Strength in Jesus

Prayer to JESUS
Where do you wish
to take this heart of mine
that has YOU in it?

I'm just beginning to know Jesus.

Since I became a born-again Christian nearly 11 months ago, I'm beginning to know the LORD.

He has showed up in my dreams at least several times, decades ago.

In those dreams, He was the golden light filling the doorway, the Jesus in place of the emerald tabernacle at my favorite church, the landlord, and the path that I have "walked before".

Strange that last one.

I still haven't decoded that first dream.

But I think He had been keeping an eye on me, and once, I saw the LORD in my dream, His hands outstretched by his sides, looking at me, saying nothing.

But He also showed me how it was to be for me in another dream, where precariously narrow steps led up to a second-floor doorway, filled with golden light.

Those steps were so narrow, you can only put one foot in front of the other, one at a time, with the steps cantilevered from the wall.

Try imagining that as you go up the stairs.

There was only the wall to the left, with the white dove painted on it, the narrow, wooden steps attached to the wall, and that doorway filled with light.

There was no railing for support.

That dream was decades ago, and true enough, my life reflected all the challenges that came with those almost impossible stairs.

The Lord also showed me many dreams and images of what is to happen, what is happening, and my role in it.

How do I know these things were of Christ?

Well, I had not bought into the world, thus, the many challenges.

19 If ye were of the world, 

the world would love his own: 

but because ye are not of the world, 

but I have chosen you out of the world, 

therefore the world hateth you.

John 15:19 

King James Version

Fortunately, my father taught me well, how not to sell out, how to endure, how to have fortitude.

Of course, God chose my parents, for they will be teaching me as I grew up.

Every circumstance of my life was perfectly-designed by God, for teaching, learning, wisdom, and correction.

He also knew I had a cheerful heart.

I taught myself to look at the brighter, funnier side of life when things looked bleak.

Perhaps, that's His God gene in me.

Of course, that gene got more pronounced as I got older, most especially when I became a born-again Christian in the fall of last year.

I just wish I turned to Him when I was in pain during my earlier years, not knowing where to turn to.

In those days, I had no idea.

No one told me the beautiful things about God, that I finally learned through the Holy Spirit in September 2019.

God waits for us to go to Him for our pain. 

Only God can cure our pain, for it is not just pain of the body, the heart, the mind, but also the soul, and the spirit.

That's what God does.

He allows suffering, so your soul will wake up.

He doesn't enjoy that we suffer.

There is no vindictive bone in God's body.

24 God is a Spirit: 

and they that worship him 

must worship him in spirit 

and in truth.

John 4:24 

King James Version

It is our ignorance and stubbornness that gets us into trouble.

And when you finally embrace Christ in full, as born again, prepare yourself for God's TRUTH, through the Holy Spirit.

Would I live my life all over again, the same way, knowing what I know now?

Is there any other life that would have taught me so much, so long, and so lasting?

Is there any other life that has tested the mettle of my spirit, and my love and devotion to God, my family, and my work, despite my many imperfections and errors?

This is the life I was given.

I take it.

I accept it.

I thank God for it.

It is a beautiful life created for God.

May I live up to His expectations.

He created me, as He created you -- in Their image and likeness.

God doesn't make mistakes.

We do.

And yet, in His divine mercy, He sent us His SON Jesus, He sent us the Holy SPIRIT to teach us, and He's always there for us.

I believe all that to be true.

The WORD of God -- Scripture -- tells me so.

And the dreams and images He gave me, told me so, too.

I feel the love, and the protection.

One day, I'll be able to tell you more.

For now, I live the life I'm given, I follow the path of Jesus, I listen to the Holy Spirit, and I love God even more.

How can this life be anything but beautiful!

Updated 21 January 2022

God Knows the Secrets of Your Heart

12 Then said he unto me, 

Fear not, Daniel: 

for from the first day 

that thou didst set thine heart to understand, 

and to chasten thyself before thy God, 

thy words were heard, 

and I am come for thy words.

Daniel 10:12 

King James Version

How interesting that I found this verse today, from a Chuck Missler video I started listening to.

"...for from the first day that thou didst set thine heart to understand, and to chasten thyself before thy God, thy words were heard,"

That was exactly what I had been doing for a long time -- I've set my heart to know EVERYTHING about God, and in the process, I got to know Jesus more, and I am being instructed by the Holy Spirit each day, or after each prayer.

I am living testimony that God hears our prayers.

Through faith, patience, and perseverance -- and always paying attention, and listening to the "voice" of God -- we are finally heard, and answered.

Some days, the answers are instant.

Other days, even before I've finished a prayer, the answer's already there.

Oftentimes, the answers come in a dream, and I'm supposed to piece it all together.

It didn't all come together until God made me born again last year.

Only then did I began to understand the Triune God:

God, the FATHER,
God, the SON, and 
God, the HOLY SPIRIT.

In the asking, was the giving.

7 Ask, and it shall be given you; 

seek, and ye shall find; 

knock, and it shall be opened unto you:

8 For every one that asketh receiveth; 

and he that seeketh findeth; 

and to him that knocketh it shall be opened.

Matthew 7:7-8 (KJV)

God knew my heart, all the contents, the quality, or the lack of it.

But He saw the real desire to know Him, and I'm grateful Jesus -- through the Holy Spirit -- finally made things clear for me.

Now, I'm able to understand the Bible, letting it speak to me each time.

I honestly believe all you have to do to reach God, is to pray to Him however you know how.

Become childlike, and trusting in God.

Make time to listen.

God likes that very much!

Updated 21 January 2022

How God Wishes to be Loved

Exodus 20:1-5

King James Version

20 And God spake all these words, saying,

2 I am the Lord thy God, 

which have brought thee out of the land of Egypt, 

out of the house of bondage.

3 Thou shalt have no other gods before me.

4 Thou shalt not make unto thee any graven image, 

or any likeness of any thing that is in heaven above, 

or that is in the earth beneath, 

or that is in the water under the earth.

5 Thou shalt not bow down thyself to them, 

nor serve them: 

for I the Lord thy God am a jealous God, 

visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children 

unto the third and fourth generation 

of them that hate me;

How does one love God?

Well, let the CREATOR tell you how He wishes to be loved.

By having no other God, but Him.

On, and on, the Bible -- the WORD of God -- speaks of this commandment.

And yet, faithless, disloyal humanity have created "graven" images, in metal, wood, and even adored other humans, institutions, objects, rituals, and nature, in place of the LORD.

"Thou shalt have no other gods before me." was God's FIRST commandment.

It was not by accident.

EVERYTHING is by God's DESIGN.

Is man being foolish, foolhardy, and stubborn, in defying God?

Is he under the control of the enemy?

Or does he, too, wish to rule the world?

Possibly correct on all counts, if history and current-day reality be judged.

We have looked to everything for our supply, but God.

We have idolized money (mammon), and other humans, except God.

How God hates idolatry!

How can we profess to love God above all, when we are still idolizing objects, and humans?

We only need to look at the beautiful simplicity of JESUS, to know how to love the Father.

Jesus showed us the WAY.

His very life, His obedience, His sacrifice, are all testaments to His love for His FATHER.

The Son of God showed us how to love, worship, and pray to the Father.

Why is it so difficult?

Everything has been laid down in SCRIPTURE.

We only have to open our hearts to the Lord, ask for forgiveness, and get back on track -- just as Jesus showed us how.

What's stopping us from really loving God?

Why do people turn to idols, when Jesus already told us:  

John 4:24 

King James Verion

24 God is a Spirit: 

and they that worship him 

must worship him in spirit and in truth.

Even a child knows how to love God more.

A child loves simply, wonderfully, and trustingly.

Humans continue to defy God, not remembering that without God, we all wouldn't be here.

We get angry at God when He corrects us, through the lessons we learn in life.

Well, if we learned our lessons, perhaps, another painful lesson won't be forthcoming.

And perhaps, if we are grateful and repentant, God would like kindly upon our beleaguered souls.

God was angry when the people built a golden calf, and He told Moses: 

Exodus 32:10 

King James Verions

10 Now therefore let me alone, 

that my wrath may wax hot against them, 

and that I may consume them: 

and I will make of thee a great nation.

But Moses appealed to God, to spare His people, and sought to see their corruption himself. 

And this is what Moses witnessed:

Exodus 32:19-21 

King James Version

19 And it came to pass, 

as soon as he came nigh unto the camp, 

that he saw the calf, 

and the dancing: 

and Moses' anger waxed hot, 

and he cast the tables out of his hands, 

and brake them beneath the mount.

20 And he took the calf which they had made, 

and burnt it in the fire, 

and ground it to powder, 

and strawed it upon the water, 

and made the children of Israel drink of it.

21 And Moses said unto Aaron, 

What did this people unto thee, 

that thou hast brought so great a sin upon them?

Now, Moses knew God's anger was supremely justified.

But men are men.

We forget easily.

And the world today continues to drown in idolatry.

What can save us now, before it's too late?

Only by the GRACE of God can we all be saved now.

Only by asking God to help us, and correct us, can the Holy SPIRIT of God come to shine His LIGHT upon us.

Only by becoming born again, can we see the kingdom of God.

Only by believing in Jesus, the SON of God, can we have eternal life.

Only by taking to heart the WORD of God -- Scripture -- can we be saved.

Only by being corrected by the Holy SPIRIT of God, can we understand EVERYTHING God wants us to know.

It was only when God made me born again, did I begin to understand how to love God, how to follow Jesus, and how to be taught by the Holy Spirit.

I must have been on the right path on 24 November 2018, when I started this blog you're reading now, wanting to know the "core" of my being.

Well, that CORE, is God.

God has always been the CORE of our being -- each one of us.

How can it not?

God created us all. 

Genesis 1:27 

King James Version

27 So God created man in his own image, 

in the image of God created he him; 

male and female created he them.

How can we not love the CREATOR?

How can we even think of having other gods, when we already HAVE God?

God is justified in His anger at our many erring ways, our faithlessness, our lack of gratitude, and at our evil ways.

After His SON -- the Lamb of God -- died on the cross, taking away our sins, we still continue to defy God.

And yet, God still gives us time to correct our ways.

Jesus taught us how to love the FATHER: 

Matthew 22:37-38 

King James Version

37 Jesus said unto him, 

Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, 

and with all thy soul, 

and with all thy mind.

38 This is the first and great commandment.

There is really no more excuse not to.

Unless our father is the devil, and we are not of God.

By our own actions, we define ourselves.

True born agains can't wait for that day -- the RAPTURE -- hoping their families and friends, would also be part of it.

I love God, above all.

There was never any question about it.

My simple, childlike mind saw wisdom in it.

Loving God is the only way to be happy in this world.

Nothing could ever compare to that.

When man wakes up in his soul, through the HOLY SPIRIT of God, he will finally see the LIGHT of God.

I'm glad to have been awakened on time.

God works with what you have in your heart.

He knows if you TRULY love Him.


All verses from biblegateway.com 

"Flower Magnolia" image from Selma Biro

Updated 9 June 2023

What the World Needs the Most Now

4 The spirit of God hath made me, 

and the breath of the Almighty hath given me life.

Job 33:4 

King James Version

When you have come to know God -- really know Him -- you will never be the same again.

When you are a follower of Jesus, the Son of God, you will love being led back to the FATHER.

And when you start learning from the Holy Spirit of God, you will marvel at the unerring knowledge that can only come from God.

When you reach this point in your life, having done all the "excavation" in your soul, you will experience the peace that can only come from the Holy Spirit -- the "Advocate", the "Teacher of All Things".

You will view the world as it really is, subject to the fallen one.

And yet your heart will be lifted up, knowing what you know about God, taking away all fear and confusion.

Without God, we are nothing.

With God, we have EVERYTHING.

People have forgotten that.

The world has been suffering for a very long time now, because people don't look to God anymore.

They have taken Him out of learning, out of institutions, out of government, out of homes, thinking God isn't needed anymore.

Of course, we all know who is responsible for that.

Anyone who buys into that lie, will never experience true love, success, nor peace.

Only God can give us those.

But the love, success, and peace God gives us, cannot ever be measured in world terms.

There is even no comparison.

Look deeply into your heart, and ask if you are happy, peaceful, and content, especially if you have no money, or even no job that seems to matter to the world.

If you can confidently say you are, then you have found God, for there are only two things in this world: 

24 No man can serve two masters: 

for either he will hate the one, 

and love the other; 

or else he will hold to the one, 

and despise the other. 

Ye cannot serve God and mammon.

Matthew 6:24 (KJV)

Have no fear.

Continue to trust in the LORD.

The Lord knows all, sees all.

It will be by His DIVINE Right Timing that all will become well in this world.

Those who truly love God, are making their stand now.

These will be very interesting times, indeed.

As always, it had always been a battle for the soul.

As God knows me, He knows my stand.

Where do you stand?

May all the work we do, and the life we live, serve God alone.

(Image source: Scott Webb)

Updated 21 January 2022

Chuck Missler's "Hidden Treasures of the Bible"

2 It is the glory of God to conceal a thing: 

but the honour of kings is to search out a matter.

Proverbs 25:2 

King James Version

How much do you know about the Bible?

Join the late Chuck Missler, the Berean-type Christian evangelist, high-tech guy, successful businessman, and lover of God's WORD, as he explores the Bible in many unusual, unexplored ways.

Missler considers the Bible in the following intriguing ways:

-- It is an "Integrated Message System".
-- It was by "deliberate design".
-- It came from a "supernatural source".

Of course, the Bible being a creation of God, that's just the tip of the iceberg, for there's so much more we don't really know, nor pay attention to, about the magnificent Book of God.

The Bible's composed of 66 books (of which I've only read a fraction), had over 40 authors (who didn't know each other, according to Missler), and was gathered over a period of 2,000 years.

Listen closely to the video above, and let Chuck Missler open your heart, and thinking, about the Bible, for if you're equipped with a child-like heart, you will want to know these things anyway.

If you love God, love knowing EVERYTHING about Him, love history, prophecy, and adventure, and how it all relates to science, technology, and present times -- in the unique Missler approach to Bible study -- you will be absorbed by the video, showing how little we really know about the MAJESTY, MAGNIFICENCE, and MAGNANIMITY of God.

We've all been given many gifts by God.

Chuck Missler was given this gift of Biblical, scientific, technological, historical, and prophetic ability to connect things about God and SCRIPTURE.

If you love adventure, precision, organization, and God above all, you will love Missler's probing approach.

As he himself said:

"God always rewards the diligent."

To know more about this amazing mind, read what his friends, family, and colleagues said after he passed on:

Chuck Missler, Father to a Family of Bereans (by Mary Miller Gehl)

Dr. Chuck Missler: A Retrospective (by William P. Welty, Ph.D.)

My Dad (by Lisa Missler Bright)

My Dad (by Meshell Missler)

My Friend (by Brian Hughes)


You may also be interested in Chuck Missler's 32 books.

Updated 21 January 2022

Digging Up the Soul

10 For we are his workmanship, 

created in Christ Jesus unto good works, 

which God hath before ordained 

that we should walk in them.

Ephesians 2:10 

King James Version

With the heart of a tickled, expectant child, I sought out to dig my soul, the core of my being, on 24 November 2018.

I had no idea I was in for a BIG surprise.

All I knew was that I dearly wanted to know everything that I am, whatever it may be.

In the process, digging up one's soul probably exceeds any earthly, archaeological dig, for I truly found the CORE of my being, that which engaged my heart and mind for decades.

As a kid, I'd read most everything I could find at home.

And when my soul sought more, I looked towards libraries, fun psychological "tests" from magazines, even astrology for the day, or listened to older people.

I just knew I was in search of self.

And one day, that day in November 2018, I created this blog you're reading now, intent on the exercise.

What did I find nearly 20 months later?

CHRIST.

I found He was the CORE of my being, the "Way, the Truth, and the Life", that no one comes to the FATHER, except "through Him".

That without Christ, we are nothing.

Sure, Catholicism taught me that the LORD gave up His life, taking on our sins, so we may be saved.

But the IMMENSITY of it didn't really sink in -- until I "conducted" my own self-research, from the depths of my heart and being.

Oh my, what magnificent discoveries showed up!

Such as the ONLY reference for such a search would have to be SCRIPTURE!

When I started reading the Bible in September last year, my whole life radically changed.

I cannot be the "old" me anymore.

I had to be born in Spirit, thus, I chose to become born again on the spot, a day before my birthday last year.

The timing was PERFECT, just as God deemed it for me.

Jesus left us with the Holy Spirit so we may find our way back to Him.

SPIRIT was to be our Teacher and Advocate.

Jesus was not about to leave us bereft of His divine presence.

He knew what our hearts were made of.

We could easily get lost along the way.

CHRIST was our Road Map.

No one could enter the gates of heaven, except through Him, the Son of God.

Everything we are belongs to God.

It only made sense, after my many discoveries through Scripture, that I offer my life back to God, my CREATOR.

Surprise, after surprise, showed up.  

I am living testimony of what it means to seek God.

You end up knowing about CHRIST.

The learning and "connections" are magnificent, leaving you in awe each time.

Like I'm writing this post for you, me, and God today, and yet He opens another layer to it, revealing that EXACTLY a year from the creation of this blog, 22 books on spiritual warfare started streaming forth from my heart.

Of course, God wasn't finished yet.

Two more books, this time just on Jesus, showed up. 

When you work closely with God, intent on only getting things right in your heart about Him, He will ASTOUND you with many blessings, discoveries, and a network of connections that will blow your mind.

No school can teach you that.

No school can teach you about God.

No school can teach you what work you should do.

Only the Holy Spirit of God, the TEACHER of All Things, can teach you what your soul needs to know. 

26 But the Comforter, 

which is the Holy Ghost, 

whom the Father will send in my name, 

he shall teach you all things, 

and bring all things to your remembrance, 

whatsoever I have said unto you.

John 14:26 

King James Version

What happens when you start learning, really really learning?

Well, self falls away.

You lose all pre-occupation with self.

The world is pre-occupied with self, and thus, not with God.

A pre-occupation with self, is a pre-occupation with the world.

When you realize where EVERYTHING comes from, self falls away.

God is all that matters, just as Jesus taught all of us.

If you wish to drink from the "cup of the LORD", you can only sup at His table.

God's Laws are unbending, as it ought to be.

We deviate from that, and it costs us our soul.

God knew my heart when I sought to find my "soil" and "soul".

He knew I was seeking Him.

And, in the seeking, was the FINDING. 

7 Ask, and it shall be given you; 

seek, and ye shall find; 

knock, and it shall be opened unto you:

8 For every one that asketh receiveth; 

and he that seeketh findeth; 

and to him that knocketh it shall be opened.

Matthew 7:7-8 

King James Version

Last of all, seek God with a child-like heart.

That was what I was doing right, too.

Perhaps, it was really the core of my being, anyway.

Looking upon things in a child-like, trusting, playful, adventuresome way.

You know how kids are -- without guile.

They ask the first things on their mind.

That's exactly what God likes.

In your search for God, lay your heart bare (even as He already knows everything about you).

Leave no stone unturned (He knew that about me).

And be persistent, and true to your search.

In the process (for it will be a PROCESS), expect your life to radically change, in ways you cannot imagine now.

But the fact that you're searching, only means you're ready for that radical change.

Gather your gear, which is nothing but your heart, and seek God then!

And may your resolve be so strong, you'll seek Him NOW!

Updated 21 January 2022

In God's World, Nothing is Ever Wasted

17 Therefore if any man be in Christ, 

he is a new creature: 

old things are passed away; 

behold, 

all things are become new.

2 Corinthians 5:17 

King James Version

That sturdy tree, with its strong bark, is like God.

That tiny leaf, amidst the pine needles, is like who we are -- shy, cautious, unsure, tentative, child-like, maybe even wounded.

God is protective of His creation, for He loves us all, enough to send His Son to teach us, to save us, and to give us everlasting life.

Whoever we had been in the past, doesn't really matter much.

What matters most is who we are now, how we have become, especially if we chose to follow Christ.

We are all imperfect beings, subject to sin and error, but what really matters most is if we choose to repent, and become new in the LORD.

43 To him give all the prophets witness, 

that through his name whosoever believeth in him 

shall receive remission of sins.

Acts 10:43 (KJV)

Nearly 10 months ago, I chose to start a new blog, "Prophecy Lessons", as I was teaching myself many things from Scripture.

Night and day, I was being taught by the Holy Spirit, many things about Jesus, for I was intent on knowing all about Him.

Because I moved on, I left this blog you're reading now, thinking it was completely finished, and to be set aside forever, even as it had been the basis and foundation for my personal growth. 

In an email I wrote to a friend today, I wrote, "In God's world, nothing is ever wasted".

And, of course, that very statement -- as many statements that come from my renewed heart -- created a new article, this one you're reading now.

Whoever you were in the past, with all your successes, or failures, those don't really define you.

What defines us all, is if we have given our hearts to the LORD.

Only the Lord would know what to do with what we have in our hearts.

Nothing is ever wasted.

All we have experienced in life, if we allow it to, can build character, not bitterness.

All our pain, our fears, our experiences, lessons learned, the humbling of our hearts -- they all serve God's purpose.

And if we offer our service to Him, as I have, we are used wonderfully, making our hearts sing with joy and excitement, at what the Lord may have us do, in His behalf.

As it was, and has forever been, it was my writing.

Now, I write about the Lord.

Now, I test everything I think, say, and do, with what Jesus said in Scripture.

All we have been, is mere grist for the mill, a necessary sifting of what is important, and what must be set aside.

Obviously, that which is important, must only serve the Lord.

That which must be set aside, is of the world.

And I am doing both, because I chose to follow Jesus, and Jesus alone.

In my desire to know God, I must read the WORD, and follow the WAY, which is both Jesus.

We all have gone through much in life, but like that beautiful image above, you can see a tiny, green leaf, peeking from the hardy, protective tree, which is God.

Such is the way to walk in Christ.

Life may not have been pretty for us, and we may all still be having a difficult time right now, but in God's world, nothing is ever wasted.

God uses what we have in our hearts, who we are, how we have become, and what we wish to accomplish, for His purpose.

The days become more beautiful, when your heart is totally offered to the Lord.

But, as always, you have to experience it for yourself, to know what I speak of.

By the GRACE of God, you will choose to only serve the Lord, and pray He shows you how to follow Him.

In that prayer, watch how God will work in your life!

Thus, this blog must be revived, for it had been my foundation, and invitation, for Christ to come into my life.

Thank you for reading this post!

May you be safe where you are and may you have the peace and happiness that only God can give!

As a welcome gift, enjoy this lovely, soothing music, if you wish!

(All verses from biblegateway.com)

(Image source: Joseph)

21 January 2022