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"RIVER IN THE VALLEY" PART II

Fri, 19 Dec 2008 21:01:00 GMT

“RIVER OF LIFE IN THE VALLEY" PART II

You who laid the foundations of the earth, so that it should not be moved forever, you covered it with deep as with a garment. The waters stood above the mountains. At your rebuke they fled; at the voice of your thunder they hastened away. They went up over the mountains; they went down into the valleys, to the place which you founded for them. You have set a boundary that they may not pass over, that they may not return to cover the earth. He sends the springs into the valleys; They flow amoung the hills
-- Psalm 104: 5 - 10

"You heavens above, rain down righteousness; let the clouds shower it down. Let the earth open wide, let salvation spring up, let righteousness grow with it; I, the LORD, have created it
-- Isaiah 45:8

In order to properly get to this study on the River of Life in the Valley, I feel it’s important to summarize a bible study that was shared at my friends bible study group.

"RENEWAL"

We did a study on “Renewal”. We need to rebuild and revive or replace what has decayed (our marriages, families, our homes). The definition of Renewal in the Webster’s dictionary is: to make new again, begin again, replenish (a supply). Compare this to a Foundation of a house. The meaning of Foundation in the Webster’s dictionary is: Establishment or basis, base of a wall, house ect.. (Heather did a study on walls a few weeks ago.. think about that wall built around the city and how solid that foundation was! -- Nehemiah)

Remember that a house not only applies to the physical house you live in but Christ who also lives within us. 1 Corinthians 6:19 states: Or do you not know that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit who is in you, whom you have from God, and you are not your own? Our bodies are his temple, he is housed within us. You must have a solid foundation in which to build your house on. (If you do not build on a solid foundation, everything that is supported by it will crumble and fall apart). Having a SOLID rock foundation applies to our lives, our families and our friends.

God has laid the Cornerstone upon which he constructed this world. He breathed life into us and gave us a manual to follow, that manual is the Bible, the WORD of God. The Water that keeps us both physically and spiritually alive.

Another study from the women’s group, Pastor Don (from Living Word Chapel) happened to be at a study for our Women’s bible group and he spoke about what God placed on his heart for us which was the story of Hannah in 1 Samuel 1. YEAR AFTER YEAR, she went to the house of the Lord, wepted and prayed from the deepest inner most part of her soul. (She never gave up.. think about that…. We’re talking years and years! Not days or months .. but years! Most of us give up much sooner than that, myself included. We begin to question our faith. But Hannah prevailed. She had SOLID ROCK FAITH. She would not be moved. Her wish was finally granted and her face was no longer sad. What did this mean? Why was her face no longer sad? She came into her faith (she was finally able to get pregnant and gave birth to Samuel whom she gave to the Lord when he was old enough). Pastor’s message was “Its not cancelled, it’s only postponed” “Our hard work, our feelings of being unappreciated, everything we do, day in and day out, thoughts of “when’s it going to be my time?” When is someone going to Love me? Hug me? Notice me? We all have these feelings and needs. God is there, he dwells within us and loves us so much. We only need to seek him out for he knows our pain and struggles (he hears our cries) We may feel he’s not listening but he is. We must remember that it’s in his timing, not ours. And we need to keep plugging along, keep believing, keep thanking God. Everything we go through has a purpose. If its not caused by sin then know its happening to strengthen us in our Faith. He is walking with us through these times of trials. We need to stay strong in our faith (especially now as times become harder and harder) Stand SOLID on that Foundation. Don’t give up even when it seems hopeless.

This brings me to my study on “THE RIVER OF LIFE”

From the Foundation (knowing Gods Word) ----------> to the Cornerstone (from which it was constructed by Christ) --------> to Living Waters (keeping our faith built up.. SOLID and UNMOVABLE).

In Ephesians 2:20-21 it states: Having been build on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ Himself being the Chief Cornerstone, in whom the whole building, being fitted together, grows into a holy temple in the Lord, in whom you also are being built together for a dwelling place of God in the Spirit.

How do we do that? How do we keep ourselves, our family and friends strong? How do we become that solid unmovable person of Faith? How do we Receive in Faith and keep it? Well, we stay in the WORD… God gave us flowing living water which is constantly running. Does it say it lays stagnant? NO!!! He pours his word onto us and we only have to open our minds and hearts to him. Allow him to replenish & renew us constantly. His word is his gift, his life force for us, it keeps that light within us from burning out.

The word is alive and flowing into us. Take that time to read the word, listen to it in your car… Keep the faith music playing…. Stay connected to your friends and family in Christ (I’ve even hooked up with some fellow members here at church on Facebook and we encourage each other throughout the day, it truly helps) keep yourself prayed up… Surround yourself in that Water!

DEFINITIONS:

v Definition of Water (websters dictionary): (1)Colorless liquid of rivers, lakes ect.. (2) Water solution (3) Body secretion

v Definition of Stream: (1) Small river (2) Steady flow, as of air (3) Move swiftly

v Definition of Living: Having life, having use, true, lifelike, enough to live on, way that one lives

v Definition of Life: active existence

FACTS:

v Water Replenishes

v Water Cleanses

v The average human body is about 65% water.

v Our bodies MUST have water to survive. Constantly flowing through us or our bodies breakdown and die. We need the blood to circulate. Revive and refresh our bodies.. we cannot allow it to go stagnant.

v Its Free

v You only have to Believe to Receive

v The word water appears 396 times in the bible (stated in the Strongest Strongs Concordance)

John 4:13 – Jesus said “whoever drinks of this water will thirst again, but whoever drinks of the water that I shall give him will never thirst. The prophet John is speaking about we that dwell in God and God that dwells in us.

Living water: In ancient times, they called spring water living water because it seemed "alive" as it bubbled up from the ground. At first glance, it might seem that Jesus tells this woman about a nearby active spring. But Jesus makes a play on words and with the phrase "living water" because He means the spiritual water that quenches our spiritual thirst and gives life.

Remember to keep our foundation Solid (the lord is my rock) keep our Spirit built up, pray often and go to friends and family in Christ to encourage us and lift us up. We need each other. The flowing waters pour out on to us by staying in the word and receive that constant replenishing waters here in the Valley. We live in a beautiful area. When you hear the descriptions in the bible of the mountains, streams, valleys, rivers and trees…to me, it is a picture of how blessed we are to be living in a place that is the exact description of what is to be.

The Water of Life

ITS SOURCE - In God

Jeremiah 2:13 For my people have committed two evils: They have forsaken me Me, the fountain of living waters. (Here we see that The people of Isreal turned to other resources rather than depending on God for the Living water – other gods)
Psalm 36:9 For with You is the fountain of Life; in Your light we see light

ITS FLOW - From Christ

John 4:14 But whoever drinks of the water that I shall give him will never thirst. But the water that I shall give him will become a fountain of water springing up into everlasting light.
Revelation 22:1 And he showed me a pure river of water of life, clear as crystal, proceeding from the throne of God and of the and the lamb.

ITS CHANNELS - Through Believers

John 7:38-39 He who believes in Me, as the scripture has said, out of his heart will flow rivers of living water. Here he is saying to come to Me and drink because I will fulfill that need in your life. I will fill that thirst. Not only will I fill the thirst, but I will cause your life to become an overflowing cup.

ITS RECEIVERS - The Thirsty

Isaiah 55:1 Ho! Everyone who thirsts, come to the waters. God freely offers everything necessary to give his people abundant life and the word LISTEN carries the idea of obedience. Gods word never fails. The Word has power. The Word RESTORES life to his people like rain coming down from the heaves bringing new life to the earth.
Rev. 22:6 – Then he said to me “These words are faithful and true”

Symbol of River (in Ezekiel) River brought life everywhere it flowed. The tree of life stood next to the river bearing its fruit CONSTANTLY and the leaves of that tree are for the healing of nations.

The River Flowing From The Temple -- Ezekiel 47

1 Then he brought me back to the door of the temple; and there was water, flowing from under the threshold of the temple toward the east, for the front of the temple faced east; the water was flowing from under the right side of the temple, south of the altar. 2 He brought me out by way of the north gate, and led me around on the outside to the outer gateway that faces east; and there was water, running out on the right side. 3 And when the man went out to the east with the line in his hand, he measured one thousand cubits, and he brought me through the waters; the water came up to my ankles. 4 Again he measured one thousand and brought me through the waters; the water came up to my knees. Again he measured one thousand and brought me through; the water came up to my waist. 5 Again he measured one thousand, and it was a river that I could not cross; for the water was too deep, water in which one must swim, a river that could not be crossed.

Let us look at the various aspects of this resource. First of all, there is the source of the river. Where does it come from? Ezekiel said, "I saw a throne and issuing out from under the throne came the river." The waters of the Spirit come from the very throne of God, from the supremacy of his authority, the highest point in the universe, the place where our Lord Jesus received the promised gift of the Spirit on the day of Pentecost.

Does that remind you of anything? Do you read in that and hear in that our Lord's words recorded in John 7 when he stood at the temple on the last day of the feast and said, "If any one thirst. let him come to me and drink...Out of his heart shall flow rivers of living water. Now this he said about the Spirit, which those who believed in him were to receive..." (John 7:37-39) This is the resource of the Christian life.

As the prophet watches, he sees that it takes its way down past the altar, the place of sacrifice.

Then, notice the power of this river. It has quickly grown large enough to swim in, yet there is no other river adding to it. No tributary streams are coming in. It is a great, gushing, mighty torrent of life coming out from under the throne of God.

As you read this, notice the experience of the prophet. He is led into this step-by-step; three times he says, "And he led me through." Is God leading you through? Have you ever had that experience? The first step is to the place where the waters are ankle deep. Isn't that a picture of a man who has experienced only a shallow sense of God's grace and power in his life? He is a Christian but he is what the scriptures call a carnal Christian -- still filled with bickerings and fightings and inner turmoils. He has not learned anything of the peace of God. He is disobedient. He fights against God's grace very time he turns around. He's in just ankle deep. And a lot of people stay there.

But then the prophet says, "He led me through, and it was knee deep." The waters get hold of his knees. Have the waters got there with you yet? Have you begun to hunger and thirst and to pray and to seek the face of God? Here is a man who is not satisfied any more with just being born again. He is hungering after something. He is on his knees. He is crying out to God, yearning for more.

"And he led me through," he says, and the waters come up to the loins. There is less of him now, and more of the grace of God.

Then he goes one step further and says, "He led me on and the water had risen and it had become a river to swim in." Here is someone who is utterly committed. He is over his head. He is out there where he is swept along in the current of God's grace. And what is the effect of this river on the land? As the prophet is led back along the banks he says, "I see trees on either side of it" -- fruitfulness. The barrenness of the land has been healed. The river is fertile; everywhere the river flows, things begin to live.

Have you learned this yet? All of this is written for us. John sees the same river, in Revelation 22:1-2. "Then he showed me the river of the water of life, bright as crystal, flowing from the throne of God...through the middle of the street of the city… It flows right through the middle of life. Have you found the river of the Spirit yet? It is as we learn these mighty truths that Christian life begins to make sense. Until then, it is nothing but a difficult path, a struggle to try to keep things straight. But when we begin to experience the mighty, gushing torrent of the rivers of living water -- the flow of the Spirit of God right through the center of life -- everything begins to live, and life becomes significant and full for us.

The prophet sees this. And he closes this beautiful book with a description of the temple. Look at the last verse of the prophecy. He says: Water is also a biblical symbol of renewal. It will nourish the dry land, and will resuscitate the dried-up bones of Israel

As I was beginning to close out this study God gave me this last scripture. It came to me after I was done writing and then began to listen to an audio bible I have (the bible experience) I have it on my iTunes and my intention was to play something else but I hit the wrong thing and Revelation began to play. Knowing that there are no accidents when it comes to God.. I proceeded to listen and waiting to see what would happen. As I listened and Revelation 1:15 I felt the words move through me so powerfully that I knew it was to be shared.

Turn to Revelation 1:15 and lets read it together: “His feet were like fine brass, as if refined in a furnace and His voice as the sound of many waters” This is a very powerful statement.

In Closing of this teaching, the Lord kept reminding me of an event that happened to me at the age of Seven. It totally lined up with this teaching.

MY ANGEL UPON THE ROCK

Painting done by my husband, John

I was visiting my cousins down in Yonkers NY and we rode our bikes down to a nearby elementary school about a mile from their house. We parked our bikes and walked along a dirt path behind the school. We followed a fast moving stream from the cliffs above and I had the bright idea to see if we could climb down the mountain to the rushing water below. I started to climb down but lost my footing and slipped off the rock catching the edge of another rock with my hands and there I hung with my legs dangling in the air. I called out in terror “God Help Me” and the next thing I know, my sister and cousins take off running! This man appeared, walking towards me. He was dressed in a monk like robe with a white robe belt and had a hood over his head and brown sandals. Just as my hands lost their grip and started to slip, the man bent down and placed his hands over mine and I seemed to float up in the air. I remember seeing his face which resembled Jesus and when I came down to my feet, he moved his hands away and I ran away. As I turned back (only a few seconds later), the man was gone. When I caught up with my sister & cousins and asked if they saw the man they had no clue what I was talking about, they were running to get help. I know that God was looking out for me that day. I called out to him and he saved me.

As I was doing this study on Foundation and SOLID ground. I look back at this and see that I went off the path.. Obviously, I was just a child who didn’t know better but I have this image embedded in my head, I can see the unstable rocks and a roaring river below. I stood and climbed on something that was not solid, lost my footing. It crumbled and I fell with it catching the tip of another rock. I had no choice but to call on God. There was another path.. a safer path, one that would have kept me from harm but I chose to walk on the wrong path. But God is great, he cushions our falls, brushes off the dirt and sends us on our way (just like children) we grow and are strengthened by our experiences.

I was somewhere I wasn’t suppose to be. Pastor taught not too long ago, during one of his sermons to stay between the lines..He was driving down from Connecticut and there was thick fog. He stayed somewhere in the middle, he focused on staying between the lines and safely made it to teach Sunday morning sermon. God will guide us and provide us with what we need. I was just a kid but the point is I lost my footing. I was walking along a cliff, not very safe! The ground below me was not stable, I slipped catching the edge of a rock. But here’s the point.. I was holding onto a large rock (a solid rock that could not be moved)Praise God.. he was there to pick me up.. brush off the dust and sent me on my way.

When I finished teaching this study at church I had them play a song for me which totally brought everything together.. here are the lyrics:

LOVE IS HERE

by Tenth Avenue

come to the waters, you who thirst and you’ll thirst no more.
come to the father, you who work and you’ll work no more.
and all you who labor in vain and to the broken and shamed:

love is here.
love is now.
love is pouring from
his hands, from his brows.
love is near,it satisfies.
streams of mercy flowing from his side.
cuz love is here.

come to the treasure, you who search and you’ll search no more.
come to the lover you who want and you’ll want no more, no.
and all you who labor in vain and to the broken and shamed,

yeah:

love is here.
love is now.
love is pouring from his hands, from his brows.
love is near, it satisfies.
streams of mercy flowing from his side.

yeah

and to the bruised and fallen,
captives, bound, and broken hearted.

he is the lord
he is the lord,
yeah

by his stripes he’s paid our ransom
from his wounds we drink salvation

he is the lord
he is the lord

love is here.
love is now.
love is pouring from his hands, from his brows.
love is near,
it satisfies.
streams of mercy flowing from his side.
streams of mercy flowing from his side.
cuz love is here
love is here.

I pray that you are blessed and stand strong in your faith.. let nothing shake your foundation and let the waters pour down on you. God bless you all.

-- Michelle

here's another graph to sum up all the points that were made in this study....

Friday, October 24, 2008

Fri, 24 Oct 2008 11:11:01 GMT

"River of Life in the Valley”

This is a study I did for our Womens Bible Study Group.. I thought I'd share it.

Deb spoke on “Renewal” a few weeks ago and here is a summary of that study...

We need to rebuild, revive or replace what has decayed (our marriages, families, our homes). This can be compared to a Foundation of a home. You must have a solid foundation in which to build your house on. The same applies to our lives, our families and our friends.

God has laid the Cornerstone upon which he constructed this world.. he breathed life into us and gave us a manual to follow.. that manual is the Bible .. the WORD of God (the water that keeps us alive both physically and spiritually).

Then Pastor Don gave what God placed on his heart for us which was the story of Hannah in 1 Samuel 1 YEAR AFTER YEAR she went to the house of the Lord, wepted and prayed from the deepest inner most part of her soul. Her wish was finally granted and her face was no longer sad. What did this mean? This meant, she came into her faith (she was finally able to get pregnant and gave birth to Samuel whom she gave to the Lord when he was old enough). Pastor’s message was “its not cancelled..it’s only postponed. Our hard work, our feelings of being unappreciated, everything we do, day in and day out, thoughts of “when’s it going to be my time?” when is someone going to Love me? Hug me? Notice me? God is there, he dwells within us. We need to stay strong in our faith (especially now as things become even harder) Stand solid on that foundation. Don’t give up even when it seems hopeless.

This brings me to my study: “River of Life in the Valley”

From the Foundation (knowing Gods Word), the Cornerstone (from which it was constructed – by Christ) to keep building our faith to the How do we do that? How do we keep our families strong? How do we keep our self esteem in check and believe in what God wants for us? Receive in Faith. Well, we stay in the WORD… God gave us flowing LIVING WATER which is constantly running. He pours his word onto us and we only have to open our minds and hearts to him. His word is his gift, his life force for us and by that the word is alive and flowing into us. Take that time to read the word, or listen to it in your car… keep the faith music playing…. Surround yourself in that water.

Ephesians 2:20-22

Having been built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ Himself being the chief cornerstone, in whom the whole building, being fitted together, grows into a holy temple in the Lord, in whom you also are being built together for a dwelling place of God in the Spirit.

INTERESTING FACTS:

Water Replenishes
Water Cleanses
The average human body is about 65% water
Our bodies MUST have water to survive. Constantly flowing through us or our bodies break Down and die. We need the blood to circulate. Revive and refresh our bodies.. we cannot allow it to go stagnant.
Its Free!
You only have to Believe to Receive
The word water appears 396 times in the bible (from my Strongs Concordance)

John 4:13 – Jesus said “whoever drinks of this water will thirst again, but whoever drinks of the water that I shall give him will never thirst. (The prophet John is speaking about we that dwell in God and god that Dwells in us)

Living water: In ancient times, they called spring water living water because it seemed "alive" as it bubbled up from the ground. At first glance, it might seem that Jesus tells this woman about a nearby active spring. But Jesus makes a play on words with the phrase "living water," because He means the spiritual water that quenches our spiritual thirst and gives life.

Keep our foundation Solid (the lord is my rock) keep our Spirit built up and confident in the gifts god has given us, use our gifts (we have our friends to help encourage us) and let the Flowing Waters pour out on to us by staying in the word and receive that constant replenishing waters here in the valley.

Definitions from Websters Dictionary

v Definition of Water: (1)Colorless liquid of rivers, lakes ect.. (2) Water solution (3) Body secretion, tears, to supply with water.

v Definition of Stream: (1) Small river (2) Steady flow, as of air (3) Move swiftly

v Definition of Living: Having life, having use, true, lifelike, enough to live on, way that one lives

v Life: active existence

The Source + Its Flow + Its Channels + Receivers = Water of Life

ITS SOURCE, in God (Jeremiah 2:13) They have forsaken Me, the fountain of living waters, And hewn themselves cisterns - broken cisterns that can hold no water (The people of Isreal turned to other resources rather than depending on God for the Living water – other gods)

(Psalm 36:9) For with You is the fountain of life; In your light we see light.

ITS FLOW, from Christ (John 4:14)- He who seeks the word of God, which comes from the father.. will never thirst for they will have Everlasting Life

Revelation 22:1 - And he showed me a pure river of water of life, clear as crystal, proceeding from the throne of God and of the lamb

Interesting fact/Definition (Revelation) - I decided to look up some of the words from Revelation 22:

Crystal means - Solified substance with its molecules arranged symmetrically

Symmetric means: well-proportioned, as a body or whole

Molecule means: The smallest particle of a substance that retains the chemical and physical properties of the substance and is composed of two or more atoms; a group of like or different atoms held together by chemical forces.

A small particle; a tiny bit

ITS CHANNELS, through believers (John 7:38-39) come to me and drink because I will fulfill that need in your life. I will fill that thirst. Not only will I fill the thirst but I will cause your life to become an overflowing cup." (here he tells us how to drink from Him. That area of man that so consistently is seeking to be fed will become the source). God is not satisfied to just fill your life, he wants your life to OVERFLOW.

Interesting points

John's Gospel begins (chapter 1, verse 1): In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.

ITS RECEIVERS, the thirsty (Isaiah 55:1) God freely offers everything necessary to give his people abundant life and the word LISTEN carries the idea of obedience) Gods word never fails… The word has power .. The word RESTORES life to his people like rain coming down from the heaves bringing new life to the earth)

(Rev. 22:6) - Then he said to me, "These words are faithful & True.

Symbol of River (in Ezekiel) River brought life everywhere it flowed. The tree of life stood next to the river bearing its fruit CONSTANTLY and the leaves of that tree are for the healing of nations.

Deuteronomy 8:7 For the LORD thy God bringeth thee into a good land, a land of brooks of water, of fountains and depths that spring out of valleys and hills;

Psalms 104:8-10 They go up by the mountains; they go down by the valleys unto the place which thou hast founded for them. Thou hast set a bound that they may not pass over; that they turn not again to cover the earth. He sunset the springs into the valleys, which run among the hills.

Isaiah 45:8
"You heavens above, rain down righteousness; let the clouds shower it down. Let the earth open wide, let salvation spring up, let righteousness grow with it; I, the LORD, have created it

Isaiah 40:3

"Prepare the way of the Lord; make straight in the desert a highway for our God. Every valley shall be exalted and every mountain and hill brought low; the crooked plances shall be made straight and the rough places smooth; The glory of the Lord shall be revealed, and all flesh shall see it together; For the mouth of the Lord has spoken."

JUST FOR THOUGHT...

Imagine two natural rivers: one, a narrow and calm river with less water, so slow that it is unable even to sweep away the dead leaves that have been clinging to it for a long time; the other, full of lively waters with a flowing stream and gushing sound that from a distance brings chills to anybody passing by.

These two rivers remind me of two types of Christians: one, joyfully active and fruitful in his or her calling; the other, a secret and closet believer whom nobody can tell if he or she is a Christian. Then I said to myself, "Christians must come out of their closets and start praying for the gifts of Holy Spirit to empower them."

I had stayed up all night with this study and the Lord then decided to change it on me. At first I didn't understand because I knew he wanted me to speak on the "Living Water" but there was something else tied to it. I came across something in regards to the Feast of Tabernacles and when I tied it in with my study it all made sense. What I didn't realize at the time, until I started the reading the study was that we were on the last day of the Feast of Tabernacles. That was powerful and showed the Power of God.

Here is what I closed with:

FEAST OF TABERNACLES

And then in the last day, that great day of the feast, Jesus stood and cried, saying, if any man thirst, let him come unto me, and drink (John 7:37)

The last day, the great day of the feast would have been the eighth day of the feast. For the Feast of the Tabernacles lasted for eight days. On the last day, there on the temple mount, thousands of people assembled for this feast. it was one of the three major feast days in the Jewish calendar when all of the adult males were required to come and present themselves before God. According to the historian Josephus, as many as two and a half million people would gather in Jerusalem for these feasts during the time of Christ. And so you can imagine the large multitude of people on the temple mount.

Now there was a significant symbolic action that took place each day of the feast. As the priest would fill the water jugs at the pool of Siloam, and singing the Hallel Psalms, ascend the steps from the pool to the temple mount area, and before the people pour out these jugs of water letting them splash upon the pavement. To remind the people that when their fathers were dying in the wilderness God preserved them by the miraculous, giving of water out of the rock when it was smitten by Moses. And so, water had a very important symbolic part to the Feast of Tabernacles. They realize that thir fathers were about to be exterminated, but God preserved them and saved them by the water out of the rock.

And so, Jesus on his last day, the great day of the feast, cried, "If any man thirst, let him come to me and drink." The thirst Jesus is referring to is not a physical thirst, or an emotional thirst, but that deep thirst in the spirit of man for God. Way down deep in every man (women) there is that thirst, that need for a meaningful relationship with God. And I don't care who you are or what your background is, or where you are, every man deep down inside has the thirst for God. There are people who try to cover it. They try to cover it with a facade. They try to put on show, an act, a display. They try to put on a grandiose kind of a front, like, "I've got it made, theres no problems. I don't need any help. I can do it all on my own." But down deep inside theres a cry for a meaningful relationship with God.

"THE OVERFLOWING LIFE"

I. "The Great Day of the Feast."

Feast of Tabernacles, eight days.

Seven days, preist journey to pool of Siloam

     Signified:
               Miraculous supply of water in wilderness
               Promise of God to bring them into a land, a well-watered land flowing.

     Eighth day no procession, no pouring of water.

     No longer in wilderness but God has brought them into the Land.
     On this day, "The Great Day."

            Jesus stood and cried.
            His standing is significant.
              Teachers always sat, Heralds stood.
             He is Heralding a new day.

II. "IF ANY MAN THIRSTS, LET HIM COME UNTO ME AND DRINK"

       Here we have Gospel - Thirst
       Thirst is Discriptive word for world
       The problem with the world is the futile attempts or methods with which
       they try to slack their thirsts.

       "he who drinks of this water shall thirst again."
       "Come unto me"

Herein lies the answer to the thirsty soul.

12 Tribes - The Meaning of Each Name

Fri, 10 Oct 2008 16:33:15 GMT

I had been doing some bible study research and came across this which I found totally amazing. Being a new believer, this stuff always amazes me. How can anyone not believe the bible is real?!!! If you don't know this then I hope it blesses you, if you do know this then I hope it reminds you how great God is. Have a blessed day.

Here are the names of the tribes that make up the 144,000 (in the order listed in Revelation chapter 7), together with the meaning of each name:

1. Judah =  "I will praise the Lord"

2. Reuben   =   "He has looked on me"

3. Gad   =   "Granted good fortune"

4. Asher = "Happy am I"

5. Naphtali   = "My wrestling"

6. Manasseh =   "Making me to forget"

7. Simeon   =   "God hears me"

8. Levi   =   "Joined to me"

9. Issachar =  "Purchased Me"

10.Zebulun =   "Dwelling"

11. Joseph   =   "God will add to me"

12. Benjamin   =   "Son of His right hand"

Now notice what happens when the meaning of the names are combined, in the same order, into a paragraph:

"I will praise the Lord for He has looked on me and granted good fortune. Happy am I because my wrestling God is making me to forget. God hears me and is joined to me. He has purchased me a dwelling. God will add to me the Son of His right hand."

These names describe the story of the church's struggle, redemption, victory, and marriage to the Lamb.

Friday, October 03, 2008

Fri, 03 Oct 2008 02:09:05 GMT

I'm working on fixing the video.. when I downloaded it, it came out all warped and fuzzy.. will post the baptism video soon.

Michelle

My Baptism

Thu, 02 Oct 2008 20:36:30 GMT

MY BAPTISM

Living Word Chapel, NY

September 21, 2008

I made the decision to get myself baptized at our church two weeks ago and it was the most amazing experience of my life (with the exception of the birth of my three children. Although, this was a lot less painful!) I'm posting the video to share because it was an important step in my Spiritual Walk and to encourage anyone who has never done it. Being rasied Catholic, this was a huge step for me because no one in my family could understand why I needed to do this, for they took care of this FOR ME when I was an infant. I explained that this was MY choice and my decision to publicly proclaim Jesus Christ is my Lord and Savoir and I made that decision.. nobody made it for me. Needless to say, my family has commented on how they have never seen me look so relaxed and theres a light about me that they have NEVER seen. Praise God and Thank You Jesus. I came out of the water and felt like an entirely new person and closer than ever to God. God is so Good.

Seeking my Father.. GOD (Draw me Close to You)

Mon, 25 Aug 2008 23:04:13 GMT

Today, I spent a good portion of the day in the Word. I have been seeking the Lord with all my heart and wanting to draw even closer to him (knowing my father and wanting that relationship with him). He had placed in my heart what he wants me to do and I know that in order to get to that point in which he will use me that I need to grow in areas in my personal life.. I have to forgive those around me that have hurt me and continue to hurt me. I have to love on them even when they don't in return. Forgiveness lets go of that negative feeling and frees both you and whom ever you are hurt by. I have already begun this process with a family member and in a way It feels good to be the better person .. to be what God wants me to be.

Getting back to wanting an even closer relationship with My Father (God) I came across some really great scripture that I'd like to share.

"It is written, Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceeds (comes) from the mouth of God" -- Matthew 4:4

Our physcial body needs to be fed just as our spiritual bodies needs to be fed. This comes from reading the Word of God.

His word has power in it..

Psalm 27:4

DECLARATION OF FAITH

The one thing I ask of the LORD

The thing I seek most

Is to live in the house of the LORD

All the days of my life

Delighting in the LORD'S perfections

And meditation in his Temple.

In this Psalm and many places in the bible.. the word seek is used many times. In the dictionary the word seek means: to INQUIRE, CRAVE, PURSUE and GO AFTER with all your might.

Another scripture... And you will seek me and find ME, when you search for Me with all your heart. -- Jeremiah 29:13

Again.. the word SEEK is used here.

Lastly..

LIFE PRAYER

God if I have found favor with you,

Show me your ways.

I want to Think and be like you,

I want to know you and power of your resurrection.

Help me God to walk in the Fruit of the Spirit

Help me to not mistreat people

And Help me to be a blessing to others.

Thank you God for all you have given me and what is yet to come.

In Jesus Name... AMEN

New Level.. New Devil (quoted from Joyce Meyer)

Sat, 23 Aug 2008 13:00:35 GMT

If you speak forth your desires be sure to protect yourself and be prayed up because the devil is waiting in the shadows to knock you down.

I recently spoke with my pastor about a desire that God placed on my heart. We came into agreement and sealed it with a promise. In doing so I opened the door for attacks. I was prepared... was prayed up but I NEVER thought it would come so fast and hard. Thankfully, I'm sure Pastor knew that opposition would strike and prepared me by having me write down some powerful notes to look back at.

All day little obstacles crossed my path but then my brother called late last night and immediately started cursing and attacking me about things related to me being a christian. He basically hung up on me and that hurt, especially since I basically raised him, so he is more like a son to me then a brother. I cried it out and looked to my notes Pastor wanted me to reflect back to. I'm convinced more than ever that I am going in the direction the Lord placed on my heart because if I was not given these challenges, I would not grow in the way the lord needs me to. It doesn't mean it won't hurt but I am reminded that it comes with great rewards and blessings. Another quote from Joyce Meyer is "Every time God is ready to bring us up higher, there is going to be new opposition that comes up against us (New Level, New Devil)". The devil is going to try and stop us from having what God wants us to have... he's going to do whaever he can to prevent us from doing what God wants us to do. God encourages us to be steadfast, stable and determined to never give up and keep our faith.

"I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me" -- Philippians 4:13

God's Name In Your Heart (Max Lucado)

Fri, 22 Aug 2008 11:13:41 GMT

GOD'S NAME IN YOUR HEART

The Name of the Lord is a strong tower; the righteous run to it and are safe

--Proverbs 18:10

When you are confused about the future, go to your Jehova-raah, your caring shepherd.

When you are anxious about provision, talk to Jehovah-Jireh, the Lord who provides.

Are Challenges too great? Seek the help of Jehovah-Shalom, the Lord is Peace.

Is your body sick? Are your emotions weak? Jehovah-Rophe, the Lord who heals you, will see you now.

Do you feel like a soldier stranded behind enemy lines? Take refuge in Jehovah-Nisse, the Lord is my banner.

Meditating on these names of God reminds you of the character of God. take these names and bury them in your heart.

God is...

The SHEPHERD who guides

The Lord who PROVIDES

The voice who bring PEACE in the storm

The Physician who HEALS the sick, and

the banner that GUIDES the soldier.

Morning Prayer

Thu, 14 Aug 2008 16:24:03 GMT

I did not write this prayer... it was emailed to me but wanted to share it. Just a reminder that we are examples of Christ. The way we walk and talk is God within us and he wants to shine on to others. Try to love the ones that are hard to love... Jesus would. Try and help others and put them first above yourself..Jesus would. Try and be examples of what God would want us to show who he is... a loving father, an encourager, a shoulder to cry on, someone who is ALWAYS there for us, watching over us through good times and bad. God is LOVE!!!

I wish you all a blessed day. Love - Michelle

Today's Prayer
God, I know that you want me to be like salt on the earth, like a candle in the dark , a lighthouse on a hill, so that others will come to you. Cleanse me anew that I will be a witness for you. Show me how you want to penetrate the darkness of my domain with your light. Help me to be a positive influence in the places where I live, work, study, play. Thank you, Lord.

Monday, August 11, 2008

Mon, 11 Aug 2008 15:12:08 GMT