How to Make it Special

 Honor the LORD with your wealth, with the first fruits of all your crops; then your barns will be filled to overflowing, and your vats will brim over with new wine. Proverbs 3:9-10, The Holy Bible, New International Version

Do you give to the Lord with a joyous heart, or, do you give niggardly?

Niggardly: giving or sharing as little as possible Webster’s Dictionary

For me, I love to give with a joyous heart. A heart of gratitude to my loving creator for all the wonderful gifts He has so graciously given me. Not just material things like a place to live, but also insights into how truly awesome He is, how ingenious He is, how loving and caring He is. When I meditate on these things my heart cannot but help but give joyously to our wonderful God.

Think of how much you would pay to go to the best university in the world?

That is where you are when you read and digest the great wisdom in the Bible.

Then think of how much you give back to the great I Am?

“Whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.” Matthew 25:40 The Holy Bible, New International Version

Think of all the wonderful gifts He so hospitably gives us?

Mull over the beautiful sunrise, the wonderful fragrance of flowers, and the sweet serenade of the tiny song birds. While delighting in these special treasures, why not take this time to talk with Him as well.

What better time or place?

These are all amazing gifts He freely shares with us if we take the time to enjoy them. Our reciprocation should therefore be one of joyous returning to the marvelous Immanuel (God who walks amongst us) whether the commitment is financial or elegantly serving in a volunteer capacity.

When we give appreciatively to the magnificent God we are exhibiting our gratitude towards Him the way He intended it to be and the way that brings a smile to His beautiful face. There is joyous celebration with angels singing when you share in this manner.

The Holy Spirit is the secret of the power in my life All I have to do is surrender my life to Him. Kathryn Kuhlman

Prayer: Thank you Jehovah Jireh ( God provides ) for blessing me with an abundance of both physical and spiritual security (not overabundance but enough to live comfortably). Thank you my Beloved for blessing me with numerous opportunities to share this wealth with those who are in need and are appreciative of the gifts given to them through Your grace. I praise You in the name of He who is Your greatest gift to me Jesus Christ. Amen

May the sunshine of Jesus’ sweet love fill your heart today and every day. Joseph a son of Jehovah 

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You are Quick To

“For the flesh lusteth against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh: and these are contrary the one to the other: so that ye cannot do the things that ye would” (Gal. 5:17). The Holy Bible, New International Version

Here is where the most brutal battle is fought.

No it is not some famous place like Dunkirk, Vimy Ridge or Nanjing.

It is the no holds barred fight between Spirit and flesh.

Flesh can be considered lust and self serving.

Spirit is of course the Holy Spirit.

The battle occurs every day. Sometimes it is little battles, sometimes it is horrible battles. Think of an alcoholic recovering from his hellish addiction.

The flesh battles the Spirit. And says: “Come on, you have recovered, one drink won’t hurt.

” Or “remember all the fun we had on those drunken parties?”

The Spirit says “Remember all the hangovers and depression, shame experienced when you sobered up?”

How about gossiping? Yeah let’s gossip about______ (fill in the blank).

Let’s hop in the sack with ___.

The list goes on and on.

Let’s cheat on a test at school (where the laugh is on you because you are only cheating yourself).

The flesh says “Let’s serve ourselves, no matter who we hurt.”

The Spirit says “Live by Gods Laws. Do to other people what you would like them to do to you. Do not do to other people what you do not want them to do to you.

“ The commandments, “You shall not commit adultery,” “You shall not murder,” “You shall not steal,” “You shall not covet,” and whatever other command there may be, are summed up in this one command: “Love your neighbor as yourself.” Romans 13:9 The Holy Bible, New International Version

It is hard and many times we fail.

The wonderful thing is when we sincerely apologize to Jesus for our failures and try not to do them again. When we get the help needed by counseling and taking it to God in prayer we are not only forgiven, we grow stronger in our love and respect for the big three:

God our kind gracious and loving Father, Jesus Christ our Savior King and best friend (just think of that, you have the most powerful king as your best friend if you want Him to be) and the Holy Spirit our mentor, healer and comforter.

“For whatsoever is born of God overcometh the world: and this is the victory that overcometh the world, even our faith” (John 5:4). The Holy Bible, New International Version

Prayer: Thank you Jehovah Elohay Selichot (God Of Forgiveness) that when we mess up and fess up You are quick to forgive and forget. Thank you for using these circumstances to mature my loving relationship with You. I exalt You in the name of He whose blood made forgiveness possible Jesus Christ. Amen

May the gentle assurance of Jesus’ sweet love encompass you today and every day. Joseph a son of Jehovah

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Put them into Practice.

“Everyone who hears these words of mine and puts them into practice is like a wise man who built his house on the rock.” (Matthew 7:24 The Holy Bible, New International Version)

Reading the Bible and then not applying its principals is like reading an instruction manual and then trying to build your project on your own without listening to the guidance provided in the manual.

Sounds pretty dumb huh?

But, on the other hand, incorporating the sacred knowledge in the hidden truths of the Bible will enable us to walk closer to God. It will be a life filled with good morals and a foundation of truth which to cement into our hearts.

“Making your ear attentive to wisdom and inclining your heart to understanding; yes, if you call out for insight and raise your voice for understanding, if you seek it like silver and search for it as for hidden treasures, then you will understand the fear of the Lord and find the knowledge of God.” (Proverbs 2:2-5 The Holy Bible, English Standard Version)

This will hold us in good stead when the violent crushing storms of life come crashing down around us (and the storms of life always come until our dying day)

James 1:22 says, “Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says” (The Holy Bible, New International Version).

After reading the Bible we need to request God to open our eyes in how to apply what we have learned into our daily lives.

” Remember, it is sin to know what you ought to do and then not do it.” James 4:17 (The Holy Bible, New Living Translation).

“Your word is a lamp to guide me and a light for my path” (Psalm 119:105 The Holy Bible, Good News Bible).

Guard my words as your most precious possession. Write them down and also keep them deep within your heart.” (Proverbs 7:2 The Holy Bible,The Living Bible)

We are to obey what the Holy Spirit teaches or we are wasting His time by being make believe Christians. Joseph a son of Jehovah

We are not to become Holy Rollers or Bible thumpers.

You know the type. They shove the Bible in your face and pound on it condemning you and demanding you follow THEIR version of the passages. All the while, they go about living as they please. Can you say the word hypocrite or bully?

Please don’t condemn yourselves with this destructive behavior. Not only will you drive others away from Jesus, but you will be found guilty of that heinous crime on judgment day. They are puffed up like a balloon.

Instead use the observations gained in a positive manner to lovingly enlighten those around you.

“Knowledge puffs up but love builds up”. 1 Corinthians 8:1(The Holy Bible, New International Version).

Prayer: Thank you El Deah (God of knowledge) for blessing me with enlightening me to Your light while refraining me from overindulging in knowledge while lacking in love. Thank you that Your guard me words so as to prevent me from suffering from foot in mouth disease. I extol You in the name of the supreme expert in these manners Jesus Christ. Amen

May the light of Christs love shine brightly in your heart today and every day Joseph a son of Jehovah

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The deep breath.

 Make every effort to add to your faith … self-control … 2 Peter 1:5-6 The Holy Bible, New Living Translation

How do you Keep self control?

Most times when I feel a situation getting out of control I just step back and take a few deep breaths.

It is important to keep self control, ESPECIALLY, when teaching.

Sometimes as frustrating as it is people just do not see the obvious, through no fault of their own. Then it is time to just drop it and pray they will come to understand what you are saying. Usually the students get it with in a few weeks of contemplating it.

Sometimes however, when the frustration is overwhelming and they are being a pain in the butt and being antagonist I slam my fist into a wall.(EDITORS NOTE: I do not do this any more. Now I merely inform them if they want to learn they are welcome in my class. If they do not want to learn, there is the door, do not slam it on the way out. Some leave, which makes the class better, the ones that stay straighten right up)

It is not in anger, it is releasing the frustration. It gets their attention and they back away. It is not that they do not understand, it is that they do not WANT to understand. Then just walk away.

If they are stubborn and refuse to see it any way but their way I just call it like it is:” You are stupid and stubborn. I will not speak to you until you apologize and are willing to maturely discuss this.” Don’t talk with them for a couple of days. They usually come around. Stupidness and stubbornness goes together like smoking and cancer. Trying to reason with a stubborn soul is like talking to a wall. I do not waste my time talking to walls.

Sometimes they are just too self centered and then it is best to avoid them altogether because they will do nothing but bring you anger, pain and frustration.

My motto is “Avoid aggressive, self centered people. They will only pollute your heart with anger and sadness.” Joseph a son of Jehovah                                              It has held me in good steed.

Now if it is an addiction get counseling.

Find out why you have that addiction and remove it from you. If you are a drug addict or alcoholic that will mean giving up your friends. They will only continue to pull you back down into that cesspool again. Sometimes the addiction is too strong for you to conquer and that is the time to completely surrender it to Jesus. I did and He instantly defeated my addiction and I have not returned in over ten years. Now, He may or may not instantly relieve you like He did me.

Editors note: since writing this article I have been taught by the Holy Spirit to pray when feeling like losing control. He either calms me down or encourages me to immediately remove myself from the situation which is causing me to lose my self control.

Prayer: Thank you Jehovah-Chatsahi (The Lord is my Strength) – Psalm 27:1 for blessing me with the strength, sensitivity to know when I am being baited and the wisdom to either leave the situation or the wisdom to use the right words to defend myself and defeat the wicked foe. I exalt You in the name of He whose words both healed and cut like a knife Jesus Christ. Amen May

Christ bless you with love, joy and peace today and every day. Joseph a son of Jehovah

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Which Way Have You Heard?

 Jehovah speaks to us in six different ways.

One is by the Word. When we read the Bible every day Jesus will speak to us through its divine Word. For gaining wisdom and instruction; for understanding words of insight; for receiving instruction in prudent behavior, doing what is right and just and fair. Proverbs 1:1-3 The Holy Bible, The New Living Translation

Speaking through others, it is usually friends or close family members. Maybe, it will be a brother or sisters at church.

As iron sharpens iron, so one person sharpens another. Proverbs 27-17 The Holy Bible, The New Living Translation

God speaks through the Holy Spirit. In the last days, God says, I will pour out my Spirit on all people. Acts 2-17 The Holy Bible, The New Living Translation

For those who are led by the Spirit of God are the children of God. Romans 8:14 The Holy Bible, The New Living Translation

In their hearts humans plan their course, but the LORD establishes their steps. Proverbs 16:9 The Holy Bible, The New Living Translation The Spirit will guide you.

When you feel the Spirit telling you to go someplace it is for a reason. Maybe it is a hurting person who needs someone, maybe it is someone who has been praying for guidance.

The Holy Spirit speaks through our thoughts. When we have to make decisions the Holy Spirit will open our eyes to the words in the Bible. He speaks through circumstances.

He can speak to us through failures or success. In sickness or in healing.

The way to determine is to pray and read the Bible.

Speaking through dreams and visions. In the last days, God says, I will pour out my Spirit on all people. Your sons and daughters will prophesy, your young men will see visions, your old men will dream dreams. Acts 2- 17 The Holy Bible, The New Living Translation

Instruct a wise man and he will be wiser still; teach a righteous man and he will add to his learning. Proverbs 9:9 The Holy Bible, The New Living Translation

Jehovah is talking, are you listening? Joseph a son of Jehovah

Prayer: Thank you Jehovah Abba (God our Father) for blessing me with so many creative ways which always amaze me with our conversation. Thank you that in every way You speak so that I always understand. I laud You in the name of the Prince of truth Jesus Christ. Amen.

Christ blesses us with love, peace and joy. May you be blessed with many opportunities to share these with others today.   Joseph a son of Jehovah 

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Ask Them If

 

He who spares the rod hates his son, but he who loves him is careful to discipline him. Proverbs 13:24, New International Version

Now we need to understand this.

When children are young, they will push the limits to see what they can get away with.

First they must be warned such behavior is bad and explain why it is bad. Please do not just tell them it is bad or they must do it because you said so. Take the time to explain why they must do this or must not do that. It is even better when you share with them your personal experience so it makes it more real to them.

If they continue to push the envelope they must receive corporal punishment. One good swat will suffice most of the time or taking away a privilege like no mobile phone for a week.

Then sent to a quiet place to contemplate what they have done for about ten minutes. .

After that go sit down beside them. Hug them. Tell them you love them and it really hurt you to do what you had to do. Ask them if they understand. Usually they do. If they do, not try another way to explain it to them.

This is the method my mom used with us kids and I have used with children many times (being a teacher they were not my students but I loved them as if they were my own children). I speak from experience when I say they will love and respect you for it.

After that when they are naughty all I have to do is raise my voice in a firm controlled way to tell them to stop it and they instantly stop. Not out of fear, but rather out of love.

Without discipline there is chaos. Joseph a son of Jehovah

Prayer:Please Jehovah Abba (God my Father) bless me to emulate You in the same manner in which You wisely teach Your children. I deeply desire them to be a blessing upon this earth not a curse. I humbly request this in the name of my big brother Jesus Christ. Amen

May love be in your life, may hope be in your heart and may peace be in your every day walk with Christ. Joseph a son of Jehovah

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I Choose Not to Choose

 

P. T. Forsythe said, “The purpose of life is not to find your freedom. The purpose of life is to find your Master.”

Jesus is the best master

“He guides me along the right paths for his name’s sake.” Psalm 23:3 New International Version

I choose not to choose my own path, but to follow the Holy Spirits guidance. Yes we should take it to God in prayer and honest Bible study before making a career choice.

This should be our Christian motto: “I choose not to choose.”

“But the wisdom that comes from heaven is first of all pure and full of quiet gentleness. Then it is peace-loving and courteous. It allows discussion and is willing to yield to others; it is full of mercy and good deeds. It is wholehearted and straightforward and sincere” James 3:17 The Holy Bible King James Version

Take it to Jehovah for all of our life’s decisions. Whether it be a school to attend, a course to take a life mate or an investment.

“Commit thy way unto the Lord; trust also in him; and he shall bring it to pass” (Psalms. 37:5).The Holy Bible King James Version

Whatever, I believe in doing as the Jews do. Before making any decisions always take it to Jehovah in prayer for three days. See what the results may be. You may not like them in the short run. But, over time it may be revealed to you just how horrible a mistake you could have made if you went with what you thought was right .

“He guides the humble in what is right and teaches them his way.” (Psalm 25:9 The Holy Bible New International Version)

Independence is opening the door to allow satan into your life. We all know of course he is the master of destruction. Only a fool believes they are independent. They are easy prey for satan.

“All of us, like sheep, have strayed away. We have left God’s paths to follow our own” (Isaiah 53:6a The Holy Bible New Living Translation).

We therefore, have two choices in life: 1) Choose to allow the loving Father to guide our choices or

2) Let the destroyer and torturer (satan) make the choice by tricking us into believing it is our own choice.

“There is a way that appears to be right, but in the end it leads to death” Proverbs 14:12 (The Holy Bible New International Version).

I choose to let Jehovah choose, it is the smartest choice I have ever made.Joseph a son of Jehovah

Prayer: Thank you Jehovah for blessing me with sending the Holy Spirit El Deah (God of knowledge) to guide me through out the challenging discourse of life.              May I always listen , understand and obey His wise guidance.                                      I exalt You and humbly request this in the name of He who is the wisest of all Jesus Christ. Amen

Wishing you a house full of sunshine, hearts full of cheer and love that grows deeper each day of the year. Welsh blessing

Photo and article @ Joseph a son of Jehovah 2020