NCarolinian

I have caught myself, more than a few times, speaking to God as a genie - having a wishlist for instant satisfaction. I get conflicted sometimes, remembering how immediate Christ's response was to most of those that asked of His power - usually healing. Now-a-days it seems I receive more of His "No" or "Wait" replies. I should be grateful that He even answers and comply with my Majesty - Father God through His Son Christ Jesus. However, I am stubborn in some areas and desire to know how God operates as much as possible. For instance, Jesus says in John 14:13-14 to ask for anything in His name and He will do it to glorify His Father in Heaven. Many have assumed "anything" means anything and asked for things that evidently received a "No" answer. I have found there are frivolous things to request of my King. However, we do have a helper in this area. "Likewise the Spirit helps us in our weakness. For we do not know what to pray ...

This world has quite a number of measurement systems. We have measurements for a t.v. picture, for all kinds of data information traveling over the internet, for sound quality of concerts and sound systems, for food and for people's health. The list seems endless, because for every product or service a measurement tool is not far behind. Why do we have this measurement tool ingrained in almost everything produced? Because we desire the best outcome and somewhere along the way A Standard was set and possibly reset to compare all future results. For example, there is a safety standard for new vehicles that has to be met before a new car, truck or SUV can be sold and driven. The spiritual revelation to this is that the Old Testament, especially The Law, was meant to say loudly, "You will Never measure up to God's Standard - Perfection!" While in the New Testament, God says even louder, "BUT, I will provide The Standard to stand and die and live again in your pla...

There is no escaping God's presence only momentary removal of His favor or Grace. We have no say on where His presence is - His presence is everywhere. God is the one who made the declarations and promises of where He would be/reside and what He would do there. He Said He would be a lamp unto our feet and light unto our path (Psalm 119:105). He Said He would go before us as an all consuming fire (Hebrews 12:29). He Said He would protect us at our right and left as many enemies fall (Psalm 91:7). He Said He would come alongside us and lead us in all truth (John 16:13). He Said He would be our rear-guard (Isaiah 52:12). He Said He would cover us like an eagle's wings (Exodus 19:4).  "Now those who had been scattered by the persecution that broke out when Stephen was killed traveled as far as Phoenicia, Cyprus and Antioch, spreading the word only among Jews. Some of them, however, men from Cyprus and Cyrene, went to Antioch and began to speak to Greeks also, telling them ...

Christians not only have God's Word, The Bible, but Father God's examples through Christ to copy as a resource for correct living. In this writing I am interested in communicating - as a parent, it is Biblically based to be a friend to your children. I have seen the idea put forth that parents can be everything else to their children except friends. I do not know where this came from - the thoughts of men (psychology) or the influence of the devil. Either way, this idea that friendship cannot and should not be attained or held with our children is not from God. I only need one Scripture to dispell this notion, but I have three - one in the Old Testament and two in the New Testament. Proverbs 18:24 is the Old Testament verse and it says, "One who has unreliable friends soon comes to ruin, but there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother. " The original Hebrew word for "friend" here is ahab or aheb , meaning to have affection sexually o...

More and more as I observe the legal, judicial and executive systems of America and the nations of the world, I note their human imperfections. These faults in the governing systems of the world are at every level. However, many, if not all, are highly polluted from the top with their leaders. Bad leaders lead badly. Within each Branch there is instability. In the legal system laws are being passed that both make no common sense and are biased toward a people group. In the judicial system, murderers are getting away with their crime and the innocent are wrongly imprisoned. Then in the executive system, there are the administrators who are political in nature so nothing gets done and the programs that are overseen waste money. It is amazing to ponder how America and countries like her are still operating. The systems within the government of America which once strove for the protection of a unified trinity (legal, judicial, executive branches) that would provide justice and mercy in...

Picture in your minds-eye a throne room and the characters therein. To find yourself in front of the king could mean either a blessing or judgment. To be in front and to either side of the throne could mean you were part of court. The council supporting and advising him in the matters of the nation would be standing off to the side and behind the king's throne. The queen would be directly to the king's right sitting on another throne. Now imagine God's glorious throne. For someone to be standing directly in front of The King one may still be either receiving a blessing or judgment. The ones located to the side and still in front may still be associated with The King's court. However, there are two caveats to this Throne Room - (1) there are no advisers or council because God needs none and (2) there is a place for The Bride of Christ - Believers. Because of Christ's sacrificial and substituting death and resurrection for everyone, those who believe in His gift o...