiah 61:1)


"And Jesus was GOING ABOUT in all Galilee, TEACHING in their synagogues, and PROCLAIMING the Gospel of the Kingdom and  HEALING EVERY KIND OF DISEASE and EVERY KIND OF SICKNESS among the people.  And the news about Him went out into all Syria, and they brought to Him ALL WHO WERE ILL...taken with VARIOUS DISEASES and PAINS, demoniacs, epileptics, paralytics, and HE HEALED THEM." (Matthew 4: 23-24)


Jesus...walked for thirty three years on planet Earth...and the last three years were under the ANOINTING OF THE HOLY SPIRIT...under the OLD COVENANT.  Jesus manifested what He told His disciples to pray..."Thy KINGDOM (rule of righteousness, peace and joy) come...Thy WILL BE DONE...on EARTH (where He was walking) as it is in HEAVEN (where the will of God is). (Matthew 6:10)


During that time...in the Gospel's of Matthew, Mark, Luke and John...Jesus manifested the WILL OF GOD on earth as it is in heaven.


NEXT TIME
We will look closer at ISAIAH 53 and the SIN/SICKNESS CONNECTION


Love and Purposeful Kisses
Rodney "On Earth As It Is In Heaven" Boyd

HEALING...GOD'S WILL OR A ROLE OF THE KARMA DICE. PART TWO

Greetings Saints...yes you.




We continue Rambling on about this thing called HEALING.  For me...it is easier to go into default mode when I don't get healed...or someone you pray for dies.  DEFAULT MODE: (1) It must not be God's will (2) They must have not had enough faith (3)  I guess I/they have not learned their lesson yet. (4) Not my will but Thine...and Thine is sickness and disease.


In our last Rambling we talked about the ROOTS of DIS-ease, DIS-order and DYS-function caused by DIS-obedience at the temptation by the d-EVIL.  The only thing that will bring back ease, order, and function was OBEDIENCE.


ENTER SALVATION
We needed to be SAVED.  Of course, the old joke was "Jesus SAVES...Moses INVESTS."  If you go up to someone on the street...and ask them...Are you SAVED...the response may be..."Saved from what?" or Saved???? I 'm not lost."

SALVATION:  sōtēria (so-tay-ree'-ah)=Feminine of a derivative of G4990 as (properly abstract) noun; rescue or safety (physically or morally): - deliver, health, salvation, save, saving.

• rescue
• safety
• deliverance
• health
• salvation
• save
• saving

"He SAVED us...not on the BASIS OF DEEDS which we have done in righteousness...but according to His MERCY...by the washing of regeneration and renewing by the Holy Spirit." (Titus 3:5)

"For Christ also DIED FOR SINS once for ALL, the just (Jesus) for the unjust (us)...having been PUT TO DEATH IN THE FLESH...but MADE ALIVE IN THE SPIRIT." (I Peter 3:18)

"But what does it say?  The WORD (of faith) is near you, in your MOUTH and in your HEART--that is, the word of faith which we are preaching...that if you CONFESS WITH YOUR MOUTH...JESUS AS/IS LORD...and BELIEVE IN YOUR HEART man BELIEVES resulting in righteousness, and with the MOUTH HE CONFESSES...resulting in SALVATION." (Roman 10:8-10)


"Whoever will CALL upon the NAME OF THE LORD...will be SAVED." (Romans 10:13)


ENTER THE CROSS
The problem...that caused the need for salvation...was rooted in a TREE.  The solution for salvation was found in another tree...called THE CROSS.


"Christ REDEEMED us from the CURSE of the Law, having become a CURSE for us--for it is written, CURSED is EVERY ONE who hangs on a TREE..in order that IN CHRIST JESUS the blessings of Abraham (the blessings not the curses), might come to the Gentiles, so that we might receive the promise of the Spirit through faith." (Galatians 3:13-14)


I tend to find it easier to believe that the CROSS dealt only with SIN because sin is more internal in my mind...but when you talk about SICKNESS and DIS-EASE it is more visual in the sense of seeing the effect. 


The CROSS has always been a STUMBLING BLOCK to people...because it seems such a simplistic way to deal with such a massive problem...which is SIN.  Because it is a matter of FAITH. 


"Now FAITH is the assurance (the confirmation, the title-deed) of the things [we] hope for, being the proof of things [we] do not see and the conviction of their reality--faith perceiving as real fact what is NOT REVEALED to the senses." (Hebrews 11:1 The Amplified Bible)


The CROSS confuses the intellectual...and baffles the sign seekers.  It also discourages those who love the freedom of walking in the flesh...fulfilling the desires of the flesh... because when face with the CROSS...they realized that they have to DIE to SELF DAILY and live unto Him...not them.


"For Christ did not send me (Paul) to baptize, but to PREACH THE GOSPEL...not in cleverness of speech, that the CROSS OF CHRIST should not be made void.  For the WORD OF THE CROSS is to those who are perishing, foolishness...but to us who are being SAVED (our salvation)...it is the POWER OF GOD.


Remember Paul's view of this thing called the GOSPEL (the Death on the cross, Burial in a borrowed tomb...and the Resurrection from the dead of Jesus).
"For I am not ashamed of the GOSPEL (good news) of CHRIST; for it is God's power working unto salvation (for deliverance from eternal death) to every one who BELIEVES with a personal trust and a confident surrender and firm reliance to the Jew first and also to the Greek." (Romans 1:16 The Amplified Bible)


So...thus far we see that there is a NEED for this thing called SALVATION...and there is  MEANS for this SALVATION to be accomplished.  Now the ball is in mankind's court...to BELIEVE IT, RECEIVE IT, AND CONFESS IT.


Next time...in HEALING...GOD'S WILL OR A ROLE OF THE KARMA DICE. PART THREE, we will delve into this thing called SALVATION and see if it is ONLY for dealing with SIN or does it also deal with SICKNESS?


Love and Saved Kisses
Rodney "Rescued, Safe, Delivered, Healed, Saved" Boyd

HEALING...GOD'S WILL OR A ROLE OF THE KARMA DICE. PART ONE

Greetings to all of you believers in the D.B.R.


Of course to faithful readers of THE RUMINATOR RAMBINGS...we know that the D.B.R. stands for Death, Burial Resurrection...nothing more...nothing less.  It speaks of what Jesus did in our place and is our point of identification and the anchor for our lives.


Jesus died on the cross for our sins...in place of us...as the propitiation (satisfactory substitute) and became a curse hanging on a tree...so we would not have to be...cursed.  As True Believers...versus those who kinda believe in something...we believe that THE CROSS was the place of REDEMPTION as His blood was shed...for "without the shedding of blood there is no remission for sins."  The controversy arises....was the CROSS JUST for our sins?  Was this thing called HEALING also included upon the CROSS.


Along with this controversy...throughout the age...other questions were asked including:  "Does healing happen now?" and "Is it God's will to heal everyone?" and "If healing is for all...then why don't those who believe in healing just go throughout the hospital and heal everyone?" and "Isn't it God's will for us to be sick to teach us a lesson?" and "Wasn't Paul's "thorn in the flesh" his pus filled eyes...and didn't he beg God to heal them...and said God said NO endure and learn?" and  "Isn't it wrong to pray for physical healing...but we can pray for spiritual healing? and "Didn't healing cease (cessation theory) when the last apostle died or when the church was established or when we canonized the Scriptures and bound them in leather with gold edges and our name in gold on the front cover?


Well let me tell you...that these questions will NOT BE ANSWERED in the limited space of this RUMINATOR RAMBLING.  No one (or very few)  on either side of the issue has budged in centuries...but I would like to get my thoughts out there on the subject.
DISCLAIMER:  Anything that I can't answer will fall under the 29:29 CATEGORY.  That would be Deuteronomy 29:29.
The need for a Savior goes back to "in the beginning."  Mankind (that would include womankind) were the product of a Creator (the Father, Son, and Holy Ghost)...who used Himself as the blueprint.
"The God said...let US make man in OUR IMAGE...according to OUR LIKENESS..." (Genesis 1:26)  "And God CREATED man in HIS OWN IMAGE...in the IMAGE OF GOD He CREATED him...MALE and FEMALE He CREATED them." (Genesis 1:26)
All was well...until DISOBEDIENCE occurred in the Garden...and the cause and effect was DEATH.   "And the Lord God commanded the man...saying...from any tree of the garden you may eat freely...but from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil you shall not eat...for in the day that you eat from it...YOU SHALL SURELY DIE." (Genesis 2:16-17)


ENTER THE SERPENT. 
In Genesis chapter 3...we see the TEMPTER plants seeds of DOUBT in the COMMAND OF GOD.  "Indeed, HAS GOD SAID you shall not eat from any tree of the Garden."  (Genesis 3:1) Eve knew the consequence of her actions as she states..."and from the fruit of the tree which is in the middle of the garden, God HAS SAID...You shall NOT EAT from it...or touch it...LEST YOU DIE." (Genesis 3:3)  And finally the d-evil paints a picture of God as someone holding out on them. "For God know that in the day you eat from it your eyes will be opened, and you will be like God...knowing good and evil." (Genesis 3:5)
NOTE:  In Hebrews...we see that..."For every one who partakes only of MILK  is not accustomed to the WORD OF RIGHTEOUSNESS...for he is a BABE...but SOLID FOOD is for the MATURE, who because of PRACTICE/DISCIPLINE have their SENSES TRAINED...to DISCERN GOOD and EVIL." (Hebrews 5:13-14)  Oh...if Adam and Eve had such discernment...we would not be dealing with sin and sickness.


ENTER THE CURSE
Well...A&E disobeyed...and they did not drop over death.  But things were set into motion...for separation from God...hardships...the curse...and people began to not only physically die...but people spiritually died.  "Wherefore as one man sin (Adam/Eve) entered into the world...and death by sin (cause and effect) so death (cause and effect) passed to ALL men...for ALL have sinned." (Roman 5:12)  This was the beginning of DIS-EASE...DIS-ORDER...and DYS-FUNCTION.  Mankind needed a SAVIOR.  NOTE:  For a full listing of the cause and effect of A&E's disobedience...look at Deuteronomy 28:15-61 for a partial listing of the CURSE.   "Also every SICKNESS and every PLAGUE which, NOT WRITTEN in the book of this law...the Lord will bring on you until you are destroyed." (Deuteronomy 28:61)  NOTE:  The great controversy is...does God bring on sickness and plague on you?  Again, an age old debate that will not be solved here...but my thought is...no He does not...as much as...allow man/wo-man to either CHOOSE LIFE/BLESSING or CHOOSE CURSE/DEATH...and the natural outcome of choice is set into motion.
ENTER THE CROSS
As a result of the cause and effect of disobedience...we need a Savior.  We know that...."The wages of SIN...is DEATH..." (Romans 6:23)  The CROSS is the place where SIN and SICKNESS will be dealt with...."...but the FREE GIFT of God...is ETERNAL LIFE...IN CHRIST JESUS OUR LORD." (Romans 6:23)  "For the love of Christ controls us, having concluded this, that ONE DIED (Jesus) for ALL (mankind under a curse)...there for ALL DIED.  and He (Jesus) DIED (on the cross) for ALL, that they who live should no longer live for themselves, but for Him who DIED and ROSE AGAIN on their behalf." (II Corinthians 5:14-15)


NEXT TIME
We will now take a closer look at the CROSS in relation to the purpose of Jesus, the devil, and what is included in this thing called SALVATION.  Do we just accept whatever happens to us as THE WILL OF GOD...or what  call DORIS DAY FAITH (Que Sera Sera...whatever will be) like someone trapped in a CASTE system...OR...is there more.


Love and HEALED Kisses
Rodney "Deuteronomy 29:29" Boyd

GOING THROUGH STUFF...THE ENDURANCE & PERSEVERANCE FACTOR

GOING THROUGH STUFF...THE ENDURANCE PERSEVERANCE FACTOR


Sometimes when we are going through something hard in our lives...we tend to want to give up or give in...but if we PERSEVERE...there is usually great reward at the end of the journey.  I am thinking about when we were walking around Israel...walking, walking, walking...up and down stone roads, dirt ruts, hills and valleys...fighting the pain, enduring leg cramps....huffing and puffing (P.S. NOTE TO SELF: GO INTO TRAINING BEFORE GOING BACK TO ISRAEL) and then arriving at some magnificent site. You begin to anticipate through the pain of the walking...that it will be worth it in the end.


I began to think of the people of the Bible...how much they sacrificed as they came to the temple from all directions, braving weather, going where there were no roads or minimal roadways...to be in the presence of the Lord and offer sacrifices and celebrate with feasts unto Him.  They sacrificed time, money, physical discomfort.  I grumble and complain when I have to get up and drive in my comfortable car to go to church.


When we have been JUSTIFIED BY FAITH...we have PEACE WITH GOD through OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST.  We have also obtained our INTRODUCTION BY FAITH into this GRACE in which we STAND...and we EXULT in HOPE OF THE GLORY OF GOD. (Romans 5:1-2)  As we BEGIN this journey of grace, faith, and hope...we begin to go through progression in the journey.  Romans 5:3-5 we see the beginning and the prize at the end:


1.  Exult in tribulations
2.  Tribulation brings about perseverance
3.  Perseverance brings about proven character
4.  Proven character brings about hope
5.  Hope does not disappoint
6.  The Love of God has been poured out within our hearts through the
     Holy Spirit.

I begin to think of Jesus, leaving His comfort in glory, taking on the form of man...walk around for three years doing good and healing all who were oppressed by the d-evil...with His destination being to be tortured, mocked, humiliated, and nailed to a wooden cross in our place.  Why...and How could he do such a thing?  Well...because of the JOY SET BEFORE HIM.


"Therefore, since we have so great a cloud of witnesses surrounding us (who travelled the journey prior to us)...let us also lay aside every encumbrance, and the sin...which so easily entangles us, and let us run with ENDURANCE the race that is set before us.  FIXING OUR EYES ON JESUS...the author and finisher of our faith...who for the JOY SET BEFORE HIM...ENDURED THE CROSS...DESPISING THE SHAME, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God." (Hebrews 12:1-2)


The JOY set before Him...as He endured the CROSS and despising the SHAME...was the joy of the RESURRECTION....emerging from DEATH into LIFE...being reunited with His Father...and bring with Him you and me.
 
What are you going through?  What are you enduring?  What shame is trying to bring you down?  Go through it with great faith and hope for the JOY SET BEFORE YOU...knowing that as you walk through the valley of the shadow of death...you do not have to fear evil...for HE IS WITH YOU.


Love and Persevering Kisses
Rodney "Enduring" Boyd

GOD WILL SURELY TAKE CARE OF YOU

Greetings Pilgrims...


"So therefore, do not be afraid...I WILL PROVIDE FOR YOU and your little ones. So he comforted them and spoke kindly to them." (Genesis 50:21)

"Joseph said to his brothers, I am about to die, but GOD WILL SURELY TAKE CARE OF YOU, and bring you up from this land to the land which He promised on oath to Abraham, to Isaac, and to Jacob."


As we travel on our journey of life...we are pretty secure when things are going well...provision is in place...insurance, credit cards, 401-K, stocks/bonds/investments, food in the refrigerator, job security, birds singing and the sun is shining.  But what do you do when everything crumbles and falls apart like a stale cookie without a glass of milk.
When Joseph's brothers came face to face with the one they had betrayed by faking his death, lying to their father, thrown into a pit, sold into slavery...Joseph gave them some comfort:

• Do not be afraid
• For am I in God's place
• You meant evil against me...but God meant it for good
• God brought me to this present result...to preserve many people alive
• So do not be afraid
• I will provide for you and your little ones
• So he comforted them and spoke kindly to them

When Joseph was on the verge of death...he was the security of Israel's sons...Joseph's brothers and he gave out wisdom and comfort.  Their security was about to die.

• I am about to die
• But God will surely take care of you
• God will bring you up from the land to the land which He promised on oath to Abraham, to Isaac and to Jacob (Israel)  NOTE:  When you read Exodus...we see that Joseph was prophetically correct as bondage came on them...and they left "this land" and were led to "the land which He  promised".
• God will surely take care of you

So we see that while he was here...Joseph said I WILL PROVIDE FOR YOU and then went to the point of death and instead of him providing...to...GOD WILL SURELY TAKE CARE OF YOU.


Joseph...as a type of Jesus...did the same thing.  For three years He had walked, talked, and provided for his followers.  As He was preparing His followers for the fact that He was going to leave them, but there will be provision.  In John 14:1-3) we see:

• Let not your hearts be troubled
• In My Father's house are many dwelling places...if it were not true I would have told you so
• I go to prepare a place for you
• I will come again and receive you to Myself so where I am...you will be.

Jesus then tells us that when He goes...we will carry on His purpose (to destroy the works of the d-evil)...and that "the works that I do shall he do also; and GREATER WORKS than those shall he do; because I go to the Father." (John 14:12)
Jesus then lets them know that while He was leaving...that the Lord is going to provide because:

• He will ask the Father
• The Father will give you ANOTHER (allos...one of the same kind) Helper
• He will be with you forever
• He will not leave you as orphans
• I will come to you.

FINAL THOUGHTS...FINALLY


Well...Jesus DID die...was buried,...rose again...and ascended to the Father...just like He said He would  Paul calls this the GOSPEL...the power of God for salvation where righteousness is revealed (Romans 1:16-7; I Corinthians 15:1-8)
Jesus was their provider...The Helper...the Holy Ghost...was sent back as "one of the SAME kind." for God to "surely take care of you."


Love and Provided Kisses
Rodney "Taken Care of By God" Boyd

TIED BY THE PAST...RELEASED FOR THE NOW...POISED FOR THE FUTURE.

Hello O Ye Believers in the Death, Burial, and Resurrection of Jesus....




How's it going since the initial release...since you believed...since you WERE saved?  We know that the will of God for you is FREEDOM...and not to be bound again...by a YOKE OF SLAVERY (aka sin).




"It was for FREEDOM that Christ set us FREE...therefore (referring to this previous statement in this verse)...KEEP STANDING FIRM...and do not BE SUBJECT AGAIN...to a YOKE OF SLAVERY (to sin)."  (Galatians 5:1 with emphasis by me).


On the chronological...time-space continuum...there are three phases of time for us...(1) Past
(2) Present (3) Future.  There was an event is history...that is really HIS-story...that changes everything.  That event was the D.B.R.  For those knew to the Ruminator Ramblings...the D.B.R. is Death...Burial...Resurrection of Jesus...nothing more...nothing less.  This is also known as THE GOSPEL.  The cause and effect of this event...when someone believes it...and not only believes it...but receives/accepts Jesus is a change in the course of event on your timeline. 


"Therefore...if any man/wo-man/human...is IN CHRIST...they are new creations...the OLD THINGS past away...behold...NEW THINGS have come." (II Corinthians 5:17)


The problem is when we LIVE IN THE PAST and that PAST affects our FUTURE.  The way that we walk out this thing called FAITH is what we do in the NOW.  This leads us back to CROSS... as we identify with what Jesus did on the cross...that was laid to rest in a grave...and was manifested in the power of the resurrection.


"I have been crucified WITH Christ...nevertheless I LIVE...yet not I but CHRIST LIVES IN ME...and the LIFE that I NOW LIVE...I LIVE BY  FAITH in the Son of God...who loved me and delivered Himself up for me." (Galatians 2:20)


If then you HAVE BEEN raised up with Christ...KEEP SEEKING those things which are above, where Christ IS, seated at the right hand of God.  SET YOUR MIND/AFFECTIONS on things above, not on THINGS THAT ARE ON THE EARTH...for you HAVE DIED and your life is hidden WITH CHRIST IN GOD." (Colossians 3:1-3)


Between the point of when you were saved/born again...and Jesus coming back to planet earth to gather his saints...there is what we call THE LAND CALLED NITTY GRITTY.  How we walk out our lives...will determine if we become SUBJECT AGAIN to the YOKE OF SLAVERY (sin).  It is all hinged on CHOICE...and our CHOICES are hinged on our MINDS....either renewed by the Word of God...or not. 


"Unrestrained THOUGHTS (what we think)...results in unrestrained WORDS (what we say)... resulting in unrestrained ACTIONS (what we do)." (Unknown)


When our thoughts are not restrained...because we keep thinking about the past and what we were...then we are captive in the now...which affects our future.  If you LIVE IN THE PAST... you can not walk in FREEDOM IN THE NOW...which will determine your FUTURE.


What you say...has the POWER to produce life or death.  The fruit of your thoughts manifested on your lips will either be good fruit or rotten fruit.


"Death and life are in the POWER OF THE TONGUE and those who love it will eat its fruit." (Pro-Verbs 18:21)


If you are constantly talking about the negative in your past...you will never be free in the now...and fulfill your future.  What you speak is hinged on your MIND SET. 

"For those who are according to the FLESH...SET THEIR MINDS...on the THINGS OF THE FLESH...but those who are according to the spirit...(set their minds on) the THINGS OF THE SPIRIT.  For the  MIND SET on the FLESH is DEATH...but the MIND SET on the SPIRIT is LIFE and PEACE." (Romans 8:6-7)


You PEACE is hinged on what you think...which is manifested on your lips...which dictates how you act.


PEACE:  eirēnē (i-rah'-nay)=Probably from a primary verb εἴρω eirō (to join); peace (literally or figuratively); by implication prosperity: - one, peace, quietness, rest, + set at one again.


"The steadfast of MIND though will keep in PERFECT PEACE...because it (the mind) is stayed (fixed/focused/set) on Thee." (Isaiah 26:3)


In The Ruminator Sunday School Class we use as an example with what we call THE COFFEE CUP THEOLOGY.  We find an unsuspecting newbie...and take their cup of coffee and begin to gently shake the cup.  We progress to shaking it a little more harder and then shake it until the coffee overflows all over the table.  Then we ask them the question..."Why did coffee come out of the cup?"  Their answer is always..."because you shook it."  We then respond with ..."No...coffee came out of the cup...because that is what is in the cup.  The shaking only revealed what is in the cup."  The question is...what is in your cup?  If you have an unrenewed mind...your cup is filled with junk....and when something or someone shakes your cup...that is what comes out of your mouth.  The way you put something in your cup... is by RENEWING YOUR MIND WITH THE WORD OF GOD...or not renew your mind by talking and coming in agreement with the d-evil (does not deserve a capital d)...about your past as he convinces you about you now and you future.


That is why it is so important to watch over your CUP/HEART...and your WORDS.


"My son (or daughter) give attention to my words...Incline your ear to my sayings.  Do not let them (my words) depart from your sight.  Keep them (my words) in the midst of your heart...for they (my words) life to those who find them, and health to all their whole body.  Watch over your heart with all diligence for from it flow the springs of life.  Put away from you a DECEITFUL MOUTH and put devious lips far from you." (Pro-Verbs 4:20-24) 


FINAL THOUGHTS...FINALLY


The mind...the heart...the ears...the mouth will either keep you free or return you to bondage.  What you think...is what you believe...determined on what you hear...and what you speak.  If you constantly think negative thoughts and constantly speak negative thoughts and constantly believe what you hear and ruminate about...determines what you speak...which will either bind or release you. 


"The good man/woman out of the good treasure of is heart BRINGS FORTH what is good; and the evil man out of the evil treasure BRINGS FORTH what is evil; for his MOUTH SPEAKS from that which FILLS HIS HEART." (Luke 6:45)


"And He said, Are you also still without understanding?  Do you not understand that everything that goes into the mouth passes into the stomach, and is eliminated?  But the things that proceed OUT OF THE MOUTH come FROM THE HEART...and those DEFILE THE MAN/WOMAN.  For out of the HEART come EVIL THOUGHTS, murders, fornication, thefts, false witness, slanders." (Matthew 25:18)


The good news is that Jesus has got you covered...PAST...PRESENT...and FUTURE...so as the d-evil reminds you of your past...you can remind him of your future and live you now in freedom...but it is all hinged on who you come into agreement with and what you speak.  Confession is not just saying that there is none righteous no not one (Romans 3:10) but also confessing that you are the righteousness of God in Christ. (II Corinthians 5:21)


"Jesus Christ is the same...YESTERDAY (past)...and TODAY (now) and FOREVER (future)." (Hebrews 13:8)


Love and Positive Kisses
Rodney "Speaking The Word of the Lord...NOT...the words of the d-evil" Boyd