Greetings -
Scriptures are from the King James Bible.
Last week I read the following in the April 2011 edition of Charisma magazine:
- "Among professing Christians or nominal Christians, there is less and less regard for Scripture, which is translating into more biblical illiteracy."
- "A recent study by the Pew Forum on Religion and Public Life found 37 percent of Americans read the Bible at least once a week, but only 16 percent of Americans read it daily. About six in 10 Americans read the Bible at least on occasion, down from three-fourths in the 1980s, according to a recent study by the Center for Bible Engagement."
This morning in my Bible reading period, our Lord placed this question in my heart, "Is biblical ignorance a sin?" I answered, "I believe so." He agreed, and added, "Of course, the greatest sin is not DOING what the Holy Bible mandates."
Question -
If we didn't have our Bibles in our physical possessions, how much of it could we bring forth from our memories?
Beginning about two years ago, our Lord emphasized to me the vital necessity of having more of the Holy Bible in my memory. After I obeyed Him and committed to having more of His Word memorized, there came a day that I couldn't access my Bible. A future post will share more about why. On that day, deep persecution came my way. Thanks be unto our Lord who had prepared me. For more than a half hour, I was able to quote Scriptures out loud without repeating any of them. Our Lord had me on a Scriptural memory roll. It aided me immensely in that crisis situation.
Note: My experience has been that the King James Bible is the easiest Bible to memorize. Also, I firmly believe that it is a more spiritually potent and powerful version to read. I did a previous post about the Bible version issue. That post received more than 50 comments - some that agreed and others that didn't agree. Here is the link to that post http://lioneaglesoar.blogspot.com/2010/12/original-king-james-bible.html
May we all dig in deeper to the Word of our Lord. It is Spirit and it is our LIFE. We cannot afford to be biblically ignorant. It is dangerous to neglect the sword of the Spirit, which is the Word of GOD. According to Ephesians 6, we are commanded to be fully armoured in GOD. The sword is a vital part of His armour for us.
Mark 12:24
And Jesus answering said unto them, Do ye not therefore err, because ye know not the scriptures, neither the power of God?
Joshua 1:8
This book of the law shall not depart out of thy mouth; but thou shalt meditate therein day and night, that thou mayest observe to do according to all that is written therein: for then thou shalt make thy way prosperous, and then thou shalt have good success.
2 Timothy 2:15
Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.
Matthew 7:21
Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven.
ADDED SUNDAY APRIL 10, 2011:
This addition to "HOLY BIBLE LITERACY" was added today after I watched Bishop T. D. Jakes' live streaming Sunday service this a.m. His Sunday services are broadcast live on the Internet and re-played all day Sundays on www.ThePottersHouse.org/.
Our Lord pleasantly surprised me when I viewed Jakes' service today. The three main scriptures that he used in his sermon are the very same three scriptures that I used in my comments yesterday in response to Clint. Here are excerpts from my comments with the subject three scriptures highlighted in yellow:
Excerpts -
Some months ago, I met a Christian (NOT a babe in Christ) who told me that she didn't read GOD'S Word every day. My mouth flew open - I was appalled. People who profess Christ as Lord and Savior and don't do daily Bible reading are suspect to me. One reason is because years ago, when I missed daily Bible reading, my character was carnal, and NOT spiritual.
I am more wary of carnal Christians than I am of bonafide sinners. Bonafide sinners, typically, don't know the Word of GOD to do it but carnal Christians, typically, know enough to KNOW BETTER BUT CHOOSE NOT TO DO... To me that indicates that they can be spiritually dangerous. Some of my experiences with carnal Christians have proven that to be truth. These scriptures come to mind from Luke 11:24, 25,26 - KJV, "When the unclean spirit is gone out of a man, he walketh through dry places, seeking rest; and finding none, he saith, I will return unto my house whence I came out. And when he cometh, he findeth it swept and garnished. Then goeth he, and taketh to him seven other spirits more wicked than himself: and they enter in, and dwell there: and the last state of that man is worse than the first."
And Titus 1:16 - KJV
They profess that they know God: but in works they deny him, being abominable, and disobedient, and unto every good work reprobate.
1 John 2:4 - KJV
He that saith, I know him and keepeth not his commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him.
Also, I have encountered too many Christians who don't know much of GOD'S Word from memory. That is definitely not good....
END OF EXCERPTS
Sandra
Written Saturday April 9, 2011
Note: The answers to 7 UPS QUIZUPS were posted Saturday April 9, 2011. For those who are unfamiliar,
7 UPS QUIZUPS is found under a separate tab located on this blog. Our Lord informed me that the subject quiz helps us in biblical literacy. Thank you, Lord!
Note: A portion of this topic is available for copying/printing/distribution. It has been posted on blog, "FREELY RECEIVED FREELY GIVEN" at http://www.giftsfromglory.blogspot.com/. Conditions for usage are posted there, as well.
Saturday, April 9, 2011
Friday, April 8, 2011
WHAT INCONVENIENCE?!
Greetings -
Scriptures are from the King James Bible.
Early this a.m., our Lord spoke these words to me, "I have put more power in you." I thanked Him. Among other Bible Scriptures that I read this morning, I read The Acts 2:26, 28, "Therefore did my heart rejoice, and my tongue was glad; moreover also my flesh shall rest in hope: Thou hast made known to me the ways of life; thou shalt make me full of joy with thy countenance."
I went to my neighborhood grocery store this morning. Placed on the front door was a sign that began, "Sorry for the inconvenience..." It went on to inform that the card payment units were out of order - the sign indicated that the store personnel couldn't process debit cards, or other card payment actions.
Our Lord wastes nothing. Satan shows off. GOD shows on. My trip to the store was NOT in vain. The Bible says in Romans 8:28, "And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose." Our Lord had me to seize the opportunity. I showed on for GOD.
The store sign began, "Sorry for the inconvenience..." Our Lord emphasized to me these words, "What inconvenience?!" It was convenient for me to "preach" the gospel. I commenced to stand outside the store, and for about ten minutes, words from the Holy Bible poured out of my mouth. A woman came out of the store and stated, "Preach that Word." I acknowledged her...and then went on to proclaim, decree, and warn, from words in the Holy Bible. And praise and glory to GOD flowed from my sanctified lips. Glory Hallelujah!
When done there, I went a longer distance away to another grocery store. The so-called inconvenience at my neighborhood store resulted in blessings for me and others - in route to, and from the other grocery store. There is a gospel song that says, "There's a Blessing in the Storm." Our Lord allowed me to be blessed, and to bless others. Again, Bible truth proves itself.
When I returned home, our Lord reminded me of what He had led me to read in The Acts 2:26, 28 before I began my grocery store journey. "Therefore did my heart rejoice, and my tongue was glad; moreover also my flesh shall rest in hope: Thou hast made known to me the ways of life; thou shalt make me full of joy with thy countenance." Our Lord knew about the store sign before I arrived there. He could have given me prior notice. His ways are NOT our ways. His Word was in my heart and what I read in The Acts 2 this a.m. came to pass when I got to the store. Glory to GOD! Indeed my heart did rejoice - my tongue was glad - and joy was surely present within me as I stood in front of that store and boldly spoke the words of our Lord contained in His Holy Bible. All that I spoke was from my memory base due to regularly spending time in the Holy Bible - digesting it and marinating in its truth-filled flavors.
Last night our Lord shared with me that when we live holy, and as a result, receive persecution, and demonic opposition - we are to do as the Word of GOD commands in James 1:2, "...count it all joy." He went on to share that when Satan fights us, we shouldn't engage in self-pity. Self-pity is idolatry, and an insult to our Lord - as is all sin.
Keeping things in perspective, I share Isaiah 45:7, "I form the light, and create darkness: I make peace, and create evil: I the Lord do all these things."
Satan can only start, and do as "thus saith the Lord." We can remember that our Lord gave Satan permission to oppose Job. Satan must get GOD'S permission to do anything. The Bible clearly states about GOD in Daniel 7:27, "...all dominions shall serve and obey him." And in John 19:11, JESUS tells Pilate, "...Thou couldest have no power at all against me, except it were given thee from above:..."
Sometimes when we are in the midst of trials, they can become so challenging that we don't remain mindful that GOD allows trials for the advancement of His kingdom purposes, and "for our profit that we might be partakers of His holiness" - Hebrews 12:10. We are in moments in time to "put away childish things" - 1 Corinthians 13:11. Our Lord knows how long milk is reasonably to be consumed by each of His children. And surely He knows when milk and pacifiers need to be "put away." Hebrews 5:14 says, "But strong meat belongeth to them that are of full age, even those who by reason of use have their senses exercised to discern both good and evil."
When we live holy, and Satan fights against us, he starts things with us that he comes to regret. Again, Romans 8:28, "And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God..." When Satan put in motion evil actions that led to the crucifixion of our Lord, he started something that he came to regret. Our Lord's crucifixion led to His resurrection, and subsequently, He is our Lord and Savior.
GOD didn't tell Satan that JESUS would be raised from the dead to reign and rule forever! The Bible speaks in 1 Corinthians 2:7, 8 these words, "But we speak the wisdom of God in a mystery, even the hidden wisdom, which God ordained before the world unto our glory. Which none of the princes of this world knew: for had they known it, they would not have crucified the Lord of glory."
Revelation 11:10-12
And they that dwell upon the earth shall rejoice over them, and make merry, and shall send gifts one to another; because these two prophets tormented them that dwelt on the earth.
And after three days and an half the Spirit of life from God entered into them, and they stood upon their feet: and great fear fell upon them which saw them.
And they heard a great voice from heaven saying unto them, Come up hither. And they ascended up to heaven in a cloud; and their enemies beheld them.
Our Lord said to me that when we are in the storms we should say to Him things like, "Lord, I wonder what good and blessings you have in motion because of these storms. Thank You, Lord, for what You are doing for Your glory in these storms that You have allowed in our lives. Thank You that we shall come forth as gold!" Job 23:10, "But he knoweth the way that I take: when he hath tried me, I shall come forth as gold."
When Satan fights us, it is affirmation that we are in league with the insurmountable Father of lights.
Let us routinely thank our Lord for the good that is surely in, and after the storms - when we live holy unto our Lord.
James 5:11
Behold, we count them happy which endure....
Sandra
Written Friday April 9, 2011
Copyright 2011
Scriptures are from the King James Bible.
Early this a.m., our Lord spoke these words to me, "I have put more power in you." I thanked Him. Among other Bible Scriptures that I read this morning, I read The Acts 2:26, 28, "Therefore did my heart rejoice, and my tongue was glad; moreover also my flesh shall rest in hope: Thou hast made known to me the ways of life; thou shalt make me full of joy with thy countenance."
I went to my neighborhood grocery store this morning. Placed on the front door was a sign that began, "Sorry for the inconvenience..." It went on to inform that the card payment units were out of order - the sign indicated that the store personnel couldn't process debit cards, or other card payment actions.
Our Lord wastes nothing. Satan shows off. GOD shows on. My trip to the store was NOT in vain. The Bible says in Romans 8:28, "And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose." Our Lord had me to seize the opportunity. I showed on for GOD.
The store sign began, "Sorry for the inconvenience..." Our Lord emphasized to me these words, "What inconvenience?!" It was convenient for me to "preach" the gospel. I commenced to stand outside the store, and for about ten minutes, words from the Holy Bible poured out of my mouth. A woman came out of the store and stated, "Preach that Word." I acknowledged her...and then went on to proclaim, decree, and warn, from words in the Holy Bible. And praise and glory to GOD flowed from my sanctified lips. Glory Hallelujah!
When done there, I went a longer distance away to another grocery store. The so-called inconvenience at my neighborhood store resulted in blessings for me and others - in route to, and from the other grocery store. There is a gospel song that says, "There's a Blessing in the Storm." Our Lord allowed me to be blessed, and to bless others. Again, Bible truth proves itself.
When I returned home, our Lord reminded me of what He had led me to read in The Acts 2:26, 28 before I began my grocery store journey. "Therefore did my heart rejoice, and my tongue was glad; moreover also my flesh shall rest in hope: Thou hast made known to me the ways of life; thou shalt make me full of joy with thy countenance." Our Lord knew about the store sign before I arrived there. He could have given me prior notice. His ways are NOT our ways. His Word was in my heart and what I read in The Acts 2 this a.m. came to pass when I got to the store. Glory to GOD! Indeed my heart did rejoice - my tongue was glad - and joy was surely present within me as I stood in front of that store and boldly spoke the words of our Lord contained in His Holy Bible. All that I spoke was from my memory base due to regularly spending time in the Holy Bible - digesting it and marinating in its truth-filled flavors.
Last night our Lord shared with me that when we live holy, and as a result, receive persecution, and demonic opposition - we are to do as the Word of GOD commands in James 1:2, "...count it all joy." He went on to share that when Satan fights us, we shouldn't engage in self-pity. Self-pity is idolatry, and an insult to our Lord - as is all sin.
Keeping things in perspective, I share Isaiah 45:7, "I form the light, and create darkness: I make peace, and create evil: I the Lord do all these things."
Satan can only start, and do as "thus saith the Lord." We can remember that our Lord gave Satan permission to oppose Job. Satan must get GOD'S permission to do anything. The Bible clearly states about GOD in Daniel 7:27, "...all dominions shall serve and obey him." And in John 19:11, JESUS tells Pilate, "...Thou couldest have no power at all against me, except it were given thee from above:..."
Sometimes when we are in the midst of trials, they can become so challenging that we don't remain mindful that GOD allows trials for the advancement of His kingdom purposes, and "for our profit that we might be partakers of His holiness" - Hebrews 12:10. We are in moments in time to "put away childish things" - 1 Corinthians 13:11. Our Lord knows how long milk is reasonably to be consumed by each of His children. And surely He knows when milk and pacifiers need to be "put away." Hebrews 5:14 says, "But strong meat belongeth to them that are of full age, even those who by reason of use have their senses exercised to discern both good and evil."
When we live holy, and Satan fights against us, he starts things with us that he comes to regret. Again, Romans 8:28, "And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God..." When Satan put in motion evil actions that led to the crucifixion of our Lord, he started something that he came to regret. Our Lord's crucifixion led to His resurrection, and subsequently, He is our Lord and Savior.
GOD didn't tell Satan that JESUS would be raised from the dead to reign and rule forever! The Bible speaks in 1 Corinthians 2:7, 8 these words, "But we speak the wisdom of God in a mystery, even the hidden wisdom, which God ordained before the world unto our glory. Which none of the princes of this world knew: for had they known it, they would not have crucified the Lord of glory."
Revelation 11:10-12
And they that dwell upon the earth shall rejoice over them, and make merry, and shall send gifts one to another; because these two prophets tormented them that dwelt on the earth.
And after three days and an half the Spirit of life from God entered into them, and they stood upon their feet: and great fear fell upon them which saw them.
And they heard a great voice from heaven saying unto them, Come up hither. And they ascended up to heaven in a cloud; and their enemies beheld them.
Our Lord said to me that when we are in the storms we should say to Him things like, "Lord, I wonder what good and blessings you have in motion because of these storms. Thank You, Lord, for what You are doing for Your glory in these storms that You have allowed in our lives. Thank You that we shall come forth as gold!" Job 23:10, "But he knoweth the way that I take: when he hath tried me, I shall come forth as gold."
When Satan fights us, it is affirmation that we are in league with the insurmountable Father of lights.
Let us routinely thank our Lord for the good that is surely in, and after the storms - when we live holy unto our Lord.
James 5:11
Behold, we count them happy which endure....
Sandra
Written Friday April 9, 2011
Copyright 2011
Tuesday, April 5, 2011
SCRIPTURE JOY, AND WE ALL NEED TO CHANGE
 |
| Sandra Near cherry blossoms in Washington, DC |
Greetings -
Scriptures are from the King James Bible.
Philippians 3:12-14
Not as though I had already attained, either were already perfect: but I follow after, if that I may apprehend that for which also I am apprehended of Christ Jesus.
Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended: but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before,
I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.
We all need to change - sinners and Christians. Of course, sinners need salvation and to accept JESUS as Savior, and to choose to obey the Word of GOD. We, Christians, need to change, as well. Recently, I heard a pastor express that some Christians are born-again but they are NOT holy. I believe that, often, Christians are the butt of jokes in mainstream society because holiness is NOT a lifestyle for many people who profess Christ as their Lord and Savior. If holiness is steadfastly on display, the results will be more respect and reverence for GOD.
Certainly, holiness, in demonstration, brings on persecution. But it is one thing to be mocked for righteousness sake. It is quite another thing to be mocked for unrighteousness sake.
Herod had John the Baptist killed because John was holy. Even though Herod had John killed, the Bible states in Mark 6:20, "For Herod feared John, knowing that he was a just man and an holy, and observed him; and when he heard him, he did many things, and heard him gladly."
In the book of Exodus, as wicked as king Pharaoh was, he knew that Moses was holy. In the book of 1 Samuel, it reveals that Saul knew that David was holy. It says in 1 Samuel 18:12, 14, 15, "And Saul was afraid of David, because the Lord was with him, and was departed from Saul. And David behaved himself wisely in all his ways, and the Lord was with him. Wherefore when Saul saw that he behaved himself very wisely, he was afraid of him." And 2 Samuel 3:1 says, "Now there was long war between the house of Saul and the house of David; but David waxed stronger and stronger, and the house of Saul waxed weaker and weaker." Clearly, our Lord is with those who are holy.
In the book of Daniel, king Darius knew that Daniel was holy. He was "sore displeased," and could not sleep because he had had Daniel placed in the den of lions. Daniel 6:14, 18 states, "Then the king, when he heard these words, was sore displeased with himself, and set his heart on Daniel to deliver him: and he laboured till the going down of the sun to deliver him. Then the king went to his palace, and passed the night fasting: neither were instruments of musick brought before him: and his sleep went from him."
In Daniel 3, king Nebuchadnezzar knew that Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego were holy. He made a decree in Daniel 3:29. It states, "Therefore I make a decree, That every people, nation, and language, which speak any thing amiss against the GOD of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, shall be cut in pieces, and their houses shall be made a dunghill: because there is no other GOD that can deliver after this sort." And Daniel 3:30 states that the king promoted the three men with the furnace testimony. Specifically, it states, "Then the king promoted Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, in the province Babylon." Babylon was the region of their captivity! Our GOD is NOT limited by our placements or our circumstances.
Are we holy enough to be recognized as such? Do we steadfastly shine as Moses did in Exodus 34:30? It says, "And when Aaron and all the children of Israel saw Moses, behold, the skin of his face shone;..." As I shared in a previous post, when I lived in Tampa, a crack addict said that she saw an aura on me. Also, when in Tampa, I rode the bus the second time with a man when he said to me, "I see JESUS all over you." I didn't mention those accounts to boast of me, but to boast of the power of our Lord when we steadfastly and utterly yield to His will. When we are holy, heathen and Christians KNOW it. We can glory in tribulations when they come as a result of our holiness. Romans 5:3 states, "And not only so, but we glory in tribulations also:..."
Holiness is an ongoing process. If we don't continue to move ahead in our Lord, we become "stuck on stupid." The other day I said to our Lord, "I need to change." He will lead as to how that needs to develop.
Yes, we help sinners, but we should remain mindful that sinners help us, as well. Some of them are kinder and more generous than some Christians. Numerous sinners volunteer, and serve others. Overall, do enough Christians serve others? Or do we do more to serve ourselves in the safe and comfortable confines of our homes and church buildings? Galatians 6:2 says, "Bear ye one another's burdens, and so fulfil the law of Christ." Do we sufficiently fulfil that law of Christ?
I feel pity for sinners who don't know our Lord, and pray regularly for their salvation. Increasingly, though, I feel pity for, and pray for those Christians who have been born-again for years yet choose to be carnal. The result of such choices is that, for the most part, those Christians are spiritually unprofitable and dead. Romans 8:6 says, "For to be carnally minded is death; but to be spiritually minded is life and peace." Their unwise choices to be about death means that the best of GOD is unavailable to them. How pitiful is that?
We all need to change - sinners and Christians. We need to help each other. There are lessons that we gain from sinners and there are lessons that they gain from us. We all have valuable contributions to make from our pool of experiences. We shouldn't outright dismiss the knowledge and wisdom bases of sinners just because they don't know our Lord. GOD has deposited valuable talents and gifts in ALL of His creations. When I lived in a homeless shelter, our Lord allowed me to learn from drug addicts and alcoholics, and He allowed them to learn from me. I am grateful for their deposits into my character base. Please know that I don't promote being friends with the world. That is biblically unsound. I do heartily promote that we seek our Lord for discernment in how to lovingly and wisely engage with others - sinners and saints.
We all need to change. For the glory of GOD, what changes do we need to make in our attitudes, and lifestyles? How can we better serve our Lord, and others? Love must be a core ingredient - without love, we are nothing.
We must evolve. None of us has arrived. We are all students and teachers. We won't truly arrive unless we do the will of our Lord, and when we exit this earth to arrive in heaven. Until then, we must evolve to become better and better with a steadfast aim for the BEST. That can only be successfully done with GOD as our FIRST LOVE.
Why settle...when the optimum is attainable?
2 Corinthians 3:18
But we all, with open face beholding as in a glass the glory of the Lord, are changed into the same image from glory to glory, even as by the Spirit of the Lord.
2 Corinthians 7:1
Having therefore these promises, dearly beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God.
Sandra
Written Tuesday April 5, 2011
- FYI - You're invited to obtain my e-books. Also, I invite you to read my free offerings. Here is the link for additional information. http://www.sandrasbookdepot.blogspot.com/
You don't need e-readers to read e-books; they can also be read online.
Sunday, April 3, 2011
UTTERLY OBEY GOD
Greetings -
Scriptures are from the King James Bible.
Sometime ago, I heard a pastor say relative to GOD, "Partial obedience is disobedience."
Recently, our Lord again stressed to me the importance of utterly obeying what He instructs. The New Oxford American Dictionary defines utter as - complete; absolute.
In Joshua 6:18, GOD's people were told, "And ye, in any wise keep yourselves from the accursed thing, lest ye make yourselves accursed, when ye take of the accursed thing, and make the camp of Israel a curse, and trouble it."
What happened? Foolish Achan took of the accursed thing and as a result GOD'S people were defeated - Joshua 7:5. When questioned by Joshua, Achan responded in Joshua 7:21, "When I saw among the spoils...then I coveted them, and took them; and behold they are hid in the earth..."
Now we know that nothing is hidden from our Lord but there are times that we deceive ourselves into believing that GOD is not on watch. The truth of the matter is that GOD is always on watch and absolutely nothing escapes His view. But we can be deceived or reckless - sometimes both - in the dark chambers of our hearts. Then there is the matter of our Lord not always rendering swift justice so we foolishly go into modes of "we have escaped" the consequences. We may be in those modes for "seasons" but most of us have lived to learn that the consequences of our wrong deeds do manifest - on GOD's schedule. Typically, He doesn't provide detailed advance notices when He is closing in with His "hammer." Truly, it is in our best interest to quickly repent and make rapid turns from our wicked ways because none of us enjoys "hammer time."
Now back to Achan - he not only brought judgment on himself but on his entire family. They all perished because Achan didn't utterly obey GOD. After GOD's judgment upon Achan and his family, GOD allowed Joshua and company to utterly destroy their enemies - Joshua 8:26. Prior to that victory, our Lord had informed Joshua that, in that instance, they could have the spoil whereas in the Achan episode, they were forbidden to partake of the spoils for themselves. They were told in Joshua 6:24, "And they burnt the city with fire, and all that was therein; only the silver, and the gold, and the vessels of brass and of iron, they put into the treasury of the house of the Lord."
Joshua 8:2 says, "And thou shalt do to Ai and her king as thou didst unto Jericho and her king: only the spoil thereof, and the cattle thereof, shall ye take for a prey unto yourselves:..."
If only Achan had waited, he could have received
GOD-approved spoils without jeopardy that fatally affected him and his family. Proverbs 10:22 says, "The blessing of the Lord, it maketh rich, and he addeth no sorrow with it."
Sometimes, our Lord's answer is not no, but wait. Not only are we to wait but we are instructed by our Lord to wait right - without murmuring and complaining. It has been said, "Praise pays." I have learned that it absolutely does pay to praise GOD in the midst of storms, and mountaintop experiences. His Word says in Philippians 4:4, "Rejoice in the Lord alway: and again I say, Rejoice."
Here are other "utterly" scriptures from Joshua:
Joshua 11:11,12
And they smote all the souls that were therein with the edge of the sword, utterly destroying them: there was not any left to breathe:...
And all the cities of those kings, and all the kings of them, did Joshua take, and smote them with the edge of the sword, and he utterly destroyed them, as Moses the servant of the Lord commanded.
Joshua 11:15
As the Lord commanded Moses his servant, so did Moses command Joshua, and so did Joshua; he left nothing undone of all that the Lord commanded Moses.
Joshua 11:20, 21
For it was of the Lord to harden their hearts, that they should come against Israel in battle, that he might destroy them utterly, and that they might have no favour, but that he might destroy them, as the Lord commanded Moses.
...Joshua destroyed them utterly...
From Joshua, we go to King Saul who didn't fare so well with GOD'S "utterly" commands. In 1 Samuel 15:3 our Lord instructs Saul, "Now go and smite Amalek, and utterly destroy all that they have, and spare them not; but slay both man and woman, infant and suckling, ox and sheep, camel and ass."
What did Saul do? He partially obeyed GOD which amounted to full disobedience from the perspective of our Lord. 1 Samuel 15:8 states, "And he took Agag the king of the Amalekites alive, and utterly destroyed all the people..." 1 Samuel 15:9 states, "But Saul and the people spared Agag, and the best of the sheep, and of the oxen, and of the fatlings, and the lambs, and all that was good, and would not utterly destroy them: but every thing that was vile and refuse, that they destroyed utterly."
That is NOT what GOD told Saul to do. Samuel confronted Saul about his failure to utterly obey GOD. Saul answers in 1 Samuel 15:21, "But the people took of the spoil, sheep and oxen, the chief of the things which should have been utterly destroyed, to sacrifice unto the Lord thy God in Gilgal."
Samuel comes back at Saul with 1 Samuel 15:22, 23, "...Hath the Lord as great delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices, as in obeying the voice of the Lord? Behold, to obey is better than sacrifice, and to hearken than the fat of rams. For rebellion is as the sin of witchcraft, and stubbornness is as iniquity and idolatry. Because thou hast rejected the word of the Lord, he hath also rejected thee from being king."
Saul answers in 1 Samuel 15:24, "...I have sinned: for I have transgressed the commandment of the Lord, and thy words: because I feared the people, and obeyed their voice."
Saul lost his kingly position because he did NOT utterly obey GOD. Achan lost his life, and his family perished with him.
It is no trivial matter to our Lord when we fail to utterly obey Him. When He tells us to utterly obey Him, that is precisely, completely and absolutely what He means. When we fail to do as instructed by the only wise GOD, He utterly makes it clear to us that He is certainly angry. Only He knows how His judgments manifest and when.
May we steadfastly utterly DO according to the guidance of our Lord for the advancement of His kingdom, and for our profit - to be partakers of His holiness - Hebrews 12:10.
Sandra
Written Sunday April 3, 2011
Copyright 2011
- FYI - You're invited to obtain my e-books. Also, I invite you to read my free offerings. Here is the link for additional information. http://www.sandrasbookdepot.blogspot.com/
You don't need e-readers to read e-books; they can also be read online.
Scriptures are from the King James Bible.
Sometime ago, I heard a pastor say relative to GOD, "Partial obedience is disobedience."
Recently, our Lord again stressed to me the importance of utterly obeying what He instructs. The New Oxford American Dictionary defines utter as - complete; absolute.
In Joshua 6:18, GOD's people were told, "And ye, in any wise keep yourselves from the accursed thing, lest ye make yourselves accursed, when ye take of the accursed thing, and make the camp of Israel a curse, and trouble it."
What happened? Foolish Achan took of the accursed thing and as a result GOD'S people were defeated - Joshua 7:5. When questioned by Joshua, Achan responded in Joshua 7:21, "When I saw among the spoils...then I coveted them, and took them; and behold they are hid in the earth..."
Now we know that nothing is hidden from our Lord but there are times that we deceive ourselves into believing that GOD is not on watch. The truth of the matter is that GOD is always on watch and absolutely nothing escapes His view. But we can be deceived or reckless - sometimes both - in the dark chambers of our hearts. Then there is the matter of our Lord not always rendering swift justice so we foolishly go into modes of "we have escaped" the consequences. We may be in those modes for "seasons" but most of us have lived to learn that the consequences of our wrong deeds do manifest - on GOD's schedule. Typically, He doesn't provide detailed advance notices when He is closing in with His "hammer." Truly, it is in our best interest to quickly repent and make rapid turns from our wicked ways because none of us enjoys "hammer time."
Now back to Achan - he not only brought judgment on himself but on his entire family. They all perished because Achan didn't utterly obey GOD. After GOD's judgment upon Achan and his family, GOD allowed Joshua and company to utterly destroy their enemies - Joshua 8:26. Prior to that victory, our Lord had informed Joshua that, in that instance, they could have the spoil whereas in the Achan episode, they were forbidden to partake of the spoils for themselves. They were told in Joshua 6:24, "And they burnt the city with fire, and all that was therein; only the silver, and the gold, and the vessels of brass and of iron, they put into the treasury of the house of the Lord."
Joshua 8:2 says, "And thou shalt do to Ai and her king as thou didst unto Jericho and her king: only the spoil thereof, and the cattle thereof, shall ye take for a prey unto yourselves:..."
If only Achan had waited, he could have received
GOD-approved spoils without jeopardy that fatally affected him and his family. Proverbs 10:22 says, "The blessing of the Lord, it maketh rich, and he addeth no sorrow with it."
Sometimes, our Lord's answer is not no, but wait. Not only are we to wait but we are instructed by our Lord to wait right - without murmuring and complaining. It has been said, "Praise pays." I have learned that it absolutely does pay to praise GOD in the midst of storms, and mountaintop experiences. His Word says in Philippians 4:4, "Rejoice in the Lord alway: and again I say, Rejoice."
Here are other "utterly" scriptures from Joshua:
Joshua 11:11,12
And they smote all the souls that were therein with the edge of the sword, utterly destroying them: there was not any left to breathe:...
And all the cities of those kings, and all the kings of them, did Joshua take, and smote them with the edge of the sword, and he utterly destroyed them, as Moses the servant of the Lord commanded.
Joshua 11:15
As the Lord commanded Moses his servant, so did Moses command Joshua, and so did Joshua; he left nothing undone of all that the Lord commanded Moses.
Joshua 11:20, 21
For it was of the Lord to harden their hearts, that they should come against Israel in battle, that he might destroy them utterly, and that they might have no favour, but that he might destroy them, as the Lord commanded Moses.
...Joshua destroyed them utterly...
From Joshua, we go to King Saul who didn't fare so well with GOD'S "utterly" commands. In 1 Samuel 15:3 our Lord instructs Saul, "Now go and smite Amalek, and utterly destroy all that they have, and spare them not; but slay both man and woman, infant and suckling, ox and sheep, camel and ass."
What did Saul do? He partially obeyed GOD which amounted to full disobedience from the perspective of our Lord. 1 Samuel 15:8 states, "And he took Agag the king of the Amalekites alive, and utterly destroyed all the people..." 1 Samuel 15:9 states, "But Saul and the people spared Agag, and the best of the sheep, and of the oxen, and of the fatlings, and the lambs, and all that was good, and would not utterly destroy them: but every thing that was vile and refuse, that they destroyed utterly."
That is NOT what GOD told Saul to do. Samuel confronted Saul about his failure to utterly obey GOD. Saul answers in 1 Samuel 15:21, "But the people took of the spoil, sheep and oxen, the chief of the things which should have been utterly destroyed, to sacrifice unto the Lord thy God in Gilgal."
Samuel comes back at Saul with 1 Samuel 15:22, 23, "...Hath the Lord as great delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices, as in obeying the voice of the Lord? Behold, to obey is better than sacrifice, and to hearken than the fat of rams. For rebellion is as the sin of witchcraft, and stubbornness is as iniquity and idolatry. Because thou hast rejected the word of the Lord, he hath also rejected thee from being king."
Saul answers in 1 Samuel 15:24, "...I have sinned: for I have transgressed the commandment of the Lord, and thy words: because I feared the people, and obeyed their voice."
Saul lost his kingly position because he did NOT utterly obey GOD. Achan lost his life, and his family perished with him.
It is no trivial matter to our Lord when we fail to utterly obey Him. When He tells us to utterly obey Him, that is precisely, completely and absolutely what He means. When we fail to do as instructed by the only wise GOD, He utterly makes it clear to us that He is certainly angry. Only He knows how His judgments manifest and when.
May we steadfastly utterly DO according to the guidance of our Lord for the advancement of His kingdom, and for our profit - to be partakers of His holiness - Hebrews 12:10.
Sandra
Written Sunday April 3, 2011
Copyright 2011
- FYI - You're invited to obtain my e-books. Also, I invite you to read my free offerings. Here is the link for additional information. http://www.sandrasbookdepot.blogspot.com/
You don't need e-readers to read e-books; they can also be read online.
Monday, March 28, 2011
GETTNG DOWN WITH THE WORD...
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| Sandra getting down with THE WORD |
Greetings -
Scriptures are from the King James Bible.
Photos compliments of Sandra
Copyright 2011
Joshua 1:8
This book of the law shall not depart out of thy mouth; but thou shalt meditate therein day and night, that thou mayest observe to do according to all that is written therein: for then thou shalt make thy way prosperous, and then thou shalt have good success.
Our Lord has again stressed to me the urgency of the application of His Word, the Holy Bible, in our daily affairs. GOD'S Word is our sword that commands priority status. The Word of GOD is alive and we thoroughly thrive when we think it, speak it, hear it, and DO it. Without its regular application, we wither on the Vine. If we fail to attend...we risk death on the Vine.
Recently I heard a pastor say that for some people the Word got in but it didn't get down, and for some the Word gets down but it doesn't come up.
Today our Lord said to me, "Getting down with the Word and coming up with JESUS."
Bishop T. D. Jakes' message yesterday was titled, "In the Presence of Beasts." One scripture that he used was Mark 1:13 which states about JESUS, "And he was there in the wilderness forty days, tempted of Satan: and was with the wild beasts; and the angels ministered unto him."
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| Sandra with her Bible inside her "army" case |
Jakes said the following in reference to his topic:
- You have to go ahead in the presence of wild beasts.
- Smile in the presence of beasts.
- God will provide for you in the presence of beasts.
Our Lord reminded me that in Matthew 4, JESUS came against Satan's opposition with the Word of GOD. Christ repeatedly said to the devil, "It is written."
Here is a bit of what is written about the Word of our Lord:
Hebrews 4:12
For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.
Psalm 119:11
Thy word have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against thee.
Psalm 119:140
Thy word is very pure: therefore thy servant loveth it.
James 1:22
But be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving your own selves.
Matthew 7:21
Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven: but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven.
Revelation 7:17
For the Lamb which is in the midst of the throne shall feed them, and shall lead them unto living fountains of waters: and God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes.
Revelation 3:21
To him that overcometh will I grant to sit with me in my throne, even as I also overcame, and am set down with my Father in his throne.
Sandra
Written Monday March 28, 2011
Friday, March 25, 2011
CREDIT RATING
Greetings -
In the natural, there are credit ratings that determine where we stand financially and relative to what we can receive on credit from institutions and establishments. But what about that which pertains to our Lord? What is our credit rating with HIM?
Recently, a couple of days in the a.m., I did brief time in our Lord's Word and in prayer rather than my usual lengthy a.m. time. There were some matters that I felt inclined to attend to which placed me in the brief a.m. mode relative to my communion with our Lord. Those couple of days when I did that, our Lord said, "Your credit is good." That being the case, He revealed that I had "clearance" to do those brief a.m. exercises on those couple of days. When our Lord uttered those words, I rested in my spirit about the brief a.m. choices. The afternoons were used to make up for the a.m. brevity.
I haven't felt inclined to regularly depart from my daily in-depth a.m. communion with our Lord but I was glad to hear from Him that our relationship is such that He assured that my spiritual credit is good.
It is a glorious place in GOD to be trusted by Him. The more that He can trust us, the more of Himself He will reveal to our spirits. When our spiritual credit is good, we are ripe instruments for more profitable usages - all for the glory of GOD!
Let us pursue, in earnest, the best credit ratings in the realm of the SPIRIT.
Sandra
Written Friday March 24, 2011
Copyright 2011
- FYI - You're invited to obtain my e-books. Also, I invite you to read my free offerings. Here is the link for additional information. http://www.sandrasbookdepot.blogspot.com/
You don't need e-readers to read e-books; they can also be read online.
In the natural, there are credit ratings that determine where we stand financially and relative to what we can receive on credit from institutions and establishments. But what about that which pertains to our Lord? What is our credit rating with HIM?
Recently, a couple of days in the a.m., I did brief time in our Lord's Word and in prayer rather than my usual lengthy a.m. time. There were some matters that I felt inclined to attend to which placed me in the brief a.m. mode relative to my communion with our Lord. Those couple of days when I did that, our Lord said, "Your credit is good." That being the case, He revealed that I had "clearance" to do those brief a.m. exercises on those couple of days. When our Lord uttered those words, I rested in my spirit about the brief a.m. choices. The afternoons were used to make up for the a.m. brevity.
I haven't felt inclined to regularly depart from my daily in-depth a.m. communion with our Lord but I was glad to hear from Him that our relationship is such that He assured that my spiritual credit is good.
It is a glorious place in GOD to be trusted by Him. The more that He can trust us, the more of Himself He will reveal to our spirits. When our spiritual credit is good, we are ripe instruments for more profitable usages - all for the glory of GOD!
Let us pursue, in earnest, the best credit ratings in the realm of the SPIRIT.
Sandra
Written Friday March 24, 2011
Copyright 2011
- FYI - You're invited to obtain my e-books. Also, I invite you to read my free offerings. Here is the link for additional information. http://www.sandrasbookdepot.blogspot.com/
You don't need e-readers to read e-books; they can also be read online.
SCRIPTURE JOY
Greetings -
Scriptures are from the King James Bible.
Exodus 7:12
...Aaron's rod swallowed up their rods.
Exodus 10:1
And the Lord said unto Moses, Go in unto Pharaoh: for I have hardened his heart, and the heart of his servants, that I might shew these my signs before him:
Exodus 12:13
...and when I see the blood, I will pass over you,...
Revelation 12:11
And they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb, and by the word of their testimony; and they loved not their lives unto the death.
Psalm 119:89
For ever, O Lord, thy word is settled in heaven.
The Acts 4:13
...they marvelled; and they took knowledge of them, that they had been with Jesus.
Jeremiah 1:19
And they shall fight against thee; but they shall not prevail against thee; for I am with thee, saith the Lord, to deliver thee.
Wednesday, March 23, 2011
FAITH IN GOD GUEST LIST
Greetings -
There is an upcoming grand event with faith as the focus. Here are some that are on the guest list:
- Mustard seed faith
- Bone crusher faith (I heard that definition from a Bishop recently.)
- Earthquake faith
- Volcanic faith
- SON dweller faith
- SON warrior faith
- Miniature faith
- Fire eagle faith
- Mountain moving faith
- Cliff hanger faith
- Tenacious faith
- Mountain smoking faith
- Glory faith
- Hundredfold faith
- Team lion faith
THE COMMON DEMONINATOR IS FERVENT LOVE FOR AND DEVOTION TO THE MOST HIGH GOD.
We expect a faith-filled gala.
Hmmm...
I wonder who the faith guests will bring as dates?
Note: Please read the post directly below this one titled, "INSIDE JOBS."
There is an upcoming grand event with faith as the focus. Here are some that are on the guest list:
- Mustard seed faith
- Bone crusher faith (I heard that definition from a Bishop recently.)
- Earthquake faith
- Volcanic faith
- SON dweller faith
- SON warrior faith
- Miniature faith
- Fire eagle faith
- Mountain moving faith
- Cliff hanger faith
- Tenacious faith
- Mountain smoking faith
- Glory faith
- Hundredfold faith
- Team lion faith
THE COMMON DEMONINATOR IS FERVENT LOVE FOR AND DEVOTION TO THE MOST HIGH GOD.
We expect a faith-filled gala.
Hmmm...
I wonder who the faith guests will bring as dates?
Note: Please read the post directly below this one titled, "INSIDE JOBS."
INSIDE JOBS
Greetings -
The scriptures are from the King James Bible.
In the midst of the unrest in Egypt, Yemen and Libya, defectors have switched sides in stands against their "leaders" - Mubarak, Saleh and Gadhafi. The defectors have brought me joy because of their choices to defy their unjust leaders. It reminds me of how people choose to forsake the darkness of Satan to enter into the light of Almighty GOD.
Our Lord led me to find Bible instances of inside jobs from various positions.
About Jezebel - 2 Kings 9:32, 33
And he lifted up his face to the window, and said, Who is on my side? who? And there looked out to him two or three eunuchs.
And he said, Throw her down. So they threw her down:..
Judges 7:22
And the three hundred blew the trumpets, and the Lord set every man's sword against his fellow,...
1 Samuel 2:24, 25
Nay, my sons; for it is no good report that I hear: ye make the Lord's people to transgress.
If one man sin against another, the judge shall judge him: but if a man sin against the Lord, who shall intreat for him? Notwithstanding they hearkened not unto the voice of their father, because the Lord would slay them.
1 Kings 15:11, 13
And Asa did that which was right in the eyes of the Lord, as did David his father.
And also Maachah his mother, even her he removed from being queen, because she had made an idol...
1 Kings 11:11
Wherefore the Lord said unto Solomon, Forasmuch as this is done of thee, and thou hast not kept my covenant and my statutes, which I have commanded thee, I will surely rend the kingdom from thee, and will give it to thy servant. This was fulfilled in 1 Kings 12:20.
2 Kings 21:23
And the servants of Amon conspired against him, and slew the king in his own house.
Judges 9:5
And he went unto his father's house at Ophrah, and slew his brethren...
2 Chronicles 32:21
...and when he was come into the house of his god, they that came forth of his own bowels slew him there with the sword.
Matthew 10:21
And the brother shall deliver up the brother to death, and the father the child: and the children shall rise up against their parents, and cause them to be put to death.
Matthew 10:36, 37
And a man's foes shall be they of his own household.
He that loveth father or mother more than me is not worthy of me: and he that loveth son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me.
Matthew 10:22
And ye shall be hated of all men for my name's sake: but he that endureth to the end shall be saved.
The scriptures are from the King James Bible.
In the midst of the unrest in Egypt, Yemen and Libya, defectors have switched sides in stands against their "leaders" - Mubarak, Saleh and Gadhafi. The defectors have brought me joy because of their choices to defy their unjust leaders. It reminds me of how people choose to forsake the darkness of Satan to enter into the light of Almighty GOD.
Our Lord led me to find Bible instances of inside jobs from various positions.
About Jezebel - 2 Kings 9:32, 33
And he lifted up his face to the window, and said, Who is on my side? who? And there looked out to him two or three eunuchs.
And he said, Throw her down. So they threw her down:..
Judges 7:22
And the three hundred blew the trumpets, and the Lord set every man's sword against his fellow,...
1 Samuel 2:24, 25
Nay, my sons; for it is no good report that I hear: ye make the Lord's people to transgress.
If one man sin against another, the judge shall judge him: but if a man sin against the Lord, who shall intreat for him? Notwithstanding they hearkened not unto the voice of their father, because the Lord would slay them.
1 Kings 15:11, 13
And Asa did that which was right in the eyes of the Lord, as did David his father.
And also Maachah his mother, even her he removed from being queen, because she had made an idol...
1 Kings 11:11
Wherefore the Lord said unto Solomon, Forasmuch as this is done of thee, and thou hast not kept my covenant and my statutes, which I have commanded thee, I will surely rend the kingdom from thee, and will give it to thy servant. This was fulfilled in 1 Kings 12:20.
2 Kings 21:23
And the servants of Amon conspired against him, and slew the king in his own house.
Judges 9:5
And he went unto his father's house at Ophrah, and slew his brethren...
2 Chronicles 32:21
...and when he was come into the house of his god, they that came forth of his own bowels slew him there with the sword.
Matthew 10:21
And the brother shall deliver up the brother to death, and the father the child: and the children shall rise up against their parents, and cause them to be put to death.
Matthew 10:36, 37
And a man's foes shall be they of his own household.
He that loveth father or mother more than me is not worthy of me: and he that loveth son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me.
Matthew 10:22
And ye shall be hated of all men for my name's sake: but he that endureth to the end shall be saved.
Saturday, March 19, 2011
PART 4 - THE TAMPA TIMES, AND PUBLIC PRAISE
Greetings -
The scriptures are from the King James Bible.
This is Part 4. Here is the link to Part 3
http://lioneaglesoar.blogspot.com/2011/03/part-3-tampa-times.html
Last parts from Part 3 - THE TAMPA TIMES:
I had no idea how I would find someplace to live in seven days. GOD knew, and I trusted Him.
Proverbs 3:5, 6
Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding.
In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.
PART 4 BEGINS:
Before I continue with the living arrangement drama, here is more about my house mates. Below, from Part 1, is a repeated list of the house mates that were there when I moved in.
- Rita (house manager) and her boyfriend Richard - Black
- Emma - a Jamaican Seventh Day Adventist - Black
- Claude - a Christian who also worked as the maintenance man - Black
- Lee - an older biker type - Caucasian - alcohol addicted, and if I remember correctly, an atheist
- Pedro - Hispanic - alcohol addicted
Here is an excerpt from Part 3 - THE TAMPA TIMES that has some relevance in this part:
He told me that Rita, and some of the other house residents had complained to him about my Christianity and requested that he evict me. He informed me that he had told them that "Ms. Hicks pays her rent" and that he didn't have a problem with me being there. Of course, we cannot believe everything that we are told, but our Lord gave me a witness in my spirit that Bob spoke the truth about the complaints about my Christianity. Also, I had received some "vibes" to that effect from some of the residents. Secret agent Christianity doesn't appeal to me nor does it appeal when Christians disrespect others with self-righteous "zeal," such as when so-called Christians protest with signs that display demeaning things about the lifestyle choices of others. We are to love the sinners but hate the sins. That is Holy Bible truth.
Also, Bob had told me that Rita and Richard had called me crazy. I was known for public praise, and to some that is perceived as crazy. Previously, I published a post about my public praise actions. I will re-post that immediately below this post. On numerous occasions, our Lord has allowed my public praise to bear fruit for His glory, as is evidenced in my PUBLIC PRAISE post. For the record, I confess that I am crazy - crazy about GOD. In the Bible, they falsely accused JESUS of having a devil - John 8:48. Truth walkers in the kingdom of GOD know that being called foul names comes with the "territory." I consider it a compliment - further affirmation that we are truth walkers, SON dwellers, and SON warriors. Once when I lived in a shelter, one of the residents called me an irritating m.f. I laughed and said to her, "Thank you for the compliment." A few minutes later she came back and apologized, which I graciously accepted.
Years ago, during one of the Olympic seasons, one of the American swimmers who had won a gold medal told an interviewer how, when she was younger, she was taunted and teased when she trained. The interviewer asked her, now that she had a gold medal, what she wanted to say to those who had mistreated her back in her early days of training. Her calm response was, "Thank you." When she said that, it struck me profoundly. Years later when I think about her response, I am again struck with admiration for what she said.
Excerpt from Part 3 - THE TAMPA TIMES:
Sometime later, Bob told Rita, Richard, and Claude, who all worked for him, to move to another one of his houses. Rita shared with me that she was uncomfortable about the request. They all moved.
What follows is some about my house mates:
- Richard and Rita continued to come to the boarding house occasionally. One day Richard came there to use the washer and dryer. He knocked on the door to my room. He looked concerned as he informed me that they had job jeopardy issues. He was apologetic about calling me crazy, and expressed that he knew that I was a true Christian. We talked for a lengthy time and my heart went out to him and Rita for their job jeopardy issues. I prayed for them.
I don't know all of the details...Bob fired Richard and Rita and soon after, he issued them an eviction notice. They came to me quite concerned. By then, I had my unemployment compensation. Our Lord led me to give them funds and food on several occasions. One day, Rita came to me to ask that I sign a document of some sort against Bob for running an illegal boarding house. Our Lord told me not to sign the document and He gave me a scripture to support not signing it. I forgot what the scripture was but it was something about not being yoked with unbelievers in that pursuit. Yes, Bob was wrong but I was not to put my signature on that document - said GOD. Richard understood about my decision. Rita was angry. My allegiance is to our Lord - above all else.
Again, I don't know all of the details but I do know that Rita and Richard reported Bob to the authorities for operating an unlicensed boarding house. Mercer, who moved in about a week before the seven day vacate notices, told me one day a government worker came to the house, and questioned him about the living arrangements there. I believe that that is why Bob gave us very short notice to move. He knew that he was busted and needed us out of there before the authorities closed in on his shady deal.
It is not something that I desired but it is interesting that Rita and Richard had complained to Bob about me and requested that he evict me. Our Lord allowed them to be fired, and to be evicted. And then they came to me for help, which I graciously provided. That is Bible truth to love and help our enemies, as our Lord leads.
People often don't believe that our Lord will judge them when they oppose His faithful children. His Word says in Genesis 12:3, "And I will bless them that bless thee, and curse him that curseth thee:..."
- Pedro was frequently absent from his job because of his alcoholism. He got fired, and moved in with his mother.
- As I mentioned in an earlier post, Lee and I came to like one another and shared some interesting and helpful conversations.
- Seventh Day Adventist Emma and I shared a lot about our Lord and she would come to my room and we would read the Bible together. She had, months before, returned to our Lord after living with a man. We helped each other learn more about our Lord until she did a combination of betrayal moves relative to me. After our Lord informed me that it had reached a point of enough, she got an unexpected "lion" visit.
- "Christian" Claude and I began on a good note. There was an unsettling, though, about him. Then Lee told me that before I moved in, he and Claude had had some sort of disagreement. He stated that Claude threatened to harm or kill him - I cannot recall which it was. What?! The Lord witnessed to my spirit that Lee was telling the truth. I had been attending church with Claude. As I mentioned, there was some unsettling about Claude. Lee's information added to that. Well, the real Claude came out on me one day and he angrily got in my face close enough to kiss me. When he did, I had no fear. I clearly heard our Lord speak to me in my spirit. The Lord said to me, "Don't move." I believe that Claude was surprised that he couldn't back me down because I didn't move or show any fear. Well, me and Claude went "toe to toe," so to speak. He moved.
To be continued...
Sandra
Written Saturday March 19, 2011
Copyright 2011
Please continue below to read PUBLIC PRAISE.
This is PUBLIC PRAISE that was originally posted on November 6, 2010:
Greetings -
For the past few years, I have been prone to engage in public praise of our Lord. A lot of people praise the Lord in church and sing and dance to the Lord in church, as well as in their homes. Well, I sometimes also praise the Lord in public when I am walking down the street, in parks, in stores... By that I don't mean "nutty" or "spooky" conduct. Below are a few examples:
When I lived in Tampa, FL:
One evening, I was walking to a destination and got "lost." Before I realized it, I had walked more than an hour out of my way! (I am a walker and do it often in excess of 45 minutes). Anyhow, the Lord had reasons for my "lost" condition. As I walked back to re-group, the Lord told me to praise Him out loud. I did so for more than 15 minutes and I kept on praising Him out loud. The next thing I knew, a car drove by and the man inside the car yelled, "Worthy is His name." I was like, Lord, is he for real or someone trying to lure me? Just then, the car pulled in front of me into a driveway and stopped - I stopped, and a woman, Tabitha, got out on the passenger side and said that she was reclined in her seat - she heard me - and the Lord told her to get up. The man said that he had heard me praising the Lord and he stated that the way I was praising Him, he knew that I was serious about GOD (in essence, that is what he said). They were a Christian married couple. They gave me a ride home and invited me to their church, which I attended. Tabitha and I began a rich friendship. We met because I was walking down the street praising the Lord.
Another evening, I was walking down the street praising the Lord, and a man on a bicycle said to me, "No you're not walking down the street praising the Lord?!" He engaged me. I smelled alcohol on his breath - no matter - the Lord had me to demonstrate HIS love. The man shared with me that he was a Jew; he spoke some about the Lord. He began to cry. We prayed together. Again, we met because I was walking down the street praising the Lord.
One day, I walked in Wal-Mart praising the Lord. A man heard me and engaged me. He informed me that he was a Christian teacher. He and I spoke for a few minutes and right in the front area of Wal-Mart, we prayed out loud. Again, we met because I came in Wal-Mart praising the Lord.
Another day, I stood in front of Walgreens "preaching" the Word. A man came out and said, "Preach that Word, sister!" Later that week, I went to a Wendy's to get a meal. A woman that worked there invited me to her church. I went and the man that had seen me at Walgreens is a member of that church. He came up to me and reminded me that he seen me in front of the Walgreens "preaching." He had told the Sunday school class about this lady that he had seen up at Walgreens "preaching." The pastor's wife admiringly said to me that he had mentioned it in Sunday school.
I would walk up and down the street on the block where I lived proclaiming the gospel. One day I "stationed" myself on the corner near a gas station and proclaimed the gospel.
Here in DC:
One day, I stood in a highly traveled area with my gospel CD playing through my earphones. I commenced to dance to the Lord right there. Some teen-agers about to board a bus were laughing. I was laughing and dancing to the Lord! No shame or hesitation.
I have determined that I am NOT going to do all of my praising and dancing before the Lord at home or in church. Much else is being done in public...so certainly praise, worship, and dance to the glory of GOD have a public "place."
I identify with David in 2 Samuel 6:14, "And David danced before the Lord with all his might;..."
2 Samuel 6:16
...Michal Saul's daughter looked through a window, and saw king David leaping and dancing before the Lord; and she despised him in her heart.
Sandra's comments: David was outside in public dancing...
It is my inclination to be most attracted to the most radical personalities in the Bible such as John the Baptist...they are the style that the Lord has me engineered to be - in some aspects.
Note: Now, of course, I am NOT going to be in government buildings or in business settings and break out in praise, worship and dance. But if I am walking down the street, in the park, in stores,...I am prone to publicly praise the most high GOD whose air we breathe.
Second Note: Certainly, we are unique and have different styles - what works for some does not work for all. May we all give GOD glory in how He leads us - individually and collectively.
Sandra
November 6, 2010
Copyright 2010
 |
| Photo compliments of Sandra Copyright 2011 |
Greetings -
The scriptures are from the King James Bible.
This is Part 4. Here is the link to Part 3
http://lioneaglesoar.blogspot.com/2011/03/part-3-tampa-times.html
Last parts from Part 3 - THE TAMPA TIMES:
I had no idea how I would find someplace to live in seven days. GOD knew, and I trusted Him.
Proverbs 3:5, 6
Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding.
In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.
PART 4 BEGINS:
Before I continue with the living arrangement drama, here is more about my house mates. Below, from Part 1, is a repeated list of the house mates that were there when I moved in.
- Rita (house manager) and her boyfriend Richard - Black
- Emma - a Jamaican Seventh Day Adventist - Black
- Claude - a Christian who also worked as the maintenance man - Black
- Lee - an older biker type - Caucasian - alcohol addicted, and if I remember correctly, an atheist
- Pedro - Hispanic - alcohol addicted
Here is an excerpt from Part 3 - THE TAMPA TIMES that has some relevance in this part:
He told me that Rita, and some of the other house residents had complained to him about my Christianity and requested that he evict me. He informed me that he had told them that "Ms. Hicks pays her rent" and that he didn't have a problem with me being there. Of course, we cannot believe everything that we are told, but our Lord gave me a witness in my spirit that Bob spoke the truth about the complaints about my Christianity. Also, I had received some "vibes" to that effect from some of the residents. Secret agent Christianity doesn't appeal to me nor does it appeal when Christians disrespect others with self-righteous "zeal," such as when so-called Christians protest with signs that display demeaning things about the lifestyle choices of others. We are to love the sinners but hate the sins. That is Holy Bible truth.
Also, Bob had told me that Rita and Richard had called me crazy. I was known for public praise, and to some that is perceived as crazy. Previously, I published a post about my public praise actions. I will re-post that immediately below this post. On numerous occasions, our Lord has allowed my public praise to bear fruit for His glory, as is evidenced in my PUBLIC PRAISE post. For the record, I confess that I am crazy - crazy about GOD. In the Bible, they falsely accused JESUS of having a devil - John 8:48. Truth walkers in the kingdom of GOD know that being called foul names comes with the "territory." I consider it a compliment - further affirmation that we are truth walkers, SON dwellers, and SON warriors. Once when I lived in a shelter, one of the residents called me an irritating m.f. I laughed and said to her, "Thank you for the compliment." A few minutes later she came back and apologized, which I graciously accepted.
Years ago, during one of the Olympic seasons, one of the American swimmers who had won a gold medal told an interviewer how, when she was younger, she was taunted and teased when she trained. The interviewer asked her, now that she had a gold medal, what she wanted to say to those who had mistreated her back in her early days of training. Her calm response was, "Thank you." When she said that, it struck me profoundly. Years later when I think about her response, I am again struck with admiration for what she said.
Excerpt from Part 3 - THE TAMPA TIMES:
Sometime later, Bob told Rita, Richard, and Claude, who all worked for him, to move to another one of his houses. Rita shared with me that she was uncomfortable about the request. They all moved.
What follows is some about my house mates:
- Richard and Rita continued to come to the boarding house occasionally. One day Richard came there to use the washer and dryer. He knocked on the door to my room. He looked concerned as he informed me that they had job jeopardy issues. He was apologetic about calling me crazy, and expressed that he knew that I was a true Christian. We talked for a lengthy time and my heart went out to him and Rita for their job jeopardy issues. I prayed for them.
I don't know all of the details...Bob fired Richard and Rita and soon after, he issued them an eviction notice. They came to me quite concerned. By then, I had my unemployment compensation. Our Lord led me to give them funds and food on several occasions. One day, Rita came to me to ask that I sign a document of some sort against Bob for running an illegal boarding house. Our Lord told me not to sign the document and He gave me a scripture to support not signing it. I forgot what the scripture was but it was something about not being yoked with unbelievers in that pursuit. Yes, Bob was wrong but I was not to put my signature on that document - said GOD. Richard understood about my decision. Rita was angry. My allegiance is to our Lord - above all else.
Again, I don't know all of the details but I do know that Rita and Richard reported Bob to the authorities for operating an unlicensed boarding house. Mercer, who moved in about a week before the seven day vacate notices, told me one day a government worker came to the house, and questioned him about the living arrangements there. I believe that that is why Bob gave us very short notice to move. He knew that he was busted and needed us out of there before the authorities closed in on his shady deal.
It is not something that I desired but it is interesting that Rita and Richard had complained to Bob about me and requested that he evict me. Our Lord allowed them to be fired, and to be evicted. And then they came to me for help, which I graciously provided. That is Bible truth to love and help our enemies, as our Lord leads.
People often don't believe that our Lord will judge them when they oppose His faithful children. His Word says in Genesis 12:3, "And I will bless them that bless thee, and curse him that curseth thee:..."
- Pedro was frequently absent from his job because of his alcoholism. He got fired, and moved in with his mother.
- As I mentioned in an earlier post, Lee and I came to like one another and shared some interesting and helpful conversations.
- Seventh Day Adventist Emma and I shared a lot about our Lord and she would come to my room and we would read the Bible together. She had, months before, returned to our Lord after living with a man. We helped each other learn more about our Lord until she did a combination of betrayal moves relative to me. After our Lord informed me that it had reached a point of enough, she got an unexpected "lion" visit.
- "Christian" Claude and I began on a good note. There was an unsettling, though, about him. Then Lee told me that before I moved in, he and Claude had had some sort of disagreement. He stated that Claude threatened to harm or kill him - I cannot recall which it was. What?! The Lord witnessed to my spirit that Lee was telling the truth. I had been attending church with Claude. As I mentioned, there was some unsettling about Claude. Lee's information added to that. Well, the real Claude came out on me one day and he angrily got in my face close enough to kiss me. When he did, I had no fear. I clearly heard our Lord speak to me in my spirit. The Lord said to me, "Don't move." I believe that Claude was surprised that he couldn't back me down because I didn't move or show any fear. Well, me and Claude went "toe to toe," so to speak. He moved.
To be continued...
Sandra
Written Saturday March 19, 2011
Copyright 2011
Please continue below to read PUBLIC PRAISE.
 |
| Photo compliments of Sandra Copyright 2011 |
This is PUBLIC PRAISE that was originally posted on November 6, 2010:
Greetings -
For the past few years, I have been prone to engage in public praise of our Lord. A lot of people praise the Lord in church and sing and dance to the Lord in church, as well as in their homes. Well, I sometimes also praise the Lord in public when I am walking down the street, in parks, in stores... By that I don't mean "nutty" or "spooky" conduct. Below are a few examples:
When I lived in Tampa, FL:
One evening, I was walking to a destination and got "lost." Before I realized it, I had walked more than an hour out of my way! (I am a walker and do it often in excess of 45 minutes). Anyhow, the Lord had reasons for my "lost" condition. As I walked back to re-group, the Lord told me to praise Him out loud. I did so for more than 15 minutes and I kept on praising Him out loud. The next thing I knew, a car drove by and the man inside the car yelled, "Worthy is His name." I was like, Lord, is he for real or someone trying to lure me? Just then, the car pulled in front of me into a driveway and stopped - I stopped, and a woman, Tabitha, got out on the passenger side and said that she was reclined in her seat - she heard me - and the Lord told her to get up. The man said that he had heard me praising the Lord and he stated that the way I was praising Him, he knew that I was serious about GOD (in essence, that is what he said). They were a Christian married couple. They gave me a ride home and invited me to their church, which I attended. Tabitha and I began a rich friendship. We met because I was walking down the street praising the Lord.
Another evening, I was walking down the street praising the Lord, and a man on a bicycle said to me, "No you're not walking down the street praising the Lord?!" He engaged me. I smelled alcohol on his breath - no matter - the Lord had me to demonstrate HIS love. The man shared with me that he was a Jew; he spoke some about the Lord. He began to cry. We prayed together. Again, we met because I was walking down the street praising the Lord.
One day, I walked in Wal-Mart praising the Lord. A man heard me and engaged me. He informed me that he was a Christian teacher. He and I spoke for a few minutes and right in the front area of Wal-Mart, we prayed out loud. Again, we met because I came in Wal-Mart praising the Lord.
Another day, I stood in front of Walgreens "preaching" the Word. A man came out and said, "Preach that Word, sister!" Later that week, I went to a Wendy's to get a meal. A woman that worked there invited me to her church. I went and the man that had seen me at Walgreens is a member of that church. He came up to me and reminded me that he seen me in front of the Walgreens "preaching." He had told the Sunday school class about this lady that he had seen up at Walgreens "preaching." The pastor's wife admiringly said to me that he had mentioned it in Sunday school.
I would walk up and down the street on the block where I lived proclaiming the gospel. One day I "stationed" myself on the corner near a gas station and proclaimed the gospel.
Here in DC:
One day, I stood in a highly traveled area with my gospel CD playing through my earphones. I commenced to dance to the Lord right there. Some teen-agers about to board a bus were laughing. I was laughing and dancing to the Lord! No shame or hesitation.
I have determined that I am NOT going to do all of my praising and dancing before the Lord at home or in church. Much else is being done in public...so certainly praise, worship, and dance to the glory of GOD have a public "place."
I identify with David in 2 Samuel 6:14, "And David danced before the Lord with all his might;..."
2 Samuel 6:16
...Michal Saul's daughter looked through a window, and saw king David leaping and dancing before the Lord; and she despised him in her heart.
Sandra's comments: David was outside in public dancing...
It is my inclination to be most attracted to the most radical personalities in the Bible such as John the Baptist...they are the style that the Lord has me engineered to be - in some aspects.
Note: Now, of course, I am NOT going to be in government buildings or in business settings and break out in praise, worship and dance. But if I am walking down the street, in the park, in stores,...I am prone to publicly praise the most high GOD whose air we breathe.
Second Note: Certainly, we are unique and have different styles - what works for some does not work for all. May we all give GOD glory in how He leads us - individually and collectively.
Sandra
November 6, 2010
Copyright 2010
Friday, March 18, 2011
QUOTES AND PHOTOS
Greetings -
Here I share some quotes from others:
T. D. Jakes:
1. Some people don't want you to get well because your dysfunction is their employment.
2. I'm tired of disturbing people who like where they are.
3. What's wrong with you that better don't look good?
4. Have you developed an addiction to your affliction?
5. Anytime you justify your condition, you have given it license to stay.
6. You need a challenge that is so rude that it disrespects your dysfunction.
7. T. D. Jakes said that when he was poor, and dating his wife, Serita, one of her girlfriends said to her "Don't nobody want one-suit Jakes."
Sandra's comment: I wonder what that girlfriend is saying now!
Pastor Tony Evans:
1. If everybody understands you, you're not spiritual.
2. If everybody can figure you out, you're not walking with the Lord.
3. You cannot grow beyond what you know.
NOTE: Please click here to view photos, WINTER ENDING FOR SPRING BREAK http://www.photogplaza.blogspot.com/
Here I share some quotes from others:
T. D. Jakes:
1. Some people don't want you to get well because your dysfunction is their employment.
2. I'm tired of disturbing people who like where they are.
3. What's wrong with you that better don't look good?
4. Have you developed an addiction to your affliction?
5. Anytime you justify your condition, you have given it license to stay.
6. You need a challenge that is so rude that it disrespects your dysfunction.
7. T. D. Jakes said that when he was poor, and dating his wife, Serita, one of her girlfriends said to her "Don't nobody want one-suit Jakes."
Sandra's comment: I wonder what that girlfriend is saying now!
Pastor Tony Evans:
1. If everybody understands you, you're not spiritual.
2. If everybody can figure you out, you're not walking with the Lord.
3. You cannot grow beyond what you know.
NOTE: Please click here to view photos, WINTER ENDING FOR SPRING BREAK http://www.photogplaza.blogspot.com/
Thursday, March 17, 2011
Noah and the ARK-ITECT
Greetings -
Scriptures are from the King James Bible.
Preface:
I have a deep respect for formal education even though I'm an eighth grade dropout who later got a GED. It is reasonable that experience is necessary to perform in some roles and professions. And, no doubt, formal education is essential for some job performances. This post topic, though, is about a man who had no experience to do a task of epic proportions. That man was Noah. We are introduced to him in the Holy Bible in the book of Genesis.
Noah and the ARK-ITECT:
One day last year our Lord told me to do something outside of the area of my expertise. My response was that I didn't have any experience in that area. Our Lord said, "Noah didn't have any experience building an ark." I smiled and had to agree. I then did that which our Lord had told me to do and was well rewarded for my obedience. I had no experience in that area but when I agreed to obey, GOD provided the necessary help for me to perform the assignment. Did the assignment go without any glitches? No, there were some but I stayed the course. GOD honored my obedience and guided every step of the way. Not only did I perform the assignment, but upon its completion, my client wrote me a glowing letter of recommendation! I did my role and GOD did His - after I yielded to His will.
As we visit the book of Genesis, beginning in chapter 5, we read about Noah. GOD was the ARK-ITEC and supervised the construction of the vessel. Our MASTER builder, GOD, led Noah, a righteous man, to build an ark of safety for his family and the assortment of animals.
Noah built to spec, according to the "blue print" designed by Almighty GOD. He wholly followed our Lord . Genesis 7:5 says, "And Noah did according unto all that the Lord commanded him." It is an understatement to say that the ark project was a major task. It was huge to execute precisely as our Lord directed. It sounds daunting to me. And Genesis 7:6 says that Noah was six hundred years old! We know from the Word of GOD that there is no holy vision without provision from our glorious Father GOD.
How about us? Are we building arks according to spec, as guided by our ARK-ITECT and MASTER builder, GOD?
After all, it is in Him that we live, and move, and have our being… – The Acts 17:28
AND we're a lot younger than Noah was when he got his ark assignment! (smiles)
Sandra
Written Thursday March 17, 2011
Copyright 2011
Scriptures are from the King James Bible.
Preface:
I have a deep respect for formal education even though I'm an eighth grade dropout who later got a GED. It is reasonable that experience is necessary to perform in some roles and professions. And, no doubt, formal education is essential for some job performances. This post topic, though, is about a man who had no experience to do a task of epic proportions. That man was Noah. We are introduced to him in the Holy Bible in the book of Genesis.
Noah and the ARK-ITECT:
One day last year our Lord told me to do something outside of the area of my expertise. My response was that I didn't have any experience in that area. Our Lord said, "Noah didn't have any experience building an ark." I smiled and had to agree. I then did that which our Lord had told me to do and was well rewarded for my obedience. I had no experience in that area but when I agreed to obey, GOD provided the necessary help for me to perform the assignment. Did the assignment go without any glitches? No, there were some but I stayed the course. GOD honored my obedience and guided every step of the way. Not only did I perform the assignment, but upon its completion, my client wrote me a glowing letter of recommendation! I did my role and GOD did His - after I yielded to His will.
As we visit the book of Genesis, beginning in chapter 5, we read about Noah. GOD was the ARK-ITEC and supervised the construction of the vessel. Our MASTER builder, GOD, led Noah, a righteous man, to build an ark of safety for his family and the assortment of animals.
Noah built to spec, according to the "blue print" designed by Almighty GOD. He wholly followed our Lord . Genesis 7:5 says, "And Noah did according unto all that the Lord commanded him." It is an understatement to say that the ark project was a major task. It was huge to execute precisely as our Lord directed. It sounds daunting to me. And Genesis 7:6 says that Noah was six hundred years old! We know from the Word of GOD that there is no holy vision without provision from our glorious Father GOD.
How about us? Are we building arks according to spec, as guided by our ARK-ITECT and MASTER builder, GOD?
After all, it is in Him that we live, and move, and have our being… – The Acts 17:28
AND we're a lot younger than Noah was when he got his ark assignment! (smiles)
Sandra
Written Thursday March 17, 2011
Copyright 2011
PART 3 - THE TAMPA TIMES
Greetings -
The scriptures are from the King James Bible.
This is Part 3 of "THE TAMPA TIMES."
Here are the links to 1 http://lioneaglesoar.blogspot.com/2011/03/tampa-times.html and 2 http://lioneaglesoar.blogspot.com/2011/03/tampa-times-does-anybody-feel-me-on.html
Also, here is a link to a related post http://lioneaglesoar.blogspot.com/2011/03/before-tampa.html
Last paragraph from Part 1:
What did I discover? Bob and his "company" didn't have a license for a boarding house arrangement. The official record revealed that it was a single family home. I called and spoke to one of Bob's representatives. I was told that the subject licensing was pending. What?! I'm no expert but I knew that the boarding house deal was not legit. Of course, our Lord knew all of this - yet - He let me move in unaware of that matter. 2 Kings 4:27 - KJV says, "...and the Lord hath hid it from me, and hath not told me." Not once did I sense that it wasn't our Lord's will for me to move into that house. I sought Him about my dilemma. I said something like, "Lord, I'm a Christian. I can't be in this shady drama. And You know I have limited options with no job..."
PART 3 BEGINS:
After my investigation into the rent increase notice, and my obvious Christian conduct, I was on the "hit list" with Rita and Richard. Remember Richard, Rita's boyfriend, put the rent increase notice on my room door, and got angry when I questioned it.
Our Lord had not provided me an answer yet about what I was to do about the shady boarding house drama. It was certainly of deep concern to me. Later, due to circumstances which I will post later, Rita, Richard and I "reconciled."
In the meantime, one day I came back to the house and there was a "For Sale" sign posted for the house. Huh?! I spoke to Rita about it. One thing led to another and she gave me the home number of Bob, the house owner. I phoned him about the matter of the house being for sale. Bob sounded sufficiently pleasant. He told me that Rita, and some of the other house residents had complained to him about my Christianity and requested that he evict me. He informed me that he had told them that "Ms. Hicks pays her rent" and that he didn't have a problem with me being there. Of course, we cannot believe everything that we are told, but our Lord gave me a witness in my spirit that Bob spoke the truth about the complaints about my Christianity. Also, I had received some "vibes" to that effect from some of the residents. Secret agent Christianity doesn't appeal to me nor does it appeal when Christians disrespect others with
self-righteous "zeal," such as when so-called Christians protest with signs that display demeaning things about the lifestyle choices of others. We are to love the sinners but hate the sins. That is Holy Bible truth.
I lived in that boarding house with two alcoholics who I loved. It wasn't proper for me to preach to them about their addictions. What our Lord led me to do was to offer them food, and to help them in other ways. Initially, they had some issues with my Christianity but before I left the house, Lee and I, in particular, had come to like one another. We had some good conversations and shared helpful information.
Now, back to Bob and our telephone conversation - he shared with me about him that "Jesus is my Lord and Savior." I mentioned to him about the boarding house "pending" license issue. He gave a reason for that - I forgot what he stated. In reference to the house being for sale, Bob expressed some about that matter. I don't recall much about what he said. He told me that he would give me thirty days notice before I had to move from the house. I continued to be unsettled about his business practices. I thanked Bob and got off the phone.
Sometime later, Bob told Rita, Richard, and Claude, who all worked for him, to move to another one of his houses. Rita shared with me that she was uncomfortable about the request. They all moved.
Shortly after, two new residents (I'll call them Steve and Mercer) moved into two of the vacant rooms. It didn't make sense to me that new residents were moved in since the house was for sale.
Well, one day I came back to the house and on my room door was a notice that instructed to vacate in seven days. What?! The rest of the residents had the same instruction. I believe, at that time, that Steve and Mercer had only been there about a week. When Steve came home, we talked. I asked him if he had been told by the house agent when she rented to him that the house was for sale. He was furious about the seven days to vacate notice, and stated that he had not been told about the sale posting. He expressed that had he known that, he would not have moved in.
I called, "Jesus is my Lord and Savior" Bob. I asked him about the seven day vacate notice. This time his tone was crisp and cold. I reminded him that he had told me that he would give me thirty days notice. He informed me that he was acting on advice of his attorney. Yeah right! Bob offered no apology or offer to re-locate us. That was it. We were to be out of the house in seven days.
Understandably, the house residents were quite disturbed. I shared with Lee that I wasn't worried because I trusted GOD. I told him that I would pray for him and the others, which I did. Shortly after, Lee was able to make other housing arrangements. Pedro moved in with his mother. Later, in another post, I'll share more about the house residents and some of what happened in the house before we all had to go our separate ways.
I had no idea how I would find someplace to live in seven days. GOD knew, and I trusted Him.
Proverbs 3:5, 6
Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding.
In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.
To be continued....
Sandra
Written March 17, 2011
Copyright 2011
The scriptures are from the King James Bible.
This is Part 3 of "THE TAMPA TIMES."
Here are the links to 1 http://lioneaglesoar.blogspot.com/2011/03/tampa-times.html and 2 http://lioneaglesoar.blogspot.com/2011/03/tampa-times-does-anybody-feel-me-on.html
Also, here is a link to a related post http://lioneaglesoar.blogspot.com/2011/03/before-tampa.html
Last paragraph from Part 1:
What did I discover? Bob and his "company" didn't have a license for a boarding house arrangement. The official record revealed that it was a single family home. I called and spoke to one of Bob's representatives. I was told that the subject licensing was pending. What?! I'm no expert but I knew that the boarding house deal was not legit. Of course, our Lord knew all of this - yet - He let me move in unaware of that matter. 2 Kings 4:27 - KJV says, "...and the Lord hath hid it from me, and hath not told me." Not once did I sense that it wasn't our Lord's will for me to move into that house. I sought Him about my dilemma. I said something like, "Lord, I'm a Christian. I can't be in this shady drama. And You know I have limited options with no job..."
PART 3 BEGINS:
After my investigation into the rent increase notice, and my obvious Christian conduct, I was on the "hit list" with Rita and Richard. Remember Richard, Rita's boyfriend, put the rent increase notice on my room door, and got angry when I questioned it.
Our Lord had not provided me an answer yet about what I was to do about the shady boarding house drama. It was certainly of deep concern to me. Later, due to circumstances which I will post later, Rita, Richard and I "reconciled."
In the meantime, one day I came back to the house and there was a "For Sale" sign posted for the house. Huh?! I spoke to Rita about it. One thing led to another and she gave me the home number of Bob, the house owner. I phoned him about the matter of the house being for sale. Bob sounded sufficiently pleasant. He told me that Rita, and some of the other house residents had complained to him about my Christianity and requested that he evict me. He informed me that he had told them that "Ms. Hicks pays her rent" and that he didn't have a problem with me being there. Of course, we cannot believe everything that we are told, but our Lord gave me a witness in my spirit that Bob spoke the truth about the complaints about my Christianity. Also, I had received some "vibes" to that effect from some of the residents. Secret agent Christianity doesn't appeal to me nor does it appeal when Christians disrespect others with
self-righteous "zeal," such as when so-called Christians protest with signs that display demeaning things about the lifestyle choices of others. We are to love the sinners but hate the sins. That is Holy Bible truth.
I lived in that boarding house with two alcoholics who I loved. It wasn't proper for me to preach to them about their addictions. What our Lord led me to do was to offer them food, and to help them in other ways. Initially, they had some issues with my Christianity but before I left the house, Lee and I, in particular, had come to like one another. We had some good conversations and shared helpful information.
Now, back to Bob and our telephone conversation - he shared with me about him that "Jesus is my Lord and Savior." I mentioned to him about the boarding house "pending" license issue. He gave a reason for that - I forgot what he stated. In reference to the house being for sale, Bob expressed some about that matter. I don't recall much about what he said. He told me that he would give me thirty days notice before I had to move from the house. I continued to be unsettled about his business practices. I thanked Bob and got off the phone.
Sometime later, Bob told Rita, Richard, and Claude, who all worked for him, to move to another one of his houses. Rita shared with me that she was uncomfortable about the request. They all moved.
Shortly after, two new residents (I'll call them Steve and Mercer) moved into two of the vacant rooms. It didn't make sense to me that new residents were moved in since the house was for sale.
Well, one day I came back to the house and on my room door was a notice that instructed to vacate in seven days. What?! The rest of the residents had the same instruction. I believe, at that time, that Steve and Mercer had only been there about a week. When Steve came home, we talked. I asked him if he had been told by the house agent when she rented to him that the house was for sale. He was furious about the seven days to vacate notice, and stated that he had not been told about the sale posting. He expressed that had he known that, he would not have moved in.
I called, "Jesus is my Lord and Savior" Bob. I asked him about the seven day vacate notice. This time his tone was crisp and cold. I reminded him that he had told me that he would give me thirty days notice. He informed me that he was acting on advice of his attorney. Yeah right! Bob offered no apology or offer to re-locate us. That was it. We were to be out of the house in seven days.
Understandably, the house residents were quite disturbed. I shared with Lee that I wasn't worried because I trusted GOD. I told him that I would pray for him and the others, which I did. Shortly after, Lee was able to make other housing arrangements. Pedro moved in with his mother. Later, in another post, I'll share more about the house residents and some of what happened in the house before we all had to go our separate ways.
I had no idea how I would find someplace to live in seven days. GOD knew, and I trusted Him.
Proverbs 3:5, 6
Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding.
In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.
To be continued....
Sandra
Written March 17, 2011
Copyright 2011
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