Preaching, The Antidote

The “means” of God's ability; that our faith should not stand in “the wisdom of men” but in the power of God.

[Pastor; 1 Cor 2:5]

Preaching is the antithesis/direct oposite, constrast/setting against “the wisdom of man;” where irreconcilable opposites, or strongly constrasting ideas {ie.the lie vs the truth}, are placed in sharp “side-by-side” comparison with sustained tension/enmity ...by “the oral and audible release of (the word) of God.”  

[Pastor; 1 Cor 2:4]

The underlying “operative” principle/logic/pattern of creation is that God is doing what He says, as He says it: He is “a doer” of His own word. Jesus said, “the words that I speak unto you I speak not of Myself: but the Father that dwelleth IN Me, He doeth the works.”

[Pastor; Jas 1:23-25; Jn 14:10] 

            

“Sin” made us “sight conscious,” when we were created to “live by His voice;” so we can (and will) say Amen! and, against hope (yet) believe in hope (unto salvation, for righteousness' sake).

[Pastor; Deu 8:3; Rom 4:18-22]  

“And the scripture, foreseeing that God would justify the heathen through faith, preached before the gospel unto Abraham ...”

[Gal 3:8]

ThenSingsMySoul:

YOU ARE ALL MY RIGHTEOUSNESS,

       I STAND COMPLETE IN YOU, AND I WORSHIP YOU!

Jenelsie's Corner (#276)

Dear Grace and Truth Family,

When was the last time you uttered words like these?  “I don’t have time for this!”  “I should not have to do this!”  “When will this ever stop?”  To my shame, I spoke all these words recently.  The very thought of the situation disgusted and frustrated me.  Yet in the midst of it all, the Lord, our God, “handled” me.

HE began by reminding me that as Jesus was led into the wilderness to be tempted, so it was that I was led into the situation.  HE went on to declare that I would not “turn the corner” until my obedience to Him was accomplished.  HE concluded His speaking to me concerning this “thing” and clearly said that “all things (situations) consist by Him”; HE is upholding the “thing” while the Holy Ghost works in me to say, “Nevertheless not my will but Thy will be done.”

Well, I have been strengthened to respond to the Lord in this manner.  I’m thankful for what HE has done in me and looking forward to when I will share with you and complete this phrase:  “…And it came to past…”  Part 2 is coming.

Hallelujah!

Love in Christ Jesus,
Sister Howell
Pastor’s wife

Jenelsie's Corner (#275)

My Grace and Truth Family,

Grace and truth have been delivered to us by the Holy Ghost in revealing Jesus Christ.  Hearing the preached Word and receiving the teaching are fundamentals for “living” out from the Kingdom of God.  The Holy Ghost is at work hour by hour, day by day, and year by year to conform us to the image which pleases the Father as His sons (and daughters).  Our Father is drawing us and showing us Jesus Christ our Lord.  Come unto HIM.  HE is showing the exceeding riches of His grace in His kindness toward us through our Lord.

Hallelujah!  HE LOVES US!

Your sister,
Jenelsie Howell
Pastor’s wife

Experiencing The Power

“This is the word of the Lord ...saying, Not by might, nor by power, but by My Spirit, saith the Lord of hosts.” 

[Zech 4:6]

To this end: “Not just to demonstrate 'raw ability,' but a relationship;” through knowing the Father and the Son...that we might be “partakers” of His divine nature.

[Pastor; Jn 17:3; 2 Pet 1:4]

Not “impersonal” power, but “person power;” intended to be made manifest in, and thru, man ...not to Lord over us, but to love us into submission to His will. “For it is God which worketh IN (us) both to will and to do of His good pleasure.” [Pastor; Phil 2:13]

We are often reminded, in the sanctuary, of one Bible translation's rendering of the scripture: “NO WORD OF GOD IS VOID OF POWER...” [Heb 4:12a]                          

  That in the midst of the fray, we might be fully persuaded that: “Our God is Able ...and He will ...” [Dan 3:15] 

ThenSingsMySoul:

LIVE IN ME, JESUS

HAVE YOUR PERFECT WAY IN ME.

I'LL BE YOUR LEGS TO WALK,

I'LL BE YOUR MOUTH TO TALK;

TELL THE WORLD THRU ME, LORD,

SHOW THE WORLD (YOUR) LOVE.

LIVE IN ME, JESUS,

AND HAVE YOUR WAY IN ME.

Soar With The Eagles

When the Spirit of the Lord began to minister to us about the significance of our mind-set, in staying “Above the Fray;” in the midst of all that is going on (in our world), the words of Rudyard Kipling came to mind:

 “If you can keep your head when all about you are losing theirs … If you can talk with crowds and keep your virtue, or walk with kings – nor lose the common touch, if neither foes nor loving friends can hurt you, if all men count with you, but none too much ...” then you will become Christ's witness.

Solomon preached, Ponder the path of thy feet, turn not to the right ...nor to the left: remove thy foot from evil. (aka “the counsel of the ungodly.”) [Prov 4:26-27; Ps 1:1]

note. There is a 'free zone' (in the mind) from “the yoke of bondage” to lying ideologies...that we might “escape the pollutions of the world thru the knowledge of the Lord Jesus Christ.” [Gal 5:1; 2 Pet 2:20]

There, in that secret place (of His tabernacle), we will be able to “mount up (in our minds) with wings as eagles ...run and not be weary ...walk and not faint.”

ThenSingsMySoul:

LORD, LIFT US UP WHERE WE BELONG;

WHERE THE EAGLES FLY, ON A MOUNTAIN HIGH,

LORD LIFT US UP WHERE WE BELONG;

UP FROM THE WORLDS WE KNOW,

WHERE THE CLEAR WINDS BLOW.