Newness

Revelation 21:5
He who was seated on the throne said, "I am making everything new!"








Ezekiel 11:19
I will give them an undivided heart and put a new spirit in them;

Ezekiel 36:26
I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit in you; I will remove from you your heart of stone and give you a heart of flesh.

Romans 6:4
Therefore we are buried with him by baptism into death: that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life.

Romans 7:6
But now we are delivered from the law, that being dead wherein we were held; that we should serve in newness of spirit, and not in the oldness of the letter.

~A NEW YOU FOR A NEW YEAR~
A new beginning. What a blessing newness is. Our father offers new beginnings for those who trust in Him. Today's Footprint is to turn our hearts toward the creator of fresh new beginnings. May we once again have an undivided heart in this country and a new spirit.
~Chris~

The Looking Glass

Job 37:18
Hast thou with him spread out the sky, which is strong, and as a molten looking glass?

Psalm 97:6
The heavens declare his righteousness, and all the people see his glory.

Psalm 19:1
The heavens declare the glory of God; and the firmament sheweth his handywork.

Psalm 50:6
And the heavens shall declare his righteousness: for God is judge himself.

1 Corinthians 13:12
For now we see through a glass, darkly; but then face to face: now I know in part; but then shall I know even as also I am known.

2 Corinthians 3:18
But we all, with open face beholding as in a glass the glory of the Lord, are changed into the same image from glory to glory, even as by the Spirit of the Lord.

James 1:23-24
For if any be a hearer of the word, and not a doer, he is like unto a man beholding his natural face in a glass: For he beholdeth himself, and goeth his way, and straightway forgetteth what manner of man he was.

Romans 1:20
For the invisible things of him from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even his eternal power and Godhead; so that they are without excuse:

~AN IMAGE IN STAINED GLASS~
Beloved, God can be seen. His righteousness, glory, and handywork are visable through the magical molten looking glass. It surrounds us and sustains us as we breath in and out every moment of our lives. But do we see Him, or are we hearers only, who merely see ourselves through the glass. Today's footprint is to seek Him. We pray for clearer vision, that the stain might be removed from the glass we peer through.
~Chris

Heavenly Health Insurance

Romans 7: 22-25
For I delight in the law of God after the inward man:
But I see another law in my members, warring against the law of my mind, and bringing me into captivity to the law of sin which is in my members.
O wretched man that I am! who shall deliver me from the body of this death?
I thank God through Jesus Christ our Lord. So then with the mind I myself serve the law of God; but with the flesh the law of sin.

Romans 8: 10-16
And if Christ be in you, the body is dead because of sin; but the Spirit is life because of righteousness.
But if the Spirit of him that raised up Jesus from the dead dwell in you, he that raised up Christ from the dead shall also quicken your mortal bodies by his Spirit that dwelleth in you.
Therefore, brethren, we are debtors, not to the flesh, to live after the flesh.
For if ye live after the flesh, ye shall die: but if ye through the Spirit do mortify the deeds of the body, ye shall live.
For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God.
For ye have not received the spirit of bondage again to fear; but ye have received the Spirit of adoption, whereby we cry, Abba, Father.
The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God:

2 Corinthians 11:24-30
Of the Jews five times received I forty stripes save one.
Thrice was I beaten with rods, once was I stoned, thrice I suffered shipwreck, a night and a day I have been in the deep;
In journeyings often, in perils of waters, in perils of robbers, in perils by mine own countrymen, in perils by the heathen, in perils in the city, in perils in the wilderness, in perils in the sea, in perils among false brethren;
In weariness and painfulness, in watchings often, in hunger and thirst, in fastings often, in cold and nakedness.
Beside those things that are without, that which cometh upon me daily, the care of all the churches.
Who is weak, and I am not weak? who is offended, and I burn not?
If I must needs glory, I will glory of the things which concern mine infirmities.

2 Corinthians 12:8-9
For this thing I besought the Lord thrice, that it might depart from me.
And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me.
~THE SINGLE PAYER SOLUTION~
An insurance policy that does not take into account a pre-existing condition, will never reject the applicant, is a participating plan of the greatest physician ever, covers all aliens by grafting them into the group, never a deductible or co-payment and is fully paid for - forever more. The only requirement, is to trust in the plan, even when things seem lost. Today's footprint, is to sign up today.... family coverage recommended.
~Chris~

Difficulty

Lamentations 3:24-25
The Lord is my portion, saith my soul; therefore will I hope in him. The Lord is good unto them that wait for him, to the soul that seeketh him.

Romans 8:16
The Spirit Himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God.

Romans 8:37
But in all these things we overwhelmingly conquer through Him who loved us.

Jeremiah 32:27
Behold, I am the Lord, the God of all flesh: is there any thing too hard for me?

~TRIALS IN LIFE ~
Though our earthly trials seem severe at times, our Lord loves us and carries us in His hands. Nothing is too difficult for the Lord, and (Romans 8:39) "... nothing can separate us from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord. "
~Chris

The Might and Power of the Spirit

Zechariah 4: 5-6
Then the angel that talked with me answered and said unto me, Knowest thou not what these be ? And I said, No my Lord
Then he answered and spake unto me, saying, Not by might, nor by power, but by my spirit, saith the Lord of hosts.

John 18: 11
Then said Jesus unto Peter, Put up thy sword into the sheath: the cup which my Father hath given me, shall I not drink it?

Matthew 26: 53
Do you think I cannot call on my Father, and he will at once put at my disposal more than twelve legions of angels?

Psalm 17: 8
Keep me as the apple of the eye, hide me under the shadow of thy wings,...

Psalm 57: 1
Be merciful unto me, O God, be merciful unto me: for my soul trusteth in thee: yea, in the shadow of thy wings will I make my refuge, until these calamities be overpast.

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.

Exodus 19:4
Ye have seen what I did unto the Egyptians, and how I bare you on eagles' wings, and brought you unto myself.

~MEEKNESS IN THE SPIRIT OF GOD~
We are a proud people, who are independent and self reliant. Our personal and national strength have carried us through the centuries. We have taken matters into our own hands, fought our great wars, and earned our freedom. We live in peace, in a land of unwalled cities, secure in knowing that our strength has made it so.... or has it.

Our ways are in fact, disobedient. Yet, God's wings, not ours, have covered this people. Of ourselves, we can do little, our very breath is His gift to us and not of our own doing. (Isaiah 10:17) And the light of Israel shall be for a fire, and his Holy One for a flame.

Today's footprint... in God we are light and we can do all things through Christ the flame, who strengthens us. But left to our own strength.... without the flame, the light goes out.... perish the thought.
~Chris

The Threshing Floor

Genesis 22:2
Then God said, "Take your son, your only son, Isaac, whom you love, and go to the region of Moriah. Sacrifice him there as a burnt offering on one of the mountains I will tell you about."

Genesis 22:7
"The fire and wood are here," Isaac said, "but where is the lamb for the burnt offering?"

Genesis 22:8
Abraham answered, "God himself will provide the lamb for the burnt offering, my son." And the two of them went on together.

John 1:36
And looking at Jesus as He walked, he said, “Behold the Lamb of God!”
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1 Chronicles 21:1
Now Satan stood up against Israel, and moved David to number Israel.

1 Chronicles 21:16
Then David lifted his eyes and saw the angel of the LORD standing between earth and heaven, having in his hand a drawn sword stretched out over Jerusalem. So David and the elders, clothed in sackcloth, fell on their faces. And David said to God, “Was it not I who commanded the people to be numbered?"

1 Chronicles 21:28
At that time, when David saw that the LORD had answered him on the threshing floor of Ornan the Jebusite, he sacrificed there.
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2 Chronicles 3:1
Then Solomon began to build the house of the Lord in Jerusalem on Mount Moriah, where the Lord had appeared to his father David, at the place that David had prepared, on the threshing floor of Ornan the Jebusite.
_______________________________________________________
Ruth 3:6-9
So she went down to the threshing floor and did according to all that her mother-in-law instructed her. And after Boaz had eaten and drunk, and his heart was cheerful, he went to lie down at the end of the heap of grain; and she came softly, uncovered his feet, and lay down. Now it happened at midnight that the man was startled, and turned himself; and there, a woman was lying at his feet. And he said, “Who are you?” So she answered, “I am Ruth, your maidservant. Take your maidservant under your wing, for you are a close relative.”
_______________________________________________________
~THE PLACE OF MERCY~
The Threshing floor of Ornan is the place where Abraham would have sacrificed Issac and where God showed mercy, by providing His son for all instead. It is the place where God showed mercy to David, staying His hand against him. It is the place where the mercy seat of God was placed in the holy of holies, and continues as the focal point of three major religions today. Boaz showed mercy to Ruth through her humility on a threshing floor.
The threshing floor is used to separate grain from the chaff. Luke 3:17 (His winnowing fan is in His hand, and He will thoroughly clean out His threshing floor, and gather the wheat into His barn;). Our God is a merciful God. He has given us His Son, who died for us at the very door of Mount Moriah, the threshing floor of Ornan. Our footstep today, is to take stock of our path. Is our life producing the fruit that walking with Jesus brings forth, or chaff which will amount to nothing.
~Chris

The Highway of Holiness

Isaiah 35: 8
And a highway will be there,
a roadway,
And it will be called, " the highway
of holiness."

~ THE NARROW WAY ~
Jesus tells us, (Luke 13:24) "Strive to enter through the narrow gate". Those who enter the narrow gate, bear all things, hope all things, believe all things, and in the end, put others before themselves. Today's footstep, is to step upon the highway of holiness and walk the narrow way all the days that life offers.
~ Chris

Number Our Days

Psalm 90:12
So teach us to number our days, that we may apply our hearts unto wisdom.

Proverbs 14:33
Wisdom rests in the heart of one who has understanding.

Philippians 4: 8
Finally brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.
~ UNDERSTANDING WISDOM ~
Applying our hearts to wisdom requires a heart of understanding.... but can that foundation be set if we close ourselves to the words of our Lord ? It comes down to what we fill our time with, or put another way, how we number our days. He will teach us how to number them to gain wisdom, if we're open to Him. Today's step is to number our days well, so we may gain understanding which forms the foundation of wisdom.
~Chris

Patient Waiting

2 Thessalonians 3:4-5
And we have confidence in the Lord touching you, that ye both do and will do the things which we command you. And the Lord direct your hearts into the love of God, and into the patient waiting for Christ.
~ DIRECT YOUR HEARTS ~
To direct our hearts into the love of God, is an act of our will. We direct our hearts and we wait patiently for the return of Jesus. Today's step is to choose to turn our hearts to Him.
~ Chris

The Goshen Effect

Exodus 8:22
'But on that day I will deal differently with the land of Goshen, where my people live;

Exodus 1: 13 - 14
So the Egyptians made the children of Israel serve with rigor. And they made their lives bitter with hard bondage—in mortar, in brick, and in all manner of service in the field. All their service in which they made them serve was with rigor.

Exodus 1: 15 - 16
Then the king of Egypt spoke to the Hebrew midwives, of whom the name of one was Shiphrah and the name of the other Puah; and he said, "When you do the duties of a midwife for the Hebrew women, and see them on the birthstools, if it is a son, then you shall kill him; but if it is a daughter, then she shall live.”

Exodus 14:11-13
Then they said to Moses, “Because there were no graves in Egypt, have you taken us away to die in the wilderness? Why have you so dealt with us, to bring us up out of Egypt? Is this not the word that we told you in Egypt, saying, ‘Let us alone that we may serve the Egyptians’? For it would have been better for us to serve the Egyptians than that we should die in the wilderness.” And Moses said to the people, “Do not be afraid. Stand still, and see the salvation of the LORD, which He will accomplish for you today. For the Egyptians whom you see today, you shall see again no more forever.

Exodus 16: 2 - 4
Then the whole congregation of the children of Israel complained against Moses and Aaron in the wilderness. And the children of Israel said to them, “Oh, that we had died by the hand of the LORD in the land of Egypt, when we sat by the pots of meat and when we ate bread to the full! For you have brought us out into this wilderness to kill this whole assembly with hunger.” Then the LORD said to Moses, “Behold, I will rain bread from heaven for you. And the people shall go out and gather a certain quota every day, that I may test them, whether they will walk in My law or not.

Numbers 11: 4 - 6
Now the mixed multitude who were among them yielded to intense craving; so the children of Israel also wept again and said: “Who will give us meat to eat? We remember the fish which we ate freely in Egypt, the cucumbers, the melons, the leeks, the onions, and the garlic; but now our whole being is dried up; there is nothing at all except this manna before our eyes!”
~IN SERVICE TO PROSPERITY AND COMFORT~When the children of Israel were free, they still looked over their shoulder at what they had in Egypt. Even though it meant the sacrifice of their own children, rigorous toil, bitterness and bondage, they called for a return to Egypt. Why ? Was it some perverse sense of satisfaction, sameness, or even security provided by the Pharaoh. God called them to a new freedom, as He calls us even today. In a world marked by abortion, moral decay, economic collapse, and a false sense of government sponsored "welfare".... do we not choose bondage over freedom still ? Have we turned back to Egypt ? Do we know what real freedom is ? It's not about our comfort or prosperity, it's about trust in Him, no matter what. Oh, how God is calling us to it. (Genesis 6:3 Then the LORD said, "My Spirit shall not strive with man forever, because he also is flesh;...). Today, resolve to walk tall and free. Seek to know true freedom in the Lord.

How should we walk ?

LIFE, LIBERTY and the pursuit of HAPPINESS

or

LIBERATE LIVES and pursue HOLINESS.
~Chris

Purpose

Job 33:4
The spirit of God hath made me, and the breath of the Almighty hath given me life.

Isaiah 38:18
For the grave cannot praise thee, death can not celebrate thee: they that go down into the pit cannot hope for thy truth.

Psalm 17:14
From men which are thy hand, O LORD, from men of the world, which have their portion in this life, and whose belly thou fillest with thy hid treasure: they are full of children, and leave the rest of their substance to their babes.

Exodus 18:15
Moses answered him, "Because the people come to me to seek God's will.

Deuteronomy 4:29
But if from there you seek the LORD your God, you will find Him if you look for Him with all your heart and with all your soul.

~ REASON FOR BEING ~
Why are we here at this time in history ? Is there a reason ? Why are we here at all ? Of ourselves there is no answer, but there is provision for finding the answer. Look to the source. If there is a creation, is there not a creator who created it ? Feel the very air you breath. Was it not created for you, for this moment ? Seek Him and you shall find the one who gave you your very life. Give Him thanks, lending your hands to Him here on earth. Do good for others with your life, by leading them also to seek God's will in their lives. Then you will know why now, why at all. You will begin a walk with purpose in your steps. You will find God's propitiation for our lost ways, and through Jesus, His great love for us. You will find your purpose through Him.
~ Chris

Sound Doctrine

2 Timothy 4: 1 - 3
I solemnly charge you in the presence of God and of Christ Jesus, who is to judge the living and the dead, and by His appearing and His kingdom: preach the word; be ready in season and out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort, with great patience and instruction. For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but wanting to have their ears tickled, they will accumulate for themselves teachers in accordance to their own desires, and will turn away their ears from the truth and will turn aside to myths. But you, be sober in all things, endure hardship, do the work of an evangelist, fulfill your ministry.

John 14:16-17
And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Counselor to be with you forever— the Spirit of truth. The world cannot accept him, because it neither sees him nor knows him. But you know him, for he lives with you and will be in you.

John 16:13
But when He, the Spirit of truth, comes, he will guide you into all truth.

Luke 24:45
Then He opened their minds so they could understand the Scriptures.

1 Timothy 4:16
Pay close attention to yourself and to your teaching; persevere in these things, for as you do this you will ensure salvation both for yourself and for those who hear you.

Titus 2:1
You must teach what is in accord with sound doctrine.

John 17:17
Sanctify them by the truth; your word is truth.

~ THE FREEDOM ONLY TRUTH GIVES ~
And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free (John 8:32 ).
We surround ourselves with what we desire to believe (we tune to either FOX or NBC for a reason). We even teach what we wish to believe. But is it the truth ? To be sure, there is truth, as certainly as there are lies. The truth comes to us through learning, by reproval, rebuking, exhorting, perseverance, teaching and so much more. Truth comes through the Holy Spirit, by guiding, understanding, openness to the scripture. As Timothy says, "pay close attention to yourself", in what you understand to be true and what you teach others to be true. Believe and teach sound doctrine from His Holy Word, and likewise lead others. This is the work of an evangelist and our ministry to others. Todays FootPrint, is to consider this ... if the "The world cannot accept Him, because it neither sees Him nor knows Him", how closely are we alligned with what the world believes, and how closely are we alligned with the truth ? The Holy Spirit will guide you if you open your mind to Him.

~Chris

Polished like Lapis Lazuli - Sapphire

Exodus 24:9 - 10
Then Moss went up with Aaron, Nadab and Abihu, and seventy of the elders of Israel, and they saw the God of Israel; and under His feet there appeared to be a pavement of sapphire, as clear as the sky itself.

Lamentations 4:7 (New American standard)
Her consecrated ones were purer than snow,
They were whiter than milk;
They were more ruddy in body than corals,
Their polishing was like lapis lazuli.
Lamentations 4:7 (King James)
Her Nazarites were purer than snow,
they were whiter than milk,
they were more ruddy in body than rubies,
their polishing was of saphire;

Judges 13: 3
Then the angel of the Lord appeared to the woman, and said to her, "Behold now, you are barren and have borne no children, but you shall conceive and give birth to a son. "Now therefore be careful not to drink wine or strong drink, nor eat any unclean thing. "For behold, you shall conceive and give birth to a son, and no razor shall come upon his head, for the boy shall be a Nazirite to God from the womb; and he shall begin to deliver Israel, from the hands of the Philistines."

Acts 24: 2
And after Paul had been summoned, Tertullus began to accuse him, saying to the governor,....
Acts 24: 5
.... "For we have found this man a real pest and a fellow who stirs up dissension among all the Jews throughout the world, and a ringleader of the sect of the Nazarenes.

Matthew 2: 23
"He shall be called a Nazarene."

Matthew 17: 2
And He was transfigured before them; and His face shone like the sun, and His garments became as white as light.

~ THE WAY OF THE NAZARENE ~
They were the consecrated ones of old,
They were the ruddy ones mourned over in Lamentations,
They were great judges (Samson),
They were polished as saphire (clear as the sky itself),
They were fearless under pressure (Paul),
They were thorns in the side of an unbelieving world,
They were as pure as white hot light,
They were leaders of men,
They were deliverers of Israel,
They were the Nazarenes and,
The way of the Nazarene is the way of Christ.

~Chris

"All In" living

Luke 1: 38
And Mary said, "Behold, the bondslave of the Lord; be it done to me acording to your word." And the angel departed from her.

Ester 4: 16
"Go assemble all the Jews who are found in Susa, and fast for me; do not eat or drink for three days, night or day. I and my maidens also will fast in the same way. And thus I will go in to the king, which is not according to the law; and if I perish, I perish."

Genesis 38: 25 - 26
It was while she was being brought out that she sent to her father-in-law, saying, "I am with child by the man to whom these things belong." And she said, "Please examine and see, whose signet ring and cords, and staff are these ?" And Judah recognized them and said, "She is more righteous than I, inasmuch as I did not give her to my son Shelah."

Daniel 6: 16
Then the king gave orders, and Daniel was brought in and cast into the lions' den. The king spoke and said to Daniel, "Your God whom you constantly serve will Himself deliver you."

Matthew 14: 8
And having been prompted by her mother, she said, "Give me here on a platter the head of John the Baptist"

Mark 14: 36
And He was saying, "Abba! Father! All things are possible for Thee; remove this cup from Me; yet not what I will, but what Thou wilt."

Hebrews 12: 4
You have not yet resisted to the point of shedding blood in your striving against sin;

~TOTALLY COMMITTED LIVES, PUT ON THE LINE FOR US~
Mary, all in - (obedience to Gods will) - through which came our savior.
Ester, all in - (saved her people) - through which came our savior.
Tamar, all in - (carried on her deceased husbands name) - through which came our savior.
Daniel, all in - (kept God's people true to Him in exile) - through which came our savior.
John, all in - (prepared the way) - through which came our savior.
Jesus, all in - (our savior, for us) - through which comes our salvation.
Us, ?? - (spreading the good news) - through which our savior is proclaimed to the world.

We are called as Christian people to resist sin even to the point of our very blood being shed. As we set this FootPrint down are we "all in" for Him ?
~Chris

Cultivating the Garden

Genesis 2: 8
And the Lord God planted a garden toward the east, in Eden; and there He placed the man whom He had formed. And out of the ground the Lord God caused to grow every tree for food; the tree of life also in the midst of the garden....

Song of Solomon 4: 16
"Awake, O north wind,
And come, wind of the south;
Make my garden breath out fragrance,
Let its spices be wafted abroad.
May my beloved come into his garden
And eat its choice fruits!"

Matthew 13: 24 - 25
He presented another parable to them, saying, " The kingdom of heaven may be compared to a man who sowed good seed in his field. "But while men were sleeping, his enemy came and sowed tares also among the wheat, and went away...

Luke 22: 44
And being in agony He was praying very fervently; and His sweat became like drops of blood, falling down upon the ground. And when He rose from prayer, He came to His disciples and found them sleeping from sorrow.

John 19: 41
Now in the place where He was crucified there was a garden;

~ OUR PLACE IN THE GARDEN ~
A place of nurturing,
A place prayer,
A place of comfort,
that requires great care.
Through patient toil
removing the weeds
working with the soil
all while on our knees.

Dare we sleep instead of doing the work in the garden. Todays FootPrint is to give thanks for the garden in our life and to work the soil of it. Through the work of the master gardener, Jesus, we will eat of the tree of life and the goodness of it, that God has waiting for us.~Chris

The Forgiven Ones

Can He forgive the man whose watchingalways counting those to blamefor not heeding what he saw,until the hour of his own shame ?
Isaiah 58: 6 -
Is this not the fast which I chose,
To loosen the bonds of wickedness,
To undo the bands of the yoke,
And to let the oppressed go free,
And break every yoke ?
"Is it not to divide your bread
with the hungry,
And bring the homeless poor
into the house;
When you see the naked, to
cover him;
And not to hide yourself from
your own flesh ?
"Then your light will break out
like the dawn.
And your recovery will speedily
spring forth;
And your righteousness will
go before you;
The glory of the Lord will be
your rear guard.
Then you will call, and the
Lord will answer;
You will cry, and He will say,
'Here I am.'
If you remove the yoke from
your midst,
The pointing of the finger, and
speaking wickedness,
And if you give yourself to the
hungry,
And satisfy the desire of the afflicted,
Then your light will rise in
darkness,
And your gloom will become
like midday,
"And the Lord will continually
guide you,
And satisfy your desire in
scorched places,
And give strength to your
bones;
And you will be like a watered
garden,
And like a spring of water
whose waters do not fail.

Romans 14: 12 - 13
So then each one of us shall give account of himself to God. Therefore let us not judge one another any more, but rather determine this -- not to put an obstacle or a stumbling block in a brother's way.

Ephesians 4: 32
And be kind to one another, tender-hearted, forgiving each other, just as God in Christ also has forgiven you.

~ A NEW HEART AND A FRESH START ~
A forgiven heart is a heart that can get back in the race. Todays FootPrint is forgiveness, because it is as we forgive, that we ourselves are also forgiven.
~Chris

Marriage - Two into One

John 2: 1 - 2
And on the third day there was a wedding in Cana of Galilee; and the mother of Jesus was there; and Jesus also was invited, and His disciples, to the wedding.

Hebrews 13: 4
Let marriage be held in honor among all, and let the marriage bed be undefiled;

1 Thessalonians 4: 7- 8
For God has not called us for the purpose of impurity, but to sanctification. Consequently, he who rejects this is not rejecting man but the God who gives His Holy Spirit to you.

Revelation 19: 7
"Let us rejoice and be glad and give the glory to Him, for the marriage of the Lamb has come and His bride has made herself ready."

Psalms 46: 10
"Cease striving and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth."

~ MARRIAGE, SOMETHING OLD, SOMETHING NEW ~
Jesus began His ministry with a marriage, and our eternity begins with a marriage feast. Marriage is divinely structured by God for our societal benefit. Marriage is ordained by God because it is a ministry to the family. Marriage is a reflection of God, in our relationship with Jesus, who gave all He had for our sake. God changes not (Malachi 3:6), let marriage therefore be held in honor unchanged, something as old as time itself, and something as new as a young couple made ready at the alter before our Lord.
~ Chris

Touching the Flame

Malachi 3: 3
And He will sit as a smelter and purifier of silver, and He will purify the sons of Levi and refine them like gold and silver, so that they may present to the Lord offerings in righteousness.

Deuteronomy 4: 35 - 36
"To you it was shone that you might know that the Lord, He is God; there is no other besides Him. "Out of the heavens He let you hear His voice to discipline you; and on earth He let you see His great fire, and you heard His words from the midst of the fire...

Isaiah 10: 17
And the light of Israel will become a fire and his Holy One a flame.

Acts 2: 3
And there appeared to them tongues as of fire distributing themselves, and they rested on each one of them.

1 Thessalonians 5:19
Do not quench the Spirit;

Habakkuk 2:13
Has not the LORD Almighty determined that the people's labor is only fuel for the fire, that the nations exhaust themselves for nothing ?

Matthew 17: 2
And He was transfigured before them; and His face shone like the sun, and His garments became as white as light.

Revelation 21: 23
And the city has no need of the sun or of the moon to shine upon it, for the glory of God has illuminated it, and its lamp is the Lamb.

~ SHINE LIKE THE SON ~
The glory of God illuminates the truth for our life, and lights our way. The lamp, the light in our life, is to be put on the lampstand (Mat 4:21). Todays FootPrint, is to find the flame that is the passion of our faith in Him, grab hold of it, and pass the tourch to others. May we be refined and purified in the process.
~ Chris

Temptations fall

Matthew 4: 3 - 4
And after He had fasted forty days and forty nights, He then became hungry. And the tempter came and said to Him, "If You are the Son of God, command that these stones become bread." But He answered and said, "It is written, 'Man shall not live on bread alone, but on every word that proceeds out of the mouth of God.' "
(No Reserve)

Matthew 4: 5 - 6
Then the devil took Him into the holy city; and he stood Him on the pinnacle of the temple, and said to Him, "If You are the Son of God throw yourself down; for it is written, 'He will give His Angels charge concerning You; And on their hands they will bear you up, lest you strike your foot against a stone.' " Jesus said to him, "On the other hand, it is written, "You shall not tempt the Lord your God.' "
(No Retreat)
Matthew 4: 8 - 9
Again, the devil took Him to a very high mountain, and showed Him all the kingdoms of the world, and their glory; and he said to Him, "All these things will I give You, if You fall down and worship me." Then Jesus said to him, "Begone Satan ! For it is written, 'You shall worship the Lord your God, and serve Him alone.' "
(No Regrets)

~ No Reserve, No Retreat, No Regrets
In memory of William Borden (these three word sets from Bordens Bible describing his walk with the Lord, 1887 - 1913). Jesus fought off tempation through a deciplined focus on the Father. William Borden applied a principled live to focus on Jesus. Today's Footprint, is the rememberance of great Christians who blazed the trail before us. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/William_Whiting_Borden
~ Chris

Gods death defying escapes

Psalms 68: 20
God is to us a God of deliverance; And to God the Lord belong escapes from death.

Hebrews 11: 5
By faith Enoch was taken up so that he should not see death; and he was not found because God took him up.

Luke 9: 27
"But I tell you truly, there are some of those standing here who shall not taste death until they see the kingdom of God."

Revelation 11: 3
"And I will grant authority to my two witnesses, and they will prophesy for twelve hundred and sixty days, clothed in sackcloth."

Deuteronomy 34: 5 - 6
So Moses the servant of the Lord died there in the land of Moab, according to the word of the Lord. And He buried him in the valley in the land of Moab, opposite Bethpeor; But no man knows his burial place to this day.

Romans 5: 8
But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.

Philippians 1: 21
For to me, to live is Christ, and to die is gain.

~ CHRIST DIED IN OUR PLACE SO WE CAN ESCAPE ~
It's been said that death is a certainty of life's journey. But perhaps our understanding of this certainty, is flawed. The Lord, has swallowed death in victory. Though it has been appointed once for man to die (Heb 9:27), He has allowed a means of escape. Enoch it appears simply stepped off the earth with God.

Is it possible the two end-time witnesses (Rev 11:3), have also eluded death these 2 thousand years, having been here among us all along? Did they witness the very life of Jesus to give the world an eye witness end-time accounting, reserved for that time when all faith seems lost (Luke 9: 27) ?

Moses was buried by Gods own hands, and the place of it has escaped discovery.

Jesus Christ however provides us with the ultimate death defying escape. He took our place and offers us the escape as a gift.

Today's Footprint is the gain of the gift. As Paul says, to die in the Lord is gain... that is because we are going home to Him. Going home to Life! O death where is thy victory (1 Cor 15:55) ?
~ Chris

Building the Temple

The foundation of this church was dug by hand (by volunteers).

Zechariah 8: 9
"Thus says the Lord of hosts, 'Let your hands be strong, you who are listening in these days to these words from the mouth of the prophets, those who spoke in the day that the foundation of the house of the Lord of hosts was laid, to the end that the temple might be built...

Ezra 3: 11
And they sang, praising and giving thanks to the Lord saying, "For He is good, for His lovingkindness is upon Israel forever." And all the people shouted with a great shout when they praised the Lord because the foundation of the house of the Lord was laid.

1 Timothy 6: 18
Instruct them to do good, to be rich in good works, to be generous and ready to share, storing up for themselves the treasure of a good foundation for the future, so that they may take hold of that which is life indeed.

Isaiah 28: 16
Therefore thus says the Lord God, Behold, I am laying in Zion a stone, a tested stone, A costly cornerstone for the foundation, firmly placed. He who believes in it will not be disturbed.

John 2: 19
Jesus answered and said to them, "Destroy this temple, and in three days I will raise it up."

Luke 6: 47 - 48
"Everyone who comes to Me, and hears My words, and acts upon them, I will show you whom he is like: he is like a man building a house, who dug deep and laid a foundation upon the rock; and when a flood arose, the river burst against that house and could not shake it, because it had been well built...

1 Corinthians 3: 16
Do you not know that you are a temple of God, and that the Spirit of God dwells in you ? If any man destroys the temple of God, God will destroy him, for the temple of God is holy and that is what you are.

~ A FOUNDATION TO BUILD YOUR TEMPLE UPON ~
~The people shouted when the foundation of the temple was laid. They understood, it was the foundation their entire national future would be built upon. Do we not all build upon the foundation of our individual lives ? Dig deep, test the stones you lay in your foundation. Build it upon the rock that doesn't move, so that the life built upon it, will not be disturbed. Such a foundation is truely a treasure, so shout as they did, that your foundation is strong. Remember the cornerstone of your life is Jesus, which is a costly stone, paid for dearly. Build the temple of your life, which is a holy offering, and where the Holy Spirit will dwell, with reverence. Build it upon a firm foundation. Give thanks and praise to our Lord, taking hold always of that which is life indeed. Our Lord has done a marvellous thing.
~ Chris

The economy of the Lord

Deuteronomy 23: 19
You shall not charge interest to your countrymen; interest on money, food, or anything that may be loaned at interest

Prov 28: 16
But he who hates unjust gain will prolong his days.

Prov 29: 4
The king gives stability to the land by justice, But a man who takes bribes overthrows it.

Lev 25: 13 - 17
On this year of jubilee each of you shall return to his own property. If you make a sale, moreover, to your friend, or buy from your friend's hand, you shall not wrong one another. Corresponding to the number of years after the jubilee, you shall buy from your friend; he is to sell to you according to the number of years of crops. In proportion to the extent of the years you shall increase its price, and in proportion to the fewness of years, you shall diminish its price; for it is a number of crops he is selling to you. So you shall not wrong one another, but you shall fear your God; for I am the Lord your God. You shall thus observe My statutes, and keep My judgements, so as to carry them out, that you may live securely on the land.

2 Th 3: 10
For even when we were with you, we used to give you this order: if anyone will not work, neither let him eat. For we hear that some among you are leading an undisciplined life, doing no work at all, but acting like busybodies.

Malachi 3: 10

"Bring the whole tithe into the storehouse, so that there may be food in My house, and test Me now in this," says the Lord of hosts, "if I will not open for you the windows of heaven, and pour out for you a blessing until there is no more need....

Acts 3: 6
But Peter said, "I do not possess silver and gold, but what I do have I give to you; In the name of Jesus Christ the Nazarene -- walk!" And seizing him by the right hand, he raised him up; and immediately his feet and his ankles were strengthened.

Proverbs 3: 13-15
How blessed is the man who finds wisdom,
And the man who gains understanding. For its profit is better than the profit of silver,
And its gain than fine gold. She is more precious than jewels;
And nothing you desire compares with her.

~ THE ECOMONY THAT HELPS ALL ~
Charge no interest, take no interest, lend for the good of others, return to your property when the year of jubilee arrives, price your land according to the nearness or farness from the year of jubilee. Do no wrong, take no bribes, take only just gain, respect God in every transaction, work and don't waste time. Give back as God has given. With typically one jubilee year in a generation, the result was, no dept (nor passing it to the next generation), no excessive wealth, no inflation, no depression, no class envy, less poverty, living in peace and stability securely on the land. Gods promise comes with this, "blessing until there is no more need", what more could we want ? The Footprint today, money which has the potential for good or much evil, should be kept in perspective. We can't take it with us, and it is better to give than receive.
~ Chris

Them Dry Bones

Proverbs 17: 22
A joyful heart is good medicine, But a broken spirit dries up the bones.

Ezekiel 37: 1 -3
The hand of the Lord was upon me, and He brought me out by the Spirit of the Lord and set me down in the middle of the valley; and it was full of bones. And He caused me to pass among them round about, and behold, there were very many on the surface of the valley; and lo they were very dry. And He said to me, "Son of man, can these bones live ?"

Ezekiel 37:11
Then He said to me, "Son of man, these bones are the whole house of Israel; behold, they say, our bones are dried up, and our hope has perished. We are completely cut off."

Ezekiel 37: 14
And I will put My Spirit within you, and you will come to life, and I will place you on your own land.

Psalm 147 : 2 - 3
The Lord builds up Jerusalem; He gathers the outcasts of Israel. He heals the brokenhearted, And binds up their wounds.

~ WHEN OUR SPIRIT IS MADE WHOLE AGAIN ~
Can our spirit, once broken, be made whole again ? An entire nation, cut off from God, in the loneliest of places, nothing left at all. This is our condition without Him, our spirit broken. But our God heals the brokenhearted, He stands in our place and puts His spirit within us. He revives an entire rebellious nation back to life. Today's Footprint, is to know that ..... (Psalm 147: 5 - 6) Great is our Lord, and abundant in strength; His understanding is infinite. The Lord supports the afflicted, and brings down the wicked to the ground....
Can these bones live ? Rejoice, with His Spirit within us, they can indeed.
~Chris

~ The valley
 Psalm 23:4
Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me.

Isaiah 22:1-2
The burden of the valley of vision. What aileth thee now, that thou art wholly gone up to the housetops?
Thou that art full of stirs, a tumultuous city, joyous city: thy slain men are not slain with the sword, nor dead in battle.

Isaiah 63:13-15
That led them through the deep, as an horse in the wilderness, that they should not stumble?
As a beast goeth down into the valley, the Spirit of the LORD caused him to rest: so didst thou lead thy people, to make thyself a glorious name.
Look down from heaven, and behold from the habitation of thy holiness and of thy glory: where is thy zeal and thy strength, the sounding of thy bowels and of thy mercies toward me? are they restrained?

Joel 3:14
Multitudes, multitudes in the valley of decision: for the day of the LORD is near in the valley of decision.


  

Rest in Him

1 Cor 3: 16
Do you not know that you are a temple of God, and that the Spirit of God dwells in you ?

Mat 6: 26
Look at the birds of the air, that they do not sow, neither do they reap, nor gather into barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not worth much more than they ?

Mat 11: 28
"Come to Me, all who are weary and heavy-laden, and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you, and learn from Me, for I am gentle and humble in heart; and you shall find rest for your souls.

~YOU WHO ARE WORTH MUCH ~
Heavy laden hearts weary of the race, remember God keeps us, dwells in us, has walked this way before us. There is a rest for our souls, that begins with learning from Him our true value. Todays Footprint is to step in His.
~ Chris

Work that matters to Him

Colossians 3: 23
Whatever you do, do your work heartily, as for the Lord rather than for men;

John 5: 16
Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in Heaven.

~ GLORIFY YOUR HEAVENLY FATHER ~
No matter what you do for work, doing the job well matters. It brings honor to you before men, and brings glory to God through your good works. Todays Footprint is to have joy in the work you do, as you do it for Him.
~Chris

The great day for Mothers

Genesis 3: 16
In pain you shall bring forth children.

Genesis 4: 1
Now the man had relations with his wife Eve, and she conceived and gave birth to Cain...

Genesis 18: 12
And Sarah laughed to herself. saying, "After I have become old, shall I have pleasure, my lord being old also ?" And the Lord said to Abraham, "Why did Sarah laugh, saying, 'Shall I indeed bear a child, when I am so old?' "Is anything too difficult for the Lord ?"

Genesis 35: 16 - 18
and when there was still some distance to go to Ephrath, Rachel began to give birth and she suffered severe labor. And it came about when she was in severe labor that the midwife said to her. "Do not fear, for now you have another son." And it came about as her soul departed (for she died), that she named him Ben-oni;

Luke 1: 38
And Mary said, "Behold , the bondslave of the Lord; be it done to me according to your word." And the angel departed from her.

Luke 2: 6 - 7
And it came about that while they were there, the days were completed for her to give birth. And she gave birth to her firstborn son; and she wrapped Him in cloths, and laid Him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn.

Luke 2: 34 - 35
And Simeon blessed them, and said to Mary His mother, "Behold, this Child is appointed for the fall and rise of many in Israel, and for a sign to be opposed -- and a sword will pierce even your own soul -- to the end that thoughts from many hearts may be revealed."

John 19: 25
... But there were standing by the cross of Jesus His mother...

Isaiah 53: 12
Therefore, I will allot Him a potion with the great, And He will divide the booty with the strong; Because He poured out Himself to death.

Rev 21: 4
"...and He shall wipe away every tear from their eyes; and there shall no longer be any death; there shall no longer be any mourning , or crying, or pain; the first things have passed away."

~ BEHOLD YOUR MOTHER ~
First in pain, first in shame, first in doubt, first in labor, first in humility, first in loss, first to be pierced, first in anguish, first in understanding, having poured themselves out for love, even to death, as our Lord Himself has done. Will not their tears be first to be dried and their joy first to be made full on that great day when the first things pass away ?(John 19: 27) Then He said to the disciples, "Behold , your mother!"
~Chris .

National Day of Prayer

Mathew 7: 24 - 27
"Therefore everyone who hears these words of mine and puts them into practice is like a wise man who built his house on the rock. The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house; yet it did not fall, because it had its foundation on the rock. But everyone who hears these words of mine and does not put them into practice is like a foolish man who built his house on sand. The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house, and it fell with a great crash."

Exodus: 20: 1 - 2
Then God spoke all these words, saying, I am the Lord your God, who brought you out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of slavery. You shall have no other Gods before Me.

~ In Albany N.Y, the capital city of New York State. During worship on a cloudy National Day of Prayer, at the foot of the capital building, when the song turned to the glory of Gods creation, the sky suddenly opened and the sun shone on the people, several hundred strong. There were gasps and excited exclamations of how God was using the sun to shine blessing on His people.
Later in the program, the organizers set up for the politicians speeches. The American flag was set in place for the pledge of allegiance. Again there was a suddenness, this time from the wind. It blew the American flag flat to the ground. There was momentary stunned silence as the organizers, duck tape in hand rushed to the rescue. No one spoke of God using the wind.
What just happened ? Did the Holy Spirit indeed shine grace on His people gathered there, and later spurn the Country of this people when the flag fell ? Was it such a statement, emanating from New York's capital, the author of many national policies in opposition to Christian values and ethics. Have we as Christians, misplaced our devotion ? Do we really have no other Gods before us ? We love our country, we love our flag, we honor those lost with deep passion. Do we love God more ? Our country, flag and passion for those who made the ultimate sacrifice for our freedom, if all are removed, will we still love and show honor to God ? Is it too difficult when God disciplines the country of our birth, that we love so dearly ? Today, did the Spirit Shine the light of His grace and tip the flag, or can we only bear to acknowledge the former but not the later. The difficult Footprint today, is knowing that God is over all other authority. He sets up and tears down. Our founders knew it. On this day of prayer, let us pray that we understand it too and through His grace, the goodness of this country, He will maintain for His glory. May we come to the place where the wind blows and the house stands.
~ Chris

The value of Him

Zechariah 11: 10-12 (Old Testament)(10) And I took my staff, Favor, and cut it in pieces, to break my covenant which I had made with all the peoples.
(11) So it was broken on that day; and thus the afflicted of the flock who were watching me realized that it was the word of the Lord.
(12) And I said to them, "If it is good in your sight, give me my wages, but if not, never mind! " So they weighed out thirty shekels of silver as my wages.
(13) Then the Lord said to me, "Throw it to the potter, that magnificent price at which I was valued by them." So I took the thirty shekels of silver and threw them to the potter in the house of the Lord.
(14) Then I cut my second staff, Union, in pieces, to break the brotherhood between Judah and Israel.

Matthew 27: 5 (New Testament)And he threw the pieces of silver into the sanctuary and departed;
Matthew 27: 7
And they counseled together and with the money bought the Potter's Field...

~ FAVOR AND UNION ~
How wonderful is the Lord our shepherd, who allows us to find Favor once again in Him, that He may lead us with that Holy staff. Union also, will find her place once again in the Shepherd's hand.

(Hebrews 8: 8 ) "Behold, Days are coming, says the Lord, when I will effect a new covenant with the House of Israel and with the house of Judah."

Our God, who scattered Israel across the earth, will bring brotherhood to the nations through her, and brotherhood with Judah, He will also reestablish. He will remember our sins no more. Our every footstep, purchased by our Lord.
~ Chris

The Angel who has redeemed

Genesis 48: 15-16
And he blessed Joseph, and said, "The God before whom my fathers Abraham and Isaac walked, The God who has been my shepherd all my life to this day, The angel who has redeemed me from all evil, Bless the lads; And may my name live on in them, And the names of my fathers Abraham and Isaac; And may they grow into a multitude in the midst of the earth."

Isaiah 63: 8-9
For He Said, "Surely, they are My people. Sons who will not deal falsely." So He became their Savior. In all their affliction He was afflicted. And the angel of His presence saved them; In His love and in His mercy He redeemed them; And He lifted them and carried them all the days of old.

~ THE ANGEL OF HIS PRESENCE ~
~ The God of our fathers has redeemed us with His presence here on earth. When we are weak, He is strong. Our Footprints disappear when we are carried by Him, as He carried our ancestors so long ago.
~ Chris

Untroubled Hearts

Psalm 8: 2
From the mouth of infants and nursing babes Thou hast established strength.

1 Peter 2: 2
like newborn babes, long for the pure milk of the word, that by it you may grow in respect to salvation,

Matthew 11: 25
" I praise Thee, O Father, Lord of heaven and earth, that Thou didst hide these things from the wise and intelligent and didst reveal them to babes."

Mark 10: 14
" Permit the children to come to Me; do not hinder them; for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these."
~ UNTROUBLED HEARTS - FRESH FROM GOD ~
The greatest gift in my life has been in linking the ancient story and the children's stories to my own. In accepting the linkage, God has ministered to my unsure heart with the gift of hearts untroubled.
~Diane Komp M.D. Pediatric Oncologist, Yale University School of Medicine
(Window to Heaven)

Groanings too deep for words

Romans 8: 26 - 27
And in the same way the Spirit also helps our weakness; for we do not know how to pray as we should, but the Spirit Himself intercedes for us with groanings too deep for words; and He who searches the hearts knows what the mind of the Spirit is, because He intercedes for the saints according to the will of God.

Romans 8: 16
The Spirit Himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God.

Luke 22: 41 - 43
And He withdrew from them about a stone's throw, and knelt down and began to pray, saying, "Father if Thou art willing, remove this cup from Me; yet not My will, but Thine be done." Now an angel from heaven appeared to Him, strengthening Him.

~ INTERCESSION IN PRAYER ~
~ Words unspoken, feelings inexpressible, searching hearts, lonely anguish... such is the condition of human prayer. What a wonderful God who searches our heart, comforts us, strengthens us as His children with heavenly presence, and bears witness of our deepest longings. Footprints of prayer today for you. When we pray, we are never alone, with the Spirit bearing witness with our own.
~ Chris

Hidden Things

Daniel 2: 20-23
Daniel answered and said, "Let the name of God be blessed forever and ever, For wisdom and power belong to Him. And it is He who changes the times and epochs; He removes kings and establishes kings; He gives wisdom to wise men, And knowledge to men of understanding. "It is He who reveals the profound and hidden things; He knows what is in the darkness, And the light dwells with Him. To Thee, O God of my fathers, I give thanks and praise.
~ HE CHANGES THE TIMES AND EPOCHS ~
~ God knows the hidden things, the things hidden even in the hearts of people. He can reveal a matter or keep it hidden from men. (see Phil 3: 15). Trust in His ways and lean not on your own understanding. (see Prov 3: 5)

Flee or Faith

Psalm 138: 8
The Lord will accomplish what concerns me: Thy lovingkindness, O Lord is everlasting.

John 15: 9
Just as the Father has loved Me, I have also loved you; abide in My love.

John 15: 13
Greater love has no one than this, that one lay down his life for his friends.
~ Flee or Faith ~
Come, let us walk in faith. His love for us is everlasting, and He is inviting us to abide with Him in His love. Lifes plan will be accomplished, so turn not from the greatest love humanity has ever know. Todays footprint is the step of faith.
~ Chris

Knit together

1 Samuel 18: 1
Now it came about when he had finished speaking to Saul, that the soul of Jonathan was knit to the soul of David, and Jonathan loved him as himself.

1 Samuel 20: 42
And Jonathan said to David, "Go in safety, inasmuch as we have sworn to each other in the name of the Lord, saying, 'The Lord will be between me and you, and between my decendants and your decendants forever'."

Rev 3: 20
'Behold, I stand at the door and knock; If any one hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in to him, and will dine with him, and he with me."
~ KNIT TOGETHER - THE LORD BETWEEN THEM ~
~ Jonathan accepted David as heir to the throne of Israel and Judah over even himself. He angered his father Saul to the point where his own father tied to kill him, at the very idea of David on the throne. Jonathan was knit to David, and with the Lord between them, he saw David through the eyes of God. He willingly humbled himself giving up his own throne to his friend so that the will of God could prevail. Shortly thereafter, Jonathan died side by side with his father in battle. While David showed us the greatness of a true king, Jonathan showed us the greatness of a true friend. When Jesus knocks today, let us willing offer to Him the throne of our lives, for His greater purpose. Knit the Lord into our friendships today, so that we may see them as He does.
~ Chris

Complete joy

1 John 1: 4 - 5
And these things we write, so that our joy may be made complete. And this is the message we have heard from Him and announce to you, that God is light, and in Him there is no darkness at all.

3 John 1: 4
I have no greater joy than this, to hear my children walking in the truth.

Nehemiah 8: 10
Do not be grieved, for the joy of the Lord is your strength.

Psalm 66: 1
Shout joyfully to God , all the earth.
~ COMPLETE JOY ~
Lord today, let us walk in Your truth and light. Whatever our trials, utterly overcome our darkness, let us be strong, and complete us, your children, by filling us with joy. The very earth shouts for the joy of You.
~ Chris

Voice of The Lord

Genesis 3: 8
And they heard the voice of the Lord God walking in the garden in the cool of the day...
~THE VOICE OF THE LORD GOD ~
~ remember when every breath we drew was Hallelujah ~
~Leonard Cohen

Hearts of Men

2 Chronicles 6: 29-30
... whatever prayer or supplication is made by any man or by all Thy people Israel, each knowing his own affliction, and his own pain, and spreading his hands toward this house, then hear Thou from heaven Thy dwelling place, and forgive, and render to each according to all his ways, whose heart Thou knowest for Thou alone dost know the hearts of the sons of men.
~ THE HEARTS OF MEN
~God alone knows the hearts of people. That's why we must leave the judgement of others up to Him. No one knows what's in the heart of another except Him. ~
~ Chris

All Live to Him

Exodus 3:2
And the angel of the Lord appeared to him in a blasing fire from the midst of a bush; and he looked, and behold, the bush was burning with fire, yet the bush was not consumed.

Luke 20: 37 -38
But that the dead are raised, even Moses showed, in the passage about the burning bush, where he calls, the Lord the God of Abraham, and the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob. Now He is not the God of the dead, but of the living, for all live to Him.
~ ALL LIVE TO HIM ~
Every breath we breath comes from our living God. He is the God of the living, death has been swallowed up in victory (see - 1 Cor 15: 54). Today, let us live lives of victory, for we are not consumed. We have a redeemer who loves us so much that He even died in our place.
~ Chris

Righteousness

Genesis 15: 5-6
And He took him outside and said, "Now look toward the heavens, and count the stars, if you are able to count them." And He said to him, "So shall your decendants be."
Then he believed in the Lord; and He reckoned it to him as righteousness.
~ RIGHTEOUSNESS ~
God reckoned Abrahams belief in His word as righteousness. When we believe in the words He gives us, it is an act of righteousness. (Mat 13:43) - "Then the righteous will shine forth as the sun in the kingdom of their father."
~Chris

Justice

Amos 5: 14-15

Seek good and not evil, that you may live;
and thus may the Lord God of hosts be with you,
just as you have said!
Hate evil, love good, And establish justice in the gate!
Perhaps the Lord God of hosts may be gracious to the remnant of Joseph."
~JUSTICE~
Our God is a God of love...
but also a God of justice. Rather than a court system, in those days
the elders of the city would sit at the gate to the city and listen
to the people with a grievance with another. They would pass judgment on the matter. The remnant of Joseph are the offspring of Ephraim and Manasseh.
Two names to remember, two names that changed everything. ~Chris

Pruning Hooks

Isaiah 2:4
And He will judge between the nations, And will render decisions for many peoples; And they will hammer their swords into plowshares,and their spears into pruning hooks, Nations will not lift up sword against nation, And never again will they learn war.

Ancient of Days

Daniel 7:13-14

I kept looking in the night visions,
And behold, with the clouds of heaven
One like the Son of Man was coming,
And He came up to the Ancient of Days
And was presented before Him
And to Him was given dominion,
Glory and a kingdom,
That all peoples nations,
and men of every language
Might serve Him.
His dominion is an everlasting dominion
Which will not pass away;
And His Kingdom is one
which will not be destroyed.