This page was posted as a new page. Look at the top of Graceman’s Musings for the title ” When We Need a Miracle ” Have a Blessed Day….Love ya, Graceman
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In a recent blog ( The Power of Christ ) I wrote about the Ark of the Covenant. The Ark was where our Lord dwelt ” between the Cherubims “.
We now have the indwelling Christ inside of us as believers. He gives us the power to live out our Faith. I am preparing to present chapter 3 of Joshua this coming Sunday to the Adult Class at Grace and I wanted to share the outline so you could be blessed. I am so excited as my daughter Kristin put my blogging app. on my iphone. This way in the middle of the night when I get the urge to write I can do it on my phone. Here is a great outline for part 1 of chapter 3 of Joshua entitled ” Crossing Over “.
We are going to Cross Over from the comfy, carnal zone to the committed zone. We will leave a life of mediocrity to a life of magnificence. It will not be an easy journey but it will be exciting to see God work supernaturally on our behalf.
1. Motivation by Inspiration – Vs. 1 We get our inspiration, fire, breath through Prayer as our Lord did when he arose early in the morning and prayed. You do not know what demons, difficulties, diseases etc. you will face. You, through prayer have the edge of God’s Omniscience ( All knowing ) and His Omnipotence ( All powerful ) .
2. Motivation by Consecration Vs. 2-4 ( We see the Ark ( Christ ) and we
devote ourselves to following Him. Remember His presence dwells with the Ark.
3. Sanctification V. 5 The Secret to Sovereign Manifestation….
Set your self apart today ( Holy Living ) and tomorrow the Lord will do wondrous things among you. I am not talking about conforming to some self righteous code of ethics forced on us by religious pharisees but releasing things that are offensive to a Holy God because we love Him and desire to please Him.
So today if we will Pray we will be inspired. If we focus on Jesus and devote our lives to Him we will abide in His presence . If we will “Detox” from the world we’ll be empowered by the fire of God’s Holy Spirit……Join me in Crossing Over today. Do not be afraid, God is with us.
Love Ya,
Graceman
Take a moment today and thank the Lord for the freedom and liberties we have. Many people have sacrificed so we could be free. Anything in life worth doing or having will take sacrifice. Jesus modeled a life of sacrifice. Do you have a dream or a goal you are pursuing? It will take sacrifice but the sacrifice given will benefit someone. What Jesus did for us on the cross purchased our pardon and our freedom. Celebrate every day as Christ has set us free.
Love ya,
Graceman
Picture of Graceman’s family dog at end of long fourth weekend.
Today our Saint Bernard Molly had her first birthday party . Enclosed are some photos to enjoy. More blogging after the Fourth.
Love Ya,
Graceman
I think that most of us struggle with our self worth in one way or another. I know I do sometimes. I have to be careful of what I term “Morbid Introspection “. One lesson I learned some time back was how to walk in Grace. In Grace, OUR Position according to Eph.1 ; we are trophies of God’s Grace. In Eph. 2:10 we are his workmanship ( poema – his masterpiece ) In Grace, there is no condemnation in Christ ( Rom. 8:1 ) God does convict us by his Spirit of our sin but never condemns us as His children. Satan is the accuser of the brethren and accusing one another is satanic. All the thoughts that run through my mind are not good thoughts. Some are toxic ones. We need to learn how to receive true thoughts and reject toxic ones. These thoughts attack our view of God, self and others. I have met many Toxic people . They are always criticizing, condemning and seeking to inject toxic thoughts into our spiritual bloodstreams. Reject these thoughts and reject their opinion of you. God isn’t that way. He views you in love. He has no bad thoughts about you. He may not like all of our actions and grieves when we sin but he truly loves us. One verse that freed me was Ephesians 1:6 ” He has made me accepted in the Beloved.” God loves us as His children unconditionally and has accepted us in Christ. So we need to say to the toxic folk ” Keep your syringe away from me.” I am not living my life by your opinion, my opinion or anyone else’s but God’s viewpoint toward me. Some time back I did a study in Exodus 28 on the High Priest, Jesus is our High Priest . The High Priest wears a band around his head that says HOLY. He only thinks good thoughts about me. I think I will choose to live my life based on how God views me and not how anyone else including me…views me. I recommend the same to you. It will liberate you.
No one will be able to bring you into bondage like the Galatians tried to do.
How about we take the command from Jesus in John 13:34-35 seriously and just start loving one another…..Might just change the world….
Love ya,
Graceman
I am continuing my studies in the book of Joshua to teach to our church teaching hour. I have been intrigued in chapter 3 at the importance, priority and power of the Ark of the Covenant. This Ark represents Christ…..So many ways. You have the wood overlaid with gold. This is a picture of our Lord’s humanity ( wood ) covered with ( gold ) representing his deity. Every major cult seems to have a problem with the deity of Jesus….He is God, end of arguement. The Spirit of the Lord was on Jesus and the Word says His presence was between the angels on the ark. The lid of the Ark is where the mercy seat is. It is where the blood was placed. The Word says he is our propitiation ie: Mercy Seat. We have mercy in Jesus. In the Ark were three things : the tablets of stone, representing the law. In Jesus was the fulfillment of the law. There was Aaron’s rod that budded, a picture of resurrection life and the pot of manna as Jesus is the Bread of Life. As Israel brought this Ark into battle victories were won. As they came to the Jordan it was the key to walking on dry land…The people were instructed to keep their eyes on the Ark…when you see…Today let’s fix our eyes on Jesus. He is the secret to our daily power. We have so many distractions in our lives. Today fix your eyes on Jesus….
Love ya,
Graceman
Recently a Pastor friend from First Assembly in DeLand,Florida
experienced a horrific explosion of a propane tank. It threw him and he was injured and suffered some burns on hands and face. It was right before Father’s Day and he returned to his pulpit that Sunday to minister. The Spirit gave me this poem of sorts to encourage him and the precious ones there.
There was a Shepherd from DeLand
Who had upon him God’s mighty hand
He had a vision to reach his city
The demons cried O what a pity
He wants some fire of Pentecost
Doesn’t he know what that will cost ?
We’ll take him out, they began to shout
We’ll cause him to fear and his God to doubt
We’ve got a very viscious plan
We will destroy God’s faithful man
We’ll burn his hands and his face
We’ll get him to quit the Jesus race
With evil hearts they put the plan in motion
Never considering the Shepherd’s devotion
They lit the fire, what an awful blast
The Shepherd thought his life had passed
An angel came and rescued him
Our God loves him and isn’t through with him
On bended knees the saints inspired
Called down the Awesome Holy Fire
The fire Satan sent had failed
The fire of God has prevailed
To Pastor Mike Modica and wife
and First Assembly, Deland Fla.
From Pastor Earl and Annita Johnson
Also sent to all who may be going through a fiery
trial themselves.
Love You,
Graceman
In my studies in Joshua in chapter 2 God uses an unusual person to perform a task for His agenda. God knows Rahab’s heart and sees her faith. Rahab’s faith is noted several other times in the New Testament as well.
She declares her faith in the God of Israel and demonstrates it by works as she hides the spies, helps them and keeps all of this confidential to the peril of her own life. GRACE poured out on the unlikeliest of people.
A Madaam, if you will of Jericho’s brothel…..
We are so judgmental in our thinking. We look at a well dressed person and say ” Man would they make a good Christian . ” Our churches are made up of thousands of well dressed ineffective alleged followers of Jesus. When I was in Tennessee in between ministries I began an outreach program for a church we served in. I thought the elders and deacons would be excited about reaching the city. It was the “lowly” folks that were concerned. One lady full of tatooos had come to Christ and was so excited about sharing her faith. I wanted to take her to the “Board” and say ” Gentlemen, here is what a true disciple of Jesus looks like . ” shocked, are we ? You see those battered by sin and abuse recognize when God pours out his Grace. They have come to the end of themselves and as Jesus said ” Those forgiven much, love much . ” Grace was poured out on Rahab… So much so that God chose to place her in the Savior’s lineage. Rahab marries a Jewish man named Salmon and they have a son named Boaz…yes that Boaz who married Ruth and through them the line of David to Jesus. Doesn’t that blow your mind? If God can pour out his Grace on a prostitute and turn her into a godly lady then what he can do with you has no limits.
Love you,
Graceman
The following Ode/Poem is written after studying Numbers 21 and Deut. 29:7-8 when Moses in the last of the fortieth wilderness year had a decisive victory over two beligerent and barbaric kings named Og and Sihon. Read the scripture and the poem/ode will make sense,
Love to you today, Graceman
Hello my name is Moses
We’re just passin through
Just wanted to say a big “How do you do ?”
We won’t disturb your people
But it’s really up to you
We need to cross your land
We’re just passin through
Sihon said to Og ” What do you think ? “
Og replied you know me, I don’t usually think
I’d just like something strong to drink
Sihon said to Moses, ” You can’t come through “
Moses replied that answer just won’t do
I asked you nicely, I’m just that way
But you know I have a temper
That answer’s not gonna play
Are you two sure that’s what you want to do ?
Is that your final answer or are you gonna let us come through ?
That is our final answer, don’t ask us again…
We…llll Moses said that’s the wrong reply
We’re gonna have to whup ya, an eye for an eye
We’re comin through your land today
No matter what you barbarians say
So Moses gave them a whuppin
Israel passed on through
When God is on your side
You’ll always make it through
Dedicated to those of you facing Giants and opposition that impedes your path to your Potential ….
Love ya,
Graceman
I am studying and teaching through the book of Joshua. God is a Supernatural God. Frances Shaffer wrote a commentary that I had years ago on Joshua. He wrote about the ” Continuity of the Covenant”. It deeply impacted my life though I would not classify my theological leaning as Reformed….Revolutionary perhaps but whatever….I’m just trying to follow Jesus and man is he a Revolutionary. In Joshua 2 Rahab is stunned by the miracles that God does for Israel. Miracles like the Red Sea parting and major victories over the Giant Amorite warriors. ( Next Blog I will put my poem about Moses decisive victory over two barbarian kings Og and Sihon OK ? ) Shaffer wrote that we have three things that Joshua had :
1. Same Supernatural God
2. Same Supernatural Book ( God’s Word )
3. Same Supernatural Power
I believe that. I’ve seen his miracles in my life, my family and around me. Anyway…..I just wanted to return blogging with ” The Purpose of Miracles “
GOD IS GLORIFIED
THE ENEMY IS MYSTIFIED
PLOTS ARE NEUTRALIZED
THE ENEMY WILL BE PARALYZED
YOUR FAITH WILL BE ENERGIZED
GOD WILL BE MAGNIFIED
A Miracle is the Supernatural intervention of God into a seemingly impossible situation. My word for you today…..Have Faith in God…Put your mustard seed in God’s hand and watch great things happen.
