Paul Email - 29June2013 - Matthew 19

How you doin? Whatta difference a day makes. I'm sure my buddy G.B. gets that the most. I copied this link to connect you to our blog. Stacey put an entree in last night that will help put this mornings email in context. We believe it's worth reading if you can take a minute.
http://staceypaulseekinghiskingdom.blogspot.com/2013/06/big-news-in-simmerman-house.html

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ike any other relationship, our relationship with God takes effort. I reached out to a brother in Christ yesterday in my struggle with feeling detached from Him. He suggested that we may need to go to where God is when we don't feel His manifest Presence. COME ON!!!!!!! This made sense to me. Praise God for you brother, you know who you are. Your willingness to hear and serve God is AWESOME!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! So I got up off my, "pity potty", (again for G.B.) and started praying that God would show me where He is. COME ON!!!!!!!!!!!! Let's get to the good stuff. Matthew 19.

Large crowds followed him, and he healed them there. (Matt 19:2) I'm just throwing this in here, because I love Jesus' completeness. It doesn't say some of them.

Then people brought little children to Jesus for him to place his hands on them and pray for them. But the disciples rebuked them.
Jesus said, “Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these.” When he had placed his hands on them, he went on from there. (Matt 19:13-15) WOW! After a rough past couple of weeks with Paulie, God gives us this. As it said in the blog, Paulie accepted Jesus last night. PRAISE GOD!!!!!!!!!!!! He is visibly different. He seems like he has been freed. AWESOME!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I can't allow my human limitations or my minds limitations take away from God's limitlessness. Paulie is very young and I'm sure he'll continue to work out his salvation. Hopefully with fear and trembling (a.k.a. the Holy Ghost). And how's that any different then those of us a little or a lot older. One thing Paulie has on us older folk is the lack of performance. He has no concept of deeding himself into heaven. He just received his free gift. I'm kinda of jealous. Another scripture that was referenced, “Then the King will say to those on his right, ‘Come, you who are blessed by my Father; take your inheritance, the kingdom prepared for you since the creation of the world. (Matt 25:34) This doesn't say anything about age. I'm 42 and still trying to receive my inheritance. I can only pray that Audrey and Paulie can receive theirs sooner then later. There is so much to be learned from our relationship with our kids. Praise God for them.

  Jesus answered, “If you want to be perfect, go, sell your possessions and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me.” (Matt 19:21) I struggle with this so much. I pray for God to teach me how to do this. I want to follow Him so bad. I want to do it on my terms though. I don't want to give up my possessions. The thing that helps me is, "But go and learn what this means: ‘I desire mercy, not sacrifice.’ For I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners.” (Matt 9:13) Jesus references Hosea 6:6, "For I desire mercy, not sacrifice, and acknowledgment of God rather than burnt offerings." I heard Bill Johnson say something like, God wants to give us our hearts desire once we are after or seek His own heart. I don't want to be like this dude, "When the young man heard this, he went away sad, because he had great wealth. (Matt 19:22) So, like Paulie, I will continue to work out my salvation. I do feel awake and more rested today. Most of all, I feel excited for God. I love being free! COME ON!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Thank you for your prayers.

Big News in the Simmerman House!!!

We have some huge news in the Simmerman House today! 

1. 

On Friday June 28, 2013 at the dinner table, Paulie accepted Jesus as his Savior!  We had been noticing some issues with Paulie getting very angry, saying "hate" a lot, and just seemingly unable to obey without a fight.  It was very discouraging.  And I know that a lot of you may think that is just normal little boy stuff, but it was such a deviation from our little "Joy Warrior."  (God showed me a picture of Paulie's identity as a strong Warrior in the spirit world... The joy in his heart would be what his greatest weapon would be).

Anyway, today we had quite a bit of prayer about something that happened with Paulie this morning.  Paul and I were both deeply troubled by what Paulie was doing.  And both Paul and I felt strongly that Paulie really needed Jesus in his life.  I asked Paulie why he did what he did this morning and he said he didn't know.  I told him that I knew and did he want me to tell him?  He said yes.  I told him that he is a slave to sin, that we all are, but there was super great news!  Jesus came to free us and save us!  He was very happy about this.  I asked him if he wanted to ask Jesus to save him from sin and come live in his heart.  He said, "Jesus can you save me from my sin?" and we all cheered and his eyes changed in an instant.  He was filled with such joy!  I then told him to ask Jesus to fill him with the Holy Spirit, which Paulie did.

Audrey and Paulie have been talking all day about how wonderful it is that we are all Christians now!  We are thrilled.  Paulie seems different.  I know that he seems young, but we just read in Matthew that the greatest in the kingdom of heaven are those who humble themselves like a little child.  Paulie is definitely great in the kingdom... a Joy Warrior... a Christian.  We are so blessed!

2. 

On Wednesday June 26, 2013 Audrey's first tooth fell out!  She was beyond excited.  I have never seen a child this excited before about a tooth falling out.  She was jumping up and down, she and Paulie were hugging each other and so excited.  So Audrey put her tooth in a little tooth box and put it under her pillow.  I kept telling her not to shake it or lose it.  I took the tooth out of the box, left the empty box and left her an envelope under her pillow.  She came into our room at 4am crying saying "something happened about my tooth!"  I told her to go look under her pillow for the envelope.  She came back 30 seconds later waving the envelope saying "Look what I got!"  Paul said, "Go to bed!"  LOL.

Since we didn't have this blog when Audrey accepted Jesus, here is her story:  On Tuesday Feb 11th, 2013 our sweet Audrey Accepted Jesus as Lord and Savior of her life. She is very familiar with Him and is very familiar with the Bible, but on Tuesday she was very aware of her "wrong" in fighting with her brother. It is hard to explain what Jesus did for us on the cross to a 4 year old. I was going on about the fact that Jesus "took her place" for any mistake that she makes... finally Paul Simmerman said "Think of it this way Audrey, if you had done something wrong and we were going to spank you, and then Paulie (her brother) came up and said, "Hold on a second, Spank me instead. I will take her punishment for her." That is what it means that Jesus took our place. Audrey's eyes got really big with understanding. I said "Isn't that great news Audrey?" and she said "Oh YES!" I cried as she repeated a prayer thanking Jesus for taking her place and for loving her sooooo much. What a privilege to get to lead my daughter to Jesus. She is visibly different. It is amazing! She will be 5 next month. Such a blessing!

Paul Email - 25June2013 - Ephesians 1

How you doin? I wasn't sure if I had anything to share today. That's why this email is so late. I've been praying for something to email. So here it is.

Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in the heavenly realms with every spiritual blessing in Christ. For he chose us in him before the creation of the world to be holy and blameless in his sight. In love he^[b] predestined us for adoption to sonship^[c] through Jesus Christ, in accordance with his pleasure and will— to the praise of his glorious grace, which he has freely given us in the One he loves. In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches of God’s grace that he lavished on us. With all wisdom and understanding, he^[d] made known to us the mystery of his will according to his good pleasure, which he purposed in Christ, to be put into effect when the times reach their fulfillment—to bring unity to all things in heaven and on earth under Christ.
 In him we were also chosen,^[e] having been predestined according to the plan of him who works out everything in conformity with the purpose of his will, in order that we, who were the first to put our hope in Christ, might be for the praise of his glory. And you also were included in Christ when you heard the message of truth, the gospel of your salvation. When you believed, you were marked in him with a seal, the promised Holy Spirit, who is a deposit guaranteeing our inheritance until the redemption of those who are God’s possession—to the praise of his glory.

 For this reason, ever since I heard about your faith in the Lord Jesus and your love for all God’s people, I have not stopped giving thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers. I keep asking that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the glorious Father, may give you the Spirit^[f] of wisdom and revelation, so that you may know him better. I pray that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened in order that you may know the hope to which he has called you, the riches of his glorious inheritance in his holy people, and his incomparably great power for us who believe. That power is the same as the mighty strength he exerted when he raised Christ from the dead and seated him at his right hand in the heavenly realms, far above all rule and authority, power and dominion, and every name that is invoked, not only in the present age but also in the one to come. And God placed all things under his feet and appointed him to be head over everything for the church, which is his body, the fullness of him who fills everything in every way. (Ephesians 1:3-23)

Paul Email -24June2013- Matthew 16

How you doin? I wasn't going to send an email today. I thought that I received a word to take a break from emailing, but then it felt as though I may be hearing a lie. I hope and pray that these emails are not cumbersome or in anyway bothersome to anyone. I've received some good feed back that people enjoy them. I'll be praying for discernment on this matter. I'm not perfect. I am human. I can get tripped up on lies just easy as anyone else. Please pray for me. We did read Matthew 16 today. WOW! It's so loaded.

Jesus replied, “Blessed are you, Simon son of Jonah, for this was not revealed to you by flesh and blood, but by my Father in heaven. And I tell you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of Hades will not overcome it. I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven; whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven.” Then he ordered his disciples not to tell anyone that he was the Messiah. (Matthew 16:17-20) AWESOME!!!!!!!!!!!!! These verses follow Peter acknowledging that Jesus was the Messiah. Such authority and understanding was given to Peter. I feel Holy jealousy when I read this, right up to the next part.

 Peter took him aside and began to rebuke him. “Never, Lord!” he said. “This shall never happen to you!”
Jesus turned and said to Peter, “Get behind me, Satan! You are a stumbling block to me; you do not have in mind the concerns of God, but merely human concerns.” (Matthew 16:22-23) Jesus just said, "and on this rock I'll build my church", and now Jesus says this to Peter. Stacey pointed out how Jesus established Peter as a rock or foundation for His church and Satan tried to twisted him into a stumbling block. "Get behind me, Satan!". COME ON!!!!!!!! God always wins.

Then Jesus said to his disciples, “Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me. For whoever wants to save their life will lose it, but whoever loses their life for me will find it. What good will it be for someone to gain the whole world, yet forfeit their soul? Or what can anyone give in exchange for their soul? For the Son of Man is going to come in his Father’s glory with his angels, and then he will reward each person according to what they have done.
 “Truly I tell you, some who are standing here will not taste death before they see the Son of Man coming in his kingdom.” (Matthew 16:24-28) COME ON!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I love these verses. Such power. A set of instructions that sound crazy, but are so awesome! Spiritual paradox is incredible. I believe God hinds secrets of heaven FOR us, not FROM us. This is what I was talking about on Father's Day. I'm not afraid of losing my life that's of this world. I welcome gaining my soul. I welcome gaining my life in Jesus. Our enemy never relents with accusations and lies. The scouting report on Satan in the bible is very thorough. He tries to steal our identity in Christ and worship from God. Sometimes, Stacey and I hear the lies and are affected by them. All of the time, God's truths crush lies. COME ON!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! As the Holy Ghost told me during zoso and in dreams, "it's safe". COME ON!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Praise Jesus! 

Paul Email -23June2013- Matthew 15

How you doin? Stacey posted a blog entry on our blog, http://staceypaulseekinghiskingdom.blogspot.com/2013/06/a-day-in-life-of-stacey.html
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or those of you who would like to hear from the other, stronger half, of our devotional time. Matthew 15 today.

Jesus replied, “And why do you break the command of God for the sake of your tradition?

(Matthew 15:3) The Pharisee had questioned Jesus about His disciple not washing their hands before eating. I always get a kick out of people questioning Jesus in general.

 "they are not to ‘honor their father or mother’ with it. Thus you nullify the word of God for the sake of your tradition. You hypocrites! Isaiah was right when he prophesied about you:
 “‘These people honor me with their lips,
but their hearts are far from me.
They worship me in vain;
their teachings are merely human rules.’^[c]” (Matthew 15:6-9) How I pray to never hear these words.
What goes into someone’s mouth does not defile them, but what comes out of their mouth, that is what defiles them.” (Matthew 15:10) Tough scripture for me. I battle with the things that come out of my mouth. I've resolved that God will purify me as I seek Him, learn about Him, and understand Him.
Then Jesus said to her, “Woman, you have great faith! Your request is granted.” And her daughter was healed at that moment. (Matthew 15:28) I love reading about people with great faith. It's encouraging.
Great crowds came to him, bringing the lame, the blind, the crippled, the mute and many others, and laid them at his feet; and he healed them. (Matthew 15:30) This doesn't say all, but I get the impression Jesus healed everyone. These scripture lead me to believe that it's God's will for all to be healed.

 Jesus called his disciples to him and said, “I have compassion for these people; they have already been with me three days and have nothing to eat. I do not want to send them away hungry, or they may collapse on the way.”

(Matthew 15:32) This verse is my favorite today. I love it when Jesus says, "I have compassion for these people". The part that got me was how Jesus wasn't concerned about the people while they were with Him. He was concerned for them when He sent them away. Jesus feeds us physically and mostly spiritually. He does not want us to collapse. COME ON!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Jesus went on to feed well over 4,000 people with hardly any food. Multiplication is hard for me to understand, but I believe it.

Please pray for us today. We're going to see the Phillies play the Mets today. Harvey is pitching for the Mets and he's way good. I may be falling asleep.

A day in the life of Stacey...

Most of the posts in here are from Paul, but today I wanted to write about my day.  We have had some major changes over the past few months!  Whew!  This morning the kids were with grammy and pop pop at the water park so the morning was slightly different than most:

0515 AM:  Paul and I woke up with my alarm and headed out to the dining room.  Paul put on the iBethel.tv worship set for us to listen to while I made hot water with a lemon wedge for each of us and got our Bibles out.  Yes we gave up coffee I guess 3 months ago.  For me, I did this pretty much because God told me to.  Paul said something about when he quit smoking cigarettes he just continuously said "I'm not a smoker anymore" and he was able to quit really easily that way.  It stuck in my head and that day I just decided that I was not a coffee drinker anymore.  I replaced it with warm lemon water for some reason and later found that this is an extremely wonderful thing to do (according to nutritionists) for detoxifying.  It sort of just came to me though which I thought was neat.  Before I quit coffee (which I only drank one cup in the morning), if I didn't have the cup in the morning by 11:30am I would have a piercing caffeine headache.  When I quit, the second I felt the headache trying to come I would say "Nope, I don't get headaches." and it would leave me immediately.  I am here to testify that I never got a single headache from quitting coffee.  Praise God!

0530 AM:  Matthew 14 reading.  What stuck out to me is found in the story of Peter walking on the water.  Peter actually walks on water!!!  But then he starts to sink... Jesus says (v31) ..."You of little faith... why did you doubt?"  There is that "you of little faith" comment again that Jesus says multiple times.  I always thought this was a rebuke or said in discouragement... but lately I feel like my eyes are being opened to this.  Jesus says with the little faith of a mustard seed you could move a mountain and throw it into the water with a word/command.  Here he says to Peter "You have a little faith and that's why you walked on water!"  But instead of seeing that he was WALKING ON WATER (are we too familiar with this story to see how amazing this is?) ... and having his faith GROW... He saw the wind (v30), and the spirit of fear took hold of him.  Wow.  He was walking on water because he had a "little faith... why did you doubt?"  The enemy snatched it (this time with fear... he was afraid when he saw the wind) but immediately (v31) Jesus reached out his hand and caught him.  Great!!!

0630 AM:  I made breakfast.  I had boiled with the skins on some organic potatoes yesterday for about 8 minutes.  I had them in the fridge.  I cut them into bite sized pieces and fried them with some onion (cooking tip that I never knew: you should always make your pan hot with nothing in it.  THEN when it is hot you add your oil or butter or whatever and immediately the food you are cooking.  I always put my oil in first and then turned the stove on... which is wrong).  I fried an organic egg and some of my organic whole wheat bread toasted (recipe is posted in this blog a week ago).  Yum!  I threw a load of laundry in the washer and washed the dishes from breakfast.

0730 AM:  I made the dough for my bread and let it rise.  As it was rising I made organic banana bread (huge hit even with Paulie who used to throw up to the smell of bananas), hung the laundry on the line outside that Paul put up for us last year, and moved the cars/ cleaned all the toys out of the yard so that Paul could mow the lawn.  I also ran to the gas station to fill the gas can for the mower.

0830 AM:  Got the banana bread out and vacuume the floor.  For less than 10$ I made (all organic) a loaf of banana bread, a loaf and a half of whole wheat bread, and 5 whole wheat rolls for lunch.  Awesome!!

0930 AM: Invited my parents to stay for lunch when they dropped the kids off.  Took two of the potatoes and cut them into (8) wedges each, coated them with butter, fresh herbs out of the garden (basil, rosemary, thyme, and parsley), diced onion, S&P and wrapped them in aluminum foil.  Did the same thing with ears of corn on the cob.  Made patties out of organic ground beef and put all this in the fridge waiting for lunch.  (I also popped a steam in the bag organic green beans in the microwave for this meal).  Really great!  Turn the corn on the grill and the potatoes multiple times for about 15 minutes.

1030 AM: Paul left for work.  I hung another load of laundry on the line and started setting the table for lunch.

1200 PM:  Folks and kids for lunch.  Paulie ate everything without a fuss (had to coax him with the green beans and bribe him with a slice of banana bread lol.  Audrey did so well but that was a lot of crying... she only gagged once... and she finished everything and then had a slice of banana bread.  She is still struggling with the new eating style we are doing.  Our kids up to about 2 months ago ate mostly McDonalds, pizza, waffles, soda... junk food really.  I know it is not good.  So we said "no more"... The kids say they are not sugar eaters anymore.  It has been a process but it is getting so much better.  What a perseverance trial though!

1:00 PM:  Kids took a nap, I cleaned up from lunch and lay down with the book I am reading about Smith Wigglesworth (really great book!) but I fell asleep while reading.

3:00 PM: Kids up from naps and wanted to watch Neverending Story for some reason (they'd never seen it before) and since I had only napped for like 15 minutes I was happy to put it on.  They were out all morning riding bikes and at the waterpark so I didn't feel bad not having them out.

5:30 PM:  Since the kids did so good for lunch I let them pick their dinner.  Audrey had organic PB&J on my bread with a banana, grapes, strawberries and a mozzerrella cheese stick.  Paulie had Organic rotini whole wheat noodles with homemade monchego cheese sauce, raisins, and cashew nuts.  I wasn't hungry so I just had some homemade organic salsa with organic blue corn chips and called it a day.

6:30 PM:  Kicked the ball around in the back yard with Paulie per his request (see picture) for about 15 minutes while Audrey was dressing her babydoll with her new outfit she got on Wednesday and giving her a pretend bath.  Bath for the kids, they dressed themselves for bed, Audrey brushed her own hair.

7:30 PM:  Bedtime Routine of singing, bouncing, praying and tickling (not in that order it is whatever order the kids want them in).  I pray every night that the kids will be full of God's love and His Holy Spirit.

8:00 PM:  Paulie has been testing me lately but I WILL win.  lol.  He decided that he wanted me to read him one more story.  When I told him no, he started crying, telling me he doesn't like me, and that he wants to "quit" this day and that this day has been "awful."  I told him I didn't want our relationship to be this way and we made up and he went to sleep telling me that he loves me the most in the whole wide world.  :)

Ran the dishwasher, filled the laundry for Paul's work jackets, and while I wait for the dishwasher to finish I typed this.  Now I am going to go to bed.  It is 9:22 PM.  Goodnight everyone.  Love you all!

Stacey

Paul Email -22June2013- Matthew 14

How you doin? Matthew 14 is awesome. I love these types of stories. So powerful. I'm going to get right into it today.

When Jesus heard what had happened, he withdrew by boat privately to a solitary place. Hearing of this, the crowds followed him on foot from the towns. When Jesus landed and saw a large crowd, he had compassion on them and healed their sick.
 As evening approached, the disciples came to him and said, “This is a remote place, and it’s already getting late. Send the crowds away, so they can go to the villages and buy themselves some food.”
 Jesus replied, “They do not need to go away. You give them something to eat.”
“We have here only five loaves of bread and two fish,” they answered.
“Bring them here to me,” he said. And he directed the people to sit down on the grass. Taking the five loaves and the two fish and looking up to heaven, he gave thanks and broke the loaves. Then he gave them to the disciples, and the disciples gave them to the people. They all ate and were satisfied, and the disciples picked up twelve basketfuls of broken pieces that were left over. The number of those who ate was about five thousand men, besides women and children. (Matthew 14:13-21) AWESOME!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I can't say that my mind deals with multiplication very well. I can say that I believe God has never ending resources.
Shortly before dawn Jesus went out to them, walking on the lake. When the disciples saw him walking on the lake, they were terrified. “It’s a ghost,” they said, and cried out in fear.
 But Jesus immediately said to them: “Take courage! It is I. Don’t be afraid.”
 “Lord, if it’s you,” Peter replied, “tell me to come to you on the water.”
 “Come,” he said.
Then Peter got down out of the boat, walked on the water and came toward Jesus. But when he saw the wind, he was afraid and, beginning to sink, cried out, “Lord, save me!”
 Immediately Jesus reached out his hand and caught him. “You of little faith,” he said, “why did you doubt?” (Matthew 14:25-31) I love this story. God has really been teaching me that it's safe to step out in faith. Here, Peter walks on water with eyes on Jesus, but when his attention turns to the wind, or world, he sinks. I can certainly relate to this story. The part that stood out to me today was how Jesus immediately saved Peter when he sank. COME ON!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I'm heading to the lake. No, just kidding.

When they had crossed over, they landed at Gennesaret. And when the men of that place recognized Jesus, they sent word to all the surrounding country. People brought all their sick to him  and begged him to let the sick just touch the edge of his cloak, and all who touched it were healed. (Matthew 14:34-36) I love the power of testimony. Gennesaret is in the region where the women who bleed for 12yrs was healed by touching Jesus' cloak (Matthew 9:20-22) This region is also the region where Jesus was asked to leave after He sent the demons into the heard of pigs. I think Mark 5:1-20 connects these stories the best. The people begged Jesus to leave and now they're begging Him to let them touch His cloak. that sounds like repentance. Apparently, evangelism, testimony, and repentance works. COME ON!!!!! 'Our Father' Bethel Church

Paul Email -21June2013- Matthew 13

How you doin? What a beautiful 1st day of summer. I can't help but to be smitten by God's glory. We read Matthew 13 this morning. A chapter of parables about the Kingdom of Heaven. COME ON!!!!!!!!!!!!

The disciples came to him and asked, “Why do you speak to the people in parables?”
    He replied, “Because the knowledge of the secrets of the kingdom of heaven has been given to you, but not to them. Whoever has will be given more, and they will have an abundance. Whoever does not have, even what they have will be taken from them. This is why I speak to them in parables:
“Though seeing, they do not see; though hearing, they do not hear or understand. (Matthew 13:10-13)
Parables allow only those who believe in Jesus to understand the nature of the heavenly realm. AWESOME!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! God does not over play His hand.

  
When Jesus had finished these parables, he moved on from there. Coming to his hometown, he began teaching the people in their synagogue, and they were amazed. “Where did this man get this wisdom and these miraculous powers?” they asked. “Isn’t this the carpenter’s son? Isn’t his mother’s name Mary, and aren’t his brothers James, Joseph, Simon and Judas? Aren’t all his sisters with us? Where then did this man get all these things?” And they took offense at him.
  But Jesus said to them, “A prophet is not without honor except in his own town and in his own home.”
  And he did not do many miracles there because of their lack of faith. (Matthew 13:53-58)

Even amazed by His wisdom, Jesus' home town took offense. This never ceases to amaze me. The stories where people see or experience the glory of God through Jesus and still reject Him. Ouch! This sounds way too familiar in my own life. Praise God for His mercy. Mercy = forgiveness and compassion. Every time I read these stories, plank and splinter come two mind. It's easy to judge these people that lived in Jesus' time, but they didn't have what we have... Christ in us. These are the stories that make me ask tough questions of myself. It's safe to allow God to start the sanctification process. COME ON!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Obviously, discussing the parables would make this email kinda long. I would encourage you to ask the Holy Ghost to teach you what they reveal about the Kingdom. They are incredibly convicting and empowering. Snoop around your inheritance today.

Paul Email -20June2013- Matthew 12

How you doin? This will be short. We are feeling the effects of being over scheduled. Stacey and I always try to priorities in this order: 1) God, 2) ourselves, 3) each other, 4) the kids, 5) extended family and close friends, 6) everything else changes in importance as circumstances change. Sadly enough, work usually makes it's way into the top 3. Worldly possessions, financial security, and self indulgence creep way to high on the list as well. Matthew 12 this morning helped.

 If you had known what these words mean, ‘I desire mercy, not sacrifice,’ you would not have condemned the innocent. (Matthew 12:7) I just through this in here cause it's awesome.
Then they brought him a demon-possessed man who was blind and mute, and Jesus healed him, so that he could both talk and see.  All the people were astonished and said, “Could this be the Son of David?”
 But when the Pharisees heard this, they said, “It is only by Beelzebul, the prince of demons, that this fellow drives out demons.”
 Jesus knew their thoughts and said to them, “Every kingdom divided against itself will be ruined, and every city or household divided against itself will not stand. If Satan drives out Satan, he is divided against himself. How then can his kingdom stand? And if I drive out demons by Beelzebul, by whom do your people drive them out? So then, they will be your judges. But if it is by the Spirit of God that I drive out demons, then the kingdom of God has come upon you.
 “Or again, how can anyone enter a strong man’s house and carry off his possessions unless he first ties up the strong man? Then he can plunder his house. (Matthew 12:22-29)

I always like to say, "you can't fix a flat tire with a flat tire". If things of this world get the better of you... fix it with things of heaven.
 “Make a tree good and its fruit will be good, or make a tree bad and its fruit will be bad, for a tree is recognized by its fruit. You brood of vipers, how can you who are evil say anything good? For the mouth speaks what the heart is full of. A good man brings good things out of the good stored up in him, and an evil man brings evil things out of the evil stored up in him. But I tell you that everyone will have to give account on the day of judgment for every empty word they have spoken. For by your words you will be acquitted, and by your words you will be condemned.” (Matthew 12:33-37)

T hese verses give me hope. Omit sin or admit God. Admit God and God comes out of us. By storing good things up in me, I may have good things come out of me. YES, I believe that. COME ON!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Read the bible today. Ask God to make you aware of His Presence. Ask the Holy Spirit to make Himself known to you. AWESOME!!!!!!!!!!!!

Paul Email -19June2013- Matthew 11

How you doin? Please be praying for a hedge of protection around our family. I'm guessing that, "those who lay in wait", aren't happy about what's going on with us. Especially the kids. They seem to be targeted right now. We know that there is break through coming. Every time we experience attack, there's something HUGE that follows. We will choose to stand in God's victory, authority, and love.

Matthew 11 this morning. For some reason, very common scripture stood out to me today and sounded different.

At that time Jesus said, “I praise you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, because you have hidden these things from the wise and learned, and revealed them to little children. Yes, Father, for this is what you were pleased to do.  “All things have been committed to me by my Father. No one knows the Son except the Father, and no one knows the Father except the Son and those to whom the Son chooses to reveal him.
 “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.” (Matthew 11:25-30)
Today, this sounded different to me. Especially the bold parts. I added 11:25-27 because they're AWESOME!!!!!!!!!!!! "Learn from me", referenced these other verses-
I have set you an example that you should do as I have done for you. (John 13:15)
In your relationships with one another, have the same mindset as Christ Jesus: (Philippians 2:5) Other translations say, "have a Christ like attitude".

Whoever claims to live in him must live as Jesus did. (1 John 2:6)
"find rest for your souls", I never heard, "souls", before. That is really my true prayer, rest for my soul. My spirit is settled and sealed. Rest for my body is intact, most of the time. Rest for my body has a fairly easy solution, but rest for my soul is tough. I often say that my mind, which is part of my soul, is the trouble spot. "My burden is light", I heard it as His burden is light. Meaning that Jesus has little or light burden. Which made me think, good for you. In my bible, "my burden is light", referenced 1 John 5:3. Of course, I read around it.
Everyone who believes that Jesus is the Christ is born of God, and everyone who loves the father loves his child as well. This is how we know that we love the children of God: by loving God and carrying out his commands. In fact, this is love for God: to keep his commands. And his commands are not burdensome, for everyone born of God overcomes the world. This is the victory that has overcome the world, even our faith. Who is it that overcomes the world? Only the one who believes that Jesus is the Son of God. (1 John 5:1-5)
This made me see that, "my burden is light", means keeping His commandments is not a burden. Jesus is a gift, not a burden. Living a Christian or, "Christ-in" live is not a burden or sacrifice, it's a blessing and privilege. It's receiving your inheritance here on earth, instead of waiting until you die. COME ON!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! That's a good word. AWESOME!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!  Over come the world today!

Paul Email -18June2013- Tough Questions

How you doin? I like asking tough questions of myself. Today is the only day we don't do devotions. But, we did watch an awesome sermon last night on Bethel TV. I recently ask questions of myself that don't have good answers. I wondered why I didn't ask these types of questions in the past. Last night, I received some clarity on this subject. Speaking of tough questions-

Since you died with Christ to the elemental spiritual forces of this world, why, as though you still belonged to the world, do you submit to its rules:  “Do not handle! Do not taste! Do not touch!”? These rules, which have to do with things that are all destined to perish with use, are based on merely human commands and teachings. Such regulations indeed have an appearance of wisdom, with their self-imposed worship, their false humility and their harsh treatment of the body, but they lack any value in restraining sensual indulgence. (Colossians 2:20-23)

The sermon from last night started with Bill Johnson saying, "If your not free from sin until you die, then Jesus isn't your savior... death is". WOW! OUCH! I don't want to wait for my freedom. Especially since it's offered to me here on earth.
Bill also suggested that we don't ask tough questions of ourselves because, "tough questions tend to send us off into guilt and shame". "We can't ask tough questions of ourselves without them threatening our identity." AWESOME!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! This explained to me my resent willingness to ask hard questions of myself. Tough questions was God's way of leading me to the revelation of my identity. COME ON!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I didn't like my answers to these hard questions, which humbled me enough to ask God to teach me how to love Him, know Him, understand Him, hear Him, see Him, and pay attention to Him. This set of prayer questions lead to God revealing my identity... I'm His son. Obviously, I don't know everyone's hard questions to themselves. I also can't predict how God may reveal your identity to you. But, I can share my testimony of how receiving my identity, has opened my eyes to God's glory, victory, and most of all His love. Know, I'm enjoying the process of sanctification. God is teaching me how to receive my inheritance of His authority, power, and love... "on earth, as it is in heaven". COME ON!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Ask a tough question of yourself today and let God start changing your answer.   

Paul Email -17June2013- Matthew 10

How you doin? What a day yesterday. I've never experienced hearing, seeing, or being lead by the Holy Ghost the way I did yesterday. What a gift to share what God is doing in my life with our church. This mornings devotions had us in Matthew 10. I can't find words that describe how illuminated scripture is to me/us. I said to Stacey this morning, "we need to extend our time or shorten our reading, because 1 chapter is too much to fit into 1 hour". I love how God gives us answers to old mysteries and new mysteries in the same chapter. AWESOME!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Jesus called his twelve disciples to him and gave them authority to drive out impure spirits and to heal every disease and sickness. (Matthew 10:1) Jesus called His 12. They/we need to answer or respond to the call.

As you go, proclaim this message: ‘The kingdom of heaven has come near.’ Heal the sick, raise the dead, cleanse those who have leprosy,^[a] drive out demons. Freely you have received; freely give. (Matthew 10:7-8) COME ON!!!!!!!!! These verses represent Gods will. In the natural some of these words are tough to deal with. God has taught me that, "raise the dead", means both physically dead and spiritually dead. Since I don't know anyone with leprosy, "cleanse those who have leprosy", means those who have sin (that's a whole other email).

for it will not be you speaking, but the Spirit of your Father speaking through you. (Matthew 10:20) Please read the scripture in front of this verse to put in contents. I experienced a taste of this yesterday. AWESOME!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

“Do not suppose that I have come to bring peace to the earth. I did not come to bring peace, but a sword. For I have come to turn

“‘a man against his father,
    a daughter against her mother,
a daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law—
     a man’s enemies will be the members of his own household.’^[c]

 “Anyone who loves their father or mother more than me is not worthy of me; anyone who loves their son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me. Whoever does not take up their cross and follow me is not worthy of me. Whoever finds their life will lose it, and whoever loses their life for my sake will find it. (Matthew 10:34-39) If we seek God's heart, He'll grant us our hearts desire.
 “Anyone who welcomes you welcomes me, and anyone who welcomes me welcomes the one who sent me. (Matthew 10:40) COME ON!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I welcome you Lord. I love this process that continues in my/our lives. Bill Johnson said, "faith allows us to search/investigate our inheritance; revelation allows us to receive our inheritance." That's a good word. I've been intrigued by receiving God's authority, as mentioned in Matthew 10:1. I read this, "Authority comes with the commission, but power comes with the encounter. They were commanded not to leave until they had their encounter with the Spirit of God (see Luke 24:49). In Matthew 28, they received authority, but in Acts 2, they received power. To this day this is true: authority comes from the commission and power comes from the  encounter. And while these two elements seem to have their primary focus on ministry, they are first the essential elements for our engaging the Holy Spirit for relationship. Power and authority introduce us to the nature of the Holy Spirit with a primary focus on hosting His Presence. Ministry should flow out of the relationship with the person who lives in us for our sake, but rests upon us for the sake of others. (Hosting the Presence by Bill Johnson) COME ON!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Encounter Him today! Receive His authority today! Live from His victory! Live from His love! YEAH! YEAH! YEAH!

Paul Email -16June2013- Father's Day

How you doin? Happy Fathers Day. To those that applies to. I can't help but to be filled with love for my heavenly Father. Today should be a spiritual holiday for those reading this. It drives me crazy when I don't love God with ALL of me. Today, I will make sure I'm conscious of loving Him. Thank you Father. Thank you Father for loving me first.

So then, just as you received Christ Jesus as Lord, continue to live your lives in him, rooted and built up in him, strengthened in the faith as you were taught, and overflowing with thankfulness.
 See to it that no one takes you captive through hollow and deceptive philosophy, which depends on human tradition and the elemental spiritual forces of this world rather than on Christ. (Colossians 2:6-8)
Therefore, since we are receiving a kingdom that cannot be shaken, let us be thankful, and so worship God acceptably with reverence and awe, for our “God is a consuming fire.” (Hebrews 12:28-29)

Praise you Jesus! Praise you Holy Ghost! Praise you Father God! COME ON!!!!!!!!!!!

Love Him!

Paul Email -15June2013- Matthew 9

How you doin? God is SO GOOD. His never ending resources are mind boggling. We read Matthew 9 this morning. More healing and miracles. AWESOME!!!!!!!!!!!!! The things that stood out this morning were, faith, authority, forgiveness of sins = healing, spiritual healing = physical healing, Gods will, and the good news of heaven. Light reading today. I'm amazed at the fullness of Christ and the fullness of scripture.

When Jesus saw their faith, he said to the man, “Take heart, son; your sins are forgiven.” (Matthew 9:2)

Knowing their thoughts, Jesus said, “Why do you entertain evil thoughts in your hearts'? Which is easier: to say, ‘Your sins are forgiven,’ or to say, ‘Get up and walk’? But I want you to know that the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins.” So he said to the paralyzed man, “Get up, take your mat and go home.” Then the man got up and went home. When the crowd saw this, they were filled with awe; and they praised God, who had given such authority to man. (Matthew 9:4-7)  COME ON!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

On hearing this, Jesus said, “It is not the healthy who need a doctor, but the sick^. But go and learn what this means: ‘I desire mercy, not sacrifice.’ For I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners.” (Matthew 9:12-13) AWESOME!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Just then a woman who had been subject to bleeding for twelve years came up behind him and touched the edge of his cloak. ²¹ She said to herself, “If I only touch his cloak, I will be healed.” WOW! What faith and believe. (Matthew 9:20-21)

Jesus turned and saw her. “Take heart, daughter,” he said, “your faith has healed you.” And the woman was healed at that moment. (Matthew 9:22) AWESOME!!!!!!!!!!!

 As Jesus went on from there, two blind men followed him, calling out, “Have mercy on us, Son of David!” When he had gone indoors, the blind men came to him, and he asked them, “Do you believe that I am able to do this?” “Yes, Lord,” they replied. Then he touched their eyes and said, “According to your faith let it be done to you” (Matthew 9:27-29) I say and want to say even more, "yes Jesus".

Jesus went through all the towns and villages, teaching in their synagogues, proclaiming the good news of the kingdom and healing every disease and sickness. ³⁶ When he saw the crowds, he had compassion on them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd. (Matthew 9:35-36)

God has been teaching me my identity. I'm praying to receive His love in full, so I can receive His authority. I believe His authority will free me of things of this world, or demonic oppression. In His authority, I can withstand demonic attack. I love being free of anything NOT of God. I never want to pray the soft pray, "God's will be done". I want to understand God's will and receive the authority through Christ to live in it. First comes love, so to be sure the authority is used correctly. Used for God's glory. Jesus came to heal ALL disease and sickness. Jesus could only do God's will. Everything He did was for God's glory. I don't believe it is God's will for people to be diseased, handicap, sinful, or detached from Him. His will is for ALL to be saved, healed, and delivered. I do believe God can draw good from a bad situation, which can lead to testimony of God's grace, mercy, and power. The way salt draws moisture out of something dead or dying. Salt draws moisture from a dead piece of steer's muscle tissue (meat). Or a dying melon cut from it's vine. God's refining fire can make it better as well. Seared meat or caramelized meat taste great. This goes on forever. I love the sanctification process. I pray that we as Christian or, "Christ-ins", can start receiving God's love so to receive His authority.
COME ON!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! 

Awesome bread recipe!!! From Stacey

I have become quite the bread maker lately!  Here is a recipe for organic whole wheat honey bread that my whole family LOVES!  Let me know how it works for you!  -Stacey

Organic Whole Wheat Honey Bread

3 cups (give or take) organic whole wheat flour

3 cups (give or take) organic WHITE whole wheat flour (or you can just use ALL wheat flour if you want)

1/3 cup pure honey

1 package active dry yeast (2 ¼ teaspoon)

2 teaspoons sea salt

3 tablespoons melted unsalted butter

-          Mix 3 cups organic whole wheat flour with 1 ½ cup warm water in a large glass bowl.  Allow this to sit for about 30 minutes. (This will break down the gluten and help the bread rise better) 

-       Meanwhile in a small bowl mix together ¼ cup water, 2 ¼ teaspoons yeast and 1/3 cup honey.  Allow this to sit for about 10 minutes or until the yeast is activated and mixture becomes bubbly.

-          Melt 3 tablespoons of butter and set aside.  Add 2 teaspoons salt to the butter.  (You don’t want the hot butter to kill the yeast).

-       Pour the butter/salt over the flour/water mixture and then pour the yeast mixture over that.  Start mixing it all together.  Now gradually add the White Wheat flour slowly and keep mixing until the dough is not sticky anymore. (It seems to me I only use about 1 ½ cups of flour before it is the way I like it.  Just add enough to make a nice, non-sticky dough).

-          Knead the dough for about 10 minutes with your hands.  Place the dough back in the bowl to rise (until it has doubles in size).  Cover the bowl with a warm damp towel and I put it on my oven under the light.  (For at least an hour).

Using a floured hand, pull the dough out of the bowl onto the counter.  Knead for about 4 minutes (cut the dough in half to make two loaves of bread).  Spray a cookie sheet with non-stick and put your two loaves on it (I prefer the bread this way as opposed to in a loaf pan just personal preference).  Cover the bread again with the warm damp towel and let it rise again for about an hour to double in size.

-          Preheat the oven to 350.

-       Beat an egg in a bowl and brush the top and sides of the bread with the egg wash just before you put it in the oven.  Bake for 30 minutes uncovered (or until the bread sounds hollow when you thump the bottom of it).  The recipe I followed said to bake it for 45 minutes but that was in a loaf pan and her bread looks really brown which I didn’t want.  Before I started using the cookie sheet instead of the loaf pan my bread would come out with the center uncooked… But when I put it on the sheet it was perfect.

Paul Email -14June2013- Matthew 8

How you doin? God's almost got the Father's Day message to me. It's gonna be HUGE! I hope. He's Huge, so I think it will be. Matthew 8 this morning. This chapter is part of a set of chapters titled, "Jesus performs many miracles". Though this chapter is incredibly loaded, the thing that stood out today was the story of Jesus delivering the men by the tomb. The legend into the heard of pigs.

When he arrived at the other side in the region of the Gadarenes, two demon-possessed men coming from the tombs met him. They were so violent that no one could pass that way. “What do you want with us, Son of God?” they shouted. “Have you come here to torture us before the appointed time?”
 Some distance from them a large herd of pigs was feeding. The demons begged Jesus, “If you drive us out, send us into the herd of pigs.”
 He said to them, “Go!” So they came out and went into the pigs, and the whole herd rushed down the steep bank into the lake and died in the water. Those tending the pigs ran off, went into the town and reported all this, including what had happened to the demon-possessed men. Then the whole town went out to meet Jesus. And when they saw him, they pleaded with him to leave their region. (Matthew 8:28-34)

The 2 things that stand out are high lighted. When the demon possessed men, "met him", they were so violent no one could go near them. Jesus' presence stirs up the demonic in a big way. The demons also know who He is and why He's there. AWESOME!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!. Demons can see Christ in us. They can stir all they want. God's victorious and bigger. Next is the people of the town. I've been curious about this for so long. But, as usual during morning devotions, the Holy Ghost shows up and gives me/us understanding. The towns people, "went to meet Jesus", "and when they saw him", they asked Him to leave. I couldn't get it until today. The people were under the spiritual leadership of the demonic. God says in the O.T., "see that I've shown you the way of life and death". These people have obviously chosen poorly. I've experienced in my own life, "defending my demons". These people saw Jesus and His glory and asked Him to split. WOW! I pray to never turn away from Jesus' glory. COME ON!!!!!!!!!!!!!! These people still have a chance.
  As Jesus was getting into the boat, the man who had been demon-possessed begged to go with him. Jesus did not let him, but said, “Go home to your own people and tell them how much the Lord has done for you, and how he has had mercy on you.” So the man went away and began to tell in the Decapolis how much Jesus had done for him. And all the people were amazed. (Mark 5:18-20)

The 1st evangelist. Jesus split, but the freed man stayed behind to continue Jesus' work. COME ON!!!!!!!!!!!!! I love being free. I love continuing Jesus' work. Destroying the works of the Devil. I love Jesus. Theirs been a common mega theme in our worship music here this morning and most of our mornings- "show me your glory" & "show me you face" & "His great love".

The one who has clean hands and a pure heart, who does not trust in an idol or swear by a false god. They will receive blessing from the Lord and vindication from God their Savior. Such is the generation of those who seek him, who seek your face, God of Jacob. (Psalm 24:4-6)
Oh Lord, how I want to be that generation. I feel like I'm going to explode. COME ON!!!!!!!!!!!!! God, I welcome your consuming fire! God increase today. Receive is Presence! Reach your hands out/up an grab it.

Paul Email -10June13- Matthew 5

How you doin? WOW!... is Matthew heavy. Today we read chapter 5 and it's long and loaded. Intense times here at the Simmerman's. God is intense. The Holy Ghost continues to reveal things about my encounter on Friday night. COME ON!!!!!!!!!!! This world is becoming more and more unnatural. Not only is the supernatural becoming more appealing, it's becoming more natural then the natural. AWESOME!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Go a head God! Literally.

 “You have heard that it was said, ‘Love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you,  that you may be children of your Father in heaven. He causes his sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous.  If you love those who love you, what reward will you get? Are not even the tax collectors doing that?  And if you greet only your own people, what are you doing more than others? Do not even pagans do that?  Be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect. (Matthew 5:43-48)
 

This, coming from Jesus, the perfect reflection of our heavenly Father. So, after reading this, I asked God how on earth could I be perfect as you are. He reminded me about, "Christ in you and hope for glory". Christ, the perfect reflection of God the Father, is in me through the Holy Ghost. COME ON!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Extremely tough to wrap my mind around this one, but it sounds AWESOME!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I don't want to beat a dead horse but, "Therefore, my dear friends, as you have always obeyed—not only in my presence, but now much more in my absence—continue to work out your salvation with fear and trembling,  for it is God who works in you to will and to act in order to fulfill his good purpose." (Philippians 2:12-13) Just as a reminder (and I could be wrong) I see fear and trembling as the Holy Ghost. Sanctification is a process that I gladly welcome. I'm not afraid of living for God's glory, in God's glory. I'm not afraid of living from His love or from His victory. I'm not afraid of laying down my life as a living sacrifice. COME ON!!!!!!!!!!!! I am afraid of NOT receiving what God offers me. Bill Johnson pointed out that God gives us what's pleasing to Him and then rewards us for it. AWESOME!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I pray for fresh a anointing today. A fresh awareness of the Presence. Come Holy Spirit. Turn our eyes upon Jesus.

Paul Email -9June13- Matthew 4

How you doin? A much better nights sleep last night. Praise God! Stacey and I can't get over how different the N.T. sounds after completing the O.T. AWESOME!!!!! We read Matthew 4 this morning. This chapter could be 10 emails. Stacey and I laugh at the fact that it feels like we have a life changing encounter with the Holy Ghost once a week or more. God is that AMAZING!!!!!!! He has put a mark on us. COME ON!!!!!!!!!!!! I did want to share a couple of thing I got from the reading.

Then Jesus was led by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted^[a] by the devil. (Matthew 4:1)
Matthew 4:1 The Greek for tempted can also mean tested.

Jesus was led by the Spirit. He wasn't there by accident. Chris Vallaton preached on this and said both God and Satan wanted Jesus in the desert. Satan wanted Him there to destroy Him. God wanted Him there to destroy the works of the Devil. COME ON!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Jesus went throughout Galilee, teaching in their synagogues, proclaiming the good news of the kingdom, and healing every disease and sickness among the people.  News about him spread all over Syria, and people brought to him all who were ill with various diseases, those suffering severe pain, the demon-possessed, those having seizures, and the paralyzed; and he healed them.  Large crowds from Galilee, the Decapolis,^[g] Jerusalem, Judea and the region across the Jordan followed him. (Matthew 4:23-25)
Matthew 4:25 That is, the Ten Cities

So incredible. Matthew 4 is overwhelmingly AWESOME!!!!!!!!!! So much great stuff. Praise Jesus! I love how doesn't say He healed some of them. It says, "and he healed them". I read that as all of them. I also love the simplicity of Jesus' message, "proclaiming the good news of the kingdom". COME ON!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Paul Email -8June13- Matthew 3

How you doin? Please be praying for me. I had the most unique experience last night. I faced a demonic attack that was like nothing I've ever seen. I would say that the other team over played their hand. It was very obvious to me. I believe it was their attempt to block the next glory God has for me through starting my day at night. COME ON!!!!!!!!! I praised God all night while persevering through this attack. I could see the over played hand and it made me excited for what God has in store for me. AWESOME!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Matthew 3 this morning. I just love Jesus' baptism at the end of the chapter, but today something else stood out.

“I baptize you with water for repentance. But after me comes one who is more powerful than I, whose sandals I am not worthy to carry. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire. His winnowing fork is in his hand, and he will clear his threshing floor, gathering his wheat into the barn and burning up the chaff with unquenchable fire.” (Matthew 3:11-12)

The entire chapter 3 is just incredible. The connection to the O.T. and fulfilling of the old covenant is great. What can be said about Jesus' baptism. All 3 of the God head are present. Jesus' receives baptism of repentance and never sinned. Jesus received the Presence of God. AWESOME!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! The connection of the baptism of the Holy Spirit and fire and the burning of the chaff with unquenchable fire, really spoke to me today. Jesus came to separate the wheat from the chaff. Wheat is used to make bread (food). Chaff is worthless. Jesus came to baptize us in the Holy Spirit and fire. Unquenchable fire burns up the chaff. COME ON!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I need to get to some lawn mowing, but I hope you take a few minutes today to look over Matthew 3. It's AWESOME!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

PS I didn't sleep but for maybe 2hrs last night and I have more energy then usual. COME ON!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! God's grace is sufficient. Here comes, "The Sonny", When I saw Jesus in all that was going on last night, He was saying, "keep coming, I'm here and you're doing great!". I'm going to ruin this laptop with tears. AWESOME!!!!!!!

Paul Email -7June13- Mat 2

How you doin? Matthew 2 today. On Weds, I was reading in Bill Johnson's book, "Hosting The Presence", about starting your day at night. "And there was evening, and there was morning—the third day." (Genesis 1:13) Bill was suggesting, that by praying and turning our affection toward the Holy Ghost until He warms our heart, we can begin to learn to maintain the warmth of His Presence throughout the night and it will effect our day. So it's been on my mind about starting my day at night. Today we read Matthew 2 and 4 times dreams were mentioned.

And having been warned in a dream not to go back to Herod, they returned to their country by another route. (Matthew 2:12)

When they had gone, an angel of the Lord appeared to Joseph in a dream. “Get up,” he said, “take the child and his mother and escape to Egypt. Stay there until I tell you, for Herod is going to search for the child to kill him.” (Matthew 2:13)
After Herod died, an angel of the Lord appeared in a dream to Joseph in Egypt and said, “Get up, take the child and his mother and go to the land of Israel, for those who were trying to take the child’s life are dead.” (Matthew 2:19-20)
But when he heard that Archelaus was reigning in Judea in place of his father Herod, he was afraid to go there. Having been warned in a dream, he withdrew to the district of Galilee, (Matthew 2:22)

I also noticed the Magi's and Joseph's obedience to what they received in the dreams. I thought that this was going on because they were dealing with the care of baby Jesus. But, we too are dealing with the care of, "Chris in us". Being a good steward of His Presence. I also had this verse come to mind, "And afterward, I will pour out my Spirit on all people. Your sons and daughters will prophesy, your old men will dream dreams, your young men will see visions. (Joel 2:28) I'd like to think I'm young, but I'm leaning toward paying attention to dreams. Unless this verse is referring to Spiritual age, then I may still be in contention for visions. I'm very interested in becoming continuously more aware of the Holy Ghost. I think by turning my affections toward Him until He warms my heart before I go to sleep, may start something AWESOME!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I also noticed that in Matthew 2, the fulfilling of prophecy was mentioned 4 times. 2:6,14,17-18, and 23. I love the connection between the O.T. and the N.T. But, that's another email. I do love Jesus. COME ON!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!   

Paul Email -6June2013- Matthew 1

How you doin? We started the New Testament today, Matthew 1. In the past, I've read Jesus' genealogy and didn't get anything from it. Today, however, I recognized most of the names and it really connected the O.T. and N.T. AWESOME!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! It's the same God. Stacey started a blog last night to offer these emails to facebook. She did this on my Aunt Maggy's suggestion. We are confident that God will continue to, "rend our hearts" (Joel 2:12-13) and pour Himself into us to overflowing.

This is how the birth of Jesus the Messiah came about: His mother Mary was pledged to be married to Joseph, but before they came together, she was found to be pregnant through the Holy Spirit. (Matthew 1:18) I love seeing the Holy Spirit in scripture.

But after he had considered this, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream and said, “Joseph son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary home as your wife, because what is conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit. (Matthew 1:20) This verse rocks. I pray for visitation on a regular bases. I've noticed how often when angels appear to people they say, "do not be afraid". In most cases, I think they're saying don't be afraid of them. In this case the angel says' "don't be afraid to take Mary home to be your wife". Either way it's intended it brings to mind 2 Timothy 1:7, "For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind." When the Holy Ghost shows up... fear is sent packin. I also dig how the angel called Joseph, "son of Dave". He connected him all the back to David.  AWESOME!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
She will give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus, because he will save his people from their sins.” (Matthew 1:21) I love the authority and certainty in this verse. Praise Jesus it does say, He may save his people from their sins.

When Joseph woke up, he did what the angel of the Lord had commanded him and took Mary home as his wife. ²⁵ But he did not consummate their marriage until she gave birth to a son. And he gave him the name Jesus. (Matthew 1:24-25) AWESOME!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Praise God for Joseph's obedience. I wonder what would have happened if Joseph said, "I'm outta here". When God's involved it goes His way.

I love Jesus! COME ON!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Audrey and Paul Jr.

Audrey (5 y/o) and Paulie (4 y/o) are so full of life and love.  :)

Paul Email -3June13- Malachi 2

How you doin? So it's been a little rough the past 2 weeks with Stacey's and my job (changes and transitions). The summer is coming. Also, here at home. More changes and transitions. We are quickly approaching home schooling. We are trying to get our house more efficient so we can reduce our monthly expenses. Plus, we have decided to eat more organically and healthfully as a family. We feel as though we've done the kids a considerable injustice by allowing them to eat so much junk food. It's going okay, but we could use your prayers. One thing that alerts me to spiritual unrest, is the misunderstanding of scripture or no understanding of scripture. When I'm in poor spiritual condition, I read the bible and get nothing from it. It's like eating and not feeling full... literally. It's been this way for the last 3 morning devotions. I admit, it's had me rattled. Today however, God showed up in a big way. Malachi 2 is AWESOME!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

If you do not listen, and if you do not resolve to honor my name,” says the Lord Almighty, “I will send a curse on you, and I will curse your blessings. Yes, I have already cursed them, because you have not resolved to honor me. (Malachi 2:2)

And you will know that I have sent you this warning so that my covenant with Levi may continue,” says the Lord Almighty. “My covenant was with him, a covenant of life and peace, and I gave them to him; this called for reverence and he revered me and stood in awe of my name. True instruction was in his mouth and nothing false was found on his lips. He walked with me in peace and uprightness, and turned many from sin. (Malachi 2:4-6) COME ON!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! This verse gives me holy jealousy. The way Levi receives Gods covenant. Levi didn't earn peace and life, God gave them to him. "He walked with me in peace and uprightness," AWESOME!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

“For the lips of a priest ought to preserve knowledge, because he is the messenger of the Lord Almighty and people seek instruction from his mouth. (Malachi 2:7) This verse is for us. Revelation 5:9-10, “You are worthy to take the scroll and to open its seals, because you were slain, and with your blood you purchased for God persons from every tribe and language and people and nation. You have made them to be a kingdom and priests to serve our God, and they will reign^[a] on the earth.” WOW! How I love those verses. We are purchased by the blood of Christ to be priest.

“So I have caused you to be despised and humiliated before all the people, because you have not followed my ways but have shown partiality in matters of the law.” (Malachi 2:9) Again, performance of the law doesn't cut it. God wants us to follow His ways.

"I hate divorce," says the Lord God of Israel, "and I hate a man's covering himself with violence as well as with his garments," says the Lord Almighty. So guard yourself in your spirit, and do not break faith. (Malachi 2:16) This certainly applies to marriage in the natural, but also in the spiritual. A marriage is a covenant. Jeremiah 31:32 , "It will not be like the covenant I made with their ancestors when I took them by the hand to lead them out of Egypt, because they broke my covenant, though I was a husband to^[a] them,^[b]” declares the Lord." Isaiah 54:5, "For your Maker is your husband— the Lord Almighty is his name— the Holy One of Israel is your Redeemer; he is called the God of all the earth." "So guard yourself in your spirit, and do not break faith." I keep getting '80s rock/pop prophecy, "I want you... to want me".   

You have wearied the Lord with your words.“How have we wearied him?” you ask. By saying, “All who do evil are good in the eyes of the Lord, and he is pleased with them” or “Where is the God of justice?” (Malachi 17) OUCH!!!!! I love it when people ask me, "where was God when...". I always answer, "where ever you left Him". "So guard yourself in your spirit, and do not break faith."

Honor His name and receive peace and life. That's an AWESOME deal. I feel full this morning after devotions... but not satisfied. Receive God's peace and grace today. COME ON!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

!!

Paul Email -5June13- Malachi 3&4

How you doin? Stacey is SO smart. We finished the Old Testament today. Malachi 3 & 4. WOW! So heavy. While reading Malachi 3, I noticed something before and after the "money" verses.

“I the Lord do not change. So you, the descendants of Jacob, are not destroyed.  Ever since the time of your ancestors you have turned away from my decrees and have not kept them. Return to me, and I will return to you,” says the Lord Almighty.“But you ask, ‘How are we to return?’ “Will a mere mortal rob God? Yet you rob me. “But you ask, ‘How are we robbing you?’ “In tithes and offerings. You are under a curse—your whole nation—because you are robbing me.  Bring the whole tithe into the storehouse, that there may be food in my house. Test me in this,” says the Lord Almighty, “and see if I will not throw open the floodgates of heaven and pour out so much blessing that there will not be room enough to store it.  I will prevent pests from devouring your crops, and the vines in your fields will not drop their fruit before it is ripe,” says the Lord Almighty.  “Then all the nations will call you blessed, for yours will be a delightful land,” says the Lord Almighty. “You have spoken arrogantly against me,” says the Lord. “Yet you ask, ‘What have we said against you?’ “You have said, ‘It is futile to serve God. What do we gain by carrying out his requirements and going about like mourners before the Lord Almighty?  But now we call the arrogant blessed. Certainly evildoers prosper, and even when they put God to the test, they get away with it.’” (Malachi 3:6-15)

The 1st part I noticed was the heading in my Bible, "Robbing God". I've heard these middle verses plenty of times when discussing tithe. But the 2nd bold part (3:13-15) is under the same heading. Now we're thinking this may be speaking about more then money. Stacey shares that she thought in the natural money is implied, but in the Spiritual, offering our self's as a living sacrifice is implied. COME ON!!!!!!!!!!!! I agree completely. Talking smack on God is robbing Him of praise and glory. Sounds like the scouting report of the enemy. By offering our self's completely, God will, " throw open the floodgates of heaven and pour out so much blessing that there will not be room enough to store it." AWESOME!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I don't think this means our bank account will explode, but we may. Praise God!!!!!!

Introduction to How We Got Started

A few years ago Paul and I decided that we wanted to learn how to love God.  We couldn't figure out how you could love God: this huge being way out there that you can't touch or hear or talk to on the phone or "hang out" with... how can you love Him the way you love your kids or your spouse? 

So we started doing morning devotions together.  Every morning we would wake up at 5:15am before the kids would wake up.  I got journals for each of us.  One of us would open in prayer, then I would read one chapter (we just started at Genesis 1) of the Bible, then the other one would pray, and then we would journal.  We would then talk about what we wrote.

Now I am a journal writer... Paul is not (or at least he wasn't).  So at first we set a time limit of 5 minutes for the journal.  In the beginning, we missed more days than not, but we stuck with it because we wanted to know how to love God and how to know Him.

Now (about 3 years later), we just finished Malachi this morning.  We rarely miss.  And God has shown up in a way that I can not explain with words.  We tell people frequently that it feels as though the Holy Spirit pulls up a chair at our kitchen table with us in the morning.  Amazing!

Psalm 14:2 says that God is looking down from Heaven for anyone who seeks Him, anyone who wants to understand Him.  Wow!  Amazing.

Paul and I have seen healings and deliverance, miracles... all sorts of things that we never even knew still existed outside of the Bible stories.  We praise Him that He shows up, that He is faithful, that He loved us first.

I wanted to start to post some of what God is teaching us.  May God bless you as you seek His Kingdom and His face.

Love, Stacey