Category: Ministry

Gates

Nehemiah 13:19 “So it was, at the gates of Jerusalem, as it began to be dark before the Sabbath, that I commanded the gates to be shut, and charged that they must not be opened till after the Sabbath. Then I posted some of my servants at the gates, so that no burdens would be brought in on the Sabbath day.” (NKJV)

Walls and fences serve several purposes. They can provide safety, security and also add beauty to the landscape. Depending on the height or thickness of the wall or fence, it might be possible to scale the wall or climb over the fence.

Most walls and fences have one or more gates that provide someone or something access to the secured area. An easy way to gain access to the secured area is to enter through the gate, and if a gate is left open, it can defeat the purpose of keeping an area secured.

Our 5 senses assist us with being aware of where we are and what is happening around us. The five senses that we have can also be identified as gates;

We have an ear gate to able to hear.

We have an eye gate to be able to see.

We have a tongue gate to be able to taste.

We have a nose gate to be able to smell.

We have a touch gate to be able to feel.

Believers have to constantly be watchful and on guard to what is attempting to enter their gates.

Proverbs 8:34 “Blessed is the man who listens to me, Watching daily at my gates, Waiting at the posts of my doors.” (NKJV)

If a person allows one or more of their gates to remain open to the wrong thing, it can give the enemy an opportunity to “come in like a flood.”

The Spirit of the Lord (the Holy Spirit) will lift up a standard that gives a believer the power needed, to stop the attempts of the enemy to enter into our gates.

“O God, thank you for the power of your Spirit that warns and reminds believers about what they are listening too, what they are smelling, watching, tasting or touching that can allow the enemy access to enter in our gates, in Jesus name…Amen!“

Continuing in His service…Rev

The Prism of waiting                                                                                                                      

Elder Robert Ross

The word prism is often associated with geometry, and defined as, a transparent solid body, often having triangular bases, used for dispersing light into a spectrum, or for reflecting rays of light. However, there is another use of the word which is used in reference to clarification, or distortion to a particular viewpoint.

For example, does our cultures view of waiting parallels with Gods view? How does our culture today view waiting, and why is waiting so difficult? It is hard to imagine waiting as productive. The idea of waiting is exhausting, and counterintuitive to our idea of success, as well as our ability to succeed. Waiting can become psychologically demoralizing, therefore is the frustration of waiting tied to giving up control? Finally, has waiting become abnormal, and obsolete?

There has been a pyridine shift from waiting. We do not want to wait in line anymore. We do not wait to cook our food, we microwave it, or contact Grub-hub. We don’t want to wait in line at the bank, when there is the ATM, and Cash app. We no longer wait to shop when Amazon can deliver your purchase the next day. Furthermore, we don’t want to wait for the job interview, and we don’t want to wait for the promotion when we get the job. One would think that waiting is certainly obsolete!

If waiting is emotionally, and psychologically demoralizing, why does God require us to wait? Could it be that waiting develops spiritual discipline. Waiting reminds us of our dependence on God. And with the help of the Holy Spirit our purpose, and priorities become clear. The Holy Spirit reveals to us, there is a lack of something. This lack allows us to develop our character, and perseverance in our pursuit of waiting.

It was not that long ago when the old mothers, and deacons of the church would remind us of the scriptures on tarrying.  Habakkuk 2:3… For the vision is yet for an appointed time; But at the end it will speak, and it will not lie. Though it tarries, wait for it; Because it will surely come, it will not tarry. The Old Testament prophet, in the book of Isaiah 6:1… talks about the appointed time, when he said…I saw the Lord, high and lifted up, and His train filled the temple. This was approximately 700 years prior to the resurrection of Christ. They had to wait.

The bible tells us in Acts 1:3, Christ waited 40 days, and made 10 appearances before His ascending to heaven. Christ had to wait for the appointed time, and the disciples had to wait for the resurrection. In the book of John, chapter 11, the word of God tells us Mary wiped Jesus’ feet with precious ointments, and when Jesus was told her brother Lazarus, was sick. He told His disciples, let’s go to Judaea! Therefore, Jesus arrived at Martha house 4 days later. Mary, and Martha had to wait. Lazarus had to wait on Jesus to raise him from the dead, and Jesus had to wait on Judas to send Him to the grave. The Old Testament prophet Habakkuk says the vision is for an appointed time therefore wait for it. The vision of God was to raise Lazarus, but the appointed time was four days later. Do not miss your miracle because of impatience. We must learn how manage our anxiety and trust the timing of God, James 1:4…and let patience have its perfect work, that you may be perfect, and complete, lacking nothing.  The timing of God is perfect, and the blessings of God are complete.

I would like to take this opportunity to thank my brother in the Lord, Elder Robert Ross for sharing this revelation that he received from God on waiting. May it be a blessing to all who read it.

Continuing in His service…Rev

“Abba, Our Father”

Galatians 4:6 “And because ye are sons, God hath sent forth the Spirit of his Son into your hearts, crying, Abba, Father.” (KJV)

In Chapt. 6:9-13 in the Gospel of Matthew, Jesus gives the disciples instructions on how to pray. When we take a more in depth, and closer look at this prayer, we can also see Jesus describing God as “Abba Father”.

Matthew 6:9-13 “After this manner therefore pray ye: Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name.¹⁰ Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven.¹¹ Give us this day our daily bread.¹² And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors.¹³ And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil: For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, forever.” Amen. (KJV)

·         He lives in heaven “which art in heaven”  

·         He is Holy “Hallowed be thy name”

·         He has a kingdom on earth and in heaven “Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven”

·         He is a provider “Give us this day our daily bread”

·         He is forgiving “And forgive us our debts”

·         He is a deliverer “but deliver us from evil”

·         He is power and has glory “For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory”

Acts 10:35 “But in every nation whoever fears Him and works righteousness is accepted by Him.”

 He is not a respecter of person, He is a Father to all “Our Abba Father”

Romans 8:15 ^“The Spirit you received does not make you slaves, so that you live in fear again; rather, the Spirit you received brought about your adoption to sonship. And by him we cry, “Abba, Father.” (NIV)

Dear God we come to you as little children with our arms lifted up to you crying out “Abba Father”. You are the Alpha and the Omega; we give your name the praise, the glory, and the honor that you so much deserve. Thank you for the example you have shown to the world of what a Father should be… Amen

Continuing in His service…Rev

1st Peter 1:15,16 “but as He who called you is holy, you also be holy in all your conduct, Vs 16 because it is written, “Be holy, for I Am holy” (NKJV)

One of the main attributes of God is His holiness.

One might ask the question “what is holy or holiness”?

The word holy or holiness can be described as that which is sanctified or set apart for divine service. Holy or holiness also describes one of God’s attributes as being righteous; having moral perfection and ethical wholeness.

One might also ask “what does someone have to do to be holy”?

God gives instructions to be “imitators” of Him (be holy, for I am holy). The definition of an “imitator” is; “a person who copies the behavior or actions of another.”

God has told His people in several scriptures to follow “the example” that He has set before them:

1st Peter 1:16 “Be holy, for I am holy”

Leviticus 11:45 “For I am the Lord who brought you up from the land of Egypt to be your God; thus you shall be holy, for I am holy.”

Leviticus 19:2 “Speak to all the congregation of the sons of Israel and say to them, ‘You shall be holy, for I the Lord your God am holy.”

Scripture describes how God sees His people:

1st Peter 2:9 “But you are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, His own special people, that you may proclaim the praises of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light;”

Abstaining from sin can be the 1st step that can be taken in a believer’s conduct towards being holy. Having a constant watch over our gates will assist with not sinning;

Eye gate…not looking at any or everything that is put before us.

Ear gate...not listening to any or everything that we hear.

Taste gate…not consuming any or everything that is offered.

Touch gate…not touching someone or something inappropriately.

Nose gate...not smelling any or everything that has been put before us.

Roman’s 12:2 “And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God”

Father in heaven, give your people the strength that is needed to have and live a life style that represents holiness, in Jesus name…Amen!

Continuing in HIs service…Rev