THE NARROW AND WIDE GATES

Mt 7:13 “Enter through the narrow gate. For wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction, and many enter through it.
Mt 7:14 But small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life, and only a few find it.

On Tuesday, I was out for a walk. I met a woman from Romania. It was one of those times where I passed by this lady a couple of times, and I knew we were to have a divine appointment. She started speaking to me about a certain kind of tree that was at that park. I could tell by her accent that she was not from around here. We walked and talked for over an hour. After speaking with her only a little bit, I realized that she was very much into new age teachings. I could also tell that she was very scorned from religion. I was carrying my Bible of course, because that is when I do my daily reading. When she mentioned that she was from Romania, I let her know that for some reason, I feel like I am going to end up there someday, and that I will be there for a missionary type purpose, possibly teaching the Bible to people that live there. She gave me a look and said, I mean no disrespect to you but what kind of education do you have? I said, oh I only graduated from high school, but I am quite sure that I will be equipped for whatever it is I will be teaching. I don't need a certificate to discern the Word of God, or to teach it, I learn straight from God. She shook her head and let me know that I may as well forget the thought of that, because the people there are very intelligent. As we walked around, she began to give me a short history lesson of things that she has learned. She would ask me a question, and if I did not know the answer, she would let me know with accent, see you know nutting, and won't be able to teach these people. She also let me know that the Bible is only one narrow teaching, and that there were so many teachings available out there. Now don't get me wrong, the lady was adorable in her own way. I could tell underneath the comments towards me, she was a person that had been hurt by religious people in her past. She proceeded to name off a bunch of new age teachers, half of which I knew of, and for that reason, I was able to relate some Biblical teachings that basically have the same message. Not very many, because it seemed she really wanted to do most of the talking, so I listened. as she spoke of her new age learning's, something sparkling on the ground caught my eye. I bent down to pick it up:



WOW!!! I showed her what it was and she was silent for a second, I could tell the wheels were turning. What are the odds? It is funny to me that she had spoken to me about the narrow views of the Bible. There was the cross laying on the narrow path to life (analogy).

It started to get cold out so, she had to leave. She let me know that her knee was bothering her because of a car accident. I asked her if she would be OK if I prayed over her knee? She was more than happy to receive this prayer of healing. We sat on the bench and I said a prayer for Jesus to heal her knee, her heart, and to provide wisdom. She let me know that she usually will not speak to anyone about her beliefs, but that she felt it was OK with me. She told me how nice it was to meet me, I told her the same, gave her a hug and told her that maybe I would see her again sometime.

My point is that I feel the most important witness we can make to anyone is to simply hear them out. Let them talk. Speak only when needed, and guided by Spirit. Most importantly, NO JUDGEMENT or condemning words. I feel like if anything else, she could at least see that I cared, which I do.

I am not sure why we met, or why we needed to talk, I just know there was a reason.

PS:
Earlier that morning I was able to catch about 20 min of a Joyce Meyer teaching. It was about not letting people speak negativity over you, when you feel like you have a dream that God has put on your heart. She said that her so called church friends had laughed at her when she told them, that she felt that God was telling her that she would have the largest female ministry around. They told her not with her attitude, surely she misunderstood. By the way, one of the ladies that said this, later worked for her. Was it a coincidence that I saw this before my encounter with someone telling me to forget my dream of teaching the Bible, because I did not have enough certification?

04-03-14  I had to make an update on this post. It had occurred to me that the audience of my blog, second to the United States is the Ukraine and the numbers are very close. I find this interesting because part of my heritage is Hungarian. My Maternal Grandmother and Grandfather were both 100% Hungarian. The other reason is that Romania is near the Ukraine. I have not been there yet but maybe God had something else in mind besides my being their physically. We never know how God will work the things out that He lays on our hearts. Pay attention to everything going on around you always. Just when you feel you heard Him wrong, maybe you will realize He just worked it out a different way than you had anticipated. 
I wrote this update and turned off my computer and looked down at a scripture card that I had pulled earlier today but did not read what it said yet. It was worth turning the computer back on and updating this much more. As you read the verse, keep in mind the title of this blog as well as everything that was said that day. 

John 14:6

King James Version (KJV)

6 Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.

HELP

REFRESHMENT FOR THE WEARY

Ps 68:9 You gave abundant showers, O God; you refreshed your weary inheritance.
Ps 68:10 Your people settled in it, and from your bounty, O God, you provided for the poor.

dandeLION (LIONS TOOTH)

I know I will never look at a dandelion the same way I have in the past!



Please take a few minutes and really study this picture. If you click on it, you may be able to zoom in to see the intricate details.



I was captivated by this shot that I took of a simple backyard dandelion. As soon as I saw it, I immediatley began to draw analogies to life in the Spirit. It is said that Christ is the vine. Now I know this is just a stem, but it reminded me of a vine. See how each individual parachute and seed, is deeply lodged into the top of the stem? Now take a look at the end, how magnificant looking is that? It is as if each parachute is exploding with glory! It appears that there are lights shining as they do in a stadium, when the cameras are flashing. I was reading an article and it stated that the leaves are at their best when they've just emerged, and the yellow flower can transform into the white globular seedhead overnight, and that each seed has this parachute to travel far and wide in the wind, which spreads the seed. Dandelions spread further, are more difficult to exterminate, and grow under more under adverse circumstances than most competitors. Most gardeners detest them, but the more you try to weed them up, the faster they grow.

As each one of these seeds are rooted deeply into this stem, I feel when we stay deeply rooted, and grounded into Him, in time we are given a seeds of knowledge, and filled with such joy, we feel we are going to explode with love. This gives us the desire to tell everyone THE GOOD NEWS! The Spirit as the wind will carry us along, and give us the Glory of the Father to shine and advance His Kingdom. I see the seeds as the Word of God or GOOD NEWS, that we are to spread as we are carried along in His Spirit by heavenly parachutes, similar to wings. Like dandelions, the more that people try to squelch the advancement of the Kingdom, the faster it grows. A good example is the persecution of the Christians in Roman times. They were trying to weed us out, or exterminate us. We see what happened with that. We also on an individual basis grow faster through adversity, than any other circumstance in our lives. This is how God prepares us, and matures us to become who we are meant to be in Christ, and in His Kingdom. We build into our testimony through these times, which will in turn help us to build into others, having been there, we are able to comfort them, and provide wise council. It reveals the purpose we are created for.

If your not feeling this in Christian walk today, here is something to think about. Just as the dandelion may appear to turn from the flower, into the white seedhead overnight. In most cases there were other stages of life, and maturity that led up to that transformation. It started with the soil and the roots. The soil had to be made fertile, in order for the roots to grow. You cannot see the roots until they burst through the ground. It is something done on the inside. This is similar to the transformation stages that we as Christians go through. Sometimes we cannot see it on the outside, but if we hang in there, and stay rooted into Him, we will see the outward appearence, of the Christ like transformation that has been taking place on the inside of us. We could be in our yellow flowering stage now, and not realize a breakthrough is going to happen tomorrow. Just stay connected, and use this time to mature in Christ. It is imperative however that we do not remain idle once we reach this point. We must move in the direction the Spirit will lead us into. I am sure if the parachutes, stayed hooked in past their time to fly, they would not be able to spread as much seed, and find new life. We cannot get to the new places that God is trying to move us to, if we aren't allowing the Spirit to carry us, as the wind carries these parachutes to the new places, and plants them into their new soil to begin the proces over again. All things in their proper time. See Ecclesiates at the end of this if you wish.

Another interesting fact that I learned of the dandelion, is that they're so deeply toothed, they gave the plant its name in Old French: Dent-de-lion means lion's tooth in Old French. How appropriate I thought for this analogy, as Jesus descended from Judah. The symbol of Judah is a LION, and obviously you find the teeth in it's mouth.

Let us all spread the WORD of our MIGHTY LION, as these dandelions are spreading their seed all over the world! Don't let it surprise you if you find that you are treated by this world, as a weed that needs to be pulled. A servant is no greater than his Master. Have the attitude that Christ has and forgive them, for they do not know what they do, and they have veils over their hearts, as we once did preventing them from seeing the beauty of God that lives in you, CHRIST.

A Time for Everything

Ecc 3:1 There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under heaven:
Ecc 3:2 a time to be born and a time to die, a time to plant and a time to uproot,
Ecc 3:3 a time to kill and a time to heal, a time to tear down and a time to build,
Ecc 3:4 a time to weep and a time to laugh, a time to mourn and a time to dance,
Ecc 3:5 a time to scatter stones and a time to gather them, a time to embrace and a time to refrain,
Ecc 3:6 a time to search and a time to give up, a time to keep and a time to throw away,
Ecc 3:7 a time to tear and a time to mend, a time to be silent and a time to speak,
Ecc 3:8 a time to love and a time to hate. a time for war and a time for peace.

While the second picture is mine, I am unable to take credit for the first one. Information that I have used, as well as the first picture, can be found at the following link. I encourage you to read it when you have the time to find out more information regardig these amazing flowers:

http://www.wildmanstevebrill.com/Plants.Folder/Dandelion.html

TAX DAY

Ro 13:1 Everyone must submit himself to the governing authorities, for there is no authority except that which God has established. The authorities that exist have been established by God.

Ro 13:2 Consequently, he who rebels against the authority is rebelling against what God has instituted, and those who do so will bring judgment on themselves.

Ro 13:3 For rulers hold no terror for those who do right, but for those who do wrong. Do you want to be free from fear of the one in authority? Then do what is right and he will commend you.

Ro 13:4 For he is God’s servant to do you good. But if you do wrong, be afraid, for he does not bear the sword for nothing. He is God’s servant, an agent of wrath to bring punishment on the wrongdoer.

Ro 13:5 Therefore, it is necessary to submit to the authorities, not only because of possible punishment but also because of conscience.

Ro 13:6 This is also why you pay taxes, for the authorities are God’s servants, who give their full time to governing.

Ro 13:7 Give everyone what you owe him: If you owe taxes, pay taxes; if revenue, then revenue; if respect, then respect; if honor, then honor.
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If you are writing a check to Uncle Sam today, consider this; that means that you made something to be taxed on. Write your check thanking God for His every financial blessing that He has placed in your life. It is a different way to look at things.

Father I pray for those that are searching for a job right now. Show them the way that they need to go, and give them supernatural favor, and confidence. Father I thank you for placing me in America, the land of the free. Freedom is not free, but always worth it. I love you! In the name of your glorious Son!

2 THESSALONIAN PRAYER

2Th 3:5 May the Lord direct your hearts into God’s love and Christ’s perseverance.


IN THE HOLY NAME OF JESUS I ASK AND BELIEVE YOU WILL RECEIVE!

THE BEST THINGS IN LIFE ARE FREE

I am recalling a scene tonight out of the movie, Titanic. When that movie came out, I remember that I was dating someone that was very similar to to Cal Hockey. He was not as evil as they portrayed Cal to be, but he was a very controlling person and manipulative person. He made pretty good money, and social standing was quite an issue. It was always all about how you looked, what you made, and how you behaved. His family was very hard for me to be around, because I constantly had to prove myself. I did not feel accepted, in fact I felt like an idiot half of the time. There were constantly jokes about the back ground that I had come from, and the fact that we did not have money. I remember this relationship was on it's way out in my life, but I was still very much caught up in the middle of it, and feeling trapped by it emotionally. This is a scene from the movie:

Jack: Rose, you're no picnic, all right? You're a spoiled little brat, even, but under that, you're the most amazingly, astounding, wonderful girl, woman that I've ever known...
Rose: Jack, I...
Jack: No, let me try and get this out. You're ama- I'm not an idiot, I know how the world works. I've got ten bucks in my pocket, I have no-nothing to offer you and I know that. I understand. But I'm too involved now. You jump, I jump remember? I can't turn away without knowing you'll be all right... That's all I want.
Rose: Well, I'm fine... I'll be fine... really.
Jack: Really? I don't think so. They've got you trapped, Rose. And you're gonna die if you don't break free. Maybe not right away because you're strong but... sooner or later that fire that I love about you, Rose... that fire's gonna burn out...
Rose: It's not up to you to save me, Jack.
Jack: You're right... only you can do that.


I remember how I kept thinking about this scene for weeks. I felt as if I were Rose. I felt myself conforming to their ways, not because it was who I am, but because I started thinking that who I really am, is not good enough. I was so caught up in what they believed I should be, that I felt I had to squelch my true personality, and on top of that, I was ashamed of who I was, and where I came from. I felt just as Jack said, my fire was burning out. I was miserable. I had everything I wanted as far as material things from this person, but I was forced to become a person that I really did not know or resonate with. It was do as we do, or be cast out. It's something that at the time it is happening feels like a double edged sword. The false sense of security of someone that can provide for you financially, you have some fun with them, but in all reality, you have very little in common, and it will never bring you happiness. Over time, my self esteem was so run into the ground, it made it harder and harder to leave. It was like a cancer, eating me alive inside. My family loved him, my son loved him, but I knew I did not anymore. I started working at the company that I am working at today. In this time, I had grown close to a lot of my co-workers. They became a very strong support group for me. They stood by me, and pointed out that this was not a healthy relationship. I started to see things differently, and that eventually gave me the strength I needed to move on. Thank you Jesus for the people you have put in my life, at always the right time to help me.

I have to laugh now when a man makes a comment to me in regards to his financial status, and not being able to give me what they perceive to be the things I need. I know in my heart that money truly cannot buy love, and the best things in life are free, and never come in the form of money.

ENCOURAGEMENT JUNKIE

Heb 10:24 And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds
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It is so important to surround yourself with people that are willing to build into you and encourage you. I have a friend that has the gift of encouraging others. He is so good at staying positive, and focusing on the good qualities of others. I have learned a lot from him in this way. I feel we should all strive to be encouragement junkies. I am not saying to offer fake compliments. I am saying see the positive in others, and magnify that rather than their negative traits. Let's face it, we all have less than desirable things that come along with us. How about we forget about that, and push forward focusing on the important things. The gifts and talents that others have to offer. Whatever we focus on will multiply. Let's individually draw our encouragement from the Lord, and then pass it along to others. Freely we have been given, freely give!

EAGLES WINGS

One thing I miss about Catholic Masses are the well rehearsed hymns that we would sing. There is something to be said about hours of practicing a song, and how beautiful it sounds, when everyone knows how to sing it. When you are in a Catholic School, one of the classes you have is music. This means every day, you are practicing songs from the hymnals. I love to sing, so this was one of my favorite classes. I'll never forget the day a couple of years ago that I came across this verse below, and realized this is where my favorite hymn from school must have come from. I had not heard the song in years, but reading this verse reminded me of it. Back then, it was just a song that I loved to sing. Now it is a truth that my soul sings! Take some time to follow the link below and sing along with the song. Really think about what you are singing. And if you are a Catholic, you probably know it by heart, and can close your eyes and sing it. How brilliant and beautiful it is!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MvpjxfWrjzY


Isaiah 40:31
"But they that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength;
they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run,
and not be weary; and they shall walk and not faint."

On Eagles Wings Psalm 91
Written by Michael Joncas

You who dwell in the shelter of the Lord,
Who abide in His shadow for life,
Say to the Lord, "My Refuge,
My Rock in Whom I trust."

Refrain
And He will raise you up on eagle's wings,
Bear you on the breath of dawn,
Make you to shine like the sun,
And hold you in the palm of His Hand.

The snare of the fowler will never capture you,
And famine will bring you no fear;
Under His Wings your refuge,
His faithfulness your shield.

Refrain
And He will raise you up on eagle's wings,
Bear you on the breath of dawn,
Make you to shine like the sun,
And hold you in the palm of His Hand.

You need not fear the terror of the night,
Nor the arrow that flies by day,
Though thousands fall about you,
Near you it shall not come.

Refrain
And He will raise you up on eagle's wings,
Bear you on the breath of dawn,
Make you to shine like the sun,
And hold you in the palm of His Hand.

For to His angels He's given a command,
To guard you in all of your ways,
Upon their hands they will bear you up,
Lest you dash your foot against a stone.

Refrain
And He will raise you up on eagle's wings,
Bear you on the breath of dawn,
Make you to shine like the sun,
And hold you in the palm of His Hand.
And hold you in the palm of His Hand.

HAPPY EASTER!

Jn 11:25 Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in me will live, even though he dies;
Jn 11:26 and whoever lives and believes in me will never die. Do you believe this?”

Ac 2:31 Seeing what was ahead, he spoke of the resurrection of the Christ, that he was not abandoned to the grave, nor did his body see decay.
Ac 2:32 God has raised this Jesus to life, and we are all witnesses of the fact.
Ac 2:33 Exalted to the right hand of God, he has received from the Father the promised Holy Spirit and has poured out what you now see and hear.

Ac 4:33 With great power the apostles continued to testify to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus, and much grace was upon them all.

Ro 6:5 If we have been united with him like this in his death, we will certainly also be united with him in his resurrection.

1Co 15:21 For since death came through a man, the resurrection of the dead comes also through a man.

Phil 3:10 I want to know Christ and the power of his resurrection and the fellowship of sharing in his sufferings, becoming like him in his death,
Phil 3:11 and so, somehow, to attain to the resurrection from the dead.

1Pe 1:3 Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! In his great mercy he has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead,