"A Giant Among Men"

         

"Then Joseph her husband, being a just man, and not willing to make her a publick example, was minded to put her away privily.  But while he thought on these things, behold, the angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream, saying, Joseph, thou son of David, fear not to take unto thee Mary thy wife: for that which is conceived in her is of the Holy Ghost." 

(Matthew 1:19-20)

Who would believe your fiance' is pregnant by the Holy Ghost?  What man today would believe such a thing?  It was a different time, with different customs, but people are people from the beginning of creation to now, and people still think like people, regarding relationships of the opposite sex.  God knew Joseph needed an angel, a dream, a prophetic insight, into the plan of the ages.  But, what about "after the dream," "after the angel," "after the prophecy," "after the Word" sent from God  ...  What then?  Then, it takes a man like the Father of us all, stalwart, unshakable, immovable, dependable, a "man who stands by his woman," a man who knows he's heard from God, a man like no other man in earth  ...  "A Giant Among Men."

Joseph

Joseph was a righteous man; he knew that he had a right to put Mary away, and as a matter of fact, under Jewish law, she could have been put to death by stoning.  The Jews kept strict control over sexual relations for the specific purpose of safeguarding and assuring the purity of their bloodlines.  Think of Joseph's future, the public humiliation, the gossip, the degradation, the whispers, the staring  ...  but, Joseph was chosen by God to be his "father" in earth.  God knows what He is doing.  The character of Mary was reflected in the face of her husband  ...  and reflected back to the face of God.
  

Jesus and Joseph in the carpenter shop

Who would you choose to be your own father, if you could choose such a one?  Joseph was merciful, kind, strong, a hard worker, and precise, which means exact or detailed.  It makes perfect sense that the God of the universe would choose a "carpenter" to be His earthly father.  "Why?" you ask.  Look at the extreme, methodical detail of the tabernacle, the profound intricacies of the Word of God, the exactness and unwavering position of the law.  If there's one thing we know, it's that "carpenters" are exact and precise.  Their motto is "Measure twice - cut once; Use the right tool for the job; and Take care of your tools and they'll take care of you." (Jack Zavada, For Christian Men Only - Rules to Live By)  Carpenters are deeply interested in the "Cornerstone." 

Joseph with Jesus

Imagine always being referred to as "the carpenter."  When Jesus started his ministry, He was referred to as "the carpenter's son."  It's nice to be known by one's trade, but it's so much better to be known by name.  It's the name that carries the distinction, the bloodline, the Power.  This is why the name of the Lord Jesus Christ must be said over us in baptism; it is the "Name" of Jesus Christ our Lord that has the power to remit sin. 

No one in the Bible was baptized any other way than in the Name of the Lord Jesus Christ.  (Acts 2, 8, 10, 19)  You say, "I was baptized in the name of the Father, Son and Holy Ghost; isn't it just important that I was baptized?"  It is not the water or the preacher, but what is said over you that has the power to wash away your sins.  How do you sign your checks?  Mother, daughter, sister?  No, you sign with your "name."  It is the "name" of the Lord Jesus Christ that has all power, and it is the "name" of Jesus Christ in baptism that washes away our sins.   

So it is with baptism; the name of the Father is Jesus (He said I am come in my father's name); the name of the Son is Jesus; the name of the Holy Ghost is Jesus (a Ghost is a spirit of a departed one; Jesus said He would send back His Spirit, His Ghost, as a comforter).  The Apostles understood what Jesus was saying in Matthew 28:19, and they did not just "repeat" what He said, but they obeyed it.

 

Colossians 3:17 says, "And whatsoever ye do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Him."  "So, should I be rebaptized?" you ask.  YES!  Many Pastors have rebaptized their entire congregations in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ, and many individuals have been rebaptized when they understood the truth of the Word.  Remember, Jesus Christ our Lord is "detailed;" it must be right; our salvation depends upon it!

Joseph, Mary and Jesus

A father's love, a father's strength, a father's guidance, a father's protection  ...  Father's are extremely important.  Many today are growing up without a father.  I, myself, had a father, who is passed away now, but he worked three jobs at once all the time I was growing up and I never saw him much.  But, there were some things he taught me which were invaluable, such as a strong work ethic, never lie, and be the best you can be at whatever you do.  If I made a 100 on a test, he wanted to know why I didn't make 110!  You say, "That's crazy."  I thought so too, at the time, but the good way to look at it is:  Always strive for higher places, greater accomplishment, nobler ambitions, and taller mountains  ...  there's always one more mountain, one more article to write, one more prayer that needs praying, one more battle to conquer  ...  one more soul  ...  to win  ...

Joseph

We put way too much emphasis on the outside of a person these days.  God looks upon the heart.  Character and integrity are what we are when no one is looking; righteousness is the eminence of our soul; holiness is the quality of our entire being.  Only "we" know who we really are, and that's why repentance is so very beautiful, because after a few precious moments on our knees, asking for God's forgiveness for that "real me" within us, we can arise "FREE" and forgiven, guiltless and holy.  There is nothing like feeling as light as a floating, gentle feather, after repentance.  And then, we can be filled with the Holy Spirit of Almighty God and speak in tongues  ...  it is Joy unspeakable and full of Glory!

The father of THE Father, the man who nurtured THE Man, the influence of THE Influence, the holy man who gave character to THE ONE who invented character, the carpenter who measured THE Cornerstone, the saint who held THE Prophet, the creation who raised THE Creator  ...  Ah, "A Giant Among Men."

                                            

(Visit promiselandchurch.net and theexperience238.com.org)

PromiseLand Church, Austin, Texas

Services Sundays @ 10:30 am 

~~~~~Live Streaming~~~~~

Merry Christmas everyone!  Bless you for joining us at PromiseLand 

to worship our Lord Jesus Christ!  Please send us your 

prayer requests, and if you would like to sow seed into holy blessed

 ground, you may give online @ promiselandchurch.net.

The Lord will surely bless you!

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Please join us to worship our soon 

coming King, JESUS CHRIST!

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

                                      {Special thanks to cooltext.com.}                         

"Open Hands"

"The LORD shall command the blessing upon thee in thy storehouses,

and in all that thou settest thine hand unto;  and he shall bless thee
in the land which the LORD thy God giveth thee."
(Deuteronomy 28:8)

Reign, Lord, Rain Your power and glory, and let it

fall upon Your parched creation

Only Your love, and gift of salvation will loose the

bound, and free the Nations

You gave it willingly, Your life, Your blood, and Your

body, for mankind's deliverance

And we bow in awe, remembering You rose again, and

You're Alive; we give You reverence

You're the perfect gift of beauty for the soul, the holy

resurrection of mortals in the Spirit

The Holy Ghost and fire sent down from above; we

now know to long for it and revere it

It's a continual rain for those You have filled, we speak

in tongues, as Your Spirit gives utterance

 By Your command, anywhere and anytime, Upper Rooms

live today, fulfilling Your ordinance

Repent, and be baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus

Christ, were the words from Peter

And the gifts from above filled the house where they sat,

the Holy Ghost fell, like a heavenly greeter

It's power from the Father sent down to enlighten, and

to prepare all mortals for flight

For the One who rose again is coming back, and He comes

for His Bride, like a thief in the night

Earth is not where treasures dwell; we look below for

earth's gold, but it's the color from above

It shines from the Father of lights, crashes through the

clouds, and descends like a dove

Then, it comes to rest on His beloved, those who were

once lost, but now they are found

O, Lord, we cry in awe and wonder, at the ecstasy of Your 

 Spirit, the perfect gift coming down

As You search to and fro, throughout earth, for a heart like

 Yours, among all people, kindred and lands

Look now, Lord, upon Your servant with a hungry desire, a

 craving soul, a heart in love, and "Open Hands."

(Visit promiselandchurch.net and theexperience238.org)

PromiseLand Church, Austin, Texas

Services Sunday 10:30 am 

~~~~~~~Live Streaming~~~~~~~

Please send your prayer requests, and if you would like to 

help us reach every hurting soul; you can do both @

promiselandchurch.net.  Your cares are our Prayers!

~~~~~~~~~~~~~

{Special thanks to cooltext.com for the use

of graphic text generator}

"Thank You, Lord!"

"We give praise and thanks to You, O God, we

praise and give thanks; Your wondrous works declare
that Your Name is near and they who invoke

Your Name rehearse Your wonders."

(Psalm 75:1)

O, Lord, Our God; we exalt and magnify Your name in wondrous 

awe, at Your beauty and glory in our midst

You have poured upon us the abundance of Your Spirit, sent down 

 in showers of blessings, too many to even list

Your Holy name reigns above the earth, like a canopy of Glory
 hovering in Your splendor for all to see

You are the center of our Joy, the essence of our peace, and the 

 Spirit within us, so bountiful to set us free

How meticulous You are with Your care for Your beloved, Your 

 bride, in the "dust" of the confines of earth

Yet, You make us feel as though we soar in winds of floral aromas, 

 as we rise in Your presence on wings of mirth

You have lifted us above the mundane and set us among angels, to 

 fly high above our woes in billows of Your Spirit

You have given us Your peace, that drowns out earth's noise and

   terror, so that we we do not cower or fear it

You're the light of our pathway, the glow on our faces, and the

 sparkle in eyes that strain to envision Your beauty

To love and serve You is our pleasure and our honor, as we bow
 in  obeisance in Your presence; it's our Joy, not a duty

O, the wonders You perform are so mighty and miraculous; we
 are astounded at Your majesty, ever aglow in our eyes

You are always our Savior, not just in baptism and Spirit, but You 

 bring clarity to our minds, binding satan's disguise

You're our Lily of the Valley, our Bright and morning star, and

Your whispers in the moonlight peak our yearning

Maranatha! is our cry as we wander the ground that is not our

 home, and we seek You for higher learning

Thank You Lord, for redemption's price, for Your blood, Your

 Word, and Your name, our eternal legacy

O, Lord, if the world does not receive Your gift of salvation, love,

 and peace; it will be the greatest travesty

Our Lord, we beckon to one and all to partake of Your love, to be

 filled with Your Spirit, and baptized in Your name

It was the reason You bled, died, and rose again; Your sacrifice 

 was our permanent reprieve; it's why You came

You, O Lord, are LOVE personified, wrapped in velvet gloves of 

 holiness and purity, a Glory untold to behold

Your coming for us in the clouds is our ever thought; our prayers

 long for the skies to open and prophecy to unfold

No words, O Lord, can be found to exemplify our gratitude for all

 You have done for us, and Your love so profound

So, we give our hearts in postures on our knees, as we wait at Your
feet, abiding for our heaven, homebound

You have given us authority in the earth that is not our home, and

 we stand tall in Your name, wielding our swords

You have freed us with Your blood and Your name, Jesus, so we
offer Your light to the world, as we "Thank You, Lord!"

(Visit promiselandchurch.net and theexperience238.org)

PromiseLand Church, Austin, Texas

Services Sundays 10:30 am 

~~~~~~~~~Live Streaming~~~~~~~~~

Bless you, dear one; please send us your prayer 

requests and leave your comments at the end of this 

blog; we will pray for you!  If you would like to 

give a love offering to help us reach the whole

world with Jesus' love, please give online @

promiselandchurch.net.  God Bless you, 

and I know He surely will!

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Thank You, Lord Jesus, for saving our souls!

{Special thanks to cooltext.com for the use of

graphic text generator} 

"Abiding Trust"

"And the peace of God, which passeth all 

understanding, shall keep your hearts 

and minds through Christ Jesus."

(Philippians 4:7)

"Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give 

to you as the world gives.  Do not let your hearts be 

troubled and do not be afraid."

(John 14:27)

 

Peace  ...  it's what the whole world seeks, what alcohol and drugs supply as a fake, but only the Spirit of Almighty God can give us the real thing  .... PEACE!  Have you ever experienced it?  "Peace that passes understanding" is the most incredible thing you could EVER feel in this life, other than the infilling of the Holy Ghost.  God gave it to me once for about 10 months when I was out of a job.  It settled over me like a mighty enfolding mantle and stayed with me all those months.  Whatever we go through in this life, when we have Jesus Christ leading our way, we need not fear anything  ...  He will see us through.  We can smile in the midst of horrific ferocious winds and storms; we can feel an ethereal calm when all around us are war and terror; we have an unearthly assurance that underneath are His everlasting arms  ...  And, everything's gonna' be alright.

 "And to know this love that surpasses knowledge--that you

    may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God."

(Ephesians 3:19)

We can't understand it; we can't comprehend it; we can't fathom it ...  the LOVE that Jesus Christ has for every living soul.  We can be filled with that love, when we are filled with His Spirit!  It is THE greatest and most beautiful thing that could ever happen to a human being! He's as close as the mention of His name; He will fill you if you ask Him.  We repent of all of our sins, sincerely and honestly, and then we ask Him to fill us with the Holy Ghost  ...  a "ghost" is the spirit of a "departed one."  Jesus Christ died on the cross, was buried in a borrowed tomb, and rose again to life on the third day.  He "departed" from earth, but He said He would send back His "Spirit," and He has and does!  Over 580 million people in every Nation, kindred, and tongue, have received the Spirit of Jesus Christ and spoken in tongues as His spirit gives utterance.  It can happen to YOU today!  Then, we obey His Word, and we are baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ for the remission of sins.  Then what?  Prepare your wedding garment  ...  you're in the Bride of Christ; tell everyone you meet about Your lovely Lord Jesus, and tune your ear to the sound of the trumpet  ...  the Rapture of the Church, I Thessalonians 4:16-18.  Hallelujah!

"You will keep in perfect peace those whose minds

 are steadfast, because they trust in you."

(Isaiah 26:3)

Then, the peace comes.  When? It comes when you're full of the Spirit of Jesus Christ, when you walk in His statutes, obey His Word, and TRUST Him to be with you in every situation, every storm, every pain, every disease, every heartache, every job loss, every family hurt, every disaster  ...  everything. You say, "But, if I have Jesus, then why do I have all those problems?"  You must identify the source in every situation  ... Is this of God, of man, or of the devil?  For instance, if we spend too much and end up in financial trouble, that's not God's fault, or even the devil's fault, it's our own fault, for not budgeting wisely. Sometimes, we are attacked by the devil, such as Job was in the Bible; and sometimes it is a test or a trial of God.  But, through it all, we are told the Lord will make a way of escape; He will not allow us to go through more than we can bear.  (I Corinthians 10:13)  We are the clay, He is the Potter, and sometimes we're on the "wheel," being molded and shaped into that "vessel of honor," who will hear one day, "Well done, thou good and faithful servant!"

"Run now, I pray thee, to meet her, and say unto her, 
Is it well with thee?    Is it well with thy husband? Is it well 
with the child?  And she answered, It is well."

(2 Kings 4:26)

It's a wonderful account of bold FAITH in the Bible.  Remember the story?  The Shunamite woman was running as fast as she could to get to Elisha, the prophet, who saw her coming afar off, so he sent his servant Gehazi, to see what was the matter.  When Gehazi asked her those questions about all being "well" in her household, she answered "It is well."  But, the woman knew, even when she answered Gehazi, that her son lay "dead" at home.  Elisha came to her home, and raised up her dead son to LIFE! Incredible faith, incredible spirit in that Shunamite woman  ...  What is lying "dead" in your life?  Can you visualize the answer coming to meet You from God's loving hands? Will your faith fly on the wings of a dove to TRUST in Almighty God?  Can you answer with the Shunamite woman those powerful words that always move the very heart and soul of our Holy God, "IT IS WELL!" 

(Visit promiselandchurch.net and theexperience238.org)

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

PromiseLand Church, Austin, Texas

Services Sundays @ 10:30 am 

~~~~~Live Streaming~~~~~

Your cares are our prayers!  Please send your 
prayer needs, and if you would be so
kind as to give a love offering to help us take 
the gospel of Jesus Christ to the world, please contact 
us and give online @ promiselandchurch.net. 
God Bless you, and I know He surely will!

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

PromiseLand Church!
We trust The Lord Jesus Christ, 
His Word, through Prayer, and 
the Power of the Holy Ghost!

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Thank you for visiting "God's blog," and I

 will be honored to pray with you for YOUR 

miracle!  Please leave comments at the end of 

this post,  and please come back!

With Jesus' love, Sheryl

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

{Special thanks to cooltext.com.}