The Gift, The Giver & A Hand Held Massager Machine

A gift opens the way for the giver
And brings him before great men
Proverbs 18:16

The other day, my youngest son brought in to my home office, one of those
hand held personal massaging units. And before I knew it, I was being treated
to a very nice back massage as I was working on my computer answering emails and writing this blog.

I also knew one more thing.

I knew that my son, wanted to play this 'certain computer game', and that to
put me in the right frame of mind (for his sake), he would give me a gift, and it would
be this back massage.

But without ever asking me, "Dad, I want to go on the computer and play this new game, can it?".

Now just so you know, we semi-control the video games being played in our home. It is treated much like a movie or TV. Its done after we get our work done, as a reward, not as anything else. And believe me, when I tell you, that my wife still thinks they play too much. Its just that, we don't allow them to just go on 'anytime' they feel.
So, as he is giving me a very relaxing massage, the LORD reminds me of this scripture that "the gift opens the way of the giver". As mentioned above.

So, I explained to him that children often think of gifts as some wrapped present under the Christmas tree, or on a birthday. But really the gift is another word for GRACE, and it is anything done or given freely (undeserved to the other).

And when its given in love (not trying to really create a direct effect) not forcing anything, it opens the way! If you are in an impossible place or predicament. Or if you feel the way is closed, but you wish it could be opened.  Struggling for some kind of break through - try love.

NOTE: there is a genuine gift and then there is a bribe which is not love and not what we are promoting here.  Catch the flow of this and you will open the doors to greater things.
Note: this isn't a 'do this and get that', 2 step program. NO a thousand times NO. When a Mother gives her child a birthday gift, she is not expecting another gift back. But she has opened the way between Mother and child some more hasn't she?
Just like our son, he does it out of love for Dad here, but it also opens the way for him too. If the way was perhaps a bit closed, well that little old massage didn't hurt any, did it?

It sure made my back feel better!

And if you ask the LORD, where to give, to help open the way (HIS WAY) for HE is the WAY, then you are asking a great thing, and it opens the way for greater miracles.

You can ask the LORD to supply you something to give.

Now he who supplies seed to the sower and bread for food will also supply and increase your store of seed and will enlarge the harvest of your righteousness. 2 Corinthians 9:10

-eric

Zeal!

Once we begin to understand that the Church is a "called out people" and not a building or business or institution, we start to really relish our times of 'fellowship' we have with fellow brothers and sisters. I would say these are 3 prominent things (about Home Church):
1) we learn lots!
2) we laugh hard!
3) we eat (sometimes too much)

But how does this relate to zeal?
"Zeal for your house consumes me" John 2:17
As we have been enjoying 'house church' or what some call 'simple or organic church' for many years, we have learned that GOD'S house is in each of us - in one another.

Lately, however, the LORD has been placing on my heart this word "zeal".

In our Home Fellowship, we've seen most brothers and sisters stay together and grow together - its a wonderful thing!  But we've seen some that have come and gone, or wandered away and others that stay but don't ever seem to 'get it' like many of the others.

Why?

Zeal.

We get the word 'Zeal' from the 'Zeo' meaning 'to boil'.

When you are zealous, you have too words that go together "passion and commitment" = zeal.
It's when you realize how much 'in love' you are, and 'how important this is in your life', you have zeal. 

Now admittedly when we think of boiling over, we think of someone blowing off steam, or very angry.  And that can be zeal too.  Remember JESUS throwing out the buyers and sellers in the temple?  HE (JESUS) was angry - and this is where the zeal word comes in.

Now remember its not 'anger' means 'zeal' - NO!
It is a passion and commitment to someone or in our case the 'Church' (our brothers and sisters in fellowship together).

The Jews at the time when JESUS threw them out of the Temple area, for buying and selling developed an interesting plan to make money and avoid taxes.  Something corporations pay executives and accountants and marketing firms to do everyday.

You see, the Jews were being occupied and controlled by Rome and the one thing the Romans wanted (and were good at taking more than they were entitled to) was their tax, but they had no regard for a countries religious systems, as long as you served Caesar and paid your tax.

So the Jews had to go to the temple and have sacrifices offered over their many sins and had to offer their tithe 1 out of ever 10 animals belonged to the LORD and was offered up - it was all food and livestock and NOT money.  You CAN NOT tithe properly today - its impossible and besides puts you under a curse and not blessing, but I've shared about this many place elsewhere, this is not the time.

So, what did the Jews do?
They had a marketplace set up in the outside walls (gentile area) of the temple and sold 'pure animals' without spot or blemish.  So, you come up to the area, offering your pure sheep and some Levite who worked as part of the priesthood (which is you and me in JESUS today) would inspect your sheep offering.  Looking for fault, would reject your sheep, knowing he wasn't supposed to look everywhere for the smallest black hair amongst all the white.  So, your offering is rejected, and he instead offers you one of his sheep (just as white as yours is) but is 100% accepted by GOD (they would lie to them).  So they sold it and took profit.

But they went one step further.

They had their own currency, so you would exchange your Roman Denarius for one of their coins.

It was a money exchange, but they took their percentage on that too!
And it was a way that they didn't have to disclose how much they were really making to Rome.
What a plan!  And if you didn't want to buy one of their doves or sheep, then you would still have sin and a problem between GOD and yourself - and nobody wanted that.

JESUS comes and says "NO, this is NOT right" and starts over throwing the tables and little boothes (like an outdoor market or flea market) and driving everyone out.

You see its all about being in relationship with GOD and then seeing GOD or HIS SPIRIT in everyone, thus making them brothers and sisters, so that you can learn and grow and laugh together on this JESUS Journey.  Growing more and more in HIS KINGDOM which is invisible but eternal, and effects and overrules this natural world we live in.

But if you want in, then you have to understand how much GOD loves you, as a DAD and wants to 'give to you' and never 'take from you'.  You can get around fellow believers, who want the same thing and you enter into fellowship with GOD and man - and its powerful and freeing.  You begin to walk with GOD and hear HIS voice and see HIS love in one another.

But if you are not zealous - you are dying.  People that know their GOD and can feel HIS presence and peace and power in them, they become very zealous and it consumes them!

Is that you?

-eric

Your Heart and Smart Phones - the connection.

What is the connection?

Let me tell you a short story...

The other day, my mother was in a large box store and she found on the ground a iphone/ipod (she doesn't know which is which), but brought it to the store management.

The store quickly opened it to try to find out who might own it all right in front of my mother.

Within moments the store management said, "there are some real dirty and disgusting things in this, we will try to find the owner". 

My mother wondered about that and left it in their hands.

JESUS said "out of the overflow or abundance of the heart, the mouth speaks". Luke 6:45
Or we can put it this way, "what is on your iphone, blackberry or smart phone is in your heart".

You see what comes out of us, (whether its on our computer, smart phone, or out of our mouths), this is showing those around us and ourselves what is IN us.

I often said that I know what is inside someone, just let them talk.
They will in time, talk about their loves and you will in time, see them and hear them what they are really all about.

People will talk about boast about what they love.
And what they love (what they treasure) is where their heart is. Luke 12:34

Now this doesn't have to be all bad!

I also see people that talk about their family, their JESUS and things they have learned as they Journey on this exchanged life with JESUS - and that is great!  Its just what comes out, is coming from the heart and that can be wonderful/Good or Evil, and it is right inside you and me.

Good is a person,
Evil is a person.

But you know the best?
JESUS who will exchange HIS life for yours.
Who takes a heart of stone, and makes it heart that feels, thats compassionate - that is capable of love.

I will take out your stony, stubborn heart and give you a tender, responsive heart. Ezekiel 36:26

Only GOD can do it - do you want in?

-eric

I dont feel like a Christian?

I don't feel like a Christian?

It seems that I  have this conversation a few times every year.  Someone becomes insecure and doubtful about what a Christian even means.

So they question their faith, or perhaps only see their lack of faith in their life and begin to doubt.

But the Christian life is not dependent on you.
Did you get that?

Its not dependent on you, but it does depend on someone -but that is not you!

And besides, what is a Christian supposed to feel like?

My eldest son and I were having this discussion as I drove him to school earlier today.

I told him that I've asked Christian married men this; "what does marriage feel like?"  And if you don't feel anything (sometimes) does that mean you are not really married?  Something is wrong? 

Maybe, but in most cases NOT.

So, I asked my son: "what does grade 10 feel like?"  or "What does your last name (given any last name of anybody) feel like?"

My point is this, its NOT based on feelings its based on faith or believing!
Feelings can lie to you, and we are never told by JESUS to live by feelings but by faith.
There are times you may feel rejected or alone, or the devil may badger you by telling you that you are not even Christian.  But if you've called on JESUS and want more of HIM and know (by experience) that HE LOVES you, then you have CHRIST in - meaning Christian.
Then you live by faith and not feelings anymore.
Follow LOVE and listen to nothing else. (LOVE meaning what is best for others, not myself).
Don't believe what you see, but instead believe what you hear from the inside where you can hear the voice of JESUS.  Does Faith comes by seeing?  NO NO NO!  Faith comes by hearing! (Romans 10:17)  When you hear what HE says, and how HE leads (in LOVE) then that brings faith to do and act and say, yes and live in a completely different way - way different life!
So get over yourself, and dont depend on feelings or anything you can or might do.  GOD is only interested in JESUS living HIS LIFE through you.

• Its an abundant life.
• Its a powerful life. (over sin, over problems, over devils).
• Its a better life. (there is no other better life than HIS through you).
• Its a loved life. (you will experience and live in HIS LOVE and JOY and PEACE).
• Its a learning and growing life. (going from Glory to Glory).

Now what do you believe?

What the LORD taught me (Waiting & Tables) January 10 2012

Note: This is an actual prayer (which should be dialogue) between GOD (DAD/PAPA) and yourself, in this case me, Eric.

Eric: DAD, you know the wrong I  do, and you know the bombardment of negative thinking that plagues me…I know, more of YOU is really all I need.

DAD: If you think the Fellowship is about:

·         Meeting new people

·         Having fun

·         Singing some songs

·         Eating and Drinking

Did I not say that “the kingdom of God is not eating and drinking, but righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit.” Romans 14:17

Sure, the above have their place, but that is NOT the Kingdom, if that is what you are looking for!

Eric:  Is there anything else to look for? Is not the Kingdom – everything?  Didn’t you challenge us to ‘seek ye first the kingdom of GOD’? Matthew 6:33

DAD: Then MY Kingdom is about Righteousness, and Peace and Joy, these are ALL ‘Fruit of the SPIRIT’. Which are abundantly produced in you, as you stay focused on JESUS (on ME). If you are looking at how you are going to solve the problem, or like the 12 decide to go fishing – trying to make something happen. Then NO, nothing will happen.

Fishing is your kingdom, but ‘fishing for men’ is MINE. Which world, which Kingdom, do you rather?

Trying both? Getting neither!
How long have you been fishing? Catch anything? Was it worth it?

Eric: But they saw YOU (JESUS) and then you told them to throw the net on the other side of the boat, and they caught so much, the net started to break.  It was amazing, what they caught!

DAD: MY super abundance was right around them, with no wait, no delay no struggle except the struggle that they couldn’t hardly handle the volume. I wouldn’t call that a problem, would you?  Did I not give them exactly what they wanted/needed?  Did I not give the children of Israel Manna and then Meat? Did I not supply power and strength to Daniel, (see Daniel 1:8-13) even when eating the lesser quality foods? What part of ME telling you ‘Not to worry’, are you forgetting?

The temptation and everyone gets this temptation is this; “Can GOD prepare a table in the wilderness?” Psalm 78:19

Because the one that is after MY  Heart says “YOU prepare a table in the presence of my enemies” Psalm 23:5

Which are you?

One is a ‘wicked heart of un-belief’ and the other is someone who is ‘after MY Heart’.

MY WORD is either your building block or a stumbling block – which is it? Either you are looking at your empty boat where you were fishing all night.  Or, you are looking for when I AM will show up. What do you see? The disciples thought that I was dead – so, all the talk and abundant life is over – isn’t it?

The children of Israel all thought that they were brought out into the Wilderness led by Moses my servant and by a pillar of fire and cloud  - just to die there.  And with that attitude, they did! Don’t die in the wilderness son. Look for MY Table – it, like the catch of fish, is right before you isn’t it?

Can’t see? You can see! Don’t ever doubt MY LOVE, stop looking at outward circumstances and outward signs.

Because what you look at is what you become.

Do you see a wilderness or a GOD that leads you through it – or is better for you back in Egypt in slavery? The old life better? You know better than that.

Eric: Thank you DAD for your patience with me, I have no patience for anything apart from your love working in me and I know you provide everything I need.

All supply comes from YOUR Hand, and my answer is just around me, in fact right before me.

DAD: You listen to the enemy, you listen to lies, you get duped easily as all the devil has to do is get you looking at your situation and you are gone again.

Faith sees, Love doesn’t give up. Does a Mother ever give up looking for her son? LOVE never gives up and I AM LOVE. So, it’s not over.

I haven’t given up on you.  My question to you is:  “Have you?”

Eric: Ha, good point! Boy have I lots to learn.

DAD: FAITH works through LOVE, but did I tell you that it works EASILY through it.  If FAITH is a problem and it isn’t working easily – it’s not FAITH!

Did you hear ME?  FAITH works and its simple, it needs LOVE to do it. You easily trust your wife without even thinking about it –don’t you? That is FAITH, and someone who doesn’t trust his wife or spouse, you guys call ‘un-faithful’ don’t you? Is it hard to trust her? Is this some kind of effort on your part?

If it is, then you don’t love her then, do you? Stop trying to build FAITH, and talk about it like it’s some very difficult scientific formula you  have to understand.

You can’t examine it, because it’s either there or it isn’t and its WAY bigger than all of mankind, so you can never dissect it or study it to master it.  You can only join with it and let it (LOVE) (and FAITH in the LOVE) take you for the ride of your life.  So, FAITH works easily with the one who knows he /she is loved, you don’t even have to think about it. Your boys have perfect faith in that they will be fed every day - do you?

Can I prepare a table in the wilderness?

Eric: Ok, show me more please…

DAD: The table comes to you – right where you are, in the wilderness, in front of your enemies.  You don’t go looking for it, it finds you, in the moment of need.

Right where they think you are done, and it’s over –not so fast, MY Table is right there.  MY Table is where I sit and sup with you, and with a table like that your enemies will watch and flee. So, who prepares it (this table) you or ME?  And by the way, don’t go looking for the tables, in your wilderness, that is the trap, because you are looking for JESUS, looking for ME. That table is also MY Communion Table, which reminds every one of the Covenant you are in with ME. Nothing can stop this Covenant you are in with ME. Even if you fail – I CAN NOT! By sitting at this table with ME, you are reminding those around you and your enemies and all your troubles, that Your GOD keeps Covenant.

The hardest part for the children of Israel in the wilderness, was not the walking or eating Manna or even conquering new territories and again in the presence of their enemies, I prepared tables for them.  But the biggest trouble was in the waiting for MY shofar to be played and trumpeted so that they would move again. Like the Disciples, who waited for the ‘catch of fish’. There is trouble in waiting or there is reward in waiting, this is where the victory or defeat are. It is right in the waiting.

Adam and Eve couldn’t wait any longer, some of MY followers left too, as they couldn’t wait anymore. John 6:67

Wait for the LORD; be strong, and let your heart take courage; wait for the LORD! Psalm 27:14

When you wait on ME – I work.

When you work – I wait.

Which is it?

Stay in MY LOVE son, stay in MY LOVE!

Merry Christmas and Lets Eat.

Really hopelessly lost and wretched, we are, without JESUS.  GOD says our ‘good works, are filthy rags’.  Isaiah 64:6  Not telling us  yet about our bad works, but good works.

In the New Testament (New Covenant in JESUS) by Great Exchange.

Paul said it this way; ‘in me dwells no good thing’.  Romans 7:18


Apart from JESUS we are spiritually bankrupt.


Interesting that when JESUS came, HE came as an insignificant baby born with the world rejecting HIM, and no place in their homes/lives for HIM (no room in the inn).  Luke 2:7

 Then born in a manger – a feeding trough for animals.  Very lowly, very sad, very pathetic, very helpless place.

The word comes from the French manger (meaning "to eat"), from Latin manducare (meaning "to chew").

So, I don’t know about you, but to have my children born in a barn feeding area is not my idea of the best place to have a child or to keep it.  But that is the place the KING OF KINGS decided to be born.  And that place was also used as a sign to the shepherds who heard the angels say that; “This will be a sign for you: you will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger." Luke 2:12

The LORD showed me 2 things about this scene just this morning and they are this:

1)      We who are interested in hearing from GOD, hearing HIS voice better (which is a prayer of mine), keep in mind that when GOD came as JESUS, HE went to the least, almost nothing place and to shepherds, who weren’t nobility or the intellectual.  No but only the ‘pure in heart see GOD’ Matthew 5:8.  Those without a divided heart, or a hard heart, but a pure heart (it doesn’t say a heart without sin) but a heart that wants only HIM – not HIS gifts, but HIMSELF!

2)      Placed in a manger, which is the place animals slop their food and eat.  But JESUS later said to ‘eat HIS flesh’ and ‘drink HIS blood’, (see John 6:54-56) because HE is the ‘manna from heaven’ the bread of life (see John 6:35, and John 6:48) and the ‘sacrificial lamb’ that the Jews were instructed to eat at Passover (see 1 Corinthians 5:7).  Cook and eat the entire lamb (see Exodus 12)  You see, if you take JESUS (not religion, not churchianity, not Sabbath keeping, or pew attending but real hunger to eat and take from JESUS only, understanding that  HE is the ‘last supper’ meal, the ‘communion’ of GOD with man – take HIM and HIM only, and when HE fills you, you won’t have room for anything else!  Open your mouth so HE can fill it! (see Psalm 81:10)

What a GOD!

What an Amazing Journey and seeing miracles! HE is our life!

This is the season that reminds us that HE comes to us, and that is the greatest miracle, that HE cares and comes even now to each of us!

HE is the gift.

Heaven’s best for us.

Amen

How Do I Find A House/Home Church?

This question comes up fairly often.


How do I find a home church (in my area)?

Recently this question was asked again, and below is our response, hopefully it can help and bless you as well.


Dear "can't find a home church"


Note: you are looking for an invisible/visible thing.  Not so much a place but a people!


I've noticed that for many who can't find a local 'home church', that they don't pray to find one, and lean on JESUS to lead you, part of HIS true church, into fellowship / unity.

Or, they don't think for a moment (so, they can't pray about it,) that maybe they should be starting one (under prayer and the LORD'S leading) rather than finding one.

Because really you are part of it (the true church) right now - already!
Part of the answer to your question is you...

-eric