7 Spirits of God

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Revelation 4 New Living Translation (NLT)

Worship in Heaven

4 Then as I looked, I saw a door standing open in heaven, and the same voice I had heard before spoke to me like a trumpet blast. The voice said, “Come up here, and I will show you what must happen after this.” 2 And instantly I was in the Spirit,[a] and I saw a throne in heaven and someone sitting on it. 3 The one sitting on the throne was as brilliant as gemstones—like jasper and carnelian. And the glow of an emerald circled his throne like a rainbow. 4 Twenty-four thrones surrounded him, and twenty-four elders sat on them. They were all clothed in white and had gold crowns on their heads. 5 From the throne came flashes of lightning and the rumble of thunder. And in front of the throne were seven torches with burning flames. This is the sevenfold Spirit[b] of God. 6 In front of the throne was a shiny sea of glass, sparkling like crystal.

In the center and around the throne were four living beings, each covered with eyes, front and back. 7 The first of these living beings was like a lion; the second was like an ox; the third had a human face; and the fourth was like an eagle in flight. 8 Each of these living beings had six wings, and their wings were covered all over with eyes, inside and out. Day after day and night after night they keep on saying,

“Holy, holy, holy is the Lord God, the Almighty—
    the one who always was, who is, and who is still to come.”

9 Whenever the living beings give glory and honor and thanks to the one sitting on the throne (the one who lives forever and ever), 10 the twenty-four elders fall down and worship the one sitting on the throne (the one who lives forever and ever). And they lay their crowns before the throne and say,

11 “You are worthy, O Lord our God,
    to receive glory and honor and power.
For you created all things,
    and they exist because you created what you pleased.”

5 Then I saw a scroll[a] in the right hand of the one who was sitting on the throne. There was writing on the inside and the outside of the scroll, and it was sealed with seven seals. 2 And I saw a strong angel, who shouted with a loud voice: “Who is worthy to break the seals on this scroll and open it?” 3 But no one in heaven or on earth or under the earth was able to open the scroll and read it.

4 Then I began to weep bitterly because no one was found worthy to open the scroll and read it. 5 But one of the twenty-four elders said to me, “Stop weeping! Look, the Lion of the tribe of Judah, the heir to David’s throne,[b] has won the victory. He is worthy to open the scroll and its seven seals.”

6 Then I saw a Lamb that looked as if it had been slaughtered, but it was now standing between the throne and the four living beings and among the twenty-four elders. He had seven horns and seven eyes, which represent the sevenfold Spirit[c] of God that is sent out into every part of the earth. 7 He stepped forward and took the scroll from the right hand of the one sitting on the throne. 8 And when he took the scroll, the four living beings and the twenty-four elders fell down before the Lamb. Each one had a harp, and they held gold bowls filled with incense, which are the prayers of God’s people. 9 And they sang a new song with these words:

“You are worthy to take the scroll
    and break its seals and open it.
For you were slaughtered, and your blood has ransomed people for God
    from every tribe and language and people and nation.
10 And you have caused them to become
    a Kingdom of priests for our God.
    And they will reign[d] on the earth.”

11 Then I looked again, and I heard the voices of thousands and millions of angels around the throne and of the living beings and the elders. 12 And they sang in a mighty chorus:

“Worthy is the Lamb who was slaughtered—
    to receive power and riches
and wisdom and strength
    and honor and glory and blessing.”

13 And then I heard every creature in heaven and on earth and under the earth and in the sea. They sang:

“Blessing and honor and glory and power
    belong to the one sitting on the throne
    and to the Lamb forever and ever.”

14 And the four living beings said, “Amen!” And the twenty-four elders fell down and worshiped the Lamb.

7 is used 326 times in the O.T. and 65 times in the N.T.  The number of completion.

Isaiah 11:1-5,  “And there shall come forth a Shoot out of the stock of Jesse [David’s father], and a Branch out of his roots shall grow and bear fruit.2 And the Spirit of the Lord shall rest upon Him—the Spirit of wisdom (1) and understanding(2), the Spirit of counsel(3) and might, the Spirit of knowledge(4) and of the reverential(5) and obedient (6) fear (7) (regard) of the Lord. 3 And shall make Him of quick understanding, and His delight shall be in the reverential and obedient fear of the Lord. And He shall not judge by the sight of His eyes, neither decide by the hearing of His ears;4 But with righteousness and justice shall He judge the poor and decide with fairness for the meek, the poor, and the downtrodden of the earth; and He shall smite the earth and the oppressor with the rod of His mouth, and with the breath of His lips He shall slay the wicked.5 And righteousness shall be the girdle of His waist and faithfulness the girdle of His loins.

1 Cor.15:52-58, Amplified Bible, Classic Edition (AMPC)  “52 In a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the [sound of the] last trumpet call. For a trumpet will sound, and the dead [in Christ] will be raised imperishable (free and immune from decay), and we shall be changed (transformed).53 For this perishable [part of us] must put on the imperishable [nature], and this mortal [part of us, this nature that is capable of dying] must put on immortality (freedom from death).54 And when this perishable puts on the imperishable and this that was capable of dying puts on freedom from death, then shall be fulfilled the Scripture that says, Death is swallowed up (utterly vanquished [a]forever) in and unto victory.55 O death, where is your victory? O death, where is your sting?56 Now sin is the sting of death, and sin exercises its power [b][upon the soul] through [c][the abuse of] the Law.57 But thanks be to God, Who gives us the victory [making us conquerors] through our Lord Jesus Christ.58 Therefore, my beloved brethren, be firm (steadfast), immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord [always being superior, excelling, doing more than enough in the service of the Lord], knowing and being continually aware that your labor in the Lord is not futile [it is never wasted or to no purpose].


Keep looking up, seems we are now in the end of the “Age of the Gentiles” and headed into the birth pains of Matt.24, Mark 13 and Luke 21.  So we will see the darkness getting darker and the light getting lighter.  We will come into a time of false peace with a great harvest of souls finding Jesus as LORD.   The Church will be sanctified, made HOLY,  and we get to go home.

Attached my teaching on the subject if interested.   Yours, in HIS great Love,   Ken<><

www.Trinity-Aloha.org 

pdf icon REVELATION-2.pdf

JESUS, SON OF MAN

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ALOHA FAMILY AND FRIENDS,  Beloved of God,  John 3:16-18

JESUS,  SON OF MAN,  SON OF GOD, “WORTH CONSIDERING” 3/27/20

Today’s Scripture   (Across my e-mails this morning from a mega church in Texas.)
“…And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to death—even death on a cross!”  (Philippians 2:8, NIV)

Walk in Humility
Did you know that even Jesus had to humble Himself. It takes humility to walk in obedience. Without humility, Jesus could have thought, I’m the Son of God. I don’t have to put up with the way people treat Me. I’m not going to the cross. It was humility that caused Him to not retaliate against those who did Him wrong. Because of His humility, He could spend His life serving others when He had every right to be served. Because of His humility, He could hang on the cross and say, “Father, forgive them. They don’t know what they’re doing.”

When you humble yourself and do hard things that you know God is asking you to do—forgive the person who did you wrong, honor your spouse’s request, take advice from somebody who doesn’t have your experience—your obedience will bring a blessing. As Jesus did, do what God is asking you to do. Don’t reason it out; just do it.

A Prayer for Today
“Father, thank You that Jesus was willing to come to earth as a man and then humble Himself even further by becoming obedient to the point of death. Help me to humble myself whenever pride rises up to keep me from being obedient. I want to walk in humility. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.”

Ken’s Thoughts:
There is much written on the subject of who was really Jesus.  After considerable study on the subject from Holy Scriptures I have come to the conclusion that Jesus Christ (Christ means anointed.) was born man.  The second Adam.   And as in Adam (Son of God) all died that in Christ Jesus (Son of God, Son of Man) like Adam, that all could be made alive.  Obviously Adam was Son of God but not a Son of Man as he was the first to be created in his species.  And that Adam died due to Rebellion and Disobedience, yes, and the same can happen to us. 

So my personal position is that Jesus, though conceived by the Holy Spirit, came into this world upon conception.  That nine months later in Bethlehem HE was born as the lamb of God that would take away the sins of the world.  He was born as Adam was created as good and without a sin nature.  But like Adam, HE could have sinned but elected to become obedient even through the things that HE suffered.  Can you visualize HIM growing up in a family with at least 6 other children and not sinning…  And at age 12 knowing HE had to be about HIS Father’s Business (God’s Business.)  And to live a simple life as a carpenter for another 18 years without sin in waiting for the Holy Spirit to empower HIM to be tested and to begin HIS very short ministry in the anointing of the Word of God, Creator.  And HE perfectly completed HIS mission and left us instructions to do the same as HE did through the Holy Spirit as HE did.  I am totally amazed at the loving and exceptional example that HE gave me as a human being and that HE was also tempted in all points as I am and yet without sin.   And HE asked me to come and live with HIM if I would allow HIM to get me ready for the transformation to Eternal Light Speed.  That if I would trust in, rely upon HIM and cling to HIM in faith as my LORD that HE would begin the process of not only redemption but also of making me a new creation just like HIM.  A process in the Bible called sanctification.   Of course that would require many replacements of the nature that I received from Adam.   First the need to become aware of my Creator’s love for me in my salvation, redemption.   That according to Romans 10:9-10 I must come to the heart faith conclusion that Christ Jesus is my LORD and that I have made a freewill choice to honor HIM as my King and understand that HE took the penalty for my rebellion and pride upon himself, Isa. 53.  And further that HE will assist and extend Grace (power) to me to become like HE is.  Paul writes it this way: “Consequently, from now on we estimate and regard no one from a [purely] human point of view [in terms of natural standards of value]. [No] even though we once did estimate Christ from a human viewpoint and as a man, yet now [we have such knowledge of Him that] we know Him no longer [in terms of the flesh].  17 Therefore if any person is [ingrafted] in Christ (the Messiah) he is a new creation (a new creature altogether); the old [previous moral and spiritual condition] has passed away. Behold, the fresh and new has come!  18 But all things are from God, Who through Jesus Christ reconciled us to Himself [received us into favor, brought us into harmony with Himself] and gave to us the ministry of reconciliation [that by word and deed we might aim to bring others into harmony with Him]. “ 2 Cor. 16-18

So we see that Jesus was the Son of Man/Son of God during HIS walk on earth.  But in completing HIS assignment perfectly He is now eternally the Word of God/Man Jesus in the Kingdom of God .   THe is the first of HIS kind in the Image and Likeness of God as per Gen.1:26-27.  In Isa. 61:1 the Spirit of God was UPON the messiah when a man.

So Jesus did not come down from Heaven as God..  But God created HIM as the 2nd Adam with a free will just like you and me.  And HE died to cover that sin nature of Adam that we received upon our birth so we could go for the light rather than the darkness.  So we now have an opportunity to live in the light and with a whole heart to go for the light if we decide to do so and HE has sent the Holy Spirit to help us.   And He left us with a beautiful human example that it can be done by us as well if we allow HIM to assist us to change to be like HIM in love, faith,  humility and obedience.   Now to get a good picture of who Jesus really is now,   read Rev. 1  &   4-5       

Yours in HIS great LOVE and wonderful Grace and Mercy ,   Ken<><   www.Trinity-Aloha.org

There is but one Church of Christ Jesus on earth.
And all who truly LOVE & OBEY HIM are members.

WORLD NEWS:    worthybrief@worthynetwork.com

CHURCH OF CHRIST JESUS

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ALOHA FAMILY AND FRIENDS,  Beloved of God and me,  John 3:16-18
    (Also I would greatly appreciate your prayers for some needed physical healings at 87.)

CHURCH OF CHRIST JESUS,   “WORTH CONSIDERING” 3/26/20

Today’s Scripture   (In my emails yesterday from a big mega church in Texas.)
“…Because we loved you so much, we were delighted to share with you not only the gospel of God but our lives as well…”  (1 Thessalonians 2:8, NIV)

Become a Miracle
Many people are praying for a miracle. “God, please send me a friend. God, I need help with my children. I need training. God, I need a good break.” We have to realize that we can become the miracle they need. God uses our lives to touch and encourage and bless others. God will bring people across our path so that we can be the answer to their prayers.

Take time to become the miracle. You can’t help everyone, but you can help someone. Be aware of who is in your life. Listen to what they’re saying. Is there any way that you can help? Those are opportunities to become their miracle. God put them there on purpose. It’s because you are full of miracles. There is healing in you. There is restoration, there’s friendship, there are new beginnings. You can lift the fallen. You can restore the broken. You can be kind to a stranger. You can become someone’s miracle.

A Prayer for Today
“Father, thank You that You bring people across my path so I can be the answer to their prayers. Help me to listen to what they’re saying and to be available and do what I can to help. I believe that I am a miracle waiting to happen for someone. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.”

Ken’s Thoughts:
What we also need to realize is,  there is a spiritual growth factor.  When we were born our parents were responsible for finding out what our needs were when we cried.  With my kids it was cold/hot, dirty diaper, gas or hunger.  All from the same disruptive cry.  Then the parents started noticing the different cries.  But after awhile words started to set in and the child, hopefully, started saying the word that indicated what was needed like potty, hungry, wet, cold, tired and so on… And the parents no longer responded to the crying as a form of communication.  Then of course there was school and grades and testing for us to know, and everyone, on how we were doing.  Personally, I was not good at school and twice had to go to summer school to catch up and I think I graduated high school because they did not want me there for another year.  

Our Heavenly Father has us, as we make Jesus Lord, in a Sanctification School and there are grade levels.   Humility and Obedience in spiritual learning receives God’s Grace, Mercy and support.   However if we allow for pride and disobedience things dry up and we get tough love.
And there are different grade levels.  If I still talk like a 3 yr. old when in the 6th grade then spiritual blessing may dry up as well.  The original vision of our Creator is to help us to become like HIM or like Christ Jesus because we want to be with HIM.  So there are plenty of times for us to be on Holy Ground and see the power of God through the whole process.  But there is always the need for a new wineskin for the new wine of the Holy Spirit.  So don’t expect to get earthly comfortable in this life.  The Holy Spirit when aloud to take over in a life or a gathering is never boring.  And when really in control is rarely traditional.  In fact HE can be rather embarrassing at times especially for introvert and folks use to a safe traditional theater church..

So we are all in school to learn how to walk on the water and to do what Jesus did by choice.  And in fact Paul taught us that if there is no evidence of the power of the Holy Spirit in a gathering to keep looking.  That when the Holy Spirit is in charge the Word of God (logos) will be confirmed by the Power of God or the (rhema) of God.  2 Tim. 3 with signs following.   The Holy Spirit will attach us to Christ Jesus as LORD and not to a building, fellowship or denomination. 

I use this expression a lot on my emails:  There is but one church of Christ Jesus and all who Truly Love & Obey HIM are members.  It is not the church that saves us, it is Christ Jesus.   And it is difficult to get our needed vitamins and minerals all in one food or one bottle or one church today.  From the Evangelicals I learned to love my Bible and respect it.  From the Liturgical folks I learned a lot about the feeling and need of holiness.  And with the Charismatics I was introduced into the power of God.   Of course, each by themselves can become indulgent, sanctimonious or even a carnival.   But Jesus is a balance of Love, Holiness & Power for the Glory of God.   Often our church buildings are built for and become the glory of man.  And those dead monuments to man’s ego are all over the world today.  Actually there is not one word in the New Testament about building anything physical for God in the New Testament.  Nor was there a collection for the building any buildings.  The gifts and offerings went for evangelism and to help the poor.  The Church in the home was the New Testament standard with the Elders getting together to keep the unity of the faith in the bond of peace.  Buildings are comfortable but think of what the same funds could have done for missions.  Back in 1975 I tried to duplicate the traditional theater church and filled it up seeking souls but in short order the maintenance and stresses of the property caused a burn out in me and the Holy Spirit moved on.  In 1979-80 the property was sold, became a restaurant and is now a medical center.  So much for that traditional theater church.  And after I resigned due to my burn out, the cash equity of nearly a million dollars just totally disappeared with the new Presiding Elder.

Seems to me that most Traditional Theater Churches are more prone to make Church Members rather than help make disciples who grow up to be in the image and likeness of Christ Jesus.  I have been given all kinds of church excuses of why I should not expect to become a Holy Man or become like Christ Jesus.  But in checking this out for myself.  It is written all over the place in our Bible that God wants to help us become like HIM.  Of course it is up to us as to whether or not we will from the heart believe the Great & Precious Promises to be changed into having God’s Divine Nature or not.

It is difficult to give up traditions even when they are vain.  Or to give up our status quo comfort zones.  It is easy to go to “church” once a week or so and really not get to know hardly any one’s name much less even know about them.   And leave believing that we have pleased God.   The Early Church was a lively forum and the saints were all active.  It was a work of the people.  Deeply study 1 Cor.14:21-33, only a very few times in my life have I ever seen any ministry that came close to looking like this.  But I believe it will be the church of the rapture, that the Church/Bride will be taken home when she shines with the Glory and Power of Christ Jesus.  She goes home to purge the heavens of the remaining darkness, Rev. 12:11 for the Glory of God.  We in Adam let lucifer be the god of this world,   in Christ Jesus we enjoy the victory in booting lucifer out,  Ezek 28:18.  The Church of Christ Jesus is the fire of God.

Yours in HIS great love and wonderful grace and mercy,   Ken<><   www.Trinity-Aloha.org

There is only one Church of Christ Jesus without denominations, John 17
And all who truly Love & Obey HIM are members

(On our Homepage you will find a link to the past blogs of “Worth Considering.”)

PROMISES

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ALOHA FAMILY & FRIENDS,  Beloved of God,  John 3:16-18

PROMISES,    “WORTH CONSIDERING”   3/25/20   (Across my desk this morning,  Texas mega church.)

Today’s Scripture,  “…So let us come boldly to the throne of our gracious God. There we will receive his mercy, and we will find grace to help us when we need it most…”  (Hebrews 4:16, NLT)

Come Boldly,  Many people are trying to earn God’s goodness, trying to be good enough, trying to work hard enough, thinking that then maybe they’ll deserve God’s blessings. That’s a slave mentality. You don’t have to earn God’s love. You don’t have to work for His approval. You don’t have to pay God back for your mistakes. The Scripture tells us to come boldly to the throne of grace, not as a servant saying, “God, I know I don’t deserve it.” If you want to put a smile on God’s face, go to Him with boldness, go to Him like you know He’s pleased with you, like you know you have a right to be there as a son, like you know He wants to be good to you. Ask Him for your dreams. Pray bold prayers. You’re not inconveniencing Him. Jesus says, “It is the Father’s good pleasure to give you the kingdom.” God is longing to be good to you.

A Prayer for Today,  “Father, thank You that I can come boldly before You, knowing that as Your child, this is my rightful place. Thank You that I don’t have to earn Your favor or be good enough to come into Your presence. I am coming to pray bold prayers and to dream bold dreams. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.”

Ken’s Thoughts:
While it is true that ( if ) God be for us, who can be against us.   However we can not presume to be in God’s Camp of Blessings for HIS Grace and Mercy unless we change our citizenship from the kingdom of Adam and his nature and take up a new citizenship in the KINGDOM of GOD.  While generally the rain, rains upon the just and the unjust as well.   Yet,  God’s Grace is given to help those souls who come to a decision  in humility to want to become HIS obedient children.  In reading through the New Testament you will almost always find also the conditions required in which to receive God’s Grace and Blessings.  We are responsible to bring our free will into subjection to the laws of love in the Kingdom of God.  God resists the proud but give grace to the humble.  So don’t get caught up in the hypocracy that God will help support our flesh nature (lust of the flesh, lust of the eyes and pride of life) received from Adam.  That our bent to sin must be willingly put to death by us through the grace and power of the Holy Spirit.  John 12:24-26.   We are taught not to allow our old sin and selfish nature to rule over us.  “11 Even so consider yourselves also dead to sin and your relation to it broken, but alive to God [living in unbroken fellowship with Him] in Christ Jesus.  “ Let not sin therefore rule as king in your mortal (short-lived, perishable) bodies, to make you yield to its cravings and be subject to its lusts and evil passions.13 Do not continue offering or yielding your bodily members [and [a] faculties] to sin as instruments (tools) of wickedness. But offer and yield yourselves to God as though you have been raised from the dead to [perpetual] life, and your bodily members [and [b] faculties] to God, presenting them as implements of righteousness. “  Rom.6:11-13.

GREAT QUOTES  -Sermonindex.net   
“In Acts the apostles prayed for 10 days then preached for 10 minutes and 3000 people were saved. Today pastors pray for 10 minutes then preach for 10 days and wonder why no-one is saved.” -B.H. Clendennen.

“There is a lot of soft, sentimental talk about Him today that brings no conviction. When Isaiah saw the Lord, he did not feel comfortable! Neither did Habakkuk nor Daniel nor Paul nor John. We want a picture of Him today that does not disturb us, that smiles at sin, and winks at iniquity. I remember a man who told me he wanted to hear no hell-fire sermons but rather about the meek and lowly Jesus. Yet the poor man did not seem to realize that the meek and lowly Jesus said more about hell than is reported from the lips of anyone else in the Bible! We need a true and complete vision of God in His holiness and Christ in His glory that will bring us to repentance.”
-Vance Havner.

“Some years ago a fearful railroad wreck took a dreadful toll of life and limb in an eastern state. A train, loaded with young people returning from school, was stalled on a suburban track because of what is known as a “hot-box.” The limited was soon due, but a flagman was sent back to warn the engineer in order to avert a rear-end collision.  Thinking all was well, the crowd laughed and chatted while the train-hands worked on in fancied security. Suddenly the whistle of the limited was heard and on came the heavy train and crashed into the local, with horrible effect. The engineer of the limited saved his own life by jumping, and some days afterwards was hailed into court to account for his part in the calamity. And now a curious discrepancy in testimony occurred. He was asked, “Did you not see the flagman warning you to stop? “He replied,,.. “I saw him, but he waved a yellow flag, and I took it for granted all was well, and so went on, through slowing down.”. The flagman was called, “What flag did you wave? “A red flag, but he went by me like a shot.” “Are you sure it was red?” “Absolutely.” Both insisted on the correctness of their testimony, and it was demonstrated that neither was color-blind. Finally the man was asked to produce the flag itself as evidence. After some delay he was able to do so, and then the mystery was explained. It had been red, but it had been exposed to the weather so long that all the red was bleached out, and it was but a dirty yellow! Oh, the lives eternally wrecked by the yellow gospels of the day-the bloodless theories of unregenerate men that send their
hearers to their doom instead of stopping them on their downward road!” – H. A. Ironside
“And what is wrong with the old method of scaring the ungodly with a sermon on hell?” V. Havner
“Obedience is the crown and honour of all virtue.” -Martin Luther
“Spiritual maturity is reached when obedience [to God and His word] becomes a joy.” – J. Yoder
“It is a poor sermon that gives no offense; that neither makes the hearer displeased with himself nor with the preacher.”  -George Whitefield.

Yours, in HIS great love and wonderful Grace and Mercy,   Ken<>< www.Trinity-Aloha.org

There is but one Church only of Christ Jesus on earth.
And all who truly Love & Obey Him are members.

World News in Brief:    worthybrief@worthynetwork.com

Our past editions of “Worth Considering” are found as a link on our HomePage.

FAITH HEALING

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Aloha Friends & Family,  Beloved of God,  John 3:16-18

FAITH HEALING   3/24/20   “WORTH CONSIDERING”

Today’s Scripture   (Received today from a Mega Church in Texas.)
“…He comforts us in all our troubles so that we can comfort others. When they are troubled, we will be able to give them the same comfort God has given us…”  (2 Corinthians 1:4, NLT)

From Patient to Physician
In today’s Scripture the apostle Paul is saying, “You were comforted in the loss of your loved one; help somebody else through their loss. You’ve been healed; now go help somebody else get healed.” God didn’t heal you just so you could be well, but so you could become a healer. He favored you so you could show people favor. He gave you a new beginning so you could help others make it through their loss. You’re no longer a patient needing help; you’ve become a physician.

Every one of us has had experiences that make us a physician. If you’ve been through cancer treatment, a divorce, a loss, or a rough childhood, you are uniquely qualified to help others in that situation. You’ve been in their shoes. You know the pain, the discouragement, the battles they fight in their mind. You can help them in a way that others who’ve not experienced it can. Don’t stay a grateful patient, become a physician.

A Prayer for Today
“Father, thank You for the things that You’ve brought me through that I can now use to help others in their struggles. Thank You that I have something to give, some encouragement to share, some wisdom to impart. Help me to give away what You’ve given to me. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.”

Ken’s Thoughts:
This teaching reminds me of the big differences between Presumption, Head Faith and Heart Faith.  And of course the issue of being truly guided by the Holy Spirit.  So hearing the Holy Spirit is a foundational factor in knowing the will of God.  And knowing the will of God comes through humility, obedience, love, heart faith and knowing the Word of God.  Jesus passed by the lame man at the Gate Beautiful of the Temple every time HE went into the Temple when in Jerusalem but HE never healed him?  As HE always obeyed HIS heavenly Father I am sure HE would have healed the man if told to do so.  But later Peter and John saw him and were guided by the Holy Sprit to heal him.  This was a tremendous witness at the time in the Temple for the man had been begging from very young outside of the Gate of the Temple.  By the way Herod’s Temple had only one entry in that day.  The Golden Gate or the Beautiful Gate.  Acts 3:1-26.  So Christ Jesus had to pass him by many times over 3 years.

So if we understand that our prayers must be guided by the Holy Spirit in experiencing the supernatural it is the beginning of wisdom.  John puts it this way: “ I write this to you who believe in (adhere to, trust in, and rely on) the name of the Son of God [in [a] the peculiar services and blessings conferred by Him on men ], so that you may know [with settled and absolute knowledge] that you [already] have life, [b] yes, eternal life.  14 And this is the confidence (the assurance, the privilege of boldness) which we have in Him: [we are sure] that if we ask anything (make any request) according to His will (in agreement with His own plan), He listens to and hears us.  15 And if (since) we [positively] know that He listens to us in whatever we ask, we also know [with settled and absolute knowledge] that we have [granted us as our present possessions] the requests made of Him.”

Of course we are understanding this to be totally a matter of Heart Faith as Jesus taught.  “He said to them, Because of the littleness of your faith [that is, your lack of [a] firmly relying trust]. For truly I say to you, if you have faith [[b] that is living] like a grain of mustard seed, you can say to this mountain, Move from here to yonder place, and it will move; and nothing will be impossible to you.”  Matt. 17:20.  Mark quoted Jesus saying:   “  He who believes [who adheres to and trusts in and relies on the Gospel and Him Whom it sets forth] and is baptized will be saved [[a] from the penalty of eternal death]; but he who does not believe [who does not adhere to and trust in and rely on the Gospel and Him Whom it sets forth] will be condemned.  17 And these attesting signs will accompany those who believe: in My name they will drive out demons; they will speak in new languages;  18 They will pick up serpents; and [even] if they drink anything deadly, it will not hurt them; they will lay their hands on the sick, and they will get well.”

So the Gifts of the Spirit are readily available to the faithful (those full of faith.)  These are found written by Paul: “ And we are setting these truths forth in words not taught by human wisdom but taught by the [Holy] Spirit, combining and interpreting spiritual truths with spiritual language [to those who possess the Holy Spirit].  14 But the natural, nonspiritual man does not accept or welcome or admit into his heart the gifts and teachings and revelations of the Spirit of God, for they are folly (meaningless nonsense) to him; and he is incapable of knowing them [of progressively recognizing, understanding, and becoming better acquainted with them] because they are spiritually discerned and estimated and appreciated.  15 But the spiritual man tries all things [he [a] examines, investigates, inquires into, questions, and discerns all things], yet is himself to be put on trial and judged by no one [he can read the meaning of everything, but no one can properly discern or appraise or get an insight into him].”

Now a gift is received and can be given but it does not mean that a ministry has been confirmed.  But ministries are usually supported and effective due to the Holy Spirit flowing through the vessel in a continual special gifting that becomes a continuous flow of the Holy Spirit ministering supernaturally.  In the Early Church the Word of God was always followed with signs following indicating God’s approval and HIS great love for folks who are hurting and have the faith to receive healing.

Usually heart faith and the fruit of the Holy Spirit are a results of finding and believing the precious promises of God from the Heart.  That is how we get saved and start on the Jesus Walk.  Rom. 19:9-10.  Our Creator’s ultimate goal is to give us the grace to become like Jesus, if we want to.  But HE never violates our free will.  We have the right to choose the Light or Darkness.

Yours, in HIS great love and wonderful grace and mercy,   Ken<>< www.Trinity-Aloha.org

(On our Home Page you will find the link “WORTH CONSIDERING” for the past issues.)

There is but one Church of Christ Jesus on earth.
And all who Truly Love & Obey HIM are members.

GIFTS & OFFERINGS

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ALOHA FAMILY & FRIENDS,  Beloved of God and me….   John 3:16-18

GIFTS & OFFERINGS    “WORTH CONSIDERING”   3/23/20    
     
Today’s Scripture.  (In my e-mails this morning from a Texas mega Church.)
“…Bring all the tithe into the storehouse…and try Me now in this,” says the LORD of hosts, “if I will not open for you the windows of heaven and pour out for you such blessing that there will not be room enough to receive it…”  (Malachi 3:10, NKJV)

When You Have “the Blessing”
When you honor God with your life, He puts a blessing on you that gives you an advantage. Today’s Scripture doesn’t say “blessings,” plural; it says “blessing,” singular. When you have “the blessing,” all kinds of blessings will come. It causes you to rise up when circumstances are pushing you down and to prosper when others are struggling. It’s not just because of your skill, talent, and determination. There is a force behind you that is fighting your battles, bringing the right people into your life, opening doors you can’t open.

Don’t discount yourself. David went out with a slingshot and a few stones and defeated Goliath. What you have may seem small compared to what you’re up against, but a slingshot with the blessing is more powerful than a tank without it. Your talent may seem small compared to the dream God put in your heart, but that talent with the blessing will take you further than you can imagine.

A Prayer for Today
“Father, thank You for the blessing on my life, thank You for breathing in my direction, thank You for taking me where I couldn’t go on my own. Thank You that You have levels that I’ve never fathomed. I believe I haven’t touched the surface of what’s in store. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.”

Ken’s Thoughts,
When I receive a note like this I have mixed feeling.  When an Old Testament scripture is applied like it belongs in the New Testament without New Testament validation it makes folks feel under the LAW.   Paul teaches it this way: “But now we are delivered from the law, that being dead wherein we were held; that we should serve in newness of spirit, and not in the oldness of the letter.” Rom. 7:6.  And in Hebrews it is like this: “For the law made nothing perfect, but the bringing in of a better hope did; by the which we draw nigh unto God.”Heb.7:19.  “For this is the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel after those days, saith the Lord; I will put my laws into their mind, and write them in their hearts: and I will be to them a God, and they shall be to me a people:” Heb.8:10.   “For the law having a shadow of good things to come, and not the very image of the things, can never with those sacrifices which they offered year by year continually make the comers thereunto perfect.” Heb 10:1.   

So the Tithe was an Old Testament Law of not only 10% but additional percentages as well but under the LAW it was difficult to teach the blessing of giving.  And it gave the impression that what remained was personal ownership and the owner had freedom to do with it as they wanted.

In the New Testament the Elect are taught that we are to submit 100% of who we are and what we have the Christ Jesus as LORD and to be guided by the HOLY SPIRIT as to what we are to do with GOD’S blessing of not only our lives but our substance as well.  We have been purchased with the precious blood of Christ Jesus and are bound to HIM for eternity.  Our life is no longer our own to do with as we will.  Paul teaches giving in this way: “[Remember] this: he who sows sparingly and grudgingly will also reap sparingly and grudgingly, and he who sows generously [[a]that blessings may come to someone] will also reap generously and with blessings.  7 Let each one [give] as he has made up his own mind and purposed in his heart, not reluctantly or sorrowfully or under compulsion, for God loves (He [b] takes pleasure in, prizes above other things, and is unwilling to abandon or to do without) a cheerful ( joyous, “prompt to do it”) giver [whose heart is in his giving].  8 And God is able to make all grace (every favor and [c] earthly blessing) come to you in abundance, so that you may always and under all circumstances and whatever the need [d] be self-sufficient [possessing enough to require no aid or support and furnished in abundance for every good work and charitable donation].

So in my understanding of the New Testament, that the law never worked, it only told the folks what sin was but it did not help them through love to avoid it.  In fact their vain traditions made the Word of God, ineffective.  So today if you think you are a Christian and do not have a heart of compassion for the lost to share God’s love in HIS redemption by word, thought and deed I would be very concerned about your salvation.  If you think by giving 10% you have done your duty to God ,  you really don’t understand the New Testament Will of Christ Jesus.  Before your life is over you would be well advised to deep read John, Acts, Romans, Hebrews and Jude again for meaning.  You can not go by what you have been taught from the pulpit.  The different denomination will all say they are the right one.   But if you read John 17 concerning the Lord’s Prayer concerning Unity then none of them truly measure up.  And if there is no power in the Holy Spirit for helping folks,  Paul tell us to go someplace else in 2 Tim 3.  It really upsets me to go to a so called church and be shaken down financially by the use of the Old Testament when we are taught in the Book of Hebrews: “By this the Holy Spirit points out that the way into the [true Holy of] Holies is not yet thrown open as long as the former [the outer portion of the] (LAW) tabernacle remains a recognized institution and is still standing,  9 Seeing that that first [outer portion of the] tabernacle was a parable (a visible symbol or type or picture of the present age). In it gifts and sacrifices are offered, and yet are incapable of perfecting the conscience or of cleansing and renewing the inner man of the worshiper.  10 For [the ceremonies] deal only with clean and unclean meats and drinks and different washings, [mere] external rules and regulations for the body imposed to tide the worshipers over until the time of setting things straight [of reformation, of the complete new order when Christ, the Messiah, shall establish the reality of what these things foreshadow—a better covenant ].

So now, in Christ Jesus we are living in that time of the New Order of Heart Change for those who want to come into humility and obedience from the heart to be joined with God’s family.  We are no longer under external laws but by the Holy Spirit are being changed to be like Jesus.

Yours, in HIS great love and wonderful grace and mercy, Ken<><   www.Trinity-Aloha.org

There is but one true Church of Christ Jesus.
All who truly Love & Obey HIM are members.

ETERNAL VISION

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ALOHA FAMILY AND FRIENDS,  Beloved of God and me,   John 3:16-18

ETERNAL  VISION   “WORTH CONSIDERING”  3/20/20   by Ken Smith

Today’s Scripture (Across my emails this morning.)
“The things which are impossible with men are possible with God.”  (Luke 18:27, NKJV)

Give Birth to What God Put in You
Psalm 7 says the ungodly “are pregnant with trouble and give birth to lies.” The good news is, that’s not you. You are the righteous. You’re not pregnant with trouble, with bad breaks, sickness, lack, or depression. You are pregnant with favor, with talent, with victory. All through the day, keep saying, “Lord, thank You that I’m pregnant with Your promises. I believe conception has occurred.” Perhaps your dream looks impossible. It’s been a long time, you gave it your best effort, and it didn’t work out; but deep down, you can’t help it—something keeps kicking, telling you that it’s still on the way. In God’s perfect timing, when everything is ready, you’re going to give birth.

Quit telling yourself that you can never get ahead, that you don’t have enough of this, enough of that. You are pregnant with success, pregnant with ideas, pregnant with your destiny. You’re going to give birth to what God put in you.

A Prayer for Today
“Father, thank You that I can put away any worries and discouragements. Thank You that in Your perfect timing, when everything is ready, even what looks to be impossible will be possible with You. I believe that what You’ve started in my life You will finish. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.”

Ken’s Thoughts:
It has always been my understanding that some of the gifting we have comes at conception with the creation of our eternal soul.  Good stuff and bad stuff can also come from our family generations before us.  Sometimes, through faith we need to sever the bad stuff.  And some times even need a healing with something. 

But then when we are conceived and birthed we become our own best or worst by the free will we have been given.  So we can spend our allotted time on earth either destructive or creative, it is up to us.  And it does not matter at all what our early family situation is whether rich or poor.   Joseph is a great story in the Bible about this.  Joseph was especially loved by his father which meant special treatment for him.  Seems there might have been a serious obedient factor in the relationship.  When my kids were obedient I would bless them.    So seems he had good character development but then was special.  It is a great story to really absorb as Joseph’s gifts and ministries float to the surface in spite of really negative situations.  And in the end he ends up saving his whole family from starvation.  And all that in spite of being sold into slavery,   And also being cast into prison due to a false witness.  So the story shows how that as Joseph did not allow his circumstances to control his gifts and abilities he was, by God’s Grace, able to make good out of the evil that had come upon him.   So it seems Joseph never allowed bitterness to obsess and change his life style.  So being free of those threads he could not be broken and destroyed by his jealous brothers.  And was available to receive God’s blessings which are reserved for the obedient.

The Holy Bible also teaches us that for a lack of vision the people perish.  And by the great and precious promises we are made to be partakers of God’s Divine nature.   So what are the great and precious promises.  And what is it that help change us into being made in the Image and Likeness of God?  That is God’s vision for us if we agree,

Jesus said something that challenged me when I became a Christian in 1955 in Long Beach.  And I would like you to take these scriptures and really ponder and eat them and place them in your heart of hearts.  They have been a real source of change for me over the years.  You might call them a life verse.  John 12:24-26 AMP     I also added 27-28 for context as we see that it was not at all easy for Jesus to do.   But HE was set on a vision and purpose, how about you?  Is your purpose earthly & temporal or eternal with God?  Jesus gives us a very positive example here.  He obviously had the long view eternal vision that we need to have to change into HIS light speed.

24 I assure you, most solemnly I tell you, Unless a grain of wheat falls into the earth and dies, it remains [just one grain; it never becomes more but lives] by itself alone. But if it dies, it produces many others and yields a rich harvest.  25 Anyone who loves his life loses it, but anyone who hates his life in this world will keep it to life eternal. [Whoever has no love for, no concern for, no regard for his life here on earth, but despises it, preserves his life forever and ever.]   26 If anyone serves Me, he must continue to follow Me [[a]to cleave steadfastly to Me, conform wholly to My example in living and, if need be, in dying] and wherever I am, there will My servant be also. If anyone serves Me, the Father will honor him.  27 Now My soul is troubled and distressed, and what shall I say? Father, save Me from this hour [of trial and agony]? But it was for this very purpose that I have come to this hour [that I might undergo it].  28 [Rather, I will say,] Father, glorify (honor and extol) Your [own] name! Then there came a voice out of heaven saying, I have already glorified it, and I will glorify it again.

Be Blessed in your day,  
Yours in HIS great love and wonderful grace and mercy,   Ken<><
(Past issues of “Worth Considering” are a link on our homepage
www.Trinity-Aloha.org)

.There is but one Church of Christ Jesus (John 17)
All who truly Love & Obey HIM are members.
   



WORLD NEWS IN BRIEF,    worthybrief@worthynetwork.com

VOICE OF GOD

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ALOHA FAMILY & FRIENDS,  Beloved of God,   John 3:16-18

VOICE OF GOD     “WORTH CONSIDERING”     3/19/20   by Ken Smith

Today’s Scripture    (Across my desk this morning.)
“…The LORD will make you the head, not the tail……”  (Deuteronomy 28:13, NIV)

Take Off Any Negative Label
People constantly put labels on us, telling us what we can and cannot become, what we do or don’t have. People will label you “not good enough, too slow, addict, average.” Many times, these labels are not in agreement with what God says about us; but if we don’t know any better, we’ll wear them like they’re the truth. If we keep them on long enough, they’ll become so ingrained in our thinking that we’ll become what people have said rather than what God has said—“you are strong, talented, valuable, more than a conqueror.”

Are there labels holding you back today? The only power a label has over you is the power you give it. If you remove it, quit thinking about it, quit acting like it’s the truth, that label will have no effect on you. If you’re going to rise to the next level, you have to put on God labels. To live better, you need to think better.

A Prayer for Today
“Father, thank You that I do not have to live according to what others have said I can and cannot become. Thank You that the negative labels they have placed on me hold no power over my destiny. I declare that You alone determine my destiny. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.”

Ken’s Thoughts,
Much care must be taken with this concept so that we really know for sure that the voice of God
in love, humility and obedience is what we are hearing.

Abraham was so sure of God voice that he was willing to offer up his only son.

Moses was so sure of God’s voice that he turned down being the Pharaoh of Egypt.

Joshua was so sure of God’s voice that he made his way around mocking Jericho 7 times.

So read chapter 11 of Hebrews, a whole chapter on the effects of the real faith of Biblical Saints.

So it does take time to learn to hear the voice of God above our own thoughts, the thoughts of others and the counterfeit voices of demons.  When I got the controls after signing up for the internet, the control for the TV seemed to have about 2,000 possibilities.  Tried it out a few times and have not been back now for over a year to try to figure it all out.  So how do we tell God’s Voice and HIS Truth from all of the lies that we are buried in each day.  We get to know the fiction by learning to know the Truth.  Christ Jesus said that we would come to know the Truth and that the Truth would set us free.

I was talking to a good friend the other day whose truth is rather unpredictable and emotional.  It seems that his truth was what he feels it should be.   But he has no use for reading nor listening to the Holy Scriptures for himself.  So he has become a collection of the many church sermons and Bible studies that he has attended..   Many of us have grown up that same way and never really taken the New Testament and dissected it for ourselves.  Let me pass along some of the scriptures on the subject.   In Eph. 4:11-16 we find these concerns:  11 And His gifts were [varied; He Himself appointed and gave men to us] some to be apostles (special messengers), some prophets (inspired preachers and expounders), some evangelists (preachers of the Gospel, traveling missionaries), some pastors (shepherds of His flock) and teachers.  12 His intention was the perfecting and the full equipping of the saints (His consecrated people), [that they should do] the work of ministering toward building up Christ’s body (the church),  13 [That it might develop] until we all attain oneness in the faith and in the comprehension of the [[a]full and accurate] knowledge of the Son of God, that [we might arrive] at really mature manhood (the completeness of personality which is nothing less than the standard height of Christ’s own perfection), the measure of the stature of the fullness of the Christ and the completeness found in Him.   14 So then, we may no longer be children, tossed [like ships] to and fro between chance gusts of teaching and wavering with every changing wind of doctrine, [the prey of] the cunning and cleverness of [b] unscrupulous men, [gamblers engaged] in every shifting form of trickery in inventing errors to mislead.  15 Rather, let our lives lovingly [c]express truth [in all things, speaking truly, dealing truly, living truly]. Enfolded in love, let us grow up in every way and in all things into Him Who is the Head, [even] Christ (the Messiah, the Anointed One).  16 For because of Him the whole body (the church, in all its various parts), closely joined and firmly knit together by the joints and ligaments with which it is supplied, when each part [with power adapted to its need] is working properly [in all its functions], grows to full maturity, building itself up in love.

In Tim. 3:1-8 we find this same message, again by Paul, but with more prophetic details for today.

In Jude 10-13 we find these words:  But these men revile (scoff and sneer at) anything they do not happen to be acquainted with and do not understand; and whatever they do understand physically [that which they know by mere instinct], like irrational beasts—by these they corrupt themselves and are destroyed (perish).  11 Woe to them! For they have run riotously in the way of Cain, and have abandoned themselves for the sake of gain [it offers them, following] the error of Balaam, and have perished in rebellion [like that] of Korah!  12 These are hidden reefs (elements of danger) in your love feasts, where they boldly feast sumptuously [carousing together in your midst], without scruples providing for themselves [alone]. They are clouds without water, swept along by the winds; trees, without fruit at the late autumn gathering time—twice (doubly) dead, [lifeless and] plucked up by the roots;  13 Wild waves of the sea, flinging up the foam of their own shame and disgrace; wandering stars, for whom the gloom of eternal darkness has been reserved forever.  So the only true source of clean Holy Truth can only be confirmed by your Holy Bible on a personal basis.  And this is how we can be assured that we are hearing the voice of God.

Yours, In His great love and wonderful grace and mercy, Ken<><    www.Trinity-Aloha.org

There is but one Church of Christ Jesus,
All who truly Love & Obey HIM are members.

PURITY OF HEART

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ALOHA FAMILY & FRIENDS,  Beloved of God and me….    John 3:16-18

PURITY,    “WORTH CONSIDERING”   3/18/20   By Ken Smith

 Today’s Scripture   (Across my emails today.)
“Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God.” (Matthew 5:8, NIV)

Be Pure in Heart
When Jesus said “pure in heart,” the word pure in the original language is where we get our word catharsis, which means “cleansing, releasing, purifying.” After surgery, the doctor may put in a catheter, which is from the same root word. It’s a tube that drains out the impurities in the body—the infection, the toxins, the waste. The doctor knows that these contaminates will come naturally. He’s not alarmed unless they’re not released and flushed out.

God is saying that you’re going to be blessed when you learn to release the impurities of life, emptying out all the things that will infect you. Bitterness, guilt, worry, doubt, and self-pity are impurities that will come, but you have to let them go and flush them out or they will contaminate your spirit and poison you. But they can’t hurt you if they just pass through. If you let them go, God will fill your life with good things.

A Prayer for Today
“Father, thank You that I can have a pure heart today. Thank You that I can release any worries, any doubts, any guilt, and bitterness, and flush them out of my life. Help me to forgive whatever needs forgiving and let go of the past. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.”

Notes by Ken,
Of all of the battles that I have fought, for me, this was/is a tough one to win.  Regardless of what I watch, read or hear seems to be full of immorality,   Some young unmarried couples at Costco in the safe 100 yard Virus line +/- needed to go find a room or become converted.  Unclean is now everywhere in our world in everything to try to sell it.  Even our schools have very explicate sex education prior to the time when it is needed or even considered by kids as a question.

As you may know, Temptation in it’s self is not sin.   Jesus was tempted in all point as we are, yet without sin.  It is only after temptation has conceived and is allowed to become an oppression, obsession or possession that it becomes a sin.  Usually temptation is easily defeated if we just are firm in no.  Of course if you get into talking with it or dancing with it you can also easily miss the Victory that our Creator has also given us.  Lust  when it conceives bring separation from GOD just as it did with Adam.  All of a sudden, Adam knew he was necked and spiritually dead.  Read John 3.  And so we were all born spiritually dead and we all became obedient to the lusts of the flesh, lust of the eyes and pride of life.  The N.T. teaches that in Adam we all died but in Christ Jesus we shall be made alive, (having God’s kind of life.)  So it took no time at all from our birth to find our comfort zone in and with the things of this world.  Roman 7 & 8 covers this very well.  This then tells us to get sanctified or made holy.  Some believe that  this happen when we become a Christian by making Christ Jesus Savior and Lord.  Personally I have come to see that our conversion is only the 1st step in our gaining God’s favor and the beginning of the process of being Saved.  That once the foundation is laid with Christ Jesus as LORD  that then have the time to build on our eternal house that we will find waiting for us in the resurrection if we endure to the end.”  Of course this is only made possible by tapping into the promises of God.  In fact the Bible tells us very clearly that it is in believing the Great and Precious Promises of God that we get to assimilate the character of God.  The heavenly father’s original vision was to make us into HIS image and likeness.  And Christ Jesus was/is the 1st to be born in HIS image and likeness. That Jesus came as a human, son of man, to show us the way to HIS eternal kingdom and that it can be done through HIM, that He will help us,   if we really  want to live with HIM as HE would love to live with us.

As for all the fear running around today about the virus.  Kenneth Copland had this to say about it:   “Fear is faith. It is faith in death, in the coronavirus: in its ability to hurt or kill us,”  The Bible teaches that we shouldn’t  fear.  That your job is not your source; Jesus is.  As far as obeying the government’s orders to quarantine, Copeland says we need to follow them.  “What did Jesus say? He put Caesar first, Render unto Caesar what belongs to Caesar.” We have a good president, he has a good staff, and we follow their lead. Faith people obey the law. ” So just relax, and watch your heart faith victory happen. If you get quarantined at home, go home and take a rest. Get out your Scriptures.”  Copeland says we need to be confident in our belief  that God is in control and will protect us.  “Fear tolerated is faith contaminated,” Copeland says. “If I’m going to tolerate that fear, like ‘I get sick or laid off, what if I get this thing?’— so you spending time thinking about the problem, it is not the answer.    If you’re born again, find a deep heart faith in God, and walk it out.  ( Look for the Scriptures on Health and Healing in the “Keys To The Kingdom” link on our home page.) 

Yours, in HIS great Love and Wonderful grace and mercy, Ken<><   www.Trinity-Aloha.org

 There is but one Church of Christ Jesus,
All who truly Love & Obey HIM are members.

WORDS

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ALOHA FAMILY & FRIENDS,  Beloved of God and me,   John 3:16

WORDS     “WORTH CONSIDERING”    3/17/20   by Ken Smith

Today’s Scripture   (In my email this morning.)
“…You are snared by the words of your mouth; you are taken by the words of your mouth…”
(Proverbs 6:2, NKJV)

Don’t Be Snared by Your Words
To be snared means “to be trapped.” Your words can trap you. What you say can cause you to stumble and keep you from your potential. You’re not snared by what you think. Negative thoughts come to us all. But when you speak them out, you give them life. If you say, “I’ll never get back in shape,” it becomes more difficult. If you say, “I’m not that talented. I don’t have a good personality,” that is calling in mediocrity. It’s setting the limits for your life. When negative thoughts come, the key is to never verbalize them. That thought will die stillborn if you don’t speak it.  In the tough times, it’s very tempting to vent your frustrations. When you continually talk about the problem, you’re making it bigger. Turn it around and talk about the promise. Let your report be: “God is supplying all my needs. It may look impossible on paper, but with God, all things are possible.”

A Prayer for Today
“Father, thank You that I do not have to keep being snared by the words of my mouth. I choose to not focus on or talk about negative circumstances and problems but on Your faithful promises. Help me to keep speaking the right things. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.”

Ken’s Thoughts:
So much in the Bible concerned about what we say.  In the Amplified 142 verses mentions our tongue.  One that is very profound is found in Proverbs 18:20-23, “A man’s [moral] self shall be filled with the fruit of his mouth; and with the consequence of his words he must be satisfied [whether good or evil].  21 Death and life are in the power of the tongue, and they who indulge in it shall eat the fruit of it [for death or life].  22 He who finds a [true] wife finds a good thing and obtains favor from the Lord

A wise man scales the city walls of the mighty and brings down the stronghold in which they trust.  23 He who guards his mouth and his tongue keeps himself from troubles. 24 The proud and haughty man—Scoffer is his name—deals and acts with overbearing pride.  Prov.21:23

Of course in the New Testament James (a son of Mary and Joseph) had a lot to teach us about our words:   “Not many [of you] should become teachers (self-constituted censors and reprovers of others), my brethren, for you know that we [teachers] will be judged by a higher standard and with greater severity [than other people; thus we assume the greater accountability and the more condemnation]. For we all often stumble and fall and offend in many things. And if anyone does not offend in speech [never says the wrong things], he is a fully developed character and a perfect man, able to control his whole body and to curb his entire nature. If we set bits in the horses’ mouths to make them obey us, we can turn their whole bodies about”. …James 3

Another O.T. Scripture that includes what we say is very applicable:   “These six things the Lord hates, indeed, seven are an abomination to Him:  17 A proud look [the spirit that makes one overestimate himself and underestimate others], a lying tongue, and hands that shed innocent blood,  18 A heart that manufactures wicked thoughts and plans, feet that are swift in running to evil,  19 A false witness who breathes out lies [even under oath], and he who sows discord among his brethren.  20 My son, keep your father’s [God-given] commandment and forsake not the law of [God] your mother [taught you]  21 Bind them continually upon your heart and tie them about your neck.  22 When you go, they [the words of your parents’ God] shall lead you; when you sleep, they shall keep you; and when you waken, they shall talk with you.  23 For the commandment is a lamp, and the whole teaching [of the law] is light, and reproofs of discipline are the way of life,

This verse always reminds me of a humorous joke I heard long ago.  In a very vocal Southern Church the Preacher was having a good time reminding his congregation of the Holiness of God and HIS Commandments.  And as he was going through the big 10 there was a section of matronly church women on the front pew supporting him, very loudly with “Amen’s & Praise the Lords and such.”  Then he got into the 7th of the deadly sins and was doing just fine till the last one.  At that point one lady leaned over to the other and said, “He’s done preaching now and gone to meddling.”  We often try to make our negative remarks look somewhat spiritual, a little sugar on the poison.  In both 1979 and 2001, slander destroyed two really beautiful ministries that I know about.  One has been restored but the damage done by the words and the discord of gossip was profound.

On the positive side:  3 O magnify the Lord with me, and let us exalt His name together.
4 I sought (inquired of) the Lord and required Him [of necessity and on the authority of His Word], and He heard me, and delivered me from all my fears.  5 They looked to Him and were radiant; their faces shall never blush for shame or be confused.   Psalm 34:3-5

Then they cry unto the Lord in their trouble, and he saveth them out of their distresses.  20 He sent his word, and healed them, and delivered them from their destruction.  21 Oh that men would praise the Lord for his goodness, and for his wonderful works to the children of men!  Psalm 107:19-21    With my whole heart have I sought thee: O let me not wander from thy commandments.  11 Thy word have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against thee.  12 Blessed art thou, O Lord: teach me thy statutes.  Psalm 199:10-12   Through thy precepts I get understanding: therefore I hate every false way.  105 Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path.  106 I have sworn, and I will perform it, that I will keep thy righteous judgments. Psalm 119:104-106    Notice the humility…… the quest for obedience.  This is Christian….  It is no wonder that God deeply loved David.

This was one of the initial memory verses in the Navigator Pack that I memorized when I became a Christian in 1955.  goto:   Navigators USA on google.  Exceptional foundations for a new Christian.

Yours, in HIS great love and wonderful grace and mercy,   Ken<><   www.Trinity-Aloha.org

There is but one Church of Christ Jesus,
All who truly Love & Obey HIM are members.