Paul Email -28Nov2013- God is Faithful

How you doin? Happy Thanksgiving. Stacey and I found ourselves praying for servant-hood hearts this morning. It's interesting how God is leading us to serve instead of being served during holidays and everyday. We really want the kids to understand that it's better to serve then to be served. 1 Corinthians 10 today.

The first 4 verses are interesting. They speak of the Old Testament Jews as being under the same "cloud", "passed through the sea", "baptized into Moses", and ate the same spiritual food". These verses show how it was the same God that lead the Jews of that time. Verse 4 is the best, "and drank the same spiritual drink; for they drank from the spiritual rock that accompanied them, and that rock was Christ." Jesus was very much part of the Old Testament. I love how this refers to Jesus as the rock that provides drink. Jesus' ascension allowed the Holy Ghost to come live in me/us. COME ON!!!!!!! The Holy Ghost is the drink.

Verse 13,"No temptation has seized you except what is common to mankind. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can stand up under it." "God is faithful". He doesn't leave us out there on our own. I see my trials, tribulations, and temptations as the gym. They train me to desire the Presence of God 100% of the time. They train me to pray for open ears, eyes, mind, and heart. Open to the Holy Ghost. I believe God's promises. Not only that they're promises, but that He will keep them. This promise motivates me to search for the "way out" of temptation. It's interesting that following Jesus is referred to as "following the Way" Jesus is the Way out of temptation and into Heaven. AWESOME!!!!!!!

This chapter is full of of warnings. I don't take these warning lightly. I'm not exempt from choosing poorly or falling into temptation. It's God who offers me a "Way" out. Such a good word. Verses 20-21 are interesting, "No, but the sacrifices of pagans are offered to demons, not to God, and I do not want you to be participants with demons. ²¹ You cannot drink the cup of the Lord and the cup of demons too; you cannot have a part in both the Lord’s table and the table of demons." This supports my theory that God and Satan do not hold hands walking through the park. God gave me a quote that I say often, "Demons partner with sin... God partners with me". I can be affected less by demons by seeking purity in my life. DIG IT!!!!!!! Demon activity may stay the same, but how it effects me can certainly change. I once had a vision of myself being very large (not fat... that's how I knew it was from God) and tiny demons were attacking me and bouncing off of me and falling to the ground. I pray to live in that type of refuge. God offers it and promises it. It's up to me to receive it. COME ON!!!!!!! The best part is that the Holy Ghost makes it possible for me to receive it. Look for the "Way" out today.

Paul Email -27Nov2013- Favor From People

How you doin? Today we read 1 Corinthians 9. This chapter reminded me of the sermon I heard from Eric Johnson on Sunday afternoon. The sermon was on loving people. I usually turn those sermons off because they highlight one of my biggest shortcomings.

Eric ended his sermon by pointing out that we need to gain favor with people in order to minister to them effectively. That we shouldn't stand some distance away from certain groups of people, such as "drinkers" or " the sexually immoral" or "gossips", throwing stones and condemnation at them and expect them to show us the favor it takes to extend love to them.

Paul says this very well in 1 Corinthians 9. Verse 19, "Though I am free and belong to no one, I have made myself a slave to everyone, to win as many as possible." In the preceding verses, Paul speaks of his conviction to preach the gospel. He speaks of the rights that he forfeits to spread the good news and to bring the lost home to the Kingdom. Verses 20-23, "To the Jews I became like a Jew, to win the Jews. To those under the law I became like one under the law (though I myself am not under the law), so as to win those under the law. ²¹ To those not having the law I became like one not having the law (though I am not free from God’s law but am under Christ’s law), so as to win those not having the law. ²² To the weak I became weak, to win the weak. I have become all things to all people so that by all possible means I might save some. ²³ I do all this for the sake of the gospel, that I may share in its blessings." WOW!!!!!!! Paul takes this seriously. He becomes like people he's not to win them for the Kingdom. What an incredible display of faith, trust, believe, and strength. Paul was confident enough that the Holy Ghost was going to protect him when entering into realms that were sinful. COME ON!!!!!!! Psalm 91 comes to mind. Galatians 5:7-12 really comes to mind. Please take time to look those Scriptures up today.

This reading today, including Psalm 91 and Galatians 5:7-12, really motivates me to love the unlovable. The Holy Ghost will protect me from the yeast of wickedness and deception that can spread throughout the body. He promises to do so. He doesn't lie or promise empty promises. I know in my sobriety, I needed people who could relate to me and more importantly love me. People who were willing to come along side of me knowing my sinfulness wasn't going to contaminate them. In the Old Testament it was believed that unclean things would contaminate clean things. Just by touching. Jesus proved that His new covenant and our redemption would reverse that believe. Jesus' power and authority, that is in us, overcame that believe. AWESOME!!!!!!! Jesus hung with the sinners and touch the sinners. COME ON!!!!!!! I know He touched and continues to touch me. YES & AMEN!!!!!!! Love some sinners today.  

PS   I love these revelations and conviction, but the application always comes later. Today it came later in this chapter. Verses 24-27 speak of running a race "in such a way as to get the prize" (v.24). "Everyone who competes in the games goes into strict training" (v.25). Entering my salvation with the intentions of "training"... that's a good word. The gift of salvation, the gift of being chosen, got me in the race/game. It's up to me to train and run "in such a way as to get the prize". The prize is "a crown that will last forever" (v.25). WOW!!!!!!! I'm getting charged up over here. COME ON!!!!!!!

Paul Email -26Nov2013- Known by God

How you doin? I'm always amazed at how simple God is, but how complex I am. Unnecessarily complex. I'm created in God's image, so too should be keeping it simple. I always liked the saying "too smart for your own good". I didn't realize how Biblical it is. 1 Corinthians 8 today.

The first 3 verses got me the most today. "Now about food sacrificed to idols: We know that “We all possess knowledge.” But knowledge puffs up while love builds up. ² Those who think they know something do not yet know as they ought to know. ³ But whoever loves God is known by God." I can't imagine anything better then being known by God. When I was younger, I was thrilled when my friends were playing music at a local bar. I loved the fact that the band knew me. When I think about it, any time in my life when the people of importance or the featured people of an event knew me and I knew them, I was thrilled. It's even better the closer the relationship I have with that person(s).

I feel very comfortable with our local emergency room because my mother-in-law is the director of the emergency room. She knows me. If I was in a situation involving the police, I feel better if one of the officers knew me. I would rather have someone who knows me work on my car or house. I believe they would take extra care and give extra attention to detail and the quality of their work. All this applies to people who think fondly of me.

So let's take a look at verse 3, "But whoever loves God is known by God." Verse 1 tells us that"knowledge puffs up while love builds up". Knowledge of God is nothing compared to love for God. COME ON!!!!!!! Matthew 7:21-23, “Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven. ²² Many will say to me on that day, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name and in your name drive out demons and in your name perform many miracles?’ ²³ Then I will tell them plainly, ‘I never knew you. Away from me, you evildoers!’" WOW!!!!!!! Not only does Jesus say "I never knew you", but he says, "Away from me you evil doers". The list of acts/deeds by these false disciples performed is impressive as well. Performance comes after the relationship. That's a good word. If I were to say to the members of the Grateful Dead, "I saw every one of your shows from 1993 to 1995" they could easily say to me that they still don't know me. I never even met any of them, let alone had a relationship with them. Throughout the Old Testament God says several times, "they refuse to hear me, listen to me, or pay attention to me". God makes it clear that he wants a relationship with me. So much so that He sent His Son here to redeem me so I can be reconciled to Him. AWESOME!!!!!!!

I've always had this image or picture of judgement. I'm in a courtroom. God is the Judge, Jesus is my defense attorney, and Satan is the prosecutor. Sadly enough I'm very familiar with this scene in the natural. Let me tell you how important it is for your defense attorney to know you. The first thing the Judge ask is "will you be representing the defendant?". I really want Jesus to answer yes when my vision becomes a reality.

I'm trying to land this. I tend to battle with what I need to do to be closer to God. To be more aware of His Holy Spirit (there you go Jerry). To follow Jesus more closely. According to 1 Corinthians 8:3, I need to love Him. According to Matthew 7:21, I need to do His will. I can't help but to think that these two things go hand and hand. Matthew 23:37-38, "Jesus replied: “‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’ ³⁸ This is the first and greatest commandment." John 14:15, “If you love me, keep my commands." John 14:23,    "Jesus replied, “Anyone who loves me will obey my teaching. My Father will love them, and we will come to them and make our home with them." Love God today.

PS     In my desire and seeking for knowledge of how to grow closer to Father God, I always come to love. Love Him and receive His love. Keep it simple

Paul Email -25Nov2013- Mystery and Hope

How you doin? This is the latest email I've ever sent out (sorry Jerry). At least that wasn't a double dip. My sous chef (whom I didn't even pick myself), called me at 9pm last night to say "this will be my last day". Surgery on my foot will now be even more stressful. Thank God I have dependable qualified people that have made themselves available to do whatever is needed to help me and the restaurant. Some times I take for granted the gift of having a good staff. My guys have really stepped up to support me and help me out. My attention to work this morning created a very rough day with the kids. They require so much attention right now. Pray that we can retie the string of fellowship here at the house today.  

I heard a sermon by Eric Johnson (Bill's son) yesterday afternoon before a wonderful Thanksgiving dinner at the Osler's. I'm working on Thursday. The sermon was about the tremendous need to love people... all people. It hit home for me. Eric pointed out some things that I've been learning through my alone time with God. Glory, hope, and grace have been theme words for me lately. I'm trying to allow the old covenant to become obsolete (Hebrews 8:13). The main verse that Eric spoke of was Colossians 1:27, "To them God has chosen to make known among the Gentiles the glorious riches of this mystery, which is Christ in you, the hope of glory." I think verses 25-26 need to be read with this, "I have become its servant by the commission God gave me to present to you the word of God in its fullness— the mystery that has been kept hidden for ages and generations, but is now disclosed to the Lord’s people." I love contemplating the mystery of God. What is the mystery of God? Verse 27 says the best, "the glorious riches of this mystery, which is Christ in you, the hope of glory". Keeping in mind that Christ is 100% in me and that hope is eager anticipation of something good. I will be praying and thanking God for this Scripture forever. 

The old covenant kept the mystery of God hidden for ages. The new covenant that Jesus made for me "discloses" that mystery. The best part of this is it tells me what the mystery of God is "Christ in me, hope of glory". I will continue to eagerly anticipate ("hope") for the Spirit of revelation to reveal the fullness of "Christ in me". WOW!!!!!!! There's nothing like the Bible and the holy Ghost to pull me out of a rough morning. Hope for Christ to be made known to you today.

Paul Email -24Nov2013- Marriage to Jesus

How you doin? Anna's wedding yesterday was a lot of fun. I got to see family I rarely see. Anna was very creative and the wedding was very fun and enjoyable. Plus I still finished 136 calories under my daily budget. That's a God story. 1 Corinthians 7 today.

This chapter's heading is "Instructions on Christian Marriage". It's very hard for me to understand all that I read this morning. This is what the Holy Ghost highlighted to me. Verse 17, "Nevertheless, each one should retain the place in life that the Lord assigned to him and to which God has called him." Verse 20, "Each person should remain in the situation they were in when God called them." I was asked if I believe in predestination and reincarnation. After contemplating this question, I believe everything the Holy Ghost reveals to me through the word of God. These verses make me think of predestination. I'm not sure if I'm on target with this thought. I'm just going with what I heard from the Lord this morning while reading.

Verses 22-24, "For the one who was a slave when called to faith in the Lord is the Lord’s freed person; similarly, the one who was free when called is Christ’s slave.   ²³ You were bought at a price; do not become slaves of human beings. ²⁴ Brothers and sisters, each person, as responsible to God, should remain in the situation they were in when God called them." I'll be praying and meditating on these verses until the Holy Ghost gives me understanding or until I'm worn out. Sometimes the Holy Ghost grants me understanding in His time instead of my time.

I do believe there is something to learn from marriage. Jesus is called the Bridegroom and we are the bride. In the Old Testament God refers to the Jews that chose to separate themselves from Him adulterers. I believe my marriage to Stacey was an answer to prayer and a gift from God. Bill Johnson said, "God wants to give us our hearts desire, once we're after His hearts desire". Once I conceded myself to Him on the matter of being married or not... I met Stacey. God made it more then clear to me that we were intended to be married. PRAISE JESUS!!!!!!!    

PS   I believe being "married" to Jesus is most important.

Paul Email -23Nov2013-Identity and Accountability

How you doin? More light reading today. Pun intended. Reading the Bible provides light. I can sense God taking me deeper and into the great unknown (where feet may fail). It's scary, mysterious, thrilling, and AWESOME!!!!!!! I feel stupid and excited at the same time. The Holy Ghost is revealing things to me that I do not understand yet. I know that I will receive revelation. 1 Corinthians 6 today.

Verse 2, "Or do you not know that the Lord’s people will judge the world?" Paul is speaking about lawsuits among believers. But what a claim of our identity in Christ. What a proclamation. Verse 3, "Do you not know that we will judge angels? How much more the things of this life!" We are intended to reign on this earth. This is why I struggle so much with the old and new covenant. When I read these types of verses... my mind starts hearing the lies of my sinfulness and not the truth of my righteousness. That's a good word. The old covenant makes me sin conscious. The new covenant makes me righteous through grace and faith. COME ON!!!!!!!

Paul's not exactly coming in softly in this part of his letter. I would say he's rather harsh. Verse 5, "I say this to shame you. Is it possible that there is nobody among you wise enough to judge a dispute between believers?" This is some serious accountability. Paul goes on to some serious edification and truth. Verses 9-11, "Or do you not know that wrongdoers will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived: Neither the sexually immoral nor idolaters nor adulterers nor men who have sex with men ¹⁰ nor thieves nor the greedy nor drunkards nor slanderers nor swindlers will inherit the kingdom of God. ¹¹ And that is what some of you were. But you were washed, you were sanctified, you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and by the Spirit of our God." WOW!!!!!!! There is a significant list of things NOT to do. The edification and truth at the end is AWESOME!!!!!!! "But you were washed, you were sanctified, you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and by the Spirit of our God." This is worth repeating. The law leads to death. Grace washes me and sanctifies me by the Holy Ghost. COME ON!!!!!!! Be more conscious of grace and faith, instead of sin today.

PS   Stacey is very smart. As she watches me sitting across from her twisted up and struggling with breakthrough from the old covenant to the new covenant, she says "it has something to do with love". Matthew 22:36-40, Romans 13:9-10, Galatians 5:13-15, and plenty more speak of the greatest commandments. They speak of the greatest commandment

s defeating or over taking the law. So of course I ask "how do I get/do that". Galatians 5:22-26, "

But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, ²³ gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law. ²⁴ Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. ²⁵ Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit. ²⁶ Let us not become conceited, provoking and envying each other.

 WOW!!!!!!! Galatians 6 speaks of the "law of Christ". It's different then the old covenant law... that's a different email.

Paul Email -22Nov2013- Sin Separates

How you doin? 1 Corinthians 5 is a hard chapter to reconcile in my mind. I believe that the 2nd part of the greatest commandment is to love my neighbor. This chapter seems to contradict that commandment. However, God does NOT contradict Himself. So therefore there must be something my human understanding is missing. This chapter clearly speaks of a list of sin that should lead to separation.

Verse 4-5, "So when you are assembled and I am with you in spirit, and the power of our Lord Jesus is present, ⁵ hand this man over to Satan, so that the sinful nature may be destroyed and his spirit saved on the day of the Lord." This is difficult language to understand. "hand this man over to Satan". This statement goes against everything I believe to be true about my expected conduct with my neighbor. I've been praying for revelation of the meaning of this verse since last Friday (11/15). It came to today.

My Bible defines "day" like this, "day light; a 24-hour period; a specific time or period in the distance". This would take WAY to long to explain in this email, so I need you to just know I'm right. The "day of the Lord" in this case refers to the end of the old covenant. The old covenant identifies and speaks to the "sinful nature". The day of the Lord refers to the end of the old covenant and the beginning of the new covenant.

Verse 7-8,  "Get rid of the old yeast, so that you may be a new unleavened batch—as you really are. For Christ, our Passover lamb, has been sacrificed. ⁸ Therefore let us keep the Festival, not with the old bread leavened with malice and wickedness, but with the unleavened bread of sincerity and truth." AWESOME!!!!!!! These verses make me think of Matthew 9:16-17, “No one sews a patch of unshrunk cloth on an old garment, for the patch will pull away from the garment, making the tear worse.¹⁷ Neither do people pour new wine into old wineskins. If they do, the skins will burst; the wine will run out and the wineskins will be ruined. No, they pour new wine into new wineskins, and both are preserved.” Out with the old and in with the new. Christianity allows for sin... following Jesus does not. The only time Jesus was around sin was when he was around unbelievers.

Verses 9-11, "I wrote to you in my letter not to associate with sexually immoral people— ¹⁰ not at all meaning the people of this world who are immoral, or the greedy and swindlers, or idolaters. In that case you would have to leave this world. ¹¹ But now I am writing to you that you must not associate with anyone who claims to be a brother or sister but is sexually immoral or greedy, an idolater or slanderer, a drunkard or swindler. Do not even eat with such people." Sin is like the old yeast mentioned in verses 6-8. It will spread.

Part of my sobriety testimony is that my addiction separated me from everyone and everything I ever loved or loved me. I do not refer to or see my addiction as a disease. It was sin. My experience with this level of separation caused by sin was what catapulted the life saving change that took place in my life. I could never explain to you in words the amount of loneliness and separation I felt in the last years of my drinking career or my sin-full life. I believe we all have a massive desire to be accepted, a part of something, respected, and most of all loved. I believe we are wired to desire a relationship with our Creator. I'll never forget the day I realized that I was separated from my heavenly Father. It was the day that I knew for sure that my life was never going to be the same. It was after I had been sober (without drugs or alcohol) for about month. The Holy Ghost had already entered my body, soul, and spirit. It was the revelation and conviction of the Holy Ghost that made it possible for me to know that I couldn't be separate from God. It was the part of me that God built in me to receive and here His signal and call. At the end of verse 7 it reads, "- as you really are". I can reconcile this 5th chapter in 1 Corinthians, because I've experienced the separation from God that sin causes. It's an injustice to the sinner if we allow sin to be acceptable in the fellowship. The fellowship that we long for by nature. Separation from God was by far more painful then anything is world had to offer. By disassociating with a believer because of their continued conscious sin will allow their sinful nature to be destroyed. It did for me and countless other people. Satan wants us to believe that accepting sin into our fellowship is from God. It really just allows for "the yeast of malice and wickedness" to spread through out the body of Christ. Then again Satan thought that killing Jesus was a good idea for his cause.

I'm think that more is coming about what happen here this morning. I'm completely undone. Shaking and weeping. I'm head over heels in love with Jesus. I can never be separate from Him. He promises me so. Love the sinner, hate the sin today.

PS   Accepting sin is an enabler for Satan to keep us from a close relationship with God.

Paul Email - 21Nov2013- Spiritual Parent

How you doin? I had my per-operation Dr.'s visit yesterday. This surgery is no joking matter. The recovery sounds brutal. The kids call me "super daddy". We'll see. For some reason my eyes are blurry to things close and I'm having trouble understanding the Scripture this morning. Please be praying for me. 1 Corinthians 4.

Verses 1, "This, then, is how you ought to regard us: as servants of Christ and as those entrusted with the mysteries God has revealed." This verse is AWESOME!!!!!!! The heading of this chapter is "Apostles of Christ". Apostles are servants of Christ... not man. They've been entrusted with the "mysteries God has revealed". That's a good word.

Verses 15-16, "Even though you have ten thousand guardians in Christ, you do not have many fathers, for in Christ Jesus I became your father through the gospel. ¹⁶ Therefore I urge you to imitate me." WOW!!!!!!! Spiritual fathers. This is such a good word. Spiritual parents are essential. If you think of it in terms in the natural, our parents have played a huge part in our lives. When we're young we trust them and depend on them 100%. As we grow older, they help us through times of growth, hardship, discouragement, rejection, and anything else the world has to over. They also offer us companionship, support, edification, reassurance, grace, direction and most of love. Nickelodeon says "We're not perfect, we're parents". Parents aren't perfect. By having Spiritual parents and imitating them, I believe we can bridge gaps until God reveals certain mysteries to us directly.

I've learned so much about my relationship with God through my relationship with Audrey and Paulie. God has used my relationship with them as parallels to my relationship with Him. COME ON!!!!!!!. I believe it's critical to have Spiritual parents. Whether they be your natural parents or not. I also believe it's critical to be a Spiritual parent. Not just to our own children, but to as many sons and daughters as the Holy Ghost provides.

In verse one when Paul says, "as those entrusted with the mysteries God has revealed." I believe God entrust us with His mysteries based on our willingness to serve Him. Serve Him by sharing the knowledge and wisdom that He has granted us. I don't ever want God to stop revealing His mysteries to me because of my lack of willingness to share with others or my lack of serving Him by sharing.

I believe we need Spiritual parents and we need to be Spiritual parents. In a society that has nearly disregarded and done away with family value, I believe people a desperate for parents and children. The opportunity to serve our glorious Creator in this capacity is HUGE. Pray for the Holy Ghost to lead you to Spiritual parents and Spiritual sons and daughters today.

PS    The best part about Spiritual parenting is that there are no natural rules and standards. Meaning your Spiritual parent may be younger then you and your Spiritual sons and daughters may be older then you.

PPS   Another way of saying this is... we should have a mentor and we should be mentoring.

Paul Email -20Nov2013- You are in Christ. 1 Cor 3

How you doin? 1 Corinthians is AWESOME!!!!!!! I feel like I say this about every book in the Bible. Maybe not Leviticus... that's just good for now. I'm finding 1 Corinthians to be very instructional and empowering. Paul is telling the Corinthians who they are in Christ. I need to hear this everyday, because the Devil uses the inferior covenant, "the law", to lie to me in his attempts to steal my identity in Christ. God's truth will prevail. That's a good word. I'm really going to try to focus on one thing today. Please read the entire chapter on your own. It's wonder-full. 1 Corinthians 3.

Paul lays down the foundation of his teaching by pointing out the Corinthians weakness and worldliness. He does it with compassion, but also with truth. Paul speaks against remaining immature. He speaks against remaining on milk instead  of moving to solid foods. The first 15 verses sound harsh, but for me they are convicting. I find them motivating and challenging. This Scripture makes me look at myself and ask myself hard questions. God has always shown me tremendous grace when I was willing to step out "into the great unknown where feet may fail". COME ON!!!!!!!

Verse 16 asks a tough question, "Don’t you know that you yourselves are God’s temple and that God's Spirit lives in you?" I answer this question correctly sometimes. Not enough to satisfy my desire to answer correctly ALL the time. I deal with identity theft WAY too much.

Verses 18-23 are great instructions and encouragement. Verse 18, "Do not deceive yourselves". That's pretty straight forward. The rest of verse 18 is , "If any of you think you are wise by the standards of this age, you should become “fools” so that you may become wise." This speaks to which standard I uphold. Being wise of the ways of the world or of this age is foolish to God. Verse 19, "For the wisdom of this world is foolishness in God’s sight." My comparing myself to others or seeking acceptance and reward and wisdom of this world is "foolish". My Bible defines foolishness like this, "lacking good sense; behavior befitting a fool". Fool is defined, "one who is lacking judgment, sense, and understanding". All these words do not line up with God's nature or character. I'm created in His image. COME ON!!!!!!! 

Verses 21-23 are such encouraging truth, "So then, no more boasting about men! All things are yours, ²² whether Paul or Apollos or Cephas or the world or life or death or the present or the future—all are yours, ²³ and you are of Christ, and Christ is of God." WOW!!!!!!! If your not feeling encouraged and empowered... check your pulse. We are gifted with great teachers, men, and women of God, but most of all we "are of Christ, and Christ is of God". SO GOOD!!!!!!! People supply me with milk, but the Holy Ghost gives me solid food. PRAISE JESUS!!!!!!! God's word is solid food. This Scripture speaks a tremendous word to my identity. All things are mine, because I am "of Christ and Christ is of God". SO GOOD!!!!!!! I've tasted this solid food. The lingering old covenant or "the law" allows Satan to shoot fiery arrows at me. The new covenant or grace allows me to be victorious over ALL things of this world. Not because of me, but because of Jesus. AWESOME!!!!!!!

Receive the promise that you are in Christ today.   

PS   The Bible is POWERFUL!!!!!!! Verse 20, "The Lord knows that the thoughts of the wise are futile". Here's a tough question, "Do I truly seek God's wisdom or do I use the world's wisdom to fit God into my life/plan?" God knows better then I do. I've heard different people say, "The difference between me and God is... God's not trying to be me or think like me". Now that's a good word.  

Paul email -19Nov2013- Secret Wisdom

How you doin? I must be brief today in the interest of time. I need to be at work early today. 1 Corinthians 2 today.

The first 5 verses tells of how Paul came in soft so that people would know his message was from God. Verses 4-5, "My message and my preaching were not with wise and persuasive words, but with a demonstration of the Spirit’s power, ⁵ so that your faith might not rest on human wisdom, but on God’s power." That's a good word.

There's a heading in my Bible above verse 6, "Wisdom From the Spirit". That's a luring heading. Verses 6-7, "We do, however, speak a message of wisdom among the mature, but not the wisdom of this age or of the rulers of this age, who are coming to nothing. ⁷ No, we declare God’s wisdom, a mystery that has been hidden and that God destined for our glory before time began." "Destined for our glory".That's our "splendor and majestic beauty" that's obtained through the Holy Ghost in us. Jesus' death, resurrection, and ascension was the secret for our redemption. COME ON!!!!!!!  Verse 8 make me think that the rulers mentioned here are both rulers in the nature (man) and their spiritual rulers (devils). "None of the rulers of this age understood it, for if they had, they would not have crucified the Lord of glory." Hind sight is always 20/20. Satan wouldn't have assisted in the redemption of the world had he known he was. Verses 9-10 take the cake, "However, as it is written:

“What no eye has seen,
    what no ear has heard,
and what no human mind has conceived”—
    the things God has prepared for those who love him—

¹⁰ these are the things God has revealed to us by his Spirit. The Spirit searches all things, even the deep things of God." They were veiled because God was protecting His plan. AWESOME!!!!!!! He protects His plan for us as well. God hides things for us... not from us. Every verse in this chapter is worthy of writing in this email.
Verses 11-12, "For who knows a person’s thoughts except their own spirit within them? In the same way no one knows the thoughts of God except the Spirit of God. ¹² What we have received is not the spirit of the world, but the Spirit who is from God, so that we may understand what God has freely given us." COME ON!!!!!!! This is quite a promise. A promise I want to receive. A truth I want to believe. Verse 14,  "The person without the Spirit does not accept the things that come from the Spirit of God but considers them foolishness, and cannot understand them because they are discerned only through the Spirit." The mature and the immature. Believers and nonbelievers. We are to speak to them differently. I have a heart for the believer who hasn't received the fullness of Christ in them. The immature believer. Including myself. The folks that sit in our church services that don't realize that they have not been given the "spirit of the world", but the "Spirit who is from God". Including myself. It's part of my continual prayer, "Lord give me eyes to see, ears to hear, and a receptive heart". That's a good word. Have the Spirit from God today.

Paul Email -18Nov2013- Glory

How you doin? Ever since last May when Stacey and I attended the Power & Love Conference, I've been very interested in glory. Particularly God's glory. In my Bible's dictionary glory is defined, "great honor, praise, and thanksgiving offered in worship; splendor and majestic beauty". Webster's has several definitions, " praise, honor, or distinction extended by common consent, worshipful praise, honor, and thanksgiving<giving glory to God>; a distinguished quality or asset, great beauty and splendor, the splendor and beatific happiness of heaven; a state of great gratification or exaltation". That's some of the definition. I like my Bible's definition. To me it defines glory to God (honor, praise, and thanksgiving offered in worship) and the glory of God (splendor and majestic beauty). I feel as though I need a solid working knowledge of the word glory.

Exodus 33:12-23 is just AWESOME!!!!!!! You will need to read it on your own today. Here are some highlights. Verse 14, "The Lord replied, “My Presence will go with you, and I will give you rest.” WOW!!!!!!! Verse 18, "Then Moses said, “Now show me your glory.” I love that song as well. It's one of my common prayers. Verses 19-20, "And the Lord said, “I will cause all my goodness to pass in front of you, and I will proclaim my name, the Lord, in your presence. I will have mercy on whom I will have mercy, and I will have compassion on whom I will have compassion. ²⁰ But,” he said, “you cannot see my face, for no one may see me and live.” WOW!!!!!!! This Scripture is incredible I hope you read all of it.

Exodus 34 goes on to tell what happens next. Again incredible Scripture. I want to look at the verses that speak about Moses radiant face. Verse 29, "When Moses came down from Mount Sinai with the two tablets of the covenant law in his hands, he was not aware that his face was radiant because he had spoken with the Lord." SO GOOD!!!!!!! Can you imagine having that kind of interaction with God. Interaction that makes your face radiant. COME ON!!!!!!! Now here's the interesting part. Moses veiled his face so that the Israelites didn't see God's glory fade away. Verses 33-35, "When Moses finished speaking to them, he put a veil over his face. ³⁴ But whenever he entered the Lord’s presence to speak with him, he removed the veil until he came out. And when he came out and told the Israelites what he had been commanded, ³⁵ they saw that his face was radiant. Then Moses would put the veil back over his face until he went in to speak with theLord." AWESOME!!!!!!! Moses let the Israelites see his radiant face, then would cover his face with a veil. This is verified in 2 Corinthians 3.

The heading for 2 Corinthians 3:7-18 is "The Greater Glory of the New Covenant". Verses 7-11 explains why Moses veiled his face. Verse 11, "And if what was fading away came with glory, how much greater is the glory of that which lasts!" Now comes the good part. Verses12-13, "Therefore, since we have such a hope, we are very bold. ¹³ We are not like Moses, who would put a veil over his face to keep the Israelites from gazing at it while the radiance was fading away." WOW!!!!!!! My hair just blew. I'm getting filled up over here. Verses 14-15 explain why Jews are still veiled, "But their minds were made dull, for to this day the same veil remains when the old covenant is read. It has not been removed, because only in Christ is it taken away. ¹⁵ Even to this day when Moses is read, a veil covers their hearts." This is hard to understand without some serious study. I'm praying that God shows you that I'm right. Just kidding. There is redemption. Verse 16, "But whenever anyone turns to the Lord, the veil is taken away." Shoo! That was close. PRAISE JESUS!!!!!!! Verses 17-18 could be my favorite verses in the Bible. "Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom. ¹⁸ And we all, who with unveiled faces contemplate^[a] the Lord’s glory, are being transformed into his image with ever-increasing glory, which comes from the Lord, who is the Spirit." HOLY-MAC-A-LOLY!!!!!!! That's Greek for COME ON!!!!!!! We don't have veiled faces because, through Jesus, God's glory doesn't fade. The Holy Ghost dwells in us not on us. God's glory (splendor and majestic beauty) is in us. AWESOME!!!!!!! The Spirit offers us freedom from dulled minds. WOW!!!!!!! We do need to contemplate or reflect the glory of the Lord to be transformed. Bearing in mind that it "comes from the Lord, who is Spirit". That's a good word!

1. 2 Corinthians 3:18 Or reflect

I'll try to land this thing. This has been going on with me since May. Since Sept., I've really been looking at old covenant vs. new covenant. During the summer the Holy Ghost showed me why Jesus turned water into wine (a long pondered question of mine). It was a prophetic act of the new covenant. It was to demonstrate His glory (splendor and majestic beauty... as a man). John 2:11, "

 What Jesus did here in Cana of Galilee was the first of the signs through which he revealed his glory; and his disciples believed in him.

 " Jesus revealed His glory so His disciples would believe in Him. Not everyone at the wedding knew what Jesus had done. Oops! I'm trying to land this thing. Ask God to show you His glory, so you can believe what dwells in you today.

PS   Jesus did everything He did for His Father's glory (great honor, praise, and thanksgiving offered in worship) because He accepted, understood, and saw (as a man) all of His Father's glory (splendor and majestic beauty). I will show God glory (great honor, praise, and thanksgiving offered in worship), because Jesus is revealing His glory (splendor and majestic beauty) to me more and more each day.

Paul Email -17Nov2013- You do not Lack

How you doin? I'm going to try my best to keep this short today. Jesus help me. I loved reading through Romans and am now excited about 1 Corinthians. I just love the entire Bible. I love the way the O.T. and the N.T. are about 1 God, 1 plan, but of different covenants. Different sides of the cross. I love Jesus. 1 Corinthians 1 today.

I believe that every word in the Bible is relevant to me and written for/to me. I am NOT of the opinion that some Scripture is NOT written for/to me. Verse 2 makes it clear who this letter from Paul is written to, "To the church of God in Corinth, to those sanctified in Christ Jesus and called to be holy, together with all those everywhere who call on the name of our Lord Jesus Christ—their Lord and ours:" This is written for/to me. SO GOOD!!!!!!!

Verse 7, "Therefore you do not lack any spiritual gift as you eagerly wait for our Lord Jesus Christ to be revealed." This verse speaks an incredible promise and truth. Sadly enough one that I don't believe continually. There are times that I don't feel any lack. Those times are WAY too rare. This is great language for prayer. I'll be praying against the spirit of lack. "Eagerly wait for our Lord Jesus Christ to be revealed." COME ON!!!!!!! That's something to reach out and grab. The tough questions I ask myself can be answered in that statement. Why do I lack Spiritual gift, authority, and power? Perhaps I'm not eagerly waiting for my Lord Jesus to be revealed. WOW!!!!!!! I'm going to start doing that.  Verse 9, "God, who has called you into fellowship with his Son Jesus Christ our Lord, is faithful. Add faithful to God's character and nature."

Verse 10 starts the heading, "1. Divisions in the Church". Johnathan Welton said that the majority of division in the church is due to the lingering of the old covenant. Blessing and curses and the law that leads to death are being mixed into grace, mercy, authority, and power. We're here on this earth to reign and to prepare the way for Jesus. SAY WORD!!!!!!! "On earth as it is in Heaven". Oops... bunny trail.    

I love verses 17,19,22-25. You will need to look them up if you want to see why. Verses 30-31 end the chapter with awesomeness, "

 It is because of him that you are in Christ Jesus, who has become for us wisdom from God—that is, our righteousness, holiness and redemption.³¹ Therefore, as it is written: “Let the one who boasts boast in the Lord.”

 Jesus is our wisdom from God, our righteousness, holiness, and redemption. AWESOME!!!!!!! He is my everything. As a reminder, the Jeremiah 9:24 reference strikes a cord with me because it was the start of great blessing, anointing, and favor for me. I'm still learning how to "boast in the Lord". Eagerly wait for our Lord Jesus today.  

PS   Lack is a lie.

Paul Email -16Nov2013 - Romans 16 The great Unknown

How you doin? Stacey pointed out that we're reading Romans 16 on the 16th. I'm not sure why. Today is a much needed day off from work for me. A mental and Spiritual health day. We're praying for God's peace and protection. Romans 16 today.

I noticed the number of women listed in leadership and women of God in the first 16 verses. There's that number again. Verses 17-18, "I urge you, brothers and sisters, to watch out for those who cause divisions and put obstacles in your way that are contrary to the teaching you have learned. Keep away from them. ¹⁸ For such people are not serving our Lord Christ, but their own appetites. By smooth talk and flattery they deceive the minds of naive people." This is quite a warning. I believe understanding and knowledge of God and who I am to/in God will remove any naivety. Unity and order are things of God. Division, serving our own appetites, and being contrary to the Bible's teaching is NOT.

Verse 20 is sick (that's better then good), "The God of peace will soon crush Satan under your feet." AWESOME!!!!!!! Here's another attribute of God's nature... "The God of peace". I love how God's peace is mentioned as a means of victory over Satan. That's a good word. I tend to fight and attempt to conform people whom are influenced by division, contrary teaching, or any other demonic influence. Worst of all when I'm under attack or influence, I tend to fight myself for falling victim to something NOT of God. I'm learning to pray and seek His peace during rough times. That's a good word.

As it often is, the best is last. Verses 25-27, "Now to him who is able to establish you in accordance with my gospel, and the proclamation of Jesus Christ, according to the revelation of the mystery hidden for long ages past, ²⁶ but now revealed and made known through the prophetic writings by the command of the eternal God, so that all nations might believe and obey him — ²⁷ to the only wise God be glory forever through Jesus Christ! Amen." These 3 verses are more then loaded. "The revelation of the mystery", is such an invitation. I think of the song "Oceans (Where Feet May Fail)" by Hillsong United... "You call me out upon the waters, The great unknown where feet may fail, And there I find You in the mystery,
In oceans deep, My faith will stand". Bill Johnson said, "God doesn't hide things from us... He hides things for us". I love the mystery of God. I love receiving revelation. I love that the Bible is a prophetic writing of the eternal God. This incredible book of prophecy makes it possible for me to learn and believe the mystery of God... along with Jesus. COME ON!!!!!!! Revelation of the mystery of God brings glory to God through Jesus. It's through Jesus that dwells in me that revelation comes and glory is given to Father God. SAY WORD!!!!!!! I will continue praying that the Spirit of revelation continues to reveal the fullness of Christ in me and the mystery of God. It's my prayer for my family, friends, church, town, state, and country. Receive your prophecy that reveals the mystery of God today.

Paul Email -15Nov2013- Hope and Offering Romans 15

How you doin? The last 2 emails seem to have been sensitive subject matter. I hope no one is offended or upset. I was talking with Stacey and said that my over eating or gluttony is one of my biggest conscience sins. Gluttony is a non-disputable matter. The Bible makes it clear that it's a sin. I pray for the Holy Spirit (is that better Jerry?) to free me from the captivity of gluttony. As well as other things. I thank those of you who continue to love me despite my iniquities. The heading on Romans 14 is "The Weak and the Strong". I believe the theme of that chapter can be summed up in the first two verses of Romans 15.

Verse 1-2, "

We who are strong ought to bear with the failings of the weak and not to please ourselves. ² Each of us should please our neighbors for their good, to build them up.

" If that's not enough verse 3 should cover it, "

For even Christ did not please himself but, as it is written: “The insults of those who insult you have fallen on me.”

WOW!!!!!!! I'm going to start picturing Jesus every time I insult someone. That's a crushing thought to think that every insult I've ever hurled has landed on Jesus. I'm just better off not insulting. I'm bunny trailing here.

Hope is mentioned 4 times in chapter 15. Verse 4,

"

For everything that was written in the past was written to teach us, so that through the endurance taught in the Scriptures and the encouragement they provide we might have hope.

" That's a good word. Keep in mind that hope is not a wish. Hope is eager anticipation of something good. Through endurance and encouragement provided by the Scriptures, we may have hope. AWESOME!!!!!!! I want hope. Verse 5-6,

May the God who gives endurance and encouragement give you 

a

spirit of unity among yourselves as you follow

Christ Jesus, ⁶ so that with one

heart and mouth

you may glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.

" God gives endurance and encouragement. Everything good comes from God. I couldn't help to hear the huge qualifier in verse 5, "as you follow Christ Jesus". COME ON!!!!!!! This has everything to do with whom we are speaking to. All that we do should be to glorify God. SO GOOD!!!!!!! More on hope, verse 12, “The Root of Jesse will spring up, one who will arise to rule over the nations; in him the Gentiles will hope.” DIG IT!!!!!!! I read the last part of this verse like this, "in Him the Gentiles will eagerly anticipate something good". That's a good word. Here's why, verse 13, "May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit." SO GOOD!!!!!!! So God is the God of hope who gives endurance and encouragement. He's SO GOOD!!!!!!!

This must be a good word because my hands are soaked with oil. COME ON!!!!!!! Two more verses. Verses 15-16, "Yet I have written you quite boldly on some points to remind you of them again, because of the grace God gave me ¹⁶ to be a minister of Christ Jesus to the Gentiles. He gave me the priestly duty of proclaiming the gospel of God, so that the Gentiles might become an offering acceptable to God, sanctified by the Holy Spirit." Spike has been teaching me Greek. I think the Greek word for these verses is HOLY MAC-A-LOLY. First off God's attributes continue to increase. God is the God of hope who gives endurance, encouragement, and grace. AWESOME!!!!!!! The part about the Gentiles (me/you) becoming an offering acceptable to God and being sanctified (set apart) by the Holy Spirit makes me extremely full of endurance, encouragement, and able to receive grace. COME ON!!!!!!! I want so badly to be an offering acceptable to God. That my life may be a sweet fragrance to God. The Holy Spirit in me, Christ in me will make it so. PRAISE JESUS!!!!!!! Have hope (eager anticipation of something good) of being an acceptable offering to God today.

PS   God has shown me what an incredible mom Stacey is. I believe mom's have a special anointing from God. I often use WOW to express my adoration and amazement of God. I'm sure you all realize that wow upside down is mom. I proudly admit that I am a mama's boy. I loved and still love my mother dearly. Now I love Stacey more then ever for being the mother that she is. PRAISE GOD!!!!!!! Please pray for her endurance, encouragement, and grace.

PPS   These emails are proof of the endurance, encouragement, and grace that God gives me. PRAISE JESUS!!!!!!!   

Paul Email - 14Nov2013- Disputable Matters and Non-desputable Matters

How you doin? I received this question in a response to yesterday's email-  "Good word here Paul, but I have kind of a deep question for you. A pastoral discussion group I belong to has started talking about same sex marriage in the church and several of them have kind of used the "support and mutual edification" issue to condone it. So, if we are not to be condemning, how do we obey/follow His word and still be supportive of those in these lifestyles?"

This is an easy one. Satan and God don't walk through the park holding hands. Condemnation and judgement aren't that tricky. I believe this idea of mutual edification falls under the category of "disputable" matters. Romans 14:1, "Accept the one whose faith is weak, without quarreling over disputable matters." "Disputable matters" are matters that lend themselves to opinion. For example, eating meat. If the Lord convicts me not to eat meat... then it's right for me, because it's done in faith. I do not believe the Holy Spirit convicts anyone to be a homosexual.  Homosexuality or any sexual immorality is NOT a disputable matter. God's position on homosexuality and sexual immortality is clear. If lines are redrawn... where does it end?

As far as conduct with the homosexual. That's a harder one for me. The Holy Ghost is still working on my rough edges. Love is the ultimate weapon. You are right in hating the sin, but loving the sinner.  Prophecy is used to edify each other. I believe Gen 1:26, “Let us make mankind in our image, in our likeness,...". I've not found any Scripture that indicates or implies that God, Jesus, or the Holy Spirit is a homosexual. In this situation I would speak to the person that God created and not the lie that leads them to homosexuality. IN NO WAY would I (or think that the body of Christ) should condone such a non-disputable matter.

Here is my bottom line. 1 Corinthians 5:
 
It is actually reported that there is sexual immorality among you, and of a kind that even pagans do not tolerate: A man is sleeping with his father’s wife. ² And you are proud! Shouldn’t you rather have gone into mourning and have put out of your fellowship the man who has been doing this? ³ For my part, even though I am not physically present, I am with you in spirit. As one who is present with you in this way, I have already passed judgment in the name of our Lord Jesus on the one who has been doing this. ⁴ So when you are assembled and I am with you in spirit, and the power of our Lord Jesus is present, ⁵ hand this man over to Satan for the destruction of the flesh, so that his spirit may be saved on the day of the Lord. ⁶ Your boasting is not good. Don’t you know that a little yeast leavens the whole batch of dough? ⁷ Get rid of the old yeast, so that you may be a new unleavened batch—as you really are. For Christ, our Passover lamb, has been sacrificed. ⁸ Therefore let us keep the Festival, not with the old bread leavened with malice and wickedness, but with the unleavened bread of sincerity and truth.
⁹ I wrote to you in my letter not to associate with sexually immoral people— ¹⁰ not at all meaning the people of this world who are immoral, or the greedy and swindlers, or idolaters. In that case you would have to leave this world. ¹¹ But now I am writing to you that you must not associate with anyone who claims to be a brother or sister but is sexually immoral or greedy, an idolater or slanderer, a drunkard or swindler. Do not even eat with such people. ¹² What business is it of mine to judge those outside the church? Are you not to judge those inside? ¹³ God will judge those outside. “Expel the wicked person from among you.”
Believers and non-believers are not treated the same. One more, because there are so many. 1 John 5:16-18, "If you see any brother or sister commit a sin that does not lead to death, you should pray and God will give them life. I refer to those whose sin does not lead to death. There is a sin that leads to death. I am not saying that you should pray about that. ¹⁷ All wrongdoing is sin, and there is sin that does not lead to death.
We know that anyone born of God does not continue to sin; the One who was born of God keeps them safe, and the evil one cannot harm them."
There are tons of Scripture on this matter. I'm for loving the sinner and hating the sin. I'm also for purity. Homosexuality or any sexual immorality should be dealt with in accordance to the authority and power given us by the Jesus' acts on the cross. All sin and impurities should be treated the same. By loving the sinner we can establish a relationship with them so that the Spirit may work through us to free them. COME ON!!!!!!! With that being said I need to point out 1 more verse Galatians 6:1, "Brothers and sisters, if someone is caught in a sin, you who live by the Spirit should restore that person gently. But watch yourselves, or you also may be tempted." Hate sin and love sinners today.

Report Cards and Updates

Thought it was about time for an update to our home school escapades!  We made it through the first quarter and the kids are doing so great.  We are so pleased with their progress!

I tried to summarize what Audrey is doing so far below so you have a glimpse of how she is doing, but this is certainly not everything.  I am proud for them about that.  There isn't enough paper in the world to fit all that they are experiencing and learning on a daily basis.  But here is a glimpse anyway:

Reading:
 Audrey loves to read.  She is making very good progress with her '100 Easy Steps Book', especially if she takes her time.  Audrey has an amazing memory and can memorize simple books almost ver-batum after being read it one or two times.  She has excellent recall and can remember events (in order) of a story.  She gets flustered easily if she gets a sound wrong in her lesson but is typically able to rebound and finish the lesson correctly.  Audrey can write her first and last name in Upper and Lowercase.  She is also able to read certain words from sight.

Math:
Audrey can add and subtract very well in case scenarios.  For example, when baking Audrey was told to put 8 cups of flour in the bowl.  She scooped and leveled 4 cups and then she said "4 more."  Then she added 2 more cups and said "2 more."  She knows the value of a penny, nickle, dime, and quarter and she can correctly place them in order from least to greatest.  She can count from 1-100 very well.  She can count by 5s only missing a few, and she can count by 10s to 100.  She is excellent at patterns, both making them, and solving problems with the missing pattern.  She plays board games and card games very well: taking turns, adding up scores, matching, counting spaces.

Bible:
Audrey has an amazing memory and recall of stories.  She remembers details of Bible stories and she is able to re-inact scenes from the story accurately.  She excels at memorizing Bible verses, lyrics to worship songs, etc.  She prays powerfully.  She loves God.

 Books:
Audrey loves to read.  She loves any kind of story.  She gets so excited when she reads in her '100 Easy Steps' book.  She can retell stories very well including appropriate content.  We go to the library and check out 20 books every week on various topics and we read them all!  Audrey can then be found reading them to her doll babies later in the day.

Life Skills:
Audrey can dress herself and she matches.  She can tie her own sneakers and she can zipper jackets.  She brushes her own teeth and wipes herself very well after using the bathroom.  She uses her stool and climbs on things so that she can reach and accomplish tasks.  She can make and clean up peanut butter and jelly sandwiches.  She can measure and follow baking instructions.  She knows how to level off the scoop, crack eggs, use the microwave.  She can make her bed, clean her room, vaccume, take the trash to the front, buckle herself into the car seat.  She can open and operate ABC mouse.com by herself on the laptop.

Science/Geography:
Audrey already has 18 of the States and Capitals memorized and can identify them on the map.  She is familiar with the outdoors, different kinds of plants and insects.  She is becoming familiar with taking an orange, making it into juice, and putting it into the freezer for ice pops.

PE/Arts:
Audrey is extremely artistic.  If I tell her to draw a picture of Moses and the burning bush, she always adds multiple details on her own: she will say "this is an angel over here and this is God here telling moses what to do.  And look at all the sores on his one hand (from the leperosy) and the sheep over here."  She can follow multiple step instructions (up to 7 instructions in order is the most we have tried) on the outdoor obstacle courses we rig up.  She can ride her bike without training wheels.

I have not written out Paulie's report card yet but he is really surprising us in how well he keeps up with Audrey being that he is a whole year younger than her.  One HUGE accomplishment as of last week is that Paulie can ride his bike without training wheels now!  He is so proud of himself!

I think most of all we love being able to spend so much time together as a family.  Teaching the kids to be kind to each other, to be obedient and loving, and to form habits such as making their beds every day and cleaning their rooms.  My goals for this first year are really just that: to make the kids interested in reading, forming good habits, following instructions, being kind and obedient, praying for people, loving each other.  It is a lot to bite off but we are getting there.  Of course as always I feel beyond blessed to Paul for working so hard so that this is even possible.  What a lucky wife and kids we are to have him in our lives!

Keep us in your prayers.  We love you all!

Paul Email -13Nov2013- Kingdom Matter Romans 14

How you doin? WOW!!!!!!! Do I love God. I'm just amazed at how good He is. I love everything about Him. Romans 14 today.

Verses 4, "Who are you to judge someone else’s servant? To his own master he stands or falls. And he will stand, for the Lord is able to make him stand." Don't judge or condemn. Got it. Verse 7-8, "For none of us lives for ourselves alone, and none of us dies for ourselves alone. ⁸ If we live, we live for the Lord; and if we die, we die for the Lord. So, whether we live or die, we belong to the Lord." God is sovereign. He is indeed in control. Verse 9, "For this very reason, Christ died and returned to life so that he might be the Lord of both the dead and the living." WOW!!!!!!! That's some light reading early in the morning. Paul references Isaiah 45:23. Verse 12, "So then, each of us will give an account of ourselves to God." I'm going to start getting in good with my defense attorney... Jesus. I want to know Him and Him to know me. That will be essential when He defends me.

Verses 13-16 speaks of stumbling blocks. I'm not going to talk about that because I may come off as condemning. I'm highly sensitive to certain stumbling blocks from a recovery perspective. Verse 17-18, "For the kingdom of God is not a matter of eating and drinking, but of righteousness, peace and joy in the Holy Spirit, ¹⁸ because anyone who serves Christ in this way is pleasing to God and receives human approval." I love these verses. I'm sure if you read this daily devotional regularly, you will notice my desire to be FULLY aware, dependent, and led by the Holy Ghost. COME ON!!!!!!! It's the matter of the Kingdom of God. Verse 22 speaks of conviction. Verse 23 speaks of what not to do. "But whoever has doubts is condemned if they eat, because their eating is not from faith; and everything that does not come from faith is sin." 2 choices. Faith or sin. I love it when God makes it easy for me. Now if I can just keep my eyes on Jesus and follow Him.

Verses 17-18 really strike a chord in my heart. I believe what I've prayed countless times, "Your Kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in Heaven". This chapter is very instructional for me. To access the resources of Heaven here on earth, I need to live under the new covenant. "Righteousness, peace and joy in the Holy Spirit". This chapter gives me a working knowledge of how the old covenant is fulfilled by the new covenant. All the commandments are summed up in one commandment, "Love your neighbor as yourself". This chapter gives me something to work on/with. I saved the best for last. Verse 19, "Let us therefore make every effort to do what leads to peace and to mutual edification." WOW!!!!!!! Pretty simple. Make every effort to do what leads to peace and mutual edification today. That's a good word.

PS   The Holy Ghost does not convict me so I can clobber my neighbor over the head with my conviction. He convicts me to draw me closer to Him.

Paul Email -12Nov2013- Roman's 13 Words Gone Bad

How you doin? So yesterday God gave me revelation on the word sacrifice. Gave me the knowledge of it's glory, instead of it's corrupted negativity. This morning during Bible study another "bad" word was looked at. It was suggested that the word submission is NOT a "bad" word. It was also suggested that it's for use to work out for ourselves. Romans 13 today.

The 1st heading is "Submission to the Authorities". Verse 1, "Everyone must submit himself to the governing authorities, for there is no authority except that which God has established. The authorities that exist have been established by God." WOW!!!!!!! When God wants to get a point across to me... He does just that. One of the biggest things in my early sobriety was wearing my seat belt. I never once wore my seat belt until God delivered me from addiction. It was the 1st step in submission. So what's the benefit of submission and why has the world corrupted this word. Verse 3, "For rulers hold no terror for those who do right, but for those who do wrong. Do you want to be free from fear of the one in authority? Then do what is right and you will be commended." COME ON!!!!!!! I love being free. When in captivity, I can remember the grip that fear had on me when I saw anyone of authority. We all know where fear comes from. Verse 5, "Therefore, it is necessary to submit to the authorities, not only because of possible punishment but also as a matter of conscience." This verse makes me think of the Scripture in Acts where Paul speaks of being in front of God in good conscience. God knows what we do even if people don't. That's a good word. Verse 7, "Give to everyone what you owe them: If you owe taxes, pay taxes; if revenue, then revenue; if respect, then respect; if honor, then honor." I can't help but to notice that taxes, revenue, respect, and honor is all in the same sentence. I would be more likely to lack integrity and separate taxes and revenue from respect and honor. God has integrity and puts them in the same verse. COME ON!!!!!!! 

The 2nd heading is " Love, for the Day is Near". Interesting how it goes from submission to love. Verse 8, "Let no debt remain outstanding, except the continuing debt to love one another, for whoever loves others has fulfilled the law." WHAT!!!!!!! Now that's a can of worms. Don't forget verse 7. Loving others fulfills the law? I thought not sinning fulfilled the law. Verse 9, "... and whatever other command there may be, are summed up in this one command: “Love your neighbor as yourself." All commands can be summed up in one seemingly simple statement. Pastor Spike (there you go Kelly) mentioned something about this on Sunday. For me being in good conscience with god enables me to love myself, which in turn will enable me to love my neighbor. SO GOOD!!!!!!! Submission to the law roots itself in love. COME ON!!!!!!! I feel some preaching coming on. Verse 10, "Love does no harm to a neighbor. Therefore love is the fulfillment of the law." WOW!!!!!!! So simple, but yet I can't get there. What do I do?

Verse 11, "And do this, understanding the present time: The hour has already come for you to wake up from your slumber, because our salvation is nearer now than when we first believed." My dad was right when he said "boy... you better wake up". Verses 12-13 clearly tell us what NOT to do. Verses 14, "Rather, clothe yourselves with the Lord Jesus Christ, and do not think about how to gratify the desires of the sinful nature." So yet again Jesus does for me what I can't do for myself. Jesus loves me enough for both of us. AWESOME!!!!!!! My Bible's dictionary defines submission this way, "voluntary yielding to another; accountability". Webster's says, "

to stop trying to fight or resist something : to agree to do or accept something that you have been resisting or opposing

". WOW!!!!!!! Even Webster's knows what's up. I submit to you that we should submit to Jesus today. (Pun intended)

PS   While receiving revelation of these "bad" words in their Spiritual context, I feel my Spiritual health being restored. I love God's favor and understanding!

Paul Email - 11Nov2013- Response to God's Glory

How you doin? What a great sermon by Pastor Ted yesterday. Identity is so important. It's such a crucial stage/step in our process. Think about how you need to identify yourself at the DMV or bank or hospital or anywhere identity theft is common. In the Spiritual realm identity theft is common on earth. Devils are trying to steal our identity regularly. If the devils can steal our identity then Satan is successful at stealing worship from God. Stay with me. If you lived in Manhattan and you were a decedent of the Rockefeller's and a heir to their family fortune, you would certainly identify yourself as such. The name Rockefeller in Manhattan is one the demands a response. N.Y. City wouldn't be what it is today if it weren't for the Rockefeller's. So with that in mind if we are truly sons/daughters/heirs of the Creator, should we be responding by identifying ourselves as such?

I also heard a great sermon by Bill Johnson last night. He was speaking on a "Presence Culture". One of the many things he said during his 1 hour and 20 minute sermon was that we need to respond to God's Presence or glory with sacrifice. He referenced Isaiah 6 when Isaiah said "Here I am, send me". (Isaiah 6:8) The verses that precede verse 8 describe the Presence of God like this, "the train of his robe filled the temple" (6:1) and "At the sound of their voices the doorposts and thresholds shook and the temple was filled with smoke." (6:4) Isaiah first responded with mistaken identity, “Woe to me!” I cried. “I am ruined! For I am a man of unclean lips, and I live among a people of unclean lips, and my eyes have seen the King, the Lord Almighty.” (6:5) In Isaiah's defense, he lived under the old covenant. Then Isaiah was atoned for in verse 7, “See, this has touched your lips; your guilt is taken away and your sin atoned for.” So picture this scene, Isaiah is in the temple and God shows up with His seraphim. The temple shakes from the seraphim's voices and it fills with smoke (aka "the glory cloud"). Isaiah says (my translation) "Oh crap... I'm in trouble". Once he's atoned for by the hot coals, he sacrifices himself to the glory of God and says "Here I am, send me". COME ON!!!!!!! AWESOME!!!!!!! WOW!!!!!!! 

This was no small task Isaiah was volunteering for. Verses 9-10, 
"He said, “Go and tell this people: “‘Be ever hearing, but never understanding;
    be ever seeing, but never perceiving.’
¹⁰ Make the heart of this people calloused;
    make their ears dull
    and close their eyes.
Otherwise they might see with their eyes,
    hear with their ears,
    understand with their hearts,
and turn and be healed.”
I love Isaiah's response in verse 11, “For how long, Lord?” Humanity even in the Presences. That's a tough prophecy to give. I can imagine that Isaiah didn't get many dinner invitations.

So let me land this thing. Isaiah was atoned for through hot coals on his lips. I/we are atoned for by Jesus' death, resurrection, and ascension. That's a good word. Bill Johnson said, "If you don't respond with sacrifice when you're in the Presence... I question what you saw". I love being provoked to ask myself tough questions like, "why am I not offering my life as a living sacrifice or am I and devils are feeding me lies that I'm not?". I will continue to pray for His Presence and for Him to show me His face. Like the 2nd verse of my life's verses say, "for it is God who works in you to will and to act in order to fulfill his good purpose". (Philippians 2:13) His Presence and love is the trump card... it's everything. Respond with sacrifice to God's glory today.     

PS   In the natural, sacrifice has a negative connotation. In the supernatural, sacrifice is worship, praise, and glorious. 

Paul Email -10Nov2013- Romans 12 Praying for Increase

How you doin? I often read the Scriptures and see things that direct my prayers. My internal furnace is still blowing out flames. Romans 12 today.

Romans 12:2 is a famous verse. I've always noticed that the 2nd part of this verse is commonly left out when people quote it. The 2nd part is as important as the 1st. "Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will." There's a slippery slope between transforming and conforming. I've talked about this and defined the 2 in a previous email (10/3). In my attempts to allow my mind to be transformed, I must guard against my mind being conformed to something not of God. The 2nd part of verse 2. That's a good word.

Here comes the part that helps me pray. Verse 3, "For by the grace given me I say to every one of you: Do not think of yourself more highly than you ought, but rather think of yourself with sober judgment, in accordance with the measure of faith God has given you." The measure of faith that God has given me. This verse makes me think of settling. Do I just except the amount of faith given me or do I ask for more? I think of Jacob and Elisha. Jacob wrestled with God for blessing and Elisha demanded a double mantle. I don't think I'm quite there yet, but I do pray for increase. Increased faith, hope, desire, understanding, wisdom, awareness of His Presence and whatever God has to offer, especially love. COME ON!!!!!!!  Sometimes I just pray for God to increase in me. The thing I don't pray for enough is discernment. I only want to hear God's voice. Through His Holy Ghost of course... I want to live. Sadly enough God's voice isn't the only voice in my head. Bill Johnson said, "I don't want one thought in my head about myself that God doesn't have in His head about me". I'd like to revise that a bit, "I don't want any other voice in my head but God's". Now that's a serious prayer.
Verse 6, "We have different gifts, according to the grace given to each of us. If your gift is prophesying, then prophesy in proportion to your faith;". This lends it's self to a trouble spot for me. When God speaks to me and I share what He says I tend to keep talking after He stops. I'm sure you can imagine how that goes. Yesterday I asked you to pray for me. I was asking you to pray for increase. It's a matter of getting away from the inferior covenant. The fruit of the Spirit comes with faith and grace. AWESOME!!!!!!! Mark 16:17-18 also tells me that signs and wonders will follow receiving the Holy Ghost. I'm praying for the power and authority that the Holy Ghost supplies. I want to live a live that Matthew 10:7-8 describes. Now I'm all wound up and off track. Pray for increase today.