Archive for August, 2024

Hearing GOD’S Voice: Part 1

Wednesday, August 14th, 2024

Our daily priority should be to hear GOD’S Voice!

Dispensations are time periods in which the Lord has at least one authorized servant on the earth who bears the Holy priesthood and the keys, and who has a Divine commission to dispense the Gospel to the inhabitants of the earth.

There have been three dispensations in history:

The Patriarchs (Fathers of families: Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, Enoch, Noah, etc.)

Israel as a collective nation (The dispensation of The Law, The Temple, the priesthood))

The Dispensation of The Gospel for all the inhabitants of the earth

In all three, there was one unvarying requirement which never changed from dispensation to dispensation: the requirement to hear GOD’S Voice.

Moses wrote by THE SPIRIT in Exodus chapter 15:

22 So Moses brought Israel from the Red Sea; then they went out into the Wilderness of Shur. And they went three days in the wilderness and found no water.

23 Now when they came to Marah, they could not drink the waters of Marah, for they were bitter. Therefore the name of it was called Marah.

24 And the people complained against Moses, saying, “What shall we drink?” [25] So he cried out to the LORD, and the LORD showed him a tree. When he cast it into the waters, the waters were made sweet. There He made a statute and an ordinance for them, and there He tested them,

26 and said, “If you diligently heed the Voice of the LORD your God and do what is right in His Sight, give ear to His Commandments and keep all His Statutes, I will put none of the diseases on you which I have brought on the Egyptians. For I am the LORD Who heals you (Jehovah Rapha).”

First, you must hear and second, you must do.  When you respond by acting on The Word you hear, you will be rewarded with whatever is needed at the time.  In this case, it was healing.

What does the word diligence mean?  As used in Hebrews 11:6, it means to zealously seek for something with all of one’s heart, strength, and might. It conveys the idea of being hard-working, attentive, busy, constant, and persistent in one’s devotion to what he or she is doing.

Paul wrote by The Holy Spirit in Hebrews chapter 11:

4 By faith Abel offered to God a more excellent sacrifice than Cain, through which he obtained witness that he was righteous, God testifying of his gifts; and through it he being dead still speaks.

5 By faith Enoch was taken away so that he did not see death, “and was not found, because God had taken him”; for before he was taken he had this testimony, that he pleased God.

6 But without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him.

7 By faith Noah, being Divinely warned of things not yet seen, moved with Godly fear, prepared an ark for the saving of his household, by which he condemned the world and became heir of the righteousness which is according to faith.

8 By faith Abraham obeyed when he was called to go out to the place which he would receive as an inheritance. And he went out, not knowing where he was going.

In all these examples, men walked in faith and diligently hearkened to the Voice of GOD.  In response, they were rewarded and protected by HIM.  When FATHER speaks to you, it may require a simple action or a persistent, multi-year effort as was required by Noah and others.

Trustworthy And True

Tuesday, August 13th, 2024

FATHER’S plan is trustworthy and true, it reigns supreme over all of creation!

Paul wrote by The Holy Spirit in Ephesians chapter 1:

9 And through the revelation of the Anointed One, HE unveiled HIS secret desires to us—the hidden mystery of HIS long-range plan, which HE was delighted to implement from the very beginning of time.

10 And because of God’s unfailing purpose, this detailed plan will reign supreme through every period of time until the fulfillment of all the ages finally reaches its climax—when God makes all things new in all of Heaven and earth through Jesus Christ.

FATHER expects us to base our life on HIS Truth and trustworthiness.  I am “all in”, how about you?

It is written by THE SPIRIT in Daniel chapter 2:

44 “In the days of those kings of iron and clay, the God of Heaven will set up an Eternal Kingdom that will never be destroyed nor ruled by other people. It will shatter and bring all other Kingdoms to an end, and it will stand forever!

45 This is the meaning of what you saw in your vision: a rock cut out of a mountain—but not by human hands—a rock that shattered the iron, the bronze, the clay, the silver, and the gold to pieces is his eternal kingdom. The Great God has revealed to you, the king, what will take place after this. The dream is true, and its interpretation trustworthy.

46 Then King Nebuchadnezzar bowed low to the ground in awe of Daniel. Then he gave orders for incense to be burned and a sacrifice of grain to be offered in Daniel’s honor.

47 The king said to Daniel, “Your God is without question the God of all gods, the Master of all kings, and the Revealer of all mysteries since HE has given you the revelation of this mystery.”

These Words were spoken centuries ago and are in the midst of coming to pass.  FATHER revealed certain aspects of HIS plan to King Nebuchadnezzar to be interpreted by Daniel, the prophet.  We can look back through history and see those Words manifested throughout the earth.  Daniel’s revelation came from Above and is trustworthy and true.

Paul wrote by The Holy Spirit in 1st Corinthians chapter 1:

3 Grace to you and peace [inner calm and spiritual well-being] from God Our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.

4 I thank My God always for you because of the grace of God which was given you in Christ Jesus,

5 so that in everything you were [exceedingly] enriched in Him, in all speech [empowered by the spiritual gifts] and in all knowledge [with insight into the faith].

6 In this way our testimony about Christ was confirmed and established in you,

7 so that you are not lacking in any spiritual gift [which comes from the Holy Spirit], as you eagerly wait [with confident trust] for the revelation of our Lord Jesus Christ [when He returns].

8 And He will also confirm you to the end [keeping you strong and free of any accusation, so that you will be] blameless and beyond reproach in the day [of the return] of our Lord Jesus Christ.

9 God is faithful [He is reliable, trustworthy and ever true to His promise—He can be depended on], and through Him you were called into fellowship with His Son, Jesus Christ our Lord.

I was baptized and sealed in The Holy Spirit in 1971.  Throughout the years, FATHER has confirmed time and time again that HIS Word is trustworthy and true, and I can testify of this reality.  The heavens and the stars also testify of HIS Word being reliable and true.  All of creation testifies of HIM.  Only the blindness of men will keep them from such observations.  FATHER’S plan is irrevocable and has no need for assistance from the created!

An Eye-opening Explanation of the Olympics Opening Ceremony

Monday, August 12th, 2024

My wife and I boycotted the Olympics!

Be not deceived. We overcome the dragon by the Blood of The Lamb!

THE Plan

Monday, August 12th, 2024

FATHER has a plan, and be assured, it will come to pass!

Paul wrote by The Holy Spirit in Ephesians chapter 1:

9 And through the revelation of the Anointed One, HE unveiled HIS secret desires to us—the hidden mystery of HIS long-range plan, which HE was delighted to implement from the very beginning of time.

10 And because of God’s unfailing purpose, this detailed plan will reign supreme through every period of time until the fulfillment of all the ages finally reaches its climax—when God makes all things new in all of Heaven and earth through Jesus Christ.

You and I are integral to FATHER’S plan, but HIS plan does not rely on us.  We can accept HIS plan or reject it.  Let us flow with HIS plan and enjoy the ride!

Jesus spoke in Matthew chapter 10:

26 “Don’t be afraid or intimidated by others, for God will bring everything out into the open and every secret will be told.

HIS plan is not dependent upon men and their motives.  HE will reveal such motives for all to see.

27 What I say to you in the dark, repeat in broad daylight, and what you hear in a whisper, announce it publicly.

28 Don’t be in fear of those who can kill only the body but not your soul. Fear only God, Who is able to destroy both soul and body in hell.

29 You can buy two sparrows for only a copper coin, yet not even one sparrow falls from its nest without the knowledge of Your Father. Aren’t you worth much more to God than many sparrows?

Jesus reveals the preciseness of FATHER’S plan.

30-31 So don’t worry. For Your Father cares deeply about even the smallest detail of your life.

32 “If you openly and publicly acknowledge Me, I will freely and openly acknowledge you before My Heavenly Father.

33 But if you publicly deny that you know Me, I will also deny you before My Heavenly Father.

FATHER knows our deepest thoughts and intent.  Nothing is hidden from HIM.  As we walk in Truth and Holiness, we can be like an open book for all to see.  We will no longer be ashamed of anything.  We will reject all attempts to contaminate us in any way.  We will no longer be tempted by the adversary.  He will depart and search for those who are weak in faith.

Jesus spoke in Luke chapter 12:

1 In the meantime, when so many thousands of the people had gathered together that they were trampling one another, He began to say to His disciples first, “Beware of the leaven of the Pharisees, which is hypocrisy.

2 Nothing is covered up that will not be revealed, or hidden that will not be known.

3 Therefore whatever you have said in the dark shall be heard in the light, and what you have whispered in private rooms shall be proclaimed on the housetops.

FATHER is well aware of all aspects of mankind down to the finest detail.  Our minds have difficulty in comprehending this characteristic of Our Heavenly Father.  However, HE has accounted for all aspects of mankind in HIS plan.  Many will attempt to thwart HIS plan but will absolutely fail in their attempts.  It will be their last great act of defiance.

The Beloved Disciple wrote by The Holy Spirit in John chapter 12:

37 Even with the overwhelming evidence of all the many signs and wonders that Jesus had performed in front of them, His critics still refused to believe.

38 This fulfilled the prophecy given by Isaiah: Lord, who has believed our message? Who has seen the unveiling of Your great power?

39 And the people were not able to believe, for Isaiah also prophesied:

40 God has blinded their eyes and hardened their hearts to the Truth. So with their eyes and hearts closed they cannot understand the Truth nor turn to Me so that I could instantly cleanse and heal them.

41 Isaiah said these things because he had seen and experienced the splendor of Jesus and prophesied about Him.

42 Yet there were many Jewish leaders who believed in Jesus, but because they feared the Pharisees they kept it secret, so they wouldn’t be ostracized by the assembly of the Jews.

43 For they loved the glory that men could give them rather than the glory that came from God!

It is amazing to see people who continue to reject the evidence all around them of the Truth of The Gospel.  They reject facts in favor of their own dark narrative.  FATHER simply blinds them and hardens their hearts then moves on with HIS plan.

Let us fully align ourselves with HIS plan!

Faithful And Holy

Sunday, August 11th, 2024

FATHER calls us to be Holy and faithful!

Paul wrote by The Holy Spirit in Ephesians chapter 1:

1 Paul, an apostle (special messenger, personally chosen representative) of Christ Jesus (the Messiah, the Anointed), by the will of God [that is, by His purpose and choice], To the saints (God’s Holy people) who are at Ephesus and are faithful and loyal and steadfast in Christ Jesus  (AMP)

How many times have I read this verse without truly contemplating the brevity of this salutation and introduction to the book of Ephesians?  I repent!  Sadly, how many ministers of The Gospel have focused on this important verse?  I don’t recall any such emphasis if it was preached!

The average believer would be challenged to associate with the qualifications expressed in the very first verse of this book, yet they pick and choose verses to embrace depending on their current situation.  FATHER only speaks faith-filled Words and does not use superfluous, meaningless words ever!  HE says what HE means.

Peter understood this same Truth as he wrote by The Holy Spirit in 1st Peter chapter 1:

13 Therefore, preparing your minds for action, and being sober-minded, set your hope fully on the grace that will be brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ.

14 As obedient children, do not be conformed to the passions of your former ignorance,

15 but as HE Who called you is Holy, you also be Holy in all your conduct,

16 since it is written, “You shall be Holy, for I am Holy.”

As we place our hope and full trust in Jesus Christ, we will be Holy.  Our conduct will reflect such Holiness.

17 And if you call on Him as Father Who judges impartially according to each one’s deeds, conduct yourselves with fear throughout the time of your exile,

Those who truly comprehend Who The Lord God Almighty is, they will uncompromisingly walk in the Fear of THE LORD!

18 knowing that you were ransomed from the futile ways inherited from your forefathers, not with perishable things such as silver or gold,

19 but with the precious Blood of Christ, like that of a lamb without blemish or spot.

If you take Holy Communion daily, you will be in constant remembrance of the importance of His Blood and His Body.

20 He was foreknown before the foundation of the world but was made manifest in the last times for the sake of you

FATHER predestined His Son, Our Savior, to be the one true Sacrifice for us.  There is no other way to FATHER but by Our Savior.

21 Who through Him are believers in God, Who raised Him from the dead and gave Him glory, so that your faith and hope are in God.

FATHER made provision for our Holy faith to manifest in our lives.

22 Having purified your souls by your obedience to the Truth for a sincere brotherly Love, Love one another earnestly from a pure heart,

Only the Word of God, the Absolute Truth, can purify our souls.  No other means can accomplish this.  This is why we should immerse ourselves in The Word and prayer… more than once a week.

23 since you have been born again, not of perishable seed but of imperishable, through the living and abiding Word of God;

24 for “All flesh is like grass and all its glory like the flower of grass. The grass withers, and the flower falls,

25 but the Word of the Lord remains forever.” And this Word is the good news that was preached to you.

We should quiet our minds and reflect on the brevity of this Truth.  A vast majority of people are preoccupied with the temporary things of the world at the expense of focusing on The Word of GOD which will remain forevermore.

You and I are called to be faithful and Holy.  If we fulfill this requirement, everything else will work out by FATHER’S great grace and mercy.

Leave Now!

Saturday, August 10th, 2024

The time to leave is now and don’t look back!

Dealing With Coming Events

Friday, August 9th, 2024

What events are coming that will affect you and me?

A prophet is someone chosen by God to speak for God. Their job, whatever the time period or tidings, was to accurately impart His message. Men and women called to this task came from differing backgrounds, personalities and levels of social status. But what they all had in common was a heart for God, an anointing to hear from Him, and the faithfulness to impart his message to others.

A prophet may alert us to a situation that we are not aware of.  A prophet may confirm a Word given to us by FATHER, often an unexpected Word.  The prophet may issue a warning of a forthcoming event requiring us to pray or simply to urge us to prepare for such an event.

It is written by THE SPIRIT in Amos chapter 3:

7 “For the Lord GOD does nothing without revealing HIS secret to his servants the prophets.

FATHER does not want HIS devoted believers to be blindsided by an impending event.

It is written by THE SPIRIT in Malachi chapter 4:

1 “For behold, the day is coming, burning like an oven, when all the arrogant and all evildoers will be stubble. The day that is coming shall set them ablaze, says the LORD of hosts, so that it will leave them neither root nor branch.

2 But for you who fear My Name, the sun of righteousness shall rise with healing in its wings. You shall go out leaping like calves from the stall.

3 And you shall tread down the wicked, for they will be ashes under the soles of your feet, on the day when I act, says the LORD of hosts.

4 “Remember the Law of my servant Moses, the statutes and rules that I commanded him at Horeb for all Israel.

5 “Behold, I will send you Elijah the prophet before the great and awesome day of the LORD comes.

6 And he will turn the hearts of fathers to their children and the hearts of children to their fathers, lest I come and strike the land with a decree of utter destruction.”

FATHER warned Israel through the prophets in the Old Testament… multiple times over thousands of years.

Jesus spoke in Matthew chapter 11:

11 Truly, I say to you, among those born of women there has arisen no one greater than John the Baptist. Yet the one who is least in the Kingdom of Heaven is greater than he.

12 From the days of John the Baptist until now the Kingdom of Heaven has suffered violence, and the violent take it by force.

13 For all the Prophets and the Law prophesied until John,

14 and if you are willing to accept it, he is Elijah who is to come.

15 He who has ears to hear, let him hear.

16 “But to what shall I compare this generation? It is like children sitting in the marketplaces and calling to their playmates,

17 “‘We played the flute for you, and you did not dance; we sang a dirge, and you did not mourn.’

18 For John came neither eating nor drinking, and they say, ‘He has a demon.’

19 The Son of Man came eating and drinking, and they say, ‘Look at him! A glutton and a drunkard, a friend of tax collectors and sinners!’ Yet wisdom is justified by her deeds.”

Prophets are often ridiculed because their prophecies did not agree with the recipients’ preconceptions of how or what should transpire.  The Jews could not recognize Jesus even as He was standing before them in the flesh.  They all knew the Book of Isaiah where Jesus was fully described.  They did not have eyes to see or ears to hear.

What about today?  There are true prophets and false prophets.  How do we tell the difference?  The Holy Spirit will help us discern the difference.

The following video relates what the sports world is attempting to do concerning Christianity, confirming the last days we are now in:

Focus First On The Spiritual

Thursday, August 8th, 2024

Let us not bypass the Spiritual and only consider the physical!

If you are unaware of the Spiritual, you will have difficulty understanding the physical events set before you.

Paul wrote by The Holy Spirit in Ephesians chapter 1:

3 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, Who has blessed us in Christ with every Spiritual blessing in the Heavenly places,

Our blessings originate in Heavenly places before they manifest in the physical realm.

Matthew recorded by The Holy Spirit in Matthew chapter 9:

1 And getting into a boat He crossed over and came to His own city.

Jesus had just healed two men with demons in the region of the Gadarenes.  Jesus had received the directive from FATHER, but the god of the world tried to stop the trip with a perilous storm.  Jesus took authority over the physical since He had already been given such authority in the Spiritual realm.

2 And behold, some people brought to Him a paralytic, lying on a bed. And when Jesus saw their faith, He said to the paralytic, “Take heart, My son; your sins are forgiven.”

Once again, Jesus first dealt with the spiritual issue which was preventing Spiritual blessings.  Once the spiritual blockade was removed, the paralytic would receive his restoration.

3 And behold, some of the scribes said to themselves, “This man is blaspheming.” 4 But Jesus, knowing their thoughts, said, “Why do you think evil in your hearts?

5 For which is easier, to say, ‘Your sins are forgiven,’ or to say, ‘Rise and walk’?

6 But that you may know that the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins”-he then said to the paralytic-“Rise, pick up your bed and go home.”

7 And he rose and went home.

8 When the crowds saw it, they were afraid, and they glorified God, Who had given such authority to men.

Spiritual authority precedes the physical!  We are meant to focus on THE SPIRIT so that we will walk with every Spiritual blessing given to us by Christ.

As Paul wrote in Ephesians chapter 1:

4 even as He chose us in Him before the foundation of the world, that we should be Holy and blameless before Him.

Our Holiness is key to walking in Spiritual blessings.  Do you think FATHER would grant Spiritual blessings to those who would consume them on themselves?  We must be reliable and trustworthy in order to fulfill what was predestined for us individually.

I thank GOD that HE chose you and me for such a privilege to be Holy and blameless before HIM!  Our focus must be on Jesus Christ in Whom all Spiritual blessings come through.  It is all about Christ, not us.  The adversary knows this, and it is why there is such persecution toward those who exalt Christ in their lives.

Paul wrote by The Holy Spirit in Galatians chapter 3:

13 Yet, Christ paid the full price to set us free from the curse of the law. He absorbed the curse completely as he became a curse in our place. For it is written: “Everyone who is hung upon a tree is cursed.”

14 Jesus Christ dissolved the curse from our lives, so that in Him all the blessings of Abraham can be poured out upon gentiles. And now through faith we receive the promised Holy Spirit Who lives in us.

By grace are we able to receive Spiritual blessings and it is only by Our Lord Jesus Christ Who paid the FULL price.  None of our works could accomplish what Christ did for us.  This is why we are to give glory and honor to Our Lord Jesus Christ in all blessings that manifest in our lives.  We must never exalt ourselves by attaching our own prowess and abilities to successes in life.

Paul also wrote by The Holy Spirit in Titus chapter 2:

11 For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation for all people,

12 training us to renounce ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright, and Godly lives in the present age,

13 waiting for our blessed hope, the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ,

14 Who gave Himself for us to redeem us from all lawlessness and to purify for Himself a people for His own possession who are zealous for good works.

As we focus on these Spiritual Truths, the physical will align itself in our lives.

Another Kids In Need Update

Wednesday, August 7th, 2024

FATHER sees the impact on those kids:

The Village program has been a game changer for the HS (high school). Two specific stories occurred late last year and during the summer. One family who has 4 students in the district reached out to me privately, asking for help regarding some activities they are participating in, While I couldn’t help with those activities, I did give them gift cards to Target, and Crest, and that helped them continue their participation in the school sponsored events. Another story occurred last year when a lower-income student was struggling and Mr. Marchino gave him some cards and the student just wept and fell into his arms. Since then, he has totally changed his attitude in school and comes to Mr. Marchino or myself when he is having a bad day.

Gratitude

Wednesday, August 7th, 2024

I woke up this morning to this song in my spirit…