Prayer: We will take communion today..   TheLord tells us to “examine ourselves” when we do this. We will pray for the Lordto help us examine ourselves and we will repent for ourselves and/or ROL forthings that need some straightening up.

1 Cor 11:27 Whereforewhosoever shall eat this bread, and drink this cup of the Lord, unworthily,shall be guilty of the body and blood of the Lord.28 But let a man examine himself, and so let him eat of that bread,and drink of that cup.29 For he that eateth and drinketh unworthily,eateth and drinketh damnation to himself, not discerning the Lord's body.30 Forthis cause many are weak and sickly among you, and many sleep.31 For if we would judge ourselves, weshould not be judged.

{Examine: TEST yourself – approve or disapprove as a result of the“test”}

Pray these passages—both for yourself and for ROL: Ps 139: 23 Search me, O God, and know my heart:try me, and know my thoughts:24 And see if there be any wicked way in me, andlead me in the way everlasting.
Job 13: 23 How many are mine iniquities and sins? make me to know my transgressionand my sin.
Ps 19:12 Who can understand his errors? cleanse thou me from secret faults.
13 Keep back thy servant also from presumptuous sins; let them not havedominion over me: then shall I be upright, and I shall be innocent from thegreat transgression.14 Let the words of my mouth, and the meditation of myheart, be acceptable in thy sight, O LORD, my strength, and my redeemer.

2 Cor 13:5 Examineyourselves, whether ye be in the faith; prove your own selves. Know ye not yourown selves, how that Jesus Christ is in you, except ye be reprobates?
Pray that we all WANT God’s light onour path to make plain to us what is right and wrong in us!
John 3: 19 And this is the condemnation, that light is come into theworld, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil.20For every one that doeth evil hateth the light, neither cometh to the light,lest his deeds should be reproved.21 But he that doeth truth cometh to thelight, that his deeds may be made manifest, that they are wrought in God.Lam 3:40 Let us search and try our ways, and turn again to the LORD.41 Let us lift upour heart with our hands unto God in the heavens.

Sins to consider, to repent of (for yourself or on behalf of allof us)  and forsake:

I Jn 2: 15 Love not the world, neither the things thatare in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not inhim.16 For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of theeyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world.
Rev 2: 4 Nevertheless I have somewhat against thee, because thou hast left thy first love.
5 Remember therefore from whence thou art fallen, and repent, and do the firstworks; or else I will come unto thee quickly, and will remove thycandlestick out of his place, except thou repent.
Rev 3: 1 And unto the angel of the church in Sardis write; These things saithhe that hath the seven Spirits of God, and the seven stars; I know thy works,that thou hast a name that thou livest, and art dead.
2 Be watchful, and strengthen the thingswhich remain, that are ready to die: for I have not found thy works perfectbefore God.3 Remember therefore how thouhast received and heard, and hold fast, and repent. If therefore thou shalt not watch, I will come on theeas a thief, and thou shalt not know what hour I will come upon thee.
Rev 3: 14 And unto the angel of the church of the Laodiceans write; Thesethings saith the Amen, the faithful and true witness, the beginning of thecreation of God;15 I know thy works, that thou art neither cold nor hot: Iwould thou wert cold or hot.16 Sothen because thou art lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will spuethee out of my mouth.17 Because thousayest, I am rich, and increased with goods, and have need of nothing; andknowest not that thou art wretched, and miserable, and poor, and blind, andnaked:18 I counsel thee to buy of me gold tried in the fire, that thou mayestbe rich; and white raiment, that thou mayest be clothed, and that the shame ofthy nakedness do not appear; and anoint thine eyes with eyesalve, that thoumayest see.19 As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten: be zealous therefore,and repent.20 Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear myvoice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and hewith me.

IF YOU THINK OF OTHER THINGS FORYOURSELF AND/OR ROL THAT PROBABLY NEED REPENTING OF, SAY THAT PRAYER TOO.

 

Note: This is not my material, i.e., that I wrote – it is what I put in tonight’s hand out in orderfor us to

1.   Find new praise language when we speak words to the Lordtelling Him how much we appreciate His nature, His ways

2.     Give us new ideas andinspiration for poems, songs , or any other expressions for Him

Ps 7:17 I will give praise to the Lord for his righteousness; I will make a song to the name of the Lord Most High.  

 

“I Call Him Lord”, DottieRambo  (NOTE HOW THE MANY NAMES OF GODARE USED IN THIS SONG)

Master, redeemer, saviorof the world- wonderful counselor, bright morning star, lily of the valley,provider and friend, he was yesterday, he'll be tomorrow, the beginning and theend,

But the Angels called him Jesus,born of a virgin- and little Mary called himJesus, But I call him Lord!

Jehovah, Messiah, Mighty God and King! He's the bread of life, he's the lastingword, of love that I sing- the light in darkness, door to heaven, my home inthe sky, He's the fountain of living water, that never shall run dry!

But the Angels called him Jesus, for he was born of a virgin- And Mary calledhim Jesus, But I call him Lord!

And the Angels called him Yashua, for he was born of a Virgin, and little Marycalled him Yashua, But I call him Lord- The Angels called him Jesus, Oh, Marycalled him Jesus, But I call him Lord- The Angels called him Jesus, born of avirgin, Little Mary called him Jesus, Oh, all of heaven called him Jesus, But Icall him LORD!  Hereis the list I found on   http://www.smilegodlovesyou.org/names.html

"The Name of the Lord is a strong tower;the righteous runs into it and is safe." Pr18:10 ELOHIM......Genesis 1:1, Psalm 19:1 :meaning "God", a reference to God's power and might.                              ADONAI......Malachi 1:6 :meaning "Lord", a reference to the Lordship of God. JEHOVAH--YAHWEH.....Genesis 2:4 :a reference to God's divine salvation. ………………….JEHOVAH-MACCADDESHEM.......Exodus 31:13 :meaning "The Lord thy sanctifier" JEHOVAH-ROHI......Psalm 23:1 :meaning "The Lord my shepherd" JEHOVAH-SHAMMAH.......Ezekiel 48:35 :meaning "The Lord who is present" …………………………..JEHOVAH-RAPHA.........Exodus 15:26 :meaning "The Lord our healer" JEHOVAH-TSIDKENU......Jeremiah 23:6 :meaning "The Lord our righteousness"…………….JEHOVAH-JIREH.........Genesis 22:13-14::meaning "The Lord will provide" JEHOVAH-NISSI.........Exodus 17:15 :meaning "The Lord our banner" JEHOVAH-SHALOM........Judges 6:24 :meaning "The Lord is peace" JEHOVAH-SABBAOTH......Isaiah 6:1-3 :meaning "The Lord of Hosts" JEHOVAH-GMOLAH........Jeremiah 51:6 :meaning "The God of Recompense" …………………………………..EL-ELYON..............Genesis 14:17-20,Isaiah 14:13-14 :meaning "The most high God EL-ROI................Genesis 16:13 :meaning "The strong one who sees" EL-SHADDAI............Genesis 17:1,Psalm 91:1 :meaning "The God of the mountains or God Almighty" ……………………..EL-OLAM...............Isaiah 40:28-31:meaning "The everlasting God" ABBA.........Romans 8:15 …… .ADVOCATE.......I John 2:1 (kjv) ALMIGHTY..........Genesis 17:1                .ALPHA................Revelation 22:13       ..AMEN..........Revelation 3:14 ……ANCIENT OF DAYS..................Daniel 7:9 ANOINTED ONE......Psalm 2:2 .  APOSTLE......Hebrews 3:1 ARM OF THE LORD....Isaiah 53:1   AUTHOR OF LIFE.......Acts 3:15     AUTHOR OF OUR FAITH..............Hebrews 12:2 BEGINNING........Revelation 21:6  BLESSED & HOLY RULER.......1 Timothy 6:15   BRANCH........Jeremiah 33:15 BREAD OF GOD......John 6:33  BREAD OF LIFE....John 6:35 BRIDEGROOM......Isaiah 62:5   BRIGHT MORNING STAR...Revelation 22:16   BUCKLER......2 Sam.22:31kjv,Psalm 18:2kjv,Psalm 18:30kjv,Proverbs 2:7kjv CHIEF SHEPHERD....1 Peter 5:4  CHOSEN ONE......Isaiah 42:1 CHRIST.....Matthew 22:42  CHRIST OF GOD......Luke 9:20 CHRIST THE LORD..Luke 2:11   CHRIST, SON OF LIVING GOD..........Matthew 16:16  COMFORTER..........John 14:26(kjv) COMMANDER....Isaiah 55:4  CONSOLATION OF ISRAEL...............Luke 2:25      CONSUMING FIRE...Deut. 4:24, Heb. 12:29  CORNERSTONE...Isaiah 28:16 COUNSELOR......Isaiah 9:6 CREATOR......1 Peter 4:19 DELIVERER....Romans 11:26  DESIRED OF ALL NATIONS....Haggai 2:7   DOOR........John 10:7(kjv) END.....Revelation 21:6  ETERNAL GOD.......Deut. 33:27 EVERLASTING FATHER...Is 9:6  FAITHFUL & TRUE........................Revelation 19:11 FAITHFUL WITNESS.......................Revelation 1:5 FATHER......Matthew 6:9  FIRSTBORN (3)........................................Rom.8:29,Rev.1:5,Col.1:15 FIRSTFRUITS....1 Cor.15:20-23  FOUNDATION.............................1 Cor. 3:11 FRIEND OF TAX COLLECTORS & SINNERS.....Matthew 11:19 GENTLE WHISPER..1 Kings 19:12  GIFT OF GOD....John 4:10 GLORY OF THE LORD...Isaiah 40:5  GOD...Genesis 1:1 GOD ALMIGHTY...Genesis 17:1    GOD OVER .ALL...Ro9:5 GOD WHO SEES ME....Genesis 16:13 GOOD SHEPHERD.....John 10:11  GREAT HIGH PRIEST...Hebrews 4:14  GREAT SHEPHERD.........................Hebrews 13:20 GUIDE..................................Psalm 48:14 HEAD OF THE BODY...Colossians 1:18  HEAD OF THE CHURCH.....Ephesians 5:23  HEIR OF ALL THINGS.....Hebrews 1:2  HIGH PRIEST............................Hebrews 3:1 HIGH PRIEST FOREVER....................Hebrews 6:20 HOLY ONE....Acts 2:27  HOLY ONE OF ISRAEL...Isaiah 49:7 HOLY SPIRIT.....John 15:26  HOPE....Titus 2:13  HORN OF SALVATION......................Luke 1:69 I AM........Exodus 3:14, John 8:58   IMAGE OF GOD.....2 Cor. 4:4 IMAGE OF HIS PERSON.....................Hebrews 1:3 (kjv) IMMANUEL................................Isaiah 7:14 JEALOUS......Exodus 34:14 (kjv) JEHOVAH............Psalm 83:18 (kjv)    JESUS................................Matthew 1:21 JESUS CHRIST OUR LORD................Romans 6:23 JUDGE................................Isaiah 33:22, Acts 10:42 KING.....Zechariah 9:9   KING ETERNAL........1 Timothy 1:17 KING OF KINGS...1 Timothy 6:15  KING OF THE AGES.....................Revelation 15:3 LAMB OF GOD.....John 1:29   LAST ADAM.............................1 Cor. 15:45 LAWGIVER..............................Isaiah 33:22 LEADER.....Isaiah 55:4 LIFE....John 14:6 LIGHT OF THE WORLD........John 8:12  LIKE AN EAGLE...Deut. 32:11 LILY OF THE VALLEYS.....Song 2:1 LION OF THE TRIBE OF JUDAH............Revelation 5:5 LIVING STONE....1 Peter 2:4   LIVING  WATER....John 4:10 LORD....John 13:13    LORD GOD ALMIGHTY.....Revelation 15:3    LORD JESUS CHRIST.....................1 Cor. 15:57 LORD OF ALL...Acts 10:36   LORD OF GLORY ..1 Cor. 2:8 LORD OF HOSTS.....Haggai 1:5 LORD OF LORDS....1 Tim. 6:15 LORD OUR RIGHTEOUSNESS..............Jeremiah 23:6 LOVE.................................1 John 4:8 MAN OF SORROWS...Isaiah 53:3 MASTER..Luke 5:5 MEDIATOR..1 Timothy 2:5  MERCIFUL GOD...Jeremiah 3:12 MESSENGER OF THE COVENANT....Malachi 3:1 MESSIAH. John 4:25   MIGHTY GOD...Isaiah 9:6   MIGHTY ONE...Isaiah 60:16 NAZARENE...Matthew 2:23 OFFSPRING OF DAVID....Revelation 22:16 OMEGA....Revelation 22:13 ONLY BEGOTTEN SON...John 1:18 OUR PASSOVER LAMB....1 Cor. 5:7    OUR PEACE................................Ephesians 2:14 POTTER..Isaiah 64:8  POWER OF GOD...1 Cor. 1:24 PRINCE OF PEACE ..Isaiah 9:6 PROPHET..................................Acts 3:22 PURIFIER.................................Malachi 3:3 RABBONI (TEACHER)........................John 20:16 RADIANCE OF GOD'S GLORY..................Heb.1:3 REDEEMER.................................Job 19:25 REFINER'S FIRE...........................Malachi 3:2 RESURRECTION.............................John 11:25 RIGHTEOUS ONE............................1 John 2:1 ROCK.....................................1 Cor.10:4 ROOT OF DAVID............................Rev. 22:16 ROSE OF SHARON...........................Song 2:1 RULER OF GOD'S CREATION..................Rev. 3:14 RULER OVER KINGS OF EARTH................Rev 1:5 RULER OVER ISRAEL........................Micah 5:2 SAVIOR...................................Luke 2:11 SCEPTER OUT OF ISRAEL....................Numbers 24:17 SEED.....................................Genesis 3:15 SERVANT..................................Isaiah 42:1 SHEPHERD OF OUR SOULS....................1Peter 2:25 SHIELD...................................Genesis 15:1 SON OF DAVID.............................Matthew 1:1 SON OF GOD...............................Matthew 27:54 SON OF MAN...............................Matthew 8:20 SON OF THE MOST HIGH.....................Luke 1:32 SOURCE...................................Hebrews 5:9 SPIRIT OF GOD............................Genesis 1:2 STAR OUT OF JACOB........................Numbers 24:17 STONE....................................1 Peter 2:8 STRONG TOWER.............................Proverbs 18:10 SUN OF RIGHTEOUSNESS.....................Malachi 4:2 TEACHER...................................John 13:13 TRUE LIGHT................................John 1:9 TRUE WITNESS..............................Revelation 3:14 TRUTH.....................................John 14:6 VINE......................................John 15:5 WAY........................................John 14:6 WISDOM OF GOD..............................1 Cor. 1:24 WITNESS....................................Isaiah 55:4 WONDERFUL..................................Isaiah 9:6 WORD.......................................John 1:1 WORD OF GOD................................Revelation 19:13 PRAISE HIM! WORSHIP HIM! GIVE HIM A NEW SONG FROM YOUR GRATEFUL HEART!! SING IT. DANCE IT. PLAY IT ON YOUR INSTRUMENT. WRITE HIM A POEM!

 

Youth Seminar discussion points: "Why Wait to Have Sex until I am Married?"

ABSTINENCE DISCUSSION:

 

WHY WAIT?

1.   God’s command

2.           Unwanted pregnancy—sometimes resultedin choices regarding adoption, abortion, and the consideration of being asingle parent. None of these choices are better than the joy a married couplecan experience in keeping and raising their child together.

3.            Diseases

4.            Complications in what should havebeen a relaxed time of getting to know each other and choosing whether or notyou are right for each other.  Especiallya Christian will feel guilt and obligations that would not be there if therelationship had stayed pure. Soul ties develop with each person we areintimate with!  Confusion sets in.

5.             Waiting is an excellent character test– if both pass this test, the trust will be much stronger if the relationshiplasts and becomes a marriage

6.              Moral authority in witnessing andin being an active worker in a local church. Sin often causes people to drawback, avoid others, avoid eye contact, and step down from helpful workassignments

7.               Avoiding a broken heart – often weassume sex is the beginning of a mutual covenant. It is not that way foreveryone

8.                 Avoiding defiling the futurespouse of another

9.               Many times word gets out whensomeone has fornicated.   Proverbs 22:¹A good       name is rather to be chosenthan great riches, and loving favour rather than silver and gold.

10.                  “It is better to marry than to burn”:  The decision about marriage could be madeprematurely if it is rushed by having given in to lust. Plus, once you havebeen intimate, either you need to get married or come apart – to date andcontinue in sin is dangerous.

11.              Economic hardship

12.              Spirit of illegitimacyattacking your child

13.              Disappointing family andfriends

14.              A sense of shame andguilt

15.              Lifelong regret

            

God’s rulesare all loved based….He can see things that will hurt us even when we cannotthink of all the results of our disobedience.

We need totrust and obey!

Iedited this (it is 6 pages—so much is eliminated by me).  My prayer points are in purple . This was anemail from:  {www.USRPN.org :  . MichiganState Prayer Guide FastForward Campaign January 2, 2012 through January 20,2013

PRAY FOR THIS COMING TIME OF PRAYER ANDFASTING FOR OUR STATE:

USRPN will launch this FastForwardCampaign prayer initiative with a 21-day national call to prayer and fastingalong with a prayer guide, and then will continue with the 52 weeks of stateprayer. The campaign begins January 2, 2012. Please visit www.usrpn.org     tojoin the 10,000 intercessors for Michigan and receive more information aboutthis prayer initiative throughout 2012.

Current Pressing Issues and Updatesfor Michigan

A.  PRAY THAT SHARIA LAW IS  NEVER PUT IN PLACE IN MICHIGAN!

1. AmericanLaw for American Courts: There is legislation in the House (HB 4769) and Senate (SB 701). Thegoal of the bill is to keep all foreign law, including Sharia Law from beingused in our courts. • 

B.  PRAY THAT EMPLOYERS WILL NOTGIVE THE SAME RIGHTS TO HOMOSEXUAL PARTNERS AS THEY WOULD A SPOUSE.( NOR, FORTHAT MATTER, THE GOVERNMENT BENEFITS EITHER.)

2. PublicEmployee Domestic Partner Benefit Restriction Act. The bills wouldprohibit public employers from including domestic partner benefits in theirpublic employee compensation packages, and would make domestic partner benefitsa prohibited subject in collective bargaining. House Bill 4771 is tie-barred toHouse Bill 4770 so that it could not go into effect unless House Bill 4770 isalso enacted into law. A more detailed description of each bill follows.· HouseBill 4770 would create a new act to be known as the Public EmployeeDomestic Partner Benefit Restriction Act. Thenew act would prohibit a public employer from providing medical benefits orother fringe benefits for an individual currently residing in the sameresidence as an employee of the public employer who is not (1) married to theemployee; (2) a dependent of the employee, as defined in the federal InternalRevenue Code; or (3) otherwise eligible to inherit from the employee under thelaws of intestate succession in Michigan.    · HouseBill 4771 would amend the Public Employment Relations Act (MCL 423.215) tomake domestic partner benefits a prohibited subject during collective  bargaining.

C.  PRAY THAT MICHIGANNEVER FUNDS ABORTION.

2. TheFunding of Abortion: The Michigan Department of Community Health hascancelled an approved $200,000 grant toPlannedParenthood Mid and South Michiganas confirmed by Ed Rivet,Legislative Director for Right to Life of Michigan, who I spoke with thismorning.

D. PRAY THAT ALL OFFICIALS  WILL FACE AND DEAL WITH THE NEGATIVE EFFECTSOF CASINOS  SO THAT INDIVIDUALS ANDFAMILIES WILL CEASE TO BE DAMAGED BY THE LEGALIZED GAMBLING IN MICHIGAN.

3. A gaming control board was created in 2011to license, regulate, and enforce the system of casino gambling in Michigan. Pray that the Lordwould use this board to accomplish His purposes for Michigan, and reverse theoutcomes of the exploitation of the poor, the elderly, and the Native Americans thatso often occurs in gaming facilities. Pray also that there would be no newcasinos built in Michigan.

E..  PRAY THAT THE LAW WILL  NEVER DEFINE  BULLYING AS SHARING ONE’S BELIEFS IN SUCH AWAY THAT SOMEONE ELSE FEELS  “UNCOMFORTABLE”

  4. A bill was passedin 2011 requiring schools to draft policies addressing the problem of bullyingand harassment in their schools. Pray that these policies would be used withinthe appropriate boundaries of bullying and harassment, and that they would notbe allowed to be misused against students sharing their faith with theirclassmates.

F. PRAY THATTHOSE BELIEVERS WHOSE CONSCIENCE IS AGAINST CONTRACEPTION WILL NEVER BE FORCEDTO PROVIDE INSURANCE PROVIDING CONTRACEPTIVE FUNDS.  PRAY THAT WE MAY ALL FREELY FOLLOW OURCONSCIENCE IN THESE AREAS.

6. Federal Health Care Mandate: At thebeginning of 2012 the present administration announced that it will not allowreligious groups an exemption from a federal health care law mandating that allemployers provide insurance that covers all contraceptive devices and drugs. Wehave until August 1, 2012 to comply.

G.  PRAY THAT  TRUE , BIBLE BELIEVING/PRACTICING  CHRISTIANS WILL MAKE A HUGE DIFFERENCE IN ALLELECTIONS THIS YEAR!!

7. 2012 Electoral Dates for Michigan:· February 28: Republican National Primary;· August 7: Republican State Primary;o NOTE: There are no Democratic Primariesin 2012 because the only democratic candidate is President Obama.;· November 6: State General Election

H.  {PRAY ABOUT THE}Highlights from Barbara Yoder’s Prophetic Word overMichigan, at the Call Detroit on 11-11-11:

I.                   PRAY THAT ALL CURRENTELECTED OFFICIALS WILL SEEK GOD FOR HIS WISDOM REGARDING MAINTAINING GODLINESSAND JUSTICE IN MICHIGAN.

J. PRAY FOR COURAGE AND PROTECTION FOR   LAWENFORCERS.

2011 in review – to helpyou with gathering some 2011 memories for this Sabbath and/or you can check “bulletins” on riveroflifegrmi.org toreview what all was scheduled for this past year.

Suggestions: Specialimpartations from the Lord that  youreceived during any part of any service  (includingthe small groups not meeting in the sanctuary) ; particular fun times withgroups and/or individuals; special times in special groups that meet apart fromthe services (e.g., media club, Amen, TV 25, etc….),  prayers answered; ministry you did apart fromROL ; revelation knowledge received in 2011; special blessings, bad habitsbroken/good ones formed;  newrelationships that are a blessing; milestones, etc….  Did you have someone over to your home or didsomeone have you?  Was there some specialsharing that caused you to feel more a part of someone or a group here? Did Godgive an ongoing body, soul, and/or spiritual miracle and/or healing? Specialcommunion time? Prayer time?  Open pulpitthat you gave on an end of study cycle time that really took special effort onyour part and caused you to get more excited about those times?

This list includes somethings R/R did in addition to regular service times, i.e., it is a sort of R/Rcentered list in many ways; however, you could remember a special date and timefor you.

January

8-Rosemary is in Floridafor EG's b-day

10-TV 25

15-Celebrated 31 yearsat River of Life

16 Positioned Leadershipparty at R/R home

20 Rosemary on Ask thePastor

22-Changed up frontrules allowing people to wear jeans

Ray Townsend visits andplays piano

Leadership school withLeslie

24-TV 25

26-Media Club

29-funeral at Bethel  -- Sis Leona  Smith

February

2 service cancelled due to severe blizzard…VERY unusual for us!!!

4-RJ, Cordell and McKaysto car show with R/R

5 sledding party afterchurch

7-homeschool

10-Ask thePastor-Rosemary

13-Zachary Baker EagleScout ceremony

19-Baptism of the HolySpirit taught in service, many received baptism

20-Youth seminar atQuality Inn

22 Night driving becomesway easier for Rosemary: New glasses, not from dollar store J

25-Rosemary hasreconstruction surgery

26-Rosemary comes homefrom the hospital

27 Youth bowling party

28-Homeschool; AnnualSpring fasting and prayer time begins

March

5-RJ's 70th Birthdayparty

visitors: Loie &CarolSue Bergsma, Pastors Trim, Harvis & Judy Beene, John Straub, Doris& Christy Aguirre, Mark & Doreen Wade, entire Pulliam family, (Debbiesang Great Is Thy Faithfulness), Phil & Nova Barnes, Michael Barnes, RogerSchiefler, Courtney & Riley Gabridge, Mel & Shirley, Barb Stephenson.

Robert then leaves forFlorida.

3-11 Japan earthquake

3-12-Rosemary teachesand shares about earthquake

3-14-tv

3-21 Associates Meeting

24 Rosemary on Ask thePastor

26 R/R to Mac Kenzie’schoir concert

28-Homeschool/TV

30 Media Club

April

4-Homeschool

6-Powerhouse/KYF gamenight-Rosemary counsels Diane Setterington, her mom,Lila, Doris Aguirre theretoo

7-Rosemary hosts Ask ThePastor

11-Homeschool /TV 25

16 Ester -Neznajko here

18-homeschool

20-clean-up night

21-Doorn's and leadersat Roark's; fast and prayer time is finished

23-Doorn's here/Passover

25-TV 25

27-Media Club

28-Ask ThePastor/Michigan Alive taping-Rosemary

29-Appreciation dinnerfor WTLJ -volunteer banquet—R/R go

30-GraduationCelebration

Briana and Jacob-college

Alisa, Zachary, Zane& Mackenzie high school

May

1-Jacob Menningagraduates from Davenport, party at River; R/R go to graduation ceremony

2 ROL board meeting

4-Collette back fromsurgery in Texas

5-Walker City CenterNational Day of Prayer/ Rosemary – among other local pastors – leads a sectionof the prayer; R & R leave for Florioda

7-R & R in FLorida,Bolthouses at Briana's Cornerstone rstone graduation, Karen Vander Vliet incharge

9-TV 25

18-Robert is back fromFlorida, Rosemary is still there and on a trip after that

21-Zachary & Alisa'sgraduation party at Hagar Park in Jenison

23-TV 25

24 -Rosemary is on herway back from New York City-She broke her arm yesterday at Ground Zero {whichis the reason I did not go to Brussels in July…no way could I do the carryons/luggage)

26-Robert attendsKenzie's graduation

27-Robert attends PastorJohn Vega's funeral/Rosemary returns home from NYC in the afternoon

June

1-Celebrated BruceBolthouse's B-day/Rosemary shares about her trip

3-Leslie's brothers'funeral

4-Kristy & Monavisit and sing

5-To Alina Reynold'sgraduation party

7 Rosemary on Ask thePastor

8-Nick Gill home forvisit-Trina, Diane Davis, Altai & Miranda visit

10-Rosemary goes tovisit Loie Bergsma

11-Mackenzie Roarkgraduation party (relatives and close friends at her home)

12-Youth Seminar—Pentecost: several revival movies

13-Tv 25

15-Wurmbrandt movie inFellowship Hall

18-Leadership school atMarriott with Leslie

rededication to theLord, Pauline Diamond (Nellie Blue's daughter) and Sahcha Johnson/Nick Gill'slast service with us.

21-Rosemary hosts AskThe Pastor

22-Media Club

26-Zane Hoekstra'sgraduation party at Palmer Park

27-TV 25

29-Clean-upnight/Rosemary went to visit Loie Bergsma 

July

July-7-Rosemary to theLanding with MacKenzie and Alina Reynolds

9-To the Bolthouse homefor a hymnsing

10-Loie Bergsma died

11-TV 25

12 Rosemary on Ask thePastor

13-Loie's Funeral

20-Ice Cream social/Sohot tonight that we all met in the Fellowship Hall

21-Pastor women, Briana,Kenzie to Olive Garden (for Theresa b’da --- which was the 10^th))

25-TV 25

31- R/R, Gills, Menninga’sTo Patrick Morse/Trina Gill wedding, Big Rapids

August

2-Rosemary on Ask ThePastor

6 Rosemary/Robert afterchurch to Hoyt cousins reunion J

8-TV 25

10-Showed Jesus campmovie

14-Church picnic atHagar Park

15  Board meeting

17-Daniela becomes amember/Richard Menninga wins Media club contest/many bats in church

20-Tim, Trena and DarrinJohnson here

21-To Brown-Hutchersonchurch (on Jefferson, SE, GR, mi) where Rosemary reads scripture and shares afew minutes for the "Blessing of the students" for GR public schools

22-Tv 25

27-Rosemary to HagarPark for surprise party for Pastor Francesca Lopez

28-Baptism at Ida's:   Ivey Bolthouse, Dixielea Hansen, JoAnnMoravik, Sahcha Johnson baptized

Michael and Noel visit,Sarah Reynolds (Menninga cousin visits)

28 R/R to hear Collingwoodfamily at Sandy Pines: First visit there; McKays there too…some fellowshipafter with them by lake

30 Youth to MichiganAdventure

September

1-Robert :& Rosemarytook Richard and Tracy out for Richard's media club win

3-Barry and Zeta backagain

8-Briana holds recitalat River

9 Robert and Rosemary toPilgrim Rest Baptist Church for Pastor Joseph Thompson funeral

12-TV 25

17-Rosemary's Birthday,R &R in Florida

24 Basilio Neznajko here—AngieGreen interprets, dinner after

26-TV 25

28-Grace card movie inFellowship Hall  --  Groom family (neighbors of Bolthouses) visit

30 R/R take Doorns outto dinner

October

1-Doorn's here

Ray Townsend here andsings

Andrew Leech visits(friend of Cal Bergsma)

8-Robert &Rosemary's 35th Anniversary

9-Bolties with R & Rto landing

12-Georgia and littlegirl Sage visit-neighbor

10-TV 25

11 Positioned Leadershipmeeting, I think

15-FeastCelebration-visitors: VanderToorn parents, Zeta and Barry, Pauline and friend,Estella, Brynn Sytsma, Courtney and Riley and Miles  -- Dixie Hansen visited (she had already leftour church to go to a relative’s church)

18-Ask The Pastor

22-Estella back withbaby

23 Rosemary preaches atAngie Green’s church in Sparta

25-Rosemary leaves forArgentina, Robert preaches on worship

30-Robert & Rosemaryand Doorn's at Landing

November

2-clean up night

5-C.J. and Zane backfrom college for a visit

11-Rosemary returns fromArgentina

13-Amen group

14-Tv 25 and to Ida's

19-Rosemary shares abouttrip

28-TV 25

29-Ladies' night out—Goodwillfirst, followed by fashion show with prizes and food….

30-Media club  (MC has advanced in our ability to make plansand complete them as well as in our focus in the meetings)

(also a seminar inhere?)

December

11-Progressive dinnerand party for Powerhouse/KYF

14-Gill's to Brann'swith R& R,i.e., Diane, Moriah, and Jared

17-Christmas Program

20-Ask The Pastor

29-RM to meet withKenzie , Tasha Roark and David (T’s boy friend)

31-CarolSue Bergsmavisits

 

Note: My commentary and/or words is/are  in Green print

ALSO: BECAUSE OF MANY COPY/PASTE ISSUES (ONLINE BIBLE AND DICTIONARY) , SOMETIMES THERE IS A HUGE SPACE BETWEEN WORDS -- KEEP SCROLLING UNTIL YOU GET TO THE END...THE LAST PASSAGE IS FROM REVELATION.

***********************************************************************************

Sermons:  A stirring ofnew hope of fulfilling God’s vision for me and  a strengthening of resolve to “keep soldieringon ‘ in Jesus’ NAME!!

I opened an email with a word for 2012 from Chuck Pierce just after I wrote my weekly Victory Time report this past Wednesday:  In my VT report I had shared some  hindrances to my moving forward, e.g., not resting enough, being involved and concerned with things above the level that I should be --- learning to do what I am supposed to , do it, and then “let it go” . Knowing when something cannot be changed by me and knowing when it can.  Let go of the frustration when people I love don’t do what I know would  be best for them. Sometimes I am included in that list of “people”.   Because I realize that  over the top people involvement is a barrier to my “moving forward” sometimes, I included the Serenity Prayer in my report:   "God give me the detachment to accept those things I cannot alter; the courage to alter those things I can alter; and the wisdom to distinguish the one thing from the other." I realized that often my progress in the Lord has been hindered by a reoccurring time of getting way too involved in problems that are not mine to deal with . Or, they are rightfully mine to hear , counsel, and pray for; but, then I take the problem on longer or more intensely than what, I believe, the Lord is requiring of me. This “habit” needs to be broken so I can move into more fulfillment of my ministry in all of its many aspects! To make eliminating barriers to progress, i.e., “moving forward”, I need to define what is “moving forward” to myself. I need to know what it is I AM called to do and get so “stirred up” about it that I am no longer wrongfully detoured by staying in a certain focus  longer than I should.   This word by Chuck Pierce was a confirmation to me of the things God was telling me to do.  Within less than a minute I finished my Victory Time email and opened up the email with this word in it. It felt like a seamless continuation of the Holy Spirit’s dealings with me. I know I have a place to “enter into” and I know that I need to war to get there.  I know I must keep the “stirrings” of the Lord before me and overcome everything (Chuck calls them “old cycles”) that hinders the fulfillment of getting to where I need to be.   Some of these hindrances are strongholds!  The line Chuck uses in the word below is a real challenge to say!  “Declare that everything in your past be repaired and restored so that your future can be unlocked.”  The world says you cannot teach an old dog new tricks. BUT, in Christ we are continually changed!!! 2Cr 3:18 But 1161 we 2249 all 3956, with open 343 face 4383 beholding as in a glass 2734 the glory 1391 of the Lord 2962, are changed 3339 into the same 846 image 1504 from 575 glory 1391 to 1519 glory 1391, [even] as 2509 by 575 the Spirit 4151 of the Lord 2962. We sing “Little by little and day by day; little by little in every way, my Jesus is changing me. As I look into His face, Jesus is changing me by His grace. My Jesus is changing me.” J   -------------------------------------------------------------------------- I will be dissecting Chuck Pierce’s Word for 2012, so before I get so into doing that , I think it would be good for me to print what he wrote because once I start my commentary, it may be hard for you to know what is from him and what it is that I am adding. Here is the word: “ Israel was an example of a corporate group who had to overcome several things to enter their promised land. The following spiritual assignment will allow us to move forward into the fullness of God’s plan for our lives as we look toward 2012. Make a list of old cycles. Now is the time to break from any old cycle that has held your promise and destiny in captivity. Declare that your Passover time of deliverance is now beginning. Ask God for signs, wonders, and miracles that will intervene in old cyclical structures of your life. Be secure in timing. Declare that everything in your past be repaired and restored so that your future can be unlocked. Look up and see the window of heaven that is opening over you. Gain victory in strategic warfare. Do not be afraid to ascend in worship. This is a time to experience God’s glory. Draw near to God, and He will draw near to you. Ask God to open your eyes so you can see His glory. Make a list of promises. Even make a list of stirrings that have been in your heart that have never come to fullness. Let His presence direct you into the path of deliverance and pass over from captivity to freedom. Position yourself for your future. The best is ahead! About the author: Chuck D. Pierce is the president of Glory of Zion International Ministries in Denton, Texas. He is known for his prophetic gift and has been used by God to mobilize prayer throughout the world. Pierce is also the author of many books, including the best-selling Redeeming the Time. For more information about his ministry or to purchase resources, visit his website at gloryofzion.org. Chuck ‘s word “stirred me up”  to take the steps he lists in order to march on to  a more victorious life.  There  are many things I hope to accomplish before I leave this earth and , I know, I need to break some old patterns of living in order to fulfill the things God is calling me to be and to do. I am sharing today the thoughts and Word that came to me as I read Chuck’s word to the church for 2012. Now I will return to his words ; but, this time adding commentary and scripture that came to me while reading it:

BreakOld Cycles for 2012   

Wednesday, 28 December 2011 11:38 AM EST ChuckD. Pierce Newsletters - PropheticInsight

“Israelwas an example of a corporate group who had to overcome several things toenter their promised land. Thefollowing spiritual assignment will allow us to move forward into the fullness of God’s plan for our lives as we looktoward 2012.Now is the time tobreak from any old cycle that has held your promise and destiny in captivity.” cp

“Old cycle” – habits, hangups, things wedo repeatedly that are not getting the right results, sometimes we have cyclesof being on a spiritual “high” and then “low” over and over and not really breaking free from that merry go round toascend higher!

Cycle in dictionary: 1. any complete round or series of occurrences that repeats or isrepeated.

The Israelites inthe Old Covenant writings had a cycle: Sin, be punished, cry out in repentance with pleas for mercy,restoration, peace, and then creeping back into sin. This cycle was repeatedmany , many times by them!

It takes seriousself examination and a willingness to change to break any “old cycles” in ourlives.  The enemy wants us “stuck in arut”, not climbing up into realms of victory. To press into  liberty from “oldcycles” will definitely stir up strong spiritual warfare and will needintentional strategies for victories!

We may need someliteral deliverance from demons  !

Chuck says, “Make a listof old cycles”. So,  do“Make a list of old cycles” that youwant to have the Spirit deal with:      Examineyourself for “leaven” and destructive behaviour too!

We are exhorted in scripture to “examine“ ourselves.

When we do the Lord’s Supper together,one  the passages we share frequentlyis: 

Here are some of the verses that the“Treasury of Scripture Knowledge “ had to go along with 1 Cor. 11:28

		Psa 26:2		Examine me, O LORD, and prove me; try my reins and my heart. 3 For thy lovingkindness [is] before mine eyes: and I have walked in thy truth.
		Psa 26:4		I have not sat with vain persons, neither will I go in with dissemblers.5.  I have hated the congregation of evil doers; and will not sit with the wicked.
		Lam 3:40		Let us search and try our ways, and turn again to the LORD.
		Hag 1:5		Now therefore thus saith the LORD of hosts; Consider your ways.
		Hag 1:7		Thus saith the LORD of hosts; Consider your ways.
		2Cr 13:5		Examine yourselves, whether ye be in the faith; prove your own selves. Know ye not your own selves, how that Jesus Christ is in you, except ye be reprobates?

Chuck has listed quite specifically whathe believes is a spiritual assignment for us – this word contains manydirectives,  verbs in their imperative  form.

Let’s  examine someof these  instructions :

 Chuck writes, ”Draw near to God; experience His glory”—life planning without God’s presence is worthless.

Invain = 7723: 1) emptiness,vanity, falsehood   a) emptiness,nothingness, vanity  b) emptinessof speech, lying   c)worthlessness (of conduct)

 

Notice your stirrings   Chuck says, “Even make a list of stirrings that have been in your heart  that have never come to fullness.”  What“stirrings” have come and gone and come again in your heart that you believeGod is using to prompt you to do and be something in particular? Have therebeen prophetic words that you KNEW were from God but you “let them go” a long time ago? Did you start to thinkthey were impossible to be fulfilled?  

He says to “notice” your stirrings.Notice means:

Notice: Verb:

12.

to become conscious or aware of; perceive   ; . take notice to pay attention; attend 3. take no notice of to ignore or disregard If I pay attention to something, I will get to KNOW it.  When someone says, “NOTICE this”  , they are saying we must turn our attention to it, perceive it, and learn it.  In regard to our “stirrings” – if we are not motivated to hear the Lord’s call to various actions, we will miss often when He speaks to our hearts. Many times His voice is quiet  -- only heard by the one truly listening for His voice.

WRITE DOWN all the “stirrings” you can think of.  Let the Lord excite you to action once again.Let Him show the stratigies in the path to the fulfilment of these “stirrings”

Whatare “stirrings”?

Stirrings:    E.g, you are semi awake in your bed.  You begin to realize this is the day youstart your new job. You are excited (stirred).  Although the bed is comfortable, you know you must get up and do everystep it takes to take you from that moment to the desk at your new job.

  Being stirred results from wanting somethingand what you want is within reach if certain steps are taken.

Thereis a  feeling realm, e.g., excitement;there is an action realm, i.e., the path to attainment. 

 

 

stir·ringadjective 1. rousing, exciting, or thrilling: 2. moving, active, bustling, or lively  noun Usually, stirrings . 3. a mental impulse, sensation, or feeling:

I put “stir up” into the thesaurus and got “awaken”:
Definition:	make conscious or alert
Synonyms:	activate, animate, arouse, awake, call, enliven, excite, fan, incite, kindle, pile out, provoke, rally, revive, rise and shine, roll out, rouse, show a leg, stimulate, stir up , turn out, vivify, wake
Antonyms:	deaden, go to sleep, hypnotize The word “stir” is used in the Bible in the following verses as something we can do to each other, i.,e., I can awaken your mind with powerful , Spirit filled words.   2Ti 1:6 Wherefore 1223 3739 156 I put 363 0 thee 4571 in remembrance 363 that thou stir up 329 the gift 5486 of God 2316, which 3739 is 2076 in 1722 thee 4671 by 1223 the putting on 1936 of my 3450 hands 5495.        2Ti 1:7 For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind.   2Pe 3:1 This 5026 second 1208 epistle 1992, beloved 27, I 1125 0 now 2235 write 1125 unto you 5213; in 1722 [both] which 3739 I stir up 1326 your 5216 pure 1506 minds 1271 by way 1722 of remembrance 5280 2Pe 1:13 Yea 1161, I think it 2233 meet 1342, as long as 1909 3745 I am 1510 in 1722 this 5129 tabernacle 4638, to stir 1326 0 you 5209 up 1326 by 1722 putting [you] in remembrance 5280; Meaning of 1326 :stir: Printed from the Blue Letter Bible Lexicon Results Strong's G1326 - diegeirō διεγείρω Transliteration diegeirō Pronunciation dē-e-gā'-rō (Key) Part of Speech verb Root Word (Etymology) From διά (G1223) and ἐγείρω (G1453) TDNT Reference n/a Vines View Entry Outline of Biblical Usage 1) to wake up, awaken, arouse (from sleep) a) of the sea, which begins to be agitated, to rise b) metaph. 1) to arouse the mind 2) stir up, render active AV — awake 2, arise 2, stir up 2, raise

To show an example of  someone stirring someone else into action  , let’s look at  2 Peter 3:  ¹Thissecond epistle, beloved, I now write unto you; in both which I stir up your pure minds by way ofremembrance: ²That ye may be mindful of the words which were spoken before by theholy prophets, and of the commandment of us the apostles of the Lord andSaviour: ³Knowing this first, that there shall come in the lastdays scoffers, walking after their own lusts, ⁴Andsaying, Where is the promise of his coming? for since the fathers fell asleep,all things continue as they were from the beginning of the creation.
⁵For this they willingly are ignorant of, that by the word of Godthe heavens were of old, and the earth standing out of the water and in thewater:⁶Whereby the world that then was, beingoverflowed with water, perished:⁷But the heavens andthe earth, which are now, by the same word are kept in store, reserved untofire against the day of judgment and perdition of ungodly men. ⁸But,beloved, be not ignorant of this one thing, that one day is with theLord as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day. ⁹TheLord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but islongsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that allshould come to repentance. ¹⁰But the day of the Lordwill come as a thief in the night; in the which the heavens shall pass awaywith a great noise, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat, the earthalso and the works that are therein shall be burned up. ¹¹Seeing then thatall these things shall be dissolved, what manner of persons ought ye tobe in all holy conversation and godliness, ¹²Lookingfor and hasting unto the coming of the day of God, wherein the heavensbeing on fire shall be dissolved, and the elements shall melt with ferventheat?
¹³Nevertheless we, according to his promise, look for new heavensand a new earth, wherein dwelleth righteousness. ¹⁴Wherefore, beloved, seeing that ye look for such things, bediligent that ye may be found of him in peace, without spot, and blameless.¹⁵And account that the longsuffering of ourLord is salvation; even as our beloved brother Paul also according tothe wisdom given unto him hath written unto you; ¹⁶Asalso in all his epistles, speaking in them of these things; in which aresome things hard to be understood, which they that are unlearned and unstablewrest, as they do also the other scriptures, unto their own destruction.¹⁷Yetherefore, beloved, seeing ye know these things before, beware lest yealso, being led away with the error of the wicked, fall from your ownstedfastness. ¹⁸But grow in grace, and in the knowledge of our Lordand Saviour Jesus Christ. To him be glory both now and for ever.Amen.  

Some “stirrings” which should be active in us come as a resultof seeing in the Word what SHOULD stir us and exactly what behavior SHOULDresult from that “stirring”.  We could gothrough the whole Bible looking for examples of this and probably be able towrite a book as a result! 

  GOD stirs us up by HisSpirit:

The grace of the Lord within us  induces deep stirrings in us because Grace is “divine influence on the heart” – whenGod “influences” our heart, we are stirred!!

When we discuss “knowing our stirrings”, we must include theability to hear God’s Words to us. To exercise this ability means we spend timein Worship, time in Word , time in prayer, and time in listening for His voiceand meditating on what we hear Him saying.

God’s grace continually influences our hearts. What is“influence?

Influence:dictionary.com:  1. the capacity or power of personsor things to be a compelling force on or produceeffects on the actions, behavior, opinions, etc., of others: 2. the action orprocess of producing effects on the actions, behavior, opinions, etc., ofanother or others: ……7. to exercise influence on; affect; sway: to influence aperson. 8. to move or impel (a person) to some action: Synonyms   7.impress, … direct, control. 8. incite, rouse, arouse, …. persuade.

7.	to persuade or induce
[C14: from Medieval Latin influentia ….., from Latin influere to flow into, from fluere to flow] I think of the song,  “Holy Spirit rain down”—we are asking the Holy Spirit to fall on us like rain so He will flow on us. One dictionary definition of “flow” is : “ to stream or well forth: Warmth flows from the sun.”  We know that strength, direction , comfort, revelation , teaching , prophetic words, spiritual gifts – many more wonderful treasures – FLOW from the Spirit to us!  Holy Spirit Rain Down  (Russell Fragar) Chorus: Holy Spirit rain down, rain down! O Comforter and Friend How we need Your touch again! Holy Spirit rain down,  rain   down! Let Your power fall, let Your voice be heard, Come and change our hearts, As we stand on Your Word, Holy Spirit rain down.     Bridge: No eye has seen, no ear has heard, No mind can know what God has in store. So open up heaven, open it wide, Over Your church, and over our lives.
We want the Lord to flow into our whole being!   We want Him to stir us up and we will cooperate with Him and act upon these stirrings!   We want Him to remind us of stirrings He brought into our hearts in the past and have the corresponding vision for our life renewed!  We want Him to heal all the hurts and disappoint that came when we took ahold to a particular vision but it got blocked and we felt defeat!  We pray for hope to be restored and the visions to be renewed! Pro 13:12 Hope 8431 deferred 4900 maketh the heart 3820 sick 2470: but [when] the desire 8378 cometh 935, [it is] a tree 6086 of life 2416 We pray that our hearts be healed from deferred hope and that we once more have the faith  to hope!  The Holy Spirit  stirs us up; yet, we can also stir each other up (as Peter was doing in the afore stated passage, 2 Peter 3) AND stir ourselves up too!   (e.g., 2Ti 1:6 Wherefore 1223 3739 156 I put 363 0 thee 4571 in remembrance 363 that thou stir up 329 the gift 5486 of God 2316, which 3739 is 2076 in 1722 thee 4671 by 1223 the putting on 1936 of my 3450 hands 5495)   Chuck writes,”Let His presence direct you into the path of deliverance” For us to “let” His presence direct us, we have to BELIEVE His presence IS with us!

-- KNOW – believe – have faith that  the Lord  IS WITH YOU AND WILL DELIVER YOU FROM ALL THATOPPOSES WHAT YOU ARE TO BE AND DO

Hebrews 13: 5B  I will never³³⁶⁴leave ⁴⁴⁷thee ⁴⁵⁷¹,nor ^37613364forsake ¹⁴⁵⁹thee ⁴⁵⁷¹.

 

--KNOW THERE IS A WAY OUT OF (I.E.,DELIVERANCE) THE DULLNESS AND INACTIVITY  (or any other hindrance  PROHIBITING YOU FROM FULFILLING THOSE THINGSGOD HAS PLACED ON YOUR HEART TO BE AND TO DO.

 Don’t ever give up! 

Chuck’s words:   “Position yourself for your future. The bestis ahead!” 

Everyonehas a different idea of “too late”. There are some who think that at 40 andsome at 60; however, we MUST remember that Jesus did His ministry in 3 ½years!!! That means that if someone FINALLY awakens and obeys their lifeassignment, they could be 80 and fulfil much ministry in just 3 ½ years.  Age should NOT discourage us!

Yes,there could be such a thing as being incapacitated in a nursing home saying“What wilt Thou have me to do?” and knowing that there are some limitations atthat point . BUT, prayer and witnessing may still be activities that can beaccomplished in great spiritual strength and effectiveness! 

Weshould “stir up” whatever we can of the ministry and life callings we have beengiven!!

Revelation3 :¹And unto the angel of the church inSardis write; These things saith he that hath the seven Spirits of God, and theseven stars; I know thy works, thatthou hast a name that thou livest, and art dead. ²Be watchful, and strengthen the things which remain, that areready to die: for I have not found thy works perfect before God.
³Remember therefore how thou hast received and heard, andhold fast, and repent. If therefore thou shalt not watch, I will come on theeas a thief, and thou shalt not know what hour I will come upon thee.

The very fact the Lordwrote this to Sardis means that –   although He literally declared “Thou artdead”, yet His grace was telling them to repent.  If God is still callingto repentance , there is still hope for coming back alive and fulfilling Hispurposes! 

He is patient andmerciful. He loves us. He is our Helper in our fulfilling the destiny He hasfor us individually and collectively!!

 

 

 

Note: My commentary and/or words is/are  in Greenprint

Sermons:  A stirring ofnew hope of fulfilling God’s vision for me and  a strengthening of resolve to “keep soldieringon ‘ in Jesus’ NAME!!

I opened an email with a word for 2012 from Chuck Pierce just after I wrote my weekly Victory Time report this past Wednesday:  In my VT report I had shared some  hindrances to my moving forward, e.g., not resting enough, being involved and concerned with things above the level that I should be --- learning to do what I am supposed to , do it, and then “let it go” . Knowing when something cannot be changed by me and knowing when it can.  Let go of the frustration when people I love don’t do what I know would  be best for them. Sometimes I am included in that list of “people”.   Because I realize that  over the top people involvement is a barrier to my “moving forward” sometimes, I included the Serenity Prayer in my report:   "God give me the detachment to accept those things I cannot alter; the courage to alter those things I can alter; and the wisdom to distinguish the one thing from the other." I realized that often my progress in the Lord has been hindered by a reoccurring time of getting way too involved in problems that are not mine to deal with . Or, they are rightfully mine to hear , counsel, and pray for; but, then I take the problem on longer or more intensely than what, I believe, the Lord is requiring of me. This “habit” needs to be broken so I can move into more fulfillment of my ministry in all of its many aspects! To make eliminating barriers to progress, i.e., “moving forward”, I need to define what is “moving forward” to myself. I need to know what it is I AM called to do and get so “stirred up” about it that I am no longer wrongfully detoured by staying in a certain focus  longer than I should.   This word by Chuck Pierce was a confirmation to me of the things God was telling me to do.  Within less than a minute I finished my Victory Time email and opened up the email with this word in it. It felt like a seamless continuation of the Holy Spirit’s dealings with me. I know I have a place to “enter into” and I know that I need to war to get there.  I know I must keep the “stirrings” of the Lord before me and overcome everything (Chuck calls them “old cycles”) that hinders the fulfillment of getting to where I need to be.   Some of these hindrances are strongholds!  The line Chuck uses in the word below is a real challenge to say!  “Declare that everything in your past be repaired and restored so that your future can be unlocked.”  The world says you cannot teach an old dog new tricks. BUT, in Christ we are continually changed!!! 2Cr 3:18 But 1161 we 2249 all 3956, with open 343 face 4383 beholding as in a glass 2734 the glory 1391 of the Lord 2962, are changed 3339 into the same 846 image 1504 from 575 glory 1391 to 1519 glory 1391, [even] as 2509 by 575 the Spirit 4151 of the Lord 2962. We sing “Little by little and day by day; little by little in every way, my Jesus is changing me. As I look into His face, Jesus is changing me by His grace. My Jesus is changing me.” J   -------------------------------------------------------------------------- I will be dissecting Chuck Pierce’s Word for 2012, so before I get so into doing that , I think it would be good for me to print what he wrote because once I start my commentary, it may be hard for you to know what is from him and what it is that I am adding. Here is the word: “ Israel was an example of a corporate group who had to overcome several things to enter their promised land. The following spiritual assignment will allow us to move forward into the fullness of God’s plan for our lives as we look toward 2012. Make a list of old cycles. Now is the time to break from any old cycle that has held your promise and destiny in captivity. Declare that your Passover time of deliverance is now beginning. Ask God for signs, wonders, and miracles that will intervene in old cyclical structures of your life. Be secure in timing. Declare that everything in your past be repaired and restored so that your future can be unlocked. Look up and see the window of heaven that is opening over you. Gain victory in strategic warfare. Do not be afraid to ascend in worship. This is a time to experience God’s glory. Draw near to God, and He will draw near to you. Ask God to open your eyes so you can see His glory. Make a list of promises. Even make a list of stirrings that have been in your heart that have never come to fullness. Let His presence direct you into the path of deliverance and pass over from captivity to freedom. Position yourself for your future. The best is ahead! About the author: Chuck D. Pierce is the president of Glory of Zion International Ministries in Denton, Texas. He is known for his prophetic gift and has been used by God to mobilize prayer throughout the world. Pierce is also the author of many books, including the best-selling Redeeming the Time. For more information about his ministry or to purchase resources, visit his website at gloryofzion.org. Chuck ‘s word “stirred me up”  to take the steps he lists in order to march on to  a more victorious life.  There  are many things I hope to accomplish before I leave this earth and , I know, I need to break some old patterns of living in order to fulfill the things God is calling me to be and to do. I am sharing today the thoughts and Word that came to me as I read Chuck’s word to the church for 2012. Now I will return to his words ; but, this time adding commentary and scripture that came to me while reading it:

BreakOld Cycles for 2012   

Wednesday, 28 December 2011 11:38 AM EST ChuckD. Pierce Newsletters - PropheticInsight

“Israelwas an example of a corporate group who had to overcome several things toenter their promised land. Thefollowing spiritual assignment will allow us to move forward into the fullness of God’s plan for our lives as we looktoward 2012.Now is the time tobreak from any old cycle that has held your promise and destiny in captivity.” cp

“Old cycle” – habits, hangups, things wedo repeatedly that are not getting the right results, sometimes we have cyclesof being on a spiritual “high” and then “low” over and over and not really breaking free from that merry go round toascend higher!

Cycle in dictionary: 1. any complete round or series of occurrences that repeats or isrepeated.

The Israelites inthe Old Covenant writings had a cycle: Sin, be punished, cry out in repentance with pleas for mercy,restoration, peace, and then creeping back into sin. This cycle was repeatedmany , many times by them!

It takes seriousself examination and a willingness to change to break any “old cycles” in ourlives.  The enemy wants us “stuck in arut”, not climbing up into realms of victory. To press into  liberty from “oldcycles” will definitely stir up strong spiritual warfare and will needintentional strategies for victories!

We may need someliteral deliverance from demons  !

Chuck says, “Make a listof old cycles”. So,  do“Make a list of old cycles” that youwant to have the Spirit deal with:      Examineyourself for “leaven” and destructive behaviour too!

We are exhorted in scripture to “examine“ ourselves.

When we do the Lord’s Supper together,one  the passages we share frequentlyis: 

Here are some of the verses that the“Treasury of Scripture Knowledge “ had to go along with 1 Cor. 11:28

		Psa 26:2		Examine me, O LORD, and prove me; try my reins and my heart. 3 For thy lovingkindness [is] before mine eyes: and I have walked in thy truth.
		Psa 26:4		I have not sat with vain persons, neither will I go in with dissemblers.5.  I have hated the congregation of evil doers; and will not sit with the wicked.
		Lam 3:40		Let us search and try our ways, and turn again to the LORD.
		Hag 1:5		Now therefore thus saith the LORD of hosts; Consider your ways.
		Hag 1:7		Thus saith the LORD of hosts; Consider your ways.
		2Cr 13:5		Examine yourselves, whether ye be in the faith; prove your own selves. Know ye not your own selves, how that Jesus Christ is in you, except ye be reprobates?

Chuck has listed quite specifically whathe believes is a spiritual assignment for us – this word contains manydirectives,  verbs in their imperative  form.

Let’s  examine someof these  instructions :

 Chuck writes, ”Draw near to God; experience His glory”—life planning without God’s presence is worthless.

Invain = 7723: 1) emptiness,vanity, falsehood   a) emptiness,nothingness, vanity  b) emptinessof speech, lying   c)worthlessness (of conduct)

 

Notice your stirrings   Chuck says, “Even make a list of stirrings that have been in your heart  that have never come to fullness.”  What“stirrings” have come and gone and come again in your heart that you believeGod is using to prompt you to do and be something in particular? Have therebeen prophetic words that you KNEW were from God but you “let them go” a long time ago? Did you start to thinkthey were impossible to be fulfilled?  

He says to “notice” your stirrings.Notice means:

Notice: Verb:

12.

to become conscious or aware of; perceive   ; . take notice to pay attention; attend 3. take no notice of to ignore or disregard If I pay attention to something, I will get to KNOW it.  When someone says, “NOTICE this”  , they are saying we must turn our attention to it, perceive it, and learn it.  In regard to our “stirrings” – if we are not motivated to hear the Lord’s call to various actions, we will miss often when He speaks to our hearts. Many times His voice is quiet  -- only heard by the one truly listening for His voice.

WRITE DOWN all the “stirrings” you can think of.  Let the Lord excite you to action once again.Let Him show the stratigies in the path to the fulfilment of these “stirrings”

Whatare “stirrings”?

Stirrings:    E.g, you are semi awake in your bed.  You begin to realize this is the day youstart your new job. You are excited (stirred).  Although the bed is comfortable, you know you must get up and do everystep it takes to take you from that moment to the desk at your new job.

  Being stirred results from wanting somethingand what you want is within reach if certain steps are taken.

Thereis a  feeling realm, e.g., excitement;there is an action realm, i.e., the path to attainment. 

 

 

stir·ringadjective 1. rousing, exciting, or thrilling: 2. moving, active, bustling, or lively  noun Usually, stirrings . 3. a mental impulse, sensation, or feeling:

I put “stir up” into the thesaurus and got “awaken”:
Definition:	make conscious or alert
Synonyms:	activate, animate, arouse, awake, call, enliven, excite, fan, incite, kindle, pile out, provoke, rally, revive, rise and shine, roll out, rouse, show a leg, stimulate, stir up , turn out, vivify, wake
Antonyms:	deaden, go to sleep, hypnotize The word “stir” is used in the Bible in the following verses as something we can do to each other, i.,e., I can awaken your mind with powerful , Spirit filled words.   2Ti 1:6 Wherefore 1223 3739 156 I put 363 0 thee 4571 in remembrance 363 that thou stir up 329 the gift 5486 of God 2316, which 3739 is 2076 in 1722 thee 4671 by 1223 the putting on 1936 of my 3450 hands 5495.        2Ti 1:7 For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind.   2Pe 3:1 This 5026 second 1208 epistle 1992, beloved 27, I 1125 0 now 2235 write 1125 unto you 5213; in 1722 [both] which 3739 I stir up 1326 your 5216 pure 1506 minds 1271 by way 1722 of remembrance 5280 2Pe 1:13 Yea 1161, I think it 2233 meet 1342, as long as 1909 3745 I am 1510 in 1722 this 5129 tabernacle 4638, to stir 1326 0 you 5209 up 1326 by 1722 putting [you] in remembrance 5280; Meaning of 1326 :stir: Printed from the Blue Letter Bible Lexicon Results Strong's G1326 - diegeirō διεγείρω Transliteration diegeirō Pronunciation dē-e-gā'-rō (Key) Part of Speech verb Root Word (Etymology) From διά (G1223) and ἐγείρω (G1453) TDNT Reference n/a Vines View Entry Outline of Biblical Usage 1) to wake up, awaken, arouse (from sleep) a) of the sea, which begins to be agitated, to rise b) metaph. 1) to arouse the mind 2) stir up, render active AV — awake 2, arise 2, stir up 2, raise

To show an example of  someone stirring someone else into action  , let’s look at  2 Peter 3:  ¹Thissecond epistle, beloved, I now write unto you; in both which I stir up your pure minds by way ofremembrance: ²That ye may be mindful of the words which were spoken before by theholy prophets, and of the commandment of us the apostles of the Lord andSaviour: ³Knowing this first, that there shall come in the lastdays scoffers, walking after their own lusts, ⁴Andsaying, Where is the promise of his coming? for since the fathers fell asleep,all things continue as they were from the beginning of the creation.
⁵For this they willingly are ignorant of, that by the word of Godthe heavens were of old, and the earth standing out of the water and in thewater:⁶Whereby the world that then was, beingoverflowed with water, perished:⁷But the heavens andthe earth, which are now, by the same word are kept in store, reserved untofire against the day of judgment and perdition of ungodly men. ⁸But,beloved, be not ignorant of this one thing, that one day is with theLord as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day. ⁹TheLord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but islongsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that allshould come to repentance. ¹⁰But the day of the Lordwill come as a thief in the night; in the which the heavens shall pass awaywith a great noise, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat, the earthalso and the works that are therein shall be burned up. ¹¹Seeing then thatall these things shall be dissolved, what manner of persons ought ye tobe in all holy conversation and godliness, ¹²Lookingfor and hasting unto the coming of the day of God, wherein the heavensbeing on fire shall be dissolved, and the elements shall melt with ferventheat?
¹³Nevertheless we, according to his promise, look for new heavensand a new earth, wherein dwelleth righteousness. ¹⁴Wherefore, beloved, seeing that ye look for such things, bediligent that ye may be found of him in peace, without spot, and blameless.¹⁵And account that the longsuffering of ourLord is salvation; even as our beloved brother Paul also according tothe wisdom given unto him hath written unto you; ¹⁶Asalso in all his epistles, speaking in them of these things; in which aresome things hard to be understood, which they that are unlearned and unstablewrest, as they do also the other scriptures, unto their own destruction.¹⁷Yetherefore, beloved, seeing ye know these things before, beware lest yealso, being led away with the error of the wicked, fall from your ownstedfastness. ¹⁸But grow in grace, and in the knowledge of our Lordand Saviour Jesus Christ. To him be glory both now and for ever.Amen.  

Some “stirrings” which should be active in us come as a resultof seeing in the Word what SHOULD stir us and exactly what behavior SHOULDresult from that “stirring”.  We could gothrough the whole Bible looking for examples of this and probably be able towrite a book as a result! 

  GOD stirs us up by HisSpirit:

The grace of the Lord within us  induces deep stirrings in us because Grace is “divine influence on the heart” – whenGod “influences” our heart, we are stirred!!

When we discuss “knowing our stirrings”, we must include theability to hear God’s Words to us. To exercise this ability means we spend timein Worship, time in Word , time in prayer, and time in listening for His voiceand meditating on what we hear Him saying.

God’s grace continually influences our hearts. What is“influence?

Influence:dictionary.com:  1. the capacity or power of personsor things to be a compelling force on or produceeffects on the actions, behavior, opinions, etc., of others: 2. the action orprocess of producing effects on the actions, behavior, opinions, etc., ofanother or others: ……7. to exercise influence on; affect; sway: to influence aperson. 8. to move or impel (a person) to some action: Synonyms   7.impress, … direct, control. 8. incite, rouse, arouse, …. persuade.

7.	to persuade or induce
[C14: from Medieval Latin influentia ….., from Latin influere to flow into, from fluere to flow] I think of the song,  “Holy Spirit rain down”—we are asking the Holy Spirit to fall on us like rain so He will flow on us. One dictionary definition of “flow” is : “ to stream or well forth: Warmth flows from the sun.”  We know that strength, direction , comfort, revelation , teaching , prophetic words, spiritual gifts – many more wonderful treasures – FLOW from the Spirit to us!  Holy Spirit Rain Down  (Russell Fragar) Chorus: Holy Spirit rain down, rain down! O Comforter and Friend How we need Your touch again! Holy Spirit rain down,  rain   down! Let Your power fall, let Your voice be heard, Come and change our hearts, As we stand on Your Word, Holy Spirit rain down.     Bridge: No eye has seen, no ear has heard, No mind can know what God has in store. So open up heaven, open it wide, Over Your church, and over our lives.
We want the Lord to flow into our whole being!   We want Him to stir us up and we will cooperate with Him and act upon these stirrings!   We want Him to remind us of stirrings He brought into our hearts in the past and have the corresponding vision for our life renewed!  We want Him to heal all the hurts and disappoint that came when we took ahold to a particular vision but it got blocked and we felt defeat!  We pray for hope to be restored and the visions to be renewed! Pro 13:12 Hope 8431 deferred 4900 maketh the heart 3820 sick 2470: but [when] the desire 8378 cometh 935, [it is] a tree 6086 of life 2416 We pray that our hearts be healed from deferred hope and that we once more have the faith  to hope!  The Holy Spirit  stirs us up; yet, we can also stir each other up (as Peter was doing in the afore stated passage, 2 Peter 3) AND stir ourselves up too!   (e.g., 2Ti 1:6 Wherefore 1223 3739 156 I put 363 0 thee 4571 in remembrance 363 that thou stir up 329 the gift 5486 of God 2316, which 3739 is 2076 in 1722 thee 4671 by 1223 the putting on 1936 of my 3450 hands 5495)   Chuck writes,”Let His presence direct you into the path of deliverance” For us to “let” His presence direct us, we have to BELIEVE His presence IS with us!

-- KNOW – believe – have faith that  the Lord  IS WITH YOU AND WILL DELIVER YOU FROM ALL THATOPPOSES WHAT YOU ARE TO BE AND DO

Hebrews 13: 5B  I will never³³⁶⁴leave ⁴⁴⁷thee ⁴⁵⁷¹,nor ^37613364forsake ¹⁴⁵⁹thee ⁴⁵⁷¹.

 

--KNOW THERE IS A WAY OUT OF (I.E.,DELIVERANCE) THE DULLNESS AND INACTIVITY  (or any other hindrance  PROHIBITING YOU FROM FULFILLING THOSE THINGSGOD HAS PLACED ON YOUR HEART TO BE AND TO DO.

 Don’t ever give up! 

Chuck’s words:   “Position yourself for your future. The bestis ahead!” 

Everyonehas a different idea of “too late”. There are some who think that at 40 andsome at 60; however, we MUST remember that Jesus did His ministry in 3 ½years!!! That means that if someone FINALLY awakens and obeys their lifeassignment, they could be 80 and fulfil much ministry in just 3 ½ years.  Age should NOT discourage us!

Yes,there could be such a thing as being incapacitated in a nursing home saying“What wilt Thou have me to do?” and knowing that there are some limitations atthat point . BUT, prayer and witnessing may still be activities that can beaccomplished in great spiritual strength and effectiveness! 

Weshould “stir up” whatever we can of the ministry and life callings we have beengiven!!

Revelation3 :¹And unto the angel of the church inSardis write; These things saith he that hath the seven Spirits of God, and theseven stars; I know thy works, thatthou hast a name that thou livest, and art dead. ²Be watchful, and strengthen the things which remain, that areready to die: for I have not found thy works perfect before God.
³Remember therefore how thou hast received and heard, andhold fast, and repent. If therefore thou shalt not watch, I will come on theeas a thief, and thou shalt not know what hour I will come upon thee.

The very fact the Lordwrote this to Sardis means that –   although He literally declared “Thou artdead”, yet His grace was telling them to repent.  If God is still callingto repentance , there is still hope for coming back alive and fulfilling Hispurposes! 

He is patient andmerciful. He loves us. He is our Helper in our fulfilling the destiny He hasfor us individually and collectively!!

 

 

 

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Prayer for 12 28 11 and again on Sabbath 12 31 -- Please take this home and meditate on it some more so we can all pray about more than what was covered tonight --bring this paper back Sabbath!

1. New beginnings in 2012: Many people make New Year’s "resolutions" to change things in their lives and/or what things He has put in your heart to do that you will, in fact, plan and DO in 2012 . You may pray concerning YOUR OWN LIFE in both putting some "habits" and/or other harmful behaviors away and in putting some new, healthy, constructive, and/or kingdom building behaviors in place.

2. Pray for all of us to receive the miracles of healing (body, soul , and

spirit ) that we need to fulfill # 1-- you may choose people by name -- ROL and/or immediate relatives.

3. Pray for all the ROL new planning and creative doing of all God has us for us in our serving Him in 2012! E.g., for 2012 -- ministry that may come to us (Doorns are already scheduled for April); all leadership meetings; the youth seminars; media club ; Word Ministry Training candidates to come forth if this is the year for them to start (and strategies for Rosemary to use with each student) [ all education/caretaking groups (e.g., ABC,YYF, PH, CC , nursery, Amen, Victory Time); the helps team; the praise team; the sound team; the newly formed music group , "River Comfort"; TV 25[ other TV ministry; international ministry; online ministry; our website; all administrative work (which includes the hands on financial team: Sue Mulder, Karen Vander Vliet, and Rosemary); Prayer times before service; special social events; any community service and/or spiritual events outside of ROL;, publications (includes newsletters) the increased awareness of all ROL members to do prayerful, intentional ministry online; increased hospitality above and beyond church times among all ROL members all special events (including graduations, Passover, Tabernacles, Christmas, Anniversary and if there be Purim, a wedding, a funeral,etc. That we continue grow in excellence in all the ; planning and carrying out of all “events”); a picnic; all group parties; our monthly Sabbath in which people share what they learned from the study cycle and we do communion together (especially that people REALLY study throughout the month and get excited about sharing!!!); Robert’s sign ministry; evangelism by ROL people both in and out of church meetings; building and grounds maintenance as well as ongoing decorations and décor being fresh and in place in timely ways; baptism time; formation of new talent groups, e.g., drama , music, instrumental, etc. ( Pray that many will be willing to be very engaged in the use of their talents both alone and being involved with others!); the birth of new vision that can be wisely carried out; more ministry in other regional churches; the HMF outreaches and involvement (e.g., 2/26 in Arizona); pray for full use of all of our Spiritual gifts in service……(If I forgot anything…please pray for it)

4. Pray for us all to repent for anything that manifests a lesser respect for our service to the Lord at church than our respect for our employment , schooling, etc. Pray this respect manifests itself in continued faithfulness in giving, punctuality, open pulpits, prayer participation, worship/praise participation, respectful attentiveness to whomever "has the floor" at all times and for anything else you believe needs improvement in order to have our Father be completely pleased with us.

5. Pray for financial miracles for ROL and all its members.

                        

The above pictures are some representations of Christmas related happenings this year at River of Life. They include a youth progressive eating time in various restaurants, the ginger bread house contest in the fellowship hall afterwards and   a Christmas program.

They say pictures are worth a 1000 words...so.. enjoy....

 

 

     

This gives you just a fraction of a taste of the Christmas Eve party at my niece and nephew's party...I was told there were 148 people there -- this is just one room -- there are several others filled with people that you can't see here.  .

We had a beautiful presentation of music and word.

 

The first picture is Debbie and Donald our hosts.

The second one is our friend, James Abney , singing gospel with a group of others.

The third is the children gathered to hear Debbie sing to them.

Sweet, sweet night.

 

Mary: 

Had Favour with God:  What traits do we see in her thatwould elicit God’s favor?

She was a sensitive thinker: She received a message from a high ranking angel with information fit for a keenthinker:

 

Luke1:[26] And in the sixth month theangel Gabriel was sent from God unto a city of Galilee, named Nazareth, [27] Toa virgin espoused to a man whose name was Joseph, of the house of David; andthe virgin's name was Mary. [28] And the angel came in unto her, and said,

 Hail, thou that art highly favoured{highly favored = indued withspecial honor –covered with , honor=high respect, as for worth,merit, or rank:  

It couldinclude : high public esteem; fame; glory}   ` Honorable , worthy ofrespect

 

 the Lord is withthee:                                                                             

{ blessedart thou among women. (this entire phrase was added by the translators inthis passage…all the words are # 9999 which means “inserted word”)

[29]And when she saw him, she was troubledat his saying, {troubled= agitated, wholly disturbed}

 and castin her mind what manner of salutation {greeting} this should be. {cast in her mind: “reckoned thoroughly”, “deliberated byreflection”

 [30] And the angel said unto her, Fear not, Mary: {don’t be alarmed}: for thou hast found favour withGod.

{favor = acceptance, He is pleasedwith you}

 

[31] And, behold, thou shaltconceive in thy womb, and bring forth a son, and shalt call his name Jesus.

32.He shall be great, and shall be calledthe Son of the Highest: and the Lord God shall give unto him the throne of hisfather David: [33] And he shall reign over the house of Jacob for ever; and ofhis kingdom there shall be no end. [34] Then said Mary unto the angel,  {PURE}

 How shall this be, seeing I know not a man³⁵Andthe angel answered and said unto her, The Holy Ghost shall come upon thee, andthe power of the Highest shall overshadow thee: therefore also that holy thingwhich shall be born of thee shall be called the Son of God.

³⁶And, behold{SEE!}, thy cousin Elisabeth, she hath also conceived a son in her oldage: and this is the sixth month with her, who was called barren.
³⁷Forwith God nothing shall be impossible.
³⁸And Mary said, Behold the handmaid   {# 1401: slave, voluntary or involuntary)of the Lord; be it unto me according to thyword { Be  it:  bring it into being, cause it) .       {Wholly submitted to God as her Lord and Master  - full of FAITH}

 

The fact she said“according to thy word” means she had faith immediately that what the angel wassaying was from God. To have that kind of faith means she knew God! Shebelieved Luke 1: ³⁷For with Godnothing shall be impossible.

Faith in ACTION:  {Doesnot sit around and think about everything too longs – she believes; she ACTS} v. 39she immediately ACTS on what she has been told! She does not wait around tomake sure she “feels it “ and it is “worked in her”…she believes; she responds.She does not run to everyone else and try to “get a witness”…she knows herselfwhat she saw , heard, and believes. Elisabeth , though old, though previouslybarren ,Gabriel said, was pregnant. God said it; Mary believed it.

Gabriel said, “Behold” {See} –Mary goes to see.

Luke1:  [39] And Mary arose in those days, and went into the hill country withhaste,into a city of Juda; [40] And entered into the house of Zacharias, and salutedElisabeth.    [41] And it came to pass,that, whenElisabeth heard the salutation of Mary, the babe leaped in her womb; andElisabeth was filled with the Holy Ghost: [42] And she spake out with a loudvoice, and said, Blessed art thou among women, and blessed is the fruit ofthy womb. [43] And whence is this to me, that the mother of my Lord should cometo me? [44] For, lo, as soon as the voice of thy salutation sounded in mineears, the babe leaped in my womb for joy. [45] And blessed is she thatbelieved: for there shall be a . performance of those things which were toldher from the Lord.

 

 At this  point, if Mary were prideful, she could think: “The sound of MY VOICE caused all this exhilaration?”Instead, she immediatelyglorifies GOD!!!!  {Humble; full of praise and worship (worshipdemonstrates adoration and love of God)– She knows who is the Source of thisblessing – She is FULL OF JOY}

 

Luke 1: [46] And Mary said, My soul doth magnify the Lord,[47] And my spirit hath rejoiced in God my Saviour. [48] For he hath regarded thelow estate of his handmaiden: for, behold, from henceforth all generationsshall call me blessed. [49] For he that is mighty hath done to me great things;and holy is his name. [51] He hath shewed strength with his arm; he hathscattered the proud in the imagination of their hearts. [52] He hath put downthe mighty from their seats, and exalted them of low degree. [53] He hathfilled the hungry with good things; and the rich he hath sent empty away.

[54]He hath holpen his servant Israel, in remembrance of his mercy; [55] As hespake to our fathers, to Abraham, and to his seed for ever.

{Her mind is filled with the plansof God – she is not fixed on her self; she has heard and knows God’s plans –they are in her heart and mind as well as in her words.}

 

Marywas MORE into worship and seeing God’s prophetic fulfillment than worryingabout thepossibility that , e.g., – when she told Joseph of this – Joseph would notunderstand!  He may think she was guiltyof being impure, unfaithful:

^{Matt: 18}Now the birth of Jesus Christ was on this wise: Whenas his mother Mary was espoused to Joseph, before they came together, she wasfound with child of the Holy Ghost.
¹⁹Then Joseph her husband, being a just man, and not willingto make her a public example, was minded to put her away privily.
²⁰But while he thought on these things, behold, the angel of theLord appeared unto him in a dream, saying, Joseph, thou son of David, fear notto take unto thee Mary thy wife: for that which is conceived in her is of theHoly Ghost.
²¹And she shall bring forth a son, and thou shalt call his nameJESUS: for he shall save his people from their sins.
²²Now all this was done, that it might be fulfilled which was spokenof the Lord by the prophet, saying,
²³Behold, a virginshall be with child, and shall bring forth a son, and they shall call his nameEmmanuel, which being interpreted is, God with us.

 

{Mary was mindful of the promises givenin the Old Covenant writings  :}

Luke 1: [54] He hath holpenhis servant Israel, in remembrance of his mercy; [55] As he spake to ourfathers, to Abraham, and to his seed for ever.

 

Jacob, grandson ofAbraham,  prophesying to his sons: Genesis49:10 The sceptre shall not depart from Judah, nor a lawgiver from between hisfeet, until Shiloh come; and unto him shall the gathering of the people be.

 

 

^{micah 7:18}Who is a God like unto thee, thatpardoneth iniquity, and passeth by the transgression of the remnant of hisheritage? he retaineth not his anger for ever, because he delighteth inmercy. ¹⁹He will turn again, he will have compassionupon us; he will subdue our iniquities; and thou wilt cast all their sins intothe depths of the sea. ²⁰Thou wilt perform the truth to Jacob, andthe mercy to Abraham, which thou hast sworn unto our fathers from the days ofold.

 

Psalm 45:6 Thy throne,O God, is for ever and ever: the sceptre of thy kingdom is a right sceptre.

Isaiah 9:6 For unto usa child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon hisshoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God,The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace. [7] Of the increase of hisgovernment and peace there shall be no end, upon the throne of David, and uponhis kingdom, to order it, and to establish it with judgment and with justicefrom henceforth even for ever. The zeal of the Lord of hosts will perform this.

 

In studying Mary, we learn whatdraws God’s favor: Purity, obedience, humility, awareness that we are raised upby God into a place of blessing and favor, thinking of God’s plans above ourown, knowledge  of His Word, Faith, andbeing a worshiper – which manifests LOVE and ADORATION to God.

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