Tag: Teach

Agents

tarynbarnesLeave a comment

top-secret-1076813_1280

Hi Peeps,

Today’s Quote

“We are all God’s agents, dispatched to exemplify His name on various missions.”~TB

Mission

Spoiler alert: you don’t have to go out of the country to a foreign land to go on missions for Christ. In fact, chances are you can do more for you neighbor in God’s name than you can to someone who may not be able to fully understand your language. That’s not a dig at those doing great works in other nations. It is a gentle reminder that we all have a duty to help the poor, the widowed, and the downtrodden which you can easily find in your backyard. Like agents on a secret mission, listen to your Holy Commander for your next assignment. That could be feeding the less fortunate, uplifting a family member or neighbor, the list is long and God knows who to select for the cause. If you are looking for a way to get in on the fun that is serving Christ through serving others, all you have to do is look at the Word for guidance.

Dossier

Spoiler alert #2: you don’t have to shove the Word down the throat of those you serve on your Mission. Look at your dossier– The Word– and read it carefully to understand its instructions. A lot of us get caught up in our egos and go off script with our “help” causing more harm than good. God calls us to be examples not enforcers, and there is a difference. Your Mission is torpedoed when you go off script and blow your cover. When working for God, all you have to do is be a light, shining kindness, love, mercy, and humility when carrying out your mission. We are not dispatched to judge because that job is solely reserved for the One who can. So instead of beating the Bible across the faces of “heathens”, try meeting a need. If you are truly looking to show people who God is, love them as He loves you; which means keep the self-righteousness and judgment at home.

Today’s Question

Are you carrying out God’s Mission or your own?

Enjoy the reading

Isaiah 56

1 This is what the LORD says: “Be just and fair to all. Do what is right and good, for I am coming soon to rescue you and to display my righteousness among you. 
2 Blessed are all those who are careful to do this. Blessed are those who honor my Sabbath days of rest and keep themselves from doing wrong. 
3 “Don’t let foreigners who commit themselves to the LORD say, ‘The LORD will never let me be part of his people.’ And don’t let the eunuchs say, ‘I’m a dried-up tree with no children and no future.’ 
4 For this is what the LORD says: I will bless those eunuchs who keep my Sabbath days holy and who choose to do what pleases me and commit their lives to me. 
5 I will give them—within the walls of my house— a memorial and a name far greater than sons and daughters could give. For the name I give them is an everlasting one. It will never disappear! 
6 “I will also bless the foreigners who commit themselves to the LORD, who serve him and love his name, who worship him and do not desecrate the Sabbath day of rest, and who hold fast to my covenant. 
7 I will bring them to my holy mountain of Jerusalem and will fill them with joy in my house of prayer. I will accept their burnt offerings and sacrifices, because my Temple will be called a house of prayer for all nations. 
8 For the Sovereign LORD, who brings back the outcasts of Israel, says: I will bring others, too, besides my people Israel.” 
9 Come, wild animals of the field! Come, wild animals of the forest! Come and devour my people! 
10 For the leaders of my people— the LORD ’s watchmen, his shepherds— are blind and ignorant. They are like silent watchdogs that give no warning when danger comes. They love to lie around, sleeping and dreaming. 
11 Like greedy dogs, they are never satisfied. They are ignorant shepherds, all following their own path and intent on personal gain. 
12 “Come,” they say, “let’s get some wine and have a party. Let’s all get drunk. Then tomorrow we’ll do it again and have an even bigger party!”

 

Fixed Mindset

tarynbarnesLeave a comment

person-984236_1920.jpg

Hi Peeps,

Today’s Quote

“It’s difficult to grow your faith if you have a fixed mindset.”~TB

Stagnate

To the uninformed, once you know the Truth, all learning ceases.  Even though the Truth– salvation is given to us through the sacrifice of Jesus– never changes, the trouble with that mindset is that life’s lessons and challenges still exist. The reason the Bible is called the Living Word is that it applies in your life in all of its stages. Friends, receiving salvation is the easy part. Staying in a learning mindset takes grit and perseverance. Failing to cultivate a lifelong relationship with Christ will cause you to stagnate because you don’t understand the landscape of a fallen world. Without understanding God’s love, it is difficult to practice His teachings. Adopt a continuous learning mindset so that you can grow with God throughout your life.

Next Level

The truth is, there is always another level after the last. God’s ways are so expansive and massive that it takes a lifetime to even catch a glimpse. What a mighty God we serve! For this reason, you must always be willing and able to learn new things with Him. Human love pales in comparison to God’s love, which is why we must connect with Him daily to practice love from a Biblical perspective. Those who are considered wise understand that even in their wisdom, they still depend on God like a nursing baby. Without Him you are nothing. But with Him, nothing is impossible. Pass your tests and get to the next level, so that you may reach the next level after that. Once you understand that this is a lifelong process, you will love attending God’s Holy school.

Today’s Question

Are you one of God’s lifelong students or are you flunking out?

Enjoy the reading

Psalm 133

1 How wonderful and pleasant it is when brothers live together in harmony! 
2 For harmony is as precious as the anointing oil that was poured over Aaron’s head, that ran down his beard and onto the border of his robe. 
3 Harmony is as refreshing as the dew from Mount Hermon that falls on the mountains of Zion. And there the LORD has pronounced his blessing, even life everlasting.

Tee Up

tarynbarnesLeave a comment

 

golf-3685616_1920.jpgHi Peeps,

Today’s Quote

“When we practice God’s teachings, we are teeing up the ball for others to participate.”~TB

Assist

Like a caddie to a golfer, we are to be like cheerful helpers to our brothers and sisters in Christ. Setting up the put, we have to step back and let others hit the ball so they too can experience a relationship with God. The role is to assist, not force. By exuding the love of Christ, our actions are to be synonymous with His, so that the example set forth points to our Maker and not to man. While the actions displayed seldom get external credit, trust that God sees all and our faithful actions are on His record.

Sabotage

When you let pride and ego drive the cart, issues like judgment, religious behavior, and acting come into play, misguiding the direction of the put. Friends, we cannot hit the ball for believers. Do not proselytize or beat the Gospel on people’s heads. God does not need a defender, or do you not remember how you came to Christ? Surely no one held you to the fire, so avoid doing that to your peers. Allow the Lord to work in the hearts of others by exemplifying the grace, joy, and mercy He shares with us.

Today’s Question

Are you like a faithful caddie pointing to God or are you forcing the ball into a Hellish sandtrap?

Enjoy the reading

Psalm 113

1 Praise the LORD ! Yes, give praise, O servants of the LORD . Praise the name of the LORD ! 
2 Blessed be the name of the LORD now and forever.
3 Everywhere—from east to west— praise the name of the LORD . 
4For the LORD is high above the nations; his glory is higher than the heavens. 
5 Who can be compared with the LORD our God, who is enthroned on high? 
6 He stoops to look down on heaven and on earth.
7 He lifts the poor from the dust and the needy from the garbage dump.
8 He sets them among princes, even the princes of his own people! 
9He gives the childless woman a family, making her a happy mother. Praise the LORD !

Hurts

jonmbarnesLeave a comment
silhouette-67202_1920.jpgHi Peeps,
Today’s Quote
Keep being kind Peeps, even when it hurts, because one act of kindness can make you hold back the tears of joy, after touching someone’s life so much at the right time.”  ~ Jon Barnes

Many

Many people are in need of truth, hope, charity, and love because greedy people are squeezing the life out of our society.  People scrambling to find and work two part-time jobs are finding it difficult to make ends meet.  Everyone can’t be millionaires. So why set up the poor to fail, by being overworked and underpaid with no health care and benefits?

Systemic

The challenges poor people face are too many to mention and I don’t have the answers.  But God gives us instructions on how to reach out to everyone, to do fair business, trade, and services.  However, there are those who will use every opportunity to make a buck and not share the wealth in a realistic fashion.  let’s try giving people a hand up.

Problems

Teaching people how to work through their problems and giving them fair jobs and wages is how we are Biblically commanded to oversee companies.  However, part-time jobs that strategically short change workers into a cycle of poverty are plaguing many working adults. It is not fair and no one seems to care!
Today’s Question
Do you pay people what they are worth or do you pick their pockets, expecting God to look the other way?
Enjoy The Reading
 

Psalm 52 

For the choir director: A psalm[a] of David, regarding the time Doeg the Edomite said to Saul, “David has gone to see Ahimelech.”

1 Why do you boast about your crimes, great warrior?
    Don’t you realize God’s justice continues forever?
2 All day long you plot destruction.
    Your tongue cuts like a sharp razor;
    you’re an expert at telling lies.
3 You love evil more than good
    and lies more than truth. Interlude
4 You love to destroy others with your words,
    you liar!
5 But God will strike you down once and for all.
    He will pull you from your home
    and uproot you from the land of the living. Interlude
6 The righteous will see it and be amazed.
    They will laugh and say,
7 “Look what happens to mighty warriors
    who do not trust in God.
They trust their wealth instead
    and grow more and more bold in their wickedness.”
8 But I am like an olive tree, thriving in the house of God.
    I will always trust in God’s unfailing love.
9 I will praise you forever, O God,
    for what you have done.
I will trust in your good name
    in the presence of your faithful people.

Love,

Jonathan

Let

jonmbarnesLeave a comment
family-1466262_1920.jpg
Hi Peeps,
Today’s Quote
“Let your spouse and children explain what they have learned from you and God will show you how effective your life has been to them.”  ~ Jon Barnes

Love

Express your love for God in all that you do so that there is no question about your character and faith in God.  The perfect work of love is simple and people all around the world have the same longing for it.  If you are a conduit of love, your actions are obvious and in tune with Humanity in God.

Proceed

Move forward in your love thinking with your time, money, family and work so that your balance with God’s life lessons account for your success right now and in Heaven.  Because the path of goodness is lonely, with few people walking thereby, keep the faith as a permanent process God has for your life.

Work

With lots of love, work by yourself and then share what you have learned.   Collaborate when you have the wisdom to do so. Otherwise, your distractions may cause you to stumble, stall, and ultimately fail. People must buy their own oil to be ready for God and the Love He can only give. Let your work be to the Will of God and not your own thoughts.
Today’s Question
Did you let the Will of God move you today and can you see the fruit from your continued obedience or are you frustrated, busted, and discussed?
Enjoy The Reading

Psalm 14

For the choir director: A psalm of David.

1 Only fools say in their hearts,
    “There is no God.”
They are corrupt, and their actions are evil;
    not one of them does good!
2 The Lord looks down from heaven
    on the entire human race;
he looks to see if anyone is truly wise,
    if anyone seeks God.
3 But no, all have turned away;
    all have become corrupt.[a]
No one does good,
    not a single one!
4 Will those who do evil never learn?
    They eat up my people like bread
    and wouldn’t think of praying to the Lord.
5 Terror will grip them,
    for God is with those who obey him.
6 The wicked frustrate the plans of the oppressed,
    but the Lord will protect his people.
7 Who will come from Mount Zion to rescue Israel?
    When the Lord restores his people,
    Jacob will shout with joy, and Israel will rejoice.

Love,

Jonathan

Say NO

jonmbarnesLeave a comment
bled-3070520_1920
Hi Peeps,
Today’s Quote
“Saying no to idiots with deflection, intervention, prevention, preparation, kindness, a gift, and love is wisdom from God’s Word.”  ~  Jon Barnes

Gifting

It is impossible to give a gift of love when there is no LOVE in your heart.  People who destroy themselves cannot love someone else.  Honestly look to see how people treat themselves and how they care for their children, family, and other people in the same manner. When a person is selfish, they will treat their children like slaves.  Separating yourself from fools and their foolishness is a gift from God for you to share with your family first.

People

A person who teaches and rewards their children for good work will gain a lifelong friend full of wisdom and understanding to improve upon their parent’s lessons in life.  People who teach their children how to fight with The Word of God, simply live by the truth and not with an attitude. Copy this model from God and teach others by examples success in your life lessons.

Negotiation

Negotiation skills are a gift from God, but wisdom teaches you how to avoid the pitfalls of pitiful thinkers.  After you have spoken the truth, walk away and let God do the rest.  Be the truth and you will always do your best.  Stay with God and accept nothing less.  Stop asking for handout and advice as if you are needy.  Help yourself, buy your obedience to Love, the sowing of good seeds, and properly sharing the harvested oils of wisdom.  Your forest of righteousness will nicely grow when you tell other people NO.
Today’s Question
Do you think I would be able to accomplish being a good father, loving husband, hard worker, and a man of faith if I said yes to all the dumb things people asked me to do for them and within my lifetime? 
Enjoy The Reading

tree-bark-1209874_1920.jpg

For the choir director: A psalm of David.

1 O Lord, how long will you forget me? Forever?
    How long will you look the other way?
2 How long must I struggle with anguish in my soul,
    with sorrow in my heart every day?
    How long will my enemy have the upper hand?
3 Turn and answer me, O Lord my God!
    Restore the sparkle to my eyes, or I will die.
4 Don’t let my enemies gloat, saying, “We have defeated him!”
    Don’t let them rejoice at my downfall.
5 But I trust in your unfailing love.
    I will rejoice because you have rescued me.
6 I will sing to the Lord
    because he is good to me.
 

Love,

Jonathan

One Day

jonmbarnesLeave a comment
balloons-892806_1920.jpgHi Peeps,
Today’s Quote
“Doing the work of faith one day a year is not good enough, because God will hold you accountable for the 365 days in a year to judge what you have done.” ~  Jon Barnes

About

God is not about to throw out his math skills of accountability and assessment of your character, nature, and measure of faith in your personal work and walk with God during your lifetime.  Your repentance and connection to God with the Blood of Christ will teach you how to remain holy and separated unto God.  However, it only takes a second for you to choose and cut that tie and bond with God, based on your choice and wicked behavior.

Amount

You must keep your lamp full with the Spirit of God in your heart and life so that your light keeps shining now and forever.  This unlimited amount of love that God has supernaturally given you will sustain you in all times if you are a true believer.  You will run your race with all that you have to prove your loyalty to God.  He will sustain, teach, and test you each day and God’s training is thorough.

Account

God’s accounting on your life is none of my business. God’s accounting in my life is none of your business.  His judgment will condemn or correspond to your faith walk, facts, and records to account for your life.  One Day, you will be seen as you are and God will decide if you are worthy.  Strive to be worthy at all times and humble your causes into the Hands of God and His Righteousness.
Today’s Question
Will The Blood of Christ save you, if you are a habitual thief, liar, cheater, and an evil person, pretending to be a true Christian or do you really think God is as stupid as you are?

Enjoy The Reading

Job 32 

Elihu Responds to Job’s Friends

32 Job’s three friends refused to reply further to him because he kept insisting on his innocence.
2 Then Elihu son of Barakel the Buzite, of the clan of Ram, became angry. He was angry because Job refused to admit that he had sinned and that God was right in punishing him. 3 He was also angry with Job’s three friends, for they made God[a]appear to be wrong by their inability to answer Job’s arguments. 4 Elihu had waited for the others to speak to Job because they were older than he. 5 But when he saw that they had no further reply, he spoke out angrily. 6 Elihu son of Barakel the Buzite said,
“I am young and you are old,
    so I held back from telling you what I think.
7 I thought, ‘Those who are older should speak,
    for wisdom comes with age.’
8 But there is a spirit[b] within people,
    the breath of the Almighty within them,
    that makes them intelligent.
9 Sometimes the elders are not wise.
    Sometimes the aged do not understand justice.
10 So listen to me,
    and let me tell you what I think.
11 “I have waited all this time,
    listening very carefully to your arguments,
    listening to you grope for words.
12 I have listened,
    but not one of you has refuted Job
    or answered his arguments.
13 And don’t tell me, ‘He is too wise for us.
    Only God can convince him.’
14 If Job had been arguing with me,
    I would not answer with your kind of logic!
15 You sit there baffled,
    with nothing more to say.
16 Should I continue to wait, now that you are silent?
    Must I also remain silent?
17 No, I will say my piece.
    I will speak my mind.
18 For I am full of pent-up words,
    and the spirit within me urges me on.
19 I am like a cask of wine without a vent,
    like a new wineskin ready to burst!
20 I must speak to find relief,
    so let me give my answers.
21 I won’t play favorites
    or try to flatter anyone.
22 For if I tried flattery,
    my Creator would soon destroy me.

Love,

Jonathan

Frequencies

jonmbarnesLeave a comment
radio-in-september-1224724_1920
Hi Peeps,
Today’s Quote
“Frequently ask yourself how your positive words resonate in your heart, body, mind, and spirit when you talk to God, yourself, family, and others to ensure you are using the best words to pray, meditate, seek, ask, explain, play, teach, inquire, and learn new things each day.”  ~ Jon Barnes

Something

There is something good to learn each second of your life as you play, record, speak, say, listen, and vibrate all of the energy God has given you to live with.  It is up to you to dial into the frequencies of love that will drive you to accomplish, work, act, pray, help, and service God, yourself, and others. Stop relying on your feelings. Rely on God’s Word and Commandments! 

Everything

Learning how to balance everything in your life requires a positive attitude to vibrate the love channels and sound waves that are constantly moving about inside our bodies and all around the world.  We are affected by all moving parts at various degrees and our choices affect how efficient and helpful our movements become. Vibrate the best words, works, actions, and choices with God in mind.

All Things

All things live and have their being because of God and nothing moves unless He said so.  Aligning your movements, words, works, sounds, colors, and ideas to flow with God will, which will allow you to have the most success in what you are doing, learning, saying, writing, eating, playing, praying, and believing.  God is the author and finisher of your faith movement in your life and without Him, you are still in the dark.
Today’s Question
Are you still in the dark wasteland of wickedness and evil from moving and vibrating in the wrong frequencies and circles or did you change your TONE?
Enjoy The Reading
 

2 Chronicles 18 

Jehoshaphat and Ahab

18 Jehoshaphat enjoyed great riches and high esteem, and he made an alliance with Ahab of Israel by having his son marry Ahab’s daughter. 2 A few years later he went to Samaria to visit Ahab, who prepared a great banquet for him and his officials. They butchered great numbers of sheep, goats, and cattle for the feast. Then Ahab enticed Jehoshaphat to join forces with him to recover Ramoth-gilead.
3 “Will you go with me to Ramoth-gilead?” King Ahab of Israel asked King Jehoshaphat of Judah.
Jehoshaphat replied, “Why, of course! You and I are as one, and my troops are your troops. We will certainly join you in battle.” 4 Then Jehoshaphat added, “But first let’s find out what the Lord says.”
5 So the king of Israel summoned the prophets, 400 of them, and asked them, “Should we go to war against Ramoth-gilead, or should I hold back?”
They all replied, “Yes, go right ahead! God will give the king victory.”
6 But Jehoshaphat asked, “Is there not also a prophet of the Lord here? We should ask him the same question.”
7 The king of Israel replied to Jehoshaphat, “There is one more man who could consult the Lord for us, but I hate him. He never prophesies anything but trouble for me! His name is Micaiah son of Imlah.”
Jehoshaphat replied, “That’s not the way a king should talk! Let’s hear what he has to say.”
8 So the king of Israel called one of his officials and said, “Quick! Bring Micaiah son of Imlah.”

Micaiah Prophesies against Ahab

9 King Ahab of Israel and King Jehoshaphat of Judah, dressed in their royal robes, were sitting on thrones at the threshing floor near the gate of Samaria. All of Ahab’s prophets were prophesying there in front of them. 10 One of them, Zedekiah son of Kenaanah, made some iron horns and proclaimed, “This is what the Lord says: With these horns you will gore the Arameans to death!”
11 All the other prophets agreed. “Yes,” they said, “go up to Ramoth-gilead and be victorious, for the Lord will give the king victory!”
12 Meanwhile, the messenger who went to get Micaiah said to him, “Look, all the prophets are promising victory for the king. Be sure that you agree with them and promise success.”
13 But Micaiah replied, “As surely as the Lord lives, I will say only what my God says.”
14 When Micaiah arrived before the king, Ahab asked him, “Micaiah, should we go to war against Ramoth-gilead, or should I hold back?”
Micaiah replied sarcastically, “Yes, go up and be victorious, for you will have victory over them!”
15 But the king replied sharply, “How many times must I demand that you speak only the truth to me when you speak for the Lord?”
16 Then Micaiah told him, “In a vision I saw all Israel scattered on the mountains, like sheep without a shepherd. And the Lord said, ‘Their master has been killed.[a] Send them home in peace.’”
17 “Didn’t I tell you?” the king of Israel exclaimed to Jehoshaphat. “He never prophesies anything but trouble for me.”
18 Then Micaiah continued, “Listen to what the Lord says! I saw the Lord sitting on his throne with all the armies of heaven around him, on his right and on his left. 19 And the Lord said, ‘Who can entice King Ahab of Israel to go into battle against Ramoth-gilead so he can be killed?’
“There were many suggestions, 20 and finally a spirit approached the Lord and said, ‘I can do it!’
“‘How will you do this?’ the Lord asked.
21 “And the spirit replied, ‘I will go out and inspire all of Ahab’s prophets to speak lies.’
“‘You will succeed,’ said the Lord. ‘Go ahead and do it.’
22 “So you see, the Lord has put a lying spirit in the mouths of your prophets. For the Lordhas pronounced your doom.”
23 Then Zedekiah son of Kenaanah walked up to Micaiah and slapped him across the face. “Since when did the Spirit of the Lord leave me to speak to you?” he demanded.
24 And Micaiah replied, “You will find out soon enough when you are trying to hide in some secret room!”
25 “Arrest him!” the king of Israel ordered. “Take him back to Amon, the governor of the city, and to my son Joash. 26 Give them this order from the king: ‘Put this man in prison, and feed him nothing but bread and water until I return safely from the battle!’”
27 But Micaiah replied, “If you return safely, it will mean that the Lord has not spoken through me!” Then he added to those standing around, “Everyone mark my words!”

The Death of Ahab

28 So King Ahab of Israel and King Jehoshaphat of Judah led their armies against Ramoth-gilead. 29 The king of Israel said to Jehoshaphat, “As we go into battle, I will disguise myself so no one will recognize me, but you wear your royal robes.” So the king of Israel disguised himself, and they went into battle.
30 Meanwhile, the king of Aram had issued these orders to his chariot commanders: “Attack only the king of Israel! Don’t bother with anyone else.” 31 So when the Aramean chariot commanders saw Jehoshaphat in his royal robes, they went after him. “There is the king of Israel!” they shouted. But Jehoshaphat called out, and the Lord saved him. God helped him by turning the attackers away from him. 32 As soon as the chariot commanders realized he was not the king of Israel, they stopped chasing him.
33 An Aramean soldier, however, randomly shot an arrow at the Israelite troops and hit the king of Israel between the joints of his armor. “Turn the horses[b] and get me out of here!” Ahab groaned to the driver of the chariot. “I’m badly wounded!”
34 The battle raged all that day, and the king of Israel propped himself up in his chariot facing the Arameans. In the evening, just as the sun was setting, he died.
Love,
Jonathan

Employable

jonmbarnes1 Comment
building-1080592_1920 (1).jpg
Hi Peeps,
Today’s Quote
“I implore you to become self-employed with your own ideas, concepts, and business to change and improve your lifestyle of love, charity, and hope.” ~  Jon Barnes

Explore

Your motives should explore new and higher possibilities in truth, justice, and love with God when you ask, learn, and follow his rules of wisdom and knowledge.  Self-employment teaches you to focus, fact find and produce the best goods and services with your name on it.  Who you are will match the quality of what you say, do, make, and sell.

Expire

Many of us give up too soon, following the easy way out, only to find out that you are now the slave because of your disobedience to God, following the lust of your flesh, the greed of your eyes, and ease of sin.  Expire those old ways of evil. I say that it is easier to do what God would have you to do the right way the first time.  Stop being nice to the devil.  He’s not your friend.

Expel

Expel the idea that you have to sit around waiting for someone to take care of you.  Get busy making a difference and standing up for what is right.  Stop following the crowd with your thinking, follow God with His solutions and ideas.  Your success will vibrate at a higher frequency with brighter colors in love.
Today’s Question
Does the love of God vibrate and radiate from your heart with laughter, enjoyment, and thanksgiving or are you the thief in the night, killing and destroying everything that is around you for a dollar?
Enjoy The Reading
 

2 Chronicles 15 

Asa’s Religious Reforms

15 Then the Spirit of God came upon Azariah son of Oded, 2 and he went out to meet King Asa as he was returning from the battle. “Listen to me, Asa!” he shouted. “Listen, all you people of Judah and Benjamin! The Lord will stay with you as long as you stay with him! Whenever you seek him, you will find him. But if you abandon him, he will abandon you. 3 For a long time Israel was without the true God, without a priest to teach them, and without the Law to instruct them. 4 But whenever they were in trouble and turned to the Lord, the God of Israel, and sought him out, they found him.
5 “During those dark times, it was not safe to travel. Problems troubled the people of every land. 6 Nation fought against nation, and city against city, for God was troubling them with every kind of problem. 7 But as for you, be strong and courageous, for your work will be rewarded.”
8 When Asa heard this message from Azariah the prophet,[a] he took courage and removed all the detestable idols from the land of Judah and Benjamin and in the towns he had captured in the hill country of Ephraim. And he repaired the altar of the Lord, which stood in front of the entry room of the Lord’s Temple.
9 Then Asa called together all the people of Judah and Benjamin, along with the people of Ephraim, Manasseh, and Simeon who had settled among them. For many from Israel had moved to Judah during Asa’s reign when they saw that the Lord his God was with him. 10 The people gathered at Jerusalem in late spring,[b] during the fifteenth year of Asa’s reign.
11 On that day they sacrificed to the Lord 700 cattle and 7,000 sheep and goats from the plunder they had taken in the battle. 12 Then they entered into a covenant to seek the Lord, the God of their ancestors, with all their heart and soul. 13 They agreed that anyone who refused to seek the Lord, the God of Israel, would be put to death—whether young or old, man or woman. 14 They shouted out their oath of loyalty to the Lord with trumpets blaring and rams’ horns sounding. 15 All in Judah were happy about this covenant, for they had entered into it with all their heart. They earnestly sought after God, and they found him. And the Lordgave them rest from their enemies on every side.
16 King Asa even deposed his grandmother[c] Maacah from her position as queen mother because she had made an obscene Asherah pole. He cut down her obscene pole, broke it up, and burned it in the Kidron Valley. 17 Although the pagan shrines were not removed from Israel, Asa’s heart remained completely faithful throughout his life. 18 He brought into the Temple of God the silver and gold and the various items that he and his father had dedicated.
19 So there was no more war until the thirty-fifth year of Asa’s reign.

Love,

Jonathan

My Watch

jonmbarnesLeave a comment
clock-3179167_1920
Hi Peeps,
Today’s Quote
“On your watch, it is your responsibility to protect, love, mentor, and keep your family safe, focused and well trained in the ways of God and Love with clear examples, ready for battle at any time!” — Jon Barnes

When

When I was young and in need, I wanted someone to help mentor me and spend some time each day to show, model, explain, re-teach, quiz, and make sure that I understood each message, lesson, and commandment about Love from God.  My parents, family, wife, kids, friends, and enemies could only do the best they could do.  Time is limited. But, when you learn to ask God to mentor you, then you become among the ones with the best answers in the room, for understanding.

Look Up

People will look up to you for solutions to copy and fix personal problems.  Your insight and management skills will train others to do better, when you accept what God is teaching you.  Lazy people who refuse to comply to God’s methods will live a lifestyle that says, danger, disaster, problems, roadblocks, greed, wast, and foolishness all over their face.  Look up and you will see these people coming, many from your own family.  Often times it is you who will be doing the wrong things until you ask God yourself!  Look up, seek, and pray!

Destination

In every culture from the beginning of time, someone introduced a wicked practice of disobedience, greed, hatred, envy, laziness, dishonor, lying, cheating, and enslaving others with their hunger for power and injustice. Many have followed this evil. The love of God does not do these things, but His Holy Spirit teaches us how to pray, play, work, and share what we are blessings.  Thought history, there are short periods of time in which we listen to God and this actually works well, before it all goes to hell again.
Today’s Question
Will you keep listening to God or will you become distracted with your own agendas of disobedience?
Enjoy The Reading
 

1 Chronicles 13

Bringing Back the Ark

13 David conferred with each of his officers, the commanders of thousands and commanders of hundreds. 2 He then said to the whole assembly of Israel, “If it seems good to you and if it is the will of the Lord our God, let us send word far and wide to the rest of our people throughout the territories of Israel, and also to the priests and Levites who are with them in their towns and pasturelands, to come and join us. 3 Let us bring the ark of our God back to us, for we did not inquire of[a] it[b] during the reign of Saul.” 4 The whole assembly agreed to do this, because it seemed right to all the people.
5 So David assembled all Israel, from the Shihor River in Egypt to Lebo Hamath, to bring the ark of God from Kiriath Jearim. 6 David and all Israel went to Baalah of Judah (Kiriath Jearim) to bring up from there the ark of God the Lord, who is enthroned between the cherubim—the ark that is called by the Name.
7 They moved the ark of God from Abinadab’s house on a new cart, with Uzzah and Ahio guiding it. 8 David and all the Israelites were celebrating with all their might before God, with songs and with harps, lyres, timbrels, cymbals and trumpets.
9 When they came to the threshing floor of Kidon, Uzzah reached out his hand to steady the ark, because the oxen stumbled. 10 The Lord’s anger burned against Uzzah, and he struck him down because he had put his hand on the ark. So he died there before God.
11 Then David was angry because the Lord’s wrath had broken out against Uzzah, and to this day that place is called Perez Uzzah.[c]
12 David was afraid of God that day and asked, “How can I ever bring the ark of God to me?”13 He did not take the ark to be with him in the City of David. Instead, he took it to the house of Obed-Edom the Gittite. 14 The ark of God remained with the family of Obed-Edom in his house for three months, and the Lord blessed his household and everything he had.
Love,
Jonathan